Jammu & Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 25 : The mercury plummeted further in the Valley as Srinagar recorded the coldest night of the season at minus 1.4 degree Celsius against minus 0.8°C on the previous night.

The cold wave tightened grip in Kashmir from the last few days amid the forecast of dry spell for the next one week.

The minimum temperature continued to settle below freezing point in the Valley as most places of the Valley recorded sub-zero temperature.

Details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that the minimum temperature at world famous ski-resort, Gulmarg improved as against a low of minus 2.4 degree Celsius previous night, it recorded 0.0 degree Celsius in the intervening night of Thursday-Friday while Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded a temperature of minus 2.4 degree Celsius in the intervening night of Wednesday-Thursday.

The mercury in Kokernag in South Kashmir settled at minus 0.5 degree Celsius while in Qazigund the minimum temperature was recorded a low of minus 2.2 degree Celsius—(KNO)

Srinagar, Nov 25 : Following the proposal of winter vacations, the School Education Department has decided to announce the closure of schools in a phased manner in Kashmir and winter zones of Jammu division from December-05 to 19.

Top officials in the administration informed the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that it has found it appropriate to announce the closure of schools for winter vacations in a phased manner from December-05.

“For primary level classes upto 5th standard, the vacations will be announced from December-05,” the official said.

It also said, “For 6th to 8th standard, the closure of schools for winter vacations will be announced and applicable from December-12.”

The official further said that in case of secondary and senior secondary level students, vacation will be announced from December-19.

Pertinently, a day before, Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) had proposed the government to announce the winter vacations in a phased manner between December—01 to 10—(KNO)

Srinagar, Nov 25 : Inspector general of Border Security Force Kashmir, Raja Babu Singh on Friday handed over the command to new IG BSF Kashmir, Ashok Yadav.

In a statement, issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said Raja Babu commanded a very challenging Frontier of Kashmir for over one year and Kashmir Frontier has achieved tremendous success under his command.

The statement reads during his tenure, BSF along with Army achieved tremendous success on the LoC resulting in a decline in LoC related incidents.

“His tenure witnessed the mobilization of large numbers of BSF Coys for law and order duties in Kashmir. He was instrumental in the welfare of the “SEEMA PRAHARI” and developing basic infrastructure for troops deployed on LoC,” it added.

It further reads in his farewell message, Raja Babu Singh complimented all ranks of BSF Kashmir Frontier for their dedication and thanked other organisations for their support—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Nov 24 : In an effort to prevent road accidents that occur due to less visibility caused primarily by fog and blind curves, students at Rampura, Rajpora higher secondary school Sopore Thursday installed reflectors on streets and turning points across the tourist destination which usually is prone to accidents.

A rare scene was witnessed at a tourist destination when a group of students of Rampura Rajpora higher secondary, some 35 Kms away from the sub headquarter Sopore installing sign boards at curves and accident prone spots alongside Sopore – Rampura Rajpura road to reduce and prevent the further accidents.

Students while talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that the sign boards are expected to help drivers notice blind curves from a distance and take evasive action if necessary, besides avoid mishaps alongside the tragic road.

“As the government failed to take any preventive measures along Sopore – Rampura Rajpura road which is considered to be a hotspot of road accidents, we took the measures and installed the road sign board”, said Murtaza Aijaz, a class 9th student.

“The initiative was taken under the Road Safety Programme organized by the school administration,” he said.

“Despite the area being a tourist destination, the concerned authorities have turned a blind eye towards its development. There must be street lights, crash bearers and other necessary facilities as the road is vital and prone to the accidents”, said Musarat Jan, another student.

Bashir Ahmed, principal of the school while impressing the students for Road Safety measures said, that the measures concerned to the road is a social responsibility of everyone. “Accidents have devastated many families thus it is imperative for every sane person to follow traffic rules for their own safety and for others”, he said.

Meanwhile, locals while hailing the efforts of the students, said that the installed traffic sign boards provide valuable information to drivers and other road users, which can lead to prevention of road mishaps by and large—(KNO)

Srinagar, Nov 23 : Jammu and Kashmir Police Thursday said that the man involved in the killing of Kashmiri Pandit, Puran Krishan Bhat has been identified and the accused is missing since November 12.

As per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), ADGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar tweeted that during investigation of case FIR No 211/2022 of PS Shopian pertaining to killing of Kashmiri Pandit Puran Krishan Bhat of Chowdharygund by militants on October 15, one Muhammad Latief Lone S/O Nisar Ah of Check Kachidoora, was found to be involved in the “heinous terror crime.”

“The killer is missing from his home since 12/11/2022 and any person giving any information about accused Mohd Latief Lone will be suitably rewarded by Police,” he said. Pooran was killed at his residence in Chaudry Gund Shopian in October this year—(KNO)

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)