Jammu & Kashmir

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Apr 19: A Sarpanch affiliated with Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) was arrested for allegedly raping a woman in Rafiabad area of Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, officials said on Wednesday.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that Ali Mohammed Dar son of Abdul Ahad Dar,Sarpanch of Rawoocha village of Rafiabad was arrested for allegedly raping a woman.

The Sarpanch was arrested following a complaint by a woman that she was raped by him , he said.

The official said a case FIR No 26/2023 u/s 376, 506, 109 IPC has been registered at Police Station Dangiwacha and further investigation has been set into motion.

Notably, Dar was arrested for being a militant associate in 2017 but was l released later—(KNO)

Srinagar, Apr 19: As the Kashmir received incessant rainfall since yesterday, the authorities on Wednesday said that there is no alarming flood-like situation in the Valley and people need not to panic.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), chief engineer Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Er Naresh Kumar said that there is not alarming situation in the Valley as of now.

“The alert level at Sangam is well below the danger mark and same is in Ram Munshi Bagh. There is no alarming flood like situation as of now and people also need not to panic,” he said.

He also said it expected that the weather is likely to improve in the afternoon, so for now there is no need to panic.

Kashmir Valley witnessed incessant rainfall since yesterday, while the weatherman has predicted more rain showers as the day progresses.

An independent weatherman predicted that the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir will receive good amount of snow, while plains may get moderate to heavy rain.

He further said that more showers are expected till Friday, while maximum temperature will stay below normal by 4 to 13 Degree Celsius at most places—(KNO)

Reports reaching The Kashmiriyat said that three persons used to bring young women from Kashmir on the pretext of providing them jobs at Jammu and later involved them in the trade.

The Police raided a hotel named Richland where the scandal was being run during which several persons were arrested. Two young women and three running the scandal have been arrested, sources said.

Three identified as Mohammed Altaf of Kupwara Handwara, Asif Bhat of Anantnag and Tejh Krishan of Nagrota Jagti have been arrested. “The three have confessed in the Police custody that they brought young women from Kashmir promising them jobs and later clicked their photographs and used the photographs to blackmail them and used them in the sex racket,” sources told The Kashmiriyat.

It is being said that the trio is in touch of several other women.

Srinagar, Apr 17 : A woman died after she was hit by a moving train while taking selfie in central Kashmir’s Srinagar district on Monday, officials said.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the train hit the woman between Srinagar and Budgam junction, while she was taking selfie with her child.

He said the woman died on the spot—(KNO)

Srinagar, Apr 15 : The weatherman on Saturday said that a fresh Western Disturbance is approaching over north India and predicted light to moderate rain, snowfall over higher reaches in Jammu & Kashmir from Sunday (April 16) to April 20.

The weatherman also said that there is possibility of damage to orchards and abrupt fall in day temperature.

Director Meteorological department (MeT), Sonum Lotus told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a fresh spell of intermittent light to moderate rain and snowfall is expected over higher reaches in J&K during April 16-20.

He said that the main activity will be during April 17-18.

During this wet spell, thunderstorms with strong gusty wind reaching (20-30KMPH) and hailstorm are also possible at some places of Jammu & Kashmir, he said, adding that the wet spell is due to approaching of a fresh Western Disturbance over North India.

In wake of the fresh wet spell, there is a possibility of temporary disruption of surface transportation especially over hilly and snowbound areas.

He further said that the waterlogging in low lying areas and damage to orchards is also possible. Besides, there would be an abrupt fall in day temperature by 7-8 degree Celsius.

He advised people that prior to embark on long journey, confirm road status from concerned traffic department

“Stay informed about the weather, as it is dynamic. Farmers are advised to postpone spraying of orchards, maintain proper drainage of fields during wet weather,” he said.

Lotus further appealed tourists and general public to keep warm clothes ready as cold weather may affect your health—(KNO)

Srinagar, Apr 14 : In view of the rains predicted across Kashmir from 17th of April, the experts have advised orchardists to spray fungicide before rains to avoid scab-like diseases.

Experts told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that it is usually best to apply a fungicide before it rains, because rain causes leaf surfaces to be wet, a requirement for most foliar diseases, and rain may splash spores from leaf to leaf and from plant to plant.

Therefore, if one is able to coat plants with fungicides prior to a rain, the plant is better protected from disease, they said.

“Periods of wet weather are when a plant is most vulnerable to foliar disease. Fungicides, properly applied, may help to prevent or slow the initiation of disease and the spread of disease which commonly occurs during or shortly after a rain,” They added.

Dr Tariq Rasool, a senior scientist at SKUAST (Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology) said that as rains are predicted from Sunday, growers must spray fungicide before rains to avoid scab.

Orchards where over 50 to 60 percent petals have fallen must be sprayed with any SKUAST recommended fungicide to avoid any disease in future, he said.

Those Orchardists who have sprayed in around last week of March and apple flowers are in full, they too can go far fungicides as per the last ;ast research it has been found safe to spray fungicide in bloom and there won’t be any effect on the fruit, he said.

Diseases like scab won’t see that it is in the flowering stage and it won’t attack but it can attack anytime and those who have sprayed before 15-20 days must spray fungicide before it rains, he said.

He advised farmers that they must use mist spray not full speed spray so that it won’t damage the petals and fruits and mist spray must be used always and the practice of bathing the whole tree must be avoided.

“Best time for spray is morning and this is the critical stage of the scab so people must avoid mixing more pesticides and insecticides and focus on fungicide only this time,” he said.

He said that even if it rains, a few hours after spraying fungicide, it will still provide protection to the fruit and keep diseases at bay—(KNO)

Srinagar, Apr 12 : An encounter broke out between security forces and militants in Chakooraarea of south Kashmir’s Shopian district, officials said here.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that a joint of team of police, Army and CRPF after receiving information about the presence of militants launched search operation in the area.

He said that as the joint team of forces intensified searches towards the suspected spot, hiding militants fired upon the party, which was retaliated to, triggering an encounter.

He said that the exchange of fire is on and two to three militants are believed to be trapped—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Apr 11 : Jammu and Kashmir police Tuesday said that they have busted a major interstate drug module by arresting by persons including a kingpin woman and contraband substance has also been seized.

Addressing a press conference, senior superintendent of police Sopore, Shabir Nawab, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that on March 01 police during a Naka at Tarzoo held two persons identified as Tanveer Ahmed Shah and Javaid Ahmed Shah of Sopore along with 3512 tablets of Spasmoproxyvon plus tablets.

He said that during investigation they revealed the name of another person, who is involved in selling drugs in and around Sopore. “The arrested person was identified as Amir Sadeeq Parra of Chandoosa Baramulla. On his personal search 112 tablets were recovered.”

He said during further investigation names of two kingpins identified as Urooj daughter of Mohammad Muzzafar Bhat of Batapora Sopore and Mohammad Ashraf Mir son of Late Farooq Ahmed Mir of Hathishah Sopore also surfaced.

“The duo was involved in supplying drugs from outside valley to Sopore and other areas. On the confession of arrested persons, we managed to arrest the duo from Srinagar outskirts along with 1648 capsules. With their arrest we have managed to bust a major interstate module”, he said.

Meanwhile, a case FIR No 07/2023 U/S 8/22-29 NDPS Act has been registered in Police Station Bomai and further investigation has been set into motion—(KNO)

*Note: Detailed story will be updated in evening bulletin*

Srinagar, Apr 11: Srinagar police on Tuesday said it have busted another prostitution racket in Nowgam area of Srinagar by arrested three persons including a woman.

Srinagar police, in a Tweet, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), informed that the sex racket was busted following investigation in Chanpura case.

It said three persons including a woman and her husband have been arrested, while two customers and a sex worker have also been detained.

“Investigation in chanpura case led to busting of another prostitution racket in Nowgam area. 1) Shabir Mir of charlipora nowgam, 2) his wife Shazia Mir & 3) Adil Gulzar Hazar of Soura arrested on spot for operating this racket. 2 customers & a sex worker also detained(all locals),” police tweeted—(KNO)

Srinagar, April 11 : Jammu and Kashmir police on Tuesday claimed to have busted a militant module by arresting two associates of LeT outfit in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district

In a statement, issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) a spokesperson said that on the basis of reliable information, joint team of forces busted a militant module in Pattan by arresting two associates of LeT outfit identified as Farooq Ahmad Parra and Saima Bashir of Sopore.

The statement reads on their disclosure arms and ammunition including one pistol, 2 pistol magazines, 5 pistol rounds, IED and one remote control IED weighing approximately 2 kg were also recovered.

“During their further questioning, they revealed that duo were working with active LeT militant Abid Qayoom Lone of Wussan Pattan”.

It added a case under sections of Arms and ULA (P) Act stands registered in Police station Pattan and investigation is on—(KNO)