Defence 360

California almonds, known worldwide for their high nutritional value, are being used in cross-LoC trade as a mode to earn profits which are funnelled to terrorists and separatists in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said Friday. India Thursday indefinitely suspended cross-LoC trade at two points along the Line of Control effective Friday, following reports that it was being “misused” by elements from across the border to smuggle weapons, narcotics and fake currency.The almonds produced in California in the United States have been regularly finding their way through LoC trade involving a large transport network. According to the modus operandi, Pakistani traders under-invoice products like California almonds. After receiving the consignment, traders on the Indian side sell California almonds at the prevailing market price and make extra and undue profit due to the under-invoicing, a security official said. The extra money generated is handed over by the traders to ...

As Anantnag moves to Ph-III polling on April 23rd, Intel agencies have warned of a #BikeBomber attack at polling booths in J&K.This can be bike/bicycle.  Pakistan-based terrorists are reportedly planning a new ‘suicide plot’ which could involve several ‘motorcycle bombers’, as per an intelligence agency’s report. Supposedly, the decision to use motorcycles to execute the sinister plan was taken as security forces’ in the country have become more suspicious of cars post the Pulwama attack, the report stated. Motorcycle bombers are likely to be active in Srinagar and Kupwara areas, Times Now reported quoting the intel report. As per the report, the motorcycle bombers could be named after Mughal emperors as well.  The suicide bombers could be riding the motorcycle with explosive-filled bags fitted on both sides, said the report. The two-wheeler could prove to be more maneuverable and easier to get to any target, the report claimed. As per sources...

Baloch Raaji Aajohi e Sangar (BRAS), has claimed responsibility of attack in Ormara near Gwadar that killed at least 14 early in the morning on Thursday according to a web article posted by balochistanpost.com Earlier, according to local administration, around 15-20 armed assailants in camouflage gear stopped a bus on Makran Coastal Highway. They offloaded at least 16 passengers after checking their id cards. At least 14 were shot dead, while two persons managed to escape the massacre and made it to the nearest Levies checkpost. According to latest updates, BRAS, an alliance of Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Baloch Republican Guard (BRG), has claimed responsibility for the attack. Baloch Khan, BRAS’s spokesperson, in a statement said that those killed in the attack were personnel of Pakistani armed forces. He claimed that they were only killed after their identities were ascertained through their service cards. While governme...

At least 20 people were killed and 48 injured in a blast that targeted members of the Hazara community in Quetta's Hazarganji market on Friday morning. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Abdul Razzaq Cheema, who was present at the site of the attack, said the blast targeted the Hazara ethnic community. Balochistan Home Minister Ziaullah Langove confirmed that 20 people had lost their lives, while 48 were wounded. "The attack took place in a [green grocer's] shop. An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was planted in a gunny sack filled with potatoes. Whether it was timed or remote-controlled, our experts will tell. Right now they are investigating," DIG Cheema said. Langove in a press conference after the incident, however, said that the blast appeared to be a suicide attack. Eight of those killed were Hazara. At least one Frontier Corps soldier deputed for their security was also martyred in the attack, DIG Cheema said. Others who lost their lives in...

In yet another attack on Chinese nationals on Pakistani soil a convoy of 22 vehicles comprising Chinese engineers employed in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has been targeted in Balochistan resulting in number of casualties. This was the third attack on Chinese assets during the past six months by Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) which has been protesting China's growing presence in Balochistan. BLA, which is also opposed to CPEC targeted Chinese consulate in Karachi last November, in a dare devil act. The attack on the convoy occurred near Hamdard University in Karachi city, ET has learnt. While the figures are not known number of casualties of workers and engineers have been reported by Pakistani news channels. Jeeyand Baloch, a spokesperson for BLA in a statement noted,“BLA fighters attacked the convoy of Chinese engineers-consists of 22 vehicles, with a remote control bomb in front of Hamdard university in Karachi city. The attack resul...