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Kashmiri NGO busts claims on unmarked graves in Valley

New Delhi, Sep 4 (NVI) Fictitious claims of widespread civilian mass graves in Kashmir with suggestions of systematic extrajudicial killings resulting in mass anonymous burials has been busted by a thorough field research by a Valley-based NGO.

The NGO ‘Save Youth, Save Future Foundation’ examined 4056 graves across four districts of Kashmir and found out that only 9 belonged to civilians, constituting 0.2 percent of the total graves studied.

The study found 276 unmarked graves, representing approximately 6.8 percent of the total and concentrated primarily in the Baramulla district.

“The relatively small number of such graves compared to earlier claims suggests that the scale of civilian casualties buried anonymously may have been significantly overstated in previous reports,” said Anika Nazir, the lead researcher.

The data revealed a complex reality that differs substantially from earlier claims and popular narratives surrounding these burial sites, she said addressing the media here today after releasing the report.

The most striking finding was that unidentified foreign militants constituted the largest category, accounting for 2.493 graves or approximately 61.5 percent of all documented burials.

These individuals were primarily militants who had infiltrated from Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir and were killed during counter-insurgency operations.

Most of these foreign militants carried no identification documents to deliberately conceal to protect their networks and maintain Pakistan’s plausible deniability regarding its involvement in Kashmir militancy, the report said.

The Pakistani government’s consistent denial of involvement and refusal to claim these individuals after their deaths created a situation where proper identification and repatriation became impossible, leading to anonymous burials in Kashmir, the report notes.

Local militants represented the second-largest category with 1.208 graves, constituting approximately 29.8 percent of the total.

These were individuals from Kashmir who had joined various militant organizations and were killed in encounters with security forces, it said.

Unlike foreign militants, many of these graves contained proper identification and were claimed by families, the report said.

Wajahat Farooq Bhat, Chairman of the Save Youth Save Future Foundation, highlighted the importance of the study, saying, “Our research is a step toward truth and transparency.”

He added, “These graves have long been enveloped in mystery and conjecture. Through empirical evidence and thorough analysis, we aspire to promote an informed dialogue that aids in achieving peace and societal stability in the Kashmir Valley.” (NVI)

Balochistan: BLA claims attack on Pakistan Army vehicle; says 7 killed, 4 injured

Quetta, Sep 3 (NVI) Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) tonight claimed responsibility for an attack on a vehicle of the occupying Pakistan Army in Kech district of Balochistan yesterday and said 7 military personnel were killed and 4 wounded in the incident yesterday.

BLA freedom fighters carried out a remote-controlled IED explosion, targeting the Army vehicle at Nawano in the Zamuran area of Kech, its spokesman Jeeyand Baloch said in a statement.

The attack was carried out when the occupying forces were attempting to advance in the area for aggression, he said.

In the explosion, 7 Pakistani Army personnel, including Naib Subedar Farooq, Lance Naik Karim Dad, Lance Naik Hidayat, Sepoy Awais and Sepoy Ali were eliminated on the spot, with four others sustaining serious injuries, he said.

The enemy army’s vehicle was completely destroyed, the  spokesman said.

Baloch Liberation Army freedom fighters also attacked a post of occupying Pakistani Army in the Madag Kalat area of Kolwah today, he said.

During the attack, freedom fighters targeted enemy positions with rockets and other heavy weapons, causing casualties and property losses to the enemy, he said.

BLA freedom fighters also targeted and destroyed surveillance cameras installed by occupying Pakistani Army in the Shorkand area of Bolan, Jeeyand Baloch said. (NVI)

TTP says it killed 544 Pakistani security men, injured 930 in operations during August

Cadres of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). (File Pic)

Peshawar, Sep 1 (NVI) The month of August was perhaps the worst ever for Pakistani military and associate forces in their fight against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) which claimed to have killed 544 security personnel and injured 930 in 536 operations during this period.

In a detailed statement, TTP said among the 1474 killed and injured soldiers, 439 belonged to the Pakistan Army/SSG, 534 to the Frontier Corps (FC), 454 to Police/Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and 47 to Secret agencies.

At least 12 security personnel were ‘arrested’, said the statement issued by TTP spokesman Muhammad Khorasani about the operations conducted by it during the month of August.

Among the types of Operations, 233 were Sniper/Laser Attacks, 153 were Guerrilla Attacks, 45 were ambushes, 34 were Missile attacks, 32 were Grenade/Bomb Blasts, 28 were
Confrontational Attacks, 15 were Targeted Attacks, 15 Counterattacks and 1 ‘Martyrdom’ Attack, it said.

These operations resulted in damage to 53 military vehicles and trucks, 11 military structures, 2 armoured vehicles, 2 tanks, 78 CCTV cameras, 11 solar systems, 10 drone cameras, 2 Wi-Fi systems, 2 excavators, 1 sniper, 1 radar, 1 lights and towers and other assets belonging to the security establishment.

In these operations, the TTP seized 10 Kalashnikov rifles, 5 vehicles and trucks, 2 drones,
1 rocket launcher, 1 pistol, 1 thermal binoculars, 1 ration vehicle, 1 radio transmitter and
hundreds of bullets, cash, food and other military equipment, the statement said.

Among the places, South Waziristan saw the maximum of 141 operations, while North Waziristan witnessed 71 operations, Khyber Agency saw 63 operations, Bajaur 57, Chitral 52, Bannu 35, DI Khan 25, Tank 18, Deir Payan 17, Lakki Marwat 17, Karam 14,
Mohmand Agency 13, Deir Bala 6, Orakzai 5, Karachi 4 and Peshawar 4. (NVI)

In presence of Pak PM, Modi asks SCO members: Can open support to terror be acceptable?

PM Modi addressing SCO Summit in Tianjin in China today

By Sunil Kumar Batra and Ajay Kaul

New Delhi, Sep 1 (NVI) Slamming the “double standards on terrorism” adopted by some nations  like China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked SCO members whether “open support to terrorism by certain countries” can be acceptable, in a reference to Pakistan whose Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was listening.

Modi raised the issue in his address at the Summit meeting of the 10-nation SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) in Tianjin in China in the context of the April 22 terror carnage in Pahalgam in Kashmir which was perpetrated by Pakistan.

“Recently, we witnessed the most heinous face of terrorism in Pahalgam,” he said, referring to the attack in which 26 innocent tourists and a local man were massacred in cold blood by 3 Pakistani terrorists.

“This attack was not only an assault on the conscience of India, but also an open challenge to every nation, and every individual who believes in humanity,” Modi said, and expressed his deep gratitude to all the friendly nations that stood by India during that moment of grief.

The Prime Minister highlighted that “India has been bearing the grave scars of ruthless terrorism” for the last four decades and “Countless mothers have lost their children, and innumerable children have been left orphaned” because of this scourge.

He then added, “In such circumstances, it is natural to ask: Can the open support for terrorism by certain countries ever be acceptable to us?”

His reference was obviously towards Pakistan, which has been using terrorism as an extended arm of its foreign policy against India under its decades-old policy of ‘Bleed India by a thousand cuts’.

“We must state it clearly and in one voice: double standards on terrorism are unacceptable,” Modi emphasized at the meeting, with apparently China in mind because of its all-out defence of Pakistan over the issue of cross-terrorism being pursued by it against India.

China has always been bailing out Pakistan at international fora, like the UN, over the issue of cross-border terrorism against India and thus emboldening it to pursue the menace.

Underlining that “terrorism is not only a threat to the security of individual nations, but a shared challenge to all of humanity,” the Indian Prime Minister said, “Together, we must oppose terrorism in every form and manifestation. This is our responsibility towards humanity.” (NVI)

Baloch group BRAS claims controlling key Balochistan town since 20 days, killing 37 Pakistani soldiers

Representative picture of Baloch Raaji Aajoi Sangar (BRAS) fighters

Quetta, Aug 31 (NVI) Baloch Raji Ajoi Sangar (BRAS), a frontline Baloch armed resistance group, tonight claimed that it has been holding control of Zehri, the second largest town of Khuzdar district of Balochistan, for last 20 days and has killed at least 37 Pakistani soldiers, destroyed several of their vehicles and seized large quantity of weapons.

Zehri has been under the control of BRAS since August 10 when it launched 71 coordinated attacks at Pakistani military installations and personnel at multiple places across Balochistan and claimed to have killed 34 soldiers over a period of 4 days leading to Pakistan’s Independence Day.

This was stated by the spokesperson of BRAS, which is a conglomerate of various armed Baloch groups like Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) and Baloch Revolutionary Guards (BRG).

“BRAS fighters have maintained control over Zehri for the past 20 days and have established checkpoints on key access routes,” he said.

On August 11, BRAS fighters addressed a public gathering in Zehri after strategically positioning themselves along the main roads.

“When the occupying forces attempted to advance in a convoy of 13 vehicles, BRAS freedom fighters ambushed them in Zulfiqarabad, Gazan, using heavy and automatic weapons,” the spokesman said.

He said 8 military vehicles were targeted, resulting in the complete destruction of one truck, while two additional vehicles along with military equipment were seized.

“During the attack, some soldiers panicked and fled into nearby fields, where they were surrounded and killed. Others attempted to take shelter in local homes, using women and children as human shields, but several were killed or injured while fleeing later that night,” the spokesman said.

BRAS fighters also targeted a Pakistani army outpost in Sankuri, Gazan, with rockets and heavy automatic weapons. Troops advancing from Zalkan were forced to retreat after being attacked at Spidak.

Over two days of fighting, 37 soldiers of the occupying forces were killed, and many were injured, the spokesman said, adding the Pakistan Army resorted to attacks by helicopters, drones, and quadcopters but failed to achieve their objectives.

During raids in Zehri, three occupying force personnel were detained, and one officer of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) was arrested at a checkpoint on the Zehri–Qalat highway.

Interrogations are ongoing, after which, per the decisions of the Baloch National Court, they will either be released or sentenced, the spokesman said.

Giving details of the operation that began on August 10, he said BRAS fighters attacked a military camp in Khadkucha, Mastung, on the night of August 11.

On the same day, they set up a blockade on the main highway in Kirdgap for several hours, seized control of a levies post, and captured two vehicles.

Later, the army shelled local motorcyclists with helicopters, killing three civilians.

On August 13, BRAS fighters attacked a Pakistani forces outpost in Sami, Kech, with rockets and heavy weapons, inflicting both casualties and material losses.

On August 14, the Independence Day of Pakistan, the freedom fighters targeted military positions at Tank Garmain Kor in Mashkay, leading to an hour-long clash with army casualties.

On August 16, BRAS fighters set up a blockade near the Tarki Dam in Surab along the Quetta–Karachi highway for three hours. (NVI)

Upheaval in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir over anti-Pakistan slogans

Mass protests in Rawalakot in PoJK last night

Muzaffarabad (POJK), Aug 30 (NVI) Parts of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) are witnessing a major upheaval in the form of massive demonstrations, shutdowns and clashes between ‘Azadi’-chanting protesters and the security forces.

The authorities have arrested several protesters, including students on a hunger strike, after cracking down on them in Rawalakot district.

Rawalakot yesterday witnessed massive protests, with the demonstrators chanting slogans like ‘Hukmrano Yeh Suno, Hum Tumhaari Maut Hai (Authorities listen, we are your death)”.

The protests, led by organisations like JKLF and Awami Joint Action Committee (AJAC), continued through the day, with the demands that around 40 students arrested on August 13 be released forthwith.

However, the authorities did not release the students yesterday, as a result of which protest demonstrations were held even at night.

Addressing a protest demonstration, JKLF Chairman Sardar Sagheer Khan lashed out at the authorities for arresting the students on August 13 and booking them under charges of treason.

He said the arrested students have been subjected to torture by the police and intelligence personnel.

The current episode of unrest started on August 13 in Rawalakot after youth chanted pro-Kashmir and anti-Pakistan slogans during a football match organised in connection with Pakistan’s Independence Day celebrations.

Police used force, including tear gas shelling and firing, against them and arrested at least 40 of the students.

The brutal action by the police force provoked protests, hunger strikes, and ultimatums by pro-independence groups and students demanding release of the detainees.

The various pro-Kashmir groups demanded that all the detainees be released by August 29 midnight, i.e., last night.

But, instead of releasing the detainees, the police launched a fresh crackdown on August 28 and made further arrests, including of those on hunger strike, which led to escalation of tensions.

A complete shutdown was observed yesterday which was marked by large demonstrations and incidents of stone-pelting, damaging of vehicles and road blockades by the protesters who chanted anti-Pakistan slogans.

The police again used force, which was condemned by the organisations like JKLF, JKAAC and UKPNP with the demands for early release of detained students. In this regard, UKPNP held protests in North America.

The detained students were today released on 90-day bail. However, leaders want their unconditional release & threatened to continue protests. (NVI)

Land allotted to Sonam Wangchuk-run HIAL in Ladakh scrapped as per norms

Sonam Wangchuk

New Delhi, Aug 30 (NVI) A false and misleading claim is being made and peddled by Pakistani social media handles that the Ladakh Administration has cancelled for “political reasons” the allotment of a plot of land to Himalayan Institute of Alternative Learning (HIAL) run by environment activist Sonam Wangchuk.

Officials point out that the allotment of the land was scrapped as per the norms since the HIAL failed to meet the key legal terms and conditions.

The land, measuring 1,000 kanals, was allotted in the year 2018 to the HIAL for building a university but even after passage of 7 years, no university came up.

Those running HIAL were supposed to comply with terms and conditions of the lease within one year of the allotment, despite which they applied for the University Status of the institute in 2022, which is 4 years after the allotment, the officials said.

Wangchuk didn’t even pay the premium of Rs 14 crore for the allotment and neither signed the lease.

He had requested for a waiver of the premium, which was not accepted by the Leh Autonomous Hill District Council (LAHDC), the officials said, adding still the premium was not paid.

Significantly, Wangchuk had always been writing directly to DC, bypassing the LAHDC and thus undermining it.

Since the terms and conditions were not met in 7 years, Leh District Commissioner Romil Singh Donk cancelled the allotment.

This cancellation of the allotment was done as per the norms related to leasing of public land, i.e., if the allotted piece of land is not used for the purpose it was given by the State, it means violation of the terms and the real estate is to be reverted to the State.

The Leh DC acted after a proper investigation, initiated when the Phyang villagers referred to the violations.
Due process was applied, the officials emphasised. (NVI)

Pakistani Company pushing ahead with mining project in Balochistan despite opposition by locals

Reko Diq Copper mining project in Balochistan

By Ajay Kaul

New Delhi, Aug 29 (NVI) Notwithstanding strong opposition by the local Baloch people, Pakistan’s Reko Diq Mining Company is pushing ahead with Copper mining in occupied Balochistan and is raising hundreds of millions of dollars through loans from various international agencies and countries.

The company has recently managed 400 million dollars from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and 450 million dollars from the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

It has now made a formal request for a loan of 100 million dollars to the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of the US.

The mine project, having 50% investment from Canada-based mining giant Barrick Gold Corporation, and 25 per cent each by the Governments of Pakistan and Balochistan, is being strongly opposed by the local Baloch people who see it as a tool of exploitation of the occupied region’s resources.

The project is also seen as a means of enriching the Pakistani Army Generals, who directly or indirectly control such major projects which are ostensibly commercial in nature.

The projected is estimated to cost 6.6 billion dollars.

The US EXIM Bank has said that Reko Diq Mining Company has applied for “long-term loans or financial guarantees in excess of $100 million” and sought comments on it within 26 days, following which its Board of Directors will take the final call.

In its application, the company has said the loan amount would be utilised to finance the import of equipment for the development of the mine, including trucks, crushers, solar panels, and other machinery, along with consultancy services from the US.

The company has identified seven suppliers with facilities across the US, including Caterpillar, First Solar, Komatsu, and Wabtec.

Earlier, on August 22, the ADB Board of Directors authorised a loan of 300 million dollars to Reko Diq Mining Company, and 150 million dollars as partial credit guarantee to cover the Balochistan government’s equity component.

“Financing for the project will be the largest foreign direct investment in Pakistan’s history,” the ADB said in a press release.

Prior to that in June, the IFC’s Board approved a loan of 450 million dollars as part of a proposed financing package totalling 700 million dollars for the Reko Diq mine’s development.

The ADB expects the Reko Diq mine to start production in late 2028.

The project has been opposed and viewed with concern by the local Baloch people because of the fear of poisoning and other health hazards.

Even the Supreme Court of Pakistan has voiced concerns over the project because of fers of respiratory illnesses and other chronic diseases to humans and animals. (NVI)

Balochistan: BLA says it killed 8 Pakistani soldiers, agents

Special Tactical Operations Squad (STOQ) of Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).

Quetta, Aug 29 (NVI) Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) today claimed to have killed 8 Pakistani military personnel and their agents in multiple attacks in occupied Balochistan.

The BLA freedom fighters targeted the occupying Pakistani army and its agents in Panjgur, Kachi, Quetta, Jeewani, Kharan, Buleda and Dalbandin in eight separate operations, its spokesman Jeeyand Baloch said.

In these attacks, supply vehicles of occupying army were destroyed while weapons of police personnel were seized, he said.

In one operation, BLA fighters targeted a vehicle of the occupying Pakistan army in Paroom area of Panjgur with a remote-controlled IED attack yesterday, killing 6 enemy personnel on the spot and destroying the vehicle completely.

The BLA freedom fighters also targeted bomb disposal personnel of occupying army with a remote-controlled IED in Kolpur area of Kachi while they were busy clearing the rail track yesterday, the spokesman said.

As a result of the explosion, one enemy personnel was eliminated on the spot, he said.

Baloch Liberation Army freedom fighters targeted another vehicle of the occupying army in Kolpur, causing casualties and property losses.

Baloch Liberation Army freedom fighters also arrested three policemen in Mian Ghundi area of Quetta, yesterday.

The freedom fighters seized their weapons, including 3 Kalashnikovs, but the personnel were released after warning that they should not participate in atrocities against Baloch people, the spokesman said.

A few people in Paroom were found involved in delivering rations and other supplies to occupying army, he said, adding that they were warned against doing so as they were Baloch.

Baloch Liberation Army freedom fighters also launched grenade attack on Bandri camp of occupying army in Jeewani city of Gwadar last night, inflicting enemy losses.

Similarly, BLA freedom fighters neutralized Munir, an agent of occupying army, in Guwash area of Kharan on August 21. The agent was working as informant for intelligence agencies of occupying army.

Baloch Liberation Army freedom fighters set fire and destroyed three trucks and a crane carrying supplies for occupying army in Buleda, Kochig on August 23.

Furthermore, on August 23, Baloch Liberation Army fighters set fire and destroyed two vehicles carrying supplies to Dalbandin area of Chagai. (BVI)

Pakistan carries out drone attacks at 2 places in Afghanistan, 4 children killed, 5 injured

Kabul, Aug 28 (NVI) Pakistan carried out drone attacks in civilian areas of Afghanistan last night, killing at least 4 children and injuring 5 others.

The attacks were carried out in Nangarhar and Khost Provinces, according to reports.

In one attack, the drone aircraft targeted the house of a poor civilian, Shahswar in the 28th Weala area of Ghanikhel district in Nangarhar.

The attack resulted in the killing of 2 children and injuries to 5 others, including a woman.

Another  attack was carried out in the Spilgin area of Spera district of Khost province, targeting the house of a local tribal elder, Haji Muhammad Naeem.

This attack also killed two children. (NVI)

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