Blasphemous picture on social networking site triggers protests; Youths of Kashmir valley joined militant ranks in 2012; Combing operation launched by Army in Uri, North Kashmir; Shootout at Silver Star Hotel, Srinagar carried out by LeT
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    • (OCTOBER 29-NOVEMBER 4)

    According to reports, uploading of some blasphemous picture on the social networking website, Facebook, triggered massive protest in the communally sensitive mountainous township of Kishtwar on October 29. The trouble started when some youth noticed an alleged blasphemous picture on the social networking website uploaded by some youth of Chatroo tehsil. As the word about it spread in the area thousands of people gathered in Chatroo township and staged a demonstration. Police immediately blocked all the exit and entry points of the township. The district administration also consulted the religious heads assuring that immediate action would be taken against the culprits. However, immediately after the evening prayers hundreds of people, mostly youth, assembled at Jamia Masjid Kishtwar and took out a procession. 1

    In another development, according to reports, around 18 youth from Jammu and Kashmir have joined different militant groups during the current year. Among them, two have been killed in encounters and one has been arrested. Most of them joined Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) or Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) which are two key militant outfits believed to be operating in the State at present. Local militants help their outfits to garner support of the local population as they know the topography and have a good network of friends and relatives who act as couriers. 2

    According to reports, day after of foiling an infiltration bid in Uri sector of Baramulla district in north Kashmir, Army has launched massive combing operation in the areas near Line of Control (LoC) to flush-out the militants if any. General Officer Commanding (GOC) Baramulla based Infantry Division, Major General Bipin Rawat said that soldiers of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) witnessed suspicious movement in Soura-Lagam area on Line of Control (LoC) in Uri sector. The senior Army officer said they have recovered three AK- assault rifles and some magazines from the spot. 3

    In other developments, according to reports, Police on November 3 claimed that shootout at hotel Silver Star near Pantha Chowk on city outskirts was carried out by the militants of Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit. According to a top police officer, the target of the militants was the Army convoy. Pertinently, on October 19, 2012, a hotel employee was killed while three others were injured in a shootout in the premises of hotel Silver Star. 4

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