India Timeline - Year 2017

Date

Incidents

January 1

In a joint operation, the AR and Ledo Police arrested two linkmen of ULFA-I, identified as Raktim Moran and Manab Moran from Itakhola Ledo in Tinsukia District. According to the report, the two linkmen were sending information to ULFA-I and were engaged in illegal coal mines of Ledo area.

Five FICNs of INR 2000 were recovered in Demow Kachumari Pathar in Sivasagar District.

A combined team of Imphal East District Police Commando and 21 Para (Special Force) conducted frisking and checking at the eastern side of Top Khongnangmakhong bridge in Imphal East District and arrested one ‘self styled captain’ of UNLF, identified as Magsatabam Gojendro Singh alias Telheiba  (45).

January 2

Two persons hailing from Kerala's Kasaragod District were arrested near Panaji, while canvassing for a convention of Salafi Muslims scheduled to be held in Karnataka's Mangalore later this month, and distributing Kannada language pamphlets which had Islamic State (IS) symbol and a message titled, “ISIS Shaitan”. The arrested persons have been identified as Ilyas and Abdul Nazir. According to Police sources, the pamphlet is being analysed by top Police officials as the content of the pamphlet canvasses for a convention of Salafi Muslims due to be held in Mangalore from January 9-16. Police is also checking the mobile number mentioned on these pamphlets. "They have been booked under sections 107 (breach of peace) and 151 (preventive arrest) of the Criminal Procedure Code. They have been sent for medical examination at the Goa Medical College”, Police official said.

The producers of an upcoming film have filed a complaint alleging that they have been receiving threat calls from Dawood Ibrahim. According to the Police complaint, the producers have been receiving threat calls for the past 10 days. The complaint registered at the Parliament Street Police Station (New Delhi) said that since January 1, the producers had received five calls from a Pakistan-based mobile number.

Indian Army Chief Bipin Rawat said that dynamics of terrorism is constantly changing, and that Army must think ahead in that direction. "The fact that terrorists infiltrating from adversary's side means that they are getting support from them (Pakistani forces)," the Army Chief said. "We also have to think ahead, and ball has already rolling in that direction," he further added.

On surgical strikes, Rawat said that it was well though through operation and India has sent across a message with the strikes that attacks won't be tolerated. He further said Indian Army will not shy away from a second surgical strike if peace in the region is disrupted. The Army Chief also lauded the soldiers and officers who serve in the most challenging terrains, including those who have fought insurgency.

A top operative of the Bangladesh-based terrorist outfit JMB, Mohammad Mosiuddin alias Musa has revealed that Islamic State (IS) is planning to carry out terror attacks in the eastern part of the country. Mosiuddin claimed that the IS want to establish an Islamic caliphate in India. The SFs and the intelligence agencies are now verifying the possibility of an IS attack from the east following the interrogation of Musa. During his interrogation, Musa has made revelations that terror groups now aim at targeting foreigners at Kolkata's Mother House and lone wolf attacks on foreign tourists in Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir).

The UAE Government had seized properties of Dawood Ibrahim worth INR 150 billion. Earlier in the day, Indian UHM Rajnath Singh had stated that the Government is continuing efforts to bring back Dawood Ibrahim, However, even last year the UHM had asserted that India’s most wanted mafia would soon be arrested and brought back to the country.

The slogans 'ISIS coming soon' were found painted on Mata Mansa Devi temple walls in Dharampur town of Solan District in Himachal Pradesh located on the Kalka-Shmla highway. A case has been registered by the local Police against unidentified persons. The IB officials visited the spot and were keeping an eye on the possible ISIS sympathiser in the area. The slogans painted in red colour, possibly with the help of a stencil, have been blackened by the local police following the panic spread by the writings. Confirming the development, Superintendent of Police, Solan, Anjum Ara, who also visited the spot, said the Police was investigating the case and will soon arrest the people involved in the mischief. "I cannot reveal the information at this stage as it is very sensitive. A forensic examination had been conducted and the report is awaited. The investigation is on," Anjum Ara told. Sources said the intelligence agencies were keeping an eye on migrant labourers besides suspicious people. Dharampur is surrounded by sensitive Army cantonments and the authorities do not want to take any chances.

Mohammad Faheem Ansari, LeT operative, is being tried for his role in the 2007 attack on CRPF camp in Rampur, (Uttar Pradesh) visited Pakistan and obtained a passport there on fake papers, Manpreet Singh Vohra, the then Deputy High Commissioner at Indian High Commission in Pakistan, told the court of additional district and sessions judge. Vohra, who is now Ambassador to Afghanistan, said he obtained this information with officials in Pakistan at that time. Public Prosecutor Dalwinder Singh told the court that Pakistan’s ISI had helped Ansari get the passport.

Additional District Government Counsel Dalwinder Singh said, “Manpreet Singh Vohra had carried out the investigation into a Pakistani passport recovered from Faheem Ansari at the time of his arrest by the ATS and the sleuths of the special task force on February 10, 2008. At that time, Vohra was the deputy high commissioner of India in Islamabad.”

According to Singh, after the Mumbai attack, both India and Pakistan governments had exchanged the information through dossiers where it was revealed that Faheem Ansari had managed to get the Pakistani passport on fake identities. Ansari had been earlier accused of conducting reconnaissance for the Mumbai terror attacks of 2008 but was subsequently acquitted of those charges.

Several Naxal groups in Jharkhand were reported to have incurred losses to the tune of INR 800 million said a top Police officer at Ranchi District. The Naxal groups are desperate ever since the Narendra Modi-led Government had decided to demonetize INR 500 and 1000 currency notes from the midnight of November 8, 2016, which had an adverse impact on the activities of Naxal groups in the State, said the ADG, Jharkhand, R K Mallick. Quoting an intelligence report, he added, at least INR 800 million cash of the Naxal groups has thus been destroyed due to demonetisation. The Naxal outfits have weakened as their major economic system was destroyed post-demonetisation, which prompted the Naxals to indulge in looting cash in desperation, going against the Maoist ideology, Mallick claimed. However, the State Police was prepared to foil all their nefarious design, he said.

Police have received evidence that the CPI-Maoist, with the support of tribal people, took control of forest land, along Kerala and Tamil Nadu border, by cutting down hundreds of trees. A series of video clip, released by Police, show that the armed CPI-Maoist and tribal people are jointly removing trees in forest and installing CPI-Maoist flag in the area. Police suspect that the area shown in the video is Agali forest region of Palakkad District. According to Police, the visuals were recovered from the digital documents that were seized after the recent Police encounter with CPI-Maoist in Nilambur forest in which two CPI-Maoist leaders, Kuppu Devaraj and Ajitha, were killed.

A self styled ‘platoon commander’ and a cadre of the NDFB-IKS, identified as Danial Muchahary and Rahen Muchahary were arrested after an encounter with a joint team comprising the Police and the Army from Lawdangi area under Dhekiajuli Police station in Sonitpur District. Police recovered one 7.65 pistol, three round live cartridges, three mobile phones along with six SIM cards from the militants. Police sources said that Danial was the self styled ‘platoon commander’ of NDFB –IKS of ‘38 battalion’ of the outfit.

A suspected Bangladeshi citizen, identified as Sohail Ahmed alias Omar Nasser Saju was arrested by Cachar District Police at Sadhinbazar area in Cachar District. However, in a reply to a question about Sohail’s link with terrorist outfit JMB and also about his possible links behind the Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan Police Station of Dhaka, the Police said that nothing conclusive could be arrived at so far and they were investigating all possible angles.

A militant of PREPAK-Pro, identified as Kangjam Premananda (40) was arrested by a team of Imphal West District Police at Thangmeiband Hijam Leikai in Imphal West District. Two hand grenade and two mobile phones were recovered from the arrested militant. According to the Police sources, the hand grenades were meant to be exploded at MPSC office and also at the residences of some of its top officials and the militant was operating under one Lamtakpa alias Langamba of PREPAK-Pro. 

A Chinese hand grenade was recovered by Imphal West District Police at Suraj Paint Centre at Nagamapal in Imphal West District. No one has claimed responsibility for the act so far.

Self styled ‘chairman’ Helun Haokip of the militant outfit, KNLF, announced that his ‘organisation’ KNLF had been merged with another militant group, the UKLF.

The Court of CJM, Imphal East District remanded the UNC President Gaidon Kamei and Information Secretary Shangkhel Stephen to Police custody till January 11.

Three militant outfits of North East, KLO, NLFT and PDCK had set March 31 as ‘deadline’ for ‘Hindi speakers’ and Bengalis to ‘quit Kamatapur, Karbi-Longri and Tripura’ in an statement. The statement was signed by KLO ‘chairman’ Jiban Singh Koch, NLFT ‘organising secretary’ Seng-phul Borok and PDCK ‘chairman’ JK Lijang. The statement also condemned the killing of suspected NDFB-IKS, Ratna Narzary of Khunguri village of Chirang District on December 29 by SFs. According to the report, all these three militant groups are mentored by the NSCN-K and ULFA-I.

One civilian, identified as Athari Samson (54) and an AR trooper, identified as Bhupal Singh (42) were killed in an encounter with suspected militants at Khunthak village of Kasom Khullen sub-division in Kamjong District. Troops of 27 AR were going on foot for an operation when they were attacked by militants who opened indiscriminate fire at around 10.30 am. The AR troops too retaliated. The encounter left one AR trooper and another man dead.

A team of Imphal West District Police arrested a militant of KCP, identified as Akoijam Khamba Singh (45) from Bamon Kampu Mayai Leikai in Imphal East District. Three hand grenades, four detonators and a .32 pistol along with 2 live rounds were recovered from his possession. According to Police he joined the outfit in 2008.

January 3

The probe carried out by NIA into the January 2, 2016 Pathankot attack finds out that JeM had plans to attack a local police station too. An intermittent delay in reaching the Pathankot Air Force in Punjab had almost prompted JeM to change their plans and attack a local Police Station instead of the air force base. The information is part of several other conversations, accessed by NIA, which took place between the JeM attackers and their handlers based in Pakistan. The conversations also include chats which took place during and after the attack between JeM handlers and other individuals based in Pakistan.

According to the probe conducted by NIA, four attackers, who belonged to Pakistan based JeM, grew weary due to a delay and had spoken about their concern to Kashif Jan, a senior JeM member through a telephonic conversation. The attackers, all of whom were Pakistani nationals, had made calls to their handler to update him about their movement once they had crossed the border. At around 3.31 am on January 1, 2016 the handler, identified as Kashif, referred as Ustadji by the attackers, made a call on a phone which the attackers had snatched from Ikagar Singh, a taxi driver who was killed by the Pakistani nationals.

A CPI-Maoist ‘area commander’ carrying a reward of INR 1.5 million on his head and wanted in three States was shot dead in an encounter with Police and CRPF at the Ramtandi forest under Ghorabandha Police Station in Ghatshila sub-division of East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. Supai Tudu, an ‘area commander’ of a faction of the CPI-Maoist, was found dead after an exchange of fire between security personnel and the Maoists. Tudu’s wife, Sonali Tudu, was arrested at the site after the incident.

A DRG jawan was injured in an exchange of fire with CPI-Maoist cadres in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The incident occurred in evening in Basaguda Police Station area when a joint team of SFs was out on a anti-Naxal operation. A composite squad of DRG, STF and CoBRA had launched the operation to the interiors of Basaguda, around 450 kilometres away from Raipur, Police said. While the SFs were cordoning off a forested patch close to Tarrem area, they came under heavy fire from a group of ultras that led to the gun-battle. "A DRG jawan sustained bullet injuries on his leg in the incident. However, ultras soon escaped from the spot," the Police added.

A LeT militant identified as Abu Umar Khitab of Pakistan was killed in an encounter with SFs in Sopore area in Baramulla District. SFs had laid an ambush at Haritar in Sopore during the intervening night following information about movement of militants through the area, a Police official said. He said SFs on noticing suspicious movement in the wee hours challenged the persons who opened fire. "In the retaliatory firing, one terrorist was killed," the official said. The militant affiliated with LeT and was active for last four years. He was believed to part of the militant group, which escaped from the SFs cordon several times last month in Hajjan area of North Kashmir. Sources said that the militant was operating in Sopore, Hajin, Gunde Jehanghir and Shah Gund areas of North Kashmir and SFs were tracking his movement for long. They said one AK 47 rifle, one hand grenade, three magazines, 70 AK ammunition rounds, one I-com set, one compass, one bag and one torch was recovered from his possession.

A CRPF ASI was critically injured in a militant attack in Murran Chowk in Pulwama town in Pulwama District. The ASI identified as BN Thakur was hit by a bullet in his back and was shifted to army hospital for treatment. The firing caused panic in the township and senior Police and CRPF officers reached the spot immediately cordoned off the area and searches were conducted in the area but the militants managed to flee after carrying out the attack.

A search operation was launched by SFs in Kuta Satri forest area of Bandipora District, following an input about the presence of militants. The operation was, however, later called off due to heavy snowfall.

Investigating Officers of nine Police Stations of Kashmir valley are yet to recover, 63 rifles and 186 magazines looted by the militants and mob from 16 different locations, despite lapse of considerable period of time. According to the official data provided by the Home Department in the Legislative Assembly, 16 incidents of looting/snatching of rifles and magazines besides huge number of rounds took place under the jurisdiction of nine Police Stations in Kashmir valley during the period between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016. Of these incidents, maximum four incidents took place under the jurisdiction of DH Pora Police Station followed by Pulwama (three) and Kulgam and Shopian (two each). The other incidents took place under the jurisdiction of Batamaloo, Anantnag, Dooru, Chadoora and Budgam Police Stations. Giving gist of the cases, the Home Department said that in some cases the militants fired upon the Police personnel deployed in the general areas and decamped with their service rifles after killing them while as in other cases they attached the Police deployed for the security of political workers and looted their service rifles after eliminating or injuring them. In some other cases the militants even entered the guarded places and snatched rifles, magazines and rounds from the Police. The incidents of militants forcibly snatching the weapons from the Police without harming them physically were also reported from some parts of Valley.

According to the official data, five incidents of mob attacking guard posts and decamping with the weapons and arms during the period of unrest in Kashmir valley were reported from five different places. In all these 16 incidents of weapon looting, FIR under different sections of RPC and Arms Act were registered but till date no major headway has been made by the concerned Police Stations as a result of which neither the accused could be arrested nor looted weapons recovered. AK-47s, SLRs, INSAS Rifles, Pistols and Carbines were among the weapons looted by the militants and mob, the Home Department said in reply to the question of independent MLA, Er Abdul Rashid. According to the data, a total of 2690 cases of stone pelting were also registered during the period between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016. The maximum cases were registered in Sopore (492) followed by Srinagar (339) and Baramulla (318). The other stone pelting incidents were reported from Ganderbal (65), Budgam (163), Anantnag (271), Shopian (173), Pulwama (143), Kulgam (167), Awantipora (121), Bandipora (109), Kupwara (218) and Handwara (111).

In reply to question of Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen, the Minister Incharge Home said that during the recent unrest 2632 FIRs were registered and almost all are still under investigation. “Besides, 463 persons were detained under Public Safety Act out of which 145 were released and presently 318 are under detention”, the Minister added.

Replying to question of NC MLA, Mubarak Gul, the Government said that a total of 59 youths joined militant ranks after the killing of HM militant Burhan Wani in an encounter with Security Forces on July 8 last year. “As reported by CID Headquarters, 59 youth have joined militant ranks after 8th July, 2016”, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said in a written reply, adding the Government has notified a Surrender Policy which was superseded by Rehabilitation Policy to encourage the misguided youths and militants to abjure violence and accept the integrity of India and the Constitution.

At least 14 people were injured when Police resorted to force while dispersing a mob picketing Manipur Government offices in Senapati District headquarters. The incident occurred when about 300 people gathered and marched towards the barricades put up across the road leading to the Senapati District Administration Office before being stopped by security personnel. Under the aegis of UNC, the picketing of Manipur Government Offices in Naga Districts began from midnight of December 31.

Gunfire erupted in Ukhrul District, near the District Mini-Secretariat. According to sources, armed gunmen exchanged fire with security personnel manning the Mini-Secretariat. The firing which started around 9:00 pm lasted around half an hour. Casualty is not reported so far. The persons responsible for the firing also remain unknown till now.

In a joint operation by AR and Tezpur Police, one suspected individual was arrested along with arms from Barchola village in Dhekiajuli in Sonitpur District. One AK series rifle, two magazines and 21 live rounds were recovered from the arrestee.

One person, identified as Rajiv Rajkhowa was arrested by Pengaree Police following a public chastisement at Dwarmara village in Pengaree in Tinsukia District. The arrested person, Rajiv Rajkhowa, shot a local VDP member, identified as Umesh Rai, at his residence who narrowly escaped death. Then he was caught by the son of the victim with the help of the villagers and later handed him over to Pengaree Police. Local sources said that Rajiv Rajkhowa had served an extortion letter to Rai last year in the name of the ULFA. The Police recovered two handmade revolvers and a writing pad belonging to the ULFA from the arrestee.

Unidentified assailants fired at the residence of Prashanta Gogoi, President OBC wing of BJP, located at Milan Nagar in Dibrugarh District. However, no one was injured in the firing incident. At the time of the incident, Prashanta Gogoi who had joined the BJP few months back was stated to be in Guwahati for some personal work. The Police immediately rushed to the spot and reviewed the situation. No one has been arrested till the filing of this report.

AR arrested a Myanmar-trained NSCN-R militant, identified as ‘self-styled corporal’ Pingwang Kanglom in Changlang town in Changlang District. The militant had been involved in extortion activities in the District, sources in the paramilitary force said. A pistol and five rounds of live ammunition were recovered from him.

January 4

A suspected Naxal was killed in an exchange of fire with SFs in dense forest of Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. "The skirmish took place late in afternoon in forest between Puvarti (Sukma District) and Kondapalli villages under Basaguda Police Station limits of Bijapur," Bijapur SP, K L Dhruv said. A joint team of CoBRA – a CRPF specialised unit, DRG and local Police had launched the Counter-Insurgency Operation in the jungles of Basaguda and Awapalli, he said. While SFs were cordoning off a restive pocket on Bijapur-Sukma border, they came under heavy fire from a group of armed naxals leading to a heavy gun-battle, the SP added. SDG (Anti-Naxal Operations), D M Awasthi, said that the operation was “intelligence based” and the recovery of the INSAS LMG was very significant for the Chhattisgarh Police”. 

Two members of New SPM were allegedly killed by the CPI-Maoist cadres at Pathal village in Chatra District of Jharkhand. The bodies were found near the Gaya-Chatra border and the two men, identified as Sanjay Singh Bhokta and Vijay Singh Bhokta, who were abducted from their house. Chatra, SP, Anjani Jha said that a CPI-Maoist poster, in which the murderers claim to represent the banned LWE faction, was found on the site of the incident. A total of four shots were fired, two on each of the victims, Jha added. Jha said, "It has been verified that one of the victims, Sanjay Singh, was an active member of New SPM and was involved in activities which might have led to a fight with the Maoists." Sources indicate that the New SPM group recently started as an offshoot of the CPI-Maoist and have been growingly active in the last few days.

The Police Department is fortifying 24 Police Stations in the areas affected by Naxalism in Telangana. The Government machinery in Telangana, particularly the Police Department, is anticipating trouble from the CPI-Maoist cadres in the coming days. New state-of-the-art Police Stations is being constructed at a total cost of INR 500 million. Each of these 24 Police Stations will have impenetrable fencing and reinforced sentry points, both at the entry point and on the rooftop, where armed Police personnel would keep guard round the clock, sources said. Further, the Government is developing two state-of-the-art Police Training Centers – one in Karimnagar District at a cost of INR 480 million; and the other one at Medchal in Medchal–Malkajgiri District, at a cost of INR 300 million where Police recruits would be trained to be battle-ready. Also, the Government is raising two IRBs in the State, the sources said. This being so, recruitment has slowly begun among CPI-Maoist circles.  The recruits are being trained in what is considered a safe bastion: Chhattisgarh. This time, the CPI- Maoist cadres will have good firepower, since they are getting the support of CCOMPOSA, sources said. DGP, Anurag Sharma recently said that they would not allow the Maoists to make a comeback in the State.

SFs arrested a LeT militant from Handwara area of North Kashmir in Kupwara District, who was planning to carry out attack on security convoys in the area. Police said that on specific information one LeT militant identified as Ashiq Ahmed alias Abu Haider was arrested by Handwara Police and 21 RR of army near Fruit Mandi crossing in Handwara in the District. “On sustained interrogation he disclosed that he was a close associate of Abu Bakar a LeT ‘commander’ killed in Sopore few days back. On further discloser the arrested militant said that in near future he was planning to attack security forces convoy in Handwara area”, Police said. Police said that huge cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from him. These include one AK-47 rifle, 3 Magazines with live cartridges, one Chinese Pistol with one Magazine, three Hand Grenades, one Magazine Pouch, one Map and one Haversack.

IG of CRPF, Zulfikar Hassan, said that militants take advantage of presence of common people on NH and at times escape after carrying out the attack. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function in South Kashmir, Hassan said that at times militants flee after carrying out an attack on the NH by taking advantage of common people and SFs avoid collateral damage. “The attacks on National Highway occur many times during a year. Many-a-times we are successful in killing those who attack. Sometimes due to presence of common people we don’t fire because that can result in collateral damage and we restrain ourselves. The militants sometimes take advantage of crowd and escape”, he said. Hassan said that at times militants manage to escape from the security but SFs make their efforts to prevent them from fleeing. “Sometimes the stone-pelting takes place so that militants manage to escape. But security forces, CRPF, Jammu and Kashmir Police try not to make it successful and sometimes we do manage to stop militants from escaping”, he said.

Manipur CM Okram Ibobi Singh met President Pranab Mukherjee to discuss the UMHA report to the EC that termed the law-and-order situation in the state as “grave”. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Singh rubbished the report saying it “wrongly” concluded that the prevailing situation was “not conducive” to conduct free-and-fair polls there. However, just ahead of Ibobi’s meeting with the President, the EC declared that the Assembly election will be held in two phases — on March 4 and 8 — in Manipur. Ibobi, later, welcomed the decision. The CM said issues such as insurgency, blockades, strikes are not unique to Manipur but they affect the entire north-east and that even in 2012, the state Assembly polls were boycotted by hill and valley-based underground organisations including the PLA and the UNLF.

UNC- the apex body of the Nagas based in Manipur- said they would continue with the economic blockade despite the announcement of Manipur assembly elections by the EC. According to the UNC, elections cannot be held peacefully in the Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur until the prevailing problems are resolved. “The blockade will continue. Solving of Manipur’s problems has to be done through dialogue between the parties in conflict. So far, the government of Manipur has failed to respond politically. We have no other option but to intensify the blockade, no matter what the EC has announced regarding the polls in the state,” K.S. Paul, former President of the UNC, said. Paul - an active member of the UNC -said the Manipur Government has betrayed the Nagas of Manipur. “We have been betrayed by the Manipur government, as it did not consult us on the creation of seven new Districts out of our ancestral land. We do not know whether the situation will be conducive for holding free and fair elections in the Naga areas of the state,” said Paul.

Belagavi Police along with Assam Police arrested a suspected militant associated with NDFB at a sugar company in Belgaum District of Karnataka.

January 5

China dismissed as “untrue” allegations of double standards by India by blocking its bid to list JeM leader Masood Azhar as global terrorist by the UN, claiming that it had adopted a “just, objective and professional” attitude in deciding the matter. “With regard to the listing matter of the Security Council 1267 committee the so called double standards adopted by China on this relevant issue is not true. We take action based on solid evidence that is the standard upheld by us,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said.

Intelligence agencies are weighing inputs indicating the radical elements within the proscribed SIMI are forging links with similarly minded groups within the recently banned IRF and may lead to the birth of a new radical outfit. Such inputs, described by sources as “very disturbing”, have been pouring in for more than a month ever since the Central Government banned IRF led by controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik. The IB is likely to issue a note to State intelligence agencies regarding these developments shortly. Top sources disclosed that over the past couple of months, person-to-person contact and group interactions between members of the banned groups have been taking place lately. ''Similar inputs have been coming from certain areas that are known to be breeding grounds for militants in different states. Some political parties, which used to sympathise with SIMI, are now sympathising with IRF too,'' said one senior official.

While IRF, an NGO run by Salafist preacher Zakir Naik, was banned for five years in November 2016, SIMI was 16 years ago and still has a large number of supporters. Sources in the intelligence agencies said they consider SIMI as a ''very active'' group despite the ban. Though SIMI members attending the taqreer (speeches) of Zakir Naik is nothing new, intelligence sources say there is electronic evidence of increasing interaction between members of these two groups, especially since the IRF ban.

Interestingly, just days after IRF was banned, the Kerala-based Islamic fundamentalist organisation PFI organized massive rallies in different parts of the country in support of Zakir Naik. A majority of PFI members are actually from SIMI. “Since SIMI is banned, the members work in different outfits. But SIMI is alive and kicking,'' said a senior official. Sources said inputs indicate that these radical interactions could lead to the formation of a new radical outfit similar to IM which was involved in a series of bomb blasts across the country since it was founded by Abdus Subhan Qureshi in 2010. IM mostly comprised of lower-tier SIMI members.  The change in name was widely seen as a change in tactics by SIMI members. Till date, while senior SIMI leaders are still available, there are minimal inputs about the cadres. “The same tactic is being used again. Only this time, SIMI has IRF to look to. IRF has dedicated members across the length and breadth of the country, which will come in handy and this is enough for extremist elements in both groups to form a new group and continue with their subversive activities,'' another official said.

Members of NOJ, left a note threatening to kill Pipra (Supaul District) of Bihar, MLA, Shyam Babu Prasad Yadav if he did not quit the BJP by FebruaryNOJ is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist. The group has sought an extortion of INR 500,000 from Yadav.

The ‘deputy commander’ of Kasansur Dalam Jyoti Gawade was killed by Gadchiroli District Police's C-60 Commandos at Boteyjhari and Badhgaon forest in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. Jyoti is alleged to have led the arson attack at Surjagarh on December 23, 2016. 76 trucks, 3 JCBs and 1 motorcycle were burnt by the Naxals. Shivaji Bodkhe, IG of State ANO, said that Jyoti was trying to break through the Police cordon when she received bullet injuries in retaliatory fire. "Police have also seized Jyoti's .303 rifles," he added. On January 4, the Police had cornered Naxals at Nihalkai forest near Gyarapati from where two .12 bore rifles were seized. After intensifying the search operations, the Police spotted Jyoti's Dalam following which a battled ensued. Jyoti alias Sagobai Narsingh, was earlier ‘commander’ of Surjagarh LGS which was later amalgamated with Kasansur Dalam.

A surrendered Naxalite was allegedly killed by CPI-Maoist cadres in Dhanora Tehsil of Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. The victim Sukhram Lalchu Wadde (35) was a member of Naxal militia, who had surrendered before the Police in July 2016, a senior Police official said. The Naxals attacked Sukhram at Kehakavi village and murdered him using an axe, he said. "The CPI-Maoist cadres were angry as Sukhram had turned himself in before the police," the official added. Further the officials said last week (December 29, 2016) three villagers were killed allegedly by Naxalites in Aheri and Korchi tehsils in Gadchiroli on the suspicion of they being ‘informers’. The victims were identified as Laccha Bande Madavi (36) resident of Rumalkasa, Patali Doge Atram (36), resident of Gurja, and Talwarsha Kunjram, resident of Korchi.

A militia member of the CPI-Maoist, who was involved in the Chamundia beat-house torching case in July 2016, was arrested by Police in Senepuri forest near Badasilinga in Nayagarh District of Odisha. The arrested Maoist, Santosh Majhi (35), had been working with the Kalahandi-Kandhamal-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) division of the CPI-Maoist for the past three years. Two associates of Majhi escaped during the raid. One of them has been identified as Bipin, while the other’s identity is yet to be established. Majhi and a dozen of his associates had damaged the beat house and set fire to a jeep which was being used for anti-poaching operations in Nayagarh Forest Division (NFD).

The UKLF categorically stated that it was not involved in any manner in the ambush against State Police ahead of CM Okram Ibobi Singh’s visit to Tengnoupal (Tengnoupal District) near Lokchao along Imphal-Moreh highway on December 15. Speaking to a team of media persons at an undisclosed location in Chandel district, UKLF ‘home secretary’ Daniel Thadou said that the KNLF ‘chairman’ had merged with the UNLF on his own volition. Daniel contended that the UKLF was not involved in the Lokchao ambush, and the State Police and its intelligence agencies would know the truth.

Earlier KNLF ‘general secretary’ Lalmoi Haokip alleged that the Lokchao ambush was carried out by UKLF at the instruction of NSCN-IM. Flatly rejecting Lalmoi’s allegation, Daniel said that the same allegation was baseless and fabricated. The UKLF has a suspicion that the Lokchao ambush was carried out by a gang of criminals led by Lalmoi, Daniel said.

January 6

As many as nine vehicles were set on fire by about 30 cadres of the CPI-Maoist in Gondahur Police Station limits in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. SP, ML Kotwani said the Maoists set ablaze eight tractors and one excavator. He said the Maoists had threatened to stop the road laying work in between Maharashtra’s Pendi village to Chhattisgarh's border. After the threat, the contractors from Maharashtra had parked their vehicles in the territory of Chhattisgarh, Kotwani said, adding that Police force was sent to the place of occurrence.

Five Naxals were arrested with arms and ammunition from Gumla and Garhwa Districts of Jharkhand. Two cadres of the PLFI were arrested from Palkot in Gumla District while three cadres of the TPC were arrested in Ranka, Garhwa District. A country made gun, bullets and mobile phones were found on PLFI cadres Vinay Gope and Ravi Gope while Police recovered 25 kilograms explosive from TPC cadres Rajesh Yadav and his aides Sunil Singh Kharwar and Mehboob Alam. Gumla SP, Chandan Kumar Jha said Vinay and Ravi had demanded INR 300,000 levy from a petrol bunk owner on December 30, 2016. In Garhwa, Police first arrested Rajesh. During interrogation, he revealed about his aides who were arrested from Ramkanda village. Police seized mobile phones, pamphlets and posters. TPC and PLFI are splinter groups of the CPI-Maoist.

The UMHA flagged the operational efficiency of SFs in the Naxal-affected areas as one of its biggest achievements during a presentation before PM Narendra Modi. The Ministry informed Modi that since the NDA Government came to power in May 2014, there had been a 45 per cent increase in the efficiency of Central Forces (CFs) in operations against the Naxals. In a presentation made by Home Secretary, Rajiv Mehrishi, Modi and other officials were informed that the number of Naxal cadres killed in 2016 had been the highest ever in six years. Eighty-Four cadres of the CPI-Maoist were killed in 2015 and in 2016, the number swelled to 218, which was an increase of 160 per cent. There was also an increase in the number of Police encounter from 237 in 2015 to 316 in 2016. UHM Rajnath Singh told in a press conference earlier this week that demonetization had increased the problems of CPI-Maoist and that they had weakened. The EFC has already given the go-ahead for an ambitious road project in the 44 worst Naxal-affected Districts. Under this project, the Government proposes to construct 5,412 km of roads and 126 bridges and it would cost INR 117.25 million. The Government is redrawing the ‘Red Corridor’ — the area affected by LWE — and may soon take off 20 Districts from the list of Naxal-affected areas. The 106 Districts which span 10 States — Bihar, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh — constitute the Red Corridor. Of these, 44 Districts are said to be the worst affected. India has a total of 683 Districts.

Al-Badr terrorist Muzzafar Ahmed, who had links with LeT, was gunned down by the SFs after heavy exchange of fire in Budgam District. Ahmed, who was wanted in several cases, was earlier associated with LeT. Also, a Policeman sustained critical injuries during the encounter.

The call traffic between hawala agents in India dropped almost by half post demonetisation, says a recent assessment by the central intelligence agencies. Payments to the end beneficiary of hawala deals are traditionally in cash, with INR 500 and INR 1,000 being the favoured denominations. The demonetisation of these high-value notes on November 9 severely affected hawala operators, and going solely by call traffic, their business may be down by 50%, said an intelligence source. Terror funds are mostly sourced in counterfeit currency, comprising high-quality fake notes that Indian agencies suspect are printed at the Pakistan government printing press in Quetta and its security press at Karachi. Given this fact and the drop in hawala transactions, demonetisation has dried up funds used for organised stone-pelting in J&K and paying overground terror supporters in the State. Intelligence officials claim that terrorism-related violence in J&K dipped by 60% post the cash ban, with only one major blast reported from the valley in December. An intelligence official claimed that apart from organised stone-pelting, a direct casualty of demonetisation in J&K was the overground network of terror facilitators. "The overground support base of terrorists depends on instant cash payments. A weakened OGW network due to demonetisation has resulted in several successful counterterrorist operations in the Valley over the past several weeks," said the officer.

A Field Assistant of Veterinary Department, identified as Ds Stephen (45) was shot by one unidentified assailant at Maringphai village, near Pallel in Tengnoupal District. Stephen who sustained bullet injuries on the calf and thigh had been taken to Jeevan Hospital, Kakching, and then shifted to a hospital of Imphal. According to the sources, it is not clear who the assailants are and what is the motive so far.

The ‘chairman’ of the KNLF wrote to the chairman of the JMG of the SoO, to delist the outfit from the KNO as it had merged with the UKLF. In the written communication sent to the chairman of the JMG, the ‘chairman’ of the KNLF said that all former members of the KNLF including the 'c in c’ had already been absorbed by the UKLF and hence to instruct the KNO not to mention KNLF or use the name of KNLF.

One militant of ULFA-I, identified as Lakheswar Baruah alias Lavang Axom was arrested by Bordumsa Police in association with Indian Army at Kathgalguri near Bordumsa in Tinsukia District. 

In a statement, the NSCN-IM strongly objected to India's decision to fence the borders between Myanmar and Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. In the statement, NSCN-IM said that such ‘artificial boundary fencing imposed upon the Naga people’ was against the will of the people and was gross violation of human rights. Other Naga groups like, NNC and ENDO were also against the fencing.

Combined team of Bishnupur District Police commandos and AR troopers recovered a 9 mm carbine machine gun along with one magazine from an abandoned Bajaj Discover bike at Torbung in Bishnupur District. However, the assailant, who was seen coming out from Torbung bazar Mamang Leikai with that bike and abandoned it at Torbung auto shed managed to escape.

January 7

Describing the counter-terrorism cooperation between India and the US under the eight years of Barack Obama administration as “incredibly successful”, Peter Lavoy, Senior Director for South Asian Affairs at the National Security Council, White House, has said this has not only “diminished the threat” of terrorism in the two countries, but also foiled several terror plots. “I can tell you quite definitively that due to our partnerships, several terrorism plots were foiled. Indian lives and American lives were saved because of this partnership,” said Peter Lavoy. “So it’s a very significant development and I think, it can continue,” he added.

International radical outfit Street Daawah has opened offices in Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Chennai to recruit non-Muslims, including those from the IT hubs in these cities, for enlisting them into suicide missions. The outfit had begun its operations in the UK and Australia in 2012 following which a number of youths were radicalised with presentation of concocted forms of Islam. In the wake of the outfit’s activities, a few Indians, including Indian- origin British national Siddarth Dhar, joined the Islamic State (IS). Dhar is also believed to be the new Jihadi John, a masked executioner for the IS whose videos relating to mass executions have been released by the Caliphate-seeking terror outfit after the liquidation of the original Jihadi John whose real name was Mohammad Emwazi, a British origin IS executioner. Many of the Street Daawah cadres have been known to have either joined the IS ranks or emerged as suicide bombers for them. As many as 25 suicide bombings have been committed globally by the Street Daawah cadres during the last few years.

India and Portugal called upon the global community to avoid double standards in addressing terror and to strengthen cooperation in combating international terrorism with zero tolerance towards it. “They underlined that states should not support any terror entity including ‘non-state actors’ on any grounds and that violent extremism fueled by misuse of internet and the social media needs to be countered. Similarly, networks of terrorist financing and terrorist infrastructure should be dismantled,” said a joint statement issued after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Portuguese counterpart, Antonio Costa.

Three Maoists, two of them carrying cash reward on their heads, were arrested from separate places in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. While a ‘commander’ rank cadre identified as Vetti Varsa was arrested from Katekalyan Police Station limits, two others were arrested from Kotwali Police Station area. Of them, Varsa was active as Jan militia ‘commander’ under Katekalyan area committee of Maoists, he said, adding that the rebel was carrying a reward of INR 100,000 on his head. Two others arrested were identified as Masa alias Kumma Madvi, head of Janatana Sarkar group and Panda, a member of the same group, he added. The two were tasked with the recruitment of fresh cadres for the banned outfit, the official said, adding Masa was also carrying a reward of INR 100,000 on his head.

Suspected cadres of the CPI-Maoist set ablaze three construction vehicles at Ruam village near Chaibasa in East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. The attack was a reaction to the construction company's failure in paying levy. The damaged vehicles included two bulldozers and a mixer owned by RKS constructions. SP, Anish Gupta said, "We are tracing the rebels involved in the incident. The construction of this road, which had begun in 2014, has suffered repeated setbacks due to Maoist activities. Last year, Maoists had burnt vehicles involved in the construction of the same road after the company refused to pay levy."

Khunti Police conducted an operation, led by SP, Ashwini Jha, at Kuisar village forest in Khunti District of Jharkhand. Police had got a tip-off about a meeting of the PLFI in the forest, 25 kilometres from Khunti. Three country-made carbines, one regular carbine, two double barrel breach loading guns, three magazines and two haversacks were seized in the raid. Jha said, "We reached the location at 3:30 am and discovered a rebel camp. However, the rebels escaped by the time we reached the camp. We chased them for half a kilometer but failed to catch them. Maoists Jidan Gudiya, Prabhu Sahai Bodra, Bagrai Champiya, Pattu Naag and others were among those who fled.'' PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

Maoist ‘zonal commander’ Dimba Pahan (58), who carried INR 1.5 million reward on his head, surrendered before Khunti SP, Ashwini Kumar Sinha at his office. A native of Barigarha village in Arki area of Khunti of Jharkhand, Dimba joined the Maoists in 1998. He was involved in several cases of Ranchi, Khunti, Saraikela-Kharsawan and West Singhbhum Districts, including the killing of former Tamar MLA, Ramesh Singh Munda, Bundu DSP, Pramod Kumar Gupta and special branch inspector Francis Indewar. He also robbed an ICICI Bank cash van of over INR 50.7 million and 1.2 kilograms gold in May, 2008.

East Singhbhum District (Jharkhand) Police have intensified search operations at Ghurabandha and Dumaria in Ghatshila and deployed SFs along NH-33 in wake of a bandh call by Maoists on January 10 to protest killing of Supaye Tuddu on January 3.

Normal life in Jammu and Kashmir was affected due to shutdown called by separatists. Shops and commercial establishments remained closed across Srinagar and public transport was partially off the roads. The private vehicles were, however, plying normally. Street vendors had set-up their stalls at multiple places in the city’s civil line areas.

A complete shutdown was observed in Sopore town of Baramulla District, to mourn the killing of senior militant ‘commander’ associated with Al Badr Mujahideen, Muzzafar Ahmad Naiko alias Muz Molvi, who was killed on January 6 in an encounter. During the shutdown, hundreds of security men were deployed to prevent outbreak of protests across the Sopore town.

Two CRPF jawans, identified as constables Visvendar Jat and Brajesh Singh, were injured one of them seriously, in a powerful blast in Imphal West District. Police said the two constables were passing by in a bicycle when an IED planted by the wayside at Naoremthong Khullem Leikai under Lamphel Police Station exploded. The IED was detonated by suspected militants using a remote control device, they added. No outfit has claimed responsibility so far.

The UNC decided to continue its economic blockade during Manipur polls which will be held in the first week of March. The UNC also decided to ‘intensify’ the economic blockade in the meeting held at Senapati Town in Senapati District. 

January 8

The Q Branch of CID Police arrested an advocate from S. Alangulam village in Madurai District of Tamil Nadu on the charge of having links with CPI-MaoistThe Q Branch CID Police had been conducting surveillance on advocate A. Murugan ever since the two alleged CPI-Maoist cadres – Kala (53) and Chandra (51) – were arrested in Karur District on July 2016. Sources said that Murugan’s younger brother, Velmurugan (35), an active CPI-Maoist cadre, was accused in two naxal cases in Varushanadu in Theni District and Uthankarai in Coimbatore District. The advocate used to appear for CPI-Maoist in court. The Q Branch CID team seized a huge quantity of homeopathic medicines allegedly in possession of the advocate, which, sources claimed, were being supplied to some Maoists. A few printed literatures relating to Maoists were also alleged to have been recovered.

The Jharkhand Police are now concentrating their offensive on the CPI-Maoist ‘area commander’ Kanhu Munda in East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. To revive people's confidence in the administration, Police have decided to hold a crime meeting at Gian village in Ghatshila subdivision. East Singhbhum Rural SP, Shailendra Burnwal said they had chosen Naxal-hit Gian for the meeting because Kanhu Munda hailed from the village. He added, "We are already carrying out anti-insurgency operations in Ghurabandha and Gian. The crime meeting at Kanhu Munda's village will surely make a difference among people who may have been associated with the Naxalites because they are petrified of Munda”. Police sources said there were four to five armed naxals in Munda's squad. "We are working on a plan in which villagers will no longer co-operate with the CPI-Maoist like they have been doing so far," SP Burnwal said. Munda's squad is active in the Ghurabandha region, which shares border with Mayurbhanj District of Odisha. Police will also hold a janata durbar for villagers of Gian. "At the durbar, local problems - including the ones that have cropped up owing to Naxalite activities - will be heard and resolved, if possible," the SP said.

UHM Rajnath Singh held a review meeting on Naxalism situation in Jharkhand with senior Police officials of CRPF and the State Police at Eastern Sector Headquarters of CRPF in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. A senior Police official told, “A demand was raised before the UMHA to increase the strength of SFs in the state to carry out anti-Naxal operations in the state, replying to which, he said that the demand will be taken up only after UP Election.” The State Police also requested the UHM to recommence the fund allocation for setting up of STF against terrorism which has been discontinued for quite some time. With security advisor K Vijay Kumar and CM Raghubar Das in tow, Singh claimed that the Centre's demonetization move has broken the backs of banned LWE organizations like PLFI and CPI-Maoist. Maintaining that dialogue was the only means to resolve differences, the minister urged armed groups to come to the discussion table and place their demands instead of 'stopping the development of the poor'. Singh, who inaugurated the Eastern Sector Headquarters of CISF in the state capital, said increasing the 'technological and core competence' of the forces is the need of the hour. The new Eastern Sector Headquarters in Ranchi's Tiril spreads over 158 acres. This new headquarters has been relocated from Bihar for better synergy, CISF Director General OP Singh said.

The dead bodies of the abducted civilians identified as, the village chief of N-Gamnom village S Otkhomang (57) and church chairman Tilpao Haokip (51) were found in Nungkham Gamnom Village in Manipur’s newly-created Tengnoupal District. Earlier, on January 6, these two civilians were abducted by some unidentified assailants and they were taken toward Indo-Myanmar border. According to the sources, the assailants also fired some rounds while taking away the duo. The sources also added that fatal bullet injuries were seen on the dead bodies. Regarding this sensitive issue, a joint meeting attended by members of various organisations including Hill Tribal Council, Meitei Council Moreh, Kuki Chiefs Association (Moreh Block) and women leaders was held and the meeting resolved to impose a bandh along Moreh road on January 9.

A hand grenade planted by unidentified assailants was recovered at the residence of Bishnupur DSP, Y Sushil’s wife at Thangmeiband Hijam Dewan Leikai in Imphal West District. After recovering the grenade, the bomb disposal squad of Manipur Police exploded it safely at a dumping site at Lamphelpat,

The Additional Secretary for Mizoram’s Home department Lalbiakzama said that the proposed repatriation of over 32,800 Brus lodged in six relief camps in Tripura was scheduled to begin from the second week of February, 2017. Lalbiakzama attended a meeting between the UMHA and Mizoram Government in New Delhi over the issue of the repatriation of the 5,413 Bru families.

One cadre of the Lamyanba Khuman faction of KCP-MC militant, identified as Kangabam Chaoba alias Mohen (63), who was involved in placing a hand grenade at the office of Pandam, an evening daily on December 26, 2016 was arrested by Imphal West District Police at Sagolband Kangabam Leikai area in Imphal West District. One Chinese hand grenade along with detonator and three demand letters were recovered from the arrested militant. The militant disclosed that he had been working under the command of self styled ‘commander’ Laishram Mangoljao alias Lamyanba Khuman of the militant group who was staying in Nepal. He also disclosed that he collected one Chinese hand grenade from another militant, AK Khamba (48) who was recently arrested by Imphal East District commandos.

A militant of NDFB-IKS, identified as Dhananjay Boro alias B.Dahal Thungri (32) was arrested by the Police along with Indian Army at Shantipur area under Runikhata Police Station in Chirang District. One 9mm Pistol, one magazine and 4 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the arrestee. The Chirang District SP Shankar Raimedhi said that the militant was a trained NDFB-IKS cadre of 38th batch and after training he had been operating in Baksa District. But he was on the run after anti-militancy operation was intensified in the state.

January 9

Three civilians working as labourers were killed in a pre-dawn terror attack by militants on a GREF camp near LoC in Akhnoor sector of Jammu District. Two or more militants attacked the GREF camp around 1 AM near LoC in Battal village, sources said. Militants likely infiltrated from across the border to carry out the terror attack, sources said. In the attack, three civilians were killed, they said, adding that the victims were working as labourers with GREF.

Four persons, including a woman, were arrested along with FICNs with a face value of INR 41,000 in Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh. The four came under Police scanner when their vehicle was checked, SP (Rural) Vinit Bhatnagar said. "Twenty fake notes in denomination of 2,000, a Rs 100 note, two pistols and a car have been seized from them," he added.

The UMHA reviewed the security situation in poll-bound Punjab and alerted the state Police on possible attempts by Pakistan’s ISI to foment trouble. Punjab will also see the largest deployment of SFs out of the 85000 Central Armed Police Forces personnel sanctioned by the UMHA for Assembly polls in five states. The UMHA asked the state Police to be on alert for communal incidents triggered by desecration of religious books, as had happened in 2015. The role of Pakistan was suspected in the incident. The BSF has been asked to step up vigil and keep a close tab on the activities along the border with Pakistan.

Islamic State (IS) is spreading its activities to Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said. "ISIS..Slowly it is establishing its activities. If you sanction Rapid Action Force, it will go a long way to control ISIS," Chandrababu told UHM Rajnath Singh. Chandrababu also wanted an additional battalion of CRPF for the state "to face Left Wing Extremism".

Two persons, identified as Ashish (23) and Krishan Bhardwaj (25) were arrested on January 9 for allegedly printing FICNs of INR 500 and INR 2000 denominations and circulating them in weekly markets in southwest Delhi. Police also recovered FICNs worth of INR 6,10,500 from them. The team probing the matter found that a syndicate, operating in Uttam Nagar, Dwarka among others, is involved in printing and circulating fake currency in the market to hamper country’s economy, DCP-(Southwest), Surender Kumar said.

The UMHA reviewed the security situation in poll-bound Punjab and alerted the State Police on possible attempts by Pakistan’s ISI to foment trouble. UMHA asked the State Police to be on alert for communal incidents triggered by desecration of religious books, as had happened in 2015. The role of Pakistan was suspected in the incident. The BSF has been asked to step up vigil and keep a close tab on the activities along the border with Pakistan. The meeting at UMHA was attended by Punjab DGP Suresh Arora. Punjab will also see the largest deployment of Security Forces out of the 85000 CAPF personnel sanctioned by the UMHA for Assembly polls in five states. “We expect violence only in Punjab and Manipur and are taking adequate measures,” said a senior UMHA official.

Even as Andhra Pradesh DGP, N Sambasiva Rao, recently claimed that the CPI-Maoist numbers have dwindled specially after the major encounter at Ramaguda in Bejjangi area in Odisha in October 2016, the CPI-Maoist is reportedly planning to set up a 'Janatana Sarkar' in the AOB. Despite losing ground in places like Palnadu and the South Andhra Districts like Krishna and West Godavari in the last two decades, Maoists have till date managed to retain their hold in the AOB Districts like East Godavari and Visakhapatnam. According to sources, members of the division committee and red guerrillas have been continuously conducting meetings in the AOB villages. 

UHM Rajnath Singh has said the Centre would establish Greyhounds Centre, sanction RAF and give one more CRPF battalion to curb terrorist and Naxal activities in Andhra Pradesh. UHM Singh laying the foundation stone for the construction of the campus for the NDRF 10th Battalion, at Kondapavuluru village in Gannavaram mandal, at a cost of INR 2 billion, said: “The Home Ministry has sanctioned more CRPF personnel for Andhra Pradesh and instructions have been given in this regard. Once elections are over in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and three other States the force will come to the State. The AP Government has sent a requisition for RAF and for setting up of Greyhounds, and we will look into the matter.” The Greyhounds was doing good work in Telangana State (TS) in controlling the LWE, and the Greyhounds Centre would be on par with TS, UHM Singh said. 

UHM Rajnath Singh has said that the menace of CPI-Maoist activities and infiltration into northeastern States came down drastically. Further he said that LWE declined by 55 per cent. Infiltration to northeastern States also decreased by over 70 per cent, he asserted.

A highly volatile situation was witnessed in the whole of Senapati town in Senapati District, following the arrest of leaders of ANSAM by AR. According to the report, ANSAM President Seth Shatsang, Finance Secretary of the association Joseph Adani and Executive Secretary AC Thotso were arrested by the AR personnel from Taphou area of Senapati town while they were enforcing the economic blockade. However they were released after the intervention of the Naga people.

After the arrest of the militant of Lamyanba Khuman faction of KCP-MC on January 8 by Manipur Police, who suspected to be involved in planting a hand grenade at the office of Pandam, an evening daily on December 26, 2016, a spokesperson of AR claimed that CorCom, an apex body of six outfits of Manipur responsible for the threatening of the local editors.

Sources in Assam Police said that at a time when majority of Karbi militant outfits were joining the peace process, PDCK was trying to spread its tentacles in the hill District. The source said that formed under the guidance of I.K. Songbijit, who was earlier the hardliner leader of NDFB-IKS, PDCK has reportedly launched a recruitment drive in the region. The source said, "Ever since the genocide of Adivasis in 2014, Songbijit got reportedly unpopular among the Bodos for his barbaric ways. Sidelined and pushed to Myanmar, the rebel leader formed PDCK with Karbi youths drawn from the NDFB faction." Many Karbi youths were recruited in the NDFB-IKS faction when Songbijit was heading it and Police suspect that these youths helped him to form the new outfit. According to the source, there are around 60 cadres under IK Songbijit in Myanmar training camps. The PDCK is talking about ‘sovereignty’ and it is backed by NSCN-K and ULFA-I, the source added.

The militant group, NSCN-R, in a statement, opposed the proposed Pangsha fencing (in the border of India and Myanmar) by India and Myanmar Government in the Nagaland. The statement said that ‘dividing the Nagas’ is ‘highly questionable and unacceptable.’

January 10

A special MCOCA court issued a production warrant against IM ‘co-founder’ Yasin Bhatkal and six others in connection with the July 13, 2011 Mumbai triple blasts case. “The court issued a production warrant against Yasin Bhatkal, who is presently lodged in Cherlapally central prison in Hyderabad,” an ATS official said. The official added that the court also issued warrants against three other accused lodged in the same jail. “Apart from them, production warrants were also issued for an accused lodged in Tihar jail in New Delhi and two others in Parappana Agrahara central jail in Bangalore,” the official added. Special MCOCA judge V V Patil directed that all the seven accused be brought before him on January 27.

Five CPI-Maoist cadres, including two ‘commander-level’ cadres, were killed in two separate exchanges of fire during an operation launched by Chhattisgarh Police in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. Senior officials, however, said that one DRG trooper was killed in the first exchange of fire with the Maoist cadres. Teams with close to 400 SFs entered the jungles in an area that is home to CPI-Maoist military company number two. D M Awasthi, Special Director General, anti-Maoist operations, “The operation was launched on a specific intelligence input about the presence of CPI-Maoist cadres in the area. In the first exchange of fire in the morning in Irpenar, four CPI-Maoist cadres were killed. One trooper was also hurt and evacuated, but he unfortunately passed away.” Intermittent firing continued. In the second exchange of fire, this time in the adjoining Kanker District’s Koylibeda area, one CPI-Maoist cadre was killed and an AK-47 recovered from his possession. The CPI-Maoist cadres killed in the first exchange of fire have been identified as Tirupati, ‘Divisional Commander’, East Bastar division, Ratna Markam, ‘medical in-charge’, company number 6, Shyamu Yadav of company number 6 and Mangalram Salam, a Janmilitia member from Irpenar. The body recovered in the second encounter has been identified as that of Roshan, ‘divisional commander’ of the North Bastar division. “It is clear that there has been a big loss to the CPI-Maoist cadres in this encounter. We have recovered the bodies, but our personnel have narrated stories of the CPI-Maoist cadres dragging away other members of their party under the cover of LMG fire. This indicates that these could be senior cadre,” Awasthi added.

SFs have recovered and defused as many as nine IEDs allegedly planted by CPI-Maoist in restive Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The explosives were planted near a culvert on a kuccha road between Bhejji and Injram villages under Bhejji Police Station limits, according to Sukma SP, Indira Kalyan Elesela.

Cadres of the PLFI attacked workers and set ablaze equipment at a pipeline laying site of IOC in Khunti District of Jharkhand. PLFI is a splinter group the CPI-Maoist. Armed PLFI cadres arrived at the site near Karo River on Tapkara-Rania Road under Tapkarao outpost late last night, beat up some labourers and set the equipment on fire. Two tractors, a dumper, an earth moving machine, two generator sets and a jointer machine used by a Bengaluru-based company hired by IOC were set ablaze.  SFs have launched a search operation to track down the Naxals. DGP, D K Pandey directed the Police to provide security to ensure completion of the work as well as other development works in Naxal-affected areas after he had a meeting with the District Armed Police, CRPF and Intelligence officials. Pandey said that Naxal and extremist activities would be wiped out from the state in 2017.

Five Naxals from different outfits were arrested along with arms and ammunition from Palamau and Garhwa Districts of Jharkhand. Umesh Paswan and Shyamdeo Singh Kharwar, and TPC-II member Satyendra Singh were arrested from different parts of Palamau. Shiv Kumar Korba and Mukhdeo Choudhary were arrested from Ramkanda area in Garhwa. TPC is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist while TPC-II, a splinter group of TPC. SFs have recovered a country made pistol, cartridges, five sets of camouflaged uniforms, mobile phones, TPC pamphlets and a motorcycle from their possession. 

Naxals belonging to JSJMM attacked a road construction site in Bharno, Gumla District of Jharkhand.

Ahead of the process of filing of nomination papers for the three-tier panchayat elections, the CPI-Maoist has warned the tribals of Malkangiri District of Odisha, to abstain from the poll. More than 500 tribal residents of Ralegada panchayat, on the other side of cut-off Chitrakonda reservoir, took out a protest rally and dared the Government to hold elections in the area. The villagers, under the aegis of ‘Malkangiri Zilla Adivasi Rayat Kuli Sangha’, a frontal organisation of CPI-Maoist, organised a meeting at Ralegada panchayat, which was also attended by top Maoist leader Raman. Shouting slogans against the Government, they protested the BJD’s failure to provide basic needs to the villagers over the years. The Maoist-supported villagers declared to boycott the panchayat election over the issue. At the meeting, which continued for more than an hour, the rebel leaders have threatened that those who participate in the poll process will be punished in a ‘Praja Court’. The electorates have been threatened that their thumbs would be chopped off if they dare to go for voting. 

A top LeT militant was killed in a gun battle in Bandipora District. SFs including 13-RR of army and SOG of JKP, Bandipora, cordoned off Parray Mohalla Hajan in the District. A LeT militant, who was hiding in a house opened fire on the troops, leading to a gun battle in which he was shot dead by the troops. After the gun battle during searches one AK 47, three AK Magazines, three hand grenades, one radio set, one pouch, one matrix sheet and 200 AK rounds were recovered from the encounter site. The militant was identified as Abu Maviya of LeT.

SFs including 55 RR and SOG Shopian cordoned off Heff Shermal in Shopian District. There are seven militants of LeT from the village and SFs had information about their movement in the village. However, the operation was later called off and no one was arrested. 

SFs including 50 RR, 183 Battalion of CRPF and SOG Kakapora cordon off Kandi Zal area of Pampore in Pulwama District. Sources said that the SFs had information about presence of Reyaz Dar of LeT and his associates in the village. However, the operation was later called off. 

SFs including 55 RR and SOG Awantipora cordon off Khandaypora, Awantipora in Pulwama District. They had information about presence of Reyaz Naiku of HM and his associates in the village. However, the operation was later called off. 

SFs including 42 RR and SOG Awantipora cordon off Batpora, Noorpora, Tral in Awantipora area of Pulwama District. They had information about presence of some militants in the area. The troops also cordoned off Ratsuna in Tral area of Awantipora. However, the operations at these places were later called off.

A soldier was injured in a mine explosion in forward area of Mankote sector in Poonch District. Official sources said that Naik Deepak Singh of 15 Mahar Regiment received serious injuries in his legs when a land mine exploded as he over stepped it while patrolling. The injured soldier was rushed to unit hospital and then shifted to Military Hospital, Rajouri.

Unidentified assailants hurled nine petrol bombs at the resident of Tamenglong DC, M Luikham in Tamenglong District. Out of nine, five bombs exploded, but no injuries were reported. According to the report, the guards at the residence of M Luikham opened several rounds of fire in the air to ward off the attackers. The identity of the attackers is not yet confirmed, as no militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. 

Unidentified assailants allegedly attacked BJP activist, Mohammad Rajauddin’s residence at Mayang Imphal Bengoon in Imphal West District by firing numerous rounds. According to the report, a group of unidentified assailants travelling inside a four wheeler vehicle allegedly attacked the resident. No injuries were reported, and identity of the assailants was also unknown so far. 

A team of Imphal East District Police arrested a KCP militant, identified as Ningthoujam Yamba Singh alias Sanayamba (35) at Keirao Awang Leikai in Imphal East District. Incriminating articles were recovered from the arrested militant.

Eleven traders were abducted by suspected militants near Gasuapara in South Garo Hills District. However, out of 11, eight traders managed to escape from the abductors. The three traders, who are still in the captivity of the abductors, are identified as Tamal Dey (38), Dulan Mahanta (36) and Durgapada Dutta (35). All these three traders are from Dalu in West Garo Hills District.

The terms of the ceasefire agreements with NDFB-RD and NDFB-P had been extended by six months. According to the official sources, the Joint Secretary (North East) of the UMHA and senior officials of the State Government had discussions with leaders of the NDFB-RD and NDFB-P to review the ceasefire agreements. The meetings decided to increase the term of the agreements by six months with effect from January 1 this year (2017).  

Security was beefed up after a bomb threat to a bridge at Jirighat in Cachar District by militant groups. Ahead of the Assembly elections in Manipur, intelligence report said that the NSCN-IM or the NSCN-K might blast the Jirighat Bridge, which connects Assam and Manipur.

One militant of NSCN-IM, identified as self styled ‘corporal’ Phawang Wangsu was arrested by AR at Niausa village in Longding District. One pistol, live ammunition and opium was recovered from the arrested militant.

The AR arrested one NSCN-K militant, identified as Velasayi (35) along with arms at Jail Colony in Kohima District. One point 22 mm pistol was recovered from the arrestee.

One militant of NSCN-K, identified as ''corporal'' Cheimang, was arrested from Mon Town in Mon District by AR. One .22 mm pistol along with ammunition and some other indoctrinatory documents were recovered from the arrested militant. According to PRO of AR, IGAR-N, the militant was involved in illegal ''tax collection'' for NSCN-K.

The ADGP, L R Bishnoi, said that Chinese intelligence agencies had been helping various insurgent groups of North Eastern India having bases in Myanmar. L R Bishnoi also claimed that the chief of ULFA-I, Paresh Barua had currently set up base in Ruili, a Chinese town in the Myanmar border. He said that Paresh Barua had drawn up plans to supply arms procured from Chinese agencies to smaller armed groups of the North-eastern region. “Chinese intelligences have been helping, directly or indirectly various insurgent groups of the North-eastern region that have their bases and hideouts inside Myanmar. These groups are under increasing influence of the Chinese agencies, and ULFA-I leader Paresh Barua is among those top leaders who have been in regular touch with the Chinese liaison office in Ruili on the China-Myanmar border,” ADGP LR Bishnoi said.

Giving a break-up of the cadre strength of different North-eastern rebel groups in Myanmar, ADGP Bishnoi also said that while the NSCN-K had over 1,000 cadres there, PLA– a Manipuri group came second with over 250 men. “Taking into account at least ten North-eastern rebel groups having their bases and hideouts in Myanmar, there should be close to 2,500 militants from the region in that country. Of them NSCN-K alone has a little over 1,000 men, followed by around 260 of the PLA, 230 of the UNLF and a little over 200 of the ULFA-I,” Bishnoi said. According to him, the strength of the NSCN-IM there would be between 80 and 120, NDFB-IKS about 160, KYKL, PREPAK and PREPAK-Pro around 10 each. “Two things that have been happening there is that while the rebel groups of the region work in close coordination, they get almost 100 per cent support from the local communities close to the Indo-Myanmar who belong to various Naga tribes. These villagers not only provide them food and shelter, but also guide them through the mountainous track,” Bishnoi said.

January 11

Odisha Government has targeted to complete the Gurupriya Setu (bridge) in Naxal-affected Malkangiri District of Odisha by the end of September 2017.The bridge which was opposed by the CPI-Maoist. On completion the bridge will connect the cut off area with the main land and provide access to more than 25,000 tribal people who were cut off from the mainland of Malkangiri after Chitrakonda Reservoir was constructed in 1964 for Balimela Hydel Project.

Two militants were killed by the Army as it foiled an infiltration bid along the LoC in Poonch sector in Poonch District. An Army spokesman said the troops present along the LoC detected movement of two terrorists along the Betar Nala in the wee hours of January 10 and engaged them with heavy automatic fire. “While one terrorist was eliminated by afternoon of January 10 the second was eliminated today (January 11),” he said. He said the bodies of the slain terrorists and their weapons lie on the LoC.

CM Mehbooba Mufti said that 4088 missing persons and terrorists belonging to J&K, who had crossed the borders, are still in Pakistan and PoK. She was responding to the question of BJP MLA from Jammu East, Rajesh Gupta, in the Legislative Assembly. “As per the figures of the Home Department, 4088 missing persons and terrorists are still camping/residing in Pakistan and PoK”, she said. It is pertinent to mention here that during peak of militancy in this State huge number of misguided youth had crossed over the borders to get arms training in the camps established in different parts of Pakistan and PoK by the outfits of terrorists and ISI, Pakistan's external intelligence agency.

One ZUF militant, identified as Abel Gangmei (30) was killed by suspected NSCN-IM cadres at Padanpung village in Noney District. Two spent cartridges were recovered near the dead body of the militant.

Eleven persons, including six NSCN-IM militants were arrested and arms were recovered by the Thoubal District Police in three separate incidents from different parts of the Thoubal District. In the first incident, a team of Thoubal District Police led by SP M Pradeep conducted a search operation at Tuisem village under Pallel Police Station and arrested seven persons including three former NSCN-IM cadres who failed to produce proper identification proof. Four SSBL guns and one unauthorized weapon were recovered in the operation.

In the second incident, the Police team carried out a search operation at Khangshim village under Kakching Police Station and arrested a sympathizer and a self styled ‘captain’ of NSCN-IM identified as Hongsha Moshel (32) and Ashang Hongsha (42) respectively. One .38 pistol with four live rounds, two mobile phone handsets and a wallet containing some documents were recovered from their possession.

In the third incident, the Police carried out search operation at Serou quarry area where they arrested two NSCN-IM cadres, identified as Bungdon Bingham Ningham (29) and Seltun Thohrin Anal (23), who were collecting ‘illegal tax’ from trucks at that area. One .32 pistol loaded with one live round and a sum of INR 1100 were recovered from the arrestees.

One arms dealer, identified as Abdul Huissen alias Japan (38) was arrested by Bishnupur District Police commandos, at a mobile vehicle check post at Moirang Lamkhai along Tiddim road in Bishnupur District. One 9 mm pistol along with a magazine was recovered from the arrestee.

A strategic group meeting of the Unified Command Structure was held that focused on the increasing activities of JMB and other insurgent groups in Assam. In the meeting, UMHA Joint Secretary Satyendra Garg was present along with Assam Chief Secretary VK Pipersania, Home Commissioner LS Changsan and top officials of other security agencies including the Indian Army.

After the meeting DGP of Assam, Mukesh Sahay said, “In today’s meeting, we held detailed discussion on the activities of JMB and other insurgent groups in Assam. All security agencies have been put on high alert for approaching Republic Day.” According to the sources, in recent years, at least 40 cadres and linkmen of JMB were arrested in different parts of Assam.

A patrolling party of SSB carried out an operation in the area of Riphu Reserve Forest and busted a camp of NDFB-IKS. The patrolling party recovered sleeping bag for six persons, three country-made guns, one diary, four solar plates, SIM cards, 10 blankets, mosquito nets and many food items, along with various cooking utensils and clothes.

According to the sources, the GNLA still had 30 active members including self-styled ‘c-in-c’ Sohan D Shira and others wanted leaders like Kamdak and Megam. The Meghalaya DGP Swaraj Bir Singh said, “The GNLA has been weakened but there is certain nucleus located in separate areas that needed to be overrun.” The sources also said that the GNLA was still in touch with the ULFA-I leadership.

January 12

The ‘c-in-c’ of KCP-Poirei Meitei Lup, identified as Khoirom Ranjit alias Rocky alias Great Macha (35) was arrested at Mayur Vihar area in East Delhi along with a female cadre of the militant group identified as Inungbam Sanatombi Devi (26). The Delhi Police recovered 100-150 mobile SIM cards and laptops from the militant leader and his associate in Delhi. The Delhi Police also disclosed other information related to the militant group after interrogation. DCP-(special cell) Sanjeev Yadav said, “They are involved in large number of cases of terror activities like lobbing of grenades, shoot-outs, killings, planting of bombs, running extortion network by intimidating businessmen and politicians."

India roundly condemned the terrorist attacks that happened in Kabul and Kandahar in Afghanistan on January 10, with an official statement pointing a finger at Pakistan without naming it. The Ministry of External Affairs statement emphasised the "inhumane suffering inflicted on the peace-loving people of the region by the abominable phenomenon of international terrorism, which sadly continues to have its epicentre in our region and is pursued brazenly as an instrument of state policy to achieve narrow political objectives."

PM Narendra Modi also wrote a letter to Afghanistan President, Ashraf Ghani condemning the terrorist strike, particularly the explosions that targeted UAE officials in Kandahar that left both the UAE ambassador to Afghanistan and the governor of the province injured. "India condemns these attacks on Afghanistan, and on its legitimate authority. Such attacks are unacceptable and are aimed at undermining the progress made by the people of Afghanistan against all odds," he said.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault pressed for “decisive action” against Pakistan-based terror groups such as the LeT, JeM and HuM, which “are targeting” India. France vowed to work with New Delhi to get JeM ‘chief’ Masood Azhar proscribed by the UNSC.French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault also said: “The international community’s determination to combat terrorism must be the same everywhere, regardless of the threat.

In addition, on the cross-LoC surgical strikes carried out by India in September 2016 after an attack on the Uri Army camp in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Ayrault, said that a country had a “right to defend itself” in the wake of such threats.

On the front of counter-terrorism activities, he said, France and India hold “constant and very operational exchanges” on the terrorist threat. “We have a bilateral working group that brings together all the players concerned over counter-terrorism, and, among others, cooperation with regard to investigations and between our respective intervention units, the GIGN [Groupe d'intervention de la Gendarmerie nationale] from the French side, and the National Security Guards [NSG] from the Indian side. I welcome the development of all these cooperations,” Mr. Ayrault said.

Ahead of Indian Republic Day, Indo-Pakistan border adjoining Rajasthan is on an high alert following intelligence input over possibility of infiltration bid by suicide attackers. Patrolling on the International Border in the state has been intensified. According to sources, input received by the officials hint at terrorists are expected to try and cross the border along with consignment of heroin and explosives. After these inputs, BSF has been further alerted and directed to be extra alert. The night curfew is already on and additional security forces have been deployed at the sensitive places and vigil is being done with surveillance gadgets. BSF is also going to start operation Sard Hawa in next 2-3 days.

Confirming about increasing vigilance at the borders, BSF official sources said that at the international borders adjoining Rajasthan, strict vigilance is being made. Patrolling is being done at the borders and surveillance is being done through gadgets and additional alertness is being kept. Sources said that during the night, curfew is being imposed and directions have been given to shoot at sight on those violating the curfew.

The UAE Ambassador to India, Ahmed Albanna, assured that UAE will cooperate with India in order to enable it to get hold of Dawood Ibrahim. Albanna said that UAE is determined to have a strong strategic relationship with India and will be signing a strategic cooperation agreement with the country soon. Condemning the global terrorism, Albanna said that some countries are using terrorists for proxy war, which needs to be stopped soon.

A CRPF jawan and a sniffer dog were injured in a pressure bomb blast allegedly triggered by CPI-Maoist cadres in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The incident took place when a ROP of CRPF’s 85th battalion was out to ensure security to a patch on Bijapur–Bhopalpattanam road. When the party reached near Chinna Kodepal village in Mahadev Ghat area, dog master Surendra Kumar stepped over the pressure IED connection. 

Two Maoists, one of them carrying cash reward on his head, surrendered before the Police in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. The cadres, identified as Kaveram Salaam and Jagnu Salaam (30), turned themselves in at Narayanpur District headquarters, Narayanpur ASP, Anil Soni said. They were active as members of the Bagjhar Janatana Sarkar group of Maoists in the Benoor Police Station area of the District. They were assigned tasks like arranging meetings as well food for rebels, dropping Maoist pamphlets and posters, collecting information and inputs and others local work, he said adding that Kaveram was carrying a reward of INR 10,000 on his head.

The ‘group commander’, Abhay, of the TPC, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, was killed in an encounter under Chainpur Police station area of Palamu District of Jharkhand. The encounter took place between the team from Garhwa Police, along with a contingent of the JAP. SFs have recovered two rifles, cartridges, batteries, their chargers, blankets and other materials. 

Three cadres of the (PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, who were part of the group that set ablaze heavy machinery engaged in IOC’s Paradip-Ranchi-Raipur underground pipeline project on January 10, were arrested from Murhu area of Khunti District of Jharkhand. The trio has been identified as Dinesh Gudiya - brother of PLFI ‘zonal commander’ Jeedan Gudiya - Sunil Nag and Batu Kachchhap. PLFI pamphlets and jerry cans, used for carrying fuel like petrol or kerosene oil, were also recovered from them.

Two civilians, Ramesh Atala (27) and Manohar Atala (55) were killed by the CPI-Maoist cadres in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. The Gadchiroli Police statement said that the Maoists shot the victims claiming they were ‘Police informers’. It added that the victims were farmers and provided food to Maoists and travelled with them to nearby villages. The Police claimed that CPI-Maoist fear their influence is reducing in the District as developmental work by the administration has earned the confidence of tribals. A section of the Police has claimed that the latest killing was carried out by Chatgaon LOS which is headed by ‘commander’ Yogesh.

Intelligence agencies have identified 12 active terror launch pads with 300 terrorists in Pakistan. The launch pads were identified as Balakot, Garhi Habibullah, Batrasi, Mashar-e-Akshah, Abdullah bin Mausam, Dalai, Chela Bandi, Kotli, Dungi, Gulpar, Barali and Mandakuli. According to an intelligence report there are "reception" areas within Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir, where these terrorists would be received. The reception areas where the terrorists meet their handlers, who provide them logistics and money, are Lojab Valley, Rajwar forest, Bandipora, Kazikund, Rafiabad and Naugam.

A civilian was killed and three others were injured when unidentified armed men attacked an Imphal-bound convoy of loaded trucks escorted by heavy security personnel at Imphal-Jiribam road in Lukhambi of Noney District. The deceased has been identified as one Dikhonang (25) of Tamenglong while the injured were identified as Thuannilung (31) – a school teacher from Taobam village, Jacky Kahmei (30) of Tamenglong, and Nipen Kalita (24). According to Police, a convoy of over 500 goods-laden trucks was on their way towards Imphal when they were attacked by the unidentified people with sophisticated weapons, killing one civilian and injuring three others at the spot. However, a separate source said that the victims (all civilians) were travelling in a car when the incident happened. The Police report said the injured were rushed to AR Unit Hospital, Noney where they were treated but later sent to Imphal for better treatment. However, Police did not divulge any information on whether they retaliated to the alleged ambush.

A cadre of KCP-Poirei Meitei Lup, identified as Pukhrihongbam Ibomcha was arrested in Imphal in Manipur. A 9 mm pistol and 2 hand grenades were recovered from his possession.

The ZUF categorically clarified that Abel Gangmei (30), who was killed by suspected NSCN-IM militant at Padangpung village in Noney District on January 11 was not related to the outfit and he was a civilian.

The ‘c-in-c’ of KCP-Poirei Meitei Lup, identified as Khoirom Ranjit alias Rocky alias Great Macha (35) was arrested at Mayur Vihar area in East Delhi along with a female cadre of the militant group identified as Inungbam Sanatombi Devi (26). The Delhi Police recovered 100-150 mobile SIM cards and laptops from the militant leader and his associate. The Delhi Police also disclosed other information related to the militant group after interrogation. DCP (special cell) Sanjeev Yadav said, “They are involved in large number of cases of terror activities like lobbing of grenades, shoot-outs, killings, planting of bombs, running extortion network by intimidating businessmen and politicians."

Unidentified assailants hurled a crude bomb at the residence of Hokuto Zhimomi, a BJP candidate for DMC polls, at Veterinary colony of Burma camp area in Dimapur District. The blast damaged the concrete floored compound but no casualties were reported. Police recovered some plastic materials from the spot.

Meghalaya Police announced a reward of INR 200,000 on the whereabouts of Reding T. Sangma, the ‘c-in-c’ of militant group ASAK. SP of South Garo Hills District, Anand Mishra, while announcing the reward, said, “Any person who provides any information which leads to the apprehension of Reding T. Sangma will be rewarded in cash a sum of INR 2 lakh by the office of the Superintendent of Police, South Garo Hills.”

January 13

Naushad, a resident of Bijnor (Uttar Pradesh), who was acquitted of terror charges was arrested again by Police. Police had arrested Naushad in 2007 claiming that he was planning a terror attack. However, in 2015 he was acquitted by a special court after spending more than eight years in jail. The Uttar Pradesh government had challenged the order in the High Court. The High Court had issued a non-bailable warrant against him in December, 2016. Naushad, who was arrested in Bijnor, will be taken into transit remand and brought to Lucknow on January 16. The next hearing of the matter is on January 31.

A special NIA court in New Delhi, levelled charges against Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal in a matter related to conspiring terror attacks in various parts of India. The charges against Jundal, who is also the convict in the Aurangabad arms haul case, have been framed under the IPC Section 153 A and other sections of UAPA.The trial on the same will begin from January 31, 2017.

A case was registered on June 8, 2012 under section 18 of UAPA against Jundal and his associates, who happened to be the members of LeT. After the Mumbai terror attack of 26/11 (November 26, 2008), Jundal with senior functionaries of LeT hatched the conspiracy in Pakistan in 2010 to recruit youngsters from India for terrorist activities and to promote enmity between different groups in the name of religion. In August, 2016 the designated MCOCA court sentenced life imprisonment to Jundal in the Aurangabad arms haul case.

Six SF personnel were injured in an IED blast in Burha Pahari area of Latehar District of JharkhandThe blast took place during an encounter with the cadres of the CPI-Maoist. Officials said that three explosions took place first around 5:30 AM, then another took place around 10 AM and then again at 1 PM. Two Assistant Commandants of CRPF, one head constable and two SIs and a Jharkhand Police jawan were injured.

One Naxalite, identified as Mahendra Manjhi, was arrested in a major anti-Naxal operation carried by the 26th CRPF and local Police in Lugu-pahari forest area in Gomia block in Bokaro District of Jharkhand. The CRPF also seized large quantity of fire arms, including a rifle of .315, with one magazine, three .315 cartridges and five 303 cartridges from him. Mahendra was a close associate of Santosh Mahto group. However, no loss of life reported and no Policemen were injured in the operation, said ASP, Sanjay Kumar (Operations).

The CPI-Maoist cadres abducted five persons including four Odisha Government officials from Chitrakonda in Malkangiri District.  Odisha is going to have panchayat elections on February 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 2017. Sources said a group of Maoists produced them at a ‘Praja Court’ at Similipodar village. The five persons have been identified as poll officials Hrushiskesh Naik and Purshottam Behra, junior engineers Praveen Soren and Kamini Kanth as well as Jodamba village head Lakshaman Sisa's son Manoranjan Sisa, sources said. However, another officer Lingaraj Majhi managed to escape.

The District Police have arrested a relative of Naxalite, Thota Ramulu (35), in Karimnagar District of Telangana. Ramulu is the relative of Jadala Nagaraju, a surrendered Naxalite told Karimnagar Commissioner of Police, V B Kamalasan Reddy. Police have recovered 50 rounds of ammunition of different weapons, a 18mm rifle, one SBBL rifle, three DBBL rifles, one 9 mm carbine, one .32 pistol, a 8mm tapancha from his house at Karimnagar town.

The BSF foiled major infiltration attempt by a group of four to six militants, trying to infiltrate into the Indian Territory, along the IB in Samba sector in Samba District by killing one of them and forcing others to retreat to Pakistan. Official sources said the BSF troops observed the movement of four to six militants, who were moving towards the Indian Territory along Tarnah Nullah between Samba and Hiranagar sectors on the IB. As the alert BSF troops challenged the militants, after heavy exchange of firing one of the militants was killed on spot while others were reported to have retreated to Pakistan taking cover of darkness in the area. The BSF didn’t suffer any casualties in the encounter.

SFs busted a militant hideout and recovered cache of arms and ammunition in Charmar area of Surankote in Poonch District. Acting on tip off, police and army launched joint operation in Charmar area of Surankote and recovered the cache of arms and ammunition from an underground dump, which included two AK 56, two Chinese pistols, two RPG guns, four HE 36 grenades, 10 AK magazines, 302 AK ammunition, LMG ammunition 88, sniper ammunition 12, one wireless set damaged, one bayonet cover, three pistol magazines, two pistols ammunition, three M 16 Rocket and one 51 motor ammunition.

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat made it clear that more surgical strikes cannot be ruled out as India has the “right to retaliate” if Pakistan does not react positively to offers of peace. General Rawat also said India needs to “wait and watch” the Pakistani response in Jammu and Kashmir. He accepted that challenges of proxy war, insurgency and terrorism will keep India embroiled for “years to come”. The General said the DGMOs of both sides have spoken to each other and want peace and tranquillity along the LoC. The two officers spoke on November 23, 2016 and since then there has been relative peace along the LoC, he said. Asked if surgical strikes conducted along the LoC, and operations conducted in Myanmar, would now be part of the doctrine, the Army chief said, “We have told the adversary to accept peace and in case that offer is not reciprocated this method of operations (surgical strikes) shall continue”. He also said the aim is to ensure peace and tranquillity and it (surgical strike) shall not be needed if there is peace.

Police arrested a KCP militant, identified as Rishikesh Singh (41), from Sangakpham Bazar area in Imphal West District. Incriminating articles were also recovered from his possession.

Thounaojam Shyamkumar , MLA from INC, denied Delhi Police's charge that he had nexus with the arrested militant leader of the KCP-Poirei Meitei Lup. ‘C-in-c’ of KCP-Poirei Meitei Lup, identified as Khoirom Ranjit alias Rocky alias Great Macha (35) was arrested from New Delhi on January 12.

January 14

In a shocking report that discloses the state of Police Stations and Police Forces, it has been revealed that even basic infrastructure to fulfill their duties have not been provided to the Police Stations. Many of the Police Stations do not have the basic facilities such as vehicles, phones and wireless to carry out their duties more effectively. As per the report, there are a total of 15,555 Police Stations in the country and out of these, 188 Police Stations are without a single vehicle, 402 lack telephone lines and 134 don’t have wireless sets. 65 of these neither have a telephone line nor wireless set, as per the data accumulated by the BPR&D.

Insurgency-struck Manipur has the maximum number of Police Stations without a phone or wireless set. The North-east State has 43 Police Stations without phones or wireless sets. Chhattisgarh has 161 Police Stations without vehicles. MP has 111 Police Stations without any telephone line. MP is followed by Meghalaya and Manipur at 67 Police Stations each. UP also has 51 Police Stations without a telephone line and 17 without wireless, the report says. BPR&D figures revealed that there are only 10.13 vehicles for 100 Policemen at the national level. Only 1,75,358 vehicles in all available for law enforcement. Maharashtra has the maximum number of vehicles (17,131), followed by Tamil Nadu (15,926) and UP (13,452). “In the case of Chhattisgarh and MP, most Police Stations are in Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist)-affected areas where wireless sets or vehicles are often snatched by Naxalites [Left Wing Extremists (LWEs)]. This cannot be an excuse as police need at least phones, vehicles and wireless sets for communication and mobility,” said an official. There were 22,80,691 Police officers across all States and Union territories (UTs) as of January 2016. The issue is particularly serious in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, UP, West Bengal, Dadar & Nagar Haveli and Delhi where there is one Policeman for 1,100 people.

After reports on abduction of five poll officials in Malkangiri District of Odisha on January 13, the abducted officials claimed that they were in the captivity of the LWEs and produced before a praja court. Of the five poll officials, two of them – gram panchayat technical assistants Praveen Soren and Kaminikanta Singh – have narrated their ordeal to media after their release. “We were abducted while we were on duty at our respective panchayats. We were taken to a place near Gora Setu and produced before a praja court where around 20-22 Maoists were present. The ultras threatened us not to participate in the panchayat polls and asked us to go back,” Kaminikanta Singh said. Another abducted official Praveen Soren said: “The Maoists told me that whether it is police encounter or other issues, district administration has not reached out to people. The villagers have been deprived of the welfare schemes. They will not allow polls to be held in the region till the government benefits reach them.”

The separatists in J&K have further scaled down their ongoing agitation by restricting the strike call to every Friday and have asked people to observe a 'black day' on Republic Day. In a fresh protest programme issued late last night (January 14), the separatists - hardline APHC-G chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani, moderate APHC-M chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and JKLF chief Yasin Malik - asked the people to observe strike only on Fridays. In view of Republic Day, the separatists have called for a shutdown on Thursday (January 19) as well this week. They have also called for joint protest on Monday (January 16) after the afternoon prayer.

In terms of militancy related violence, Assam was the only State in the Northeast which recorded higher casualties during 2016, as compared to the previous year (2015). Referencing Government official records, a report said that, in 2016 (up to November), Assam recorded a total of 80 casualties, including 29 civilians, 4 security personnel and 47 extremists. But, in 2015, Assam recorded 58 killings, including 9 civilians and 49 insurgents.

Significantly, the number of civilian casualties in the State rose sharply to 29 in 2016 from 9 in 2015. In 2014, 168 civilian fatalities were recorded. In 2013, 35 civilians were killed in insurgency-related violence across the State. Similarly, casualties among the SFs also increased from zero in 2015 to four in 2016. Due to sustained operations by SFs, 47 militants belonging to various insurgent groups lost their lives during 2016, as against 49 in 2015, 102 in 2014 and 52 in 2013 in the State. According to the high level security sources, there was a substantial decline in insurgency related incidents in 2015. In that year, the level of violence steeply declined to the lowest since 1997. Official records further state that 125 persons were kidnapped in Assam in 2013, 94 in 2014, 27 in 2015 and 14 in 2016. On the other hand, 348 extremists were arrested in 2013, 319 in 2014, 645 in 2015 and 343 in 2016 in the State.

According to the security sources the militant groups having bases in Myanmar have started using different routes of Arunachal Pradesh-Myanmar border to enter into the North East region. Earlier, Nagaland-Myanmar border was considered to be the most vulnerable. Sources said that though some militants are still sneaking to the country through Nagaland, most such infiltrations are taking place through Arunachal Pradesh which is considered to be a peaceful state. Security sources said that most such movements were taking place through the Changlang District of Arunachal Pradesh. The Arunachal Pradesh CM also held a high level meeting with senior officers of the Army and paramilitary forces last month to discuss the situation.

The UNC of Manipur opposed the fencing work between India and Myanmar and ''appealed to Nagas'' to jointly oppose it. The fencing work is on at remote Pangsha village in Nagaland’s Tuensang District. The NSCN-IM, NSCN-K, ENPO and several other Nagaland based social organization had also opposed the move to fence the India-Myanmar border in Nagaland.

The Government officials said that the UHM Rajnath Singh had sought a report on the ambush of January 12 on NH 37 in Manipur in which one person was killed and three injured.

CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze three vehicles involved in road construction work in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. According to Police, the Maoists raided camp of a construction company at Roam village situated under Guwa Police Station and set the three vehicles on fire.

January 15

France has reiterated its support to India's pitch to get JeM 'chief' Masood Azhar designated as a global terrorist, days after China blocked such a proposal at the UN. It added that there are "very strong arguments in favour" of designating Azhar as an international terrorist and said that it wants to see decisive action taken against terror groups targeting India.  French Foreign Minister, Jean-Marc Ayrhoo, who was on a four-day India visit, stated that France is also a co-sponsor of the proposal to designate Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. He regretted the fact that despite joint attempts by France and India and wide support from the Sanctions Committee, unanimity could not be reached.  He further said that JeM is already included in the UN Sanctions Committees list of terror organisations.

Anti-terror intelligence agencies have found instances of medicines from India landing up with the Islamic State (IS). The agencies strongly suspect that medicines supplied to the Gulf countries were ending up in Syria and Iraq for the use of the terror group.

At the recent All-India Police Science Congress in Kerala, a top IPS official of the IB noted during a discussion on the IS: “A total of 70 incidents of violence have been reported outside the area of ISIS control in 20 countries including several lone wolf attacks. The targets have been remarkably similar to the ones chosen by other terror outfits targeting India, whether it is the Indian Mujahideen or the Lashkar-e-Tayyaba.” The officer said, “There have been loose ISIS motivated or inspired groups in Hyderabad (one led by one Yazdani), one in Roorkee and lone wolves like in Parbhani. Instances of supply of logistics have come to our notice, particularly in the form of supply of medicines.”

According to top IB sources, around 300 individuals in India are on the radar of various Police forces and central agencies for their “proclivity towards the ISIS cause”.

So far, around 100 persons have tried to travel to join IS and around 67 have reached the area of operation of the extremist group. Agencies have arrested about 60 persons, including some in Telangana state for linkages to the IS.

Explaining the magnitude of the problem, an IB officer said, “Over 70 lakh Indians work in the Gulf and West Asia and remain vulnerable to radical propaganda.” Several expats from Hyderabad based in the UAE and Saudi Arabia have joined the IS, as has one person from Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh who was based in Kuwait. Analysis by the police has revealed that recent IS recruits from India were young - about 90 per cent in the 18-33 age group. More specifically, half the recruits from India were in the 23-28 age group. About 70 per cent had a technical background and 50 per cent were graduates.

Investigations following the arrest of five members of a group called Base Movement in November 2016 have revealed that a leader of the group was involved in four blasts carried out in Madurai between 2011 and 2014,. The five members were arrested by the NIA from Madurai in Tamil Nadu in connection with a series of bomb blasts at court premises in South India. One of the arrested men, N Abbas Ali, who is linked to former operatives of Al Ummah, has revealed that he planted four bombs in Madurai between 2011 and 2014. Ali is accused by the NIA of planning and executing blasts in the premises of courts in Chittoor, Kollam, Mysuru, Nellore and Malapuram between April 7 and November 1, 2016.

Following are the accounts of the Madurai blasts provided by Ali to investigators, which are corroborated by news reports:

The May 2011 blast occurred in a dustbin near the crowded Mattuthavani bus stand at 9.15 pm. Nobody was injured in the minor blast. On September 29, 2011, Ali planted a device in a Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation bus to mark the anniversary of the 2002 killing of Al Ummah leader Imam Ali by police in Bengaluru. The IED, made with materials sourced from firecrackers, was found by employees of the transport corporation and defused. On September 29, 2012, Ali planted an IED outside a TASMAC wine shop in Theni to mark the death anniversary of Imam Ali. The device exploded but no casualties occurred. The fourth blast occurred on February 9, 2014, at the venue of an AIADMK meeting in Madurai. The bomb, placed below the stage, exploded when no one was around. The date was the anniversary of the hanging of Afzal Guru, who was convicted in the 2001 Parliament attack case. “Ali has claimed to have been involved in four blasts in the Madurai region. It seems that these cases are undetected or some others have already been arrested,’’ a source said.

The Police arrested six cadres of the CPI-Maoist along with arms and ammunition during a raid at Karmpur Bhataulia village under Paroo Police Station in Muzaffarpur District of Bihar. The Police have also seized two country made pistols, six detonators, four cartridges of .315 bore, 17 cartridges of 7.62 bore, hand-written six leaflets meant to threaten people to realise levy and two motorcycles. The arrestees were identified as Dashrath Ram, Santosh Sahni, Baidyanath Paswan, Mukesh Paswan, Rajesh Paswan and Sanjay Kumar Sahni.

CPI-Maoist cadres have warned villagers through posters in Narayanpatna block of Koraput District of Odisha to abstain from voting during panchayat polls. The posters were found in Balipeta and Tentulipadar panchayats of the District. The panchayat polls will be held in five phases: February 13, 15, 17, 19 and 21, 2017.

Two villagers were killed by the CPI-Maoist cadres at Taringa village under Goeilkera Thana area in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand.  The victims were identified as Suresh Bhuiyan (25) and Jiten Lomga (15). No reason was cited by West Singhbhum District Police for the killings. 

A CPI-Maoist cadre was killed in an encounter with SFs in Kandanar forest area under Darbha Police station in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh. SFs also recovered a .303 rifle, its five live rounds, one SMBL rifle, a couple of detonators, bags, Naxal literature and items of daily use. The identity of the Maoist killed is yet to be ascertained. The total number Maoists killed in separate gun-battles in Bastar Division in January 2017 has reached to 8.

The SFs in Kerala have warned that the CPI-Maoist cadres are planning a coordinated movement of its urban and rural forces for strengthening its activities in southern States of India, mainly in Kerala. SFs claimed this on the basis of the review report of the SZC of the CPI-Maoist retrieved by the Police from the site of Nilambur encounter. The report says, that they were able to defeat the enemy plans and successfully organize the meeting in the forest area of tri-junction under the protection of PLGA Forces, support and participation of people.

The three parties, the IPFT, the INPT and the NCT, announced a hartal (general strike) in areas under the TTAADC on February 8 to protest the new citizenship policy of the Union Government. The proposed amendments will grant swifter Indian citizenship to persecuted minorities from countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

UHM Rajnath Singh, along with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, reviewed the prevailing situation in Manipur. The State is reeling under a 75-day long economic blockade on NHs, called by the UNC, which has crippled normal life. Top officials including CoAS General Bipin Rawat, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, and AG Mukul Rohatgi were also present in the meeting. The presence of AG is leading to speculation of the Union Government mulling some legal action. The blockade of the NHs leading to the Manipur valley has been in place since November 1.

In a joint operation conducted by the Indian Army and Police, two persons identified as Rahim Badshah (30) and Abdul Sahid (25) were arrested with 800 detonators, a pistol and ammunition from the Shantipur-Beparipara border village under Sukchar Police Station of South Salmara-Mancachar District. Police said that the consignment was meant to be delivered to militants groups in Meghalaya''s Garo Hills or to Bangladesh-based militants.

The Maoists of AOBSZC issued a Press release asking people of the cutoff areas to boycott the panchayat polls, leaving the SEC and the State administration of Odisha in a tizzy.

In a bid to curb the menace of LWE, Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh and his Jharkhand counterpart Raghubar Das, discussed modalities for better inter-state coordination and information sharing in the border area of the two neighbouring States in Raipur District of Chhattisgarh. During discussions, Singh said Chhattisgarh shares a long border with Jharkhand (in its northern part) and better coordination between the forces of the two States would help in strengthening the surveillance system on the inter-State border and thereby controlling Naxal activities, an official release issued said. Jharkhand CM reiterated commitment of his State to control Naxal menace. “The Jharkhand CM assured Singh that State Police and armed forces will work in better coordination with Chhattisgarh Police to check Naxal menace,” the official release said.

Imphal West District Police arrested a KYKL militant, identified as H Priyokumar (45) from Naoremthong Shamushang under Lamphel Police Station in Imphal West District. Police said that the arrested militant was working under the ‘deputy finance secretary’ of the militant group, Ingba and involved in several extortion cases.

January 16

Three LeT militants were killed in an encounter with SFs at Awoora village in Pahalgam area of Anantnag District. Acting on specific intelligence input about the presence of three LeT militants, ‘commander’ Adil, Masood and Abid, hiding in the village, Army’s 3rd RR and SOG launched a search operation in the area on January 15. An army official said as the SFs were conducting the search operation, the hiding militants fired upon them and the SFs retaliated. The exchange of fire went on till late in the evening after which it was halted for the night, the official said, adding it was resumed in the wee hours today and the three militants were killed in the gunfight. Three AK-47 rifles have been recovered from the encounter site, the official said adding the operation has been called off.

NCB and BSF seized around 500 gram of heroine from a border outpost near Lalgola in Murshidabad District. The seized drug, which was to be sent to Bangladesh, has a market price of INR 1.5 core. The agency has seized more than 300 gram of heroine from Siliguri earlier this year.  According to NCB sources, after a crackdown at Malda District, clandestine laboratories have started mushrooming in Murshidabad. The areas across Plassey and Lalgola in the district are under the radar of the agency now.

The CPI-Maoist cadres of the AOBSZC warned Andhra University Professor Jarra Appa Rao, former Naxalite Pilli Venkateswarlu alias Satyam and TDP leader, SV Ramana, in Vishakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. In a press release by the CPI-Maoist AOBSZC official spokesman Jagabandhu stated that these people were threatening local tribals and claiming that the banned outfit had permitted contractors to mine, following which they had set up crusher machines to extract granite and other reserves. Further, Jagabandhu stated, that Ramaguda encounter of October 24, 2016, in Odisha, was a pre-planned elimination of unarmed CPI-Maoist cadres by Andhra Pradesh and Odisha Government.

Six tribals have been abducted by CPI-Maoist cadres from three interior villages of GK Veedhi in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. According to sources, the rebels had abducted six persons from Boddamanupakalu, Tukkagoi and PK Gudem by branding them as ‘Police informers’. The Maoist cadres have informed the people to attend a meeting in the forest area of GK Veedhi and they were taken away by them from the spot. However, SP, Rahul Dev Sharma ruled out the kidnap angle. He said that no complaint was lodged by the locals about the kidnap. Rahul Dev also opined that after the recent kidnapping in Odisha, locals were exaggerating the incident as kidnapping.

UHM Rajnath Singh assured Chhattisgarh Government of greater road connectivity, new Police Stations and mobile towers in the Naxal affected Districts while chairing a review meeting on anti-Naxal campaign and development at the CM Raman Singh’s residence in Raipur District of Chhattisgarh. UHM approved 50 new Police Stations, installation of 35 additional mobile towers and improving the road network. 850 kilometres will be constructed new roads in the Naxal-affected areas. Sixteen out of the 27 Districts of Chhattisgarh have the presence of rebels. CM Raman Singh told that the CPI-Maoist cadre’s activities in the northern region of the State like Surguja Division were almost under control while activities were on the decline in Bastar region in the South.

Jharkhand’s DGP, D K Pandey asked CPI-Maoist cadres to either surrender or get ready to face the bullets of the SFs in Palamu District of Jharkhand. The DGP directed to establish a Police picket in Mahudanad of Hussainabad.

Following the call of CPI-Maoist cadres to people to boycott the upcoming panchayat elections and their subsequent abduction of poll officials in Malkangiri District of Odisha, the SEC, informed that any decision on whether to announce a new poll schedule for the cutoff areas in the District would be taken after withdrawal of candidatures scheduled on January 22. SEC Secretary Rabindra Sahu told reporters in Bhubaneswar, “Filing of nominations is left for another two days. Once the process gets over tomorrow, the SEC will take a decision after assessing the situation not only for Malkangiri but other places as well where similar situations have occurred. As per the poll norms, if a nomination is not filed for any panchayat due to any reasons in the first phase, a new schedule is announced by the SEC. In case all the nominations are rejected or withdrawn, a new schedule is also declared.”

Police commandos, during combing operations, raided the house of a NSCN-IM militant, identified as Mashuring Tangkhul, at Ringpham village in Chandel District. However, no arrest was made.

Security had been tightened in and around the capital city Imphal and District headquarters in Manipur ahead of the upcoming Republic Day celebration and State Assembly elections.

A court in New Delhi, remanded Inugbamsanatombi Devi, the female associate of ‘c-in-c’ of KCP-Poirei Lup, to judicial custody until January 31. She was arrested on January 12 along with Khoirom Ranjit, the ‘c-in-c’ of KCP-Poirei Meitei, who is in Police custody until January 19.

State Police officials stated that the GNLA militants had started using children as a shield to protect themselves from the ongoing operations being carried out by SFs in Garo Hills Districts. SP (South Garo Hills), Anand Mishra, in this regard, said, “With pressure mounting on GNLA militants, whose strength is dwindling, the use of children by the militants has been reported from parts of South Garo Hills.” Police have reports from several villages that the militants had taken away many children. According to the sources, the militants are using the children also to get information about the movement of security personnel and to carry ration, besides entrusting them to do other menial jobs. The Police official also said that a Police team had visited several villages and contacted parents to know the whereabouts of their missing children.

State’s Governor Banwarilal Purohit had extended the term of KAAC for a period of six months with effect from January 13 or till the date of the first sitting after completion of fresh polls to the KAAC, whichever is earlier. The term of the present Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council expired on January 13 on completion of its five year term.

January 17

The NIA arrested one IS operative, identified as Mohammed Irfan alias Abu Jafar, a resident of Mir Alam Mandi in the old city of Hyderabad. He was produced before NIA special court, which sent him to judicial custody for seven days.

According to the investigation agency, he along with the other accused took part in searching of hideouts and physical training. Irfan allegedly collected the explosive precursors along with another accused from the outskirts of Pochampally village of Nalgonda District in Telangana.

Underlining that India alone cannot walk the path of peace, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urged Pakistan to “walk away from terror” if it wants resumption of bilateral dialogue. On relations with China, Modi said it was not unnatural for two large neighbours to have some differences but both sides should show sensitivity and respect for each other’s core concerns and interests.

A city civil court in Bengaluru issued a body warrant for Yasin Bhatkal, who has been sentenced to death for the Hyderabad blasts case, in connection with the ongoing M. Chinnaswamy Stadium blast case (April 17, 2010). Yasin, touted as the mastermind behind IM, has to be produced before the court on February 4. The warrant was issued based on an application filed by Special Public Prosecutor C.A. Ravindran on behalf of Central Crime Branch sleuths attached to Bengaluru City Police.

The role of the ISI in the November 20, 2016 train disaster in Kanpur is being suspected after Bihar Police, arrested three people, Moti Paswan, Uma Shankar Patel and Mukesh Yadav, who, they claimed, were working for the Pakistani intelligence agency to target Indian railways. The ISI link was being suspected after the interrogation of the trio, Police said. During interrogation, the three arrested persons provided some “positive lead” about the Indore-Patna Express derailment in Kanpur, District SP Jitendra Rana said.

The trio was arrested from Adapur Police Station area and they allegedly confessed to having worked for a Nepalese contact suspected to be connected to the ISI to target the railways, Rana told. The three are “professional criminals” involved in more than a dozen cases. The three were paid INR 3 lakh by a Nepali man Brajesh Giri, who allegedly had connections with Shamsul Hoda of Dubai, who had links with the ISI, the SP said. The money was paid to them to plant a bomb on the railway tracks at Ghorasan in East Champaran District, bordering Nepal, on October 1, 2016 Rana said.

Pakistan's ISI operatives in Nepal had offered a flat and a luxury vehicle besides huge cash to each member of the group that was assigned to plant explosives to derail the Indore-Rajendranagar Express near Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh in November, 2016, Police sources said.

Concerned authorities have increased the security of Delhi-Lahore bus and Samjhauta Express following an alert from intelligence agencies that terror groups are on the lookout of targeting these two modes of transportation between India and Pakistan. Highly placed sources said that intelligence inputs suggest terrorists groups are planning to disrupt the Republic Day event in the national capital. They may target Samjhauta Express and Delhi-Lahore bus service.

A joint team of District Police, DRG, STF and ITBP arrested five CPI-Maoist cadres in Kondagaon District of Chhattisgarh during an anti-Naxal operation. The arrested Maoists were identified as Ramdhar Nag (28), Jaisingh Nag (27), Neeldhar Yadav (21), Sukman Kashyap (26) and Sahu Kashyap (25).They were active Janmilitia members and were involved in various crimes including spreading false information about encounter, arranging meetings for ultras and others.

Bastar’s first woman CRPF officer, Usha Kiran had launched a special campaign to control the Maoist activities in the Bastar Division. Kiran said she wants to neutralise Naxals, which stops people from moving towards development. Kiran is first woman officer to be posted in the Maoist hotbed and a potent PR tool for the security forces battling accusations of grave excesses, including rape.

A handler of a sniffer dog, PK Samal, was injured and 'Aminika', a sniffer dog belonging to CoBRA battalion, was killed in an IED blast by CPI-Maoist cadres in Buda Pahar area in Latehar District of Jharkhand.

CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze four vehicles at a bridge construction site at Ganeshpur Chatam under Garu Police Station in Latehar District of Jharkhand. Maoists set ablaze two dumpers and two tractors engaged by the construction company to build a bridge over Koel River and assaulted workers engaged at the site.

SFs laid a trap and arrested a Maoist supporter and three employees of Bauxite mining company from Bishunpur area in Gumla District of JharkhandSFs have seized INR 0.299 million cash, an SUV and a motorcycle from them. The Gumla SDPO, Bhupendra Rawat, added, "Upon frisking them, we recovered 149 currency notes of INR 2,000 denomination and two new notes of INR 500 denomination. During interrogation, they admitted that the cash was actually meant for Maoist 'zonal commander' Nakul Yadav and his next in command Madan Yadav."

CPI-Maoist cadres have again put up posters at various places threatening the tribals to boycott the Panchayat elections in Malkangiri District of Odisha. According to reports, the posters were found from the Chitrakonda area of the District in which the Malkangiri District Divisional Committee of the CPI-Maoist has asked the tribals not to cast their votes. Earlier reported, the CPI-Maoist cadres had on January 10 also put up posters in Malkangiri warning the tribals to abstain from the polls.

CPI-M (Red Star), a Naxalite outfit that has contested elections has token presence in Kerala and West Bengal, led land agitation near Kolkata. CPI-ML (Red Star) has become the key organiser of a movement at Bhangar village in South 24 Parganas District of West Bengal. It is to be noted that the villagers are demanding cancellation of a power grid project designed to transmit electricity through high tension overhead lines. A senior Police officer said, “All the leaders of the movement belong to the CPI (ML) (Red Star). We never monitored their activities because they held little influence.”  Police said they are keeping a close watch on are Alik Chakraborty, Sharmistha Chowdhury and Pradip Singh Thakur, all leaders of the Red Star faction of CPI(ML). The leader of the party is K N Ramachandran, who hails from Kerala. Thakur and Chakraborty are politburo members of the party and Choudhury a central committee member. Chakraborty is also the spokesperson of the committee spearheading the movement.

The three militants killed in the overnight gun battle with SFs in Anantnag District of J&K on January 16, were affiliated with HM and were identified as Abid Sheikh, son of Farooq Sheikh, resident of Satkipora Srigufwara, Maqsood Ahmad Sheikh alias Masoom, son of Ghulam Nabi, resident of Bewoora Srigufwara, and Adil Reshi, son of Mushtaq Ahmad, resident of Iqbal Mohalla in Bijbehara. Three AK-47 rifles, 9 magazines, 80 rounds and 3 pouches were recovered from the encounter site. Police said that Adil Reshi was involved in number of incidents. Adil along with Amir Nabi alias Ibn Qasim was involved in attack on SDPO Bijbehara and his PSO on 24th of December 2015. The 1-Sector Commander of RR Brigadier R Chakraborty stated, “It is a major success as their moving freely and preparing a video, in which they were playing with snow, appeared that they were challenging us.” The Commander urged the rest of the militants of the group to join mainstream. “I urge rest of the three militants to surrender and join mainstream”, he said. He further said that they were all A category militants with one each being A++ and A+. “They are part of a six member militant group that recently appeared in a video playing in snow. We ensured that there is no collateral damage during the encounter”, he added.

A man allegedly trying to sneak into the Nagrota Army camp in Jammu District was shot and injured before being arrested. “During last night, an unidentified man was found moving suspiciously near the fence of the Nagrota Army camp along the banks of river Tawi,” a Defence spokesman said.

JKP has turned into an important force in fighting militancy and modernization of the force has become imperative to enhance capacity of the force, stated DGP, Dr. S. P. Vaid in the meeting of the 16th CCTNS Empowered Committee for implementation of CCTNS Project held at PHQ in Jammu District. In order to make the department high-tech, we are focussing on high security capacity building in future. Special focus is given on technical up-gradation to enhance the capabilities of the force in order to commensurate with the modern requirements, he added.

SFs arrested three militants of MULTA, identified as Zehrul Islam (36), Joved Ali (36) and Ajit Ali (30), from Nayekgaon area of Kokrajhar District. Seven rifles were recovered from the arrested militants. According to Police, the three were involved in extortion and arms dealing on behalf of the militant group.  

PDCK, a Karbi militant formation, repeated its earlier ‘final ultimatum’ to the Hindi and Bengali speaking inhabitants of Karbi Anglong Autonomous District to leave the District before March 31, 2017. This has led to a panic situation among the two communities. PDCK along with two other groups - KLO and NLFT on January 2 had asked the two communities to quit ‘Kamatapur’, Tripura and ‘Karbi Longri’ within March 31. The outfits have further warned that after the dateline both the communities would have to face ‘the gravest of the grave’ situation. 

SFs arrested one NDFB-IKS militant, identified as Pushpo Basumatary alias B Fighter, from Daiphang Gaon area in Udalguri District. One AK series assault rifle, one magazine and ten live rounds were recovered from the possession of the arrested militant.

The Karbi Anglong based UCF, local Christian leaders’ forum denied the allegations of possible links between the churches and militant leader IK Songbijit to create violence in the region. UCF expressed its concern over these allegations which it states were first expressed by a person named Ranjit over a talk show aired by an Assamese channel on December 7, 2016. In a memorandum submitted to Karbi Anglong DC in Diphu, UCF stated, “It is nothing but an attempt to marginalize the tribal people of Karbi Anglong and ultimately drive them out from the hill District like what they have done in Tripura”. UCF also alleged that certain organization was working to destabilize the tribal region and forcing into conflict.

Abductors released three traders, identified as Tamal Dey (38), Dulan Mahanta (36) and Durga Pada Dutta (35), from their captivity at an unidentified place near Telekali Reserve Forest close to Rongrikkimgre village in South Garo Hills District. The trio was abducted by a group of criminals linked to Bangladesh from a place near Gasuapara in South Garo Hills District on January 10. The role of the militant group ASAK also came to the fore as reports emerged about the abductors seeking the help of ‘c-in-c’ Reding T. Sangma to aid in the negotiation for ransom with an assurance of a share of the loot. The families of the abducted people paid a ransom of INR 25,000.

Extortion activities, which had been on the wane since the announcement of demonetisation, have resumed once again in the Garo Hills Districts, albeit with the activities confined mainly to the coal belt areas for now. “There were stories going around about people being kidnapped by militants not for extortion but for depositing their old notes. It did happen in many interior areas of South and North Garo Hills, where militants pressurized villagers to deposit their old notes,” said a highly placed Police source. Some businessmen too of these two Districts may have been pressured to deposit old notes by the outfits.

Police recovered thirty gelatin sticks and twenty-four fuses from one abandoned labour camp at Mynpher under Nongkhlieh area in Jaintia Hills District.

AR arrested one NSCN-K militant from Manyaksho village in Mon District. AR also recovered one pistol and three rounds from the arrested militant. 

January 18

UHM Rajnath Singh made an appeal to Nagaland CM TR Zeliang to try to convince the Naga leaders in Manipur to call off their economic blockade and come to some sort of understanding with the Manipur Government. UHM Rajnath Singh called Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang to New Delhi to discuss the matter. In the meeting, Manipur CM Okram Ibobi Singh and Deputy CM Gaikhangam were also present.

Pakistan's ISI operatives in Nepal had offered a flat and a luxury vehicle besides huge cash to each member of the group that was assigned to plant explosives to derail the Indore-Rajendranagar Express near Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh in November, 2016, Police sources said. The revelations came to the fore during interrogation of Moti Paswan, who was arrested from East Champaran District of Bihar, close to the India-Nepal border, on January 16. The arrest was in connection with the abortive attempt to blow up the railway tracks near Ghorasahan in East Champaran, 200km north of Patna, to derail the Raxaul-Sitamarhi passenger train on October 1, 2016.

Moti, one of the three accused arrested in the case, had, according to the Police, revealed to his interrogators that two pressure cooker bombs were planted on the railway tracks at the behest of an India operative of the ISI, who had introduced himself as Brajesh Giri. He was offered INR 3,00,000 for carrying out the blast on the tracks on October 1, 2016. He was accompanied by Arun Ram, also called Mohan, and Deepak Ram, known as Sohan, who were subsequently killed in Nepal for their failure to accomplish the task.

Moti was in constant touch with Brajesh alias Giri Baba, who was assigned to hire people from East Champaran to carry out subversive activities in India at the behest of ISI, the Pakistani spy agency.

Police said that during interrogation, Moti revealed that Giri had promised to provide sufficient funds to the group to make investments in Bhojpuri movies. Giri, who acquired citizenship of Nepal, was introduced to the ISI operatives in Nepal by one Shamshul Hoda, who settled in Dubai for business purposes. Paswan stated, "I left for Nepal after the derailment of the train near Kanpur on November 20 last year. I, along with other members of the group, was supposed to get a house in Delhi where two operatives - Mohammad Zubair and Ziaul - were already settled".

Two women and a minor girl were killed while four others were injured when an IED, planted by the CPI-Maoist cadres, exploded in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh.

Maoists killed Raju Netam (40), sarpanch of Masenar village, at his native place under Bhansi Police Station area in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh.

A CoBRA jawan and a Naxal were injured during an encounter in Jharamunigiya village forests under Bhairamgarh Police Station limits in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. Constable Rajnish Kumar, belonging to CoBRA 204thbattalion, sustained injury in his leg after he inadvertently stepped over spike-trap laid by the Naxalites, during the face-off. After the encounter, the SFs found and arrested an injured Naxalite, identified as Dasu Banjam, who had been hit by a bullet.

CMAS, a CPI-Maoist front organization, leader Nachika Linga’s nomination for Zilla Parishad member in the upcoming Panchayat elections was rejected during scrutiny in Koraput District of Odisha. Linga, currently lodged in Koraput Circle Jail after his arrest in 2014, had sent his nomination paper for Narayanpatna zilla parishad member to the DRO through his counsel Gupteswar Panigrahi.

SFs arrested Arzoo Bashir, a militant of HM, from Tral area in Pulwama District. Sources said that the SFs conducted an operation in Tral area during which they arrested the HM militant who was active in the area and one pistol and 15 rounds of ammunition were recovered from his possession.

The AR arrested 13 militants of NSCN-IM along Mon-Tizit road in Mon District along with arms. Four AK-56 rifles, two HK-32 rifles, one MA-MK 4 rifles, four pistols and a huge quantity of live ammunition apart from other warlike stores were recovered from the arrested militants. PRO, AR, IGAR-N also informed that the militants were arrested while they were travelling in two Maruti gypsies on Mon-Tizit road.

The NIA conducted search operations at various Government offices in Nagaland that are believed to be funding underground terrorist organisations, including the NSCN-K. Earlier, one militant of NSCN-K identified as S. Khetoshe Sumi, who was arrested on July 31, 2016, revealed that different Government departments of the State pays illegal ‘tax’ to the militant groups. The NIA took over the investigation on August 17, 2016. 

Police arrested three militants, during a series of search operations, from different locations across the State. The arrested militants belonged to UNLF, NSCN-K and NSCN-IM. Besides the militants, 58 other suspected persons were also detained and arms were recovered during the operations. These operations were conducted in Andro Kharam Leikai and Andro Bazar area in Imphal East District, Mahakabui Namching village in Senapati District, Dharmasala in Imphal West District, Kakching town in Kakching District and its surrounding areas, Pallel in Chandel District and Tuismi Bazar areas, and Kwakta in Bishnupur District. This drive was launched in order to foil any unwanted incident ahead of the Republic Day celebration (26th January).

UHM Rajnath Singh and CM of Manipur Okram Ibobi Singh met and discussed the situation in Manipur due to the continued blockade of two NHs in the State by UNC. During the meeting, the UHM expressed grave concern over the prevailing situation especially with regard to availability of essential commodities.UHM Rajnath Singh further stated that the ongoing blockade is likely to adversely affect democratic process in the forthcoming elections by hampering movement of people, including election officials.

In a statement, NSCN-IM asserted that the ‘historic Framework Agreement’ on August 3 of 2015 after 19 years long ‘political negotiation’ with GoI would be outside the Constitution and Union of India recognizing every aspects of ‘Naga’s legitimate rights’ without compromising the principles.

The ‘c-in-c’ of KCP-Poirei Meitei Lup, Khoirom Ranjit alias Rocky alias Great Macha (35) will be taken back to Delhi on January 18 (today) for further investigation. Khoirom Ranjit was brought back to Manipur on January 13 after he was arrested by a special cell of Delhi Police from Mayur Vihar area of New Delhi on January 12.

SFs arrested one linkman of NSCN-K militant, identified as Aham Konyak in Sivasagar District. SFs recovered one pistol, two live bullets and a mobile phone with SIM card of Nagaland from the arrestee.

The NIA arrested one ULFA-I militant identified as ‘second lieutenant’ Gagan Hazarika alias Joydeep Cheleng from Guwahati in Kamrup Metropolitan (Guwahati) District. He was arrested in connection with a case the NIA had registered against ULFA-I in 2013. Sources in NIA said, "He has been taken into custody for six days. His arrest is likely to throw light on the activities of senior ULFA leaders like ‘chairman’ Mukul Hazarika and ‘c-in-c’ Paresh Baruah."

UHM Rajnath Singh made an appeal to Nagaland CM TR Zeliang to try to convince the Naga leaders in Manipur to call off their economic blockade and come to some sort of understanding with the Manipur Government. UHM Rajnath Singh called Nagaland CM TR Zeliang to New Delhi to discuss the matter. In the meeting, Manipur CM Okram Ibobi Singh and Deputy CM Gaikhangam were also present.

January 19

Saudi Arabia deported a man, identified as Syed Zaker Raheem wanted in connection with a conspiracy to target leaders of BJP and other Hindu right wing outfits.  Raheem is brother-in-law of wanted LeT terrorist Farhatuallah Ghori, who is learnt to be holed up in Pakistan. Syed Zaker Raheem, who comes from Saidabad in Hyderabad and was living in Riyadh for many years, was arrested by Saudi authorities in May 2016 on the request of Indian authorities. After completing formalities, he was deported to Delhi and taken to Hyderabad on January 20 where Telangana Police arrested him.

Ghori is an absconding accused in an NIA case in connection with LeT’s recruitment of several youth in Karnataka and Telangana in 2010-11 to execute terror attacks and assassinate right-wing leaders. NIA had arrested several youngsters in the case. Thirteen of them were convicted by a court in September, 2016 after they pleaded guilty to the charges.

A man, identified as Sukhdas Baghel was killed by Naxals at a shop located opposite Chintagufa Police Station in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. 

A SF constable, Santosh Markam, was injured in an exchange of fire with Naxals at Kodenar village under Orchha Police Station in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. SFs were out on a counter-insurgency operation when they spotted a CPI-Maoist camp in Kodenar. Sensing SFs presence Naxals opened indiscriminate fire.

Six Naxals, three of them carrying cash reward, surrendered in Kondagaon District of Chhattisgarh. The CPI-Maoist cadres surrendered citing intensified counter-insurgency operation as well as impressive State surrender and rehabilitation policy. Sukhder alias Jangu Potai (26) ‘section commander’ of Military Company Number 6 of CPI-Maoist, Somaru- a Janmilitia ‘commander’ and Samlu- head of ‘Janatana Sarkar’ a wing of the CPI-Maoist were the key cadres who surrendered. Other CPI-Maoist cadres were identified as Budharu, Kodu and Ramu.

Around 15-20 armed rebels of the PLFI, a splinter group of a CPI-Maoist, set ablaze vehicles at the construction site near Latrtu Dam in Khunti District of Jharkhand. The rebels set ablaze one dumper, two tractors, two bikes and two generator sets.

An ‘area commander’ of the PLFI, identified as Ruben Kerketta and a CPI-Maoist operative Ladu Munda surrendered in Khunti District of Jharkhand. Kerketta was carrying a reward of INR 200,000 and Munda was carrying a reward of INR 50,000 on their head.

Khunti SP, Shwini Jha held a meeting at his office in Khunti District of Jharkhand to plan out a strategy to monitor the rising activities of CPI-Maoist cadres and its splinter groups in Khunti, Simdega, Gumla and other Districts of Jharkhand.

A LeT militant was killed in an encounter with SFs in Bandipora District. Acting on specific intelligence inputs that there might be militants hiding in Parray Mohalla in the Hajin area, SFs launched a search operation in the village. As the forces were conducting the search operation, the hiding militant opened fire on them. In the ensuing encounter, the LeT militant Abu Musaib was killed and a SOG soldier was also injured in the brief encounter, Police said.

One unidentified civilian got killed in the crossfire between GNLA and Police in the remote Rongsu Agal area in South Garo Hills District. According to the report, GNLA militants opened fire on the Police team which had reached the spot after receiving information about the hideout which was used by GNLA ‘c-in-c’ Sohan D Shira. Police recovered a shotgun and several live rounds of AK ammunition from the militant hideout. 

A GNLA linkman, identified as Tengman D Shira (25), was arrested by Police in Thapa Darengchi village in North Garo Hills District. Police recovered one 7.65 mm pistol with three rounds (Chinese make), 9 mm pistol with eight rounds (factory made), one Chinese pistol with 18 rounds and four magazines from the arrested linkman.

SFs arrested one GNLA linkman identified as Thengman Sangma (25) from Thapa Agitchak village in North Garo Hills District. Three pistols and 25 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the arrestee. 

The State Police said that they had beefed up security measures in the entire state to prevent any kind of terrorist activities in the upcoming Republic Day celebration (26th January). Assam is also closely coordinating with Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland in an effort to curb militant attacks in the run-up to Republic Day. DGP of Assam, Mukesh Sahay, has been touring Upper Assam, along with representatives from the two states, since January 18 to review the security scenario.

SFs arrested three arms dealer including two women from two different places of Churachandpur District along with arms. In the first incident SFs arrested two women identified as Esther Haokip and Chongboi Haokip in Churachandpur Town. Five pistols were recovered from their possession. Based on their disclosure, another arms dealer identified as Gumlalmun was also arrested at Loklaiphai village along with one pistol and a magazine.

The militant group, ASUK, in a statement, threatened the 68th Republic Day celebration (26th January) in North East. In the statement, the militant grouped ‘banned’ the 68th Republic Day celebration in the entire WESEA.

A city court in New Delhi extended by five days the Police custody of Khoirom Ranjit, the arrested ‘chief’ of KCP-Poirei Meitei Lup militant, after Delhi Police said he was needed further custodial interrogation.

In a statement, the NSCN-IM called upon all Naga groups to come together on a ‘single platform’ before the announcement of the peace settlement with the Central Government of India. The peace process started with a ceasefire agreement with NSCN-IM in 1997 and a final peace settlement had started gaining momentum after the Central Government of India signed the ''framework agreement'' in August, 2015.

January 20

ED issued summons to Islamic preacher Zakir Naik and his IRF under the PMLA. The Union Government had declared the IRF as an “outlawed organisation” under the anti-terror law for its alleged terror activities, following which the Maharashtra Government said it would keep a close eye on locals and organisations funding the IRF and would be treated as “anti-social elements”.  However, the IRF said it would be arguing before a Central government tribunal against the validity of the ban imposed on it and invoking of the UAPA.

PM Narendra Modi, UHM Rajnath Singh and BJP President Amit Shah, face threat from CPI-Maoist cadres, stated top intelligence sources. CPI-Maoist cadres have urged the leadership to target them during their campaign for Assembly Elections in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. They have further suggest to carry out serial IED blasts in Eastern Uttar Pradesh by deploying 'suitable cadres' from outside, while promising to provide assistance to carrying out the task.

A CPI-Maoist cadre demanded an extortion of INR 1 million from BDO, Satish Kumar, of Jhajha in Jamui District of Bihar. The sender in the letter identified himself as Umesh Yadav, and claimed himself a native of Jhajha Police Station area. BDO lodged an FIR at Jhajha Police Station.

A ‘Haat-Bazaar’ was re-opened with the joint initiative of SFs and Netanar village in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh. The rural ‘haats’ were facing closure due to Naxal violence in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh for a decade. Netanar’s sarpanch, Sahadev Naag told, “We always wanted to restart the market here but fearing Naxal violence, which breaks out at any time in the area, local traders and villagers avoided it.” It is important to note that in 2011, six SFs, including Darbha Police SHO, were killed in an ambush of with the CPI-Maoist cadres at the place which is very close to where the weekly market is being held.

SFs recovered 50 Kilograms of IED below a small bridge in the rural road of Gomia Block in Bokaro District of Jharkhand. SFs launched a search operation at Chitu, Bankheta, Banchatra, Barokocha and Bhochukdiha villages within the limits of Gomia Police Station area.  DIG, Saket Kumar Singh said the raids would continue in Jhumra. He added,”The recovered IED was diffused later. Frequent recovery of landmines and explosives in that area helps Police foil the attempts of the CPI-Maoist cadres who were looking for triggering any untoward incident there “said Singh.

The United States of America sought a safe and secure environment for its nationals visiting Odisha in view of the rampant CPI-Maoist cadre’s activities. The issue was raised by Consul General Katherine B Hadda at the US Consulate in Hyderabad when she met Odisha’s DGP K B Singh.

A pressure bomb, believed to have been planted by CPI-Maoist cadres, was found inside the Pasaraganda Forest under Adaba Police limits in Gajapati District of Odisha. A bomb squad from Paralakhemundi reached the site and defused the explosive. The squad also seized 50 Kilograms gelatine, a tiffin bomb, 40 metres of wire and gunpowder from the spot.

Odisha DGP, K B Singh reviews Maoist situation in Malkangiri District of Odisha. DGP was on a visit to the District to review security arrangements in view of the call given by the Naxals to boycott elections. The DGP first visited BSF camp at MV-3. Later he visited the BSF camps at Jodamba and Badapada in the cut-off area.

Maoists put up fresh posters at several places in Malkangiri and Koraput Districts of Odisha and have called for poll boycott.

Rizwana Begam, a surrendered CPI-Maoist, who was accused in a case registered in Yapaladinni Police Station, was produced before II Additional Judicial Magistrate Court in Raichur District of Karnataka. “She surrendered before the Chikkamagaluru police three months ago and was produced in the court here in connection with the pending case,” Chetan Singh Rathore, SP, said.

PM Narendra Modi, UHM Rajnath Singh and BJP President Amit Shah, face threat from CPI-Maoist cadres, stated top intelligence sources. CPI-Maoist cadres have urged the leadership to target them during their campaign for Assembly Elections in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. They have further suggest to carry out serial IED blasts in Eastern Uttar Pradesh by deploying 'suitable cadres' from outside, while promising to provide assistance to carrying out the task.

Militants hurled a grenade on a Police party in Narbal area in Budgam District. The grenade exploded on the road causing minor damage to a Police vehicle. Police and Army launched an operation and laid a naka at Narbal crossing on National Highway against the militants responsible for the grenade blast.

The security agencies defused an old live shell which was recovered from a pond at Kharote village in Kathua District. A Police spokesman said that a villager noticed a shell lying in the marshy pond and informed Police and the Army and it was defused by the security agencies.

SFs arrested one militant of UNLF, identified as Thiyam Nungshithoi alias Lokhon alias Buno alias Saphaba Meitei (34) from Keishampat Keisham Leikai in Imphal West District. SFs said that Nungshithoi was a KYKL cadre till 2002 before he joined the UNLF together with six others in 2003.

NIA probe into institutionalized extortion rackets run by Naga militant groups in Nagaland has revealed that these militant formations were getting money allegedly from 14 State Government Departments. The news report names the Naga militant groups involved as the NSCN-K, NSCN-IM and NNC.

Sources said these Government Departments include the Directorate of Information Technology, Directorate of Soil and Water Conservation, Directorate of Irrigation, Directorate of Rural Development, Directorate of Urban Development, PWD, Roads and Buildings and Directorate of Information and Public Relations. “We have found documents that show that at least 14 Government Departments made regular payments to Naga groups, including NSCN-IM,” an NIA officer said. “We have seized receipts that show payments of INR 2 crore. Further investigation is on.”

The civilian victim of the crossfire that took place between GNLA militant and Police remote Rongsu Agal area in South Garo Hills District on January 19 was identified as Kerok R Marak (23) by the villagers.

Locals caught two KPLT militants at Pubsilputa village under Bakaliaghat Police Station in Karbi Anglong District. According to information, two KPLT cadres were on a bid to extortion drive and reached at SGB Jagnarayan Singh house for extorting money from him. In the mean time the villagers got the information and caught them and handed over them to Bakaliaghat Police. The arrested KPLT cadres have been identified as Rabindra Tokbi (23) and Jiten Phangcho (24).

January 21

12 of the 52 arrested in India over the past two years for links with Islamic State (IS) terror group are from Maharashtra. The terror organisation has become a major concern for security agencies as out of the 64 suspected terrorists arrested by the NIA in all terror-related cases in the past two years, 52 of them have been arrested for their role in IS.

Two cadres of the PLFI, identified as Fagua Singh and Turtan Guria, were arrested at Bano in Simdega District of Jharkhand. PLFI is a splinter group of a CPI-Maoist.

CPI-Maoist threat forced the SEC to postpone the rural polls in Chitrakonda block of Malkangiri District of Odisha. The SEC announced it based on a report jointly submitted by the District Collector and SP. The report said that adequate security personnel could not be deployed for safety and security of poll personnel in the cut off areas. "The law and order situation in the block is not satisfactory according to a report filed by the district administration. So, we have decided to postpone the elections in Chitrakonda block," said SEC secretary R N Sahu. The block with heavy Maoist presence has total 222 wards, 18 each gram panchayats and samitis and two zilla parishad zones. Fearing Maoist attack, not a single nomination was filed for the posts of sarpanchs and ward members in the nine panchayats inside the cut-off areas.

Life was affected in several parts of Srinagar, as authorities imposed restrictions amid shutdown to thwart protests called by separatists on the 27th anniversary of Gaw Kadal killings. Over 50 persons were killed on this day of 1990 when security forces opened fire at Gaw Kadal on a procession. To mark the anniversary, the separatists had called for a shutdown and protests. In view of the separatists call, a complete shutdown was observed in Lal Chowk, Budshah Chowk, Gaw Kadal, Maisuma, Amira Kadal, Jehangir Chowk, Basant Bagh and Habba Kadal markets.

Seven organizations jointly called for a 12-hour bandh (strike) in Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Districts, on January 24, from 5 a.m. in protest against their unfulfilled demands including a separate electoral roll by the KAAC election and strengthening of Karbi Customary Laws. The seven organizations include UKSA, KSYA, Karbi Farmers Association (Rajesh Tisso faction), NNKRAA, and PP, KARAA and Sixth Schedule Implementation-Committee.

SFs arrested four unidentified cadres of NSCN-IM from Khongshang area on Imphal-Jiribam road in Noney District. SFs also recovered 40 gelatin explosive sticks, 58 detonators, 26 metres of cordtex detonating fuse and 18 air guns from the arrested militants.

In a statement, the UNC called a boycott of the upcoming Republic Day celebrations (26th January).

January 22

Ranchi Police arrested Yamuna Prasad a member of PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, at Bero Block in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. Prasad was a close aide of PLFI chief Dinesh Gope. A Policeman told, “On several occasions, Yamuna had accommodated Gope's black money in different bank accounts and channelised the cash by investing in business ventures."

Palamu Police arrested Chhotan Yadav a CPI-Maoist cadre in Mohammadganj near Bheem Barrage at Kadal in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. Chhotan Yadav used to perform varied works for Ajay Yadav (a top CPI-Maoist leader) like moving in his dasta, writing Maoists Parchha poster and literature and IEDs. Yadav has three cases and the cases are in two Police Stations, Pandu and Mohammadganj.

The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee has commuted death sentences of four cadres of the MCC, now known as the CPI-Maoist, to life imprisonment setting aside a recommendation from the MHA. The Four men identified as Krishna Mochi, Nanhe Lal Mochi, Bir Kuer Paswan and Dharmendra Singh were convicted of killing 34 upper-caste Bhumihars in Bihar 25 years ago.

SFs cordoned off Fatehgarh Sheeri area in Baramulla District, after inputs about presence of militants in the area. Reports said that around 30 people were detained for questioning and majority of them have been let off. However, a Police official said that few of them who are OGWs are being questioned.

Two AR personnel were killed and several others injured when suspected militants attacked an AR vehicle escorting tourists in Tinsukia District. Militants lobbed several grenades targeting the vehicle at Jagun 12th Mile Barabasti on NH-315 bordering the District in the run up to Republic Day, a defence spokesman said. The AR vehicle and three vehicles of tourists returning from the Pangsau festival have been damaged in grenade explosions, the spokesman added. The Pangsau Festival is held along the Indo-Myanmar border in the area.

SFs killed two unidentified militants involved in the ambush which claimed the lives of two AR troopers at 12th Mile Barabasti along NH-315 near Jagun village in Tinsukia District. Defence PRO, Lieutenant Colonel Suneet Newton, said that bodies of two militants had been recovered along with five IEDs, two grenades, a G3 rifle, a pistol and fired cases of nine lathode. The ambush was jointly claimed by militant conglomerates namely UNLFW and CorCom under ‘Operation Barak’.

SFs arrested three militant of NDFB-IKS, identified as Dakaru Mushahary, Kapilau Basunatary and Birjay Mushahary from Taisoguri under Runikhata Police Station in Chirang District. A 7.65 mm pistol, two magazines, a country made pistol, two grenades and four round ammunitions were recovered from the arrested militants.

Unidentified assailants attacked the ‘chairman’, Seipu Singsit, of militant group UTLA, at Tollen village in Churachandpur District. The militant leader sustained injuries during the attack. Presently, UTLA is under SoO agreements with Union and State Government.

Four unidentified civilians were abducted by suspected ASAK militant, from Kolapara village near Sibbari in South Garo Hills District. According to Police, six armed cadre of suspected ASAK militant waylaid a truck and a bus and abducted the two drivers and two helpers at gunpoint.

The UAE pledged its full support to India in combating terrorism, as it aims at boosting bilateral defence and security ties and signing a strategic cooperation agreement during the three-day visit to India of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, beginning on January 24. UAE Ambassador Ahmad Al Banna said, “We support Indian government in its efforts to fight terrorism and extremism all over the world". Asserting that his country was among the first to condemn the terror strike on Indian airbase in Pathankot, Al Banna said the UAE had also supported the surgical strikes carried out by India. “When the bombing of the airbase took place, we were the first one to condemn it. The UAE was among the first countries which supported Indian surgical strikes and we support India’s efforts to fight and respond to attacks terrorists and extremists,” he said.

The UAE ambassador also said the national security advisers of the UAE and India have been holding consultations regularly. Asked about the role UAE, which is seen as a “key interlocutor” by India, could play in conveying Indian concerns to Pakistan over terrorism emanating from there, Al Banna said: “We listen to them (Indian authorities). We coordinate with them and will be more than willing whenever we are asked by the Indian side to assist or interfere or take any action for betterment of our relationship”.

January 21

SFs arrested one KCP militant identified as Sanjenbam Chandramani Singh alias Boynao alias Eyamba at Sawombung in Imphal East District. Incriminating articles were recovered from the arrested militants.

January 22

During combing operation by the SFs, an IED exploded at Wara Basti area of Tinsukia District. The report further states that militants had placed landmines in the approach road to Wara Basti, the site of January 22 ambush, slowing the approach of SFs.

Thakur Das Mahto (35), a contractor for Brajesh Construction Company, was killed by CPI-Maoist cadres in Ramgarh District of Jharkhand. His body, riddled with bullets and the throat slit, was found dumped on Rajrappa-Murpa Road. Local residents protested at Gola Police Station. The pamphlets were found near the body say that Mahto was killed because he was a ‘Police informer’.

SFs arrested four cadres of the PLFI from Karra in Khunti District of Jharkhand. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

January 23

In a joint statement, the CorCom, GNLA, HNLC and the ULFA-I called for a ‘total shut down’ in the entire North East India on Indian Republic day (26th January), reports The Sangai Express on January 24. In the joint statement issued by the militant groups asserted that the ‘Western South East Asia (WESEA)’ should ‘collectively boycott’ the Indian Republic Day on January 26, 2017.

Three live IED were recovered by the SFs from Wara Basti area of Tinsukia District where the January 22 ambush claimed the lives of two AR troopers and two unidentified militants.

According to a source in State Police, arrested former Chairman of the APSC, Rakesh Paul had been funding ULFA-I and GNLA militant in the last few years. According to the source he paid nearly INR 1 crore to each of the militant groups in the last few years.

Four militant groups, including NDFB-IKS, KLO, PDCK and NLFT, in a joint statement, called 24 hours ‘total shut down’ on the Republic Day of India (26th January) in the entire North East India. They asked the people of ‘WESEA’ to ‘boycott’ the Republic Day celebration in their statement. 

SFs intensified their combing operations in the border areas of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh and busted a militant hideout at Samru area in the State. SFs intensification of operations follows the militant attack at Jagun in Tinsukia District of Assam on January 22.

Security officials said that Indo-Myanmar border has been placed at a state of alert based on specific intelligence inputs about the militants exfiltrating into Myanmar to escape the ongoing operations by SFs. "The stretch of the border from pillar number 168 to border pillar number 173 - from Pangsau Pass to Tirap River - has been put on high alert," a source said.

SFs arrested two PLA militants, identified as Angom Arunkumar alias Chinglen (62) and Khundrakpam Suresh alias Mocha (47) from Wangkhei Thangjam Leikai and Palace Compound Thangapat Mapal respectively in Imphal East District in two separate incidents. Three mobiles phones were recovered from them. SFs sources said that they were involved in several extortion cases.

Police detained six bailed out militants from different places in Thoubal District. Out of six, four belongs to PLA militant and two belongs to UNLF.

The proposed tripartite talk between Manipur Government, Centre and UNC scheduled on January 23 was postponed indefinitely. Further, Manipur Government had agreed to UNC’s demand to shift the venue of the proposed talks from Imphal to New Delhi. UNC had demanded that the venue for the talks should be held in either New Delhi or in ‘Naga dominated area’.

AR arrested one NSCN-K militant, identified as ‘lieutenant’ Yantril Sangtam from Longkhim Town in Tuensang District. An IED with a detonator, a reserve detonator and one .22 pistol with four live rounds were recovered from the arrested militant.

In a statement, NSCN-K said that it would boycott India’s Republic day celebration on January 26 in ‘all over Naga inhabited areas’.

In a joint statement, the CorCom, GNLA, HNLC and the ULFA-I called for a ‘total shut down’ in the entire North East India on Indian Republic day (26th January). In the joint statement issued by the militant groups asserted that the ‘WESEA’ should ‘collectively boycott’ the Indian Republic Day on January 26, 2017.

A senior State Home Department official said that the Mizoram Government had decided to go ahead with the physical repatriation of Brus from six relief camps in neighbouring North Tripura District scheduled to commence from the second week of February. The State Government officials who conducted the identification in the Tripura relief camps during November two to November 23, 2016, had identified 32,857 people belonging to 5,413 families for physical repatriation.

The SFs killed two CPI-Maoist cadres in an encounter near Padmetta village under Bedre Police Station in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. “Two bodies of Maoists in uniform have been recovered along with one .303 service rifle, one .315 rifle and one Bharmar in Bijapur district after an encounter. The encounter took place in the forest near Padmetta village under the Bedre police station limits,” said Bijapur District SP K.L. Dhruv.

Ranjan Bala and his son Indrajit Bala (17) were injured in an IED blast triggered by the Naxals on an under-construction road in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The incident took place near Malempalli village under Jagargunda Police Station limits while the victims were on way to Dornapal in their motorcycle.

CPI-Maoist cadres set on fire at least 15 vehicles and equipment deployed for road construction works in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. A road is being constructed between Tarlaguda and Annaram. A combing operation is underway to trace the insurgents.

Activist Bela Bhatia was allegedly asked to vacate her house in Pandripani village in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh by the villagers who held a protest outside it accusing her of being a ‘CPI-Maoist sympathiser’. In a complaint to Police, villagers alleged Bhatia had named herself as “Somari Naag or Bela Somari” (to use tribal identity) which they feel is an insult to tribal masses, told SP, RN Dash.

Hundreds of villagers of Malkangiri District of Odisha gathered in an anti-CPI-Maoist rally in Jagdalpur, administrative headquarters of Bastar District of Chhattisgarh, in the bordering region of Odisha and Chhattisgarh, and raised voice against the ‘torture’ by the Maoists. The Jana Varjan Samabesh/Prajameli was attended by inhabitants of at least 15 villages in the region. “In the absence of security forces and DVF, Maoists enter some remote villages and start torturing the villagers. Sometime they even rob the villagers their belongings,” said a villager. “If security is tightened in these Maoist-prone areas, then they will not dare to enter these places to trouble the innocent villagers,” stated another villager. Meanwhile Police said it will analyse the situation and take proper step. “Attending a large gathering here (Jagdalpur), the villagers of Tulsi, Mahupadar, Dundipadar and Kirmiti (Odisha) allege that a lady along with some other Maoists is torturing them. We have intensified anti-Maoist operation and deployed some forces in those regions. Very soon we will neutralize the Red Rebels who are active in the area”, said Bastar (Chhattisgarh) SP, RN Dash.

West Singhbhum District Police of Jharkhand has constituted a committee to probe the alleged death of CPI-Maoist Politburo member Prashant Bose alias Kisan da in Saranda forest on the Jharkhand-Odisha border.

The tribal rights activists met DC, ASR Naik, and demanded probe into exploitation of two women by C-60 Commandos in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. The delegation comprising Sainu Gota, Ramdas Jarate and others also claimed in their representation to the Collector that Police had been harassing tribals protesting mining projects across the District. The C-60 Commandos comprise of 60 Police personnel to contain the Naxal menace and was constituted in the year 1992. They are imparted trainings in various types of guerrilla warfare.

The Army in a joint operation with JKP busted a suspected militant hideout and seized a huge cache of arms, ammunition and war-like stores in the Hilnar area of Chhatru tehsil in Kishtwar District. The team came upon a suspicious natural cave, whereupon, on further probing and digging, forces recovered one AK-47, one Pistol with Magazine (Chinese), one UBGL, seven Grenades of UBGL, two Chinese Hand Grenades, three AK-47 Magazines, 428 rounds of 7.62mm AK-47 and two Kenwood Radio Sets (Transistor TH 28A 144MH).

January 24

Ahead of the Republic Day parade on January 26, security in Delhi and NCR, particularly at Rajpath, has been increased, as an intelligence note says that "Pakistan-based groups are trying to use Afghan identities to enter India and that some of them have fraudulently acquired Afghan passports". Pakistan's ISI is trying to create tensions between India and Afghanistan, said sources. RAW has received inputs that ISI plans to recruit Pakistan-Afghani nationals and then send them to India to orchestrate a terror attack. Ahead of the Republic Day celebrations in the National Capital, intelligence and security forces have conducted a fresh recce of sensitive areas. Specific inputs were received on outfits including HM, LeT, IM and AQIS hatching a plot to simultaneously launch terror attacks in various parts of the country.

A person wanted in a case of trafficking of FICN has been arrested by NIA officials from Malda area in Malda District. Mohammed Ashraful, was wanted in a case registered initially by Kerala Police pertaining to the seizure of high quality FICN having face value of INR 67,000 from migrant labourers hailing from West Bengal.

Driver of an oil tanker was injured when suspected NSCN-IM militants attacked a convoy of loaded trucks at Awangkhul under Noney Police Station in Noney District. The driver was identified as Elangbam Birjit Singh (38) resident of Wangbal Mayai Leikai of Thoubal District. According to reports, 373 loaded Tata trucks were coming towards Imphal from Jiribam with CRPF escort on account of the ongoing economic blockade.

Police arrested one linkman of NDFB militant, identified as Chabin Boro (28) from Bagrikhuti village under Tamulpur Police Station in Baksa District. According to the Police, he was involved in several extortion cases in the name of NDFB.

Paresh Baruah, the ‘c-in-c’ of the ULFA-I militant, made a statement threatening the theater owners of the State accusing discrimination against a regional film. The director of the film Himanghshu Prasad Das made an appeal in an open letter to the militant leader on Facebook after several theatre owners decided to remove his movie- ‘Shakira Ahibo Bakultolor Bihuloi’ on January 25. In response to his letter, the militant leader threatened the theatre owners to continue regional films instead of Hindi movies.

The CPI-Maoist cadres triggered an IED blast in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The blast took place when SFs were patrolling between Timmapur and Murdanda. A sniffer dog, named ‘Pluto’ died in the blast.

CM Raman Singh assured the IAF authorities at Raipur District of Chhattisgarh that the Chhattisgarh Government would provide all possible assistance in conducting the ‘Indian Air Force Recruitment Rally' in insurgency-infested Districts of the State. The CM held a detailed discussion with Air Vice-Marshal O.P. Tiwari, VSM, at his official residence. Notably, the Bastar Battalion of CRPF is also being raised by recruiting 744 ST youths from four insurgency infested Districts of Bastar region in Chhattisgarh, the Central Government has informed.

Two cadres of the PLF, Manish Dahenga alias Rejan Dahenga and a minor boy were arrested on the outskirts of Khunti District of Jharkhand. Police also seized INR 48,000 in cash and seven mobile phones from the duo. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

A Patna Police team stumbled upon a diary in Beur Central Jail in Patna District of Bihar, which has names of people who paid levy to jailed CPI-Maoist leader Ajay Kandu. Kandu, the alleged mastermind behind the November 2005 Jehanabad jail break, is in the Beur jail that was raided by a Police team headed by Patna SSP, Manu Maharaj. Acting on a tip-off, the SSP with a SDPO and officials from the District administration reached the jail around 2.50am and conducted the raid. The Police also seized six mobile phones, four chargers, a few packets of marijuana, four knives, packets of khaini and earphones during the search.

The Central leadership of CPI-Maoist had warned their comrades operating the tri-junction area in South India against launching attacks on Police from Kozhikode District of Kerala. The leadership thought such an action would be detrimental for the organisation in the current stage of the movement. This was revealed in a letter suspected to be written by a Central Committee or politburo member of the party, which was recovered from the camp inside the Nilambur forest after the Police firing on November 24, 2016. The central leadership of the Maoists felt that the strategy in the tri-junction area should have been devised, based on the experiences of four-and-a-half decades history of revolutionary war in India. But they believe that the comrades in zonal committee were instead inspired by the People's war in Peru and Nepal.

SFs launched a search operation against a group of militants in Ganderbal District. They said 5 RR and SOG of J&K launched a joint operation at Handoora village in Ganderbal following a tip-off about the presence of militants.

Two top militants of the LeT outfit were killed in a gun battle on the outskirts of Srinagar in Ganderbal District. Following a tip off about the presence of militants in Hadoora, Shuhama area in Ganderbal District, Police from Srinagar and Ganderbal along with 5-RR and CRPF cordoned off the area and launched the search operation. “The hiding militants opened fire on joint search party which was retaliated, triggering an encounter during which two militants of LeT were killed. Two AK-47 rifles, one grenade, six magazines and 180 rounds of AK ammunition were recovered from the encounter site”, SSP, Ganderbal, Imtiaz Ismail Parray, said. The two LeT militants have been identified as Qari Hanzullah and Anas Bilal and both of them were residents of Pakistan. They were associates of top LeT ‘commander’ Abu Hurraira who is operating from Dachigam area in the outskirts of Srinagar for last several years. They were operating in Srinagar and Ganderbal districts since January 22, 2013 and had recently started coordinating with HM.

SFs averted a major tragedy after they detected and defused an IED on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad National Highway in Baramulla District. Sources said that on receiving specific input of planting of IED at Srinagar- Muzaffarabad national highway a joint operation by 53 Bn of the CRPF, SOG Baramulla, was launched and an IED of around 10 kilograms was recovered.

A Policeman was injured as militants hurled a grenade at a Police party at Haal Pulwama and fired at them. Police had established a naka at Haal when militants attacked them. Massive operations have been launched in the area against the militants.

Army and BSF foiled two major infiltration attempts, along the LoC and IB killing a top Pakistani militant and arrested another while three other infiltrators managed to escape back to PoK following effective retaliatory firing brought down by the troops. Official sources stated that the troops observed movement of a group of four militants along LoC in Dadal Maneka area of Sunderbani sector in Rajouri District when they were trying to infiltrate into the Indian Territory along with a consignment of heavy arms, ammunition and explosive material. Immediately after the gunfight, troops conducted searches along LoC in Sunderbani sector and recovered the body of the slain militant who was believed to be a top Pakistani militant.

The BSF thwarted another infiltration attempt along the IB in Suchetgarh sector of RS Pura tehsil in Jammu District when they captured a Pakistani national alive soon after he entered into the Indian Territory. The captured person reportedly disclosed his identity as Mohammad Ahmad (35), son of Mohammad Aneef, a resident of Kot Din Dhan in Sialkot District of Pakistan. He was carrying some currency with him when he was captured.

January 25

Police recovered four crude bombs from Bongaigaon District. SP (Bongaigaon) Hridayjit Barman said the bombs were found hidden under a haystack at Bhoralkundi village, about 5 kilometres from Jogighopa Police Station. He said the search was conducted based on intelligence inputs. The bombs were packed inside polythene bags and it is suspected that militants may have kept them there to carry out blasts on Republic Day (January 26).

SFs arrested one PLA militant, identified as Kh Kiran (25) from Kaiphundai village in Tamenglong District.

MBDPF, the umbrella organisation of Bru refugees lodged in six relief camps in North Tripura, made it clear that they would stick to their long-standing ‘13-point demands’ and wrote a letter to UHM Rajnath Singh regarding the issue on January 24. The MBDPF, in its letter to Singh, sought his intervention on the issue of the Bru repatriation and reconsider the present package of the repatriation. Further, the Bru organisation alleged that the Mizoram Government’s Bru repatriation programme was not realistic and practical. The present stand of MBDPF may create hurdle to the Mizoram Government’s decision to start Bru repatriation from second week of February of this year (2017).

A CISF trooper suffered minor injuries after he was shot with arrow by CPI-Maoist cadres, in an iron ore mines area of NMDC in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The incident happened when a CISF patrolling team ran into a group of lower-rung ultras who were putting up pamphlets against Republic Day celebrations. On spotting the CISF troopers, CPI-Maoist cadres shot an arrow and escaped into the forests.

The Police arrested a CPI–Maoist cadre and his associate while receiving "levy" of INR 10,000 from a private company staff near Indrapuri Barrage in Rohtas District of Bihar. SDPO, Mohammad Anwar Javed Ansari said that the two arrested had been identified as Arun Kumar alias Birbal and Dhiraj Kumar. Arun Kumar is an accused in a murder case in Aurangabad District of Bihar.

Two militia members the CPI–Maoist surrendered before Paderu Sub-Division, DSP, M Mahendra in Vishakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. The surrendered have been identified as V Nageswara Rao and K Bhagwan Rao (35). The duo was vexed with the stringent rules being followed by the dalam and they wanted to return to the social mainstream.

The ‘most wanted’ CPI–Maoist leader Ranjit Pal (45) laid down his arms and surrendered before of the STF of Kolkata Police at Kolkata District of West Bengal. Pal surrendered before State DGO Surajit Kar Purakayastha and Kolkata Commissioner of Police, Rajiv Kumar along with his wife Jharna alias Anita also a top CPI-Maoist leader along the Bengal-Jharkhand border mostly in Purulia District. Pal surrendered with a SLR. Pal said, “I am surrendering before Kolkata Police STF and beginning a new life and appeal those who are wrong path to join the main stream.” He added, in past 17 years he had realised that taking up arms was not a solution to people’s problems and the issues had been sorted out in Bengal to a large extent.

Unidentified militants opened fire at a Police picket at Gofabal in Kulgam District. Police returned the fire, forcing the militants to flee from the place. No casualties were reported in the incident.

SFs detected an IED planted by militants at Batamaloo area in Srinagar District. The IED was later safely defused.

January 26

All total seven bombs were exploded by ULFA-I militant, during the day of celebration of India’s Republic Day (January 26) in different places of Sivasagar, Charideo, Tinsukia and Dibrugarh Districts. However no casualties were reported. According to the Police sources low intensity IED were used in the blasts. According to the sources, in Sibsagar District the blast took place in Majpani area and in Tinsukia District two blasts took place at Sisimi village and Sukan pukhuri area. While, in Charaideo District bomb exploded in Angera, Lengeribor and Bihubor area and in Dibrugarh District one explosion took place in Chowkidinghee area.

ULFA-I militant, claimed responsibility for the seven bomb blasts that took place in Assam on the Republic Day of India (January 26), terming it as ‘symbolic protest’.

Two low intensity explosions were triggered at Mantripukhri and Singjamei Chingamakha area in Imphal West District. No casualty due to these explosions was reported. No group has taken responsibility of the blasts so far.

Chhattisgarh Governor Balramji Das Tandon said a wave of security and development coupled with the faith of people in Bastar region signals that Naxalism will come to an end soon in the State. Tandon was speaking at the 68th Republic Day function held at the Police Line grounds in Raipur District of Chhattisgarh. He also added that demonetization has not only supported the country in fight against terror forces but also helped in controlling CPI –Maoist activities in Chhattisgarh.

 CM, Raghubar Das in his Republic Day address said, innocent tribals were being misled by vested interests, in Naxal affected Dumka District of Jharkhand. He also pointed out that Jharkhand Government has allotted a separate budget for development of SC and ST, and 2 per cent reservation in State and District level vacancies, a Police battalion and 18 health centres for particularly vulnerable tribal groups in Jharkhand.

Jharkhand Police will initiate proceedings to seek custody of CPI –Maoist leader Ranjit Pal who, along with his wife, surrendered before West Bengal Police. Pal, a member of the Bengal-Jharkhand-Orissa border committee of CPI-Maoist, is wanted in the murder of JMM leader and then East Singhbhum in Jharkhand, MP, Sunil Mahato in 2007.

A cordon and search operation was launched by the SFs in Pulwama town in Pulwama District, after an explosion, believed to be grenade thrown by militants, occurred near local Police Station without causing any damage. However, no one was arrested during the search operation.

SFs conducted search and cordon operations at Hassanwadi and Badibagh villages in Pulwama, after receiving inputs about the presence of militants.  During the searches, locals came out of their houses and pelted stones on forces and hampered the search operations. Police fired teargas shells and chased away the stone-pelting mobs. The search operations were later called off.

January 27

The NIA arrested two people, identified as Abdul Rashid Abdulla and Yasmeen Mohammad Zahid from Kochi (Kerala) in connection with the criminal conspiracy hatched within and outside India, with the intention of furthering the objectives of the IS and for joining and supporting the organization. Accused Abdul Rashid, resident of Kasaragod District and Yasmeen Mohammad Zahid, resident of Sitamarhi District, Bihar were booked under sections 120-B and 125 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), besides sections 38, 39 and 40 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967.

The NIA probe has established that accused Abdul Rashid was the main conspirator behind the offence of motivating youth, hailing from Kasaragod District to exit from India along with their families, to join the terrorist organisation.

India and UAE issued a joint statement through which both the countries committed to work together to counter radicalisation and misuse of religion by groups and countries for inciting hatred and perpetrating acts of terrorism. UAE's Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan also declared that ‘strong condemnation of and resolute opposition to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, wherever committed and by whomever, and declared that there could be no justification for terrorism anywhere.’

Without naming Pakistan, the statement also states ‘The two sides condemned efforts, including by States, to use religion to justify, sustain and sponsor terrorism against other countries. They further deplored efforts by countries to give religious and sectarian colour to political issues and pointed out the responsibility of all States to control the activities of the so-called 'non-State actors'. With this joint statement, India enhances diplomatic pressure on Pakistan to take firm action against terror activities conducting on its land.

The State Congress spokesperson Khumukcham Joykishan said that the Manipur Government had given final touches to the proposal of declaring the UNC as an unlawful organisation and it would be forwarded to the Central Government.

The Prakasam District Police unearthed huge cache of arms and ammunition in the Nallamala Forest near Palutla village in Yerragondapalem mandal in Prakasam District of Andhra Pradesh. SFs observed a few electrical wires popped out from earth. After digging at the place, they found 79 rounds of SLR, 31 rounds of .303 rifle, 17 rounds of 0.500 rifle, and three barrels of double barrel guns, two barrels of single barrel guns, two double trigger tapanchas and one charger in the dump. The Police suspect that the CPI-Maoist cadres made the dump around 2003, after inspection of the contents.

A Naxal was killed in an exchange of fire with SFs in a dense patch of forest under Fulbagdi Police Station limits in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. SFs have recovered the body of a male Maoist, clad in uniform, along with a .303 rifle and some other items of daily use from the spot.

CPI-Maoist cadres dislodged a 1,000-year-old 4-feet long Ganesha idol and felled it from a height of about 12,000 feet into the deep gorge at Dholkal Mountain in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The Police blamed the Maoists for “deliberately planned to let (sic)” the structure of Ganesha idol fall from the mountain top in an “attempt to destroy” it.

Khunti District Police of Jharkhand arrested two contractors, identified as Dinesh Kumar Nag and Khuleshwar Gope, for having financial ties with PLFI, Chief Dinesh Gope and assisting the group's terror activities in Khunti District, reports Times of India. According to Police, PLFI funded INR 8.5 millions in six construction projects of Nag and Gope and were supposed to receive 50% of the total profits in return. PLFI is a splinter group of CPI-Maoist.

Simdega Police airdropped pamphlets and posters with names and bounty on top functionaries of the PLFI cadres hiding in remote areas of Simdega District of Jharkhand. The pamphlets carried names of PLFI’s top commanders, including its supremo, Dinesh Gope, who carries a bounty of INR 2.5 millions on his head.

The RPF of Bangalore Railway Division arrested a Naxal, in connection to derail the Chalukya Express on December last year in Tamil Nadu, at Bengaluru District of Karnataka. The Naxal has now been handed over to the Q branch of the Tamil Nadu Police. He has confessed to being part of a Naxal outfit based in Kerala.

A Police source said that in the Republic Day (January 26) serial blast, the ULFA-I militant used local people for planting bombs instead of their regular militant cadres. The Police source also claimed that they had already identified some of these people.

January 28

Three persons were arrested for allegedly running a FICN racket in Delhi, and INR 1.8 million in the form of counterfeit INR 2000 notes was recovered from their possession. Accused Azad Singh (36), Manoj (37) and Sunil (27) were arrested by a team of Special Cell from Singhola village in Narela Tehsil (revenue unit) of North West Delhi District in Delhi, said DCP Sanjeev Kumar Yadav.

SF arrested one NDFB-IKS militant, identified as Rahul Daimari (26) alias Mulungsa alias D Riwiriwa from Khoirabari area in Udalguri District. One 7.65mm pistol, 5 rounds of live ammunition and two magazines were also recovered from the arrested militant.

Osman Ali alias Raja (40), who has been serving as courier man for CPI-Maoist, surrendered in front of SP, Rahul Dev Sharma in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. Osman Ali, is a native of Korukonda village under Chintapalli mandal, Visakhapatnam Agency, and is running a grocery shop in the village. The police said that Ali had served as Maoist courier between Maoist leader Krishna and others and he had supplied groceries and a few others to the Left Wing Extremists, for the last few years.

CRPF jawan was killed in an explosion of a pressure bomb allegedly planted by CPI-Maoist cadres near Kottacheru village under Bhejji Police Station limits in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The deceased, Havaldar Parasnath Saroj, was posted with the 219th battalion of CRPF, senior Police officials said. “A road construction work was going on in the area and a CRPF team was patrolling when Saroj accidentally stepped on the pressure bomb and suffered serious injuries,” the Police officials said. Later, he succumbed to his injuries.

The Police recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunitions from a Naxal hideout in Latehar District of Jharkhand. A SLR, three made in America semi-automatic rifle, two country-made rifles and at least 81 live cartridges were among the arms and ammunitions that were recovered. The Police are probing the matter and have not arrested any person in this regard so far.

January 29

ISI operative Mehmood Akhtar's statement to interrogators in Delhi that many people from Bhopal had handed over sensitive documents to him, has left intelligence officials in Madhya Pradesh worried. Now efforts are on to identify Akthar's 'agents' in Bhopal, said sources in the intelligence wing. There are inputs that Akhtar had visited Bhopal thrice in the last few years.

Two workers out of three, who were abducted on January 26, by a group of suspected KNF-N militant, were killed in an alleged gunfight between the militant group and KNA militants at Moulsohoi village under Litan Police Station in Ukhrul District. The two deceased workers were identified as Laishram Tompok (27) and Laishram Thoi (22). However, the third abducted worker, identified as Khumujam Bijen (25) was rescued by the villagers. One suspected abductor, identified as Thangminlun Khongsai (25) also got bullet injury in the incident. According to the report, the injured abductor is a member of UTLA and one pistol was recovered from his possession. The three workers were abducted from Maphou dam project in Senapati District on January 26, by four suspected Kuki militants. The abductors were attacked by KNA cadres when they entered the Moulsohoi village, which according to KNA militants ‘fall under the jurisdiction’ of their designated camp. However, another source said that the abductors were not from any militant group and they were just a gang of criminals. 

A bomb was recovered, by SFs, which was planted by unidentified assailant at the residence of a worker at Khabam Bamdiar under Nambol Police Station in Bishnupur District.

Two UTLA militants identified as Robert Thangboi Kipgen and Thensei Singsit, who were involved in the attack of the ‘chairman’ of UTLA on January 22, were arrested by Police from K Lhangnom village in Churachandpur District. According to the Police the arrested militants belong to a rival faction of the UTLA. 

AR arrested two persons, identified as Vizoto Angami, (40) and Supi Chaya Angami (35) from Medziphema Town in Dimapur District along with arms. According to the AR, one of the arrestees, Vizoto Angami is a member of NSCN-IM. AR recovered one .22 mm Pistol and 339 bottles of IMFL from their possession. 

Two Naxals including a woman were killed in an encounter with the SFs in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The gun battle took place in Purangel forest which comes under Kirandul Police Station limits. SFs recovered a rifle, a revolver and a huge cache of medicines. IG, S.R.P. Kalluri said, “The identity of the rebels is being ascertained. Prima facie, it appears that they belong to the medical supply team of the outlawed CPI-Maoist as a large quantity of medicines was seized from the encounter spot.”

195 lower rung Naxals, including 24 women, surrendered in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. The surrendered Naxals expressed a wish to join the mainstream. The cadres belong to Janmilitia or Janatana Sarkar wing of CPI-Maoist. The surrendered cadres were from 24 villages of the region including Gumiyabeda, Okpaad, Mohndi, Nelnaar, Ikpaad, Murnaar, Nirameta and Kodkanaar.

The Central Government of India has sanctioned INR 6.57 billion for implementation of road projects in CPI-Maoist affected areas of Koraput and Malkangiri District of Odisha. The State Government of Odisha had submitted the road project proposals under RRP-II which was approved by the UMRD. UMRD also cleared road plans having a length of 5412 Kilometers including 126 bridges in eight other Naxal affected States. The State projects include Kalimela-Gomphakonda-Bejingiwada-Orkel, Khairiput- Mathili, Mathili-Kaliaguda, Podia-Sikhapali, Kudumuluguma-Katameta, MV-76-Vejangiwada and several other roads in Malkangiri District of Odisha.

The BSF is overhauling its deployments in Malda District of West Bengal, ill-reputed as the national hub for FICN notes and illegal narcotics smuggling. The overhaul move has been initiated following a caution sent by the UMHA to the West Bengal home department that Indo- Bangladesh border sector in Malda District of West Bengal, is increasingly becoming a corridor for movement of cross- border terrorists.

According to the BSF Commandant, deputed in the Malda sector, A K Hotker, the border guard force is involving the local residents in the Indo-Bangladesh border villages in the Malda sector in getting information about outsiders frequenting these bordering villages.  

According to sources from the border guard agency of the Union government, four major steps are being taken as a part of the agency’s overhauling exercise in the Malda sector.

The BSF foiled attempts by a group of African nationals to illegally enter India from Bangladesh through the Muharichar border in Belonia in South Tripura. A mobile phone and some personal belongings were seized from him. However, rest of the accomplices managed to flee from the place.

January 30

Three girls from the Philippines and Tunisia, who were alleged to be IS sympathisers, were given money by a Dubai-based Indian supporter, Mohammed Farhan Shaikh of the terror outfit on the instructions of a Pakistani national, the NIA has said. The agency has claimed that Shaikh, who was arrested in 2016 along with two others after being deported from the UAE for alleged IS links, had funded these girls, after money was given to him in Dubai by one Khalid, who is alleged to be from Pakistan.

NIA has alleged that Shaikh, who was in Dubai in 2015, had transferred 3894.24 UAED to a Tunisian girl, Sarra Ghribi, who wanted to join IS, in seven installments through the global payment service, Western Union, between February 5, 2015 and April 24, 2015. NIA has claimed that Shaikh had transferred 1257.63 UAED and 846.75 UAED to Jannah Qassim and Johaira L Macasimpang, residents of Philippines, on June 24, 2015.

In his disclosure statement recorded by NIA which has been annexed in the charge sheet, Shaikh has claimed that in January 2015, he got in touch with Ghribi through Facebook. She was a "supporter and sympathiser" of IS.

The State Government decided to withhold counter insurgency operations by the SFs against the KPLT till April 20 this year. The KPLT declared unilateral ceasefire for a period of six months with effect from October 20, 2016 till April 20, 2017, which they communicated through a letter signed by the militant group’s ‘general secretary’ Vojaru Hanjang.

SFs arrested two HNLC militants, identified as Samuel Wahlang Pahsyntiew (30) and Hebingstun Khongbuh (18) from Shillong in East Khasi Hills District. Police said that both are new cadres of HNLC, but Samuel Wahlang Pahsyntiew was trained in Bangladesh camp of the militant group.

Three abducted persons from West Garo Hill District, identified as Muzamil Haque, Biswajit Neogi alias Bappi and Mohammad Rouf Asraf Ayub, were released by the abductors of ASAK militant in the Ramchenga jungles near Dumnikura in South Garo Hills District.

Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh, in a public meeting at Bhairamgarh in Naxals hit Bijapur District in Bastar Division of Chhattisgarh, urged all CPI-Maoist cadres to give up the arms and join the mainstream, saying violence and terror cannot solve any problem. "Peace and harmony are the only ways to prosper and develop the society. If Maoists quit the violent path, we are ready to embrace them", CM Singh said. "Government is building roads, bridges, schools and hospitals, providing clean drinking water and taking care of people. I wonder why the Maoists are opposing development initiatives in the region," he added.

Sanjay Pandey, a ‘munshi’ with Raj Kumar Constructions, was beheaded for not paying extortion money to the Naxals in Jamui District of Bihar. Jamui Police claimed to have recovered the CPI-Maoist literature from the scene of the crime. One such leaflet said those executing Government plans with the help of Police, and without obtaining CPI-Maoist permission, would meet similar fate.

Khunti Police arrested three cadres of the PLFI at Birsa Chowk in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. PLFI is a splinter group of CPI-Maoist. The identity of the arrestees is yet to be ascertained.

SPs from six Districts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha led by two DIGs held a meeting at Koraput District of Odisha. They gathered to plan joint operations and eliminate the CPI-Maoist from the border areas. According to sources, all the SPs and DIGs came to the conclusion that coordination, cooperation and sharing of information should be done at regular intervals. They also chalked out plans to penetrate the interior pockets of the tribal belt to reach out to the public with community policing programmes.

SFs busted a hideout of unidentified militant and recovered large cache of arms and ammunition at Tranz area in Shopian District. SFs recovered one SLR, which was snatched by militants from guard at Samnoo Kulgam in October last year (2016), two magazines of SLR, 37 SLR rounds, two RPG, one grenade, 503 AK rounds, one AK magazine, one ammunition pouch, one solar charger, one charger pin and a small black pouch containing medicines from the militant hideout.

Over 200 persons were killed in unrests in 2008, 2010 and 2016 in Jammu and Kashmir, the State Government told Legislative Assembly. CM Mehbooba Mufti, in a written reply, told the House that 76 civilians and two Police personnel were killed in “law and order disturbances” in the Valley in 2016. In 2010, 101 persons were killed and 4,288 others, including SFs, injured, she said. Mehbooba said 46 persons were killed and 1,265 others, including SFs, were injured in 2008. In 2016, as many as 8,587 persons were arrested, out of which 8,473 have been released till January 21, the Chief Minister informed. In addition, 522 persons were booked under the J&K PSA, and 265 persons among 1,978 booked in the recent unrest, were still under detention as on January 21, she stated. Further, Mehbooba said as many as 133 buildings, including Police Stations and schools, were damaged or set ablaze during the “law and order disturbances” in the Valley last year and 213 persons were arrested in this connection. She said 2,655 cases have been registered in various police stations across Kashmir since July 8 last year.

January 31

SFs arrested two women cadres of the UNLF militant, identified as Huidrom Chingkheinganbi Chanu (22) and Oinam Chanchan alias Jayenti alias Langlen (22) from Laipham Khunou under Heingang Police Station in Imphal West District.

Two unidentified civilians were killed when Police open fired to control a highly agitated mass in Dimapur town in Dimapur District. Five civilians were also injured in the firing. While seven other agitated civilians were injure in Longleng District by Police firing.

SFs recovered arms and ammunition dumped by CPI-Maoist cadres from Dangrapahar of Ghatshila in East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. SSP, Anoop T. Mathew told that a joint team of SFs conducted search in four dumping areas and recovered a SLR, one 303 rifle, both looted from SFs, an improvised Musket along with 50 rounds of live ammunition, electronic items and explosives for preparing IED, CPI-Maoist flags and literature, multi-circuit meter, uniforms and daily core items. A book titled “Mamata Bandopadhyay ke Jemon Dekhechi” authored by one Deepak Kumar Ghosh was also recovered.

SFs arrested three CPI-Maoist action team members and a newly recruited member in Hanamkonda District of Telangana. The arrested were identified as T Devender alias Rama Rao of Sudhanapalli in Hasanparthy Mandal, Bhukya Srinivas alias P Srinu of Ponugodu of Gudur Mandal and Ch Narayana Swamy of Sriramulapalli of Kamalapur Mandal. The newly recruited member has been identified as Lingala Vennela alias Dhannu of Paidipalli in Hasanparthy Mandal. A case under sections 10, 13, 18(B) of UAP Act 1967, section 25 (1-B) (9) of Arms Act 1959, section 5 of ES Act 1908, section 8 of TSPS (APPS) Act was booked against them at KCU Police Station.

Four persons were injured after SFs fired to disperse protesters in Samboora village of Pampore area in Pulwama District. An Army party conducted a search operation in the Samboora village of Pampore area and people started stone pelting on them and they fired injuring four persons.

SFs cordoned off Heff Shermal area of Shopian District and launched searches. However, as the searches were underway, locals came out of their houses pelted stones on SFs. Police fired dozens of teargas shells to disperse the locals hampering the operation. Later the search operation was called off.

Pakistan army again resorted to heavy mortar shelling and firing on forward Indian posts and villages in Shahpur sector of Poonch District. Official sources said Pakistani troops started shelling forward areas in Shahpur at 9 pm, prompting the Indian side to retaliate. Heavy exchange of shelling and firing continued, however, there were no reports of any casualties or damage on the Indian side. Sources said Pakistan army was trying to push a group of militants into the Indian side from the LoC. The shelling was aimed at facilitating the infiltration attempt, they added.

January 31-February 1

Police arrested three militants belonging to ASAK along with one cadre of the GNLA at South Garo Hills District. The ASAK militants, who were arrested in between January 31-February 1, were identified as Sahid Ch Marak (26), Lamingstone Ch Sangma (29) and Jainish R Marak (29).The GNLA militant, who was arrested from Gare Nawak village, near Nangalbibra was identified as Herod R Marak (32).

February 1

Ten posters and five painted messages highlighting IS were found in Solan town of Himachal Pradesh. Police interrogated about 20 persons suspected to be involved in the case. Their handwriting samples were also taken and will be compared with the writing on the posters. It was interesting to note that spray paint had been used while writing the IS on various buildings of the Subathu cantonment board while no private building had been targeted.

SFs recovered a bomb from a paddy field at Uyokching in Kakching District.

Unidentified militants hurled a hand grenade at Indian Army’s 2nd JKLI troopers, who were on ROP duty, injuring a JKLI personnel at Nachou along Tiddim Road under Bishnupur Police Station in Bishnupur District. The injured personnel identified as Mohammad Arshad has been taken to Leimakhong military hospital (Kangpokpi District).

A GNLA militant, identified as ‘deputy commander’ and working with the ‘finance wing’ Ninja M. Sangma alias Megam (23), surrendered before the Police at Williamnagar in East Garo Hills District. He, however, did not deposit any weapons. Sangma has informed Police that the finance unit comprised seven cadres prior to his surrender and has now been further reduced to five men after another member disappeared a few weeks ago apparently to form his own group.

At least eight Police personnel were killed and five others injured in a landmine explosion suspected to have been triggered by the CPI-Maoist cadres near Mungarbhumi on Sunki ghat in Koraput District of Odisha. The van carrying 13 Police personnel was on its way to Angul. They were going to the Police Training College, Angul to get special Police driving training when the Maoists blasted them off at around 2 pm. The number of deaths of Police personnel in the Maoists’ Sunki landmine explosion rose to eight with the body of lone missing driver Tulasi Ram Majhi found this morning (February 2), informed Koraput SP, Charan Singh Meena. Seven Police personnel died and five others sustained injuries yesterday (February 1) as the landmine planted underground at Sunki ghati in Koraput District on AOB exploded. Tulasi Ram was missing, he said. The identities of the slain personnel are Somnath Sisa, Sanjay Kumar Das, Arun Kumar Nayak, Subarna Kumar Raj, Pradipta Kumar Rout, Ganesh Prasad Das, Harekrushna Prushti and Tulasi Ram Majhi.   

The CPI-Maoist cadres exploded a crude bomb in the Amrapali Open Cast Project of CCL under Tandwa Police Station of Chatra District of Jharkhand. Three personnel have been reported to be injured in the blast. Police have recovered hand-written pamphlets which talks about stopping work in Amrapali and its adjacent mine, Magadh. The newly raised SISF will be deployed at the CCL's Amrapali coal project.

The CRPF personnel of 26th Battalion distributed a solar light system at Daribagh Tola in Gomia Block of Naxals affected Bokaro District of Jharkhand.

The CPI-Maoist cadres attacked the camp office of Ramie Construction Company and set ablaze a mixer machine and a roller near Barachatti town in Gaya District of Bihar. Locals said the Maoists had earlier demanded ‘levy’ from Ramie Construction Company, engaged in various road construction projects near Barachatti.

Chief of Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat, stressed for high level of alertness and vigil along the LoC and to foil the nefarious designs of militants and their masters across. While interacting with the troops and the Commanders at 19 Division headquarters in Baramulla and 28 Mountain Division in Kupwara, General Rawat stressed for alertness along the LoC to foil the infiltration attempts from across. He stressed for terminating infiltration attempts right on the LoC so that peace is restored in Jammu and Kashmir.

February 2

Assam Police registered a suo moto case of sedition against the filmmaker, Himangshu Prasad Das, who had openly sought help from ‘leader’ of the ULFA-I, Paresh Barua, to ask film distributors not to take his film ( Shakira Ahibo Bokultolor Bihuloi ) off screens to make way for the Hindi movies 'Raees' and 'Kaabil' last week. Police said that it was a very serious crime and they were waiting for an individual or organisation to file a FIR, but when that did not happen, they chose to take up the suo moto case.

UNC ‘president’ Gaidon Kamei and ‘publicity secretary’ S Stephen was escorted to New Delhi in order to enable them to take part in the tripartite talk scheduled on February 3.

Meghalaya DGP S.B. Singh said that the ‘c-in-c’ of the disbanded militant group- UALA, Norrok X. Momin, was not traceable and probably he was on the run since there were criminal cases pending against him. UALA was disbanded on June, 2016. Earlier in December 2015, the UALA signed a peace pact with the Indian Government. 

The senior leader of the GNLA militant, Ninja M Sangma (23) alias Megam, who surrendered on February 1, revealed that there were only 27 cadres left in the militant group. Furthermore, he revealed that besides these cadres, there were also five other cadres of ULFA-I militant who were still working with ‘c-in-c’ of GNLA, Sohan D Shira.

Acting on inputs, Police raided the house of  Raimond Lyngdoh (30) at Kudeng Rim village under Amlarem in West Jaintia Hills District and recovered one country-made gun, pellets, one steel pipe [apparently for manufacturing the gun barrel]. Police also arrested the house owner.

Angry Protestors, who were not, satisfied with State Government’s response the ‘ultimatum’, served by NTAC, set ablaze several Government offices. The damaged Government property includes, the KMC, Regional Transport Office, offices of the SSA, Superintendent Excise Office, Nagaland Legal Service Authority and the Kohima Press Club.

The State Government responded by declaring the ULB poll process ‘null and void’, and informing that the State Cabinet has decided to ‘immediately transfer’ the DCP and DCP Zone (1), Dimapur, in order to facilitate an impartial inquiry. 

The JCC informed that the indefinite bandh (general strike) in Dimapur District over the issues of ULB would continue ‘until and unless the State Government heed to the people’s demands’.

One Munna Singh alias Munna Ganjhu and his friend Murari Sharma were killed by unidentified men in Kunda area of Chatra District of Jharkhand. Police suspect hand of TPC, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

The CPI-Maoist cadres killed a ward member candidate of Bara village under the Mathili Police limits in Malkangiri District of Odisha. The deceased was identified as Dasu Dharua. According to reports, about 20 armed Maoist rebels of the Darbha Division of the banned outfit CPI-Maoist called Dharua out of his house before being shot dead them later. Police sources said the Maoists were aggrieved over Dhurua, suspecting his links with Police. Dhurua’s brother, who was part of a Maoist outfit, recently shunned the path of violence and surrendered before the Police, much to the chagrin of the Maoists

Posters and pamphlets by the CPI-Maoist cadres threatening to disrupt the upcoming Uttarakhand Assembly polls emerged near Dhari area in Nainital District of Uttarakhand. An official's vehicle was also set on fire, prompting the administration to put Kumaon Division on high alert and step up deployment in the region. The car belongs to a Tehsildar Magistrate and the pamphlet bore the name of Vijay Pahru who introduced himself as Secretary CPI-Maoist. The Uttarakhand Assembly polls are slated to be held on February 15, 2017.

SFs detected and defused an IED on the Srinagar-Jammu NH in Pampore area in Pulwama District. A patrol party of Police detected the IED planted by terrorists between Kadlabal and Chursoo section of the NH and later the bomb disposal squad destroyed the explosive.

The BSF foiled a major infiltration attempt by the militants on the IB in Samba sector of Samba District, in which the SF personnel had a very narrow escape in three UBG thrown by the militants on them in a bid to enter into this side. According to the sources, the grenade attacks and firing by the militants was to be followed by the infiltration attempt. However, finding the BSF troops on very high alert on the IB, the militants retreated to Pakistan.

Pakistan army resorted to heavy mortar shelling and firing on forward Indian posts and villages in Baba Khori area of Nowshera sector along the LoC in Rajouri District. Sources said Pakistani troops started shelling forward areas in Baba Khori area of Nowshera at 6.20 pm, prompting the Indian side to retaliate. Heavy exchange of shelling and firing continued for about half an hour. However, there were no reports of any casualties or damage on the Indian side so far.

February 3

UHM Rajnath Singh stated that Government cannot guarantee that surgical strikes won’t happen in future as any such action will depend on the situation prevailing at that time. UHM Rajnath Singh also dismissed as “a mere eye wash” the house arrest of LeT ‘chief’ Hafiz Saeed, saying if Pakistan was serious about acting against Saeed and terrorists, it must take legal action against them.

The MoS for Home Kiren Rijiju expressed hope that work on installing 'smart fence' along 3,323-kilometre long the Indo-Pak border will begin soon. The testing for the fence is in final stages and soon work for erecting it along the Indo-Pak border will begin, MoS Kiren Rijiju said in New Delhi. The new fencing is likely to have a multi-tier security ring comprising an alarm to security force personnel in case of any infiltration bid or attempts to cut the fence.

An unidentified militant belonging to the NSCN-K was killed and another injured during an exchange of fire with the AR at Ozakho village in Longding District.

AR arrested a militant of NSCN-R, identified as Kamsing Ngemu, from Miao town in Changlang District. According to the sources the arrested militant was involved in several extortion cases in Miao town in the name of ‘SS Captain Jimmy’.

SFs arrested one cadre of KNF-N militant, identified as Thomas Lenminthang Guite (27), near Kopibung area in Senapati District. According to the report the militant was involved in several abduction and extortion cases. Incriminating articles related with the militant group were also recovered from the arrested militant.    

The Union Government stated that it had brokered a peace deal between the Manipur Government and UNC and three-month-old economic blockade would be ended by the Naga groups in Manipur very soon. The statement came after the tripartite talks between the UNC, Manipur Government and UHM in the North Block in New Delhi. The UHM said that they had made ‘substantial progress’, but denied to reveal detail about the meeting.

SFs arrested a militant belonging to NSCN-IM, identified as ’chapel’ Thijuangpau Panmei, from Tamenglong town (ward no 5 area) in Tamenglong District. SFs later ‘handed over’ the arrested NSCN-IM militant to Imphal Police Station.

SFs arrested a linkman of the ULFA-I, identified as Bubul Das alias Bubul Barman, at Sarupathar in Golaghat District. According to Police sources, the ULFA-I had appointed some persons for abduction and extortion and the arrested linkman was one of them.   

In a statement, the PDCK militant strongly opposed the move of the Government of India to give citizenship rights to the Hindu Bangladeshis in Assam and said that the organization would resist the move.

The NTAC, Kohima, evening announced an indefinite Nagaland bandh (general shut down) till CM T.R. Zeliang steps down with his cabinet. The stand-off between the State Government and civil society groups continues after the Government’s decision to hold the ULB on February 1 by reserving 33 per cent seats for women. Zeliang had partially met three demands of the NTAC. NTAC had wanted the polls declared null and void, suspension of the Dimapur Police Commissioner and Zeliang's resignation. Further, leaders of the JCC, which is also against reservation, also said in Dimapur that the protest would continue.

However, no fresh incident of violence was reported in the State. “The situation is under control. No violent incidents were reported from anywhere,” said Director General of Police LL Doungel, adding that curfew was lifted from some places in Kohima but continued in Dimapur. The dead bodies of two youths, killed during the Police firing on January 31, were also buried after a meeting between NTAC and the State Governor.

A group of 50 CPI-Maoist cadres killed Shyamo Mandavi (25) and assaulted six villagers, including a woman in Burdikarka of Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The slain youth had submitted an application form for local Police recruitment drive recently. 

Assistant constable, Sukhuram Netam (33), was killed in an exchange of fire with the Maoists in Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh. A patrolling party had launched the operation from Bakarkatta area. SFs recovered CPI-Maoist-related documents, bags and other items from the encounter site.

The DG of CRPF, Durga Prasad, reviewed the ground situation, military preparedness and issues faced by SFs in Raipur District of Chhattisgarh. According to officials, Durga Prasad also shared his plan with the top officials of neighbouring states and apprised them about the strategy. With the inter-state operations, the CRPF can now enter other states and continue their anti-Maoist operations without any barriers.

The Nainital Police issued warrants against nine suspects in connection with "inflammatory" slogans written by suspected of CPI-Maoist cadres on the walls of houses in a village of Nainital District of Uttarakhand. Police have also announced a bounty of INR 10,000 on one of the suspects Kheench Singh Bora. Police said Bora alias Vijay Nehru alias Prabhakar, a resident of Someshwar in Almora District of Uttarakhand, had been active in Naxals related activities in the State. Nainital SSP, Janmejay Khanduri said, "Intense search and combing operations are going on. All suspects are on our watch and we will soon locate people who were behind the incident."

The Madras High Court has confirmed life imprisonment for three belonging to TNLA. They were involved in a groups attack at the Puthur Police Station in Cuddalore District of Tamil Nadu on April 6, 1991. TNLA is the armed wing of TNCPML, a splinter group of the CPI-ML. The HC bench has now confirmed life term only for Suba Elavarasan alias Pandian alias Vallavan, Kumar alias Gopalsamy and Amulraj alias Selvam.

Police and paramilitary CRPF recovered a cache of arms and ammunition during a search operation in Ganderbal District. A joint party of Police and 118 BN (Battalion) CRPF busted a militant hideout in Fraw area of Gund tehsil of the District. SFs recovered two AK 47 magazines, 32 rounds, a 5-kilograms gas cylinder and few biscuit packets were recovered during the operation.

SFs arrested a LeT militant from Nowpora Payeen village of Lassipora in Pulwama District. Police said that based upon specific input, SFs including Police and Army’s 55 RR launched a cordon and search operation at Nowpora area of the District, during which a local militant identified as Manzoor Ahmad was arrested, along with one pistol, two pistol rounds, 36 AK rounds, one Chinese grenade, two pistol magazines, one pouch and first aid kit, from the possession of the arrested militant. During the cordon and search operation, locals came out of their houses and pelted stone on Police and Army. Police fired several teargas shells on protesters and also resorted to aerial firing to break up the stone pelting protest. However, no protester was injured in the clashes and later the cordon was lifted by forces.

AR arrested two senior leaders and a suspected militant of the UDLA at inter-State boundary of Assam and Mizoram. The arrested militants were identified as UDLA's ‘army chief’ Raj Kumar Reang, ‘financial secretary’ Neta Rai Reang and the suspected cadre Mela Rai Reang. The arrested militants were handed over to the Assam Police as they were arrested within the jurisdiction of Assam.

February 4

India has been asked to send the name of its nominee for inclusion in a global team to assist a UN committee which decides on banning terror outfits and their leaders. Following the request, the ministries of Home Affairs and Finance have been asked to recommend names of suitable individuals who can be part of the key team, official sources said.

The presence of the country's nominee on the panel may facilitate the government's efforts to get Masood Azhar, head of JeM, banned, they said. India's effort to get Azhar listed in the UN's sanctions list of organisations and individuals linked to Al-Qaida and IS (Islamic State) has been repeatedly blocked by China. The nominations have been sought from qualified individuals to serve on the 'Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team' in support of the important '1267/1989/2253 ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee'.

In some declassified reports of CIA of the United States of America, it was revealed that the North Eastern militant groups had been receiving Chinese assistance in terms of arms and training since 1960s. The CIA report was submitted on July 26, 1968 and from the report it is evident that the militant groups of the Northeast were receiving help from China even during that time. The report said that the Naga militants first established contacts with China in December, 1966. The report revealed that the first batch of approximately 200 militants crossed over to Northern Burma (now Myanmar) to obtain arms training in Yunnan.

Police said that the ‘chief’ of the ASAK militant, Reding T. Sangma, who is currently on the run, is reportedly using Bangladeshi mobile SIM cards to avoid detection. According to the Police the militant leader is also using other modern software which is easily available in the market to avoid Police tracking.

In some declassified reports of CIA of the United States of America, it was revealed that the North Eastern militant groups had been receiving Chinese assistance in terms of arms and training since 1960s. The CIA report was submitted on July 26, 1968 and from the report it is evident that the militant groups of the Northeast were receiving help from China even during that time. The report said that the Naga militants first established contacts with China in December, 1966. The report revealed that the first batch of approximately 200 militants crossed over to Northern Burma (now Myanmar) to obtain arms training in Yunnan.

A senior official of the State Home department of Mizoram said that the date for the fourth round of peace talks between the Mizoram Government and the Manipur based HPC-D would soon be fixed. The official said that the meeting of Home department officials to be chaired by Additional Secretary Lalbiakzama. While from the HPC-D side, the delegation would be led by the working ‘chairman’ L T Hmar.

According to the security sources, Assam is a vulnerable place in the North East for the increasing Jihadi threat. Potential risk according to the sources includes existence of sleeper cells in the State. The source also said that in recent promotional videos, jihadi groups mentioned about the ethnic cleansing of Muslims in BTAD area for several times. Sources also pointed out that growing presence of the jihadi elements in Bangladesh like JMB, which has affiliation with Islamic State is also a serious matter of concern for India, particularly for the Northeast.

Several CPI-Maoist posters bearing the signature of CPI-Maoist Secretary Umakanta Mishra were found at several places in Sikarpai of Kalyansinghpur area in Rayagada District of Odisha. In the posters, the Maoist rebels have asked people to abstain from the panchayat polls. Earlier, the Maoists had put posters in Malkangiri and Koraput Districts threatening people to boycott the upcoming panchayat polls in Odisha.

The landmine blast on Sunki ghat road in Koraput District of Odisha on February 1, and killing of a ward member in Mathili block in Malkangiri District on February 2, by CPI-Maoist cadres is part of a series of attacks planned by Naxals to avenge the Ramaguda encounter in Malkangiri District on October 24 – 27, 2016, where 30 Maoists were killed, says Odisha Police. The landmine blast at the Sunki ghat road was well planned and executed by the Maoists, sources said. Police of both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh suspect that Nandapur area committee led by Andruu, Narayanpatna area committee led by Chaitanya alias Aruna and also the Maoists military PLGA team third CRC company were involved in the action. The main role was played by the Nandapur area committee, the sources said. According to the sources, generally, Maoists never attack unarmed cops, but they did it at Sunki ghat road in a desperate attempt to boost the morale of the cadres who were losing confidence after the Ramaguda encounter on October 24, 2016.

A senior Police officer said, "The victims were all newly recruited cops who got jobs through a court direction and were going for training. Naxals had knowledge about the movement of the cops from the starting point at Koraput District of Odisha. They planted the landmine under a culvert on the highway that was busy with vehicular movement. Hitting the target in such a manner shows that it was a pre-planned execution. Maoists knew that the minivan was coming. They ignited wires to detonate the landmine by using a flash. They knew exactly that the bus carrying the newly recruited drivers did not have weapons. Usually, when Naxals attack cops they loot the arms. They also fire at those who survive the attack. But, here nothing like that happened. There were no arms and no firing on the injured persons. This shows the Maoists had knowledge of every detail." As per the inputs, around 40 to 50 Maoists including 30 women cadres participated in the action.

Police and SFs thwarted a major terrorist action by killing two HM militants in an encounter in Sopore area in Baramulla District. SFs launched an operation in Amargarh area in Sopore following information about presence of militants in the area. When challenged, the militants lobbed a grenade and fired upon the Police party in which SP operation Baramulla, Shafqat Hussain and SI, Mohammad Murtaza were injured. Two AK series rifles, one pistol, four hand grenades and other arms and ammunition was recovered from the encounter site. The two militants have been identified as Azhar Khan of Kupwara and Sajjad Ahmed Lone, a resident of Eidipora Bomai in Sopore. Sajjad had gone to Pakistan in March 2016 via Wagah border.

February 5

Gujarat ATS arrested a person suspected to be involved in a conspiracy to spread terror in the state to avenge attacks on Muslims during the 2002 post-Godhra riots. Based on a specific tip off, a team of the squad officials arrested Javed Chauhan (38) from a village in Chhota Udepur District, an ATS release said. According to ATS officials, he was part of a larger conspiracy of spreading terror in the state to avenge the killing of Muslims during the 2002 post-Godhra riots.

In a statement, the disbanded ANVC-B threatened to work against the Indian National Congress party led Meghalaya MUA-II Government in the upcoming 2018 assembly elections in Garo Hills area. In the statement the ANVC-B alleged that the Government had not respected the peace agreement signed by them and the State Government including the Central Government of India. The statement further accused the State Government that they had been trying to ‘create division’ between the ‘leadership’ and the general cadres of the ANVC-B. 

The protestors are all set to enforce a “total bandh” (general shutdown) on State Government offices and vehicles for an indefinite period starting from February 6. “The Chief Minister is solely responsible for all the trouble. He is responsible for the death of two youths in police firing outside his residence in Dimapur on January 31. He is also responsible for the mob fury that led to the burning down of so many government offices in Kohima on February 3,” said, explaining their position, K T Vilie, ‘convener’ of the NTAC. However the NTAC, Kohima, and the JCC, Dimapur, relaxed the indefinite strike on Sunday (today) to allow people to attend Church services.

DGP of Assam, Mukesh Sahay, said that the peace talk with KPLT militant would be started soon. Earlier on January 30, the Assam Government announced to withhold counter-insurgency operations against KPLT till April 20. This followed the declaration of a six-month unilateral ceasefire from October 20, 2016, by the KPLT.

The CPI-Maoist cadres killed a tribal man identified as Parsika Pullaiah (45), in Chintoor Mandal of agency area of East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. A group of four to six armed CPI-Maoist cadres surrounded Pullaiah in broad daylight, opened fire and fled. CPI-Maoist alleged Pullaiah as a ‘Police informer’. East Godavari, SP, M Ravi Prakash told that Pullaiah was a trader working in Bhadrachalam for the past one year and was in no way connected to the Police.

A DRG, Constable Pratap Singh Markam, was injured when an IED blast triggered by Naxals in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The incident took place in the wee hours between Nayanar and Gatam villages under Katekalyan Police Station limits when a team of SFs was out on an anti-Naxal Operation, told SHO, Vijay Patel.

A CPI-Maoist cadre, Dhiraj Singh, was arrested from Jobang in Lohardaga District of Jharkhand.

A Pakistani infiltrator was arrested by the BSF personnel from the IB in Ramgarh sector of Samba District. Official sources said Jawans on duty observed suspicious movement across the IB near Balhad Post along Basantar River in Ramgarh sector this afternoon. They rushed and challenged the suspect, who had intruded deep inside the Indian Territory and arrested Mansheer (25), a resident of Kingra Morh in Sabekote area of Pakistan.

SFs recovered a 7.56 mm pistol, one magazine, three live rounds and two hand-made grenades from the residence of Emdadul Haque at Dhupaguri area under Dhing Police Station in Nagaon District. Emdadul Haque was detained by the SFs after the recovery.

February 6

As per the report titled ‘A New US Approach to Pakistan: Enforcing Aid Conditions without Cutting Ties’ which will be released in Washington DC on February 10. Pakistan’s military continues to support terrorist groups that attack India to keep it “off balance” and draws international mediation into dispute over Kashmir, according to the report. “Pakistani military leaders continue to support terrorist groups that attack India in an effort to keep it off balance and to draw international mediation into the dispute with India over Kashmir,” said the report.

Nine Indians joined the IS in 2016 - eight from Tamil Nadu and one from Telangana, the NIA learnt from the central security agencies that interrogated three people who were deported from Abu Dhabi for recruiting Indian for IS.

According to the report, the NIA's FIR which was registered on Republic day, both in the capital and in Chennai, says that the agency took custody of the three men who were working in Abu Dhabi on behalf of IS. Sheikh Azhar Al Islam Abdul Sattar Sheikh, Mohammed Farhan Maohammed Rafiq Shaikh and Adnan Hussain Mohammed Hussain were working to 'identify, motivate, radicalise, recruit and train Indian citizena located both in India and other countries for planning and executing terrorist attacks in India and other friendly countries'

The agency's probe has reportedly revealed that a module of nine persons, all below the age of 30, had managed to join IS in Syria. The group left India for Dubai and then headed to Syria. Following the direction of the UMHA, a case has been filed under section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC, sections 17 (punishment for raising funds for terrorist acts), 18 (punishment for conspiracy), 18B (punishment for recruiting for terrorist act), 20 (for being member of terrorist gang) and 38 (for being associated with a terrorist organisation) among others.

Police arrested six militants of ATF at Dharamtul, near Bishnu Mandir in Morigaon District. The arrested militants were identified as ‘Nagaon district commander’ Milan Bhuyan, Bihu Kurung, CR Mangyang, Rajen Garh, Ajoy Singh Ghatowar and Rasraj Biswash. Police recovered six 7 .65 mm pistols, 96 live rounds, 6 cartridges, 10 mobile handsets, ATM card, PAN Card, cash INR 5,000 and lots of objectionable materials from the possession of the arrested militants. According to the Police, the ATF has links with Maoists groups and the Maoists are assisting the force with money and sophisticated arms.       

State Water Resources Minister Keshav Mahanta informed the Assembly that the Union Government is examining the feasibility of sealing the unfenced portion of Indo-Bangladesh border, comprising riverine and char areas, in the State by using ‘high tech physical and non-physical barrier’ technology. “Out of the total length of 280.06 kilometers of Indo-Bangladesh border in Assam, fencing work for 208.65 kilometers has been completed,” the Mahanta informed the Assembly. Mahanta further said that out of 71.41 kilometers unfenced area, 6.5 kilometers is land area and the rest is a composition of riverine / char (river isles) / bridge and culverts. Out of the unfenced land area border, 3.5 km is under Karimganj Town area and discussion is going on in between BSF and BBG. The settlement of disputes and land acquisition process for the remaining 3 kilometers area, also under Karimganj District, is going on. Bridges and culverts account for 3.696 kilometers along the unfenced border. “For the riverine and char area, feasibility study and examination is going on to seal these areas using ‘high tech physical and non-physical barrier’ technology by the Government of India,” the Minister informed the House. Flood lighting works had already been completed along the border and work was in progress for electricity service connection to the installed lights, the State Water Resources Minister Keshav Mahanta added.

A non-political organisation, BJSM opposed the move of the BTC authority for providing 500 acres of land to the members of the ULFA-PTF in BTC area. The issue of land allotment came during a meeting held recently in Kokrajhar, between the leaders of ULFA-PTF led by Anup Chetia and the BTC Chief for uniting the ULFA-PTF cadres in BTAD.

The Chhattisgarh Police killed Sukhram Lekam alias Sukku, a Janatana Sarkar President of the CPI-Maoist, in an exchange of fire at Pedia in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. SFs recovered a 12 bore rifle, 10 cells, and other CPI-Maoist material from the encounter spot.

An armed group of JJJMP cadres attacked heavy machinery and vehicles near CCL’s Sikni colliery in Latehar District of Jharkhand. JJMP is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

Gurubari Munda (32), a member of Munda squad of the CPI-Maoist was arrested by SFs at Bhakar forests in Ghurabandha block of Ghatshila in East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand.

The NIA has booked a case against LWEs for the Hirakhand Express derailed around midnight on January 21, 2017. The Bhubaneswar-bound Hirakhand train mishap happened in Kuneru on the AOB border and killed more than 46 passengers.

The State Home Department of Maharashtra Government has allotted two helicopters to the Naxal affected District administration of Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. The election in Gadchiroli is scheduled from February 16 and February 21. The elections will be conducted in two phases. The aim to allot helicopters is to ensure that the Gram Panchayat and Zilla Parishad elections are conducted smoothly and the election staff, Police officials and electoral machinery is transported to the Naxal affected poll bound city safely.

The BSF thwarted an intrusion bid at IB, which originated from Pakistan side, in Samba sector in Samba District, followed by heavy mortar shelling and firing in the forward areas. Official sources said a group of heavily armed militants reached close to the IB on Pakistan side taking advantage of undulating ground in Samba sector and opened heavy firing on the BSF personnel deployed on duty mound in forward areas with automatic weapons. The BSF personnel swiftly organized coordinated effected fire over the militants and forced them to retreat to Pakistan.

February 7

The suspected IS Chennai module, which had a Telangana native in its ranks, received funds from unknown sources in Syria at the behest of the banned outfit. NIA had registered a case in the last week of January against nine members of the module on the charge of working for Islamic State. Of the nine-member module, only one person actually joined the terrorist outfit, while the rest failed to reach Syria, NIA officials said.

The IS sympathisers had reportedly organised several meetings and even chalked out plans to reach the terror hinterland to work in the so-called caliphate. "Based on information available with us, only one person from Chennai reached Syria. Prima facie, we have information that the module got funding from abroad and they were at an advanced stage of executing their plans to reach Syria," the NIA officials told. They were still in the process of identifying the place where they undertook training in Tamil Nadu. The IS module member from the state is suspected to be from Karimnagar in North Telangana and the state Police was unwilling to disclose his identify. Though he hails from Telangana, he had been working in Chennai. It is through social media the nine came to know each other.

The NIA has begun probing the angle of sabotage in the Indore-Patna Express derailment in Pukhrayan area of Kanpur Dehat district, which had claimed 147 lives on November 20, 2016. On January 27, NIA’s Lucknow unit had lodged a case against unidentified persons on charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder. It had done so after Moti Paswan who was arrested last month for allegedly attempting to blow up railway tracks in Bihar’s East Champaran District, claimed to have planted a cooker bomb on the tracks at Pukhrayan with the help of his associates, causing the derailment.

NIA has also invoked the Railways Act and UAPA in the case. A team of officials is presently camping in Pukhrayan for the investigation. “Apart from the Pukhrayan train derailment case, we have also registered a case in East Champaran district. Investigation is ongoing in both cases,” said Alok Mittal, IG, NIA. Sources said the agency had registered two cases as they suspected that the derailment was a “terror act”.

NIA special court in Punjab, issued proclamation notices against JeM 'chief' Masood Azhar and three others in connection with the January 2016 Pathankot terror attack case. Apart from Azhar, the notices were issued against Abdul Rauf Asghar, Shahid Latif and Kashif Jan. According to the agency’s chargesheet, Azhar along with his brother Abdul Rauf, Latif and Jan masterminded the Pathankot attack.

Latif and Jan were the key handlers of the four attackers and gave them directions all the way from their infiltration into India till the beginning of the attack. The proclamation notice, which has been issued under section 82 of Criminal Procedure Code, will have to be published in newspapers, including in Pakistan, NIA sources said. The agency had filed the chargesheet last December against Masood Azhar and the three others for plotting the terror strike that left seven Indian security personnel dead and 37 injured. The chargesheet is part of documents used by India for advocating its case for imposing UN sanctions against Azhar.

The ‘c-in-c’ Jharu Lohar alias Horen Karmakar of the NSCA militant surrendered before Police in Sonitpur District. The militant also deposited one 9mm pistol, two magazines and large number of ammunition. According to the Police, the militant was accused in the murder case of ACMS Secretary Niranjan Patra at Koliabor, killing of the accountant of Singlijan Tea estate in Dibrugarh, killings at Khatkhati in Karbi Anglong District and abduction cases in past years.

SFs recovered one .22 mm pistol, five rounds live bullets and one IED from the residence of Ali Akbar at Tuktuki under Dhing Police Station in Nagaon District.

The BSF arrested three illegal citizens of Bangladesh from Baghmara in South Garo Hills District and another one at Lalghat in South West Garo Hills District. The arrested illegal Bangladeshi citizens were identified as Mohammad Rukoddin (18), Sharif Miya (15), Mohammad Ridul Islam (16) and Mohammad Zuwel Miya (20).

In a statement the NSCN-IM militant asked all business establishment and shops of Dimapur to remain closed on Sundays with ‘immediate effect’. The militant group also threatened ‘stern action against defaulters’ in their statement.

With the death of one of the persons injured in clashes of January 31, over ULB elections in Nagaland, the total death in the violence has raised to three.

Nagaland CM T.R.Zeliang informed that the border fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border by the Myanmar Government at Pangsha in Tuensang District has been stopped with the intervention of the Central Government of India.

After the tripartite agreement signed on January 30 with the JCC and NBCC, CM T.R. Zeliang apologized to JCC and NBCC for the recent turmoil in the State regarding the ULB election. Citing the tripartite agreement, he said that since JCC had agreed to support 33% women reservation, the State Government had intended to declare partial conduct of the ULB election in those areas where there was no opposition.

SFs arrested two militants of KCP-Poirei Meitei Lup, identified as Sanjenbam Ningthem Singh (40) and Wankhem Bihari Singh (34), in Kabowakching area of Bishnupur District.

One PLA/ RPF militant, identified as Naorem Indrakumar Meitei (36) arrested by SFs at Thanga Ngaram Machin in Bishnupur District.

SFs arrested one militant of NSCN-K, identified as Soraisam Milan Singh (47), at Heirangoithong in Imphal West District.

The UNC decided to continue their agitation until the State Government withdraws the decision to declare Sadar Hills and Jiribam as full-fledged Districts. The decision was taken in an emergency ‘presidential council’ meeting of UNC in Senapati District.  The meet was held to consider the outcome of the tripartite talk involving Central Government of India, State Government and UNC in New Delhi on February 3. Meanwhile, the Central Government of India expressed its disappointment over the issue. A meeting took place in Imphal where representative from the UHM, State Government and UNC participated. But the outcome of the meeting was quite disappointing for the Central Government. The sources of the Central Government expressing its disappointment said that the Manipur Government was not cooperating and the UNC was taking ‘a different stand’.

In a statement the ANSF accused the State Government of ignoring the safety and security of the people of insurgency-affected Tirap, Changlang and Longding District. ANSF mentioned about the activities of the NSCN-K and NSCN-IM in their statement. They further urged the UHM and Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju to intervene in the matter and take appropriate measures to stop skirmishes and bring back peace and normalcy in the area.

A group of Naxals fired at the CISF troops at Deposit No. 5, atop Bailadila Hills near Kirandul town in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The CPI-Maoist cadres attacked vehicles of NMDC carrying explosives. They looted explosives and detonators and held employees hostage who have now been freed. They also set ablaze burnt machinery and two vehicles. There are no reports of death or injury.

Police said it have arrested miscreants who pelted stones on vehicles at Baramulla town last week. “In the evening of February 4 (Saturday) a group of miscreants boarding three vehicles appeared in Baramulla market near Karripa Park and started pelting stones on vehicles and created law and order problem,” a Police spokesman said. He said all these miscreants were detained and a case was registered in Baramulla Police Station.

Sub-Judge/Judicial Magistrate first Class, Rajesh Kumar ID Abrol of Chadoora in Budgam District, denied bail to two militants of HM outfit. According to the prosecution case, the militants identified as Younis Bashir of Checkpora and Adil Ahmed of Lasjan were arrested under Sections 419, 506, 387, 511 and 120B RPC at Nowgam Police Station on the basis of the complaint filed by Mohammad Amin Bhat of Checkpora. These militants were demanding INR 500,000 from the complainant for HM outfit with the warning that he and his family will face the consequences of death if the complainant failed to follow their directive.

The J&K Police has prepared a report, warning about the possibility of a ‘more dangerous repetition of 2016’ after March and highlighted the ‘lack of the preparedness to handle such crisis on part of the civil administration and Police’. DG of the J&K Police SP Vaid confirmed that there were reports of ‘possible unrest after March’ but maintained that Police was ready to handle any ‘law and order’ situation, adding that APHC leaders who lead such agitations were to be ‘squarely blamed’ for the consequences. The report submitted to the chief minister’s office in January sees joint APHC leadership of Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer and Yasin Malik as a ‘threat to peace’ and their ‘unification on Pakistan’s insistence a trouble’. “The mass contact programme of Hurriyat leaders and their meetings with their small constituents are a matter of concern. And by reaching out to victims of the 2016 unrest, they are reaching out to the common man and thus preparing the ground for another unrest,” the report said.

February 8

Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said that nuclear terrorism is an international threat that should not serve national strategy. "The power of the atom is wondrous and it has benefited mankind in various ways. The scientific community has also played a vital role in harnessing the nuclear energy but the negative consequences of atomic power cannot be ignored. World has witnessed immense destructive power of the atom," Jaishankar said.

Police recovered 40 pieces of fake INR 2000 notes from West Bengal's Murshidabad District, officials said, reports indiablooms.com. According to Police reports, acting on a tip off, Police booked a suspect- Ajijur Rahman- from Chatra Ghat area under Islampur Police Station limits in Murshidabad District and seized FICN INR 2000 notes with face value of INR 80,000 rupees from his possession.

At least 50 persons were injured in sporadic clashes during a 12-hour bandh (shutdown) called by the ATIRPF in TTAADC area, to oppose the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, introduced by the BJP-led NDA. The INPT, IPFT and the NCT last month (January) formed the ATIRPF to oppose the bill. The bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha in 2016 and now under the scrutiny of a parliamentary committee, seeks to enable Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians, who have fled to India from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh without valid travel documents or those whose valid documents have expired in recent years, to acquire Indian citizenship through the process of naturalization.

The CPI-Maoist cadres killed a tribal trader identified as M Jeenabandhu (30) in the agency area of Munchingput mandal in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. The CPI-Maoist cadres killed him after branding him as a ‘Police informer’.

A PLFI cadre, Arvind Gope, was arrested at Sirka village in Murhu Tehsil of Khunti of Jharkhand. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

Police arrested Vinod Marandi, Chief of the RCC, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, in Gaya District of Bihar. Police also recovered 7 Kilogram of Ganja. The arrested Maoist was involved in a parcel bomb explosion in which a close aide of Tekari, MLA Abhay Kushwaha was killed at Kujapi village in 2015.

Two PLFI cadres were killed and five others injured in an exchange of fire with SFs in the Pital Forest under the Bisra Police limits in Sundargarh District of Odisha. SFs recovered 11 magazines; an AK-47 rifle and eight other guns, 190 live bullets, 45 mobile phones, clothes and shoes were seized from the spot. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

Sunderbani Police arrested nine persons along with two weapons (.12 bore guns), in Rajouri District and busted a racket involved in making fake gun licenses and recovered 13 such licenses from their possession.

February 9

India hit out at China for its remarks that there was no consensus over the US' proposal to ban JeM 'chief' Masood Azhar at the UN, saying if there is a change in the Chinese position, there will be a consensus as well. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup also said the matter has been taken up with the Chinese Ambassador in Delhi and a similar demarche is being made in Beijing.

Observing that the proposal was not moved by India but by three permanent members of the UN Security Council the US, the UK and France, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup described it as a "classic counter-terrorism proposal" and hoped that China will also come around to accept this view. "It is our understanding that this was a classic counter- terrorism proposal meant to proscribe a dreaded terrorist leader Masood Azhar whose organisation the JeM has already been proscribed by the UN 1267 Committee.

The NIA filed a charge sheet against two persons in connection with its probe in the alleged indoctrination of Kerala youths to join terror group IS. The agency filed the charge sheet in a special court here against Arshi Qureshi (47) alias Arshid, a resident of Thane, Maharashtra who has been arrested by the agency, and Abdul Rashid Abdulla (30), hailing from Kasaragod in Kerala, who is absconding. The NIA said it has charged the two for "their involvement in unlawful activities and in spreading hatred against India and for providing support to the proscribed terrorist organisation IS by furthering its activities", under various sections of the Unlawful Activity (Prevention) Act-UAPA.

Unidentified militants gunned down two civilians, Bakul Rabha(40) and Saru (35), at Chengapara village under Kolaigaon Police Station in Udalguri District. Militants also set ablaze the hut of the deceased couple. The Police Personnel who reached the spot after being informed by local residents found the charred bodies of the deceased couple along with 25 rounds of empty bullets. "Since we found bullets, we are certain about the involvement of militants in the incident but we are yet to pinpoint the group. Both ULFA-I and NDFB-IKS are active in the area and we are trying to identify the assailants," a Police official in Udalguri said. Villagers told the Police that the couple could have been killed as they were suspected to be informers of SFs.

Suspected militants belonging to TPLA abducted an auto-rickshaw driver, identified as Robin Thapa (26), at an area between Motbung and Keithelmanbi in Senapati District. According to the sources, the militant group served extortion demands to auto-rickshaw associations operating along the Highway particularly in between Sekmai and Motbung last month (January).

In a press release, the militant group UNLF said that their ‘armed wing’ the MPA had observed its 30th ‘raising day’ in different parts of the State and at other places.

The NTAC volunteers damaged one gypsy belonging to State Police department at high school junction Kohima, during the ongoing indefinite bandh (general shutdown) against the Government offices and Government vehicles, over the issues of elections to ULBs. NTAC, which is enforcing the total bandh (general shutdown) on State Government offices and vehicles for an indefinite period starting from February 6, is demanding the resignation of Chief Minister T R Zeliang and his cabinet following the killing of three youths in Police firing incident on January 31, during the protest over conducting ULB elections with 33% women reservation.

Based on specific input, 5 AR in an operation, arrested two NSCN-K militants, identified as ‘sergeant major’ Ivuto Chophy and ‘corporal’ Kunovi, from Sumi Gate area in Zunheboto District. According to PRO of IGAR-N the arrested duo was indulging in extortion activities at Zunheboto town. PRO stated that, the cadres were in possession of an extortion note addressed to the engineer, Irrigation Department of Zunheboto.

State Governor P B Acharya declared the entire process of elections to ULBs in the State, which was strongly opposed by Naga tribal groups, as null and void. State Election Commissioner Sentiyanger Imchen also in a notification said following the Governor’s decision the election programme for the ULBs, notified on December 21 last year, is now null and void. Earlier, on February 2, the state Cabinet had decided to declare the election process null and void.

The NSCN-K militant released a press statement over the issue of ULB election and the subsequent violence in the State and said that the State Government ‘should pave way for people’s interest’. It also condemned the State Government for the recent violence in the State over the issues of ULB election in their statement.

A Jagdalpur-based organisation anti-Maoist organisation AGNI dissolved itself in Jagdalpur District of Chhattisgarh. The AGNI has organised almost 15-16 rallies during the past one year across the Bastar region protesting against the CPI-Maoist activities and violence. One of them, called `Lalkar' rally, was convened by the outfit in Jagdalpur in September 2016 and attended by thousands of people. Civil rights groups and some local journalists have dubbed the AGNI as another version of the anti-Maoist militia Salwa Judum, which was banned by the Supreme Court in 2011.

A former Naxal, Phulo Markam was found killed in Jagdalpur District of Chhattisgarh. Markam surrendered before Police along with 60 other CPI-Maoist cadres in Darbha in April 2016 and had joined Police as a 'Gopaniya Sainik. Phulo's brother Gagan alleged Constable Dinesh Sethia for Markam’s death.

Sunki Ghat-like blast was averted by CRPF at Lanjigarh Block in Kalahandi District of Odisha. A bomb disposal squad of the CRPF from Rayagada led by Commandant Manoj Sharma with the help of sniffer dog defused a 25 Kilogram IED.

SOG personnel and CPI-Maoist cadres exchanged fire during a combing operation at Kutudi forest under Bijaghati Panchayat in Narayanpatna District of Odisha. No injuries have been reported.

Two Police constables from Raigad have arrested a CPI-Maoist cadre, Biljaram Buddharam (40), from Dali village, in Palamu District of Jharkhand and brought to Mumbai in Maharashtra by train.

February 10

An Abu Dhabi module of the IS comprising three Indian youths, recruited eight men from Tamil Nadu and one from Telangana, and even sent some of them to Syria to join the IS, a probe by the NIA has revealed. The NIA registered a case a fortnight ago regarding the recruitment “of nine persons — eight hailing from Tamil Nadu and one from Telangana, and some other unknown persons, with the intention to further the activities of Daesh/ISIS, a banned terrorist organisation in India”.

According to NIA case records, a criminal conspiracy was hatched “in Chennai and other parts of the country by forming a terrorist gang which raised and received funds, organised camps, recruited and trained some persons, and facilitated their travel to Syria, to join ISIS”. The Abu Dhabi module was neutralised in January 2016 following the arrest and deportation of the three Indians from the UAE: Adnan Hussain from Karnataka, Mohammed Farhan from Maharashtra and Sheikh Azhar Al Islam from Kashmir.

The records show they were accused by the NIA of being “involved in a conspiracy to identify, motivate, radicalise, recruit and train Indian citizens located both in India and other countries for planning and executing terrorist attacks in India and in other friendly countries”.

ATS from Mumbai detained a suspected SIMI operative from Khajrana area of Indore (Madhya Pradesh). The suspect identified as Jadil Parvez was held from Khijrabad Colony in the area where he had been living since the past 2-3 months, ATS sources claimed. Jadil, who hails from Unhel town of Ujjain District, had allegedly been living with his sister Heena.

Two militants of GPRN/NSCN, identified as ‘guard commander of Ao region’ Merentoshi and ‘major’ Tongpang, were abducted by NSCN-IM militants from Tzuremen village area in Mokokchung District.

The JCC informed that it would intensify the ongoing bandh (total shutdown) indefinitely starting February 13 if the CM T.R. Zeliang does not resign within the ‘3-day deadline’ given by the JCC and NTAC that expires February 10 midnight. Further, a meeting of the legislature party of the ruling DAN supported CM T.R Zeliang on the whole issue and appealed to the agitators to end the indefinite strike and engage with the Government.

The Chairman of JIC and interlocutor for the Naga peace-talks, Mr R. N. Ravi said that ongoing economic blockade in Manipur may have an impact on the peace-talks. JIC Chairman RN Ravi said, “The Naga issue can’t be dealt in political isolation. Naga neighbours are important stakeholders. A durable solution is not possible by disregarding neighbours’ sentiment and confrontational attitude towards them.” The news report further adds that over the stubborn attitude displayed by the NSCN-IM over Manipur, Mr Ravi had said, “It is bound to impact the tenor and character of further talks with NSCN-IM.”Notably, the Manipur based UNC is spearheading the economic blockade in the State for over three months and two rounds of meetings with the stakeholders to resolve the crisis has failed to elicit any result. UNC is protesting against creation of seven new Districts in the State of Manipur.

The CLP, in a meeting chaired by CM Okram Ibobi Singh, unanimously passed a resolution urging the Central Government of India to declare the UNC as an unlawful organisation for imposing the indefinite economic blockade on the NHs and banning construction and developmental activities of National and State projects.

A Naxalite was killed in an exchange of fire with SFs in a dense forest under Basaguda Police Station in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. SFs recovered the body of a male CPI-Maoist cadre along with weapon, grenades and Naxal-related material from the spot.

A villager, Barse Deva (32), was found killed by the CPI-Maoist cadres near Lakhanpal village under Chintalnar Police Station limits in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The victim was picked up by armed rebels from his native place Konanguda, in the night of February 8, Police said.

A CPI-Maoist was killed in an exchange of fire with SFs in a dense forest pocket of Bilaspur District of Chhattisgarh. SFs recovered the body of a male Maoist cadre along with weapon, grenades and Naxal -related material from the spot.

SFs recovered arms including one AK-47 rifle, its three magazines and 26 cartridges, one carbine, its one magazine and 35 cartridges after an exchange of fire with the Maoists in Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh.

The newly appointed IG of Bastar Range in Chhattisgarh, Sundarraj P asserted that “aggressive” operations against the Naxals will continue. Sundarraj said, “Security Forces are in a dominating position. The aggressiveness (in the operation) will be continued.”

A villager, Birwal Murmu (25), was killed by the CPI-Maoist cadres in Virangatta village under the Madhuwan Police Station in Giridih District of Jharkhand. The Maoists accused him of being a ‘Police informer’.

The CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze two earthmoving machines, two tractors and a water tanker in Rayagada District of Odisha. The vehicles belonged to a contractor engaged in road construction near Sandengleli in Parsali Panchayat under Kalyansinghpur Block of the District.

The CPI-Maoist calling for the boycott of the February 15 Assembly Elections in Uttarakhand, painted slogans in Someshwar in Almora District of Uttarakhand . Posters, banners and painted slogans were found at various places in and around Someshwar.

During a joint operation by the Army and the Police, a major terrorist hideout was busted at Mislai Bonjwah area in Kishtwar District of J&K. SFs recovered a huge quantity of arms and ammunition from the location, which included one AK-47 rifle with 450 rounds, 224 Pika ammunitions, one UBGL, two UBGL ammunitions and one binocular.

CRPF and SOG arrested a militant from Janbazpora area in Baramulla District. Police said that a local militant, Irshad Ahmad Khwaja, a resident of Seelo village, was arrested after specific information by a team of SOG of J&K Police and 53 BN CRPF. One pistol, two magazines and a hand grenade were recovered from his possession.

SFs arrested one NSCN-IM militant, identified as Nokme Hakun at Pahar village under Margherita Police Station in Tinsukia District.

February 11

A tape was released by ‘secretary’ of Bansadhara, Ghumusar and Nagabali Division of the CPI-Maoist, Umakant at Malkangiri District of Odisha. The tape threatened villagers of calling for poll boycott in three southern Odisha Districts, Kalahandi, Kandhamal and Rayagada.

SFs arrested a militant belonging to ULFA-I, identified as Pranjal Nath alias Sailendra Asom alias Protim Asom, at Jelehua Gaon under Dergaon Police Station in Golaghat District. According to the sources, the militant joined ULFA-I in 2011 and he had undergone training in Myanmar.

February 12

A magistrate court has discharged Mirza Himayat Baig, along with alleged IM 'operative' Maulana Shabbir Hussain Gangawali, in the case registered by the Maharashtra ATS under the UAPA, for allegedly circulating jihadi literature to Muslim youth in Pune, who were alleged members of the banned SIMI. Judicial Magistrate (first class) V B Gulve Patil, Shivajinagar Court, passed on order in this regard on December 22, 2016. It may be recalled that Gangawali, a native of Bhatkal of Karnataka and an alleged aide of IM founders Riyaz and Iqbal Bhatkal, was arrested by the Pune unit of the ATS on December 30, 2008, with possession of 250 counterfeit notes of Rs 100 denomination at a Janawadi mosque in Shivajinagar area.

A ‘leader’ of UKLF militant, identified as Thangboi Haokip alias Jacob Thadou was arrested at Imphal Tulihal Airport in Imphal East District after CISF posted at the airport recovered 4 live round of 9 MM pistol with him. The CISF handed him over to the Singjamei Police along with the recovered ammunitions, but he was later released by the Police. UKLF is signatory to SoO agreement with State and Union Government.

Violating the cease fire ground rule with the GoI, the NSCN-IM opened a new ‘battalion’ called ‘Phungtha Battalion’ consisting 45 cadres of the group at Kangkum Village in Ukhrul District.

Reacting on the CLP’s resolution, for declaring UNC as an unlawful organisation, the UNC asked the Manipur Government why they had participated in the tripartite talk in New Delhi if the UNC was ‘unlawful’.

Demanding the resignation of CM TR Zeliang from his post over the issues of ULBs election and the subsequent violence in the State, JCC and NTAC, Kohima had called for a total indefinite bandh (shutdown) in Nagaland from 6 am to 6 pm daily from February 13.

Police Constable, Korsa Naga was seriously injured in an exchange of fire with CPI-Maoist cadres in a dense forest pocket of Bhejji Police Station limits in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The skirmish took place in the forest coming under Bhejji Police Station limits when a joint team of STF and DRG was out on a counter-insurgency operation, SP, Indira Kalyan Elesela said.

Four CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested by SFs from a forest of Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. A team of DRG had launched a counter-insurgency operation on February 9 towards Mohndi, Kutul and Kodliyar villages. The Maoist cadres has been identified as Lakhma Varda (35), medical team member Sayabi Varda (45), ‘militia commander’ Maalu Varda (31) and ‘militia member’ Fagdu Usendi (25).

Chhattisgarh Police has set a base camp in the Naxals’ stronghold of Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh to expedite construction of a road on a national highway that leads to the neighbouring Telangana State. The camp was set up on February 8 near Taarud River between Bhadrakali and Tarlaguda to particularly facilitate the construction of bridge over the river on the under-construction strategically important Bhopalpatnam-Bhadrakali-Tarlaguda road.

The opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, said that he is ready to take the initiative to facilitate negotiation talks between the Government of Kerala and the CPI-Maoist, if Maoists were ready to surrender their arms and create an atmosphere of peace first.

The MDC of the CPI-Maoist in a fresh banner has threatened the villagers to chop off the hands of voters who defy its call to boycott the Panchayat elections at Dekrikota in Malkangiri District of Odisha. Similar posters were found in Rayagada District of Odisha calling for Panchayat polls boycott.

The SEC had identified 27,422 booths as hypersensitive and sensitive. Out of the total, 8,491 booths are hypersensitive and 18,931 sensitive. Kandhamal District has the maximum of 1,076 booths identified as hypersensitive.

According to data collated by the NBDC of the NSG the areas affected by Naxalism saw a 21 per cent increase in bomb blast incidents in 2016 as compared to 2015. Casualties in such incidents went up by almost 60 per cent, the NBDC said in its annual report. 65 per cent of all IED blast casualties occurred in LWE-affected areas. According to the report, the figures available till December 15, 2016; 1,420 Naxals surrendered last year as compared to 570 in 2015. In Chhattisgarh, the IED incidents increased by 50 per cent and Andhra Pradesh saw a five-fold increase over 2015. Odisha witnessed an almost 100 per cent jump in IED incidents — from 15 blasts in 2015 to 29 blasts in 2016. Only Jharkhand and Bihar witnessed a decrease in IED incidents. Jharkhand witnessed nine IED explosions in 2016 as compared to 15 in 2015. In Bihar, it was 10 against 12 in 2015.

Eight persons including four militants, two Army personnel and equal number of civilians were killed and around 24 civilians were injured in an encounter followed by clashes in Kulgam District. Acting on specific information about the presence of militants in Nagbal, Frisal area of the District, Kulgam Police along with 1-RR and 18th Battalion of CRPF cordoned off the suspected house and started the search operation, Police said. The four militants killed in the encounter were identified as Farooq Ahmad Bhat of Checki Dessand, Mohammad Younis Lone of Hawoora, both were HM militants and Mudisir Ahmad Tantary alias Assim of Redwani Kulgam and Wakeel Ahmad Thoker of Hadigam, both were LeT militants. Two AK rifles, two pistols, one INSAS rifle and ammunition were recovered from the encounter site. Further, people in the area came out in street as the encounter was in progress and pelted stones on SFs near the encounter site. The SFs fired teargas and pellets in which around two dozen persons were injured, out of which one Mushtaq Ibrahim Itoo succumbed to his injuries.

The separatists have called for a strike on February 13 against the killing of two civilians. Both the factions of APHC and JKLF have called for the general strike against the killings.

Indian Railways suspect that sudden rise in the number of train accidents in the recent past are the act of sabotage. 'In 2017, in the first 40 days, there have already been 16 cases and this is abnormally high,' Mohammed Jamshed, Member Traffic, Railway Board stated. Terming it an 'abnormally high', a top railways official said that most of these 16 instances of rail sabotage in 2017 have occurred in non-traditional LWE- affected areas, and does not carry the signature of Maoist subversive activities.  'There were 45 incidents in 2016, including seven blasts, three instances of track tampering, 27 cases of sabotage and attempt to sabotage and eight agitation related incidents. Moreover, Shamsul Hoda, who was arrested in Nepal in a murder case is wanted by for allegedly funding terror plots that led to train derailments in Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh, Hirakhand in Andhra Pradesh and a foiled attempt in Bihra's Ghorasan.

Two persons, identified as Subash Agarwal and Shyam Sunder, were killed and two others injured by CPI-Maoist cadres gunfire near Ramanitard in Bhelwaghati Panchayat at Giridih District of Jharkhand. Sources said that these armed cadres are from Maoist leader Surang Yadav's group. The reason of the killing is not yet clear but Maoists were afraid of growing popularity of the Government schemes and in anguish they were taking such steps, SP Giridih, Akhlesh V Varier said.

Two-dozen armed cadres of the TPC set ablaze the excavator and compressor machines of Hindalco Industries at the Gurdari bauxite mines in Kathupani village in Gumla District of Jharkhand. TPC is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

A female 'area commander' of the CPI-Maoist, Kaushalia Kumari alias Sabita, was arrested by the District Armed Police and CRPF from Tansia village in Seraikela-Kharsawan District of Jharkhand. She was carrying a reward of INR 200,000 on her head.

At least five construction equipments were torched by the CPI-Maoist cadres in Kulihamunda village of Rengali Gram Panchayat under Khaparakhol block of Balangir District of Odisha. 10 armed Maoist cadres including five women cadres entered the camp of a local contractor, Md Illaish, in Banjipali village at around 11 PM. The contractor was carrying out road construction work for PWD from Ghunsar to Rengali.

AR arrested a linkman identified as Alan Rai, who worked for both ULFA-I and NSCN-K, at Old Khamdo village in Changlang District. According to the AR source, the arrested linkman was involved in extortion cases and blank letters bearing names of ULFA-I and NSCN-K were recovered from his possession. During the interrogation, the linkman also revealed that he was helping these two militant groups for four years and had regular contact with the ''sergeant'' Rupam Asom of ULFA-I.

February 13

Protesters belonging to the DHDC and the DDJAC, along with seven other organisations, who were demanding for making Likabali as headquarter of Lower Siang District, set ablaze the office of the SDO (civil) at Likabali. It was the second day of the 96-hour general strike of the protesting organisations.

The second phase of indefinite total bandh (shutdown) called by the JCC and NTAC along with various tribal organisations, started in the entire State has crippled normal life in the State. Business establishments, educational institutions and Government offices remained closed while vehicles were off the road during the bandh. However no violent incident from any part of the State was reported so far.

While, the organisations are demanding resignation of CM TR Zeliang following the killing of two youths in Police firing in Dimapur on January 31, the CM Addressed the people of Nagaland in a broadcast by AIR in Kohima and appealed the agitating organisations to lift the bandh. He specially mentioned his concern over the board exams of the students which were scheduled on February 14.

Mobile internet services and SMS in the State remained suspended for the 15th day. In order to thwart rumors, Nagaland Government snapped the services on January 30 after the public upheaval arising out of holding of ULB elections.

A top level meeting between former Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio, NSA Ajit Doval and JIC Chairman R.N Ravi to discuss the current situation in Nagaland arising out of the ULB elections was held. Neiphiu Rio expressed his concern over the ongoing turmoil of the State over the issues of ULB elections and said that the situation of the State had to be tactfully handled as it could adversely affect the already fragile ‘Indo-Naga peace talks’. He also strongly urged upon the Centre to bring about an early solution to the Naga issue.

A Court in New Delhi extended the judicial custody of the ‘chief’ of KCP-Poirei Meitei Lup militant Khoirom Ranjit and his two associates, Inugbam Sanatombi Devi and Pukhrihongbamibomcha Prem Kumar, till February 27.

SFs arrested four unidentified militants of NSCN-IM at Nungba in Tamenglong District. According to the SFs the arrested militants were involved in extortion and other illegal activites.

Indian Army arrested a linkman of ULFA-I militant, identified as Netra Bania (53), from Haufau area under Borhat Police Station in Charaidew District. The arrestee is a small tea grower in the village and according to the Army he had been keeping relation with ULFA-I for a long time and he was involved in collecting money from businessmen.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs has wondered why JeM terrorists let go Punjab Police SP Salwinder Singh after waylaying his official vehicle and using it to reach the Pathankot airbase on January 2, 2016 to wreak havoc. The multi-party committee has also asked the Government to investigate the role of drug smugglers in facilitating the terrorists' entry into India. While the 70-page report directly attacks Punjab Police, it has asked many questions about the role of the NIA.

Joint teams of Jalandhar Rural Police and Jharkhand Police arrested a wanted CPI-Maoist cadre, Avidhesh Yadav from Alawalpur locality at Adampur city in Jalandhar District. Yadav is facing attempt to murder and cases under the Arms Act. CIA, Punjab Police, head said Jharkhand Police took Yadav back to Latehar District of Jharkhand.

One of the key accused in Kanpur and Ghorasahan rail track sabotage incidents, Gajendra Sharma, surrendered before a court in East Champaran District of Bihar. Police sources said Gajendra, a named accused in Ghorasahan blast attempt case, was also involved in the derailment of Indore-Patna Express near Kanpur in which at least 150 people were killed on November 21, 2016.

A CPI-Maoist cadre was gunned down in an exchange of fire between the Maoists and SFs at a village in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The identity of the killed Maoist was yet to be ascertained.

The Police destroyed five illegal mini-gun factories in Rishikund jungle in Munger District of Bihar. Police also seized four automatic pistols and equipment used for manufacturing illegal guns. According to Police illegal mini-gun factories was being operated under CPI-Maoist cadres protection. Police arrested a person called Shrimant Kumar who was in constant touch with Maoists. Five of his associates managed to escape from the spot during the raid.

Irpa Usendi, cousin of South Gadchiroli's Perimili LGS ‘commander’ Sainath, was arrested in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. He was finally made co-accused in the December 2016 Surjagarh arson case earlier this week by Etapalli Police after his involvement behind the incident in which the Naxalites had set ablaze around 80 vehicles at mining project site came to fore. Intriguingly, cops had intercepted new currency notes worth INR 400,000 from Irpa.

Joint teams of Jalandhar Rural Police and Jharkhand Police arrested a wanted CPI-Maoist cadre, Avidhesh Yadav from Alawalpur locality at Adampur city in Jalandhar District of Punjab. Yadav is facing attempt to murder and cases under the Arms Act. CIA, Punjab Police, head said Jharkhand Police took Yadav back to Latehar District of Jharkhand.

Official sources of Mizoram said that the meeting of the JMG held in Guwahati on February 12,  to discuss the repatriation of Bru refugees from the six relief camps in Tripura to Mizoram was ‘inconclusive’ as Bru representatives ‘refused to budge from their demands’. Mizoram State Additional Secretary for Home Lalbiakzama said that the meeting was ‘inconclusive’ as MBDPF, the apex body of Bru refugees demanded that all their demands be fulfilled by Centre and Mizoram Governments. The demands of MBDPF are allotment of at least five hectare land to each repatriated Bru family, enhancement of rehabilitation package, provision of free ration for two years, INR 5,000 per month be given to each family and the Brus be given the same status as given to Kashmiri Pandits. The meeting was chaired by Special Secretary (Internal Secretary) in Union Ministry of Home Affairs MK Singla and attended by officials of Mizoram and Tripura Governments, representatives of MBDPF, BCC and central committee of YMA.

Pakistan army violated ceasefire along the LoC in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri District, targeting forward Indian posts with small and automatic weapons and mortars. "The Indian side effectively retaliated, leading to heavy exchanges that continued for some time," sources said, adding that there were no casualties or damage on the Indian side in Pakistan shelling and firing. Casualties or damages, if any, on the other side were not known.

Normal life was affected in Jammu and Kashmir, due to a shutdown called by the separatists against the killing of two civilians and four militants in an encounter in Kulgam District of South Kashmir while curfew like restrictions were imposed in parts of South Kashmir. Shops and commercial establishments remained closed in Srinagar and Public transport was mostly off the roads. However, some vehicles were plying.

February 14

Seven workers of a limestone quarry at Sangkini Dabgre near Sangkinigre village of Chokpot region in South Garo Hills District were abducted by suspected Garo militants. The workers were identified as Shyama Rabha, Manoj Das, Dipak Baiswa, Khitish Rabha, Amulya Kalita, Dinobandhu Roy and Kameshwar Pandit. According to the Police, the ASAK headed by Reding T. Sangma is the prime suspect for involving the abduction so far. However, they are also not ruling out the involvement of Sohan D. Shira-led GNLA, which is said to have a small number of armed cadres operating in the Chokpot region.

The NIA probing the rail track sabotages secured additional four-day Police remand of Umashankar Patel, Motilal Paswan and Mukesh Yadav, all accused in Ghorasahan and Kanpur cases. Earlier, the special NIA court of Judge Manoj Singh had granted 11-day police remand for the trio on February 4.

The derailment and blast conspiracies were allegedly hatched by ISI. Its agent Shamshul Huda, a Nepalese citizen, was handling the terror mission from Dubai. Huda was arrested by Nepal police in Kathmandu on February 5. His interrogation later revealed another railway track blast near Nakardei in East Champaran. Brajkishore Giri alias Baba Giri, Mujahir Ansari, Ashish Singh Kurmi aliasSujeet and Umesh Giri, all associates of Huda, have  already been arrested by Nepal Police.

Suspected IS supporter Mohammad Iqbal, who is in the custody of the Rajasthan Police, had allegedly mobilised funds from India and China for the terror organisation, Police said. Iqbal alias Travel Haq had allegedly transferred money from China and through hawala (illegal money transaction) from India to Dubai, Additional Director General of Anti-Terrorist Squad Umesh Mishra told reporters in Jaipur.

Iqbal allegedly used to transfer funds to IS operative Jameel Ahmed who was arrested by the ATS from Sikar in November, 2016 Mishra said. His name cropped up during the interrogation of Jameel following which he was arrested by Tamil Nadu Police earlier this month. “Jameel and Iqbal were in touch on social networking sites. Iqbal used to transfer funds to Jameel who was based in Dubai. From Dubai, he further transferred the money to the IS in countries like Turkey, Lebanon,” Mishra claimed.

The accounts of his social networking sites and his foreign visits are being probed to ascertain further details, the police official said. Iqbal was brought to Jaipur from Chennai on production warrant on February 12, and was placed under arrest yesterday. He was produced before a local court where the magistrate remanded him to police custody for four days, till February 18.

East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand Police has intensified anti-Naxal  operation in the Naxal-hit Ghatsila Sub-division in order to mount pressure on the top CPI-Maoist leader Kanhu Munda-led squad to surrender, which operates in the bordering areas of Jharkhand-Bengal-Odisha, reports Business Standard. Kanhu, a ‘zonal secretary’ of Jharkhand-Bengal-Odisha outfit, is carrying a reward of INR 2,500,000 lakh on his head.

The UHM’s senior Security Adviser K. Vijay Kumar, at a meeting held at the Police Head Quarter in Bhopal District of Madhya Pradesh, asked the Police of three States to share the information related to Naxals. Police officials of three States Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra attended the meeting. He asked to provide better training to the Hawk Force and better use of Police force while taking action against Naxals. The SPs from all three states submitted the reports of the Naxal operations. The SPs of Dindori, Balaghat, Gondia, Mandla and Rajnandgaon made presentations. He also took personal meeting with the officials. The DGP, Madhya Pradesh, Rishi Shukla informed the officer that they are running community policing to eradicate the Naxal problems in their Naxal-affected areas. He also claimed that due to social policing they are getting positive results.

Two militants, belonging to UNLF and PLA, were arrested by SFs in two different incidents. In the first incident, SFs arrested an UNLF cadre, identified as ‘sergeant major’ Thongbram Gyanjit alias Chinglensana (32) from Hatta Golapati area in Imphal West District. After the arrest he revealed that under the instruction of his ‘commander’ Itomba of UNLF, he came out of his camp in October last year (2016) and stayed in Imphal areas to disturb the forthcoming 11th State Assembly election. In the other incident, one militant of PLA, identified as Yumnam Surendra alias Suren (64), was arrested by SFs from the resident of the militant in Imphal West District. The militant revealed that he was working under the ‘captain’ Nongpoknganba of PLA and extorted money from contractors and businessmen for the militant group.

SFs arrested another cadre of an unspecific militant group, identified as Ramanuse Dhan (31) at Binaypur village in Golaghat District. SFs also recovered one 7.65 auto pistol (made in Italy), one magazine and four live ammunition from the arrestee.

Suspected militants of NSCN-R from neighboring State of Nagaland entered into and issued ‘demand notes’ (extortion notes) to villagers, along the Assam-Nagaland interstate boundary, in Jorhat District. According to the report, at least 16 people, mostly cultivators, got the demand notes ranged from INR 10,000 to INR 50,000. Two villagers, identified as Benu Orang and Joydhan Mirdha, were assaulted by Naga assailants. However, Jorhat SP Prasanta Bhuyan said that a team from District administration held a meeting with the village council of the adjacent Naga village on the other side of the boundary. “They have assured to nab the culprits. In fact, we were informed that two of the four persons who distributed the notes have been caught by the Naga village people,” he also added.

Clarifying the stand of the present Union Government towards insurgents groups, the UMHA has indicated to a parliamentary panel that it is open to negotiations with only those militant formations that abjure violence and opt for a solution within the Constitution of India. The Government proposes to adopt a multi-pronged strategy to deal with extremists/separatists of the northeastern region. The parliamentary panel in its report advised that the government should start dialogue with these groups and address sympathetically their grievances within the framework of the Constitution of India with an aim of bringing them into the mainstream. The multi-pronged strategy includes this aspect also.

Currently, the Union government is engaged in peace talks with various insurgent groups of the Northeast and talks are continuing with the ULFA-PTF, NDFB-P, NDFB-RD, KLNLF– all from Assam, while the NSCN-IM, NSCN-KN and NSCN-R of Nagaland are under ceasefire agreements.

A total of 23 underground outfits of Manipur, consisting two conglomerates – the UPF and KNO are currently under SoO agreement with the Union Government. Three valley-based underground outfits of Manipur – the URF, KCP-L and KYKL-MDF have signed MoU with the Union Government.

The Union Government has informed that pursuant to the policy of talks, various insurgent outfits, including the UPDS, DHD of Assam and ANVC and ANVC-B of Meghalaya have signed memorandum of settlement with the Government and dissolved themselves. As a result, a number of members of insurgent outfits have surrendered after laying down arms and joined the mainstream of society.

Two top LeT 'commanders' were among four militants and four soldiers including an Army Major killed while six soldiers and a civilian were injured in two separate gun battles in North Kashmir. Sources said that on a tip-off, Army, SOG of JKP and CRPF launched a joint search operation at Parray Mohalla Hajan in Bandipora District. They said that as the SFs were sealing the area, militants hiding in the village opened fire on troops and hurled hand grenades. The SFS returned the fire killing one militant who has been identified as Abu Haris, a top 'commander' of LeT. Srinagar based Defence Ministry spokesman, Lt Col Rajesh Kalia identified the Army men killed in the gun battle as Dharmendera Kumar of Pataliya, Uttarakhand; Rifleman Ravi Kumar of Meen Sarkar Tabela of Samba and Gunner Astosh Kumar of Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

Three militants were killed and an Army Major was injured in Handwara area in Kupwara District. SFs received information about presence of three-four militants in Khan Mohalla Hajin Kralgund area of Handwara's Kupwara District. Major S Dhaiya, who was leading the operation, succumbed to his injuries. One of the killed militants has been identified as Abu Darda, a top 'commander' of LeT and the identity of other two is being ascertained.

Three Pakistan army personnel were killed in heavy exchange of firing between Indo-Pak troops in Thoob area of Bhimber sector opposite Sunderbani in Rajouri District along the LoC. Pakistan army has confirmed the killing of their three personnel.

A joint team of Army and Police busted a hideout of the militants in Chajla forest area of Mendhar tehsil in Poonch District and recovered large quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives. Recoveries included one Pika Machine Gun with 90 belted rounds, one AK-74 rifle, one AK-47 rifle, two UBGL launchers, 22 UBGL grenades, two Chinese grenades, one I Com radio set and antenna and 500 rounds of AK-47. Later, SFs also undertook search operations in Chajla forest area but the militants remained untraced.

The BSF pre-empted a major terror strike by detecting a tunnel originating from Pakistan and opening up just about 20 meters ahead of border fencing inside the Indian Territory in Ramgarh sector of Samba District. The tunnels had been dug beneath the border fencing to facilitate infiltration by the militants. "The tunnel was under construction when the BSF detected it during major anti-tunneling measures taken along the International Border following very specific inputs that the militants were being trained for infiltration at Rattu training camp in PoK," official sources said.

February 15

India has called for collaborative preventive approach to address terrorist cyber attacks against critical infrastructures, underlining that current international law is not well positioned to deal with the threat. Citing the 26/11 (November 26, 2008) Mumbai terror attacks, India said that financial hubs are targeted by terrorists to impact a country’s economy.

The NIA has arrested a Kerala youth, Mouinudheen Parakadavath (25), for being part of an IS terrorist conspiracy in India. The agency said the youth hailing from Kasaragod District was questioned at the NIA headquarters when he arrived at the IGI airport in Delhi from Abu Dhabi. During his examination, he admitted to his involvement in the conspiracy, NIA said. The case relates to a terror module in which a group of youths from Kerala including some members based in the Middle-East, hatched a conspiracy as per instructions from their online IS handlers.

Based on intelligence inputs, five accused, associated with this terror module, were arrested from Kanakamala Hill in Kannur District in Kerala on 2 October, 2016 and another associate was arrested from Calicut the same day. Their disclosures established that Mouinudheen was a key figure in the module, which was actively planning various aspects of the terrorist plot, on a Telegram group. Mouinudheen was using the online identity Abu-Al-Indonesi as well as Ibn Abdullah, on the telegram group, NIA said. It was revealed by the arrested persons that Mouinudheen had sent funds from Abu Dhabi to members of the terrorist module in Kerala, for the conspiracy, through Western Union Money Transfer, last year (2016).

Two personnel of the Chhattisgarh STF were killed in an encounter with the CPI-Maoist cadres at Mardapal in Kondagaon District of Chhattisgarh. The Police claimed to have killed at least four CPI-Maoist cadres but their bodies could not be recovered by the SFs. The killed SFs are identified as Hitendra Chaturvedi, an Assistant Platoon Commander from Madhya Pradesh, and constable Krishna Tingu from Surguja in Chhattisgarh.

The SFs in AOB and their counterparts in Odisha are on a high alert as CPI-Maoist cadres are gearing up to celebrate the 50th anniversary of GPCR and Naxalbari Armed Uprising. SFs suspect that Maoists, who are on a killing spree as an act of revenge for the Ramaguda encounter, may engage in violent activities to show their presence. A document released in the name of their ‘General Secretary’ Ganapati recently urged the cadres to use the occasions as a platform for recruitments and creating awareness among the people to wage war against the state.

A ‘Zonal Secretary’ of Jharkhand-Bengal-Odisha Zone, of CPI-Maoist and six other Maoist cadres surrendered at East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. The Maoists, including a woman, laid their arms before SSP of East Singhbhum District Police, Anoop T Mathew in Kanhu’s native village Jiyan under Ghurabandha Police Station area in Ghatshila sub-division. Kanhu Munda alias Mangal Ji, ‘Zonal Secretary’ and his aide Fogra Munda, were carrying rewards of INR 2.5 millions and INR 1 millions on their heads respectively. Kanhu and Fogra were wanted in a number of Naxal -related incidents including murder of Police Inspector, Sushil Nag and three others in Singhpura under Ghurabandha Police Station area in 2006. Apart from them, Chunnu Munda, Bhoglu Singh Munda, Jiten Munda, Shankar and Kajal, a woman Maoist, were among those who surrendered. The surrendering Maoists also deposited one INSAS and two pistols.

Due to threat of CPI-Maoist cadres, no voter came out to vote for elections at 13 booths of a Panchayat in Korukonda Block of Malkangiri District of Odisha. This happened in Nakamamudi Panchayat of Korukonda block. As many as 19 polling booths had been opened in this remote CPI-Maoist-infested Panchayat. But till 12 noon, the end of polling time, no voter turned up to cast his vote in 13 of these booths. In the rest six booths polling was too low. Ahead of the Panchayat polls, the Maoists had put threatening banners and posters in remote areas of Malkangiri District of Odisha.

SFs arrested one militant of NDFB-IKS, identified as Khamin Swargiary alias S. Khasia, in Udalguri District. A .22 mm pistol, one magazine, and other ammunition were recovered from the arrested militant. According to the SFs the militant was trained in the militant camps of Bangladesh.

SFs arrested one cadre of NSCN-K militant, identified as Kangkam Haseng, from Burma camp near Ledo in Tinsukia District.

SFs arrested one unidentified militant of ULFA-I at Tengakhat in Dibrugarh District. According to the SFs he was involved in the blast in Dibrugarh''s Convoy Road on the Republic Day (January 26). SFs also recovered one motorcycle with two different registration numbers from his possession.

SFs released photographs and names of four suspected militants who were involved in the killing of a couple, named Bakul Rabha alias Teckhon (35) and his wife Saru Rabha alias Malika Deka (25)  in Chengapara village in Udalguri on February 10. The four suspected militants are identified as Rajan Deka, Tilak Boro, Ramesh Bora and Biswajit Deka.3

Police and para-military forces heavily deployed in Kulgam District foiled separatists' March in the District. Separatist leaders had called for protest March to Kulgam against the civilian killings during an encounter at Frisal in the District on February 12. Four militants, two civilians and two Army men were killed in the encounter. All entry routes towards Kulgam were sealed off and curfew like restrictions were imposed in the District. The situation remained peaceful and under control, and no protest March or clashes were reported from anywhere in the town. There were clashes in Pulwama as protesters pelted stones on Police and CRPF, who, in retaliation, fired tear smoke to disperse them. And in Srinagar city, there was a complete shutdown and most of shops and business establishments also remained closed. The areas like Old City and Maisuma witnessed shutdown.

JKLF chairman Yasin Malik was arrested to prevent him from marching towards Kulgam. APHC-M chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was placed house arrest to prevent him venturing out to take part in protest march towards Kulgam.

The BSF seized a wireless set from the IB in Londi area of Hiranagar sector in Kathua District. "The wireless set resembled to the one that was seized by police from near the border in Kathua few days after the terror attack on Nagrota Army camp on November 30,2016,'' official sources said. Sources added that a civilian Ashwani Kumar of Londi was spraying his field when he spotted the wireless set and informed the BSF officials, who rushed to the spot and seized the set.

Police identified the militants who were killed in the encounter at Parray Mohalla Hajan in Bandipora District on February 14, as LeT 'commander' Abu Darda alias Shafiq, operating in North Kashmir between 2008 and 2010 and later he ex-filtrated to Pakistan and again infiltrated in 2016 and was operating in Handwara and Kupwara areas of North Kashmir, while the other two militants have been identified as Abu Maviya and Abu Saad.

Police detained three persons during separate raids in North Kashmir. Sources said that Showkat Ahmad Lone, Mohammad Azam Dar, both residents of Kachloo Kralgund and Tanveer Ahmad Bhat of Trichoo Rafiabad were picked up in separate raids by Police for questioning regarding the encounter at Parray Mohalla Hajan in Bandipora District on February 14.

Army chief Bipin Rawat, warned those attacking SFs during anti-militancy operations of "tough action", as the hostile conduct of locals was causing higher casualties in the Kashmir valley. The stern message from Rawat came a day after three soldiers faced heavy stone-pelting at Parray Mohalla of Bandipora when they were about to launch an operation against militants holed up there. Alerted by the stone-pelters, the militants got an opportunity to fire hand grenades and empty a few magazines from AK-rifles into the advancing troopers, leaving three jawans dead and some others, including a Commanding Officer of CRPF, injured. One terrorist managed to flee the area. General Rawat said SFs in J&K were facing higher casualties due to the manner in which the local population was preventing them from conducting the operations and "at times even supporting the terrorists to escape". "We would now request the local population that people who have picked up arms, and they are the local boys, if they want to continue with the acts of terrorism, displaying flags of ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) and Pakistan, then we will treat them as anti-national elements and go helter-skelter for them. They may survive today but we will get them tomorrow. Our relentless operations will continue," the Army chief said, sending out a stern message to those who support militants.

SFs arrested one ULFA-I cadre, identified as Anuj Konwar alias Konwar Asom from Tengakhat in Dibrugarh District.

February 16

Normal life was severely affected in the Gandacherra Sub-division as the IPFT, a tribal-based party, called a 48-hour bandh (shutdown) in tribals-dominated Dhalai District to protest the alleged Police ‘high-handedness ‘during the February 8 when three tribal parties had called a 12-hour bandh to oppose the Centre’s citizenship bill.

Aamir Gazdar, a close aide of Zakir Naik, was arrested by ED in connection with its probe in a money laundering case against him and others. Officials said Gazdar, director in certain firms under scanner in this case, was arrested late evening by the Enforcement Directorate under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). "Gazdar, a confidant of Naik, was put under arrest around 7:30 PM today. He will be produced in a court tomorrow for further custody," an official said. Gazdar, officials said, was called for questioning at the ED's office here and was arrested as he was allegedly "not cooperating" with the investigators.

Officials claimed the agency suspects that Gazdar allegedly handled cash funds and transactions worth INR 200 crore on behalf of Naik and his NGO named IRF. They added Gazdar's firm used to reportedly provide content for IRF's Peace TV, and its operations were handled from the western metropolis here.

Al-Qaeda has used America's "preoccupation" with the IS to regain strength in South Asia and preparing to spread its ideology in India from its "home" in western Pakistan, Bruce Hoffman, Director, Center for Security Studies at Georgetown University, told members of the House Armed Services Committee. "Al-Qaeda has never changed, and it still sees itself in what it conceives as an existential struggle against the West and against the United States in particular," Bruce Hoffman, stated.

The NIA had arrested a woman for her alleged role in the procurement and circulation of high quality FICN.

The CPI-Maoist cadres cut down trees at Pega and Edugurallapalli villages of Chintoor in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. The trees obstructed the road transport between Bhadrachalam and Rajamahendravaram. SFs also recovered landmines from the spot. Each of these landmines has about 20 Kilogram explosives.

The ‘zonal commander’ Anil Kushwaha aka Sandesh and cadres of the TSPC set ablaze a JCB machine and two tractors in Kaimur District of Bihar. Maoists attack on a makeshift forest department camp housing construction equipment has led to cessation of work on a 55 kilometres stretch of the all weather Adhaura-Akbarpur Road spread over Rohtas and Kaimur Districts of western Bihar. Forest officials fear for their lives after the TSPC ‘zonal commander’ threatened Forester Manoj Kumar of dire consequences if they dared to resume the work on the project.  TSPC is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

The CPI-Maoist cadres attacked a BSF camp at Kartalpali near Mathili Police limits in Malkangiri District of Odisha. BSF jawans retaliated when CPI-Maoist cadres fired at the BSF camp to oppose the election at Kartalpali. No casualty has been reported in the incident. Maoists had warned the tribals not to contest or cast vote.

Criticizing the State Government for creating new Districts, NSCN-IM said that the move by the Manipur Government to carve out seven Districts ‘out of Naga territories with colonial design’ is an ‘intrusion’ upon the rights of the Nagas. They also supported the economic blockade against the creation of new Districts in the State.

Police arrested two PLA militants, identified as Mohammad Nawaz Khan and Khulakpam Farooque, from Kairam Palli of Keirao Litan Makhong near Trio English School in Imphal East District. Police recovered one .9 mm pistol along with five rounds in the magazine, a Bolero car and incriminating articles from the arrestees. 

The indefinite State-wide bandh (shutdown) called by Naga Tribal groups continued in the State and entered its fourth consecutive day. The bandh across the State was by and large peaceful. However, in Districts like Kohima, Wokha and Tuensang the bandh was relaxed as only Government offices and Government vehicles were barred from functioning.

CM T.R. Zeliang appealed to the agitating tribal groups to give him two-three more days ‘to step down’ to ensure smooth transition of power, after ruling NPF legislators backed party supremo Shurhozelie Liezietsu to take over.

In a statement issued, BPCC-A-N appealed to public on either sides of the border to avoid all such affairs that could affect peace coordination on Assam-Nagaland border and likely to deteriorate age-old good relations of Assam and Nagaland. The appeal comes in the wake of an incident of assault and extortion demand that reportedly took place near Hoolungooree Tea Estate on Assam side of the Nagaland border in Jorhat District on February 15, 2017.

Militants fired gunshots and forcibly entered into Jammu and Kashmir Bank's Turkawangam Branch in Shopian District and decamped with INR 304,000 from the bank. Police said four militants were involved in the robbery. Police said that two out of four militants involved in the bank robbery have been identified as Tariq Ahmad Bhat of Barburgh, Shopian and Zeenat-ul-Islam of Sugan, Zainapora Shopian. Tariq was identified by the INSAS he was carrying. Tariq was kept as guard outside while the other three went inside.

CRPF IG (Operations) Zulfiquar Hasan said locals were under pressure from militants to help them flee in certain areas in Kashmir which was harming the anti-terror operations. IG Hasan asserted that the forces have been acting with restraint in crowded areas to check any collateral damage and the residents should not succumb to the threats of the militants. "The casualties (of the security forces in recent operations) have taken place in crowded areas and the forces operate with restraint so that there is no collateral damage. But the crowds break the cordon and help the militants to flee. This is happening in certain areas of Kashmir, and villagers and local residents do this under pressure from militants," Hasan said.

Authorities asked the public in Kashmir to stay away from the places of encounters between SFs and militants and decided to impose prohibitory orders in the radius of three kilometres from such sites in three Districts. The decision came a day after Army Chief General Bipin Rawat warned of tough action against those hampering counter- insurgency operations. "District Administrations of Srinagar, Budgam and Shopian advised people not to move towards or assemble near the places where encounters take place between security forces and militants to avoid loss and injuries to precious human lives," an official spokesman said. "Prohibitory restrictions have been imposed within the radius of three kilometers from the site of any counter- insurgency operation in these districts," the spokesman added.

February 17

SFs recovered a single .32 caliber bullet while checking in Imphal Tulihal Airport from a passenger identified as Awungshi Naomi.

BSF seized INR 2,000 notes worth INR 2, 00,000 FICN in West Bengal's Malda District.  

Meanwhile, according to a report, it has taken barely two months for Pakistan-based counterfeiters to come out with fake INR 2,000 notes. Punjab used to be the permeable border but now the money is being pumped into the country via the India-Bangladesh border. The details surfaced following recent arrests and seizures made by NIA and BSF, the report say.

A CRPF Inspector, Bhim Singh, was injured in an explosion IED planted by the CPI-Maoist cadres in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The incident took place in Mahadev Ghati area when a team of CRPF’s 229th battalion was on patrolling duty.

A Naxal couple, ‘commander’ Punau Ram Kumeti and his wife Sarita alias Jarina surrendered in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. They cited disillusionment with CPI-Maoist ideology and violence. They surrendered before BSF and Police officials at the headquarters of BSF 165th Battalion in Durgkondal of the District.

CPI-Maoist cadres have given a call for “nationwide shutdown” on February 27 to protest against the policies of the Centre and the Chhattisgarh Government in Raipur District of Chhattisgarh. The Naxals claimed that the demonetization has led to inflation, unemployment and poverty in the country. They also demanded release of seven members of TDF jailed in Sukma jail and halting of search operations and ‘fake encounters’ against the Maoists in the region.

SFs arrested a NDFB militant, Raja Basumatary, when he came to collect extortion money worth INR 2 million from the office of a private cement company at Dispur in Kamrup (metro) District. 

RPF personals recovered 19 live ammunition of 7.62mm caliber in an unclaimed bag on a general coach of Katra-Kamakhya Express on platform number 2 at Kamakhya Railway Station of Guwahati in Kamrup (metro) District.

While the bandh (shutdown) in some Districts like Kohima, Wokha and Tuensang was relaxed, the indefinite ‘State wide bandh’ by different Tribal groups entered the fifth day in Dimapur District. However, NTAC postponed the ‘public rally’ and ‘fast unto death’ stir in Kohima scheduled to be held on February 17. The decision was made in view of the appeal of CM TR Zeliang to give him two-three more days to ensure smooth transition of office and in the larger interest of the State.   

Reacting on the present situation and the ongoing bandh in the State, the NSCN-K made a statement. In the statement, the militant group stated that it is “highly perturbed” over the lengthy disruption of normal lives in the State of Nagaland and called for immediate resolution “which can be possible only if the incumbent leadership heed to the call of the people.”

AR jawans arrested a NSCN-IM cadre from Khonsa town in Tirap District during an operation. The cadre was reportedly carrying out extortion activities in the District headquarters town. He was found in possession of a loaded pistol, contraband and slips indicating collection of money, official source said.

Two Police personnel were injured when Militants hurled a grenade on a Police party in Nowgam area of Srinagar. Police said that militants hurled grenade on the Police party and ran away under the cover of darkness.

A militant was arrested in a joint operation by Police, Army and CRPF in Srinagar. The militant was identified as Irshad Ahmad Bhat of Wailoo, Pattan in North Kashmir. "The accused offender Irshad has been an active militant of HM terrorist outfit who had joined militant ranks after killing of his militant father Fayaz Ahmad Bhat in inter gang rivalry in year 2015", SSP Baramulla, Imtiaz Hussain, said. One AK series rifle, 2 AK magazines, one Chinese pistol, one pistol magazine, four hand grenades and other ammunition were recovered from the possession of the militant.

Protesters clashed with SFs in Srinagar and Sopore, after youth pelted stones on them post Friday prayers. After the culmination of congregational Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta area of the city, locals took to the streets to protest against the civilian killings in Kashmir. They pelted stones on the SFs, who were deployed there. Police and CRPF intercepted the protesters, triggering clashes. SFs fired several rounds of tear-gas canisters to disperse the protesters.

Delhi Police arrested two persons, identified as Sanjeev alias Mukesh and Arbin along with FICN of INR 6,00,000 face value from Sonia Vihar in Delhi.

February 18

The NIA team investigating the case related to the radicalisation of Kerala youths by terror groups, has found key accused Shajeer Mangalassery had created a group titled ‘The Gate’ on the Telegram app for coordinating terror activities in South India. Shajeer, a hardcore IS ideologist, is the 13th accused in the Kanakamala secret terror camp case. Earlier, the agency had arraigned seven persons as accused in the case.

Shajeer is suspected to be fighting for the IS in the Nagarhar province in Afghanistan. He was one of the leaders of the South Indian module of the IS, which was busted at Kanakamala. Holed up in the IS stronghold in Afghanistan, he had been in contact with the IS operatives in Kerala through Telegram and regularly posted comments on his Facebook page. According to an NIA officer, seven Telegram groups were created by the local IS activists, and their administrators are different persons. Currently, the agency is trying to retrieve information from the accounts.

An IED laid by CPI-Maoist cadres was recovered by SFs from Sarkeguda Police Station limits in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The IED, weighing five kilograms, detected by a team of CRPF personnel was planted by Maoists to target SF personnel during their operation in the area, a senior Police official said, adding it was later defused.

CPI-Maoist cadre, Bhandari Rammurty (24), was arrested from a place under Usoor Police Station in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. A joint team of CRPF and District Force launched a search operation around Galgam, Bhusapur and Marudbaka villages in Usoor region, and rounded up Rammurty who was trying to escape after spotting the patrolling party, Police said. During interrogation, Rammurty admitted to his involvement in the indiscriminate firing on SFs in the Usoor forests on December 13, 2015, Police added.

Acting on information, the 156th Battalion of CRPF and in association with District Police, recovered a large cache of explosives from a bus at Dahalapara area under Bijni Police Station in Chirang District. Shankarbrata Rai Medhi, Chirang SP, said that about 21 gelatin sticks, 20 detonators along with 12 extortion letters of NDFB -IKS were recovered during mobile checking. “We interrogated all the passengers of the bus but nobody has been found suspicious to be arrested. We will continue our interrogation and hope we will get a result soon,” he said. All the materials recovered have been seized by police. On the backside of an extortion letter, it was written that the explosives had to be handed over to some Baburam Gayari.

SULFA Samittee has stated that its members will hit the streets in Dispur, demanding the arrest of the lawyers who had assaulted Ajay Kumar Phukan, a judge of FT in Goalpara District. A group of lawyers assaulted Ajay Kumar Phukan on February 15 after an adverse opinion against their clients.

The fourth round of peace talks between Mizoram Government and HPC-D, which was scheduled to be held in the second week of February, has been deferred. The officials said that the next round of talks had to be deferred as other departments like Finance, DP&AR and Law have to be consulted in the process of the ongoing negotiation. The exact date for talks could not, however, be decided, but it is likely to take place in the last week of February, they added.

Suspected militants of Reding T. Sangma led ASAK released the seven abducted limestone quarry workers at Kama Adugre near Sangkinigre in South Garo Hills District. The six lorry drivers and a mechanic, identified as Shyama Rabha, Manoj Das, Dipak Baiswa, Khitish Rabha, Amulya Kalita, Dinobandhu Roy and Kameshwar Pandit, were sleeping at the quarry site at Sangkini Dapgre village in Chokpot (South Garo Hills) when they were abducted on February 14. The men after their release walked on foot to reach the main road early on February 19th morning and further went to their respective homes. Although it is not clear whether any ransom money was paid to secure their release, Police is not completely ruling out this possibility.

February 19

Chairman’ Bernard N Marak of the now disbanded ANVC-B alleged that the account numbers of the former cadres were submitted without the knowledge of the ‘leaders’ of the outfit and described it as an attempt to derail the Garo settlement with corrupt intention and also to deprive the ex-cadres of their due packages. According to him on December 9, 2016  former ANVC-B ‘leaders’ and senior members had a meeting where all cadres, clarified how Police made them to believe that accounts were to be submitted to the Police else they will not receive any packages.

CM T R Zeliang resigned hours after he called an “emergency meeting”. Two organisations, NTAC Kohima and JCC, are leading the agitation against the State Government's following its decision to conduct ULB polls in the State with 33 per cent reservation for women. Both the bodies are yet to call off the indefinite bandh (shutdown) in the State since February 6, demanding the resignation of CM T R Zeliang, following the death of two civilians in Police firing on January 31.

Earlier, NTAC Kohima has asked all citizens to be prepared for any eventuality in the event CM T.R. Zeliang failed to keep his word to step down by February 19 midnight. NTAC also informed that the ongoing bandh (shutdown) on Government offices and movement of Government vehicles will continue till further information. In this regard, NTAC media cell informed all tribal hohos in their respective Districts to deploy volunteers to ensure that the bandh has been enforced. Further, NTAC appealed private hospitals and medical establishments to be on standby for any casualty or emergency cases in the event the situation aggravate and goes out of hand.

The State Home Department is preparing a ‘special report’ on the status of the FT in the State to be sent to the UMHA. The report would also detail about what led to the recent incident of assault on a Judge of FT by lawyers at Goalpara. A team of Home Department has been entrusted with the job of preparing the report, which is expected to be sent to the UMHA within this week. 

UHM Rajnath Singh stated that the Framework Agreement signed between the Government of India and NSCN-IM on August 3, 2015 would not affect the integrity and territorial boundary of Manipur in any manner. The Framework Agreement does not mention anything about Manipur and the word ‘Manipur’ cannot be found in any place of the agreement, UHM Rajnath Singh stated. Further, UHM Rajnath Singh said, “The Manipur Government did not send any representative for the first round of tripartite talks to end the economic blockade.” Disclosing that the Centre had provided the paramilitary forces as sought by the Manipur Government, he said, “I do not understand why the Centre is blamed for the blockade. India has the federal system of Government and the Constitution clearly says that the Centre cannot intervene on a State subject like law and order.”

Court of CJM, Imphal East remanded UNC ‘president’ Gaidon Kamei and ‘information secretary’ Shangkhel Stephen to judicial custody till March 3. The two UNC leaders are currently lodged in Manipur Central Jail. The duo will be produced before the Court of CJM Imphal East on February 21 and the High Court of Manipur on February 22.

In a revelation, it has come to the fore that Dawood Ibrahim used to fund Zakir Naik's IRF. According to Zakir Naik's CFO Aamir Gazdar, "Dawood Ibrahim has funded Zakir Naik's NGO Islamic Research Foundation." Aamir Gazdar said, "the said funding by Dawood Ibrahim used to take place through a mediator - Sultan Ahmed." The Enforcement Directorate officials said they suspected that Gazdar handled funds and transactions worth INR 200 crore on behalf of Naik and his NGO. These important details have now revealed Zakir Naik's Pakistan and Dawood connection.  Authorities are investigating other details too.

A group of 40 Police personnel escaped a landmine blast triggered by CPI-Maoist cadres at Kaligonda forest area under Chintoor Police Station limits in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. Chintoor SI, P Srinivasa Kumar, who headed the combing team, told that they suspected the Sabari Dalam of CPI-Maoist behind the blast.

In an exchange of fire with the SFs, two cadres of CPI-Maoist were killed in two separate encounters in Bijapur District and Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. In Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh, one female CPI-Maoist cadre was killed and two weapons were recovered in a joint operation of Telangana Greyhounds and Bijapur District Police. In Sukma District of Chhattisgarh, STF and the DRG killed one CPI-Maoist cadre and two weapons were recovered. No injuries were reported among the SFs.

SFs engaged in anti-Naxalite operation arrested ‘area commander’ Upendra Yadav (35) and Ajit Yadav (25), a cadre, of TPC from two different places in Ranka Police Station area of Garhwa District of Jharkhand. Two bikes and cell phones were recovered from Upendra and Ajit. TPC is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

SFs have planned a new strategy to nail down rest of the Naxals along the Bengal-Jharkhand border. A number of Naxal squads have also become active in Banspahari and Simulpal in West Midnapore of West Bengal. Joint forces are expected to raid both places when operations begin. Sources informed that the high alert has been sounded after intelligence report that the Maoists may attack at Naxal areas of Ghatshila and Patamda in East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand.

No affect on polling was reported in Koraput District and Malkangiri District of Odisha during the polls in Odisha. The polling percentage was reported 72. Most of the polling booths were situated in Naxal -hit areas in both Bandhugaon and Boipariguda blocks. In Malkangiri, there was a voter turnout of 75 per cent in Kalimela.

Two persons were injured in a low intensity blast in a house at village Sungri in Mahore in Reasi District. According to SSP Reasi, Tahir Sajjad Bhat, the blast took place around 11.30 AM in the house of Shabir Ahmad, when he was cleaning the junk on the roof top. In the blast, Shabir Ahmed received injuries in hand while his brother-in-law Bashir Ahmed, resident of Sar Mahore, who was also present at the scene, sustained injuries in his leg.

A militant was arrested after he fired at the CRPF camp in Nawdal village of Tral in Pulwama District. A Police official said that Mohammad Maqbool Ganaie of Lam Tral fired at the 180 Battalion of CRPF camp at Nawdal before attempting to lob a grenade. The official said that a pistol and a grenade were recovered from his possession and no casualties were reported in the firing. Ganaie had joined militancy in 2007 and later surrendered before SFs in the same year after remaining active for seven months. He was jailed for three years after his surrender but was released in 2010. Sources said that he had become active again and was arrested by the SFs.

BSF seized 48 FICN of INR 2,000 with face value of INR 96, 000 from Indo-Bangladesh border in Malda District of West Bengal. Official sources said, acting on a tip off, BSF booked a man- Shariful Shah (32)- from Baishnabnagar near NH-34 with 48 FICN of INR 2,000. "Following the introduction of new currency notes of Rs 2,000 and Rs 500, there have been around half a dozen cases where fake currency notes in the denomination of Rs 2,000 were recovered but their quality of far inferior. Most of them were just scanned copy of the note. But the recovery made last night on by our investigators appear to be better than what was seized by the force sometime back," said a senior BSF official.

Acting on input provided by an arrested ULFA-I militant, Anuj Konwar alias Konwar Asom, SFs recovered a high-power grenade from Khanikar Tea Estate in Dibrugarh District.

SFs arrested a suspected linkman of NSCN-IM at Maibela of Sonari in Charaideo District.

SFs recovered a 9-mm pistol from a paddy field at Bhalukoni Gaon under Kakotibari Police Station in Charaidew District.

AR arrested one militant of NSCN-IM, identified as Tuithung Achan from Jalukie Town in Peren District. AR also recovered one 7.65 mm pistol with magazine and two live rounds from the arrested militant.

February 20

A Delhi Police special cell team arrested Akhruzama Khan (40), the suspected kingpin of FICN racket in India, from Chandra Vihar Colony under Rajeev Nagar Police Station area in Patna. Fake INR 100 notes of INR 20,000 face value were also recovered from his house. Khan was arrested following the arrest of Sanjeev alias Mukesh and Arbin with FICN of INR 6,00,000 face value from Sonia Vihar in Delhi on February 17.

Two militia cadres of PAC of the CPI-Maoist surrendered before the Rural Police at Paderu of Visakhapatnam Agency in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. They are identified as Korra Appa Rao (40) and Korra Chinna Rao (25) and are natives of Mandibha area of G Madugula Mandal in Visakhapatnam agency. The Maoist said that they were fed up with the CPI-Maoist ideology.

CPI-Maoist cadres killed Sunil Yadav, husband of a deputy mukhiya, at Champapur village in Lakhisarai District of Bihar.

A team of Police and the CRPF recovered eight can bombs, two hand grenades and mixtures of explosives from Katia forest at the Chhipadohar Police Station area in Latehar District of Jharkhand.

A CAG of India’s performance audit of special development initiatives in the Naxal-affected areas over the past five years has found most of these programmes failed miserably in Odisha. A final report of the same audit is likely to be placed in the Budget session of the Odisha Assembly starting next week.

Seven CPI-Maoist cadres surrendered to the SP, Bharati Ghosh, in West Midnapore District of West Bengal. The seven had 48 cases pending against them. The seven surrendered CPI-Maoist cadres were – Saheb Murmu alias Jayanta, Saheb’s wife Manasi Mahato, Dilip Singh, Malati Singh wife of Dilip, Samir Mahato, Baidyanath Mahato and Banamali Mahato. The surrendered CPI-Maoist cadres deposited one AK-47 rifle and seven country made guns to the Police. The surrendered Maoists, all residents of Jhargram Sub-Division, were allegedly involved in extortion, attacks and other criminal cases in past few years.

A militant was killed by the BSF during an infiltration bid along the LoC in Rajouri District. Officials said the incident occurred around midnight when BSF troops deployed along the LoC fence in Keri sector of Rajouri detected some suspicious movement and a heavy exchange of fire ensued in which the militant was killed. During search the BSF party recovered the body of the militant along with an AK-47 rifle, six loaded magazines and a monocular night vision device from the Pakistan side. A black bag containing another loaded AK magazine, dry fruits and juice was also recovered. The identity of the militant is yet to be ascertained.

A Government official source said that on the basis of a confession made by arrested ULFA-I cadre Gagan Hazarika alias Joydeep Cheleng, the NIA had confirmed about the proper identity of the ‘chairman’ of ULFA-I. According to the NIA, the real name of the ‘chairman’ Abhijit Asom is Mukul Hazarika and he is a doctor at Billingham town in Durham of UK.  The source said that apart from being a practising doctor in the UK, Hazarika was associated with the UK-based human rights group, Assam Watch, which used to raise alleged incidents of human rights violation by SFs in the State. The Assam Watch is an alleged front of ULFA, which had arranged the travel of then ULFA ‘chairman’ Arabinda Rajkhowa and ‘general secretary’ Anup Chetia to Geneva to attend a meeting of the UN Sub-Commission's Working Group on Indigenous People in July 1997. The source further said that the NIA would soon move the court for issuing an arrest warrant against Dr Hazarika as a prelude to requesting the UK for his extradition.

The JCC and NTAC decided to lift the bandh (shutdown) on Government machineries with effect from February 20 evening. JCC convenor, Supu Jamir said that the decision to call off the bandh was made following the resignation of T.R. Zeliang.  The Government authorities also finally decided to restore mobile internet/data and SMS services which were snapped since January 30.

NPF President and DAN Chairman Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu was unanimously elected as leader of DAN Legislature Party by the alliance legislators at a meeting in Kohima to replace TR Zeliang as Nagaland CM.

The AMSU categorically rejected UMH Rajnath Singh’s assurance that the Framework Agreement signed between the Government of India and NSCN-IM does not mention anything about Manipur and it would not affect the territorial integrity of Manipur. In a statement issued by the AMSU, its ‘secretary general’ Manjit Sarangthem said, “We would like to see and study the Framework Agreement if it contains anything inimical to the interest of Manipur.” AMSU further stated that this verbal assurance given by UHM Rajnath Singh was not enough. Framework Agreement between Union Government and NSCN-IM was signed on August 3, 2015.

Manipur CM Okram Ibobi Singh said that he was ready for tripartite talks with the UNC to end the three-month-long economic blockade.

A team of Special Force-10 commandos, in an encounter, killed a GNLA militant, Walamdaria M. Sangma, at Riangdim village in Shallang in West Khasi Hills District. A group of GNLA militants were there to collect tax from coal dealers and exporters.

February 21

A doctor from Eluru in Andhra Pradesh who was abducted by Islamic State (IS) in Libya has been freed, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted in the late night. She announced: "We have rescued Dr. Ramamurthy Kosanam in Libya. Dr.Kosanam has suffered a bullet injury. We are bringing him to India shortly. With this, we have rescued all the six Indians abducted there. I appreciate the good work done by our mission there." Dr Ramamurthy was working for Lbn-E-Sina Hospital at Sirte when he was kidnapped on September 8, 2015 along with some others.

The government decided not to support a Private Member's Bill which seeks to declare Pakistan a country sponsoring terrorism, reports indiatvnews.com. "India can't declare any country a 'Terror State' as it has to maintain diplomatic relations with all countries. Besides, in principle it is very rare that government supports any Private Member's Bill," an official of UMHA said.

'The Declaration of Countries as Sponsor of Terrorism Bill, 2016', moved by Independent member Rajeev Chandrasekhar in Rajya Sabha seeks to call out states like Pakistan that continue to associate, promote, patronise and sponsor terrorism against our nation and provides for snapping all economic and trade relations with that country. The UMHA has conveyed to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat about its opposition to the Bill, saying such a move may ‘jeopardise’ international relations.

SFs killed seven CPI-Maoist cadres in an exchange of fire in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. According to AIG of Police of the ANO, Devnath, three deceased were identified as CPI-Maoist Bodh Ghat area committee member and LOS ‘commander’ Nirmala, Deputy LOS ‘commander’ Somji and area committee member Nasik. All three carried a reward of INR 500,000. Two INSAS rifles and four other weapons were also recovered.

A CRPF jawan Ghanshyam of 212 Battalion was injured in an IED blast in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The blast took place near Paidigudem village under the Kistaram Police Station limits when the CRPF team was out on a patrol.

Mantu Khaira, ‘zonal-commander’ of CPI-Maoist, was killed in an anti-Maoist operation, led by SP, Rajeev Ranjan, in Dahibara forests under Anandpur in Banka District of Bihar. The SFs, comprising personnel from the STF of Bihar Police and Sashastra Seema Bal SSB, recovered two SLRs, an AK-47 rifle and some grenades at the encounter site. No SFs were injured during the encounter.

One Munna Yadav (28), brother of Naxal outfit JPC, ‘sub zonal commander’ Dasrath, was arrested near Panch Mandir Chowk in Hazaribagh District of Jharkhand. SFs recovered INR 250,000 from him, which was extorted from a company constructing Tandwa-Simaria road, and two mobile phones.

Four persons were arrested and huge quantity of explosives recovered from Shikaripara area in Dumka District of Jharkhand. Mithun Sheikh, Latiful Sheikh, Afzal Ansari and Md Ansari were carrying illegally 3,000 electric detonators, 400 neo gel sticks and 21 kilogram of ammonium nitrate in a pick-up truck, when they were intercepted by the Police.

Gadchiroli Police arrested two CPI-Maoist cadres from the Etapalli forest area in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. The Maoists are members of Platoon 3, have been identified as Nilesh Potawi and Ajit Pude.

About 68.27% polling was registered in second phase of the ZP and Panchayat Samiti elections in the highly restive four tehsils of Aheri division in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. The Maoists had called for a boycott of the polls and had put posters and banners in some sensitive areas of the District..

A group of about 30 armed CPI-Maoist cadres abducted at least five villagers of Mahupadar and Kamarpalli villages under Mathili Police Station limits in Malkangiri District of Odisha on February 20. Maoist suspected them to be ‘Police informers’ and held them hostage for more than 12 hours before setting them free today. The Maoists had tried them in a Praja court on the charges of being ‘Police informers’. They were also beaten up severely before being allowed to walk free. The abducted villagers were Rama Kabasi, Rame Madhi, Unga Kabasi, Chaitanya Madhi and Deba Madkami.

Three Kashmiri youth from Sopore in Baramulla District were arrested by Special Cell of Delhi. Three youth were identified as Yawar Muzaffar, Waseem Dar and Danish Dar of Batpora Sopore, who were wanted by Sopore Police in stone pelting cases, were evading arrest and had fled to Delhi. Jammu and Kashmir Police in Sopore after getting information about the presence of the trio in Delhi informed the Police who arrested them in a raid. A Police officer said that they were on the run and were instrumental in stone pelting incidents and protests in Sopore area. 

Two Policemen were injured when suspected ZUF militants attacked the convoy of Deputy CM Gaikhangam as he went visit his Khoupum Tampak residence in Noney District. Militants launched the first attack at around 7.50 am at Lubanglong Khunou (Namkaolong) Part II area along Old Cachar Road in Noney District. Then the militants carried out the second attack on a Police team which came from the direction of Rengpang near Irang River at around 8.30 am. No one was injured in the both the attacks but the Gypsy of the Police team suffered some damages. Later, the militants launched the third attack at Lubanglong Khunou Part II, some distance away from the spot where the first attack was launched, at around 12.30 pm when the Deputy CM was at his residence. One Police personnel identified as Yumnam Jinesh (34) was injured in this attack. After Deputy CM Gaikhangam had left his village for capital Imphal, militants attacked Police forces who were heading for Imphal for the fourth time at around 3 pm along Old Cachar Road near the spot where the first attack was carried out. One Police personnel, identified as Kh Bobo, injured in the attack. 

Students and women vendors of Bishnupur District have launched agitations supporting the series of agitation taken up by AMSU demanding a white paper on the Framework Agreement signed between Union Government and NSCN-IM.

Underscoring the essence of ethical and respectable voting, the militant group, KRA, under the umbrella of KNO, called for free, fair and clean election in the ensuing 11th Manipur State Assembly Election, 2017.

The ‘chairman’ of GNLA, Champion Sangma, was granted bail by a lower court, more than four years after his arrest from an area near Indo-Bangladesh border on July 30, 2012.

The agitating tribal groups led by NTAC and JCC withdrew their indefinite bandh (shutdown) on Government offices and plying of Government vehicles on the road, following the resignation of CM T.R. Zeliang on February 19.

In a statement, the umbrella organisation of displaced Brus, MBDPF said that the Bru refugees lodged in seven relief camps in northern Tripura since the last 20 years had decided not to return to Mizoram as the Mizoram Government has “refused” to meet their demands. The MBDPF said that a public meeting was held at all the seven relief camps on February 14 and 15 in which the refugees expressed their unwillingness to return to Mizoram by raising their hands. The public meeting was conducted as per the decision of a meeting of JMG in Guwahati on February 12 in which the MBDPF was entrusted to submit the public decision within three months. The JMG meeting, comprising representatives of the Ministries of Home Affairs of Mizoram and Tripura and MBDPF, went inconclusive.

February 22

Police arrested two men from Dharwad (Karnataka), for alleged involvement in circulating INR 6, 84,500 FICN. Police seized fake currency notes, from them in old INR 500 and INR 1000 denomination.

Intelligence inputs have confirmed that Pakistan’s ISI has activated its networks in Bangladesh and Nepal, to once again circulate FICN across the country. According to a report ISI has roped in Dawood Ibrahim’s men who function from Mumbai. While fake currency notes of the denomination INR 100 is also in circulation, ISI will start printing high quality INR 2,000 and INR 500 notes. The increasing number of people being caught with fake currency also shows that wrongdoers are not being deterred from indulging in printing illegal currency. These fake notes are originating from Pakistan and that country has been pushing fake currency for decades now in an effort to foment terror and other extremist related activities in India.

Mangal Mara (25), a native of Timapur village was injured in an IED blast, triggered by the CPI-Maoist cadres in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The incident took place between Timapur and Murdanda villages under Basaguda Police Station limits, Bijapur ASP, Mohit Garg said. CPI-Maoist cadres have planted the IEDs to target SFs on this strategically important route often used by SFs. Security personnel have set up their camps both in Timapur and Murdanda.

CM Naveen Patnaik, requested Union Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley, to ask the UMHA to waive the entire amount of charges on deployment of CAPFs personnel in the Naxal affected areas in Odisha. Around 15 Battalions of State Police Forces have been raised and engaged in combat of the Naxals. Over a 20,000-Police Force cadre has been created to face the CPI-Maoist menace. At present, 16 Battalions of CAPFs have been deployed in the State’s Maoist zones, besides a CoBRA Battalion in Koraput. The State Government has been repeatedly drawing attention of the Union Government that there is a gross asymmetric deployment of CAPFs in Malkangiri and Koraput Districts along the border vis-à-vis Chhattisgarh. This is creating serious security vacuum in these two districts, for which there is influx of Chhattisgarh-based CPI- Maoist cadres into Odisha.

At least three militants including ‘district commander’ of HM, fled from the cordon after stone pelting by locals on SFs during the operation in Kulgam District. Massive stone-pelting clashes erupted in two villages of the District as SFs launched search and cordon operations against a group of militants including HM ‘commander’, Altaf Ahmad Kachru. Sources said that Army’s 1-RR, SOG of JKP and CRPF cordoned off Tarigam village of Kulgam District after receiving an input about the presence of three militants. Sources said that as the searches were started, the locals including women came out of their houses and held protests. The locals pelted stones on SFs involved in operations and tried to break the cordon to give safe passage to militants who were believed to be trapped inside. 

Police fired teargas and fired gun shots in air to disperse the protesters. Clashes between the two sides continued for several hours and few persons were reported to be injured. Following the clashes, the cordon and search operation in the Tarigam village was called off and sources said that militants managed to flee from the cordon. Clashes also erupted at Qoimoh area of the District after SFs launched a cordon and search operation following information that the militants who fled Tarigam have taken shelter in nearby Makhdoom Mohalla locality of Qoimoh. SFs called off the operation at Qoimoh following clashes. Minor stone-pelting clashes were also reported from Kakpora area of Pulwama District. However, the situation there was brought under control by Police.

The State Government has started the process of raising a strong second line of defence to work behind the BSF along the International Border with Bangladesh to check infiltration of foreigners to the State. Meanwhile, more than 800 chars (mid-channel bars on the river Brahmaputra) have been surveyed by Police and the process to carry out such surveys in the other chars is on. Sources in the State Home Department told the newspaper that the first step towards a strong second line defence would be to create posts of SP-Border in the Districts having international border with Bangladesh. The process of creation of the posts has started. 

The ANC cut short its 12-hour rail blockade at Kokrajhar and Udalguri Railway stations by nearly five-and-a-half hours after submitting a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal through the Kokrajhar Deputy Commissioner. ANC's demands included inclusion of Adivasis (Santhal, Oraons, Kharia, Munda, Gonds, Sawras, Kishan, Lohras, Kol, Bhils, Porjas, Bedias, Mirdhas and the like) in Scheduled Tribes list, political solution to the issues of Adivasi militant groups that have entered into a truce with the Government, rehabilitation and allotment of land and land documents to the Adivasi and tea garden workers who had been evicted. "We will launch a 100-hour blockade of national highways from March 22 if we don't get any response from the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister regarding our demands," ANC ‘general secretary’ Birsing Munda.

District Police arrested Hiralal Kherwar and Veerendra Kherwar during a search operation in Naxal-hit areas of Lohardaga District of Jharkhand. Police recovered wire used for making IED, Codex wire, Ammonium Nitrate and other materials.

February 23

Suspecting them to be sympathisers of CPI-Maoist, Vizag Rural Police and Special Forces arrested up to 60 villagers in Koyyuru and GK Veedhi Mandals at Visakha Agency in Vishakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. It is important to note that, two persons from GK Veedhi Mandal — Gemmela Ashok (32) and Pangi Naresh (25) — were arrested, on February 2, at Chitrakonda area in Odisha by SFs when they were allegedly purchasing food grains for Maoists.

The District administration of Vishakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh plans to set up around 200 mobile towers in the rural areas including a major portion of Visakha Agency to curb CPI-Maoist movement as well as address various other issues.

Five cadres of CPI-Maoist were arrested by SFs from the forest of Ganganpalli village under Basaguda Police Station limits in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. One of the arrested Maoists is Velkamrama (25), who was active as head of DAKMS and carried a reward of INR 100,000. The other four arrested Maoists were identified as Podiyam Shankar (25), Karam Ramesh (20), Odiyam Hurra (25) and Sodhi Samaiyya (30), all active as lower rung members.

An active cadre of CPI-Maoist, Ramlagan Paharia was arrested in Latehar District of Jharkhand. Paharia was arrested during a joint anti-Naxal offensive of the Police and the CRPF.

Two hardcore women cadres of the CPI-Maoist carrying cash reward of INR 400,000 each surrendered in Malkangiri District of Odisha. The surrendered Maoists have been identified as Sumitra Madvi alias Manila (35) of village Simrikhal under Gadchiroli District in Maharashtra and Jagi Madkami alias Namita (33) of Tekguda village in Malkangiri District. According to SP, Mitrabhanu Mohapatra, Sumita joined the CPI-Maoist organisation in 2001 and was working as an ‘area committee member’ of the AOBSZC.

The LWE wing of Crime Branch in Bhubaneswar in Khordha District of Odisha, asked Police to expedite LWE cases. The State Crime Branch has asked the Naxal-affected Districts of Odisha to create a databank of such cases and appoint dedicated officers to pursue the progress of investigations. The LWE wing of Crime Branch supervises investigation into Maoist offences in the State. Official sources said at least 700 LWE related cases were registered in different Police Stations since 2000. Nearly 70 per cent of the cases are pending investigation whereas conviction rate stands at nearly seven per cent.

Three jawans and a woman were killed after terrorists attacked a patrolling party at Mulu Chitragam in Shopian District of J&K. Four other army personnel were injured in the ambush. The woman was killed in the cross-firing. The army personnel, who belonged to 44th RR, were returning from an operation at Kungnoo Shopian when the militants opened fire. The Police said one woman, identified as Taja, “was hit by a stray bullet inside her house during the cross fire”. “She also succumbed to her injuries,” said Police spokesman.

AR troopers arrested a NSCN-K militant, Pansai Pansa, from Wakka village in Longding District. One pistol, five live rounds of ammunition and four mobile phones were recovered.

One NSCN-IM militant, 'sergeant' Solomon, was killed, during an encounter, between suspected NSCN-IM cadres and 2/5 GR at Khoupum Chingthak area in Noney District. Two others including one NSCN-IM cadre 'lieutenant' Kahaulun and a woman Ajingna Rongmei (50) were injured during the incident.

Two fratricidal clashes between NSCN-IM and ZUF cadres were reported from Tanripou area of Dialing village in Tamenglong District and Lanjaising area of Noney District. Three unidentified NSCN-IM cadres were injured in the twin clashes. These clashes happened as NSCN-IM cadres were taking their injured fellow cadres to Hospital following the encounter with 2/5 GR.

Governor Dr Najima Heptulla appealed to the UNC leaders and its supporters to lift the indefinite economic blockade taking into consideration the immense hardships faced by the people and in light of the upcoming 11th State Assembly election.

The CorCom, a conglomerate of six Imphal Valley-based militant outfits, announced a total shut down of Manipur over the PM’s scheduled visit to the State on February 25. CorCom called for total shut down all over Manipur from 6 am morning of February 25 till the Indian PM leaves Manipur. However, medical services, religious activities, media, water supply, electricity and fire services would not be covered by the total shut down, it added.

The State Government revealed that it incurred a loss of INR 259.4 million in terms of salary to its employees, including teachers, during the agitations in 2013 called by 14 pressure groups demanding implementation of the ILP system in Meghalaya.

The loss was highlighted in the deposition made before the Special Court dealing with ILP-related case by Commissioner and Secretary of the Personnel Department L. Diengdoh.

February 24

A team of Greyhounds, the elite anti-Naxal force of Andhra Pradesh Police, killed two Naxals in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh . The slain Maoists were identified as Gemmeli Narayan Rao alias Jambri and Chittibabu. Jambri was a ‘divisional committee member’ of Galikonda area committee of the CPI-Maoist. Police recovered a Thompson sub-machine gun, a shotgun and three detonators. Jambri, native of Mettiguda under GK Veedhi Mandal in Vizag Agency area, carried a reward of INR 400,000 on his head. He had played a key role in the killing of 37 members of Greyhounds in Balimela in 2008.

The 44 ITBP recovered explosives along with empty cans and Naxal literature recovered at Pallemadi village in Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh.

Jharkhand DGP, D K Pandey, said Naxals activity in Parasnath hills in Giridih District of Jharkhand. He said the state administration is serious about the security arrangement in Bhelwaghati situated on the Jharkhand -Bihar border of the District.

Stone-throwing clashes broke out in parts of summer capital Srinagar and in Sopore town of North Kashmir, after Friday prayers during which Police used teargas against stone-throwers. Witnesses said soon after the culmination of Friday congregational prayers, dozens of masked youth came out of Jama Masjid in Nowhatta and started sloganeering. Amid sloganeering, the masked youth pelted stones on SFs deployed in the area and clashed with them for nearly an hour. Later, the clashes spilled over to nearby neighbourhoods and Police used dozens of teargas shells against the stone-throwers at Saraf Kadal and Rajouri Kadal localities. The clashes continued for several hours.

Similar clashes raged soon after Friday prayers culminated at Jama Masjid in northern Sopore town of Baramulla District. Masked youth resorted to heavy stone-pelting on SF personnel in Jama Masjid area and the forces retaliated by lobbing teargas canisters. Police said no one was injured during post-Friday clashes.

A major tragedy was averted as Police recovered explosive hidden in a farm land in Kishtwar District. Several gelatin sticks weighing around 800 grams wrapped in a polythene bag were recovered from a farm land on the Jammu-Kishtwar Highway, reports said. A Bomb Disposal squad was called to dispose of the explosives.

AR arrested NSCN-R cadre, Ranapio Sampit, at Kharsang in Changlang District.

Police arrested an agent of a suspected Islamic radical groups identified as Alamgir Hussain, from an unidentified area. The suspect came under Police scanner after he bought properties worth crores at Badarpur town in Karimganj District. He visited Singapore frequently on a Bangladeshi passport between 2001 and 2013. "We have taken him into seven-day custody. We have doubts on his source of income going by the wealth he has amassed within a short period of time. He could be a member of some Islamic radical group. We will get all the facts only after a thorough investigation," said SP of Karimganj PR Kar.

Union MOS Home Kiren Rijiju stated that the rumour that the FA signed between the Union Government and NSCN-IM on August 3, 2015 may affect the territorial integrity of Manipur is devoid of any basis. Speaking to media persons in Imphal, Rijiju maintained that the Framework Agreement is not a final agreement. A final agreement would be reached only after the dialogue process ends. The political dialogue is not an isolated process. Centre’s interlocutor for the political dialogue, RN Ravi has been going to different places and consulting all stake holders. There is not an iota of truth in the assumption that the Framework Agreement may affect the integrity of Manipur. Yet some people have been deliberately trying to misinterpret the FA without having any knowledge about it. The FA is only a half page document and it only acknowledges the uniqueness of Naga history and Naga problems. The half page document merely states the position of the Government of India regarding the Naga issue but the final outcome of the dialogue process would be determined after consulting all stake holders, Rijiju stated.

 Citizens' groups reiterated their demand for disclosure of the framework agreement fine print on the eve of Prime Minister’s visit to the State on February 25. "We demand details of the framework agreement as the territorial integrity of Manipur is threatened by the Centre and NSCN-IM talks," Johnson Elangbam, the president of the UCM, said at a daylong discussion on the pact. The discussion was organised by the UCM and CCSK.

Police recovered a hand grenade and a bomb from separate places in Manipur, a day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Northeastern State to address an election rally. The recovery comes even as an apex body of six rebel groups in Manipur has given a call for a "complete shutdown" in the state on February 25 to protest against Modi's visit, saying it was aimed at "hoodwinking the people of Manipur".

Four senior cadres of the GNLA, including an area commander, surrendered to Police at Williamnagar in East Garo Hills. The four militants, ‘commander’ Sengbat Ch Momin alias Kamdak, Wesefield Ch Marak alias Dakchak, Joshua N. Marak alias Kolgrik alias Balmika and Tush M. Marak alias Gotcheng, submitted three automatic rifles and ammunitions during the surrender.

The BSF has informed the BGB that seven militant outfits from the Northeast have set up as many as 20 camps in Bangladesh. Sources in the BSF said the NLFT has 10 camps, HNLC from Meghalaya's Khasi hills has three camps, ULFA-I and MPLA have two camps each while GNLA of Meghalaya, PREPAK and KYKL, both from Manipur, have a camp each.

NSCN-IM has cautioned certain individuals that their “campaign” to sabotage the peace talks with a new approach of “Nagas of Nagaland” and “treacherous venom” to mislead the people by demanding the declaration of the content of the framework agreement would not deter the dedication of the true Nagas. In a release, NSCN-IM maintained that the Naga people have hope that the agreement will bring peace and honourable settlement of the Naga goals. A framework agreement was signed between the NSCN-IM and the Union Government on August 3, 2015.

India has decided to throw open its border roads to help Bangladesh construct border outposts in CHT, known for its inhospitable terrain. Some areas in Chittagong, bordering Tripura and Mizoram, have no motorable roads and India has decided to allow the BGB to construct 13 border outposts using the road connectivity available in the two States.   

India has decided to throw open its border roads to help Bangladesh construct border outposts in CHT, known for its inhospitable terrain. Some areas in Chittagong, bordering Tripura and Mizoram, have no motorable roads and India has decided to allow the Border Guard Bangladesh to construct 13 border outposts using the road connectivity available in the two States. 

February 25

District Force and CRPF 85 Battalion arrested a CPI-Maoist cadre from Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. SFs also demolished a Naxal memorial during the time the search operation to find the Naxalites were on. The identity of the Maoist is yet to be ascertained.

CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze a private passenger bus in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. Security has been stepped up across Bastar division which comprises the Districts of Dantewada, Bijapur, Bastar, Narayanpur, Kondagaon, Sukma and Kanker.

Five suspected cadres of the TPC, a breakaway faction of the CPI-Maoist, were arrested from Ranchi District of Jharkhand. City SP, Kaushal Kishore said two of them, Rajesh Ganjhu and Pradeep Kesri, have been identified to be squad members of the outfit, while the others — Rohit Kesri, Jairam Bhuinya and Mahesh Mahato — are their supporters. "One country-made pistol and three live cartridges have been seized from their possession and the Kotwali police are interrogating them for further details," the SP said.

CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze a private bus at Metlacheruvu village under Bhadrakali Police limits in Suryapet District of Telangana. The bus was carrying about 26 passengers to Bijapur of Chhattisgarh from Venkatapuram of Jayashankar Bhupalapally District of Telangana.

SFs arrested 12 persons on stone pelting charges during which 15 persons were injured in Pulwama town in Pulwama District. A shutdown was observed in Pulwama town amid stone-throwing clashes against arrest of a shopkeeper. A Police official said the arrested shopkeeper, Bilal Ahmad Mir, is a stone-pelter and was held on charges of stone-throwing in the town. Protesters came out of their houses and pelted stones on SFs in the town. The clashes continued throughout the day and security men lobbed dozens of teargas shells to disperse the rock-hurlers. The protesters were seeking release of the arrested shopkeeper. Eight SF personnel were among 15 persons who were injured in these clashes. Police later detained 12 persons on charges of stone pelting during the clashes in Pulwama.

Suspected ULFA-I militants fired inside the bungalow of a Dipankar Buragohain ,tea garden manager of Disam tea estate in Naharkatia  of Dibrugarh District. Militants opened fire after the manager refused to pay the extortion money amounting to INR 600,000, as contribution for ULFA-I.

The RPF, political wing of PLA, observed its 38th foundation day. A press release issued by the ‘publicity secretary’ of the organisation stated that the foundation day was observed at the party’s ‘General Headquarters’, ‘council headquarters’, ‘central bureau’ and its various divisions, SR-1, SR-2, SR-3, SR-4, PLA general headquarters, ‘tactical command’, ‘strategic command’, ‘252 mobile battalion’ and other PLA units, ‘departments’, ‘stations’ where the party’s flag was unfurled.

Militant formation, ZUF’s ‘chairman’ Kamson has raised the demand for creation of a common homeland for Zeliangrong people on the occasion of the outfit’s 6th raising day. “Our present struggle is not seeking secession from India but we are demanding a common homeland within the Union of India for the fragmented Zeliangrong territory which was divided by the British rulers and continues in independent India,” Kamson said.

A Police team included SF-10 commandos, in an encounter, killed ‘c-in-c’ of disbanded UALA, Singbirth N. Marak alias Norok. X. Momin, who was on the run, in a hideout located inside a forest near Thapa Matronggre village in North Garo Hills District. The Police team recovered a Chinese AK-47 rifle, a US pistol, one hand grenade, ammunition, SIM cards and some documents from the encounter site. “The gunfight began when the armed militants fired at the commandos while resisting to surrender,” Dalton P, Marak, the SP of North Garo Hills, said. Police further claimed that four others had managed to flee the spot under the cover of darkness.

Singbirth N Marak alias Norok X Momin, who had reluctantly participated in the disbanding ceremony on June 9, 2016, allegedly hid a sizeable number of arms from the Police. In 2016, East Garo Hills District Police intercepted a cache of weapons and ammunition that were being shipped to GNLA and also recovered the payment amounting to several lakhs of rupees that was paid for the weapons. With a red alert against him, Norok slipped into Assam and began the process of forming a new militant group with the support of NDFB, ULFA and a section of UALA which, according to Police, had already been named as UANF.

NSCN-IM delegation led by Thuingaleng Muivah and JIC ‘Chairman’ RN Ravi are holding weekly meetings to iron out differences and solution is in sight. The report sources the information from an official, privy to the talks, who said that New Delhi, believes a breakthrough has been made in the talks with the NSCN-IM agreeing, in principle, that Naga communities can exercise autonomous political rights within existing State boundaries. The evolving formula, it believes, would meet the group’s demand for integration, while at once addressing Manipur’s territorial anxieties.

AR arrested one cadre of NSCN-R, identified as Vekupe, at general area of Porba Junction in Phek District. AR recovered four extortion money ‘collection slips’ from the arrested militant.

February 25-26

One of the youth among the 21 persons from Kasaragod District of Kerala suspected to have joined the Islamic State (IS) in June 2016, identified as Hafeesudheen T K, was reportedly killed in a drone attack at an IS-stronghold in Afghanistan. The information on Hafeesudheen's death reached the relatives in Padanna village in Kasaragod District on February 26 through a ‘Telegram app’ message from the account of Ashfaq Majeed, who is also a member of the 21-member group that joined the terrorist outfit.

According to Afghan media, at least six leaders of the IS were among 47 other militants killed in an air and ground operations carried by the SFs in Haska Meean and Bati Kot Districts of Eastern Nangarhar Province. As many 25 other IS cadres were also wounded in operation, the reports said.

However, the Kerala Police have intimated the relatives of Hafeesudheen that there is no immediate possibility to confirm the news. The Nangarhar Province is out of bound even for Afghan Government agencies and NIA has sought the help of Interpol to get the details of the Indians in the IS.

February 26

ATS arrested two suspected Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) operatives from Rajkot and Bhavnagar, who had conspired to carry out terror activities in the country and was planning to collect chemical explosives from cracker manufacturers in Gujarat. Two brothers, Wasim and Nathin, were arrested from Rajkot and Bhavnagar respectively, in an operation launched by the state ATS.

Dr Kosanam Ramamurthy, a physician of West Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh, who was abducted by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants at Sirte in Libya in 2015, was reunited with his family members. Dr Ramamurthy, who was freed by the terrorists, thanked PM Narendra Modi, External Affairs Ministry and other agencies who made efforts for his safe release.

CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze two vehicles, in two separate incidents including a private passenger bus in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The bus was set ablaze near Gatam village and a MUV was set ablaze at Karcheli. Nobody was injured in the two incidents. SFs were rushed to both the spots and a combing operation was launched.

Two CPI-Maoist cadres surrendered before Police in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The identity of the CPI-Maoist cadres is yet to be ascertained.

A 207th CoBRA jawan of West Bengal, identified as Om Prakash (32), was seriously injured in an encounter with the CPI-Maoist cadres at a hill near Basadera village under Ghatshila Police Station area in East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand.

A Naxal, Shyam Pahan, carrying a reward of INR 500,000 on his head, was arrested by Haryana Police from a poultry farm at Yamuna Nagar District of Haryana. SP, Rajesh Kalia told, Shyam Pahan booked in more than 80 cases of murder and robbery among others. A country-made pistol was also recovered from him. Pahan is a resident of Khunti District of Jharkhand.

Army and Police laid an ambush in Ahmadpora-Tantraypora area of Magam in Budgam District in Central Kashmir. A joint party of 2 RR Gagarpora and SOG Magam laid the ambush late last night. One person was detained during the operation and shifted to Budgam.  His identification couldn’t be established. SFs also fired some gun shots in air as they had information about militant movement. 

Shutdown was observed in twin Districts of Pulwama and Shopian to protest against the arrests of youth on February 25. Over 12 persons were arrested in Pulwama on charges of stone pelting from Pulwama on February 25.

AR troopers arrested a NSCN-K cadre, identified as Machow Ngaimong, from Mulong village in Changlang District.

February 27

SIMI ‘chief’ Safdar Nagori and other 10 members of his terrorist outfit were sentenced to life imprisonment in a 2008 case of sedition by a special CBI court in Indore in Madhya Pradesh.  Special CBI judge B K Paloda convicted all 11 for sedition, collecting arms, ammunition and explosives with the intention to wage war against the nation and for being active members of a banned terrorist outfit. Nagori was the ‘general secretary’ of SIMI when it was banned. Besides 45-year-old Nagori, the others convicted are Hafiz Hussain (35), Aamil Parvaz (40), Shivli (38), Qamruddin (42), Shahduli (32), Qamran (40), Ansar (35), Ahmed Baig (32), Yasin (35) and Munroz (40).

"The judgment was delivered to 10 of the 11 accused through video-conferencing as they are lodged in Sabarmati jail in Ahmedabad where they are being tried for the Ahmedabad blasts (Gujarat, 2008)," public prosecutor Vimal Mishra said. Only one of the accused, dental student from Karnataka Munroz, was in the Indore court and his father wept upon hearing the verdict.

UHM Rajnath Singh said that the Islamic State (ISIS) won't be allowed to become a threat to India. "The government has kept an eye on the ISIS, and that won't be allowed to become a major challenge for the country", said Singh in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. Replying a query on the arrest of two suspected ISIS men on February 26 in Gujarat, he said that the ISIS would fail to influence Indian youth, as the people are alert and supportive to the government. "In fact the parents of some misguided youths contacted me and informed about their concerns," he said adding that the government is keeping eyes on them.

The two Islamic State (IS) terror group suspects arrested from Rajkot and Bhavnagar (Gujarat) on February 26 confessed to their plans of planting bombs in the thickly populated Trikon Baug and Gundawadi areas of Rajkot this week. The suspects Waseem Ramodiya and his brother Naeem were remanded to the custody of the ATS till March 10. Investigators have got names of at least 40 other persons from across Gujarat, including Ahmedabad, who were engaged with the brothers regarding IS activities across the globe. "We are conducting verification of these persons to know the extent of their indoctrination," an official said.

A day after the startling message to his close relatives that Hafeezuddin (26), a native of Padanna village in Kasaragod District, who was among the 21 suspected to have joined the Islamic State (IS), was killed in a drone strike, the local Police are groping in the dark about the information. The Kerala Police are still ascertaining the veracity of the information even as a ‘WhatsApp’ message said to have been received by a relative of the ‘slain’ youth showed the photo of his body lying on the ground, Special Branch DSP V.T. Assainar said. “The local police could not as yet ascertain the whereabouts of the persons who went missing under mysterious circumstances in June last year and are said to have joined the IS later,” Assainar said, adding that only Central agencies like the NIA could get any information, a stance maintained by SP K.G. Simon too.

Two persons, identified as Rakesh Goyal and Mubashara have been arrested by the Police, along with FICN of face value of INR 1,50,000 from Sanjay Place, the commercial hub of Agra. The duo was carrying these notes from Delhi to Kanpur. They have confirmed that the fake currency was being printed in Karachi and Rawalpindi in Pakistan at the behest of ISI and being sent to India via Bangladesh.

Two persons were arrested along with four FICN of face value of INR 2000 near Farakka in West Bengal. The two, who hail from Murshidabad District, were caught and arrested when the Police found them moving around in a suspicious manner. They were produced at the local court which remanded them in Police custody for five days. Before demonetization Malda in West Bengal had become one of the main transit points for smuggling in FICN from Bangladesh before pushing it into the country.

AR troopers arrested a NSCN-IM cadre, ‘lance corporal’ Akha Wangsu, from Longding village in Longding District. A pistol, five rounds of A-K series rifles, two rounds of ammunition and opium were recovered from his possession.

AR killed one militant of NSCN-K, identified as Wahang Sumyen, at Lyangche village in Tirap District. A pistol and other war-like stores were also recovered from the killed militant.

According to data given by State Government, 13 illegal migrants were deported from the state till October 2016. This was preceded by the deportation of a single illegal migrant through whole of 2015. Previously in 2014, total 24 migrants were deported. According to the data on deportation of illegal migrants from the state tabled in the Assembly, 29,712 migrants were deported between 1985 and October last year, with the 2015 figures being the lowest during this period. Notably, the highest number of illegal migrants deported was 3,228 (in 1988).

Unidentified militants allegedly planted a bomb which later exploded outside the house of two editors located in Imphal. There were no reports of any casualty but a car was damaged. The editors work for a Manipuri daily and a local cable television, Police said.

The MNRF has appealed to all the Nagas of Manipur to stand against the oppression of NSCN-IM and cast their votes for the deserving candidates according to their own will. A press release issued by the ‘assistant secretary’, ‘information and publicity’ of the group stated that the Nagas of Manipur have been reeling under the pressure of the NSCN-IM to vote for their favoured candidates.

In a statement, the KSO asserted that the Kuki people must be consulted before a final settlement is worked out to the political dialogue going on between NSCN-IM and the GoI.

Unidentified militants abducted a coal labourer, identified as Azanur Islam, from a coal mine at Era Aning under Nangalbibra  in East Garo Hills District.

SFs busted an organized set up for collection of extortion money and arrested one NSCN-K, identified as Tokuto Aye, near BOC in Kohima District.

The AET of Dimapur Police arrested one assailant, identified as Khaka Yepthomi, in Dimapur District for collecting extortion money in the name of NSCN-IM. According to the source, the matter is under investigation.

A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Kotesu, died on the spot and a Sabari Committee ‘militia commander’, Kaaki Kannayya, suffered serious injuries while planting pressure bomb in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. The spot where the incident took place was near National Highway 30.

Manoj Kumar Mahto, a JCB driver, who was abducted by Naxals from Hazaribagh District of Jharkhand on February 26. Mahto was released today.

The CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze trucks and damaged a culvert on National Highway in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. Two trucks were set ablaze by CPI-Maoist cadres in Kukanar Police Station of the District. The CPI-Maoist cadres also blew up an under-construction culvert near Pedakurti village under Dornapal Police Station in the District. The Maoist cadres damaged a slurry pipeline belonging to a private steel company in Gadiras area of the District bordering Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh.

CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze a timber depot at a forest and blocked a road in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. They (Maoists) blocked the Sironcha-Alapalli road by placing some tree trunks, thus disrupting the vehicular movement.

The CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze the machines used for road construction at Mankidi village under Podapadar Panchayat in Koraput District of Odisha. According to sources more than ten Maoist cadres stormed into a contractor’s camp and set a JCB and a road-roller machine on fire.

An uneasy calm reigned over the interior tribal pockets in Bhadrachalam division in Khammam District of Telangana along the restive inter-State border AP and Chhattisgarh during the nation-wide bandh called by CPI-Maoist against “Operation Green Hunt”. The bandh had some impact on the bus services in the remote tribal areas in Charla and Dummugudem mandals adjoining the strife-ridden south Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. The Bhadrachalam sub-division Police also intensified road opening patrol in the interior areas bordering AP.

CRPF DG K Durga Prasad said the paramilitary force had taken the decision of modifying the pellet guns to minimise injuries. The modified version of pellet guns will have a "deflector", an attachment on the muzzle end to prevent the pellets from going up. The force has tasked a special BSF workshop to deploy metal 'deflectors' on the muzzle of these guns so that shrapnels in the pellets do not hit above the abdomen region. CRPF troops deployed in Kashmir Valley have been asked to fire the pellets aiming at the feet of the protesters now as against laid down procedure of hitting the abdomen area.

The CRPF is moving back to its ‘old mandate’ in J&K, when it was sent there in 1989 for carrying out counter-insurgency operations aggressively, said CRPF DG K Durga Prasad. He said that "we (CRPF) are now not just doing normal law and order duty in Kashmir. We are engaged actively in intelligence based counter-terror operations where our men hunt down the militants in their den." Prasad said that CRPF was originally sent to J&K two decades back for counter-insurgency operations only. However, this role had been reduced to normal law and order duty in disturbed areas in last several years.

February 28

SFs recovered a bomb near the gate of a residential building in Khongman Bashikhong Turel Mapal area in Imphal East District. The bomb was later defused safely by the SFs.

The Central Government of India clarified that it has not signed any final accord with the NSCN-IM though a framework agreement has been sealed. The issue figured at a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on UMHA, which was chaired by former Home Minister P Chidambaram. Officials of the Home Ministry, briefing the members of the Committee, gave a broad account of the framework agreement, which has been kept under tight wraps. The ‘Framework Agreement’ between the Centre and the NSCN-IM was signed on August 3, 2015. Home Ministry officials explained that a final accord has not been signed as the Centre proposed to take along all Naga groups and the concerned State Governments of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

As many as nine Districts of the State are now Muslim majority, State Planning and Development minister Himanta Biswa Sarma informed the Assembly. As per 2011 census, Dhubri District has 79.67%, Barpeta District has 70.74%, Darrang District has 64.34%, Hailakandi District has 60.31%, Goalpara District has 57.52%, Karimganj District has 56.36%, Nagaon District has 55.36%, Morigaon District has 52.56% and Bongaigaon District has 50.22% people of Islamic faith.

SFs recovered one 7.65 mm pistol and three live ammunitions from Patradisa area in Karbi Anglong District. SFs also arrested five persons in connection with the recovery.

Red Horns Division of Indian Army launched a ‘large scale operation’ in the areas of East Karbi Anglong District on the basis of intelligence inputs about movement of armed militants of KLF. According to the report, the army is also keeping a strict vigil and maintaining a robust area domination and counter-terrorism posture in the disturbed areas of Upper Assam and East Arunachal Pradesh amidst regular inputs of terrorist groups trying to make their presence felt in the area and also seeking opportunities to cause attrition to the SFs.

A senior State Home Department official said in a statement that the fourth round of peace talks between Mizoram Government and HPC-D militant will be held in March (this month). Earlier the fourth round of peace talks scheduled to be held during mid-February, was postponed as the Home Department had to approach Law and Finance departments before the talk.

A special NIA court in Bilaspur District of Chhattisgarh sentenced five Naxal sympathisers to ten years of imprisonment for acting as couriers of the CPI-Maoist and supplying explosives to them. Five sympathisers are identified as Babulal Sharma, Tarak Kundu, Katiyaram Nareti, Rajesh Dhurva and Shatrughan Vaishnav. The court also slapped a fine of INR 500 on each of them. Chhattisgarh has two NIA courts, one at Bilaspur District and another at Dantewada District. This is the first case in the state in which an NIA court has given its verdict.

Five CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested by SFs near forests of Parcheli village under Katekalyan Police Station limits of the Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. Those arrested were identified as Hidma Vetti (22), Pojja Vetti (22), Somaru Mandavi (20), Somdu Vetti (20) and Fagnu Vetti (19), all natives of Parcheli village. They were involved in setting ablaze two vehicles, including a passenger bus, in Dantewada District on February 26.

SFs launched a hunt for the last squad of CPI-Maoist, led by Akash, secretary of the state organising committee in West Midnapore and Purulia Districts of West Bengal. The squad comprises seven to 10 cadres and is based near Ghatshila area in East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. According to Police, the squad is active in and around Dampara area in Ghatshila sub-division. Atul Mahato, believed to be another cadre of the state organising committee, is also with the squad. The squad popularly known as Gurabandha squad was also involved in formulating policies for revival of Maoist armed units in Purulia and West Midnapore Districts.

March 1

A delegation of officials from the US met Indian counterparts in the Home Ministry and discussed ways to streamline the training programmes which include negotiations in hostage situations, terror crime scene investigation, besides new courses relating to cyberspace and maritime security. "India and the US are working towards strengthening bilateral ties on security front. Besides, the US will be introducing two new courses for Indian police officers this year," a Home Ministry official said.

India has asked Pakistan to reinvestigate the 26/11 (November 26, 2008) Mumbai terror attack case and put on trial JuD 'chief' Hafiz Saeed who is currently under house arrest in Lahore under the anti-terrorism law. India has made a fresh demand in a reply to Pakistan's request to send 24 Indian witnesses to record their statements in the case, Pakistan's interior ministry official said on March 1. "We have received a reply from Indian government in response to our letter regarding sending 24 Indian witnesses to Pakistan to record their statements in the Mumbai terror attack case. But instead of entertaining our request India has sought reinvestigation of the case and also demanded trial of JuD chief Hafiz Saeed and LeT operation commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi in the light of evidence it had provided to Pakistan," the official said.

SFs, after an encounter, arrested one militant ‘leader’ of NDFB-IKS from an unspecified area along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh boundary, of Sonitpur District. The militant leader was identified as Badaisa Basumatary. SFs also recovered a pistol, several rounds live ammunition and other warlike stores from the arrestee.

The ‘chairman’ of the GNLA, Champion Sangma was back in judicial custody due to the case of extortion in Baghmara of South Garo Hills District, in which he was charge sheeted by the Police. Earlier, on February 21 Champion Sangma was granted bail by the lower court in connection with another case.

The IPFT, a tribal-based party in the State launched a three-day protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi against the central Government’s citizenship bill and demanded a separate State in Tripura. The IPFT, along with two other tribal based parties - the INPT and the NCT-formed the ATIRPF to oppose the citizenship bill introduced by the BJP led Government.

The TPC ‘zonal commander’ Anil Kushwaha alias Rakesh Mishra and 10 cadres killed Jitendra Kharwar (18) over delay in serving them food in Rohtas District of Bihar. TPC is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

Naxals of JTG set ablaze three vehicles involved in bridge construction work in Chatra District of Jharkhand. Anjani Kumar Jha, Chatra, SP, said, "The group left a poster at the spot, taking responsibility for the arson. They want to threaten contractors who do not pay levy to them."

According to Intelligence agencies, stone-throwing protests in Kashmir, which picked up after militant leader Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with SFs July 2016, have now spread to rural regions. Report said that authorities are worried as they say the crowds in the countryside are more belligerent. Boys as young as four and five are participating in the stone-pelting, said an officer. After being caught, many of these kids reveal that they have no idea what they are involved in.

The Central Government has given a major push to equip the Army and central paramilitary forces with advanced weapons and equipment in anticipation of increased militant activity in Kashmir valley in summer. Intelligence agencies have hinted that militant activity may reach an all-time high this summer, people familiar with the matter said. This was the first time in over a decade that any Government has overhauled the entire weapon system of SFs deployed in the Valley, the people said.

SFs arrested a HM militant, identified as Hilal Ahmad Bhat from Dahwatoo in Awantipora area in Pulwama District. Two Chinese grenades, one camouflage uniform, one knife and some other incriminating material were also recovered from Bhat’s possession, said Police. Bhat had joined the HM ranks recently, the official said adding a case under relevant sections of the RPC have been registered against him.

March 2

Kolkata Police neutralised a FICN racket and arrested five persons along with FICN amounting to INR 56,74,000 from Howrah District of West Bengal. "Five persons were arrested from the Fancy Market area in Kolkata's Watgunj and fake notes totalling Rs 56.74 lakh seized from them," Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Vishal Garg told. Garg said the five were caught while buying cell phones at Kabitirtha Sarani in Watgunj. "Accused Manohar Mollah, Syeed Rehan, Seikh Eklakh Ahamed and Seikh Abul Kalam Azad are residents of West Bengal's Howrah district while Balai Mondal hails from Bankura," the officer added.

The terror outfits that Pakistan created against India are now harming its host country, Indian Ambassador to UN said in Geneva. "Pakistan has created terrorist outfits against India. This monster is now devouring its own creator," Anil Kumar, India's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN said. The most wanted terrorists of the world have found "succour and sustenance" in Pakistan in the last two decades, Mr Kumar said.

US Democrat Senator Mark Warner and his Republican colleague in the Senate Dan Sullivan expressed concern over Pakistani terror threat to India. Speaking at a programme in Washington DC, the US Senators said while India and the US have a very strong relationship between the intelligence community, there is an enormous concern not only about Pakistan’s role in the unrest in Kashmir, but also the terrorist organisations from Pakistan.

At least seven people were injured when a powerful IED blast was triggered by two suspected assailants at the residence of K Leishiyo (43) at Langol Laimanai Lanthungching in Imphal West District. The injured persons were identified as Mark Keishing (37), Gideon Keishing (50), Zeneatte Ningshen (30), Samson Maku (55), Fanny Grace (40), Reishang Ningshen (35) and Star Shinglai (30). The owner of the residence is contesting in the ensuing Assembly election from Phungyar Assembly Constituency on NPF ticket. Police suspect the blast is related to the upcoming Assembly elections but could not immediately identify those behind the attack. "We are investigating the case," a Police Officer said.

Manipur CEO Vivek Kumar Dewangan on March 2 announced that altogether 2,228 underground cadres belonging to various militant groups who are under SoO and MoU with the GoI will cast their votes through postal ballot at 14 designated camps across the State.

SFs arrested a militant belonging to NSCN-IM, identified as Withonbou (28), from Kadi-IV village in Tamenglong District. SFs also recovered NSCN-IM uniform, kit bag and INR 4,800 from the arrested militant.

The CRPF top brass are keeping their fingers crossed hoping that no major ambush is carried out by insurgents on its personnel deployed in the State. Sources within the CRPF have said that the personnel were fighting with their backs to the wall following the UHM refusal to provide them mine-protected vehicles and other enhanced security infrastructure despite intelligence inputs of possible attacks on SFs by insurgent groups. In January, 2017, the CRPF had alerted the UHM on how the "conduct of the Assembly election will be critical and challenging both from the insurgency and law and order point of view", considering the economic blockade on NH 2 and 37 since November 1 against the Okram Ibobi Singh Government's plan to create seven new Districts. "Intelligence input indicates infiltration of insurgent groups from Myanmar and other areas to attack security forces and disrupt the election process. To counter the threat of IEDs from insurgents during the elections, 10 mine-protected vehicles are required in the vulnerable and critical areas," the CRPF had written to the ministry. Besides, CRPF had also asked for 20 bunker vehicles, additional bomb detection and disposal squads and satellite phones.

Kuki Inpi (apex body of Kuki tribe in Manipur) submitted a memorandum to PM Narendra Modi appealing to settle the alleged ‘heinous acts’ committed by NSCN-IM and also to reveal the contents of the ‘Framework Agreement’ that was signed between the militant group and GoI.

Four unidentified KNA militants were arrested by AR at Sangaikot in Churachandpur District. AR also recovered two AK-56 rifles, two magazines and 142 bullets, a 9mm pistol along with a magazine, 6 rounds of ammunition and four mobile handsets from the arrested militants.

An overground cadre of ULFA-I, identified as Amulya Gogoi, was arrested by Police from Duliajan town in Dibrugarh District. The arrestee was involved in extortions on behalf of the militant group.

Three Bangladeshi assailants, who were involved in the attack on three persons, a woman and her two daughters on March 1, at Jarapata village in Karimganj District were arrested by the BGB and Bangladeshi Police and subsequently handed over to the BSF. The arrested Bangladeshi nationals were identified as Numan Uddin Aajmal, Jabir Ahmed, and Sahab Uddin. Jarapata hamlet is located on no man's land on the Indian side (between zero point of India-Bangladesh border and the Indian border fence). India has erected the border fence 150 yards from zero point. However, in some places the no man's land stretches beyond 150 yards, as a result of which many Indian villages have fallen on the other side of the fence.

On the basis of the security inputs, Police warned that ULFA-I militants might carry out sabotage activities in Guwahati and intensified patrolling and checking in the city.

The ‘c-in-c’ of the ASAK militant, Reding T Sangma alias Saljapang, surrendered before Police along with seven other cadres of the militant group at Baghmara in South Garo Hills District. The other cadres who surrendered along with Reding are identified as Tengrang A. Sangma alias Gring (18), Seldom K. Sangma alias Jorai (25), Pintu R. Marak alias Waira (19), Kiljang M Sangma alias Amrak (17), Hame Ch Marak (25), Biani Ch Marak (28) and Tengman M. Sangma (28). Police recovered a German made Heckler and Koch automatic rifle with 128 live rounds, three single barrel shotguns (SBBL), four walkie-talkie communication handsets and 22 electronic detonators and explosive powder from the surrendered militant.

AR arrested four cadres of NSCN-IM, identified as Asakha Kayni (29), Makavo (42), Ohehe (40) and Lokho (35), from Khuzama Junction along the NH-29 in Kohima District. The militants were involved in extortions. AR recovered 30 cash ‘receipts’, four mobiles phones, INR 8,730 in cash and 68 copies of ‘receipt’ of Dimapur Bus Owners Association from the arrestees.

A self-proclaimed CPI-Maoist leader Vijay Kharbar was arrested from Adhaura in Kaimur District of Bihar. SP, Harpreet Kaur said a rifle and 47 live cartridges were seized from his possession. Kharbar was wanted by Kaimur and Rohtas Police for his involvement in Naxalite related incidents.

One woman CPI-Maoist cadre killed in encounter with SFs at Jagdalpur in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh. Arms and ammunition also recovered in search operation.

A top woman CPI-Maoist cadre Budhri alias Geeta surrendered before the Commandant of CRPF's 80th Battalion at Jagdalpur in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh. Budhri, a member of military wing of CPI -Maoist - PLGA was absconding for several years and SFs had announced a reward of INR 800,000 on her head. She carried a 303 rifle with her.

The Home Minister of Chhattisgarh, Ramsewak Paikra, informed Chhattisgarh Assembly, in Raipur District of Chhattisgarh, that a total of 3,507 Naxal incidents took place in the State between 2010 to 2016, reports. The Minister informed that a total of 205 CRPF jawans, 43, SPO, 210 Chhattisgarh Police and 49 of other SFs were martyred during the period. He stated, a total of 2057 Maoists surrendered during the period, 4939 were arrested and 140 prosecuted. There are 34 Maoists against whom trials are yet to start.

CPI-Maoist cadres launched a poster campaign in Latehar District of Jharkhand to refute allegations of their involvement in promoting poppy cultivation. The posters have been pasted in Bandhua and Palheya village under Manika Police Station of Latehar District.

An explosion took place on Jugasaipatna road in Kalahandi District of Odisha. SFs suspected CPI-Maoist cadres might have planted landmines which led to the explosion on the road. No casualties have been reported in the explosion.

March 3

MLAs, cutting across party lines opposed the move to amend Clause VI of the Assam Accord (signed in 1985) and demanded its full implementation for the protection of identity of the indigenous Assamese. Sources said that INC MLA Abdul Khaleque had moved the resolution as a section of intellectuals had recently called for the replacement of 'indigenous Assamese' phrase with 'indigenous people' in the clause. Many have also said the word 'indigenous' would remove the concern from the minds of many ethnic communities. Clause VI of the Assam Accord calls for constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards for indigenous Assamese people but the clause has remained unimplemented mainly because there is no consensus on who is an Assamese yet.

Former CM of the State, Tarun Gogoi, demanded assurance from the Centre that the Peace Accord between NSCN-IM and GoI will not affect the State. He also criticised the Cental Government of India for not making the ‘Framework Agreement’ public.

CM Mukul Sangma announced the appointment of Former State DGP, Rajiv Mehta, as the State's maiden security adviser. CM Mukul Sangma, explaining the logic behind the decision, said that the State required a dedicated and experienced person with a thorough knowledge of the State and the region while dealing with internal security. CM further said the security adviser will give suggestions and recommendations regarding strategies while dealing with state security, border issues with neighboring countries like Bangladesh, human rights issues and strengthening Police organisation, among others. The appointment is for the duration of one year.

In addition, the SSC has not decided whether officiating DGP S.B. Singh should be given full charge or if the panel should opt for a new DGP. The CM informed that the SSC would meet next week to take a call on the issue. The State is yet to have a full-fledged DGP.

A GNLA militant, identified as Chadam Ramed A Marak alias Mad alias Chitmang (22), surrendered before Police at Baghmara in South Garo Hills District. 

The State Government has made a shift in the Government’s approach to ending militancy in the State. Unlike in the past when there would be repeated appeals to militants for talks, the Government is now focusing on facilitating the rebels to surrender.

The AET of Dimapur Police arrested two persons, identified as Angukavi Yepthomi and Tovika Sema, at Purana Bazaar area in Dimapur District. According to the Police, one arrestee, identified as Angukavi Yepthomi is a militant of NNC-NA. AET also recovered demand slips of NNC-NA from their possession.

Two SF personnel of the CAF 10th battalion were killed and two others sustained injuries in an exchange of fire with the CPI-Maoist cadres near Cherli village under Mirtur Police Station limits in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh, when a joint team of CAF and District Police was out on a road security operation. The two slain SFs were Hemant Kumar, constable of the CAF and Gubba Ram, assistant constable of District Police.

Two OGWs of JeM were arrested by the Police in Baramulla District. The Police also recovered two Chinese pistols from their possession. The arrest comes a month after the Police busted an OGW network of the JeM in Handwara and arrested three persons. The OGW network, which was operating since April 2015, was involved in various subversive activities and determined to target political workers, SFs installations and Police establishments. The operators were providing logistic support to the JeM militants and were close associates of a top commander of JeM.

One civilian was killed and four others, including one CRPF personnel were injured in a grenade attack on a CRPF party in Murran Chowk in Pulwama District. According to sources, militants lobbed a grenade at a CRPF party in Murran Chowk, resulting in injuries to four civilians and one CRPF personnel. One of the injured civilians, identified as Mohammad Ayub Wani succumbed to injuries at a hospital. However, militants fled after carrying out the attack.

Protesters clashed with Police and SFs at Ratnipora and Kakapora in Pulwama District after Friday prayers. Protesters pelted stones on SFs who responded by firing tear smoke.

Stone-throwing clashes and protests also erupted in parts of Srinagar and in North Kashmir’s Sopore Town of Baramulla District after Friday congregational prayers. After culmination of Friday prayers, large number of youths came out of Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta area here and started sloganeering.

SFs arrested 23 persons from Ratnipora and Kakapora villages of Pulwama District during nocturnal raids. 19 persons were arrested from Ratnipora and four from Kakapora on charges of stone-pelting. Sources said that these persons were wanted by Police for their involvement in stone-pelting during a PDP minister’s visit and bank robbery by militants in the village last month.

Several separatist JKLF activists were held by Police after they held a sit-in protest at Budshah Chowk in Lal Chowk in Srinagar District post-Friday prayers. The held leaders were shifted to Central Jail Srinagar.

One militant of newly formed militant group ARA, identified as Rohit M. Sangma alias Gettingson Sangma of Karbi Anglong District, Assam, was arrested after an encounter during Police checking at Thapa Darenchi village in North Garo Hills District. He is one of the close aids of the leader of the militant group William A. Sangma.  

March 3-4

A joint operation between the Army and the SOG of J&K Police was launched against militants on March 3 evening and the encounter is still (March 4) underway in Chilli Pora village in Shopian District. Officials said that troops of 55 RR and SOG of J&K Police launched the operation after SFs received specific input about the militant presence in the village. Officials said they had input that two to three militants had been hiding in the village.

The High Court of Manipur declared the more than four months old economic blockade of the UNC as illegal.

A joint team of 32 AR and State Police, during a search operation, arrested a NNC kilonser (minister), identified as N. Mar Longkumer (43), in Clock Tower area of Dimapur town.

March 4

Police arrested a man, identified as Mukulesh Mian alias Bhutto from Rathbari area in Malda District of West Bengal and recovered FICN of INR 2000 with a face value of INR 92,000 from his possession. "We have charged the man under IPC sections 489B (Using as genuine, forged or counterfeit currency-notes or bank-notes) and 489C (Possession of forged or counterfeit currency-notes or bank-notes) and we are quizzing him to know more about his involvement with FICN (Fake Indian Currency Notes) trafficking racket," a senior official of Malda District Police told. However, the man was produced in a local court on March 5, and was remanded to Police custody for further interrogation.

The UPF and KNO, umbrella organisations of the armed Kuki Groups observing SoO with the Government, for the first time officially participated in exercising their adult franchise in the Manipur State Assembly polls 2017. Further the KNO ‘leader’ Seilen Haokip said that they were seeking settlement within the India Constitution.

An official source of IB said that the ULFA-I and GNLA have planned to carry major explosions and attack on security forces in Lower Assam and Garo hills. The IB source further said that, the outfit groups plan to use professional criminals and carriers to carry explosives and to plant IED and bombs. After intercepting telephonic conversation between two top leaders of ULFA-I and GNLA, IB officials managed to find out the planning of the outfits. The source said that, IB has already informed the UHM, Police and Home Departments of both States and other security agencies about the militants plan.

Eight CPI-Maoist militia members surrendered before the Police in the Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. Chintapalli Deputy DSP, Anil Pulaapaati said the CPI-Maoist militia members surrendered voluntarily at GK Veedhi Police Station limits. The eight members include Pangi Sobhan, Thambelu Lakshmana Rao, Korra Kameswara Rao, Vanthala Srinu, Lakshmana Rao, Malleswara Rao, Sana and Gemmali Balayya. All the surrendered Maoists hail from Lakkavarapu panchayat of Pedda Konda village, Pamurai village and Devarapalli villages of GK Veedhi in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh.

Lohardaga and Latehar Police, along with CRPF and Jharkhand Jaguar, busted hideouts of the CPI-Maoist commanders Ravindra Gonjhu and Muneshwar Gonjhu, at Kisko Police station in Lohardaga District of Jharkhand. SFs recovered three powerful cylinder bombs, besides a 20-metre codex wire, planted along a road.

Khunti Police arrested a PLFI cadre Kanho Bodra from Tapkara Bazaar of Khunti District of Jharkhand. Bodra was earlier associated with PLFI ‘area commanders’ Dakwal Purti and Sanika Purti, who were gunned down in August 2015 during an encounter in Arki. Bodra is wanted in nearly five cases, including injuring cops in landmine blasts, abduction and murder. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

An IED planted by the CPI-Maoist cadres was discovered by villagers in Venkatapuram Mandal of the Jayshankar Bhupalapally District of Telangana. Local Police officials cautioned villagers and shepherds not to enter into the forest as they had no clue as to how many such IEDs may have been planted by CPI-Maoist cadres.

SFs had to call off anti-militancy operation in Shopian District of South Kashmir after militants holed up in a house managed to escape following intense protests and stone pelting from locals.

In an incident of terror, as many as 12 terrorists carried out a raid at a Policeman’s house and proceeded to ransack it thoroughly, virtually trashing the establishment in Shopian District. The people affected had been too terror-stricken to take the complaint to authorities initially as they feared being attacked again. Militants have been targeting Policemen in Kashmir as they have been maintaining law and order despite repeated protests welling-up in the region. Militants have warned cops to not obey orders from their superiors and to let the situation deteriorate.

AR arrested one arms dealer and another suspected militants in two separate operations in Dimapur District. In the first incident, AR arrested the arms dealer, identified as Ibomcha Khan (50) from Khermahal. AR recovered one 7.65 mm pistol, two magazine and 28 live rounds of 7.65 mm from the arms dealer. In the second incident, AR along with Police launched a search operation at Bus Station in Dimapur and arrested one cadre of KPLT, identified as Mukhim Rongti (28). One air gun pistol (country made) and air gun pen pistol (country made) were also recovered from the arrested militant.

Lohardaga and Latehar Police, along with the CRPF and Jharkhand Jaguar, busted hideouts of the CPI-Maoist, ‘commanders’ Ravindra Gonjhu and Muneshwar Gonjhu, at Kisko Police Station in Lohardaga District of Jharkhand. SFs recovered three powerful cylinder bombs, besides a 20-metre codex wire, planted along a road.

Khunti Police arrested a PLFI cadre, identified as Kanho Bodra, from Tapkara Bazaar of Khunti District of Jharkhand. Bodra was earlier associated with PLFI ‘area commanders’ Dakwal Purti and Sanika Purti, who were gunned down in August 2015 during an encounter in Arki. Bodra is wanted in nearly five cases, including injuring Policemen in landmine blasts, abduction and murder. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

An IED planted by the CPI-Maoist cadres was discovered by villagers in Venkatapuram Mandal of the Jayshankar Bhupalapally District of Telangana. Local Police officials cautioned villagers and shepherds not to enter into the forest as they had no clue as to how many such IEDs may have been planted by CPI-Maoist cadres.

March 4-5

At least two militants, identified as Aqib Molvi of Tral and Umar of Pakistan and one J&K Police constable, identified as Manzoor Ahmad Naik of Uri were killed while an Army major and four CRPF personnel were injured during an encounter between SFs and militants which started on March 4 evening in Shikargah in Tral in Pulwama District.  According to reports, the house where the militants were hiding has been demolished by the SFs. The identity of the militants hasn’t been revealed yet. However, at least two HM terrorists, including the right hand man of slain Hizbul ‘commander’ Burhan Wani, Sabzar Bhat, were believed to be trapped in the encounter, sources said.

As the news about the encounter spread in the area, a law and order problem erupted, with civilians pelting stone at the SFs. One assailant hit an ASI and snatched his AK-47 rifle before disappearing into the crowd. A separate operation is on to recover the weapon. A top officer said, “Security forces were stopped by civilians. Resistance was shown. We had to rush in reinforcement. An ASI of CRPF was injured his weapon snatched by (the) belligerent crowd.”

March 5

The CISF, tasked with providing armed cover to 59 civil airports in the country, has embarked on a first-ever mission to prepare a ‘concept paper’ to standardise security gadgetry and infrastructure at these locations. Once in place, the country’s airports would be among some of the best secured across the world.

In a statement, the HNLC militant denied the surrender option of the State Government and said that it will continue ‘the struggle’. In the statement, the ‘publicity secretary’ of HNLC, Sainkupar Nongtraw, said that the ‘council’ has its own principles and till today they are receiving annual support in terms of finance, arms and ammunitions from ‘anti-India countries’ which when compared is far greater than the rehabilitation packages offered by CM Mukul Sangma.

The militant ‘leader’ William Sangma, who was planning to float a new outfit called UANF, managed to escape along with three others, leaving his vehicle behind during a Police check in North Garo Hills District.

A hardcore CPI-Maoist cadre, Waga Kawasi (35) alias Raju, involved in at least nine murders, surrendered before Malkangiri SP, Mitrabhanu Mohapatra in Malkangiri District of Odisha. The Odisha Government had declared reward of INR 100,000 for his capture. Waga joined the CPI-Maoist organisation in 2004 and has been an active member of the Kalimela Area Committee.

J&K saw a three-fold increase in cases of rioting and a substantial rise in arson cases in 2016 which also witnessed five-month-long unrest after killing of terrorist Burhan Wani, official data of Crime Branch of State Police showed. According to data, J&K has witnessed as many as 3,404 cases of rioting in 2016 as compared to 1,157 such cases in 2015, an increase of 2,247. Similarly, Police registered as many as 267 cases of arson in 2016 as compared to 147 such cases in 2015, thereby showing an increase of 120 during the period, it said.

Officials of the Crime Branch point towards this increase because of the 2016 unrest in Kashmir Valley for five months following killing of HM ‘militant commander’ Burhan Wani in July 2016. There has also been an increase of 143 cases of attempt to murder from 2015 to 2016. As many as 573 cases of attempt to murder have been registered in 2016 as compared to 430 such cases in 2015. There has also been an increase in murder cases. As many as 140 cases of murder were registered in 2016 as compared to 133 such cases in 2015, it said. The statistics reveal there has been no custodial death in 2016 and 2015.

The cases of communal riots have also registered an increase in 2016 as compared to 2015. As many as six such cases were registered in 2016 as compared to four in 2015, it said. The year 2016 also saw an increase in cases under UAPA. While 146 cases were registered under the Act in 2016, only 44 were registered in 2015 showing an increase of 102. The figures have further revealed increase in cases under Arms and Explosives Acts in 2016 as compared to 2015. While 180 cases were registered under Arms Act in 2016, as many as 146 such cases were registered in 2015. Similarly, 39 cases were registered under Explosives Act in 2016 as compared to 34 such cases in 2015.

Of the total 2,690 incidents of stone pelting, North Kashmir accounts for the highest number of 1,248 incidents followed by 875 incidents in South Kashmir and 567 in Central Kashmir, according to official data of State Home Ministry. Sopore, which is part of Baramulla District, has recorded the highest number of 492 incidents of stone pelting during the unrest, while the total number of such incidents in the entire Baramulla District is 810, the data said. Baramulla is followed by Srinagar and Kupwara Districts with 339 such incidents each reported, it said adding 271 such incidents took place in Anantnag District, followed by 264 in Pulwama, 173 in Shopian, 167 in Kulgam, 163 in Budgam, 109 in Bandipora and only 65 in Ganderbal District.

A day after HM ‘deputy chief’ Sabzar Ahmad along with some of his associates escaped from an encounter site in Tral area in Pulwama District of South Kashmir, CRPF has admitted that stone pelting is hampering anti-militancy operations in the Valley and many militants have escaped from the encounter sites during the clashes. “The stone pelting is hampering our anti-militancy operations,” said IG CRPF (Operations), Zulfikar Hassan. At least six CRPF personnel, including an officer, were injured on March 4 evening, in Hayena area of Tral in Pulwama District when locals pelted stones on Police, paramilitary and army men, who were laying siege around the village to conduct operation to flush out a group of militants hiding there. An INSAS assault rifle of a CRPF officer was snatched by the mob after injuring him. During the clashes between locals and security men, the HM ‘deputy chief’ Sabzar Ahmad along with some of his associates managed to escape from the area, Police sources said.

The ‘general secretary’ of UTLA/KNO, identified as Sehjahao Singsit alias Haopu Singsit alias Abunidhar was reportedly killed by the suspected cadres from his own militant group over unknown internal conflict at Songsang area in Thanlon sub-division in Churachandpur District. According to the sources, the UTLA leader’s killing may be related to the just concluded Assembly polls as he is believed to have a disagreement on the issue. 

Suspected militants abducted two persons and later released after beating them severely in Churachandpur town of Churachandpur District.

Indian Army troopers recovered an IED from a paddy field of Dubluhabi area of Charaipung forest division in Charaidew District. Army arrested one suspected person, identified as Ghanakanta Gogoi in this connection. According to the Army the arrested person was secretly working for the ULFA-I. 

The CPI-Maoist cadres demanded INR 800,000 ‘levy’, from Nutan Construction Company in East Champaran District of Bihar. Nutan Construction Company employee Sonu Singh registered an FIR  at Pakridayal Police Station in the District, saying some motorcycle-borne persons had visited the site of the construction firm and threatened to blow up its equipment if INR 850,000 was not paid as ‘levy’ to the CPI-Maoist. “One of them identified himself as CPI-Maoist ‘area commander’ Mithu Ram”, Sonu said. Nutan Construction Company is engaged in construction of approach road to a bridge on Patahi-Shikargunj road in the District.

March 6

SFs faced protests at Pinjoora area in Pulwama District of South Kashmir, where they had gone to conduct search operations after receiving inputs about presence of the militants. Later, the operation was called off after no militant was found. Asked what measures have been taken to prevent protests and stone pelting at encounter sites, IG CRPF said, “The local administration is taking steps to prevent people from staging protests and pelting stones on security men during anti-militancy operations in the Valley.”

However, despite these measures intense stone pelting takes place at some places during the encounters, Hassan said. According to him, most of the stone pelting incidents during anti-militancy operations have taken place in South Kashmir.

Pakistan-based terror groups finance terrorism in J&K by generating millions in donations through their charity organisations, said Atul Goel, SP, NIA. Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF), a charity run by terror outfits JuD and LeT, and Al Rehmat Trust, backed by another terrorists group JeM, have been supporting terrorists and funding terrorism in Kashmir, said Atul Goel, addressing a session at the 19th Asian Security Conference on 'Combating Terrorism: Evolving an Asian Response' in New Delhi. Goel said the NIA was looking into the activities of JuD, LeT and JeM and also the working of trusts associated with them in Pakistan. "These outfits collect donations from people in Pakistan and then pass on the money to finance terrorism in Kashmir through their overground workers," he said.

An operation against militants was called off in the Newa area in Pulwama District after people took to the streets and threw stones during the counter-insurgency operation. The Army’s 55 RR, the Police’s SOG and the CRPF’s 183 Battalion cordoned off the area around 10 p.m. on March 6. A tip-off suggested movement of LeT militants in the area. Police sources said the operation was called off at night when mosques in the area started blaring pro-freedom songs and residents from many adjacent villages marched towards the operation site.

One militant of KNA/ KRA-U, identified as Kamminlun Hmar alias Henry alias Pupu (27) was reportedly killed in a gun battle between a combined team of KRA, KRA-U under KNO and KNF under UPF at Khengjang village in Kangpokpi District. Both the formations are under SoO agreement; KRA-U is under KNO and KNF under UPF.    

The UTLA expressed its disappointment over the alleged abduction and threatening of Longpi village chief by NSCN-IM on February 27. The chief of Longpi village, Kailal Gangte Kuki, who is also the chairman of the area's Chief Association, was reportedly abducted by the NSCN-IM on February 27 and later released the next day after threatening him. NSCN-IM threatened him about participating in the Assembly polls to be held on March 8.  

According to some unofficial sources, ahead of the second phase Manipur polls scheduled on March 8, NSCN-IM, which is undergoing peace talk with the GoI have served threat to the villagers in Naga inhabited areas in the State to cast vote in favour of their ‘sponsored’ candidates.

State Government said that it has instructed all SPs to remain alert and tighten security at all sensitive places in view of the possibility of ISIS recruiting youths from the State. Replying to a discussion during the zero hour in the assembly, Assam Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said all the SPs have been ordered to keep a strict vigil and maintain a close watch on doubtful people. “We have also ordered to strengthen security along Indo-Bangla border and secure the river ways. Police have been strictly asked to maintain close coordination with various intelligence agencies,” he also said.

Besides, security and other agencies have been keeping a close watch on social media as these can be tools of influencing youths for joining the global terror outfit, he added. The minister informed the house that two trained members of JMB were nabbed from Nalbari District. Assam Police, he said, has so far arrested 56 JMB extremists after the Burdwan blast in West Bengal in 2014. “Apart from them 10-12 JMB members are absconding at present,” Patowary added without elaborating.

Three restaurants owned by Bengalis located in Golaghat town in Golaghat District were vandalized by unidentified persons. This incident comes after NBBUSS activists vandalized the office of the AASU in Silapathar in Dhemaji District. NBBUS held a procession after a daylong meeting demanding unconditional removal of the names of Hindu Bengalis from the list of D (doubtful) voters. AASU said it would organise Satyagraha (a form of civil disobedience) at all District headquarters in the State. AASU has further said that the BJP government's move to give citizenship to Hindu Bangladeshis had instigated the incident.

Police recovered a 7.65 mm pistol from a person, identified as Michael Bhanglaluth (27) at Fulertal in Cachar District.

A joint team of 32 AR and State Police launched an operation and arrested an arms dealer, Igato Sumi (31), from Govinda Paira Colony of Burma Camp, in Dimapur District. The joint team recovered one .22 mm pistol and mobile from him.

Narayanpatna Police arrested four suspected CPI-Maoist cadres from Koraput District of Odisha. The arrestees are identified as Basanta Hantal of Kotiya village, Purno Tadangi and Rajiv Tadangi of Upar Gumandi village - all in the District - and S Murali Krishna, a contractor from Gajapati District of Odisha. Suspected Maoists had allegedly set fire to a JCB machine and other road construction equipment near Podapadar village under Narayanpatna Police limits on February 27.

March 7

In the first-ever strike in India by Islamic State (IS), a module radicalised by the terrorist organisation triggered a low-intensity blast in Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train Madhya Pradesh, injuring 9 passengers. The incident occurred near Jabdi station in Shajapur District of Madhya Pradesh . A high alert has been sounded across the state after the explosion. IG (Law and Order) Makrand Deouskar said the explosion was caused by a pressure pipe bomb filled with ammonia nitrate kept inside a bag on the luggage rack.

Moments after the train blast, three men were held as they stepped off a bus near Pipariya in Hoshangabad District of Madhya Pradesh and after they were interrogated they revealed of other suspects in Lucknow and Kanpur. Following a standard protocol, the information was shared with Central Intelligence agencies, which alerted the Uttar Pradesh Police and the state ATS. Three men arrested in Pipariya, Madhya Pradesh are identified as Danish Akhtar alias Jaffar, Aatish Muzaffar alias Al Kasim (both from Kanpur) and Syed Mir Hussain alias Humza a native of Aligarh, in Uttar Pradesh.

The ATS in Uttar Pradesh carried out a massive search operation in Kanpur and arrested three persons linked with Bhopal-Ujjain train blast. The three held in Kanpur are identified as Mohammed Imran alias Bhai, Mohammed Faisal Khan (both are brothers) and Fakre Alam alias Rishu, a native of Etwawah. The Police said that they recovered a laptop, cellphones and found IS videos and literature in the laptop.

Balwinder Singh (41), a citizen of India, was sentenced to 15 years in a U.S. prison after he pleaded guilty to conspiring while living in northern Nevada to plot terror strikes in his home country (India). U.S. District Judge Larry Hicks in Reno also ordered Balwinder Singh to remain under lifetime federal supervision upon his release from prison after prosecutors argued that Singh has had ties to known terrorist groups in India for more than two decades.

FBI Special Agent Aaron Rouse of Las Vegas said the plot was foiled after a co-conspirator was arrested trying to board a flight in San Francisco bound for Bangkok, Thailand, with two sets of night vision goggles purchased by Singh at a Cabela's sporting goods store in Reno.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Sullivan said it's possible Singh still will be extradited to India where he faces criminal charges in connection with a terror attack on a passenger bus that killed three people in India in April 2006. "This isn't somebody who was just recruited like some of the young people who think it's really cool to go get involved with the Jihad," Sullivan said. "Mr. Singh has been involved with terrorism or terrorist organizations for over 20 years."

Growing public interference in anti-militancy operations forced the SFs to call off two anti-militancy operations in south Kashmir in the past 24 hours. A search-and-cordon team of the Army and the Police came under heavy stone throwing in Mohamadpora village in Kulgam District, thus delaying the operation. Police sources said the residents started throwing stones as the SFs were throwing a cordon after a tip-off about militants’ presence. “Heavy teargas shelling was used to disperse protesters from the site,” said a senior Police official. Several local people, including a woman, were injured in the process.

Mehmood Shah, an LeT spokesman, praised people for “ensuring the safety of the militants”. “We won’t let the people-militant bond to break. Till people are in the field, militants will continue to outsmart Indian troopers,” said the LeT spokesman.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said that “at least a dozen youth who had picked up guns were brought back to their homes in the past two or three months”.

One AR jawan (trooper) and one poll official were injured when three IEDs exploded at two separate places of Phungyar Assembly Constituency under Kamjong District. The first two IEDs exploded almost simultaneously at a place near Aishi village where an AR jawan identified as R Vasnet injured. The second explosion took place near a polling station located at Ashang Khullen. One unidentified polling official sustained injuries in this second explosion.

Unidentified armed assailants abducted four unidentified workers of an independent candidate TS Warngam who is contesting in the second phase of the 11th State Legislative Assembly election from Chandel Assembly Constituency from a place in between Chandel and Chakpikarong in Chandel District.

Due to the UNC-spearheaded economic blockade on Manipur since November 1, 2016, there have been no talks between GoI’s Interlocutor for ‘Naga Peace Talks’ R.N. Ravi and NSCN-IM ‘leaders’ for over a month. According to the report, both sides used to hold both formal and non formal meetings almost on a regular basis but the UNC’s economic blockade appears to have caused some disruption. Ravi was also quoted as saying that the blockade had brought about serious misapprehension between the Nagas and non-Nagas in the Northeast and which would make his task of finding an early amicable solution to Naga issue difficult, added the report.

A tense situation continued for the second day at Silapathar in Dhemaji District even as the Indian Army staged a flag march after activists of NBBUSS ransacked the office of the AASU on March 6 demanding Indian citizenship for Hindu Bengalis who came to Assam from Bangladesh after 1971. 

Cutting across party lines, members of Assam Assembly ‘vehemently condemned’ the incident of attack on the AASU office at Silapathar by NBBUSS, demanding stern action against such divisive forces even as the State Government constituted a high-level inquiry to hunt down the culprits behind the incident. So far nine persons suspected to have been involved in the incident have been arrested. The Police prepared a list of about 20 persons suspected of involvement in the incident. The State Police also declared Subudh Biswas, the ‘president’ of NBBUSS, as an absconder and alerted all Police Stations across the State to hunt and arrest him.

Some unidentified miscreants set ablaze Mandal Hotel situated at Silapathar Namsuk area in Dhemaji District.

After a discussion with Golaghat DC and SP, CJCS [a student organistaion of Chutiya community] and six other organisations of ‘indigenous people’ withdrew their call for a bandh (shutdown) in the District for indefinite period.

AR troops have arrested, Naoba Metei (16), a cadre of the Manipur-based outfit KCP, from Kunsa village in Tirap District.

A joint squad of District Force and ITBP recovered two IEDs, allegedly planted by the CPI-Maoist cadres during a search operation in the interiors of Iragaon area in Kondagaon District of Chhattisgarh. The explosives, one IED weighed 10 kilograms, another was of around five kilograms, packed in steel tiffin boxes were seized from a dirt track near Churegaon village under the Iragaon Police Station limits, a District Police official said.

Delhi University Professor, G N Saibaba and four others were sentenced to undergo life imprisonment by Gadchiroli Sessions Court of Maharashtra, for their links with CPI-Maoist cadres. The wheelchair-bound English teacher of Ram Lal Anand College in New Delhi, Saibaba (47), with 90 per cent disability, was arrested in May 2014 from his home in Delhi by Maharashtra Police's ANO unit. The court also sentenced to life JNU student Hem Mishra, former journalist Prashant Rahi, Mahesh Tirki, Pandu Narote.

The CISF is raising a STW in Hyderabad District of Telangana. The STW are being raised on the lines of SWAT, and will cater to the needs of hypersensitive airports, and sensitive units in Naxal-affected areas. The role of bomb disposal squad and quick reaction team will be focused upon in STE to counter the aircraft hijacking and other contingencies like armed attack and IED threats, said CISF DG, OP Singh.

March 8

After 12 hours of intensive firing and the use of tear gas and smoke bombs, one Islamic State (IS) suspect was killed by ATS in Thakurganj area in outskirts of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, and the operation ended at around 3 am on March 8. At least six persons were reportedly arrested in an anti-terror sweep and combing operation was underway to flush out one suspect holed up in a house, hours after a low intensity blast in Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train. The body the suspect holed up in the house was identified as Mohammed Saifurullah alias Ali, a resident of Kanpur.

Eight pistols, 650 rounds of ammunition, 50 fired rounds, explosives, gold, cash, passports, SIM cards and a train time table were found along with the body.

Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre said India has been dealing with terror attacks for long and is capable of tackling incidents like the one in Lucknow where a suspected Islamic State (IS) terrorist was killed. Bhamre said terrorism is a global phenomenon and there is a need to tackle this in a united manner.

Investigations in the suspected IS (Islamic State) terror module operating in India revealed that Ghaus Mohammed Khan, an ex-Indian Air Force officer was the leader of the group planning attacks in the country. According to a report Ghaus Mohammed Khan is currently absconding. Earlier yesterday, the Anti-Terrorist Squad managed to kill the terrorist hiding inside a house in Thakurganj area of Lucknow after 10 hours of long battle. However, it was the Counter Intelligence Cell of the Telangana Police that tracked, monitored and intercepted calls and messages of the suspected terrorists for months. According to sources, all the module members, including the slain, Saifullah, who was identified as their leader were reported to have been under electronic surveillance for months.

Uttar Pradesh ATS IG Aseem Arun revealed that the neutralised terrorist was a member of the IS Khorasan module. “We got the intelligence from a sister agency that a person named Saifullah affiliated to ISIS is hiding in a residential area in Lucknow. In 2016, the NIA had taken down Khalid Rizwan, as a part of a nationwide mission against the IS, resulting in the arrest of more than 20 people. In October 2016, the CIC had decoded texts between 6 men in Kerala recruited by an IS handler to plan terrorist attacks. In June 2016, the Telangana Police had provided the NIA with inputs to bust an IS terror module preparing to attack various Police Stations in Hyderabad.

The J&K Police busted a HM module by arresting its three suspected members, identified as Reyaz Ahmad Wani, Ikhlaq Ahmad Khanday and Tawseeul-Nabi in Bemina area of Srinagar District. The Police recovered two pistols, two pistol Magazines, 20 rounds, four grenades, one wireless set and a packet of explosive substance from the militants. During preliminary investigation the trio said they were working with Jehangir, an active militant in Kishtwar, the Police said.

DGP of J&K, Shesh Paul Vaid, on March 8 warned terrorists to desist from attacking the families of Police personnel in Kashmir valley. DGP Vaid said: "Don't bring in families in this conflict, you too have families. If you harass our families we will do same to your families." The remarks came a day after some terrorists ransacked the house of a Police officer and asked the families to tell the officer to quit the job else face the consequences.

With the onset of spring and melting of snow, BSF warned of increased infiltration along the LoC but said it along with Army is alert to tackle it. IG, Subsidiary Training Centre (STC), BSF, Sushil Kumar Shinde, said in Srinagar that the infiltration of militants increases after melting of snow. “Definitely after melting of snow, infiltration increases because during snow accumulation, it is difficult for them (militants) to cross the LoC. But after melting of snow, the infiltration increases…,” he said on the sidelines of a passing-out-parade at STC Humhama on city outskirts (Srinagar). However, the IG, BSF said that the infiltration could be prevented through alertness of Army and BSF. “Our alertness accordingly increases and (as a result) we are successful in securing our borders,” he said and added that as far as preparation (to tackle infiltration) is considered, they are always ready (to curb militant infiltration).

At least nine civilians were injured in a powerful IED blast carried out by unidentified militants in front of Vikas Pharmacy at Kasturi Bridge of Imphal Bazar in Imphal West District. The injured persons were identified as Dilip Kumar (26), Anil Kumar (28), Dinesh Prasad Sahu (40), Meera Roy (50), Dolly Roy (29), Khumanthem Modhubala (34), Yumnam Ibempishak (47), Yumnam Jiten (50) and Sapam Eros (44).

The polling official, identified as H Ramkating, who was injured in an IED blast in Ashang Khullen of Kamjong District on March 7, succumbed to the injuries.

Tension prevailed on the third day at Silapathar and its adjoining area with shops and business establishment remained closed over the issue of vandalism incident of March 6. Army, Police and CAPF carried out a flag march at Silapathar. Police have arrested 14 persons in this connection.

Over 10,000 people participated in a protest rally, led by activists of AASU along with 21 other local ethnic organisations, against Silapathar incident, in Dhemaji. The rally was in protest against the vandalism of AASU local office by the activists of NBBUSS [a group which is demanding citizenship for Hindu Bangladeshis and removal of their names from D-voter category] at Silapather on March 6.

The Special Director General of Police (DGP-law and order), Kula Saikia assured that all possible precautionary measures have been taken to prevent any conflict between linguistic groups following the Silapathar incident, which caused widespread repercussion all over the State. DGP Saikia said that instructions have been issued to all the district Police forces to keep close watch on the situation and to improve the intelligence network. The District Police forces have been directed to identify the vulnerable areas and increase Police and security presence in such areas. Police officers are asked to hold talks to people of different groups to ensure that peace and harmony is maintained between all sections of people.

One Bangladeshi security personnel of Griha Rakshi Bahini, identified as Nausad Mia (62), was lynched and another detained by the villagers at Siddhinagar village under the jurisdiction of Puran Rajbari Police Station in South Tripura District when 12 intruders attempted a robbery. Informing about the incident South Tripura District SP Tapan Debbarma said, “Twelve Bangladeshis comprising eight Griha Rakshi Bahini personnel (equivalent of Indian Home Guards), two Government employees and two civilians illegally crossed the India-Bangladesh border and tried to rob Indian villagers on Wednesday night.” Senior BSF and Police officers, along with reinforcements, have been camping in the tension ridden areas.

Four CPI-Maoist cadres were killed in an encounter with the 205th battalion of the CoBRA of the CRPF, at Baskatwa jungles under Gurpa Police Station in Gaya District of Bihar. Acting on tip-off of a meeting of top Maoist leaders in the area, the SFs launched an operation in the forest. On seeing the SFs, the rebels started firing leading to fierce encounter, in which the four rebels were killed. SFs found the four bodies of the rebels along with their arms lying close to them. The arms included two INSAS assault rifles, one SLR and one AK-47 assault rifle. The slain Maoist cadres were identified as Anil alias Deepak, ‘zonal commander’ of Magadh area committee action team, Rajesh Ravidas, ‘sub-zonal commander’, Nepali Yadav and Uttam.

A BSF officer was injured, when an IED, apparently planted by the CPI-Maoist, exploded while it was being defused by a BDS in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. The incident took place near a BSF camp in Korenar village under Bande Police Station limits. The injured officer was identified as Assistant Commandant Pradeep M, attached to the BSF’s 171 Battalion. The home-made bomb was placed beneath the ground on a dirt track between Korenar village and the BSF camp, about 125 kilometres from Raipur, and it was spotted during a search operation by security personnel.

A landmine, planted by CPI-Maoist cadres, on a road leading to Palem Vagu irrigation project near Rachapally village at Venkatapuram Mandal in Jayashankar Bhupalapally District of Telangana was defused by the Police. SP, R Bhaskaran told that since the village was near the Chhattisgarh border, the CPI-Maoist group, in order to establish their presence, planted the landmine and tried to create panic among the locals. The landmine was spotted by the workers of the Palem Vagu project on March 4, and the Police was informed about it.

March 9

India asked Pakistan to take action against the increasing number of terrorists being spotted at "launch pads" along the LoC. "In the DGMO-level talks over the hotline, Lt-Gen A K Bhatt expressed concern to his Pakistani counterpart about the movement of terrorists noticed along the LoC," said an Army officer. With infiltration attempts on the rise once again as the snow in the mountain passes melts, sources said it was clearly conveyed to Islamabad that the "onus was on the Pakistan Army to take action against the terrorists and not allow them to cross-over into Kashmir." The Pakistan Army, on its part, "rejected Indian concerns on movement of terrorists along the LoC" and asked the Indian Army to "look inward, share evidence".

A Nepalese national allegedly killed in firing by the SSB along the border Indo-Nepal border at Lakhimpur Kheri District in Uttar Pradesh after SSB men tried to stop a group of Nepalese citizens from constructing an illegal bridge on no man's land. The Nepalese citizens allegedly responded to this by assembling a mob which pelted the SSB men with stones, injuring seven border guards. In response, the SSB fired in the air to disperse the crowd. Heavy security force has been deployed at the spot and the situation is being monitored by senior officials, who are also in talks with authorities across the border.

Two militants were killed in a fierce gun battle broke out between SFs and LeT militants in Padgampora area of Pulwama District in the morning. "The slain militants have been identified as Jehangir Ganai and Mohammad Shafi alias Sher Gujri," a senior CRPF officer said, adding that Ganai was involved in the killing of a local Policeman last year (2016). SFs from the CRPF and SOG of J&K Police have started search operations and cordoned off the area where two-three militants of the group were holed up even. Army was deployed to carry out combing operations.

A fifteen year old teenager, identified as Amir Nazir was also killed by a bullet-hit when he was throwing stones to disrupt the anti-terror operations of SFs against two hiding LeT terrorists at Padgampora in Pulwama District, DGP of J&K, Shesh Paul Vaid said. Amir Nazir was part of a mob pelting stones when a bullet hit him in the neck. The incident happened despite Army chief Bipin Rawat's recent warning against those attacking SFs during anti-militancy operations of "tough action". The SFs came under intense attack from stone pelters, which forced them to open fire, leaving several injured.

Locals hit the streets and started pelting stones on SFs near the encounter site. Additional SFs have been rushed to the area, where locals are pelting stones to disrupt the operation. Sources said there could be two to three militants in the area. SFs have sealed all roads leading to the village, including from Awantipora to prevent people from moving towards the encounter site

A HM militant, identified as Mushtaq Ahmad Seergojri was killed and an Army major injured in a shootout near Police Station in Bandipora in Bandipora District in the evening. A joint team of Army and SOG of J&K Police had laid a naka following specific inputs about the movement of militants. A militant who was travelling in a vehicle opened fire on Army in which Army Major was injured. In the retaliatory fire, the militant was gunned down. One pistol and a grenade were recovered from his possession.

The authorities placed separatist Hurriyat Conference (G) leaders, including Shabir Ahmad Shah, Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai, Ayaz Akbar, Raja Mehrajudin, Mohd Ashraf Laaya and Umer Adil Dar under house arrest following a strike called by them against the killing of civilian. Security has also been intensified to prevent violence in Kashmir.

Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti has expressed deep anguish and grief over the killing of a 15 year old Amir Nazir in Padgampora village of Pulwama District. Extending her sympathies to the bereaved, the Chief Minister said it was highly unfortunate that youth are caught in the vicious cycle of violence in the State which has consumed so many precious lives and left behind a trail of death and destruction.

  An Army jawan (trooper), identified as Deepak Jaganath was killed when Pakistani troops violated ceasefire in Poonch sector in Poonch District of Jammu region. Official sources said Pakistani troops opened fire at Indian posts around 2 pm at Gulpur area which was effectively retaliated by the Army. The sources said the jawan was injured in the firing from across the border and he was shifted to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries this evening.

One IED was exploded by unidentified militants targeting a security convoy at Singjamei Super Market in Imphal West District. The security convoy narrowly escaped and no injury was reported.

Imphal valley based militant group PREPAK, in a statement, claimed responsibility of the IED blast of Vikas Pharmacy at Kasturi Bridge of Imphal Bazar in Imphal West District.

A house of BJP candidate SS Olish at Kanankhu village in Chandel District was set on fire by suspected cadres of NSCN-IM as post-poll violence continues in various parts of the State. However no one was injured in the incident. According to the report, NSCN-IM threatened the villagers of Chandel Assembly constituency to cast their vote in favor of an Independent candidate earlier.

The ‘foreign secretary’ of GNLA, identified as Briyan R. Marak alias Millam (40) surrendered before Police without any arms at Baghmara in South Garo Hills District. According to Police, Briyan played a key part in forging close ties with the ULFA-I, NDFB and NSCN-U in Bangladesh. Briyan R. Marak’s surrender has come as another body blow for the elusive GNLA ‘c-in-c’ Sohan D. Shira after scores of senior leaders and cadres surrendered in the past one year. The GNLA ‘c-in-c’ is learnt to be with a handful (approximately 20) cadres and well armed, stated another source in the Police headquarters.

Assam Police sounded an alert across the State to prevent violence following the attack on the office of AASU in Dhemaji District and set up a SIT to investigate the incident. Assam Police also announced a reward of INR 1, 00,000 for information about Subodh Biswas, the key accused in the attack on the AASU office.

State Police has received intelligence inputs that NDFB-IKS militants would take to rhino poaching to shore up funds. The State Forest minister Pramila Rani Brahma confirmed that the Special Branch of Assam Police has alerted the forest department about the NDFB-IKS cadres getting into rhino poaching. In her written reply to a question by Congress legislator Abdul Khaleque, Brahma said that a letter has been received from the ADGP (Special Branch), Pallab Bhattacharyya, informing the Government about the threat.

Reacting to the Silapathar incident, NDFB-S blamed the State Government for the whole incident and threatened that the outfit will not tolerate on the destructive policy of the Government to annihilate the ‘indigenous people’ of the State by giving soft heart to the illegal immigrants on the pretext of their political gain.

In a joint statement issued to the media after a joint meeting between ‘Working Group’ of NNPGs and NGBF held at Dimapur urged for initiating a separate ‘political dialogue’ between the GoI and NNPGs of present Nagaland State. The statement was signed by NGBF president, I. Shanlem Konyak and general secretary Shikuto Zalipu and NNPGs represented by Government of the GPRN/ NSCN-KK ‘ato kilonser’ and ‘convenor’ WG, N. Kitovi Zhimomi NNC parent body ‘general secretary & co-convenor’, V Nagi NSCN-R ‘president & co-convenor’, Wangtin Naga NNC/ NPGN & ‘co-convenor’, Hozheto Chophy and NNC/ GDRN & ‘co-convenor’, Kiumukam Yimchunger.

Nagaland CM Shürhozelie Liezietsu met a joint delegation of the JCC and the NTAC, the two groups which spearheaded the movement against holding of civic polls, in a bid to resolve misunderstandings.

One extortionist, identified as Himato Yepthomi was arrested by the AET while he was caught extorting money from the trucks at Bamunpukhuri area in Dimapur Town. Money in cash and incriminating documents in the forms of leaflets belonging to the NSCN-IM was also recovered from his possession.

March 10

A complete shutdown was observed in Kashmir, following a call by the Valley’s joint separatist leadership against the killing of a civilian during an encounter March 9, disrupting normal life. Shops, business establishments and educational institutions were closed and the streets remained deserted. Hardliner Hurriyat chief Syed Ali Geelani, moderate Hurriyat chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and chairman of the JKLF Yasin Malik had given call for a complete shutdown and after-prayer protests on Friday (March 10) in the wake of Pulwama encounter (March 9).

Two teenage boys from PoK, against whom the NIA dropped charges of conspiracy in the Uri terror strike (September 18, 2016), were reunited with their families at the Wagah border after spending nearly six months in detention. Faisal Hussain Awan and Ahsan Khursheed had been handed over to the Jammu-based 16 Corps of the Army this week after the probe agency came to the conclusion that the two had strayed into the Indian side after a tiff with their parents due to the pressure of studies. The NIA had said that the evidence collected in the form of statements, technical analysis of their mobile phones, seized GPS devices and other circumstantial evidence collected by the NIA "did not reveal any linkage of the suspects with the Uri attackers". Earlier, the Army had detained the two on September 23, 2016 barely days after the terror strike, and claimed that the two had allegedly acted as guides of the four terrorists who carried out the attack on the Uri garrison in North Kashmir.

Junaid Qureshi, son of Kashmiri separatist leader Hashim Qureshi, said that Gilgit Baltistan is an integral part of J&K and Pakistan has no right to divide the state. "Gilgit Baltistan (region) is an integral part of (India's) Jammu and Kashmir State. Pakistan has no right to divide the state further and sell its resources under false rubric of infrastructure development," Junaid Qureshi said, adding that the "state is not for sale." Qureshi who also heads European Foundation for South Asian Studies, was speaking at the UN's Geneva convention. He also rejected the construction of CPEC along the line of control through Gilgit Baltistan region. "Construction of CPEC is illegal and a contravention of International law. It requires your (UN) urgent attention and intervention," he said.

One civilian, identified as P Loni (28), was injured when unidentified militants opened fire at a polling station at Purul Akutpa area of  Senapati District where re-polling was held.

The Dhemaji District administration has clamped indefinite curfew in Silapathar after six shops were set ablaze by unknown persons in the heart of the town. Miscreants also had set ablaze three houses at Sengajan and Majarbari in Simen Chapori despite the night curfew. When asked about the duration of their ‘ban’ on shops owned by Bengalis, the ‘general secretary’ of AASU's Dhemaji District unit, Krishna Ranjan Chutia, said that they would discuss the issue. Also, the AAJYS has called a 12-hour Dhemaji District bandh (shutdown) starting from 5 am on March 11. This bandh will take the number of days affected due to similar bandh in Silapathar to five. The situation has remained tense ever since the NIBBUSS activists allegedly vandalized the AASU office at Silapathar on March 6.  On that day, NIBBUSS had organised a meeting which was later followed a procession seeking removal of names of Bengali Hindus from the D-voters list.

Police arrested a NDFB-IKS militant, in connection to the abducting Ranjit Dutta (of Kokrajhar District), at Duttapur area under Runikhata Police Station of Chirang District. The arrested militant was identified as Mitichar Mushahary.

An indefinite hunger strike staged by ABSU and its allied organizations- PJACBM and the - NDFB-PTF, demanding early solution to the demand for creation of ‘Bodoland State’ and ensure political rights of the Bodos living outside the proposed ‘Bodoland’ area got underway in Kokrajhar Town.

One militant of NSCN-R, identified as Wangdi Tailong, was arrested by AR during an operation at Jungmaisung in Changlang District. A Pistol and live ammunition was also recovered from the arrested militant.

AR busted an abandoned hideout of NSCN-K at Nogna village in Tirap District.

Meghalaya CM Dr Mukul Sangma refuted claims by the opposition that his Government was yet to pay rehabilitation package to cadres of the disbanded ANVC and its splinter group ANVC-B. While replying during a debate, he informed that rehabilitation packages were disbursed to 363 out of the 367 cadres of the AVCB and 139 cadres of the disbanded ANVC-B. He informed the House that three of the members of the disbanded ANVC members did not avail the rehabilitation package while one expired.

Dr Sangma also informed that out of the 139 members of the disbanded ANVC-B only 11 have been able to take advantage of the rehabilitation package while 53 cadres their cases were sent for minor corrections and 74 cadres were yet to submit details of the bank accounts.

A former Sarpanch, Madvi Dula (55), was killed by CPI-Maoist cadres at in Tokanpalli forest under Chintagufa Police station in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh . Dula was abducted by Maoists, on March 9, on suspicion of being a ‘Police informer’.

Two women CPI-Maoist cadres, Tati Bheema and Kunjam Somdi, were arrested from Usoor Police Station area in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. SFs recovered a .303 rifle, 41 live rounds, electronic detonators and Maoist uniform.

About 200 Dongria Kondhs tribals of Niyamgiri Hills staged a demonstration in front of the Rayagada District Police Office of Odisha. Tribals were demanding release of Bari Pidikaka of Tahali village, Dashuru Kadraka and Saiba Pushika of Gortha village, who were arrested on charges of being Naxals. Ladda Sikaka, convener of NSS, said unable to fight the Maoists, Police is targeting innocent Dongria Kondhs branding them as Maoist supporters. They have threatened to stage mass protests from Rayagada to Bhubaneswar if their demands are not met.

As many as 474 civilians have been killed in Naxal violence in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra since 1982, Maharashtra Police issued a statement giving the statistics. According to the statement, the total number of civilian deaths in Naxal violence till now stood at 474. Also, 312 citizens were injured. As many as 191 Policemen were martyred in line of duty and 511 injured in the Naxal-affected District. Similarly, Government property worth INR 107,030,299 was destroyed, while loss of private assets stood at INR 185,007,016.

Three extortionists identified as ‘captain’ Athongba Sangtam, Zhaito Sumi and Khunu Sangtam belonging to NNC-NA militant was arrested by AET from Khermahal area in Dimapur Town.

March 11

Two persons were arrested by Railway Police at Mazhama railway station in Budgam District, along with old scrapped currency notes worth over INR 3.4 million. An official said that following a specific input, Railway Police officials intercepted two persons identified as Farooq Ahmad Labru and Mohammad Shafi Labru when they were about to board train at Mazhama railway station.

The ground situation in several parts of Dhemaji District still remains tense, even six days after the vandalism of Silapathar situated AASU office by NIBBUSS activists on March 6. Indefinite curfew imposed by the District administration is still in place. On that day, NIBBUSS had organised a meeting which was later followed a procession seeking removal of names of Bengali Hindus from the Doubtful-voters (D-voters) list.

The 12-hour Dhemaji bandh (shutdown-from 5 am to 5 pm) called by the Dhemaji District unit of AJYCS in protest against the vandalism and reportedly raising anti-Assamese slogans by NIBBUSS activists on March 6th passed off peacefully with some stray incident of motor tyres burning. AJYCS workers showed protest by burning motor tyres on the NH at Sissiborgaon, 15 km away from Dhemaji town. Normal life in Dhemaji was badly hit during the bandh as all shops, business establishments and financial institutions, including educational institutions at Dhemaji town and its adjacent areas remained closed during the bandh.

A joint forum of several organizations in Golaghat District had called a 12-hour Golaghat bandh (shutdown) protesting against the Silapathar incident passed off peacefully.All business establishments, Government and non-Government offices remained closed during the bandh.

Twelve CRPF personnel were killed and three others injured in an attack by the CPI-Maoist near Bhejji in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. Senior Police officials of Sukma District said that Maoist opened indiscriminate fire on a ROP between Bhejji and Kottacheru. Reports said the rebels looted weapons from the slain security personnel and took away the wireless radio sets from the spot. Further, details are awaited as the operation is going on. The deceased CRPF personnel have been identified as Inspector Jagjit Singh, Assistant Sub-Inspectors H.B. Bhatt and Narender Kumar Singh, Head Constables Jagdish Prasad Vishnoi and P.R. Minde and Constables Mangesh Pal Pandey, Rampal Singh Yadav, Goraknath, Nand Kumar Patra, Satish Kumar Verma, K Shankar and Suresh Kumar.

Under the scheme of NFADP, East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand administration will be organising a Vikas Mela at Jualkanta in Ghurabandha Police Station area in Ghatshila sub-division on March 15. The Police and Paramilitary Forces are carrying out anti-insurgency operation in places bordering West Bengal's Purulia District and Odisha’s Mayurbhanj District in order to make the fair a success. SP, Shailendra Kumar Burnwal told, that after the surrender of top naxal leaders in February, the remaining naxals operating in the area have united. The idea to launch the operation is to force them to shun path of violence.

SFs recovered explosives from a shop at Goraimari in the Barpeta District. SFs recovered five explosives, each weighing approximately 500 grams, which were wound with rope and shrapnel and further packed with red tape. Another plastic bag with ‘white powder’ was also recovered, which was suspected to be potassium nitrate, a substance used to make explosives. One unidentified person was arrested in this connection so far.

A video of a scene of extortion in broad daylight at a fuel outlet in Kohima town by a couple of unidentified gunmen has gone viral on social media. However, with the witnesses denying any extortion activity, the Police did not register any case after the incident.

One person identified as Lukheyi Yepthomi was arrested by the AET while he was ‘collecting taxes’ in the name of the 'NPG’ from various commercial vehicles around Doshehe Market area in Dimapur Town.

Four cadres of the PLFI were arrested by the Police in two separate incidents in Khunti and West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. PLFI is a splinter group of CPI-Maoist. In the first incident, three PLFI cadres, including a woman, Nirmala Kandulana, Jagai Pahan and Karam Singh Munda, were arrested when they came to collect ‘levy’ at Bhagat Singh Chowk in Khunti District of Jharkhand. In other incident, Police arrested PLFI cadre Rugu Gudia under Tebo Police Station limits in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. Police recovered two double barrel gun and 46 live cartridges from the spot of arrest.

 

March 12

Pakistani troops had violated the ceasefire by resorting to firing and mortar shelling in Krishnagati sector along the LoC in Poonch District.

One NDFB-IKS militant, identified as Agostin Mushahari (30), was arrested by Indian Army in Udalguri District. Sixteen live rounds of ammunition of 5. 56 mm AK 47, four mobile phones, a contact book and weapon repairing materials were also recovered from the militant.

State Police ordered a precautionary ban on the NBBUSS following acts of violence in Silapathar. The order means that NBBUSS will not be allowed to conduct any public meeting or activities.

The NSCN-IM, in a press release, threatened the people who are involved in money lending business to stop their business immediately in and around Dimapur Town.

CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze a road construction machine and a two-wheeler at Badapadar village under Bijepur Police limits in Kalahandi District of Odisha. According to reports, a group of over five Maoists set ablaze a JCB and a motorcycle belonging to the contractor, identified as Rajendra Sahoo, protesting road construction work. “Last night a group of Maoists arrived at my home in search of me. However, I managed to hide following which they took the key of the JCB from driver and set the machine on fire on the outskirts of the village,” said Rajendra.

March 13

A former Sarpanch was killed by unidentified gunmen in Pulwama. Police said gunmen abducted former Sarpanch Fayaz Ahmad from his Kakoora residence in Pulwama, and his bullet riddled body has been recovered from Chewa Kalan village in the District.

Pakistani troops resorted to mortar shelling and firing by automatic weapons along the LoC in Poonch District, prompting the army to retaliate. “There was unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistan Army in Poonch sector from 0640 hours today, using 82 mm mortars, automatic weapons,” a Defence spokesman said. There is no casualty on Indian side, he said. This is the second ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops in Poonch District, since yesterday, in less than 24 hours.

Police, probing a case against Tabrez Tambe (28) from Mumbra (Thane District, Maharashtra), who had left to work in Egypt this January and allegedly joined the banned outfit Islamic State (IS), have found that he is in a Libyan jail. He was caught by the Libyan authorities in December, 2016. His detention has been confirmed by Dr Ramamurthy Kosanam, who saw Tabrez in IS custody. Kosanam, a native of Andhra Pradesh's Krishna District, was abducted by IS cadres one-and-a-half years ago. He was rescued by the Indian mission in Libya in February, 2017. Maharashtra ATS officials apparently showed Tabrez's photograph to Kosanam to establish if he was in a Libyan jail. Tabrez, had on December 5, 2016 called up his family and said he had been arrested by the Libyan government and requested them to file a missing complaint for him and approach the embassy for his release. He had also told them to uninstall the Telegram app, through which he was communicating with them.

Tabrez's brother, Saud, filed a complaint with the state ATS after his mother received his call. "My brother also gave us his Facebook and Gmail passwords and told us to delete his accounts," Saud told police. An ATS officer said they had contacted the Union home ministry about Tabrez. The home ministry contacted the ministry of external affairs. "We are trying to bring him back," said an officer. The ATS had registered a case under various sections of the UAPA against Tabrez and his associate, Ali. The family suspects Ali indoctrinated Tabrez and took him to Egypt, from there they went to Libya. Police have also found that Ali had sent around INR 4,00,000 to Tabrez last year for travel and other expenses.

In a development in the Lucknow Islamic State (IS) encounter, a purported message posted by a pro- IS Telegram channel has identified Saifullah, who was killed in an encounter in Lucknow earlier this week, as a soldier of the Caliphate. Officials said they are verifying the veracity of the post and has sought cooperation from foreign intelligence agencies. This is the first time that any IS supported channel on Telegram has owned up Saifullah, who was part of the alleged terror module, which planted a bomb on a train near Bhopal on March 7.

US based intelligence website Site Intel Group posted a screen grab of the Telegram message on Twitter, which said, “Pro-#ISIS Telegram Channel Incites for Attacks in #India, Points to Suspected IS Fighter Saifullah as Example.” The website also posted a photograph of Saifullah describing him as a “soldier of the Khilafah from India.” The photo was juxtaposed with a message in Urdu, Arabic and English. It said, “Think not of those who are killed in the way of Allah as dead, Nay, they are alive, with their Lord, and they have provision.”

In another incident of ceasefire violation along LoC in border District Poonch of the Jammu region, the Pakistani troops targeted the forward Indian posts along the LoC for the third time in the last 24 hours, forcing the authorities to suspend the Poonch-Rawalkote bus service and postpone examinations.

SFs busted an extortion racket of the NSCN-K and arrested two militants of the outfit, identified as Belin Lego and Dibya Koch and a link woman, identified as Moina Basumatary from the Kalapani Chapori area along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border under Sadiya Police Station in Tinsukia District. One AK- 47 rifle, 19 live ammunitions, one fired case, 14 rounds of. 22mm weapon, eight cell phones and SIM cards were also recovered from the arrested militants. 

The State Police arrested Binoy Biswas (55), one of the main accused who executed the March 6 vandalism incident at Silapathar in Dhemaji District, from Kakobari Dharmapur village in Dhemaji District. He is the ‘national organising secretary’ of NIBBUS. With the arrest, the total number of persons arrested in connection with the Silapathar incident has gone up to 43. The Dhemaji District administration also relaxed the curfew for four hours.

On the fourth day of their hunger strike to press for a separate Bodoland State, the hunger strikers said that they would not accept any medical aid until a formal assurance for a comprehensive political dialogue is given. The ABSU, NDFB-P and the PJACBM are together holding the indefinite hunger strike at Kokrajhar Government Higher Secondary & MP School playground.

SFs arrested one CPI- Maoist militant, identified as Tapan Mahatta (33) alias Prabhat alias Prakash Kurmi alias Ranjit from the ASTC bus stand in Tinsukia District during checking. Two SIMs and a mobile phone were also recovered from him.

A team of leaders of the UNTABA have met with Interlocutor for Naga peace talks RN Ravi and ‘general secretary’ of the NSCN-IM Th. Muivah recently. The UNTABA leaders had deliberations Th. Muivah “for the restoration of transferred Naga lands in Assam to Nagaland and in what manner traditional and historical boundary can be settled with Assam during the final political settlement.”

One extortionist, identified as Alferd Sumi, reportedly a ‘leacy’ of the ‘NPGN’, was arrested by the AET around Metro Hospital area in Dimapur Town while he was extorting money from the business establishments.

Four unidentified militants reportedly threatened two Mizoram forest guards who were guarding the forests along Meidili River near Assam-Mizoram border to curb bamboo smuggling. According to Mizo Zirlai Pawl (Mizo Students’ Association), the two foresters were threatened at gun point by the four militants armed with AK-47 assault rifles and one pistol and told to stop guarding the riverine forest. However, Police said that they received the information of militants threatening foresters, but could not confirm it.

Naxals blew up the house of a para-teacher and held a ‘Jan Adalat’ at Baltharwa village atop Jhumra Hill under Mahuataad Police Station in Bokaro District of Jharkhand. At least 30 Naxals pasted posters across the village, branding the teacher Jailal Mahto as a ‘Police informer’. Mahto was not present at his residence at the time of the explosion. Naxals assaulted his wife Bijli Devi (27) and his father Moti Mahto. The group then blew up Mahto's house. Villagers in Baltharwa remained angry with the Police for not visiting the spot more than 24 hours after the incident.

March 14

A 26-year-old man, identified as A Shaikh, was detained in Khargone District of Madhya Pradesh by the Maharashtra ATS in connection with a case related to Islamic State (IS). He is being brought to Mumbai for questioning, a senior Police official said here. According to Police, Shaikh, who has completed his M.Tech, was allegedly in constant touch with one of the accused in the case, who was earlier arrested for his alleged links with the banned terror group. “Shaikh has not been placed under arrest so far. We are examining his role in the case,” the official said without elaborating further.

Arrested for alleged involvement in the October 2016 murder of an RSS worker in Bengaluru (Karnataka), Asim Shariff, leader of the District chapter of social and political organisation PFI, was associated with members of terror groups such as IM and Al Ummah, the NIA has alleged. The probe agency made its contentions while arguing in a plea filed by Shariff in Karnataka High Court. Shariff has questioned the invoking of provisions of UAPA, 1967, against him for the murder of RSS leader R Rudresh, and the suo motu decision of the UMHA to ask the NIA to probe the case. In the course of arguments, the UMHA and NIA have stated that provisions of UAPA are applicable in the case since it involves issues of national security.

The air base at Pathankot in Punjab has been put under high alert after a terror threat was reported. Choppers kept vigil at the air base in Punjab after the threat and search ops were underway around the air base, report said. According to local Police, the security has been beefed up on the basis on intelligence inputs. No suspicious person/ activity has been reported so far.

The NIA has registered a FIR in the latest Islamic State (ISIS) inspired cases in the Madhya Pradesh and Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) terror operations. The principal focus of the investigators would now be to digitally track the mastermind behind the modules, who is believed to be abroad. The move is to ensure that further radicalisation of Indian youth is stopped. After forces managed to identify a Lucknow terror module linked to ISIS, top intelligence sources had confirmed that search activities were initiated to find 20 odd youths who might have joined the Islamic radical group earlier and are now back in the country. As per information, all the 20 members - mostly based out of Kerala - were in Syria recently and might have returned to India to act on the radical groups agenda. While there have been no ISIS related terror activities in India, the Lucknow terror module raised a lot of security concerns for the country. The Centre has pinpointed five states where ISIS activists could surface, including Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Intelligence operations have already commenced in these states for monitoring any kind of terror activity.

Pakistan state sponsored terrorism where "good terrorists" are used against India is most lethal form of terror threats that countries in the Indian Ocean Region are facing, said Vice President Hamid Ansari. "Pakistan's use of terror as an instrument of state policy has been acknowledged by US state department. Pakistan uses good terrorists vis­a­vis India while battling bad terrorists at home," Ansari said in New Delhi without mincing any words while inaugurating third edition of Counterterrorism conference organised by noted Delhi­based think-tank India Foundation.

Warning of attacks in India, terror outfit Islamic State (IS) released a graphic depicting Taj Mahal as a possible target. According to reports, the graphic image showing an image of Taj Mahal in the backdrop with an IS terrorist standing next to it was posted by the Ahwaal Ummat Media Center on a channel of Telegram, the encrypted communication app.

Site Intelligence Group, which tracks jihadi activity on the web, has confirmed the report. The graphic also has an inset which shows another image of the Taj Mahal within crosshairs with the words “New Target” written below it. Also, there is an image of a van with the Arabic text “Agra istishhadi” (Agra martyrdom-seeker) written in English. The security agencies have claimed that some 75 Indians have so far joined IS. This includes 45 who went from India, mostly from Maharashtra, Kerala and Karnataka, while the remainder were Indians living abroad.

SFs arrested one suspected CPI-Maoist, identified as Malu Sethi, from Paharpur village near Lekhapani in Tinsukia District. Two guns, 3kg of explosives, a detonator, 20m of wire, 500gm of nails, switches and a mobile phone were recovered from the arrested militant.  

The ABSU, NDFB-P and PJACBM decided to end the indefinite hunger strike that began from March 10 after the Government assured to hold talks on Bodo issues before April 14.  

The Dhemaji District administration lifted day curfew in Silapathar town, even as it decided to continue with the night curfew. The curfew was imposed after the widespread violence when activists of the NIBBUS ransacked the office of the local AASU unit following a rally by the lesser known organisation on March 6. Police has arrested 46 persons since the March 6 clash between NIBBUSS activists and AASU members.

SFs arrested a militant of a newly formed militant group named ARA, identified as Sengman Ch. Marak alias Miksal alias Bacheng from Alda Cheran village near Songsak in East Garo Hills District. A US-made M-4 automatic rifle with ammunition, which allegedly belonged to William A. Sangma, a militant leader and wanted criminal who had escaped from Mendipathar Police Station in 2014, was recovered from his possession.

In wake of the continued rate of crimes committed against women and children in the State, the militant outfit HNLC announced its decision to ‘restart Operation Kyllang’ to punish rapists in the State.

SVC asked the NSCN-IM to take stringent action against one of its ‘kilonsers (cabinet minister)’ who had allegedly abducted and beaten up the VCC of Shangnyu village in Mon District on March 5.

Mizoram Governor Lieutenant General Nirbhay Sharma said that the final stage of peace dialogue between the State Government and the Manipur-based HPC-D militants was expected soon. Addressing the State legislature, the Governor said that three rounds of dialogue have so far been held. “During these talks, arms and ammunition snatched from the police by the HPC-D cadres were returned,” he added.

AR arrested two IS suspects, identified as Nazir Mohammad and Abu Bakir, both are from Tamil Nadu, at a border check post at Khudengthabi along the Trans Asian Highway No 1 in Chandel District. Fourteen SIM cards and some handsets, besides INR 75,130 and a huge amount in foreign currencies were recovered from the arrestees.  

A man identified as Kaushal Paswan (30) was shot dead by CPI-Maoist cadres near Mahuraushan village in Gaya District of Bihar. Paswan was a member of an anti-Maoist outfit – Bhakt Sangharsh Samiti – formed last year by some Dalits as a vigilante group against Maoists after they had killed some members of Bhuian and Paswan communities during assembly polls in 2015.

Assistant constable, Phagu Ram Mandavi (42) of the CRPF was killed by a group of CPI-Maoist cadres in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. Mandavi was visiting Bodli village 'Mela' (fair) under Bangpal Police Station.

UHM Rajnath Singh told Lok Sabha that “unprecedented success’’ by SFs led to “uneasiness” among Naxal groups. UHM Singh told that improved efficacy of the SFs is evident from the fact that the number of Left-wing extremist killed increased by 150 per cent in 2016. Similarly, surrenders and arrests registered a combined increase of 47 per cent over 2015. In 2016, SFs arrested 779 Naxals while 1,198 surrendered and 135 were eliminated. In 2016 there were 67 per cent encounters and exchange of fire that resulted in neutralization of LWE cadres as against only 36 per cent in 2015.Mr Singh said sustained operations by the security forces ensured that South Bastar districts saw a considerable fall in violence in 2016 — 252 incidents, as against 326 in 2015.

Minister of State for Home Affairs, Hansraj Ahir, informed the Lok Sabha that although the Government had made significant headway in the areas affected by LWE, the Centre was willing to hold talks with the Maoist cadres, if the latter agreed to give up arms.

Two TPC armed ‘squad commanders’, Rajesh Ganju and Hiralal Ganjhu, were arrested by Jharkhand Police and the CRPF in Chatra District of Jharkhand. SFs recovered a US-made rifle and a carbine, seven other firearms, 450 cartridges, four mobile phones, six magazines and INR 56,000. TPC is a splinter group of CPI-Maoist.

Deva Madhi alias Raghu, a CPI-Maoist cadre, carrying INR 100,000 reward on his head, surrendered before Police in Malkangiri District of Odisha. Raghu was working as a member of LGS of Kalimela Dalam for the last four years. He was allegedly involved in the murder of Tulsiram Bedara, Jaga Madkami, Deva Madkami, Ganga Padiami, Madan Hantala, Gurumurti Madhi, Sama Padiami and Badu Hantala in 2013.

March 15

Two businessmen were arrested along with FICN having a face value of INR 6,20,000 in denomination of INR 2,000 in Hyderabad. Acting on credible information, sleuths of the Special Operation Team of Rachakonda Commissionerate arrested the duo, Sakethwala Ramesh and Mohammad Riyaz Baba, after raiding the latter's house in Ibrahimpatnam, Police said. Another accused Mohammed Hazi is at large. 

Inspector of SOT, LB Nagar zone, K Narsing Rao said Ramesh was the kingpin of the fake currency circulation gang. He was earlier arrested on November 26, 2016 as he attempted to circulate bogus notes which were photocopies of the original INR 2,000 currency notes. Ramesh had concealed the fake currency notes in the house of Riyaz. He was released from the prison on January 20, 2017 and since then he had planned to circulate FICN hidden with Riyaz, the Inspector said.

Calling Pakistan a terrorism factory, India said Pakistan's terror policies have alienated its own people through continued mistreatment of minorities. In the UN, India accused Pakistan of spreading terrorism and illegally occupying some territories in Kashmir. Exercising its right to reply during a UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva, the Indian Representative said Pakistan must rein in its “compulsive hostility” towards India. “We ask Pakistan to stop inciting and supporting violence and terrorism in any part of India and refrain from meddling in our internal affairs in any manner,” the official said.

Three LeT militants and a minor girl were killed while another minor boy and a SF person were injured in an encounter at Hyhama area of Kupwara District of North Kashmir. SSP Kupwara, Shamsher Hussain, said that three militants of LeT, identified as Abu Mala, Anas Bhai and Abu Mansoor (all of them were Pakistani nationals) were killed in gun battle at Jagityal Kulnard area of Kupwara this morning (March 15). A minor girl, identified as Kaneeza and a minor boy Faisal were injured when they were hit by bullets during the encounter. Girl Kaneeza succumbed to her injuries and boy was shifted to Srinagar for treatment. A Police constable identified as Danish Ahmad was also injured in the encounter. Three AK-47 rifles, six hand grenades, one GPS, one wireless set, six magazines and large quantity of ammunition was recovered from them.

The SSP said that these militants were active in Kralpora, Dardpora, Marhama, Awoora and its adjacent areas for last one year. He said that they had infiltrated last year (2016) and were part of reception party of LeT. He said that they were receiving infiltrated militants from Keran and Tangdhar sectors and providing them logistic support before launching them to Kashmir valley.

Cross LoC trade between India and Pakistan via Chakkan-da-Bagh trade point in Poonch in Poonch District has been suspended in view of the mounting tension along the LoC after ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops. The Pakistan Army has targeted Trade Centre complex during shelling on March 12 and March 13. A school building and another structure at Chakkan-da-Bagh have been affected with the shelling by Pakistan.

Militants hurled a grenade on District Police Lines Pulwama in Pulwama District in the night. However, no damage was done. Police and SFs immediately cordoned off the area and the searches are on for the militants responsible for the attack.

The NIA filed the first supplementary chargesheet in the special NIA court in Guwahati against Rabi Basumatary, a suspected cadre of NDFB-IKS, for his alleged involvement in the killing of seven people at Balapara village in Kokrajhar District on May 1, 2014.

SFs arrested two unidentified militants of NSCN-K from Ligiripukhori area of Sivasagar District.

The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju in a written reply to a question by D.P. Tripathi in the Rajya Sabha said that the Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015 between the GoI and the NSCN-IM is a relevant document and details of the final settlement are being worked out within the parameters of the Framework Agreement. Hence, he added that it would be premature to make public the Framework Agreement.

One militant of NSCN-R, identified as ‘sergeant’ Bokito Sumi, was arrested while collecting extortion money from the commercial establishments in Dimapur Town.

In an address to a conference, via video conferencing from Raipur District of Chhattisgarh, on ‘’Counter-Terrorism’’ in New Delhi, CM Raman Singh, said that effective and good governance will spell the death-knell of Naxalism and terrorism. He added that LWE had been brought to an end in Surguja division. The authorities are working on the socio-economic front in Bastar division and the results will be known soon. Further, he told that the LWE had destroyed education, health, roads and communications links in the far-flung regions of Bastar division. He also elaborated that, medical services are being expanded in Bijapur District under the new innovative model. Five Prayas Residential schools had been opened in Raipur, Bilaspur, Ambikapur (Surguja), Jagdalpur (Bastar) and Durg Divisions to cater to the educational needs of children in the Naxalites’ violence affected Districts. He also informed that additional funds of INR 2 billion for Dantewada and INR 4 billion for Korba had been allocated under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s DMFP. It had created a positive environment in the regions.

Mohan Murmu and Sundar Soren of Ghurabandha squad of the CPI-Maoist surrendered before the District administration in Jwalkata village under Ghurabandha Police Station area at Ghatshila sub-division in East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand . They were aides of Kanu Munda, who is the former ‘secretary’ of JBORC of CPI -Maoist.

A group of 15 to 20 CPI-Maoist cadres abducted three villagers, Hari Pradhan, Banamali Naik and Sudarsan Naik of Narlapat village, from Thuamul-Rampur Police Station limits in Kalahandi District of Odisha. A senior Police official said the rebels either take the support of locals or resort to violence to trigger a fear psychosis among them to carry out their activities unhindered.

A report of the Home Department of Odisha Government, the standing committee chairman Ramesh Chandra Chaya Patnaik, told the Odisha Assembly that as 39 CPI-Maoist were neutralised while 23 civilians and three security personnel were killed in 2016. Report also stated that LWE situation remained challenging in parts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Bolangir, Bargarh, Boudh, Angul and Nayagarh Districts.

March 16

The Delhi HC upheld the Centre's decision to ban Zakir Naik's organisation the IRF. Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva who was hearing the matter dismissed Naik's plea against the immediate ban observing that the UMHA had "sufficient material for immediate ban." On November 17, 2016, the UMHA had banned IRF for five years under the UAPA. Contesting the ban in January, Senior Advocate Dinesh Mathur representing IRF submitted that the ban was imposed without "any application of mind on the part of the government authorities." The petition further contended that "the impugned notification, in fact, discloses no grounds or conclusions that have been drawn from any facts and material that was before the government to sustain its decision."

UHM Rajnath Singh said countries and state-supported groups, which violate the definition of terrorism as prescribed by the UN, should be punished by the international community. The minister said coastal borders of 36 countries touch the Indian Ocean, and nations, including India, need to work together to ensure safety and protection of maritime domains and trade and economic activities through sea routes. “To achieve this, we have to accept the comprehensive definition of terrorism given by the United Nations. The nations which violate this definition should be punished and ostracised,” he said.

Singh said the “comprehensive definition of terrorism” should include state-supported groups and nations which are supporting such groups and they should be brought under this definition...Identification of state-sponsored terrorism and isolating such state-sponsored groups will certainly be most important encouraging factors,” he said.

Police disallowed a joint press conference of separatist leaders, including the chairmen of both factions of Hurriyat Conference, and took them into custody. The separatist leaders including Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yaseen Malik were scheduled to hold a joint press conference at Geelani’s residence in Hyderpora in Srinagar District but Police did not allow Mirwaiz and Malik to enter into Geelani’s residence. Police took the trio into custody and did not allow the press conference.  Before being taken away, the Hurriyat leaders called for the boycott of the by-polls to two Lok Sabha constituencies of Srinagar and Anantnag which are going to polls on April 9 and 12 respectively.

India termed as “entirely unacceptable” any possible attempt by Pakistan to declare the Gilgit-Baltistan region, bordering disputed PoK, as the fifth Province. Reacting sharply to reports that a committee headed by Pakistan’s Foreign Affairs Advisor Sartaj Aziz has proposed status of a Province to Gilgit-Baltistan, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Gopal Baglay said any such step would not be able to hide the illegality of Pakistan’s occupation of parts of Jammu and Kashmir which it must vacate, forthwith. Noting that the issue pertains to the sovereignty of India, he said the Government’s position is very well known on the matter.

“The entire State of J&K is an integral part, has been an integral part and will be an integral part of India. No attempt or unilateral attempt or step to change that would have any legal basis, whatsoever, and it will be entirely unacceptable. “Any such step would not be able to hide the illegality of Pakistan’s occupation of parts of J&K which it must vacate, forthwith. It will also not be able to hide the tremendous, very concerning human rights violations and denial of freedom that has been going on in parts controlled by Pakistan for the last 70 years,” the spokesperson said.

HM militant Zakir Rashid Bhat, who took over from Burhan Wani who was killed in an encounter July 2016, has urged Kashmiri Muslim youths to pelt stones at SFs in the name of Islam, rubbishing Hurriyat's claim that the militant movement was "secular" or for "freedom" and Kashmiri "nationalism". In a 12-minute video, circulated widely on social media, Zakir Rashid Bhat, alias Zakir Musa, is seen preaching violence in the name of Islam. The terror outfit also separately directed voters to boycott the upcoming by-polls for two parliamentary seats and panchayat polls in the Valley. "When you pelt stones, don't think you're helping just one Musa or one mujahideen. You must do it to help and protect Islam," Musa said. "We'll hoist Islam's flag in our Kashmir one day," he proclaimed. Wearing an Afghan cap, a beige coat over a brown sweater, Musa appeared to be imitating Wani's strategy of using Islamic State (IS)-style videos and social media propaganda to lure youth into militancy. Calling Kashmiri informers and J&K Police "kafir" (infidel), Musa said both deserve to be killed. "We're fighting for Islam. We want to be martyrs for our Islam."

Two extortionists, identified as Heyito Aye and Atoshe Murru, both are members of FGN were arrested by AET at Murgipatti area in Dimapur town while collecting extortion money.

The ULFA-I, in a joint statement issued by its ‘chairman’ Abhizeet Asom, and ‘c-in-c’ Paresh Asom, hinted that it will continue ‘joint operations’ with the CorCom, an umbrella body of Manipur-based militant groups, against security forces of India. Last year, both the militant formations have carried out coordinated attacks on Security Forces under ‘operation Barak’.  The statement was issued on the occasion of ULFA-I’s ‘army day’ on March 16.

The Dhemaji District administration announced lifting of night curfew at Silapathar town which was imposed after the vandalism incident of AASU office by the NIBBUSS in Silapathar and the subsequent violence. Further, another accused of the vandalism incident, the NIBBUSS’s Dhemaji District unit ‘vice-president’ Sadhan Biswas (35) was also arrested from his residence at Number 2 Kashinath Chapori Mishing Gaon near Majarbari under Silapathar Police Station, taking the total arrestees to 49.

Members of CRPC, Assam, an organisation of Barak valley, have expressed their shock and anguish at the manner in which the government and its machinery are handling the case of the untoward incident that took place at Silapathar on March 6, till date. The organisation also demanded a high level impartial enquiry of the incident.

CM Sarbananda Sonowal appealed all the militant groups of the State for peace talks and said his Government wants to rid the state of the militancy, the illegal foreigners and the corruption.

The BJP-led Manipur Government appealed the UNC to immediately lift the indefinite economic blockade in a special meeting convened by CM Nongthombam Biren Singh. However, the UNC rejected the appeal to end the economic blockade of the State. UNC made it clear that the blockade would continue until the Government held talks with it over its demands.

Two cadres of the CPI-Maoist were killed in an encounter with SFs in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. The skirmish took place between a team of the DRG and CPI-Maoist cadres near Kochwahi village under Narayanpur Police Station limits. SFs recovered a .315 rifle, a country-made revolver, two wireless sets and Naxal LWE related materials. Two powerful IED weighing 25 kilograms each were also recovered. A massive combing operation has been launched in the region to trace the attackers.

Two CPI-Maoist cadres, Bijja Poonem (26) and Raghu Kadiyam (31), were arrested from Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. Two of them were carrying a reward of INR 5,000 on their head.

Eleven CPI-Maoist cadres surrendered during 'Police Mitra’ programme at the Ongnaar village under Benoor Police Station limits in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. Of the surrendered, Nemchand Gavde, Ramsingh Potai, Giluram Potai, Sonu Gavde, Manghal Singh Korram, Bholu Ram Potai, Dhansingh Vadde, Ghasia Potai and Sudu Ram Salam, were carrying low cash rewards on their heads. Besides, warrant was pending against Jamru Ram Potai and Sumita Kavde.

March 17

The Odisha Police neutralised a FICN printing unit at a slum in Bhubaneswar after seizure of certain materials used for making counterfeit notes. The seizure was made from Salia Sahi area. Sources said the Police got clue about printing of fake currency notes in the state after it arrested a college student from Baripada on March 9. The youth was identified as Shagen Tudu. He was caught while trying to use FICN of the face value INR 500 at a shop in Sunagadia area. Police have seized papers used in printing fake currency notes, colour printer and cartridge from the spot. Also 32 counterfeit notes of INR 500 denomination were seized. All the currencies bore identical series and serial number, the Police said. Shagen during interrogation had revealed that he had got the notes from a friend residing in Patia area in Bhubaneswar.

The `business' of FICN appears to be on the rise in Hyderabad, with the city Police arresting 10 people, involved in the crime, over the last one month. Officials, closely following the case, say that these photocopied notes are being brought into the city from places like Sircilla, Nizampet and Ibrahimpatnam. Confirming the rise in count of the fraudsters, Deputy Commissioner of Police (task force) B Limba Reddy said, "Only Non-Resident Indians have been given permission till March 31 to deposit old demonetised currency. Now, many scammers have also taken on the role of NRIs and tell their victims that they can deposit the money without any hassle, for a certain share."

There were 15 terror attacks on the Army in 2016 as the force lost 68 soldiers, the Lok Sabha was informed. The year 2016 also recorded 449 instances of ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the LoC and IB in J&K combined. In a written response to a question in Lok Sabha, Subhash Bhamre, Minister of State for Defence, said 10 cases of terror attacks were recorded in 2014, followed by 11 in 2015, 15 in 2016 and three until March 15, 2017.

2015 and 2016 also saw a spike in the number of deaths of army personnel, recording 67 and 68 casualties respectively in terror attacks and along the border. In 2014, 38 army personnel died in terror acts while 13 have lost their lives this year. Bhamre said, in 2016 the area along the LoC , which is under operational control of the Army, saw 228 instances of ceasefire violations while the area along the international border in Jammu and Kashmir, under the control of the BSF, recorded 221 instances of ceasefire violations.

This accounts for more than one instance of ceasefire violation every day. In 2017, 30 instances of ceasefire violations were recorded along the LoC while six such instances along the international border were recorded until February 6, 2017 by the BSF.

An encounter broke out between SFs and militants in Pulwama District of J&K, according to Police. According to reports, the area has been cordoned off by defence personnel as the militants have fled from the spot. This comes two days after a clash between the militants and SFs in north Kashmir’s Kupwara District had killed three LeT militants and a minor girl.

At least three militants managed to escape from cordon after a brief gun battle in Batnoor village of Pulwama District of South Kashmir. A Police official said that SFs cordoned off village Batnoor during the night. Police official said that SFs and SOG of J&K Police launched search operations at several places in Pulwama after HM posters appeared asking people to boycott bypoll in Anantnag Parliamentary constituency on April 12. However, the operation ended as the militants managed to escape and no arrests were made.

A day after HM posters put up in Pulwama in Kashmir provoked the youth in Kashmir to “fight for Islam, not Kashmir,” posters have been put up by the LeT in the neighbouring District of Anantnag asking the people not to vote in the upcoming local polls. The posters have warned people to stay away from the election process and not to cast their vote. The J&K Police have taken cognizance of these threats and have launched a probe to check the veracity of these posters. “The terror outfits have trying their best to ensure terror in the valley through the posters but not much heed should be paid into it,” Colonel (retired) VN Thapar said. “The government shouldn't bring its own guard down; rather it should ensure swift action.”

There were 15 terror attacks on the Army last year (2016) as the force lost 68 soldiers, the Lok Sabha was informed. 2016 also recorded 449 instances of ceasefire violation by Pakistan along the J&K border. In a written response to a question in Lok Sabha, Subhash Bhamre, Minister of State for Defence, said 10 cases of terror attacks were recorded in 2014, followed by 11 in 2015, 15 in 2016 and three until March 15 this year (2017). 2015 and 2016 also saw a spike in the number of deaths of Army personnel, recording 67 and 68 casualties respectively in terror attacks and along the border. In 2014, 38 army personnel died in terror acts while 13 have lost their lives this year.

Bhamre said, in 2016 the area along the LoC, which is under operational control of the Army, saw 228 instances of ceasefire violations while the area along the IB in J&K, under the control of the BSF, recorded 221 instances of ceasefire violations. This accounts for more than one instance of ceasefire violation every day. In 2017, 30 instances of ceasefire violations were recorded along the LoC while six such instances along the international border were recorded until February 6 by the BSF.

ATS of the Karnataka Police arrested a suspect here having links with the 2005 terror attack at Bengaluru's IIS from the outskirts of Agartala town in West Tripura District. "The Karnataka ATS personnel, with the help of Tripura Police, arrested terror suspect Habib Mia (37), from Jogendranagar on the outskirts of Agartala," a senior Tripura Police official told IANS on condition of anonymity.

The officials of BSF recovered FICN of new denomination worth INR 440,000 near the fence of Kushnimari border outpost in Dhubri District. They recovered the FICN in a packet containing 220 pieces of INR 2000 notes. However, the security personnel could not arrest anyone as they saw the bag being thrown from the Bangladesh side. The packet has been submitted to the authority.

The AASU and 28 other indigenous organisations demanded ban on the NIBBUS in Assam and arrest its leader Subodh Biswas along with his aide Sahadeb Das, who were involved in the vandalism of the AASU office in Silapathar on March 6.

CM N Biren Singh said that he would apprise the Central Government of India about reports of “unofficial designated camps’ of NSCN-IM in the State”. He said that a report would be soon compiled about the reported presence of “unofficial designated camps of NSCN-IM and lawlessness prevailing along the Indo-Myanmar border areas.” The “official designated camps are the duty of the Government” but the reported “existence of unofficial camps needs to be identified with photographs.”

State Government in its first Cabinet meeting in Imphal decided to initiate talks with UNC on March 19 to resolve the economic blockade issue in the State.

Chhattisgarh Police arrested Raju Korcha, a ‘platoon commander’ of CPI-Maoist, carrying reward of INR 800,000 on his head from Rengawahi area of Kanker District of Chhattisgarh.

March 18

Posters inviting youths to join Islamic State (ISIS) surfaced in  Rohtas District of Bihar, prompting the State Police to launch an inquiry to “get to the bottom” of the matter. The posters, pasted on electric poles, were first noticed at Sikrauli Bigha village in the State’s Nauhatta block, some 230 kilometers south-west of Patna. “ISIS come to Bihar and please new boys to join (sic),” was written in them. After a while more posters were seen around Nauhatta high school area. It said, “ISIS, please come to all Bihar districts”. The UMH) has been alerted after the development, the first instance of any pro-ISIS poster surfacing in the State.

A terror wave stares at SFs in Kashmir with a massive influx of Pakistani terrorists, and spiraling of local recruits pegging the number of armed radicals at 400 in the State, a three-fold increase following the killing of Burhan Wani in July 2016. A recent review done by the Army shows there are 250 local recruits and 150 Pakistani terrorists in Kashmir as of now. The increase from 91 locals and 60 Pakistanis respectively June (2016), a month before Wani, a local HM ‘commander’, was gunned down, has alarmed security agencies. Wani’s killing triggered months of unrest in the State with frequent violent clashes between civilians and SFs. Pakistani terrorists have also increased to 150, whereas the number was only 60 before Wani was killed. “With increased numbers and infiltration bids scaling, the forces are preparing for challenges in the summer,” said an Army officer.

A day after separatists asked voters to desist from participating in the bypolls to Srinagar and Anantnag parliamentary constituencies, JKLF chief Mohammad Yasin Malik was arrested from his office in Srinagar. "A posse of Policemen raided Abi Guzar office of the JKLF in the heart of Srinagar and arrested Malik to desist him from spearheading the poll boycott campaign," a JKLF spokesman said.

Police team arrested three extortionists, identified as Tengsrang Ch Momin (22), Mantu Ch Momin (35) and Suhrab Miah (35) from Ampati in South West Garo Hills District. According to the Police they were involved in extorting money from businessmen in the name of GNLA. 

In the 127th session of the KAAC Budget, a resolution for granting of an autonomous State by the Centre was adopted. Soon after the passing of the Council budget, the KAAC Chairman Bidyasing Tokbi gave time for discussion on the adoption of the resolution regarding demand for granting of Autonomous State as per Article 244(A) by the Central Government of India for the hill districts of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao. This was the third time that a resolution regarding Autonomous State issue was adopted. The CEM while referring to the signing of MoU between the then ASDC and Central government in 1995 and later the signing of MoS between the disbanded armed organisation UPDS and Central Government for granting of Statehood for the hill districts of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao, said it was signed by the leaders of the hill districts, but the Central as well as State Governments have not been serious enough in resolving the matter.

The ‘general secretary’ of the NSCN-IM, Thuingaleng Muivah and 19 other NSCN-IM leaders arrived in Camp Hebron of Dimapur from New Delhi to participate in ‘Naga Republic Day’ celebration. Muivah will deliver a speech at the celebration at Camp Hebron on March 21.

A woman and four other cadres of CPI-Maoist surrendered before Vizag Rural Police on Vishakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. The Maoists cited a range of reasons from ill-health to harsh treatment from their leadership which prompted their decision to surrender. The surrendered CPI-Maoist cadres are Gemmili Chandramma alias Akhila (33) of ACM of Kalimela (Odisha) Dalam ‘commander’ of Armed Militia Lasingi Matchayya (27) alias Matsya Raju, Korra Subba Rao (27) and his uncle Korra Lakshmana Rao (55) and Takkiri Hedbeen (33). Hedbeen surrendered due to harassment from Maoists.

Six Maoists including a senior woman cadre and two Policemen were killed while three SFs personnel, including two SI were injured in a gun-battle in forests of restive Dantewada District in Bastar Division of Chhattisgarh. An injured Maoist cadre was also arrested from the spot. IGP in-charge Bastar Range Sundarraj P said, "The skirmish took place at around 2 PM between a team of state Police's DRG and the ultras in the jungles of Burgum village under Aranpur Police station limits." During search, five bodies of ultras, including two women, belonging to Malangir Area Committee of Maoists, and a few weapons, including one AK 47 rifle and one INSAS rife, were recovered, the IG said, adding one injured Maoist was arrested. However, DRG constable Nirmal Netam and a Gopniya Sukram Gavde also killed in the exchange of fire, he added. Of the women Maoists killed in the encounter, one was identified as Palle, who was active as ‘secretary’ of Malangir Area Committee and member of Darbha Divisional Committee of Maoists and another as Vijje, a member of the same area committee, he said. Palle was carrying a reward of INR 800,000 on her head while Vijje was carrying a reward of INR 500,000, Police said. The identity of three other Maoists was being ascertained, he added.

Armed cadres of CPI-Maoist killed, Jotra Lohra (55), labelling him as a ‘Police informer’ in Gumla District of Jharkhand. CPI-Maoist cadres left a note proclaiming that Lohra was punished for being a ‘Police informer’. However, SP, Gumla District, Chandan Kumar Jha said: "Lohra was in no way associated with the police. He was a common man who eked out a living by working as a farm labourer. We are combing the nearby areas to nab the culprits."

Armed cadres of CPI-Maoist blew up the two-room house of a para teacher, Beerbal Ram, at Gowasarey village under Pandu Police Station, 52 Kilometers from Daltonganj in Palamu District of Jharkhand. Nobody was injured in the incident. SP, Palamu District, Indrajeet Mahatha said, "The Maoists suspect this para-teacher to be a sympathizer of a rival outfit TPC and we believe this was the reason behind this attack on his home." TPC is a splinter group of CPI-Maoist.

One of the three villagers abducted by the cadres of CPI-Maoist, on March 15, was killed by the Maoists, while other two were released unhurt in Kalahandi District of Odisha. The body of Banamali Naik was found today in front of his house.

SFs arrested one militant of NSCN-IM, identified as ‘kilonser (minister)’ N. Kire (57), from Kohima Town. SFs also recovered one .22 mm Rifle, one .22 mm (GSG5) Rifle, one AK-47, one magzines .32 mm, 87 live round of assorted ammunition and 10 fired cartridges from the arrested militant. 

A CPI-Maoist cadre was killed in an encounter with SFs near Burgam village in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. SFs also recovered an AK series rifle from the encounter site.

March 19

Pakistan troops on March 19 violated ceasefire and resorted to heavy mortar shelling and firing with automatic weapons in civilian areas and targeting forward posts of the Indian Army at Bhimber Gali (BG) and Balakote sectors along the LoC in Poonch District. Official sources said Pakistan Army started shelling with two inch mortars and firing with automatic and semi automatic weapons in several forward areas falling under BG and Balakote sectors in Mendhar tehsil of Poonch District at 6 am on March 19. “Troops from this side retaliated effectively, leading to heavy exchanges that continued for 45 minutes. The firing and shelling from Pakistan side stopped after befitting retaliation was given by the Indian side to silence the guns of enemy troops and prevent civilian casualties and loss of property,” they said. There were no casualties of Army or civilians on the Indian side in Pakistani shelling and firing. Also, no major damage was reported as majority of mortar shells fired by Pakistan fell away from the civilian population and exploded harmlessly. However, Pakistan side claimed that a 60-year old woman was killed on their side at village Thandi in Kot Kehera sector opposite Bhimber Gali in retaliatory firing by the Indian troops.

Sources described ceasefire violation by Pakistan army as totally unprovoked. They didn’t rule out the possibility of Pakistan army trying to push militants from other parts of the LoC after firing in one sector. The troops were already maintaining high alert along the LoC in anticipation of infiltration attempts by the militants under the garb of ceasefire violations by Pakistan army, which was trying to facilitate intrusions by the militants.

A Pakistani national, awaiting deportation after completing a jail term for illegally crossing the border, has been slapped with PSA provisions and sent to the Kotbalwal jail in the district, the Police said. The J&K Home Department issued a warrant under the PSA against Khalid Parvez alias Junaid, and it was executed by the Samba Police, a Police official said. Khalid has been lodged in the Central Jail, he said, adding that the detenue was awaiting deportation to Pakistan after completing his sentence.

The economic blockade on Manipur Highways by UNC over the creation of new districts in the State came to an end on the 139th day. The UNC agreed to lift the economic blockade after a round of tripartite talk involving both the State Government and the Union Government at Senapati District headquarter. The tripartite meeting was chaired by Ministry of Home Affairs, Joint Secretary (North East in-charge) Satyendra Garg. In response to the decision of the UNC, the State Government agreed to release UNC’s ‘president’ Gaidon Kamei and ‘information secretary’ Stephen Sangkhel without any condition. All cases related to the economic blockade against them would be closed also. Apart from that, another round of tripartite meeting would be held at the political level within a month over the issue.

CPI-Maoist cadres released a press statement, at Bastar District of Chhattisgarh, carrying an image of assembled modern weapons they looted from the dead CRPF personnel. The picture along with the statement released by the South Bastar Divisional Committee of CPI-Maoist showed four AK-47 assault rifles, six INSAS assault rifles, one Light Machine Gun LMG, one UBGL two wireless sets and over 1130 bullet cartridges taken away by the rebels. The Maoists praised their cadres of PLGA -- the armed wing of the banned organisation-- that "carried out" the attack on a road opening party, killing twelve CRPF jawans in Sukma on March 11.

SFs recovered a powerful, nearly eight Kilograms, IED, suspected to be planted by CPI-Maoist cadres to harm a patrolling team, in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. The IED was later destroyed with the help of a BDS.

Posters written in Odia by the CPI-Maoist cadres of the Rayagada Area Committee affixed in tree trunks were found at Parsali Gram Panchayat office under Kalyan Singhpur Block in Rayagada District of Odisha. The posters depicted the pro-people works undertaken by the CPI-Maoist.

Five CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested, in two separate incidents, by SFs during a search operation in Bijapur District of Bastar Division of Chattisgarh. In the first incident, a CPI-Maoist, identified as Uika Baru (50), was arrested from an unspecified area under Basaguda Police Station. In other incident, four lower rank CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested by CRPF’s 199th Battalion and District Force from an unspecified area under Mirtur Police Station. Those arrested were identified as Bhima Telam (25), Ayatu Banjam alias Bodda (30), Sukman Vanjam (25) and Baman Mandavi (25).

March 20

Three senior cadres of NSCN-IM, including one ‘kilonser (minister)’ identified as Tongsim Bengam Anal alias Prem (70) and two ‘deputy Kilonsers’ identified as Tongsin Thumwar (42) and Nula Hrangam Anal (45), were arrested by SFs from a place under Sekmai Police Station in Imphal West District. 

UNC ‘president’ Gaidon Kamei and ‘Information and publicity secretary’ SK Stephen were released unconditionally by the court of CJM, Imphal East District. Kamei and Stephen were declared innocent by CJM, Imphal East Aribam Noutuneshwari Devi and acquitted. The court also closed six different cases against the UNC leaders. However, the leadership of UNC is still against the creation of seven new districts. After the release, ‘president’ Gaidon Kamei said that the issue of the districts creation will be brought up during the next round of tripartite talk.

AR arrested three militants from different places in two separate incidents. In the first incident, AR arrested two militants of NSCN-R, identified as ‘captain’ Kampong and ‘revenue secretary (industries)’ Longkam Tunghang in Changlang District. In the second incident, AR arrested one militant from NSCN-U, identified as ‘captain’ Khampai Wangsu in Longding District.

Different Naga militant groups greeted the ‘Naga people and its neighbors’ before the 38th ‘Naga Republic Day’, which will be celebration on March 21. NNPG/ NNC-NA, NSCN-K and NSCN-R/ GPRN are the militant groups who sent statements in media about their ‘celebration’.

An Indian Army source reveals that the ULFA-I, which suffered severe setbacks due to sustained operations, was forced to allow militant outfits from other States to operate in Assam. The source further said that, demonetisation of the old INR 500 and INR 1,000 currency notes also resulted in severe setback to the militant group. Army sources added that as it is not in a position to carry out operations on its own, the ULFA-I was forced to allow militant outfits from Manipur and Nagaland to operate in Assam.

Police have stepped up vigil in Districts bordering Bangladesh following reports of an increase in infiltration by militants. There have been reports that the Bangladesh government has informed the Union home ministry that over 2,000 HuJI and JMB militants had crossed into the Indian side and are hiding in West Bengal, Assam and Tripura.

A report from the Bangladesh government to the UMHA over the recent spike in infiltration of terrorists to India has rung alarm bells in the security establishment. According to the report, 2016 witnessed an over-three-fold increase over 2015 in infiltration by HuJI and JMB extremists into the border states of West Bengal, Assam and Tripura. The development assumes significance as the NIA has found overseas terror links and the direct role of JMB in the October 2014 Bardhaman blast at Khagragarh.

The report said approximately 2,010 HuJI and JMB operatives had entered the three states. While nearly 720 men made a safe passage through the Bengal border, the remaining 1,290 are suspected to have entered through Assam and Tripura. Bengal government officials are skeptical about the report, but even if just a close estimate, the number is disturbing as intelligence reports pegged the number of infiltrators in 2014 and 2015 at 800 and 659, respectively. "We are trying to gather information to confirm the veracity of the report," a senior Bengal home department official said. However, Assam Police is concerned about the development.

Armed with confessional statements of some of the witnesses, the NIA on March 20 issued a second notice to Zakir Naik asking him to appear before it on March 30, 2017 in a case filed against him under an anti-terror law. An NIA spokesman said that nearly 60 persons had been examined by the probe agency so far which included some of family members of Naik, some of his business associates, some employees and staff of the IRF as well as Harmony Media Private Limited, founded by Naik.

"Some of the witnesses have given statements before the Magistrate, wherein they have stated as to how Dr Zakir Naik had promoted enmity and hatred among the people of different religious beliefs, through his public utterances, and how he had hurt the religious sentiments of followers of other sects or religions," the spokesman said.

The notice has been sent to the Mumbai residence of Naik, who is believed to be staying in Saudi Arabia to evade arrest after his activities came under scanner following accusations that he had inspired some of the terrorists who attacked a cafe in Dhaka last year.

ED attached his assets worth INR 18.37 crore in the form of mutual funds, properties and bank balance. ED and NIA sources claimed that if he ignores the summons, he stands the chance of being declared a proclaimed offender and a red corner notice would be issued against him through Interpol. Sources added that they are also in the process of finalising a chargesheet against him so that his extradition from Saudi Arabia could be initiated. ED said in a statement that Zakir Naik had been issued four summons by it but he has avoided all four of them.

The Crime Branch of Delhi Police arrested a former Khalistani terrorist, Gursewak Singh Babla (51) near Rajokri in Delhi. They seized a pistol and some live rounds from him. Police claim that the accused was planning to revive the terror outfit, Khalistan Commando Force (KCF), following instructions from his boss Paramjeet Singh Panjawar, now based in Pakistan. Babla claimed to be a close associate of slain militant, Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who was killed during Operation Blue Star in June 1984. He was involved in more than 50 terror cases. He was jailed for 26 years and released in 2010.

"He has been evading arrest ever since he was declared a proclaimed offender by a city court. A team led by DCP Bhisham Singh had laid a trap near Rajokri and arrested him with a loaded pistol and some rounds," said Praveer Ranjan, Joint Commissioner (crime). During interrogation, Babla told that he was in touch with former KCF 'chief' Jagtar Singh Hawara and some other militants of Punjab in order to revive the terror group. Police say that Babla and his associates have been targeting shops and ATMs in Delhi and Punjab in order to save money for terror operations.

A joint squad of District Force and CRPF’s 195th Battalion arrested two CPI-Maoist cadres from an area under Katekalyan Police Station in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The arrestees were identified as Hando Mandavi son of Budhram Mandavi and Kosa Mandavi son of Deva, both native of Metapal village. Maoists were carrying cash reward of INR 100,000 each.

A group of CPI-Maoist cadres killed a para-teacher, identified as Charku Yadav alias Sandip Yadav (30), at Jori village in Gumla District of Jharkhand. CPI-Maoist cadres also left a pamphlet which labelled Yadav as ‘Police informer’ and accused Police of giving patronage to JJMP. JJMP is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist. The pamphlets also decried Operation Green Hunt - an anti-Naxal drive that has been stopped long back - and urged the masses to support the Naxals in fighting Police oppression. They claimed that CPI-Maoist and their subsidiaries such as PGLA and JMP now stood united.

Ranchi Police arrested Ganesh Shankar alias Ganesh Kumar, a self-styled ‘commander’ of PLFI in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist. Nalanda SP, Kumar Ashish told reporters that Ganesh, son of one Nageshar Mistri, was wanted in connection with murders of a Jharkhand businessman and a Hilsa resident. He also added that Ganesh has over 12 criminal cases of heinous nature registered against him with different Police Stations in Nalanda, Bakhtiarpur in Patna District and Barhi in Hazaribagh District of neighbouring State, Jharkhand.

District Police arrested three CPI-Maoist sympathisers and recovered explosives from their possession at Charla forest region in Bhadradri Kothagudem District of Telangana. Accused were identified as Mohan of Mahbubabad, Gunji Vikram and Sode Deva from Chhattisgarh. It is learnt that the arrested persons took INR 80,000 from the CPI-Maoist cadres to bring explosives from Yampuram market in Chhattisgarh.

March 21

The discovery of some handwritten letters with IS initials, hailing Pakistan and threatening destruction in eastern Uttar Pradesh has prompted police to beef up security in the area. The anonymous handwritten letters were found by the roadside in Mirzamurad Police Station area. "A case has been registered against unidentified persons after nearly 5-6 handwritten letters were recovered on which Pakistan Zindabad slogans and IS initials were scribbled along with threats given for carrying out destruction in Purvanchal," SP (rural) Ashish Tiwari said. An alert has been issued and Intelligence agencies are also probing the matter. "24/3/17 Ko Purvanchal Mein Tabahi. Bacha Sakte Ho to Bacha Lo (There will be destruction in Purvanchal. Save it if you can)," said the letter.

Asserting that terrorism continues to be the single most significant threat to their stability, India and six other countries in the region on March 21, decided to take concrete measures to enhance cooperation and coordination among their intelligence and security agencies. It was agreed upon during the first meeting of national security chiefs of BIMSTEC, which has India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal as members. The meeting decided to establish a Track 1.5 BIMSTEC Security Dialogue Forum among the strategic community, a MEA release said.

"Given that terrorism continues to remain the single most significant threat to peace and stability in the Bay of Bengal region, the meeting recognised the need for urgent measures to counter and prevent the spread of terrorism, violent extremism and radicalisation...And decided to take concrete measures to enhance cooperation and coordination among their law enforcement, intelligence and security organisations and enhance capacity building," it said.

Noting that BIMSTEC member states face common security challenges, the participants underlined the necessity of addressing traditional and non-traditional security challenges to harness economic prosperity and human security in the region. The meeting underscored the importance of recognising the Bay of Bengal as common security space and agreed to work out collective strategies for common responses, the release said. Concerned over the emerging trends in cyber space that have security implications, the meeting decided to deepen cooperation among the respective cyber institutions through a Joint Forum on cyber security.

William Sangma, the wanted militant leader of Meghalaya, who newly formed a Garo militant group named ARA and his aide identified as Niksrang Sangma were arrested by SFs from Bongaigaon Town in Bongaigaon District.

SFs arrested two ULFA-I militants from Koriapani village at Jagun in Tinsukia District, near Assam-Arunachal inter-State boundary. The arrested militants were identified as Bitu Rajbanshi and Bitul Shimpo, Defence PRO Colonel Chiranjeet Konwer said. A pistol, live ammunition and cash were seized from their possession. "On sustained interrogation, the duo admitted to their allegiance to ULFA-I. Rajbanshi further revealed that he had undergone training at Kachin training camp in Myanmar," the officer said.

Governor of the State, P B Acharya said that the Nagaland Government supports the ongoing dialogue between the Government of India and NSCN-IM and would strive for a final solution to the six-decade old Naga political issue. The Nagaland Government has also recently constituted the ‘Political Affairs Mission’ to spearhead the Government’s efforts in this area, replacing the erstwhile Political Affairs Committee of the State Government, Acharya said while addressing the budget session of the Nagaland assembly.

Celebrating their ‘38th Republic Day’, the ‘vice president’, ‘general (retired)’ Kholi Konyak of NSCN-IM militant at ‘council headquarter’, Hebron in Dimapur District, assured that the future of the Naga people is safe under the Framework Agreement signed between the GoI and NSCN-IM on August 3, 2015. NSCN-IM ‘general secretary’ and chief negotiator of the ‘Indo-Naga Peace Talks’, Th. Muivah also delivered speech in the occasion and asserted that integration of Naga inhabited areas and people is very much alive and within the ambit of the Framework Agreement.

NSCN-IM ‘general secretary’ Thuingaleng Muivah said that the Framework Agreement signed with the Centre two years ago recognizes NSCN-IM’s demand for territorial integration of all Naga- inhabited areas in the region. “NSCN had consultative meetings with the people on talks consecutively for eight times. The historic Framework Agreement recognizes the unique history, identity, sovereignty and territories of the Nagas. It also recognizes the legitimate right of the Nagas to integration of all Naga territories,” Muivah said in his address to NSCN-IM cadres at Camp Hebron, the group’s headquarters in Nagaland, on its’38th Republic Day’.

Two Police constables, identified as Budra and Mansai posted at Darbha Police Station were injured in an encounter between SFs and the CPI-Maoist cadres in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh. Police recovered some Naxal documents, uniform and other related materials from the spot.

Minister of State for Home Affairs, Hansraj Ahir, informed the Lok Sabha in New Delhi that 150 per cent jump has been witnessed in the number of Naxals killed, it is 222 in 2016 in comparison to 89 in 2015. The Minister said the Government has approved the 'Road Connectivity Project for LWE Affected Areas' that includes construction/ upgradation of 5,411.81 kilometer  roads and 126 bridges/cross drainage in 44 Districts of nine LWE affected states at an estimated cost of INR 117.24 billion. He also added, "There is no proposal under consideration to exclude 20 districts from the list of 106 LWE affected Districts.”

The CPI-Maoist cadres killed an abducted villager by slitting his throat and released other in Rayagada District of Odisha. According to reports, Mali Pusika and Mandu Pusika– two villagers of Sapalajhola under Muniguda Police limits in the District– were abducted by the Maoists on March 19. While Police recovered the body of Mali Pusika this morning (March 21), Mandu Pusika was reportedly freed by the Maoists.

The DGP of Odisha KB Singh reviewed anti-CPI-Maoist operations at the District Police headquarters in Kalahandi District of Odisha. Singh held discussions on shortage of Force and proposals for upgradation of the Police Stations particularly in border areas in the District. “Today, we reviewed the crime and naxal activities in Kalahandi where couple of incidents has been reported recently. We have detected movement of few naxal groups in the district and nearby areas for which we are framing our strategy, “said Singh. He further informed that Naxals are well under control and the process of recruitment to address shortage of Police personnel would be completed within six months.

The District Police arrested two suspected CPI-Maoist couriers while they were allegedly transporting detonator fuse wires in Khammam District of Telangana. The Police also seized 3,000 metres of fuse wire from Madivi Kosa (21) and Madakam Kamulu (23) both residents of Bijapur District of Karnataka had purchased the fuse wire from one Mohan for INR 40,000, on the instructions of Haribhishan, Damodar, Azad and others and were arrested during vehicle checking, said Charla Police. The arrestees are allegedly members of the Pamedu LOS and were working under their ‘commander’ Kamalakka, Police said.

A HM militant wanted for arson and looting last year, identified as Sabzar Ahmed Mantoo, was arrested from a house in Thakrakot area in Reasi District. According to Police, the captured militant was associated with HM outfit and had been involved in arson and looting incident under Police Station DH Pora in 2016.

Ahead of by-polls, Police have arrested at least 24 persons accused of stone-pelting in multiple raids at Pulwama and Kulgam Districts of South Kashmir. Police raided Murana and Kangan villages of Pulwama District during nocturnal hours and detained at least 21 persons, mostly youths. Police said all the detained persons were involved in stone-pelting. Three youths were also detained from Budroo and Chawalgam villages of neighbouring Kulgam District. The trio was detained over their alleged involvement in stoning recent election rally of ruling PDP that was held at Chawalgam in the District.

Deputy CM Nirmal Kumar Singh said terrorism has no religion and the people involved in carrying out heinous crimes against humanity need to be condemned by every section of the society. “We should all collectively synergize our efforts to beat the forces preaching secessionism and give befitting reply to the anti-national forces,” he said and added that such elements are hell bent to create disturbances in the country and are trying hard to disturb the social fabric of the nation.

DGP of J&K, Shesh Pal Vaid said that certain elements trying to radicalize young minds in the Kashmir valley wouldn’t succeed as the youth wouldn’t accept their ideology, which was also evident from thousands of youths turning up for the Army recruitment in Baramulla District, which was earlier a hub of stone pelters. Vaid said that some `Wahabi elements’ were trying to change mindset of the youth but they have out-rightly rejected them. “The youth of Kashmir are for peace. No one likes violence. Kashmir is the land of Sufis and Saints, which has been inhibited by them for centuries together. There has been no place for radicalization of the youth, who have themselves rejected this approach and want to grow with education and jobs,” he said.

A total of 88 Kashmiri youths joined militancy in 2016, the highest in last six years and the infiltration almost tripled last year as compared to 2015, said Central Government. In written replies to two separate questions in Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Home Affairs, Hansraj Gangaram Ahir shared data about Kashmiri youths taking up arms, infiltration attempts and law and order situation in the Valley. The data shows a steady increase in the number of youths taking up arms in the Valley from 2014 onwards as compared to ones between 2010 and 2013. It, however, said the situation in Jammu and Kashmir has “improved to a large extent” in the current year.

March 22

The NIBBUS ‘president’ Subodh Biswas was arrested along with one of his close accomplices Subhas Biswas from a remote village in North 24 Parganas District. Both the accused were brought to Guwahati later in the evening by air. Police arrested the duo for their role in allegedly inciting a mob to attack and vandalize the AASU office in Silapathar town of Dhemaji District in Assam.

Two persons were sentenced to life on March 22, for the 2007 Ajmer blasts, which killed three people and injured 15. The Special NIA Court also imposed a fine of INR 5,000 and INR 10,000 respectively on “RSS pracharaks” Devendra Gupta, 41, and Bhavesh Patel, 39. Judge Dinesh Gupta ruled out a death sentence citing mitigating circumstances, including the fact that the two had not been involved in any criminal activity prior to the blasts; they hadn’t been shown to be a constant menace to society; and they had been found guilty by drawing inferences from circumstantial evidence. At the same time, the court questioned the NIA on its clean chit to two other accused, Ramesh Gohil and Amit, as well as “suspicious persons” such as senior RSS leader Indresh Kumar, Pragya Singh, Rajenda Chaudhary and Jayant, stating that it could not be done without invoking appropriate sections of the CrPC. 

FICN with a face value of more than INR 15,00,000 has been seized along the Indian borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar post demonetisation, Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju told Rajya Sabha  (Upper House of Indian Parliament).

Rijiju said in a written reply that till now FICN of the face value of INR 14,76,000 have been seized from the Malda District while another such haul of INR 1,00,000 has been made from the Murshidabad District, both along the Indo-Bangla border in West Bengal. He said that another INR 1,000 worth of fake notes were seized from Tamenglong District of Manipur along the Indo-Myanmar border during the same period.

When asked whether out of the 220-km of the border area in Malda, only 150-km was fenced, Rijiju said “Some portion of Indo-Bangladesh border in Malda district is unfenced due to low lying or riverine areas, pending land acquisition etc.” He also added, “The government of India has decided to plug the gaps along the Indo-Bangladesh border by means of physical and non-physical barriers".

The MoS for Home Affairs clarified that surrendered militants without any criminal cases pending against them can contest in elections. Kiren Rijiju on the issue further informed that at least 15,314 militants have surrendered under the surrender-cum-rehabilitation policy for the northeastern region. Altogether, 235 individuals are still undergoing rehabilitation under the Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation Scheme as of financial year 2016-17.

Tabrez Tambe (28), a Mumbra resident who allegedly fled to Libya to join Islamic State (IS), is currently in custody of the Libyan army, according to sources in the security establishment, Indian Express reports on March 22. Efforts were under way to get him back to India and bring him to book. The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has booked him under certain sections of the UAPA. “We have managed to trace him with the help of the Libyan authorities and he is currently in custody of their army. Now, we are working towards bringing him back,” said an official.

According to the sources, Tambe was identified by Dr Ramamurthy Kosanam, a doctor from Andhra Pradesh who was recently rescued and brought back to India from Libya in February, 2017. Dr Kosanam had been held captive by IS militants for around two years. He identified Tabrez as a medical attendant in the hospital where the doctor was forced to work by the militant group. “Upon his return, an ATS team visited him and showed him Tabrez’s photographs. Through the photographs, Dr Kosanam identified him and informed us that he was working as an attendant,” said the official. After the identification, security agencies mounted efforts to track him and subsequently the Libyan authorities confirmed Kosanam’s claims and informed the Indian agencies that he was in custody of their army.

The ATS probe has also revealed that Tabrez had booked a return ticket to India to avoid suspicion. “Tambe made a booking through an online travel portal. We interrogated the Delhi-based representative who made the booking. The investigation has revealed that he booked a return ticket just to show that he intended to return to India. However, our investigation has revealed that the plan to go to Egypt for employment was an alibi; the real purpose was to leave India to join the IS,” said an ATS officer, adding that the investigators were combing Tabrez’s social media profile and questioning his friends.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the security situation in the Northeastern States of India and directed officials to enhance vigil along the international borders in the region. During the hour long meeting, the Home Minister was given a detailed presentation on the prevailing situation in the Northeast, especially militancy in the region. Singh was also told about the steps taken to ensure peace, especially in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Manipur, the four states considered to be affected by insurgency, official sources added.

SFs arrested NDFB cadre Debojit Basumatary from Tirap colliery, under Margherita subdivision in Tinsukia District.

The NIBBUS ‘president’ Subodh Biswas was arrested along with one of his close accomplices Subhas Biswas from a remote village in North 24 Parganas District. Both the accused were brought to Guwahati later in the evening by air. Police arrested the duo for their role in allegedly inciting a mob to attack and vandalize the AASU office in Silapathar town of Dhemaji District in Assam. NIBBUS claims to be spearheading the movement across the country for granting citizenship to Hindu Bengalis by amending the Citizenship Act.

NSCN-IM re-elected its ‘vice chairman’ ‘general’ Khole Konyak and ‘general secretary’, Thuingaleng Muivah for another term of six years during the meeting of the NSCN-IM council at council headquarters, Camp Hebron in Dimapur District.

NSCN-IM ‘general secretary’, Thuingaleng Muivah stated that the NSCN-IM is for “harmonious interdependent relationship with our neighboring peoples and nations on the basis of mutual respect and recognition of right.”

UNLF claimed responsibility for eliminating Ajay Kumar Shahu, whose lifeless body was recovered from the road connecting Langol Game Village and Lamdeng Khunou in Imphal West District on March 17. In a statement issued to the press, the outfit said that Ajay Kumar Shahu was eliminated, not because he was a non-Manipuri, but for pimping by running a pan dukan (shop) at New Checkon. Detailing, the outfit claimed that Ajay Kumar Shahu used to pimp for commercial sex workers and hence was eliminated for using women as commercial commodities.

One militant of KCP-N, identified as Kshetrimayum Jiten Meitei (44), was arrested by SFs at Kakching Bazar in Kakching District. One Chinese grenade and one pressure bomb were recovered from the arrested militant.

Police arrested three militants of NSCN-K, identified as Dagar Perme (30), Obang Lego (36) and Bobel Lego (32), after an encounter at Kalapani area of Dambuk in Lower Dibang Valley District. One automatic German made HK 33 Rifle along with one loaded magazine and 25 live rounds of AK 47 was recovered from the arrested militants. All these three militants were involved in several extortion cases.

The CPI-Maoist handed over the charge to Takkedapalli Vasudeva Rao aka Asanna as the new secretary of the east division. Asanna, the nephew of former AOBSZC member Gopanna, led the action team that attacked CM Chandrababu Naidu at Alipiri in Tirupati in 2003. He is known to be a mastermind of deadly surprise attacks. Asanna also was a member of the action team that killed former Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Madhava Reddy while he was returning from Bhuvangiri in 2000.

An encounter took place between SFs and CPI-Maoist cadres at Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. However, there were no reports of causalities.

A Policeman was killed by CPI-Maoist cadres in Bijapur District of Bastar Division in Chhattisgarh. The incident took place at Kuprel village coming under Farsegarh Police Station limits when the Assistant Constable Tarun Sodi (29) had gone there for some personal work, Bijapur District SP KL Dhruv said. A group of Maoists reached into the village and shot Sodi before slitting his throat with a sharp edged weapon, the SP further said.

Taking stock of loses suffered in recent encounters in Chhattisgarh due to lack of a strong courier system, the CPI-Maoist is seeking to spread its activities and the outfit is planning to establish a faithful courier system in Khammam District of Telangana. According to information, the CPI-Maoist leadership is planning to recruit new cadres and also recruit couriers by offering huge amounts as they cannot survive without couriers as all materials, medicines and essential commodities including arms are supplied by the couriers to them. It is learnt that Maoist recruitment is ongoing near the Telangana-Chhattisgarh border. Maoists are focusing on Guttikoyas and unemployed tribals and luring them with their preaching.

Two CPI-Maoist operatives from Belpahari area surrendered before the Police in West Midnapore District of West Bengal. Maniram Sardar and Kabita Sardar were part of the Madan Baske squad of the Maoists and had expressed desire to shun violence and return to the mainstream of the society, the Police said. The duos also laid down one rifle, 13 one-shutter pistols and live cartridges. Both Maniram and Kabita were wanted in as many as 12 cases in the District and neighbouring Jharkhand and were accused of being involved in the murders of JMM MP, Sunil Mahato, and Belpahari CPI-M leader Sudhir Singh Sardar, the Police said.

Terrorist violence in Jammu and Kashmir has declined in the aftermath of surgical strikes executed by the Army in September 2016, the Union Government said in Parliament. According to statistics furnished by the Government in reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, terrorist incidents fell to 87 between October 1 and December 31, 2016, from 110 between July 1 and September 30, 2016. Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir told the House that 34 SFs were killed in the three months prior to the surgical strikes, while 19 died in the subsequent quarter. Civilian killings also fell from 7 to 6 in the corresponding period. According to sources, the fall in number of terrorist incidents is largely on account of weakening of violent protests that broke out after HM ‘commander’ Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter in July. Law and order disturbances peaked in the Valley state between July and September 2016, but violence witnessed a sharp decline thereafter as the protests died down and normalcy returned to the State.

March 23

 Terror suspects Atif and Danish were arrested in Lucknow by the NIA in connection with the Lucknow terror operation. Sources in the NIA said the arrested duo will be taken to Kanpur and other places in Uttar Pradesh by the investigating agency for further investigation. Uttar Pradesh’s ATS had earlier on March 14 handed over the Lucknow terror operation probe to the NIA.

One senior militant belonging to AMEF, identified as Raksim Ch Momin alias Arikam (22) surrendered before Police and Church leaders at Williamnagar in East Garo Hills District. The militant was a cadre of GNLA earlier and later formed the ASAK along with another militant Reding T Sangma. He surrendered in 2014. But he managed to escape from Police custody and joined AMEF in 2015.

SFs of Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh found three arrow bombs used by CPI-Maoist cadres in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. These bombs were planned and designed in Visakha Agency. Arrow bombs were designed and tested in Vizag Agency 10 years ago. These bombs are aimed in the air and not directly at the target. The bombs are made with detonators which blasts on hitting the target, said a senior officer involved in the anti-Naxal operations.

Simdega District Police arrested six PLFI cadres near village Mahuatoli under Parba Police Station in Simdega District of Jharkhand. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist. Police recovered two 7.62 mm bolt action rifles, several rounds of ammunition, three mobile phones and other paraphernalia from the operatives. The six men arrested included; ‘area commander’ Sachin Topno, Dubraj Topno, Ram Topno, Nitmohan Kongari, Ramesh Surin and Simone Kongari. The six were residents of Kamdara in Gumla District of Jharkhand.

The Central Committee of the CPI-Maoist, called a 24-hour countrywide bandh on March 29, in Ranchi District of Jharkhand, to protest the life imprisonment of CPI-Maoist ‘ideologue’ and DU Professor G.N. Saibaba and four others by Gadchiroli District (Maharashtra) court for aiding Naxal activities. 

The State Government of Odisha has pressed the MHA for mobilisation of two more Battalions of CAPF to strengthen anti-CPI-Maoist operations in Odisha. State DGP K B Singh informed media persons that the demand was made to CRPF Special DG (Central Zone). At present, 16 battalions of Central Forces have been deployed in Odisha in comparison to more than over 100 Battalions each in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. Of the 16 battalions of Central Forces deployed in Odisha, eight are from CRPF, while one is a CoBRA unit of the CRPF.

Militants attacked the residence and official vehicle of Mohammad Yusuf Bhat, a MLA from Shopian in two separate incidents, in the Shopian District. Militants attacked the residence of MLA Bhat, at Memander in the District. Police said that militants fired several rounds at the residence of Bhat at Memander and the security guards deployed there retaliated. However, no one was injured in the attack. Earlier in the day, militants fired on his official bullet proof vehicle at Hajipora in Shopian. Several rounds of fire hit a Police bullet proof vehicles and his ambassador car. However, the MLA was not in his car at the time of attack. Police fired back but militants escaped.

SFs cordoned off Moshward village in Keller area of Shopian District, after inputs about the presence of three militants. However, the operation was later called off after no militants were found in the village.

March 24

AR arrested one militants of NSCN-K, identified as Narang Hakum (34) from Malo Pahar of Ledo in Tinsukia District. One 9 mm pistol and two live rounds of ammunition were recovered from the arrested militant. The militant was involved in extortions.

Three militants of NSCN-IM, identified as Ato Rengma, Ating Muisao and Hotobi Rengma were arrested by CRPF while conducting a routine check of a passenger vehicle plying to and fro between Dimapur and Golaghat Districts. Nine bullets of 12-bore rifle, many pairs of camouflage outfits and substantial incriminatory documents were also recovered from the militants. In the primary investigation it was revealed that the trio was bound for Jangfai, a remote Rengma Naga village in the hills of Karbi Anglong District. The arrest hint at a possible bid by Naga rebels to establish control in Rengma Naga-dominated areas of Karbi Anglong Hill District of Assam which had earlier in December 2013 witnessed a series of bloody turf battles between the KPLT and RNHPF for territorial control and major share of the extortion pie.

In a statement, the ULFA-I criticised the Assam Government for spending INR 0.14 billion to organise the five-day Namami Brahmaputra Festival, beginning on March 31. In the statement, militant group express its suspicions that organising Namami Brahmaputra on the lines of Namami Gange programme ‘could be a prelude’ to linking the Brahmaputra with the Ganges and it ‘vowed’ to oppose linking of any river of Assam with any river outside the State.

Following the raging controversy over NSCN-IM ‘general secretary’ Thuingaleng Muivah’s sensational declaration on territorial integration of all Naga-inhabited areas in the Northeast on March 21, Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal, clarified that no discussion has taken place with the Central Government of India regarding the demand of Nagalim. Reacting on Muivah’s statement, the AASU ‘president’ Dipanka Kumar Nath and ‘general secretary’ Lurinjyoti Gogoi, in a statement warned that nobody can take one inch of Assam’s land. The AASU also sent a letter seeking clarification on whether the Framework Agreement contains parts of Assam for the proposed Nagalim to PM Narendra Modi and CM Sarbananda Sonowal.

Following the sensational declaration on territorial integration of all Naga-inhabited areas in the Northeast on March 21 by ‘general secretary’ Th Muivah of NSCN-IM, confusion and anxiety raised among the masses in the State. Referring the statement on the Framework Agreement, the Manipur Congress demanded an unambiguous clarification from the Central Government India as well as the State Government. 

The Chhattisgarh High Court at Bilaspur District of Chhattisgarh rejected the bail application of the seven activists from Telangana, who were arrested by the Chhattisgarh Police in Sukma District in December 2016. They were charged of carrying CPI-Maoist literature and banned currency. They were booked under Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act.

Police arrested two CPI-Maoist cadres, wanted in about a dozen cases, Rohtas District of Bihar.  Police also recovered two country-made rifles, detonators and live cartridges from their possession.

Three cadres of the TPC, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, were killed after an internecine clash at Seeta Chuan under Mohammadganj Police Station in Palamau District of Jharkhand. One of the killed TPC cadre was identified as, ‘zonal commander’ Ajay Yadav, who has a reward of INR 500,000 on his head. Yadav was involved in the Kala Pahad IED blast case in which seven Police personnel were killed in Palamu on January 27, 2016. The other two killed were identified as ‘area commanders’ Krishna Kharwar and Ravindra Mahto. Police also recovered one AK-47 rifle, one INSAS rifle, one semi automatic rifle, one 303 rifle and one 0.315 bore gun along with 630 live bullets, 23 magazines, 11 cell phones, several IEDs ,50 meter of Codex wire, flash and 6 back packs. A person Uday Oraon was also arrested from the site. Palamu Deputy DIG Vipul Shukla said, “It appears that the loss of life is due to the inner fight.”

Police recovered cash worth INR four million, sophisticated weapons such as AK-47, self-loading rifle and a .315 bore rifle and over 100 cartridges from a TPC, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, hideout in Balumath area of Latehar District of Jharkhand. The raid was followed by an exchange of fire between Police and the rebels. However, there was no report of any casualty or arrest.

In order to deny compensation to the family of ‘Naxal’ Varghese shot dead by Police in 1970, the Kerala Government told Kerala High Court, in Kochi District of Kerala that Varghese was a "notorious criminal" and the conviction of former Inspector IGP, K Lakshmana, for ordering his extra-judicial killing doesn't vindicate Varghese's character.

March 25

Claiming that the MLA from Jiribam assembly constituency, Ashab Uddin, is a ‘non-indigenous person’ of Manipur, the DESAM announced a 17-hour Manipur bandh (shutdown).

Police launched massive search operation to arrest Mahendra Gogoi, a suspected linkman of the ULFA-I, who has been serving extortion notes in Majuli Island District for the last several weeks. Majuli Police have announced cash award to anybody who can give specific information about the ULFA linkman who has been collecting money in name of the banned outfit, informed Police sources. However, Police so far recovered several extortion pads and notes and two mobile phones, eight chargers and list of people’s names.

A massive public protests following the sensational declaration of NSCN-IM ‘general secretary’ Th Muivah on the Greater Nagalim issue was registered in Golaghat District. As the District has been suffering a lot of harassment following the boundary dispute over the last few decades, the people of the District have come out to protest the proposed inclusion of the land of the District in Nagalim. The people here have demanded the Centre to make public the Framework Agreement signed between the NSCN-IM and the Central Government of India on August 3, 2015.

The UHM clarified that there was no decision to carve out Nagalim from areas of states bordering Nagaland. The statement comes after demands from several organisations and political parties in Assam and Manipur that the Centre clarify its position on the claim of the ‘general secretary’ of NSCN-IM, Thuingaleng Muivah, over the issue of integration of Naga areas. “Some media reports have appeared recently to the effect that the Government of India has agreed to carve out a larger Nagaland State by taking away the territories of the states contiguous to Nagaland. Such reports are erroneous. It is clarified that there is no such agreement or decision of the Government of India,” said the UHM statement. 

The AATS, during a central executive meeting sought the creation of a separate autonomous council to safeguard members of the Bodo-Kachari tribe living outside the BTAD area.

SFs destroyed a solar-powered printing press installed by the CPI-Maoist on a mountain top in a remote forest of Madopara in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The printing unit was reportedly used to publish documents, statements and other publications of the banned organization. “During a search operation, the forces found a small printing press set up, powered by portable solar panels. Some printed documents and other publications of the Maoists were traced at the location. This is the first time that the police have found out such a setup used by Maoists,” said a senior Police officer. Acting on a tip-off about the location of Maoist leaders, a joint team of District Police Force and the DRG launched a search operation and reached the area. “The rebels, after being cornered, had opened fire on the troopers. There was exchange of fire following which the ultras fled. The forces further continued their movement and found the printing press unit, heavy batteries and solar plates on the mountain”, the Police said.

Three wanted cadres, including two women of the CPI-Maoist, surrendered before the District Police in Malkangiri District of Odisha, citing exploitation from their leaders and ill health as the reasons. Each of them carried a reward of `one lakh on their heads. The trio, Malle Bedingi alias Malle, Merry Karnem alias Divya alias Laxmi and Deba Madkami alias Deba belonged to Kalimela LOS under the AOBSZC of the CPI-Maoist. All three were active members of Kalimela Area Committee under the Malkangiri division of the AOBSZC.

March 26

Two persons including a Bangladeshi national were arrested from Samsherganj in Murshidabad District, when they were trying to smuggle in FICN by crossing a river. The Police have recovered FICN worth INR 5,00,000 and all the notes were of INR 2,000 denomination. Police arrested Babu Sheikh, who is a resident of Shibganj at Chapai Nawabganj District of Bangladesh, and his Indian counterpart Salim Sheikh who is a resident of Baishnabgarh in Malda District.

The Police suspect that Babu might be involved in an international fake currency racket. They will be interrogating both the accused to know about their associates who are operating to circulate fake currency in India. The Police feel that Babu is also involved in terror activities. The reason being that the circulation of fake currency is a task which members of terror outfits take up to earn money. The police are trying to know whether Babu is in any way linked with terror outfits like JMB.

Officials from the MEA have allegedly established contact with Mumbra’s alleged IS recruit Tabrez Tambe (28), who left the country in September, 2016 to join the terror outfit’s fighters in Libya. The MEA allegedly asked Tambe, who is wanted in a case, registered by the Maharashtra ATS under the anti–terror UAPA last December, to return to India and face the probe.

Sources from the ATS said that MEA officials spoke to Tambe on the telephone on “encrypted channels”. “We traced Tabrez through sources and later made MEA officers talk to him two weeks ago on encrypted channels,” said an ATS source. After contacting Tambe, the ATS shared the contact details with the MEA. Sources from the MEA were tight-lipped about the exact details of the encrypted conversations with Tambe as the process is still underway. The MEA has begun approaching the various power centres in Libya to facilitate Tambe’s return. He is allegedly under the custody of Libyan authorities.

A tensed situation prevailed over disputed land in Nagaland-Assam border (Dimapur and Karbi Anglong District areas) over the allegation of intrusion of Assam Police in Rilan village. The villagers alleged that over 30 armed Assam Police personnel including forest guards had come inside the village and destroyed boundary fences and plantations. They also claimed that while leaving the village Assam Police fired some blank shots in the air. The Nagaland Police reached the place soon after Assam Police left the site.

Reacting on the claim of greater Nagalim by the ‘general secretary’ of NSCN-IM, Th Muivah, the CM of the State, Nongthombam Biren Singh said that the territorial integrity of Manipur will be protected at any cost.

The 17-hour State wide strike called by DESAM to protest the induction of independent MLA, Ashab Uddin, as parliamentary secretary partially affected normal life in the State capital.

The PREPAK militant, celebrated their ‘37th Red Army Raising Day’ at different undisclosed places with different communities. The militant group announced about their celebration in a press release to media houses.

UHM Rajnath Singh reviewed the security situation in Assam along with CM Sarbananda Sonowal and top officials of both Central and State Governments. During the meeting, Rajnath Singh was briefed about the steps taken to check violence perpetrated by the militants, ongoing process of preparing the NRC and security along the Indo-Bangladesh border, besides other. Singh directed that action should be taken against those who continue to indulge in violence, official sources said. Further, the Minister expressed hope that the work on NRC would be completed at the earliest without anomalies.

Two Naxals of JJMM were arrested from Dega Degi riverside, under McCluskieganj Police Station area in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. JJMM is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

A  PLFI cadre and cousin of late PLFI ‘Commander’ Mahadeo Munda, Shankar Munda was arrested from Charam Bartoli under Khunti Police Station area in Khunti District of Jharkhand. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

District Police recovered a bagful of Naxal literature from Daltonganj in Palamu District of Jharkhand. The SP of Palamu, Indrajeet Mahatha told reporters that Naxals have set up Gram Kranti Committee and there is a huge list of villagers drawn from many places. Mahatha said the documents showed how deep is the inroads of the Maoists in zameen vivad which used to be settled on caste line more than on another consideration like possessing of land etc.

CM Raghubar Das reiterated the stand of the Government and extended a fresh appeal to the Naxals active in Jharkhand to shun violence and join the mainstream in Nagar Untari of Garhwa District of Jharkhand.

Two militants of the HM were killed in an encounter with SFs in Awantipora area of Pulwama District, after they fired at the vehicle of a Police officer. A Police officer said that ASP Pulwama, Chandan Kohli, was on his way from Pulwama to Anantnag in a car along with two PSOs when a group of militants coming from opposite directions in another car fired at the bullet proof vehicle of the ASP near Padgampora village leading to an exchange of fire in which two militants were killed on the spot while two of the militants fled from the spot leaving behind the car. The slain militants have been identified as Shahbaz Shafi Wani alias Rayees Kachroo, resident of Beloo Rajpora of Pulwama and Farooq Ahmad Hurrah, resident of Nazneenpora of Shopian. “Both of them belonged to Hizb ul Mujahideen. The dead bodies have been handed over to the legal heirs for last rites”, the Police officer said. One AK rifle, one SLR, one AK magazine, 2 SLR Magazines, 2 pouches and a grenade was recovered from the spot. The car in which militants were travelling was also seized by the Police. IGP Kashmir, SMJ Gillani said, “An AK-47 rifle and one SLR were recovered from them. Interestingly, the SLR weapon was snatched from a minority picket in the month of October”.

Soon after the encounter clashes broke out between SFs and stone throwing protesters at Beloo, Padgampora, Awantipora and Pulwama. SFs fired tear smoke to disperse the protesters. And this morning (March 27) 1-RR of army and Kulgam Police launched a cordon and search operation at Gretbal Qaimoh area of Kulgam District. One SLR, three magazines and 132 rounds of SLR ammunition were recovered during the searches.

Militants snatched five SLRs from the security guards at the ancestral house of Minister of State, Syed Farooq Indrabi, in Dooru area of Anantnag District. A Police officer said that at least 13 militants including their OGWs attacked the ancestral residence of Minister of State for Industries and Commerce, Hajj and Auqaf and Power Development Department, Syed Farooq Indrabi, at Shestargam in Dooru area of Anantnag District. One of the security guards, Gulzar Ahmad, of the Minister was injured in the attack.

Police arrested two more suspects – one from Ban Toll Plaza at Nagrota and another from Shopian taking total number of arrests in AK-47 rifle snatching of Police constable to three, while the main accused remained at large along with the rifle. IGP, Jammu Zone, SD Singh Jamwal told that one of the suspects was arrested this morning when he was trying to flee to Kashmir while another one was captured from Shopian. “We are on the job to nab the main accused, who is absconding with AK-47 rifle of police constable,’’ Jamwal said, adding a high alert is being maintained throughout the region to nab the accused and recover the snatched weapon,’’ Jamwal, who was monitoring the search operation, said.

Reliable sources told that Shahid Ahmad, a resident of Memander in Shopian was arrested by the Police from Ban Toll Plaza at Nagrota on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway this morning (March 26), when he was fleeing from Jammu in a Tavera taxi car to Kashmir. Another accused Mohammad Asif, resident of Shopian has been arrested by the Police from Shopian on a tip off given by Jammu Police to their counterparts in Shopian. The main accused Amir Hussain, resident of Hallpora, Ratnipora of Shopian is absconding along with AK-47 rifle and 30 rounds. Fourth accused Masrool Ahmed, resident of Ratnipora in Shopian was arrested from the spot yesterday (March 25). Two motor-cycles have also been seized from the accused.

March 27

The SOG of Bhavnagar Police arrested two persons from Atabhai Chowk in Rajkot city along with FICN145 of INR 1,000 denomination.The arrested accused were identified as Ashish Agrawal, 26, a resident of Devki Nandan Apartment near Atabhai Chowk and Abdul Rashid Khursheed Sheikh, 20, a native of Daulatabag in West Bengal. One fake note of INR 2,000 denomination was also seized from them. H A Jadeja, Police sub-inspector, SOG said that the duo were probably trying to pass off the fake notes to someone for commission as RBI is accepting the invalid INR 500 and INR 1,000 notes till March 31, 2017. Agrawal, who is also a native of West Bengal, is engaged in gas welding work at the Alang ship breaking yard.

Two of the three men arrested from Madhya Pradesh within hours of an explosion on board the Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train on March 7 have told the NIA that their original target was not this train but the Lucknow-Bhopal Pushpak Express on which they travelled the previous night, Indian Express reports on March 28. Atif Muzaffar and Syed Mir Husain told the NIA that they travelled in the Pushpak Express on March 6 with an explosives-filled bag, but could not plant it because of the “heavy rush” and “alert passengers”.

Official sources said Atif bought three tickets for the Pushpak Express but throughout the journey, they could not find a suitable spot or the right time to plant the bomb. They got off at Bhopal railway station on March 7-morning where Atif and Danish made a last-minute decision to place the bomb on the passenger train that was waiting to leave for Ujjain. “After their failure to plant the bomb on the Pushpak Express, they got desperate. They managed to get into the last coach of the Bhopal-Ujjain train that was about to leave the station, left the bag filled with explosives and got off”, sources said. The explosion left 10 persons injured.

From the question of the arrested men, the NIA has learnt that the four Saifullah included met each other in December 2015 and two months later, in February 2016, they decided to form a group in the name of jihad. “They rented a room in Lucknow where they gave themselves “code” names — Jiya Abu Ibrahim for Atif; Jafar Abu Ismail for Danish; Ali Abu Makaiel for Saifullah; and, Hamza Abu Waqas for Husain,” sources said. Syed Mir Husain told his interrogators that they used the code names while interacting with each other, and also with the intention of hiding their original identities. “Saifullah had even made a fake ID card in the name of Ali,” sources said.

For one year, from February 2016 to February 2017, the four travelled across the country, hoping to cross over into Pakistan from Jammu, Kashmir, Punjab and Rajasthan; or into Bangladesh, but found it was not as simple as they had imagined.

They also went to Kozhikode in Kerala to explore ways of “migrating to the Caliphate”. While they did not meet with much success, they met several persons who they thought could help them establish contact with the IS, sources said. In July 2016, during Ramzan, Atif became the ameer (chief) of the group and the four took the oath of allegiance to the Islamic State.

SFs recovered an IED, planted on the Ukhrul-Imphal road near the abandoned cement factory, at Hundung in Ukhrul District. 

SFs arrested one arms smuggler, identified as Mohammad Najir Ali (37), from Arapti Bridge under Lilong Police Station in Thoubal District. One 9 mm pistol was also recovered from the arrestee.

After the new initiative of CM Nongthombam Biren Singh, who invited the JAC-AATB to a meeting, the Joint Action Committee continued its series of consultations with various sections of the tribal society. Earlier, on March 24, the JAC-AATB said that they were not in a position to attend a meeting arranged by the Manipur CM over the current agitation in the hills, saying they were in the process of holding a series of consultations with various sections of tribal society.

The AAPSU termed the comments of NSCN-IM ‘general secretary’ Th Muivah on integration of Naga-inhabited areas as ‘disturbing.’ The apex students’ body of the State stated that the people would not accept any solution at their cost and that of the land of the state.

A 24-hour bandh (shutdown) called by the NCHIPF seeking bifurcation of the Dima Hasao District, crippled life across the Hill District. Addressing the media in Haflong, NCHIPF working ‘president’ S Zemi and ‘general secretary’ Vairinsingh Verte said that the bandh has been called seeking bifurcation of the Hill district between the Dimasas and the non-Dimasa ethnic groups.

After UHM Rajnath Singh termed NSCN-IM ‘general secretary’ Th Muivah’s statement that New Delhi has said “yes” to integration of Naga areas as “erroneous”, there was no reaction from the militant group and instead it maintained a studied silence over the Government of India’s flat response over Muivah’s statement.

Suspected PLFI cadres killed David Soy (20), outside his house in Gompilla under Torpa Police Station in Khunti District of Jharkhand. The rebels suspected Soy of being a ‘Police informer’. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

Suspected militants opened fire on the house of two Policemen, who are brothers, in Shopian District. The militants opened fire on the houses of ASI, Dilbar Ahmad and Constable Reyaz Ahmad at Keegam in Shopian. A Police official said the militants broke some window panes of the house and vehicle of the Policemen before fleeing. However, no one was injured in the attack.

SFs busted a HM militant module in Kulgam District, and arrested eight of its members who were tasked to carry out attacks on SFs and snatch weapons. SP of Kulgam, Shridhar Patil, said that the District Police and Army received a specific intelligence input on March 21 that HM militant has constituted a module of about a dozen OGWs to carry out attacks on SFs, Police personnel and snatch weapons. Patil said that the module was formed by district ‘commander’ of the outfit Altaf Dar alias Al-Kachroo and Towseef Sheikh  alias Mossad. “We registered a case on the basis of this information and during the investigations, it came to the fore that Zubar Ahmad Badar, a resident of Nai-Basti in Qoimoh area of the district  was the main king-pin of this module and he was subsequently arrested along with one of his associates”, he said. The SP said that during further course of questioning, it became evident that leader of this module and other members were having large quantity of arms/ammunition for conduct of subversive activities.

March 28

No ‘high quality’ FICN have been recovered post demonetisation, although some scanned/photocopied notes were seized by BSF  and NIA at the Indo-Bangladesh border, Minister of State for Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal stated. He also said the government has been taking a host of steps, including setting up of a special cell in the UMHA to deal with the menace of FICN.

In a written reply to the  Rajya Sabha  (Upper House of Indian Parliament) Meghwal said: “No high quality FICN has been recovered post demonetisation.” The government had scrapped old currency of INR 500 and INR 1,000 on November 8, 2016 and replaced them with new INR 500 and INR 2,000 notes. As regards seizure of FICN of 2,000 denomination by BSF and NIA on the Indo-Bangladesh border, Meghwal said: “The forensic lab had reported the use of stamp paper in printing these notes. These notes have been scanned/photocopied. Examination of the specific parameters reveals that the notes are of low quality.”

The government on its part, he added, has taken various measures to combat terror funding and check smuggling and circulation of fake notes. These initiatives including setting up of a special CFT cell in the UMHA of coordinate with the central intelligence/enforcement agencies and state law enforcement agencies for an integrated approach to tackle the problem. Also, he added, a TFFC has been constituted in the NIA to investigate terror funding and fake currency cases.

The ULFA-I, in an open letter, signed by its ‘chairman’ Abhijeet Asom, reacted on the Dalai Lama’s upcoming 12-days visit to North East India from April 1. In the letter, the militant group expressed their concern that his visit might deteriorate the fragile relationship between India and China which will ultimately bring sufferings to the people of Assam. In the letter, the militant group also mentioned the ‘Nan Zang (southern Tibet)’ or Tawang as an ‘occupied territory’ and appealed to avoid anti-China statements.   

A coordination committee of 13 apex bodies of different groups of communities living in Dima Hasao District staged a protest against any move to create 'Nagalim' (greater Nagaland) by carving out a territory from the Hill District of Assam. Nagalim is the purported objective of the NSCN-IM, consisting of all the Naga-inhabited areas of neighboring Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and some portions Myanmar, which it considers to be the rightful homeland of the Nagas.

Deputy CM of the State, Yumnam Joykumar Singh appealed to the people not  to speculate "too much" on the contents of the framework agreement signed between the Centre and the NSCN-IM.

The NSCN-IM run ‘GPRN’ held its two-day ‘budget session’ last week and kept its ‘tax rate’ (euphemism for extortion) unchanged for the current fiscal year due to demonetization of high currency notes. “The budget proposal for the 2017-18 fiscal was unanimously approved by the house after thorough deliberation,” Medo Angami, GPRN’s ‘minister for Chaplee (financial) Affairs’, said. Angami did not specify the size of the budget that allocates much of the money for the ‘Naga Army’ and the rest for the GPRN. But a member of NSCN-IM’s ‘publicity wing’ said the size of the budget for the next fiscal is “more or less” the same as that of the current (2016-17) where “tax collection suffered due to the high-value cash ban” last year. “House tax charged by the rebel Governments has remained the same at INR 110 per house per year. They are also likely to continue charging INR 250-500 to issue work permit or identity cards to outsiders,” a Nagaland-posted Central Intelligence Officer said. “The rebels generate a bulk of their so-called tax from goods-laden trucks that enter via Assam for delivery within the state or in Manipur beyond. This ‘tax’ varies from INR 15,000-35,000 per six, 10 or 12-wheel trucks. Often, the ‘UG (underground) tax collectors’ issue receipts of Rs 1,500 for 15,000 collected or INR 2,500 for INR 25,000 collected,” said a Police officer based in Dimapur, Nagaland’s commercial hub. Also unchanged is the ‘income tax’ slab for the salaried class, both government and private sector. Each employee in Nagaland has to pay 24% of a month’s gross pay annually to the NSCN-IM, though resident tribes of the state are exempt from paying taxes to the State Government.

AR recovered cache of arms, ammunitions and “warlike stores” suspected to be hidden by the NSCN-K militants from a forest in general area Asukhomi and Lizu Naghuto in Zunheboto District. According to PRO of IGAR-N the recovered items included one 5.56 mm HK-33 Rifle with magazine, one 7.62 mm AK-56 Rifle with magazine and 66 live ammunitions and other warlike stores.

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik claimed that law and order situation in the State remained peaceful and CPI-Maoist activities had been curtailed to a great extent. "The Left-wing extremism remains largely contained to few pockets in the state, such as in parts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Nuapada, Kalahandi and Rayagada districts. The security forces have been successful in handling the rebels on all fronts," said CM Naveen. Giving a reply on the Home Department budget discussion, CM Naveen also said: "Altogether 39 rebels were neutralised during anti-Maoist operations in 2016. In a major success, 28 rebels were neutralised in the cut-off area of Malkangiri during anti-Maoist operation jointly planned by Odisha and Andhra Pradesh police." CM Naveen said recruitment to the CPI-Maoist organisation had dwindled and the mass support base of the Maoists had weakened because of proactive governance initiative and Police action. He also stated: "The overall crime situation in the state has remained under control. In 2016, no significant increase in cases has been registered in comparison to 2015."

Roopesh, Shyna, Anoop, Kannan and Veeramani of the CPI-Maoist were produced before the Principal District Sessions court in Coimbatore District of Tamil Nadu. On the day, the Judge was likely to hear their plea for translation of the charge sheet in either Tamil or English. Their lawyer M. Balamurugan said that portions of the charge sheet were in Malayalam, Hindi and a few other languages that the accused did not understand. As the argument related to the plea went on for some time with the Public Prosecutor objecting to it, Judge R. Pongiappan adjourned the case and said that he would hear the plea on April 17. The five Maoists were arrested in Karumathampatti suburb of Coimbatore District in May 2015.

A HM militant was killed and a Para-commando was injured in a fierce gun battle in Chadoora area of Budgam District. A joint team of the Army, Police and CRPF surrounded a house at Zuin village in central Kashmir's Budgam in which the HM terrorist was hiding. Civilian protesters soon gathered at the spot and began pelting the forces with stones, injuring more than 60 Police and CRPF personnel along with four soldiers, Army spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said. The Army had to fire at the protesters, killing three of them, before the eight-hour-long operation ended with the terrorist, as Tauseef Ahmad Wagay of Kanjijulla village of Yaripora in Kulgam District, being gunned down. Sources said that one militant managed to escape during massive stone-pelting.

Amid clashes, one civilian identified as Ishfaq Ahmad of Rangreth area of Rawalpora in Srinagar was killed when he was shot by SFs. One of the protesters identified as Zahid Rashid son of Ab Rashid Ganie received bullet injuries and later succumbed to his injuries. Another youth identified as Saqib Ahmad who was admitted at hospital succumbed to his injuries. Twenty civilians have been injured in day-long clashes at Chadoora area. The clashes and protests also erupted at Yaripora Kulgam, Rawalpora, Tral, Pulwama, Rangreth and other areas. Thousands of people attended the funeral prayers of three civilians in their respective areas amid massive anti-India protests.

At least four militants ransacked the house of SP, Hazratbal in South Kashmir of Kulgam District. Sources said that four militants barged into the house of Mohammad Ayub Mattoo father of SP, Hazratbal, Dawood Mattoo, in Khudwani area of the District and ransacked the house. The militants also beat up father of the SP, and broke window of the house. Before fleeing, they fired in air.

Mohammad Amir, who along with his associates had snatched rifle from a Police man near Tawi Bridge in Jewel Chowk in Jammu, surrendered before SSP, Shopian, Tahir Saleem, along with AK-47 rifle and magazine. Three Kashmiri youth identified as Amir, Masood and Shahid, all residents of Shopian District, attacked Police constable Mohammad Hanief posted as PSO of Anjuman Minhaj-e-Rasool chairman Maulana Dehlavi, near the main Tawi bridge in Jammu, last week. They attacked the Policeman with a stick and also threw chilli powder in his eyes. They snatched the AK-47 rifle from him and fled. Masood was arrested in Jewel area in Jammu, and his bike was also seized, while Shahid was arrested near Toll Plaza in Nagrota.

The SC said that Bru refugees, lodged in relief camps in Tripura after being displaced from Mizoram, should be allowed to voluntarily return to their native State. A bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice S K Kaul referred to the February 6 order in which Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar had informed the court that he would convey to the authorities concerned that status quo be maintained on shifting back of displaced families to Mizoram. “We accordingly hereby clarify that such Bru families that were displaced to Tripura and desiring to return to Mizoram voluntarily, shall be allowed to do so on their own will and such of the families, which desire such rehabilitation, will be provided the necessary pre-requisites as has been provided to others who have been rehabilitated,” it said. The solicitor general told the court that rehabilitation process of Bru families is going on and a joint monitoring group, headed by the Union home secretary, is looking after it.

March 29

An IED went off near a temple in Moreh town in Tegnoupal District. No one was injured, the Police said. According to Police, the explosive went off near a Shiv temple, considered the second largest temple in Northeast India.

Another IED exploded close to the residential gate of a former MLA, Bijoy Koijam in Thongju area under Singjamei Police Station of Imphal West District. However, no one was injured in the blast.

AR arrested a NSCN-K cadre, Wanghu Rangshong, from Laju village in Tirap District.

An ASAK militant, identified as Komol Ch Marak, surrendered before BSF authorities at Dobasipara in Tura in West Garo Hills District.

IG of BSF (Meghalaya Frontier) P.K Dubey, during his interaction with media persons, referring to the recent terrorist raid in Sylhet (Bangladesh) said that any incident that happens near the border is always a threat. P.K Dubey said that neo-JMB is acting on the agenda of IS. Reacting to a query if sealing of Indo-Bangla border was a feasible solution, Dubey pointed out that there were plans to seal the Indo-Bangla and Indo-Pakistan borders and since the Supreme Court has given a deadline of 2019 to complete the fencing along the Indo-Bangla border, the BSF is coordinating with the State government in this regard.

BSF troops arrested a suspected Bangladesh National Army militant, Mohammed Raju (30). Raju is a resident of Maijkandi in Jokiganj area of Bangladesh. Police sources said he entered Karimganj illegally through the Gojukata border area. He was handed over to Karimganj Police.

The ‘general secretary’ of the ULFA-PTF militant, Anup Chetia, opposed the proposed bill for granting citizenship to Hindu Bangladeshis in Assam during a meeting at Silchar of Cachar District. He said, “We oppose the decision of the Indian Government to grant citizenship to Hindus from Bangladesh. This is a blatant threat to the demography of the state.” The militant leader further pointed that there are more than 1.5 crore Hindus living in Bangladesh and the Indian Government must start diplomatic talks with its Bangladeshi counterpart.

Nagaland CM Shurhozelie Liezietsu asked the various warring factions of Naga rebel groups to come together to bring about a permanent settlement to the six-decade-old separatist Naga movement. “It is unfortunate that Nagas are fragmented into several groups and all are asking for sovereignty for the Naga people. But can we expect all of them to bring different sovereignty to the Naga people?” The CM further said, “We support the Framework Agreement signed between the Central Government and the NSCN-IM. But this does not mean we support the NSCN-IM alone. We have made it clear to the Indian government and the NSCN-IM that to bring about a final and acceptable solution to the Naga political problem, all Naga political groups and sections of the people must be included in the process”.

John Szlazak, a Canadian national who went missing from Sukma District of Chhattisgarh on March 27, returned safe. Szlazak, who was on a bicycle expedition from Mumbai to Bastar, was allegedly held by lower-rung CPI-Maoist cadres in Singamadgu village under Chintagufa Police Station limits of Sukma District. “He is safe. He is reported to be in Singamadgu village area with ‘Sangham’ (local Maoist group) members,” Sukma, SP, Abhishek Meena said. The officer said the Canadian national hadn’t been taken hostage, but it seemed to be “a case of communication gap.”

Militants attacked Police parties in two separate incidents in South Kashmir. In the first incident, Militants attacked a Police party at Yaripora in Kulgam District. Militants opened fire upon the Police party outside the Police Station Yaripora. However, no one was injured in the attack. SFs launched searches in the area after the attack however, no one was arrested. In the second incident, Militants threw a grenade at a Police Party in Goriwan Chowk in Bijbehara area of Anantnag District. Police in retaliation fired several rounds in air and the militants fled under the cover of darkness. However, no damage was done. SFs conducted searches in the area. However, no one was arrested.

Strike was observed across Kashmir, against killing of three civilians who were killed at Chadoora in SFs firing during clashes amid a gun battle in the village of Budgam District on March 28. In Srinagar, a complete shutdown was observed.

Stone-pelting clashes broke out at Rawalpora, Bagh-e-Mehtab, Zampa Kadal, Batamaloo, Habba Kadal, Safa Kadal, HMT, Parimpora and other areas of the city. The clashes were also reported from several old city areas including Rainawari. Police used teargas shells to disperse the protesters. One civilian was injured during clashes at Rawalpora. Reports of shutdown were received from all parts of the Valley. Protests were also reported from parts of Budgam District while massive clashes raged at Baramulla Old Town and Palhallan hamlet. A protest was also reported from Ajas area of Bandipora District.

As many as 104 local youths of J&K have joined the militancy since 2016 and 65 of them are currently active there, Lok Sabha was informed. Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said among the 104 local youths in J&K who have joined the militancy in 2016-17, 12 were killed by SFs, 25 were arrested while two have surrendered. Ahir also said the State Government has reported that during the counter-insurgency operations, 18 incidents of stone pelting were reported during the last two years. He further said that there were 371 incidents of attempts to infiltrate in J&K from across the border in 2016 of which 119 were successful. While 217 militants have returned, 35 were killed and three were arrested last year, he added.

Replying to another question, the Minister said J&K has been affected by terror violence which is sponsored and supported from across the border. “The levels of terrorist violence in the hinterland of Jammu and Kashmir are linked to the infiltration from across the border. The activities of separatist and militant outfits also remain a challenge in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

March 30

The Kanpur module owing allegiance to IS, involved in the March 7 Ujjain train blast, had exploded a bomb outside the venue of PM Narendra Modi's Dussehra rally in Lucknow last year (2016), according to the interrogation report of Atif Muzaffar, the IS operative. The original plan was to target the `secured area' inside the rally but the terror squad couldn't get access due to heavy security.

The group, while making trial runs of IEDs, learnt that Prime Minister Modi was to visit Lucknow. Muzaffar, a resident of Kanpur and self designated ‘Amir’ (chief) of the Kanpur module, discussed the possibility of targeting the PM with former Indian Air Force air man G M Sahab. As part of the plan, about 5-6 days before the October 11 rally, which was attended by home minister Rajnath Singh as well, Atif and his deputy Danish prepared a pipe bomb using steel pipes and chandelier bulbs. In order to make the IED more lethal, they even bought two packets of splinters (iron ball bearings) from a cycle shop. Before planting the bomb, they also conducted a reccee of the venue in order to observe security arrangements.

Two militants of NDFB-IKS, identified as Lukash Narzary alias Langfa and David Islary, were killed following an exchange of fire with a joint team of Indian Army and Police at Simlagri under Amguri Police Station in Chirang District. One Insas Rifle with 10 rounds of live ammunition, one 7.65 revolver with three rounds of ammunition and one Chinese grenade were recovered from the killed militants. 

The Karbi Anglong District administration held discussions with the leaders of various social organisations and senior citizens at Diphu Circuit House on militant organizations’ ‘quit ultimatum’ served on Bengali and Hindi-speaking communities and how to defy it. Three militant outfits, KLO, NLFT and PDCK had on January 2, 2017 issued ‘quit notice’ against the Bengali and Hindi-speaking communities to leave Kamatapur, Karbi Anglong and Tripura by March 31, 2017. SP Dr GV Siva Prasad assured the oganisations of maintaining law and order in the District. He revealed that Police personnel need to be deployed at some interior hamlets. Meanwhile, he said that required number of armed forces will arrive within 24 hours. He sought the cooperation from all sections of people to prevent untoward incidents.

A woman sympathizer of the KCP-MJC militant, identified as Vahey Kipgen (30), was arrested along with extortion letters near Hotel Imphal in Imphal East District.

MCPM, in a press release, retracted its earlier ‘ban’ on Hijam Irabot Memorial Public School based in Langjing (Imphal West District) in connection with ‘commercializing educational institution’. A statement released by the outfit on March 26, 2017 said that the school had agreed not to ‘commercialize educational institution’. The outfit will not remain a mute spectator if such kind of activity is done in future, the statement added. MCPM also appeals to the people to report such type of ‘misdeed’ by educational institutions.

Around 20 armed CPI-Maoist cadres stormed into Daikallu railway station office in Rayagada District of Odisha, and exploded a tiffin bomb inside it after dragging out the station master outside. “At least 15-20 armed Maoists arrived at the station at around 1.30 a.m. They first ransacked the office,” said station master S.K. Parida. The Maoists then pulled the station staffs out of the office. Soon they triggered an explosion in the office and snatched away the walkie-talkie used by the Station Master, the statement of the East Coast Railway said. The Maoists left the station after 2 a.m. The window of the office and several properties were damaged in the explosion, sources said. Before fleeing the spot, the Maoists also put up posters and banners of the CPI-Maoist protesting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Odisha and appointment of non-Odia administrative and Police officers in the State.

The Odisha Government decided to intensify its anti-Maoist operation in the worst LWE affected areas of the State. The decision was taken during a unified command meet in Bhubaneswar (the states’ capital) held under the chairmanship of State Chief Secretary A P Padhi. “Among other issues, we discussed the development of infrastructure in police stations, road and bridge connectivity in LWE-hit areas, intensifying joint operations against Maoists, deployment of force and sharing of information between states at the unified command meeting,” DGP, Odisha, K B Singh said. Barring the Sunki Ghat blast incident in Koraput District, there has been noticeable decline in Maoist violence and incidents, Chief Secretary Padhi said adding, the recently concluded panchayat elections were comparatively peaceful in LWE-hit areas than the previous rural polls in 2012. “The Gurupriya Bridge connecting the cut-off area in Malkangiri District would be completed soon. This will improve connectivity to far flung areas and will also be helpful in carrying out operations,” Padhi stated.

Cadres of the JJMP, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, set ablaze a dumper near a CCL colliery in Tandwa area in Chatra District of Jharkhand. At least 10 to 15 Maoists raided Magadh colliery project, a private company engaged by the CCL at Tandawa and set the vehicle on fire. Denial of ‘levy’ sought by Maoists is suspected to be the reason behind the attack.

Police and CRPF demolished a Maoist bunker in Dumri in Giridih District of Jharkhand during a search, and recovered Maoist literature and items of daily use.

CPI-Maoist cadre Soma Munda was arrested from the outskirts of the town in Khunti District of Jharkhand. ‘Levy’ amounting to INR 48,000 was found on him. Soma figures as a named accused in over a dozen incidents of Maoist violence and carried a reward of INR 50,000 on his head.

Two active cadres of the CPI-Maoist were arrested from Tamar Police Station area in Khunti District of Jharkhand. Ram Mohan Munda and Dawood Tirkey were involved in the murder of Jivan Singh Munda, head of Burusingu village, in Tamar last year. Based on their information, Police have recovered the murder weapon - a country-made pistol and some incriminating documents from the arrested Maoists. Both of them also have a criminal background.

The NIA suspects that the Kuneru rail accident in Andhra Pradesh, in which over 40 people were killed due to the derailment of the Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Express near Kuneru on January 22, was orchestrated by the CPI-Maoist, a FIR registered by the agency said. “The Central government is of the opinion that the act of derailment is a suspected terrorist act by Left Wing Extremists and is a scheduled offence under the NIA Act,” an FIR registered by the NIA said. A senior NIA official said it was preliminary information and the probe was yet to be completed and they were exploring all angles. Since the area is close to the Maoist-affected zone, the suspicion of their involvement cannot be ruled out, said an official.

The CRPF recovered arms and ammunition from Chardarie forest area of Baramulla District. 53rd Battalion of the Force recovered one pistol, three grenades, two pistol magazines, one AK rifle and SLR ammunition from Chardarie forest area of the District during searches that were launched on specific input.

Youths who storm the encounter sites in the Valley to hurl stones at security personnel are committing suicide, Jammu and Kashmir Police said, and appealed to them to refrain from such activity. “In the encounter, even SFs and Police take cover of a bullet-proof vehicle or a house. Youths coming to the encounter sites are committing suicide," DGP, S P Vaid said. He appealed to the youngsters not to rush to the encounter sites, saying they were being misled and misused by elements inimical to peace in the Valley for their short-term political gains. "A bullet does not know whom it will hit. My appeal to all the young boys is that they should remain in their homes and not come to encounter sites. The youth must understand that they are being used by people for their short-term political gains," he said.

March 31

UHM Rajnath Singh, accused Pakistan of using the social media to incite youths in J&K to storm encounter sites to help holed-up militants, after some members in Lok Sabha (Lower House of the Indian Parliament) raised the issue of death of three civilians in Budgam District in firing by SFs. He said the strife-torn region had seen a “new trend” of late in which youths from nearby villages gather at the sites of encounter between SFs and terrorists and pelt stones to help the militants holed-up there to flee. “I will appeal to youths not to be misled by Pakistan. Some social media applications like Whatsapp and Facebook are used to gather youths at places of encounters. These groups are based in Pakistan. “Security forces are dealing with terrorists exactly the way they should and will continue to do so. I want to say that we will definitely be successful,” UHM Singh said, adding, Pakistan-sponsored terrorists are trying to destabilise not only J&K but entire India.

The Indian army recovered three live grenades from a grocery shop at Boko in Kamrup (Rural) District. According to the report, an Army team along with a State Police representative launched a search operation at the shop and during the course of the search a lady entered the shop and lobbed a grenade at the army team, which, however, did not explode. On further search, two more UBGL-type grenades were recovered. The owner of the shop along with the lady has been handed over to Boko Police for further interrogation.

Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres shot dead a villager in Malkangiri District of Odisha, suspecting him to be a ‘Police informer’. The deceased has been identified as Raghu Hantal from Cheliamunda village under MV 79 Police Station limits in the District.

Maoists killed a GRS of Jantapali village under Chitrakonda Police limits in Malkangiri District of Odisha by slitting his throat. The deceased was identified as Jaga Rao. The Maoists had earlier threatened Jaga to leave his job. However, he didn’t do so for which a group of Maoists stormed into his house during night, dragged him outside and murdered him by slitting his throat.

The 26th CRPF battalion during a combing operation recovered two powerful can-bombs suspected to be planted by the Naxals from the forest area in between Tilaya-Dakasaram road in Gomia block in Bokaro District of Jharkhand. The CRPF personnel also recovered 105 pieces of detonators within limits of Jagesher –Bihar Police Station of Bermo sub-division in the District.

At least 33 cadres of the CPI-Maoist, including half-a-dozen middle level ranking cadres (surrendered) laid down arms to join the mainstream in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh. Significantly, 14 of these surrendered Maoists hailed from Bhudrimahu village, considered citadel of dreaded Kanger Valley Area Committee operating in the District. “Significance of today’s surrender of Naxals is fall of the citadel of the Kanger Valley Area Committee,” Bastar range IGP in-charge P. Sunder Raj said. Kanger Valley Area Committee, functioning under Darbha Division of the CPI-Maoist, was considered the most ruthless unit of the outlawed outfit.

An Army trooper was killed in gun fire at a post located closer to the LoC, in Mendhar sector of Poonch District. The incident took place during early morning when Sepoy Kulwant Singh of 49 RR, hailing from Punjab had been deployed at a forward post. He had sustained bullet injury in his abdomen.

A top HM ‘commander’, identified as Amir Nabi Wagay, surrendered before SFs in Anantnag District. A Police official said that Amir was suffering from kidney failure and doctors had advised him dialyses. He said that he was involved in the grenade throwing incidents in South Kashmir and various other militant activities. He had joined militancy on August 16, 2014 and was active since then. His surrender was facilitated by the CIK, Police said. However, sources said that in the official records he has been shown arrested by the SOG of JKP and 1-RR from whose operational area he was hailing from.

UHM Rajnath Singh, accused Pakistan of using the social media to incite youths in J&K to storm encounter sites to help holed-up militants, after some members in Lok Sabha raised the issue of death of three civilians in Budgam District in firing by SFs. He said the strife-torn region had seen a “new trend” of late in which youths from nearby villages gather at the sites of encounter between SFs and terrorists and pelt stones to help the militants holed-up there to flee. “I will appeal to youths not to be misled by Pakistan. Some social media applications like Whatsapp and Facebook are used to gather youths at places of encounters. These groups are based in Pakistan. “Security forces are dealing with terrorists exactly the way they should and will continue to do so. I want to say that we will definitely be successful,” UHM Singh said, adding, Pakistan-sponsored terrorists are trying to destabilise not only J&K but entire India.

AET of Dimapur Police arrested a suspected militant, identified as Khekivi Ayemi, from Purana Bazaar area of Dimapur Town in Dimapur District for collecting extortion money from the area. Cash and incriminating documents in the form of money demand slips of the NNC/ GDRN-NA were recovered from the arrested militant.

April 1

Activists of AASU and 29 other ‘indigenous bodies’ took out a protest rally against granting citizenship to Bangladeshi Hindu migrants and further demanded immediate implementation of the Assam Accord, in Guwahati in Kamrup (metro) District. The protest programme was also supported by a number of other organisations, including Sadou Asom Karmachari Parishad, All Assam Lawyers Association and Central and semi-Central government employee bodies. This apart, Purvottar Marowari Sanmilan, Purvottar Hindustani Sanmilan, Purvottar Marwari Yuba Mancha, Purvottar Hindustani Yuva Samaj and All Assam Bhojpuri Parishad also extended their support to the cause and took part in the demonstration. The protesters, representing all the tribes and communities of the State, unanimously voiced their opposition to granting citizenship to Hindu Bangladeshi migrants, coming to Assam after the cut-off date of 1971, arguing that the proposed amendment in the Act would put a huge burden of illegal migrants on Assam.

NSCN-IM claimed that 32 Assam Rifles arrested its ‘steering executive member’, Zaremo Murry along with his wife and a lady ‘helper’ from his residence at Burma Camp in Dimapur District. A ‘press note’ from the ‘MIP’ of the NSCN-IM ‘condemning’ the act and further claimed that Murry was “falsely accused as a member of Khaplang group.” “He was forcibly made to sign as a worker of NSCN-K. It may be noted that Zaremo joined the NSCN/GRPN in 2016 after discharging himself from NSCN-R,” it informed.

Stating that the Indo-Naga talks were on the verge of conclusion to create a ‘new history’ for the Nagas, the NSCN-IM has appealed to all the Naga people to be cautious in words and deeds, or otherwise it could have a detrimental effect on the political talks process. In order to resume the Indo-Naga political talks process, the ‘collective leadership’ of NSCN-IM led by its ‘general secretary’ Th. Muivah and ‘vice president’ ‘general’ (retired) Kholi and dialogue team members left for Delhi, the outfit informed in a release.

IPS officer Vivekananda Sinha was transferred to Bastar region of Chhattisgarh as its IGP, an official statement said. Sinha, currently the IGP of Bilaspur, is succeeded in that post by P.S. Gautam, who was currently IG (Administration) at the Police headquarters, while Sundarraj P. has been divested on the additional charge of IGP, Bastar, according to an order issued by Chattisgarh Government's Home Department.

Three Army personnel were injured, as militants attacked an Army convoy heading towards Baramulla, on Srinagar-Bemina Bypass in Srinagar District. Terrorist group HM has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Nearly two dozen supporters of the CPI-Maoist surrendered before Police in Malkangiri District of Odisha. 23 rebel supporters, including 11 women cadres, surrendered before the Police at Kalimela Police Station in the District. The surrendered include four militia members, sources said. All the 23 surrendered belong to Elakanur village under Kalimela Police limits. The villagers said that they were disillusioned by the Maoist ideology and wanted to join the mainstream.

April 2

IM wanted to carry out a big terror strike in Surat (Gujarat) in 2008 to avenge the killings of Muslims in 2002 Gujarat riots and the demolition of Babri Masjid, Police said. Sources in the Gujarat Crime Branch said IM 'India cheif' Yasin Bhatkal had travelled to Surat with a plan to plant 29 bombs on July 26, 2008, the day 20 blasts rocked Ahmedabad. During the second round of questioning on April 2, Bhatkal told that IM was planning to carry out bigger attacks in Gujarat after the July 2008 serial blasts. "Bhatkal had thought after carrying out serial blasts in Jaipur, Bangalore and Delhi, they would get away with Ahmedabad blasts too. But within a week of the attack, Gujarat police caught some of the key IM operatives," an official said.

Bhatkal, however, fled to Koppa in Karnataka with Abdul Subhan alias Taukeer, another IM operative. Police said they have records of chats between Bhatkal and Ashadullah Akhtar alias Haddi, the prime accused in the 2013 Dilsukhnagar blasts case of Hyderabad, which point to their deadly plans in Gujarat. Bhatkal, Haddi and three others have been sentenced to death by a special NIA court in the case.

Thirty-three (33) Indians who were stuck in IS-captured Erbil in Iraq arrived in India on April 3 (today) after being rescued by the Indian government. The rescued people claimed that they were duped by their agent with the promise of employment in Iraq and further informed that many people like them are still stranded there. “Earlier 35 people were rescued and came back to India and this time we are 33. The agent deceived us by promising for giving jobs and took us to Iraq. More people like us are still there,” said a rescued person. They arrived at Indira Gandhi Airport (IGI) in New Delhi after efforts by both state and central government.

SFs in an encounter killed three militants of the UKDA in Jullian village under Manza Police Station of Karbi Anglong District. Another militant was injured during the encounter. A joint operation was launched by the troops of 15th GR and the Assam Police team led by Karbi Anglong Additional SP at the remote area in Singhasan hills based on intelligence input about the presence of a militant group at the area.

Imphal West District Police Commandos arrested one ‘active worker’ of PREPAK-Pro, Geeta Sharma (39), from a rented house at Majorkhul under Imphal City Police Station in Imphal West District.

Imphal West District Police Commando arrested one ‘active worker’ of PLA from Thangmeiband Lourungpurel Leikai under Imphal Police Station in Imphal West District. He also revealed that he was instructed to extort money from Government offices including Electricity Department, NIT, MANIDCO, Cooperative, Registrar, Science and Technology etc.

Police arrested a KRA-U militant, Chongtham Ibomcha Singh (43), during an operation at Taothong Ayungba Maning Leikai under Lamshang Police Station in Imphal West District. The arrested militant had abducted Soibam Dhanabir Singh (70), the proprietor of SDS Brick Field of Lamdeng Khunou on February 16 2017 and demanded Rs two crore for his safe released. Later, the proprietor was rescued by the Police on February 23 from Samurou area of Imphal West District but the abductors managed to escape.

An IED allegedly planted by the CPI-Maoist cadres was recovered under a culvert near Mohpal village in Kondagaon District of Chhattisgarh. The explosive, weighing around 20 kilograms and packed in a steel container, was planted under the culvert in the Badedongar area of the District, ASP, Maheshwar Nag said. The explosive was immediately destroyed on the spot; Nag said adding that it was meant to harm the security personnel during their operations in the area.

The SIB Police officials arrested three Naxalites belonging to the CPI-ML New Democracy from Kamayyakunta and Kannapuram villages in Buttayagudem and Koyyalagudem mandals in West Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. According to information, three Naxalites of the Chandranna Dalam, Karam Kannayya, Madakam Ramarao alias Ramanna, Chimala Vasantha Rao tried to extort money from a timber merchant in Kannapuram village.  The SIB team raided on the cashew garden and took Kannayya into their custody. Later, the team tapped the mobiles of other persons and arrested them in Kannapuram village of Koyyalagudem mandal. The team had received information that these three Chandranna dalam cadres of CPI-ML New Democracy have planned to kill a timber trader at Kannapuram village, suspecting him as ‘Police informer’. They seized one pistol, 10 rounds bullets from the LWEs.

A Policeman, identified as Shamim Ahmad, was killed and 14 others were injured in a grenade attack in the Nowhatta area of Srinagar. Militants hurled a grenade on a patrol of SF personnel when they were withdrawing from security duty in Botagali area of Nowhatta at around 7 pm.

Police raided Baramulla sub-jail in Baramulla District. Police recovered 14 mobile phones, two of them belong to hardline separatist Masarat Alam Bhat, and incriminating material from Baramulla sub-jail during a search operation in North Kashmir. Police suspects that these phones were being used for creating trouble in Kashmir. SSP, Baramulla, Imtiyaz Hussain Mir, said that Police received a request from sub-jail authorities that they are suspecting use of mobile phones inside the prison.”Thereafter police and jail authorities jointly launched a search operation there. During the search operation, we recovered 14 mobile phones along with some incriminating material. Mostly, these communication devices were recovered from those inmates who are involved in stone pelting, its instigation and militancy activities.” Sources said that the incriminating material recovered include diaries and books.

Life was affected in the Kashmir Valley as separatist groups called a strike in protest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the State for inaugurating the Chenani-Nashri tunnel on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway. Asking people to observe a general strike, the chairmen of the two factions of the APHC, Syed Ali Shah Geelani of the APHC-G and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq of the APHC-M, and JKLF chief Mohammad Yasin Malik, in a joint statement on March 30, said “all rhetoric about development or construction of tunnels and roads are futile and will not succeed in luring us”. They said the Prime Minister was visiting the State at a time when the situation was “extremely gloomy”.

In a fresh attempt to nudge Myanmar to launch a flush out operation against the militants of the Northeast, India reduced the allotment to its Aid to Myanmar programme significantly and allocated INR 225 crore only this Year (2017-18). In the previous year, (i.e. in 2016-17) India sanctioned INR 400 crore to Myanmar; but the indifferent attitude of Myanmar over the issue of Northeastern militant groups disappointed India and this time India has clearly shown its displeasure over the issue, claims the report.  

A BSF patrol seized fake notes with face value of INR 300,000 near the IB fence gate in the Churiantpur area of Malda District around 11:45 PM on April 2.  The seizure was made after suspected smugglers flung a packet into the Indian side from across the border.

As Zakir Naik, being probed under terrorism charges, defied the NIA summons once again, the agency has once again issued fresh summons asking him to appear before it on April 17. This is the third time in last one month NIA has issued notice to Naik but there is no sign of him willing to come to India and join the probe. Earlier, he was asked to join the probe on March 14 and then March 30.

Naik is on the run and is being probed by NIA for allegedly spreading communal hatred and inciting others through his speeches to commit terror acts. His now banned NGO IRF even allegedly funded few terror suspects. The agency has already questioned around 20 associates and employees of Naik in last few months about his business ventures, properties and funding from abroad. He had recently signalled his willingness to appear via video-conferencing, an option the NIA rejected.

Officials said that legal process calls for declaring him a proclaimed offender and then approach Interpol to issue a red corner notice against him and arrest him there. NIA has also identified 37 properties owned by him directly or indirectly. Sources said that many properties have suspicious ownership. An officer said there is enough evidence to make a strong case of illegal and unexplained flow of money to Naik's business ventures, particularly Harmony Media Pvt Ltd, in which he and his wife were directors till a few years back.

Four people, including Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur and senior RSS leader Indresh Kumar, have been cleared of their alleged role in 2007 Ajmer Dargah blast by the NIA, according to the final report filed by the agency. The NIA couldn’t find enough evidence to build a case against the four, the closure report submitted before the special NIA court in Jaipur said.

 Among those acquitted were Harshad Solanki, Lokesh Sharma, Mehul Kumar, Mukesh Vasani, Bharat Bhai and Chandrashekar. Three accused -- Sandeep Dange, Ramchandra and Suresh Nair -- are still absconding, according to the NIA.

April 3

One CRPF trooper was killed and five others were injured after suspected militants opened fire at a CRPF convoy at Pantha Chowk area in the outskirts of Srinagar. Unidentified militants fired at a civilian passenger vehicle carrying CRPF personnel of 97 Battalion at Sempora in Pantha Chowk area. Two civilians, including a 10-year-old girl, were also injured in the crossfire. One of the injured personnel, Head Constable Basappa, later succumbed to his injuries. LeT claimed responsibility for the attack. The personnel were on their way to Srinagar for election duty for Lok Sabha by-polls scheduled to be held on April 9.

Pakistan army violated ceasefire and resorted to unprovoked mortar shelling and firing along the LoC in Digwar and Balakote sectors of Poonch District. Official sources said Pakistan army started heavy firing in all forward villages and Army posts in Digwar sector of the District at 9.30 am and soon extended the ceasefire violation to Balakote sector of the same District. Pakistan army used mortars, automatic and semi-automatic weapons in shelling and firing, which was retaliated very effectively by the Indian side, leading to heavy exchanges that lasted till this afternoon. However, there were no reports of any casualties or major damage on the Indian side.

BSF personnel seized FICN of the face value of INR 300,000 from Anantapur village in Malda District. The BSF personnel during patrolling along the Indo-Bangladesh border found 150 fake currency notes of the denomination of INR 2000 in a bag at Chowri Anantapur village under Baisnabnagar Police Station, BSF sources sources.

The second incident was reported from the Farakka area in Murshidabad District when the BSF troops intercepted a Jharkhand-based man on a tip-off. Fifty fake currency notes of INR 2,000 was seized from the man, they said. “Genuine currency totaling Rs 1,350, a mobile phone, an Aadhaar card and a driving licence was recovered from the man identified as R K Mondal (31),” a senior officer said. With this, the BSF has so far seized FICN of face value INR 696,000 this year in four instances near the border area here. The Kaliachak and Malda areas of West Bengal along the border are notorious for FICN smuggling. In 2016, BSF’s South Bengal Frontier (comprising five border districts of West Bengal) had seized fake currency with face value of over INR 1.47 crore and arrested 19 smugglers. The trend is being witnessed post demonetisation too although the trickle is slow, the officer said.

In a statement, CorCom, the conglomerate of several militant groups of the State threatened one lady named Konsam Ongbi Sanahanbi from Kwakeithel Akham Leikai of Imphal West District to appear before them by April 30. The militant group alleged that the lady has collected a huge amount of money in the name of the militant group.

Police carried out a cordon and search operation at Dewlaland near Inter-State Bus Terminus in Imphal West District and detained one suspected person who failed to verify his identity.

State Home Department wrote to the Union Ministry of External Affairs about the recent encroachment into Indian Territory (Holenphai village of Tengnoupal District) by Myanmar army and to intervene and take necessary steps to stop cross border activities. According to the report Myanmar Army intruded into Holenphai village on March 4 last and vandalized a saw mill. Manipur based NGOs who conducted spot visits at the border village after the recent incidents alleged that the Myanmar Army was continuing its activities on the Indian side.

The militant group, ZUF, said that it is ready to hold talks with the Central Government of India if it recognizes the demand for bringing together the Zeliangrong community. The new ‘chairman’ of the militant group, Jenchui Kamei said, "The Zeliangrong United Front is ready for talks with the Government of India provided it recognizes the demand for bringing together the Zeliangrong community scattered across the Northeastern States under a single administrative unit." The militant group with around 300 cadres mainly operates in Tamenglong District of Manipur and SFs reckon it as a force.

NTC reacted on the speech of the CM and NPF President, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsü, which he delivered during the Kohima Division NPF convention held recently in Kohima and expressed support to the August 3, 2015, ‘Framework Agreement’ signed between GoI and NSCN-IM. ‘When the party President, who is also the CM of the State, is so confident in expressing such unconditional support to an exclusive agreement between GoI [Government of India] and NSCN-IM, NTC believes that the state leadership knows the contents of the agreement and feels contented with the provisions in it,’ NTC ‘media cell’ stated. It urged the State leadership to divulge the contents of the agreement for the people of Nagaland to know and understand, adding the State leadership has first to satisfy the stakeholders before he lends support to such an important deal.

CPI-Maoist cadres allegedly killed a former Salwa Judum activist in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. Modiam Somlu (50) was fatally attacked by the Maoists at Loharpara village in the District early this morning, Police said. Somlu, a native of Pundri village, had gone to Loharpara, to fetch ‘sulfi’ when a group of armed rebels stormed there. The Maoists pumped bullets into him and also stabbed him with sharp-edged weapons, he said.

A CPI-Maoist cadre was arrested in a joint operation of Bihar Police, SSB and CRPF, from Manikkhtan village of Jamui District of Bihar. The Police recovered heavy arms and ammunition including 1 AK-56 rifle, 5 AK-56 magazines, 108 rounds of AK ammunition, 1 pistol, 2 grenades and three detonators.

CPI-Maoist cadre was arrested from Lausinha village in Gaya District of Bihar. Acting on a tip off, a joint team of CRPF’s CoBRA unit arrested the Maoist in connection with setting on fire an under-construction railway station at Kharaundh in Nawada District in October 2016.

April 4

Mumbai has been on high alert, after the Indian Coast Guard informed the Mumbai Police that three suspected terrorists of the IS group might try to enter the city via sea. The police are checking lodges and low-end hotels where identity proof isn't asked for by the owners.

A prominent political leader from Kozhikode and the Chabad House at Vattakanal near Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu frequented by Israeli tourists were the prime targets of the IS module, says the NIA chargesheet filed in the Kochi Special Court. But the name of the politician does not appear in the report. It says the module operated in Kerala and Tamil Nadu under the leadership of its 'amir' (chief) and NIT graduate Shajeer Mangalasseri. The kingpin from Kozhikode, also known as Abu Ayisha, appears in one of the Telegram groups as AfdolAX. Shajeer, who holds an Indian passport (M2957534), was working in the Gulf before shifting to Afghanistan.

He came to India on a two-week-long visit last year and gave his brother the power of attorney before returning on April 30. Another accused Saddik, who is close to Shajeer, is in Saudi Arabia. With over 15 members, the module had created several groups in Telegram to discuss IS ideology and plan attacks, says the chargesheet. “They had different names like The Gate, Bait-Al-Noor, Darul Fiqa, Kudumbam and Play Game,” said an NIA officer. He added, “The plot to attack the political leader and the Chabad House were discussed by Thaasveeb and Knowledge groups. The module had also planned to carry out an attack on a religious meeting near the Kerala High Court by ramming a lorry into the crowd.”

SFs arrested a ZUF militant, identified as Johnson Kamei (33), at Langol Games Village in Imphal West District. According to the SFs, the arrested militant was involved in several extortion cases.

One Bangladeshi immigrant, Iraj Ali (son of Isub Ali) who had migrated to Assam after 1971, and was illegally residing in Langia village under Dhing Police Station in Nagaon District was arrested. The arrested person was declared as foreigner by the Nagaon District FT on an unspecified date. After his arrest, Iraj Ali was sent to the Foreigners Detention Camp in Tezpur, the sources added.

Diphu based youth organizations- People for People and United Hills Development Organization have rejected the threat of PDCK to Bengali and Hindi speaking community to leave the Karbi Anglong District. The militant group has earlier warned the Bengali and Hindi speaking community residing in Karbi Anglong to vacate the autonomous District within March 31, 2017 failing which they would face grave circumstance. Addressing a press conference at the office of the Ex. UPDS, the leaders of both the organisations termed PDCK demand as unjustified. There is no necessity of any kind of violence to protect the right of the sixth scheduled tribes of this place as the Constitution of India has made ample provision under sixth schedule to defend the right of the tribal, added the leaders.

One militant of the NSCN-K, identified as Nawang Konyak (38), was arrested by the Indian Army from Namtola area of Assam-Nagaland border in Charaideo District. A Chinese grenade, two bottle bombs, some fuse wires and two mobile phones and many other items were recovered from the arrested militant.

AR arrested one NSCN-IM militant, identified as ‘corporal’ Pangchak Arangham, from Rangluwa village in Longding district of Arunachal Pradesh.

A group of CPI-Maoist cadres allegedly set ablaze two poclain machines and a truck engaged in laying water pipeline in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The incident took place near Muchnar village under Barsoor Police limits where a water pipeline is being laid. A group of rebels stormed at the work site and after threatening the workers to leave the place, they set on fire two poclain machines engaged in excavation work and a truck parked at the spot this morning, he said. “No one was injured in the incident,” Police said.

The hardcore CPI-Maoist cadre arrested from Jamui District of Bihar, with an AK-56 assault rifle and hand grenades, was identified as Shyam Marandi alias Manoj Da alias Umesh Marandi. Jamui SP, Jayant Kant, said Marandi was arrested from his hideout on the Jamui-Banka border where the rebels had assembled to carry out a major operation, during a raid jointly conducted by the Jamui Police, STF, SSB and CRPF. According to Jamui SP, Kant, 106 live cartridges, three country-made pistols, three detonators and two hand grenades were also recovered from Manoj's hideout. CRPF sources said Umesh hailed from Kuchugaon in Kokrajhar District of Assam. Fluent in English, Hindi, Assamese, Santhali and Bengali, he frequently changed his name as he operated in Bihar, Jharkhand and Assam. "It's a major achievement... Manoj was involved in several criminal cases in the district and adjoining areas," the SP said, adding he was being interrogated.

Two youths identified as Birsa Purti (25) and Bandeya Munda (22) was shot dead at Toner village under Murhu Police Station in Khunti District of Jharkhand. An official of Murhu Police Station said that Bagrai Champia, an ‘area commander’ of the PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, was involved in the twin killings.

Police arrested one Satyendra Oraon alias Gilhari, an active cadre of the TPC, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, from Chandwa locality in Latehar District of Jharkhand. OIC, Chandwa Thana, Kamleshwar Pandey, said that Oraon was wanted by Police for over six cases including an abduction of contractor Jhalo Thakur.

Four PLFI cadres, including a woman, were arrested from Bodomada under Bano Police Station area in Simdega District of Jharkhand. The woman has been identified as Poonam Topno (21) while the three others are Albins Topno (23), Sukhram Topno (19) and Jeevan Soren (19). As many as 25 rounds of ammunition used in INSAS assault rifles, a mobile phone and pamphlets with PLFI messages were recovered. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

April 5

Pakistani troops resorted to mortar shelling and firing by automatic weapons along the LoC in Poonch District, prompting the Army to retaliate. "There was unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistan Army in Digwar sector of Poonch today, using 82 mm mortars, automatic weapons," a defence spokesman said. Indian Army personnel took positions and responded befittingly to the Pakistani firing, the spokesman said, adding that intermittent firing was going on. However, till the time of reporting there is no casualty on either side. The defence spokesman said, on April 4, Pakistani troops had resorted to firing and shelling of mortar bombs on forward posts in Bhimbher Gali sector of Rajouri District from 1100 hours and it continued for some hours. Earlier, SATP had reported that Pakistan army, on April 3, violated ceasefire and resorted to unprovoked mortar shelling and firing along the LoC in Digwar and Balakote sectors of Poonch District.

Suspected militants ransacked house of a former PDP Sarpanch at Nagbal area in Shopian District. A Police officer said that unidentified assailants knocked door of the house of Abdul Qayoom Sheikh at Urpora village of Nagbal in the Shopian, the door was, however, not opened from inside and these persons broke window panes and glasses of the house, adding that no one was, however, injured. He further said that it was not immediately known whether the Sarpanch was present inside his house. The official said the identity of the attackers has not been ascertained so far but sources said that they were suspected militants.

Clashes erupted in Pulwama town in Pulwama District, against the arrest of nearly one dozen youth in Police raids. The clashes erupted in the main market Pulwama after some youths protested against the arrest of one Jehangir Ahmad of Dallipora and others during night raids at neighbouring Kakapora area. The protesting youth enforced shutdown in the main market of Pulwama and resorted to heavy stone-pelting on SFs. The SFs retaliated by lobbing teargas. The situation, however, returned to normal later.

At least eight militants have infiltrated into Kashmir this year (2017) in first two months of winter while over 150 militants are waiting on launch pads to sneak in. Army has intensified its vigil along the LoC in J&K that runs through North Kashmir after fresh infiltration this year. According to MAC figures, eight militants have infiltrated into Kashmir in winter this year. These militants mostly infiltrated from Keran sector of the LoC where the snow depth was less compared to other areas. The figures suggested that the militants came in two groups. However, sources said that the number of militants who infiltrated this year in winter months of January and February is 12.

Sources further said that these militants are still in the forests of North Kashmir after infiltration and are waiting for logistic support to get into Valley. However, SFs are keeping an eye on the possible routes which they can take for entering into Valley from the forests and want to engage them inside forests only. The infiltration of militants into Kashmir has started early this year as compared to last year. Last year, the first infiltration reports were received in May and as per MAC figures, 114 militants infiltrated into Kashmir last year which was highest since 2014. Sources said that over 150 militants are on launch pads mostly in Neelam Valley area of PoK. These militants have gathered in last two months and are waiting to infiltrate into Kashmir.

Authoritative security sources in the Union Home Ministry claimed that China has roped in militant groups of North East to launch a proxy war against India. The source further claimed that the recent statement of ULFA-I, on March 28, against the visit of Dalai Lama in Assam was dictated by China. Also, asserting that China was not interested in organizational strength of ULFA-I, the security sources said that China intends to intensify its proxy war against India in the North East through the separatist groups.

A 37-year-old man, Amjab Arshad suspected to be associated with IS was arrested on April 5, from the national capital after he was deported from Saudi Arabia, said the NIA. The accused operated online using multiple aliases, is an alleged IS sympathiser and recruiter and was arrested after his deportation on April 4. "He was deported from Saudi Arabia, in connection with its probe into activities of the West Asia-based terror group and its affiliates in the country," the agency said.

The Hyderabad youngsters, identified as Arshad Ayub and Abdul Khadeer, joined the IS with the help of Amzad Khan. “Arshad Ayub, a resident of Murad Nagar, and Abdul Khadeer of Moti Mahal in Golkonda, are the youngsters from Hyderabad, went to Syria in December 2015 just before the nationwide crackdown on terror suspects. They are now in Syria and  agencies are trying to locate them,” said an NIA official.

The ‘president’ of the UKLA, identified as Thangkhosei Guite alias James alias Seiboy alias Max (33), was arrested along with two other militants, identified as Seigoulen Doungel alias Gogou alias Kenny Gou (31) and Lenkhomang Kipgen alias Mamang (29), from Hotel Serena in Senapati District. Many incriminating articles were also recovered from the possession of the arrestees. The ‘president’ Thangkhosei Guite was involved in many cases of abduction and other criminal activities. Earlier, in a notification issued by Manipur Police on January 30 this year (2017) announced a cash reward of INR 100,000 each to anyone who could provide information leading to the arrest of Thangkhosei Guite and his cadre James alias Henkholun Kipgen (36).

One militant of KRA-U, identified as Ningthoujam Ojit (40), was arrested by the Police from Tera Lukram Leirak in Imphal West District. According to the Police, the arrested militant was involved in the abduction of a brick field owner. 

A woman, identified as Naorem Lukamani Devi, who was declared an absconder by Special Court, NIA Guwahati on March 28 last year (2016) was arrested by the investigation agency from Takyel Khongbal Mayai Leikai in Imphal West District. The husband of the arrested woman, Priyokumar alias Kesho Meitei, is the ‘c-in-c’ of the KCP-MTF, who was arrested by NIA from Siliguri in West Bengal in June, 2012.

The Meghalaya DGP Swaraj Bir Singh said that fresh induction of SF-10 will add new impetus to the counter-insurgency operations in Garo Hills Districts to wipe out the GNLA. He said, “The SF-10 stand out because of the specialized training modules aimed at combating militancy”. “They are highly motivated and can stay long in advanced and remote areas frequented by militants”, stated Singh.  He referred to the success in virtually wiping out the GNLA militants in four districts of Garo Hills as a glaring illustration. Besides gunning more than a dozen militants and the combat pressure that forced more than 150 GNLA cadres to surrender in the past one year (2016), the DGP further added while the pursuits is on in last remaining bastions of a motley group of 18-20 GNLA cadres, the passing out of the second batch of SF-10 in two months time will provide more thrust on the counter insurgency operations in Garo Hills.

Authoritative security sources in the Union Home Ministry claimed that China has roped in militant groups of North East to launch a proxy war against India. The source further claimed that the recent statement of ULFA-I, on March 28, against the visit of Dalai Lama in Assam was dictated by China. Also, asserting that China was not interested in organizational strength of ULFA-I, the security sources said that China intends to intensify its proxy war against India in the North East through the separatist groups.

AR arrested two militants of the NSCN-K, identified as ‘sergeant’ Wangchatt and ‘corporal’ Nokwang, during a search operation at Lungwa village in Mon District. Two pistols, one radio set and assorted ammunition were recovered from the arrested militants.

A CPI-Maoist cadre who was allegedly involved in the murder of two sarpanchs was arrested from Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. Laxman Bhaskar (45), active as a ‘Janmilitia’ member of Maoists, was arrested from the District hospital in Dantewada town where he had arrived for his treatment, Police said.

District Police and CRPF's 154th Battalion busted three bunkers and recovered huge cache of explosives from Parasnath and its adjoining jungles during an anti- CPI-Maoist operation in Giridih District of Jharkhand. A Maoist cadre, identified as Deepak Munda, was also arrested during the operation.

The CPI-Maoist, once again issued fresh warnings to the people, especially tribals of Rayagada and neighbouring Districts in Odisha, through posters to oppose the proposed visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the State. Two such hand written materials in the name of Odisha State Committee of CPI-Maoist were found stuck on a tree at Sikarpai in Rayagada District of Odisha. One of the posters read “Oppose Modi’s visit to Odisha on April 14, 15 and his Land Acquisition Act”. It also appealed to the people to oust Vedanta and save Niyamgiri hills. Another poster threatened the SFs against combing operations in the Maoist infested forests. The Maoists also alleged Rayagada SP, lured the tribal youths with money to become ‘Police informers’ and asked him to refrain from such activities.”Rayagada SP should stop instigating tribal youths to become police informers”, the poster mentioned.

Disbanded anti- CPI-Maoist front, the AGNI, regroups in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh. AGNI came into existence for the second time during a meeting of “imminent citizens” in Jagdalpur. The former convener of the AGNI, Anand Mohan Mishra and representatives from some other organizations like the Bastar chamber of commerce met at Jagdalpur. Many imminent citizens stressed on the need of the existence of AGNI during this meeting. After this meeting, Sampat Jha and Subba Rao have decided to announce that the AGNI has been regrouped again,” said a statement circulated by the AGNI.

Police arrested two persons, identified as Tiakaba Jamir and Sanjeev Rai while they were robbing an Autoriskshaw at Sewak Gate area, Dimapur Town.

April 6

 IS has reportedly made a ‘hit list’ of 15 Malayalees including four journalists who, according to the terror outfit, have allegedly been campaigning against Islam. The list includes 11 computer professionals and four journalists from Kerala. There are reportedly 152 Indians in the list. The NIA got the information from the laptop seized from Najir Bin Yafi, a Maharashtra ­ native recruiting people for IS. The list was handed over to IS leader Shafi Armar via Instagram.

Nagaland CM Shürhozelie Liezietsu hailed the "bold step" taken by PM Narendra Modi to resolve the Naga political problem but called for "oneness" of the Naga people for a lasting solution. Last week, at a meeting of leaders of the ruling NPF in Kohima, the CM said that though his party and Government support the August 3, 2015, framework agreement between the Central Government of India and the NSCN-IM, it does not mean that the party and State Government support a single faction of the Naga underground.

ULFA-PTF ‘general secretary’ Anup Chetia said that peace talks with ULFA-I, led by Paresh Axom (Baruah), is only possible if the Union Government  comes forward for a dialogue process. However, the leader declined to comment when asked if he has received any indication from Paresh Baruah for the peace talks. The ULFA ‘general secretary’ also expressed concern at the alleged “apathetic attitude” of the Central Government towards the peace talk process with the ULFA-PTF.

Two CPI-Maoist cadres, allegedly involved in the last month's attack on a CRPF patrolling team in Bhejji in South Bastar on March 11, in which 12 troopers were killed, were arrested from Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The cadres, identified as Padam Mukka (28) and Kuram Guddi (27), were picked up by a joint team of the DRG and the District Force from Konta Police Station area. While Mukka was active as the head of ‘Janatana Sarkar’ squad of Maoists, Guddi is a ‘jan militia’ member. They are natives of Jinetong village in Bhejji area, Police said.

Following a tip-off, two suspected CPI-Maoist supporters were arrested by Herhanj Police from a local market in Palamu District of Jharkhand. The identities of the arrestees’ are yet to be ascertained.

Police busted a mini gun factory in Tetar under Nagar Utari Police limits in Garhwa District of Jharkhand and recovered country made pistols.

AR arrested one militant of NSCN-K, identified as Rolise (21) in general area Pungro Junction in Kiphire District. One Pistol, magazine and 4 live rounds were recovered from the arrested militant.

April 7

SFs arrested two new militant recruits of HM from Sopore area in Baramulla District. Acting on specific information about the presence of HM militants in an orchard near Achabal village of Sopore, the Police along with Army and CRPF cordoned off the orchard and launched search operation, a Police official said. The newly recruited militants were identified as Yawar Nabi Mir and Arsalan Rasool Teli – both hailing from Sheikh Sahib Locality of Chinkipora area of Sopore.

The ULFA-PTF observed their 37th ‘raising day’ of the organisation at Kakopothar designated camp in Tinsukia District. Apart from the ULFA-PTF leaders, AJYCP president Biraj Talukdar, convener of Gana Mukti Sangram Samity Lu Chun Gohain, advocate Nekibur Zaman and several others prominent people attended the meeting. The speakers criticized the Central and State governments on the proposed amendment to the Citizenship Bill. On the other hand, the All Assam Surrendered ULFA Samittee warned of an agitation if its demands were not met. The group, consisting of former undivided ULFA cadres who had surrendered between 1992 and 2014, held a meeting on the occasion of the ‘raising day’ and adopted several resolutions. The members unanimously agreed to press for their demands which include provision of interim relief, monthly stipend, lifting of pending court cases, granting of sovereignty to the State, imposition of inner-line permit and granting of ST status to the six communities of Assam. 

Twenty four Karbi Anglong based tribal organizations have jointly called for a 36 hours Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong District bandh (shutdown) starting from April 10, 5 a.m. till April 11, 5 p.m. The bandh has been called in order to pressurize the KAAC and Assam Government to enact the Representation of Peoples Act 2017, to make Representation of Peoples Act rules 2017 and prepare KAAC’s voters list on the basis of the new act. The organizations have also demanded that the election to the KAAC should be on the basis of the new voters list, which would be prepared by KAAC after amending the old Representation of Peoples Act. The tribal organizations have also filed a PIL (no 9/2017) in the Gauhati High Court against KAAC.

The first round of talk between Churachandpur-based JACAATB and Manipur Government was held with CM Nongthombam Biren Singh in the chair at the latter’s Secretariat in Imphal. In the talk, the CM expressed his desire to let the families perform the last rites of the victims considering their mental trauma, official sources said. He also said any crisis or problem can be resolved through talks. Reiterating that without hills and tribals there is no Manipur he thanked the JAC for responding to the appeal of the government for talks. The JACAATB submitted a charter of demands to the Government. Both sides agreed to have the next round of talk on April 10.

The BSF has set up two new posts in the Naxal-affected Kanker District of Chhattisgarh to facilitate road construction projects. “Both the COB was set up last week in the highly sensitive region of Kanker bordering with Maharashtra,” IG, Frontier Headquarters of BSF in Bhilai, Mahendra Singh said. One BSF post has been set up at Kanhargaon village which is on the border of Kanker and Gadchiroli (Maharashtra) to ensure security to the Bande-Irpanar road and the other at Charre-Marre village for the Antagarh-Amabeda road, he said.

A 28-year-old man was allegedly killed by CPI-Maoist cadres on suspicion of being a ‘Police informer’ in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. The body of Sagau Ram Sori was found in the forests near his native Belodi village under Amabeda Police Station limits. Prima facie Sori was strangled, a District Police official said.

A sniffer dog of the CRPF famed as ‘Crackers’ died and his handler was injured when a pressure bomb planted by Maoists went off in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The incident occurred when a ROP of CRPF’s 170th battalion was returning to its camp after a combing operation in Modakpal Police Station area, a District Police official said. The ROP, accompanied by a sniffer dog, had launched the operation from its camp in Chinna Kodepal village.

CPI-Maoist cadre identified as Ram Pati Ram alias Awadhesh Ram was arrested along with an associate from Dumarpokhar village in Kaimur District of Bihar. Police said Ram, a native Chandauli District of Uttar Pradesh, was wanted in several Naxal-related incidents in the neighbouring State and had been hiding in Kaimur. The identity of Ram’s associate is yet to be ascertained.

District Police arrested PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, ‘area commander’ Prabhu Sahay Bodra and his three associates from Murgidih under Arki Police Station area in Khunti District of Jharkhand. Police also seized 20 bullets from the PLFI ‘area commander’ Sahay. The identity of the three associates is yet to be ascertained.

April 8

Militants opened fire on a Police team near an election meeting venue of the ruling PDP in poll-bound Anantnag District and fled from the scene. No one was injured in the firing, even as the meeting, chaired by Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Chowdhary Zulfikar Ali, remained unaffected and later concluded peacefully, a Police official said. The militants opened fire on a Police party patrolling the area around Magray Mohalla in Achabal, 65 kilometres from Srinagar, the official said. However, there was no report of any casualty on either side, the official stated. The meeting was being held in connection with the  Lok Sabha  by-poll to Anantnag parliamentary constituency scheduled for April 12.

Pakistan army resorted to heavy mortar shelling and firing along the LoC in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District. Reports said Pakistan army started shelling and firing in Jhanghar, Karali and surrounding areas targeting forward posts of the Indian troops and civilian areas. The Indian side retaliated effectively, leading to heavy exchange of shelling and firing. Pakistan army used mortars, automatic and semi-automatic weapons in the firing, drawing matching response from this side. The shelling and firing continued till late night, reports said. Yesterday also, Pakistani troops had shelling forward army posts and civilian areas in Nowshera sector while prior to that, there had been exchange of shelling and firing at Digwar, Khari Karmara, Bhimber Gali and other sectors of Poonch District, the reports added. However, there had been no casualties or damage on the Indian side in shelling and firing, reports stated, adding that civilians confined themselves to their houses and didn’t venture out.

Four women and a class 10 boy were arrested by the 34 AR from an Imphal bound-passenger bus at Karong on the Imphal-Dimapur road in Senapati District. Police sources informed that one of the arrested women is reported to be the wife of the NSCN-K’s ‘western military supervisor’, ‘Lieutenant General’ Nikki Sumi, and the boy his son. The five were arrested by the 34 AR while travelling from Dimapur to Imphal in the passenger bus, the Police said, adding that INR 1, 85 million in cash was also seized from their possession.

SFs arrested a militant of the NSCN-K, ‘second lieutenant’ Kijen Rongshong, from Lazu village of Tirap District. The arrested militant was allegedly involved in an attack on SF and also involved in extortion activities, according to an Army release.

A SI and a Policeman were killed in a gunfight with the PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, in Simdega District of Jharkhand. Bano Police Station in-charge Vidhyapati Singh and his team of four guards stormed a house in Mahabuang village in Bano block in the night after they were alerted about the presence of PLFI ‘second-in-command’ Guddu Gope, Police said. As the SFs came face to face with the rebel ‘commander’, Singh asked him to surrender but Gope opened fire with an AK-47, injuring Singh and District Constabulary trooper Raju Biruli. Gope managed to flee under the cover of darkness but a gunfight broke out between his men and the SFs.

As many as 15 armed CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze a Government-run liquor shop at Raghubari village under Ambadola Police limits in Rayagada District of Odisha. The Maoist also set a motorcycle ablaze which was parked in the liquor shop’s premises and assaulted three of its staff. Some posters left by the Maoists at the spot mentioned that this move conveys opposition towards ‘Operation Green Hunt’ and called for a ‘liquor-free Odisha’.

The Naxal (LWE) NSD of the District Police conducted combing operations at the forest areas of Tamil Nadu-Kerala border in Coimbatore District SFs conducted the operations to curtail the movements of CPI-Maoist cadres. Maoists' activities were reported from Attappady and Agali Police limits in Palakkad District of Kerala. These two areas are located near Annaikatti in Coimbatore District.

April 9

Eight persons were killed and around 200 injured during Poll violence at Pakherpora in Chrar-e-Sharief area of Budgam District. An official said that hundreds of protestors stormed a polling station at Pakherpora in Chrar-e-Sharief area of Budgam district and ransacked a building housing a polling booth and SFs fired several warning rounds to disperse the rampaging mob, which did not relent. “Six persons were injured in the firing, of whom two, 20- year-old Mohammad Abbas and 15-year-old Faizaan Ahmad Rather, succumbed to bullet wounds”, he said. Violence marred polling in some other parts of Srinagar Parliamentary seat as stone pelting incidents were reported from around 200 places across the three districts of Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal, which constitute the Srinagar constituency.

One Nissar Ahmed was killed as SFs opened fire to quell a stone-pelting mob in Ratsuna area of Beerwah in the Budgam District. At the Daulatpura in Chadoora Assembly segment of Budgam District, one person, identified as Shabir Ahmed, was killed in firing by SF personnel. Another youth, Adil Farooq, succumbed to multiple pellet injuries in the Kawoosa area of Beerwa constituency in Budgam District. One Aqib Wani was shot dead as Police opened fire on a crowd of protestors in the Beerwah area in the afternoon. Amir Bashir Malla, resident of Sogam, Chadoora in district Budgam, who was injured earlier in the day succumbed to injuries in the hospital. And Omar Farooq Gania, who was injured in SFs firing at Barsu in Ganderbal District, also succumbed to injuries at hospital.

A Police official said that three vehicles were also set on fire and 33 were damaged, 21 Electronic Voting Machines were damaged and re-poll will be held at those places, where polling could not be held. At several polling booths in Budgam, Police had to rescue the polling staff for safety as protesters attacked and ransacked the booths. Army was called out to help SFs quell a rampaging mob which pelted stones and hurled petrol bombs to set a polling booth ablaze in Ganderbal District of the Srinagar constituency. Chief Electoral Officer Shantmanu said that six people were killed and around 117 including Police and para-military forces were injured in 200 incidents of violence in Central Kashmir. He said that around 7.14 percent voter turnout was recorded in Srinagar Parliamentary constituency.

Militants attacked Yaripora Police Station in Kulgam District. However, there was no damage. Also, the assailants set on fire the Government High School Arihal in Pulwama where polling booth was set up for by polls in Anantnag constituency that goes to vote on March 12.

Separatists called for a two-day shutdown against the killing of protestors in SFs firing saying it was the only way for them to express solidarity with the families of those killed and the cause for which they laid down their lives. “We know hartal would not affect Government policy towards us but it is the only option to express our collective grief,” the separatist leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mohammad Yasin Malik said in a joint statement.

To strengthen Army’s infantry and held it in operations in J&K, Army has started the process to procure around 1,500 anti-materiel lightweight rifles capable of damaging targets like battle tanks, low-flying helicopters and bunkers. Official sources said, a RFI for purchasing the rifles which should have a range of at least 1.8 kilometers with a caliber of 12.7 mm/0.50, has been issued. The light weight rifles will boost operational capabilities of the troops both along the borders as well as hinterland.

SFs based on intelligence output, had launched an operation and busted a NDFB-IKS transit camp in the in the thick jungle along Khungkhora Jhora Nala under Rangijhora under Amguri Police Station of Chirang District. During the search, one SLR rifle along with one magazine, 37 rounds live ammunition, one modified carbine with one magazine, three SBBL guns and two grenades were recovered.

SFs recovered an IED under a culvert near Nungshang Bridge along Imphal-Ukhrul road in Ukhrul District.

SFs, during a cordon and search operation, arrested two RPF/PLA militants from around Kangu Chingjin area under Lamlai Police Station in Imphal East District. The arrested militants were identified as Mutum Dolen alias Melei and Laitonjam Dinesh. They revealed that they were working under the command of ‘finance secretary’ of Imphal East RPF/PLA named Sanatomba.

RPF claimed that Nongmaithem Leisemba alias Chitesor, Meisnam Inaobi and his brother Meisnam Inaocha of Kwakeithel Nganappithong who were arrested by Imphal West Police commandos on April 8, have no connection with the organisation.

An exchange of fire took place between cadres of the CPI-Maoist and the District Police at an unspecified area under Annavaram Police Station limits in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. Police also recovered nine kit bags, cooked food along with explosives.

Two women cadres of the CPI-Maoist, Maso Vekko (30) and Madkami Nande (24), were arrested from an unspecified place in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. Vekko, a member of ‘Military Platoon no.16’ of CPI-Maoist, was carrying a cash reward of INR 200,000 and Nande, a member of Malangir LOS, carried a reward of INR 100,000. Police also recovered 12 bore Gun, a machine used in repairing guns and commodities of daily.

A joint team of CRPF and District Force arrested two CPI-Maoist cadres from Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The arrested CPI-Maoist cadres were identified as Ichami Boti (36) and Laxman (28). The duo was facing charges related to murder, attempt to murder, abduction, arson and possession of illegal arms.

A banner, suspected to have been put up by Koraput-Srikakulam division of CPI-Maoist cadres has surfaced at Nilabadi under Bandhugaon block in Koraput District of Odisha. The banner threatened the elected representatives to stop the projects undertaken by Panchayat. It also reads, “Asish Senapati (son of ward member) is indulging in the liquor business thereby ruining the life of innocent tribals. Being aware of his business, the sarpanch has awarded him various project works. If he does not give up the works, we would eliminate him”.

An NSCN-IM leader, Mhonsao Kikon, who was a ‘steering executive member’ of the militant group from ‘Kyong/Lotha region’, passed away after a prolonged illness at Zion Hospital Dimapur. Earlier he was a cadre of NNC and became the 3rd President of NNC-NA after the signing of Shillong Accord. Later he joined NSCN-IM in 2002.

The militant group, KRA-U under the umbrella of UPF, an entity of tripartite talks with the State Government and Central Government India clarified that it was ‘not involved in any way’ in the abduction of SDS brick field owner named Soibam Dhanabir Singh.

An exchange of fire took place between cadres of the CPI-Maoist and the District Police at an unspecified area under Annavaram Police Station limits in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. Police also recovered nine kit bags, cooked food along with explosives.

Two women cadres of the CPI-Maoist, Maso Vekko and Madkami Nande, were arrested from two separate places in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. Vekko, a member of Military Platoon no.16 of CPI-Maoist, was carrying a cash reward of INR 200,000 and Nande, a member of Malangir LOS, carried a reward of INR 100,000. Police also recovered 12 bore Gun, a machine used in repairing guns and commodities of daily.

A banner, suspected to have been put up by Koraput-Srikakulam division of CPI-Maoist cadres has surfaced at Nilabadi under Bandhugaon block in Koraput District of Odisha. The banner threatened the elected representatives to stop the projects undertaken by Panchayat. It also reads, “Asish Senapati (son of ward member) is indulging in the liquor business thereby ruining the life of innocent tribals. Being aware of his business, the sarpanch has awarded him various project works. If he does not give up the works, we would eliminate him”.

 A tribal, Lalsu Kundi Atram, was killed by a group of CPI-Maoist cadres in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. The CPI-Maoist cadres alleged him to be a ‘Police informer’. He was abducted from his Bejur village under the Bhamragad Division. According to Police statistics, Atram is the fifth civilian victim of Maoist violence in 2017. The tally for 2016 was 19.

April 10

NIA, which is probing the Pathankot terror attack (2-3 January, 2016), has submitted a list of 39 prosecution witnesses. Although the name of Superintendent of Police Salwinder Singh of Punjab Police has not been included, the agency will make him a witness in the case and put his name on the preserved list, which is likely to be produced in court during the next hearing of the case on May 2, 2017.

NIA, filed the fourth supplementary charge-sheet before the Bankshall Court in connection with the Khagragarh blast (October 2, 2014) against three more operatives of the JMB. In the earlier charge-sheets, NIA had mentioned names of 30 accused. Nine of the accused are still at large. In the charge-sheet filed, names of Mohammad Rubel alias Rafiq, Jahidul Islam and Mohammad Sahidul Islam have been mentioned. Two of them were residents of Bangladesh and one is from Assam. Rubel and Jahidul are residents of Rajshahi and Delduar respectively in Bangladesh while Sahidul is a resident of Barpeta in Assam.

Investigation has revealed that the accused had planned to carry out attacks in places of Bangladesh and had made their base at Khagragarh. But for many reasons they had failed to take up the task. 

A trial court in the Dakshina Kannada District of Karnataka convicted three persons for supporting the early operations of IM, and acquitted four who were on the periphery of the group’s support system in the state. Among the acquitted is Maulana Shabbir Gangolli alias Shabbir Bhatkal alias Hussain Shabbir Meheruddin Gangolli. The 34-year-old was arrested in 2008 on suspicion of being a mentor for members of IM.

Brussels-based think-tank, ICG, in its recent report, titled 'Counterterrorism Pitfalls: What the US Fight against ISIS and al-Qaeda Should Avoid' has said that if Pakistan-based terror groups carry out another attack like that which killed large numbers of civilians in Mumbai in 2008 (26/11), then it would be difficult for India to show restraint. The report says that the two main anti-India groups –LeT and JeM for whom Pakistan is a ‘safe haven’, also pose grave threat to the US.

India said the dastardly terror attacks in Egypt once again highlighted the urgent need for concerted action by the international community to effectively deal with the scourge of terrorism. "India, herself facing cross border terrorism, stands by the people and the Government of Egypt in our common fight against terrorism...The dastardly attacks in Egypt again highlights the urgent need for concerted action on the part of the international community against the scourge of terrorism," the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

Army foiled infiltration bid on the LoC in Keran sector of Kupwara District. In the operation four terrorists were killed, the operation is still in underway. Army spokesman said the infiltration bid was foiled along LoC in Keran. "A group of militants attempting to infiltrate was intercepted Sunday night by alert troops deployed on the Line of Control. In the ensuing encounter four terrorists were gunned down," official said. However, no causalities were reported in the attack, the officer added.

 The NIA, which is probing the Pathankot terror attack (2-3 January, 2016), has submitted a list of 39 prosecution witnesses. Although the name of Superintendent of Police Salwinder Singh of Punjab Police has not been included, the agency will make him a witness in the case and put his name on the preserved list, which is likely to be produced in court during the next hearing of the case on May 2, 2017.

The court has also summoned an officer of the rank of flight lieutenant posted at the Pathankot airbase to record his statement during the next hearing. NIA officials also told the court that it would submit another list of witnesses during the next hearing. It would include the names of some officers from US who helped NIA crack the GPS devices used by the JeM terrorists, who allegedly came from Pakistan. “We have submitted the list and told the court that we want to examine all the witnesses. We have a preserved list of some of the witnesses which we will submit in the coming days. We have also filed an application to seek permission to examine the witnesses,” said an NIA officer.

The NIA has also filed an application in court, saying it wants the trial to begin under Section 299 of the CrPC which means that if it is proved that an accused person has absconded and that there is no immediate prospect of arresting him, the court is competent to try or commit for trial such person for the offence in his absence, examine the witnesses (if any) produced on behalf of the prosecution and record their depositions and any such deposition may, on the arrest of such person, be given in evidence against him on the inquiry into, or trial for, the offence he is charged with.

A trial court in the Dakshina Kannada District of Karnataka convicted three persons for supporting the early operations of IM, and acquitted four who were on the periphery of the group’s support system in the state. Among the acquitted is Maulana Shabbir Gangolli alias Shabbir Bhatkal alias Hussain Shabbir Meheruddin Gangolli.

Brussels-based think-tank ICG, in its recent report, titled 'Counterterrorism Pitfalls: What the US Fight against ISIS and al-Qaeda Should Avoid' has said that if Pakistan-based terror groups carry out another attack like that which killed large numbers of civilians in Mumbai in 2008 (26/11), then it would be difficult for India to show restraint.

The report says that the two main anti-India groups –LeT and JeM for whom Pakistan is a ‘safe haven’, also pose grave threat to the US. “Though neither has formal links to al-Qaeda, their fighters rub shoulders with other militants and global jihadists in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The gravest danger they pose for Pakistan and the U.S. is another strike on India,” says the report.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s response to attacks last year on Indian forces in Kashmir suggests his reaction would be calibrated carefully, and public opinion would weigh only so far on that calculation. But it would be difficult to show restraint in the event of an attack like that which killed large numbers of civilians in Mumbai in 2008,” it added. The report holds significance as relations between India and Pakistan are at an all-time low, especially after the terror attack on Army camp in Uri in September, 2016. India, in a retaliatory action, had carried out surgical strikes at terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir neutralising several militants.

The report states that the main challenge for the US is to persuade Pakistan's military establishment to push the Taliban toward talks and rein in anti-India groups. The report says Pakistan's jihadi problem is largely of its own making and is "deeply entrenched". "That Afghan Taliban leaders who talk to the US or Afghan government without Pakistani blessings are promptly jailed or disappear showing how the military can clamp down," it says.

India said the dastardly terror attacks in Egypt once again highlighted the urgent need for concerted action by the international community to effectively deal with the scourge of terrorism. "India, herself facing cross border terrorism, stands by the people and the Government of Egypt in our common fight against terrorism...The dastardly attacks in Egypt again highlights the urgent need for concerted action on the part of the international community against the scourge of terrorism," the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

At least 45 people were killed and nearly 120 injured in the powerful blasts in two churches packed with worshippers in Tanta and Alexandria cities. "We offer our deep condolences to the bereaved families and wish speedy recovery to the injured," the MEA said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had condemned the attacks. "Deeply pained by the attacks in Egypt. We condemn these attacks. My thoughts are with families of the deceased and prayers with the injured," he had tweeted.

 A 47-week-long training for CISF women constables has commenced at the CISF’s RTC at Thakkolam near Arakkonam in Vellore District. As many as 1,794 women constables recruited by CISF are undergoing training at the centre. The Centre had increased the number of CISF personnel from 1, 45,000 to 1,80,000. According to press release, the personnel would be trained in handling terrorists and Naxals [Left Wing Extremists (LWE)]. Training as per the security needs of the country would be imparted to them.

Replying to a question by MP Krupal Balaji Tumane, Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir revealed that insurgent activities in the Northeast along the Indo-Myanmar border saw an increase compared to the Indo-Bangladesh border in the last three years. According to the report, during the period from 2015 to March 31, 2017, terror activities along Indo-Myanmar border increased alarmingly in view of insurgents groups shifting their bases from Bangladesh to territories within Myanmar and China. According to the Minister, during this period, 10 encounters took place in three North Eastern States — Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura along the Indo-Bangladesh border.  Even though no casualties were reported in these encounters, a total of 11 suspected rebels were arrested. In Assam along the Indo-Bangla border, three encounters were reported and four militants arrested in 2015. No such incident was however reported in Assam along the Indo-Bangla border in 2016-17. On the other hand, the Indo-Myanmar border has been witnessing steady rise in insurgent activities during the period with as many as 206 encounters reported between militants and security personnel spread across four Northeastern States Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. While 18 security personnel lost their lives, 32 insurgents were killed in these encounters. A total 337 rebels were arrested from the international border in the four States during this period. Among the four Northeastern States sharing Myanmar border, maximum number of encounters took place in Arunachal Pradesh. As many as 81 encounters were reported in that State where three security personnel and 13 militants were killed. During this period, 114 suspected insurgents were arrested. Even in 2017, 13 encounter cases have been reported till March in Arunachal along the border with Myanmar. Union Minister Ahir said the Central Government of India in tandem with Northeastern State Governments has adopted a multi-pronged approach to contain cross-border infiltration. This includes strengthening of border management, multi-tiered deployment along the international border and Line of Control, synergizing intelligence flow to check infiltration and pro-active action against terrorists.

A senior State Home department official said that the fourth round of peace talks between Mizoram Government and the HPC-D militants is scheduled to be held on April 21. The official informed that the parleys were expected to revolve around giving more autonomy to the Sinlung Hill Development Council and also on the financial aspects including proposals for rehabilitation and resettlement of the HPC-D militants, after they lay down arms in the event of the agreement being signed. The State Government delegation would be led by Additional secretary in the Home department, Lalbiakzama while the HPC-D delegation would be headed by working president of the HPC-D, L T Hmar and comprising of overground Hmar leaders from both Manipur and Mizoram.

Security sources said that the ULFA-I had started a drive to recruit youths from the upper Assam Districts of Tinsukia and Dibrugarh by engaging linkmen. According to the sources, around 15 youths from the upper Assam Districts have been taken to Myanmar recently for training. But the exact number of the fresh recruits is yet to be ascertained. Sources also said that some of the bids of the ULFA-I to recruit youths have been foiled following arrest of the linkmen of the outfit, while, a few new recruits were also nabbed before they could be taken to Myanmar.

The bandh call given by CPI-Maoist in Gaya District of Bihar evoked partial response. While the bandh was near total in Dumaria, Imamganj, Banke Bazar and Raushanganj areas of Sherghati sub-division, life remained normal elsewhere in the District. The bandh call was given by the CPI-Maoist to register protest against the recent encounter in which four Maoists were killed in the Fatehpur Police Station area of the District on March 8. Calling the encounter as fake, the Maoists alleged that the killing was done in cold blood.

SFs arrested Gurua Munda, a CPI-Maoist cadre and right hand man of ‘area commander’ Maharaj Pramanik, from Harbagadh village under Tamar Police Station in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. Munda had joined CPI-Maoist in 2014 and was wanted by Police in at least 10 cases, including five murders. He was involved in the murder of Ram Singh Munda and Jagran Manjhi (Tamar), Mohan Singh Munda and Jitendra Singh Munda (Kuchai) and Amit Karmakar at Palna Dam in 2014 and 2015. Gurua revealed that Maharaj Pramanik, Amit Munda, Pradeep Swansi and Duryodhana are some of the top Maoist operatives who are trying to regroup in the area.

A gang of fake CPI-Maoist cadres was busted by Rayagada Police in Rayagada District of Odisha. Eight members of the gang arrested are Trinath Mahanandia, Bali Majhi, Balaram Naik, Suresh Mahanandia, Bishikeshan Sahu, Mohan Sahu, Senapati Roy of JK Colony in Rayagada town and a woman, Sabitri Karkaria of Kalyansinghpur Block.

A 47-week-long training for CISF women constables has commenced at the CISF’s RTC at Thakkolam near Arakkonam in Vellore District of Tamil Nadu. As many as 1,794 women constables recruited by CISF are undergoing training at the centre. The Centre had increased the number of CISF personnel from 1, 45,000 to 1,80,000. According to press release, the personnel would be trained in handling terrorists and Naxals. Training as per the security needs of the country would be imparted to them.

Two CPI-Maoist cadres, Madivi Kosaiah and Madivi Joga, were arrested by a combined squad of Charla Police and CRPF personnel from the remote forest areas of Danavaipeta forest at Bhadrachalam Agency in Bhadradri District of Telangana. SFs also recovered six wall posters of CPI-Maoist.

April 11

One militant of KYKL, identified as ‘captain’ Khwairakpam Ibungo alias Jiten, was arrested by SFs at Keirao Awang Leikai under Irilbung Police Station in Imphal East District.

Police arrested three extortionists, identified as Joydeep Chakraborty alias Babul (20), Rahul Sah (20) and Aman Verma alias Biki (24), who demanded money from a small tea garden owner by impersonating ULFA-I militants at Doomdooma in Tinsukia District. 

RN Ravi, the Government of India’s Interlocutor for Naga talks, is likely to meet representatives of the newly formed NNPG in Kolkata later this month (April). Earlier, six Naga ‘political groups’ – GPRN/ NSCN, FGN, NNC (parent body), NPGN/ NNC-NA, NSCN-R and NNC/ GDRN-NA- united and formed an ‘interim platform’ by the name ‘Working Group’ on December 13, 2016. Recently, on April 8, the PAM of Nagaland Assembly led by CM Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsü met with the NNPGs at the Police Complex, Chumukedima to solicit understanding for a bringing an early solution to the Naga political issue. The NNPG representatives were reported to have said that they intend to pursue a solution for the Nagas of Nagaland since NSCN-IM has been engaged in an exclusive (sans other Naga political groups) negotiation with the Government of India. The NNPGs wanted to know from the Government the contents in the Framework Agreement.

Suspected cadres of the TPC, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, on April 9 night raided the construction site of GAIL, the agency engaged in laying gas pipeline passing through Gurua Police Station area of Gaya District of Bihar and "ordered" stoppage of work for the company's failure to pay the ‘levy’ demanded by the outfit. City SP, Awakash Kumar said a case has been registered and work will resume. "Full Police protection would be provided to those engaged in gas pipeline laying work," said the City SP.

Two hand grenades suspected to be of the LWEs were recovered from a maize field in Kapasia village of the Samastipur District of Bihar, following a tip-off by a mukhiya.

Two extortionists identified as Thsarose Sangtam and Hito Chishi, were arrested by AET from Murgipatti area of Dimapur Town. Money demand slips of NSCN-R were also recovered from them.

April 12

 Police arrested five persons for making FICN and seized INR 178,000 such fake notes in denomination of INR 2000, INR 500 and INR 100 rupees from them at Bassi, a sub-urban town of Jaipur. “The gang members using modern printer, scanner and computer/laptop have already floated fake currency worth around Rs 4 lakh in the villages, SHO Bassi Virendra Singh told.

Three operatives of IM, who were convicted on charges of terrorism and manufacturing explosive devices on April 10, were, sentenced to life imprisonment by a trial court in the coastal Karnataka region of Mangaluru. The third additional district and sessions judge at the trial court, S H Pushpanjali Devi, sentenced Sayyed Mohammed Naushad (33), Ahmed Bava (41), and Fakeer Ahmad Bava (44), all residents of the Dakshina Kannada on charges of terrorism, preparation of bombs and criminal conspiracy.

The NIA, told a Delhi court that it has no objection to the applications of two persons pleading guilty of criminally conspiring to raise funds for the ISIS and recruiting people for the terror outfit. The accused, Azhar-ul-Islam (24) from Jammu and Kashmir and Mohammed Farhan Shaikh (25) from Maharashtra, took a U-turn more than a month after the court framed charges against them.

The UK, said it wants to further strengthen cooperation with India in the fight against terrorism and extremism, while also offering cutting-edge military technology for co-production of weapon systems to jointly become "world beaters" in arms exports. "No country is immune from terrorism. India and the UK need to work even harder, and more closely, to combat it," said visiting British secretary of state for defence Michael Fallon, who had earlier held that his country had made it "very clear" to Pakistan that there cannot be any excuse or justification for terrorism.

"Terrorism is high on our agenda," said Fallon, taking note of the series of terror attacks in recent days in London, St Petersburg, Egypt and other places. He also stressed the need to bolster cooperation on the cyber-security front to counter the expanding online radicalism of youth. With the UK looking to bolster ties with major economics like India after Brexit, Fallon said the combination of "British expertise and experience with Indian intelligence and brainpower" could be game-changing in the defence production sector.

The APW, a rights body in the State, claimed that the ULFA-I might try to create trouble in the Government's project of dredging the Brahmaputra. On April 4, 2017, the Centre had signed a MoU with the State Government to dredge the Brahmaputra and construct a national expressway on its bank. The APW president Abhijeet Sharma said, "The Brahmaputra dredging project has upset the Chinese authorities who try to assert their rights over the river that flows down from Tibet. Paresh Baruah, being a Chinese agent, may try to lead a proxy war in the State in a bid to create hindrance in the project." The organisation further alleged that the April 15-17 scheduled visit of Chinese envoy to Assam, Luo Zhaohul, is part of ‘a greater design of China’ in the region and urged the Central Government of India to cancel it.

CM Sarbananda Sonowal was assured by the PM Narendra Modi that the sealing of the international border (India-Bangladesh) is one of the top priorities of the Central Government of India and he would instruct the Ministry of Home Affairs to take up the matter on a war footing.

The Central Government of India moved the SC, against its verdict by which protection to armed forces under the AFSPA for anti-militancy operation in Manipur has been negated. Centre is seeking hearing on its curative plea against the verdict. The SC had delivered a verdict on July 8 last year (2016) giving the State Police liberty to probe the role of armed forces in alleged encounter cases in areas where AFSPA is in force. A Bench comprising Chief Justice JS Hear and Justices DY Chandrachud and SK Kaul agreed to hear the curative plea in which it has been alleged that the army and paramilitary forces are combat forces and there should not be this kind of fetter on them in anti-militancy operations. The apex court verdict on investigating the role of armed forces in encounter cases had come on a plea alleging that armed forces were misusing the protection under AFSPA in Manipur during anti-militancy operation. Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Centre, said the apex court verdict gave the powers to the State Police to probe the role of armed forces in anti-militancy operation. “This court ought to have appreciated that the principles of right to self-defence cannot be strictly applied while dealing with militants and terrorist elements in a hostile and unstable terrain. “This court ought to have taken into account the complexity and the reality of the conduct of military operations and tactics especially while combating terrorists,” the curative plea said.

AR arrested two militants of NSCN-K, identified as Nyanei Konyak (44) and Lemnyei Konyak (43), from Tizit area under Mon District. A sum of INR 198,000 was also recovered from the arrested militants. 

The GoI has informed that Chhattisgarh is one of the eight States which has requested the MHA for waiving off cost of charges towards deployment of CAPFs in the State. As many as 259 battalions of CAPF were deployed in Chhattisgarh’s LWE-affected regions as on 2015-16. The deployment in other States was as follows- Andhra Pradesh (16), Telangana (12), Bihar (57), Jharkhand (144), Madhya Pradesh (8), Maharashtra (34), Odisha (102), Uttar Pradesh (six), and West Bengal (53). A total of 691 battalions of CAPF were deployed across the country in LWE areas as on 2015-16, Officials stated. A total of 106 Districts in the States are considered as LWE-affected. Of these, Bihar has maximum 22 Districts, followed by Jharkhand (21), Odisha (19), Chhattisgarh (16), Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, - both eight each, West Bengal and Maharashtra, - both four each, Uttar Pradesh- three and Madhya Pradesh, one.

The CPI-Maoist cadres killed a tribal, identified as Chaitu Uika, on suspicion of being a ‘Police informer’ after holding a 'Jan adalat' in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. As per information, the armed CPI-Maoist cadres, on April 3, abducted Uika from his native place Kamkanaar, located around eight kilometres away from Gangaloor, and tortured him for a week.  

A CPI-Maoist, Budhram Kunjam (29), allegedly involved in the murder of a former 'Salwa Judum' worker, was arrested in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. ‘Salwa Judum’ was disbanded in 2011, after Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional.    

CPI-Maoist ‘zonal commander’ Nakul Yadav and his deputy Madan Yadav have reportedly surrendered before a Ranchi Police team in Bishunpur area of Gumla District of Jharkhand.

A woman cadre of the CPI-Maoist, Kantamani Hareka alias Padma, was killed in an exchange of fire between Police and CPI-Maoist cadres at the Lehri jungle on the borders of Koraput and Rayagada Districts of Odisha. There was no report of any injury to Police personnel. Some items used by the CPI-Maoist cadres were recovered from the encounter spot. SP Charan Singh Meena, said, one civilian lady Mali Miniaka of Tudu Leleri was also found injured near the site of exchange of fire and was immediately taken to the hospital and was out of danger. Two live IED, SBML gun, Bharat Gun, detonator, walkie talkie and good number of Maoist literature and books were recovered from the encounter site.

The Periyakulam Sub-Court sentenced six CPI-Maoist cadres, to various terms of rigorous imprisonment at Theni District of Tamil Nadu. CPI-Maoist cadres were convicted under various Sections of the IPC in a case relating to arms training by a group of Maoists in Murugan Malai near Periyakulam.

The trial of the Mavelikkara CPI-Maoist meeting case was completed at the NIA Court at Kochi in Ernakulam District of Kerala. The court is likely to adjourn the judgement on April 22. NIA found the accused were members of RDF, a frontal organisation of the CPI-Maoist. It is worth mentioning that, Rajesh of Mavelikkara, Bahuleyan of Njarayilkonam, Devarajan of Kollam, Gopal - a scientist with the IGCAR at Kalpakkam - belonging to Tamil Nadu and Mannur Ajayan were the accused.

April  13

Jharkhand Police launched an initiative ’Tarey Zameen Par’ to help the Naxal -affected children in Palamu District of Jharkhand. Citizens also supported the initiative by donating articles such as clothes, school bags, instrument boxes, water bottles, shoes, slippers, toys, comic books etc.

Khunti Police arrested Anil Herenj a cadre of PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, from Karra Police Station in Khunti District of Jharkhand. Police recovered one pistol and nine live bullets. Anil was supposed to be appointed as the ‘area commander’ of Tupudana and Karra.

Odisha Police have arrested eight supporters of CPI-Maoist on charges of killing the husband of a woman ward member candidate in the recently concluded Panchayat polls in Malkangiri District of Odisha. The incident had taken place on February 2, 2017 at Bara village under Mathili block in the District. The arrested have been identified as Masa Madkami, Budra Madkami, Sahadeb Pujari, Maga Sodi, Narasingha Madhi, Manga Durua, Madhaba Durua and Motiram Sodi of Bara village.

In what is deemed as the first step to bring back Zakir Naik from Saudi Arabia to India, the ED obtained a NBW against him from a PMLA court in Mumbai. Counsel for ED Hiten Venegaokar said, “Naik has failed to respond to the agency. He has till date not revealed his location and also not given his permanent address.” The court has hence allowed the plea of the agency observing that there exists an extradition treaty between the UAE and India and he can be brought back. “Naik failed to appear before the IO and has given evasive replies. For thorough investigation in such offences, the presence of the accused is necessary,” said special PMLA Judge PR Bhavake.

At least two of over 20 people from Kerala who were lured by the IS are feared killed in US's superbomb attack on Afghanistan's Nangarhar. The Pentagon confirmed that the US dropped GBU-43 bomb, the largest non-nuclear weapon in its arsenal, on the IS tunnel in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province.

The NIA has approached the Bombay High Court challenging a special court order discharging suspected IS recruit Areeb Majeed from a section of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act-UAPA, which charges him with being a member of a terrorist outfit. A division bench on April 13, posted the case for hearing on June 6, but refused to stay the trial before the special court underway under other charges.

In February, the Special court had dropped the charge under Section 20 of the UAPA on a technicality, stating that when Majeed allegedly joined the outfit, the IS had not yet been declared a banned terror outfit under Indian Law. Majeed, a resident of Kalyan, is alleged to have, along with three other yourth from Kalyan, left the country join the terror outfit in May 2014, on the pretext of going on a pilgrimage. In November 2014, Majeed was arrested on his returned to India. He was charged under various sections of UAPA. NIA, in its appeal claimed that the Islamic State was banned by the UNSC in 2014, which was binding on all members including India. Hence dropping of section 20 of the UAPA against Majeed was erroneous.

Terrorist attacks against India are an attempt to "destabilise, break and weaken" the country, UHM Rajnath Singh said. He added that security agencies, in the present and emerging security scenario, should develop core competence against cyber crimes that are increasing globally. Singh added India's progress has become a sore in the eye of certain elements as they cannot see it emerging as the fastest growing economy, which he said, will rise to be a USD 5 trillion economy from the present USD 2 trillion.

"Why are terrorist incidents taking place? They are taking place to destabilise, break and weaken India. Forces inimical to India do not like the country's progress and hence have cast an evil eye on this country," he said. He added one of the biggest challenges of the current times is to effectively tackle cyber crimes as they can be perpetrated by sitting in "any corner of the world". "All organisations need to develop core competence and go for technical upgrade to meet this challenge there will be no dearth of resources in this regard," he said.

In an interview with ‘The Week’ magazine, the ‘chief of Naga army’ of NSCN-IM, Phunting Shimrang, accused the GoI of delaying the final settlement to the decades-old Naga issue. “It is only after we went to China that India woke up. Will India wake up only if the Naga army starts doing that again?” Shimrang was quoted as saying by the magazine. He further alleged that the Central Government was trying to “humiliate” the Nagas by delaying the settlement. 

NSCN-R/ GPRN asked all the printing press/press owners of Nagaland not to ‘entertain’ the printing of its ‘pad, challan and stamp or any other instruments related to them’, without their permission.

Two militants of PREPAK-Pro, identified as ‘sergeant major (finance section)’ Salam Sitoljit alias Seven Kumar alias Seven Star (28) and ‘colonel (civil section)’ Pebam Bishorjit alias Tomcha (24), surrendered before CM N Biren Singh in a solemn surrender programme held at the CM’s Secretariat in Imphal.

Thirteen Indian Islamic State (IS) militants and two of its 'commanders' of Indian nationality were killed in the GBU-43/B attack by US in Afghanistan on April 13. The US had dropped the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb, also known as the "Mother of All Bombs" or "MOAB," over the Achin District of Afghanistan's Nangarhar province, to destroy a tunnel and cave network of the Islamic State.

According to the Kabul based Pajhwok Afghan News agency, out of the 96 militants killed in the strike, 13 were Indians. Thirteen IS 'commanders' too were killed in the attack, and two of them were Indians, the report said. A security officer was quoted saying "13 Indian Daesh militants were also among those killed". He said two of the "Daesh commanders Mohammad and Allah Gupta were from India".

However, diplomatic sources in Kabul and Indian security sources had said there was no confirmation of Indian IS operatives being killed. The security source also said that NIA officials were in touch with the families of IS operatives.

At least two of over 20 people from Kerala who were lured by the Islamic State (IS) are feared killed in US's superbomb attack on Afghanistan's Nangarhar. The Pentagon confirmed that the US dropped GBU-43 bomb, the largest non-nuclear weapon in its arsenal, on the IS tunnel in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province.

Indian intelligence agencies said that the last known location of Indian IS recruits was Nangarhar, the region where the US military dropped its 'Mother Of All Bombs' (MOAB) targeting secret tunnels of the terror group. The NIA is now planning to send a team to Afghanistan to ascertain the fate of Indians affected in the US bomb attack.

In what is deemed as the first step to bring back Zakir Naik from Saudi Arabia to India, the ED obtained a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against him from a Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Mumbai. Counsel for ED Hiten Venegaokar said, "Naik has failed to respond to the agency. He has till date not revealed his location and also not given his permanent address." The court has hence allowed the plea of the agency observing that there exists an extradition treaty between the UAE and India and he can be brought back. "Naik failed to appear before the IO and has given evasive replies. For thorough investigation in such offences, the presence of the accused is necessary," said special PMLA Judge PR Bhavake.

The NIA has approached the Bombay High Court challenging a special court order discharging suspected Islamic State (IS) recruit Areeb Majeed from a section of the UAPA, which charges him with being a member of a terrorist outfit. A division bench on April 13, posted the case for hearing on June 6, but refused to stay the trial before the special court underway under other charges.

In February, the Special court had dropped the charge under Section 20 of the UAPA on a technicality, stating that when Majeed allegedly joined the outfit, the IS had not yet been declared a banned terror outfit under Indian Law. Majeed, a resident of Kalyan, is alleged to have, along with three other yourth from Kalyan, left the country join the terror outfit in May 2014, on the pretext of going on a pilgrimage. In November 2014, Majeed was arrested on his returned to India. He was charged under various sections of UAPA. NIA, in its appeal claimed that the Islamic State was banned by the UNSC in 2014, which was binding on all members including India. Hence dropping of section 20 of the UAPA against Majeed was erroneous.

Terrorist attacks against India are an attempt to "destabilise, break and weaken" the country, UHM Rajnath Singh said. He added that security agencies, in the present and emerging security scenario, should develop core competence against cyber crimes that are increasing globally. Singh added India's progress has become a sore in the eye of certain elements as they cannot see it emerging as the fastest growing economy, which he said, will rise to be a USD 5 trillion economy from the present USD 2 trillion.

Manipur CM N Biren Singh appealed to all militants in the State to join the mainstream. "I appeal to all local militants to join the mainstream. I also appeal to those youths who have fled their homes to join militancy to return to mainstream," Singh said.

April 14

A dozen of armed cadres of CPI-Maoist torched 11 tractors and an earthmover of a road construction firm at Pithaura locality under Pipra Police Station in Palamau District of Jharkhand.

Kamlesh Ganjhu a cadre of TPC, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, was arrested from Lawalong area of Chatra District of Jharkhand. SFs recovered AK-47 rifle, a pistol, two magazines, 152 cartridges and INR 3,614,000 in cash from  Ganjhu’ s house during the raid.

A ‘sub zonal commander’ of CPI-Maoist, Damodar Yadav, surrendered before Palamau range DIG, Vipul Shukla in Latehar District of Jharkhand. Yadav was carrying a reward of INR 500,000. He was given Rs 50,000 in cash and INR 500,000 in cheque following his surrender.

Police interrogated a 20-year-old tribal woman in Bishunpur area of Gumla District of Jharkhand. She was forcibly taken away by CPI-Maoist ‘zonal commander’ Nakul Yadav's squad a few years ago and exploited at the rebel camp. She was forced to marry CPI-Maoist’s Anil Oraon and gave birth to a baby girl two months ago.

The CPI-Maoist Rayagada Area Committee puts up five posters at different places at Parasali village in Rayagada District of Odisha. The posters mentioned opposition to Odisha Government and Government of India.

CPI-Maoist Koraput-Srikakulam Division puts up posters and erects red flags in more than hundred acres land at Katulpeta, Aalmanda Areas in Koraput District of Odisha.

The Zilla Parishad chairman polls will be conducted on April 26 in Malkangiri District and Nuapada District of Odisha, said a notification of SEC. Notably, the polls were not held for the Zilla Parishad chairman in Malkangiri and Nuapada Districts earlier. Earlier, the SEC had stayed polls in Chitrakonda I and II zones out of the total 13 Zilla Parishad zones in Malkangiri District after getting a joint report from the DC and SP regarding safety issues of the candidates, voters and election officials due to CPI-Maoist cadres.

April 15

ED filed a charge sheet against Aamir Gazdar, a close aide of Zakir Naik, in a money laundering case before a court in Mumbai (Maharashtra). The agency had arrested Gazdar on February 16. The 250-page charge sheet contains statements of five persons including Gazdar himself, Zakir Naik's sister and an accountant of Naiks NGO, IRF, an ED official said.

BSF, night recovered FICN worth INR 700,000 from Anantapur area of Kaliachak in Malda District. The fake currency notes were of INR 2,000 denomination. During their vigil, some of the BSF troopers found a plastic bag lying along the Indo-Bangladesh border. Upon inspection, they found the fake currency notes wrapped inside the packet. Police have started a case in this regard and a probe has been initiated. No one has been arrested in this connection so far.

Mizoram Home Minister R Lalzirliana said that the fourth round of peace talks between Mizoram Government and HPC-D was scheduled to be held on April 28. The State Government delegation would be led by Additional Secretary, Home department, Lalbiakzama while HPC-D delegation is expected to be headed by working ‘chairman’ of HPC-D LT Hmar and comprising Hmar leaders from Manipur and Mizoram. Earlier the date of the scheduled talk was reported as April 21 in SATP from a different source.

Home Minister R. Lalzirliana said that the Mizoram Government was ready to carry out repatriation of Bru families lodged at relief camps in Tripura any time. Speaking to reporters in Aizawl at a press conference, the Mizoram Home Minister said that the State Government has completed all formalities which were supposed to be done in connection with the repatriation process. Mizoram officials who conducted the identification in the Tripura relief camps during November 2 to November 23, 2016, had identified 32,857 people hailing from 5,413 families for physical repatriation. It can be noted here that the physical repatriation has been put on hold as the Supreme Court directed both the UMHA and Mizoram Government not to go ahead with the repatriation process following the 20 points demands raised by MBDPF, an apex body of displaced Bru people staying in six refugee camps in Tripura. The Mizoram Home Minister said that the Supreme Court on March 28, 2017 clarified a status-quo on Bru repatriation that such of the Bru families, as were displaced to Tripura, who desire to return to Mizoram voluntarily, shall be allowed to do so on their own volition and volition and, as such, all the Bru families who desire to return to Mizoram will be provided with the necessary pre-requisites, as are extended to other Bru families, who were rehabilitated to Mizoram.

UPRF (Zogam Army), an ethnic Kuki militant outfit having its base in Singhason hill range of Karbi Anglong Autonomous District, has decided to shun the path of violence and join the mainstream. Expressing its keenness for coming over ground, Johnson Kuki one of the ‘leaders’ of the group, on behalf of the UPRF through a press release informed that the organization has decided to join the mainstream in response to the call of Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal who has invited insurgent outfits to ‘come to table for talks.’ “The UPRF (Zogam Army) has full faith on the government of Assam led by Sarbananda Sonowal hence have decided to shun the path of violence and join the mainstream,” the statement said. The UPRF has also directed all its units and cadres to stop ‘regular routine operation in their areas’ and remain inside their camps till the peace process completes. The UPRF has requested all civil societies to extend support to the peace process for the greater interest of peace and harmony in Karbi Anglong.

A 13-year-old boy, Sumrit, was killed and a minor girl, Kavita (9), was injured in an IED blast suspected to have been laid by the CPI-Maoist cadres, in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh.  CPI-Maoist cadres on many occasions have planted IEDs at several places, targeting SFs deployed in Bastar region, killing personnel besides villagers.

Suspected CPI-Maoist militants killed an unidentified JCB driver and set ablaze six vehicles at Gangatia ghat on the bank of Kiul River at Badaspur village under Chanan Police Station area of Lakhisarai District of Bihar. Lakhisarai SP, Ashok Kumar said five trucks, a tractor, a JCB machine and a motorbike were torched.

SFs arrested two arms dealers, identified as Suankhan Khual (47) and Dalkhan Lian (38), at Bungmol village in Chandel District. One M-16 assault rifle, one M-16 magazines, two mobile phones with two Airtel SIM cards and INR 10,300 were also recovered from the arrestees. The two arrestees revealed that they were involved in smuggling of arms to various militant groups of the State.

April 16

MHA has identified two civil rights groups linked with Naxalites. The ministry has named the Niyamgiri Suraksha Samithi (NSS) in Odisha and Visthapan Virodhi Jan Vikas Andolan (VVJVA) in Jharkhand as the two organisations acting as fronts for Naxalites groups. The report by MHA also says that the NSS had campaigned against mining activity by the Odisha Mining Corporation at the Niyamgiri Hills which would have given the Vedanta Group access to natural resources. The VVJVA on the other hand opposed the decision by the Jharkhand Government to amend two tenancy laws which allowed the use of agriculture land of tribal people for non-agricultural purposes.

A highly Naxal infested block Naudeeha in Palamu District of Jharkhand will have Jharkhand Balika Awasiya Vidyalaya for the girl students living in its 11 Panchayats. The school is expected to be ready by 2018. Jharkhand Balika Awasiya Vidyalaya is on the pattern of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Awasiya Vidalaya.

Punjab Police arrested two suspected terrorists belonging to a terror module set up by a Europe-based Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) in Batala town of Gurdaspur District. Police also claimed to have recovered "a huge cache of arms and ammunition from their possession". The seizure included one 9 mm pistol, two magazines and 13 live rounds, two 32 bore pistols, along with 4 magazines and 33 live rounds and one 12 bore country made gun. The arrests have come just before Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, who has been dubbed a 'pro-Khalistani' by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder, is scheduled to visit Punjab.

The two arrested, Palwinder Singh alias Ghodu is a resident of Ball in Batala and Sandeep Kumar alias Kaalu alias Shinda is a resident of Puriyan Mohalla in Batala. Police said investigations revealed that the duo was tasked with the job of creating political instability in the state by fanning communal passions.

Police officials said the module was controlled by Shaminder Singh alias Sherry, currently operating from Germany and believed to be in touch with other militant leaders based in Belgium, such as Jagdish Singh Bhoora, originally from Mohi village in Ludhiana. "These militants, based in different countries of Europe, are also wanted in various criminal cases in Punjab on charges of promoting terrorist activities in the state," a Police spokesperson said.

Two abducted persons, identified as Deputy Ranger of Forest Department Angam Leivon and another one as Lalal Sitlhou, were released by the abductors in Kangpokpi District. Angam Leivon was abducted on April 12 and Lalal Sitlhou was abducted on April 14 by some unidentified abductors.

Division in the IPFT become official when the dissident faction led by Budhu Debbarma formed a separate committee and declared that they are the real IPFT. The committee was formed in a workers conference held at Sahid Bhagat Singh Yuba Awash. Rana Kishor Reang and Rajeswar Debbarma were elected as 'president' and 'secretary' of the committee. The elected 'secretary' Rajeswar Debbarma said that the IPFT since its formation veered only around one issue a separate state comprising the areas of TTAADC. But the conference has decided to give a new dimension to the party program and to include different social economic issues like unemployment, opposition to the proposed amendment of the Indian Citizenship Act etc.

In a meeting with the former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Chinese Ambassador Luo Zhaohui said that China is not harboring ULFA-I or any other militant group from the Northeast and that the Dalai Lama should not have 'meddled' in the Sino-Indian affair.

The Union Government seems to be exploring the possibility of forming another ADC in Mizoram with an aim for final settlement of the two decade old Reang refugee crisis. The speculation emanated from a recent UMHA letter seeking observation of the Mizoram Government regarding the possibility of forming such ADC for the Reangs. The Joint Secretary UMHA in his letter told the Chief Secretary of the state to submit a report regarding the possible administrative structure of the proposed ADC. Considering the history, geography, composition and economy of the area the letter said such ADC may be formed comprising areas from three districts, the Mamit, Kolasib and Lunglei, where most of the state's second largest ethnic community, the Reangs, resides. According to the report, official reaction of the Mizoram Government over the new development is not yet available but it is presumed that it will not be acceptable to the state government headed by CM Lal Thanhawala.

Three unidentified militants belonging to BDFM were arrested in south Mizoram's Lawngtlai District while trying to enter Mizoram from Bangladesh. Two AK-47 rifles and 39 rounds of ammunition were also recovered from the arrested militants.

A cadre of NSCN-K, identified as 'lieutenant' Vechita Vero (38) was arrested by the AR at Hebron Colony in Phek District on April 16 along with one 7.65mm pistol, live rounds and extortion slips.

AR arrested two militants of NSCN-K, identified as Toshi Kamzuk (28) and Samaho Sumi (23), from Tuensang District. Two .22 mm pistols with magazine and INR 30,320 in cash were also recovered from the arrested militants.

Two Naxals were arrested by SFs at Mandaldih village under Pirtand Police Station area of Giridih District of Jharkhand. The arrested Naxals were identified as Vijay Manjhi (35), a resident of Pargo village under Nimiyaghat Police Station and Babu Lal Murmu (40) of Bega gadha village in Bokaro. SFs recovered two IED, Maoist literature, uniforms, and banners from them.

April 17

Eight Pakistani Army soldiers were reported killed when Indian troops retaliated to unprovoked heavy shelling and firing from across the LoC in several areas of Nowshera sector in Rajouri District. However, there was no official confirmation of the Pakistani casualties. Two Indian Army soldiers also sustained minor injuries during the incident.

Scores of protestors and a Police Officer were injured as thousands of protestors of various colleges across Kashmir valley protested on April 17 against last week's Police action in Pulwama Degree College in Pulwama District that left 54 students injured. A Police spokesman said: "Students of different colleges protested at some places in Kashmir valley today. While at most of the places the students protested inside their college premises, at few places in Srinagar, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam the students assembled on the roads and indulged in stone pelting thus disrupting the movement of general people and traffic on busy roads.

The police at these places exhibited maximum restraint and dispersed the stone pelting mobs of students by using some teargas shells. At some places the College property was also damaged. In the resultant chaos some students received minor injuries and most of them were discharged after first aid. While tackling the stone pelting SHO Kothibagh and four policemen were injured at MA Road Srinagar. A lady constable had a fracture in her arm."

SFs arrested one person, identified as Sangsar Boro, and recovered 12 hand grenades from his possession in Hortola village under Darrangamela Police Station in Baksa District.

Preparations for the upcoming KAAC are underway even though Assam State Election Commission is yet give formal notification concerning poll schedule. The polling to the KAAC is expected to be held during the last part of May, 2017.

A press release from the 'MIP' of the NSCN-IM informed that its Cease-fire Review Committee met with the GoI for discussing and reviewing "important issues". "After minute discussions and thorough deliberations, decisions were made in an accommodative spirit," stated the press release, and that the meeting concluded with a "very progressive result."

SFs recovered four .22 rifles from the residence of a person identified as Khrievotso of Botsa village in Kohima District.

Aizawl District SP F Lalhuliana said that the Police had made seven seizures of FICN, mainly in INR 2,000 denomination with a face value of INR 5.4 million in recent times. The first seizure of FICN during this year was made on March 24 when 252 FICN in INR 2,000 denomination and two FICN in INR 500 denomoination were unearthed. On March 28, FICN with a face value of INR 198,000 (INR 2,000 denomination) were recovered. The biggest catch was made on April 14, when 1,300 FICN in INR 2,000 denomination were seized at Bairabi near the Mizoram-Assam border. The face value of the fake notes was INR 2.6 million. Altogether, 11 persons have been arrested in this connection so far.

Two personnel of the STF, APC Rakesh Singh and constable Mukesh Kunjam, were injured when a pressure bomb, laid by the cadres of CPI-Maoist, went off in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The incident took place near Gudse village under Katekalyan Police Station limits when the SFs were returning after an anti-Naxal operation.

Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa visited the Naxal-infested Bastar District of Chhattisgarh. The aim of the visit was to boost the morale of the IAF personnel deployed there. A statement issued by the MoD said, "During the visit, he was briefed by the local commanders of various paramilitary forces deployed in Bastar area. He reviewed the operational preparedness of forces deployed in the sector. He also interacted with personnel from various state agencies and air warriors to boost their morale." The IAF has been operating its helicopters in the Bastar region since the past several years to give logistical support of Central Armed Police Forces and police personnel fighting the LWEs in the state.

A villager Shiv Nath Yadav (55) and his son Guddu Yadav (28) were killed by over 20 armed cadres of CPI-Maoist at village Kulheya under Harihurganj Police Station in Palamu District of Jharkhand. The two were suspected by CPI-Maoist cadres as TPC supporters. TPC is a splinter group of CPI-Maoist.

MHA has identified two civil rights groups linked with Naxalites, The ministry has named the Niyamgiri Suraksha Samithi in Odisha and Visthapan Virodhi Jan Vikas Andolan in Jharkhand as the two organisations acting as fronts for Naxalites groups. The report by MHA also says that the NSS had campaigned against mining activity by the Odisha Mining Corporation at the Niyamgiri Hills which would have given the Vedanta Group access to natural resources. The VVJVA on the other hand opposed the decision by the Jharkhand Government to amend two tenancy laws which allowed the use of agriculture land of tribal people for non-agricultural purposes.

A highly Naxal infested block Naudeeha in Palamu District of Jharkhand will have Jharkhand Balika Awasiya Vidyalaya for the girl students living in its 11 Panchayats. The school is expected to be ready by 2018. Jharkhand Balika Awasiya Vidyalaya (JBAV) is on the pattern of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Awasiya Vidalaya.

A highly Naxal infested block Naudeeha in Palamu District of Jharkhand will have Jharkhand Balika Awasiya Vidyalaya for the girl students living in its 11 Panchayats. The school is expected to be ready by 2018. Jharkhand Balika Awasiya Vidyalaya (JBAV) is on the pattern of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Awasiya Vidalaya.

The CPI-Maoist cadres issued a poster opposing the Lower Suktel project at Paradhiapali village in Balangir District of Odisha. CPI-Maoist cadres, operating in the Gandhamardhan Hills, issued the warning to stop the ongoing construction of the project. The estimated cost of the project is around INR 11 billions.

The Niyamgiri Suraksha Samiti, the organisation that has been opposing bauxite mining in Odisha's Niyamgiri hills since 2003, strongly denied that it was working as a front organisation for the CPI-Maoist cadres in Rayagada and Kalahandi District of Odisha. The organisation has been branded as frontal organisation of CPI-Maoist cadres in a MHA's report recently.

Narayan Sanyal (80) a top ranking leader of the CPI-Maoist died in Kolkata District of West Bengal. Sanyal was suffering from cancer. Sanyal was the Politbureau member of the CPI-Maoist at the time of his arrest in 2005 and perhaps the second most important leader after the party's national secretary, Muppalla Lakshmana Rao.

April 18

FICNs worth INR 1,00,000 in INR 2,000 denomination, was seized by the BSF along the Indo-Bangladesh International Border in West Bengal’s Malda District. A BSF patrol party found a packet in a mango orchard near the Churiantpur border post area of Malda around 12:45 pm during an operation to arrest FICN smugglers active along this border, officials said. While no smugglers were found in the area, they said the packet seized by the patrol party had 50 fake currency notes, each of INR 2,000 denomination, with a total face value of INR 1,00,000.

The seized fake notes have been handed over to the Kaliachak Police. With this, the BSF has seized FICN with face value of INR 22,98,000 and apprehended two smugglers so far this year from the border area here, the officials said.

The meeting between the NSAs of India and the US concluded on a positive note with both sides deciding to extend cooperation in the fight against terror. India's NSA, Ajit Doval met with his counterpart from the US, Lt. Gen. H R Mc Master at Delhi on April 18 where a host of issues were discussed.

The meeting was a significant one and the issue of Kulbhushan Jadhav was also raised. Jadhav was sentenced to death in Pakistan on the charge that he was an Indian spy. Mc Master's meeting with the NSA was held after the former completed his visit to Pakistan and Afghanistan. India said in a statement following the meeting that the NSA conveyed the greetings of President Donald Trump to PM Narendra Modi. During the meeting between Modi and Mc Master, the former recalled his telephonic conversation with Trump. During the telephonic conversation which Modi described as positive, Trump had reaffirmed the importance attached by both sides to the strategic partnership and to stepping up India-US engagement across the board The NSA shared his perspective with the PM on the security situation in the extended region, including in Afghanistan, West Asia and North Korea. During the conversation, they exchanged views on how both countries can work together to effectively address the challenge of terrorism and to advance regional peace, security and stability, the statement also read.

One unidentified militant of ULFA-I was killed by 7 Madras Regiment of Indian Army near Dirak Charali in Tinsukia District. Two 7.65 pistols and a fake driving license in the name of Pulin Dutta was recovered from the killed militant. However the proper identity of the militant is not yet known. The encounter took place when the militant tried to run away by firing from a vehicle during a checking by the search team of the Indian army.

A report of the UMHA said that the insurgency-related violence has continued to decline and the year 2016 witnessed the lowest number of insurgency incidents since 1997 in the State. The major militant outfits presently active in Assam are the ULFA-I and the NDFB-S. The ULFA and NDFB have been declared as unlawful associations under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. Besides, the KPLT is also active in Karbi Anglong District. In Assam, there was a substantial decline in insurgency-related incidents in 2016. There were 75 incidents in 2016 compared to 81 in 2015. At least 51 insurgents were neutralised by security forces, while 366 insurgents were arrested. Security forces lost four personnel in these operations, the report said. In 2016, the number of civilian deaths went up to 29. During the period from 2014 to 2016, 873 cadres and linkmen of the NDFB-S were arrested with the recovery of a huge quantity of arms and ammunition from them and 50 cadres were neutralized in counter-insurgency operations. Meanwhile, the report said that the security situation in the North Eastern States, which has remained complex for quite some time due to diverse demands of ethnic groups and various militant outfits, improved substantially in 2016. The number of insurgency-related incidents in the region decreased by more than 15 per cent compared to 2015. In 2015, at least 574 incidents were reported as compared to 484 last year.

Unidentified militants attacked a convoy of 47 oil tankers and LPG bullet tankers escorted by a team of CRPF in a place between Kangpokpi and Changoubung. Two oil tankers were damaged in the attack. Subsequent upon the attack, oil tanker drivers have launched a cease work strike.

Union Government announced about the extension of the ceasefire with two Naga armed groups- NSCN-R and NSCN-NK till April 27, 2018. The decision was taken during a meeting between Union Home Ministry officials and the Ceasefire Supervisory Board of both the Naga factions in New Delhi.

Two extortionists, identified as Naratho Pochury and Hezekiya Awomi, were arrested from PWD area of Dimapur Town. According to the Police, both are member of GPRN/ NNC-NA.

An angry mob of villagers lynched an unidentified Bangladeshi citizen, who allegedly crossed over to India over the suspicions of criminal activities, near Bamonpara village in Dalu in West Garo Hills District. Despite the strict vigil being by the BSF, the entire stretch of the border in West Garo Hills District has seen sporadic incidents of dacoity committed by Bangladeshi criminals in collusion with Indian thugs.

A villager Sanna Markam (35) was killed and Sannu Markami (45) was injured in a blast of a pressure bomb, which was planted by the cadres of CPI-Maoist, in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. According to the Police, the incident took place when the villagers of Takahwada were heading towards the jungle area to celebrate a local festival.  

Police arrested three cadres of CPI-Maoist engaged in manufacturing illegal firearms from the Bariarpur and Gangta Police Station in Munger District of Bihar. The arrested CPI-Maoists were identified as Anil Yadav of village Dhanmani Patam under Naya Ramnagar Police Station, Chanchal Yadav of Nista under Surajgarha Police Station in Lakhisarai District of Bihar and Kesho Yadav of Kajichak under Bariarpur Police Station. SFs recovered two unfinished pistols, two unfinished regular guns, one base machine, one drilling machine and 13 magazines besides a large number of tools used in manufacturing firearms.  

A woman CPI-Maoist cadre, Suna Wadeka alias Jibani, carrying cash reward of INR 100,000 surrendered before South-Western, DIG, S Shyni in Koraput District of Odisha. Jibani said she was fed up with the torture and harassment of the senior CPI-Maoist cadres and decided to surrender. Jibani was involved in Sunki landmine blast that had occurred on February 2 this year killing seven Police personnel and injuring several in Koraput District of Odisha.  

Seven tribal families of Elkanur village under Kalimela Police limits in Malkangiri District of Odisha have left their native village, due to a threat by CPI-Maoist cadres. According to reports, members of the seven families, who were CPI-Maoist sympathisers, had recently surrendered before the Police expressing their unwillingness to support CPI-Maoist.

April 19

A youth, Muzaffar Ahmad Mir (22), injured in firing, allegedly by SFs, on the day of bypolls for Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency, died. While locals alleged that BSF  personnel had opened fire, BSF spokesperson Vishwa Bandu said there was no BSF deployment in Ganderbal on the day of by-election on Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency,

Police claimed to have foiled a bid to snatch away weapons of CRPF jawans by some students during a clash with them in Banihal District. The incident occurred on the Jammu-Srinagar Highway after an altercation between the students and the CRPF personnel when a vehicle carrying the former overtook the security force’s convoy in which one of their vehicles was hit, they said.

The State Government ordered the extension of teaching work in colleges across Kashmir for two more days from April 20, as a precautionary measure following the April 17 Student protests. “According to the divisional commissioner, Kashmir, teaching work in all colleges of Kashmir division shall remain suspended on 20 and 21 April as a precautionary measure,” an official spokesman said.

SFs arrested two unidentified persons and explosives recovered from them during a routine check at Sakheti in Kamrup District. 50 electronic detonators and 600 gelatin sticks were recovered from them.

SFs arrested a linkman of NDFB-IKS, identified as Pranjit Basumatary alias Tengna from Hakma village under Gossaigaon Police Station in Kokrajhar District. One pistol was also recovered from the arrestee.

Mizoram Government said that it has not received any letter from UMHA, which proposed creation of another ADC to solve the Bru (Reang) refugee crisis. State Home department additional secretary, Lalbiakzama said that the State Government did not receive such letter purported to be written by Joint Secretary of UMHA to the State Chief Secretary. Meanwhile, State Home Minister R Lalzirliana ruled out creation of any other ADC, saying that the Government would never agree to further balkanise of the small hilly State on ethnic grounds. 

One militant of NSCN-K, identified as Yitelmpa Yaden alias Alemba was arrested by AR at Pungro road junction in Kiphire District.  

A PLFI cadre, Kapil Pradhan, was arrested from Jaldega area in Simdega District of Jharkhand. PLFI is a splinter group of CPI-Maoist. SP, R.R. Singh said Pradhan was involved in pasting PLFI posters near Kurdeg bus stand on April 16

Over 3,000 Police and CRPF personnel have intensified anti-Maoist operations in Burhapahar forests spread over Latehar, Palamau and Garhwa Districts in Jharkhand and Balrampur in Chhattishgarh.

A ‘militia commander’ of CPI-Maoist, Madivi Idama, and two cadres, R Hanumaiah and K Nagesh, were arrested in Jayashankar Bhupalpally District of Telangana. The trio belonged to Bijapur District in Chhattisgarh and were working for Venkatapur Area Committee of the CPI-Maoist in Jayashankar Bhupalpally District for the last five years.  

The DG of CRPF, Sudeep Lakhtakia, appreciated Saina Nehwal's gesture of contributing INR 600,000 for the next of kin of martyrs who were killed in a CPI-Maoist attack in Chattisgarh.  

At least four Police stations reportedly facing CPI-Maoist threat in rural Kozhikode District of Kerala are awaiting funds from the State Government and the Centre for their fortification. Thottilpalam, Peruvannamozhi, Kurachoondu and Valayam Police Stations are the Police Stations which do not properly meet the standards of protection. Incidentally, the LWE Division under the MHA has released INR 6.23 billion for the fortification of 400 Police Stations in various parts of the country. However, none of the stations from Kerala figures in the list.  

The BSF would provide two bullet-proof boats for patrolling in the cut-off Naxal affected areas in Odisha in three to four months, told BSF DG, KK Sharma in Bhubaneswar District of Odisha. He further added that bullet-proof boats would not only intensify patrolling in the areas but also help in anti-Naxal operations.

April 20

The 20-year-old man, identified as Muzammil alias Gazi Baba was arrested from Jalandhar, in a joint operation conducted by the Uttar Pradesh ATS and the Jalandhar Police. He is a resident of UP's Unnav and is accused of being involved in anti-national activities on the social media. The man was living in Jalandhar for two-and-a-half years and used to work in the boutique here. The police have initiated an investigation for further information in the case. Report said that Muzammil was among the suspected IS (IS) terrorists who were arrested from various places in India for in a major multi-state operation.

A special NIA court issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW), against Zakir Naik, who is wanted by the agency for his alleged role in a terror case. “There are reasonable grounds to believe that Mr. Naik is evading arrest and that he will not voluntarily appear before the court or the agency. I am of the view that an NBW is necessary to be issued,” Special Judge V.V. Patil said in his order. The court also observed that it found substance in the allegations made by the NIA. “Naik did not respond to the notices issued by the NIA to appear before the investigation officer,” the court said.

NIA has made a fresh request to the US for the extradition of David Coleman Headley and Tahawwur Rana for their roles in the 26/11 (November 26, 2008) Mumbai attacks. The NIA raised the issue with FBI Deputy Chief Andrew McCabe. The request was made earlier this month (April) when McCabe visited India and met senior officials from the NIA.

In a multi-state joint operation, the Police teams of Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, arrested four suspected terrorists belonging to the Islamic State (ISIS) Khorasan module and detained six others. The arrests were made during raids April 20 morning in Mumbra (Maharashtra), Jalandhar (Punjab), Narkatiaganj (Bihar), and Bijnor and Muzaffarnagar (both in Uttar Pradesh), the officials said. IG of the UP ATS Aseem Arun, in a statement in Noida, said that four persons were arrested on charges of hatching terror conspiracies. He said the accused were planning a major terror attack in the country. Important documents relating to the ISIS were seized from them, Arun claimed.

According to Police, two persons, identified as Mufti Faizan and Tanveer, allegedly connected with the ISIS, were arrested from Bijnor District of Uttar Pradesh. Nazim Shamshad Ahmed (26), who hails from Bijnor, was nabbed from Mumbra township in Thane District adjoining Mumbai in Maharashtra. Another suspect identified as Muzammil was arrested from Jalandhar District of Punjab. According to an UP ATS statement in Lucknow, six others were taken into custody and were being questioned in Noida, on the outskirts of Delhi. The accused had got in touch with each other over the internet, Arun said, adding that central security agencies played an important role in the operation.

Scores of mainstream political workers have fled after militants broke into their homes, beat them with sticks and guns, ordered them to tender a public apology and dissociate from mainstream politics, before recording their 'dissociation' on mobile phones across South Kashmir’s four Districts. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti met dozens of her party workers from these four districts and assured them that the government would provide safety and security to all political workers, irrespective of their political ideology.

Dozens of videos had started surfacing on social media in which political workers, surrounded by gun-wielding militants, were seeking forgiveness from the general public, before the 3G and 4G services were snapped in the Valley. The gunmen had periodically released these videos to "teach (political workers) a lesson" and have, according to political workers in Pulwama and Shopian District, recorded many such video, but are yet to release them on the internet.

Four militants of NSCN-R, identified as ‘lieutenant colonel’ Kuhoto V Anche, ‘lieutenant’ Atoka Awomi, ‘major’ Ato Yeputho and ‘major’ Samuel, were arrested by SFs at a MVCP near the general area of Patkai Bridge in Dimapur District. One .32 mm Pistol with magazine, one AK-56 Rifle, one 9 mm Pistol, one .32 mm Pistol and eight live rounds of assorted ammunition were also recovered from the arrested militants.

Activists of MZP allegedly burnt vehicles in the complex of Champhai deputy commissioner’s office as the indefinite bandh (shutdown) called by the students’ organisation in the eastern Mizoram’s town turned violent. The bandh was called by the Champhai District MZP in protest against shortage of doctors at district civil hospital.

Two militants of KCP -Tamnganba, identified as Taorem Jamesh Khuman alias Nongdamba (24) and Thounaojam Surjit alias Mamo (34), were arrested by SFs at Wangjing near Canteen Lampak under Thoubal Police Station in Thoubal District. One 9 mm pistol with four live rounds of bullets, four mobile phones and a wallet containing INR 1570 were also recovered from the arrested militants.

The Supreme Court asked the Union Government and State Government to suggest five names each of officials, ex-officials whom they deem fit are suitable for SIT to be constituted to investigate into the killings in which judicial inquiries have been conducted. The Supreme Court was said that operations against militants or insurgents may be affected if FIRs are lodged against the Army. The Army also told the apex Court that it cannot be subjected to FIRs for carrying out anti-militancy operations in insurgency-prone areas like Jammu and Kashmir and Manipur, while alleging local bias in the judicial inquiries conducted against it in these regions, which have tarnished its image.

Police arrested four militants of KRA, identified as ‘sergeant major’ Demminthang Haokip (38), ‘lance corporal’ Sagoulal Baite (30), Hengoulen Haokip alias Haosapa alias Yago (18) and Thanglanmoi Chongloi alias Calvin (30), from Kangpokpi District. According to the Police these four militants were involved in the incident of firing at oil tankers on April 18 at S Golai located between Kangpokpi and Changoubung along NH-2. Five mobile handsets and nine SIM cards were also recovered from the arrested militants.

The joint secretary, Union Home Ministry, in charge of the North East, Satyendra Garg said that the peace pact that was signed by the State and the Central governments with two disbanded rebel groups, ANVC and ANVC-B, will be reviewed in May or June this year (2017). The peace agreement was signed by the Central Government of India, the State Government, ANVC and ANVC-B in Delhi on September 24, 2014.

Replying to the questions of the reporters Satyendra Garg said that the Central Government of India will not initiate peace talks with any militant outfit at the moment in Meghalaya. He said that for the Centre to come to the talks table, the groups have to first abjure violence and abide by the Constitution. The GNLA, and the HNLC, had earlier expressed their willingness to come forward for peace talks with the Government.

The ‘former chairman’ Bernard Rimpu N Marak of ANVC-B, in a statement, blamed the State Government for the failure of the ‘Agreed Text of Settlement’ signed in 2014 and threatened that if it is not implemented by September 24, the agreement will be “burned publicly”.

Visakha Rural Police resumed their efforts to set up a Police outpost at Darakonda in GK Veedhi Mandal in Vishakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. A Police team visited Dabbakota and Rolugunta villages, 3 Kilometers from Darakonda village, to identify a suitable place for the Police outpost. There was an outpost at Darakonda village around 17 years ago, but the CPI-Maoist cadres blew it up and killed seven security personnel in February 2000. Keeping that incident in mind, locals fear that Maoists may increase their presence in the area and plan explosions if the Police set up an outpost.  

Two employees of a road construction contractor, Kampani Sao and Amar Kumar, were arrested with INR 100,000 cash meant for payment to a CPI-Maoist operative in Bihar's Munger District of Bihar. Police seized three mobile phones and a diary from the two men.  

Gadchiroli District of Maharshtra will become the first Naxal affected tribal District to have CCTVs in around 25 villages for surveillance on Naxalites. These cameras would make the images of the remote places — from Kamlapur in Aheri taluka to Hedri in Etapalli taluka — available at the local Police Station as well as District Police control room at Gadchiroli, more than 100 kms away. In the first phase, the more sensitive south Gadchiroli is being covered, with distant villages like Challewada, Kodselgudam, Tarigudam and a few more already connected.

April 21

Report said that six people detained in Uttar Pradesh on April 20 on suspicion of association with ISIS have been handed over their families to facilitate their “de- radicalisation”, Police said. “Six persons, who were detained interrogated in Noida have been handed over to their families. Legal action will be taken if any proof is found against them,” a senior official of the UP’s ATS said. “However, keeping in mind that they were being influenced by radical propaganda, management will be made with the help of their families for their de-radicalisation,” the official said. About the four others arrested, the officer said they will be produced in the court and their remand will be sought for interrogation.

A NIA court convicted two persons for criminal conspiracy, raising funds and recruiting people for the Islamic State (IS). Those convicted are Sheikh Azhar-ul-Islam, 24, a resident of Ganderbal in Jammu and Kashmir, and Mohammed Farhan Shaikh, 25, a resident of Kausa Mumbra in Thane near Mumbai. In the chargesheet, the duo had been accused of criminal conspiracy, conspiracy to commit terrorist acts, being members of a terror outfit, supporting the activities of a terror outfit and raising funds for it. The case had been registered in January, 2016.

IM India operations 'cheif' Yasin Bhatkal, had recruited 25 youths while on the run since 2010. Some of these youths had visited Bhatkal when he was hiding in Nepal, sources in the city crime branch said. Bhatkal had sneaked into Nepal through the Raxual border in Bihar and was staying in Nepal under the assumed name of Dr Yousuf. An officer claimed that during interrogation, Bhatkal had 'confessed' that he, along with Asadullah alias Haddi, had raised a network of 25 youths. "The youths had become regular visitors to Bhatkal's house in Nepal," the Police officer said. Police claimed Bhatkal used to change his mobile handset and sim cards often to avoid being detected. He had chatted with some of the IM fugitives such as Riyaz and Iqbal Bhatkal who are reportedly based in Pakistan.

Senior Police officers said they are still trying to unravel the IM module set up by Bhatkal. "We have a few inputs and are working with security agencies to track and nab some foot soldiers and sleeper cells of IM who were in touch with Bhatkal when he was absconding," a Police officer said. In 2013, Bhatkal was sentenced to death in the Dilsukhnagar blasts case of Hyderabad.

The European Union (EU) and India resolved to step up counter-terror cooperation, besides agreeing to expand engagement in several areas such as maritime security, trade, energy and environment. EU Foreign Policy chief Federica Mogherini had separate meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during which key issues of common interest were discussed with a focus on further ramping up overall ties. The EU said the two sides resolved to enhance cooperation, bilaterally and multilaterally, in combating terrorism and agreed to work closely in dealing with multilateralism, climate change, sustainable development and free and fair trade.

Around 100 naked youths from Karbi tribal community marched through the streets of Diphu town demanding KAAC to prepare fresh electoral roll before conducting election and alleged deprivation of their political rights by the Government. The naked demonstration was jointly organised by 24 tribal organizations. The 24 organizations, which represent the schedule tribes living in Karbi Anglong District, had been urging the KAAC to frame act and rules for preparing new voters list and for conduct of election of the council as enjoined by paragraph 2 (7), based on paragraph 20 of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India. “Because act and rules for the conduct of Council Elections have not yet been made, and because the obsolete and defective rules of 1951 are still used by the KAAC as well as the state government the non tribal emigrants have taken away political power of the schedule tribe guaranteed by the Constitution of India…hence the naked demonstrations,” said a press release issued by the 24 organizations.  

CM N Chandrababu Naidu and some Police officers are on the "hit list" of the CPI-Maoist cadres, Andhra Pradesh DGP N Sambasiva Rao told to reporters in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh.  

Five cadres of CPI-Maoist, including a woman, surrendered in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. Those surrendered were identified as Shanti alias Rambati Modiam (25), Raju Vacham (25), Munna Veladi (28), Somaru Mandavi (25) and Manoj Bhogami (22). Of them, Shanti was active as a member of a 'military company' of the CPI-Maoist carrying a reward of INR 800,000 on her head. Vacham, a member of a LOS, and Veladi (28), a 'deputy commander’, were carrying cash rewards of INR 300,000 and INR 200,000, respectively, on their heads.’

The PLFI operatives have called a state-wide bandh on April 24 to protest against the arrest of ‘zonal commander’ Gujju Gope's wife Sangeeta, who worked as a nurse at a state-run health centre in Rania, in Khunti District of Jharkhand. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.  

Jharkhand Police have intensified anti-Naxal operations in some of the worst hit areas of the State in last few days. According to senior Police officials, a multi-pronged strategy was being adopted to eradicate Maoists from Jharkhand, besides intensifying operations against them in some of their core areas. Inspector General, Ashish Batra told, “Besides intensifying anti-Naxal operations, surrender policy in the State are also being emphasised making people more educated regarding the provisions under the scheme. Family members are also being contacted and are being asked to convince their loved ones to join the mainstream who have lost their track.”

SFs have stepped up anti-Naxal operations in Burha-Pahar that links Jharkhand with Chhattisgarh following reports of a top leader, Dev Kumar Singh alias Arvind ji, who carries a bounty of INR 10 millions on his head, at forest areas in Latehar District of Jharkhand.  

The Gadchiroli Police and Chhattisgarh Police in a joint operation arrested three women cadres of the CPI-Maoist near Sandra village in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. They have been identified as Maini alias Jimo unga Lati (32), Sarita alias Mule Katta Madkam (23) and Pakli alias Kari Budhu Gade (28).  

Twenty armed cadres of the CPI-Maoist killed a villager, Pidika Ratnu, suspecting him to be a ‘Police informer’ at Pedaitiki village under Narayanpatna Block in Koraput District of Odisha. A combing operation was intensified in the area by SFs after the incident.  

BSF in Malkangiri District of Odisha launched massive combing operations for the CPI-Maoist cadres on the Andhra-Odisha Border. The Odisha Government has been utilising the services of the BSF forces in Malkangiri District for the anti-Naxal operations since seven years. The Malkangiri District alone is having around 15 BSF companies for Naxal operations. Maoists have Pappuluru LOS and Kalimela LOS in these areas.

Police conducted combing operations in Varichilmala region of Mancheeri colony in Nilambur forests in the Malappuram District of Kerala after receiving reports of a Maoist group camping inside the Nilambur forests. It was also reported that the group has planted landmines around their camp near Mancheeri tribal colony, in an apparent bid to prevent Police raids. The reports said that a group of armed people had warned Mancheeri Colony residents of landmines, and asked them not to enter their camp area. The investigation was started following a directive from the CM, who had received a report from the state special branch.

April 22

Uttar Pradesh (UP) Police tightened security in all districts following intelligence inputs that “anti-national elements” dressed like Hindu saints were planning to carry out “spectacular” attacks at prominent religious sites and public places in the State. The inputs, provided by Madhya Pradesh (MP) Police, said the 17-18 men had been trained by Pakistan’s ISI in Hindu religious practices, and might try to blend into the local populace before carrying out strikes. “A group of 17-18 anti-national elements, trained in Hindu rituals, is planning a spectacular incident at prominent religious sites and other sensitive spots in the guise of sadhus,” the letter issued by Additional Director General of MP Police read.

India strongly condemned Friday’s (April 21) attack in Afghanistan and blamed externally backed terrorists for the incident that killed at least 140 soldiers of the Afghan National Defence Forces. Indirectly pointing at Pakistan for offering support to the Afghan Taliban that carried out the attack in Mazar-e-Sharif, India called for dismantling of safe havens of terrorism. Following the attack which targeted soldiers praying in a mosque, PM Narendra Modi offered his condolences on social media even as the MEA called for justice.“The terrorist attack is a stark reminder of the need to immediately dismantle the safe havens and sanctuaries that support and sustain terrorism in Afghanistan from outside its borders. India remains steadfast in its support to Afghanistan in fighting all forms of terrorism and bringing perpetrators of terrorist violence to justice, wherever they may be,” an MEA press release said.

SFs killed two LeT militants, identified as ‘commander’, Abu Ali and his associate Younis Ganai in a brief gun battle in Chadoora area of the Budgam District. According to Police, acting on specific information, 53 RR of Army and SOG of J&K Police Budgam cordoned off Hayatpora village of in Chadoora area of Budgam District on April 22 evening. The troops zeroed in two militants who were hiding in an orchard and in a brief exchange of gunfire, both the militants were killed. Sources said that militants fired at the troops as they cordoned off the area leading to a gun battle in which both of them were killed. Two AK 47, four magazines, one pistol and Chinese hand grenade were recovered from the possession of the dead militants.

On specific information, the CRPF and J&K Police Awantipora raided a militant hideout in Charsu area of Awantipora in Pulwama District and recovered 54 AK rounds, two AK magazines, one round of AK ammunition, one pouch, one torch, two bundles of wires, two mobile charges and one gas regulator.

In a press release, the ‘government’ run by NSCN-IM declared about their decision to halve the ‘annual tax’ they impose on Nagaland Government employees. In the press release they informed that ‘employee tax’ had been reduced from the existing 24% to 12%. Both the NSCN-IM and NSCN-K run parallel ‘governments’ in areas they dominate in Nagaland, neighbouring States and Myanmar added the report. Apart from NSCN-IM and NSCN-K, smaller outfits like NSCN-R and NSCN-KK also impose such ‘taxes’ on employees.

The annual report of the UMHA for 2016-17 revealed that the security situation in the Northeast had "improved substantially" during the previous year where insurgency-related incidents decreased by more than 15 per cent compared to 2015. "The security situation in the northeastern states, which has remained complex for quite some time because of diverse demands of ethnic groups and various militant outfits, improved substantially in 2016.

The number of insurgency-related incidents in the region decreased by more than 15 per cent compared to 2015," the report said. In 2015, while there were 574 insurgency-related incidents, the corresponding figure in 2016 was 484. The report also said 2016 witnessed the "lowest number" of insurgency incidents since 1997. While casualties among Security Forces (SFs) in the region declined from 46 (2015) to 17 (2016), civilian casualties declined in all states except Assam where it increased from 9 in 2015 to 29 in 2016. The report noted that while Sikkim, Mizoram and Tripura had no insurgency-related violence in 2016, there was considerable decline in incidents in Meghalaya (44 per cent) and Nagaland (43 per cent) compared to 2015. In 2016, Manipur accounted for about 48 per cent of total violent incidents in the region and Arunachal Pradesh experienced an increase in violent activities by 38 per cent, primarily on account of violence by the Khaplang faction of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K), the report stated. In Assam, insurgency-related violence continued to decline and 2016 witnessed the lowest number of insurgency incidents since 1997, it added. In 2016, Meghalaya witnessed a 44 per cent decline in the number of violent incidents. While there were 123 incidents in 2015, the figure declined to 68 in 2016.

The report stated that the number of civilian casualties decreased by 33 per cent compared to 2015. Further, while 25 militants were killed in 2015, the figure came down to 15 in 2016. Similarly, only 59 militants were arrested in 2016 compared to 121 in 2015. However, there was no casualty on the part of security personnel in 2016.

A juvenile cadre of the CPI-Maoist wanted in nine criminal cases including murder, arson and attack on Police was arrested from Vijaygiri in Ranchi District of Jharkhand.  

Six children, including a girl, were rescued from the clutches of CPI-Maoist cadres in Kerar forest under Bagdu Police Station in Lohardaga District of Jharkhand. The children, aged between 13 and 16, are residents of Lohardaga and Gumla Districts. The CPI-Maoist cadres had forcibly taken them away and inducted them as members of their Bal Dasta (child squad), told DIG, South Chotanagpur, A.V. Homkar to the reporters.

AR arrested two women arms smugglers, identified as Nchumpeni (29) and Vini (40), at 4th Mile area in Dimapur District. One .22 mm pistol with magazine was also recovered from their possession.

April 23

SFs arrested an unidentified person and recovered an AK-47 rifle with magazine, one M-16 rifle, two magazines of .22 pistol, 17 cartridges and four barrels from his possession from Indisen village in Dimapur District.  

Hadma Madkam (30), a ‘Jan militia’ commander’ of the CPI-Maoist, was arrested by SFs near Parcheli and Chikpal villages in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. He was allegedly involved in the IED blast triggered by Naxals on April 17 near Gudse village in which two STF jawans were injured. He was carrying a cash reward of INR 100,000 on his head.  

Chhattisgarh Police along with the CRPF arrested a woman Naxal from Gadiras region of Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. She was carrying a reward of INR 100,000 on her head.  

A Police operation was stopped abruptly to save the life of a seven-year-old boy, whose father is ‘deputy commander’ of Tippagarh Dalam of the CPI-Maoist, in north Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. The SFs, led by SDPO, Dhanora Division, Ajit Tike, ensured that the boy, who suffers from sickle cell, was shifted from the remote Markegaon village near Chhattisgarh border to Gadchiroli District.  

SP, M Sreenivas reiterated, in a press statement, that there was no movement of the CPI-Maoist cadres in the Adilabad District of Telangana. He dismissed the news reports that claimed CPI-Maoist cadres had paid tributes to victims of the infamous Police firing incident at Indervelli Mandal centre by visiting martyrs column on April 20.

A top official source of Assam Police informed that the internal conflicts among the cadres of the ULFA-I and NSCN-K have increased in recent times. The source said that two top ULFA-I leaders currently based in Myanmar, who also known to be very close with Paresh Baruah, have recently contacted to a top official of Union Home Ministry and a top Assam Police official and expressed their desire to come main stream. “Conflict has been growing up in ULFA-I after its ‘c-in-c’ Paresh Baruah made several statements in favour of China and some leaders of the outfit had openly opposed it,” added the source. In the same way, the source said that, several leaders of NSCN-K are also in touch with the Union Home Ministry. Supporting the point, the source also added that recently NSCN-K’s deputy ‘c-in-c’ Niki Sumi and its ‘army chief’ Isak Sumi met European Union ambassador to Myanmar Roland Kobia and Indian ambassador to Myanmar Vikram Misri at an Indo-Myanmar bordering town in ‘eastern Nagaland’.

Troops of Guwahati Frontier of BSF seized FICN amounting to INR 1,00,000 having denomination of  INR 2,000 from the International Border under South Salmara District.

April 24

Unidentified assailants exploded a hand grenade at the residence of Chongeiliu Kabuini (52), the ‘pradhan (village headman)’ of Konthoujam Gram Panchayat at Konthoujam Mamang Kabui in Imphal West District. No one was injured in the bomb attack. However, parts of the residential gate were damaged in the explosion.

FICNs with a face value of INR 3,50,000 have been seized and two persons detained in Odisha's Sonepur District, Police said. The two were going towards Sonepur from Boudh carrying INR 2,00,000 in INR 2,000 denomination and INR 1, 50,000 in INR 500 notes, Police said. Police said they were investigating the sources of the fake currency and the involvement of others in the incident.

Yasin Bhatkal, India 'operations chief' of IM, who is accused of carrying out a series of bomb blasts in Ahmedabad and for planting several bombs in Surat in 2008, registered his statement before a magistrate in closed door proceedings held in Surat District of Gujarat and sessions court. "Bhatkal wanted to give statement before the court hence we took him there. Further procedures were carried out in the courtroom and the police were not involved in them," city Police Commissioner Satish Sharma said. Sources said Bhatkal's statement was registered under section 164 of Criminal Procedure Code which allows an accused to register his statement or confession in the presence of a magistrate.

Warning that most terrorism “across the world have some footprint” in Pakistan, Indian Finance and Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said that the international community has to take action. While India’s relations with its neighbours have improved, “our problem comes from our western neighbour” because of terrorism, he said. Every initiative by India to improve ties with Pakistan have met with hostile reactions, the latest being the “unprovoked gesture of a military court sentencing an Indian to death through a kangaroo court process” in the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav. “I think that doesn’t help the cause of peace in the region at all,” he said. “We had a mechanism set up in order to resolve the (issue) and define the border itself,” he said. But over the last 14 years, “the mechanism has not been able to come out with an answer”.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has given the go-ahead for setting up an ATS to break the nexus flourishing between militants and gangsters in the state’s prisons, an official said. The Amarinder government, which assumed office last month, is also mulling an effective law, such as the Punjab Control of Organised Criminals Act (PCOCA), to deal effectively with the terror spread by organised criminal gangs. A spokesperson in the Chief Minister’s Office said that the ATS would have the mandate to act both against terrorist or militant outfits and criminal gangs.

Two persons have been arrested for allegedly trying to purchase train tickets using FICN. The incident happened at the booking counter at Central railway station in Chennai and FICN with a total face value of INR 7,000 was recovered from them, RPF officials said. The enquiry revealed that the city based duo possessed three fake notes in INR 2,000 denomination and two in INR 500, they added. They were later handed over to Government Railway Police (GRP), who filed a case and are probing the matter.

The ruling PDP District President for Pulwama, Advocate Abdul Gani Dar was killed by the militants in Pinglena area of Pulwama District when he was on way to Srinagar. No militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the killing so far.

The ongoing students’ protests spread to schools and colleges across Srinagar, with students staying away from classes and taking to the streets. Kashmiri students have been protesting against alleged Police excesses at Pulwama Degree College on April 15 where SFs and students clashed. At least 50 students were injured in the clash.

J&K, CM Mehbooba Mufti met PM Narendra Modi to discuss deteriorating law and order situation in the State. "We discussed the issue of less voting percentage in recent elections, and security situation in state (J&K) with the PM," Mehbooba said after the meeting with PM Narendra Modi.

At least 25 CRPF personnel and injured another six in an ambush at Kalapattar in the Burkapal area of the Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. According to details, an estimated 200-300 Maoists attacked the CRPF personnel who were out to provide protection for road construction work in the area. The Maoists had also looted at least 21 weapons, ammunition and 22 bullet proof jackets from the possession of the slain CRPF personnel.

Three CRPF personnel were injured in a Naxal attack in the Daltonganj area in Palamu District of Jharkhand. 

The day-long bandh called by PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist evoked mixed reactions across the State, Jharkhand.

Four CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested by Ranchi Police from Nilkocha jungles of Tamar in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. The four persons arrested by the Police have been identified as Shiv Shankar Mahto, Shyam Chandra Mahto, Umesh Mahto and Saurabh Mahto hailing from Chipibagdih village under Tamar Police Station. Police recovered one loaded country made carbine, three loaded country made pistols, one country made gun, one country made pistol, four detonators and around 80 cartridges of AK-47 along with Khakhi uniform, cap and five copies of Naxal literature – ‘Lal Chingari’ (Red Spark). 

A bandh call by PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, has affected road communication between Rourkela District of Odisha and Jharkhand. The organisation, which the Police refer to as a criminal outfit, is protesting against both Jharkhand and Odisha Police intensifying operations against it.

The CPI-Maoist cadres pasted posters while supporting the cause of the liquor ban and exhorting the people to eliminate those engaged in booze trade in Almora District of Uttarakhand. DIG, Kumaon, Ajay Rautela said that Police in the area are alert against the CPI-Maoist cadres seemingly trying to strike roots in the areas while supporting a popular cause.

In a press release, the ‘chairman’ N Oken of the KYKL militant, greeted the people of ‘WESEA’ on the eve of its 23rd ‘raising day’ (on April 25) and criticised the Hindutva idea. It also mentioned about the problem of identity crisis of the different ethnic groups of the area.

Police arrested one KRA-U militant, identified as Laishram Amujao alias Sunil (38), in Imphal West District. One 9mm pistol, one magazine and two live rounds were recovered from the militant. According to the Police, the militant was involved in the kidnapping of Soibam Dhanabir Singh, a brick field owner, on February 16.

One militant of ZUF, identified as Th Adum alias AD Thaison alias Pantigai was arrested by SFs from an undisclosed location. A Beretta .32 pistol and five live rounds were recovered from the militant.

The AET along with Police arrested two extortionists, identified as Akato Ayemi alias Atoshe and Keviletuo Sekhose alias Bubu, from Golaghat Road area in Dimapur District. According to the Police both are cadre of GPRN/ NSCN.

5 AR arrested a NSCN-K member, identified as ‘lieutenant’ Kivito Kiba, from North Point Colony, Zunheboto Town in Zunheboto District. According to PRO, HQ IG-AR (North), Lieutenant Colonel Amitabh Sharma, the arrested person was involved in collection of “illegal taxes and extortion activities” in Zunheboto Town.  PRO said one tax collection booklet and four duly signed tax collection slips were recovered from his possession. The apprehended cadre along with recovered items was handed over to Zunheboto Police Station for further investigation, PRO added.

April 25

In an oblique reference to Pakistan backing various terror groups, Afghanistan said time has come to send a strong message to states sponsoring terrorism. Afghan Ambassador Shaida Abdali said terror has been used as a tool against both Afghanistan and India and that concerted efforts must be initiated to combat terrorism in the region. He said those supporting terror is known to everyone now. He said that time has come to revive the India-Afghanistan-US trilateral dialogue to ensure a well-coordinated strategy against terrorism.

The Police have sounded a red alert in the AOB area and in the Agency areas of East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh, especially those bordering Chhattisgarh, post the Sukma attack on April 24. Additional contingents of the Greyhounds, AP Special Police, Special Parties, and CRPF  have been deployed in all the Naxal- affected areas. Security has been scaled up at all the 11 Police Stations and the two outposts at Rallagedda in Chintapalle Mandal and Rudakota in Pedabayalu Mandal, in the AOB region. 

Bihar IG, operation, Kundan Krishnan ordered review of security measures at all CAPF camps and other vital installations in Naxal-affected areas of the State at Patna District of Bihar. In Bihar, SSB and CRPF battalions are responsible for anti-Naxal

The brazen attack by CPI-Maoist cadres, which left 25 CRPF  personnel dead and seven injured in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh on April 24, was likely planned by a wanted CPI-Maoist ‘commander’ Situ. Situ was camping in Tarmetla village, barely 7-8 kilometres from the scene of the attack. SFs also told reporters that the attack was led by a PLGA Battalion 1 headed by Hidma. A Class 8 dropout, Hidma belongs to Jagargunda in Sukma District and is said to wield tremendous influence on the locals in the region. 

UHM Rajnath Singh will convene a meeting of Naxal-hit State CMs on May 8, to strategize the anti-Naxal operations. Ten CMs (Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Maharashtra, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh) and top Police and civil officials of these States will attend the meeting. Chief Secretaries and DGPs of these States too will attend the meeting with chiefs of Paramilitary Forces.  

The militant group PREPAK celebrated its fourth ‘Indian Colonialism Resist Day’ and the KYKL militant observed its ‘23rd raising day’ in some undisclosed locations.

A special court of the NIA in Dimapur has issued non-bailable warrants against a NSCN-K militant, named ‘colonel’ Akaho and an NSCN-IM member named Aheto, in a case related to pilfering of arms and ammunition from a Police armory in Nagaland and supplying those to militant groups.   

SFs arrested two NSCN-R militants, identified as ‘leacy’ Marvin Neibu Shuya (32) and ‘rezapuyu’ Inaka Kiba (24), general area Purana Bazar of Dimapur Town in Dimapur District.

AR arrested an NSCN-K OWG, Wanglam Pansa alias Alam, who was “terrorizing and extorting money” in Khonsa Town of Tirap District. According to PRO (Defence) Colonel, C. Konwer, the over ground worker was nabbed with a pistol and ammunition. During interrogation, he revealed that he was tasked by an NSCN-K cadre to carry out extortion from Government departments of Khonsa Town, PRO added.

A suspected group of GNLA militants involved in an incident of assaulting of a 14-year-old school boy at Dambuk Atong village in South Garo Hills District. The militants were crossing through the Rongara area and met the boy at Dambuk Atong. They started questioning the teenager about the movement of security forces. Unhappy with his replies, the rebels beat up the boy leaving him unconscious. The boy was initially hospitalized at Rongara health centre and later released.

Police arrested one cadre of NSCN-IM, identified as Nagato Yepthomi from Sangtamtilla area of Dimapur Town.

April 26

India pitched for united global action in strongly resisting "opportunistic" efforts of some countries which are supporting, financing and providing safe havens to terror groups for "limited" objectives. Addressing the Moscow Security Conference, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said terrorism is being "reinvented" in newer and even more dangerous manifestations and all major players must come together to deal with the challenge. Seen as a reference to Pakistan, he said terrorism will "recoil" on those who nurture it, asserting that India will steadfastly partner all friendly countries which are confronted with the challenge of terror groups.

The probe by Maharashtra’s ATS has revealed that Nazim Ahmed, arrested from Mumbra on April 20, had been deported from Saudi Arabia in 2016. Sources revealed that Ahmed used to work as a plumber in Saudi Arabia but was arrested after he continued to work on an expired work permit. Post his arrest, he was imprisoned in Saudi for 18 days and then deported to India. Thereafter, he went back to Bijnor before returning to Mumbra. The source added that after returning to India, Ahmed stayed in Bijnor where he allegedly was impressed by Jihadi thought. “He saw posts justifying Jihad and also saw some clips about the same on social networking sites," said the source. The ATS is investigating his contacts and connections in the city and state.

Bihar CM, Nitish Kumar, announced INR 500,000 ex gratia to family of each of the six jawans of CRPF who died in an encounter with the CPI-Maoist cadres at Sukma District in Chhattisgarh on April 24.

Ten cadres of CPI-Maoist, including two ‘area commanders’ and three women cadres, surrendered before Chhotanagpur range, DIG of Police,  A.V. Homkar at the inaugural ceremony of "bandook chhodo, volleyball khelo abhiyan" (drop guns and play volleyball) programme in Lohardaga District of Jharkhand. The two ‘area commanders’ Vishal Kherwar (26) and Kaleshwar Kherwar (19) carried INR 200,000 rewards each on their heads. Others who surrendered are Chandreshwar Oraon (23), Jitendra Ganjhu (23), Sukhram Kherwar (34), Sukhlal Nageshia (18), Meena Oraon (23), Sushanti Oraon (18), Seema Oraon (18) and Harendra Oraon (19), who was recently elevated to the rank of ‘sub-zonal commander’.

In the light of April 24 attack on SFs by CPI-Maoist cadres, Union Government has asked SFs to focus on counter-offensive operations on "high value targets". The ‘high value’ targets include south Bastar ‘Divisional Commander’ Raghu, head of Jagargunda area committee Papa Rao, and commander of the first battalion of PLGA Hidma, who is said to be behind the latest attack. The CRPF and other forces have been asked to demoralise the Naxalites by targeting their leaders, 'area commanders' and influential members of the  'jan militia' . There are about 200-250 leaders of different committees and 'area commanders' of Naxalites in Bastar who keep travelling to Jharkhand, Odisha and Maharashtra for coordination as well as to plan attacks on SFs. Both the CRPF and the Chhattisgarh Government have informed the UHM that they need a large number of UAVs to help gather "real time intelligence" about the movement of large contingents of Maoists inside the jungle, said sources. The UHM agreed, and has sought a detailed proposal. In addition, there are also plans to procure Foliage-Penetrating (FOPEN) radar and more Dhruv Helicopters to monitor the movement and activities of Naxalites inside thick forests.  

Police and BSF recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition during a search operation on the road between Nongpok Sekmai and Heirok villages in Thoubal District. The recovered arms and ammunitions include five live lathode shells, 28 live rounds of 7.62 mm caliber, five live rounds of .38 mm caliber, and one live round of 5.56 mm caliber, one USA made pistol, five pieces of safety fuse and 35 detonators. 

In a press release, issued by the outfit's ‘information and publicity secretary’ H Kamson said that ZUF ‘chairman’ Jenchui Kamei and ‘finance secretary’ Benjamin alias Gaichampou Pamei were ‘expelled from the party for their anti-party activities’ in accordance to a decision of the party's ‘central executive council’ adopted on April 5 this year (2017).

The NIA arrested three senior officials of the Nagaland Government for their alleged role in large-scale extortion and illegal ‘tax collection’ on behalf of the NSCN-K from various Government organisations. An NIA source said that, the accused - the joint director of the social welfare department, Tulula Pongen, the joint director of the land resources department, Alienba Pangjung Jamir, and a cashier of the land resources department, K. Lashito Shequi - were arrested from Kohima in connection with case registered at its Guwahati branch last year (2016). The NIA had registered the case number RC-01/2016 following the arrest of an NSCN-K member, S. Khetoshe Sumi, in Dimapur on July 31 last year (2016). The subsequent probe revealed that at least 12 Government departments in the State regularly paid money to members of the NSCN-K and other militant organisations like the NSCN-IM and the NNC.

In a press release the BAN informed that two business establishments run by Naga entrepreneurs in Dimapur’s supermarket area have recently closed business ‘out of fear’ of threats issued by members of NSCN-IM. According to the press release cadres from NSCN-IM came to the supermarket on 20 April and threatened them over the issues of high price, price tags and imported products.

A source from the NIA said that a new militant group of Nagas, named as ENNG has emerged in the Arunachal Pradesh in recent times. The ENNG was formed in January last year (2016) by R. Stephen Naga to strengthen the "Naga army" in ‘eastern Nagaland’ to have a separate political entity and build up alliances with armed groups of Myanmar. The source said "In the last year, the new outfit has already served over two dozen extortion notes, mostly to contractors working in Arunachal Pradesh, demanding 3 per cent of the total order value as extortion money."

Police arrested two extortionists of NSCN-R, identified as Vikiho Aye and Toluka Chophy, from Dimapur Town.

April 27

The Amritsar rural police recovered FICN worth INR 7,00,0005 and arrested six persons in this regard. The scrapped notes were in the denominations of INR 500 and INR 1,000, the Police said. The accused have been identified as Sukhraj Singh, Naveen, Pawan, Arun, Rajat and Pamit. On investigation, the accused used to collect fake currency from market and get it converted into new currency notes. In a joint operation of Amritsar rural and Commissionerate, the fake notes were kept in a house in Basant Avenue.

A NIA court charged Areeb Majeed, a youth from Kalyan (Maharashtra) who had joined the Islamic State (IS), and three other absconding accused with committing terrorist acts and waging war against any Asiatic power in alliance with the Government of India. The court said Majeed, along with Fahad Shaikh, Saheem Tanki and Aman Tandel, hatched a criminal conspiracy to commit terrorist acts in Iraq and Syria, aided and abetted each other by agreeing to commit terrorist acts, and joined a terrorist organisation, Islamic state of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 18 (punishment for conspiracy) of the UAPA.

In a fidayeen (suicide) attack by suspected JeM militants, three Indian Army troopers and two militants were killed at Panjgaon of Chowkibal in Kupwara District in the morning. Militants attacked the Army garrison in Kupwara's Panzgam area, around 90 km away from Srinagar. "Two terrorists were killed. Three soldiers, including an officer, were also martyred," said an Army spokesman adding, "The operation is in progress." Five soldiers were also injured in the incident.

Police arrested separatist leader Dukhtaran-e-Millat (DEM) ‘chief’ Asiya Andrabi under the PSA. She was arrested in the morning from her residence, sources said. She is alleged to be the main separatist leader who incites women in the valley to pelt stones at security forces and disrupt normal life.

Three major militant groups are operating together in Kashmir. A video, being circulated on social media, purportedly showed 30 militants of the HM, LeT and JeM together in south Kashmir. The armed militants of the three outfits were reportedly marching in front of the camera in the 45-second video shot in a forested area. “Militants from HM, LeT and JeM… are operating jointly. This trend started last year after the July unrest. Before that, they had different areas of operation,” an unnamed senior security officer from Kashmir said.

A civilian, identified as Mohammad Yusuf (55), was killed and three others were injured after Army opened fire on protesters seeking bodies of two slain militants who attacked an Army camp in Panzgam village of Kupwara District. In a fidayeen (suicide) attack by suspected JeM militants, three Indian Army troopers and two militants were killed at Panjgaon of Chowkibal in Kupwara District on the same day.

In an audio tape broadcast by a television channel Nikhil aka Niranjan Rout, spokesperson of DKSZC of CPI-Maoist said the Sukma attack in Chhattisgarh, was in retaliation for the slaying of nine CPI-Maoist cadres in Odisha. In the name of democracy, a fascist rule is being carried out, this is revenge for that. The CPI-Maoist leader in his message appealed the SF personnel and the lower rung of Government administration to quit their jobs.

CPI-Maoist ‘commanders’  Hidma, Situ and Sonu are named in an FIR, in connection with the April 24 ambush in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh, in which 25 personnel of the CRPF were killed.

A two-member team of UHM, Senior Security Advisor, K Vijay Kumar and acting CRPF Chief, Sudeep Lakhtakia told the Government that there was no evidence that the bodies of the CRPF personnel killed in a CPI-Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh on April 24 were mutilated.

In a high-level meeting, senior officers decided that the focus of counter-insurgency would be shifted to core CPI-Maoist areas in a 1,000 Sq Km area between Dornapal-Jagargunda in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The meeting has decided to  demand before the Union Government to deploy additional 12,000 specialised security personnel such as 10 battalions of CoBRA, and the Naga battalion, famous for countering guerrilla warfare. Officers also placed a demand of two additional battalions of DRS, comprising local tribal’s youth and surrendered Naxals.

Odisha Police has stepped up the patrolling and combing operations in Malkangiri and Koraput Districts, in the wake of the April 24 ambush on SFs by CPI-Maoist cadres in the neighbouring Chhattisgarh's Sukma District.

About 20-30 CPI-Maoist cadres barged into the Sudhakanda village and killed two villagers suspecting them to be ‘Police informers’ under Kalimela block in Malkangiri District of Odisha. The deceased have been identified as Bisu Kirsani and Rama Padiami.

Pramod Madhwaraj, Minister of State for Fisheries, Youth Affairs and Sports declared the Naxalite-affected Amasebail GP as the first fully solar GP in Udupi District of KarnatakaThe Amasebail GP has three villages — Amasebail, Rattady and Machattu — with 1,872 houses.

Bihar ranked third among the ten states hit by LWEs violence in 2016, according to the data available on the UMHA website. Besides Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are the other states affected by LWE. The MHA figures say altogether 1,048 incidents of LWE violence took place in these 10 states in 2016. Bihar was third with 129 incidents. Chhattisgarh with 395 incidents was on top followed by Jharkhand 323.

SFs recovered a huge amount of arms and ammunitions from a locked granary, owned by Suantak Lamthianlal Vaiphei (37), at Heiroklen near Andro in Kangpokpi District. The arms and ammunition includes two AK-47 assault rifles, one MA-3 assault rifle aka A-1, one pistol, seven magazines, three camouflage pouches and 215 rounds of ammunition. SFs also arrested the owner of the granary Suantak Lamthianlal Vaiphei (37) in this connection.

A combined team of Police and AR arrested two KNA militants, identified as Thoilen Vaiphei (32) and Lelin Vaiphei (30), during an operation conducted at Kamu Tamnong village of Senapati District. Three AK rifles and 500 rounds of ammunition were also recovered from their possession.

The NSCN-IM made a strong pitch for its demand for unification of the contiguous Naga inhabited areas in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur into a greater Nagaland, "Nagalim". The NSCN-IM reiterated its demand after the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on March 25 said that the statement by the group's ‘general secretary’ Thuingaleng Muivah that Centre has agreed to unification of the Naga inhabited areas as "erroneous."

A group of GNLA militant attacked coal-laden trucks at Tainang area of NH-62 between Siju and Baghmara, of South Garo Hills District. The firing damaged three trucks but no casualty was reported. According to the Police the same group of militant was involved in the incident of the assaulting the 14-year-old school boy at Dambuk Atong village in South Garo Hills District. 

Six suspected Bangladeshi nationals abducted a youth, Dajied Syiemlieh, working as a helper of an earth mover, from Nongjri village in South West Khasi Hills District. South West Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police H.G. Lyngdoh said that the Police have launched combing operations in order to trace the youth. "Since yesterday, we have alerted the BSF to seal the international border," Lyngdoh said.

SFs arrested a NSCN-K militant with arms and ammunition at Longding District.

Police arrested two extortionists, identified as Zakato Ayemi and Dildar Hussian from Dimapur Town.

April 28

A CRPF jawan, Koshal Kumar of 20 Battalion, was injured after militants opened fire at him outside a Jammu and Kashmir Bank branch at Tehsil premises in Anantnag town in Anantnag District. CRPF personnel managed to nab one of the militant identified as Muneeb Malla. It is being investigated whether the motive of militants was snatching the rifle of CRPF personal only or bank robbery as well.

The Army launched a fresh search operation around the garrison that was attacked in Kupwara’s Panzgam area on April 27.  A militant had escaped from the scene following a firefight that left three Army troopers and two militants dead. The Army had recovered three weapons from the two, indicating that one more militant was involved. It said the militant who escaped could be hiding in the nearby villages or forest area. Residents said the Army was looking for the militant and questioned many civilians.

The CPI-Maoist cadres opened fire at SOG personnel engaged in combing operation in Samajhola reserve forest under Ambodola Police limits in Muniguda block of Rayagada District of Odisha. After a brief spell of firing, the Red ultras escaped under the cover of darkness. The SFs seized 50 Kilograms of ammonia nitrate, one magazine of INSAS rifle, six live ammunitions, four bundles of electronic detonators (each having 25 detonators), medicines and other appliances from the spot.

CPI-Maoist and SFs were engaged in an exchange of fire near Jajespanga under Phiringia Police limits in Kandhamal District of Odisha. According to Kandhamal SP, Pinaki Misra, the SFs were on their way to organise a  Jana Sampark Sibira  along with medicines and doctor. While they were passing the area, the Maoists fired at them. The SFs fired in retaliation and the Maoists escaped into the nearby forest. Police seized one country made SBML gun, empty cartridges and other materials from the spot which was supposedly serving as a camp of Maoists.

GoI and the GPRN/ NSCN have “mutually agreed” to extend the Cease-Fire agreement with effect from April 28 (today), 2017 for a period of one year.  In a press release, GPRN/NSCN stated that the agreement was signed on April 17, 2017 in New Delhi by Jack Jimomi, on behalf of the NSCN and Satyendra Garg, joint secretary (North East) to the Government of India (Union Ministry of Home Affairs), in the presence of Rina Mitra, Special Secretary (IS) of GoI.

The fourth round of peace talks between the Mizoram Government and the HPC-D was held in Aizawl with both sides agreeing to continue with the dialogue in the near future. State additional secretary for Home Lalbiakzama, who is the leader of the government delegation, told PTI that the parleys were held in a cordial atmosphere and mutual trust. “Official level talks to deliberate on the terms of the framework agreement would continue till the talks, in the final phase are elevated to political level,” a senior Home department official said. The six-member HPC-D delegation was led by L T Hmar, ‘working chairman’ of the Hmar outfit. Sources in the HPC-D delegation said, that the talks now revolved around autonomy of the SHDC, formed in the wake of the accord signed between the state government and the erstwhile underground HPC on July 27, 1994. The name of the council was also proposed to be changed from SHDC to Sinlung Hills Council, by omitting the word ‘Development’, the sources said.

Police arrested one extortionist, who is also a cadre of NSCN-R, identified as Akivito Awomi from Dimapur town.

April 29

According to sources in the Army, there have been 60 instances of ceasefire violations until mid-April in the 16 Corps Zone, the area that falls south of Pir Panjal mountain Range. There were two ceasefire violations during the same period last year. Two-thirds of these ceasefire violations this year have occurred in the Naushera sector, the area where there are reports of militants congregating at launch-pads on the Pakistani side of LoC. The Army, sources said, has been proactive in taking pre-emptive action to prevent attempts at infiltration. This has led to an increase in the number of ceasefire violations this year. Four bids at infiltration have been foiled by the army on the LoC so far this year, leading to the death of eight militants.

A total of 40 militants have already been killed by the Army in the state during the same period. As per Army sources, 371 militants had attempted infiltration from across the LoC last year, of which 119 had been successful. The comparative figures for 2015 were 121 and 33 respectively. The rise in ceasefire violations in the 16 Corps Zone started after the surgical strikes last year when Special Forces of the Army targeted terror launch pads along the LoC. Of 226 ceasefire violations last year, only 45 occurred before the surgical strikes. The number of ceasefire violations have shown a rise since 2014, when they shot to 153 from 99 in 2013. There were 152 ceasefire violations on the LoC, south of the Pir Panjal range, in 2015.

CPI-Maoist cadres blew up a school building in Birbanki village under Arki Police Station, about 80km from Khunti District of Jharkhand. Maoists also set ablaze a mobile tower and a concrete mixer.

Police recovered five IEDs hidden in the bushes on the outskirts of Jangur village in Manika area of Latehar District of Jharkhand. SP, Dhananjay Kumar said the IEDs were defused smoothly and search operations were in full swing.

Two Maoists cadres, Nunulal Hansda and Devilal Hansda, surrendered before DIG, Akhilesh Jha, in Dumka Range in Dumka District of Jharkhand.

An armed militia squad of the CPI-Maoist set ablaze earthmoving equipment near Busuputtu hamlet in Munchingput Mandal in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. About 12 to 15 armed militia cadres poured petrol on the earthmoving vehicle parked on the side of a road that was being built and set it on fire, after threatening the driver and the other staff.

Unidentified militants, in an ambush, killed two locals engaged for transporting water by the BRO, identified as Lallianmang (40) and Ginlam Khaute, (50), at a place near Behiang in Churachandpur District along the Indo-Myanmar border. A heavily armed militant group reportedly waylaid the water tanker in with IEDs, and fired a volley of bullets on them at around 7.50 am, local sources said. The tanker was meant for transporting water meant for the Indian army posted at the border village.

Two unidentified militants of the BDFM surrendered in Lawngtlai District.

One militant of ULFA-I, identified as Madhab Jyoti Nath (23), was arrested by the SFs from Cherekapar area of Sivasagar District. A .22 pistol, 6 rounds of live bullets of AK-47 rifle, one mobile phone, INR 7,000 and other documents were also recovered from him.

Police arrested two extortionists, identified as Takendar Singh and Babul Ali from Netaji Colony in Dimapur Town.

April 30

Two Keralites who allegedly joined terror groups in 2016, have reportedly been killed in air strikes by the US in Syria and Afghanistan. They were identified as Yahya and Abu Thahir, both hailing from Palakkad District of Kerala. Yahya had reportedly joined Islamic State (IS) and Abu Thahir the al Qaeda, Police said. They were among 21 people from Kerala, including women and children, who travelled to West Asia and went missing in 2016. Police said they received an information on April 30, night about the death of Thahir in Syria. A message received by a social worker in Kasargod said: “Yahya has been martyred while fighting in Afghanistan.” “He was killed while fighting the U.S. forces,” the message read. It, however, did not say when he was killed.

A civilian was killed and five persons, including four Policemen and a civilian, injured in a grenade attack outside Khanyar Police Station in Srinagar District in the evening. Militants hurled the grenade at a Police bunker and it fell on the road injuring four Policemen and two civilians. One of the injured civilians, identified as Ghulam Mohammad Khan (65) was declared dead on arrival at the Gousia hospital adjacent to the Police Station.

Militants shot at and critically injured a man in Pulwama District of South Kashmir on April 30 night, reports Daily Excelsior. According to sources, militants barged into the house of Nisar Ahmad Mir at Prachu in Pulwama district but he was not present in the house. As the militants were coming out of the house, he was heading home and militants fired at him. He was critically injured and shifted to Pulwama hospital where from he was referred to Srinagar for treatment. Mir is plumber by profession.

Normal life in Kashmir was affected due to a shutdown called by separatists against killing of a civilian in Kupwara District in Army firing three days ago on April 27. Most of the shops, commercial establishments and fuel stations in summer capital Srinagar were closed.

Two tribal families were allegedly evicted by suspected CPI-Maoist cadres from their village in Kondagaon District of Chhattisgarh. Victims said Maoists had threatened them to leave their homes in Tumdiwal village earlier this week after they refused to provide them with ration and levy to the outlaws. The victims said in their statement that a group of Maoists were recovering 20 kilograms of rice and levy from each home in the village in Mardapal area, , Kondagaon, SP, Ashutosh Singh informed. When they denied giving anything to the rebels, they held a ‘Janadalat’ on April 27, where the victim families, comprising at least 12 members including children were accused of acting as 'police informers' and asked to vacate the village, the official said. Besides, Maoists also looted valuable and articles from the house of the two families, he said.

Two CPI-Maoist cadres identified as, Baaglu Alaami (30) and Koparam Netam, were arrested from Barsoor Police Station area in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. Acting on a tip-off that two active cadres of Indravati Area Committee of Maoists have arrived in Barsoor to procure commodities of daily use, a joint team of CRPF's 195th battalion and local Police raided the site and arrested them. Alaami was active as a member of military platoon number-16 of Maoists, the official said adding that he was carrying a reward of INR 200,000 on his head. Similarly, Netam was working as a lower-rung jan militia member, he added.

Unidentified militants triggered a low intensity IED near the temporary BSF post at Nongren Chenjel under Lamlai Police Station in Imphal East District. No one was injured in the blast.

Suspected militants attacked a convoy of oil tankers moving from Dimapur to Imphal along the Manipur section of National Highway near Kangpokpi town in Kangpokpi District. Three oil tankers were hit by bullets in the attack and two drivers, identified as Raju Karki (34) and Tulsi Poudial (36), sustained injuries in the attack. This is the second attack on oil tankers convoy after the April 18 attack in this month (April, 2017).

SFs recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition from Dipanjali Hills area along Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border in Sonitpur District. The recovered staff includes one 303 rifle, a gun, one pistol, one hand grenade, 50 rounds live ammunition and magazine. According to the SFs the recovered arms and ammunitions belongs to the militants of NDFB-IKS.

SFs recovered one hand made rifle and one silencer of 303 rifle, two AK 56 rifles, two 9mm pistols, 60 live ammunition and four magazines in Baksa District. SFs also arrested one person identified as Nirmal Basumatary in this connection. The person was suspected for rhino killing in Kaziranga.

In a statement, GNLA denied any involvement in the recent attack on coal trucks near Rongara in South Garo Hills District on April 27 and the incident of assaulting a boy at Dambuk near Rongara on April 25.

A suspected Islamic State (IS) recruit, identified as Subhani Haja Moideen, has led the NIA to France and Austria while revealing a possible link between the LeT and IS. Moideen was chargesheeted by NIA in its case related to the IS Kochi module. Moideen is one of the two Indians who fought for IS in Syria and Iraq. He had come back to India in 2016 to lead a normal life but was arrested by NIA (on October 5, 2016) on charges of trying to set up an IS module in south India. The NIA chargesheet accuses him of trying to kill RSS leaders in Kochi. The chargesheet also accused him of forming an IS module that conspired and prepared to target prominent persons including high court judges, political leaders and senior police officers besides foreigners visiting India.

Data released by the UMHA revealed that over 40,961 people have been killed in different parts of J&K from 1990 to March 31, 2017. In an RTI reply, Chief Public Information Officer of the UMHA said 13,491 civilians and 5,055 SFs personnel were killed in different terror attacks. Around 21,965 terrorists have also been neutralized by the SFs in the last 27 years. Nearly 13,502 soldiers have also been injured while fighting with the terrorists. The 2001 was the bloodiest year in the history of turmoil. Nearly 3,552 people were killed which included 996 civilians, 536 SF personnel and 2,020 terrorists. Around 1,587 SF personals were injured in the year.

The 1996 witnessed maximum number of civilian deaths in the last 27 years. Nearly 1,341 civilians were killed in 1996 followed by 1,031 civilians in 1995. “After 2006, there has been a steep decline in the terror-related causalities till 2012. In year 2012, there were only 102 causalities that included 15 civilians, 15 SF personnel and 72 terrorists, Nearly, 65 security men received injuries while fighting terrorists”, said Raman Sharma, RTI activist who had filed the application. However, from 2013 onward there is a rise in the killings and in the terror related cases in the State.

According to SATP data, a total of 44,059 persons, including 14,635 civilians, 6,265 SF personnel and 2,3159 militants were killed in various terrorism related incidents in J&K from 1990 to March 31, 2017.

Terming the agreement with State Government as a total failure, ‘chairman’ of the now disbanded ANVC-B, Bernard (Rimpu) Marak has threatened to burn copies of the ATS in protest at the Government’s apathy. “The ATS is a total failure. Till date its implementation has not been monitored properly by the State Government and is at a standstill ever since it was signed. There has been very little development due to the Government’s lack of interest in its implementation”, said Bernard in a release.

May 1

India and Turkey have decided to work together to strengthen cooperation, both bilaterally and multilaterally, to effectively counter terrorism, PM Narendra Modi said, after a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The two leaders agreed on the need to act and stand against those who create and conceive, support and sustain, shelter and spread these instruments and ideologies of violence.

Five Policemen including an ASI and two Bank security guards were killed when militants attacked a J&K Bank van in Kulgam District. According to reports, the J&K Bank mobile van carrying cash in the Kulgam District was attacked by militants near Bombay village of the District. Terrorists decamped with four INSAS and one AK 47 rifle.

HM claimed the responsibility for the attack. However, it said that they killed five Policemen and not bank guards. “They were killed by CRPF men,” it claimed and said that the attack was not aimed at looting cash.

Pakistani Special Forces, BATs carried out an attack after sneaking about 400 to 500 meters inside the Indian territory across the border fencing along LoC in Nangi Tekri area of Krishna Ghati sector in Poonch District and killed two soldiers of Army and BSF. Two Indian soldiers, identified as Prem Sagar and Naib Subedar Paramjeet Singh were beheaded and another soldier, Rajinder Singh injured by a Pakistani forces that sneaked into Indian Territory under the cover of heavy shelling in the Krishna Ghati sector.

Two persons, as Abdul Kalam and Salseng Sangma, were arrested with FICN worth INR 132,000 [INR 2,000 denomination] in West Garo Hills District. All the FICN notes were of “very high quality and only experts could differentiate”, said West Garo Hills SP Raghvendra Kumar. Police are looking for other members of the gang. “This is supposedly a big gang of international smugglers who source their FICN from across the international border mostly through Mankachar,” he said. The Police said the gang has circulated around INR 3-4 million in Garo Hills. The gang’s modus operandi is to mix FICN into the system at local markets and through other businesses.

A State-appointed committee on protection of land rights of indigenous people has estimated that 90% of the natives of Assam do not possess permanent land 'patta' (legal document for land ownership), while at least 8 lakh native families are landless. "In all of Assam, 63 lakh bigha (1 bigha= 14,400 sq ft) of Government land, including forest land, grazing ground and others, are under illegal occupation, while at least 7 to 8 lakh native families do not have an inch of land. Ninety per cent of the native people do not have myadi patta (permanent land settlement), they have either eksonia patta (annual land settlement) or are occupying government land," said, Hari Shankar Brahma, who heads the committee. According to an additional deputy commissioner of Nagaon District, about 70% of the land is owned by non-natives there, which is perhaps the only district where non-indigenous people possess such a share of land, Brahma said on April 30. The committee, formed in February, 2017 as per CM Sarbananda Sonowal's instructions, is expected to submit its recommendations on how to protect the land rights of the indigenous people to the government in June 2017.

One militant of NSCN-K, identified as Inovi Avika Assumi alias Max (32), was arrested by AR along with arms in general area of 5th Mile in Dimapur Town. One .22 mm Pistol with magazine, three live rounds of assorted ammunition were recovered from the arrestee.

A joint squad of CAF and District Force arrested three cadres of CPI-Maoist from the forests under Pushpal Police Station area in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. Those arrested were identified as Kawasi Hadma (32) from Darbha area of Bastar District, and Ramnath Nag (21) and Buchha Dhurwa (24), both natives of Malkangiri District in Odisha.

SFs busted a Naxal transit camp in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. SFs recovered Maoist uniforms, couple of detonators, a powerful IED, gunpowder, crackers, banner, clothes, electric wire, medicines and commodities of daily use from the camp.

Alok Yadav, TPC 'sub-zonal commander' was arrested from his hideout in Mahuadand area in Latehar District of Jharkhand. TPC is a splinter group of CPI-Maoist.

Police arrested six CPI-Maoist sympathisers from Yadadri District of Telangana and recovered firearms and explosives from them. "Six Maoist sympathisers were arrested by Siddipet police on the basis of a specific input. Police recovered one revolver, three pistols, 49 live rounds, two magazines and 20 electronic detonators from them," Siddipet Police Commissioner Shiv Kumar said.

Police Commissioner Kumar said that Police arrested one R Swamy, working as a courier for Maoists, from the Venkatraopet village in Siddipet District of Telangana. "Based on the information given by him, raids were conducted in Hyderabad and Yadadri-Bhuvangiri District and five others were arrested today," the Police Commissioner said. They are identified as V Ramachandram, who hails from Nalgonda District in Telangana, Ranjit Kumar, a native of Jaunpur District in Uttar Pradesh, B Narasimha Chary and G Venkatesh (both from Yadari District), and N Balaswamy, who hails from Siddipet District, the officer said. He said Ranjit Kumar is the supplier of arms. "V Ramchandram had purchased a pistol from Kumar for Rs 60,000 in 2012 whereas R Swamy recently purchased two pistols, two magazines and 39 bullets for Rs 80,000 from Kumar," he said, adding that several cases are pending against Ramchandram in Nalgonda District.

A tribal labourer Deba Madkami, a resident of Tamaguda, was killed by CPI-Maoist cadres in Malkangiri District of Odisha suspecting him to be a 'police informer'. A group of armed Maoists stormed Tamaguda village and forcibly took away the man from his home at gunpoint accusing him to be a 'police informer', Police said. His body with the throat slit was found at the outskirts of the village, Police informed.

A brief exchange of fire took place between the SOG and Maoists in the dense Kurub forest in Kalimela area of in Malkangiri District of Odisha. The Maoists fled the scene and no injury to anyone was reported, the Police said.

The Uttarakhand Government announced a bounty of INR 50,000 each for information leading to arrest of “absconding” CPI-Maoist leaders Kim Singh Bora and Devendra Chabhyal, who hail from Someshwar and Petshaal villages, respectively, in Almora District of Uttarakhand.

May 2

Suspected militants barged into a Police post of District Court complex in Shopian District and decamped with five rifles including an AK-47. The militants attacked the guard room of the court complex around 9 pm and snatched five rifles from the Policemen posted there.

As many as 55 camps of Pakistan- backed militant groups have come up across the LoC in PoK in the last four months where terrorists are being trained to be pushed into J&K, officials said. Quoting intelligence reports, Government officials said at least 20 new terrorist camps have come up this year (2017) taking the total number to 55 from earlier 35.

When the surgical strike was carried out by the Indian Army on terror launch pads across the LoC in September 2016, there were around 35 training camps of the militant groups and many of them were dismantled and shifted deep inside PoK. However, the officials said, all these camps have resurfaced since January and at least 20 new camps too have come into existence. All these 55 camps are “actively operating”, an official said. In the first four months of 2017, there were 60 infiltration attempts along the LoC in which 15 terrorists managed to enter into J&K.

Unidentified gunmen had barged into the Yaripora branch of Ellaquai Dehati Bank at Kadder in neighbouring Kulgam District and taken away INR 65,000.

Blood samples collected by Indian investigators confirmed that Pakistan army personnel killed the two Indian soldiers and mutilated their bodies in the Krishna Ghati sector along the LoC.

Nagaland CM Shurhozelie Liezietsu gave a clarion call to the Naga people to seek for an early “amicable and honourable settlement” to the ‘protracted Naga political problem’. “Nagas have been suffering for too long and we want to see an early solution which is amicable and honourable,” he said while addressing a gathering of Ao Naga and Angami Naga tribes at Mokokchung on the occasion of the premier Ao post sowing festival ‘Moatsu’.

AR arrested one militants of NSCN-IM, identified as ‘captain’ Y Wongtsu Tikhir (41) in Kiphire town of Kiphire District.

One militant from NSCN-R, identified as Yangtsapa Sangtam (28), was arrested in Kiphire town of Kiphire District. Ten live rounds of AK 47, 5 live rounds of 7.62 mm SLR, INR 6,090, and one Intex mobile, three incriminating documents and one Bajaj Platina was also recovered from the arrested militant.

DGP, S B Singh, said that, there will be no negotiations with militant outfits in Meghalaya and counter insurgency operations in the Garo Hills against outlawed GNLA would continue. "Our stand is that there will be no negotiations with any group as also made clear by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs joint secretary in charge of North East," Singh said. "GNLA are cornered. They have been driven out of Durama Hills and they are on the run," he said adding there would be no negotiation with the outlawed militant outfits responsible for killing, abduction and terrorizing the western parts of the State since late 2010.

One militant of GNLA, identified as Bikarias N. Marak alias Bilkam Bordoloi (29), surrendered before Police church leaders in North Garo Hills District.

SFs arrested three cadres of the CPI-Maoist from Lutua Police Station area in Gaya District of Bihar. The arrested cadres were identified as Visheshwar Bharti, Chhotu Bharti and Ashok Kumar. SFs also recovered five cartridges of different weapons, Naxal literature and wires from their possession.

Personnel of SOG, DVF and CAPFs like BSF and CRPF have intensified combing operations in the Kuruba jungle under the Kalimela Police Station in Malkangiri District of Odisha, after reports of infiltration of CPI-Maoist cadres from Chhattisgarh.

SFs recovered eight powerful Tiffin bombs during combing operations in the Kuruba forest region in Malkangiri District of Odisha. An Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter, Pawan Hans has also been stationed at the Ud3JaN camp to expedite the ongoing anti-Maoist operation.

Dimapur Police arrested two unidentified persons, in connection with a case of abduction for ransom that occurred on April 28, from 7th Mile area of Dimapur.

May 3

The UP ATS claimed to have neutralised an espionage racket in the state by arresting a suspected ISI agent from Faizabad and picking up another for questioning. This comes days after intelligence inputs had warned of a possible terror attack in the state by ISI-trained terrorists. In a joint operation conducted by the UP ATS, Military Intelligence and UP Intelligence, Aftab Ali was picked up from Faizabad.

In third incident of its kind during preceding 24 hours in South Kashmir, militants in broad daylight raided two banks in Pulwama District and decamped with cash worth lakhs of rupees. Following these twin incidents, Police claimed that LeT is involved in these robberies and said they have identified three of its militants behind today’s (May 3) bank raids on whom heads it also announced cash reward.

A group of five militants entered Ellaquai Dehati Bank Wahibugh, which is some 8-10 kilometers away from Pulwama town. SP Rayees Bhat said that the militants fled with INR 4.92 lakh from Ellaquai Dehati Bank at Wahibugh and they concluded the raid in around 3-4 minutes. The militants, before the arrival of SFs, managed to escape from the village in the same car they had arrived.

The SP said that after some two-and-a-half hours, another bank, a local unit of Jammu and Kashmir Bank, was looted at Nehama village of Kakapora area in Pulwama District. “Five militants were also involved in it. Four militants barged into the bank and another was with the car. From there, they decamped around Rs. 1.49 lakh rupees,” he said.

Following series of attacks on Police personnel, snatching of their rifles and looting of banks, UHM Rajnath Singh is said to have directed J&K Police and Para-military forces operating in the Valley to be “pro-active” and hit the militants before giving them a chance to strike.

CM Mehbooba Mufti appealed youth of Kashmir to help in progress and development of the State to save the place from destruction. Mehbooba urged for ending the destruction, loot and murder in Kashmir.

The moderate faction of APHC pressed the Central Government to initiate a “meaningful dialogue” to find a lasting solution to the “explosive” Kashmir issue, which it said had become a “nuclear flash point”. The conglomerate of various separatist groups, headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, held a meeting in Srinagar to discuss the prevailing situation and the way forward.

An unidentified truck driver and his helper were abducted and latter released by suspected KNF-P militants at some undisclosed location somewhere in between Keithelmanbi of Imphal West District and Sapermeina of Senapati District.

SFs arrested another militant belonging to PREPAK-Pro, identified as Kangabam Nanao Meitei alias Khalemba (22), from Phubala Bazar in Bishnupur District. One 9mm pistol with magazine loaded with two live rounds was also recovered from his possession.

Three militants of UPLA, identified as Bijoy Ingti, Karung Terampi and Loring Tron, were arrested by SFs from Moran Khelmati, under Moran Police Station, in Dibrugarh District. A .22 pistol, a 7.62 pistol, 13 live rounds and two magazines were also recovered from the arrested militants.

The NSCN-K, in its statement, said it will not tolerate any departmental authorities collaborating with the NIA and threatened punitive actions against those conniving with the agency. NIA had arresting three senior officials of the Nagaland government for their alleged role in large scale extortion and illegal tax collection on behalf of the militant outfit from various government organisations. In a statement issued to the media, the NSCN-K said the arrest of three State Government officials, social welfare department Tulula Pongen, joint director of the land resources department Alienba Pangjung Jamir and a cashier of the land resources department, K. Lashito Shequi, by the NIA was nothing "but a desperate attempt to veil its frustration over failure to stem the Naga struggle and to coerce the patriotic and freedom-loving Nagas to abstain from performing one's obligation towards national cause." NSCN-K further said it would continue to levy reasonable and affordable taxes on the people for the sustenance of "our national struggle".

Mizo inhabitants of Jampui hills in North Tripura District bordering Mizoram has revived their demand for a Regional Council and have decided to go for agitation. The agitation program will begin with a procession on May 11. The procession will begin from Belianchip and pass across all the 11 villages of the hills to end at Bhangmun. Lalramjoha Sailo, ‘president’ of the Jampui Mizo Convention said they have submitted memorandum to the Governor and the CM in support of their demand but no action has been taken forcing them to launch agitation. He said the TTAADC was formed for development of the tribals but it failed to satisfy the aspirations of the smaller tribes. A smaller section of the tribals are cornering all the benefits, he alleged. He said a delegation of the Jampui Mizo Convention met the CM in 2016 and apprised about their problems but no positive action has been taken to solve these. He said the proposed regional council will be comprised of all the 11 villages of the hills. Eighty five per cent of the inhabitants of the proposed area are Mizo’s while the rest 15 per cent are Reangs. He said the Reangs also will get the same benefits like the Mizo community if the regional council is formed.

Chief Executive Member of TTAADC Radhacharan Debbarma met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi. During the meeting, the CEM handed over a memorandum seeking his intervention for overall development of the tribal council to the Union Home Minister. Demands include introduction of Panchayati Raj like three-tier system in tribal council’s Village Committees by amending the Constitution and inclusion of Kokborok language in the eight Schedule of the Constitution. The CEM also demanded enhancement of allocation for TTAADC for the current fiscal year as NITI Aayog had reduced outlay in the last financial year. Debbarma also pointed out Autonomous District Councils were floated on the basis of population way back in 1952. “By this time, population in ADC areas has been increased and therefore there is a need to increase fund to the tribal council”, he said.

Citing frequent violent activities by insurgent groups, the Union Home Ministry declared Assam as a “disturbed” area under the AFSPA for another three months with effect from May 3. Apart from Assam, the Union Home Ministry has declared three Districts of Arunachal Pradesh – Tirap, Longding and Changlang as “disturbed” area and these Districts will be under the AFSPA act for three more months. The Ministry said that the AFSPA in Assam has been extended for three more months on the basis of 75 incidents of violence in the state in 2016 that led to the killing of 33 people, including four security personnel. 14 cases of abduction have also been reported during the same period. There have been nine violent incidents registered in the state in 2017 in which four people, including two security personnel, were killed.

CM Raman Singh called for a meeting of the Unified Command to chalk out a comprehensive strategy to hit CPI-Maoist cadres this week (May 5) in Raipur District of Chhattisgarh. The top brass of Central Paramilitary Forces, the Chhattisgarh Police, the IAF and State Government authorities responsible for the administration in Bastar and other Naxal-hit Districts of the State will take part in the meeting. The Unified Command was created in all the Maoist-affected States in the aftermath of the 2010 Dantewada attack where 75 CRPF personnel and a State Policeman, were killed in a deadly ambush carried out by Naxals. The Command is chaired by the respective CMs of Maoist-affected States.

ADG (Operations) RK Mallick after a review meeting related to Naxal incidents at Police Headquarters in Ranchi District of Jharkhand told reporters that a decision has been taken to cease property of top CPI-Maoist and Splinter Groups under NDPS Act. He further stated that, “Out of a total of 60 incidents related to red rebels till April 30 this year, 28 of them were of CPI-Maoists against 22 out of 80 incidents carried out last year in this period which indicates that it has increased by 25 per cent.”

A SF Personnel was killed and 19 jawans of Gadchiroli District Police and the 37 battalion of CRPF sustained injuries in two separate incidents under Bhamragarh Taluka in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. In first incident, two jawans of Gadchiroli Police were injured and one CRPF constable was killed during an exchange of fire with CPI-Maoist cadres in the Koparshi-Pulnar jungle near Koti in Bhamragarh. Later, one of them succumbed to injuries.

A MPV of the C-60 Commandos came under a landmine attack by CPI-Maoist cadres near Kier village injuring at least nine SF personnel. According to Police, the Area Rakshak Dal and Gram Rakshak Dal of the CPI-Maoist triggered the blast by completing the circuit of explosives planted earlier.

A woman cadre, identified as Rashmita Sikoka alias Kuni, and five militia members of the CPI-Maoist surrendered before the Police in Rayagada District of Odisha. Rashmita was carrying a reward of INR 100,000 on her head announced by the Odisha Government.

May 4

Acting on leads provided by ISI suspect Aftab Ali, arrested from UP’s Faizabad, the UP ATS picked up Altaf Qureshi from south Mumbai’s Masjid Bunder and Javed Iqbal from Agreepada, also in Mumbai. According to police, the trio was involved an espionage racket, with Aftab, believed to have been trained by ISI, maintaining constant touch with officials in the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.

A civilian was killed and two Army personnel were injured as militants ambushed an Army patrol party in Imam Saheb area of Shopian District while SFs conducted a massive operation against militants in the area. A civilian driver, identified as Nazir Ahmad Sheikh, who was driving the cab in which Army was returning after search and cordon operation, was killed in the ambush and two Army men were injured. HM claimed the responsibility of the attack on Army.

Army conducted massive search and cordon operation in several villages in Shopian District after militants intensified their attacks on Police and SFs in South Kashmir and looted banks and weapons. However, no one was arrested during the operation.

Recently, videos showing large groups of terrorists moving freely in the area – in some cases as many as 30 – have surfaced on social media, despite the ban imposed by authorities on 22 such sites and applications.

At Maldoora, Turkawangam and Trenz village, groups of protesters pelted stones on the SFs.

SFs also laid a cordon in Khudwani of Kulgam District after a tip-off about the presence of LeT terrorists, but they escaped with public support, Police said

J&K Police announced a cash reward of INR 10 lakh on the head of Umer Majid, a suspected HM militant responsible for killing seven persons including five Policemen at Kulgam earlier this week.

At least 45 persons including 25 SFs personnel and 19 students were injured during stone-throwing clashes between students and SFs in northern Baramulla District while similar clash erupted in Gogji Bagh area of Srinagar.

Joginder Singh (39), a rice trader and his daughter Rinky Singh (10), sustained minor injuries after unidentified militants lobbed a crude bomb at their residence at Milan Nagar in Tinsukia District.

Police arrested at least three persons and seized two counterfeit note-printing machines along with INR 420,000 of FICN, mostly in INR 2,000 denominations.  In the first operation, Hamren Police seized a FICN machine from a clandestine location at Harlongjubi village in Karbi Anglong District and arrested two persons. "Special blank papers, used for printing the notes, were also seized from the printing press. The arrested persons were identified as Bajong Timung and Bidyaram Teran," Police sources said. At the same time, in a separate operation in Darrang District, police nabbed one Billal Hussain, along with a fake note-printing machine, from Ananda Bazaar village of Dhula. Police are quizzing him to nab others involved in the racket. "Inks and printers used for the purpose of manufacturing fake notes were also seized," added Police.

The fifth round of peace talks between the Mizoram government and the HPC-D militants is scheduled to be held in July, State additional secretary for Home, Lalbiakzama said. Lalbiakzama said that the coming round of talks might be the last official level talks as the parleys may be elevated to political level soon. “Official level talks to deliberate on the terms of the framework agreement would continue till the final phase and the parleys would be elevated to political level,” he said.

One militant of KCP-P, identified as Oinam Manitomba Singh alias Thoiba (37), was arrested by the SFs at Heingang Mayai Leikai in Imphal East District.

A villager, Jaaglu Ram Nag (35), was killed by CPI-Maoist cadres after branding him as a ‘Police informer’ in Kondagaon District of Chhattisgarh.

Two CPI-Maoist cadres were killed in an exchange of fire with SFs in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The identities of the deceased CPI-Maoist is yet to be ascertained.

11 persons were being interrogated by SFs, for their suspected links to the last week's (April 24) CPI-Maoist attack on CRPF personnel, in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh.

In a joint operation launched by the Jharkhand Police and 158 Battalion CRPF, a massive cache of arms and ammunitions was recovered from a Naxal hideout in Lohardaga District of Jharkhand. A 7.62 mm LMG, semi-automatic US made rifle, an AK 47, a SLR rifle, three INSAS rifle, two 303 rifles, four 315 rifles, communication sets, along with magazines and around more than 3000 ammunitions of different calibres were among the weapons and ammunition that were recovered.

A  CPI-Maoist ‘zonal commander’ Nakul Yadav and a ‘sub-zonal commander’ Madan Yadav surrendered before the Police in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. Nakul was carrying a reward of INR 1.5 million and Madan carried INR 500,000 on their heads. The two were given financial help under the State Government program which tries to help them have a better life ahead.

The CPI-Maoist cadres torched two JCB machines and two tractors, being used for construction of roads under the PMGSY, in Majhigumandi and Uparagumandi villages of Koraput District of Odisha. The CPI-Maoist cadres left behind posters warning against resumption of road construction in the area and asking villagers not to cooperate with the contractor.

ITBP arrested a Bangladeshi national, identified as Mohammad M Hussain from near Lepcha check-post of Spiti (Lahaul-Spiti District) close to the Indo-China border on suspicion of espionage in the area. ITBP apprehended him while he was sleeping and handed him over to the Spiti Police for further investigation.

The AET arrested three persons including two ladies on charges of extortion. The accused persons reportedly belonging to a faction of NSCN were collecting money from fruit vendors at New Market area in Dimapur.

May 5

Army along with SoG of J&K Police busted a HM module of three of its OGWs, who were involved in number of militancy activities and planning to snatch weapon from SFs and luring youth into militancy. The members of the module, Akeel Ahmad Malla, Asif Abdullah Wagay and Amir Hussain Ganie were arrested from Shopian District.

A video showing two youths being tortured and their hair being shaved by HM terrorists went viral across Kashmir valley. The two youths were tortured and humiliated by HM terrorists after being branded as Police informers in the video.

In the wake of surge in armed robberies, the banks in sensitive areas of two Districts of Pulwama and Shopian in South Kashmir stopped cash dealings following a Police advisory to evade further raids for cash by militants while as Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu chaired a bankers meeting in Srinagar to discuss the security scenario of banks.

Two suspected militants of Kuki militant group, identified as Satkholhun Haokip (35) and Ngamlet Haokip (41), were killed by suspected rival faction near Boljang village in Kangpokpi District. Earlier, on the same day (May 5) three persons, including these two were abducted by the suspected rival faction. The third one is still missing and he was identified as Jangkholun. The Police have not confirmed the name of the involved militant groups so far. 

AR arrested two militants of NSCN-K, identified as ‘lieutenant’ Wanphai Wangsa and ‘corporal’ Kekho Homku, from Kunsa in Longding District. Two pistols (9mm and 7.65mm) with ammunitions were recovered from the arrestees.

The HC of Meghalaya refused to cancel the bail granted to GNLA ‘chairman’ Champion Sangma by the Sessions Court.

BSF DG K.K Sharma said that Bangladesh is no longer a safe haven for Indian insurgent groups. Sharma, who was addressing the media at the 8th annual medical conference at the BSF headquarters in the Shillong, said the few training camps and hideouts set up by Indian rebel groups, like HNLC and ULFA, in the neighbouring country have been destroyed by the Border Guards Bangladesh. On border fencing in the State, Sharma said BSF has taken up the land acquisition issue with the State Government. At the same time, he said the border sentinels will introduce high-end technology to detect intruders. “BSF is in the process of filling up the gaps along the border by technological solutions — installing intruder detection alert system that would go a long way in detecting infiltrators.

AR arrested nine unidentified militants of NSCN-IM at Julukie town in Peren District. Five AK series Rifles, one US made gun, one  shot gun, one .22 rifle, one pellet gun, 2 pistols, 5 hand grenades, one radio set, 300 rounds of  various caliber and various documents related to NSCN-IM were recovered from the arrested militants.

A Home Guard, identified as Sheikh Valli, was killed in a landmine blast triggered by the CPI-Maoist cadres on the Lothugedda junction-Balapam stretch in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. The impact of the blast was so strong that the remains of Valli's body and the SUV he was travelling in were scattered everywhere. Sources said the landmine was at least four years old as the road was laid at least three times in the last four years. The police have deployed special parties to intensify combing operations in Visakha Agency following the incident.

A joint team of CRPF and District Force arrested four CPI-Maoist cadres from two separate places in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. In the first incident, CPI-Maoist cadres, identified as Hadma, Hinga Muchaki and Bhima were arrested from Aranpur Police Station area. In second incident, a Jan Militia member- Rakesh Bhaskar was arrested from Bandipara Kamloor village by local Police.

CM, Raman Singh emphasised on the need to win the locals confidence and form a District-level Unified Operation Command in Maoist-affected Districts of Chhattisgarh, at the State secretariat in Raipur District of Chhattisgarh.

Minister of State MHA, Hansraj Gangaram Ahir reviewed the Maoist problem in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh where the CPI-Maoist cadres massacred 25 security personnel last month.

SFs arrested two PLFI cadres, Gaganpreet Singh (24) and Markus Aind (25), near Birsa Chowk in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. SFs recovered INR 45,000 in cash, 13 SIMs, seven mobile phones, PLFI letter head and a bike from them. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

An important meeting of Police officials of Jharkhand and Bihar along with CRPF officers took place at the premises of Cobra Battalion Headquarter situated at Barhi, in Hazaribagh District of Jharkhand. In this meeting the officials of both the States decided to launch a combined combat operation against the Naxals. They (Police officials) decided that the aim is to uproot the banned Naxal groups from the border areas of both the States. The officials also decided to set up the right way of communication between the Police forces of both the States especially between the forces on duty in the border districts.

Dimapur Police arrested two persons from New Market area after they were found collecting money from the vendors.

May 6

A Kasaragod resident exposed Pro-Islamic State (IS) messages being circulated via WhatsApp messaging services hailing the terror group. A pro-Islamic State message being circulated via WhatsApp was brought to the notice of the NIA after a complaint was filed. Haris Mastan, in his complaint, alleged that messages promoting the Islamic State were circulated in WhatsApp groups. He claimed to have received the message on May 6, in a group where he was added as one of the 200 members.

A 12-year-old boy from PoK was arrested by the Army after he crossed over into the Indian territory along the LoC in Rajouri District, an Army official said. Army strongly suspects that he was sent by the Pakistan Army along with terrorists to conduct probe of infiltration routes and patrol track of the Army.

Five persons including three civilians, a Policeman and a militant were killed in a militant attack in Kulgam District. Militants, travelling in a car, opened fire on a police party which had gone to Mir Bazaar area to investigate a road accident.  Police also retaliated killing one of militants and injuring another who has, however, escaped. A grenade and ammunition rounds were recovered during frisking of one of the dead persons who is a militant.

At least one incident of ceasefire violation by Pakistan took place daily along the LoC in J&K in 2015 and 2016 in which 23 SFs personnel lost their lives, the UMHA said in an RTI reply. As many as 1,142 terror incidents were reported in the State between 2012 and 2016 in which 236 SFs personnel and 90 civilians were killed, it said in reply to an RTI query filed by a Press Trust of India Bhasha correspondent. In the same period, 507 terrorists were killed in encounters, it said.

According to the reply, Pakistan breached the truce along the LoC 449 times in 2016 as compared to 405 violations in 2015. 23 SFs personnel were killed in the two-year period. Compared to 220 terror incidents in J&K in 2012, there were 322 incidents in 2016 in which 82 SFs personnel and 15 civilians were killed, the Ministry said. It said in 2015, 39 SFs personnel and 17 civilians were killed in 208 terror incidents, while 108 terrorists were killed in encounters.

While 47 SFs personnel and 28 civilians were killed in the State, 110 terrorists were killed in encounters in 2014, the reply said. In 2013, 53 SFs personnel and 15 civilians were killed in 170 terror incidents in J&K. SFs killed 67 terrorists in encounters that year, as per the Ministry. In 2012, 15 SFs personnel and as many civilians were killed in 220 terror incidents, and 72 terrorists were killed in encounters, it said.

Security agencies are not ruling out the possibility of the banned Islamic State (ISIS) trying to create a base in the Kashmir valley, noting that internet chats and establishing of contacts with possible handlers in Syria and Iraq by some youths have grown in the last six months. Officials in the security establishment, who are not authorised to speak to the media, said on condition of anonymity that there have been small pockets in the Valley from where some youths are trying to get in touch with one or more handlers in Syria and Iraq.

SFs killed a militant belonging to NSCN-K in Wakka village in Longding District. Based on intelligence input, a troop of AR launched operation at Wakka village where the militant group was hiding. When the troops reached the remote area, the militant group started firing and bullets were exchanged for half an hour. Kohima based Defence PRO Colonel Chiranjeet Konwer said that, a militant was killed during gun battle and other militants of the group had managed to flee from the area. SFs recovered a 7.62mm pistol with 10 rounds live ammunition and ammunition of AK-47 from the slain militant who is yet to be identified.

A firing incident between the troopers of AR and militants from suspected TPLA occurred in Kangpokpi District. However, no casualty from either side was reported so far.

Indian Army recovered a cache of arms and ammunition from an unidentified militant hideout in Karbi Anglong District during an operation. The recovered staff includes three country made self-loaded rifles, five hand grenades, three SLR cartridges, one ammunition pouch and three combat dresses.

As many as 19 cadres of the CPI-Maoist, nine of them allegedly involved in the deadly attack on CRPF personnel on April 24, were arrested from separate places in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. Of the nine Maoists who were allegedly involved in the Burkapal attack, six were rounded up from Chintagufa police station area while three others from Chintalnar police station limits, Sukma ASP Jitendra Shukla said.

10 Jan Militia members of the Maoists were arrested from Kukanar police station area by a composite squad of the CRPF, the DRG and the district force, ASP Jitendra Shukla said. The 10 were allegedly involved in torching two trucks and opening fire at a police patrolling party in Kukanar area between Jagdalapur and Sukma on NH 30 on February 26, 2017 he said.

Lohardaga Police recovered a large cache of explosives, including 53 can bombs, one container bomb weighing 10 kilograms and 15 litres of fuel from Husru forest in Lohardaga District of Jharkhand. Lohardaga SP Kartik S said, "We have seized 53 can bombs each containing 500 gm of explosives, one container bomb of 10 kg, 10 bundles of codex wires of 10 kg each and some unidentified explosive powder and 15 litres of unidentified fuel. A gas welding and cutting machine along with a gas cylinder and 30-40 kg of iron rods which were meant to be used as splinters were also recovered. We will send the powder and the fuel for forensic analysis to know the chemical compositions. It will explain what they were meant to be used for." The recovery made on May 6 was on the basis of disclosures made by surrendered CPI-Maoist ‘zonal commander’ Nakul Yadav and a tip-off received by the Lohardaga Police. According to Police sources, the explosives were hidden underground inside the forest.

A woman cadre of CPI-Maoist, identified as Drimbili Jakesika alias Manjula (22), surrendered before Rayagada Police in Rayagada District of Odisha. She was carrying INR 100,000 on her head.

May 7

The militant who was killed on May 6 night by Police during an attack on them at NH in Kulgam was wanted by NIA for his role in 2015 Fidayeen attack on a BSF convoy at Udhampur. The HM militant, identified as Fayaz Ahmad Ishwar alias Setha was killed in retaliatory fire by police after a group of militants attacked them on May 6. Police said that the killed militant was active from last two years and was involved in many subversive activities.

Four LeT terrorists fired volleys from their automatic rifles into the air to pay "respect" to slain militant Fayaz Ahmed Ashwar, from Reshipora in Kulgam District of south Kashmir, during his funeral.  It's rare for terrorists to be present for the funeral of their dead cohorts, and rarer for them to expose themselves by publicly displaying such support. Eyewitnesses said four armed militants appeared in the crowd who came to "pay" respect to slain HM militant Fayaz Ahmed Ashwar. "They fired a volley of bullets in the air and raised pro-azadi slogans," sources said.

The KNO/ KRA alleged that the KNF-P was responsible for the killing of their two cadres on May 5 near Boljang village in Kangpokpi District and asked KNF-P to clarify why the two cadres were killed. Earlier, the involvement of the militant groups for the killing incident was not clear.

The CRPF has ordered “immediate” shifting of the command headquarters of the force’s central zone from Kolkata to Raipur of Chhattisgarh. Officials said that newly appointed CRPF Director General Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar had been asked to ensure that the command begins functioning from Raipur before the high-level meeting of Naxal -hit states in New Delhi on May 8.

The central zone, an operational field formation, was set up on August 7, 2009. Headquartered in Raipur District, it was given the responsibility of deployment of CRPF troops in the entire ‘Red belt’ of states hit by Naxal violence including West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The headquarters was moved to Kolkata in July 2010 after the Dantewada attack exposed the problem of poor rail and air connectivity in Raipur.

GoI may ask BSNL to set up 3,000 more telecom towers on an urgent basis and enhance the satellite bandwidth in the Naxal-infested areas to improve communication among the security agencies operating there.The task of setting up nearly 2200 telecom towers in the first phase has been completed in a record time in all the seven Naxal-hit states of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

May 8

Police arrested two persons at Brabourne Road in Kolkata (West Bengal) after seizing from them FICN of the face value of INR 76,000. Javed Ali (30) and Iqbal Ali (28) residents of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh were arrested while they were trying to buy CDs from a shop at the Brabourne Road-India Exchange Place crossing under the Hare Street Police Station limits, a senior Police officer said.

The Karvan-e-Aman bus service, operating between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad, was cancelled after an attack on Army on the LoC near Chokas post overlooking Aman Setu in Uri in Baramulla District. Sources said that Army repulsed an attack on the LoC in Chokas and one Army jawan was injured in the firing.

The student protests in Kashmir entered fourth week and hundreds of students clashed with Police in several areas including in summer capital Srinagar during which several of them were injured while seven have been detained.

Exactly a week after the mutilation of two Indian soldiers, Indian Army has hit back targeting Pakistani forward posts and bunkers with `Anti Guided Tank Missiles’ across Nowshera sector along the LoC inflicting heavy damages on the Pakistani troops. At least four Pakistani posts and three bunkers have been destroyed in massive retaliatory attack undertaken by the Indian Army in Rajouri-Poonch sector.

While exact casualties suffered by Pakistan in the attack were not known, sources said that four to six Pakistani jawans appeared to have perished in the attack. However, sources said, the attack was just a tip of iceberg and Pakistan could face much bigger offence from the Indian side in the days to come for mutilation of two Indian soldiers at Krishna Ghati sector in Poonch District on May 1.

Sources said the troops targeted forward Pakistan Army posts and bunkers, which had been resorting to unprovoked shelling and firing on the Indian side apart from giving shelter to terrorists to push them into this side. Troops were reported to have used ‘Anti Guided Tank Missiles’ to hit Pakistani posts and bunkers.

IGP, Kashmir, Syed Javid Mujtaba Gillani said that by releasing their videos online, militants in Kashmir are indulging in psychological warfare. The IGP said in a press conference in Srinagar that as of now, there are about 200 militants which is roughly the same number that has been there last year as well. “95 new recruits were there last year, now there are about 200 militants, among them nearly 110 are local militants,” he said.

The Special Cell of the Delhi Police arrested one of the biggest suppliers of arms and ammunition to the CPI-Maoist cadres, Richhpal Singh (48), at Burari area in North Delhi District. Singh was arrested by the Andhra Police in 2006 for the same charges. He had also opened a factory in the Burhanpur region of Madhya Pradesh. Police say that Singh make the pistols for a sum of INR 3,000 and later supplies them at INR 10,000 in bulk. By the time the criminals get it, the cost of the pistols increases to INR 25,000- 30,000 for a pistol. Police say that Singh, who has been in the business for the last 30 years, has claimed his ancestors have been in the business for the last 80 years.

Two personnel of the 165th Territorial Army Battalion, identified as Arjun Baral and Vareisho Hungyo, were killed and another two sustain serious injury after suspected MPA [armed wing of UNLF] triggered an IED at Lokchoa area in Tengnoupal District. The injured personnel were identified as Toijam Chandra and Y Govind.

A brief gun fight broke out between SFs and suspected cadres of the ZUF at Chingkhonglung under Tousem Police Station in Tamenglong District. However no casualty from either side has been reported so far.

NNPGs held separate meetings with apex tribal bodies of Nagaland regarding the ‘integration’ and ‘political solution’ of Nagas. NNPGs held separate meetings with ZPO on May 8 and Pochury Hoho (apex body of Pochury Tribes) on May 6 at ‘Oking’ to deliberate on the social and political situation facing the people of Nagaland. During the meeting NNPGs also recalled that Zeliangs had played a prominent part in the ‘Indo-Naga political struggle’.

The 5th AR troopers apprehended one alleged “over ground” worker of NSCN-K identified as T Mughaka T Aye (25) from Old Natha of Zunheboto Town in Zunheboto District. AR report claimed that the accused was involved in collection of illegal taxes and extortion and nine tax collection notes were recovered from his possession.

The AET of Dimapur Police arrested two persons on charges of extortion while they were distributing ‘tax slips’ of the NNC-NA to various garage owners.

A self-styled “major of the 1996 batch” of the HNLC, Combart Syad, surrendered himself before the SP of East Khasi Hills. Syad (36) is a resident of Karimganj in Assam. He was a trainer in HNLC camps, sources said. Syad was not carrying any arms.

May 9

India and the Netherlands voiced deep concern over the threat of terrorism and resolved to work bilaterally and globally to fight the menace in all its forms and manifestations.

A SPO, identified as Mohammad Younis (35) who was injured in the firing by unidentified gunmen at a STF post in Tanta area of Gandoh tehsil in Doda District during the intervening night of May 7 and 8, succumbed to his injuries at GMCH. Another SPO Kikar Singh (35), injured in the firing has been referred to PGI Chandigarh for advanced treatment. IGP Jammu Zone Dr SD Singh Jamwal has ruled out the firing incident as militants’ attack, while investigation in the incident is going on after registering a case under relevant Sections at Gandoh Police Station.

Militants attacked a Police party at Kumdalan village of Shopian District in the evening. Sources said that the militants attacked a cavalcade of senior officers including SSP, DySP and SHO at Shopian but they escaped unhurt. They said that the Police officers were returning from an Army camp and as they reached Kumdalan village militants fired at them from the orchard. However, no one was hurt.

Police have sounded alert in parts of Pulwama and Budgam after militants hijacked a car. A police officer said that one Mohammad Rafiq Dar of Samboora village of Pampore reported in Police Station Pulwama that a group of militants hijacked his Alto Car at Gudoora village. All the Police stations, control rooms and security agencies have been alerted following the hijacking of the car by suspected militants. “We have alerted security forces along National Highway”, a Police officer said.

Police restored to tear gas shelling when a group of farmers allegedly started stone pelting in which several persons including three Police personals received minor injuries in Kishtwar District.

SFs averted a major mishap by recovering a powerful IED, planted by CPI-Maoist cadres, in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. 

To defang the CPI-Maoist cadres and their arsenal, the CRPF will soon deploy a fresh squad of about 2,000 Commandos from its special guerrilla warfare CoBRA battalions in and around the Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The CoBRA is masters of guerrilla warfare and is capable of operating in the dense jungles of southern Chhattisgarh – the self-proclaimed headquarters of the CPI-Maoist.

The Charla Police in a joint operation with the CRPF personnel arrested two “militia members” of the CPI-Maoist at Charla Mandal in Khammam District of Telangana. The arrested were identified as Madakam Moodaiah (19) of Chennapuram and Sodi Somaiah (20), of Battigudem of Charla Mandal. The SFs recovered a medical kit containing medicines, surgical cotton and syringes from the possession of the duo.

A high alert has been sounded in Nallamala forest region spreading across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Vigil has been stepped up for the CPI-Maoist cadres suspecting that the they will pay tribute to their comrades during the Martyrs’ week, commencing from May 24, as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Naxalbari Movement.

The CPI-Maoist cadres have formed a new 'combat and operational' unit at the Kerala-Tamil Nadu-Karnataka 'tri-junction' at Nilambur in Malappuram District of Kerala. The new combat unit is formed in a bid to 'avenge' the death of CPI-Maoist leaders Kuppu Devaraj and Ajitha at the Nilambur Kurulai forest area last year (2016). The new unit has been named Varahini Dalam. The Police suspected eight CPI-Maoist cadres to be part of the unit. Police Stations and strategic institutions in Wayanad, Malappuram, Palakkad and Kozhikode districts had been placed on high alert. 

As per reports, the Varahini Dalam will work around the Wayanad Wildlife Reserve, Tamil Nadu's Muthumala Wildlife center, and Karnataka's Bandipur Tiger Reserve. CPI-Maoist leader C.P. Moideen heads the unit. The new unit is the fourth that the CPI-Maoist cadres have. The other units are Kabani Dalam comprising of Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malapuram Districts, the Nadukani Dalam which focuses on Nilambur and Tamil Nadu's Gudalur. The third one, Bhavani Dalam, is focused on areas like Palakkad and Coimbatore.

The CPI-Maoist cadres have carved out a new zone for its operations — Gadchiroli-Rajnandgaon-Balaghat (GRB), straddling the border tri-junction of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. The information was revealed by 19-year-old Waman Mandavi, a member of the cultural wing of CPI-Maoist, who was arrested from Gondia District of Maharashtra in April last week. It important to note that, the Tada and Malajkhand Dalams are active in Balaghat region of Madhya Pradesh.

Secretary to the CM, Sunil Kumar Barnwal, directed authorities of Khunti District of Jharkhand to handover joining letter to survivors of Naxal attacks in a week time. 

CM Raghubar Das made a request to the Centre Government to waive off the amount due on CRPF for carrying out anti-Naxal operation in Jharkhand.

Khunti Police arrested a PLFI cadre, Parasnath Gope, from Kotenger forests in Khunti District of Jharkhand. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist. Gope carried a reward of INR 50,000 on his head and was a close associate of PLFI supremo Dinesh Gope and figured as named accused in over half-a-dozen cases of violence in Karra and Lapung areas.

An unidentified Sub-Inspector of 156th battalion SSB and a suspected NDFB-IKS militant were killed, in an encounter, in the in the forests around Manas National Park in Chirang District. The SFs have recovered an INSAS rifle from the encounter site and efforts are being made to recover the body of the militant, an unnamed officials said.

In a statement, the militant group, KNF-P, responded to the allegation of killing of two militants from KRA and said that they killed the two militants on May 5 because ‘they had become inimical’ to their organisation. Further, the militant group claimed that their organization’s name is KNF, but not KNF-P.

CM N. Biren Singh vowed to hunt down the militants who ambushed and killed two soldiers on May 8 in an area bordering Myanmar. Further, Singh also stated that with a view to enable prompt response to any law and order problem, an operational unit comprising of representatives of all security agencies would be opened within a week.

In a statement, the NSCN-IM said that the ‘Indo-Naga political talks’ is nearing its logical conclusions, reports The Sangai Express. However, the NSCN-IM has also reiterated its stands for 'shared sovereignty' with India in the statement.

The Union Home Minister will hold a meeting on May 16 to discuss various issues concerning the North East region with Chief Secretaries and DGPs of all northeastern States, where several important issues will be discussed, including granting of citizenship rights to Chakma and Hajong refugees settled in Arunachal Pradesh. Meanwhile, the AAPSU has called on the State Government to oppose any move to grant citizenship to Chakmas and Hajongs.

May 9-10 A young army officer was abducted in South Kashmir by suspected militants from a wedding last night (May 9) and his bullet-riddled body was found early morning today (May 10) in Herman area of Shopian District. According to J& Police, Umar Fayyaz, a Lieutenant rank Army officer, was kidnapped around 10 pm by terrorists when he went to attend his cousin's wedding at south Kashmir's Kulgam District. Later, on May 10, his body was found in Shopian District with bullets in his head and abdomen.
May 10

A special judge of the NIA framed charges against suspected Islamic State (IS) sympathiser Mohammed Sirajuddin. In July 2016, the NIA filed a charge-sheet against Sirajuddin on the allegations that he has been promoting ideology of the IS. Sirajuddin, who is a resident of Gulbarga, Karnataka, was working with the Indian Oil Corporation when he was arrested by the Rajasthan ATS on charges of recruiting for the IS on December 10, 2015. An FIR was registered against him for promoting the ideology of the terror outfit. The ATS had claimed that Sirajuddin had been propagating ‘IS ideology’ using social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp and Telegram, and instigating Muslim boys and girls to join the terrorist organisation.

A ship load of tramadol, a synthetic opioid-like drug, from India to be sold to Islamic State (IS) terrorists in Libya to give them greater resilience has been seized by the Italian Police. The 37 million tramadol pills, worth USD 75 million, were found packed into three containers at the port of Genoa, labeled as blankets and shampoo and set to be loaded on a freighter bound for Misrata and Tobruk in Libya.

Italian Police said the consignment had come from India and would have been used for two purposes: to help finance Islamist terrorism and for use by jihadist fighters as a stimulant and to heighten resistance to physical stress.

A woman was killed and another man was injured in Pakistani firing along the LoC in Nowshera sector in Rajouri District in the night. Pakistani Army initiated indiscriminate firing from small arms and mortars along the LoC in Nowshera sector around 10.30 pm. Indian Army posts are retaliating strongly and effectively, Army sources said.

Palamu Police arrested CPI-Maoist ‘zonal commander’, Ram Sunder Ram alias Aloke ji, of BJSAC in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. Aloke carried a reward of INR 1 million on his head.

The State Government signed a MoU with the JACAATB in Churachandpur District. CM N Biren Singh also said that his Government would fulfill the promises of MoU by May 25. After the MoU, the families will be able to arrange proper burial of the eight persons, who were killed during the agitation. The bodies of the eight men, killed in Police firing during a protest in 2015 against three anti-migrant Bills introduced by the State Government, have been lying in the morgue for over 600 days. Violent protests broke out in Churachandpur District when the Assembly passed three bills - Protection of Manipur Peoples Bill, Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill and Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Bills on August 31, 2015.  According to the MoU, officials said, the government has agreed to compensate the families of those who died in the protests on August 31, 2015 set up a memorial in Churachandpur town take in to account tribal opinion in all future action and, investigate the deaths of the protesters. Further it added that the government “shall extend all possible help and cooperation in the tripartite talks with SoO groups (insurgent groups who have a suspension of operation agreement with the Centre) where various other issues and interests of indigenous tribal people of Manipur will be protected”.

State Police suspect that the 18-year-old labourer, Dajied Syiemlieh, who was abducted on April 28 from Nongjri in South West Khasi Hills District, may have been taken to Bangladesh by the mixed group of miscreants. DGP SB Singh said the information with the Police is that the worker is in Bangladesh. He said the abduction was the handiwork of a mixed group of miscreants from Bangladesh, who have connections in South West Khasi Hills. The DGP said BSF is coordinating with the Police to rescue the labourer.

May 11

Out of 142 Indian citizens who have been suspected of links with the Islamic State (IS), 85 have either been arrested or interrogated by government agencies, and 11 have been killed, according to Brookings India report. Only 42 are possibly still active abroad — 16 of them in Afghanistan. While there was just the lone case of an IS-linked individual in 2013, and 6 cases in 2014, the number shot up to 35 in 2015, and 75 in 2016. Until the end of April 2017, a total of 35 IS-linked cases involving an Indian citizen had been identified.

The researchers have been able to identify 132 out of the 142 individuals by name, using more than one reliable source in each case. Among the 142 Indian citizens, there were only five recruiters and one propagandist; 38 were conspirators and 10 were sympathisers. Fifty-eight (58) individuals were attempted to be recruited, or were successfully recruited.

The state with the highest number of cases is Kerala (37 individuals), followed by Telangana (21) and Maharashtra (19). Four individuals are from Gujarat, and only 2 from J&K. One 24-year-old Kashmiri recruiter and propagandist was deported from the UAE to India last year, while another was based in Australia. Data also show that some of the reported ‘IS’ cases in Kashmir turned out to be the work of non-Kashmiris, such as a 26-year-old man from West Bengal.

Rajasthan ATS filed chargesheet against suspected Islamic State (IS) operative Jameel Ahmed at the district court. Jameel was arrested by Rajasthan ATS from Sikar in November, 2016. He has been charged with various sections under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act-UAPA.

The NIA approached Interpol for issuing a RCN against Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, who is being probed for terror and money laundering charges. Naik is said to be hiding either in UAE or Saudi Arabia and keeps on moving between Malaysia and Indonesia, according to the intelligence agencies. The Interpol RCN against Naik would mean that he will be declared an international fugitive and could be arrested by any agency around the world.

The US administration blamed Pakistan for deteriorating India-Pak relations and warned that the ties might worsen further if another "high- profile" terrorist attack emanates from across the border this year. "

A dozen SF personal and six students were injured when students from Government Degree College and Government Higher Secondary School in Sopore town of Baramulla District pelted stones on security personnel.

At least four students were injured in clashes at Magam in Budgam District. The students of higher secondary schools alleged that Army soldiers beat some of their peers and boycotted classes. Witnesses said the students pelted stones on security forces who retaliated by firing teargas canisters.

Two shopkeepers were injured following clashes between them and SFs at Main Town of Pulwama District.

Shopkeepers downed their shutters after clashes between students and SFs in Dooru town of Anantnag District.

SFs have identified three militants of HM, who, they believed, abducted and killed the Indian Army officer in Kulgam District. The HM trio was identified as Abbas Bhat of Materbugh, Gayasul Islam of Chekchalun and Ashfaq Ahmad Thokar of Paderpora.

CM, Mehbooba Mufti expressed grief over the death of woman and injuries to her husband in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District due to cross LoC firing on May 10. The ACM has directed the Rajouri District administration to provide all assistance and help to the injured in the incident.

The 27th battalion of SSB with District Police and STF of Bihar Police arrested a ‘commander’ of the CPI-Maoist Musafir Sahni alias Alok Ji and four other cadres in Muzaffarpur District of Bihar. The four other Maoists were identified as Rambali Paswan, ‘area commander’ of Saraiyya area in Muzaffarpur, Anil Sahni, Ganesh Rai and Shiv Kumar Ram. Security Forces recovered 18 live cartridges of assault rifle, eight live cartridges of pistols, two country made pistols, 14 detonators and Maoist literature from them.

Two BSF troopers were injured in an attack by the CPI-Maoist cadres at Pakhanjore area in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. Special DG, DM Awasthi told  Indian Express,  that CPI-Maoist cadres were being chased towards the Maharashtra border.

Kundan Pahan, the once dreaded CPI-Maoist ‘commander’, infamous for mercilessly killing Police officers, had voluntarily surrendered a week back in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. Pahan carried a reward of INR 1.5 million on his head. He joined the CPI-Maoists in 2000 following a land dispute with influential people in his village Arki.

​The GoI has agreed to deploy three companies of CRPF personnel in Telangana to help the state Police tackle the CPI-Maoist cadres threat for some of its irrigation projects. One company will be deployed to protect Kaleswaram Lift Irrigation Project at Medigadda in Karimnagar District, while another company will be deployed at Tupakulagudem Barrage and the third company will be deployed either at Adilabad or Khammam District depending on the requirement.

SFs seized fake Myanmar Kyat worth five million and FICN worth INR 120,000 from Bhagabazar locality of Cachar District near the Mizoram border during a raid. SFs arrested a local resident named Raju Laskar (47) during the raid.  SP (Cachar) Rakesh Raushan said the arrested man is being interrogated in the custody of Silchar Police. He added that the fake Indian currency were in INR 2,000-denomination notes. Earlier, in separate raids, fake notes of mostly INR 2,000 denomination were seized from different places of Cachar district, he further said. The man is being quizzed to find out the man's link with Myanmar, if any.

The Assam State Election Commission has announced that KAAC election will be held on June 12. The State Election Commission through a notification informed that the last date for filing of nomination to the 26 seats spread across Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong and Bokajan is May 19. The last date of withdrawal of candidature is May 22 and publication of the list of contesting candidates will be on May 22.

The Gorkhas living in Assam have demanded indigenous status for the community. The Gorkha Autonomous Council Demand Committee said that the Gorkhas have been living in Assam since ancient times and many have no link with Nepal and considering them as immigrants would be an injustice. It said Nepalis and Gorkhas are different communities but the Assam government considers them as one and deprived Gorkhas from getting indigenous tag. "For generations, our people have lived on this land. We have accepted its culture, language and customs. We are totally Assamese. We have no link with Nepal. But the government is not giving us indigenous community status," said Padum Boraili, ‘vice-president’ of the committee.

UNLF claimed that it was their ‘armed wing’ MPA which attacked troops of 165 Battalion Territorial Army at Lokchao along Imphal-Moreh highway in Tegnoupal District on May 8 which killed two TA personnel. A press release issued by the outfit's ‘department of publicity’ ‘director’ M Sakhen said that the attack was a part of the UNLF's continuous liberation movement. Informing that the attack was carried out by a small team of MPA, the outfit conveyed regret for the Manipuri natives who were killed and injured in the attack.

NSCN-IM, in a statement, criticised the agenda of “Nagas of Nagaland” of NNPGs and said that it is against the spirit of ‘Naga nationalism’. Mentioning about the Framework Agreement between NASN-IM and GoI, the statement said that NNPG’s stand is unfortunate and it is an attempt to mislead the people as the ‘road map for integrations’.

May 12

The SOG busted a FICN racket and arrested three persons from the Vadodara city in Vadodara District. The accused, identified as Babu Solanki, Jigar Pandya and Ketan Pandya, used to dupe people by offering to double their investment within short time and hand them fake currency notes.  FICN of INR 13,000 and some Bangladeshi currency were recovered from them said H M Vyas, SOG Police Inspector.

The Indian Government has lodged a strong protest with Canada over the presence of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a Khalistan event in Toronto, where separatist elements were felicitated. "We have taken up such issues in the past with the government of Canada, and in this particular instance, without getting into details, I can tell you the practice has not been discontinued," said MEA spokesperson Gopal Baglay. Two legislators, who had authored a motion in the Ontario assembly terming the 1984 anti-Sikh riots 'Genocide', were felicitated at the Khalistan event. On April 30, Trudeau addressed a parade for 'Khalsa Day', which included floats glorifying Sikh militant leaders Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, Amreek Singh and former General Shahbeg Singh who were killed in the siege of the Golden Temple and Operation Bluestar in June 1984.

A BSF soldier was injured as Pakistan yet again violated the ceasefire along the international border (IB) in Arnia sector in Samba District. The ceasefire violation took place between 7-7:30 AM today and the BSF promptly retaliated.

Pakistani troops resorted to heavy shelling during ceasefire violation along the LoC in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District, drawing sharp retaliation from the Indian Army. "Pakistani Army initiated indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatics, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars from 0715 hours along the Line of Control (LoC) in Nowshera sector", PRO, MoD Jammu, Lieutenant Colonel Manish Mehta said. The Indian Army posts are retaliating strongly and effectively, he said, adding that the firing is currently going on.

J&K Police released posters of three HM terrorists wanted for the killing of Lieutenant Ummer Fayaz and pasted these at several places in Shopian town of south Kashmir, offering a reward to anyone who could provide information about them. The Police identified the three as Ishfaq Ahmad Thoker (24) and Gayas-ul-Islam, residents of Padderpora, and Abass Ahmad Bhat (26) of Mantribugh.

An audio slideshow in which HM militant ‘commander’ Zakir Moosa is purportedly speaking about establishing an Islamic caliphate in Kashmir has gone viral in the Valley. The 5.40-minute long clip also warns separatist leaders of Kashmir not to meddle in the move to set up a caliphate in Jammu and Kashmir along the lines of the rule established by the Islamic State (ISIS) in parts of Syria and Iraq.

Around 70 Naxalites escaped after a fierce encounter with combined Police and Paramilitary team in Nawada District of Bihar. According to SP, Vikas Burman, around 70 Naxalites were spotted in Gaighat locality under Kawakol block. Immediately, assisted by CRPF and STF besides local Policemen, the Naxalites believed to have been led by notorious Nepali Yadav, who was operating a training camp in the District a couple of years ago, were challenged resulting in an encounter. The Naxalites left behind several items such as knapsacks, uniforms, solar plates, cooking material and Naxal literature.

A 35-year old CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as  Tilakdhari Prasad, was allegedly shot dead by unidentified men at a isolated place at Durga-Dhawaya near Ghutia-Pesra middle school, under Saria Police Station in Giridih District of Jharkhand. The incident occurred in the night at around 9. 45 when Tilakdhari was on his way to his house Mundro village in Giridih. The assailants waiting for him outside the road fired two bullets at him, SDPO of Bagodar, Deepak Kumar Sharma, said.

Prakash Purty (45), a civilian, was shot at and injured by a squad of the CPI-Maoist cadres at Erla village under Sonua Thana area in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. Sources informed that the high alert has been called after intelligence report that the Maoist may attack at Naxal areas of the District. 

Two hardcore CPI-Maoist cadres, identified as Dibya alias Suna Hikka, the woman CPI-Maoist 'area committee member' of Koraput Divisional Committee from Narayanpatna, and Jaga alias Vanjam Jaga of Sukma District of Chhattisgarh, surrendered before, DIG of  Police (South West Range), S Shyni at Koraput District of Odisha. Both CPI-Maoist cadres carried a reward of INR four million each.

A hardcore GNLA militant, Marus Ch Sangma (26) alias Dotling alias Rajesh, surrendered before the 20th Battalion of BSF based at Dobasipara near Tura in West Garo Hills District. Marus Ch Sangma was also associated with the ANVC-B till 2014. He also had links with trans-border criminals from Bangladesh operating in South Garo Hills District.

SFs are upping their ante as reports indicate that elusive GNLA ‘c-in-c’ Sohan D. Shira has started recruiting cadres to strengthen his fledging group. In this context, State DGP, S.B Singh said, “After large scale surrender of his cadres and commanders he was left with around 20 men. He is desperate to strengthen his group and is trying to recruit and arm more cadres but our security teams are also on the lookout for him”. Police sources said Sohan Shira has moved his operations from the Durama Hills across Williamnagar into the densely forested area of Rongsu and the Balpakram National Park region of South Garo Hills to avoid detection by SFs.

The Minister in charge of District Council Affairs, Prestone Tynsong, said the Centre is in the process of amending the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution so that the number of members in the GHADC can be increased to 40. The GHADC currently has 30 members. “We are hopeful that the Union Cabinet will soon decide on the matter after which it will be taken to Parliament,” he said here.

The State Government is exploring the possibility of revoking the AFSPA from certain Districts of the State which are currently free of insurgency. It is likely to be withdrawn from Districts like Jorhat, Golaghat, Nagaon, Morigaon, Majuli and Dibrugarh. However, it will not be revoked in Districts such as Tinsukia, Charaideo, Sivasagar and Chirang which border Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Meghalaya and the neighbouring country of Bhutan. ADGP-Special Branch Pallab Bhattacharyya said the State Government was likely to take up the matter with the Centre during the next review meeting on continuation of AFSPA in the State. Bhattacharyya said the phased withdrawal of AFSPA was raised at a meeting of the Unified Command held at the army's 4 Corps headquarters in Tezpur, but it could not be discussed in detail since the meeting was convened to review security for PM Narendra Modi who is scheduled to visit the state on May 26. The UMHA had recently extended AFSPA in the state for three months with effect from May 3 and the review meeting will be held before August 3, when the contentious act will expire in the state. Usually, AFSPA is extended for one year or six months. This was the first time it was extended for only three months.

In an attempt to clear the air of confusion on the Framework Agreement signed between the NSCN-IM and the GoI on August 3, 2015, eighty one top NSCN-IM leaders from the State of Nagaland, in a joint statement, stated that the Framework Agreement which “embraces all Nagas and their territories is based on the uniqueness of Naga history” and it will protect ‘Naga rights’. The statement also mentioned clearly that the Framework Agreement speaks about recognition of the Naga identity and territories and they expressed their optimism over the Agreement.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured AAPSU that any agreement with NSCN-IM will have the ‘sanction and blessings’ of all the stakeholders and no arbitrary decision will be taken. The statement came, when the AAPSU ‘president’ Hawa Bagang and General Secretary Tobom Dai met the Union Home Minister in New Delhi and submitted a memorandum raising concern over the ‘contentious framework of agreement’ signed between the GoI and NSCN-IM. AAPSU in its memorandum stated that it welcome the Naga peace process but not at the cost of territorial integrity.

One suspected Kuki militant, identified as Lamthang Hangsing (31), was arrested by SFs at Jwallien area in East Karbi Anglong District. Two country-made SLRs with 10 live bullets were also recovered from the arrested militant.  

May 13

A HM militant, identified as Naseer Ahmed alias Sadiq (34) was arrested at the Indo-Nepal border in Maharajganj District in Uttar Pradesh as he was trying to cross into the country to carry out terror activities, according to officials. Naseer Ahmed hailing from Banihal in Ramban District of Jammu and Kashmir, was held from Sonauli border post. He was trying to sneak into India from Nepal in the guise of a shawl and carpet vendor, the SSB officials said.

Two persons were killed and three others were injured when Pakistani army fired mortar bombs and automatic weapons along the LoC in Rajouri District of J&K. The Indian Army retaliated “strongly and effectively”, PRO MoD, Jammu, Lieutenant Colonel Manish Mehta said. “Two persons have been killed and three others injured in the firing and shelling by Pakistani Army along LoC in Nowshera belt,” DC of Rajouri Shahid Iqbal Choudhary.  “Pakistani Army initiated indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatic weapons, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars from 0715 hours along the LoC in Nowshera sector,” Mehta said. Over 100 more people have migrated to safer places from five hamlets near the LoC which have been targeted, the DC said. Pakistani troops are targeting Jangarh, Bhawani, Laam belts, officials said.

One person, identified as Azad Ahmad Rather (18), was injured reportedly in a mysterious blast at Pastuna Tral in Pulwama District. Police said that they are investigating the incident in which two more persons received minor injuries.

Police foiled a major attempt to revive militancy in Chenab Valley, which had been reduced to negligible during the past few years, by arresting seven militants, who had developed links in Pakistan as well as with LeT commanders in the Kashmir valley. The module was working to revive militancy in the Doda- Kishtwar-Ramban region of J&K. IGP of Jammu Zone S D S Jamwal said that the arrests were made by a SIT formed after the attack on a Police post in Doda on May 8, in which one SPO was killed and another injured. An AK-47 rifle and three magazines and ammunition have been recovered from them, the IGP added.

Sustained counter-insurgency operations against militants in the North-eastern region have hit the ULFA-I hard, forcing it to try combining forces with other militant outfits, says Mukesh Sahai. They are trying to put up a united platform to attack Government forces, the DGP added, while interacting with media persons recently. He further said that ULFA-I has been weakened but is still recruiting cadres. “We have information of a number of youths joining the outfit in recent times, some of whom we have nabbed. But the magnitude of recruitment is not like before. ULFA-I is led by Paresh Barua, who is opposed to the government’s ongoing talks with the Arabinda Rajkhowa-led ULFA faction. Barua leads hundreds of heavily-armed fighters from his camps in China-Myanmar border and in Myanmar’s Sagaing Division,” he said. The Assam DGP added, “Stringent operations against NDFB-IKS are also going on in Sonitpur District, along with other probable sensitive areas in the State.”

State Additional Secretary for Home, Lalbiakzama, said that the fifth round of peace talks between Mizoram Government and HPC-D militants is scheduled to be held in July, 2017. He said in Aizawl that the coming round of talks might be the last official level talks as the parleys may be elevated to political level soon. “Official level talks to deliberate on the terms of the framework agreement would continue till the final phase and the parleys would be elevated to political level,” he said. Sources in HPC-D delegation said that the talks now revolved around autonomy of SHDC, formed in the wake of the accord signed between State Government and the erstwhile underground HPC on July 27, 1994. The name of the Council was proposed to be changed to Sinlung Hills Council by omitting the word ‘Development’, sources said.

In a meeting at an undisclosed location, the NLFT-Biswamohan faction selected Subir Debbarma alias Yamorok (45), as the new ‘president’ of the organisation. On the other hand, Biswamohan Debbarma who had led the militant group for long years has been made ‘advisor’. The report further added that the new leader extended support to those political parties who are ‘waging war’ for Twipraland.

AR arrested two militants of NSCN-IM, along with arms, in two separate incidents from different places of Dimapur Town of Dimapur District. In the first incident, AR arrested one NSCN-IM, identified as Tovi Aye from general area of Purana Bazar along with four 12 Bore Rifles. In the second incident, AR arrested another militant of NSCN-IM, identified as Tia Longkumer from the general area of Nutan Basti. AR also recovered one .22 mm Rifle with magazine, 17 live rounds of .22 mm and three booklets of extortion cash book from the militant. 

The Prakton ULFA Samanoy Samity Sammelon (Conference of Former ULFA Cadres), at Digboi town in Tinsukia District, accused both the Centre and the State Government of “doing little” to ensure proper rehabilitation of former militants of the ULFA. They criticised the Government for not having “comprehensive policy” in this regard.

May 14

The quantum of FICN seized by the Swiss authorities saw an over four-fold increase during 2016, making it the third most seized counterfeit foreign currency in Switzerland after Euro and the USD. The FICNs were in the denominations of INR 500 and INR 1,000 both of which have been withdrawn by the Indian government from the list of legal tenders. There was no seizure of any counterfeit INR 2,000 note, which were introduced as part of the ambitious demonetisation drive late last year to check the menace of fake notes and the black money problem. According to the latest data released by the Swiss Federal Office of Police (Fedpol), as many as 1,437 fake INR 1,000 notes were seized in Switzerland during 2016, while there were also five counterfeit INR 500 notes.

Pakistani troops heavily shelled areas along the LoC in Rajouri District for the second consecutive day, causing heavy damage to buildings and forcing evacuation of 1000 border dwellers. The Indian Army effectively retaliated. DC, Rajouri, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said fresh ceasefire violation has been reported in 'chitibakri' area of Chingus in Rajouri today (May 14). "Heavy shelling started in Manjakote area of Rajouri at O620 hours. More than seven villages have been affected", the DC said. Choudhary said there was massive damage to buildings. He said the number of migrants at relief camps swelled to 978 overnight. Till now 259 families have been evacuated from three villages, he added.

Two LeT militants who escaped from an Army base after carrying out Fidayeen attack on April 27 were killed in a gun battle in Handwara area of Kupwara District. The two militants were killed in a brief encounter in Warpora area of Handwara after 21 RR of Army and SoG of J&K Police Handwara carried out an operation on a specific information regarding the presence of militants in Warpora. We recovered large quantity of war like stores which includes two AK rifles, two pistols”, the Commanding Officer 21 RR, Colonel Kuldeep Singh said.

An AK rifle and three magazines were recovered during the demolition of an old Masjid Sharief in Rajwar area of Handwara in Kupwara District. Police said during the demolition of an old Masjid Sharief in Lashipora, Rajwar area of Handwara, locals found an AK rifle and three magazines. Later, the villagers informed Handwara Police and handed the rifle and magazines to them.

A civilian, identified as Mohammad Hussain Dar injured in the May 6 Kulgam firing incident died in the hospital on May 14 morning as the death toll in the incident has risen to six. Officials said Mohammad Hussain Dar was critically wounded when militants attacked a Police party at Mir Bazar on Srinagar-Jammu NH in Kulgam District on May 6. SATP earlier reported that five persons including three civilians, a Policeman and a militant were killed in the militant attack.

Two personnel of the DRG were injured in an encounter with CPI-Maoist cadres in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. Officials said the encounter took place at about 10:00 a.m. near the forests of Timarpur-Basaguda axis in the District, when a security squad led by the CoBRA commandos of the CRPF had an exchange of fire with Maoists in the area.

SFs killed a CPI-Maoist ‘commander’, identified as Vilas alias Kailash alias Aaytu, in an encounter in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh. Vilas, the secretary of the Barsoor area committee of the CPI-Maoist, had a reward of INR 1.6 million on his head. “We got specific intelligence that Vilas would be in the area to collect levies on tendu leaves. We mobilised several teams. When they reached the area, there was an exchange of fire. In the exchange, Vilas was shot dead. We found an AK-47, a revolver and other items at the spot,” Bastar SP, Arif Sheikh, said. Vilas was a local adivasi from Chhota Dongar in Narayanpur. His influence stretched from Satdhar Bridge in Barsoor to the forests in Narayanpur and Kondagaon Districts.

A group of five armed CPI-Maoist cadres, including a woman, was spotted in a habitat near the Dumdum Estate along the Mundakai forest in Wayanad District of Kerala. The CPI-Maoist cadres stayed in the area between 2 pm and 4 pm and even made the locals feed them. The CPI-Maoists had formed a new branch (Dal) centered on Kerala’s borders with Tamil Nadu and Karnataka after the encounter deaths of two of its leaders in a Nilambur forest. The Varahini Dal would be the fourth branch of the party in Kerala.

Bangladesh has started sharing real-time intelligence on the activities of radical forces and its drive against the JMB with its counterpart in India, but Myanmar’s poor cooperation on the insurgency front remains a matter of concern for New Delhi. Security sources said that the Union Home Ministry was constantly in touch with Bangladesh to foil any attempt by radical forces to cross over to West Bengal and Assam for shelter. Sources also said that Dhaka has launched a massive combing operation against its radical forces. Pointing out that Southeast Asian countries have agreed to bilateral cooperation in the fight against insurgency, Security sources said it was regrettable that Myanmar is yet to translate its assurances into a reality.

Leader and founder of OMP, Sabyasachi Panda (50), is on hunger strike in jail for the past three days demanding speedy trial of the cases against him at Ganjam District of Odisha. OMP is a splinter group of CPI-Maoist.  He demanded regular production in court during the hearing and providing of all facilities like other under trail prisoners in jail. He also protested against his solitary confinement in the jail.

A Supreme Court lawyer appearing for a 21-year-old man who was allegedly murdered by Manipur CM N. Biren Singh’s son has written a letter to the Union home secretary alleging that he received a message from militant groups asking him to drop the case. In March 2011, Biren Singh’s son, N. Ajay, was accused of shooting Irom Roger after an altercation on Holi festival near Imphal’s Tulihal airport. The lawyer alleged that he was threatened by a person who claimed to be connected with PLA and NSCN-IM.

May 15

A Pakistani female intruder was shot dead by the BSF in Bariyala in Gurdaspur Sector of Punjab in the early morning. BSF personnel spotted some suspicious movement near the fence along the Indo-Pak border, a BSF official said. He said despite repeated warnings by the BSF personnel, the intruder kept on marching towards the Indian side, after which the troops opened fire at her.

A STF jawan, identified as Salabh Upadhyay, succumbed to his injuries during treatment in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. Upadhyay had sustained bullet injuries on his head in the exchange of fire between SFs and CPI-Maoist cadres which took place in a restive forest pocket of Bijapur's Basaguda Police Station area on May 14, said DIG (Dantewada region), Sundarraj P. 

SFs arrested two cadres of the CPI-Maoist at Charkapathar in Jamui District of BiharThe arrested CPI-Maoists have been identified as Suresh Sao and Anwar Mian. SFs recovered two bombs weighing 2.5 Kilograms.

The Gujarat Police arrested two people and seized FICN worth INR 72,000 in Surat. The accused have been taken in for interrogation. Further details are awaited.

Also in an unspecified date, recently, the Surat Police had neutralised a racket of printing FICNs using colour printer and had recovered notes with face value of INR 4,34,000.

A tunnel has been detected along the Indo-Bangladesh border in West Bengal which might have been used for smuggling FICNs, ammunitions and arms. "We have information that a tunnel has been detected along the Indo-Bangladesh border in West Bengal. But details are still awaited," Joint Secretary (Northeast) in the home ministry Satyendra Garg stated. Advisor in the home ministry Ashok Prasad said this was perhaps for the first time that such a tunnel has been detected in the country's eastern border. Several such tunnels have been detected along the Indo-Pakistan border in the west.

Three persons including a senior Police officer were injured as students clashed with Police in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir. Dozens of students of Sri Pratap College, Srinagar, at Maulana Azad Road boycotted their classes and staged protests. The students pelted stones on Police. Police retaliated to stone-pelting by lobbing tear and pepper gas shells on students, ensuing clashes between the both sides.

Army and Police recovered a consignment of arms and ammunition from a militant hideout at Nagseni in Kishtwar District. According to reports, a joint team of Army, Police and SOG Kishtwar conducted a joint search operation at Nagseni in Kishtwar District and destroyed a hideout of the militants at Horanmarg forest area. The hideout was detected and destroyed during two-day long search operation in the forests. Recoveries made from the hideout included one AK 56 rifle, two AK magazines, 60 rounds, four UBGL grenades, four hand grenades, one wireless set, one Radio set antenna, three RPG rounds, one binocular, cooking utensils and two blankets.

A BSF Assistant Commandant from J&K, who had topped the recruitment exam, wrote to the Government alleging that terrorists are threatening him and his sister. Nabeel Ahmed Wani, the topper of the All India Examination for BSF Assistant Commandant (Works) last year (2016), said his sister, a civil engineering student in Chandigarh, had been staying in a hostel but the college authorities now want her to move elsewhere. Wani wrote to women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi on May 14 asking her to arrange for hostel facility for Nida Rafiq.

Two former CPI-Maoist cadres, Mancharla Srinivas (39) of Mandamarri and Ambala Rajamallu (42) of Bellampalli in Mancherial District, were arrested at Godavarikhani in Peddapalli District of Telangana. They were former members of the Sikasa (Singareni Karmika Samakhya), a CPI-Maoist front. Police recovered INR 82,000 and two dummy pistols from their possession.

Musafir Sahni, a self-styled ‘zonal commander’ of CPI-Maoist, confessed during interrogation that one north Bihar MLA, had recently paid INR 500,000 to CPI-Maoist in Muzaffarpur District of Bihar. Sahni further added that at least 25 elected people representatives, including three legislators, had been paying 'levy' to Maoists operating in north Bihar. Sahni was arrested along with two other CPI-Maoist cadres from Ramnagar village in Sakra Police Station area of the District on May 11.

CPI-Maoist cadres abducted a private company's security guard and a labourer from its base camp at Kapasia village under Paraiya Police Station in Gaya District of Bihar, after the company management refused to pay them extortion money.

One person, identified as Vivito Zhimomi (30), was killed by an unidentified assailant near the New Dhansiri bridge in Dimapur Town. According to the sources, the deceased was a suspected member of NSCN-R. The victim was reportedly seen with the assailant before the incident. However, the investigation is going on and the Police still not clear about the involvement of the militant groups in the incident. 

Minister for Forest, Environment & Climate Change of Nagaland Government, Imkong L Imchen, disclosed that the State Government has sought to hold a meeting with the NSCN-IM and was waiting for the response. Appreciating the signing of the Framework Agreement between the GoI and NSCN-IM, the Minister said that the Nagaland State Government is fully committed to bring about unity of the Naga political groups in order to enable them to present a common agenda to the GoI for early resolution of the ‘vexed Naga political issue’. In this context, he also pointed out that there are at least seven ‘Naga political groups’, who are outside the purview of the ongoing political talks.

One unidentified passenger of an Indigo flight bound for Guwahati from Imphal Tulihal Airport was detained by the SFs for carrying a bullet of 9 mm caliber inside his luggage.  

The UMHA communicated to the UNC and declared that the tripartite talk involving the UNC, State Government of Manipur and Central Government of India will be held on May 19 at Senapati Town on the District creation issue.

In connection with the different cases taken up against KCP-Poirei Meitei by NIA for extortion, bomb attack, abduction for ransom and others, the investigation agency interrogated a former Director of JNIMS and a reporter of an evening newspaper (Kangleipakki Meira).

The BSF has stepped up its vigil along the unfenced boundaries in East Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills. According to an unnamed BSF official the tightening of security follows a complaint by the Lawbah border area circle of the KSU. The KSU unit had complained to the DIG and area commandant of BSF about “rampant infiltration of Bangladeshi immigrants” through Shella, Nongtrai and Ryngkhu areas. BSF officials said some Indian villagers are employing Bangladeshi workers in betel nut plantation and farming. They stressed on the need for speeding up border fencing to curb infiltration and smuggling of contraband. A large area of the Indo-Bangla border in Meghalaya is yet to be fenced due to opposition from the Co-ordination Committee on International Border and local residents who are demanding that the fencing be undertaken from zero line and not 150 yards inside the Indian Territory.

The special NIA court in Guwahati on May 15 deferred pronouncing judgment in the INR 10 billion NCHAC scam case till May 22. The premier investigation agency had taken over the case from State Police in 2009 to investigate a scam in which crores of rupees of government funds were siphoned to fund militancy activities in the erstwhile North Cachar Hills district (now known as Dima Hasao). The NIA had charge-sheeted at least 15 people in the case, including militant-turned-politician Jewel Garlosa alias Mihir Barman, former ‘chairperson’ of disbanded militant outfit Black Widow (BW)/ Jewel Garlosa faction of DHD-J, and its former ‘c-in-c’ Niranjan Hojai. However, Garlosa and Hojai were released to initiate peace talks with the Government in 2011. Currently they are active politicians for the ruling BJP and elected members of the NCHAC.

May 16

Emphasizing that religious radicalisation is a serious security threat and if not checked in time “it will turn into terrorism”, UHM Rajnath Singh said that some of these “agents” of radicalisation may be “operating in the name of NGOs”. Singh said that some of these “agents” even get foreign funding. “So it is necessary to closely monitor their foreign funding and utilisation,” he said.

One person, identified as Raj Kumar was injured as a powerful car blast rocked Kishtwar town in Kishtwar District. Sources said that Raj Kumar had parked his car at Old Bus Stand in the town on May 15 night as he was living in a rented accommodation nearby. In the morning (on May 16), when he returned from the temple and opened the front door his car, there was an explosion inside the vehicle blowing off its gear box, both the front seats and smashing the window panes and windscreen of the vehicle.

Clashes between students and SFs continued for the second day in Kashmir during which scores of persons including policemen sustained injuries and affected routine class work in educational institutions. Clashes erupted at Pattan town in Baramulla District between hundreds of students and SFs in the morning. Confronted by SFs including police in Main Market of Pattan, the agitating students resorted to heavy stone-pelting after which Police responded by firing teargas shells, ensuing violent clashes between the two sides. The clashes rocked the Town throughout the day and during which 14 students and 11 SFs personnel were injured.

Dozens of students of Government Higher Secondary School Hajin in Bandipora District staged a massive protest and pelted stones on SFs against deployment of Army men near their educational institute. Police fired dozens of teargas shells to disperse the students. During these clashes, four students sustained minor injuries.

Scores of students of Gandhi Memorial College and MP Higher Secondary School at Bagh-e-Dilawar Khan came out of their respective institutes and resorted to stone-pelting on Police. The Police retaliated by lobbing teargas and pepper shells. A boy was detained by Police on the occasion.

The students in Main Town of Pulwama District in Southern Kashmir attacked SFs with stones and bricks. The Police retaliated by firing teargas and situation was brought to normal.

The students of Dooru College in Anantnag district staged a protest against alleged thrashing of one of their counterparts by Army.

In Okay village in Kulgam District, women staged a protest against alleged thrashing of a civilian during a search and cordon operation. Some of the protesters also pelted stones on SFs and Army fired in air to disperse them. However, no one was injured.

Pakistan Army again heavily shelled forward villages along LoC in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District in the night, leading to fresh migration from the people amidst panic even as the Indian side gave very effective retaliation at all the places. Official sources said Pakistani troops resumed heavy shelling targeting forward posts of Army and civilian population at Pukharni, Ban Morha, Rezwa and Siya Bagla at 6.35pm.

Sources said a total of 3044 families comprising 11,547 people from 10 villages falling on the LoC in Nowshera sector have migrated. While 1720 people from 477 families were putting up in the migrant camps, others were reported to have left for the houses of their relatives in safer areas.

Ten villages badly affected by the shelling included Khamba, Sarya, Bhawani, Kalsian, Manpur, Dhanaka, Khori, Ganiah, Pukharni and Anwas Bhandar. The migrants have been lodged in four Government schools, which have been converted into the migrant camps including Boys Higher Secondary School, Nowshera, Government Middle School Bawali, Government High School, Nonial and Government Middle School, Nonial.

Pakistani troops had targeted Pukharni and surrounding villages in Nowshera sector in Rajouri District by resorting to mortar shelling and firing for over two hours.

At least 15 CPI-Maoist cadres were killed in five days by SFs in Chhattisgarh, the CRPF said, but added not a single body has been recovered so far. One CRPF trooper was also killed in the operations while two others were injured, a spokesperson of the CRPF said in Delhi. Some of the slain rebels could have been involved in an ambush that killed 25 CRPF jawans in Sukma on April 24, one of the biggest losses faced by the central force engaged in anti-insurgency operations in the state, it said. The number of Maoist casualties was based on information provided by villagers on the borders of Sukma and Bijapur Districts besides the ground troops, the official added.

Eight CPI-Maoist cadres, allegedly involved in the deadly attack on CRPF personnel last month, were arrested from two places in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. Five of them were arrested from Chintalnar Police Station limits, while the rest from Chintagufa Police Station area during joint search operations carried out by CoBRA of the CRPF and District Police Force, Sukma's ASP, Jitendra Shukla, said. Among the arrested rebels, Madkam Kesha (25), Madvi Kosa (30) and Tati Kosa (25) were associated with the DAKMS, a wing of CPI-Maoist, while Oyam Hadma (21) and Kunjam Vichem (25) were members of 'Jan Militia', a special unit of the CPI-Maoist, the senior officer said. The rest were identified as Rava Dewa (25), Kunjam Aaytu (50) and Madkam Bheema (52), all members of Gram Party Committee of CPI-Maoist, the ASP said.

CPI-Maoist cadres allegedly killed a youth at Badro forest area in Giridih District of Jharkhand, for being a 'Police informer'. The victim identified as Ajay Mahto (25), was a resident of Jamua kurkuri village under Pirtard Police limits, was killed with sharp-edged weapons at his native place, SDPO, Manish Toppo said. The Police have also recovered the pamphlets from the spot.

Four PLFI cadres, including 'area commander' Kuldip Gope, were arrested after an exchange of fire with Police in Kamdara area in Gumla District of Jharkhand. Two rifles, cartridges, mobile phones and PLFI literature were also recovered from their possession.

Three CPI-Maoist sympathisers were arrested near  Taliperu Project in Cherla Mandal in Khammam District of Telangana, while the car was on its way to Chhattisgarh. A Bolero vehicle was seized, along with four mobile phones and INR 2 million recovered from the trio. The arrested are identified as Goutham Beedi Company MD Nayumiddun, Assistant Manager SK Makbul Hussain and Bolero driver Md Abdul Manjur.

Altogether five militants belonging to different militant groups were arrested by Police in three separate operations. In the first incident, one militant of KCP-MC (Progressive), identified as Okram Ojit alias Naobi (21) was arrested during a search operation, near Sawombung oil pump in Imphal East District. Acting on the disclosure of the arrested militant, two other cadres of the same militant group, identified as Asem Romen alias Uttam alias Rame (33) and his wife Salam Ayingbi (30) were also arrested from their residence at Wairi Bamon Pareng in Kakching District. One 9 mm pistol with two live rounds, four extortion notes and two mobile phones with SIM cards were recovered from their possession.

In another operation, a PREPAK cadre, identified as Mayengbam Sanathoi alias Leiramba (21) was arrested by Police from Keirao bridge in Imphal East District.

Further, Police arrested one MNRF militant identified as Khuishang Hungyo (29) from Nagaram in Imphal West District.

A team of the NIA visited the residence of the arrested ‘c-in-c’ of the proscribed KCP-Poirei Meitei, Khoirom Ranjit at Yairipok Laimanai, Thoubal District as part of the ongoing investigation into different cases registered against the ‘c-in-c’ and the militant group.

SFs arrested one militant of KCP-MC, identified as Ningombam Birjit Singh alias Ibungo (44), from Chingmeirong in Imphal West District. According to the SFs he was involved in several extortion cases.

Reviewing the security situation in the Northeast with chief secretaries and DGPs of the region in New Delhi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh described religious radicalisation as a serious security threat and said if not checked in time; it could lead to terrorism. He also expressed concern over the proliferation of illegal arms in the region and asked the Police chiefs to launch organised campaigns against arms smugglers.

States in the Northeast have asked the UMHA to step up the presence of central intelligence and security forces in five contiguous Districts in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland adjoining Myanmar. These Districts, they said, have emerged as the hub of the last remaining militants in the region. "We have apprised the home minister of the security situation in the northeast and informed him that all militant activities are being controlled from Arunachal's Tirap, Changlang and Longding Districts, and Nagaland's Mon and Tuensang Districts," said a top security official who participated in the northeast security review meeting by Union home minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi. "We requested him to increase the presence of central intelligence agencies and security forces in these districts," the official added. According to the UMHA report at the review meeting, the security situation in Arunachal Pradesh (the three districts) and Manipur remains a subject of concern, though relatively less than it has been in the past. These five districts also border as many Districts of Assam on the other side, including Tinsukia District, where the ULFA-I is active and has been carrying out strikes jointly with Meitei outfits of Manipur. "The biggest advantage of these five districts is their proximity to the NSCN-K-controlled areas of Myanmar and their highly difficult terrain, which makes patrolling a difficult task for security agencies," the official said.

The North Eastern States which share international borders with Myanmar have collectively urged the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to take up the controversies surrounding the international boundary with the Ministry of External Affairs for early resolution. The North Eastern States raised the issue during a convention of Chief Secretaries and DGPs with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Officials who attended the meeting also mentioned about intrusion into Haollenphai of Manipur and confiscation of saw mill components by Myanmarese Army.

May 17

Hyderabad Police summoned three men for questioning after a TV channel aired their interview allegedly showing their continuing links with Islamic State (IS). "Following the TV interview, we called them this evening... questioning is underway," DCP, Avinash Mohanty said. The three men include suspected IS sympathisers Salman Mohiuddin, a US-returned engineer, and Abdullah Basith.

Basith was among the three men who were arrested from Nagpur in December 2015 when they were allegedly on their way to join the IS. Mohiuddin was arrested in Hyderabad in 2015 when he was preparing to board a flight to Dubai, allegedly on the way to Syria to join IS. The third person being questioned had been earlier arrested by the Hyderabad police for alleged IS sympathies, and 'de-radicalised'.

SFs conducted separate counter-insurgency operations in Shopian, Kulgam and Pulwama Districts during which locals resorted to stone-pelting to hamper these operations against the militants, resulting in injuries to 12 persons. Police said: “in an effort to flush out the holed up militants”, the SFs including SOG, Army and CRPF conducted extensive searches in Heff and Shirmal villages of Shopian District. The locals in a bid to disrupt the operation pelted stones on SFs who retaliated by firing teargas and pellets, ensuing clashes. Locals alleged that SFs thrashed residents including family members of militants and vandalized properties. Residents said 11 persons sustained injuries in the clashes.

The SFs launched another search and cordon operation at Mahmudpora village of Kulgam District, after receiving an input about the militants’ presence.. However, the locals disrupted the operation by pelting stones on SFs involved in the anti-militancy operation. Police used teargas shells to disperse the stone-pelting crowds during which one lady identified as Zareefa was hit by a smoke canister.

SFs late in the afternoon launched an anti-militancy operation at Seer village of Tral in Pulwama District. Sources said that after receiving input about the presence of four local militants, the Seer village was cordoned off by the SFs. As the searches were ensued, locals started pelting stones on SFs, sparking off clashes. SFs suspected presence of militants in a hideout. As clashes continued, the SFs suspended the search operation due to darkness till dawn. However, the cordon was intact.

Students in Valley once again staged protests and clashed with SFs. The students of Gandhi Memorial College and MPML Higher Secondary School at Bagh-e-Dilawar Khan in Srinagar boycotted their classes and started protests against the detention of their peers. They pelted stones on Police deployed near Baba Demb Road. Police fired teargas shells and used pepper grenades to quell the stones.

The clashes between students and SFs also broke out at Pattan in Baramulla District and in Hajin town of Bandipora district. At these places, police used tear and pepper canisters against the students, who were protesting against the State and demanding release of their detained peers.

In another ceasefire violation, Pakistan army resorted to heavy shelling and firing in Balakote sector of Mendhar tehsil (revenue unit) in Poonch District in wee hours of this morning. Official sources said that since the migration from villages, located close to LoC in Nowshera sector in Rajouri District continued even though there was no major incident of Pakistani shelling and firing today, the administration has increased number of make shift migrant camps from four to five.

Cadres of the PLFI attacked a stone quarry in Amjharia area in Ramgarh District of Jharkhand. The PLFI cadres also set ablaze machines and equipment worth over INR 10 million. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

State Police are set to intensify combing operations in the CPI-Maoist-dominated areas of Malkangiri and Koraput Districts of Odisha, ahead of the onset of monsoon, which is expected to hit the State in mid-June. SFs step up efforts to flush out Maoists around this time before the rains hamper operations.

Twenty-one CPI-Maoist cadres, including a member of 26th number PLGA Platoon and Jan militia 'Commander' carrying cash reward worth lakhs of rupees each on their head surrendered in Bastar District headquarters Jagdalpur of Chhattisgarh. IGP, Bastar Range Viveknand Sinha said that out of them, 14 were from Darbha Division's Kanger Valley and the remaining seven from Ketekalyan Area Committee. "They include a platoon member, a LOS member, people's militia members, a member of DAKMS area committee, four from the CNM, and two Sangham members," he said. DIG, Sundarraj P. said that the platoon member Lakshman hailed from Bhadrimahu village from where 14 other Maoists had surrendered earlier, leading to the Ketekalyan Area Committee becoming defunct. IGP, Sinha said that Lakshman Madkami, the PLGA Platoon member carried a reward of INR 200,000 on him. Similarly, Bharsuram Mandavi, Jan militia 'Commander' and Arjun Kashyap, Member of Kutul LOS carried a reward of INR 100,000 each. He further said that while three surrendered cadre are from Tulsi village of Malkangiri District in Odisha besides the woman Maoist cadre Mangli Markam, Member of CNM - the cultural outfit of Maoists also surrendered.

An IED planted by unknown person exploded near Galngam Lentol ground in Moreh Town of Tengnoupal District along the Indo-Myanmar border. However, there was no casualty in the blast.

In a statement, the JAC-AATB emphasised their demand for the provision of Sixth Schedule in the Hill Districts of the State. By the statement, the organisation reacted against the statement of the UCM where they said that the "implementation of Sixth Schedule would result in the disintegration of the State". The JAC-AATB said that implementation of Sixth Schedule provisions in the Hill Districts of the State is the ‘minimum point of convergence of both tribal and Meitei interests’. 

The NIA recorded the statement of three prosecution witnesses including two women and a restaurant owner as a follow-up investigation of the different cases taken up against the arrested ‘c-in-c’ of KCP-Poirei Meitei Khoirom Ranjit for extortion, bomb attack, kidnapping for ransom and others.

MBDPF, an apex body of displaced Bru people staying in seven refugee camps in north Tripura District has recently appealed to the SC and accused two civil bodies of Mizoram - YMA and MZP- of ill treating the Bru refugees. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has asked both YMA and MZP to clarify on the allegation leveled by the MBDPF latest by May 8. However, the leaders of YMA and MZP could not appear before the Apex Court within a stipulated time as they received the letter lately, the YMA said. Accordingly, the Supreme Court gave eight-week additional time to the two civil bodies to make clarification.

May 18

Hyderabad Police registered a case of sedition against three alleged Islamic State (IS) sympathisers. The police had on May 17 summoned Salman Mohiuddin, Abdullah Basith and Qureshi, who were arrested for allegedly trying to join the IS and later released on bail. They were questioned when a news channel aired their interview, showing they were allegedly linked to the Middle East terror organisation.

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India and Sweden discussed bilateral issues, including threat from the Islamic State (IS), radicalisation, and steps taken to counter global terror. The talks were held between a delegations led by Swedish Minister for European Union Affairs and Trade Ann Linde and Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju.

Abdul Rashid, a fugitive Islamic State (IS) preacher from Kerala, has sent out a warning to India, claiming the Islamic Caliphate will expand and reach India in the near future. A native of Trikaripur in Kasaragod District of Kerala, Rashid was part of a 21-member group, including women and children, that went missing from Kerala last year and later joined the IS in Afghanistan. He is currently functioning as the leader of the terror outfit's Kerala members in the Nangarhar Province, and is sought by the NIA.

Three Policemen and a civilian were injured as militants hurled a grenade towards Police station in Safa Kadal in Srinagar. A constable, two SPOs and a civilian were injured in the grenade attack. “The injured were immediately rushed to the hospital. One SPO has received severe injuries in the attack and is currently being treated in the hospital,” a Police official said.

Fifteen persons including one media person were injured as students staged violent protests in Main Town of South Kashmir’s Kulgam District. Dozens of students of Kulgam Degree College boycotted their classes and staged protests. The students after being confronted by Police resorted to heavy stone-pelting while the latter fired teargas canisters and pellets in a bid to disperse them.

Massive clashes erupted in Main Town of Anantnag District after an altercation between shopkeepers and Police took an ugly turn. The shopkeepers alleged that Police thrashed a trader and after which they staged anti-Police protests. The shopkeepers were joined by locals and students. Police, in a bid to disperse protesters, fired teargas and the latter responded by pelting stones, ensuing clashes.

The Union Government ruled out any dialogue with separatists in J&K in near future, saying its priority was to improve the situation in the Valley first. “Our priority is to improve the situation first,” Union Minister for Defence and Finance Arun Jaitley said in Srinagar when asked if the Centre had any plans to hold talks with separatist groups like APHC. Jaitley, after reviewing the security situation in J&K, said it was not as bad as the impression was being given by some media outlets. The situation in the valley is improving, he said.

CPI-Maoist cadres assaulted two persons, Kailash Tori and Raja Tori at village Amwatiker in Tiger Reserve in Palamu District of Jharkhand. Later, Kailash Tori succumbed to injuries. CPI-Maoist cadres branded the duo as ‘Police informer’.

Palamu Police arrested and jailed a ‘sub-zonal commander’ of the CPI-Maoist, Raghu Chamar, at Hariharganj in Palamu District of Jharkhand. Raghu carried a reward of INR 600,000 on his head.

CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze a tractor and a mixture machine engaged in road construction work in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. They warned workers against getting involved in construction works and then fled into the forests.

The BSF busted a Maoist hideout and recovered a cache of arms and Naxal banners from a dense forest in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. SFs also recovered 10 SBML guns hidden inside the cavity of two separate trees.

Chhattisgarh Police arrested three people and recovered a large quantity of explosive materials meant for the Maoists in the State in two different places in Bastar District and Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. Police also recovered 300 electronic detonators, 250 gelatine sticks, and four bundles of wires

The Chhattisgarh High Court ordered Bastar Police to produce 'surrendered' CPI-Maoist Podiyam Panda next Monday (May 22) in Raipur District of Chhattisgarh. The court was hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by Panda's wife Muiyye, who has alleged that Police detained him illegally and did not allow her to meet him in custody.

The intelligence sources told that over 100 armed guerrillas of CPI-Maoist from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha have sneaked into south Bastar and were spotted in the jungles of Bijapur-Sukma region in Chhattisgarh. According to the intelligence, CPI-Maoist cadres are planning a repeat of the April 24 Sukma attack, in which 25 CRPF jawans were killed, by launching a major operation against SFs.

Two CPI-Maoist cadres threatened, BJP leader and Gandhi Patham District Convener, Busireddy Sankar Reddy at Bhadrachalam in Bhadradri District of Telangana. CPI-Maoist cadres demanded INR 0.2 million and a cell phone from him.

The Rayagada District and Sessions Judge Court in Rayagada District of Odisha, awarded 10 years’ RI to CPI-Maoist cadre Gembali Chinarao alias Santu in two cases. The court also slapped a penalty of INR 50,000 on him.

The Phulbani ADJ Court in Kandhamal District of Odisha, rejected the bail plea of CPI-Maoist Sabyasachi Panda in the case of abduction of two Italian tourists. Notably, the two Italian tourists Paulo Bosusco (54) and Claudio Colangelo (61), had been abducted in March 2012, while trekking in Daringbadi in Kandhamal District.

One suspected militant of ULFA-I, identified as ‘sergeant major’ Rajesh Bora, was killed in an encounter with Assam Police at Sonaripara village in Udalguri District. A 9mm pistol, a grenade and INR 600000 in cash were also recovered from the deceased militant. 

UPRF, a militant group, which has been operating in Singhason Hills of Karbi Anglong District, affirmed unilateral ceasefire with the GoI for six months starting from today (May 18). The militant group also appealed the Government to speed up a peace process.

A hand grenade, lobbed by some unidentified assailants, exploded at the residential gate of one Wahengbam Gopal (56) of Chingamakha Liwa Lambi of Ningthoujam Leikai under Singjamei Police station in Imphal West District. However, there is no report of any casualty.

KNF-N observed its ‘raising day’ in Kangpokpi District. On the occasion, the militant’s ‘information and publicity secretary’ Gogou Vaiphei said that the ‘vision’ of the group was creating a State within the framework of the Constitution of India.

CM N Biren Singh who met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh regarding different issues of the State, reminded him that PM Narendra Modi had agreed in principle to the request of the State Government to set up five new IRB battalions and urged him to take the matter up for discussion at the Union Cabinet meeting. The five IRB battalions are to be primarily used for providing security on the NHs which connect the State with the rest of the country. 

During a security operation, Police arrested one unidentified militant of NSCN-IM from Imphal East District.

Reacting on the issue of the arrests of Nagaland government officials by NIA for providing financial aid to different Naga militant groups, the Naga Hoho (the apex tribal body of the Nagas) asked the GoI to look at the present situation in Nagaland from a ‘social and political perspective’.

A senior Government official said that in the two years that the Central Government of India signed a framework agreement with the NSCN-IM to find a solution to the decades-old ‘Naga sovereignty’ issue, the outfit has recruited around 5,000 new cadres. The source said that NSCN-IM has been recruiting locals on the ground that they would be recruited in the central armed Police forces, once the final agreement was signed. The concern around NSCN-IM recruiting fresh cadres was shared by officials with Home Minister Rajnath Singh at a high-level meet on May 15 to discuss various issues pertaining to the North East.

Official sources said that the GoI is all set to grant citizenship to Chakma and Hajong refugees, who have been based in Arunachal Pradesh for over 50 years. Union Home Ministry officials said that while consultations are on with the State Government, the citizenship will not entitle the refugees to rights enjoyed by STs in the State, including land ownership. The State Government has been opposing the proposal of providing citizenship to these communities for a long time and since 1990, the AAPSU has been demanding their ouster from the State. However, officials said that the Centre may propose that Chakmas and Hajongs be issued Inner Line Permits, allowing them to travel and work but not possess land rights.

May 19

The Police recovered a bullet-riddled body of a 45-year-old man, identified as Mohammad Yousuf Lone who was reportedly working for both militants and SFs in Gadoora village of Pulwama District. The body had multiple bullet injuries, Police official said, adding that the Police was investigating the circumstances in which he was killed. Preliminary investigation has revealed that Lone was working as an OGW for militants as well as a source for SFs, the official said. Further details are awaited, he added.

Massive stone-pelting clashes and protests erupted in Kashmir after Friday prayers during which two persons were injured and one was detained. The call for protests was given by separatists against the detention of youth and Dukhtaran-e-Millat chairperson Asiya Andrabi. Soon after Friday prayers were over, APHC activists assembled outside Jama Masjid and staged a protest against the detentions. As the protest concluded, dozens of youth pelted stones on security forces deployed outside Jama Masjid premises in Nowhatta in Srinagar District.

Intense clashes erupted between youth and SFs at Main Town, Bellow and Tral areas of Pulwama District. Police fired scores of teargas shells to disperse the stone-throwers but they did not budge and continued pelting stones for several hours.

The clashes between youth and SFs erupted at Lal Chowk area of Anantnag District for the second consecutive day. Some of the students including girls also resorted to stone-pelting.

Police in a statement said: “Today morning some miscreants tried to enforce the shutdown in Lal Chowk of Anantnag town by pelting stones. Police reached the spot and chased the miscreants away with the help of the traders. Normalcy was restored and the market opened up.”

The Sopore town of North Kashmir’s Baramulla District also witnessed stone-throwing clashes between youth protesters and SFs after Friday prayers. Police used teargas shells to disperse the protesters.

Similar clashes broke out at Hajin town of Bandipora District.

The clashes also broke out at Kralpora and Trehgam areas of border Kupwara District. Police used teargas canisters against the stone-throwing demonstrators.

Dozens of JKLF also staged a protest after Friday prayers at Maisuma in Lal Chowk area but it ended on peaceful note.

Locals of Batapora village of Kanihama in central Kashmir’s Budgam District staged a protest against the detention of 10 youth on stone-pelting charges. They also clashed with Police. However the situation normalized instantly. In view of the situation, Police had placed many separatists including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Syed Ali Shah Geelani under house-detention.

The APHC reacted with anger and alarm to the Centre's announcement of the NIA's investigation into the source of its foreign funding. The NIA stepped in after allegations made by Hurriyat official Nayeem Khan of the Geelani faction that separatists, including Syed Ali Shah Geelani, received funds from Pakistan-based terrorist organisation LeT to carry out terror activities in the Kashmir Valley. Hurriyat spokesman Ayaz Akbar, also of the Geelani faction, denied links to LeT, saying, "The agency has earlier harassed and questioned party officials, including Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai and Syed Geelani's son-in-law, but could not find anything. These are fabricated charges to pressure us, as authorities are unable to control clashes in Kashmir."

JKLF chief Yasin Malik, who joined the Hurriyat in 2016, said, "They try to prove I'm receiving funds from Pakistan.

 Two CRPF personnel were injured in an IED blast triggered by Naxals at a forest in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The incident took place when a team of CRPF's 2nd battalion was out on an anti-CPI-Maoist operation in a forest area under Kerlapal Police Station limits, DIG of Police (Dantewada range), Sundarraj P said. While they were cordoning-off a forested patch near Pariya village, the Naxals triggered the IED, in which two CRPF personnel suffered injuries.

CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze two JCB machines engaged in cable wire laying work in Bijapur District of ChhattisgarhThey attacked on underground telephone cable wire laying work of BSNL between Bijapur-Mankeli.

Security personnel seized explosives from Kerar, Bulbul and Pesrar jungle in Maoist-hit Lohardaga District of Jharkhand. The security personnel seized a 51 mm mortar, 18 pieces of high explosives bombs, six mobile phones, seven sim cards.

BJSAC of the CPI-Maoist decided to observe Protest Day from May 23 to 27, followed by a state-wide bandh on May 29 in Jharkhand. The banned outfit is celebrating the golden jubilee of the Naxalbari upsurge of West Bengal. In a press release issued by BJSAC, Maoists criticized the Raghubar Das led BJP Government for amending tribal protection laws (Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act and Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act) to allow multinational companies plunder the resources.

A huge haul of explosives, including hand grenades and tiffin bombs, were recovered from CPI-Maoist hideout in a combing operation near Gandhamardhan hill in Bargarh District of Odisha. The recoveries included hand grenade, tiffin bomb, 8 Kilogram gunpowder, arrows, LED lights, CPI-Maoist literature and uniforms.

IG, Bihar sector of CRPF, M S Bhatia, while addressing a press conference in Patna District, said that the CRPF is working on a plan to create a strong intelligence network in the state to carry out anti-CPI-Maoist strikes. IG, Bhatia also added that two more battalions are required in Bihar to tackle CPI-Maoist menace. "The issue was raised at the May 8 meeting between Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and chief ministers of Maoist-hit states in New Delhi," he said, adding five regular and two CoBRA battalions are already deployed in the state to fight the Maoists. The long pending plan for positioning of a chopper either in Patna or Gaya for anti-Maoist operations was also discussed with the state Government officials at a meeting held in Patna last month (April 2017). At present, four choppers are stationed in Ranchi District of Jharkhand for anti-Maoist operations in Bihar. 

In the run up to the 50th anniversary of the ‘Naxalbari armed uprising’, the CPI-Maoist cadres have intensified poster campaign at Bhadrachalam in Bhadradri Kothagudem District of Telangana. The Sabari-Charla Area Committee (SCAC) of the CPI-Maoist via poster has urged people to fight against “sand and mining mafia” to protect the interests of Adivasis in the Agency areas.

Four Imphal East District Police commando personnel including a Sub-Inspector were wounded when unidentified militants triggered a powerful IED on a Road Opening Party team along Khudengthabi-Kwatha road under Moreh Police Station in Tengnoupal District. The injured commando personnel were identified as Sub-Inspector Lalmin- thang Hmangte (33), Constable Ak Martinstar, Sarungbam Gaurahari (28) and Naorem Biswanath (31).

The second round of tripartite talks between GoI, Manipur Government and UNC was held at Senapati District. Besides deliberating on several issues, the tripartite meeting also came out with a four-point agreement primarily focussed on UNC’s core demand- to roll back the decision of creation of seven new districts. In the meeting, the UNC demanded from the State Government of Manipur representatives to put “in abeyance” the new district creation order.

Troops of 5 AR busted a hideout of NSCN-K at Zungti Forest area in Zunheboto District and arrested two militants, identified as ‘captain’ Mughato Sema and ‘major’ M Longthung Kikon, reports. The AR troops also recovered one hand grenade, one fake identity card of Nagaland Police Department, number of extortion related notebooks and other incriminating documents from the hideout.

SFs arrested a ULFA-I militant ‘private’ Bikram Chakma, during an operation, at Ledo (Tinsukia district Assam) near Changlang District, along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh boundary. A .22 caliber pistol with ammunitions was seized from the militant. On interrogation, the cadre also revealed the whereabouts of an over ground worker of NSCN-K identified as Tara Chand.

May 20

The rising dissonance between Kashmiri separatists and terrorists based in the Valley on the one hand and Pakistan-based terrorist commanders and cadres in Kashmir on the other has led Indian agencies to suspect that terror masterminds across the border may be covertly planning a new terrorist organisation in J&K, with focus on ex-HM ‘commander’ Zakir Musa.

According to intelligence sources, multiple statements over the past two weeks by Musa, the self-styled successor of slain HM leader Burhan Wani, LeT, Kashmiri separatists and United Jehad Council chief Syed Salahuddin, coupled with images, videos and audio clips circulated on social media, point to "a widening conflict between key stakeholders of violence in the Valley". Intelligence sources said Pakistan may be attempting a repeat of its Kashmir strategy of the 1990s, when the only terror organisation - the JKLF - was supplanted and eventually replaced by many new outfits by 1993-94.

A couple of CPI-Maoist cadres was suspected to have sustained fatal injuries, in an exchange of fire with Police, in Lunga Reserve Forest, under Mohulpada Police limits of Sundargarh District of Odisha. A Maoist camp at the spot, close to Jharkhand border, was also dismantled leading to seizure of four LMG magazines, 200 rounds of live LMG ammunition, 8 rounds of .303 bullets and camp materials.

Five cadres of the CPI-Maoist abducted two villagers from Malkangiri District of Odisha. CPI-Maoist cadres abducted them on the suspicion of them being ‘Police informers’.

SFs arrests two persons, identified as Jaipal Barkade and Rooplal Marawi, from Balaghat District of Madhya Pradesh, for extorting money from building contractors to fund the CPI-Maoist. SFs also seized INR 0.25 million from them. The accused took money to deliver to CPI-Maoist cadres of Malajkhand Dalam. The money recovered had been hidden in rice sacs by the two men.

Two CPI-Maoist couriers were arrested by Police at Charla Mandal in Khammam District of Telangana. The arrested were identified as P. Girinarayana (30), a Bhadrachalam-based trader who sells Ayurvedic medicines, and R. Venkateshwarlu (26), a private employee of Burgampadu Mandal. The arrested couriers were acting on the directions of some Maoist leaders in Chhattisgarh who gave them INR 0.2 million cash for purchase of medicines, iron pipes and other material. Police also seized tablets, injections, ORS packets, two tabs, three mobile phones and electric detonators and iron pipes from them.

Two bombs were exploded by unidentified militants in Moreh Town of Tengnoupal District. The first blast took place at the perimeter wall of the Police Station in the town and the second blast was reported from Gamnom Veng area of the town. However, no casualty was reported.

The ‘Eastern Command’ of ULFA-I served extortion demand of INR one million to the former State Education Minister Mr Bida Taku at his residence in Namsai District. Mr Taku told the newspaper that another extortion notice worth INR 500,000 was served to his election agent also.

Kanchanpur sub-divisional administration began clicking photographs from today (May 20), for AADHAR enrollments of Bru displaced people sheltered in transit camps of North Tripura District for past 20 years. In the midst of uncertainty of repatriation of 37,000 Bru inmates to their native area in Western Mizoram, Tripura Government in consultation with the Central Government of India has decided to issue AADHAR cards to Brus, as a part of the move to legitimize their identity proof living in transit camps.

SFs launched a combing operation in the jungles at Nawadih block in Bokaro District of Jharkhand.

May 20-21

Seven persons, including four militants and three SFs personnel were killed as Army operation in Nowgam sector along the LoC in Kupwara District against the infiltrating militants. The operation started on May 20, as two terrorists and two Army troopers were killed in the operation while militants attempting to infiltrate into the State from PoK in the Nowgam sector. Two militants and a soldier were killed as Army operation in Nowgam sector along the LoC in Kupwara District against the infiltrating militants continued on May 21 taking the number of militants killed in the operation so far to four and the number of Army men killed to three

Lieutenant Colonel Rajesh Kalia said that four infiltrating militants and three soldiers were killed in Nowgam sector in North Kashmir during the operation that was launched by army last evening (May 20). “Four weapons and war like stores were also recovered as Army sanitized the area today (May 21)”, he added. The soldiers who were killed in the operation have been identified as Havaldar Damar Bahadur, Havaldar Girish Gurung and Rifleman Robin Sharma.

May 21

The BSF and the Punjab Police in a joint operation neutralised a terror module with links to Canada and Pakistan after arresting two suspected Khalistani terrorists. The two were arrested from the Indo-Pak border area when they were trying to recover weapons that were earlier smuggled into India from Pakistan, a Punjab Police spokesperson said. "Those arrested have been identified as Mann Singh (40) from Sri Hargobindpur in Gurdaspur and Sher Singh (28) from Kartarpur in Jalandhar," he said. Security forces have seized an AK-47 assault rifle, five hand grenades, a modified machine-pistol (MP), five pistols and over 450 rounds of ammunition of different calibre from the duo, he said.

The US President Donald Trump, in a speech stated that numerous nations, including India, have been victims of violent terrorist attacks. “Few nations have been spared the violent reach of terrorism. America has suffered repeated barbaric attacks from the atrocities of September 11 to the devastation of the Boston bombings to the horrible killings in San Bernardino and Orlando. The nations of Europe have also endured unspeakable horror. So too have the nations of Africa and South America. India, Russia, China, and Australia have all been victims,” he said. Trump stated that Arab and other Muslim nations "have borne the brunt of the killings and the worst of destruction in this wave of fanatical violence".

Amy launched a massive operation in Macchil sector in Kupwara District after they received inputs that a group of highly trained militants has managed to infiltrate into the area. The troops are conducting searches in vast forest areas in the sector.

SFs launched a massive operation in Pulwama District of South Kashmir in vast forest area. SFs launched searches in forest areas of Banderpora, Reshipora, Malangpora, Puchal and Goripora. However, no one was arrested.

Troops along the LoC in North Kashmir have been put on high alert after Army received inputs that the small groups of Special Services Group (SSG) of Pakistan Army have been deployed along with its troops in forward areas.

The NIA questioned Kashmiri separatists for the second day in connection with its probe into the role of LeT ‘chief’ Hafiz Mohammed Saeed and hardline Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani in subversive activities in Jammu and Kashmir. The NIA further questioned Farooq Ahmad Dar alias 'Bitta Karate', Javed Ahmed Baba alias Prince alias Gazi in Srinagar regarding their involvement in raising, collecting and transferring funds through hawala and other channels for terror funding in Kashmir. The NIA is probing all aspects of funding of separatist leaders and the use of these funds in fuelling the unrest in the Valley, the NIA spokesperson said in a statement.

Seven cadres of TPC, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, were killed in an exchange of fire between its two factions in Keredari area of Hazaribagh District of JharkhandDIG of North Chhotanagpur Division, Bhimsen Tuti, told that the group fought following a dispute on the sharing of extortion money seized from construction companies. The bodies of three out seven cadres were identified as TPC ‘zonal commander’ Sagar, ‘sub-zonal commanders’ Manish and Jhonson. One severed head recovered from the spot was yet to be identified. The rest three bodies and the injured cadres were taken away by the rebels, Police said.

Three mixer machines were set ablaze by CPI-Maoist cadres at Tarwadeeh in Latehar District of Jharkhand. The CPI-Maoist cadres were led by Chhotu Kharwar.

Three CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested during a joint operation of the STF and Saran Police in Saran District of Bihar.

Sasaram Police seized 1,950 Kilogram ammonium nitrate, 18,000 detonators and hundreds of country liquor pouches at Kharbandi in Rohtas District of Bihar. The material was meant to be supplied to CPI-Maoist cadres.

Senior Security Adviser to UMHA, K. Vijay Kumar, told reporters in New Delhi, that it was a tough task for the CAFs to carry out counter operations against CPI-Maoist cadres as they move along with people and use them as a shield.

 

SFs, in an encounter, killed a militant, ‘commanding officer’ of 3rd battalion Jwrimiya Muchahary alias M Jwrimin, belonging NDFB-IKS was inside Manas Reserve Forest in Chirang District. An M-16 automatic rifle, a .9 mm Beretta pistol, a large quantity of ammunition and other warlike stores were recovered from the spot.

Two Bru (Reang) militant outfits active in Hailakandi and Karimganj districts, BLAU, led by Rajesh Chorky, and UDLA, led by Dhanyaram Reang, are going to surrender before the Government soon. "While BLAU, which has its base in Mizoram too, has submitted a list of 85 cadres, UDLA has submitted a list of 140 cadres along with arms and ammunitions before the government agencies," said unnamed sources. "The process is going on for some time. Even UMHA had a plan to stage the surrender ceremony last March. But in the absence of a rehabilitation package the surrender was delayed", Hailakandi Superintendent of Police (SP), Pranab Jyoti Goswami. Goswami said the process of surrender, initiated by the AR authorities with full cooperation from the IB and Police, will be completed within two months.

In a statement, the NSCN-IM claimed that, altogether 56 (fifty six) members from different Naga militant groups have joined NSCN-IM.

Taking the responsibility of killing a person named Vivito Zhimomi (30) on May 15, the NSCN-R said that they had ‘punished’ him for collecting money in the name of their organisation.

Threatened by an ethnic insurgent group, named Arakan Army, in Myanmar, nearly 300 Myanmarese nationals, mostly women and children, have crossed the border and taken refuge in two villages in south Mizoram since May 19. According to officials of AR who reached out to the Myanmar nationals on May 20, more than 200 people are taking shelter at Khaikhy and Lungpuk villages under Mara Autonomous District Council bordering Myanmar. Another 77 nationals had crossed the border seeking refuge in Khaikhy village. The refugees are residents of Raile village in Chin state of Myanmar.

Police arrested a civilian, identified as Gazanfar Hajam after a grenade was found in his possession at Bemina area in Srinagar. Police during routine checking along Bemina Crossing, stopped the man for frisking. “During frisking, a grenade was found from his possession. He was immediately taken into custody and is being questioned,” the sources said.

The appearance of CPI-Maoist posters in Yedugurrallapalli in Chinturu mandal in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh put the Police on high alert and they intensified combing operations in mandals bordering Chhattisgarh. The Maoists have called upon tribals to join the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Naxalbari movement and pinned posters to trees in Baddugudem hamlet of Yedugurrallapalli village in the District. The Charla and Sabari area Dalams of the Maoist party has called for weeklong celebrations of the Naxalbari movement.

The CPI-Maoist cadres pasted a poster on the walls of Block Development office and a Government-run Inter College based at Dhaulichheena in Almora District of Uttarakhand . The poster affirmed that CPI-Maoist would continue to espouse the cause of liquor ban while lending their full weight behind the women who are spearheading the fight against liquor in the hills.   

May 22

Two persons were arrested along with FICNs in the denomination of INR 2000 and INR 500 with a total face value of INR 10,000 on in Pudukottai District of Tamil Nadu. They were arrested when they allegedly tried to circulate the notes.

Students of several educational institutes staged protests and pelted stones on SFs during which at least eight of them were arrested in J&K. The students of all-boys SPHSS, which re-opened after two weeks, at Maulana Azad Road in Srinagar city centre again boycotted their classes and staged protests against the State. There was brief standoff between the students and Police during which both sides pelted stones on each other. The police while chasing down the students detained three of them. They were detained in local Police station and are being questioned.

The students of Gandhi Memorial College and MPML Higher Secondary School at Bagh-e-Dilawar Khan in downtown city engaged Police in pitched battles after staging protests. The police fired several teargas canisters towards the students, who, however, refused to budge and continued pelting stones. Police detained at least five students during stone-pelting at Bagh-e-Dilawar Khan.

The massive Amy operation in Macchil sector in Kupwara District continued. The operation was launched after Army received inputs that a group of highly trained militants had managed to infiltrate into the area. The troops are conducting searches in vast forest areas in the sector for last two days. However, so far no traces of these infiltrated militants were found.

Four militants of LeT who were killed as Army foiled an infiltration bid along the LoC in Kupwara District on May 20-21 were highly trained Fidayeen (Suicide Squad), who were tasked to carry out major strike in Kashmir. Army sources said that four killed LeT militants were highly trained and were tasked to carry out a major Fidayeen strike in Kashmir. They said that the amount of arms and ammunition which was recovered from them indicated their plan of carrying out the major strike. The recoveries include four AK 47 rifles and AK 47 ammunition, UBGL grenades, hand grenades, GPS, wireless sets, Pakistan made medicine, dry fruits, binoculars, wire cutters and matrix sheets.

A Police constable, who took away four service rifles from a Police post in Budgam District of Kashmir, has reportedly joined terrorist outfit HM. Constable Syed Naveed Mushtaq had fled with four INSAS rifles from the guard post at a FCI godown in Chandpora in Budgam on May 20, a Police official said. He said there were intelligence inputs suggesting that Mushtaq had joined the terrorist group.

A video showing anthem of PoK being played before the start of a cricket match in South Kashmir’s Pulwama District has gone viral on the social media, prompting Police to initiate a probe. The video shot at Pulwama District stadium on May 21, shows two teams - Shining Stars Pampore and Pulwama Tigers - lined up before the start of the final match of a cricket tournament and the anthem of PoK was being played. After it went viral on the social media, Police took cognisance and started a probe. “Police has taken cognisance of the video and started investigation,” an official said. Posters of slain militants were also allegedly put up around the ground while post-match awards were named after some of the slain militants.

According to intelligence agencies, top leaders of the HM are trying a patch-up with their former ‘Kashmir commander’ Zakir Rashid Bhat who severed ties with the militant group a few days ago. Bhat, better known by his alias Musa, released audio messages 10 days ago announcing his exit after the leadership criticised him for threatening to behead Hurriyat leaders for saying the “separatist movement” in the Valley was political and not religious in nature. The Kashmiri militant group is yet to name his successor. Jammu and Kashmir’s Intelligence agencies see the delay as a sign of his subordinates’ reluctance to take Bhat’s position, which would amount to picking sides in a feud between their former commander and senior leadership. Sources in intelligence say Bhat’s departure was not because of ideological differences, as claimed by him. He and the Pakistan-based leadership didn’t agree on the group’s activities in the Valley.

A CPI-Maoist cadre named in an attack on an under-construction railway station in Nawada District on November 3, 2016, was arrested in Gaya District of Bihar. Anuj Yadav, a resident of Jehanabad District, was arrested from Bodh Gaya following a tip off to the STF and handed over to Nawada Police.

Four CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The rebels were arrested when a joint team of DRG and STF were carrying out a search operation on the forested hills between Kunna and Jongeras villages. Those arrested were identified as Kawasi Erra (25), Hidma Ram Markam (25), both 'Jan Militia' members while two others - Podiyam Hadma (26) and Devraj Markam (23) - are members of DAKMS - a frontal wing of the Maoists. Two electrical detonators, wires, battery were recovered from them. Based on the statement of the arrested Maoists, a tiffin bomb, three arrow bombs, two more detonators, a camera flash, a wireless receiver, a solar plate, Maoist uniform, huge quantity of medicines and stitching materials were also seized from a location.

In the wake of two major attacks by Maoists against the CRPF in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh, the State Government made operational the joint command and control centre at Jagdalpur, the District headquarter of Bastar District, a long-standing demand of the SFs. The move would help SFs in conducting real-time anti-Maoist operations with the help of UAV.

Surrendered Maoist, Podiyam Panda, informed the Chhattisgarh High Court that he was not coerced by the Police to surrender. Panda was produced before the High Court in Bilaspur, in response to a habeas corpus petition filed by his wife, Muiye.

A woman cadre of the CPI-Maoist was arrested from a house in Bhirudi village in RIT Police Station area in Adityapur in Seraikela-Kharsawan District of Jharkhand.

A special court of the NIA convicted all the 15 accused in two cases related to siphoning off of government funds meant for erstwhile NCHAC [now renamed as Dima Hasao Autonomous Council] and diverting it to the coffers of the now disbanded militant group DHD-J. The head of the NIA's Guwahati branch, Debajit Hazarika, said the court convicted 13 accused in NIA case number RC-01/2009 and the other two in case number RC-02/2009.

Police arrested one Maoist militant, identified as ‘area commander’ Dulal Pegu from Amtenga village near Badulipar area in Golaghat District. Police also recovered a pistol (7.62 mm) and four rounds of ammunition from the arrested militant.  

SFs arrested one linkman of the militant group UPRF, identified as Nahhau Guite (40), from Manja area of East Karbi Anglong District.   

The AAPSU has strongly opposed the Government of India’s decision to grant citizenship rights to Chakma and Hajong refugees of Arunachal Pradesh, while stating that the Union cannot tolerate any decision which would hamper the integrity, dignity and security of the indigenous people of the state. The AAPSU has demanded the government to identify the Chakmas and Hajongs who came to NEFA from 1964 to 1969 before grating citizenship rights in the land of Arunachal Pradesh.

The Naga community in Arunachal Pradesh has urged the Central Government of India to intervene in the long-delayed matter of granting autonomous council status to Tirap, Changlang and Longding (TCL) districts, so that these areas can see socio-economic development.

A woman laborer, identified as Arambam Shanti Devi (47), was killed by some assailants coming on a motorcycle at Premnagar of Ward No 4, Moreh in Tengnoupal District. However, the involvement of any militant group is not yet confirmed and investigation is still going on.

Manipur CM N. Biren Singh asserted that his Government supported the Indo-Naga peace process and urged the people to ‘stay together’. CM Biren Singh made the statement while addressing the inaugural programme of two-day Barak Spring Festival at Senapati town organized by NPO.

Administrative and Police officials of border Districts in Tripura have finalized strategies to deal with cross-border crimes and deal with other irritants in a one-day meet with their counterparts of contiguous Bangladeshi districts. The District Magistrates and SP of Tripura’s Sepahijala, West Tripura and Khowai Districts held a day-long meeting in Comilla in eastern Bangladesh with their counterparts from Comilla, Brahmanbaria, Habiganj and Moulvibazar, Sepahijala District Magistrate Pradip Chakraborty told IANS. “During the joint border conference, discussions about cross-border smuggling, drug trafficking, terrorism, management of anti-sabotage activities, drainage water treatment, problems relating to border residents have been discussed and some strategies were finalized to deal with these issues,” he said. Chakraborty, who was the team leader of the Indian delegation, said that sports and cultural festivals in the border districts were also discussed.

May 23

Suspected IM operative who was in run nine years Suhaib Potanical was arrested by Ahmedabad Crime Branch from Kerala. Crime Branch sources said Potanical is being brought to Ahmedabad as he is an absconder in July 2008 Ahmedabad serial blast case. Crime branch officials said Potanical as he was nick named because of expertise in handling chemical explosives was a key aide of IM 'India operations chief' Yasin Bhatkal.

Indian Army took major ‘pro-active’ and ‘punitive action’ against Pakistani troops and infiltrating militants along LoC in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District decimating nearly dozen posts and bunkers of the enemy and eliminating about a dozen Pakistani troops and militants, present inside the posts. The big counter-terrorism strike was necessitated to neutralize the militants well in advance before they could enter into the Indian territory to launch terror attacks while the posts were destroyed for giving shelter to militants and trying to aid and abet their infiltration into this side.

Sources said that a total of six strikes were carried out targeting Pakistani army posts and bunkers across Nowshera sector of Rajouri District, which had witnessed massive exchange of mortar shelling and firing between two hostile neighbours last week, after developing “very reliable” and “specific inputs” about presence of four to six militants inside Pakistani army posts, from where they had to be launched into the Indian side.

A large group of militants swooped down on Naira village of Pulwama District and raided houses of political workers and drug peddlers. Sources said that the militants during night hours thrashed at least two dozen political workers and drug peddlers. The militants threatened these persons and asked them to mend their ways, sources added.

Students, who were seeking release of their peers, resorted to violence, beat a Policeman and set ablaze his motorcycle at Rajpora Chowk in Pulwama District. As the students were protesting, they intercepted a Policeman, identified as Constable Bilal on his motorcycle. Witnesses said after learning about the identity of the Policeman, they thrashed him ruthlessly and also set ablaze his motorcycle. While the students resorted to heavy stone-pelting on Police and also paramilitary personnel, the Police managed to rescue Constable Bilal who was left injured due to beating.

The students of Government Degree College Bemina in Srinagar also staged violent protests against what they termed ‘disappearance’ of a student by Police. The students while seeking whereabouts of missing student resorted to heavy stone-pelting on Police throughout the day while the latter resorted to teargas shelling.

The students of Kashmir University also staged a protest inside Hazratbal campus against the arrest of a media student, Tahir Ahmad, under PSA and sought his immediate release. The protest, however, concluded on peaceful note.

IGP Kashmir range, Muneer Ahmad Khan, said that 90 militants are active in North Kashmir and there are no reports of enhanced infiltration from across the LoC into Kashmir. Khan said whether a common man or a Policeman joins militancy they will be equally treated as per the law. “A few of them, who have been lured into this (militancy), whenever anyone – whether a policeman or a common man – goes that way, he becomes a criminal and treatment for either of them is simple and there would be no differentiation. If he is a militant, he is a militant and that is all” (sic), he said.

India is moving towards isolating Pakistan diplomatically and is considering punitive actions against Islamabad for its alleged support to cross border terrorism, a top American defence intelligence chief has told lawmakers.

The SFs involved in anti-Naxal operations in the Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh would get technical and sophisticated arms support from Israel. A two-member Israeli team conducted an aerial survey of Visakha agency regarding the support.

The CRPF has suspended a commander, for "leadership failure" during a road-opening patrol in Sukma District (Chhattisgarh) on April 24 during which 25 jawans were killed by CPI-Maoist cadres. A senior CRPF official said a preliminary inquiry had found company commander J. Vishwanath  prima facie  culpable of showing lack of leadership that day. Sources said Vishwanath and five to six other personnel had gone missing when the rebels ambushed the CRPF team.  

The CPI-Maoist cadres engaged SFs in an exchange of fire in Kasidih and Koyotand areas under Gomia Police Station of Bokaro District of Jharkhand. As the face-off took place near railway tracks on CIC section of Dhanbad division of East Central Railway, train services were disrupted. No casualties were reported on either side.

The NHRC issued a notice to the Jharkhand Government over the alleged abduction and recruitment of children by CPI-Maoist cadres in the State. Taking suo motu cognisance over the media reports, the Commission has asked State Government to respond with specific reference to the questions: what is the police estimate of actual number of children who have been recruited in the Maoists cadre in the State of Jharkhand, what action has been taken by the Police to trace such children and re-integrate them with the main stream of the society, what measures have been taken to educate and rehabilitate such children and what action has been taken against the persons who were involved in dragging the innocent children into the Maoists' cadre and coercing them to carry out illegal activities?

The C-60 squad of the Gadchiroli Police arrested three Tendu leaves contractors (leaves which are used in making beedis) with INR 17.6 million when they (contractors) were on their way to hand over cash to the CPI-Maoist cadres in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. The contractors were identified as Pahadia Tulsiram Tampla (35), Ravi Malya Tankam (45) and Nagraj Samya Putta (37).

Surrendered cadre of the CPI-Maoist, Podiam Panda, in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra revealed that CPI-Maoist cadres celebrated the killing of CRPF jawans with drums and Nagadas. He also told that the preparation was on for a month.

The CPI-Maoist posters were found in the Patnagarh area in Bolangir District of OdishaThe posters with various demands issued by the BBM Maoist Division were found on the Kantabanji-Padmapur road at Gangasagar village. The banners were also found on the main gate of a school at the village. The posters in red cloth were written in Hindi language. 

Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres erected a banner and put up handwritten posters near Taliperu medium irrigation project site in Charla mandal in Khammam District of Telangana, symbolically marking the beginning of the week-long 50th anniversary of “Naxalbari armed uprising. The rebels, through the posters written in the name of CPI-Maoist Charla-Sabari Area Committee, called upon people to spearhead the “New democratic revolution”.

Former DHD-J leaders Jewel Garlosa and Niranjan Hojai along with former chief of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council Mohit Hojai were sentenced to life imprisonment, while the 12 other accused were awarded imprisonment ranging from eight years to 12 years in the first two cases of terror funding registered by the NIA.

Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) said that any move to withdraw or alter the newly created districts in the state ‘would be opposed tooth and nail’. In the statement, KIM further said that cease-fire between the Government of India and Naga underground in 1964 was extended only to Tamenglong District, Ukhrul District and Mao sub-division which alone were considered to be predominantly Naga inhabited areas. The statement added that any settlement in solution with the Nagas alone can never solve the political problems of Manipur without solving the 'Kuki issues first'.

CM N Biren Singh said that the recent series of violent incidents in State’s border town Moreh in Tegnoupal District may be a deliberate attempt to sabotage the implementation of Act East Policy. The town at the Indo-Myanmar border was hit by a series of violent incidents in the recent past. After a series of bomb blasts, a woman was killed in a shootout by two unknown miscreants on May 22 near the international border gate 2. “The series of violent incidents (happening in Moreh and NH-102) may be related with an intentional attempt to sabotage the Act East Policy,” said CM Biren Singh.

In an emergency meeting of its central executive members at the NEFA Club under the chairmanship of its general secretary Tobom Dai the AAPSU has decided to conduct a consultative meeting on May 27, at Itanagar to draw opinion for its future roadmap after the decision of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to give citizenship rights to Chakma-Hajong refugees.

AR, along with Police, arrested two militants of NSCN-K, identified as ‘sergeant major’ T Rongsen Ao (37) and ‘under secretary’ Wapang Ao (38), in general area of Duncan Basti in Dimapur District. According to the SFs these two militants were involved in different extortion cases of Dimapur area.  

AR arrested an unidentified person, who was involved in illegal procurement and smuggling of arms, in Dimapur District along with one .22 mm pistol and magazine.

May 23-24

Search operation launched by the SFs on May 23 in south Kashmir ended early this morning (May 24) as militants managed to escape under the cover of darkness, official sources said in Srinagar. They said with the first light this morning, the SFs resumed search operation in village Hakripora Kakpora in Pulwama District. However, the operation was called off at 05.30 am as the militants managed to escape under the cover of darkness.

The operation was launched on May 23th night following a tip-off about the presence of three militants including top LeT ‘commander’ in the village. There was a brief encounter between the militants hiding in the village and SFs. However, the operation was stopped due to darkness to avoid any casualty, the sources said. SFs had sealed the entire area after reinforcement was rushed there from nearby camps. However, the militants managed to escape. No arrests were made, they added.

May 24

Army found a dead body of foreign militant near the LoC in Safawali in Kupwara District. The body was decomposed and one UBGL and three UBGL grenades were recovered from the spot.

In another incident, a block president of PDP, identified as Abdul Qayoom, was critically injured as militants fired at him in Barzulla area of Srinagar in the evening. Militants opened firing on Abdul Qayoom outside his residence at Old Barzulla at around 8.15 p.m. Qayoom was rushed to SMHS hospital where his condition is said to be critical. Sources said that two militants who appeared outside his residence shot him at point blank range

Militants hurled a grenade towards camp of SoG of J&K Police at Imam Sahib in Shopian District in which five civilians were injured. The grenade lobbed at the camp missed the target and fell on the road outside the camp. Five pedestrians, identified as Ghulam Nabi Bhat, Ishfaq Rashid Mir, Tariq Ahmad Bhat, Manzoor Ahmad Bhat and Rafiq Bhat were injured in the attack and they were shifted to nearby hospital.

Unidentified persons sprinkled chilli into eyes of a Jammu and Kashmir Bank guard in Imam Sahib area of Shopian District. Police said two unidentified persons sprinkled chilli powder into the eyes of bank guards at Imam Sahib and the motive of the attack was not clear. Police is investigating the matter and a manhunt to nab the culprits is going on.

Police continued massive searches along the IB route leading towards the NH in Hiranagar sector of Kathua District for second day after four suspected foot prints were observed on May 23 morning in a field, located close to Tarnah Nullah, falling between Dayala Chak and Chadwal. “There has been no let up in the operations. At the same time, no movement of suspects has been noticed,” Police said.

The CPI-Maoist cadres triggered a blast in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. No casualties or injuries were reported. The DRG arrested a CPI-Maoist cadre, who was attempting to flee from the spot.

The Chhattisgarh Police claimed to have killed four cadres of the CPI-Maoist in an encounter in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The encounter occurred when a joint team of the STF, DRG, and the CRPF, was out for an anti-Maoist operation at Pichchikodur under the Barsoor Police Station limits. Constable Jhumar Mandavi, belonging to DRG was injured in the attack. Dantewada SP, Kamlochan Kashyap said, “We can say that at least four Maoists were killed in today’s encounter as we recovered one 12 bore gun and other Maoist material on the spot.” However, the SFs could not recover bodies.

Two CPI-Maoist cadres, identified as Gangaram Dhurve and Naresh Porte, were arrested by District Police at Bakar katta Police Station area in Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh.

Police arrested one unidentified person, who was suspected to be involved in the extortion attempt incident at the office of the Director of Audit and Pension, from Banderdewa area in Papum Pare District. Earlier, on May 22, two assailants, armed with sophisticated weapons entered the room of Director, Audit and Pension, Abdul Bashit and attacked him for an extortion demand. However the assailants fled leaving behind a bag and arms after the officer started shouting. Bashit sustained minor injuries in the incident.

Hundreds of people staged a demonstration in front of the deputy commissioner's office in Haflong in Dima Hasao District against the life sentences to Jewel Gorlosa and Niranjan Hojai. The protesters said the government had betrayed them after stating in the memorandum that all cases against the DHD-J members will be withdrawn. Former DHD-J ‘chairman’ Jewel Garlosa on May 23 had told reporters that they were "withdrawing the ceasefire" after the court order and that the peace process had failed. DHD-J has been disbanded after MoU with the outfit in 2012.

A public meeting to deliberate on the topic 'Likely impact on integrity of Manipur due to the ongoing dialogue between the Government of India and the NSCN-IM' was held at the multi-purpose hall of Yairipok Laimanai in Imphal East District. The ‘general secretary’ of UCM Y Dhiren, AMSU ‘president’ Manjit Sarangthem, Human Rights Initiative, Manipur ‘president’ Y Ratan, UPF ‘vice president’ Wareppa Sekend and Federation Clubs of Yairipok advisor Ibotombi Khumancha attended the meeting as presidium members.

The last rites of the eight youths killed during the anti-ILP bill agitations in Churachandpur District in September 2015 were performed. Thousands of people paid homage to the ‘tribal martyrs’ before the bodies were buried at old helipad near Khuga Dam in Churachandpur Town.

Three suspected militants of KLO were arrested by jawans (troopers) of the 12th Battalion of TSR from Raishyabari area in Dhalai District. Tripura Police informed that the suspected militants were trying to infiltrate the Indian soil from neighbouring Bangladesh after weaponry training in Bangladesh for the last 16 months. Police also recovered arms, Bangladeshi currency and other incriminating documents from the militants.

Police arrested one person, identified as Rajesh Das (18), along with one .9mm pistol from Sidhai Police Station area under Mohanpur Sub-division in West Tripura District. According to the Police he was involved in illegal arms trading as well as narcotics business.

More than 300 Myanmar nationals, who crossed over to Mizoram on May 19 and sought refuge after being threatened by an insurgent group (Arakan Army), were repatriated by the Indian authority. The AR handed over all the refugees to Chebei in the presence of representatives of the Saiha administration, Mizoram Police and members of the Mara Autonomous District Council in Mizoram bordering Myanmar.

May 25

The Crime Branch officials in Amreli District recovered FICNs with a face value of INR 1.11 crore from two persons, who were later arrested. The seizure was made after Police got a tip-off that some persons were carrying suspicious items on a scooty from Lathi town to Amreli. “Police stopped the two-wheeler at a circle on Bhavnagar road and searched it. They found a bag full of fake currency notes in INR 2,000 and INR 500 denominations in the possession of two persons,” an official of Amreli Crime Branch said. The two men, identified as Sachin Parmar and Paresh Solanki, were later arrested.

NIA has filed the chargesheet against three men from Tamil Nadu belonging to Base Movement, an alleged terror group, before a special court in Bengaluru for triggering an explosion in court premise in Mysuru on August 1, 2016. According to a press release from NIA, the agency arrested five people and chargesheets were filed against N. Abbas Ali, 28, 'founder' of Base Movement, of Madurai, Samsun Karim Raja, 23 of Madurai, and Dawood Sulaiman, 23, of Palavakkam, Chennai.

LeT militants fired upon an Army patrol party in Rajwar forests of North Kashmir’s Handwara area in Kupwara District in the night. A joint operation was launched by Army and SOG Handwara of Jammu and Kashmir Police in Rajwar forest area of Handwara in the morning. They had information about presence of around three to four militants in forest area. The entire area has been cordoned off and more troops have been rushed to the area so as to prevent militants from fleeing.

Army fired in air at Ganjipora Burran in Pattan area of Baramulla District in the evening. Army had cordoned off the area and they fired few gun shots in air.

An apex body of former militants, Ex-Militants Welfare Association pitched for peaceful solution of Kashmir issue while it strongly denounced killings of both combatants and civilians. Addressing a press conference in Barmulla town, Ex-Militants Welfare Association said they, after realizing importance of dialogue, left the path of militancy. The former militants said that they stand against terrorism and condemn the killings of security men as well as militants. “We also condemn the killings of commoners,” they said.

The ex-militants said that they want to live a peaceful life and demanded an end to ongoing unrest in Kashmir. “Kashmir should be resolved through peaceful dialogue,” they said, adding that they had picked up guns for the solution of Kashmir. The former militants also demanded that a sympathetic attention should be paid towards them and the orphans and widows of militants.

The Central Government said it is keeping a close watch on illegal flow of funds to fuel militancy in J&K and action is being taken by security agencies in such instances. “All terror related incidents, including terror funding, are being monitored by the agencies. Appropriate action is also being taken”, spokesperson in the UMHA Ashok Prasad said. Prasad said the State police along with the Central paramilitary forces is trying to bring back normalcy in J&K, which has been hit by unrest. “All efforts are being made to bring back normalcy. The Central Government is providing all help to the State Government,” he said.

According to an estimate of the NIA, Pakistan-based terror groups finance terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir by generating millions in donations through their charity organisations. Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF), a charity run by terror outfits Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and LeT, and Al Rehmat Trust, backed by another terrorists group JeM, have been supporting terrorists and funding terrorism in Kashmir. These outfits collect donations from people in Pakistan and then pass on the money to finance terrorism in Kashmir through their over ground workers, an NIA official has said.

J&K Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Kumar Singh said a comprehensive plan has been framed to deal with militancy and violence in Kashmir and assured its positive outcome. Dr Singh said in Srinagar that, “A comprehensive plan has been prepared to deal with militancy and violence. Its results should not be seen through one or two incidents. It is a comprehensive plan and it’s results will be positive. I am sure there will be peace and law and order in Jammu and Kashmir.” The Deputy Chief Minister also backed Major Gogoi for his action of tying a man to jeep in central Kashmir’s Budgam District on April 9 and said the matter should not be politicised.

The ADJ of Munger Court, Jyoti Swaroop Shrivastava, awarded capital punishment to five CPI-Maoist cadres in Munger District of Bihar. Maoists identified as Bipin Mandal, Adhiklal Pandit, Ratu Koda, Banu Koda and Manu Koda are convicted with the killing of two CRPF personnel, Sone Gauda and Ravindra Rai, during the last parliamentary elections in April 2014.

Chhattisgarh Police released six tribal villagers, who were picked up by them three days ago (May 21) in relation to links with CPI-Maoist.

Nearly 60 women cadres of CPI-Maoist set ablaze Dumri Bihar Railway Station on the Gomoh-Barkakana section of ECR in Bokaro District of Jharkhand. Armed with rifles and bombs, the Maoists forced the railway employees to leave the premises before setting the main station building afire. The rebels also set afire the engine of a goods train and left with valuable railway equipment. This damaged the signal and communication system of the railways on the route. They also snatched a walkie-talkie from an engine driver. The rebels had planned to trigger a blast. They had planted 40 can bombs, but the security personnel defused them. Handbills pasted by the Maoists on the walls of the station buildings and on stationary train coaches asked the Jharkhand Government to cancel the MoUs signed with “capitalist forces” following the recent Momentum Jharkhand investors’ summit. The Maoists have called for a statewide bandh on May 29 and the attack on the railway station, said Police sources, aimed at creating an atmosphere of fear among the general public.

A person was killed in a blast at an OIL pipeline, around 500 meters from the oil collecting station at Dikom in Dibrugarh District. While ULFA-I claimed it had carried out the blast and the body was one of its cadres, Bobby Dohatia alias Palash Asom, Police maintains that it was caused in an attempt to pilfer fuel. "All seems to be buried under slush. On preliminary investigation, it appears to be a case of oil pilferage. However, after the claim by ULFA-I, the security agencies are looking at that angle as well," a source said.

Five CPI-Maoist cadres surrendered before the State Police. ADGP-Special Branch Pallab Bhattacharya said that the five extremists, including a woman, led by a wanted Maoist, Moina Dohotiya have come to the police "announcing their decision to join the mainstream with a desire to lead a normal life. A few more Maoists are still left and we are trying to bring them to the mainstream," Bhattacharya said.

SFs are in a state of alert in view of the PM Narendra Modi's visit to the State on May 26 to inaugurate various projects. Intensive security checks are being done across the State including Tinsukia, Dibrugarh and Guwahati which have been put on high alert. A three-layered security cover has been put at all places the PM will be visiting. Anti-terror units have been deployed at various places. Special measures have been taken in Guwahati and Tinsukia where designated roads have been sanitized to upto two kilometres on either sides. "Policemen, special commandos and cops in civil dress have been deployed. More than one lakh people are expected to attend PM's rally. More than 2500 volunteers will be assisting the force in security and management. Anti-sabotage check has also been done," Hiren Nath, Guwahati Police Commissioner said.

In a statement, the CorCom, a conglomerate of four Valley-based militant outfits, has expressed its solidarity with the Kashmiri people and ‘condemned the excesses’ of the Security Personnel ‘against the civilians’ of Kashmir and ‘WESEA (Western South East Asia- a term used by militants of the region to indicate the North East India) region’. CorCom in its statement also stated that it supported the movement for Kashmiri people to decide the future status of their ‘homeland’.

Police arrested four persons, who were involved in the extortion and attack incident of Banderdewa area in Papum Pare District on May 22, from undisclosed locations. The arrested extortionists were identified as Chello John (24), Sonam Para alias Sunday Para (24), Sime Killo (35) and Rima Bodo (30). Police also recovered two hand grenades, five rounds of 7.62mm rifle, a live round of .22mm pistol and five rounds of small arms from the arrestees. Apart from that, earlier on May 22, Police recovered one AK series rifle magazine, 21 live rounds and one hand grenade from the spot of occurrence of the incident.

May 26

A group of 20-21 terrorists of terror group LeT entered into India and are preparing to launch a terror attack. Central intelligence agencies have warned anti-terror units in cities in this regard. The terrorists have entered into India on the orders of ISI. Some have gone to Mumbai and Delhi, and the rest to Punjab and Rajasthan. In the wake of the threat, the agency has issued an alert and advisory to all units of the Delhi Police. Tight monitoring and strengthened anti-terror measures have to be ensured at metro stations, railway stations, airports, hotels famous among tourists, crowded markets, religious places and stadiums in Delhi, said the advisory.

The infiltration of militants has increased this year and over 200 militants are waiting along the LoC for sneaking into Kashmir. Army is on heightened alert to prevent any further infiltration attempts. As per the Multi Agency Centre (MAC) figures, 19 militants have infiltrated into Kashmir till April this year (2017). These militants mostly infiltrated from Keran, Gurez, Machil and Nowgam sectors. Two groups of these militants managed to infiltrate in winter when the mountain passes were covered with snow.

Last year (2016) there were no reports of infiltration of militants into Kashmir till April and the official figure this year has already reached 19, while unofficially it is 29. In 2016, the first infiltration reports were received in May and as per MAC figures, 114 militants infiltrated into Kashmir last year, which was highest since 2014.

Sources said that around 200 militants are on launch pads mostly in Neelam Valley area of PoK. These militants had started gathering this year in winter only as there is more pressure on these groups to infiltrate into Kashmir in summer. Sources said that the militant groups are carrying out reconnaissance along the LoC regularly but the tight vigil along by the Army and regular patrols are preventing them from sneaking in.

Army foiled BAT strike along the LoC in Uri sector of Baramulla District by killing two militants and recovering war like stores. Army noticed suspicious movement at Khalanaji Nallah near Kaman Post at Gulotha along LoC in Uri sector at around 8.40 am. Pakistan’s 31 Baloch Regiment is posted in the opposite side of the LoC near Kaman Post where the BAT action was foiled. On noticing the movement, Army opened fire and killed two militants whose bodies were later recovered by Army during searches of the area.

Sources said that there were 4-6 members of the team and they were wearing black Khan suits. Colonel Bhanwar Singh said that the combing operation in the area is going on as Army expects that more militants may be present in the area. “We expect some more terrorists in the vicinity if it was a BAT team. Since the combing operation is on and the forest is thick it will take us some time to sanitise the area”, he said.

SFs in the night launched an operation in Tral area of Awantipora in Pulwama District after they received inputs about presence of militants in the area. As 42 RR of Army and SOG)Tral and Awantipora cordoned off Saimu village in Tral area militants opened fire on them. SFs strengthened the cordon and searches are going on.

Report said that as many as three terrorists were reportedly cornered in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, while they attempted to attack an Army patrol party. "Encounter started at Saimu Tral. Reportedly 3 terrorists trapped," tweeted J&K DGP Shesh Paul Vaid late.

After receiving intelligence input about fresh infiltration last night (May 25), the Army and BSF launched massive searches in Bohri Pathar areas of Keran in Kupwara District. However, no traces of militants have been found yet.

Clashes erupted in Srinagar and Sopore town of Baramulla District after Friday prayers during which two youth sustained pellet injuries.

Soon after Friday prayers concluded in Jama Masjid in Nowhatta area of Old City, youth staged protests and clashed with SFs deployed in the area. Police fired teargas canisters and pellets to disperse the stone-throwers who, however, continued pelting stones. Two youth sustained injuries due to pellet firing and were removed to hospital for treatment.

The clashes also raged in northern Sopore Town in Baramulla District after Friday prayers. The youth converged outside Sopore Jama Masjid and pelted stones on security personnel. The clashes in the area continued for several hours.

The separatist leaders and activists held protests against the awarding of Major Gogoi at Maisuma in City Centre in Srinagar.

A group of CPI-Maoist cadres dragged a schoolteacher, identified as Kalicharan Mahto from his house and shot him dead outside his village, Tiskopi, under Chatrochatti Police Station area in Gomia block in Bokaro District of Jharkhand. The schoolteacher was killed apparently because the Maoists suspected him of being a ‘Police informer’. Before leaving the village, the Maoists set afire a mobile phone tower and threw several handbills in the area. The handwritten pamphlets warned the State Government of severe consequences unless the recent MoUs signed with multinational corporations are cancelled.

PLFI regional ‘commander’ Raju Singh was arrested during a search operation in Jilingburu forests in Khunti District of Jharkhand. A double-barrel gun and cartridges were found on him. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

The Manuguru Police arrested a mason on the charge of acting as a courier for CPI-Maoist cadres at Manuguru town in Bhadradri Kothagudem District of Telangana. Police identified the arrested as B Suresh alias Rakesh, of Edulla Bayyaram. He is presently working as a mason in Dummugudem Mandal bordering Chhattisgarh. Police seized INR 0.28 million and Maoist literature from his possession.

In a press conference, BYWS alleged that the purported extortion notice served to former Minister Bida Taku by ULFA-I was done ‘at the initiative of a political rival in order to cow him down’ and demanded the government to expose the person behind the extortion notice.

A joint operation force had cornered Maoists in the forest near Darbha village, which is also located in Bhairamgarh tehsil in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. Dhondraj Police party and CRPF were engaged in the encounter with Maoists who had come to Darbha village for holding a meeting. The exchange of fire took place as the Maoists were busy addressing the villagers. The Maoists however managed to sneak out of the place.

One person, identified as Vino Awomi, was arrested on charges of extortion after he was caught collecting illegal ‘taxes’ from the commercial vehicles at Bamunpukhuri area on behalf of the GPRN/ NSCN in Dimapur District. AET also arrested one militant of NSCN-IM, identified as Inato Assumi, while he was collecting illegal ‘taxes’ from business establishments at Dhobinallah area in Dimapur.

May 27

The Indian Army killed six militants and foiled yet another infiltration bid along the LoC in the Rampur sector in Baramulla District in J&K. Troops noticed suspicious movement along the LoC in the early hours, an army official said. He added that a fire fight broke out between the infiltrators and the Army.

Infiltration attempts have increased in the past few weeks, no thanks to the onset of summer, which has led to snow-blocked mountain passes opening up making them easier to traverse, the Army said recently. "With the mercury rising and snow-melting in the valley, the chances of infiltration increase from the Pakistani side. The Army is all geared up to counter such threats," said Major General Ashok Narula earlier in the week.

SFs, in an encounter, killed HM ‘commander’, Sabzar Ahmad Bhat and his aide Faizan Muzaffar in Soimoh village of Tral in Pulwama District. One civilian was also killed in the cross firing. The militants were trapped in the village after SFs cordoned it off last evening (May 26). The militants during the cordon and searches tried to flee but SFs fired back and they were trapped in a house. The operation was put on hold during the night and the SFs launched massive assault in the morning killing both the militants. Two residential houses in which the two militants were trapped were damaged in the encounter. Arms and ammunition were also recovered from the encounter site. Police said a civilian, identified as Aqib Ahmad Dar died in cross firing near the encounter site. “During the cross firing one more person was injured. He was rushed to the Tral hospital where he succumbed to his injuries,” Police said.

As the news about Sabzar’s killing spread, clashes amid spontaneous shutdown occurred across Kashmir.

Clashes and protests broke out in Pulwama, Khanabal, Kulgam, Awantipora, Shopian, Ganderbal, Srinagar, Budgam, Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora and all other major townships.

In Srinagar, students of Amar Singh College, SP College, SP School, MP School and Gandhi Memorial protested and pelted stones on police and CRPF. Within no time, clashes and protests spread in downtown and uptown areas of the Srinagar. Police and paramilitary forces fired teargas and pellets. Scores of students took out a protest march in Kashmir university campus.

Police said that, “Today in the afternoon stone pelting incidents were reported from about two dozen places from different areas of the Kashmir valley. “The gatherings of miscreants pelted stones on police establishments and forces camps. They also pelted stones on the moving vehicles on the busy roads and in the Chowks. Police and security forces rushed to tackle these mobs. They were also pelted upon in which 25 police and security forces personnel were injured.  The police and security forces personnel showed utmost restraint in tackling these unruly mobs. During these incidents 12 miscreants were also injured,” the Police added.

Separatists called for shutdown on May 28 and against killings of HM ‘commander’ Sabzar Ahmad and other militants. They also called for Tral march on May 30.

One porter of Army was killed and another one injured when militants opened fire upon them from across the LoC in Keran sector of North Kashmir’s Kupwara District in the afternoon. Sources said that a group of porters had gone ahead of forward posts in Janger Naar area in Keran sector in the afternoon. Militants, who were waiting along the LoC saw the movement near forward posts and opened fire on them. Two of the porters managed to flee safely while two others were hit by bullets and one died on the spot. The Army also fired back but the militants managed to escape. Army has launched searches in the area. However, no militant presence was observed inside Indian territory. The operation is going on.

The Munger judge who awarded capital punishment to five Maoists on May 25 received a threat message on his WhatsApp number in Munger District of Bihar. The threat message reads, "Hamare Jan Adalat Nein Apko Phansi Ki Saja Sunayi Hai" . ADJ Jyoti Swaroop Srivastava had sentenced to death five Maoists for ambushing and killing two CRPF jawans and injuring at least 12 others on the Gangta-Lakshmipur road under Haveli Kharagapur subdivision during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

The Maoists have called a two-day Bihar bandh on May 28 and 29 in Bhagalpur, Munger, Lakhisarai, Jamui and Banka Districts to protest against the Munger court order, according to Laljeet Koda, spokesperson of the CPI-Maoist's Eastern Bihar-Jharkhand regional zonal committee.

The CPI-Maoist cadres killed, Anduram Benjam, a former colleague who had surrendered in March 2016, in Sanvel village in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh. The Maoists hacked him to death on suspicion that he was a ‘Police informer’.

Seven CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested after an encounter with SFs in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. There was an exchange of fire between the Maoists and the Police near Tekanar area of Narayanpur. After the encounter, Police managed to catch seven Maoist supporters, including three women.

Police arrested a businessman, identified as Kashyap Patel and his two associates Ravindra Yashwant and Narayan Rangari who allegedly came from Maharashtra’s Gondia District to hand over cash to the CPI-Maoist in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. The vehicle of Patel, who is the owner of a Gondia-based MG Patel company, was stopped by BSF personnel near their base camp and the Police for routine check, when the cash of INR 28 lakh was traced inside the car. During sustained interrogation they revealed that the seized cash was to be given to Maoists as levy. Further additional amount of Rs 50 lakhs kept by the trader in a house at Banda was also recovered.

Suspected KSU activists set ablaze heavy machineries, at Ronghana village in Ri-Bhoi District and also assaulted labourers engaged in the ongoing Northeast Frontier Railway project. Four earthmovers, seven dumpers and a vibrator machine were badly damaged during the incident. Around 10 Police personnel were also injured. Following the incident Police arrested two ‘leaders’ of KSU, ‘president’ Ferdynald Kharkamni (North Khasi Hills) and ‘assistant secretary’  Son Nongkhlaw (central body).

In addition, Petrol bombs were hurled at vehicles in several pockets of the Shillong city in East Khasi Hills. A government vehicle belonging to District Sericulture Officer R.B Lyngwa of Ri Bhoi was attacked with a petrol bomb near Mahari fuel station. The incident was fallout of the violent protests against an ongoing railway project in the District. Petrol bombs were also hurled in various localities, including Laban, Nongmynsong, Rynjah and Lumdiengjri, starting from 9 pm till wee hours of May 28.

Strongly reacting to the stand of the Kuki Inpi, Manipur that it would oppose any move to withdraw or alter the newly created Districts, the NSCN-IM said that it was "extremely provocative which is completely baseless, hollow and an antithesis to the historical facts of the Nagas".

Nagaland Government reiterated to “pave the way” in the event that any honorable and amicable settlement is arrived to the on-going ‘Naga political dialogue’. Passing this resolution in the one day special State Legislative Assembly session, the CM Shürhozelie Liezietsu said that in the event if any amicable and acceptable settlement is arrived between the GoI and the Naga militants, then the State government will “pave way for any alternate arrangement”. The house unanimously adopted this resolution and appealed the GoI to expedite the political dialogue so as to bring an early solution to the protracted ‘Naga political problem’.

In a consultative meeting on the Chakma and Hajong refugee issue, the house, consisting of various political parties, students unions, former union leaders and legal experts, endorsed that the AAPSU would call on the government to conduct an all political party meeting within one week’s time to draw more consensus on the issue.

SOS of Gadchiroli Police raided a camp of the CPI-Maoist in the forest of Karkewada on Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border in Bhairamgarh tehsil in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. The Police recovered substantial literature, medical kits, materials of daily use and such other things belonging to the Maoists. An encounter had ensued in Karkewada where around 25 Maoists were camping. Though there was no casualty reported from either side, Police claimed that they found blood stains on the ground where the Maoists had taken position. This suggested injuries to the Maoists.

The AET arrested one person identified as Wongkiuba Sangtam, for collecting illegal taxes from auto rickshaws on behalf of the NSCN-IM in Dimapur.

May 28

Indian Army shot dead an intruder along the LoC in Poonch District of J&K. Troops along the LoC in Krishnagati sector of Poonch District shot dead the intruder in an ambush around 0230 hours, an Army officer said. According to reports, the intruder had reportedly been sent for conducting recce of the area to check troop preparedness before the militants could be formally launched into this side. Though the intruder was believed to be a Pakistani, his identity couldn’t be established as he wasn’t carrying any identity card with him. He was in possession of some Pakistani currency and Pakistan made toffees.

At least 30 persons were injured in violent clashes between protestors and SFs in various parts of the valley following the killing of the HM ‘commander’ Sabzar Bhat in an encounter on May 27.

The separatists have called for a two-day shutdown to protest the killing of the two terrorists. The authorities have suspended mobile Internet services in the valley, while the outgoing call facility on prepaid numbers has also been snapped as a precautionary measure. Authorities also imposed curfew-like restrictions in many parts of the valley to maintain law and order in view of the protests.

Clashes broke out in Meemander in Shopian and Warpora in Sopore, Trehgam in Kupwara as SFs fired teargas shells on protesters to disperse them, while the protesters pelted stones towards the forces, triggering clashes. A Police spokesman said in Srinagar that except for six incidents of stone pelting in Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian and Sopore, situation across the Valley remained peaceful and under control.

JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik was arrested from his residence in Srinagar, the Police said. A Police official said Malik has been shifted to central jail in Srinagar. He was arrested from his residence in Maisuma near Lal Chowk on May 28-morning. The JKLF chairman had on May 27 visited the residences of slain HM terrorists

Malik and chairmen of both factions of Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, have called for a two-day shutdown in the Valley to protest the killing of the two militants and the use of "brute force" against the protestors. The separatist trio has also called for a march to Tral on May 30 to pay tributes to the two militants.

A day after the killing of Sabzar Ahmed Bhat, HM identified Riyaz Naikoo, at 29 the oldest surviving terrorist of the outfit, as its new ‘commander’ in Kashmir, sources said. Tech-savvy Naikoo is considered a moderate among the hardline HM terrorists, and speaks contrary to the deposed HM commander Zakir Musa. He favours a secular society in the valley. A few months ago, Naikoo had invited Kashmiri Pandits to return to the valley.

Intelligence sources said HM is likely to nominate Naikoo as its new chief to counter the narrative of deposed ‘commander’ Zakir Musa that terrorists in Kashmir were fighting for an Islamic Caliphate and imposition of Shariat. Pakistan-based HM leadership, according to intelligence agencies, is under tremendous pressure from ISI after deposed HM ‘commander’ Zakir Musa last week spoke about establishing a Caliphate in the Valley, besides threatening separatists against terming Kashmir's struggle as political fight. "By appointing moderate Naikoo as new chief, HM may overshadow Zakir, who gained prominence among hardliners in Kashmir due to ISIS ideology. Also, HM would prove to the world that it was not fighting for Islamic rule in Kashmir," an intelligence source said.

SFs are on a high alert after the CPI-Maoist cadres called for a State-wide bandh on May 29 against the “anti-people policies” of the Jharkhand Government. IG (Operations), Ashish Batra, asserted that anti-Naxal operations were also going on in full swing in the light of the day long bandh called by the Maoists.

Police personnel working in Naxal-affected areas in Telangana have sought sophisticated weapons and other protective gears to take part in operations against the CPI-Maoist cadres during emergency situations from the Union Government. The Telangana Police also highlighted the lack of facilities including infrastructure and other logistics in the newly-formed Police stations, divisional offices and administrative offices in districts. The Policemen also brought the issue of lack of coordination between police officials from the rank of DSPs and SIs that impacted badly on investigation and law and order.

Ri Bhoi Deputy Commissioner CP Gotmare said that appropriate legal action will be taken against KSU volunteers involved in the arson and vandalism incident on May 27. The district administration also imposed section 144 Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in Ri Bhoi prohibiting assembly of more than five persons. Educational institutions were exempted from the order. The order also prohibits carrying of weapons by the public.

TPC cadres - Chandan Kumar, Md Arif and Biraj Bhuiyan - were arrested while burning kendu leaves in a farm in Ramgarh District of Jharkhand, after failing to extort ‘levy’ from a contractor. TPC is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar and ace badminton player Saina Nehwal have been threatened by Maoists in Chhattisgarh for extending financial help to families of 12 CRPF jawans who were killed in a Maoist ambush in Sukma District on March 16. In a pamphlet issued by the CPI-Maoist Bastar south sub-zonal bureau, the two have been threatened besides urging other celebrities to stand with the poor and the revolution. “We condemn the financial assistance given to the families of CRPF jawans killed in PLGA attacks. We appeal to famous figures, film actors, sportspersons and celebrities to stand with the revolution and poor people. Stand against police atrocities and human rights violations,” it read. Akshay and Saina had promised to provide INR 0.9 million and INR 50,000 respectively to each family.

One militant of NNC-NA, identified as Mughalu Aye, was arrested by the AET for collecting illegal ‘taxes’ in Dimapur.

May 29

Two persons in possession of FICNs worth INR 1,08,000 were arrested in Gwalior. The aggregate amount comprised a combination of duplicate currency notes of INR 2,000 and INR 500 which have been in circulation post demonetisation drive on November 8, 2016. To this regard, a ban was imposed on the circulation of INR 500 and INR 1000 notes, with subsequent circulation of INR 2000 notes and new notes of INR 500, which were printed to balance the flow of cash. Under the Specified Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Act, 2017, which was passed in March 2017, it is illegal for Indian citizens to hold more than ten notes of the invalid currency after March 31, 2017.

PM Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel held "very good" discussions on a range of bilateral, regional and global issues like the Brexit consequences, trade and radicalisation in the context of recent terror attacks in Europe.

The Azamgarh Police are investigating link of a female medical student, with an Islamic State (IS) module of Amzad khan alias Ayan Khan Salafi, who was deported from Saudi Arabia in April. The link of the girl, a medical student from Sarai Mir area of Azamgarh District, surfaced during interrogation of Amzad by NIA. Amzad is a resident of Churu in Rajasthan and had been closely associated with IS. He had radicalised the 24-year-old girl on phone and the two had entered into Nikah (marriage) on phone only. Though, the NIA has not disclose the identity of the girl, the local Police and intelligence unit are trying to trace out her and her family members. "We have come to know about the girl, but she is yet to be traced out in want of her identity," the Azamgarh SP Ajay Sahni said, adding that the intelligence is being gathered to trace out the girl.

Four persons, including a woman, were arrested, who according to the Police, were planning to carry out targeted killings under the banner - ‘Khalistan Zindabad’ from Bathinda District of Punjab. They have been identified as Harbarinder Singh of Amritsar, Amritpal Kaur of Ludhiana, and Jarnail Singh and Randeep Singh of Gurdaspur. Two pistols (4 magazines and 5 live rounds) were also recovered from them. On the radar of these “highly radicalised youth” were Congress leaders Tytler and Kumar, as well as those they considered responsible for incidents of sacrilege or desecration, said a Police spokesperson. Tytler and Kumar have faced allegations related to their role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Delhi. The youths had formed a group – ‘Khalistan Zindabad’ - after having been radicalised over Facebook and other social media platforms by certain individuals based in Pakistan, various middle-eastern countries and the UK, the spokesman said.

Special Forces of Army targeted Pakistani troops along the LoC in Uri sector in Baramulla District and killed two Pakistani troopers and injured to at least four of them. Sources said that Para-commandos of the Army took positions near the LoC on a hill overlooking Chakoti-Muzaffarabad road in PoK and targeted a Pakistani troop convoy early in the morning. Sources said that there were three vehicles in the convoy on Chakoti Muzaffarabad road and they were targeted by the Para commandos inflicting casualties on them. They said that the attack led to the killing of two Pakistani troops and injuries to at least four of them. They said that it was a pre-emptive move by the Army as Pakistani troops have been attempting BAT strikes in the area besides infiltrating militants.

Authorities said that curfew like restrictions will continue in parts of Kashmir valley and educational intuitions will remain closed on May 30 as separatists have called for march to Tral in Pulwama District. The curfew like restrictions continued in parts of Kashmir while in rest of the Valley normal life remained paralysed due to strike called by separatists against the killing of HM ‘commander’, Sabzar Bhat, his associate and a civilian on May 27 in Tral area of Pulwama District.

Minor clashes/stone pelting incidents were reported in few areas of Srinagar, Tahab in Pulwama, Batapora area of Sopore and Trehgam, Kupwara.

As per Police statement, situation remained peaceful and under control throughout Kashmir valley. “A stray stone pelting incident was reported from Tahab in Pulwama. No injury was reported till filing of this report. A group of miscreants pelted stones on 182 CRPF Camp at Tahab. Police and security forces used maximum restraint and chased them away. However, restrictions under Section 144 CrPC remained imposed in some vulnerable areas of the Valley to thwart any untoward incident,” it said.

Three Kashmiri separatists appeared before the NIA in New Delhi for questioning in connection with a case related to the funding of terror and subversive activities in J&K. Sources said Farooq Ahmad Dar alias ‘Bitta Karate’, Nayeem Khan and Javed Ahmed Baba alias ‘Gazi’ of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat have arrived in New Delhi for questioning by NIA sleuths. Dar, Ahmed and Khan were asked to bring certain bank and property documents, besides other papers, before the NIA team that had questioned them here for four consecutive days earlier this month.

A 21-year-old Kashmiri youth, who was allegedly trying to join the terror group Islamic State (ISIS), has been deported from Turkey to India after being picked up by Turkish authorities, official sources said in Srinagar. Srinagar resident Afshan Parvaiz was deported from the Turkish capital of Ankara on May 25 and whisked away to an undisclosed destination by security agencies in Delhi, the sources said. He was being assessed by various security agencies, they said.

Earlier in March, Mohammed Taha, a resident of Srinagar, was deported from Turkey and sent to India. He has been put in preventive custody, they said. Security agencies in India have viewed their alleged plans to join the ISIS with concern. They believe that some Kashmiri youths are getting radicalised by ‘jihadi’ propaganda material shared by the ISIS on the Internet. The agencies feel that if the growing influence of the ISIS is not checked, it can be detrimental to the situation in the Valley.

Despite the unrest in Jammu and Kashmir snowballing, UHM Rajnath Singh said that the problem would be solved soon without any compromise with Pakistan. Singh said certain forces were trying to misguide the Kashmiri youths but this would be checked. “Kashmir is ours and so are the Kashmiris,” he said at a programme to highlight achievements of the Modi government in the past three years.

One person was killed and four others were injured in a bomb blast that took place inside a medical store at Church road in Dimapur Town. According to the eyewitness two persons came in car and lobbed a bomb inside the shop. One person, identified as Abdul Rashid was seriously injured and died at a private hospital. The four others injured in the blast were identified as Bindan Biwas (39), Dilwar Hussian (22), Mithu Biswas (42) and Ihelung Newmai (22). The investigation is still going on and Police is not yet sure about the group of the militant involved in the incident.  

Two years after an RTI was filed seeking details of the Naga peace accord between the GoI and the NSCN-IM, the CIC has ruled in favour of the Union Home Ministry withholding the contents of the accord. Agreeing with the UMHA decision to withhold information, the Chief Information Commissioner, R K Mathur in his decision said, "In the present case, the sovereign and integrity of India and the security, the strategic interests of the state may be prejudicially affected. The public interest served by non-disclosure has to be weighed against the immediate public interest of disclosure." The order cites R N Ravi, chairman of the joint intelligence committee and interlocutor, who told the CIC the ground situation, was "sensitive and fragile", and the "premature release" of the information would be "prejudicial to national security". "The government does not wish to lose the gains arising out of the Framework Agreement," Mathur quoted Ravi as saying.

A fresh case of arson was reported from Jeep Stand in Qualapatty of Shillong city in East Khasi Hills District. Police said a group of miscreants hurled a petrol bomb (Molotov cocktail) at a tobacco shop, belonging to Santosh Kumar Jalewa, partially damaging the shop. However no injury was reported, Police added.

A case of petrol bomb (Molotov cocktail) attack on a truck was reported in Umsning in Ri Bhoi District. However, the damage was minimal as the vehicle was covered with wet plastic.

Ri Bhoi District Police arrested three more KSU activists in connection with the recent attack at the railway construction site at Byrnihat. The arrested persons have been identified as Johny Nongrum, Jayan Sylliang and Sabarthani alias Babloo Lyngdoh.

East Khasi Hills Police have called in additional forces from different Districts to maintain law and order in the capital city. District SP Davis Marak said that additional forces have already started coming and the SOT personnel deployed in other districts have also been asked to return to Shillong. The police have also stepped up vigil on roads in the whole of Ri Bhoi District.

The KSU has threatened to continue its protest if the Government does not stop the railway project in Byrnihat. The pressure group also demanded that its leaders and members, who were arrested after the violent protest in Ri Bhoi on May 27, be released. KSU ‘president’ Lambokstarwell Marngar said that the Government has failed to come up with effective laws to prevent influx of “outsiders” into the State. “We have all along maintained a strong stand that it is only when such laws are in place, we will be ready to talk on whether to welcome the railway project,” said Marngar.

SFs arrested one militant of KYKL, identified as ‘sergeant major’ Recky Thoudam (32), from Thounaojam of Wabagai in Thoubal District. In the interrogation the militant revealed that he was directed to carry out IED blasts targeting security forces and was accompanied by five CorCom cadres.   

In a press release, KIM, the apex body of the Kuki community in the State, has expressed its discontentment over the alleged statement of Manipur CM N Biren Singh terming the SoO agreement a “failure”. A tripartite SoO currently in operation between the GoI, Government of Manipur and the Kuki militant groups under the umbrella of the UPF and the KNO. The KIM said that Kuki armed groups under SoO have not been “engaged in any ambush or killing against security forces after signing the SoO agreement.” However, it lamented that “no remarkable political solution has been achieved for the Kukis because of signing the SoO pact.”

The KNF-N has held captive the alleged ‘c-in-c’ of KTU, identified as Khaipao Haokip, in Kangpokpi District. Informing about the incident, the KNF-N alleged that KTU is a puppet of NSCN-IM and it has been ‘utilized by NSCN-IM solely to weaken the political movements of Kukis’. An unidentified cadre of NSCN-IM was also over powered along with Khaipao but he was released unharmed on the same day.

Thousands of people staged a protest at Haflong town in Dima Hasao District to protest the life sentences to rebel leaders-turned-politicians Jewel Gorlosa and Niranjan Hojai and former CEM of the NCHAC, Mohit Hojai. On May 23, an NIA special court convicted all the 15 accused in two cases related to diverting government funds to the now disbanded DHD -J militant group. The protesters also submitted a memorandum to the PM Narendra Modi, Union home minister Rajnath Singh, Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal and others through Dima Hasao deputy commissioner, requesting Modi to intervene into the whole matter and grant general amnesty to all the individuals.

At least 30 to 40 cadres of the CPI-Maoist set ablaze a mobile tower, three kilometres away from a CRPF camp in Anandpur village under Laxmipur Police Station in Jamui District of Bihar. According to reports, tower, generator set and other instruments were damaged completely in the attack.

A group of 50 cadres of the CPI-Maoist set ablaze an empty private bus travelling from Dhanora area to Orchha village in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. According to reports, the Maoists set the bus on fire after the passengers were forced to evacuate the bus. The Maoists had been opposing the road construction work in Jhorigaon. It is believed that a road construction is underway on a brisk pace under the security cover provided by the ITBP and the District Police. 45 kilometres of a total 66 kilometres have been completed so far, the reports added.

SFs arrested three CPI-Maoist cadres after an exchange of fire at Hiroli village in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The incident occurred when a composite squad of STF, DRG and CRPF was conducting an anti-Maoist operation in the forested hills of Kirandul Police Station area. The arrested CPI-Maoists were identified as president of the JSRC of CPI-Maoist, Banjar alias Hunga, and Lakhma Kunjam and Hidma Kunjam–both Jan militia members. The three CPI-Maoists had INR 100,000 each on their heads.

CPI-Maoist cadres blew up a railway track between Chiyanki–Karmabad railway station on Gaya–Mughalsarai rail route and set ablaze vehicles in Giridih and Bokaro Districts of Jharkhand, during the 24-hour State-wide bandh called in Jharkhand to protest against the amendments in tenancy acts and the alleged anti-poor policy of the Raghubar Das Government. The Maoists blasted the down tracks between Chiyanki and Karmabad railway stations leading to disruption of the rail movement for at least nine hours. They also set ablaze one vehicle and one poklen machine in Giridih and two vehicles at Chutte village in Gomia block of Bokaro District. SDPO of Saria, Deepak Kumar said that the Maoists blew up the track under the Dhanbad railway division. Many other trains, including Delhi-Rajdhani, Delhi-Sealdah-Rajdhani were also stranded at different railway stations due to the incident. The traffic on the route was disrupted for nearly 10 hours till a railway team reached the site and reinstalled the broken railway lines.

A group of Maoists stormed at the work site at Gagaguro village and after threatening the workers to leave the place, they set on fire a poklen machine engaged in road construction in Giridih District of Jharkhand. They also set ablaze a bolero jeep parked at Dhawatand forest area on Giridih-Dumri Road during the bandh. No one was injured in the incident.

A group of suspected Maoists set ablaze two Tata pickup vans engaged in carrying passengers in Chute village in Gomia block under Gomia Police Station in Bokaro District of Jharkhand.

The bandh called by the Maoists crippled road and public transport in the rural areas of the State (Jharkhand) the most as many transporters preferred to keep their vehicles off the roads fearing rebel attacks. Fewer trucks were seen on roads as the frequency of long route buses was also very low. People avoided using trains despite heavy deployment of security forces in almost every train that passed through the Maoist belt, said Police officials.

Three CPI-Maoist cadres, including a woman cadre and a minor, surrendered before Rourkela Police in Sundargarh District of Odisha. The CPI-Maoist cadres were identified as Phula Munda alias Gurubari (19) and Siddharth Lohar alias Bhima (28), while the name of the minor was withheld by the Police. Phula carried a reward of INR 0.1 million and Siddharth carried a reward of INR 0.5 million. The three were involved in several incidents of attacks on Police and the 2009 attack on National Aluminium Company Limited's mines at Damanjodi.

Two cadres of Charla LOS of the CPI-Maoist, surrendered before Bhadrachalam ASP, Sunil Dutt, in the Mandal headquarters town of Charla in Khammam District of Telangana. Police identified the surrendered duo as Irpa Laxman Rao alias Bharath (28) of Pusuguppa, and S Murali (35) of Vuyyalamadugu of Charla Mandal. Laxman worked as a courier for CPI-Maoist cadres from 2008 to 2013 before being appointed as a dalam member the same year. Murali surrendered following the death of his wife due to ill health recently.

The AET arrested four militants of NSCN-IM, identified as Rhontho Halflongpar, Paru Halflongpar, Dethar Longthasa, and Metseyi Tetseo in Dimapur District. Another two militant, belonging to NNC-NA, identified as Athsu Yimchunger and Apong alias Moses Tikhir, were also arrested from NL Road on charges of extortion in Dimapur.

May 30

The LCB of the Jalgaon Police, night raided a centre that was manufacturing FICN of denomination INR 100 and INR 50, and arrested five persons along with fake notes amounting up to INR 92,000. One more suspect, however, managed to escape the scene. The LCB had received information that fake notes were printed at some places in Trimbaknagar along Jalgaon-Pachora road, after which they raided the area and seized fake notes and equipment used to produce the notes.

The Army released a list of the 12 most dreaded terrorists in J&K. SFs are searching for these terrorists, army sources said. Among the most prominent names in the list are Reyaz Naikoo alias Zubair and Zakir Rashid Bhat alias Musa. Naikoo is a resident of Tokun, Awantipore, and is likely to be the next HM ‘commander’ in Kashmir after the death of Sabzar. He is known to be tech savvy and active on social media like his predecessor, Burhan Wani. On the other hand, Musa, was Wani's successor after the latter's killing by SFs on July 8, 2016. Earlier this month, Musa had released a video in which he threatened to behead the separatists if they created hurdles in establishing Sharia in Kashmir. For this the HM snubbed Musa, who later announced to part ways with the group.

It was not only Pakistan which pumped hawala money running into crores in Kashmir but the illegal funds were also reported to have been routed in the Valley from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Some cross-LoC traders were also reported to have funded the separatists and OGWs through the “extra money” sent to them from Pakistan under the garb of trade. This and some other sensational disclosures were reported to have figured during hawala investigations of separatists being conducted by the NIA, whose high-level team had camped in Srinagar for four days, and has now summoned three separatist leaders to its headquarters in New Delhi to join the probe.

Sources said that while LeT was using Pakistan soil to pump hawala money into the Kashmir valley, some other cadre of the LeT and other militant outfits had also used Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the two friendly neighbours of India, to pump money to the separatists using hawala channels in New Delhi, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.

Militants fired upon Abdul Rashid Lone, a PDP worker, when he was coming out from a Masjid after offering prayers in Khanpura area of Baramulla town in Baramulla District in the night. The incident took place at 10:30 pm outside the Khanpura shrine. Lone’s nephew also suffered injuries in the attack. They were shifted to hospital. Lone had retired after serving the Jammu and Kashmir Electricity department and is a PDP worker.

SFs arrested three persons, identified as Khaiginlal Haokip (34), Jangkhokhohao (40) and Simon Gurung (31), for carrying ammunitions at Kangvai area in Churachandpur District. SFs recovered 2780 rounds of AK rifle ammunition from their possession.   

The village chief of the village where the KTU ‘chief’ was abducted yesterday (on May 29), informed that, nine cadres of NSCN-IM entered the village and warned the villagers of ‘dire consequences’ if the KTU ‘c-in-c’ Khaipao Haokip has been not released.

The Manipur State Cabinet resolved to enact the legislation, declaring all forms of strikes and blockades illegal, for fixing responsibility against the sponsors and organizers of strikes and blockades for causing public inconvenience and damage to properties. The cabinet also considered enacting the law with provisions of recovery of cost of all damages to properties, from the sponsors and organizers. Such a law will have provisions to deny persons, involved in calling a strike or blockade, from getting government jobs and benefits under the government schemes in addition to criminal proceedings.

CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze the battery room of a mobile tower of BSNL at Mutanpal under Burgum Police Station in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh. The Police also found pamphlets left by CPI-Maoist cadres at the spot which protested killing of CPI-Maoist leader 'Vilas' in an encounter in Burgum area on May 14.

Kuwakonda Police also arrested a woman Jan Militia member of the CPI-Maoist Kunjami Huray in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. There are eight cases registered against her, which include murder and attempt to murder.

The cadres of the PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, set ablaze two earthmovers digging a pond at Palkot in Gumla District of Jharkhand. Gumla SP, Chandan Jha said combing operations had been intensified in the area.

Madhya Pradesh Police personnel recovered explosives dump by the CPI-Maoist cadres to target security personnel in the jungles of Naxal-affected Balaghat District of Madhya Pradesh. Balaghat SP, Amit Sanghi told, “The explosive dump contained IED stocks of splinters, sharp nails, urea, sulphur, ammonium nitrate, two bundles of electric wires and two detonators, which seemed to have been stashed in these jungles to target our patrolling party’s foot soldiers through an IED attack.”

Thirty-one newly recruited constables of 9th IRB refused to join the service fearing the CPI-Maoist at Kalahandi District of Odisha. The incident took place at the time of inaugural ceremony. In total 521 constables were selected to join the battalion in Kalahandi, 490 of them joined finally. B Radhika, ADG, State Armed Police, said the new recruits got jobs elsewhere. "Some of the selected candidates got jobs in other places, including army," Radhika told TOI.

One person, identified as Pitovi Shohe, was arrested on charges of extortion after he was found issuing ‘work permits’ to the business establishments on behalf of the NSCN-IM in Dimapur.

May 31

A charge-sheet filed by NIA last week against Base Movement, a terror outfit that owed allegiance to al Qaeda, said that the outfit carried out five blasts in court premises in south India last year to avenge the killing of HM leader Burhan Wani by Indian SFs, encounter killing of Ishrat Jahan in Gujarat, hanging of Yakub Memon and killing of eight alleged SIMI terrorists in Madhya Pradesh last year.

NIA said in its chargesheet that the September 12, 2016 blast at Nellore court (Andhra Pradesh) was carried out by the outfit to avenge the "mental agony" suffered by Kashmiri Muslims for about two months when Section 144 (prohibitory orders by the government) was imposed in parts of the valley following the killing of Burhan Wani.

It said that the outfit carried out the August 1, 2016 Mysuru court (Karnataka) blast to avenge the hanging of 1993 Mumbai serial blast accused Yakub Memon and killing of eight alleged SIMI terrorists by Madhya Pradesh Police.

Similarly, Base Movement carried out the June 15 blast at Kollam court (Kerala) to avenge the encounter killing of Ishrat Jahan in Gujarat. They also wanted to avenge lynching of Mohammad Akhlaq in Noida (Uttar Pradesh).

According to the NIA chargesheet, the members of the outfit also felt that Muslims lodged in jail were being ill-treated and courts were handing them a raw deal. The chargesheet has been filed against Nainar Abbas Ali, Dawood Sulaiman and Samsun Karim Raja on May 24. Abbas and Sulaiman formed the outfit on January 26, 2015 at Madurai. Two members of the outfit, S Shamsudheen and Mohammad Ayub, are yet to be chargesheeted.

Three Bangladeshi nationals, including a woman with a 18-month-old child, were detained from Sanjognagar in Bhuj town by the SOG. They also recovered 20 FICNs of INR 500 denomination from the trio. Those detained were Manzura Khatun Sadar (45), TIka Khan Mujbar Murul (45), Sagor Riz-ul Sadar (18) residents of Jasor District of Bangladesh, SOG Police Inspector R A Dodhiya said.

India and Spain stressed that there should be "zero tolerance" to terrorism and called on the international community to end "selective or partial" approaches in combating the menace which poses the gravest threat to international peace and stability. PM Narendra Modi, the first Indian prime minister to visit Spain since 1992, met the European country's top leaders and they stressed that states and entities which encourage, support, finance terrorism, provide sanctuary to terrorists and glorify terrorism should be subjected to international laws including restrictive measures.

Four Policemen were injured as militants hurled a grenade at Police Station Sopore in Baramulla District. At around 4.20 pm, militants lobbed a grenade at Sopore Police Station which exploded outside it injuring four police personnel, identified as Head Constable Noor Mohammad, Head Constable Ghulam Hassan Bhat, Constable Abdul Rehman and Constable Bilal Ahmad. All the injured are undergoing treatment and condition of two of them is stated to be critical. No militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the attack.

SF have issued list of top commanders of the militants operating in South Kashmir and have evolved a strategy to target them in order to prevent attacks in South Kashmir. These militants are brain behind the attacks and running of militancy in the area. Topping the list is Abu Hamas, who is divisional commander of JeM. He is resident of Pakistan and is active since 2016. He has been categorized as A++ militant carrying a cash reward of INR 12.50 lakh.

Normal life resumed in Kashmir after being paralyzed for three days due to curfew-like restrictions and shutdown following the killing of HM ‘commander’ Sabzar Ahmad Bhat and his aide in a gunfight at Tral area of Pulwama District on May 27. However, a spontaneous shutdown was observed in Pulwama district while all the colleges and senior secondary schools remained closed in Valley.

In Pulwama District, however, a shutdown was observed to mourn the killings of militants. Witnesses said most of the shops and commercial establishments were closed in Pulwama areas including in Tral – the hometown of Sabzar Bhat. During shutdown, youth clashed with SFs at Main Town and Tahab areas.

A chemist, identified as Ghulam Mohiuddin was injured after a teargas canister exploded in his hand at Pulwama town in Pulwama District. He was shifted to local hospital for treatment and his condition is stated to be stable.

Police said the situation across Kashmir remained peaceful and no major incident of law and order was reported. “Apart from two incidents of stone-pelting in Pulwama, one such incident was reported from Papchan in Bandipora district,” a police official said.

JKLF leader Muhammad Yasin Malik was released from Srinagar Central Jail.

AR arrested Timsay Pongner, a ‘worker ‘of the NSCN-IM, from Ledo town in Tinsukia District.

In a statement, the AAPSU has strongly condemned the recent rally organised by the PADC committee and questioned the genuineness and integrity of the demand of the PADC, which seeks grant of Autonomous District Council under special provision Act of Parliament of India, under Article 371 (A).

One militant of KUFO, identified as Seikham Chongloi (49), was arrested by Indian Army personnel from Saikul Bazaar area in Kangpokpi District. One country made 9 mm pistol, one magazine of 9 mm pistol, two live rounds and two handsets were also recovered from the arrested militant. According to the sources he was involved in several extortion cases. 

An exchange of fire broke out between a joint team of STF and DRG and the CPI-Maoist cadres near Chhote Rainar village in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. SFs were engaged in ensuring security to the repairing work of the damaged road to facilitate the movement of vehicles. No casualty has been reported from either side.

District and Sessions Court Judge Ashant Das acquitted the eight accused in connection with Maoist attack Nayagarh District on 2008 in Odisha. The eight acquitted have spent over nine years in jail. According to the prosecution, the eight people were accused of being involved in the daring attack by CPI-Maoist on several Police establishments including the armoury and looting of weapons on the night of February 15, 2008. Those acquitted were Ranjit Sana of West Bengal, Asutosh Soren and Rabi Dulai of Jharkhand, Kamalakant Sethy and his wife Chandrabati Tukuruka of Ranapur, Kishore Jena of Delang in Puri and Bikram Mallick and Sushil Behera of Aska in Ganjam District, said special public prosecutor Brundaban Panda.

Maharashtra Police claimed to have recovered a weapon and some CPI-Maoist material after an encounter with the Maoists in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. The encounter had taken place in Karwafa forest of Jarawandi area of Gadchiroli.

May 31- June 1

Several incidents cases of arson and Molotov cocktail attacks suspected to be linked to the ongoing protest against the extension of Railways to the State were reported from different parts of the State, including Shillong city in East Khasi Hills District.

Miscreants threw a Molotov cocktail at a building, owned by Minoli Borman, at Lumshyiap in Nongmynsong in East Khasi Hills District around 8pm on May 31. No damage was reported.

After some time, a Molotov cocktail was hurled at a police requisition bus (ML-05P-8518) at Lailad in Nongmynsong in East Khasi Hills District. The vehicle was partially damaged.

Later around 9 pm, another Molotov cocktail hurling was reported from Lower Jail Road in East Khasi Hills District.

Around 11.30pm, a vehicle (MH14 Y 9717) belonging to Ashish Gundal caught fire at the parking lot of Orchid Resort of  Umiam in Ri Bhoi District. The vehicle was partially damaged.

Further, unidentified miscreants on June 1 tried to attack the office of the Youth Congress at Pahamsohthri village in Ri Bhoi District. Incessant rain minimized the damage.

Meanwhile, unidentified miscreants pelted stones at a Tura-bound vehicle carrying The Shillong Times newspapers on June 1 night causing partial damage to the vehicle and minor injuries to the driver in Ri Bhoi District. The vehicle was attacked at a place between Nongpoh and Umsning.

June 1

Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted that Russia's "trust-based" relations with India -- which he described as one of its "closest friends" -- will not be diluted by Moscow's growing ties with Pakistan and other countries. But at the same time, Putin sidestepped a question on Kashmir, and said "it is up to you" to assess whether Pakistan is fuelling terrorism in the Indian state. "But no matter where the threat comes, it is unacceptable and we will always support India in its fight against terrorism," he added.

An Indian parliamentary delegation on a visit to Sweden has sought from the Scandinavian nation partnership in combating international terrorism, emphasising its dangers, especially in the south Asian region. The 10-member delegation led by Union Minister of State (MoS) for Parliamentary Affairs S.S. Ahluwalia visited Sweden with an aim of "promoting and strengthening parliamentary relations between the two countries".

IM’s 'India operations chief' Mohammed Ahmed Siddibapa alias Yasin Bhatkal revealed to counter–terror investigators how he was trained in Karachi by Pakistan’s ISI operatives in handling military-grade explosives like TNT, C3, C4 as well as ammonium nitrate and potassium nitrate. The training subsequently helped him in acquiring expertise in IED bomb-making. Bhatkal, who was recently questioned in Ahmedabad after his arrest for alleged role in the July 2008 Ahmedabad blasts that killed 50 people, was arrested in August 2013. He was sentenced to death last December by a Hyderabad special court for his role in the February 2013 blasts there.

Two militants were killed in an encounter that broke out between SFs and militants in Nathi Pora area of Sopore in Baramulla District in the early morning. The militants were suspected to be present in the area. With the killing of the two terrorists, the Army launched a search and combing operation. Army's Northern Command said that two weapons were recovered from the slain militants.

Pakistan again resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation along the LoC in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch District and Nowshera sector of Rajouri District in J&K, Army said. "Today Pakistan army carried out unprovoked ceasefire violation in Poonch's KG sector and Rajouri’s Nowshera sector. Befitting reply is being given," Army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Manish Mehta said.

In the morning, Pakistan army resorted to ceasefire violations at 7.20 am targeting forward Army posts and civilian areas in Krishna Ghati and Nowshera sectors on the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri Districts respectively in which a civilian GREF labourer was killed and four others were injured. A GREF vehicle, engaged in construction work at Balnoi Forward was directly hit by a mortar shell fired by the Pakistan army, leading to injuries to four workers including the driver, one of whom, identified as Mohammad Parwaiz later succumbed to his injuries. A BSF Havaldar, identified as Mohammad Nizam-ud-Din was also injured in the shelling.

Indian Army launched yet another major offensive against Pakistani troops at Bhimber and Battal sectors along LoC between twin border Districts of Poonch and Rajouri killing six Pakistani troopers and injuring five in the afternoon. This was third fierce retaliatory action undertaken by the Indian troops exactly during past one month. Some of the Pakistani posts and bunkers were also destroyed in retaliatory firing by the Indian troops, sources said, adding that mortar shelling and firing by the Pakistani troops stopped immediately after Indian forces undertook retaliatory action.

Pakistan also claimed that their one civilian was killed in retaliatory firing by the Indian Army. Sources also said that major counter attack against the Pakistan army, which was undertaken this afternoon from Bhimber and Battal sectors of Rajouri and Poonch districts, was necessitated to decimate Pakistani posts, which were raining mortars on Indian civilian areas and were also preparing to facilitate infiltration attempts into the Indian territory.

Pakistan summoned India’s Deputy High Commissioner JP Singh in Islamabad following Army’s killing. Pakistan alleged that at least one civilian was killed and four others were injured in the Indian firing in Battal sector in Rawalakot District on June 1st morning. However, India categorically denied Pakistan charge of resorting to ceasefire violation saying Pakistan started mortar shelling and firing prompting Indian retaliation.

Indian Army foiled a major infiltration bid in Macchil sector of LoC in Kupwara District during which one Army personnel was injured. Sources said that troops deployed at the LoC in Macchil sector of Kupwara noticed movement of at least a group of six militants trying to infiltrate into the sector during the wee hours on June 1. The troops deployed challenged the infiltrators leading to a gun battle. However, the group managed to escape back to PoK under the cover of darkness and thick foliage. One Army personnel was injured in the encounter.

Army has foiled several infiltration attempts along the LoC in Kashmir during last one month. So far, 19 militants, who were trying to infiltrate into Kashmir, have been killed but equal number of them managed to sneak in since winter this year. Army said that around 250 militants are waiting on the launch pads for infiltration but troops are alert to thwart their attempts.

UHM Rajnath Singh said infiltration by militants from Pakistan has come down to a large extent after India conducted surgical strikes on the terror hubs across the LoC. Addressing a gathering of Central police and paramilitary personnel during a BSF investiture ceremony in New Delhi, the Home Minister also asked security personnel to be cautious against using and forwarding unverified social media content. “There used to be infiltration by militants from Pakistan. But I can say after surgical strikes, incidents of infiltration have come down to a large extent. I compliment both the Army and the BSF for ensuring border security,” Singh said.

SFs busted an LeT OGW network by arresting five persons, that was supplying arms and ammunition to the militants in Bandipora District. Police said that an input was received that one Wagon-R vehicle is roaming between Chandergeer, Hajin, Shahgund and Gund-Jahangeer areas, carrying militants  and OGWs and arms and ammunition and were planning attacks. SFs laid a naka at Khusarpora Hajin axis, leading to recovery of huge cache of arms and ammunition, which was meant to be supplied to LeT group operating in the Shahgund and Gund-Jahangeer areas.

During the checking, one white color Wagon-R vehicle was intercepted and five boarding persons, identified as as driver Bashir Ahmad Mir, Mohammad Younis Bhat, Shabir Ahmad Dar, Hilal Ahmad Parray, and Sonaullah Dar, were questioned. “The extensive search of the vehicle and personal search of the people boarding the vehicle was conducted and 10 grenades, 2 AK-47 magazines and 27 rounds of AK rifle were recovered from the vehicle. All the five persons were arrested and vehicle was seized”, Police said

A HM militant, identified as Suhaib Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Chursoo Awantipora in Pulwama District, was arrested by SFs from Manigam area of Qazigund in Anantnag District. One pistol, one pistol magazine and eight pistol rounds were recovered from his possession.

Police arrested a youth, identified as Tufail Mir who appeared in a video holding an AK-47 rifle, after he returned to his home in Srinagar. Tufail Mir had appeared holding an assault rifle in a video, which went viral on social media, including Facebook and WhatsApp on May 24, about a week after his disappearance. “Mir is with his family at home,” DIG CKR Ghulam Hassan Bhat said. However, when asked whether the youth has surrendered or was caught, he didn’t give any further details about what led the youth to return home.

The ‘c-in-c’ of KTU, identified as Khaipao Haokip, who was abducted by KNF-N, died reportedly due to a stroke/heart attack at the Daitwi Camp of KNF-N in Kangpokpi District. Informing the incident, ‘president’ of KNF-N Dr Napoleon Kremlin claimed that the deceased KTU leader was given the best treatment considering his age and physical weakness in the camp. In the statement, repeating about the allegation of relationship between NSCN-IM and KTU, KNF-N said,” KTU and NSCN-IM have an agreement that a Kuki Union territory shall be given if the Nagas demand is fulfilled”.

Police arrested one militant of ZRA, identified as Thangzangam alias Jeff (32), at Phaibatang camp in Churachandpur District. Police source said that the said cadre is involved in assaulting a BSF constable on May 24 evening at New Lamka in Churachandpur District.

Speaking to media persons, surrendered militants of the State said that they have not been provided the promised stipends as well as the onetime payment that they are supposed to get after three years and threatened that they would launch agitations besides taking help of the law court if the Government fails to fulfill the promises. Earlier on July 19 of 2012 surrendered 73 militants of different militant groups and were promised for onetime payment after 3 years and regular monthly honorarium by the government in the presence of the then Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and the then Home Minister Gaikhangam.

Forest and Environment Minister Prestone Tynsong said that the State Government is open to dialogues with pressure groups to clear the doubts over measures taken to address the problem of influx in the context of protest against railway. Tynsong also appealed to the KSU to stop violence and any sort of disturbance. With protests continuing against the railway project in the State, Tynsong said the Government is on the job of setting up of entry and exit points. He, however, admitted that there are hurdles in land acquisition.

The Khasi Students’ Union, North Khasi Hills appealed to the public of Ri Bhoi District not to cooperate in the Ri Bhoi silver jubilee celebrations to be held next week.

Unidentified miscreants set ablaze a Meg Mini Tea Factory of the State Horticulture Department at Lumnongrim Dewlieh in Umsning of Ri Bhoi District causing huge financial losses.

The AAPSU has decided to hold detailed discussions on the vexed refugee issue as well as the stand of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for granting citizenship rights to the Chakma and Hajong refugees in Arunachal Pradesh in its emergency seating of all the federal units scheduled for June 5.

An Army trooper identified as Captain, Tripatprit Singh, and a civilian named Rupam Tigga (30) were injured during an encounter between the troops and suspected NDFB-IKS militants at Auxiguri in Kokrajhar District.

Assam Police sources said that they have received intelligence inputs from sources that a suspected ISI agent, identified as Mofudool Islam alias Ansar Uddin, has entered Assam via Nepal. ADGP-SB Pallab Bhattacharjee said the Police will take no chances in this regard, especially when relations between China and Pakistan have improved and a negative comment on Dhola-Sadiya Bridge was recently made by Beijing. Bhattacharjee further said that SPs and Police stations have been put on alert following the intelligence feedback.

The AKRSU- Pradip Ray faction has declared an agitation schedule for the coming days. Gokul Barman, AKRSU ‘general secretary’, said that according to their schedule, ‘Ma Kamatapur Yajna’ in every District would be conducted on June 8. “We have called for 36-hour long Assam bandh from 5 AM of June 12. We will conduct mass protest in Dighalipukhuri paar (bank) in Guwahati on June 23 and will stage railway blockade in Chirang and Bongaigaon on July 10. We will also conduct communal convention on August 6. And the last programme of this schedule is 100-hour long wheel stop from August 10,” he said.

The UMHA has said that there has been a sharp decline in violence, extortion and attacks on security forces in the Northeast in the last three years. As per data available with the UMHA, only 484 such incidents were reported in 2016 as compared to 1,025 in 2012 and 732 in 2013. It further noted that the number of abductions have come down from 329 in 2012 and 307 in 2013 to 168 in 2016. Only 28 such cases were registered till March this year. However, the number of security personnel killed in Manipur shows an upward trend with 24 being killed in 2015 and 11 in 2016 as compared to 8 and 5 deaths in 2012 and 2013, respectively.

The NDFB-IKS suffered a setback with more than 900 cadres being arrested and nearly 55 being killed in security operations, according to the UMHA note. The number of such incidents in Assam jumped to 50 in 2016 as compared to 21 in 2013, the UMHA note stated.

The number of militants surrendering saw a decline with 267 such surrenders taking place in 2016 as compared to 1,161 in 2012, as per official data. Arms recovery was not significant despite a crackdown as 698 arms were recovered in 2016 as compared to 1,856 in 2012.

As many as 1,202 militants were arrested in 2016 as compared to 2,145 in 2012. Of this, the highest number of arrests in 2016 has been made in Manipur (518) and Assam (366) while maximum abduction cases were reported from Nagaland (51) and Meghalaya (52).

A group of more than 50 CPI-Maoist cadres raided the construction camp and set ablaze five vehicles used in road construction in Giridih District of Jharkhand. Five persons, including the owner of the vehicle, were beaten up. The injured were shifted to hospital.

Giridih Police recovered 2,772 pieces of power gel, 6,750 detonators and over 8,500 meters of wire from the house of one Suresh Yadav from Teesri Thana area in Giridih District of JharkhandThe SDPO, Prabhat Ranjan Barwar, said Yadav, who was arrested, had revealed names of his three associates and raids were on to arrest them.

The composite squad of the DRG and District Force arrested 13 CPI-Maoist cadres from the forests of Chintagufa and Chintalnar in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. In first incident, 11 CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested from Chintagufa Police Station area by the SFs. In the other incident, two Maoists, identified as Madkam Deva (23) and Podiyam Joga (25), members of DAKMS - a frontal wing of CPI-Maoist, were arrested from Chintalnar. The duo was involved in the attack on the CRPF personnel of the 74th battalion on April 24 in Burkapal area wherein 25 troopers were killed.

SDGP, D. M. Awasthi told reporters, that 75 new Police stations have been built in CPI-Maoist inflicted area in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. He added that the construction would certainly help Police personnel in arresting the CPI-Maoist cadres easily.

SFs arrest three cadres belonging to Jan militia members of the CPI-Maoist from Kamaloor village under Bhansi Police limits in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The arrested cadres were identified as Pandu Bhaskar, Podia Bhaskar and Raju Bhaskar.

June 2

Police arrested a man along with FICN with a face value of INR 1,18,000 in Gorakhia Chowkri village in Amreli District. The man was identified as Danuba Gohil. "Gohil was nabbed from Gorakhia Chowkri when he was on his way from Badeli on his two-wheeler to hand over the fake notes to some persons in Dhasa village in Amreli district," an official said. The seized notes were in denomination of INR 2,000.

The central intelligence agencies and Police in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir are on their toes following an input that a highly trained handler of LeT from Pakistan, identified as Hanzia Anan, is present in India to direct attacks against civilian and military targets. According to alert shared with the SFs, Anan's plans could include parts of Srinagar, Vijaypur railway station in Jammu, industrial areas in Samba and Bari Brahmana, boys hostel at Jammu Dental College, areas along Gurdaspur-Brahmana Road to Tibri near the Indian Army camp and Gurdaspur and Dinanagar in Punjab.

Intelligence agencies have not been able to establish Anan's location yet but sources said that he may have sneaked into India recently and could be helped by local operatives to carry out the attacks. It is not known yet whether the LeT operative came to India alone or along with other cadres, but the input on his presence has seen security at all locations being increased and efforts are being made to trace him.

A Policeman and a woman were injured as stone-pelting clashes raged at various areas of Jammu and Kashmir on June 2 after Friday congregational prayers during which SFs were attacked with petrol bombs.

Clashes broke out between youths and SFs in Chota Bazar and Jamia market areas of Sopore town of Baramulla District after Friday prayers. The youth pelted stones on SFs and the latter fired teargas canisters. A Kupwara-bound Police vehicle was stoned by youth on Sopore outskirts in which a Policeman, identified as Fayaz Ahmad sustained grievous eye injury.

An elderly woman, identified as Sarwa Begum was injured after a stone hit her leg during clashes at Reshi Bazar area of Anantnag District in the afternoon. The woman was injured when dozens of youths after offering Friday prayers were clashing with SFs. Minor clashes also broke out at Vayilo village of Kokernag in Anantnag after Friday prayers.

A least five petrol bombs were hurled by masked youth towards SFs at Saraf Kadal in Srinagar during intense stone-pelting. However, no one was hurt in these petrol bomb attacks.

Hundreds of youth assembled in Nowhatta area in Srinagar after Friday prayers were over at historic Jama Masjid. Unlike past occasions, there was no deployment of SFs this Friday in Nowhatta and its adjoining areas. Youth, who assembled in main square of Nowhatta, shouted slogans. The youth later resorted to heavy stone-throwing on SFs near Gunj Baksh Park in Nowhatta. Although the security forces chased these stone-throwers multiple times but the latter repeatedly re-grouped and pelted stones heavily. During clashes, a youth was detained by Police. The clashes later spilled over to Saraf Kadal and Rajouri Kadal localities.

The situation in restive Pulwama District was by and large peaceful. However, incidents of stone-pelting were reported from couple of places. A police official said that some youth pelted stones on police station Pulwama after Friday prayers. He said that in another incident, some youths pelted stones on CRPF at Bellow in Rajpora area of the District. There were, however, no injuries.

A stone-pelting incident was also reported from Hyhama village of Kupwara District.

Police released moderate separatist and chairman of Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from his house detention and was allowed to deliver sermon at Jama Masjid in Srinagar.

One civilian, identified as Akhtar was reportedly injured in yet another ceasefire violation by Pakistan along the LoC in Shahpur Kerni area of Poonch District of J&K in the night. This is the third case of ceasefire violation by the Pakistan Army in the preceding 36 hours. The Pakistan Army launched indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatics, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars at 11 pm on June 2 night. Heavy firing and shelling from Pakistan took place in Poonch, Shahpur, Kerni, Sauujian and Mendher Districts also.

The number of local Kashmiri youths recruited by terror groups in the Valley in the first five months this year (2017) alone has more than doubled as compared to the whole of 2016, intelligence agencies cautioned the UMHA. This comes a day after UHM Rajnath Singh said that infiltration of militants from Pakistan has dropped following the Army’s surgical strikes against terror launchpads in PoK in September last year.

According to a report by intelligence agencies, the security establishment has expressed concern over terror recruitments. While 128 locals joined militancy last year, “the figure could be between 260 and 300 till May this year alone.’’ Another important issue flagged by intelligence agencies and described as “alarming’’ was that the recruitment drive, particularly by HM, was not just limited to south Kashmir but extended to north as well as central Kashmir. One of the main reasons, sources said, for the sharp increase in locals joining the ranks of militant groups in the Valley was the sustained and aggressive campaign, including through social media, carried out by terror modules particularly after the killing of HM ‘commander’ Burhan Wani in July 2016.

Intelligence agencies have also alerted that terror outfits were facing a severe shortage of arms and ammunition as security agencies have been successful to a large extent in checking smuggling of weapons from across the border. This, the report adds, could lead to an increase in incidents of militants snatching weapons from security forces in the days ahead and that most local Kashmir youths recruited recently would be used for this purpose.

The report said, one of the main reasons for local youths getting lured by HM, as compared to LeT and JeM, the other two main terror outfits active in Kashmir, is that HM is largely a local group with most of its cadre and sympathisers from the Valley alone.

SFs arrested a NDFB-IKS militant, identified as Dilip Rai, from Molandubi area in Kokrajhar District. SFs recovered one 7.65 mm pistol with magazine, ammunition in possession from him.

ULFA-PTF has expressed hope that appointment of Dineshwar Sharma as the new interlocutor will provide much-needed momentum to the ongoing peace talks between the outfit and the Government. The Centre has appointed Sharma - a 1976-batch Kerala cadre IPS officer who retired as Director of the IB on December 31, 2016. Sharma took charge on June 1. ULFA-PTF ‘general secretary’ Anup Chetia welcomed Sharma's appointment, describing it as a positive development for the ongoing negotiations between the outfit and the Government. "We hope with his appointment the peace process will gain momentum and help us find a permanent solution. We look forward to meeting him shortly," Chetia said.

A group of suspected cattle smugglers attacked a BSF trooper, Krishna Murthy, when he tried to stop them, at the Hatimara Border Outpost under Mahendraganj Police Station of South West Garo Hills District.

State Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh said that the government is willing to talk to the KSU provided that violence is stopped. Speaking to reporters, Lyngdoh said the government is open to dialogue, but not under the present condition of arson and destruction to public property. “Any protest should be peaceful and the government will consider taking to the group only in a conducive atmosphere and not with violent activities, including vandalism,” Lyngdoh said. To a question on the release of arrested KSU leaders, the Home Minister said the government cannot interfere in court matters.

A bomb wrapped in brown paper was recovered in the frontal side of a hardware shop owned by Sangi Gun, at Sugunu Lamkhai under Sugnu Police Station in Kakching District. Later the bomb disposal squad of Police safely detonated the bomb. No organisation has so far claimed responsibility of the bomb.

In a press release, the NSCN/GPRN alleged the death of ‘c-in-c’ of KTU Khaipao Haokip as ‘coldblooded killing’ by KNF-N and threatened that “the murder of Khailun Haokip by KNF-N will be befittingly responded”. Earlier the deceased person was abducted by the KNF-N from Shijang Kuki village for having close affiliation with NSCN-IM.   

In a statement, the KIM said that the ‘concerted propaganda’ made by NSCN-IM that the Kukis are nomadic and refugees is nothing but ‘a shallow and cheap attempt’ to distort history of the Kukis which will not serve any purpose. The statement also asserted that NSCN-IM’s ‘greed for land of Kukis’ is ‘unjustifiable’.

A probe team, headed by Additional Director-General of Police Pramod Asthana was constituted by the State Government, to investigate the recent violence in Manipur's border township of Moreh and its surrounding areas.

In a statement, the NSCN-IM claimed that with the signing of the Framework Agreement between the GoI and the NSCN-IM on August 3, 2015, the GoI has recognised ‘the sovereign rights of the Nagas’. The statement further pointed out that the Framework Agreement (FA) was political in nature and a preamble for a detailed final political agreement which was expected to be completed and signed very soon between the two sides.

In a statement, various Naga groups of Arunachal Pradesh said that the Government can’t brush aside the need to establish an ADC in the Naga-dominated areas of Tirap, Changlang and Longding. They said that a Patkai Autonomous Council for Tirap, Changlang and Longding (TCL) is the only solution for the region, alleging it has been ignored by the State Government and the Central Government of India for decades in terms of its socio-economic development. Various bodies associated with the demand such as Patkai Autonomous Demand District Council and the TCL Students Federation also threatened to hold an indefinite bandh (general shutdown) in the three districts if the Centre and the State Government continue to pay no heed to the matter.

The ADJ in Lohardaga District of Jharkhand; awarded 10 years' rigorous imprisonment to CPI-Maoist ‘sub-zonal commander’ Kameshwar YadavHe was charged in a case related to the recovery of explosives following his arrest in 2015.

DGP, D.K. Pandey, visited Topchanchi Thana in Dhanbad District of Jharkhand, as part of a recce of different Naxal-hit Police Stations of the State. The DGP told reporters, "We are working on a mission to wipe out Naxalism from the state by the end of 2017."

Two surrendered girl Maoists, whose whereabouts were not known and were being searched by their family, have been found staying and pursuing education at an orphanage in Bhubaneswar of Odisha. As per Police records, Sindu alias Dipa and her sister Champa alias Rama surrendered before the Police in Rayagada District on March 17, 2011. Their father Sara Mandinga of Pipalapadar village in Koraput District claimed that he had no information about their whereabouts. Answering questions raised about mysterious ‘disappearance’ of two women Maoists – Champa and Sindu, IGP, Sanjeeb Panda, revealed that both of them are presently housed at SOS (Save Our Souls) village in Bhubaneswar.

The Bathinda District Police of Punjab have booked an unidentified person for pasting posters of Naxal on the wall of the District Courts Complex near a local branch of OBC bank in the city. Police constable Kulwinder Singh, who has lodged a complaint, has stated that a case has been registered against an unidentified person for pasting the posters. A case under Sections 124A and 153 A of the IPC has been registered at the Civil Lines Police station.

The Police unearthed ISI network by arresting a ISI spy, Deena Khan, from a remote village in Barmer District. Police has also caught two of his assistants, who are being quizzed. Khan not only helped Pakistan smugglers, but also sent information to Pakistan via Facebook.

June 3

The Punjab Police arrested three terrorists having direct links with Pakistan's ISI-backed banned terror outfit, ISYF. The arrested terrorists — Gurdial Singh, Jagroop Singh, and Satwinder Singh — had been trained and tasked by the ISI to carry out terror attacks and target various 'anti-Panth and anti-Sikh forces/individuals' by Pakistan-based ISYF 'chief' Lakhbir Rode and Harmeet Singh alias Happy alias PHD.

Preliminary investigations revealed that a part of the consignment of arms and ammunition seized by the BSF on May 21, 2017 near the international border in Amritsar was supplied by the ISYF. Gurdial hails from Hoshiarpur District, and both Jagroop and Satiwinder are residents of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar District. While Gurdial and Jagroop were arrested from their native houses, Satwinder was apprehended at a police checkpoint close to his village in Balachaur. Police said Gurdial Singh was the chief operator of this terror module. During his last visit to Pakistan in November 2016, he had arranged a visa for Jagroop Singh and traveled to Lahore with a jatha. During interrogation, the duo revealed that Jagroop met Rode during his stay in Lahore in November, 2016.

Jagroop confessed that he was taken to the ISYF 'chief' blindfolded at an undisclosed location, where a four-day training in handling AK-47 rifles and other smaller weapons was imparted by the ISI. He was also trained in techniques of sabotaging railway tracks by loosening the securing/fastening mechanisms of fish-plates, and nuts and bolts. The Punjab Police spokesperson said that both Gurdial and Jagroop were tasked to carry out terrorist attacks in India. Rode and his associates had promised to supply arms and ammunition across the border to them in India.

FICN with a face value of around INR 1.4 crore has been seized following the arrest of two persons in Tenkasi of Tirunelveli District. Hassan (61) and Samidurai (49), who were found moving around suspiciously with a bag at the bus stand were arrested. A search revealed that they were carrying fake currency worth Rs six lakh with them. After questioning, police personnel seized fake currencies in INR 2000, INR 500 and INR 100 denominations to the tune of INR  1,36,60,000 from Samidurai' house. Apart from the fake currency notes, police also seized three xerox machines used by the two.

Kolkata Police arrested three persons from Kalna in Bardhaman District, night on charges of carrying FICN. Acting on a tip-off, the investigators stopped an ambulance near Purba Sahapur in Kanla and found three persons carrying FICN worth INR 20,000, all in INR 2000 currency notes, along with firearms and narcotic substances. The accused Sanjoy Majhi, Shibu Rajbanshi and the ambulance driver Pratap were arrested and they were interrogated by the investigators throughout the night.

The SOG of Bhavnagar Police arrested one more person in connection with FICN printing and circulation racket. The SOG team arrested Jayesh Solanki, 25, a resident of Kumbharvada in Bhavnagar and seized INR 90,000 FICN of INR 2,000 denomination from his house. H A Jadeja, Police Sub Inspector, SOG, told that Jayesh was given the bundles of notes by main accused Hardik Vaghela in Surat to be circulated in the market.

Terror outfit Islamic State (IS) had not been able to set foot in India, UHM Rajnath Singh said. Barring two terror attacks in Punjab in 2015-16, the security situation in the country had by and large remained under control, the minister said. More than 90 sympathisers of IS had been arrested due to better coordination between state and central security agencies. Five terrorists of the IM group were given capital punishment as part of the government's focused efforts to check terrorism, Singh said.

"India is the second largest country as far as Muslim population in the world is concerned. I can say with full responsibility that despite such a large population [of Muslims], the IS has not been able to set foot," he said. He added there had been a 45 per cent reduction in infiltration attempts from Pakistan since the surgical strike by the Army in September 2016, compared to the corresponding six months in the previous year.

Pakistan resorted to heavy firing and mortar shelling on forward posts and civilian areas along LoC in Poonch District, prompting Indian troops to retaliate. A defence spokesperson said that, “the Indian Army is retaliating strongly and effectively. The firing is presently on”.

NIA raided 14 locations in Kashmir and eight in Delhi in connection with the terror funding case. According to sources, the raids were in connection with alleged hawala operations between Pak-based terror groups and Kashmiri separatists. The NIA also raided separatist leaders’ house, office and commercial locations. According to reports, NIA has registered a case against hard-line separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani in the matter. Earlier, the agency scrutinised five bank accounts allegedly linked to Geelani as part of its probe into suspected terror funding.

Two Army jawans were killed and four others injured as militants attacked an Army convoy near Toll Post Lower Munda on Srinagar-Jammu NH in Qazigund area of Anantnag District. The firing by militants left six jawans injured out of which two critically wounded soldiers succumbed to their injuries. They have been identified as Manivang and Deepak Methi. HM has claimed responsibility for the attack on Army convoy that left two jawans martyred. "A Hizb squad carried out the attack. We congratulate it for the successful attack," Hizb operational spokesman Burhan-ud-din was quoted as saying by a Kashmir-based news agency.

Pakistan resorted to heavy firing and mortar shelling violating ceasefire on forward posts and civilian areas along LoC in Poonch District, prompting Indian troops to retaliate. "Pakistani army initiated indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatics, 82mm and 120mm mortars from 11:00pm yesterday along the LoC in Poonch sector", a defense spokesperson said.

Three AR personnel were injured in a bomb attack at Bongjang near Manipur’s border township of Moreh in Tengnoupal District. The incident happened as a powerful bomb suspected to be an IED exploded when a team of AR personnel on ROP, passed an area along the Imphal-Moreh road, about 95 kilometers from Imphal around 2.15 pm (June 3). The injured personnel identified as Subedar Sher Ram, Riflemen Sachin and Basumatary.

The KTU and NSCN-IM sent a condolence message for the deceased leader of KTU Khailun Haokip and alleged that he was abducted on May 28 and killed on June 1 by KNF-N.

UHM Rajnath Singh said that year 2016 witnessed the lowest number of insurgency-related incidents in last 20 years. “The year 2016 witnessed the lowest insurgency incidents in last 20 years. Such incidents reduced from 824 in 2014 to 484 in 2016. The number of incidents was 574 in 2015, which was the lowest since 1997, and further reduced in 2016. The number of civilian casualties in Northeast has also come down drastically in the last three years,” said UHM Singh in New Delhi. “Sustained security initiatives during the last three years have brought peace and stability to the North-eastern region of the country after decades of insurgency,” Singh added.

Unidentified miscreants hurled a petrol bomb (Molotov cocktail) at Forest Check Gate, 9th Mile, in Ri Bhoi District. No damage was reported.

Police arrested the ‘president’ of KSU Nongthymmai circle, Eric Nongkynrih was in connection with the May 28 petrol bomb attack on Rynjah Police Station. Police said that interrogation is on to get more details on the involvement of the KSU leader.

The entire Ri Bhoi District is under security cover following cases of arson reported from different places since last week. Ri Bhoi SP R.P Singh said that one more company of CRPF has been brought into the District and altogether two companies have been deployed in the District, besides local Police force. Violence erupted in the District after a group of KSU activists allegedly attacked the railway construction site in Byrnihat last week.

An unidentified NDFB-IKS militant was arrested with arms and ammunition in Goalpara District. A .9-mm pistol, a magazine and two rounds of ammunition were recovered from him.

Police have picked up four youths from different parts of Gossaigaon for interrogation in connection to the abduction of Navin Joshi (50), manager of Maijonga Tea Garden in Goalpara District. An armed gang abducted Joshi on June 2 when he was on his way to Mornoi tea garden at Dingdinga in Kokrajhar District, along with his assistant Manohar Lal Sharma and his friend Pranay Debroy, who knew the route. The family has not yet received any call from the abductors.

Four CPI-Maoist cadres, including a woman, surrendered before the SP, Rahul Dev Sharma in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. SP, Sharma said the Maoists were “disillusioned” by their leaders as they were coercing the tribal people into killing their own community members and leaders. Korra Chellamma alias Amrutha (24) of Landula village of Pedabayalu mandal, was a cut-off area member with the AOBSZC and had a reward of INR 100,000 on her head. The other three Maoists were militia members of the Galikonda Dalam. Pangi Ramana (36) of Vantamarri village of Koyyuru mandal was a pocket militia member of Annavaram village. Pangi Raja Rao (35), who is also from Vantamarri, was a Maoist panchayat committee member of Budharalla. Tambelu Dasu (23) of Pakalapalem of Koyyuru mandal was a militia member of the Galikonda dalam. He was a militia member from 2009 to 2017.

CPI-Maoist ‘commander’ Gadda Nageswara RaoaliasChinnabbai (38), carrying INR 400,000 reward on his head, was killed in an exchange of fire between the SFs and Maoists at Kapatuti forest under Chitrakonda Police limits in Malkangiri District of Odisha, near to AOB region. Acting on a tip-off regarding presence of a Maoist camp in the forest, two teams of SF personnel led by the Malkangiri SP launched operations. Later, the Police-Maoists encounter occurred in which the Maoist was killed. Huge cache of explosives, including seven to eight rounds of bullets, a 9 mm pistol, Maoist literature and a kit bag has been seized from the encounter site after the gun battle, SP, Mitrabhanu Mohapatra, said.

Police arrested two Bangladeshi nationals, identified as Mostaffa Ali (46) and Morzina Begam (37), from Borkur village in Darrang District. According to the Police, the couple is resident of Janiaghat area in Sherpur District of Bangladesh and they entered illegally into Dhubri District of Assam through the India-Bangladesh international border with the help of a section of cattle traders.

One person, identified as Atovi Awomi, was arrested on charges of extortion from Railway Bazar in Dimapur District.

June 4

Farmullah Ansari, wanted by the NIA for his alleged involvement in FICN racket in India, was arrested from Raxaul in East Champaran District of Bihar. Police sources said Ansari, a native of Bara District in Nepal, had been evading arrest for the past last three years. He was under scanner after fake Indian currency of INR 49, 88,000 face value in INR1000 and INR 500 notes was recovered at IGI airport in New Delhi in April 2014. Altogether 4,988 pieces of high quality fake notes were brought from Dubai. The NIA has also announced INR 50,000 reward on Farmullah.

Pakistani Rangers violated ceasefire by firing two rounds along IB near Patawal BOP in Ramgarh sector of Samba District. “Pakistani Rangers violated ceasefire by firing two rounds of small arm on BSF Patawal Border Outpost in Ramgarh Sector at 6.30 am today (June 4),” official sources said. They said that no casualty or damage was reported on the Indian side. The BSF did not retaliate to the firing. The Rangers reportedly targeted a BSF patrol party moving in the forward area but failed to hit the target.

Pakistani Rangers had resorted to similar kind of targeted firing in Arnia sector of the IB in Jammu District. The BSF was maintaining high alert all along the IB to thwart infiltration attempts by the militants.

For second consecutive day today, the NIA conducted simultaneous raids in Jammu and Srinagar to unearth the nexus of hawala funding to separatists, OGWs and others to fuel militancy and unrest in the Valley even as the raiding teams were reported to have recovered foreign currency apart from yesterday’s (June 3) seizure of cash, gold and other items including documents. The NIA has frozen bank accounts and lockers of some of the separatists and traders, whose houses and business premises have been searched in the biggest ever crackdown to unearth hawala and terror funding in the Kashmir valley from Pakistan and some other foreign nations during the past two days. Nearly 40 locations have been raided and searched since yesterday by large number of NIA personnel, assisted by the Enforcement Directorate sleuths with the protection of paramilitary and Police personnel.

Sources said that Pakistan and its sponsored militant outfits, mainly LeT and HM had not only used New Delhi and Haryana based hawala operators to pump money to the separatists, OGWs and other influential persons to keep the pot boiling in the Valley but they had also used cross-LoC trade between Jammu and Kashmir and PoK through Poonch-Rawlakote and Uri-Muzaffarabad routes to generate the funding.

KSU ‘leaders’ Ferdynald Kharkamni and Sonstar Nongkhlaw, who were arrested last week for violent protests against the ongoing railway project, were sent to 14-day judicial custody after they were produced in the Ri Bhoi District court of Chief Judicial Magistrate.

In a statement issued to the press, the RPF militant claimed the responsibility for the bomb attack at a place in between H Mongjang and S Khudengthabi of Tengnoupal District in which three AR personnel were injured on May 3.

Reacting to a statement of NSCN-IM, the KSO criticised NSCN-IM for giving ‘refugee tag’ to Kukis and alleged that NSCN-IM has ‘a deep seated conspiracy to cheat the Kukis’.

A ULFA-I militant, identified as Ron Asom alias Krishna Nath, surrendered himself before the Dispur Police in Kamrup (Metro). Police said Ron surrendered because of his prolonged illness. He hails from Tamulpur area of Baksa District. He joined the outfit in 2011 and was received training in Myanmar.

The State’s Finance Department released a fund of INR 117 crore to continue the updating process of the NRC in the State. The NRC, which is being updated, based on the NRC, 1951, and electoral rolls up to the midnight of March 24, 1971, had missed the deadline of publication on March 31 after which Dispur set the December 31 deadline.

A CPI-Maoist cadre was killed in an exchange of fire with security personnel at a forest in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The skirmish took place in the forest near Surakheda village. Based on specific inputs, a team of District Force had launched a search operation in the forest at Bhairamgarh, around 450 kilometers away from Raipur. When the security men were cordoning off a forest patch near Surakheda, the Maoists started firing on them which led to a gun-battle. Later during a search, Police recovered the body of a Maoist clad in 'uniform', he said. They also recovered a muzzle loading gun, a country made .303 pistol, some detonators, a tiffin bomb and wires from the spot. The killed Naxal was identified as Ratan Ujji alias Hemla Ratan, a member of small action team of the ultras. Ratan served in various key positions in the outlawed CPI-Maoist, including as ‘deputy commander’ of Mirtoor LOS and head of Matwada's Janatana Sarkar group.

A SOG trooper was killed and six others were injured in a CPI-Maoist ambush near Khamankhol under Baliguda Police Station limits in Kandhamal District of Odisha. The group of SOG personnel was returning in four vehicles after completion of an anti-Maoist operation based on intelligence reports, when the last vehicle in the motorcade was targeted at the jungle ghat road near Khamankhol. The hiding Maoists fired heavily at the vehicle carrying the SOG troopers leading to an exchange of fire for around one hour occurred at the spot between the SOG personnel and Maoists, in which the SOG trooper was killed. The martyred trooper has been identified as Laxmikant Jani of Kalahandi District and among the critically injured are H.N Tamang, S. Orange and Driver Niranjan Behera.

An exchange of fire took place between the SFs and the CPI-Maoist cadres at Jongeras in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The encounter was followed with a major search operation. P. Sundar Raj, DIG, Dantewada range, said, “We received a tip-off that a group of 15 to 20 Maoists were present in the forest near Jongeras village under Kukanar police station [of Sukma]. We sent a STF team led by Inspector Salim Xaxa and they conducted a search operation on June 4. There were Maoist casualties in the exchange of fire last night.” The STF team recovered seven backpacks, four black uniforms, three detonators and some IED-making material from the area. The STF team, however, could not recover any bodies or capture any injured Maoists.

The disbanded ANVC-B, in a statement, rejected the Meghalaya State Government’s claim of providing rehabilitation package to 18 of its former cadres.

Tripura Police has arrested at least 13 Nigerian citizens from border areas of Belonia in South Tripura District in last eleven months while they were trying to cross over to Bangladesh without valid documents. The sudden spurt of Nigerians in a particular border has caused concern among the security forces, and the Police are suspecting involvement of a big human trafficking gang. 

June 5

Four militants were killed in retaliatory fire by SFs as they attempted to attack a CRPF camp at Sumbal in Bandipora District of J&K early morning. According to report, the heavily armed militants tried to enter the camp of 45 Battalion CRPF at Sumbal in Bandipora at around 3.45am by opening fire at the sentry post. The gun battle between the SFs and militants went on till 6.15am. "Four militants were killed in the retaliatory firing and the suicide attack was foiled," the Police official said. Their bodies were recovered along with four AK rifles, one UBGL grenades and hand grenades.

After the killing of four militants in Sumbal area in Bandipora District early in the day as they tried to storm into CRPF camp, clashes erupted between protesters and SFs in the area as youth took to streets and pelted stones on Police Station Sumbal to protest the killing of four militants. The area observed shutdown against the killings. Authorities suspended all cellular networks and mobile internet, except the BSNL phones, in the area to prevent any flare up in the situation.

The DGP, Dr SP Vaid said that Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) is waging a major cyber war in Kashmir and Police and other security agencies are effectively dealing with it. “JuD has declared 2017 ‘year of Kashmir’ and they with their malicious intentions are misleading children of Pakistan by saying they have to fight Jihad in Kashmir and there is no need to go to Kashmir and instead wage cyber Jihad from Pakistan only. A cyber war has been launched and we are trying to effectively deal with it. Their maximum efforts would be to create mayhem and disturbance in Kashmir which security and people of Kashmir won’t let happen”, he added.

Police foiled a proposed meeting of three top separatist leaders to discuss raids by NIA during past two days in Kashmir as part of alleged hawala funding to them. The chairmen of moderate Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, JKLF Yasin Malik and hardline Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani were scheduled to meet at Hyderpora of Budgam District - the residence-cum-office of Geelani - at 11 am on June 5 and then address a press conference. However, Police did not allow the meeting to take place and placed Mirwaiz and Geelani under house detention while it detained Malik, who was lodged in Maisuma Police Station after being detained from his residence on June 5 morning. The Police also sealed off the lane leading to the house of Geelani at Hyderpora by erecting concertina wire. ‘

DGMO Lieutenant General AK Bhatt categorically told his Pakistani counterpart that the Army would give “appropriate and adequate’’ response to any attempt by Pakistani troops to “aid and abet’’ infiltration attempts on the LoC. The DGMOs of India and Pakistan spoke on hotline to discuss current situation along the LoC while BSF and Rangers also held Commandant-Wing Commander level flag meeting at the IB in Suchetgarh sector to discuss host of issues including yesterday’s ceasefire violation by the Rangers in Arnia sector and upcoming Baba Chamliyal Ji mela in Ramgarh sector of Samba District on June 22.

Nine CPI-Maoist cadres involved in the attack on security personnel in Sukma District forest of Chhattisgarh on April 24, were arrested in Jamui District of Bihar. Jamui SP, Jayant Kant said after receiving a tip-off that some CPI-Maoist cadres were planning major attacks in Naini Pathar and Asarkho forest areas under Charkapathar Police Station in the District, a team of CRPF, SSB, STF and Bihar Police rushed to the jungle and arrested nine of them. The arrested Maoists were identified as Ramdeo Kora, Gopal Bhulla, Madan Bhulla, Sunil Marandi, Shyam Soren, Jhanki Murmu, Sonam Hansda, Chamru Ram and Arjun Kora. Twelve pipe bombs weighing 5 Kilograms each, one can bomb weighing 10 Kilograms, 40 metres of electric wire and two batteries were also recovered from their possession.

Chhattisgarh Police in Raipur District told reporters that security in Naxal-affected areas of Bastar region has been stepped up as the CPI-Maoist cadres are observing ‘Jan Pituri’ (Revolutionary Week). Bastar division comprises of seven Districts namely Dantewada, Bijapur, Bastar, Narayanpur, Kondagaon, Sukma and Kanker.  ‘Jan Pituri ’ week is observed every year in the memory of their slain leaders of CPI-Maoists. During this period which generally coincides with the arrival of monsoon, CPI-Maoist cadres focus on recruitment of fresh cadres by spreading their propaganda. It will be observed from June 5 to June 11, 2017.

CPI-Maoist cadres have issued a threat to Government employees at Basaguda region in Bijapur District of ChhattisgarhCPI-Maoist cadres have asked the employees to hand over one month of their salary or face dire consequences.

Three CPI-Maoist cadres surrendered to the members of the State-appointed panel, AK Subbaiah and Gaurilankesh in Chikkamagaluru District of Karnataka. The surrendered Maoists are identified as Kanyakumari (30), of Mudigere in Chikkamagaluru, her husband Shivu aka Jnanadev of Bengaluru and Chennamma aka Suma (32), of Gadag. Of the three Maoists, Kanyakumari has 33 criminal cases pending against her and carried a reward of INR 500,000 on her head. Shivu, whose only involvement in the operation has been through his association with Kanyakumari. Chennamma, who has been acquitted in the three cases that were filed against her, is free. Chennamma's husband Neelamegham was arrested by Tamil Nadu Police two years ago, and is still in prison.

One militant of NSCN-K, identified as ‘major’ Gaithalung Thaimei (30), was killed in an encounter with the Indian Army at Gaijianglong village in Noney District. A sophisticated M-16 assault rifle and 11 rounds along with a mobile handset were also recovered from the possession of the dead militant. 

Police arrested one militant of UNLF, identified as Warepam Milan alias Tayai (30), from Pishumthong area in Imphal West District.

Two militants of HNLC, identified as Shibormi Suchen and Da E Miki Shadong, surrendered before the East Khasi Hills District Police. According to the Police both the surrendered cadres joined HNLC in June 2016 and went to Bangladesh for training.  

Police arrested three members of KSU, identified as Sabir Jyrwa (31), Phrang Warjri (26) and Eric Nongkynrih, from East Khasi Hills District in connection with the recent cases of arson.

The AAPSU said that it would launch rigorous democratic movement if the State Government fails to convene an all party meeting by including all the 60 MLAs and three MPs over the vexed issue of Chakma and Hajong refugees on June 10 next. Speaking to the media, the AAPSU ‘president’ Hawa Bagang said that they are not against granting Indian citizenship to Chakma and Hajong refugees, but are against allowing them to settle in Arunachal Pradesh.

June 6

The UMHA has alerted Punjab government of a possible infiltration by Pakistan-based pro-Khalistanis in the wake of surcharged atmosphere on 33rd anniversary of Operation Bluestar. The alert said, "According to an input, the Lakhbir Rode group has planned to strike on the event of Ghallughara (Op Bluestar anniversary) week...He (Jarnail Singh Bhinderanwale's nephew Lakhbir Rode) has convened a meeting at Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan. A bag full of hand grenades has been provided to two terrorists, possibly of Indian origin, to create terror in Punjab. These terrorists are planning to cross over to India before June 6," it added. Sources said that Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is funding Rode to exhorting his foreign contacts to support them in launching terror operations in Punjab.

Insurgent groups again targeted Indian interests in Kabul, with a rocket landing on the tennis court of Indian envoy Manpreet Vohra’s house. Sources in New Delhi said no injury had been reported in the rocket attack on ‘India House’, which occurred around 11.15 a. m. hours local time (12.15 IST) even as the authorities in the Afghan capital. Apart from the Indian Ambassador, other mission personnel also stay in the compound of the heavily guarded ‘India House’, which is close to several embassies and NATO’s ‘Resolute Support’ headquarters. The rocket attack coincided with the ‘Kabul Process’ meet in which representatives of nearly 25 countries, including India, participated. This is the first of its kind international meeting being held at the initiative of the Afghan President aimed at bringing the prolonged conflict in Afghanistan to an end.

The militants, who tried to storm a CRPF camp in a pre-dawn suicide attack in J&K on June 5, intended a prolonged siege and extensive damage, UHM Rajnath Singh said. Giving the details of the attack in which four militants were killed while attacking CRPF’s Sumbal camp in Bandipora District, Singh said the heavily-armed “fidayeen” terrorists approached the paramilitary camp with the intent of breaching it.  “The terrorists were heavily armed with automatic rifles, grenades and incendiary material such as petrol, and were carrying dry rations which indicate they intended a prolonged siege and extensive damage,” he said in a statement.

A civilian, identified as Adil Farooq was killed during clashes in Shopian District after SFs trapped two militants of HM in the evening. SFs cordoned off Ganowpora village in Shopian District in the evening after reports of two militants of HM – Naveed and Zahid – were hiding in a house. As the SFs cordoned the village, SFs fired few probing shots. The residents of the area immediately came out and pelted stones on the SFs, who were conducting the operation. Adil Farooq was hit by a bullet and was removed to hospital for treatment. He, however, succumbed to injuries.

Several persons were injured during clash between the two groups and later Police lathi-charge and stone pelting by locals at Mendhar town in the Poonch District.

Bihar Police arrested former leader of the CPI-Maoist Bachchan Kahar and his associate Bharat Paswan Rampur from Sarauti village in Arwal District of Bihar. During search at Kahar's house, the Police seized a stolen rifle, five ammunition and Naxal literature.

A 24-hour bandh is called by PLFI, a splinter group the CPI-Maoist, in Jharkhand State on June 7Around 300 buses are set to remain off roads as Ranchi Bus Owners' Association has decided not to run them during the bandh, which will come into force from June 6 midnight. The bandh call is in protest against amendments to the Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act, (CNT 1908) and Santal Parganas Tenancy Act, (SPTA 1949) by the State Government.

SFs recovered explosives from Baliguda area of Kandhamal District of Odisha. The recovery comes a day after the ambush between the CPI-Maoist cadres and SFs that claimed the life of a SOG trooper and injured seven other troopers. SFs recovered gelatin sticks, wires, tin sheets, empty bullet cases, polythene and Maoist uniforms.

A Major of the Territorial Army, identified David Manlun, and a civilian, identified as Rajendra Gupta, and three militants were killed in an encounter with a group of suspected militants at a place in between Lapa Lempong and Oting villages near Tizit subdivision of Mon District. Three militants of ULFA-I, who were killed in the encounter, were also identified and they are ‘second lieutenant’ Phanindra Asom (35), Bipul Asom (32) and Dikom Konwar (35). Apart from that, three Army jawans (troopers) were also critically injured in the encounter. The encounter took place when a joint team of the 164 Territorial Army and 12 Para launched an operation in the area based on information about the presence of a combined group of ULFA-I and NSCN-K militants. Two AK-56 rifles, an AK-47 rifle, nine magazines, 277 rounds of ammunition, two hand grenades, four mobile handsets, medicines, blankets, sharp weapons and other warlike stores were also recovered from the encounter spot.      

The AET arrested one extortionist identified as Akinoto Yepthomi, for issuing ‘work permits’ to business establishments on behalf of NSCN-IM in Dimapur District. AET also arrested two other militants NSCN-IM, identified as Sentiyanger Aier and Medemtiba Kichu on charges of extortion after they were found collecting illegal ‘taxes’ from the auto rickshaws in Dimapur.

SFs arrested two militants of GPRN/ NSCN, identified as ‘major’ Khuhevi Awomi and ‘under secretary’ Kuwoto Yesca from Christian Hospital in Dimapur Town. One AK-56 Rifle with magazine and five live rounds of AK-56 were also recovered from the arrested militants.

SFs arrested one militant of KCP-Poirei Lup, identified as Longjam Bijando Singh (48), Yairipok Kekru Mathak Leikai area in Thoubal District. SFs also arrested two women, identified as Longjam (o) Debala Devi (41) and Khadangbam (o) Sanatombi Devi (45), along with the militant. According to the Police they were involved in concealing one AK assault rifle and incriminating articles. 

June 7

India is not the only victim of Pakistan's "nurturing" of terrorism, it told the UNHRC, saying the effects of this are felt in south Asia and beyond, and that Pakistan should refrain from sponsoring terrorism against India. In exercising its second right of reply (RoR) to a Pakistani statement, India said that Pakistan for years has "with complete impunity, channelised billions of dollars from international aid, to training, financing and supporting terrorist groups as militant proxies against it neighbours".

Intelligence agencies of Rajasthan Police have found that ISI handlers allegedly set up donation boxes at places of worship, and use the money donated by devotees to fund terrorist activities in the border villages of the state. The sleuths unearthed the funding network while interrogating ISI spy Deena Khan, who was arrested last week from a remote village in Barmer District. "Khan revealed that he was in-charge of a small Mazar in Chohtan village of Barmer district and distributed Rs 3.5 lakh of Mazar's donation to other spies like Satram Maheswari and his nephew Vinod Maheswari," a senior officer of the state intelligence and security wing told, adding that Deena's handlers in Pakistan would call him over phone, and ask him to distribute fund accordingly.

The Police suspect that ISI may have set up several such donation boxes at multiple locations in border areas to fund its espionage activities. "It is difficult to distribute money through hawala network as it can be traced. Hence, the donation boxes are easy way to collect money and distribute it among the spies," the officer said. Intelligence agencies are now keeping a close tab over the sudden spike in make-shift places of worship that have sprung up in border villages. "The district superintendents of police have been directed to keep a close vigil at such places. With enhanced coordination and strategic planning, we have traced the network of foreign intelligence," said deputy IG, R Suhasaa.

A HM militant, who was seen in a video taken during the funeral of outfit ‘commander’ Sabzar Bhat last week, surrendered before authorities in Kashmir, Police said. Investigations revealed that he was Danish Ahmed, a resident of Handwara in the Kupwara District studying at the Doon P G College of Agriculture Science and Technology, Dehradun. “A few days back, video clips of an unidentified terrorist wearing a battle pouch with a grenade were in circulation on social media. “These video clips were clicked in Tral area by local media persons during the funeral of self-style terrorist commander Sabzar Bhat,” a Police spokesperson said.

Four militants were killed in a gun battle in Machil sector along LoC in Kupwara District while Army foiled three infiltration bids along the LoC. Army’s 56 RR launched a massive cordon and search operation at Sardari Nad forest area after reports of infiltration of a group of militants in Tangri post general area was reported. Militants hiding in the area opened fire on the troops leading to gun fight in which one militant was killed. However, the militants fled away and additional troops including 4 Para-Commandos have been rushed to the area and massive manhunt has been launched against these militants. Three more militants were later gunned down. According to report, one or two militants are still hiding in the area. A Srinagar based Defence spokesman said that three militants were killed in the operation and three AK-47 rifles were recovered.

Troops of 4 JAK LI and 4 Para-Commandos launched massive operation after movement of 5-6 infiltrating militants was noticed in Doba Sardar area of Uri (Baramulla District) near the LoC in the afternoon. As a group of highly trained militants infiltrated into this area, Army launched the operation. Militants fired on the troops injuring two of them, identified as Vijay Sharma and Firasat Ali. Militants are hiding in the dense forest area near the LoC and Army have recovered 6 bags of militants so far.

Army foiled an infiltration bid by a group of highly trained militants in Kanzalwan area of Gurez in Bandipora District. Army noticed movement of a group of 5-6 militants infiltrating into the area and challenged them. The militants fired back but managed to escape back to PoK.

Army is on high alert along the LoC after reports of over 250 militants waiting on the launch pads in PoK for infiltration. They foiled several infiltration attempts recently killing 23 militants so far this year. However, few group of militants managed to sneak in this year and as per the MAC figures, 19 militants infiltrated this year till April.

At least 25 persons including Policemen and students were injured as clashes broke out in parts of South Kashmir against the killing of a student on June 6 during a counter-insurgency operation in Shopian District. A large number of people gathered at Ganawpora village of Shopian District to attend the funeral prayers of Adil Farooq Magray, a first year student killed in firing on June 6, and staged massive protests.

A spontaneous shutdown was observed in Shopian and Pulwama Districts against the student’s killing during which students of various institutes took to streets and clashed with Police. Intense clashes broke out at Pampore where secondary students including girls boycotted their classes and hit streets.

The students blocked the Srinagar-Jammu NH and resorted to heavy stone-pelting on SFs after being intercepted by Police. The Police fired back tear and pepper gas canisters but students did not disperse and engaged the security personnel in pitched battle. At least 17 students and two Policemen were injured in the clashes at Pampore where a shutdown was also observed against the killing at Shopian.

Scores of students at IUST Awantipora came out of their classes and staged protests against the killing of Shopian student. They marched towards Srinagar-Jammu National Highway and blocked the road. The students clashed with Police who fired teargas canisters in a bid to disperse them. A police spokesman with regard to clashes at Pampore and Awantipora said it exercised restraint and suffered injuries of its men.

Large number of police personnel received injuries due to heavy stone pelting by the students in Namblabal Pampore and University Road Awantipora. The situation was brought under control and the National Highway was kept through for vehicular movement. The students of Newa Higher Secondary School in Pulwama District also held similar protests and clashed with police. During clashes, three students sustained injuries.

The clashes between youth and security forces also broke out at Memandar, Kellar and Sofanaman villages of Shopian District against the killing student. Police fired teargas to disperse the stone-throwers. A spontaneous shutdown was observed in Shopian District. In Pulwama Town, three persons were injured after clashes broke out between youth and SFs against Shopian killing.

District Magistrate Shopian ordered a time-bound enquiry into the killing. According to the order, Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Shopian has been appointed Enquiry Officer to “ascertain the circumstances” which led to death of the student. The Enquiry Officer has been asked to submit the enquiry report within 25 days.

India accused Pakistan of using terror as an instrument of state policy and asked Islamabad to vacate its illegal occupation of PoK. Raising the issue of Pak-sponsored terrorism at the 35th session of UNHRC, India said "Pakistan must rein in its compulsive hostility towards us." "The entire state of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and that Pakistan remains in illegal occupation of a part of our territory. Therefore, the neutrality of the phrase "Indian-administered Jammu & Kashmir" is artificial," Rajiv K Chander, India's Permanent Representative at the United Nations (UN), asserted during the session.

The CPI-Maoist has threatened to carry out more “Sukma-like attacks” on the SFs in Chhattisgarh. Sounding out the warning in an audio statement, spokesperson of the CPI-Maoist DKSZC, Vikalp, accused the SFs of running a campaign of terror in the Bastar region. In the interim, two Maoist attacks in Sukma District, first in Kottecheru village and second in Burkapal village, had resulted in the death of 37 CRPF personnel earlier this year.

Buses on from Sita Ramdera terminus in East Singhbhum District bound for Khunti District, Simdega, Chaibasa, Chakradharpur and Odisha did not play, due to the bandh. The PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist had called bandh in protest of the State Government's move to amend land tenancy laws. Jamshedpur Bus Owners' Association president Upender Sharma said they decided not to risk passenger safety.

No major untoward incident was reported during 24 hour state-wide bandh by the PLFI in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. The busy market places in traditional PLFI strongholds like, Khunti, Simdega and Gumla too wore deserted looks.

The Giridih Police carried out kurkijabti on the house of the Naxal Nunuchand Mahto, who carries INR 500,000 award on his head, at Khukhra village in Giridih District of Jharkhand. By a very rough estimate, domestic pot, bed, furniture and others house hold materials costing INR 45 to 50 thousand had been seized from Naxal’s house. The Jharkhand Police’s initiative to cripple Maoist leaders financially by confiscating their property under the UAPA has met considerable success.

Rama Kawasi alias Ashok (38) and his wife Weli Madkami alias Malati (25), cadres of the CPI-Maoist, surrendered at the District Police Office in Malkangiri District of Odisha. The couple was carrying INR 500,000 and INR 400,000 on their heads respectively as announced by the Odisha Government. Ashok was working as a DCM with the Boipariguda Area Committee of MKVB division under the AOBSZC since 2002. On the other, Malati was a native of Badtekguda village under Kalimela Police limits and involved in at least five murder cases, blasting of Podia new Block Office building in 2013 and exchanges of fire. She was working as a member of Boipariguda Area Committee of MKVB Division under the AOBSZC since 2006. They cited torturing of local tribal cadres by the CPI-Maoist leaders from Andhra Pradesh and mindless killing of the innocent people in the name of ‘Police informers’ as the principal reason to surrender.

In a statement, the NSCN-IM said that the Framework Agreement has provided a ‘new era for the Nagas’ and express its caution against ‘anti peace agents’, without mentioning any particular group or people.

One civilian, identified as Rakesh Waikhom (38), injured when a low intensity explosive, suspected to be an IED, exploded in front of a pharmacy owned by Ajay Kumar Jain (43) located at Kasturi bridge of Thangal bazar in Imphal West District. No militant group has claimed responsibility of the blast so far.

Three suspected militants, including a woman cadre of the UPLA, were arrested by SFs from Tingkhong in Dibrugarh District. They have been identified as Lozar Herse (20), Angsang Terong (23) and Anita Rajbongshi (26). One .22 pistol and 21 live rounds of bullets were also recovered from the arrested militants.

An official communiqué informed that CM Pema Khandu has convened an all-party meeting in Itanagar on June 19 to discuss the issue of granting of citizenship to Chakma and Hajong refugees.

Chinese agencies are trying to launch a proxy war with India by using the militant groups of the North East region and some of these plans came to light after a militant leader of ULFA-I, named Ron Asom surrendered recently. Police sources further said that the inputs available with the security agencies indicate that the major militant groups of the region came into a common platform only after pressure from the Chinese agencies and now they have started operating together.

June 8

Delhi Police's Special Cell arrested Junaid Chowdhry, an aide of gangster Chhota Shakeel, from Wazirabad road in north-east Delhi. DCP (Special Cell) P S Kushwah said Junaid was planning to target a high-profile person in New Delhi, but refused to divulge details of the alleged target. Junaid was earlier arrested in June 2016 along with three others with arms and hawala money sent by Shakeel, but was released on bail within four months. They had been planning to kill Hindu Sabha chief Swami Chakrapani at that time. He contacted Shakeel again but after his bail was cancelled he was sent to Tihar. Later, he was again released on bail and once more got in touch with Shakeel. Chowdhry then started carrying out the gangster's Delhi- based activities. He is currently being interrogated.

India has stated that Pakistan is preaching and nurturing terrorism. India’s counsellor at the Indian mission in Geneva Alok Jha said, "We would like to reiterate that India is not the only victim of Pakistan's preaching, practising, encouraging and nurturing terrorism. The deleterious impact of Pakistan's irresponsible and short-sighted approach of terrorism as state policy has started showing in other countries of South Asia and beyond. Internationally proscribed terrorist entities and their leaders continue to thrive in Pakistan with state support, even raising funds openly in flagrant violation of Pakistan's international obligations.

Three militants and one soldier were killed in Nowgam sector in Kupwara District today morning after Pakistan violated ceasefire in the area and sent a group of infiltrators under the cover of firing. This is fourth infiltration bid that was foiled by army along LoC since yesterday (June 7).

The CRPF is exploring technology that could track and disable weapons looted by Left Wing Extremists in Left Wing Extremism-affected districts and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. Automatic and semi-automatic rifles/guns like AK rifles, SLRs, INSAS rifles and revolvers used by the Security Forces in counter-insurgency and anti-Maoist operations are the ones used by the ultras in ambushes and attacks on the camps. CRPF Director General Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar confirmed that the force is looking at such technology. He, however, said that this is in planning stage.

The composite squads of DRG, District Force and CoBRA arrested 18 cadres of the CPI-Maoist from two places in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. In first incident, SFs arrested 10 CPI-Maoist from Chintagufa Police Station area, while in second incident; eight others were arrested from Chintalnar Police Station. The arrested Maoists were identified as Podiyam Kosa (28), Jan Militia ‘Commander’, Kawasi Joga (28), Deputy Jan Militia’ Commander’, Madvi Aaytu (23) ‘Commander’ of CNM- a frontal wing of CPI-Maoist, Oyam Sukka (22), Deputy ‘Commander’ of CNM and 14 other CPI-Maoist cadres associated with DAKMS, Janatana Sarkar.

The UMHA told reporters that CRPF has recruited 743 candidates, including 242 women, from the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. The youth have been recruited for the post of constable in the CRPF from tribal-dominated Sukma, Dantewada, Narayanpur and Bijapur Districts and will join the “Bastariya” battalion. Once the training of the recruits in the “Bastariya” battalion is completed, they will be deployed in Chhattisgarh for at least five years.

The CRPF is exploring technology that could track and disable weapons looted by LWEs in LWE-affected Districts and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. Automatic and semi-automatic rifles/guns like AK rifles, SLRs, INSAS rifles and revolvers used by the Security Forces in counter-insurgency and anti-Maoist operations are the ones used by the ultras in ambushes and attacks on the camps. CRPF, DG, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar confirmed that the force is looking at such technology. He, however, said that this is in planning stage.

Fifteen Naxalites who were killed last month (May, 2017) in anti-Naxal operation in Sukma District were cadres of the PLGA, the armed wing of the CPI-Maoist, said Devendra Chouhan; IG, CRPF. Addressing a press conference in Raipur District, Chouhan said that an audio clip released by a top Naxal leader named Vikalp has now confirmed that 15 Maoists killed in an anti-Naxal operation between May 12 and May 16 were actually members of the PLGA. "The security forces launched an anti-Naxal operation between May 12, 2017 and May 16 in Sukma district. The operation by the CRPF’s CoBRA, DRG and local Police killed at least 15 Naxalites but their bodies were not recovered," said Chouhan, adding that "the security forces gauged the number of the killed Naxalites on the basis of blood stains and intercept of seized wireless sets". He further added that "initially the Naxalites rebuffed the security forces' claim but now a top Maoist, Vikalp, in an audio tape has admitted that their 15 associates were killed between May 11 and May 16. Though, he claimed that these encounters were fake and the killed ones were innocent adivasis". However, the CRPF IG said that Maoists' accusation is false as "the journalists who visited the areas where anti-Naxal operation was launched have come to know that the security forces didn't kill any villager".

The ‘general secretary’ cum ‘c-in-c’ of KLO/KLA, identified as Letkhosei Haokip alias Timothy alias Seiboi (40), was shot dead by unidentified gunmen suspected to be cadres of a rival militant faction at Thanganphai village area under Saikul Police Station in Kangpokpi District. Meanwhile, UPF, one of the two umbrella organisations of Kuki militant groups strongly condemned the killing in a press release.

Police busted a country made ‘gun manufacturing unit’ at Langol Games Village under Lamphel Police Station in Imphal West District. Police also recovered two country made pistols, equipment and tools used in making country made pistols, 97 ‘demand letters’ of "Terrorist Revolutionary Army", a receipt book containing 100 leaflets and four empty cases from the place. The person, identified as Yangkhothang Haokip (28), who was involved in the manufacturing of guns was also arrested by the Police. 

PREPAK claimed the responsibility of the bomb blast at Mahavir Medicos owned by Ajay Kumar Jain (43) near Kasturi bridge.

SFs arrested an ‘over ground worker’ of the PLA militant, identified as Koijam Warji (47), at Thongju area in Imphal East District.

SFs arrested the proprietor of H&B Enterprises, named Thoudam Hemchandra Singh alias Itomba, of Lairikyengbam Makha Leikai in Imphal East District for his involvement in transaction of money on behalf of the KCP-Progressive.

Police recovered 30 detonators, 30 gelatin sticks and 8m of fuse wire from two unidentified persons who were travelling in a bus at Banskandi in Cachar District. Police also arrested these two unidentified persons and investigation is going on.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs resumed the peace-talks with ULFA-PTF and two factions of NDFB in Assam. The two factions of NDFB are NDFB-RD and NDFB-P. Informing that former Director of Intelligence Bureau and newly appointed interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma chaired the tripartite talks with ULFA-PTF in Guwahati on June 7, and security sources said that discussion with two factions of NDFB started on June 8.

‘Media Cell of WG’ of the NNPGs has hit out at the NSCN-IM for taking people of Nagaland ‘for a ride’ in the post-August 3, 2015 ‘Framework Accord’ by “promising imaginary political institution” whereas the GoI had made it clear that breaking up neighbouring Indian state “to integrate all Naga inhabited areas” was out of question. 

June 9

Suhaib Potanical, 49, a suspected IM operative, was arrested by Surat Police in Ahmedabad. He was lodged in jail after his arrested in May by Ahmedabad Police. Surat Police produced him in court and he was remanded to Police custody till June 15. Potanical is close associate of arrested 'IM India operations chief' Yasin Bhatkal, accused in both Ahmedabad bomb blasts and Surat bomb planting case. "We have been granted custody of Potanical till June 15 and he will not be brought to Surat. Police will question him in Ahmedabad and after questioning he will be produced in court and sent to jail," said Police. Considering the risk involved in transportation of the terror suspects Police have decided not to bring the accused to city for few days of questioning, sources informed.

Army foiled a major infiltration bid along the LoC in Uri sector of Baramulla District killing 5 infiltrating militants. Srinagar based Defence spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Rajesh Kalia said that Army foiled a major infiltration bid by militants in Uri sector killing 5 militants. Five militants were killed in the fierce gun battle that was going on since morning. Troops suspected presence of one more militant in the area.

SOG of Jammu and Kashmir Police detained two youth, identified as Mir Showkat, who has done B.Tech and Danish Gulzar, who is pursuing MA in Dangerpora area of Pulwama District.

A shutdown against the killing of a student in Shopian District early this week paralyzed normal life across Kashmir during which authorities imposed restrictions in seven Police Station areas of Srinagar city while stone-throwing clashes left three persons injured.

Police detained separatist leader and JKLF chairman Yasin Malik at Sarai-e-Bala area in Srinagar. After offering Friday prayers, Malik along with dozens of JKLF supporters staged protests and tried to march towards Lal Chowk but Police deployed in the area did not allow the JKLF chief and his supporters to proceed ahead. The Police detained Malik and lodged him in nearby Police Station.

After Malik’s detention, clashes between stone-pelters and SFs broke out near Iqra Masjid at Sarai-e-Bala. The clashes also broke out at Sabzi Mandi in Soura, Chhattabal and at HMT in city areas. Police fired teargas canisters to disperse the stone-throwers. A youth was injured at Chattabal during clashes and he was shifted to SMHS Hospital where his condition is stated to be stable. Minor stone-pelting incidents erupted in downtown areas after lifting of restrictions.

After Friday prayers, clashes broke out at Memandar area of Shopian and in Tahab, Pampore, Main Town and Bellow areas of Pulwama District. Police fired teargas canisters to disperse the stone-throwers and at Pulwama town also resorted to aerial firing.

In Chewa Kalan village of Newa in Pulwama district, stone-throwers targeted Army vehicles after which soldiers opened fire in air. The clashes also erupted at Reshi Bazar area of Anantnag district during which one youth was injured. He was hit by pellets in his eye and was shifted to hospital for treatment.

The clashes also broke out at Ajas, Papchan and Hajin areas of North Kashmir’s Bandipora District. Similar clashes also raged at Sopore town of Baramulla district and in Main Town of Kupwara District. A Police Head Constable was injured in Kupwara clashes.

A police spokesman while detailing Friday’s situation said that barring the five stray incidents of stone pelting, situation across the Valley remained peaceful and under control till filing of this report. “After Friday prayers, these stone pelting incidents were reported from Memander, near Mini-Secretariat in Shopian, near Reshmoual Sahib Shrine in Anantnag, Near Jamia Masjid in Kupwara and at Main Chowk Sopore,” he said.

The UHM Rajnath Singh said that the country’s borders were “more secure” than before and would be further fortified to stop illegal infiltration. “India’s borders are more safe and secure as compared to the past and the Government has decided to make the borders highly protected in the years to come so that no citizen of a foreign country can enter into India without the permission of the Government of India,” Singh said. He was speaking at the inauguration of a ‘MODI-fest’ in Jaipur (Rajasthan) to mark the third anniversary of the Narendra Modi Government.

A CPI-Maoist cadre was killed in an encounter with the CRPF and local Police at Dholkatta forest in Parashnath area in Giridih District of Jharkhand. The identity of Maoist is yet to be ascertained. SP, Akhlesh V. Verier told that the killed CPI-Maoist cadre was a member of Prayag Manjhi and Ajay Mahto squad.

An encounter took place between SFs and CPI-Maoist cadres at Kasidanga in East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. The CPI-Maoist cadres were led by Akaash, a senior leader of the CPI-Maoist and wanted by Police for various offences. An AK-47 rifle with 32 rounds of ammunition, a 9 mm pistol with six rounds and two magazines among other things were recovered from the spot of encounter by the security personnel.

Hundreds of slogan-shouting tribals belonging to 30 villages held a massive rally at Populuru in Malkangiri District of Odisha, protesting against the killing of a CPI-Maoist leader Chinnabai in an encounter by the Police. The tribals alleged that Chinnabai who had surrendered was murdered by the Police. However, Malkangiri SP, Mitrabhanu Mohapatra told, “We have information that the Maoists have issued a press release claiming that it was a fake encounter. This is completely false. It was actually an incident of exchange of fire in which the Police had fired in self defense. In the incident a cadre Maoist was killed.”

The CPI-Maoist cadres threatened founder of KISS and KIIT, Achyuta Samanta, to punish him in the  Praja Court for allegedly working against Maoist organisation in name of providing education to tribals in Odisha. In a poster reportedly put up by the CPI-Maoist on the wall of Koraput District branch of KISS premises at Kakiriguma, the Maoists alleged Samanta of working along with Police towards weakening the Maoist organisation in name of providing education to tribal children in KISS. “While we are opposing the government’s policies, you are inviting the ministers. If you do not stop doing this, you will be punished in the Praja court,” the banner read. Kakiriguma Police later seized the poster.

The CRPF, IG, (Bihar) M.S. Bhatia convened a meeting with CRPF officials at Koilwar in Bhojpur District of Bihar, to weed out the CPI-Maoist cadres from Naxal pockets in Bihar.

Two unidentified militants of GNLA were killed in an encounter with the Police in a forest between Agitchak and Jogisil villages of Shallang area in West Khasi Hills District. According to the Police, four other militants sustained bullet injuries but they managed to escape. A Chinese assault rifle and a single barrel shot gun were also recovered from the encounter site.

The ‘chairman’ of the NSCN-K, SS Khaplang (Shangwang Shangyung Khaplang), age around 77 years, died at Taga region in Myanmar. He had been suffering from diabetes and other age-related ailments for the past few years. The ageing Khaplang, who was a Myanmarese Naga, had been the most influential living Northeastern militant leader and recently formed a new platform of northeastern militant groups called the UNLFW. After SS Khaplang the ‘vice-chairman’ of NSCN-K, Khango Konyak is widely expected to replace his position. Another senior leader in the running is Nikki Sumi, who is part of the outfit's military wing.

Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said that the peace agreement with the ULFA-PTF will be signed shortly. Rijiju said that the peace agreement with ULFA-PTF led by Arobinda Rajkhowa has almost finalized. “Apart from ULFA, Centre will sign peace agreement with the two faction groups of NDFB within short time,” Rijiju said.

Police arrested a former student of GU, named Ritwik Saikia, from Dhakuakhana in Lakhimpur District for allegedly writing an open letter to ‘c-in-c’ of ULFA-I, Paresh Barua on Facebook.

June 10

Police arrested two drug smugglers from Tarn Taran District and recovered contacts of about 130 Pakistan-based smugglers from their mobile phones. An official spokesperson said Sukhbir Singh alias Titu of Naushera Dhalla village in Tarn Taran District and Tasveer Singh alias Tassu of Dhanoya Kalan in Amritsar District both in their sixties were arrested. About 6 kg heroin, a Pakistani SIM card, two rifles and a motorcycle were recovered from them. Both used to procure drugs and other contraband from across the border through Pakistani and Indian couriers, the spokesperson said.

Army, foiled an infiltration bid along LoC in Gurez sector in Uri in Bandipora District killing one militant. Srinagar based Defense spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Rajesh Kalia said in Srinagar that Army foiled an infiltration bid in Gurez sector of the LoC in Bandipora District. He said that one militant was killed and an AK-47 rifle was recovered from him.

Pakistan army tonight, again resorted to heavy mortar shelling and firing along LoC in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch District targeting forward defense locations and civilian population, prompting an effective retaliation from the troops. Official sources said Pakistani troops started shelling at Mankote, Balnoi, Nangi Tekri and surrounding areas of Krishna Ghati sector around 8.20 pm. Initially, Pakistan army violated ceasefire with small and heavy arms but later resorted to 82mm mortar shelling. The Indian side was responding effectively, leading to heavy exchanges.

CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze a passenger bus in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. There was no casualty as the bus was empty and parked. “Maoists burnt a private passenger bus at Sonpur village last night. This place is 15 kilometer from the base camp and 35 kilometer south of Narayanpur police station,” said SP, Santosh Singh. Singh added this incident is likely to hamper the passenger transport in the area as it was the only bus operating on this road. “The security forces never use buses on this road. No other smaller passenger vehicle runs except for some tractors.”

Police arrested two PLFI supporters, Surendra Nath and Sunil Thakur, from Bano area of Simdega District of Jharkhand. The Police also recovered ammunitions from the arrested cadres that they were about to deliver to their ‘chief’ Gujju Gope. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

A JJMP cadre, Anil Oraon, was arrested from Udaypura village in Latehar District of Jharkhand. INR 34,000 in cash and a mobile phone were recovered from him. JJMP is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

SFs arrested a militant of MNRF, identified as Ningkhanngam alias Aboi Raihing (37), during cordon and search operation conducted at Khurai Chairenthong in Imphal East District.

Indian Army’s special operation group arrested one militant of NSCN-K, identified as Wanging Konyak alias Khampai (31), from Namtola area of Assam-Nagaland border site under Charaidew District. Some live bullets of AK-47 rifle and one .38 revolver were also recovered from the arrested militant.

A source, close to the NSCN-K, reveals that Khango Konyak will take over as the new ‘chairman’ of NSCN-K following the demise of S.S. Khaplang. According to the sources Khango Konyak was ‘vice-president’ of the militant and he is believed to be in his seventies. He is a Konyak Naga from Mon District of Nagaland. Khango is known for defiant stand and has in the past shown reservation in coming back to ceasefire process with GoI. A senior official Nagaland Police said, “Khango maintains close relationship with other rebel leaders, including ULFA-I ‘chief’ Paresh Baruah.”

According to the sources, the funeral for late SS Khaplang, former ‘chairman’ of the NSCN-K, will be held on June 12, in Taga region of Myanmar.

Nagaland CM Shurhozelie Liezietsu in a message said that NSCN-K ‘chairman’ S S Khaplang had passed away before any solution to the protracted ‘Naga political problem’ could be reached. “It was encouraging to learn that Khaplang had, a few months back, conveyed his willingness to have a dialogue with the Centre provided issues of substance were discussed,” Liezietsu said in his statement.

A day after the death of NSCN-K ‘chairman’ S.S. Khaplang, the Central Government of India said that all Indian citizens in the Naga rebel group will be rehabilitated if they abjure violence. Conveying the message of the Government, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said, “We appeal that all the Indian Nagas in NSCN-K should surrender and return to the mainstream. We will rehabilitate them. Anybody who gives up violence, we will rehabilitate them. We are giving rehabilitation package from the Indian government.”

Police arrested a militant of UNLF, identified as Moirangthem Champion Singh (21), near Moirangkhom Moreh Parking in Imphal West District.

A driver of an Imphal-bound oil tanker, named Takhellambam James has been kidnapped by unknown persons from Dimapur.

June 11

Four Policemen were injured after militants hurled a grenade at their bunker in Saraf Kadal area of downtown Srinagar in the night. Police said that the attack took place at around 10: 25 pm on a bunker. The injured have been identified as Nazir Ahmad, Constable Tariq Ahmad and Selection Grade Constable Farooq Ahmad of Police Post Urdu Bazar and SI Vikas Panday of CRPF.

Militants fired at the camp of SOG of Jammu and Kashmir Police at Imam Sahib area of Shopian District in the afternoon in which one SPO, identified as Khursheed Ahmad was injured.

India, launched another major offensive against Pakistan after latter’s Army targeted defence locations and civilian areas along LoC in three sectors in twin border Districts of Poonch and Rajouri and also activated IB in Ramgarh sector of Samba District. At least nine posts and bunkers of Pakistan Army were destroyed opposite Krishna Ghati and Nowshera sectors in retaliatory fire by the troops while Pakistan claimed civilian casualties on their side.

Official sources said that heavy mortar shelling and firing by Pakistan Army on the LoC in Rajouri and Poonch Districts, which began late June 10 night and continued till June 11 afternoon, was a clear indication that troops across the LoC were instructed to keep pot boiling on the LoC. However, they said, the Indian troops, who were anticipating misadventures by Pakistan following the visit of Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa to the LoC, retaliated Pakistan shelling and firing very effectively. According to sources, at least nine posts and bunkers of Pakistan army have been razed to ground across Krishna Ghati and Nowshera sectors in retaliatory firing by the Indian troops. Pakistan claimed civilian casualties, both fatal and non-fatal, on their side. Sources didn’t rule out fatalities on part of Pakistan army in destruction of their posts but there were no exact numbers.

Pakistan Army activated three major sectors along LoC including Krishna Ghati, Bhimber Gali and Nowshera in Rajouri and Poonch Districts, just a day after General Bajwa visited Muzaffarabad, the capital of PoK and some forward posts on the LoC, where he inter-acted with Field Commanders and jawans.

Chhattisgarh Police recovered a five Kilogram of IED planted by the CPI-Maoist cadres in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. CPI-Maoist cadres planted IEDs to target SFs and stall the developmental works in the State.

Chhattisgarh Police claimed to have arrested 34 CPI-Maoist cadres from Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The arrested people include the Janatana Sarkar presidents, Jan Militia commanders, DAKMS presidents and members, CNM commanders and deputy commanders.

Ten cadres of TPC shot dead two brothers, Muneswar alias Munna (34), Nageswar Oraon (32), and grievously injured a third, Jogeswar (28), at Piparwar village in Chatra District of Jharkhand. TPC is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist. Police suspect the brothers were victims of revenge killing. Their eldest sibling Muneswar was an accused in the murder of six TPC cadres in Hindgiri in Ranchi District on May 21.

Rourkela Police arrested a leader of the CPI-Maoist, identified as Dharamjit Singh, in Sundargarh District of Odisha. Dharamjit was involved in many CPI-Maoist activities in Odisha and was in the Police's list of most wanted CPI-Maoist leaders.

Union Agriculture Minister, Radha Mohan Singh, met Jawans injured in the recent CPI-Maoist cadres attack at MKCG Hospital in Ganjam District of Odisha. Singh urged the CPI-Maoist cadres to shun violence and join the mainstream. He also attended a “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas” event in Ganjam.

SFs arrested the ‘public relation officer’ of KNF, identified as Letkhoson alias Soson (42), in Kangpokpi District. According to the Police, he was involved in the incident of the killing of two KRA militants on May 5. SFs also recovered one .22 revolver with six live rounds and two mobile phones from the arrested militant.

Director General of Assam Police Mukesh Sahay said that the possibility of ULFA-I ‘chief’ Paresh Baruah becoming the leader of the umbrella organisation of all the militant groups of Northeast India (called United Liberation Front of Western South East Asia) is only a speculation. “The race has already begun among the top leaders of militant outfits of the northeastern region after the demise of NSCN-K ‘chairman’ SS Khaplang who also headed the umbrella organisation,” Sahay said.

Following mounting pressure, a person named Imdad Hussain, who is alleged to have sparked communal disharmony among people in Silchar with his controversial posts and anti-religious comments in the social media, surrendered before the Police in Cachar District.

June 12

Two CRPF troopers were injured as militants fired a grenade from UBGL towards 180th Battalion of CRPF camp at Tral in Pulwama District in the night. The grenade exploded near the gate of the camp injuring two CRPF men. Police and Army immediately reached the spot and joined CRPF to conduct searches in the nearby locality but militants had managed to flee under the cover of darkness. Later, HM has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Army foiled a major infiltration attempt by Pakistan backed militants on the LoC in Poonch sector in wee hours in the morning forcing the infiltrators to retreat and effecting major recoveries while an Army Havildar, Danesh Kumar was injured as Pakistani troops continued heavy mortar shelling and firing at Krishna Ghati, Mankote and Lam sectors in twin border Districts of Poonch and Rajouri.

Official sources said alert Indian troops observed movement of infiltrators at 3.30 am on June 12 along LoC in Poonch sector, who were trying to sneak into the Indian side with active support of Pakistan army, On being fired upon by the Army, the militants retaliated but retreated as troops stepped-up firing to eliminate them.

In the morning, Army conducted searches in the area and recovered eight rucksacks carrying one combat jacket each, one UBGL, one binocular, one radio set with antenna, seven shawls, medicines, ready to eat meat, one mobile phone, battery cells, eatables and clothing. A major tragedy has been averted with thwarting of the infiltration attempt, sources said. Meanwhile, Havildar Danesh Kumar was injured in continued Pakistan shelling at Sagra in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch District in the evening.

SFs busted a HM module by arresting two militants and two OGWs and recovered huge quantity of arms and ammunition from their possession in Jammu and Kashmir. On specific information regarding movement of militants, a joint Naka of Handwara Police and RR was laid at Chogal, Handwara in Kupwara District during which two persons identified as Mehrajudin and Obaid Shafi Malla both residents of Awantipora were caught while moving in suspicious circumstances. On their checking a huge cache of arms and ammunition was recovered. During the investigation, they revealed that they had come to Handwara for receiving ammunition and other war like stores for their militant outfit in South Kashmir. Sources said that preliminary investigating revealed that these militants were members of an HM militant module, which would not only recruit youth into militancy by radicalizing them over social media but also coordinate their training and arranged arms/ammunition.

On the discloser of these two militants, two more members of the module working as OGWs were arrested from Awantipora in Pulwama District. They were identified as Shahid Ahmad Thoker and Irfan Ahmad, both residents of Awantipora.

The NIA has approached Pakistan to provide details of four fidayeen (suicide) attackers involved in Uri attack of September 18, 2017. The attack at Uri became one of the main reasons for strained Indo-Pak relations in the last one year. According to the sources in the anti-terror probe agency, a judicial request (letter rogatory) has been sent to Pakistan via diplomatic channels in which details of DNA samples, medicines, clothes, shoes, accessories and DNA of one of the four terrorists who was identified as Abu Anas by the agencies. NIA wants to know from Pakistan the identities of other three terrorists, their outfit and who sent them apart from other details. The agency probe points to the role of LeT in the terror strike. Earlier, the Army had claimed that JeM was behind the plot but later evidence suggested that the four fidayeen belonged to LeT.

In meeting held at the 205th CoBRA Battalion headquarters of the CRPF in Gaya District and a second one at IG (operations) Kundan Krishnan's office in Patna District of Bihar, SFs decided to intensify operations in the State against the CPI-Maoist. The meeting assumes importance, as according to CRPF sources three pockets - the Jamui/Nawada/Giridih (triangular section), Gaya Aurangabad section and Lakhisarai/ Munger/Banka/Jamui section - are still under CPI-Maoist influence. Total seven battalions of the CRPF are deputed in Bihar. Five of those battalions do general duty and two are posted as CoBRA battalions. There are around 1,000 security personnel in a battalion.

Police recovered banners suspected to be put up by CPI-Maoist cadres in support of agitating farmers in Madhya Pradesh from Pakhanjoor Police station area in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. The banners issued in the name of ‘Pratappur Area Committee of Maoists’ displayed messages supporting the farmers who were protesting in the neighbouring state for their various demands since June 1. In the messages written on banners, Naxals have protested against alleged injustice being done to cultivators in Madhya Pradesh.

The Naxals operating in Chhattisgarh, who have largely been confined to the Bastar region in the South, are looking to create an entire new zone in the west, a CPI-Maoist document, recovered by the State Police has said. Areas like Balaghat in Madhya Pradesh, Gondia in Maharashtra, and northern Rajnandgaon, parts of Kabirdham and Mungeli in Chhattisgarh are covered under the new zone. In the seized document, the new area is described as MMC (Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh Confluence) zone. It seems that idea is to create an entity like Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DSZC) in Bastar District. The document also shows issues that villagers are concerned about in the area to win their confidence, such as land, demonetisation and differential pricing of bamboo in different states.

In joint operation the District Armed Police and the CRPF recovered huge quantity of explosives and arrested two cadres, Chunu Munda and Jeevan Pahan alias Bicha, of the PLFI from Khunti District of Jharkhand. The security personnel found explosives kept hidden and seized 20 Kilogram of claymore bomb, 15 Kilogram of liquid explosive in eight packets, 25 gelatine sticks and a grenade. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

Two persons from Kerala, who came to meet CPI-Maoist cadres Anoop and Shyna at the Coimbatore Central Prison in Tamil Nadu, were arrested, for carrying a pen drive. Prison authorities, who found the two with the data storage device during physical examination, handed them over to the Race Course Police. According to M. Senthilkumar, Prison Superintendent, the two men - Rashid (38) and Harihara Sharma (33) from Thiruvananthapuram - had come to meet Anoop and Shyna, two of the five Maoists arrested at Karumathampatti in Coimbatore in May 2015, at the prison.

Five months after an alleged CPI-Maoist-led agitation against a power grid in Bhangar in South 24 Parganas District that claimed 2 lives in police firing and sparked a blockade, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, asked Bhangar to stay away from Maoists and come to the negotiation table. Speaking at a public rally at Bhangar, CM Banerjee asked residents of Bhangar to surrender their weapons that she claimed were amassed during the movement or face search operations. “I know there are weapons in the villages. The Maoists click pictures of you cutting off roads and up in the arms to garner monetary aid from sympathisers abroad. Did you get anything? That is why I am urging you to stay away from the Maoists and denounce them. They are not going to help you, but I will,” the CM said.

Three IEDs were recovered, which were planted near a show room of an automobile company at Mantripukhri area in Imphal West District. All the three IEDs were safely retrieved and detonated at a safe place by Police. According to the Police the planting of the IEDs could be related to monetary demands by militant groups.

SFs, in a search operation, arrested one militant of UNLF, identified as ‘corporal’ Nameirakpam Ibungo alias Torbot alias Abung Singh (33), from Nungbrang Mayai Leikai in Imphal East District.

SFs arrested one militant of NDFB-IKS, identified as Bijoy Boro alias B Bukruk, near Maharipara village under Goreswar Police Station in Baksa District. SFs also recovered one 9mm pistol along with six live rounds from the arrested militants.

In a statement, the HNLC threatened to back the agitation against the railway project in Ri Bhoi District by providing IEDs to the KSU. The militant group also demanded release of the KSU members who are in prison in connection with the May 27 violence at the project site in the District.

Khango Konyak, who is the new ‘chairman’ of the NSCN-K, is likely to be the head of the UNLFW, which is an umbrella organisation of the militant groups of North East. Earlier it was expected that Paresh Baruah, the ‘chief’ of ULFA-I might be the head of the UNLFW. But dismissing speculations about his taking over charge of the UNLFW, Paresh Barua has backed the idea of ‘next-generation leaders’ coming forward to take charge after the demise of NSCN-K ‘chief’ SS Khaplang.

At a meeting of the CMs of the four States of North East bordering Myanmar, in Aizawl, the Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu told Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh that India’s open border with Myanmar has been a major problem for Arunachal Pradesh because of militants from the other side. He said “The entire region of Tirap, Changlang and Longding [border districts] is adversely affected by NSCN insurgency. Cadres of various NSCN factions -IM, K, U, R- are very active in the entire region… The situation has been exacerbated by the recent declaration of the NSCN-K as an unlawful organisation.” “Though there is no home-grown militancy in Arunachal, activities of underground groups from Assam and Nagaland and from across the border with Myanmar has adversely affected the security situation in the state,” he added.

June 13

A man, identified as Imran Khan was arrested in Shastri Nagar of New Delhi for allegedly printing FICN INR 2,000 worth face value of INR 1, 78,000 seized from him, the police said. A raid was carried out by the Delhi Police's Crime Branch and 89 fake notes were seized. Police also seized a printer and computer that were being used to print the currency.

At least 14 SF personnel were injured in seven separate militant attacks across J&K while militants attacked residence of retired Justice and decamped with four rifles. The CRPF, in the meantime, has sounded alert and asked its troops across Kashmir to remain alert and launch offensive against the militants.

At least 10 CRPF personnel were injured as militants hurled a grenade on their camp at Lariyar village of Tral in Pulwama District. Militants lobbed the grenade on 180 Battalion CRPF camp at Lariyar resulting in injuries to 10 CRPF men. The injured have been identified as Charanlal, Ganpat Singh, Santanu Gosh, Kundan Lal Chatry, Ramdulare, Meghnad Das, Itlish Kumar, Motilal Meena, Gnanave A, B Sanjay Sadahsio. HM has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Militants in the night attacked Police Guard picket deployed at the residence of Retired Justice Mohammad Attar at Anchidora in Anantnag District and decamped with four SLRs. Reports said that a group of militants attacked security guards deployed at the residence of Justice Attar and decamped with four SLRs including magazines. They said that two Policemen including a SPO were injured in the attack.

Militants hurled a grenade on Police Station Pulwama in the night injuring two Policemen including an SPO. They also fired at the Police, which retaliated but militants managed to escape.

Militants in the night hurled a grenade on 42 RR camp of Army at Largam Tral in Pulwama District. The grenade exploded outside the camp and didn’t cause any damage.

Militants hurled a grenade on 130 battalion of CRPF at Padgampora Awantipora in Pulwama District in the night. However, no one was injured in the attack.

Militants hurled a grenade on 116 battalion of CRPF at Sarbal Pahalgam in Anantnag District. However, no one was injured in the attack.

Militants tonight also fired a rifle grenade on 22 RR Camp of Army at Sopore in Baramulla District. However, on one was injured.

A 25-page document recovered from cadres of CPI-Maoist by Chhattisgarh Police after an encounter reveals that the CPI-Maoist leadership in the state has issued instructions to the cadre on the use of mobile phones. The document recovered by the Police in April 2017 reveals that cadre up to the level of ‘Divisional Commanders’ have now been allowed to use mobile phones and tablets for easy access to reading material. Under a section of the document titled ‘The spread of propaganda’, the document states that propaganda activities are to be carried out through pamphlets, banners, posters, statements and through mobile phones and WhatsApp. The document reveals that WhatsApp and mobile phones are to be used in the Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh Confluence zone (MMCCZ).

In report released by UMHA, SFs had gunned down 51 cadres of CPI-Maoist as on May 15, 2017 this year compared to 85 in the corresponding period of the 2016 in Chhattisgarh. The CPI-Maoist cadres during the period had 81 encounters with the Police compared to 147 in the corresponding period of the previous year, it informed. The number of incidents of attacks on police including use of landmines by Maoists numbered 41 compared to 50 last year, it stated. A total of 357 Naxal incidents took place as on May 15, 2017 this year compared to 462 in 2016.The SFs recovered 228 arms used by Maoists this year as on May 15, 2017 compared to 342 in 2016. A total of 106 districts in the Country are considered as Naxal affected. Of these, Bihar State has maximum 22 Districts, followed by Jharkhand (21), Odisha(19), Chhattisgarh (16), Andhra Pradesh and  Telangana,- both 8 each,  West Bengal and Maharashtra,- both 4 each, Uttar Pradesh,- 3 and Madhya Pradesh, one.

Presiding over the Unified Command Meeting in Ranchi District of Jharkhand, CM Raghubar Das said that the Jharkhand State Government is committed to uproot Naxals and mentioned that because of the determination level of his government, the Naxal violence has decreased up to 50% in Jharkhand. He added that by the end of the year, Naxal problems will be eradicated.

Union Additional Secretary (Home Ministry) Jaideep Govind said that the statistics about Naxal incidents in Jharkhand was “encouraging” for the entire country and added that the state government deserved a compliment for the achievement. Jharkhand Chief Secretary Rajbala Verma said the state was heading towards becoming a state free from LWE.

Gadchiroli Police seized a cache of bomb detonators and other items, a hidden by the cadres of CPI-Maoist, at Kurkheda, Nadikal forests in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. The explosives and other items were kept in a plastic water tank buried in the ground.

The Tamil Nadu Police produced H. Rasheed (36) S. Harihara Sharma (32) before a Magistrate Court in Coimbatore District of Tamil Nadu. They were arrested on June 12 on the charge of attempting to hand over a pen drive to Anoop Mathew George, or Shyna, both jailed cadres of CPI-Maoist. The Police said that Rasheed was a resident of Malappuram, and Sharma of Thiruvananthapuram.

In a statement, the ‘Working Group’ of six Naga militant groups has expressed its readiness to enter into a ‘political negotiation’ with the GoI ‘for a lasting political solution’ to the ‘protracted Naga political problem’ if invited by the latter (GoI). The six Naga outfits known as the NNPGs are NNC-FGN, GPRN)/ NSCN-U, NSCN-R, NNC (Parent body), GDRN/NNC-NA and NPGN/NNC-NA. According to the statement, the NTC Mediation Committee had a meeting with the six outfits (NNPGs) under the platform of the ‘Working Group’ at Tourist Lodge in Dimapur on June 12 regarding the issue.

The Central Government of India and the State Government has ruled out negotiations with HNLC and GNLA as they still believe in violence. Stating about the issue, DGP S.B Singh said that during the May 16 meeting with central officials in Delhi, it was made known to the State Government that the Centre is not keen to talk to the militant groups due to their violent stand. Another Home Department official said that the stand of both the Centre and the State is that they will not hold talks with the groups which have been declared banned and terrorist organisations by the Centre.

With the HNLC threatening to arm KSU activists with IEDs in the wake of crackdown on the arsonists, the State Police have started zeroing in on the activities of HNLC members and their sympathisers.

SFs arrested one militant of PREPAK, identified as Sagolsem Noyon Singh (52), at Bamon Kampu Makha Leikai in Imphal East District.

June 14

FICN detection instances in India's banking channels have seen an all time increase in the last eight years at over 3.53 lakh instances, according to FIU report. All banks, either public sector, private and foreign banks in the country, are mandated to report such instances to the FIU under anti-money laundering law provisions. "The number of counterfeit currency reports (CCRs) increased from a mere 8,580 in 2007-08 to 35,730 in 2008-09 and 3,53,837 in 2014-15," the report said. However, the amount of FICN detected has not been specified.

As per the data complied since 2007-08, when the government first mandated the FIU to receive such reports under the PMLA from banks, the year 2009-10 saw reportage of 1,27,781 CCR, in 2010-11 it was 2,51,448, in 2011-12 it was 3,27,382, in 2012-13 they were 3,62,371 and in 2013-14 a total of 3,01,804 such instances were reported.

The data for 2010-11 to 2014-15 shows that the major chunk of these reports, at over 90 per cent, were filed by private Indian banks and a majority of them pertain to usage of FICN and not any other valuable security as defined under the CCR terminology. The report said the FIU, during 2014-15 also received a total of 58,646 suspicious transaction reports (STRs) from all types of banks, financial institutions like insurance companies, intermediaries like stock brokers and additional non-financial businesses and professions like casinos and private locker operators. The STRs in the latest data compiled year of 2014-15 were the second highest after 61,953 such reports were received by the FIU in 2013-14.

The NIA has uncovered evidence to show that key aides of Zakir Naik helped Indian youth convert to Islam, and these youth then left for Afghanistan to join the Islamic State (IS). On September 12, 2014, Bestin Vincent Francis became Yahiya. Three of his associates converted in the next few months. Raids by the NIA on Zakir Naik's close aide Rizwan Illiyas Khan eventually blew the lid off this terror chain. Rizwan, according to the probe body, was closely involved in processing the documents of conversion to Islam. In all, 78 affidavits, including the ones for Bestin Vincent, Bexen Vincent alias Isa, Merin Jacob alias Mariyam, and Nimisha alias Fatima, were seized from the residence.

Apart from Rizwan, another Naik aide, Arshi Qureshi, was closely involved in active conversion of people from other religions to Islam and radicalising them to follow the path of IS. NIA has collected material to show that Francis and his three associates were among the 24 youths who migrated from Kerala to Afghanistan to join IS. All of the accused were regular visitors to the office of Naik's Mumbai-based non-profit IRF and attended meetings that took place between key Naik aide Arshi Qureshi and the youths.

Pakistan violated ceasefire along LoC in Bimber Gali sector in Rajouri District. Indian Army gave befitting reply to this unprovoked firing from Pakistan side, the report said. Pakistan Army initiated indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatics and 82 mm mortars from 0500 hours to 0545 hours, report added.

Army personnel, who have been maintaining strict surveillance all along the LoC in Rajouri and Poonch, targeted forward Pakistan army posts in Nowshera, Bhimber Gali and Balakote sectors, which were assisting the militants in re-establishing their launching pads on the LoC for making multiple intrusion bids in the next few days. “The Pakistan army and militants’ move was pre-empted by the Indian troops, who targeted Pakistani posts, which were helping militants to re-establish their launching pads along LoC. As the Pakistani posts came under intense shelling, they abandoned the plot to again set up the launch pads,” sources said, adding there were Intelligence inputs that the militants would make infiltration attempts together at various places to force their way.

Stone-throwing clashes erupted at Pulwama town of south Kashmir while a shutdown was observed by locals in Yaripora area of Kulgam District against the ransacking of their properties during night hours allegedly by SFs.

After June 13 night’s grenade attack and firing, the situation in Pulwama Town was tense. Witnesses said amid tense situation, dozens of youths including students assembled in the Town and pelted stones on SFs, resulting in chaos. Police chased away the stone-throwers and the situation normalized later.

A shutdown was observed in Frisal in Kulgam District against the alleged vandalisation by SFs of their properties during night hours. The residents staged a protest and sought action at highest level by authorities. Meanwhile, Police denied the allegation of locals.

DGP Dr, S P Vaid said that said that JeM carried out yesterday’s (June 13) serial attacks in South and North Kashmir. “Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) has large presence and it has been for quite some time and it is not today. These incidents have been carried out by the Jaish-e-Mohammed though Hizb-ul-Mujahideen claimed responsibility”, he added. The DGP, when asked about more attacks taking place in South Kashmir, said that the area has more local militants. “South Kashmir has more local terrorists and that is the reason. North Kashmir is in fact other way round and foreign element is more and that may be the reason”, he said.

After June 13 series of militant attacks in South Kashmir, security has been tightened and Army and other SFs have been asked to go for area domination to prevent such attacks.

CPI-Maoist in Chhattisgarh are focussing on current issues that impact the local population in an effort to replicate the Bastar model in a new zone along the state’s western border, according to senior Police officers. This assessment is based on a 25-page Maoist document recovered by SFs following an encounter in April, which details plans to set up a MMC (Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh Confluence) zone — their first expansion in the region in eight years. The document also details their military strategy, with a focus on amassing ammunition, including “collecting” at least “50 kilos of gunpowder”, 3,000 pieces of metal or shrapnel, 25 pipes ready for Claymore bombs” every six months. It advocates swift attacks on SFs, the use of ambushes and not chases, and explosive devices as opposed to gunfire as much as possible.

On the political strategy for the new zone, the document, believed to have been drafted by the “MMC leading team” in March 2017, states that the way forward is in the identification of “people’s problems”. It acknowledges a lack of success on land issues and highlights local issues to claim that the problems were not what the Maoists had imagined. Warning cadre in the new zone to “proceed with caution”, it says, “Secrecy is not being kept, there is hurriedness, those we taking into the organisation are not being talked to in depth about our politics and work. We are talking in the air and accepting them… When meeting party leaders, caution must be exercised and they should not be met in front of new members.”

Police recovered 12 weapons in separate incidents in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. Narayanpur SP, Santosh Singh said that one Sonu Nureti, a member of Kohkameta LOS of Maoists, was arrested from Kihkad village forest under Narayanpur Police Station limits. He said Nureti was caught near Kihkad by a joint team of STF, DRG and ITBP which had launched a search operation towards Kihkad, Bechagaon and Gongal villages, around 350 km from Raipur. A muzzle-loading gun was recovered from him. Further, when Nureti informed them about a Maoist dump of arms and ammunitions located on a forested hill between Bechagaon and Gongal, the SFs raided the place, the SP said, adding the team came under indiscriminate fire by Maoists. The encounter between the troopers and Maoists lasted for 15-20 minutes, the officer said, adding that Maoists later fled to the core forest area. "During searching, 11 muzzle loading guns, one pipe bomb, a Maoist uniform and daily use materials were recovered from the spot," he said. According to the SP, Nureti was allegedly involved in several incidents of crime, including murder, loot and arson in the region.

Somri Devi (27), who was arrested in December 2006 for her alleged involvement in CPI-Maoist activities, was acquitted by the Additional District and Sessions Judge (IX) in Hazaribagh District of Jharkhand, in the absence of evidence. Somri's lawyer Sanjeev Kumar Sinha said neither the witnesses nor the investigating officer turned up in the court to testify against her.

Five extortionists, identified as Dipen Moran, Mantu Moran, Anadi Asom, Rupantor Moran and Dipak Moran, who extorted money in the name of ULFA, were arrested by Police from Kordoiguri in Tinsukia District.

A joint team of Indian Army and Kamrup District Police arrested four militants of NDFB-IKS and three linkmen from Jalukbari area of the city of Kamrup Metropolitan (Guwahati) District. One 9mm pistol, five rounds of ammunition and a khukri (knife) were also recovered from them. The four militants were identified as Bidyaram Brahma alias B Madai, Pradeep Daimari, Gwmbwr Boro and Ansula Boro.

The Police arrested two members of KSU from Mawlai in East Khasi Hills District for allegedly hurling a petrol bomb at the residents of one non-Khasi person at Forest Colony, Golf Links on June 13 night. The petrol bomb hurled at the resident did not explode and there was no damage to property or any person. According to the Police another member of KSU was also involved in the incident, but he managed to escape.

The ruling NPF of Nagaland appealed to the leaders of the NSCN-K to heed CM Shürhozelie Liezietsu's call to "renounce" violence and "resume" the peace process with the Central Government of India without any further delay. The NPF backed Liezietsu for issuing the ‘clarion call to the Naga people’ in his June 10 condolence message for NSCN-K’s deceased ‘chairman’ S.S. Khaplang to "rally together" with renewed vigor and determination to find a solution to the ‘Naga political problem’, which is "honorable and acceptable to all stakeholders."

The tribal-based party IPFT, which has been agitating for the creation of a separate State, announced that it would block NH-8 and the rail tracks for an indefinite period from July 10. Announcing about the agitation, the IPFT President, Narendra Chandra Debbarma, said that they would organise a rally also in Agartala on the same issue on August 23.

Suspected militants of NSCN-IM had beaten to death one person, identified as Romeo Shally (28), in Ukhrul District, on the ‘charges’ of raping a woman, who the locals claimed was his girlfriend.

June 15

Intelligence agencies have received inputs that a group of women fidayeen have infiltrated into the country to execute a "spectacular strike". The attack could be in the form of a suicide bombing or a lone-wolf strike, they have warned. These fidayeen belong to JuD and erstwhile JeM and have been hand-picked and trained by Pakistan's ISI in camps of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. According to the inputs received by agencies, there are at least 7-8 women in this group and half of them are believed to have crossed over in the last one or two months.

Mohammad Shafi Armar alias Yousuf-al Hindi, has been designated as a SDGT by the US Department of State. Armar is responsible for forming several Islamic State (IS) affiliated groups in India in the last three years . It is suspected that Shafi was in touch with at least 600-700 Indian youngsters on closed Facebook groups.

He formed Junood al Khalifa e Hind (JKH), in which more than 50 Indian youngsters were recruited. Shafi has reportedly become an important ally of IS 'chief' Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and deputies in establishing the outfit in India. The US move not only verifies the identity and existence of the elusive IS India head but also clears rumours about his death in Syria. This also indicates that the report of his proximity with IS chief Abu Bakr al Baghdadi could well be true.

The department of state has said that it had designated Mohammad Shafi Armar, Oussama Ahmad Atar and Mohammed Isa Yousif Saqar Al Binali as SDGTs under Section 1(b) of Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which imposes sanctions on foreign persons determined to have committed, or pose a significant risk of committing, acts of terrorism that threaten the security of US nationals, or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States.

At least two Pakistani soldiers were killed in fierce retaliation by Indian troops as Pakistan Army violated ceasefire thrice along the LoC in two sectors in Rajouri and Poonch Districts of J&K. The Pakistan Army resorted to shelling of mortar bombs and firing of small arms and automatic weapons on forwarding posts and civilians areas in the region.

Indian troops gave a strong retaliation in which two Pakistani soldiers were killed opposite to Bhimbher Gali sector in Rajouri District on June 15, defence sources said. “Pakistan Army initiated indiscriminate firing of mortars, small arms, automatics RPG, Recoilless Rifles from 1840 hours in Naushera sector along the LoC in Rajouri district today,” Defence Spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Manish Mehta said. Before this third ceasefire violation in the day, the Pakistan Army initiated indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatics RPG, Recoilless Rifles from 0930 hours in Naushera sector along the LoC in Rajouri District today, he said.

A Policeman, identified as Shahzad Dilawar was killed and another injured in a militant attack in Hyderpora area of Srinagar city in Srinagar District in the night. Militants travelling in a car opened fire on a Police party deployed near J&K Bank in Hyderpora, resulting into injuries to two Policemen. Later, one of the critically injured succumbed. The Police and other SFs have been put on high alert and nakas were immediately established at many places on the NH and Bypass. However, militants had managed to escape.

Militants shot dead a Policeman, identified as Shabir Ahmad Dar in Bogund village of Kulgam District. Police said that he was shot at by militants near his home in Bogund village in Kulgam District in the afternoon. SFs reached the spot immediately and massive manhunt has been launched against his assailants.

Militants fired at a woman, identified as Suraya in Katrasoo in Kulgam District. She was removed to hospital for treatment and her condition is stated to be stable.

In Srinagar outskirts at Rangreth, some youth pelted stones at SFs. A youth was critically injured after SSB opened fire to disperse the protesters. He was removed to hospital and his condition is stated to be critical.

SFs launched a search operation in the border town of Samba (Samba District) along Jammu-Pathankot NH following reports of suspected movement of four persons in the wee hours. Some labourers informed Police about movement of four persons in civilian clothes from Samba Main Chowk on the Highway towards SIDCO industrial area close to Basantar river belt. Basantar river, which flows into Pakistan across the IB, is one of the main infiltration routes of militants into the State and in past many times militants have sneaked into Jammu through the river basin. “Search operation was launched in Samba town along the highway after some people reported about suspected movement of four persons in the wee hours today,” a Police officer said.

Pakistani troops started heavy mortar shelling and firing in forward areas of Nowshera sector in Rajouri District. The Indian side gave befitting response to the shelling and firing, leading to heavy exchanges that continued till late night. Baba Khori, Sher Makri, Number, Sher Shalak, Kharli and Jhanghar areas in Nowshera sector were the worst hit by Pakistan’s mortar shelling from 1.45 pm to 3.50 pm and from 5.30 pm onwards. However, no casualties or major damage had been reported on the Indian side.

A CPI-Maoist was killed and a STF trooper was injured in an encounter between security personnel and Maoists in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh. The skirmish occurred in Raidongri-Rakasmetta forests under Kaknar Police Station limits when a joint team of DRG and STF was out on an anti-Maoist operation in the interiors of Kaknar, Bastar SP, Sheikh Arif Hussain said. "While one Maoist was killed, a jawan sustained injuries in the face-off," the SP said. The Maoist killed was identified as Mahesh, ‘section commander’ of military company no. 06 of PLGA of the CPI-Maoist, carrying a reward of INR 1 million on his head. Security personnel had recovered body of the Naxal in Maoist fatigue, along with a SLR and some Naxal materials from the encounter site. 

Security personnel and Maoists exchanged fire on a forested hill between Bechagaon and Gongal villages in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. However, no casualty was reported from either side, Police said.

The Chhattisgarh Police recovered a powerful IED, allegedly planted by Maoists in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. A joint team of the District Force and BSF was patrolling when it spotted a connection of the IED beneath the dirt track near a culvert on Kanker's Badgaon-Himmatwahi road, located around 200 kilometres from the state capital (Raipur), a Police official said. Later, the SF personnel recovered the explosive kept in a steel container. The IED, weighing nearly eight kilograms, was immediately destroyed by the bomb disposal squad, the official said.

About 14 Maoists, mostly lower rung cadres, allegedly involved in the Burkapal attack on CRPF personnel in April 24, were arrested from two places in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The number of Maoists arrested in connection with Burkapal attack has reached 95. DIG, Dantewada range, P Sundarraj said that they were all allegedly involved in the attack on CRPF's 74th battalion in Burkapal area that claimed lives of 25 personnel. While they were also involved in incidents, including loot, murder, arson and planting IEDs, seven of them were active as ‘jan militia’ members, six as members of DAKMS- a frontal wing of CPI-Maoist and another as ‘jan militia deputy commander’, he said.

An AR Havildar, identified as Luhit Gogoi, was killed while four others sustained injury in IED bomb attack by unidentified militants in Kamjong District bordering Myanmar.

After the killing incident of a civilian, Romeo Shally on June 14, a protest erupted against the NSCN-IM militants and militants opened fire on the protesters, where another civilian, identified as Chingripam Lungleng (25), was killed.  

Police arrested two militants of UTLA, identified as Lunkhopao Haokip alias Papao (37) and P Minthang Singson, at a hotel near Jiribam Bazar in Jiribam District. On their revelation, another militant of the same group, identified as Tingkhohoi Haokip alias Kangnu (45), was also arrested in the Jiribam District. Police recovered one mobile phone and one packet of heroin powder weighing 15 grams from the militant. Police said that, during the preliminary investigation the arrested militants revealed that they were actively involved in smuggling of drugs and heroin powder from Myanmar to Manipur.

The Indian Army admitted that it shot dead a civilian in a case of “mistaken identity” during a counter-insurgency operation in an Arunachal Pradesh village, bordering Myanmar. Defence spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Suneet Newton informed in a statement that the civilian, identified a Thingtu Ngemu (35), was killed when soldiers of 21 Para (Special Forces) were carrying out an operation in Changlang District on June 14-night based on specific intelligence report regarding movement of militants.

Unidentified assailants hurled a petrol bomb at a hardware shop of Mawlonghat area in East Khasi Hills District. However, no damage was reported. 

Police arrested one KSU member identified as Allan Khyllait for setting a vehicle on fire at Mawiong Rim on June 14.

CM Mukul Sangma said that the Government is not interested to sit for talks with KSU until the students’ body abjures violence. Mr Sangma further informed that he had ordered investigating agencies to probe into possible nexus between KSU and HNLC.

CM Mukul Sangma said that signing peace agreements with militant organisations of North East by Central Government of India without State leaders’ knowledge is one of the mistakes that shouldn’t be repeated. According to CM, signing of peace agreement in 2014 with ANVC by Central Government of India, without the knowledge of State leaders in Meghalaya, was a mistake for the State.

A woman, identified as Supriya D. Momin (22) was arrested by Police for her alleged links with GNLA militant from North Garo Hills District.

AR arrested a militant of GLA, identified as ‘lieutenant’ Rajesh Lama alias Ganesh Rai (31), from Ledo in Tinsukia District. A 9mm pistol was also recovered from the militant.

Troops of Guwahati Frontier of BSF, arrested one Indian national, identified as Sakiot Ali (35), with 1 country made gun, FICN worth INR 4,000 and drug (brown sugar) from his garment shop of Nalia Bazar, under Golokganj Police Station of Dhubri District.

A Mizoram Assembly committee has strongly suggested construction of good roads and provision of electricity along the Indo-Myanmar border and that there is no need for Indo-Myanmar border fencing as the people on both sides of the border are culturally related. This was stated in a memorandum presented by the subject committee-I of Mizoram Assembly to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh during his recent visit to Mizoram. The memorandum highlighted the problems faced in the Indo-Bangla border fencing and non-payment of compensation also.

The Munnar Police arrested a man with suspected links to CPI-Maoist from Munnar town in Idukki District of Kerala. J Manoj, a plantation labourer residing at the Kanan Devan estate quarters, had migrated to Munnar from Tamil Nadu and his arrest is expected to shed light on the suspected links between Pembilai Orumai and the LWEs.

June 16

Accusing Islamabad of using terror to destabilise Kashmir, the Indian Government told the UNHRC that Pakistan was misusing the UN platform to pursue its political objectives. "Pakistan’s unsolicited and unwarranted comments pertaining to the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral part of the Union of India, are factually incorrect and bear no relationship to reality," India said in a statement. "The foremost challenge to stability in Kashmir is the scourge of terrorism, which receives sustenance from Pakistan and the territories under Pakistan’s control," the statement said.

Police in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur District, recovered FICN having face value of INR 70,000. Muzaffarpur SSP Vivek Kumar said counterfeit notes in the denomination in INR 100, INR 50 and INR 20 were recovered from a shop at Berai village in Hathaudi Police Station area. Shop owner Raja Sah, however, managed to escape.

A joint team of SFs, in an encounter, killed three LeT militants, identified as Junaid Ahmad Mattoo alias 'Jana,  Adil Mushtaq Mir alias 'Nana' and Nisar Ahmad Wani in Arwani village of Kulgam District. After getting specific input about the presence of three LeT militants, SF surrounded two houses in Arwani village. When the SFs closed in on the hiding militants, they were fired upon by the militants, triggering an exchange. The encounter continued throughout the day and firing ended this evening. Bodies of the three slain militants were recovered on June 17 morning.

Report said that scores of people also received injuries during the clashes near the encounter site in Arwani village. Two youths, identified as Mohammad Ashraf (34) and Ahsan Mushtaq (15) were killed and 20 others injured during the clashes near the encounter site in Arwani. According to the Police, Mohammad Ashraf was caught in crossfire when the encounter started at 10 AM at Arwani village.

In one of the major militant attack against Police, six Police personnel including a SHO were killed in Achabal in Anantnag District. Two civilians were also injured in the attack. A group of at least 10 militants in the evening laid an ambush on a Police party at Thajwara village in Achabal in Anantnag District. They surrounded the Police party and opened fire from all directions at their vehicle killing SHO of Achabal Police Station, identified as Feroze Ahmed Dar and five others, identified as Constable Shariq Ahmad, Constable Tasveer Ahmad, Constable Shiraz Ahmad, SPO Mohammad Asif, SPO Sabzar Ahmad. Militants also snatched 5 AK-47 rifles and ammunition from the dead Policemen. Sources said that the SFs had inputs that the LeT are planning to carry out militant strike in Anantnag.  Later, LeT has claimed responsibility for attack. The militants disfigured the faces of the six Policemen in the attack before walking away with their weapons, Police said.

Another youth who had received severe bullet injuries in Rangreth area in Budgam District on June 15 evening during protests succumbed to his injuries on June 16. The deceased youth, identified as Naseer Ahmad, was a resident of Ashtengo village in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.

Dozens of persons were injured in parts of Kashmir during massive stone-throwing clashes before and after Friday prayers. Scores of youths in Pampore area of Pulwama District took to streets and pelted stones on Police and paramilitary. Police resorted to pellet firing and intense teargas shelling to disperse the rock-throwing protests. Three persons sustained injuries during clashes at Pampore and they were shifted to hospital.

The clashes also raged in Main Town of Pulwama District after Friday prayers. Large number of youths converged in Main Town and resorted to heavy stone-pelting on security personnel deployed. Police resorted to teargas shelling in the area to contain the stone-pelting clashes.

Clashes also broke out in Kakapora area of the Pulwama District. Police in Main Town of Anantnag District used force to break up a protest after which stone-pelting clashes erupted. The clashes continued for nearly an hour but concluded without any major injury to anyone.

In Tral Town of Pulwama district, groups of youth resorted to stone-pelting on security forces and enforced a shutdown against the Arwani killings.

In Srinagar, clashes between youth and SFs broke out near Jama Masjid in Nowhatta area after culmination of Friday prayers. Scores of youth resorted to heavy stone-pelting on Police and paramilitary in the area while police responded by lobbing dozens of teargas shells.

The clashes in Nowhatta area continued for several hours and later spilled over to Rajouri Kadal and Saraf Kadal neighborhoods. One youth was detained by police while he was pelting stones.

The clashes between youth and SFs also erupted at Sopore town of Baramulla District after Friday prayers. No one was reported injured in the clashes in Sopore and Bandipora areas.

Two youths were injured in Army firing after they allegedly didn’t stop at a checkpoint in Bandipora District on June 16. Locals said that Army opened fire on a car near Chek Reshipora area of Bandipora. “Two youths were injured in the firing. The Army signaled them to stop but they didn’t and were ultimately fired upon,” they said, adding that both of them sustained bullet wounds and were shifted to nearby hospital from where they were referred to Srinagar.

Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti expressed deep anguish over the killing of two civilians and six Policemen across Kashmir valley during the past 24 hours. The Chief Minister said she has reiterated it time and again that violence and innocent killings would lead the State only to a cobweb bloodletting and destruction and uncertainty rather than paving the way for any peaceful solution.

DGP, Dr S P Vaid, said that militants have adopted a new strategy of targeting local Police for their work on anti-militancy front eagerly. “Targeting local cops is a new strategy by militants. The local police works on the anti-militancy front with eagerness, that is why they (militants) are targeting them (police). But I am sure that we will control this soon”, DGP said.

In the meantime, Director General of CRPF, Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar, said that his force is well trained and are ready for any challenges on militancy and law and order front. Bhatnagar said: “During the law and order probe, we face different kind of challenges as well as on militant front. So we are ready to face those challenges. We are well trained, well prepared, well motivated and we will face those challenges.”

An Army jawan, identified as Naik Bakhtawar Singh was killed and another injured in heavy mortar shelling and firing by Pakistan along LoC at Kalsian village in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District. Sources said that Pakistan army resumed heavy shelling using 120mm and 82mm mortars and firing with automatic and semi-automatic weapons in Nowshera sector at 4.30 am on June 16. The Indian side retaliated effectively and exchange of firing continued for about two hours. Two Army soldiers were injured in the shelling and firing by Pakistan side. One of them succumbed to his injuries while another injured has been admitted to the hospital in stable condition.

GOC 16 (White Knight) Corps Lieutenant General AK Sharma visited forward areas of LoC in Krishna Ghati sector in Poonch District and reviewed situation with the Army Commanders in view of continued shelling and firing. He met the troops deployed along LoC and commended them for constant vigil and valiant actions taken to thwart inimical designs of Pakistan.

An exchange of fire with the CPI-Maoist cadres at a forest patch in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The Skirmish took place near Munga village when a joint team of DRG, STF and CRPF was out on a search operation in the interiors of Katekalyan area, said DIG (Dantewada range), P Sundarraj. When the security personnel were advancing to Munga, they came under fire from a group of armed Maoists leading to the encounter between the two sides, the DIG said. However, the Maoists soon fled from the spot. "During a search, a 12 bore gun, an air gun, three 'pitthus' (shoulder bags) and some daily use items were recovered from the spot," he said.

A two-hour long encounter between SFs and CPI-Maoist cadres took place in Kiriburu forest of West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. Later after the encounter, Police recovered a pistol, three IEDs, two binoculars, Maoist literature and uniforms from the encounter site.

The SFs seized explosives and gun power from the Digri jungle in Khunti District of Jharkhand. Based on information gathered that the Maoists have stored large quantity of explosives with an intention to harm security personnel, a joint search operation by the District Police and CRPF was launched. During the search operation the SF personnel found 109 pieces of gelatin sticks, 66 pieces of detonators, one kilogram of gun powder and about six kilograms of splinters, Sinha said.

CPI-Maoist Korukonda Area Committee leader Ramana has claimed that the Government has been falsely accusing Maoists of opposing development works like electrification, drinking water and education projects in Malkangiri District. In a release to media persons in Malkangiri, he demanded power supply to all the villages under the newly-formed Chitrakonda block and alleged that health services are in disarray. He stated there are no health workers or anganwadi centres and schools in the villages causing hardship to the villagers. Some miscreants disconnected electricity supply at Hatguda and once the culprits are identified, their case would be decided in praja court, he wrote in the letter. Further, the Maoist leader assured that they will never obstruct any development works.

Two petrol bombs were hurled by unidentified assailants in a residential area on Thana road of Shillong Town in East Khasi Hills District. However, no injury and damage was reported so far.

One unidentified KSU member was arrested by Police while four managed to flee while intending to commit arson in an area of Shillong.

The FKJGP, HNYF and the Ri Bhoi Youth Federation extended their support to the KSU which is protesting against a railway project and asked the Meghalaya Government to put on hold works for the Tetelia-Byrnihat line in the State.

A Chinese made hand grenade was recovered at the residential gate of Zilla Parishad Up-Adhyaksha (Deputy President of District Council) Amom Brojen at Wangoo Naodakhong in Bishnupur District. After recovering the grenade, it was retrieved safely by the bomb disposal squad of Police.

The RPF militant claimed its hands in the Kasung attack against 17 AR on June 15 as well as against 12 AR at Khudengthabi on June 3 and said that its ‘armed wing’ PLA carried out the attacks.

June 17

Kolkata Police arrested one person at Baisnabnagar in Malda District with FICN. The accused person was trying to cross the border from the Indian side with a bagful of fake notes but he was captured by the BSF officers. The officers found INR 1,96,000 in FICN, all of which were in denominations of INR 2000, from him.

Militants killed one Ajaz Ahmad of Pinglana area in Pulwama District. Sources said that Ajaz was fired upon by militants outside his house and was critically injured. Militants fled after firing at him. He succumbed to his injuries at a hospital.

Militants attacked a convoy of CRPF in Budgam District. According to officials, bike borne militants opened fire on a vehicle carrying jawans of CRPF's 174 battalion at Duniwara village Budgam's in Chattergam area in the evening. However, no CRPF personnel were injured in the attack.

The perpetrators of the ambush in which six Policemen were killed would "face the law" very soon, J&K DGP S P Vaid said and announced a bounty of INR 10 lakh for LeT ‘commander’ Bashir Lashkari who is believed to have orchestrated the attack.

CPI-Maoist cadres beheaded a man alleging he was a ‘police informer’ in Jamui District of Bihar. Police said the Maoists abducted Vijay Barnawal, a resident of Bhelwaghati of Giridih District of Jharkhand, who was earlier an active member of a Maoist group, when he had gone to neighbouring Bihar for some work. His decapitated body was found in Sijuwa village of Jamui District. Police traced Barnawal's identity from his Aadhaar card, as the Maoists slit his head. Barnawal, who was lodged in Giridih District jail for three years, worked as a stone trader after his release.

A CPI-Maoist cadre with a reward of INR 1.6 million on his head was arrested by Police in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. Pawan alias Soma Phoda Weladi (35), resident of Parsengdi, Chhattisgarh, was arrested on the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border. A press release by the SP, Gadchiroli, said Pawan was a member of Gariabandh divisional committee of Maoists, and was involved in several acts of violence in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Odisha in the last 20 years. He had also worked as a bodyguard for senior Naxal leaders, the release said.

The State and the Central Police Forces would work unitedly to curb CPI-Maoist menace in Odisha and its bordering areas, was discussed at a high level meeting held at Koraput District under the chairmanship of IB Director, Rajeev Jain. The main objective of the meeting was to focus on collaborative efforts on sharing intelligence inputs involving the Police Forces of both Chhattisgarh and Odisha and the Central agencies besides, strengthening coordination between Police departments of all Maoist-affected areas. Maoist violence in Koraput, Nuapada, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur Districts bordering Chhattisgarh was discussed at the meeting. Sources said Police would conduct air strikes on Maoist camps in areas bordering Odisha and Chhattisgarh. 

A Chinese-made hand grenade was recovered in front of the gate of the resident of Mohammad Sakhir (33) at Sekmaijin in Imphal West District. The grenade was retrieved safely by a Police team. According to the Police the act was an extortion related threat. However, no militant group has claimed responsibility of the incident so far.

June 17-18

PLFI cadres set an earthmover on fire and damaged another one at Banedega village under Palkot thana area in Gumla District of Jharkhand. Both the earthmovers were engaged in constructing a bridge and digging a pond in the area. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

June 18

A street in Thuruthi ward of Kasaragod municipality that was recently named 'Gaza', a reference to the disputed strip of land between Israel and Egypt, under Palestinian self-rule, has got intelligence agencies interested. The agencies are looking at possible radical influence behind the naming, considering the locality's proximity to Padane from where the majority of the 21 youths from Kerala, who have gone missing since 2016 and are suspected to have joined the Islamic State (IS) hail.

A group of militants attacked an Army convoy in south Kashmir's Anantnag District. The militants fired at army vehicles in Bijbehara area and fled from the spot, after which SFs started a search operation. No casualty was reported.

A spontaneous shutdown to mourn the civilian and militant killings was observed in South Kashmir areas amid tense situation. Majority of the shops and commercial establishments were closed in Khudwani, Pampore, Qoimoh, Yaripora, Pulwama and few other areas today against the killings of three LeT militants and two civilians during an encounter at Arwani area of Anantnag District on June 16.

A Police official said the day passed off peacefully and no incident of stone-pelting occurred anywhere. He said that the situation in rest of the Kashmir also remained peaceful and commercial activities as well as transport resumed in central and northern Districts.

Sources said, SFs are tracking five local militants who have returned to Srinagar from South Kashmir. These militants who joined militancy last year (2016) but were operating in South Kashmir have been asked by their commanders to return to Srinagar and operate in the city. Sources said that there were no resident militants in Srinagar till they arrived last month. Their return has made Srinagar a target.

Army’s 46 RR, 179 Battalion of CRPF and SOG of J&K, Baramulla, cordoned off Binnar area of Baramulla District in the afternoon after inputs that ‘divisional commander’ of JeM Khalid Bhai is hiding in the village. They conducted house to house searches in the village and its surroundings but the JeM ‘commander’ had left the village before the SFs arrived.

Exuding confidence that the State Government was capable of handling the prevailing situation in Kashmir valley, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju ruled out direct intervention by the Union Government to tackle the present state of affairs in J&K. “The State Government is capable of handling the situation and input support will be given by the Central Government in this regard,” he said in Srinagar.

SFs killed two suspected CPI-Maoist cadres in an encounter in the Barmasia forest area under Barhat Police Station in Lakhisarai District of Bihar. A joint team of the CRPF's specialised unit for jungle warfare CoBRA, the State Police's STF and the District Armed Police conducted the operation based on a tip-off of Maoist movement in the forest under Barhat Police Station in the District. The SFs were combing the area when, the troops spotted some heavily armed Maoists between Barmuha and Barmasia villages and two Maoists were killed in the encounter that followed. ASP (operations), Pawan Kumar, said some other of the rebels also suffered bullet injuries in the five-hour-long operation but managed to escape. Blood stains were found on the trail the Maoists fled. Two bodies were recovered and two .303 bore assault rifles were seized from the site. The identity of the killed rebels is yet to be ascertained, but they were suspected to be Maoist cadres from Chhattisgarh. "Two rifles, a magazine and liquor pouches were recovered from the spot where the Maoists had gathered," said Jamui ASP, D.N. Pandey.

Three CPI-Maoist cadres, including two women were killed in an encounter with the SFs at Aundhi in Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh. The encounter took place at remote forested hilly terrain of Pendauri about 150 kilometres west of Raipur. “We had definite inputs about the presence of Maoists in the area. The district police team led by the Aundhi police station in-charge Ashwin Rathore began search operation around noon when the rebels opened an attack on the troopers, resulting in an encounter,” the Rajnandgaon SP, Prashant Agrawal said. We have recovered bodies of three Maoists and the forces have safely returned, he added. Three weapons- one SLR, one INSAS assault rifle and a 303 rifle were recovered from the encounter site. One of the women killed was Sameela Potai, a local area committee ‘secretary’ who was active in the region for over a decade and carried an award of INR 800,000 and another Rammo, an LOS member with a reward of INR 100,000. The identity of the third person is yet to be ascertained.

Maoists set on fire a tractor engaged in road maintenance work in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. No one was injured in the incident, which took place near Malewahi village under Barsoor Police Station limits where maintenance work of a road was underway. Police said, around a dozen Maoists stormed the maintenance site and threatened the workers before setting the tractor ablaze, he said, adding, the Maoists then fled into the forest.

The 12-hour ‘total shutdown’ imposed by the UNC in ‘Naga territories’ of Manipur ended peacefully without stray incidents.

The house belonging to Francis Dkhar at Langkyrding of Nongmynsong in East Khasi Hills District was partially damaged when arsonists hurled a petrol bomb. Police suspects that supporters of KSU who are protesting against the railway line may be involved in the incident.

Police and India Army, in a joint operation, arrested one militant of NDFB-IKS, identified as Manik Boro alias B Maithai, in Nalbari District. One 7.65mm pistol along with two magazines and six 7.65mm live rounds were also recovered from the arrested militant.

The Indian Army and Police recovered 200 plastic explosives and 200 electric detonators from a bus heading towards Barpeta Road from Meghalaya at Patacharkuchi in Barpeta District.

Mizoram Police recovered 400 sticks of gelatin and two quintals of dried rhizome of a certain medicinal plant from near Zokhawthar village in Champhai District. According to the Police the recovered staff was brought for smuggling purpose.

June 19

India has made a pitch for the BRICS grouping to strengthen ties in combating counter-terrorism, as the foreign ministers of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa held their first ever stand-alone summit in Beijing. Addressing the opening of the summit, Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh, noted the group has launched a joint working group on counter-terrorism which held a meeting last month. He also said that India's NSA Ajit Doval will likely travel to Beijing next month for a BRICS NSAs meet that will also discuss terror and security cooperation.

India urged members of the BRICS grouping to condemn all forms of terror and not divide terrorists into good or bad ones. “They are terrorists, they are criminals and we need to have concerted actions both regionally and internationally to curb their activities,” Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh said. Terrorism, he said, remains one of the most potent global menaces that threatens international peace and cannot be differentiated between good or bad.

“We have the support of all the BRICS countries (on this),” Singh said, adding there is a “strong consensus” among BRICS nations that all forms of terrorism must be condemned. China, the current chair of BRICS, was quick to join India in condemning terror. “China opposes terror in all forms. China is also victim of terror and China is taking part in global initiatives against terror.

The Delhi Police has been placed on high alert, and has asked its counterparts across India to tighten security after receiving an intelligence tip-off warning of a terror attack on crowded public spaces, a senior police officer said "The Delhi Police Special cell has issued an advisory to all security agencies across the country to beef up the security measures at interstate bus terminals, railway stations, five star hotels, malls and markets, religious places, embassies of western countries, metro stations, airports, stadiums, and tourist places or other sites visited by foreign nationals," the officer told.

News has been received here about the death of another Kerala resident, Sajeer M. Abdullah who had gone to Afghanistan to join the Islamic State (IS) terror group, an intelligence official said. The news about the death of Sajeer and a picture of his body was received on the mobile of a man, whose relative is among the 21 Keralites who left their homes here to join the IS, said the official of the Kerala Police's intelligence unit. However, there was no information about time and cause of Abdullah's death. An intelligence official told that the news and picture came to the same person who received reports about the death of three others of this group during the course of this year. "Beyond this, there are no other details...we have done what we normally do when we get these types of reports," said the official.

Pakistani troops violated ceasefire along the LoC in Uri sector of Baramulla District, injuring a soldier. Sources said that Pakistani troops violated ceasefire at around 9 am at Lower Garh post in Uri sector where 20th Sikh regiment is posted. One soldier, identified as Sepoy Hiray Shriram was injured. Army said that Pakistani troops violated ceasefire along the LoC to provide cover to the infiltrating militants.

Intense clashes broke out between students and Police in Main Town of Ganderbal District during which a Police personnel was injured while situation elsewhere was normal. The students of Degree College Ganderbal assembled outside their college and started sloganeering. They also burst some firecrackers and then pelted stones on police at Dudherhama in the town. A Police constable, identified as Gulzar Ahmad Magray was injured after he was hit by a stone during clashes. Police while chasing stone-throwing students detained more than a dozen among them.

Among the five militants who came to LeT ‘commander’ Junaid Matoo’s funeral on June 17, two were from the HM, their attendance reflective of a co-ordination between terror outfits that SFs and the Police find worrisome. LeT militants Matoo, Nasir Ahmed Wani and Adil Mushtaq were killed in an encounter in Anantnag District on June 16. Nasir’s funeral, too, was attended by two HM commanders. At both places - Matoo’s Khudwani village in Kulgam and Nasir’s family home in Heff, Shopian - the militants came armed and raised anti-India slogans. A senior Police officer said the presence of militant leaders at funerals of militants who did not belong to the same outfit, was a way to glamourise their movement. “It is a matter of concern for us,” said the officer. “By appearing at militants’ funerals, they are trying to attract more youths towards militancy and they have been successful sometimes.”

Police arrested a linkman and gun runner of ULFA-I and GNLA, identified as Nangsem Marak (36), from Tatolgre village in Bajengdoba in North Garo Hills District. Police also recovered an AK assault rifle, two country-made pistols and three shotguns, mobile phones and a digital camera from the arrestee.

A Police source said that operation against GNLA militant had been stalled in the state due to the bad weather. Police also said that the ‘c-in-c’ of the GNLA, Sohan D Shira, had left with only a few cadres but he was trying to revive his group. On June 19, informing about the current status about the successful operations against the militants in the State, former DGP Rajiv Mehta, who took over as the government security adviser also said, “The GNLA cadres are still there and our inspired men should make every efforts to neutralize them before they making any attempt to regroup.”

Police arrested one militant of KNA, identified as Cliff Kailun Haokip (34), in Imphal West District. Police recovered four money demand notes of KNA from the arrested militant.

One militant of KCP-Lamphel, identified as ‘commander’ Soraisam Modhuchandra Singh alias SM Meitei (45), surrendered before CM N.Biren Singh along with two 9mm pistols with two magazines and nine live rounds at a function at the Chief Minister's Secretariat in Imphal.

Condemning the recent killing of two civilians (on June 14 and 15) by NSCN-IM in Ukhrul District the MCPM said that the NSCN-IM has no legal sanction to open camps on the soil of Manipur. The MCPM also asked the State Government to take up action for demolition of its camps in existence in the State, adding that the MCPM will on its own lead a campaign to evict the NSCN-IM's camps from the state from October 1, 2017.

A one month’s time frame to hold tripartite talks on the district creation issue involving the Manipur Government, UNC, and Central Government of India lapsed. According to sources, the tripartite talks could not be held due to some ‘unavoidable reasons’. However, the talks are likely to take place within this week.

State Governor PB Acharya, who met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi expressed his concern over extortion demands by militant groups including the one (suspected to be NSCN-IM) which compelled the contractors to stop work on the 4-lane Highway between Dimapur and Kohima. A statement issued by the Nagaland governor’s office said Acharya, while drawing the union home minister’s attention told him that if the construction work was not resumed immediately, the project would be severely affected.

ACAUT -an NGO that has been fighting against corruption in the State -on June 19 asked the NSCN-IM to clarify on reports which allegedly pointed the finger on its members for sending ‘tax’ demands (extortion) to the companies engaged in construction of the 4-lane National Highway project. The NGO asked NSCN-IM to provide an appropriate reply within 3 days regarding the issue.

SFs arrested a militant belonging to GLA, identified as ‘lieutenant’ Babu Konwar alias Babu Gogoi, from Tinsukia District along with Arunachal Pradesh border. According to the Police the militant was involved in extortions and tried to establish influence of GLA in the villages in south Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

An all-party meeting convened by Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu unanimously decided to move the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to revive the Joint High Powered Committee on Chakma and Hajong refugee issue. It was also decided that the minutes of the decisions of the all-party meet would be put forth before the State High Powered Committee headed by the CM.

Chhannuram Mandavi (55), the ex-sarpanch of his native Cholnar village, was killed allegedly by CPI-Maoist cadres in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh, after they suspected him to be a ‘police informer’. Some armed Maoists stormed into the victim's house in Cholnar under Kirandul Police Station limits, and slit his throat while he was asleep, killing him on the spot. Some Maoists pamphlets were also recovered from the spot in which Mandavi was branded as a ‘police informer’. 

A wanted Maoist, who was carrying a reward of INR 500,000, was killed by the SFs in an encounter in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. The encounter took place in the Katgaon-Kamteda axis of Koyalibeda village when a joint team of the STF and the DRG of Chhattisgarh Police, the BSF, was out on a counter-insurgency operation. “After the exchange of fire stopped, the joint forces recovered the body of Jai Singh Kunjam, a wanted Maoist carrying a reward of Rs 5 lakh,” a senior official said. Kunjam was a Maoist ‘deputy commander’. A villager identified as Maan Singh was also found lying with bullet injuries on his waist near Kamteda village. A SLR, some ammunition and three rifles (.315 bore) have also been recovered from the spot, he said. The forces estimate that three more Maoists were also killed during the encounter, however, their bodies have not been recovered yet, he added. 

Thirteen Maoists were arrested from three separate places during combing operation within Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. District Force and DRG personnel arrested 13 Maoist cadres -- including Jan Militia 'Deputy Commander' Tamo Budhru and LOS Member Hemla Ayyutu -- from Jagargunda, Gadiras and Tongpal areas. Eleven of those arrested were allegedly involved in the recent Burkapal ambush in which 25 CRPF personnel were killed in April this year. "While 11 cadres were apprehended from Jagargunda police station area, one each was held from Tongpal and Gadiras police station limits," DIG (Dantewada range), Sundarraj P said.

A transporter and a PLFI cadre were arrested in Ranchi District of Jharkhand for intimidating the director of a finance company to try and force him to write off a loan of INR 700,000 used to buy a truck. SP (city), Aman Kumar said transporter Parmeswar Prasad (55), a resident of Harihar Colony in Pandara Police Station area, had used the services of his acquaintance, Badal (32), who is PLFI cadre, to scare off the director of Paragon Finance that had financed a truck of his. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

June 20

Militants in the evening fired two UBGL grenades at 180 battalion of CRPF at Tral Babla in Pulwama District. However, there was no damage. SFs immediately launched searches in the area but the militants had fled away.

Police recovered arms and ammunition from Old City area of Srinagar. However, no one was arrested in this connection. Sources said that Police station Kral Khud recovered one pistol, four pistol magazines and four grenades from Babdemb area of Srinagar. They said that the arms and ammunition were in rusted condition and were stored by militants.

A SPO was beaten by unidentified assailants at Arampora locality of Ganderbal District. Police said that the SPO, identified as Riyaz Ahmad had gone to offer prayers at Arampora mosque and when he came out of the mosque, he was thrashed by ‘miscreants’. “The injured cop has suffered fractures and he has been hospitalized at Bone and Joint Hospital Barzulla,” said the Police.

Clashes broke out at Frestbal area of Pampore in Pulwama District between protesters and SFs. The clashes broke out on the occasion of ‘Chahrum’ (rituals on the fourth day following a death) of a local militant namely Adil Mushtaq who was killed last week at Kulgam District in an encounter. Police used teargas shells to disperse the stone-throwers but they remained unfazed and continued pelting stones for several hours. However, no one was reported injured.

SFs resorted to aerial firing at Churat village of Kulgam District in the evening after their vehicle was stoned by youth. Police said that the vehicle developed some snag and stopped midway on road. As some youth spotted the vehicle, they pelted stones on it and to disperse them, the forces opened fire in air, the police added. No loss of life or injury was reported from area.

‘Lieutenant general (retired)’ Khango Konyak was formally ‘elected’ as ‘chairman/president’ of GPRN of the NSCN-K. He joined NSCN in 1963 and went to East Pakistan (Presently Bangladesh) on 1966. He also went to China for training in 1977.

In a statement, the NSCN-K, reiterated its 'pledge’ to ‘carry on forward the unfulfilled dreams and hopes and visions’ of their leader and appealed to ‘every Naga’ to uphold the spirit of nationalism exhibited by ‘chairman’ SS Khaplang during his life time.

Police arrested one militant of NSCN-R, identified as Kaplong Khimhun (26), in Changlang District.

Seven CPI-Maoist sympathisers from Odisha border surrendered before the SP, LKV Ranga Rao in Vizianagaram District of Andhra Pradesh. They were vexed with the way the Maoists were functioning, said a release issued by the Police department. Identities of those surrendered have been kept in wraps as the District Police do not wish to endanger their lives. Even their place of residence has been kept a secret.

The Bihar Government has announced cash rewards ranging from INR 25,000 to INR 500,000, for anyone giving information about at least 43 top CPI-Maoist leaders active in the State. The cash awards will be on offer for anyone who gets hold of the Maoist leaders -- living or dead -- or assists the Police in facilitating the arrest of the Maoists. “Anyone cooperating with the police in getting hold of the Maoists will be rewarded with cash, as announced by the Bihar government for each of the ultras falling in the rewards category,” ADG (headquarters), Sanjiv Kumar Singhal said. The Maoists leaders on whose heads a cash reward of INR 500,000 has been put include Arvind Kumar Singh alias Dev alias Arvind Kumar of Jehanabad, Sandip Ji alias Vijay Yadav of Gaya, Ram Babu Ram alias Rajan of Madhuban and Parvesh Da alias Anuj Da alias Amlesh Da of Hazaribagh (Jharkhand). Of these, Arvindji (53), is a topmost Maoist leader at the national level. A politburo member of CPI-Maoist, he carries a reward of INR 10 million in Jharkhand, where he is wanted in around 13 cases. He also carries a cash reward of INR 4 million each in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. In addition to these top four, a reward of INR 50,000 each has been announced on 33 Maoists and of INR 25,000 each against four Maoists. Interestingly, 21 out of 43 Maoists on the heads of which reward has been put belong to one District - Jamui in south-eastern Bihar.

Police seized a powerful 25-kilogram IED, which was packed in a big steel container, was unearthed near a culvert on the Dornapal-Jagargunda road, suspected to have been planted by CPI-Maoist cadres in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. 

A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Santosh Yadav, surrendered before SP, Dhananjay Kumar Singh, in Latehar District of Jharkhand. Santosh had first joined the PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, in 2008 and later switched over to the Maoist outfit. He was forwarded to Latehar Divisional Jail.

June 21

Punjab Police arrested two persons with links to a suspected terror module neutralised in the month of May. Gurpreet Singh and Simranjit Singh were arrested from their native villages of Jiwanwal in Faridkot and Kamalpur in Moga District of Punjab. Police have not shared any evidence on the terror activity by any of the modules neutralised last month. The operation was done by the Punjab intelligence wing. However, ADGP (intelligence) Dinkar Gupta did not confirm who the targets of these men were and whether there was any specific alert from the ministry of home affairs or Interpol. The Police claimed two .32 bore pistols, four magazines and cartridges have been seized from them. The cops said Canada-based Gurjeet Cheema during his visit to India earlier this year, gave two pistols, along with ammunition to Gurpreet, who passed on one of the pistols to Simranjit.

Maharashtra ATS has created a video aimed at making parents aware about the dangers of online radicalisation. The video is part of a campaign that the ATS plans to run with the help of celebrities. Over the last few years, the Maharashtra ATS has dealt with a lot of cases where youngsters have been radicalised online and brought into the Islamic State (IS) fold. Dealing with such cases, the agency has concluded that online radicalisation is three times more effective and faster than physical indoctrination.

India's Ambassador to UN Syed Akbaruddin‏, urged the international community to 'ensure that the resurgent forces of terrorism and extremism do not find sanctuaries and safe havens anywhere and at any level'. Presenting India's arguments during the debate on the situation in Afghanistan, Akbaruddin‏ stressed on the need of eyeing all terrorists with same lens, "We must not differentiate between good and bad terrorists, or play one group against the other."

In a veiled reference to Pakistan, India asked the UN member states to find the source from where the “anti-government elements” in Afghanistan were getting weapons, training and funds to fight one of the biggest collective military forces in the world. “We see a growing tendency of treating violence in Afghanistan as a routine occurrence. Brutalities by terrorist and criminal networks are ignored under the label of anti- government elements or a consequence of a civil and political conflict. In doing so, we appear to be failing in asking some crucial questions,” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin said.

At least two HM militants, identified as Gulzar Ahmad and Basit were killed in an encounter with SFs in Rafiabad area of Baramulla District in the morning. According to report, the militants were holed up inside a house in Pazalpora village in Rafiabad in Baramulla District. Following intelligence inputs about the presence of militants, SFs had launched a cordon and search operation last night (June 20). The Army official said two weapons were also recovered and operations were still on in the area.

Army foiled an infiltration attempt by Pakistan backed terrorists on the LoC in Palanwala sector in Jammu District. The attempt was made in the wee hours around 4.30 AM when alert troopers, deployed along the LoC, detected some suspicious movement on the border.  On being challenged and fired by the Indian troops, the suspected group of terrorists fired in return but   also ran back to other side of the LoC. Later an intense combing operation was conducted in the area which resulted into recovery of one AK-47 rifle along with ammunition and some other items, being used by the group of terrorists.

One businessman, identified as Guljar Khan (40), was killed when two motorcycle-borne unidentified assailants shot at him at Laluk Yuvanagar in Lakhimpur District. However, sources have ruled out involvement of any militant groups in the incident.

SFs arrested the ‘chairman’ of the UPLF, identified as Garang Gajao, from Lahorijan area of East Karbi Anglong District. Police also recovered one .22 mm pistol and six live rounds from the arrestee.

Two persons, identified as Indrajit Mazumdar alias Bapun alias Tarzan Dimasa and Joy Mohan Phonglo, who were trying to ‘revive’ the militant group DHD-A were arrested by AR and Police from Lumding station in Dima Hasao District. "The duo were set to revive the DHD-A, a militant outfit of Dima Hasao District, and disrupt peace by engaging in extortions and abductions before the election to the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council, scheduled for mid-2018,"an AR officer said. The DHD-A's ‘c-in-c’ David Kemprai alias Action Dimasa, is currently lodged in Guwahati Central Jail.

The 100-hour Dima Hasao District bandh (shutdown) called by the IPF from affected normal life in the District.

A gunfight broke between the Indian Army Para Commandos and suspected militants in Mon District bordering Myanmar in the early hours. The exchange of fire took place in Choknyu village near Tapi Bridge, when suspected militants fired at the commandos. Police officials said, “The gunfight lasted for an hour and suspected NSCN-K and ULFA-I militants retreated back to the jungles after intensive firing from the Para Commandos.”

One militant of KCP, identified as Aribam Rikesh Sharma alias Tingku (24), was arrested by Police in Imphal West District. One .32 pistol along with two live rounds, four contact notes of KCP (People’s War Group) militant, one ID card and a mobile phone were recovered from the arrested militant.

Accusing the Central Government of India and the State Government of ‘betraying’ the Kuki people by violating the SoO pact as well as the ongoing tripartite talks with the groups in the SoO pact by arresting 26 cadres of KNF, the Kuki community in Kangpokpi District under the aegis of Kuki Inpi and other civil society organizations demanded the Government to release the arrested KNF cadres and withdraw all charges against its leaders.

Two women cadres of the CPI-Maoist were killed in an encounter with SFs at Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. “On a tip-off about the presence of Maoists, a combined team of STF and DRG carried out a search operation. The rebels opened fire near Hasnar, about 15 kilometres from Orcha Police Station, leading to an encounter. In the retaliatory attack, two women Maoists were killed by the SFs. A temporary Maoist camp in the area was also destroyed”, SP, Santosh Singh said. There was no report of any injury sustained by the SFs, the SP said. Some ammunition, rifles, items of daily use, a sewing machine and literature were recovered from the site. 

A Maoist 'deputy commander', carrying a reward of INR 300,000 on his head, was arrested along with explosives in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The cadre identified as Rakesh Sodhi (20) was arrested from Awapalli Police Station area when a joint team of SFs was out on an area-domination operation. Sodhi was arrested after a short chase and a tiffin bomb, two detonators and electric wire were seized from his bag. 

The SFs defused IEDs planted by Maoists at 11 locations on Dhanora-Orchha road in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh, to target Police party. Working on a tip off, the SF personnel unearthed the explosives and ammunition which were to be used to attack SFs and hinder the developmental work in the area. The recovered IED's were later defused by the Bomb disposal squad.

Police recovered eight IEDs, three pistols, eight hand grenades, detonators, explosive powder and codex wire during a search operation in the Manika Police Station area in Latehar District of Jharkhand. A banner found there indicated that the items belonged to CPI-Maoist. 

Police raided a PLFI hideout in Jilingburu forests under Torpa Police Station area in Khunti District of Jharkhand, and seized three bikes, several mobile phones and backpacks. ‘Sub-zonal commander’ Jeedan Gudia escaped with his associates, but two suspected persons have been detained for questioning. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

An armed woman CPI-Maoist cadre surrendered before Police in Rourkela in Sundargarh District of Odisha. The surrendered Maoist has been identified as Muli Nayak alias Arti (22), hailing from Jharkhand. She was active on Odisha-Jharkhand border, Police sources said. When Arti was 13 years of age, she was abducted by a person who encouraged her to work for Maoists and she did so. She was trained with INSAS assault rifles, AK-47, SLR, .303 rifles and other weapons. Realising that the Maoists have deviated from their ideals, she decided to leave the organisation. Besides, physical and sexual assault on her was also the reason behind her decision. 

A special court in Sasaram (western Bihar), constituted for trial of cases under the POTA, pronounced five CPI-Maoist cadres guilty of killing DFO Sanjay Kumar Singh in the Rehal forests under Nauhatta Police Station area in Rohtas District on February 15, 2002. The court pronounced former CPI-Maoist ‘zonal commander’ Nirala Yadav and his associates, Ram Bachan Yadav, Nitish Yadav and Lalan Singh Kharwar, guilty under sections 302/149, 148 and 353/149 of IPC, section 27 of Arms Act and 3(2) (1) and 22 (5) of POTA. Another member of CPI-Maoist, Sudama Yadav was found guilty under section 20 of POTA, for being a member and supporter of a terrorist organization. 

Two jewelers in Sarai at Vaishali District of Bihar have complained to the Police that they apprehend a threat to their lives from Maoists who have demanded INR 2.5 million from them.

June 22

Police arrested Yuva Morcha leader Erassery Rakesh (31) and recovered FICNs and printing machines from his house at Sree Narayanapuram near Kodungallur in Thrissur District. Police said they have seized fake currencies worth over INR 1,31,000. BJP sources said Rakesh was a regional committee member of the Yuva Morcha. His brother Rajeev who was also suspected to be involved in the case, was absconding. The party has expelled both of them, party District president A Nagesh said.

NIA at present, is tracking 80 Bangladeshi women in Agra and Firozabad who are suspected to be engaged in fake currency dealings. The identities of the suspects have not been revealed by the NIA. It is suspected that as many as 15 of them, are living in Itmaduddaulah area of Agra posing as grocery vendors while their real business is of dealing in fake currency. All these women are on the NIA scanner and their activities are being monitored. A team of Kolkata Police officers and constables is closely working with the NIA, which has set up camp in Agra. DSP B S Tyagi told that the local Police have not been informed about the NIA probe. The local police have only been deployed for the security of the entire operation and the camp.

Three militants of the LeT were killed during search operation in Pulwama District. On a tip off about presence of a group of LeT militants hiding in New Colony Kakapora in Pulwama, SFs had launched cordon and search operation last evening (June 21). Militants fired upon SFs on seeing them, leading to an encounter in which an army Major, identified as Major Kartik suffered minor shoulder injury due to bullet hit. The encounter continued till morning and three militants were killed subsequently. Two of them have been identified as Majid Mir and Shabir while the identity of the third militant is yet to be ascertained.

A joint team of Army’s first RR and SOG of JKP have laid a cordon in several villages in Baghpora, Magraypora of Marhama in Bijbehara in Anantnag District, after some inputs of militants hiding there. Further details are awaited as the search operation is currently going on at the time of reporting.

Two Army personnel were killed and two others injured when the BAT of Pakistan comprising Special Forces and highly trained militants carried out an attack on the Army personnel in Karmara area of Chakan-Da-Bagh in Poonch sector in Poonch District. Immediately after the BAT attack, the Indian Army launched massive offensive against Pakistani troops and decimated their four posts from where the BAT members had been launched into the Indian side to carry out the attack, official sources said adding that Indian troops retaliated swiftly killing two members of the BAT team. Sources said the BAT members could be either Pakistan Special Forces or dreaded terrorists of LeT and JeM outfits or mixture of Pakistan army and terrorists.

Army foiled an infiltration bid along the LoC in Keran sector in Kupwara District, killing one militant. Sources said that Army launched a massive operation in Keran sector of the LoC in Kupwara after reports that a group of 5-6 infiltrators had managed to sneak in. During massive searches in the forests near the LoC in Keran sector one body of the militant was recovered so far. Army also recovered one AK 47, one rucksack, one radio set, one magazine pouch, one knife and some eatables from the spot.

A DySP, Mohammed Ayub Pandith, was beaten to death by an irate mob in Jamia Masjid in Srinagar on the auspicious occasion of Shab-e-Qadar in the late night. There are conflicting reports about the incident and witnesses said that he was beaten to death by an irate mob after he allegedly opened fire at a group of people, who caught him clicking pictures outside Jamia Masjid injuring three persons. However, DGP Dr SP Vaid said that Pandith was checking the access control in the area. “When he came out after checking, he was surrounded by some miscreants who started manhandling him and asking for his identification. Initial investigation revealed that there was an altercation and the officer fired to get away from the mob. He was, however, overpowered and killed near Bata Chowk in Nowhatta area,” he said. DGP added that two persons have been arrested in connection with lynching.  “Two people have been arrested, third person has been identified. They will have to face the law,” he said.

SFs arrested three militants of AANLA, identified as John Xalxo, Amruss  Orang and Leius Orang, after an encounter at Naobandha village in Udalguri District. One .22 mm pistol with magazine, three rounds of ammunition, one 7.65 mm pistol with magazine and three rounds of ammunition, one 9 mm pistol with magazine and three rounds of ammunition and one shot gun were recovered from the arrested militants.

One militant of NDFB-IKS, identified as Salen Basunatary alias B Sankhang, was arrested by SF from Serfanguri area in Kokrajhar District. A pistol, six round bullets along magazine was recovered from the arrested militant.

One person, identified as Bhaity Saikia, was arrested with FICN having face value of INR 6,00,000 of 2000 denomination at Bogababa Mazar in Dibrugarh District. 

In apprehension of possible law-and-order problems in the District, the District Magistrate of Kokrajhar imposed Section 144 of the CrPC in the District.

Police arrested one militant of KCP, identified as Gurumayum Basanta alias Munda Sharma (36), from Brahmapur Nahabam under Porompat Police Station in Imphal East District. One 9 mm pistol loaded with five live rounds was also recovered from the arrested militant.

A militant of UNLF, identified as ‘lieutenant’ Narungbam Prameswor Singh alias Pari (42), was arrested by the Police from Yaiskul Police Lane in Imphal East District. 

Six militants from Assam based ULFA-I and NDFB-IKS have ‘crossed over’ from Bangladesh into the Dalu’s Killapara border crossing of West Garo Hills District and surrendered. The identities of the surrendered militants were not revealed reportedly for ‘operational’ purposes. The ‘top secret operation’ was orchestrated by Police from neighbouring Assam.

A constable was killed by CPI-Maoist cadres in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. Sukku Gota (30), the assistant constable posted at Farsegarh Police Station, went to a relative's place in Ketulnar village when a group of Maoists stormed into his relative's place and attacked him with sharp-edged weapons, killing him on the spot. The attackers escaped from the spot after committing the crime.

Heavily armed Maoists stormed into an under-construction mine of NMDC in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh, and threatened the NMDC officials. According to reports from Bailadilla, 350 heavily armed Maoists attacked the mine, where the rebels assembled 40 workers in the mine and warned them not to turn out for work again. They also threatened the NMDC officials not to return or attempt to develop the mine. The work in the mine was immediately halted. The Maoists also thrashed a driver and set two vehicles of survey officials on fire.

A Munger District court of Bihar convicted a CPI-Maoist cadre to seven-year rigorous imprisonment for possession of explosive substances. Additional District Judge - II Purushottam Mishra passed the order convicting Birbal Murmu after finding him guilty under provisions of the Explosive Substance Act, 1884 and Rules, 2008. Murmu, a CPI-Maoist ‘area commander’ of Kharagur region of Munger District, was found guilty of concealing 93 gelatin sticks in Kandani forests. Earlier, he was arrested in June 2012 from Pakur District.

The Adivasi Adhikar Rashtriya Manch (AARM) urged the Government to initiate a dialogue with all the forces, including the CPI-Maoist that does not have faith in the Constitution to join the mainstream. The third national conference of the AARM held at Ukkunagaram in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh, appealed to the Government to withdraw cases “framed” against innocent adivasis in Chhattisgarh and other States branding them as supporters of the Maoists.

June 23

The situation in old city (Srinagar) turned tense following the killing incident of DySP, Mohammed Ayub Pandith. The mob went on a rampage targeting empty security pickets erected in the area. Police reinforcement were rushed in to restore normalcy in the area.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti warned people of severe backlash if Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Police loses its patience over killing of Police men. Terming the lynching of DySP, Mohammad Ayub Pandith outside the Jamia Masjid in downtown Srinagar as shameful, she said, J&K Police is one of the best police forces in the country and is showing maximum restraint.

Report said that the DySP Mohammad Ayub Pandit, who was lynched on the premises of Jamia Masjid in Srinagar on June 22 night, is the third officer of Jammu and Kashmir Police to be killed on duty in the past two months and among 17 policemen to be killed this year. Most of the policeman deaths this year were reported from Anantnag and Kulgam Districts. Eleven Policemen were killed in two attacks in Achabal and Kulgam. A total of 13 policemen were killed in militancy-related incidents in the Valley last year (2016). The Police sources have expressed concern about the rising casualty figures, especially in the last two years.

Army recovered arms, ammunition and sharp-edged weapons from Karmara village in Chakan-Da-Bagh area of Poonch sector in Poonch District, where two members of BAT were eliminated while two jawans were martyred and two others injured on June 22 afternoon. Recoveries made from the site of BAT action included one rifle, magazines, ammunition, explosive devices, dagger and war-like stores, which indicated nefarious designs of the BAT members, sources said. Body of one of the slain intruder was recovered from the spot, sources said, adding body of his second slain associate was lying near the LoC and couldn’t be recovered. Sources said the BAT members had planned to cause more casualties but their plot was thwarted by the troops with timely retaliation. The BAT members were also carrying with them sharp-edged weapons, headband and cameras, sources said.

A bullet riddled dead body with hands tied on the back was recovered at a road side in between Khabi Keithel and Parengtong Village under Machi Police Station in Tengnoupal District. The deceased has been identified as T.Angson (36). He was abducted by two unidentified masked man one day before (on June 22). However, involvement of any militant group is not yet clear and investigation of Police is still going on.

Suspected militants killed the President of HSO named Letkholal Haokip (40) outside his house at Langol in Imphal West District. He was shot dead from a close range and the attacker who came in a car managed to escape. So far no militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Fearing a students’ agitation, Police have launched a massive manhunt to nab the killers.

Police rescued an abducted businessman, identified as Aktar Ali, after a gun battle with the abductors from an area of South Garo Hills District. The person was abducted at gunpoint by five armed men on June 22 from his home in Chokpot town of South Garo Hills District. The identity of the group is yet to be ascertained although Police doubt it to be the handiwork of the GNLA militant.

SFs arrested five militants of NDFB-IKS and one militant of ULFA-I from Indo-Bangladesh border area near Dawki in West Jaintia Hills District. According to the sources, huge cache of arms and ammunition were also recovered from the arrested militants.

CMFG D.K. Pathak said that the Indian government had no plans to re-enter into a ceasefire agreement with the Myanmar-based NSCN-K.

In a statement, the NSCN-IM denied the allegation made against them for halting the road construction works at NH-29 in connections to extortion and said that the ‘so called misunderstanding’ related to the halting of works was ‘purely within the NCSU’.

Two unidentified arms dealer were arrested by Police in Dimapur District. One .32 mm Pistol with two magazines, one air gun and two live rounds of .32 mm were recovered from the arrestees.    

Mukhiya was shot dead by suspected cadres of the PLFI in Narahatu village under Rania Police Station in Khunti District of Jharkhand. Around 10 PLFI cadres laced with fire-arm arrived in the village and dragged John Lugun (32), Mukhiya of khatkura panchayat out of his house late last night and gunned him down. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

An encounter took place between the security personnel and CPI-Maoist cadres in Palamu District of Jharkhand. The Maoists opened fire at the security personnel, who were on anti-Naxal operation in Vijaygiri hills under Naudihabazar Police Station of Palamu District. The Maoists opened indiscriminate firing from foothill on seeing the approaching security personnel, forcing them to retaliate, said SP, Indrajeet Mahantha adding that the encounter lasted for two hours. After the Naxals fled the scene in view of the mounting pressure, a massive search operation was launched following the encounter to arrest the Naxals but in vain so far, he said.

Two CPI-Maoist ‘militia commanders’, one belonging to the RPC and another to CNM, of the CPI-Maoist were arrested by the Police during an area domination operation near Taliperu dam in Charla mandal of Bhadrachalam division in Bhadradri Kothagudem District of Telangana. The duo were identified as RPC ‘militia commander’ Kalma Lakma alias Mahesh (22), of Chennapuram, and CNM ‘militia commander’ Podium Idamaiah (25), of Yerrampadu in Charla mandal. A steel box weighing about 5 kilograms, 10 meter cordex wire, 24 iron pieces and other material were recovered from the duo when they were arrested at Taliperu dam by a joint squad of the District special party police and the CRPF personnel of 141 Battalion.

Hyderabad Police arrested a suspected Islamic State (IS) sympathiser, identified as Konakalla Subrahmanyam alias Omar (24) who was allegedly planning to carry out subversive activities in the country. Omar was arrested from his room in the morning after a SIT received information about him. According to D Hari Kumar Yadav, ACP, SIT, Subrahmanyam embraced Islam in 2014, and changed his name to Omar.

June 24

One SF person was killed and another one injured after heavily armed militants attacked a CRPF’s patrol party in Pantha Chowk area on the Srinagar-Jammu NH in Srinagar District. A CRPF official in Srinagar said that militants armed with AK-rifles fired indiscriminately around 5:50pm on a vehicle, which was part of a 29 battalion CRPF patrol party, near Pantha Chowk bus stand in Srinagar. "The injured soldiers were evacuated to military hospital at Badamibagh, Srinagar, where Sub-Inspector (SI) Sahab Shukla and other jawan injured in the attack is undergoing treatment," he added. A civilian too has sustained minor injuries in the attack. Later, LeT claimed responsibility of Pantha Chowk attack. "Mujahideen Lashkar-e-Toiba attacked on CRPF party at Pantha Chowk on Srinagar-Jammu highway," LeT spokesman Dr Abdullah Ghaznavi said in a statement.

Pakistani forces violated ceasefire by firing from automatic weapons and shelling mortars at Shahpur and Kirni forward areas along the LoC in Poonch District. The Pakistan army initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate firing from small arms, automatic weapons and mortars at Shahpur and Kirni from 11.30 am on Indian Army posts along the LoC in Poonch sector, official sources said. The Indian troops returned the fire strongly and effectively, they said, adding that the firing stopped at 2.10 pm.

Unidentified assailants shot dead one civilian, identified as Hiranya Doley at Dekapam village in Dhemaji District. Though none of the militant groups has claimed the responsibility, yet the Assam Police suspected the hands of a small outfit named LDCM behind the killing. Police said that the militant group had earlier served Doley an extortion notice demanding a ransom of INR 200,000, which he did not pay. He was also warned by the group for taking initiative to facilitate surrender of cadres of an insurgent group before the Police.

Police arrested one person, identified as Moniul Haque and recovered 52 FICN of INR 2,000 and 32 FICN of INR 100 from him in Boko of Kamrup Rural District.

Nagaland Home minister, Y. Patton said that he would request the Central Government of India to sign a ceasefire agreement with the NSCN-K. He said, “We contacted the NSCN-K earlier also, around one-and-a-half-years back, but the agreement could not get through. We were in touch with Khaplang, but since he is no more, we need to start afresh. We are in touch with the new leadership in Myanmar.”

A 26-year-old woman was beheaded by CPI-Maoist cadres in Nawada District of Bihar. "She was a police informer and worked against the spirit of people's revolution. The local Police Station in-charge will meet the same fate,” read a note which was found near her dead body. Victim Jaya Devi was a native of Baragad village which is situated near Kauakol jungle bordering the Maoist-affected State of Jharkhand.

Three SF personnel and one CPI-Maoist cadre were killed while four others injured, in two separate encounters with Maoists in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. A composite squad of the STF, the DRG, the CRPF and its elite unit-CoBRA was out on the operation named ‘Operation Prahar’ based on inputs about the location of Maoist hideouts in the interiors of Chintagufa. When the SFs were advancing through the forest of Dondamarka, a Maoist den, armed Maoists opened fire on them, leading to a gun-battle. Five STF personnel sustained bullet injuries, three of them critically, in the face-off. Some personnel of the patrolling team were on their way back to the base when they again came under heavy fire from the ultras near Durma village. Two DRG jawans were killed and as many others sustained injuries in the gun-battle. "Two DRG jawans were initially killed and as many others injured in the incident. Later, one of the injured succumbed while being retrieved from the forest," DIG (Dantewada range), Sundarraj P said. The body of a Naxalite was also recovered from the spot along with an SLR weapon. The Maoists also fired upon an IAF helicopter deployed to rescue injured jawans in Tondamarka. According to reports, the Maoist killed was a top Maoist ‘commander’ named Korsa Mahesh, who carried a reward of INR 800,000 on his head.

Three Maoists, including a minor, were arrested in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. A firearm and some explosives were recovered from Kanna Kawasi (42), Lalu Kawachi (55) and a 17-year-old youth who were picked up from the forests of Mad Pakhanjore village under Bande Police Station limits by a joint team of the BSF and the District Force during a search operation. He said while Kawasi was a ‘commander’-rank cadre wanted in at least eight cases including murder and attempt to murder, Kawachi and the youth are the ‘jan militia’ members of Maoists. A muzzle loading gun, a five-kilogram cooker bomb, a pipe bomb, a radio set, and an electric wire were seized from the possession of the trio.  

PLFI cadre Etwa Bodra was arrested along with seven live bullets of 7.62 calibres from Murhu Police Station area of Khunti District of Jharkhand. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

The  Rourkela  Police  along with  DVF and  CRPF in a  joint  search operation found  large quantities of  arms and ammunitions  from  a CPI-Maoist camp in the Lunga Reserve Forest under the Mahulpada  Police Station in Sundargarh District of Odisha. The joint  team found a 12-bore  SBML gun, a PIR Rugan, two country-made pistols, two INSAS bayonets, 20 rounds of 8mm  ammunitions, 12  rounds of  350  ball  ammunitions, 4  rounds  12  bore  cartridge,  20  rounds .303-ball ammunitions, 24 rounds of 5.56-ball  ammunitions,  eight Maoist  literatures, 20 kilograms of explosives, 10 meter of codex wires, 68 detonators and two walkie-talkies.

June 25

Pakistan Army again violated ceasefire in Naushera sector along the LoC in Rajauri District.

Investigations into a case of terror funding in the Kashmir Valley being carried out by the NIA revealed that the founder of JuD, Hafiz Saeed, pumped in almost INR 500 million for subversive activities in the region following the killing of top HM ‘commander’ Burhan Wani in July 2016. The FIR lodged by the NIA in connection with the case also names Saeed, who is the mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, as one of the main accused for financing terror activities in the Valley.

The ED, which also lodged a case on June 23 to investigate the money laundering angle in terror financing, too has named Hafiz. “Initial investigations have confirmed that Hafiz Saeed routed at least Rs 50 crore over a period of almost a year since last July during which time the Valley witnessed unprecedented violence. This is a conservative estimate and the figure could be much higher. Most of the money came through a well organised hawala network through Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh and UAE. We are trying to piece together the entire chain to establish clearly who were the end receivers of this money,” a senior intelligence official said.

Two LeT militants were killed in an encounter that broke out between militants and SFs in DPS building at Pantha Chowk in Srinagar District. The encounter broke out at around midnight after militants attacked a CRPF vehicle on June 24 evening, killing SI of CRPF, identified Sahab Shukla and injuring two others near the entrance of DPS on the NH. The militants fled towards the school and took refuge inside one of the five huge buildings of DPS. SFs including on June 24 evening cordoned off the DPS soon after the attack on CRPF. The exchange of fire started after midnight when the militants fired on SFs who were searching for them in the school buildings. The gunfight continued till early morning on June 25 in which two militants were killed. The slain militants were identified as Abu Tala and Abu Hurraira, both Pakistanis who were part of Fidayeen group who were killed in EDI  building early this year. Two AK rifles, one UBGL, 2 grenades and six AK-magazines were recovered from their possession.  At least three Army soldiers were also injured during the operation in the building.

DGP SP Vaid, issued advisory to the Police personnel asking them not to offer Eid prayers in Eidgahs and in Masjids at isolated places. They have been asked to offer prayers at Police Control Room and other secure places for security reasons. The advisory has been issued after recent attacks on Police personnel and lynching of a Police officer in Jamia Masjid on June 22-night.

Pakistan Amy again resorted to heavy mortar shelling and firing in Nowshera sector along the LoC in Rajouri District twice during the day directly targeting civilian population and forward posts of the Army. An Army jawan was injured in the shelling while some houses were damaged. Official sources said Pakistan Army fired 120mm and 82 mm mortars and opened firing with automatic and semi-automatic weapons at Dhanaka, Kalali, Bhawani, Kalsian and Gania forward villages and their surroundings in Nowshera sector around 6 am. Indian Army gave befitting reply to Pakistan, leading to heavy exchanges of shelling and firing.

UHM Rajnath Singh assured CM Sarbananda Sonowal that the Centre is committed to deal with the problem of infiltration of foreigners, besides sealing the international border with Bangladesh to prevent further influx. CM Sarbananda Sonowal, accompanied by his media adviser Hrishikesh Goswami met the Union UHM at his official residence in New Delhi and discussed various issues relating to the State, including sealing of the international border, tribal issues, floods, etc.

A Maoist was killed and four SF personnel, including three CoBRA commandos, were injured in separate incidents in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. "While a Maoist was killed in an exchange of fire with police, four security personnel sustained injuries in three IED blasts, triggered by ultras at different places," a senior Police official said. All the incidents took place under the Basaguda Police Station limits, he said. A joint team of SFs was carrying out an anti-Maoist operation in the forest of Basaguda. "Body of a Maoist was recovered after an exchange of fire between the patrolling team and ultras this morning in the forest near Pediya village. Yesterday, one Naxalite was killed in an encounter with the same team of security forces in this area," Police said.

Palamu Police in a joint operation with the CRPF recovered a huge cache of explosives from the hideouts of CPI-Maoist at Kukukalan under Naudiha Police Station in Palamu District of Jharkhand. Palamu SP, Indrajit Mahatha, said 500 metres of codex wire, two IEDs, a cylinder bomb, 54 live bullets of 7.62mm calibre, 24 live bullets of 9mm calibre and one electronic detonator were recovered.

The CPI-Maoist has released a letter to media, addressing that Andhra Pradesh Minister for Roads and Building Chintakayala Ayyanna Patrudu’s son Chintakayala Vijay has huge amounts of share in the illegal quarry diggings in Sarugudu village of GK Mandal in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. Extending their support to Girijans in the area, Maoists told Vijay to mend his ways else threatened with dire consequences. The letter also alleged that Vijay & co is behind the illegal quarry digging in the region and even accused them of threatening the local media persons who go against them. The letter said to have come from Kailash, Maoist Party’s East Division Secretary. He demanded to immediately stop the diggings in Sarugudu and Rajapaka and threatened with severe consequences if they go ahead ignoring the ‘orders’.

In a case of arson, four persons, three of whom are minors, have sustained burn injuries. The incident occurred at Lad Shyiap in East Khasi Hills District when two assailants on a two-wheeler lobbed a petrol bomb at a ration shop run by a person named Shyam Singh.

June 26

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the surgical strikes carried out across the LoC proved that India would not hesitate to take the toughest measures to defend itself, while noting that no country in the world had questioned it. Addressing Indian-Americans at a reception in Virginia, Modi asserted that India has been successful in convincing the world about “the face of terrorism that is destroying peace and normal life” in the country. “When we talked of terrorism 20 years back, many in the world said it was a law and order problem and didn’t understand it. Now terrorists have explained terrorism to them so we don’t have to,” he said.

The mastermind of 1993 Mumbai bomb blast Dawood Ibrahim, finds mention in the Indo-US joint statement. Indian PM Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump stressed that terrorism is a global scourge that must be fought and terrorist safe havens rooted out in every part of the world. They resolved that India and the United States will fight together against this grave challenge to humanity. They committed to strengthen cooperation against terrorist threats from groups including Al-Qaeda, Islamic State (IS), JeM, LeT, D-Company, and their affiliates. India appreciated the US designation of the HM leader as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist as evidence of the commitment of the US to end terror in all its forms. In this spirit, the leaders welcomed a new consultation mechanism on domestic and international terrorist designations listing proposals.

Pakistan Army resorted to heavy mortar shelling and firing along the LoC in Balakot Sector of Poonch District at 8.30 pm. Indian side retaliated effectively. However, there was no report of casualties or damage on the Indian side when the reports last came in.

Amidst regular exchanges of mortar shelling and firing on the LoC, the Indian and Pakistan Army officials exchanged sweets at Chakan-Da-Bagh cross-LoC point in Poonch District while BSF and Rangers also celebrated Eid jointly at various places along the IB.

A few incident of stone-pelting and clashes between protestors and SFs were reported in J&K as Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated across the state. Clashes between protestors and law enforcing agencies were reported from Sopore, Anantnag, Rajpora, Shopian towns and Safakadal area of the Srinagar City. There were no reports of any casualties in these clashes.

The authorities have placed top separatist leaders, including Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, under house arrest, fearing that their presence at large Eid gatherings could spark violence, the officials said. JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik has been taken into preventive custody and lodged at Central Jail, Srinagar.

UHM Rajnath Singh hoped that violence will end in Kashmir and peace and happiness will be restored in the Valley soon to pave the way for emergence of new dawn. In a video message to the people of Jammu and Kashmir on Eid festival, Rajnath said new Sun will rise in Kashmir, which will bring peace and normalcy back to the Valley and happiness for people of the State. He hoped for return of peace in the Valley, which has been facing series of violent incidents including spurt in militant activities, attacks on police personnel etc though the Government has taken various measures to maintain peace.

The US State Department designated Syed Salahuddin, the head of Kashmiri militant group HM, as a specially designated global terrorist. The move comes just hours before the first meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington. As a consequence of this designation, US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with Salahuddin and all of Salahuddin’s property and interests in property subject to United States jurisdiction are blocked.

As a senior leader of HM, the State Department said in September, 2016, Salahuddin, also known as Syed Mohammed Yusuf Shah, vowed to block any peaceful resolution to the Kashmir conflict, threatened to train more Kashmiri suicide bombers, and vowed to turn the Kashmir valley “into a graveyard for Indian forces”. “Under Salahuddin’s tenure as senior HM leader, HM has claimed responsibility for several attacks, including the April 2014 explosives attack in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, which injured 17 people,” the State Department said.

Following the designation of Salahuddin as the global terrorist, the State Department in a notification said he has committed, or poses a significant risk of committing, acts of terrorism. Designations of terrorist individuals and groups expose and isolate organizations and individuals, and result in denial of access to the US financial system. Moreover, designations can assist or complement the law enforcement actions of other nations, it said.

India welcomed the US’ move. “India welcomes this notification. It underlines also quite strongly that both India and the US face threat of terrorism,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Gopal Baglay said.

The CPI-Maoist cadres set three earth excavators on fire at Darliput village under Lamtaput block in Koraput District of Odisha. The three machines were completely damaged in the fire, Police said. Before fleeing the spot, the Maoists left a poster on the behalf of Srikakulam-Koraput division of the Maoists, alleging in the poster that the residents of the area are not getting basic facilities while contractors from Bihar are duping lakhs of rupees in the construction works in the region.

SFs arrested one militant of NDFB-IKS, identified as Sudem Narjary alias N. Sujukhang Narjary (22), at Polasbari village in Chirang District. One 7.65 mm pistol, two magazines and five round 7.65 mm live ammunition were also recovered from the arrested militant.

SFs arrested one linkman of NDFB-IKS, identified as Birkhang Narzary from Jharbari village in Kokrajhar District along with INR 39,000. On his revelation, SFs also recovered INR 2,10,000 from the residence of NDFB-IKS’s one of the wanted cadres Koninder Basumatary alias Komendar alias Khrao Khrao at Jharbari village. According to the Police the recovered money were extorted from different sources by the militants.  

In a statement, a senior Home department official said that the peace talks between Mizoram Government and HPC-D scheduled to be held during July is most likely to be elevated to political level talks from the present official level talks. The official said that four rounds of talks held since August 10 last year (2016) were held under cordial atmosphere and mutual trust and had proceeded fast towards reaching an amicable settlement to the vexed Hmar imbroglio.

According to an undisclosed senior official source, India may ask Myanmar to revoke its ceasefire pact with the NSCN-K when Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi visits Naypyidaw next month on July 6. During earlier bilateral meetings, India had handed over a list of over 20 insurgent camps operating in Myanmar, a few kilometres from the Indian border. However, the Myanmar Army has denied the existence of any insurgent camps on its territory.

June 27

Shifting its focus to the Indian subcontinent, global terror outfit al Qaeda has said it will target Indian security installations and leaders of Hindu "separatist" organisations. The outfit has released an elaborate document titled 'Code of conduct for Mujahideen in the subcontinent' detailing its objectives, targets, and do's and don'ts for members. "All personnel of the military are our targets, whether they be in the war zone or in barracks at their bases. Even the personnel on vacation are not exempted due to their battle against implementation of sharia," the outfit said in the document. This is an exact reproduction of the text, "Officers are a greater priority than soldiers. The greater is the seniority, greater is our priority to kill him. Those officers of the military who have the blood of our Kashmiri brothers on their hands are our targets," the outfit said. The document makes several references to Kashmir, and the opening note even refers to a resident of UP's Sambhal, Maulana Asim Umar, as the 'emir' or chief of the so-called AQIS.

Indian intelligence sources said they were keeping a close tab on the development as it comes soon after former HM ‘commander’ Zakir Musa floated a new outfit and openly acknowledged support from al Qaeda. The document also mentions that hostages should either be traded for a brother, given up for ransom or be killed, besides elaborating on targets in Pakistan, Arakan (Myanmar) and Bangladesh. Sources said the most worrying part was that the outfit had invited different groups fighting in the subcontinent to pledge their allegiance to what they refer to as the "Islamic emirate of Afghanistan", and stand up against intelligence agencies and the groups they sponsor.

According to an official dealing in counter terror operations, al Qaeda is also trying to establish that its objectives and modus operandi are completely different from that of the so-called Islamic State (ISIS), its arch rival. "The document mentions that the Mujahideen will not attack common Hindus, Muslims or Buddhists and also not strike places of worship. This is in sharp contrast with ISIS which has been targeting mosques on priority," the official added.

SFs conducted search operations at several places in Srinagar to hunt a group of JeM militants who are in the city for past two weeks and five more militants who are locals and have shifted to city recently. SFs for last two weeks are tracking the militants and on June 27 they conducted searches at five places in the city during which two persons were detained. Police and CRPF conducted searches at Firodus Abad and Khadi Mill areas of Batamaloo and detained two persons during the searches. According to sources, a group of five JeM militants headed by their ‘commander’ Mateen Bhai is in Srinagar for two weeks and SFs are on alert to prevent them from carrying out an attack in the city.

SFs also conducted searches in Khanyar, Lal Bazar and Anchar areas of Srinagar against them and other militants who are present in Srinagar. The army also conducted searches in Galib Abad and residents said that they were seeking details from the people about number of their families members. The army exercise followed reports that a group of militants was sighted in Zanakote area of Srinagar last week who are being provided logistic support by 2-3 OGWs of the area. The group was later sighted in Noorbagh area but had fled the area a day before the security operation was conducted there last week.

Jammu and Kashmir Police has put three Hurriyat Conference leaders, identified as Ayaz Akbar, Altaf Ahmad Shah and Raja Mairaj ul din Kalwal, under preventive detention ahead of their pre-planned protest in Valley. The leaders, who are said to be in close circle of Hurriyat leader SA Geelani, were previously interrogated in a money laundering case. According to reports, the Police raided the houses of these leaders and arrested them. Police also raided the residence of another Tehreek-e-Hurriyat leader Pir Saifullah, however he was not present. Tehreek-e-Hurriyat confirmed the arrests but did not confirm the charges on which the arrest has been made.

The US Government’s decision to declare Syed Salahuddin a global terrorist would help in choking his movements and financing, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi said. Salahuddin, head of the Kashmiri militant group HM, was a “coward” who had “run away” to Pakistan, Mehrishi said. “What the US did is correct. He (Salahuddin) is a terrorist and he has now been declared so. This declaration by the US may probably help in impacting his movements and funding,” Mehrishi said.

Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar had said in Washington that the designation was “a strong signal coming out of the administration that it is committed to ending terror in all forms”. “We should take the step for what it is. It is fixing responsibility, highlighting the problem. There is a signaling out of it, it is focusing on a particular group and particular individual. None of us can really miss that message,” he said.

Gaya Police and the CRPF during a joint combing operation recovered 10 cylinder bombs, suspected to be planted by CPI-Maoist cadres to target SFs, from the jungles of Ashani village under Guraru Police Station area in Gaya District of Bihar.

A woman cadre of the CPI-Maoist surrendered before Police in Deogarh District of Odisha. Sabitri Murmu alias Kuni (18) hailing from Krushnapur village under the Telkoi Police limits in Keonjhar District, surrendered before the Deogarh SP, Sarah Sharma, saying that she and other women Maoist cadres were tortured by senior Maoist cadres. Kuni, who used to operate in the Kalinga Nagar division of the CPI-Maoist since 2008 and was an aide of Maoist leader Sushil alias Basanta, was involved in the abduction of ASI Umesh Marandi at Daitari of Keonjhar District in 2010. Kuni was involved in a gun battle between the Maoists and the SFs at Tikarpada under Kaliapani Police limits in Jajpur District in 2011, used to recruit poor tribal youths from Deogarh, Jajpur, Angul, Rourkela and Keonjhar as part of the Maoists' membership drive. She was also involved in cases of extortion from businessmen, industrialists and contractors.

A GNLA militant, identified as Ading Ch Marak alias Lukseng Ch Marak, was killed by SFs in an early morning raid on the outfit’s camp inside the forests of the Chitmang hills in South Garo Hills District. It was suspected that the ‘c-in-c’ of GNLA, Sohan D. Shira was hiding in the camp but he managed to escape and the killed militant was the ‘bodyguard’ of Shira. An AK-56 assault rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones, remote controls and detonators, a laptop, GNLA seals and flags were also recovered from the busted camp.

A woman cadre of PREPAK-Pro, identified as ‘lieutenant’ Longjam Ongbi Malem alias Thoibi (33), was arrested by the Police from Khuyathong bus parking in Imphal West District.

In a statement, the UNC expressed its ‘anxiety’ over the delay in holding the tripartite talks on the district creation issue, which was scheduled to be held on last week. The UNC said, “If the delaying tactics or buying-time tactics are played out by the government then we are not going to take it lightly.”

June 28

Keeping in view the safety and security of the growing number of tourists in the coastal areas of the state, the West Bengal Government decided to recruit more Police personnel for eight Police Stations in those areas. The state Cabinet took the decision to recruit 267 Police personnel for eight coastal Police Stations for the security and safety of the growing number of tourists in those places, State Finance Minister Amit Mitra said.

One of the two Islamic State (IS) recruiters behind the online identity Yusuf-al-Hindi, could possibly have been Mohammad Sajid alias Bada Sajid, who hailed from Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh and is believed by Indian agencies to have been killed in 2015 while fighting in Syria. This is what IS sympathiser Amzad Khan, who was deported to India from Saudi Arabia in April, has indicated to interrogators, while identifying a photograph of Yusuf-al-Hindi, sources said. Sajid was a member of IM before fleeing to Pakistan after a security crackdown in 2008, from where he and Karnataka-born Shafi Armar migrated to Afghanistan and Syria. Armar was recently designated as a ‘global terrorist’ by the US.

Investigators believe that Sajid and Armar had radicalised Indians online using the same identity — Yusuf-al-Hindi. “It is possible that after Sajid’s death, Armar has been handling the account,” said sources. According to sources, Khan, a 37-year-old from Rajasthan, told interrogators: “In the beginning, Yusuf had set a photo taken from his back as his profile picture (on his Telegram account). By the end of December 2015, he changed it to one taken from the front.” Investigators believe this image was one of the same set of photographs taken from two angles. Khan told interrogators that he later saw the same person in a video posted on social media by the IS in May 2016, purportedly showing those who had gone to Syria from Maharashtra.

Raising concern over possibility of collusion between terrorists and those with access to WMDs India called for the adoption of the long-stalled CCIT. Speaking at the Security Council debate on preventing access to WMDs by terrorists, India's Deputy Permanent Representative Tanmaya Lal said that while "terror networks and non-State actors, by themselves, do not have any capacity or access to advanced and sensitive technologies and materials," there have been "instances of proliferation of WMDs."

Pakistan army again resorted to heavy mortar shelling in Balakote, Mendhar and Nowshera sectors along the LoC in twin border Districts of Poonch and Rajouri. Report said that Pakistan army directly targeted civilian areas, apart from forward defence locations, at Sandot, Dabbi, Panjni, Chouhala, Trala and Basuni areas on LoC in Balakote and Mendhar sectors of Poonch District at 3.30 pm. Indian side retaliated very effectively, leading to heavy exchanges of mortar shelling and firing with both automatic and semi-automatic weapons

Pakistan army targeted Baba Khori, Gania and Kalal forward villages of Nowshera sector in Rajouri District from 2 pm to 5 pm. In all three sectors, there were no casualties of Army or civilians. Also, no major damage was reported to the civilian property.

Two CPI-Maoist cadres were killed in an encounter with SFs in the dense forest near Suktara village in Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh. Acting on inputs about movement of `vistaar (expansion) party of Maoists in Gandai forests for the past few days, a joint squad of STF and District Police Force had launched an operation in the area. The team came under fire while passing through Suktara forest. The Maoists later escaped, while two bodies were recovered from the spot apart from a .315 bore gun and a pistol. "Identity of the killed rebels is being ascertained. Although prima facie it is clear that they belonged to expansion team of ultras who are making attempts to expand their base along the border of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh," SP, Prashant Agrawal said.

A Maoist ‘commander’ was arrested in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. Acting on a tip-off, Baman Mandavi (25) was arrested by a joint team of CRPF and local Police from Badegudra village under Kuakonda Police Station limits. Mandavi, active as Badegudra ‘jan militia commander’ of Maoists, was allegedly involved in Mailwada landmine attack in March, 2016, in which seven CRPF personnel were killed. Besides, he was allegedly involved in other Naxal incidents, including triggering blasts, loot, SP, Kamlochan Kashyap said adding he was carrying a reward of INR 100,000 on his head.

A Maoist couple, Dinesh Kadti (26) and his wife Meena alias Lakho (25), surrendered in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. Dinesh, carrying cash reward of INR 300,000, was working as president of DAKMS-a frontal wing of Maoists. Meena was deputed as the head of KAMS - a Maoists’ frontal outfit and INR 100,000 was announced for her arrest. The duo was allegedly involved in firing at a helicopter in Pedia area in Bijapur District in 2012.

SFs have unearthed 48 IEDs and 800 metres of detonating wire from Jarda Pahar in Tamar in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. The recovery, which also comprised three five kilograms cylinder bombs and three switches.

Four dead bodies, suspected to be cadres belonging to the HPC-D, were fished out from Barak River near Jiribam and Palarbond of Silchar. Two bodies were recovered from Barak River from Assam side on June 27 and another two bodies fished out from Manipur side of the river on June 28. It is suspected that the bodies were those cadres of the HPC-D who had reportedly robbed doctors and nurses at Sivapukar Primary Health Centre in Pherzawl District on the intervening night of June 21 and 22. Later on, the HPC-D at Sinlung designated camp reportedly shot dead some of its cadres believed to have been involved in the Sivapukar robbery incident as punishment and threw their lifeless corpses into the Barak River.

A Chinese-made grenade was lobbed and exploded by suspected militants in front of a shop selling two-wheelers near Khuyathong area in Imphal West District. No one was injured in the explosion, but the incident triggered panic in the capital city.

The ‘vice chairman’ of UNLF militant of Manipur, named Sir Ayekpam Wangpa alias Tomba alias Tona (61), died at a hospital in Myanmar. He died in a Yangon hospital due to kidney failure and other health issues.

A source from the UNC revealed that the tripartite talks involving the UNC, the Government of Manipur and the Central Government of India on the district creation issue will be held on July 10 at Ukhrul District headquarter.

SFs arrested two militants of UPLA, identified as Jai Rajbanshi (32) and Ratul Boro (34), at Sohorikota village in Dibrugarh District. Two .22 pistols and 9 rounds of ammunitions were also recovered from the arrested militants.     

Police recovered an AK-56 rifle along with 47 rounds of ammunition, a .303 rifle and ammunition from poachers identified as Mazibur Rahman and Jakir Hussain at a village near the Orang National Park in Darrang District.

One suspected linkman of MULTA, identified as Muslim Uddin Sheikh (52), was arrested in a joint operation by Indian Army and Police from Borkanda area of Bilasipara town in Dhubri District. SFs also recovered a pistol and two rounds ammunition from his possession.

CM Shürhozelie Liezietsu said that the demand for integration of the whole Naga-inhabited areas may be difficult at present. Addressing a meeting of NPF Arunachal Pradesh State unit in Kohima he said that the demand for integration of the whole Naga-inhabited areas may be difficult at present but coming together under the umbrella of NPF could be the first step to integrate the people emotionally and politically.

June 29

Two Indian soldiers were injured in a ceasefire violation along the LoC in Poonch District by the Pakistan army. "Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked shelling and firing along the LoC in Poonch," Defence Ministry sources said. They used small arms, automatics and mortars. The firing started at 1.30am. The Indian Army retaliated effectively and strongly, the defence sources said.

Pakistan had summoned India’s Deputy High Commissioner to lodge a protest over the alleged killing of a civilian in cross-border firing by Indian troops.

Separatist groups in Kashmir fear that categorising HM ‘chief’ Syed Salahuddin as “a global terrorist” may “drift militancy in a different direction in Kashmir as the decision has the potential to shrink space for pro-dialogue groups, too”. In an interview, Hurriyat ‘chairman’ Mirwaiz Umar Farooq expressed apprehensions that the US’ move has “far alarming ramifications” internally in Kashmir. “Indigenous militant outfits here never linked up with global terror and worked around the Kashmir issue. My fear is that militancy can drift in a different direction as any wrong branding of forces will pave way for those forces who completely reject the international system. Unfortunately, the U.S. decision will be responsible for this.”

Condemning the US’ stand on Salahuddin, who also heads the UJC that comprises around 13 militant outfits and is based in PoK, the Mirwaiz said the Hurriyat commitment to dialogue and its position on seeking U.S. intervention “will stay the same.” “However, I fear the new U.S. position may shrink space for those canvassing for dialogue processes in the J&K,” he added. The Mirwaiz said hostility between India and Pakistan, and Srinagar and New Delhi had “reached a new level.” “The militaristic position taken by India on the Kashmir issue pushes south Kashmir to the brink of a nuclear war. In this situation, the U.S. has to take more pragmatic decisions.”

The Government of India defended the US’ use of the term "Indian-administered J&K", saying that it only affirmed India's position that HM ‘chief’ Syed Salahuddin is involved in "cross-border" terrorism. "Use of term 'Indian-administered J&K' affirms our position that Syed Salahuddin been involved in cross-border terrorism against India," said the MEA.

Two CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested from Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. Podiyami Mukka (42) was arrested from an area under Jagargunda Police Station, while Laxman Muchaki alias Lakha (20) was arrested from Kukanar Police Station limits. Mukka, who is the head of DKAKMS, a front organisation of Maoists, was involved in the April 24 attack in Burkapal in which 25 CRPF personnel were killed. Lakha is a member of jan-militia squad and was allegedly involved in the attack on Police in Kunna-Dabba village in 2014.

Six PLFI cadres were arrested from Bakaspur forest area under Karra Police Station in Khunti District of Jharkhand. One pistol, four live bullets and two stolen bikes were recovered from them. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

Former Chairman of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council and ex-member (MDC) Cary Marak, who ‘disappeared under mysterious circumstances’ and was presumed abducted, was ‘released’ at Agia village in Goalpara District. He had left Shillong on June 27 for Bongaigaon when he ‘disappeared’.

The Police forces of various States of the Northeast Indian region may soon coalesce under an umbrella organisation to improve coordination and efficiency. A suggestion in this regard was reportedly made by Assam’s DGP, Mukesh Sahay, at the 24th conference of DGs and IGs of Police of the Northeast region held in Guwahati on June 29. It was attended by Satyendra Garg, a Joint Secretary (Northeast) in the UMHA. Sahay said if the militants can have an umbrella organisation, the Police too can have it. He said it would ensure better coordination among the Police forces of the Northeast region. "Like one nation one tax, we can have one NE one NE police. We need to work on making this concept, encouraged by the Prime Minister, possible. We are eagerly looking forward to your recommendations on Nepol," Assam Chief Secretary Vinod Kumar Pipersenia said. Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal and DGP Mukesh Sahay also seconded the idea of ‘Nepol’.

June 30

Days after news of the massive Islamic State (IS) recruitment drive from north Kerala's villages in mid-2016 shocked the state, Kerala police launched a de-radicalisation drive named Operation Pigeon aimed at preventing a repeat of a Padanne-like situation. What started as a focused drive in "certain areas'' in Kasaragod District, spread across the state with various agencies mining social media to prepare a list of "vulnerable Malayali youth'. The tally at the end of initial online recce came to 350.

All Districts except Pathanamthitta reported footprints of recruiters who had "made more than preliminary contacts with them''. The state intelligence sleuths formed a special task force with personnel from NIA and IB. "Kannur district topped with 118 names followed by Malappuram (89) and Kasaragod (66),'' a top source told. While Kozhikode had 25 youth with ``deep interest'', Palakkad reported 16. ``It was single digit for the rest. And there was not even one girl in this list of 350,'' he said. Operation Pigeon's first phase saw a majority of the youth realising that "the route was not as easy as they were made to believe''. But about 30 youngsters were firm in their commitment. We continue to engage them ``without ruffling any feelings'', sources said. The best part of the campaign, a senior officer said, was that not even one mosque committee or a single parent protested against police's frequent visits.

A woman, identified as Naseem Akhtar (35) was injured as Pakistani troops continued mortar shelling in Balakote sector of Poonch District for the second day. Sources said that she sustained a splinter injury in her lower back. The victim was sitting inside her house when a shell fell into the room after piercing through the roof. A house was partially damaged at Sandote in the morning, while some cattle were also killed in Sohala-Panjani area on June 29 as mortar shells were falling near residential areas. All the three panchayats in the area were affected, sources said, identifying some of the affected areas as Dharati, Sohala, Panjani, Balakote, Basooni, Sandote, and Behrote.

A Defence Ministry spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Manish Mehta, said in Jammu that Pakistani troops initiated firing at 4.15 am. They were indiscriminately firing mortars, automatics and small arms, he said, adding that the Indian army was retaliating strongly and effectively.

Pakistan Army violated ceasefire by targeting Indian posts and civilian areas with mortar bombs, small and automatic weapons along the LoC in Rajouri District. This is the 23rd incident of ceasefire violation in June, report said.

Reports said that two Pakistani soldiers were killed as the Indian Army deployed at the forward posts in Uri sector in Baramulla District sniped them after they noticed suspicious movement near the LoC in PoK. Sources said that the Army deployed along the LoC in Uri sector noticed suspicious movement near the LoC early on June 30 and targeted two soldiers with snipers killing them on the spot. Sources identified the two soldiers as Qamar and Hafiz belonging to 652 Mujahid Battalion of the Pakistan army. They were posted near the Sallan village of PoK. The Pakistani troops later targeted Indian posts. However, no damage was caused.

Pakistani troops continued cease fire violations along the LoC by pounding civilian areas with 82mm shells causing fresh wave of panic among the people in the border. A woman, identified as Shakeela (45) was injured as Pakistan violated ceasefire in Uri sector of Baramulla District along LoC. Pakistani troops violated ceasefire at Gailta sector of Uri in the morning. Army also retaliated the Pakistan fire. However, there were no reports of casualties on either side.

Clashes between SFs and protesters broke out at several places in J&K after Friday prayers, though the authorities imposed restrictions to prevent protests called by separatists.

Five persons, including a Police officer, identified as Arif were injured in clashes with the SFs in Shopian District in the afternoon following inputs about the presence of militants in the area. As the area was being cordoned off, some youths assembled there and started pelting the SFs with stones that led to clashes. Police had to resort to teargas and pellets to disperse the protesters, causing injuries to five persons.

Protests broke out in Shermal village of Pulwama district also hampering search and cordon operations of the Army and the Police. The clashes also broke out at Bellow, Chatpora and Tral areas of Pulwama District.

The clashes between youth and SFs broke out at Nowhatta and Safakadal areas of downtown (Srinagar) in the evening after withdrawal of forces from there.

The clashes also broke out in South Kashmir after Friday prayers. At Reshi Bazar locality of Main Town in Anantnag District, a protest march was taken out after Friday prayers and later youth clashed with SFs during which Police resorted to teargas shelling. A house was partially gutted after allegedly being hit by a teargas canister at Reshi Bazar.

Clashes between youth and SFs broke out at Sopore town of Baramulla District after Friday prayers. There was no report of any injury to anyone.

A local court acquitted 14 CPI-Maoist cadres in connection with an attack on the base camp of a private road construction company at Goh in Aurangabad District in July 2013 for lack of evidence.

The Chhattisgarh High Court granted bail to seven TDF activists, arrested last year for their alleged links with the CPI-Maoist in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. According to the prosecution, the seven members of Telangana-based civil society TDF, including two advocates Ch Prabhakar and Bala Ravinder; four social activists Rajendra Prasad, R Lakshmaraiah, B Durgaprasad and D Prabhakar and a research scholar Mohamed Nazeer were arrested from Dharampenta village under Kistaram Police Station in Sukma District on December 25, 2016. Cash worth INR 100,000 in the demonetised INR 500 and INR 1,000 currency notes and Maoist literature were claimed to have been recovered from their possession, the counsel for jailed TDF activists said.  

A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Dharamjeet Singh (42), who has an expertise in planting landmines and was hiding for the last six years, surrendered before Rourkela Police in Sundargarh District of Odisha. Singh of Karda village under Chandiposh Police limits in the District was inducted into the Maoist outfit in 2008 by slain ‘area commander’ of Saranda Sub-Divisional Committee, Sameer Xalxo. Singh had also worked under the Maoist group, led by Anmol Hembram, and was active along Odisha-Jharkhand border.  During 2011, he had secretly quit the outfit and fled to Punjab in search of opportunities. He recently returned to his village and was motivated to give up arms. Police said he was recently tracked and convinced by local Police and CRPF personnel to quit the outfit. He was disillusioned with the Maoist ideology, killing and exploitation of innocent tribal villagers.

One AR trooper, identified as Biju Surupawal (30), was killed and two others were injured in an IED blast at a check post at Lambui village on the Imphal-Ukhrul road in Ukhrul District. The injured troopers were identified as Yash Pal (37) and Niran Ranjan (35). No militant group has claimed the responsibility of the blast so far.

SFs arrested one militant of KCP, identified as Leitam Keni Singh alias Ibungo (33), from Koirengei near forest gate in Imphal East District. Incriminating articles were recovered from the militant. According to the Police he was involved in extortion of huge amount of money from schools located at Pangei road.

The former ‘chairman’ of ANVC-B, Bernard N Marak urged the State Government to pay INR 2.5 lakh rehabilitation package to each cadre as ‘promised’ by former Special Director General of Police S.K. Jain.

Police arrested three members of LDCM, identified as Amitab Patir (28), Satya Kumbang (34) and Kangkan Morang (30), from Moonmuni Chapori in Dhemaji District. A 7.65mm pistol and six live cartridges were seized from their possession. The trio was arrested in connection with the killing of INC leader Hiranya Doley, who was shot dead at his residence at Dekapam near Assam-Arunachal boundary on June 24.

Entire Nagaland has been declared as “disturbed area” for six more months under the AFSPA, which empowers security forces to conduct operations anywhere without any prior notice. In a gazette notification, the Union Home Ministry said it is of the opinion that the area comprising the whole of Nagaland is in such a “disturbed and dangerous condition” that the use of armed forces in aid of the civil power is necessary. “Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, the central government hereby declares that whole of the said state to be a ‘disturbed area’ for a period of six months with effect from 30th June, 2017 for the purpose of that Act,” joint secretary in the Union Home Ministry Satyendra Garg said.

July 1

LeT ‘commander’ Bashir Ahmad Wani alias Bashir Lashkar and his associate, identified as Azad Ahmad Malik alias Dada along with two civilians, identified as Tahira Begum and Shadab were killed in a fierce encounter in Dailgam village in Anantnag District. A Police spokesman said gunfight between the militants and the SFs raged after siege was laid in the area following specific inputs. Police said 17 civilians, who were inside the house, where militants were trapped, were rescued. After the house was cleared of civilians, Police and Army blasted the house and it resulted in the killing of two militants. “While the cordon was being laid, some militants outside a house fired upon the security personnel which was retaliated. In the cross firing one woman sustained injuries and later succumbed,” the Police spokesman said. Another youth was also injured in clashes who later died.

As the news about the operation spread in the area, a large number of people took to streets and tried to approach towards the encounter site and pelted stones at the SFs. SFs fired tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters. DGP Dr SP Vaid said that people assemble at the encounter sites at instigation of enemies of peace. “If you see the social media, there is instigation to youth to reach to the site of encounter to save Bashir Lashkar, these people assemble on the instigation of enemies of peace of this unfortunate Valley”, he said.

Soon after the news about the killing of two militants including Bashir spread, clashes broke out at Kokernag, Pulwama and areas adjoining to Dialgam between protesters and SFs. Around a dozen civilians were injured in the clashes amid shutdown in the area.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti expressed grief over the death of two civilians at Anantnag during an anti-militancy operation. Terming the deaths as tragic and unfortunate, the Chief Minister appealed the people to keep away from the points of conflagration so that precious human lives are not lost.

There has been a sharp drop in the number of stone-throwing incidents in the Kashmir Valley this year (2017), DG, CRPF, Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar said. “Last year [2016], around 1,600 incidents were reported when CRPF personnel were attacked with stones. This year [2017], the number has fallen to fewer than half, around 700 incidents maybe. There are days when there is no such incident,” Bhatnagar said. The 1,600 incidents were reported in five months after Wani’s killing, while the 700 incidents were recorded from January to June in 2017. Around 30,000 personnel of the CRPF are deployed in the Valley to assist the local police in maintaining law and order and conducting anti-militancy operations. Attacks on SFs by stone-throwing youth escalated in the Valley after July 8, 2016 when HM ‘commander’ Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter.

SFs recovered seven live grenades from Panki-Balumath road in Karimati Ghati in Palamu District of Jharkhand. Acting on a tip-off, the District Police launched a search operation and recovered the explosives. The grenades might have been kept hidden by the ultras as the area is affected by CPI-Maoist and PLFI militants. A massive search operation is underway following the seizure in the area, Mahatha said.

The SSB along with Jharkhand Police conducted a joint operation and arrested a CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Ravinder Kumar along with arms and ammunition from Hazaribagh in Hazaribagh District of Jharkhand. The raiding team also recovered one country-made pistol, ammunition, two sets of combat dress, INR 95,000 in cash and five mobile phones from the possession of the Maoist.

The CRPF has recovered two kilograms explosives, 58 live bullets, two country made guns and 44 empty containers from a CPI-Maoist hideout in Mukundpur and Piri localities of Latehar District of Jharkhand.

A former Naxalite, who failed to appear in a murder case trial in a special court was arrested by the Police in Dharmapuri District of Tamil Nadu. The trial in the murder case commenced in the Poonthamalli Special Court in Chennai recently and Kamalanathan (53), of Mallikuttai village, who had served in the Naxal movement for some time, did not appear in the court. Following this, the court issued arrest warrant. A Police team from Denkanikottai Police Station arrested Kamalanathan. Police sources said that Venkatesan, then president of the Thali panchayat in Denkanikottai Police Station limits, was murdered by a group of person way back in 2002.

The AR personnel recovered five AK-56 rifles meant to be sold to the Manipur-based militant groups, during an operation near the Tyao River between Farkawn and Vaphai village of Champhai District along the India-Myanmar border in Mizoram.

Police recovered one 9 mm pistol with two magazines from two ‘gang members’ at Ningombam Sabaltongba Lamkhai in Thoubal District.

July 2

Intelligence agencies have found out that at least five persons from Kerala's Malabar region have been killed while fighting for the Islamic State (IS) in Syria in the past four months. With this the number of Malayalis killed in the IS stronghold has risen to 10.

According to report, information on the death of Sibi from Kanjikkode in Palakkad District reached his relatives two days ago. Further details of Sibi, who was working in Bahrain, is not immediately available. It is suspected that he had links with Yahya alias Esa, who left to join the IS in July 2016.

Another person killed in Aleppo in Syria is Muhadis, hailing from Vandoor in Malappuram District. It is suspected that he was killed in the military operations in Aleppo in last February. Sources said that his brother Manaf, who was working in Bahrain, came to Malappuram one month ago to tell the family about the death of Muhadis.

Another person hailing from Chalad in Kannur District is also suspected to be killed in Syria. Two more people, one from Vadakara in Kozhikode District and another from Kondotty in Malappuram District, are also believed to have been killed in Syria. All these people are branded as 'Bahrain group' in the Police circles.

Sources said that the group which joined the IS in Syria, unlike the 21-member group in Afghanistan, were the frontline soldiers of the terror organization. "The Syrian group was engaged in actual fighting while the group in Afghanistan was helping the jihadis in various capacities. The members of the Afghan group got killed in the surprise attack by the US forces," they said.

Earlier it was reported that, Hafisudeen, Murshid and Yahya from Padanna in Kasaragod district and Shajeer Mangalassery Abdulla have been killed in Nangarhar in Afghanistan in the last two months. Abu Thahir from Palakkad, who joined the Jabahat al-Nusra, an ally of the IS, was killed in Syria last month.

Meanwhile, incidents of stone throwing was reported during the indefinite blockade of OIL and ONGC offices mainly located in the Upper Assam region  imposed by the Tai Ahom Yuva Parishad. Six communities of Assam, which are spearheading the demand for ST status have called a series of protests, including a 24-hour Assam strike starting at 5am on July 3, railway blockade on July 11 and an indefinite economic blockade thereafter.

CM Sarbananda Sonowal, while addressing the India-Bangladesh Friendship Dialogue, said that combating the threat of terrorism should be a common goal for both the countries. "We have common enemies, problems and threats that have to be fought together. Poverty, terrorism and fundamentalism are our common threats and we have to combat them together. We have to ensure that our territories are not used by the forces inimical to both," CM Sarbananda Sonowal said.

In a joint statement, the PLA/ RPF and MNPF claimed the responsibility of the IED attack that killed a jawan (trooper) of the AR and injured to two others on June 30 near Lambui village of Ukhrul District.

IPFT had announced an indefinite ‘Rail and Road blockade’ programme scheduled to commence from July 10  to press for their demand for a separate ‘Twipraland’ state to be carved out of the TTADC areas which encompass 68.10% of the state’s total geographical territory. Special security measures will be made along the railway line from Agartala to Churaibari and along the NH-44 from Agartala to the bordering point with the Karimganj District of Assam.

Cadres of the JJMP killed one Navrangi Yadav (70) and injured five others in Badaibatha village in Latehar District of Jharkhand, over a land dispute. The deceased was the father of local ward member Mithilesh Yadav. JJMP is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

July 3

Militants shot at and critically injured a Policeman, identified as Ghulam Hassan in Anantnag town in Anantnag District. Constable Ghulam Hassan was shot in the neck by militants from close range at Anantnag bus stand, a Police official said. Hassan was unarmed at the time of the attack, the official said.

Imphal West Police arrested the prime suspect in the murder of President of HSO, identified as Solomon Baite (38). Talking with the media persons, Police informed that the accused has admitted to shooting the victim, Letkholal alias Palal Haokip (37) at Langol Game village on June 23. But they said that the investigation was at an early stage and refused to divulge details.

The proposed State-wide indefinite strike of KSO from July 4 midnight has been called off following the arrest of the killer of student leader Lenkholal alias Palal Haokip (37).

Normal life was affected in several places across the State due to a 12-hour bandh (shutdown strike) called by Soi Jonogusthi Oikyo Manch demanding ST status. The bandh paralyzed the Upper Assam Districts of Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar, Jorhat and Golaghat on the south bank of the Brahmaputra and Lakhimpur and Dhemaji on the north bank. In lower Assam, the AKRSU-H damaged some vehicles in Kokrajhar District and set a Maruti van on fire at Salkocha in Dhubri District.

The 10-hour bandh (shut down) called by the AAMSU in Goalpara District passed off peacefully. AAMSU had called this strike in protest against the firing at Kharboja in the District on June 30, in which a protester, Yaqub Ali (23), was killed and several persons were injured.

A Can-bomb weighing around 20 kilograms and a 200-metre electric wire were found from a one-foot deep pit at Shantinagar under Adityapur Thana area in Seraikela-Kharsawan District of Jharkhand. Informed by a local resident, Police swung into action by pressing into service a bomb disposal squad from Ranchi who blasted the bomb.

A wanted woman CPI-Maoist cadre, who jumped bail and was on the run for the past five years, was arrested at gunpoint by the sleuths of Andhra Pradesh SIB near Sennimalai in Erode District of Tamil Nadu. Sources said V Kakarala Padma (45), a native of Andhra Pradesh was arrested when she was on her way to Erode to meet her accomplices. She was first arrested in 2002 under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, for giving arms training to Maoist recruits at Uthangarai. Padma was in jail till 2005. After her release, she fought for the rights of women and spearheaded several protests. She has over 10 cases and NSA and UAPA slapped against her. Later, she was arrested and was lodged as an under trial prisoner in Madurai Central Prison. In 2012, she came out on conditional bail and had been absconding ever since.

NIA filed a charge-sheet with the NIA court in Kolkata of West Bengal, naming the top CPI-Maoist leader Muppalla Lakshman Rao aka Ganapathi, ‘general secretary’ of the Central Committee of the CPI-Maoist, and four others. The name of the top leader of the LWE group has come up in the charge-sheet in connection with the probe that the NIA had undertaken in connection with the arrest of another of their top leader Sadanala Ramakrishna. He was arrested from College Street in Central Kolkata in 2012 along with two other Maoist leaders. The STF had arrested the Maoist leader and seized INR 9.6 million cash, firearms, ammunition and Maoist literature from him.

July 3-4

At least three terrorists were killed in an encounter in Bahmnoo area of Pulwama District. Three soldiers, including an officer, were also injured. The gun battle began in the morning of July 3 after the SFs launched a search operation following a specific tip-off about the presence of terrorists in the area. Two terrorists were killed on July 3 and the body of third terrorist was found in the morning of July 4.

July 4

Rajasthan ATS arrested a suspected Islamic State (ISIS) handler, identified as Haroon (30) from Burma Bazaar area in Chennai in Tamil Nadu. The accused, Haroon, is suspected of collecting and sending funds to the terrorist organisation and was detained following information from two other accused, Mohammed Iqbal and Jamil Ahmed, who are already under the custody of Rajasthan ATS. Haroon reportedly runs a mobile phone shop in the area.

The report states that Haroon has been taken to Jaipur (Rajasthan) for further questioning and investigation. There have been reports of several individuals joining the Islamic State in Syria from Tamil Nadu and Telangana. It is believed that nine people, including one from Telangana and eight from Tamil Nadu, had joined Islamic State in the year 2016.

Israel believes there is no difference between Pakistan-based “Lashkar-e-Taiba”-LeT and the Hamas group operating in Israel and Palestine, senior officials said, adding that the Israeli government has unequivocally supported India on the issue of terrorism. “Killing civilians for any spurious ideological reason is terrorism,” said Mark Sofer, Deputy Director General of the Israeli Foreign Ministry’s Asia-Pacific department. He added, “As opposed to a number of other countries in the world, Israel has never hidden the fact that it supports India hook, line, sinker on the subject of terrorism. The horrors coming out of Pakistan, from the Lashkar-e-Taiba are known, and we support India’s right to defend itself against terrorism just as Israel has the same right.”

Police said that during the last few months 54 youth have been arrested from different Districts of the Kashmir Zone. These youth were attempting to join militancy in Kashmir. “Out of these, 28 youth have been arrested in Baramulla, Kupwara, Sopore, Handwara and Bandipora of the North Kashmir Range”, Police said. 13 youth have been arrested in Central Kashmir Range Srinagar while an equal number of youth have been arrested in Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian, Awantipora and Kulgam of South Kashmir. Kupwara police arrested four boys who were attempting to cross the LoC.

India said the interview telecast by a Pakistani TV channel of HM ‘chief’ Syed Salahuddin on July 1, is further proof of Pakistan's role in cross-border terrorism. "The brazen admission by Syed Salahuddin of perpetrating terrorist attacks on India and having the capacity to carry out such attacks at any place and time in India is a further proof of Pakistan's continuing policy of cross-border terrorism," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay said.

"His (Salahuddin) confession of assistance in such activities from Pakistan also affirms the complicity of Pakistan's state structure in using terrorist proxies as a matter of policy against the neighbours," Baglay said. He added, "The interview only highlights the unabashed manner in which terrorist organisations and leaders enjoy freedom of operations in Pakistan, including access to terror financing and procurement and supply of weapons for terrorism."

JKLF chairman Yasin Malik was arrested by Police and sent to the Central Jail in Srinagar. "Malik was arrested today when police raided the JKLF's office at Abi Guzar. He has been shifted to Central Jail, Srinagar, on a judicial remand," a spokesman of the separatist group said. The Police did not give any reason for the arrest but it is believed to be a preventive action since HM ‘chief’ Syed Salahuddin has given a call for agitation to observe first anniversary of its slain militant Burhan Wani on July 8.

NSCN-IM named ‘kilonser’ (minister) Kraibo Chawang as convener of its CFMC. Chawang replaces Vikiye Sumi who earlier held the post.

Interlocutor for Naga peace talks and JIC Chairman, R.N. Ravi said that the solution to the ‘protracted Naga political issue’ is close-by. “We are close towards solution and bringing the framework agreement to a conclusion,” Ravi said.

According to sources in the UMHA the Union Government is considering partially revoking the AFSPA from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in view of improved law and order in the two States. "The Centre is considering gradually easing out AFSPA from the two States and we have asked the State governments for their comments on the issue. We have got intelligence reports suggesting that several areas in the two states are free from insurgency," said a senior ministry official. The UMHA had extended AFSPA in Assam for three months with effect from May 3. Usually, AFSPA is extended for one year or six months and this was the first time it was extended for only three months. "In the past, the notification for extending AFSPA was issued for six months or more than that but now we are trying to reduce it to three months. We are now considering gradually withdrawing it from Assam and Arunachal," the official said.

Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that the draft NRC will be published by the end of this year and once the document is out, the State Government will approach the Bangladesh Government, through New Delhi, for a lasting solution to the foreigners’ problem. Speaking during the valedictory session of the 8th India Bangladesh Friendship Dialogue which concluded in Guwahati, Sarma said the issue of illegal immigration is an area of serious concern for the people of Assam. He said that the issue of identification of aliens will be laid to rest once the updated NRC comes out. “The draft NRC will be out by end of this year. Then we will know the magnitude (of the problem). Then we will come to the government of Bangladesh, through the Government of India, for a lasting solution,” Sarma said.

An internal probe report has suggested conspiracy in the April 24 CPI-Maoist ambush on a CRPF party at Burkapal in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh leading to massacre of 25 troopers. The BSNL towers in the region had gone dead hours before the deadly ambush was carried out and started functioning after the attack, an internal probe report of the CRPF has disclosed, indicating a conspiracy angel. Sources in CRPF stated that there should be thorough probe into the aspect to “nail” Maoist moles, if they existed, in the government machinery.

July 5

India and Israel decided to elevate their relationship to a ‘strategic partnership’, after negotiations and last-minute changes in the joint statement. “India and Israel live in complex geographies. We are aware of strategic threats to regional peace and stability. India has India, Israel forge ‘strategic partnership’, send strong message on terror suffered first-hand the violence and hatred spread by terror. So has Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu and I agreed to do much more together to protect our strategic interests and also cooperate to combat growing radicalisation and terrorism, including in cyber space,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his remarks after the talks. The two leaders, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Narendra Modi chose the hotel, where 91 people were killed in a bomb attack in 1946, to flag terrorism in their short statements.

Stating that the two countries need to cooperate in the field of counter-terrorism, Netanyahu described 26/11 [Mumbai] as a “horrible terrorist attack”. He said the two countries are being challenged by “forces of terror” and have agreed to cooperate in countering terrorism. “We also recognise that we are being challenged. We are being challenged by the forces of terror, the forces of terror that seeks to undermine our world, our countries, the peace and stability of our common civilisation, and we have agreed to cooperate in this area as well… This is an expression of our commitment… ours is a partnership to seek good, defend the good, achieve the good. This is indeed a good day,” said the Israeli PM, after three hours of talks and a working lunch. He added that this was a “deeply moving moment for me, both in personal, but also in national and international terms”.

The Central Government will provide funds to Kerala to enhance its coastal security and keep a vigil on Pakistan-sponsored terror modules, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said. Pointing out that Pakistan-sponsored terror modules could be expected to create problems in any part of the country, he said Police must be vigilant against such activities. Talking to reporters in Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala after reviewing the country’s internal security in a meeting with the State Government officials, Ahir said the Centre would provide funds to Kerala for enhancing the coastal security.

Lauding Kerala for having a good policing system, he said its community policing was helpful to arrest radicalisation of the youth. "So far only 22 youths from the state were reported to have joined the Islamic State outfit," Ahir said. He also said the fake currency note menace has come down considerably in the last one year.

Birmingham city council withdrew its permission for a planned rally to mark “Burhan Wani Day” on July 8 after India lodged a protest with the UK Government against the “glorification of terrorists”. The rally was being planned by UK-based Kashmiri groups to mark the first death anniversary of the ‘commander’ of the HM militant outfit killed in a gun battle with Indian armed forces in the Kashmir valley on July 8, 2016. India on July 3 protested to the UK over the planned rally. “We took a booking for a peaceful rally highlighting the human rights abuse in Kashmir. However, we are now aware of concerns raised about the promotional leaflet and, having assessed the material, have not given permission for the use of Victoria Square,” a Birmingham City Council spokesperson said.

DIG of Police, North Kashmir Range, Nitesh Kumar said that there has been growing tendency over past few weeks of young boys attempting to join militant ranks and the recruiters are using ISIS (Islamic State) modus operandi in luring these youths to join militancy. The DIG said that the Police have been able to save five boys from Pattan and Naidkhai areas of Baramulla and Bandipora Districts with the help of their families who approached Police and with joint efforts of family and Police these boys were rescued. “After counseling they were handed over to families. Although we have been able to save many such boys but this dangerous trend can be stopped only with the help of conscientious citizens of the society,” he said.

A senior Police officer said that footprints of militants have been sharply increasing in the Kashmir Valley with as many as 50 young men taking to arms in the past six months. Most of these new recruits came from Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam Districts in South Kashmir, which had become the hub of tech-savvy, young militants. "A total of 50 Kashmiri youths joined militancy in the valley in 2017," the Police officer said. Rising footprints of militants have raised concern among the security agencies, which believe the trend reflects the worsening situation in Kashmir. The officer said that 88 Kashmiri youths joined militancy in 2016, the highest in the past six years. Since 2014, there has been a constant rise in the number of people joining militancy. As many as 66 youths joined militancy in Kashmir in 2015 and 53 in 2014, data compiled by security agencies revealed. In 2010, 54 youths joined militancy and in 2011, the number came down to 23. It further dipped to 21 in 2012 and 16 in 2013, it said.

Four militants of RPF/PLA, identified as L Jiteshwor (51), Asem Brojendro (49), Konthoujam Indramani (47) and Mayangbam Gopal (55), were arrested by SFs in an area near Khudengthabi in Tengnoupal District.

SF arrested one militant of UNLF, identified as ‘sergeant’ Konthoujam Romesh Meitei alias Thoi alias Kumbala (31), from Wangmataba area in Thoubal District.

One militant of KCP-N, identified as Khaidem Naoba Meitei alias Telheiba alias Padaba (15), was arrested by SF at Sagoltongba area in Imphal West District.

SFs arrested one militant of NSCN-R, identified as ‘private’ Chawang Wangsa, at Mintong village in Longding District. A pistol and live ammunition were also recovered from the arrested militant.

SFs arrested one militant of NDFB-IKS, identified as ‘area commander’ Ratan Boro alias B. Birfirlang in Darrang District. A 7.65 mm pistol and three rounds live bullets were recovered from the arrested militant. According to the SFs he was involved in various cases of extortion and abductions.

SFs arrested two militants of a newly formed militant group named NFFB from Goreswar in Baksa District. The arrested militants were identified as Kanak Boro (22) and Sukram Boro (38). The newborn militant group is unknown to the Police and investigation is going on.

The CPI-Maoist cadres have abducted two road construction workers from Kasaram village in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. According to the contractor, Viranna and Veera Swami, two of his labourers, were carrying out measurement work when some armed Maoists came to the spot and forcibly took them away. A road is being constructed between Kistaram and Chintalnar in Sukma District, which is around 500 kilometres from the state capital Raipur. The densely forested region is considered to be a stronghold of Maoists.

A wanted CPI-Maoist cadre was arrested by the State Crime Branch in Pattangi in Koraput District of Odisha. Mabadi Pandi, carrying a reward of INR 400,000 on his head and who is suspected to be involved in the Sunki landmine explosion in the District was arrested in Pattangi. Pandi is a resident of Kanta area in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. Eight State Police personnel were killed when their vehicle was blown up by Maoists in a landmine blast on NH 26 near Sunki on February 2, 2017.

Mallam Jogaiah, a militia ‘commander’ of the CPI-Maoist, who is wanted in 16 cases of Maoist violence including two murder cases, surrendered before the ASP, Sunil Dutt in Bhadrachalam District of Telangana. Jogaiah was an active militia ‘commander’ of the CPI-Maoist affiliated to Rythu Coolie Sangham (Agricultural labourers association) and operating under the aegis of the outfit’s Charla LOS till his surrender. He hails from Yerraboru, an interior forest fringe village in Charla mandal bordering the strife-torn areas of neighbouring Chhattisgarh. He joined the CPI-Maoist, inspired by the revolutionary songs, in 2011. He worked as a militia member till 2013 before being elevated to the rank of militia ‘commander’. He was allegedly involved in the killing of two persons by branding them as “police informers” in Charla mandal in 2014. He has several other criminal cases including planting of land mine pending against him under the Charla and Dummugudem Police Station limits.

Five Naxals were convicted by a special court in Sasaram District of Bihar for the murder of then DFO, Sanjay Kumar Singh, in the Rehal forests under Nauhatta Police Station area in Rohtas District on February 15, 2002. The four accused, namely Nirala Yadav, Ram Bachan, Lalan Singh and Nitish Kumar Oraon, all were sentenced life imprisonment while the fifth accused Sudama Uraon will have to undergo 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. CBI spokesperson R K Gaur said that the agency had registered a case on March 22, 2002, on the request of the Bihar Government.

Chhattisgarh Police claimed to have identified seven CPI-Maoist cadres killed during anti-Maoist strike ‘Operation Prahar’, carried out at Tondamarka in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh in between June 23 and 25. The Police had earlier claimed to have killed 15-20 Maoists in the operation, said to be the biggest so far against Maoist, on June 24. Sukma SP, Abhishek Meena, citing inputs received from locals, said the Police had ascertained the identification of the seven killed in the encounter. “The deceased Maoists were identified as Udka Lakhu, Sodhi Budhra, Podium Suresh, Muchaki Jogi, Madvi Hidma, Vetti Joga and Sodhi Lakhe, all belonging to PLGA squad of Maoists,” the SP said. The Police had then also claimed that top Maoist ‘commander’ Hidma had sustained bullet injuries. On Sunday (July 2), the Bastar-based South Sub-Divisional Bureau of CPI-Maoist ‘secretary’ Ganesh Uike issued a statement claiming that their organisation had lost one cadre in an encounter with forces and others that the Police claimed were just villagers.

July 6

As many as 92 terrorists were killed till July 2, 2017 in J&K, against 79 in the corresponding period of 2016. In fact, the numbers of terrorists killed in counter-insurgency operations so far this year have surpassed the year-wise figures for 2012 and 2013 when UPA was in power at the Centre. While 72 and 67 terrorists were eliminated in J&K in 2012 and 2013 respectively, the numbers picked up during NDA's tenure, touching 110 in 2014, 108 in 2015 and 150 in 2016. "Terrorists killed till July 2 this year are only slightly less than killings through 2014 and 2015," a senior UMHA official said, attributing the successes to seamless coordination between the Army, Central Forces, State Government and Intelligence Agencies.

"The forces have been given a free hand to track and intercept the terrorists holed up in the valley, before launching intelligence-based operations with due mapping of the target and how to neutralise terrorists with minimum collateral damage," said a senior UMHA functionary. The official underlined that among the 92 terrorists killed in J&K till July 2, most of the targets were big and prominent terror operatives. Infiltration figures also show a decline. As against 371 infiltration cases recorded in 2016, 124 were recorded till May-end this year. "Many of these 124 terrorists have been neutralised since," said a UMHA official.

While terror-related incidents were higher at 168 till July 2 this year as compared to 126 in the corresponding period of 2016, stone-pelting incidents witnessed a dip with 142 incidents till June 2017. In July 2016 alone, there were 820 incidents, though this was largely on account of outbreak of violence after the killing of HM leader Burhan Wani on July 8, 2016. The central security establishment feels that better statistics of terror-related violence in J&K, are largely to do with the Centre's strategy to actively engage with the terrorists holed up in the valley with full backing of the State Government. "Not only are pro-active operations being undertaken but the response of the Army and para-military forces to terror attacks against their personnel and installations has improved manifold," said an officer.

IGP Kashmir range, Muneer Ahmad Khan, said that security across Kashmir has been put on high alert ahead of death anniversary of HM militant Burhan Wani. Khan said that security has been alerted all across Kashmir. “And the alert is not for only unlawful assemblies and rallies but also for probably militant strikes and it has also been alerted vis-à-vis soft targets”, he said. The IGP said that the anti-militancy measures have been taken and the necessary measures for law and order maintenance have also been taken. The IGP said that miscreants across Kashmir have been put under preventive detention on Burhan’s anniversary in view of United Jehad Council and separatist strike call.

The IGP also said that there are more local militants in South Kashmir and more foreigners in North Kashmir. “There are more local militants in South Kashmir compared to North Kashmir and similarly there are more foreign militants in North Kashmir than local militants. So the number is varying. In South Kashmir, there are 100-125 militants”, he added. On recent militant videos, IGP said that they are not bothered about them as their job is to get information for successful operations. “Jammu and Kashmir is a professional force. Videos or no videos don’t make a difference to us. Our work is to get good information and then operate…Militants have their own agenda and we have our own agenda”, he added.

A soldier belonging to Territorial Army (TA), identified as Zahoor Ahmad Thakur went missing from North Kashmir's Baramulla District and Police suspect that he may have joined hands with militant group HM. Zahoor Ahmad Thakur was reportedly missing from his camp in Gantmulla area along with an AK-47 rifle. "Thakur belongs to Pulwama district. A search operation has been launched," Police sources said. Thakur's suspected joining of HM becomes more relevant as the terror outfit is planning to recruit more 40 local militants.

The Union Government will add a new dimension to the two decades old peace talks with NSCN-IM by including all other groups in the process, signaling the end of Thuingaleng Muivah as the sole representative of the ‘Naga people’. For three days from today (July 6), centre's Interlocutor for the Naga talks, RN Ravi will be holding consultative meetings with various stakeholders on the Naga issue at Kohima and Dimapur. The Nagaland Government has said that civil societies wanting to meet the interlocutor can contact State Home Secretary Rovilatuo Mor.

Military Intelligence personnel arrested two persons from Sulur in Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu for suspected extremist links with Assam based NDFB-IKS. One person was identified as Upen Basumatary, an NDFB-IKS member wanted in connection with insurgency activities. The other was said to be the brother of an active member of the NDFB-IKS. They had reportedly fled Assam following alleged involvement in terrorist activities and got employed in the company in Sulur.

In a statement, the ULFA-I rejected a call by a ‘pro-swadeshi’ organization to boycott Chinese made goods in Assam saying that goods from China have not made any adverse effect on the State and China and Assam are friends and not foes.

Director General of Assam Police (law and order) Kula Saikia reviewed the law and order situation in four lower Assam districts of Bongaigaon, Chirang, Kokrajhar and Goalpara.

A militant of GNLA, identified as Mustan R. Sangma (22), surrendered before the Police in the presence of family members and Church leaders in East Garo Hills. However, he did not bring any weapon with him.

Three cadres were arrested from Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. Based on a specific tip-off, the ultras identified as Budhram Mandavi (45), Hunga Atra (20) and Laxman Atra (26) were arrested from Ghadi chowk area of Bacheli town in Dantewada when they arrived there for procuring daily use material, Police said. Ration items, including rice and oil, besides a cache of torches and batteries, were recovered from their possession. They were allegedly involved in the attack in Bacheli mining area of the NMDC in Dantewada in February this year, wherein around 90 kg explosives, 1,550 meters wire, 149 detonators, two walkie-talkies were looted. The trio had been acting as lower-rung cadres since the past five years and tasked with supply of ration material, cutting roads and damaging Government property.

Two Maoists - Somaru Gavde (35) and Sonaru Gavde (26), were arrested from Bagjhar village under Benoor Police Station limits of Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. Somaru was active as head of Janatana Sarkar squad of Maoist in Chhinari area, whereas Sonaru was a CNM - a cultural outfit of Maoist, member. Based on the statement of Sonaru, one .315 bore country-made revolver and its cartridges were recovered near his house in Bagjhar. According to Police, the duo was involved in various kinds of Naxal-related incidents like damaging roads, firing on police camps, arson and similar others.

July 7

The next round of proposed tripartite talk will be held at the political level with the UNC on July 10 in Ukhrul District. The Agriculture Minister V Hangkhanlian will lead the State delegates in the meeting. The State Government has also invited Ministry of Home Affairs, Joint Secretary (North East in-charge) Satyendra Garg to the tripartite talk. After two rounds of tripartite talk involving the State Government, UNC and the Centre were held at Delhi and Senapati, it was agreed that the third round would be held at the political level.

The UNC is optimistic and expecting ‘remarkable’ outcome of the Framework Agreement signed between the NSCN-IM and the Union Government on August 3, 2015. Immediately after a marathon meeting with the Government of India’s interlocutor for Naga talks RN Ravi at Chumukedima Police Complex in Dimapur, UNC ‘president’ Gaidan Kamei told that the Government of India is ‘almost determined’ to find a solution to the protracted Naga issue and added that the interlocutor’s visit to Nagaland is a clear indication in this regard.

Few hours after AR personnel raided the residence of the NSCN-IM members, the militant group has accused the SFs of meting out physical torture to its four ‘arrested members’ while terming this act as a ‘violation’ of the agreed ground rules by the two parties.

The Charla Police claimed to have arrested two CPI-Maoist militia members and a sympathiser from Kaliveru village in Charla Tehsil of Khammam District of Telangana. Police sources said a joint squad of the Charla Police and the CRPF personnel arrested the trio during a vehicle checking drive after spotting them moving suspiciously at Peddamidisileru crossroads near Kaliveru. According to Police, the trio was identified as K Jogaiah (39), and M. Irmaiah (29), of Burugupadu village and Maoist sympathiser Sushanth alias Susen (22), a petty vendor, in Charla. Several strips of tablets of various brands and seven batteries, including three multi-purpose heavy-duty batteries, were recovered from their possession, the Police said. They said the three arrested were heading towards the forest fringe areas of Chhattisgarh to handover the consignment to the Maoists.

A group of suspected CPI-Maoist cadres have threatened to kill ADSJ, Prabhunath Singh over his sentencing, on July 5, four Maoists to life term for the 2002 killing of then Rohtas DFO, Sanjay Kumar Singh. The employees of Sasaram civil court in Rohtas District of Bihar found a pamphlet pasted on the wall of the court building. The pamphlet has warned the judge of "punishment" in a kangaroo court. Singh on July 5 sentenced self-proclaimed ‘area commander' Nirala Yadav and three more Maoists to life imprisonment for the forest official's murder in February 2002, and the fifth accused Sudama Oraon to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment.

July 8

Two civilians were killed as Pakistan violated the ceasefire along the LoC in Poonch District. Pakistan Army began indiscriminate firing and shelling on our positions on the LoC in Gulpur area and the firing is ongoing and our forces are effectively retaliating, sources said.

Three Army personnel were seriously injured in a militant attack in Bandipora District early today. An Army convoy was attacked by militants in Hajin area of Bandipora early in the morning. The attack takes place on the death anniversary of HM ‘commander’ Burhan Wani.

A Policeman was injured in a grenade attack on a Police party in Tral area of Pulwama District. Police said that militants hurled a grenade on a Police party in Aripal Tral area of South Kashmir at around 11 pm and a Police man was injured in the blast and he was rushed to hospital for treatment.

Indian Army destroyed three bunkers and two posts of Pakistan Army and eliminated their at least two jawans in massive offensive launched against them in Chakan-Da-Bagh sub sector of Poonch District along LoC. Sources said the counter attack was necessitated to silence the Pakistani guns, which were pounding civilian areas in Khari, Karmara, Digwar and Chakan-Da-Bagh areas of Poonch sector. “Pakistan has suffered extensive damage in retaliation by the Indian troops,” sources said, adding that at least two Pakistan army personnel were killed and half a dozen others were injured when their posts and bunkers were destroyed. Number of the casualties on Pakistan side could be even higher, they pointed out saying “it was not possible to ascertain exact number of casualties and damage suffered by the Pakistani troops in the Indian offensive”.

Suspected Bangladeshi miscreants abducted a person, Ricky Marwein (34), from Nongjri area of South West Khasi Hills District. SP, H.G. Lyngdoh said that Marwein is a gatekeeper of the Hashah clan at Umsur village. A group of about seven miscreants barged into his room at night with arms and iron rods and kidnapped him, said Lyngdoh.  “They even took away INR 5,000-6,000 in cash and a two-wheeler,” the SP added.

Police are keeping a close watch on the actions of GNLA militants ahead of the Assembly polls scheduled for early next year. A senior police official said that the security forces are trying to prevent any fresh recruitment to the militant outfit and at the same time the Government is encouraging the GNLA cadres to surrender.

Suspected PLFI militants shot dead a businessman Shyamlal Prasad (55) on the outskirts of Gumla town in Gumla District of Jharkhand. The deceased used to run a brick kiln and a stone crusher unit in Dumardih locality, about 7 kilometres from District headquarters and 150 kilometres from Ranchi. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

Five cadres of the CPI-Maoist surrendered to the police in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. The surrendered cadres are CPI-Maoist platoon number 14 members identified as Jairam Gawade and Deve Pungati, ‘mass team’ members Sushila Pungati and Anil Gawade, and Bhamaragad Dalam member Kamlesh Telami. The Maoists included two married couples. “Sushila Pungati is married to Anil Gawade and Deve Pungati is married to Jairam Gawade.

SFs arrested 16 CPI-Maoist cadres from their hideout in Jamui District of Bihar. The Maoists had assembled at Kalyanpur village.

A CPI-Maoist dalam member and six cadres of the RPC of Charla mandal surrendered before the ASP, Sunil Dutt in Bhadrachalam town in Bhadradri-Kothagudem District of Telangana. All of them hail from Chennapuram, a remote tribal hamlet under the Pedda Midisileru gram panchayat in the tribal sub-plan mandal of Charla of Bhadrachalam division. The surrendered include Madakam Laxmaiah (23), dalam member of CPI-Maoist Charla and Manuguru area committee, Tellam Kosa (35), ‘secretary’ of Chennapuram RPC and Kudam Adama (28), ‘deputy secretary’ of RPC, besides four other members of the RPC, Police said.

According to UMHA, as many as 12,000 persons have lost their lives in Naxal violence over the last two decades and out of these, 2,700 were SF personnel. The report states, of the total, 9,300 were innocent civilians which were either killed by the Naxals, labelling them as 'police informers', or were victims in crossfire. The UMHA added that there has been a decline of 25 per cent in LWE-related violence and casualties to SFs has dropped by as much as 42 per cent during May 2014-April 2017 as compared to May 2011-April 2014.The elimination of Naxal cadres rose by a sharp 65 per cent and the surrenders by the extremists recorded 185 per cent increase, the official said. The MHA officials said currently 90 per cent of the CPI-Maoist activities were limited to 35 Districts, though they have a hold over pockets in 68 Districts in 10 States.

SFs arrested two militants of KCP- Lamyanba Khuman, identified as Thoudam Premkumar Singh alias Manao alias Ta Manao (30) and Mohammad Manir Khan alias Monir (30), from Wangoi Shantipur area in Imphal West District. One .32 mm pistol along with one magazine and five live rounds, one Chinese hand grenade along with detonator were also recovered from them.

SFs arrested two militants of KNA-I, identified as Seiboi Vaiphei (36) and Sanglian Neisial (43), from Langol Games village in Imphal West District.

Police arrested one woman cadre of UNLF, identified as Mutum Sumila Chanu alias Ichan alias Leishembi (29), from Warukok Awang Leikai in Thoubal District.

Longding Battalion of AR launched a major operation along the Arunachal-Nagaland border and busted a NSCN-K camp in Pumao village under Longding District. However, the cadres of the militant group managed to escape from the camp.

July 9

An Indian-origin man, identified as Shivam Patel (27) who had voiced support for Islamic State (IS) and had searched online for ways to join the terror group, has been arrested for making false claims on his application to join the US military. Shivam, who had converted to Islam several years ago, was charged for not disclosing on his application to join the Army that he had travelled to China or Jordan. He claimed he had not gone anywhere outside the US in the past seven years, except for a family trip to India in 2011-12. The charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Normal life resumed in Jammu and Kashmir a day after a shutdown was observed on the first anniversary of HM ‘commander’ Burhan Wani and curfew imposed by authorities in many parts of the Valley to thwart the protests. The Valley observed a complete shutdown on July 8 on the first death anniversary of Wani, with authorities clamping down on all access to roads and internet services suspended across the Valley. Mobile Internet services in Kashmir were restored last night (July 8), two days after the facility was snapped in view of apprehensions of law and order problems on the first death anniversary of Wani.

PM Narendra Modi held high-level review of security situation in Jammu and Kashmir with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and NSA Ajit Doval. Rajnath and Doval gave detailed briefing to Modi in half an hour long meeting at his residence on the situation along frontiers, internal security and other aspects including implementation of GST in Jammu and Kashmir after which `One Nation, One Tax’ regime has come into force in the entire country.

India slammed Pakistan for making a martyr out of HM militant Burhan Wani, who was killed on July 8 2016. Criticising the Pakistani Government for glorifying the dead terrorist, MEA spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted, "First, Foreign Office of Pakistan read from banned LeT's script. Now, Pakistan COAS (army chief) glorifies Burhan Wani. Pakistan's terror support and sponsorship need to be condemned by one and all." Baglay's comments came a day after Pakistani Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa praised Wani. Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif too paid tributes to Wani, saying his death "infused a new spirit in the struggle for freedom" in Kashmir Valley.

Pakistan Army evening again started mortar shelling and firing at Digwar, Gulpur, Chakan-Da-Bagh, Karmara and Kasalian forward villages of Poonch sector in Poonch District. Indian troops retaliated the shelling and firing effectively at all the places, sources said, adding heavy exchanges continued for couple of hours after which intensity of shelling reduced. The exchange of small arms firing also continued. However, there were no reports of any casualties or damage in Pakistan shelling.

Pakistan summoned India's deputy high commissioner in Islamabad for the second consecutive day on July 9 over alleged ceasefire violations along the LoC, claiming that more civilians were killed in firing by Indian troops. J P Singh was summoned to "condemn and lodge protest over more civilian casualties at the LoC due to unprovoked ceasefire violations by India", Pakistan's Foreign Office said in a statement. A Pakistani spokesperson alleged three more civilians were killed in Chirikot and Satwal sectors on July 8 by Indian troops, taking the total civilian toll to five.

India said Pakistan’s support for terrorism should be condemned by all and criticised the neighbouring country’s army chief for glorifying HM militant Burhan Wani on his first death anniversary. Wani was killed in a gunfight with SFs in south Kashmir on July 8, 2016. “Sacrifices of BurhanWani & generations against Indian atrocities are a testimony of their resolve,” Addressing the G20 summit in Hamburg, Indian PM Narendra Modi equated Pakistan based LeTand JeM to Islamic State (IS) and al-Qaeda, saying their names might be different but their ideology was the same.

Army foiled an infiltration bid along the LoC in Dulanga area of Uri sector in Baramulla District killing one militant. Sources said that Army noticed suspicious movement of a group of militants near the fence in Dulanga area of Uri sector and carried out a massive operation during which they challenged the militant group. The searches continued in the area and Army on July 12 saw body of a militant lying near the fence. The other members of the group have managed to flee back to the PoK.

The six Bru relief camps in Tripura should be closed and assistance provided to the inmates there should be stopped if the Brus continue to refuse to return to Mizoram, an adviser of Ministry of Home Affairs said. An official release in Aizawl said that Union Ministry of Home Affairs Adviser (North East) MK Singla expressed this opinion while meeting Mizoram CM Lal Thanhawla. However, this is his personal opinion, the release said.

July 10

An Indian man in America has pleaded guilty to supporting terrorism by providing material support to a "key leader" of al Qaeda for "violent jihad" against US soldiers and a judge, authorities said. Yahya Farooq Mohammad, 39, an Indian national who married an American citizen in 2008, faces over 27 years in prison and deportation if convicted, the Department of Justice said. "The defendant conspired to provide and did provide material support to Anwar Al-Awlaki in response to his calls to support violent jihad," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Dana J Boente.

Following the release of Mosul from Islamic State (IS) by the Iraqi forces, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, assured Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh that her Ministry was making all-out efforts to trace and facilitate the return of the 39 Indians, mostly from Punjab, who had been held hostage in Mosul since 2014.

In a worst attack on the annual Amarnath pilgrimage, militants killed seven pilgrims from Gujarat, including six women, and injured 32 others as they struck at a bus in Anantnag District. According to Police, the bus was attacked at around 8.20 pm near Khanabal when it was on its way to Jammu. The bus was not a part of the yatra convoy which is being provided elaborate security, Police said. The militants first attacked a bullet-proof bunker of the Police at Botengoo (Baramulla District), a Police official said, adding it was retaliated. There were no injuries in this attack. Thereafter the militants fired on a Police picket near Khannabal (Anantnag District), the Police added. When the Police retaliated, the militants fled, firing indiscriminately in which the bus carrying the pilgrims got it. Seven of the pilgrims were killed and 32 were injured, the Police said. Later, IGP Kashmir Range, Muneer Ahmad Khan said that the terror attack was carried out by the LeT and was masterminded by a Pakistani terrorist Ismail.

The Police and top Government sources said the bus driver had violated rules for the pilgrimage, which state that no yatra vehicle should be on the highway after 7 pm as the security cover is withdrawn after that. It was the “irresponsible” act of the ill-fated bus driver and its passengers that exposed the Amarnath pilgrims to tonight’s terror attack in Kashmir in which seven were killed and 32 injured, according to top security officials.

Several political organisations, including the VHP, the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party, the National Conference and the Congress called for a bandh (General Strike) in Jammu on July 11 to protest the killings.

Indian Army foiled a major infiltration bid along the LoC in Nowgam sector of Kupwara District killing three infiltrators. The Army troops deployed along the forward posts in Nowgam sector noticed the suspicious movement along the LoC in Nowgam sector on July 9 night and troops challenged the group of infiltrators. They, on being challenged, fired on the Army leading to a gun battle. The Army rushed more troops to the area and conducted searches in the vast forest area near the LoC during which three militants were killed.

Brigadier Neeraj Kumar said that Army foiled a major infiltration attempt along the LoC at Nowgam sector in Kupwara District on July 10. “The terrorists, who tried to infiltrate by exploiting the thick jungle along the LoC were detected by the Army troops on duty close to the LoC”, he said. The Army officer said that the operation that was conducted in a very difficult terrain lasted for 18 hours. “Army troops conducted prolong search operations in thick jungle and difficult terrain conditions which lasted over 18 hours, resulting in elimination of three terrorists and recovery of large cache of war-like stores”, he said. Brigadier Kumar said that this is the fourth infiltration bid that was foiled along the Nowgam sector in last two months.

A non-local militant of LeT, hailing from UP, identified as Sandeep Kumar Sharma alias Adil along with another militant, identified as Muneeb Shah were arrested by Police from Anantnag District. IGP, Kashmir Range, Muneer Ahmad Khan said that Police arrested Sandeep Kumar Sharma, resident of Muzaffarnagar, UP, associated with LeT during an operation. Sharma was involved in a number of attacks on security forces, besides planned bank robbery, the IGP said, adding that he robbed four banks and shared the booty with the LeT members. “Sandeep helped the LeT militants to loot ATMs while they also indulged in immoral activities in the villages,” he said. The IGP said Sharma had come to Kashmir valley in 2012 and was working as a welder. However, he came into contact with Shahid Ahmad before joining the LeT. The IGP said that UP Police has been alerted and “we are trying to get more information about his background”.

Meanwhile, a team of the UP Police Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) rushed to Jammu and Kashmir to interrogate Sandeep Kumar Sharma alias Adil, an LeT suspected arrested in Kashmir valley on July 10, adds Daily Excelsior. Inspector General of Police (IGP) ATS Aseem Arun said that a team of UP ATS have rushed to Kashmir after hearing the news about the arrest of Sandeep, a native of Muzaffarnagar District. Arun said a separate team has also been rushed to Muzaffarnagar to get details about the accused.

One Indian Army jawan (trooper), identified as Moirangthem Herachandra Singh (37), was found shot to death at Nachou Kwak Siphai in Bishnupur District. Unidentified assailants killed the Army personal and dumped his body in a canal. No militant group has claimed the responsibility of the killing so far.

One civilian, identified as Ranjan Das (42), was shot dead by some unidentified assailants at his residence at Chhata Bekra village in Jiribam District. Investigation is going on and no militant groups have claimed the responsibility so far.

Police have discovered the existence of a new militant group, named the NFFB - active in several areas in the BTAD in the State. The development came to light after Baksa Police arrested two cadres of the newly formed NFFB in the Goreswar area of Baksa District on July 5. The arrested militants demanded money from a person of the area and extortion note named former members of the militant outfit NDFB-IKS - B Dwthingra and B Dwansarang - as its ‘chairman’ and ‘general secretary’ respectively. After investigation, Police revealed that NFFB was formed in June this year (2017) and several former militants, breakaway faction cadres of NDFB-IKS and even criminals from Nagaland were found to be involved in the militant group.

Road and rail traffic was affected in Tripura as the IPFT party leaders and supporters launched an indefinite blockade for Twipraland statehood. The report says that thousands of IPFT supporters blockaded Assam-Agartala National Highway and railway track at Khamthingbari in West Tripura District cutting the State off from the rest of the country.

A woman CPI-Maoist cadre was killed in an encounter with the Police near Ranwahi village in Dhanora tehsil of Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. The encounter happened when the Police had descended on the Ranwahi forest following an intelligence input. “During the search operation, Maoists suddenly opened fire on the police. The police retaliated. After a while the Maoists, feeling the pressure, decamped. A woman Naxalite was found dead on the spot from where the police have also recovered a rifle and a lot of other material,” a press note issued by Gadchiroli Police said. The identity of the Naxalite is yet to be established.

Madhya Pradesh Police has issued a high alert following fresh inputs on CPI-Maoist movement in Balaghat and Mandla District of Madhya Pradesh. "They are moving between Kavardha and Motinalla area in Balaghat along Mandla district," said Amit Sanghi, SP Balaghat. The CPI-Maoist has recently carved out a new zone for its operations — Gadchiroli-Rajnandgaon-Balaghat (GRB), straddling the border tri-junction of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. SFs in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh have already intensified operations. The old North Gadchiroli-Gondia-Balaghat and Rajnandgaon (NGGBR) division has now been converted into GRB zone/division and Maoists and are already surveying and recruiting in this region, Police sources said. This information was revealed by Waman Mandavi (19), a member of the cultural wing of CPI-Maoist, who was arrested from Gondia District of Maharashtra in April.

July 11

A 32-year-old man, identified as Shahjahan Velluva Kandy with suspected Islamic State (IS) links has been arrested by the Delhi Police’s Special Cell from IGI airport. Kandy, a resident of Kerala’s Kannur, was arrested after the Indian intelligence agencies received an input from CIA on June 30. Kandy was deported by Turkey police for travelling with a fake passport. Sources said he was planning to enter Syria through Turkey.

Investigations have revealed that this was Kandy’s second attempt to go to Turkey. In February, 2017 he went to Turkey from Chennai, also with a fake passport. He was deported after which he made another fake passport in the name of Mohammed Ismail Mohideen from Chennai. However, his plan was busted by the Turkish police. The Special Cell also found hundreds of telegram IDs of IS sympathisers on Kandy’s mobile phone. He was in touch with several IS sympathisers in India and Syria through the Telegram application. The data from his phone has been sent for verification.

Police confiscated INR 5,000 in FICN from a youth identified as Chamkor Singh, in Sudhar Rajputan village of Amritsar District. The counterfeit currency was in the denomination of INR 500. The Amritsar rural Police was investigating whether it was sneaked in from the Pakistan side or whether it was generated with the help of a computer.

Konakalla Subrahmanyam alias Omer, who was arrested recently by the Hyderabad SIT for having links with Islamic State (IS) was allegedly influenced by reading three books on Islam. In his confessional statement, the 24-year-old Omer said he had met one Abdul Shukur, who worked in a madrasa (Islamic Seminary) at Pedana in Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh and was gifted three books—‘Shrushtini Kaadu, Shrushti Kartanau Poojinchu’, ‘O Manishi Nee Shrushti Kartanu Gurtinchu’ and ‘Life History of Prophet Mohammed and Laailaahailla-Illaihu Mahummadur - Rasoolu-Illah’—which influenced him to convert to Islam.

“I attended prayers at Tabligh Jamath Masjid in Machilipatnam. Later, I attended Tablig Jamat at Siddipur in Gujarat where I met one Mohammed Shafi of Hyderabad. I underwent training in rituals at Darul-ul- Uloom madrasa for nine months at Khali village near Siddipur,” he told investigators during his five-day-long questioning.

Omer also allegedly assisted Srinagar youth in collecting funds in Hyderabad. In May, Mohammed Amir of Islamic Global School of Srinagar told him that they wanted to visit Hyderabad to collect donations for his school. “Amir advised me to listen to the speeches and bayaans of prominent religious scholars such as Zakir Naik, Fayaz Syed, Abu Zahid Iamir, Qarie Shoib Ahmed, Mufti Menk, Arshad Bashir Madani, Mohammed Ali Mirza that are available on social networking sites. I followed his instructions. I worked for Islamic State Iraq and Syria (ISIS) through social netwokring by motivating the youth and discussing atrocities on Muslims in India,” Omer said in his confessional statement.

India has provided financial assistance of USD 500,000 to the Philippines as it battles Islamic State (IS)-affiliated terror groups in the city of Marawi, 800km south of Manila, in the troubled Mindanao province. The aid follows a conversation between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Philippines' Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano on July 6. A statement by the Indian Embassy in Manila says Swaraj expressed "sympathies and condolences for the tragic loss of life in Marawi city."

India and Myanmar discussed ways to check cross border movement of militants, and smuggling of arms, ammunition and drugs along their 1,643-km frontier. The 21st India-Myanmar national-level meeting also discussed how to plug loopholes in a pact that allows free movement of citizens of both countries within 16 km of the international border. The issues were discussed threadbare at the two-day meeting held at Nay Pyi Taw on July 5-6 and both sides agreed to enhance security cooperation along the frontier region for better management of the border, a home ministry official said.

The Mangalhat Police arrested one person, identified as Pashwan, a native of Bihar, along with 14 FICNs of INR 500 denomination from Mangalhat in Hyderabad (Telangana). According to the Police, Pashwan was working for a catering service owned by one Digambar Rao for the last seven years. Efforts are on to trace the source of the notes, Police said.

Three youths, who were planning to join militant ranks in South Kashmir’s Shopian District, have been arrested, Jammu and Kashmir Police said. A Police spokesman said it have arrested three accused involved in the attempt of bank robbery and weapon snatching at Jammu and Kashmir Bank Imamsahab in Shopian. “By arresting these three accused, police have foiled their plans to join militant ranks,” he said. The spokesman said that the incident took place on May 25, 2017 and a case has been registered. “The trio had a plan of joining the militant ranks, upon successful completion of their attempt,” he said.

A manhunt has been launched for LeT ‘commander’ Mohammad Abu Ismail believed to have carried out Monday's (July 10) attack on Amarnath pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir that killed seven people. It was one of the deadliest attacks by the 26-year-old terrorist who had been operating in south Kashmir. Sources in Delhi said that Abu Ismail, a Pakistani national, had infiltrated from across the border with Pakistan about two years ago and was a local commander of the LeT in south Kashmir.

With heavy security arrangements by the Army and other Government forces in Kashmir, the LeT had activated its OGWs to find easy targets for its terrorists. "The OGWs had been tailing this group from Gujarat comprising mostly women for the last two days and tipped off the terrorists to attack the group when there was no security around," top Government sources said. Sources said Ismail, the mastermind, is from Mirpur in Pakistan and has been indulging in bank loots for the past year to sustain the operations of the LeT along with Abu Dujana, the LeT head for Kashmir valley. With an INR 10 lakh bounty on him, the category ‘A’ terrorist is active around the areas of Pampore and Anantnag and was involved in the killing of a sarpanch there in April 2017.

Even though central agencies are yet to conclusively link July 10's attack on Amarnath pilgrims to LeT, the latter's prompt denial of its role is being seen in the context of international pressure on Pakistan to crack down on its top leadership including Hafiz Muhammad Saeed as well as its terror activities. "A key factor that may have led LeT to disown the Amarnath attack is that civilians, and not Security Forces, were a target. Hitting innocent civilians obviously draws international condemnation, which could create problems as Pakistan has been told time and again to rein in Saeed and the LeT terror network," an intelligence officer said.

Police, in a search operation, arrested one militant of KCP-N, identified as ‘lance corporal’ Hidam Aboy alias Atappa (24), at Sawombung forest gate under Lamlai Police Station in Imphal East District.

In a statement, the ULFA-I alleged that the NEEPCO had caused the problem of flood in North Lakhimpur by releasing water of Ranganadi Hydel Project, and threatened the organisation to pay ‘adequate compensation’ to the affected people.

In an operation, Police recovered FICN of worth INR 340,000 and arrested three persons in this connection, identified as Jitumani Das, Chittaranjan Kalita, and Parameswar Kalita, from Saderi Nityananda under Patacharkuchi Police Station in Barpeta District.   

A fake voter identity cards racket was busted in a joint operation by Police and BSF in Dhubri District. Two persons, identified as Sayed Ali (22) and Sahijul Haque, allegedly involved in the racket were arrested by Police and materials including laptop, printer and papers were also recovered from their possession.

The IPFT sought Governor Tathagata Roy’s intervention to find a long lasting solution of the problems of the indigenous people living in the State. IPFT ‘general secretary’ Mevar Kumar Jamataia accompanied by Buddu Debbarma called upon the Governor in Raj Bhavan and submitted a two-page memorandum before him. In the memorandum, IPFT general secretary Maver Kumar Jamatia said the party had submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister pressing for creation of Twipraland. On the other hand, National Highway and railway blockade of IPFT entered second day on July 11 with no untoward incident.

CPI-Maoist cadres killed a civilian, identified as Ghasiyaram Salaam (60), in Khadka village under Bhanupratppur Police Station limits in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. Preliminary probe revealed that before killing him, they accused him of being a ‘police informer’, Police said.

Maoists set ablaze at least 18 vehicles and machines engaged in mining work in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. However, no one was injured in the incident. A group of armed Maoists stormed into the Barbaspur iron ore mining site under the limits of Korar Police Station and after threatening the labourers, they set ablaze 18 vehicles and machines engaged in mining work. After setting the vehicles on fire, the Maoists fled into the forest, Police said, adding that the Maoists are reportedly opposing iron ore mining in the area.

Giridih Police arrested a CPI-Maoist cadre during a joint operation of the District Police and the CRPF within Khukhara Police Station limits in Giridih District of Jharkhand. SDPO, Giridih Manish Toppo, has identified the Maoist as Nirmal Mandal alias Horil, who is active member of CPI-Maoist in Parashnath areas. One mobile, one laptop, and INR 200,000 cash were seized from his possession. According to reports, Nirmal was allegedly in involved many dreadful incidents. In the past two or three years, Police said, Nirmal was working with other others rebels, and at present, he had been recruiting youths in the Parashnath areas into his organization.

Suspected PLFI militants set ablaze two vehicles at a crusher unit in Ormanjhi in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. Posters ordering the closure of illegal crusher units, proper pay to labourers and prohibiting the employment of women labourers at night were found at the spot. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

July 12

India was relying heavily on its contacts from Turkey and Palestine in Mosul (Iraq), besides other neighbouring countries to locate 39 Indian construction workers abducted by Islamic State (IS) militants in Mosul in 2014. Indian officials responded that “It’s difficult, but don’t forget that we have always been led by hope”, when asked about the India’s chances of locating Indian construction workers. Nevertheless, the MEA said that until there is any information to the contrary, it will continue to work under the assumption that the captives are still alive.

Getting credible information on the labourers has been a daunting task, said an official familiar with the developments. “The first task was to find local contacts, and that became all the more difficult once the Islamic State took over Mosul completely,” he added. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj discussed the matter with her Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, on two occasions after the kidnapping. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also brought it up during interactions with Palestine president Mahmoud Abbas and Turkish premier Tayyip Erdoğan.

A high security alert has been issued at airports, as the Indian youth including Keralites who joined Islamic State (IS) may return after the IS continues to lose grip over Iraq. The NIA has launched an extensive investigation on ‘IS recruit’ after a man from Kannur (Kerala) arrested in New Delhi with suspected IS links on July 11. There are reports that IS-joined Indian youth may use forged documents to return the country. The NIA has directed the Immigration departments at airports across the country to remain on high alert. The NIA had already sent the list of those who left the country to join IS. The list includes 183 youth from Kerala in which 95 are in Namgarhar in Afghanistan and rest are suspected to be at Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.

Among the Keralites in the list, 88 are from Kasragod, 33 from Kannur, 28 from Malappuram, 19 from Kozhikode, six from Kollam and five from Palakkad. The NIA has revised the list including those who went missing after reaching Gulf countries. Following NIA warning, the IB has issued a ‘Red-corner notice’ to the immigration departments at the airports across the country. Besides, Indian embassies in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran and UAE have been told to remain on high alert while issuing documents especially to those who lost passports. It must be noted that Subahani Haji of Thodupuzha in Idukki District in Kerala, had returned from Syria in 2015 and worked as IS agent till he was arrested in 2016 by NIA.

Three HM militants were killed in an encounter in Radbugh village in Budgam District in the morning. The slain militants were identified as Javid Sheikh, Dawood Ahmad Sofi and Aaquib Gul. The gun battle started on July 11 evening after SFs launched a search operation following a tip-off about the presence of militants in Radbugh village in Budgam's Magam area at around 7.30pm, a senior Army officer said. "Their bodies along with three assault rifles have been recovered," he added.

US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said that "We consider it to have been a terrorist attack in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in which seven religious pilgrims were killed. That's of great concern to us." Nauert further said that the terror attack is particularly "reprehensible" because it targeted civilians. "These were civilians, they were killed as they were exercising their right to worship, and that is in large part what makes this so reprehensible. That is a great concern to us," the State Department spokeswoman added.

Two soldiers were killed as Pakistan army violated ceasefire in Keran sector of Kupwara District. An Army spokesman said that Pakistan violated ceasefire in Farkian Gali in Keran sector of North Kashmir this afternoon and targeted Balbir Post. He said that two Army personnel of 3 JAKRIF, identified as Lance Naik Ranjit Singh and Rifleman Satish Bhagat were killed in the firing.

Pakistan is arming the militant group HM with chemical weapons to carry out terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir, audio excerpts intercepted by security agencies have revealed. According to this report, these transcripts are undeniable and damning proof of how Pakistan is aiding and abetting terror activities in Pakistan. Terror outfits have lost 90 members to military offensives during the past few months, and hitting back with chemical weapons may be a desperate way for HM to get back at the Indian security establishment. According to the accessed transcripts, HM members have already got their hands on these chemical weapons. Plans to use these weapons, primarily at forces, seem to be a desperate attempt to retaliate against the back-to-back successful offences launched by the SFs.

Members of this outfit hope to surprise the Indian security forces, which have so far been dealing in conventional weaponry, with this chemical attack. “Inshallah, we are going to get lots of support from Pakistan...things are happening along the border. In days to come, Pakistan will step-up its anti-India game,’ a HM operative can be heard saying at one point. At another instance, this operative adds, “Till now we’ve used grenade launchers on the Indian army...killing just 3-4 and injuring a few. But now it’s time to change our tactics. We will straightaway use chemical weapons...to kill as many as possible at the same time.” Hizb-ul-Mujahideen is the biggest terror outfit in the Valley with around 200 active members.

Even though there was no specific intelligence about Monday's (July 10) attack on Amarnath pilgrims in Anantnag District, the primary analysis by agencies suggests that it could be the result of frustration among terrorists who are on the run due to the aggressive line of SFs.  According to official figures, Army, CRPF and Jammu & Kashmir Police are literally hunting down terrorists in the Valley with over 100 killed till July 11 this year (2017) as compared to 150 in the whole of 2016.

Officials said out of the 100 terrorists killed in major joint operations this year, 33 belonged to LeT and 23 to HM. Sources said some of the big names gunned down in the last months included LeT's ‘district commander’ Basir Lashkari (who was listed among A++ category of wanted terrorists in the valley); another top commander of Pakistan-based outfit Abu Haris; outfit's ‘divisional commander’ Abu Musaib; and HM ‘commanders’ Sabzar Ahmad Bhat, Aquib Ahmad Bhat, Abu Hamza and Gulzar Ahmad Lone.

According to a senior official who coordinates joint operations with army, CRPF and J&K Police's SOG, most of the terrorists have been neutralised in Budgam, Kupwara, Kulgam, Baramulla, Anantnag, Bandipore and Pulwama. He said while 57 terrorists have been killed in joint operations, 43 were killed while infiltrating from Pakistan. "Specific intelligence is being gathered on terrorists hidings in villages and they are being targeted as part of coordinated operations. For example, three terrorists - Javid Ahmed, Sheikh Dawood Ahmed and Aaquib Gul - were neutralised in Budgam on Tuesday (July 11) night after security forces zeroed in on the house where they were holed up," said an official who didn't wish to be named. The officials are, however, concerned about 150 terrorists, including 40-50 who infiltrated from Pakistan, who are still present in south Kashmir.

In a first, the corpse of a militant was wrapped in the flag of the Islamic State (IS) terror group as hundreds of supporters joined his funeral in Srinagar. They waved flags with pictures of slain HM ‘commander’ Burhan Wani and his protégé Zakir Rashid Bhat alias Musa. This was a departure from previous instances when the bodies of slain militants used to be covered with Pakistani flags. Sajad Gilkar, a resident of downtown Srinagar, was killed along with two other HM militants in an encounter on July 12. Police said Gilkar had played a key role in the lynching of DySP Mohammad Ayub Pandith. Gikar's funeral prayers were held in the premises of Jamia Masjid where Pandith was lynched by a mob on June 22.

In a statement, the militant group- UTLA, claimed the responsibility of killing one civilian named Ranjan Das (45) in Jiribam District on July 10. In the statement UTLA alleged the person as an informer of AR.

In a statement, the UNC alleged that "a party engaged in the tripartite talks is intentionally trying to sabotage the ongoing dialogue on district creation issue" and informed the Naga people in Manipur “to remain alert to face any eventuality”.

The NIA arrested one Rabichand Siaram from Uripok in Imphal West District, in a case related to the killing of former ‘chairman’ of the PREPAK militant. According to the NIA official, accused Rabichand Siaram was arrested for his alleged involvement in carrying and delivering arms to the accused who allegedly killed Ningombam Sanjit Singh, ‘ex-chairman’ of PREPAK and his driver Leishangthem Sanjit Singh on the intervening night of June 21 and 22, 2016 at Manipur Rifles, Khabeisoi. The official said that during investigation, it was revealed that one of the absconding accused, Urikhinbham Budhichandra, ‘publicity secretary’ of PREPAK, had sent the weapons to the killers through one unknown person.

The IPFT which has blockaded the National Highway and the lone railway track in the State to push its demand for a separate state has sought tri-partite talks with the Union and State Governments over its demand. “We have sought the Governor’s intervention and a tri-partite meeting between us, the Centre and state governments to resolve the matter,” IPFT President Narendra Chandra Debbarma said. Meanwhile, a group of 14 IPFT workers stood nude in front of the Champak Nagar Bridge, gateway to the Barmura hill ranges, as part of the protest. However, after the Police intervention, these protesters fled the spot.

GPRN during its ‘joint council meeting’ of ‘steering committee’, ‘council’ of kilonsers (Ministers) and ‘heads’ of ‘departments’ unanimously accepted the merger of Karbi Anglong (Assam) based militant group NRHPF with the NSCN-IM. In a press note, ‘ministry of kilo affairs’ GPRN, ‘secretary’ M. Daniel Lotha stated that 30 members led by its ‘advisor’, Keyhang Rengma (Joseph) ‘chairman’ Logusheng Rengma (Arhabe) ‘vice president’, Manong Rengma (Tennyson) and 50 cadres led by ‘lieutenant colonel.’ Rilugu (Kainito) ‘commander-in-chief’ along with 45 arms and ammunition joined the NSCN/GPRN.

GPRN [civilian arm of NSCN-IM] in its ‘joint council’ meeting of ‘steering committee’ and ‘council of kilonsers (ministers)’ held unanimously reaffirmed to uphold and defend the August 3, 2015 Framework Agreement signed between the NSCN and GoI as two entities. 

Two women CPI-Maoist cadres were killed during an anti-Naxal operation in Yengao forest area in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. A Police team conducting an anti-Naxal operation in Yengao forest came under attack from the Maoists and in the subsequent exchange of fire that followed, two women Maoists were killed. Identity of the slain cadres was yet to be established, Police said. Ration items, including rice and oil, besides a cache of torches and batteries and large amount of weapons were recovered from the site, Police added.

July 13

Authorities imposed curfew in Shopian town and restrictions in many other parts of Jammu and Kashmir to maintain law and order as a strike called by separatists disrupted normal life in the Valley. Curfew has been imposed in Shopian town of south Kashmir as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order, a Police official said. He said these measures were taken to prevent any untoward incident in view of the strike called by separatists to mark the death anniversary of 21 persons who were killed in firing by the Dogra Army on this day in 1931.

More than 50 per cent of around 220 active terrorists in J&K are Pakistan nationals, a UMHA official said. He also said that infiltration bids have seen a rise in last five months. Around 220 terrorists are active in the Kashmir Valley and majority of them are Pakistanis, the official said. At least 120 attempts of infiltration have been made till May, with 30 militants having been successful at the attempt, he said. In 2016, there were 370 attempts of infiltration in Jammu and Kashmir, the official said, adding as many as 119 terrorists had sneaked into the country that year.

According to data compiled by the UMHA, 88 Kashmiri youths had joined militancy in 2016, the highest in last six years. In 2014, 222 terrorists tried to enter the country, but only 65 could make it, and in 2015, 121 ultras attempted to cross the border, but 33 of them were successful. Besides, there has been a steady increase in the number of youths taking up arms in the Valley from 2014 onwards as compared to ones between 2010 and 2013, the data said. In 2010, as many as 54 youths joined militancy, in 2011, however, the number came down to 23. It further dipped to 21 in 2012 and 16 in 2013, it added.

India asserted that cross- border terrorism in J&K was at the “heart” of the matter that was threatening regional peace and snubbed China for its offer to mediate to resolve the Kashmir issue, insisting it was a bilateral matter between it and Pakistan. India’s strong reaction came a day after the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said China was willing to play a “constructive role” in improving Indo-Pak ties, especially after the increased hostility along the LoC. He also said the situation in Kashmir has attracted “international” attention.

Three IEDs were recovered below an iron bridge at Chota Bekra area located along Jiribam-Tipaimukh in Jiribam District. The IED bombs were found by personnel of 37 AR on ROP duty at around 7:30 am. The IEDs were later retrieved and disposed of by bomb experts of 37 AR. Person/group behind the planting of the IEDs is being ascertained.

SFs recovered FICN of INR 2,000 denomination amounting to over INR 1.8 million from the possession of three Mizo women at Abdullapur in Hailakandi District. The women, identified as Sanfantui Fanai, Giliani Fanai and Lalhakliana have been sent to the Police custody.

Top Army officials are of the view that though militancy is on the wane in the State, there is need for identifying the areas where insurgency can erupt again. Further, according to the officials the present location of the Army deployment can also be reviewed considering the fact that some areas of the State have become peaceful.

Both civil society organizations and political parties based in Mizoram have submitted a memorandum to PM Narendra Modi demanding a “separate administration for the Zo people (Chin-Kuki-Mizo/Zomi) in the present Manipur at the same status as that of the Nagas be made outside the ambit of the Manipur Government”. The memorandum also demanded that “a process be initiated for fulfillment of the enduring desire of the Zo people (Chin-Kuki-Mizo/Zomi) in the present Manipur to be integrated under the same administration with their Zo brothers of present Mizoram which is apparently being done in the case of Nagas”. The memorandum was jointly submitted by CYMA, MUP, MHIP, MZP, MSU, ZORO, BJP-Mizoram, MPCC, MNF, ZNP and MPC. In the memorandum it was stated that the GoI must ensure that no ancestral Zo territory be left behind under the Manipur Government to be further “subjugated and marginalized”.

The State Government urged the IPFT leadership to call off their indefinite NH and Railway Blockade programme keeping in mind of people’s sufferings. “The state government requested the IPFT leadership to call off the ongoing blockade programme immediate as it has been disturbing the people”, according to an official release issued by ICA. In the press release, the State Government said that it has been strongly opposing Twipraland demand for long time.

Assistant Constable Mankuram Kashyap was injured in an IED blast triggered by the cadres of the CPI-Maoist in Kondagaon District of Chhattisgarh. The incident took place in Kilam-Kudur forest under the Mardapal Police Station limits. A Police team which was out on an anti-Naxal operation came under fire inside the core area of the forest at Ranapal. After the exchange of fire between the two sides stopped, the Naxals had triggered the IED blast near Kudur as the SFs were leaving the area, in which Kashyap sustained injuries.

SFs of Odisha will intensify combing operations to arrest elusive CPI-Maoist ‘commander’ Akkiraju Haragopal aka Ramakrishna aka RK. Ramakrishna, who heads the AOBSZC of the Maoists, is believed to be injured in a gunfight with a joint team of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh Police in Malkangiri on October 24, 2016. "He may try to move out of his hideout, taking advantage of rains. This is the chance to catch him," Koraput SDPO, Jagannath Rao said. In Odisha, Koraput and Malkangiri Districts have been the main theatres of his activities. "He is cunning as a fox and a master strategist. If we take him out, it will be a body blow to the Maoist movement," said a Police officer. Ramakrishna's grip over the Maoists active in Odisha became firmer following the arrest of top Odia Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda from Berhampur in July 2014.

Madurai-based advocate A. Murugan (39), accused of assisting the cadres of the CPI-Maoist have moved to Madras High Court Bench to seek bail in Madurai District of Tamil Nadu. A. Murugan is in judicial custody since January 8, 2017, in a case booked against him by ‘Q’ branch CID on charges of serving as a messenger to a group of CPI-Maoist cadres.

July 14

The officials of City Task Force arrested one person, identified as Mohammed Sayyed and seized FICN in denominations of INR 2,000 notes with a face value of INR 408,000 from him at the railway station in Visakhapatnam. Ali was involved in chain snatchings in and around Saidabad Police Station under Ranga Reddy District of Telangana and was also accused in abetment of a murder case in which a former CPI-Maoist Kondapuri Ramalu was killed under Chaitanyapuri Police Station under Cyberabad, the Joint Commissioner of Police D Nagendra Kumar said.

Britain’s approach to working with India on the terrorism challenges faced by both countries has long been “rock solid” and continued to remain so, British High Commissioner to India, Sir Dominic Asquith said. “There has been close collaboration all the way through…we know India suffers massively and we are as strong collaborating with India on fighting it as we ever were,” said Asquith.

A LeT militant was arrested by SFs in Sumbal area of Bandipora District. A Police official said that acting on specific information regarding the movement of militants in Markundal-Pushwari area, a joint ambush was laid in the orchards by Police, Army’s 13 RR and CRPF this morning at around 6 am. He said during the ambush, suspicious movement of a person was noticed in the area and he was challenged to stop but he tried to run away from the spot. “He was, however, overpowered by the alert security forces and apprehended subsequently,” the official said, adding that later on during investigation he identified himself as Shahbaz Rasool Mir of Mir Mohalla Hajin of the Bandipora District. The Police official said that Shahbaz was a recent militant recruit and he had joined the LeT few months ago. Police recovered a Chinese pistol, one pistol magazine, four pistol rounds, one grenade and a knife from his possession.

Police detained driver of ruling PDP MLA Aijaz Ahmad Mir, identified as Touseef Ahmad for his alleged links with the militants. Sources said that Touseef Ahmad was picked up by Police for questioning following inputs that he is in touch with the militants. According to reports, Police has arrested two more persons along with Touseef for their links with militants. Sources said that Touseef has worked with the SOG of Jammu and Kashmir Police in the past and is accused of supplying ammunition and facilitating militant movement.

Police constituted a SIT to probe attack on Amarnath pilgrims in Anantnag. IGP Kashmir, Munir Ahmad Khan, said that the SIT will be headed by DIG of South Kashmir Range SP Pani. “The SIT has been constituted to expedite the probe and investigate all the pros and cons. The probe involves foreign militants so it will take some time,” he said. Asked whether anyone has been detained so far, the IGP said: “As of now, I cannot divulge any details with regard to the probe.” Police have named LeT ‘commander’ Abu Ismail as prime suspect in the attack on Amarnath Yatra bus that left seven pilgrims dead and 19 others injured on July 10. The SIT will probe all the angles of the case.

Srinagar town had witnessed intense clashes between stone-pelters and SFs shortly after Friday prayers. Auqaf Committee headed by Mirwaiz south Kashmir Qazi Yasir Ahmad accused SFs of ransacking the Jamia Masjid during the clashes and arresting 14 persons from there.

India has yet again underscored the need to flush out the Northeast-based militants operating from Myanmar. Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Defence Services, Senior General U Min Aung Hliang is currently touring India and he called on PM Narendra Modi and several other ministers in New Delhi. He also called on Defence Minister Arun Jaitley, besides Army chief General Vipin Rawat. According to official sources, the visiting Senior General briefed the PM about bilateral defence and security cooperation. The Prime Minister appreciated the close cooperation between the armed forces of India and Myanmar.

President of the IPFT Narendra Chandra Debbarma rejected the appeal of Tripura Government to withdraw the ongoing rail and road blockade imposed by IPFT that enters its fifth day. Reiterating its stand in opposing the demand for a separate State and the rail and road blocked movement as unjustified the State Government has urged the IPFT leaders to refrain themselves from the agitation that is causing grave problems to people.

The Supreme Court directed the CBI to probe 98 cases of extra-judicial killings in Manipur by State Police and SFs and fixed a deadline of December 31 for registering the FIRs, completion of investigation and filing of charge sheets in appropriate cases. The apex court passed the direction saying no member of the Manipur Police shall be part of the SIT to be constituted by the CBI for the probe as the allegations are mostly against the local Police and in most cases FIRs were lodged against the deceased instead of the accused Police/security personnel. "We are of the opinion that it would be appropriate if the CBI is required to look into these fake encounters or use of excessive or retaliatory force. Accordingly, the director of the CBI is directed to nominate a group of five officers to go through the records of the cases mentioned in three tables, lodge necessary FIRs and complete the investigations into the same by December 31, 2017, and prepare charge sheets, wherever necessary," a bench of Justices Madan B. Lokur and U.U. Lalit said.

CPI-Maoist cadres abducted three members of a family, suspecting them to be ‘police informers’, and subsequently killed them in Jamui District of Bihar. A group of Maoists descended on the house of Shiv Koda at Tari village in the early hours of Friday and held three members of the family hostage at gunpoint. Thereafter, they took them to the nearby Kukarjhap dam near Barhat and killed them. The Police identified the deceased as Shiv Koda, Bajrangi Koda and Meena Devi. The bodies bore multiple injuries which suggested that the killers had used heavy stones and blunt objects to kill them. Jamui SP, Jayant Kant said, “We found the bodies near Kukurjhap dam near Barhat. A red slip found at the spot claimed responsibility for the killings,” he said adding that the Police had started combing operations in the Maoist-hit area.

Tamil Nadu Police arrested Valarmathi, a second-year journalism student, under the Goondas Act for taking part in the region's oil pipeline protests at Kathiramangalam in Thanjavur District of Tamil NaduPolice termed her a CPI-Maoist sympathiser. The village has been rocked by continuing protests over an ONGC oil pipeline. Protests first broke out on June 30, 2017 after villagers noticed viscous substance leaking out from an ONGC pipeline in the area.

July 15

At least three militants were killed in an encounter with SFs in Tral in Pulwama District. Official sources said SFs and State Police launched a joint search operation in the woods at Dantiwan Satoor forest in Tral in Pulwama District.  When the forest area was being sealed, militants hiding there opened fire, they said, adding that SFs also retaliated ensuing a fierce encounter. It is reported that three militants were killed, they said, adding that the bodies of militants have not yet been recovered.

Another operation against militants has been launched at Aripal in Tral in Pulwama District. However, details are awaited.

An Army trooper was killed as Pakistan resorted to heavy mortar shelling and firing targeting forward defence location and civilian areas along the LoC in Manjakote sector of Rajouri District. A forward patrol party of the Army was reportedly caught in shelling by Pakistani troops at Tarkundi, falling between Manjakote and Balakote sectors of Rajouri and Poonch Districts, in which an Army soldier was seriously injured. Later, the trooper identified as Lance Naik Mohammad Naseer (35), succumbed to his injuries.

Jamia Masjid area in downtown Srinagar also observed a shutdown on July 15, to mourn the death of militant Sajid Ahmad Gilkar who was killed along with two of his associates in an encounter with SFs at Radbugh village in Budgam District on July 12.

The NIA filed a charge-sheet before the special NIA court, Guwahati in connection with a case registered in 2013 against self-styled ‘chairman’ of ULFA-I Abhijit Asom alias Dr Abhijit Barman alias Dr Mukul Hazarika, `c-in-c’ of the outfit Paresh Baruah and one arrested cadre, Joydeep Cheleng alias Gagan Hazarika accusing them of waging war against India. The NIA chargesheet against Hazarika has formally confirms that he leads the banned outfit. Hazarika, who hails from Samaguri in Nagoan District in central Assam, is currently settled in London. Hazarika was identified by one of his bodyguards, Joydeep, who is under arrest. The NIA chargesheet against Hazarika has paved the way for Government of India to seek his extradition from UK.

The BGB has denied the presence of North East-based militant camps in the country. Addressing a press conference in Shillong after the culmination of the talks with the BSF officials, BGB Additional Director General (North East region) Mohammad Zahid Hasan said Bangladesh has zero tolerance towards anti-social elements and the country’s leadership maintains a tough stand against insurgent groups. “These (presence of insurgent camps) are mere perceptions… We will firmly act if there is any,” Zahid said.  BSF had raised the issue of presence of outfits like GNLA, ULFA-I and HNLC in Bangladesh territory and sought stringent action against them. Earlier, IG of BSF (Meghalaya frontier) PK Dubey reiterated that there are no regulated militant camps in Bangladesh which existed 10-15 years back and there is coordinated action between the border sentinels of the two countries.

The ED has initiated the process to attach properties of two top CPI-Maoist leaders following a letter received from Bihar Police in this regard. Sources said the ED has initiated action against Pradyuman Sharma and Sandeep Yadav, who are most wanted in Bihar and Jharkhand. Sandeep carries INR 500,000 reward on his head in Bihar and INR 2.5 million in Jharkhand. The Bihar Government has announced INR 50,000 on Pradyuman while he carries a reward of INR 500,000 in Jharkhand. IG (operation) Kundan Krishnan said four more Maoist leaders are on the list of those whose property details have been collected to be sent to the ED for attachment very soon while work was on against several other leaders. “Most of these properties were in the name of their relatives. This proves that the Maoists are not revolutionaries but like other criminals who lead a lavish life with money extorted from businessmen and villagers,” Krishnan said.

Three lower rung cadres of the CPI-Maoist were arrested from Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The cadres were arrested from a forest near Potenar village when a team of local Police was out on an area domination operation, Bijapur ASP, Mohit Garg said. The arrested cadres were identified as Motilal Mandavi (25), Paklu Beko (45) and Moti Beko (25). The three Maoists were allegedly involved in setting ablaze a bus in 2015 near Bardela village of Bijapur after asking its passengers to alight. They were also allegedly involved in attacks on Police party and other Naxal incidents, Garg said. Mandavi was a member of CNM, the cultural outfit of the Maoists, he said. Paklu Beko was a member of the Janatana Sarkar group of the Maoists, while Moti Beko was a militia member, the ASP said.

An ‘area commander’ of the TPC, Chetan Yadav, was arrested from Gurug village under Latehar Police Station in Latehar District of Jharkhand. Yadav is wanted in more than a dozen cases of Naxal violence. TPC is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

To counter social evils and to aware the public in Naxal-affected Mirzapur District of the State, Uttar Pradesh Police is promoting women gang like Bundelkhand’s Gulabi (Pink) gang. SP in Mirzapur, Ashish Tewari told reporters that they have started a unique experiment in Naxal-affected areas. Police is promoting women’s Gulabi gang like it was active in Bundelkhand. Members of Gulabi gang will lead awareness programme against social evils and blind faiths of society. There are Naxal affected 107 village in Mirzapur and Police is promoting Gulabi gang in these villages. The Gulabi gang will have at least 10 women member initially. Also, the members of Gulabi gang will get training and gears from local Police. He said these members of the gang will also work as informer for Police. Government can provide some funds for these gangs which will help them to be self-reliant.

July 16

The government gave families of 39 Indian abducted in Iraq a new lease of hope by saying that Indians who were abducted by IS (Islamic State) may be alive and lodged in jail in Badush in north-west Mosul. While most of the Mosul is liberated from the IS, Badush jail is still under IS control. The government said this on the basis of the intelligence inputs received from Iraqi intelligence. Minister of External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj said that Iraq minister for foreign affairs is visiting in on July 24 and is expected to arrive with more and good news about the Indians. Briefing the members of the family from the abducted, most of who hail from Punjab this information was collected by the minister of state for external affairs, VK Singh after he went to Erbil in Kurdish controlled northern Iraq- the nearest city to Mosul. Singh also held many meetings with Iraqi officials.

Hundreds of crores of rupees of FICN especially of INR 2,000 denomination printed by notorious gangs of neighbouring countries of Bangladesh and Pakistan are flooding Malda District in West Bengal for illegal circulation in the country and disrupting nation’s economy. DRI and IB officials have alerted the Hyderabad Police to be vigilant in preventing the circulation of such fake currency by providing proper leads about the gang members indulging in the offence. “For the first time after demonetisation, we have received specific information from Central agencies about these gangs who have brought huge quantities of fake currency of Rs 2,000 denomination to the city and being circulated at selected congested business localities. Following the tip off, our teams have kept a close vigil and arrested three persons and recovered fake currency worth Rs 1.90 lakh from them,” DCP, Task Force, B Limba Reddy said.

Anantnag town in south Kashmir observed a shutdown in response to a call given by a religious organisation against the alleged vandalism of the local Jamia Masjid and the arrest of over a dozen youths during clashes. The town had witnessed intense clashes between stone-pelters and SFs on July 14 shortly after Friday prayers. Auqaf Committee headed by Mirwaiz south Kashmir Qazi Yasir Ahmad accused SFs of ransacking the Jamia Masjid during the clashes and arresting 14 persons from there.

At least five Pakistani soldiers were killed after Special Forces of Indian Army targeted their vehicle along the LoC in Furikiyan sector in Kupwara. Sources said that Special Forces of Army (Paras) targeted a Pakistani Army vehicle on Neelam Valley road. The vehicle that was targeted by the Special Forces fell into Kishan Ganga River called as Neelam River by Pakistan which is the LoC in the sector. They said five soldiers drowned in the river and one body has been recovered so far. “Pakistani troops were seen searching for the bodies in the river”, they said. Pakistani troops later targeted forward posts of Army but there was no loss of life. The intermittent firing in the area continued.

Pakistan’s ISPR confirmed the incident and said that Indian Army targeted an army vehicle which fell in the river at Athmuqam in PoK. The ISPR said the body of one of the soldiers had been found while the search for the others was under way. “Pakistani troops effectively responded to the ceasefire violation”, the ISPR added.

A woman pilgrim, identified as Lalita (47) injured in the militant attack on Amarnath Yatra bus on July 10, succumbed to her injuries at SKIMS hospital in Srinagar in the morning, taking the death toll in the July 10 attack to eight. The Commander of 1-Sector RR, Brigadier R Chakraborty, said that the attack on the Amarnath Yatra in which 8 pilgrims were killed and 19 others injured was an aberration. “We believe that this attack was an aberration and we have intensified our drills and hope such type of attacks won’t take place in future”, he said.

Police arrested four persons including a Policeman and bank official for their involvement in providing logistic support and participation in the killing of SPO Khurshid Ahmed in Imamsahab Shopian last month. Police said that during the investigations of the case, it was revealed that the attack was carried out by HM outfit based in Shopian. “One Nazim Nazir Dar on the direction of other HM militants Saddam Padder and Irfan Abdullah Ganie, both residents of Heff carried the attack”, said Police. Police said that in the criminal conspiracy four OGWs provided logistic support to the militant group who were identified as Amir Mohidin - a bank official, Constable Towseef Ahmad of Chakoora, Basharat Yusuf Mir - working as private teacher and Iftikar Rather alias Jamshed. “After sustained questioning they were arrested and are being investigated for their roles”, Police said.

SFs busted a HM militant module, luring youth to militancy, by arresting three persons in Baramulla District. The arrested HM militants were identified as Ansarullah Tantaray, Abdul Rashid Bhat, and Mehrajuddin Kak. SSP Baramulla, Imtiyaz Hussain said that Baramulla Police, assisted by other SFs, busted the module which has been active in the area to lure young boys to militancy. The SSP said the module was being spearheaded by HM ‘commander’ Parvez Wani alias Mub-ashir, a resident of Gagloora, Handwara in North Kashmir’s Kupwara District.

The SSP said the module had plans to send many boys to Pakistan on valid visa to get them trained in militant camps of PoK. “One of the accused Abdul Rashid Bhat had visited Pakistan in the month of May this year and got training for undertaking terrorist activities in Khalid bin Waleed camp of HM located in PoK,” he said. The SSP said Bhat had got the visa from Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi on the recommendation of a separatist organization. “Arms, ammunition and Rs one lakh in Indian currency has been recovered from their possession,” he said. He said that module has not only been luring young boys to militancy, but providing all logistic support to other militants of the outfit as well. Imtiyaz said recently Baramulla Police saved around 10 boys meant to be inducted in militant ranks and handed them over to their parents.

IPFT has continued to impose the ongoing rail and road blockade, which has entered into its eighth day. CM Manik Sarkar on July 16, 2017 appealed to Union Minister of Home Affairs Shri Rajnath Singh to intervene in the matter.

Residents of four villages in Jamui District have taken shelter on the premises of Barhat Police Station, fearing threat to their lives from the CPI-Maoist cadres. The SHO of Barhat Police Station Amit Kumar told reporters that Police is trying to instill confidence among the villagers to go back to their respective houses. The SHO added that CPI-Maoist cadres have lost their domain in the region. That is why they carried out the incident on July 14, 2017 killing three members of family suspecting them to be ‘police informers’. Sources in the Police headquarters said requisition for the deployment of 12 additional companies of the CRPF in Bihar have been made to UMHA. At present, 29 companies of the central force are engaged in anti-Naxal operations in the State.

UMHA has asked CRPF (Bihar Sector) to submit a fact-finding inquiry report for the feasibility and use of the two additional battalions in the State. At present, three battalions of SSB and five regular and two CoBRA battalions of CRPF are deployed in Bihar.

Public broadcaster Prasar Bharati will distribute around 10 lakh DTH set-top boxes free in Naxal-affected areas of the country. The purpose is to reach out to people in the “media dark” region, which is affected by Naxals. Addressing an event in Raipur District of Chhattisgarh, I & B Venkaiah Naidu said that such an initiative would enable people in remote and tribal areas of Naxal-affected States to connect with various development schemes of the Central Government. 

Tribal youths are lured by the cadres of the CPI-Maoist as the State Government has failed to address the problem of poverty, said tribal leader from Bargarh District, Pramod Kumar Jhankar, in Koraput District of Odisha. Speaking at the State-level tribal community leaders’ meeting organised jointly by OAKM and NBHOA on Tribal Museum premises in Koraput, he said the rural youths must be weaned away from the Maoists. The Maoists create hurdles in implementation of different welfare schemes, he said. Chief Secretary of OAKM Niranjan Bisahi said while the State Government claims that about 20,000 posts meant for tribals are lying vacant, steps must be taken to educate and provide proper training to the tribal youths. During the meeting, it was decided to form an AOABSS to take up tribal issues. The forum would launch agitations across the State, informed Bharat Bhusan, convener of NBHOA.

Two militants including one from the NSCN-K and one from NSCN-R were arrested by AR during two separate search operations. In the first incident, a militant of NSCN-K, identified as ‘sergeant’ Tonpha Pansa, was arrested from Wakka village in Tirap District. A pistol and live ammunition of various weapons were also recovered from the militant. In the second incident, a linkman of NSCN-R, identified as Wangwa Hathum, from Jairampur Town in Tirap District. 

Two militants including one from the NSCN-K and one from NSCN-R were arrested by AR during two separate search operations. In the first incident, a militant of NSCN-K, identified as ‘sergeant’ Tonpha Pansa, was arrested from Wakka village in Tirap District. A pistol and live ammunition of various weapons were also recovered from the militant. In the second incident, a linkman of NSCN-R, identified as Wangwa Hathum, from Jairampur Town in Tirap District. 

July 17

Pakistan Army resorted to heavy shelling and firing targeting the Indian positions on the LoC in Bhimber Gali sector of Rajouri District, Defence Ministry spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Manish Mehta said. "The indiscriminate firing using small arms, automatics and mortars that started from 7.30am is still on," Mehta said. The Indian Army was retaliating strongly and effectively, he added.

A suspected LeT operative, identified as Salim Mohammad Khan alias Abu Amaar believed to be involved in an attack on a CRPF camp in Uttar Pradesh in 2008, was arrested by Maharashtra ATS from the international airport in Mumbai, after he was deported from the UAE. Counter-terrorism officials said Khan, who was trained in the PoK, was the “mastermind” of the fidayeen (suicide) attack on a CRPF Group Centre in Rampur that left eight soldiers dead and wounded five. Khan is accused of sourcing AK-47s used in the attack from Kashmir and storing them in his house in Fatehpur.

Three LeT militants were killed in an encounter in Bul Bul Nowgam area in Anantnag District. SSP Anantnag, Altaf Khan said that a joint team of SOG of Jammu and Kashmir Police, 19 RR of Army  and CRPF cordoned off Bul Bul Nowgam area following specific inputs about the presence of militants. “As the security forces intensified the searches, the militants hiding in the area opened fire triggering an encounter in which three militants were killed”, he said. The militants have been identified as Showkat Lohar of Arwani, Bijbehara in Anantnag District. He was an ‘A-category’ militant and was recruited by LeT last year (2016) in August. Another militant has been identified as Mudasir Ahmad Hajam of Danwatpura village in Kokernag in Anantnag District. He was ‘B-category’ militant and joined LeT in January 2017. Both the militants were part of Bashir Lashker group, who was killed early this month. The third militant is said to be a Pakistani and has not been identified as yet. One AK 47 rifle, an SLR and a pistol was recovered from their possession.

Militants, in the morning, attacked an Army convoy at Bijbehara in Anantnag District of Jammu and Kashmir, an army official said, adding that a man was injured when the forces fired back. SFs have cordoned off the area and launched an operation to track down the militants, the official said. "Terrorists opened fire on the last vehicle of the army convoy near Bijbehara. We retaliated and a man was injured in the incident," he said.

SSP Kupwara, Shamsher Hussain said Police rescued and foiled the plans of four minor boys of Gulgam village area of Kupwara District to join militant groups when a Police party deputed for the purpose near LoC intercepted them. After proper counselling at Police Station Kupwara, they were handed over to their parents, he said. The SSP said that last week, Police in Kupwara prevented four more youth from joining militant groups. They were identified as Hilal Ahmad Fafoo (18), Firdous Ahmad Bhat (19), Touseef Ahmad Shah (16) and Ahteram-ul-Haq Shah (16). “After receiving the information about their fleeing from their homes, Police parties were sent to different locations. The parents of the missing boys and their relatives were also involved, who played the positive role for their motivation and providing timely information with regard to their contact numbers and other details,” Shamsher said.

“During the swift operation, two boys from Shatmuqam Lolab were intercepted from Pulwama area who were heading towards Tral and other two boys hailing from Bumhama were intercepted from Vodhpora area who were also planning to move towards Shopian area, the spokesman said. During the course of investigation, all the four boys have confessed that they were going to join the militant ranks as they are being reprimanded by their parents owing to various reasons including poor in studies besides they were also fed up with life style at home due to poverty”, the SSP said. “All the rescued boys have been properly counselled and motivated for their re-union with the families,” he added.

An Army soldier and an infant were killed in heavy mortar shelling by the Pakistan army while three others including two civilians and a jawan were injured along the LoC in twin border Districts of Poonch and Rajouri. Indian troops gave befitting response to Pakistan’s ceasefire violations at all the places. A mortar shell fired by Pakistan army struck an Army bunker in Tarkundi area of Manjakote sector in Rajouri District in which an Army jawan, identified as Naik Mudassar Ahmed attained martyrdom while another soldier, identified as Naik Firdous Ahmed was injured. Another mortar shell fell on roof of the house of Mohammad Kafeel at village Barhuti in Dadiana area of Balakote sector of Poonch District killing nine year old female child, Sajida Kafeel daughter of Mohammad Kafeel. Two more civilians including Shah Begum (54) and Sharief Ahmad, both residents of Naika Panjgrain were injured in mortar shelling in Manjakote sector of Rajouri District.

Report adds that the escalated tensions along the LoC prompted DGMO Lieutenant General AK Bhat warning his Pakistan counterpart Maj Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza that though India was sincere to maintain peace on LoC, it reserves the right to retaliate appropriately. Heavy shelling forced the district administration to close down Government schools, located close to the LoC while cross-LoC bus between Poonch-Rawlakote route was suspended for second consecutive week in view of shelling and tensions on the LoC, keeping 55 citizens of PoK stranded for more than a week, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr Mandeep K Bhandari said. He added that a Contingency Plan has been put in place to help the border dwellers.

Pakistani troops targeted forward posts of army in Kamalkote sector in Uri in Baramulla District by firing mortars. One soldier was injured and he was removed to hospital for treatment.

Four civilians and one AR personnel were injured when a powerful IED exploded at Khurai Ahongei in Imphal East District. The four injured civilians have been identified as Wangkheimayum Ibomcha Singh (50), Rk Amushang Meitei (43), Mohammad Ahmed khan (43) and Mohammad Sahid Khan (35). The injured AR personal was identified as F.L. Willington Kom.

Police arrested one militant of KCP-N, identified as Kshetrimayum Gopal, from Moreh forest gate in Tengnoupal District.

The SC issued notice to GNLA ‘chairman’ Champion Sangma over a bail application moved by his counsel for the pending Pynursla case. SC lawyer and counsel for the State Government Ranjan Mukherjee said informed that more than 22 cases are pending against Champion out of which he is yet to secure bail in four cases.

July 18

The passport of Zakir Naik, wanted in connection with alleged terror funding cases, was revoked at the request of the NIA. The officials of the probe agency said the travel document was revoked by the Regional Passport Office of Mumbai after Naik failed to respond to a showcause notice issued to him for personal appearance by July 13.

FICN totalling INR 11.23 Crore has been detected since demonetisation, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said. Data available from the NCRB indicates that 1.58 lakh notes of fake currency, having a face value of Rs. 11.23 crore, have been detected in 29 states post demonetisation until July 14, Jaitley said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. A mobile app has been launched by RBI, which allows the users to see the features of (New) Series INR 500 and 2,000 notes to check their authenticity. The Minister also said that bank notes with writing on them are treated as soiled notes and can be deposited in bank accounts or exchanged at any bank branch.

Two militants were killed by Army when a group of militants were attempting to infiltrate into Gurez sector along the LoC in Bandipora District. Sources said that a group of six militants tried to sneak in at around 11:30 pm in Gurez sector of the LoC. Army personnel of 13-Sikh regiment noticed their movement and challenged them. Militants fired at them and Army retaliated leading to an encounter in which the two militants were killed. Three AK-47 rifles and ammunition was recovered during the searches of the area.

Army also foiled an infiltration bid along the LoC in Macchil sector in Kupwara District. Sources said that Army troops deployed at the forward posts in the sector noticed the movement of 5-6 infiltrators near the fence and they were challenged but they fled under the cover of darkness leaving behind some ammunition. Search operation has been launched in the area and more troops were rushed to ensure that no militant is hiding in the area.

A 60-year-old civilian who was injured in Army firing at Bijbehara town in Anantnag District on July 17, succumbed. Mohammad Abdullah Ganaie was shot in leg and was referred to SKIMS Soura, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Two Army jawans were killed and six persons, including three civilians, were injured as Pakistani troops pounded several villages and forward areas with mortar bombs along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir officials said. An Army sepoy Jaspreet Singh was killed in the Pakistani shelling in Naushera sector in Rajouri District, a Defence spokesman said. "Pakistani troops initiated unprovoked firing on Indian Army posts in Naushera sector in Rajouri at around 1350 hours today. The Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively," the Defence spokesman said. Another Army jawan was killed in Pakistani firing in the Nowgam sector in Kupwara District of Kashmir Valley, an Army official said. Three civilians were injured in Pakistani shelling along the LoC in Naushera sector, the Defence spokesman said, adding that they have been hospitalised. The reports said that three Army jawans also suffered injuries in exchanges of the firing and shelling along LoC.

The Government informed Parliament that the situation in J&K is "much better" than that of the last year (2016) even as it is keeping a close watch on all developments, which have a bearing on India's security. Citing statistics of violence reported from the State, which has been affected by stone pelting since the killing of HM militant leader Burhan Wani on July 8, 2016, the UMHA said in a written reply in Lok Sabha  that 583 cases (of violence) have been reported this year (2017) till date against 2897 total registered in 2016. UMHA informed that 12,650 miscreants (referring to the stone pelters) and separatists have been arrested or bound down (charged) under substantive and preventive laws since last year. It added that separatists/trouble mongers have been kept under close surveillance to check their activities. The J&K Police, Army, CRPF and NIA have taken strong action the stone pelters and terrorists in last one year. This year, 100 terrorists have already been killed in action with SFs in J&K.

The UMHA added that while 2808 incidents of stone pelting were reported from J&K in 2016 in which 85 civilians were killed, 8932 were injured and two security personnel were killed and 8378 personnel were injured, 664 such incidents have been reported this year till July 9. In 664 incidents this year, 21 civilians have been killed, 107 civilians have been injured (till May 31), one security personnel has been killed while 1073 have been injured.

The UMHA data shows that infiltration attempts from LoC has gone up this year as compared to the last year around the same time. In January this year, there were 7 infiltration attempts at LoC as compared to 2 in January 2016, while 10 attempts have been made in June 2017 as compared to 7 last June. Total 42 infiltration attempts have been made by terrorists from Pakistan this year till June end, said UMHA. The Government added that the Army has adopted a robust counter infiltration strategy along the LoC which is an appropriate mix of technology and human resources put together to check infiltration.

The Central Government would consider dialogue with the CPI-Maoist if they renounce violence, says Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir in Lok Sabha. Minister Ahir said, “The Central Government will consider engaging in dialogue with the Left Wing Extremists only if they renounce violence and express faith in the democratic process and Constitution of India.” Ahir added that, "The rehabilitation package inter-alia includes an immediate grant of INR 250,000 for higher ranked CPI-Maoist cadres and INR 150,000 lakh for middle or lower rank cadre surrenderees to be kept in their name as fixed deposit which may be withdrawn after completion of three years subject to good behaviour."

SFs arrested two militants of NFFB near the Guwahati Railway Station in Kamrup (metro) District. The two cadres were identified as Jona Basumatary (35) and Deepak Choudhury (40).

State Government has urged the Union Government to involve the Indian Army’s Corps of Engineers in completing the remaining fence work on the Assam-Bangladesh border.  In a memo to the UMHA, the State Government has requested that the Corps of Engineers be used not only in finishing the remaining border fencing work, but also involve the agency’s expertise in repair of the fence damaged by erosion, floods, etc.

The NSCN-K said that no settlement can be termed as a “political settlement” without the broad and transparent interactive participation of the Naga people. In apparent reference to the Framework Agreement signed between the NSCN-IM and the GoI, the NSCN-K said that the Nagas must be very cautious to commit to any process that does not consider transparency and accountability of the deliberated issues and contemplated settlement as paramount.

Over the issue of the National Highway and railway blockade by IPFT, State’s Governor Tathagata Roy said that he would take up the issue with the Central Government of India and the State Government to find a solution to the eight-day old standoff. On the other hand, Union Minister of State Kiren Rijiju denied meeting the representatives of agitating activists of IPFT. Reiterating the same stand of BJP Tripura state committee, Union Home Ministry has made it clear that they would not meet anybody unless the blockade is withdrawn without any pre condition and restore normalcy in the state.

July 19

The prosecution filed draft charges against Anees Ansari who, according to Maharashtra ATS, is an Islamic State sympathiser allegedly trying to attack US establishments in the country, including a school in Bandra (Mumbai Suburban District). The prosecution also charged him with the offense of influencing others to join the Islamic State (ISIS) ideology and spread terror. The draft charges read, "Between August 2, 2011 to October 18, 2014, Anees had created a fake account on a social networking site and initiated chatting with people. He had downloaded incriminating data by misusing the computer devices and internet connection of his office dishonestly and fraudulently without taking appropriate permission from the officer in charge of the office premises."

At least 12 to 15 Indians recently fought alongside the Islamic State (IS) against Iraqi SFs, Iraqi envoy to India Fakhri H. Al Issa said on the occasion of the commemoration of the victory of the Iraqi forces against the IS in the city of Mosul. Some of the Indians who fought in Iraq might have returned home. “We know that at least 12 to 15 Indians were among the large number of foreign fighters who fought against our security forces during the ongoing operations in Iraq. Foreign fighters came from different parts of the world, including China, Japan, North and East Africa to fight in Iraq. We do not know what really happened subsequently to the Indians, but our information is that that (sic) is the total number of Indians in IS,” said Al Issa at the Embassy of Iraq in New Delhi. Foreign fighters often were killed and many managed to escape. “We feel that some of the Indian fighters might have escaped and returned home in the way many foreign fighters returned home in Europe,” he said.

Al-Issa said that despite the military victory of the Iraqi forces in Mosul, pockets of resistance still remain to be conquered and indicated that Iraq has no concrete idea about what happened to the 39 Indians who were kidnapped by the IS in Mosul in 2014. We really have no information about what really happened to them. The border between Iraq and Syria was open for long and it is possible that the captives might have been transferred to IS controlled areas in Syria,” he said, explaining that India should also consider conducting forensic tests of the mass graves that have been discovered in different parts of Iraq where the IS had dumped bodies of their victims.

The Maharashtra ATS submitted draft charges against suspected IS (Islamic State)-sympathiser Anees Shakil Ahmed Ansari. The ATS has sought to try Ansari, an engineer arrested for allegedly conspiring to blow up a Mumbai school, on additional charges of cyber terrorism and criminal conspiracy. In its draft charges, the ATS has submitted that Ansari should be booked under Sections 43 (a) (penalty and compensation for damage to computer and computer system), 66F (punishment for cyber terrorism) of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and under Section 115 (abetment of offence punishable with death or life imprisonment) read with section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC.

India has welcomed US action listing Pakistan among the nations and regions providing “safe havens” to terrorists, saying US State Department’s Country Report on Terrorism vindicated India’s long-held view that Pakistan was providing safe havens for terrorists on its soil. “The segments in the South And Central Asia section in the US State Department’s Country reports on Terrorism in 2016 vindicate India’s long standing position on the menace of cross border terrorism in our region,” a person familiar with the development said.

The US State Department’s Country Report said that terror groups like the LeT and the JeM continued to operate, train, organise and raise resources inside Pakistan in 2016. The report uses words like “safe havens” used in previous reports but it does boost India’s diplomatic claims that Pakistan is turning a blind eye to terror groups based on its soil that are targeting India.

India has lodged a strong protest with the US over the state department's "Country Report on Terrorism 2016", released, referring to PoK as "Azad Jammu & Kashmir" even as it states that the area is being used by terrorist groups to target India. The Indian government approached US authorities after the release of the report. An official spokesperson of the external affairs ministry stated, "The government has seen the mention of the term 'Azad Jammu & Kashmir' in the US state department's country report on terrorism for 2016. We have raised the matter with the US authorities and lodged our protest."

Following three days of intense shelling and firing by Pakistan army in twin border Districts of Rajouri and Poonch, Indian troops decimated nine posts and bunkers of Pakistani troops, which were engaged in targeting civilian areas including the educational institutions to cause more casualties. “A major counter attack against Pakistani troops was necessitated across Rajouri and Poonch districts along the LoC to silence the enemy guns, which were targeting civilian population and schools. Huge damage has been caused to Pakistan army,” official sources said. They said: “enough and far more damage than what we suffered has been inflicted upon Pakistan army in all parts of the LoC across Poonch and Rajouri districts, where heavy mortar shelling and firing with automatic weapons continued for third consecutive day today”. According to sources, at least nine posts and bunkers of Pakistan army have been decimated while many more were damaged in retaliatory action undertaken by the Indian troops. Pakistan army has also suffered several casualties, both fatal and non-fatal, they said.

Report said that fresh migration took place from forward areas of Nowshera sector in Rajouri District. Three hundred people along with their 150 cattle were safely shifted from forward village of Gania, located within the firing range to a Government Middle School in the same village, which was in the safer location. Similarly, around 600 more people have reached the relief camps set up for the border dwellers by the civil administration of Rajouri in Nowshera sector.

Sources said there were 3361 people from 839 families in the relief camps at Nowshera prior to fresh round of shelling and their number has now swelled to around 4000. The educational institutions in Manjakote and Nowshera sectors of Rajouri District and parts of Balakote and Mendhar sectors in Poonch District, falling in the shelling and firing range, remained closed on July 19 on the orders of administration to avoid casualties as Pakistan army was targeting civilian areas including the schools.

The most wanted militant in Jammu and Kashmir and ‘divisional commander’ LeT, Abu Dujana, slipped out of SFs ambush in Pulwama District of South Kashmir after a brief gun battle and a massive operation has been launched against him. Sources said that LeT ‘divisional commander’, Abu Dujana, who is the most wanted militant in Kashmir valley slipped out of Police dragnet this evening in Pulwama District of South Kashmir by firing at a vehicle in which Police was chasing him. Sources said that Abu Dujana was on his way from Tral to Pulwama and Police in civvies was following him in a civil car.

They said that at Banderpora village, Abu Dujana got suspicious of a Bolero car that was chasing him. He fired at the tyre of the car before abandoning the Sumo in which he was travelling and also fired at the tyre of an Army vehicle that had laid ambush against him in the village. Police and Army also fired at him several rounds but he managed to slip out of their dragnet. More troops were rushed to the area and a massive hunt has been launched against him in the nearby villages by joint team of Police and Army. Police seized the two vehicles and arrested the driver of the Sumo and he is being questioned.

Army continued searches for the infiltrators in Gurez sector along the LoC in Bandipora District. As SATP reported earlier, the Army foiled a major infiltration bid in Gurez sector by killing two militants on July 18. However, the searches for the rest members of the group is going on.

SFs said that there are over 250 militants operating in Jammu and Kashmir with majority of them Pakistanis against whom operations to eliminate them are going on across the Valley. GOC Counter-Insurgency Victor Force Major General BS Raju said in Anantnag that there are 110 militants active in South Kashmir out of which nearly 100 are locals. “There are around 110 militants operating in South Kashmir out of which around 100 are locals and around 10-15 are foreignness. We are conducting operations against them which will continue”, he said. The GOC, however, appealed the local militants to shun the path of violence and assured them that Army will help in their rehabilitation. “I appeal to the militants, who have taken to arms to shun the path of violence and return to mainstream. We assure you that we will work for your safety”, he said.

DIG of CRPF, R K Yadav said that are 156 foreigners militants active in North Kashmir. He, however, didn’t specify the locals who are working with them and their OGWs. He said that we are ready to face any challenge posed by these militants in the area.

Ranchi Police foiled a major PLFI offensive by arresting four cadres and recovering arms at Jara Toli under Ormanjhi Police Station area in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist. 

SFs recovered about 600 rounds of ammunition and few grenades during an anti-Naxal operation in Palamu District of Jharkhand. The operation was jointly carried out by a squad of the 134th battalion of the CRPF and Palamu Police in Salaia forest area of the District where troops busted a suspected Maoist hideout. SFs recovered 599 bullet rounds of various calibres, five hand grenades and 127 grenade base plugs from the site.

Security Forces arrested four cadres of a fledgling militant outfit,  Sangjuta Sadhin Asamiya Sainya  (United Independent Assam Army), were in Baksa District. The four, identified as Hitesh Kalita, (35), Mintu Singha, (37), Hitesh Bezbaruah (40) and Munindra Patowary (33), were arrested from Chenigaon village, about 85km from here.

SFs detained one KCP-Noyon militant, identified as ‘lance corporal’ Hidam Aboy alias Atappa (24), Sawombung forest gate area.

SFs during cordon and search operation arrested two active cadres of UNLF identified as Konthoujam Jayenta alias Ngaiba (23) and Sagolsem Momo alias Luwangjao alias Suresh (21) from Lamlai bazaar area under Lamlai Police Station.

The tripartite talks on District creation issue involving the UNC, the State Government and the Union Government will be held on July 22 at Senapati district headquarters. On December 8, 2016, the previous Government had created seven new Districts out of the then existing nine Districts which also includes the Naga dominated Districts.UNC, apex body of Naga tribes in the State, is opposed to the division of ‘Naga areas’ and wants it to be reversed. 

The State Government has decided to suggest the Indian Railway authorities to put the railway project on hold to dispel all kinds of mistrust and misgiving before resumption of work. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the 13-Non- NGOs, the CM Mukul Sangma said, “We will be indicating to the railways to hold on the work and resume as soon as comprehensive measures are put in place which will be very soon.”

Taking a serious note over the ongoing blockade of National Highway and Rail track, the State Government has ask the IPFT leadership to clear road by 9 AM on July 20.

July 20

At least 36 persons including 14 Police personnel were injured after massive clashes raged at Zainapora area of Shopian District against death of a minor girl who was hit by an Army vehicle. Police seized the vehicle and arrested the driver. A Police officer said that in an incident of alleged reckless driving, an Army vehicle crushed to death a minor girl namely Aruba Jan in Aglar area of Zainapora in Shopian. The incident triggered massive demonstrations in the area and the angry youth vandalized offices of Sub Divisional Magistrate and Tehsildar Zainapora. Some youths pelted stones on SFs who retaliated by firing teargas and pellets. At least 22 protesters sustained injuries in the clashes, 11 of them were hit by pellets while 14 Policemen were also hurt. Police said it exercised maximum restraint while dealing with angry protesters.

Two boys were injured as a bomb exploded at Bamnoo village in Pulwama District. An official said that an unexploded shell went off near the July 3 encounter site at Bamnoo village and resulted in injuries to two boys, identified as Muzzamil Ahmad Khan alias Wakeel (16) and Umar Ahmad Khan (24). While Muzzamil sustained splinter injuries in his hand, Umar sustained abdomen and chest wounds.

India accused Pakistan of "deliberately targeting" villages and school children in ceasefire violations across the LoC, which remains volatile with the two armies exchanging heavy fire on a daily basis in J&K. Indian DGMO Lieutenant General A.K Bhatt told his Pakistani counterpart Major General Sahir Shamshad Mirza over the hotline to exercise "strict control" over his troops and instruct them to refrain from any "nefarious activities". During the telephonic conversation at about 3.30pm on July 20, Bhatt said Pakistan army troops had deliberately targeted villages and also fired at school children in the Nowshera sector of Rajouri District when they were being evacuated from the area on July 18.

Pakistan summoned Indian deputy high commissioner JP Singh after two civilians were killed in alleged ceasefire violations across the LoC by Indian troops. Director General (SA and SAARC) Mohammad Faisal who summoned the Deputy High Commissioner "condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations". Foreign Office (FO) said in a statement that firing by Indian troops in Nikial and Nezapir sectors yesterday (July 19) killed two civilians and inured five others. "The deliberate targeting of civilians is indeed deplorable and contrary to human dignity and international human rights and humanitarian laws," Faisal said. He urged the Indian side to respect the 2003 ceasefire arrangement; investigate this and other incidents of ceasefire violations; instruct the Indian forces to respect the ceasefire, in letter and spirit and maintain peace on the LoC.

The CPI-Maoist cadres have succeeded in distributing pamphlets on ‘martyrs’ memorial week’ celebrations to be conducted from July 28 to August 3. Hundreds of pamphlets have been found in the Tadwai and Pasra forest area in Kamareddy District of Telangana. The leaflets were found scattered on NH 153 at Tadwai mandal headquarters in the name of TSC of CPI-Maoist. The party called upon the public in the villages to observe the ‘martyrs’ memorial week’ and pay homage to the martyrs. The Maoists accused the State and Central Governments of resorting to anti-people policies while protecting the interests of corporate and multi-national forces as part of globalisation policy. Both the Governments were spending huge amounts on strengthening Police wing aimed making it powerful to fight against the forces that were questioning their misdeeds.

The AASU told the H S Brahma Committee that Dispur should prepare a new land law, ensuring that land rights in the state are given only to "the people who have been living in Assam before 1951". The State Government had formed the Committee on Protection of Land Rights of Indigenous People, with former Chief Election Commissioner Hari Sankar Brahma as its chairman, on February 6, 2017 to suggest measures, including modification in the Assam Land & Revenue (Regulation), 1886, other land laws, government policy and land policy for ensuring protection of land rights of indigenous people in the State.

ULFA-I ‘commander-in-chief’ Paresh Baruah aka Paresh Asom issued ultimatum to the Central Public Sector Undertaking , NEEPCO to either rehabilitate the flood affected population of Lakhimpur District or face dire consequences. Baruah last week had asked the PSU to rehabilitate the affected people after which NEEPCO said that the unprecedented flood in Lakhimpur district is not due to release of water from Ranganadi but due to incessant rain in Arunachal Pradesh. In the current wave of flood, 11 persons have lost their lives in Lakhimpur District.

State Government has told the UMHA that it will not recommend withdrawal of the AFSPA of 1958 from a few areas, at least till August 31, because of the possibility of subversive activities by the ULFA-I.

Easy availability of FICN in Assam and Mizoram has set alarm bells ringing among the security agencies in New Delhi. According to the UMHA statistics, fake notes with a face value totaling INR 650,800 were seized and detected in Assam in the last six months alone. “It’s really shocking that within such a short time – from January till June this year – fake notes worth INR 650,800 were seized in Assam,” said a senior MHA official. Similarly, INR 5,501,500 fake currencies were seized in Mizoram. The highest amount of fake currency has been seized in Delhi during the same period.

Easy availability of FICN in Assam and Mizoram has set alarm bells ringing among the security agencies in New Delhi. According to the UMHA statistics, fake notes with a face value totalling INR 650,800 were seized and detected in Assam in the last six months alone. “It’s really shocking that within such a short time – from January till June this year – fake notes worth INR 650,800 were seized in Assam,” said a senior MHA official. Similarly, INR 5,501,500 fake currencies were seized in Mizoram. The highest amount of fake currency has been seized in Delhi during the same period.

Easy availability of FICN in Assam and Mizoram has set alarm bells ringing among the security agencies in New Delhi. According to the UMHA statistics, fake notes with a face value totalling INR 650,800 were seized and detected in Assam in the last six months alone. “It’s really shocking that within such a short time – from January till June this year – fake notes worth INR 650,800 were seized in Assam,” said a senior MHA official. Similarly, INR 5,501,500 fake currencies were seized in Mizoram. The highest amount of fake currency has been seized in Delhi during the same period.

The ten-day blockade of National Highway and railway, the first time in the history of Tripura, has been withdrawn on July 20 morning (at 9 am) following an ultimatum served by the administration,. The blockade was called by IPFT demanding the creation of a separate tribal State of Twipraland.

July 21

SOG of Ahmadabad Police registered an offence against unidentified persons for depositing, during the past three months, a total of 4,426 FICN in 10 different private and nationalized banks. SOG officials said the fake notes deposited include post-demonetization currency in the denominations of INR 500 and 2000 and pre-demonetization notes in the denominations of INR 500, 1000, 100, 50, 20 and 10. "Every three months, on the complaint of banks, we register such offences in which fake notes were deposited in banks," said ACP (SOG), BC Solanki. However, what is significant is that though the time limit for depositing demonetizing currency in banks expired in March 2017, it is allowed only for those who were abroad during that period. However, the old notes could be deposited only in branches of RBI. It is noteworthy that though such cases are being registered every three months with the SOG, not a single case has been cracked.

Army jawan, identified as Rifleman Jayadrath Singh was killed in unprovoked firing on forward Indian posts by the Pakistani troops along the LoC in Sunderbani sector in Rajouri District. Official sources said Pakistan army initiated unprovoked firing on forward Army posts in Sunderbani sector, which was hitherto calm despite heavy shelling in neighbouring Nowshera sector. The Indian troops retaliated strongly and effectively.

Pakistani troops violated ceasefire along the LoC in Naugam sector of Kupwara District for the third consecutive day, but there were no casualties in the unprovoked firing from across the LoC. An army official said the Indian Army is retaliating to the Pakistani aggression in equal measure.

An eerie calm prevailed along LoC in shelling-hit sectors of Nowshera, Manjakote, Balakote, Mendhar, Sabjian and Shahpur besides other villages falling close to LoC in Rajouri and Poonch Districts with frightened people staying indoors and educational institutions remaining shut following Pakistan army’s direct shelling of civilian population and the Government schools.

A protester was killed after Army opened fire during the clashes in Beerwah area of Budgam District while police foiled separatist march to UNMOGIP in Srinagar by imposing curfew like restrictions. Soon after the Friday prayers, protests broke out in Beerwah area of Budgam District during which protesters pelted stones at the Police and SFs. Army opened fire when they were heading towards their camp in the area, which resulted in severe injuries to two youth. One among the youth, identified as Tanveer Ahmed Wani who had received bullet injuries in his head, succumbed to his injuries.

India has lodged a strong protest with the US over the state department's "Country Report on Terrorism 2016", released on July 19, referring to PoK as "Azad Jammu & Kashmir" even as it states that the area is being used by terrorist groups to target India. The Indian Government approached US authorities after the release of the report. An official spokesperson of the MEA said, "The government has seen the mention of the term 'Azad Jammu & Kashmir' in the US state department's country report on terrorism for 2016. We have raised the matter with the US authorities and lodged our protest."

This is the first time the US has referred to PoK as "Azad Jammu & Kashmir" despite the fact that the region is closely controlled by the Pakistan military in the face of Indian protests. Till recently, the US has used the nomenclature "Pakistan-administered Kashmir". The report, however, praises India's efforts to combat terrorism.

On the other hand, India has reason to feel satisfied that the report refers to the Indian state as "Jammu & Kashmir" instead of its previous reference to it as "Indian-administered Kashmir". The report, in the section on US government-designated foreign terrorist organisations, talks of HuM and says "the outfit conducts its operations primarily in the state of Jammu & Kashmir and Afghanistan". It adds: "HuM operates from Muzaffarabad in Azad Jammu & Kashmir, as well as several cities in Pakistan". Similarly, while talking about Hafiz Saeed-led LeT, responsible for several attacks in India including 26/11 Mumbai attacks, the state department report says "the precise size of LeT is unknown, but it has several thousand members in Azad Jammu &Kashmir and Pakistani Punjab; Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab Provinces in Pakistan; and in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, India". Muzaffarabad is the headquarters of LeT and other anti-India terror groups and PoK is used to launch terrorists into India and plan attacks on Indian military and civilian targets on the direction of the Pakistani army.

Four cadres of the CPI-Maoist were arrested with a large quantity of ammunition in an anti-Naxal operation in Giridih District of Jharkhand. The arrested Maoists were identified as Govind Manjhi, Tala, Kalicharan Turi and Girdhari Mahato.

The Police and DVF discovered huge cache of arms and ammunition of the CPI-Maoist from a forest in Turekela in Balangir District of Odisha. SP, K Siva Subramani said on a tip off an operation was launched in Maoist dominated area. "The ammunition and other Maoist materials were found at an old camp deserted by the Maoists. The ammunition was recovered," he said. The recovered items include two boxes stashed with explosives, an empty explosive container, 62 gelatine sticks used in explosives, five kilograms of urea, electric wire, two Maoist books, 18 syringes, 10 banners, two shawls, battery slips, salt and pants and trousers. Notably, Turekela, Patnagarh and Khaprakhol block in the District are known for Maoist menace.

NSCN-R has reportedly launched an extortion drive in the tribal villages of Cachar and Dima Hasao Districts. The letters have been delivered to the village headmen of a number of villages in Joypur, Fulertal, Hmarkhawlien of Cachar and Jinam valley areas of Dima Hasao. The outfit has demanded a sum of INR 7 lakh from each of the village headman. In the letter they have asked us to collect the money from villagers and hand them over within two months', said a headman. We are helpless, because the villagers are too poor to give the money. We are passing sleepless nights', he said. Sources said the armed men have been handing over the extortion notes since June.

CM N Biren Singh on July 21 stated on the floor of the State Assembly that there are no 'authorised noted' camp of NSCN-IM in Manipur even though there may be some temporary camps. CM N Biren Singh made this statement in response to a query raised by MLA Kh Joykisan during question hour today. Joykisan asked whether the cease fire pact signed between the Government of India and NSCN-IM has been extended to Manipur, and if yes, how many noted camps of NSCN-IM are there in Manipur .CM  N Biren Singh who is also in charge of Home Department stated that the ceasefire agreement.

Tripartite talks involving the UNC, the Union and the State Government was scheduled to be held on July 22 in Senapati district headquarters at the ‘political level’ have been delayed.  Talks are now likely to be held early next month.

July 22

An Army jawan, identified as Sepoy RV Yadav was injured when Pakistan army initiated unprovoked firing on the LoC in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District. “A jawan sustained injury in cross border firing early this morning in Nowshera sector,” sources said. It said that the soldier reportedly hit by a sniper shot and admitted to Army Hospital.

SFs arrested two Maoists from Peddapally village in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. Security officials said arrested Naxals are wanted for attacking Police forces and planting explosive across the District and they belong to a local group affiliated with RPCs.

Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh said there has been a considerable decline in Naxal activity in the State and believes demonetisation has been a key factor for this. "The Naxals are limited to a small area now. Demonetisation has broken the backbone of the Maoists. We are also trying to control them further," Singh said in an interview. Singh said the people of Bastar region want peace and with integrated development, the area will soon become peaceful. "Change has been witnessed in the situation of the region. We have spent Rs 3,000 crore for the construction of roads which will connect the outskirts to the city," he said.

SFs, in a successful joint operation, DHD-N former ‘commander of Umrangso region’ Mondesh Langthasa, from village Dibarai in Dima Hasao District. On being interrogated, Mondesh Langthasa admitted that he was involved in extortion in Hathikali and Umrangso. He also revealed the name of another person, Resley Langthasa alias Lambu, was also involved along with him and Resley is in possession of one AK-47 rifle and ammunition provided by Mondesh Langthasa. The two cases linked to the accused are- five armed miscreants snatched INR 150, 000 in Hathikali from Anil Das, manager of a saw mill on April 28, 2017. On May 10, 2017, five miscreants armed with one AK-47 looted INR 645,000 in 8 Kilo village of Umrangso from the staff of Ram Kamal Warisa (owner) - Abdul Kalam and Sonu Pradhan.

Union MoS (Independent Charge) for DoNER Dr Jitendra Singh said that after a long spell of disturbance and disruptions, Manipur is finally back to peace and normalcy and to a great extent, the credit goes to the out-reach approach of the new government led by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh which took over in March this year

The State Legislative Assembly reaffirmed the resolution which states that prior consent of State legislatures of affected State(s) should be obtained mandatorily while forming new State and alteration of areas, boundaries or names of existing States. The resolution was earlier adopted by the House on August 31, 2015.

The proposed fifth round of peace talks between the Mizoram Government and HPC-D, which was tentatively scheduled to be held at the end of July is now likely to be deferred. Mizoram State Home Department officials said that the next round of peace parleys might need to be deferred as the Mizoram government is yet to complete its “homework” for the proposed talks. The next round of peace talks is likely to be held in August and is believed to be the last official level talks after which the ongoing parleys would be elevated to “political level”, the officials further said.

July 23

The data, analysed by US state department for the study of terrorism and responses to terrorism, reveals India is third after Iraq and Afghanistan in terms of terror attacks. Out of 11,072 terror attacks in 2016 worldwide, India bore the brunt of 927, 16 per cent more than 2015 (798). The number of deaths in India also rose 17 per cent from 289 in 2015 to 337 last year while the number of injured increased from 500 in 2015 to 636 last year.

US analysis has labeled Naxals the third most deadly terror organisation in the world after IS and Taliban, even ahead of Boko Haram. The CPI (Maoist) was behind 336 terror attacks last year in which 174 people were killed and 141 were injured. More than half of the terror attacks in India in 2016 took place in four states - J&K, Chhattisgarh, Manipur and Jharkhand. The geographical areas show that left-wing extremism led by Maoists also contributed to terror incidents in parts of east India. Jammu & Kashmir saw a surge of 93 per cent in terror attacks last year, the data says. The Indian home ministry's annual report 2016-17, however, reports a 54.81 per cent increase in terror incidents in the state.

The US report said that "nearly two third of terror attacks in India were carried by Naxals" US says that compared to other countries that experienced most terror attacks in 2016, the diversity of perpetrator groups was much greater in India, with 52 active groups. There were 45 terror groups listed by US in its 2015 report. The US has identified 334 groups and organisations behind terror attacks in 2016 worldwide, while there were 288 such groups active in 2015.

Army foiled an infiltration bid along the LoC killing one militant while operation is going on in Machil sector in Kupwara District. Sources said that troops in Macchil near the LoC noticed suspicious movement of some infiltrators and immediately challenged them. The militants opened fire on the troops leading to an encounter in which one militant was killed. More troops were rushed to the area and a major search operation is going on in the forest area near the LoC as Army believes that 3-4 militants are still in the area.

Police arrested six OGWs of LeT in Tengpora area of Srinagar. Acting on specific information, Srinagar Police had laid a naka at Tengpora bypass and as a vehicle in which they were travelling approached the naka, it stopped and the persons boarding the vehicle fled leaving behind the vehicle. Police chased and arrested them along with an AK-47 and other war like stores. They also seized two vehicles in which they were travelling. The arrested OGWs have been identified as Mastan Sirul Saba, Ishfaq Ahmad Dar, Arif Ahmad Dar, Masrat Ahmad Dar and Nisar Ahmad Lone.

SFs conducted searches in Tankipora area of Srinagar near Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Srinagar. However, no one was arrested. SFs also conducted searches in Shalteng area of Srinagar after inputs about presence of militants in the area. However, during searches, residents pelted stones at the SFs leading to clashes. The search operation was later called off.

Jharkhand Police arrested a PLFI cadre, Somnath Nag (28), from Goelkera in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. West Singhbhum SP, Anish Gupta said a pistol, 10 cartridges, a bike and INR 7,500 cash were recovered from him. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

Coming down heavily on Naxals across the country, the UMHA has issued directives to all the Paramilitary Forces and Security establishments to be more "vigilant" and go "combative" while dealing with Naxals. The Centre Government has also asked the SFs not to shun the multi-prone approach like initiating development works in the Naxal-affected areas and facilitating surrender of the Naxals. As per the UMHA, till June 30 this year, 424 CPI-Maoist cadres surrendered before various laws enforcement agencies across the country. This year, in Chhattisgarh, 298 Naxals surrendered, followed by Jharkhand with 38 surrenders and Andhra Pradesh 35. In West Bengal, 11 surrendered, in Telangana and Bihar 2 each, in Odisha 27 and Maharashtra 7. According to the ministry report, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand together accounted for 68.5 per cent of the violent incidents and 69 per cent of deaths. Bihar followed by Odisha and Maharashtra accounted for 12.3 per cent, 8.2 per cent 6.9 per cent incidents.

Mangru Portet (48), an ‘area committee member’ of Aheri Dalam of the CPI-Maoist, was killed during an encounter with C-60 commandos in the forest of Kopewancha near Rajaram Khanla village under Aheri taluka in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. A press release issued by the Gadchiroli Police stated, during a heavy exchange of fire, the Police team gunned down one Naxalite, identified as Mangru alias Ram Chinna Portet, while others managed to flee the spot. A 12 bore gun and some Naxal literature were also recovered from the spot, said the release. Portet, engaged in the movement for more than two decades, having more than 40 offences against him, had a reward of INR 600,000 on his head. Portet was shifted to Aheri a couple of years ago by the senior brass of rebels so that he can strengthen the base of the party in his home taluka. Gadchiroli DIG, Ankush Shinde said the Naxalites had gathered at the forest between Rajaram Khanla and Damrancha to hold a meeting. "It was their temporary camping site which was raided by the C-60 commandos following concrete information. We feel that more Naxalites could be injured during the exchange of fire," DIG Shinde added.

The DIG of Police (Dantewada range) of Chhattisgarh, Sundarraj P told reporters that IEDs planted randomly in forests pose a big challenge in the counter-insurgency operations. According to Police data, nearly 22 security personnel sustained injuries in 31 IED blasts triggered by Naxals in the first six months this year in Bastar range. SFs recovered at least 170 IEDs of various natures (like pressure IEDs, pipe bombs) in the same period from the region, which comprises seven Districts - Bastar, Kanker, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Dantewada, Sukma and Bijapur.

A few hand written CPI-Maoist posters were found put up on trees at Sindgilipadar, Bimalapadar, Barabandha, Belgaon villages under M. Rampur Police Station in Kalahandi District of Odisha. The posters in the name of Kalahandi-Kandhamal-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) division of CPI-Maoist urged the people to come forward against Police forces. “Protest Police action against innocent tribals and initiate a mass movement against the Police encounter at Bilabaru and Gumudumaha,” the posters read. The Maoists also asked the Police to withdraw their forces and camp set up forcefully on the tribal land at Uraladhani in the District.

Police personnel arranged the wedding of two surrendered Maoists with traditional festivities in Malkangiri District of Odisha. The couples, Deba Madhi alias Raghu and Soni Madkami alias Radha, were key members of the Kalimela Dalam of the CPI-Maoist active in Malkangiri District.

The Kolkata STF detained two CPI-Maoist cadres near West Bengal CM, Mamata Banerjee's residence. According to STF sources, the two claim that they are part of the Purulia Maoist group and had come to surrender themselves before the Chief Minister.

Karbi militant outfit UPLA lauded KAAC CEM Tuliram Ronghang for his speech delivered during the 58th foundation day of KSA on July 21 where he raised the issue of a separate State of Karbi Anglong.

A teenage girl, identified as Nengneingah Khongsai (16), was shot dead by her alleged boyfriend and KNA cadre, Sasat Haokip (21), at Gilgan village near Moreh Gate Number 1, Tengnoupal District. Later, the accused was arrested by the Police and a .9 mm pistol and three live rounds were also recovered from him. KNA is the armed wing of KNO one of the principle Kuki conglomerate signatories of SoO agreement.

July 24

The NIA which filed its chargesheet in the terror on tracks case has said that the ISI roped in a Nepalese national to carry out a blast in Bihar. In all NIA chargesheeted nine persons including two Nepalese nationals in the case. On October 2016, an attempt was made to blow up a railway track at Bihar's Ghorasahan. Shamshul Hoda from Nepal was dialed by the ISI. Hoda who has been providing manpower for the ISI roped in men from Bihar to execute the blast. Hoda according to the NIA chargesheet was acting on the instructions of an ISI agent, Mohammad Shafi Sheikh.

In the recent times, Kerala has fast emerged as a hot bed of terror-related activities with many having close links with the Islamic State (IS). What is certainly an alarming situation for the Indian security agencies, many residents of Kerala are believed to have forged strong links with the IS. Though the agency didn't confirm the number of IS recruits, it, however, quoted the sources saying that suspects have gone to Syria to join the dreaded terror outfit.

The NIA arrested seven separatist leaders including son-in-law of APHC chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani from New Delhi and Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir and charged them with acting in connivance with top militant outfits like LeT, HM and DeM. IG of NIA, Alok Mittal, described arrests of seven separatist leaders as “one important step’’ and declared that investigations in the case would continue and all those found connected/involved in the case would be examined, raided and appropriate action taken against them at an appropriate time. “We have arrested the separatist leaders based on the evidence gathered during raids at various places few days back and follow up investigations,” Mittal said, adding that six arrests were made from Srinagar and one from New Delhi.

All those arrested in Srinagar are being shifted to New Delhi for questioning after Police remand from the court, he added. Those arrested include Altaf Ahmad Shah alias Altaf Fantoosh, Ayaz Akbar Khandey, Raja Mehrajuddin Kalwal, Peer Saifullah, Aftab Hilali Shah alias Shahid-ul-Islam, Nayeem Khan and Farooq Ahmad Dar alias Bitta Karate. Bitta Karate was arrested in New Delhi and the other separatist leaders were arrested from Srinagar and have been taken to New Delhi. They will be produced before the Special Judge, NIA, Patiala House, New Delhi on July 25.

Police unearthed a CPI-Maoist dump consisting spare parts of rocket launcher from the forests close to Ganepalle village near Ardhaveedu in Prakasam District of Andhra Pradesh. SP, B. Satya Yesu Babu told that a special Police team was combing the Nallamala forests when they chanced upon milk cans which contained rocket launcher spare parts, hidden probably during 2002 when the Maoists were active in the forests.

The Chintooru Police arrested a supply team ‘commander’ of the CPI-Maoist, Madivi Maasa alias Mahesh (21) in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. Maasa was working as a ‘supply team commander’ of CPI-Maoist’s SZCM and DKSZCM battalion. Police claimed that Maasa was involved in an attack on CRPF personnel in Burkapal area of Chhattisgarh in which over 24 personnel were killed in April this year. The Chhattisgarh Government had announced a reward of INR 500,000 on his head. Vital documents and Maoist literature too were recovered from his possession, Police said. Maasa confessed that he had joined Maoists in January 2016, and was presently residing at Enkannagudem hamlet of Cherla Mandal in Bhadradri Kothagudem District of Telangana. East Godavari SP, Vishal Gunni said Maasa was trained in handling all sorts of weapons and was a key figure in Maoist movement in Hiddumal Special Zone. He was the ‘battalion commander’ of the Maoist Special Zone Committee, SP, Gunni said.

A joint team of STF, CAF and District Force arrested three cadres of the CPI-Maoist in two separate incidents from Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. Acting on specific inputs, the joint team had launched a search operation towards Tamodi and Madpal villages under Mirtoor Police Station limits, Police said. In first incident, when the patrolling team reached near Tamodi village, a few Maoists triggered an IED blast and attempted to flee from the spot. Of them, Pandru Kadti (36) and Somru Potam (20) were arrested after a chase and wire and a battery (used in detonating explosives) recovered from their possession. In the second incident, a lower rung cadre Nuppo Budhra (40) was arrested by a joint team of CRPF, CAF and District Force from jungles of Galgam village under Usoor Police Station in the District. Budhra was allegedly involved several Naxal incidents — murder, attempt to murder, etc. — Police added.    

A composite squad of DRG and STF recovered a huge cache of explosives, including 13 grenade-headed arrows, from a CPI-Maoist hideout in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. While cordoning off the hill near Khunduspara, two muzzle loading guns, eight country-made grenades, grenade-headed arrows, 1,200 detonators, four kilograms of explosives, three bundle cordex wire, one bundle electric wire, radio and camera flash were recovered from the hideout, ASP, Jitendra Shukla said. Besides, Maoist uniform, literature, bags and other materials were also seized, the ASP added.

Lohardaga Police rescued three minors from the CPI-Maoist cadres at Peshrar area in Lohardaga District of Jharkhand. The children were working for CPI-Maoist Central Committee member Arvind alias Dev Kumar.

The Kalahandi-Kandhamal-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) division of the CPI-Maoist had put posters on a tree in Kalahandi District of Odisha. The poster urged people for a mass movement against Police encounter at Bilabaru and Gumudumaha.

SFs, in an operation arrested a cadre, identified Taya Labung (36), of NDFB-S in Balidonga village of Biswanath District. One live hand grenade was also recovered from his possession.

The Committee for Protection of Land Rights of Indigenous People of Assam has expressed the view that illegal migration is the greatest threat to the security and identity of the indigenous people of the State.

CM N Biren Singh categorically stated on the floor of the State Legislative Assembly that the State Government would withdraw from the SoO if the armed groups which are parties to the pact violate ground rules and commit excesses. The State Government has also intimated the Central Government to initiate befitting action if SoO groups continue to violate SoO ground rules and commit such excesses, Biren stated. The State Government has also informed the Centre that it would withdraw from SoO pact if the parties concerned do not abide by the ground rules. In response, the Central Government asked the State Government whether the SoO pact should be abrogated or not, the CM informed the House.

The Union Government has asked the State Government to deploy IRB along the NH to check unlawful activities along NHs passing through the State. This was in response to the State Government's proposal to set up a highway protection force for the said purpose.

SF-10 Commandos recovered an AK-47 rifle and 26 bullets belonging to the GNLA after a pitched gun battle with the militants at Rongjeng area in East Garo Hills. There were no casualties. SF-10 personals were undertaking a search operation in the area, following intelligence inputs about presence of the rebels, when they spotted around eight armed rebels near a stream outside the village of Chambildam, which falls under the jurisdiction of Rongjeng police station, around 8 am. The rebels opened fire leading to a brief exchange before they escaped.

SFs an arrested one “arms peddler”, identified as Thungen Khiamnungan (24), with one Pt 22 mm pistol with magazine at Taxi Stand (BOC) in Kohima city of Kohima District.

July 25

The NIA arrested two suspects from Chakeri area in Kanpur District allegedly for planning terrorist activities. The arrested suspects, 26-year-old Asif Iqbal and 27-years old Mohammad Atif, believed to be members of the Islamic State (IS)-related module active in Kanpur, stayed at Jajmau locality under the jurisdiction of Chakeri Police Station in Kanpur and were known to each other. According to reports, Asif Iqbal is the cousin of Saifullah, the alleged IS-inspired terror operative who was gunned down in Kakori area of Lucknow in UP on March 7, 2017, soon after the blast in Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train on the same day.

A video of the narco-analysis interrogation of former SIMI chief Safdar Nagori shows the former SIMI chief admitting on tape that the Samjhauta Express blast were carried out by those trained in Pakistan. He names SIMI operative Adbul Razzak as the person responsible for the explosions that killed 68 people on February 18, 2007. The video shows the interrogator asking him, "Who ordered the Samjhauta blasts?" Nagori answers, "Abdul Razzak did this. He is from Indore. He told me, 'You cannot do anything, you are a politician now.' He would say, 'You have retired from SIMI. They give you money and you keep eating and drinking.' He once told me, 'You have become a politician, you cannot do jihad, you need a quality life. I will do something or the other now.'"

When asked about Razzak's contacts in Pakistan, Nagori says, "He has relatives in Pakistan." Nagori adds, "Abdul Razzaq used to say he could do this on his own. He was in SIMI, he was with Misbah ul Islam Calcuttawala. Abdul Razzaq, he said he could do it on his own. He was SIMI incharge of Indore." In the video, Nagori admits he wanted to procure an imported Mauser gun. For this, Nagori says, he contacted Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) operative Nasir and told him he needed it "to punish those culprits for a project". He adds, "When Nasir told us Mauser and AK47 can be procured, we decided that when we need to target someone and take no risk, we can use the 47. But we wanted to target individuals, and not the masses."

SFs averted a major catastrophe when they recovered five kilograms IED from village Loran in Poonch District. Sources said the IED along with wire and other accessories was being fabricated by the militants at an isolated area of Loran. However, joint teams of Army and Police detected the IED during a search operation and recovered it. The IED was subsequently defused. Sources didn’t rule out the possibility of the IED being fabricated by the militants to target annual Budda Amarnath Ji yatra.

Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Shah was arrested by the ED in connection with over a decade-old money laundering case against him for alleged terror financing. Officials said Shah was arrested in Srinagar and is expected to be brought to New Delhi on July 26. He would be produced in a court in New Delhi. A Delhi court had earlier this month issued a NBW against the separatist leader. “The warrant has been executed,” a senior official said.

HC leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s son-in-law is among seven separatist leaders who will be interrogated by the NIA for 10 days as a Delhi court allowed its plea to examine their complicity in a case of alleged terror funding in the Kashmir valley to fuel unrest. District judge Poonam A Bamba allowed the agency to interrogate in custody Altaf Ahmed Shah, popularly known as Altaf Fantoosh, along with six others to unearth the “complete conspiracy”. They may be taken to the Valley for investigation for unearthing their modus operandi to raise funds to carry out secessionist and terror activities in the Valley.

The NIA, while analysing social media activity of "habitual" Kashmiri stone-pelters as part of its J&K terror funding probe, found at least 28 WhatsApp groups whose creators, administrators and some members are based in Pakistan and include identified cadres of terror outfit JuD. Sources in NIA stated that the WhatsApp groups together have 5,000 members, of which majority are local Kashmiris but a significant number are linked to Pakistani mobile numbers. Many of these groups have either been created by a Pakistani or have Pakistanis as their administrators. "We have identified Pakistani numbers in the WhatsApp groups. Some of these numbers also show up in JuD posters and publicity material, confirming JuD link to the J&K youth who regularly pelt stones to disrupt ongoing anti-terror operations, allegedly on payment arranged by Hurriyat separatists," said an unnamed investigator.

The origin of the funds is believed to be in Pakistan, though NIA says it can establish more specific details after questioning the seven arrested Hurriyat leaders. The messages on the 28 Whatsapp groups tracked by NIA range from religious posts, terror-inciting material to updates on J&K militancy and ongoing anti-terror operations. There are messages posted during encounters between the terrorists and SFs in J&K, telling the participants how "your brothers have been cornered" and sharing details of the encounter site. "The idea is to mobilise the local youth for stone-pelting at the encounter site so that the terrorists can escape," said an unnamed NIA officer. It was on the basis of these 28 WhatsApp groups that the NIA could zero in on phone numbers of 48 Kashmiri youth present at more than three encounter sites that saw stone-pelting protests over the past year.

Several banners in support of the CPI-Maoist movement were spotted at Bukudibail in Sringeri of Chikkamagaluru District of Karnataka. According to the Police, these banners were spotted in eight places surrounding a shop located opposite the bus stand. The messages on the banner were against the State and Central Governments. According to eye witnesses, it addressed issues opposing the Kasturirangan report, Tiger Project, GST, Demonetization, caste-based issues and so on. They have also decided to observe Martyrs’ Day in memory of Kuppuswamy and Ajitha who were killed Nilambur forest in Kerala in 2016. The banners also called upon people to fulfill the wish of the Kuppuswamy and Ajitha. According to sources, it is learnt that the total number of CPI-Maoist cadres currently active in the region could be less than 10. They have been trying to develop a tri-junction of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as a suitable operational base. Their movement was reportedly observed during the second week of May in the forest.

The CPI-Maoist cadres have resumed putting posters and banners at Podapadar Panchayat office and on Janjabati river bank in Koraput District of Odisha. In a latest poster, the CPI-Maoist cadres appealed to people to extend support to the Martyr’s Week from July 28 to August 3. They asked the tribals to take the revolution forward against the ‘dictatorial government’.

CPI-Maoist cadres appealed to the people to observe Martyr’s Week from July 28 to August 3 through a banner that appeared at Talagumandi village in Koraput District of Odisha. The banner in the name of Koraput-Srikakulam division asked the tribals to pay homage to slain 31 cadres of CPI-Maoist in the Police encounter in Chhattisgarh in October, 2016.

CRPF personnel will be given AK series weapons instead of indigenous INSAS to fight Naxals in the South Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. The CRPF DG, RR Bhatnagar told media, on the eve of 78th Raising Day of the Central Armed Police Force, that more than 2000 CRPF personnel trained in countering insurgency will be deployed in the south Bastar region. He added that in last year from July 20, 2016 to July 20, 2017, the force neutralized 51 CPI-Maoist cadres, apprehended 1,111, and facilitated 834 surrenders. The force managed to recover 562 arms and 1180 IED.

Union Minister of State for Home, Hansraj Ahir informed the Lok Sabha that a total of 2,753 Security personnel were killed in the Naxal-affected States in the last two decadesHe added that all necessary measures were being taken by the Centre and the States Government to prepare, train and technically equip the SFs to deal with various kinds of threats emanating from the Naxals.

Mahabubabad Police arrested Madhu, a ‘regional Committee Secretary’ of the CPI-ML (New Democracy), in Mahabubabad District of Telangana. Police recovered one Sten gun, 10 bullets, one kit bag and revolutionary literature from him. The Police also arrested two other persons acting as couriers to the Naxal group — Kantha Rao and Prasad. They are said to be members of AGP.

Police, in an encounter, killed a militant, Janamon Basumatary (35) alias Jalar alias Jagdaw, belonging to the NDFB-S at New Basbari area in Kokrajhar District. A sub-inspector named Ramcharan Rabha also sustained minor injuries during the encounter. The Police recovered an AK-series rifle, a magazine, 15 rounds of ammunition, a hand grenade and a mobile phone from the encounter site.  

Police arrested suspected ULFA-I linkman Ananta Saikia (38), from a rented house in Bahona on the outskirts of Jorhat town.

State Chief Secretary Y. Tsering said that there will be no let-up in operations against militants in Garo Hills region. With the sustained operations, the situation has improved in Garo Hills but the government will not be complacent, Tsering said. He also appreciated the efforts of DGP SB Singh and his team in maintaining law and order, especially in the Garo Hills region. To a question, the chief secretary said the issues related to the rehabilitation of surrendered militants are under the examination of the department concerned.

July 26

The ED has been successful in getting a Pakistani-origin terrorist, Mohammad Koya, convicted by a city court in Karnataka under the PMLA. A sessions judge in Karnataka convicted the accused Koya under PMLA and sentenced him to seven years' rigorous imprisonment and a fine of INR 10,000. The court has also upheld the confiscation of INR 90,470 recovered from him. The case dates back to 2006 when two persons were arrested by a police patrol team in Mysore based on an intelligence input that certain terrorists from Pakistan were planning terror acts in the city.

Posing as senior defence and district administration officers, people in Pakistani intelligence agencies are contacting Indian officials to gather information on troop deployment along the Indo-Pak border, the Rajya Sabha was informed by Minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju. Rijiju said spillover frequency of Pakistani mobile network into India has been observed in few locations along the Indo-Pak border areas in Barmer, Jaisalmer and Sriganganagar Districts of Rajasthan.

Militants shot dead one SOG personnel of the JKP in Yaripora area of Kulgam District. Militants fired upon the personnel identified as Gowhar Ahmad Tantray of Kujjar village of Kulgam when he was on way to home on bike from nearby Shopian District. Reports said that at least three militants appeared at Kanjikulla and stopped him. They fired at him and he died on the spot. The militants fled from the spot leaving him in a pool of blood.

Acting on specific information about the presence of at least three militants of LeT, a joint team of Army and SOG cordoned off Lonepora in Mattan in Anantnag District. Militants hiding in the village exchanged fire with SFs briefly and managed to escape from the spot.

In the evening, after getting inputs that the militants are hiding in a nearby village Krungsoo, 3 RR of Army and SOG Anantnag launched searches in the area.

A CPI-Maoist cadre, Charles Hembrom, was sent to Dumka Central Jail in Dumka District of JharkhandHe was arrested from Kathikund Police Station area in the same District on July 25.

The CRPF claimed that area controlled by CPI-Maoist has "shrunk in three states in last two and a half years". Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar, the CRPF DG, however, admitted that South Bastar remains to be an area of problem. He said, "There is substantial decline in areas controlled by Naxals in Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. Disturbance in these areas are very less. Our major concern is in South Bastar of Chhattisgarh." He said that after the attack, in which 25 men of the CRPF died in April in Sukma area, the force has changed their strategy to deal with Maoists. "In all ten left wing affected extremism states CRPF is deployed and working in close collaboration with state police forces and other central agencies," he said.

As many as 94 civilians were killed by the CPI-Maoist cadres in the first six months of this year (2017) after being branded as ‘Police informer,’ says UHM-MoS Hansraj Ahir in the Rajya Sabha. He added, “The methods of killing include shooting, multiple beatings and hacking with sharp weapons. No case of beheading has come to light in Chhattisgarh so far.”

The Committee for Protection of Land Rights of Indigenous People of Assam in its interim report stated that unrestrained influx of Bangladeshis, coupled with massive transfer of land facilitated by a corrupt bureaucrat-politician nexus, has led to alarming land alienation among indigenous communities. This in turn has threatened not only the safety, security and very identity of the indigenous communities, but also the very entity of Assam and its entire geographical stretch stated the report.

Former director of IB Dineshwar Sharma has been appointed as interlocutor for the peace talks with Kuki underground groups under tripartite SoO. The two SoO groups are, KNO and UPF.

SFs arrested a GPRN/NSCN member, ‘general secretary of civil wing’ Vihoyi Sumi, along with five grams of brown sugar and three extortion slips in Burma Camp of Dimapur town in Dimapur District.

July 27

NIA court sentenced an Islamic State (IS) operative from Bengaluru to five years in jail. Special judge Virender Singh also imposed a fine of INR 5,000 on Abid Khan alias Abu Mohammad. Khan, who was living in a church in Banjar area of Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh using the fake name of Paul C Neo, was arrested by an NIA team in December 2016. He was on NIA’s radar and according to the prosecution, he confessed that he was working with a sleeper cell of the IS and also gave crucial information. Khan, who knows six languages, fully cooperated with the NIA and also revealed that he planned to meet his friend in Indonesia and later go to Syria though the plan did not mature as he did not have sufficient money, it said. He has been sent to Kanda Jail though he has requested that he be transferred to Karnataka as his parents are aged.

India’s NSA Ajit Doval in Beijing called on the BRICS grouping to "take a leadership role" in combating global terrorism, as he held key meetings with the Chinese leadership and BRICS national security advisers. Doval held bilateral talks with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi, taking place amid the ongoing border standoff at Doklam near the India-China-Bhutan trijunction.

The mastermind of an interstate FICN distribution syndicate was arrested at Rajouri Garden. Mohammad Hussain (42) used to scan, print and then circulate fake notes of INR 2,000 denomination. Counterfeit notes with a face value of INR 40,000 were seized from him.

Three militants were killed while Army foiled an infiltration bid near the LoC in Gurez sector in Bandipora District. Sources said that these three militants were part of the same infiltrating group, two members of which were killed on July 18 in Gurez sector of Bandipora. They said that these militants were killed in Kanzalwan forests of Gurez near RP post along the LoC during an Army operation early today. One AK-47 rifle along with 14 magazines and one pistol along with two magazines were recovered from their possession. The identities of the slain militants are yet to be ascertained.

A soldier and a Policeman were injured as militants fired at them in South Kashmir. In the first incident, a soldier of 62 RR of Army was injured when militants fired at SFs in Matribugh village of Shopian District. Reports said that 62 RR and SOG Shopian cordoned off Matribugh village in Shopian. As they were cordoning off the village, militants fired at them from the orchard in which one Army personnel was injured. SFs chased the militants but they fled under the cover of darkness. In the other incident, Militants shot at a Policeman identified as Saleem Yusuf at Yamrach village in Kulgam District. He had gone home on leave and received a bullet in the leg in the attack.

Militants ransacked the house of SP, Dawood at Qaimoh in Kulgam District. However, the SP was not at home and lives in Srinagar. This is for the fourth time that his house has been ransacked by militants.

Militants ransacked houses of two Policemen at Mirhama village in Kulgam District. They also threatened the families of the Policemen. However, the Policemen were not at home at the time of the attack.

The counter-insurgency cell of the JKP is monitoring the write-ups and the propaganda material of the Al-Qaeda that mention Zakir Musa as the ‘commander’ of its new Kashmir group. A top Police officer said, the cell was keeping a watch on Musa, a Kashmir-born militant, whose name first appeared in an Arabic publication close to the Al-Qaeda in May. “We are monitoring the Musa group’s activity and its connections across the borders,” the officer said. The U.K.-based Guardian newspaper reported that Al-Qaeda “has formally announced the establishment of a new Kashmir-based terror group Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind headed by Musa.

The Global Islamic Media Front, the online propaganda distribution arm of Al-Qaeda, has also mentioned Musa’s name. On May 13, Musa quit the HM after the United Jehad Council took exception to his statement threatening to “behead separatist leaders, especially those who describe Kashmir as a mere political issue” and not a religious war for an Islamic state. Musa hails from a middle-class family. One of his brothers is a doctor in the Tral area of Pulwama. Musa joined the militant ranks during slain ‘commander’ Burhan Wani’s recruitment drive in 2013-14.

Samastipur Police arrested five suspected cadres of the CPI-Maoist with illegal weapons during a vehicle-checking drive in Samastipur District of Bihar. The Police intercepted a SUV on National Highway-28 near Bangra and on searching found one of the five occupants to be in possession of two country-made pistols and two live cartridges. The suspect was later identified as Basant Kumar, a resident of Chhajan village in neighbouring Muazaffarpur District. Basant happened to be an active member of a CPI-Maoist outfit led by Musafir Sahni. The arrested CPI-Maoist cadres were identified as Ajit Kumar, Ashok Kumar Singh, Rahul Yadav, Ashok Yadav and Shashikant Mehta.

Six cadres of the CPI-Maoist, including a ‘Section Commander’ carrying a reward of INR 300,000 on his head, surrendered in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The surrendered CPI-Maoist cadres cited disappointment with the "hollow" Maoist ideology. The surrendered CPI-Maoist were identified as, ‘Section Commander’ of Military Platoon No.13 of the CPI-Maoist, Hapka Payku (25), Madvi Sonu (27), a LOS Member, had a reward of INR 100,000 on his head, Kadti Bheema (25), a ‘Jan militia Commander’, Vekko Aytu (27) head of the Janatana Sarkar group of CPI-Maoist in Bhairamgarh area, Raju Ram Modiyam (22) and Podiyam Moti (27) both CPI-Maoist cadres.

The villagers of Markegaon village on Gyrapatti-Sawargaon road in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra protested and even burnt the pamphlets and banners of the CPI-Maoist. The official also said that for the last eight years, peoples' approach towards Maoists has changed.

Banners and posters of the CPI-Maoist were recovered from Mandosil village of Sindhekela  Gram Panchayat  under Paikmal block and Debrigarh jungle under Attabira block in Bargarh District of Odisha. The CPI-Maoist cadres urged local people to celebrate their “Shahid Week’ from July 28 to August 3 and protest anti-politician and anti-social works of the Centre and State Government. They have threatened that company raj would not be tolerated in the State. The leaflets mentioned the name of Balangir-Bargarh-Mahasamund (BBM) Divisional committee of the CPI-Maoist.

Odisha Police have tightened security in Naxal-hit areas across Malkangiri District with the CPI-Maoist cadres beginning Martyrs’ Week from July 27.

Police arrested a NSCN-K cadre, John Kimsing (23), from Naliapool of Dibrugarh town in Dibrugarh District.

Students under KSA tried to storm the State Assembly in lieu with their demand for restricting non-locals from contesting in elections in the leading to the injury of a student when police tried to stop them. The student was identified as Rakesh Hawaibam (19). The protestors also want the government to reserve eight AC for indigenous people. Wangkhei, Kangpokpi, Jiribam, Thangmeiband, Sagolband, Sugnu, Bishnupur and Uripok are the eight ACs.

State Chief Minister N. Biren Singh urged the Union Government to arrive at a settlement with Kuki militant groups in a time-bound manner. "In order to bring final peace, the Centre should try to arrive at a settlement with Kuki militant groups within two years. This will be in the interest of all people in the state," N Biren Singh said. On the issue of States territorial integrity, the CM, said: "There are no different opinions on the issue of territorial integrity. Kuki groups are demanding a Kuki state. We all should stand together to protect our boundary. The state's boundary cannot be included in the agenda of talks with any group". He said his government has been taking action against cadres who violated the ground rules.

The number of NLFT cadres sheltered across the border has been reduced around 90 even after a change in guard of the banned outfit, according to latest intelligence inputs. The ‘president’ of the outlawed group, Subir Debbarma and ‘chief of army’ Sachin Debbarma are trying hard to bring back striking strength to influence the ensuing Assembly elections. Erstwhile ‘president’ Biswamohan Debbarma, is now an ‘advisor ‘to the outfit.

A person identified as Thangkhanlun Taitom was allegedly tortured and killed by ZRO militants on July 27, 2017. ZRO is under SoO agreement with the Government.

July 28

India condemned the "double standards" in dealing with terrorists and warned against the emerging "apocalyptic" threats in UN. "Terrorism is an international threat that should not be allowed to serve national strategy," India's Permanent Representative Syed Akbaruddin said on during a General Assembly debate on the report of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. He added, "We must resist the temptation of buying individual peace for ourselves by striking deals that divert terrorists elsewhere," he said without naming any country. "We need to intensify our efforts in persuading States to refrain from using terrorism as a card in the games that nations play."

Army defused an IED on National Highway near Pattan area of Baramulla District. Army said that their RR Khanpath Camp in Parihaspora Pattan in the District detected the IED on highway by 29 RR near Parihaspora Pattan and later destroyed it.

Militants carried out raids on the residential houses of officers and Policemen of JKP and workers of ruling PDP in South Kashmir while they also set ablaze house of a counter-insurgent. Militants barged into the residential houses of SP, an Inspector and other five Policemen in Nowbal Khudwani, Qoimoh, Desan, Marhsma and Sempora Behibagh of Kulgam District. They ransacked the houses of Policemen and threatened them of dire consequences if they didn’t quit from Police.

They also set ablaze house of a counter-insurgent in Kulgam. In Pulwama District, militants conducted similar raids at Naira, Tumlahal, Trichal and in Tral during which they beat up Policemen, ransacked their properties and asked them to quit from their jobs. Militants also raided houses of Kashmiri CRPF personnel in Pulwama and beat them apart from ransacking properties. Some of the forces men whose houses were attacked and were beaten by militants have been identified as CRPF 183Bn Constable Naseer Ali Rather of Naira, SPO, Bilal Farooq Gaasi of Trichal Pulwama and SPO, Farooq Magray of Tumlehal.

The house of a PDP Panch (member of gram Panchayat), Ghulam Mohiuddin, at Trichal was raided and ransacked by militants. Militants attempted to set ablaze house of Police Head Constable at Arigam in Tral. However, they couldn’t set it ablaze and left from the spot. In Kareemabad Pulwama, posters asking two local cops to resign from Police surfaced and they were threatened of dire consequences if they fail to abide by the direction.

A Police Constable Laxmaih was injured when an IED laid by the CPI-Maoist cadres exploded in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. A team of security personnel led by Dantewada SP, Kamlochan Kashyap was patrolling in the area when the incident happened.

The Central Committee (CC) of the CPI-Maoist have admitted probably for the first time that they lost 205 cadres, including 54 women cadres, of various ranks between July 2016 and May 2017. The data was released to motivate the CPI-Maoist cadres to observe the 'Saheed Saptah' or ‘Martyrs' week' from July 28 to August 3, and mobilize masses and support. DIG, Gadchiroli range, Ankush Shinde said CPI-Maoist cadres are for the first time facing opposition from the tribals, who are putting up anti-rebel banners and posters in some parts of Gadchiroli and Gondia. "We have for the first time an instance where tribals set Naxalite banners and posters on fire," he said.

Around 700 to 1,000 villagers attended the programme held by the CPI-Maoist of the East Division near Chintapalli in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. The CPI-Maoist cadres warned the Andhra Pradesh and Odisha Governments that they would pay a heavy price for Ramaguda encounter where 31 CPI-Maoist cadres were gunned down in October 2016. The CPI-Maoist cadres vowed to continue their struggle and carry forward the ideology of their fallen comrades. The slogan, "All natural resources of the forest belong to tribals," was raised. Red salutes were also given to Maoists who were killed at Rayagada, Gorrelametta, Kappatotti and Koraput.

Posters of the CPI-Maoist were found in Ghaghra area of Gumla District of Jharkhand. The posters urged people to wage a war on "feudal forces" and asked Police to stop offensives.

Militants killed a suspected rapist with two bullets to the head in Imphal West District. Themheng Ngashangba, Imphal West District Police Superintendent, said, “Suspected militants brought a blindfolded man on Friday night at Tera in Imphal and shot him dead. The deceased was identified as Irom Bobo, 43. There were two gunshot injuries in the head.” The outlawed underground organisation, UNLF, has claimed responsibility for shooting Bobo. The outfit says that he had confessed to his crime.

AR personnel seized three weapons and 300 rounds of live ammunition from NSCN-IM cadres in a vehicle check post set up by the force at Namphisa in Kamjong District on July 28,. The NSCN-IM cadres were suspected to be involved in smuggling of weapons and ammunition and might have collected the same from a supplier from neighbouring Myanmar. The weapons and the ammunition were planned to be smuggled into Ukhrul town of Manipur.

July 29

Pakistan army violated ceasefire along the LoC in Digwar area of Poonch sector in Poonch District. Official sources said the ceasefire violation in Digwar and surrounding Naldyana villages of Poonch sector took place around 7.30 pm and lasted 20 minutes only. No casualties or damage in the ceasefire violation was reported on the Indian side, sources said.

Pakistan army had violated ceasefire in Digwar sector of Poonch District.

The Police had already taken measures to check any untoward incidents and intensified combing operations along the AOB region in Andhra Pradesh. The posters had photographs of 12 persons who had been killed by the Maoists, with names, villages and Districts they hailed from. Among them, five were from Visakhapatnam District, two from East Godavari, one from Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh, and two each from Koraput and Malkangiri Districts of Odisha.

Police arrested a CPI-Maoist cadre, Naulakh Singh, from Thathan village in Vaishali District of Bihar. Police said Naulakh was involved in several Maoists related incidents in Muzaffarpur and Vaishali Districts.

July 30

Detection and reportage of suspicious transactions, FICN and cross-border fund transfers in the country's economic channels doubled in the last fiscal year, leading to unearthing of over INR 560 crore black money, according to FIU. The report said the financial year 2015-16 saw a "record increase" in the detection of such instances. All banks and financial intermediaries apprise the FIU of the detections as part of their obligation to comply with the country's anti-money laundering and counter-terror financing measures. "The year 2015-16 ... saw a record increase in the number of reports received, processed and disseminated by the FIU," the report stated.

The number of CTRs doubled from INR 80,00,000 in 2014-15 to over INR 1.6 crore in 2015-16 and that of STRs rose from 58,646 to 1,05,973 during the period, it said. "A similar growth was registered in CCRs -- over 16 percent, NTRs -- nearly 25 percent, while there was an 850 percent growth in the number of CBWTRs during the period," the report said.

Two militants were killed in an encounter with SFs in Tahab area of Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama District. The encounter broke out early in the morning and the counter-operation is currently underway at the time of reporting.

Over one dozen protesters were injured in clashes which was triggered after the killing of two HM militants in an encounter in Pulwama District. SFs cordoned off Tahab village in Pulwama District after inputs that two militants are hiding in the village. As the SFs laid siege to the village, the militants hiding tried to flee and fired at the SFs, triggering a brief gunfight in which two militants were killed. Soon after the news of the killing of militants spread in the area, the area observed shut down and protests broke out.

People tried to reach to the encounter site and pelted stones on SFs who retaliated with aerial firing and tear smoke. Over a dozen youth were injured one among them is critical as a bullet hit him in the chest. He was identified as Asif Ahmad of Lassipora Pulwama. The militants have been identified as Shariq Ahmad of Gulzarpur Awantipore and Showkat Ahmed alias Shabir of Mehand Anantnag, who had joined militant ranks this year only. Large number of people attended the funeral of Shariq Ahmad at his ancestral Takuna village of Pulwama.

Pakistan Army violated ceasefire and started firing using light weapons and MMGs along the LoC at Baba Khori in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District. The Indian side retaliated effectively, leading to exchanges, which continued for some time. However, there were no casualties or damage on the Indian side.

A joint team of CRPF and Police arrested three cadres of the CPI-Maoist in Aurangabad District of Bihar. Acting on a tip off that Naxalites are pasting posters in different areas to terrorise people to make their proposed August 3, 2017, Bihar bandh a success, a joint team of CRPF and local Police raided Sahajpur and Kalidi villages of the District and arrested three Maoists who had come to paste posters. The arrested CPI-Maoist cadres have been identified as Ramlagan Singh Bhokta, Kamlesh Singh Bhokta and Mahesh Bhuiya. These CPI-Maoist cadres were also trying to influence and motivate local youths to join CPI-Maoist cadres.

A joint team of ITBP, DRG and STF have arrested three lower rung cadres of the CPI-Maoist during two separate search operations in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. In first incident, SFs, during a search operation, arrested CPI-Maoist cadres Sonu Netam (40) and Shankar Hemla (20) and recovered a muzzle loading gun. In the second incident, SFs arrested CPI-Maoist cadre Suresh Markam (24) from Devgaon village in the Narayanpur District.

Five cadres of the CPI-Maoist hailing from Ranga Bayalu Panchayat of Munchingput Mandal in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh surrendered before DSP, Mahendra Mathe. The surrendered cadres, who used to extend logistics support to the CPI-Maoist cadres, were identified as Mandi Musiri (35), Vantala Singru (30), Mandi Janbri (30), Mandi Subba Rao (32), and Mandi Rama Chandhar (25).

Posters condemning the killing of innocent people in the name of ‘Police informers’ appeared on inter-State road transport services operating from Andhra Pradesh to Koraput District in Odisha and Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh. As per rumours, the posters, appearing in both Odiya and Telugu languages, might have been printed and pasted by the Police of these three Maoist-hit States or organisations opposing the CPI-Maoist activities.

Two cadres of the CPI-Maoist, including a Chhattisgarh-based woman cadre, surrendered before the Police in Bhadradri District of Telangana. The surrendered CPI-Maoist cadres were identified as Karatam Idumaiah (25) and Madivi Jamili (23), both members of the CRC of the CPI-Maoist.

Police and administrative officials recovered Naxal literature and newspaper cuttings related to Naxal movement from an under trial, Mahesh Mahto, during a raid at Ghatshila sub-jail in East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand.

A group of 10 to 20 armed cadres of the CPI-Maoist abducted three tribals of Tandipadar village in Temurupalli Panchayat under Maithili Police limits in Malkangiri District of Odisha. The identity of the villagers has not been ascertained, reason behind the abduction is also not known yet. Malkangiri Police have not confirmed the incident.

Police arrested eight militants of NDFFB in Chirang District. The arrested militants were identified as Ajoy Daimari, (24), Nizira Basumatary (25), Raja Daimari (19),  Francis Basumatary (23), Sudem Narzary (25), Biswajit Narzary (40) and Biswai Basumatary (24).

SFs recovered four 7.62 mm AK rounds, five 7.62 mm rounds, five hand grenades with accessories from an abandoned and unregistered auto-rickshaw in Dimapur District. 

July 31

Syria's Ambassador to India Riad Kamel Abbas said his country has no information about the 39 Indians who went missing in Iraq in 2014. He, however, said Syria is "keen" to send them home if they are found in its territory. "The Indian delegation went to Syria many times and the chief of Syrian intelligence agency came to Delhi for it," the envoy said. "We are very keen to bring them (missing Indians) home if they are in our territory, but there is no official confirmation about it," he added.

ndian Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj said India's geopolitical overtures had resulted in better relations with all neighbouring countries, with one glaring exception. "Our 'Neighbourhood First' policy has yielded results with all countries in the region, barring one," Swaraj said. To be sure, Swaraj may also be pointing to China, with which India has been engaged in a tense stand-off at Doklam, as well as the more recent transgression by the People's Liberation Army in Uttarakhand's Barahoti. But the frequent ceasefire violations by Pakistan and its unwillingness to cooperate in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case make it a more likely candidate for the foreign minister's verbal salvo.

Indian Army foiled a major infiltration attempt in Torna area of Rampur sector in Uri in Baramulla District and killed one infiltrator so far while massive searches for other members of the group are going on. Sources said that 21-Sikh regiment deployed in the forward areas of Torna noticed movement of an infiltrating group on July 27 and launched massive operation. The Army patrol had a brief gun battle with the militants but they managed to flee that area. However, during the searches one body was recovered and the army also recovered AK-47, 5 magazines, Hand grenades, pouches and dry food. The searches are going on as the Army felt that more militants are hiding in the area which has dense forests and rugged terrain.

Army sources said that there are over 250 militants waiting on the launch pads in PoK near the LoC and they want to sneak in the summer. Army has intensified its vigil along the LoC to prevent them from infiltrating. Army is conducting round the clock patrolling along the LoC to foil the infiltration attempts of the militants. SFs this year achieved major successes against militants and killed 118 militants so far. Last year they had killed a record 150 militants. SFs said that there are 266 militants operating in Kashmir with 110 in South Kashmir, which is worst affected by militancy. Out of these militants nearly 100 are locals while in North Kashmir majority of the militants are Pakistanis who have infiltrated into Kashmir by crossing the LoC.

Suspected HM militants robbed and decamped with a cash amount of over INR 5 lakh from Arwani branch of J&K Bank in Bijbehara area of Anantnag. Around 12:40 pm, a group of four HM militants, who had boarded an Alto Car, stopped outside the Arwani branch of J&K Bank. They said while two militants stayed outside the bank, rest others armed with one AK 47 rifle and one INSAS rifle barged into the J&K Bank branch where they asked officials to handover cash. Interestingly, both the militants had donned a veil, locally called Burqa, and after looting the cash on gun-point, they also ransacked the computers of the bank branch. Police said that militants fled with around INR 5.20 lakh amount. A police spokesman said that during the initial investigation and with the help of CCTV footage, it was found that HM militants are involved in the crime.

In a joint operation conducted by District Police and Chhattisgarh Sashastra Dal (CSD) arrested four cadres of the CPI-Maoist from Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. The arrested cadres were identified as Malu Netam (45), Baijuram Gawde (26), Ashiram Salam (42) and Shivnath Yadav. Malu Netam carried a reward of INR 2,000 on his head.

Jharkhand Police arrested a ‘Zonal Commander’ of the TPC, Anish alias Karampal Ganjhu (28), arrested from Gerua in Sadar Police Station area of Chatra District of Jharkhand. TPC is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist. Police recovered a carbine, two live bullets, three phones and a SUV from Anish. He was carrying INR 1 million on his head.

Posters in the name of cadres of the CPI-Maoist surfaced in Punchakkolli Tribal Colony, under Vazhikadavu Police Station limit, in Malappuram District of Kerala . As per the posters, the CPI-Maoist cadres at Nilambur in the District have vowed to avenge the murder of their senior leaders Kuppu Devraj and Ajitha, as part of the on-going observance of Martyrs' Week by the cadres. The posters say that the encounter killing of Devraj and Ajitha is in clear violation of human rights and the organization would not pardon the traitors.

A CPI-Maoist cadre was arrested by Police on the eve of Martyr’s week at Semliguda in Koraput District of Odisha. He has been identified as Rupra Jani (28) of Upar Kanti village and was working for Nandapur Area Committee of the Maoists. Jani was involved with the Maoists for the last three years in the area and he had accompanied them to kill a ‘Police informer’ last year. Police seized AK-47,9mm pistol, banners, posters related to Maoists from his possession.

The CPI-Maoist cadres are in process of forming village level teams to strengthen their strong hold in the AOB region. The development comes a year after the CPI-Maoist cadres suffered a major setback in an encounter at the AOB in which around 31 CPI-Maoists were killed along with Adivasis (Tribals). The Telangana State Committee (TSC) of the CPI-Maoist cadres with the Adilabad District committee, Khammam District committee and Khammam-Karimnagar-Warangal Divisional Committee with Special Guerrilla Squad and 92 cadres are tasked to continue their activities in the region.

SFs arrested two militants of the NDFB-IKS, identified as Ranjit Daimari (29) and Prakash Bodo (24), from Roumari Reserve Forest under Moran Subdivision in Dibrugarh District. 

Police arrested one NSCN-K cadre, identified as Pong Gong Konyak, from Janki Pathar at Sonari in Charaideo District close to Assam- Nagaland boundary.  Police recovered one .22 pistol with two rounds of live ammunition and a bottle grenade from his possession.

Police have intensified the counter-insurgency operation in chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal constituency, Majuli Island in Majuli District. SP Baibhab Nimbalkar on July 31 said that night patrolling was on in full swing and the police are keeping a close eye on suspicious persons. He said the Police and CRPF have jointly started patrolling by foot, boat, and vehicles in the district. "We are using boats for search operation. Majuli is important from political and religious points of view as both domestic and international tourists visit the island. So, we are not ignoring the threat perception," Nimbalkar said

Chief Minister N Biren Singh assured that Government will take up all necessary steps to check influx of illegal migrants into the state. Responding to a question from the opposition bench in the house of State Assembly, Singh said that the Government is taking the issue of illegal migrants seriously. The state government is looking into provisions given under the Constitution of India to check influx of illegal migrants in the state, said Singh while also assuring that it would identify migrants living in the state. “If illegal migrants are detected, he/she will be deported instantly,” Singh added.

Police Commando arrested a militant of KCP-N while conducting a cordon and search operation at Salungpham Mayai Leikai area in Thoubal district on July 31. The arrested militant was identified as Thingbaijam Jotin alias Thoungamba alias Moramba (22)

A GNLA militant, Hembone T. Sangma, surrendered before Superintendent of Police South Garo Hills Abraham T. Sangma.

An unnamed senior State Home department official stated that Mizoram Government was making efforts to rein in the Lalhmingthanga Sanate faction HPC-D to ensure that they also come over ground. The official said the government wants to ensure that Sanate faction of HPC-D comes over ground when a peace accord is signed with the faction led by H Zosangbera with which the State Government is holding peace talks. The proposed next round of talks scheduled to be held during July was deferred because of some reasons including the efforts made to include Sanate’s faction of HPC-D in the proposed accord to find amicable solution to the vexed Hmar imbroglio, he said.  Preparations have been made to resume the talks during August which would likely be the last round of official level talks, he said, adding that the talks would be elevated to political level parleys after this round.

AR arrested one GPRN/NSCN member, identified as Khrielietuo Keretsii (32), along with 15 extortion slips in general area Kezekie colony in Kohima city in Kohima District. 

SFs launched an operation and rescued an abducted civilian identified as Tonwang Konyak (54) and arrested his abductor from Purana Bazar area of Dimapur town. The abductor was identified as NNC militant named Khra Candi (23). SFs also recovered one .22 mm pistol with magazine and other “war like stores” and rescued one individual from the house of one Kiyeho Sumi. 

SFs arrested an arms dealer, Chetei Shiu, with along with one. 22 mm pistol with magazine at New Market Area of Kohima town. 

August 1

A 23-year-old man from Kasaragod District of Kerala who was suspected to have joined Islamic State (IS) in 2016, was reportedly killed in an air strike in Afghanistan. Police said his father had received a message through Telegram app two days ago informing him about the death of Marwan Ismail of Thrikkaripur in an undisclosed location in Afghanistan. The message purportedly sent by one Asfaq Majeed, one of the 21 youths from Kerala who allegedly went missing and joined the IS, did not provide more details about Marwan or the place where he was killed. Marwan had been working as a physiotherapist in a Gulf nation before joining the terror group last year, Police said.

A homoeopath doctor and his associate were arrested on August 1, in Indore (Madhya Pradesh) for allegedly printing FICNs in invalid denomination of INR 500. Police seized five pieces of the notes from Dr Deepesh Yadav (34) and his aide Krishna Rathore (21). Pardeshipura Police Station in-charge Rajiv Tripathi said they also seized a computer, a scanner and a printer used for printing the notes from the duo. "We are interrogating them to find out how many such fake notes they have circulated so far," he added.

A Delhi court ordered framing of charges against IM India’operations chief’ Yasin Bhatkal and nine others in the September 9, 2010 Jama Masjid blast case on the ground that prime facie there was enough evidence against them. Additional Sessions Judge Sidharth Sharma, however, discharged three alleged members -- Ismail Affaque, Abdus Saboor and Riyaz Ahmad Sayeedi -- of the outfit, saying there was not enough evidence against them. The three, who were today discharged, were later named in a supplementary charge sheet which accused them of having conspired with other IM members to carry out the terror strike in the national capital.

Demonetisation has led to squeezing of terror funds, including in J&K, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said in the Lok Sabha. He also said the number of stone pelters in J&K has gone down in last few months as a result of it. “In last few months, security forces have had an upper hand. In 2008 to 2010 we saw thousands of stone pelters on streets. In last few months, there have not been more than 25-50 or 100 stone pelters on the streets. There is one reason, terror funding has been squeezed,” said Jaitley.

The Islamic State (IS) terror group and climate change are seen as posing a major risk to India by its people, while an assertive China is considered the third top threat to the country, a latest Pew Research survey said. In India, 66 per cent of the respondents considered Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (also known as ISIS or ISIL) as a major threat, while 47 per cent said they considered global climate change as the major threat, the report said. ISIS is named as the top threat in a total of 18 countries surveyed, mostly concentrated in Europe, West Asia, Asia and the US, it said. Forty-four per cent said China posed a threat to India. This was closely followed by cyber attacks (43 per cent), according to the report.

At least two top LeT militants, identified as LeT Kashmir ‘head’ Abu Dujana alias Hafiz and another LeT militant Arif Lilhaari were killed during a fierce encounter in Pulwama District. Dujana was the LeT's so-called 'divisional commander', and reportedly hailed from northern Pakistan. Acting on specific intelligence inputs about the presence of militants in Hakripora village in Pulwama District, SFs launched a cordon and search operation in the area, a Police official said. The militants opened fired during the operation, prompting retaliation from the forces which triggered a gun battle, he said.

Following news of Dujana's and Lilhaari's killing, clashes broke out near the encounter site in Hakripora in Pulwama District between protesters and Police and fifteen people were reportedly injured in the violence, Police said.

One civilian, identified as Firduos Ahmad Bhat was killed in the firing incident when a mob tried to march towards the encounter site to disrupt the anti-terror operation in Pulwama District. Soon after the news about Dujana’s killing spread, hundreds of people took to streets in several areas of Pulwama including in Kakapora. The protesters pelted stones on SFs who retaliated firing teargas, pellets and bullets. Firduos Ahmad Bhat was hit by bullet during clashes near encounter site. He was rushed to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

The clashes were also reported from Chadoora in Budgam and in Bijbehera.

In Srinagar, clashes between students and Police in Lal Chowk, Exchange Road, Abi Guzar, Regal Chowk and adjoining areas created panic and chaos. Police used teargas in city centre to disperse the student protesters. Some protesters were also detained by Police. As the protests spread, authorities ordered suspension of mobile internet services across Kashmir. The colleges and schools were closed for two days in Kashmir.

As many as 86 of the 117 terrorists killed by the SFs in J&K so far this year have been "foreign" ones or those who have sneaked across the LoC from Pakistan or PoK like the slain LeT ‘commander’ Abu Dujana. "This clearly indicates that the flow of intelligence from the `local' population against the foreign terrorists from LeT and JeM has definitely improved. Successful counter-insurgency operations, after all, are a direct result of good and real-time intelligence inputs. There also seems to be a growing schism between foreign and local terrorists," said.

Infiltration bids, incidentally, have registered a jump in the first seven months of this year as compared to the same time-frame last year (2016), though the SFs have managed to thwart many of them. Officials say 19 infiltration bids from across the LoC have been thwarted from January till July 31 this year, in which 42 terrorists were killed. In the first seven months of 2016, 18 terrorists were killed while thwarting 11 infiltration bids.

The cadres of the CPI-Maoist are carrying out their Jana Sampark Abhiyaan (Public Relations Drive) at nearby forest villages under Ambavona block of Bargarh District of Odisha on the occasion of their celebration of Martyrs' Week from July 28 to August 3. In their public relations drive, they have conducted a series of meetings with the public and appealed them to join hands with them. They wanted to know from the locals about the corrupt officials, politicians and contractors and present situation of the block. In the interim, combing operations have been launched at the forest areas under Ambavona Police Station limits. The concerned villagers expressed happiness where as the corrupted officers, politicians and contractors are a scared lot after hearing the CPI-Maoist cadres’ presence in the block.

Two landmines weighing 12 kilogram each, planted by CPI-Maoist cadres to target SFs were recovered during a search operation from Manatu area in Palamau District of Jharkhand.

Police recovered a bomb from Moreh Ward No 5 in Tengnoupal District near the Indo-Myanmar border.

SFs arrested a MNRF militant from Khuman Lampak in Imphal East District.

Police commandos arrested a Noyon faction of KCP-Noyon militant, identified as Thingbaijam Jotin Singh alias Thoungamba alias Moramba, from Salungpham Mayai Leikai in Thoubal District.

A silent protest rally, led by JAC against the killing of Thangkhanlun Taitom, was taken out from Churachandpur District hospital’s morgue to Deputy Commissioner Office located at Tuibuang area. The dead body of Thangkhanlun Taitom continues to remain at the mortuary even after five days of the incident as the demands of the protestors for justice and compensation to the family of the deceased is yet to be met. Thangkhanlun Taitom was allegedly tortured and killed by ZRO militants on July 27, 2017. ZRO is under SoO agreement with the Government.

Police commando arrested a KYKL militant, RK Ranjan (42), at Lilong Bazar in Thoubal District. One 9 mm Mauser pistol with two live rounds and other incriminating articles were seized from his possession,

A militant of KYKL, Sadam Hussain alias Angang (27), was arrested from Naharup Bridge in Thoubal District. One 9 mm pistol and other incriminating articles were also seized from his possession, it said.

SFs killed a GNLA militant during an encounter at Gare Ringdi village in South Garo Hills District. Another two rebels were injured but managed to escape. SFs recovered one pistol along with live ammunitions, GNLA demand notes, GNLA seals, diaries and six mobile phones from the spot.

Suspected GNLA militants had brutally beaten up two men at Halwa Bilda village in South Garo Hills District. GNLA militants suspected the duo as police informers. 

Nagaland Gaon Bura Federation (NGBF) has made a strong plea on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to also include all apex Naga tribal bodies, apex civil society groups, the six-member Working Group (WG) comprising of ‘Naga political groups’, revive cease-fire with NSCN-K before hammering a “final and permanent solution.”

A CPI-Maoist cadre identified as Sushant Ram, resident of Shivdih village under Lakhisarai District, was arrested by Munger Police near Amarasni river under Larayatan Police Station in Munger District of Bihar. Police said Sushant was a named accused in a number of cases and was also associated with Naxalite leaders like Pramod Koda and Kare Lal Koda, who were arrested recently. He was also working as an ‘informer’ for the Maoists and used to report the activities of Police and Police movements to them, said SDPO (sadar), Harishankar Kumar.

August 2

China has again extended by three months its technical hold on the US, France and UK-backed proposal to list Pakistani terror group JeM 'chief' Masood Azhar as a designated terrorist by the UN. China had in February, 2017 blocked the US move to designate Azhar as a global terrorist at UN. The deadline for China to take action on its technical hold was till August 2. If China would not have extended the technical hold, Masood Azhar would have automatically been designated under the UN as a terrorist. A veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council, China has repeatedly blocked India's move to put a ban on Masood under the al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the Council.

Curfew like restrictions were imposed in parts of Srinagar and strike called by separatists against the killings paralysed life in Kashmir. Restrictions were imposed in Srinagar areas falling under the jurisdiction of even Police Stations including Khanyar, MR Gunj, Safakadal, Rainawari, Kralkhud, Nowhatta and Maisuma. The life in rest of the Valley remained paralysed due to strike called by separatists against the killings of two militants and a civilian in Pulwama on August 1.

Eleven cadres of the CPI-Maoist surrendered in front of Sukma SP, Abhishek Meena in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The cadres include three women. They also surrendered two guns. Two of them were identified as Kunjam Hadma and Madvi Hidma, were carrying reward of INR 800,000. Similarly, Tati Sanki, a ‘Deputy Commander’ rank cadre, was carrying a reward of INR 200,000 on her head. Two others -- Dirdo Deva, a member of Dornapal LOS, and Kadti Hidme, chief of the KAMS, a front organisation of CPI-Maoist cadres were carrying a reward of INR 100,000 on their heads.

The movement of trains on the Howrah-Mumbai route was hit after cadres of the CPI-Maoist put up banners and posters on railway tracks near Mahadevshal Station in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand under Chakradharpur division of South Eastern Railway. According to Railway sources, security personnel of RPF went to the spot and recovered a couple of banners and posters.

A joint team of the Telangana Police and the CRPF arrested a cadre of the CPI-Maoist near Lenin Colony at Charla Mandal in Bhadradri Kothagudem District of Telangana. CPI-Maoist cadre was identified as Madivi Ungaiah alias Dudi (33). Police also recovered four wall posters from his possession. Ungaiah had been working as a Militia member of the CPI-Maoist’s Shabari Area Committee for the past five years.

The 12-hours total shutdown imposed in Churachandpur district by the JAC against killing of Thangkhanlun completely crippled normal life here even as shops and other establishments including Government offices remained closed for the day.

Unidentified militants killed KNLF ‘general secretary’ Lalmoi Haokip alias Tonglenlal using hand grenade and firearms at Tuibong Bazar in Churachandpur District. As Lalmoi's wife rushed to her husband's help, the assailants fired at her too. She sustained bullet injuries and was taken to hospital. KNLF is one of constituents of the KNO observing a SoO with both Union and State Government.

Suspected GNLA militants killed a 53 year old farmer in South Garo Hills District. South Garo Hills Superintendent of Police Abraham T. Sangma said that four GNLA militants went to Olget R. Marak's house at Oripur, Dambuk Aga, in South Garo Hills, around 2am.

Chief Security Advisor to the Government of Meghalaya, Rajiv Mehta has asserted that GNLA is well past its prime and it is just a matter of time before it is totally obliterated by security forces. Mehta also tried to downplay the “super cop” tag, stating that he was merely sharing his expertise to handle the insurgency problem in Garo Hills.  The second batch of Meghalaya Police’s SF-10 commando force is scheduled to a pass out on August 4.

GHSMC submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding creation of Garoland, to be carved out of tribal Garo inhabited areas in Meghalaya and Assam. Stating that Garo people were unanimously demanding creation of Garoland state, contiguous to state of Assam and Khasi Hills for Garo people, the GSHMC said, "We demand Garoland state to include original lands inhabiting by Garo people in Assam and Khasi Hills presently under Meghalaya."

One cadre of the JSJMM, a CPI-Maoist splinter group, was arrested during a raid in Ambatoli area of Barkagaon Police Station in Hazaribagh District of Jharkhand. Police seized two carbines, one pistol and four live cartridges of .315 from the spot. SP, Anup Birtharay said the arrest came after eight JSJMM cadres, led by its supremo Nishant ji, attacked members of a company engaged in the construction of a 40 kilometres road between Barkagaon and Urimani coal mining project of Central Coalfields Ltd. The SJMM cadres threatened to stop the road construction if the company failed to pay a hefty amount of money as ‘levy’. The SP added that it was for the first time that SJMM cadres, who were active in Latehar and Gumla, entered the Hazaribagh District and targeted a road construction company.

August 2-3

Around 100 CPI-Maoist cadres reportedly blew up a mobile tower, abducted three gatemen from different railway level-crossings and also laid siege to the Danapur Durg Express train for a few hours, abducting the cabin man, in the Lakhisarai District of Bihar. “Around 100 rebels were involved in the abductions from the level crossings, located in a 10-km radius,” IGP, Bhagalpur Zone, S.M. Khopde disclosed. They then hijacked the train. A statement by the CRPF noted, “Train no-13288 Danapur Durg Express train was hijacked near the Bhalui station [in Bhimbandh area of Lakhisarai] around 2:30 am (on Thursday). The cabin man who was on duty was also abducted.” The siege ended after an exchange of fire took place between personnel of the CoBRA, a specialised unit of CRPF proficient in guerrilla tactics and jungle warfare, and the hijackers. However, no casualty was reported from either side. The gatemen and the cabin man were subsequently released.

August 3

A NIA team from Cochin (Kerala) carried out searches in the houses of two people from Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu), for allegedly having links with terror group Islamic State (IS). The NIA searched the houses of Abdul Rahman, (27), who hails from Kottai Pudur in Ukkadam and S Abdullah, (24), whose house is on Pallivasal Street in Karumbukadai. Moreover, the NIA also carried out searches at an internet browsing center in Karumbakadai. The NIA reportedly interrogated the two accused, till late on August 3, at the office of the Coimbatore Police Commissioner.

They seized 70 DVDs with inflammatory speeches, two mobile phones and two laptops. The two youngsters were allegedly running a browsing center and were spreading ISIS propaganda.

Abdul Rahman had finished MCA and was searching for a job while Abdullah had completed Class XII. The NIA had also conducted searches at the residence of a person from Alapuzzha. “Based on the reliable information that certain persons from Kerala and Tamil Nadu were in touch with the members of the ISIS/Daesh terror module in this case, over internet based social media platforms and have been radicalizing on the ideology of ISIS, the NIA conducted searches at houses and workplaces of such persons. Inputs had also revealed that such radicalized individuals were inclined to support and further the objectives of the prescribed terrorist organization,” the press release stated. The NIA seized mobile phones, laptops, hard disks, pen drives, DVDs/ CDs, memory cards, SIM cards, along with books and manuscripts.

India will start dialogue with Pakistan the day Islamabad stops promoting terrorism against this country, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said in Parliament, while making it clear that terror and talks cannot go together. "But it can't be one-sided ... Terror and talks cannot go together. The day they stop promoting terror, we will start the talks," she said replying to a discussion on "India's foreign policy and engagement with strategic partners".

Three persons have been taken into custody by the NIA on the charge that they were affiliated with the Islamic State (IS). The NIA arrested one person from Alappuzha in Kerala and two from Coimbatore. They were detained after raids at their residence following inputs that they were in contact with suspected IS recruits from South India. Data storage devices, mobile phones and other materials were seized. The raids were conducted after obtaining orders from the NIA court in Kochi. Alok Mittal, Inspector-General, NIA, confirmed the detention and said no arrest had been recorded. An NIA Kochi team is interrogating the Alappuzha native, who is employed by a private firm in Kochi, and the two others. Reports said the detained men were maintaining social media contact with suspected IS recruits. The NIA raids were linked to the investigation in a case regarding the Umar Al Hindi module and a meeting held by its members in Kanakamala in Kannur District of Kerala, in October, 2017. According to the NIA charge sheet in the case, members of the module - youth from Kerala and Tamil Nadu entered into a criminal conspiracy to wage war against the Government of India.

Two Army personnel including an Army Major, identified as Army Major Kamlesh and Sepoy Tanjin were killed in a gun battle in South Kashmir. A joint team of Army and Police launched a cordon and search operation at village Matribugh, Zoipora in Shopian District following a tip off about the presence of some militants. The militants hiding in the area opened fire triggering off an encounter in which an army Major along with two soldiers sustained bullet injuries. Two soldiers including an officer later succumbed to their injuries. The militants believed to be three in number managed to escape while taking advantage of darkness. HM claimed responsibility for the attack

Two HM militants, identified as Aaqib Ahmad Itoo and Suhail Ahmad were killed in an encounter with SFs in Kulgam District. SFs had laid an ambush at Gopalpora village in DH Pora following a tip off about the movement of some militants in the area. As the militants entered the ambushed area, they were challenged after which a fierce gun battle took place between the SFs and the militants in which two militants were killed. Bodies of the two militants were recovered along with two AK 47 rifles.

One HM militant, identified as Yawar Nissar Shergujri and an unidentified civilian were killed in an encounter with SFs in Kanelwan village in Bijbehara in Anantnag District. One soldier, identified as Rohit Kumar sustained injuries during the encounter. The unidentified person who was killed was riding a motorcycle in the area and was caught in the crossfire during the encounter between terrorists and SFs. SFs conducted search operations in the area based on intelligence inputs that three militants had been spotted in the area. During the search operations, the militants opened fire on the SFs and the latter retaliated. While the HM militant Shergujri was killed in the exchange of fire, two militants managed to escape in the cover of darkness. Police recovered an SLR, two magazines, 40 rounds and one Chinese hand grenade from the slain militant.

A total 38 CRPF security personnel were martyred in 15 incidents of attacks by cadres of the CPI-Maoist during the past six months as on June, 30, 2017, says the Central GovernmentDuring this period, incidents of attacks by cadres of CPI-Maoists in other Naxal infested states are as follows- Andhra Pradesh (1), Bihar (3), Jharkhand (4), Maharashtra (8) and Odisha (1).

The Centre Government of India has asked the Naxal affected State Governments to post "shadow intelligence officers" to track big and high-value Naxal leaders on a dedicated and sustained basis. The Central Government took this approach as a part of its revised counter-LWE strategy drafted in consultation with the affected States.

Minister of MoRTH, Nitin Gadkari, at an inter-ministerial meeting on infrastructure said that obstructive rules of the environment ministry and its notifications issued without considering ground realities have proved to be roadblocks for development in Naxal-affected areas.

Odisha Government demanded SRE of nearly INR 2.80 billion for Naxal-infested Districts in the State. Chief Secretary of Odisha Government, AP Padhi told reporters that the SRE is due from Centre since last two years. Simultaneously, State Government requested the GoI to upgrade Internet connectivity and banking facilities in the two Naxal affected Districts of Koraput and Malkangiri. The State Government put forth its proposals during a video-conference with the Union Cabinet Secretary.

CPI-Maoist activities in Odisha has gone down sharply and out of 35 most LWE affected Districts in the Country, only two Districts, Koraput and Malkangiri find place in the list released by the UMHA. While about 95 per cent of violence by LWEs is reported from 35 Districts of seven States, Odisha shares only 8.2 per cent, which confirms the trend. In the latest report of the UMHA on Maoist activities in the country, while Chhattisgarh records the highest of 37.6 per cent LWE violence cases, Jharkhand share 31 per cent of the total LWE violence reported across the country. Odisha stood far behind the two neighbouring States with just 8.2 per cent. In Chhattisgarh 8 and in Jharkhand 16 Districts are most LWE affected Districts, while Maoist activities is confined mostly to Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and Khammam in Telengana. Among these States, Odisha leads in conducting more number of Unified Command Meetings to review Maoist Menace and Development. While Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand face larger degree of Maoist violence, in the recent months both the States have failed to conduct Unified Command Meetings while Odisha conducted four meetings of Unified Command to tackle the ultras. State Police is acting in tandem with Central Para-military Forces and an apex Level Multi Disciplinary Group has been put in place tackle the Left Wing rebels.

Odisha has asked the UMHA for two more battalions of CRPF forces to be deployed in bordering Districts of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh as these areas are porous and ultras keep sneaking into the State since there is more presence of CAFs in both the two States.

Altogether 63 Composite BOPs would be constructed along the State’s international border with Bangladesh. Of the total target, construction of 47 composite BOPs have already been completed while some of them made operational for providing better facility to the jawans. On the progress of barbed wire fencing along the Indo-Bangla border, an unnamed BSF official said there was no fixed target to complete the fencing works.

August 4

Confidential information related to the Indian Army has been allegedly leaked out from Jhansi Sadar SDM’s office to foreign agents. The UP ATS officials suspect the role of some insiders in the leak and interrogated some employees of the SDM office. The sleuths also seized some documents, computers and pen drives in this connection.  IG of Police, ATS, Asim Arun said the probe so far revealed that details related to movement of troops in and from Jhansi Cantonment area have been leaked.

Indian Government urged countries that share its concerns on international terrorism to cooperate in fighting all forms of terror. “You are aware of our position. He (Azhar) is the leader of JeM, which has been involved in terror acts against India and fomenting trouble in other countries. All the countries that share our concern will cooperate in the sanction,” MEA spokesperson Gopal Baglay said. Baglay said that Azhar had been involved in carrying out terror activities against India and this was a well-known fact. He was replying to a question on China once again extending by three months its technical hold on the US, France and UK-backed proposal to designate Azhar a global terrorist by the UN.

Police arrested one person from Bihar who was allegedly attempting to circulate FICNs from Neredmet market in Secunderabad in Telangana. According to sources, vegetable vendors at Neredmet market caught a man when he attempted to exchange the fake 12,000 note on the pretext of purchasing vegetables. The suspect had given 12,000 fake notes after purchasing vegetables worth 11,100. Preliminary probe revealed that the suspect hailed from Bihar had come to Hyderabad along with his friends and they are into circulation of fake Indian currency notes, which were reportedly procured by one of the gang members from West Bengal, said sources.

The NIA was questioning two more persons from the Coimbatore city (Tamil Nadu), believed to be ‘close friends’ of the duo who were interrogated two days ago in connection with an Islamic State (IS) module busted in Kannur District (Kerala) last year.  A team of officials, led by a DSP from Kerala arrived in Coimbatore and took the youths to a Police station for “questioning” about the movement of their friends from Karumbukadai and Ukkadam in the Coimbatore city. According to Police sources, one youth is running a shop that sells second-hand books and the other a shoe outlet in the city. They would either be released after questioning or taken to Kochi, they said.

In the past few days, NIA has questioned “a few persons” from Coimbatore and Alappuzha in Kerala as part of its probe in connection with an Islamic State module busted in Kannur District in 2016. Report adds that Basil Shihab of Alappuzha (Kerala), Abdul Rahman, of Ukkadam in Coimbatore, and S Abdullah, of Karumbukadai in Coimbatore, are being questioned by the NIA team at its Kochi office since August 4. Their interrogation will continue on August 6 too. The NIA had on August 3 carried out searches at the residences of these youths.

The Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque concluded peacefully but a group of youth pelted stones on SF men from the entrance of the Jama Masjid in Srinagar for more than an hour. SFs responded firing teargas. The protester later dispersed and clashes erupted in nearby Saraf Kadal locality. However, SFs managed to contain the stone-pelting instantly and the order was restored.

The situation in rest of the city remained normal except a stone-pelting incident in Parimpora interiors, said a Police official. In four Districts of south Kashmir – Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama – situation remained tense. A spontaneous shutdown was observed in most parts of these Districts against recent militant and civilian killings.

In Main Town of Anantnag District, clashes erupted in the morning after the burial of local militant Yawar Nissar, who was gunned down by SFs on August 3. The clashes also erupted in parts of Pulwama District including at Haal, Tahab and Prichal.

In neighbouring Shopian District, clashes were reported from Memandar area after Friday prayers. The clashes also erupted at Sopore town of Baramulla District in North Kashmir after Friday prayers. Police said that no major injury was reported from anywhere in the day and situation is under control.

Army and Police recovered arms from a natural cave hideout at Baurgalli village under the jurisdiction of Kandi Kotranka Police Station in Rajouri District. “A joint team of Police and Army today (August 4) recovered two AK rifles, three pistols and two AK magazines from a natural cave in Baurgalli area,” official sources said. They said that acting on a specific input, a joint search operation of Police and Army was launched in the area during which an old hideout of the militants was detected and destroyed.

Budgam Police said that they foiled an attempt of two local youth to join militancy. Police spokesman said that on July 31, Police Station at Charari Sharief received a missing report stating that two boys, identified as Basharat Ahmad Dar (15), student of 10th class and Anayat Qayoom Bhat (17), a 12th class student had gone to appear in the golden test at Higher Secondary School Baghlipora, Chadoora but did not return home. “After receiving this information, Budgam Police lodged missing reports and started the investigation,” the spokesman said, adding that after proper verification and checking of their movement, it was found that the duo had gone to Tral area of Awantipora in Pulwama District. “Acting swiftly, SHO Charari Sharief sent a team to Awantipora on August 2 where from the duo were brought back,” he said.

A special court sent three separatist leaders from Jammu and Kashmir to the jail till September 1 while granting custodial remand of four others to the NIA, which told the court that it wanted to further interrogate the four separatists in connection with terror funding and other aspects of the case. The NIA had arrested a total of seven separatist leaders from Kashmir and New Delhi in connection with terror funding, hawala operations, fuelling unrest etc on July 24 and was engaged in their sustained interrogations. Simultaneously, the ED had arrested another separatist leader Shabir Shah in connection with using foreign money to fund terrorism. His custody with the ED had been extended only yesterday (August 3) by the Court for six days.

Bihar Police arrested a cadre of the CPI-Maoist, Suresh Baitha, from Nonfarva village in East Champaran District of Bihar. Baitha was carrying INR 25,000 on his head. Baitha was wanted in 14 cases of violence and related crimes in the District.

Escorted by a Police team, Kanyakumari alias Suvarna, a woman leader of the CPI-Maoist involved in more than 20 cases registered in Kerala and other southern States, was brought to Kochi in Ernakulam District of Kerala. She was brought as part of a case related to an attack on a Policeman in Wayanad in 2015. Suvarna, a Karnataka native, was brought to Kochi from Chikmagalur following a production warrant issued by the NIA Court.

UMHA said that a multi-pronged strategy of security, development and ensuring rights of local communities should be vigorously pursued to deal with Naxals-affected States, while chairing a meeting in New Delhi. Singh was chairing a meeting to review the status of development projects and security-related issues in Naxal affected States. Different development projects, including RRP, and those concerning air connectivity, power, education, health and banking were reviewed at the meeting. While reviewing the progress on road connectivity under RRP-II, Singh expressed concern over the delay in submission of DPRs by State Governments.

SF-10 with 152 commandos and a Unit of 50 recruits in Law and Order Riot Control were formally inducted after the passing out parade at APTC in Mawiong. CM Mukul Sangma witnessed the parade as the chief guest. On the occasion, CM Sangma said that there will be continuous recruitment in the Police force and about 2,751 vacancies are to be filled.

CM Mukul Sangma said that the rehabilitation package meant for disbanded groups is under examination.  Speaking to mediapersons, Sangma said, “There are certain technicalities which need to be addressed and in the process there have been delays. These aspects have been shared with the police headquarters.” The statement came a day after the ANVC-B accused the State Government of intentionally delaying the rehabilitation package for them.

August 5

The Jandiala Police arrested one person, identified as Raman Kumar alias Romi along with FICNs worth of INR 25,000 from Jalandhar District. SSP, Amritsar rural, Parampal Singh said “Raman hailed from Mari Gahor Singh village in Tarn Taran. He used to make fake currency using computer and printer. The Police recovered currency notes of Rs 500 to the tune of Rs 20,000 and Rs 100 notes to the tune of Rs 5,000.”

At least three militants of LeT were killed and a Police constable was injured in an encounter at Amargrah, Sopore in Baramulla District early morning. Official sources said that on specific information about the presence of militants, SFs and SOG of State Police launched a joint search operation at Amargrah early this morning. During the operation militants attacked the SFs with automatic weapons ensuing a fierce encounter in the open ground. Three LeT militants were killed and three AK rifles and other arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants, source said.

At least three persons, identified as Hilal Ahmed Wani, Latief Ahmed Khan and Suhail Ahmed Bhat were injured when SFs opened fire on protesters, who were protesting against the militant killings at Sadarkoot Bala in Bandipora District on August 5. As SATP reported earlier, three LeT militants, identified as Javed Ahmed Dar, Abid Hamid Mir and Danish Manzoor were killed and a Police constable was injured in an encounter at Amargrah in Sopore in Baramulla District early morning on August 5. Soon after the bodies of the militants reached their areas, there were protests.

Police and SFs arrested three OGWs of LeT, identified as Showkat Ahmad Mir, Waseem Ahmad Sofi and Junaid Ali Bhat, from Zainapora area of Shopian District. Three hand grenades were also recovered from them. Police said that during questioning, the OGWs admitted that they were working at behest of LeT operative Wasim Shah and were tasked to lob grenades on police establishments, cause death and injuries to Police personnel and snatch weapons in Shopian. The OGWs had also carried out observation of some Police guards for militant attacks.

District Police recovered 4,225 detonators and two rifles from a CPI-Maoist hideout in a forest near Hesag village under Bagru Police Station area in Lohardaga District of Jharkhand. SP, Kartik S. said Police acted on a tip-off about the movement of wanted Maoist leader Sudhakaran and ‘zonal commander’ Ravindra Ganjhu along with 45 armed squads in Hesag, Hasru and neighbouring areas of Lohardaga.

Security agencies have stepped up vigil after receiving intelligence inputs indicating the possibility of terror strikes by ULFA-I in Dibrugarh District in the run-up to Independence Day. "We have intelligence inputs that the ULFA-I may try to target Dibrugarh town ahead of Independence Day. Use of car bombs by the militants also cannot be ruled out but we are fully prepared to thwart any kind of threat. Counter-insurgency operations have been intensified in the border areas. We are checking every vehicle and two-wheeler at all entry and exit points of the town. Night patrolling is being conducted in all the major roads and streets," said ASP-Headquarters Surjeet Singh Panesar.

August 6

A team of ATS arrested a Bangladeshi man, Abdullah al Mamon, suspected of being a member of the banned militant outfit ABT from UP. According to an ATS spokesperson, four more people have been arrested following Abdullah’s arrest. Two of them were living in a madrasa (Islamic Seminary). Two were locals, while the others came from Kashmir and Bihar. Indian investigators seized several fake passports, Aadhaar cards and other official documents from Abdullah that he was also holding for other people. They also discovered official seals, duplicated signatures of important officials and copied panchayat pradhans. Indian Police said that Abdullah and his team had succeeded in laying the groundwork for spreading a terror network in the area and were moving into the second or third phase of their operations. Abdullah was also trying to marry a local girl, but his accent was an impediment, said police. He had been working as an Imam for over a year before he was removed because of his accent.

The militant was living in the Deoband area of Saharanpur in UP since 2011. He moved to Muzaffarnagar District in July, 2017. Abdullah admitted to have crossed over to India through Assam. He had been active in terror sponsoring activities in Malda District and other areas of West Bengal and was linked to associates in the banned JMB and the Islamic State (IS). He said he was working as a recruiter for the Islamic State. His work in UP as an Imam in mosques, was a cover to hide his main activity, which was to provide shelter and other help for Bangladeshi jihadis crossing over to India.

BSF arrested a person, identified as Samayon, carrying INR 92000 worth of FICN in INR 2000 note denomination near Baliadanga area of Malda District in West Bengal. So far in 2017, the south Bengal frontier of the BSF has seized FICNs of the face value of INR 30.84 lakh and arrested five men, the BSF said.

BSF arrested a Bangladeshi citizen, Abdul Wahid (46), along with some documents, from Karimganj town in Karimganj District. An Aadhaar card, panchayat documents, ILP for Mizoram and three mobile phones were recovered from him. During interrogation, he told the BSF that he is a resident of Jokiganj in Sylhet district of Bangladesh and came to India four years back with the help of a tout. He has been working as a labourer since. On the Aadhaar card, his name has been written as Abdul Kalam.

The cadres of the CPI-Maoist triggered a blast in an under-construction community hall at Jamgai village in Gaya District of Bihar. The CPI-Maoist cadres left leaflets claiming responsibility for the incident. The community hall was being constructed to serve as a Police picket in the Maoist-affected area.

A member of Western Ghats Zonal Committee (WGZC) of the CPI-Maoist, Soman, had expressed to surrender before Police in Malappuram District of Kerala. Sonam joined PLGA of the party in 2014. The sources said the immediate provocation for the surrender offer was due to threats faced by Soman, a native of Kalpetta in Wayanad District, and his family members from Naxal groups.

August 7

Indian Army foiled a major infiltration bid in Macchil sector of Kupwara District killing five infiltrating militants and recovered huge quantity of arms and ammunition from them. Army’s 57 RR noticed the movement of five infiltrators near Dat Post in Kamkadi area of Macchil sector of Kupwara at around 5 p.m. They were challenged by the troops leading to an encounter in which five militants were killed. Army recovered five AK-47 rifles and huge quantity of ammunition from the killed militants. They also recovered dry fruits and war like stores. The search operation in the area is going on, report said. Sources said that these infiltrators made an attempt during the night on July 29 and 30 but went back to PoK after seeing huge army deployment of the LoC.

A soldier, identified as Narendra Singh Bisht (43) was critically injured in sniping by Pakistani troops along the LoC in Uri sector of Baramulla District in the evening. The soldier deployed in forward area was hit by a sniper in his head injuring him critically. He has been airlifted to Army’s 92 base hospital Badamibagh, Srinagar for treatment.

A weapon snatching bid was foiled by a J&K Bank guard in Charar-e-Sharief area of Budgam District but perpetrators were caught on CCTV camera. A Police official said that three unidentified men attempted to snatch a rifle from a J&K Bank guard in Charar-i-Sharief area of Budgam District in the afternoon. “The policeman deployed at the guard foiled their attempt. The trio managed to escape from the spot but was caught in the CCTV footage. A case has been registered in this regard and investigation taken up,” he said.

Amid shutdown in South Kashmir’s Pulwama District, clashes erupted between youth and SFs in Pulwama District. Clashes erupted in Pulwama town following the killing of a militant in Samboora during which SFs used tear gas canisters to disperse the youth who were throwing stones on them. CASO was launched in Pinglin area of Pulwama District following the inputs about the presence of militants there during which the youth took to streets and pelted stones on forces.

In North Kashmir, a shutdown was observed in Hajin, Baramulla and Sopore areas. All the shops, business establishments and the educational institutes remained closed in these areas today while the traffic was also thin ion the roads. Meanwhile, the mobile internet services continued to remain suspended in north Kashmir.

Joint separatist leadership called for a shutdown in Kashmir on August 12 against alleged attempts to abrogate the Article 35-A of Indian Constitution. In a statement issued in Srinagar, the joint separatist leadership comprising of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik appealed people to observe shutdown on August 12 and take to streets against alleged attempts of abrogating State Subject law which has remained in place since centuries. The separatists also said that the shutdown would be observed to protest the alleged “excesses on the people of South Kashmir, crackdowns across Valley and NIA raids on their leaders.

The Union Government extended the disturbed area under the AFSPA for one more month, citing various violent activities by insurgent groups ULFA, NDFB, and others. “The Union Home Ministry also declared Meghalaya’s border areas adjoining Assam consisting 20 kilometre belt, and three districts in Arunachal Pradesh as “disturbed” under the AFSPA for two more months with effect from August 3 to September 30. In separate gazette notifications, the Home Ministry said entire Assam has been declared “disturbed” under the AFSPA with effect from August 3 till August 31. The three districts of Arunachal Pradesh – Tirap, Changlang and Longding – and areas falling within the jurisdiction of 14 Police Stations in nine other Districts of the State were also declared as ‘disturbed’ with effect from August 4 to September 30. The 14 Police Stations fall under the Districts of Papumpare, West Siang, East Siang, Lower Dibang Valley, East Kameng, West Kameng, Namsai, Lohit and Lower Subansiri.

The Union Government extended the disturbed area under the AFSPA for one more month, citing various violent activities by insurgent groups ULFA, NDFB, and others. “The Union Home Ministry also declared Meghalaya’s border areas adjoining Assam consisting 20 kilometre belt, and three districts in Arunachal Pradesh as “disturbed” under the AFSPA for two more months with effect from August 3 to September 30. In separate gazette notifications, the Home Ministry said entire Assam has been declared “disturbed” under the AFSPA with effect from August 3 till August 31. The three districts of Arunachal Pradesh – Tirap, Changlang and Longding – and areas falling within the jurisdiction of 14 Police Stations in nine other Districts of the State were also declared as ‘disturbed’ with effect from August 4 to September 30. The 14 Police Stations fall under the Districts of Papumpare, West Siang, East Siang, Lower Dibang Valley, East Kameng, West Kameng, Namsai, Lohit and Lower Subansiri.

GNLA’s senior commander and third in the hierarchy of the outfit, Baltush N Marak, surrendered at Chokpot in South Garo Hills. Baltush N Marak was the ‘area commander’ in the coal-belt of Nangalbibra in South Garo Hills District and West Khasi Hills District. 

GNLA ‘commander-in-chief’, Sohan D Shira, who fled to Bangladesh in June, has returned to Garo Hills. A series of setbacks at the hands of Meghalaya police commandos in the recent weeks has pushed GNLA to the corner. Sohan was forced to flee into neighbouring Bangladesh following an encounter at Rongsu in South Garo Hills on June 27 during which his personal bodyguard, Lukseng Ch Marak, was killed and the elusive rebel leader was saved by a whisker.

The Union Government extended the disturbed area under the AFSPA for one more month, citing various violent activities by insurgent groups ULFA, NDFB, and others. “The Union Home Ministry also declared Meghalaya’s border areas adjoining Assam consisting 20 kilometre belt, and three districts in Arunachal Pradesh as “disturbed” under the AFSPA for two more months with effect from August 3 to September 30. In separate gazette notifications, the Home Ministry said entire Assam has been declared “disturbed” under the AFSPA with effect from August 3 till August 31. The three districts of Arunachal Pradesh – Tirap, Changlang and Longding – and areas falling within the jurisdiction of 14 Police Stations in nine other Districts of the State were also declared as ‘disturbed’ with effect from August 4 to September 30. The 14 Police Stations fall under the Districts of Papumpare, West Siang, East Siang, Lower Dibang Valley, East Kameng, West Kameng, Namsai, Lohit and Lower Subansiri.

The Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya will be meeting to demand the inclusion of the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement in the Constitution as in the case of Jammu & Kashmir. The Grand council consists of the Federation of Khasi States and various other traditional bodies Will also to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the signing of accession agreement.

The CPI-Maoist has minimised recruiting women into their dalams to avoid marital issues and security reasons. The Police who are engaged in the ANS operations observe that there is a decrease in women recruitment. A CRPF personnel, on condition of anonymity, said, there are issues such as harassment by superiors, negligence in elevation to higher positions and domination by men which are discouraging CPI-Maoist to recruit women cadres in the dalams. Love-related issues and illicit affairs are major reasons for decline recruitment. “We also observed in the minutes written and documented by the Naxalites during plenums, which were seized during exchanges of fire, about the ban on women recruitment,” a Police official said.

A group of 50 armed cadres of the CPI-Maoist killed Nandapur Sarpanch, Jaga Khara, by slitting his throat at Hatibari village under Padua Police limits in Koraput District of Odisha. The CPI-Maoist cadres alleged him as ‘Police informer’ . According to reports, the armed Maoists barged into the house of Khara when he was asleep and dragged him outside and later killed him by slitting his throat. Before fleeing the spot, the Maoists set ablaze a tractor, a car and a jeep of the Sarpanch besides leaving a handwritten letter near the body.

The Odisha Police has decided to form BDDS at range levels while constituting Anti-Sabotage Check Teams (ASCT) in each District. The State Police Headquarters at Bhubaneswar District has come out with an official order for formation of dedicated units at all police range including Koraput, Berhampur, Sambalpur, Rourkela, Cuttack, Balasore, Angul and Police Commissionerate Bhubaneswar-Cuttack. Presently, there are two apex BDDS functioning under the Security Wing of the Special Branch. Similarly, there are trained personnel at District levels too. In fact, each of the LWE-affected Districts has its own BDDS which is employed to sweep the areas during anti-Naxal operations. However, in other Districts, though trained manpower is available, no special unit has been formed as yet.

The Odisha Government has approached and urged the UMoRD for more funds under MNREGA as there is more demand for daily jobs in the tribal-dominated LWE zones. While 19 Districts are affected by Maoists in Odisha, the UMHA has identified Malkangiri and Koraput as “Most LWE Affected Districts” among the 35 Districts of the country, where Maoists are most active.  Further, funds sought for RRP-II are yet to be sanctioned, though; the UMHA has favored such proposal long back. Once sanctioned, Odisha is expected to receive over INR 6 billion under RRP II and major roads in Malkangiri and Koraput Districts are to be covered.

To monitor the movement of the CPI-Maoist cadres in the reserve forest along the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border, the Coimbatore Rural Police of Tamil Nadu have deployed six more NSD teams with the field staff of the forest department to conduct combing operations in Coimbatore District. The Police have also created 13 more check-posts in bordering areas to monitor the movement of vehicles round-the-clock. SP, Coimbatore District, Pa Moorthy told that six more NSD teams from other Districts to conduct combing operations in vulnerable areas. Tribal villages in Kerala are infested with Maoists. But there is no movement of Maoists in Tamil Nadu.

In a joint operation, Charla Police and the CRPF arrested ‘area committee member’, Madivi Chukka alias Diwakar (28), from Unjupalli forest area under Charla Police Station in Khammam District of Telangana. Diwakar was one of the accused in the killing of a home guard attached to Dummugudem Police Station at the pilgrim centre of Parnashala in Bhadrachalam division in 2013.

The Union Government extended the disturbed area under the AFSPA for one more month, citing various violent activities by insurgent groups ULFA, NDFB, and others. “The Union Home Ministry also declared Meghalaya’s border areas adjoining Assam consisting 20 kilometre belt, and three districts in Arunachal Pradesh as “disturbed” under the AFSPA for two more months with effect from August 3 to September 30. In separate gazette notifications, the Home Ministry said entire Assam has been declared “disturbed” under the AFSPA with effect from August 3 till August 31. The three districts of Arunachal Pradesh – Tirap, Changlang and Longding – and areas falling within the jurisdiction of 14 Police Stations in nine other Districts of the State were also declared as ‘disturbed’ with effect from August 4 to September 30. The 14 Police Stations fall under the Districts of Papumpare, West Siang, East Siang, Lower Dibang Valley, East Kameng, West Kameng, Namsai, Lohit and Lower Subansiri.

August 7-8

HM ‘commander’ Sameer Tiger along with his two associates fled from cordon in Drubgam village of Pulwama District on August 7 night. The militants, who were hiding in a house, fired on troops during searches leading to a gun battle but they managed to escape. SFs later cordoned off the entire villages and conducted house to house searches. The operation continued till 9 a.m on August 8 but was called off.

Police and Army have launched hunt to trace an injured militant in Pulwama District. Reports said that a militant of LeT, Ayub Lone alias Ayub Lelhari was injured during an encounter in Samboora village in Pampora area two days ago. One Pakistani militant was killed but Ayub and his associate managed to escape from the cordon but he was injured. SFs on August 7 cordoned off Pahoo, Bougam Kakapora and Pinglana village to trace out the injured militant. The hunt to trace out him continued on August 8.

August 8

The NIA filed a chargesheet against four members of IS’s self-professed Lucknow-Kanpur module. Atif Muzaffar, Danish, Syed Mir Hussain and Ghaus Khan, who were allegedly involved in a blast on a Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train in March, 2017 have been charged under the IPC and the UAPA. In the chargesheet filed before a special NIA court in Bhopal, the agency has alleged that Muzaffar formed a terrorist gang with several members. An NIA statement said the gang included Danish, Hussain, Khan and one Saifullah and owed allegiance to the IS. Saifullah was killed in an encounter in Lucknow on the day of the blast.

The UP ATS is probing whether Faizan, an alleged member of Bangladeshi terror group ABT, planned to recruit youths by offering them training in martial arts at Deoband in Saharanpur. Bangladeshi native Faizan, who allegedly holds a key post in ABT, is absconding. He is reportedly an associate of Abdullah, who was arrested from Muzaffarnagar by the ATS on August 6. Abdullah was produced before a Lucknow court on August 8, which sent him to five-day Police custody.

FICN of face value of over INR 2.55 crore, the maximum being in Gujarat, have been seized along various international borders of the country post demonetisation, Minister of State for Home Hansraj G Ahir cited NCRB data, collected for the November 9, 2016-July 14, 2017 period, while furnishing a written reply in Lok Sabha on the subject. A total of 23,429 FICN have been seized during the said period and the data also includes the fakes for the old Rs. 500 notes that were demonetised, along with the INR 1,000 currency, after a declaration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8, 2016.

The maximum seizures, both in terms of number of fake notes seized of INR 100/INR 500 and their face value, have been made in Gujarat followed by Mizoram, West Bengal and Punjab. The face value of the seized FICN in Gujarat stood at over INR 1.37 crore, followed by INR 55 lakh in Mizoram, over INR 44 lakh in West Bengal and INR 5.60 lakh in Punjab. The total face value of this FICN, across all Border States, is more than INR 2.55 crore, the data said.

Forty-two people linked with various organisations, including IS (Islamic State), were suspected to have gone missing from Kerala in last five years, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said. There was no information about these missing people, Vijayan said in a written reply in the state Assembly, adding that all cases connected with IS were probed by the NIA. Vijayan also said that the state government did not receive any confirmation report from central agencies about the death of any of these missing persons.

An Army jawan (trooper), identified as Sepoy Pawan Singh Sugra was killed in Pakistani firing from across the LoC in Mankote sector of Poonch District. Official sources said Pakistan army resorted to unprovoked firing on forward posts of the Army at Balnoi in Mankote sector of Poonch District around 2.50 pm. The Indian troops retaliated “strongly and effectively” to the Pakistani firing, sources said.

Police busted a module of HM in Kreeri area of Baramulla District by arresting its three members. Police said that assisted by Army’s 29 RR and CRPF on a specific information laid a joint checkpoint at Behrampora Tilgam crossing in Baramulla District and arrested three suspected HM militants, identified as Waseem Ahmed Mir, Umer Hassan Rather and Hussain Rather. Police said that two Chinese pistols along with ammunition was recovered from their possession. “On sustained questioning, the trio admitted that they are working for Hizb-ul-Mujahideen terror outfit and motivating young boys into militancy”, said Police.

NSCN-K announced to boycott the Independence Day celebrations on August 15 in all Naga inhabited territories and appealed to every Naga nationals to abstain from participation.

The NIA arrested Sankhang Basumatary, a suspected cadre of NDFB-IKS here for his alleged involvement in the December 23, 2014, massacre of Adivasis at Pakriguri village under Serfanguri Police Station in Kokrajhar District.

Prithviraj Narayan Dev Mech, a descendent of Bodo king Chikra Mech has twice received threats allegedly from the NDFB-S which accused him of working against their demand for a sovereign Bodoland. The Prithviraj, who was "coronated" as the prince last year, lodged an FIR at Kokrajhar Police Station on August 8 following text messages from a person, identifying himself as B. Mithinga of the NDFB-S, a militant outfit, the day before.

An unidentified militant shot at and injured a civilian, Sandam Bhogen (37), at Sagolband Khamnam bazar under Lamphel Police Station along Imphal West district. Sandam Bhogen is out on bail regarding the alleged rape of a three and a half-year-old girl on December 3, 2013.

NSCN-K announced to boycott the Independence Day celebrations on August 15 in all Naga inhabited territories and appealed to every Naga nationals to abstain from participation.

AR troopers arrested a NSCN-K militant, ‘captain’ Inoto Chopy, from Alahuto colony in Zunheboto District.

DIG Vikas Vaibhav, informed that Bihar Police will extend its Lok Samvad (Public Interface Initiative) to the Naxal affected Jamui and Lakhisarai Districts of Bihar. DIG Vaibhav added, “Building confidence of people in policing, apart from ensuring their involvement in mainstream activities, will be our objective in extending the programme to Maoist strongholds in Banka, Jamui, Munger and Lakhisarai Districts under the two Police ranges of eastern Bihar.” The programme was launched in Munger last Saturday (August 5) after DIG Vaibhav was given additional charge of the range. The Munger range comprises six districts — Munger, Lakhisarai, Jamui, Sheikhpura, Begusarai and Khagaria. Meanwhile, sources said the Police had also initiated sports activities; involve common man, at select places in Bhagalpur District to make the programme more popular.

ATS of Gujarat Police arrested Naxal ‘ideologue’, Tusharkant Bhattacharya (62), co-accused of Tappalapur killing with Kondapalli Seetharamaih and Mupalla Laxmana Rao aka Ganapathy in 1976, on charges of sedition, waging war against the State and others from Nagpur-bound Geetanjali Express at Durg Railway Station of Chhattisgarh. Bhattacharya was returning from Kolkata in West Bengal after meeting his sister when he was arrested. Gujarat intelligence agency team picked up Bhattacharya from the train at Durg in Chhattisgarh and brought him to Nagpur by road. He was flown to Mumbai from city on way to Ahmedabad. He was wanted in the case registered in 2010 at Kamrej Police Station in Surat, Gujarat. Nagpur-based Bhattacharya, who was in Cherlapally jail in Hyderabad between 2007 and 2013 after being arrested in Patna in 2007, was booked in the present case along with Pitla Narayan alias Arjun Madhu, his wife Rela Prashanthi alias Shweta, Kobad Ghandy and Seema alias Manju Hirani and Anand Ambedkar. In March 2012, Bhattacharya's elder brother Aseem was arrested by Andhra Pradesh Police and Maharashtra ATS from Dombivli along with three others CPI-Maoist cadres for Naxal activities.   

District Police arrested a ‘sub-zonal commander’ of TPC-1, a breakaway group of TPC, from Cherwadih village under Bhawnathpur Police Station in Garhwa District of Jharkhand. Police also recovered one country made rifle loaded with two cartridges and a mobile phone from his possession. According to Garhwa SP, Mohamed Arshi, Police had received a tip-off that TPC one ‘sub-zonal commander’ Chotu Singh Kharwar alias Ajay Kumar Singh alias Ajay Singh Kharwar and his associates were sheltering in Cherwadih village near school, a joint team of Bhawnathpur Police led by OIC, Anil Kumar raided there. Chotu was arrested while his associates managed to escape. Arrested Chotu was involved in about one dozen Naxal violence cases including murder, attempt to murder, extortion etc, SP added. Chotu joined the CPI-Maoist squad in 1999. Later, he joined TPC one and made the chief of the District. Besides this he was also wanted to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Palamu Police in several cases, SP informed. TPC is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

NSCN-K announced to boycott the Independence Day celebrations on August 15 in all Naga inhabited territories and appealed to every Naga nationals to abstain from participation.

August 9

Security agencies in Uttar Pradesh's Amethi railway station found a suspicious unattended package, later found be a low intensity device, on a Amritsar-bound train. "A low-intensity device was found, it has been deactivated and train has left for its destination," Saumitra Yadav, SP GRP. Earlier, the train was stopped at Amethi for checking and two coaches were vacated and bomb disposal squad was also called for aiding the operation. "A package with a 'sutli' (thread) wrapped, two lighters and little powder material strewn around was found in the train (Akal Takhat Express/12317)," official said, adding, "The suspicious package was reported at around 1am on Wednesday night.” The officials have also recovered a threat letter near the package. The letter claims to avenge LeT terrorist Abu Dujana's killing.

Madhya Pradesh ATS in a joint operation with Punjab Police arrested three men and busted a terror module that sources say had direct links with Pakistan's ISI backed banned terror outfit ISYF. The arrests were made from Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior city. Those arrested have been identified as Balvinder Gill, Balkar Singh and Sathyendra Rawat. The trio was picked up from their hideouts in Dabra, Chinor and Dulpura area of Gwalior. Two of them were also associated with KLF, said officials.

Three militants of Zakir Musa-led al Qaeda group, Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (supporters of holy war in India), identified as Zahid Ahmad Bhat, Mohammad Ishaq Bhat and Mohammad Ashraf Dar were killed in an encounter at Tral area of Pulwama District while a protester was killed during protests in pellet firing by SFs. Sources said that a group of militants belonging to Zakir Musa group were taking bath in a local stream in Gulab Bagh Tral and were zeroed in by SFs. SFs opened fire on them killing two of them on the spot while others fled. One of the militants was killed inside the village. Two AK 47 rifles and one pistol were seized from the encounter site.

Protests broke out during the operations and SFs fired teargas and pellets to disperse the protesters during which a 16-year old boy, identified as Mohammad Younis of Saimoh Tral, was also killed. Hundreds of people staged violent protests at Gulab Bagh during the operation. They clashed with SFs and the forces retaliated by firing teargas and pellets during which the boy was critically injured due to pellets. Police said that after encounter a huge mob pelted stones upon a camp. “During law and order situation, one person sustained pellet injuries and later succumbed to his injuries”, he said.

All educational institutes shall remain closed in Pulwama District today, according to district administration. The clashes also raged at Pampore area of the district where SFs resorted to aerial firing. In Qoimoh area of Kulgam District, SFs fired in air after locals clashed with them during a raid on a hospital.

Army said that five militants who were killed while attempting to intrude on August 7 in Machil sector of Kupwara District were heavily armed and prepared to undertake prolonged operations. Brigadier RK Suresh of Machil Brigade said that the militants were heavily armed with AK-47 rifles, a large quantum of ammunition bulk of which was expended “on own as troops as well”, under barrel grenade launchers, multiple ammunition of grenades and other war-like stores. “They were also prepared to undertake prolonged operations. In the end, they were carrying good quantity of rations, medicines which have a lot of Pakistani markings,” the Brigadier said. He said that the troops carried out their operations efficiently with speed without any casualties.

Even as Pakistan accuses India of carrying out ceasefire violations, the Indian Government has conveyed to Islamabad that there has been a spurt in terrorist activities along the LoC and in infiltration attempts. A ceasefire violation by Pakistan had on August 8 led to the killing of an Indian soldier in the Poonch District. Pakistan, however, summoned India's deputy high commissioner J P Singh and condemned "unprovoked ceasefire violations'' by Indian forces which, it said, had targeted Pakistani civilians. The senior Indian diplomat though is learnt to have told the Pakistan foreign office that Pakistani forces had first violated ceasefire after which Indian troops responded with appropriate action. The Indian side also conveyed to Pakistan that it had noticed an increase in infiltration bids and that Pakistani forces were providing cover fire to terrorists in PoK seeking to cross the LoC.

India had summoned Pakistan High Commission official Tariq Karim and issued a demarche "lodging strong protest" over the death of an Indian soldier in unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Krishna Ghati sector the previous day, terming it as "deplorable". Despite repeated calls for restraint and call to adhere to the ceasefire understanding of 2003 for maintaining peace and tranquility, Pakistan forces have carried out 301 incidents of unprovoked ceasefire violations along the LoC this year, the MEA said.

DGP-law and order Kuladhar Saikia and ADGP-Special Branch Pallab Bhattacharya reviewed the law and order scenario in Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and Charaideo Districts of Upper Assam. The meeting was held taking into account a possible ULFA-I’s threat before and during Independence Day celebrations. Sources said this year Dibrugarh district is on the ULFA-I radar. Intelligence agencies recently warned that an ULFA group, led by a ‘captain’ Henry, may carry out remote-controlled IED blasts in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts targeting security forces and oil installations. ADGP Kuladhar Saikia said additional forces would be mobilized in the sensitive districts in view of the threat.

The NIA served NBW of arrests against ULFA-I’s London-based ‘chairman’ Dr Mukul Hazarika and ‘commander-in-chief’ Paresh Baruah, who is believed to be based in Myanmar. Two teams of Guwahati office of NIA took the NBWs to the native home of Hazarika at Samaguri in Nagaon District and Baruah's at Chabua in Dibrugarh District.

SFs arrested person named Anowar Hussain and recovered two China-made grenades from his possession at Mazbat area in Udalguri District.

SFs arrested a militant, identified as Ngamminlen Haokip (23) alias Diamond Haokip, at Kinkin area of Churachandpur town in Churachandpur District. Ngamminlen Haokip (23), the prime accused in the murder of KNLF ‘commander-in-chief’ Tonglianlal Haokip on August 2. 

UNLF claimed responsibility for shooting of the rape accused Sandam Bhogen at Takyel Khongbal near SAI complex in Imphal West District. 

The SoO pact was extended for another year by the Union Government, the State Government and two conglomerates of Kuki militant groups namely KNO and UPF. The SoO is now operational till August 31, 2018.The meeting did not touch any political agenda, it is reported that political dialogue would be held with the Government of India's interlocutor who is likely to arrive at Imphal soon, informed a source. Further, the Government officials took up cases of violation of SoO ground rules at Moreh and along National Highways by cadres belonging to the SoO groups. They asked the KNO and UPF leaders not to create such problems in future. They maintained that cadres which violate SoO ground rules should be handed over to the Government authority by the groups concerned. On their part, KNO and UPF cadres pointed out that monthly stipends entitled to the cadres of SoO groups have not been paid for two years. The UMHA officials assured that the designated camps of SoO groups would be renovated and the pending stipend amount would be released shortly added the source. The interlocutor, Dineshwar Sharma, was introduced to the Kuki organisations at the meeting in New Delhi. "Since the interlocutor has just been appointed, no discussion could be taken up today on statehood," Calvin H. of ZRO, a part of the UPF said.

The Assam Rifles caught four NSCN-K militants with arms and ammunition from Jiribam district.

The Centre Government of India has allotted a CRPF battalion to provide security for Andhra Pradesh Secretariat, Chief Minister’s residence and the Camp Office located in the capital region in Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh. The battalion is the first central force allotted to the State capital. The 39th Battalion, comprising 1,000 personnel, will also take up anti-Naxal operations in Telangana and Chhattisgarh borders and on the AOB region. The State Government has allocated land for the battalion headquarters at Chinavutapalli in Krishna District, and 15 acres has been allotted to the force at Newgondlapalli village near Agiripalli in the District, said its Commandant V.V.N. Prasanna Kumar.

The patrolling team of SFs cordoned off a forest in the interiors of Gangaloor area near Modipara village in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh and arrested four Maoist cadres. The arrested cadres were identified as Manglu Hemla (35), Raju Tati (28), Ramu Hemla (30) and Hemla Budhu (35), all lower rung cadres.

SFs arrested a local CPI-Maoist ‘militia commander’ identified as Budhru Mandavi (23) from Kalmanar village in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. SFs recovered a CPI-Maoist banner and two pamphlets from his possession. All the arrested cadres were allegedly involved in arranging meetings and food for the Maoists, gathering information for them, damaging roads, spreading their propaganda and other offences, Police said.

A total of 36 CPI-Maoist cadres were killed and 651 arrested during the last four months (March 16 to July 15, 2017), in Chhattisgarh, informed the Central Government. Chhattisgarh is among other Left Wing Extremism infested States where highest 38 CRPF troopers were killed in 15 incidents of Maoist attacks during the past six months as on June, 30, 2017, the Central Government added. During the period, incidents of Maoists attacks in other insurgency infested States are as follows — Andhra Pradesh (1), Bihar (3), Jharkhand (4), Maharashtra (8) and Odisha (1). Earlier, the Union Cabinet had also approved raising of four ‘India Reserve Battalions’ (IR Bns) for Chhattisgarh State to be deployed in LWE pockets of the State. The Union Cabinet had announced to raise a total of 17 India Reserve Battalions (IR Bns) for J&K and LWE affected States, officials stated. It includes five IR Bns in the State of J&K, three IR Bns in Jharkhand, three IR Bns in Odisha and two IR Bns in Maharashtra including four for Chhattisgarh.

A huge cache of arms and ammunition of the CPI-Maoist were seized by BSF personnel in Malkangiri District of Odisha. The security personnel deployed in Badapada under Chitrakonda cut-off area were tipped off about presence of Maoists in a camp at Bandhuguda forest area. BSF DIG (Intelligence), JC Nayak said when the jawans raided the forest; they found the Maoist camp near a nullah. However, before they could reach the spot, the Maoists fled. During search, BSF personnel found four SBML guns and two barrels, over a 100 round of ammunition, Maoist literature, radio set and uniforms from the camp. DIG Nayak added that the Maoist camp was set up to attack the BSF jawans deployed in the area for Gurupriya Bridge work.

Two CPI-Maoist cadres surrendered before West Bengal Police at the Belguma Police line in Purulia District of West Bengal. The surrendered Maoists identified as Hazari Hembram alias Bijoy and Rani Munda alias Pooja were known to be cadres of the Dalma squad active in West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha region for the CPI-Maoist. The duo handed over one 303 rifle and a 12mm bore gun to SP, Joy Biswas. Hazari, a resident of Mahalitar under Balrampur Police Station in Purulia had joined the Maoist squad in 2006.  Rani, who hails from East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand, entered the Maoist squad in 2015. The Dalma squad of Maoists primarily operates in the East Singhbhum region of Jharkhand. A tribal squad, most of its leaders and cadres are from West Bengal. “These two were also member of regional committee of Dalma squad surrounding Jharkhand, Orissa and Bengal,” SP, Biswas added.

August 9-10

An alleged al Qaeda terrorist deported from Saudi Arabia, identified as Zeeshan Ali was on August 10 produced before a Delhi Court which remanded him in custody of city Police for two weeks for interrogation in a case of terror funding. 29-year-old Ali, a native of Jharkhand and relative of 2007 Glasgow airport attack suspect, was sent back from Saudi Arabia last evening (August 9) in connection with the case in which he is also accused of conspiring with other al Qaeda members to organise and make provocative speeches to recruit Indian youths and establishing a base for the terror outfit. After deportation due to violation of visa, the alleged terrorist was arrested by the Delhi Police on August 9 at the IGI Airport as there was a Look Out Circular against him. Ali was declared a proclaimed offender by a Delhi court on July 12, along with eleven others. Their name was disclosed by five accused, arrested by the probe agency earlier, as active cadres of this banned outfit operating in India from Pakistan and other countries and known as AQIS.

August 10

A terrorist linked to al-Qaeda was arrested in Delhi; he was allegedly trying to escape to Nepal, Police said. Raza Ul Ahmed, who is involved in a fake currency racket, is a member of ABT, a Bangladesh based terror outfit which has an affiliation with al Qaeda, Police said. Ahmed has been handed over to the West Bengal Police, which had filed a case against him. ABT is said to be involved in the hacking of atheists in Bangladesh. The group owes allegiance to al Qaeda. Many members of the terror outfit, according to the Police, have sneaked into India using forged documents.

Punjab CM Amarinder Singh approved a proposal of the State Police to set up an elite specially trained SPG to deal with any terror attack and other threats in the State which shares border with Pakistan. "The contours of the proposed SPG, a small but effective 270-member young and dynamic team, were discussed at a meeting chaired by the chief minister," an official spokesperson said. The SPG will be set up, with a clear mandate to neutralise armed aggressors and to combat terrorism, besides infiltration, hijacking, hostage-taking and other sensitive threat situations. The CM had also suggested that a small core team from the SPG could be sent to Israel for the latest and state-of-the-art counter insurgency training.

According to the proposal discussed during the meeting, the SPG would be headed by an ADGP rank official with an IG and a DIG rank officer to assist him. The SPG would be divided into three teams, headed by a SP rank officer who would be of less than 35 years of age. The DSP rank officers in the team would be younger than 30 years and Operators would be in the age group of 18-25 years, the spokesperson said. These teams would specialise in tackling different situations and would be trained both by the Army and the NSG. Amarinder said the process to identify officers and personnel for the SPG, who would be drawn from various police departments should commence immediately.

The SC ordered the Kerala Police to hand over to the NIA the probe records of a case concerning the alleged conversion and radicalisation of a Hindu girl, and her marriage to a Muslim. A Bench led by CJI, J.S. Khehar said the NIA had to get involved to gauge whether this was an “isolated case” or part of a radicalisation trend in the southern State, threatening National Security. When the lawyer for Shafin Jahan protested the move, the court promptly recorded its “impression” that he “does not desire the correct and independent view of the controversy”.

The three men arrested on August 9 night by Madhya Pradesh ATS and Punjab Police had supplied pistols to pro-Khalistan militants for targeted political killings in Punjab. The arrested trio includes cousin of a Canada-based Khalistan separatist leader. The three were identified as Balkar Singh (45), Balwindar Singh (28) and Satyendra Rawat (26) from Dabra, Thatipur and Chinor areas of Gwalior District. According to key sources connected with the joint operation, Balkar was originally a native of Gurdaspur District of Punjab, who had migrated to Gwalior District over three decades back and was primarily engaged in agriculture.

Gurmeet Cheema, Balkar’s cousin, operates an outfit Khalsa Sewa Dal (KSD) in Canada, and also has links with the terror outfits Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) and International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) which primarily operate from Pakistan. The nexus came in light, in May 2017, when two KLF militants Maan Singh and Sher Singh were arrested by BSF from near the international border in Punjab. From their possession three country-made pistols and live cartridges were seized, after which a case was lodged at Ramdas Police station of rural Amritsar.

Investigations in the case later led to the arrest of three more KLF men in Punjab, including Jagroop Singh, Gurdayal Singh and Satwindar Singh. Interrogation of the arrested men revealed that the three pistols were supplied from Balkar Singh and aides in Gwalior at the behest of Canada-based Cheema. The pistols were to be used for executing targeted killing of some politicians in Punjab as part of ISYF and KLF plans to revive the movement for separate Khalistan, a key MP ATS source told. “All three men arrested by Punjab Police from Gwalior were accused in the case lodged at Ramdas Police Station in Amritsar in May. They have already been taken to Punjab. Once their grilling is completed by Punjab Police, MP Police too might interrogate them,” said MP Police’s IG (Law and Order) Makarand Deuskar.

A civilian, identified as Mohammad Sharief (60) was injured in a mine blast on the LoC in Keri sector of Rajouri District. According to report, Mohammad Sharief had gone to forward area for grazing cattle and accidentally stopped over the mine, leading to a blast in which he was injured. The victim was evacuated from the spot and admitted in the District Hospital, Rajouri, where he was undergoing treatment.

SFs arrested a LeT militant, identified as Ishfaq Ahmad Kanna from Sopore area in Baramulla District and recovered a pistol and two grenades from his possession. During Naka checking, one suspected person jumped the Naka and fled to a nearby orchard. The area was cordoned off by the police and security forces and the suspected person was apprehended. During the search his identity was revealed as Ishfaq Ahmad Kanna son of Mohammad Shafi Kanna of Jamia-Qadeem Sopore district Baramulla, who recently joined LeT outfit”, Police said. One pistol, one magazine, five rounds and two UBGL grenades were recovered from him. Police said that he was part of Lashkar module, three members of which were killed last week at Jamia Mohalla Amargarh Sopore. “Before joining LeT outfit, he worked as an active recruiter/OGW for LeT outfit in Sopore and other areas of North Kashmir”, said police adding that he was involved in a grenade throwing case on Police Station Sopore.

Normal life remained paralysed \ in Pulwama District, where three militants of Zakir Musa group were killed in an encounter by SFs. The mobile service also remained suspended in the district for the second day on August 10 to prevent spread of rumors on social media. The DM, Pulwama had ordered closure of all educational institutions as precautionary measure. Business and other activities were crippled and traffic was off the road in the district though there was no strike call from any organisation.

The DG of the CRPF, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar visited CRPF installations in South and North Kashmir. While interacting with the reporters, he said that the anti-militancy operations in Kashmir are an ongoing process and they will continue in future. He said that Army, CRPF and Police work jointly and in future also there will be successful operations as had been recently. He said that CRPF along with Police and Army conducted 18 successful operations recently and they were also managing law and order effectively with minimum collateral damage. “We didn’t allow stone pelters to disturb the anti-militancy operations”, he said. On infiltration of militants from Pakistan, the DG CRPF said that this is a kind of threat from Pakistan and our border forces, Army and Police are ready to fight back.

The ED conducted searches at a few locations in Srinagar in connection with an alleged terror funding and hawala (illegal money transfer) case involving over INR 20 crore funds.  Officials privy to the operations of the ED said the agency conducted searches against Sheikh Ashiq Ahmad and three premises connected to him. They said Sheikh’s house in Ahmad Nagar and his firms, ‘Al -Khudam Tour and Travels’ and ‘Ms Ferozsons Exports Private Limited’ in Srinagar town, were searched. “Some documents related to foreign firms have been seized after the searches,” they said.

Six top militant ‘commanders’, including LeT’s Abu Dujana, and Burhan Wani’s successor Sabzar Ahmad Bhat of HM, were among 132 terrorists killed in encounters with SFs in J&K, so far this year, according to official figures. SFs and Police are going after the militants, as they have fiercely intensified operations to hunt them down by acting on the hit-list of top terrorist leaders in Kashmir. The number of terrorists killed in the past seven months this year is the highest in the same period over the past seven years. “As many as 132 terrorists have been killed in encounters with police and security forces in Kashmir Valley in over seven months this year,” a senior security official said. While 115 militants have been killed till July-end, as many as 17 militants have been killed since then till August 9, as per official statistics.

While 38 LeT militants were killed in over seven months till August 9, 37 HM terrorists were eliminated along with three of the al Qeada-linked Zakir Musa group, and another 54 unidentified militants were killed, mostly on the LoC. “The relentless operations by the SFs have defeated the desperate attempts by Pakistan and its agents to spread terror in Jammu and Kashmir. Operations will be continued,” a senior Army officer said.

Seven armed militant formations called a 12 hour shut down strike on August 15, in the entire North East India, which they term as WESEA to ban celebration of Indian Independence Day. The total ban on the celebration of Indian Independence Day was made in a joint statement signed by ‘publicity secretary’, HNLC, Ksh Laba Meitei, ‘president’, KCP, Jiban Singh Koch, ‘chairman’, KLO, N.Oken, ‘chairman’, KYKL, B..R Ferengga, ‘general secretary’, NDFB-S, Sengphui Borok, ‘organizing secretary’, NLFT and J K Lijang, ‘chairman’, PDCK.

Seven armed militant formations called a 12 hour shut down strike on August 15, in the entire North East India, which they term as WESEA to ban celebration of Indian Independence Day. The total ban on the celebration of Indian Independence Day was made in a joint statement signed by ‘publicity secretary’, HNLC, Ksh Laba Meitei, ‘president’, KCP, Jiban Singh Koch, ‘chairman’, KLO, N.Oken, ‘chairman’, KYKL, B..R Ferengga, ‘general secretary’, NDFB-S, Sengphui Borok, ‘organizing secretary’, NLFT and J K Lijang, ‘chairman’, PDCK.

Seven armed militant formations called a 12 hour shut down strike on August 15, in the entire North East India, which they term as WESEA to ban celebration of Indian Independence Day. The total ban on the celebration of Indian Independence Day was made in a joint statement signed by ‘publicity secretary’, HNLC, Ksh Laba Meitei, ‘president’, KCP, Jiban Singh Koch, ‘chairman’, KLO, N.Oken, ‘chairman’, KYKL, B..R Ferengga, ‘general secretary’, NDFB-S, Sengphui Borok, ‘organizing secretary’, NLFT and J K Lijang, ‘chairman’, PDCK.

Seven armed militant formations called a 12 hour shut down strike on August 15, in the entire North East India, which they term as WESEA to ban celebration of Indian Independence Day. The total ban on the celebration of Indian Independence Day was made in a joint statement signed by ‘publicity secretary’, HNLC, Ksh Laba Meitei, ‘president’, KCP, Jiban Singh Koch, ‘chairman’, KLO, N.Oken, ‘chairman’, KYKL, B..R Ferengga, ‘general secretary’, NDFB-S, Sengphui Borok, ‘organizing secretary’, NLFT and J K Lijang, ‘chairman’, PDCK.

The CPI-Maoist activist Tushar alias Kanti alias Shreekant alias Prakashji Harnath Bhattacharya (62) was remanded to Police custody for four days (till August 14) by a court in Kathore of Kamrej taluka in Surat District of Gujarat. The Surat Rural Police had demanded 140-day custody of Bhattacharya, who was arrested by Gujarat ATS on August 8 from a train at Durg Railway Station of Chhattisgarh and handed over to the local Police in Kamrej on August 9. DSP, Surat District, SK Vala said, "We will be questioning Bhattacharya about the training classes conducted by him. We will also try to find out what kind of information he shared with the participants."

Two families of the village under Nandapur block have left Hatibari fearing violence by the cadres of the CPI-Maoist in Koraput District of Odisha. The families of Bibhisan Pangi and Manoj Kumar have shifted to Padwa following the killing of Sarpanch Jagannath Khora on August 7. Koraput, SP, KV Singh said Police have intensified combing in the area and asked villagers not to panic.

August 11

The NIA filed a charge sheet against Islamic State (IS) operative Moinudheen Parakadavath, who was a member of outfit called Ansar-ul-Khilafah Kerala (soldiers of the Caliphate as propagated by IS), formed by Shajeer Mangalessary. Moinudheen, a resident of Kasaragod District, had also travelled to Tehran (Iran) along with the group leader Shajeer and even met five members of the 22 missing persons from Kerala, who are now in Afghanistan, at the Iran border. He was deported from UAE on February 15, 2017.

According to a UN report, the Islamic State (IS) terror group enlists "partners of convenience" in Afghanistan and "outsources" terror attacks to Pakistan-based outfits like the LeJ and Jamaat-ul-Ahrar. The 20th report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team was submitted to the UN Security Council al-Qaida Sanctions Committee. It said that in South Asia, the al Qaeda's core continues to compete with the Islamic State, also known as the ISIL, for dominance over terrorist groups in the region. The report said the current leader of al-Qaeda Aiman al-Zawahiri "is still assumed" to be in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region. "ISIL in Afghanistan tends to enlist partners of convenience and 'outsources' terrorist attacks to other groups such as LeJ, and Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a TTP splinter group," the report said..

Indian and Pakistan troops exchanged fire with small arms at Kamalkote sector of Uri in Baramulla District. Sources said that the Pakistani troops targeted 20 Sikh and 8 RR regiments of Army at Kamalkote at around 6.25 pm. The fire was retaliated by the Army. The exchange of fire continued for few minutes but there was no injury or fatality on either side.

An army soldier was injured after militants attack army camp in forest area of Kalaroose in Kupwara District of North Kashmir in the late night. A group of militants attacked army’s 41 RR headquarter camp which is located in upper belt of Kalaroose forests along LoC. The indiscriminate fire continued on the RR headquarter for at least 10 minutes, the troops retaliated the fire which resulted a brief clash. During the incident, a soldier of 21 J&K Rifles was injured and has been shifted to military hospital Drugmulla, sources said.

SFs launched a cordon and search operation at Noorpora village of Tral in Pulwama District after suspecting presence of at least three militants including Zakir Musa. The youth pelted stones at the SFs during the operation and they fired tear gas to disperse them. The operation was called off in the afternoon and re-launched after an hour as the SFs got intercept about presence of militants inside the village. Sources said cordon and search operation will remain in place at Noorpora as they suspected presence of militants in a hideout inside the village.

SFs also launched cordon and search operations in Pehlipora Shopian, Nawa Kadal and Zaldagar areas of downtown Srinagar. However, no one was arrested during these operations.

Clashes and protests erupted in multiple parts in Valley after Friday prayers against alleged attempts of abrogating Article 35-A of the Constitution. The call for protests was issued by joint separatist leadership. Soon after Friday prayers were over, the activists of moderate Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq held a protest outside Jama Masjid in Nowhatta area of Srinagar. While Hurriyat activists protested peacefully but dozens of youth assembled inside the compound of Jama Masjid and pelted stones on Police and paramilitary personnel. The security personnel retaliated with stones and teargas canisters. The clashes in the area continued for many hours. However, no one was reported injured.

Dozens of JKLF activists also staged a protest after Friday prayers in Srinagar at Maisuma area of Lal Chowk while a similar protest was held at Hyderpora by hardline Hurriyat activists.

Clashes broke out between protesters and SFs at Nowdal and Batagund villages of Tral in Pulwama District after Friday prayers. The clashes also erupted in Tahab village of the Pulwama District. Police fired teargas against the stone-pelters. Clashes also erupted at Sopore and Hajin areas of North Kashmir’s Baramulla and Bandipora Districts respectively.

Security Forces arrested a NSCN-R cadre and an OWG along with arms and ammunition in Changlang District. The cadre, identified as ‘sergeant major’ Bokam Wangrey and OWG was identified as Raju Kumar Choudhury. SFs recovered an AK-47 assault rifle, ammunition, contraband, multiple SIM cards and other incriminating documents.

The tripartite talks involving the Union, State Government and the UNC, on the district creation issue is all set to be held at Senapati District headquarters. The UMHA Joint Secretary (in-charge of North East), Satyendra Garg over phone expressed hope for a positive outcome.

A joint squad of DRG and District Force arrested five cadres of the CPI-Maoist from the forests of Tongpal Police Station area in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. Those arrested were identified as Dashru Dhruva (20), Gangaram Dhurva (32) and Hadma Madkami (30), all hailing from Malkangiri District of Odisha, while two others -- Madkami Somdu (32) and Vetti Sukda (35) belonged to Bastar District. Dashru was active as ‘Commander’ of CNM - the cultural wing of the CPI-Maoist cadres whereas remaining others were members of DAKMS - a frontal organisation of CPI-Maoist. All the arrestees were allegedly involved in the firing on a Police party after triggering blast near Mundagadh village in Tongpal area on August 7, SP, Abhishek Meena said.

A cadre of the CPI-Maoist, Rupesh, was produced before the Principal District Sessions court in Coimbatore District of Tamil Nadu. The session Judge, Pongiyappan, ordered that Rupesh be remanded in judicial custody till August 21. Rupesh was arrested near Coimbatore in 2015.

Security Forces arrested a NSCN-R cadre and an OWG along with arms and ammunition in Changlang District. The cadre, identified as ‘sergeant major’ Bokam Wangrey and OWG was identified as Raju Kumar Choudhury. SFs recovered an AK-47 assault rifle, ammunition, contraband, multiple SIM cards and other incriminating documents.

August 12

A 40-year-old woman, identified as Raqia Bi was killed in firing by the Pakistani Army at border villages and Indian posts along the LoC in Poonch sector of Poonch District.  “The Pakistani army initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatic weapons and mortars from 0515 hours in Poonch sector along the LoC,” a Defence spokesman said. Indian Army personnel guarding the border posts retaliated strongly and effectively. The exchange of fire stopped at 0645 hours, he said. Till August 1 this year, there have been 285 instances of ceasefire violations by the Pakistani forces. In 2016, the number was significantly less at 228.

An Army jawan was killed while another jawan was injured when Pakistani troops resorted to heavy mortar shelling and firing targeting forward defence locations and civilian areas on the LoC in Mendhar and Krishna Ghati sectors in Poonch District. The Indian side retaliated very effectively decimating three Pakistani posts and bunkers, which were engaged in targeting civilian population in the area. In the exchange of fire, Naib Subedar Jagram Singh Tomar and Sepoy Mohit Kumar were injured. Tomar later succumbed to his injuries.

A civilian, identified as Imtiyaz Ahmad, injured in a petrol bomb attack in Srinagar on August 12, died in a hospital on August 13th morning. According to Police, unidentified assailants hurled a petrol bomb on a Police naka (checkpoint) at Badyari Chowk in Dalgate on the bank of Dal Lake on August 12 evening in which a civilian Imtiyaz Ahmad was critically wounded. The injured was rushed to SKIMS, where he died, Police spokesperson said.

Life across Kashmir was paralyzed by a shutdown amid restrictions against the alleged attempts to abrogate Article 35-A during clashes erupted in few parts of Valley. Police said that the day passed off peacefully and no major incident of violence was reported from anywhere in the Srinagar city. However, evening clashes erupted at Nowhatta, Safa Kadal and Zaldagar areas of downtown, Police said.

While the day passed off peacefully in Valley, clashes also erupted between youth and SFs at Arampora locality of Sopore Town in Baramulla District. There was, however, no injury to anyone.

Unidentified militants exploded a bomb at Moreh town in Tengnoupal District. No casualties were reported, Police said.

A “commander-rank” cadre of the CPI-Maoist surrendered before the Police in Bhadrachalam in Bhadradri-Kothagudem District of Telangana. CPI-Maoist Manuguru LOS ‘commander’ Sodi Devaiah alias Mallesh (22), surrendered before Bhadrachalam ASP, Sunil Dutt, Police sources said. Devaiah is a native of Rallagatta, an interior tribal habitation, in Charla mandal. He was allegedly involved in 21 cases of Maoist violence under the jurisdiction limits of Charla, Dummugudem and Venkatapuram Police Stations.

The GRP has arrested a Tripura based militant from Badarpur Railway Station in Karimganj District. “During a routine checking, the GRP personnel arrested the militant identified as Naresh Chakma, (34), at Badarpur railway junction on Saturday. Over 600 cartridges were recovered from the extremist,” a Tripura based police official said.

August 12-13

In a major success to the SFs, HM ‘commander’ Yasin Ittoo alias Mehmood Ghaznavi was killed on August 13 in an overnight encounter at Awnera village in Shopian District, taking the death toll to five; two army personnel and three militants. The night-long fierce encounter that started on August 12 evening ended on August 13th morning after the killing of HM ‘commander’ Yasin Ittoo. His two associates, identified as Umar Majid Sheikh and Irfan ul Sheikh were killed by SFs on August 12 night and the dead bodies were recovered in the August 13th morning. Two Army personnel, identified as identified as Sepoy Gawai Sumedh Waman, and Sepoy Ilayaraja P were also killed and three others injured in the encounter on August 12 night.

Ittoo, from Chadoora area of Budgam District of central Kashmir, had a long association with HM.  He was oldest surviving militant in Valley who joined HM in 1996 and was arrested in 2007 and later released on parole in 2014 after remaining in jail for seven years. He joined the militant group again and was ‘commander’ of the outfit. One KK series rifle used by Ittoo and two AK series rifles of his associates were recovered from the encounter site. The militants were shifting from one house to another during the encounter and four houses were damaged in the gun fight that ended this morning. Authorities suspended internet services in Shopian and Kulgam to prevent spreading of information about the encounter and mobilization of people towards the encounter site.

August 13

SOG of Surat Police arrested four persons for printing and circulating FICNs. Police also recovered INR 40.73 lakh from their possession. An SOG team raided a house at Sania village near Surat and recovered FICN in denomination of INR 2,000, INR 500 and INR 100. Police had earlier arrested three persons for trying to circulate fake currency. The arrested men revealed that they had got the notes from one Ravi Gandhi. Police raided Gandhi's row house at Sania and arrested him. A printing machine, a cutting machine, a laptop and the paper used to print fake notes were found at the house, apart from INR 15.38 lakh in fake currency. Altogether, INR 40.73 lakh in fake currency were recovered from the possession of Gandhi and the other three.

Police arrested a one person, identified as Ravinder Singh alias Babbi along with FICN with a face value of INR 8.8 lakh from Thandi Sadak locality in the Sangrur District. The accused is a resident of Mithri Budhgir village in Lambi. He is a drug addict and used to print these notes at his house using a colour printer, the Police said, adding that the notes were in denomination of 2,000.

The NIA has received information that the major chunk of foreign funds routed from Qatar to Malabar region (Kerala) in the name of charity works has been distributed to agencies related to an organisation having alleged links with terror outfits. Around INR 96 crore was received by agencies affiliated to this organisation. Sources said the money has been transferred to various parts of the country.

Earlier, officials had received information that the perpetrators of terror attacks in Hyderabad and Bengaluru received financial assistance from Kerala. According to NIA, majority of the NGOs that received funds exist only in paper. Further, it is learnt that the functionaries of the outfit, who are under the clouds of suspicion for their role in recruitment to Islamic State (IS) and terror outfits in Kashmir, have purchased properties and buildings in Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram Districts. Officials have raised suspicions that foreign funds were used for major real estate deals carried out before the demonetisation. It may be noted that the NGO was active in social service and other philanthropic activities in the last five years and the office-bearers used it as a cover to receive funds from Qatar.

The Central Government said that illegal immigrants like the Rohingyas pose grave security challenges as they may be recruited by terror groups, and asked State Governments to identify and deport them. In a communication to all States, the UMHA said the rise of terrorism in last few decades has become a serious concern for most nations as illegal migrants are more vulnerable to getting recruited by terrorist organisations. “These illegal immigrants not only infringe on the rights of Indian citizens but also pose grave security challenges,” the communication, sent last week, said. Infiltration of (the Rohingyas) from Rakhine State of Myanmar into Indian territory, especially in recent years, besides being burden on the limited resources of the country also aggravates security challenges posed to India, the UMHA said.

Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju had said in Parliament on August 9 that according to available data, more than 14,000 Rohingyas, registered with the UNHCR, are presently staying in India. “However, some inputs indicate that around 40,000 Rohingyas are staying in India illegally and the Rohingyas are largely located in Jammu, Hyderabad, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR and Rajasthan,” he had said.

Report said that two protesters were killed in SFs firing in the evening on protests that broke after the gun battle at Awnera village in Shopian District. Soon after the gun battle ended, clashes erupted in Zainapora and other areas in Shopian with protesters pelting stones at SFs. Several protesters were injured among which one identified as 26-year-old Mohammad Sayed Bhat later succumbed to injuries.

Another youth, identified as Owais Ahmad Dar was killed after he was hit by pellets in Kakapora area of Pulwama District during clashes between SFs and protesters. The SFs coming from Shopian were attacked with stones at Kakapora in Pulwama and they fired pellets which hit Owais in right part of his chest. He was shifted to nearby hospital from where he was declared him brought dead.

Two Policemen and an Army jawan were injured when militants fired upon a search party of SFs in Bandipora District. SFs launched a cordon and search operation at Wahab, Parray Mohalla in Hajin area of the District in the morning after receiving specific intelligence about the presence of some militants there, a Police spokesman said. He said as the forces were conducting the search operation when the militants fired upon them, resulting in injuries to two Police Constables, Mukhtar Ahmad and Mohammad Ashraf, and Sepoy Raj Kumar.

Three soldiers, identified as Lans Naik Balwinder Singh, Rifleman Gurjeewan and Sepoy Kulwinder were injured as militants attacked an Army post in Uri sector of Baramulla District. According to report, a group of militants targeted an army post of 20 Sikh Regiment at Baaz in Uri at 1730 hours. The firing resulted in injuries to three soldiers who were airlifted to Srinagar for treatment.

Pakistani Army violated the ceasefire along the LoC in Uri sector in the Baramulla District by opening fire at Indian posts, resulting in injuries to three Indian soldiers. The Pakistani troops opened fire at Indian positions at Baaz Post in Uri in Baramulla District at around 4 pm, Indian Army sources said. The sources said three soldiers suffered bullet injuries in the firing and were admitted to the 92 Base Hospital of the Army in Srinagar.

Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire four times in Rajouri District. "Cross border shelling started in Kalal, Khori, Manpur and Ganiah villages of Nowshera," DC Rajouri, Shahid Choudhary said in a Tweet. The Indian side retaliated effectively, leading to heavy exchanges, which continued till late night. However, there were no reports of any casualties on Indian side.

Pakistan Army opened firing with small arms in Mankote area of Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch District prompting effective retaliation from the Indian side. No loss of life or damage was reported on Indian side in Mankote sector.

Sources said that some militants were also camping across LoC waiting for infiltration into the Indian territory and Pakistan army was also trying to facilitate the intrusion bids but was finding it impossible to push the militants due to high alert being maintained by the Indian troops on the LoC.

According to a senior official, seventy young men have joined militancy in the past seven months this year (2017) with most of the recruits from three Districts in South Kashmir. The new recruits mostly belong to Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam Districts in South Kashmir, which has become the hub of tech-savvy militants. “As many as 70 Kashmiri youths joined militancy in the Valley in seven months period this year,” the senior security officer said quoting official statistics. The officer claimed 88 Kashmiri youths joined militancy in 2016.

Since 2014, there has been a constant rise in the number of people joining militancy. As many as 66 youths joined militancy in Kashmir in 2015 and 53 in 2014, according to data compiled by security agencies. In 2010, 54 youths joined militancy and in 2011, the number came down to 23. It further dipped to 21 in 2012 and 16 in 2013, it said.

The Pulwama-Shopian-Kulgam region has become a hotbed of home-grown terrorists, the officials said. Security officials say Pulwama, which has of-late emerged as the terror epicentre, is strategically important as it is the central point to connect Srinagar, Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian and Budgam Districts of central Kashmir. “The areas have seen the highest number of encounters and attacks,” the officer added.

SFs have also foiled attempts by dozen others to cross over to the PoK for arms training, the officer said. In 2017, as many as 54 men were stopped from joining the ranks of militants, the officer said. 132 terrorists have been killed in encounters with Police and SFs in Kashmir Valley in over seven months period this year, security officials said. While 115 militants have been killed till July end this year, 17 militants have been killed till August 9, as per official statistics.

While 38 militants belonging to LeT were killed in over seven months till August 9, it was followed by killing of 37 militants of HM and three militants belonging to Musa Group of al Qaeda followed by killing of 54 unidentified militants mostly along the LoC. Out of them, six top ‘commanders’ of LeT and HM were killed in encounters in Kashmir during the period.

As per the data, the number of terrorists killed in the past over six months is the highest in the past seven years. In 2010, 156 militants were killed in the first 7 months period of the year followed by 102 in 2017, 77 in 2016, 61 in 2011, 51 each in 2014 and 2015 respectively, the data showed.

Terrorists in the Kashmir Valley are now on the run and they cannot continue to terrorise the people for decades, Arun Jaitley, the Defence Minister said, maintaining that the Government’s priority was to clean up the Kashmir Valley of armed militants. He said the terrorists in Kashmir were “now under great pressure” and the financial crunch caused by demonetisation and the actions taken by NIA on illegal foreign fundings have checked illegal activities in Jammu and Kashmir in large scale. “Today no big militant can dream of committing terror acts and continue to terrorise the Valley for decades, but today their life shelf has dwindled to a few months. I will specifically praise the Jammu & Kashmir Police for working hard (towards eliminating terrorists),” he said.

A fierce gun battle broke out between suspected ZUF cadres and suspected NSCN-IM cadres at Namdailong village at Lakhipur sub-division of Cachar District. There were no reports of any casualty. During the gun battle, NSCN-IM cadres destroyed a kitchen, an office and a prayer centre of NNC/FGN.

A bomb exploded at Kakwa Naorem Leikai under Singjamei Police Station in Imphal West District. There were no reports of any casualty. 

SFs arrested three persons from two different locations near Singjamei Police Station (Imphal West) and the other two from Koirou Part I (Imphal East) in connection with the bomb blast at Kakwa Naorem Leikai. The individuals have been identified as Thingbaijam Sanjoy (35), P Yaima Maring (29) and Sapam Nanda alias Makar (50). SFs also recovered a huge quantity of explosive materials from the arrested individuals including 81 number of gelatin sticks (power gel), two TNT cases weighing around one pound each, six circuits and four mobile phones with SIM cards . During preliminary interrogation, the arrested individuals revealed that they are working under the command of ‘ Major’ Prem Kumar alias Aheiba Angom alias PK, ‘chief of finance’, PREPAK . 

The KNF-N has called for a total bandh (shutdown) of Independence Day in the entire hill districts of Manipur and called for a total shutdown in all the State and National highways passing through the hill Districts from August 14 evening till the dusk of August 15. KNF-N will ceaselessly boycott Independence Day until and unless the Government of Manipur paves the way for creation of 'Kukiland' in letter and spirit’, a press statement released by the ‘information and publicity secretary’, Gogou Vaiphei said .

Two cadres of the CPI-Maoist were killed during an exchange of fire between CPI-Maoist cadres and a joint team of the DRG and the STF of the Chhattisgarh Police under Kistaram Police Station in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The killed CPI-Maoist cadres were identified as Podiyam Sunna, ‘Militia Platoon Deputy Commander’, and Vanjam Hunga, a member of the small action team of the CPI-Maoist’ Platoon Number 8 in Sukma District. SFs also recovered a muzzle loading gun and a country-made pistol from the spot.

Jharkhand Police recovered a five Kilogram can bomb and eight detonators from Khokro village on the foothills of Dalma at Patamda in Naxal affected East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. Later, patrolling was stepped up in and around Dalma.

The Maharashtra Police busted a CPI-Maoist camp in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra and recovered weapons and horses. “A special team headed by ASP (operations), Maheshwar Reddy launched an anti-Maoist operation in Abujhmad on the border of Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra and Narayanpur district of Chhattisgarh. The encounter near Tundewra and Kupnar village forced the Maoists to flee leaving behind weapons and six horses. Six weapons and other material of daily use were also recovered at the camp site,” said the Gadchiroli SP, in a release. This was the first time when horses were found in a Maoist camp. “Senior Maoist leaders like Bhupathi operate in Abujhmad and the horses may have been used for senior leaders,” the release added. Senior central committee leader Sonu Bhupati is chief of Dandakaranya range falling in areas of Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Police also seized three Bharmar (Muzzle loading) guns, items of daily use, and some Naxal literature from the spot.

August 14

Four SF personnel were injured in a grenade attack by militants in Budgam District. Militants hurled a grenade at a ROP of CRPF and Police at Batpora in Magam area, 20 kilometres from Srinagar, a Police official said. He said three CRPF personnel and one Policeman were injured in the grenade blast.

Two HuM militants were arrested by SFs in Kupwara District. Official sources said on a tip-off, SFs arrested two HuM militants identified as Youns Ahmad Mir and Tahir-ul-Islam in Handwara area of Kupwara. They are being questioned, they said, adding further details are awaited.

A 17-year-old youth, identified as Danish Ahmad Khanday was injured when a shell, he found near last month’s encounter site at Bamnoo in Pulwama District, exploded. An explosive, apparently left behind at an encounter site around 40 days back at Bamnoo Pulwama, went off injuring a boy. On July 3, an encounter took place at Bamnoo where three militants were killed by SFs.

SFs fired teargas to disperse protesters in Kakapora area of Pulwama District against the killing of a youth in pellet firing on August 13. Owais Ahmad Dar, a resident of Kakapora, was killed on August 13 after SFs fired pellets to disperse protesters.

Four Kashmiri separatists, including the son-in-law of Hurriyat leader Syed Ali shah Geelani, were sent to judicial custody by a Delhi court in a terror funding case. Duty Magistrate Pankaj Sharma sent Geelani’s son-in-law Altaf Ahmed Shah, popularly known as Altaf Fantoosh, Peer Saifullah, Mehrajuddin Kalwal and Nayeem Khan to jail for 14 days. The court’s order came after the NIA submitted that they were not required for further interrogation. The agency had arrested seven persons on July 24 in the case of alleged funding of terror and subversive activities in the Kashmir valley to fuel unrest. The other three separatist leaders — Shahid-ul-Islam, Farooq Ahmed Dar and Mohamad Akbar Khanday — were sent to the judicial custody till September 1.

NLFT-BM militant along with his family surrendered before DIG, BSF Sector Headquarters, Panisagar Sindhu Kumar. The surrendered militant identified as Bishwamoni Debbarma (34) of Rathtilla of Khowai. He was accompanied by his wife Semi Debbarma (23) and one son- Justin Debbarma and one girl- Shini Debbarma said a BSF’s official communiqué.

NSCN-IM ‘vice president’, ‘general’ (Retd) Kholi Konyak hinted that the Naga political issue will be settled "at any moment from now". He said that the Naga people "are now blessed with the finest opportune time to see the glory of God, the Almighty in our lives through the realization of our political settlement at any moment from now". In the same time the NSCN-IM leader however said, “Let us remind ourselves that, nothing is certain until it is achieved.

Altogether 68 militants of six different militant groups laid down arms before the Government at a ceremony held at 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles banquet hall. The militants who laid down arms today included 17 of UNLF, 23 of KCP, seven PLA, 10 of PREPAK, four of KYKL and seven of PREPAK-PRO .However, only seven/eight weapons reportedly brought by the militants were displayed at the ceremony saying that other weapons were being verified by Police .Speaking at the home coming ceremony, Chief Minister N Biren assured that all the militants who have joined the mainstream would be fully protected .

A paralytic cadre of the CPI-Maoist, identified as Bachhan alias Perwin of Amhee village in Hussainabad Police Station was arrested by Jharkhand Police on August 13 and was produced before Palamau District court of Jharkhand. Bachhan was sent to Central Jail Daltonganj. Sources said Bachhan is the first paralytic or disabled CPI-Maoist cadre to have been caught and jailed. He has facial paralysis.

An exchange of fire ensued between CPI-Maoist cadres and SFs at Gandhamardhan hills near Khaprakhol in Balangir District of Odisha. Acting on a tip-off about presence of Maoists, CRPF and SOG troopers launched operation in Gandhamardhan hills last night, informed Balangir SP, K. Siva Subramani. There were no reports of any casualties in the encounter.

Maoist’s posters urging people to refrain from celebrating Independence Day were found at a ghat in Chandahandi near Umerkote under Jhorigaon Police limits in Nabarangpur District of Odisha. They (Maoists) appealed to the people to observe August 15 as a black day. A day before, on August 13, Balangir-Bargarh-Mahasamund (BBM) division of CPI-Maoist released an audio tape with same appeal. Through the audio, Maoist spokesperson Budhuram Paharia urged people to hoist black flags instead of the Tricolour on August 15, alleging rise of unlawful activities and torture on tribal people in State. “Independence Day is being celebrated only for namesake,” the Maoist leader said in the audio.

August 15

A large cache of firearms and arms making equipment were recovered and seven persons were arrested as the Police unearthed an illegal arms manufacturing unit in Malda District of West Bengal. SP, Arnab Ghosh said 48 finished firearms and a large number of unfinished arms were seized from the factory at Debipur village under Kaliachak Police Station area. The firearms were of 9mm and 7mm variety. During the raid, the Police also arrested seven persons from the factory which was being operated from the house, Ghosh said. The arrested were the owner of the house and six persons from Munger in Bihar, known as a hub of illegal firearms manufacturing centre for long. They six were possibly engaged in manufacturing fire arms, the SP said.

During search of the house, the Police also recovered FICNs with a face value of INR 50,000. It was being suspected that the arms manufactured there were delivered to neighbouring states.

Police arrested four persons, identified as Mohammad Joshin, Mohammad Aaftab, Mohammad Sohal and Samraj Aalam, all residents of Bihar, for circulating FICN in the market in Ajmer. FICN worth INR 84,000 have been recovered from them. All the accused were produced in the court which sent them to Police custody. A team of IB officials are in the city to probe the issue. According to sources, the paper and ink used to make currency notes are not from India. The investigating team is suspecting that the notes were either printed in Pakistan or Bangladesh or smuggled through Nepal, sources said. Cops are trying to nab the kingpin of the racket.

A woman was injured in ceasefire violation by Pakistan army in Baaz and Nambla areas of Uri sector in Baramulla District. The Indian Army retaliated to the unprovoked firing by the Pakistani forces.

The NIA teams are carrying out raids at 12 places in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla, Handwara and Srinagar in connection with its terror funding and civil unrest probe involving Hurriyat leaders. Sources said that fresh raids have been carried out on those people who have financial links with the pro-Pakistani Hurriyat leaders including Syed Ali Shah Geelani. The names of these persons have been disclosed by seven separatists, who were arrested by the agency last month for allegedly organising the funds and civil unrest in the valley.

Three STF personnel were injured when cadres of the CPI-Maoist triggered a pipe bomb blast the forests under Fulbagdi Police Station limits in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. A constable identified as Kattam Rama was seriously injured in the explosion. Separate teams of SFs, comprising CRPF, STF, DRG and District Force, had launched the operation since August 14 in the interior forests of Sukma District.

Chhattisgarh CM, Raman Singh, said the battle against CPI-Maoist cadres in the State has been yielding "comprehensive" results with the guidance and cooperation from the Union Government of India, in Raipur District. CM was addressing the Independence Day function at the Police Parade ground in Raipur. Singh added that the State Government has approved 1,175 new posts in Police force after which the total sanctioned strength of the State forces has reached to 75,000.Singh informed that, "In 2017, so far 599 CPI-Maoist cadres have been arrested and 299 surrendered.”

August 16

Wary of terror threats from neighbouring countries, the central government has approved INR 31,748 crore to draw up a "definitive five-year action programme" for the up gradation of the Coast Guard. The decision to bolster the Coast Guard, it is believed, will help avert future attacks from the sea, like the 26 November 2008 (26/11) attacks on Mumbai. The Coast Guard works in combating piracy, smuggling, oil-spills, and also works in controlling coastal and marine pollution.

The programme plans to improve the Coast Guard's fleet with 175 ships (including patrol vessels and boats) and 110 aircraft by 2022 to bridge critical operational gaps. The Defence Ministry has also ordered the procurement of 16 indigenous Dhruv choppers and 14 twin-engine EC-725 tactical choppers. Also, there are also five more air stations/enclaves in the works.

Pakistan Army again today violated ceasefire along the LoC at the Poonch sector in Poonch District . The Indian forces are retaliating strongly, reports state. No casualty has been reported so far.

LeT’s Pulwama ‘district commander’, Ayoub Ahmad Lone alias Ayoub Lelhari was killed in an encounter in Pulwama District. SSP Choudhary Mohammad Aslam, said that he was travelling in a Tavera car along with the driver and a civilian in Banderpora, Koil area when security forces intercepted the car. “He opened fire but was killed in the retaliatory fire by security forces,” he added. Two Police personnel were injured in the initial firing after which an encounter started in which Lelhari was killed. The SSP said that driver of the car has been arrested but the civilian fled from the spot. Lelhari had been active in South Kashmir areas and had recently been designated as ‘district commander’ by the LeT.

A CRPF trooper, identified as Reyaz Ahmad who was injured in a grenade attack by militants in Budgam District on August 14, succumbed to injuries. Reyaz Ahmad died at SKIMS hospital in Soura. He was among the four SF personnel injured in the attack on August 14. The militants had hurled a grenade at a road opening party of CRPF and Police at Batpora in Magam area.

A soldier, identified as Havaldar Narendra Singh who was injured in sniping of Pakistani troops in Rampur sector in Baramulla District on August 7 succumbed to injuries at 92 Base Hospital in Badami Bagh Cantonment in Srinagar. Havaldar Narendra Singh who was deployed at a forward post in Rampur Sector was injured during sniping by Pakistani troops on August 7. He was provided immediate first aid and evacuated to 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar where he succumbed.

Pakistan troops shelled forward posts and civilian areas along the LoC in Poonch District. “Pakistan army initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatics and mortars from 0534 hours in Poonch sector along the Line of Control today,” sources said. Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively,” they added. According to reports, firing and shelling were reported at six places in Mankote, Basuni, Mendhar, Malipur, Dharna and Patri of Poonch District.

The J&K Government has begun the construction of 100 bunkers in border villages along the LoC in Rajouri District where there have been repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistan forces. "The district administration has started the construction of 100 bunkers in villages along the LoC in Nowshera sector," DC, Rajouri, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said. These bunkers will accommodate around 1200-1500 people in case of ceasefire violations, especially shelling from across the border, he said. Choudhary on August 16 visited the forward areas along the LoC in Nowshera and inspected the construction of these bunkers. An inter-departmental team headed by DC is supervising the construction of these bunkers.

The US designated militant outfit HM as a “foreign terrorist organisation”, nearly two months after declaring the group’s ‘chief’ Syed Salahuddin as a global terrorist. The designation, which slaps a series of US sanctions on the outfit, came against the backdrop of an upsurge in terror activities by the militant group in Jammu and Kashmir in recent months. “These designations seek to deny Hizb-ul-Mujahideen the resources it needs to carry out terrorist attacks,” the State Department said in a statement. All of HM’s property and interests subject to US jurisdiction are blocked, and people in the US are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions with the group. The decision marks a severe blow to Pakistan which has been projecting the militant group as a voice of the Kashmiri people.

A group of GNLA militants hiding in a village managed to escape following a gun battle with SF-10 commandos in West Khasi Hills District. The commandos launched a search operation after they received intelligence inputs about the rebels hiding at Dymmit village, sources in SF-10 and Rongkhugre VDP said. However, when the commandos came near the hideout, the militant on guard saw them and alerted others. The rebels then opened fire and the commandos fired back in retaliation. But the militants managed to escape.

The CorCom, an umbrella body of four militant groups of Manipur, claimed that the 68 militants, who surrendered before Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on August 14, were all ‘deserters’ and  would be punished. Altogether 68 militants of six different militant groups laid down arms before the Government at a ceremony held at 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles banquet hall.

Suspected armed militants looted money from a medical shop named RN Medicos at Moreh Ward No 6, Nepali Basti in Tegnoupal District.

The BTCC Moreh has lodged a written complaint to the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Moreh informing that some armed persons have been threatening and demanding money and goods from shops at Moreh for quite some time. Such activities have vitiated the atmosphere so badly that it is no longer conducive for any trade and business activity at the border town, it pointed out.

Police arrested three cadres of the CPI-Maoist in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. “A DRG party, headed by a SDPO, was sent to Tumiradi village after receiving intelligence inputs about the presence of some Maoists in the village. This police team encircled the village and nabbed three Maoists,” said Santosh Singh, the SP of Narayanpur District. The arrested cadres of CPI-Maoist were identified as Vijay Dhruva, Gore Hichami and Maniram Dhruva. The Police also recovered a locally made firearm from Vijay Dhruva.

One Sanjay Singh (30), a former cadre of JJMP, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, was killed by his erstwhile cadres of JJMP at Sadwadih village under Manika thana area in Latehar District of Jharkhand. Originally from Panki in Palamau, Sanjay left the JJMP with its weapons and cash. JJMP cadres got wind of his arrival in Sadwadih and planned his murder, Police said.

Four cadres of CPI-Maoist, including a ‘sub zonal commander’ in the squad of infamous CPI-Maoist politburo member Sudhakaran of Telangana, surrendered before Police in Lohardaga District of Jharkhand. The surrendered Maoists are identified as ‘sub-zonal commander’ under Sudhakaran's squad, Balak Kherwar alias Bhagatji (28), ‘area commander’ Ajay Oraon (21), Brahmadeo Kherwar and Shivam Kherwar. Balak Kherwar and Ajay Oraon carried INR 500,000 and INR 200,000 on their head respectively.

A farmer was killed by suspected Naxalites of the CPI-ML-New Democracy-Red Flag, at Narsampet village in Palwancha mandal in Khammam District of Telangana. The Police identified the deceased as Rayala Bhaskar (55), of Narsampet, a hamlet under Pandurangapuram  Gram Panchayat  and a supporter of the TDP. Sources said around 15 Naxalites owing allegiance to CPI-ML-New Democracy-Red Flag,  Ravi Dalam allegedly barged into the house of Bhaskar and dragged him out before battering him to death in full public view. The Naxalites nursed a grudge against the deceased for reportedly seeking the help of the members of Chandranna group of CPI-ML (New Democracy) to resolve an internal issue in the village.

The CPI-Maoist cadres have revived their project to build rocket launchers, which is considered to be a game changer in guerrilla warfare, according to top sources in the anti-Naxal intelligence agencies in Telangana. The intelligence agencies believe that CPI-Maoist cadres were working on improvising the rocket launchers as earlier attempts to put them to full use on SFs had failed. A top intelligence official of Telangana state said, “They have a central technical committee that is focusing on improvising rocket launchers. Their factory is now located in Dandakaranya.”

5 AR arrested a NSCN-K militant, ‘captain’ Vinato Assumi (35),  from  Alahuto Colony in  Zunheboto town of Zunheboto District.

August 16-17

The UP ATS arrested another alleged terrorist of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), identified as Jaswant Singh Kala from an Unnao farm house in Unnao District on August 17. He is wanted in multiple cases in Delhi, Rajasthan and Punjab and was hiding in the farm house for the past few weeks after allegedly killing a supporter of anti-Babbar Khalsa group in Punjab around two months ago. Kala was arrested on the revelations made by his accomplice Balwant Singh, who was staying with changed identity in Lucknow for the past five years. Balwant Singh was arrested from a Gurudwara on Nadan Mahal road in Lucknow on August 16 evening. He was Granthi at the Gurudwara.

ASP of ATS, Rajesh Sahani said Jaswant Singh Kala has been one of the most active members of BKI. He said Kala is among Sikh hardliners who support pro-Khalistan groups. Sahani said Kala was involved in three sensational killings of the supporters of the anti-Babbar Khalsa groups in Hanumangarh in Rajasthan, and Faridkot and Nawa Shahar in Punjab in 2016 and 2017. He said Jaswant was earlier arrested under sedition charges and arms act from Delhi’s Modi Colony in 2008 and on similar charges in 2005.

August 17

Crime branch squad neutralized a FICN and Aadhaar card racket operating from a mobile shop at Awasthi Nagar in Nagpur by arresting five persons including owner of the outlet. Police also seized FICN of denominations of INR 2,000 and four of INR 500 worth around INR 6,000. Colour printers, scanners, computers and some other gadgets, worth more than Rs 60,000, have been confiscated too during the action. Crime branch had arrested Mohammad Iqrar, Mohammad Zeeshan and Abdul Rajik. The three have been remanded to Police custody till August 23. Following their custodial interrogation, the Police have now arrested two more identified as Ashish Sathe and Shoaib Khan.

The UP ATS arrested another alleged terrorist of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), identified as Jaswant Singh Kala from an Unnao farm house in Unnao District on August 17. He is wanted in multiple cases in Delhi, Rajasthan and Punjab and was hiding in the farm house for the past few weeks after allegedly killing a supporter of anti-Babbar Khalsa group in Punjab around two months ago. Kala was arrested on the revelations made by his accomplice Balwant Singh, who was staying with changed identity in Lucknow for the past five years. Balwant Singh was arrested from a Gurudwara on Nadan Mahal road in Lucknow on August 16 evening. He was Granthi at the Gurudwara.

ASP of ATS, Rajesh Sahani said Jaswant Singh Kala has been one of the most active members of BKI. He said Kala is among Sikh hardliners who support pro-Khalistan groups. Sahani said Kala was involved in three sensational killings of the supporters of the anti-Babbar Khalsa groups in Hanumangarh in Rajasthan, and Faridkot and Nawa Shahar in Punjab in 2016 and 2017. He said Jaswant was earlier arrested under sedition charges and arms act from Delhi’s Modi Colony in 2008 and on similar charges in 2005.

Two terrorists were killed as the Army foiled an infiltration bid near the LoC in Gurez sector in Bandipora District. "Army had launched a massive search operation yesterday [August 16] evening at Dhurmut forest area at Kundalwan in Gurez after noticing suspicious movement when they were on routine patrol of the forests," a senior Police official said, adding, "Two terrorists were shot down today [August 17] in the ensuing gunfight." This year, the Army has foiled a total of 24 infiltration bids along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir, and 41 armed intruders have been eliminated in such operations.

Two persons including a civilian and an Army jawan were injured in firing by the Pakistani troops on the LoC in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District. Sources said an Army soldier, identified as Naik Sushil Kumar was injured in Pakistani firing at Baba Khori in Nowshera sector while a civilian, identified as Sushil Kumar was injured at Sanya village in Jhanghar sector in two separate ceasefire violations by Pakistan. The Indian side retaliated the firing and the exchanges lasted only for a brief period, sources said, adding that panic gripped the border dwellers due to fresh round of firing by Pakistan army in Nowshera sector.

Police said that SFs in a joint search operation arrested three persons and recovered arms and ammunition from their possession in Sumbal area of Bandipora District. According to Police, on specific information, Bandipora Police and 13 RR launched a cordon and search operation in the orchards of Wangipora in Sumbal in Bandipora District. “During search operation, three accused persons identified as Altaf Ahmad Mir, Irshad Ahmad Mir and Waseem Ahmad were arrested”, Police said. “Two hand grenades, one AK 47 magazine and 15 AK 47 rounds were seized from his possession.

The NIA arrested a prominent Kashmiri businessman Zahoor Ahmad Watali from New Delhi for terror funding and separatist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. Watali is accused of playing a key role in receiving the funds from Pakistan and then forwarding them to the separatists and even kept account books for it. He is a prominent businessman who has links with mainstream politicians and separatists. His brother, Ali Mohammad Watali, retired as DIG in Kashmir Police and nephew is serving IG in Kashmir Police. A statement by NIA stated said that Watali’s arrest followed the searches conducted by the NIA on August 16 at multiple locations in Srinagar, Handwara, Kupwara and Baramulla belonging to his relatives and employees. The searches have unearthed incriminating material pertaining to receipt of funds by Zahoor Watali from foreign sources and its further distribution to the terrorists and separatists in Kashmir valley for anti-India activities.

Setting at rest, various media speculations, which claimed, that Government of India and NSCN-IM would be signing “final accord” by September 2017; Interlocutor to Naga Talks, JIC Chairman R.N. Ravi and senior NSCN-IM functionary, V.S Atem, in separate conversations have made it clear that there is no such deadline for signing a permanent agreement. 

A group of armed GNLA cadres assaulted five persons in Dymmit village a West Khasi Hills District. This comes a day after SF-10 commandos busted a hideout.

Zeliangrong frontal organizations have condemned the “brutal act and cold blooded murder” of Elimelech Gangmei on August 13, 2017 at Namdailong allegedly by cadres of NSCN-IM ‘Zeilad Region’. The organisations included Zeliangrong Baudi (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland), Zeliangrong Baudi-Nagaland, Zeliangrong Mipui Organization, Zeliangrong Youth Front, Zeliangrong Students’ Union Nagaland, Zeliang People Organization and all subordinate bodies.

Police arrested six suspected Bangladeshis from Churaibari in Karimganj district. They arrested foreign nationals were identified as Jalal Ahmed, 55, Amir Hossain, 29, Abdul Ahad, (25), Abdul Sabbur (25), Nurul Amin (19) and Rashid Ahmed, (14).Police sources said they were arrested around 8.10pm from a bus that was going from Agartala to Guwahati. The bus was stopped by the Police at Churaibari on the Assam-Tripura boundary. The arrested foreign nationals hail from Kutupalong, a village in Cox's Bazar District of Bangladesh.

The cadres of the CPI-Maoist are moving towards Araku region in Vishakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh.  SP, (Visakha Rural), Rahul Dev Sharma said that the CPI-Maoist cadres either trying to regain some of their lost ground or diverting the attention of the SFs. Sources said that some senior leaders of the CPI-Maoist have been leading the force to set up the new base in Araku Region, which was close to Nandapur block in Odisha, where the presence of the CPI-Maoist cadres is more. The Maoists presence has increased in Araku and Chatuva area of Odisha. 

An encounter took place between SFs and the cadres of the CPI-Maoist near Chotte Hirma-Gumodi Forest at Aranpur range in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. DIG, Dantewada range Sundarraj P, informed that Police forces are safe and have recovered Naxal campaigning materials from the site.

An exchange of fire took place between the cadres of the PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, and Simdega Police at the hilly areas of Thethainagar forest in Simdega District of Jharkhand. Police arrested a PLFI cadre after he sustained a bullet wound on a leg. A carbine, two double-barrel guns and cartridges were recovered from him.

A joint team of CRPF Police recovered 13 landmines from Langdi Ghati forest in Bandi Panchayat area of Koderma District of Jharkhand. SP, Surendra Jha said that all the landmines were destroyed.

PLFI's Porahat ‘area commander’ Mathias Tuti alias Mangra Tuti (28) was arrested from Mangalore at Dakshina Kannada District in Karnataka on August 13 and brought to Chaibasa in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand.

August 18

India welcomed the US decision to designate HM as a foreign terrorist organisation, saying it follows a joint commitment by the two countries to fight the menace of terrorism."I welcome this step by the US state department to designate HM as a foreign terrorist organisation, that has been responsible for carrying out heinous act of terrorismIt reflects the joint commitment of India and the US to firmly deal with terrorism in all its forms and manifestation," spokesperson of ministry of external affairs Raveesh Kumar said.

UHM Rajnath Singh asserted that by 2022, a solution would be found to the ‘Kashmir problem’ as also other problems like terrorism, naxalism [Left Wing Extremism] and North East insurgency. “There are a lot of problems - terrorism, naxalism, Kashmir problem. Much is not needed to be said about these problems. But I can assure you this much that by 2022, we have pledged to create a ‘new India’…So a solution will be found to all these problems before 2022. We want to assure the countrymen on this,” he said.

India has welcomed the US’ decision to designate HM as a foreign terrorist organisation, saying it follows a joint commitment by the two countries to fight the menace of terrorism. "I welcome this step by the United States state department to designate Hizb-ul-Mujahideen as a foreign terrorist organisation, that has been responsible for carrying out heinous act of terrorismIt reflects the joint commitment of India and the US to firmly deal with terrorism in all its forms and manifestation," spokesperson of MEA Raveesh Kumar said. Syed Salahuddin, the ‘chief’ of HM, had been declared a ‘global terrorist’ by the US in June, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US. The move was criticised by Pakistan which calls HM a group of freedom fighters.

Despite strict vigil along the LoC to foil infiltration of militants from PoK, around 80 militants have sneaked in this year (2017) while SFs achieved major successes against them by killing 133 militants including seven top ‘commanders’. According to MAC figures, around 80 militants have infiltrated into Jammu and Kashmir till July 2017 from PoK. These militants mostly infiltrated from Keran, Gurez, Machil and Nowgam sectors of Kashmir and majority of them are in North Kashmir.

Last year (2016), as per MAC figures 114 militants infiltrated into Kashmir which was highest since 2014. As per MAC figures, 35 militants infiltrated into Kashmir in 2015, 65 in 2014, 97 in 2013, 121 in 2012, 52  in 2011, 82  in 2010, 99 infiltrated in 2009 and 27 in 2008.

Last year, there were no reports of infiltration of militants into Kashmir till April and but this year some groups managed to sneak in when the peaks were covered in snow in January and February. After the infiltration of militants in winter this year, Army along the LoC was put on heightened alert as security agencies had inputs that the militant outfits across wanted to push in more militants this year.  The vigil along the LoC was increased and patrolling was intensified to foil the infiltration attempts. Sources said that the militant groups carried out and are carrying reconnaissance along the LoC regularly but the tight vigil along LoC by the Army and regular patrols prevented and are preventing them from sneaking in. Sources said that around 300 militants are on launch pads mostly in Neelam Valley area PoK. These militants had started gathering this year in winter only as compared to previous year’s when they were waiting for the snow to melt.

SFs have also achieved major successes this year and eliminated 133 militants so far including seven top ‘commanders’. Majority of them were killed in last two months after SFs launched massive offensive in South Kashmir. Last year 150 were killed in Kashmir while 108 militants were killed in 2015, 110 in 2014, 67 in 2013, 72 in 2012 and 100 in 2011. Despite the killing of 133 militants this year, sources said that 135 are operating in Kashmir and operations against them has been intensified

Even as the joint combing operation, ‘Operation All-Out’, has succeeded in killing 35 militants in South Kashmir since April, 2017 the Police’s counter-insurgency data suggest 34 new faces have joined the rank. Police data, portray a grim picture of South Kashmir’s four Districts despite “great successes” made by the SF) by killing eight top commanders of HM and LeT. “We have reports of 34 new faces joining the militants ranks of both HM and LeT in South Kashmir since April when the operation against active militants was launched,” said a top counter-insurgency Police officer. He said militant groups in the highly volatile of district of Pulwama, adjacent to Srinagar, had roped in 21 new youths into their ranks. “Since April, 20 militants were killed in Pulwama,” he said.

As many as 224 people, including 136 militants, were killed in operations in Kashmir so far this year. The ‘Operation All-Out’, launched in April in the wake of growing militant activities in South Kashmir, saw June witnessing highest 48 deaths, including 30 militants and 15 SFs. The Police claim that the worrying trend is that youth from urban pockets of Bijbehara, Anantnag, Kokernag and Srinagar “are joining the militant ranks”. “Earlier, rural pockets of Shopian, Kulgam and Kareemabad and Kakpora were hubs of militants. Recruits from more urbane pockets have picked up too,” said the Police official.

According to the police, new pictures of armed youth posted by the militant outfits on the social media, including Instagram, suggest “many of these recruits are around 20s.” The Police, however, expressed satisfaction with the ongoing operation that saw “elimination of entire militant leadership” in South Kashmir. “Recruiters and strategists like Abu Dujana, Sabzar Bhat, Junaid Matto, Yasin Ittoo and Bashir Lashkari have already been killed,” said the Police official. The Army is now zeroing in on “Hizbul ideologue Riyaz Naikoo” and encounter specialists Wasim Shah and Sadam Padder of Shopian.

Since April, over 16 foreign militants have joined the depleting militant ranks in south Kashmir, especially the LeT, by crossing into the north Kashmir valley through the LoC. “We have completely blunted the striking capability of the militant groups in south Kashmir. All of them are on the run,” said another Police official.

NSCN-IM will not decommission its arms after the final accord is signed with the Government of India.

Police on August 18 said that at least 532 non-tribals, living in Mizoram without valid ILP, were arrested across the State. Police said a special drive on the violation of ILP by non-tribal workers in the State was launched on August 17 and would continue for a few days.

Police arrested a youth ,Seiminthang Lupheng (27) ,involved in extortion by using the name of KPLF from Chanvangphai ground near Moreh Police Station in Tengnoupal district.

CM Sarbananda Sonowal asked the NBCC and CPWD to immediately seal 48.11 Kilometer (km) porous areas of the India-Bangladesh border on a war footing at a high-level meeting in New Delhi. Sarbananda Sonowal also asked the BSF to use proven technology to intensify its vigil and put a spanner into the alleged influx and smuggling from across the border. During the meeting, NBCC and CPWD pointed out that of the 48.11km unfenced border between Assam and Bangladesh, fencing of 13.38km would be completed as soon as the floodwaters recede. However, erecting a fence on the remaining areas involves enormous challenges as a nearly 3km stretch, particularly in the Silchar sector, is full of deep gorges. They said the Silchar sector has 61 gaps, Dhubri 31 and others two and altogether INR 26.92 crore was required to plug these gaps.

Police arrested four TPC cadres from the outskirts of Ramgarh District of Jharkhand. TPC is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

District Police and CRPF, arrested two PLFI cadres, identified as Roshni Bhengra and Prafulla Lugun, from Thethaitangar in Simdega District of Jharkhand. Police also recovered weapons from their possession. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

An ‘assistant commandant’ of the CPI-Maoist identified as Somey Sodhi (33), surrendered in Malkangiri District of Odisha. According to Police, she was the second in command of Boipariguda area committee of MKV Border division under AOBSZC. Sodhi hails from Edikonda village in the District and was carrying a reward of INR 400,000 on her head. She was allegedly involved in several incidents of murder, including killing of two BSF personnel at Kaliajodi forest in 2016, blasting of a vehicle carrying SOG personnel at Mantriam in 2010, exchange of fire with SFs and setting ablaze mobile phone towers.

August 19

With the country ranking second globally for online searches on the Islamic State (IS), the Kerala Police have been on a high alert to spot the potential homegrown recruits who are being radicalised online. A senior officer with the Kerala Police said a good number of these searches on the outlawed outfit were from the State, also alluding to the possible radicalisation of youths through the Internet. "We have prioritized about 60 user accounts associated with or sharing extremist material and have zoomed in to examine the persons of interest closely,'' the official said. The majority of these groups intend to propagate the ideology of Islamic terrorism by posting communally flared up videos and pictures coupled with vitriolic messages, while there are also a few that espouse the cause of a Hindu Rashtra and LWE. The department has succeeded in sneaking into some of these groups using fake profiles. Besides the social media accounts, the Police are also monitoring their Internet usage patterns and the kind of websites they are surfing to trace their interaction with the terror outfit's propagandists in West Asia.

According to officers, the number of these groups almost remained stable over the past several months. They, however, have noticed a recent trend of some of the members of these groups making one-to-one communications on their individual capacity as well. Besides monitoring their activities, the Police often disrupt their messages and even delete whole of their contents and post counter-messages. Besides, tracking the handlers of these pages and booking them under IPC 153(A) may not be practical given that the majority of them are settled abroad, report said.

Suspected militants shot dead a PDP worker, Mohammad Isaaq Parray at Uggen in Dailgam area of Anantnag District. A Police officer said that the militants opened fire upon the PDP worker Mohd Isaaq Parray at Uggen in Dailgam in the afternoon. In the incident, Parray sustained serious bullet wounds and has been shifted to nearby hospital where doctors declared him brought dead on arrival. Soon after the incident, a joint team of SFs launched a man hunt to nab the militants.

A low intensity blast occurred inside BJP office in Jawahar Nagar area of Srinagar causing minor damage to boundary wall and window panes in the evening. The explosion took place in J-2 Quarter which houses BJP office at Jawahar Nagar in the evening. SHO Rajbagh, Ghulam Moihuddin said that Police is ascertaining the nature of the blast.

SFs cordoned off and conducted searches in 10 villages of Shopian including Chakoora, Mantribug, Zaipora, Pratabpora, Takipora, Ranipora, Ratnipora, Dangam, Kellar and Wangam. The joint operation was launched by Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army's 62 RR and 114th Battalion of CRPF. The cordon and search operation was launched after inputs about the presence of a Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) militant group in the area.

Altogether 11 Bangladeshi nationals were arrested by a joint patrolling party of Assam and Tripura Police recently at Churaibari (North Tripura District of Tripura and Karimganj District of Assam) inter-State border. Police recovered a sizeable amount of Indian and Bangladeshi currency notes, mobile handsets, fake medicine-making machines and some valuable documents, etc from their possessions. According to sources, Jalal Ahmed, Nurul Amin, Amir Hussain, Abdul Sabur, Abdul Ahad and Mohammad Rashid of Sylhet in Bangladesh entered India by crossing Sunamura international border in Tripura, while the other five Bangladeshi nationals, namely Mujib Shek, Ujjal Shek, Babul Haldar, Najrul Shek and Mintu Baidya were arrested by Dharmanagar Police.

The Police intensified operation along the bordering areas to prevent entry into the Bangladeshi nationals into the Indian territory. "During the flood, they (Bangladeshi) try to enter the Indian territory in quest of their jobs and accordingly, we take strict vigil along the border," Police sources said.

Jharkhand CM Raghubar Das said that Naxalism is on the verge of extinction in the State and invited investors in the country and abroad to invest in it assuring them of full support and security. CM Das stated that the State Government will take action if any such attempt was made by them (Naxals). He was addressing the second 'ground breaking ceremony' of 'Momentum Jharkhand', a Global Investors Summit at Jamshedpur in East Singhbhum District.

August 20

A local cable network operator, identified as Hilal Ahmad Malik was shot dead by militants near his residence at Malik Mohalla in Shopian District. Malik was shifted to nearby hospital where from he was referred to Srinagar for treatment. However, he succumbed to his injuries on way to hospital in Srinagar. Police, Army and CRPF immediately reached the spot and a massive manhunt has been launched against the militants responsible for his killing.

A bullet- riddled body of a 16-year-old youth, identified as Gowhar Ahmad Dar was recovered in Nagbal in Shopian District in the morning. The Police recovered the bullet-riddled body soon after locals informed that the youth was lying in pool of blood near the peripheries of an orchard at Nagbal. Police said that he was missing since last evening (August 19) and perhaps kidnapped by militants.

The killing of cable network operator is third killing since August 19 in South Kashmir. As SATP reported earlier, militants shot dead a PDP worker, Mohammad Isaaq Parray at Uggen in Dailgam area of Anantnag District on August 19. The series of killing took place after SFs launched a massive operation in Shopian District in South Kashmir on August 19 to flush out the militants.

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said in Mumbai that SFs with their resolute action had established dominance over terrorists in J&K and the Centre was firm that armed militancy must end in the border State. He said the ‘Kashmir issue’ had become complicated because of cross-border support to terrorists and also because local groups. “The Kashmir issue had become complicated because of cross-border support (to terrorism) and (also) our own groups supporting the armed militants. “Mass civil protests were seen in the form of stone- pelting and sometimes this was used to help terrorists escape,” he said.

Incidents of stone-pelting have reduced in Jammu and Kashmir due to the role of the NIA, UHM Rajnath Singh said. He said the incidents of naxalism, terrorism and extremism have also seen a downward trend in the last three years. “You have seen role of the NIA in Jammu and Kashmir, where incidents of stone pelting have come down. We have taken pledge for India’s security and strict action is being taken for this. We will accept challenges and in the past three years incident of naxalism, terrorism and extremism have seen a downward trend,” he said. Singh was speaking after inaugurating the office and residential complex of the NIA in Lucknow. “We will win over naxalism, terrorism and extremism. In the past three years, extremism has come down by 75 per cent in the northeast and naxalism has come down by 35-40 per cent,” Singh said. Emphasising on “finishing terror funding sources”, he said, “If we plug sources of fake currency and terror funding, it will be a big blow to terrorism. NIA is doing a great job here. Its name sends fear down the spine of those indulging in terror funding.”

A sustained crackdown on militancy in J&K, aided by strong ground intelligence, has seen the killings of terrorists outstrip recruitment by terror groups this year, with ranks of separatists increasingly dependent on infiltration of ‘foreign’ operatives into the State. The infiltration from PoK and Pakistan is slightly higher with 78 terrorists sneaking into J&K till July against 123 in entire 2016 but intelligence agencies said, given the current trend, it is a matter of time before the total number of active terrorists in the Valley sees a decline. The number of terror recruits in J&K this year, going by intelligence records, is around 71, while as many as 132 terrorists have died in security operations.

Of the 132 terrorists killed as a result of intelligence-based operations this year, 74 were foreign nationals and 58 locals. As many as 14, were top ‘commanders’ of LeT, HM or Al-Badr. These included two in the "A++ category, four in A+ category and eight in A category". Sources said cooperation between Central and State agencies are paying off. J&K Police, CRPF and Army have jointly accounted for top HM leaders even before they could settle down to their roles as one succeeded the other.  Though more youth joined terror groups in the Valley over the past 3-4 months, deaths of terrorists exceed recruitment levels. Fatalities among terrorists surged from an average 9.5 killings a month till April to 18 in May, 30 in June and 25 in July.

With squads of 400-odd terrorists, HM cadre in J&K do not seem unnerved by the US state department declaring the outfit a ‘global terror group. In fact there are experts who suggested that given the degree of anti-Americanism in Muslim-dominated Valley, this could even have a multiplier effect. One cannot ignore the jolts suffered by HM in the past by way of internal feud over money, ideology, and with other terror groups like JKLF, which ultimately gave up arms in 1994 with the release of their chief Yasin Malik from jail.

Nonetheless, HM is still operating in the Valley and continues to get local support. "Hizb is now operated directly by Syed Salauddin from PoK - albeit through their south Kashmir-based conduits," a top Hurriyat separatist said. Mainstream political parties like the PDP, NC and even Congress did not sound too upbeat about the State Department's action against the Hizb and termed it a "diplomatic gesture" which will hardly deter the outfit's cadre. "It has rather given legitimacy to the group in Muslim majority Kashmir due to its hatred against the US, whom it blames for Palestine and wars in several Muslim countries," said Nasir Aslam Wani, senior NC official and former minister. PDP avoided coming on record considering it's in governance with the BJP, which has branded US action as India's victory on the international stage.

"Hizb's 100-odd homegrown militants, under newly minted commander Riyaz Naikoo, are stooges of Pakistan's ISI. Outfits like Hizb have no international base except in Pakistan; therefore, it would not choke their resources in terms of the funding, etc.," a top PDP official said. Intelligence sources said the US declaration will have little impact in the Valley. The Hizb cadre comprises stone pelters and hardcore Muslim radicals. While stone-pelters are oblivious of the facts of the insurgency, radicals are unbothered about US utterances, sources said. "They firmly believe they are fighting jihad against Hindu India," a senior intelligence officer said. Hizb is unhassled in the Valley with substantial public support. Notwithstanding a few incidents of flow of information about presence of militants in the villages, they get food, shelter and other comfort from sections of locals.

SFs arrested two OGW of NSCN-K, identified as Wangnong Ronrang and Chankap Mossang from Jagun in Tinsukia District. Six extortion letters, two mobile phones and three SIM cards were recovered from them.

The STF of Bihar Police seized a huge consignment of explosives, including detonators and gelatin, from Rajauli Police Station area in Nawada District of Bihar. The explosives were meant for the cadres of CPI-Maoist. The Police have launched combing operations in Naxal-hit areas of the district close to the Bihar-Jharkhand border.

Three militia cadres of Nandapur Division of the CPI-Maoist were arrested by the Police in Koraput District of Odisha. The arrested cadres were identified as Biswanath Hantal, Sahadev Hantal, and Ghanu Sisa. The arrested cadres were allegedly involved in Maoist activities, basically organized meetings in tribal villages for the outlawed outfit, Police said.

As part of a three-day routine exercise, the NSDW of the Tamil Nadu Police conducted combing operations in the hilly areas of Vellore and Tiruvallur District of Tamil Nadu. The special wing has presence in 13 Districts of Tamil Nadu, including Tiruvallur, Vellore, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Theni, Virudhunagar and Kanyakumari. According to senior Police officers, this is a routine exercise with a three-pronged approach — gathers intelligence about Naxals, understand the problems faced by the villagers and solve them to prevent the village youth from being drawn by the Naxals into their movement. The movement of the Police is expected to reduce Naxal activity in these localities.

Jairampur Battalion of AR and Jagun Police, one NSCN-K militant and another NSCN-K linkman were arrested from Phulbari village in the Assam- Arunachal border.

Security experts believe that recent reports of GNLA cadres torturing individuals are due to their frustration resulting from lack of co-operation on the part of the villagers. There were two instances in South Garo Hills and West Khasi Hills Districts where villagers were tortured after they were accused of being Police informers. Rejecting the militants’ claims, a senior Police official overseeing counter insurgency operations in the area said, “Can they prove that those people they had beaten up are police informers?”

The Police official said that GNLA cadres numbering around 20 have been shunting between the tough terrains of South Garo Hills and West Khasi Hills in recent months. GNLA’s dreaded self-styled ‘commander-in-chief’ Sohan D Shira, along with a well armed group numbering around eight, is understood to be within the periphery of the thick jungles bordering the two Districts. While many of the top GNLA cadres have either surrendered or have been killed in exchange of fire with SFs, Shira continues to be elusive. Known for his notoriety since his days with the ANVC, Shira was an ‘area commander’ of the now disbanded organisation in the 1990s, before he formed the GNLA.

A leader of the CPI-Maoist leader named Ratan Dey was arrested by the Kharibari Police from Jarla Jote in Darjeeling District of West Bengal on August 19. The leader’s supporters gathered around the Kharibari Police Station and started a protest while the Police was taking the arrested to the Siliguri Court. The Kharibari OIC, Ranjit Pal, stated that Dey has confessed to being a CPI-Maoist leader. He hails from Kolkata.

A top leader of the CPI-Maoist, Duna Keshav Rao wrote to Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik asking him to rehabilitate him under the State’s policy of bringing LWEs into the mainstream. Rao is accused in several cases of violence including the killing of VHP leader Laxmanananda Saraswati in June 2008. Rao is also accused in at least 10 cases in Odisha and has been under judicial custody since June 2011.

The Democratic Students’ Association (DSA), a pro-Left outfit to be launched on August 26 in Kochi in Ernakulam District of Kerala, could be a CPI-Maoist frontal organisation, suspects the intelligence wing of the State Police. The association’s members, however, call it “an independent group upholding scientific socialism.” The Police, however, suspect that it is another attempt by those propagating Maoist ideology to “influence the hearts and minds of youngsters.” A senior official in charge of internal security in the office of the State Special Branch in Thiruvananthapuram told that Maoist sympathisers were “trying to capture different spheres of our lives through frontal organisations in various fields.” He pointed out that Paadaantharam, under the auspices of which the DSA was being launched, was the students’ outfit of Porattam, which has links with the Maoists. “They have a cultural wing called ‘Njattuvela’. Though the DSA cannot be called a Maoist organisation, their hidden agenda is to propagate that ideology,” the official said. The Police are keeping an eye on their activities, he said, pointing out that Ami, an organiser of the DSA, is the daughter of Rupesh and Shyna, who are in jail on charge of suspected links with Maoists.

August 21

SFs unearthed a militant hideout in Kangan area of Ganderbal District and recovered arms and ammunition. Police said that a search operation was launched by SFs in Cheki Akhaal forests in Kangan area, following a tip off. “During the searches, a militant hideout was unearthed. An AK assault rifle, two AK magazines and 44 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the hideout. A case has been registered in this regard”, Police said.

SFs, during a raid, arrested a HM militant, identified as Shahid Ahmad Wani from Zainapora village of Shopian District. “A Chinese pistol, nine rounds and a magazine were recovered from his possession,” Police said, adding that a vehicle has also been seized.

Police said that it has identified the militants responsible for the killing of a cable operator and a student in South Kashmir’s Shopian District and launched massive searches to nab them. Police on the basis of human and technical intelligence identified the militants who killed the cable network owner Hilal Ahmad Malik on August 20. The terrorists involved in the attack are Zubair Ahmad Turray a resident of Bonbazar, Shopian and Umar Nazir Malik alias Khattab a resident of Malikgund, Shopian.

Police also identified the militants, who killed a student, Gowhar Ahmad Dar of Urpora Nagbal on August 20. Police blamed LeT for his killing. They identified the two LeT militants responsible for the killing of Gowhar as Waseem Shah, resident of Heff and Nazim Dar, resident of Urpora. They said a manhunt has been launched to nab them.

With SFs stepping up action in South Kashmir, the militants are targeting the civilian population to discredit the forces by shifting the blame onto them and also create fear psychosis in the minds to make people to support them. With decline in incidents of stone pelting on the SFs during anti-terror operations and better intelligence gathering about militants' movements, the unnerved militants are now targeting young civilians. Three civilians were killed in South Kashmir during last three days.

The Khonsa battalion of AR arrested two militants of the NSCN-IM, identified as Nali Nyamtey and Rangmo Thakte from Bera in Tirap District.

The Jairampur Battalion of AR busted a hideout of the Reformation faction of NSCN-R at Miao in Changlang District,. However, the militants were able to escape using the cover of darkness and foliage. The militants were using the hideout as an ad hoc base for terrorizing people and carrying out extortion in the neighbouring villages, the AR spokesman said.

The SFs have been carrying out aggressive operations in the South Arunachal areas bordering Myanmar where Naga rebels belonging to all the factions of the NSCN including NSCN-IM, NSCN-K and NSCN-R are active creating nuisance for the people of the area.

HPC-D welcomed the Mizoram Government's decision to hold talks with the HPC-D faction. The State Government had decided to hold talks with HPC-D faction led by Lalhmingthanga Sanate within this month and with the Zosangbera faction next month which had been nearing conclusion.

CPI-Maoist cadre identified as Eshwar alias Veeramanai, an accused in the killing of a teacher in 2008, was produced at the session’s court by the Police in Udupi District of Karnataka. Veeramanai had planned and executed the murder of teacher, Seetanadi Bhoja Shetty, by shooting at him in front of the gate near his home within Hebri Police Station limits in the District on May 15, 2008. The court adjourned the case to November 15 for framing of charges. 

August 22

The official media channel of Islamic State (IS), Amaq Agency claimed that an Indian suicide bomber Abu Yusuf al-Hindi killed many Kurdistan fighters in an attack in Syria's Raqqa area. In a statement in Arabic via its Amaq propaganda agency, the IS identified the Indian suicide bomber as Abu Yusuf al- Hindi, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, a US-based monitoring firm. The terror group claimed killing and wounding a "number" of what it described as "Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) apostates" in the suicide attack involving the Indian bomber.

However, there was no confirmation about the IS claim by the Indian agencies. Abu Yusuf al-Hindi was the fugitive ‘chief recruiter’ for the IS in the Indian subcontinent and was known as Mohammed Shafi Armar, who had many aliases like 'Chhote Maula' and 'Anjan Bhai'. The 30-year-old was named a 'Specially Designated Global Terrorist' by the US in June, 2017, becoming the first Indian leader of the IS against whom America slammed sanctions. An Interpol Red Corner notice was also pending against him. Al-Hindi, a native of Bhatkal in Karnataka, was a leader and head recruiter in India for the FTO and SDGT group, IS, according to the US State Department.

US President Donald Trump has identified India as a key partner in stabilizing Afghanistan economically, in a speech outlining his new strategy towards South Asia that saw him giving the go ahead for increased US troop deployment in the war torn country and slamming ally Pakistan for offering safe haven to “agents of chaos”. “My instinct was to pull out,” Trump said in a reference signalling frustration with the long-running 16-year-old war that has killed thousands of US troops, cost the US exchequer trillions of dollars and has little support at home. But he said things looked different after weeks of deliberations with his senior security officials—concluding that “the consequences of a rapid exit are both predictable and unacceptable” and leaving a “vacuum” that terrorists “would instantly fill”. “A core pillar of our new strategy is a shift from a time-based approach to one based on conditions. I’ve said many times how counterproductive it is for the United States to announce in advance, the dates we intend to begin, or end, military operations,” Trump said in his address.

He also slammed Pakistan for its continued support to terrorist groups and warned Islamabad of the consequences of continuing to do so.

A suspected LeT militant was reportedly killed in an encounter with SFs in Kupwara District. According to official sources, SFs and SOG of J&K Police launched a joint search operation in a village at Handwara in the frontier district of Kupwara. When the SFs were sealing the area, the militants hiding there opened indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons, sources said, adding that the fire was returned, ensuing an encounter in which a militant was reportedly killed. There are three to four militants holed up in the area which has been cordoned off, they said.

J&K Governor N N Vohra called on UHM Rajnath Singh and discussed with him various issues including repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistani forces. During the meeting in New Delhi, the Governor apprised Singh about the prevailing situation in the Kashmir Valley and steps taken for restoring normalcy. They also discussed, among other issues, the ceasefire violations from across the border, increasing infiltration attempts and the incidence of terrorism in the Valley.

Police recovered an UAV and an inflatable boat among other things from a hideout of the GNLA at Riangdim Nengdawak forest in West Khasi Hills District.  “The recovery is unique this time, we are examining the recovered items to know the motive of the militants,” DGP SB Singh said. The DGP further said the UAV appears to be made in China. Besides the inflatable boat and drone, the search team found 82 rounds AK ammunition, three life jackets, two claymore mines, one tent and a magazine pouch.

BSF patrolling party arrested four Bangladeshi nationals near NC Nagar in Sonamura subdivision in Sipahijala District.  Four Bangladeshi nationals were identified as Mohammad Robin (16), of Comilla Mohammad Rubal (25) of Comilla Chavapur, Razul Islam (13) of Harimangal and Mohammad Azahar (30) of Nageswar.

Two CPI-Maoist militia members were arrested by the Charla Police, in a joint operation with the CRPF personnel at Kaliveru village in the Charla  mandal in Bhadradri-Kothagudem District of Telangana. Police identified the arrested duo as Madivi alias Kodi Vinod (25), and Muski Soma (23), of Battigudem village under Peddamidisileru  Gram Panchayat  in the District. The team also seized some medicines from their possession. 

August 23

Separatists announced multiple protests starting from Friday (August 25) this week and a strike on August 29 when SC will be hearing PIL on Article 35-A. Separatist leaders including Syed Ali Shah Geelani, ‘chairman’ of the APHC-G, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, ‘chairman’ of the APHC-M and Yasin Malik, chief of JKLF, in a joint statement, warned of agitation if “Supreme Court rules against Article 35-A”.The separatists called for a shutdown in State on August 29 when the Apex Court will hear the case. Besides, the separatists said that Kashmir Bar Association will hold peaceful protest demonstration on August 25 against “conspiracies to finish State Subject law”.

The Indian Army charged Pakistan with abetment and support to cross border terrorism and deliberate targeting of civilian populations along LoC in the twin border Districts of Poonch and Rajouri. The charge was conveyed to Pakistan by the Indian Army officers at Battalion Commander level Flag Meeting held at Chakan-Da-Bagh on the LoC in Poonch District, which was the first high-level contact between India and Pakistan since May 1 after fresh ceasefire violations broke out at various sectors of Poonch and Rajouri Districts, leading to casualties of Army and civilians and loss of property.

The Indian delegation highlighted abetment and support of Pakistan army to cross border terrorism and deliberate attempts of targeting civilian population by firing mortar shells in the populated villages along LoC in the two border Districts of Rajouri and Poonch. The Indian Army delegation also charged Pakistan with indulging in sniping actions on the LoC to target the Army soldiers during ceasefire violations.

According to Army, the year 2017 has seen a sharp increase in ceasefire violations by Pakistan. Till August 1, there were 285 such violations by the Pakistan Army while in 2016, the number was significantly less at 228 for the entire year, according to the Army figures. Eleven people, including 9 soldiers, were killed and 18 injured in ceasefire violations by Pakistan Army in the month of July, the Army data says. There were 83 ceasefire violations, one BAT attack and two infiltration bids from the Pakistani side in June in which four people, including three jawans, were killed and 12 injured. In May, there were 79 ceasefire violations, according to the officials.

UHM Rajnath Singh directed the Para-military Forces and JKP to step-up operations against the militants and their OGWs and to ensure that there was no fresh infiltration of the militants from Pakistan. The UHM is understood to have issued these directions at a very high-level security review of J&K situation with top brass of UMHA, heads of Para-military Forces, Intelligence Bureau and senior officers from J&K at his North Block office. “The anti-militant operations undertaken by security forces and police, infiltration attempts foiled and successful along the borders and related issues for the last two months of summer were taken up at the meeting in which the top brass of MHA, para-military forces, Intelligence agencies and State police officers briefed the Union Home Minister,’’ sources said, adding Rajnath Singh was satisfied the way SFs have tackle militancy and eliminated a number of militants including the top commanders especially those belonging to LeT and JeM outfits. “Infiltration by the militants from Pakistan side has been contained to maximum extent this summer and this process must go on to keep it at zero level,’’ UHM Singh said at the meeting.

A large quantity of arms and ammunition were recovered during a joint operation carried out by Assam Rifles and State Police at Sagang in Bishnupur District. The recovered arms and ammunition include one AK-56 rifle with one magazine, 50 rounds of 7.62 mm, one 9 mm pistol with nine live rounds, three hand grenades, four lathode shells, seven electric detonators, 14 assorted detonators, two detachable butt, two 9 mm Luger rounds, four .45 rounds, 18 rounds of .32, nine .22 rounds and four .35 rounds.

A GNLA cadre, Sengku M Momin (21), surrendered to Police at Adokgre anti-dacoity camp in North Garo Hills District. Police said that Sengku was with GNLA ‘commander-in-chief ‘Sohan D Shira at Wagara and ULFA-I militant Manoj Rabha alias Drishti Rajkhowa during the Dymmit encounter on August 16. Sengku, who worked as a courier, further revealed that GNLA cadres had come to Adokgre village to recruit cadres 15 days before the Dymmit encounter.

Bihar Police arrested four cadres of the CPI-Maoist with explosives from Jhajha Police Station area in Jamui District of Bihar. Police recovered 73 detonators 60 Kilograms of explosives and others related materials from them. The identity of the cadres is yet to be ascertained.

Four members of a family were allegedly abducted by the cadres of the CPI-Maoist from Lahsorba village under Piri Bazar Police Station in Lakhisarai District of Bihar. The abductees were identified as Bhuna Yadav, his sons Vikas and Babloo and his nephew, Sanjay Yadav.

SFs recovered huge cache of explosives, from a CPI-Maoist hideout at a forested hill in Moranga village under Katekalyan Police Station in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The seized items include 77 arrow bombs, 43 grenades, 73 detonators (53 of them coupled with wire), cordex wire 4 bundles, a big drum packed with explosive powder, one air gun and its pallets, 86 gelatin sticks, 10 Kilograms sulphur powder, 11 packets of explosives, three meter fuse wire, one solar plate and three steel tiffin boxes. Dantewada Range (DIG), Sundarraj P told that, “Prima facie, inputs revealed that the cadres were allegedly planning a big strike on security forces after Monsoon and had amassed these explosives for the same purpose.”

A joint team of District Armed Police and CRPF recovered six bombs suspected to be planted below a road by the Naxals targeting SFs from a hilly area during search operation in Palamau District of Jharkhand. Two cylinder bombs of 20 kilograms each, two can bombs of 10 kilograms each and two 10 kilograms IEDs were found from Chinia Pahar near Rania-Masuria village under Manatu Police Station in the District.

In a joint operation, Hazaribagh Police and CRPF arrested three cadres of TPC from Chanaro forest area under Charhi block in the Hazaribagh District of Jharkhand. TPC is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist. The arrested TPC cadres were identified as Rahul Ganjhu, Nitesh Ganjhu and Prakash Ganjhu. SFs also recovered two country made pistols, some live cartridges and Naxal literatures from them.

Anti-Naxal operations of Odisha Police are all set to go hi-tech as the State Government has decided to purchase a number of modern equipment, including UAVs at the cost of nearly INR 1.5 million. An UAV receiver station and operational control room will be set up to collect the real, vapour tracer, thermal monocular and contraband busters for the first time to keep tabs on movement of Naxals. The SAP for modernisation of Police Force in 2017-18, copy of which is with The Times of India, revealed that nearly INR 43.7 million will be spent for purchase of equipment to boost anti-Naxal exercise. The UMHA, on August 22, approved the SAP for modernisation of Police force at a cost of total INR 317.5 million this fiscal year. The scheme is funded both by the Central and State Governments on 60:40 basis.

A CPI-Maoist poster in the name of Khammam-Karimnagar and Warangal (KKW) District ‘committee secretary’ Damodar was found near the proposed site of the open cast – II mine in Bhupalpalli town in Jayashankar Bhupalapally District of Telangana. The poster said that Assembly Speaker S. Madhusudhana Chary and his three sons were cheating people and they would be taught a lesson. The poster also said that the Maoist party was against land acquisition and alleged that the State Government was forcibly acquiring land belonging to SCs and STs thereby rendering them landless.

IGP, West Zone, A. Pari, told reporters that check posts have been installed and round the clock vigil is maintained particularly in Coimbatore and Ooty Districts areas of Tamil Nadu, that share border with other States, to prevent infiltration of CPI-Maoist cadres. IG Pari said in view of ‘Vinayagar Chathurthi’, over 8,000 cops including armed reserve Police and Home Guards have been deployed for security. “All sensitive areas will be given additional security, “he said.

August 24

Indian Intelligence Agencies have not been able to confirm the news relating to the death of Shafi Armar, the recruiter in chief for the Islamic State (IS) in India. Earlier this week the IS declared that Abu Yusuf al-Hindi alias Shafi Armar a resident of Bhatkal was killed in Syria's Raqqa area. “We are still working on it and ascertaining the correct picture”, an IB officer said. “Such news has come out in the past as well, but it turned out to be false. We are observing the chat channels to ascertain whether the ISIS faked his death”, the officer added.

The NIA has again summoned two sons of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, ‘chairman’ of the APHC-G for questioning in New Delhi, in connection with terror funding and hawala cases. Sources said the NIA, which had earlier also quizzed Geelani’s two sons-Nayeem Geelani and Naseem Geelani and then allowed them to leave for Jammu and Kashmir-has called the duo again at its headquarters in New Delhi for fresh round of questioning. The NIA is likely to quiz the Geelani’s sons on their assets and other issues, which have surfaced during questioning of already, arrested separatist leaders and a businessman, sources said, adding the NIA could call some more persons from the Kashmir valley for interrogation in the next few days.

The NIA questioned two sons of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, ‘chairman’ of the APHC-G at its headquarters in New Delhi in connection with terror funding probe and hawala operations in the Kashmir valley. This is for the second time that both sons of Geelani have been questioned by the NIA. Sources said that the NIA wants to know the source of funding for assets managed by them and their other family members, apart from some benami transactions, which the Agency suspects were owned by the family members of the separatist on various names. Sources said Nayeem and Naseem, sons of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, were questioned earlier on August 8. The elder son Nayeem is a surgeon by profession, while Naseem is an employee of the Jammu and Kashmir Government. According to sources, the two were asked to bring certain documents related to financial transactions that have come under the scanner of the NIA.

The UMHA has described the settlement of Rohingyas and Bangladeshis in Jammu as ‘illegal’ and declared that they would be deported. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Hansraj Gangaram Ahir made the UMHA’s stand clear on deportation of Rohingyas and Bangladeshis at a press conference at Jammu after high-level review of security situation along the IB and another meeting on the issues of West Pakistani, PoK and Kashmiri refugees.

Responding to a question, Ahir said the Rohingyas and Bangladeshis were living “illegally” in Jammu and the Home Ministry was clear that they have to be deported at an “appropriate time”. “We have given instructions to the authorities to identify the colonies, where Rohingyas and Bangladeshis have been settled…the nature of work they were doing here…whether they were indulging in non-violent activities and posing threat to security and society,” the Minister said, adding that the UMHA was firm on its stand that Rohingyas and Bangladeshis have to be deported. On the issue of citizenship rights to west Pakistani refugees, he said that certificates would be given to them very soon.

Minister of State for Home Affairs, Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said that stone pelting incidents and terrorist activities have decreased in J&K after the modernisation of Police in the State. After visiting the BoP in Baba Chimilyal area of Samba District, he said that the Centre was spending about INR 500 crore on modernisation of the State Police, which included the latest equipments, arms and ammunition.

Police arrested Abhisek Rai alias Mithu for his alleged involved in manhandling Moon Bora, a SULFA militant from Panigaon area of Nagaon District. The incident took place inside a business establishment at Kalibari in Panigaon area of Nagaon District on August 22 when five former militants, led by Bora, went to M/s Das Enterprise, a tractor dealer, to collect "donation for flood relief". A group of traders there roughed up Moon Bora, accusing him of extortion. While Bora was arrested on August 22, his four friends were arrested on August 23 on the basis of a complaint filed by Das Enterprise. Tension still prevails in Nagaon town for the third day following the incident adds.

The mortal remains of former Manipur Chief Minister Rishang Keishing will be buried in Mantripukhri in Imphal instead of his birthplace Bungpa Khunou in Kamjong district.  Rishang Keishing's family disclosed that it was done following a NSCN-IM "diktat" but did not reveal the reason for the outfit's demand. Chief minister N. Biren Singh and his council of ministers attended the funeral. When asked about the NSCN-IM's stand, Biren Singh said he had no knowledge of this, but that action would be taken if such was the case. Keishing died of multi-organ failure on August 22 evening at the RIMS in Imphal.

The KNF has warned the intending contractors of PMGSY initiative, not to bid on any PMGSY works below the scheduled rate within its ‘jurisdiction’ of Kangpokpi District. The ‘director, Project and Planning’ of KNF, Andrew K alleged that in spite of huge amount of sanctions from the Government, the road construction under PMGSY has failed to serve its purpose to the hill residents in the far flung rural areas thereby robbing the hill people of their rightful developmental schemes.

GNLA ‘commander-in-chief’ Sohan D Shira is forcing young men to join the outfit to strengthen his ‘foot soldiers’ group reveled a surrendered GNLA militant.

A proposal has been sent to the Union Government for aerial manning of two BoP in West Jaintia Hills District by the BSF. BSF Inspector General (IG- Meghalaya) P.K. Dubey said since Hingaria and Huroi border outposts in Jaintia Hills are inaccessible by land, a proposal was sent to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) for providing assistance for aerial manning.“We are looking at aerial assistance to the personnel posted in these BOPs by helicopters which can provide ration and other materials as airdropping of essential things save time,” Dubey said.

Six Naga NNPGs resolved to exempt Naga entrepreneurs from ‘taxation’. “The NNPGs have resolved that while free donations from our people will be solicited, Naga entrepreneurs shall henceforth be exempted from taxations. This step is taken in order to enable Naga youths to confidently pursue and strengthen social fabric and build economic platform for the future,” NNPGs stated through its media cell. However, NNPGS said that “joint ventures and partnerships between Naga and non-Naga entrepreneurs shall not be exempted in any manner.” NNPGs said it has taken note of many Naga youths claiming ownership of business houses and discreetly being paid monthly protection fee by non-Naga businessmen. This practice must be stopped immediately, NNPGs asserted.

August 25

A BSF jawan was injured in a sniping incident by Pakistani Rangers along the IB in Arnia sector of Jammu District. Official sources said BSF constable KK Appa Rao was manning an Observatory Post in forward area of Arnia sector when he was hit by a sniper shot fired by the Pakistani Rangers at 12 noon. The ceasefire violations by Pakistan on the IB were very rare these days though they had been quite common on the LoC, report said.

Significantly, on July 17, the BSF and the Pakistan Rangers had held a Commandant-level flag meeting in Samba sector along the IB and “committed” themselves to maintaining peace. In the flag meeting, the two sides had agreed to re- energize instant communication between field commanders, whenever required, to resolve petty matters. On August 23, senior Army Commanders of India and Pakistan also held a flag meeting on the LoC in Poonch sector and agreed to institute mechanisms for durable peace and tranquility on the border. The year 2017 has seen a sharp increase in ceasefire violations by Pakistan.

Kashmiri separatists withdrew their five-day protest programme against a move to get Article 35A of the Constitution repealed, after the Supreme Court deferred hearing on a petition challenging the validity of the provision. “The protest programme, including the proposed strike on August 29, is postponed for the time being as the hearing,” separatist leaders, including chairmen of both factions of APHC Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and JKLF chief Yasin Malik said in a statement in Srinagar. A new protest schedule would be issued whenever needed, they added.

SF’s major offensive against militants including top commanders of various outfits in the J&K has started bringing desired results with nearly half of 30 fresh recruits from the Valley getting fed up within few months of their sojourn to the ‘world of violence’ and sending feelers either directly or through their family members to the Army for surrender. “The Army’s decision to go for kill through ‘Operation All Out’ in which large number of militants including dreaded commanders like Abu Dujana have been eliminated, is reported to have panicked majority of the fresh recruits of the militancy as well as their family members, who were now knocking doors of security forces for mercy and accept their surrender,” official sources said. They said the “shortened life span of militants” including their commanders after SFs started their massive search operations in the entire Kashmir valley to flush out the militants was another major reason behind disenchantment of the fresh recruits from militancy and their desire to return to mainstream.

Nagaon District administration withdrew the case that was registered against former SULFA Moon Bora and others in Nagaon Police Station after incident of assault involving a group of businessman on August 22.

Several organisations in Assam took out a rally over the "assault" of a ULFA-PTF member by some traders at Kalibari locality in Nagaon town amidst a 12-hour general strike in Nagaon District. Demanding immediate release of the five former ULFA members arrested on Tuesday in connection with an alleged extortion bid, groups like the AASU, AJYCP and ULFA-PTF participated in the agitation, seeking action against those involved in "assaulting" Moon Bora and four others. ULFA-PTF leadership, led by ‘chairman’ Arabinda Rajkhowa, joined the rally at Nehrubali in Nagaon town where they resolved to launch an agitation to secure "immediate and unconditional" release of the five ULFA-PTF rebels."If needed, we will float yet another armed organisation to safeguard the rights and sentiments of the people of the state," Rajkhowa said. "Assam will yet again be covered in blood."

Two low intensity IEDs explosions were reported from New Seijang village under Moreh Police Station in Tegnoupal District. According to a source, one of the IEDs exploded at around 1.50 pm and another at 1.54 pm, one after another, at Khajing river bank.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh has assured the KSA that the State Government would soon convene a meeting of all political parties to discuss the demand for reservation of eight Assembly segments for the indigenous people of Manipur. KSA has been spearheading a sustained agitation demanding reservation of all the 60 Assembly Constituencies for the indigenous people of Manipur starting from Wangkhei, Thangmeiband, Uripok, Bishnupur, Sagolband, Sugnu, Jiribam and Kangpokpi assembly segments where non-local people have overwhelming presence and removal of non-local voters from the State's electoral roll .

Seven cadres of the CPI-Maoist surrendered before senior Police and ITBP officials at District Headquarter in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. The CPI-Maoist cadres cited disappointment with "hollow" Maoist ideology and their "wrong" policies. The surrendered CPI-Maoist cadres were identified as Manish Salaam (21), Mandar Korram (30), Peelsai Korram (40), Roshan Padihar (41), Anulal Bhandari (37), Sampat (27), and Chunni Lal Bhandari (38). Salam was an active member of Maoists Dandakaranya instructor team and Antagarh LOS, had been allegedly involved in the two attacks on Police party this year (2017) in Narayanpur and the neighbouring Kanker District. Salam was carrying INR 100,000 on his head.

The CPI-Maoist cadres killed one Rakesh Mahto (40) on the suspicion of being a ‘Police informer’ at Khakhanda village under Mahuatand Police Station in Bokaro District of Jharkhand. According to Gomia Circle Police Inspector, Rajesh Kujur, prior to his murder the Maoists had accused him of working as a ‘Police spy’ as stated on their poster. The posters read,  "Police dalal Rakesh Mahto ko mrityudand diya gaya”  (Police agent Rakesh Mahto is awarded death sentence) and "Police dalal ko chun chun kar maut ka saja denge” (police spies will be hounded and killed). OIC, P.C. Devgan said preliminary evidence suggested murder by CPI-Maoist rebels.

SFs exchanged fire with CPI-Maoist cadres in Palamau District of Jharkhand. ASP, (operations), Arun Kumar Singh, said, “There was a tip off about Nitesh. His contingent was near the foothills of Ghurghurya. As our Security Forces reached there came firing from the Maoists’ side. It was repulsed with tact and discretion.” No casualty or injury on the side of the SFs was reported. Palamau police recovered a semi-automatic rifle, cartridges, medicines, phones, wires and ropes from Ghurghurya Pahar after the encounter with Maoists of ‘sub-zonal commander’ Nitesh Yadav squad.

The interstate crime conference, discontinued towards the end of last decade, is set to resume as Nagpur Police of Maharashtra are taking initiative to organize a mega one-day brainstorming sessions on crime, terrorism and Naxalism. The meeting is schedule to happen on August 28. Officers of the ranks of SP and above from Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, especially Vidarbha, are expected to attend the conference.

August 26

Eight SF personnel, including four CRPF jawans, were killed when a group of fidayeen (suicide squad) attacked DPL in Pulwama District, triggering an encounter in which the three militants were also killed. Police sources said that some militants on “suicidal mission” entered Police family quarters inside DPL Pulwama at around 4 am. They said that the Police’s SOG, CRPF and Army started clearing the quarters by evacuating families of security personnel. “In the process, we suffered some casualties. Unfortunately our four CRPF men and four police personnel were martyred and we have searched two blocks so far and two dead bodies of two terrorist were recovered. They have not been identified yet and they look foreign terrorists,” Police sources said. Later, SFs shot dead third militant who was trapped in third residential block. The body of the militant was later recovered from the debris during the searches. JeM has claimed the responsibility of the attack.

As the encounter was underway against militants in the day, some youth took to streets in Pulwama town and resorted to heavy stone pelting on Police and CRPF. Police retaliated by lobbing dozens of teargas canisters. Authorities sealed off Pulwama town and snapped mobile Internet services across the District as a precautionary measure.

The BSF killed at least three Pakistani Rangers personnel in retaliatory firing after an unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistan on IB in Akhnoor and Sunderbani sectors in Rajouri District. "Today Pakistan resorted to unprovoked to ceasefire violation and fired four 51mm mortar and two 81mm mortar shells towards the forward Indian posts in Dewra village of Sunderbani of Rajouri district," a BSF spokesperson said, adding that the jawans retaliated strongly and shot dead at least three Pakistan Rangers. The force also said it is "engaged in a befitting retaliation" after the Rangers began unprovoked firing in the Pargwal area of Jammu since around 3 PM. Earlier in the day, the force said, at least half-a-dozen mortar shells were fired from across the border and they exploded in the Dewra village of Sunderbani sector along the IB.

A group of four NLFT militants surrendered to BSF at Gandacherra in Dhalai District. The militants were identified as Milan Mohan Tripura, Hiranjay Tripura, Danta Kumar Tripura and Raiakumar Tripura. The four militants had fled their hideout in the Khagracherri District of Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill-Tracts on August 22.

Chatra Police sealed the house of TPC ‘zonal commander’ Kokaram under UAPA at Lawalong in Chatra District of Jharkhand. Kokaram carries INR 1 million rewards on his head. TPC is a splinter group of CPI-Maoist.

A CPI-Maoist leader with a reward of INR 250,000 on his head surrendered before the Police in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. Gomaji aka Arsu Chaitu Jetti, surrendered before the SP, Gadchiroli.

Maharashtra Police came up with an intense counter-propaganda campaign, in which the ‘Police informers’ will be rewarded from INR 200,000 to INR 10 million for those giving credible information leading to arrest or encounter of the CPI-Maoist leaders. Maharashtra Police have published advertisements in newspapers to announce the reward scheme. As per the scheme, person(s) giving credible information leading to arrest or encounter of Ganapathy, General Secretary of CPI-Maoist or the Supreme Commander of the Maoists in India, will get a hefty reward of INR 10 million.

August 27

The MEA has expressed sadness over the violence and terrorist attack in Myanmar wherein 32 people were killed, including 11 Myanmar security personnel. Expressing the concern over the reports of renewed violence and attacks by terrorists in northern Rakhine State Myanmar, MEA said, “India is seriously concerned by reports of renewed violence and terrorist attacks in northern Rakhine State Myanmar. Such attacks deserve to be condemned in the strongest possible terms.” “We hope that the perpetrators of these crimes will be brought to justice and we extend our strong support at this challenging moment to the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar,” the External Affairs Ministry added.

One individual, Vaseem Ramodia went by the alias Ninja Fox and on his chat transcripts, the NIA found a deadly plan to carry out lone wolf attacks in India against the kafirs or infidels. The NIA detailed this in its charge sheet filed against two Islamic State (IS) operatives Vaseem alias Ninja Fox and Naseem. The NIA said that the duo had discussed at length on how to replicate the terror of the West where lone wolf strikes have almost become a routine affair. The charge sheet was filed before the special NIA court at Ahmedabad.

Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat has said that Pakistan's alliance with the Jihadi groups has serious ramifications on India's security. "Pakistan unabated alliance with the Jihadi groups has serious ramifications on our security. This can lead to the possibility of Pakistan being a conduit for the eastward spread of fundamentalistic and Islamic ideologies," he said. He also said that the neighbourhood continues to have 'proxy wars' in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistani troops resumed heavy mortar shelling and firing on civilian locations along the LoC in Poonch District, injuring five civilians including a woman. Pakistani troops started heavy mortar shelling and firing targeting forward posts of the Indian Army followed by civilian population at Kirni, Shahpur, Gountrian and Digwar in Poonch sector at 6 pm. The Indian side retaliated effectively, leading to heavy exchanges which continued till late night (August 27) when the reports last came in. Report said that five civilians were injured in forward villages of Bandi Chechian and Qasba in Shahpur area of Poonch sector as they were trapped in mortar shelling while working in their fields and didn’t get a chance to take shelter in houses or bunkers. The injured persons were identified as Zahid Hussain Shah, Mohammad Qasim, Mohammad Zameel, Parveen Akhtar and Mohammad Safeer.

One person, identified as Jan Mohammad Dar was injured when a shell went off at the EDI building in Pampore in Pulwama District where an encounter had taken place between SFs and militants last year (2016). He was injured when a shell exploded at the EDI building in Pampore near the Srinagar-Jammu NH on the city outskirts, a Police official said. Dar, who is an electrician, was working at the building at the time of the incident. The EDI building was the scene of a 60-hour gunfight between SFs personnel and militants in October 2016. Two militants were killed in the encounter. The building had also suffered damaged in the exchange of fire.

Altogether 300 militants belonging to UDLA-B and BRAU based at Ramnathpur village in Hailakandi district are likely to lay down their arms and join the mainstream in coming months, Anurag Tankha said that he had held discussions with the top leaders of two Bru outfits on August 26 at Circuit House and they have agreed to lay down arms. IGP Anurag Tankha said that they have already initiated the peace process with the outfit.

SFs arrested the ‘finance’ and ‘foreign secretary’ CorCom, ‘brigadier’ Mairembam Achouba (78) alias Achou Meitei, from Tronglaobi area in Bishnupur District.

Nine cadres of the CPI-Maoist surrendered before SP, Kamlochan Kashyap in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The CPI-Maoist cadres cited disillusionment with the Maoist movement and constant discrimination and exploitation by senior CPI-Maoist leaders. Among the surrendered CPI-Maoist cadres, one Nanda aka Barse carried INR 500,000 on his head.

NLFT is planning to indulge in violence before and during the next assembly elections due in February 2018. "The surrendered terrorists said they fled from their Bangladeshi camp last week. The NLFT leaders recently started recruiting new cadres to create violence before and during the next assembly elections. The four surrendered rebels are part of the newly recruited militants," Sub-Divisional Police Officer Jawahar Debbarma said post surrender of four NLFT militants on August 26.

 

August 27-28

Indian troops launched a major counter offensive against Pakistan in the mid-night after latter targeted civilian areas in various parts of Poonch sector in Poonch District, leading to heavy damages across the LoC including five fatal casualties, two of them Pakistani Army personnel, apart from nearly a dozen injuries and destruction of forward posts and bunkers. Sources said that the troops launched massive assault on Pakistani troops to silence their guns, which were targeting civilian population causing heavy losses across the LoC. Pakistan officially admitted its three fatal casualties and injuries to several others and lodged protest with India. According to sources, two Pakistan army personnel were among five persons dead on Pakistani side while eight to 10 others including troopers were injured. Several Pakistani posts and bunkers suffered extensive damages in retaliatory shelling and firing by the troops. Majority of casualties and damages of Pakistan took place in their Nezapir sector on the LoC, which follows opposite Shahpur sector of Poonch District, which was targeted by Pakistan army on August 27th evening, leading to injuries to five civilians including a woman, who were undergoing treatment in the hospital.

However, officially, Pakistan only named its three civilians killed in the firing as 32-year-old Naveed and 25 year old Ansar, both brothers and their sister Asma (20). Sources said that at least two Pakistan army personnel were killed and some others were injured in retaliatory firing by the Indian side in Nezapir sector. However, as usual, Pakistan didn’t name its army casualties. Few Pakistan army personnel were among those injured.

August 28

Three persons were arrested along with FICN, having face value of over INR 12 lakh in INR 2,000 and INR 500 denominations, from Kanpur Dehat area in Kanpur Dehat District. Acting on a tip off, Police arrested Ashwani Kumar, Jai Prakash and Rajkumar from Rasulabad area of Kanpur Dehat with the FICN, having face value of INR 12,39,500, Police said, adding that the notes are in denominations of INR 2,000 and INR 500. The Police has also recovered a computer, a printer, a scanner, paper and ink used in printing of fake notes.

UHM Rajnath Singh discussed various infrastructure projects in border areas, including a strategic road in Ladakh, officials said. In the meeting with Ministry officials, he discussed the progress of various infrastructure projects in border areas, including a stand-alone road from Marsimik La to Hot Spring in Ladakh. The road has been given to the BRO for construction and it will ensure access to “vantage points” for SFs, the officials said. Rajnath also reviewed progress of infrastructure projects in border areas of Jammu and Kashmir and other States with focus on the projects falling along Pakistan and China borders.

A Police officer, identified as ASI, Abdul Rashid Peer, was shot dead by militants at Mehandi Kadal in Anantnag District. The militants fled leaving him in a pool of blood and he was rushed to district hospital Anantnag by his colleagues where from he was shifted to Srinagar for treatment but he succumbed to injuries.

SFs launched massive search operations against militants in Shopian villages of South Kashmir to flush them out. Search operation was launched early morning by SOG Shopian and 62 RR of Army in Matribugh, Zoipora, Dangam, Wangam, Shahpora, Chakoora and several other villages of Shopian. Few months ago videos circulating on social media where a group of 30 militants brandishing with AK 47 were seen was shot in the area.

SFs conducted searches in Kulgam near the Mini Secretariat after reports of presence of militants in its vicinity. The operation was later called off and no one was arrested.

IG – Operations, CRPF, Zulfikar Hussain, said that militants are desperate to strike to inflict casualty but SFs are ready to foil their designs. “In recent days, some top militants were killed in South Kashmir in which there was important role of CRPF battalions. We understand that those people (militants) in their desperation are trying to attack security forces and inflict damage. We are ready to tackle this situation and in coming days, our success will surge”, he said.

Hussain said that CRPF and J&K Police displayed exemplary courage and saved lives of civilians inside the DPL Pulwama during fidayeen attack. “The CRPF’s 182 and 183 battalions displayed extreme bravery in partnership with Jammu and Kashmir Police during recent attack on DPL Pulwama. It was a challenging moment as there were families, police lines security and also companies of CRPF. So, with extreme bravery, all three terrorists were killed and civilian families were protected. Our four brave hearts were martyred and some personnel of Jammu and Kashmir Police were also martyred and some of our personnel were injured. Three people are very critical among injured who are in hospital.

A Delhi court extended the NIA custody of Kashmiri businessman Zahoor Watali, who was arrested for allegedly collecting money from Pakistan-based terror outfits for Hurriyat Conference leaders, five more days. District Judge Poonam A Bamba, in an in-chamber proceeding, passed the order after the agency sought 10 days custody of Watali for further interrogation, court sources said. The NIA had earlier told the court that it had found various suspicious documents from the accused during the searches, including details of bank accounts and cash received by him from various terror outfits.

Pakistan-based terror outfit JeM has claimed responsibility for the Pulwama attack in which eight SFs personnel and three militants killed on August 26. The three slain JeM militants were identified as Abu Saad, Dawood and Al Bakr.

The workers of DFSS under the leadership of their president, Ashok Gupta held a protest in old Jammu city against the Pulwama terror attack in which eight SFs personnel lost their lives. Dubbing the neighbouring country as a threat to the peace in South Asian region Ashok Gupta castigated Pakistan for pushing fidayeens to carry out terror attacks on the SFs personnel in Jammu and Kashmir, besides endorsing support to secessionists in the Valley.

The J&K DGP S. P. Vaid said that the ultimate outcome of the "war" being waged by Pakistan is that people of the state were getting killed. Speaking to reporters at the wreath laying ceremony of ASI Abdul Rashid, who was shot and killed by militants in Anantnag District on August 28, he said, "I will only say that one more citizen of Jammu and Kashmir has been martyred". "It is the blood of our people that is being spilled and the ultimate outcome of the war that has been waged from across is that people of J&K are getting martyred which is not a good thing," the DGP said. Asked about the warning by the militant outfit JeM that more attacks like the one on DPL Pulwama on August 26, the DGP said "we will take them on".

Two persons, Sudhir and Shankar Pandey, were lynched allegedly for having connections with the CPI-Maoist in Gaya District of Bihar. Their bodies were dumped on the banks of river Morhar under Gurua Police Station limits. A Police officer told that Sudhir had no direct links with CPI-Maoist cadres; however, he did use to provide shelter to some active cadres of the outfit at his ancestral village.

The CPI-Maoist cadres killed, a civilian, indentified as Sonu, in south Bastar near Kankerlanka in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The CPI-Maoist cadres pulled Sonu out from a bus and fatally shot him with an arrow. According to sources, Sonu had failed to return INR 30,000 he had taken from a CPI-Maoist leader.

Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh said that State Government had vowed to free the State from the clutches of Naxals before 2022. CM Singh was addressing the 'Sankalp Se Siddhi' programme held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC) auditorium in Raipur District.

The DG of CRPF, Rajiv Ranjan Bhatnagar met CM, Naveen Patnaik in Bhubaneswar, the State capital, and expressed his satisfaction over the efforts of the Odisha Police in anti-Naxal activities. The DG, RR Bhatnagar said that the cadres of the CPI-Maoist are drawing new strategies to challenge SFs and attempting to halt various development works in the bordering Districts. The CRPF is making elaborate strategic arrangements to counter the plan of the LWEs. Odisha DGP, KB Singh said, “We also discussed on redeployment of paramilitary forces with a change in strategy in certain corridors and areas like Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Malkangiri and Koraput.”

Two cadres belonging to NSCN-R were injured in an encounter between 13 AR and militants at Tipong village in Changlang district. Security forces seized a cache of arms and ammunition, including AK 47 rifles, M16 assault rifles and under-barrel grenade launchers.

A Myanmar-trained ULFA-I cadre, Swadhin Saikia alias Jyotish Asom, was arrested from Duliajan town in Dibrugarh District. A 7.65 mm pistol, six live rounds of ammunition and INR 8,000 were seized.

A ULFA-I cadre, Naba Kanta Baruah alias Baroo Asom, was arrested after he surrendered before the Superintendent of Police, Sadiya, in Tinsukia District.

The training camps operated by the dreaded Paresh Baruah faction of the ULFA-I in Myanmar house more than 500 militants. All this was revealed by a militant who surrendered to the security forces on August 27.

Twin IED explosions were reported on a river bank near New Seijang village at Moreh town in Tengnoupal district. However, there was no casualty. Police said two IEDs exploded which is a just few meters from the international border.

August 29

Three SIMI members were sentenced to life imprisonment by a Bhopal special court for attempted murder of a BJYM activist in Madhya Pradesh’s Khandwa town in 2009. While BJYM president Pramod Tiwari had escaped unhurt, a BJYM activist, Dubey was critically injured in the attack that took place on the night of January 2, 2009. There were seven accused in the murder case, but four of them were killed in an alleged encounter near Bhopal in 2016. Besides Abu Faisal — who was the key conspirator in the attack and is facing trial in other terror-related cases — Abdullah Hussain and Raquib were sentenced to life imprisonment for attempt to murder Dubey. The trio were also sentenced to 10 years in jail for the attempt on Tiwari’s life by Special Judge Girish Dixeet. Both the sentences will run concurrently.

A Delhi court put IM operative Yasin Bhatkal and eight others on trial in two cases relating to the 2010 Jama Masjid blast. Additional Sessions Judge Sidharth Sharma said there was enough evidence against them and framed the charges. The court issued production warrant against accused Azaz Saikh, who could not be produced from a Mumbai jail where he is lodged. Besides Bhatkal, those who were put on trial include Gauhar Aziz Khomani, Gayur Ahmad Jamali, Mohd Adil, Mohd Irshad Khan, Mohd Aftab Alam, Kamal, Assadullah Akhtar and Zia-ur-Rehman. Another accused Modh Qateel Siddiqui died during the pendency of the case, advocate M S Khan, who appeared for the accused, said. The Police had earlier filed charge sheet against eleven suspected IM members in connection with the blast case, alleging that they had carried out the strike to deter foreign nations from participating in the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games.

Weeks after he went missing, a Kerala youth, identified as Najeeb (24) has sent a Telegram app message to his family that he has escaped from among the kafirs (unbelievers) and soon would become Shaheed (martyr). The message has raised suspicion that the MTech student of Malappuram, has moved out of country. Police on August 28 registered a missing case following a complaint from his mother, Khamarunnisa, a school teacher. Police sources said they could not trace Najeeb, who has not been home for weeks.  A message informing that he has met with true jihadis which was sent to his mother via Telegram messenger triggered suspicion about the youth. The message further said: “There is no meaning in living with kafirs and I have escaped from the world of kafirs.’’ Najeeb advised his mother not to inform Police. Following this message, the mother filed a complaint.

Intelligence sources said they suspect the youth might have joined the Islamic State (IS), going by the nature of his message. “However, we could not confirm it. All airports have been alerted and probe is on. We began the probe today (August 29). We have not got any details regarding his whereabouts,’’ a source said. Najeeb’s father is employed in the UAE and he had completed his education there. He is an MTech student in Vellore in Tamil Nadu. Informing his family in Kerala that he was going for some special coaching programmes, Najeeb had recently moved to Hyderabad in Telangana. Police sources said the family had recently noticed changes in his behaviour. He had been close to his family, particularly mother. But recently, he had become aloof.

Pakistan-based militant group JeM is planning more attacks on SFs in Jammu and Kashmir, DGP S. P. Vaid said and asked SFs to remain vigilant. S. P. Vaid said that the movement of militants has been noticed in many places. “We have inputs that they are planning strikes on security forces,” he said. He noted that with “most local militant ‘commanders’ killed, foreign ultras were being pushed through the border to “attack security installations”, but said there was “no high alert” in the Valley. The Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army and CRPF is likely to work out a joint strategy to tackle the situation.

South Kashmir has been put on heightened alert after JeM fidayeen attack in Pulwama DPL that led to killing of eight SFs personnel including 4 CRPF personnel. The DPL attack surprised the security agencies as it came after over two months of successful operations during which over two dozen militants were killed in the area including top commanders. SFs this year achieved major successes against the militants killing a record number of 136 militants and putting pressure on them.

A top SFs official said that SFs have been put on heightened alert following inputs that there are around one dozen JeM militants in South Kashmir who have recently infiltrated into Kashmir and are trying to carry out DPL like strikes in South Kashmir. Sand bunkers have been established at certain places on roads leading to sensitive security locations in Pulwama and other district and mobile bunkers have also been put in place at various places to prevent any DPL like strike.

The official said that since there was no JeM presence in South Kashmir till last month, the new development came after SFs achieved major successes against the LeT and HM whose militants including their ‘chief commanders’ Abu Dujana and Yaseen Itoo were killed by SFs. Sources said that SFs had already made inroads in the two outfits of LeT and HM which has blunted their striking capability. However, they said that security agencies didn’t know much about the JeM as it surfaced in the region this month only. However, sources said, two local boys, one each from Tral and Bamno areas of Pulwama, have joined the JeM and are providing logistic support to these militants. The JeM was trying to set up base in South Kashmir and its two senior commanders, Adil Pathan and Burme stayed in South Kashmir for two years but failed to get any foothold before they were killed in Tral on October 8, 2015. However, they had some OGWs network which the security agencies felt these newly infiltrated militants may use. They, however, have been put under surveillance.

UMHA Rajnath Singh will roll out details of the Central Government’s plan to combat LWE before the MPs during the consultative committee meeting. According to UMHA 12,000 citizens died in LWE violence over the past two decades. Of these, 2,700 were security personnel and 9,300 were civilians. Singh is likely to take up issues related to tribal rights and discuss security and development related measures.

UMHA Rajnath Singh informed a group of Parliamentarians that there is a decline of 53 per cent in the number of incidents of Naxal related violence and 72 per cent decline in resultant deaths, while addressing Consultative Committee meeting on LWE related issues, in New Delhi. Singh added that, “this year overall situation so far also indicates a declining trend and the number of violent incidents have declined by 25.6% as compared to corresponding period of 2016.” He said 106 Districts in 10 States were affected by LWE and 35 Districts were identified as most affected in seven States.

Singh told MPs that a new initiative SAMADHAN has also been introduced to control the situation in the LWE affected states. SAMADHAN stands for Smart Policing and Leadership; Aggressive Strategy, Motivation and Training, Actionable Intelligence; Dashboard for Development and Key Performance Indicators, Harnessing Technology for Development and Security, Action Plan for each Theatre and No access to financing.

The UMHA said that 743 STs candidates from four most affected LWE Districts of Chhattisgarh - Bijapur, Dantewada, Narayanpur and Sukma--had been recruited in Bastariya Battalion in order to enhance local representation in SFs.

A STF team led by Ranchi SSP, Kuldeep Dwivedi arrested Ramesh Turi, a cadre of TPC, from McCluskieganj in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. TPC is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

A CPI-Maoist ‘Militia Platoon Section Commander’, Podiyam Lakku (20) and a woman Militia, Sodi Laxmi, surrendered before the ASP, Eturnagaram in Jayashankar Bhupalpally District of Telangana. The Police also said that no cases will be booked against those persons who have surrendered and will also be provided relief by the government.

SFs arrested two cadres belonging to NSCN-R, Khapsom Ngaimong (19) and Pengwang Kanglom (22), from a hotel at the Miao lower market in Changlang District.

ULFA-PTF faction on August 29 asked the indigenous communities of the State to stand united against any attacks on ‘indigenous community’ by ‘outsiders’.

The talks between the Government of India and NSCN-IM are in “advanced stage” and the Centre has rejected the demand of the militant outfit to allow Nagaland to have separate constitution and Greater Nagaland. Meanwhile, the Centre is also hopeful that the NSCN-K will also rejoin the peace process.

Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said the demand of Tipraland is unrealistic and deep-rooted conspiracy. “There was a time when a section of people had raised independent Tripura but the people rejected it vehemently. Now, another group raised another slogan- Tipraland to disrupt the normal function of the administration”, he said.

August 30

As many as 762,072 pieces of fake notes were detected in the banking system last fiscal, a 20.4% increase over the previous year, the RBI said. In 2015-16, 632,000 FICN had been detected, RBI said in its annual report for 2016-17. It also said that barring INR 100, the detection of fake notes increased across denominations—notably, INR 500 and Rs 1000—during the last fiscal. In the annual report, RBI said that coincident with the announcement of the withdrawal of INR 500 and INR 1000 notes due to demonetisation, it launched a nationwide exercise to estimate the density of FICNs detected during the counting and verification of notes.

“The result showed the rate of FICN detected per million pieces of notes processed at CC (currency chest) level at 7.1 pieces for Rs 500 denomination and 19.1 pieces for Rs 1000 denomination, which were higher than the rate of detection at the Reserve Bank,” the annual report said.  At the RBI’s currency verification and processing system, in 2015-16, there were 2.4 pieces of FICNs of INR 500 denomination and 5.8 pieces of INR 1000 for every million pieces notes processed. These figures rose to 5.5 and 12.4 pieces, respectively, during the post-demonetisation period. 

Two days before the August 26 deadly Pulwama attack, in which eight SFs personnel and three militant killed, the IB had shared two specific inputs with the SFs claiming that heavily armed and trained fidayeen attackers of Maulana Masood Azhar-led JeM had infiltrated from Pakistan and their targets were camps of military and other SFs. The information shared by IB was of "high priority" nature and it was felt that JeM was planning something on a major scale like last year's (2016) Pathankot IAF base attack. The first input, shared on August 23 claimed that seven JeM suicide attackers have entered India through the LoC at Poonch (Poonch District) on the intervening night of August 16-17 and have split into two groups - of four and three members. It added that one group was headed towards Jammu, while another was going to Srinagar.

The second IB communiqué, sent to ground forces on August 24, two days before the Pulwama attack, informed that four heavily armed JeM attackers had successfully infiltrated into the Jammu sector via Shakargarh in Narowal (Pakistani Punjab) to Gurdaspur on Indian side, on the intervening night of August 16-17. The border in Poonch sector on LoC is secured by Indian Army while Gurdaspur at IB is under the control of BSF.

The report also said that the DPL campus in Pulwama, which houses J&K Police families, was already abuzz with huge presence of security personnel on August 25 and August 26 due to some VIP movement. Sources said that the three JeM terrorists entered the camp wearing combat fatigues same as Indian SFs, hence they went unnoticed. Officials in SFs said they were aware of infiltration and all campuses were on high alert in J&K and Punjab but the IB inputs were not specific to Pulwama district lines. What is worrying the Government now is that out of 11 JeM fidayeen, who infiltrated on August 16-17 night, eight are still present in the Valley or Punjab due to which all SFs premises are on high alert. Senior Government officials added that infiltration of so many fidayeens in a day suggests that JeM is planning something big. The attackers were trained in 'targeted firing', had come prepared for a long hostage situation, and knew the SFs' drills at campuses, which suggests they were trained by Pakistan military. IB had informed that one "Burmi" from Pakistan had escorted the fidayeens to the border for crossing over to India and he will bring another group after he returns to Pakistan.

Pakistan army resorted to heavy mortar shelling and firing along the LoC in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District, targeting civilian areas, prompting the administration to close educational institutions falling within the firing range. Official reports said Pakistan violated ceasefire by resorting to heavy mortar shelling and firing at Kalal, Kalsian, Bhawani and Anwas forward areas of Nowshera sector at 10.30 am. Pakistan was directly targeting the civilian population with mortar shells that led to panic among the border dwellers, who rushed to their houses or bunkers from the fields.

Indian Army retaliated effectively to silence the Pakistani guns and save civilian population, which was being pounded with mortar shells and heavy firearms, sources said, adding that heavy exchanges between the two sides continued for more than two hours. However, there were no casualties or major damages on the Indian side in shelling and firing by the Pakistani troops. Pakistan might have suffered some casualties and damages in retaliatory firing by the Indian side but exact details were not available immediately.

The administration ordered closure of educational institutions in the areas, falling within the shelling and firing range, to avert any casualties as some time back, Pakistani troops had targeted educational institutions in the same sector, a result of which many students and teachers were trapped and had to be rescued in bullet-proof bunkers.

IGP Kashmir Range, Munir Ahmad Khan, said that the local militants have gone into hiding in upper reaches after ‘Operation All-Out’ was launched and they have given space to their foreign counterparts. The IGP denied that the SFs have lost grip on counter-insurgency operations. “There is no loose grip in our operations. The successes which the security forces got in which top commanders of Lashkar [LeT] or HM were eliminated, the militants have went into hiding and are trying to look for other ways to survive,” he said. Khan said the militants have gone into hiding and they have reports that they have gone to higher reaches. “They used to freely roam in buildup areas that has now stopped,” he said, adding that the local militants have “now given space to foreign militants whether of JeM or any other”. The IGP said that one or two groups of JeM are still operating in South Kashmir and in the fringes of Srinagar District, even after the killing of three in August 26 Pulwama encounter that left eight security personnel dead.

An exchange of fire took place between SFs and the cadres of the CPI-Maoist soon after the cadres triggered an IED bomb in Bijapur District of ChhattisgarhSFs were patrolling the forest area when the incident took place. SFs also recovered a pipe bomb from the spot after the gun-battle. No casualties were reported on either side during the encounter.

The Army and Police recovered nine powerful IEDs, one gun and six rounds of ammunition from the residence of one Abu Sahid at Tuktuki in Dhing of Nagaon district Abu Sahid and another person named Babul Ali were arrested in this connection. Further investigation is still on. Security forces suspect militants link to the recovery.

Police arrested two active cadres of UNLF from Hatta near Orient Hotel in Imphal East District. The arrested cadres have been identified as Mohammad Yunus Khan (30) and Mutum Naobi Singh alias Mahindra (40 yrs).

Police arrested a KYKL militant, Chungkham Raju Meitei alias Sanahal (33), from Moreh- Imphal Van Parking in Moreh town of Tegnoupal District.

Police recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition belonging to GNLA militants from at Riangdem – Nengdawak and Wakphangram jungle in West Khasi Hills District.  During the search, Police recovered weapons including one INSAS rifle, 86 AK live ammunition, and 1 kg of gelatin sticks from the area. Also, AK 47 ammunition, a hand grenade, ten SBBL ammunition, one magazine pouch and one camouflage pant were recovered from the compound of a house at Wakphangram.

August 31

The DRI arrested a man and recovered fake INR 2,000 notes having face value of INR 7.56 lakh from him at Mumbra in a suburb of Mumbai. According to the preliminary investigation by the DRI, the FICN are suspected to have been printed and smuggled in from Bangladesh. The officers of DRI on specific information intercepted the man from Karnataka, at Mumbra. On examination of his baggage, the officers found 349 notes of INR 2,000 having face value of INR 6.98 lakhs. Follow-up operations were conducted at his residence in Bengaluru that resulted in the recovery of another INR 58,000 in fake notes. The total face value of the seized fake notes is 7.56 lakh according to the press release issued by the agency.

According to a charge sheet filed by the NIA in a case related to March 7, 2017, Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train blast incident members of Islamic State (IS) Lucknow-module collected arms and ammunition to carry out terrorist activities in India and to target non-Muslims when they failed to go to Iraq and Syria. The members of the module visited various border areas in India in a bid to go abroad to join the Islamic State, the charge sheet said. After failing to reach Iraq and Syria, they bought arms, ammunition and explosives to carry out terrorist activities in India. It said the module had planned to target non-Muslims, Muslim scholars of other sects as well as religious places in India. "The module propagated the ideology of the Islamic State to attract, motivate and recruit youths to carry out terrorist acts," the charge sheet said.

"They took 'Bayath' (oath of allegiance) to the Islamic State, hatched a criminal conspiracy with intention of (committing) terrorist activities, recruited persons, raised funds, organized terrorist camps and carried out terrorist acts," the NIA said.  It alleged that they conspired to threaten India's sovereignty. They shifted their hideouts in Lucknow, conducted a trial blast and killed a man in Kanpur, Ramesh Chandra Shukla, on October 24, 2016, the NIA said. An NIA statement said the accused conducted reconnaissance of Sufi shrine Dewa Sharif in Barabanki in Uttar Pradesh and other religious places for planting IEDs.

Those named in the charge sheet are Mohammad Faisal, Gauss Mohammad Khan, Mohammad Azhar, Atif Muzaffar, Mohammad Danish, Asif Iqbal, Mohammad Atif and Syed Meer Hussain. Sayed is a resident of Kannauj while others belong to Kanpur -- all in Uttar Pradesh. Another accused, Saifullah, also from Kanpur, was killed in a shootout in Lucknow a day after the blast. NIA investigators said Saifullah along with Atif, Danish, Syed and Gauss was allegedly involved in the blast. Atif, Danish and Syed travelled to Bhopal and planted an IED in a general compartment of the Bhopal-Ujjain train on March 7. They were held at Pipariya in Madhya Pradesh while trying to flee to Lucknow. Saifullah was killed next day.

The NIA filed the charge sheet before a special NIA court in Lucknow against eight persons of the module for being members of the Islamic State and their involvement in the conspiracy. According to the NIA chargesheet in the case Atif Muzaffar is the head of the module. On August 8, 2017, a charge sheet was filed against Atif, Danish, Syed and Gauss in a special court in Bhopal.  The case was initially registered by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad in March before it was taken over by the NIA.

The Finance Ministry said that fake currency was actually routed out of the system and old notes will now no longer be permitted to be returned. “Rs 16,000 crore of currency is still out of the banking system,” said Subhash Chandra Garg, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, adding that there is no way that the demonetised currency notes can now be returned. He also said that two relevant facts must be kept in mind regarding fake currency. “Despite the rush to exchange demonetised notes, the system was careful not to bring fake currency into the system,” he said. He also argued that fake currency was actually routed out of the system. “This has had a positive impact on curbing terrorist activities in places like Kashmir,” he told reporters.

A Police officer, identified as SI, Gowhar Ahmad Malla was injured after militants fired at him in Imamsahab area of Shopian District. Militants opened fire upon the Gowhar Ahmad while he was playing Volleyball in a local ground near his home at Barbugh area of Imamsahab in the evening. Gowhar Ahmad who is posted at Srigufwara in Anantnag was immediately shifted to nearby hospital where from he was referred to Srinagar hospital for specialized treatment. Soon after the attack SFs launched a hunt to nab the attackers of the Police officer.

Pakistan summoned India's deputy high commissioner J P Singh over alleged ‘ceasefire violations’ by Indian troops along the LoC which resulted in the killing of a civilian. Director General (South Asia and SAARC) Dr Mohammad Faisal summoned Singh and "condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations" by the Indian forces, the Foreign Office said. It claimed that a 55-year-old man was killed in Kotera Sector on August 29 in alleged firing by Indian forces. "Despite calls for restraint, India continues to indulge in ceasefire violations," it said. "The deliberate targeting of civilians is indeed deplorable and contrary to human dignity and international human rights and humanitarian laws," the Foreign Office said. The Foreign Office also accused India of committing more than 700 ceasefire violations this year (2017) which resulted in the killing of 29 Pakistani civilians.

On the eve of Bakr-Eid, the ‘chief’ of Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, al Qaeda's Kashmir cell, Zakir Musa issued a 10-minute audio message, threatening to ‘liberate’ India from the rule of ‘cow-worshipping’ PM Modi and Hindus. Zakir Musa, former HM ‘commander’, also warned the Government against deporting Rohingya Muslims in Jammu. Lashing out at Pakistan Army and Government for betraying Kashmir's jihadi movement by supporting the US in its war against ‘Mujahideen’, Musa said Islamabad "shut down training camps (for terrorists), martyred many Kashmir-centric Mujahideen and put some behind bars". The message was released on YouTube channel Ansar Ghazwa and circulated by his followers on messaging platforms.

Earlier, the outfit's media wing, Al Hurr, released a poster with a message, "Soon, by the will of Allah". Police in Srinagar said they were reading it as an open threat of a terror attack by Musa. "Narendra Modi, the worshipper of cow, can gather as much might with his politics and diplomacy but won't be able to stop us... We will hoist the flag of Islam on Hind (Indian subcontinent) and we will have the Hindu rulers chained and dragged." Stuttering and stumbling through his Kashmiri-accented Urdu speech, Musa sounded as if he was reading from an al Qaeda drafted script. After sermonising on the supremacy of Islam and its Wahhabi interpretation, Musa called Kashmir's militant movement a shining example of Islamic jihad. He said despite numerous betrayals and setbacks, jihad in Kashmir had prevailed only because of Allah's mercy.

Musa claimed that Pakistan had joined hands with India to prevent Mujahideen from pursuing ‘jihad’ in Kashmir. Pakistan, he said, "back stabbed the jihad-e-Kashmir" through back channel and peace diplomacy with India. Musa called Pakistani government and the army his "enemy" while sparing the Pakistani citizens. Musa declared that Kashmir jihad did not require any state's (Pakistan) support. He said the Mujahideen had "kept alive jihad with their own blood and by turning stones into weapons and snatching arms and weapons from Indian soldiers". Recalling various terror groups, including JKLF, HM, he reiterated that they all fought only for Islam and Sharia (Islamic law).

Few days after the UMHA made a formal announcement that Rohingyas and Bangladeshis were illegally settled in J&K and that they had to be deported, the Ministry has formally asked the administration to send complete profiling of the illegal immigrants putting up in Jammu with their actual location before initiating their process of deportation. “The process of profiling has been set into motion,” official sources said, adding it would take some time as the UMHA has sought fully particular of Rohingyas and Bangladeshis including the period they reached Jammu and accurate address in their countries. The Home Ministry has asked the administration to complete profiling within a month and forward it to them as the Centre was under intense pressure not only in Jammu and Kashmir but also in some other States on deportation of Rohingyas and Bangladeshis following Intelligence inputs that they could become security threat in the country.

The NIA visited DPL Pulwama where fidayeen attack took place on August 26 in which eight SFs personnel and three terrorists killed. A four member team of NIA visited Pulwama and met the senior Police officers of the district and later went to DPL Pulwama, the scene of the fidayeen attack. The Police officers gave them details about the attack and investigations carried out so far. Sources said that the NIA is keen to investigate the DPL attack which was carried out by JeM. As per sources, these militants had recently infiltrated into Jammu and Kashmir and carried out the attack at a time when SFs had put the militants under pressure after carrying out successful operations in which over three dozen militants including seven top ‘commanders’ of HM and LeT. However, sources said that the Jammu and Kashmir may continue to investigate the DPL attack.

With over 140 militants already killed this year (2017) in the ongoing anti-militancy operations, HM ‘operational commander’ Riyaz Naikoo has banned its cadre “from using mobile phones to minimise the losses”. “It seems they [Hizbul militants] have damaged their old SIM cards. It’s not possible for them to survive without mobile phones. They have either managed new numbers or are staying without mobile phones,” said IGP, Kashmir, Muneer Khan.

Sources said the killing of HM ‘operational commander’ Yasin Itoo alias Mehmood Ghaznavi in an encounter in Shopian on August 13 had “struck a major blow to striking capability of Hizb” in south Kashmir. A top counter-insurgency official said that after Itoo’s killing, the new commander Naikoo has taken centre stage, and ‘is trying to keep the organisation’s ranks intact and disallow any defection to the more hard-line group led by Zakir Musa, who claims to represent the Kashmir arm of al Qaeda’. In a bid to “revive striking capability”, Naikoo has asked militants to “surrender their mobile phones”. “In case of suspension of use of mobile phones, the police too will chalk out a fresh strategy to track them down. The ‘Operation All-Out’ will continue,” said IGP Muneer Khan.

Days after the fidayeen attack by the JeM in Pulwama on August 26, pro-Afzal Guru slogans have been found scrawled at the encounter site. Police view this as JeM’s “bid to announce its comeback in mainland Kashmir”, from where it had been eliminated in 2014. A top Police official confirmed that the three fidayeen militants who had stormed the DPL, Pulwama, on August 26 had used charcoal to write slogans in favour of Guru, who had been executed for his role in the Parliament attack in 2013.

Starting with “AGS (Afzal Guru Squad)”, the slogan written inside one of the burnt DPL complexes read, “Afzal Guru ka intikaam” (Revenge of Afzal Guru). Eight security personnel had been killed in this attack.

This is the fourth time that the JeM has used the site of an attack to mention Guru’s name, in an attempt to refer to the ‘Al-Shohada Brigade’ or ‘Shaheed Afzal Guru Squad’, formed by the organisation that reportedly carries out ‘suicide missions only’. Earlier, similar pro-Guru graffiti had been found at the encounter sites in Pathankot and Nagrota in 2016. In Afghanistan, after India’s consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif was attacked in 2016, similar graffiti had been found at the site, with a slogan written in blood claiming “revenge for Afzal Guru”.

“A majority of Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Toiba militants have gone into hiding in the upper reaches of south Kashmir, and are banking on the JeM cadre. Our investigations reveal that the Jaish cadre has taken a leading role in carrying out strikes the government forces,” said IGP, Kashmir, Muneer Khan.

Another senior official of the counter-insurgency cell said that the deadly Pulwama attack is the first by the JeM in mainland Kashmir in the past three years. “The attack was meant to announce its comeback in the Valley, from where it had been wiped out in 2014, either through the killing or arrest of its 16 members,” a top counter-insurgency official said. Director General of Police (DGP), J&K, S. P. Vaid said that ‘small groups’ of JeM militants ‘have infiltrated into Kashmir with the sole objective of carrying out suicide attacks on security establishments’.

The AP Police pasted posters alleging atrocities by the cadres of the CPI-Maoist at villages such as GK Veedhi, Chintapalli, G. Madugula and Munchingput in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. Police pasted posters to spread the message of goodwill and the “ill-effects” of joining the Maoist movement. Supporting the ideological war, SP (Vizag rural) Rahul Dev Sharma says, “The idea of the Maoists is to lure the youth into their fold. We do not want that to happen. The Maoists say that there is a need for doctors, not roads, in interior villages. We counter the argument by saying without roads it is not possible to build clinics and post doctors. The Adivasis support our idea.” Sources in the SIB say, the ideological counter strategy, after the Ramgarh exchange of fire in the AOB region in October last, has hit the Maoist movement. The ultras have stepped up their movement in the AOB region, thanks to the monsoon, but are unable to get the desired number of new recruits, says an officer.

The CPI-Maoist cadres shot dead a 30-year-old youth identified as Sunny Ram, suspecting him to be a ‘police informer’, in Lakhisarai District of Bihar. Police said a group of 10 Maoists intercepted Sunny near Ramtaliganj Mor under Kajra Police Station when he was returning to his ancestral village Shivdih from the local market. They tied his hands with a rope and shot him dead. The SHO of Kajra Police Station, Sujeet Warsi, said a handwritten pamphlet and four empty cartridges of 7.62 bore were seized from the site of occurrence. The residents told the Police that the Maoists had earlier warned the inhabitants of the village to punish them for leaking information to the Police about their activities.

The bandh call given by the cadres of the CPI-Maoist in Magadh region of Bihar passed off peacefully. The bandh was called o protest the arrest of CPI-Maoist leader Rajesh Bhokta and a former mukhiya Manu Yadav. Police sources said the bandh was called in Magadh division which includes Gaya, Aurangabad, Jehanabad, Arwal and Nawada Districts.

A brother, B. Narayan, and a close business aide, Satyanarayan Reddy, of the CPI-Maoist leader Sudhakar (50) were arrested in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. Police recovered INR 2.5 million in cash and half kilogram of Gold biscuits worth INR 1.2 million. Police also recovered two gold watches, Naxal literature, ATM and PAN cards and a calculator from the duo.

A joint team of BSF and Police busted a camp of CPI-Maoist in Malkangiri District of Odisha. SFs recovered explosive materials including 27 gelatine sticks and around 100 detonators and several rounds of ammunition of AK-47 assault rifle and other weapons.

The Pradip Ray faction of AKRASU has declared an agitation schedule for the coming daysAKRASU announced for 48-hour long Assam bandh (shutdown strike) from 5 AM of September 6, 100-hour long wheel stop from 5 AM of September 14 and 10-hour rail blockade on October 13. AKRSU is demanding separate ST status for Koch Rajbongshis and a separate State of Kamatapur.

AFSPA was extended for six months starting from September 1. Additional Director General of Police (ADGP-Special Branch) Pallab Bhattacharya said, "This is for the first time in Assam's history that the state government has on its own extended the term of the Act for six months from September 1."

Dilip Nunisa, former ‘chairman’ of disbanded DHD-N expressed serious concern over the delay in rehabilitation of DHD cadres due to the ‘indifferent’ attitude of both the Central and State Governments. DHD-N signed an Memorandum of Understanding with the Union and State government on October 8, 2012 in New Delhi.

September  1

Having failed miserably this year (2017) to push terrorists into India, the Pakistan Army is frantically trying to help around 450 of them sneak across the LoC to revive their activities and launch attacks against the Indian Armed Forces in the Kashmir valley. Most of these jihadis have been trained in new camps under the supervision of the ‘Alpha 3 Company’ of the Pakistan Army, which is headed by a senior officer of the force. This unit is deep into training and exporting terrorists across the globe, Indian Army sources said. As part of the new strategy of the Pakistani Army, the terrorists have been trained in assembling IEDs to create trouble in the Kashmir valley to make up for the setback terrorist groups have suffered as SFs have eliminated around 130 of them this year, the sources said.

Most of the terrorists waiting to infiltrate are from the HM, followed by the LeT, and their movements have been noticed frequently at the new launch pads created by the Pakistan Army after the 2016 surgical strikes by India. The sources said about 200-250 terrorists are active in the Valley, spread between North and South Kashmir areas. "In South Kashmir, it is the local terrorists of the Hizbul who are mostly active while foreign terrorists are mostly active in the northern part of the valley," they said. Sources said the terrorist organisations wield more influence than the Pakistan Army in some parts of PoK because of accretion in patronage by successive Governments and Army chiefs.

Sources added that the jihadis are paid about INR 18,000 to INR 19,000 a month for getting killed by Indian SFs. Security officials have attributed the availability of low-cost terrorists to lack of job opportunities on the other side of the LoC and the growing radicalisation among youth on both sides of Kashmir. The sources said Army troops across the Kashmir valley and LoC have already been maintaining high operational tempo against terrorists and would continue to do so to tackle the renewed efforts by the Pakistani forces to ramp up terror activities in the state.

A Policeman was killed and seven others were injured as suspected LeT militants attacked a Police bus in Pantha Chowk area on the outskirts of Srinagar. Police said that militants ambushed a bus on its way from Zewan to Srinagar at Pantha Chowk area in the outskirts of Srinagar on September 1st evening. Police said that eight Policemen were injured and one of them succumbed to injuries. Later, LeT has claimed responsibility for the attack. Senior Police and SFs officials reached the spot and massive search operation has been launched in the area against the militants responsible for the attack.

A BSF ASI, identified as Kamaljit Singh was killed in Pakistan Army firing in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch District. Official sources said Pakistan Army targeted the BSF jawan through a sniper shot when he was manning forward post in Krishna Ghati sector at 5.45 pm on September 1, causing serious injuries to him. The BSF soldier was given medical aid at the spot and evacuated to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Two youths were injured as clashes broke out in old city areas of Srinagar after Friday prayers. Dozens of youth carrying flags and banners of militants took out a protest rally from Jama Masjid after culmination of Friday congregational prayers and marched up to Nowhatta square where they resorted to sloganeering. They later attempted to march towards Nowhatta Police Station but were intercepted by Police after which clashes started between the two sides. The police used teargas canisters against the stone-throwers who continued pelting stones. Later, the youths dispersed and situation returned to normal. During clashes however two youths sustained minor injuries.

The clashes also erupted in Rajouri Kadal and Saraf Kadal areas of Old City. Police fired several teargas canisters to disperse the stone-pelters. The business and transport activities in these areas came to standstill for short span of time due to clashes.

Police detained JKLF chairman Yasin Malik from his residence at Srinagar, reports Daily Excelsior. A spokesman of the JKLF said Malik was detained by Police from his Maisuma residence and taken to Central Jail along with his associate Bashir Ahmad.

A Delhi court, extended the judicial custody of three Kashmiri separatist leaders in a terror funding case by a month. District Judge Poonam A Bamba extended the judicial custody of Shahid-ul-Islam, Farooq Ahmed Dar and Mohamad Akbar Khanday till September 27 when they will produced before the court along with four other accused, including the son-in-law of APHC leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Besides Geelani’s son-in-law Altaf Ahmed Shah, popularly known as Altaf Fantoosh, the other accused who are in judicial custody are Peer Saifullah, Mehrajuddin Kalwal and Nayeem Khan.

The Police arrested Pathi Srinivas Reddy, a graduate, on the charge of extorting money by posing himself as Muppalla Lakshmana Rao aka Ganapathi, the General Secretary and Central Committee member of the CPI-Maoist, in Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh. A native of Veenavanka mandal in Karimnagar District of Telangana, Srinivas Reddy was involved in nine such offences at Veenavanka, Hanuman Junction, and Hanamkonda in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Two lower-rung cadres of the CPI-Maoist were arrested from separate places in the Bastar division of Chhattisgarh. While one Maoist, identified as Mangtu Gavde (30), was arrested from an unspecified area under Farasgaon Police Station in Narayanpur District, another one, Rava Bheema (32), was arrested from the forest area under Phulbagdi Police Station limits in Sukma District, Police said.

PLFI ‘area commander’ Amrit Aind was arrested from Simdega District of Jharkhand. An AK-47 rifle, cartridges and a backpack were found on him. Aind was involved in an encounter with the Police in Bano on April 8 that killed the then OIC Vidyapati Singh and Constable Turam Biruli, SP, Rajeev Ranjan Singh said. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

SP Ashwini Kumar Sinha was informed about three PLFI cadres collecting ‘levy’ under Karra Police Station area in Khunti District of Jharkhand on behalf of their ‘commander’ Akhilesh Gope. A Police team spotted the three rebels on a bike near Kulhutu Chowk who tried to speed away. The trio, who were chased and arrested, was identified as Vijay Nag, Rajesh Gope and Manoj Mahto. Levy amounts worth INR 30,000, PLFI pamphlets and four phones were recovered from them.

Two cadres of JSJMM, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, were arrested from Chandwa Police Station area of Latehar District of Jharkhand. Following a tip-off, about JSJMM cadres had assembled near CCL's Sikni colliery in Chandwa Police Station area; a team led by SP Dhananjay Kumar Singh conducted a raid and arrested Sandip Kherwar and Suraj Kishore Prasad. Two country-made pistols, cartridges, a mobile phone and a backpack were found on them. "Sandip is from Gumla and Suraj is from Latehar. Suraj has been to jail in the past," the Latehar SP added.

A family of Jantri village at Chitrakonda block in Malkangiri District of Odisha had to leave their home after cadres of the CPI-Maoist threatened them to leave. According to reports, the CPI-Maoist cadres at a Praja court held at the village suspected Sana Pangi as a ‘Police informer’ and asked him to leave the place along with his wife and 10-year-old daughter. The CPI-Maoist cadres also alleged that Sana’s son, who stays and works in Andhra Pradesh, is also passing information to Police about the movement of CPI-Maoist cadres.

Two Naxal posters were found pasted on the walls of the Loipada Ashram School and the Thriveni Security Camp at Rugudi in Keonjhar District of Odisha. The posters carried messages of threatening to Police, industrialists and others. Police recovered the posters which were apparently issued by the PLFI ‘area commander’ Sureya and ‘zonal committee head’ Arjun Rana. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

SFs killed a ‘corporal’ of the NSCN-K near Kunsa village in Longding District. A defence source informed that SFs carried out the operation acting on specific intelligence about NSCN-K cadres trying to exfilitrate from the Indian State to Myanmar.

Police have registered a case against ULFA-PTF ‘leader’ Jiten Dutta for alleged racial abuse and treason. Dergaon Police in Golaghat District registered a  suo motu  case against Dutta under Sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) and 121 (waging or attempting to wage war or abetting waging of war against the government of India) of the Indian Penal Code. 

September 2

Fresh Inputs from intelligence agencies suggeststhat Sikh militants are getting more support from across the border to foment trouble in Kashmir and other parts of the county. The fresh inputs show support for Manjit Singh, ‘leader’ of Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF). The intelligence inputs say this outfit is getting more active in South Kashmir and Kathua region of the state and in Punjab. Sikh radical elements sheltered in Pakistan are engaged in anti-India activities such as providing financial support to terror activities.

A suspected LeT militant, identified as Irshad Padder was killed during an encounter in Tantray Pora in Kulgam District in the morning. It is being said that the slain terrorist was involved in the brutal killing of 22-year-old Army officer Ummer Fayaz in Shopian District in May this year. The encounter is still underway and the exact number of militants is unknown till the report last came in.

SFs have launched a major drive to track down at least ten terrorists of JeM, who infiltrated into Kashmir Valley ten days ago from POK. Their three fellow militants were killed in a gun battle when they carried out a suicide attack on a Jammu & Kashmir Police complex in Pulwama on August 26. Admitting that tracking the elusive terrorists was proving to be difficult, sources in the security establishment said that the ultras were hiding in the densely populated Districts of Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama.

A carpenter, Pavan Dehari (28) was killed by the cadres of the CPI-Maoist near Baghdongari village under Aundhi Police Station in Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh. Dehari was killed in the area where SFs had gunned down three cadres of CPI-Maoist two months ago in an encounter. Police term killing as an ‘act of frustration’ by Maoists.

The SFs managed to foil a Maoist ambush in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh when they detected four IEDs on Bhopalpatnam-Madded road. The IEDs were planted on the route of a ROP of the CRPF and the Police. But SFs managed to detect and defuse the explosives near Pengadpalli village.

Khunti Police arrested a cadre of the CPI-Maoist, Sohrai Pahan (35) from Lebed village under Arki Police Station in Khunti District of Jharkhand. Pahan was wanted in eight murder cases, abduction, loot and others.

Police arrested an active member of KNF-P identified as Paominthang Kipgen (30), from Khuyathong area in Imphal West District.

The JCILPS announced that a renewed ‘civil movement’ would be launched from September 4 with a mass rally in pursuit of the ‘popular demand’ for enforcement of ILPS or a similar mechanism in the State.

The Supreme Court dismissed the special leave petition moved by the Meghalaya Government for cancellation of bail granted to GNLA ‘chairman’ Champion Sangma by the Meghalaya High Court since the hearing in the case will be held on September 4 at the Sessions Court, Shillong.

The proposed peace talks between Mizoram Government and Lalhmingthanga Sanate faction of HPC-D did not materialize as the State Government rejected the conditions put forward by the militant group. “The HPC(D) faction led by Lalhmingthanga Sanate set pre-conditions like establishment of an autonomous district council under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution in the Hmar community concentrated area and tripartite talks by inclusion of a senior official from the Centre,” a senior State Government official said. The State Government rejected the conditions as its stance was that there should be no conditions for holding talks, he said. The talks were to be held in August end. Peace parleys with the major faction led by H Zosangbera would soon resume and the next round of talks was likely to be the last official level talks as it would be elevated to the political level, he said.

Dead body of taxi driver-cum owner, Swuduve Nakro was recovered on September 3 at Chiechama village, in Kohima District. He was killed on September 2.

September 3

India and Nepal began their joint military exercise in the western part of the Himalayan country, focusing on counter-terrorism and forest fighting operations. The exercise - Surya Kiran - was being participated by around 300 troops each side in Rupandehi District in Nepal. Senior Nepal Army officer Rajendra Karki inaugurated the exercise, according to a statement by the army. The 12th edition of Nepal-India joint military exercise will conclude on September 16. According to the Indian Army officials, the Surya Kiran is the largest joint exercise in terms of troop participation. The battalion-level joint training between the two armies will focus on counter-terror operations in mountainous terrain by facilitating interoperability.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said in Hyderabad (Telangana) that terrorism is the biggest enemy of mankind and the biggest danger to the world peace. He stressed on the need for international community to come together and curb it mercilessly. Naidu said India in later years and particularly after the September 11 (2001, US) attacks put considerable effort in fighting international terrorism. “Several conventions resulted from the efforts exerted under the auspices of the United Nations [UN]. Mention may be made in this connection of the SAARC convention on the suppression of international terrorism as well as the Indian proposal to conclude a comprehensive convention on suppression of international terrorism now under consideration of the UN,” he said. “…That’s the need of the hour…The biggest danger to the world peace is from terror. Terror has no religion, it has no colour and it has no sex. But, unfortunately some people are trying to mix terror and religion for their own narrow political and partisan ends.

Pakistan Army continued to violate ceasefire along the LoC in Poonch sector in Poonch District for third consecutive day, leading to heavy exchanges and triggering panic among the border dwellers. While there were no casualties or damages on the Indian side, Pakistan claimed one casualty in Abbaspur sector opposite Krishna Ghati in Poonch District. Official sources said that apart from one casualty, which Pakistan officially admitted, there were some infrastructural damages across LoC in heavy retaliation by the Indian side in the morning. Mortar shelling and firing from Pakistan stopped only after retaliatory action was taken by the Indian side, report said.

Sources said Pakistani troops started heavy shelling using 81mm and 82mm mortars and firing with both automatic and semi-automatic weapons in forward areas of Balakote, Mankote and Mendhar along LoC in Poonch District at around 8.50 am. Pakistani troops targeted forward posts of the Army and civilian areas at all three places prompting the people, who had started leaving for day’s work in fields and other places, to rush back home and take shelter. “Pakistan army directly pounded the civilian areas, a result of which many mortar shells landed close to houses of the people. However, the civilians had narrow escape at many places,” they said, adding that the Indian Army retaliated effectively at all places to silence the Pakistani guns.

Pakistan later claimed that a civilian girl was killed in retaliatory firing by the Indian troops at village Polas in Abbaspur sector of PoK. Reports said that there has been strong resentment among the people of forward areas of PoK against Pakistan army for resorting to mortar shelling unnecessarily, leading to casualties and damages in the Indian retaliation. Reports said that large number of people gathered at Abbaspur and held protests against Pakistan army and civil administration for making their lives miserable on LoC with their acts of unprovoked firing and shelling on the Indian side, which invited strong retaliation from India and, in turn, led to casualties and damages. Reports added that people in Abbaspur continued their “anti-Pakistan protests” for couple of hours till some civil officers reached the spot and persuaded them to disperse.

Pakistan troops violated ceasefire along the LoC in Kupwara District. However, there was no loss of life. “The Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked firing on our forward posts along the LoC in Karnah sector in Kupwara today [September 3],” an Army official said. He said the Pakistani troops fired upon the forward posts of Army at midnight and continued the firing till early hours of the morning. “The firing was effectively retaliated by the troops during which forward posts of Pakistani troops were targeted,” the official said. However, there was no loss of life or damage on either side.

The officer said that Pakistani troops resort to ceasefire violations to facilitate the infiltration of militants into Kashmir. He, however, said that Army is on high alert to foil any infiltration attempt. He added that the security forces launched searches in the area to ensure that no militants infiltrated under the cover of firing by Pakistani troops. The officer said that there are over 400 militants waiting on the launch pads in PoK ready to infiltrate. However, the Army is on high alert to foil their designs. He said that the militant leaders across want infiltration of more and militants before the onset of winter.

In an encounter with CPI-Maoist cadres, Police constable Budiya Karma was injured at Kandulnar forests in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. A joint team of the DRG and local Police was out on the search operation in the Madded area of the District.

An active LOS member of the Maoists, identified as Raju Mandavi (28), was arrested by a team of local Police from Barsoor Police Station area in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. Mandavi served as the gunman of a senior Maoist ‘commander’, who was killed in a Police encounter in May, and carried a reward of INR 100,000 on his head, Police said. Mandavi was allegedly involved in crimes like Maoist attacks on Police parties and murder of local villagers.

A woman CPI-Maoist ‘Commander’ Shymala Sodhi alias Pojje (27) surrendered before the SP in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. Sodhi was carrying a reward of INR 500,000 on her head. She was involved in Tahakwada incident of Sukma District in which 16 Policemen were martyred.

The cadres of CPI-Maoist, who used to get money from mines operators, engineering colleges and real estate owners in Odisha to fund their activities, have once again reverted to their old practice of Ganja (Cannabis) cultivation to raise funds. As per sources, the CPI-Maoist cadres have restarted extending their patronization to Ganja cultivators and peddlers in Districts such as Malkangiri, Koraput, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Boudh, Gajapati, Nabarangpur, Angul, Sambalpur and Deogarh. The hilly terrain and dense forests of these districts serve as ideal ground for ganja cultivators and peddlers. An excise department official said, once the crop is harvested, the Maoists send the ganja West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and New Delhi with the assistance of experienced peddlers.

An exchange of fire took place between Simdega Police and a group of PLFI cadres led by its supremo Dinesh Gope at Bano Police Station in Simdega District of Jharkhand. A search operation led to the recovery of three motorcycles, 12 mobile phone chargers, one switchboard, bags, mats and other items. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

Five armed cadres of the PLFI, who were planning to target road construction sites for ‘levy’, were arrested by Police at a forested patch of Lukaia Dodha under Chanho Police Station area in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. The arrested cadres were identified as Krishna Yadav alias Sultan (25), Vinod Yadav (28), Narendra Prasad Yadav (27), Bajrang Yadav (20) and Devendra Yadav (19). Police recovered four firearms, 11 live bullets, two sharp weapons, INR 21,000 in cash, a stolen bike and a PLFI letterhead from the cadres.

Police arrested a PLA militant identified as, Ningombam Ronny alias Inaocha (50), at North AOC near RK Sanatombi Devi Research Institute of Social Science in Imphal West District.

Thoubal District Police commando and 39 Assam Rifles troopers arrested an overground worker of KCP, identified as Laishram Tombisana Meitei (41), from Sekmaijin area.

Police arrested NSCN-K militants, identified as ‘captain’ Toishe Aye (28), ‘2nd lieutenant.’ Daniel Yimchunger (31) in Kohima town.

September 4

A CPI-Maoist cadre was killed in an encounter between joint team of the DRG, STF, and CoBRA's 204th battalion and CPI-Maoist cadres in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. SFs recovered one AK-47 rifle, magazines and one wireless set, along with Maoist-related material. The identity of the killed CPI-Maoist cadre is yet to be ascertained. 

Two HM militants, identified as HM ‘divisional commander’ Pervaiz Ahmad Wani alias Mudasir alias Bashir alias Ishfaq and his associate Naeem Ahmad Najar were killed in a fierce encounter in Sopore area of Baramulla District. Acting on specific information about presence of militants in Chek-e-Brath village in Sopore Area SFs launched a cordon and search operation in the village. Militants, who were hiding in the house of Peerzada Bashir Ahmad Shah, fired on the SFs during the searches leading to a gun battle which lasted for three hours during which two militants were killed. Police recovered two bodies of the militants from the debris of the house in which they were hiding. Two AK rifles, three AK magazines, 90 AK rounds, one INSAS rifle, one INSAS magazine, 13 INSAS rounds and other ammunition was recovered from the encounter site. Senior SSP Sopore, Harmeet Singh said that these militants were involved in many anti-national and anti-social activities.

Four CRPF troopers were injured in a grenade attack by militants on a patrol party of the SFs in Anantnag District. The attackers hurled a grenade on the CRPF patrol, resulting in injuries to three jawans, a Police official said. He said the injured jawans have been rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. SFs have launched a search operation in the area to nab the attackers.

SFs busted a hideout and recovered arms, ammunition and explosives in Poonch District. Police and SFs launched a search operation in forest area of Beri Rakh in Mendhar belt of the District and busted the hideout, Police said. The recovery effected from the spot includes one AK-56 rifle, 12 AK magazines, 550 rounds of ammunition of AK rifle, 440 rounds of PIKA gun, two Chinese hand grenades, one pocket diary, two water containers and two rain coats, they said.

The BSF foiled an infiltration attempt backed by Pakistani Rangers on the IB in Arnia sector of Jammu District by killing one militant as others retreated to Pakistan. Official sources said alert BSF troopers observed movement of militants in Arnia sector at 3.40 pm when they were trying to infiltrate into the Indian territory taking advantage of Pakistan `bundh’ and tick wild growth. The militants fired towards the BSF posts with a view to push their infiltration. The BSF troopers immediately challenged the militants and opened firing aiming the direction from where they were trying to intrude into this side.

Simultaneously, sources said, the Rangers also violated ceasefire and gave covering fire to the militants in their intrusion bid. “One of the intruders jumped over the BSF fencing towards Indian side,” sources said, adding the BSF troopers gunned him down within 50 meters of the border fencing. Other militants were reported to have retreated to Pakistan after the killing of their colleague. Sources said a major planned and forced infiltration attempt of the militants with active support of Pakistani Rangers has been foiled by the BSF on the IB.

Earlier in Arnia sector of Jammu District, the Rangers had fired sniper shot on a BSF trooper in which he was seriously injured but survived. The BSF, in retaliatory action, had gunned down three Rangers opposite Akhnoor and Sunderbani sectors.

Pakistani troops again violated ceasefire on the LoC in Digwar and Maldalyan areas of Poonch District. However, the ceasefire violation was confined to small arms fire, sources said, adding the Indian side retaliated.

The cross-LoC travel on Poonch-Rawlakote along the LoC remained suspended for ninth consecutive week due to continued ceasefire violation by the Pakistani troops in twin border Districts of Poonch and Rajouri.

For the first time, Pakistan-based terror groups like the LeT and the JeM were named for causing violence in the region by the BRICS Summit that also asserted that those responsible for committing, organising or supporting terror acts must be held accountable. In a significant diplomatic win for India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was joined by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Brazilian President Michael Temer and South African President Jacob Zuma in strongly denouncing terror activities of such groups, as they expressed determination to collectively fight the scourge.

NIA summoned noted Kashmiri lawyer and president of Kashmir High Court Bar Association Mian Abdul Qayoom to its Delhi headquarters for questioning with regard to ongoing terror funding probe. The NIA issued summon to Mian Qayoom, considered a top separatist figure, for appearance at its Delhi headquarters on September 6 (Wednesday) for questioning. The NIA delivered summon notice to his house in uptown city Srinagar.

Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres killed a civilian in Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh. The deceased has been identified as Bajirao Nareti. A Police officer from Rajnandgaon claimed that Nareti was involved in supplying food grains to the Maoists.

A Police Constable, Panku Punam (35), was killed by the cadres of the CPI-Maoist at a weekly market near Padeda village in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. A group of CPI-Maoist cadres, dressed in civvies, attacked Punam with sharp-edged weapons leaving him dead on the spot.

Kankar's DIG, Ratan Lal Dangi and SP, Santosh Singh inaugurated the Aadka Police Station in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. This is the 10th Police Station in the District, in which 14 villages come in.

The Central Government reimbursed INR 100 Million to Chhattisgarh Government towards raising two battalions of SIRB during 2016-17. The UMHA has stated that Chhattisgarh Police forces are well equipped and a Bastar package for Police was introduced in end 2015. Previously, a Bastar Battalion has been sanctioned recently with strength of around 750 to be recruited from the local tribals. Similarly 10 SIRB and 56 IRB are being raised in the LWE affected areas of the country.

The Maoists in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh have released a letter asking the villagers to boycott the meeting, which is to be held between the Police community in the area and the villagers. The meeting that is supposed to take place on September 14 in Chintagufa comes as a result of the “mutual trust” between the villagers and the Police community. The letter released by the Maoists asked the villagers to boycott the meeting initiated by the Police community, which was earlier supposed to take place on September 7, as the collector scheduled to be at the meeting, was on leave. The letter has also barred the villagers from visiting the nearby market, threatening to kill them if they do so.

Troops of 21 Para Special Forces and 16 Assam Rifles killed an militant and injured another one of the NSCN-K near Votnu village under Wakka circle in the Longding District. "Several other militants managed to escape into the nearby dense forest because of dense fog in the area. The Special Forces recovered an AK-56, a radio set and a hand grenade, along with live bullets. During a combing operation, the forces located a camp of the rebels and destroyed it," said an official in the army headquarters.

ULFA-I asked two CPSU, NEEPCO and NHPC to quit the region or face “military action.” “While NEEPCO’s 405-MW Ranganadi Hydel project caused such havoc, it is easily understood what disaster is in store in NHPC’s 2000-MW Lower Subansiri project. It will wipe out the entire downstream area. Hence both companies should shut down their operations in this (Western South-East Asia) region. Otherwise ULFA-I will carry out a military action against them,” the statement signed by ‘Major’ Arunoday Asom, ‘assistant publicity secretary’ said.

ULFA-I warned of "armed action" if 22 model colleges, named after BJP ideologue Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, are not renamed after prominent personalities of the state within six months. In a statement e-mailed to the media here, the ULFA-I asked State Government to remove names of all “outsider Indians” from various educational institutions and rename the same after eminent sons of the soil within six months failing which it would take `punitive’ action against those institutions if they fail to comply.

ULFA-PTF ‘leader’ Jiten Dutta in connection to the Nagaon assault case, called his ‘fight’ a ‘battle’ to save the identity of Assamese people. This comes a day after Dergaon police registered a suo motu case against ULFA-PTF ‘leader’, charging him with racial abuse and Sedition. Dutta said, "I am fighting for our identity and existence, which are in danger. If the government slaps cases against me during the struggle to save the identity of Assamese people, I am least bothered."

A KNLF militant, Ngamminlen Haokip alias Diamond (23), has been detained under the National Security Act by the order of District Magistrate as per a dossier prepared by Superintendent of Police, Churachandpur. The cadre was involved in killing of KNLF ‘commander-in-chief‘Lalmoi Haokip at Tuibong on August 2017.

Police arrested two NSCN-K ‘sympathizer’ Avito Zhotso (41), in Satakha of Zunheboto District

September  5

A FICN racket was busted at Samalkot in East Godavari District, in which four persons were arrested along with FICN worth INR 13,55,000. Acting on a tipoff, police arrested Nallagachu Anjaneyulu near SRC Lodge in Samalkot. Upon questioning Anjaneyulu disclosed currency printing racket at Anaparthy, Peddapuram and Samalkot Police raided the house of Kovvuri. Satyanarayana Reddi in Anaparthy and arrested him. The police seized Rs 13.55 lakh worth fake currency notes, colours used for printing of this notes and a high-end printer from the house. The gang was printing two thousand and five hundred rupees notes. Police also arrested Intri Sunil and Pammidi Ramesh, who were involved in the racket.

Deepening relationship with Myanmar is a priority for India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said as he met Myanmar's State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi. Modi spoke on development and terrorism, while announcing that India would begin giving Myamarese citizens visas free of charge. He also addressed the situation in Myanmar's Rakhine, where a crackdown on Rohingya militants has sparked an enormous refugee crisis. "We share your concerns about extremist violence in Rakhine state & violence against security forces & how innocent lives have been affected," Modi said. "Being neighbours, we have similar security concerns. Important for us to work together," Modi also said. Suu Kyi added, "Together we will ensure that terror is not allowed to take roots in our country, on our soil or in neighboring countries."

The NIA arrested two persons, photojournalist Kamran Yusuf, working for a local English daily newspaper from Pulwama and Javed Ahmad Bhat from Kulgam for their involvement in instigating youth to indulge in stone pelting and protests. According to the NIA, Bhat and Yusuf were involved in stone pelting incidents besides organizing groups of youths who would throw stones at security personnel involved in counter insurgency operations. Yusuf, who had often been warned by the local Police, was allegedly mobilizing the youth and clicking their pictures for circulation in local and national newspapers. The arrests came just a day before Kashmir Bar Association Mian Qayoom was scheduled to appear before the NIA at agency’s New Delhi headquarters in connection with a case of terror funding in which 10 separatists and others have already been arrested.

India summoned the acting High Commissioner of Pakistan and issued a demarche over the infiltration by a group of JeM terrorists who killed eight security personnel in Pulwama District of Jammu and Kashmir on August 26. The MEA lodged a strong protest with Acting High Commissioner Haider Shah over the infiltration by the group hailing from Pakistan who staged a terror attack on August 26. In a statement, the MEA said Pakistan was asked to investigate the incident and bring to justice the individuals and entities responsible for orchestrating the heinous attack. The MEA said it was conveyed to the envoy that DNA samples of the neutralized terrorists have been preserved and can be made available for investigation in Pakistan.

GOC Kilo Force, Major General AK Singh said that Army is closely monitoring situation in Kashmir Valley even as infiltration attempts from across the LoC have increased this year. “Infiltration attempts from the last some months have increased but the soldiers are alert to fight such attempts and give a befitting reply to the attempts by Pakistan,” Major General Singh said. The GOC said that SFs are ready to foil “terror activities” of militants. “Militant organizations always look for opportunities of terrorism but all the security forces are ready to foil their terror activities,” he said. The General said that there were 70 to 75 militants still active in Kilo Force jurisdiction (North Kashmir) and “most of the active militants were from foreign origin”.

A special NIA court sentenced ten cadres of the CPI-Maoist to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for supplying material used for making guns and explosives to CPI-Maoist cadres in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh.  The CPI-Maoist cadres were identified as Arun Agrawal, Balram Naik, Deep Singh, Khudiram, Rajuram Bhaskar, Mohak Garg, Tarik Umar alias Pappu Pathan, Ramesh Telam, Panchu Bhaskar and Joga Telam. According to the Police, the accused were involved in supplying detonators, explosives, gelatin sticks, besides lathe and welding machines (used in making barrels of guns) to Commander Sanjay alias Mohan Kadti, a prominent CPI-Maoist leader of the WBDC in Dantewada District.

Police destroyed a camp of the CPI-Maoist at Dururai jungle under Gua Police Station limits in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. SP, Anish Gupta said a Naxal leader Sandeep who is regional ‘area committee member’ of the CPI-Maoist was holding a camp.  As the Police and Paramilitary Forces raided the camp, about 40 rebels who were present there fled.  Later the Police recovered 100 rounds of cartridged of AK 47, one can bomb, detonators, a cell phone and rebel literatures from the destroyed camp.  The SP said they later detonated the can-bomb which weighed 10 kilograms. Meanwhile intelligence sources maintained that the Naxals have once again started influencing the local residents to come to the fold of the Naxalism, said a senior intelligence officer. He said the rebels are targeting areas in Sonua, Goelkera and Porahat region of West Singhbhum. The intelligence sources also maintain that most of the Maoists who were in Saranda forest have shifted to the adjoining Sundargarh District in Odisha and several others hid themselves at the villages in Saranda in the guise of cultivators.

SFs are planning to launch a drive against the CPI-Maoist with special focus on the border Districts of Malkangiri and Koraput of Odisha. The decision to intensify the operation against the Maoists was taken following the meeting between CM Naveen Patnaik and the DG of the CRPF, Rajeev Bhatnagar, in Bhubaneswar on August 28. In the meeting, Bhatnagar had reportedly stressed the need for a joint offensive by State Police and Paramilitary Forces against Maoists entering Odisha from Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh. Malkangiri and Koraput Districts are in focus in anti-Maoist drives mainly because of the fact that these two Districts share long borders with the neighbouring states of Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh which also have a strong Maoist base. Among other Districts where SFs are expected to step up operations are Rayagada, Kandhamal, Kalahandi and Balangir. The Maoists have already been well entrenched in Rayagada and Kandhamal, while they are trying their best to get a foothold in Kalahandi and Balangir, said a Police officer.

With a motive to win hearts and minds of innocent people especially in tribal dominated Naxal-hit areas of Odisha, CPI-Maoist cadres and SFs, both have taken to a novel and revolutionary approach other than gun battle to woo locals. A film recently released by Bastar Division of Maoists in a village on Odisha-Chhattisgarh border showed alleged Police brutality in the name of security. The SFs have also been showing videos to tribals portraying positive side of rebels who have shunned violence and joined mainstream.

The Pradip Ray faction of the AKRSU alleged that Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal is giving only assurances about holding tripartite talks and lacked action. "Sonowal had assured us that tripartite talks would be held in August. He has failed to do so and even the earlier talks did not bear any fruit. Hence, we will no longer believe his words and continue our agitation till our demands are met," AKRSU president Pradip Ray said.

Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju reiterated that solution of Naga imbroglio is at the final stage and it will be settled soon. “Naga issue is on final stage and it will be settled soon,” said Rijiju, without disclosing anything, while interacting with reporters during the Second NEDA conclave. He also said that porous borders with Bangladesh will be sealed soon.

September  6

Police in Amroha arrested a BSc student, identified Sunil Kumar and his associate in a college along with FICN worth INR 5,00,000. Sunil Kumar was also kingpin of the FICN racket. Sunil Kumar, with other gang members, was allegedly printing fake notes of high quality and supplying them to other parts of the country. Printing machines and other equipment, inks and dyes have also been seized.

India and Myanmar agreed that terrorism remains one of the most significant threats to peace and stability in the region and the fight against the menace should also include strong measures against countries and entities who finance and provide sanctuary to terrorists. In a joint statement issued after PM Narendra Modi’s talks with State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, the two sides called on the international community to end selective and partial approaches to combating terrorism. The two leaders discussed the security situation prevailing along their borders and expressed concern at various incidents of terrorism and extremist-inspired violence that have taken place in their countries.

The two sides agreed that the fight against terrorism should target not only terrorists, terror organisations and networks, but also identify, hold accountable and take strong measures against States and entities that encourage, support or finance terrorism, provide sanctuary to terrorists and terror groups, the statement said. 

The Centre has asked all the state governments to identify Rohingya Muslims living illegally while raising concern over terror groups trying to use the migrants to trigger trouble in the country. An advisory issued by the Home Ministry has asked all state governments and Union territories to identify Rohingyas while indicating that they could pose grave security challenges. "These illegal immigrants not only infringe on the rights of Indian citizen but some also pose grave security challenges," the advisory said. Around 14,000 Rohingyas living in the country are registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, while about 40,000 are said to be staying illegally.

According to media reports, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that the country will continue to face “embarrassment” if terror groups like the LeT and JeM are not reined in. Asif’s admission came two days after the BRICS grouping that includes China, for the first time named terror groups like LeT and the JeM among the internationally banned outfits operating from within Pakistan. US President Donald Trump had also criticised Pakistan for being a “safe haven” for terror groups like the Haqqani network. Asif acknowledged the existence of LeT and JeM among the internationally banned outfits operating from within Pakistan. “We need to tell our friends that we have improved our house. We need to bring our house in order to prevent facing embarrassment on the international level,” Asif said while speaking to Geo News on September 5, days ahead of his visit to Beijing to meet the Chinese leadership.

According to Asif, the BRICS declaration should not be considered as China’s official stance as other countries — Russia, India, Brazil and South Africa — are also a part of the group. Asif said that “friends should not be tested [every time], particularly in the changed scenario”. “Instead, we should impose some restrictions on the activities of elements like LeT and JeM, so that we can show the global community that we have put our house in order,” he said. “We need to ask ourselves have we acted upon the NA in letter and spirit? Did we take the measures we had decided on, besides Operation Zarb-i-Azb, Raddul Fassad and Khyber 4, during the last three years? Did we show the world that we acted according to the resolve we made in 2014?”, Asif asked. Clarifying the position of the Government, he said that for the first time, the Foreign Ministry published an advertisement, requesting people to avoid donating hides of sacrificial animals to proscribed organisations, including the the LeT and JeM. “Despite all these efforts, in some isolated instances, the organisations were allowed [to collect hides] at some places,” he acknowledged. He reiterated that Pakistan must put its affairs in order, given that the “entire world is pointing fingers towards us.”

US said that Pakistan must “change its approach” towards terror groups operating from its soil and take decisive action against them. “As the administration has said, Pakistan must change its approach,” a State Department spokesperson said in response to a question on the BRICS statement that named Pakistan-based LeT and JeM among the terror groups that create problem in the region. “We look to the Pakistan Government to take decisive action against militant groups based in Pakistan that are a threat to the region,” the spokesperson said.

Stone-pelting clashes erupted in Bellow village of Pulwama District after SFs launched a cordon and search operation in the area. Five persons were injured in clashes. The SFs launched the cordon and search operation in Bellow after receiving an input about the presence of two-three militants in the villages. As the search operation was started, local residents came out of their houses and pelted stones on security personnel. The Police retaliated by firing teargas canisters and the clashes between the two sides continued for several hours. The operation was later called off as no militant was found in the area.

Militants hurled a grenade towards Shopian Police Station in Shopian District which, however, didn’t explode and was later defused by the BDS. Militants at around 4.30 pm lobbed a grenade towards Shopian Police Station which fell near its gate but didn’t explode. Police immediately summoned BDS and it was defused without any damage to life or property. Later, a search operation was launched in nearby areas against the attackers but no one was arrested.

Militants attacked a minority Police Post in Panzer village of Shopian District to loot weapons. However, the attempt was foiled by the Police personnel who retaliated by opening fire on the attackers. An official said that militants attacked the Police guard in Panzer village of the District. He said Policemen retaliated and the militants fled away. “A major weapon snatching bid was foiled by the cops,” he said.

The NIA carried out searches at 27 places in various parts of the Kashmir Valley and Delhi and seized nearly INR 22 million in cash in raids relating to probe into terror-funding activities in the State. During the operations that began in the morning houses and business establishments of those suspected of channelizing funds to fuel secessionist and anti-India activities were searched, an NIA spokesman said in New Delhi. “During the searches, cash amounting to approximately INR 22 million were recovered,” he said.

Army chief General Bipin Rawat said the country should be prepared for a two-front war, insisting China has started “flexing its muscles”, while there seems to be no scope for reconciliation with Pakistan whose military and polity saw an adversary in India. Referring to the 73-day long Dokalam standoff, the Army chief warned that the situation could gradually snowball into a larger conflict on the northern border. He said there is a possibility that these conflicts could be limited in space and time or can expand into an all out war along the entire frontier, with Pakistan taking advantage of the situation. “We have to be prepared. In our context, therefore, warfare lies within the realm of reality,” he said, adding the Army’s supremacy among the three services must be maintained to successfully combat external security threats.

SFs recovered three IEDs, weighing three Kilogram each during an anti-Naxal search operation at Chhipadohar in Latehar District of Jharkhand. The IEDs were later defused by bomb squad.

Maharashtra Government has decided to buy a new helicopter for anti-Naxal operations. The new chopper will be used for anti-Naxal campaign in Gadchiroli and Chandrapur Districts and also as an air ambulance, told an official from the Chief Minister's Office. At present, the Government has been spending about INR 200 million annually to hire helicopters for Naxal affected areas of Vidarbha.

The District & Sessions Court of Rayagada District of Odisha acquitted Sabyasachi Panda, OMP 'chief' and former Secretary of the Odisha State Organising Committee of the CPI-Maoist, in two murder cases. District & Sessions Judge Biswajit Das acquitted Panda on grounds of lack of evidence on the basis of statements of 14 witnesses, court sources said. There are as many as 134 cases against Panda in different Police Stations across the State.

The 48-hour long Assam bandh (Shut down strike) called by AKRSU, Pradip Ray faction) from 5 am on Wednesday for the demand of separate Kamatapur state and ST categorization of Koch- Rajbongshi community affected normal life in Bongaigaon.

NSCN-IM has asserted that judged by the level of dedication in pursuit of honourable settlement to the Naga political issue, there is no reason for the Naga people to be doubtful.

September  7

A special judge presiding over the second trial in the Mumbai serial blast case on September 7, pronounced death by hanging for Taher Merchant (55) and Feroz Khan (47), both of whom were absconding till 2010, for having conspired to cause the RDX blasts that killed 257 and injured 713. The court sentenced five of the seven accused on trial (one was acquitted in June and one died after conviction). Extradited gangster Abu Salem (48) and Karimullah Khan (55) were spared the noose. Salem by virtue of a Lisbon court order saying he could not be given death and Khan by Tada court judge G A Sanap. Riyaz Siddiqui (67), guilty of the lesser charge of abetment, was handed a 10-year sentence. He has already been in jail for 11 years since his arrest in 2006. This is the second and last set of accused to be convicted in the case for now. Another 33 accused are absconding, including Dawood Ibrahim.

NIA has shared details with UMHA of four terror probes where cadres of PFI and its political arm SDPI were chargesheeted or convicted under the UAPA. The four cases related to chopping of a professor's palm in Kerala's Idukki District; holding of a training camp in Kannur from where NIA allegedly seized swords, country-made bombs and ingredients for making IEDs; murder of RSS leader Rudresh in Bengaluru and the Islamic State- IS Al-Hindi module case in which attacks were plotted in south India.

Based on its probe findings, NIA has claimed that PFI pursues a strategy aimed at communalising Indian polity, enforcing Taliban brand of Islam, heightening existing social divisions and maintaining a trained bank of volunteers for physical actions. "PFI had consistently been indulging in actions detrimental to overall national security," NIA said while blaming the outfit for seeking to impose religious orthodoxy on Muslims and using sister outfits like Sathya Sarani based in Malappuram to carry out "forceful conversions", with the most recent cases being that of Akhila Asokan and Athira Nambiar in which PFI women's wing chief Sainaba A S name figures.

The dossier pointed out that many of PFI's founding leaders were associated with SIMI before it was banned. This includes former PFI chairman E M Abdurahiman, who was all-India general secretary of SIMI in 1980-81 and 1982-93, PFI national vice-chairman P Koya who was with SIMI in 1978-79 and SDPI president E Aboobacker who was Kerala state president of SIMI in 1982-84, among others.

The NIA has told the Interpol that Zakir Naik is being targeted for terrorism and not because of his religion. While sending out a detailed response to the Interpol, the NIA has said that evidence against Naik is strong and his acts violate the Indian law. Zakir Naik is under investigation for funding terror suspects, the NIA also said. The NIA pointed out that it had repeatedly sent out summons to Naik, but he has not once presented himself before the agency. The NIA also said that his passport had been revoked. Further the NIA also said that Naik's NGO IRF had been banned by the Government and the same was upheld by the tribunal. He had funded a few terror suspects through his NGO and hence he needs to be questioned in that connection, the NIA also told the Interpol. The NIA requested the Interpol to help track Naik so that he could be deported to India.

One person was killed and 13 others were injured as militants hurled a grenade targeting CRPF personnel at Jahangir Chowk in Srinagar in the evening. The grenade was hurled at the CRPF at busy market place which exploded on the road injuring 14 persons, including Traffic Police personnel. One of the injured people died later.

Two porters were injured when Pakistan army violated ceasefire and resorted to unprovoked firing on the LoC in Shahpur sector of Poonch District in the afternoon. Reports said the two porters, who were working in the forward areas, were hit by bullets fired by Pakistan Army with small weapons in Shahpur. Indian side retaliated the firing.

The NIA raided the house of one Mohammad Razak alias Ashoka, a close aide of APHC leader, Shabir Shah, in Jammu. “The NIA team this afternoon raided the house of a property dealer, who is a close aide of Separatist leader Shabir Shah in terror funding case,” official sources said. “The house was cordoned by the CRPF men and the NIA team later raided the house,” they said. 

In a similar development, the NIA raided the house of senior leader of APHC Aga Syed Hassan at Badgam in Badgam District. The search operation was going on when the reports last came in, sources said, adding that details are awaited. The NIA raid came after chairmen of both the factions of the APHC - Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq - and JKLF chief Mohammad Yaseen Malik announced to court arrest before the NIA headquarters at New Delhi on September 9 in protest against the ongoing investigations in terror funding case.

The Enforcement Directorate opposed the bail plea of alleged hawala dealer Mohammad Aslam Wani in a city court in Delhi, saying that he had a key role in bringing money from Pakistan for terror activities in Kashmir. The probe agency, in its written response to Wani’s bail plea, said the investigation in a decade-old money laundering case involving Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Shah was at a crucial stage and Wani may threaten witnesses and destroy evidence if enlarged on bail.

The Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Devraj Anbu said that terror camps and launch pads across the LoC in PoK have gone up and around 475 militants are waiting to sneak into the Indian side. “We cannot tell you the exact number of the militants. But the militants, who are waiting to cross over to this side (via the LoC from PoK) are nearly 250 in north Kashmir and around 225 in south of Pir Panjal (Jammu region). We are firmly in control of the situation along the LoC… (the number of) launching pads and terrorist camps along LoC has increased as compared to the previous years.”

He further asserted, “While infiltration attempts have increased, the success to infiltrate has been much less than previous years despite large number of infiltration attempts. That is because of our robust counter-infiltration grid that we have on LoC. The (number of) militants coming to this side have decreased to a large extent this year,” Lt Gen Anbu said. According to MAC of intelligence gathering, the number of militants who have managed to infiltrate is 75 during the last eight months, he said, adding, “But according to our assessment, it is 45 to 50.” He also said the Army has created a “strong deterrence” at the LoC so that militants do not enter the Indian side. “While attempts are more, we are preventing them from entering this side, whether in Kashmir valley or Jammu region,” the Army Commander said.

About the militancy situation in the hinterland, Lt Gen Anbu said, “It is improving. Those (militants) who are operating in the hinterland are foreign terrorists in North Kashmir and South Kashmir has presence of local terrorists more and foreign terrorists are lesser.” He said the Security Forces are trying to dominate the South Kashmir region.  “We have killed 100 militants in the past four months. A total of 144 militants have been killed so far (in Kashmir this year),” he said. “The effect of what is happening now will manifest in a couple of months from now. But there is decrease in local youth getting recruited,” he added.

About 10 armed militia cadres of the CPI-Maoist set ablaze four earth-moving equipments (two each in Nurmati and Pulusumamidi) in the G. Madugula Mandal of Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. However, no one was hurt in the incident. DIG, Visakhapatnam Range Ch. Srikanth said, “Maoists generally destroy equipment used for laying roads. Their action could be intentional or even a mistake.” A senior Police officer said the incident could also be a bait to lure the forces into the forest for a probable ambush. The Police are aware of the presence of a few top leaders such as Central Committee member Chalapathi and Gajarla Ravi or Uday, in charge of the AOBSZC.

A group of 10-15 cadres of the CPI-Maoist set ablaze a passenger bus at Todempara in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. However, no casualties were reported in the incident.

Maoists stopped a private bus belonging to Vishwanath Travels on Bhopalpatnam (Bijapur)-Bareguda road (Adilabad District in Telangana), asked passengers to disembark and set it on fire in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. However, no casualties were reported in the incident.

Kerala Police launched a massive combing operation against the cadres of the CPI-Maoist in the forest areas near Parappanpara at Thamarassery in Kozhikode District of Kerala. District Police Chief (rural) M K Pushkaran said five suspected armed CPI-Maoist cadres, including a woman, visited a house at Parappanpara. It is suspected the Maoists were led by Soman, a native of Wayanad and a former leader of Porattom. 

A joint squad of Police and CRPF arrested two cadres of the CPI-Maoist at Lenin Colony in Charla Mandal in Bhadradri Kothagudem District of Telangana. The arrested were identified as G. Kishor Kumar (35), a ‘Maoist courier' of Charla town and Sodi Devaiah (28) a ‘Maoist militia member’ of Korakatpadu. SFs recovered injections, eye and ear drops, surgical spirit and absorbent cotton.

Two Central Public Sector Undertakings, NEEPCO and NHPC have sought security cover from Assam Police after ULFA-I asked them to close operations in the state within six months and threatened to launch armed action after the time period,

The first tripartite talks at the ‘political level’ with KNO and UPF are likely to be held either by the end of this month or early next month. According to ‘negotiator’ of KNO Dr Seilen Haokip, the Interlocutor had told him that the tripartite talks are likely to be held either by the end of September or in the first week of October. SoO terms with KNO and UPF were extended for another one year which became effective from August 31.

September  8

One person, identified as Sameer Khan (32) was arrested for printing and circulating FICNs of INR 100 and INR 500 denominations from central Delhi’s Farash Khana. FICN with a face value of INR 47,500 and equipment used to print these notes were also recovered from his possession, Police said.

A Police vehicle was torched and six cops were injured as violent protests and clashes broke out across Kashmir Valley after Friday prayers against violence on Rohingyas in Myanmar. The protests which were called by Valley’s religious and separatist outfits two days ago prompted the authorities to impose restrictions in certain parts of downtown city Srinagar.

Hundreds of people soon after culmination of Friday congregational prayers hit streets in Lal Chowk area of Anantnag District and resorted to stone-pelting on Police. Witnesses said the Police retaliated by firing teargas canisters but irate protesters cornered them at multiple places and thrashed many of them including an officer while many other cops managed to save themselves.

A group of youth attacked an armoured vehicle of Police outside District Magistrate Anantnag’s office and damaged its glasses and window panes. The Policemen already abandoned the vehicle and later the protesters set the vehicle on fire.  A Police spokesman in a statement said “some miscreants from a mob started pelting stones on the police and security forces deployment at Lal Chowk in Anantnag” today after Friday prayers. “These miscreants also set a police vehicle on fire. The miscreants were chased off by using mild force,” he said. The spokesman said six Police personnel including two officers identified as Deputy Superintendent (Headquarters) Anantnag Mohammad Yousuf, Sub Inspector Junaid Ahmad, Head Constable Gurdeep Singh, Constable Shabir Ahmad, Constable Bilal Ahmad and Constable Javaid Ahmad were injured in today’s Anantnag violence and they were shifted to hospital for treatment. Police said a case was registered and “investigation was set into motion to identify these miscreants”.

Protests against violence on Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine State of Myanmar broke out at dozens of places in Srinagar city and other Districts of the Valley. Police said the protests remained largely peaceful and only few incidents of stone-pelting were reported. In summer capital here, the protests broke out at Khanyar, Maisuma, Lal Chowk, Safa Kadal, Nowshehra, Hyderpora, Shalimar and few other places. The incidents of stone-pelting were reported from Safa Kadal and Nowshehra. All the four districts – Pulwama, Shopian, Anantnag and Kulgam – of South Kashmir witnessed post-Friday protests and rallies against Myanmar. The protests remained peaceful and no violent incident was reported, the Police said.

In North and Central Kashmir, protests were held at Kupwara, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Budgam and Baramulla after Friday prayers but all of them concluded peacefully.

One Policeman was seriously injured in a CPI-Maoist attack in Korchi division in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. The Maoists opened fire at Police Constables Manit Harami and Ashish Madavi who were in plain clothes and were travelling to Korchi from Kotgul village on a motorcycle. Madavi was injured in the firing by the Maoists.

New posters of the CPI-Maoist released in the name of the BGN Divisional Committee surfaced on the walls of the panchayat office at the Ichhapur village of the Muniguda block in Rayagada District of Odisha. Some of the posters were seen with messages appealing the State Government to make immediate arrangements for relief and rescue of flood-affected people in Kalahandi and Rayagada Districts. The Maoists of BGN Divisional Committee have also sought pucca houses for flood victims under various welfare schemes like Biju Pucca Ghara and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna. Advocating for the environmental preservation, the Maoists have also demanded a ban on the growth of the mining, tree-felling and other deforestation activities. With special focus on the development of the people in Karlapata area in the District, a demand has also been made for the upgradation of healthcare and educational infrastructure in the area.

The new DGP of Odisha, R P Sharma, said that the infrastructural issue is a major challenge in the anti-Naxal operation as Naxals change their strategy keeping eye on the force movement. Sharma added, "Maoists are adopting new strategy and create fresh corridors at various places. Depending on the movement of the Naxals the security forces also should move accordingly and establish themselves in new areas." Sharma took charges as the new DGP recently and was attending a review meeting with IGs of CRPF and BSF. In the meeting, Sharma said that anti-Naxal operations will be intensified especially in the inter-state border regions. So, we will request the Union Government of India to provide two additional Battalions of CAPF for deployment on inter-state borders. The State Government of Odisha has been demanding deployment of additional central forces as their number in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand is more than 100 Battalions. At present, 16 battalions of central forces have been deployed in the state, out of which eight are from the CRPF and one from the CoBRA unit. 

A cadre of the CPI-ML (New Democracy), Burka Pratap alias Shyam, was arrested by the Police in Warangal District of Telangana. Police recovered a kit bag, five SLRs live rounds and revolutionary literature from him.

ULFA-I ‘vice chairman’ and ‘chief of staff’, ‘major general’ Paresh Asom has rejected Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s offer for facilitating the peace process and to join the main stream, saying “we only follow the revolutionary stream that will lead to an Independent Asom.”

Police recovered FICN of INR 2,000 denomination with a face value of INR 190,000 and arrested four persons from Ahmedabad, in this connection. They were arrested from Chiloda circle on SP Ring Road. They were identified as Sanjay Giri, Paresh Parmar, Narendra Parmar and Dharmendra Rathod. “One of the four persons is an engineering diploma holder and has knowledge of computer. Upon questioning, they revealed that they were in financial crisis and wanted to make quick money which is why they started printing fake currency notes,” Police said.

Police arrested three militants of the of KCP, ‘chairman’ Senjam Notenkhomba Singh, Leishram Ibmugomtomba Singh and Rajesh Singh from Siliguri. The group had committed robbery, around 3pm, in a Jewellery shop at Salt Lake area in Calcutta on August 27. Earlier, the arrested trio had committed robbery at MP Jeweller’s branch at G S road in Guwahati city on May 9.

NSCN-IM ‘caretakers/ CAO s’, ‘Executive Officers’, 'political organiser', ‘presidents’ of the ‘regions’, ‘sub-region’, CAA present in the meeting with its  kilo kilonser  (Home Minister) have fully extended support to August 3, 2015 “Framework Agreement” and termed it as a “landmark progress on the Indo-Naga peace process.

September  9

A 22-year-old civilian, identified as Mohammad Younis was injured in a ceasefire violation by the Pakistani Army along the LoC in Poonch District.  The Pakistani troops opened fire from heavy weapons and mortars from across the border in Debraj, Krishna Ghati and Ishapur in Mendhar sector starting at around 10.30 am, prompting retaliation by Indian troops guarding the border, a Police official said.

A ‘district commander’ of HM, identified as Shahid Ahmad Sheikh alias Shabir was killed in an encounter with SFs in Sopore area of Baramulla District. He was earlier affiliated with JeM. One AK rifle, two AK magazines, one grenade, 23 AK rounds and a pouch was recovered from the encounter site. Police said that he was involved in many anti social, anti national and criminal activities.

A Police Constable, identified as Imtiyaz Ahmad was killed and another, identified as constable Shabir Ahmad injured in a militant attack in Anantnag District. Militants attacked a Police party near General Bus Stand in Anantnag chowk by firing indiscriminately upon them. The area was cordoned off and a hunt was launched to nab the attackers. However, no one was arrested. The site is barely a kilometre from the venue of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s scheduled meeting with security personnel on September 10, a Police official said.

Pakistan army opened fire from heavy weapons and mortars in civilian areas at various places on the LoC with mortars and heavy fire arms causing injuries to two persons including a civilian and a SFs personnel at Mankote, Mendhar, Balnoi and Shahpur sub sectors of Poonch District. Reports said Pakistan started heavy mortar shelling and firing at 10.30 am (September 9) at forward villages including Sonawali Gali, Balnoi, Nangi Tekri, Dabraj and surrounding villages of Mankote, Mendhar and Shahpur sectors of Poonch District. The Indian side retaliated effectively to silence the Pakistani guns and save civilian population. The Pakistani troops also tried to target some forward posts of the Army with mortars and heavy fire arms but failed. Heavy exchange of shelling and firing continued till 1.35 pm in which Pakistan side was reported to have suffered heavy losses but the details were not available immediately.

The chief of Battalion No.1, Hidma (36), of the CPI-Maoist, has reportedly been promoted to the CPI-Maoist Central Committee. Hidma was also the member of the DKSZC of the CPI-Maoist. Hidma joined the PLGA of the CPI-Maoist as a lower rung cadre in the late 90s. Officers involved in the anti-Naxal told, “Hidma is being projected as the tribal face. With increasing pressure of SFs in Bastar, the Maoist battalion needed encouragement and Hidma’s battalion has been exceptionally successful in combat against the SFs. It has less than 10% casualty ratio in every combat compared to the security forces and its morale is extremely high. To maintain a large formation like battalion is a tough job and Hidma has successfully managed that.”

Security Forces arrested a NSCN-R militant, identified as Hunmai Taidong, from Old Changlang Village in Changlang district.

DG of CRPF Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar said the ongoing NIA raids have affected stone-pelting incidents in Kashmir which otherwise were on rise since July last year. “There is an affect following actions by all the agencies. There is also an affect because of what NIA is doing. The way stone-pelting was happening in a coordinated manner, this will definitely stop that,” the CRPF DG said while responding to a question with regard to decrease in stone-throwing incidents after NIA started probe into terror funding. The top paramilitary officer said the counter-insurgency operations will continue despite changing situations. “Situation keeps changing. The anti-militancy operations are intelligence-based and we are achieving success in them. They are ongoing operations and will continue,” he said, adding that so far 148 militants including top commanders have been killed this year.

The CRPF DG said that the JeM militants who stormed DP) Pulwama and killed eight security personnel have not been identified and they appeared to be foreigners. In reply to a question about number of militants in south Kashmir, he said: “I will not go into numbers as they are not important. The important thing is that we are ready for every challenge. Whatever the numbers, you have seen that we have achieved success. We will continue such actions in the future as well along with JKP and the Army.”

September 9-10

Two HM militants were killed and another one surrendered during an overnight operation by the SFs in Shopian District which started on September 9 and ended on September 10. The encounter which started on September 9 evening in Barbugh area of Shopian District after militants attacked an Army patrol, which retaliated killing a militant on the spot and trapping two others in a house in the village. The operation was put on hold for the night and in the morning (September 10) as the operation was resumed heavy gun fire followed in which one militant was killed. Another militant later surrendered. A 14-year old girl, identified as Khusboo Jan was also injured in the firing and she was immediately shifted to nearby hospital.

A Police spokesman said that acting on specific information, Shopian Police along with 44 RR launched a cordon and search operation in Barbugh area of Shopian. “During searches, terrorists hiding in the area fired upon the search party. Two terrorists were gunned down in this encounter who were identified as Altaf Ahmad Rather son of Mohammad Maqbool resident of Awneera Zainapora, Shopian and Tariq Ahmad Bhat son of Mohammad Ibrahim resident of Barbugh, Shopian and one identified as Adil Hussain Dar son of Nazir Ahmad Dar resident of Chitripora, Shopian, surrendered”, he said. He said arms and ammunition were also recovered from the encounter site.

September 10

Three Army personnel, identified as identified as HB Swami, Yankiwali Wala Subramaniyam and K Mahesh were injured in Keran sector of LoC in Kupwara District. Sources said that Army troops of 16 Madras Regiment noticed movement of a group of infiltrating militants near Khawaja Baikh post in Keran sector at around 4 p.m. The group was challenged but they opened fire on the troops in which three Army men were injured. The group managed to escape and massive searches have been launched in the area.

The District Police arrested a self-styled ‘area commander’ of the CPI-Maoist, Satyendra Paswan, from Pachmo village under Barem Police outpost in Aurangabad District of Bihar. Paswan, a resident of Nimdih village under Dhibra Police Station in the District, carried a reward of INR 50,000 on his head.

One CRPF jawan was injured in an exchange of fire with the Maoists in the forests under the Aranpur Police Station limits in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh.

A DRG trooper sustained injuries in an IED bomb blast, triggered by ultras, at an unspecified place in the interiors of Aranpur under the same Police Station limits in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh.

A lady CPI-Maoist cadre was killed in an encounter with the SOG in the Daka forested area at Barakhamma under Baliguda Police limits in Kandhamal District of Odisha. “Exchange of fire between Maoists and SOG jawans has been reported from Daka forest near Barakhamma under Baliguda police station jurisdiction. While one woman Maoist has been killed in the exchange of fire, two SOG jawans have been injured. The injured jawans have been hospitalized,” informed Kandhamal SP, Mitrabhanu Mohapatra. SFs during search recovered one .303 rifle and other materials from the encounter site. Barakhamma is located on Kandhamal-Kalahandi border.

Maoist posters were recovered after getting information from villagers in Trilochanpur village under Lanjigarh block in Kalahandi District of Odisha. The Maoist posters warned suspected ‘Police informers’ in the area of dire consequences. The posters put up on mango trees categorically mentioned the Niyamgiri area and dubbed it as the property of tribals. It also cautioned the Kalahandi and Rayagada Police against visiting the Niyamgiri area claiming that the Policemen are perpetrating brutalities on the innocent tribals. The Maoists posters warned all locals against cooperating with the Police for which they could risk death in Kangaroo courts.

Two Over Ground Workers of GNLA, identified as Gonam Ch Momin (19) and Walseng T Sangma (24), surrendered at Williamnagar Police Station in East Garo Hills District. Police said that they worked with GNLA since November 2015.

The BSF personnel recovered suspected FICN with a face-value of INR 690,000 being smuggled from Bangladesh in Malda District. Acting on a tip off, the border guards were keeping a watch at a place in Churiantpur border outpost last night and found someone from Bangladesh side dropped two packets and another person was coming to collect it from Indian side, a BSF release said.

BSF recovered country made weapons and bottles of cough syrup from Mehrani border outpost in Nadia District. Three 8 mm calibre handguns, some ammunition and 125 bottles of a cough syrup used as intoxicant were recovered, the release said.

DRI arrested two men Azaruddin Shaikh and Abdul Sabir Subhan along with INR 736,000 in FICN in denomination of INR 2,000 from Mafco Market in Navi Mumbai. What has baffled the agency is the fact that how post demonetisation the fake new notes of INR 2,000 is being now finely printed in neighbouring country and is routed through Bangladesh to India via Kolkata. During interrogation, the accused admitted that they were aware that the notes were fake and they had procured it from West Bengal near international border close to Bangladesh and Nepal.

A woman CPI-Maoist cadre was killed and two jawans of the SOG sustained injuries in an encounter between the Maoists and the SF personnel in the Daka forested area near Barakhamma village under Baliguda Police limits in Kandhamal District of Odisha. The slain woman Maoist was identified as Banila, a native of Gariabandh District of Chhattisgarh, an ‘area committee member’ of the CPI-Maoist, carrying a cash reward of INR 400,000 on her head, and was with the KKBN Division of the outfit. The SFs also recovered one .303 rifle with magazine, 13 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, a camera flash, Maoist literature, maps, utility items and cash of INR 4,000 from the encounter site.

As the Indo-Myanmar border is porous, there is widespread apprehension that Rohingya refugees from the Rakhine (Arakan) region of Myanmar could sneak into Manipur."The police headquarters alerted the superintendents of police of the border districts two days ago, asking them to be on strict vigil to check influx of displaced Rohingya Muslims into Manipur. Police teams, led by respective sub-divisional police officers and officers-in-charge of police stations, have been patrolling the border round-the-clock," an official source said.

September 11

Two HM militants, identified as Dawood Ahmed Ali and Shaiyar Ahmed Wani were killed in a gun battle with SFs and another militant, Arief Sofi was arrested in Khudwani area of Kulgam District.  Acting on a tip off, the SFs cordoned off a village in Khudwani area at 3a), when they were fired upon by holed up militants. An AK-47and an INSAS rifle were also recovered from the encounter site.

The Centre is mulling a crackdown on 'radical' outfit Popular Front of India (PFI), including banning it under the UAPA, over alleged involvement of its cadres in terror activities, sources in the UMHA said. "We have enough material on PFI's terror links. The time has come to act and carry out a crackdown on it," an unnamed senior UMHA official said days after the NIA submitted a dossier to the ministry detailing four terror cases in which its PFI cadres have been chargesheeted or convicted under UAPA. The cases relate to chopping of a professor's hand in Idukki, Kerala; holding of a training camp in Kannur from where swords and country-made bombs were allegedly seized; murder of RSS leader Rudresh in Bengaluru; and the Islamic State Al-Hindi Module case in which accused from Kerala and Tamil Nadu planned to hit targets in south India.

Assuring them of rehabilitation and bright future, SFs made an appeal to militants operating in Jammu and Kashmir to lay down their arms and join mainstream, saying they don’t feel happy while killing them during gunfights and instead would be welcomed with open arms. The top officers of Police, Army and Paramilitary CRPF made the appeal during a joint press conference at Police Control Room in Srinagar and produced a militant -who surrendered at Shopian District on September 10, and an OGW, who was arrested at Kulgam District, before media.

The officers who addressed the press conference include IGP Munir Ahmad Khan, GOC Victor Force, Major General BS Raju and IG (Operations) CRPF Zulfikar Hassan. The top officers while speaking to reporters made a joint appeal to militants to lay down their arms and join mainstream while assuring them rehabilitation and secure life ahead. IGP Kashmir, Munir Khan said they had “back to back very good result oriented operations in Shopian and Kulgam in last two days but were different this time”. “The operations were a bit different this time. In Shopian, in spite of the fact that one of the militants namely Adil Hussain Dar, a local guy who had joined militancy around 3 months back, was firing during the course of encounter. “He was firing at the forces. He lobbed a grenade at the forces. Somehow he lost balance and could not fire anymore,” said the top cop, adding: “he could have been killed by the forces, there was no other way out, but we preferred to give him a chance to come to the mainstream. We preferred that he should join his parents again, that’s why we opted to catch him alive, with a very clear message to others who have been lured into all this that if they come, we will receive them with open arms. Not necessarily during the encounters, even now they can come and join the mainstream.”

UHM Rajnath Singh said that tree of peace in Kashmir hasn’t dried up and that a permanent solution to Kashmir based on five ‘Cs’- Compassion, Communication, Co-existence, Confidence Building and Consistency-will be found even as he declared that situation in the Valley has improved significantly over the past year. He described people living in the border areas as “strategic assets” and announced increase in compensation paid to kin of Pakistan ceasefire victims’ from INR 1 lakh to INR 5 lakh. He declared that the BSF has been given free hand to deal with ceasefire violations and militants on the borders. “The situation in Kashmir valley has improved significantly over the past year and some green shoots of peace are visible,” Rajnath Singh said and expressed willingness to meet every stakeholder to resolve long-standing issues.

Rajnath Singh assured people living in border areas of the Jammu region that India was taking steps to ensure Pakistan was forced to stop firing. "Just wait for some more time. Pakistan will forced to stop firing. If a single bullet is fired from Pakistan, then India should not count the bullets fired in retaliation," he told a rally of migrants from the LoC. Over 5,000 people living along the LoC were forced to move out their homes in the Naushera sector of Rajouri District four months ago in the wake of heavy firing and shelling by Pakistan forces. Singh said, "Whether they (Pakistan) stop firing today or tomorrow, they will have to stop firing and ceasefire violation."

Uprooted from their homes after firing by Pakistan Army, people from border areas living in schools-turned-camps have demanded individual bunkers at their residences. Over 5,000 people living in 23 hamlets along the LoC were forced to leave their houses in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District following heavy firing and shelling four months ago. Four civilians were killed and five others were injured in firing and shelling by Pakistani troops in different sectors of Rajouri in the recent past. The residents made the demand for individual bunkers to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on September 11 during his visit to one of the six camps set up in Nowshera by the Government. “Our first and foremost demand is that Government should set up individual bunkers in each of the border house, if we have to live again along the LoC. This is most and first demand of the LoC people,” Jangarh resident Prashtom Kumar said. Kumar, who is the president of Border Migrants Coordination Committee, conveyed the demand to Singh and said, “We need bunkers more than food. It serves as a bullet-proof jacket for us and our families.”

Police arrested another OGW of HM, identified as Waheed Ahmad Bhat from Larganapora Bichwara village of Kralgund in Kupwara District. Police recovered a hand grenade from him.

Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze a construction vehicle on the Bijapur-Geedam National Highway under Modakpal Police Station limits in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The Maoists also left some pamphlets on the spot accusing the Police of killing an innocent man in a “fake encounter” on September 4.

 Five Maoists were arrested following an encounter between them and SFs at an unspecified place in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. After the firing stopped, five Maoists were rounded up from the forests while they were trying to escape from the spot. Those arrested were identified as Hemla Podia (40), Hidma Madvi (40), Hemla Joga (45), Hemla Budhu (42) and Madvi Deva (36).

Three lower-rung cadres identified as Muchaki Pandu (25), Podiam Hunga (26) and Podiam Gutta, were arrested by a joint team of DRG and District Force from Chintagufa Police Station area in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The trio was allegedly involved in the exchange of fire between Maoists and security personnel in Tondamarka and Durma villages of Sukma on June 24, 2017 that had resulted in the death of two DRG personnel and a Maoist, Police said.

One more Maoist cadre was arrested by the Police in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. “The security forces surrounded Kachora village in Narayanpur after a suspected activity of a person in the village. After searching the village, Maoist leader Sukder was found hiding inside a house and was arrested,” Narayanpur District Police said in a statement.

Former CPI-Maoist leaders Sirimane Nagaraj and Noor Sridhar have denied the possibility of the role of Naxals in Gauri Lankesh’s murder. They said that Naxalites were being blamed to “bury the truth”. “Since all suspicions point towards the Hindu right-wing, investigation should begin from them,” they said. At a press conference in Bengaluru, Sridhar said that there was no enmity between Gauri Lankesh and Naxals as suspected by some people. “The CPI (Maoist) is not a mafia. Whenever they have killed someone in the past, they have left a poster owning responsibility and even mentioning the reason for the act,” he said, pointing to differences in the modus operandi. Sridhar said it was unfortunate that Vikram Gowda, an alleged member of the Naxal movement, was being falsely accused of the killing by a section of media.

Police recovered firearms and ammunition from a GNLA hideout after an encounter in the forests near Keni Badimagre village of Chokpot in South Garo Hills District. SP, Abraham T Sangma said there were around 14 militants but it could not be confirmed whether GNLA ‘commander-in-chief’ Sohan D Shira was with them. However, villagers claimed to have seen as many as 21 armed men before the encounter. The Police recovered an AK 47, three magazines, 90 rounds of AK ammunition, a LMG magazine, SMG ammunition and GNLA flag, besides some incriminating documents.

September 12

India will extend further assistance for the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces, the two countries announced after the 2nd round of their strategic partnership council meeting in New Delhi. Announcing the launch of a next generation New Development Partnership, India and Afghanistan also agreed to take up 116 High Impact Community Development Projects to be implemented in 31 provinces of Afghanistan, including in the areas of education, health, agriculture, irrigation, drinking water, renewable energy, flood control, micro-hydropower, sports infrastructure, administrative infrastructure.

Bangladesh has urged India to convince Myanmar to end violence against Rohingyas. "India has good relations with Myanmar - we are both members of BIMSTEC. India must emphasize to Myanmar that conditions must be created so that these refugees can return to their country. India can call for the immediate implementation of the Kofi Annan report," said Syed Muazzem Ali, Bangladesh High commissioner to India as Bangladesh grapples with a huge influx of refugees- which now total 6,70,000 - in the midst of one of the worst floods in recent years. "Myanmar must engage with Bangladesh to ensure repatriation of all of its nationals living in Bangladesh through international joint verification as also proposed by the Kofi Annan Commission," the Bangla envoy said

The UK government has confiscated the property owned by underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.

Terming Rohingya refugees as a threat to national security, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that the issue will be dealt with a firm hand. "The illegal foreign immigrants will be strongly dealt with," Rajnath said in reply to a question about Rohingya Muslim refugees living in different parts of the country, including Jammu.

One woman, identified as Rahmat Bi was injured as Pakistan army violated ceasefire on the LoC in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District. Official sources said Pakistani troops resorted to firing at Lambi, Patti and Pukharni forward areas of Nowshera sector at 5.30 am. A woman sleeping inside her house was hit by a bullet and injured. Indian troops retaliated the firing, leading to exchange that lasted half an hour.

India launched a scathing attack on Pakistan at the UN and held it responsible for disrupting peace in the Asian subcontinent by providing succour to terrorism on its soil. Dr Sumit Seth, first secretary at the Permanent Mission of India to UN, said the Islamic nation's actions had affected not just India but all the countries in its vicinity. Nevertheless, India was willing to assist Pakistan in removing the scourge of terrorism from the region. "The world watches with concern as the consequences of Pakistan's actions have spread beyond its immediate neighbour. All of us stand prepared to help if only Pakistan, creator of this malignant monster, wakes up to dangers of what it has done to itself," Seth said while exercising the Right to Reply in response to a statement by Pakistan. Raising the issue of Kashmir once again at the 36th session of the UNHRC on September 11, Pakistan had blamed India for human rights violations in the restive state and denying the right of self-determination to Kashmiris.

India rejected these claims and sharply reminded Pakistan of its own track record in Balochistan. “J&K is an integral and inseparable part of India and will always remain so. We reject attempts by Pakistan to denigrate the democratic choice that has been regularly exercised by the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan is a country that has systemically abused and violated human rights of its own citizens, including in Balochistan as well as the people of PoK," Seth charged. Calling out Pakistan on its "doublespeak and hypocrisy", he accused it of fomenting the current unrest in the Kashmir Valley. Seth added that the SFs had borne heavy losses by exercising restraint while dealing with terrorists and other dissident forces in J&K. "Present situation in Indian state of J&K is a direct result of sustained cross border terrorism emanating from Pakistan. High number of casualties sustained by Indian security forces is reflection of tremendous restraint displayed in difficult circumstances," he said.

Seth went on to say that Pakistan has consistently denied that it sponsors terror outfits, despite harbouring JeM founder Masood Azhar and LeT leader Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, both of whom have been recognised as global terrorists. The Indian emissary appealed to the UNHRC to recognise terrorism as an "extreme violation of human rights" and the same should be acknowledged by the international community.

Police also arrested a OGW of HM, identified as Mohammad Shafi Mir along with a grenade at a checkpoint in Qalamabad village in Handwara Tehsil in Kupwara District.

Two cadres of PLFI, including a woman cadre, were killed in a joint operation by the SFs comprising of CRPF and DRG, at Kantabandatoli hill under Gudri Police Station in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. According to Police, the spot where the encounter took place is close to the border of Khunti District’s Rania Police Station, which is considered to be a PLFI stronghold. After the encounter, Police recovered one 9mm carbine and double-barrel gun, cartridges of both the carbine and double-barrel gun from the spot along with the dead bodies. Besides, Police have also recovered a cell phone. The identity of the cadres is yet to be identified. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist. 

A group of armed CPI-Maoist cadres killed a surrendered cadre, identified as Karu Dugga, near his house at Barda village under Pakhanjore Police Station limits in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. As per the preliminary information, Dugga, who had surrendered last year, was attacked with sharp-edged weapons by a group of five Maoists who left him dead on the spot, Police said.

The CPI-Maoist Central Committee (CC) rejected the allegations that they were behind the killing of Gauri Lankesh through a press release. CPI-Maoist spokesperson Abhay appealed to people to protest the killing of Gauri Lankesh and demanded punishment to her killers.

Charla Police arrested two CPI-Maoist cadres, identified as M Mangaiah and K Nagaiah, in Bhadradri-Kothagudem District of Telangana. Police also recovered wall posters from the arrested CPI-Maoist cadres.

Odisha DGP, R P Sharma said more SFs would be deployed in the CPI-Maoist affected Kandhamal District of Odisha. While attending a review meeting, Sharma took the decision after reviewing Maoist activities in the KKBN division of the CPI-Maoist. He also stated that CPI-Maoist cadres are taking the geographical advantage of Kandhamal District to expand their activities. The District is densely forested and surrounded by hills. Sharma stressed on deployment of CRPF, DVF and SOG in a strategic manner.

The Hiteswar Barman faction of the AKRSU took out a rally at Barpara Public Field in Bongaigaon District to seek support for their demands for a Kamtapur state and Scheduled Tribe status."We are ready to take up arms if the Government does not consider our issues seriously," said the AKRSU's ‘president’, Hiteswar Barman.

Suspected militants of NSCN-IM attacked a combined team of the PLA and MNPF at Makan village at Kamjong District, near Border Pillar No, 8 along the Indo-Myanmar border. In the incident, NSCN-IM cadres killed five militants of the rival group and also managed to take away their weapons. Various militant groups have reportedly frequently clashed at the border region to dominate the area from both Indian and Myanmar sides.

NSCN-K militants attacked 15 AR Check post at Pangsa village in Tuensang District. The AR troopers too retaliated and the encounter lasted for around 15 minutes. Report states that at least 4 Riflemen sustained bullet injury in the attacked.

September 13

Four persons including two BSF jawans and two civilians were injured as Pakistan army stepped up mortar shelling and firing along the LoC and IB. Reports said that Pakistan army started mortar shelling and firing with automatic weapons on the LoC at Sabjian, Degwar and Kassalian in Poonch District. Pakistan also shelled civilian areas and forward posts of the troops. Two civilians were injured when a mortar shell fell near their house at Taglo, Degwar in Poonch sector while two BSF jawans were injured in Sabjian area. Injured civilians have been identified as Mohammad Khurshid son of Mohammad Hussain and Kabir Hussain son of Mohammad Sharief, both residents of village Taglo, Degwar. Two BSF jawans injured in the shelling have been identified as Head Constable-cum-Radio Opera-tor Sandeep Jehangir and Constable Ravinder Singh. Intermittent exchange of shelling and firing continued till late this evening on the LoC.

Pakistani Rangers also opened firing on the IB at Brahman Bela and Raipur forward villages in Pargwal sector of Akhnoor tehsil (revenue unit). Initially, the Rangers resorted to firing with semi-automatic weapons but later also lobbed mortar shells. The BSF retaliated effectively. Intermittent exchange of shelling and firing continued till late night.

Police arrested a key militancy instigator and motivator of HM outfit in Baramulla District. SSP, Baramulla, Imtiyaz Hussain said that an OGW Ishtiaq Ahmad Wani, resident of Goushbugh village of Pattan in the District, who was at large and wanted for motivating and instigating young boys of Pattan and Palhallan area to join HM  outfit, was arrested. “Due to continuous pressure, encounters by police and other security agencies, most of the militants, who were active in North Kashmir, have been neutralized because of which the controllers of HM from across and with Kashmir are trying to accelerate the recruitment process in this area,” SSP Wani said. The SSP said recently, Police prevented around 10 boys from being inducted in militant ranks. They were handed over to their parents. “Out of these 10 boys, four boys, were motivated by the arrested recruiter to join militant ranks of Hizbul Mujahideen,” he said.

The Central Government has asked J&K Government to offer professional counselling to youth arrested for the first time for stone-pelting and open more rehabilitation homes in the State where they will be housed for the counselling. Senior Government officials said that the Centre considers these youth, the third generation Kashmiri born post year 2000, as the “real stakeholders” in the peace process in J&K since they do not carry the baggage of 1947 or the militancy struggle of 1990s that their earlier generations did. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh during his four-day visit to J&K had said that the first-time young stone-pelters should not be sent to jail but rehab homes and review such cases in the past. This is being seen as a big confidence-building measure. Officials said both the Army and J&K Police were on board for the measure proposed by the Home Minister and the J&K Government had pushed for it too.

Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh, who accompanied the Home Minister in the present trip, said that they had held a meeting with the youth in Srinagar where the findings of the recent NIA probe against separatists were shared.

AAPSU is opposing the decision of the Union Government to grant citizenship to all Chakma and Hajong refugees living in the Northeast,. “The decision of the Centre will spark social unrest in the state and we will oppose granting of citizenship to them (Chakma and Hajong refugees) within the territory of the state,” AAPSU ‘general secretary’ Tobom Dai told reporters here. "The Chakma and Hajong refugees will not be entitled to the rights enjoyed by Scheduled Tribes in Arunachal Pradesh, including land ownership. But they might be given inner line permits required for 'foreigners' in the state to travel and work," an unnamed Union Home Ministry official said. 

Altogether 41,033 people, declared as foreigners by Foreigners Tribunals in Assam, have gone missing since 1985, according to data available with the State Government. The data reveals that between signing of the Assam Accord in 1985 and June this year, 484,381 cases were referred to Foreigners Tribunals and 86,489 people were declared foreigners. Of these, 29,663 were pushed back and 71 deported to Bangladesh, while 833 are lodged in detention camps awaiting expulsion and 41,033 remain untraced.

The bodies of the five militants suspected to be from the PLA and MNPF at Makan village in Kamjong district have been retrieved and brought to Kasom Khullen in same District .The five deceased were identified as ‘sergeant major’ Richard alias Wareppam Dinesh ‘, ‘sergeant’ Lalloi alias Khundrakpam Sunil, ‘private’ Nanao alias Moirangthem Tomba, ‘private’ Sinthouba alias Konjengbam Shyamsundar and MNPF cadre Raikham Jajo alias Nimai Jazo. The five were gunned down by NSCN-IM cadres on September 12.

Kukis in Manipur observed a "black day" urging Delhi to settle the issue of "Kuki genocide" by the NSCN-IM before making an agreement with the militant outfit. The community in the state observes September 13 as "black day" every year in memory of the Kukis killed during the ethnic clashes that began in 1992 and continued till 1995.

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on September 13, 2017, reportedly said that there are at least 22 inmates from Myanmar, including 10 Rohingyas, who are in Sajiwa Central Jail in Imphal East District, even after their jail terms expired (date not specified), reports Times of India. Reports stated that nine of the 10 imprisoned Rohingyas have been in prison since 2012, and one from 2014.

The KSA and JCILPS have asserted that no non-local people should contest the forthcoming  Panchayat election (local body election) on October 7. Altogether 71 non-local people are contesting in the Panchayat election. KSA has threatened to ban movement of non-local people at all localities if the non-local candidates contesting in the forthcoming Panchayat election do not withdraw their candidature by September 20.

BSF in the Meghalaya frontier has increased its surveillance and patrolling along the international border following the exodus of Rohingyas from Myanmar to Bangladesh.

September 14

Terror suspect Taufique Alam, who was wanted in connection with the 2008 serial bomb blasts in Ahmedabad District of Gujarat, was arrested by the ATS of Bihar Police from the Civil Lines Police Station area in Gaya District. Patna zone IG of Police, Nayyar Hasnain Khan said one of his associates, who had given shelter to Taufique at his residence in Civil Lines area, was also arrested. IG, Khan said Gujarat ATS has also been informed about Taufique’s arrest. The Ahmedabad serial bomb blasts on July 27, 2008, had left 29 persons dead and 88 others injured.

In a major success for the SFs, the ‘commander-in-chief’ of LeT, Abu Ismail, who was the mastermind behind the Amarnath yatra attack (July 10, 2017), along with his associate, Abu Qasim alias Chota Qasim were killed in an encounter at Nowgam area of Srinagar District. Qasim was most wanted militant in South Kashmir as he was mastermind of attack on Amarnath yatris at Anantnag District in which eight pilgrims were killed. IGP, Muneer Khan revealed that a joint operation was launched in Nowgam after contact was established at 4.15 pm with the two militants hiding in a house in the area. “In a brief, crisp encounter, both terrorists were shot dead,” he said. “Abu Ismail had 15 FIRs against him for murder, dacoity and other militancy related incidents,” Khan said adding that two AK-47 rifles and other materials were recovered from the dead bodies.

Police arrested a militant of HM, identified as Zameer Ahmed Khatana Gujjar in Ajar area of Bandipora District. Police said that based on specific information about the movement of some militants, a joint naka (checkpoint) was laid by Bandipora Police, Army’s 14 RR and CRPF 3rd Batallion at Gurezmod in Bandipora. “During naka checking, one militant of HM outfit was apprehended along with arms and ammunition,” Police said. A Chinese pistol, magazine and eight rounds were recovered from his possession.

The Central Government has asked the J&K State Government to re-activate defunct VDCs and create new, where they have ceased to exist, in villages falling along LoC and IB to serve as another defence line behind Army and BSF to tackle infiltration attempts by the militants. Official sources said that the Union Ministries of Home and Defence were of the view that the VDC members being locals, their activation could serve as “third line of defence” on LoC and IB behind Army and BSF to ensure that if the militants managed to breach “first two lines of defence”, they are spotted and engaged at the third line and killed or captured. “The idea of creating yet another line of defence behind Army and BSF was revived following inputs that large number of militants have been camping across LoC and IB in Pakistan and that upcoming days could see spurt in infiltration attempts by the militants. Pakistan was desperate to push the militants in the wake of large number of killings of terrorists in the Kashmir valley during Operation All Out,” sources said.

Police unearthed five powerful bombs and several explosives, planted in the path of a team of SF personnel on the Pathra-Jharna road under Dhibra area in Aurangabad District of Bihar. Notably, the CPI-Maoist cadres plant the explosives to target the SFs.

An exchange of fire took place between SFs and CPI-Maoist cadres near the forest of Sonua block in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. A senior Police official said that the Naxals are trying to regain their lost areas in the West Singhbhum District area. They have changed their strategy and are even trying to recruit children and girls in regaining their position in the tribal-dominated West Singhbhum blocks. West Singhbhum SP, Anish Gupta confirmed that a squad of Naxals opened fire on the SFs involved in routine patrolling.

The DAP and CRPF during a joint operation arrested two armed cadres of the CPI-Maoist under the jurisdiction of Arki Police Station in Khunti District of Jharkhand. The arrested cadres were identified as Ganesh Lohra and Sanika Munda.

The cadres of the CPI-Maoist opened fire on SFs from the hills in forest between the villages Machalda and Karamda under Sonua block in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. Following the incident, the SFs started a massive combing operation at Sonua block and adjoining areas in West Singhbhum to flush out Naxals who are trying to make their presence felt. A senior Police official said that the Naxals are trying to regain their lost areas in the West Singhbhum area. They have changed their strategy and are even trying to recruit children and girls in regaining their position in the tribal-dominated West Singhbhum blocks.

Around 20 armed CPI-Maoist cadres barged into Murelguda village under Chitrakonda block in search of their ‘convict’ in Malkangiri District of Odisha. Ramachandra Sisa, the ‘convict’, was handed to death sentence in a  Praja court  last week deep inside a forest for defying their (Maoists) sermon. The members of the Kalimela Dalam headed by Maoist leader Ranadev forced into the house of Sisa and when they failed to extract any information about him, they set Sisa’s two-wheeler on fire. The rebels also terrorised the villagers while enquiring about their convict. Sisa in the meanwhile is running for life after he escaped from the Praja court.

A woman “deputy commander” of Charla LOS of CPI-Maoist, Madivi Budri alias Bhadri (18), surrendered before SP, Ambar Kishor Jha at Kothagudem town in Bhadradri-Kothagudem District of Telangana. Budri belongs to Korakatpadu village under Kurnapalli Gram Panchayat. Sources said that she was shifted to Charla LOS after the surrender of Sunita and subsequently elevated as ‘Area Committee Member’. She was allegedly involved in a total of 10 cases of Maoist violence including two attempt murder cases under different Police Station limits in Bhadrachalam Division.

AAPSU called a 12-hour state wide strike to protest granting of citizenship to Chakma and Hajong refugees in the State. The call came a day after the Union Government’s decided to give citizenship to the refugees of the two communities rehabilitated mostly in Arunachal Pradesh in 1964-69 following their escape from the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh.

AR personnel guarding the Indo-Myanmar border have been put on "high alert" to check the possible influx of Rohingyas from Myanmar. Rohingya Muslims have been fleeing Myanmar's Rakhine state following intense violence and many of them have entered Bangladesh for shelter. "Troops of Assam Rifles in the hill districts of the northeastern states, bordering Myanmar, are on high alert because of apprehension that illegal immigrants might try to enter by crossing the international border," a statement issued by the AR said.

Police recovered two IED s from the Kenibadima village in South Garo Hills District 

AR personnel guarding the Indo-Myanmar border have been put on "high alert" to check the possible influx of Rohingyas from Myanmar. Rohingya Muslims have been fleeing Myanmar's Rakhine state following intense violence and many of them have entered Bangladesh for shelter. "Troops of Assam Rifles in the hill districts of the northeastern states, bordering Myanmar, are on high alert because of apprehension that illegal immigrants might try to enter by crossing the international border," a statement issued by the AR said. The statement also said patrolling all along the Indo-Myanmar border has been "intensified" over the last three days. "Till today, no illegal immigrant has been detected or intercepted. High priority is being given to the border town of Moreh/South Mizoram," the statement added.

September 14-15

AR arrested a NSCN-K ultra and two OWG of NSCN-IM in a two separate operations against the outfits from Longding District. NSCN-K militant was identified as ‘lance corporal’ of the Penom Konyak was arrested from Longding town along with a pistol and live ammunition. The two OWG of the NSCN-IM, Ganglaih Gangsa and Chailai Wangsu, were arrested from Niausa village.

September  15

One BSF jawan, identified as Constable Brijendra Bahadur Singh was killed as Pakistan violated ceasefire at IB in RS Pura in Jammu District. One civilian is also reported injured in the firing which took place in Arnia in Jammu District. "One BSF trooper has been killed in ceasefire violation by Pakistan rangers. They are using mortars, automatics and small arms to target nine BSF posts in Arnia. BSF troopers are retaliating strongly and effectively", said BSF sources. "BSF troops retaliated strongly and gave befitting reply," said the source. This is the fifth ceasefire violation by Pakistan in six days, and the third consecutive day of such violations, according to report.

Four persons including two Pakistani Rangers were reportedly killed in Pakistani side of the IB in Arnia sector of Jammu District, when India retaliated Pakistani shelling in the area. Pakistan confirmed its casualties and summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner JP Singh in Islamabad in Pakistan to lodge protest. Acting swiftly, the administration put its `Contingency Plan’ for the border villagers for three districts of Jammu, Samba and Kathua immediately in place and ordered closure of educational institutions falling within the firing range on the International Border in Arnia sector and surrounding areas to avoid any eventuality, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr Mandeep K Bhandari said.

Sources said that heavy retaliation to the Pakistani shelling and firing had been necessitated to silence Pakistani guns, which had directly been targeting civilian population in the border areas of Arnia sector and there were apprehensions of civilian casualties. Pakistan suffered losses in retaliatory firing by the BSF, sources said. A number of houses in forward villages of Arnia sector were hit by mortars and their splinters causing damage to them while some cattle were also injured. In most of the villages, the people didn’t come out and preferred to stay indoors in anticipation of fresh shelling by Pakistan in frustration.

Authorities imposed curfew like restrictions in parts of Srinagar as separatists had called for protests against the NIA raids and arrests. The restrictions (under Section 144 CrPc) were imposed in parts of Srinagar falling under the jurisdiction of five Police Stations including Nowhatta, M R Gunj, Rainawari, Khanyar and Safakadal. These restrictions were imposed as a precautionary measure to avoid any untoward incident. Huge contingents of SFs were deployed in these areas to thwart any possible protest called by separatists against the NIA raids and arrests.

As soon as the Friday congregational prayers culminated at Gaw Kadal Masjid, separatist leaders and activists took to streets and protested against the NIA raids and arrests. The protesters were holding placards and were chanting slogans against NIA and Government. Separatist leaders termed the NIA raids and arrests of political leaders, journalists and others as frustration of the Government. They said that the NIA raids are aimed to defame the separatist leaders.

Bihar Police arrested a CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Sanjay Sahni, at Parsauni Kapoor village in East Champaran District of Bihar. Sahni, a native of Parsauni Kapoor village was wanted in a case lodged at Chakia Police Station against some Maoists' for an abortive bid to blow up railway track three years ago. SP, Upendra Kumar Sharma said that Police was interrogating him to find out his role in other Naxal activities in the District.

The CPI-Maoist cadres damaged an under-construction building of a primary school and community health centre (CHC) in Kohakameta village under Kurusnar Police Station area in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. “The Maoists once again proved that they are opposed to development … The building was being constructed painstakingly by the authorities to provide relief to local villagers,” said Narayanpur SP, Santosh Singh. The Maoists damaged walls and plinths of the two buildings, being built at a cost of INR 10 million, the officer said.

Chhattisgarh CM, Raman Singh, said that the Government is working to strengthen education in the backward and the Naxal-hit areas of the State. Raman Singh told that they have introduced the Porta cabin (prefabricated temporary structure) for schools in the Naxal-affected areas, where the school building was destroyed by the Naxals and will soon inspire them to join schools. "We have introduced the Porta-Cabins in the Naxal-hit areas, in place of the school that was destructed by them. We have increased the count of schools. We have now reached the interior part of the Naxal-hit area and will soon train them and will try to bring to school," Raman Singh said. The CM further said that the Chhattisgarh Government's aim is to improve the quality of the education provided to the students and match up to the national literacy level.

The Police killed a woman cadre of the CPI-Maoist, during an encounter in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. A team of District Police was attacked by the Maoists near Bhendikanhar forest in Pendhari sub-division of Gadchiroli who had taken a position in the forest and opened indiscriminate firing on the Police team. In the ensuing encounter one woman Maoist was killed and rest of the Maoists fled from the spot taking advantage of thick forest. After the encounter, the Police team recovered the body of the woman Maoist along with a weapon, ammunition and Maoist literature from the spot. The woman cadre is yet to be identified.

The AAPSU has demanded deletion of names of Chakmas and Hajongs from the voters' list. AAPSU's legal advisor Marto Tato wondered how the Government could decide to give the refugees citizenship when the matter was sub-judice. AAPSU ‘general secretary’ Tobom Dai appealed to the people to make the state wide bandh on September 19 against granting citizenship to the refugees a success. Union Ministry of Home Affairs had recently decided to grant citizenship to Chakma and Hajong refugees living in Arunachal Pradesh.

AR troops have arrested three NSCN-K militants in an operation against the outfits in Kohima District. AR arrested three NSCN-K militants for “threatening the local populace, vendors and making unjust demands of extortion”. The NSCN-K militants arrested were identified as ‘sergent’ Hoshito Ayemi, L Majingmong Thiipori (NSCN-K ‘civil wing’) and Linpingthu Pachuri (NSCN-K ‘civil wing’).

September  16

Tauseef Pathan, a suspected IM operative and key conspirator of the Ahmedabad serial blasts, who was arrested from Gaya District by the Bihar ATS with Gulam Sarvar on September 14, had plans to devastate Bihar, stated the Police. While Gaya Police is in the process of lodging a complaint under sections of the UAPA it has come to light that Pathan and Sarvar of Gaya were conspiring launch targeted killings and also to trigger a blast at a temple in Gaya. "We have found some documents which reveal their plan to regroup as IM cadre," said a senior Gujarat ATS official. Some Gujarat ATS and crime branch officials are in Gaya to take custody of Pathan. They are expected to return once the FIR under sections of the UAPA is filed against the duo. Gujarat Police officials said that Sarvar had been on their radar since July 2010 when they arrested Hasib Raza of Azamgarh just days before the Jagannath Rath Yatra.

Two militants were killed as the Indian Army foiled an infiltration bid along the LoC in Machhil sector of Kupwara District. “An infiltration bid has been foiled in Machhil sector and two terrorists have been killed,” defence spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said. He said troops noticed suspicious movement along the LoC and challenged the intruders, leading to a gunfight in which the two militants were killed. Weapons have been recovered from the slain militants, the spokesman said. 

Pakistani Rangers, in another ceasefire violation, targeted forward BoPs of BSF along the IB in Arnia sector of Jammu District. “From mid night till early this morning (September 16), there was exchange of fire and shelling in Arnia Sector,” official spokesman said. He said that the exchange of firing took place in the area of 6 to 8 BoPs of BSF, adding no human loss or injury was reported.

A woman, identified as Ratano Devi was killed and five others were injured, as Pakistani Rangers shelled almost entire Arnia sector on the IB in Jammu District throughout the night. A number of cattle were killed or injured in Pakistan’s shelling and firing. Meanwhile, Pakistan claimed that it lost four persons and five others were injured in Sialkot sector during exchange of shelling and firing. According to reports, nearly 50,000 civilians in forward villages of Pakistan’s Sialkot sector have deserted their homes following heavy retaliation by the BSF.

“It was a war like situation last night. Mortar shells were raining in every village close to the International Border. It was very narrow escape for the civilians,” Ram Lal, a shopkeeper of Arnia town, said. He added that it was “worst ever shelling” witnessed in Arnia town during the recent past. Almost similar was the position at Sei Khurd, Nikowal, Jabowal, Allah, Treva and surrounding villages in Arnia sector, where bullets continued to rain throughout the night striking houses, shops and cattle sheds of the people, causing them heavy damages.

Four persons sustained splinter injuries after unidentified persons lobbed a grenade on the lawn of a five-storied apartment at Mantripukhri in Imphal West District. The injured are Bijoi Gogoi, (52), Chun Chun Prasad, Tapas Prasad (57), and Jaffa Sheikh (49), all employees of Hindustan Construction Company. Police, however, suspect that the attack could be linked to an extortion demand by a militant group. 

MCMM said that the outfit will join and intensify the ‘struggle’ for protection of ‘Indigenous Manipuri people’ and land.

AR troops have arrested four NSCN-K militants in an operation against the outfits in Kohima District.AR intercepted a suspected vehicle near Naga Bazaar bye pass road and arrested four NSCN-K cadres. PRO said that the four persons were identified as ‘finance secretary’ Bennilo Bukh  alias Ato Rengma (37) alias Ato Chakesang, Adeo Kiewhuo (29), Neiktoula Kenguruse (34) and Thejavinuo Theja (38).

September  17

Pakistan resumed shelling and firing in forward villages of Arnia sector in Jammu District in the night.

Sources said the BSF has been retaliating Pakistan’s unprovoked firing and shelling very effectively as there had been reports that LeT’s militants have also mixed up with Pakistan army to target the BSF and infiltrate into the Indian territory. Taking no chance, the BSF was taking all steps to counter infiltration attempts by the militants on the IB. Confirming presence of militants especially those of LeT outfit on Pakistan side of IB opposite Arnia sector, sources said unprovoked mortar shelling and firing by the Pakistani Rangers on the BSF posts and civilian areas was also aimed at diverting attention of the troopers and civilians to push the armed infiltrators into this side. However, they added that the BSF while countering shelling and firing was also keeping strict vigil on the “unwanted movements” to ensure that the militants didn’t manage to intrude taking cover of Rangers’ provocations.

The streets of Shopian (Shopian District) are splashed with posters bearing HM stamp blaming al Qaeda-appointed ‘head’ of Kashmir jihad, Zakir Musa, for ‘helping Indian forces kill Kashmiris’ and asking people to ‘chase him to death’, while also describing him as an ‘Indian agent’. Written in Urdu, with Musa's picture displayed prominently, the posters claim that the former HM militant got many ‘innocents killed by Indian tyrants in lieu of huge money’. ‘This traitor is creating different outfits in league with the government. Initially, he was part of Hizb and thereafter, he joined hands with the government of India. He even termed Hurriyat wrong. Therefore, wherever you find him, kill him,’ the posters said.

Chhattisgarh Police would be using night vision Monocular for tracking the CPI-Maoist cadres in the Naxal affected areas of the State. The UHM has already heightened the use of UAVs and CCTV surveillance in insurgency pockets of Chhattisgarh. There is also enhanced co-ordination with the State Police and undertaking intelligence based joint operations. It is important to note that a total 259 battalions of CAPFs were deployed in the Naxal affected region of the State. The deployment in other States is as follows-Andhra Pradesh (16), Telangana (12), Bihar (57), Jharkhand (144), Madhya Pradesh (8), Maharashtra (34), Odisha (102), Uttar Pradesh (6), and West Bengal (53). Recently, Union Cabinet approved of raising four IRBns for Chhattisgarh.

A youth, Pilku Khara, fled home after the CPI-Maoist cadres threatened him to join their organisation or face punishment in the Kangaroo court in Malkangiri District of Odisha on September 9. Pilku belongs to Luchapani village under Chitrakonda Block of the District. Sources said he has now moved to Chitrakonda leaving behind his mother, wife and son in the village. Apprehending further problems, Pilku has planned to bring his family to Chitrakonda to stay with him. Malkangiri District SP, Jagmohan Meena, said the Police was verifying the claim of the Pilku about the Maoist threat to him and will protect him if the threat is genuine.

To instill confidence among the tribal people and gain their support in anti-Naxal activities, the NSD, a special wing of the District Police, conducted a special awareness programme at Kondanur in Coimbatore District of Tamil Nadu. An official of the wing said, the NSD wing was conducting such programmes once in three or four months in tribal villages to improve rapport with the tribal youths and women. Over four hundred tribal people from 20 villages around Kondanur participated in the event. Sports materials including cricket bat and volley ball for youths, and saris for the women were distributed by ASP, A. Mohan Nawaz of NSD in the presence of Police officials. To counter the movement of Maoists in the hilly terrains and also to prevent people from falling into the clutches of the Maoists, the Police department was regularly conducting such awareness camps in the tribal hamlets, he added.

September 12

Three schoolteachers and two panchayat secretaries have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the killing of Karpi BEO, Shalik Ram Sharma, in Arwal District of Bihar. The arrested have been identified as Virendra Kumar, husband of panchayat schoolteacher Sudha Devi, teachers Suraj Kumar and Umesh Kumar Madhukar, besides panchayat secretaries Ayub Ansari and Dina Nath Singh. The five persons have been arrested for hiring a Maoist to kill the BEO, pursuing a case of fraud in appointment of panchayat teachers. Suspected Maoists had shot at Karpi’s BEO Shalik Ram in Arwal District on August 30. He succumbed to his injuries the next day. Arwal SP, Dilip Kumar Mishra, said the accused had hired Vicky Paswan, a Maoist and an accused in the 2005 Jehanabad jail break case, to kill the BEO. Paswan later engaged three others to execute the job. The deal was struck for Rs 60,000, of which they paid Rs 28,000, he added.

September 13

The Delhi Police arrested a man, identified as Mohammed Pervez suspected to have links with Pakistan spy agency ISI, from Chandni Mahal in north Delhi for blackmailing an Indian Army officer for sensitive defence-related information. The Police is also on a lookout for three of his alleged accomplices, who are on the run. The Army officer, a resident of southwest Delhi’s Dwarka, had alleged that she was getting threat calls from two unknown numbers and obscene morphed photos of her from a Facebook profile called Ikta Sharma. She alleged that she was warned that the pictures and her personal information would be released on social media if she did not leak critical defence information. On the basis of the information gained through the Facebook profile and the records of the two numbers, Parvez Mohammed, who is in his early 30s, was arrested on September 13 by the local Police.

Parvez purportedly admitted that he is an ISI agent and had been tasked with gathering confidential information about India’s strategic defence deployment from the colonel. The accused is also suspected to have already supplied some secret information pertaining to country’s security to the Pakistani agency, the officer said. During his interrogation, it emerged that he had visited Pakistan and had made SIM cards available to some Pakistani nationals. It was suspected that he is linked with the ISI, the Police said.

One woman Maoist was killed in an encounter with SFs in a forest area in Kalahandi District of Odisha. The encounter took place when personnel of the SOG and the Police on a combing operation came across a group of Maoists inside the forest in Bijepur area. While the body of the woman Maoist was found after the gun-battle, the other members of the group fled the site; he said adding some articles including four weapons – an INSAS rifle, one SLR and two rifles – were recovered from the site. The Maoists belonged to Bansadhara-Ghumusara-Nagavali (BGN) division of the CPI-Maoist.

September 16

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said that the fate of 39 Indians captured by the Islamic State (IS) group when the extremists initially overran Mosul three years ago is still unknown. Al-Abadi said the situation is "still under investigation at the moment. I cannot comment any further," in an interview in Baghdad.

A group of armed cadres of CPI-Maoist abducted 10 villagers including women Sarpanch, Podiyam Muye, and Deputy Sarpanch of Chintagufa village in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. ASP, Jitendra Shukla informed that woman Sarpanch’s son Kosa, brother-in-law Komal are also among the 10 abducted villagers. Muye is the wife of Podiyam Pandu alias Panda (45), a  Jan militia  ‘deputy commander’ of CPI-Maoist, who had surrendered in May 2017. He added that, after his surrender, Panda had revealed crucial details about Burkapal incident besides the "high profile" urban network of Maoists. Preliminary investigation has revealed that senior Maoist leaders, including Ramanna and Hidma, were behind the incident.

Hand-written posters and banners of the CPI-Maoist were found at Gudighat village in Titlagarh area in Balangir District of Odisha. The posters and banners mentioning the name of Balangir-Bargarh-Mahasamund (BBM) division of the CPI-Maoist demanded announcement of the area as drought-hit while opposing the Operation Green Hunt launched by the MHA and the State government. Police officials visited the area after locals informed them about the banners and posters put up at the forest beat office, panchayat office, bazaar and in the premises of the local hospital.

September 16-17

Two militants belonging to UTLA-SK Thadou and a woman were killed in an alleged attack carried out by rival faction UTLA-Poukhai, at Mukhtohal area, under Jiribam Police Station in Jiribam District of Manipur. The deceased militants were identified as ‘private’ Ngamboi (22), ‘private’, Mangminlen (20) and Hatsei wife of ‘private’ Chonchon of Senjang village, Paren District of Nagaland.

September 17

The STF arrested three members of the BKI group along with 2.5 kilograms of Heroin from Ludhiana city in Ludhiana District of Punjab. The STF arrested Gurlal, who, along with two other men, was going to Firozepur to supply the Heroin, sources said.

A suspected al Qaeda operative, identified as Shauman Haq (27) was arrested from Vikas Marg in east Delhi. Haq's interrogation is underway and further details are awaited, official said.

Pakistani Rangers continued mortar shelling along the IB in Arnia sector in Jammu District for the third consecutive night. The latest round of shelling rendered some and other structures damaged but there were no casualties either on BSF side or civilians. “Intensity of mortar shelling and firing was very less last night as compared to the two previous nights when shelling had continued throughout the night. However, shelling, which started around 9.30 pm last night, stopped around 11.30 pm though intermittent firing with small arms continued till wee hours of this morning,’’ official sources said.

SFs arrested ‘publicity secretary’ of KLF, Lummilen Bey, from Sukhanjan village in Karbi Anglong District of Assam.

September 18

The NIA arrested one person, identified as Shakul Hameed, who had planned to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State (IS/ISIS) as well as carry out attacks in Tami Nadu, from Chennai. NIA said that Hameed had hatched a conspiracy along with eight others in 2013, to further activities of ISIS in India. The agency had filed a case against this module from Tamil Nadu in January this year (2017). "Hameed and associates, with the intention of furthering the activities of the proscribed terrorist organisation Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)/Daesh, had hatched a criminal conspiracy from 2013 onward and formed a terrorist gang which had raised and received funds, organised meetings, recruited and facilitated the travel of some persons to Syria to join the ISIS/ Daesh," said NIA in a statement.

Earlier on September 15, another accused Khaja Moideen alias Abdullah Muthalif, the son of Chinna Thambi Ambalam of Salapathputhu Nagar in Cuddalore District was remanded in this case by a NIA special court in Chennai.

Thane Anti-Extortion Cell arrested Iqbal Kaskar, brother of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, on charges of extortion, from his Mumbai residence. Sources said a police team had been keeping tabs on Kaskar since his name cropped up in the investigation. Police said that Kaskar had been threatening builders on behalf of Dawood Ibrahim and was demanding huge extortion money as a cut for his brother. Many of these builders who are from Thane, Ulhasnagar, Dombivli had allegedly paid huge sums of extortion money to Kaskar. In fact, one builder who had suffered significant losses during the demonetisation and was under debt, had filed the complaint against Kaskar.

A chargesheet submitted by the NIA stated that the Lucknow module of the Islamic State (IS) had Muslim scholars on its hit list. Muslim scholars from the Shiva, Barelvi and Deobandi sects were on its hit list the NIA chargesheet stated. The NIA is probing the Ujjain-Bhopal train blast case in which the Lucknow module of the IS has been blamed. "Investigation has established that the accused IS persons conspired to carry out terrorist activities in India and planned for targeting Muslim scholars of other sects, Shia, Barelvi, Deobandi, within India." The chargesheet also reveals the module had several Sufi shrines, including Dewa Sharif in Barabanki, on its target. NIA said the module religiously followed the Wahabi doctrine of Sunni Islam that regards Muslims who do not agree with its interpretations as infidels or apostates. "The material recovered from their possession is not just sophisticated arms and ammunition or explosive substances. There are videos, photographs, literature and discourse recordings that suggest how badly they wanted to take on the scholars of the community who opposed the idea of Caliphate," the NIA further stated.

The UMHA stated that the Government has credible inputs that Rohingyas have links with terrorist groups and hawala channel operators while some of them were in-league with Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and Pakistan’s ISI. Describing Rohingyas as “serious security threat”, an affidavit filed by the UMHA Joint Secretary (Foreigners) Mukesh Mittal in the SC on behalf of the Home Ministry described Rohingyas as part of “bigger sinister designs” under which they were infiltrating into India illegally through agents and touts. The affidavit, said: “some of the Rohingyas with militant background are found to be very active in Jammu, Delhi, Hyderabad and Mewat and have been identified as having a very serious and potential threat to internal and national security of India”.

The Centre defended in the Supreme Court its decision to deport some 40,000 Rohingya Muslim refugees on security grounds, saying it had "authentic material" linking some of them to terror outfits based in Pakistan and other countries. The Centre urged the apex court against any "interference" in what was an "essential executive function". It argued that these refugees from Myanmar "figured in the sinister designs" of extremist groups like the Islamic State (IS), and had no statutory or constitutional rights in India but through their presence violated Indian citizens' rights to life and liberty.

India called Pakistan "the face of international terrorism" and a "terrorist manufacturing units" at UNHRC. Speaking at UNHRC, India further asked Pakistan to shutdown the terrorists' manufacturing factories and bring the perpetrators of terrorism to justice. Responding to Pakistan's statement at the 36th Human Rights Council Sessions, IFS Officer Dr. Vishnu Reddy said, "Even Pakistan Foreign Minister admitted that internationally banned outfits including LeT, JeM are operating from within Pakistan. They must shutdown its terrorist manufacturing units and bring the perpetrators of terrorism to justice." Reddy added, "PoK is run by a deep state and has become an epicentre of terrorism. Instead of working with sense of purpose to address issues, Pakistan resorts to shortsighted tactics of diverting attention."

No militant is ready to become ‘chief’ of the LeT terror outfit in Jammu and Kashmir after the killing of Pakistani terrorist Abu Ismail in an encounter last week, said J&K DGP S P Vaid. "I heard there is a vacancy for the commander's post in Lashkar, but no one is ready to apply," Vaid said while replying to a question about the recruitment of a new LeT ‘chief’ in the Valley. He urged local militants to renounce the path of violence and join the mainstream. "Be it elders, religious leaders, parents or political leaders, I appeal to all to help children distinguish between the good and bad. One must tread upon the right path and fulfil the mission of life. Bloodshed won't yield anything," he added.

Vaid said the J&K Police have recently rescued 60 youths from militancy and counselled them. "We're counselling out of militancy all those boys whose cases are brought to our notice. They are our kids and we don't want them to go the wrong way," said the DGP, adding that there are clear instructions to the SFs to give a chance to those militants who are ready to surrender. Attempts are being made to bring the youths back into the mainstream. Security personnel are trying to engage them so that they remain away from drugs and militancy, said Vaid.

One Maoist, identified as Satyendra Paswan, was arrested near a canal at Pachmo village under Badhem Police outpost area in Aurangabad District of Bihar. Police said Satyendra was involved in various Naxal activities and was at large since long.

A joint team of CRPF, STF and District Police arrested a Maoist from Kajra Police Station area in Lakhisarai District of Bihar. Police said that the Maoist, identified as Vrihaspati Koda, was arrested from Kajra forest during a combing operation against Maoists. Koda was involved in various unlawful activities in Lakhisarai and neighbouring Jamui Districts.

Police killed two CPI-Maoist cadres in an encounter in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. A team of the DRG was out on an anti-Maoist operation and advancing through Rasantong area, when the Maoists started firing on them leading to an encounter between the two sides. After the exchange of fire stopped, bodies of two cadres clad in ‘uniform’ were recovered from the spot. The identity of the killed Maoists was yet to be established. However, preliminary investigation suggested that they were members of the Golapalli LOS of the Maoists, Police said.  The Police recovered a 12 bore gun, a muzzle loading gun, 13 detonators, a radio set, a wireless set, codex wire, a couple of batteries, solar plates and some Maoist-related material from the spot.

Two Maoists were arrested from Edka Police Station limits in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. SP, Santosh Singh, said they had warrants issued against them for murder of civilians, and damaging BSNL towers and hostels. The identity of the Maoists was yet to be established.

One Maoist cadre identified as Podium Mara was arrested by SFs from Basaguda area in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. It was a joint operation of the Chhattisgarh Police and the CRPF’s special anti-Maoist unit CoBRA.

A middle-aged couple Amush Kerketta (47) and wife Catherine (42) were shot dead allegedly by PLFI cadres at Konsa village in Kamdara Police Station area in Gumla District of Jharkhand. The rebels left behind a pamphlet alleging Amush was a ‘police informer’. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

A threat from the cadres of the CPI-Maoist forced a family from Paparmetla Palem village and take shelter in cut-off areas of Chitrakonda in Malkangiri District of Odisha. Ten members of the family of Kamal Khila took the decision as the CPI-Maoist cadres branded their son working outside the State as a ‘Police Informer’. Malkangiri SP, Jagmohan Mina, told that the Police after verifying the identity of the people will be provided shelter. Mina also said all the villagers have temporarily settled behind the Chitrakonda Police Station.

Unidentified armed men abducted the driver of an excavator, identified as Robin Rabha (27), from Mellim village in West Garo Hills of Meghalaya.

Unidentified armed miscreants entered Kuda Cold Storage, owned by L. Doulo, at 5th mile Model Village in Dimapur District of Nagaland and serving a ‘taxation slip’. The militants later opened fire when their demand was not met; the businessman escaped unhurt.

September 18-19

SFs busted a hideout of the Meghalaya based HNLC and arrested five militants at multiple locations in West Karbi Anglong District of Assam. Huge cache  comprising two G3 rifles, one 303 Rifle, one 7.62 mm pistol, one single barrel gun, 10 kilograms explosive, 40 detonators, 66 live rounds and other war-like stores were recovered. The arrested militants were identified as Badhu Bey (38), Pop Yedoh (42), Polin Nongrom (53), Besterwen Hanse and Donboik Marbanean (28).

September 19

In joint operations that last all of last week, Punjab Police and UP ATS have arrested six suspects who had non-bailable warrants issued against them for their role in high-security Nabha jailbreak in Patiala (Punjab) in November 2016. Police said those arrested also have links with outlawed group BKI.

One BKI suspect, identified as Harpreet Singh alias Jitendra Singh Tony was arrested from Mailani area in Lakhimpur Kheri District.  Another BKI suspect, Satnam Singh was arrested by the joint team of the ATS, Punjab and local Police from Sikanderpur area of the Lakhimpur Kheri District. Sources said Police are close to busting a network of Sikh militants in the region, including from Shamli, Muzaffarnagar, Pilibhit, Shahjahanpur and Lakhimpur Kheri. UP ATS IG Asim Arun said, “One of the terror suspects, Balwant Singh, who was arrested in Lucknow led us to Jitendra Singh Toni who is wanted for supplying arms during the armed jailbreak in November last year.”

According to Police officers involved in the investigations, Baba Babwant Singh, a resident of Naushehra Pannuan in Punjab’s Tarn Taran District, was held on September 16 from Lucknow, while Jaswant Singh alias Kala, a resident of Sonewala village in Punjab’s Muktsar Sahib district and a close aide of former BKI chief Jagtar Singh Hawara, was arrested from Unnao District the same day. Both were also wanted in several cases of targeted killings. Their interrogation led to more arrests from the region.

Sources added that Harjinder Singh Khalon, a Sikh leader from Pilibhit, and his aide Amandeep, who is from Udham Singh Nagar, were arrested from Lucknow based on inputs provided by Baba Balwant Singh. Punjab ATS IG Vijay Pratap Singh confirmed the involvement of Harjinder Singh, Amandeep and one Sandeep Tiwari, who was arrested from Sultanpur, in the armed attack on Nabha jail on November 27, 2016. “The arrested accuseds were involved in the armed offensive during the Nabha jailbreak. We are also trying to trace one of the key conspirators of the jailbreak, Gopi, who was last seen on September 10 in Shahjahanpur but managed to flee,” Singh said. Soon after the jailbreak last year, west UP had come under the radar of Punjab Police and was dubbed as a safe haven for suspects linked to the banned outfit. Hours after the jailbreak, main conspirator Parvinder Singh was arrested from Shamli in Uttar Pradesh. At least 10 armed men had broken into the premises of the high-security Nabha jail and freed six men, including Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) terrorist Harminder Mintoo, on November 27.

The NIA arrested two LeT militants, who were close associates of dreaded Pakistani militant Bahadur Ali, and had been helping LeT cadres to infiltrate into the Indian territory from the LoC in Baramulla and Kupwara Districts. The two militants, identified as Zahoor Ahmad Peer and Nazir Ahmad Peer were on NIA radar for helping Bahadur Ali and other cadre of the LeT outfit but since their full identity and address was not known to Ali, the NIA had to work a lot to identify and arrest them. Sources said that both the militants were called for interrogation by the NIA officers at their Sainik Colony office in Jammu District and immediately taken into custody as they turned out to be the same persons, who had figured in the interrogation of Bahadur Ali. The NIA is expected to shift both the militants to New Delhi on September 20 for detailed interrogation after taking their transit remand from a Court in Jammu.

Anticipating that the arrested militants might have helped more Lashkar cadre in infiltration and carrying out their activities, sources said it was in this context that both of them were being taken to New Delhi for detailed interrogation to ascertain LeT network in Kupwara District especially on the LoC. Bahadur Ali was among very few Pakistani militants, who have been captured alive by SFs during the raids, which had helped security agencies to nail Pakistan’s direct support to militants operating in the Kashmir valley. Bahadur Ali’s case was later handed over to NIA, which had prepared a detailed dossier of Pakistan’s involvement in the militancy on the basis of disclosures made by Ali. Ali had disclosed as to how Pakistan army and ISI were radicalizing local youth and pushing them into the militancy. He has also mentioned involvement of LeT commanders in training of the militants and helping them infiltrate into the Valley.

A Delhi court sent two men, including a freelance photo-journalist, to judicial custody for a month in connection with an alleged case of stone- pelting in the Kashmir valley. District Judge Poonam A Bamba sent Javed Ahmed Bhat from Kulgam and Kamran Yusuf from Pulwama to jail till October 17 after they were produced before the court during in-chamber proceedings on the expiry of their Police custody. The NIA counsel said they were not required for further custodial interrogation, court sources said. During its probe in the funding of terror and separatist activities in the Kashmir valley, the NIA had arrested Bhat and Yusuf on September 5.

CM Mehbooba Mufti sought an end to the hostilities between India and Pakistan on the borders, saying it is the people of the State who bear the brunt of the skirmishes. Mehbooba, who was addressing a public meeting at Tanghdar sector near the LoC in Karnah area of Kupwara District, said the recent skirmishes along the border area has led many people to migrate. “I appeal the leadership of both the countries to work for maintaining peace on the borders. The people of the State have been the worst victims of this hostility which has led to their killing, dislocations and damages to the property on both the sides,” she said. The Chief Minister said peace in the State and between the two South Asian countries holds key to the progress and development of the region.

The SIB of Andhra Pradesh is tracking the investment links of the cadres of CPI-Maoist. The arrest of Buriyari Narayana and Satyanarayan Reddy, CPI-Maoist cadres from Telangana, in Jharkhand on August 30, has put the intelligence agencies on an alert and it is learnt that they are now probing the investment links of the CPI-Maoist, especially in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. A senior officer from the intelligence department in Visakhapatnam said many top leaders were on the radar amid indications of investments in real estate and gold, through a chain of networks. As per reports, many senior leaders have investment links and they retain about 20 to 30% of what is collected in the form of extortion.

Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres blew up the office of a private solar power plant in Gaya District of Bihar. However, there was no report of casualty in the incident. ASP (anti-Naxal operations), Arun Kumar said about 25 Maoists, including women, raided the premises of Wellson Energy Company Private Limited at Saun village in Aamas Police Station area, held hostage two guards of a security agency deployed there and triggered a dynamite blast. The explosion blew up the control room and the administrative building on the 125-acre premises of the solar power company. The Maoists also set on fire other buildings adjacent to the control room. Non-payment of ‘levy’, demanded by the Maoists, is believed to be the reason for the attack. Sources said the Maoists had earlier demanded a levy of INR 10 million from the company, but its executives refused to make the payment. 

A tea stall owner, Sudhram Brijia, abducted three days ago (September 17), was killed by the cadres of CPI-Maoist near Netarhart Sunset Point in Latehar District of JharkhandCPI-Maoist cadres alleged Sudhram as ‘Police informer’. On being informed of the incident, a Police team led by DSP, Omprakash Tiwari and OIC of Netarhart Police Station Alok Dubey rushed to the spot and recovered the body. Police said as per a chit recovered from the spot, the CPI-Maoist cadres has "owned the responsibility" for killing Brijia. Police launched a massive search operation to track down the Maoists.

CPI-Maoist Charla ‘Area Committee Member’ Madakam Jogi alias Kamala (22), surrendered before ASP, Sunil Dutt in Bhadrachalam in Bhadradri-Kothagudem District of Telangana. The surrendered woman Maoist belongs to Kistarampadu village under Peddamidisileru gram panchayat in Charla mandal. Kamala was allegedly involved in eight cases of Maoist violence, including one murder and five cases related to planting land mines, Police said.

Violent incidents were reported during the 12-hour State-wide bandh called by the AAPSU in Arunachal PradeshThe dawn-to-dusk bandh was called in protest against the Union Government’s decision to grant citizenship to the Chakma and Hajong refugees residing in Arunachal Pradesh. Normal life was hit by the bandh as shops and business establishments kept their shutters down across the State.

September 19-20

The BSF shot dead two Pakistani intruders along the Indo-Pakistan border in the intervening night of September 19-20 when they refused to surrender while crossing over to Indian territory. DIG BSF J S Oberio said the BSF shot dead two Pakistani intruders when they ignored warnings and kept marching towards BSF troops aggressively. The incident took place along the Indo-Pak border in Ajnala sector of Amritsar at Border Out Post (BOP) Shahpur where BSF troops spotted two Pakistani nationals who crossed over to India and refused to surrender. The border guarding force said it has recovered the bodies of the two. An AK-47 assault rifle, a pistol and over two dozen bullet rounds were recovered from them. A BSF spokesperson said that a Pakistani SIM card, four kilogram of heroin and Pakistani currency worth PKR 20,000 were recovered from the two. "When challenged by BSF troops, infiltrators fired on ambush line with automatic weapons. Taking cover, the fire was appropriately retaliated and infiltrators were neutralised near the border fence," the spokesperson said.

September 20

Arrested al-Qaida recruiter Samiun Rahman has told his interrogators that he was contacted by associates of Dawood Ibrahim in a Bangladesh jail. This has confirmed the Indian intelligence agencies' information that D-Company, was actively participating in terror activities in India with the support of Pakistan's ISI. Rahman is said to have revealed to intelligence officials that a man named Farooq, claiming to be a core member of D-Company, met him during a walk in Dhaka Jail and offered to supply weapons and ammunitions for him to carry out strikes in India.

One Head Constable of the SSB, identified as Ram Pravesh was killed and an ASI, Shyam Sood was seriously injured as suspected militants attacked the SSB camp at Thathar in Banihal Tehsil of Ramban District. The suspected militants also took away with them one INSAS rifle and one AR-M1F41 Assault Rifle of the SSB jawans, sources said. However, senior Police officials remained non-committal on the attack though they admitted that everything including a terror attack was under investigation and that two weapons were missing from the SSB camp, which appeared to have been snatched. Sources said that the SSB jawans were returning to their camp at Thathar, which was located just 200 meters from the NH after patrol duty at the site of construction of new tunnel at Banihal on the NH when the suspected militants opened firing on them at around 7.15 pm.

A soldier, identified as Sepoy Rajesh Khatri was killed and three others injured in a sniper fire by Pakistani troops at Keran sector along the LoC in Kupwara District. Sources said that Pakistan Rangers opened sniper fire at 5/9 GR unit of Army near Pimple post in Keran sector along the LoC. Army retaliated the fire and targeted the Pakistani posts and intermittent firing was going on in the area at the time of reporting.

The sniping of soldiers by Pakistani troops has increased this year (2017) along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir. Sources said that Pakistani troops are frustrated after Indian troops this year foiled infiltration of militants from PoK along the LoC. They said that after continued failure following stepped up security along the LoC, Pakistani troops are resorting to such tactics. Sources said that they are also resorting to ceasefire violations to push in militants by providing them cover fire. They, however, said that the troops are on heightened alert and ready to foil Pakistani troops’ and militant designs.

Police recovered a hand grenade concealed underground near a bank building in Budgam District. “An old grenade buried underground near a bank branch at Ompora was detected by security forces this afternoon,” a Police official said.

Police arrested a HM militant, identified as Aadil Hussain alias Badam from Bijbehara in Anantnag District. A Police spokesman said that Aadil Hussain of HM was arrested by Police, Army and CRPF in a joint operation in Bijbehara today. However, a HM spokesman said that Adil was not the militant of the outfit.

The 10 villagers, including women Sarpanch and Deputy Sarpanch, who were allegedly abducted by the Maoists on September 16, have been released in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. “All the hostage villagers were released last night (September 20) and they have reached to their village Chintagufa safely,” Sukma SP, Abhishek Meena said. The Maoists took them to Kasalpada and two other villages where they held ‘jan adalat’ (People’s court) and warned them not to help the administration in carrying out development activities in remote areas. Maoists have also threatened them asking not to attend meetings held by the District administration to address the grievances of villagers, the SP said.

One STF constable, Kailash Netam, and a tribal woman, Muser Bai (35), were injured in an IED blast, triggered by cadres of the CPI-Maoist, in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. The incident took place when a joint team of SFs was carrying out patrolling to ensure security to the weekly market in Orchha village, Narayanpur SP, Santosh Singh said.

Ranchi Police arrested two cadres of CPI-Maoist, identified as Sushil Munda and Etwa Mahli, from Bundu in Ranchi District of Jharkhand.  The CPI-Maoist cadres were wanted in seven cases since 2003 Police recovered a gun from them.

Arunachal Pradesh has finalized 900 applications out of 4,637 for citizenship in accordance with a September 2015 Supreme Court order asking the State and the Union Government to confer citizenship on Chakma and Hajong refugees. The State Government had submitted before the apex court on July 11, 2015 that the applications of another "1,014 will be completed within two months" and the "remaining will be finalized in five months positively". The apex court ordered that if the pending cases are not finalized within five months from that day, the Chief Secretary of Arunachal Pradesh would be present in person in court on every date of listing of the matter. The court has fixed December 12, 2017 as the next date of hearing.

The 24 hour bandh called by NRF in connection with the Merger agreement with Union of India on September 21, 1949, greatly affected Thoubal and Kakching Districts of Manipur. Shops, street vendors, and other business establishment remained closed at Kakching Bazar, Khongjom Bazar, Thoubal Bazar, Wangjing Bazar and Yairipok Bazar.

September 20-21

In another ceasefire violation, Pakistani troops on September 21 night pounded major areas of IB in Ramgarh, Arnia and RS Pura sectors in Jammu and Samba Districts with 82mm mortars and heavy arms firing taking the number of civilians injured in the shelling last midnight (September 20) and tonight (September 21) to seven. Sources said seven civilians including a couple were injured in heavy mortar shelling by Pakistani Rangers on the IB in Arnia and RS Pura sectors last night as well as tonight while Pakistan also suffered heavy losses in retaliatory firing by the BSF. Large number of people in Ramgarh sector on September 21 night migrated to safer areas while many people from forward villages of Arnia and RS Pura sectors have already shifted to the houses of their relatives and other locations. SSP Samba Anil Magotra said that people from Jerha, SM Pura, Nanga, Samandhu, Dagg and surrounding villages of Ramgarh sector in Samba district have shifted to Thandi Khui, Ramgarh town and other places in view of heavy mortar shelling and firing by the Rangers at these places.

September 21

India once again urged the world to act against countries sponsoring terrorism and said "the horror of terrorism continues to haunt global peace and security". "We must condemn efforts, including by States, to use religion to justify, sustain and sponsor terrorism against other countries," Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj said in a speech at the BRICS Ministerial Meeting on the sidelines of UNGA. In a veiled attack on Pakistan, Sushma said that the terror groups draw sustenance from support systems in South Asia.

Dawood Ibrahim is presently in Pakistan, a senior Police officer has quoted his brother Iqbal Kaskar as saying. Kaskar has given some four-five addresses used by Dawood in Pakistan. Pakistan consistently denies that the global terrorist is holed up there. Kaskar's claim backs up the dossier India has handed to Pakistan, listing over nine addresses of Dawood in Karachi and other cities. Kaskar is also understood to have told the investigators that Dawood has avoided speaking to him and other relatives in India for the past three years over fears of his phone being tapped.

He has, however, claimed to be in touch with Anees Ahmad, another brother who helps Dawood run his crime empire, a couple of times in the past. Kaskar said Anees has called him from international numbers on his mobile phones on Eid and other occasions. "Kaskar is not cooperating in the investigations and is hardly speaking. But yes, he has admitted he was in touch with his elder brother Anees Ahmad, involved in the 1993 serial bomb blast," said an officer.

At least three civilians including a woman were killed and 30 others including two officers of the R&B Department were injured when suspected HM militants attacked the cavalcade of Public Works Minister and senior leader of ruling PDP, Naeem Akhtar, in Tral town of Pulwama District. The slain civilians were identified as Pinky Kaur (a Sikh woman student of Islamic University), 80-year-old Ghulam Nabi Trag and Mohammad Iqbal Khan. Naeem Akhtar, one of the closest aides of CM Mehbooba Mufti, had gone to Tral for inauguration of a civil works project in the town. PDP MLA of Tral Mushtaq Ahmad Shah, who was traveling in one of the cars, said the terrorists attacked the motorcade with a hand grenade and gunfire from automatic rifles. "The minister escaped unhurt but my bullet-proof car received several gunshots," Shah said. DGP, S P Vaid said, the target of the attack was the Minister. The assailants, he said, managed to escape in the melee caused by the grenade attack.

Soon after the attack, local youth came to the streets raising pro-Azadi and pro-Pakistan slogans and pelted stones on the SFs deployed in the Tral town for the Minister's security. To disperse the agitating mob, SFs used tear gas shells, Police claimed. More than two dozen people including one Police constable sustained pellet injuries, according to BMO of Tral sub-district hospital.

The J&K Police arrested two militants, identified as Arif and Ghazanfar; both are responsible for recent Banihal attack on SSB camp, from Banihal in Ramban District. Two service rifles, including an AK assault rifle and an INSAS rifle, which were snatched during the attack, have been recovered from their possession. At least one SSB jawan (trooper) was killed and another injured after militants attacked a camp of SSB in Banihal in Ramban District on September 20

The BSF in the night, launched major counter offensive against Pakistani Rangers along the IB targeting their Chappar, Harpal and Charwa sectors opposite Ramgarh, Arnia and RS Pura sectors in Jammu District in which nine Pakistanis including three Rangers and six civilians were killed and 26 others were injured while five posts and some bunkers were decimated. The strong retaliation from the BSF was necessitated as Pakistani posts in these three Sectors were raining mortars and bullets in civilian areas falling along the IB from Ramgarh to RS Pura, leading to migration and evacuation of the civilians in bullet proof bunkers.

A CPI-Maoist cadre was killed in an encounter with SFs in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The exchange of fire took place in the forests between Pidmel and Palamdgu villages under Polampalli Police Station limits, when a joint team of DRG and STF was out on a counter-insurgency operation in the interiors of Polampalli, Sukma SP, Abhishek Meena said. After the encounter, SFs recovered the body of a Maoist along with three country-made firearms, explosives and other Maoist-related materials from the spot, the SP said. The slain Maoist was identified as Podiyam Bheema, an ‘Area Militia Commander’ of the Maoists, who was handling operations of the outfit in at least 10 villages of the region. Besides, several cases related to Maoist incidents, including attacks on Police party, were also registered against him, the SP added.

CRPF and Police destroyed a CPI-Maoist camp at Saranda forest in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. The Maoists opened fired at the SFs, ensuing an exchange of fire, as they (SFs) approached near their (Maoist) camp. “Maoist leaders and other cadres managed to escape in the dense forest taking benefit of the night,” a CRPF officer said. The SFs recovered 10 51MM mortars, safety caps of mortars, single barrel gun, electric detonators, live ammunitions, bomb making materials, Maoist uniforms, Jharkhand Map, Naxal literature and daily usage material, during the search operation.

One CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Kalicharan Munda, was arrested from Tamar Police Station area in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. Munda was wanted in eight cases of Maoist violence registered at different Police Stations of Ranchi and Khunti Districts.

CPI-Maoist leader Kalidasan aka Kalidas aka Sekhar Raja (44), was arrested from the Moolakombu tribal settlement on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border at Pudur near Attappady block of Mannarghat Taluk in Palakkad District of Kerala. Kalidas, who hailed from Pannaiyapuram near Paramakudi in Ramanathapuram District of Tamil Nadu, has been working underground for the past several years across southern India, was facing criminal cases in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Police claimed that he belonged to the Bhavani dalam of the Maoist outfit working in and around the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve comprising the hill Districts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.

Two cadres of CPI-ML-New Democracy were killed in an encounter in Bhadradri Kothagudem District of Telangana. The encounter took place while Police were combing the Sidharam forest area in Tekulapalli Mandal when CPI-ML cadres’ of Ramanna Dalam resulting in the exchange of fire. 

The Police and the underground cadre of the CPI-ML-New Democracy Chandranna faction, headed by Ramanna, allegedly exchanged fire in the Siddaram forest area in Tekulapally mandal in Khammam District of Telangana. However, no casualties were reported in the exchange of fire that reportedly lasted for about 15 minutes. The Police arrested one of the underground cadres of the squad after a chase soon after the exchange of fire stopped. He was identified as Madivi Bheema alias Gowtham (19), of Narsampeta in Palvancha mandal, Police said. The Police subsequently seized two 8 mm rifles, a revolver and an air gun besides 54 live rounds of ammunition, 11 kit bags and six olive green dresses from the incident site. Bheema was allegedly involved, along with other members of the squad, in the last month’s murder of Rayala Bhaskar, a farmer of Narsampeta.

According to the sources in the anti-Naxal intelligence agencies the PGLA committees of the CPI-Maoist has reorganized themselves in accordance to newly created Districts in Telangana. The CPI-Maoist cadres were functioning with a divisional committee of the Khammam-Karimnagar-Warangal (KKW) led by Bade Chokka Rao aka Damodar and a District committee of Adilabad. Damodar was trying to build base in the Telangana-Chhattisgarh border. Now they have formed divisional committees for Mancherial-Kumaram Bheem Asifabad, Jayashankar Bhupalpally-Mahabubabad-Warangal-Peddapally and Khammam-Bhadradri Kothagudem. A senior Police official told, “They have few cadres on ground but they are trying to rework on with the changed geographic allocations.”

The East Khasi Hills District Police of Meghalaya is concerned about HNLC having links with other banned outfits of AssamEarlier, SFs busted a hideout of the Meghalaya based HNLC and arrested five militants at multiple locations in West Karbi Anglong District on September 18-19.

URF ‘chairman’ Lanheiba was brought to Imphal of Manipur from Assam by a team of State Police. Lanheiba has been brought to Imphal after completing necessary legal produces so as to produce him before the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal West in connection with murder cases. Lanheiba is currently lodged in Guwahati Central Jail as an under trial prisoner of NIA.

September 21-22

The two day peace talks between the Mizoram Government and HPC-D held in Aizawl concludes on a positive note. It was the fifth and the last official level talks which began on August 10, 2016 to find amicable solution to the vexed Hmar political problems in Mizoram. With the culmination of the official level talks, the next round of peace talks will be held at a political level, a senior officer in the Home department said.

September 22

India went hammer and tongs at Pakistan for its policy of sponsoring terrorism and said the country has now become "Terroristan", or a land of "pure terror". "Pakistan is now 'Terroristan', with a flourishing industry producing and exporting global terrorism," India said while exercising its 'right of reply' at the UNGA.Taking a dig at the prefix "Pak", which means "pure" in Urdu, India said Pakistan has long abandoned its aspirations to be moral and virtuous as a nation and instead, its name has become synonymous with terror.

"The quest for a land of pure has actually produced 'the land of pure terror'. In its short history, Pakistan has become a geography synonymous with terror," India's first secretary to the UN Eenam Gambhir said. Citing the example of Hafiz Saeed, a UN-designated terrorist who has floated a political party to contest the next general election in Pakistan, India underscored how the neighbouring country was providing safe havens to terror leaders in its military town or protecting them with political careers.

The number of threats and incidents endangering South Asia's peace and stability are on the rise, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said, in an apparent reference to Pakistan. Sushma Swaraj, on the sidelines of the 72nd Session of the UNGA, said regional prosperity, connectivity and cooperation can take place only in an atmosphere of peace and security. "It, however, remains at serious risk in the region. The number of threats and incidents that endanger South Asia's peace and stability are on the rise," she said in the opening statement at the SAARC Foreign Ministers meeting. "It is necessary for our region's survival that we eliminate the scourge of terrorism in all its forms, without any discrimination, and end the ecosystem of its support," Sushma Swaraj was quoted as saying in a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Pakistan Army opened firing in civilian areas along the LoC at Khari Karmara in Poonch sector in Poonch District causing injuries to a civilian, identified as Mohammad Shoaib.

Pakistan resorted to heavy mortar shelling and firing in entire Ramgarh sector and parts of Arnia and R S Pura sectors along the IB in Jammu District. In Hiranagar sector, many people shifted to safer areas late tonight anticipating firing from across. Authorities pressed bullet proof bunkers to evacuate civilians from Joura Farm in RS Pura, Arnia town, Jerda and SM Pur in Ramgarh and some other villages as Pakistani Rangers were pounding civilian areas with 82mm mortars and there was apprehension of civilian casualties. “As many as 727 civilians, majority of them women, children and elderly citizens were evacuated in the bullet proof bunkers and shifted to safer locations,” sources said.

DGMO Lieutenant General AK Bhat talked tough with his Pakistani counterpart Major General Sahir Shamshad Mirza on the hotline stating that India reserved the right to retaliate appropriately to any incident leading to loss of lives of our troops in Pakistan shelling and firing. The talks were held at the behest of Pakistan DGMO.

A fresh statement issued through the official media of Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, the Kashmir-based al Qaeda affiliate led by former HM leader Zakir Musa, has warned that it will not rest until it ‘liberates occupied Hindustan’. The release, while citing the 8th century example of Muhammad bin Qasim who allegedly killed the then Hindu king of Sindh and established the rule of Shariah there, appealed to all Muslims to sacrifice their comforts and join the battle to re-establish the Islamic Caliphate. "Al-Sindh' is the region in the Indian Sub-continent (in present day Pakistan) which was once ruled with Islamic Shariah by Muhammad bin Qasim who was the Army General of Umayyad Caliphate. Al-Sindh is the first part of land in the sub-continent to implement Shariah. The caravan started from Al-Sindh 1400 years (ago). It will not stop until it liberates occupied Hindustan & joins the Army of Eesa(AS) in Shaam," said the statement put out on Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind's official Telegram channel Al Hurr media on September 21st night. Incidentally, intelligence sources said that while the statement was indeed issued via Al Hurr media, the official media network of Ghazwat ul Hind, its source could not be verified.

Chairman of APHC Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said that the separatist leadership will extend full support to meaningful dialogue meant to resolve Kashmir issue. Addressing a gathering at Jamia Masjid in Srinagar, Mirwaiz said that all stakeholders need to sit together if Centre wants to resolve Kashmir issue through dialogue. “If they (Centre) wants to resolve Kashmir issue through dialogue then it is imperative that all stakeholders sit together. And GoI needs to adopt a political approach instead of military policy. If that happens, we will render our full support so that this long pending issue is resolved,” said Mirwaiz. The APHC chairman said that they want end to hostilities and better Indo-Pak relations. “We want better relations between India and Pakistan so that all issues, including Kashmir are resolved peacefully”, he said.

Ten cadres of the CPI-Maoist, who worked in the Darbha Division of Bastar District of Chhattisgarh, surrendered to the Police. The Bastar Police said that the surrenders, in the presence of Dantewada range DIG, P. Sudarraj, were a result of the community policing campaign Amcho Bastar Amcho Police (Our Bastar, Our Police). “They were also attracted by the surrender and rehabilitation policy of the State Government. They were working for the CPI-Maoist since 2014,” the Bastar Police said in a statement. They included seven Jan Militia members, two  Janatana Sarkar  members, and one member of the CNM.

UMHA Rajnath Singh while addressing an event to mark the CM Raghubar Das Government's 1,000 days said that Naxals create hurdles in the path of development and the Centre is committed to rooting out the menace at Dumka District of Jharkhand. Singh added, "Naxalites give guns in the hands of the children of the poor and create hurdles in the development of remote areas. They try to misguide the poor and the tribals. They do not give guns to their own children. We have ended this. The Centre is committed to rooting out Naxalism from the country".

The cadres of the CPI-Maoist damaged Essar Steel's 273-Kilometre iron ore slurry pipeline from Dantewada District in Chhattisgarh to Visakhapatnam District in Andhra Pradesh near AOB. The pipeline is critical for Essar's Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, bringing 22,000 tonnes of iron ore daily from state miner NMDC's Bailadila mines in Dantewada District to the plant with annual capacity of eight million tonnes. Jagmohan Meena, SP of Malkangiri District in Odisha, said told ET that, "A company mechanic is on his way to fix it, but there is no conclusive evidence yet that Maoists have broken it."

A group of NC Debbarma faction of IPFT supporters injured a non-tribal car driver Alam Mian when he was on his way to Khumulung of Tripura, the Head quarter of the TTAADC, along with non-tribal female teachers. The vehicular traffic towards the Khumulung came to a halt instantly following the incident. The State Government called the AR to restore peace in the area. The TTAADC, CEM, Radhacharan Debbarma, squarely blamed IPFT leaders, N.C Debbarma and Mebar Jamatya for the current situation of ‘fear and terror’. Earlier on 20 September, Shantanu Bhowmick, who worked with a television channel in Agartala, was covering an agitation by the IPFT in Mandai area of West Tripura was killed by IPFT-NC Debbarma cadres.

September 23

India stated that while the country had made substantial progress since independence, all Pakistan had achieved was a reputation as the “pre-eminent export factory for terror”, reports Reuters Addressing the annual UNGA, Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj rejected allegations by Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi at the world body earlier in the week in which he accused India of state-sponsored terrorism, and violating human rights. “A country that has been the world’s greatest exporter of havoc, death and inhumanity became a champion of hypocrisy by preaching about humanity from this podium”, Swaraj added.

Two BSF personnel and five civilians were injured when Pakistani troops targeted Indian BOPs and hamlets in Jammu, Samba and Poonch Districts. Three civilians in Satowali village of R S Pura sector were injured in the Pakistani shelling and another villager was injured in Treva in Arnia sector. In Ramgarh sector in Samba, two BSF personnel suffered minor injuries in the Pakistani firing, the officials said.

Over 500 people were evacuated by the police from a few border hamlets targeted by Pakistani troops on Friday night and have been housed in a camp. Over 20,000 people have also fled their homes and hearths in Arnia and R S Pura sectors in the past few days, the officials added. “At least 32 villages in Ramgarh, Arnia and RS Pura sectors have been badly affected by shelling forcing large number of people to desert their houses and taken shelter in safer areas-either in the houses of their relatives or in the premises of religious and social organizations and relief camps set up by the administration,” sources said.

A senior BSF official said 20 BOPs were affected by Pakistan’s shelling and firing along IB last night. He added that the BSF responded very effectively and gave befitting response to the Rangers. The shelling stopped at around 4 am at all three Sectors.

The ED filed a charge sheet against Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Shah and a suspected hawala dealer in connection with a 2005 money laundering case filed against him for alleged terror financing. The final report, filed before Additional Sessions Judge Sidharth Sharma, also named the alleged hawala dealer Mohammed Alsam Wani, who is in judicial custody along with Shah. The case dates back to August 2005 in which the New Delhi Police’s Special Cell had earlier arrested Wani.

Police arrested a woman LOS cadre of the CPI-Maoist, identified as Santila Salaam (28), near Marda village under Koyalibeda Police Station area in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. Salaam was involved in the attack on a team of the BSF at Koyalibeda in June 2011, when two of its personnel were killed, and also in the killing of a villager in Jiramtarai in 2010.

Gujarat ATS arrested Sriramula Venkatam, wanted in a case registered in 2010 at Kamrej Police Station of Surat District, in Hyderabad of Telangana. Senior sources in the ATS said that while a warrant was issued against Venkatam by a Surat court because he was absconding for about seven years, they received a tip-off that the wanted man was based at Hyderabad and running a small-time travel agency and also working as an estate agent. "We dispatched a police team headed by Inspector Nikhil Brahmbhatt to Hyderabad and arrested him. He has been brought to the city by air. We will be handing him over to the Surat district police as he is wanted in a case," a senior ATS official said. The case was regarding Naxal activities in the area. Sources in the Gujarat ATS said that Venkatam used to head the team of Naxals in Kamrej which was planning to carry out disruptive activities in the area.

The Uttarakhand Police arrested two cadres of the CPI-Maoist, identified as Devendra Chamyal and Bhagwati Bisht, from Chorgaliya area in Nainital District of Uttarakhand. They received training for four years in Jharkhand and started operations in Uttarakhand in 2013. They are residents of Almora. Police recovered some notes from them outlining their plan to oppose the construction of the Pancheshwar dam. State DGP, Anil K Raturi, announced reward of INR 20, 000 to the team for arresting the Maoists. In course of interrogation, Devendra said that he was distributing pamphlets, posters and flags at Dhari, Bhawali, Someshwar, Chanauda, Lod, Dwarahat, Bagwali, Pokhar and other areas since February 2017. Devendra is a member of ‘zonal committee member’ of the CPI-Maoist.

September 24

Dawood Ibrahim’s brother Iqbal Kaskar has told interrogators that Dawood was receiving money in Pakistan through angadias and hawala (illegal money transaction) operators. According to the Thane Police, which arrested him, a diary recovered from Kaskar’s house after his arrest on September 18 had details of several angadias and hawala operators believed to be working for Dawood. A Thane Police officer involved in the interrogation said, “Hawala racketeers across the country are under scanner and they may be called to the Thane Commissioner of Police’s (CP) office for questioning.” The police will be writing to the Enforcement Directorate to probe suspected hawala links and overseas transactions made by Kaskar and his co-accused. Former Mumbai CP Rakesh Maria said angadias and hawala operators are playing a vital role in moving black money from one place or country to another. “Most of the time, these people use bank accounts to move money,” Mr. Maria said.

Army killed three JeM fidayeens (Suicide Squad) in Kalgi area near the LoC in Uri sector of Baramulla District and prevented last year’s Uri Brigade headquarter type attack in which 19 Army personnel were killed. Early in the morning, SFs rescued a family where one of the militants was hiding and later the militant was killed in the gun battle. Another militant was hiding in the Masjid and he was later killed and third one was killed in the evening. Three AK series rifles, 10 AK magazines, 10 grenades, one UBGL and other war like stores were recovered from their possession.

GoC 19 Division of Army Major General RP Kalita said that they had inputs for long that militants are trying to carry out fidayeen attack in Uri this month. “We were already alert. Last night, we got information about presence of three terrorists in Kalgi area of Uri and we launched an operation that resulted in the encounter. There were 19 houses in the area and we tried to avert any collateral damage and in the evening we neutralized all the three terrorists”, said Major General Kalita. “They seem to be newly infiltrated and must have come two nights before they were trapped in the village. We have recovered three bodies and weapons and operation is over. However, we will continue searches of the area to look for other items they must have been carrying”, the GoC said. However, sources said that Army had inputs that militants were planning a major attack on Army installations in Uri area for long and they had planned it for the month of September.

Three SF personnel were injured in a grenade attack by militants in Sopore town of Baramulla District. The grenade lobbed by the militants inside a SF’s vehicle in Sopore town could have led to more casualties but an alert Special Police Officer saved many lives by throwing away the explosive. Three security personnel, including two SPOs and one CRPF trooper suffered minor injuries in the grenade blast. “The alert SPO threw away the grenade to a safer place, thus saving the lives of his colleagues and civilians. The grenade was hurled by militants inside the security forces’ vehicle,” a Police spokesman said.

Army’s 47 RR busted a militant hideout in the forest area of Chak Kigam Handwara area of Kupwara District. A large cache of explosive material and ammunition, including one anti aircraft gun and other heavy arms were recovered from the hideout. The weapons recovered included one anti aircraft gun, one RPG, one LMG, one AK 47 rifle with 3 magazines, two pistols with 4 magazines, one IED, one RS Kenwood and one dagger.

Police arrested the third militant who was allegedly involved in attacking SSB camp at Thathar, identified as Aqib Wahid from Nowgam in Anantnag District. With the arrest of Aqib Wahid, son of Abdul Wahid Najar of Kaskoot, Banihal, all three militants involved in September 20 attack on SSB camp, have been apprehended. According to SSP Ramban, Mohan Lal, the arrested militant is a B Sc Part III student of Anantnag Degree College and he was held from Nowgam by a Police party from Ramban after successful raid on a hideout.

Jharkhand Police killed three cadres of the PLFI in an encounter at Kullatuttu forest in Simdega District of Jharkhand. The SP, Rajiv Ranjan Singh told that acting on a tip-off that Dinesh Gope (PLFI Chief) along with his squad members had assembled in Tonia Kullatuttu to commit a crime, a Police team was sent. The PLFI cadres started firing on the Police team, forcing the Police to retaliate. Gope suffered injuries and flew from the site. The security personnel have recovered an AK-47, LMG, carbine and daily core items. The bodies of the three PLFI cadres have been recovered and are yet to be identified. PLFI is the splinter group of CPI-Maoist.

Two close aides of the outfit’s chief, Sohan D Shira, of the GNLA, surrendered before the acting SP, Ringrang TG Momin, with arms at Williamnagar in East Garo Hills District of Meghalaya. East Garo Hills Police said the duos from the 6th batch of the outfit have been identified as Chanchan Ch Momin alias Gonggaram alias Teenfoot (22) of Rapdikgre and Challang C Marak alias Rongpak (21) of Adugre. A pistol and a revolver were handed over to the Police. During interrogation, the duo said they were unable to bear the hardships posed by continued Police operations and were forced to surrender. They also told Police that the outfit’s cadres were facing financial crunch as the money collected was being managed by GNLA ‘chief’ Sohan alone.

Nagaland CM, T.R. Zeliang, appealed Myanmar to seriously work together towards bringing about ceasefire between the NSCN-K, Government of India and Myanmar so that there could be permanent peace and development between the two countries. According to CMO, Zeliang urged upon a delegation from Myanmar during the recently concluded Summit at Kohima to “convert ‘sanctuary of insurgents’ into commercial hub through peace initiative and development process.” He also urged upon Myanmar to take initiative in Myanmar and “we will take initiative in our country.” CMO also informed that the Myanmarese delegation and the Chief Minister discussed varied issues including border trade, air, rail and road connectivity, political and cultural exchange programmes and promotion of tourism and building people-to-people-contact.

Suspected Maoists killed Sukku Nareti (57), a revenue official of a village on suspicion of him being a ‘Police informer’ in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. The rebels attacked the Kotwar (village revenue official) identified as Sukku Nareti, in Sureli village under Antagarh Police Station area, Kanker, ASP, Jaiprakash Badhai said. A group of armed Maoists stormed into Nareti’s house and dragged him out on the street. They then strangled him with a rope and threw the body on a road near the village, the Police official said. The rebels then fled the spot raising slogans in support of the outlawed Naxal movement, he added. Some Maoists’ pamphlets were recovered from the spot in which Nareti was branded as a ‘Police informer’.

September 25

Army recovered body of another militant in Kalgi area near the LoC in Uri sector of Baramulla District, taking the number of militants killed in the operation to four. Earlier, Army on September 24 killed three fidayeens (Suicide Squad) in the operation and prevented last year’s Uri Brigade headquarter type attack in which 19 Army personnel were killed. Army on September 25 said that they recovered body of another militant from Kalgai area of Uri taking the number of militants killed in the operation to four. The operation was launched on September 24 and it was resumed on September 25 morning following reports that more militants were hiding in the area.

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said that surgical strikes on terror launch pads across the LoC could be repeated, if necessary, seeking to send a stern message to Pakistan. He said cross-border infiltration will continue because camps across the LoC, from where terrorists are launched, are still operational, and warned that the Indian Army is ready to “receive” them and keep dispatching them to their graves. “The strike was a message we wanted to communicate to them and they have understood what we mean…That things could follow up, if required,” Rawat said

Kashmir witnessed a shutdown over the NIA’s move to summon KTMF president Yasin Khan and Kashmir University scholar Aala Fazil to New Delhi for questioning in an ‘illegal funding case’. Several supporters of Yasin Khan held a silent sit-in in Lal Chowk in Srinagar against his summoning. The NIA had asked Yasin Khan to present himself before the NIA on September 25. “We would continue our peaceful protest until Yasin sahab leaves the NIA headquarter,” said a protesting trader. The shutdown call by traders, supported by separatists, impacted the daily life in the Valley.

The ‘chairman’ of the APHC-M, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said, “The NIA is resorting to coercive and intimidating tactics against people of Kashmir”.

The NIA continued with its raids in Kashmir Valley. Police sources said two youth, one from Ganderbal and another from Baramulla, were questioned regarding their involvement in stone pelting.

Hem Mishra, who was convicted by the Gadchiroli District court in March 2017, for his links with cadres of the CPI-Maoist, has been shifted from Nashik jail to Kolhapur jail due to security concerns. The move follows intelligence inputs from the State (Maharashtra) ATS about increased `Maoist movement' around Nashik.

Unidentified assailants set off a low intensity bomb blast near the house of a businessman, identified as Pankaj Jain, at Mantripukhri in Imphal East District of Manipur. The blast went off at Mercylane in Mantripukhri, damaging slightly the outer wall of the residential building. However, no casualties were reported in the blast.

The banned RPF, the political wing of the PLA, announced that it would continue to wage the "liberation war" in association with like-minded organisations. In his message to the people on the occasion of 39th raising day of the PLA, RPF president Irengbam Chaoren, said RPF believes in a united struggle. Chaoren claimed that "India's oppressive counter-liberation activities" have never been able to shake up the foundations of the liberation project. "The sacrifices of the ongoing struggle should prepare the ground for a glorious independent future of the people of Manipur. The spirit of sacrifice is the pride that RPF takes forward to rejuvenate the being of a Manipuri."

September 26

India has urged the UNSC to ensure that the first and foremost duty of the international community is to ensure that the forces of terrorism and extremism do not find sanctuaries and safe havens anywhere and at any level. "We must not differentiate between good and bad terrorists, or play one group against the other. The Taliban, Haqqani Network, al-Qaida, Daesh, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad and others of their ilk are all terror organizations, many of them proscribed by the UN," said Syed Akbaruddin, India's Permanent Representative to the UN. "The international community cannot remain silent. It is the international community's first and foremost duty to ensure that the forces of terrorism and extremism do not find sanctuaries and safe havens anywhere and at any level," he said in an apparent dig at Pakistan.

The ‘chief’ of the SIMI, Abu Faisal and Sarafat Ali, have been sentenced to three years imprisonment each by the CJM Court in Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, in connection with the Khandwa jail break. A fine has also been imposed on both of them. The jailed duos have been named in the controversial Khandwa jail break of 2013. The SIMI is said to be involved in similar incident in 2016 where eight SIMI terrorists were killed in an encounter after escaping from the Bhopal Central Jail.

Maharashtra ATS, in the past two years, deradicalised at least 70 people who were trapped in extremist literature online and were on the verge on being recruited. Cyber laboratory of ATS, which keeps a tab on all websites and URLs spreading radical propaganda, has blocked 450 such sites in the past one-and-a-half years. A senior official from Maharashtra ATS said that Islamic State (ISIS)'s indoctrination is done by different people and there are multiple levels for it. "ISIS websites keep releasing extremist content and get in touch with youths who share its ideology. They use chat rooms and apps which are difficult to trace," said an official.

A day after India decided to review the free movement regime with Myanmar, SFs have managed to push back several Rohingya Muslims trying to cross over and identified 75 locations as vulnerable to infiltration.  Following the decision by the Government to deport Rohingya Muslims, the BSF has reviewed several vulnerable locations along the border. During this operation, the BSF managed to push back over 15 Rohingya Muslims. BSF officials also identified 75 locations and termed them as vulnerable to infiltration.

Army killed a most wanted Kashmiri militant, Abdul Qayoom Najjar alias Jan Sahab alias Abid alias Wazir alias Qyoom Chacha and foiled a major infiltration attempt in Lacchipora area of Uri in Baramulla District. Sources said that a group of JeM militants attempted infiltration from Zorawar Post of Lacchipora in Uri sector during the night and alert troops spotted them at around 3 am on September 26. The troops challenged the infiltrating group of militants leading to an encounter in which one militant who was later identified as Qayoom Najjar was killed. The other militants of the group including his long time associate, Imtiaz Kandu fled away taking advantage of terrain and darkness. One AK-47 rifle, 4 AK magazines, several rounds of AK ammunition, one Chinese pistol, six pistol magazines, one matrix sheet, IED making equipment, one grenade, one GPS, one night vision, dry fruits, Pakistan made medicine, Pakistan and Indian currency, one stick and one rucksack were recovered from the spot.

Qayoom Najjar was a resident of Mumkak Sopore area of Baramulla District and was one of the longest surviving Kashmiri militant ‘commanders’ carrying a reward of INR10 lakh on his head. Najjar, had joined militancy at an age of 16. He was arrested in 1992 and later released. After his release, he recycled into the militancy in 1995. Though for many years, Najjar was a militant, but he always aspired to become a top commander after killing and arrest of top HM commanders, Najar was the senior most active commander and thus the de-facto operational chief of HM. Qayoom until 2015 was affiliated with HM but he broke away from the outfit and formed his own Lashkar-e-Islam which carried out series of attacks on mobile towers and killed several former militants and Hurriyat activists for their alleged links with SFs. Later in 2015, he crossed over to Pakistan and met HM ‘supreme’ Syed Salahudin but failed to patch up with his former boss. He, however, later joined JeM and had come to Kashmir to revive the outfit but was killed while sneaking in.

Police said that Najjar was active since 1999 and ex-filtrated to Pakistan in 2015 and was returning to take command of HM. The killed commander was despatched by UJC ‘commander’ Syed Salahudin to revive the HM whose commanders of North Kashmir Pervaiz Wani alias Mubashir and of South Kashmir Yasin Yatoo had got killed recently. Police said his return was also necessitated because of wiping out of HM from North Kashmir. “He was involved in dozens of killings of civilians, police and security forces”, Police added. Police said that he was behind the killing of then HM ‘Commander’ Abdul Majid Dar who had entered into dialogue process with Government of India in year 2000. “The killed terrorist was also involved in number of IED blasts carried out by HM in North Kashmir in Sopore, Pattan, Handwara and Baramulla. He briefly fell out with HM/Hurriyat leadership in 2015 when he orchestrated multiple attacks on mobile towers and killing of some civilians affiliated with Hurriyat. He was recalled to base camp in Muzaffarabad, PoK to sort out the differences”, Police added.

SSP Imtiaz Husain said that Najjar was involved in over 50 killings and his killing is a major relief for security agencies. “He was involved in the killing of 50 civilians and security force personnel and was most dreaded terrorists in the history of Kashmir. It is a major success and we are thankful to army for neutralizing him. If he would have managed to infiltrate it would have been big problem for us as he had huge network in Baramulla district. He was sent to take the command of Hizb in Kashmir after killing of top Commanders of the outfit. His killing is relief for us and people”, he said.

Army foiled an attack by Pakistani BAT near the LoC in Keran Sector of Kupwara District. The attackers were forced to retreat to PoK without causing any damage on the Indian side. “A BAT action was attempted by seven to eight armed intruders (from PoK side) today at 1.00 pm in the area of Keran Sector of Kupwara. The armed intruders came near own posts,” Army sources said. They said the BAT intruders were supported by nearby Pakistani posts with mortar shelling and small arms firing.

SFs arrested a suspected OGW of militants, identified as Mushtaq Ahmad Najar and recovered arms and explosives from his possession in Waripora village of Handwara area in Kupwara District. Two hand grenades, one pistol, one pistol magazine and eight rounds were recovered from his possession.

Five militia members and CPI-Maoist sympathisers of Pungutta, a border village of Chhattisgarh and who participated in the Maoist activities, surrendered before SDPO, O. Dilip Kiran in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. The militia members identified as Diridi Gangayya, Muchika Madayya, Kunja Raju, Punem Raju and Sode Idamaih, surrendered following motivation and counselling by the Chintur Police.

A STF jawan, Antosh Markam, sustained injuries during an encounter with cadres of the CPI-Maoist in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. The encounter took place when a joint team of the STF and the DRG, Chhattisgarh Police’s special Anti-Maoist unit, attacked a CPI-Maoist camp in Bhatbeda forest in Orchha area. Santosh Singh, SP said, “There was an exchange of fire for over an hour after which the Maoists fled from the spot. STF jawan Antosh Markam sustained injuries during the encounter. He was immediately sent to Raipur by a chopper for treatment.” Police recovered Maoist literature, water tanks, solar plates, Maoist uniforms, bullets and IEDs from the encounter site.

A joint team of BSF and local Police arrested a CPI-Maoist cadre, Gopi Gavde (42), from Koyalibeda Police Station limits in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. SFs recovered one five Kilogram bomb from Gavde. Gavde is a of Kasansur area in the neighbouring Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. He was involved in planting IEDs in Paralkot village area in March this year to harm the SFs.

A team of security personnel detected an IED packed in steel tiffin box between Gudabeda and Kagbaras villages in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh.

The CCS approved INR 250.6 billion for implementation of umbrella scheme of MPF for years 2017-18 to 2019-20. UHM Rajnath Singh told reporters after a meeting of the Union Cabinet that the Central Government would contribute around 80 per cent of money earmarked for Police modernisation. Under the scheme the share of Central Government will be INR 186.36 billion and that of states INR 64.24 billion. Special provision has been made under the scheme for internal security, law and order, women security, availability of modern weapons, mobility of Police forces, logistics support, hiring of helicopters, upgradation of Police wireless, NSN, CCTNS project and E-prison project. The scheme of SCA for 35 worst Naxal-affected Districts has been introduced with an outlay of INR 30 billion to tackle the issue of underdevelopment in these Districts. The umbrella scheme also provides for setting up of a state-of art forensic science laboratory in Amravati of Andhra Pradesh and upgradation of SPGCSTAI in Jaipur and GFSU in Gandhinagar.

Two CPI-Maoist cadres, including a woman, were killed in a Police encounter in Salepali forest under Paikmal block in Bargarh District of Odisha. Acting on a tip off, SFs had launched a combing operation in the forest. The two cadres were gunned down in an exchange of fire between Police and the Maoists. Police recovered two .303 rifles, 105 rounds of live bullets and INR 20,000 from the deceased Maoists.

Nainital Police have secured Police custody of CPI-Maoist cadre, Devendra Chamyal, from the court in Nainital District of Uttarakhand. The District Police had filed a petition, seeking Police custody of Chamyal on September 25. Uttarakhand Police had arrested Chamyal and his friend Bhagwati Bisht from Chorgaliya on September 24 who was on the run for years.

September 27

Major (Retd) Ramesh Upadhyay, an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case who got bail September 26, has moved the special NIA court in Mumbai seeking Police protection. “Upadhyay has filed an application seeking security, saying there is threat to his life. We have opposed it,” special public prosecutor Avinash Rasal said. Rasal told the court on Thursday that there is no specific threat to Upadhyay. The court is likely to hear Upadhyay next week. The Bombay High Court granted bail to Upadhyay on September 26 on the ground of parity, as some other accused, including Lt Colonel Prasad Purohit, have already got bail. The NIA had in its charge sheet cited transcripts of phone conversations between Upadhyay and Purohit as the main piece of evidence against the former. The Supreme Court last month granted bail to Purohit. Seven people were killed in a bomb blast at Malegaon, a communally sensitive textile town in Nashik District of Maharashtra, on September 29, 2008.

Militants shot dead a BSF constable, Rameez Ahmad Parray and injured his four family members in Hajin area of Bandipora District. A group of three to four militants barged into house of Rameez Ahmad Parray, a BSF constable posted at Rajasthan and presently on vacations, at Parray Hajin and thrashed and threatened him. The militants then left the house and came back again. Second time, they fired upon the BSF constable and his brothers Mumtaz and Javed Ahmad, his father Ghulam Ahmad and aunt Habla Begum. The injured were referred to hospital but Rameez succumbed to injuries.

A civilian, identified as Mushtaq Ahmad, who was among 30 persons injured in Tral grenade attack (Pulwama District) on September 21, succumbed to his injuries at SKIMS Soura in Srinagar, taking the death toll in the attack to four. As SATP reported earlier, at least three civilians including a woman were killed and 30 others including two officers of the R&B Department were injured when suspected HM militants attacked the cavalcade of Public Works Minister and senior leader of ruling PDP, Naeem Akhtar, in Tral town of Pulwama District on September 21.

Soon after people learned about the death of Mushtaq, shopkeepers downed their shutters in Tral and observed a shutdown. The deceased was working as salesman and was father of two.

A complete shutdown was observed amid restrictions in Sopore town of Baramulla District against the killing of Valley’s longest surviving militant ‘commander’ Qayoom Najjar in an encounter on LoC on September 26 while infiltrating into Kashmir. Najjar was buried last night and authorities had imposed restrictions in Sopore town to prevent any protests. All the Education institutions were closed as precautionary measure. An official said that the restrictions in Sopore will continue on September 28 and schools and colleges will also remain shut as a precautionary measure.

Two civilians were injured as Pakistan Army resorted to heavy mortar shelling in Poonch (Poonch District) and Bhimber Gali (Rajouri District) sectors along the LoC. Official sources said that Pakistan army, after a lull of few days, again resorted to ceasefire violations by firing and shelling, targeting civilian areas in Balakote, Shahpur and surrounding villages in Poonch District at 8.15 am. The Indian side retaliated effectively, leading to heavy exchanges that continued till 10.30 am.

The civilians, who had started working in the fields and children, who had gone to schools, were virtually trapped but the authorities shut down the educational institutions falling within the firing range and shifted students back to houses carefully. However, students of Government Primary School, Basooni were trapped inside for some time in view of continued shelling and firing by Pakistani troops. They too were rescued later and shifted to their houses. By the time, the civilians could rush back to their houses, two of them, identified as Shamim Begum and Reyaz Ahmad were hit by splinters of mortars at village Dharati in Balakote sector and injured. They were evacuated by security personnel and people from the spot and admitted in the hospital.

SFs busted a major hideout of HM and recovered a huge cache of arms in Thanna Forests of Dessa area in Doda District. Recoveries made from the hideout included two AK-47 rifles, two UBGLs, two Chinese pistols, two Chinese grenades, four RPG rounds, 300 rounds of AK-47 and certain other items. However, no arrests were made from the spot. “Security forces continued their persistent operations to keep Doda district safe and sanitized from terrorists as well as their support infrastructure. Recovery of war like stores from Thana forests of Dessa will deal a severe blow to nefarious designs of terrorists to revive militancy in the area,’’ sources said.

The CPI-Maoist has admitted that the revolutionary movement is currently undergoing a “difficult” phase all over the country. The senior Maoist leadership, constituting the all powerful CC, met in February, 2017, last to review the progress of the revolutionary movement in the country. One of the resolutions passed in this crucial CC meeting was on the current situation of the revolution, which candidly admitted that the revolutionary movement was going through a ‘difficult’ stage all over the country. The same resolution also pointed out that the LWE movement in urban areas was weak and that in several regions it was still passing through a ‘setback’ phase. These significant observations in the resolutions, speak of the overall impact of the intensified crackdown on LWE movement in the country despite the PLGA, the military wing of the CPI-Maoist succeeding in carrying out spectacular raids on SFs in their base areas. The CC document, containing many resolutions, speaks of a very serious debate that the 19-member CC had on the current status. The Maoist party used three types of expressions, “Set back”, “Weak” and “Difficult” to denote the status of the revolutionary movement in different areas depending on the situations. The Maoist party also claimed that revolution was in different phases in 16 areas of the country, spanning different States. Organizationally, the CC oversees the functioning of four regional bureaus, which in turn monitor and coordinate Naxalite activity of SZCs, SACs, SCs or LCs.

A huge cache of ammunitions, guns and explosives were seized from a CPI-Maoist camp after an exchange of fire between the Maoists and the SFs in the Dangateka Reserve Forest in Kisinda in Sambalpur District of Odisha. As many as 484 rounds of live bullets, two rusted metallic portions of .303 rifles, a hand grenade (live), a sealed tiffin bomb (live), a tiffin bomb without detonator, fourteen .303 magazine catches and a canvas ammunition pouch were seized, Police sources said. According to reports, Kisinda Police officials spotted the Maoist camp while conducting a search operation in the forest with the Rourkela DVF.

Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, DG, of the CRPF told that CRPF plans to focus on the tri-junction area located between Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka following intelligence information that activities by the cadres of the CPI-Maoist are taking place in the Western Ghats says in Coimbatore District of Tamil Nadu. Bhatnagar was in Coimbatore to attend the passing out parade of the 90th batch of 100 directly-appointed subordinate officers at the CTC. Bhatnagar said that they have planned to add five more battalions to CRPF and five exclusive women battalions by January in RAF. He also added that CRPF has made new SOPs for anti-Naxal operations after Sukma District ambush in April 24, 2017, which claimed the lives of 25 CRPF jawans. Speaking on the inclusion of more women in CRPF, he said that one battalion has been raised from Bastar which has got 240 lady recruits.

A GNLA cadre, identified as Tengrak M Sangma alias Adram, who was part of the 6th batch of recruits was surrendered without arms before East Garo Hills Police of Meghalaya. SP of East Garo Hills, RTG Momin informed that Tengrak M Sangma gave himself up at Williamnagar. Tengrak M Sangma had joined the militant outfit in 2014.

GoI and the WC of the six NNPGs officially held its first round of political dialogue to resolve the protracted Indo-Naga political issue in New Delhi. The meeting was held between GoI representative and interlocutor for Naga talks, R.N. Ravi and the 18-member delegation of the Working Committee led by its convener N. Kitovi Zhimomi. WC media cell said Ravi, while welcoming the delegation, described the meeting as a historic one for both GoI and the Nagas as the effort was aimed towards resolving the 70 year old political problem through dialogue. Stressing on the principle of equality, mutual respect and trust for resolving the issue, WC said Ravi had urged upon the Naga delegation to be realistic and not dwell on rhetoric. “Pointing out that neither side could fool the other, being frank and brutally honest on all contentious issues would be in the interest of both entities.” Despite the differences, WC said that Ravi hoped that the Centre and the WC would work as partners and deliver the best political solution for both the GoI and the Naga people.

September 28

Catholic priest from Kerala Reverend Father Tom Uzhunnalil, who was rescued from the Islamic State (IS) or ISIS captivity in Yemen, arrived in New Delhi. After his arrival at the IGI Airport in New Delhi, Father Uzhunnalil said, “Very happy, thank almighty for making this day possible. All people who have worked in their own ways, I am grateful.” Reverend Father Uzhunnalil was allegedly abducted from Yemen by ISIS on March 4, 2016, before releasing him on September 12. Soon after his release, Father Uzhunnalil was brought to the Vatican and efforts were made with the intervention of Oman, India to bring him back to his hometown in Ramapuram at Kottayam District of Kerala.

J&K Police said that killing of a BSF constable and targeting his family is desperation on part of militants after success achieved by SFs against them. IGP, Nitish Kumar said that after huge successes achieved by SFs, militants are desperate to act. “So, there is so much desperation among terrorists to do something and you might be knowing that security forces in recent days achieved major successes at different places in north Kashmir, be it at Kupwara, Uri or at Sopore area. So we have achieved success in all areas and lots of terrorists have been killed and apprehended. As a result there is desperation and I will say that they choose a soft target. Martyring a jawan who has come home on leave is a shameful, dastardly and cowardly act and not only this but also injuring family members. They didn’t spare even his 50-year old aunt”, he said. Kumar said that LeT militants are involved in the killing of the BSF jawan. “Name of Lashkar-e-Toiba has come to fore after talking to injured and probe that we conducted. Around 3-4 militants carried out this attack and one Mehmood Bhai, a Pakistani resident, was accompanying them”, he said.

One person, identified as Gulzar Ahmad Shah was arrested along with FICNs worth of INR 29,000 from Srinagar city. "Police Station Shaheed Gunj received information that the man was trying to spend the notes near Jahangir Chowk," a Police spokesman said.

LWE Naxal posters, urging people to wage a war against soaring prices, were found in Murhu thana area in Khunti District of Jharkhand. Police suspect the role of some Naxalite outfit.

Anti-Maoist operations would be intensified in the cutoff areas of Malkangiri District and the border areas of Odisha along Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh as the areas are in prime focus, said BSF ADG, Arun Kumar. Speaking to reporters in Bhubaneswar, the State capital, Kumar said, “We are planning to fill security gaps in the cutoff areas of Malkangiri and Tulsi Dongri of Chhattisgarh to cause maximum damage to the Red rebels. Accordingly, we are planning operations in those particular areas. Communications in the cutoff areas is a major problem. Recently, the Central Government has allotted Rs 25 crore for upgradation of infrastructure in these areas. This has boosted the morale of the forces.” Besides, he informed that a meeting on BSF would be held soon in Visakhapatnam which would be attended by top officers of SFs.

A tea estate supervisor, identified as Sailyo Dahotia (40) was abducted by a six-member armed group, suspected to be ULFA-I militants, from Dihingia tea estate in the Kathalguri area in Tinsukia District of Assam. The incident occurred around 6.30pm near the office of the tea garden on September 28 while other employees were busy with Durga Puja festivities. Police said ULFA-I had served an extortion notice, demanding INR 1 lakh, to the proprietor of the tea estate Rajib Phukan three months ago. Despite repeated intimidation and threats over telephone, Phukan refused to cough up the money. Meanwhile, on the basis of his complaint, Police conducted a couple of raids to nab the ULFA-I members suspected of being involved in the extortion bid.

In view of the Rohingyas’ movement along the India-Myanmar and India-Bangladesh borders and the on-going Durga Puja festivities, vigil was increased in the border areas. “Though Tripura has no borders with Myanmar, we have asked the BSF to further strengthen security along the 856-km boundary with Bangladesh,” DGP, Akhil Kumar Shukla, said in Agartala. He said: “According to the BSF, over 18 battalions of paramilitary troopers were earlier deployed along the India-Bangladesh border with Tripura. We have asked the BSF to also deploy their training battalions in these frontiers.” The Tripura Police chief said that in view of the Rohingya imbroglio in Myanmar and the on-going Durga Puja festivities, border security has been further intensified to foil any attempt by the Rohingyas, fleeing the Rakhine state in Myanmar, to enter India through Bangladesh. A Mizoram Home Department official said Special Secretary (Internal Security) Rina Mittal and Joint Secretary (North-East) Satyender Garg last week visited four northeastern states -- Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur.

September 29

The recently announced South Asia strategy by US President Donald Trump is an opportunity for Pakistan to engage in ‘counter terrorism campaign’, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has said, as he praised India’s commitment towards the development of Afghanistan. “I agree 100 per cent with President Ghani that this South Asia strategy and this renewed commitment is an opportunity for Pakistan to engage in the counter terror campaign,” Mattis told reporters at a joint news conference in Kabul in Afghanistan, according to a Pentagon transcript. Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani echoed Mattis, as the latter travelled to Kabul directly from New Delhi, without going to Islamabad. Pakistan, so far has resisted Trump’s Afghan and South Asia policy, report said. Mattis further said that the US ‘will watch’ Islamabad’s choices.

JKLF Chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik was arrested in Srinagar. JKLF sources said that a Police party reached the uptown Abi Guzar area of Srinagar and arrested Malik and another JKLF leader, Bashir Ahmad. Both have been shifted to the Srinagar Central Jail.

The BSF and Pakistan Rangers held a flag meeting along the IB in Suchetgarh sector of R S Pura in Jammu District while issues like sniping and ceasefire violations were discussed. “On the request of Pakistan Rangers from 1100 hrs to 1245 hrs, a Sector Commander level Flag Meeting was held between Border Security Force and Pakistan Rangers on International Border in Suchetgarh area,” official spokesman said.

The spokesman said during the meeting, BSF objected on dastardly acts of snipping of two BSF soldiers - Late Constable Brijendra Bahadur and Constable K K Appa Rao on 14 September and 25 August 2017, respectively while performing their duty on forward duty points along the border security fence by Pakistan Rangers and further carrying out unprovoked cross border firing and shelling on a number of Indian border villages targeting innocent civilian and their properties. “BSF conveyed strong protest with message that such provocative acts will not be tolerated and are unacceptable by BSF and shall be responded with equal and more measures,” he added. The spokesman said that besides discussion on number of other issues related to border management, BSF strongly objected for allowing movement of armed intruder in close vicinity of International Boundary during night time for infiltration attempts into India from Pakistan territory. “During discussion, Pak Rangers assured for taking required measures to maintain peace at border with request that BSF should also restrain as much as possible in counter measures to see that minimum civilian loss caused on Pak side,” he added.

An 18-year-old woman CPI-Maoist identified as Chitren Pangi of Malkangiri District surrendered before Odisha Police in Koraput District of Odisha. Chitren was an active member of Guma area committee of AOBSZC, operating in Chitrakonda and Machkund area in Malkangiri District. According to Police, Chitren had joined the outlawed CPI-Maoist in May 2017 after being instigated by a few local Maoist leaders. Soon she became an active member of Sudhir’s group. A senior official informed that Chitren was a member of the CNM and was also trained as ‘team doctor’. She also had knowledge of different medicines and during her brief stint with the Maoists, Chitren had helped the Maoists in collecting local intelligence about the presence of the SFs in Guma area. “Chitren became disillusioned soon after joining the Maoists group and left the party. She was also fed up with the anti-people attitude of the group and unjustified violence against people,” SP, Kanwar Vishal Singh said.

One person, identified as Jahiruddin was arrested in Delhi along with FICN worth INR 5,50,000. The Special Cell unit of the Delhi Police learnt that the FICN was being smuggled to Malda, West Bengal, through the porous Indo-Bangladesh border. From Malda, it was being distributed to FICN racketeers in various parts of the country, including Delhi, the Police said.

September 30

The counter intelligence wing of Punjab Police arrested seven militants of the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) from Moga District. Sources said four of the accused are aged between 18 and 23 years. One is a minor. Commissioner of Police R N Dhoke said, "BKI was planning to carry out subversive activities in Punjab, especially against anti-Khalistan and anti-Sikh groups. These seven were handpicked by England-based Surinder Singh Babbar, who approached them through social networking sites. The arrested have no criminal background. They joined BKI a few months ago and were preparing for a big strike in Punjab." Police have also recovered one .32 bore pistol with 20 cartridges and two .315 bore country-made pistols with 13 cartridges from their possession.

The BSF unearthed a 14-feet-long tunnel near the zero line in Arnia sector in Jammu District which was being dug from the Pakistani side, scuttling a major infiltration bid and a possible terror attack. IG of BSF, Jammu Frontiers, Ram Awtar said an area domination party noticed the suspicious movement of nearly a dozen armed people near the zero line who fled after seeing the uniformed men. “The unfinished tunnel, dug from the Pakistani side, approximately having three-feet height and two-and-a-half feet width on the slope of bank at Dhamalla nullah (stream) ahead of border fence was detected by the alert BSF jawans this morning,” Awtar said.

The BSF patrolling party commander got suspicious and launched a thorough search and survey operation of the area which led to the detection of the tunnel and recovery of ‘war-like stores’. Among the items recovered from the location included a US-made compass, two magazines, 60 rounds of ammunition, a hand grenade, four pairs of shoes, polythene bags, sharp-edged weapons, four sleeping bags, batteries cells and number of eatables including chicken, chapattis and curry etc and other items, most of which were carrying the marking of Pakistan, Awtar said. These items were reported to have been used by the militants during digging of the tunnel. Terming the tunneling activity as a “nefarious act” of Pakistan, the IG BSF said timely action by the BSF foiled a major attack on the Indian soil.

Churachandpur Police and personnel of 25 AR arrested the former town commander of the ZRA, Vungthianlal alias Romeo (39), who was wanted in a murder case and carries a bounty of INR 100,000, in a joint raid at New Lamka’s Vengnuam area in Churachandpur District of Manipur.

A close aide of the GNLA ‘chief’ Sohan D Shira, was arrested from remote Dosogre village in South Garo Hills District of Meghalaya. Acting on specific information, a special team was deputed to the village and after conducting raids, the cadre identified as Bande Ch Marak alias Border was arrested. A close aide of Sohan since he joined in 2012, Bande was present during the last two encounters with Police in the District although he managed to escape during an encounter in Rongsu two months ago, SP, Abraham Sangma said. According to preliminary investigation, Bande was part of the group that ambushed Police personnel a few years ago where several Policemen had been killed both at Kolapara and Panda ambushes, the SP added.

October 1

Seven cadres of the PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, were arrested by the Police during a combing operation in Khukhundbahal forest under the Biramitrapur Police Station in Sundargarh District of Odisha. According to the Police, on getting information about the presence of PLFI extremists in Khukhundbahal forest under the Biramitrapur Police Station on September 29 last, an operation was launched. About 10 to 15 armed LWEs were found moving in the forest. However, only four of them could be arrested. Based on the interrogation of these members, another three cadres were arrested. Pinak Mishra, SP, Sundargarh, said, of the seven PLFI identified extremists, three each hail from Odisha and Jharkhand while one is from Assam. The Sundargarh Police identified one of them as Arjun Rana alias Kapil Pathak, who is the ‘zonal committee member’ of PLFI for Odisha-Jharkhand. A .9 mm carbine machine gun, three .9 mm double bore barrel guns, two .9 mm pistols and 37 rounds of live ammunition were seized from them.

A ward councillor identified as identified as B Ashok Kumar, suffered critical injuries after a pressure bomb planted by the CPI-Maoist exploded at Elarmadgu village under Bhejji Police Station limits in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The blast triggered after Kumar inadvertently touched the IED hidden in bushes. Sukma SP, Abhishek Meena, said, the incident occurred when he was heading towards the anganwadi centre to pick his mother.

October 2

UMHA held a series of meetings last week to review the terror cases involving PFI's cadre which are being probed by NIA and Police forces of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. PFI, which claims to be an NGO, could face action under the UAPA, if the UMHA concludes that it is sufficiently linked with cases of jihadi terror and promotes Islamic fundamentalism. UMHA sources said there is enough material against PFI, including a dossier from NIA detailing role of its cadres in six terror cases probed by and inputs from states where the organisation's members face allegations of religious extremism, terror and 'forced' conversions to justify a ban.

However, NIA recently added to its dossier that originally cited four terror cases involving PFI cadres — chopping of a professor's hand in Kerala's Idukki District, a training camp in Kannur where NIA seized swords and ingredients for making IEDs, murder of RSS leader Rudresh in Bengaluru and the Islamic State Al-Hindi Module case in which IS-inspired youth from Kerala and Tamil Nadu planned to target prominent people and places in South India. Two more cases involving alleged PFI cadres were cited — that of Hadiya alias Akhila Asokan's "forced" conversion and the 2017 IS-Islamic State/Daesh Chennai case where linkages to PFI have surfaced.

The Army foiled a major infiltration attempt by a group of 4-5 militants in Tanghdar sector of Kupwara District and killed three militants. Sources said that troops had laid ambush at Nadgali Post area in Tanghdar sector after inputs that 4-5 militants are trying to infiltrate into the sector. They said that the Army had laid ambush and after seeing suspicious movement in the area, they fired at the group leading to an encounter. Army said that they have recovered three dead bodies and three weapons so far besides war like stores. Sources said that Police had passed on information to the Army that last night (October 1) a group of four militants had infiltrated in Tanghdar sector and Army traced this morning (October 2) them in Balcharian village. They were challenged leading to a gun battle in which three militants were killed. Sources said that four Army personnel including an officer were also injured in the encounter. They have been removed to hospital for treatment.

Army foiled another infiltration bid along the LoC in Torna area of Rampur sector of Baramulla District, killing two militants. A senior Army officer said that 21-Sikh regiment of Army deployed at Torna had laid ambush ahead of fence after inputs of infiltration attempts by highly armed militants. He said that the troops deployed on the forward posts fired at the infiltrating militants after they saw suspicious movement during the night. Two dead bodies of militants and two AK-47 rifles were recovered in the morning (October 2) during the search of the area. The searches were going on and the other members of the group may have fled back to PoK under the cover of darkness, report said.

Pakistani troops violated ceasefire along LoC near Keri and Digwar areas of Poonch sector in Poonch District, killing two children and injuring 12 others, apart from causing damage to several houses and other structures. Sources said that Pakistani troops started heavy shelling using 82mm mortars and firing with automatic and semi-automatic weapons targeting Shahpur, Kirni, Kasba, Digwar, Malti, Bigial Dara, Terwan and surrounding villages, located close to LoC in Poonch sector at 6.30 am when the people had just started moving out of their houses towards the fields and other places with the onset of Sun. “The people were trapped in the fields and other places as Pakistani troops used heavy mortars and firing, directly aiming the civilian population living close to the LoC,” sources said, adding that two children-a boy and a girl-were killed as mortar shells exploded inside or close to their houses while a dozen other civilians were injured, four of them seriously.

The Indian Army retaliated shelling and firing very effectively to silence the Pakistani guns and save the civilian population from any further damage. Pakistan claimed that one of its Army jawans and two others were killed while three jawans were seriously injured at Neja Peer, falling opposite Digwar village of Poonch, in PoK in retaliatory firing by the Indian troops.

In the evening, Pakistan army again fired two sniper shots on a forward BSF post in Rajouri sector of Rajouri District, which injured constable R Ramachari. Sources said Pakistani troops targeted the BSF post with sniper shots around 6.15 pm. The injured jawan has been hospitalized.

CM Mehbooba Mufti has expressed grief and anguish over the killing of two children in cross-LoC shelling in Poonch District. In a statement, she said: “it is very unfortunate that the children became victims of fire power when they were yet to understand nuances of politics”. She directed the district administration to ensure specialized treatment to the people injured in the shelling.

A Police personal, identified as Aashiq Hussain, who was posted as Munshi in Awantipora Police Station of Pulwama District was shot dead in Padgampora village of Pulwama District. According to report, Hussain had gone to Padgampora village to attend marriage and militants barged into the house and fired at him. They fled leaving him in a pool blood. He died on the spot. Senior Police officers reached the spot and a massive hunt has been launched against his killers.

Two policemen were injured in a grenade attack by militants on a nakka party in Baramulla District. Official sources said that militants hurled grenade on a checkpoint established by Police at Juhama in Baramulla at around 1850 hrs. They said two Policemen were injured in the attack, adding both were rushed to a hospital, where their health condition is stated to be stable. They said the militants managed to escape under the cover of darkness. However, a search operation has been launched in the area to nab the militants. Al-Jehad militant outfit that was operating in Kashmir in early 1990s has claimed responsibility for the attack. They have circulated posters in some areas of Baramulla claiming that they have hurled grenade at SF in the evening.

J&K Police said that it arrested two persons and recovered FICN worth of INR 92,000 along with the electronic items used for counterfeiting the currency in Srinagar. A Police spokesman said that during the investigation of the case, a printer used for counterfeiting, a laptop, stamp papers, ATM cards, papers and cheque books were recovered from the possession of Abdul Rouf at Rajbagh in Srinagar city. “Pertinent to mention here that during the investigation of the case, Rs 92,000 fake currency notes have been seized so far and two persons arrested,” he said.

A CRPF constable of 195th battalion, identified as Hemant Boro, was injured in an IED blast, triggered by of the CPI-Maoist cadres near Chikpal village under Katekalyan Police Station in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The incident took place when CRPF and the DRG had launched the operation in the interiors of Katekalyan.

Cadres of the CPI-Maoist were attempting to raise a new armed group along the Madhya Pradesh-Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh tri-junction as they continue to face the heat at their stronghold in Bastar region, an official of the UMHA stated. The official said the new unit, ‘Vistara Platoon,’ was trying to gain a foothold at the tri-junction, which has lesser deployment of SFs than the seven Districts in the Bastar division of Chhattisgarh, said to be one of the last Maoist bastions. An official of the CRPF said the forces had opened new camps in the once-inaccessible Bastar region to “squeeze out” the CPI-Maoist cadres. The official added, that the focus of SFs will be on the South Bastar-Sukma region and Dantewada and Bastar Districts. There are more than 160,000 CRPF personnel deployed in Chhattisgarh, of which 130,000 concentrate on a 40,000 square kilometres area in Bastar, known for rich mineral deposits of iron ore, granite, tin and corundum.

The Mumbai Police is believed to have identified a Naxal link to a well-entrenched marijuana trafficking operation. Officers in the Mumbai Police claimed that they have identified a Naxal "levy manager" who uses the proceeds from the sale of marijuana to fund Naxal activities in Chhattisgarh and Odisha. The manager, identified as Narayan Sahu, is still at large, but the ANC arrested his compatriots -- Indrapradhan Laddukishor, Prashant Jena, Kalia Prakash and Narayan Dhanurjay - from Kalyan on September 23 and seized 28 Kilogram of marijuana in their possession. The Police said that Sahu, along with Indrapradhan, was in charge of collection of funds, mostly from cities such as Mumbai. He directed the movement of marijuana from the Naxal-controlled Districts of Malkangiri, Ganjam and Gajapati, in southern Odisha, into Mumbai. Indrapradhan, in turn, arranged for the necessary "human resource requirements" at the delivery end. "Both Indrapradhan and Sahu ensured the supply chain links remained intact until the consignments reached designated targets," said a police officer. Police officials are working out leads to establish if Sahu is related to an active Naxal who is part of the "unofficial administration" responsible for collection and levying of "taxes" on the AOB. According to the Police, Naxals "supervise the cultivation" of marijuana on the AOB.

Police recovered sophisticated arms along with ammunition from the forest in Dosogre Chipitgittim area of South Garo Hills District.  The GNLA cadre, Bande Ch Marak who was arrested on September 29 from South Garo Hills District led to the recovery of arms and ammunition which the GNLA cadre had hidden in the village from where he was arrested.

Three persons were arrested from a village near Indo-Bangladesh border in Tripura in connection with “trafficking” of Rohingyas. Acting on a tip-off, sleuths of Assam and Tripura Police and BSF personnel raided Nabadwip Chandra Nagar village in West Tripura District on October 2 night and arrested Suman Chowdhury (35), Faruk Chowdhury (32) and Sahjahan Choudhury (38), SP, Sipahijala District, Sudipta Das said.

October 3

One person, identified as Kranti Chaudhary was arrested in Betiah, Bihar along with FICN worth INR 50,000. Chaudhary also revealed that he procures FICN from Nepal. He has been involved in supplying FICN for 15 years. He disclosed that he had supplied FICN to various persons in Delhi, UP, Haryana and Punjab, etc, police said.

JeM militants carried out a pre-dawn fidayeen (suicide) attack on a BSF camp near the high-security Srinagar International Airport in Srinagar District, in which an ASI of BSF was killed and three other SFs personnel were injured. Three militants were also killed in the exchange of fire with SFs. BSF officials said an ASI of the force was killed in the attack on the 182nd Battalion camp. Two BSF jawans (troopers) and a Policeman were also injured in the attack, the officials said. The attack took place at 4.00 am, they said. JeM has claimed responsibility for the attack.

While addressing a press conference after eliminating the three fidayeen, Inspector General of Police Kashmir, Muneer Ahmad Khan said that the attackers entered the BSF camp by cutting the fence between Friends Colony and Gogoland. “They cut the fence and taking advantage of darkness entered administrative block and GOs Mess. One of them was eliminated outside the building. They were wearing Army uniform and two of them were later killed in a brief gun fight”, said Khan. “The operation was delayed to ensure zero collateral damage as there are residential houses near the camp. The operation which started at 4 am ended at 1 pm,” he said. Khan said that JeM is responsible for the attack. “The group is from JeM and they have taken responsibility as well”, he said. “They had infiltrated in July-August from Shakkarpur in Jammu. Three of them were killed in Pulwama when they attack Police Lines last month. They are now left with 6-7 members and we are looking for them and we will eliminate them”, he said. The IGP said that the JeM is a threat as they are known for doing such type of attacks. “We will deal with them differently”, he added. Khan said that the OGWs network of Jaish has been identified and they know who provided them logistics for reaching the airport and DPL Pulwama.  “We have started acting against them”, he added.

Operation against militants, who are suspected to be holed up in forests continued in Rampur sector of Uri area in Baramulla District on second consecutive day after two infiltrators, as reported earlier by SATP, were shot dead on October 2 along the LoC. In reply to a question with regard to identity of two slain infiltrators, the Commanding Officer of 21 Sikh, Col Ashutosh Mehta said that they have not recovered any such thing or paper from militants by which their outfit affiliations could be established. Asked about the number of militants that were part of the group which attempted infiltration, he said: “We think it was a group of three militants and two have been gunned down while searches are on for another one. The operation is on.”

An Army trooper was killed as Pakistani troops again violated CFA on the LoC and resorted to heavy firing in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch District. Official sources said Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked firing on Indian Army posts in Krishna Ghati sector at 12.50 pm along LoC in Poonch district, which was retaliated effectively by the Indian side, leading to heavy exchanges. Exchange of shelling and firing continued for about half an hour. While one Indian trooper was killed, there were no other casualties or damage in today’s firing on the LoC, sources said, adding that Pakistani troops were also reported to have suffered extensive damage in retaliatory firing by the Indian troops but exact details of the enemy losses were yet to pour in.

A joint team of CRPF’s 85th battalion and District Force while carrying out an area domination operation on Bijapur-Gangaloor road spotted the connection of an IED weighing two kilograms near a Government High School in Tondapara village in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. Later, the low intensity explosive, packed in a small steel container, hidden beneath the earth on a dirt track was detected there and diffused.

A joint team of CRPF's 168th battalion and local Police unearthed the five kilograms explosive from a dirt track between Sarkeguda and New Tarrem in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh, where a SFs camp is located. The explosives were defused by the bomb disposal squads.

UMHA has brought down the range of 'disturbed area' under the controversial Armed Forces [Special Powers] Act (AFSPA) 1958 in Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh following improvement in the law and order situation.

The ceasefire agreement signed by the NDFB-P with the Centre is nearing completion of 12 years, but the NDFB-P leaders have firm belief that they will have a separate state of "Bodoland" one day. Leaders of the NDFB-P on October 3 raised the statehood demand again while addressing their cadres at a conclave organised on the occasion of the 31st foundation day of the outfit at Kumguri designated camp in Serfanguri in Kokrajhar District of Assam. Over 600 cadres of the outfit are lodged in this camp which was set up in 2006. Two other camps are at Borbori in Baksa District and Sapekhaiti in Udalguri District in which around 400 cadres are staying.

MCPM said that it will organise a week long Mega Protest from November 11, 2017 to protect the ‘Indigenous people’ of the State. In a statement the outfit said that they will take all responsibility of planning and organising the protest.

A 17-year-old cadre of HNLC from Lakadong village in East Jaintia Hills District surrendered without arms before Meghalaya Police.

Surrendered GNLA cadres under the banner, UPWS, expressed concern over the delay in providing rehabilitation packages to cadres even after more than a year.

UMHA has brought down the range of 'disturbed area' under the controversial Armed Forces [Special Powers] Act (AFSPA) 1958 in Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh following improvement in the law and order situation.

The UHM Rajnath Singh raised the issue of the influx of Rohingyas from Bangladesh with the DG of BGB Major General Abul Hossain, and urged him to stop the illegal migrants from entering India. The Home Minister conveyed his request, when a delegation of BGB officials led by its DG called on Singh at his North Block Office in New Delhi on October 3.

October 4

US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said Pakistan has a "convoluted history" with terrorism. Mattis told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee that the US administration is being very clear and firm in what it expects from Pakistan and is using all aspects of the government to bring about the change, working internationally. "There are a number of lines of effort being put together now in Secretary of Treasury's office, Secretary of State's office, my own office, the intel agencies. We are also working with Secretary General Stoltenberg to ensure that NATO's equities are brought to bear," Mattis said.

US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said Pakistan has a "convoluted history" with terrorism. Mattis told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee that the US administration is being very clear and firm in what it expects from Pakistan and is using all aspects of the government to bring about the change, working internationally. "There are a number of lines of effort being put together now in Secretary of Treasury's office, Secretary of State's office, my own office, the intel agencies. We are also working with Secretary General Stoltenberg to ensure that NATO's equities are brought to bear," Mattis said. Certainly, India has a role to play as a neighbour, and potentially a very strong economic benefit to Pakistan, if Pakistan can find a way to carry out its international responsibilities and end any kind of safe haven inside their country, he noted. "There's a great deal that Pakistan can benefit economically, diplomatically, financially for its government; economically for its people; by finally sensing that the tide has shifted against this," Mattis said.

Three Army jawans (troopers), identified as Naik Ripple Mapa, Naik Lijanthung Lotha and Sepoy Kiyeka Zhamio were injured in fresh round of mortar shelling and firing by Pakistan rangers along the LoC in Poonch sector of Poonch District.  Sources said that a mortar shell fired by Pakistani troops fell close to a forward Army post in Poonch sector on October 4 morning causing injuries to three troopers, who were manning the post. Army personnel evacuated the injured and shifted them to hospital.

In Poonch sector, forward villages of Digwar, Terwan, Malati, Bigial Dara and surroundings witnessed intense shelling from 8 am to 12.30 pm while villages in Balakote sector including Balakote, Balakote Forward, Panjni, Suhala, Dabbi, Kanga, Sandot and Gulad Top were shelled during wee hours of October 4 morning. Bhawani and Lam in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district received few mortar shells in the afternoon. Authorities ordered closure of educational institutions once again in the areas falling within the range of mortar shelling and firing in Balakote and Poonch Sectors. The panic-stricken people mostly remained confined to their houses in majority of villages falling on the LoC in Poonch District, which bore brunt of the shelling.

Sources said India has been giving very strong and effective response to shelling and firing by the Pakistani troops and there have been reports that Pakistan army has suffered heavy losses, both in terms of casualties and infrastructure. Some forward posts and bunkers of Pakistan have been decimated.

DG of BSF KK Sharma warned Pakistan against its aggression in Jammu and Kashmir and said as long as it doesn’t behave, attacks like that on BSF camp near Srinagar Airport will continue. Speaking to reporters after participating in the wreath-laying ceremony of a killed BSF officer, KK Sharma said “As long as our ‘friendly neighbour’ does not behave, I think we will expect to have many more attacks”, he said. Sharma said that the attackers were targeting arms and ammunition stored at the BSF camp. “Fidayeens cannot be stopped from coming, so the response is important. Without causing collateral damage and without causing much harm to our own forces, we were able to neutralise. BSF has done a good job,” he said.

While three JeM militants were killed by BSF at Humhama camp near the Srinagar Airport on October 3, Police said the dead infiltrators were part of a group of seasoned and trained jihadis who had crossed over sometime in August, and they are bracing for more attacks. A senior intelligence officer said around 16 armed JeM terrorists had infiltrated into the Indian side. While some spread out into Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian districts of south Kashmir, three to four terrorists are believed to be in Srinagar alone. IG-Kashmir range, Munir Ahmad Khan said the group of three terrorists, who carried out the Humhama Fidayeen attack, were from the same group that struck DPL Pulwama on August 26, in which eight security personnel and three militants were killed. "Four terrorists were killed in Uri on September 25. Six to seven of them are still at large and could carry another attack," IG Khan said, adding that SFs are on high alert. Sources said the terrorists had infiltrated from two places and four more jihadis are on their radar.

According to intelligence reports, October 3's attack was carried out by 'Afzal Guru Squad', which had started out of Pulwama district and sought shelter in residential buildings in Srinagar before attacking the BSF camp. Sources said the terrorists' initial target was the Srinagar airport but they changed their plan because of the strong security arrangement there. Plus, porous fencing on the BSF camp's rear side made it a relatively easy target. IG Khan, however, denied reports of damaged fencing and said the terrorists carried out the attack by cutting the barbed fence around the camp.

According to a senior Police officer, there are nearly 70 terrorists, mostly Pakistanis, operating in north Kashmir's Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara Districts. On September 28, four Pakistani LeT terrorists had barged into the home of BSF officer Mohammad Ramzan Parray at Bandipora's Hajin area and killed him, while injuring three of his family members. Police suspect these four terrorists might have sneaked into Srinagar city. "We suspect the terrorists may have come to Srinagar from north Kashmir. We're trying to track them down," said an intelligence officer.

A group of CPI-Maoist cadres killed two civilians in Aundhi area of Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh on the suspicion of being ‘Police informers’. The victims identified as Chandan Kirsam (51) and Vinod Salame (18) were beaten and strangulated to death by Maoists late on Tuesday night, District SP, Prashant Agrawal said.

The city based SDJM court in Rourkela of Sundargarh District of Odisha, allowed the Biramitrapur Police to take the four arrested cadres of the PLFI, including former BSF Assistant Commandant Jadumani Patra, on a two-day remand. Patra allegedly used to train members of the rebel group on the use of sophisticated weapons at different centres of the organisation. The other arrested PLFI cadres are Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) employee Manu Kujur, ‘zonal committee member’ Arjun Rana alias Kapil Pathak and ‘area commander’ Karan Sai. The cadres were arrested by the Police during a combing operation in Khukhundbahal forest under the Biramitrapur Police Station in Sundargarh District on October 1. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

Police sounded a high alert across the State, especially in Districts bordering Bangladesh, in a bid to curb infiltration of Rohingya refugees into the State.  The move comes after the arrest of three Indian touts from Sonapura in Sipahijala District of neighbouring Tripura on October 3, who had helped Rohingya refugees gain illegal entry into the State.

Unidentified militants shot dead a non-local trader, Lal Babu Singh (50), near a crematorium located at Oinam Leirak at Chanchipur area under Singjamei Police station in Imphal West District. 

October 5

Army thwarted major terror attack on an Army Unit location in Akhnoor town in Jammu District, as they detected movement of the militants well in time and recovered large quantity of explosives and other material including an IED, which the militants had planted near the Unit. Sources said during area sanitization process, SFs recovered large quantity of explosive material and other items from the spot which included one fully installed IED, two mines, Army combat dresses, identity cards, sharp-edged weapons, sensitive route and other maps and various incriminating stores, which clearly indicated that the militants were planning a terror attack on “sensitive and soft targets” in Akhnoor.

Immediately after recoveries were made, Army and Police launched massive search operations in Akhnoor town and surroundings including the routes leading to the border with Pakistan to track down the militants responsible for planting the IEDs near the Army Unit. Though searches continued, there were no reports of any arrests. SFs said that alert and vigilant troops of Army observed suspicious movement close to an Army Unit location near Akhnoor market in wee hours of October 5 morning and immediately activated the “response mechanism”, wherein entire area was cordoned off and massive search operation was conducted. SSP Jammu Vivek Gupta said that Police have initiated high mechanism of alert after the reports.

Reliable sources, however, said since movement of the suspects was observed close to the Army Unit, the possible target of the militants could be the same Unit but in view of high degree of alert being maintained by the troops, the attack was thwarted and militants failed in their nefarious designs.

Police foiled a rifle snatching bid by two to three unidentified persons in down town area of Srinagar city in Srinagar District. The youth tried to snatch the SLR of a constable Fayaz Ahmad of IRP 2nd Battalion outside Jamia Masjid Srinagar at around 4.45 pm. However, he resisted and foiled the attempt. The youth later fled from the spot. Soon after the incident, a joint team of SOG, Police and CRPF arrived at the spot and started searches to nab the youth who tried to snatch the rifle.

This is the second incident of its kind in less than 24-hours as some youth snatched a rifle from an IRP constable who was guarding Khankahi Moula shrine in down town on October 4 evening.

The CPI-Maoist cadres killed a villager, identified as Imra Kabasi, from Bapanapalli under Padia Police limits in Malkangiri District of Odisha. According to reports, the Maoists dragged Imra to the nearby forest and slit his throat. The Maoists suspected Imra as a ‘Police informer’.

The Chhattisgarh Police arrested four CPI-Maoist cadres, including a couple, in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. Acting on specific inputs, a composite squad of personnel from the BSF and District Force launched a search operation in the interiors of an area under Koyalibeda Police Station limits, Kanker ASP, Jaiprakash Badhai said. On spotting the patrolling team, the Maoists tried to escape but were nabbed after a short chase in Panidobir village, he said. Those arrested were identified as Ramnath Usendi (30), Saman Singh Anchla (50), Bazaru Ram Anchla (20) and his wife Urmila Anchla (20), the ASP said. Two muzzle loading guns, a detonator, explosive powder, some splinters, electric wires, Maoist banners and other items were recovered from their possession, he said. The cadres would be interrogated to gather details about the functioning of lower rung rebels in the region, ASP, Jaiprakash added.

Plans to hand over Relief and Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Departments to the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) by December 31 was finalised at a review meeting between the Union and Assam State Government and Bodo leaders.

230 Kuki ‘chiefs’ from across the State under the aegis of Kuki Inpi (apex body of Kuki) on October 5 resolved that the scheduled tripartite talks between the State Government, Union Government and UNC should not infringe on the interest of other communities. 

The PDDC has urged all concerned to desist from including Pherzawl district in any demand for rollback of newly created districts. Pherzawl is one of the seven newly created Districts.

The decision to create seven new districts in Manipur, which led to massive protests and 139-day blockade on National Highways connecting the State, will be reviewed at a tripartite meeting called by Union Home Ministry on October 6 (today) in Senapati District. The representatives of UNC, Union and State Governments will take part in the UHM meeting. UNC, the apex political organisation of Nagas residing in the hill districts of Manipur, had staged massive protests following the creation of the new districts alleging that such a move would divide the ancestral land of the Nagas. 

Surrendered ANVC-B cadres who are yet to receive their rehabilitation package have expressed disappointment over the Meghalaya Government’s delay to act on the matter. Pointing out that those cadres who are yet to receive the package are finding it difficult to start a new life, they urged the government to speed up the process of releasing the same. The cadres have also sought the intervention of NGO and Church leaders on the matter.

TUCT at the public rally resolved to deport “ IBIs ” from Chumukedima area in Dimapur District with immediate effect. During the rally the TUCT also adopted a 10-point resolution. Social activist, Khekiye K Sema explained, “This is not a rally against Muslims but a rally against illegal Bangladeshis”. Sema pointed out that Bangladeshi immigrants were not Indians but illegal foreigners, and therefore “we are saying that they must be deported from our land.” At the end of the rally, after the adoption of the 10-point resolution, the tribal bodies also decided to form a state level body to check the influx of IBIs in the state.

October 6

Underlining their common concern over the threat from terrorism and extremism, India and EU adopted a Joint Statement on Cooperation in Combating Terrorism with a view to deepen their strategic and security cooperation. The 14th India-EU summit here saw the two sides expressing strong commitment to combat terrorism "in all its forms and manifestations, based on a comprehensive approach".

BSF DG KK Sharma said that as many as 140 vulnerable spots have been identified along the 4,096-kilometer long India-Bangladesh border from where Rohingya Muslims could cross over to India. The BSF has chalked out a detailed plan to keep a vigil on the "spillover effect of the Rohingyas crossing over to India." The security at these 140 sections has been strengthened by deploying more manpower and adding technological inputs and gadgets, diverted from other posts, he said while interacting with media at a joint conference with BGB Director General Major General Abul Hossain in New Delhi.

The two border forces concluded their four-day bi-annual DG-level talks, during which several issues like the influx of Rohingyas, smuggling of cattle, fake currency and drugs were discussed. Sharma said that the BSF, with the help of intelligence agencies, has also launched a campaign to identify and take action against the touts, who could help

Twenty Bangladeshi youngsters, believed to be in touch with Islamic terror organisation recruiters have gone missing from western Uttar Pradesh (UP) over the years, according to the revelation made in a report prepared by ATS of the UP Police, which arrested four illegal Bangladeshi immigrants linked to Bangladesh-based terror modules in the past 10 weeks. All four had taken refuge in Saharanpur and were staying in Deoband, the Islamic seminary in western UP.

IG UP ATS Asim Arun said, “Faizan went missing from Saharanpur in the first week of August. We had recovered IS literature from his room and he had even scribbled a few things on a piece of paper used for making lethal bombs”. Linked to JMB, ABT and other Islamic terror outfits, Faizan, was apparently trying to wage war against the country and had visited Kashmir valley. Through cash deposit receipts found in his room, the ATS found that Faizan had received money from different sources, regularly. “Most of the payments the group of illegal immigrants received were valued below `50,000 but we were surprised to see up to `9.80 lakh deposited in one go in accounts operated by them at Saharanpur”, the IG said. Other security agencies in the country have been alerted to look out for Mr Faizan.

A court in Jaipur (Rajasthan) awarded life sentence to Khalistan Liberation Front (KLF) terrorist, Harnek Singh for the abduction of Congress leader Ram Niwas Mirdha’s son Rajendra more than 22 years ago. Additional District Judge Pramod Malik also slapped a penalty of INR 20,000 on the convict. Harnek Singh, who belonged to terrorist outfit KLF, has been in jail since he was arrested by the Punjab Police in 2004. He was brought to Jaipur and arrested in this case on February 28, 2007. The Additional District Judge had held Singh guilty in the abduction case on October 5 and reserved the order on quantum of punishment for today (October 6).

Rajendra, was abducted on February 17, 1995 while out for his morning walk. He was later rescued by the Police in an operation.

The NIA questioned a 26-yer-old youth, identified as Amir in Mettupalayam in Coimbatore Rural District of Tamil Nadu for his suspected links with the militant group Islamic State (IS/ISIS). The youth, who is running a mobile sales and service shop, was picked up by a NIA team from Kochi in Ernakulam District of Kerala on October 6th morning. Amir, who has no criminal record in the local police stations, was taken to Mettupalayam station and questioned him. NIA officials recovered a mobile phone and five SIM cards from him. After questioning him for hours, the officials let him go. He was asked to appear before them in Kochi on October 9.

Militants shot dead at former militant, identified as Rafiq Ahmad bhat alias Dada in Tral town of Pulwama District. In the incident, Dada sustained serious bullet injury and was immediately shifted to nearby hospital where from he was shifted to Srinagar for specialised treatment. However, doctors at SMHS declared him brought dead.

A SPO, identified as Mohammad Altaf Khan and his 11-year-old son, Waqif Altaf were injured in a militant attack at Hanjin village of Kralgund in Handwara area of Kupwara District. According to Police, the militants barged into the house of Mohammad Altaf Khan and fired indiscriminately in which Altaf and his minor son Waqif Altaf were injured. Soon after the incident, a joint team of Police, SOG, Army and CRPF arrived on the spot and launched searches to nab the militants.

Authorities in Srinagar had imposed restrictions in Nowhatta, Khanyar, Safa Kadal, MR Gunj, Kralkhud, Maisuma and Rainawari Police Station areas of the city to foil protests which were called by separatists.

Pakistan has violated the CFA over 600 times so far this year (2017), the highest in the last one decade, a UMHA official said. “Pakistani troops have opened fire on Indian territories more than 600 times till September 30. Eight civilians and 16 security personnel were killed in the firing”, a UMHA official said. It is the highest number of ceasefire violations in nearly a decade, the official said.

There were nearly 450 ceasefire violations in 2016 in which 13 civilians and as many security personnel were killed. The truce between India and Pakistan along the IB, the LoC and the AGPL in Jammu and Kashmir had come into force in November 2003.

UHM Rajnath Singh ordered constitution of a high-level five-member Committee comprising officers from UMHA and J&K Government to study problems of border people on LoC and IB in the State to help Centre as well as State Governments take immediate steps to minimize their problems in the wake of heavy mortar shelling and firing by Pakistan. Sources said that a decision to constitute the high-level team was taken after Rajnath Singh, who had visited Nowshera sector of Rajouri District during his four-day J&K tour from September 9 to 12, listened to the plight of border migrants, who had shifted to Nowshera town in the wake of Pakistan shelling. Later, more people had to desert their homes from Arnia, Ramgarh and RS Pura sectors on the IB following shelling and firing, though they had returned after few days. Sources said the UMHA had asked the team to study problems faced by the people living on LoC and IB including their peace time as well as shelling time requirement and steps the Centre and State Governments can take for safety and security of the border dwellers, who become victims of shelling as they had to migrate repeatedly, which seriously affect their livelihood as well as studies of the children.

Two persons arrested for allegedly providing logistical and material support to terrorists infiltrating from Pakistan into Jammu and Kashmir for carrying out subversive activities were sent to judicial custody by a Delhi court for a month. District Judge Poonam A Bamba sent Zahoor Ahmed Peer and Nazir Ahmed Peer to jail after they were produced in the court by the NIA which submitted that they were not required for further custodial interrogation. Both the accused, residents of Wahama in Kupwara District, were arrested on September 19 by the NIA from Jammu in connection with a case registered in July 2016.

Police in Jammu and Kashmir had arrested a Pakistani national, Bahadur Ali, from Handwara in Kupwara District in July 2016 and allegedly seized a large quantity of incriminating material, including arms and ammunition, from him. The case was later handed over to the NIA. The two accused allegedly provided material and logistical support to Ali and his associates soon after their infiltration into Indian territory, the NIA said. Both the accused were local supporters of Ali and had visited Pakistan thrice and met terrorists from HM and LeT and were still in their contact, it was alleged.

The CPI-Maoist cadres have gunned down a person, identified as Dambaru Nayak, after a ‘praja court’ trial at Kurub village under Kalimela Police limits in Malkangiri District of Odisha. Dambaru was shot dead by the Maoists on the charges of being ‘Police informer’. According to reports, nearly 20 to 25 armed Maoists had come to the village and dragged Dambaru out of his home. Later, after branding him as a ‘Police informer’, they killed him before other villagers. Dambaru was earlier a Maoist sympathizer and had later surrendered before Police around two years ago.

One SF personnel snatched a firearm from a CPI-Maoist cadre and fired at the Maoists, forcing them to retreat in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. A Police official said five Maoists masquerading as villagers attacked Constable Bhimaram Kunjam at Hitwar village in Maoist-hit Kuakonda. Undaunted, Kunjam snatched the pistol and fired at them, forcing them to flee, the Police official said, adding that the Constable had gone to the village for gathering information. The official said the pistol belonged to sub-inspector who was killed in a Maoist attack in Kuakonda on February 28, 2014.

The UN has received reports of Naxalites using children to fight in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand and of terrorists burning at least 30 schools in Kashmir last year, according to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. In his annual report on Children in Armed Conflict, Guterres said, "Children continued to be affected by incidents of violence between armed groups and the government, in particular in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, as well as tensions in Jammu and Kashmir." He further said, "The United Nations continued to receive reports of the recruitment and use of children by armed groups, including the Naxalites, in particular in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand." In the report for 2015 released in 2016, the then-Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had said the Naxalites were using children as young as six in Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha and West Bengal. Guterres's report covering conflicts during 2016 was sent to the Security Council on October 5. The report recorded far more violations against children by terrorists and other armed groups than by Governments. It said there were about 4,000 verified cases involving government forces and over 11,500 by non-state armed groups in the 20 nations covered in the report. "I call upon the (Indian) government to develop appropriate mechanisms to protect children from recruitment, as well as to separate and reintegrate recruited children," Guterres said. "I also urge the Government to ensure the protection of children from any form of violence in the context of civil unrest or law and order operations." "Children continued to be killed and injured in the context of operations of national security forces against Maoist armed groups," Guterres said, but did not provide any numbers. According to the MHA, 213 civilians were killed in encounters, an increase from the 171 in 2015, but the number of children was not provided, his report said.

Police arrested one cadre of PREPAK-VC, Sapam Tiken alias Momocha alias Siroy (30) in a search operation at Keishampat Aheibam Leikai area of Imphal West district.  

The UNC demanded the State Government to state its "concrete position" on the district creation issue. UNC also demanded the nullification of the Manipur State Government constituted 'Boundary Commission’. Sources from UNC informed that tonight that though the next round of talks has been slated for November 10, the future talks on the district creation issue will depend on how the State Government respond to the objection raised by the Naga body on the constitution of the Boundary Commission .on December 8, 2016, the then Okram Ibobi Singh Government created seven new districts namely Jiribam, Kakching, Kangpokpi, Kamjong, Tengnoupal, Pherzawl and Noney.

The Joint Secretary at Union Ministry of Home Affairs (in-charge of Northeast), Satyendra Garg, visited designated camps of the UPF and KNO militants to assure them that the ongoing peace talks with the Centre would be speeded up, reports The Telegraph. Garg visited UPF camp Ebenezer at Nathaljang in Kangpokpi district and KNO camps at Cherap and Salem in Tengnoupal district. He interacted with the leaders of the umbrella organisations to seek their opinions on the ongoing talks.

An official informed that the Mizoram Government is not ready to begin the process of Bru repatriation from the first week of November as desired by the Centre for different reasons. It would not be possible to start the proposed Bru repatriation from the six relief camps in North Tripura District (Tripura) from November one for different reasons, including lack of prompt action by the Centre on fund allocation, state Additional Secretary for Home Lalbiakzama told.

Rh Raising, ‘Convenor’ of ‘Steering Committee’ which is the highest decision making body of NSCN-IM, said that the “Framework Agreement recognizes the sovereign right of the Nagas and integration of all Naga territories is the legitimate right of the Nagas”.

October 7

The Thane ATS suspects that a 23-year-old youth from Kalyan, identified as Yusuf Akhtar Shaikh, who went missing in May 2016, may have joined the Islamic State (IS). “We suspect Shaikh has joined the IS, but we have no leads. We will talk to his mother once we get his call data records,” said an officer from the Thane ATS.

However, the local Police claimed they have no such information. According to Police, Shaikh, a resident of Indira Nagar in Kalyan in Thane District, has been undergoing treatment for schizophrenia for the past few years. He left from home on May 11, 2016, after a fight with his mother. When he didn’t return till late at night, his mother filed a missing person’s complaint.

A CRPF officer, identified as ASI Anwar Ali was injured as militants fired upon a CRPF party near Malpora in Mir Bazaar area in Kulgam District in the evening. Soon after the incident, a joint team of SFs launched hunt to nab the attackers. No militant outfit so far has claimed responsibility for the attack.

SFs launched a cordon-and-search operation at Bellow village of Pulwama District during which violent clashes erupted while a local house was damaged after catching fire. A joint team of Police, Army and CRPF laid a cordon-and-search at Bellow village following inputs about the presence of some militants. Soon after the cordon, locals took to streets and pelted stones on SFs. SFs also fired tear smoke shells to disperse them. Meanwhile, house belonging to one Ghulam Ahmad Dar caught fire during the clashes.

SSP Pulwama Mohd Aslam Choudhary said the search operation was launched following inputs about the presence of some militants. After hours of clashes, SFs called off the search operation as no militant was found in the area.

The demonetisation has resulted in a sharp reduction in insurgent and terror activities in J&K where stone throwers were no longer active in the last 8-10 months, said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. The Finance Minister said following the demonetisation, there has been sharp reduction in insurgent and terror activities in States like J&K and Chhattisgarh. The terror funding itself has gotten squeezed, Jaitley said. “You are having terrorist incidents (now), but the fact that you were finding 5,000-10,000 stone throwers being provided with money by the terrorist organisations, why is it that in the last 8-10 months it has not happened?”, he asked.

Five JPC cadres were arrested by the Ranka Police during a search operation in Garhwa District of Jharkhand. The Police team also busted the camp of the Naxal group, JPC. Police recovered one country made pistol, four live cartridges, two stolen bikes, Naxal pamphlet, Police uniform, five mobile phones etc. from their possession. They arrested cadres have been identified as Amresh Chaudhry, Sitaram Chaudhry, Chhotu Chaudhry, Arun Chaudhry and Dharmendra Chaudhry, all resident of village Danda under Danda Police Station. Garhwa SP, Mohammed Arshi said the arrested JPC extremists were demanding extortion money from 22 families of the newly appointed constables in primitive tribe battalion. They had demanded INR 400,000 and a son or daughter for the organisation from all the families. Extortion money was demanded from families who are living in Ranka Bhandariya Police Station area. JPC extremists sought extortion money after distributing Pamphlets. Amresh Chaudhry was the ‘commander’ of the JPC. After killing of JPC founder ‘commander’ Kuldeep Chaudhry organisation was dead. Amresh and Sitaram are making efforts to revive it through extortion of people. JPC is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

The NIA has arrested a Jharkhand ASI of Police in connection with the case of killing of MLA, Ramesh Munda, allegedly by Naxalites, in 2008. Investigations revealed that ASI, Sheshnath Singh, had provided information about the movement of Munda to the Naxals, an NIA spokesperson said. Singh has been sent to Policy custody till October 15, he said, adding that NIA teams had also conducted searches at four locations in Ranchi. Munda was shot dead in the Bundu town of his Tamar constituency in the Ranchi District on July 9, 2008.

Five ULFA-I and GNLA militants were arrested during an operation carried out recently by Meghalaya and Assam Police. The two ULFA-I militants were identified as Simanta Rabha and Kusha Rabha of Rongjuli area of Goalpara District and were arrested from the same area. The GNLA cadres are Pillar Sangma, Philip Sangma and Nobin Sangma, the trio was arrested from Williamnagar in East Garo Hills. The modus operandi was such that GNLA Overground Workers would identify potential victims, in this case coal dealers and other businessmen, in the Nangalbibra-Jadigittim coal region of South Garo Hills and they were directed to deliver the money in Assam.

Five ULFA-I and GNLA militants were arrested during an operation carried out recently by Meghalaya and Assam Police. The two ULFA-I militants were identified as Simanta Rabha and Kusha Rabha of Rongjuli area of Goalpara District and were arrested from the same area. The GNLA cadres are Pillar Sangma, Philip Sangma and Nobin Sangma, the trio was arrested from Williamnagar in East Garo Hills. The modus operandi was such that GNLA Overground Workers would identify potential victims, in this case coal dealers and other businessmen, in the Nangalbibra-Jadigittim coal region of South Garo Hills and they were directed to deliver the money in Assam.

SFs arrested a Government of GPRN/NSCN militant, Neikhoo Tarakhano (31), from south point market in Kohima town in Kohima District. SFs recovered 28 GPRN ‘work permit’ and cash of INR 4,310. 

October 8

Report said that the shutdown was observed by traders in old town of Anantnag District for the second consecutive day amid violent clashes against alleged Police excesses. All the markets of old town of Anantnag were shut on the call of United Traders Association, an amalgam of local traders, against what they alleged Police highhandedness. They alleged that several shopkeepers were detained by Police on October 6 during stone-pelting clashes while a senior Police officer posted at Saddar police station also abused them. The traders said that they will not end their protest till the officer is transferred from the area. During the shutdown on October 8, clashes between local youth and SFs erupted in parts of Anantnag town during which Police used teargas canisters. Police have denied all the allegations of traders.

After a lull of couple of days, Pakistan in the night again violated CFA at Khari Karmara and Digwar areas of Poonch sector in Poonch District. However, there were no immediate reports of any casualties or damage on the Indian side. Official reports said Pakistan army fired few mortars and resorted to firing on forward Indian posts and villages at Khari Karmara and Digwar areas of Poonch sector at about 11 pm. The Indian side retaliated.

J&K Police arrested another militant involved in the terror attack on the SSB camp in Banihal Tehsil of Ramban District on September 20, taking the total number of arrests to four, a senior Police officer said. "Nazir Ahmad, a resident of Verinag in south Kashmir, was arrested in connection with the 20 September attack on the SSB personnel which left a head constable dead and another injured," said SSP, Ramban, Mohan Lal.

Earlier, Gazanfar Iqbal Khan and Mohammad Arif Wani, both residents of Banihal, were arrested on September 22 in connection with the attack and two service rifles, including an AK assault rifle and an INSAS rifle, snatched during the attack, were recovered from them. A third terrorist involved in the attack, Aquib Wahid of Banihal, was arrested on September 25 and a pistol along with some ammunition was recovered from him.

"The questioning of the trio led to the arrest of Ahmad who provided the weapon to them," Lal said. "Some more arrests are expected in the coming days as their interrogation is still going on," he said. He said HM had recruited the Banihal youth to set up a base in the otherwise peaceful Chenab Valley.

SFs claim to have arrested four CPI-Maoist cadres, including a woman during a joint search operation between Tindori and Dhusawad under Bhairamgarh Police Station limits in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. A joint squad of District Force and 199th Battalion of CRPF on October 7 engaged in search operation in Maoist-hit areas falling under Bhairamgarh Police Station limits spotted some suspicious persons while passing through a forest patch between Tindori and Dhusawad, who were trying their escape sensing personnel’s presence. The personnel arrested them after a brief chase. The arrestees were identified as Kumari Poyami, Jagra Benjami, Laxman Benjam and Lakhma Podiyami. According to Police, these Maoists were involved in various crimes including demolition of culvert, which was got constructed by the District Administration in association with the Police Department. 

Lohardaga District SP, Karthik S, said that he Maoists should surrender or to be ready for action. “Search for other 12 Maoists is still continuing. Those were included Sudhakaran, Nilima, Ravindra Ganjhu, Bhushan Yadav and others. They have no alternative other than to surrender. They must come forward and try to lead a normal life. They wander in jungles with arms in vain. Their family members also have to lead terrible life,” said the SP. He added that in last two years as many as 16 Maoists have surrendered and 21 children were rescued from them. “15 times the Police have confronted with the Maoists whereas 16 big arms were recovered. 25 Maoists were given punishment after trail in court. The arrest of notorious Naxal Nakul Yadav was a milestone in this thread,” he said.

The 48km India-Bangladesh riverine border on the Brahmaputra in lower Assam has become the focal point of vigil by the Border Security Force (BSF) to prevent possible infiltration by Rohingya refugees from Myanmar via Bangladesh.

GNLA ‘commander-in-chief’ Sohan D Shira is banking on his ally, the ULFA-I to fill the void left by his men who deserted him in large numbers to surrender. ULFA’s ‘deputy commander-in-chief’ Manoj Rabha alias Dristi Rajkhowa is reportedly trying to import ULFA cadres from neighbouring Assam and even Bangladesh to strengthen the group. According to Meghalaya police, as many as three cadres based in Bangladesh have crossed over and joined the ULFA ranks in GNLA hideouts.

A Junior Commissioned Officer of the Army, identified as Subedar Rajkumar was killed after he suffered a bullet injury in Drang village of Khag Tehsil of Budgam District. Defence spokesman, Colonel Rajesh Kalia said that Subedar Rajkumar received a bullet injury when the Army patrolling party came under fire on October 8th night in general area of Drang. The fire was returned. However, one Army man was killed in cross-fire.

UHM Rajnath Singh said that Indian soldiers along the India-Pakistan border had been neutralising at least five-six terrorists every day and that he has asked them to give a fitting reply if Pakistan opened fire. Singh said that he had ordered Indian soldiers not to fire at their Pakistani counterparts first, but give them a fitting reply by “firing countless bullets” if Pakistan opened fire.

SFs arrested seven CPI-Maoist cadres along with firearm and some explosives from the forest of Bechagaon village under Narayanpur police station limits in the Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. The arrested were identified as Guddu Ram Hichami (28), Deuram Hichami (25), Juru Mandavi (25), Guddu Ram Potai (21), Katia Ram Nureti (25), Budhuram Mandavi (22) and Popendra Mandavi (24). SFs also recovered three IEDs weighing 15 kilograms, six kilograms and four kilograms each, one country-made gun and other arms and ammunition from the possession of the arrested Maoists, who were allegedly tasked with collecting ration for Maoists, arranging meeting of villagers, spreading Maoist propaganda and planting IEDs to harm SFs.  

SFs have been unable to trace Bedanta Kumar Sinha, an engineer who was abducted by suspected ULFA-I rebels from his rented house at Bordumsa in Changlang district.

October 9

The NIA arrested one accused, identified as Azharudeen aka Azhar (24) for organising a terror camp in Kerala's Kannur District in 2013. The person arrested was a resident of Narath in Kerala. The counter-terror agency said the arrest involved the April 23, 2013, case when the secret training camp was organised by Thanal Foundation Trust inside one of its building to impart training in using of swords and explosives. The case was first registered by the state police, before it was taken over by the NIA in August 2013.

Stating that terrorist organisations are looking for opportunities to attack India to weaken its fastest growing economy, UHM Rajnath Singh asked the CISF to safeguard the country's strategic installations from militant attacks. Singh said the country was emerging as the fastest growing economy and it was among the top 10 economies. He said the country's economy would touch USD 5 trillion and would be among the top three economies by 2030. At present, the country's economy is USD 2 trillion, he said. "However, there are anti-India forces that did not like this. They want to weaken the country's economic growth by attacking the strategic installations. Today, the terrorist organisations are looking for an opportunity to strike India," he stated. "Terrorism is a global issue today, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi has succeeded in bringing various countries on board in this issue," he said.

LeT terrorist Abdul Karim Tunda has been pronounced guilty in 1996 Sonipat bomb blast case by Sonipat Court. The quantum of punishment will be pronounced on October 10. Twin blasts had rocked Sonipat (Haryana) on December 28, 1996, injuring around a dozen people. Tunda is also accused of masterminding over 40 cases of bomb blasts in Mumbai, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Hyderabad and Surat.

Three militants of HM including ‘district commander’ Zahid Malik alias Zahid Mir were killed a fierce encounter in Shopian District. The other two militants were identified as Irfan Abdullah Ganie and Asif Ahmad Paul. A joint team of 43 RR, SOG and CRPF launched a cordon-and-search at Gatipora village in Kellar at around 4 pm. During the searches, the hiding militants opened fire triggering an encounter. Three militants were killed in the gunfight and all the bodies along with three AK rifles were recovered from the site.

An Army soldier, identified as Vijay Kumar was injured in a mine blast on the LoC in Mendhar sector of Poonch District. The Army personnel evacuated him from the site of blast in an injured condition and rushed him to the hospital. He had sustained splinter injuries in the mine explosion, reports said. The Army jawan was part of the patrol party along LoC in Mendhar sector when he stepped over the mine, leading to a powerful blast in which he was injured.

A five-year-old boy, identified as Sipti Hyder was injured in a stone pelting incident in Pulwama District. A Police spokesperson said that the boy was injured in stone pelting by miscreants at Pahoo bridge in Pulwama, He said the injured was immediately taken to a hospital.

The ‘Chief operational commander’ of JeM, Khalid Ahmad alias Khalid Bhai alias Shahid Showkat, was killed in a gun battle in Ladoora village of Sopore area of Baramulla District. Acting on a specific input regarding the movement of JeM ‘chief operational commander’ in Ladoora area of Sopore, Police laid an ambush at Woveri Mohalla Ladoora. Khalid fired upon the naka party which was retaliated, ensuing an encounter. He was injured but managed to escape from the spot and entered into a residential house. The SFs immediately cordoned off the house and in the meanwhile CRPF and Army also joined the operation. During search, the JeM commander fired again upon the search party. The fire was retaliated and in the ensuing encounter, he was killed.

Khalid Ahmad, who is a Pakistani national, was the mastermind behind the fidayeen (suicide) attacks in Jammu and Kashmir including recent attack on BSF near Srinagar Airport (October 3, 2017) and District Police Lines Pulwama (August 26, 2017) and on 46 RR Army Camp in 2016 at Khajabagh, Baramulla (October 2, 2016). A Police spokesman said that, “Khalid alias Shahid Showkat was constantly exploring the opportunities to kill the security forces/ police personnel and to attack police/ security establishments in the State. He was motivating youth and poor boys to join his outfit for execution of grenade attacks against monetary benefits on behalf of Pak based JeM commanders.” The spokesman said that he was involved in a number of civilian killing cases and many fidayeen attacks in Kashmir valley. “The terrorist was involved in the recent attack on one SPO namely Altaf Ahmad Khan at Hajin Handwara in which the SPO along with his son and father got seriously injured”, he said.

Former Jharkhand minister Raja Peter (54) was arrested by the NIA, for allegedly masterminding and paying for the killing of his political rival Ramesh Singh Munda of JD-U in 2008 at the hands of CPI-Maoist. Peter, whose official name is Gopal Krishna Pater, was arrested following revelations by former Maoist ‘commander’, Kundan Pahan, during interrogation by the central anti-terrorism agency. Pahan (38), a former CPI-Maoist ‘zonal commander’ who surrendered before Jharkhand Police in May 2017, was a prime accused in Munda's murder. Pahan told NIA officers that Peter had paid the Maoists INR 40 million to eliminate Munda, then a sitting MLA of Tamar constituency in Ranchi District. Munda, who was previously a minister in Jharkhand's NDA-led Government by Arjun Munda, was gunned down by a group of Maoists during a school function on July 9, 2008. Two of his three bodyguards, a party colleague and a student were also killed in the attack.

A group of suspected NSCN-K militants attacked the Niausa post of the 4 Sikh regiment of the Indian Army at Longding district. No casualties were reported on either side.

Eight additional companies of Assam Rifles have been deployed along the Mizoram-Myanmar border to ensure that no Rohingya Muslims enter the State from the neighbouring country.

October 10

Suspected militants fired at a convoy of 132 Battalion of CRPF at Sanatnagar Bypass in Srinagar. The CRPF men fired back. However, militants managed to escape without causing any damage. SFs launched searches in the area against the militants who attacked the CRPF.

Army foiled a major infiltration bid of militants along the LoC in Keran sector of Kupwara District. A Defence spokesman said that Army deployed in forward posts in Keran noticed movement of a group of militants who were trying to infiltrate. The troops challenged them leading to a gun battle. However, during the search of the area, no militant or body was found. “An infiltration bid was foiled by the Army in Keran sector of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district last night,” the spokesman said. The spokesman said during the searches this morning, soldiers recovered two AK rifles, four magazines, 60 rounds, one pistol and other war-like stores. Sources said that 5-6 militants tried to sneak in but fled back under the cover of darkness when troops challenged them. Massive searches have been launched in the area to ensure that no militant managed to sneak in. Army said that over 150 militants are waiting on the launch pads for infiltration ahead of winter but troops are on high alert to foil their attempt.

Army arrested a Pakistani national, identified as Mohammad Hanif Bhat from the LoC in Shahpur sector of Poonch District. Mohammad Hanif Bhat, a resident of Mujhat Raiya in Narowal District of Pakistan, was about 50 years old and was held near the fencing. However, no recoveries were made from him. He was being questioned as to how he reached close to the LoC.

The DGP’s of four Maoist-affected States - Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh - discussed about various issues related to movement of Maoists, ganja transportation and other issues here at a resort near Bhogapuram mandal in Vizianagaram District of Andhra Pradesh. The DGPs' reportedly discussed about precautionary measures to be taken as the Naxals are gearing up for the first anniversary of the martyrs of Ramaguda encounter. The meeting reportedly concentrated on the LWEs and coordination between the States, besides discussions on present scenario of the Naxal movement.

The CPI-Maoist in Andhra Pradesh extended its support to academic Kancha Ilaiah in the backdrop of threats hurled at him following a book written by him on Vaishya community and gave a call to people and democrats to stand by him. The CPI-Maoist condemned the threats as undemocratic saying people who had objections were free to present their arguments. The threats against Prof. Ilaiah were part of a larger conspiracy by Sangh Parivar, State and Central Governments to curb voices against superstitious beliefs and unscientific thinking, a press release by CPI-Maoist’s official spokesman Jagan stated.

One woman CPI-Maoist leader was arrested during a Police operation against the Maoists in Banka District of Bihar. Police said a joint team of the CRPF, SSB and the District Police conducted a raid in the Pararia forest under Katoria Police Station of the District and arrested Parwatia Devi alias Kewali Devi, wife of slain Maoist leader Mantu Khaira. Banka superintendent of police Chandan Kushwaha said the operation was launched on a tip off that Parwatia was scheduled to come to Pararia to meet her associates. The police had to face mild protest from local residents when they took Parwatia into custody. Later, a Police team led by ASP, operation, Vimlesh Chandra Jha carried out a raid and seized around 30 kilograms of ammonium nitrate from her hideout under Chanan Police Station of the District. Mantu Khaira, a self-styled ‘zonal commander’ of the outfit, was killed in an encounter with the Police in Dahibra forest in Banka District in February 2017. Khaira was carrying a reward of INR 100,000 on his head and the Police had launched a special operation to arrest him.

District Police arrested five close aides of CPI-Maoist ‘area commander’ Maharaja Pramanik from Toklo Police Station area in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. They have been identified as Meghnath Sahu, Jagmohan Tanti, Sudhir Munda, Sukhram and Balkishan Munda. West Singhbhum SP, Anish Gupta said those arrested had resorted to poster campaigning recently.

CPI-Maoist posters calling for Odisha bandh on October 21 was recovered at Radiguma village under Kotagarh tehsil in Kandhamal District of Odisha. The posters released in the name of CPI-Maoist Odisha State Committee and put up near the Radiguma-Kotagarh road categorically warned the Odisha Government against providing water to industrial houses. Maoists had demanded water for farmers and appealed to the Chhattisgarh Government to stop barrage construction work on the upstream of Mahanadi immediately. Giving an Odisha bandh call on October 21 against the anti-people policies of the State and Central Governments, the Maoists appealed to people to join the bandh in large numbers.

The Uttarakhand Police declared a reward of INR 20,000 on information leading to the arrest of Bhaskar Pandey alias Bhuvan for his alleged involvement in CPI-Maoist activities. ADGP, Law and Order, Ashok Kumar said that the DGP has announced the reward of INR 20,000 on the arrest of Pandey, a resident of Almora District. Pandey was involved in Maoist activities in Almora and Nainital region, he said, adding the accused was involved in incidents of arson and violence in Nainisar and had several cases pending against him.

The AAPSU has asked the State government to pass legislation against the Central government’s decision to grant citizenship to the Chakma and Hajong refugees.

The 12-hour railway blockade from 5 am to 5 pm demanding the early creation of Bodoland state and ensuring political rights to the Bodos living outside the proposed Bodoland area by the ABSU, NDFB-PTF and PJACBM paralyzed the movement of train services in the Northeast.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has set a deadline to complete the fencing of India-Bangladesh border by March 2019. Disclosing this, a top unnamed Government official said on October 11 that the government has sanctioned the order to fence 3,326 Kilometre (km) of the 4,096 km long India-Bangladesh border.

An accountant of a Kopili tea estate, Kedar Nath Jha (45), was allegedly abducted by unidentified persons while he was returning to his home located at 15 kilo area under Umrangso Police Station in Dima Hasao district.

SFs arrested a militant of Lamyanba Khuman faction of KCP-MC, Palmei Lovingson (32), from Konthoujam Maning Leikai in Imphal West District.

SFs arrested another active cadre of Lamyanba Khuman faction of KCP-MC, namely Hoineilung Kamei alias Temba (38) from Konthoujam Maning Leikai in Imphal West District. One .32 revolver was seized from his possession.

Students of the DM College of Commerce staged a sit-in-protest in front of the college campus in protest against the hurling hand grenade inside the college campus in Imphal West District. The grenade did not explode.

October 11

MCOCA has been invoked against Dawood Ibrahim’s brother Iqbal Kaskar and Chhota Shakeel in an extortion case. MCOCA has been invoked against Mumtaz Shaikh, Israr Sayyad, Pankaj Gangar, Guddu and Shami in an extortion case registered at the Kasarwadavali Police Station in Thane. Because MCOCA has been invoked, Iqbal Kaskar getting released on bail becomes highly unlikely.

SPOT has been constituted to better equip UP ATS in dealing with any possible terror attack or any other kind of eventuality. The team will help in expediting cases and investigation, besides assisting in cyber monitoring of people involved in terror activities. It will also help in the de-radicalising activities, the ATS said in a release. The team would initially have 694 posts, while 316 more posts would be created for the ATS for quick intelligence compilation, internet monitoring and investigation of events, the release said. Currently, there are 264 posts in the ATS.

"The new force will be ready to deal with bold attacks (attacks on CRPF camps in Rampur, Ayodhya and Pathankot), an abduction and hostage crisis and a bomb attack situation," the ATS said. Specialised commando training would be given to the team members for countering the ultras, rescuing the victims during any such attack and also for foiling a subversive activity by responding to an intelligence input in the shortest possible time, it added. The nature of the team would be that of a high-risk operation team, the release said.

Two Army personnel and two LeT militants were killed while three SFs personnel were injured in an encounter between SFs and militants at Hajin area of Bandipora District. The slain LeT militants were identified as Ali Bhai and Nasrullah. "Terrorists opened fire on a joint party of 13 RR of Army and SOG of Jammu and Kashmir Police laying siege to Rakh (Paribal) area of Hajin today morning following inputs about the presence of about eight terrorists in the area," Defence spokesperson based in Srinagar said. "As the forces were closing in, the hiding terrorists fired upon them around 5 am, resulting in injuries to jawans. Two Garud personnel were martyred in the action. They were operating with the Army for operational experience and training," he said, adding, "Two terrorists were also gunned down and their weapons recovered."

Police arrested two Police personnel and an OGW who supplied ammunition to HM militants in Shopian District. Police said that a naka party of Police arrested Adil Ahmad Negroo near Circuit House Shopian in suspicious conditions and recovered 20 live rounds of AK-47 from his possession on October 9. “He is a strong OGW of active militant Waseem Wagay alias Saifullah and Ishfaq Thoker alias Abrar of HM outfit,” Police said. “On questioning, the said person revealed that he and his friend namely Mudasir Ahmad Mir of Okay Kulgam had received 40 rounds of AK-47 from one constable Shabir Ahmad Malik of Amshipora Shopian and posted in District Ganderbal”. Police said that Constable Shabir Ahmad Malik was arrested. “He further revealed that he had received the said 40 rounds from Constable Nazir Ahmad Najar of Kulgam who is currently posted in Kot DPL Shopian,” Police said. Shopian SP Shriram Ambark Dinkr said that both the policemen have been arrested and further investigation is on.

The CPI-Maoist cadres allegedly blasted the BSNL cell tower at Darakonda area under GK Veedhi Police Station limits in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. Police suspected that a group of armed Maoists, including militia members, moved into the Darakonda area and blasted the equipment of cell tower to disturb the communication system and fled from the spot.

The Charla Police arrested one Madivi Pinnu alias Srinu (30) of Pouruguda in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh, on charge of acting as a courier for CPI-Maoist cadres from Charla tehsil of Khammam District of Telangana. The Police said they held him during a vehicle checking drive while he was travelling on a bicycle at Lenin Colony in Charla mandal. A consignment of medicines valued at INR 10,000 meant for the Maoists based in the neighbouring State was seized from his possession, Police said.

SFs arrested a militant belonging to PLA, ‘corporal’ Sorokhaibam Bedarjit Singh alias Ibungotomba alias Momosana (28), from Lilong Chajing area in Imphal West District.

Two Chinese nationals, who were detained for visiting the State without having the PAP, were released by the court. The Chinese nationals were detained at foreigner check post of Tulihal International Airport on October 7.

October 12

SFs deployed along India's borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar have been alerted by the Indian Government to remain extra vigil to foil attempts by Rohingyas to enter India, a home ministry official said. In a communication, the UHM asked the BSF, deployed along the 4,096-km Indo-Bangladesh border, and the Assam Rifles, which guards the 1,643-km Indo-Myanmar border, to intensify vigil. The two border guarding forces were asked to remain extra vigilant so that no illegal immigrant could enter India, the home ministry official said.

A soldier and a civilian porter were killed as the Pakistani army opened fire on Indian positions on the LoC in Krishna Ghati sector in Poonch District. Sources said five soldiers were also injured in the ceasefire violation. The Defence PRO said the Pakistani army resorted to unprovoked firing with small arms and automatics and the Indian Army retaliated strongly. The firing stopped in the afternoon. The slain soldier has been identified as Sepoy TK Reddy (21) from Obulapuram village of Andhra Pradesh. The porter has been identified as Mohammed Zahir (22), a resident of Kalali village in Rajouri District of Jammu and Kashmir.

Two girls suffered injuries after militants lobbed a grenade towards Rani Beauty Parlour near Shaheed Park in Pulwama District. Confirming the incident, Pulwama SSP, Mohammad Aslam Choudhary said the grenade was aimed at the parlour and two girls working there were injured. The SSP said the parlour was also damaged. He said some youth later assembled at Shaheed Park and threw stones on SFs, forcing the Police to fire tear smoke shells. Reportedly, posters of militant outfits had surfaced in and around the beauty parlour, asking it to shut down or face dire consequences.

Militants had robbed a J&K Bank branch at Marhama in Sangam area of Anantnag District.

Personnel of the CRPF seized a huge cache of arms during a special operation against the CPI-Maoist in Gaya District of Bihar. Acting on a tip off, a CRPF team headed by Commandant Ankit Kumar launched an operation in Chakarbandha forest in Gaya, during which, the team detected a tunnel near Tartua village, which the Maoists used for storing arms and ammunition. Three semi-automatic rifles each of .12 bore, a country-made rifle, a country-made pistol, seven cartridges, hand grenades and explosives were recovered from the tunnel. A walkie-talkie and wires in large quaintly were also seized. The arms were stored in the forest to carry out an attack by the Maoists on the SFs. Though some armed squad members of the banned outfit were present in the forest, they preferred to disperse from the spot after leaving behind their weapons.

The Police arrested a CPI-Maoist cadre carrying a reward of INR 300,000 on his head in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. Punem Sona (30), who was active as ‘Deputy Commander’ of the LOS of Maoists, was arrested from a forest near Futapalli village under Usoor Police Station area, Police said. Acting on specific inputs about the presence of Sona in Futapalli village, a team of local Police had launched a search operation near the area. Sona was wanted in four Maoist-related incidents, including attempt to murder, arson and loot, a Police official informed.

The Police arrested three PLFI cadres from Khunti District of Jharkhand. Acting on a tip-off that some active PLFI cadres have assembled at Balo under Murhu Police Station, SP, Ashwini Kumar Sinha constituted a Police team to conduct a raid. The Police team reached the spot and arrested three cadres, identified as Devendra Gope, Mangra Barjo and Linus Kundalana, the SP said. During interrogation the cadres admitted that they had assembled at Balo to hand over the organisations letterhead and a mobile phone to Bagrai Champia, the ‘area commander’. The letterhead, a mobile phone and a motorcycle without a registration number were also seized, Sinha said. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist. 

Three other PLFI cadres were arrested from Sawda village under Karra Police Station limits in Khunti District of Jharkhand. The cadres were identified as Kisto Kashyap, Anand Munda and Anup Verma. The Police also recovered a motorcycle, two mobile phones and six PLFI leaflets from them. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist. 

Jailed CPI-Maoist ‘commander’ Kundan Pahan during interrogation by the NIA has revealed that he was given INR 50 million to kill former Jharkhand Minister Ramesh Singh Munda in 2008. According to Police, Pahan admitted to taking the contract given by former Minister Gopal Krishna Patar alias Raja Peter to kill the then JD-U legislator Munda. Police also said the deal was struck between the ‘politburo’ of the CPI-Maoist and Raja Peter. Along with Raja Peter, NIA has arrested ASI, Sheshnath Singh in the Munda killing. Singh was the bodyguard of Munda and he allegedly passed on information about the movement of Munda to Maoists.

A ULFA-I cadre, Dharmendra Moran alias Mukti Axom, surrendered before Tinsukia Police.

The coordinating body of the Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee launched a campaign here to create awareness and garner support for the demand to include Meiteis in the ST list. The coordinating body, a conglomerate of several citizen organisations, has been spearheading the campaign.

SFs arrested a KCP-Noyon cadre, Damu (38), at PVCP in Khudengthabi of Tengnoupal District.

October 13

The ED said it has attached assets worth INR 5,00,000 in Karnataka in connection with a money laundering probe in a terror financing case involving IM. The central probe agency said the attachment, issued under the provisions of the PMLA, includes a residential property in Mangalore “belonging to the persons involved in terror financing” who were also “linked” to a Pakistani.

The ED said that a person named Dheeraj Sao got cash deposits in his bank accounts from various parts of the country for a commission. “After keeping his commission, he (Sao) used to transfer the remaining amounts to bank accounts of persons associated with terror outfit Indian Mujahideen such as Zubair Hussain, Aysha Banu, Raju Khan and others,” it alleged.

The agency said it tracked the crime money and found that Banu and Hussain had acquired a residential property at Panjimogeru in Karnataka’s Mangalore. “All the accused were linked to Pakistani national Khalid and as per his directions had opened accounts in various banks to receive money and transfer the same to members of terrorist outfit IM after deducting their commission...In all these accounts, mostly cash money had been deposited by unknown persons from various locations in India other than the home branch and the cash deposits were withdrawn immediately through ATMs and used for terror activities,” the ED said.

In second incident of its kind within 24 hours, militants raided another bank and decamped with nearly INR 2 lakh in Shopian District. Police sources said that three masked militants at about 11.20 am barged into Ratnipora branch of Jammu and Kashmir Bank in Shopian and decamped with a cash amount of INR 1,93,000. Sources said that the militants also beat up peon of the bank and managed to escape before arrival of the SFs. A Police official said that the militants involved in the robbery have been identified as Mohammad Abbas Bhat, Ishfaq Thoker and Zubair Turray. He said the trio is associated with HM and have been identified on the basis of “human and technical intelligence”.

A JeM militant, Gulzar Ahmad Dar, who targeted Public Works Minister, Naeem Akhtar, in Tral on September 21 killing three civilians and injuring 30 others, was arrested by SFs from Naristan village in Tral in Pulwama District. One Chinese pistol was recovered from his possession.

Police said that Dar joined JeM after hurling a grenade upon motorcade of R&B Minister at Bus Stand Tral in which 3 civilians were killed and 30 persons including 7 CRPF and 2 Police personnel were injured. Police said that during sustained questioning, Dar admitted that he had hurled grenade on the instructions of JeM ‘commander’ Mufti Vikas, resident of Pakistan and Noor Mohammad Tantray, resident of Darganie Gund, Tral in Pulwama District. “Pertinent to mention here that the said terrorist was earlier active with JeM outfit in 2014 and he has lobbed a grenade at bus stand Tral in which five persons lost their lives on 5th of December 2014. A case FIR number 121/2014 under Section 307/RPC, 2/5 explosive substance already stands registered in Police Station Tral. He was arrested and released after 2 years in January 2017”, Police said. During questioning, Dar admitted that his four associates, all foreign militants, are hiding in a hideout in Pastuna forest Tral area of Pulwama District. SFs immediately launched a search operation in the forest area. During searches, militants hiding in the hideout fired upon the search party. The fire was retaliated but taking advantage of the dense forest, they managed to escape from the hideout.

Clashes erupted during cordon and search operation launched by the SFs in Vijpara locality of Hajin in Bandipora District. The residents pelted stones on the SFs during the operation. SFs fired dozens of tear smoke shells and pellets, triggering clashes.

The ninth Anuradha Ghandy Memorial Lecture to mark 50 years of the ‘Naxalbari uprising’ was conducted at the Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh in Mumbai of Maharashtra. The public lecture series is conducted every year in honour of Anuradha Ghandy, who died of cerebral malaria in 2008 while working with tribal women in Jharkhand, also one of the founders of the CPI-ML. The event features various speakers – often intellectuals and activists from the Left – to speak on socially relevant issues. This year, to mark the half-centenary of the revolutionary Naxalite movement, the lecture was attended by revolutionary poet and writer Vara Vara Rao from Andhra Pradesh and Left-Wing leader Tilak Dasgupta from West Bengal. “Nowhere else in the world will you find a continued class struggle that has lasted so many years,” Vara Vara Rao said, speaking at the memorial lecture, while, writer Tilak Dasgupta described the 50-year-old Naxal movement as one that is about the revolutionary seizure of power by the people, and a movement that has brought peasants, workers, Dalits and Adivasis to the forefront of the political arena, as independent actors.

Spokesperson of AOBSZC of the CPI-Maoist, Jagabandhu, in an audio tape released to media, denied role of its cadres in the gang rape of a minor at Sorispadar forest near Kunduli Haat under Pottangi Police limits in Koraput District of Odisha on October 10. The CPI-Maoist strongly condemned the incident and called for Koraput bandh on October 16, in protest against the atrocity of the SF personnel on innocent villagers. 

At least ten people sustained injuries when a hand grenade exploded at Tera Lukram Leirak under Lamphel Police Station, Imphal West District.

SFs recovered a huge cache of arms from a hut in a jungle near Sabual village in Lawngtlai district. The arms recovered included, two AK-47 rifles, one 1.9 mm carbine, one 1.22 rifle, 14 different magazines, 674 rounds of bullets and 36 detonators, two sets of walkie-talkie and a compass. Police suspect that the arms were hidden by insurgents groups operating in the area.

October 13-14

NSCN-K ‘chairman’, Khango Konyak was ‘unanimously elected’ as the new ‘chairman’ of the UNLFWSEA. A press note issued by UNLFWSEA publicity committee comprising of ‘colonel’ Isak Sumi of NSCN-K, NDFB ‘foreign secretary’, NE Esara and Jibon Singha Koch of the KLO informed that the decision was made during the general session of the UNLFWSEA, hosted by NSCN-K at Taka CHQ.

October 14

Two LeT militants, including its ‘district commander’, Waseem Ahmad Shah alias Abu Usama Bhai and his associate Nisar Ahmad Mir were killed in an encounter, while a civilian was killed in the clashes that followed in Litter village in Pulwama District. According to sources, SFs cordoned off Litter village in after inputs about the presence of militants in the village. The militants were hiding in the house of former militant Pintu Malik and when the SFs encircled the house, the holed up militants opened fire on the SFs resulting in an encounter lasted for over an hour in which two militants were killed.

One civilian, identified as Gulzar Ahmad Mir was also killed and four others were injured as clashes broke out between protesters and SFds in Litter area of Pulwama District after killing of two LeT militants. SFs used teargas, pellets and fired some gun shots in which one civilian was killed and four others were injured. The slain was hit by a bullet and succumbed in hospital. However, a Police spokesman said that the civilian was hit during cross firing.

Large number of people attended the funeral of both the militants in their respective villages. Major parts of Pulwama and Shopian Districts observed shutdown. The authorities also downgraded mobile Internet services to 2G in both the Districts. Police said that the day passed off peacefully.

A Police constable, identified as Khurshid Ahmad Tak was killed after militants opened indiscriminate fire on Police vehicles at DH Pora area of Kulgam District. A Police spokesman said that a Police team on duty for medical  camp, comprising the AST team and a bunker vehicle while returning from duty was fired upon by the hiding militants at Nandinarg crossing in DH Pora area of Kulgam District. “The police party retaliated and due to brave retaliatory action, Police foiled the attempt of weapon snatching conspired by the militants,” he said. The spokesman said that during attack, driver of the AST vehicle Khurshid Ahmad Tak got injured in the firing of the militants. “Despite being injured, he displayed conspicuous act of courage by successfully taking the vehicle out of arch of fire and saved life of others. He attained martyrdom in the process,” he said.

The spokesman denied that the attack was on cavalcade of MLA Noorabad. “The news item regarding the attack on the Honorable legislator Noorabad is incorrect and is denied,” he said, adding that perpetrators behind this attack have been identified as Gulzar Paddar group and Umar Majid Ganie group of HM. “In this connection investigation was also set into motion,” he said.

For third consecutive day, Pakistan Army violated CFA along the LoC in Poonch District targeting civilians in Balakote sector of Mendhar tehsil in which three children, all from a family, were injured after a mortar shell exploded inside their house. “Several civilian areas were heavily shelled by Pakistan from 6.30 pm till late tonight. Indian side retaliated effectively to silence the Pakistani guns,” sources said. Sources said Pakistani troops started firing mortars and bullets with automatic and semi-automatic weapons directly targeting civilian areas including Balakote, Balakote Forward, Tarkundi, Langiot, Kanga, Sandiot, Khanetar, Dhar Galoon and surroundings in Balakote sector of Mendhar tehsil in Poonch district at 6.30 pm. Three children of the Police constable, who were injured in mortar explosion, have been identified as Tahira Naseeb (16), Tariq Naseeb (14) and Rafiq Naseeb (8). Sources said condition of Tahira was serious.

Former CPI-Maoist cadre Tarkeshwar Paswan (46) was injured when three Maoists attacked him at Thathan Bujurg village in Vaishali District of Bihar. Tarkeshwar, once considered close to self-proclaimed ‘zonal commander’ of the Maoist, Musafir Paswan, was attacked when he was sitting at a tea stall at Hanuman Chowk, close to the National Highway-77 stretch connecting Hajipur with Muzaffarpur, around 7.30am. Three assailants in a motorbike reached the spot and sprayed bullets from a sophisticated weapon on Tarkeshwar inflicting three bullet injuries. Agitated over the incident, a group of Tarkeshwar's supporters blocked the road and paralysed traffic for over four hours. Tarkeshwar was involved in Maoist-related incidents since 1990. Several villages such as Thathan, Thathan Bujurg and Asadharpur were his areas of operation. Sources, however, said Tarkeshwar had developed good relations with the Police in the region, which angered senior members of the outfit. "He was being touted as an informer of the police."

NIA arrested four senior officials of the Nagaland Government for their alleged involvement in collecting ‘tax’ from various Government organizations on behalf of the NSCN-K and diverting Government funds to militants.

SFs busted a militant module with the arrest of three militants - two from the LeT and one from the HM - from Kulgam area of Kulgam District. IGP Muneer Khan said that “On October 14, two terrorists with the intention to snatch weapons of personal security guards of a protected person fired few rounds at Kund in Qazigund area. But they had to beat a retreat due to hue and cry raised by locals.” He said on receipt of this information, a joint party of the Police, Army and the CRPF established a check point and nabbed the two militants, who were riding on a motor cycle. “They were identified as Khursheed Ahmad Dar and Haziq Rather. One pistol, some ammunition and a live grenade were recovered from their possession. They belong to LeT,” he added.

IGP Muneer Khan said an OGW of militants, Rameez Yatoo, who works in a medical agency in Kulgam, was arrested. “Arms and ammunition were recovered from his home. He had helped the militants in carrying out the attack on the Police vehicle at Damhal Hanjipura on Saturday (October 14) in which one cop had lost his life,” the IGP said adding the attack was carried out by militants of HM.

The IGP added that the number of militants in Kashmir has come down due to continued successful operations. “As far as the number is concerned, again the number of militants has certainly decreased after continuous successful operations. The militants who are in field we will face them and what is the strategy for them we will formulate that but our main concern is recruitment. We want that there should be no further recruitment. And I have been telling you this thing that previously also and I reiterated today that we target the leadership of militants and one of the reasons for that is these leaders are more involved in recruitments for their cadres and that is our concern”, he said. Khan said the offer of surrender to local militants still holds good and there has been excellent response to their offer. “There has been excellent and tremendous response to our appeal which we made last time. As far as coming and surrendering before us is concerned, it is not important and necessary and mandatory that we disclose every surrender. We have to keep certain things up our sleeves and disclose the things at appropriate time because we have to see and care for security of surrender (militant) as well”, he said.

October 14-15

Normal life in the State was severely hit during the total shut down called by various militants groups of the region against the ‘annexation’ of Manipur to the Indian Union. CoRCom a conglomerate of RPF, UNLF, PREPAK and PREPAK-Pro observed as ‘National Black day’ and called total shut down from midnight October 14-October 15.

KYKL, KCP and the NLFT have called a total shut down in Tripura and Manipur from October 14 midnight till 6 pm of October 15 as a show of resistance to the alleged Indian colonial rule which came into effect since October 15, 1949.

October 15

Pakistani army, in another violation of CFA, resorted to indiscriminate unprovoked firing targeting forward Indian posts and civilian areas on LoC in Keran sector in Kupwara District. Indian troops also retaliated, sources said. A SF trooper was reportedly injured in the Pakistani firing, they said, adding that the casualties suffered by Pakistani troops was not immediately clear.

SFs launched a massive search operation the woods to foil any infiltration attempt from PoK under the cover of Pakistani troops firing.

The Police arrested four CPI-Maoist cadres, identified as Nar Singh (25), Mani Ram Markam (22), Sunder Singh (30) and Sukku Ram (35), during a search operation in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. Three muzzle-loading guns, an IED weighing two kilograms, some explosive powder, splinters, electric wires, Maoist pamphlets and literature were recovered from their possession, Police said. The cadres were arrested from Alparas village under Koyalibeda Police Station limits, when a composite squad of personnel from the BSF and District Force was out on a search operation, Kanker's SP, K L Dhruv said.

There has been a 52.6 per cent drop in incidents of CPI-Maoist violence between 2010 and 2016, according to MHA data. Incidents of Maoist violence fell 22.5 per cent in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the same period last year, according to MHA figures published in September 2017. Police cases were registered for 625 incidents–compared to 807 in 2016–over this period, from assault and murder to arson. In a review meeting held in early 2017, the CPI-Maoist concluded that its armed struggle was undergoing a “difficult” phase. There are 16 Maoist strongholds across India, and the resolution spoke of “setback” in some, and the movement having become “weak” elsewhere. 

The spread of the Maoist movement across India, which grew in the last decade, appears to have been arrested, as per CPI-Maoist documents. The party’s traditional bastions, once considered unshakeable, too have been affected. The party’s ‘Central Committee’ (CC) oversees the functioning of four regional bureaus–northern, eastern, central, and south-west. These bureaus in turn monitor and coordinate Naxalite activity of three panels–the ‘Special Zonal Committees’ (SZCs), the ‘Special Area Committees’ (SACs) and the ‘State Committees’ (SCs) or ‘Leading Committees’ (LCs). The CC’s assessment is that in the northern bureau–comprising Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh–the party’s grip is “very weak”. In the eastern pocket–Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Assam–it is “weak/ (suffering a) setback”. In central areas, the forested Dandakaranya area in central Chhattisgarh, once considered an unbreachable Maoist stronghold, has been declared “difficult” for extreme left wing activities. Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Telangana have been categorised as “weak” or “setback”. Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, states in the party’s south-western bureau, are all down to “stagnation with only mass organisation activity”.

The Maoist movement in India appears to be facing its biggest challenge from a new quarter–ageing leadership. Seven of the 19 members of the CC are above 60 and a few are coping with health issues. Party ‘general secretary’ Muppalla Laxmana Rao aka Ganapathy, is now 66, and the senior-most leader of the team, Prashant Bose, is 69. At its February 2017 meeting, the CC decided to pull ‘veterans’ at all levels out of the job of leading the movement in the jungles. The party would, however, use their services in different ways and ensure that they were “respected” and “supported” by the rank and file. “In areas where Government offensive is serious and we are unable to protect our leadership, we should send them to villages or urban centres which are unaffected by revolutionary movement,” the resolution said. This move to villages and cities would also allow ailing senior leaders to seek medical help, it added. The party, known for its secrecy, would contact relocated or transferred leaders once in six months, as per the party’s document.

The Police arrested four CPI-Maoist cadres while carrying out combing operations at Elkanur forest in Malkangiri District of Odisha. The arrested cadres who are yet to be identified are suspected for the killing of Dambrudhar Nayak, former ward member of remote Kurub village under Kalimela block in the District on October 7 on suspicion of being a ‘police informer’. Dambrudhar, who was a member of the CPI-Maoist, had quit the outfit a couple of months back and engaged himself in road construction works as a petty contractor.

SFs arrested a NSCN-K militant, Yugdi alias Dangche Cena, in Jairampur circle in Changlang District. A pistol and live ammunition were also recovered from his possession.

Union Minister for State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju  asserted to protect the rights of the indigenous people of Arunachal Pradesh and not to let them down at the cost of Chakma and Hajong Refugees

Several organisations, representing nearly 40 lakh indigenous Muslims of Assam  urged the State Government to constitute a committee for their inclusion in the NRC 1951, as original inhabitants.

The State Government will keep vigil in the run-up to the Assembly polls in the wake of recent reports of ULFA-I gaining ground in Garo Hills with the support of GNLA. Chief Secretary Y Tsering said though Police have control of law and order in Garo Hills, the Assam-based militant groups, especially ULFA-I, may become more active during the polls.

Union Government interlocutor for Naga talks, RN Ravi asserted that the territorial boundary of any of the States of the region would not be affected while finding a solution to the Naga political issues.

The CPI-Maoist cadres hijacked a motor launch and took its driver hostage in the cut-off region of Chitrakonda in Malkangiri District of Odisha, when the vessel was on its way to Kunturpadar carrying grocery items for the IRB forces. While the launch was about four kilometres from its destination, a group of 30 to 40 armed Maoists led by Koraput Dalam ‘chief’ Sudhir and other leaders like Anil and Sarita hijacked it near Kathagada village and took it to Orapadar. The Maoists took the driver, Ghasi Pangi, hostage for some hours and later assaulted him for allegedly carrying the grocery items for Para-military personnel before setting him free. A native of Kathagada village, the launch driver was also warned by the Maoists not to help the SFs in future. 

Maoists have issued a diktat asking villagers to join the organisation in a bid to strengthen their outfit through posters and letters found at Badatekguda under Kalimela block in Malkangiri District of Odisha. Through the posters and letters, the Maoists demanded that at least 10 from each village must join the Maoist camps. In violation of the order, the villagers would be awarded death sentence, they warned. The letter also mentioned that at least 10 people from each village must meet the Maoists and join their organisation at the Helkanur hill on October 25. Besides, the Maoists, who have surrendered before the Police, have been asked to return to the cadre. The Maoists also threatened that ‘Police informers’ would never be spared. The Maoists’ diktat was issued after a number of militias belonging to their Kalimela Dalam cadre in Malkangiri surrendered before the Police in the past few months.

SFs arrested a NSCN-R militant, Corporal and ‘Town Commander’ (Changlang town) Hangnong Pangtha, in Changlang town in Changlang District.

The Police rescued one person, identified as Devender Kumar Sinha who was abducted by the NSCN-IM militants from his rented accommodation at Bordumsa in Changlang District on the evening of October 8. Sinha, an employee of Voyants Solutions Pvt Ltd was escued from the Neotan jungle area under Miao Circle in Changlang District.

The rank and file of the Manipur based Hmar militant formation, HPC-D have endorsed the proposed framework agreement made during peace talks with the Mizoram Government

October 16

Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj met Pakistan High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood and discussed the current state of affairs in bilateral relations with Mahmood, who officially took charge as Pakistan's envoy to India only last month. Swaraj also touched upon India's concerns over cross-border terrorism and asked for Islamabad to quickly bring to book the accused in Mumbai and Pathankot terror attacks. Swaraj is also learnt to have mentioned the need for Pakistan to review its position on Kulbhushan Jadhav, the alleged Indian spy who remains in Pakistan's custody.

A PDP worker and former Sarpanch, identified as Mohammad Ramzan Sheikh was killed by HM militants in his house at Huomhuna village in Imam Sahib area of Shopian District while one of the militant was killed by the sons of PDP worker in the scuffle. Sources said that at least three HM militants barged into the house of Mohammad Ramzan Sheikh in the night. As the militants called out PDP worker, his sons accompanied him but militants shot Sheikh wounding him critically. Sons of the PDP worker snatched rifle from one of the militants in scuffle and fired from it killing a militant of HM, identified as Shoukat Ahmad Kumar of Trenz Shopian. Sheikh was rushed to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Senior Police and Army officials reached the spot and massive searches have been launched against the other two militants, who managed to escape from the scene.

Stating that Pakistan was encouraging cross border terrorism against neighbours as a State policy, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu urged the world community to isolate States that sponsored terrorism. ”Our neighbour has made a state policy to aid, fund and train terrorists,” Naidu said in his address at the  33rd raising day of the NSG at the Manesar Garrison in Gurgaon in Haryana. Naidu said it was high time that the international community put up a joint front against the menace. He stressed on the fact that terrorism knows no religion or boundaries and nobody should be allowed to get away with acts of violence in the name of ideology. The Vice-President emphasised on the importance of information and its confirmation over other aspects such as arms and ammunition in anti-terror related operations, as intelligence forms the basis of how the counter action has to be executed. 

Gampa Lova Srinu (29) was killed by the CPI-Maoist cadres on the AOB near the Korukonda tribal hamlet, in Balapam panchayat of Chintapalli mandal in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. Srinu was killed by the Maoists suspecting him to be a ‘Police informer’, Police said. Srinu had gone to Korukonda tribal market, where he ran a small business and while returning home, a group of Maoists, believed to be members of the Korukonda Area Committee, abducted and later killed him, Police added. Chintapalli CI, A Chandrasekhara Rao said a letter was found near the body, which was written by Ramana, ‘secretary’ of Korukonda Area Committee.

The PLFI cadres shot dead a contractor after he refused to pay them extortion money at Diha village under Guraru Police Station area in Gaya District of Bihar. Police said contractor Ramadhar Singh was allegedly shot dead by armed squad of the outlawed, after he refused to pay the "levy" demanded by them. The Police said Singh on way to the construction site from his house when three suspected PLFI cadres intercepted him near Diha village and shot him dead. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist. 

Police arrested two CPI-Maoist cadres, identified as Sitaram Majhi (23) and Mahasingh Sardar (26) from Kalajore village under Kandra Police Station area in Seraikela-Kharsawan District of Jharkhand. The Police also recovered a country-made pistol, two live cartridges, a can-bomb weighing 15 kilograms and 300 metres of electric wire for detonating the IED.

An IRB jawan was injured in an encounter with TPC, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, cadres in Balumath in Latehar District of Jharkhand. Based on information that some Naxalites had assembled at Hundi village, DAP personnel had rushed to the spot last night. As soon as the team reached the area, TPC cadres started firing at the Police, forcing them to open fire in retaliation, SP, Dhananjay Singh said. One IRB jawan, identified as Vikash Kumar, received a bullet injury on his chest and was airlifted to Ranchi.

The ongoing Assembly session of Arunachal Pradesh will hold a special discussion on the Chakma-Hajong issue which has been a major concern among the State's organisations. Chief Minister Pema Khandu said that his Government respected the emotions of the people and had not moved away from its stand on the Chakma-Hajong issue. He appealed to the people to "wait and watch" the Assembly proceedings, which would raise the issue of Chakmas and Hajongs of Arunachal Pradesh in view of the Supreme Court''s directive to grant them Indian citizenship.

Police arrested a militant of PREPAK-Pro, ‘sergeant major’ Thongam Anand alias Iku alias Binod (25), near Moreh Gate Number 2 in Tengnoupal District.

October 17

The house of PDP worker and former Sarpanch, Mohammad Ramzan Sheikh, who was killed on October 16 by HM militants, was set ablaze by a mob in Shopian District. Around 200 youth from Trenz village of Shopian District after completing last rites of Showkat Falahi, a HM militant, killed on October 16 in a scuffle after militants killed Ramzan, marched to Homun village of Nagbal in Shopian and set the house of the PDP worker on fire. The youth first sprinkled petrol on the house of the slain PDP worker and then set it on fire. The house and two cow sheds were gutted in the blaze and Police immediately reached the spot. The family of Ramzan had fled away in the morning after completing his last rites.

SFs cordoned off Parray Mohalla of Hajin area of Bandipora District. However, the operation was called off after youth pelted stones on SFs personnel during the operation. The operation was launched in the wee hours in Parray Mohalla Hajin area in wee hours after receiving inputs of the presence of militants in the area. As the SFs personnel were laying siege around the area, youth threw stones at the SFs and they fired teargas to disperse them triggering clashes.  The operation was later called off.

The GOC Victor Force Major General B S Raju said on the sidelines of a function in Anantnag District that SFs are tacking decisive action against the militants so that peace returns to the area. “Our main aim is to take decisive action against the militancy so that common masses and students don’t face any hurdle in their routine work. If we go with the speed with which we were going then hopefully peace will return soon in this area”, he said.

A court in New Delhi extended till November 14 the judicial custody of seven Kashmiri separatists arrested on various charges, including receiving funds from Pakistan to sponsor terror activities and stone-pelting in Jammu and Kashmir. During the in-camera proceedings, District Judge Poonam Bamba extended the judicial custody of Aftab Hilali Shah alias Shahid-ul-Islam, Ayaz Akbar Khandey, Farooq Ahmad Dar alias Bitta Karate, Nayeem Khan, Altaf Ahmad Shah, Raja Mehrajuddin Kalwal and Bashir Ahmad Bhat alias Peer Saifullah.

On July 24, the NIA had arrested the seven on charges of criminal conspiracy and waging war against India. Altaf Ahmad Shah is the son-in-law of hardline APHC leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Islam is a close aide of moderate APHC leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. Khandey is the spokesperson for the Geelani-led APHC.

A local court in Sheohar District of Bihar awarded life imprisonment to two CPI-Maoist cadres in connection with the killing of a youth over five years ago. Additional District and Sessions Judge, Rajesh Kumar also slapped a fine of INR 50,000 on each of the two convicts, Lalu Sahni and Brahmadeo Ram. The court also held both the Maoists guilty under the Arms Act and awarded them seven years imprisonment, besides imposing fine of INR 10,000 each. The two had shot dead Sunil Kumar in January 2012, as he was vocal against Maoists and their activities.

The bullet riddled body of a NREGP worker, identified as Basant Kumar Bhatta, was recovered near a village in Kandhamal District of Odisha, two days after he was allegedly abducted by the CPI-Maoist cadres. A few posters bearing the name of BGN division of the CPI-Maoist were found near the body with a message that Bhatta, a ‘Gaon Sathi’ (youth who facilitate smooth implementation of NREGP) of Durgapanga village was killed because he was a ‘Police informer’. “The Gaon Sathi of Durgapanga was engaged in providing information to police about Maoists’ activities. Other police informers would also face similar fate if they continue to work for police,” the posters read.

UPF  spokesperson, Aaron Kipgen said that Kuki armed militant groups will not remain silent if NSCN-IM  forces the chiefs of various Kuki villages located at Ukhrul and Tamenglong Districts to support the Framework Agreement signed between the NSCN-IM and the Union Government.

Surrendered militants under the banner of TPDF and ATTF would organise a meeting to know the problems being faced by the returnees. The meeting will be held at Easrai under Sidhai Police Station on October 21 where 2500 returnees of ATTF are expected to join. In the meeting, the problems of surrendered militants will be discussed threadbare and way forward, said ATTF’s ‘president’ Ranjit Debbarma at a press conference here. “A preparatory meeting has already been held to prepare the roadmap for the October 21 meeting”, he said.

October 18

Seven civilians were injured as Pakistani Army violated the CFA by firing unprovoked along the LoC in Rajouri District. Some vehicles were also damaged as the shells landed in the forward villages close to the LoC.  “Pakistan Army on Wednesday [October 18] morning at around 0745 hours initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatics and mortars from in Bhimber Gali sector along the Line of Control (LoC),” defence spokesman said. He said that the firing was still on last reports came in adding that,” Indian Army is retaliating strongly and effectively to the provocation”.

A teacher, identified as Aijaz Ahmad Lone was found dead with slit throat in Wathoo village of Shopian District. Aijaz Ahmad Lone was found dead under mysterious conditions near Lar Maadan Stadium in Wathoo area in the morning. He was a resident of Gatipora village of the District. Sources said that last evening (October 17) he got a phone call from the militants as he was also working as OGW with HM for last few years. He was severely beaten up by the militants and then his throat was slit.

It may be mentioned here that three militants of HM including ‘district commander’ Zahid Malik who were killed in a fierce encounter in Shopian District of South Kashmir on October 9 were hiding in his house. As SFs launched a cordon-and-search at village Gatipora in Kellar area of Shopian on October 9, the militants hiding in the house of Aijaz fled and took shelter adjacent house belonging to his father. All the three militants were later killed by SFs and his father’s house was damaged in the encounter.

Militants shot dead a SPO, identified as Haleem Gujjar at Gutro in Tral area in Pulwama District. He was fired upon by militants inside his house. He was critically injured and shifted to nearby hospital where doctors declared him as brought dead. The SPO was posted at Aripal Tral with SOG and had gone home. Sources said that two militants barged into his house and entered his room and fired at him indiscriminately. They left him in a pool of blood and fled from the spot.

Special Director General of CRPF, S N Srivastava, said that SFs have achieved major successes this year against the militants. “See, the CRPF has made sound arrangements for carrying forward operations and we have formed strategy plan on how to fight militancy and for the safety of our jawans. We are working accordingly (as per plan) and we are happy that we have been successful in our plan to a large extent and we have achieved lot of successes in our operations”, he said.

A day ahead of Diwali festival, Pakistan army created a war-like situation in three sectors of Balakote, Mendhar and Manjakote in twin border Districts of Poonch and Rajouri, directly targeting the civilian population with heavy mortars and automatic weapons, injuring eight civilians including a two year old infant. Three vehicles parked by the people inside their houses were extensively damaged after being hit by mortars. An electric transformer was among the infrastructure that suffered damages in Pakistan shelling that started around 7 am and continued for nearly three hours, sources said. Indian Army retaliated Pakistan’s shelling and firing very effectively at all the places in three Sectors along LoC causing heavy damages on Pakistan side. A number of forward Pakistani posts and bunkers were reported to have been destroyed in retaliatory shelling by the Indian side. Pakistani troops were also reported to have suffered casualties, both fatal and non-fatal in massive counter offensive launched by the Indian troops.

Sources said Pakistan army started targeting civilian areas, located near the LoC, in Balakote and Mendhar sectors of Poonch District at 7 am with 82mm mortars and heavy fire arms. Simultaneously, they violated ceasefire in Manjakote sector of Rajouri District, bordering Balakote sector of Poonch, at 7.30 am, leading to panic among the border dwellers. Intense mortar shelling was reported in Langiot, Balakote, Balakote Forward, Basooni, Darati, Suhala, Panjani, Goi, Gulad Top, Sandiot, Tarkundi and Kanga in Balakote and Mendhar sectors while Mangal Narh and Khori Narh villages were worst hit by shelling in Manjakote sector for almost three hours. Five civilians were injured in Balakote and Mendhar sectors and three in Manjakote sector after mortar shells fell inside their houses.

Acting on specific intelligence about the presence of a Maoist camp, the SF personnel carried out a combing operation in the Satokoshia forest near Narsinghpur area under Athagarh sub-division in Cuttack District of Odisha. One platoon each from CRPF and DVF were engaged in the combing operation, informed DGP, Rajendra Prasad Sharma, adding, one more CRPF platoon would join the operation. It is suspected around 20- 25 Maoists held a camp and were conducting meetings in the Narasinghpur area. Notably, Maoists have a significant presence in some interior Districts including Malkangiri, Rayagada, Koraput, Gajapati, Nuapada, Kandhamal, Nayagarh etc, but their move towards to costal area of the State is a great cause of concern for the State Government. 

An unidentified man fired at and injured the manager of a tea leaf factory in Jorhat District. According to police, a youth wearing a helmet came to the factory office of Bohniman Pvt Ltd at Cinnamara and demanded all the cash the manager, Mulchand Prajapat, had with him. When Prajapat stood up to gather the money to give to the youth, he shot at him and fled.

BSF has sounded an alert along the 856-kilometre-long Indo-Bangladesh international border in Tripura to prevent possible influx of Rohingyas to the State. "The threat of Rohingya intrusion cannot be ruled out as in the past similar cross-border movement of the same group was observed. Many Rohingyas have taken shelter in Bangladesh. So, we have alerted our people guarding the border in Tripura to prevent any such intrusion," BSF Inspector General (IG-Tripura Frontier), S R Ojha told media in Agartala.

October 19

Manila Police arrested online propagandist Karen Aisha Hamidon whose name figured during the NIA probe into Islamic State's (IS) Jaipur module. Hamidon is suspected to have recruited more than 20 Indians for the terror outfit, following which the NIA issued a Lookout Circular against her. Sources said Hamidon was arrested earlier this week after the Philippines police mounted surveillance on her online activities. She was under observation of counter-terror agencies there for the last six months. The NIA is likely to approach the Philippines authorities to question her in connection with the Jaipur module of IS in which the agency has filed a chargesheet. The NIA case into the Jaipur module RC-05/2016/NIA/DLI was registered by the agency against Sirajuddin, a resident of Jaipur and native of Bengaluru. The interrogation of Sirajuddin by the agency revealed that he was radicalised by the Filipino woman through a WhatsApp group. Following the revelations by Sirajuddin, the NIA had reportedly sent a Letters Rogatory (judicial request) to the Philippines seeking details about her activities and links to the terror outfit.

According to inputs, Hamidon is closely associated with the IS leadership and has access to the Moro Islamic insurgents of the Philippines. She is suspected to be engaged in influencing young Muslim girls from Mindanao province to join the IS, the sources said. A source said cyber profiling of Hamidon’s social networking accounts suggested she was in touch with over 20 youth from India, including from Jammu & Kashmir, Mumbai and the Konkan region, Sri Lanka and Maldives. The Kashmir connection of Hamidon is reflective of the IS’s growing reach in the Valley with Kashmiri youth waving IS flags in the state on a regular basis.

The revelations made by Dawood Ibrahim's brother, Iqbal Kaskar has made it clear that six properties belonging to Dawood, advertised by the Central government on November 14, 2016 could not be auctioned off due to fear of reprisal from Dawood.

Road construction Minister Nand Kishore Yadav said the Centre has approved construction of 49 roads in five Maoist-hit Districts of Bihar. "The total length of roads will be 835 km and the estimated cost will be Rs 1,584 crore," Nand Kishore said, adding, "The Centre will give Rs 821 crore while the state will provide the rest." After the construction of these roads commuting would become safer in Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Aurangabad, Jamui and Banka. The Minister said six roads will be constructed in Aurangabad, 5 in Banka, 9 in Gaya, 6 in Jamui and 23 in Muzaffarpur. The department has been asked to complete tender process in two months and complete the roads within a year.

The pro-active intervention of China has been stopping the NSCN-K from joining the ongoing peace-talks in Nagaland. Disclosing that Chinese agencies were frequently meeting the NSCN-K leaders in Ruli and Kunming in Southern China’s Yunnan province, security sources in the UMHA said that they have conclusive intelligence inputs-indicating indulgence of China with Northeast insurgent groups. 

China also played key role in appointment of Khango Konak, who had taken over as ‘chairman’ of the NSCN-K after SS Khaplang died in June this year, as the ‘chairman’ of the UNLFWSEA, security sources said that it was aimed at to dissuade the NSCN-K from joining the peace-talks with Government of India.

October 20

Three persons were arrested for suspected terror link in Jaipur. The three were arrested in a joint operation by the Jammu and Kashmir Police and RPF. One of the arrested youth is allegedly wanted in militancy related cases. The probe is still underway.

Seeking extradition of Zakir Naik, the NIA has sent a detailed investigation report about his alleged "terror" activities and sought prosecution sanction from the UMHA against him under the UAPA and relevant sections of the IPC. Sources said the ministry has been informed that investigation against Naik is complete and his role in radicalizing Indian Muslim youth to join jihad; spreading enmity between religious groups and disturbing communal harmony and attempting forced conversions through his NGO - IRF — has been backed by strong evidence.

For the first time, Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) general secretary Gopal Singh Chawla publicly admitted to have been part of separatist ‘Khalistan movement’ and have also undergone training for the purpose. A video of Chawla has surfaced on social media on October 20 where he is seen as saying "I have been a part of Khalistan movement, I have also undergone training, I have been abusing India and its prime minister, if we want to get rid of India, we have to help this organization (MML- Milli Musli League)". Chalwa is seen addressing a gathering from the platform of MML, a political wing of the banned JuD, a front of anti India LeT.

PSGPC general secretary Chawla in his speech addressed in Punjabi said that PSGPC receives minimum of five to seven thousand pilgrims every year from India. "We look into their eyes , out of those seven thousand pilgrims at least two thousand are RAW [Research and Analysis Wing] agents and we see a fear of Hafiz Saeed Sahib in their eyes". PSGPC's controversial general secretary also raised slogans in praise of Jarnail Singh Bhinderanwala and Hafiz Muhammad Saeed and said his organization (Punjabi Sikh Sangat) and supporters from UK and Canada would help MML. Calling terror mastermind as his 'Amir' (Ruler), Chalwa bestowed praise upon Hafiz Saeed saying that "Unha Indians dia nazra vich maray Aamir Hafiz Saeed Sab da khauf hunda hai" (There is fear of my Aamir Hafiz Saeed Sab in the eyes of those Indians)" he said.

Militants lobbed a grenade at the residence of a MLA of the ruling PDP, Aijaz Mir in Zainapora village in Shopian District. The grenade landed in the premises near the security picket, outside the house, and exploded. However, there was no report of any damage to life or the property. The Policemen deployed for security duty fired several rounds in the air following the blast that created panic in the village. Soon after the incident, SFs rushed to the spot and conducted searches. A Police officer said that no damage was caused due to the mysterious blast. “It was a mysterious blast. We are ascertaining what happened actually. No damage has been reported. But security men posted there have fired several round in air,” he said.

At least four vehicles and a railway-track laying machine were set ablaze allegedly by the CPI-Maoist cadres in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The incident happened around 7:30 pm near Kamaloor railway station, where track-laying work was underway on the Kirandul-Visakhapatnam route, a Police official said. Around two dozen armed Maoists reached the construction site and torched the vehicles and the track-laying machine and fled after the incident.

Two top CPI-Maoist leaders in Bihar and Jharkhand who boast of fighting for the cause of marginalised sections of the society are millionaires and their family members lead a lavish life with the extortion money collected by cadres, according to an intelligence report prepared by the STF of Bihar Police. The report which has been submitted to the ED, says that children of top Maoists Sandeep Yadav and Pradyuman Sharma, who are active in Bihar and Jharkhand, study in prestigious colleges, own sports bikes and travel by air. Sandeep, who is in charge of BJSAC, is wanted in 88 cases and carries a reward of INR 5 lakh on his head. His brother Dhanik Lal is also a Maoist. Pradyuman is wanted in 51 cases and carries a reward of INR 50,000. He is also a member of the special area committee.

Terming it a successful weapon against the Naxalites, the Maharashtra Government extended its policy facilitating surrender by the Naxalites for two years. The State Home Department recently approved extension of the ‘Aatmasamarpan’ (surrender) scheme for Naxalites till August 28, 2019. Satish Mathur, the State DGP, had submitted a proposal to this effect in June. Following Mathur’s proposal, the Home Department recently issued a Government Resolution (GR) extending the scheme. The GR noted that the policy has proved to be a successful weapon against Naxalites in the Gadchiroli and Gondia Districts of the State. The Naxal surrender scheme was introduced in 2005 with the aim of rehabilitating and absorbing the ultras in the mainstream of society. The scheme was re-launched with some changes in April 2013. Since then the scheme has been very effective in curbing the influence of Naxals, the official said.

The frequency of meetings between the Chinese agencies and militant groups of the North East has increased in recent months. The Government of India is closely monitoring the situation. The Indian security agencies are also of the view that the Chinese agencies are facilitating the insurgent groups to procure weapons. Sources said that India has definite information about the recent meetings between the Chinese agencies and members of militant groups of the north east India. 

The CPI-Maoist cadres killed a tribal man, Made Babu Rao (45), in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The Maoists allegedly abducted the tribal man, suspecting him to be a ‘police informer’, on October 19 from Kandulnar village, located around 450 kilometres from State capital Raipur. Though no complaint was lodged about his abduction, the matter came to light on October 22 when some villagers informed the Police that Rao was allegedly murdered in the night of October 20 by the Maoists after they (Maoists) held a ‘jan adalat’ in a forest near Kandulnar, Bijapur’s ASP, Mohit Garg said. The Police recovered the dead body from the forest in the evening of October 22, the ASP further said “As per preliminary reports, the Naxals beat up Rao with sticks after tying his hands while branding him as a police informer at the jan adalat.”

October 21

A group of militants in the evening barged into the house of a PDP worker, Mohammad Ashraf Peer at Dadsar Tral in Pulwama District and ransacked his house. They also threatened Peer of dire consequences for his association with the PDP. They also fired in air after they came out of the house.

RR and 183 CRPF and SOG of Jammu and Kashmir Police cordoned off Monghama village in Pulwama District after reports about presence of two HM militants hiding inside the village. Sources said that two HM militants Zahoor Ahmad and Mohammad Zahid were hiding in the village when troops cordoned it off. Both of them are locals and Zahoor was with Territorial Army and early this year he fled from an Army camp along with a weapon to join militancy. However, as the cordon of the village was laid at around 1.30 p.m residents pelted stones on the SFs, who, in return, fired teargas to disperse them and the ding dong battles continued for four hours. The operation was later called off at around 5.30 p.m.

An Army porter was killed and a teenage girl and a woman were injured as Pakistani troops violated CFA along the LoC in Kamalkote sector of Baramulla District. An Army official said that Pakistani troops deployed opposite to Shanker Post in Kamalkote sector of Uri in Baramulla District resorted to unprovoked firing on the post held by 12 Dogra Regiment of the Army at around 1130 hours on October 21. An Army porter identified as Mohammad Abbas, 18 year old Nasreena Bano and 40 year old Asifa Begam of Mariya in Kamalkote were injured in the Pakistani firing. The injured were shifted to Uri Hospital for treatment and Mohammad Abbas succumbed to injuries while condition of the two other injured is stated to be out of danger. Indian Army personnel gave befitting reply to the CFA violation of the Pakistani troops in Kamalkote sector and the firing between the troops of two sides continued till 1400 hours.

The Army officials said that Pakistani troops are desperate as they have failed to infiltrate militants into Kashmir due to tight vigil along the LoC. They said that the militants are desperate for infiltration ahead of winter. He said that the CFA violation was aimed at giving cover to the militants for infiltration.

Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres killed a villager, identified as Mohan Majhi, of Lahidi village at Lahidi village near Gumudumaha in Kandhamal District of Odisha. CPI-Maoist observed a bandh in five Districts (Rayagada, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Ganjam and Gajapati) of the State. Demanding immediate arrest of the accused in gang rape of a minor in Kunduli, a check on violence against tribal women and solution to Mahanadi water row, the BGN division of the CPI-Maoist called for the bandh. Vehicular movement was affected in the five districts due to the bandh, report said.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in lieu with the greater Nagaland issue said that the Government is committed to protecting the territorial integrity of the State, 

Police arrested a cadre of KCP-Noyon ,identified as Wahengbam Momocha (29),from Singjamei Kongba Road opposite to Mata Cinema Hall at Imphal East  District. A police source said that a sum of INR 50,000 extorted from staffs of Ideal College was recovered from the cadre.

Palamu Administration and Police has put an embargo on the plots of land of ‘sub zonal commander’ of CPI-Maoist, Kundan Yadav alias Brahamdeo Yadav of Manatu, whose prime plot of land bought in Chak and Adourya villages of Daltonganj town in Palamu District of Jharkhand. DSP, Heeralal Ravi said the administration has put an embargo on the plots of land of the Maoist whose kin in whose names this Maoist has bought land now cannot sell, cannot construct any kaccha or pucca building or structure nor they can do any agricultural activities. The DSP further said the total value of these plots of land in Daltonganj and in Manatu’s two villages account for more than INR 2.2 million.

October 22

Indian security agencies are looking for information about a doctor, believed to be from of Kerala, who recently featured into a propaganda video of Islamic State (IS). Abu Muqatil al-Hindi, who appears to be in his mid-forties and speaks with a thick accent, is seen exhorting medical professionals from across the world to join the healthcare services at the IS-held zones of Syria in the name of Islamic brotherhood. Agencies point out to another doctor in the same video, named Abu Yusuf al-Australi who turned out to be Dr Tareq Kamleh from Adelaide (Australia) who joined the terror outfit in 2015. "We strongly suspect al-Hindi to be at the helm of recruiting jihad-sympathisers from India," a top security official said. "Shahjahan Velluva Kandy from Kannur (Kerala), who was deported from Turkey after he was caught trying to sneak into ISIS territory, had revealed during questioning that at least six persons from the state have joined ranks in Syria," the official said.

India and Bangladesh discussed the common challenge of terrorism and resolved to fight the scourge together even as New Delhi reaffirmed its status as a reliable development partner to Dhaka. “We are both determined to protect our societies from the threat of ideologies of hate, violence and terror by adopting a zero tolerance policy and a comprehensive approach in fighting violent extremism and terrorism at all levels,” India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said. “We discussed the common challenges that we are faced with today. One such challenge is that of terrorism, extremism and radicalisation and we will continue to fight this scourge together and along with other like-minded countries,” she said.

The Trump administration wants India to help strengthen Afghanistan’s capacities and institutions so that the war-torn country can take on a resurgent Afghan Taliban based in neighbouring Pakistan, a senior US official has said. “Where the help is needed by India primarily is in areas of ensuring that Afghanistan can be strengthened as a state, that the state can be hardened and strengthened against any regenerative capacity of the Taliban which lies mainly across the border in Pakistan,” said the official. The US wants to ensure that Afghanistan gains the security gains even as the US and the coalition have the lead in assisting Afghanistan’s security sector and enabling the fight against the Taliban and the Haqqani network and other terrorist organisations on Afghan territory, he said.

A woman was killed and another one injured as militants fired on them at Seer village of Tral in Pulwama District. Militants barged inside a house in Seer Jagir in Tral and fired at the women present there. Among them, 18-year old girl, identified as Yasmeena was killed and another one identified as Rubeena was injured. She was shifted to SDH Tral where from she was referred to SMHS hospital for further treatment. SFs immediately reached the spot and massive searches were launched against the assailants.

Militants shot dead a street vendor, identified as Shakir Ahmad, resident of Uttar Pradesh in Arwani area of Anantnag District.

One militant was killed in an encounter with SFs in Handwara area of Kupwara District. Acting on a specific information regarding presence of three militants including top LeT ‘commander’ Abu Maaz in Hajin area of Kralgund in Handwara, Army’s 9 Para and SOG Handwara launched a cordon-and-search operation at around 5 am. The militants hiding in the area opened fire on the troops, triggering an encounter. A Pakistani militant was killed and his identity is being ascertained. The two other militants including Abu Maaz managed to escape but SFs have launched a massive operation against the two militants. However, no contact was established with them so far, report said.

A CRPF officer, identified as Ali Mohammad was injured after militants lobbed a grenade on the house of a NC leader and former legislator Mohammad Ashraf Bhat. The security guards also retaliated by firing but militants managed to escape. SFs have launched a hunt to nab the assailants.

SFs cordoned off Kota Sernard forest area of Bandipora District and conducted searches as they had reports about presence of some militants in the area. Army’s 14 RR and SOG cordoned off the forest area after reports about presence of a group of two to three militants hiding inside the forests. Troops fired some warning shots. However, there was no response from militants.

Pakistan violated CFA in Kamalkote sector of Uri in Baramulla District for second consecutive day. Pakistani troops fired on Army posts in the sector in the morning. The Pakistani troops started firing at 10.50 am and continued till 11.20 am. The Army gave befitting reply to Pakistani ceasefire violations. However, there was no loss of life or injury to anyone in the firing.

CPI-Maoist cadres gunned down an alleged ‘Police informer’ who they also suspected of ferrying ration for SFs deployed in the "cut-off" area of Chitrakonda area in Malkangiri District of Odisha. The victim identified as Sama Pangi was shot dead by a group of Maoists near Spillway Ghat of Balimela reservoir in Chitrakonda area of Malkangiri. Around 10 Maoists came to the ghat on a motorboat and shot Pangi, a native of Janti village, from point-blank range. The Maoists also suspected Pangi of being a ‘Police informer’ and had attacked him two years ago. But he had survived that attack. Following the attack, he had left his native village and was staying at Pilobai in Chitrakonda area and had sought protection from District Police. Pangi made a living by selling food items near the Spillway Ghat.

At least 17 Adivasi organisations in Assam will block National Highways at several places on October 25 in support of their demand for Schedule Tribe status and dialogue with five militant groups that are in ceasefire since 2012.

Militants barged into the house of PDP Zonal president Farooq Ahmed’s house at Ashmji Kulgam in Kulgam District and vandalised the household items besides window panes in the night. Sources said Farooq somehow managed to flee from the house and militants before leaving the spot also fired three shots in air.

Soon after harassing the family of Farooq Ahmad, militants barged into the house of Sheeraz Ahmad, PDP Youth President Kulgam District, at Ashmuji Kulgam in Kulgam District. Militants vandalised his house too and Sheeraz jumped from window of the house to save his life.

October 23

A man, identified as Muhammad Maqbool Bhat alias Magge Khan was shot and injured by militants in Kellar area of Shopian District in the evening. Muhammad Maqbool Bhat, resident of Battmurran village of Kellar area of Shopian District was fired upon by militants near his house. He sustained bullet wounds in his leg and was rushed to nearby hospital where his condition is stated to be out of danger. Soon after the incident, SFs rushed to the spot and launched manhunt against the attackers.

Police said that they arrested two persons of border town of Teetwal in Srinagar and recovered ammunition from them. “At about 1800 hours, police while Naka Checking on NHW near N.R Colony Bemina, under Batamaloo police station apprehended two persons namely Shakoor Ahmad Ksokhar son of Sanyee Khee and Tanveer Ahmad Raja son of Abdul Rashid Raja, residents of Teetwal Karnah Kupwara and recovered 400 live rounds of AK-47 from their possession”, a Police spokesman said.

IG of CRPF, Ravedeep Sahi, said that attack on the families of the political workers and police men is frustration on part of militants after successful security operations against them. Sahi said that militants are targeting these unsecured people in frustration.  “The successes which security forces have achieved in recent past in our joint operations has led to control on militancy to a large extent but with this, there is also frustration among militants and that is why they attack unsecured people who are without security”, he said.

The IG CRPF said that the successes achieved by the security forces in these months is due to high level of coordination between Police, CRPF and Army. “Whatever is happening is their frustration, otherwise the operations of forces that have taken place in last few months have been well and we have achieved lot of success and number of militant commanders have been eliminated. There has been good coordination with JKP and RR and that is why we have achieved so much success”, he said. Sahi said that security forces will carry out area domination in the areas where militants are targeting the families of the political workers and police men. “One is personal security and apart from is area domination in general area like our patrolling, foot patrolling which is done by CRPF, police and Army and this is what would be our objective and we will carry out effective area domination in the areas where political activists reside”, he said.

IG CRPF Sahi said that there has been reduction in the stone pelting incidents since September. “We have seen in September there was reduction in stone-pelting but in October we have witnessed increase. But the reason has been mostly braid chopping and not encounters, if we particularly talk about central Kashmir. There has been more stone-pelting in Srinagar but it has nothing to do with operations. In operations, we have seen some reduction but has not ended”, he said. Sahi said that the security forces are ready for any challenge including from Fidayeen. “Our security forces are ready for every challenge and we have inputs about fidayeen attacks. We have adopted our strategy and we will work accordingly”, he said.

India and Pakistani troops continued to exchange fire along the LoC in Kamalkote area of Uri sector in Baramulla District for third consecutive day forcing closure of schools. “Intermittent exchange of firing took place between our soldiers and Pakistani troops along the LoC in the Uri sector (in the Kamalkote area) till 6.00 am today,” an official said.

Four Maoists were arrested near Badegudra village under Kuakonda Police Station limits in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. Dantewada ASP, Gorakhnath Baghel said the arrestees were identified as Baman Mandavi (27), Sannu Kawasi (30), Joga Kartami (35) and Ayta Madvi (30), all active as ‘jan militia’ members. They were allegedly involved in setting ablaze vehicles engaged in bridge construction works and transportation in the area in the past, the ASP further said.

Palamu Police neutralised a new Naxal outfit of TPC-2, a breakaway group of the TPC, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist. A press release issued from SP, Palamu read that this outfit tried to extort money from the contractor of the Government polytechnic college under construction on State highway in Lesliganj Police Station’s Basoura village in Palamu District of Jharkhand. The new outfit, a group of 12 to 13 persons, having dubious past and role in the society, had olive green battle fatigue, which was worn by its cadres in turn in order to create an impression that they were of extremist outfit, the Police said. OIC of Lesliganj Police Station, Rana Jung Bahadur Singh said this outfit on October 14 reached one construction site in the area, assaulted a few workers there and looted one cell phone of the worker giving order to ask the contractor to speak to this outfit. OIC Singh said the outfit erred and it helped us most. Calls were made from the same looted cell phone. Police put that cell phone number and other details on its Technical Cell and finally succeeded in intercepting their conversation. Police got the location of the tower of the cell phone and then arrested Dharmender Singh who spilled all the beans and on his confession two others Jubair Alam and Chattu Bhuiyan too were arrested. Police seized the three olive green uniforms too along with a few cartridges.

A ‘zonal commander’ of the CPI-Maoist, identified as Buddhan Miyan alias Bhola ji was arrested and jailed in Palamu District of Jharkhand, stated SP, Indrajeet Mahatha. Palamu Police, CRPF, made a combined effort led by ASP, operations, Arun K Singh, to track Buddhan Miyan down when he was going to Dalee village under Patan tehsil. He was remanded in judicial custody on October 24. Buddhan Miyan, who worked in the squad of Vyas ji a top Maoist, has 11 cases against him and he carries a reward of INR One million. The SP further said this Buddhan Miyan whose father is Rehman Miyan of Saraideeh village under Naudeeha Bazar Police Station went to Panipat also to eke out his living when he fell apart from CPI-Maoist. According to SP this Buddhan Miyan had had his arms and explosives training in the jungle of Tarchua in Bihar in 1998. Buddhan Miyan was jailed first in 2005 and after two years he came out and indulged in heinous crimes against police. There was a warrant of arrest pending against him since 2013 and he was walking down free.

The Dao Division’s Army Camp arrested two cadres of NSCN-U in Charaideo District.  The arrested individuals were resident of Wakching village in Mon District of Nagaland, and reportedly involved in arms dealing. The troops recovered one Chinese made .22mm auto pistol, one Thailand made .22mm pistol along with 5 .22 mm rounds and one mobile phone.

October 24

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that "social media and cyberspace" have increased the threat of terrorism, as they can be used to manipulate people's minds. "Social media and cyberspace have expanded the threat (of terrorism), as these are exploited by terrorists to develop less visible but lethal ways and means of manipulating minds of the people," she said. The minister stressed that the constantly evolving strategic and security situation of the world "has thrown up fresh and serious challenges." Sitharaman also to reiterated India's long-held position that "there are no good terrorists," and that "terrorism anywhere is a threat everywhere." "India has taken resolute measures to fight the scourge of terrorism from across its borders," said the minister, taking a dig at Pakistan without naming it.

Pakistani troops violated CFA along the LoC in Nowgam sector in Kupwara District. It is for the fourth consecutive day that Pakistan has violated the truce agreement along the LoC in the Kashmir valley. “Pakistan started unprovoked firing in Nowgam sector along the LoC at 9.30 am today,” an Army official said. He said Indian troops retaliated strongly to the Pakistani action and intermittent exchange of fire was going on till afternoon. He said no casualties have been reported in the ceasefire violation on the Indian side.

A militant of HM, identified as Arizoo Bashir Najar was arrested in Tral area of Pulwama District. A joint team of SOG of Police and CRPF, following a tip off, raided the area and arrested the militant. Arizoo Bashir Najar, a resident of Mandoora Tral, had gone missing on September 20 and later his pictures with AK-47 rifle surfaced on sections of social media. Arizoo was earlier arrested in January this year and remained behind bars for almost five months before released on bail.

A day after UHM Rajnath Singh announced dialogue on J&K and designated retired IB Director Dineshwar Sharma as the Special Representative for talks, the NIA arrested Syed Shahid Yousuf, son of HM ‘chief’ Syed Salahuddin, in connection with a 2011 terror funding case for allegedly receiving money from his father. Syed Salahuddin, a resident of  Budgam District in Kashmir is operating HM outfit from PoK and fanning militancy in Jammu and Kashmir by sending armed terrorists to the State, apart from hawala money to fuel unrest in the Valley.

While announcing the talks and appointing Dineshwar Sharma as the Interlocutor, the Centre Government had made it clear that there would be no let-up in NIA raids against separatists and others, who were receiving hawala money to boost terrorism and unrest in the Kashmir valley. The Centre has also stated that ‘Operation All Out’ against the terrorists would go on uninterrupted. Sources said that 42-year-old Shahid, at present working as Village Agriculture Extension Assistant in the Agricultural Department of the Jammu and Kashmir Government, posted at village Soibugh, Budgam, was summoned to the NIA’s headquarters in New Delhi on October 24th  morning and was arrested after questioning. He will be produced before a designated NIA court on October 25 for taking Police remand during which he will be subjected to questioning for his links with Aijaz Ahmad Bhat alias Aijaz Maqbool Bhat, a HM member, originally resident of Solina Payeen, Srinagar, now residing in Saudi Arabia, who was reported to have sent funds for terror financing in Kashmir.

Sources said Shahid used to receive funds through a US-based international wire transfer company from Aijaz Ahmed Bhat, who is also an accused in the case but was absconding and putting up in Saudi Arabia. Shahid was “one of several Indian contacts of Bhat” who had been in telephonic contact with him for receiving money transfer codes,” sources said. The NIA claimed so far he had received a total of nearly INR 4.5 lakh through eight international wire transfers The case, registered by the NIA in April 2011, relates to the transfer of money from Pakistan to Jammu and Kashmir through hawala channels via Delhi, which the agency believed was used in funding terrorism and secessionist activities.

SFs busted a Maoist ammunition dump located in Ghodapath Hill under Gatapar Police Station limits in Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh and recovered a cache of material used for manufacturing and repairing firearms. The seizure comprised a lathe cutting machine, a drill machine, butts of SLR rifles, SLR trigger guards, a charger, a vernier calliper, some iron-made weapons, Maoist literature and camping materials. SFs reportedly have intensified their operations since the last few months on inputs that Maoists have been trying to expand their base in the tri-junction forests in Rajnandgaon (Chhattisgarh), Balaghat (Madhya Pradesh, MP) and Gondia (Maharashtra). On October 17, a base camp was set up in Malaida on Chhattisgarh-MP border where a joint team of the ITBP, STF, Rajnandgaon Police and the Hawk Force from Balaghat has been stationed, Rajnandgaon SP Prashant Agrawal said. Besides carrying out extensive search operations in the region, the SFs have also been holding meetings with villagers on both sides of the border and asking them to refrain from extending any kind of assistance to Maoists, he added.

The NIA recovered INR 2.7 million from Shelly Sumi, wife of Niki Sumi, a ‘commander’ of the NSCN-K. The searches at Shelly Sumi's residence came a week after four Nagaland government officers - former tourism director Purakhu Angami; additional director of agriculture V Aza; joint director of irrigation Hutoi Sema and fisheries superintendent Kekhriesatuo Tep - were arrested for allegedly funding the insurgent group from the state exchequer. In a statement, the NIA spokesperson IG Alok Mittal said that they had information that Shelly Sumi and her associates were in possession of cash and other incriminating documents pertaining to the NSCN-K in their houses in Dimapur, Nagaland. "Accordingly, searches were conducted at the houses of the accused persons Shelly Sumi, Ikheli Yeptho, Shutoli and Hozheli at Naharbari Basti, Dimapur, Nagaland on Tuesday [October 24] and cash amounting to INR 27,90,550 was recovered from these premises," he said. 12 mobile phones, three laptops, one hard disk and 33 incriminating documents were also seized during searches. The agency said that the seized money, suspected to have been extorted/collected from the public/government servants, was meant for sending to the NSCN-K camps in Myanmar to fund activities prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India.

October 25

Three youths from Kerala, identified as Midilaj K.C (26), Rashid M.P (23), and Abdul Razakh K (24) who joined the Islamic State (IS) and left the country to undergo training in Syria were arrested by the Police in Kannur District of Kerala on October 25 after four months of Police surveillance. The youths were arrested by the Valapattanam Police in Kannur District after they were questioned by Police officers led by the Kannur DSP P.P. Sadanandan. They had been under surveillance after they returned to the country four months ago from Turkey.

Police said that they had gone to Turkey and stayed there for three to four months and had been captured by Turkish authorities while they were trying to cross the border to Syria. Valapattanam Police registered a case against the three on charges of joining a banned terrorist organisation under Sections 38 and 39 of the UAPA. Hinting that more arrests would be made in the coming days, Sadanandan said that those who had gone to Syria and Afghanistan to join IS saw themselves as participants in hijira (migration), and members of Islamic fighters for Ghazwa-e-Hind (conquest of India). The latest case relates to those who returned to the country after joining IS, the Police were also probing cases of IS fighters from the region who had been killed in Syria and Afghanistan and those who were still fighting in those countries, he added.

Report said that the number of Indians in Abu-Bakr al-Baghdadi-led terror outfit is a miniscule, a little over 100, as compared to the number of fighters from UK, France, Belgium or Russia, but the fact that they would be highly trained; capable of easily mingling with the local population; and may work as part of 'sleeper cells' or for 'lone wolf' attacks cannot be overlooked. Investigators said the arrested operatives, along with others from Kerala, had travelled to Turkey and Syria to fight alongside Islamic State. Sources said Razakh, Rashid and Midilaj are also linked to Shajahan Velluva Kandy alias Mohamed Ismail Mohideen, who was arrested by the Special Cell of Delhi Police in July on his return from Turkey. NIA got five-day custody of Mohideen on October 25 to question him about others who may try to come back to India.

Five Kerala youths, Shahanad (25) of Chalad, Rishal (30) of Valapattanam, Shameer (45) of Pappinissery and his son Safwan (20), Shajil (30) of Koodali (all from Kannur District) were among those who were reportedly killed in Syria and Afghanistan. In the neighbouring Kasaragod District, five of the 21 people from Padanna who had gone to Afghanistan had been confirmed dead, Police said adding that two youths from neighbouring Vadakara in Kozhikode District were also reportedly dead. Police also identified Manaf and Shameer of Valapattanam and Abdul Qayyoom of Mayyil in Kannur District as an IS fighter still in Syria.

Gujarat ATS arrested two suspected Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists, identified as Mohammad Kasim Stimberwala and Ubed Ahmed Mirza from Surat in Surat District who were planning terror attack in the State during the upcoming Gujarat assembly elections. The duo was in touch with ISIS through social media.  They even conducted recce at some religious places in the state. They have been inspired by terrorist Abdul al-Fazal and were planning to flee the country after executing their plan.

Report said that the duo claimed that they were plotting an attack on a Jewish synagogue in Khadia area of Ahmedabad in "very near future". While Stimberwala used to work as a laboratory technician with a hospital in Ankleshwar town, Mirza is a practicing lawyer with the Surat district court and also owns a hotel there. They were booked under for criminal conspiracy, waging or attempt to wage war against Government of India and other charges, an official said.

A  Policeman, Asher Hussain, was shot at and injured by militants in Shopian District in the evening. Militants fired upon Asher Hussain, Personal Security Officer of National Conference leader Shabir Kullay, when he (Asher Hussain) was at petrol pump to refill his vehicle.

SFs conducted series of search operations in Shopian, Pulwama and Anantnag Districts. The searches were extensively conducted in at least 20 villages of Shopian District. The villages that were cordoned off include Sugan, Heff, Shirmaal, Nagbal, Barbugh, Chitragaam, Turkawangam, Maldeera, Kashew, Kadgam and Nullayposhwari. The SFs conducted searches for residential house and orchards. This time, unlike past, there was no stone-pelting from local residents on SF personnel involved in the search operation as the siege was strict, sources said. “As you know militants targeted several civilians, political workers and Government servants in South Kashmir since past week and there are reports with Army about huge presence of militants in this area. So, CRPF, police and Army launched a search operation in around 20 villages,” said Brigadier Harbeer Singh of 12 Sector Rashtriya Rifles.

After conducting searches for nearly 10 hours, the operation was called off at 2 pm in the afternoon as no contact was established with the militants. The SFs also launched cordon and search operations in Chandgam village of neighbouring Pulwama District. The operation was conducted after SFs received inputs about the presence of two Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) militants. However, as the searches were underway, the local residents took to streets and pelted stones on SFs. Police fired teargas and used pellet shots guns to disperse the protesters. The operation was called off in the evening without any contact with militants.

In Bellow village of Pulwama District, Army had to open aerial gunshots after some youths pelted on soldiers. There were minor clashes in the village but later situation normalized. The SFs also launched a cordon and search operation in Lisser village of Kokernag in Anantnag District as it suspected presence of some militants. However, no militant was found in the village and the operation was called off.

The DIG, (South Kashmir Range), S.P. Pani said that they have got many leads about recent “sensational” incidents that occurred in the Tral area of Pulwama District. The DIG told reporters that with the arrest of HM militant Arizoo Bashir on October 24 in a joint operation, there has been various revelations. “We have come to know lots of things with this arrest and most importantly, we have come to know about the involvement (of persons) in recent two-three sensational incidents in Tral. We also have come to know about Arizoo’s involvement (in many cases) and the investigation is on…we have got some leads with this arrest and all the cases have been detected,” he added.

The NIA claimed that Syed Shahid Yousuf, son of HM chief Syed Salahuddin, had admitted he received funds for subversive activities in the Kashmir valley. Yousuf, who was sent to seven days of custody to the agency for further questioning, had also given the names of overseas HM members involved in fund-raising for the terror outfit, an unnamed NIA spokesman said. The NIA claimed during questioning he “admitted to having received funds from cadres of the Hizbul Mujahideen on the direction of his father, Mohammed Yusuf Shah alias Syed Salahuddin, for fomenting terrorist activities in the Valley”. The NIA said he also “revealed the names of his associates abroad who were linked with the Mujahideen and involved in raising, collecting and transferring funds from other countries to India”. This was being verified and investigated, the NIA said. As reported earlier, the NIA on October 24 arrested Syed Shahid Yousuf in connection with a 2011 terror funding case for allegedly receiving money from his father.

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat declared that appointment of an Interlocutor by the Centre Government will have no impact on the ‘Operation All Out’ launched by Army in Kashmir to eliminate and apprehend the militants and their top ‘commanders’. Asked whether the appointment of former Intelligence Bureau chief Dineshwar Sharma as Kashmir Interlocutor would impact the Army’s operations in the troubled State, he said, “My one word answer is no, it will not.” Responding to a question on whether Sharma’s appointment meant that the tough policy on Kashmir was not working, Gen Rawat said, “I do not think so. What is in your mind is not correct.

The policy of the Government has worked. The Government is speaking from a position of strength.” He said incidents of cross-border infiltration had come down and the overall situation in the State had improved significantly in the last few months. “In January, you had asked me whether the situation has deteriorated in Kashmir, whether we have lost Kashmir. Now you analyze where is Kashmir?”, he asked. “We have killed terrorists on the Line of Control because of which the situation has improved.”

The Army Chief also stressed that Army keeps on getting reports of Uri and Pathankot like attacks by the militants. Gen Rawat said security of installations in hinterland is becoming a cause for concern. “We are getting report of Uri and Pathankot like attacks well in depth”. He said the Army was looking at Electronic Warfare (EW) system to keep an eye not just on border but in hinterland also. This would help in maintaining strict vigil on the militants and neutralizing them.

Three cadres of the CPI-Maoist, carrying cash rewards, were killed in an encounter with the SFs in the forest of Kopenkadka village under Khadgaon Police Station Limits in Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh. The SFs had launched an anti-Maoist operation in the interiors of Manpur, around 200 kilometers away from the state capital, Raipur. When the patrol team was advancing through the forests of Kopenkadka, it came under heavy fire that led to a gunbattle between the two sides. However, the Maoists soon escaped into the deep forest on finding security personnel zeroing on them, said Rajnandgaon SP, Prashant Agrawal. During a search, bodies of three Maoists along with three automatic weapons one AK 47 rifle, one INSAS rifle and one SLR rifle were recovered from the spot, he added. Those killed were identified as Mahesh, an ‘area committee member (ACM)’ Rakesh, ACM and Pallemadi ‘LOS commander’ and Ranjit, Pallemadi ‘LOS deputy commander’ said the SP, adding that they were carrying rewards of INR 500,000, INR 500,000 and INR 300,000, respectively. They all hailed from Bastar region of the state and more details are awaited, he added.

Maoists-triggered an IED blast near a weekly market in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. A team of SFs was patrolling the area to provide security at a weekly market at Manjhipara in Orchha village when the IED went off a little distance ahead. Nobody was injured. One of the three Maoists who fled into jungle after detonating the IED was arrested later, Narayanpur SP Santosh Singh said.  His questioning led to recovery of another IED from the spot, the officer said.

Roopesh, Shyna, Anoop Mathew, Veeramani and Kannan, the five cadres arrested on charges of CPI-Maoist activities in 2015, were produced before the Coimbatore District of Tamil Nadu and Principal Sessions Court on October 25. Principal District Judge R. Pongiyappan posted next hearing in the case on November 8.

The NIA is likely to issue summons to Shelly Sumi, wife of Niki Sumi, a ‘commander’ of the NSCN-K, and others over a case of terror funding in Nagaland, an official said. On October 24, NIA recovered INR 2.7 million from the house of Shelly Sumi at Naharbari Basti in Dimapur, the main commercial town of Nagaland. Twelve mobile phones, three laptops, a hard disk and 33 documents were also seized, it said. “So far, we have not arrested anyone. Summons will be issued to Shelly and her associates,” a top NIA official said. Various intelligence agencies have been keeping a close watch on the movement and activities of Shelly and her associates in Nagaland and Manipur. NIA officials said the seized money was suspected to have been extorted from the public or government servants and meant for sending to the NSCN-K camps in Myanmar to fund activities “prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India”.

The BSF Meghalaya Frontier IG P.K. Dubey said that fencing was necessary for the security of border residents. "In areas where fencing has been completed, we have been able to put a more effective check on smuggling and militancy. It (fencing) will help in border surveillance," he said. Informing that about 90km of unfenced areas remain in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills, Dubey said around INR 110 crore has been deposited with the Meghalaya Government for the purpose of acquiring land for fencing.

Surrendered militants belonging to the GNLA, ANVC-B, AMEF, LAEF and others from North Garo Hills came together under the banner of the A’chik Welfare Organisation (AWA) and organised a one day awareness campaign on environment at Chirimdare under Mendipathar Police Station of North Garo Hills District. Under the new initiative, the members of AWA along with the villagers of Chirimdare plan to start joint efforts of plantation programmes beginning from the first week of June next year till their dream of ‘clean and green’ is achieved.

October 26

One of the four-member cell of students from Maharashtra’s Thane who became the first Indians to join the Islamic State (IS), identified as Fahad Tanvir Sheikh, was killed fighting near Raqqa in Syria last week, his family was told by an anonymous caller. Sheikh was the last surviving member of the cell, following the arrest of Areeb Majeed, and the killing of Sahim Tanki, and Aman Naim Tandel. “Late Tuesday [October 24], my wife received a call from a foreign number from someone who told us our son had been killed,” said Dr Tanvir Sheikh, Fahad Sheikh’s father. “She was distraught, and did not note down the details the caller offered about what had happened and where.” NIA sources said Dr Sheikh had telephoned the organisation immediately after receiving the call, adding that they were now working to trace its origin. Sources, however, said there were no means available to independently verify the circumstances of Sheikh’s death, given violent and anarchic conditions in the area.

Fahad Sheikh had left for Iraq in May 2014, as part of a pilgrimage group, travelling with Majeed, Tanki and Tandel. The four men then drove from Baghdad to Mosul, before disappearing into Islamic State-held territory. Family members said Sheikh, an engineering student, had misled his parents into believing he was leaving home to take up a job in Mumbai’s Bandra area. Intelligence sources said Sheikh may have been among the 300-odd jihadists who staged a last stand against Kurdish forces at a Raqqa sports stadium and a hospital, even as their commanders debated whether to surrender to forces that were closing in. Forces from the Kurdish Yekîneyên Parastina Gel, or Peoples’ Protection Militia, are believed to have killed dozens of the Islamic State’s foreign fighters in the last days of the battle for Raqqa, after receiving informal instructions not to take prisoners.

The report further said that the fate of several other Indians known to have been in jihadist-held territories now recaptured by the Syrian Government and Kurdish forces remains unknown. Former Mumbai eye-hospital worker Abu Rashid, wanted by the NIA for his alleged role in the IM’s urban terror strikes, was among those who appeared in the Islamic State video, warning the Government of India that he would soon return to “avenge every crime that has been committed against Muslims”. Muhammad ‘Bada’ Sajid, similarly sought by the NIA for being a member of the IM, is also missing.

A Telegram blog run by Abu Thahir, a 28-year old Kerala resident who served as a stringer for the Islamist publication Thejas before becoming an al-Qaeda propagandist, has had no new posts in weeks. India’s intelligence services say they have no word on several IM jihadists suspected of having been in Syria, including Shahnawaz Ahmad, a Unani doctor and the son of a SP politician in Uttar Pradesh’s Azamgarh; and students Mohammad ‘Bada’ Sajid, Mirza Shadab Beig. Karnataka Muhammad Shafi Armar, a key figure in recruiting Indian jihadists for the Islamic State, is also missing. “There’s a strong possibility some of these individuals may already be in Afghanistan, or Pakistan’s north-west,” a senior Indian intelligence officer said. “However, no-one has eyes on them, and to the best of our knowledge, they have not made contact with their families.”

Two more persons suspected of having links to the terror group Islamic State (IS) were arrested in Kannur District of Kerala. With this, the number of persons apprehended in IS terror connection from Kerala so far has raised to five. Thalassery natives Hamza aka Taliban Hamza and Manaf were picked up in the morning, Kannur District DSP PP Sadananandan said. “Hamza, who has strong connections with the terror outfit’s high command, was behind the recruitment of youths from the state for IS... He had worked in Gulf countries for more than 20 years,” he said. About six months ago, Manaf was prevented by authorities at Mangalore airport in Karnataka from leaving the country, the official said. All the five suspects were put under surveillance for the last months, he added. The accused have been charged under sections 38 and 39 of UAPA.

The Beed Police and Madhya Pradesh (MP) Police team jointly neutralised a FICN racket, seizing fake currency worth INR 1,50000 in denomination of INR 100 and INR 50 from Sayed Shakoor Shabir and arrested him in a joint action from an unknown location. According to Beed Police sources, MP Police had arrested one Kartar Singh who was circulating fake notes of INR 61,000 in market at Bhind in MP. He confessed that he got fake currency from Shabir hailing from Beed. MP Police team With the help of Beed Police raided house of Shabir and seized FICN along with printing material and machines from his possession

Zakir Naik deliberately insulted the religious beliefs of Hindus, Christians and Islamic sects like Shia, Sufi and Barelvi, and his speeches influenced recruits to the cause of the so-called Islamic State-IS, the NIA has said. The agency has charge sheeted the "televangelist" under the UAPA for heading an 'unlawful association' and accused him of inciting youth to take up terror acts and join global terror outfits like IS. Naik's NGO IRF, banned in 2016 under the UAPA, as well as private firm Harmony Media Pvt Ltd were named as co-accused for having conspired with Naik to promote enmity and hatred between different religious groups and insulting certain sects of Islam and other religions.

According to the chargesheet, a witness, Noor Mohammad, who was on his way to Syria to join the IS but later aborted the plan, told the NIA that he was influenced by Naik's oratory at 'peace conferences' organised by IRF in 2007 and 2008. Later on, he was motivated by an accused in the Malad-Malwani IS module case, Mohsin Sayyed, who quoted Naik as saying that suicide bombing was permissible in Islam. "Since he considered A-1 (Naik) an authority over Islamic viewpoint, he readily agreed to join the IS to fight jihad for them," the chargesheet said.

An alleged LeT operative, out on bail after serving a sentence for possession of firearms and explosives, was arrested by Police for possessing fake documents, including a passport from Barablan locality of Moradabad District. Farhan Ahmed Ali (48) had used the passport to travel to Kuwait in 2011, which was also a violation of the conditional bail on which he had been released from prison. Following a complaint of land grab, Police arrested Ali from Barablan locality of Mughalpura Police Station. A search of his house turned up fake IDs including ration card, driver's licence, Pan card and Aadhaar card, as well as a fake passport.

On August 28, 2002, Ali and another alleged LeT man, Shahid Ahmed Bakshi, were arrested from New Delhi with 4kg of RDX, detonators, pistol and ammunition. They were accused of plotting to assassinate then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and top Sangh Parivar leaders to "avenge" the 2002 Gujarat riots. They had also been accused of indoctrinating Muslim youths affected by the riots.

The State Government is intensifying its drive against CPI-Maoist with focus on joint operations by Police and Central Forces in Malkangiri and Koraput Districts of Odisha, which are considered to be the Maoist strongholds. DGP, R.P. Sharma, reviewed anti-Maoist operations, during his first visit to Malkangiri and Koraput since taking charge as the State Police Chief. "Our emphasis will be on joint operations and better co-ordination between the forces," said Sharma, who visited a BSF camp at Badapada in the "cut-off" area of Malkangiri District. He also had a look at the ongoing work on the Gurupriya Bridge that would connect the six gram panchayats in the "cut-off" area located across the Balimela reservoir with the District's mainland. DGP, Sharma's visit comes in the wake of attacks by the Maoists on boats ferrying ration for the SFs stationed in the "cut-off" belt. On October 15, the Maoists had looted a boat carrying provisions for the BSF jawans. On October 22, the Maoists in Malkangiri gunned down an alleged ‘Police informer’ who, they suspected, was ferrying ration for the SFs. Sama Pangi was shot dead near the reservoir's spillway ghat in the Chitrakonda area. Following attacks by the Maoists on boats carrying provisions for SFs, Malkangiri Police had decided to use helicopters for the purpose. The helicopters, according to DGP, Sharma, will be used for anti-Maoist operations.

FGN, kedahge (president), ‘general’ (retd) Viyalie Metha said that the NNC and FGN would “firmly stand by the mandate of the May 16, 1951 Naga plebiscite, which was to be a sovereign Independent Naga nation”. Metha said since the “prop up ongoing parley between the so called NSCN-IM and GoI has been added with a new twist by inclusion of six NNPGs,” the FGN was compelled to highlight the “historical facts about the Indo-Naga conflict”. He went on to point out that the Indo-Naga conflict “did not begin with any aggressive action” by Nagaland against India. Citing B.N. Mulik’s statement, he said the conflict started when “troops moved into Tuensang by October 1955, and the war with Nagas started from then.”

Metha reminded that the Nagas had declared Naga independence on August 14, 1947 a day ahead of India’s own independence declaration. Accordingly, he said the republic of Nagaland known as the Federal Government of Nagaland was setup on March 22, 1956. “Unlike other states in the Indian union, the NNC, FGN and the Naga army have been defending Nagaland’s sovereignty from 1947 to the present,” he added.  He therefore cautioned that “any Naga citizen from any Naga organization, who would ignore these irrefutable facts of our history and make any sham settlement with India, would be guilty of treason to the nation.” Metha also reminded that the NNC and FGN were still holding on to the 1964 Indo-Naga ceasefire between the FGN and the Government of India in order to have a peaceful solution to the Indo-Naga conflict.

October 27

The Razole Police arrested three members of a five-member gang, two of them former members of the CPI-Maoist, on the charges of possessing unlawful weapons, and resorting to abduction, extortion, and robbery in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. The arrestees are identified as Sagiraju Appala Trinadha Varma (35), a native of I. Polavaram in East Godavari District and resident of Srinagar Colony in Hyderabad, Karla Raji Reddy (54), of Vattipalli village in Siddipeta District of Telangana and Isthari Venu Madhav (48), of Kadavandi village in Janagam District of Telangana, both former members of the Giraipalli  dalam and Palakurthi dalam of the CPI-Maoist. Two pistols, 18 rounds of cartridges seized from their possession. The Police were yet to arrest Mani Kumar and Ratnakumar.

The Maoists damaged a slurry pipeline belonging to Essar Steel near Gunthabeda forest under Chitrakonda Police limits in Malkangiri District of Odisha. The pipeline was constructed by Essar Steel to transport iron ore from the Bailadila iron ore mines in the slurry form to its pelletisation plant in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.

One CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Bhagat Singh (32), who is on the run for five years, surrendered before the SP, P. Rajan in Salem District of Tamil Nadu. Bhagat, a resident of Singarapettai in Uthangarai in Krishnagiri District, was one of the 32 Maoists arrested by the Q branch of Tamil Nadu Police for undergoing arms training in the forests of Oothankarai in 2002. 

Nagaland Governor P.B. Acharya ‘requested’ Myanmar-based NSCN-K to join the ongoing peace talks with the Centre, a Raj Bhavan communique said. “P.B. Acharya values the formal joining of six NNPGs in peace talks, and requested the NSCN-K to join the ongoing peace process so that a meaningful solution to the protracted Naga political problem is found at the earliest,” the communique said. The NSCN-K abrogated a 2001 ceasefire accord signed with the Central Government in March 2015, just a month before the truce was up for renewal. Appreciating the efforts of the Government interlocutor for Naga talks, R.N. Ravi, to address the long-pending issue and the positive response from the Nagas, the Governor appealed to all NGOs, political parties and civil society to stand united to make the peace process a success.

This week, Ravi held talks with leaders of NSCN-IM, NNC, Federal Government of Nagaland, NSCN-R, National People’s Government of Nagaland (Non-accord) and Government Democratic Republic of Nagaland (Non-Accord). The central government and the Working Committee of six Naga groups officially began a political dialogue on September 27 in New Delhi.

One person, identified as K. Ginzalian (70), of Vengnuam in Churachandpur District, was arrested. A 9mm pistol and five live rounds were recovered from him. On a tip-off, another one, identified as Zamkhanpau (48) of Suangdoh village in Churachandpur District, was arrested for receiving an arms consignment from Myanmar. He said he received it from Ginlianthang (47) and Nengkhanlun (34), who were also arrested later. Two magazines of a 9mm pistol and cash were also recovered. Further, two more were arrested on information provided by the duo.

Dimapur Police AET Zone–II arrested one person, identified as Alok Dutta for collecting yearly Tax of INR 500 in the name of NSCN-R from Loknath Pan Shop at New Market in Dimapur. Accordingly a case has been registered at Dimapur West Police Station and investigation is on, informed Police.

Dimapur Police SOT arrested one person, identified as Mughabeto Aye (27) for extorting money from business community and auto drivers at Murgipatti area in Dimapur.  Police said six demand slips and cash amount of INR 1800 was recovered from his possession. Accordingly a case has been registered at Dimapur East police station for further investigation.

October 28

Four persons, identified as Harshad Divani, Govind Maheshwari, Mayur Nimawat and Imran Sanghwani were arrested with FICN with face value of INR 5,25,300 from Morbi in Morbi District of Gujarat. "The seizure includes 138 notes of INR 2,000 denomination, 482 notes of INR 500 denomination and 83 notes of INR 100 denomination. That apart, we have also seized four cellphones from the accused," an official from Morbi local crime branch said. They added that all notes are colour photocopies of original currency notes.

During their interrogation, the accused revealed the name of their accomplice as Jaydeep Joshi following which the Police have launched a manhunt for him. Police further said that Maheshwari used to print the notes in Abdasa in Kutch District. He had also delivered 38 fake notes of INR 100 denomination to Joshi on October 28 morning.

The Uttar Pradesh (UP) Police arrested three persons along with the FICN with a total face value of INR 1.3 lakh in Firozabad District. The fake notes were in INR 2000 and INR 50 denominations. The Police also recovered equipment and material used to make the notes.

A J&K Police Constable, identified as Isfaq Ahmad Dar is suspected to have joined the militant LeT in what could be the third such switch by a security personnel in the Valley this year. Police ordered a probe after Isfaq Ahmad Dar, last week announced on social media that he has joined the LeT, a Pakistan-based militant outfit blamed for several terror attacks in India. A photograph of Dar holding an AK-47 assault rifle was also widely circulated on social media and messaging apps in the Valley over the past few days. “There are reports we are trying to confirm. The matter is being investigated,” State Police chief SP Vaid said on October 28. He added that police are yet trying to “know the facts”.

An exchange of fire took place between the CPI-Maoist cadres and SFs in the Chandili forests at Lathor in Balangir District of Odisha. Acting on a tipoff, a joint team of the DVF and the CRPF conducted raids in the forest area to trace the Maoists’ hideout, however, on spotting the SFs, the Maoists first opened fire and in retaliation the SF personnel fired back, following which the Maoists fled from the spot. “Our operation is still on but we have been able to bust the hideout and seized few ammunition including a live grenade with detonator. We are trying to ascertain whether there have been any casualties or not,” said SP, K. Subramani. One live grenade, five kit bags, 12 containers and other articles have been recovered from the camp that was busted.

Governor of Nagaland, P.B. Acharya congratulated and appreciated the efforts of Interlocutor for Naga talks, R.N. Ravi to address the long pending issue, and positive response from Naga people. Governor valued the formal joining of the peace process by the Working Committee of six NNPGs and requested NSCN-K also to join it so that a meaningful solution to the protracted Naga political problem is found at the earliest. He appealed all the NGOs, political parties and civil society to stand united as one society to make the peace process a success.

October 29

Five men were arrested on October 29, for printing and distributing FICN in Indore. The members of an inter-state gang have till now printed INR 10,00,000 in fake notes in the denominations of INR 2,000, INR 500 and INR 100 and consignments were also sent to other states. Police recovered INR 2,60,000 fake notes from their possession. Working on a tip off, Police arrested five persons found trying to use the notes in Patnipura area.

A Police constable, identified as Zahir Abbas was killed in an encounter at Mir Mohalla village in Hajin area of Bandipora District. SFs received intelligence inputs about the presence of militants in Mir Mohalla village. As searches were being conducted, the militants started firing at the SFs, triggering a gun battle. Later two militants escaped from the spot

There have also been reports of youths pelting stones on the SFs to disturb the ongoing operation.

A DRG trooper was injured when an IED, planted by CPI-Maoist cadres, went off in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The incident took place in the forest near Telam-Tetam village under Katekalyan Police Station limits when a joint team of state's DRG and local Police was out on an anti-Maoist operation, a Police official said. When the patrolling team was on a dirt track in the Letam Tetam forest, around 400 kilometres away from State capital, Raipur, the DRG jawan inadvertently stepped on the IED, leading to a blast.

The NIA has established that four Nagaland Government officers had made the banned insurgent group NSCN-K richer by over INR 20 crore in just four years by sharing with the outfit funds from the state exchequer. The NIA has recovered payment slips and registers to this effect, which establishes that the arrested officers were hand in glove with NSCN-K in its ‘illegal tax collection’ racket. The four officers - Vilepral Aja (additional director of department of agriculture, Kohima), Purakhu Angami (former director of department of tourism), Kekhriesatuo Tep (superintendent of fisheries department) and K Hutoi Sema (executive engineer of irrigation and flood control department) - were arrested on October 13.

"These officers maintained slips and registers in which exact amount and name of the person to whom money was to be given are mentioned. The handwriting experts of Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) Gandhinagar have confirmed that these four officers maintained these slips/registers," said a source. An assessment of payment slips and other documents suggests that arrested officers have handed over somewhere between INR 20 to INR 25 crore to NSCN-K and other factions since 2012, said the officer.

Sources said that while S Khetoshe Sumi, finance in charge of NSCN-K who was arrested last year, was extorting money from State Government officials, instructions were coming from Isak Sumi, a Myanmar-based key member of the outfit, who handles all the finances for anti-India operations. In a charge-sheet filed earlier this year against Isak Sumi, Khetoshe Sumi and another finance collection agent, Victo Swu, NIA claimed that they raised funds through illegal tax collection and extorted money from government offices to support the banned organization in its activities.

The UNC warned Naga elected members at this most crucial moment that whoever among them is working against the ‘collective history’ of the Nagas will not be spared. This ‘warning’ from the Naga body came at the backdrop of the ‘all political parties meeting on the territorial integrity of Manipur with reference to peace talks between the Government of India and NSCN-IM’. The UNC warned ‘elected members’ from Naga community saying that, indulging in activities which are detrimental to the Naga movement will invite serious consequences.

UNC also asserted that it will not remain mute to ‘all those measures which are against the Naga interest’ taken up by different elements including the Manipur Government. “We are closely observing the unfolding development in Manipur currently,” said UNC while adding, “We will respond befittingly to all those elements and factors who/which are hurdles to the Naga peace process.” UNC further said that “we feel our patience has been taken as our weakness”. UNC then asked Nagas not to extend co-operation or involve in any programme which is attached with the names of the ‘seven new districts.’ UNC further asked the Naga people to remain fully aware of the ‘designs of our adversaries’.

The NPF, Manipur State unit has pledged to work for unity and integrity of the ‘people’ by integrating all contiguous Naga inhabited areas under one administrative roof and also to provide protection to all the ethnic groups who are indigenous inhabitants of all Naga inhabited areas. Significantly, the NPF issued this statement to press in the backdrop of the all political parties meeting convened this afternoon (October 29) at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.

The General Secretary of the UCM, YK Dhiren asserted that the ongoing political dialogue between the NSCN-IM and the Government of India should have no room for any arrangement such as a separate administrative system. Dhiren said this during a one day discussion on the ongoing negotiation between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India. Asserting that the ‘Framework Agreement’ should have no bearing on the unity and territorial integrity of Manipur, Dhiren said that the people of Manipur have been standing up for the territorial integrity of the State ever since the beginning of the ceasefire agreement in 1997 and added that the stand will continue .

A Manipur delegation will soon meet PM Narendra Modi to discuss the issues related to the state’s territorial integrity in view of the ongoing peace talks between the Government of India and the NSCN-IM, the Government said. This was decided at an all-party meeting chaired by Chief Minister N Biren Singh in Imphal last evening, it said in a statement. Participants in the meeting decided to depute a team comprising five to seven members to be nominated by the Chief Minister to the national capital to submit a memorandum to the prime minister, it said. The memorandum will highlight the issue of territorial integrity of Manipur and an appeal to inform the developments on the Naga talks at the earliest.

NSCN-K through its MIP’ has accused the NIA of ‘perpetrating terrorism in Nagaland’ and warned that it would be ‘forced to ask every Indian people to leave Naga country’ if NIA continued with its policy.

Dimapur Police AET Zone-II arrested one person, identified Atoka Chishi (28) for issuing information slip to business establishment in the name of NSCN-R in Dimapur. Police recovered one .32 pistol with live rounds, two information slips and cash amount of INR 3210. Accordingly, a case has been registered at East Police Station for investigation.

October 30

SFs launched a cordon-and-search-operation (CASO) at Rawalpora village in the Khansahab area of Budgam District. An unnamed official said that the SFs launched the operation after inputs about the presence of militants. However, the CASO was ended peacefully after several hours.

The UHM Rajnath Singh said that terror exported from neighbouring countries was one of the biggest threats to India. He also said the country would have to find a permanent solution to terrorism and militancy and the Government was working towards that endeavour. Minister said the world was facing challenges like terrorism, cyber terrorism and radicalisation. Singh said that Islamic State (IS)-linked groups had succeeded in setting up their network in most parts of the world. “India has not been unaffected by these global developments, but compared to other countries, only a small number here are influenced by the radical ideology of the IS,” he said.

Pakistan initiated talks with its DGMO Major General Sahir Shamshad Mirza speaking to Indian DGMO Lieutenant General AK Bhatt seeking peace on the borders while as India maintaining that Pakistan was brazenly aiding and abetting infiltration attempts by the militants and targeting civilians directly during CFA violations on the LoC in J&K. According to sources, Pakistan DGMO, in a sudden and unscheduled move, sought talks with the Indian DGMO over hotline on October 30th afternoon to which India agreed. “Request for the talks was made by Pakistan. It was an unusual and unscheduled move. However, India agreed for the talks after which both the DGMOs spoke for nearly 20 minutes in which the situation along Indo-Pak borders, mainly the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir, largely figured,” sources said, adding that Pakistan, which has suffered heavy losses in retaliatory shelling and firing by the Indian side, called for peace on the LoC and urged India to exercise restraint.

Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal asserted that ‘not an inch of Assam land’ will be affected by the ‘Naga Framework Agreement’ and asked people of the State not to be apprehensive.“You need not be apprehensive. I can assure you that not an inch of Assam land will be affected. The State’s territorial integrity will be intact,” he said.

With expectations of the new accord by the year-end running high, the NSCN-IM declared Hebron [Nagaland], the peace camp set up by government as the future ‘centre of Naga politics, government, culture, civilization and the seat of their high command’. The camp was set up about 100 kms off state Nagaland's capital Kohima, after it had signed a ceasefire agreement in 1997.

Two Chhattisgarh-based Maoists, including a senior cadre of the rank of the ‘district committee member’ of the CRC-II, surrendered before the Police in the presence of ASP, Sunil Dutt in Bhadrachalam in Bhadradri Kothagudem District of Telangana. Police said Doddi Nandu (27), company ‘platoon commander’, and Sodi Muke (25), a member of the CRC-II based in neighbouring Chhattisgarh, gave themselves up before the ASP following persistent efforts by the Police through their family members to convince them to join the mainstream. Nandu hails from Gottodu village of Bijapur District in Chhattisgarh. Sodi Muke belongs to Chennapuram in Charla mandal of Bhadrachalam division in ‎Bhadradri Kothagudem District. Nandu was enrolled into the CPI-Maoist Balala Sangham when he was ten years old, and Sodi Muke joined the outlawed outfit as militia member in 2011, the Police said.

October 31

The Punjab Police claimed that the militancy is returning to the State as it has busted many groups and arrested many people who were planning to carry out terror activities in the State. It said that several of the arrested men were planning to kill those who wrote or spoke against Sikhism. The latest such case involves seven youth who were arrested from Ludhiana on September 29 for allegedly being a part of the banned terror outfit BKI. However, human rights activists and the accused’s kin have called these arrests the Police’s way to divert public attention from real developmental issues.

The Police said that although the youth have no criminal past, it found incriminating evidence against them. It said that the seven accused were arrested for trying to disturb law and order by getting overactive on social media platform. The Police also recovered a 32 bore pistol, two 315 bore pistols and cartridges from the accused. The arrested accused were Kuldeep Singh alias Rimpi (29), who worked as a granthi (one who reads religious books in a Gurudwara) in Basti Jodhewal of Ludhiana, Jasvir Singh alias Jassa (32), of village Balipur of Tarn Taran; Amanpreet Singh alias Amna (21), of Shakti Nagar of Jalandhar; Onkar Singh (30), and Jugraj Singh of village Jhadu; and Amritpal Singh (30), of Amritsar. The seventh is a minor and a resident of Moga in Punjab, the Police said.

Ludhiana Police Commissioner RN Dhoke said, "The youth have no criminal background but their operations were funded by Surender Singh Babbar of BKI who operates from England." A case had been registered against the seven under the UAPA, 1967 and the Arms Act. The Police said that it has proof of the arrested accused were talking to terrorists and working for them as sleeper cells. Dhoke added that three of them were school dropouts and were helping others in identifying 'anti-Khalistan' pages on social media platforms and the people running them. The Police also said that it has deactivated their social media accounts, which contains a lot of inflammatory content. "We have clinching evidence and if needed, we will bring members of Babbar Khalsa International to Punjab from the United Kingdom," Dhoke added.

A 13-year-old girl, identified as Gulnaz was injured when the Pakistani army fired from small arms in forward area of Karmara along the LoC in Poonch District. “There was ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops today [October 31] along the LoC in Karmara belt of Poonch”, official sources said, adding that the firing only lasted 15 minutes. The injured girl was admitted to a district hospital.

Kupwara Police achieved a major breakthrough by busting a militant network that was trying to revive Al Badr outfit in Jammu and Kashmir by sending youth across the LoC to PoK for arms training. Police arrested two youths, identified as Danish Ghulam Lone and Suhail Ahmad Bhat who were trying to cross the LoC to enter PoK for arms training through border District of Kupwara. They also arrested four OGWs who were facilitating their ex-filtration. The interrogation of these arrested youth has revealed that a militant Ishfaq Paul who is in Central Jail is trying to revive the Al-Badar in Kashmir. The two youth, who railed from Pulwama, were motivated by HM ‘commander’ Riyaz Naiku to join militancy and sent by him to meet Ishfaq Paul in Central Jail before they left for PoK and were arrested by Police near the LoC. Police is investigating from the four arrested OGWs whether they have been successful in sending any youth to PoK for arms training so far or not.

SSP Kupwara, Shamsheer Hussain said that based on specific information, Police’s SOG cordoned off Manigah village of Hyhama area in Kupwara District. “During search of the area, two youth were found moving suspiciously and were nabbed,” the SSP said. “Some incriminating documents including the map of areas adjoining to LoC and some posters of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit were also recovered from the possession of the arrested youth. During preliminary interrogation, they disclosed that they were motivated by one active Hizb militant namely Adnan operating in Pulwama area for joining the militant ranks and exfiltration to PoK for obtaining arms training,” said the SSP.

Eight days after UHM Rajnath Singh announced ‘sustained dialogue’ on Jammu and Kashmir and appointed former IB Director Dineshwar Sharma as Centre’s representative, the Kashmir separatists dismissed the talks offer as futile exercise. The three top separatist leaders of Valley including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, in a joint statement, said the Government of India is continuously refusing to acknowledge Jammu and Kashmir as a dispute which, they said, is ‘basic premises’ for talks. “In principle, the (separatist) leadership always advocated and supported sincere and productive dialogue as a means of conflict resolution over Jammu and Kashmir. What it inherently entails from all participants to dialogue is the basic acknowledgment that there is a dispute that has to be resolved. But Government of India continuously refuses to accept this basic premise and the reality on the ground,” said the separatist trio in the statement. The decision to dismiss the talks offer was taken after a joint meeting of Geelani, Mirwaiz and Malik at former’s Hyderpora residence in Sri Nagar.

One person, identified as Sanjenbam Herojit Singh (31) was arrested by SFs for extorting money from public in the name UNLF in his locality in Haorang Khunou in Imphal West District. A case has been registered at Patsoi police station for further investigation, the press release said.

Four cadres of the PLFI, including ‘Area Commander’, Maina Gope, were killed in an encounter with SF personnel in Khunti District of Jharkhand. SP, Ashwini Kumar Sinha told that based on a tip-off that a group of PLFI cadres would arrive at Palsi village under Karra Police Station, a team of SF personnel were sent to arrest them. On seeing the SFs, the PLFI cadres started firing at them, prompting them to retaliate, SP, Sinha said. Four PLFI ultras were killed in the encounter and all the bodies have been recovered, he added. Four firearms including an INSAS assault rifle, a .315 bore rifle and a country-made pistol were recovered from their possession. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

Sixteen former CPI-Maoist cadres surrendered before senior officials of the Police and SSB in Sheohar District of Bihar. Fourteen of them were earlier active in the areas falling under the jurisdiction of Sheohar District while the other two were residents of neighbouring Sitamarhi District. They all faced charges of involvement in attacks on security personnel and for inciting people against the Police. None of them deposited any firearms.

Maheshi Yadav, a Maoist and self-proclaimed former ‘zonal commander’ of Morhar Nilanjan sub-zone who carried a reward of INR 50,000 on his head, surrendered in Barachatti area in Gaya District of Bihar. He was wanted in 12 cases.

A ‘deputy commander’ of the CPI-Maoist, identified as Kondagorla Ravinder alias Vinod (25) surrendered to the Police at Eturnagaram in Jayashankar Bhupalpally District of Telangana. Ravinder, a resident of Bore Narsapur, Mangapet mandal, working as ‘deputy commander’ of Eturnagaram-Mahadevpur Area Committee and member of JMPW Area Committee, previously known as KKW, studied up to fifth class and worked in a printing press from 2009 to 2012, carrying a cash reward of INR 400,000 on his head, surrendered with a weapon. Ravinder was involved in burning of mini transport vehicles on the outskirts of Duddeda village in Chhattisgarh in 2014, setting on fire the vehicles of road contractor at Tekulagdudem in 2015. He was involved in exchange of fire at Bottentang in 2016, and also in attack on CRPF personnel at Burkapad in 2017. Ravinder went underground in 2013 and worked in Illandu-Narsamapet Area Committee from 2013 to 2015. During the period of 2015-2016, he worked as guard to Apachi Narayana alias Ramesh, member of Maoist Party Production Team (Weapon team) and was trained in weapons production. Later he was promoted as ‘deputy commander’ of Mahadevpur-Eturnagaram Area Committee and was allowed to carry SLR weapon.

SFs engaged in anti-CPI-Maoist operations in Malkangiri and its adjoining areas are gearing up to prevent the entry of Maoists from the neighbouring Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh into Malkangiri District of Odisha. Stopping infiltration of the Maoists from the neighbouring States has become imperative in view of recent attacks on boats carrying provisions for SFs deployed in the "cut-off" area of Malkangiri that shares a border with the Maoist-hit areas of Chhattisgarh. Sources said the boat attacks were taking place at the behest of Maoist leaders directing Maoist operations in Malkangiri from across the border.

November 1

Maharashtra ATS have successfully managed to de-radicalise 120 youth who were on the verge of joining dreaded terror outfit Islamic State (ISIS). In last few days, the ATS had in Maharashtra including in Mumbai identified 120 youth who were radicalised by the ideology of the ISIS and were planning to join the group. The agencies, instead of booking them under the law, chose to look for ways to de-radicalise them. According to security agencies, these youth were in regular touch with handlers in Syria. But the prompt action taken by the security agencies, prevented these youth from fleeing. So far, 80 out of 120 youth have joined the mainstream.

Agencies said that they contacted the family members of these youth and with the help of Maulanas and Ulemas, they helped these youth get rid of Islamic radicalisation. Agencies said that Maulanas and Ulemas informed these youth about the real meaning of Islam and Jihad. Maulanas and Ulemas also praised the role of security agencies for their timely action to prevent these youth from choosing wrong path in their life.  

SFs launched an operation against top LeT ‘commander’ Abu Maaz in Handwara in Kupwara District. SoG of Handwara Police and 21 RR of Army in the evening cordoned off Harnipora Shailhall in Handwara after reports that Abu Maaz was present in the area. However, the operation was later called off as he was not found in the village.

Syed Shahid Yousuf, son of HM 'chief' Syed Salahuddin, was sent to judicial custody by a Delhi court in a 2011 terror funding case. District Judge Poonam A Bamba sent the accused to custody till November 27 after he was produced before the court on expiry of his seven-day custody of the NIA. The NIA had earlier alleged that the accused had links with proscribed terrorist organisation like HM. The NIA said the case was registered on the basis of information regarding funds from Pakistan being sent to Jammu and Kashmir through hawala channels via Delhi to fund terrorism.

Al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden closely followed developments in Jammu and Kashmir and the trial of Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks case, indicated the documents seized during the 2011 US raid on a Pakistani compound that killed the Osama bin Laden. The Central Intelligence Agency on November 1st released 470,000 additional files seized in May 2011 when US Navy SEALs burst into the Abbottabad compound and shot dead Laden. The files include Laden’s sons wedding video and diaries left by the Saudi-born militant. The documents revealed that Laden closely followed news related to the arrest of LeT operative Headley and was a regular reader of some of the top Indian publications.

Sadiya Police arrested two youths, identified as Biswajeet Gogoi and Vikash Parit for allegedly running an extortion racket from Kakopathar town, 42km from Tinsukia town in Tinsukia District. They were allegedly extorting money in the name of ‘Asom Freedom Fighters’. The Police said this hints at the emergence of a new outfit. Sadiya SP Prasanto Changmai said, "We were working on inputs of extortion calls made to local small traders at Sonpura. The investigation prompted us to believe in the involvement of local youths. We got the mobile number from which the extortion calls were made. On Wednesday [November 1], we arrested Biswajeet from outside the house of one Dhonti of Kakopathar. Dhonti fled from the backdoor. Biswajeet took us to a local computer shop from where we seized letterheads of Asom Freedom Fighters. The police seized the computer and arrested shop owner Vikash." A search is on for their accomplices.

According to a statistics available with the UMHA, as many as 37 persons including nine SFs personnel were killed in the insurgency related violence in the Northeast region over the last seven months. Official statistics has revealed that 28 civilians and nine security personnel were killed in 204 insurgency related violence across the Northeastern States. As many as 57 persons were also abducted this year up to July 31st.

SFs are on their toes following reports of recruitment of youth by the insurgent outfits in the landlocked Northeastern States.

According to a statistics available with the UMHA, as many as 37 persons including nine SFs personnel were killed in the insurgency related violence in the Northeast region over the last seven months, reports. Official statistics available with  said that 28 civilians and nine security personnel were killed in 204 insurgency related violence across the Northeastern States. As many as 57 persons were also abducted this year up to July 31st.

SFs are on their toes following reports of recruitment of youth by the insurgent outfits in the landlocked Northeastern States.

According to a statistics available with the UMHA, as many as 37 persons including nine SFs personnel were killed in the insurgency related violence in the Northeast region over the last seven months. Official statistics revealed that 28 civilians and nine security personnel were killed in 204 insurgency related violence across the Northeastern States. As many as 57 persons were also abducted this year up to July 31st.

SFs are on their toes following reports of recruitment of youth by the insurgent outfits in the landlocked Northeastern States.

The AR arrested one NSCN-K cadre, identified as Kiyeto Kinimi (33) from general area of Hekiye Village, under Zunheboto District. The cadre was arrested when the AR launched an operation along with a Police representative based on specific information regarding presence of the cadre. Kiyeto Kinimi revealed that he was a member of NSCN-K since 2008; the Police release said adding that a rifle as well as live ammunitions was recovered from him.

According to a statistics available with the UMHA, as many as 37 persons including nine SFs personnel were killed in the insurgency related violence in the Northeast region over the last seven months. Official statistics reveals that 28 civilians and nine security personnel were killed in 204 insurgency related violence across the Northeastern States. As many as 57 persons were also abducted this year up to July 31st.

SFs are on their toes following reports of recruitment of youth by the insurgent outfits in the landlocked Northeastern States.

According to a statistics available with the UMHA, as many as 37 persons including nine SFs personnel were killed in the insurgency related violence in the Northeast region over the last seven months. Official statistics revels that 28 civilians and nine security personnel were killed in 204 insurgency related violence across the Northeastern States. As many as 57 persons were also abducted this year up to July 31st.

Four cadres of Galikonda dalam of the CPI-Maoist, identified as Korra Balaram alias Chitri (28), Korra Sathi alias Barasu alias Ko-Ko (30), both ‘section commanders’, Pangi Ganesh alias Gaddar (26) and Dippala Venkat Rao (27), both dalam members, surrendered before SP, Rahul Dev Sharma in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. All of the four cadres belonged to Pedapadu village of G.K. Veedhi in Visakhapatnam Agency and carried a reward of INR 100,000 each on their heads. They have cited disillusionment with the ideology and family pressures among the reasons for their surrender. “The Maoists had been in the dalam for the last seven to 10 years and have a number of cases against them. Korra Balaram who joined the dalam in 2009, has 10 cases against him, including three murders. Balaram was involved in the murder of Vanthala Malathi at Kothapalem in 2009, elimination of three villagers at Saagulu near Lakkavaram in 2013 and the murder of businessman Makkali Satyanarayana at Kumkumpudi last year,” SP, Rahul Dev Sharma said.

Only 10 hardcore Maoist leaders are left in north coastal Andhra Pradesh and close to AOB zone and each must be having eight to 10 followers, according to SP, Rahul Dev Sharma. “After suffering a heavy blow in the last year’s Baliguda encounter, they are trying to regroup and strengthen their base. Dwindling funds and frequent surrenders have weakened them in the region,” he was saying while producing four Maoists who surrendered to the Police before media.

The Chintooru Police arrested Gundi Chalapathi (34), who joined the CPI-Maoist in 2014 and presently working as supply committee member and supplying diesel, electrical wire bundles and medicines to the Maoists from Chintooru mandal in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. SP, Vishal Gunni, charged Chalapathi with transaction banned currency notes worth INR 2.5 million with the help of middlemen and handed over the valid currency to Maoists during the demonetisation period. He said that following a tip-off, the Etapaka Police conducted a vehicle check at Kannayigudem and arrested Chalapathi on suspicion. During the questioning, he confessed to his offence to the Police.

A STF team seized 260 live cartridges of SLR meant for supply to SFs from NH-31 near Srichandrapur village under Sahebpur Kamal Police Station area in Begusarai District of Bihar. Three arms smugglers, Manchan Yadav (42), Arvind Mandal (45) and his son Bhrigu Mandal (22), were arrested with the ammunition, a bike, three cell phones and INR 5000. However, Shushil Singh, who had handed over the cartridges to the trio, managed to escape. SHO of the Sahebpur Kamal Police Station, Rajesh Kumar Yadav said the cartridges were manufactured at Indian Ordinance Factory and are supplied only to SFs. "Shushil had brought them from Odisha. It will be known only after his arrest that how he got the cartridges," Yadav said adding that the consignment might have been sold to the CPI-Maoist. He further said Manchan used to purchase the smuggled cartridges at INR 300 per piece and later sold it to Arvind for INR 350. "Arvind used to sell them to Maoists for INR 400 per piece," the SHO said and added that in 2015, Shushil and Manchan were arrested from Begusarai with more than 250 cartridges of INSAS assault rifle.

Intelligence agencies reports that the CPI-Maoist, despite recent reverses, are regrouping and looking to expand their presence to areas beyond the so-called ‘Red Corridor’. According to intelligence reports, the Maoists are now expanding their base beyond their usual bastion of Chhattisgarh’s Bastar District to the tri-junction of MMC in order to support their existing strongholds in Sukma and Dantewada Districts. The report also reveals that under the Odisha State Committee (OSC) of the Maoists, Rayagada, Kandhamal and Kalahandi Districts in Odisha are also emerging as hotbeds of Naxal activity, with the “absence of road infrastructure in these regions aiding the Naxals.” The AOB region, the report stated, is also seen by Naxals as a safe corridor between the Dandakaranya region in Chhattisgarh (areas such as Sukma and Dantewada) and the forests of Jharkhand. “The planning of Maoists is to build a new battlefield in the MMC tri-junction area with an aim to create a new guerrilla zone. They discussed the need to expand their battle zone towards the north and then the east to create a corridor with their old battle zones of Odisha and Jharkhand,” the intelligence report states.

Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu called upon the CPI-Maoist to give up violence and join the democratic process by fighting polls to serve the people. “If you have faith in your ideals, come and contest polls. Give up violence”, the Vice President exhorted Maoists in his address while inaugurating a five-day glittering ‘Rajyotsava 2017’ function at smart city Naya Raipur of Chhattisgarh. “Give up your illusion. Believe in democracy’, he told Maoists who have significant presence in State’s forested patches in Bastar. Naidu said that Maoists will not gain anything by disrupting developmental processes and by demolishing hospitals and schools. “They need to shun violence and join the mainstream of development.”

District Police and CRPF arrested top CPI-Maoist leader, Motilal Soren alias Sandeep, carrying prize money of INR five million and wanted by Jharkhand and Odisha Police, from near a field in Latarkundrijhor village under Jetia Police Station in Saranda forest under Gua block in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. SP, Anish Gupta confirmed the arrest at Chaibasa Police headquarters and said, “We acted on a tip-off that the Maoist leader was coming to Jetia to watch a football match. We had spread our team and deputed our sources. On getting information, a joint team of CRPF and District Police entered the field in the village. We could see a man sitting in a hut and watching the match. Our informers helped us in identifying him as the Maoist. He tried to escape but was caught. We recovered a loaded pistol and two highly explosives bombs from his possession.” Motilal Soren (48), a resident of Giridih had a prize money of INR 2.5 million each from both State and Odisha Police and was amongst the ‘most wanted’ Maoists in the Police list after leading Chaibasa jail break in December 2014 (in which 13 Maoists had escaped).

The CPI-Maoist cadres have allegedly abducted four youths of Badadenguni village under Muniguda block in Rayagada District of Odisha. The abducted have been identified as Bali Karkaria, Hara Takri, Chela Karkaria and Nepal Takri, informed Rayagada SP, Rahul PR, adding, the role of Maoists is not confirmed behind the missing of youths, however, cadres of BGN division were active in the area. Though the exact reason behind the abduction is yet to be ascertained, the locals suspected that the Maoists might have abducted the youths citing as ‘Police informers’.

November 2

The Kerala Police confirmed that six more youth from Kannur District have joined the Islamic State (IS) in Syria. The Police said these people were active workers of the PFI in Kerala. Those who have been identified now are Abdul Khayyoom (25), resident of Chekikulam near Kuttiattoor, Abdul Manaf P P (30), resident of Valapattanam, Shabeer Muhammed Shafi (33), resident of Mooppanpara in Valapattanam, his relative Suhail and his wife Rizwana, and Safwan (18), resident of Pazhanjirapally in Pappinissery (All in Kannur District). Kannur DSP P P Sadanandan said that all six men were active as PFI activists in the state. Police said that these men managed to move out of India, possibly to Syria, with fake passports.

Police said that the families of four of them are in Syria, and efforts are on to get their complete details. Khayyoom went to Syria on April 18, 2017, while Abdul Manaf travelled using a fake passport, said Police. Moreover, he was a close associate of Shahjahan Velluva, another IS operative who was arrested in Delhi a few months ago. When Shahjahan and his group reached Istanbul (Turkey) in an effort to sneak in to Syria, Manaf had met them, but the group could not coordinate and their bid to enter Syria failed, and they were deported. Suhail reached Syria from Dubai in 2016, said Police. Last week, the investigating team had confirmed the death of Safwan's brother Salman and their father T V Shameer in Syria, along with three others from the District.

At least five CRPF personnel were injured in a militant attack on the vehicle of SFs in Anantnag District. Militants opened fire on the vehicle of the 96 Battalion CRPF at Lazibal in Anantnag District at 8.30 am, a Police official said. He said three CRPF jawans (troopers) received bullet injuries while two others were injured after getting hit by broken glass panes of the vehicle. An operation has been launched to track down the assailants. LeT militant outfit has claimed responsibility of the attack.

President of BJYM, youth wing of the ruling BJP, Gowhar Ahmad Bhat, was killed by militants in Shopian District. Police recovered the throat slit body of Bhat from Kiloora village with visible torture marks on body parts.

Two Army personnel and a militant were killed in an encounter at Samboora area of Pulwama District. Army’s 50 RR, SOG and CRPF acting on a tip about presence of four militants in village Samboora, Pampore cordoned it and as SFs were conducting searches and fired some warning shots towards a suspected spot, the hiding militants opened fire on troops, triggering an encounter. In the ensuing encounter, a militant was killed and he has been identified as Waqas Ahmad. Three soldiers were also injured in the gun battle and two of them later succumbed to injuries. The other three militants managed to flee from the village under the cover of darkness.  The operation has ended and SFs recovered one AK-47 rifle and one UBGL from the site.

One live hand grenade was recovered by Police after it was found lying on the roadside near Old Bridge adjacent to DC office in Main Town of Kupwara District. The grenade was detected by Police on the roadside and BDS was immediately summoned who later recovered the device.

Army’s 19 Mahar posted at Asha Post in Gulmarg sector during searches of forest area at Kuthyali Dokh in Drung area of Tangmarg busted a militant hideout and recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition. The recovery included one AK 47 rifle, 147 rounds of AK ammunition, one Pistol, three hand grenades, six Wireless sets, one UBGL thrower,  one UBGL, one MLG round, one stamp of Jammu and Kashmir LeT unit, stamp of District ‘commander’ LeT, one solar panel and one walki talki.

One BSF jawan was killed in Pakistan’s firing on the IB in Samba sector in Samba District. Also, two Rangers were killed and their two to three posts were decimated in retaliation from the Indian side to the ceasefire violation. Sources said that the Pakistani Rangers resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation on the IB in Samba sector at 9.30 am today targeting a BSF patrol party. The Rangers targeted the patrol party with heavy fire arms and mortars in which BSF constable Tapan Mondal was seriously injured and later succumbed to his injuries. Sources also said the two Pakistani Rangers, who had sustained multiple splinter injuries in retaliatory firing by the BSF, have succumbed to their injuries and there were reports that another Ranger was injured. Three posts of the Rangers have been completely destroyed in retaliatory firing by the BSF.

NSCN-K has served extortion notices to big-sized and mini truck owners'' unions of Charaideo district. Office-bearers of the unions on the condition of anonymity, told that the first notice was purportedly issued by the NSCN-K with a seal and signatures of a local commander and his subordinate (a ‘ 2nd lieutenant’) stating to be of ‘Konyak region ‘ and demanding INR 800,000  as ‘income tax’ was received on November 2 night. The ‘notice’, issued in the pad of NSCN-K/GPRN, ordered the mini-truck owners to pay INR 800,000 as ‘income tax’ for a three-year period, namely 2015, 2016 and 2017 to the outfit within one week.

A combined team of Manipur Police and Army arrested one active cadre of KCP - People War Group, from Wabagai Bazaar area in Kakching District.

A combined team of Manipur Police and AR arrested another active cadre of proscribed KCP-MJC from Thoubal Bazaar area in Thoubal District.

The Police arrested two CPI-Maoist cadres, identified as Kartam Hunga and Podiya Masa, are experts in bomb-making, within Awapalli Police Station limits in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The Bijapur Police, in a press statement, said, “The Additional Superintendent of Police [Bijapur] Mohit Garg led a joint team of the DRG and the CoBRA in an anti-Maoist operation in Hamrah, Murduda, Vayguda and Chatalpalli areas of Bijapur. When the team was returning through Chatalpalli forest road two youths were seen digging the road.” The members of the team found the behaviour of the youths suspicious. When the SFs approached the youths, they ran away. The team then cordoned off the area and arrested both of them. The statement said, “One of them was carrying a tiffin bomb and a long wire. A nylon rope, pressure mechanism and electric wire were recovered from them along with batteries.” The statement added, “Both of them confessed that they were planting bombs to target the police parties. They were produced before a court in Bijapur on Thursday.”

An alleged Maoist member was arrested by SFs at Basaguda in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The Bijapur Police said, Midium Kanna alias Fulla (36), was wanted in cases under the Arms Act. He had warrants pending against him in Basaguda Police Station.

The CPI-Maoist have released all four residents of Badadenguni village in Rayagada District of Odisha, after keeping them in captivity for four days, since their abduction on October 29. The abductees identified as Bali Karkaria, Hara Takri, Chela Karkaria and Nepal Takri were reportedly released after intervention of two interlocutors from the village. While the exact reason of the abduction of the villagers is yet to be confirmed by Police, it suspects that they could have been captured by the Maoists on suspicion of being ‘Police informers’. Notably, at least 10 armed Maoists of BGN division of the CPI-Maoist raided the village in the night of October 29, and took the four with them.

November 3

The DRI arrested a man, identified as Asikul Sekh recovered 198 FICNs along with a face value of INR 3.96 lakh from near India-Bangladesh border in Malda District of West Bengal. Investigations revealed that the FICNs were smuggled into India from Bangladesh. Acting on a tip-off, accused Asikul Sekh residing in Charianantpur village near the international border was intercepted at the New Farakka Railway Station late on Friday (November 3) evening, the official said. "The accused was to board the Malda Town-Patna Intercity Express. Two plastic packets were recovered from his possession which contained 198 fake notes of INR 2,000 denomination, totaling up to INR 3.96 lakh," the official said.

Army troops of 57 RR killed a militant while foiling a major infiltration bid along the LoC in Macchil sector in Kupwara District. Srinagar based Defence spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said that Army foiled an infiltration bid along the LoC in Macchil sector killing a militant.  “One militant was killed and a weapon was recovered,” the spokesman said, adding the operation was on.

Shopian Police have identified the killers of Gowhar Ahmad Bhat, President of BJYM, youth wing of the ruling BJP, who was killed in Shopian District on November 2, as Hamas, resident of Pakistan, Umer Nazir, resident of Malikgund and affiliated to the LeT, Ishfaq Thoker, resident of Paderpora and Zubair Turay, resident of Shopian and affiliated to the HM. Police have announced cash reward for the persons whose information will lead to their arrest or killing.

GOC Victor Force, Major General BS Raju, said that after failing to take on SFs, militants in desperation aimed at soft targets like killing of BJP youth president. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function at Budgam, Major General Raju said that SFs will take necessary actions against militants to restore peace in South Kashmir. “Two to three such incidents have taken place in recent past. We are given to believe these are acts of desperation by the terrorists. They are not able to make any concerted action against the security forces. So obviously they are looking at weaker targets and I am given to believe that police is taking necessary action against the perpetrators of these crimes and we as Army and other security agencies will continue to take all necessary actions against the militants so that people of South Kashmir can live in peace”, he said.

Major General Raju further said that there are around 115 militants in South Kashmir, majority of them locals and this year they have already neutralized 80.  “There are around 115 militants in south Kashmir and out of them, 99 are local and 15-16 are foreign terrorists. And the actions that we have taken since past 6-7 months; we have neutralized nearly 80 terrorists including top leadership. We believe this will continue and as soon as number of terrorists would decrease, the situation will improve”, Major General Raju said. Adding to it, the Major also said that the situation in South Kashmir is much better. “And, I want to say this that apart from these one-two political killings, the situation in South Kashmir is much better. The stone-pelting and random acts initiated by terrorists have also decreased. So, as the winter season sets in, our actions would be more effective and peace shall return”, he said.

The GOC said that security forces are in the process of neutralizing the JeM militants. “There are indeed members of Jaish in South Kashmir and the process of neutralization of the Jaish cadre began yesterday (at Samboora) and we intend to act particularly against the Jaish”, he said, adding, there are 10-15 JeM militants in South Kashmir. “Definitely there is some strength of JeM and we are given to believe that there could be some 10-15 people in south Kashmir. We look at all them as terrorists and we will be taking action to neutralize them”, he said.

Major General Raju also said that recruitment of the militants is a concern but efforts are being made to stop it. “New recruitment of militants is definitely a cause of concern. A lot of stakeholders need to work in a concerted manner to ensure that new recruitment is put in check. I would put the onus on the parents to ensure that they are able to take care of their children and I would put the onus on village elders, to the Moulvis in the villages and towns to ensure that they get right message across to the young people. I would like to put the onus on teachers and principals of schools and colleges where these people study so that they are able to bring sense into them that this is not the route that is going to take them anywhere and of course, the role of the security forces to ensure that they conduct operations in such a manner that would not alienate the population and the youth”, he said. The GOC further said that Zakir Musa group has been given much attention but its strength is not more than 8-10 people. “I think Zakir Musa phenomenon hasn’t caught that much of attraction as it appears to be. We are given to believe that the strength is not more than 8-10 people who are with him”, he said. On the picture of Hizb ‘commander’ Sameer Tiger holding M4 weapon, Major General Raju said, “That is also a weapon and that also fires same bullet which an AK 47 fire. So we believe it won’t make any impact.”

Four legislators of the AIUDF have written to Assam Speaker Hitendra Nath Goswami, requesting a special session on the 2015 ‘framework agreement’ signed by the Government of India and the NSCN-IM. The letter, signed by MLAs (Member of Legislative Assembly) Aminul Islam, Aziz Ahmed Khan, Suzam Uddin Laskar and Nijanur Rahman, was sent to Goswami on November 2. The MLAs requested Goswami to call a special session on the issue "as news has widely been spread by electronic and print media that a large section of Assam has been included in Greater Nagalim through the framework agreement".

Before this, the Assam Congress and peasant rights organisation Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti had also demanded a special Assembly session on the issue. The ATTSA on November 3 demanded that the Centre should make public the contents of the framework agreement. "The people of Assam are worried as the content of the framework agreement has been kept in the dark though Assam will be affected by it. We demand that the Centre make the contents of the agreement public," ATTSA general secretary Paban Bedia said.

Former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said that Manipur had already approached the Centre on the issue while Assam was not doing anything to protect the territorial integrity of the state.

The Government of India’s interlocutor R.N. Ravi said that most of the substantial issues of the Naga peace talks had been resolved and only symbolic issues needed resolution. Ravi made the statement in a meeting held at Nagaland House in New Delhi in the afternoon. Earlier in the day, Nagaland Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang, his cabinet ministers and MP (Member of Parliament) Neiphiu Rio met UHM Rajnath Singh in his office.

Zeliang impressed upon Rajnath the need for a final solution to the Naga political issue before the Assembly elections next year. Rio said with the commitment and leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rajnath, the final settlement did not seem far and it would be in the interest of all if it was arrived at before Christmas. Rajnath hoped that a settlement to the Naga political issue would be arrived at soon.

A two-member consultative committee, constituted by the Manipur Government to monitor peace talks between the Government of India and the NSCN-IM, is also in New Delhi to discuss progress of the talks with central officials. The team met Ravi and Union Home secretary Rajiv Gauba on November 2. It is believed to have conveyed to the officials the Manipur Government's stand on its territorial integrity. They also plan to meet National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Kumar Doval and other stakeholders.

A DRG trooper, identified as Mohit Patel, was killed in an exchange of fire with CPI-Maoist cadres in the forest of Binagunda village under Chhote Bethiya Police Station limits in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. The incident took place when a joint team of DRG and local Police was out on a search operation; it came under heavy fire from a group of ultras leading to the gun-battle between the two sides at Binagunda forest. However, Maoists soon escaped from the spot on finding security personnel zeroing in on them, a Police official said.

Four Maoists, including a woman, were arrested following an encounter between SFs and Maoists in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The cadres were arrested from Mirtoor Police Station area when a joint team of SFs was out on a search operation, a local Police official said. When the patrolling team reached between Madpal and Tamodi it came under fire from a group of Maoists following which the encounter broke out, and after the firing stopped, four Maoists, including a woman, were arrested while they were trying to flee from the spot, he said. Of them, the woman cadre was identified as Lakkhe (26) who was active as a member of military platoon no 13 under Bhairamgarh area committee of Maoists, the officer said, adding, that a muzzle loading gun was also recovered from her possession. The remaining cadres were identified as Moti Vetti (26), a ‘Jan Militia commander’, Bijju Telam (19) and Gutta Madkam (22), both Jan Militia members, he said.

The Union Government assured all assistance to the Chhattisgarh Government to deal with Naxalism, which continue to pose a threat to several States. UHM Rajnath Singh gave the assurance to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh at a meeting in New Delhi, which was attended by senior officers of the Central and State Governments, a statement said. The two leaders noted that the declining trend of left- wing extremism continues across the country. Naxalism-related incidents have dropped by 21 per cent as compared to the corresponding period last year. Naxalites are under pressure with ever shrinking influence, both in terms of geographical spread and public support, they noted. Security and development-related measures required to achieve the same were discussed, the statement said. Important development schemes include the RRP Phase I under which Chhattisgarh was sanctioned 1,988 kilometres of road out of which 1,351 kilometres have been completed. Under the newly launched RRP-II, Chhattisgarh has been sanctioned 891 kilometres of road. To improve mobile connectivity, 519 mobile towers have been installed in Phase-I. Another 1028 towers are being planned in Phase-II of the project.  In addition, 11 IRB and two Special IRBs have been sanctioned to the State. The Central Government provides security-related assistance to the State which includes provision for CAPF personnel, helicopters, UAVs among others.

A CPI-Maoist cadre was killed in an encounter with the Gadchiroli Police in Bhamragadh tehsil in the Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra on October 2, according to a press release issued by the Police. “An encounter ensued between the police and the Naxals in the forest near Kothi village in Bhamragadh tehsil close to the border of Narayanpur district of Chhattisgarh on October 2 between 4.30 and 5,00 pm. The Naxalites fled after the police built intense pressure through retaliatory firing. A search of the spot after the incident revealed the body of a Naxalite, whose identity is yet to be established,” the press note said. It also added, “The search also revealed one SLR gun, one air gun, a mobile phone, blasting material and Naxal literature.”

A six-member armed group, suspected to be CPI-Maoist cadres, threatened a shopkeeper at gunpoint at his house in Wayanad District of Kerala. The Police said the group in green uniform reached the house of Moideen of Melmuriyil Kodiyadan, who runs a small provision store at Pozhuthana under the Vythiri Police Station limits, around 1 a.m. The team threatened Moideen at gunpoint and asked him to provide them food. When he tried to call his family members, the armed men forbade him to do so. Later, they took him to his shop beside the house and took away provisions such as tea dust, rusk, biscuits, bun, and sugar, the Police said. The team left to the nearby Kurichyarmala forest after spending nearly one hour in the area, the Police said.

November 4

The Uttar Pradesh ATS arrested one suspected Islamic State (IS) terrorist, identified as Abu Zaid (37) from the Mumbai Airport, soon after deboarding a flight from Riyadh. "Abu Zaid, suspected ISIS terrorist was arrested by the ATS team from Mumbai Airport yesterday (November 4) after he came from Saudi Arabia," ADG - Law and order, Anand Kumar said. He said Zaid was residing in Riyadh and formed a social media group to allegedly radicalise youths and lure them to ISIS.

Abu Zaid of Azamagarh District of Uttar Pradesh, who had been staying in Riyadh for a year, allegedly used a highly-secure chat application Threema, for his conversations with his targets from western UP, Kumar said. 'Threema' provides random IDs to users without asking them to provide a phone number or e-mail address. Abu Zaid was later brought to Lucknow on a transit remand. A police team was sent to Zaid's house in Azamgarh.

One Policeman was killed while another injured after terrorists fired on a Police team in Pulwama District. "Terrorists fired upon a naka party of police near Police Station Rajpora in Pulwama, resulting in injuries to two of our personnel - Abdul Salam and Munir Ahmad," DIG of Police S P Pani said. He further said both the injured personnel were taken to Army's 92 base hospital, where Salam succumbed to his injuries.

Militants hurled a grenade on SOG camp at Imam Sahib in Shopian District. However, no one was injured in the attack and entire area was cordoned off to arrest the militants responsible for the attack.

RS Pura Police arrested three persons with fake currency worth INR 44,000 in Jammu District. According to a Police official, after getting specific information a joint naka was laid at Bhatyari, Bishnah by Bishnah Police and DSB officials. He said during naka checking, one Scooty was intercepted and all three riders were thoroughly checked and during checking, INR 10,000 fake currency was recovered from one Harmeet Singh of Sanjay Nagar Jammu, INR 12,000 from Mohinder Kumar alias Baba of Chak Bala, RS Pura and worth INR 22,000 fake currency from Ramesh Kumar alias Doctor of Chak Bala, RS Pura. All the recovered fake currency was in denomination of INR 500 and INR 2000 notes.

PDCK group has called for a 24-hour total bandh (shutdown) starting from November 7. In a press note, PDCK ‘red army’s ‘chief of army staff’, ‘captain’ David Mukrang alleged that the bandh has been called in protest against alleged “atrocity and torture committed against its ‘functionaries’, Raju Engleng and Logsing Teron, by Indian occupational forces.”

The HNLC ‘publicity secretary’ Saiñkupar Nongtraw stated that it was keeping a low profile as it was preparing implement its hit list that is topped by the incumbent CM, Mukul Sangma. “The CM is also included into the top hit list. In case, if he loses the 2018 upcoming legislative assembly elections he shall become very vulnerable and it will be easy for us to hunt him down..

The Centre will provide INR 7 billion for the development of CPI-Maoist-affected Districts of Chhattisgarh. The funds will be provided in the next three years under the SCA scheme. A meeting, presided over by UHM Rajnath Singh, was held in New Delhi on November 3, to review development works and security operations in Maoist-affected regions of the State. During the meeting, it was decided that more emphasis should be given on finding effective ways to provide maximum benefits of road and telephone connectivity and other public welfare schemes to beneficiaries.

The CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze nine vehicles kept in the contractor’s camp at Narengtola in Melakajoba village under Kalyansinghpur block in Rayagada District of Odisha, to protest the construction of a road in the region. According to reports, eight masked Maoists stormed into the camp, threatened the workers to leave the place and set ablaze the vehicles, including four tractors, four motorcycles, one Bolero SUV and a JCB. The Maoists committed the act as they were reportedly protesting the Gunduriguda-Lakhapadar road work under PMGSY.

November 5

An absconding accused involved in printing FICNs and circulating them in market, identified as Abhishek Chouhan was arrested by Bhopal city crime branch in Betma in Indore District. He was on the run after his five accomplices were arrested a few days ago. ASP (crime) Amarendra Singh said that following a tip off about the presence of accused Abhishek Chouhan in his residence in Betma, a joint team of crime branch and MIG Police Station reached Betma and arrested him. A printer, cutter and fake notes amounting INR 7,100 were also recovered from the accused.

During sustained interrogation, the accused told Police that he works with a company in Pithampur. Prime accused of the gang Naresh had given him lift on his bike in Pithampur a few days ago following which they became friends. Naresh told him that he prints FICNs of INR 2000, 500 and 100 at home. Later, Naresh gave him fake notes of INR 5,000 to circulate it in the market. Abhishek later started printing fake notes with Naresh and accused Rameshwar at their home in Pithampur. To circulate the notes in the market, they included Rajesh, Chandrashekhar and Nandu in their group. Abhishek also confessed to circulate fake notes in Indore, Dhar and Ujjain as well.

Earlier, Crime Branch team had arrested five accused named Naresh Pawar, Narendra Chouhan, Rajesh Mali, Chandrashekhar Parmar and Rameshwar Parihar a week ago in connection with the printing of FICN and recovered INR 2.60 lakh from them. The investigation is underway into the case.

Two unidentified militants were killed as the Army foiled an infiltration bid along the LoC in Uri sector in Baramulla District. The infiltration bid was foiled in Uri sector, when troops noticed suspected movement during the night hours. “The group was challenged and militants opened fire, triggering a gunfight. So far two militants have been killed in the gunfight and the operation is on,” Defence Ministry spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said. The identity and the group affiliation of the slain militants could not be established immediately.

Militants hurled a grenade on SOG camp at Imam Sahib in Shopian District. However, no one was injured in the attack.

SFs launched a CASO at Monghama village in Pulwama District after reports of presence of some militants in the village, including Zahoor Ahmad, a Territorial Army man, who fled from Army camp in North Kashmir three months ago and joined militancy. However, clashes erupted between protesters opposing the CASO and SFs which lasted for about four hours in which four protesters were injured. The CASO was later called off. Similar clashes also erupted at Murran Chowk in Pulwama, though no injury was reported on either side.

Army operation at Lashdat in the Macchil sector, near the LoC, in Kupwara District continued for third consecutive day.

A 12-hour bandh (shutdown strike) called by the MCPM over misappropriation of Public Distribution System items paralyzed life in the Imphal city. The group also demanded resignation of Consumer Affairs and Food Public Distribution Minister   Karam Shyam.

NSA Ajit Doval categorically stated that the solution to the Naga political problem has to be a win-win situation for all in order to create a congenial atmosphere for acceptance of the agreement between Union Government and the ‘Naga National groups’.

SFs arrested a ‘private’ of NSCN-IM, Ganhee Wangpan, from Longding village in Longding District. A pistol and live ammunition was recovered from his possession. Post spot interrogation, the cadre admitted to being active part of the outfit since 2010 and had undergone training at NSCN training camp, said the PRO-Defence release. The cadre has been actively involved in extortion activities in Longding and Tirap District and has been apprehended twice before in 2010 and 2012, it added.

One SOG trooper was injured by CPI-Maoist cadres in combing operation in Mahakhanda forest in Kantabanji in Balangir District of Odisha. The Maoists attacked the SOG team while they were going from a combing operation in the region. There was an exchange of fire in which the trooper, identified as Chandrabhanu Bhoi, was hit by a bullet in the stomach.

The AOBSZC of the CPI-Maoist claimed responsibility for the hijacking of a boat laden with ration for BSF personnel near Totapadar in the “cut-off” region of the Malkangiri District of Odisha. In a letter, the Maoists have mentioned that the loot was to protest the Andhra Pradesh Police’s arrest of three innocent villagers from Andarapalli Panchayat in the District in the name of Maoist cadres. Earlier, the Police used to stand by the people in difficult times, but now have changed their attitude and are least bothered about the villagers’ plight, alleged the Maoists in the letter.

Several posters extolling the Russian Revolution of 1917 have appeared in the name of CPI-Maoist along the Charla-Pusuguppa main road at Pujarigudem village in Charla Mandal of Bhadrachalam Agency in Bhadradri-Kothagudem District of Telangana. The posters, purportedly put up by the Maoists, contained slogans urging people to participate in the week-long centenary celebrations of the Russian Revolution from November 7-13 across the State, sources said.

November 4

Police arrested one KCP-Noyon militant, ‘corporal’ Khuraijam Ingocha Singh alias Black alias Kakabi (44), in a search operation carried out in and around Chingmeirong Mamang Leikai in Imphal West District.

November 5

The NIA has decided to send a team to Manila in the Philippines to interrogate a notorious woman recruiter for the Islamic State (IS) terror group, Karen Aisha Hamidon, who radicalised several Indians in the last three years through social media. Sources said the NIA was already in touch with investigators in Manila following her arrest last month. A proposal for the planned visit would be sent soon through the UMHA.

Minister C.P. Singh's distant relative Gupteshwar Singh, whose wife is a mukhiya, was beaten up with sticks by TPC cadres at Nawgarha village in Vishrampur in Palamu District of Jharkhand. The TPC also wanted Gupteshwar's mukhiya wife to pay INR 30,000 as ‘levy’ for building roads from panchayat funds. TPC is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

Police arrested two NDFB-IKS militants, Ananta Boro alias Ankhwma and Kwrawmga alias Krawmshar Basumatary at Batachipur under Dhekiajuli Police Station in Sonitpur District along the interstate boundary with Arunachal Pradesh. The police recovered a pistol, 12 bullets along with a magazine and a mobile phone from them.

November 6

An IM undertrial, Naki Ahmed Wasi Ahmed Sheikh (28), who was arrested in connection with the Mumbai triple blasts on July 13, 2011, was injured in Taloja jail in Raigad District of Maharashtra after another inmate assaulted him with a tin sheet. The brawl between Sheikh and Amir Khan, another undertrial arrested in a murder case occurred in their barrack. “We have registered the case under Section 324 of the IPC for causing hurt by dangerous weapon, and will arrest Mr. Khan,” SI Seema Mundhe said.

The recoveries and seizures of FICNs in the current year following demonetisation have witnessed a sharp drop from the levels recorded in 2016 and 2015. The face value of FICN recovered across the country between November 2016, when demonetisation was announced, and November 6, 2017, totalled INR 16 crore, less than one-third of the INR 51.3 crore recovered in 2016. In 2015, this figure was INR 44.2 crore, according to data on FICN seizures.

Gujarat ATS picked up one person, identified as Uruzkhan Pathan of Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh) for questioning in connection with the firearms which were to be supplied to alleged Islamic State (IS) operatives, Ubaid Mirza and Kasim Stimberwala who were arrested by Gujarat ATS on October 25. According to the FIR registered by ATS, both Mirza and Stimberwala were planning to carry out 'lone wolf' attacks on a synagogue in Khamasa area of Ahmedabad city to kill Jews. Senior ATS officials said that Pathan had been picked up but not yet arrested. He works at a bakery in Ujjain. "During Pathan's interrogation, it came to light that Ubaid Mirza had met him in Delhi," said a senior ATS official. Later, Ubaid had phoned Pathan and asked him to arrange for an imported pistol and some ammunition.

Senior ATS officials said they suspect that Pathan knew that the weapons were to be used for a lone wolf attack on the Synagogue in Khamasa area of Ahmedabad. "On the directions of Ubaid, Stimberwala had recced the Synagogue on 12th of September with logistic support from two in Ahmedabad. Both Ubaid and Stimberwala were to flee to Jamaica after the attack to take shelter with a radical preacher named Mohammed el Faisal who was born as William Forrest" a senior ATS official added. Sources in ATS also said Ubaid was in contact with one Zabiullah of Tamil Nadu who was to help him smuggle gold with the help of one air hostess based in Tamil Nadu. "We have dispatched a team to Tamil Nadu to record the statement of Zabiullah and track the air hostess," an ATS officer said.

Three JeM militants and a soldier were killed while two soldiers were injured during an encounter at Aglar Kandi village of Pulwama District. Two AK-47 rifles and a pistol were recovered from the debris of the house, where the encounter took place. One of them slain militant was identified as Waseem of Drubgam in Pulwama while two others were from Pakistan. A civilian Tariq Ahmad Bhat, son of Ghulam Mohammad Bhat of Aglar Kandi, was also injured when clashes between locals and SFs erupted in the area amid encounter.

SFs busted a militant hideout in the forests of Najwan in the Kangan area of Ganderbal District. Though no one was arrested, the SFs recovered cache of arms and ammunition.

IG of CRPF, Ravideep Sahi, said that militants may strike during the visit of Centre’s ‘Interlocutor’ to Kashmir. “There is an input. May be a grenade throwing. May be hit and run attack. There is indication that they may step up violence. Whenever, any such step takes place, which leads to peace, enemy will not want peace. So they may try to step up. It would be like grenade throwing, hit and run on standing CRPF and Police jawans,” he said. Sahi also said that militants do come to Srinagar but they have no permanent bases here.

Cross-LoC travel on Poonch (Poonch District, J&K, India)-Rawalakot (‘Azad Jammu and Kashmir’ in PoK) route resumed. The bus service, which has been named as `Paigam-e-Aman’ (message of peace), resumed after 17 weeks. However, no citizen from this side boarded the bus to visit PoK while 20 civilians reached Poonch from Rawlakote to meet their divided family members and friends, mostly in the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri.

Sources added that trade between businessmen of J&K and PoK was also likely to resume on November 7. Cross-LoC trade takes place from Tuesday to Friday every week. Senior civil officials from Poonch and PoK had held a meeting at the crossing point near the LoC on November 3, 2017, and reached a consensus to resume the suspended bus service and trade between the two sides. The trade, which works on the barter system, between the two parts of Kashmir started in October 2008.

The Police arrested four CPI-Maoist imposters, including a businessman, on the charge of carrying out extortion in Sheohar District of Bihar. Acting on a tip off, a Police team led by Sheohar SDPO, Pritish Kumar raided a garments shop at Babali Chowk in the District headquarters town and arrested Devendra Ram alias Dev. They also seized copies of extortion letters sent to businessmen, brick kiln owners and other professionals. Devendra, Police said, was the kingpin of the group that operated in the garb of Maoists. During interrogation, Devendra admitted he had sent threat letters to three businessmen - Pintu Tiwary, Reza Ahmad and Bechan Kumar - demanding extortion. Four of his associates are residents of East Champaran and the others to Sheohar and Sitamarhi Districts.

The JJMP cadres exchanged fire with the SFs in Manika in Latehar District of Jharkhand. After the encounter, two JJMP cadres, identified as Chintaman Ganjhu and Kamlesh Yadav were arrested by the SFs. Chintaman is being treated for bullet injuries, while Kamlesh is being interrogated at an undisclosed spot in Latehar. Police also claimed, at least two more cadres sustained bullets and have intensified search in forests of Barwaia-Kumrahi in Manika where over 350 rounds were fired, 200 by the cadres alone. JJMP is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

Two powerful landmines placed under a culvert by the CPI-Maoist cadres, were unearthed by the Police near Abbaigudem village in Venkatapur mandal on the highway towards Bhadrachalam in Jayashankar Bhupalpally District of Telangana. According to information, each landmine weighing 500 kilograms and some gelatine sticks were planted by the Maoists near Abbaigudem village near Morlonigudem Gram Panchayat. Police found electric wire of 2.5-kilometres length meant for detonating the landmines. Two days ago, the Maoists had left some pamphlets at the same place.

Guwahati city Police busted a FICN printing unit at house number 10 on Minaj Path at Sijubari under Hatigaon Police Station and FICN with a face value of INR 300,000. City Police commissioner Hiren Chandra Nath said the seized FICN were in denomination of INR 200, INR 500 and INR 2,000. The owner of the house, Sahida Latif Begum, has told the police that three persons, Jainal Ahmed (45), Azmal Hoque (31) and Jiabuddin Lashkar (30), had taken her house on rent six months ago but she had no idea about their illegal activities. "We are trying to track them down. We have learnt that the accused hail from Barak Valley and efforts are on to find their permanent addresses," a Police source said.

The ABSU, NDFB-PTF and the PJACBM staged a three-hour demonstration and blood signature campaign demanding early creation of Bodoland state and political rights to the Bodos residing outside the BTC region.

The AJYCP, ATASU and ATYP were among the organisations organised a sit-in in front of the Charaideo Deputy Commissioner's office as a protest against the framework agreement signed between the Centre and the NSCN-IM. These organisations were demanding the Centre to make the agreement public.

Police arrested a NDFB-IKS cadre, Swmkhwr Narzary alias N Sibilang (25), from Mwndarguri village under Amguri Police Station of Chirang District.

SFs arrested KYKL militant, ‘sergeant’ Sorokhaibam Omita Devi alias Memcha (26), while conducting a search operation in and around Chairel Awang Leikai in Kakching District.

Director General of Police SB Singh asked the State intelligence agencies to assess the threat perception to Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and Cabinet Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh following the statement by militant group HNLC.

The Union Government has offered a final repatriation deal to Reang refugees in Tripura, saying that it would stop all relief if they do not return to Mizoram in January 2018. Dates for the process will be finalized this December, said Special Secretary (internal security) Mahesh Kumar Singla, who visited refugee camps in North Tripura district (Tripura) on November 6.

November 7

The Central Government has decided to create two new divisions in the UMHA to shape up policy and response to these new-age threats like radicalisation, mostly online, and cyber crimes. The two new divisions, counter-radicalisation and cyber security are likely to be created as part of an administrative restructuring plan that will see the merger of four existing divisions of the UMHA into two. The judicial division and Centre-State divisions are being rolled into one, as are international cooperation and public grievances divisions. "Though home ministry will continue to have 18 divisions even after the restructuring, eliminating the need for Cabinet approval, consolidation of four divisions into two will create space for two additional divisions headed by joint-secretary level officers. The structural changes are likely to take effect in the next few days, possibly within this month," said a UMHA functionary.

While the counter-radicalisation division will focus on tracking and assessing the online reach of global terrorist outfits like the Islamic State (IS) terror group and devising strategies to counter their propaganda, the cyber security division will monitor online crimes and threats, including cyber fraud and hacking, and suggest ways to minimize and fight them. "Online radicalisation has become a global phenomenon, given the growing use of social media by terrorists outfits for propaganda. Though this problem is not too pronounced in India, with only a few youth influenced enough to join IS or travel to Iraq/Syria, the need for a counter-radicalisation division and policy was felt as Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh was keen that the problem be "nipped in the bud," said a UMHA officer.

The newly appointed envoy of Russia to India, Ambassador Nikolay Kudashev said that Russia’s relation with India is ‘privileged and strategic’ and Moscow shares New Delhi’s counter-terrorism concerns. Addressing the media for the first time since his appointment, Nikolay Kudashev said Russia supported India’s pursuit of global convention against terrorism. “We stand united on majority of issues [with India] including the [UN] comprehensive convention on counter-terrorism,” said Mr. Kudashev.

Demonetisation has choked the flow of funds to terrorists in J&K besides adversely impacting the LWE in several parts of the country, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said. She also said that the number of incidents of stone pelting in Kashmir has come down since summer and suggested that it was the result of fund crunch being faced by terror outfits due to the note ban. “The data shows flow of funds to the terrorists has clearly been choked after demonetisation,” Sitharaman said. She said the terrorists are “really running short of funds. There have been a lot of attempted bank robberies and it clearly shows that demonetisation or withdrawal of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes has affected the flow of funds for terrorism.”

Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh claimed that his Police force had cracked the string of targeted killings of religious leaders in the State by busting a terror module managed by Pakistan-based ISI. Amarinder said ISI was working in tandem with gangsters and ‘cells’ abroad to destabilise Punjab. The victims include RSS leader Brig Jagdish Gagneja (Retd), RSS activist Ravinder Gosain, Pastor Sultan Masih and two Dera Sacha Sauda supporters. Most of the killings took place in Ludhiana, Khanna and Jalandhar.

Amarinder said that four persons have been arrested in this connection. This included UK national Jagtar Singh Johal alias Jaggi, who had landed in India on October 2. Others are Jimmy Singh, who had stayed in the UK for several years, and alleged gangster Dharmendra alias Guggni, who was lodged in Nabha jail and had supplied weapons to the killers. The fourth accused, who is believed to be the main shooter in various cases, was caught on November 7th afternoon. Police officials said his identity cannot be revealed at this juncture as he is still being interrogated. Amarinder said, "Forensic and ballistic evidence in these cases matched, which confirms the hand of this module. The module was using encrypted mobile software and their main handler was the ISI, besides cells in other countries. The objective was to further ISI's agenda of carrying out anti-India activities to fan communal tension." Interrogation of the four conspirators showed that they had met and were trained in various places abroad and had been using encrypted mobile software and apps for communication with handlers based in Pakistan and some western countries.

Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat said that they will continue their operations in eliminating militants in Jammu and Kashmir. “We can easily understand from where these terrorists get support. It is clear that from beyond the border, they are getting assistance. The operation will continuously take place. If the terrorists attack the people, buildings, police stations or political entity, the Army will try to neutralise them as soon as possible,” the Army chief said, without naming Pakistan on recovery of a United States Army-issue weapon, appearing to be a Colt-manufactured M4 carbine, from site of encounter in which three JeM militants were killed on November 6. Reacting to the killing of militants the General said, “Our main aim is to end terrorism whether the terrorist is nephew of Masood Azhar or from other religion.” 

An unnamed senior UMHA official stated that one of the three terrorists killed by SFs in Pulwama District is believed to be Tallah Rashid, son of Abdul Rauf, the key conspirator behind the 1999 hijacking of an Air India plane and brother of JeM ‘chief’ Maulana Masood Azhar. The other killed militants were identified as Mehmood Bhai, the ‘divisional commander’ of JeM in the South Kashmir; and Wasim Ahmed Ganie. While the first two were in the category of ‘most wanted’ militants carrying cash rewards, the third was a local and had joined militancy in May 2017. A JeM ‘spokesperson’, identifying himself as Hassan Shah, sent a statement to local news agencies claiming that one of the slain militants was Tallah Rashid, the nephew of Maulana Masood Azhar.

IG (Kashmir Range) Munir Khan thanked the militant outfit for acknowledging the identity of the killed militant, and said the State police would like to request Pakistan to claim the body of the two foreign militants. “I am thankful that for the first time they have owned a Pakistani militant, that ‘yes, he is nephew of Maulana Masood Azhar’. Now, we will take up the matter through proper channels and we will very firmly request… Please claim the body and take it because they have owned it,” he said.

Major General B S Raju, who heads Victor Force and is responsible for security in South Kashmir and parts of Budgam and Bandipore, said Pakistan’s special forces use M4 carbine rifles and it is likely that they supplied the weapon to the JeM. The weapon is mostly used by the US Army in its wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. “M4 Carbine is a US-made weapon, presently with a lot of armies in NATO and it is also with the Special Forces of the Pakistan Army. So we have reason to believe that this particular weapon was given by the Pakistan army to the JeM cadre. This clearly shows the complicity between the JeM and Pakistan and its nefarious designs in Kashmir,” he said.

The Army Commander said it was the first time that a US- made weapon was recovered in Kashmir. He added that there were reports that 10 such rifles were brought by terrorists who infiltrated from across the border recently. While the number of militants has not come down, the level or quality of militancy in Kashmir “definitely has come down”, Raju said. “The quality of people who are joining is definitely being compromised and the relative level of peace that is there in the environment is ensuring that the Government is able to function better… That is an important development,” he said. According to him, the presence of JeM militants in the valley is an indication that Pakistan thinks the “capacity and the propensity” of the HM to survive has reduced. “My understanding is that there is too much relationship between this and radicalisation… This void is being filled by JeM… So, this fundamentally tells me that the Valley wants peace and to get back to normalcy but is not being permitted by Pakistan,” he said.

At least six cadres of the CPI-Maoist, including a woman cadre, were killed by the SFs in two simultaneous encounters that took place in the Abujhmadh area in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. When the operations were undergoing near Dhurbeda in the morning, the SFs came under heavy fire from a group of armed Maoists, leading to strong retaliation by the SFs. After the encounter stopped, the SFs recovered a body of a woman Maoist along with weapons. Later in the afternoon, five Maoists were killed in another exchange of fire between SFs and Maoists near Pinka village. Two .303 rifle, five .315 bore rifles, one 12 bore gun and one pistol were recovered by the SFs in the two encounters. ADGP, Anti-Naxal Operations, Durgesh Madhav Awasthi said, five Maoists were gunned down during an encounter at Pinka village, the woman Maoist was eliminated also in another encounter at Dhurbeda forests, both under restive Narayanpur District. Awasthi further informed the media persons that the SFs recovered nine weapons, including two .303 rifles and large number of Naxal materials and literatures during both these operations. Both the operations were taken place in the interiors of Abujhmadh area, considered Maoist hotbed, he added. The identity of the killed Maoists were yet to be established as the operation is sill still underway in the region and will conclude by tomorrow, he said.

A large number of Maoists' posters were found pasted at Saria area, Chichaki Railway gate, hotel, Chirua water tank, and other villages of Saria block in Giridih District of Jharkhand. The posters in red ink appealed to locals to dethrone the local operation of “green-hunt” as well as Raghubar Das Government as it supports capitalism. The Maoists also raised voice against the domicile policy of the Government in the poster. They asked the villagers to get united against the “Operation Green Hunt” in which Police have been killing innocent villagers, they also appealed to the local people to organise Kranti Diwas. Saria SDPO, Deepak Kumar Verma said that Police have removed the posters which were pasted to instill fear among the residents. The Maoists have lost their domination here, he said. "We have intensified raids in the areas to nab the Maoists," added the SDPO.

CPI-Maoist posters resurfaced in Narayanpatna of Koraput District of Odisha, with the Maoist cadres appealing people to participate in the week-long centenary celebrations of the Russian Revolution from November 7-13 across the State. The posters have been put up by Koraput-Srikakulam division of the CPI-Maoist at various places in Narayanpatna. They have called upon people to draw inspiration from Russia’s Bolshevik Revolution dating back to 1917 and strive to achieve the New Democratic Revolution in India. The rebel outfit has also asked all organised and unorganised labourers to launch a powerful agitation demanding eight hours work, minimum wages, social security and labour law. The posters also urged the people to protest the false arrests and encounters of people by the Police under the Naveen Patnaik Government. Similar posters were also found in Bandhugaon block of the District on November 3.

Police claimed that a group of well-equipped and trained NDFB-IKS militants, accompanied by a highly sophisticated arms trainer, had entered Assam with the "objective" of disrupting the NRC update process.

Police arrested one NDFB-IKS cadre along with an overground worker, Sukron Basumatary alias B. Saorailang (26) and Badam Goyari, from Dwimuguri village under Panbari Police Station in Chirang District. The Police recovered a pistol, 12 bullets along with a magazine and a mobile phone from them.

NIA arrested a NDFB-IKS militant, identified as Upen Basumatary alias Jathi alias Uasaobadao (41), who is a prime accused in the killing of at least 11 Adivasi villagers, including three minors, at Shantipur village of Kokrajhar district in December 2014. The militant was already lodged in the Kokrajhar jail in connection with other criminal cases.

UNC expressed its disappointment on the alleged “dilly-dallying tactics employed” by the State Government and the Central Government on the district creation issue. The next 'tripartite talks' on the District creation issue is scheduled for November 10 at Senapati district headquarters.

November 8

Uttar Pradesh Police busted a FICN racket and arrested one member, identified as Abul Hassan along with FICN worth of INR 30 lakh at Behat in Saharanpur District. SSP, Bablu Kumar said that on tip off Police raided at Pathlokhar village and arrested Abul Hassan while his two accomplices managed to flee. Kumar said during interrogation Abul disclosed that racket of three miscreants had plan of purchasing gold after printing FICNs.

Kerala Police have registered a case against eight persons for joining the Islamic State (IS) and going to Syria to wage the 'holy war'.  The case has been registered against Shybu Nihar from Thamarassery in Kozhikode District, Shahnad from Kannur District, Mansoor from Kondotty in Malappuram District, Mansoor from Vadakara in Kozhikode District, Fajid from Koyilandi in Kozhikode District, Ashraf Moulavi from Vaniyambalam in Malappuram District, Safeer from Perumbavoor in Ernakulam District and Muhadhis from Vaniyambalam in Malappuram District. Among them, Shahnad, Mansoor (Kondotty), Mansoor (Vadakara) and Muhadhis are believed to be killed in Syria.

Wandoor Police have registered the case under Section 38 and 39 of the UAPA on the basis of confessions of U K Hamza, a Thalassery (Kannur District) native who was arrested by Police on October 26. They said Hamza had confessed that he met Shybu while he was in Bahrain 20 years ago and that they used to discuss religious matters. They were in contact after Hamza left Bahrain. Shybu told Hamza that some youths had already left for Syria to join the IS. Hamza said the youths had contacted him over phone to clear their doubts on doing Hijra (migration) to Islamic countries. Quoting various religious texts, Hamza advised them that it would be better to go to Syria. The group had met at various places, including at the houses of Hamza and Ashraf Moulavi. Hamza further told the police the youths had told him that Ashraf Moulavi and Safeer had conducted classes at a Salafi centre in Bahrain. It was reported that Moulavi and Safeer had an important role in radicalising youths, known as the `Bahrain Group'. District Police Chief Debesh Kumar Behra said the group of men who were in Bahrain were on the radar of the State's investigation agency.

Alleged Islamic State (IS) operatives Kasim Stimberwala and Ubaid Mirza were sent on Police remand for six more days in Gujarat. Both were arrested by Gujarat ATS on October 25 on charges of planning to attack a synagogue in Khamasa area of Ahmedabad and then flee to Jamaica. Both were to take shelter with a radical preacher, Abdullah el Faisal of Jamaica, said a Police officer. ATS officials said they are keeping watch for the weapons and firearms that they had allegedly been acquired to attack the synagogue.

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that controversial televangelist Zakir Naik, who has been charge sheeted under terror charges in India, will be extradited if a formal request is sent to Malaysia under MLAT by the Indian Government. The Malaysian newspapers reported that Hamidi informed the lower house in Malaysia that it was yet to receive any formal extradition request from India. NIA sources said they will send an extradition request to Malaysia through Ministry of External Affairs as soon as the court takes the cognizance of its charge sheet filed against Zakir Naik last month. Naik has been accused of money laundering and radicalising several Indian Muslim youths through his speeches.

The terror module busted by the Punjab Police on November 5 was allegedly operated by Pakistan-based KZF militant Harmeet alias Happy alias PHD, while the network of all operatives was spread in the UK, France and Italy. Happy’s name had figured in the questioning of the members of the previous terror modules also. The accused whose arrest was announced on November 7, Jimmy Singh of Jammu, Jagtar Singh Johal alias Jaggi and gangster Dharmendra alias Guggni, were being questioned for further leads. Police sources claimed that the questioning had revealed they operated with a new modus operandi in which sub-groups of the module worked on different aspects of the killings.

The sources said unlike the usual functioning of the Pakistan’s ISI, this terror module operated with one group arranging the weapons, another radicalising the youths, yet another finalising the targets and conducting recce, while the fourth carrying out the killings. The questioning has revealed that after the killings, the assailants quietly went about their life. “None of them had a criminal record. They were not known criminals or activists of a specific ideology,” said a Police official. Though the Police are tight-lipped about the ongoing investigations into the links and activities of the terror module, the sources said the assailants had revealed they were influenced into killing of Hindu leaders by tales of atrocities on Sikhs during 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

The shooter who has confessed to his involvement in the seven targeted killings in Punjab, including RSS leaders Brigadier Jagdish Gagneja (retd.) and Ravinder Gosain, since last year has been identified as Ramadeep Singh alias Raman Canadian (28), a resident of Chuharwal in Ludhiana District. After his arrest on November 7, Ramandeep was produced in Baghapurana court on November 8 and has been remanded to seven days of Police custody. During his interrogation, Ramandeep revealed that he had selected his targets to carry out killings at the behest of his ISI handlers and some of the KLF leaders, who have taken refuge in Pakistan, so as to create communal disturbances to destabilise the State.

Punjab DGP Suresh Arora interrogated four suspects for the murders of religious figures that took place in the State in the past months. Arora arrived at Moga (Moga District) a day after Chief Minister Amarinder Singh declared that the high profile cases of the killings of religious figures had been solved with the arrest of four persons. Amarinder had also claimed that the gang members were being funded by Pakistan-based ISI. Harminder Singh Mintoo of the KLF and one of the main accused in Nabha jailbreak case is also learnt to have been brought to Moga on November 8 for questioning. Moga SSP Rajjit Singh confirmed that five suspects, including Mintoo, were in custody of the Moga Police and DGP Suresh Arora had questioned them personally.

A woman originally from India was among three Singaporeans arrested under the ISA for supporting the Islamic State (IS) and terrorism-related activities, authorities in Singapore said. Of the three, Adzrul Azizi bin Bajuri (19) was issued with a Restriction Order, while Abu Thalha bin Samad (25) and Munavar Baig Amina Begam (38) were issued with Detention Orders, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Singapore said in a statement. Amina, a housewife and a naturalised Singapore Citizen originally from India, is an ISIS supporter and harboured the intention to make her way to the conflict zone to join IS, the Ministry said. She was radicalised by a foreign online contact, who shared pro-IS materials with her and convinced her that ISIS was fighting to defend Sunnis in the conflict zone, it said. “She was radicalised to the extent that she was prepared to undergo military training and take up arms to fight for ISIS in the Middle-East if called upon by ISIS to do so,” the statement said.

Amina shared on social media materials promoting terrorism. She was issued a Detention Order for a period of two years this month. Of the two men, Abu Thalha was found to be a member of the terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI). He was educated in JI-linked schools in the region and also underwent paramilitary training in some of the schools he attended.

The Anti Extortion Cell of the Mumbai Crime Branch arrested two persons, identified as Sana-ul (22) and Suleiman (46) along with FICN worth of INR 480,000 in Dongri in Thane District. The two accused were found to be in possession of 240 fake INR 2,000 notes. They were of superior quality and had the same serial numbers. Investigating officials said the accused hailed from Malda District of West Bengal and were part of a large group of residents of border towns who are regularly used as conduits of fake currency.

A surrendered militant, Mohammad Masook, who had been absconding for past about a decade, was arrested by Police in the Chillad area of Arnas in Reasi District. SSP, Reasi, Tahir Sajjad Bhat said that Mohammad Masook, 41, son of Mohammad Ramzan resident of Chillad had surrendered in 2007 after giving up the path of militancy. However, he didn’t appear in the court in the FIRs registered against him during the period of militancy and had been declared as absconder by the court. Instead, Masook fled to Pulwama District, where he was reportedly working at a private place. He was arrested on November 8 when he returned to Chillad.

Two RPF jawans were attacked by a gang of suspected CPI-Maoist cadres at the Bacheli Railway station in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh. According to reports, both the jawans were found with their throats slit. While one jawan succumbed at the station, another was rushed to a nearby hospital where his condition is said to be very critical. Police said that they suspect the hand of Maoists behind this heinous act.

A jawan of the STF was injured in an encounter with the Maoists in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The skirmish took place in the morning in a forest in Regargatta village of Sukma when a joint team of personnel from different SFs was out in an anti-Maoist operation. The composite squad of STF, DRG and District Force was passing through the forest in Regargatta, when the SFs came under heavy fire from a group of Maoists, leading to an exchange of fire between the two sides. The Maoists, however, soon escaped into the dense forest and a constable of the STF sustained bullet injury in the incident.

A wanted CPI-Maoist cadre, Lakhinder Patar, was arrested during a joint combing operation by Seraikela-Kharsawan District Police and 196 battalion of CRPF from Bada Bandi village in Kuchai block of Seraikela-Kharsawan District of Jharkhand. Seraikela-Kharsawan SP, Chandan Kumar Sinha, said that acting on a tip-off, the joint combing operation was carried in the forest area of Bada Bandi village. The Police said the team managed to arrest the Maoist cadre who identified himself as the aide to ‘zonal commander’ of the CPI-Maoist, Maharaj Pramanik. Lakhinder was wanted in connection with several murder and loot cases.

Normal life in the capital city of Imphal was hit because of a 12-hour strike (5am-5pm) imposed by the MCPM demanding action against the culprits responsible for misappropriation of PDS items in the State.

Assam and Meghalaya Police in a joint operation arrested five militants, including three militants of GNLA and two from TLA from Salang area in East Jaintia Hills District. The five arrested were identified as ‘commander’ Motilal Deori, Sourav Deka (TLA cadre), Khasang .A. Marak (GNLA), Smart .A. Marak (GNLA) and Arween .A. Marak (linkmen GNLA). The 'commander' of TLA, Motilal Deori had issued an extortion note to Tiwa Autonomous Council (TAC), Chief Executive Member (CEM) Paban Manta demanding INR 5 million.

The draft MoS proposed to be signed between the Mizoram Government and the HPC-D was approved at the consultation meeting of the Hmar community. The meeting was convened by the "Hmar Inpui" (apex Hmar body) and chaired by Joseph Lalrothanga, ‘president’ of the Hmar Inpui. The meeting also approved the draft Sinlung Hills Council Bill, 2017, which is required to be approved by the Mizoram council of ministers before its introduction in the State Legislature.

November 9

The trial in the first Islamic State (IS)-related case registered in Kerala, in which 15 persons from Kasaragod District migrated to Afghanistan to join the terror group, began at the NIA Court in Kochi. NIA-II Court judge Santhosh Kumar examined three witnesses on the first day of the trial. The lone arrested person, Yasmeen Mohammed Zahid of Bihar was produced at the court as part of the trial.

“The witnesses examined by the court on the first day include the brother of Abdulla Abdul Rashid of Kasaragod, his aunt and a village officer, who is an official witness. Abdul Abdulla Rashid is the prime accused in the case and his brother has deposed some crucial matters regarding the case before the judge. As many as five witnesses will be examined on Friday,” an NIA officer said. Though there are 16 accused persons in the case, the NIA had filed the first chargesheet against Rashid and Yasmeen. The probe against the other accused is still proceeding. There are 68 prosecution witnesses in the case. The witness examination will be completed on December 4. NIA prosecutor Arjun Ambalapatta appeared for the investigation agency.

A NIA official’s team questioned two persons in Chennai for their alleged links with the Islamic State (IS). NIA sources said the two men, identified as Mohammed Jaffer of Kondithope and Sahib of Mannadi, were questioned by a team of officials from Delhi in a secluded place in Chennai city. They were summoned to appear before them to inquire after IS sympathiser Shajahan VK had spilled the beans about them during questioning. NIA officials said Shajahan, hailing from Kannur District in Kerala, was deported from Turkey in July after a failed attempt to enter Syria. The Delhi Police arrested him in July after he was deported from Turkey. The NIA took over a case from the Delhi Police in September.

Inquiries revealed that Jaffer and Sahib met Shajahan during their visit to Uttar Pradesh in 2016. Shajahan disclosed to intelligence agencies about the presence of 17 people from Kerala in the IS in Syria and Iraq. Shajahan had visited Turkey for carrying out terrorist activities after procuring an Indian passport in the fake name of Mohammad Ismail Mohideen. He travelled to Turkey from Chennai in February.

The SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar said that “as per a SC ruling, there is nothing wrong in raising the demand for Khalistan”, a separate Sikh nation, and that “it is neither unconstitutional nor an offence”. He was talking to mediapersons in Amritsar in Punjab at Guru Ramdas Medical College where he attended a function along with Punjab’s Health Minister Brahm Mohindra. Badungar was replying to a question related to election of a Sikh as Mayor of Hoboken city in the US and reacting to alleged ‘labels such as terrorists and Khalistani attached with Sikhs.’

He was apparently referring to the SC verdict in a case about two men having shouted some slogans in Chandigarh after assassination of Indira Gandhi in Delhi in 1984. The court had held that mere shouting of slogans did not amount to sedition unless there was incitement to violence. When specifically asked to comment on some Sikh leaders living abroad being termed ‘Khalistanis’, he referred to movements going on in other parts of the world: “Irish people have been fighting against England. Similarly, we can consider the conflict between South Korea and North Korea. The conflict between Shia and Sunni Muslims in as many as 37 countries is another instance... This is not only an issue about Sikhs, but also of others.”

The Punjab Police identified the fourth accused of the terror module as Ramandeep Singh, the sharp-shooter seen in CCTV footages with covered face on a motorcycle. Sources said Ramandeep had revealed the name of KLF chief Harminder Singh Mintoo during his interrogation, following which the Moga Police brought him from the Nabha jail on a production warrant. After bursting the ISI terror module, the Police on November 9 claimed to have solved seven out of the eight cases of targeted killings in the State. The other three were Jimmy Singh of Jammu, Jagtar Singh Johal alias Jaggi, a UK national, and Dharmender alias Gugni, an infamous gangster from Meharban village of Ludhiana.

In the meantime, the Moga Police produced Mintoo and the four accused before the duty magistrate in Baghapurana and procured their custody for five days.

The Kozhikode Rural Police arrested three youths, identified as Aswin Venugopal (26), Mohammed Aslam (24) and Sanal Sahadevan (31) in connection with the FICN distribution case from Kozhikode District. According to Police, the youths joined the FICN network hoping to make money enough for their silver screen entry. The youngsters were allegedly lured to the gang by the three persons who were arrested by the Rural Police from Karnataka. Earlier, Police had arrested P V Gold Joseph, M Shihab and Josephs's nephew Vipin and recovered printers and FICN to the tune of INR 32 lakh. According to Police, the gangsters have distributed counterfeit currency notes to the tune of INR 1 crore in Kerala and Karnataka. The currency notes were in the denominations of 2000 and 500. All the six arrests were made after the arrest of Punaloor Sabu from Koduvally in Kozhikode District while trying to fill fuel from a petrol pump by giving fake note in 500 denominations.

Militants shot at and injured a SPO attached with Traffic Police near the office of Deputy Commissioner Anantnag in Anantnag District. The policeman was shot while he was on his routine duties.

Personnel of Army’s 62-RR, 3 RR, Shopian Police along with SOG of J&K Police and CRPF launched cordon and search operation in 13 villages of Shopian District to flush out militants. The SFs cordoned off Kadgam, Barbugh, Chiterwich, Imamsahab, Hillow, Manihel, Amarbugh, Badimarg, Yamrch, Munad, Gofan, Woyen and D K Pora villages in Shopian district and conducted house to house searches and were looking for militants at suspected places. However, no one was arrested during the operation. It was first such major operation in the district in 2017 after the SFs launched Operation All Out in Kashmir against militants. Sources said that the operation was launched to prevent militants from attacking the political workers, SF personnel and their families.

Police arrested an OGW of HM, identified as Showkat Ahmad Lone, resident of Charsoo, in Kulgam District. “One pistol, pistol magazine and 4 pistol rounds were recovered from his possession”, an unnamed Police spokesman said. He also said that HM’s ‘operational chief’ Riyaz Naikoo had provided weapons to some OGWs for carrying out subversive activities in District Kulgam. “These OGW’s were roaming in the area from one place to another to seek a chance to attack on police security personnel”, he said. He further said that acting on this information, Kulgam Police launched a manhunt and arrested one of them, adding, “More arrests are expected in coming days.”

Pakistani troops violated CFA and resorted to firing on LoC in Shahpur Sector of Poonch District. In the firing, which last for five minutes, no casualty was reported.

A huge cache of explosives, including detonators and gelatin sticks, has been recovered from separate CPI-Maoist hideouts in the forests in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh, during Operation Prahaar-2. The seizure included a tiffin bomb, 60 detonators, 50 gelatin rods, one grenade headed arrow, 500 grams of explosive powder, 3 kg gun powder, a couple of batteries and switches, one bundle cordex wire, splinters, three cameras flash, few live cartridges of SLR and a 12 bore gun, besides Maoist material, medicines and commodities of daily use. "Separate teams of security personnel were engaged in gun battles with naxals at three places on November 7 during the operation. No harm was reported to forces in the exchange-of-fire," DIG (Dantewada range), Sundarraj P said.

The Indian Army arrested a suspected NSCN-K cadre, Khampai Konyak, from Sonari town in Charaideo District.

November 10

Mumbai Crime Branch officers said that FICN gangs employ poor residents of towns on the India-Bangladesh border to smuggle fake notes into cities like Mumbai. A Crime Branch officer said, “The accused said during interrogation that scores of poor like them hailing from Malda and other border towns signed up for the job as they were in dire need of money. “The gangs operate from across the border and are on the lookout for people willing to take the risk of circulating counterfeit currency to make a quick buck. The officer said the fake currency was sold to Suleiman at 40% of its value and he was told to keep the profits earned while making purchases with the notes. Another officer said, “Both the accused lived in Malda and knew each other well. Suleiman had relatives in Bangladesh and was in regular touch with them. He once came into contact with the masterminds of the fake currency racket in Bangladesh through his relatives. The racket operates on word of mouth publicity and there is no dearth of poor men and women willing to take the risk.”

The Governments of Odisha and West Bengal will soon organize a joint security exercise named as 'Sagar Kavach' to further tighten the existing coastal security mechanism along the 630 km long coastline. This was informed by Odisha's additional chief secretary, Home department, Asit Tripathy after attending a meeting in Bhubaneswar. "Sagar Kavach security exercise is a realistic drill to check the efficacy of the security parameters and preparedness of various security forces like the Indian Navy, Marine Police force, ICG, Forest Department, Fisheries and district administration," Tripathy said.

Stating that Odisha for the first time will have a joint security drill along with West Bengal, Tripathy said, "We are going to organise a simulated terror attack named 'red force' at a random place along Odisha or West Bengal coast and check how effective our marine policing is. The exercise will be held over two days within a week," he said. The participants in the drill will be personnel from the Indian Navy, Coast Guard at Paradip and Haldia, 18 marine Police stations in Odisha and 12 Police stations of West Bengal.

Punjab DGP Suresh Arora claimed that the handlers of the ISI-backed terror module behind targeted killings of religious leaders in the state were based in Italy, the UK and Canada. "The role of the KLF is being investigated. Although it is too early to share details, funding for the module from foreign sources has been confirmed," he said. The DIG made the announcement after the arrest of a second alleged sharp-shooter in the case on November 10th morning. Hardeep Singh Shera (21) of Fatehgarh Sahib is believed to be directly involved in at least three of the eight murders. Shera and the second jailed sharp-shooter, Ramandeep Canadian, were reportedly contacted on Facebook. So far, five people have been arrested over their alleged involvement in the killings. Those arrested include a UK national, Jagtar Singh Johal.

Shera is believed to have fled to Italy six days after he allegedly killed Gagneja on August 6, 2016. His passport has revealed that he would leave the country after each killing and return when the ‘dust settled’. Officials were reluctant to give details, but said his passport bore visas for ‘many nations’. Arora said Shera tried to fire at the Police who confronted him at a gym in Fatehgarh Sahib on November 10. However, he was quickly overpowered. He has no criminal record. The DGP said the motorcycle used in Gagneja's killing was recovered from a canal after Shera gave them the details. "Since the conspiracy was executed by trained operatives, the perpetrators managed to hide their footprints quite well," said a Government official, "The modus operandi...was to kill RSS and other leaders... in the hope of triggering communal disharmony in Punjab."

Shera had met KLF ‘commander’ Harminder Singh Mintoo in Italy three years ago. “Hardeep was adopted by his paternal uncle. He was just 18 when he met Mintoo in Italy. Mintoo had stayed at Hardeep’s place in Italy for 21 days and then he also tried to influence him with Khalistani ideology. He tried to radicalise him and asked him to join KLF but he refused then. However, later Hardeep’s relationship with his foster father (paternal uncle) turned sour and then he again contacted Mintoo. Probably, he needed money. They started interacting through Skype. Both Ramandeep and Hardeep were hired through Facebook for these killings,” said Inspector Jangjit Singh Randhawa, SHO (station house officer), Baghapurana Police station and investigating officer in an illegal weapons case of 2016 in which first two accused- Jimmy Singh and Jagtar Singh (UK-based) – were arrested and following their interrogation, the shooters were traced.

A 25-year old woman filed a petition in the Kerala High Court accusing her husband of forcing her into marriage and conversion and attempting to sell her as a sex slave to the Islamic State (IS). The woman has claimed that her husband Muhammed Riyaz is a member of Popular Front of India (PFI), which has been under the scanner for its alleged terror links. In her plea, the woman, a native of Kerala who was born and brought up in Gujarat, stated that she met Riyaz in Bengaluru (Karnataka) and the two got into a relationship. Riyaz later recorded a private video and forced the woman to change her religion and marry him using the footage. victim also stated that she was taken to Saudi Arabia and made to join the ISIS in Syria. Somehow, the girl managed to contact her parents and asked them to rescue her. The case will be considered by the court on November 13.

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat that stone pelting in Kashmir has come down "to some extent". He that combined efforts of the Indian Army, BSF, CRPF, and the J&K Police has helped. "Solution to this can't be achieved overnight. Government, intelligence agencies, state administration all are making efforts. Will be successful if things go in this direction, can say this with belief," he added.

The Pakistani Army violated CFA along the LoC in Rajouri District. No casualty or damage was reported from the Indian side. Using mortars, automatics and small arms they targeted Indian positions as they resorted to unprovoked and heavy firing in Laam area of Nowshera sector in the evening, the Defence Ministry sources said. "Our troops retaliated strongly and effectively. Firing exchanges began at 5 p.m. and continued for two hours," the sources said.

SFs repulsed a militant attack on a Police post near general bus stand at Anantnag District. The militants resorted to indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons near the bus stand causing panic. People in the area ran for safety after hearing the firing. SFs and Police personnel immediately retaliated but the militants managed to escape under the cover of darkness.

Three lower rung CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested during a joint search operation in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The cadres – Uika Joga (24), Madkam Somdu (21) and Kujnam Bodda (40) – were arrested from the forests of Bugdicheru village under Basaguda Police Station limits, Bijapur ASP, Mohit Garg said. The three cadres were allegedly involved in Naxal-related incidents of attempt to murder, riots, the ASP said.

SFs arrested twelve CPI-Maoists cadres from different districts of Bastar division of Chhattisgarh in the past twenty-four hours. SFs arrested eight Maoists in Kharagupa region from Sukma District. SFs arrested three Maoists from the Bacheili area of Dantewada District. Police arrested a Maoist in Bijapur District.

Four CRPF personnel were injured in a landmine blast triggered by the CPI-Maoist cadres near Latu village in Latehar District of Jharkhand. "Four of our police personnel have been injured after a land mine was triggered while a patrolling party was walking through the Latu jungles during the ongoing anti-Maoist operation in the area," said Latehar SP, Dhananjay Kumar. The SP further informed that a joint team of State Police and CRPF were out for anti-Maoist operation and as soon as they reached near Latu village at 2:15 pm, Maoists triggered a land mine leaving four jawans injured. He also said that intensive search operation has been launched in the area to trace the culprits out. The CRPF personnel who got injured in the land mine blast were identified as Deputy Commandant HL Gangte, Radio Operator Nitish Pandey, Constable Deepak Singh and Gopaljee Yadav.

Six armed Naxalites of the CPI-ML New Democracy were arrested by the Police in Mahabubabad District of Telangana. SP, N Koti Reddy said a SLR, a Springfield rifle, a, 8 MM rifle, a .303 single shot rifle, and one 9MM pistol were recovered along with 53 live rounds of ammunition. The arrested Naxalites were identified as Kothaguda ‘dalam area commander’ J Sammaiah alias Jampanna, Gangaram ‘dalam area commander’ S Papa Rao alias Pradeep, ‘dalam member's’ G Kranthi Kumar alias KK, B Vinod alias Samba Rao, N Ashok alias Veeraswamy, and M Karnakar.

Police took ULFA-PTF ‘leader’ Jiten Dutta and seven others into custody for their alleged involvement in a case of arson at Bor-phukial sapori area of Tinsukia District. However, seven, including Dutta, were released on a personal recognizance (PR) Bond. Margherita Sub-Divisional Police official Debabrat Morang said, "

Third round of tripartite talk between the Union and State Government and UNC was held at Senapati District head quarter. During the talk representatives of UNC led by its ‘president’ Gaidon Kamei questioned the Government authority for the delay in materializing the demands of the UNC. Next round of meeting is scheduled on Feb, 23, 2018.

November 11

Around 100 persons from Kerala are suspected to have joined the Islamic State (IS) over the years, Kerala Police said in Kannur. The Kerala Police has collected evidence in this regard, including over 300 voice clips and messages from WhatsApp, Telegram messaging applications and other social media platforms, sources said. The latest proof was an audio clip from a woman, wherein she can be heard informing her kin in Kannur District about the death of her husband, who had joined IS. The woman can be heard saying her husband Shajil was killed recently in the ‘jihadi war’. According to the audio clip, she and her two children are still in Syria, the sources said. The woman can be heard telling her kin that many Keralite women, who have lost their husbands, and their children are in Syria, they said. The voice clip was received by Shajil’s brother. Police have another audio clip from one Qayoom, whose photos in the IS uniform are available on the Internet, the source said.

SFs launched massive search operations in Pulwama and Shopian in south Kashmir. On specific information about the presence of militants, the SFs launched a CASO in about half-a-dozen villages, including Kanigam and Kasbaiyar in south Kashmir District of Pulwama, official sources said.

SFs continued their anti-militancy operations and in the process carried out cordon and search operations in over a dozen villages and towns across Jammu and Kashmir. The SFs cordoned off various villages of the twin districts of Pulwama and Shopian, including Bongam Kellar, Chakoora Bamno, Qasbayar, Kanigam, Maspuna, Aglar Kandi, Sugan and adjacent villages and launched searches. The search operation that was launched in early hours was then called off by noon in both Shopian and Pulwama Districts as there was no contact with any militant. The villages remained under tight cordon for several hours but there was no incident of stone-pelting from locals.

The SFs also carried out similar search operations in Kulgam and Anantnag Districts. The SFs cordoned off Laram village of Qazigund and Rampura in Kulgam District and carried out searches which ended peacefully. The cordon and search operation was also carried out at Maliknag in Anantnag District but it also concluded peacefully.

SFs also launched a cordon and search operation in Qazi Hamam Mohalla of old town in Baramulla District. During the operation, several houses were frisked but no suspect was arrested. The cordon and search operation was also carried out at Budnumbal village of border Kupwara

UHM Rajnath Singh said that in spite of Pakistan continuing with its antics and making efforts to break India, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir had improved significantly and that there was a decline in the incidents of extremism. Singh said, “Pakistan is continuing with its antics and making efforts to break us, but the co-ordination among our Army, paramilitary forces, the Jammu and Kashmir Police and intelligence agencies has been excellent.” He said there were 86,000 terror-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir in 1995, adding that over the last one year, the number of such incidents had come down to 300 in that state.

November 12

The NIA claimed to have busted an inter-state gang cheating people on pretext of exchanging FICNs and arrested three persons from Maharashtra, identified as Rashid Khan, Gagan Kumar Vyas and Iqbal Ahmad Ansari in Dholpur in Dholpur District of Rajasthan. The arrest came during investigation into a 2016 NIA case relating to seizure of FICN of face value INR 9.8 lakh, by the BSF from Malda District of West Bengal. NIA has already filed a chargesheet in the case naming arrested accused Nasir Sheikh and Tajik Sk. Searches were carried out at two places in Mumbai and one place in Kolhapur (Maharashtra) after the detention of three persons early on November 12. A total of 20 gold biscuits, each weighing 100 grams, have been recovered from their possession so far. The purity of the gold biscuits is being verified.

The NIA has confirmed that the youths from Kasaragod District of Kerala, who had fled the country last year (2016), have joined the Islamic State (IS) in Nangarhar Province in Afghanistan. In the charge-sheet filed against Yasmin Muhammad, who was arrested at the Delhi airport while she was allegedly trying to leave for Kabul on August 1, 2016, NIA states that some of the youths, who are in Afghanistan, "are still spreading the messages in favour of the IS and are inviting others join the terror organization." There are 15 persons in the charge-sheet who have been charged under Section 120 (B), and Sections 38, 39 and 40 of the UAPA. NIA took over the case on August 23, 2016 from the State Police after initial investigation. According to the NIA, witnesses have revealed that Abdul Rashid had taken secret classes in support of IS to motivate others 'in the path of violent jihad terming it as holy war, by showing them online propaganda material of ISIS like the Dabiq magazine.' "Investigation by the NIA has established that Abdul Rashid (first accused) along with his wife Sonia Sebastian alias Ayisha had taken secret classes in support of the proscribed organization ISIS and violent jihad, as propagated by it, during last part of Ramadan, sometime in the month of July, 2015," said the chargesheet.

The charge-sheet further added that the "mobile communication made by the absconding accused with their relatives, over internet-based social media platforms, have been recovered during investigation and the same establish that the absconding accused Sajid is staying at same place as Murshid." It is believed that two among the youth, Hafeesudeen and Marwan  have been killed in the battle. The charge-sheet said, "The mobile phone, SIM Cards and memory cards seized from the possession of accused Yasmin Mohammed were subjected to digital forensic examination. The two memory cards contain pro-ISIS propaganda videos, videos advocating violent jihad, ISIS propaganda material as PDF documents, besides certain communication amongst the accused." The charge-sheet has the passport details and travel information of all the accused.

Abdul Rashid and Ayesha left via Mumbai airport on May, 31, 2016 on the flight WY 204. Muhammad Sajid went through Mumbai on March 31, 2016 on the flight AL 983 and Muhammad Murshid on November 11, 2015 on the flight 9W502. Muhammad Marwan and Hafeesudheen also left the country through Mumbai airport on June 5, 2016 on the flight EK 507. Firoskhan left India on July, 5, 2016 on flight EY 203, Shamsiya, Ashfak and Muhammad Manzad departed the Mumbai airport on July 2, 2016 EK 507. Dr Ijas and Refeala had gone via Hyderabad airport on July 2, 2106 on WY 232 flight and Shihas and Ajmala via Bengaluru on May, 24, 2016 on the flight KU 354.

Amidst concerns raised from various quarters on radicalization of youth in J&K, including from Centre Government’s Special Representative Dineshwar Sharma and Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat among others, the UMHA has decided to set up two Special Divisions named Counter Terrorism and Counter Radicalization (CTCR) and Cyber and Information Security (ICS). “Each of the two divisions will be headed by an officer of the rank of Joint Secretary in the MHA,” official sources said. Sources said: “The CTCR division will exclusively deal with radicalization, the ICS will tackle cyber crimes including instigating the youth to take to terrorism and stone pelting in the Valley”. They added that the new UMHA division is being tasked not only to prevent youths from falling into the trap of various terrorist outfits across the country including the Kashmir valley but also launch online initiatives to counter the propaganda unleashed by various terrorist outfits including LeT, JeM and HM to give correct picture of the situation to the youth.

Three CPI-Maoist cadres were killed in an encounter with the SFs in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. Three weapons, including one INSAS assault rifle, and IEDs were recovered from the encounter site. The encounter took place near Mankeli village under the Bijapur Police Station limits when a joint team of the STF and the DRG was on an anti-Maoist operation, DIG, Dantewada range, Sundarraj P said. After a brief exchange of fire, the Maoists escaped into the core area of the forests. During a search operation of the encounter site, bodies of three Maoists were recovered and their identities are yet to be ascertained.

Police arrested a ‘chairman’ of the ATTF, Ranjit Debbarma from his house at Sidhai under Mohanpur Sub-Division of Khowai District on sedition charges, reports  The Sentinel . Ranjit Debbarma, who is out on bail since 2015, in a meeting at Dushki near Teliamura on November 9, 2017, he challenged the merger of princely Tripura with the Indian Union in 1949 and promptly the police registered a sedition case against him.

Two TPC cadres were arrested from Bantha forests in Kunda Police Station area of Chatra District of Jharkhand. Following a tip-off on the presence of a TPC squad in Bantha forests, SP, Anjani Kumar Jha formed a team of State Police and the CRPF and arrested TPC ‘area commander’ Subhash Ganjhu and his close aide Kailu Ganjhu. "A carbine, a .303 rifle, a country-made pistol, cartridges and mobile phones were found on the rebels, both of which are natives of Bantha village. We were looking for them for a long time," Jha said. TPC, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

Two TPC cadres, identified as Ramlal Oraon and Sadwa Oraon, were arrested from Chandwa Police Station area of Latehar District of Jharkhand. They are alleged to have killed school headmaster Vinod Baitha and torched his house in 2014 for refusing to pay a ‘levy’. TPC, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

CPI-Maoist cadre identified as Kushal Munda was arrested from Murhu Police Station area of Ranchi District of Jharkhand.

A Maoist cadre identified as Chhotu Besra was arrested from his residence at Chatra village in Giridih District of Jharkhand.

Suspected GNLA militants abducted a Nokma (traditional Garo Village headman) of Rongding Awe village under Nangalbibra Police Station in South Garo Hills District.

November 13

Absconding gangster Saraj Sandhu, in a post on a social media website, Facebook claimed to have killed the Hindu Sangharsh Sena leader Vipan Sharma in Amritsar on October 30. The Punjab Police had not included Vipan Sharma's murder in the list of targeted killings of religious leaders in the State which they had solved a week ago by busting a terror module managed by Pakistan's ISI agency. Saraj Sandhu, who is main accused in the Amritsar case, has been on the run after the murder. He allegedly also posted on his Facebook account on November 13 that the ‘killing should not be linked with any religion.’ "I want to tell my friends that the murder of Vipan Sharma which took place on October 30 on Amritsar-Batala road was committed by me," Sandhu allegedly admitted in his Facebook post, which has now been deleted. The incident comes just days after a Punjab gangster-turned-activist uploaded a Facebook video from Faridkot jail.

Amritsar DCP (investigation) Jagmohan Singh, said, "I do not believe that the gangster Saraj Sandhu had himself put this post on his Facebook account. It seems to have been done by someone else. But we are investigating the case." It is learnt that the Amritsar Police have brought Monday's (November 13) incident into the knowledge of its cyber-crime cell so as to ascertain as to who is behind the Facebook post.

Two militants of HM were killed in a brief exchange of fire at Handwara area of Kupwara District. Militants fired upon a joint party of Police and Army near Galganzer, Zachaldara in Rajwar area of Handwara in the frontier District. The attack was, however, repulsed and both the militants were killed in exchange of fire. The militants have been identified as Toyib of Sopore and Ashiq of Palhallan in Baramulla District. They were affiliated with HM outfit.

SFs conducted a cordon and search operation in Hajin area of Bandipora District. The Army’s RR, Police’s SOG and CRPF personnel carried out an early morning search operation at Mir Mohalla in Hajin after receiving an input about presence of militants. The SFs conducted house-to-house searches and also cordoned off adjacent areas but no militant was found in the area. Later, the searches were called off. A cordon and search operation was also launched by SFs in Rangwar village of Lalpora in Kupwara District but it ended peacefully.

Kashmiri youth visiting Pakistan are being imparted training in cyber-communication and used as conduits for conveying specific instructions, a multi-agency body constituted by the Government to probe terrorism and smuggling of drugs across the Indo-Pak border found. Kashmiri youth, who are either studying in Punjab or involved in some business there, are being encouraged to visit Pakistan on valid visa documents, said a report of the agency that has members from the Punjab Police, BSF and the Army. It was underlined that a particular pattern with the Kashmiri youth visiting Pakistan was observed from the data of 2016. The frequent overstaying of visa period by Kashmiri youth was pointed out and it was observed that the database and details of Indians who have either under stayed or over stayed the visa period should be closely monitored and shared with all the concerned agencies.

In one such case, a resident of Kulgam in Jammu and Kashmir was found carrying specific instructions from Saifullah Ghazi, a terrorist active in Rawalpindi, the report recorded. The youth was provided money to purchase a mobile phone and install BBM app in order to receive further instructions from his handlers in Pakistan which he was supposed to convey to his commander in Kulgam, the report said. The report expressed concern over the trend for it was done at the behest of JeM ‘chief’ Masood Azhar. The role of Azhar’s younger brother Talha Al-Saif has also come to light. It might be mentioned here that a petition pertaining to drugs and cross border terrorism is pending adjudication in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The agency has learnt about the involvement of banned Pakistani terrorist outfit JuD, which the report said, has increased its training activities all across PaK and PoK particularly after Eid. Over the period of two months, three to four reports of infiltration from Gurdaspur and Amritsar area have been received.

The Indian intelligence agencies were informed that JeM student wing, Al-Murabitun (AM) organised a second annual congregation for Jihadi indoctrination titled “Islamic and Training Convention” at Balakot from July 28 to 30 which was addressed by Talha Al-Saif. Besides, JeM inducted a batch of 12-13 students at Markaz Usman-o-Ali, Bahawalpur from July 10 to 21 in which 70 students from Peshawar, Manshera and Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa participated. Another JeM centre in Karachi was scheduled to conduct a Daura-e-Tarbiya course from July 21to 27.

Five CPI-Maoist militia members of the Galikonda and Korukonda area committees of the CPI-Maoist in Visakhapatnam Agency surrendered before the SP, Rahul Dev Sharma in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. The surrendered militia members were Gemeli Ramesh (18), Musiri Appalanaidu (20) and Musiri Ramakrishna (20), hailing from Nallabelli area in Koyyuru mandal of Galikonda area committee. They allegedly extended logistics support to the Maoists, put up Maoist posters and were involved in a few other offences. They reportedly joined the outfit around three years ago. The two others were Killo Bangru (28) and Gemeli Venkateswara Rao (29), hailing from Chintapalli mandal. The duo was allegedly involved in the offences which include the killing of home guard Sheikh Valli by planting and triggering a landmine in the AOB area close to Ramaraopalem in Annavaram Police Station limits in Visakhapatnam Agency this year.

Two troopers of CoBRA were injured in an IED blast triggered by CPI-Maoist cadres in Malkangiri District of Odisha. The incident took place in the Chitrakonda forest when the joint SFs including Odisha Police and CoBRA were on sanitization operation. According to sources, a joint operation was launched on early hours of November 13, after Odisha Police received intelligence inputs regarding Naxal leaders from various zones gathering at Chitrakonda forest area, to corner the Maoists.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the State’s territorial integrity would not be compromised at any cost when a final peace accord would be signed by the Union Government with NSCN-IM.

Two AR troopers died and six were injured in a powerful IED explosion at Maha Mani village in Chandel District. Two AR personnel, identified as riflemen Indra Singh and Sohan Lal, died on the spot. The six injured, identified as S. Sekhar, N. Shyamkumar, Tirendra Nath Das, Ram Govind Singh, Nirmal Roy and Lalnunpuia, were evacuated to the Army Hospital at Leimakhong, on the Imphal city's outskirts, by helicopter. RPF, the ‘political wing’ of PLA has claimed responsibility for the attack. Source said that condition of one among the six injured is critical.

November 14

The number of cybercrime complaints has seen a rise by 350% from 2013 and by over 44% from 2016, according to cyber cell statistics. Most crimes are related to online banking, emphasising why policymakers are concerned about digital security as the government pushes for a more cashless economy and card-based or wallet-based transactions. As many as 3,474 cybercrime complaints have been registered in the past 10 months till October 2017. A total of 2,402 such complaints were registered last year and 760 in 2013.

The number of online banking fraud-related complaints in Gurgaon has increased nearly nine times in the last five years. The number jumped from 248 in 2013 to 2,095 this year (till October). While online banking and credit card fraud tops the list, social networking-related crime, email hacking, online sexual harassment or pornography, lottery fraud, data-theft and job-related fraud are also frequent. Social networking-related complaints have doubled from 2016. The number of complaints related to Facebook was 151 in 2016, and is 316 this year (till October). The number of complaints related to Twitter was just four last year. This year, the number is three times more at 12 complaints.

A Malayalam audio clip, claiming to be from the Islamic State (IS), has surfaced on the internet calling for war against India and conducting lone-wolf terror attacks on crowds thronging Indian festival events like Kumbh Mela (major Hindu religious festival in North India) and Thirssur Pooram (major Hindu Temple festival in Kerala). The male voice in the 10-minute clip liberally quotes from the Quran with an authentic Arabic pronunciation. It claims that it is the 50th audio clip from Daulatul Islam (house of believers). “You use your intellect. Poison them in food. Use trucks. Drive over them at Thirssur pooram or at Maha Kumbh Mela. IS Mujahideen are doing it in several parts of the world.  In Las Vegas, one of our supporters killed many people at a music concert. At least you should try to derail a train. Or use a knife,” the clip said.

Police sources said the audio clip has been transmitted over Telegram Messenger from Afghanistan and its voice belongs to Rashid Abdullah, the leader of the Kasaragod IS module who left to join Islamic State in Afghanistan. He has been chargesheeted by NIA under IPC sections 120B r/w 125 and UAPA Sections 38, 39 and 40. There has also been an Interpol red notice issued against him. The case against him came to light after his father filed a Police complaint last year saying Rashid Abdullah, his wife and son were missing from Kasaragod.

The clip in question says that Muslims should go for hijrah (migrate) from Darul Kufr (house of non-believers) to Darul Islam (house of believers). “If you are not able to do that despite your prayers and efforts, then you should financially support Daulatul Islam and Islamic State,” it says. According to sources, Rashid Abdulla's previous audio clips had only urged people to perform hijrah. However, in his 50th clip, he has changed his tone and has made an open call for attacks in India, which he has described as a country where ‘Hindus rule.’  “Many are trying to finish IS and khilafat. We have been reduced to nothing in many parts. But, Daultaul Islam is still active and we will fight until the last man,” the clip adds. Responding to the audio clip, former special Director of Cabinet Secretariat, V Balachandran said, "This is very serious. They are going to take the battle to India from Europe and Middle East."

The NIA, Kolkata Branch, arrested four persons, identified as Barkat Ansari, Utpal Chowdhury, Fijul Mia and Rabjul along with FICN with a face value of INR 9.1 lakh (in the denomination of INR 2,000) from the vicinity of the Howrah Railway Station in Howrah District. All four accused are residents of Sattari village in Malda District.

Two encounters broke out between SFs and militants in Kulgam and Pulwama Districts. SFs launched a cordon and search operation in Nowbug Kund village in Qazigund area of Kulgam District after receiving specific information about the presence of militants in the area, a Police spokesman said. As the forces were conducting the searches, the militants fired upon them, triggering an encounter, he said. The firing was going on when last reports came in, the spokesman said. He also said another encounter broke out in Laam village of Tral in Awantipora area of Pulwama District after the militants fired upon a search party of SFs. Gunfight was going on, the spokesman said.

An Army soldier and a HM militant were killed and another two soldiers were injured in a day long encounter in the Nowbug Kund village area of Qazigund in Kulgam District. Acting on specific information, that six HM and LeT militants, including LeT’s ‘district commander’, Altaf Kachru, were hiding in the village the SFs cordoned off the village in the morning. As searches were launched, the hiding militants fired upon the SFs triggering an encounter. The intermittent firing continued throughout the day between the two sides in which one soldier and a militant were killed. The slain militant, identified as Muzamil Ahmad of Badroo Yaripora, Kulgam, was an Engineering Graduate, and was active since 2015. Searches were on against the rest members of the group and SFs suspected that they were still hiding in the forest area and had intensified the operation to track them down.

The SFs neutralized a militant hideout in the Lam forest area of Tral in Pulwama District. The hideout was busted after exchange of fire between militants and SFs. Sources said that SFs cordoned off Lam forest area after reports about presence of at least 3-4 militants of JeM hiding there. However, militants fired on the SFs and managed to escape. The searches against the group continued throughout the day.

The SFs in the evening launched a search operation in the Ahmad Nagar area of Srinagar after reports of two local militants hiding there. However, the operation was later called off after no militants were found there.

Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres triggered blasts of a slurry pipeline, belonging to Essar Steel, near Chinitalguna village at Chitrakonda block in Malkangiri District of Odisha. According to reports received here from the company sources, the Maoists blasted portions of the pipeline in at least three spots by using landmine explosives. The damaged points are located 500 metres from one end to the other. The blasts caused considerable damage to the pipeline, which is stretched across the Bailadila mines area of Dantewada District in Chhattisgarh to its steel plant in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.

The Palvancha sub-division Police arrested an underground cadre of the CPI-ML-New Democracy Chandranna faction, and seized a knife from his possession at Rajeev Nagar in Bhadradri-Kothagudem District of Telangana. The Police identified the arrested cadre as Muchhaka Aitha alias Srinu. He was allegedly involved in the murder of a farmer of Narsampet village in August this year and in an “exchange of fire” with the Police in September.

NSCN-R has appointed Akato Chophi as its ‘vice president (collective leader)’.

Over 120 surrendered insurgents of the ATTF started an indefinite hunger strike in Agartala to press for the fulfillment of their demands. The former militants have been in talks with the State Government since 2007 for post-surrender support and rehabilitation.

Kajal Debbrma, wife of ATTF ‘chairman’ Ranjit Debbarma wants to surrender before law enforcement agencies to lead a normal life, the CM Manik Sarkar informed the State Assembly. 

CM Manik Sarkar has alleged that peace talks with the NLFT-BM could not be held because of the Centre's lack of initiative. 

November 14-15

Two militants were arrested in Kund Nowbug village of Kulgam District in an operation launched. “One local militant Shamsul Waqar son of Mohammad Amin Teli of village Ganjipora, Kulgam was held by the joint team of Army, SOG and CRPF last night [November 14] while as another militant Aqib Iqbal Malik alias Tahir Bhai son of Mohammad Iqbal Malik of Ringath Kulgam was arrested today [November 15] in an injured condition when the joint team of security forces resumed the combing operation against the hiding militants”, an unnamed Police official said. Sources said that the injured militant Aqib Iqbal Malik received two bullets in his legs and had slipped out of cordoned area. He was arrested from a medical facility centre in the area where he was being treated. He was associated with HM. The other militant Shamsul Waqar alias Abu Saqib of LeT was arrested from near the Railway Station in Qazigund as, he after fleeing the cordoned area, was trying to board the train. One AK-47 rifle, one carbine, one AK and carbine ammunition were recovered from his possession. Sources said that the operation in the area is still going on and the joint teams have also launched searches in the adjoining Waltengo Nar village to trace out the two more militants, who are hiding in the area. As reported earlier, a local militant and an Army soldier were killed in the encounter in the area on November 14th, after which the SFs had launched their search operation.

November 15

A year after demonetisation of high value Indian currency notes, the Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI is back with a mirror copy of INR 2000 and 500 notes that was launched by the RBI with new security features to neutralize FICN factories operating across the border, reports DNA India on November 15. Although, ISI suspected to have copied majority of security features of newly launched notes, the sudden increase in last two months is perplexing. The intelligence agencies have revealed the reason behind the surge. Sources said Pak’s ISI has managed to set up a proper unit in PoK and newly printed FICN is smuggled to Bangladesh before it reaches to India through FICN mules.

The FICN business that involves both state and non state actors is using high quality machine and ink making the lot difficult to detect, identified and easy to slip as original. The Intelligence agencies officials last week have voiced concern over the high quality of INR 2000 FICNs, which makes them difficult to distinguish from real notes.

A local court at Baghapurana in Moga District of Punjab extended the Police remand of the alleged hitman Ramandeep Singh and KLF ‘commander’ Harminder Singh Mintoo arrested in connection with a series of targeted killings in Punjab. Ramandeep’s Police remand has been extended for three days till November 18 and Mintoo’s for two days till November 17. Moga Police sources said that during his interrogation, Ramandeep had named ‘PHD’ and ‘Baiji’, their two accomplices abroad, and now the Police will be interrogating him further to know their real names and locations. “These are the secret code words. We are now tracing their real names and location,” said a source. As per initial Police probe, ‘Baiji’ is related to KLF ‘commander’ Mintoo and is one of his closest aides handling all his operations after Mintoo was arrested from Thailand in 2014.

The Police also told the court they had to interrogate Ramandeep about how they procured illegal weapons from Meerut and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh.  Inspector Jangjit Singh, SHO at Baghapurana Police Station, said, “Ramandeep has revealed they were procured weapons from Saharanpur and Meerut in UP. Mintoo is being questioned about how much funding came from abroad through his pro-Khalistan network.” So far, the Punjab Police have arrested five men in connection with the targeted killings including that of RSS leaders Jagdish Gagneja, Ravindra Gosain, Shiv Sena leader Durga Prasad Gupta, church pastor Sultan Masih, Hindu Takht leader Amit Sharma among others. The arrested five are Jagtar Singh alias Jaggi, Jimmy Singh, Ramandeep alias Raman Canadian, Hardeep alias Shera, jailed gangster Dharmendra Singh Ghuggni and Mintoo.

Kerala Police have come across a money trail behind the migration of youths from Kannur (Kannur District) to fight for the Islamic State (IS) in Syria. Police sources said the money was handed over to the recruited persons by K O P Thasleem, a native of Pappinissery in Kannur District. “All those who either migrated to Syria or tried to sneak into that country from Kannur have got financial assistance to the tune of $400 each. They were paid through Popular Front of India [PFI] activist Thasleem, who channelled the funds from the Gulf through a hawala route. Thasleem has been in Sharjah for the last six months and we now suspect he has moved to Syria,’’ a Police source said.

Sources said documents seized from the houses of the arrested persons substantiated the money transactions. “We are yet to look into the sources who have channelled the money from the Gulf through Thasleem. The amount handed over to the recruited persons was meant only to meet their travel and other expenses. We have not come across any evidence to suggest that money was paid to lure youths to join the IS,’’ the source said. Two weeks back, Police in Kannur had arrested six persons who had earlier tried to go to Syria but were deported by security agencies. Based on the input received from the arrested persons, Police said five others from Kannur were still fighting in Syria, while five others had been killed since 2015.

The national executive member of the PFI, P Koya said that getting killed in an unknown country that, too, for a mysterious organization which has ulterior motive is not the martyrdom envisaged in Islam. Inaugurating a public meeting held here against the Islamic State (IS), he said martyrdom in Islam is sacrificing life in the fight against injustice. "IS is a dubious outfit, the origin of which is shrouded in mystery," he said. Koya said that only less than 150 Muslims have reportedly joined IS from India which has 18 crore Muslims. "That means IS has not succeeded in influencing the Muslim population in the country'" he said.

India witnessed an 18 per cent surge in terror-related casualties in 2016 as compared to the previous year (2015) and has been ranked eighth in the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) report released on November 15. Although 340 deaths from terrorism were recorded in 2016 alone, the figures were still the third-lowest since 2000. The GTI report is released annually by the Sydney-based Institute for Economics & Peace. The report said that though there has been a palpable dip in terror-related deaths in the last couple of years, the number of terror attacks have actually increased 16 per cent over the last year. A total of 929 terror-related incidents were reported in the country as compared to 800 in 2015.

However, India still has the lowest rate of deaths per attack among the top 10 countries that are most impacted by terror-related violence. India had an average of 0.4 deaths per attack compared to 2.7 deaths per attack for the rest of the other countries that figure in the top 10.  The report elaborated that most of the non-lethal explosions were designed to attract people and the Government’s attention and aimed at evoking a shock-and-awe effect. In fact, such blasts were intentionally carried out some distance away from crowded places to lessen the impact.

Maoist rebels, operating in the ‘red corridor’ in central and eastern India, remained the biggest challenge for India’s security apparatus. According to the report, Maoist groups were behind the highest number of blasts and were responsible for over 50% terror-related deaths. Police and civilians were the predominant target of Maoist rebels as they accounted for over 50 per cent of all attacks and 88 per cent of deaths last year, the report said.

On the issue of Islamist terrorism in the country, the report cited dispute with Pakistan over Jammu and Kashmir as the primary reason behind a spike in violence. Despite numerous international sanctions - LeT, founded by Hafiz Saeed, and HM, headed by Syed Salahuddin - remained the two deadliest terror groups.  The report said that LeT, which mainly operates out of Pakistan, was responsible for 30 deaths in as many as 20 attacks in 2016. HM, on the other hand, was responsible for five deaths.

The report also revealed the role of various ethnic secessionist movements that are causing terror-related deaths in the country. For instance, NDFB, the report said, was responsible for 15 deaths, while ULFA militants claimed seven lives in 2016.

Pakistani troops violating the CFA opened fire and shelled areas along the LoC in Poonch District. “Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatics and mortars from 0815 hours in Poonch sector along the LoC”, an unnamed defense spokesman said, adding the firing is still on. The Indian Army is retaliating strongly and effectively.

Reports indicate that a high-level meeting of Home and Defence Ministries decided that there will be no let up in the operations against militants despite the opening up of channel of dialogue by the Centre Government with the appointment of Dineshwar Sharma as Special Representative of the Government on Jammu and Kashmir. “The talks will go on. Dineshwar Sharma has completed his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir and would undertake another visit to the State after sometime during which he will also cover remote districts of Leh and Kargil. However, as the talks go on, the anti-militancy operations will also continue,” sources said, adding that this aspect has been made clear to all security agencies in the State. Instead, they asserted, the anti-militancy operations will be further stepped-up in the winter. Sources also said the Centre was satisfied with the impact the NIA raids had in choking terror funding in Kashmir as Intelligence inputs suggested that terrorists, separatists and OGWs were clearly running short of funds. “Lack of funding has contributed a lot in reducing violence in Kashmir,” they observed.

The CPI-Maoist cadres killed a villager, identified as Ajit Poddar of Paralkot village, after branding him as a ‘Police informer’ in the Paralkot village under Pakhanjore Tehsil in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. At least 30 armed Maoists barged into the victim’s house late night and dragged him out of his home. Later they took him to a village road bordering Malkangiri District of Odisha and shot dead. Maoists also left a few posters on the spot which read, Ajit had been cautioned against becoming police informers on two occasions earlier—once on July 25 and then on November 15—this year. As the deceased didn’t pay heed to the warning, he was eliminated.

AR trooper and at least two militants were killed in an ambush by the PLA militants near Chamol village, about three Kilometer from the Police Outpost at Sajik Tampak, in Chandel district, along the Indo-Myanmar. The Assam Rifles trooper identified as Jay Prakash Araon (33). The militant killed was identified as ‘sergeant’ Loko alias Themreiyo. One AR trooper and three militants were also wounded in the incident.

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh announced an INR 3.25 billion development package for the hill district of Tamenglong. He promised that power, water supply and road condition would improve considerably in the district.

The GHSMC took out a public rally in Tura to press for their demand for a separate state to be carved out of Meghalaya. “The struggle for a Garoland state did not start in 1912 but has been a demand since the time of Late Sonaram Sangma, the first Garo political leader from the time of the British rule,” said Niman Ch Marak, ‘Chairman’ of the GHSMC which is leading the separate state demand. A supporter for the Gorkhaland state which is currently being demanded from West Bengal, Joydeep Chetry called on the people of Garo Hills to give their unflinching support for the Garoland demand. “Just as we are fighting for Gorkhaland, so too are the people of Garo Hills fighting for Garoland. We give our support for this movement,” said Chetry.

State Home Minister R Lalzirliana on November 15 said that 400 people from the Arakan region in Myanmar had entered Mizoram.  No Rohingya Muslim refugee has entered the state till date but around 400 people from conflict-torn Arakan in Myanmar have taken refuge in Mizoram, state Home Minister R Lalzirliana told the Assembly. Mr Lalzirliana also explained that the ongoing armed encounter between militant group AA and the Myanmar Army have resulted in around 400 people fleeing Arakan in the past few months to take shelter in Lawngtlai district. Of these 400 people, three are AA militants who received injuries during clashes with the Myanmarese Army.

November 16

In the first organised campaign by a terrorist group to use the Internet to recruit support across India, AQIS has begun online distribution of Tamil, Bengali and Hindi translations of key jihadists. The translations, obtained by The Indian Express, range from excerpts from magazines like al-Risalah and Inspire, to ideological tracts by the jihadist leadership. The organisation’s vernacular push reflects the increasing reliance of the jihadist movement on recruits from States in the southern, western and eastern regions - a phenomenon which first became evident with the IM which, from 2005, carried out the most lethal urban terrorism campaign India has ever suffered.

For the most part, the translations appear to be targeting educated volunteers. The Tamil articles include one from issue 3 of al-Risalah, aimed at doctors and engineers. “I ask you, Doctor: are your services not better spent in patching the leg of that child who lost his limb in a barrel bomb in Aleppo rather than prescribing medication for an Islamophobe with you in your country,” the article asks. “We use the excuse of being watched by the enemy of Allah and our passports being flagged,” the article goes on. “Do we not have trust in Allah? Did Prophet Muhammad not leave Mecca and migrate to Medina under the very eyes of the disbelievers?”. Another Tamil translation from al-Risalah tells the story of an elderly man who volunteered to fight despite having only one eye. “If I am incapable of fighting, at least I will increase the number of the army and would guard your luggage,” he is claimed to have said.

In addition to speeches and messages from a Qaeda ‘chief’ Ayman al-Zawahiri, and his Uttar Pradesh-born Karachi-trained subcontinent deputy Sami-ul-Haq, the Bengali-language material produced by al Qaeda includes subtitled videos, telling the stories of jihadists fighting in Syria and Somalia. Large numbers of Sami-ul-Haq’s speeches have been translated into Hindi, notably his call to target IAS and IPS officers. “This is an organisation which is aware that many young Muslims cannot read Urdu,” a police officer noted. “In earlier decades, material like this circulated clandestinely, through pamphlets and so on, but almost always in Urdu.”

The Delhi Police Special Cell arrested a 54-year-old resident of Malda (West Bengal), identified as Kashid for allegedly trafficking FICN into the Capital (New Delhi) and the neighbouring States from Anand Vihar in New Delhi. The Police also recovered FICN with a face value of INR 6.6 lakh from the accused. During interrogation, the accused allegedly told the Police that he was in FICN trafficking business for the past 15 years and supplied fake notes in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. “He said the supply of FICN was halted for a while after demonetisation but began again over four months ago,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) P.S. Kushwah.

SFs arrested a LeT militant, Azad Ahmad Mir, from Kralgund area of Handwara in Kupwara District. SFs recovered one pistol, one magazine and five pistol rounds.

Special Director General CRPF-J&K, SN Srivastava said that very few educated youths have joined the militancy in Kashmir and it was not “worrisome phenomenon” even as he expressed confidence that `Operation All Out’ launched jointly by all security agencies would progress smoothly during winter also. “The operations against militants will continue in winter as well despite harsh weather conditions. We are not going to relent. All militants operating in the Valley have to be killed or arrested or they would have to surrender,” SN Srivastava said

IGP Kashmir Muneer Khan said that Pakistan is using social media to lure youth into militancy but Police have foiled their design by arresting several of them. IGP Muneer Khan, “There is a relentless social media campaign by Pakistan to lure the youth also. Most of them you will find college or school dropouts”. The IGP said youth in the age group of 15 years to 25 years are vulnerable to be exploited as they find it hard to differentiate between right and wrong.

Pakistan Army, violating the CFA, fired on forward posts along the LoC in Khour belt of Akhnoor Sector in Jammu District in the night.  The Indian troops retaliated. An Army trooper sustained minor injuries in the exchange of fire.

At least eight SF personnel of the CRPF and the Jharkhand Police sustained injuries in an encounter with CPI-Maoist cadres, during which the latter exploded several IED in Burha Pahar area in Latehar District of Jharkhand. According to the Police, around 2.15 pm, it was during the search and combing operations that Maoists exploded several land mines, following which there was fierce exchange between the SF personnel and the Maoists. “At least six personnel of CRPF and one each of district police and Jharkhand Jaguar sustained injuries in the explosions. Nevertheless, our forces continued with their operation during which many naxals are suspected to have been injured. Some could be dead also,” Police said.

UHM Rajnath Singh has urged Microsoft founder Bill Gates to adopt villages affected by LWE violence in Odisha, Bihar and Jharkhand and make them “model villages” by focusing on sanitation and cleanliness. The Home Minister met Gates, Co-Chair and Trustee of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and his wife Melinda Gates with senior officials of the MHA at North Block. “The Home Minister appreciated the welfare works being undertaken by the BMGF. He requested Gates to initiate health awareness programmes in India and suggested that the Foundation should concentrate on developing villages and make them Model Villages so that the local people get inspired,” a MHA statement said.

Police arrested three persons and recovered a huge cache of explosives from their possession at Sadaipali and Dunguripali villages in Bolangir District of Odisha. The arrested persons are identified as Sudam Mahaling of Sadaipali, Mahesh Agrawal and Murarilal Agrawal of Kantabanji. Sources said on a tip-off, Balangir Sadar Police raided the house of Sudam at Sadaipali in Turekela block and seized gelatin, ammonium nitrate and detonator which are used in making of explosives. A cash of INR 232,000 was also seized from the house. Similarly, Belpara Police raided the godown of Murarilal in Dunguripali and seized 27 bags electrical explosives. The seized items from Sadaipali include 106 bundles of safety fuse, 38 bags of ammonium nitrate weighing around 15 kilograms, 83 kilograms of Gelatin, 13,527 detonators, 35,770 non-electrical detonators, 15 kilograms of charcoal power, 15 kilograms of sulphur powder and eight bundles of electric wire. Police are yet to verify if there are any links with the Maoist.

The militant group ENNG has made it clear that it would not compromise with the territorial integrity of Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts of Arunachal Pradesh in the event of Framework Agreement between NSCN-IM and the Centre. Stating that the only solution to the vexed Naga political issue is a full-fledged sovereign nation for the entire Nagas, ENNG in a press statement said that neither the Supra-State, which is a Pan-Naga idea nor “Shared Sovereignty”. “There cannot be a solution to the vexed Naga political issue unless there was a full-fledged sovereign nation for the entire Nagas,” the release said

The CorCom, a militant conglomerate, has called a bandh (general shutdown strike) to boycott President Ram Nath Kovind's visit to Manipur to inaugurate the State's annual tourism event, The Sangai Festival. The visit is Kovind's first to three states of the Northeast -Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur - beginning November 19. He will arrive in Imphal on November 21 to inaugurate the festival with a function here the same day. CorCom consists of KCP, KYKL, PREPAK, PREPAK-Pro, RPF and UNLF.

November 17

Kerala Police are on the lookout for a former PFI worker from Kannur District who is suspected to have raised funds for the Islamic State (IS) cadres from the State to travel to Syria. Thasleem, from Pappinassery in Kannur District, is presently in the Gulf and is an accused in eight cases related to the clashes between the PFI and the CPM, Police said. "Thasleem had handed over $400 to two of the IS cadres who were leaving the country at the Kannur railway station premises. He had also arranged money for another group in the Gulf," said a Police officer. PFI Kannur district president V K Noufal said that Thasleem had dissociated from the organisation ever since he left for the Gulf around seven years ago. "He used to come to Pappinassery while on leave but never contacted our organisation. We learnt that Thasleem was in Kannur around six months ago," he said.

Police have also found out that V K Shajahan, the PFI worker from Koodali in Kannur District who was arrested from Turkey for trying to sneak into Syria four months ago, had received money sent from Kannur while he was in the Gulf. The money was sent through 'reverse hawala' channels operating in Kerala and the Gulf. A businessman from Kannur, who was in the WhatsApp group of IS leader Abdul Rashid Abdualla, is also in the radar of the Police for lending financial help to the IS module from Kannur.

Terrorism has no border and the ultras take advantage of boundaries between countries to cause menace and kill people which is why Government and the Indian Army is getting closer to the SAARC nations to jointly combat terrorism, said Major General MS Ghura, Commandant of the CIJW School at Variegate in Mizoram. While interacting with media after the 13 days filed exercise between Armies of India and Bangladesh ‘SAMPRITI’ conducted by the CIJW, Major General MS Ghura said “If terrorism has no borders, the armies across the globe and of the neighboring nations in particular should also stretch beyond borders to combat the rising instances of terror attacks.” Appreciating the benefits of the international bilateral exercises, the commandant of the Jungle Warfare School informed that drills such as the one held between the Indo-Bangladesh soldiers here shall pave way for strengthening bonds and lend solidity to the forces against terrorism.

Major General Mohammad Moshfiqur Rahman of the Bangladesh Army expressed happiness over the successful completion of the joint exercise saying “the exercise is an outcome of the friendly relations between the two armies which bears the diplomatic and political relations between the two neighboring countries. We are going back with fruitful results of exhaustive drills.”

A Police officer, SI Imran Tak, and a militant were killed and a SPO was injured in a shootout in the Zakoora area of Srinagar in the evening. Reports indicate that the shoot-out ensued when a Police party which had gone in the area after receiving information about presence of militants in the area was fired upon by militants, who were travelling in a car. Out of the two Policemen injured in the firing, one (the SI) died later. A militant, identified as Mugees Ahmad Mir, son of Abdul Aziz Mir, of Parimpora, who was active since last many years, was injured in the shootout but managed to escape from the spot at Zakoora. However, he succumbed to injuries later and his body was recovered from nearby area. Mugee was presently affiliated with Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind led by Zakir Musa. One militant was also arrested from the spot besides some cell phones were seized.

Acting on specific information, the SFs busted a militant hideout in the forests of Naidgam, approximately 15 kilometers north of Kishtwar (Kishtwar District) and recovered arms and ammunition. The recoveries included two Chinese pistols with two magazines and five rounds, a .303 rifle with one magazine and 10 cartridges and one UGBL with five grenades were recovered.

College student and footballer Arshid Majid Khan ‘surrendered’ before security agencies, barely days after he had joined the LeT, officials said. His surrender was seen as a whiff of fresh air in South Kashmir which has witnessed large-scale recruitment of local youths by militants in the past. Unofficial estimates have put the figure of such youths at nearly 150 since July 2016. IGP, Muneer Khan said: “The question is has he surrendered. I said no. The question was has he been apprehended, I said no. Again at this time also, I would say neither has he surrendered nor has been apprehended. He has come to the family on his own. He went on his own to see how it tastes, he came on his own. And, of course, his father, friends were instrumental in bringing him back”, he said. LeT, however, said that Majid Arshad Khan was permitted to leave for his home on the request of his mother, since he was the only guarantor to his household.

Referring to State CM Mehbooba Mufti’s tweet, subsequent to Majid Khan’s ‘surrender’, dropping hints towards Rehabilitation Policy for the surrendered youth, sources said the State Government’s Home Department was drafting the Policy, which would be completely different from previous NC-Congress Government’s Surrender Policy for the militants. While Omar Abdullah Government’s Surrender Policy had focused on return of militants from Pakistan and PoK through four designated routes, the upcoming Rehabilitation Policy was likely to focus on surrender of local youths and ensure their rehabilitation. Omar Government had designated four routes including Uri-Muzaffarabad in Kashmir, Poonch-Rawlakote in Jammu, Wagah border in Amritsar District of Punjab and Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. However, not even a single militant returned from these four routes. Only Nepal border with Uttar Pradesh and Bihar was used by some of the militants to return along with their families, which have come up during their stay in Pakistan and PoK.

Also, Pakistan Army again resorted to heavy mortar shelling and firing with automatic weapons at Shahpur, Khari Karmara and surrounding villages in Poonch District. There were no casualties or damage on the Indian side in Pakistan shelling and firing. However, casualties, if any, on Pakistan side couldn’t be ascertained. Indian side, according to sources, retaliated very effectively.

Authorities in India subsequently ordered closure of both Government and private educational institutions in shelling hit forward areas of Poonch District and suspended cross- LoC trade on Poonch-Rawlakote route through Chakan-Da-Bagh. Trade between Jammu and Kashmir and PoK takes place every week from Tuesday to Friday. Today (November 17) was last day of this week’s trade.

Chhattisgarh Police said that two CPI-Maoist ‘commanders’ were killed in an encounter with the Police in the jungles of Kanhaiguda in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The names of the slain Maoists are yet to be ascertained, however, Police claimed that both the Maoists carried a head money of INR 800,000 on them.

Ten Maoists were arrested from separate places during search operations launched by SFs in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. Of them, nine were arrested from Sukma District and one from Kanker District, a Police official from Bastar said. The Maoists arrested in Sukma were facing criminal cases like murder, attempt to murder, attack on Police teams and arson, in different Police Stations, the official said. The Police seized a rifle from the 25-year-old Maoist arrested in Kanker, they added.

Suspected Maoists put up banners and posters in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh, threatening to kill State Forest Minister Mahesh Gagda, local officials, and even journalists who report “incorrectly on encounters”. In a poster seemingly signed by Madvi Hidma, South Bastar Zonal Committee ‘secretary’, the Maoists threatened the Minister, as well as the patwari and tehsildar of Usur block, accusing them of “anti-people” activities. The posters were found at the tehsildar’s office in Usur. The poster also says that journalists who misrepresent encounters on television or in newspapers will be killed, like Sai Reddy. Bijapur-based journalist Sai Reddy was killed in Basaguda village in Bijapur District on December 6, 2013. D M Awasthi, DG, Anti Naxal Operations, said, “This is the first time in recent times that they have issued a written threat like this… a case will be registered and the matter investigated. Journalists report from these difficult areas with great bravery.”

A CPI-Maoist cadre, carrying a reward of INR 100,000 on his head, was arrested under Penk Police Station limits in Bokaro District of Jharkhand. Baldeo Manjhi alias Baldeo Kisku, a member of Navin Manjhi group- associates of the CPI-Maoist, was arrested by a joint team of CRPF and District Police during a search operation in the forest under Penk Police Station, CRPF Assistant Commandant Nitesh Singh Bhadoria said. Working on tip-off Security personnel had launched the operation in the Penk region, they arrested the rebel who was trying to escape, he said. During interrogation Manjhi accepted his crime and involvement in dozens of cases registered under different Police Station across the District.

District Police arrested a CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Deepak Singh (22), from Kunda-Pahadi area in Gopikandar block in Dumka District of Jharkhand. Deepak is wanted in six Maoist related cases.

ZUF militants fired three rounds of gunshots in the air near Noney market under Noney police station in Noney district. Sources say the gunshots were a warning meant for the NSCN-IM, who report suggests has an undesignated camp in Noney.

A sub-committee of political parties, which is drafting a memorandum to be submitted to the Centre on the peace talks with NSCN-IM, has "almost finalized" its points. "The memorandum is almost final. It will be submitted to the Chief Minister (N. Biren Singh) in the next couple of days. It will be finalized after an all-party meeting," Deputy Chief Minister Y. Joykumar Singh, who is the chairman of the committee, on November 17, said. "It is early to disclose all the details of the memorandum. However, there will be no compromise on the state's territorial integrity and no Sixth Schedule status to the hill districts," Y Joykumar Singh said. An all-party meeting on October 28 constituted the seven-member committee in view of the Centre's move for a final agreement with the NSCN-IM.

Meghalaya Government reiterated that the members of banned militant groups should come over ground and take advantage of the rehabilitation programmes of the Government.

Speaking to media persons after  holding the meeting of the State Security Commission here  on Friday , Chief Minister, Mukul Sangma  said “In view of our past experiences, we say them to resort to peace and besides sustaining it, members of the any outfit should withdraw themselves from their organisations and assimilate with the national mainstream.”  Mukul Sangma added that if the State Government wanted to negotiate with the outfits. Firstly, it has to discuss the matter with Government of India. CM Mukul Sangma also said that even the Union Government had made it clear that there would be no talks with the militant outfits unless they gave up arms.  On being asked about the overall law and order situation in Garo Hills, Sangma informed that the Government would strengthen the Police to deal with the challenges of militancy and terrorism. “There will be some   intervention and support to Police,” Sangma said.

Government of India and WC comprising of six NNPGs, signed an agreement which recognised the political and historical rights of the Nagas to self determine their future in consonance with their distinct identity. According to sources, in the agreement the government of India has “recognised the political and historical rights of the Nagas to self determine their future in consonance with their distinct identity”.

November 18

Punjab Police are investigating the role of BKI member Gursharan Bir Singh in the series of targeted killings of religious leaders in the state over the past two years. Gursharan is also wanted in the murder of Rashtriya Sikh Sangat head Rulda Singh in Patiala on July 28, 2009. Punjab DGP Suresh Arora said that the State Police has got some leads about Gursharan's involvement while interrogating the men arrested for their alleged role in the killing of at least eight people, including former Punjab RSS vice-president Brig Jagdish Gagneja (retd) in Jalandhar. The State Police had recently arrested UK resident Jagtar Singh Johal alias Jaggi in the targeted killings case. He was arrested from Jalandhar.

DGP Suresh Arora said the Police are investigating the alleged links between Pakistan-based Harmeet Singh who is believed to be running ISI-back ISYF and another fugitive Rampreet Singh alias Romy who is in Hong Kong. Romy is believed to have links with gangsters in Punjab and has been named as an accused in the 2016 Nabha jailbreak case as well. Police believe Harmeet trained the men involved in the targeted killings.

Six LeT militants including the nephew of 26/11 Mumbai attacks mastermind Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi, and a Garud commando of the IAF were killed in an encounter at Chandergeer village in Hajin area of Bandipora District. SFs cordoned off and launched a search operation in Chandergeer village in Hajin area of the District, which resulted in an encounter with the militants hiding there. "Six terrorists have been killed in an ongoing encounter at Hajin," Srinagar-based Defence spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said. An IAF Garud commando was killed and an Army soldier was also injured in the encounter, he said. "Nephew of Mumbai Attacks mastermind Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi was among six terrorists killed in J&K encounter," said DGP J&K, S. P. Vaid.

SFs arrested two militants belonging to the ALA in a joint operation at Dudhnoi, in Goalpara District. They were identified as Silgrak Sangma alias Amar Thapa (Assam resident) and Changke R. Marak (Meghalaya resident). The police recovered a pistol and three bullets from the duo. "They came to Dudhnoi to abduct a person for extortion," the Superintendent of Police of Goalpara, Amitava Sinha, said.

The ‘finance secretary’ of militant outfit NSCN-K, Inovi Avika Assumi, was arrested from Demseiniong area in Shillong city in East Khasi hills District.

Following reports of a group of NDFB-S militants having crossed over into the State, Police have sounded high alert in the BTAD.The group, comprising 11 members, reportedly entered the state a fortnight ago via Nagaland after crossing the international border from Myanmar. "Seven of them have already been arrested. A search is on for the rest. Police in Chirang and Kokrajhar districts have been alerted," ADGP special branch Pallab Bhattacharya said.

November 19

The NIA has identified Darul Sheikh as the key operator who from Dhaka (Bangladesh) controls an international network dealing in the distribution and peddling of FICNs aimed at damaging the monetary stability of India. The NIA is now investigating if Darul's cartel is actively behind the recent spurt in "FICN racketeering" across cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata and Ahmedabad. Also, the NIA is probing if Tajel Sheik alias Tiger Sheikh and Nasir Sheikh, residents of Malda in West Bengal close to the Indo-Bangladesh, who were arrested in March last year (2016), were 'employed' by Darul to smuggle counterfeit Indian currency notes through the porous border into India. The agency had then seized FICN worth INR 9.8 lakh from the duo in demonetised denominations of INR 1,000 and INR 500. Both Tajel and Nasir were charge-sheeted by the NIA in June this year.

The agency's TFFC cell is probing if Darul, a Bangladeshi national, has connections with terrorist groups and their leaders. The cell is also investigating whether he was in touch with members of the gang recently busted by the agency which used to convert demonetised scrap notes aimed at funding terrorists in Kashmir.

Considering the gravity of the growing Islamic State (IS) related activities, the Kerala Police machinery has been forced to change its operational procedures and the State is now in high alert mode. Ever since the first migration of Malayalees to join IS in Syria and Afghanistan was reported in June 2016, Kerala Police have been on the trail of suspected IS operatives in the State. With the latest audio clip of Rashid Abdullah, the leader of the Kasaragod group which left for Syria to join IS, exhorting IS modules to unleash lone wolf attacks in Kerala, the Police have become even more determined to go for an all out offensive drive.

State Police chief Loknath Behera said the situation has become very alarming and the Police have taken necessary operational measures to counter IS activities. “We are fully geared up. The entire force has been put on high alert,” he said. Though the State Police have been tracking the activities of dedicated IS cells camouflaged in the form of other organisations, the real, functioning modules in the State were identified after a dedicated Kerala Police started to coordinate with Central agencies in analyzing various communication channels of the suspects. “We have been interacting with Central agencies on various levels to ensure we don’t miss any leads in the investigation into IS activities in the state,” said a senior intelligence officer.

A few senior police officers in north Kerala have been specifically tasked with keeping track of the activities of a few suspects flagged for their association with certain organisations clandestinely supporting IS modules in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. “In the past two years, a few suspects have flown to West Asia to raise funds using the cover of some organisations, said the intelligence officer. “The fund is used to strengthen IS activities in Kerala.

Unidentified persons from within a stone pelting mob lobbed a grenade at SFs near foot bridge in Parimpora area of Srinagar during the strike call called by separatists. The Parimpora area is tense since November 17 over the killing of local militant Mugees Aziz Mir in Zakoora shootout.

SFs arrested three JeM militants in Budgam District.  SFs recovered one SLR rifle, one pistol and grenades from the arrested militants.

Indian Army said that the top leadership of the Pakistan-backed LeT in the Kashmir valley has been wiped out with the killing of six militants in Bandipora District and 180 militants have been killed this year while 200 are still active. GOC of Srinagar-headquartered 15 Corps, Lieutenant General J S Sandhu, said in Srinagar during a press conference: “With the elimination of six of its commanders yesterday, the top leadership of LeT in the Valley has been wiped out.”

The Central Government has taken note of reports about global terror group Islamic State (IS) claiming an attack in the Kashmir Valley that left a Police officer dead, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh said adding that the future course of action would be adopted after taking an appropriate view. The Union Minister also said that the recent "back to back" successes achieved against terrorists in J&K was the result of the free hand given to Security Forces to wipe out the nearly three-decade-old militancy which is in its "last phase".

Reports said that even as Indian agencies and J&K Police verify the alleged Islamic State (IS) claim owning up the November 17 attack in Srinagar that killed a Policeman, officials doubt any direct involvement though they are concerned over the outfit's capability to attract self-radicalised recruits. "IS does not have a presence or any resources in Kashmir to carry out an attack, even though its online propaganda may be followed by the Valley's youth. It is more likely that an IS franchise or Pakistan-based elements influenced or owing allegiance to IS could be involved. However, this too needs to be verified", a senior intelligence operative said. The officer added that while the IS may not have planned, financed or deployed its men for such an attack, which it has claimed to be its first strike in J&K, the outfit may be seeing this as propaganda to rope in Kashmiri youth and promote their radicalisation. "As long as IS is making its presence felt in Pakistan, we are not bothered. But if these groups start getting to Kashmir, it is a cause for worry," the official said.

A CRPF trooper was killed in an IED blast triggered by the CPI-Maoist cadres in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. Head Constable K Venkanna sustained splinter injuries after a joint patrol of the CRPF and State Police were out for an operation in the Chintagufa area of the District. The incident happened early morning around 5.30 am when the IED blast took place in which the trooper sustained injuries and later succumbed to his injuries.

The final list of tribals selected from Sukma District of Chhattisgarh for the newly raised Bastar Battalion raised by the CRPF for counter-insurgency operations had been released, an official statement issued in March this year had informed. It may be recalled that the recruitment process for all Districts of insurgency infested Bastar region had been held earlier. The newly being raised ‘Bastar Battalion’ by CRPF will have one-third women representation, officials informed. The Bastar Battalion of CRPF is being raised by recruiting 744 ST youths from four insurgency infested Districts of Bastar in Chhattisgarh, the Central Government has informed. The Districts from where the tribal youths are being recruited for the new Battalion are —Bijapur, Dantewada, Narayanpur and Sukma.

A NIA team from Ranchi went to a Gumla guest house named Repose in Gumla District of Jharkhand to establish that CPI-Maoist ‘politburo’ member Sudhakar's wife Nilima alias Madhvi, brother B. Narayan and aide Satyanarayan Reddy stayed there last November-December, when the woman fell ill. The NIA also suspect that Sudhakar's aides allegedly used this address as a transit point to amass information from cadres and collect ‘levy’. However, findings from search at Repose in Gumla town, 95 kilometres from Ranchi, proved inconclusive. The NIA had taken along arrested trio of Satyanarayan, Sudhakar's younger brother B. Narayan and Gumla-based contractor-cum-aide Prabhu alias Mintu for identification but Repose manager Shantanu Singh could not be certain if any among the trio had stayed or come to their establishment last year.

State Police team seized several documents including electronic evidences related to the public meeting of JuH president Arshad Madani held on November 13 in New Delhi. JuH president Madani on that day had reportedly said that Assam would witness unrest if the NRC updating process excludes local Muslims.

Mizoram Home Minister R. Lalzirliana expressed hope that the ongoing peace talks between the state and H. Zosangbera faction of the HPC-D would end the imbroglio over the SHDC. The home minister said the onus for the continuation of parleys with the group lies with Chief Minister Lal Thanhawala. An unnamed Home Department source said another HPC-D faction of the Convention, led by Lalhmingthanga Sanate, which had earlier insisted on conditional talks with the state, has now softened its tone. The Sanate faction has expressed willingness to come to the negotiating table, before the government signs a peace agreement with the Zosangbera-led faction, he said.

November 20

Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres abducted Suresh Rajak, a forest official from a wildlife sanctuary, in Kaimur District of Bihar. The abductors allegedly made the call for ransom on the mobile phone of the victim's son Kaushal Kumar, claiming that they were Naxalites operating in the region. Another call was made on the cell phone of an employee Dhananjay Kumar. The Maoists demanded a ransom of INR 800,000 from his family for his release, officials and his relatives said the next day. The Police said the Maoists descended at the office of Rajak and held him captive at gunpoint. He was posted as forester at the Karar beat office in Kaimur wildlife sanctuary, around 200 kilometres southwest of Patna. Buxar SP, Rajesh Kumar, said a Police team has been assigned to rescue the official from the abductors. He confirmed that ransom calls were made to the victim's family.

A makeshift camp of a construction company was attacked and a machine set on fire near Shivpur village in Darigav Police outpost area in Rohtas District of Bihar. Seven armed men raided the camp of Baba Hans Construction Company, engaged in making canals under Durgawati Reservoir Project (DRP), and assaulted the staff as well. The area is 15 kilometres south of District headquarters Sasaram and 166 kilometres southwest of Patna. Some farmers, whose land had been acquired for the project, had threatened the staff earlier in the day. Police were investigating if the attack was carried out by farmers or Maoists, SHO, Manoj Kumar said.

An ASI, Ashfak Quarashi of the BDS and Mahendra Turi, a constable of Jharkhand Police were killed and three others were injured, when a bomb they were defusing exploded accidentally at Saria Police Station in Giridih District of Jharkhand. The bomb was found during an anti-CPI-Maoist operation and a BDS was called from Hazaribagh District to defuse it. The injured are identified as Satyendra Sharma, Binod Upadhyay and Porai Oroan.

Akash Singh (24), an ‘area commander’ of the PLFI, surrendered before SP, Rajiv Ranjan Singh in Simdega District of Jharkhand. Akash, who surrendered after Police of Odisha and Jharkhand mounted pressure on the outfit, has six pending cases at Bisra police station of Sundargarh District of Odisha, which include a double murder. This apart, eight cases of crimes including rape and murder in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum District and six more in Simdega District are pending against him. Akash of Kolebira area in Simdega had joined PLFI in 2012 after his friend Ratan Gope was killed by operatives of CPI-Maoist. After receiving training, he worked for PLFI in Jaldega, Bano and Tatotonia areas of Simdega. From 2013 to his surrender, Akash was ‘area commander’ of Anandpur area of West Singhbhum and Bisra area of Sundargarh. He was carrying INR 200,000 reward on his head in Jharkhand. The Simdega SP said it was an irony that Akash was working for the outfit while his father had served in the Police force and his twin brother is in the CRPF. “Akash also revealed that PLFI chief Dinesh Gope is destroying the future of local youths by recruiting them for extortion. He was forced to extort and pay `1.30 lakh to Gope to get a Sten gun,” said SP Singh. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

The JJMP, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, made an extortion call to a stone crushing plant at Asehar under Panki Police Station in Palamu District of Jharkhand. The 100 million worth of stone crushing plant is at Asehar under Panki Police Station 20 kilometres from the nearest Police Station Panki and 33 kilometres from the Police headquarters in Daltonganj. One Paramjeet identifying himself to be from JJMP outfit made calls to one of the members of plant management asking him to meet and finalise the issue (read money).

A tribal woman, identified as Jaini Parsa, sustained bullet injury after Maoists tried to attack her husband at Laheritola in Bhamragarh tehsil in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. The rebels had come to her place to eliminate her husband when Jaini had put up a resistance shielding her husband. After she had raised an alarm, the Maoists learnt to have fled from the place.

A CPI-Maoist ‘Jan Militia commander’, carrying a reward of INR 100,000, was arrested by Chhattisgarh Police from neighbouring Telangana. Acting on a specific input, the cadre Baman Kawasi alias Chaman (32), was arrested from Husnabad area in Khammam District of Telangana, Dantewada ASP, Gorakhnath Bahgel said. After receiving the information about the location of Kawasi, a native of Kuwakonda Police Station area (Dantewada), a local Police team was sent to the place and was he was arrested, he said. Kawasi was allegedly involved in the attack on police personnel in Etepal forests after the patrolling team was returning after dismantling a Maoist memorial in July this year. Besides, he was also allegedly involved in other incidents of planting IEDs to target troopers, firing on Police patrolling team, set ablaze machines and vehicles engaged in construction works, the ASP said.

Police  arrested Art of Living (AOL) foundation ‘Interlocutors’ when they were heading to Sylhet in Bangladesh to meet top members of HNLC from Dawki check post in West Jaintia Hills District. The duo was identified as Khroo Lamsalanki Pariat (39) of Iawmusiang Jowai and Samir Jolly (44) of Noida. The duo’s meeting with HNLC leaders was scheduled for November 21.

Unidentified militants, shot dead one non local, Murali Thakur (41), at Liwa Lambi near Catholic School Chanchipur, under Singjamei Police Station in Imphal West District. The deceased was staying at Liwa Lambi for the last 20 years and ran a canteen at Catholic School Canchipur.

AR claims arrest of two persons who are responsible for the IED blast at Mahamani Village in Chandel district.

The AR has clarified that the report of apprehension of one Thokchom Ningthemba alias ‘Private’ Pheiroijamba by 4 AR during an encounter with the militant is totally false and baseless. A press release issued by the Public Relation Officer, Inspector General Assam Rifles (IGAR-South) stated that on November 15, at around 5.30 am, a foot column of 4 AR came under indiscriminate firing in Sajik Tampak area. In the ensuing retaliatory fire, a militant was killed on the spot, while the rest of the militants fled.

The Juvenile Justice Board that held an 18-year-old boy guilty of planting explosives at the Bodh Gaya temple complex in Bihar in 2013 has said the attack was to avenge the atrocities against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. The juvenile placed a bomb under the 80-ft statue of Gautama Buddha at the revered temple complex as “Buddhists from all over the world used to come there and a message will be sent to all,” an order of the juvenile court that convicted the boy of terrorist activities said. The board sentenced him to three years in a remand home on October 11.

Myanmar, a Buddhist country, has seen the exodus of thousands of Rohingya Muslims from the Rakhine province over the past several decades. Before this year’s exodus, the mass migration intensified in 2012-13 when hundreds of Rohingya fled to neighbouring countries, including India. On July 7, 2013, the juvenile and other accused planted 13 bombs at the Maha Bodhi temple complex. Two monks were injured and three unexploded bombs were recovered. One of the accused, Haidar Ali, told the NIA that on the day of the blast, he along with the juvenile and others came from Ranchi and had 13 bombs with them. “Two accused — Mujibullah and Imtiyaz — got down at the monastery. The juvenile and another accused, Tarique Ansari, were directed to put the bomb under the 80-ft statue of Lord Buddha. Haidar Ali proceeded towards the Mahabodhi complex, changed to a monk’s attire and first planted a bomb at Animesh Lochan temple, the second at Mahabodhi tree, the third under an ambulance and the fourth at a small temple. The bombs were timed to explode between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m.,” the Board’s order said. The accused, residents of Ranchi (Jharkhand) and Raipur (Chhattisgarh), came together to avenge the killings of Muslims in the 2002 Gujarat riots and were also affected by the civil war in Yemen.

Haidar Ali, who was associated with the banned SIMI), “drew a map of the temple and decided to plant the explosives early in the morning as Buddhists and local people would be present in large numbers to offer prayers,” the order said. Ali was closely linked to the IM. “The Board’s order was the first judgment in the Bodh Gaya and Patna blast cases. The case against the other accused is pending trial,” an NIA official said.

GRP arrested two persons along with FICNs worth of INR 1.20 lakh at the Jhansi railway station in Jhansi District of Uttar Pradesh. During the routine checking, two youths were arrested with FICN of INR 2,000 denomination to the tune of INR 1.20 lakh, SP Railway Om Prakash Singh said. The accused, one hailing from Shivpuri of Madhya Pradesh and the other from Babina area of Jhansi said that they had brought the notes from New Delhi for using them in the Bundelkhand region, the SP said.

A HM militant, identified as Adil Rashid Chopan of Larow in Tral was killed in an encounter with the SFs in the Gujarbasti forest area of Tral in Pulwama District. According to reports, the SFs launched a cordon-and-search operation in the area on the bases of information about the presence of some militants. During the searches, gunshots were heard, prompting the SFs to intensify the combing operation. As the SFs zeroed in towards the area where from gun shots were heard, militants fired on the troops leading to a gun battle in which one militant was killed. Other militants of the group, however, managed to escape.

SFs launched a search operation in Rajwar forests of Handwara in Kupwara District after reports of presence of a heavily armed militant group. The SFs, however, couldn’t spot the militant group but the operation in the forests will continue.

The SFs cordoned off several orchards of Shopian District after reports about presence of militants. The operation launched in orchards of Amshipora, Chitterpora, Nowgam, Shamsipora and Ramnagri villages of the district. The operation was limited to orchards only.

Police said that a 16-year-old boy who had joined militancy heeded to parents’ call and returned home in Kulgam District. An unnamed official said that the boy, a resident of Chimmer village – a far flung area in Damhal-Hanjipora tehsil (revenue unit) ‘surrendered’ before police following an appeal by his parents. He had left his home on September 27, 2017. IGP, Kashmir, Muneer Khan, however, said that the boy hasn’t surrendered, adding, “He has neither surrendered nor been apprehended. He has just returned to his family.”

Dismissing reports of the Islamic State (IS) gaining a foothold in Jammu and Kashmir, UHM Rajnath Singh said that Indian Muslims would never allow the terrorist outfit to have a base in the country. Singh also said he has complete faith in the Indian youth that they would not let Islamic State misled them. "Any Indian Muslim who believes in Islam would not allow any opportunity to the Islamic State to have a base in the country," he said. He dismissed reports about Islamic State gaining a foothold in the Kashmir Valley and said there was no confirmation about such reports. He said the matter was being investigated by security agencies and any conclusion should be arrived at only after their report was submitted to the Government. Singh urged the young men, who live near the India-Pakistan border and who have been misled into joining terrorist groups, to return to the mainstream, saying proper assistance would be provided to them.

His remarks came in wake of claims that the global terror outfit was involved in an attack on SFs in Srinagar on November 17, in which one terrorist, Mugees, was killed and a SI, Imran Tak, lost his life. The terrorist group claimed the attack through its propaganda news agency Amaq. Photographs of Mugees with the Islamic State flag had surfaced on the social media. Even his body was wrapped in the flag of the banned terror group during the funeral.

There is no authoritative information about the presence of Islamic State (IS) in J&K, an unnamed senior UMHA said. He was responding to claim made by the IS. Notably, Amaq, which is the ‘official news agency’ of IS had claimed the responsibility for the November 17, 2017, Srinagar attack in which a Police officer, SI Imran Tak, and a militant, Mugees Ahmad Mir, were killed and a SPO was injured. Pictures of Mugees with the IS flag in the background surfaced on social media. Even his body was wrapped in the IS during funeral. The UMHA official said it has come to light that Mugees belonged to Tehrik-ul- Mujahideen and was its Pulwama ‘district commander’. The Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen was among the first few militant groups that emerged at the onset of terrorism in J&K in the early 1990s, the official said. It follows the ideology of Salafism which is ultra radical like IS. However, the Police have found no logistical connection between the two, another unnamed official said. The cadre strength of Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen is very small and it has been facing an extreme shortage of weapons. After the killing of Mujees, Adil Ahmed has been appointed the group’s ‘commander’ in Pulwama district.

The Union Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre said that the Government has “zero tolerance” for terrorism and it is determined to flush out terrorists from J&K. “Our policy is clear. There is zero tolerance for terrorism. We are going to stop cross border infiltration of terrorists. Our Army is trying to flush out terrorism from the Valley,” he stated.

Declaring that Afghanistan's stability and security was tied to that of the entire region, India has demanded an end to the ‘Special Terrorist Zones’ in Pakistan where militant outfits, the LeT and JeM are protected. "It is imperative to address the support that terrorist organisations like the Taliban, Haqqani Network, Islamic State (IS), al Qaeda and its designated affiliates such as the LeT and JeM operating outside the fabric of international law, draw from outside Afghanistan," India's Deputy Permanent Representative, Tanmaya Lal told the UN General Assembly during a debate on the situation in that country. "The Special Terrorist Zones, safe havens and sanctuaries beyond Afghanistan's border must end," he added, without naming Pakistan while the context made clear the country he was referring to.

BSF personnel arrested two persons who were allegedly running a FICN racket in Dhubri and South Salmara-Mankachar Districts from Fekamari market under Deepchar border outpost. BSF seized FICN worth at INR 100,000 from the duo. The duo was identified as Mohammad Shah Alom, (34) and Mir Jamal (35).

November 21

One Sunil Pawar, a former supporter of the CPI-Maoist, was shot dead at a market at Jhadapapda, which is located around eight kilometers from Pendhri in Dhanora tehsil in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. Two more persons, Sadaram Thakur and Ravindra Kusram, sustained injuries as the Maoists, in civil attires, opened fire at them. Gadchiroli Police said Chatgaon Area committee of the CPI-Maoist outfit has claimed in a pamphlet that they had targeted Pawar as he was helping the Police since 2007. The Maoists have also claimed to have warned Pawar several times. Police said Pawar, requesting for pardoning, had initially tried to flee but was later shot on head from close quarters.

Police arrested wanted CPI-Maoist cadre, indentified as Sachindra Majhi alias Sachin of Kuimunda village under Boden Police Station in Nuapada District of Odisha. Sachin was the president of CMAS, a known CPI-Maoist front organization. He was also an active militia of the Maoists in Patdhara Reserve Forest area of the District. Nuapada SP, Smit P Parmar said Sachin was wanted by Boden Police for his involvement in the killing of a civilian Gajapati Majhi on April 18 last year. His role as a militia included arranging meetings in Patdhara area, logistics, providing information on movement of SFs besides extortion from contractors engaged in development work. 

Over 10,000 State Government employees took out a massive protest rally in the heart of Kohima, to demand immediate suspension of probes on Government servants by the NIA pertaining to demands of illegal ‘taxation’ from NNPGs. CANSSEA member Er Tsukti said that 36 departments were currently under NIA scanner and warned that the hospitality of the Nagas should not be misconstrued.

The NIA have intensified search for more than 20 suspected Islamic State (IS) recruits, including 12 Keralites, who they believe, might have returned to the country from Syria. According to information provided by foreign intelligence agencies, the members of the IS’s Bahrain module, who were engaged in militant activities in Syria, have returned to the country. Most of them found their way back home via Turkey and had used fake passports. NIA has handed over the details of 12 Malayalees to the Kerala Police. Eleven people are from Kannur (Kannur District) and Kasaragod (Kasaragod District) regions and one belongs to Malappuram (Malappuram District).

A total of 97 Indians were learned to have joined the terror outfit’s Bahrain module. Of them, 67 people migrated to the war-torn regions of Syria. Fifteen of them were killed in various conflicts.

Kolkata Police busted a module of the ABT - a group banned in Bangladesh for killing secular bloggers – and arrested three of its members who were in the city to buy arms and chemicals from Kolkata railway station in Kolkata District. Two of the arrested are Bangladeshi nationals, identified as Samsad Mian alias Tanvir (26) and Rizaul Islam alias Riyaz alias Suman (25) and the third is an Indian, identified as Manotosh De alias Monda (42). All the three accused were arrested after three days of tracking following tip-offs from the IB during two of this year's biggest festivals in Kolkata: the first came on Nabami, September 29, and the second a couple of days before the start of the Fifa U-17 World Cup in October.

According to officials, the three men have been working in close coordination with the AQIS, a wing of the global al Qaeda having active presence in Bangladesh and believed to be behind much of the available jihadi literature in Bengali. STF officials claimed they had found papers mentioning some of the more important places in the city, including Esplanade bus terminus and Eden Gardens, where the India-Sri Lanka cricket match ended on November 20.

The Indian national, Manotosh De alias Monda (42), a resident of Kholapota in Basirhat, was into arms smuggling, officials said. But the biggest catch for officials is Samsad Mian alias Tanvir (26), a resident of Bangladesh's Sylhet: this civil engineer was found with a fake Aadhaar Card. "A separate probe on the fake card has been launched. He did not have a genuine passport or visa," STF Deputy Commissioner Murlidhar Sharma said. Samsad is believed to be the "amir" (head) of the ABT's explosives wing and is responsible for the group's revival after a major crackdown in Bangladesh. "We are ascertaining with Bangladesh cops whether he is named in any FIR there," a top Lalbazar official said. Rizaul Islam alias Riyaz alias Suman (25), a madrasa-educated youth of Khulna (Bangladesh) is believed to have come to India on successful reconnaissance missions in the past. "Both Samsad and Rizaul have been staying in India for the past one-and-a-half years after crossing the International Border (IB). They have visited at least three other Indian cities, including Patna, Ranchi and Hyderabad. We have not yet been able to establish any particular assignment they may have had in Kolkata but the Bangladeshis and the Indian were in touch. The Bangladeshis approached Manotosh De for arms and an initial demonstration might have been completed. They were coming to Kolkata as part of a deal. Further questioning will reveal more details," Sharma said.

The SFs cordoned off Gujarpati forest area in the Zurhama area of Kupwara District following specific inputs about the presence of two to three militants there. As the SFs launched the searches, the hiding militants opened fire on troops, triggering an encounter in which, an Army soldier was killed and two soldiers were injured. The operation was going on till the time of reporting. Sources said that it was a group of LeT militants headed by one Saifullah which was on its way towards LoC to receive a group of infiltrators.

Three LeT militants were killed in an encounter in the Magam area of Handwara in Kupwara District. The SFs launched a cordon-and-search operation at Khar Mohalla in Magam after inputs about presence of a militant group in the area. As the SFs intensified the search operation, the militants hiding in the area opened fire, triggering an encounter. Three militants were killed during the gunfight and their bodies were recovered along with three AK rifles.

The operation launched by the SFs in Rajwar forests of Handwara in Kupwara District on November 20 after reports of presence of a heavily armed militant group continued. The operation was launched by the SFs in the Forest Compartment of 8,9,10 and 11 in Handwara.

A Delhi court sent nine persons, arrested in connection with the seizure of INR 360 million worth of old currency allegedly linked to terror activities in J&K, to judicial custody till the month end. District Judge Poonam Bamba sent the accused persons to custody till November 30 after the NIA said they were required for further custodial interrogation. The arrestees included Pradeep Chauhan, Bhagwan Singh and Vinod Shreedhar Shetty (all residents of Delhi), Deepak Toprani of Mumbai (Maharashtra), Ejajul Hassan of Amroha (Uttar Pradesh), Jaswinder Singh of Nagpur (Maharashtra) and J&K-residents Umar Mushtaq Dar (Pulwama), Shahnawaz Mir (Srinagar) and Majid Yousuf Sofi (Anantnag).

The UMHA had announced four major Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) for J&K based on the preliminary recommendations of centre’s newly appointed special representative Dineshwar Sharma. The CBMs included manifold increase in compensation for loss of lives, property etc in Pakistan shelling and firing, enhancement of relief for J&K Police martyrs to take it at par with CAPFs, 800 mw free electricity to the State for winters and amnesty for first-time stone pelters. All these major CBMs were based on recommendations made by Sharma after his maiden visit to Jammu and Kashmir from November 6 to 11. He is scheduled to visit the State again by the end of this month. Sources said taking the suggestion of Sharma forward, over 4,500 cases against youths involved in stone pelting for the first time will be dropped in a bid to win hearts in the Kashmir valley. Over 11,500 cases have been registered against stone pelters since July 2016 when unrest broke out in Kashmir following the killing of Burhan Wani. Out of these, over 4,500 cases were registered against youths who were found indulging in stone pelting for the first time.

SFs arrested a ‘lieutenant’ Tikkam Mossang, (area commander of Miao area) of the NSCN-R with arms and ammunitions from Miao town under Changlang District.

A rally organised by the All Apex Bodies' Coordination Committee of Dima Hasao district in Haflong town saw thousands of protesters, protesting against any inclusion of any area of  Dima Hasao District in the NSCN-IM proposed "Greater Nagalim"

November 22

The CPI-Maoist documents recovered from the site of an encounter in Abujhmaad on November 7, show that they successfully exchanged demonetised INR 500 and INR 1000 notes adding up to INR 200,000. D M Awasthi, SDG, Anti-Naxal Operations, Chhattisgarh, confirmed that at least 20 pages of handwritten accounts, spanning several years, were recovered after the encounter in the jungles of Abujhmaad in Narayanpur District on November 7 in which six Maoists were reported to have been killed. A postscript in the ‘balance sheet’, maintained by the Nelnar area Janatana Sarkar, for 2017 States: “ Note bandi ke dauran 2 lakh jama kiya manta  (Deposited 2 lakh during note ban).” While the year’s total expenditure has been put at INR 46,720, there is a line which says that a sewing machine worth INR 16,000 was damaged during an attack by SFs. The handwritten ‘balance sheets’, for 2013 to 2017, include sub-heads like expenditure incurred by the “vikas shakha”, “raksha shakha”, “school sanskriti shakha”, “jan sampark shakha” and so on. There are separate pages on expenditure incurred on “community infrastructure”, such as building of wells and small check dams as well.

The CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze a tractor cum trolley in the buffer area of Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) near Budha Pahad in Latehar District of Jharkhand. The incident took place in the contiguity of the Baresaad based sambhar enclosure. SP, Dhanajay K Singh said that the act was done by the Maoists as the site of the incident falls in their territory. Sources said that Maoists had identified the tractor which was, as the Maoists suspected, providing logistics to the SFs on hunt for Arvind ji and Sudhakaran ji, believed to be holed up in the Budha Pahad.

Acting on the suspicion that CPI-Maoist cadres may have entered the Bandipur National Park, and its surrounding areas, the ANF, DAR Police and forest department launched a joint combing operation in Chamarajanagar District of Karnataka. The personnel of ANF, DAR and forest department were divided into two separate groups. While Chamarajanagar SP, Dharmendra Kumar Meena led the 60-member ream that carried out the operation in Kundakere, Mulapura and Karapura forest areas and along the banks of Mayar River. The second team, led by ASP, MS Geeta, on the other hand, covered Mulehole, Kalkere and surrounding areas. This team comprised around 60 personnel. Sources said that neither team managed to find any information pertaining to Naxal activities during their respective operations. Adding that the operation would continue on November 23, a Police said, "Combing operations will be carried out near the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border and near the Kerala border. We did not uncover any information on Wednesday."

The CPI-Maoist cadres have killed a villager suspecting him to be a ‘Police informer’ in Sodegaon under Dhanora Tehsil in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. According to report, the Maoists entered the house of one Suresh Tofa woke him up from the sleep and took him outside the house. Soon after this the Maoists killed him with an axe. The Maoists suspected Suresh was a ‘Police informer’ and had been informing the Police about their movements. After killing Suresh the Maoists put up as banner in the village which read Suresh as ‘informer’ and further stated that the persons informing Police will punished in a similar manner.

The BDS of State Police’s SOG, engaged in anti-CPI-Maoist operation in Gajapati District of Odisha defused the landmines spread across the forest areas. The land mines were detected by the SOG personnel during combing operation to flush out the Maoists in Baliganda forest cover under Mohana Block of the District. The BDS personnel later defused the live landmines.

The CRPF personnel seized huge cache of explosives of the CPI-Maoist while carrying out combing operation at Kendu Panduli forest in Keonjhar District of Odisha. Reportedly, the Armed Forces personnel spotted a Maoist camp in the forest during combing operation and raided the camp. Even though the Maoists managed to flee from the spot, they left behind three tiffin bombs, 38 gelatin sticks, 35 detonators, 10 packets of gunpowder and other materials used in explosives. The materials have been seized by the Police.

A Kolkata court (West Bengal) remanded two suspected members of banned Bangladeshi terror group ABT and their Indian accomplice in 14 days of Police custody. The trio, who were arrested by the STF of the city Police from Kolkata railway station on November 21, were sent to Police custody till December 5 by Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Satya Arnab Ghosal. Seeking their remand, public prosecutor Pijush Kanti Mondal submitted that Bangladeshi citizens Samsad Mia and Rizaul Islam were suspected members of ABT, while their Indian accomplice Manotosh Dey was an arms dealer. He submitted that all the three were arrested when they met at Kolkata railway station in the northern part of the city to discuss an arms deal.

Mondal stated that documents related to terror outfit al Qaeda were recovered from the two Bangladeshis, who were also allegedly in possession of some Aadhaar cards. The three persons have been arrested under the Arms Act and accused of forgery, cheating and criminal conspiracy.

The JuD ‘chief’ and 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed's release order by a Pakistani judicial body shows how Pakistan is ‘hoodwinking’ the international community on the issue of terrorism, Indian Government sources said. It is also reflective of Islamabad's "duplicity" in tackling terrorism, they said and asked Pakistan to ‘walk the talk’ on its assurances to the international community over dismantling terror infrastructure and not allowing its soil to be used for terror acts. "The release order only shows that Pakistan provides free space to terrorists to indulge in acts against other countries. And in case of Saeed, a designated terrorist, it also shows how Pakistan is hoodwinking the international community on the issue of terrorism," the source said. The sharp reaction came within hours of the Judicial Review Board of Punjab province comprising judges of the Lahore High Court ordering Saeed's release on the expiry of his 30-day house arrest which is going to expire in a couple of days. Hafiz Saeed's release may also coincide with the anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in which at least 166 people were killed.

Frustrated by the failure of terrorist activities in J&K and other places, Pakistan's ISI is now planning to target Hindu leaders in India to create communal tensions with other communities, top Government sources said. Sources said that the ISI carried out the first such attack in Punjab, where RSS leader Ravinder Gosain was shot dead in Ludhiana in broad daylight on October 17 by gunmen hired using money routed through Europe, Dubai and Mumbai. According to sources, investigation has revealed that the Pakistani spy agency would try to follow the same modus operandi in other parts of the nation as well. Eight Hindus at the local level have so far been targeted by terrorists in Punjab. Investigation into these cases has been handed over to the NIA. ISI has been employing petty criminals to target leaders to trigger riots and violence in India in the run-up to 2019 polls. Security of key leaders has been tightened to thwart the ISI's plans, sources said.

The NSG is planning to train their commandos exclusively to deal with ‘lone wolf’ terror attacks using vehicles at public places. The elite SF has taken this decision in the wake of some recent incidents across the world where terrorists used vehicles to mow down people at crowded places. According to sources, the NSG is likely to send their commandos to European countries to get training to deal with ‘lone wolf’ attacks. This comes amid Indian authorities fearing a possible attack by the Islamic State (IS) on places of religious significance like Kumbh Mela (major Hindu religious festival in North India) and Thirssur Pooram (major Temple festival in Kerala).

Intelligence agencies are scrambling to verify an input that JeM ‘chief’ Maulana Masood Azhar is setting up a special squad to target prominent politicians, including senior cabinet ministers and a high-profile chief minister. The input was shared with all stakeholders at an intelligence meeting last week, sources said. As per the initial tip-off, JeM and LeT have come together for the task and are using a Bangladesh-based cadre for logistics. Some of the men assigned to execute the task are learnt to have already crossed the border, the intelligence input suggested. As per intercepted chatter, reports about a CM moving around with minimal security has made him one of the prime targets. Sources, however, said the input was yet to be fully corroborated. Teams from a foreign intelligence agency is learnt to have visited the hideout mentioned near Dhaka but did not find anything.

One militant and a soldier were killed and another two soldiers sustained injuries in a gun battle along the LoC in Keran sector of Kupwara District. Srinagar based Defence spokesman said that soldiers manning the fence near Chunkun post in Farkian Gali of Keran intercepted a group of infiltrators this afternoon. “A militant and a soldier have been killed in an ongoing operation so far”, the spokesman said, adding that two more soldiers suffered injuries.

A search operation in the Zirhama area of Kupwara District continued on second day but the SFs could not intercept militants anywhere. As reported earlier, a soldier was killed and two others were injured in the encounter at Zirhama on November 21.

The operation launched by the SFs in Rajwar forests of Handwara in Kupwara District on November 20 after reports of presence of a heavily armed militant group continued on November 22.

A cordon and search operation was launched by the SFs at Bamnoo in the Keller area of Pulwama District. The forces conducted searches in the village but no one was arrested.

The SFs launched a cordon and search operation in the Harmain area of Shopian District after inputs about presence of militants in the area. No further information is available.

CM Mehbooba Mufti in the night announced that she has set the process in motion for withdrawal of FIRs against first time offenders of stone pelting. She asserted that her Government had initiated the process (of withdrawal of cases against first-time stone pelters) in May 2016 but it was unfortunately stalled due to the unrest later that year. She was referring to the trouble that followed after the killing of HM ‘divisional commander’ Burhan Wani on July 8, 2016.

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that the policy of the Government is aimed at bringing normalcy in J&K. Responding to a question on the Centre’s proposal to withdraw cases against first-time stone-pelters in Kashmir valley, he said that the Government’s aim was to ensure peace and it worked on the basis of what steps were required to bring normalcy back. “There was a situation when civil disobedience was at its peak. Thousands of stone-throwers used to come out. Terrorists were picking their targets at will. Hurriyat (Conference) would give a call whenever they liked and everything was paralysed,” Jaitley told reporters. He said the situation today has changed. The Security Forces have an upper hand and it has become difficult for stone- pelters to gather a crowd. “The Hurriyat leadership has been exposed,” he said. Through its new initiatives, the Government intends to engage with all who want to talk to ensure return of normalcy. “What efforts are to be made will be decided by our Special Representative and the State Government,” he said.

GOC 16 Corps, Lt Gen Saranjit Singh said that Pakistan army has used its civilians as shield and resorted to mortar shelling and firing from civilian areas on their side of LoC to target Indian villages during recent ceasefire violations. “Pakistan army had fired from its civilian areas targeting populated villages on the Indian side,’’ the GOC said. He charged Pakistan army with using terrorism as weapon towards India and declared that the troops were fully prepared to meet with any kind of situation on the LoC including infiltration attempts as he maintained that large number of militants were waiting at launching pads on Pakistan side of the LoC to infiltrate into the Indian territory.

Maoists killed Jadhoram Jangi (50), native of Ranwahi village in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra, in Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh, suspecting him to be a ‘Police informer’. The body of Jadhoram was found near Raimanora village under Aundhi Police Station area of Rajnandgaon, a Police official said. As per the Police, around two dozen armed rebels abducted Jangi from his house in Ranwahi late on November 21. Later, locals spotted his body near a rivulet in Raimanora. "Prima facie it appears that he was brutally beaten to death, suspecting that he was working as a police informer," the Police official said.

November 23

Twelve CPI-Maoist cadres have been arrested from separate places in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh, during a joint operation of the CRPF’s 199th battalion and the District Police. The Maoists were arrested from the forests under the Bhairamgarh Police Station limits, ASP, Mohit Garg said. Acting on specific inputs, SFs had launched a search operation in the interior of Bhairamgarh, around 450 kilometres from State capital Raipur, on November 22, he said. The Maoists were rounded up after the joint team cordoned off Itampara, Uspari, Biriyabhoomi and Daler villages inside the forests, he added. Among those arrested, warrants were pending against nine Maoists including a woman, he added. The maximum numbers of warrants, for 36 incidents, were pending against Sitaram Hemla, while 12 warrants were pending against Bheema Atra, the ASP said. The arrested Maoists were active as lower-rung cadres and involved in attacks on Police, planting of IEDs and putting up Maoist banners and posters, he added.

30 IEDs, seized from Budha Pahad in Latehar District of Jharkhand, were defused by the BDS. The IEDs planted in series were seized by the SF personnel soon after the suspected CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze a tractor in Mounasilli under Palamau Tiger project in Baresaad Police station limit, the sources said. The Maoists have also stopped the construction work of a watch tower being set up by the forest department amidst ongoing anti-Maoist operation, they said.

Jharkhand Police arrested a TPC cadre, identified as Shyam Bhokta and seized INR 500,000 cash when he was on way to Balumath from Chatra via Panki in Palamu District of Jharkhand. SP, Palamu, Indrajeet Mahatha stated, “A joint team of Palamu Police and Jharkhand Jaguar nabbed one TPC cadre Shyam Bhokta on way to Balumath from Chatra via Panki in Palamu and the joint team recovered Rs 5 lakhs in possession of this TPC cadre.” On Shyam’s revelation about a tunnel at Kekargarh, the joint team recovered one LMG, 307 bullets, four rifles one Lethe machine, transformer, welding machine and other articles all for making illicit arms. There were bullets of AK 47 and INSAS assault rifles too. The joint team also arrested two more at Kekargarh tunnel identified as Prem Sagar Mahto and Uchit Mahto. The SP said this tunnel (read cave) was used as a store cum manufacturing unit of TPC for illicit arms. TPC is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

A CPI-Maoist cadre and his two associates were arrested from West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand, following an encounter with the SF personnel. SP, Anish Gupta said, the DAP had rushed to Boritika village in the District acting on a tip-off on the movement of the Maoists in the area, it is when the Maoists opened fire at the approaching security personnel, who retaliated. The Maoists beat a hasty retreat and the three were arrested while the others managed to escape, Gupta said. SFs recovered a gun and a pistol from their possession.

Security Forces arrested two arms dealers from Supermarket area near Sunrise ground of Ward No.4 Moreh in Chandel district. The two arrested armed dealers have been identified as Liansuan Maung Ngaihte (22) (Myanmar resident) and Jamkheng Maung Ngaihte (25). SFs recovered one 5.56 HK rifle along with a magazine were recovered from their possession.

Taxi operators of the State threatened to suspend services between Imphal and Dimapur in Nagaland if the State Government failed to check extortion and looting along NH-2 within 15 days. The drivers alleged that Kuki militant outfits were behind the lootings, particularly the KNF, KRA, KRF and KRA-U. The groups are in a ceasefire with the government, the drivers said.

The special NIA court in Mumbai rejected the bail application filed by Kalyan (Maharashtra) youth Areeb Majeed, who was arrested for allegedly joining the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).  “The (bail) application filed by the accused (Majeed) is rejected,” said special NIA judge. Majeed had sought bail on the ground that section 20 (being member of terrorist organisation) of the UAPA had been removed against him and hence the other sections also do not survive because he had been charged with committing crimes as a member of a terrorist organisation. Opposing Majeed’s bail plea, the NIA had contended before the court that his bail and discharge application have been rejected in the past considering serious allegations against him so he should not be granted bail. The NIA counsel had also argued before the court that there are serious charges against Majeed, including that of waging war against an Asiatic country that has friendly ties with India.

Reacting sharply to a Pakistan court's decision to set 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind and JuD ‘chief’ Hafiz Saeed free, India said that the move has once again exposed Islamabad's policy of shielding terrorists. In a press briefing MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that India and the entire International community is outraged that a self confessed and a UN proscribed terrorist is being allowed to walk free and continue with his evil agenda.

India is likely to raise the issue of terrorism in a big way at the Russia-India-China (RIC) Foreign Ministers’ meeting to be held in New Delhi on December 11 against the backdrop of China’s continued stonewalling of the attempts by the international community to get JeM ‘chief’ Masood Azhar declared as a global terrorist by the UN. The MEA on November 23 confirmed that External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi would hold the trilateral meeting. ‘’We are still working out the programme for the meeting,’’ MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. India has also been upset with China for the ‘double standard’ it has adopted in fighting terrorism. On the one hand, China was declaring its firm commitment to tackle terrorism while on the other it was blocking listing of the JEM chief as a global terrorist, only to save its close ally Pakistan from facing embarrassment across the globe, a source said.

Asia-Pacific region, which now accounts for more than half of the world’s Internet users and is the largest region globally in terms of e-commerce sales, has seen a huge rise in cybercrime as well, according to the 2017 APAC Cybercrime Report by ThreatMetrix. “Spurred by massive economic growth, the Asia-Pacific region continues its rapid digital transformation. Cybercrime in the region is also growing with attacks becoming more organized and sophisticated,” states the study. Further, China, India, Japan, and Vietnam are now some of the top cybercrime hotspots in the world, with China ranking second behind the US as the largest source of global threats. The Asia-Pacific region continues to demonstrate its susceptibility to malware, with Indonesia, India, and the Philippines among the top countries with the highest number of malware infections, says the report.

Nations must take responsibility to ensure that the internet does not become a playground for the dark forces of terrorism and radicalisation, PM Narendra Modi said at the Global Conference on Cyber Space (GCSS) in New Delhi. “Information sharing and coordination among security agencies is essential to counter the ever-changing threat landscape,” Modi said at the inaugural session.

The SFs resumed search operation in the forest area of Kupwara District; where as reported earlier, four militants, including an infiltrator, were killed in two different encounters during last three days.

The SFs continued searches for infiltrators in the Keran sector of Kupwara District, where as reported earlier, a militant and a soldier were killed along the LoC on  November 22.

The search operation that was initially launched on November 22 near Chunkun post in Farkian Gali of Keran, where a group of infiltrators was intercepted, continued on November 23.

The search operation launched in the Zirhama area of Kupwara District continued for third day on November 23 The operation was launched on November 21 in which, as reported earlier, a soldier was killed and two soldiers were injured.

Another operation launched by the SFs in Rajwar forests of Handwara in Kupwara District on November 21 after reports of presence of a heavily armed militant group continued for the third n November 23.

The DG of CRPF RR Bhatnagar said that this year (2017) SFs have achieved major successes against militants which has led to improvement in security situation in Kashmir. “The security situation is improving with the successful operations of the security forces and this is possible due to coordination between various security agencies”, he stated. “This year, 195 militants were killed. They include top commanders of JeM, HM and LeT. Security forces have achieved these major successes this year and will continue their operations against the militants”, he said.

The chief of JuD and LeT and 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed walked from house arrest as a free man. The Judicial Review Board of Punjab province comprising judges of the Lahore High Court (LHC) had unanimously ordered Saeed's release on the completion of his 30-day house arrest. He was set free after the Pakistan Government decided against detaining him further in any case. Moments after the release he said, “I was detained for 10 months only to stop my voice for Kashmir. I fight the case of Kashmiris. I will gather the people from across the country for the cause of Kashmir. And we will try to help Kashmiris get their destination of freedom." Saeed said he was detained when he announced a month of solidarity for Kashmiris this January.

He used the release order to buttress his claims of "innocence". "I am very happy that none of the allegations against me proved as three judges of the LHC ordered my release... The LHC's review board decision has proved that I am innocent," Saeed said. On January 31, 2017, Saeed and his four aides - Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Hussain - were detained by the Punjab government for 90 days+ under Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 and the Fourth Schedule of Anti- Terrorism Act 1997. However, the last two extensions were made on the 'public safety law'. The board had refused to give further extension to the detention of Saeed's aides. They were set free last month (October). Under the law, the government can detain a person for up to three months under different charges but for extension to that detention it needs approval from a judicial review board.

In protest against the ULFA-I threat hundreds of tea workers of Shree Krishna tea estate blocked NH- 38 for over half-an-hour at Digboi-Tingrai in Tinsukia district. The agitation comes almost 48 hours after ULFA-I rebels attempted to kidnap the manager of the Shree Krishna Tea Garden and threatened to shut down the garden for failing to meet their extortion demands.

November 24

An armed squad of the CPI-Maoist attacked the base camp of an agency engaged in the construction of Jagdishpur-Haldia Gas Pipeline and set ablaze four vehicles in Gaya District of Bihar. The Maoists yesterday attacked the camp located at Darna village under Aamas Police Station of the District and indulged in arson in which many vehicles, including three trucks, were set on fire, Patna's IGP, Naiyar Hussnain Khan said. The Maoists also beat up some staff of the agency, Police said.

Jharkhand CM, Raghubar Das, speaking at the India Today Conclave 2017 in Kolkata, West Bengal, said that the state will be "Naxalism-free" in 2018. He further said the Police along with the ED have cracked down on those funding Naxal terror. As a result, many Naxalites have surrendered, he said. Simultaneously, CM Das said, the Government is working towards developing Naxal-hit regions. "I have visited many of these Naxal-hit areas," he said, and added that "people have supported development".

A Policeman on duty was killed and a policewoman seriously injured when suspected CPI-Maoist cadres triggered a blast in a bustling market place in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. The incident occurred when the two were on security duty in Kotgul village of Kurkheda region as the weekly market was in full swing with participation of hundreds of tribals and traders from surrounding areas. Suddenly, an IED triggered off by the Maoists exploded, seriously injuring the two security officials, Suresh Gawde and Sonal Khevale, standing close by. While, Gawde succumbed to his injuries Khevale's condition is reported to be stable.

A CPI-Maoist couple surrendered before SP, Jagmohan Meena in Malkangiri District of Odisha. The Odisha Government had declared a reward of INR 200,000 for capture of each of the surrendered Maoists — Bijal Kadme (26) and Soni Oyame (23). Lured by “better rehabilitation package” for surrendering Maoists in Odisha, they decided to lay down their arms in Malkangiri, said Meena. The couple was a part of the military wing of the CPI-Maoist organisation. They were involved in Maoist activities in parts of Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh. There are more than 17 cases of violence, ranging from IED blasts to murders, registered against them in Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Kadme had joined the Maoists in 2008 and Oyame in 2009. They hailed from Pedakarme village in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The duo alleged that the Maoist organisation as well as its leaders had deviated from their original ideology and were involved in atrocities on tribals. “Both cited miserable condition of low-rank cadres in the Naxalite organisation and alleged that senior cadres were self-centered with no concern for their problems,” said the SP.

The Charla Police have arrested three CPI-Maoist militia members and seized medicines allegedly meant to be delivered to the Maoists from Satyanarayanapuram under Charla Police Station in Bhadradri Kothagudem District of Telangana. Those arrested include Madakam Seethaiah (44), Karam Muthaiah (40) and Punem Ganapathi (30), of Kaliveru village in Charla mandal. A Police team arrested the trio during patrolling at Satyanarayanapuram in the mandal late on November 23 and seized medicines from their possession. The seized material included tablets and injections besides 20 saline bottles, all worth INR 5,000.

Unidentified militants abducted four employees of Tripura Gramin Bank (TGB) from Khasiamangal area of Teliamura subdivision in Khowai District. Police on November 26 recovered the car of the town hall of Ambassa in Dhalai District. The abducted TGB employees are TGB’s Taidu Branch Manager Tanumoy Bhattacharjee (30), Sujit Chandra Dey (28) and Raktim Bhowmik (31) and Subrata Debbarma (32). The abductors have reportedly asked for INR 2 million each for the release of the bank staff.

A fourth Bangladeshi national with suspected al Qaeda links was arrested by Kolkata Police STF near Sealdah station in Kolkata District. This comes days after three persons, including two suspected members of Bangladesh-based Islamist group ABT, were arrested on November 21 from the Kolkata railway station. The arrested person was identified as Sahadat Hossain (26) a resident of Benapole port in Bangladesh. The development came after the two ABT operatives, arrested on November 21, admitted that they had illegally infiltrated into the Indian territory from the Bangladesh border.

The Police are on the lookout for two more persons - Shopon Biswas alias Sajol Ahmed alias Moon alias Tamim (23) and Nayan Gazi alias Zafor alias Safik alias Saiful alias Ariful Gazi (28). "We are now looking for Gazi. Both Gazi and Biswas are ABT members and had put up at a hotel in Howrah in the first week of October. They may be taking shelter anywhere in India and if anyone gives any lead, will be rewarded suitably," said Murlidhar Sharma, Deputy Commissioner (STF) said.

NSA Ajit Doval said that use of cyber space by terrorists and criminals is a threat to a converged and connected world and sought greater cooperation between various countries, businesses, and other stakeholders to counter the menace. "Never before has there been any change which is so wide in its expanse, and which can affect the lives of so many people... (but) if it provides you global connectivity, it also provides global connectivity to the terrorists and criminals. It also provides connectivity to the people who want to subvert the minds and hearts of young generation and take them to a certain path of thinking," Doval said at the GCSS. "How to control this is the real threat?" He said that the threats from cyber world are alive and have the potential to impact every section of the society. "It is expanding too fast, (and) in every walk of life ... It could add criminality not only in the areas of trade, commerce and bank frauds, but also pollute the minds of our children," he said.

With the recent busting of a terror module operating in Punjab having links to other countries, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh directed the State Police to be vigilant against radicalization campaigns being carried out on various social media platforms such as Facebook. Calling for greater vigilance along the India-Pakistan border, as the infiltration activity moves southwards once the passes close in neighbouring Jammu and Kashmir due to inclement winter weather, he said that the Punjab Police should curb any attempt to use territory of the state for anti-national activities. Chairing a high-level meeting to review the crime and law and order situation in the state, the Chief Minister said prevention of terrorist crime was his Government's top priority agenda and ordered all District police chiefs and commissioners of Police to lead from the front in combating such threats to Punjab's peace and stability.

A three-member team from the British High Commission met UK national Jagtar Singh Johal, arrested in connection with targeted killings in Punjab, to ascertain whether he was subjected to any human rights violation. The team from Delhi remained with Johal for about an hour, said DCP Dhruman Nimble. The commission officials asked the accused whether he was being given facilities available to all prisoners. He was also whether he was being tortured. Johal alias Jaggi is among five persons arrested in connection with the killing of RSS leader Jagdish Gagneja.

SFs arrested a Pakistani militant belonging to the LeT from Magam area in Kupwara District. The official said that the arrested militant, whose identity has not been disclosed, is being interrogated.

The ‘chief’ of JuD and the 26/ 11 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed’s comments on Kashmir are nothing but rearticulation of the agenda of terrorists who have ‘thrived’ across the border, the UMHA said after Saeed walked free from house arrest in Lahore. Asserting that Jammu and Kashmir ‘is and will remain an integral part’ of India, it said that such repeated utterances by terrorists have been given an appropriate response on the ground every time by the law enforcement agencies and the people of the State.

After his release on November 24, Saeed said he would gather people across Pakistan for the ‘cause of Kashmir’ and try to help Kashmiris get their ‘destination of freedom’.

The CPI-Maoist cadres hacked Anit Kumar Sori (25) to death suspecting him to be a ‘Police informer’ at Pendra village under Mainpur Police Station limits in Gariabandh District of Chhattisgarh. A group of armed rebels entered the village, located around 130 kilometres away from the State capital, Raipur, and asked Sori to come out of his house, a local Police official said. Sori was attacked with an axe. Afterwards the rebels fled into forest, the official said. Some Naxal pamphlets, accusing Sori of being a ‘Police informer’, were found on the spot, the official said.

November 24-25 Four Maoists were arrested from two places in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. “Out of the four, three ultras were apprehended from Bhansi police station area, while another from Aranpur police station limits yesterday,” a local Police official said. The patrolling team, while cordoning off a forest near Kamaloor village, spotted three Maoists. Subsequently, the team arrested the rebels — Suresh Bhaskar (25), Manglu Bhaskar (21) and Jaggu Bhaskar (55) — all active as ‘jan militia’ members, he said. The three were allegedly involved in torching trucks and a railway-track laying machine last month near Kamaloor railway station where track-laying work was underway on the Kirandul-Visakhapatnam route, the officer said. In a separate operation, a ‘jan militia’ member, identified as Barse Bheema (21), was arrested from Rewali village of Aranpur, the official said. One tiffin bomb, 30-meter long electricity wire, batteries and crackers were also recovered from his possession, he said.
November 25

The CPI-Maoist cadres shot dead the son of a contractor whom they had abducted from a rail construction site in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. The body of Ramesh Jain (38) was found at a forest near Rekhabat village in the District on November 26, Kanker's SP, K L Dhruv informed. Darbari Ram, the father of the deceased, had the contract for cutting of trees in the forest area for laying tracks as part of the Dallirajhara-Rowghat railway project and transportation of logs to the forest department's depot, he said. On Saturday (November 25), when Ramesh Jain was engaged in the work of transportation of timber logs in the forest close to Rekhabat between Rowghat and Tadoki, a group of armed Maoists reached there. The rebels asked the workers to leave the place. After setting ablaze four trucks and a loader machine they took the victim along with them, the SP said. "Later, they shot him dead in the nearby forest," Dhruv said.

Manipur Baptist Convention Higher Secondary School, Kangpokpi, Lenkholal Chongloi alias Helen (45) was found dead with multiple bullet injuries in Kangpokpi District.

In a press conference JCILPS stated that ‘’JCILPS talked with the UNC and civil organisations of Churachandpur and most of them have agreed in-principle to enforce ILPS or a similar mechanism in the State". JCILPS has announced that a public convention would be held on December 1 to discuss about the next phase of protest movement.

Militants abducted and killed a Territorial Army jawan identified as Irfan Ahmad Mir (23), a resident of Sezan Keegam, in Shopian District. The bullet-riddled body of Mir was recovered from an orchard area in Watmullah Keegam area of Shopian, an Army official said. Mir was working in the Territorial Army and was abducted by militants and later killed, the official said.

The SFs conducted searches in at least four different villages of Kupwara District. A search operation was started at Bawan village in the Zachaldara area of Handwara after reports about presence of militants in the village. Another search operation was started at Kutlari Mawar in the Qalmabad area of Handwara following inputs about presence of militants in the area. One more operation was launched at Chandigam in the Sogam area against a group of militants. At village Jagerpora a search operation was launched against another group of militants.

The SFs launched cordon and search operation in the Astan Mohalla area of Kakapora in Pulwama District. House to house searches were conducted in the village but militants had managed to escape before the operation was launched.

Army in the night arrested a Pakistani militant belonging to the LeT from a forest area in Kupwara District. “A Pakistani LeT militant was apprehended in a joint operation by Army and JKP in Magam forests. One AK-47 along with ammunition was also seized from him”, an unnamed Defence spokesman said.

The TMPK has called for a 12-hour Assam bandh in support of 18 tribal organisations of Assam from 5 am to 5 pm on November 27 for demanding to stop eviction drive on the flood and erosion affected indigenous tribal areas.

Assam Rifles and Myanmar’s Light Infantry Regiment successfully conducted a joint boat patrolling along Tiau river in Champhai district of Mizoram that divides the two countries. Sources said the boat patrolling was conducted on November 24 and 25, covering a stretch of 90 kms. Eight soldiers and one officer each from both countries joined the patrolling.

November 26

Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres killed a tribal man, branding him ‘Police informer’, at Peddamidisileru village in Charla mandal in Bhadradri Kothagudem District of Telangana. The Police identified the deceased as Sodi Prasad (45), of Peddamidisileru, an interior village close to the State’s border with Chhattisgarh. The Maoist left behind two handwritten letters — one in Telugu and the other in Hindi — containing stern warnings to ‘Police informers’. In one of the letters, the Maoists claimed to have punished a person belonging to Charla for allegedly acting as a ‘Police informer’. In a statement, SP, Ambar Kishor Jha refuted reports that Sodi Prasad was a ‘Police informer’. The local Police, also, denied having any association with the deceased and attributed the murder to a financial dispute the latter reportedly had with some militia members over “exchange of demonetised currency.” The incident came just a few days ahead of the CPI-Maoist’s annual PLGA week to be observed by the banned organisation from December 2-8.

The CPI-Maoist posters were found at the Kalyansinghpur Tehsildar’s office in Rayagada District of Odisha, opposing anti-Maoist combing operations. The CPI-Maoist’s Rayagada Area Committee was suspected to have put up two posters at the premises of the Government office demanding stopping of the combing operations in the Niyamgiri area. The posters threatened three persons, Suresh Kumar Bal, Ajit Padhi and Raju Gouda, who are working with the Police intelligence wing against Maoists. The Maoists also opposed the construction work of a CRPF camp in the Haat Dahikhal area asking the contractors and brokers to stop the construction work in the Niyamgiri area and demanding that the Government waive off farmers’ loan and remove Vedanta from the region. Two more posters were also found at the Anganwadi Centre at Kadambadwar Sahi and Sai Nagar Squares.

The Railway Police on the basis of an intelligence tip-off have warned of a likely security threat to the lives of commuters, especially Ayyappa devotees, in Thrissur (Thrissur District of Kerala) from the so-called Islamic State (IS) terror outfit. According to the advisory received by the Station Master at the Thrissur Railway station, the IS operatives might well poison the potable water provided at the station as part of the terror design. Hence, the Station Master has been advised to undertake a safety audit of the food and potable water made available to commuters and Sabarimala pilgrims.

Thrissur Station Master K R Jayakumar said he had indeed received a tip-off in this regard from the Railway Police. He revealed the missive specifically referred to a possible bid by the IS operatives to lace the potable water with poison. “We are not taking any chances and viewing the issue in all seriousness. The water tanks and food items will be properly inspected and regular checking will be carried out,” Jayakumar said.

State Police Chief Loknath Behera cautioned people against spreading threat messages through social media, claiming to be those of IS (Islamic State). Against the backdrop of Police issuing an alert to railway authorities in Thrissur, Behra said it was a normal Policing activity and there was no need to panic. “Every aspect of threat messages, including their veracity, is being inquired into by the police. We normally give certain alert messages to the authorities concerned, as a precaution and to remain alert. We are keeping a watch on the critical infrastructure of public interest.” said a statement from Police chief.

The Maharashtra ATS has deradicalised 86 people in the last two years as a part of its efforts to wean away misguided youth from the path of extremism in the aftermath of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, an official said. Those brought into the mainstream include well-educated people like a young couple, both post-graduates in pharmacy, an aeronautical engineer and an IT professional, he said. The deradicalisation is done to bring back to normal life persons who had strayed in the name of 'jihad', a senior official of the ATS said. He said all these people, including eight women, had come in contact with their handlers via social networking sites and were radicalised online.

They were on the verge of joining the terror outfit Islamic State (IS) or planning to work for it, but the law-enforcement agencies silently monitored their activities and successfully brought them back to the normal life, he said. The ATS approached the family members of these people, their community's spiritual leaders and counselors were also roped-in. After continuous efforts for more than two months in each case, all these people were deradicalised and now they have been brought back into the mainstream, he said. Among the many other initiatives of tackling terrorism post the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, one of the important programmes of the ATS was to keep a close watch on the online activities of young minds of the minority community, he said.

The Government has conducted security audits of 227 non-major seaports to ensure their foolproof security and foil possible attempts by terrorists, to use them as launch pads to carry out 26/11 Mumbai attacks-type escapade. As India observed the 9th anniversary of the country’s worst terror attacks on November 26, a UMHA official said a number of steps have been taken since the tragedy to strengthen the coastal security and that include monitoring of suspicious vessels and boats by ISRO satellite imageries. Security audits of 227 non-major seaports and single- point moorings have been completed and as per the recommendations of the experts, vulnerabilities of these harbours were plugged, the official said.

SOPs were developed for dealing with the breach of International Maritime Boundary Line and SOPs were issued for upgrading security in the 227 non-major ports and single point mooring facilities. Strengthening of security in 12 major seaports in the country—Kandla, Mumbai, Jawaharlal Nehru port, Mormugao, New Mangalore, Cochin, V O Chidambaranar, Chennai, Kamarajar, Paradip, Visakhapatnam and Kolkata-Haldia—has already been completed where additional security protocols were implemented.

According to official statistics, around 95 per cent of India’s trading by volume and 70 per cent by value is done through maritime transport. In 2015, the total traffic was recorded at 1,052 MMT and it is expected to reach 1,758 MMT by this year-end. As part of the tightening of the coastal security, the Indian Space Research Organisation will monitor boats and vessels through satellites imageries and provide 1,000 transponders by March next year to observe the movements of boats under 20 meters. India has strengthened the coastal security after the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai which claimed 166 lives.

During his nation-wide address through Mann Ki Baat, PM Narendra Modi emphasised that humanity must unite to fight against the evil of terrorism. Recalling the notorious terror attack on Mumbai in 2008, the PM paid tribute to the sacrifices of security personnel and common citizens who became victims of the terror attack. “26/11 is our Constitution Day but how can the nation forget that on this very day nine years ago, terrorists had launched an attack on Mumbai. The country remembers and bows to those brave citizens, policemen, security men and each one who lost their lives then. This country can never forget their sacrifice.” said the PM.

Speaking at an event commemorating the bravery of SF personnel during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Home Affairs, Hansraj Ahir on November 26 said that the funds are being raised through drug smuggling and are used for terrorist activities. At present, such cases are booked under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act, 1985. But for the first time, these cases will be booked under UAPA. As most of the known drugs are supplied from the Afghanistan to the Pakistan border and then enter India through the north-east, the government had decided to use UAVs to monitor and make border areas safer, says the Minister.

Report said that due to unease with progress of Indian SFs to eliminate terrorism in Kashmir, the Pakistan Government has released the mastermind of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, Hafiz Saeed to promote terrorism in India, said Hansraj Ahir. Speaking on the government’s measurement to improve internal security, the Minister said that the Indian Government increased the expenditure to buy new and modern weapons for the SFs. Claiming the success in curbing Naxal activities in the past three years, “The Naxal attacks have come down by 20-25 per cent. The government is also working on bringing down instances of smuggling through the coastal areas", said the Minister

A year after the sensational Nabha jailbreak in Punjab’s Patiala, wherein two militants and four gangsters escaped from the prison with the help of 15 other gangsters, the Punjab Police have failed to nab eight accused, including two escapees and a Hong Kong-based handler. KLF ‘chief’ Harminder Singh Mintoo, another militant Kashmir Singh and gangsters Vicky Gounder, Gurpreet Singh Sekhon, Neeta Deol and Amandeep Dhotian had escaped on the morning of November 27, 2016. The daring act, the kind of which was never seen even during the heydays of militancy in Punjab, had rocked the nation.

Police later re-arrested KLF ‘chief’ Mintoo, gangsters Gurpreet Singh Sekhon, Neeta Deol, Amandeep Dhotian, but militant Kashmir Singh and gangster Gounder are still eluding the Police net. Apart from the six escapees and 15 attackers, there were 15 others who had helped or harboured the gangsters. SP-detective Harvinder Singh Virk said that a total of 28 accused have so far been arrested in the case, which include four escapees, 11 perpetrators and 14 others who helped the gangsters involved in the jailbreak. “Eight accused, including two escapees and four perpetrators, are still at large. Various teams are working to nab them. Police have also alerted central agencies to nab Hong Kong-based Romi, who was handling and funding the jailbreak operation,” he added.

Nine jail officials and other private individuals, who were booked earlier, were found innocent during the investigations. Their names were later dropped from the FIR.

Militants attacked the house of Congress party leader Imtiyaz Ahmad Parrey in the Hajin locality of Bandipora District. Sources said that militants lobbed a grenade and fired around 10 rounds towards the house of Imtiyaz Parrey. They said that the grenade was hurled from back side of the house, but it exploded outside. “The CRPF guarding the house also fired few shots in retaliation,” they said. However, there was no loss of life.

The SFs resumed search operation at Hanjin in Handwara area of Kupwara District after fresh inputs about presence of militants in the area, Daily Excelsior reports. However, there was no contact with militants.

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the situation in Kashmir has changed and for the first time the SFs have established dominance over terrorists in the region. “…And the situation in Kashmir that our Government had got as a legacy 2 to 3 years ago have also changed. Now the crowd of stone pelters who used to assemble on every petty issue are not visible. Today the intelligence system has again been restored across the villages and for the first time the security forces were dominating the terrorists there. The demonetisation move has dried up the funds of those who used to gather stone pelters by giving them money. After November 8 last year in such incidents never a crowd of more than 100 people has been seen,” he added.

He further said, “On November 8 last year, we introduced note ban and it had a major impact. Those who used to distribute money to stone pelters are not able to gather even 100 youth to pelt stones in the past eight to 10 months after demonetization.” “Our biggest problem is Kashmir. Narendrabhai [Narendra Modi] Government inherited a situation where there was a civil disobedience- like situation three years ago. Thousands of stone pelters would gather to protest against stray incidents. Terrorists would mount attacks with impunity and Hurriyat [APHC] leaders could close down the valley with one call. Today, the situation has changed. The person who becomes the commander of Lashkar (LeT) knows he will be alive for two to three months. The intelligence network has been strengthened right down to the village level,” he added. “The Hurriyat leadership stands exposed today as it has been revealed from where they used to get money,” he said, referring to money laundering cases filed against some of the Hurriyat leaders.

ULFA-I has "courteously requested" McLeod Russell’s Samdang tea estate in Tinsukia District to "contribute" INR 10 million to the outfit's organisational fund. Tinsukia Superintendent of Police Mugdha Jyoti Mahanta said on November 26 that the extortion note was sent to a garden employee through WhatsApp. The purported extortion note read: "Please accept our revolutionary greetings. You/Your company is courteously requested to contribute INR 10000000.00 to our organisational fund. Your cooperation in making this payment promptly will be greatly appreciated." The note is signed by ULFA-I ‘finance secretary’ "brigadier" Jibon Asom.

Police on recovered the car of the Tripura Gramin Bank the town hall of Ambassa in Dhalai District.

A CRPF jawan, identified as Manjunath Shivaligappa was killed and two others were injured during an encounter with the CPI-Maoist cadres in Padiyalmetta forest under Gyarapatti Police Station limits of Gadchiroli District in MaharashtraThree CRPF jawans — Deepak Sharma, Lokesh Kumar and Manjunath Shivaligappa — sustained serious injuries during an encounter which took place when the 113th battalion of the CRPF was carrying out a joint anti-Maoist operation. Later, Shivaligappa succumbed to his injuries.

Rehabilitation Policy for local militants, addressing the issues of West Pakistan, Chhamb, other refugees, Kashmiri Pandit migrants and comprehensive development plan for Ladakh region, were set to become part of second phase of CBMs, which the Central Government was planning in consultations with the State Government and could announce after one or two more visits of the Special Representative, Dineshwar Sharma to Jammu and Kashmir. Official sources said that the State Government has been formulating Rehabilitation Policy for the militants, which would overrule previous such Policy which had been announced during NC-Congress Government headed by Omar Abdullah. Sources said the new Rehabilitation Policy, which is being formulated by the experts, might be confined to local Kashmiri militants who surrender and give up the path of violence. During past one week, two militants have returned homes following appeal made by their parents. After this, more parents have made similar appeals to their militant sons. However, according to sources, the State Government was likely to get the new Rehabilitation Policy approved by the UMHA and it (the Policy) could become part of second phase of CBMs, which the Centre might announce before third visit of Dineshwar Sharma to the State. “The new Rehabilitation Policy could focus on permanent settlement of the surrendered militants instead of providing them with cash relief or other monetary benefits. It might focus on the measures that would help the surrendered militants in earning their livelihood,” they said.

November 27

The UMHA has decided to use the CAPFs and more than 500 of their camps, located in areas affected by Naxal violence in different States, as the focal point for delivering Government-run schemes and programmes among villagers and tribals. The UHMA believes this is also one way to counter the perception about Government as propagated by the Naxals and promote the development to villages abutting these camps. The Ministry has termed is as ‘camp village development (CVD)’. According to the report, UMHA sent a letter to Principal Secretaries (Home) of the Governments affects by the Naxal violence - Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha and Telangana on November 20. The District administration should also coordinate and make best use of CAPFs for delivery of centrally sponsored or State sponsored schemes in the villages nearby the camps. There are 118 battalions of CAPFs deployed in these seven States. Besides, States have raised IRBs and special IRBs, and 10 CoBRA of the CRPF battalions have been deployed to handle Naxal violence.

A CRPF jawan sustained minor burn injuries in a petrol bomb attack in Safakadal area of Srinagar District during a shutdown called by separatists that affected normal life across Kashmir. A CRPF spokesman said that some persons lobbed a petrol bomb towards a CRPF party deployed for law and order duty near Malik Sahab area of Safa Kadal and one of their jawans, whose identity could not be ascertained yet, came under it. “He suffered minor burn injuries in his hand and was given first aid at the moment. He is fine now,” the spokesman said.

Life in Kashmir was affected due to the shutdown called by separatists against the ‘plight of prisoners’ who are lodged in local and outside jails during which restrictions were imposed in downtown areas of the Srinagar. The shutdown was jointly called by three separatist leaders – Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik. Due to the strike call, most of the shops, commercial establishments and fuel stations were closed in city here. The educational institutes were shut and private and public offices recorded thin attendance. The public transport was partially affected while private vehicles were plying normally.

SFs including Army’s 9 RR arrested car-borne persons along with two grenades and cash at a checkpoint in Kund area of Qazigund in Kulgam District. Sources said that during searches, the SFs recovered two grenades, a cheque worth INR 55,000 and a cash amount of INR 12000 from the trio, who hailed from Awantipora. “A case has been registered in this regard and investigation started,” they said.

The NIA took the custody of a Pakistani LeT militant who was arrested along the LoC in Handwara area in Kupwara District recently. The militant, identified as Mohammed Amir Awan, was arrested by the Army on November 24 during an intensive search launched after an encounter in the area on November 21 that left three LeT militants killed. One soldier was also killed during the encounter. The matter was transferred to the NIA which registered a case and took the custody of the terrorist. During interrogation, the militant identified himself as Mohammed Amir Awan whose code in the Lashkar terror group was ‘Abu Haamaz’, the officials said. The terrorist told his interrogators that he hailed from Bardiya town of the port-city Karachi in Pakistan and was recruited and trained by the terror group. He was pushed into the Kashmir valley from PoK for carrying out attacks on various important installations in the Valley, the officials said.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that the strength of the ULFA, a separatist outfit, is "no more" and there is "no law and order problem" in the state."There is no law and order problem in the State and it is now a peaceful State... ULFA's strength is no more," he told reporters in Kolkata. Responding to a query about the reported incident of a Tea Garden being asked to contribute to ULFA-I’s fund, he said: "This is misleading information. We have to see the situation in the entire State. "The state is peaceful. Why had investors invested more than Rs 6,500 crore in our regime so far in the state? Only single incident cannot justify. There is no such incident in the state... only WhatsApp message. Cyber activities sometime create confusion in the mind of people."

The CCTOA, an umbrella organisation of 19 indigenous communities, has called a 12-hour Assam bandh (strike) on November 29 (today) to protest the eviction in Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary in Guwahati by State Government authorities.

Altogether 1,240 refugees entered Mizoram from bordering Myanmar recently, fearing reprisal following encounters between the Myanmar army and rebel group, AA.  The refugees entered Lawngtlai district in the southern end of the State after an exchange of fire between the Myanmarese Army and the militants intensified near the border in the past couple of days. The police said there has been no increase in the number of refugees entering the State till November 27. Around 420 refugees have settled in Zochachhuah, 500 in Laitlang, 120 in Dumzautlang and 200 in Hmawngchhuah villages across the District.

Naga talk’s interlocutor R.N. Ravi told the parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs that “no deadline” could be fixed for the Naga peace agreement and talks were on with at least five or six Naga groups other than the Isak-Muivah. Mr. RN Ravi is learnt to have told the parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs that the NSCN-IM had been insisting that since it was the “legitimate Naga group”, negotiations should take place only with it but that was not the stand of the Government of India. “All members wanted to know when the details of the framework agreement will be disclosed by the Centre? The Naga interlocutor said negotiations were still on and the Government of India was not comfortable with only one or two main groups such as the NSCN-IM coming on board, but wanted to take into the fold the other groups as well,” a Member of Parliament who attended the meeting said.

Keeping a security tab on the GES 2017 and Ivanka Trump’s visit to India, the US intelligence agencies have notified its Indian counterparts about a possible threat of IS-inspired lone-wolf attack. Following the alert issued by the US intelligence, the IB and Telangana Counter Intelligence Cell is keeping a close security tab on around 200 suspects who earlier had terror links and expressed jihadi ideology. According to officials, Ivanka Trump’s security will be closely monitored by the US Secret Service officials whereas India’s SPG will take care of the security measures of Indian PM Narendra Modi. In addition to the existing anti-sabotage and anti-explosive equipments, the Telangana Police will have special equipments that are recently acquired from Israel.

As per the latest Intelligence inputs, around 100 Indians have joined IS-controlled regions in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan since 2014. While 50 Indians left India, the remaining 50 are part of Indian Diaspora who left from their respective countries, mostly from the Gulf countries. These low numbers depicts that IS propaganda to lure Indian Muslims has failed to an extent, as the numbers are very low in proportion to the large Indian population and also in comparison to the percentage of large Indian Muslim community, said an official of the UMHA.

 According to an Intelligence official, the IS related content on social media is highly accessed in southern states such as Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, including Maharashtra, although the J&K youth is also drawn to the ISIS ideology at various phases of the radicalisation. As the indigenous outfit - Popular Front of India (PFI) is ‘systematically’ radicalising the some youths, the government is working on a proposal to declare PFI an ‘unlawful association’, said sources.

The UMHA has asked the NIA to probe the case where a suspected AQ operative was alleged to set up camps for Rohingyas fighters in the N-E region. The suspect in question, Samiun Rahman alias Shuman Haq alias Raju Bhai—a UK citizen, was arrested on September 18, 2017 and revealed to the interrogators that he is an active member of al Qaeda since 2013.

According to the investigators, Rahman had travelled to Morocco, Mauritania, Turkey, Syria, Bangladesh and India regarding ‘suspected terror activities’ and had alleged conversation on Telegram—a cloud-based instant messaging application, with the handlers from Bangladesh and Pakistan. Rahman arrived in India in July 2017 with intentions to setup a base camp in Mizoram and Manipur, raise funds, and lure the youth to fight for the cause of Rohingyas, said the Special cell.

India and Russia on November 27 agreed to help each other in combating terrorism as the two strategic partners signed a key agreement, asserting that there are no good or bad terrorists and the menace should be fought jointly. The agreement between the two countries for cooperation in tackling all forms of terrorism was signed by the India’s UHM Rajnath Singh and Russia’s Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev in Moscow after they held wide-ranging talks.  The Ministers underlined that cooperation in the field of security was an important aspect of this bilateral relationship further strengthen cooperation to combat terrorism, extremism and radicalism, a statement issued by the Indian embassy said.

According to the Intelligence sources, AQIS is engaging its members in India to spark the communal tensions and target religious places. In the video titled, ‘Saffron Terror’, AQIS media unit included the morphed images and video clips associated with ‘Hindu extremism’ to communally charge the contents of the video. After the release of the video, the intelligence agencies are keeping an eye on the movements of AQIS affiliated sleeper cell headed by Sanual Haq, an Uttar Pradesh resident.

In connection with RSS leader, Ravinder Gosain murder case, on November 27, the NIA special court extended the custody of two accused—Ramandeep Singh  alias Canadian and Hardeep Singh alias Shera. The investigation has some ramifications that suspects the role of Pakistan in this conspiracy, said senior special Public Prosecutor. Both the accused have links with the UK based banned Khalistan separatist groups—ISYF and the KLF, said an official on condition of anonymity. 

The Azamgarh Police on November 27 opened history sheets of four alleged IM operatives under instructions of the Uttar Pradesh ATS. A senior ATS official said it was recently decided that history sheets of all terror suspects hailing from the State would be opened to record the cases lodged against them in Police stations of their native districts for surveillance purposes. The four fugitives - Abu Rashid alias Sheikh alias Danda, Dr Shahnawaz Alam, Mohammad Sajid alias Bada Sajid and Mohammad Rashid Sultan - belong to Sanjarpur village in Azamgarh District. Their history sheets were opened at Saraimeer Police station, confirmed IG, ATS, Asim Kumar Arun.

The ATS has prepared a list of 25 such suspects which include those who are absconding, in prison as well those acquitted in cases by a court. Shahnawaz and Sajid carry a bounty of INR10 lakh each on their heads, announced by the NIA. Station Officer of Saraimeer police station, Ram Naresh Yadav, said, “Abu Rashid’s historysheet has been opened with number 70A, Shahnawaj’s as 46A, Sajid’s as 37A and Mohammad Rashid’s as 26A. “These four historysheets were opened today on the basis of details provided by UP ATS.” An ATS official said they are yet to acquire “concrete information” about the whereabouts of the four alleged IM men since after terror cases were lodged against them in different states. The official, however, claimed that the agency suspects the four are fighting for IS in Syria.

November 28

A villager Dudhi Hidma (50), hailing from the neighbouring Amapenta village, was killed in a pressure IED blast in a field near Kansaram in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. Such devices are generally planted by Maoists to target SFs who often pass through agriculture fields and dirt tracks during patrolling, SP, Abhishek Meena said.

A joint team of CRPF and District Police arrested a CPI-Maoist cadre from Parasi forest under Jhajha Police Station area in Jamui District of Bihar. Ravindra Rawat, an associate of Maoist Pintu Rana was arrested from the forest following a specific intelligence input, said ASP, Naxal-Operations, DN Pandey.  The arrested CPI-Maoist cadre was mainly involved in extorting money from construction companies. A country pistol and some live cartridges were recovered from his possession.

A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Junul Tigga (27), was arrested from a village in Tamar Block in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. Tigga, who joined Maoists sometime in 2013, was operating in Khunti District, was a member of the armed squad of Maharaj Pramanik and Amit Munda who are currently operating in the Tamar-Bundu zone, was wanted for the murder of a Mukhiya and several robberies on NH 33. "He was arrested on basis of a tip-off that he had come to his village, Basukicha. Last year, he had murdered mukhiya of Jargo panchayat in Tamar Jeevan Singh Munda (38). Munda was dragged out of his home and then shot in the head. Maoist posters left near the body claimed he was killed for being a police informer," said Bundu, SDPO, K.V. Raman, adding that investigations had, however, revealed that Tigga had a personal feud with the mukhiya. Two of his associates allegedly involved in the murder, Rammohan Munda and Das Tirkey, were also arrested. No weapon was found with Tigga when he was arrested. But Police seized his mobile phone, which he had looted from a truck driver on NH 33 on August 23, along with INR 13,000 in cash, Police said.

Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres triggered blasts of a slurry pipeline, belonging to Essar Steel, near Chinitalguna village at Chitrakonda block in Malkangiri District of Odisha. According to reports from the company sources, the Maoists blasted portions of the pipeline in at least three spots by using landmine explosives. The damaged points are located 500 metres from one end to the other. The blasts caused considerable damage to the pipeline, which is stretched across the Bailadila Mines area of Dantewada District in Chhattisgarh to its steel plant in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. The slurry pipeline passes through dense and thick forest, where the Maoists have sizeable presence and influence. The Maoists have targeted the slurry pipelines thrice since past one year.

Pakistan army violated ceasefire twice on the LoC in Rajouri District. However, there were no casualties or damage on the Indian side. Sources said Pakistan army opened firing with automatic and semi automatic weapons targeting forward posts of the Army and civilian areas at village Malla Parot and surroundings in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri District, bordering Pallanwala area of Jammu District in the afternoon. The Indian side retaliated immediately, leading to exchanges that continued for only few minutes. Sources said Pakistan army was reported to have suffered some casualties and damage in retaliatory firing by the Indian side but there were no exact details. Again in the evening, Pakistani troops opened fire at Indian posts along the LoC Janghar area of Nowshera sector in Rajouri District in violation of the ceasefire. “Pakistani troops resorted to firing in Janghar forward area from 1845 hours to 1900 hours,” sources said. Last night’s violation of the ceasefire came after a lull of over a week in firing by Pakistani troops at Indian posts.

The NIA has unearthed major LeT plot hatched by associates of recently released terrorist in Pakistan, Hafiz Saeed to rattle Jammu and Kashmir with a series of terror strikes with the arrest of Pakistani LeT militant, Mohammad Amin Awan alias Abu Hamaaz of Pakistan’s port city of Karachi. Hamaaz was captured alive by Army on the LoC in Handwara area of Kupwara District on November 24, when his three Pakistani associates were killed by the troops in an encounter. Hamaaz, who hailed from Karachi’s Bardiya town, has turned out to be a “very rare catch” for the NIA as he has spilled lots of LeT plans not only pertaining to create turmoil in Jammu and Kashmir but also about plots being hatched by the outfit in Pakistan and PoK to send more militants into the Valley to compensate for the heavy losses suffered this year with the killing, arrest and surrender of large number of militants. Sources said Hamaaz was “close confidant” of the associates of Hafiz Saeed, who had recently walked free in Pakistan, and had been pushed into this side along with other militants by them. Meanwhile, a New Delhi court sent Abu Hamaaz to 10-day custody of the NIA.

IG, CRPF, operations, Zulfiquar Hassan appealed to local youth who joined militant ranks, at an event in Budgam District, to return to mainstream and said all the SFs would together help them lead a better life. IG, Hassan said, “It is a good thing that the families are appealing their children to return. We are with them and we all – the forces, the State Government and such families – want them to return. We have said it before as well and are saying it again, the youth of Kashmir who have joined militancy, we want them to leave it and return to mainstream. We, all the security forces, will provide them all the help and try to provide them a better life.”

Demanding an early solution to the Bodoland issue, the ABSU has called for a 10-day economic blockade in January 2018. The student body has also announced a 24-hour national highway blockade in December 2017. “We want solution of the Bodoland issue at the earliest. We had organized several tripartite talks with the government but there was no result. We are dissatisfied with the lackluster attitude of the government towards the issue,” said ABSU ‘president’ Pramod Boro.

Security has been stepped up in the vulnerable pockets like Digboi, Pengaree, Bordumsa, Kakopothar, Doomdooma and Makum following intelligence inputs stating the possible large scale sabotage activities, including abduction and extortion were being planned by the ULFA-I.

Suspected NSCN militants set ablaze five vehicles and a generator at Tikak west colliery belonging to North Eastern Coalfields close to the Assam-Arunachal border in Tinsukia District.”There were around 50 dumpers in service, four of which were parked at the workshop. Over 100 employees were in the mine and the workshop. They fired on diesel and water tanks, hit employees with the butt of their rifles and set on fire five vehicles and a generator. Four dumpers and a service van, valued at over INR three crore, were damaged," Mining in-charge of ANE Industries Private Ltd Balbir Singh said.”

Imphal Police arrested four PLA cadres, two of them women, from their residences in Imphal West District. The arrested were identified as Naorem Bhume Singh (44), of Naorem Leikai, Konsam Joykumar Singh, (47), from Thongju Part II, Naorem Ongbi Premila Devi, (37), of Kha Naorem Leikai and Huidrom Ongbi Jiballata Devi, (54), of Thongju Pechu Lampak. Bhume and Joykumar were active members of the banned organisation while the two women were overground workers who helped Bhume and Joykumar. Police recovered one AK-56 rifle, five magazines, 15 AK-57 ammunition, one lethod gun, 10 lethod shells, and a .9mm pistol with magazine from the arrested persons.

NSCN-IM announced the appointment of ‘lieutenant general’ Anthony Ningkhan Shimray as its ‘longvibu’ (commander-in-chief of the Naga army). The outfit’s ‘vice-president’ Kholi announced this via an ‘order’. Shimray, a 56-year-old Tangkhul Naga from Manipur’s Ukhrul district, replaces Phungthing Shimrang, who was formerly the convenor of the ceasefire monitoring cell. The NSCN-IM did not specify the removal of Shimrang, also a Tangkhul from Manipur. Anthony Ningkhan Shimray, arrested on charges of gunrunning in 2010, is out on bail since 4 August, 2016. 

Security agencies have arrested an alleged LeT militant from Varanasi District and claimed that he was carrying out reconnaissance of vital installations such as army camps and power projects, officials said. The arrested militant was identified as Abdul Naeem Sheikh, a resident of Aurangabad in Maharashtra. It is alleged that Sheikh had visited J&K where he had carried out a recce mission involving some vital installations, including Army camps and power projects. The officials claimed that he had also visited some places in Himachal Pradesh, especially Kasol, which is being frequented by Israeli nationals. The case has been handed over to the NIA for further probe.

An alleged operative of ABT—Omar Farooq alias Mohammad Aftab Khan has been arrested by the Kolkata Police’s STF from the India-Nepal border. Including this, the total arrests made in alleged connection with ABT—a banned Bangladeshi terror outfit has increased to five.

Aftab was an expert in IEDs and belongs to the explosives wing of the ABT outfit, said an official. Last week, the Kolkata STF arrested other two members of ABT from Kolkata railway station and seized fake identity cards and arms from their possession. These terrorists were suspected with their involvement in the killings of bloggers and writers in Bangladesh.

India is most vulnerable to online crime, with explored trends in frauds conducted in financial services such as insurance, retails and telecoms, according to a survey conducted by the Experian. The persons behind these online frauds are mostly educated and well-aware of their target’s whereabouts. So far the Cyber Crime Cell of Cyberabad had registered over fifty cases related to online frauds, said Inspector of the Cyber Crime Cell, P. Ravi Kiran in Hyderabad.

According to the data from Cyberabad’s Cyber Crime Cell, around 60 to 70 complaints are related to the fraud involving ‘OTP’, jobs and matrimonial matters. Ironically, 50 per cent of the victims are IT professionals and the accused are from non-IT background, said S. Jayaram, ACP of Cyberabad’s Cyber Crime Cell. The fraudsters also used advertisements and classifieds listing in well-known newspapers as their  modus operandi  in cyber crime, said a senior official at Cyberabad’s Cyber Crime Cell.

The security level was stepped-up at Mumbai airport after a private security guard at airport’s cargo division found an alleged IS’ note regarding an attack on its cargo facility section. According to the sources, the note read “attack the cargo on 26 January 2018 or anytime—ISIS”, after which the bomb disposable teams of the CISF and local Police were briefed up for security. As the cargo area is not monitored by CISF team, the levels of vigilance and passenger checks has been increased in the main airport terminal area, said senior CISF office.

Zakir Musa—chief of AQ’s Kashmir outfit, AGuH, and other members of the outfit are getting ready with their supplies for winters. According to a video released on November 28, Zakir Musa and other militants of AGuH were seen stocking up to the eatables, including Ghee, Milk while singing jihadi songs and waving IS' flags. Reportedly, in winters, routes in forests get clogged due to heavy snowfall and seasoned rains. It is suspected that the Musa and other members filmed this video from their hideout somewhere located inside the dense forests of the Tral belt in Pulwama District where they have enormous support from local population, said Police sources.

November 29

A CRPF constable was injured in an IED blast triggered by the CPI-Maoist cadres near Palodi village under Kistaram Police Station in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The incident took place when the jawan of the 208th CoBRA battalion, along with a Police team was carrying out an anti-Naxal operation in the area.

Seven alleged CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested in a search operation launched by the SFs in Toayameta and Kaynar forest in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. Those arrested were identified as Benja Korram, Kulle Madavi, Madda Podiyam, Aasi Usendi, Sukko Kashyap, Pandharu Kurhami and Guddi Mandavi, the Narayanpur District Police said in a statement. All seven were working for the Maoist ‘militia’ in Bhattbeda, Kakawada and Kolokal area of Narayanpur. The Police also managed to recover two locally-made guns, ammunition and other party literature from the arrested Maoists.

A top ‘zonal commander’ of the CPI-Maoist and a ‘strategist’ Enul Khan alias Govind ji (52), who was wanted for killing at least two dozen security personnel in the red zone area of Jharkhand and Bihar, surrendered with a gun before the Jharkhand State Police along with a ‘Commander’ of the TPC, Roshan alias Ajay Prasad Sao in Latehar District of Jharkhand. Govind had joined the banned left wing organisation as a regular cadre in 2005. Considering his strategy making capabilities, senior leaders of the outfit rose his ranks to ‘area commander’. He was also member of the political wing of the CPI-Maoist. “He was wanted by Jharkhand and Bihar Police for carrying out attacks on joint security forces. He carried Rs 10 lakh award on his head,” said Indrajeet Mahatha, SP of Latehar District. The SP added that Govindji in 2013 led a troop of Maoist cadres which had triggered a landmine blast killing eight security personnel including a SI rank officer in Bihar’s Gaya District. Govind was also part of the Maoist team which ambushed joint SFs in Palamu in 2016. Six CRPF troopers were killed and several others were injured in the attack. Active since 2014, Roshan has been in jail and came out only in 2016 but he again became a Naxal. As per the surrender policy of the Government, Khan was given INR 1.1 million while Roshan got INR 50,000. Palamu, DIG, Vipul Shukla informed that Khan has 21 cases against him and was operating interstate, covering Bihar, whereas Roshan’s tally was 24 of which 14 cases are registered in Garhwa District.

Pakistan Army resorted to ceasefire violation on the LoC in Poonch District using heavy fire arms and mortars but failed to cause any casualties or damage for the third consecutive day. Official sources said Pakistan army resorted to sudden unprovoked firing and shelling on the LoC targeting forward areas in Krishna Ghati and Poonch sector at 2.30 pm. Initially, the Pakistan troops violated ceasefire with small fire arms but later used automatic weapons and 82mm mortars to target forward posts of the Army and civilian areas. The Indian side retaliated very effectively and strongly to silence the Pakistani guns, leading to very heavy exchanges that continued till 3.45 pm. However, small arms firing lasted till 6 pm, intermittently. There were no reports of any casualties or damages on the Indian side in Pakistani firing and shelling though some mortars fell in the civilian areas in which the people had narrow escape. However, reports indicated that Pakistan army might have suffered some casualties and infrastructural damages in retaliatory firing by the Indian troops.

A militant, identified as Altaf Ahmad Sheikh, resident of Qoimoh area of Kulgam District, who was wanted by SFs, surrendered before surrendered before Army’s 1 RR in Khanabal in Anantnag District. Altaf was a close confidante of LeT and HM militants and he was activated as OGW by slain HM Dawood Sheikh who was gunned down by SFs in March 2016. Sources said that Altaf had surrendered last on March 4, 2016, but then again became the OGW on November 25 last year. He was involved in weapon snatching from a constable Zahid Ali on September 11, 2015. Sources said that the OGW is also a notorious stone-pelter and also leader of other stone-pelters in Qoimoh area.

Jammu and Kashmir CM, Mehbooba Mufti, ordered the withdrawal of cases of stone-pelting against 4,327 youths. The decision follows the recommendation of a high-powered committee headed by DGP, S P Vaid which submitted its report to her on November 29, an official spokesman said. "Today's decision marks the revival of process of withdrawal of cases started by chief minister Mehbooba Mufti last year immediately after taking over," he said. Mufti had initiated a process of review of cases against youths from 2008 to 2014 and in the first instance, 104 cases involving 634 youths were withdrawn within two months of her assuming power, the official said. Mufti ordered the withdrawal of cases of stone-pelting against 4,327 youths in 744 cases, he said. "With this, the total number of cases withdrawn so far on the directions of the chief minister has gone to 848 and the persons benefiting out of these withdrawals stands at 4,957," the spokesman said.

The 12-hour Assam bandh called by the Coordination CCTOA passed off peacefully in Dhemaji, Lakhimpur and Majuli in Upper Assam with vehicles remaining off the road.  The protest was launched against the eviction of settlers at Amchang Reserve Forest who took shelter from Lakhimpur, Dhemaji and Majuli districts after losing their land to floods and erosion. The protesters shouted slogans like Tez dim, mati nidiu (we will give blood, not land).

Two Rohingya refugee families comprising eight members were apprehended from Khayerpur area in Agartala in West Tripura District. Eight members of two Rohingya refugees were on their way to the city on an Inter-State bus but they landed at Khayerpur ‘mistakenly’ at 10.05 am. All the detain Rohingya families were taken to Bodhjungnagar Police Station for interrogation, according to sources. The eight were identified as Mohammad Ansarulla (35), Syed Karim, (55), Khasina Bibi (25), Sufeda (20), Mohammad Jubain (13), Safilum Islam, (7), Taslima (5) and 16-month-old) Mohammad Afran.

The team comprises of local Police and the NIA raided a house and arrested Akhtar Hussain Khan (52) in Samantrapur village, around 40 kilometres in Cuttack District of Odisha. Before the arrest, the team probed Akhtar for five hours and thoroughly searched his house which includes examination of his mobile phone and other documents. Later, they took him to an undisclosed location. On the basis of suspicious terror links, the NIA team found some messages and phone numbers in Akhtar’s mobile phone, following his arrest, said sources. "My father was sitting in his room in the morning when suddenly the NIA team arrived and isolated him. They questioned him for over five hours and later took him along with them. When I opposed they said they are taking my father with them for further questioning and will leave him by evening," said Illiyash Khan, Akhtar's son. The raid on Akhtar’s house was based on the informative inputs from another suspected terror operative arrested by NIA team from Varanasi District of Uttar Pradesh on November 28, 2017, said sources.

LeT operative Shaikh Abdul Nayeem—arrested by the NIA on November 28, turned out to be an associate of 26/11 Mumbai attacks’ accused Syed Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal. According to the NIA, Nayeem was also associated with LeT ‘commander’ Amzad alias Rehan who is based in Pakistan, and facilitated funds from LeT operatives in UAE with intentions to setup basis in different parts of India. Nayeem also did recce of different tourism-focal areas in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh for the purpose of carrying out terror attacks, said NIA statement. The NIA special court had granted his custody to NIA for ten days.

SFs arrested some pro-Khalistani militants from Punjab on November 4, which includes Jagtar Singh Johal alias Jaggi—a citizen of the UK, allegedly using the Internet to lure youth to revive Sikh militancy in Punjab. Allegedly Jagtar Singh was in touch with KLF ‘chief’ Harminder Singh and other members of the outfit. Adding to the role of Pakistan’s ISID, Chief Minister of Punjab—Amarinder Singh claimed that ISID always looks for the opportunity to disturb the internal security and peace in India, whether through Khalistan issue or anything else.

Emphasising on ‘no place for violence’ in a democracy, India’s V-P— M. Venkaiah Naidu said that terrorists neither belong to any religion nor caste, and all nations along with the UN must come forward with strong steps to eradicate terrorism from the world. “A terrorist is a terrorist. A terrorist has no religion, no caste and is an enemy of humanity,” said Venkaiah Naidu at an event of “Dr Rajendra Prasad Memorial Lecture 2017” in New Delhi, India. 

Indian Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her Singaporean counterpart, Ng Eng Hen, on November 29, added depth to the collaboration of two countries by signing an agreement to strengthen the maritime security and overall military cooperation, focusing on combating terrorism and China’s increased military strength in the Indo-Pacific region. The agreement would also look-after areas of aerospace and electronics between two nations’ defence industries for enhanced collaboration. Appreciating India’s proposal for routinely naval engagements over shared maritime space between the two countries, Singaporean Defence Minister—Eng Hen also appreciated Indian PM Modi’s acceptance to be the keynote speaker at the forthcoming ‘Shangri-La’ Dialogue in 2018.

The co-founder of LeT and the 26/11 Mumbai attacks mastermind—Hafiz Saeed continues to remain a ‘free man’ in Pakistan, as earlier he had been arrested under the peer pressure from the US Government. Hafiz carries a bounty of 10 million US dollars imposed by the US considering his involvements in terror activities, but last week he was freed by Pakistan Government claiming no further cases against him.

According to the recent data released by the NCRB, out of 12,317 cybercrime incidents that were reported in 2016, in only 30 per cent the Police or concerned investigation agency filed a charge sheet. There were 40 cases that were done with a “political” motive and 14 cases pertained to sale and purchase of illegal drugs. As per the data, 149 cases were registered for ‘inciting crimes against a community’ and three cases were of ‘inciting hate crimes against the country’. Along with, other 6,818 cases were registered under various sections of the IT Act that pertains to sending offensive and false information. Under the various sections of the UAPA, total 922 cases were registered, where the state Meghalaya tops with 42 cases registered under the sections pertaining to the ‘sedition and waging war against the country’.

November 30

The CPI-Maoist cadres have set up a permanent camp ahead of ‘PLGA Week’ starting from December 2, in cut off area of Malkangiri District of Odisha. The Maoists constructed a building, painted in red colour and cordoned off the place with the barricades like Police Station, in a remote area near Totaguda village in Jantri Panchayat in Chitrakonda area in the District. Sources said that Maoist leader Samara and his wife will be in charge of the management of the office. The Maoists office will be officially inaugurated on the first day of the ‘PLGA Week’ on December 2.

Posters of the CPI-Maoist appealing people to observe ‘PLGA Week’, surfaced at the Kurtamgarh area under Tumudibandha Police Station area in Kandhamal District of Odisha. At least two posters were put up beside the Tumudibandha Road, released in the name of CPI-Maoist group appealing people to observe ‘PLGA Week’ to mark its foundation day from December 2-8. Through the posters, CPI-Maoist cadres also gave a call to people in the District to join the Naxal movement in large numbers. The posters highlighted of the Bargarh encounter and Naxals have warned through the posters that the sacrifice of woman CPI-Maoist cadre Banila and two others would not go in vain and they would fight for the rights on water, forest and women’s liberation.

Security has been beefed up across Malkangiri District of Odisha, after posters of Kalimela Regional Committee of the CPI-Maoist were found in Tekguda and Chitrakonda areas in the District. Surveillance has been strengthened to foil violent activities of Naxals who will observe the ‘PLGA Week’ from December 2, to pay homage to their ‘martyrs’ killed during encounter with SFs. The Police have been put on high alert and combing operations are underway in all sensitive areas along the border. Police sources said anti-Maoist operations are on in full swing with the combined efforts of the BSF, SOG and CRPF personnel. The District Police has stepped up joint combing operations with the Central forces. Additional forces have been deployed in all sensitive places such as Kalimela, MV-79, Motu, Podia, Maithili, Chitrakonda, Govindpalli and Bhejangwada of the District.

Jimendra Mallick, a CPI-Maoist cadre, who was providing logistical as well as intelligence inputs to the outfit, was arrested form Tumudibandha Police Station area in Kandhamal District of Odisha. Mallick, a native of Daringpada village of Kotagada Block, was actively operating in Tumudibandha, Baliguda and Kotagada blocks of the District for the CPI-Maoists’ cause. He was disseminating the movement of Police and SFs in advance and confessed his allegiance to CPI-Maoist, said SDPO, Bibekanand Sharma.

‘District secretary’ of CPI-ML-New Democracy’s armed squad D. Sammaiah alias Gopi (49), was arrested by the Police in Mahabubabad District of Telangana. SP, N. Koti Reddy said the arrested Naxal leader was underground for the past 30 years and belonged to Enchagudem in Kothaguda mandal. On credible information that Sammaiah was in Mahabubabad town to extort money from a contractor the Police laid a trap and arrested him. The Police seized one 8 mm rifle, 8 mm rifle magazine, 10 live rounds, one pouch and a kitbag. He was involved in a exchange of fire with the Police in 2004, in murder of two persons in 2012 in Gudur mandal, blasting of a belt shop and assault of a person in 2010 at Kothaguda mandal. The SP said the arrested Naxalite was extorting money from tendu leaf contractors, civil contractors and petty traders. He appealed to people to inform the Police about the movement of armed squads that were indulging in extortion and unlawful activities. He wanted the underground cadre to give up arms and join the mainstream.

An encounter raged between the SFs and the militants in Budgam District. Official source said that on a tip off about the presence of militants, SFs and SOG of Jammu and Kashmir launched a joint search operation in a village in Charar-e-Sharief in the District early in the morning. However, when the SFs were moving towards a particular area in the village, militants hiding there resorted to indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons, they said adding SFs also retaliated, ensuing an encounter. At least two JeM militants are reportedly trapped. Sources said that it is believed two to three militants are hiding in the area. No further details waited.

Four militants of the JeM were killed in an encounter in Futli Pora area in Budgam District. A Police spokesman said: “Acting on specific information, Budgam Police along with 10 Gadwal and CRPF launched a CASO in Futli Pora area of Police Post Pakherpora, Charar-e-Sharief in Budgam. During the search operation, terrorists hiding in the area fired upon the joint search party. The fire was retaliated, ensuing an encounter. Four terrorists were killed in the encounter. One of the killed terrorists was identified as Shabir Ahmad Dar resident of Thokerpora Pulwama. The identity of other two foreign terrorists is being ascertained. Three AK rifles, 3 AK magazines, 111 AK rounds and other ammunition was recovered from the encounter site.” During the encounter, locals staged protest and clashed with the SFs, who fired teargas and pellets against the stone-throwing protesters to bring the situation under control. During protests, one boy sustained bullet injuries in arm. Locals set ablaze a vehicle in the area as they suspected it had been hired by Army. Internet services were suspended in Pulwama and Budgam Districts in the wake of the encounter. Police have handed over the body of militant Shabir Ahmad Dar of Thokerpora to his family.

In an encounter in North Kashmir’s Sopore area in Baramulla District, a LeT ‘divisional commander’ was killed and two Army personnel were injured. Sources said that 9 Para of Army laid an ambush in Zaloora forests of Sopore in Baramulla District, acting specific information regarding the presence of militants in Kumar Mohalla Sagipora, Sopore. One Para-commando was injured in the ambush and militants fled but were again trapped by the SFs in Bomai area of Sopore. Army’s 22 RR and SOG Sopore cordoned off Bomai Sopore and in an encounter killed a LeT commander while one Army jawan was injured. “During searches, terrorist hiding in a Nallah near water point of Kumar Mohalla, Sagipora fired upon the joint search party. The fire was retaliated in which the said terrorist was gunned down. The terrorist was later identified as Muzzamil from Pakistan affiliated with LeT outfit, commander of North Kashmir. One AK rifle, 5 AK magazines, 124 AK rounds, one UBGL, 5 UBGL rounds and other ammunition were recovered from the encounter site”, the spokesman added.

The number of terrorists killed in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir has crossed 200, for the first time in seven years, according to the State Police. "Today by the collective effort of @JmuKmrPolice, Indian Army, @crpfindia, CAPF and people of Kashmir have led to neutralisation of more than 200 terrorists in the year of 2017 alone, This marks a huge landmark for establishing peace & stability in the state of J&K &our country." DGP Shesh Paul Vaid tweeted. The DGP's tweet came on a day five militants were killed in two separate encounters by the SFs in Budgam and Baramulla Districts, officials said. According to official figures, 200 terrorists have been killed by the SFs during counter-insurgency operations from 1 January till date this year, which is the highest since 2010. In 2010, 270 terrorists were killed. However the number dropped to around 100 per year by the end of 2015. In 2016, 165 terrorists were killed by the SFs along the LoC and in the hinterland. There has been an increase in civilian killings in militancy-related violence as well with 54 civilians getting killed this year compared to 14 last year. The number of SFs killed in militancy-related incidents this year was 77, lower than the 88 fatalities witnessed last year.

The Conkorf raised the demand for separate “Koch Hajo” state. This development comes after the demand for a separate "Bodoland" state to be carved out of Assam was raised by different Bodo organisations recently. According to the organisation, there is no historical basis of the demand for "Bodoland" as the ancient Bodo Kachari comprised Cachar and a part of Nagaland with Dimapur as the capital and not the areas that they are demanding as "Bodoland". Conkorf said in the BTAD, comprising Kokrajhar, Baksa, Udalguri and Chirang, Bodos comprise only 27 per cent of the total population.

The Supreme Court rejected the Centre's plea to extend the deadline for update of the NRC from December 31 this year to July 31, 2018.

Security Forces in an encounter killed ULFA-I militant "sergeant major" Rajan Deka alias Rajan Asom (44), at Khoirabari village Udalguri district. An AK-47 rifle, three magazines, three pistols, 74 live cartridges, eight mobile phones and INR 6,000 were recovered from the militant who carried a bounty of INR 5000,000 on his head.

Police arrested three NNC militants from Meherpur near Silchar in Cachar district. The cadres were identified as Sumgailung Gonmy, (19), Keirijin Kamai, (35), and Thuijinang Kamai, (26).

Unidentified militants planted a powerful IED in front of an iron and steel shop located at Khoyathong Polem Leikai Pukhri Mapal in Imphal West District. The IED was later safely detonated by bomb experts on the spot.

President Ram Nath Kovind, hailing Mizoram as “special”, said it is the focus of the Centre’s Act East policy that aims at providing access to new markets for the State. The policy will give Mizoram’s agricultural produce and traditional products entry to such markets, as well as strengthen information technology and Internet connectivity in the State, Mr. Kovind said at a special session of the Assembly. He said this process would have a multiplier effect across a range of industries.

The eight Rohingya refugees arrested in the State were sent to seven days' judicial custody by the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Agartala. They will be produced in court again on December 6. , investigating officers have found that the refugees we-re planning to cross over to Bangladesh. They were charged under Section 3/6 IPC and Section 14 of Foreigners Act.

Pakistan’s PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that JuD chief and founder of LeT— Hafiz Saeed was released by the Lahore High Court in the lack of charges against him. No substantial evidences have been provided by India to prove the allegations on Hafiz Saeed, these are only accusations, said Pakistan’s PM Abbasi. Abbasi asked Indian Government to provide substantial evidences and prosecute Hafiz Saeed at international platform.

December 1

AR apprehended two cadres of NSCN-IM from Mullong village in Changlang district. The arrested cadres have been identified as ‘private’ Mohonong Tikhak and ‘private’ Ronong Tikhak. A pistol along with live ammunition was recovered from the two along with other incriminating possessions.

The Naxal rebellion in Chhattisgarh is at its end and red corridor will become a green corridor of development and peace. The State is turning a new tide with Government’s development policies. The development projects are being pushed despite continued violence. Recently, 12 security personnel lost their lives, while trying to build a stretch of road.  Infrastructure like schools and roads are being rebuilt whenever they have been destroyed in Naxal hotbeds such as Bastar, said Chhattisgarh CM, Raman Singh at Hindustan Times Leadership Summit in New Delhi. Red corridor will become green corridor. Green corridor means peace and development. There will be drums of celebrations, not the sound of bombs exploding. Change can’t be brought at gunpoint. It will need dialogue and development. The per capita power consumption statistics and healthcare indicators showcase Chhattisgarh’s growth path, added Singh, while responding to questions from media.

Unidentified armed Naxals killed Bhaiya Ram Munda (38), a local BJP leader and injured three others including the wife, mother and brother at Bagma village under Murhu Police Station area in Khunti District of Jharkhand. Police said a group of 15-20 ultras belonging to an unidentified CPI-Maoist / splinter group reached the house of the deceased Munda in the night and opened indiscriminate fire in which he was killed on the spot while his wife, mother and brother sustained injuries. However, Police suspected PLFI ultras of being responsible for the killing. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

A joint team of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh Forces and Para-Military personnel are conducting a major anti- Naxal operation in Burha Pahar, located in Garhwa District of Jharkhand bordering Chhattisgarh to target and root out top Maoist ‘commanders’. The Jharkhand Government has directed the local administration to evacuate Burha Pahar village, witnessing repeated bombardments following the heavy offensive over a month by the SFs.

Posters of CPI-Maoist appealing locals to join the Maoist movement were found at Barabandha hilly road under M Rampur Block in Kalahandi District of Odisha. The CPI-Maoist posters put up on roadside trees as well as guard walls gave a call for fight against the encroachment of forest and land of tribal people by outsiders and condemned the killing of CPI-Maoist cadre Rupa in Police encounter in the District in November. CPI-Maoist is observing the ‘PLGA Week’ from December 2-8 to mark its foundation day.

CPI-Maoist posters also surfaced in Mahupadar and Kalimela areas of Malkangiri District of OdishaThe bus services in eight routes in Rayagada, Kandhamal and other few pockets in Malkangiri District were suspended as a precautionary measure.

A permanent ‘camp building’ constructed by CPI-Maoist at Totuguda in Malkangiri District of Odisha is likely to be inaugurated on December 2.

LWEs cadres belonging to JJMP, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, slapped a forester of East Garu Range, was on his duty supervising an upcoming multipurpose tower there, in PTR under Garu Block in Latehar District of Jharkhand. Sources said about two dozen JJMP cadres reached the work site of the tower and then on identifying the forester, S Pathak, there, they slapped him as a token of warning not to continue the construction of the tower. Sources said the JJMP cadres forbade the forester quite threateningly. The JJMP cadres demanded that prior to the construction of this tower permission from JJMP ought to have been taken. Sources said the JJMP is all for extraction of ‘levy’.

A ‘poster war’ broke out on the first day of ‘PLGA Week’ at Pottangi in Koraput District of Odisha. CPI-Maoist banners were placed at Kartulpeta village within Bandhugaon Police limits and anti-Naxal posters were seen at several places in Pottangi. According to the report, CPI-Maoist posters pasted by its SKDC protested against leasing out bauxite mining to corporate house by ignoring the rights of tribal people and urged locals to fight for land rights and invited local youths to join their movement with their posters. However, anti-CPI-Maoist posters highlighted Naxals as barrier to development works and killers of innocent people. This was the first time anti-Naxal posters were seen in Pottangi. No one has claimed responsibility for putting up the anti-Naxal posters.

Police arrested a LeT militant in Handwara area of Kupwara District. Police said that Affaq Ahmad Bhat alias Abu Huraira, a resident of Panditpura, was arrested by Handwara Police after it acted on specific information about his presence in the village. Police said that Bhat was involved in providing logistic support to militant Abu Maaz of the LeT. “Handwara police has also busted two hideouts maintained by the said OGW Affaq,” said Police. “Huge cache of ammunition including one pistol, two pistol magazines, 11 pistol rounds, two wireless sets, one YSMS [pairing of smartphones with radio sets to send out short SMSs] set, four mobile sets, one UBGL thrower, one UBGL grenade, two AK magazines, 105 AK rounds, two compass, one Binocular, one Wire cutter, five battery chargers, 48 batteries, first aid (Made in Pakistan), medicines /cotton bandage, two cooking flames, one perfume, two maps, one jacket, two bags and cosmetics etc were recovered from the hideouts”, Police said.

Defence Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman said that people of Kashmir have completely rejected terrorism as she declared that there will be no let up in “anti-militancy operations” in the Valley and the terrorists, who don’t surrender, “will be identified, targeted and eliminated” by the SFs. At the same time, she said, there will be a lenient approach towards the militants, who want to surrender and join the national mainstream. She also charged that Pakistan hasn’t stopped “entertaining and facilitating” terrorism and even the “non-state actors” continued to create trouble by preparing militants and pushing them to this side to create trouble.

UHM Rajnath Singh said the SFs have eliminated over 200 terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir this year. UHM Singh further said, "What has happened to our neighbouring country Pakistan...Every day they are doing some mischief or the other, but you would have seen that the morale of our security forces is high, they are ferreting out and eliminating two, four, five, six or seven terrorists every day. The month of December is yet to pass, but we have already gotten rid of more than 200 terrorists (during 2017)." UHM Singh made the remark at a BJP rally in Mahudha town in Kheda District of Gujarat.

Twenty-eight posts of members of foreigners tribunals in Assam are lying vacant for the past few months. As a result, some members were given additional charge of tribunals where posts are lying vacant and this has somewhat slowed down the pace of disposal of cases."Even though the process of selection of members was initiated in July, the appointments could not be made as yet because of a legal tangle," an official source said.

President Ram Nath Kovind during the part of his one day visit to Nagaland said that the State was on the verge of making history after years of insurgency. "After years of conflict, there is hope. Aspirations should be met soon. I am confident that a final agreement will be reached soon," Kovind said while inaugurating the 18th edition of the Hornbill Festival at Kisama, the Naga heritage village, in the morning. He, however, refrained from announcing a time frame for the final solution.

Speaking at the SCO Summit in Sochi, Russia, India’s Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj stated that terrorism must not associated with any religion, nationality or an ethnic group, it is a sin against the humanity at large, reports The Times of India. She emphasised on improved mechanism of intelligence sharing among the SCO’s member countries to surface the way for cooperation and trust. India urged all the member countries to enhance the intelligence sharing, law enforcement, mutual legal assistance, extradition agreements and other measures to counter the threat of terrorism, said Sushma Swaraj.

December 2

SFs recovered a cache of explosives, including mortar bombs and detonators, from a CPI-Maoist dump in the forests of Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. The recovery was made at the dump located between Manhakal and Hethle villages under the Durgkondal Police limits by a joint team of the BSF and District Force, Kanker, SP, K.L. Dhruv said.

The Centre has told the State Governments to strengthen their own Police machinery in terms of number of personnel as well as modernisation to reduce dependence on CPMF in LWE-affected areas, North-East, Jammu and Kashmir and in eventualities related to terrorism. An unnamed senior official said, “The Centre feels that there is a limitation to the efficacy of Central Paramilitary Forces in these areas and as such the state forces need to take the lead role in tackling these problems.” The issue has been under discussion in the various State-Centre meetings that have taken place from May this year and a definite plan is likely to be finalised in a meeting later this month in Delhi, according to the official. “The Centre has offered Rs 25,000 crore for the project to modernise State forces and to augment their numerical strengths,” he said.

State Chief Secretary, Rajbala Verma, and DGP, DK Pandey, held a review meeting in Garhwa District of Jharkhand, to discuss strategies for the offensive, besides deliberating on the development projects the government is planning for the area. Jharkhand Government wants to liberate Burha Pahar from CPI-Maoists by December end.  Jharkhand DGP, DK Pandey, warned CPI-Maoist ‘commander’ Arvindji, who is reportedly holed up in Burha Pahar, to surrender or be ready to face bullets. CPI-Maoists described SFs offensive, which started on October 29, as a conspiracy to displace locals from their Jal, Jungle and Zameen without resistance and paving way for construction of pending Kutku Dam, according to statement released by CPI-Maoist spokesperson for BJ-SAC, Gopal in Palamu District.  SFs used light Bofors-like long-range heavy artillery gun to shell the area for four days from October 23 and put the blame on us, added Gopal.

768 roads of 1760 kilometres will be constructed in Jharkhand in five years as part of special plan for construction of roads in Naxal –affected States. The construction of roads under the PMGSY increased to 130-135 kilometres from 75-80 kilometres built daily, said Minister of State for Rural Development, Ramkripal Yadav.

Militants shot at and injured an apple trader, Mukhtar Ahmad Bhat, outside his residence at Keegam in Shopian District.

Militants hurled a grenade towards Police Station Baramulla (Baramulla District).  However, it missed the intended target and exploded on road. A policeman, who was performing his duty as Sentry on the entrance of police station, opened fire in air. However, no one was injured.  

SFs launched a CASO at Rathsuna village in Budgam District after reports about presence of militants in the village. The operation was launched around 3.40pm but was called off after no militants were found in the village.

SFs conducted searches at Arigam village of Tral in Pulwama District after reports of presence of militants. House to house searches were conducted but the operation was later called off as, sources said, militant had fled the village before the operation was launched.

Clashes erupted at Trichal village in Pulwama District after ‘youth’ pelted stones on the SFs near Naira village where a cordon-and-search-operation was launched. Reports said that ‘youth’ took to streets and pelted stones on the vehicles carrying SFs near Naira village. SFs, however, conducted searches in the village but no militants were found as sources said they had fled before the operation was launched.

SFs launched cordon and search operation in Naira and Tahab villages of Pulwama District after inputs about the presence of militants in these areas. However, no contact was established with the militants and militants had fled before the operation was launched.

The ANC announced a fresh agitation to demand ST status in Assam, beginning with a seven-hour rail blockade on December 19 when the winter session of Parliament begins. The convention is an umbrella body of 17 Adivasi organisations, including five militant groups in ceasefire. The secretary of the convention, Birsing Munda, said that its members would block tracks in Kokrajhar, Mazbat in Darrang, Rangapara in Biswanath and Bokajan in Golaghat districts from 6am to 1pm as part of their agitation. They demanded that the number of designated camps for members of the militant groups be increased from five which are not sufficient for more than 1,200 cadres. The organisations also demanded an increase in their monthly stipend of INR 3,000.

A convoy of AR troopers, who were on their way to conduct a free medical camp, were attacked by unidentified militant group by exploding three IEDs at Konkan village in Kamjong district. No casualty was reported during the ambush.

A GNLA militant, ‘West Khasi Hills district commander’ David Ch. Marak, surrendered before the BSF at Tura in West Garo Hills. The surrendered GNLA cadre David Ch Marak (24), said that the number of militants left in the outfit was around 50.

An IED explosion was reported form a paddy field at Konthoujam Laingam village along the National highway 37 between Keithelmanbi and Khumbong in Imphal West District.

The NIA has picked up a man from his house in ward number one at Sareya in Gopalganj district, suspecting him to be a LeT operative. His name surfaced during interrogation of alleged LeT operative Abdul Nayeem Sheikh, who was arrested from Varanasi in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh last week. Nayeem Sheikh reportedly told interrogators he had close links to a political activist in Gopalganj.

Rajasthan Police’s SOG arrested one Rajiv Sheikh (20 years-old) of Mursheedabad (West Bengal) with FICN worth INR 190,000 in the denomination of INR 2,000. The investigators were probing if Rajiv Sheikh is a native of West Bengal or Bangladesh. "The quality of these currency notes is good and they also have series under increasing order. Only a few things can prove that they are FICN. Such currency notes were manufactured in Bangladesh factories while we were on the job of seizing FICN in the denomination of older currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000.”, said the ASP of SOG, Karan Sharma.

December 3

Bele Ram Dhruv (42), a villager was killed allegedly by CPI-Maoist cadres on the suspicion that he was a ‘Police informer’ in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. The body of Bele Ram was found on the outskirts of his village Sarandi within the Tadoki Police Station limits. A group of Maoists stormed the house of Dhruv, who was running a small cycle store along with a grocery shop, on Saturday (December 2) night, and took him to a nearby forest. They strangled him and threw his body there, the Police said. After getting information, a Police team went to the spot and sent the body for post-mortem. “Dhruv’s two brothers are posted as Policemen in Kanker district,” a senior Police officer said. The cause behind the murder is yet to be ascertained. Some Maoist pamphlets were recovered from the spot in which he was branded as a Police informer, he said.

Some Maoist pamphlets were found in a field at Barrebeda village in Antagarh region of Kanker District of Chhattisgarh, in which ultras have given a call to observe the ‘PLGA Week’ from December 2 to 8. SFs have intensified patrolling in the forest of Bastar division.

The Police have arrested three Naxalites of the CPI-ML, Chandra Pulla Reddy Bata faction, near Narashimhasagar project forest area during combing operations in Jayashankar Bhupalpally District of Telangana. The arrested Naxalites have been identified as Dharmarapu Yakaiah alias Mohan, ‘District Committee Member, DCM’ of the group, Darra Ashok alias Srikanth, ‘deputy commander’, and Kaviri Narsinga Rao alias Dilip, ‘district squad member’. Police recovered four SBBL rifles, 20 rounds of ammunition, one 8mm rifle and 122 rounds of ammunition, 82 rounds of SBBL ammunition, five empty magazines, six kit bags, seven cell phones, two power banks, two grenades and other articles such as literature, flags, cooking items and INR 6,500 in cash from their possession. On interrogation it was disclosed that on July 24, 2017, a new group called CPI-ML, Chandra Pulla Reddy Bata faction was formed with 12 members under the leadership of Kura Rajanna and Bommani Narasimhulu alias Vishwanath alias Anand, Aler of Nalgonda District. “The entire members are indulging in extortions from business people. They had been involved in the land settlements, civil panchayats and also put pamphlets and created terror in the society,” ASP, B.K. Rahul Hedge said. Their areas of operation are Bhupalpalli, Mahabubabad, Kothagudem and Khammam.

Three CPI-Maoist cadres surrendered before the before the SP of East Godavari District in Andhra Pradesh. The surrendered Maoists included Madivi Jogayya alias Roshan and his lover Kaluma Pojja alias Radha. Roshan who belongs to Gasampadu village of Sukma District, Chhattisgarh, was associated with Kistaram LGS in Gollapalli area since 2011. The main reason for Jogayya's decision to surrender was that he had fallen in love with Seenam ‘dalam’ member Radha who belongs to Jaggaram village of Yetapaka mandal of East Godavari District. Another CPI-Maoist cadre who surrendered is Sunnam Nagesh from Gangileru village of Sukma District. He was working as a courier supplying various items, including medicines, food items, electric wires, edible oils, electronic items and red cloth banner bundles and Jaggery since 2014, to CPI-Maoist dalams.

Chhattisgarh CM, Raman Singh visited to the forested area of Chhindgarh in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh, and unveiled INR 2.31 billion infrastructure package to spur development. Chhindgarh is located in extreme southern tip of the State in Sukma District where the CPI-Maoist have carried out several attacks in past on Police and Para-military Forces and locally it is classified as ‘no-go area’ for Government officials. CM, Singh laid foundation stones for various constructions works worth INR 2.06 billion while he dedicated four completed construction projects of over INR 240 million to public at a function attended by large number of local tribals who defied Maoists diktat. Singh also distributed bank cheques under ‘Tendu patta Bonus Tihar’ drive to 550 tribals, provided land patta ownership to 300 tribals and also handed over solar-powered irrigation pumps to 50 local farmers.

Militants lobbed a grenade at Kralgund Police Station in Handwara area of Kupwara District. However, there was no loss of life or damage.

Pakistani troops violating the CFA opened fire at forward village of Khari Karmara, along the LoC, in Poonch District. Indian troops retaliated. “There was no report of any casualty in the latest CFA violation on the Indian side. However, casualties or damages, if any, on other side of the LoC in retaliation by the Indian troops, were not known,” sources said. Pakistani troops resorted to firing and shelling along the LoC after a gap of three days. Pakistan had violated CFA on the LoC for three consecutive days from November 27 to 29 at Sunderbani and Janghar areas of Rajouri District. According to the data compiled by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, Pakistani forces have violated CFA 724 times along the International Border and the LoC till October in comparison to 449 times in 2016. As many as 12 civilians and 17 SF personnel were killed in the firing from across the border till October this year, an unnamed official said. A total of 79 civilians and 67 SF personnel were also injured in the firing.

SFs arrested two women militants of KYKL from Tengnoupal Bailey Bridge in Tengnoupal district. They were heading to Imphal from Moreh with the intent to carry out "illegal activities", Police said.

Two cadres of the GNLA, Mahat Sangma, (22) and Abat Momin, (22), surrendered before Police at Baghmara in South Garo Hills District. The duo was had been with the outfit's ‘commander-in-chief’ Sohan D. Shira, before the Police raid at Halwa Atong village, near Rongara on November 16. The cadres joined the outfit in July this year. The duo is being questioned for information on Shira and his movements.

IS operative Mohammad Mosiuddin alias Abu Musa attacked and tried to slit the throat of a jail guard inside the Alipore Central jail in Kolkata. As per the morning routine, the prison inmates took out of the cells over to grounds inside the jail premises. The jail guard, Gobinda Chandra Dey (45 years-old), opened Musa’s cell and Musa attacked him with a stone. Following the attack, Gobinda Dey stumbled on ground and Musa tried to slit his throat with a piece of metal in ‘IS fashion’. Other guards and inmates managed to hold over Musa and Dey was taken to a nursing home. Abu Musa will be kept in solitary confinement and probe will be initiated on how Musa got hold of the piece of metal inside the jail, said DG & IG Correctional Services Arun Kumar Gupta.  He was arrested by the NIA from Viswabharati Fast Passenger train at Burdwan in West Bengal on July 5, 2016.  His other aliases include Mosiruddin alias Mosi alias Majnu.

The NIA probe has found that Shafin Jahan — husband of Akhila Asokan alias ‘Hadiya’, was allegedly in contact with two members of IS — Manseed and P. Safvan - through group chats on Facebook, during the months preceding his marriage with Hadiya. Manseed and P. Safvan were arrested by the NIA and chargesheeted in a case related to the criminal conspiracy to target the judges of the High Court, Senior Police Officers and well-known political leaders in South India, says the report.

Two Pakistani intruders — Nawaz Ahmed (28 years-old) and Suhail Ahmed (19 years-old) - were arrested by the BSF troopers, from an area near to the border outpost in Ferozpur sector (Punjab). Both intruders were residents of village Khudian Khas, District of Kasur (Punjab Province- Pakistan) and were roaming on a motorbike inside the Indian Territory before they were arrested by the BSF troopers, said an unnamed BSF official. Along with a motorbike, the BSF has recovered Pakistani currency worth PKR 10,102, a mobile phone, three Pakistani mobile SIM cards, a memory card, said BSF official.

December 3-4

Suspected NSCN-R militants abducted and assaulted Development Authority of Nagaland secretary, I. Imtilepden Pongen, at an unspecified location. Later, a local resident of Naharbhari in Dimapur found him and safely brought him to his residence at about 10am.

December 4

An elderly man was killed after a pressure IED planted by CPI-Maoist cadres went off in Kansaram village in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The incident took place when the victim, Karko Kanna (70), had gone to an agriculture field for farm-related work in Kansaram village under Kistaram Police Station limits, Sukma, SP, Abhishek Meena said. As per preliminary information, Kanna inadvertently stepped on the pressure IED while passing through the field on the outskirts of the village, around 500 kilometres away from the State capital, Raipur, he said.

Khunti Police arrested three cadres of the PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, for the murder of BJP leader, Bhaiya Ram Munda (38), in Murhu Police limits in Khunti District of Jharkhand on December 1. The arrested have been identified as Achu Munda, Ladu Munda and Raja Ram Munda. A pistol and cartridges were recovered from their possession. The trio told Police that PLFI ‘zonal commander’ Prabhu Sahay had demanded INR 200,000 from a contractor engaged in a road project between Bagma and Goa villages in Murhu.

CPI-Maoist cadre, Krishna Ahir, was sentenced to seven years rigorous imprisonment by Ranchi High Court (Jharkhand) in a case related to murderous attack on Police Party in Hapadag-Burwadag forest of Anegada village under Bagru Police Station limits in Lohardaga District in 2014. Jharkhand Police had arrested Krishna Ahir on August 14, 2014.

A sudden surge in Naxal activities in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra, during last ten days, which has resulted in killing of seven persons, including two Policemen, and injuring five others, has prompted top Police Officials to camp and monitor counter-insurgency operations. ADGP, Operations, D Kanakratnam; SIGP, Anti-Naxal Operations, Sharad Shelar; and DIGP, Gadchiroli Range, Ankush Shinde; rushed to Gadchiroli and visited many remote Police outposts, around which recent incidents of Naxal violence were reported. 100 personnel from CoBRA of the CRPF battalion were called from Jagdalpur. The Police have launched intensive combing operation and visited many remote posts in Dhanora and Bhamragad tehsils, said Sharad Shelar, SIGP, Anti-Naxal Operations.

CPI-Maoist poster surfaced at Vijayapuri Colony of Venkatapuram mandal in Jayashankar Bhupalpally District of Telangana, during the ongoing annual ‘PLGA Week.’ The annual ‘PLGA Week’ observed from December 2 to 8 in the honour of slain leaders of the CPI-Maoist's armed wing, the PLGA. The poster released by the Maoist party Charla-Sabari Area Committee appealed the public to organise programmes in all the villages commemorating the ‘week’. The poster also called upon the public to join the Maoists in large numbers, to set up village protection committees, to punish ‘informers’ and ‘Police agents’, to fight for Jal, Jangal and Jameen. It also told the public in the village to wage war against Brahminical Hindu Fascism.

Two militants and a soldier were killed in the Qazigund area of Kulgam District. A group of militants belonging to LeT fired upon Army’s patrolling party at Bounigam in Qazigund on the National Highway, leaving three soldiers injured. One of the injured soldiers died later.  The militants fled away after carrying out the attack and took shelter inside a building near the National Highway. As the SFs intensified searches to trace out the hiding militants, they were fired upon, triggering an encounter. The firing between the two sides continued throughout the day. The SFs finally blasted off the building in which the militants had taken refuge. After searches of the debris were conducted following end of gun fire, two bodies of militants were recovered. However, they were not identified as yet. One of them is believed to be a local and another foreigner. One civilian was injured during the encounter. Another civilian was injured in pellet firing on stone pelters who had gathered in the area and pelted stones on the SFs who were conducting operation.

Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind militants led by their ‘chief’ Zakir Musa ‘raided’ Noorpora branch of Jammu and Kashmir Bank in the Tral area of Pulwama District and decamped with around INR 100,000. An unnamed Police official said three armed militants, including Zakir Musa, were involved in the incident. An unnamed Police spokesman claimed that the locals who were present near the Noorpora branch pushed back the militants with stones. “The militants retreated from the bank while firing few aerial gunshots and meanwhile managed to take around Rs 1 lakh currency with them,” he claimed.

Two militants were arrested by Police in Anantnag District. The arrestees were identified as Younis Ahmad Wagay, resident of Hawoora village of Kulgam District; and Rashid Ahmad Allai, son of Farooq Ahmad Allai, resident of Sangam area of Anantnag District. Sources said both the militants were fresh recruits and a Chinese pistol was recovered from the possession of the duo.

Chirang district police busted an NDFB-IKS. Chirang Superintendent of Police, said that on the basis of secret information about the movement of militants under the command of Batha in Ballambari Bagan Forest area near Indo-Bhutan border located at about 35 km north-west from Runikhata Police Station, a search operation was launched by Chirang Police.

The Mizoram Government has started the process to register over 1,600 Myanmar nationals, who had taken refuge in four remote villages in Lawngtlai District. The refugees would be given temporary ration cards for food distribution among them once they are registered with the Lawngtlai district administration, he added.

The Punjab Police filed a chargesheet against 11 KZG militants. Those named in the chargesheet included Harwinder Singh, Mohkam Singh Barnala, Amritpal Kaur, Tarsem Singh, Jarnail Singh, Satnam Singh, Sukhpreet Singh, Parminder Singh, Gaurav Kumar and Ramandeep Singh. They all were arrested in May 2017. However, one militant is not identified in the news report. During their arrests, the Punjab Police had recovered the letterhead of BKI and four weapons. The militants had formed the KZG and were planning to initiate another militant outfit — JVK - on the anniversary of the 1984 Operation Blue Star. These militants were financed by the Khalistani sympathisers based out in Pakistan, KSA and the UK, said an unnamed police official.

A Supreme Court (SC) bench of CJI Dipak Misra and Justices Ashok Bhushan and M. Shantanagoudar stayed the death penalty for 1993 Mumbai serial blast convict Tahir Merchant sanctioned by a designated TADA. The bench also sought a response from the CBI and summoned the records of the case from the trial court. “The State of Maharashtra is directed to compile the evidence in entirety and file the compilation in convenient volumes and also serve a copy thereof to the learned counsel for the appellant…There shall be stay of the execution of death sentence,” said the SC bench. Next hearing of the case is scheduled on March 14, 2018.

The Special court of NIA framed charges against three accused —Nainar Abbas Ali alias Appas Ali alias Library Abbas (28 years-old), M. Samsun Karim Raja alias Karim alias Abdul Karim (23 years-old) and S. Dawood Sulaiman (23 years-old) - in 2016 Mysuru Court blast incident. The accused were part of a “larger conspiracy” which included establishment of AQ’s base movement and carrying out other terror activities, including carrying out blasts at different court premises in South India, said NIA. The accused have been booked under various provisions of the UAPA, the IPC, the ESA and the PDPPA, the NIA said.

The questioning of Abdul Naeem alias Headley 2, LeT operative, revealed that he went about his operations using a Hindu name. Naeem said that he landed in Bihar and worked at a private firm under a Hindu name. From Bihar he visited the Nepal border several times. He was trying to find an easy and safe route for the terrorists from Pakistan to sneak in and carry out the attack. An NIA official told that by using the Hindu name he went about his operations and this helped him conceal his identity and not get suspected.

Naeem also said that he had visited several places in Agra, Varanasi, Himachal Pradesh and Bihar to gather information about possible targets. "During the first round of investigation Naeem had told the NIA that the initial plan was to launch me into India in 2011, but my handlers felt that it would be better if there was more cooling off period. In 2014, I was sent to Bangladesh and told to infiltrate into India. They felt that it would be easier for me to infiltrate through West Bengal. Things however did not go right and I was arrested as there was a look out notice for me in the Aurangabad case. When I was being taken to Mumbai from Kolkata, I realised the cops were complicit. I managed to escape from the train at Chhattisgarh. I left for Uttar Pradesh where I stayed underground for several months. Gradually I began contacting other operatives who were to be part of this big operation. I went around collecting information about military installations and other big tourist locations in Himachal Pradesh", Naeem had also told the NIA.

December 5

The CPI-Maoist cadres and Andhra Pradesh Police personnel exchanged fire in the Nalubari forest area of Pedabayalu mandal in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. "After the exchange of fire, the Maoists fled from the spot. As of now, we do not have any information about the casualties. It will be confirmed by the evening. Combing operations have been intensified after the incident," a senior officer of Visakhapatnam Rural Police said. According to sources, around 30 Maoists opened fire on a special party Police team which was combing the forest area in view of the ongoing ‘PLGA Week’ from December 2 to 8. The Maoists allegedly blasted a landmine near Jakkam village in Injari Panchayat of Pedabayalu mandal in the AOB region. The exchange of fire is the first untoward incident reported from the Andhra side of the AOB region after the ‘PLGA Week’ began.

A CPI-Maoist cadre was killed by joint SFs in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The Police said, “Maoist cadre was shot dead during a gun battle which took place between joint security forces and Naxals near Duled village under Chintalnar police station limits.” A combing operation was launched by State Police and CoBRA in forested area near Duled village, around 500 kilometres from the State capital, Raipur, when the Maoists opened fire at the joint SFs. The personnel took their position and retaliated. A CRPF official said, “The gun battle between security forces and Naxals lasted for an hour. Body of a Maoist cadre was recovered during search operation launched after the encounter.” The identity of the slain Maoist is yet to be ascertained.

Three women Maoists were arrested following a gun battle with Policemen in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The cadres were arrested in the forest near Dharma village under Bhairamgarh Police Station, the Police said. A joint team of DRG and local Police had launched a search operation in Bhairamgarh area, around 450 kilometres from the State capital, Raipur, in view of the ongoing ‘PLGA Week’ observed by the CPI-Maoist from December 2 to 8. When the patrolling team was on the way back, the rebels opened indiscriminate firing on them in the forest on the bank of Indrāvati River near Dharma, following which SFs also retaliated, the Police said. After a brief exchange of fire the Maoists fled to the forests. Meanwhile, three women Maoists identified as Daso Oyam (28), Sunita Oyam (24) and Kumari Oyam (21), all natives of Dharma, were arrested from the spot, a Police official said. Besides, a muzzle loading gun, one tiffin bomb, detonator, couple of fire crackers and Maoist literature were also recovered from their possession, he added.

G. N. Saibaba, the DU Professor whose is convicted in March by Gadchiroli Court in Maharashtra, for links with CPI-Maoist had shared platform with Maoists and ultra-Left organisations at international conferences between 2008 and 2012, according to intelligence agencies.  The appeal of Saibaba will come up on December 6 before the Mumbai High Court. According to the report, Saibaba attended the Third Conference of International League of People's Struggle (ILPS), an organisation claiming to fight imperialist forces across the world, in Hong Kong in June 2008. He was also present at meetings of ILPS' international core committee in November 2009 in Europe. He participated in the 40th foundation day of the Communist Party of Turkey (Marxist-Leninist) in Germany in April 2012. In May 2012, Saibaba reportedly attended a meeting of Maoist Parties of Latin America in Brazil. He was in the US to participate in meetings to protest operations against CPI-Maoist by security forces, organised at the behest of pro-civil rights Black Panthers movement of the US. Later, Saibaba attended the 30th foundation day celebrations of Communist Party of Greece-Marxist Leninist in Greece in November 2012. The presence of Saibaba at international platforms linked with Maoist organizations points towards his association with CPI-Maoist, said UMHA official.

The 'CC’ of the CPI-Maoist, observing its 17th anniversary, directed its ‘regional committee members, RCM’ to indoctrinate women cadres in large numbers across the country. According to the report, CPI-Maoist pasted posters and banners inviting women living in far off villages in Maoist ‘dominated states’ to join the outfit. CPI-Maoist highlighted for protest against patriarchy system and increase women’s involvement in all fronts in its posters. This move of CPI-Maoist is being taken after losing large number of male CPI-Maoist cadres and leaders in encounters. CPI-Maoist cadres are observing ‘PLGA Week’ between December 2 and 8.

The CPI-Maoist tried to make its presence felt by putting up posters in parts of Nawadih Block in Bokaro District of Jharkhand, urging people to join their agitations. Sources informed, the posters were found in different villages including Pannk, Galohowar, Guniato, Parsabera, Harladih, Dhorjatard and other villages in Bokaro District, while some posters were also found in Khetko under the Nawadih and Bagodar Police Station yesterday (December 5) night but removed this morning, “Maoists are doing it out of desperation after a spate of surrenders and intensified offensive by SFs. Anti-Maoist operations are going on in Bokaro and we are ready to counter any rebel violence in presence situation, Police said.

Suspected cadres of the PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, set ablaze vehicles, including an earthmover, two tractors, and tents of labourers engaged in canal construction work at Basia under Basia Police Station area in Gumla District of Jharkhand. The repair work of the irrigation canal between Tapkara Dam in Gumla and Suruda village in Simdega District is nearing completion. It is believed that the construction company's earthmover, tractors and tents were set on fire after the contractor did not pay ‘extortion cash’. "We have identified the group involved in the arson. The culprits will be brought to book soon. Our raids are in full swing," Gumla SP, Anshuman Kumar said.

Police conducted a raid in Kumari forests under Bishunpur Thana area in Gumla District of Jharkhand, and recovered various items used for making IEDs. During the search operation, Police recovered around 25 pressure cookers of different capacities, 85 lunch boxes, large plastic and steel containers, nylon strings used for booby traps and other such items used for making IEDs and laying landmine traps. "Our boys have penetrated deep into the forests. We will not let them (rebels) escape so easily. These recoveries were made after being tipped off by local people. This proves that local residents are no longer willing to extend logistic support to the rebels," Gumla SP, Anshuman Kumar said.

The OSRTC has stopped plying buses in the Odisha’s southern CPI-Maoist-affected regions because of the Maoists’ ongoing ‘PLGA Week’ that began on December 2. The bus services in those areas would resume on December 9, after the outfit’s December 2-8 foundation day celebrations are over. “OSRTC has stopped operations on 61 out of 190 routes in south Odisha,” Corporation’s Divisional Manager for Berhampur Division, Amulya Kumar Mishra said, adding that routes of some long-haul buses have been changed so that they do not have to go through these regions. Passenger bus operations from five out of the OSRTC’s 10 depots in south Odisha have been completely halted. The depots that have shut down are Phulbani in Kandhamal District, Paralakhemundi in Gajapati District, and the ones in Malkangiri, Nabarangpur and Rayagada.

A pressure activated device suspected to have been planted by CPI-Maoist cadres as a booby trap at Vijayapuri Colony of Venkatapuram mandal in Jayashankar Bhupalpally District of Telangana, was defused by the Police. Eturnagaram, ASP, Rahul Hegde said, the booby trap with small batteries had been placed under a poster by the CPI-Maoist. “They placed the device with intention to kill or harm policemen as they know that the police/CRPF personnel conduct combing operations in that area,” the ASP said, adding that the CRPF personnel and DBS had defused the bomb. The Maoists have been putting up posters calling upon the people to make their ongoing ‘PLGA Week’ celebrations a success.

IGP, Kashmir, Muneer Ahmad Khan, stated that three bodies of militants were recovered from the debris of the building at Qazigund in Kulgam District where an encounter had taken place on December 4. [SATP had earlier reported that two militants were killed in the encounter.] He said that two of the slain militants were identified as Furqan and Maviya. Furqan was ‘divisional commander’ of LeT and had replaced Ismail in South Kashmir and was responsible for the recent attacks carried out by LeT in South Kashmir. The third killed militant was a local and was identified him as Yawar. Khan said that Yawar and Maviya were involved in the in the July 10, 2017, Amarnath yatra (pilgrimage) bus attack in Anantnag District in which eight pilgrims were killed and 19 others injured and almost all the militants involved in that attack are now dead. He further added one of the militant, identified as Rashid Ahmad Allai, arrested from Janglat Mandi maternity hospital in Anantnag District on December 4 (SATP had reported the arrest earlier) along with a Chinese pistol and live cartridges had joined the Yawar group of LeT. “Investigation conducted so far have established that he was with the three militants at the encounter site and managed to escape”, Police said.

As four militants ‘returned home’ in last few days, Police in Shopian District have started an initiative to reach out the families of the youth who have joined militancy for getting them to the mainstream. IGP, South Kashmir, S P Pani; SSP, Shopian, Sriram Ambarkar, and the Shopian Police team met almost 30 families in a bid to call back their near ones. During the interaction police assured to the families that the doors to mainstream are open to these “misguided” youth and every care will be taken for their dignified rehabilitation if they shun the path of violence.

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat asserted that there will be no let up in the operations against militants in Kashmir. “Operations in Kashmir are going on continuously and we are trying to bring an improvement in the situation in the Valley. Such operations will go on,” Rawat stated. Reacting to former Pakistan President General (retd) Parvez Musharraf’s statement welcoming an alliance with JuD chief and founder of LeT Hafiz Saeed for the 2018 general election in Pakistan, he said, “If they want to come into the system then why not the terrorist organisations which are present this (Indian) side participate and be part of the electoral process. How the neighbouring country deals with terrorist organisations is their matter but we will keep raising this,” Rawat said. We do not want that such organisations are promoted, he added.

The JCILPS announced that it will launch an agitation if the government fails to pass a bill to safeguard the’ indigenous people’ from influx during the upcoming winter session of the State Assembly. "The State Government should give an assurance that a bill will be passed during the upcoming winter session of the Assembly," JCILPS ‘convener’ Arjun Telheiba said. Telheiba said this on Tuesday after a delegation met the chief minister on Monday evening. The committee submitted a representation to Biren Singh on the issue. The winter session of the Assembly will commence on December 20.

Unidentified assailants abducted one Mahindra Rai of Jalaphet village of East Jaintia Hills. Later his vehicle was recovered from Mooriap village, along Assam-Meghalaya border.

The Mizoram Government has rescheduled the proposed repatriation of over 5,000 Bru families from six relief camps in Tripura to March 2018. A State Government official said that according to the earlier schedule, it was proposed that the repatriation would begin from December first week, but it was deferred to March as the Union Ministry of Home Affairs failed to release funds meant for the exercise. He said the proposal to commence the repatriation from March 2018 would be implemented on time only if the Union Ministry of Home Affairs releases the funds for expenses to be incurred in the repatriation process.

NSCN-R has informed all workers of the six NNPGs that the talks with the GoI have entered a crucial phase. In a statement issued, NSCN-R ‘Ministry of Information and Publicity’ said that  the long-awaited political solution was expected sooner than later and added that it was, therefore, time for all groups to focus more on the Naga political solution “prayerfully rather than factionalism or detection”. The Nagas must seek wisdom from Almighty God for help, the statement said.

The UAE stands together with India in fight against terrorism and designated terrorists under the UN. "We denounce terrorism, we denounce extremism. We work very closely with India, with many different countries in the world, to counter-attack all those organisations that have been listed either by the UN or by some other countries or our own country as terrorist organisation and extremist organisation, and we work together to fight those organizations,” said UAE’s ambassador to India Ahmed Al Banna.

A NIA probe into a series of targeted killings, including those of RSS workers, Dera Sacha Sauda followers and a pastor in Punjab in the last two years has revealed that Pakistan's ISI is using Khalistani extremists to try and stoke communal unrest in the state. The plan was to foment tension by killing key people and revive militancy. ISI turned to KLF led by Harminder Singh Mintoo, lodged in Moga jail, and Harmeet Singh, said to be living in Pakistan under ISI cover. Details of the conspiracy were revealed during questioning of two hitmen — Ramandeep Singh alias Canadian and Hardeep Singh alias Shera — by the NIA in the case relating to the murder of Ravinder Gosain, an RSS pracharak, in Ludhiana in October 2017. The duo allegedly admitted to killing six other men — RSS state V-P Jagdish Gagneja in August 2016, Shiv Sena leader Durga Prasad Gupta in April 2016, Hindu Takht leader Amit Sharma in January 2017, Dera Sacha Sauda follower Satpal Singh and his son in February 2017 and Christian pastor Sultan Masih in July 2017. They also attempted to kill a few others. Sources said other cases would soon be probed by the NIA and added that Ramandeep and Hardeep were recruited as contract killers online sometime in 2015. They were asked them to carry out executions in Punjab. The KLF used its network in the UK to reach the two men. Hardeep was arrested on November 10, 2017, from Fatehgarh Sahib District in Punjab and Ramandeep was arrested November 8, 2017.

December 6

Three CPI-Maoist militia members, including two women, surrendered before Rural Police of Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. The members have been allegedly involved in number of offences, including exchange of fire at several places. The surrendered militia members have been identified as V. Seetha alias Vanaja (20) of Saluru mandal in Vizianagaram District, G Eswara Rao (26) of Dumbriguda mandal of Visakhapatnam District and V. Sobhana (32) of Pedabayalu mandal of Visakhapatnam District. According to SP, Visakhapatnam Rural, Rahul Dev Sharma, Vanaja reportedly has been in the Dalam between 2012 and 2016 in Galikonda Area Committee. She was allegedly involved in exchange of fire that occurred near Siribala in 2015 and Palasamudram in 2016. Eswara Rao joined the Dalam in 2005 and was in it till 2008 in Galikonda, East division. He allegedly took part in two exchanges of fire — Nallaballi in 2005 and Kannavaram in 2007. He was also allegedly involved in a arson at Gorlemetta and few others. Sobhana reportedly worked in the Dalam from 2003 to 2008. She allegedly arranged Maoist meetings from 2004 to 2005 near Killamkota. In 2008, she had been in three months remand over murder of Pangi Krishna Rao at Busiputtu.

An exchange of fire took place between SFs and cadres of PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist at Tarobora village in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. The encounter took place during routine long-range patrolling by SF personnel comprising of CRPF and DAP in Naxal affected areas in West Singhbhum District. The retaliation fire of 30 to 35 rounds by SFs resulted in retreat of PLFI. Mobile phones and SIM cards were recovered during the operation, said SP, Anish Gupta.

Seven cadres of the CPI-Maoist, including five women cadres, were killed in an encounter with the commandos from the ANS, C-60 of the Maharashtra Police, near Kalled village, 15 kilometres north of Zinganoor Police Station in the Sironcha tehsil of Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. Bodies of the seven uniformed Maoists, along with two SLR rifles, two .303 rifles, two 12 bore guns and one country-made pistol, were recovered from the encounter spot. The deceased CPI-Maoist cadres were identified as Aheri area ‘dalam commander’ Ashok Pendam aka Aaytu, (34), resident of Lingampalli in Gadchiroli, who carried a head money of INR 800,000; Sironcha ‘area assistant commander’; Sunita Kodape and ‘assistant commander’ Chandu from the Aheri area, both of whom carried rewards of INR 600,000 each; Sarita Kavande from Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, Shaila Pokur from Bhamragarh area in Gadchiroli, and Akhila Kulmethe from Aheri, each with a reward of INR 200,000 on their heads. The identity of one remaining cadre is yet to be ascertained.

The Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is set to meet the CMs of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur on the issue of ‘Framework Agreement’ signed between the GoI and the NSCN-IM. Manipur Chief Minister, N. Biren Singh is likely to meet his Assam and Arunachal Pradesh counterparts Sarbananda Sonowal and Prema Khandu before the meeting with Rajnath Singh.

The UMHA Rajnath Singh on December 6 said that the Central Government is committed to secure all International Borders with all neighbouring countries. BSF soldiers arrested 87 Rohingya Muslims along the Indo-Bangladesh border since the beginning of the current year till October 31, of whom 76 were sent back to Bangladesh, said BSF Director-General K. K. Sharma. 

The NSCN-IM has drawn flak from two organisations DUCCF for its alleged recruitments of non-Naga persons into its hierarchy. Survival Nagaland issued a statement seeking clarification from the NSCN-IM with regard to the arrest of two of its non-Naga cadres – Kabir Ahmed, a Raja Peyu and Nazmul Islam – by the Dimapur police ‘for tax collection’. The police are also said to have recovered one .32 pistol, 5 live rounds, 2580 Spasmo Proxyvon capsules and ‘duplicate receipt books’ from them.

A Jaipur court sentenced eight people, including three Pakistan nationals, to life imprisonment and imposed a penalty between INR 11,00,000 and INR 14,00,000 on each of them for being operatives of the LeT and conspiring to carry out terror activities in India. Earlier, on November 30, the court of Additional District Judge, Jaipur Metro, Pawan Kumar, had found three Pakistan nationals — Asghar Ali, Mohammad Iqbal and Shakarullah — and Rajasthan residents Babu alias Nishachandra Ali, Arun Kumar Jain, Hafiz Abdul Majeed, Qabil Khan and Pawan Puri guilty under the UAPA. According to the order, all eight were found guilty under sections 13 (unlawful activities), 18 (conspiracy), 18 B (recruiting persons for terrorist act) and 20 (being a member of terrorist gang or organisation) of the UAPA. Babu and Pawan Puri were also found guilty under section 17 of the Act “for raising funds for terrorist act”. “While Babu and Pawan were fined Rs 14 lakh each, the six others were fined Rs 11 lakh each,” Special Public Prosecutor Mahaveer Prasad Jindal said.

The Kashmir-based AQ affiliated terror group, AGuH called on Indian Muslims to join the cause of jihad as ‘Hindus keep changing their tactics until their mission is accomplished—which is to eliminate every Muslim, be it children, elder, men or women’. The message was also directing the audience in Pakistan, pointing the military ruler ex-Pakistan Army Chief General (retd) Parvez Musharraf’s assault on Lal Masjid premises in Islamabad, “The Babri Masjid and the Lal Masjid were one, and those who extinguished them were also one, both idol-worshippers”. Notably, unlike other jihadist groups operating in Kashmir, AGuH believes in ‘widening the struggle’ to impose Islamic rule in India. The call was read by a jihadist using the pseudonym ‘Sultan Zabul al-Hindi’ whose dialect suggests that he is a non-Hindi speaker. There is no information on any individual from outside of Kashmir serving in AGuH, said intelligence sources.

The UMHA Rajnath Singh said that the Central Government is committed to secure all International Borders with all neighbouring countries. BSF soldiers arrested 87 Rohingya Muslims along the Indo-Bangladesh border since the beginning of the current year till October 31, of whom 76 were sent back to Bangladesh, said BSF DG K. K. Sharma.

AQ affiliated group, AGuH urged every Muslim to attack the US and Israeli embassies, also to harm the corporate and financial interests established around the world. “The honour of Bait Al-Maqdisis will be restored by shedding the blood of Americans and Israelis. The Holy Land must be made a graveyard for Jews, for oppression to end and word of Allah to prevail," said news report. Notably AGuH is AQ affiliated group based in Kashmir. The call was a response to the US President’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel.

On the basis of the report compiled by the NIA, the IB has informed the UMHA that the Kerala-based PFI is making efforts towards expanding their base beyond the state of Kerala. Although the Government is considering banning the organisation, the UMHA have received a detailed report from the IB that PFI may expand its existence in the state of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Assam and West Bengal, said sources in UMHA.

On the basis of intelligence inputs from the MI unit in J&K, Punjab Police has arrested Gurmukh Singh alias Gopi—an alleged Pakistan’s ISI agent from Mattewal village of District Amritsar (Punjab). Allegedly Gurmukh Singh had been passing-on information related to the mobilisation of Indian Army to his Pakistan-based handlers. The Batala district Police led by SHO Mukhtiyar Singh arrested Gurmukh Singh and recovered a pair of mobile phones, a passport and several photographs of Indian Army’s movement.

Preliminary investigation has revealed that Gurmukh Singh had made two religious visits to Pakistan in 2009, 2012 and during his second visit he came in contact with an ISI handler who lured him to pass-on the classified information related to the mobilisation and deployment of the Indian Army. In return of this favour, Gurmukh Singh had been asking for weapons and money from his Pakistan-based handlers, said an official of Punjab Police.

As per the NCRB’s annual report 2016, total of 2,272 fake notes of Rs. 2,000 denomination were seized in merely 53 days (between November 8 and December 31, 2016) of the historic step of demonetisation taken by the Indian PM Narendra Modi in November 2016. Fake Indian currency of Rs 2,000 notes were part of the 2, 81,839 fake notes of different denominations recovered from different locations across India. At large, of Rs. 2,000 denomination—1,300 were recovered from the state of Gujarat, followed by 548 from Punjab, 254 from Karnataka, 114 from Telangana, 27 from Maharashtra, 8 from Madhya Pradesh, 6 each from Rajasthan & Andhra Pradesh, 3 each Arunachal Pradesh & Haryana, 2 each from the state of Jammu and Kashmir & Kerala, whereas a single note was recovered from Manipur and Odisha. Among others, 82,494 notes of Rs 1,000 and 1, 32,227 of Rs 500 denomination were also seized along with 59,713 notes of Rs 100 and 2,137 notes of Rs 50 denomination, said the NCRB report. A total of 1,172 FIR were registered and 1,107 people were arrested for their involvement in the illegal trade of FICN.

One DRG personnel was injured when CPI-Maoist cadres fired at a newly set up Police camp at a forest in Kondagaon District of Chhattisgarh. A small action team of the Maoists fired at the Police camp in Hadeli village where some finishing work was underway, following which the SF personnel retaliated and after a brief exchange of fire, the rebels escaped into the dense forest, Police said. Head constable Komal Khalko, belonging to DRG, had sustained bullet injuries. The Police camp was recently set up in Hadeli, located 50 kilometres deep inside forest from Kondagaon town, which is around 200 kilometres away from State capital, Raipur.

Two Maoists identified as Madvi Mada and Bendja Lakhmu were arrested by Chhattisgarh Police from Jangla and Farsegarh area of Bijapur District of ChhattisgarhThey are charged in cases of murder, arson, loot and violence.

 

December 7

The District Police arrested a CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Mangra Manjhi, from the forest area of Upparghat near Sishua village under the Pannk-Narayanpur Police Station in Bokaro District of Jharkhand. The Police have recently held a series of operations in Upparghat and Jhumra areas. There was no recovery of any arms and explosives from arrested CPI-Maoist cadre. Mangra was active as a member of the local organisation squad which operates under Nawadih area committee of the CPI-Maoist. He was involved in the different cases and was wanted in Naxal–related incident which was filed in Nawadih Police station in 2014.

Two cadres of CPI-Maoist, identified as Kamla Gavle and Nagesh Madavi, surrendered before the Gadchiroli Police and officers from the Anti-Naxal Operations of Maharashtra Police in Gadchiroli District of MaharashtraBoth of them had joined CPI-Maoist since 2011 and were involved in various cases in border areas of Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. Each of them carried a reward of INR 2, 00,000 on them. According to the report, in 2017 around 19 CPI-Maoist cadres have surrendered, which included some top ‘commanders’ of PLGA.  

Pakistan Army violated the CFA in Degwar sector of Poonch District, along the LoC, by using mortar shells, automatic and semi automatic weapons. Reports said Pakistan Army started pounding forward Army posts. Pakistani troops also targeted civilian population by firing few mortar shells aiming the villages in Degwar and surroundings. The Indian side retaliated very effectively and strongly, leading to exchanges that continued for about one and a half hour. Unconfirmed reports said that an Indian Army trooper was injured in Pakistan shelling and firing, though there was no official confirmation from the Army on injuries suffered by the trooper. There were no other casualties or damages on the Indian side.  Sources didn’t rule out damages on Pakistan side in retaliatory firing by the Indian troops. “Pakistan was reported to have suffered heavy damages in retaliation by the Indian side,” they said but added that exact losses were not known.

The East Khasi Hills district administration foiled the plan of the HYC activists to stage a three-day hunger strike from December 7 at a parking lot near the additional secretariat in Shillong for implementation of their 14-point charter of demands, including the ILP. 

Deputy commissioner of Lawngtlai District in south Mizoram stated that registration of 1,600 Myanmarese nationals have been undertaken to ascertain the number of refugees in four villages of the District. The Myanmarese nationals fled their country due to clashes between the Myanmarese Army and the Arakan militants.

A District Court of Delhi issued a production warrant against an AQ suspect—Shamiun Rahman (27 years-old) - a Bangladeshi-British national, for his involvement in recruitment of Rohingya Muslims for AQ and train them to fight against the Myanmar Army. Rahman had stayed at madrassas (seminaries) in Kishanganj (Bihar), Hazaribagh (Jharkhand), and different locations in the NCR following his plans to set up base in either in Mizoram or Manipur to train the radicalised youths, said the Delhi Police. Following his arrest in September 2017, a FIR was filed under various provisions of the UAPA, Arms Act and the Passport Act.

IM suspect Tauseef Pathan, an accused in July 2008 serial blast was planning to flee to Bangladesh, say investigators. Crime Branch officials claim that Pathan has a contact in Bangladesh and through his help he was to obtain shelter in that country. "We suspect that from Bangladesh, Pathan could have fled to Pakistan on a fake passport. We have the cell number of Pathan's contact in Bangladesh and will soon contact our counterparts there to track the helper," said a senior Crime Branch official. Crime branch investigators said Pathan's plan of fleeing to Bangladesh supports their suspicion that he was involved in a jailbreak conspiracy at Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad. "In February 2013, 24 alleged IM suspects accused in the serial blasts case had conspired to escape from Sabarmati jail. They had dug a 213-foot tunnel from the barrack to the end of the outer wall of the high security jail. However the attempt was foiled by jail authorities at the last moment," a senior Crime Branch official.

A suspected LeT operative, Abdul Nayeem Sheikh, arrested by the NIA last week from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, had spent almost two years in Gopalganj District headquarters town in Bihar to build sleeper cells of the banned terror outfit. The revelation came to the fore during interrogation of Bedar Bakht alias Dhannu Raja, who was arrested from Sareya ward number 1 locality of Gopalganj town on November 30 this year. 

Dhannu reportedly told interrogators that he had provided shelter to Nayeem, who allegedly worked for LeT, in the house of one Id Mohammad at Purani Chowk in Gopalganj, around 145 km northwest of Patna. Nayeem, considered close to 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind Abu Jindal, had lived in Gopalganj from 2015 to March 2017. He procured Aadhaar card, passport and PAN purportedly by submitting forged documents in which he introduced himself as Suhail Khan alias Mohammad Ali, a resident of Gopalganj ward number 19.

Nayeem claimed that he completed his post-graduation from JP University, Chhapra. Prior to leaving Gopalganj, Nayeem used to run a private coaching institute there. He came in contact with a local resident, Prashant Kumar Rai, who reportedly helped him set up an English spoken coaching centre on Jadopur road in Gopalganj. An NIA team, which is camping in Gopalganj, picked up two more suspects from Gopalganj on December 7. The two suspects were associated with the educational institutes from where Nayeem had reportedly obtained fake certificates of the secondary school to get his passport issued from the Patna regional passport office.

In total 400 FICN of Rs. 2,000 denominations with worth of Rs. 8 Lakh were recovered by the DRI, with an arrest of two individuals from Murshidabad district of West Bengal. Acting upon the intelligence inputs, the team of DRI arrested an unidentified man (25 years-old) carrying the FICN at Chander crossing of NH-34 in Murshidabad district (West Bengal). The accused—resident of area bordering India-Bangladesh border, revealed that the FICNs were smuggled into India from Bangladesh and he was travelling to Kolkata for delivering these FICNs to another person, said an official of DRI. The DRI investigators arrested the second person—resident of area close to India-Nepal border in Bihar, in this matter.

December 8

Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres gunned down two youth, identified as K. Suryachandra Babu alias Suryam (26) and M. Kishore (22), both hailing from Maddigaravu, after allegedly branding them ‘Police informers’, near Chapagedda Bridge in Maddigaravu village under G. Maduguala Police Station limits in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. The incident took place on the concluding day of the 17th annual ‘PLGA Week’. The Police suspect that the CPI-Maoist had killed the youth only to make their presence felt in the Agency as the victims were not ‘Police informers’. A group of 60 armed and unarmed Maoists, led by Pedabayalu Area Committee ‘commander’ Sudheer, entered Maddigaravu at around 11.30 p.m. and picked up the youngsters from their homes, ignoring the pleas of their family members that they had nothing to do with the Police. They took them to Chapagedda Bridge and pumped bullets into them, saying they had tipped off the Police about their movements.

Two CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested in Sukma District of ChhattisgarhCPI-Maoist cadres, identified as Muchaki Manga (45) and Muchaki Deva (25), were arrested from Chintalnar Police station area when a joint team of SFs during a search operation, said Sundarraj P, DIG, Dantewada Range. The arrested CPI-Maoist cadres were active members of DAKMS - a frontal wing of CPI-Maoist and involved with firing at Police patrolling team in the forests near Chinnabodkel village in November. No harm was caused to SFs in that incident, added Sundarraj.

LWE cadres opposing road construction work, set ablaze six vehicles at Navani village under Ghaghra Police Station in Gumla District of Jharkhand, and warned labourers against working without their permission. According to Police, the rebels of the PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, attacked a stone crusher unit belonging to a person, Arun Pandey, and set on fire six vehicles. The rebels also fired in the air and left a pamphlet claiming responsibility for the incident, Police said. The crusher was being used in road construction. Through the pamphlet, the rebels also appealed to labourers not to work on the crusher. The denial of ‘levy’ to the rebels is said to be the reason for the incident.

A joint team of Police and CRPF arrested three rebels of JJMP, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, following an encounter at Kanhara village in Charhi, around 30 kilometres from the Hazaribagh District headquarters in Jharkhand. Two rifles and 100 rounds of bullets were recovered from them. One of the extremists is said to have sustained bullet injuries. Hazaribagh, SP, Anoop Birtharay said the injured rebel had been identified as P. Khan, while the other two were ‘area commanders’ Bhakhra Munda and Biga Paswan.

The Police recovered arms and explosives hidden by the Maoists from Sikid Jungle located on the border of Herhang and Manika Police Station area in Latehar District of Jharkhand. Acting on information received by SP, Prashant Anand and Commandant of CRPF 11th Battalion Pankaj Kumar, the search operation was launched. The recovered arms include two cylinder bombs, five-five kilograms of two cylinder bombs, three pipe bombs, three bombs of corner type, five grenade bombs, 250 gelatine, 80 meter codex wire, six non-electric detonators, five meters of 10-10 kilograms Safety fuse, two native katta, 3 indigenous rifles of 315 magnum, one leather machine, four kilogram piece of iron and 86 pieces of M. seal and many pamphlets containing Naxal literature. The explosives were later disabled.

Babloo Paswan alias Nageshwar, head of the Jharkhand Prastuti Committee, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, was injured in an encounter with Ganjam Police in Bhanjanagar NAC in Ganjam District of Odisha. Ganjam, SP, Ashish Singh said Babloo and two of his associates had come to Ganjam as contract killers to kill one accused when he was supposed to be produced in the District court. Acting on a tip-off, the Police swung into action to arrest Babloo. "When the Police team, headed by the Bhanjanagar sub-divisional police officer, Bhanjanagar inspector in charge and Aska inspector in charge asked a four-wheeler in Gallery outpost limits to stop, Babloo, who was inside, fired at the Police who fired back. Though Babloo was injured, his two associates managed to escape into a nearby forest," Singh said. The Police seized the car, two pistols and ammunition. Active in Jharkhand, Odisha and Chhattisgarh, Babloo has allegedly been involved in more than 40 cases of loot, dacoity, abduction, extortion and murders.

Hand written posters and banners bearing the name of CPI-Maoist Kalimela Zonal Committee surfaced at different places in Malkangiri District of Odisha, appealing people to join the outfit and take ahead fight against the administration through constitution of RPC. A slew of posters purportedly written by the rebels in red ink and red banners written in silver ink were put up on roadside walls at Badigeta and Tekguda areas calling locals to take part in the ‘PLGA Week’ observation from December 2-8 in large numbers to foil the administration’s efforts to quell the revolution. The posters also contained slogans demanding protection of the rights of the tribal on the forest and land in the District.

Odisha Government approved an annual budget of INR 710 million for 2017-18 under the SRE scheme. The State-level committee on anti-CPI-Maoist operations approved the SRE budget ahead of a crucial meeting of the Central Government on December 11, informed Asit Tripathy, State Home Secretary. The SRE scheme fund is utilised by the State to fortify Police Station, train Police personnel and meet arms and ammunition expenses of Paramilitary Forces, including providing ex-gratia to families of civilians or security personnel killed during anti-Maoist operations. Usually the State Government spends money for anti-Maoist operations and the Centre reimburses 60 per cent of the total spending. 

LWE in Odisha is mainly a result of infiltration from Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh and CPI-Maoist cadres have no local base in the State, CM, Naveen Patnaik said in Bhubaneswar. “There has been a substantial improvement in the LWE scenario in the State. People do not support violent activities and the LWE cadres have no local base. Our problem is mostly caused by infiltration from Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand as well as from Andhra Pradesh,” Patnaik told the State Assembly. The CM further said: “The asymmetric deployment of Central forces on the Chhattisgarh border is a major issue towards which we have drawn the Centre’s attention. However, as usual our repeated requests for additional deployment of Central forces have not been considered so far. The State government’s commitment to eliminate the LWE menace is reflected in our determined efforts to complete the Gurupriya Bridge in spite of the Centre not giving adequate funds. I am hopeful in a few months from now the cut-off areas will have connectivity.” While furnishing a written reply on December 4, the CM had informed the House that there was drop in Maoist violence in 2017 compared to 2016. In 2016, as many as 68 incidents of LWE violence were recorded in the State, whereas till November this year there were only 47 violent incidents perpetrated by Maoists. In 2017, Maoist violence claimed the lives of 14 civilians and 9 security personnel. Patnaik also said improvement in Police infrastructure, recruitment of armed personnel, specialised training and a progressive policy of surrender and rehabilitation had led to substantial improvement in the situation.

Bhadradri-Kothagudem ‘district committee secretary’ of the CPI-ML-New Democracy’s Rayala Group, Punem Lingaiah alias Linganna (43), was arrested by the Police on charges of extortion in Khammam District of Telengana. A pistol, four rounds of ammunition, INR 25,200 cash and a bike were seized from his possession, Police said. Lingaiah, who had been extorting money from traders and contractors along with other members of his underground squad for the past few years, was arrested by a Police team based on a tip-off near Raghunadha Palem, Khammam Police Commissioner Tafseer Iqbal said. Lingaiah, the ‘squad commander’, was allegedly involved in as many as 20 offences, including one murder case, reported under various Police Station limits in erstwhile undivided Khammam District, the Police Commissioner said.

SFs arrested a militant, identified as Muhammad Younis Sheikh, from Chadoora area of Budgam District. SFs recovered four live grenades have been recovered.

Six ULFA-I militants,  entered Kunapathar Tea Estate in Bordumsa in Tinsukia District and opened fire targeting the estate manager, after the authorities refused to pay extortion money. The attack came 23 days after ULFA-I initially demanded extortion money of INR 4 million from the estate authorities.

In protest against the alleged inclusion of Dima Hasao District in ‘Greater Nagalim‘ AABCC, Dima Hasao has given a call for 24 hours rail blockade on December 12. The president and general secretary of AABCC stated that 24-hour rail blockade program would be organized on Dec 12 from 6 am onwards at Haflong and other parts of the District.

CM Biren Singh stated that he had mentioned to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh that he nor the people of Manipur and the present state government would agree division of Manipur to bring a solution to the Naga issue. The CM urged the Home Minister not to do anything which may disturb the oneness of hill and valley people.

Leaders of HYC reiterated that the ILP must be implemented in the State, and termed it as the only solution to protect the indigenous people of the state form the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly session which began on December 8, the HYC leaders stated that they will continue their hunger strike.

Union Minister of Home Affairs Rajnath Singh stated that Indian Prime Minister was fully committed to fulfil the aspirations of Naga people. Without mentioning a word about Naga political issue, Singh remarked that Nagaland had an opportunity to lead the North Eastern States to the path of peace, stability, prosperity and growth. He gave the statement while attending the eighth day of Hornbill Festival at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama.

NLF comprising the sitting MLAs of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly in its ‘consultative meeting’ held today resolved to urge the GoI to resolve the Naga political problem well before the next Assembly election. Meanwhile, CMO issued a statement mentioning that the present moment as the most opportune time for the Nagas and the Government of India to resolve the seven decades old Naga political issue and called for finding a lasting solution to the Naga issue.

The Jammu Police has arrested Showkat Ahmed from Reasi district of Jammu, in the case of FICN. The Police recovered fake currency notes of worth Rs. 6.30 Lakhs along with a computer and other gadgets that have been used in the production of counterfeit notes. The investigation started few days ago when a local resident—Bahar Din approached the Police with Fake notes of worth Rs. 6,000 and reported that these notes were given by Mohammad Maqbool, said Jammu Police’s SSP Tahir Bhat of Reasi district. On December 6, Jammu Police arrested Mohammad Maqbool and he revealed the name of Showkat Ahmed—resident of Kulgam district and main accused in this case.

The AQ has restructured its organisational apparatus in India, with one unit being dedicated to terrorist operations in J&K and the other to subversive actions in the rest of India. The terror outfit has also released a video exhorting Muslims in the uniformed services in India to join their fold, where they can continue to fight while practising Islam.   As part of the internal restructuring, the outfit designated for J&K has been named Al Qaeda Kashmir (AQK), to be led by Zakir Musa, who has been operating in the Valley under the banner of AGuH after breaking away from HM in 2016. AQIS headed by Maulana Asim Umar alias Sanaul Haque, will carry forward the terror agenda of the outfit in the rest of the country. “The AQK has also been given responsibility for training radicalised youth for terror operations in the Valley and beyond. The Musa-led group has so far motivated 15-20 Kashmiris to join its ranks for so-called jihad and to fight for the Rohingyas in Rakhine state of Myanmar,” a senior Intelligence official said.

Railway employees recovered an IED, suspected to be planted by the Maoists, from a railway station in Latehar District of Jharkhand. The IED was detected near the track between Chhipadohar and Barwadih railway stations in Latehar District at around 11pm. Officials said the timely recovery of the IED averted a major railway mishap as Delhi-bound Tata-Muri Hatia Jammu Tawi Express train (18101) crossed the track near Ukkamarh village within 20 minutes after the recovery. A CRPF team soon rushed to the spot and recovered cans, gelatin sticks, detonators and wires and foiled a Maoist bid to blow up the tracks.

A group of around 20-22 armed Maoists, including 9-10 women cadres, in uniform raided the farmhouse of local BJD leader Ishwar Chandra Panigrahi located at Kumbhariput village under Machkund Police limits in Koraput District of Odisha, and roughed up the supervisor, Chandrakant Dalei. The Maoist rebels attacked supervisor Chandrakant, snatched CCTVs and monitors installed on the farmhouse premises at put up posters at various places in and around the farmhouse before leaving. The posters released bearing the name of SKDC of AOBSZC of the CPI-Maoist, warned Ishwar Panigrahi against encroachment of tribal land, employing outsiders in his farmhouse as well as abuse of tribal workers. The posters also threatened the ruling party leader with dire consequences demanding a minimum wage of INR 200 and maximum 8 hours of working per day for the workers. They also demanded protection of the tribal rights on forest and land resources in the area.

Telangana Police arrested a ‘leader’ of the Chandranna faction of the CPI-ML-New Democracy, Enugula Chandra Reddy aka Sagar, in Bhadradri Kothagudem District of Telangana. The Police recovered a gun and bullets from Sagar. Sagar did post-graduation from the Kakatiya University and was a gold medalist in Geology. He actively worked for PDSU during his student life. It was learnt that Sagar was underground for the last 15 years.

December 9

Paramilitary forces, DVF and jawans of SOGs have intensified the combing operation in the cut-off area of Malkangiri District of Odisha. “The series of recent Maoist violent activities revealed that the red rebels are trying to strengthen their eroding support base in the cut off region,” said a Police official.

SFs launched cordon and searches operation in Shopian District after a brief encounter with militants. Army’s 44 RR cordon off Ganawpora and Barthipora villages of Shopian District, following inputs regarding movement of three militants. As they challenged militants, the latter opened fire on the Army men leading to a brief gun battle. Militants, however, fled from the spot and were believed to have taken shelter either in Ganawpora or Barthipora.

A LeT militant was arrested by SFs during operation in Handwara area of Kupwara District. Police said that on a specific input, Handwara Police, 30RR and 92 CRPF launched a joint operation and arrested one OGW of LeT identified as Rayaz Ahmed Khan alias Bita Khan alias Baba, son of Abdul Rashid Khan from his home at Hajin in Handwara area. SFs also destroyed one hideout in his house and recovered one AK 56 rifle, 2 magazines, 25 rounds of AK 56, one spare butt and one wire cutter from the hideout.

SFs arrested a militant of the ULFA-I, identified as Abha Deka, from Dillighat in Sivasagar District. One pistol, six live rounds and thirteen extortion letters were recovered from him. The arrested militant was reportedly involved in a firing incident in Dillighat in November 2015.

SFs arrested two unidentified ULFA-I militants from Kalaigaon in Udalguri District. One AK-56 rifle, one magazine and 18 rounds of bullets have been recovered from their possession.

The DRI has recovered the demonetised Indian currency notes in the denomination of INR 500 and INR 1000 from the premises of M/S Yamuna Building Material—a company located in the GIDC’s Panoli area in Bharuch of Gujarat.

Acting on the intelligence inputs, the team of DRI officers from Surat (Gujarat) accompanied with the team of CGST officers of Vadodara raided the premises of M/S Yamuna Building Material and recovered the demonetised currency notes with the face value of Rs. 48.91 crore, said an official of DRI. The company would face the penalty of Rs. 245 crore under section 5, section 7 of newly enacted SBN Act of 2017, said the DRI released statement.  

The NIA, which arrested suspected LeT operative Abdul Naeem Sheikh from Uttar Pradesh last month, has summoned a DTO of Bihar for his alleged links with the terrorist, an official said. The NIA arrested Sheikh alias Nomi, 37, on November 28 from Charbagh bus stand in Lucknow in a joint operation with the Uttar Pradesh Police’s ATS. The NIA official told they have summoned a DTO officer, identified as Diwakar Jha, posted in Bihar’s Buxar District, for questioning over his alleged links with Sheikh. According to the NIA official, Jha had inaugurated Sheikh’s coaching centre in Bihar’s Gopalganj District in 2015, when he was posted there. The official said the anti-terror probe agency has recovered some pictures of Jha with Sheikh. Sheikh, who is said to have done a recce of army and power installations in J&K, was caught after he applied for a passport under a fictitious name. The NIA official said security agencies stumbled upon a lead to Sheikh after a man complained that his address was being used by the LeT operative for his passport.

Maoist posters were found in Kumbarput village under Lamataput block in Koraput District of Odisha. The posters are stated to have been put up by CPI-Maoist with a message of threat for life for BJD State general secretary Kishore Panigrahi and demands for justice to the Kunduli gangrape victim and arrest of all culprits in the case.

Police arrested KYKL militant Saikhom Surjit Meitei alias Phireppa from Pangei bazaar in Imphal West District.

Centre's interlocutor for the Naga peace talks, R.N. Ravi, has invited five prominent personalities of Manipur to hold discussions on the Government's process to finalise a final agreement with NSCN-IM.

Ravi invited Amar Yumnam, professor of economics, N. Joykumar, retired professor of history; Ksh. Bimola Devi retired professor of political science - all of Manipur University, chairman of BJP Manipur vision document R.K. Ranjan and editor of Imphal Free Press Pradip Phanjoubam to New Delhi to hold the discussions on December 13.

December 10

The CPI-Maoist cadres killed a villager suspecting him to be a ‘Police informer’ in Malkangiri District of Odisha. The deceased was identified as Sitaram Khila, a resident of Nuatekpadar village under Ralegada Panchayat in the Chitrakonda cut-off area in the District. According to reports, around 15-20 armed Maoists took Sitaram from his house on December 9 night and thrashed him mercilessly and later killed him by slitting his throat. However, Police denied the Maoists’ claim that Sitaram was a ‘Police informer’.

SFs killed three militants suspected to be Pakistani, in an encounter, at Unisoo village in Kupwara District. Unconfirmed reports say that a lady was also killed in the exchange of firing between militants and forces.

An Indian Army JCO was injured in Pakistani firing in Nowshera sector along the LoC in Rajouri District. He was reportedly hit by a sniper shot fired by Pakistani troops, leading to injuries.

Pakistan Army violated ceasefire on the LoC at Shahpur Kirni sub sector in Poonch District.

Five Bishnupuri Manipuri organizations have called a 101-hours rail blockade in Barak Valley from December 21 to press for demands, including reservation of seats in the Assembly and Lok Sabha.

In their recent online propaganda, the FIF—a charity wing of LeT has reached-out to Rohingya Muslim population in Rakhine State of Myanmar. The FIF, with assistance from other Islamist groups are operating in the Rohingya refugee camps near the town of Cox’s Bazaar of Bangladesh, claimed Bangladesh’s intelligence official. The FIF’s operations could initiate a new phase of Myanmar conflict where terror groups become powerful with support of ARSA—also known as Harakah al-Yakin (HaY), a local insurgent group active in Northern Rakhine State, Myanmar.

Speaking at an event organised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India’s V-P Venkaiah Naidu emphasised that terrorism and extreme violence is the worst form of human rights violation and all countries must join hands to contain this evil. “The Indian democracy has also been confronted by terrorism and extreme violence. Both trample the right to life and liberty of an individual. Any violence and senseless killing is the worst form of human rights violation”, said V-P Venkaiah Naidu.  

In reply to Pakistan’s MFA Khawaja Muhammad Asif’s letter dated on December 5 regarding ceasefire violations on LoC and India-Pakistan IB, India’s UMEA Sushma Swaraj written to Khawaja Asif that Pakistan must claim the ceasefire violation as the firing by Indian Armed Forces was only retaliatory to curb infiltration and cross-border incursions. In his letter, Khawaja Asif claimed that India violates the ceasefire over 1,300 times in 2017 whereas, the Indian figures argued that the ceasefire violations by Pakistani forces figures to over 700 times until October 2017. "India has responded to the letter and instead of accepting our message for peace once again repeated old allegations of cross-border incursions and refused to stop violations”, said Pakistan’s foreign spokesman Mohammad Faisal.

Rachakonda SOT arrested two person for circulating FICN. On a credible tip off, the sleuths of SOT Malkajgiri Zone, conducted a decoy operation in the limits of Ghatkesar Police Station in Medchal District and arrested the duo. Police seized 22 fake bundles of INR 2,000 notes, along with mobile phones and INR 25,000 cash from their possession. The main accused has been identified as Reddy Pandu Ranga Rao, a resident of Kukatpally and his associate Rajula Kolanji from Jeedimetla. The accused and his associate would regularly circulate fake currency. They would give the notes in 1:3 ratio. The main accused, Ranga, was arrested and jailed twice in 2014, 2015 for the same crime.

The Uttar Pradesh Police is clamping down on self-radicalised youth influenced by ideologies of groups such as IS, HUJI-B and SIMI in several districts. "We are keeping a close tab on self-radicalised youth and their activities. We have arrested about 18-20 people in recent months and some are under close watch. All these youth and their groups are influenced by the ideologies of terror outfits like IS, LeT, SIMI and HuJI of Bangladesh. Of late, Kerala-based PFI was on our radar and their monitoring has increased with their involvement in 'anti-national propaganda' on December 6. We're trying to assess the growth of such radicalised groups and their influence on youth and others in the state," said Anand Kumar, UP's ADG of Police (law and order). He added, "There are specific alerts and in recent times, nearly 14-15 terror modules have been busted." Some officials also gave vital leads to why UP Police are on their toes against terror groups operating from the state. "Starting from Azamgarh as the nerve centre for such terror ideologies threatening to influence minority-community youth to various pockets of western UP - Shamli, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Aligarh and Moradabad - UP Police have zeroed-in on Bijnore for strong SIMI links with locals," a source in UP PHQ told this correspondent.

Intelligence agencies have gathered information that a “lone wolf” may try to target road shows of “big political leaders” during the campaigning for the assembly elections in Gujarat, officials said. Based on intelligence inputs and interrogation reports of two arrested suspected terrorists, the agencies have alerted the Gujarat Police that a “lone wolf” may try to carry out attacks on road shows of top political leaders and there is a need to take maximum precaution, a senior government official said.

One Uroz Khan, arrested in Madhya Pradesh on November 6, had reportedly told Police that he promised to supply arms and explosives to two suspected IS operatives for allegedly carrying out “lone wolf” attacks on a Jewish synagogue and during election rallies in Gujarat, the official said. IS suspect Ubaid Mirza, who was in the custody of the NIA, also reportedly told the agency that IS style “lone wolf” attack was planned on road show and rallies in Gujarat.

Three CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested from Pesauni village under Patahi Police station in East Champaran District of BiharTwo of the three arrested CPI-Maoist cadres were identified as Lalbabu Sahni alias Bhaskar, ‘secretary’ of the NBZC; and Md Mushtaque, CPI-Maoist cadre from Pakaridyal. Bhaskar was involved in the Madhuban attack by CPI-Maoist on the Police in 2005, in which two Policemen and three others were killed when over 500 CPI-Maoists attacked the bank, besides the house of a MP, the block and circle offices simultaneously. He has over 18 criminal cases related to bank dacoity, attacks for levy, attacking brick kiln owners and murder at  various Police stations in Bihar. He was in East Champaran to galvanize members in hibernation since Tariyani attack, which killed five CRPF personnel. The Police recovered five detonators, 10 SLR cartridges, besides levy receipts. Another arrested CPI-Maoist cadre, Mushtaque is an accused in the murder case of Rajesh Kumar at Sheikhpurwa in 2011, said HS Gaurav, ASP, Operations. The identity of the arrestee is yet to be ascertained.

SFs cordoned off Hanjin village of Kralgund Handwara in Kupwara District following intelligence inputs about the presence of militants. The area continued to be under cordon. SFs conducted searches in the village several times during last 10 days.

Officials said that that suspected LeT operative Abdul Nayeem Sheikh, who was arrested from Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) in November 2017, had spent some time in south Kashmir and pictured some Army installations. Sheikh, a resident of Aurangabad in Maharashtra, was on the radar of central intelligence agencies for quite some time before he was arrested with the help of Uttar Pradesh Police in the last week of November. During interrogation, Sheikh disclosed that he had stayed in Pulwama, moved to various places with the help of one Malik and even photographed some Army and Para-military camps, the officials claimed. Sheikh, who was wanted in connection with a 2014 terror case and was since on the run, told investigators that some important power projects and railway tracks in the Valley were surveyed, they said.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh state that adequate security measures have been taken up in border areas to check entry of illegal migrants into the state. Manipur government had already put its security forces including state police on high alert as there were possibilities of displaced Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar sneaking into the state.

December 11

CPI-Maoist pamphlets were thrown by its cadres in tehsil office of Bijapur City in Bijapur District of ChhattisgarhCPI-Maoist called for bandh in Bijapur District on December 12 in its pamphlets. These pamphlets were issued by South Sub Zonal Bureau of CPI-Maoist.

LWE cadres opposing road construction work set ablaze two vehicles in Latehar District of Jharkhand. According to Police, cadres of the PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, raided a private company involved in road construction work at Madhuamilan village under Chandwa Police Station area of the District. The private company is involved in road construction work of around five kilometres under the PMGSY. The rebels asked the labourers to leave and later set one tractor and one JCB machine on fire used for road construction, by pouring petrol. They also left a pamphlet claiming responsibility for the incident. The denial of ‘levy’ is said to be the reason for the attack.

The State Home Department has given sanction to conduct the ‘Martyr Meet’ at Gandhi Park in Mananthavady in Wayanad District of Kerala on December 14, to commemorate the death of CPI-Maoist leaders Kuppu Devaraj alias Shanker, and Ajitha alias Latha alias Meera killed in a special operation in the Nilambur forests on November 24, 2016. The Police gave permission based on an application filed by the ‘Martyr Meet Commemoration Committee’. Wayanad District Police Chief Arul R B Krishna said the committee had applied for a mike sanction and the Police gave the nod after verifying the antecedents of the applicants against whom there were no criminal records. “But the event will be under thorough police surveillance. We’ll take action if they resort to any speeches which are against the nation and inflammatory in nature,” said Arul.

The CPI-Maoist cadres held a ‘Kangaroo court’ at Panasput and assaulted three villagers mercilessly alleging that they were ‘Police informers’ in Malkangiri District of Odisha. Sources said the Maoists dragged former Panasput Sarpanch, Arjun Hantal, and two of his associates from their houses and produced them in the ‘Kangaroo court’ held inside the forest outside the village. The rebels warned them of dire consequences if they cooperate with the Police and pass any information about them, sources added.  Later, they released the trio.

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik said the CPI-Maoist situation in at least eight Districts of the State continues to "remain challenging" even as there has been a substantial improvement in the situation in other Districts. In a written reply to Congress member Naba Kishore Das in the Assembly on December 8, Patnaik named the eight Districts as Malkangiri, Koraput, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Bolangir, Bargarh and Angul. The CM told the Assembly that as many as 13 Districts were hit by the LWE violence since 2007, which included Malkangiri, Rayagada, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Mayurbhanj, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Jajpur and Dhenkanal. However, Patnaik said the LWE situation in Gajapati, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sambalpur, Nuapada, Bodh, Nayagarh, Deogarh and Sundargarh was under control. He further said there have been no incidents of Maoist violence reported from Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Nabarangpur and Ganjam Districts so far. "Improvement of police infrastructure, recruitment of armed personnel, specialised training and a progressive policy of surrender and rehabilitation have led to substantial improvement in the situation," Patnaik had said. The State has, meanwhile, requested the Centre to send Additional Central Forces to be deployed in areas prone to Maoist violence.

Two imposters of CPI-Maoist were arrested from Mangi village of Tiryani Mandal of Kumram Bheem Asifabad District of Telangana. The arrested CPI-Maoist imposters were identified as Shaik Razak Hussain (34), native of Janakapur in Asifabad; and Bavandlapalli Ravindra Prasad (34), a resident of Kaghaznagar town.  They had demanded INR 100,000 for CPI-Maoist from Venkat Rao, a sub-contractor of L&T Construction, posing as CPI-Maoist cadres. They had threatened to kill him if he had exposed this information. They took away INR 6,000 from him. Both of them have confessed to be indulging in the offence, said Superintendent of Police Sunpreet Singh.

In a joint meeting among the foreign ministers of Russia, China and India, a strong counterterrorism narrative is likely to be issued with a plan of action. The trio meet will also focus on maintaining peace and stability in the regional security architecture as well as reflect ‘continuing’ support of Russia and China for India becoming a member of the APEC. India’s UMEA Sushma Swaraj will host her Russian and Chinese counterparts Sergei Lavrov and Wang Yi, respectively, for the 15th edition of the meeting to be held in New Delhi. Notably, China has consistently blocked Indian efforts to bring Mazood Azhar under the UN’s sanction list. The listed entities and individuals face asset freezes, travel bans and other measures that dismantle their ability to carry out terror strikes around the globe. “The joint statement can make the larger point of the three countries having greater common ground on how to deal with international terrorism. The leaders would also have a free and friendly exchange on the issue that is always helpful,” said former Foreign Secretary Lalit Mansingh.

In a publication dated December 1 in their magazine Rumiyah the IS has urged the Kashmiri Muslims to re-initiate their jihad under the “banner of the Khalifah” and behead every Indian and Pakistani soldiers who confront them. The ‘article’ also warned the audience not to be swayed away with lies by spies of R&AW and ISI, intelligence agencies of India and Pakistan, respectively. "Even if their names resemble those of Muslims, they are murtadd (apostate) and have left the religion of Allah just as the arrow leaves the bow, so crush the heads of these wolves in sheep's clothing before these murtaddin (a person who became apostate) hit you," said the post uploaded on SITE Intelligence Group website. Originally published in Urdu language, the ‘article’ was translated by a Kashmiri-centric pro-IS media group ‘Al Qaraar’.

The Central Government took steps to formed a ‘strong firewall’ around the cyber networks of the Central and State Government to monitor, detect and prevent the cyber attacks. The NIC-CERT has been formed to ensure the security of the official cyber channels from the occurrence of cyber threats originated from within and outside the country. "Although this has made the services highly accessible to citizens, it has also exposed them to the threats and vulnerabilities which are an inherent part of cyberspace”, said the UML&J, E&IT Ravi Shankar Prasad. "This is establishment of an institution in India's pursuit of safe and secure cyberspace. Any unusual movement on the NIC network, any attacks, and intrusions will be detected and cleaned”, said Ravi Shankar Prasad. Notable there has been a significant growth in cyber attacks that lead to data theft and as a result the Government enacted to draft the DPA.

India-China-Russia trilateral, for the first time, called for cooperation to take decisive and concerted action against globally-proscribed terrorists and terror entities. Indian EAM Sushma Swaraj, however, did not mention JeM in the list of terror groups, although she mentioned LeT, Taliban, IS and AQ. In her bilateral meeting with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, she stressed the need to meet more frequently and without any agenda to strengthen mutual trust. While the RIC statement is viewed positively, South Block sources said they do not expect any radical change in China’s behaviour. “We call for the swift and effective implementation of existing international commitments on countering terrorism, including the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, relevant UNSC resolutions and targeted sanctions relating to terrorism and the FATF International Standards worldwide. We agree to strengthen cooperation to take decisive and concerted actions against globally proscribed terrorists and terror entities. We condemn all forms of terrorism and all terrorists, terror entities and organisations listed by the UN Security Council,” said the joint statement issued after the trilateral meeting.

Zakir Naik has approached the Bombay High Court challenging the cancellation of his passport by the external affairs ministry. His passport has been revoked after he repeatedly failed to appear before the NIA and the ED in connection with alleged terror-funding cases. In his petition, filed by his lawyer, the 51-year-old televangelist claimed he had never incited communal disharmony or any illegal activity against any specific religion or community and that he had always condemned those who incited violence and terrorised people. He was accused of spreading hatred through his provocative speeches, funding terrorists and laundering several crores of rupees over the years.

To promote closer engagement in the areas of strategic defence and security, India and Australia held first high level ‘2+2’ dialogue between two countries. The dialogue was attended by Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar, Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra who led the Indian delegation for inaugural talks with Australian Foreign Secretary Frances Adamson and Defence Secretary Greg Moriarty. "There is a growing convergence of strategic perspectives between the two countries. Both sides agreed that a free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region serves the long-term interests of all countries in the region and of the world at large," said a statement released India’s Ministry of External Affairs. In recent times, India and Australia participated in joint naval exercises to build on their convergence as Indian Ocean powers.

Two private security guards of Jammu and Kashmir Bank were killed after militants attacked a cash van of the Bank in Kellar area of Shopian District. Police said militants intercepted a Scorpio of the Bank at Poju Kral Check in Kellar area and fired indiscriminately at it. Two bank security guards sustained injuries and died later. Due to firing, the driver of the vehicle lost his balance and the vehicle turned turtle. Police, however, said that no cash was looted from the van as it had already been deposited in the bank. The officer said that the van was on way to Kellar from Pulwama. DIG of Police, South Kashmir range, SP Pani through official Twitter handle said: “Militants attacked a JK bank cash van # Shopian. In the attack two bank guards lost their lives. No cash looted. Driver of the vehicle is stable…search continues.”

Giving details about the encounter at Unisoo village in Handwara area of Kupwara District in which three militants were killed, Police said, that acting on a specific input, SFs launched a cordon and search operation in Mir Mohalla. “During search operation, terrorists hiding in the house of Abdul Hamid Mir fired upon the joint search party,” an unnamed Police official said, adding that the fire was retaliated, ensuing an encounter. “Three unidentified terrorists of LeT were killed in this encounter. The identity of these terrorists is being ascertained. Three AK rifles along with other ammunition were recovered from the encounter site,” the spokesman added. Police said that five members of the family got trapped inside a house and one member believed to be daughter-in-law of the house owner tried to escape during which she sustained wounds and subsequently died. Soon after the encounter, protests broke out at Unisoo against the ‘killing’ of the woman, identified as Mysara.

UPML a local body demanding PRC by the state government to the non-Arunachal Pradesh STs has declared a 12-hour strike in Namsai on December 12. The strike will affect Namsai and Lohit districts and the Upper Assam districts of Tinsukia, Dibrugarh and Sivasagar as well because National Highways 37 and 52 are connected.

SFs Killed an NSCN-K militant A Colt pistol, a radio set and other incriminating documents were recovered from the slain militant. According to the Defence Spokesman, SFs have been carrying out aggressive operations in south Arunachal Pradesh and the incident has struck a blow to the illegal activities being carried out by NSCN- militants.

ULFA-I militants  shot dead a local VDP President  Anteswar Mahanta  and his son identified as Karun  at Dirak-Hunjan village in Bordumsa in Tinsukia. Karun was a former President of Kakopathar AASU.  Tinsukia SP stated that ULFA-I militant identified as Rupom Asom and his group were behind the killing.

A bomb was recovered at the gate of a school at Khangabok under Thoubal Police Station in Thoubal District. The bomb was later disposed off at a firing range in Thoubal by the Police.

KCP-PWG has claimed responsibility for placing a bomb near a school gate on December 11 in Thoubal District.

AR arrested NSCN-K militant Ashukhomi in Zunhebeto District.  One booklet and seven leaves of tax collection slip of NSCN-K and cash worth INR 6,200 was recovered from him.

An OGW of NSCN-K, identified as Saia Konak, was arrested from Mon District.  One .22 rifle, 58 rounds of .22 ammunition, 12 rounds of 12 bore ammunitions, eight extortion slip 15 Voter’s Id cards, and INR 8,68,300 were recovered from him.

Working Committee of NNPGs held a consultative meeting with 25 apex Naga tribe organisations, civil society groups, women organisations, indigenous minority tribes etc to seek views and suggestions for negotiation with GoI Giving the keynote address at the consultative meeting N Kitovi Zhimomi, ‘convenor’ of WC .

N Kitovi Zhimomi, ‘convenor’ of WC stated that GoI has informed NSCN-IM that sovereignty as well as integration were out of question, the same could also be conveyed to the WC. He also added that unlike the Framework Agreement signed between NSCN-IM and GoI, agreement between GoI and WC was like a preamble based on principles and talks would be held only under that agreement.

December 12

Four tribals who were working as CPI-Maoist couriers surrendered before the Police at Y. Ramavaram Police Station in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. The four surrendered CPI-Maoist couriers identified as Korra Bangarraju, Korra Salupu, Gammila Ramesh, and Manga, were reportedly involved in supply of ration and medicines to a dalam of the CPI-Maoist. The surrendered tribals will be rehabilitated as per the policy of Government, said Ravi Shankar, OSD, Operations.

A court in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh granted bail to CPI-Maoist 'Politburo member', Kobad Ghandy, in a case related to recovery of arms and explosives. A case was registered against him by the Vizag Police for carrying out weapons and explosives. He was in Visakhapatnam jail since April 4, 2017. There are eight cases against him and he was sentenced to eight years in various jails. All his cases are related to CPI-Maoist activities.

The Maoists set ablaze six vehicles used in construction work which include  one concrete mixer machine, one JCB, one truck, one road roller and two tractors in Iragaon village of Kondagaon District of Chhattisgarh, during Bharat bandh call on December 12.

A pump house of NMDC Bacheli Deposit-5 project was blown up by the Maoists in Akash Nagar of Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh, during Bharat bandh call on December 12.

A BSNL tower was blown up by the CPI-Maoist rebels in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh, during Bharat bandh call on December 12. The water supply in NMDC mines area was stopped due to blowing of water pump house.

An unidentified CPI-Maoist cadre was killed in an encounter in the forest between Kamasur and Yelaram hamlets in Sironcha Taluka in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. The Gadchiroli Police have claimed his body is the eighth retrieved after the encounter near Kalled village, around 12 kilometres from Kamasur, where seven Maoists were killed on December 6. Ankush Shinde, DIG of Police, said the Dechlipetha sub-Police Station and Jimulgatta QRT conducted an intelligence-based operation following which the body was recovered. Gadchiroli, SP, Abhinav Deshmukh said the deceased Naxalite probably belonged to any of the formations of Platoon 14, or LOS of Sironcha, Perimili and Aheri who were present near Kalled. "The firing lasted for around 15 minutes. We have recovered a .303 rifle, a few live rounds and some regular material for daily use," said Deshmukh. The identity of the slain Naxalites is yet to be confirmed, said Deshmukh.

The SFs ensured that the  Naxal Bharat bandh call turns out to be a damp squib. The week was observed by the Naxalites between December 6 and 12.

Police said that a boy hailing from Rainawari area of downtown Srinagar (Srinagar District) was arrested at Qamria Chowk in main town of Ganderbal District and thus prevented from joining Zakir-Musa led AGuH. The SSP-Ganderbal, Fayaz Ahmad Lone said the boy was in surveillance and being tracked as he was in contact with some Pakistani militants who are also under surveillance. “Acting on a tip off, police intercepted the boy. He was in touch with Pakistani militants on social media sites and later on confessed that he was going to join Ansar Ghazwatul Hind,” the SSP said, adding that after counseling, the boy was handed over to his parents. He appealed parents to watch the activities of their children and prevent from those elements who wash their minds to indulge in militant activities.

SPG of CRPF, Jammu and Kashmir Zone, S N Shrivastava said that the situation in Kashmir was fast returning to normal as the people of the Valley were rejecting terrorism and appealing to misguided youths to shun the path of violence and return to the mainstream. He said the situation has witnessed a sea change as recruitment of local youths into militancy was declining along with stone-pelting incidents. “I don’t want to give the number of active militants but positive action and good behaviour have a very good impact on the overall situation in the Valley which has improved a lot”, adding, “The situation (in Kashmir) has normalised to a large extent and we are hopeful that complete normalcy will return very soon.” He said Security Forces were moving in the right direction and “anything positive that will help normalise the situation will be done”. About the threat posed by AGuH, the officer said, “I feel the people (of Kashmir) have rejected that idea as well.” “Almost the entire militant leadership was neutralised which left all the terrorist organisations weak,” he said.

The Delhi Court send an alleged al Qaeda operative, Shaimun Rahman, a Bangladeshi-British national to judicial custody with extending the period of investigations by the NIA by a month conducted.  Shaimun Rahman (27) was arrested in September by the Delhi Police for his alleged involvement to recruit youths for the terror outfit and train them to fight against the Myanmar Army.

Dawood Ibrahim’s long-time aide Chhota Shakeel parted ways with him, according to India's intelligence agencies. He has also moved away from the Clifton area of Karachi, where both had been based ever since they fled Mumbai in the 1980s, and is currently holed up at an unknown location, sources said. One of the main reasons for the fallout is reportedly an argument that Shakeel, who is in his 50s, recently had with Dawood over the latter's younger brother Anees Ibrahim's alleged interference in the gang's operations. Though Shakeel is known as Dawood's most trusted lieutenant and has played a major role in handling the gang's activities for the past three decades, sources claimed that Anees, who also lives in Pakistan with his elder brother, has at various times attempted to gain the upper hand. Despite Dawood making it clear to his sibling that he should not come in the way, Anees reportedly exceeded his brief recently, sparking an argument between the gang leader and Shakeel and prompting Shakeel to stay away after that. Known for meeting his confidants in Dubai, Shakeel recently held a meeting with some aides in an East-Asian country, sources noted.

India’s NIA has been assigned six cases to investigate which are related to the Khalistan movement. Out of six, four cases are registered in Ludhiana and two in Khanna (Punjab). So far, the Punjab Police was investigating the case but now-on the NIA teams will investigate the matter. The NIA team has already reached the location, Ludhiana and Khanna to take over the investigation, said the NIA statement. The modus operandi in all six cases is similar therefore, regarding the possibility of domestic and international ramifications of the conspiracy in the matter, the Punjab Government had decided to hand-over the investigation to the NIA. After the discussion with top officials of the Punjab Police, the decision of transfer of the cases to the NIA team led by its Director Y.C. Modi, earlier this month.

Police said that a boy hailing from Rainawari area of downtown Srinagar (Srinagar District) was arrested at Qamria Chowk in main town of Ganderbal District and thus prevented from joining Zakir-Musa led AGuH. SSP, Ganderbal, Fayaz Ahmad Lone said the boy was in surveillance and being tracked as he was in contact with some Pakistani militants who are also under surveillance. “Acting on a tip off, police intercepted the boy. He was in touch with Pakistani militants on social media sites and later on confessed that he was going to join Ansar Ghazwatul Hind,” the SSP said, adding that after counseling, the boy was handed over to his parents. He appealed parents to watch the activities of their children and prevent from those elements who wash their minds to indulge in militant activities.

SDGP, CRPF, Jammu and Kashmir Zone, S N Shrivastava said that the situation in Kashmir was fast returning to normal as the people of the Valley were rejecting terrorism and appealing to misguided youths to shun the path of violence and return to the mainstream. He said the situation has witnessed a sea change as recruitment of local youths into militancy was declining along with stone-pelting incidents. “I don’t want to give the number of active militants but positive action and good behaviour have a very good impact on the overall situation in the Valley which has improved a lot”, adding, “The situation (in Kashmir) has normalised to a large extent and we are hopeful that complete normalcy will return very soon.” He said SFs were moving in the right direction and “anything positive that will help normalise the situation will be done”. About the threat posed by AGuH, the officer said, “I feel the people (of Kashmir) have rejected that idea as well.” “Almost the entire militant leadership was neutralised which left all the terrorist organisations weak,” he said.

Two NDFB-IKS militants were arrested at Jhalbari forest area in Kokrajhar District.  Two pistols along with a magazine and six ammunition were recovered from the militants.

Following December 11 killings, residents and organisations from Sunjan Simaluguri and nearby areas blocked National Highway 52 to protest the killings. AMSU called a 24-hour Tinsukia District shutdown on December 13. tea gardens such as Sri Krishna, Bogapani, Hollongabi in Digboi, MKB and Lalung in Bordumsa, and Samdung in Doomdooma have been alerted and additional security has been assigned to the tea estates.

IGP stated that four ULFA-I militants involved in the killing has fled to Arunachal Pradesh.

Following the intervention and assurance from the District administration, the 24-hour rail blockade was called off by AABCC. The rail blockade was called by AABCC in protest against the inclusion of Dima Hasao in ‘greater Nagalim and also the establishment of satellite council in Dima Hasao.

Indigenous Forum-Assam, a joint platform of over 30 organisations representing various indigenous communities, will try to build a consensus on the definition of indigenous people of the state at its first convention to be held here on February 12 and 13. Leader of the forum and  ULFA-PTF ‘general secretary’ Anup Chetia said at the two-day convention, which will be held at the district library auditorium, an attempt would be made to arrive at a consensus on the definition of indigenous or Assamese people for implementation of Clause VI of the Assam Accord.

KCP Peoples war group faction has banned all ‘artificial’ fairs and festivals in the state.

A ZUF-Arei militant identified as Ramsau Zeme alias Nelson was arrested from Langol near Ramgailong village gate in Imphal East District.

South Garo Hills Police busted GNLA hideout, after a brief fire fight with a group of 10 militants. The hideout was used by GNLA as an extortion centre to collect money from coal quarries and trucks in the Nangalbibra area of south Garo Hills District. No casualties were reported from the encounter. Police have not ruled out the presence of GNLA ‘chief’ Sohan D Shira in the camp. They also indicate that the motive of the rebels was to set up base in the Maidugittim area to run an extortion racket targeting the coal trade.

Unidentified assailants lobbed two petrol bombs in Alizan Compound in Lumdiengjri area in Shillong in East Khasi Hills. Three houses and a shop were damaged in the incident. Police also added that attack could be the fall out of the arrest of a member of Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) on the same day. Prime Minster Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Meghalaya on December 16.

December 13

Sanya Bahal—a teacher from an unidentified place in Bihar, was arrested by Bihar Police, for keeping Hyderabad Police ‘on toes’  regarding a hoax attack on Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) at Shamshabad. Sanya Bahal phoned RGIA officials on December 11, and informed that an IS sympathiser named Shoab is about to board the flight to Jeddah, (Saudi Arabia). She also supplied Shoab’s ticket details to the airport authority officials. The officials carried out a small search operation but found no-one with the given name travelling on same day, said the Police sources. Acting upon the suspicious information, the Cyberabad Police traced the call to Bihar and informed the Bihar Police to act upon the matter. The Bihar Police has registered a case of a hoax call and have been questioning the woman in this matter, said the Cyberabad Police official.

As the nation remembers the 16th anniversary of a ‘horrific’ terrorist attack on Indian Parliament on December 13, 2001, the Indian PM Narendra Modi paid floral tribute to the martyrs of this attack. Around 14 people—including SFs personnel and a civilian were killed when five heavily-armed terrorists of LeT and JeM attacked and indiscriminately opened fire in the Parliament complex on December 13, 2001. Extensive investigations also revealed the involvement of four accused namely Afzal Guru, Shaukat Hussain, SAR Geelani/Gilani and Navjot Sandhu for their roles in logistic services to the perpetrators of this attack. Among others, the remembrance ceremony was also attended by the Indian V-P Venkaiah Naidu, former Indian PM Manmohan Singh, UMEA Sushma Swaraj, and the Parliament Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.

AKDDSU has declared a 12-hour District shutdown on December 20 to protest the deprivation of the district in terms of development. The shutdown is in response to the State Government’s failure in fulfilling a charter of demands that the union had submitted to the CMO on October 30.

Normal life was affected across the industrial District of Tinsukia following a 24 hours bandh (shutdown strike) called by several student bodies of the state to protest against the killing of a father-son duo by ULFA-I.

Shutdown was called by AMSU with Districts of AASU, ATASU, AJYCP Moran Sahitya Sabha, Moran Jatiya Mahila Parishad etc extending support to it. While shops, business establishments, banks and educational institutions remained shut in Tinsukia, Margherita, Ledo, Doomdooma, Digboi, Bordumsa, Makum and Kakopathar towns, vehicles also remained off the road.

ULFA-I ‘publicity secretary’ Arunodoy Asom alleged that the VDP official and his son were spying for SFs.

Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal on December 12 stated that the state Police forces will be modernized.

AR arrested three NSCN-K militants from Old Phuyetu village in Zunheboto District.  Arms and ammunition as well as incriminating documents were recovered from the militants.

AR recovered two firearms and ammunition during a search operation at Tenyiphe-I in Dimapur District.

15 member delegation of working committee of six NNPGs led by its convener N Kitovi Zhimomi held the second round of talks with GoI Interlocutor for Naga talks RN Ravi in New Delhi.  The maiden round of talks was held in New Delhi, where Ravi, the Centre’s interlocutor, met an 18-member delegation of the Working Committee led by its convener Zhimomi.

Nagaland CM TR Zeliang said that the State Government is hopeful that the ‘vexed’ Naga ‘political issue’ would be resolved before the Assembly election due next year.

December 14

Police arrested a CPI-Maoist cadre in Khagaria District of Bihar. SP, Meenu Kumari said that the ‘area commander’ of the CPI-Maoist, Manoj Sada, active in Farakiya diara under Morkahi Police Station area in the District, was arrested from his hideout at Jhamakia Musahari by the Police. A pistol and some live cartridges were recovered from his possession. Manoj was involved in more than 24 unlawful activities under Morkahi, Alauli, Chautham and Mansi Police Stations of Khagaria District and also under Salkhua, Simri Bakhtiyarpur and Chiraiyya Police Stations of Saharsa District, the SP said.

Nine cadres of the CPI-ML-Janashakti-Chandra Pulla Reddy Bata faction were killed in an encounter with Police in the Mellamadugu forest area under Tekulapally Mandal in the Bhadradri Kothagudem District of Telangana. The deceased were identified as Etti Kumar alias Rakhi (35), Jakkati Praveen Kumar alias Azad (24), Nunavath Arjun alias Naveen (22), Boina Omprakash alias Ganesh (22), Easam Naresh alias Sudharshan (30), Turkuli Madhu (35), Gadudula Srinu (40), Bhattu Adinarayana (38) and Rachakonda Kiran alias Karthik. Police also recovered a SLR, three 8mm rifles, two guns, and some other materials. The dead body of Karthik, a native of Kambalapally village in Mahabubabad District, was recovered on December 16, along with one 8mm rifle and 50 rounds bullets from the encounter place. The Police received information that the battalion of the Chandra Pulla Reddy Bata faction was in the dense forest area of ​​the Tekulapally Mandal and had launched the operation on Wednesday (December 13) night, which ended in the morning of December 14 at around 6:30 am.

West Bengal security agencies have launched raids in four districts bordering Bangladesh to arrest more than 70 touts involved in making Indian passports from fake voter IDs and Aadhaar cards for alleged Bangladeshi criminals and terror operatives sneaking into India. According to sources, interrogation of four Bangladeshi nationals arrested recently at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (NSCBIA) at Kolkata revealed that over 70 touts in North 24 Parganas, Nadia, Murshidabad and Malda districts of West Bengal are involved in making passports for Bangladeshis with the help of fake Aadhaar and voter ID cards. Police sources revealed that most of the Bangladeshi applicants for Indian passports have criminal records at Bangladesh Police Stations and want to seek refuge in India to flee prosecution in their nation. The investigation has found that while many of these criminals have terror links, several others are on the radar of Islamic terror organisations who want to recruit them like LeT recruited petty criminal Ajmal Kasab for the 26/11 Mumbai attack. “The four Bangladeshis revealed that the touts lend their addresses in the fake documents and charged Rs 30,000 for making the passports. We have identified the 70 touts involved in this racket and have found their links with Bangladesh-based terror organisations such as JMB and HuJI. We have launched raids at several locations in the four districts. We hope to arrest the accused soon,” a senior Police Official told.

A militant of NDFB-IKS was killed in an encounter at west zone in Dumbazaar in Kokrajhar. The militant have been identified as ‘sergeant major’ Soheton Narzary. One AK 56, 219 rounds of ammunition, one detonator, one pistol and a hand grenade were recovered from the dead militant.

KMSSa peasants' rights body which has been leading a protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016, warned that the fresh move would trigger an Assam Agitation (1979-1985)-like situation if its demand for a rollback of the bill is not fulfilled.

SAJPPSP an organisation representing the family members of Assam Agitation martyrs, on December 14 threatened an agitation if the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 is passed in the Parliament.

A PREPAK militant was arrested by SFs from Dalpati area in Moreh town of Tengnoupal District.

Son in law of a Nokma (Garo village elder) who was abducted on December 10 was rescued b Police from Gare Newak road in South Garo Hills District.

Dead body of former NLFT militant was recovered from Tuikrama Lake in Sepahijala District. According to Police he was killed he was killed following a dispute over sharing of money from the sale of several sophisticated arms to a drug smuggling gang in Nagaland they had stolen from the 'armory' of ATTF.

December 15

One CPI-Maoist cadre was killed and three DRG personnel were injured in an encounter between SFs and Maoists at Gognuda-Mudopara forest under Phulbagdi Police Station in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. SDGP, anti-Naxal operations, DM Awasthi, said that as DRG team was approaching the Maoists, the rebels triggered a landmine blast and indefinitely opened fire at the operation team. He added, three personnel were injured in the IED blast and a Maoist cadre was killed in the encounter that ensued soon after the explosion.

A woman Maoist cadre was killed by STF of Chhattisgarh Police in an encounter at Jarampalli forest in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The killed Maoist cadre has been identified as Kosi Sodhi, an ‘area committee member’ of Pamed area committee of CPI-Maoist and believed to a close aide of 'wanted' Maoist ‘commander’ Papa Rao, who managed to escape. Sori's body was recovered by the SFs along with a rifle and Maoist literature. Papa Rao, who allegedly several deadly attacks on SFs including the 2010 Tadmetla massacre (Dantewada) that claimed the lives of 74 CRPF personnel, is active in south Bastar region and his name figured as mastermind in major incidents of Maoist violence in Dantewada region.

Two imposters of CPI-Maoist were arrested from Ghatshila sub division in East Singhbhum District of JharkhandThe arrested Maoist imposters were identified as Laxman Marandi (35) and Chetan Soren (32), both residents under Tirin Police Station area in Mayurbhanj District of Odisha. The Maoist imposters were trying to extort INR 2 million from the son of a senior JMM leader and former Minister Champai Soren at Ghatshila.

A CPI-Maoist cadre was killed in a joint raid conducted by Police and BSF personnel in Luchapani Bandhuguda reserve forest under Paparmetla Police limits in the Chitrakonda cut-off area in Malkangiri District of Odisha. On the basis of a tip-off that a group of Maoists were present in the area, a joint team of Police and BSF personnel had launched a combing operation on December 14 night, Malkangiri, SP, Jagmohan Meena said. After the encounter, during search, the body of the slain Maoist was recovered by the SFs along with a loaded SLR rifle and two magazines having 54 live rounds of 7.62 mm bullets. On further scouting the area, the SFs also recovered an IED planted by Maoists in the nearby forests, BSF, DIG, Intelligence, Jaya Chandra Nayak, said and added that the SFs defused the IED before returning to their camp in Badapada area. The slain Maoist was identified as Sudhakar alias Suka of Chhattisgarh who was working under range divisional committee member Rakesh Sodhi.

Telangana Police found the dead body of a former CPI-Maoist cadre, Komalla Sheshagiri Rao alias Gopanna (45), near the railway tracks in Unikicherla area of Warangal District of Telangana. The Police recovered a suicide note which quoted Rao as saying that some friends have deceived him in financial matters. Gopanna is from Velikatte village under Thorrur Mandal in Mahabubabad District, and had gone underground and worked in different capacities for CPI-Maoist before surrendering to Police in 2009.

Kura Rajanna, the leader of the CPI-ML-Janashakti-Chandra Pulla Reddy Bata, is now secretly making rare public appearances. The SIB and the Police of Bhadradri Kothagudem District have identified Rajanna as the leader of the newly-floated Naxal outfit, CPI-ML-Janashakti-Chandra Pulla Reddy Bata. According to the Police, Rajanna organised a plenary in Chevella Mandal in Ranga Reddy District in June this year with 60 Naxal sympathisers, mostly former CPI-ML-Janashakti cadres. After the meet, he started working on the new group. Police further said, around 20 Naxals of the group are on the prowl and eight of them died in exchange of fire in Bodu forest of Bhadradri Kothagudem on December 14. Bhadradri Kothagudem, SP, Ambar Kishore Jha, said, "Kura Rajanna is the man behind this new group. Rajanna was involved in 11 cases in Karimnagar and was acquitted in nine. There are more cases against him. The group acquired weapons like SLR and rifles from Madhya Pradesh. We will prepare a dossier and write to MHA seeking ban of this outlawed organization CPI (ML) too." Rajanna is believed to be the ‘state secretary’ of the group and is on the run.

French investigative agencies probing the Paris terror attack of 2015 have sought the NIA permission to question an IS operative, Subahani Haja Moideen arrested in Kerala on terrorism charges. A communication to this effect was sent after the French agencies had a joint training session with the NIA and other security agencies on terrorist funding at New Delhi in November, 2017. Subahani, who had been residing in Thodupuzha in Idukki District had allegedly fought for the IS at Mosul in Iraq and returned to India in 2015.

Authorities foiled separatist public rally at Anantnag town by imposing restrictions in Anantnag town and parts of Srinagar while senior resistance separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was detained by Police as he attempted to march towards Anantnag from his residence. To foil the rally, Police placed Syed Ali Shah Geelani under house arrest while Yasin Malik was lodged in Central Jail Srinagar.

An NSCN-IM militant identified as major’ Yangle Kongkang was arrested by SFs from Khonsa in Tirap District. A pistol, ammunition and INR 10, 200 of extortion money were recovered from him.

DGP Mukesh Sahay stated that ULFA-I down but not out. He stated that ‘I don’t have a fair idea about its current strength, but then, strength does not lie in numbers but in lethality. I can say, however, that something which was pervasive all over the state at one point of time is today confined to pockets bordering Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland’. DGP also added that ULFA rebels were using corridors in Nagaland and Arunachal to sneak in and out of Myanmar and create mischief in Assam. He further stated that Chinese weapons including grenades are available with ULFA-I militants.

Talks with ULFA-PTF may come to a conclusion by 2018. Giving this indication, senior Assam police official Pallab Bhattacharya said that the much hyped peace talk is moving towards the right direction. An eight-member delegation of ULFA-PTF led by Anup Chetia and Arabinda Rajkhowa held a meeting with senior officials from GoI and state Government. Naga peace accord was also discussed in the meeting.

Dibrugarh District committee of ATASU staged a three-hour sit-in. 15 in Pepoltol Tiniali Duliajan in Dibrugarh District, demanding Scheduled Tribe status for the Ahom community in Assam and opening of the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) by completing its construction as it has been lying in an abandoned condition at Kacharipathar in Duliajan.

December 11 killing of father son duo in Tinsukia District was sharply criticized by various social organizations of Sivasagar. The killing was criticized by Manab Adhikar Sangram Sammittee a regional nonprofit human right organization as well as another NGO identified as Indian Patriotic Federation (Socialist). 

BSF arrested six infiltrators at Panda in South Garo Hills. . BSF statement said that a Bangladeshi national and five Indians were apprehended by the troops after noticing suspicious movement. The arrested individuals revealed that two Bangladesh smugglers came to meet Indian smugglers for carrying out smuggling. 

ULFA-I militants abducted Arunav Phukan, son of an Assamese BJP leader from Tinsukia District. Militants have apparently asked for a ransom of INR 20 million and have also stated that the abducted person is currently in ULFA-I's Myanmar camp.

December 16

As India and Bangladesh celebrated the ‘Vijay Divas’ and ‘Victory Day’ respectively on December 16, the chief of JuD and founder of LeT Hafiz Saeed remarked a ‘fresh’ warning to ‘liberate’ Kashmir in a vengeance of Pakistan’s defeat and creation of Bangladesh in the India-Pakistan war in 1971. “We will avenge creation of Bangladesh by liberating Kashmir,” said Hafiz Saeed, mastermind of 26/11 Mumbai attacks, while addressing a gathering in Lahore (Pakistan).

A foreign militant of JeM, identified as Umar Bhai of Pakistan, was killed in a mine blast at Tral in Pulwama District. Police said on a tip-off, the SFs recovered body of the dead militant. The militant was killed when an IED, he was preparing exploded.

Two NDFB-S militants were killed in an encounter in a coal mine under Umrangso Police Station in Dima Hasao District. A .9 mm pistol was recovered from the encounter site. The Police also rescued the manager of a coal quarry, Mahendra Rai who was abducted by the militants on December 4 from an area under Muriap Police Outpost area of Meghalaya.

CPI-Maoist 'Politburo member', Kobad Ghandy, was reportedly re-arrested by the Jharkhand SIB Police from Achampet town in Nagarkurnool District of Telangana, where he had gone to attend court case. Ghandy, who had been released on bail from Visakhapatnam Central Prison in Andhra Pradesh on December 12, was arrested again with regard to cases pending trials in Jharkhand, sources informed. Jharkhand Police took the help of the Telangana SIB Police in making the arrest, while he was to be produced before Nampally Criminal Court, advocate K. Savitri said. However, citing paucity of time, the Jharkhand Police flew him to Ranchi without producing him at the court.

SFs exchanged fire with cadres of the JJMP, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, near Marabad village under Latehar Police limits in Latehar District of Jharkhand. JJMP cadres led by Pappu Lohra, managed to escape and the Police seized more than 200 rounds of live SLR ammunition, pithus and other belongings from the encounter site, said SP, Prashant Anand.

December 17

A group of CPI-Maoist cadres attacked a road construction camp and set ablaze at least 10 vehicles at Andrahal village under Bondaghati area in Malkangiri District of Odisha. At least 60-70 heavily armed Maoists barged into the camp located near Kharaput-Andrahal road construction site late in the night. After initial verbal abuse to the workers present at the camp the Maoists ransacked the camp and set afire 10 vehicles including two JCBs, five Tractors, one Roller, one Pick-Up van, and one mixer machine kept their. Later on the Maoists left the camp issuing warning to the construction company to immediately stop the road construction work.

Two Maoists working in Sundargarh-Deogarh-Sambalpur (SDS) Division of the CPI-Maoist and active in Satkosia sanctuary area surrendered before the Angul, SP, Brijesh Kumar Rai, at his office in the city in Angul District of Odisha. The surrendered Maoists carrying cash award of INR 200,000 on each of their heads, are identified as Sukuram Purty (18) and Khusbu Jarai (17) of West Singhbhum District in Jharkhand. Informing on the surrender Angul SP, said the rebel duo were working under SDS Division head Anmol and were active in the areas like Khandapa, Purunakote and Thakurgarh of the District.

The NIA has registered a case against five men from Kannur in Kerala for allegedly being members of the IS. The men had gone missing from Kannur between 2015 and 2017 and are suspected to be in Syria. In October 2017, Kerala Police had booked the five — Midhilaj (26), Abdul Rasak (34), M V Rashid (24), Manaf Rahman (42) and U K Hamsa (57). The central probe agency said it has taken over the case from the Kerala Police. The NIA case against the five was registered under the UAPA for “being members of the proscribed terrorist organisation, ISIS/Daesh, and for supporting the organisation by travelling out of India to join the terrorist organisation in Syria and fight on its behalf”. Some of the accused, NIA sources said, had been activists of PFI. According to them, one of the suspects used fake passport to move out of India while one of them is suspected to have died fighting. Abdul Manaf Rahman, from Valapattanam in Kannur, allegedly went to Syria on a fake passport. Manaf allegedly had close links with Valluva Kandy Shajahan, who was arrested by Delhi Police in July after his deportation from Turkey. U K Hamsa is suspected to be behind prompting the youths from Kannur to move to Syria. Hamsa, who lived in Bahrain for two decades, had close links with IS ideologue Abu Thurki, according to Police.

Acting upon the Indian intelligence inputs, the security agencies in Delhi have elevated the security alert to contain a likely terrorist attack on the US and Israel nationals living in Delhi. The alert advises the local police to review the security measures and provide additional security around the US and Israel embassies, synagogues (a Jewish house of prayer) that is visited by large number of nationals of both countries—the US and Israel. “In the backdrop of the threat from radicalised elements, besides threats from Pakistan-based terrorist outfits like LeT and JeM, terrorists may take advantage of this development to perpetrate acts of terrorism against US and Israeli interests in India,” said an official communication.

The NIA will soon file charges against seven J&K separatists and a businessman — who are suspected to receive huge money over the years from LeT, HuM and their mentor agency, Pakistan’s ISI. Reportedly, the pro-Pakistani separatists in India had used the money that they have received to finance local militants engaged in combat with Indian SFs, spearheading the stone pelting and recruiting youngsters from Kashmir for anti-Indian activities, said NIA sources. "The investigation is almost finished. We will approach the UMHA very soon seeking prosecution sanction and then a Chargesheet will be filed in January 2018. Four officers from the UMF worked round-the-clock for this case," said an NIA officer requesting anonymity.  

SSP, Kupwara, and around a dozen protesters were injured in clashes that broke out in Kupwara District, after a driver was killed in an Army ambush in Kupwara District in the night of December 16. SSP, Kupwara, Shamsheer Hussain, said that the killing of the Sumo driver was a case of “mistaken identity”. He said that locals said that he was killed when he was coming out of his house but Army said he was killed in an ambush laid against the militants in the village. Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Khalid Jahangir, has ordered time bound probe into the killing of the driver. Army’s Srinagar based Defence spokesman said: “Based on information of presence of militants in Thandipora village, army placed ambushes to maintain surveillance over the area on night 16/17 December. At around 2255 hours, ambush party observed suspicious movement of three persons near Nallah in Thandipora village. The individuals were challenged by troops. However, they did not respond. Thereafter, militants opened fire towards Army ambush party which was retaliated. In the crossfire, one person, later identified as Asif Iqbal Bhat, son of Mohammad Iqbal Bhat, resident of Thandipora was killed due to gunshot wound. It is learnt that he was a sumo taxi driver. Investigations are in progress”, the spokesman said.

Two NDFB-S militants arrested from Sisubari forest inside Manas National Park in Chirag District. One rifle, a magazine and grenade were recovered from the arrested militants. The police said the duo were trained in the NDFB's camp in Taka in Myanmar and sent to Chirang recently.

Recent arrest of 10 NDFB militants has revealed that group of ‘mentors’ sent from the outfit's Myanmar camps is carrying out a ‘fresh recruitment drive’ in Assam.

Sources said the recruitment drive was launched to bridge the loss the outfit suffered because of the killing and arrest of several of its cadres since an operation was launched in December 2014. The group is targeting school dropouts and unemployed youths in Sonitpur, Biswanath, Udalguri, Baksa and Kokrajhar Districts.

Kuki militant groups which are currently under SoO pact with GoI and the State Government said that situation would be very ugly if any solution to the protracted political dialogue between GoI and NSCN-IM infringes upon the interest of Kukis. They added that Kukis are also determined to fight back in case any solution reached between New Delhi and NSCN-IM takes care of Naga interest only Nagas while ignoring the interests of all other communities including the Kukis, Meiteis, and Meitei Pangals.

The training camps and hideouts of Indian insurgent groups in Bangladesh have been reduced to "almost zero". "Whenever we have information about (infiltration by) insurgents from the north-eastern states into Bangladesh, we share the information and immediate raids are undertaken (by Border Guard Bangladesh)," BSF Director-General K.K. Sharma said. "As a result, the number of training places and hideouts of these insurgents has been reduced to almost zero. I congratulate our counterparts."

If some Indian militant camps still exist in Bangladesh, they are of a floating nature, Sharma said, indicating that all permanent camps have been destroyed. The two border forces have since 2015 been conducting simultaneous and coordinated patrols of the frontier to check crime and insurgency. "The numbers of these (militants) used to be 150-200 every time a list was handed over. That situation has now changed and the (insurgents) are now on the run, without being able to stay put at a place on the other side for long," the officer said.

SFs arrested an arms dealer in Tuli area Mokokchung District.  A Chinese grenade, 40 cases of illicit liquor and INR 120,000 were recovered from him.

AR recovered a .22 pistol with magazine and 2 rounds of ammunition from Tankong in Mon District.

According to an official, more than 1,000 Naga rebels have been arrested since June 2015 Manipur ambush. As many as 531 underground cadres of NSCN-K and 542 OGW were arrested in Manipur and Nagaland following intensive operations. During the last two years, the security forces also killed 34 NSCN-K militants and recovered 571 sophisticated arms from the arrestees. 37 NSCN-IM militants, 26 NSCN-KN militants and four NSNC-R militants were also arrested during this period.

Six IEDs were recovered from residence of a state Government employee at Baikhora area in South Tripura District.

Jharkhand Police arrested two cadres of PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, identified as Mata Bahanda and Ilisiya Hassa Purty during a search operation in Murhu Police Station area of Khunti District of Jharkhand. Police recovered three double-barrel guns, a country-made pistol, cartridges, a walkie-talkie, PLFI pamphlets and letter heads, combat uniforms, backpacks, blankets, mats and other items of daily use, said SP, Ashwini Kumar Sinha.

IED recovered from a spot near Konthoujam and Lainam village in Imphal West District.

Manipur Police launched cordon and search operation at Tangnuam in Kangpokpi District and recovered four single barrel firearms, reports The Sangai Express. The cordon and search operation was carried out after a confrontation took place between two villages on December 16 during which one person suffered bullet injury.

December 17-18

Police on December 18 busted a militant hideout at Chandergair village of Hajin in Bandipora District. A search operation was launched by the SFs at around 10:30 pm in the night of December 17. The operation was launched on the disclosure of a youth, Rayees Ahmad Baba, a resident of Bon-Mohalla Asham, who was arrested from Shopian by a SIT of Police. During the search operation, SFs recovered arms and ammunition from the cowshed of one Abdul Rehman Parrey, son of Muhammad Anwar Parrey, a resident of Chandergeer Hajin.

December 18

The Calcutta High Court rejected the bail plea of Musa alias Mohammad Mosiuddin-an IS operative, who planned to attack 'Mother House' in Kolkata and other locations in West Bengal. Opposing the bail plea, the NIA's counsel Sanjay Bardhan submitted the charges before the division bench, with a request that charges against Musa are of serious nature as he had attacked the jail warden of Alipore Central Correctional Home on December 4, 2017. Musa allegedly planned to attack the 'Mother House' and the headquarters of 'Missionaries of Charity' in Kolkata, said Bardhan. Musa was arrested in July 2016, along with firearms and sharp-edged weapons, by the West Bengal's CID squad while he was travelling to Birbhum district in West Bengal. Later, the investigation was taken-over by the NIA, which filed a chargesheet in December 2016, against Musa. Musa filed a bail application before the NIA's special court in May 2017 but it was rejected in the following month.

SFs launched a cordon and search-operation in several villages of Shopian District. The searches were launched in Chatripora, Vehil, Nowgam, Panduchan, Kapran, Rey Kapran, Dangam and Wangam villages. The operation was launched after inputs about the presence of militants in the area. However, the militants were not traced and search operation was called off.

Two CPI-Maoist cadres identified as Gemmali Kishore aka Chittibabu aka Balarevula Kishore (22) and Sindri Shobhan (37), natives of Koyyuru area in Vizag Agency, have surrendered before the Police in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. Kishore is the former gunman of CPI-Maoist Ramachandra Reddy aka Chalapathi for eight months, and participated in the plenary of the CPI-Maoist as an active member from 2012 to 2015 of CPI-Maoist in Abujhmaad region of Chhattisgarh. Sobhan was also a member of Annavaram Dalam from 2013 to 2017. Kishore, an 'Area Committee Member (ACM)' rank of CPI-Maoist in Galikonda Area Committee, carried a reward of INR 4,00,000 on his head, was involved in over eleven offences including killing of three BSF personnel in Palagarevu area near the Odisha Border in 2014 and exchange of fire in 2015. Shobhan was involved in over five offences in the past few years and carried a reward of INR 100,000 announced by the Government, said Rahuldev Sharma, SP, Visakhapatnam.

Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres abducted and hacked to death two security guards of a private construction company in Jamui District of Bihar. Police said the bodies of the two guards, with their throats slit, were recovered from Dudhania village of the District, 166 kilometres southeast of Patna. According to reports, two dozen Maoists surrounded the construction company site at Jainsthan Kundghat of Sikandra village in the District and abducted the two guards at gunpoint. Police sources said the construction firm, engaged by the water resources department for its INR 5586.52-lakh irrigation project, could have been targeted for not paying the 'levy' demanded by Maoists. The victims had been identified as Siddhram Koda and Ganguli Koda, both residents of Dhawatand in Mathurapur Panchayat of the District, Jamui SP, Jayant Kant said. They were deputed as security guards at the site of the firm engaged in the construction of a dam over Bahuar River under Kundghat reservoir scheme, the SP added.

Two CPI-Maoist cadres identified as Madkam Hidma (22) and Madkam Deva (21) were arrested by a joint team of CRPF and DF, near Sameli village under Aranpur Police Station limits in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The patrolling team spotted some suspects hiding in the forests near Sameli following which they started encircling them. While some of them managed to escape, Hidma and Deva, active as 'Jan militia' members, were arrested, the Police said. The two, during interrogation, revealed that they had planted a pipe bomb on the side of the road and were waiting for the SFs to target them; the official said adding "a major tragedy was averted with their arrest." According to the arrested Maoists, local Maoist commander Somdu and his associates Linga and Gundadhur were also present there but their managed to flee inside forest when forces arrived there, he added. One claymore mine, two pipe bombs, one bundle wire and three kilograms of iron splinter were also recovered from their possession, the Police added.

Tribal youth identified as Muya Kawasi (22) was killed by CPI-Maoist cadres by slitting his throat at Mahupadar village under Maithili Police Station area in Malkangiri District of Odisha. CPI-Maoist cadres had abducted Kawasi from Jandhraguda village of Temurupalli Panchayat on December 16, suspecting him to be a 'Police informer'. The body of Kawasi was found on the main road of Galiaguda village under Mahupadar Panchayat within Maithili Police limits. The handwritten posters of CPI-Maoist cadres recovered near Kawasi's body claimed responsibility for the killing and stated that Kawasi had been passing information to Police about the movements of CPI-Maoist from 2015 to 2017.The BSF and the Police have started combing operation in the area, said SP, Jagmohan Meena.

December 18-19 Two unidentified militants were killed in an overnight encounter with SFs in Shopian District, the Army said on December 19. SFs launched a cordon and search operation in Wanipora area of Shopian in the evening of December 18 following information about presence of militants in the area, an unnamed Army official said. He said the search operation turned into an encounter as militants opened firing towards the SFs. "Two militants have been killed so far and the operation is still in progress", he further said. A woman, identified as Rubby Jan alias Beauty (24), wife of one Manzoor Ahmad Mir, was killed in cross-fire during the overnight (December 18-19) encounter at Bata Murran village in the Wanipora area of Shopian District. As reported earlier (SATP), two militants were killed in that encounter at Bata Murran village. "Two JeM militants were killed in the encounter and have been identified as Tanveer Ahmad from Bata Murran Shopian and Ali alias Qari, a foreign militant. Two AK rifles and other allied ammunition were recovered from the encounter site," an unnamed Police spokesman said. A soldier and a Policeman were also injured during the encounter. Subsequent to the encounter, clashes broke out near the encounter site. SFs fired tear smoke and fired some aerial shots to disperse them, resulting in the injuries to more than 40 persons, including Rubby Jan, 24. Rubby Jan later succumbed to injuries.
December 19

The US has expressed its grave concern over JuD 'chief' and LeT founder Hafiz Saeed's confirmation of his candidature in General Elections in Pakistan scheduled to be held in 2018. Saeed, Earlier, Hafiz Saeed had confirmed that his organization- JuD will contest the 2018 general elections in Pakistan under the banner of the Milli Muslim League (MML), which is yet to be registered with the Election Commission.

India and the US concluded their 'first dialogue' meets over designations of terrorists and terror groups through domestic and international mechanisms. The 'India-US designations dialogue' reflected the shared commitments of both sides to strengthen the cooperation level to tackle the terrorist threat. In June 2017, a joint statement issued post-meeting of Indian PM Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump stated that both nations are committed to strengthen cooperation against terrorist threats from groups including AQ, IS, JeM, LeT, D-Company and their manifestations. The US will hold the 'second-round' of this dialogue in 2018.

The CIA-1 staff of Kaithal District (Haryana) Police arrested three members of a reported gang of cheats who used FICN to trick people. The Police recovered 80 packets of paper, which had original INR 500 notes on top and blank papers below resembling bundles of INR 500. The accused wanted INR 20,00,000 of original currency in lieu INR 40,00,000 of fake currency notes.

A youth from Kannur in Kannur District of Kerala, who is allegedly an activist of the PFI and now working in a Gulf country, is under the Police scanner for his suspected links with the IS operatives from Kerala. DSP of Kannur P.P. Sadanandan, who is probing the IS-related cases, said investigation was under way into the suspected links of K.O.P. Thasleem, PFI activist from Pappinissery (Kannur District), with two youths who had gone to Syria or tried to reach there to join the IS. He said the youths were provided financial assistance by Thasleem, who had also collected funds from various sources in the Gulf. The Police had registered a case against him. The DSP said the Police had already collected evidence that established the money trail linked to the recruitment of youths to the IS in Syria.

Militants in the evening hurled a grenade towards DPL Pulwama (Pulwama District). The grenade missed the intended target and exploded on the road. Police also fired in air and launched searches around the DPL. However, no one was arrested.

The UMHA said there has been considerable improvement in security situation in J&K and maintained that in view of "encouraging response'' to Centre Government's Special Representative on J&K, Dineshwar Sharma, the Government was expecting that all stakeholders in the State, who believe in peace would support the Government initiative and join the dialogue process. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Hansraj Ahir told the Lok Sabha that there were 341 terror incidents in J&K between November 1, 2016, to October 31, 2017 in comparison to 311 such incidents in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Terror-related incidents in the State till December 10 2017 were also the highest at 335 as compared to 322 in calendar year 2016, 208 in 2015 and 222 in 2014, he added. He said that 203 terrorists were killed in J&K in 2017 till December 10, as compared to 150 in calendar year 2016, 108 in 2015 and 110 in 2014. Talking about the number of civilians killed in terror- related violence in the State, he said while 37 of them were killed till December 10 2017, 15 were killed in calendar year 2016, 17 in 2015 and 28 in 2014. According to the data provided by the Minister, while 75 SF personnel were killed in J&K till December 10 2017, 82 were killed in calendar year 2016, 39 in 2015 and 47 in 2014.

In response to another question, Ahir said Pakistan violated the ceasefire a total of 881 times along the LoC and the IB in J&K this year, killing 30 people. "Pakistan violated the ceasefire along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir 771 times till December 10, and 110 times along the IB till November-end,'' he added. In these incidents of firing from across the border, 30 people - 14 Army personnel, 12 civilians and four BSF personnel - were killed. No cross-border firing has been reported in other States except Jammu and Kashmir along the border with Pakistan, he said. In 2016, there were 449 incidents of ceasefire violations in which 13 civilians and 13 SF personnel were killed and 83 civilians and 99 SF personnel were injured.

A group of CPI-Maoist cadres attacked the Masudan Railway Station in Monghyr District of Bihar and set ablaze the station property. Reports also said that Maoists abducted the Assistant Station master and one other railway staff from the incident site. However, no casualties were reported. DRM, Malda, West Bengal, received a call from the abducted Assistant Station master, saying that the Maoists have threatened to kill the two abducted persons if trains continue plying on the Masudan track. CPRO, Eastern Railway, Rajesh Kumar said, "Eastern Railway detains 3 trains in Kiul-Jamalpur-Bhagalpur section of Malda Division in the light of Naxal attack at Masudan Railway Station, services have once again been stopped at Kiul point". The CPI-Maoist had called for a bandh from December 18 to 20 to protest against 'Operation Green Hunt' which is continuing in Bihar and Jharkhand against Maoists.

A joint team of Paramilitary forces and the Jharkhand Police destroyed several CPI-Maoist hideouts at remote locations on Bihar-Jharkhand border and recovered huge cache of landmines, during a special anti-insurgency drive. The SFs raided CPI-Maoist hideouts at Banke Bazar and Amas Police Station areas in Gaya District of Bihar, following leads obtained from a senior CPI-Maoist leader arrested recently (Date not specified). The offensive started on December 14 and ended on December 19. The SFs have recovered 27 landmines planted in steel cans from a CPI-Maoist dump from the bordering areas of Jharkhand and Bihar, said Indrajit Mahatha, SP, Palamu. The Police also seized other items, including raw material for fabricating land mines, personal belongings of the Maoists and uniforms during the operation, added Mahatha.

Jharkhand Police sealed property worth over INR 10 million owned by Dinesh Gope, chief of PLFI in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. "We have sealed an independent house located in Idalhatu and an apartment at Hehal today in Ranchi. Besides, a Santro and a Scorpio were also seized," said Khunti SP, Ashwini Kumar Sinha. The sealed property, he said, was worth over INR.10 million. The flat in Hehal was registered in the name of one Phooleshwar Nag, while the Idalhatu house was owned by one Dinesh Kumar Nag, Police said. "Gope's money, earned through levy and extortion, was used in construction of the two properties," said Sinha. Phooleshwar and Dinesh, he said, were a part of Gope's extended family. Gope's family members and relatives often stayed at the two accommodations here, Sinha said.

Seven hour railway blockade by tribals under ANC demanding their six-point charter of demands disrupted train services as parts of Northeast remained cut off for at least five hours. The supporters of ANC blocked trains at Kokrajhar, Mazbat (in Udalguri District), Rangapara (in Sonitpur District) and Lakhipathar (in Tinsukia).

The demands of the ANC are inclusion of all Adivasi groups or sub clans into the ST, providing land and land ownership documents to the tea tribe community of Assam, solution of problems of Adivasi armed groups currently under ceasefire through discussion in the political level, rehabilitation and land allotment to the tribals who were displaced due to eviction and clashes in Assam, renaming of tea tribe and ex-tea tribes as 'Adivasis' of Assam and to stop divisive politics over considering tea tribes as separate community. The protesters also demanded proper rehabilitation of more than 1,200 cadres of Adivasi militant groups who laid down their arms in 2012 and agreed for leave talks.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh during a meeting with Assamese MP's stated that boundary of Assam will not be compromised for 'Nagalim'.

A remote controlled IED exploded near the residential gate of Imphal Post Office Postal Assistant, located in Kaikhu Muslim Makha Leikai in Imphal East District. Earlier in October an IED was found at the residence of the post office Assistant.

Meghalaya DGP stated although India-friendly regime has cracked down on north east militant groups based there, the top militant leaders from Meghalaya are still managing to remain holed up in Bangladesh.

Those confirmed hiding in Bangladesh include HNLC commander-in chief' Bobby Reagan Marwein and 'general secretary' Cheritserfield Thangkhiew. The HNLC leaders along with another old functionary identified by his alias Hep Metal, is in Maulvi Bazaar, Bangladesh. The DGP also added that Dristi Rajkhowa of ULFA-I and Sohan D Shira of GNLA have re-entered Meghalaya to avoid the Bangladeshi crackdown. DGP further added that wanted militant leaders are shuffling between the inhospitable terrains of West Khasi Hills and South Garo Hills District of Meghalaya.

He also stated that HNLC was a spent force while ULFA-I and GNLA still pose some threat. He stated that 'while the HNLC is more of a paper tiger but the depleted GNLA is still a matter of concern.

SSB Director General stated that 'We are raising a battalion at Yuksum in Sikkim, which will be deployed on the border. More BOPs are coming up on the eastern Sikkim border. He also added that SSB plan for entire Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan border. At present there are 635 BOPs.

AR in a search operation at Erali village in Dimapur District recovered one AK 56 rifle with a magazine from a house.

December 20

Without naming China, India's permanent representative to the UNSC Syed Akbaruddin told that it protects JeM 'chief' Masood Azhar for its 'narrow political' concerns and blocks India's move from sanctioning him as an international terrorist. Notably, in November 2017, China blocked a 'move' by the UK, France and the US to enlist the mastermind of the attack on Pathankot Air Force base- Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by using its Veto power.

India and Kyrgyzstan discussed issues of mutual interest, including the common concerns over terrorism, extremism and drug-trafficking. "They discussed issues of mutual interest, including common concerns on terrorism, extremism and drug-trafficking," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted. Secretary West in the Ministry Ruchi Ghanshyam led the Indian delegation while Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyz Republic Nurlan Abdrahmanov headed his team during the meeting.

The US has expressed its grave concern over JuD 'chief' and LeT's founder Hafiz Saeed's confirmation of his candidature in General Elections in Pakistan scheduled to be held in 2018. Saeed, Earlier, Hafiz Saeed had confirmed that his organization - JuD- will contest the 2018 general elections in Pakistan under the banner of the MML, which is yet to be registered with the EC.

Without naming China, India's permanent representative to the UNSC Syed Akbaruddin told that it protects JeM 'chief' Masood Azhar for its 'narrow political' concerns and blocks India's move from sanctioning him as an international terrorist. Notably, in November 2017, China blocked a 'move' by the UK, France and the US to enlist the mastermind of the attack on Pathankot Air Force base- Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by using its Veto power.

Cadres of the CPI-Maoist killed Virendra Koda (32), Up-Mukhiya of Sangrampur, at Kacchawa village in Lakhisarai District of Bihar. Koda who was earlier associated with CPI-Maoist, was dragged out of his house and killed.

CPI-Maoist cadres have set ablaze one saw mill under Dumariya Police Station area in Gaya District of Bihar. The mill was set ablaze after the refusal by its owner to pay 'levy' to the Maoists. A hand written note of CPI-Maoist cadres threatening more damage in case their demand was not met was recovered, said Garima Malik, SSP, Gaya District.

CPI-Maoist cadres freed two abducted railway staffs, Mahesh Kumar, Assistant Station Manager, and the porter, Narendra Mandal, near Dharhara forest area in Monghyr District of Bihar. They were abducted from Masudan Railway Station in Monghyr District on December 19, by CPI-Maoist cadres.

CPI-Maoist cadres blasted and set ablaze a mobile tower of a private company at Mirzadih village of Giridih District of Jharkhand.

The SFs seized five IED's - each weighing 10 kilograms - suspected to be planted by the Maoists, from a forest in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand.

Police recovered CPI-Maoist posters at several areas under Madhubani Police Station area in Burha Pahar hills of Latehar District of Jharkhand, criticizing the Police operations.

The Maoists had called for 24 hour Bandh in Jharkhand and Bihar. Shops were closed in Khunti, Latehar, Simdega and other Districts of Jharkhand. The Bandh called by CPI-Maoist paralyzed passenger bus services between Ranchi, Gumla and Simdega Districts. Coal transportation was affected in Ramgarh District, said Ranchi, SP, rural, Ajit Peter Dungdung.

CPI-Maoist cadres killed a villager, identified as Chhannulal Tekam, suspecting him to be a 'Police Informer' at Dabri village under Lanji area in Balaghat District of Madhya Pradesh. There was an attempt to kill him by CPI-Maoist cadres in 2016 also, but in vein. CPI-Maoist cadres are 'surveying and recruiting' in the region, the report said. Balaghat, Rajnandgaon, Gondia and Gadchiroli come under a division of Maharashtra State Committee (MSC) of CPI-Maoist. The new Gadchiroli-Rajnandgaon-Balaghat (GRB) division is headed by Surendra, Dama and Santosh, said IG, Balaghat range, G Janardhan.

CPI-Maoist cadres killed a tribal villager, identified as Sadhu Khemudu, by slitting his throat, at Pipalapadar village of Nakamamudi Panchayat within Chitrakonda Police limits of Malkangiri District of Odisha. Maoists barged into house of Khemudu, suspecting him as a 'Police Informer', and took him to nearby forest for a trial before the 'Praja Court'. The body of Khemudu was recovered in the village outskirts.

CPI-Maoist cadres raided a camp of a construction company at Nilapadri village in Malkangiri District of Odisha and set ablaze one JCV machine and three tractors protesting road construction.

Police recovered posters of 'Kalimela Anchalika Committee (KAC)' of CPI-Maoist at MPV-35 and MV-70 villages of Kalimela in Malkangiri District of Odisha.

AR arrested three NSCN-U militants identified as 'private' Jaichok, 'lance corporal' Panyam Wangjen and Wangpan Wangsa. They also admitted that they were involved in extortion activities for last six months.

An NSCN-K militant identified as Kammo Kanglom was arrested by AR from Khonsa in Tirap District. A pistol, live ammunition, opium and extortion note were recovered from his possession.

SSB Director General stated that 'We are raising a battalion at Yuksum in Sikkim, which will be deployed on the border. More BOPs are coming up on the eastern Sikkim border, reports Indian Express. He also added that SSB plan for entire Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan border. At present there are 635 BOPs.

ADGP stated that intelligence inputs suggest that the ULFA-I is planning to step up extortion drive as their camps in Myanmar are facing a financial crisis. ULFA-I militants target tea gardens for extortion in Tinsukia district in Upper Assam, bordering Arunachal Pradesh which is used as a transit route to their camps in Myanmar.

AJYCP staged protest in all district and sub-divisional headquarters in Assam protesting against the government move to get the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Bill.

One individual arrested for extorting from a business man at Bamunimaidan area of Guwahati in Kamrup (metro) District. T he arrested individual was extorting in the name of a newly formed militant outfit, Lion Liberation Front of Assam. However, Police added that the existence of the outfit was not yet confirmed and interrogation of the accused was ongoing.

SSB Director General stated that 'We are raising a battalion at Yuksum in Sikkim, which will be deployed on the border. More BOPs are coming up on the eastern Sikkim border. He also added that SSB plan for entire Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan border. At present there are 635 BOPs.

In view of latest incidents of militant activity by ULFA-I i n Tinsukia, several ethnic organizations of Moran community convened an emergency meeting. n a statement issued to the press, the Moran ethnic bodies expressed their concern at the victimization of people belonging to Moran community in recent times. The ethnic organizations also demanded that the militants stop the killing, extortion and abduction of Moran ethnic group.

A non-local was shot and critically wounded by unidentified assailants near Nityainanda temple in RIMS road in Imphal West District.

A fire fight occurred between AR and militants of NSCN-IM near Siblilong village in Noney. Two militants were reportedly wounded in the encounter.

SSB Director General stated that 'We are raising a battalion at Yuksum in Sikkim, which will be deployed on the border. More BOPs are coming up on the eastern Sikkim border. He also added that SSB plan for entire Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan border. At present there are 635 BOPs.

SSB Director General stated that 'We are raising a battalion at Yuksum in Sikkim, which will be deployed on the border. More BOPs are coming up on the eastern Sikkim border. He also added that SSB plan for entire Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan border. At present there are 635 BOPs.

SSB Director General stated that 'We are raising a battalion at Yuksum in Sikkim, which will be deployed on the border. More BOPs are coming up on the eastern Sikkim border. He also added that SSB plan for entire Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan border. At present there are 635 BOPs.

SSB Director General stated that 'We are raising a battalion at Yuksum in Sikkim, which will be deployed on the border. More BOPs are coming up on the eastern Sikkim border. He also added that SSB plan for entire Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan border. At present there are 635 BOPs.

The cadres of the CPI-Maoist exchanged of fire with SFs at Gompad forest under Kanta Police Station in Sukma District of ChhattisgarhAccording to the report, the Maoists fled after the Police retaliation. SFs witnessed blood stains of CPI-Maoist cadres and claimed injuries for two cadres of CPI-Maoist.

The posters of Adivasi Ekata Manch (AEM) have appeared in Kalimela and Bondaghati areas appealing to local residents to come forward for a mass movement against the Naxal in Malkangiri District of Odisha. The posters condemned Naxal activities which are against the interest of Bondaghati tribals and stated that CPI-Maoist cadres are killing innocent tribals wrongly accusing them of being ‘Police Informers’ and setting vehicles on fire and equipment engaged in road construction projects, said SP, Jagmohan Meena.

CPI-Maoist posters were recovered by the Police at Tikarpara in the Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary in Angul District of Odisha. The CPI-Maoist posters in Odia and Hindi opposed shifting of Raigoda village to new location at Nuakheta and implementation of the tiger project. They asked the local people to launch movements against the elephant killings. More than 50 CPI-Maoist posters meant for the local population, containing advisories and warning to the people and the government on various issues were recovered. Police have intensified combing operation and community policing activities have also been taken up, said Angul, SP, Brijesh Ray.

December 21

Expressing its concern over the collapse of security situation in Afghanistan, India has told the UNSC that all 'safe-havens' and support to terror groups must end. "The support for terrorist organisations like the Taliban, the Haqqani Network, Daesh or ISIS, AQ and its designated affiliates such as LeT and JeM from outside Afghanistan, must be forced to stop. The UNSC shares an essential responsibility in this regard in our collective interest," said Deputy Permanent-Representative of India to the UN Tanmaya Lal during an open debate of the UNSC on Afghanistan.

The UMHA informed the Parliament that the NIA along with other State agencies has arrested 103 people associated-cadres or sympathisers with IS and maximum arrests were from the state of Uttar Pradesh (UP), followed by Maharashtra. According to the data put-forth, the NIA and State Security Agencies, shows the IS arrest counts state-wise: Uttar Pradesh-17, Maharashtra-16, Telengana-16, Kerala-14, Karnataka-08, Madhya Pradesh-06, Tamil Nadu-05, West Bengal-05, Uttrakhand-04, Rajasthan-04, Gujarat-04, Bihar-02, Delhi-01, J&K-01.

The UMHA informed the Parliament that the NIA along with other State agencies has arrested 103 people associated-cadres or sympathisers with IS and maximum arrests were from the state of Uttar Pradesh (UP), followed by Maharashtra. According to the data put-forth, the NIA and State Security Agencies, shows the IS arrest counts state-wise: Uttar Pradesh-17, Maharashtra-16, Telengana-16, Kerala-14, Karnataka-08, Madhya Pradesh-06, Tamil Nadu-05, West Bengal-05, Uttrakhand-04, Rajasthan-04, Gujarat-04, Bihar-02, Delhi-01, J&K-01.

"We, of course, like any good neighbour, desire good relations with countries who are next to us… in fact, all neighbours. It is important for Pakistan to understand the core concerns of terrorism. We have time and again emphasized on it. We have time and again asked them to take action against terrorists and terrorist groups which are operating from their soil," said MEA's spokesperson Raveesh Kumar. "This is something they (Pakistan) will have to handle if they are serious in cultivating this friendship," Kumar added.

The MEA spokesperson, however, dismissed Bajwa's support to JuD 'chief' Hafiz Saeed. On December 20, Bajwa had said that Saeed can speak about the Kashmir issue like any other Pakistani citizen. Kumar stated that Saeed's reality was not hidden from anyone; he wasn't just an international terrorist, he was also the mastermind of the Mumbai (26/11) terror attack.

Pakistan army violated CFA on the LoC in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District using mortar shells and semi-automatic weapons. According to report, Pakistan army opened firing and then lobbed few mortar shells in forward villages of Kulhadi and Numb in Janghar area of Nowshera sector along the LoC in Rajouri District at 5.40 pm. The Indian side retaliated effectively to silence the Pakistani guns. Exchanges lasted about an hour but there were no casualties or damages on the Indian side in Pakistan shelling and firing. Losses, if any, on the other side, couldn't be ascertained, report said.

SFs cordoned off Hajin area of Bandipora District and conducted searches as they suspected the presence of at least three militants hiding there. RR and SOG of Police cordoned off Banger Mohalla and Wahab-Parray Mohalla of Hanjin village in the evening after inputs about presence of militants inside the village. However, there was no exchange of gunfire.

Police arrested a youth from Pulwama District for allegedly posting a photograph on social media with a caption that a boy from Budgam District has joined the militant ranks. SSP Budgam Teijinder Sighh said that recently a photograph of a boy Shahnawaz Rashid Wani (15) was in circulation on different Whatsapp groups for having reportedly 'joined' the militant ranks of HM. He said that the parents of the boy lodged a complaint at police station Beerwah and accordingly a vide FIR No 178/2017 U/S 505 RPC, 67 IT Act was registered against the 'mischief monger.' "A team from police station Beerwah was constituted to ascertain the facts. During the course of investigation, it came to surface that the boy is a student of 9th class at government high school Chewdara and is busy with his studies and has not joined any banned outfit," Singh said.

Police withdrew cases of stone pelting against 146 youth in South Kashmir's Pulwama District. A Police spokesperson said they have withdrawn cases against 146 youth, who were named in 21 cases of stone pelting. DIG - South Kashmir, SP Pani while making the announcement said that the youth granted amnesty would not be called to Police stations. "146 youth, who were named in 21 cases, were granted amnesty today. These youth will not face any issues in getting passport or other services. They don't need to follow their cases anymore," he said while addressing scores of such youth and their families at Police Lines Pulwama.

PM Narendra Modi said that there will be no compromise on terrorism and separatism in Jammu and Kashmir but at the same time the dialogue process initiated through Special Representative Dineshwar Sharma would go on for restoration of peace in the troubled Valley.

UHM Rajnath Singh cleared the recruitment of 10,000 posts of SPOs in Jammu and Kashmir, which he had blocked after complaints from the State BJP leadership and some other quarters about ''regional bias'' in the recruitment.

These and some other significant announcements on Jammu and Kashmir were conveyed by the PM and the UHM during separate meetings with Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh in New Delhi in the morning. Modi and Rajnath while reviewing security and political situation in Jammu and Kashmir, directed that the State should encourage stakeholders in the State to join dialogue process initiated by the Centre Government through its Special Representative Dineshwar Sharma. They indicated that more CBMs could be taken by the Centre to boost dialogue process in the State. Rajnath Singh lifted the ban imposed on 10,000 vacancies of SPOs sanctioned by the Union Home Ministry for recruitment in Jammu and Kashmir for "operational purposes'' to "counter terrorism''.

One CPI-Maoist cadre was killed in an encounter with the SFs in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The SFs had launched an operation in Bhejji Police Station area in the District, where an exchange of fire took place in Dabbakonta village forest. The body of CPI-Maoist cadre indentified as Madvi Bandi, a member of the Konta Local Guerrilla Squad (KLGS) in uniform with a bore gun and some other material was recovered from the encounter spot.

DRG team killed a CPI-Maoist cadre during a gun-battle in Sawnar-Korcholio forest of Gangaloor in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. A muzzle-loading gun, a bore gun and some live cartridges were recovered. The identity of the dead CPI-Maoist cadre was yet to be ascertained.

CPI-Maoist cadres have torched vehicles engaged in road construction at Konta region of Kistaram jurisdiction of Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. 'It was the first time that armed cadres from battalion had indulged into torching of vehicles, which indicates their level of frustration', said Jitendra Shukla, ASP, Sukma. Maoists led by their leader, Hidima torched 18 tractors, 3 Hyva cranes, a road roller and other vehicles in Sukma District.

Cadres of CPI-Maoist killed Madhukar Chinna Atram, suspecting him to be a 'Police informer' at Hindbhati village under Etapalli Tehsil in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra.

Maoists have called for a Tehsil Bandh in Aheri and Sironcha Tehsil of south Gadchiroli of Maharashtra. CPI-Maoist Pamphlets and letters with a message by cadres were circulated calling for a Bandh on December 20, to protest against encounter on December 6 and reported abduction of CPI-Maoist cadres by Gadchiroli Police.

Chief Minister N.Biren Singh stated in the Legislative Assembly that five suspects have been arrested in connection with the shooting of a non-local on December 20.

Manipur Assembly passed a resolution demanding disclosure of the contents of a pact signed between GoI and NSCN-IM 2015 which some states fear will affect their territorial integrity. Chief Minister N. Biren Singh stated that 'Since the formation of a BJP-led State Government on March 15, there have been seven assembly sessions during which discussions were held and resolutions taken on the issue. This time a clause ought to be added demanding disclosure of the contents of the agreement'.

State Government has decided to extend rehabilitation package to 28 surrendered ANVC-B and 10 UALA militants. The rehabilitation package was earlier extended to 363 ANVC cadres, 135 ANVC-B cadres and 50 UALA cadres. In a statement Police Department also stated that in addition to the disbanded outfits, the government had also paid rehabilitation packages to the militants of GNLA, HNLC and other smaller outfits which were covered as per the rehabilitation scheme.

ENPO has revived its demand for a separate State.  At a meeting with its federating units in Tuensang.  ENPO unanimously resolved to urge the GoI to respond to its demand for a separate State before declaration of election to Nagaland Assembly due early next year.

The meeting was called upon after two of the constituents of ENPO – Konyak Union (KU) and PPC – had asked for convening of the meeting to deliberate on boycotting the forthcoming Assembly poll. ENPO also resolved to ask its members to resign if their demand for a separate state of ‘Frontier Nagaland’ was not fulfilled by GoI before the state general election slated for March 2018.

ENPO also declared its support for an early declaration of an honourable Naga solution which should be acceptable and beneficial to all as desired by Naga public in general.

December 22

The SIT of Hyderabad Police filed Charge sheet against four alleged IS operatives including Indian recruiter Shafi Armar for 'waging war against the nation'. Among these four IS accused, three youth-- Abdul Basith (22), Syed Omer Farooq Hussaini (24) and Maaz Hasan Farooq (24), residents of Hyderabad tried to flee to Syria in December 2015 but were arrested by the Maharashtra's ATS at Nagpur airport before boarding flight to Srinagar. All four IS accused are tried under Section 121 (waging war against nation), 121A (conspiracy to wage war) and other sections of the UAP Act, 1967. Earlier, the trio (except Shafi Armar) were counselled for de-radicalisation in 2014 and kept under surveillance but despite of counselling, they tried to join IS with intentions to reach Syria in 2015.

"We have filed the Chargesheet against four accused in 12th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) court at Nampally (Hyderabad). The charge sheet will be forwarded to the 7th Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge for trial. While the three accused youth are out on a conditional bail, fourth accused Shafi Armar is absconding and was earlier believed to be in Syria", said SIT's ACP D. Hari Kumar.

The court extended the judicial custody of Syed Shahid (42), son of 'Chief' of HM Syed Salahuddin, till January 19, 2018, who is arrested under the six years-old terror funding case. Syed Shahid, a J&K Government employee was arrested on October 24, 2017 after interrogation conducted by the NIA in New Delhi. In 2011, the NIA had filed two Charge sheets against six accused, four of them- Ghulam Mohammed Bhat, Mohammed Sidiq Ganai, Ghulam Jeelani Liloo and Farooq Ahmad Dagga are lodged in Delhi`s Tihar Central Jail. The 2011 terror funding case pertains to money sent through 'hawala' channels by militants based in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to J&K. Conducting the in-camera proceedings on December 22, the District Judge Poonam Bamba extended Shahid's judicial custody.

A Pakistani intruder was shot dead by the BSF personnel along the Indo- Pak border, while he was crossing over to the Indian Territory at Ajnala in Amritsar District on December 22. The 70th Battalion of the BSF shot dead the Pakistani intruder, aged around 65 years, when he ignored the warnings of the personnel and kept proceeding, the BSF official said.

The BSF had foiled an infiltration bid from across the border in September, when it shot dead two armed Pakistani intruders along the Indo-Pak border at Ajnala.

Authorities imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar to foil protests called by separatists against civilian killings while two petrol bombs were hurled at CRPF. Authorities once again disallowed Friday prayers at historic Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta in Srinagar and clamped strict restrictions in various parts of downtown to prevent post Friday protests in view of the call given by the joint resistance leadership (JRL) on December 19 against civilian killings in recent gunfights.

Police and CRPF imposed restrictions in Nowhatta and adjoining areas. They also imposed restrictions in adjoining Rajouri Kadal, Bhori Kadal, Malarrata, Saraf Kadal areas of the city.

Situation across Kashmir remained peaceful barring some incidents of stone pelting at Braripora area of Safa Kadal in Srinagar District, footbridge in Parimpora and Janglat Mandi in Anantnag District. At Braripora area of Safa Kadal, some youth pelted stones on CRPF 161 battalion who chased them by using few tear smoke shells.

Some youth hurled three petrol bombs on CRPF and Safa Kadal in Srinagar District. Two petrol bombs were hurled at Braripora area and another at a Police post at Bagiyas, Safa Kadal. However, no one was reported injured in the incidents.

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said peace talks with Pakistan can take place only when it stops supporting terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. Given its actions, it doesn't appear that Pakistan really wants peace, the Army Chief added. Rawat said Pakistan should stop supporting terrorists. "Only then can we say that peace talks should take place," he said. "We also want that relations should be better but given what kind of actions there are (from their side) and terrorism is spreading in Jammu and Kashmir, it doesn't appear that they really want peace," Rawat said.

According to official statistics, at least 327 persons including 208 militants, 75 SF personnel and 40 civilians were killed in militancy-related violence in Jammu and Kashmir this year, highest in last five years. According to the data, as many as 338 militancy incidents were reported from the State this year so far. In these 338 violent incidents, 327 persons were killed.

As per the data, 208 militants, 75 security men including Police, CRPF, BSF and Army men and 40 civilians were killed in the State this year. "Four bank guards were also killed in two attacks on Jammu and Kashmir bank cash vans by militants in volatile south Kashmir this year," reveals the official figures. The militant and civilian casualties this year is highest in last five years.

The SFs launched 'Operation All Out' against militants in the Valley this year after surge in militancy violence in the first part of this year. Among the 208 militants killed in encounters with SFs this year include top 'commanders' of HM, LeT and JeM. Most of the wanted militant commanders have been killed by the SFs this year. Now Zakir Moosa, who is head of al Qaeda's Kashmir affiliate Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind and HM's Riyaz Naikoo are among half a dozen wanted militant commanders still active.

According to the official data, 148 militants were killed in 2016, 150 in 2015, 108 in 2014 and 110 in 2013. Similarly, 14 civilians were killed in militancy violence in the State last year, 15 in 2015, 17 in 2014 and 28 in 2013. As per the official statistics, 78 security personnel were killed in militant violence in the State last year followed by 82 in 2015, 39 in 2014 and 47 in 2013.

The SFs this year also revived CASOs in the Valley after 15 years. The CASOs were the permanent feature during anti-militancy operations in the Valley in 1990s. However, the CASOs were discontinued by the security in 2002 after facing stiff opposition and resentment from locals, civil society members, mainstream groups and separatists. In view of success of "Operation All Out" against militants, the security agencies have decided to continue the operation in the winter months in the Valley also. A security official said there would be no let up in heat and pressure against the militants and 'Operation all-out' would continue. "We will be targeting every militant commander active in the Valley," the official said.

Seven CPI-Maoist cadres identified as Madvi Deva (25), Sodhi Kuma (20), Kuram Kosa (30), Kuram Hidma (20), Muchaki Ayta (21), Kawasi Joga (22) and Beko Ganga (35), were arrested by SFs at forests falling under Kistaram Police Station limits of Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. Three CPI-Maoist cadres indentified as Sudor Vatti (30), Somaru Kavde (22) and Balmati Korram (40), carrying a reward of INR 2,000 on her head, have surrendered before Narayanpur, SP, Santosh Singh in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh.

Top CPI-Maoist leader identified as Jinugu Narasimha Reddy aka Jampanna (57), along with his wife, Hinge Anitha aka Rajitha (37), another senior CPI-Maoist leader surrendered before the Telangana Police in Hyderabad, the State Capital of Telangana. Jampanna was number 7 in hierarchy of the Maoist command and was also part of the Central Regional Bureau (CRB) of the CPI-Maoist. According to the report, Jampanna, 'central committee (CC) member' of CPI-Maoist, carrying a reward of INR 2.4 million on his head and his wife Rajitha, with INR 2 million reward approached the Police through a top TRS leader in Warangal (rural) District of Telangana. The TRS leader arranged the surrender after getting the approval from Telangana CM, K Chandrasekhar Rao. He hails from Cherlapalem village in Thorrur Block of Mahabubabad District and worked as a 'secretary' of the NTSZC of CPI-Maoist, before being elevated as 'CC member'. He is known as an expert in military operations. He led the Maoists in the 2008 Nayagarh armory loot (Odisha) and 2004 Koraput District armory attack (Odisha) that provided ammunition to the CPI-Maoist. He was appointed 'secretary' of AOBSZC and active in KKBN Divisional Committee of the CPI-Maoist in Odisha. Rajitha carried a reward of INR 500,000 on her head and was the 'Divisional Committee Member. DCM' of KKBN Divisional Committee of the CPI-Maoist in Odisha.

An individual identified as Motiur Seikh was arrested at Laharighat of Morigaon District by a joint team of Assam Police and CRPF. A 9mm pistol, 4 rounds of ammunition and four mobile handsets were recovered from him.

CM Biren Singh stated that Police at Jiribam District has arrested one Rohingya Muslim during a routine check. He also added that checking has been intensified in the border Districts and the police have rounded up some 560 persons of doubtful nationality. Of them, 105 undocumented ones have been forced back. A total of 178 undocumented persons were rounded up at Jiribam and unauthorized bamboo bridges used by the migrants were dismantled.

A VDB secretary of Khelma village of Peren District identified as Lalneineiw was abducted by unknown assailants. The abductors have also demanded a ransom of INR 1.5 million.

A team of armed CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze an earthmover in an attempt to stall construction of a three-km-long road, from Kumkumpudi to Teemulabanda, near Kumkumpudi village in GK Veedhi Mandal of the Agency area in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. The contractor reportedly had asked workers to keep their vehicles near the GK Veedhi Police Station and park the earth mover at Kumkumpudi after noticing a mechanical fault in the vehicle. The Maoists have been opposing the laying of the road and threatening the contractor, notwithstanding the demand for road connectivity by local people. The Maoists also tried to abduct the brother of a local politician in GK Veedhi mandal in the Agency area. Following these incidents, Police intensified combing operations in the AOB region.

Unidentified militants threw a hand grenade at Viewland Bazar in Ukhrul District. However, the grenade did not go off. The grenade fell near a shop owned by a non-local hailing from Bihar.

A KCP-PWG militant was arrested by Police from Pishum Bridge in Imphal West District.

December 23

Security agencies were put on high alert in the border areas of Punjab on December 23 after intelligence inputs of infiltration of terrorists from Pakistan. Apart from Punjab Police, BSF personnel are also on alert after the intelligence inputs. Security was tightened in Pathankot and Gurdaspur Districts, particularly at the IAF base in Pathankot that bore the brunt of the terror attack on January 2, 2016, and the nearby Mamoon cantonment of the army. India's IB with Pakistan falls in both districts adjoining J&K.

A Major and three soldiers of the Indian Army were killed in CFA violation by Pakistani troops along the LoC in Keri sector in Rajouri District.

IG - CRPF, Ravideep Sahi said that amnesty given to first-time stone-pelters in Kashmir was a 'large-hearted' approach of the Government. Ravideep Sahi said in Srinagar that youth who have been granted amnesty should take benefit of this 'large-hearted' approach. "It is a good step. It will encourage people to shun the path of violence. I wish and hope that people who have been granted amnesty should channelise their energy in a positive way," said Sahi. He also praised the efforts of the forces to wean off youth from militancy. "Off late, we have had success in this direction. Several people, including a footballer, shunned the path of violence and returned home," said Sahi.

Assam CM called upon on Paresh Baruah of ULFA-I to come back to the mainstream to help in the efforts for overall development of the state of Assam. Two KCP militants identified as Heisnam Nanao Meitei alias Nungshiba and Heisnam Rakesh Singh alias Sana were arrested from Imphal West District. The arrested militants were involved in serving demand letters and extortion of huge amount of money from government officials and the general public. Based on disclosure from the arrested militants two accomplices identified as Huidrom Khamba Singh alias Bobo and Yengkokpam Anuradha Devi alias Ranibala were arrested from Babupara in Imphal West District.

A KYKL sympathiser KYKL was arrested from Nambol Chingmang area in Bishnupur District. Two demand letters along with incriminating articles were seized from his possession.

SFs are ready for anti-Naxal operation in border areas of Jamui District of Bihar. The possibility of SFs operation against CPI-Maoist cadres increased after the visit of CRPF camp located in Chakai of Jamui District by Vijay Kumar, Internal Security Advisor of UMHA and held a meeting with CRPF officials on December 22. The activities of CPI-Maoist are reported to be increased in Jamui District, impacting Government schemes, said SP, Jamui District. New camp of SFs will be set up in this region to counter Maoists, said IGP of Bhagalpur District, who is on a visit to Jamui District. 

Chhattisgarh Police arrested three CPI-Maoist cadres in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. Nanda Sori (30) and Raju Madkam (22) were arrested from an area under Kuakonda Police Station and Dhaniram Kashyap (40), carrying a reward of INR 100,000 on his head, chief of Adivasi Kisan Majdoor Sangathan (AKMS) of the Indravati Area Committee (IAC) of CPI-Maoist, was arrested under Barsur Police Station of Dantewada District, said Police. Sori and Madkam are accused of helping the Maoists and involvement in beating up villagers, killing a local man and destruction of roads. Kashyap is accused of providing food to the CPI-Maoist cadres as well as propagating the Naxal ideology, added Police.

Nine trucks and dumpers of a road contractor were set ablaze by three CPI-Maoist cadres at Senha Police Station area of Lohardaga District of Jharkhand. The Police recovered a handwritten poster signed by Sandipji claiming membership to Koel-Sankh Area Committee (KSAC) of CPI-Maoist, asking the contractor to talk to CPI-Maoist before resuming construction of Lohardaga-Peshrar Road via Senha.

Three CPI-Maoist cadres identified as Satish alias Hilma Kosa Holi, Manoj alias Dasrath Sakharam Gawde and Pakli alias Pagni Poyami, each carrying a reward of INR 200,000 on their head, surrendered before the Police in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. The three surrendered CPI-Maoist cadres are involved in ambush attacks, murder and encounters, said Police.

December 24

Indian SFs killed at least two snipers of Pakistan army at Rajouri and Poonch District. Unidentified number of Pakistani troopers has also been wounded in the incident.

Two hours of mortar shelling and firing was reported on December 24 at Shahpur sector of Poonch. A number of Pakistani posts and bunkers were reportedly damaged extensively. Later another CFA violation was also reported in Balakote sector of Mendhar in Poonch District.

Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a total of 881 ceasefire violations this year, highest in the past seven years, along the LoC and the IB, resulting in the death of 34 persons.

According to officials, Pakistan has violated ceasefire along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir 771 times till December 10, and 110 times along the IB till November-end this year. Thirty people including 14 Army personnel 12 civilians and 4 BSF personnel were killed in such incidents.

One CPI-Maoist was killed in an encounter by a party of C-60 Commandos of Gadchiroli Police during a joint operation of the Police from Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh in the forest surrounding Sandra and Jaragudam villages along the border of the two States, at Sandra Village under Bhopal Patnam Tehsil in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. Police have recovered a 12 bore rifle from the encounter site. The Maoist is yet to be identified.

Resumption of peace talks between Mizoram state Government and HPC-D proposed to be held before Christmas has been deferred. A committee, headed by CM Lal Thanhawla has been formed to look into the political aspects of political settlement.

December 24

Criminals, released from jails and local active criminals are inducted by CPI-Maoist, says Bihar Police. Police forces from Banka, Jamui and Munger Districts with CRPF have conducted search operations in Bhimbandh, Chhaki Pachisi, Birma, Baghshwa and Malhatar forests, after receiving information on visibility of three groups each comprising of 20-25 CPI-Maoist cadres in the border areas of Banka District. According to the report, two groups of CPI-Maoist cadres are frequently visible in forests adjacent to Birma, Baghshwa and Jhopa villages.

CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze many passenger vehicles in Kanta, Chikhalaguda, Dornapal, Errabor and Fandiguda of Sukma District of Chhattisgarh, impacting transportation in the region. Several motor cycles of villagers, buses providing transport services between Hyderabad and Bastar and other vehicles like jeeps and vans were torched in last two days. CPI-Maoist cadres were carrying out these acts after the surrender of their leader, Narasimha Reddy’s in Telangana, said Police.

District Police recovered substantial detonators, battery cells, electric wires and other materials following an encounter with the CPI-Maoist cadres at the forest adjoining Lahan (small) Jheliya hamlet near Katezhari in Dhanora tehsil in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. The Maoists were in the process of preparing IEDs and planting them to target SFs when they were cornered.

Eight cadres of the PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist were arrested by Police in Bisra of Sundargarh District of OdishaThe Police have seized two pistols and two bikes from the eight PLFI cadres, including ‘area commander’ Sudam Singh and his close aide Chandrabhanu Singh. A total of 10 murder and seven petrol pump loot cases are pending against the duo in Jharkhand and Odisha.

SFs arrested three militants of NSCN-K from Sonari town in Charaideo District.  The militants have been identified as Zakhook Wangchow, Kangkopa Wangchow and Painam Wangnam. Two pistols and six rounds of ammunition were recovered from the arrested militants.

IB has found that some radical organisations, including Kerala-based PFI are making efforts to send messages to countries in West Asia about the ongoing updating of NRC. Sources said the agency had intercepted a few messages sent to West Asian countries linked to a campaign launched by some radical organisations against the ongoing updating of NRC.

Two KCP-poirei militants were arrested during a frisking and checking operation at Thoubal Bazar in Thoubal. One of the arrested militant was identified as Laishram Nongdamba alias Kangleicha.

December 25

Following a tip-off Amritsar Police arrested two persons, identified as Gurmeet Singh and Sandeep Kumar for allegedly printing FICN. The Police confiscated INR 6400 of FICN, a computer and a scanner from their possession. ACP  Prabhjot Virk, said that the Police found fake currency in the denomination of INR 100, INR 500 and INR 2000. He said a case under Sections 489-A, 489-B, 489-C and 489-D of the IPC have been registered in this regard. The accused were produced in the court and taken into Police remand.

The AQIS has issued an ‘warning’ statement to harm and attack the US and Israeli embassies, companies, financial institutions, following the declaration of Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel. “Ansar Ghazwat-ul Hind urges the honourable Muslims across the world to attack and harm US and Israeli embassies, companies and financial and commercial interests. The honour of Bait al-Maqdisis (Jerusalem) will be restored by shedding the blood of Americans, Israelis and it is now the duty of every Muslim, no matter where to restore the honour of Bait-al-Maqdis. The Holy Land must be made a graveyard for Jews, for oppression to end and word of Allah to prevail,” reads the statement issued by AQIS under the banner of Ansar Ghazwat-ul Hind.  Following the US’ decision declaring Jerusalem as the Israeli capital earlier in December 2017, the security of the US and Israeli establishments in India have already been elevated but the tourists from these two countries could also be targeted, especially those visiting J&K and Delhi. So far, the AQIS has registered its influence among the Indian youth in South Kashmir, Delhi and Kolkata, said an unnamed intelligence official.

Burhan Wani—a ‘militant’ poster boy of HM– who was killed in July 2016 has been adopted by the Sikh radical groups and posed as a ‘Hero of Freedom of Kashmir’ on the cover-page of the August 2016 issue of magazine—Vangaar, which went on sale at the Shaheedi Jor Mela in Fatehgarh Sahib District in Punjab.  Reportedly, the magazine was being sold at a big-stall managed by supporters of Siromani Akali Dal of Amritsar, near the Rauza Sharif, along with other radical material including books, car-stickers, and badges of Khalistani militants including Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. The magazine issue was sold 18 months after Burhan Wani was killed during an encounter with Indian SFs  in July 2016.

A pro-IS Kashmir-centric media unit Al-Qaraar has released a video of an alleged Kashmiri 'fighter' asking fellow fighters and Muslims in the Valley to pledge allegiance to the terror group IS and join its so-called 'caliphate'. The nearly 14-minute long video, carrying English subtitles, has a fighter identified as 'Abu al-Bara al-Kashmiri' delivering a speech in Urdu while sitting in front of a flag bearing the words 'Kashmir Province', according to an update put out by the SITE Intelligence Group website.

He calls upon the 'fighters' and Muslims in Kashmir who fight to establish a 'caliphate', including Zakir Musa-led Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, to swear allegiance to IS leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi. Men can be seen in the video marching through the street carrying the IS' banner.

On December 22, Al-Qaraar had published a poster calling Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind fighters and its leader, Zakir Musa, to join the IS. Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind was floated by al Qaeda as its Kashmir wing, with former HM leader Zakir Musa in the lead. Al Qaraar uploaded the poster carrying the message: "We invite soldiers of Ansaar Gazwat-ul-Hind and their Ameer Zakir Musa to join the caravan of the Caliphate respond to the call of time... don't listen to the blames of the blamers" — on its Telegram channel and Twitter account on December 22.


The BCAS has sent an alert to all airports and respective airline authorities to keep the security checks elevated in wake of terror attack threat. "New Year celebration functions are being held throughout the country. This is a ‘vulnerable’ period. Number of events has occurred in the past, also when this period has been chosen by terrorists and anti-national elements to perpetrate act of terrorism,” reads the alert sent by the BCAS. The alert has advised the Security officials by following certain steps for strengthening the Security measures in existence. Reportedly, during 2017, the IS inspired attacks have been carried-out in other countries, targeting the innocent civilians and Police officials—using various tactics such as suicide bombing, IEDs-laden vehicles, stabbing or ramming vehicle into the crowd and indiscriminate firing in crowded areas, reads the note approved by the BCAS Chief Rajesh Kumar Chandra.

The BSF arrested a smuggler, identified as Bishnupada Biswas, resident of Par Devanpur village, Baishnabnagar, Malda District (West Bengal) and recovered FICNs of worth INR 200,000 in Malda District. Acting upon the intelligence input regarding FICN smuggling in the area of Dhulian Ghat (ferry point). The search revealed a pack of 100 FICN in INR 2,000 denomination hid in his undergarments. The quality and security features of the FICN was similar to the earlier FICNs recovered by the BSF’s South Bengal Frontier, said an unnamed BSF official. Reportedly, in 2017, the BSF’s SBF has recovered FICNs worth INR 55,88,000 from nine smugglers.

Indian Army in the night killed three more Pakistani soldiers at Rawlakote opposite Nowshera sector in Rajouri District and seriously injured another after targeting Pakistani posts located close to the LoC as ‘pre-emptive measure’ as these enemy posts were planning subversive act on the Indian side. With this, five Pakistani troopers have been killed during last two days and another injured. Pakistan army confirmed killing of their three jawans (troopers) and serious injuries to another in retaliatory firing by the Indian troops at forward Pakistani area of Rakhchikri in Rawlakote opposite Nowshera sector of Rajouri District. Sources said massive retaliatory action by the Indian troops was necessitated as forward Pakistani posts were planning ‘some kind of activity’ on Indian side, which could be facilitating infiltration attempt by the militants.

People living in the villages close to LoC are up in arms against Pakistan army for repeatedly targeting civilians areas, risking their lives every time and wanted Indian Army to take ‘decisive action’ against the enemy troops to settle the issue once and for all. A number of civilians in Shahpur sub sector of Poonch District, which was rocked by heavy Pakistani shelling and firing charged Pakistani troops with targeting civilians in utter frustration as the enemy was unable to match the might of Indian Army.

A JeM ‘commander’, identified as Noor Muhammad Tantray was killed in an encounter in Samboora in Pulwama District of Jammu and Kashmir. Noor Muhammad Tantray, was on the wanted list of the Indian Army. Acting on a tip-off, a crack team of Jammu and Kashmir Police cordoned off a house where two JeM militants were believed to be holed up, the Police said. Tantray was the ‘divisional commander’ of the militant group and was reportedly behind the recent attack by the JeM in Kashmir. He was lodged in Tihar jail and then later released on parole.

According to reports, Noor Mohammad Tantray had taken over command of the JeM in South Kashmir in October 2017 and was engineering the outfit’s bid to regroup in the Valley. He was arrested in Delhi in 2003 and sentenced to life by a POTA court in 2011 but had jumped parole a few months ago and rejoined militancy. In January 2011, Tantray and four others, including two from Kashmir, were sentenced to life imprisonment by a POTA court in Delhi. After being lodged in Delhi’s Tihar Jail for some time, he was shifted to Srinagar. Tantray was released on parole in 2015, after which the Jammu and Kashmir High Court extended his parole several times. Tantray’s death is seen as a big blow to the militant outfit as he was the key man in reviving JeM in south and central Kashmir

Union Government’s Special Representative for sustained dialogue in Jammu and Kashmir, Dineshwar Sharma arrived in Kashmir on his third visit and drove to border district of Kupwara where he held meetings with scores of delegations. A total of 41 delegations comprising students, traders, political leaders and activists and civil society members were scheduled to meet him. The Special Representative kept meeting these delegations until late in the evening. Sources said that the delegations took up wide range of issues with Sharma and those include holding talks with all stakeholders, Article 370 and Article 35A, amnesty to first time stone throwers, conduct of SFs and recent civilian killings. Peoples Conference (PC) leader and MLA Kupwara Bashir Ahmad Dar also called on Sharma. After meeting, the MLA Kupwara told reporters that he asked the Centre’s Special Representative to make his stand clear on Kashmir issue.

CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze a tractor and assaulted the workers at a brick kiln in Dongila Bathan village under Banke Bazar Police Station area in Gaya District of BiharThe attack is being seen as part of Maoist strategy to put pressure on contractors and other businessmen to pay them ‘levy’ (extortion money), said J Jalareddy, SP of Gaya City.

CPI-Maoist Sirivancha dalam member, Pendram Padma alias Mugla (21), resident of Morriguda hamlet of Kishanraopeta of Mamda Mandal in Nirmal District, surrendered herself before Adilabad SP, Vishnu S. Warrier, who also holds additional charge of Nirmal District, in Nirmal District of Telangana. Pendram Padma, who joined the underground outfit in May 2014, after coming under influence of one Sidam Seetha of Yapalguda village in Neredigonda Mandal, reportedly had participated in the December 6, 2017 exchange of fire between her dalam and Maharashtra Police at Sironcha, which left eight extremists dead.

Son of local BJP leader in Tinsukia District , identified as Arunab Phukan who was abducted on December 15 by ULFA-I was release at at Tengmu village bordering Myanmar in Changlang District.

India will move the UK under MLAT or prosecution of ULFA-I ‘chairman’ Mukul Hazarika alias Abhizeet Azom a doctor based at Billingham in UK. According to UMHA the UMHA would route the request through the MEA to execute a non-bailable arrest warrant issued against Mukul Hazarika. Hazarika along with ULFA-I ‘chairman’ Paresh Barua, were charge sheeted by NIA o n July 15 on charges of waging war against the State. According to the NIA, Hazarika is ULFA-I ‘chairman’ Abhizeet Asom, who hails from Kaxori gaon in Puranigudam under Samaguri Police Station of Nagaon District.

AR arrested an NSCN-K militant from Krimitomi village in Zunheboto District. The militant has been identified as ‘assistance section officer’ Mulato Asumi.

December 26

On the basis of intelligence inputs, the Tihar Jail officials in New Delhi has elevated the security of gangster Chhota Rajan on the suspicion of Dawood’s plan to kill him. According to the reports, Dawood Ibrahim may seek helping hand of Delhi’s gangster Neeraj Bawana for the same task. The inputs were based on the conversations of Bawana’s aides praising the plan to kill Chhota Rajan. The conversation was overheard by certain agencies who later alerted the concerned officials. Neeraj Bawana is also lodged in Tihar Jail but has been shifted to a cell far away from Chhota Rajan.  “At a time when fugitives like Vijay Mallya are complaining about the lack of security in Tihar Jail, we cannot afford to take any intelligence lightly on Jail inmates such as Chhota Rajan." said an unnamed Senior Official.

The NIA released the sketches of 21 Indians who reportedly went ‘missing’ from Kerala in June 2016 and some of them converted to Islam to join IS. According to press release, the NIA has been investigating the disappearance from last one year and marked those with a ‘red mark’ who had been issued notices. The group travelled via different air-routes in division of 6-7 batches. Out of 21 individuals, six are female. At least 19 people had travelled to Tehran (Iran) with further intentions to cross-over the border to Syria or Iraq, said an unnamed NIA source.

The UMHA has advised the NIA to probe the ‘blackmailing’ case of a woman who is designated on a rank of ‘Colonel’ in Indian Army. In September 2017, Delhi Police had arrested one Mohammad Parvez from Old Delhi area of Central District in Delhi, whose mobile number was in use to ‘blackmail’ the woman Officer under the orders of Pakistan’s ISI operative to fetch some confidential information from her. The complaint was lodged by the woman officer in August 2017 under the charge of Section 123 (concealing with intent to facilitate design to wage war) of the IPC, charges of molestation, criminal conspiracy and criminal intimidation. Investigation revealed Parvez’s frequent visits to Pakistan. As claimed by Parvez’s family, he had visited Pakistan thrice this year to visit his sisters who were married two decades ago and settled there. “It was therefore decided that the investigations should be carried out by a counter-terror agency like NIA. This will not only help expedite the probe but clear the suspicion on the role of Parvez, as his family claimed he is innocent,” said an unnamed senior Government official.

The UMHA is set to step up efforts to strengthen border security in 2018 amid a surge in ceasefire violations by Pakistan and frequent terrorist strikes in Jammu and Kashmir. In 2017, as many as 61 militant attacks were reported across Jammu and Kashmir. However, the decision to strengthen security along India’s border has been prompted by the more than three-fold jump in violations of a ceasefire agreement by Pakistan in 2017. The western neighbour violated ceasefire 771 times along the LoC in 2017, compared with 228 violations in the previous year (2016). “With the Doklam stand-off happening this year, these ceasefire violations and Pakistan-orchestrated terror attacks were a third front that kept Indian troops busy. To remove the troops’ focus from Doklam, Pakistan was nudged by China to keep the northern front active. Our troops also responded in equal measure to such violations,” said an unnamed senior intelligence official. Defence experts, however, said that the spurt in attacks by militants as well as ceasefire violations were reflective of Pakistan struggling to keep pace with India’s increased military watch.

A pro-Islamic State (IS) Kashmir-centric media unit Al-Qaraar has released a video of an alleged Kashmiri 'fighter' asking fellow fighters and Muslims in the Valley to pledge allegiance to the terror group IS and join its so-called 'caliphate'. The nearly 14-minute long video, carrying English subtitles, has a fighter identified as 'Abu al-Bara al-Kashmiri' delivering a speech in Urdu while sitting in front of a flag bearing the words 'Kashmir Province', according to an update put out by the SITE Intelligence Group website.

He calls upon the 'fighters' and Muslims in Kashmir who fight to establish a 'caliphate', including Zakir Musa-led Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, to swear allegiance to IS leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi. Men can be seen in the video marching through the street carrying the IS' banner.

On December 22, Al-Qaraar had published a poster calling Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind fighters and its leader, Zakir Musa, to join the IS. Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind was floated by al Qaeda as its Kashmir wing, with former HM leader Zakir Musa in the lead. Al Qaraar uploaded the poster carrying the message: "We invite soldiers of Ansaar Gazwat-ul-Hind and their Ameer Zakir Musa to join the caravan of the Caliphate respond to the call of time... don't listen to the blames of the blamers" — on its Telegram channel and Twitter account on December 22.

In a video released online on jihadist forums in the night, al Qaeda said that the key to victory in Kashmir lies in waging war on other Indian cities. “India is already using 600,000 troops just to hold on to Kashmir,” al Qaeda’s ‘subcontinent second-in-command’ Usama Mehmood said in the video. “If it is attacked in Kolkata [West Bengal], Bangalore [Karnataka] and New Delhi, it will come to its senses and release its grip on Kashmir.” For this to come about, Mehmood argues, “it is necessary that the jihadi movement becomes strong at the level of the subcontinent, and Muslims in the whole region stand behind the Kashmiri people.” “Look at America,” he says. “In the same way securing itself has become difficult for America throughout the world, the Indian army and Hindu government’s peaceful world should be made a war zone.”

The video is made in a form of an interview with Mehmood, wherein he says, "In the caravan of al Qaeda, there were, and still are, many Mujahideen who migrated to Pakistan to fight for Kashmir, but were forced to shut down their operations by the Pakistan Army." The video follows another interview with Mehmood earlier this year, wherein he stated that the organisation’s aim was to "reform Pakistan, Kashmir, India, Bangladesh and the whole of the subcontinent, into an Islamic subcontinent".

The Central intelligence agencies cautioned both BSF and Army, the two border guarding forces in Jammu and Kashmir, to remain on high alert amid specific inputs that there was significant movement of Pakistan Army, BAT and SSG in areas close to the border. Both BAT and SSG have a notorious reputation of targeting Indian soldiers and mutilating their bodies in the past along with terror outfits. According to the intelligence alert, “Pakistan Army has increased its deployment of BAT and SSG teams in sensitive areas close to the border with the intention of targeting patrolling teams of our security forces which should remain on high alert.’’  “In view of these inputs, the border guarding forces, primarily the BSF and Army, should follow all security protocols and SOPs while going on patrolling assignments close to the LoC and IB. The situation is more sensitive close to the LoC,’’ the intelligence input further states.

Terror groups operating out of PoK, particularly the LeT, have in the past assisted both BAT and SSG of Pakistan Army in carrying out brutal attacks on Indian patrolling teams close to the border.

Pakistan summoned India's acting deputy high commissioner to protest ‘unprovoked’ firing by the Indian Army that killed its three soldiers along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir. The Pakistan Foreign Office in a statement rejected reports that the Indian Army commandos crossed the LoC in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir and smashed a post. "The false claims by India about the alleged cross LoC adventures are a figment of their imagination and counter-productive for peace and tranquility on the LoC," it said. "The Indian actions got a befitting response from the Pakistani side and their guns were silenced," it claimed.

The Indian Army sources in New Delhi said a "small group" of 'Ghatak' commandos carried out a tactical level selective targeting of the Pakistani post around 200-300 meters across the LoC on December 25th evening in which three Pakistani soldiers were killed and one was injured. The operation is seen as avenging the killing of four Indian Army personnel by a BAT of the Pakistan Army in Keri sector Rajouri District on December 23.

Notwithstanding the tension along the LoC due to recent ceasefire violations, the cross-LoC trade between Jammu and Kashmir and PoK via Chakan-da-bagh in Poonch District was conducted with 50 goods laden trucks transacted. "The trade happened normally as per schedule. While 30 trucks from Indian side laden with different items were sent to PoK, 20 trucks were received from the other side," Custodian, LoC Trade centre Poonch, Tanveer Ahmad, said. The cross LoC trade takes place between Indian and PoK four days a week from Tuesday to Friday.

APHC leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani's younger son Naseem Geelani ignored the NIA summons in connection with its probe into alleged terror funding by Pakistan-based terrorist groups to stoke unrest in Kashmir Valley. "He did not depose before the agency investigators today (December 26)," an NIA official said. The official declined to say if any new summons had been issued to the younger Geelani.

Earlier, the NIA had summoned Naseem, a professor at Sher-e-Kashmir Agriculture University in Srinagar, last week to appear before the agency on December 26 at its headquarters in south Delhi's Lodhi Road area. The anti-terror agency, which has been probing terror funding by Kashmiri separatists and has so far arrested half-a-dozen separatists including Syed Ali Shah Geelani's son-in-law Altaf Ahmad Shah, suspects that Naseem was also involved in the terror funding. The NIA had registered a number of cases in connection with terror funding in the Valley against several top separatist leaders in the month of May.

The State Police Headquarters' STF personnel, unearthed a gang of arms dealers that used to provide sophisticated weapons to CPI-Maoist cadres and some terrorist outfits in Munger District of Bihar. Acting on a tip-off, personnel of the STF's SOG raided the house of an alleged arms supplier, identified as Sanjiv Sah, at Tikarampur, under the jurisdiction of Mufassil Police Station in the District, and seized some finished and unfinished weapons. The SOG later arrested Sanjiv's associate Sanoj Yadav from Shankarpur village. Sanoj named two other arms dealers - Raman Sharma and Teni Sharma - residents of Puraniganj and Mania Choraha villages in the District, respectively. During search, the Police seized an AK-47 rifle, a semi-automatic rifle of US make, five country-made pistols, four revolvers and over 700 live cartridges, including, some prohibited bores supplied only to the Indian Army and Police organisations.

Two CPI-Maoist cadres identified as Dodi Somlu (24) and Oyam Manglu (29) were arrested by SFs at Tarrem Police Station limits during a search operation from Basaguda Police Station in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. Dodi, who was active as ‘secretary’ of Rural Party Committee (RPC) of CPI-Maoist in Korsaguda and involved in attacks on Police Party in Kerlapal and Raigundam at Sukma District in 2016. Manglu, who worked as a close associate of CPI- Maoist leader Paparao, said Police.

One Maoist cadre, identified as Devsingh Padda alias Banderam (26), carrying a reward of INR 100,000 on his head, surrendered before the Senior Police and BSF in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. Padda, who was head of Aaldand ‘Janatana Sarkar’ under North Bastar division of CPI-Maoist, was tasked with arranging meeting of senior cadres, putting up Maoist posters, banner and pamphlets and gathering information, added Police.

SFs arrested a CPI-Maoist ‘sub zonal commander’, identified as Rajendra Singh Munda (30) alias Gudru Munda alias Raju alias Chandan, during a search operation in Aamda under MGM Police Station area in East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. Munda is one of the accused in the murder of Sunil Mahto, Lok Sabha MP from Jamshedpur at Baguria near Ghatshila in 2007 and wanted in the landmine blast near Burudih dam in Ghatshila that killed 14 CRPF personnel in 2009. He was involved in over six CPI-Maoist related cases in Galudih and Bodam Police Station areas in the District. The SFs recovered one country-made loaded pistol of 7.65 bore, five live cartridges of 0.5 bore, four bundles of codex wires, 25 piece detonators and 36 pieces of power gel from Munda, said SSP, Anoop T Mathew.

JJMP cadre, identified as Bijoy Karmali was arrested by SFs from an unspecified location during a search operation launched in Ranchi District of Jharkhand.

A self-styled CPI-Maoist ‘commander’ identified as Bhim Soren alias Kartick, surrendered before the SP, Bharti Ghosh, in Jhargram District of West Bengal. Kartick, active in Jharkhand and West Bengal bordering areas, was allegedly involved in over 11 major Maoist incidents in Gurabandha and other bordering areas of both the States. Kartick was associated with Kanhu Munda, ‘secretary’ of the Bengal-Jharkhand-Odisha Border Regional Committee (BJOBRC), who had surrendered before the East Singhbhum Police of Jharkhand along with six other hardcore Maoists on February 15, 2017. Kartick is resident of West Midnapore in West Bengal and was active as ‘area commander’ of the dreaded Gurabandha committee. Kartick was inducted into the insurgency through Santras Birodhi Jansadharaner Committee or the PCPA, a CPI-Maoist frontal organisation, in 2009. He rose in the organisation and become ‘area commander’ under top Maoist Akash.

ATCO an organization formed for welfare of Nyishi, Adi, Tagin, Apatani and Galo tribes has declared a 12-hour capital shutdown on December 29 to be followed by 24-hour and 36-hour shutdown on January 10 and 17 across Abotani-inhabited Districts. ATCO president stated that the shutdown was against State Government’s indifferent approach towards ATCO’s demand for creation of the Department of Abo Tani Tradition and Cultural Affairs.

An OGW of ULFA-I Pradeep Borah and two others were arrested from Changmai gaon in Lahowal in Dibrugarh District. SFs also recovered. Demonetized denominations of INR 1,000 and INR 500. Police suspected that the recovered amount was a part of a cash stash of ULFA-I which could not be converted into legal money.

In recent times, several arrested ULFA-I militants have confessed before the Police that the outfit has been facing a severe funds crisis after demonetization. Faced with financial crunch, militant outfit has been trying to recover from their losses by indulging in mass extortion, targeting the business community and tea planters, especially in Upper Assam districts, taking advantage of their close proximity with Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.

Assam was the State with second highest abduction rate in India after Delhi, with almost 17 people being kidnapped daily in the state as of 2016.  According to NCRB statistics, Assam Police have registered some 6,126 cases of abduction and kidnapping. There were at least 4,824 kidnapping cases which jumped up to 5,831 in 2015.

Over 90% of the victims were women. Out of the total 6,126 cases, in about 5,342 cases the victims were women or minor girls. Earlier, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary had informed the state secretariat that between 2001 and May 2016, some 46,461 cases of kidnapping were registered in the state. Though abductions by militant groups have declined, a constant increase has been witnessed in abductions for ransom by criminal gangs, including former militants.

Sources said the actual number might be even higher as not all abductions were reported to the police because of a lack of confidence in the administration. Though the State has registered high numbers of abduction cases, the recovery rate was found to be very low. Last year, the recovery rate of victims of kidnapping cases in the State was recorded at as low as 1.3% only. Records states that a total of 13,413 persons abducted in 2015 were yet to be traced. By the end of last year, the State Police had received reports of 19,541 persons going missing, out of which only 249 people were rescued during 2016.

AR arrested a suspected Chinese spy identified as Qin Min Xiv Xiang from a place near Moreh along the Myanmar border in Tengnoupal. The arrestee hails from Fuzian province of China. Various Chinese, Vietnamese and Myanmarese documents, foreign currencies, a pen drive and a compass were found in his possession. AR arrested the suspect after receiving information on the movement of a suspected Chinese agent attempting to infiltrate into India from Myanmar near T Minao village.

Two members of a group Ki Khlur U Hynniewtrep for extorting money from shop keepers in Police Bazar in Shillong in East Khasi Hills District. The arrestees have been identified as Bashembok Maring and Bandaplang Nongrum. Maring is the ‘finance secretary’ and Nongrum the ‘general secretary’ of the group.

RSZ and RSU have begun an indefinite peaceful dharna (sit in) at ADC office Tseminyu in Kohima District in support of the Rengmas’ demand for Tseminyu district. The two organisations also appealed to all sections of the society to support the cause of the Rengmas.

December 27

Acting upon the specific Intelligence inputs from the MI Unit of J&K, the team of Andhra Pradesh Police arrested seven unidentified persons from Vijaywada region in Andhra Pradesh, over three illegal VOIP exchanges involved with Pakistan’s ISI.  In recovery, three ‘SIM boxes’ with more than 230 SIM cards, laptops, desktop computers, and other gadgets were seized. The facilities were used by the alleged operatives posed as Senior Indian Army Officials, making ‘fake’ calls to the Security Personnel deployed in J&K to acquire confidential information, said an unnamed Senior Andhra Pradesh Police official.

The UMHA informed the  Rajya Sabha  (the upper house of Indian Parliament) as in 2016— 2,154 Afghanistan nationals and 486 Rohingyas from Myanmar acquired long-term visa for their stay in India. As per an estimate, around 40,000 Rohingyas are residing illegally in India and spread-out in Jammu in J&K, Hyderabad (Telangana), Western UP, Mewat region of Haryana and Rajasthan, Delhi and Jaipur (Rajasthan), said Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State Home Affairs. Earlier in 2016, the UMHA had advised all States and UTs to identify the illegal Rohingya migrants for the process of their deportation. India was not a signatory nation under the 1951 UN Convention relating to the status of refugees and the 1967 Protocol.

The Indian Government informed the Rajya Sabha  about the involvement of Pakistan’s ISI in revival of the Khalistan movement in Punjab, through moral and financial support to the pro-Khalistan entities. Responding to the situation, the Government has implemented an integrated approach to counter such anti-India attempts via strengthening the vigilance along the borders and mechanisms of gathering and sharing of intelligence inputs, said Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir.

The Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Alphons Kannanthanam informed  Lok Sabha that there have been intrusion attempts on information systems or devices operating in the Government’s Cyber networks and these attacks have been originating from various countries including Pakistan and China. According to the data provided by CERT-In, the cyber attacks includes phishing, probing, website intrusions & defacements, viruses, ransomware and DoS attacks. The figures depict 40,054 cyber security incidents observed till November 2017, whereas 50,362 incidents were reported in 2016. So far, CERT-In has conducted five workshops, which assess the ‘Cyber-Security’ preparedness of organisations. Around 148 organisations from different States and sectors participated in these workshops, said Kannanthanam.

India’s Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed Lok Sabha  that Indian Armed Forces are facing the shortage of 60,000 personnel including over 27,000 vacant posts in the Indian Army. Out of the total shortage of 27,864, on July 1, 2017, 12.37 lakh personnel are employed against the authorised strength of 12.64 lakh in Army. The Indian Navy and Indian Air Force are facing shortage of 16,255 and 15,503 personnel, respectively. As the recruitment in Armed Forces is a continuous process, the Government has taken measures to counter the shortages, said Sitharaman.

The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju informed Rajya Sabha about the fewer cases of infiltration at India-Bangladesh border. Reportedly, there has been a sharp decline in the infiltration via Bangladesh border. So far in 2017, 543 intrusions has been reported by the BSF whereas the infiltration case reported in 2016 were 832, in 2015 reported intrusions were 1,047 and 1,017 cases of infiltration were reported in 2014, said Kiren Rijiju. Regarding the intrusion related arrests, this year 1,085 people were arrested for infiltration whereas the counts were 2,075 in 2016, said Rijiju.

Pakistani troops, in a CFA violation, fired indiscriminately from across the LoC at forward posts in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District, prompting retaliation by the Indian Army. The exchange of fire between the two sides in Nowshera sector continued for nearly four hours but there was no immediate report of any casualty or damage on the Indian side. “Pakistan army initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatics and mortars from 0815 hours. Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively,” official sources said. They said the firing stopped from both sides at 1200 hours.

Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a total of 881 ceasefire violations this year, highest in the past seven years, along the LoC and the IB, resulting in the death of 30 people. According to officials, Pakistan violated the ceasefire along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir 771 times till December 10, and 110 times along the IB till November-end. In these incidents of firing from across the border, 30 people - 14 Army personnel, 12 civilians and four BSF personnel - were killed. The truce between India and Pakistan along the IB, the LoC and the Actual Ground Position Line in Jammu and Kashmir came into force in November 2003. India shares a 3,323-km-long border with Pakistan of which 221 km of the IB and 740 km of the LoC fall in Jammu and Kashmir.

Coinciding with Union Government’s special representative Dineshwar Sharma’s stay in Jammu and Kashmir, three senior separatists leaders were released from jails. In an apparent move to soft pedal on separatists for time being, the Government also allowed JKLF chief Yasin Malik to visit volatile Handwara, while an NIA summon to Syed Ali Geelani’s son was cancelled "without citing any reason".

Muslim League chairman and former Hizbullah commander Mushtaq-ul-Islam, arrested in July this year, was released. Two days ago, Dukhtaran-e-Millat chief Syedah Asiya Andrabi and secretary Sofi Fehmeeda were also released. The Government also allowed JKLF chief Yasin Malik to meet the families, who relatives died in counter-insurgency operations, in volatile Handwara. Otherwise, the government has been consistently placing the separatist leaders under the house arrest.

Both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference refused to comment on the releases. However, the spokesman of Democratic Front Party, whose chief Shabir Shah was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate earlier this year, said, “Releasing political prisoners is a positive step and the positive steps always bring positive results. It is of utmost importance to take positive steps to bring a change on the grass root level.”

Over 300 infiltrations were reported from the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir in 2017, which was a four-year-high, according to figures available with the UMHA.  An official said this explained the over 230% increase in ceasefire violations along the LoC this year compared to 2016. “Till four years ago, the ceasefire violations along LoC stood at 153; this year it has increased to 820 (till December 15); last year it was 228. The increase also explains the 310 infiltration attempts from Pakistan,” a senior UMHA official said. Another official said there had been no let-up in the infiltration attempts even after the September 29, 2016 cross-LoC raid publicised by the Government.

As per the data available with the Army, which is deployed along the LoC, at least 33 infiltration bids were foiled this year. In 2014, when the NDA government came to power, the maximum cross-border firing took place along the densely populated border areas in Jammu region along the IB. “In 2014, cross-border firing at IB stood at 430 and this year it came down to 110. We are seeing a reverse in the pattern as Pakistan has become desperate to push in terrorists through LoC. Any violence along the IB attracts international scrutiny as it is a settled boundary,” said the official. The year also saw the record number of terrorists being killed in J&K even as the number of terror related incidents-335, were at a four-year-high.

Minister of State for Home, Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said the incidents of stone-pelting against SFs in Jammu and Kashmir had come down from 2,808 in 2016 to 1,198 till November this year. He said an adequate number of CAPFs personnel were deployed in Jammu and Kashmir to assist the State Government in maintaining public order.

Asked to explain the rise in incidents along the LoC, the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said that, “The increase suggests that Pakistan is frustrated and desperate. It is trying hard to help militants cross over to India.”

Security agencies said that they have possibly identified the person in a new 14-minute video released by the Al Qaraar media of the Islamic State (IS) on December 25. In the video, a masked man with the black IS flag in the background criticises Pakistan’s ISI and says various terror outfits - HM, LeT and JeM - active in the Kashmir Valley are working as ‘proxies of the ISI’. Agencies suspect the person is Aizaj Ahmed Ahanger alias Ayaz, a local Kashmiri youth who has been introduced as Abu-ul-Braa-Kashmiri in the video. An official said they were yet to trace the location where the video was shot and from where it was uploaded.

Criticising the ISI, the masked man in the video said, “You see the irony the ways they have endorsed — strikes, right-to-self-determination .... and many of their filthy ways have no place in deen [religion] … they are the ones bombing believers in Waziristan bowing to America, whose history is drenched with blood of Muslimeen. We declare our animosity and disassociation from your methodologies and Pakistan and declare our disassociation from Hizb, Lashkar, Jaish, Tehreek.”

It is said to be the first Kashmir-centric video to have been posted by a media group associated with the Islamist group. The newly created group has been engaged in fierce competition with the al Qaeda to promote its propaganda in India through various messages posted on social media. In the past few months, both the IS and the AQIS have been pushing several provocative messages on various social media platforms but the video by the IS was a new development, an official said, adding that AQIS has been routinely uploading such videos.

Like posters released on earlier occasions, the IS fighter in the video is inviting former HM commander Zakir Musa and now the head of the AQIS-affiliated Ansar Ghazwat-ul Hind group to join them. Asked why the IS was wooing Zakir Musa, the official said, “On earlier occasions he has shown an inclination towards joining the group.” Ashok Prasad, UMHA spokesperson, said, “Security agencies are aware about this particular input and are monitoring it for specific threats.”

Another UMHA official suspected the motive behind the video, and said it could well be a ploy by Pakistani agencies to show themselves as “victims of terror”. “They are giving aspirational kind of messages but so far nothing specific in the nature of preventable action has come to notice so far. We have not been able to trace the origin of the video,” said the official. He said there was no credible evidence of the presence of the IS in Kashmir Valley and this could be an effort by the outfit to divert the attention of supporters after it lost ground in Iraq and Syria.

The AQIS released yet another video on December 27 featuring two clips on “saffron terror.” One of the clips is three-year-old. Security agencies suspect the ISI to be running the AQIS propaganda since 2014.

Two CPI-Maoist cadres, identified as Moti Ram Korram (27) and Baliram Kashyap (25), who were allegedly involved in an attack on a Police camp in Kondagaon District of Chhattisgarh, earlier this month, were arrested by a joint team of SFs from the forest of Nedwal village within the Mardapal Police Station limits in the District. The arrested duo admitted to their involvement in the firing incident at the Police camp in Hadeli village (Mardapal) on December 6, wherein Head Constable Komal Khalko, attached with the DRG, sustained injuries Kondagaon, ASP, Maheshwar Nag said.

SFs arrested a cadre of the SPM -- a splinter group of CPI-Maoist, identified as Manoj Bhokta (22), a resident of Jodi Meshal of Chatra District, during a search operation launched in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. SFs recovered a country made pistol with six live rounds and a motor cycle, said Police.

State Police arrested 12 CPI-Maoist cadres during a combing operation in Malkangiri District of Odisha. Seven CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested from Kalimela Police limits, three CPI-Maoist cadres from Mahupadar area under Maithili Police limits and two CPI-Maoist cadres from Nakamamudi area under Chitrakonda Police limits of Malkangiri District, said SP, Jagmohan Meena. The District Police intensified combing after the Maoists killed several tribal villagers branding them as ‘Police Informer’ while setting many vehicles on fire. The identity of the arrested is not disclosed ahead of the Test Identification Parade (TIP) as it may influence the ongoing investigation, added Meena. 

State Government declared that ATCO general strike as illegal. A TCO called the shutdown to protest the delay in creation of the Department of Abo Tani Tradition and Cultural Affairs. The Government’s decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein at his official residence.

SFs arrested NDFB-S female militant identified as Mainao Basumatary alias B Mijing. T he militant had undergone training in Myanmar and Bangladesh in 2013 for the 40th batch of NDFB-S and was reportedly over ground for fresh recruitment.  

Three people were arrested from Dibrugarh District on charges of extortion and for assaulting a small tea grower. The arrested extortionists have been identified as Jumuruddin Ali, Rajib Urang and Sanjib Urang. Jumuruddin Ali is the president of VDP in Tinsukia District. According to Police, the group was demanding INR 2 million in the name of an insurgent group from the brother of the victim.

The 12 hour statewide strike called by ATASU brought life to a complete standstill in Upper Assam's Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Majuli, Dhemaji and Lakhimpur Districts. However, no untoward incident was reported. ATASU had called the strike to press for its demand for ST status for Moran, Muttock, Koch Rajbongshi, Tai Ahom, Sootea and the tea tribes.

KMSS adviser’ Akhil Gogoi walked out of a district jail and vowed to launch a massive movement against the GoI to grant citizenship to the “Hindu Bangladeshis” by passing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.

Manipur civil society groups have not ruled out violent protest if the Framework Agreement with NSCN-IM tinkered with state boundary.

Repatriation process of around 1,500 people who had taken shelter in southern Mizoram’s Lawngtlai District to Myanmar has started. AR  in an official statement said ‘Assam Rifles has contacted all the stakeholders in repatriation including Myanmar Army, local Indian villagers, refugees as well as District administration so as to commence repatriation of refugees at the earliest’.

The Myanmarese nationals, began to cross the Mizoram-Myanmar border on November 25 and took shelter in four villages – Zochachhuah, Hmawngbuchhuah, Laitlang and Dumzautlang  and the number of refugees crossed 1,600 at one time. The refugees were mainly from the border villages of Varang, Paletwa, Pakangwa and Mulaw in Myanmar’s Chin State after the Myanmar Army launched offensive against the Arakan rebels.

AR arrested one individual with arms from Kigwema village in Kohima District. Kilonser of NSCN-IM was arrested by AR from Khusiabull village in Dimapur District. Two weapons and live ammunition were recovered from him. NSCN-IM condemned the incident.

December 28

The NIA has approached the French anti-terrorism agency to provide access to people arrested in the Paris attack (November 2015) to receive information about Indians who fought for IS in Iraq and Syria. Earlier (date not specified), the French agency had communicated with NIA to provide an opportunity for interrogating IS operative Subahani Haja Moideen, who had fought for IS in Mosul, Iraq; later jailed in Raqqa, Syria; travelled back to India; and subsequently arrested  by the NIA in October 2016.

The Indian security establishment is taking the threat issued by the AQIS in a recent video seriously, as it specifically asks 'jihadi' fighters to target the Indian Army outside its "small, secure area of Kashmir" by striking in cities like Delhi, Kolkata and Bengaluru. "The specific call by AQIS spokesperson Usama Mahmoud, a Pakistani, asking Kashmiri 'fighters' and Muslims across the subcontinent to target the Army in Delhi, Kolkata and Bengaluru so that it 'comes to its senses' is reminiscent of IM's modus operandi of sending out warning letters and e-mails just before terror blasts in various Indian cities. So all necessary precautions are being taken," an unnamed intelligence official said.

The NIA has again approached the Interpol to seek a RCN against Islamic preacher Zakir Naik who has been charged to propagate communal hatred via his speeches. Earlier in October 2017, the Interpol had rejected NIA’s request for RCN due to the absence of official Chargesheet but a fresh plea with formal Chargesheet has been sent to the Interpol through its Indian nodal agency, the CBI. It will be difficult for Zakir Naik to move freely post an RCN issued as Malaysian authorities and other member countries of the Interpol may arrest him and deport him back to India with formal communication, said an unnamed official of the UMHA.

The Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Forces (MNDF) conducted a two-week long joint military exercise in Belgaum in Karnataka. The exercise, focused on counter-terrorism operations conducted by small teams in a semi-urban setting. The eighth edition of the exercise is named ‘Ekuverin’, which means ‘friends’ in Maldivian language.

Pakistani troops violated CFA twice in Poonch District as they resorted to unprovoked and indiscriminate firing from across the border, targeting forward posts and villages along the LoC. The Indian troops guarding the LoC retaliated the firing but there was no immediate report of any casualty. Sources said the small arms firing from Pakistani side was reported for nearly three hours in the morning in three villages of Digwar sector, causing panic among an border residents. The firing from across the border again started in the evening at Khari Karmara sector in Poonch and the exchange of firing between the two sides was continuing when last reports were received, sources said.

The nearby Rajouri District also witnessed heavy exchange of firing between Indian and Pakistani army after the latter initiated the firing in Nowshera sector.

Four militants including a Pakistani were arrested from Pattan area of Baramulla District. A special team of Jammu and Kashmir Police and 2-RR of Army intercepted a car at Chichloora, Kunzar area and arrested four persons along with one AK-47 rifle, three magazines and a grenade. The arrested militants have been identified as Jammel Ahmad Bhat (20) and Amir Ahmad Bhat (18) and Mohammad Yaseen Bhat. The fourth person is a Pakistani militant and he has been identified as Sajid. They are being questioned and Police is expecting more leads from them.  A Police official said that the local militants were recently recruited.

SFs cordoned off Noorpor village in Tral area of Pulwama District and conducted searches following inputs about the presence of militants in the village. Noorpora is native village of Ansar Ghazwatul Hind ‘chief’ Zakir Musa. The searches were launched by a joint team of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army’s 42 RR and CRPF 180 battalion. The operation was later called off as during house to house searches no militants were found in the village.

Clashes erupted in Pinjura village of Shopian District in South Kashmir after the SFs launched a cordon-and-search-operation. A joint team of 44 RR, SOG of Jammu and Kashmir Police and 14 battalion of CRPF cordoned off the village after inputs about presence of two militants in the village. However, during the operation protests broke out and protesters pelted stones on the SFs leading to clashes. SFs fired tear gas to disperse the protesters. The operation was later called off.

SFs cordoned off Wani Mohalla in Keller area of Shopian District after reports about presence of top HM ‘commander’ Sameer Tiger in the village. They conducted house to house searches in the village but the operation was later called off after no militant was found there.

SFs conducted searches at Dougam Kakapora in Pulwama District after suspicious movement in near PHE’s Water Tank. However, nothing was found there.

Separatist leaders in Kashmir have called for a boycott of the upcoming panchayat polls in the State, as the authorities on December 28 clamped down on its top leadership in Srinagar. “Any sort of election under the Indian occupational system, be it for so-called Assembly, Parliament, municipal committee or panchayat, is meant only to harm the interests of Kashmiris. The Indian rulers have been using this election drama to negate Kashmiris’ demand for self-determination and freedom,” said a statement issued by the JRL, comprising Tehreek-e-Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Geelani, APHC chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and JKLF chief Muhammad Yasin Malik. Appealing for “a complete and comprehensive boycott of the panchayat elections”, they said, “By an exemplary boycott of these elections, Kashmiris will deliver a message to India and to the international community that Kashmiris want freedom.” The government recently announced to held panchayat polls in February next year.

Chief Secretary BB Vyas briefed Centre’s Special Representative on Jammu and Kashmir Dineshwar Sharma in the Civil Secretariat while the the Special Representative met more delegations and individuals before winding up his four-day third visit to Jammu and Kashmir and returning to New Delhi. Sharma visited the Civil Secretariat, the seat of the Government, and had half an hour long inter-action with the Chief Secretary. Vyas was reported to have briefed the Special Representative on developmental works, security and other aspects of the situation prevailing in Jammu and Kashmir.

CPI-Maoist cadres attacked the base camp of a private road construction company and set ablaze several vehicles at Sahyara village under Madanpur Police Station area in Aurangabad District of Bihar. The cashier and other employees of the construction company were chased away by CPI-Maoist cadres after the management refused to pay extortion money and set ablaze one JCB machine and road roller each and seven tractors standing inside the base camp premises, said SP, Satya Prakash.

The CPI-Maoist in a press release, has termed former Maoist ‘central committee (CC) member’ Jinugu Narasimha Reddy aka Jampanna, as a as "scoundrel" and a "diehard betrayer" to the ideology. In a four-page statement issued to the media, the party accused Jampanna of choosing the path of the most selfish, heinous and cowardly path of desertion and shamelessly kneeling down before the enemy. “He tried to cover up his weaknesses by taking shelter under the garb of ideological differences with the party line. Our central committee strongly condemns his betrayal and resolves to carry forward the red banner of class struggle,” Maoist party spokesman Abhay said in the statement. It said Jampanna, who surrendered last week (December 22) before Telangana Police along with wife Rajitha, was suspended for two years long before the surrender. The letter also contained that Jampanna was dismissed about two years ago for his ideological differences, but he didn’t change the attitude. “Though he participated in the revolutionary movement for a relatively long period of three decades and developed as one among the highest ranked leaders, he had several weaknesses, limitations and non-proletarian trends like individualism, bureaucracy and false prestige that continued throughout his political life as a comrade. He refused to attend several meetings held by the central committee and was panicky,” the release by central committee read.

With only days to go for the publication of the draft NRC bill, Assam s scheduled to publish one part of the draft NRC after midnight of December 31 which will be made available for the people of the state from January 1, 2018. The state has already received 30 companies of CAPF and another 50 companies are being sent to the state for deployment in the run up to publication of the NRC.

NIA raided the residences of two militants of KCP-PWG The raids were carried out in the residences of Khumanthem Jack in Yurembam Awang Leikai in Imphal West District and Laishram Ranjit alias Tamnganba of Kwakeithel Moirangpurel Leikai, also of Imphal West District. Both the individuals were arrested from Delhi on August 14.

AR arrested three NDFB-S militants from Tuensang market in Tuensang District.

December 29

Regarding the army recruitment, Brigadier Govind Kalvad, the Commandant of the Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre said that “while the basic tenets of military training for the recruits remain the same, the training has now evolved to meet the challenges of sub-conventional warfare, including counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency and if necessary anti-naxalite operations”. Officials said that the army’s role has undergone a major shift in recent times and one of the key tasks across the boards is tackling acts of terror against India, particularly insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir and the North East and the threat of Left-wing extremism, if needed. Brigadier Govind Kalvad said “The training module for the recruits has been thoughtfully evolved to meet the challenges of sub-conventional warfare, which is basically Low Intensity Conflict Operations, comprising anti-terrorist, anti-insurgency operations and if necessary anti-naxalite operations. We have not diverted from the basic tenets of military training, even though there have been modernisations in these over time. But after the basics are covered, a trained soldier undergoes extensive training in facing sub-conventional situations. So after the conventional training gets over, a soldier goes on leave and immediately after he comes back, he is attached to a camp for training on situations of sub-conventional warfare. So when he leaves, he is fully prepared to face any situations in Jammu and Kashmir, North East or in fighting Naxalites if told to.” He said that some modern facilities are being introduced in the firing drills for the recruits, which are considered one of the key elements in the making of a soldier. Officials of the MLIRC said that these days the recruits, who are increasingly using cell phones to stay connected, are being made aware of the threat of cyber crimes.

After few hours of a terror attack in Cairo city of Egypt, the Indian Intelligence agencies has advised the Police and other security establishments to remain vigil and elevate the security measurements in existence as the New York celebration approaches in Delhi. Special Security arrangements are in order at religious places. Police’s ‘Prakram’ vans with Armed Security personnel are within the reach in case of any emergency or threat perceptions in Delhi, said a Senior Police officer.

UHM Rajnath Singh said that the security situation in J&K has considerably improved with the efforts of the SFs and the development initiatives undertaken by both the Centre and the State. The Minister made these remarks while chairing an inter-ministerial meeting, convened in New Delhi, to discuss development issues in J&K besides Left Wing Extremism-affected States and the Northeast region. The high-level meet discussed improvement of communication infrastructure in the J&K State, particularly Ladakh region, strengthening of education system in Jammu Kashmir and other developmental issues.

According to an official spokesman, the Minister said that security situation in the militancy infest Jammu Kashmir had shown considerable improvement and it was time to move forward with speed on the developmental front. Maintaining that the overall situation in J&K was well control, Rajnath Singh stressed that it was made possible due to the efforts of SFs and development initiatives undertaken by the incumbent Governments at Centre and the State. “Now it is time to move forward with speed on the development front,” he added.

Besides J&K, the Minister said, the overall security situation in the country, including Naxal (Left Wing Extremism) hit area and the Northeast region had also shown considerable improvement. While discussing the development issues, the inter-ministerial meeting focused on improvement of communication infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the Ladakh region by upgrading and installation of mobile towers.  Similarly, the sources added,   the meet also discussed in length strengthening of education infrastructure in Jammu Kashmir.

As many as seven vehicles engaged in road construction work were set ablaze by the CPI-Maoist cadres near Toylanka village under Katekalyan Police Station limits in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. However, no casualties or injuries were reported in the incident. Under the PMGSY scheme, a road is being constructed between Gadapal and Badelakhapal villages, located around 450 kilometres away from the State capital, Raipur, Dantewada, ASP, Gorakhnath Baghel said. A group of armed Maoists reached the construction site near Toylanka and set on fire two tractors, two water tankers, one poclain machine, one road roller and one JCB machine parked there. The Maoists also allegedly threatened the workers to stay away from the construction works before fleeing from the spot, ASP, Baghel added.

A CPI-Maoist cadre, indentified as Sahdev Singh Kherwar alias Sahdev Bhokta alias Vinayji, surrendered before the Police in Palamu District of Jharkhand. Sahdev joined the CPI-Maoist as ‘Baal Dasta’ member in 1991 and was promoted to the armed squad in 2002. He was also involved in the 2002 murder of then Rohtas, DFO, Sanjay Kumar Singh, which was carried by self-proclaimed ‘area commander’ Nirala Yadav, convicted and awarded life term for the murder by a Rohtas court on July 5, 2017.

Assam DGP stated that operations against militants in the northeast region have hit ULFA-I adversely. He also urged Paresh Barua, the ‘chairman’ of ULFA-I and its cadres to return to mainstream.  He also stated that ULFA-I recruitment was still continuing and stated that Police had information regarding newly recruited militants.  He also stated magnitude of recruitment has reduced.

BPCA Assam-Nagaland held a peace and goodwill meeting at Darikial village in Nakachari under Jorhat District. The main aim of the meeting was to deliberate on the news about GoI’s proposal of inking a final Naga peace accord and the confusion and fear in the minds of the people.

Suspected Kuki militants abducted a Naga truck driver identified as A. Adakho from Motbung, a Kuki-majority town in Senapati. Surface Hills Area Drivers’ Welfare Union blocked National Highway 2 (NH2), where the incident had occurred. The blockade was lifted on the same day after the driver was rescued by Police.

December 30

Madurai Police arrested seven members of a gang for attacking N. Abubacker—an accused of serial blasts cases in the court complexes in various parts of South India. These seven persons were hiding in a lodge in Triplicane city in Chennai in Chennai District and were arrested with the assistance of Chennai Police. The arrested persons are identified as Mohammad Harun, Thoufiq Ali, Kiasuddin, Seeni Allah Pichai, Farooq Abdullah, Mohammad Ali, and Abubacker Siddique. All seven persons were present in the court of Judicial Magistrate and later lodged in prison.

The ATS of the state of Maharashtra arrested a former member of SIMI, identified as Sarjeel Sheikh (34) from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Sarjeel Sheikh was registered absconding at Kurla Police station in a case of an assault on a ‘public servant’ and unlawfully assembly.

SFs conducted a CASO in Bandipora District. Acting on a tip-off about the presence of militants, SFs and SOG of Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a joint search operation at Gund Jehangir in Hajin in Bandipora. SFs sealed all exit points and launched house-to-house search operation, the sources said. However, no one was arrested during the operation which ended after several hours.

It is believed that militants, who were hiding in the forests during summer, had come down in plains following snowfall and chilly weather in the heights. SFs destroyed a number of hideouts in the forests before the onset of winter.

NIA Special Court in Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) awarded six years imprisonment to six persons, who were arrested in 2011 by Janipur Police during patrolling near High Court Road. These persons namely Shahid, Zaqir Hussain, Showkat Ali and Mubarak Hussain were arrested with FICN and letter of HM outfit. Later, the case was handed over to NIA. After hearing both the sides, Special Judge observed, “currency is the backbone of any economy and helps people in their day to day transaction, whether commercial or household and its use is indispensable”. “General acceptability and faith of the public in it are the basic pre requisite of its existence. Presence of the forged or counterfeit currency can shackle smooth functioning of the economy. In the extreme cases it can also result in loss of people’s faith in the currency and thus in the economic system”, the court said, adding “penetration of the counterfeit currency notes can affect basic frame of the economic activities and lead the economy to doldrums”. With these observations, court awarded six years imprisonment to the accused.

The two IEDs were recovered by SFs which were suspected to be hidden beneath the earth by the Maoists to target SFs, around two kilometres from a Paramilitary force’s camp stationed in new Tarrem village in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The explosives, weighing 10 kilograms and 15 kilograms, were unearthed by a joint team of the CRPF’s 168th battalion and local Police from the forests of Basaguda Police Station limits, Bijapur, ASP, Mohit Garg said. Later, another IED was found nearby during a search, the ASP said. The BDS immediately destroyed the explosives, ASP, Garg said.

Three lower-rung CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested from different places in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. While two Maoists identified as Madvi Deva (30) and Hemla Joga (25) were arrested from Chintalnar Police Station limits, Muchaki Munna (28) was arrested from Chintagufa Police Station area, Sukma, ASP, Jitendra Shukla said. The arrested cadres were active as Maoist militia members, ASP, Shukla said. Deva and Joga were allegedly involved in firing on a Police party in the forest in Chinnabodkel villages last month. Similarly, Munna was wanted in connection with a blast to harm a Police team on Burkapal road in October, ASP, Shukla added. The three were produced in a local court in Dantewada, which remanded them in judicial custody. 

A CPI-Maoist cadre was gunned down in an exchange of fire with SF personnel in the forest near Karigundam and Itapara villages in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. Various teams of CoBRA, a CRPF’s specialised unit, DRG and STF were out on a counter-insurgency operation in the forest of Chintagufa, around 500 kilometres south from the State capital, Raipur, since the past couple of days, ASP, Jitendra Shukla said. A team of DRG, while returning, confronted Maoists in the forest near the two villages following which a gun-battle broke out between the two sides. However, after a brief exchange of fire, the ultras escaped into the core forest area. “During a search in the area, the body of a Naxal clad in uniform, a 12 bore gun, a 315 bore gun and a muzzle-loading gun were recovered,” ASP, Shukla said. The identity of the killed ultra was yet to be ascertained.

Jharkhand Police recovered explosives during an anti-CPI-Maoist operation in Kumari village of Gumla District in Jharkhand. Six bombs, CPI-Maoist uniforms, pamphlets, a printer, a blood pressure monitoring device and some other articles were seized. The search operation was launched based on information of CPI-Maoist cadres’ movement, said Police.

Three militants of newly formed CLA who had abducted naga truck driver in Senapati District was arrested from Lamlai Mayai Lekai in Imphal West District. The militants have been identified as Redeemsion Muivah alias Bruce Lee, Moirangthem Bungcha alias Ishorjit Meitei and Lamgoulun Misao alias Paulneo.

BSF has been told to keep a close vigil on the 856-kilometres-long India-Bangladesh border in Lankamura, on the outskirts of Agartala in Tripura to prevent entry of unwanted elements into the State, where Assembly elections are due early 2018. Central Paramilitary Forces would start arriving in the State soon and the central Government has agreed to send SFs as required by the Election Commission.

December 31

The BSF arrested two unidentified persons with 325 FICNs of INR 2,000 denominations with worth INR 6.50 lakh from Happy More (turn-around) in Malda District of West Bengal. The seized FICNs and arrested persons were later handed-over to Kaliachak Police Station of Malda District. Reportedly in 2017, BSF South Bengal Frontier (SBF) arrested 11 persons and seized FICNs of worth INR 62 lakh.

Militants carried out a fidayeen attack on a CRPF camp in the early morning at Letpora in Pampore in Pulwama District, killing five CRPF personnel while two of the militants were later shot dead in the operation. The militants who were killed in the attack were identified as Manzoor Ahmad Baba, and Fardeen Ahmad Khanday both residents of Kashmir. Sources said that at least three fidayeens stormed into the camp by firing indiscriminately and lobbed grenades. The 4-storey building consisted of 3 blocks and block-one was used for officer’s family accommodation, 2nd block as main office while block three as camp and it was targeted by militants. Soon after the attack, reinforcement of Army’s Special Forces and SOG rushed to the spot and cordoned off the whole area amid fierce gunfight. In the initial exchange of gunfight, seven CRPF personnel were injured. Five of them were killed.

The IG of CRPF Ravideep Sahi said heavily armed Pakistani fidayeens entered the camp in the dead of the night, which might have surprised the personnel and threw grenades and fired at them. "This was a deadly fidayeen attack by the Pakistani terrorists on the last day of 2017. Five of our boys laid down their lives to repulse the attack on the camp on the Srinagar-Jammu highway," IG Sahi said.

JeM claimed responsibility for the fidayeen attack. A JeM statement to local media said: "The blood of martyrs is yielding results... Talha Rasheed, Mohammad Bhai, commander Noor Mohammad Tantray and all other martyrs of Kashmir are not heirless..." The statement threatened more attacks on SFs.

Hours after a militant attack on a CRPF camp in Pulwama District, DGP S P Vaid said that SFs had an input about an impending militant strike in the Kashmir Valley for the past three days. Terming the attack as unfortunate, Vaid said as long as Pakistan keeps sending militants, SFs and people of Kashmir will continue to go through this. "There was an input from the last two-three days. They (militants) were trying. They probably could not get a place and time earlier. So, they struck last night," Vaid said. The DGP was speaking at a press conference to outline the achievements of Jammu and Kashmir Police in 2017.

Pakistani troops again violated ceasefire along the LoC in twin border Districts of Rajouri and Poonch in which an Army jawan (trooper) was killed. Reports said that Pakistani troops violated ceasefire by resorting to heavy unprovoked firing on forward Army posts at Baba Khori in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District in the wee hours of December 31. An Army jawan, identified as Sepoy Jasbir Singh was martyred in the attack. Indian Army retaliated effectively, leading to exchanges for some time.

Pakistan troops also opened firing at Degwar sector of Poonch District from 3.30 am to 6.30 am and Mankot, Balnoi and Ghani in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch at 4.50 pm. However, there was no damage on the Indian side at these two places. Pakistan was also reported to have suffered losses in retaliatory firing by the Indian side.

Two CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested during special drive launched in Aurangabad District of Bihar. SP, Satya Prakash said that during the special drive launched to flush out Maoists from Naxalite affected Aurangabad District, two Maoists identified as Mahesh Bhuiyan and Jairama Bhuiyan were arrested. Both the rebels were wanted in connection with attack on base camp of a construction company engaged in road construction on December 28 near Saimar village under Madanpur Police Station, the SP added.

A CPI-Maoist cadre wanted for several offences was arrested by the Police in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. A statement from the SP, Gadchiroli said that the arrested Maoist identified as Chandrika Jethuram Raut (42) was a member of the Chamorshi dalam and carried a reward of INR 200,000 on his head. Police officials added that Raut was earlier arrested in 2014 but had managed to escape at that time.

The Police recovered two banners, suspected to be put up by the CPI-Maoist, in Nagzira wildlife sanctuary in Gondia District of Maharashtra. “Nagzira Bandh, Lal Salam. Dum hain toh Nagzira aao (If you dare, come to Nagzira),” the banners said. 'Lal Salam' (Red Salute) is a greeting often found on Naxal pamphlets and banners.

The CPI-Maoist cadres went on the rampage and ransacked the Kurub Panchayat office under the Kalimela Police Station limits in Malkangiri District of Odisha. Sources said that as many as 25 armed rebels barged into the Panchayat office and smashed the TV set and furniture provided to villagers by Police. The incident was suspected to be a fallout of the surrender of villagers before the District Police and arrest of 12 militia members in the District on December 27. The Police had carried out the operation after the rebels indulged in various violent activities like setting road construction equipments on fire and killing villagers after dubbing them as ‘Police informers’.

NRC was published featuring names of 1.9 crore Indian citizens living in Assam. The remaining 1.39 crore cases continue to remain under examination, scrutiny and verification. The part draft NRC was published in the presence of RGI who stated that the final draft in all probabilities would be published within 2018 itself.

Assam CM urged the people not to panic if some of them find their names missing from the first draft. He said no genuine citizens would be excluded from the NRC and there were provisions to submit claims and objections. "The government will extend all support.

DGP said 85 additional companies of paramilitary forces and state police personnel have been deployed. He stated that All district SPs have been asked to monitor the situation. Sensitive NRC seva kendras have been identified and security deployed accordingly."

Source:Compiled from news reports and are provisional.