Page 17 - Jammu And Kashmir

Security forces bust hideout in J-K Ramban, recover ammunition, explosives

Security forces on Saturday busted a hideout and recovered ammunition and explosives in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district, officials said. Acting on specific information about the presence of arms and ammunition in a remote forested area in Khari tehsil of Ramban, the police and the Army launched a joint search operation there, they said. A militant hideout was unearthed and ammunition and explosive material were recovered, the officials said. The recoveries included 310 AK-47 rounds, 30 9mm rounds, one 9mm magazine, six AK rifle magazines, one grenade, one tape recorder, one handset with antenna and two cassettes, they said. Three battery terminals, one negative photo film, five pencil cells, one plastic can, one pocket diary, cooper wire and one blade were also recovered, they added. A case under the Arms Act was registered at police station Banihal in this regard, the officials said.

Delhi, Bengal consume most sweets in India; Rajasthan top consumer of papad

In 2021, the sweet market in India stood at Rs 58,900 crore

Security situation improved in north east, J-K areas in last 8 yrs: Shah

Union Home minister Amit Shah on Friday said the security situation in the insurgency-hit areas of the northeast and Jammu and Kashmir as well as in the states affected by Naxal violence has improved over the last eight years of the Narendra Modi government. Shah said this while addressing top police and paramilitary commanders at the National Police Memorial in the Chanakyapuri area here on the occasion of the National Police Commemoration Day. "In the northeast, we have removed the special powers given to the armed forces (under the AFSPA) and instead, given special powers to the youngsters there, resulting in a decline of violence in these areas by more than 70 per cent," he said. The situation in Jammu and Kashmir is such that those who used to hurl stones at security personnel earlier have now become "panches" and "sarpanches", Shah added. In the states affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE), the national anthem is being sung in Eklavya schools while the national flag flutters

Snowfall, rains in higher reaches of Kashmir bring in early winter

Snowfall in higher reaches of Kashmir, including popular tourist destinations like Gulmarg and Sonamarg, and rains in plains brought wintry conditions earlier than usual in the valley, officials said on Thursday. "There was significant snowfall in many areas of Kashmir including Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Gurez, and Karnah during the intervening night," the officials said. The officials said more than two inches of snow had accumulated in the Gulmarg bowl while the snowfall was heavier in higher reaches of the valley. They said even the Zabarwan mountain range in the city had received traces of snowfall during the night. Srinagar city and other areas of the valley received moderate rainfall since the early hours of Thursday, bringing down the temperature by several degrees. People have slipped into winter wear like sweaters and heavy jackets earlier than usual. The early snowfall has brought cheer to the faces of tourists who have arrived here to escape the pollution caused by Diwali cra

LeT terrorist involved in labourers' killing dies in anti-terror operation

A Lashkar-e-Taiba "hybrid terrorist", who was arrested following the death of two labourers in a grenade blast in Shopian, has been killed in an anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir, police said on Wednesday. "Based on disclosure of arrested hybrid terrorist and in continuous raids by police and security forces, another contact has been established between terrorists and SFs at Nowgam, Shopian, in which hybrid terrorist Imran Bashir Ganaie (was) killed by firing of another terrorist," Kashmir Zone police said in a tweet on Wednesday. It said incriminating material, including arms and ammunition, were seized from the encounter site. "The search operation is still going on," police said. Two labourers from Kannauj area of Uttar Pradesh were killed in a grenade attack early Tuesday at Harmain in Shopian. Police arrested two people, including Ganaie, for their involvement in the incident. "Hybrid terrorists" are unlisted radicalised people who carry out terror strikes and slip b

J-K BJP pres, former dep CM visits slain Kashmiri pandit's house in Jammu

Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Ravinder Raina along with his party colleague and former deputy chief minister Kavinder Gupta on Tuesday visited the house of slain Kashmiri pandit Puran Krishan Bhat here to express their condolences with the family, a party spokesman said. Bhat was shot dead by terrorists outside his ancestral house in Shopian district of south Kashmir on Saturday. Raina and Gupta visited the house of the slain Bhat at Muthi on the outskirts of Jammu and expressed their condolences with the bereaved family, the spokesman said. He said Raina assured support to the victim's family and also said that justice will be done with them.

Two UP labourers killed in grenade attack in Shopian; 2 suspects arrested

Two labourers hailing from Uttar Pradesh were killed apparently in their sleep when terrorists lobbed a grenade at them on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday in militancy-infested Shopian district of South Kashmir, officials said. The incident took place at around 12.30 am on Tuesday when the victims identified as Monish Kumar and Ram Sagar, natives of UP's Kannauj district, were sleeping in a tin shed constructed as an out house, the officials said, adding the duo was working in the apple orchards as labourers. The fresh attack came two days after terrorists shot dead Kashmiri pandit Puran Krishan Bhat outside his house at Gund village in the same district. The labourers, who had come to the Kashmir valley two months ago, were rushed to a hospital where they succumbed to their injuries. Additional Director General of Police (Kashmir range) Vijay Kumar said a hybrid terrorist of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba group, who lobbed the grenade, has been arrested, along with another

Pulitzer-winning Kashmiri photojournalist says stopped from going to US

Pulitzer-winning Kashmiri photojournalist Sanna Irshad Mattoo on Tuesday said she was stopped from flying to the United States by immigration authorities at the Delhi airport "despite having a valid visa and ticket". The 28-year-old photojournalist, who was awarded the Pulitzer for the coverage of COVID pandemic for Reuters, was scheduled to fly to New York on Monday. "I was on my way to receive the Pulitzer award (@Pulitzerprizes) in New York but I was stopped at immigration at Delhi airport and barred from travelling internationally despite holding a valid US visa and ticket," Mattoo tweeted on Tuesday. She said this was the second time she has been stopped from travelling abroad in the past four months. "This is the second time I have been stopped without reason or cause. Despite reaching out to several officials after what happened few months ago, I never received any response. "Being able to attend the award ceremony was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me," she added.

'Spiritual trail' part of ongoing 'Visit Patnitop' event series in J-K

A group of young trekkers on Sunday passed through the 'spiritual trail' from famous Patnitop hill resort to the highly revered Shaivite Centre of Sudh Mahadev in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district as part of the ongoing 'Visit Patnitop' event series, officials said. Organised by Patnitop Development Authority (PDA), in collaboration with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) and supported by the department of tourism, J&K, and Udhampur district administration, the trek was flagged off from Nag Temple, the officials said. They said the spiritual trail of about 12 kms followed the famous pilgrimage route in use since ancient times to reach Sudh Mahadev-Mantalai pilgrimage centre. The event series 'Visit Patnitop' was kicked off recently by PDA in continuation of its efforts to promote the all-encompassing beauty of nature and adventure tourism potential of Patnitop Tourism Circuit. The students and faculty of SMVDU, hailing from J&K, and states like Andhra Pradesh, Uttar

Ghulam Nabi Azad calls for restoration of statehood to J-K ahead of polls

Stressing the need for restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir before the holding of assembly elections, Democratic Azad Party (DAP) chairperson Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday urged his party activists to launch a mass contact programme to mobilise public support for the party. The former chief minister said his party is committed to strengthening communal harmony and social fabric. "Restoration of statehood, protection of land and jobs for natives and the return and rehabilitation of migrant Kashmiri Pandits is the core agenda of our party," he said addressing DAP workers in Kathua. He said people across Jammu are worried over the delay in restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. "The BJP government must not procrastinate on the matter (of restoration of statehood). We need it back before the holding of assembly elections so that our own people can run the administration," Azad said. He said the DAP is committed to assuage the urges and aspirations of every segment of the

Angry Kashmiri Pandits block Jammu road to protest killing by terrorists

Hundreds of protesting displaced Kashmiri Pandit employees, who are seeking their relocation from the valley, on Saturday blocked Jammu-Akhnoor road to protest the latest targeted killing of their community member by terrorists in the valley. Puran Krishan Bhat was fired upon by terrorists near his residence in the Chowdhary Gund area of south Kashmir's Shopian district this afternoon, resulting in his death. The Pandits, employed under Prime Minister's employment package, are on protest at relief commissioners office in Jammu over the past five months following the killing of their colleague Rahul Bhat in Kashmir last May. As the news of the latest killing of Kashmiri Pandit broke out, they came out of the protest site and marched towards the main road and blocked the highway, amid high pitch sloganeering to denounce the target killings by terrorists and the alleged failure of the government to deal with the situation. Our worst fears have once again come true with the latest ...

Jammu and Kashmir govt dismisses 5 employees for anti-national activities

The Jammu and Kashmir government dismissed five employees for anti-national activities

PM Modi to inaugurate 75 digital banking units including 2 in J-K on Sunday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate two digital banking units of Jammu and Kashmir Bank to the nation on Sunday via video conferencing, officials said. To deepen financial inclusion, the prime minister on Sunday will inaugurate 75 digital banking units (DBUs) of different banks across the country of which two are of Jammu and Kashmir Bank, they said. Modi will also address the nation on the occasion. Of the two, one is the SSI branch at Lal Chowk in Srinagar and the other is the Channi Rama branch in Jammu. As part of the Union budget 2022-23, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced the setting up of the 75 DBUs in as many districts of the country to commemorate 75 years of India's Independence. The DBUs are being set up to ensure that the benefits of digital banking reach every nook and corner of the country. Eleven banks in the public sector, 12 in the private sector and one Small Finance Bank are participating in the endeavour. DBUs will provide a variety of ..

IED detected in Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora district: Officials

Security forces on Saturday detected an improvised explosive device (IED) in Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. The IED, weighing around 16 kg, was fitted with two gas cylinders, they said. A joint team of police and Army detected the IED in Astango area of the north Kashmir district, they said. A bomb disposal squad was called for disposal of the explosive device, they added.

No action against senior bureaucrats involved in corruption, alleges Mufti

Low rank officers are fired without any investigation, while no action has been taken against senior bureaucrats involved in corruption in Jammu and Kashmir, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti charged on Friday. Her remarks came after the J-K government ordered premature retirement of 36 police personnel for their alleged involvement in corruption, lack of performance and anti-social activities. "Odd that LG admin hasn't taken action against senior bureaucrats involved in cash for govt jobs scams-FAA, JKSI,etc. Post 2019 a new ecosystem of officers have emerged who are amassing millions without any accountability while low rank officers are fired without any investigation," the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister wrote on Twitter.

Nehru created mess in J-K, Modi govt cleaned it by revoking Art 370: Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said India's first PM Jawaharlal Nehru created a "mess" in Jammu and Kashmir by introducing Article 370 in the Constitution, but the Narendra Modi government rectified the error in 2019 by nullifying the provision that gave special status to the erstwhile state. Speaking at an event to flag off the Bharatiya Janata Party's 'Gaurav Yatra' in Gujarat, where Assembly polls are due in the next two months, Shah said the Congress used to often taunt his party over construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, but work on the mega project was now in progress. The senior BJP leader flagged off one yatra from Zanzarka in Ahmedabad district and two others from Unai in Navsari district. Decorated vehicles are being used in these yatras. Due to the mistake of Jawaharlal Nehru, who inserted Article 370, Kashmir was in a mess... it could not be properly integrated with the rest of the country. Everybody wanted the removal of Article 370. Prime Minister ...

Govt fines Ramban Tunnel contractor Rs 8.5 cr for collapse that killed 10

The highway authority has ordered the immediate removal of key personnel involved in the project and their debarment for a period of one year

J-K allows departmental stores to sell beer under new liquor policy

Beer lovers can now rock in Jammu and Kashmir as authorities have permitted departmental stores to sell the beverage under its liberalised liquor licensing and sale policy.

Jailed separatist leader Altaf Ahmad Shah dies of cancer at AIIMS Delhi

Kashmiri separatist leader Altaf Ahmad Shah, the son-in-law of the late Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, died of cancer at the AIIMS here early Tuesday, days after he was taken to the hospital from the Tihar Jail on the orders of Delhi High Court. He was 66. "We were informed about Abu's passing away late last night," his daughter Ruwa Shah told PTI. In a tweet, she said Shah breathed his last at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. "As a prisoner." Shah, a resident of Soura locality of Srinagar, was arrested on July 25, 2017 with six others, facing trial in an alleged terror funding case probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). On October 5, the Delhi High court has ordered his shifting to the AIIMS Delhi for appropriate treatment after he was stated to have been diagnosed with cancer. Shah told the court he was receiving treatment for certain serious ailments at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital (RML) but it was recently revealed he was

Jammu-Kashmir: 1 terrorist killed in encounter in Tangpawa area of Anantnag

One terrorist was killed in an encounter that broke out in the Tangpawa area of Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag on Sunday evening, according to the police.The operation is still underway."#Anantnag EncounterUpdate: 01 #terrorist killed. #Operation going on. Further details shall follow," Kashmir Zone Police tweeted on Monday morning.Last week, four terrorists were eliminated in two separate encounters conducted in a joint operation launched by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police in Shopian district in Jammu and Kashmir, said the police.Three terrorists were killed in an encounter in the Drach area of Shopian district on Tuesday night, police said on Wednesday.Another local terrorist was killed in the encounter underway in the Moolu area of Shopian."Jt op launched by #IndianArmy & @JmuKmrPolice today. Area cordoned & contact established. Firefight ensued & 01 terrorist eliminated. 01 soldier injured, evacuated to 92 BH & stable. 01xAK Rifle & other ..