November 2022

Srinagar, Nov 24 : Jammu and Kashmir police on Thursday carried out searches at seven locations in three districts of the Valley in connection with an online threat to journalists.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the raids were conducted in Srinagar, Budgam and Pulwama districts.

He said searches were conducted subsequent to the leads received from searches done a few days ago in the same case.

He added searches were carried out in the houses of Showkat Mota in Srinagar, Khaksar Nadeeb Adnan in Srinagar, Haji Hayat in Pampore and his office in Srinagar, Ishfaq Reshi in Budgam, Asif Dar (based abroad) and Saqib Magloo in Srinagar.

The official added that incriminating articles that were recovered during searches have been seized and further investigation in the case was going on.

As per a statement issued to KNO, police spokesman said that “apropos to our earlier press note dated 19/11/2022 regarding searches conducted by Srinagar Police in valley in connection with case pertaining to online threats to scribes, police today again carried out raids at 7 locations in Srinagar, Budgam and Pulwama.”

It is further informed that, during the course of investigation and on the basis of vital leads obtained from earlier searches dated 19/11/2022, today the special teams carried out simultaneous searches at seven locations in Srinagar, Budgam and Pulwama Districts, police said.

“The premises which were raided today and subsequently searched belong to Showkat Mota in Srinagar, Khaksar Nadeeb Adnan in Srinagar, Haji Hayat in Pampore, Haji Hayat’s Office in Srinagar, Ishfaq Reshi in Budgam, Asif Dar (based abroad) and Saqib Magloo in Srinagar. Some among the above-mentioned suspects have been detained for questioning, however, those on whose houses searches were carried earlier are being summoned on a daily basis for examination,” police said.

During search, all the legal formalities and SOPs were followed professionally and incriminating materials including mobiles, computers, laptops, pendrives, simcards, Jihadi literature, banking documents, dummy gun, US & Russian currency notes were recovered and seized by the respective teams, police said.

“The investigation in the instant case is going on vigorously and is in an advanced stage. General public is requested to cooperate with Police and bring any information relevant to this case in the notice of Srinagar Police,” police said—(KNO)

Srinagar, Nov 24 : The School Education Department Kashmir has proposed winter vacations in a phased manner from the first week of December for winter zone of Kashmir division.

Official sources informed the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that DSEK has forwarded a proposal to government for approval in this regard.

He said DSEK has proposed that it will announce winter vacation for Primary Classes from 1st week of December and for Middle Classes from December 05.

The official added that likewise for Higher Classes, it has proposed to announce vacations from December 10—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Baramulla, Nov 24 : The Wildlife department with the assistance of Jammu and Kashmir police on Thursday captured a leopard alive from Narwaw area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

An official from the wildlife department told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that department with the assistance of J&K police captured a leopard from Kalayban Narwaw village of Sheeri in Baramulla after receiving a call from the area.

He said that the leopard was roaming in the residential areas, posing a threat to the lives of people and their livestock. However, soon after the information was received, the leopard was captured alive without causing any damage or injury.

The official also said that the leopard will be taken to a safe location and will be set free—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Baramulla, Nov 24 : A class 8th student has allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in Boniyar area of Uri in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Thursday.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the boy hanged himself to death at his residence at Bimyar village of Boniyar today.

He said soon after the incident, the boy was rushed to SDH Boniyar where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Meanwhile, police have taken cognizance of the incident and started further investigation—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Nov 24 : Amid the presence of black bear in north Kashmir areas, the Wildlife Protection department has issued an advisory, asking the orchardists to dump the leftover apple in a pit to avoid man – wild animal conflict.

Wildlife Warden North Division asked the orchardists to dump apple leftovers in pits to prevent black bear attraction for the safety of people.

“Black bear has an incredible sense of smell & use it to locate food. The scent of fruits attract black bear thus all the orchardists are hereby requested to dump the leftover apples in pits to prevent the attraction of black bear in their respective areas for the safety of people,” he tweeted—(KNO)

Srinagar, Nov 24 : The Jammu and Kashmir police on Thursday carried out searches at various locations in three districts of the Valley in connection with online threat to journalists.

Srinagar police in a Tweet, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said the raids were being conducted in Srinagar, Budgam and Pulwama districts.

It said searches were subsequent to the leads received from searches done few days ago in the same case.

“Searches are going on in multiple locations in Srinagar, Badgam and Pulwama districts in connection with ‘online journalists threat’ case. This is subsequent to the leads received from searches done few days ago in same case,” police tweeted—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Nov 23 : Residents of Rehmatabad Adipura in the outskirts of Sopore town are up in arms against Jal Shakti department for failing to provide water supply to them.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), they said that the authorities are pushing them to face immense hardships due to acute shortage of drinking water for years.

“We took to the streets a number of times to press for our demands in vain as the concerned failed to take any step in this regard,” the locals said.

They added they also approached the concerned authorities with their grievances.

The residents blamed the politicians by saying that they only come to the area during elections for the sake of votes but as soon as the election ends, they disappear. “They seek votes from us at the times of elections promising to provide basic amenities in the area but later on betray us,” said Abdul Ahad, a local resident.

“We are being forced to walk miles to fetch water. Authorities are ignoring us at all fronts. Despite repeated assurances and promises, the department has failed to provide adequate drinking water to the residents here,” said Firdous Ahmed, a local resident.

The department claimed they will lay a new pipeline which would provide water to the entire area but all the assurances turned hoaxes on the ground, they added.

“Where are the claims of the government ‘Har Ghar Nal Sy Jal’ ? The claims have fallen flat as we have been suffering due to the scarcity of drinking water supply for several years,” said Ateeka Begum.

She said they were getting water from tankers but the service has been stopped for the last many months.

AEE Jal Shakhti department, Sopore did not respond to the calls—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Handwara, Nov 23 : The presence of black bears has panicked residents of Guloora village of Handwara with authorities finding it difficult to catch the wild animals.

People, particularly children and women, are reluctant to come out from their homes after word about the presence of black bears spread in the area, reports said.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) over phone, residents said that the presence of black bears from last at least six days have panicked them

“It’s very unfortunate that the department has completely failed to capture these animals,” said Sajad Ahmed.

He said that there is not a single day when the bears do not attack civilians here. “During night hours they try to enter residential houses by breaking windows panes and doors”, he said.

Five days ago on November 18, an elderly woman was severely injured after being attacked by a black bear in Guloora Langate village of Handwara. The said woman, as per the family sources, is in ‘Coma’ and being treated at Srinagar hospital since then.

Meanwhile, I/C wildlife officer Langate, Ghulam Mohi u Din told KNO that they rushed their teams immediately after receiving information about the presence of wild animals.

He said that they are trying their best to catch the animals and they don’t have any magic wand to catch wild animals—(KNO)

Srinagar, Nov 23 : In a first, Airway stenting procedure was done with the flexible video bronchoscope system at SKIMS, Soura by the Department of Pulmonary Medicine.

According to a statement, issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Airway Stenting Procedure (Y-SEMS Tracheobronchial stent) was conducted by a team including Director SKIMS & EOSG, Prof. Parvaiz A Koul, Prof. Sonaullah Shah, Dr. Nazia Mehfooz, and Dr. Zubair Ahmad Thoker, supported by Anesthesia team headed by Dr. Altaf Hussain Mir and Dr. Irfan Hussain Dar of Anaesthesiology along with the team of technicians.

As per the statement, HOD General Medicine informed that this procedure was done on a 35-year-old male who was a case of operated CA oesophagus with nodal reoccurrence compressing his left main bronchus causing collapse of his left lung with hypoxemic Respiratory failure.

“In view of non-affordability and difficulty in transporting this patient outside of J&K due to severe respiratory failure for this procedure, the Pulmonary medicine team decided to conduct this procedure at SKIMS Soura. After arranging all the logistic support, the procedure was successfully performed. The patient is now planned for radio therapy,” he added.

He further said routinely this procedure is done by rigid bronchoscope system under general anaesthesia and previously patients were referred to outside for airway stenting.

The statement reads these types of palliative procedures are important in giving quality life to such patients and will be continued by the Department in future to avoid referral outside UT of J&K.

Director SKIMS, Dr. Parvaiz A Koul congratulated the Department for conducting the procedure and assured support on behalf of the administration for such endeavors in future—(KNO)

Anantnag, Nov 23 : Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh Wednesday said that the number of active militants in South Kashmir is as less as it was never before while as the number of foreigners as well as locals across the UT has been confined to two digits only.

Addressing media men in Anantnag district of South Kashmir after reviewing the security situation in southern districts Kashmir along with the army officials, the DGP said that security situation across south Kashmir has largely improved and there was a significant dip in the crime related incidents as well.

“As far as the number of active militants in south Kashmir is concerned, it is as less as it was never before. There is no complaint of people from anywhere in south Kashmir about the conduct of forces,” DGP Singh said as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO). About the killing of non-locals and minority community members, he said that these acts are highly condemnable and barbaric in nature. “Those involved in the innocent killings were killed in various encounters,” he said.

The DGP said that society must collectively raise voice against these incidents. “There have been condemnation against these acts but there is a need for more condemnation as we can’t remain silent. If a non-local comes here to earn his livelihood, it is our responsibility to protect them and provide them a secure atmosphere,” he said.

The DGP said that the number foreigners as well as local militants across J&K has been brought to two digits. “This is for the first time that the number of total active militants has been brought to two digits,” he said and credited the synergy among the various security agencies for the success.

On local militant recruitment, he said that police and other security agencies were countering the false narrative while parents and religious preachers should also play their part.

DGP said that narcotics are a bigger crime than militancy. “We have seized huge quantity of narcotics over the years. We are booking the people involved in the narcotics trade and slapping them with PSA and other acts,” he said, adding that the property of people involved in narcotics is being seized.

He said society should collectively counter the false narrative launched by the neighbouring country including the Kashmir Fight blog that issues threats to the journalists and other people. “There is a frustration among the people sitting across as those who would issue hartal and provoke youth for stone pelting are nowhere and have been cleaned. The calls issued by the fake chapter of Hurriyat across the border are being ignored by the people of Kashmir,” he said—(KNO)