Russian President Vladimir Putin announced today a military operation in Ukraine to defend separatists in the east of the country, called the Donbas region. “I have made the decision of a military operation,” he said in a surprise statement on television shortly before 6 am. Weeks of intense diplomacy to avert war and the imposition of Western sanctions on Russia failed to deter Mr Putin, who had massed between 150,000 and 200,000 troops along the borders of Ukraine. Russia also called on Ukrainian soldiers to lay down their arms, and justified the invasion by claiming a “genocide” in Ukraine’s east. US President Biden immediately warned of “consequences” for Russia and said the world would “hold Russia accountable” for its actions. He said Russia’s move would cause “Catastrophic loss of life and human suffering”, while NATO’s chief condemned Russia’s “reckless and unprovoked attack’ on Ukraine.
Weatherman on Thursday forecast “moderate rain and snow at scattered places of J&K” in next 48 hours and dry weather thereafter till February end.
“As expected, rain/snow decreased significantly since last night but weather is overcast in Kashmir, cloudy in Jammu and partly to generally cloudy in Ladakh,” said a meteorological department, adding, “We expect gradual improvement in visibility as the day progresses.”
He said light to moderate rain and snow was expected at scattered places of J&K in the next 24 hours and tomorrow (Friday). “Mainly dry is expected thereafter till the end of February,” he said, adding, “There is no forecast of any major snowfall till the end of the month”.
The meteorological department official told GNS Srinagar recorded a rise of 0.7 degrees Celsius in night temperature with mercury settling at 0.7°C against last night’s 0.0°C. The temperature was below 0.2°C than the normal for this time of the year in Srinagar, he said.
Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 0.1°C against 0.0°C on the previous night, he said.
Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, had a low of minus 0.8°C against minus 1.0°C on the previous night, the official said.
Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 0.8 °C against minus 0.8°C last night, he said.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 5.2°C, same as witnessed on the previous night, he said.
The temperature was 1.5°C above normal for this time of the year in the famous resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he said.
Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a low of 0.2 °C against 0.1°C on the previous night, the official said.
While ‘Chillai Kalan’, the 40-day long harshest period of winter ended on January 30, and 20-day long ‘Chillai Khurd’ culminated on February 19, Kashmir is presently under the grip of 10-day-long ‘Chilla Bachha’.
Jammu recorded a low of 12.0°C against 13.2°C on the previous night, the official said. The temperature was 1.4°C above normal for the J&K’s winter capital during this time of the year, he said.
Banihal recorded a low of 0.8°C, Batote recorded 2.7°C and Bhaderwah witnessed a low of 4.0°C, the official said.
Ladakh’s Leh recorded a low of minus 5.6°C against last night minus 6.9°C on previous night while mercury at automatic station in Kargil settled at minus minus 9.0°C. Drass, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia, recorded a low of minus 7.2°C, same as on the previous night, official added. (GNS)
Tanvir Hussain Pathan Youth State Secretary and SMC Corporator Zadibal visited various areas of Zadibal, took account of ongoing snow clearance drives in the area.
During the visit he revealed to the press that SMC Officials have been working tirelessly to ensure safe and smooth movement of traffic.
He assured the general masses that basic facilities pertaining to water , electricity and road clearance would be solved within hours .
“We have resolved issues pertaining to the snow clearance of roads , lanes and link lanes of the area. Our people are working day in and day out to ensure that common masses should not face any problem due to the unexpected snowfall,” he said.
Chamber of commerce and industry Kashmir has hailed the administration for clearing the snow on time and restoring electricity at most of the places.
In a statement, CCIK President Tariq Rashid Ghani said despite heavy be snowfall which didn’t have much predictions, the administration including SMC Commissioner, DC Srinagar, Traffic Police , Disaster Management handled the situation in time and didn’t cause much inconveniences to the public.
“We appreciate that despite sudden heavy snowfall, the administration brought the life to normal in no time,” said Ghani.
CCIK, however, said government should ensure that oxygen supply at hospitals should be kept functional so that patients do suffer.
The CCIK further urged the administration to clear the Srinagar Jammu road for traffic on war footing basis as many students who can’t afford air fare travel through road to join the schools and colleges which are being opened next month.
CCIK, however, expressed concern over the cancellation of flights and rising air fare on the account of road closure.
“We appeal to Divisional Commissioner to impress upon the authorities to regulate the rising airfare,” he said.
Khan Jahangeer, Sopore, Feb 23:The chief guest on the occasion was Chairman Civil Society Warpora, Traders Federation Warpora, Awqaaf Committee Warpora and the worthy Principal islamia School Warpora besides Parents and other Dignitaries.
During the day long programme which took place inside the school premises and where local senior citizens along with the parents of the school were present threw light that students are the corner stond of any society.
They appreciated the role of the school and its dedicated teachers who have helped the cause and the results are there to show as 100% result has been achieved by the school.
The Jammu-Srinagar highway, the only surface link connecting Kashmir Valley with the outside world, shall remain closed tomorrow, officials said.
“On 24-02-2022, vehicular movement on Jammu-Srinagar highway will remain suspended due to huge landslide at Cafeteria Morh, continuous shooting stones at many places between Ramban and Banihal and snow accumulation between NAVYUG Tunnel and Qazigund,” a traffic department official said here in a statement to GNS.
“People are requested not to undertake any journey on Jammu- Srinagar thoroughfare on Thursday,” he said. The thoroughfare was closed early morning on Wednesday and many vehicles are stranded in Ramban and other places enroute it.
Meanwhile, Mughal Road, connecting Shopian with Poonch and Rajouri districts, remained closed for vehicular movement in view of snow accumulation at Peer Ki Gali.
Also,Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri road remained shut for vehicular movement in view of snow accumulation on Zoji la axis and has been closed till further orders. Kishtwar-Sinthan road also remained closed in view of snow accumulation, the traffic department official said. (GNS)
Combined Forces arrested two ‘militant helpers’ and recovered 40 bullets of an assault rifle from their possession in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Police said that Baramulla Police received specific information through reliable sources that unknown militant group from Khachadari Zehanpora are using illegal arms and ammunition against police and other security forces in the main area of Baramulla to disturb the peace and law and order.
Acting on the information, joint parties of Baramulla Police, Army 46 RR, 2nd Battalion SSB, and 53 Battalion CRPF established many Nakas within the jurisdiction of Police Station Sheeri among them one was established on Zehanpora-Khadniyar link road and during checking one Scooty (JK05A- 9328) which was coming from Zehanpora with pillion ride. One seeing the naka party they tried to flee away from naka. However, naka party apprehended both the persons and during their personal search 40 live rounds of AK-47 rifle were recovered from their possession.
The arrested duo was identified as Imtiyaz Ahmed Bardal and Muneer Ahmed, both residents of Khachadari Zehanpora and confessed that they are working for TRF militant group and help to carry illegal arms and ammunition from one place to another to carry attacks on joint forces.
Police said that a case under relevant sections of law has been registered against the duo at Police Station Sheeri and an investigation set in motion. (KNT)
Directs Officers to ensure swift restoration to avoid interruption in essential services
SRINAGAR FEBRUARY 23:- In wake of overnight snowfall in the district, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad today morning toured various areas around the Srinagar city to inspect snow-clearance operation and take first hand assessment of other arrangements put in place to deal with challenges from the prevailing weather situation in the district.
Senior officers from MED, PWD, PHE, SMC, PDD, UEED and other Departments accompanied him during the tour.
The DC visited various areas of the City including Dalgate, TRC crossing ,Jehangir Chowk, Batamaloo, Bemina and other adjoining areas.
The DC also visited SMHS hospital, Lal Ded to inspect the snow clearance measures for hassle free movement of ambulances apart from looking into power supply.
The DC also visited power Grid Station Bemina and took stock of the the restoration works. He was informed that current load is around 400 MW and that power supply will be restored by evening from all feeders of Srinagar.
Continuing unwavering efforts to help the needy, Kulgam police today received distress calls from *Sangdan & Levdoora, Qazigund* stating that two pregnant ladies from *Sandgan* and one old aged lady from *Levdoora* were stucked due to heavy accumulation of snow and family members were unable to carry them to hospital at their own as they were suffering from irresistible pain and were in need of immediate medical care.
On tip off, two separate Police teams of police station *Qazigund* were constituted who rushed to the places immediately amid blocked ways and slippery roads, and evacuated all the three to the *Emergency Hospital Qazigund* for immediate medical attention.
Locals especially family members of the needy thanked and applauded the efforts of *Kulgam Police* for prompt response and timely assistance in such a crucial juncture.