For the first time since curfew was imposed three days ago in violence-hit Leh town of Ladakh, the restrictions were relaxed Saturday afternoon in a phased manner for a few hours, providing relief to residents who lined up outside shops selling essential commodities.

Police and paramilitary forces intensified patrolling and checking since early this morning to maintain law and order following the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA) the previous day, officials said, adding no untoward incident was reported from anywhere during the relaxation period.

The Director General of Police, Ladakh, S D Singh Jamwal, said that curfew was relaxed for a total of four hours.

“We have taken a decision (to ease restrictions). The curfew is relaxed for two hours from 1 PM to 3 PM in the first phase in old city areas, followed by a two-hour relaxation in new areas from 3.30 pm to 5.30 PM,” Director General of Police, Ladakh, S D Singh Jamwal told reporters here.

The curfew was clamped in the town on Wednesday evening after widespread violence resulted in the death of four persons and injuries to 90 others during a shutdown called by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) to advance talks with the Centre on the demands for statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh.

Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta chaired a high-level security review meeting at Raj Bhavan, after which the restrictions were eased.

Officials said police parties on Saturday announced the relaxation in the curfew using the public address systems and, soon after, shops selling essential commodities were opened, witnessing a heavy rush.

People were also seen queuing outside ATM kiosks in good numbers as the police and CRPF personnel kept a vigil, they said, adding the relaxation period passed off peacefully in the old city areas.

Jamwal said Wangchuk is being probed for allegedly having links with Pakistan following last month’s arrest of a Pakistani Intelligence Operative who sent videos of his protests across the border.

He described Wangchuk as the “main ring leader” behind Wednesday’s violence.

On the participation of people in the funeral of four persons who lost their lives in Wednesday’s violence, the DGP said that all necessary arrangements have been made to help their relatives take part in their last rites.

“We do not want anyone to have any type of inconvenience during the funeral,” he said.

He said the job of the police is to maintain law and order and “we are involved in that”.

In a statement issued late Friday night, the Lt Governor-led administration justified the detention of Wangchuk, saying a series of alleged provocative speeches by him, with references to the Nepal agitation and the Arab Spring, resulted in Wednesday’s violence that left four persons dead and scores of others injured.

It said the detention of Wangchuk was “important to restore normalcy” in the peace-loving Leh town and also to prevent him from further acting in a manner “prejudicial to maintenance of public order”.

“There was no untoward incident reported from anywhere in Ladakh during the past 24 hours. The restrictions are in place to maintain law and order,” an official said.

The official said the patrolling and checking by police and paramilitary forces in the sensitive areas have been intensified, while raids are also underway to nab the absconding rioters, including a councillor who allegedly instigated the violence.

More than 50 persons were detained following the clashes, while strict restrictions under prohibitory orders banning assembly of five or more persons also remained in force in other major towns of the Union Territory, including Kargil.

The Directorate of Information & Public Relations (DIPR), Ladakh, in a statement late Friday night, said: “Time and again it has been observed that Wangchuk has been indulging in activities prejudicial to the security of the state and detrimental to maintenance of peace and public order and services essential to the community.”

It said that despite clear communication from the government regarding the meeting of the High-Powered Committee (HPC) and the offer of prior meetings before the HPC, Wangchuk, with his “ulterior motive”, continued his hunger strike in the town from 10 September.

“His series of provocative speeches, references to Nepal agitations, Arab Spring, etc, and misleading videos resulted in the violent protests of 24 September in Leh, where institutions, buildings and vehicles were burnt down, and, in the aftermath, police personnel were attacked, leading to the unfortunate death of four individuals.

“The entire episode could have been avoided if he could have risen above his personal and political ambitions by calling off the hunger strike when the dialogue with the government was resumed on the same agenda,” the statement alleged, referring to the demands for statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to the region.

The statement said it was important to restore normalcy in the peace-loving Leh town of Ladakh.

It said the administration, based on specific inputs, took a considered decision to detain Wangchuk under the NSA and move him to Jodhpur prison in Rajasthan.

Ladakh’s Director General of Police (DGP) S D Singh Jamwal confirmed on Saturday that Sonam Wangchuk is under investigation for potential links to Pakistan. This announcement stems from the recent arrest of a Pakistani intelligence operative who allegedly transmitted videos of protests led by Wangchuk across the border.

Jamwal identified Wangchuk as a pivotal figure in the protests that led to violence claiming four lives and injuring numerous others earlier this week. On Friday, law enforcement detained Wangchuk under the stringent National Security Act, subsequently transferring him to a correctional facility in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

“The findings from our investigation regarding Wangchuk are sensitive and cannot be disclosed at this time. However, one can infer much from his online presence,” Jamwal stated. He noted that Wangchuk’s speeches, referencing movements like the Arab Spring and unrest in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, acted as provocations.

“We are reviewing potential foreign funding and violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act against him. Importantly, a person of interest from Pakistan was supplying footage back to his country from the protests led by Wangchuk,” he explained.

Jamwal further highlighted Wangchuk’s international involvement, recalling his attendance at a recent event hosted by the Pakistani publication, The Dawn, and a prior visit to Bangladesh. “These visits raise significant suspicion regarding his intents,” he remarked to reporters.

Wangchuk has been a central figure in a movement advocating for statehood and the extension of the sixth schedule to the Union Territory, representing the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance.

“Wangchuk sought to commandeer this movement and undermine dialogues between Central leaders and Ladakhi representatives,” the DGP added. The Centre had extended an invitation for fresh discussions set for October 6.

Despite the upcoming informal meeting, Wangchuk continued his hunger strike, a decision deemed provocative given the rising tensions. “A day prior to the informal discussions, there was a direct attempt to disrupt the peace by disseminating inflammatory videos and making incendiary statements, which ultimately contributed to the violence that ensued on Wednesday,” Jamwal clarified.

Commenting on remarks made by Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta concerning foreign conspiracies related to the violence, Jamwal confirmed that three individuals from Nepal were among those hospitalized with gunshot wounds, indicating broader foreign involvement.

In total, police have detained around 50 individuals in connection with Wednesday’s unrest, with around six being identified as critical ringleaders behind the violent episodes. “Wangchuk, as the main instigator, has been placed in a jail outside the region,” the DGP concluded.

On September 27, India announced that Pakistan’s military made a plea for a cessation of fighting during Operation Sindoor, emphasizing that only bilateral discussions between New Delhi and Islamabad could resolve their issues.

These statements came from Petal Gahlot, India’s First Secretary to the Permanent Mission at the United Nations, in response to remarks delivered by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.

Sharif had credited former US President Donald Trump with helping to avert war between the two nuclear-armed nations. Gahlot, however, criticized Sharif’s comments, calling them a display of “absurd theatrics” and accused Pakistan’s Prime Minister of glorifying terrorism.

“This Assembly witnessed absurd theatrics from the Prime Minister of Pakistan, who once again glorified terrorism that is so central to their foreign policy,” Gahlot stated while exercising India’s Right of Reply.

In his speech, Sharif expressed Pakistan’s willingness to engage in “composite, comprehensive, and result-oriented” dialogue with India. He also condemned the situation in Kashmir.

Sharif’s commendation for Trump stemmed from the belief that his efforts helped prevent a major conflict in South Asia. He stated, “In recognition of President Trump’s wonderful and outstanding contribution to promote peace in our part of the world, Pakistan nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize.”

This recognition highlights Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts amidst a complex geopolitical scenario.

Operation Sindoor, which India initiated on May 7, targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This operation followed the devastating Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 that claimed 26 civilian lives.

India’s military maneuvers during this period underscored its commitment to national security and counter-terrorism. India has consistently maintained that any understanding regarding hostilities’ cessation arose from direct discussions between the Directors General of Military Operations of both nations.

The strained relations between India and Pakistan remain a pivotal issue in South Asian politics. Observers note that dialogues and peace initiatives continue to be overshadowed by persistent allegations of terrorism and military aggression.

As India and Pakistan navigate the complex landscape of diplomacy and military strategy, the international community watches closely. Renewed calls for decisive and constructive dialogue echo amidst ongoing tensions.

In conclusion, the event at the UN has once again spotlighted the delicate nature of India-Pakistan relations, with both nations striving for peace yet often hindered by historical grievances and strategic distrust.