The News Caravan

Tag: LoC

  • Kupwara’s Keran shows up on tourism map as violence wanes along LoC

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    Keran,  May 09: With the authorities in Kashmir working for the promotion of offbeat tourism destinations, the ever-increasing tourist footfall to Keran along Line of Control is opening ample opportunities for people.

    Keran located on the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district is emerging as a new tourism destination.

    The remote sector was a no go zone and used to witness intense gunfire and shelling leading to casualties and miseries for locals. The situation had even forced many of them to migrate to safer places given the scare of untimely ceasefire violations from across the border.

    Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), locals appreciating the efforts of authorities and the Army said that the situation has gradually started to limp to normalcy. “People can undertake normal activities. Construction work has begun already. Students attend regular classes. Agricultural activities are also happening without any fear,” they said.

    The situation in the sector has shown improvement after the February 2021 ceasefire pact between the armies of India and Pakistan. People are visibly happy with the improved atmosphere that used to remain under the constant shadow of guns.

    Naseem Ahmad, a local, said that the situation has shown a significant improvement in the last two years. “People are able to engage in outdoor activities that weren’t a norm two years back.”

    “The opening of the keran sector for the tourism boom has opened a huge number of opportunities for locals here. Locals have started to open their houses for home stay facilities. Small Dhaba owners have started to prepare rooms for night stay of tourists,” he said.

    Naseem also said that not only men, even women are happy with the arrival of tourists.

    Hesitant to talk, a few women KNO talked to said that they are happy to serve the tourists with the local delicacies. “We are enjoying the process as of now. Everyone we served here has been very supportive and encouraging. Even our men have been very cordial and supportive. We are very new to it but are adapting to everything required,” they said.

    Asif Bhat, a local Dhaba owner said that the couple of shops there used to serve tea and very few other things to locals only. “But for the last two years, tourists have started to come here. Rooms are being prepared for night stays well. We have also hired chefs to offer different varieties to visitors,” he said.

    Firdous, a resident of villgam said that he is happy to quit working in Srinagar and return to work in Keran. “I am getting a sound salary. Tourists are arriving in huge numbers,” he said.

    Zaheer Ahmad Joo, a local, said that he has converted his piece of land into a tent space. “We offer tents for night stays. We also allow people to pitch their tents and charge them a very meagre amount. Even food is offered here and every visitor loves the experience,” he said—(KNO)

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    #Kupwaras #Keran #shows #tourism #map #violence #wanes #LoC

    ( With inputs from : roshankashmir.net )

  • Women officers of Territorial Army to be posted along LoC: Official

    Women officers of Territorial Army to be posted along LoC: Official

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    New Delhi: The women officers of the Territorial Army (TA) with Engineer Regiments of the TA will be posted along the Line of Control (LoC), an official said on Sunday.

    Following approval by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, women officers will also be posted as staff officers at TA Group Headquarters, Directorate General of Territorial Army in Delhi, as per organisational requirements.

    The Defence Ministry said that this progressive policy measure is aimed at enhancing the scope of employment of women officers as well as meeting their professional aspirations.

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    They will now serve and train under the same conditions as their male counterparts in a wider range of units and appointments.

    The Territorial Army had commenced commissioning women Officers since 2019, in Ecological Task Force Units, TA Oil sector units and TA Railway Engineer Regiment.

    Based on the experience gained during this period, it has been decided to extend the scope of further employment for women officers in TA, a Defence Ministry official said.

    The Territorial Army is based on a Citizen Soldiers’ army concept and officers undergo annual training on basic military skills while remaining gainfully employed in civilian life.

    Significantly, the armed forces have taken several measures, including assigning command roles to women, grooming them for future leadership roles and allowing them to join artillery regiments, to promote gender equality.

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    #Women #officers #Territorial #Army #posted #LoC #Official

    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • Army Destroys Six Land Mines Along LoC

    Army Destroys Six Land Mines Along LoC

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     SRINAGAR: On Thursday, the army destroyed around half a dozen explosive landmines on the Line of Control which were originally their own landmines but had drifted, posing a risk to the lives of army personnel.

    Official sources stated that six anti-personnel landmines were detected by army troops who were patrolling the area and were part of their own minefield but had drifted near the troops.

    They added that a special team of the Indian Army’s bomb disposal squad destroyed the six mines through a controlled mechanism.

    The shells were destroyed in the forward area of the Balakote sector on the Line of Control. (KNO)

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    #Army #Destroys #Land #Mines #LoC

    ( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

  • Army Apprehends Father-Son Duo From PAK Near LoC

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    SRINAGAR: A father-son duo from Pakistan-administered Kashmir was apprehended by the army near the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district.

    Sardar Abdul Hamid and his son Abbas of Polas village in PAK were nabbed by the troops in Gulpur sector shortly after they crossed over from across the border, according to officials.

    The questioning of the duo is in progress, and it is not immediately clear whether they crossed the border inadvertently or with some intention.

    However, no incriminating material was found in their possession.

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    #Army #Apprehends #FatherSon #Duo #PAK #LoC

    ( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

  • Army Apprehends Father-Son Duo From PaK Near LoC

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    SRINAGAR: A father-son duo from Pakistan-administered Kashmir was apprehended by the army near the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district.

    Sardar Abdul Hamid and his son Abbas of Polas village in PAK were nabbed by the troops in Gulpur sector shortly after they crossed over from across the border, according to officials.

    The questioning of the duo is in progress, and it is not immediately clear whether they crossed the border inadvertently or with some intention.

    However, no incriminating material was found in their possession.

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    #Army #Apprehends #FatherSon #Duo #PaK #LoC

    ( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

  • Fresh Deadline Set For Construction Of Bunkers Along LoC

    Fresh Deadline Set For Construction Of Bunkers Along LoC

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    SRINAGAR: Amid heightened tensions along the border belts, particularly in Rajouri and Poonch districts, authorities again have intensified the construction works for underground bunkers constructed for the safety of the people living along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) in Jammu province.

    The District Development Commissioner Rajouri Vikas Kundal chaired a crucial meeting and directed the officials to complete construction of all bunkers by June 30.

    The meeting was informed that against the target of constructing 1892 bunkers, the work on 1528 bunkers is complete in all respects.  The DDC also reviewed block wise progress in respect of bunker construction. He set June 30, 2023 as the deadline for completing work on the remaining bunkers.

    Reviewing the allotment of the tenders for the bunkers, he set the May 15 deadline for completing the pending allotments.

    The DDC emphasized the officers to put in all possible efforts to ensure that the set targets are achieved well in time so that necessary benefits are provided to the border residents with the completion of bunkers.

    Though there has been no major ceasefire violation since India and Pakistan signed a fresh agreement to maintain calm along the borders on February 25 this year, in the last few years, dozens of border residents have died in relentless shelling and firing by Pakistan along the border.

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    #Fresh #Deadline #Set #Construction #Bunkers #LoC

    ( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

  • 2 Soldiers Killed As Army Vehicle Falls Into Gorge Near LoC In Rajouri

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    M S Nazki

    Jammu, April 29 (GNS): Two soldiers were killed when an army ambulance vehicle they were travelling in met with an accident near Line of Control  in Rajouri district on Saturday.

    Official sources told GNS that the vehicle skidded off the road and fell about 200-ft down into a gorge near Dungannon Nallah. Two soldiers suffered critical injuries and were shifted to army hospital Rajouri were they succumbed to injuries.

    A police official told GNS that a case has been registered and further investigations taken up.

    Sources identified the soldiers Havildar Sudhir Kumar of Bihar and Paramvir Sharma of Rajouri. (GNS)

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    #Soldiers #Killed #Army #Vehicle #Falls #Gorge #LoC #Rajouri

    ( With inputs from : thegnskashmir.com )

  • Two Pak intruders apprehended along LoC in Poonch

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    Poonch/Jammu, Apr 29: A father-son duo from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) were apprehended by the Army near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Saturday, officials said.

    Sardar Abdul Hamid and his son Abbass of Polas village were nabbed by the troops in Gulpur sector shortly after they intruded into this side from across the border, the officials said.

    They said the questioning of the duo is in progress and it was not immediately clear whether they crossed the border inadvertently or with some intention.

    However, no incriminating material was recovered from their possession, they said.–(PTI)

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    #Pak #intruders #apprehended #LoC #Poonch

    ( With inputs from : roshankashmir.net )

  • Two Soldiers Killed As Army Vehicle Falls Into Gorge Near LoC In Rajouri

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    Jammu, April 29: Two soldiers were killed when a army vehicle they were travelling in met with an accident near Line of Control in Rajouri district on Saturday.

    Official sources told GNS that the vehicle skidded off the road and fell about 200-ft down into a gorge near Dungannon Nallah. Two soldiers suffered critical injuries and were shifted to army hospital Rajouri were they succumbed to injuries.

    A police official told GNS that a case has been registered and further investigations taken up.
    Sources identified the soldiers Havildar Sudhir Kumar of Bihar and Paramvir Sharma of Rajouri. (GNS)

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    #Soldiers #Killed #Army #Vehicle #Falls #Gorge #LoC #Rajouri

    ( With inputs from : roshankashmir.net )

  • Situation at LoC relatively peaceful after ceasefire agreement: Pakistan Army

    Situation at LoC relatively peaceful after ceasefire agreement: Pakistan Army

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    Islamabad: The Pakistan Army on Tuesday said the situation at the Line of Control (LoC) has remained “relatively peaceful” after the ceasefire agreement with India was restored in 2021.

    In his first press conference since assuming office in December last year, Military Spokesman Major General Ahmed Sharif also talked about the latest threat of terrorism and other important issues facing the cash-strapped country.

    “The situation at the LoC has remained relatively peaceful after the 2003 ceasefire agreement (was restored),” he said.

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    Pakistan had downgraded its diplomatic ties with India and severed trade links following New Delhi’s decision to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019. In February 2021, the two sides restored a ceasefire agreement on the highly volatile LoC.

    Maj Gen Sharif also alleged that India committed 56 LoC ceasefire violations in 2023, including three violations of airspace, 22 incidents of speculative firing, six ceasefire violations and 25 technical airspace violations.

    The spokesperson also said that the army was prepared to deal with any threat.

    He said that after taking office, Army chief General Asim Munir made his first visit to the LoC and sent a clear message that “Pakistan’s forces are prepared to defend every corner of the country”.

    Sharif said that the Pakistan Army was battle-hardened and always led from the front by the officers.

    Talking about the threat of terrorism, he said that terrorists had been trying to destroy peace on the western frontiers along Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces but the security forces were foiling their attempts.

    “Pakistan’s forces have taken appreciable measures, tracked down terrorist networks and we continue to do so,” he said, adding that there was a nexus between the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and Baloch militant groups.

    Sharing data, he said 436 terrorist attacks took place in the country during the ongoing year, which killed 293 people and injured another 521, while the forces conducted 8,269 intelligence-based operations in the current year and killed or arrested 1,525 terrorists.

    “To rid the country of terrorism, more than 70 operations are conducted daily,” he said and added that there was no “no-go area” in Pakistan.

    The spokesman also said that 137 security personnel had been killed and 117 injured in anti-terror operations this year.

    He said that most of the work on the western border management fencing had been completed along a total of 3,141 kilometres of border with Afghanistan and Iran to curtail terrorist activity.

    “Under border management, more than 98 per cent of work on the 2,611 km Pak-Afghan border has been completed, while more than 85 per cent of work on the Pak-Iran border has been completed,” he said.

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    #Situation #LoC #peaceful #ceasefire #agreement #Pakistan #Army

    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )