J&K: Jawan killed in IED blast, probe ordered

Kashmir has been embroiled in turmoil since July, 2015.

On July 8, 22-year old Burhan Wani, a local Hizbul Mujahideen commander, part of a resurgent terrorist group in Kashmir, was shot dead by security forces.

50,000 people attended his funeral procession; Kashmir continues to endure aftershocks triggered by Wani's death.

Could Mehbooba Mufti finally bring a ray of light to Kashmir in 2017?

For Kashmir to trudge back to normalcy, all eyes are on J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti.

Mufti took on CM's mantle in March post her father's death, has urged people to give her an opportunity to prove herself.

Her promises of developing Kashmir and increasing employment have yet to take shape.

If in 2017, Mufti can move closer towards these goals, there maybe some hope.

After the killing of Hizb-ul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, 66 weapons including 17 AK rifles and 7,000 rounds of ammunition have been looted by militants and mobs in Kashmir.

Weapons also included 23 SLR rifles, 14 INSAS rifles, 6 pistols, 1 .303 rifle, 1 carbine, 3 UBGL thrower and 1 taser gun.

16 loot incidents took place last year with 59 youth joining militancy.

A terrorist was killed in an encounter with security forces in Tral near Srinagar. Special forces troops were conducting combing operations when they encountered 4-5 LeT terrorists.

The body of one terrorist has been recovered, while search is on for the others. Curfew is imposed in the area.

Protesters had gathered in the area, and even snatched the rifle of a CRPF jawan.

Out of over 100 youths who went missing from Kashmir in 2016, at least 88 have joined different militant outfits, the maximum since 2010, the government said.

More youths (32) from Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian in South Kashmir are involved in militancy than central and north Kashmir (13).

Rifle-snatching cases in South Kashmir have also increased, with at least 37 weapons being snatched.

3 civilians were killed and several others were injured after being shot at by security forces, who were attempting to capture terrorists in Chadoora .

Protesters were pelting stones to disrupt security forces who were in a gun battle with terrorists. Sources said one terrorist was killed too.

The incident took place at Chadoora area of central Kashmir's Budgam district.

A junior commissioned officer in the Army, identified as Naib Subedar S Sanayaima Kom, passed away after he was critically injured in an IED blast in the Degwar sector of Poonch.

Defence spokesman Lt Col Manish Mehta said the army has ordered an inquiry into the incident.

The blast occurred during a joint patrol of the area, between outgoing and incoming troops.