Jammu & Kashmir

Jammu, May 06 : One militant killed and another was likely injured in an ongoing gunbattle in the woods of Rajouri, where five men of elite Special Forces of Army were killed on Friday.

Defence spokesman Lt. Colonel Devender Anand said that one militant was killed while another was likely wounded in the gunfight.

“In the ongoing joint operation in Kandi Forest, Rajouri sector by Indian Army in coordination with JKP & CRPF, at approx 0700 hours the cordon while closing in spotted and pinned down the terrorists. In the ensuing gunbattle one terrorist has been neutralised and one terrorist is likely to be injured,” he said, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO)

He further added that so far huge recoveries have been made in the operation.

The recoveries include one AK56, four magazines of AK, 56 rounds of AK, 1 x 9mm pistol with mag, three grenades & one ammunition pouch.

“Identity of the neutralised terrorist is being ascertained,” he said.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh along with Army Chief General Manoj Pandey will visit Rajouri today to assess the ground situation where troops have launched a massive operation after killing 10 army personnel in the past two weeks.

Officials said that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh along with Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande is likely to chair a high-level security meeting in Jammu before flying back to Dellhi.

Meanwhile, Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi reached Rajouri early morning to review the ongoing operation.

“Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi Army Commander Northern Command at Ground Zero, reviewing the operational situation on the ongoing operations at Kandi Rajouri where contact was re-established with militants. He was briefed on all aspects of the operations by ground commanders,” Northern Command shared a tweet—(KNO)

Ganderbal May 05 : The lack of toilet facilities is causing inconvenience to visitors at the famous tourist place Manasbal in this central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.

Several visitors told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that they faced inconvenience due to the lack of washroom(s) at the tourist spot.

Safiya, a visitor, said the unavailability of a washroom “at this famous park is a matter of serious concern”.

“The picnic season has started and the park would witness an increase in the number of tourists, but the unavailability of at least a single washroom would create inconvenience for the visitors,” she said.

Scores of school children who had come for a picnic expressed concern over the lack of toilet facility at the park. “It is a very sad situation here. There are no toilet facilities. It becomes very inconvenient, especially for women folk,” said a girl student.

A teacher of the school said it is unfortunate that Manasbal being a popular tourist destination lacks such a basic facility as a public toilet. “This not only causes inconvenience to visitors but also creates a poor image of the tourist spot. The authorities must immediately address the issue and ensure that visitors have a comfortable and hassle-free experience at the park,” he said.

CEO Wullar-Manasbal Development Authority Ghulam Mohammad Bhat told KNO that toilets are available but are located at a considerable distance from the lake site.

“The floriculture department has installed additional toilets in close proximity to the lake, and we will request them to make those accessible for visitors,” Bhat said, adding, “We also plan to construct more toilet facilities in the future.”—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Baramulla, May 05 (KNO): Despite freaky weather conditions in Kashmir, north Kashmir’s Baramulla district is gripped with pollen allergies which is now turning into a perennial health hazard with people alleging that they are falling prey to allergies due to government apathy to cut down the Russian female Russian poplars.

Though pollen allergies in the spring are common, but the roads, streets and corners across north Kashmir particularly Baramulla and Sopore – where thousands of poplars line up is giving a tough time to people.

Talking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a group of students from GDC Boys Baramulla said that the government’s inaction over cutting down the trees is taking a heavy toll as they are not able to attend their classes due to pollen that leads to various forms of allergies.

“The government needs to take more steps as we face such kinds of issues every year. It becomes quite irritating,” the students said. Similarly, local traders have been complaining about the same, stating that they face great inconvenience as pollen-induced allergies are hitting their market as fewer people turn up while the majority prefers to sit in their homes.

They said that every year administration claims of cutting down the Rusian female poplars, the main source of producing pollen, but nothing is witnessed on ground. “It’s high time to act on it as people including school/college going students, elderly persons are becoming soft targets of allergies,” they said.

Speaking to KNO, Dr. Javaid Bhat, a Kashmir-based physician posted in Sopore hospital said, that the person affected with the pollen-induced allergy needs proper medical advice especially for those who are battling Asthama else it could exacerbate, which may have serious consequences.

“The common symptoms of pollen-induced allergy include nasal irritation, running nose and watery eyes coupled with redness and skin rashes. These symptoms may further exacerbate in patients having Asthma – in which a person’s airways become inflamed, narrow and swell and produce extra mucus, which makes it difficult to breathe,” he said. “The patients suffering from allergies are advised to take precautionary measures like wearing masks, medicines include anti-allergic tablets and in case the infection is high then antibiotic is prescribed.”

Meanwhile, deputy commissioner Baramulla, Dr Syed Sehrish while speaking to media over the issue said that every year they are taking measures and old/toxic trees are being axed. She assured that people will not face pollen issues along Srinagar-Baramulla national highway, as they have taken up the process of cutting down the trees in a phased manner.

About army cantonment areas, the DC said that the government has a role to play over state land rather than private. In terms of privacy, people better can play a great role themselves, she said.

Pertinently, in 2015, High Court passed directions banning plantation and trade of pollen producing poplar trees particularly Russian poplar trees across Kashmir. However, the government has miserably failed in stopping the perennial health hazard by cutting down the said trees—(KNO)

Jammu, May 05 : Five army personnel from elite Special Forces Para lost their lives while one Major ranked officer got injured during the anti-terror operation launched in Kesari Hill area of Kandi forests in Rajouri district.

It may be recalled, security forces including army had launched massive combing operation in the woods of Rajouri-Poonch after April 20 ambush at Bhata Durian area of Poonch that left five soldiers dead.

Official sources told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that on a specific input, a joint Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) was launched in Kesari Hill area adjoining to Kandi – Khadyoon village road, falling under Kandi Police Station, around 35 kilometers far from district headquarters Rajouri. They said that during the CASO, teams established contact between terrorists and forces while heavy exchange of fire took place.

“Five army personnel from elite Special Force got killed while one Major ranked officer is injured and under treatment at Command Hospital Udhampur,” an army officer confirmed, adding, “Two para troopers suffered fatal casualties after terrorists triggered an explosive device in retaliation, while three succumbed to injuries later during treatment”.

The army personnel who lost their lives were identified as Lance Naik Ruchin Singh Rawat son of Rajendra Singh of Kunigad Gairsain, Uttrakhand, Paratrooper Siddhant Chettri son of Kharka Bahdur district Darjeeling, West Bengal, Naik Arvind Kumar son of Ujwaal Singh of Suri in Palampur of District Kangra Himachal Pradesh, Havaldar Neelam Singh son of Gurdev Singh of village Dalpat in Jourian Akhnoor, Jammu & Kashmir and Paratrooper Pramod Negi son of Devinder Singh Negi of village Shillai in Sirmaur Himachal Pradesh.

Meanwhile, senior security officers including Director General of Police, Dilbagh Singh, Additional Director General Jammu Zone Mukesh Singh, senior army and CRPF officers visited Kesari Hill encounter site and had a review of operational status. Senior officers had detail operational inputs from the officers on the ground. Interacting with reporters, Director General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir, Dilbagh Singh said that the soldiers who attained martyrdom battled hard with terrorists.

He further maintained that terrain is very difficult and operation to clear the area from the threat of terror has been underway.

DGP further said that further operational proceedings are going on nothing else can be stated as of now.

Moreover in statement, army said that columns have been conducting relentless intelligence based operations to flush out a group of terrorists involved in ambush on an army truck in Tota Gali area of Bhata Dhurian in Jammu region.

“On specific information about presence of terrorists in the Kandi Forest in Rajauri Sector, a joint operation was launched on May 3. At about 0730 hours on 05 May 2023, a search team established contact with a group of terrorists well entrenched in a cave. The area is thickly vegetated with rocky and steep cliffs. The terrorists triggered an explosive device in retaliation,” the statement said, additional teams from the vicinity have been directed to the site of encounter. The injured personnel have been evacuated to Command Hospital, Udhampur.

As per initial reports a group of terrorists are trapped in the area. There is a likelihood of casualties in terrorists group, the army statement said.

Security experts said that recent attacks and ambushes underline the ‘fragile’ security scenario in Rajouri-Poonch belt stating that five soldiers had lost their lives in the April 20 attack at Bhata Durian area Poonch while seven civilians were killed in Rajouri’s Dangri village in January 1and 2 attack. Two youth were shot dead outside army camp in Rajouri on December 16. “This hints at a very sensitive security atmosphere in Rajouri-Poonch belt,” a defence expert said.

Sources said that with death of five more soldiers in today’s Rajouri encounter, 24 Army personnel have been killed in 5 major terror attacks in Poonch-Rajouri belt of Jammu in the last 19 months.

“April 20 ambush and today’s operation was major setback for forces. This highlights the challenge posed by terrorists in Poonch and Rajouri,” a retired army officer said adding, “The April 20 attack was followed by a search operation, involving scores of soldiers, drones, and sniffer dogs, which remained unsuccessful and today’s encounter in which the Army has lost five more men, reminds us about the similar operation in October 2021 in the same area.”

In October 2021, an ambush on the Army in which five soldiers were killed, had led to a search that stretched over nearly two months. Four more soldiers were killed before the search drew to a close after failing to find any trace of the perpetrators of that attack.

After the October 2021 attack, there were three other major incidents in the same area, turning it into an area of concern. On August 11, 2022, five soldiers were killed after terrorists attacked an Army camp in Rajouri district. Two terrorists were shot dead as they were trying to scale the camp’s fence—(KNO)

Jammu, May 5, 2023 : The Jammu and Kashmir Nationalist People’s Front (JKNPF) strongly condemns the cowardly and barbaric terrorist attack in Rajouri district that resulted in the death of five army soldiers and one injured.

The party expresses its heartfelt condolences to the families of the brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice while defending the nation.

The JKNPF calls upon the authorities to take stringent action against the perpetrators of this ghastly and gruesome attack.

Such senseless violence and bloodshed have no place in civilized society, and those responsible must be brought to justice.

The party also expresses its disappointment and dismay over the duplicity of Pakistan, where its foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meet in Goa while terrorists from his country are ambushing Indian soldiers.

It is a clear indication of Pakistan’s lack of sincerity and commitment to combat terrorism.

The JKNPF urges the international community to take note of Pakistan’s nefarious designs and support India in its fight against terrorism.

The party stands united with the Indian Armed Forces and reaffirms its commitment to safeguard the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the nation.

“Heartfelt condolences to the families of the bravehearts martyred in the attack. We shall deal with evil designs of terrorists and their backers in a befitting manner,” the party chief patron Sanjay Kumar said.

He said the incident is highly condemnable. It shows that the enemies of peace are desperate to effect the peaceful environment in the union territory.

Party president Shiekh Muzafar expressed grief with the bereaved families and prayed to God to give courage to the family members to bear this irreparable loss.

nantnag, May 03 : BJP J&K chief Ravinder Raina said on Wednesday said that his party will form the next government on its own in Jammu and Kashmir and there won’t be need of any coalition with the National Conference.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of workers meet at Khanbal Anantnag, Raina, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that situation in Jammu as well in Kashmir is favorable for BJP due to pro-people steps taken by the Centre.

He claimed that the BJP will win many seats in Kashmir division as well.

Reacting to Sajad Lone’s statement that BJP and NC will form next government in J&K, Raina said that BJP will win the majority of the seats in J&K and there won’t be any need of coalition with the NC.

“People in Kashmir love BJP for its pro-people policies and people will vote for the party in the coming elections, he said—(KNO)

Srinagar, May 03 : An encounter broke out between militants and security forces in Pichnad Machil area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Wednesday, police said.

Kashmir zone police in a Tweet, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that army and police were on job and further details will be shared accordingly.

“Encounter going on near Pichnad Machil area of #Kupwara district. Army and Kupwara police on job. Further details shall follow,” police tweeted—(KNO)

Srinagar, May 2 : Art is missing from Kashmir for 40 years, says debutant filmmaker Tariq Bhat, who hopes to showcase the Valley and its people in a positive light through his film “Welcome to Kashmir”.

The 42-year-old said filmmaking was a long cherished dream to make a film on Kashmir, in Kashmiri language and starring people from the Valley.

“We had to take the initiative to do something about the Kashmiri youth because art is missing from 40 years in Kashmir. So, it is my duty to restore that art form in Kashmir,” Bhat told PTI in an interview.

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, May 02 : The body of a 17-year-old girl who had jumped into the river Jhelum in Sopore town of north Kashmir on December 12 last year, was fished out nearly after 5 months, officials said in Tuesday.

Photo Credit: Umar Dar

An official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that the girl had jumped into the river Jhelum at Jamia bridge in Sopore on December 12 last year.

Efforts were made to retrieve her body shortly after the incident, but all in vain as authorities failed to retrieve the body.

The official said her decomposed body was retrieved by the locals in Boniyar area of Baramulla yesterday, following which the body was taken to GMC Baramulla.

He said the DNA samples of her family have also been taken and after completion of all formalities, the body will be handed over to the family for the last rites.

Notably, the authorities had called off the search operation to trace her body after 20 days—(KNO)

Baramulla, 01, May:- Jaleel Shah Arrested Near Khushalpora Delina Baramulla during naka checking; Vehicle seized; Case registered. Police under the supervision of Sajjad Bukhari-JKPS, DySP Hqrs Baramulla assisted by PSI Showkat Ahmad, IC PP Delina arrested Drug smuggler namely Jaleel Ahmad Shah S/O Nazir Ahmad Shah R/O Kanispora during naka checking near Khushalpora Delina Baramulla who was coming in a vehicle Scorpio bearing registration number JK01AS-5295 towards Delina and was intercepted at the said naka point.

During his personal search 10 grams of contraband Cocaine & 15 grams of Charas like substances was recovered from him and was taken into custody immediately and the said vehicle was also seized.
Case under NDPS Act registered in Police Station Baramulla and investigations set in motion.

General People of the area hailed the efforts of Baramulla Police and showed their willingness to support police to eradicate menace of drugs from the society which is the real sign of Police Public relationship.

Say No To Drugs

#PeopleFirst #BaramullaPolice