Kashmir LIVE: 8 People Injured in Areas Where Relaxation Was Not Given, Says J&K Principal Secy

After 2G mobile Internet services were restored in five districts of Jammu, Jammu IG warned of strict action against anyone circulating fake messages or videos on social media. The internet services have been restored in five districts of Jammu region - Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur and Reasi. General public is requested to refrain from sharing or circulating any type of fake messages or videos in the social media which might vitiate the peaceful atmosphere, he added.

'Govt Has Strenuous Job of Winning the Trust of Kashmiri People' | Senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid said the government has an arduous job ahead to win back the trust of Kashmiri people after abolition of the Article 370 that provided special status for the state. The Congress is opposed to the way the Article 370 was abrogated as there are legal and moral issues, said the former union minister.

Directorate of Information, Jammu and Kashmir said, “For the convenience of citizens of Srinagar, administration has started home-delivery of LPG cylinders to consumers in the district.”

Directorate of Information, #JammuAndKashmir: For the convenience of citizens of SRINAGAR, administration has started home-delivery of LPG cylinders to consumers in the district.

— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2019

Picture of Indian Army Lance Naik Sandeep Thapa who lost his life in ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Nowshera Sector, Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir, earlier today. 35-yr-old Sandeep Thapa belonged to Rajawala village of Dehradun, Uttarakhand, and is survived by his wife, Nisha Thapa.

Picture of Indian Army Lance Naik Sandeep Thapa who lost his life in ceasefire violation by Pakistan in NOWSHERA Sector, RAJOURI, #JammuAndKashmir, earlier today. 35-yr-old Sandeep Thapa belonged to Rajawala village of Dehradun, Uttarakhand, & is survived by his wife, Nisha Thapa pic.twitter.com/DRac8PkZqf

— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2019

Defence Spokesperson Lt Col Devender Anand said that the Indian Army troops have inflicted heavy damage to Pakistan Army posts and casualties to Pakistan Army soldiers in response to ceasefire violations by Pakistan in Nowshera sector.

Defence Spokesperson Lt Col Devender Anand: Indian Army troops have inflicted heavy damage to Pakistan Army posts and casualties to Pakistan Army soldiers in response to ceasefire violations by Pakistan in Nowshera sector.

— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2019

India's US Envoy on Human rights Violation | When asked about human rights violations in Kashmir, India's envoy to the UN Syed Akbaruddin said, "If there are issues, they will be addressed by our courts. We don't need international busy bodies to try and tell us how to run our lives. We are a billion plus people. We have a commitment to democracy unlike those who are now trying to speak to me, whose experience is extremely limited. We have vast experience, we will fulfil our goals."

Srinagar Divisional Commissioner Baseer Khan said that the authorities are prepared for the return of Haj pilgrims tomorrow. The authorities have a sufficient fleet of buses to facilitate them to get to their destinations.

Srinagar Divisional Commissioner, Baseer Khan: We are prepared for the return of Haj pilgrims tomorrow. We have a sufficient fleet of buses to facilitate them to get to their destinations. pic.twitter.com/LBsjXvK5Yz

— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2019

Low-speed (2G) mobile internet services have been restored in five districts of Jammu region and restrictions relaxed in 35 police stations in the Kashmir Valley, state police chief Dilbag Singh said. However, any misuse of internet facilities will result in legal action, he warned. Now there are no restrictions in 10 districts of Jammu with ongoing relaxation at Poonch, Banihal, Kishtwar and Bhaderwah towns for the day.

A dedicated bus service was started on Friday for government employees to ferry them to and from their offices in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district. The directions in this regard were given by Deputy Commissioner GN Itoo at a meeting convened to review the attendance of employees in the district. As per the plan, SRTC buses to the general bus stand in Baramulla, will be available for employees at the different locations, including SMHS Hospital in Srinagar ( 8.30 am), Sopore (9 am), Watergam (9 am), Uri (8.30 am) and Tangmarg (8.30 am).

Government spokesperson Rohit Kansal also said that the public transport is plying and they have encouraged reports of a lot of public movement. "The endeavour is to make at least half of the exchanges in the Valley functional by today evening and by tomorrow evening, all of the exchanges, barring few in the vulnerable areas, would be made functional”, he said.

Government spokesperson Rohit Kansal said that the process of providing relaxation and easing out of restrictions is already in progress. Relaxation has been provided in 35 police station areas across the length and breadth of the Valley and so far, there are no reports of any untoward incident.

According to officials. there was increase in movement of private vehicles in the civil lines areas and other district headquarters of the Valley. Some inter-district cabs were also seen plying in Dal gate area of the summer capital. Some shops in the civil lines area opened on Saturday morning. However, most of the business establishments, including fuel stations, remained shut.

According to army Sources, a Pakistani post opposite the Rajouri sector in Jammu and Kashmir has been hit in action by Indian Army today. The exchange of fire between the two sides is still on after Pakistan violated ceasefire. One Indian Army soldier lost his life this morning in Pakistani firing, reported ANI.

Army Sources: A Pakistani post opposite the RAJOURI sector (J&K) has been hit in action by Indian Army today. The exchange of fire between the two sides is still on after Pakistan violated ceasefire. One Indian Army soldier lost his life this morning in Pakistani firing pic.twitter.com/ws4rnRQndr

— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2019

Around 50,000 Landlines Operational | Officials have said that restrictions have been relaxed in 35 police station areas of Kashmir, while 17 telephone exchanges, out of the total 96, have been made functional. More than 50,000 landline phones were operational now. Services will be restored in other areas in a "calibrated manner". Security forces continued to man barricades on the roads but allowed people to move after checking their credentials, officials said.

2G Restored, High-Speed Internet After Fresh Assessment | Jammu & Kashmir state police chief Dilbag Singh said that 2G internet services have been restored in certain parts of the state, however, he warned that any misuse of internet facilities will result in legal action. Now there are no restrictions in 10 districts of Jammu with ongoing relaxation at Poonch, Banihal, Kishtwar and Bhaderwah towns for the day, he said. "Landline numbers opened in some parts of each district in Kashmir. Communication opened Jammu region," Singh said. The 2G mobile internet services have been restored in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur and Reasi districts, officials said. They said the high-speed (3G and 4G) mobile internet services will be restored after a fresh assessment of the situation. 

Kashmir is a Nuclear Flash Point, Says Gen Asif Ghafoor | A day after India announced that it might review its "no first use" nuclear policy, Pakistan's ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor said, "Kashmir is definitely a nuclear flash point." He added that the Pakistani armed forces are fully prepared to repulse any form of Indian aggression. "Kashmir dispute is a fight to be fought for long," he said.

Constituting a Kashmir Cell, Says Pak Foreign Minister | Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi announced that Pakistan would create a 'Kashmir Cell' in their foreign office. He added that key capitals will be identified and a Kashmir desk will be formed at all embassies. he further added that Pakistan suspected some more false flag operation.

'Govt Decision in the Interest of the J&K People' | Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the abrogation of Article 370 was in favour of the people of Jammu & Kashmir. "Article 370 had become a shield to protect the terrorists and their veterans. This abrogation is in the interest of people. We will always be available to help J&K people," he said. He added that the ministry of external affairs was working on the Kashmir issue with the UNSC. "India is alert toward its security. If any activity will happen from Pakistan’s side then India will give a befitting reply," he added.

J&K Telephone Lines Become Functional | Department of Information and Public Relations, Govt of Jammu & Kashmir tweeted that landlines were being made functional.

Restoration of Communication in Jammu and Kashmir: 17 out of 96 telephone exchanges being made functional today. Half of them will be functioning by today night. Tomorrow barring few, all land line exchanges will function.

— DIPR-J&K (@diprjk) August 17, 2019

China Pushed for an Outcome After UNSC Meeting | China was pushing for an outcome or a press statement to be delivered after the consultations by Poland, the President of the Security Council for the month of August. The UK also sided with China in calling for a statement to the press, PTI sources familiar with the consultation said. "Pakistan raising Kashmir at the UN doesn't have any traction. This time also it did not get any traction at all. There was no outcome, no statement from Poland, as UNSC President, after the consultations," the sources added. Majority of the 15  Security Council members said there should not be any statement or outcome issued after the consultations and their will prevailed.

India's UN Rep Shakes Hand with Pak Scribe | Takes India's Permanent Representative to the UN Syed Akbaruddin took 5 questions after the UNSC meeting, asking to begin with three Pakistani journalists. A senior Pakistani journalist at the UN asked "when will you begin a dialogue with Pakistan" to which the Indian envoy said, "So let me begin by coming across to you and shaking your hand, all three of you," walking up from the lectern to him and shaking his hand. Akbaruddin then walked up to the other two Pakistani journalists in the media group and shook their hands with a smile. The gesture was cheered by those present at the UNSC stakeout. 

Imran Khan Welcomes UNSC Meeting | Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan tweets after the United Nations Security Council closed door meeting on Kashmir yesterday:

I welcome the UNSC meeting to discuss the serious situation in Occupied Jammu & Kashmir. It is for the first time in over 50 yrs that the world’s highest diplomatic forum has taken up this issue. There are 11 UNSC resolutions reiterating the Kashmiris right to self determination.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 17, 2019

Indian Soldier Dies in Ceasefire Violation | Indian soldier Lance Naik Sandeep Thapa has lost his life in the ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Nowshera Sector, Rajouri that took place at 6:30 am today.

Pakistan Violates Ceasefire | Pakistan violated ceasefire by resorting to mortar shelling and small arms firing from across the border started in Nowshera sector at around 6.30 am along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district, a defence spokesman said. However, there was no immediate report of any casualty in the Pakistani firing which was unprovoked, the spokesman said. Last month, two army personnel and a 10-day old died and several civilians were injured in heavy Pakistani firing in the twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu region.

Imran Khan Discusses Response to Pak's Kashmir Strategy | Pakistan PM Imran Khan held the first meeting of a special committee and headed by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, and formed by the PM himself regarding the response from the other countries about Pakistan's Kashmir strategy. Pakistan seemingly had only China's support in the UN Security Council closed door meeting yesterday, while most other countries urged the two nations to enagage in bilateral talks to resolve the issue.

Section 144 Relaxed in Kishtwar for Today | Section 144, which prohibits illegal assembly, was relaxed in Kishtwar in the Jammu region for today. Other restrictions in other areas were also curbed, including telephone lines and 2G internet services being restored.

Restrictions on Movement Relaxed in Kashmir Today | Restrictions on the movement of people in the Kashmir Valley were eased on Saturday even as stringent security arrangements continued to be in place, officials said. The movement of government employees towards their offices was facilitated, officials said. They added that the security forces continued to remain deployed, while barricades remained on the roads, but people were allowed to move after checking their credentials. There was increase in movement of private vehicles in the civil lines area and other district headquarters of the Valley, the officials said, adding that some inter-district cabs were also seen plying in Dalgate area of the summer capital.

Ladakh MP on UNSC Meeting | "I'm happy that due to the decision taken under Modi ji's leadership, Ladakh is being discussed in UN. Earlier when Congress was in power, Ladakh was not even discussed in Parliament let alone the UN," Ladakh MP Tsering Namgyal says about the discussion on Kashmir in the UNSC.

BJP MP from Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal on UNSC discussion on Kashmir: I'm happy that due to the decision taken under Modi ji's leadership, Ladakh is being discussed in UN. Earlier when Congress was in power, Ladakh was not even discussed in Parliament let alone the UN. pic.twitter.com/BaDDbLgBm1

— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2019