Amid 'unprecedented' clampdown, which continued for the fourth consecutive day in different parts of Kashmir valley, around 70 terrorists and hardcore pro-Pakistan separatists were airlifted in a special plane, provided by the Indian Air Force, to Agra.
The decision to shift these 'trouble makers' was taken during the high level review meetings chaired by the National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, during his stay in the valley.
The Prisons department of the J&K police had submitted a fresh report with complete details of past record of these terrorists and hardcore separatists lodged in different jails of Kashmir valley.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, was sent back from Srinagar Airport hours after he landed there to take stock of the ground situation.
On his arrival in Srinagar, at 11.30 Ghulam Nabi Azad, was prevented from stepping out of the airport premises. Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar along with police officers informed him about the decision to detain him at the airport. Azad was told to return to New Delhi via the same flight but he insisted on attending meeting convened at the party office in Srinagar. At 4.30 p.m Azad, accompanied by JKPCC Chief GA Mir returned to Delhi.
In Jammu, as situation was gradually returning to normalcy, several other politicians, including Harsh Devi Singh of Panthers party, few Congress leaders were taken under preventive custody by the state police to prevent any flare up ahead of crucial Friday. Chairman of the Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan and former BJP rebel MLA Lal Singh was also detained inside his home in Jammu since Wednesday. The district administration in Jammu has decided against reopening of educational institutions in Jammu on Friday.
The situation in border districts of Rajouri and Poonch too remained peaceful but the decision to open schools and colleges has not been taken by the district authorities. In erstwhile district of Doda, people continue to suffer in the absence of communication links and complete shutdown in the area.
In Kargil, district authorities strictly imposed Section 144 after strong protests broke out in the area against Abrogation of Article 370.
Large number of protesters were detained after they defied restrictions and took out a rally to vent their ire against the decision of the NDA government to scrap Article 370.
Local residents participated in the protest rally under the banner of Joint Action Committee.
Some of the people were detained after a minor clash broke out between police and protesters, the officials said.
Former minister and NC leader Qamar Ali Akhoon told reporters in Kargil, "We wanted a united state. Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir should be one entity. We are fighting for restoration of Article 370."
Former MLA Kargil Haji Asgar Ali Karbali also joined the protest rally. He claimed local residents in the area observed complete shutdown in Kargil over the abrogation of provisions of Article 370.
IGP Jammu Zone, Mukesh Singh, visited districts of Kishtwar and Doda (i. e. at Bhaderwah) to review the present security scenario /law and order situation in the districts.
During the visit he conducted on the spot assessment and reviewed the present security scenario in both the districts in view of the present situation in Kashmir valley as well as in Jammu region.
