Reported By Nazir Masoodi With Pti Inputs

The BJP was neither consulted and nor had consented to the release of hardline separatist leader Masrath Alam by the government, the party said today. Alam - accused of fanning trouble in 2010 in which over 100 people died in Kashmir -- was released on Saturday by the week-old People's Democratic Party-led government.

The People's Democratic Party and the BJP, which have emerged as the top two parties in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, tonight began talks in Srinagar on government-formation.

The body of a sarpanch, who was kidnapped by suspected militants in Sopore in north Kashmir's Baramulla district, was found this morning.

On the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally in Srinagar, Defence minister Manohar Parrikar said he was monitoring the situation in Jammu and Kashmir on an "hourly basis". Even on Sunday, a grenade attack took place in poll-bound Pulwama's Noorpura, in which one security personnel was injured.

Clashes broke out today between locals and security personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Nowgam area near Srinagar over the death of two civilians in Army firing on Monday.

A day before the polling, fear looms large in parts of south Kashmir's Anantnag constituency. Dozens of panchayat members have announced their resignation following the killing of a Sarpanch, or village head, and his son in Tral area of south Kashmir on Monday night.

Hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Friday claimed that BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi had sent emissaries to him and separatist leadership in Jammu and Kashmir to create a 'soft corner' for him and making a 'commitment' to seek a solution to the Kashmir issue.

Militants today attacked a police party in a busy market area of Sopore town in North Kashmir's Baramulla district, leaving a civilian dead and a policeman seriously injured.

Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde has said that the government will order a thorough inquiry into the controversial arrest of alleged terrorist Sayyed Liyaqat Shah, according to a Srinagar-based newspaper. Yesterday, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had asked Mr Shinde to assign the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

In a major relief to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, a magisterial probe looking into the death of National Conference worker Haji Syed Yousuf has exonerated Mr Abdullah and his aides from any wrongdoing.

The BJP was neither consulted and nor had consented to the release of hardline separatist leader Masrath Alam by the government, the party said today. Alam - accused of fanning trouble in 2010 in which over 100 people died in Kashmir -- was released on Saturday by the week-old People's Democratic Party-led government.

The People's Democratic Party and the BJP, which have emerged as the top two parties in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, tonight began talks in Srinagar on government-formation.

The body of a sarpanch, who was kidnapped by suspected militants in Sopore in north Kashmir's Baramulla district, was found this morning.

On the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally in Srinagar, Defence minister Manohar Parrikar said he was monitoring the situation in Jammu and Kashmir on an "hourly basis". Even on Sunday, a grenade attack took place in poll-bound Pulwama's Noorpura, in which one security personnel was injured.

Clashes broke out today between locals and security personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Nowgam area near Srinagar over the death of two civilians in Army firing on Monday.

A day before the polling, fear looms large in parts of south Kashmir's Anantnag constituency. Dozens of panchayat members have announced their resignation following the killing of a Sarpanch, or village head, and his son in Tral area of south Kashmir on Monday night.

Hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Friday claimed that BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi had sent emissaries to him and separatist leadership in Jammu and Kashmir to create a 'soft corner' for him and making a 'commitment' to seek a solution to the Kashmir issue.

Militants today attacked a police party in a busy market area of Sopore town in North Kashmir's Baramulla district, leaving a civilian dead and a policeman seriously injured.

Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde has said that the government will order a thorough inquiry into the controversial arrest of alleged terrorist Sayyed Liyaqat Shah, according to a Srinagar-based newspaper. Yesterday, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had asked Mr Shinde to assign the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

In a major relief to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, a magisterial probe looking into the death of National Conference worker Haji Syed Yousuf has exonerated Mr Abdullah and his aides from any wrongdoing.