Latest updates from Kashmir

Srinagar, July 14 (Writer-South Asia):  In Jammu and Kashmir, an Indian army Major was killed and seven others including a Colonel were injured in a clash in Poonch district.

The clash took place at Beri Rakh in Mendhar area of the district. Major Amit Thingay was killed on the spot while seven troops including Colonel Ajay Katoch, Commanding Officer (CO) of 37 Rashtriya Rifles, Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar, Signalman Satinder Kumar, Naik Jasbir Singh, Sepoy Sunil Kumar and Rifleman Basharat Hussain were critically injured in the clash.

All injured Army personnel have been hospitalised. Indian army official sources have claimed that the two Armed Kashmiri Mujahideen were believed to be killed in the clash. The gun battle was going on till last reports came in.

An Army man, Naik Sudhir Radha was injured in a mine blast when he was shifting from Sagar Post to Hans Post in Balakote area of Mendhar sector along with a Road Opening Party (ROP) of 5 Maratha Regiment of Indian Army.

Meanwhile,condemning the media curbs in disputed Kashmir, media personalities of India have said that attempts are being made to paint journalists from Jammu and Kashmir as anti-India.

Indian journalists at a meeting convened by Press Club of India (PCI) to discuss vindictive policy against media men in the valley, described it a dangerous move and an assault on the press.

The Srinagar correspondents of News X Channel, Suhail Bukhari and Idris Lone, against whom FIRs have been lodged in the Pulwama police station under Unlawful Activities Act, gave their version at the meeting. They said that they had been harassed without any reason by the authorities. They said that they were being victimised by vindictive approach of the occupation authorities though they tried to discharge their duties honestly.

In South Kashmir, Indian Forces con
Scores of Delhi-based Kashmiri journalists also attended the meeting. A resolution was also moved in which the puppet administration was asked to immediately withdraw cases against News X correspondents.

“It said the ban on freedom of expression shows intolerance of the authorities. Attempts are being made to divide the local and international press. This should be resisted and all efforts should be made to mobilise full support for Kashmiri media,” the resolution read.

Seema Mustafa, Sidharat Vardharajan, Nidhi Razdhan, Zafar Agha, Onkar Singh, David Davidas, Shabnam Hashmi and scores of others attended the meeting to express solidarity with Kashmiri media associations.