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Jammu and Kashmir reported 2304 covid-19 cases, down by 447 from yesterday, even as nine persons succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Wednesday.

They said 996 of the fresh cases were confirmed from Jammu Division and 1308 from Kashmir Valley, taking the total count to 440480.

Regarding the fresh fatalities, the officials told GNS that five among them were reported from Jammu division and four from Kashmir valley. So far 4692 people have died due to the virus—2294 in Jammu and 2398 in Kashmir Valley.

Giving district wise details, he said, Srinagar reported 439 cases, Baramulla 190, Budgam 167, Pulwama 41, Kupwara 131, Anantnag 84, Bandipora 57, Ganderbal 53, Kulgam 112, Shopian 34, Jammu 443, Udhampur 128, Rajouri 37, Doda 104, Kathua 36, Samba 56, Kishtwar 54, Poonch 15, Ramban 84 and Reasi 39.

A number of the cases were confirmed at diagnostic laboratories associated with GMC Srinagar and District hospital Pulwama.

The GMC Srinagar cases include female (40) (NA) from Sgr, female (60) (NA) from Budgam, male (74) (NA) from Sgr, female (72) (NA) from Sgr, female (20) (NA) from Budgam, female (30) (NA) from Batamaloo, male (70) (NA) from Sgr, female (50) (NA) from Sgr, male (55) (NA) from Sgr, female (19Days) (NA) from Baramulla, male (02) (NA) from Budgam, female (65) (NA) from Pattan, female (39) (NA) from Indranagar Sgr, female (60) (NA) from Sanatnagar, male (28) (NA) from Sgr, female (30) (NA) from Sgr, female (49) (NA) from Bulbulbagh, female (05) (NA) from Midoora tral, male (32) (NA) from Bemina, female (30) (NA) from Lalbazar, male (70) (NA) from Lalbazar, female (35) (NA) from Lalbazar, female (11) (NA) from Lalbazar, female (60) (NA) from Wazirbagh, female (39) (NA) from Rainawari, male (50) (NA) from Handwara, male (14) (NA) from Bemina, female (63) (NA) from Pakherpora, male (75) (NA) from Panthachowk, male (43) (NA) from Nawabazar, female (40) (NA) from HMT, male (55) (NA) from Pulwama, female (50) (NA) from Khaniyar, male (35) (NA) from Budgam, male (42) (NA) from Khaniyar, female (18) from Sgr, male (65) from Bagi mehtab, male (48) from Kukura bilal colony, male (55) from Saidkadal, male (63) from Nishat, female (30) from Elahibagh, male (37) from Hazratbal, male (16) from Habbak, male (65) from Harwan, male (18) from Nishat, female (85) from Nishat, male (20) from Nishat, female (09) (NA) from Sanatnagar, female (33) (NA) from Nazneenpora, male (65) (NA) from Khaygam Pulwama, male (45) (NA) from Khaygam Pulwama, female (48) (NA) from Khaygam, female (06) (NA) from Khaygam Pulwama, female (08) (NA) from Khaygam Pulwama, female (14) (NA) from Khaygam, male (37) (NA) from Rajpora, female (20) (NA) from Kralcheck shopian, female (18) (NA) from Kralcheck shopian, female (45) (NA) from Mughalpora shopian, female (65) (NA) from Rajpora, female (30) (NA) from Kathalan shopian, female (20) (NA) from Tukroo, female (28) from Lalbazar, male (25) from Lalbazar, female (35) from Hazratbal, female (57) from Habbak, female (60) from Habbak, male (14) from Gulabbagh, female (31) from Sgr, male (27) from Sgr, female (22) from Bandipora, female (26) from Pulwama, female (18) from Pulwama, male (75) (NA) from Tangmarg, male (80) (NA) from Khansahib, male (60) from Ahmed nagar, male (70) from Tulmullah and male (19) from Chattabal.

The District Hospital Pulwama cases include female (35) from Murran, male (33) from Turukwangam, female (28) from Tahab, female (35) from Pinglena, male (32) from Pinglena, female (32) from New colony pulwama, female (20) from Karimabad, female (80) from Uripora, male (26) from Pampore, male (65) from Lassipora, female (32) from Malikpora and female (30) from Rahmoo.

Besides, they said, 5024 Covid-19 patients recovered during the time—1433 from Jammu Division and 3591 from Kashmir. So far 405959 people have recovered, leaving active case tally at 29829—8547 in Jammu and 21282 in Kashmir.

They said there was no new confirmed case of mucormycosis (black fungus) reported today. So far 51 black fungus cases have been confirmed in J&K, the officials said. They also informed that 45345 doses of covid-19 vaccine were administered during the time in J&K. (GNS)

Mayor Srinagar, Junaid Azim Mattu on Wednesday visited the young acid attack victim at SMHS hospital in Srinagar and handed over his one-month’s salary to the victim’s family and assured them of his complete support and solidarity.

Interacting with the parents of the acid attack victim, Mattu in presence of a District Legal Services Aid team deputed by the High Court and Mission Director ICPS, assured the victim’s family of full medical, legal and administrative support and also asked the team of doctors treating the victim to ensure that she receives the best possible medical care.

According to a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Mattu also commended the SIT formed by SSP Srinagar for arresting the culprits within 24 hours and said this was the first and most significant step in ensuring the victim and her family gets justice and would serve as a deterrent for such heinous crimes.

“This is a heartbreaking tragedy. I met the parents of the victims and assured them of complete support and solidarity. While the administration will offer legal, medical and financial aid to the victim and her family, it is also incumbent on us as a society to stand unequivocally with the victim and her family. This criminal, gruesome act needs to be condemned by each and everyone at a social level as well. We should collectively ensure that those anti-social elements responsible for such heinous crimes are brought to book,” Mayor said.

He added that he is going to request the Lieutenant Governor of J&K Manoj Sinha that the administration should fully facilitate and finance the specialized rehabilitation treatment of the victim at the best possible health facility in the country.

“I will be writing to the LG requesting that the victim is offered full financial and logistical assistance to facilitate her rehabilitative treatment at the best possible specialized health facility in the country for the purpose,” Mayor added.

Mayor Srinagar was accompanied by his Advisor and Corporator SMC Danish Bhat and Corporator Zadibal Tanveer Pathan—(KNO)

The acid attack victim from Srinagar is unlikely to regain her eyesight, doctors treating her at the Srinagar’s Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital Srinagar Wednesday said, adding that “no conclusion can be, however, drawn at this point of time.”

Medical Superintendent of SMHS, Dr. Kanwaljeet Singh told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the victim’s eyes have suffered damage in cornea and it cannot be stated whether she can regain her eyesight.

A 24-year-old girl was attacked with acid at Wantpora area of Hawal in Srinagar on Tuesday evening, sending shock waves across Jammu and Kashmir. The attack was widely condemned by every section of the society.

However, police on Wednesday stated that the main accused among three persons were arrested in this regard and a two-wheeler used in commission of crime has also been seized.

Police have also said that a shop, where the accused had bought the acid, has also been sealed.

Meanwhile, the victim at present is undergoing treatment at SMHS hospital as she has suffered grievous injuries on her face and eyes in the attack.

Moreover, police issued an advisory, appealing people to refrain from posting or sharing the pictures of the acid attack victim on social media platforms.

“It has come to notice that some social media users and page admin are uploading photographs of yesterdays acid attack victim on social media platforms. These people are advised to refrain from positing and sharing such content. Anybody found involved in this act will be strictly dealt under law. Police have taken cognizance of the matter,” the police advisory reads—(KNO)

Police on Wednesday claimed to have arrested three persons after a girl was yesterday attacked with acid in Eidgah area of Srinagar.

In a statement to GNS Police said that during the evening of 01.02.2022, Srinagar police recieved an information regarding acid attack on a 24 year old girl in Hawal area falling under Police Station Nowhatta.

In this regard a case under FIR No. 08/2022 U/S 326-A of IPC was registered in Police Station Nowhatta and investigation was started immediately, they said.

As the case was of heinous nature, SSP Srinagar immediately formed a Special investigation team with SP North Raja Zuhaib-JKPS as Chairman and SDPO Khanyar, SHO Nowhatta, SHO Safakadal and SHO Women PS as members, they said.

During the initial field investigations and technical analysis, name of one suspect came up which led to apprehension of the main accused namely Sajid Altaf Rather S/o Mohd Altaf Rather R/o Buchwara Dalgate. SIT arrested this main accused as his role came into prominence.
During the initial questioning, it came out that this accused was having interest in the girl and since she had rejected his engagement proposal, he had been stalking her. The arrested accused had taken note of the timings of the girl long before this attack. The accused used to work in a medical shop and in the evening of 01.02.2022, he took break from work and went on a scooty towards the place where the girl used to work alongwith a co-accused namely Momin Nazir sheikh S/o Nazir Ahmad Sheikh R/o Mehjoornagar, they said.

On Victim’s way back home in the late evening, she was followed and acid was thrown on her and afterwards the accused ran away and went back to his shop. This second accused was also arrested when more evidences in case came up. The scooty used in the commission of this heinous crime was also seized by Police, they said.

It further came out that the accused had purchased the Acid from one of his knowns namely Mohd Saleem S/o Abdul Ganie resident of Padshai bagh, a motor Mechanic who works at international motors near Durga nath near Dal Gate area. This third accused person has also been arrested for his further examination, they said.

Legal Process was also initiated for sealing this workshop as one of its employee had sold acidic material in violation of Hon’ble SC guidelines. This Shop was sealed by following due procedure by Executive Magistrate, they said.

All shopkeepers in Srinagar are strictly instructed to follow Hon’ble SC directions on sale of acid, failing which legal action will initiated against them.
A special drive will be started in this regards shortly in coordination with District Administration, reads the statement(GNS)

Waheed Para who is currently under UAPA detention over various allegations was found unconscious in jail on Saturday. While his jail inmates alarmed about his unconsciousness, the jail authorities took him to the Police Hospital for check up.

It was said that doctors while checking Waheed had recommended further treatment, Echo scan and follow-up check up in Super Speciality.

The family of Waheed said that, “Waheed’s health is worsening day in and day out and we are in shock to hear that he was found unconscious in a barrack by fellow detainees.”

The family of Waheed are appealing Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for facilitating the medical check up of Waheed.

They further added, “doctors at Police Hospital had recommended Echo scan and specialist check up of Waheed. However, from two days we are waiting that he will be taken to hospital but he hasn’t been taken yet.” His family added.

Official sources told Srinagar based news agency Kashmir Dot Com (KDC) that Waheed was taken to hospital after his Blood pressure (BP) suddenly went down. “After giving medical aid Parra was discharged from hospital and was shifted back to central Srinagar,” they said.

Pertinent to mention that Para was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on November 25, 2020, just a day after he announced his candidacy for the District Development Council elections and filed nomination papers.

In January 2021, he was granted bail by the NIA court. The special judge at the court held that “offences particularly falling under Unlawful Activities Act (UAPA) are not prima facie made out against the accused”.

The judge had said that none of the chargesheets presented before the court contained “reference of the present applicant” or referred to him as “suspected accused”.

While Waheed was stepping out of the jail, he was arrested by Jammu Kashmir Police Wing, CIK, on the same charges. His bail application was rejected twice and is jailed in Srinagar Central Jail where his condition has deteriorated as per family. (KDC)

Unknown persons on Tuesday evening attacked a 24-year-old girl with acid at Usmania Colony in Wantpora area of Hawal in Srinagar.

Official sources told the news agency—Kashmir News observer (KNO) that a girl was attacked by some unknown persons outside her business unit this evening.

She was immediately taken to Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital for treatment.

Medical Superintendent of SMHS, Dr. Kanwaljeet Singh told KNO that her face has got completely damaged. “The girl is being operated upon to see whether her eyes are damaged,” he said.

Meanwhile, a police official from Nowhatta police station said that the investigation in this regard has been started—(KNO)

Unknown persons threw acid on a 24-year-old girl in Safakadal area on Tuesday evening, officials said.

They told GNS that the girl (name withheld), a resident of Eid Gah came under attack at Usmani Colony Wantpora.

The girl, they said, has been evacuated from the site to SMHS Hospital for treatment.

A police official confirming the incident told GNS that a team was on way to the incident site.

More details awaited. (GNS)

Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday assumed the appointment of General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern Command.

Lt General Upendra Dwivedi was Deputy Chief of the Army Staff prior to being appointed as the Army Commander, Northern Command. He was commissioned into the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles Regiment and in a career spanning over 37 years, served across a wide spectrum of terrain and operational profiles. He tenanted a number of important Command, Staff and Instructional appointments making immense contributions to the organization, defence ministry spokesman based in Jammu said.

Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi is an alumnus of Sainik School, Rewa, National Defence Academy, and Indian Military Academy. He graduated from the prestigious Defence Service Staff College, attended Higher Command Course at Army War College and the National Defence College equivalent course at United State Army War College.

The General Officer commanded his battalion in the Kashmir Valley, Assam Rifles Sector along the Indo-Myanmar Border, Inspectorate General Assam Rifles (IGAR, East). Later, the General Officer commanded Rising Star Corps based at Yol. He has served as staff officer in an Armoured Brigade, Directorate General of Military Operations, Military Secretary Branch and at Divisional and Corps Headquarters. The General Officer has had instructional tenures at the Indian Military Academy and Army War College. He also had two overseas tenures in Somalia and Seychelles. He served in the Directorate General of Infantry in different capacities including Director General of Infantry and fast-tracked procurement cases of weapons leading to significant and visible capability enhancement for the Army.

On assuming the command of the Northern Command, the General Officer paid homage to the brave hearts of Northern Command and laid the wreath at the Dhruva War Memorial. Later, he conveyed his greetings to all ranks and expressed his commitment to take forward the excellent work by his predecessors and all ranks of Northern Command. (GNS)

A policeman was shot at and injured by militants at Amishijipora area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district on Tuesday.

A top police officer told GNS that the gunmen fired upon the policeman identified as Shabir Ahmad, leaving him critically injured.

The policeman was shifted to District hospital Shopian where from he was shifted to SMHS hospital for advanced treatment, Medical Superintendent of DH Shopian told GNS.

Meanwhile police and army condoned off the entire area to nab the attackers.(GNS)

The Srinagar International Airport on Tuesday commenced cargo operations from the new domestic cargo complex, which has been built at a cost of more than Rs. 14 Crore.

According to a statement, issued to *Kashmir News Service (KNS)*, Director Srinagar Airport said that today they commenced the cargo operations from new domestic cargo complex. “This infrastructure has been created at a cost of more than Rs. 14 crores. In this new complex we have made provisions for cold storage, sensitive goods, and dangerous goods also.”

The statement reads that this was not available in the old Cargo complex and they have installed two X-ray machines for screening of the cargo. “The entire complex is covered with CCTV monitoring to ensure safety and security of the Cargo. This complex will be entirely managed by our own staff on Regulated Agent basis.”

It reads that the exporters and importers of cargo in the catchment area of Srinagar airport can look forward to improved services, facilities and efficient prompt handling of their valuable cargo from the airport. “This is a step forward in our quest to serve our valuable customers and stakeholders to the best of our ability.”