1. News
More lives were lost to violence in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), including those of an Imam and his son. Indian special operations forces raided a militant hideout, seizing advanced communication equipment and a small arms cache. J&K police reveal that one of their own aided and abetted the assassins of former State Law Minister, Mushtaq Ahmed Lone, and his brother, last year (The Hindu, India) and Muzamil Jaleel (Indian Express, India) discusses the challenge of being more vigilant against this "internal subversion." The Indian Army disagreed that the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) should replace the Border Security Force (BSF) for internal J&K security. Praveen Swami (Frontline, India) examines the "hype and folly" of one of the Indian Army's most high-profile counter-terrorist operations.
"Nine killed in Kashmir violence"
"Imam, son killed"
"Communication network busted in Valley"
"Police-militant nexus unearthed"
"J-K busy with security vetting"
"Let BSF stay in Valley, Army tells Centre"
"The hype and the folly"
The coalition government of J&K released 92 prisoners held under the state's Public Safety Act of 1978, including senior Hurriyat Conference leader Mohammad Yousuf Mujahid, who was released after more than two years in detention. After being released from a Srinagar jail, Yasin Malik, head of the separatist Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), continued his signature campaign, which calls for Kashmiris to play a role in regional peace talks. Mufti Islah (Indian Express) reports on the recent boom in J&K tourism.
"J&K frees 92 prisoners"
"Another Hurriyat leader released"
"Yasin resumes signature drive"
"Valley 14-year jinx breaks with flood of tourists, yatris"
In The Nation (Pakistan), Kuldip Nayar considers how the history of the Kashmir conflict has and will continue to alienate the Kashmiri people. According to Nayar, ultimately, India must settle "with the Kashmiris, whatever route we take. It is a tragedy that we have not realised this even today."
"Kashmir quagmire"
In the US, a Kashmir-born American truck driver reportedly met with Osama bin Laden and other top Al-Qaeda leaders in a plot to bring down New York's Brooklyn Bridge. Iyman Faris pleaded guilty to providing material support to a terrorist organization.
"Al-Qaeda's latest hitman a Kashmiri"