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An official told news agency Kashmir News Trust that a joint team of Police, 34RR and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation on specific information about the presence of militants in the area.

He said that as the joint team of forces approached the suspected spot, militants fired upon them which was retaliated triggering an encounter.

A senior police officer also confirmed the exchange of fire between forces and militants.

As per the sources, one to two militants are believed to be trapped in the village. (KNT)

Rains lashed plains of Srinagar while most places including Gulmarg received snowfall in Kashmir Valley, officials said on Saturday.

A meteorological department official here told GNS that Srinagar received 1.6mm rainfall in last 24 hours till 0830 hours today while the summer capital of the J&K recorded a low of 2.3°C against last night’s 2.8°C.

Kashmir is presently under the grip of 40-day long harshest period of winter, known locally as ‘Chillai Kalan, which started from December 21. It is followed by a 20-day long ‘Chillai Khurd’ and a 10-day-long ‘Chilla Bachha’.

Gulmarg had about 12cms of fresh snowfall during the time and recorded a low of minus 6.5°C against minus 7.5°C on previous night, he said. The temperature was 1.7°C above normal for this time of the year in the famous resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir, had 3.5cms of snowfall and recorded a low of minus 2.4°C same as on the last night, he said.

Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, had 3.6cms of rainfall and recorded a low of 0.2°C against 1.6°C on the previous night, he said.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, had 2.5cm of snowfall during the time and recorded a low of minus 1.9°C against 0.4°C on the previous night, the official said.

Kupwara town in north Kashmir received 0.0mm of rainfall during the time while as it recorded a low of 1.4°C against 1.2°C as on the previous night, the official said.

Jammu, received 1.4mm of rains and recorded a low of 10.1°C against previous night’s 10.6°C which is 3.1°C above normal for the J&K’s winter capital during this time of the year, he said.

Banihal recorded a low of 0.2°C (rainfall: 0.6mm), Katra 7.2°C and Bhaderwah saw a minimum of 1.8°C, the official said.

Ladakh’s Leh recorded a low of minus 11.4°C against last night’s minus 12.0°C while mercury at automatic station in Kargil settled at minus 15.0°C. Drass, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia, recorded a low of minus 11.9°C against last night’s minus 21.4°C, official said.

Weatherman has said that fresh western disturbance affected J&K and most likely concentrate over Jammu Division, Pir Panjal Range and South Kashmir.

“Under the influence of this system, widespread rain/snow is most likely to occur during 22nd and 23rd January,” the official told GNS. He said the system will most likely to concentrate over Jammu Division, Pir Panjal Range and South Kashmir.

“Moderate rain in plains with snow over higher reaches (heavy rain/snow at isolated places) of Jammu Division is expected during the above period,” he said.

Light snow over plains and moderate snow over middle and higher reaches of Kashmir Division is also expected particularly over Northwestern, Northern and central parts of Kashmir.

“Moderate snow over pains of South Kashmir with heavy snow at isolated places over higher reaches of South Kashmir is expected during the above period.”

Regarding possible impacts, he said, there may be temporarily disrupt Surface and Air Transportation on 22-23rd. “( Probability of Occurrence as of today 75%) .

He said there could be landslides in vulnerable spots of Jammu-Srinagar Highway and other major hilly roads. (GNS)

Photo by Tauseef Mustafa

A Core Group consisting of top officials of civil administration, intelligence agencies and security forces in J&K met on Friday at Badami Bagh Cantonment to review the security situation in Kashmir.

The meeting was co-chaired by the General Officer Commanding, Chinar Corps, Lt Gen DP Pandey and Director General of Police Jammu & Kashmir, Dilbag Singh.

“The core group reviewed the intelligence inputs and security parameters of 2021. Year 2021 witnessed a reduction in (militant) infiltration, reduced (militant) incidents, reduced (militant) recruitment, increased operations based on HUMINT, reduced collateral damage, no civil casualties in law and order situation, reduced SF casualties, increased arrest of (militants and booking of OGWs,” army said in a statement to GNS, adding, “all pointing to effective conduct of joint operations and activities by intelligence and security agencies. There has been increased neutralization of Pakistani terrorists in last few weeks. The effort of the frontline soldiers and operatives of all agencies were acknowledged by all present.”

The core group discussed fresh strategies of the militants organizations and their handlers including use of “Hybrid militants) and targeting of soft targets.”

15 militants were killed in 2021 were fresh names not on the security forces radar. “The core group discussed the setting up of SIA and the increased booking by NIA is showing impact of focused intelligence and investigation efforts,” it said, adding, “These efforts have been effective in targeting drug, hawala and the OGWs networks. Legal action on those willfully harbouring (militants is being increased as the harbourers have direct involvement in terror activities.”

The officials stated that the ceasefire has improved the security situation along the border, however, intelligence inputs of militant launch pads and training activities in Pakistan indicate the need to be alert along the Line of Control, it said.

“On the Line of Control, late snow has kept the infiltration routes open for longer time, however effective domination has ensured decrease in overall infiltration including those from South of Pir Panjal,” it said, adding, “The vigil on the Line of Control against infiltration of men, drugs and weapons is continuing.”

The officials shared the challenge of “propaganda of the nexus through internet and social media”.

“Sadly, these efforts include propaganda to legitimize killing of Kashmiri civilians by the (militants). The use of social media to spread disinformation is widespread and needs to be countered proactively by a joint effort,” it said, adding, “Efforts at synergy in exposing fake news, booking of radicals trying to foment unrest and proactive sharing of information by state agencies are being upgraded.”

The DGP and the Corps Commander commended the officials present on improved security indicators. They appreciated that post the abrogation of Article 370, certain bench marks were set which have been achieved successfully for the restoration of peace and prosperity in the region, the statement said.

“The DGP stated that reduction in local militant recruitment is one parameter that all must approach with continued focus,” it said, adding, “A special mention was made on the measures taken to minimize the collateral damage in operations despite risk to own soldiers.”

He recommended continued efforts to give chance of surrenders to local militants to give them a second chance at living a fruitful life.

“The Corps Commander called upon all to treat 2022 as a transformative year where common man used to zero civilian casualties in 2021 should see 2022 as the year when things turned for good for the long term,” it said, adding, “He cautioned the trend of the (militants) to use urban areas with thick built up area for operations as they provide more avenues to hide or escape and puts higher onus in security forces to exercise restraint to avoid collateral damage.” He expressed satisfaction at low SF casualties in 2021 by better intelligence-based operations and improved tactical drills, the army statement reads further. “He called for continued efforts along with the civil society to counter the separatist propaganda and break the cycle of violence for long term peace in Kashmir.”(GNS)

People of Jammu, particularly the city residents, seem confused over ‘64 hour long weekend lockdown’ which was supposed to begin from Friday afternoon.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Thursday ordered imposition of complete restriction on non-essential movement in the Union Territory from every Friday 2 pm to Monday 6.00 am.

However in Jammu, the markets and business establishments remained open for the entire day after Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry claimed that they (CCIJ) had talked to the administration for relaxation in the restriction till 9 pm in the evening.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) Arun Gupta president JCCI said, “I have talked with Deputy Commissioner and SSP Jammu to give relaxation to the traders till Friday evening,”

“The festival and marriage season is going on. Traders can’t afford a three day lockdown. I had made a request to the administration to allow normal functioning of bazaars for Friday and also appealed to the traders to close business establishments for Saturday and Sunday,” Gupta said.

In the meantime, around 2.30 pm, when all the markets were working normally, the official twitter handle of Deputy Commissioner Jammu reconfirmed administration’s order and stated that there were complete restrictions on non-essential items till Monday morning.

“𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃 𝐑𝐞st𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐮, Complete restrictions on non-essential movement from Friday 2:00 PM to Monday 6:00 AM. No restrictions on transport, essential services and home deliveries during this period (sic),” tweets Deputy Commissioner Jammu.

Later speaking to media DC Jammu Anshul Garg said that Jammu District on request of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry shops were allowed to open to avoid panic. He said the consultations were held with traders to shut shops for Saturday and Sunday so that the transmission chain could be broken.

However, strict lockdown were observed after noon in districts of Jammu including Kishtwar, Ramban, Doda, Poonch and Rajouri.

Pertinently, the government imposed an unannounced weekend lockdown across Jammu and Kashmir on last Saturday and Sunday in wake of the surge in Covid-19 cases across the Union Territory.

The formal order in this regard, the Chief Secretary, who is also Chairman of State Executive Committee (SEC) has said that there shall be a complete restriction on non-essential movement in the entire UT of J&K from every Friday 2.00 pm to Monday 6.00 am, henceforth.

It also said that the pregnant women employees will be exempted from physical attendance and they shall be allowed to work from home—(KNO)

Police on Friday said that one Iftikhar Ahmad Dar from Anantnag was arrested for carrying “scandalous online campaign against Kashmiri students studying outside, causing anguish to students and parents.”

In a tweet, police said that a case (FIR No. 23/2022) at police station Anantnag stands registered under relevant sections of law. (GNS)

Covid-19 cases continue to mount as Jammu and Kashmir reported 5720 new infections while five more persons succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Friday.

They said that 1890 the fresh cases were confirmed from Jammu Division and 3830 from Kashmir Valley, taking the overall tally to 384381.

Regarding the deaths, they said, four were from Jammu division and one from Kashmir. So far 4591 people have died due to the virus—2241 in Jammu division and 2350 in Kashmir Valley.

Giving district wise details, the officials told GNS that Srinagar reported 1341 cases, Baramulla 688, Budgam 550, Pulwama 170, Kupwara 208, Anantnag 237, Bandipora 241, Ganderbal 246, Kulgam 106, Shopian 43, Jammu 1306,
Udhampur 100, Rajouri 62, Doda 103, Kathua 61, Samba 99, Kishtwar 18, Poonch 48, Ramban 22 and
Reasi 71.

A number of the fresh cases were confirmed at diagnostic laboratories of GMC Srinagar and Anatnag besides District Hospital Pulwama.

The GMC Srinagar cases include female (29) (NA) from Shalimar, female (54) (NA) from Shalimar, male (59) (NA) from Shalimar, male (36) (NA) from Lalbazar, female (57) (NA) from Brain, female (47) (NA) from Shalimar, female (16) (NA) from Brain nishat, female (38) (NA) from Brain nishat, male (30) (NA) from Tulmullah ganderbal, male (52) (NA) from Nishat, male (36) (NA) from Brain, female (59) (NA) from Harwan, male (38) (NA) from Habbak Sgr, male (28) (NA) from Nagabal dara, female (29) (NA) from Nishat, male (29) (NA) from Nishat, male (28) (NA) from Harwan, female (34) (NA) from Ishbar nishat, female (25) (NA) from Ishbar nishat, female (26) (NA) from Sgr, female (26) (NA) from Baramulla, male (51) (NA) from Natipora, male (24) (NA) from Anantnag, male (27) (NA) from GDC hostel, female (29) (NA) from GDC Sgr, male (26) (NA) from GDC hostel, female (30) (NA) from Qamarwari, male (58) (NA) from Qamarwari, female (30) (NA) from Nowshera, male (27) (NA) from Pulwama, male (39) (NA) from Rajbagh, female (35) (NA) from Rajbagh, male (20) (NA) from Rajbagh, female (24) (NA) from Sgr, female (27) (NA) from Shalimar, male (65) (NA) from Habbak, female (30) (NA) from Habbak, female (75) (NA) from Batamaloo, male (69) (NA) from Batamaloo, female (60) (NA) from Batamaloo, male (85) (NA) from Batamaloo, male (35) (NA) from Chattabal, female (28) (NA) from Bandipora, female (32) (NA) from Eidgah, female (24) (NA) from Pulwama, female (22) (NA) from Pulwama, male (24) (NA) from Anantnag, male (30) (NA) from Pulwama, male (23) (NA) from Kupwara, male (40) (NA) from Sgr, male (29) (NA) from Anantnag, female (65) (NA) from Sgr, female (50) (NA) from Sgr, male (22) (NA) from Kupwara, male (26) (NA) from Pampore, male (27) (NA) from Sgr, female (62) (NA) from Sgr, female (30) (NA) from Bemina, female (50) (NA) from Sgr, male (65) (NA) from Budgam, male (24) (NA) from Sgr, female (55) (NA) from Sgr, male (29) (NA) from Harwan, male (90) (NA) from Ganderbal, female (90) (NA) from Gopalpora, male (60) (NA) from Sgr, female (28) (NA) from Rawalpora, female (60) (NA) from Rawalpora, female (33) (NA) from Kargil, male (21) (NA) from Anantnag, female (25) (NA) from Sanatnagar, female (23) (NA) from GMC, male (25) (NA) from Bandgam, female (70) (NA) from Budgam, male (24) (NA) from Sgr, male (27) (NA) from Sgr, male (28) (NA) from Sgr, male (35) (NA) from Chadoora pulwama, male (35) (NA) from Sangerwani pulwama, male (30) (NA) from Pakherpora, female (27) (NA) from Indranagar, male (45) (NA) from Chanpora, male (03) (NA) from Hyderpora, male (49) (NA) from Chanpora and male (36) (NA) from Natipora.
The GMC Anantnag cases include male (15) from Malik Mohalla, male (41) from Ratnipora, male (22) from Tharin Keller, female (35) from Abhama Pul, male (32) from Herpora, female (23) from Charimarg, female (28) from Awneera, male (40) from Mah Kulgam, male (35) from Panewa Kulgam, three males (36, 36, 53) and two females (36, 21) from Sahoo DH Pora, two males (40, 50) and female (28) from Damhall DH Pora, male (35) from Khull DH Pora, male (36) from Kulgam DH Pora, female (15) from Manzgam Kulgam, female (35) from Laroo Kulgam, two males (10, 58) from Okey Kulgam, female (19) from Motergam Kulgam, male (45) from Hablish Kulgam, male (46) from Behibagh Kulgam, female (45) from Qazigund, male (66) from Laisoo Kulgam, female (19) from Akhal Kulgam, male (24) from Pulwama, male (21) from Sachin Dailgam, male (50) from Nai Basti, female (32) from Soura, female (26) from Shangus, female (25) from GMC Ang, female (28) from Pulwama, female (46) from Malaknag, male (27) from Anantnag, male (32) from Ashajipora, male (67) from Anchidora, male (60) and female (25) from Khanabal, male (25) from Sarnal, two males (53, 23) from Anchidora, female (15) from Bijbehara, female (27) from Lazibal, male (35) from KP Road, male (38) from Nowgam Shangus, three females (14, 18, 40) from Ashajipora, male (40) from New Qazibagh, three males (45, 45, 42) from South Campus, female (62) from Achgoza Pul, male (21) from Narwani, female (24) from Dailgam, male (28) from Khundroo, male (50) from Imooh, two females (28, 60) from Gulshan Abad and female (36) from Wardwan.

The DH Pulwama cases include male (30) from Prichoo pulwama, female (28) from Pulwama, male (30) from Kakapora, female (30) from washbugh, male (30) from Murran, male (37) from Chadoora, female (40) from Arihal, male (48) from Chattapora, male (45) from Koil, female (50) from Ariham, female (28) from Trichal, female (20) from Rahmoo, female (50) from Parigam, female (27) (NA) from Malangpora, female (27) from Nowgam, female (35) from Gongoo, male (32) from Heff shirmal, male (60) from Koil, male (25) from Drabgam, male (35) from Gudoora, female (35) from New colony pulwama, male (10) from New colony pulwama, female (30) from Drisoo pulwama, female (33) from Wasoora, male (17) from Payer pulwama, male (26) from Sheikhara pulwama and female (30) from Babhara Pulwama.
Besides, they said, 1877 Covid-19 patients recovered during the time—819 from Jammu Division and 1058 from Kashmir. So far 344908 people have recovered, leaving active case tally at 34882—11602 in Jammu and 23280 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 39460 doses of covid-19 vaccine were administered during the time in J&K. (GNS)

In a joint hard words press statement JDU State General Secretary Sanjay Dhar, Vivek Bali State Secretary J&K , P. L. Pandita Chairman Migrants J&K appealed to Power Development Department to stop unscheduled power curtailment during this winter season in whole Kashmir valley. JD(U) leaders said that PDD has forced people to face winter conditions with continuous unscheduled power cuts in whole Kashmir valley most of the districts in south Kashmir faced electricity curtailment despite that they pay their bills. These leaders also urged to LG Govt to announce an amnesty scheme with regard to the electricity bills for the people keeping in view the Covid situation. These leaders said that the unscheduled power cuts have increased from many hours and it has created a difficult situation for the people during this winter season. They said the people are paying the bills even then they are not provided 24/7 electricity in winter season this is injustice with them. The PDD should look into the issues and resolve them so that the people do not suffer. They urged honourable LG J&K and Power commissioner secretary that the situation has got from bad to worse with every passing day as the curtailment has increased and PDD should immediately stop curtailment of electricity as soon as possible.

Two persons are feared dead in river Chenab in Ramban district, officials said on Friday.

They said the truck, they were travelling in, is parked on Jammu-Srinagar and the duo was seen by someone drowning. The person subsequently raised the alarm and massive searches headed by SSP Ramban Mohita Sharma and SHO Ramban Sandeep Charak.

A police officer identified the missing duo as Manjeet Singh son of Dalgeet Singh and Jatinder Singh son of Mangal Singh, both residents of Amritsar Punjab. When this report was filed, the searches in the area were going on. (GNS)