The Informative Missive Published by PUBLIC COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

Editorial:          HUMAN SHIELDS

    The killing of five civilians on 7th February in Chittibandi, Bandipora after being taken away from their homes, and subsequently used as human shield in an encounter between militants, and troops is a manifestation of the modus operandi of the army’s campaign in the valley to combat militancy. This is exceptionally due to the political reasons, as the dialogue process is going on between break away Hurriet Conference led by Moulvi Abbas Ansari and the Central Government, which gave it an unusual attention. Otherwise, many such incidents usually go unnoticed and unreported in Kashmir. Invariably, the non-combatant Kashmiris have been used as human shield during the counter militancy operations.

    In early ‘1990s, in order to protect themselves the army used to force young Kashmiris to act as cover during their cordon and search operations. There are instances where the civilians have been forced to negotiate with the holed up militants in the houses or mosques to surrender, and in many cases civilians irrespective of their age and gender have got killed before the killing of militants or before the militants have been neutralised. There are innumerable instances where the civilians are forced to perform the job of the army like unearthing the land mines or acting as cover in the suspected mine fields where the army personnel have to march, often resulting in the death of civilians or nocturnal patrolling of highways in vulnerable areas of Kashmir. There are instances where the army personnel have tied the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) to the civilians and forced them to negotiate with the militants to surrender, and many a times they have been used as booby traps against the militants. There are instances where the bunkers have been intentionally erected in the densely populated civilian areas and during encounters with militants inhabitants have been prevented from leaving their dwellings. There are reported cases where the security personnel do not feel compulsive to conduct physical search of the Fidayeen (suicidal squad). Wherever, the security forces sensing danger they have used civilians as cannon fodders. This practise is more prevalent in the remote areas, inaccessible to the Media like Banihal, Kupwara and the villages up to the 70km to the Line of Actual Control (LOC).

    One of the main reasons for using civilians as a shield is that the security forces are well aware that the whole population is against them and considers them as occupational forces. Thereby, as an occupational force they don’t consider local people as their own. They feel no remorse or accountability for such acts. Notwithstanding, the “Ten Commandments” issued by the Chief of the Army Staff to the troops, which are otherwise impracticable unless there is no will and determination from the High Command to take to task the culpable officials transgressing them. Instead the High Command has been justifying all the omissions and commissions of the operational security forces.

    In the case of the Chittibandi, the Chief of the Army staff has absolved the army personnel by dismissing the allegations as incorrect and justified the claim of troops about the slain civilians as “potters”. Even the retired General holding now gubernatorial in J&K office, has also given clean chit to the army and justified using civilians as “potters”, although nobody including their families is buying the army’s argument. Even the common sense will not accept that the people in the conflict areas are likely to work as potters voluntarily. The media in India has also fallen in line with the government by condoning such instances as abrasions. The Army obsessed with giving the collective punishment to the people, believe they are justified in doing everything. They are infatuated that people are providing logistics like hospitability and other things to militants, which people are forced to, as there are no choices. The army is of the view that militants are like fishes, who cannot survive without water thereby blaming people of acquiescence for surviving militancy, thus flouting the International Humanitarian Law.

    In the modern times, the International Humanitarian Law rules us. There are even limits in wars, limits of how the warfare is conducted and limits of how the combatants behave. The Geneva Convention stipulates that non-combatants even though provide food, shelter and other partisan support to one side or the other in conflict and if under these circumstances such persons are summarily executed or die of torture their deaths are tantamount to murder. Further the Rome Statute also hold perpetrators personally responsible for such crimes, as these are the crimes against humanity, besides the IHL this act is an act of cowardice, unprofessional, unethical, which are not acceptable in a civilised society even during conflict times. And the responsibility lies more on the higher authorities in the army who are condoning such acts in the name of territorial integrity of India, which needs to be treated in order to protect the civilians in the conflict.

BANDIPORA CARNAGE: HUMANS USED AS SHIELDS

“Why are the Muftis in need of more wounds for their healing touch”, a villager cries in pain.
Hundred years ago, during the Sikh rule, Maharaja’s soldiers would descend on a villages of Kashmir and take away people for “begaar” (forced labour) to Gilgit. Most of the villagers would never come back and die under avalanches.

Hundred years hence, though the times and rulers have changed, yet begaar (forced labour) continues in same old barbaric fashion. People are dragged out of their homes in the dead of night and used as war fodder in the larger interests of ‘Indian Nationalism’.

    Throwing to winds, the protest raised by human rights groups time and again, the Indian armed forces continue to use forced labour as a weapon of war and subject hapless Kashmiris to untold miseries and trauma. This distressing phenomenon continues unabated in all parts of Jammu and Kashmir and has already consumed hundreds of hapless Kashmiris.

    Chitthibandi, Bandipora on 7th February witnessed a similar carnage when five civilians were killed after they were dragged out of their homes and used as human shield in an encounter between the militants and troops. The encounter which took place at Pethwari Behak in Kreshnaar Bandipora on 7th of February resulting in the death of fourteen people including, six militants and three soldiers of 10 JAKLI. The slain civilians were identified as Mohammad Sakhi Charoo S/O Qasim Charoo, his son Farooq Ahmed Charoo, Mohammad Aslam Mir S/O Mohammad Yusuf Mir, Mohammad Yaqub Batian S/O Abdur Rehman and Ghulam Jeelani Qureshi S/O Faqeerullah.

    The Army version says that during a clean-up operation late yesterday, some militants who had survived an offensive in the thick jungles of Arigam last Friday emerged from an underground bunker and sprayed bullets. The five ‘porters’ accompanying the Army unit reportedly died on the spot and two others were wounded. The militants, the Army adds, managed to escape into the jungle.

While the army version points out that the civilians were working as porters who were accidentally caught in an encounter between militants and troops at Keshnar, Bandipora, the villagers say that five men were not porters, and that the Army dragged them away from their homes for an operation to flush out militants from a jungle in Bandipora. According to them, the Army forcibly took away 25 people from nearby areas to use them as human shield in the operation. The Informative Missive spoke to the relatives of the victim of Bandipora.

“We will prefer to eat dirt or beg than work for the army. Will we work for those who have made our lives a hell", said Siraj ud din Qureshi whose son Farooq Ahmad Qureshi, 22, died in the encounter. Qureshi was in his modest home when the troops of the nearby 10 Para camp came for his son on Friday morning. "He was asleep when they came and took him forcibly saying he would be needed for some digging work in the camp. His sister Zarina who tried to resist was shoved aside by an officer who frightened her with a gun but", Qureshi said.

    The residents said other persons who died in the encounter namely Ghulam Jeelani, Muhammad Sakhi, Muhammad Yaqub Banee and Muhammad Aslam Mir were also coerced by troops to accompany them.
"Muhammad Yaqub son of Abdul Rahman Banee was expecting a son from his pregnant wife", Yunus his neighbour says "it would be his first child".

    Maulvi Abdur Rasheed, Imam of the village mosque says, "Forces lifted about two dozen civilians from Chitti Bandi, Argam, Pazalpora and Garoora. On gunpoint, soldiers forced them to proceed towards the caves wherefrom militants were responding to the Army’s gunfire. When the people used as the human shield reached close to the caves, there was firing from different directions. Some managed to escape but others fell to the bullets". According to the Maulvi, five civilians died due to excessive loss of blood, one survived with two gunshots and 15 more are still "missing".

    Everybody at Chitti Bandi says that troops of 10 JAK Rifles had actually dumped the bodies of the five civilians in a Kotha (hut). According to the residents, soldiers were putting combat uniform on the dead bodies and preparing for a Panchalthan (where five civilians were killed and labelled as foreign mercenaries) type drama when some people 'stormed' the Kotha and snatched away the dead. "Had we not reached in time, they (troops) would have torched the hut amid firing and claimed death of five more Pakistani terrorists in the encounter", says one Mohammad Akbar.

    The residents said they were clueless about the persons who had been forcibly taken away as till Sunday morning when their bodies were dropped by the troops in the house of one Ghulam Haidar Kallas son of Abdul Karim Kallas.

    Abdul Rahman, father of one of the deceased persons said, “At first the troops didn't allow us to see the bodies saying they were soldiers. They had put paddy straw over their bodies, which were clothed in army fatigues. This shows they were made to wear uniforms so that they can pass as soldiers".

    After much resistance by the residents, the bodies of the deceased persons were handed over to them. The only survivor, Abdul Majeed Malla S/o Ghulam Mohammad Malla R/o Arin Dardpora told newspersons at Bone and Joint Hospital Barzulla that troops pushed the group of six civilians in the direction of the hideout. "They (troops) collected our identity cards and asked us to tell the militants to surrender. When we were close to the caves, bullets rained from different directions and five of us died after sustaining critical injuries", he said. Malla, who received two gunshots in his left arm, was later on evacuated by Army, given first aid and rushed to Bandipora hospital. And from there he was referred to Srinagar hospital.

    Earlier on 5th of February, the SOG (Ikhwanis) and army men had tried to force villagers to accompany them to the encounter site but it was only due to sheer resistance of some of the villagers that they managed to survive.

    “On Thursday evening four armed Ikhwanis dragged my husband Muhammad Ayub out of the house, ” says Hakim Jan adding her 3-year old daughter felt unconscious and even the Ikhwanis thought she had fallen dead. “They asked me to come to the police station", Ayub said. The hue and cry raised by women saved Ayub from the abduction and the fate of five men, the residents said.

    Ishaq Lali, 36, and his brother Juma Lali, 40, sons of Ghulam Lali, Muneer Chechi s/o Saidullah, Farooq Kataria s/o Qasim Kataria of Chanpal, Chithibanday and Shafi Kataria were also taken from their homes on Thursday towards the hills where fierce gunfight was on between army and militants.

    "The walk over the rugged terrain exhausted us and we knew we were heading towards danger. Ishaq developed intense pain in the abdomen and we fell on the feet of the troops to leave us. Luckily we were set free", Muneer said.

    While Juma is bed ridden at home, Ishaq limps as he has developed pain in his feet and ankles. The identity cards of men are detained at the camps, which are given back only when they comply with their demands, the residents alleged adding.

    Killing of the five innocent civilians is not necessarily due to Army’s firing. Almost all bodies have entry wounds in the front, which indicates that they were hit by the militants’ fire. Still, every mouth is relentless against the Army. "Why do they treat us as occupied people and use us as shield against the militants? Does Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act authorize Army to lift civilians and get them killed this way? Why didn’t the soldiers evacuate the injured till they die due to excessive loss of blood?" (Post mortem report suggests that all the five died due to loss of blood as nobody’s vital organs had been hit).

    Dr Aijaz of Sub District Hospital Bandipora, who was in the team of the doctors who conducted the post mortem, said that all the five dead bodies had gunshots in lower limbs. One had multiple fractures due to gunshots in his knee and the fifth one had one bullet mark in his left leg. According to him, it was clear that at least three of them had been hit from the front and they had had the exit in back. Dr Aijaz said that BMO Bandipora has submitted the medical report to the Police.

    Bashir Ahmad Khan, the president of Gujjar Bakerwal ST Association, Bandipora said the "atrocities of the past 14 years have crossed the limits with the death of five innocent civilians".

    Gujjars are the most exploited people with least people to bother about them. If we open our mouths we would be shot"." Army says militants are unbridled terrorists, but they are a disciplined force", Bashir said.
    Since this is not the first incident of its kind, people believe that security forces have a "green signal" from the top to operate in this fashion. "Why are the Muftis in need of more wounds for their healing touch?" asks one Nazir Ahmed Mir s/o Abdul Hameed Mir, whose brother Mohammad Aslam Mir is among the dead? He says that the soldiers silenced his mother with gun butts and abuses when she made a desperate attempt to retrieve her son on Saturday morning.

    The killing of five men sent shockwaves in the whole Bandipora area. Within hours, a 10,000-strong procession reached Bandipora town with the five dead bodies amidst shouting slogans against Police and Army and in favour of Azaadi and Pakistan. Thereafter, they stormed the local Police station, ransacked the building and set on fire the bulletproof Gypsy of SHO Bandipora. Four more vehicles were damaged in the mayhem. Eyewitnesses said that the SHO’s Personal Security Officer Constable Ghulam Mohammad was manhandled by the mob and forced to shout pro-Pakistan slogans. The demonstrators also resorted to stone pelting on the local office of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The rage of the residents of Chittibandi against the killing of five Gujjar men was so intense that a defeated candidate of ruling Peoples Democratic Party was nearly lynched when he tried to address the mourners by invoking "Kalimah and affiliation with Ummah".

    Deputy Commissioner of Baramulla, Dheeraj Gupta, told the local press that he visited Bandipora along with SP Baramulla. He claimed that the authorities managed to pacify the crowds as they ordered registration of the murder case on the peoples’ complaint and assured quick disbursement of ex gratia relief and one Government job each to the bereaved families. He said that he also interacted with the Sector Commander of Army and made it clear that taking civilians for the military operations against terrorists was not justifiable. Gupta, however, denied that there was imposition of curfew in Bandipora. Asked about the Government’s response to the peoples’ demand of a judicial inquiry, DC Baramulla insisted that none of the people who met him in town raised such a demand.

    The protesters were today particularly enraged at the alleged misleading reportage in the local and national media. Upon the arrival of media, slogans like 'down with fake press' and 'burn government media' rent the foggy air of the area.

BANDIPORA RE-ENACTED
Feb 26: Bandipora witnessed another blood bath when police opened indiscriminate fire on protestors agitating against the reported torture of civilians. Thousands of protestors had come to streets. Troops today took three civilians for forced labour. However, Muhammad Abdullah Khan, the numberdar (village head) of the area and another civilian Mohammad Abdullah intervened and resisted the civilians being taken for begar (forced labour). The troops, reportedly irked by the resistance tortured the five persons. People of the area were outraged when they found Khan and four other persons in critical condition. Thousands of protestors mounted Khan on a stretcher and proceeded toward Bandipora Chowk, raising slogans against the troops. The protestors were also demanding that the responsible soldiers be brought to book. When the agitators reached Bandipora Chowk, police fired several gunshots and fired tear gas shells in the air. However it failed to dispel the protestors who attacked the stage set for Chief Minister (who was scheduled to visit the place) and razed it to ground. On this police opened indiscriminate fire killing Mushtaq Ahmad Wani (13) s/o Abdul Ahad Wani of Nathpora. Four persons were also severely injured including Suhail Ahmad Bhat son of Mohd Ramzan of Watapora, Manzoor Ahmad son of Ghulam Hassan of Gurez, Mohammad Akbar Mir s/o Habibullah of Bazi pora and Abdul Hamid s/o Khazir Mohammad of Ayat Mulla, who have been referred to Srinagar hospital for treatment. The protestors enraged with the killings and firing later attacked the Bandipora, police station and razed part of its compound wall to ground. They also burnt a SOG bunker near the police station.

   Army was called in the area when thousand of agitators after breaking the army siege entered the police station and tried to set it on fire. They also tried to take hostage the police personnel stationed there. A heavy contingent of the army was sent to the area. However, protests were continuing in the town and situation was said to be tense.

    Day 2 - Feb 27: Police forcibly took away the body of the boy killed in firing yesterday and buried him against the wishes of his parents. Indefinite curfew was clamped in the town early Friday morning to quell the proposed protest demonstrations against the troops and state government. However, fresh protests were witnessed in Bandipora as people defied the curfew in town to attend the burial of 13-year-old Mushtaq. But the police forcibly took the body and buried him at Nathpora amid deployment of large number of troops.

    Day 3 - Feb 28: Curfew was relaxed for one hour this evening in the tension ridden Bandipora.

PDP WORKER, SHOPKEEPER, RELATIVE OF MILITANT AND WOMAN KILLED IN A SERIES OF INTERLINKED EVENTS
February 15: Unidentified gunmen Sunday evening shot dead another PDP worker Ashiq Hussain Khan s/o Ali Mohd when he was purchasing provisions from a shop at Kawoosa Mohalla, Narbal in Budgam. The shopkeeper Farooq Ahmad Khan s/o of Mohd Shaban was also injured in the shoot out and later died. Reportedly to avenge the death of Ashiq Hussain, Ikhwanis (renegades) shot dead a relative of a militant of Hizbul Mujaheeden on the next day i.e. Feb 16th in Narbal. When people of the area came to know about the Rashid’s killing, they staged a massive protest against the killing. To disperse the agitating crowd who were shouting slogans against the government police fired indiscriminately which injured several people, the injured were taken to the hospital where one woman Ayesha begum succumbed to her injuries. The Informative Missive spoke to the bereaved families to know the facts, which led to series of killings.

    Ashiq Hussein’s was shot dead on Feb 16th by unidentified gunmen. Informative Missive spoke to his family. His wife Misra said, “my husband was not working with the army, he was not an ikhwani (renegade), he was working with People’s Democratic Party (PDP), he was the block president of Narbal. But now people are saying he was ikhwani. Actually he was a militant with Hizbul-Mujaheeden. In the year 1989 he went for arms training and was an active militant. In 1994 he was arrested for the first time and then he surrendered before the army. But after his surrender militants tortured him a lot. They once took him to kill him but while he was in their custody there was a crackdown and militants fled that place and he was saved. Army then arrested him for they feared his links with militants. He was torn in between the two warring sides. He was like a toy in the hands of army and militants. Though he worked with big guns of PDP like Usmaan Majid, and Mehbooba Mufti, but after his death none of them bothered to visit us. In fact the day before his killing, he had decided to flee Kashmir and go to Jammu. But fate had other plans for him. As far as his killers are concerned we are not sure as to who killed him. From the past two years he was with PDP, he was not with army let me clarify once again, you can ask anybody in the locality and they will vouch for it. I will hold the MLA of our area by collar and ask him if my husband laid his life for them, what have they thought about his family, they have not even visited us. Where will I go? I am left with six children, 4 sons and two daughters. Elder son is 18 years old, he is studying .We have no source of income. But I will not keep quiet I will see to it we get justice, a precious life has been lost and people for whom he worked are showing indifference. My daughters are of marriageable age, who will get them married, I feel personal animosity or jealousy is the reason behind my husband’s cruel death. FIR has been lodged but we haven’t received any relief so far.” Ashiq Hussein’s aging father Ali Mohd said “Ashiq moved out of my house 20 years back, he stayed with his wife and children. But his death has come as big jolt. He was working for the betterment of the people of this area. We won’t know why he was killed.”

    Along with Ashiq, the shopkeeper Farooq Khan, from whose shop he was buying provisions, was also killed in the shoot out. Farooq Khan died along with Ashiq as unidentified gunmen showered bullets. His family members (his house is just few yard away from his shop) after hearing bullet shots rushed to the spot and found two men lying in pool of blood. Farooq’s 20-year-old daughter Shabina was alone at the house that time; her mother had gone to visit relatives. Talking to The Informative Missive she said,” I was sitting at home when I heard gunshots, I rushed towards the shop and found two men lying on ground and one was my father. I was shocked. I can’t forget that scene. My father was innocent, he owns a shop and all kind of people come there, he cannot stop any one. Ashiq had come to buy provisions and make a phone call; the killer targeted him and in the shoot out my father was killed. It is unbelievable that papa is no more.”

    Farooq’s grieving wife is shocked by the incident, “I was not here, and I had gone to visit my mother. In the morning when I left everything was fine but by noon when I returned everything had changed. My whole world had collapsed. My husband was innocent and caught in between. I don’t know who the killers were; nobody came and apologized for the killing. This area is full of Ikhwanis; they all belong to this place. Farooq was the lone son of his parents, his father had already died and his aging mother is sick, she can’t even move around. I have three children, two daughters and one son. My son is just 16 years old he is studying in tenth, one daughter is in 12th standard and another is graduating. Know it is difficult for me to continue with their education. My husband worked hard to give us all the comforts. We were living a happy life. I am a housewife how I will shoulder the responsibility of my family, I don’t know what to do”.

    Although Ashiq’s family deny that he was an Ikhwanis but soon after his death, brother in law of a prominent Hizbul Mujaheeden (HM) militant was killed in Narbal. People say to avenge the death of Ashiq, Ikhwanis in the area killed Abdul Rasheed brother in law of HM militant Mohd Yousuf and his body was found at the same place where Ashiq was killed. When a team of Informative Missive went to the area, five ikhwanis with guns in their hands and vengeance on their face roamed the streets with the army personnel. People in this area fear them.

    Abdul Rashid’s house wears a ghastly look; the signs of poverty amply clear. He was a carpenter by profession and in the evenings at nights did Sozni (needle work) to sustain his extended family of wife, seven children and parents. His eldest son is studying in 11 and the youngest daughter is nine months old. His wife Taja said, “At around 12:30 pm in the night, three masked men came inside and asked me to prepare tea. We prepared tea and they said two men are outside, when we went out to give them tea, there was nobody. Then they asked my husband to accompany them, our son Bilal also went with them but half way they asked him to return back. We were worried but there was nothing we could do. Early in the morning we received a phone call informing us that Rashid had been killed and his body is in Narbal on the same spot where Ashiq had been killed. Local people who had gone early in the morning to offer prayers and had found his body made the call. My husband was killed to avenge the death of Ashiq as they (killers) believed my brother Mohd Yousuf who lives in Beeru and is a militant of HM was behind Ashiq’s killing. Actually every time any body is killed the blame falls on my brother. I have seven children to feed; we are poor what will happen to us.

    Her mother in law adds, “my son was married for 20 years, the only fault was that his wife’s brother is a militant but should we throw her out because of it. She has seven children, what will she do know. FIR has been lodged but the family is not keen in pursuing the case. “Who will follow the case, my children are too young to pursue it and the enemy is too strong.” Says, Taja.

    Abdul Rashid’s death was not an end to the series of killing as yet another innocent fell to the vicious circle. When people of the area came to know about Abdul Rashid’s killing, they were irked and men, women, children came on the streets to protest. Soon the crowd became bigger and turned into a procession. People took out the body of Rashid on a cot and shouted slogans against the government and security forces at Suziath Narbal. Police swooped on the crowd fired tear gas shells and lathi (cane) charged the crowd. During the police action many people were injured and one of the injured women Ayesah Begum w/o Abdul Ahad, later succumbed to her injuries at Soura hospital.

    A visit to late Ayesha’s house and the grief was writ all over. Informative Missive spoke to Ayesha s husband and to her daughter. Her husband Abdul Ahad recalling the fateful day said, “people of the area were protesting against the killing of Rashid. As soon as the news of his death spread in the area people took out massive protest, they refused to bury Rashid until the authorities did not punish the guilty. There was a crowd of about 10,000. People. Suddenly police smoked tear gas and lathi charged the mob. People ran helter-skelter. Ayesha was also injured by the police action and fell down in a river nearby, she was taken out and rushed to hospital but she died there. Doctors said her lung had been ruptured.” The family has not lodged any FIR and is awaiting the death certificate. Shakeela 16-year-old daughter of Ayesha says “ all of us were here but mother was out, when we heard the gun shots we went out to look for her but could not find her in a crowd. The police were beating people we came back and later somebody said your mother has been injured and has been taken to hospital but by evening her dead body came. The family has been left with no caretaker; Ayesha’s death is a big blow to the family.

DODA DAIRY

    On 9th February 2004 troops of 8RR from village Manthori about 20 kms from Doda cordoned the area and allegedly beat men, women and children. Many women were also molested by the irate troops. According to villagers some of the victims including women were severely beaten and had to be hospitalised for treatment.

    Before the incident there was an encounter between the militants and the troops of 8 RR in which one soldier had died (according to villagers three soldiers died), thereafter the troops went on a rampage and harassed the inhabitants of the area.

    When the reporter of The Informative Missive went to meet the victims, they declined to talk as they said the army had threatened them of consequences if they spoke about the incident. However, after lot of persuasion they spoke to the reporter and some of the persons showed the injuries. But women were so harassed and psychologically disturbed and did not reveal any details. The villagers showed the ransacked houses and they claimed that money and other valuables items were also snatched by the 8RR.Police have lodged FIR No 25/2004 under section 354, and investigations have started. Some of the victims who were tortured ruthlessly and are undergoing treatment at hospital are, Gandir Naik s/o Majeed Naik aged 60, was beaten on the allegation of harbouring militants. Locals say he is innocent and a farmer by profession. Ali loan s/ o Ghulam Loan aged 27 was tortured on the same allegation. Mohammad Hussain s/o Khaliq Naik 70, Rustum Ali s/o Majeed Naik, Ghulam Loan s/o Rasool loan aged 65, Mohd Abdullah s/o Abdul Gani Loan, Ghulam Mohammad s/o late Mohd Sadiq, Mahtaba Begum 70 year old, Ghulam Qadir Loan s/o Mahmooda Loan 76, Abdul Gani s/o Asra loan, Abdul Qayoom Naik s/ late Khazir Ahmad Naik, Abdul Lateif Loan s/o Mohd Sadiq Loan and Parveena begum w/o Rustum Ali are among the injured.

* KILLING OF IMAM SPARKS PROTEST IN DODA

February 12: People in large number took to streets in Doda town holding a massive demonstration in protest against the killing of an Imam (priest) allegedly by a team of Special Police Officers (SPOs) at village Chapri in Gath area of Doda district early in the morning.

Reports said, early in the morning an Imam of local mosque Mohammad Hafeez Pir son of Zaffar Pir, a resident of Chapri in Gath area of Doda along with two villagers while on their way to a graveyard to offer prayers for a recently departed soul, the trio were intercepted by a notorious posse of Special Police Officers (SPO) headed by Ghulam Qadir asked the Imam to company them, which he refused. Irked by his denial they dragged him, which was resisted by his associates, on this one of the personnel opened fire, which resulted into on spot death of Imam and injuries to his one associate Akhter Hussain. Immediately after the gunshots the assailants escaped from the spot.

Soon after the news of Imam’s killing spread, the people in huge number gathered at Chapri and marched to Doda town carrying dead body of the Imam. Amidst anti-police slogans the demonstrators forced closure of shops and blocked the traffic. They were demanding stern action against the accused responsible for the killing.

    The protesters blamed four SPOs for the killing whom they identified as Mohd Akhter, Mushtaq Ahmed, Mustafa and Ghulam Qadir. They demanded that all of them should be immediately arrested and stern action should be taken against the perpetrators. It is pertinent to mention here that the SSP Sunil Kumar had transferred the SPOs to Rambhan police station after his office was flooded with the complaints against them. Besides this incident, Ghulam Qadir is allegedly involved in many other crimes against humanity.

    The protest continued till late evening. Police and civil officials who visited the spot assured the agitated people that they would inquire into the circumstances leading to the killing. The injured Akhter Hussain has been admitted in the district hospital.

    The reports added, even the SSP acknowledged the crimes committed by the posse against the villagers. Villagers believe that in order to take vengeance (as they were transferred on complaints of the villagers) they killed the Imam. The sluggish efforts in nabbing them demonstrated the helplessness of the SSP. The killing of Imam orphaned eight children including five daughters.

    Villagers are making strenuous efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice and they frequently approach the office of the SSP.

* CASES OF TORTURE AND KILLINGS IN DODA

* Nisar Ahmad Lone (sarpanch) s/o Mirzulla Lone r/o Village Poti Khandan Upper Mandhar Kastigarh was killed by unidentified gunmen on 6-2-04.

    On the night of 6th Feb, unidentified gunmen entered the house of Nisar Ahmad Lone and asked him to come out. Thinking that security forces were on regular patrol, Nisar came out and immediately he was fired upon and he died on the spot. Matter was later taken to the police. Investigations are on.

    Nisar Ahmad was 34 years old and the only breadwinner of the family. He leaves behind ailing wife and five children. He was respected in his region for his ever-helping attitude.

* Zaitoona Begum (55) w/o Aziz Hajam r/o village Sooli upper Mandhar kastigarh was killed on 62-04 by unknown gunmen, about 50 metres from her house.

    Zaitoona was living in miserable conditions, as her husband who is a laborer by profession is sick and hence cannot work. The lady was virtually the breadwinner of the family. As per the statement of the villagers a gang comprising of SPO’s and VDC members are active in the area. They indulge in looting and extortion and have created fearful atmosphere in the village. Villagers suspect them behind her killing and have reported the matter to police. Investigations are on.

* TROOPS TORTURE FATHER OF 8 CHILDREN

On February 7, a thirty-six-year-old employee of Public Health Engineering (PHE), resident of Dhimpa, Dhar, Doda was allegedly picked up by the personnel of 10 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and was subjected to severe torture in custody. His condition was so grave that immediately after his release he was admitted in the hospital.

    Reports from Doda district revealed that on February 7, Rematuallah in connection with some official work went to Doda hospital. Before he entered the hospital he was allegedly taken away by 10 RR personnel for unknown reasons to JIC Doda. In JIC, he was reportedly subjected to ruthless torture in the form of electric shocks and canning and was blamed for possessing weapons.

    Next day on February 8, the forces allegedly stripped him naked and took him to Udhampur army camp. In the camp, he was again subjected to merciless torture and was forced to sign a blank paper. Satisfied, by his antecedents, on February 9, he was released in morbid conditions but on the condition of not speaking to anybody about the treatment meted out to him in custody.

    After seeing his condition his family rushed him to the Doda hospital where he was admitted in ward no. 2. An FIR no. 24/2004 was lodged under section 342/323, 427/190 RPC in the concerned police station against the troops. Even after his release the troops allegedly harass him not to fight case against them.

    Rehmatullah is father of eight children who are in a deep shock after seeing their father’s condition. His family and relatives fail to understand the reason behind his arrest, as according to them he is not even remotely connected with any militant or political group and has no animosity with any body in the area.

* YOUTH RELEASED IN MORBID CONDITIONS

On February 9, a nineteen-year-old boy and brother of a militant of Gorhal Dhar, Doda was released after 11 days of torture by the troops in morbid conditions. He was allegedly tortured to force his brother to surrender and hand over all weapons his brother possessed to the troops.

    Reports said, personnel of 10 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) on January 29, raided the residence of Muzaffer Hussain, a vendor by trade and took him away to their camp at Whampur, Doda. He was accused of harbouring militants and supporting his militant brother in his activities. He was allegedly tortured and was asked to force his brother to surrender and hand over the arms his brother possessed. He expressed his ignorance; the troops ruthlessly beat him up by cans, belts, rifle butts and was later given electric shocks on his private parts. He was later released on Feb 9;

    Thereafter, in order to treat his injuries and the complicacies he received during detention, his relatives admitted him in the Doda hospital. The injuries were so grave that he is now unable to do work.

    His relatives said that he is not even distantly related with militancy or any political group and has not seen his brother since long time.

KILLING OF MENTALLY RETARDED PERSON

    Gul Mohammad Bhat (22) s/o Aamir Bhat r/o Passerkot Chattru, tehsil Kishtwar was killed by troops in a case of mistaken identity.

    Gul was mentally retarded since his birth. He was unable to communicate properly and had very low power of understanding. On 20-2-04 11 RR noticed his movement in the night when he was returning to his home. The troops without asking him anything about his identity opened fire on him and shot him dead on the spot. Later the army made the alibi that Gul was a militant but the public outcry pressurized them to accept that he was innocent and was killed in a case of mistaken identity.

    Shams-u-din, 21, s/o Ghulam Qadir Hajam r/o Utam Soli Kastigarh was killed on 18th Feb by unknown gunmen. According to villagers he was a innocent man and a laborer by profession.

    Shams was abducted by unknown gunmen at about 4 pm from his village Utam Soli. Earlier he was taken in custody by STF Doda and was released next day. He was severely beaten by STF and personnel of 10 RR. He was also tortured by the gunmen throughout the night and next day his body was thrown inside the village Panchayat ghar building. Security forces say that he was an upper ground worker of militants but local say that the militants said he was informer of security forces.

COUPLE KILLED
Feb 4: A couple and their relative were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Beerwah area of Budgam district Tuesday evening, police said. The police bulletin on insurgency related incidents reported that unidentified gunmen entered the house of Abdul Khaliq Mir s/o Abdul Gani Mir at Chewdara, Beerwah Budgam yesterday evening and fired indiscriminately on the inmates. Abdul Khaliq Mir, a watchman in the Public Health Engineering department, his wife Raja and his relative Farooq Ahmad Wani died on the spot.

FAMILY OF SLAIN IMAM ALLEGES COERCION
Muhammad Yousuf Shah, a resident of Batabagh, Warnaw, Lolab in Kupwara District was allegedly shot dead by the troops of 18 RR when he ventured into the compound of his home Thursday night (5th Feb) for toilet. The deceased was the cousin of Moulana Anzar Shah of Deoband and was serving as Imam (Priest) of a mosque at Chanapora in Srinagar. He is survived by wife and four children including a daughter who got engaged on the day he was killed. The family has asked the government to send a high-level civil administration team to probe the killing. After his killing the family and relatives of the slain Imam alleged that the troops of the local camp were pressurizing them to remain silent over the killing and accept some monetary compensation and job. “At 9 pm he went into the compound of his home where the latrine is located. A patrol party of the troops fired over several rounds at him without firing a warning shot. He was an Imam (priest) at the Chanapora mosque for the past 12 years and it was depressing that he fell near the human waste”, a relative said. The family said that troops from the Warnow camp came to them immediately after the incident and ordered to hush up the matter. But the residents of the area raised slogans against them and even hurled Kangris (fire pots) at them. Police wasn’t allowed to lift the body of Imam for post mortem till Thursday morning. After the assurance by police officers the body was taken for post mortem and later buried in the evening.

SC ISSUES NOTICE TO J&K OVER BITTA KARATE’S DETENTION
Feb 7, New Delhi: The Supreme Court today issued notices to the Jammu and Kashmir government and its director General of Police on State Legal Aid Committee’s petition for quashing the detention of JKLF militant Farooq Ahmad Dar alias Bitta Karatey under the Public Safety Act saying he has eschewed the path of violence.

A bench comprising of Justice Doraswamy Raju and Justice Arijit Pasayat also issued notice to the Superintendent of prisons at Agra where Dar is being detained for the last two years. Appearing for the Legal Aid Committee, advocate Bhim Singh said that though Dar was acquitted by a TADA court at Jammu in June 2000 at the end of a 10 year old trial during which he was behind bars, the state government did not release him from prison by slapping a two year detention order under Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act. He said though a person could be detained for maximum period of two years under the PSA, the government again on 7th July 2002 passed detention order for two more years without assigning any reason. The Committee’s General Secretary, BS Billowaria, who claimed to have met Dar in the prison, alleged that relatives of Dar were not allowed to meet him in the prison and he was forcibly given food as he had resorted to hunger strike since November 2002. The petition annexed a letter ostensibly written by Dar saying he had eschewed the path of violence realizing that it creates a vicious circle of violence.

4 DIE IN SHOPIAN - IKHWANIS KILLED
Feb 7: Four civilians were killed in Shopian while militants gunned down a senior commander of pro- Indian militant Zahoor Baba, a senior commander of Ikhwan, a militia formed in 1994 of turncoats, in Islamabad. Unidentified persons hurled a grenade at a crowd in Shopian. Four soldiers and 26 bystanders were injured. One Saba Akhter died on the spot while three succumbed to their injuries later. According to eyewitnesses there was no splinter injury and all the four died due to bullets fired by the soldiers after the grenade attack.

BSF DETAINS SHOPKEEPER
Feb 6: A shopkeeper identified as Fayaz Ahmad of Sumlar Bandipora was picked up by the Border Security Forces (BSF) personnel from his shop and continues to be under their custody. The relatives of the detenue have appealed the forces to set free their kin, as according to them he is innocent.

ARMY JAWAN DIES IN ‘ACCIDENTAL FIRE’
Feb 6: An army jawan died in accidental gunfire while performing duty at joint area sentry post at Brij Nagar Kharian. The deceased jawan has been identified as Rifleman Pramod Singh of 17 Raj Rifles Regiment. According to police Pramod suffered gunshot by his own service weapon in a joint sentry post. He was shifted to Military hospital (MH) Satwari where he succumbed to his injuries. Police has however, registered a case in this connection and started investigations.

SURANKOTE DIARY

ILLEGAL DETENTION, TORTURE
A thirty-year-old peasant Haji Manzoor Hassan son of Hassan Mohammad resident of Marhote, Surankote was allegedly picked up by the Army on 2nd December 2003, for unknown reasons. After four days he was handed over to Special Operation Group (SOG), Surankote, who later handed over him to police station Surankote. On 10 February 2004 he was released. During his detention he was allegedly subjected to inhuman torture.

Manzoor Hassan while speaking to The Informative Missive said, “About 40 locals in Surankote working for different law enforcing agencies have created havoc in the area. It seems that the administration has no control over them. They are free to do anything and are involved in different crimes like harassments, extortions, and forcing the youth to work as labourers. Hardly anyone in our area has been spared from their wrath. In December 2003, two renegades Noor Ahmad and Haji Mohammad Rashid approached me and compelled me to join hands with them, which I refused. Annoyed by my refusal they demanded Rs. 25,000 since I am a peasant I couldn’t afford the amount and did not pay it. In retaliation they implicated me and got me arrested by army. For four days I was kept in the army camp and then handed over to SOG who later handed me over to police. During my detention I was tortured brutally. It was only after the intervention of higher ups, I was released on 10th Feb, after two months of detention.”

TROOPS KILL FATHER OF 5 MINORS
Feb 15: In a gruesome incident a thirty-seven-year old ex-serviceman was allegedly killed by the troops at Dhundak area of Surankote without any provocation. The inhabitants of the area held massive protest against the killing.

At around 12:10 am Faiz Akbar son of Saied Mohammad was shot dead by personnel of 15 Assam Rifle when he was busy working in his yard. Soon after hearing the gunshots the natives of the area came out of their homes and rushed towards Akbar’s house. There, they found Akbar lying on the ground in a pool of blood, surrounded by his children and wife who were weeping and wailing. This sparked anger in entire locality; people carried the body to streets, which resulted into blockade of traffic. They were chanting slogans against the state government and troops. Later SP Poonch, Brigadier Command of 15 Assam Rifle, SDPO Surankote and SHO Surankote reached the spot to take stock of the situation. The officers asked the protestors to lift dharna (sit in) but they refused saying, “we will not move an inch unless and until Chief Minster Mufti Mohammad Syed visits here”. The dharna continued till evening. Next day, when the villagers again took to the street, they were pacified and motivated by the Brigadier Command by assuring that an enquiry will be held into the incident and guilty will be punished. The SP Poonch also promised to provide a job and ex gratia relief to the tune of 1 lac to the bereaved family. The family of deceased filed FIR No. 18/2004 under section 302 and 307 in the Surankote police station.

Thereafter, Akbar’s body was buried in his ancestral graveyard. His untimely death has shattered his widow who is left with five minor children including two daughters.

SHRC RECOMMENDATIONS
Feb 17: The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) comprising honr’able member G.N. Mir recommended to the state government to pay an ex gratia relief to the tune of Rs. 1 lac, to the next of kin of Abdul Rehman Sheikh.

Abdul Rehman Sheikh, a carpet weaver by profession was taken away by unidentified gunmen in September 1992 from his home and since then nothing is known about his whereabouts.

TWO PDP WORKERS AND TWO COPS KILLED
Feb 16: Militants today morning opened fire at the PDP block president Ghulam Mohammad alias Mama Kaul s/ o Ghulam QadirDar at Hyderpora near JK bank, killing him on the spot. One police cop was killed while another was injured in the incident. The injured cop later succumbed to his injuries. The slain cops have been identified as Ali Asghar of Keran and Mohd Shafi of Pulwama.

DETENTION OF 34 PRISONERS REVOKED
Feb 1: The state government today revoked detention of 32 detenues involved in subversive activities. An official spokesman said here this evening that these detenues are lodged in different jails and the process of this release has started. The release of these 32 detenues was decided by a joint Screening Committee headed by financial Commissioner, Home, Jammu and Kashmir, S.D Singh convened as a sequel to the commitment made by Deputy Prime Minister L.K Advani to the APHC leaders to consider release of the detenues. Earlier, the state government had released 18 detenues on the eve of Republic day. For the interest of the readers we are publishing the list of the released detainees by the government on 31st January and 1st February 2004.

S. No.	Name	Residence of	Case	Affiliated
1.	Nazir Ahmad Denda s/o Mohd Denda	Dangerpora, Beerwah	364 / RPC	34 RR – SPO
2.	Abdul Rashid Mir s/o Ghulam Nabi	Dangerpora, Beerwah	364 / RPC	34 RR – SPO
3.	Mohammad Maqbool s/o Ab. Samad	Dangerpora, Beerwah	364 / RPC	34 RR – SPO
4.	Mohd Ashiq Mir s/o Wali Mohd Mir	Dewar Lolab	302 / RPC	21 RR – Ikhwan
5.	Latief War s/o Karim War	Dewar Lolab	354 / RPC	STF
6.	Mohd Ashak s/o Shams-ud-Din Khan	Dardpora	364 /RPC	21 RR
7.	Manzoor Ahmad Dar s/o Ali Mohd Dar	Kuligam, Lolab	379 / RPC	21 RR
8.	Tariq Ahmad Khan s/o Md Amin Khan	Mattan, Anantnag	137 / RPC
9.	Rafiq Ahmad Bakerwal s/o Jamal Bakerwal	Reshipora, Handwara	392 / RPC	81 BN BSF
10.	Mushtaq Ahmad Mallah s/o Gul Malla	Reshipora, Handwara	392 / RPC	81 BN BSF
11.	Ashiq Hussain Parray s/o Gh. Nabi	Reshipora, Handwara	392 / RPC	81 BN BSF
12.	M. Aslam Khan s/o Ghulam Mohd Khan	Doda	376 / RPC	STF
13.	Mohd Ashraf Wani s/o Ab. Aziz	Damhal, Kushipora/ Kulgam	154 / RPC	Civil
14.	Nawaz Ahmad Shah s/o Fadullah Shah	Damhal, Kushipora/ Kulgam	279 / RPC	Civil
15.	Nisar Ahmad Khan s/o Gh. Qadir	Damhal, Kushipora/ Kulgam	188 / RPC	Civil
16.	Reyaz Ahmad Malik s/o Gh. Mohd Malik	Beerwah, Budgam	356 / 420 / RPC	Civil
17.	Mohd Sarwar Gani s/o Ab. Aziz Ganie	Haihama, Kupwara	302 / US	Ikhwan
18.	Ab. Rehman Ahanger / M. Shaban	Srinagar	U/S 48 Excise Act	Civil
19.	Tariq Ahmad Kana s/o Ab. Aziz	Sheer Colony, Anantnag	279 / 327 RPC	Thief
20.	Mohd Maqbool Dar s/o Gh. Mohi-ud-Din	Sheer Colony, Anantnag	279 / 327 RPC	Thief
21.	Mohd Shafi Gujjar s/o Wali Gujjar	Janga Balana, Kishtewar	302/ RPC	SOG / SPO
22.	Ranjit Singh s/o Surjeet Singh	Surankote, Poonch	302 / RPC	SOG / SPO
23.	Ab. Rashid Mir / Janga Mir	Lunda, Doda	364 / RPC	SPO
24.	Khazir Mohd Bhat s/o Nazir Ahmad Bhat	Chalas, Poonch	276 / RPC	Ikhwan
25.	Roof Ahmad Dar s/o Gh. Rasool	Basantbagh, Srinagar	364 / RPC	SPO
26.	Ab. Rashid Shah s/o Gh. Mohd	Khag, Budgam	364 / RPC	SPO / 34 RR
27.	Gulzar Ahmad Shah s/o Wali Mohd Shah	Mandroo, Awantipora	489 / D	Civil
28.	Nisar Ah. Wani s/o Gh. Mohd	Raj Bagh, Sgr	471 / 468 / 420 / RPC	Asstt. Manager
29.	Sajad Ahmed Bhat s/o Mushtaq Ahmed
30.	Mohd Arfan Najar s/o M. Syed Najar	Solina, Sgr
31.	Shakeel Ahmad Najar s/o Gh. Nabi Najar	Solina, Sgr
32.	Ajaz Ahmad Alwee S/o Wahid Alwee	Merrut (UP)	140 / 376 / RPC	Halwaye

SHRC TAKES NOTICE
Srinagar: The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) today took strong notice of the three-day long crackdown at Yaripora Islamabad and directed the divisional commissioner, IGP, deputy commissioner Islamabad, SSP Islamabad to inform the commission about the factual position.

533 LODGED UNDER PSA
Feb 24: At least 533 persons are lodged in various jails of the state under the public Safety Act (PSA) including 361 persons hailing from Jammu and Kashmir and 172 foreign nationals. This was informed by the chief minister in the legislative assembly here today. He further said five residents of the state were in jails outside the state.

352 KILLED IN TRAL
Feb 24 Jammu: At least 352 persons have been killed in various cross firing incidents in Tral constituency since the eruption of militancy in the state, was stated by the government. In a written reply to the question of Ghulam Nabi Bhat, minister in charge home revealed that 261 ex- gratia relief cases have been sanctioned to the kith and kin of the deceased persons killed in the cross firing incidents. The government has also provided jobs to 90 eligible persons under SRO-43 while 29 ex- gratia relief cases are pending due to the verification formalities.

Civilians or Militants
Feb 9th: Official sources said a Pakistani militant was killed in an encounter with security forces at Chandigam- Lolab. He was identified as Adil alias Salah–u-din of Rawalpindi – Pakistan. An AK rifle and four grenades were recovered from his possession. Defence authorities said two militants including a foreigner were killed in an exchange of fire with security forces at Alban Gadool in Kokernag. They were identified as Aftab of Pakistan and Jammel Sozani of kokernag. But villagers alleged that forces killed a civilian Habibullah Thukar and dubbed him as foreign militant. They said the villagers had gone to the forest to collect firewood.

AURANGABAD DETAINEE
Feb 28: Five Kashmiri youth in 2001 went to Mumbai to earn a livelihood. But as ill luck would have it, they were arrested and booked under POTA for “terrorist activities”. The designated court under POTA at Mumbai sentenced all of them to life imprisonment. They were shifted to Aurangabad (Mahrashtra) jail. They have preferred an appeal in the Mumbai high court but for want of lawyers the appeal would have been allowed. One of the ill fated detainees, Farooq Ahmad has written a letter to the Imam Jamia Masjid and sought financial help.” I and other four other persons hailing from Baramulla district are languishing in jail for the past 4 years. We had come here in 2001and were arrested and in 2003 the POTA court sentenced us to life imprisonment. We have filed an appeal in Mumbai high court. However, we need Rs. 30,000 to pay the lawyer. We belong to poor families and cannot afford the sum and therefore appeal to generous people of Kashmir to help us.”

PROTEST AGAINST SOG
Publisher of Urdu daily beaten
Islamabad Feb 28: Hundreds of people in Tral today lodged strong protest against the Special Operation Group (SOG) of police for subjecting people to harassment. Protestors who were shouting anti task force and anti healing touch policies, said last night SOG personnel forced their entry into the house of Showkat Ahmad Kar, who is a printer and publisher of a Srinagar based Urdu daily ‘Nidai Mashriq’ and severely beat up the inmates. The SOG personnel in civvies fled away when the woman raised the alarm by shouting from the rooftop of the house to invite the attention of the neighbors. On Saturday morning when people came to know about the incident they came out on streets to protest. Police have registered FIR having number 10/2004 under section 323 and 451 RPC against the SOG.

DISAPPEARANCES

3 LABOURERS ‘DISAPPEAR’ WHILE WORKING ON LOC FENCING
Feb 4: Three persons who were taken as labourers to work on the fencing of LOC in Karnah sector have reportedly disappeared. Their families have expressed serious concern over the disappearances. They have approached police and civil administration but so far no break through has been achieved.

Reports said, the defence forces allegedly took a number of young and healthy youth from different places in the border district of Kupwara. All the persons came back to their homes except three youth identified as Ghulam Mohammad Bhat aged 22, son of Abdul Khaliq Bhat, Ali Mohammad Bhat (29) son of Abdul Khaliq Bhat of 29 years - both residents of Reshi village in Chowkibal and Siraj-ud-Din of Filimarg village.

Their family members alleged that though all their fellow labourers returned home, the whereabouts of those three are not known. The defence forces have not offered any justification for their apparent disappearance. The families have approached the civil and police administration officials to seek help in tracing the whereabouts of the three persons but hitherto are clueless.

5 YOUTH DISAPPEAR
Feb 12: Five youth have reportedly disappeared from separate areas of Srinagar district.
An employee in Water Works Department, Abdul Hamid Shah of Hayatpora left for his office on November 28, 2003 and since then his whereabouts are not known. The relatives of Hamid have registered a case in concerned police station.

    Whereabouts of four more persons of Bandipora are not known after they were arrested by security forces from their rented residence at Nishat, Srinagar.

    As per the details on the intervening night of February 6 and 7 2004, security forces raided the residence of Mohammad Rafiq Siyah of Tarbagh and arrested four Bandipora residents who were living as tenants. They were identified as Molvi Noor-ud-Din, Ghulam Rabbani, Muneer Ahmad Khan and Nazir Ahmad Khan, residents of Chuntimula Bandipora.

    The families of these desaparecidos are worried about their welfare and have approached police in concern. Despite, exerting all possible efforts their relatives are still clueless about their site of detention.

2 SOUTH KASHMIR WOMEN REMAIN UNTRACED
Feb 24: Police have failed in tracing the two ladies reported missing in mysterious circumstances from south Kashmir Pulwama district. Though FIRs have been registered, there is no breakthrough, reports said.

    Last week a Kashmir Pandit (KP) woman went missing from her Achan home. Mother of three kids, she is yet to be traced. It is worthwhile to mention here that the KP families staying put in Achan village are guarded by a minority picket of the state police. FIR is already registered but so far there is no outcome of the police investigations.

    In an earlier case a mother of three grown up children Aisha Ghulam Rasool Bhat has been untraceable since February 5. Resident of Wasaymarg in the Khairgam belt of Pulwama. Aisha had gone to Pakharpora to see a doctor. She did not return home.

    The area apart from being remote is reportedly militancy infested and looks akin to huge garrison. Though the disappeared lady's husband Ghulam Rasool Bhat has approached the police at Keller and registered an FIR, there has been no outcome of the investigations made so far.

    Police inertia on the case has not been affected by the state of her 16-year daughter Dilshada who is suffering from frequents bouts of unconsciousness since her mother’s disappearance.

    Since the village is perhaps the last village in the Pulwama district and the lady is missing in neighbouring Budgam district, the communication gap between the two police stations might have been preventing a breakthrough.

NEWS IN BRIEF

GUNMEN TORTURES MAN
Feb 24: Unknown gunmen ruthlessly tortured a resident of Shastergam, Dooru of district Anantnag in south Kashmir after kidnapping him.

    Reports said, on 23rd February at evening time, a posse of unidentified gunmen forcibly took away Mohammad Yousuf Shah son of Mohammad Abdullah without giving any reason. Thereafter, they (gunmen) allegedly subjected him to merciless torture and later released him in a pathetic condition.

PDP ACTIVIST SHOT DEAD IN PULWAMA
February 11: An activist of ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was allegedly shot dead by some unidentified gunmen at Keller, Pulwama in south Kashmir.

    Reports revealed, Mohammad Yousuf Bhat, a PDP activist-cum-contractor was reportedly first kidnapped by the unknown gunmen and subsequently killed him. Official sources said, militants apparently for having links with PDP killed Yousuf.

11 INJURED IN BIJBEHARA BLAST
February 28: Eleven persons including five central reserve police force (CRPF) personnel were injured today when militants hurled a grenade on the CRPF convoy at Bijbehara. Militants tossed a grenade on the CRPF convoy coming from Jammu to Srinagar near Goriwan in Bijbehara around 5,15 pm wounding five personnel travelling in one of the vehicles and six pedestrians. The explosion sparked off panic and disrupted traffic on the Srinagar – Jammu highway for quiet sometime. The injured have been taken to hospital where condition of two CRPF men was stated to be serious.

SAJJAD BHAI
Mohammad Shafi of Bandipora was arrested on Feb--8--by troops during search operations. In the meanwhile troops claimed it had killed six Militants. When Shafi did not return, his family filed a missing report in the police station. His family heard the news of killing of militants, they became apprehensive, finally the family filed plea in court asking for exhumation of the graves of persons claimed by army as militants. On Thursday feb 11, the permission was granted and the family opened the graves and recovered the body of Mohd Shafi. Sources said the body bore a bullet mark and his hands were smeared with henna, the tell tale mark that led to the identification. In its report to the media the army had identified Muhammad Shafi Chechi as Zia –ul- Haq alias Sajjad Bhai of Pakistan. Later the army admitted he was not a foreigner, but however claimed he was a local militant.

17 PEOPLE HURT IN IED BLAST
February 15: As many as 17 people, including 14 soldiers were injured when militants detonated a powerful Improvised Explosive (IED) at Qazigund on the Srinagar Jammu highway today.

The IED, which was kept in a handcart near Qazigund Bazar in Islambad district, went off when a convoy of the security forces on its way from jammu to Srinagar hit the cart injuring 14 soldiers and three civilians.

KID KILLED IN TRAL BLAST, 4 INJURED
February 23: Suhail Ahmad Bhat (11), son of Bashir Ahmad was killed while RaeesAhmad (12) son of Abdur Rashid, Mukhtar Ahmad (14) son of Muhammad Ramzan Mir, Gowhar Ahamd Bhat son of Abdul Ahad and Owais Bhat son of Ghulam Mohidin were critically injured when a hand grenade they were fiddling with went off at Dadasasr Tral in Pulwama district today. The injured have been admitted in medical Institute.

MAGISTERIAL INQUIRY ORDERED.
February 26: A magisterial inquiry has been ordered to probe the killing of one civilian Manzoor Ahmad Malik in Shopian. AR Veeri stated this in the upper house, sharing the concern of the members on human rights abuses. Replying to the question raised by MY Taing and GN Shaheen, the minister said that the government has issued special directions to the police to ensure that the civilians are not subjected to any kind of harassment while maintaining law and order.

FIRING ON DODA MIGRANTS CONDEMNED
February 26: alleged indiscriminate firing by Personal Security Officers (PSO’s) of a BJP leader on Doda migrants at Migrant camp Belicharana has resulted in serious resentment among Doda migrants. The migrants have demanded high-level inquiry. Daleep Sharma chairman of Zila Doda migrants Forum alleged that the PSO’s of Chowdhary Salam Din state vice president of Scheduled caste wing of BJP leader last evening entered the camp along with him and started indiscriminate firing. According to them one-person Shazad Ali s/o Wali Mohd received injuries and was shifted to hospital.

ARMY EXCESS TRIGGERS OFF PROTEST
February 24: To protest the alleged excesses let lose by the army in Kulgam village in south Kashmir, villagers in large number took to streets. The irked villagers chased away the army who retaliated with aerial firing.

    Reports revealed, villagers in thousands thronged on the streets in Yaripora belt of Kulgam after a protracted encounter for the last three days. In the encounter two militants were killed. The area was cordoned right after the encounter started four days back. Even after the end of encounter the cordon remained forcing the villagers to protest. Residents of different villages in huge number went on streets to break the cordon amidst chanting anti army and anti Mufti Government slogans and slogans in favor of Azadi (freedom). The protestors carrying bamboo sticks chased away the army and the army opened aerial fire in response. Entire area was gripped by panic. People of the area alleged that extreme hardship compel them to throng the streets.

    The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has strongly taken notice of the three day long crackdown and cordon and directed the Divisional Commissioner, IGP, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad, SSP Islamabad to inform the commission about the factual position.

TRAL AGHAST OVER TORTURE DEATH
February 23: the people of Tral Narastan staged massive demonstration to protest alleged torture death of a shopkeeper in troop’s custody today. The people threatened direct action in case the culprits were not brought to book immediately. According to reports, the troops took over 35 year old Shopkeeper Ghulam Ahmad Mir, s/o Khaira Mir into custody during the preceding night. He was allegedly tortured to death in the camp. The news of his death created stir in the area. People came out and raised slogans against the troops and the government. Army spokesman said army was inquiring into the incident and if there was any wrong doing found, exemplary action would be taken against the guilty.

ARMY ORDERS PROBE INTO CIVILIAN KILLING IN SOUTH KASHMIR
February 24: The army ordered “a high-level inquiry” into the alleged custodial killing of a civilian at Narasthan village of Tral in south Kashmir's Pulwama district, which triggered widespread protests, on 23rd February.

    “An unfortunate incident involving the death of a civilian has been brought to our notice and therefore an inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the facts”, a defence spokesman said reacting to the killing of shopkeeper Ghulam Ahmad Mir of Narasthan village.

    However, he said neither the post-mortem report of the deceased is available nor the inquiry completed. It will not be fair to pre-judge the issue, the spokesman said, adding, if the inquiry finds any wrongdoing, the army will take exemplary action against the defaulters.

    The residents of Narasthan organised daylong protest on February 23 and dispersed only when senior army officers, police and civil administration visited the area and assured action against the personnel involved in the killing.

    The residents alleged that Mir was picked up by the troops of Rashtriya Rifles during search operations on Sunday Feb 22 and his body was handed over to his relatives the same night.

21 DETAINEES GET LIFE TERM DUE TO LACK OF LAWYERS
Feb 24: About 21 detainees of Jammu And Kashmir State who are lodged in various jails of the country have been sentenced for life imprisonment due to the non-availability of the lawyers and the legal defenses in the courts located outside the state.

    These detainees have not been able to plead their cases before the judiciary. In addition six other detainees have been sentenced to the jails for a period ranging from five years to ten years. Most of these detainees have been lodged in the district jail Jammu and others are lodged in Tihar jail, Central jail and the other jails of the country.

    Meanwhile, an advocate at the High Court Srinagar alleged that these detainees have not been given the chance for a fair trial as they have been deprived of filing the appeals while pleading their cases. The relatives of these detainees have expressed concern over the issue and have demanded that their kith and kin be released immediately. In this connection their relatives sought immediate intervention of the reputed international organizations of court and justice so that their near and dear ones are set free.

86 POTA DETENUES RELEASED: VEERI
February 25: Minister of State for Home, Abdul Rehman Veeri claimed that out of 168 persons arrested under Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) during the tenure of the previous government, 86 detainees have been released since the coalition government led by Mufti Syaed took over in the state.

    The Minister stated it while replying to a question in Legislative Council that POTA is a central law applicable to whole of India including J&K. He, however, said that implementation of the Act falls within the purview of state government and the coalition government after taking over the power of administration decided not to implement this Act.

CM ASSURES ACTION IN TWOFOLD DISAPPEARANCES
Feb 25: The Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Syed assured the investigation and subsequent action against the alleged disappearance cases of two persons of different places of the state.

    Sources said, the CM while replying to a question in Legislative Assembly admitted that the government was investigating into the disappearances of the duo of two separate places of the state. The duo are an Arabic Scholar, Yousuf Kumhar son of Abdul Razak of Pogal in Banihal Tehsil who was arrested by the security forces along with his brother Ghulam Mohammad on January 10, later his brother was released but Yousuf’s whereabouts are not known. Another is a fifteen-year-old boy Shoree Lal son of Puran Chand of Nagarata, Gujjeru in Billawar reportedly disappeared from the house of one Surrender Singh, Sub Inspector, Telecom at Vijayapur. More than one and a half month has passed and nothing has been known of him.

WOMEN-CHILDREN KILLED
Feb 2: A girl lost her life when militants allegedly hiding at her residence exchange heavy fire with the troops at Bafliaz area of Surankote. The identity of the deceased has been ascertained as Rubina Kousar d/o Said Mohammad Khan of Bafliaz.

Feb 18: A girl was allegedly killed by the militants inside her house at Arwa, Beerwa, Budgam for unknown reasons. The deceased was identified as Haleema, 18 of Arwa.

Meanwhile, a woman succumbed to her injuries she received when police beat her merciless when the women on February 17, protesting against the killing of a local youth at the hands of government-sponsored militants at Narbal. The deceased has been identified as Ayesha Begum.

Feb 23: A blast occurred when a group of five students picked up a hand grenade and began fiddling with it at a playfield in Dadsar village of Tral this afternoon. A 10-year-old boy, Suhail Ahmed Bhat S/o Bashir Ahmed Bhat, got killed and four of his associates sustained injuries. They were identified as Owais Ahmed Bhat S/o Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Bhat (10 yrs), Rayees Ahmed Bhat S/o Abdur Rasheed Bhat (12), Gowhar Ahmed Bhat S/o Abdul Ahad Bhat (18) and Mukhtar Ahmed Mir S/o Mohammad Ramzan Mir (14).

Feb 26: A sixteen-year-old Mushtaq Ahmad was allegedly killed when police opened fire on a demonstration at Bandipora in north Kashmir.

Feb 27: A woman was purportedly killed by a posse of unidentified gunmen in Surara Matti area of Billawar in district Kathaua, Jammu. She was identified as Naseema Akthar w/o Mohammad Hanief.

DATE	EXTRA JUDICIAL EXECUTIONS & CUSTODIAL KILLINGS	WOMEN KILLED	CHILDREN KILLED	ALLEGED DISAPPEARANCES
1^st Week of Feb	-	-	-	3
Feb 2	-	-	1	1
Feb 7/8	-	-	-	4
Feb 8	5 EJE	-	-	-
Feb 12	1 EJE	-	-	-
Feb 17	1 EJE	-	-	-
Feb 18	-	1	1
Feb 23	1 CK	-	1	-
Feb 26	-	-	1	-
Feb 27	-	1	-	-
Total	8	2	4	8

DATE	SOLDIERS	MILITANTS	CIVILIANS	OTHERS
Feb 01	-	2	1	1 Unknown dead body recovered
Feb 02	1	3	2	DIG Crime
Feb 03	-	2	1	-
Feb 04	-	1	-	-
Feb 05	6 (1 JCO)	12	1	-
Feb 06	4	3	1	-
Feb 07	1	-	5	2 security forces informers
Feb 08	-	3	5	-
Feb 09	1 SPO	6	1	-
Feb 10	1	2	1	-
Feb 11	2	-	-	1 political activist
Feb 12	-	1	2	-
Feb 13	-	9	-	-
Feb 14	-	-	-	1 Unknown dead body recovered
Feb 15	-	1	-	1 released militant & 1 dead body found
Feb 16	3	-	1	2 political activists
Feb 17	-	-	1	1 political activist
Feb 18	-	2	2	-
Feb 19	-	2	1	-
Feb 20	-	11	1	-
Feb 21	-	-	1	-
Feb 22	-	-	2	1 political activist
Feb 23	-	4	3	-
Feb 24	-	3	-	-
Feb 25	2 SPOs	2	-	-
Feb 26	-	-	1	-
Feb 27	-	1	1	-
Feb 28	-	4	1	-
Feb 29	-	1	-	-
Total	21 (1 officer)	75	35	12 (5 political activists)

Feb 1:	Two militants were killed in different incidents of violence while police recovered a dead body of a youth and a civilian who received bullet injuries succumbed in the hospital.
Feb 2:	DIG crime, three militants, a soldier and two civilians including a girl were killed in different incidents of violence across J&K.
Feb 3:	Two militants and a civilian died in different incidents of violence.
Feb 4:	One militant was killed in the state.

Feb 5:	Six soldiers including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), twelve militants and a civilian were killed in various incidents of violence.
Feb 6:	Four soldiers, three militants and a civilian were killed at different places in violence related incidents.
Feb 7:	A Special Police Officer, two alleged security forces informers and five civilians including two women were killed in various incidents of violence across the state.
Feb 8:	Three militants and five civilians were killed at different places in different incidents of bloodshed.
Feb 9:	Six militants, a Special Police Officer and a civilian were killed at various places in violence related incidents.
Feb 10:	Two militants, a soldier and a civilian were killed while two girls received bullet in various incidents of violence.
Feb 11:	A policeman, one SPO and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) activist were killed in different incidents of violence meanwhile; an unidentified dead body of a civilian was recovered.
Feb 12:	Militant and a civilian were killed in different incidents of violence meanwhile Doda residents resorted to protest against the killing of a local Imam by a posse of SPOs.
Feb 13:	Nine militants were killed at various places in bloodshed related incidents.
Feb 14:	An unidentified dead body of a man was recovered from Kreeri, Pattan district Baramulla.
Feb 15:	One militant and a released militant were killed in separate incidents of violence elsewhere an unidentified dead body was recovered.
Feb 16:	Two activists of ruling People’s Democratic Party, three police personnel and a civilian were killed in different incidents of violence.
Feb 17:	One civilian and a political activist of ruling PDP were killed in violence related incidents.
Feb 18:	Two militants, a girl and a woman were killed in different incidents of violence.
Feb 19:	Two militants, and a civilian were killed in separate incidents of violence in the state.
Feb 20:	Eleven militants and a private school teacher were killed in separate incidents of violence.
Feb 21:	A person was hanged to death by some unidentified gunmen at Anantnag.
Feb 22:	A political worker of PDP and two civilians were killed in different incidents of violence.
Feb 23:	Four militants and three civilians including a minor died in separate incidents of violence.
Feb 24:	Three militants were killed in violence related incidents.
Feb 25:	Two militants and two Special Police Officers were killed in different incidents of violence.
Feb 26:	A sixteen-year-old boy was killed in violence related incident at Bandipora.
Feb 27:	One militant and a woman were killed in different incidents of violence.
Feb 28:	Four militants and a woman were killed in different incidents of violence.
Feb 29:	One militant was killed while seven persons including four kids were injured in violence related incidents.

Governors clean chit to army on Bandipora killings

VIJ ABSOLVES SOLDIERS: BANDIPORA WAS AN ACCIDENT

PROBE ORDERED INTO BANDIPORA KILLINGS

Total

SOLDIERS

Feb 01