Jammu & Kashmir

Srinagar, Dec 19: Sub-zero temperatures continued in Kashmir Valley with Pahalgam recording a low of minus 4.8°C on Monday.

A meteorological department official here told GNS that Srinagar recorded a low of minus 3.1°C against the previous night’s minus 3.2°C. While the mercury was 1.6°C below normal during this time of the year, it was five notches less that than this season’s lowest of minus 3.6°C recorded on Friday last, the official said.

Qazigund recorded a low of minus 3.2°C against minus 2.8°C on the previous night. The temperature was 1.6°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, he said.

He said that Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 4.8°C against minus 4.5°C on previous night and it was 0.4°C below normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

Kokernag recorded a low of minus 1.8°C against minus 0.7°C as on the previous night and it was 0.1°C below normal for the place, he said.

Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 2.5°C against minus 1.5°C on the previous night, the official said. It was 2.3°C above normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, the official told GNS.

In Kupwara town, the mercury settled at minus 3.5°C against minus 3.7°C on the previous night, the official said. It was 1.1°C below normal for the north Kashmir place, he said.

Jammu recorded a low of 7.4°C against 7.2°C on the previous night. It was 1.5°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said. Banihal recorded a low of minus 0.4°C (below normal by 1.9°C), Batote 3.3°C (0.1°C below normal), Katra 7.8°C (0.2°C above normal) and Bhadarwah 1.2°C (0.8°C above normal).

Ladakh, Leh recorded minus 10.8°C while details regarding Kargil were not immediately available, the official said.

The MeT department has forecast mainly dry weather for now and said that there was no major weather activity expected till December 25. (GNS)

Srinagar, December 18: Police on Sunday trashed rumours about acid attack on a girl in old city of Srinagar.

In a handout to GNS, the police said that there is an unverified news doing rounds about an acid attack, it is clarified that around 4 pm at Nawa Bazar a minor girl (name withheld) who was accompanied by her aunt in the market area, felt a burning sensation in her hand prima facie due to some liquid, and accordingly she was taken to the hospital from where she was discharged after first aid as the doctors diagnosed her with only minor superficial rashes & blisters only on the hand .

The police spokesman further stated that the facts and circumstances leading to this incident are being investigated by MR Gunj Police station. The girl is absolutely fine and is at home. Prima facie it looks like some foul play which police is investigating, reads the statement.(GNS)

Jammu, Dec 18: Jammu woman Sargam Koushal, representing India, was on Sunday crowned the Mrs World at a gala event in Las Vegas, USA.

Mrs Koushal trumped contestants from 63 countries to bring the title back to India after 21 years.

As per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), sharing the news on Instagram, the managing organisation of the Mrs India pageant said, “The long wait is over, it’s after 21 years we have the CROWN back!”

Sargam Koushal, who hails from Bahu Fort area of Jammu city, Jammu and Kashmir also shared a video describing how elated she was to win the title.

“We’ve got the crown back after 21-22 years. I’m so excited. Love you India, love you world,” the newly-crowned Mrs World said.

Daughter of a retired Chief Manager, Bank of India, Sargam Koushal did her schooling from Presentation Convent Senior Secondary School, Gandhi Nagar Jammu and graduated from Women College, Gandhi Nagar Jammu.

Thereafter, she did her Masters in English Literature from Jammu University and B Ed from Government B Ed College Jammu.

She has previously worked as a teacher in Vizag. A teacher by profession, content writer, model and painter, the 31-year old Sargam is married to Jammu guy Aditya Manohar Sharma, a Lieutenant Commander in Indian Navy, presently posted in Mumbai.

Speaking to KNO, father of Mrs World, G S Koushal that it’s a proud moment for entire country as Sargam won the title for nation. He said that from childhood Sargam is an outstanding child and always excelled in whatever she has done so far. The proud father said that daughters are blessing and he and entire family feel has shot of word to express the feelings on the achievement of Sargam.

Mrs World is the first beauty pageant for married women.

The pageant was conceived in 1984 and traces its roots to the Mrs America pageant. Initially, the pageant was named Miss Woman of the World. It came to be known as Mrs World only in 1988. Over the years, Miss World has seen entrants from over 80 countries with America having the most number of winners.

India has only won the Mrs World title once, in 2001 with Dr Aditi Govitrikar bagging the coveted crown. Dr Govitrikar has now served as a judge for Miss India Inc 2022-23.

Meanwhile, People throng to congratulate the parents of Mrs Kaushal, after her international recognition.

President Bahu Fort Development Authority (BFDA) Rajeev Charak along with other local residents congratulated the proud parents of Mrs Koushal.

Charak said that daughter Sargam not only won the crown but make Jammu and the entire country proud as she has established the country’s name on the world stage with hard work and dedication.

He said that the hard work that Sargam Kaushal has done to reach this place and his parents have done more hard work, so such parents should be respected.

He said that it is a matter of pride for us that the daughter of Bahu Fort Jammu has brought laurels to her region as well as the country due to her talent in world class message world.

He said she brought laurels for the entire country. He wishes her luck for the future—(KNO)

Srinagar, Dec 17: Authorities on Saturday attached eleven more properties of Jamat-e-Islami in Kashmir Valley at the recommendations of State Investigation Agency.

Providing the description of the properties, the SIA in a statement said that three properties were attached in Baramulla, two in Kupwara, one in Baramulla and five in Ganderbal.

“SIA has unearthed further assets of banned Jamat-e-Islami throughout UT of J&K worth hundreds of crores of INR. Today on 17.12.2022 in District Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal and Kupwara, properties at about a dozen locations worth INR hundred crores approximately after being notified by DM Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal & Kupwara on the recommendation of SIA J&K, have been barred with restrictions on usage and entry,” SIA said in the statement to GNS, adding, “To choke the availability of funds for secessionist activities and to dismantle the ecosystem of anti-national elements & (militant) networks hostile to India’s sovereignty, (eleven more properties) held by banned JeI J&K at (the four) districts have been notified by concerned District Magistrates in exercise of the powers conferred by section 8 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 & Notification No. 14017/7/2019, dated 28- February- 2019 of Union Ministry of Home Affairs.”

The premises and structures have been barred and entry and usage has been prohibited reads the notification. Besides “Red entry” to this effect has been made in the relevant revenue records. During the seizure proceedings it was found that about two dozen business establishments in the towns of Kupwara and Kangan are currently running from out these JeI properties on rent basis.

After due diligence, it was decided that these would be allowed to continue so that private persons who may not have any connections with JeI and are only tenants paying rent to JeI are not penalised and their livelihood not impaired.

The Properties in District Baramulla include I. Land measuring 01-Kanal & 12-Marla under Survey No. 2228/2015/360 min II. Land measuring 01-Kanal under Survey No. 2259/405 min III. Land measuring 32-Kanal & 01 Marla under Survey No. 408; District Kupwara: I. Land measuring 03-Marla under Survey No. 1074 near Rehmat-Alam Public School II. JeI office Kupwara (Single Storey tin roofed building) adjacent to Masjid Quwatul-Islam Kupwara (20 business establishments) District Bandipora: I. Land measuring 13 Marla under Khasra No. 113 Min in village Bandipora District Ganderbal: I. Single storey building constructed over Land measuring 10-Marla under Survey No. 2425/1674/1458/315 in village Kangan. II. Three stories shop constructed over Land measuring 01-Marla and 7 Sirsai under Survey No. 2520/1482/496 min in village Kangan III. Land measuring 05-Kanal & 15 Marla under Survey No. 954-min, 955-min in village Gadoora Ganderbal. IV. Abandoned double storey building constructed over Land measuring 01-Kanal & 06 Marla under Survey No. 1488- min in village Safapora Lar V. Land measuring 18-Marla under Survey No. 722-min in village Kurhama.”

Pertinently, SIA has identified as many as 188 JeI properties across J&K which have either been notified or are under the process of being notified for further legal action. These are as a result of investigation of case FIR number 17 of 2019 U/S 10, 11 & 13 of Police Station Batmaloo being investigated by SIA. (GNS)