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General officer Commanding (GoC) of army’s Srinagar—based 15 Corps Lieutenant General D P Pandey visited Gurduwara Chattipadhshai in Rainawari area of old Srinagar on the occasion of Guru Gobind Singhji  Jayanti.

“I have visited every religious place in Kashmir, but wanted to visit this Gurduwara too,” said GoC Panday, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

He said his message to youth of Kashmir especially Srinagar need to change the narrative that existed for years and they should follow narrative of peace and development so that every face smiles.

At Gurduwara, GoC said he prayed for peace and development of Kashmir. He said that the army was not doing any favour to people by conducting rescue operations in snow—bound areas. “It is in our blood to serve people,” he said—(KNO)

After days of snowfall and rains, weather improved in J&K and Ladakh even as night temperature recorded a drop with mercury settling at minus 10.0°C at the world famous skiing resort of Gulmarg on Sunday.

A meteorological department official here told GNS that as expected, weather improved significantly in J&K and Ladakh. “Currently weather is partly cloudy in J&K and generally cloudy in Ladakh,” he said, adding, “Except isolated incidences of accidents, there was no report of any major weather related events during this spell of western disturbance.”

He said Srinagar, with snowfall of 4.2cms in last 24 hours till 0830 hours today, recorded a low of 0.3°C against previous night’s 0.2°C. It was 2.1°C above normal for this time of the year in the summer capital of J&K, he said.

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, having 15cms of fresh snowfall during the time, recorded plunge in temperature as mercury settled at minus 10.0°C against minus 4.6°C on the previous night at the world famous resort, he said.

Qazigund with 14cms of snow in the last 24 hours recorded a low of minus 0.4°C against 0.0°C on the previous night in the gateway town of Kashmir, he said.

Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir had 16.8cms of snowfall during the time and recorded a low of minus 1.8°C against minus 0.2°C on previous night, he said.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, had 12cms of snow during the time and recorded a low of minus 2.3°C against minus 0.9°C on previous night, the official said.

Kupwara town in north Kashmir, had 4.1cms of fresh snowfall during the time and recorded a minimum of minus 0.6°C against 0.0°C as on the previous night, the official said.

Jammu had 28.4mm rain and recorded a low of 6.8°C against previous night’s 10.6°C and normal of 7.3°C for the J&K’s winter capital during this time of the year, he said.

Banihal had 19.8cms of snowfall and recorded a low of minus 4.4°C while Batote and Bhaderwah with 24.5cms and 20.3cms of snowfall, recorded minimum of minus 1.8°C and minus 0.2°C respectively, the official said.

Ladakh’s Leh recorded a low of minus 8.2°C against last night’s 9.7°C while mercury at automatic station in Kargil settled at minus 7.0°C and minus7.3°C at Drass, the official said. (GNS)

Police in Ganderbal have solved two burglary cases by arresting five accused persons involved in the commission of crime and recovered stolen property worth lacs of rupees.

On 12/12/2021, Police Station Ganderbal received a complaint from Head Master GGHS Wakura regarding burglary during the intervening night of 11/12 December 2021 at GGHS Wakura. Accordingly, a case FIR No. 224/2021 under relevant sections of law was registered at Police Station Ganderbal and investigation was initiated.

Moreover, on 23/12/2021, Police Station Ganderbal received another complaint from Manzoor Ahmad Ahanger son of Gh Mohd Ahanger resident of Chanapora Bandipora regarding burglary during the intervening night of 22/23 December 2021 at Govt. Middle School Chundina. Accordingly, a case FIR No. 228/2021 under relevant sections of law was registered in PS Ganderbal and investigation was initiated.

On receipt of this information, special team was constituted by SSP Ganderbal Shri Nikhil Borkar-IPS led by I/C PP Shadipora under the supervision of DySP Hqrs Ganderbal Shri Abdul Majid-JKPS. The team in a quick action cracked both the cases and arrested five persons involved in the commission of crime. They have been identified as Javid Ahmad Mir son of Gh Ahmad Mir resident of Nabirpora Bandipora, Mohd Shafi Lone son of Gh Mohammad Lone resident of Hathlangoo Sopore, Ali Mohd Dar son of Mohammad Afzal Dar resident of Muslim Abad Bandipora and Mehraj-ud-din Matta son of Abdul Jabbar Matta, Zubair Ahmad Sofi son of Abdul Hamid Sofi both residents of Shair colony Sopore.

On their disclosure, 16 Exide Batteries worth Rs 1.40 lacs, 01 10KVA Generator, 02 oxygen Cylinders, 15 Iron sheets, 01 Welding Machine, 01 Power iron cutter, 08 Iron Angles worth Rs 235000/- were recovered. Moreover, tools and vehicles used in burglaries were also recovered and seized from their possession.

Community members have appreciated the efforts made by the Police for cracking the burglary cases. Our consistent actions shall assure community members that Police has resolved to act tough against individuals involved in any kind of criminal activities.

Police provided helping hand to the general public who got stranded/stucked on roads while travelling due to inclement weather in Pulwama and Shopian districts.

In Pulwama, Police deployed special assistance teams at various locations for providing assistance to the vehicles stuck on the roads due to inclement weather. Similarly, Police in Shopian also constituted special assistance teams and deputed them in the far-flung areas for the assistance to the general public. Police facilitated the movement of vehicles which were stuck on roads due to heavy snow. Police also evacuated patients in departmental vehicles for medical treatment to the nearby hospitals.

In case of any exigency or emergency, people are requested to inform police on the already issued helpline numbers.

The Jammu and Kashmir government Saturday ordered the establishment of five police stations and three police posts in Srinagar and Budgam districts.

According to an order, a copy of which lies with Kashmir News Service (KNS), in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (s) of Section 2 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, the Government hereby declares eight places as Police Stations and Police Posts for the purpose of registration and investigation of all offences.

The order stated that consequent upon the above, seven Police Stations of Srinagar, shall for the purpose of registration and investigation of all offences exercise territorial jurisdiction with respect to the areas specified against them.

As per the order new police stations include Ahmednagar, Sangam, Chanpora, Bemina and Shalteng and police posts include Tengpora, Khimber and Mochwa Budgam.

It reads that consequent upon the establishment of new police stations, the jurisdiction of seven police stations will change and those include police stations Soura, Safa Kadal, Saddar Srinagar, Parimpora, Nowgam, Batamaloo and Shergari. (KNS)

Massive tragedy stuck here on New Year Eve in which 12 pilgrims died and 14 others were injured in a stampede at Jammu and Kashmir’s Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, Officials said Saturday.

Official sources told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the stampede was triggered by a massive rush of devotees on the occasion of New Year at the shrine.
They said that the incident occurred around 2: 45 am in the midnight, when large number of devotes queued to have Darshan of sanctum sanctorum inside the cave shrine on Trikuta hills in Katra ended up in chaotic situation.

“The stampede broke out when a huge crowd of devotees, who had come to pay their obeisance to mark the beginning of the New Year, entered the Vaishno Devi Bhawan,” the officials said.
The police said that rescue operations started immediately and all the injured have been taken to hospitals, where condition of some is stated to be “serious”.

Meanwhile, after the incident Jammu and Kashmir government swung into action and launched rescue operation. The Jammu and Kashmir government also initatted high level probe into the accident.

“A high level inquiry has been ordered into the stampede. The Inquiry Committee will be headed by Principal Secretary (Home) with ADGP, Jammu and Divisional Commissioner, Jammu as members,” officials told KNO

“Deeply pained at the loss of lives due to stampede at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. My condolences to the families of the deceased & prayers with the injured,” the Lieutenant Governor of J&K, Manoj Sinha said in a tweet from his official handle.

He said that he spoke with the Prime Minister and “briefed him about the incident.” He further announced that an amount of Rs10 lakh each would be given to the families of those who lost their lives in the stampede and Rs 2 lakh to those injured. He also stated that the shrine board will bear the cost of treatment.
Home minister Amit Shah also expressed grief over the loss of lives

“The tragedy due to a stampede at Mata Vaishno Bhawan is heart-wrenching. Anguished by the loss of lives due to it. My condolences to the bereaved families in this sad hour. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” said Union Home Minister Amit Shah in a tweet.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also monitoring the tragic situation, a minister in his office said.

“Extremely saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sending his “condolences to the bereaved families.”

The Prime Minister’s Office also announced an amount of Rs 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
The PMO said that the amount would be given to the families of those who lost their lives due to the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan. The injured would be given Rs 50,000, the PM’s Office added. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also grieved over loss of life in stampede.

“The tragedy due to a stampede at Mata Vaishno Bhawan is heart-wrenching. Anguished by the loss of lives due to it. My condolences to the bereaved families in this sad hour. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Rajnath Singh wrote on twitter.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office said that PM Narendra Modi is “personally monitoring and keeping track of the tragic situation arising out of stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.”

He further stated that PM Modi has “conveyed his sympathies to bereaved families and issued instructions to provide all possible medical aid & assistance to the injured.”

Senior officials and representatives from the shrine board are at the spot.
Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Mukesh Singh has confirmed that 12 pilgrims have died and at least 14 others are injured in the stampede. He added that injured have been taken to a hospital—(KNO)

In order to ensure adequate parking facilities in highly congested areas of Srinagar City, the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad Friday chaired a joint meeting of all stakeholders here at Meeting Hall of the DC Office Complex.

Vice Chairman, SDA, Bashir Ahmad, Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr. Syed Hanief Balkhi, S P Traffic, Zaffar Ahmad, Chief Planning Officer, Secretary SDA, Tehsildar South and other concerned were present in the meeting.

During the meeting, a threadbare discussion was held with regard to providing adequate car parking space to the traders of Lal Chowk, Residency Road, Poloview, Batmaloo, Hari Sing High Street, Goni Khan, Shaheed Gunj and other adjoining areas to overcome the traffic congestion in the City.
The meeting also discussed the measure undertaken to streamline and improve the traffic system, besides steps taken to curb nuisance of wrong parking and roadside encroachments in the City.
On the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner stressed on putting in coordinated efforts by the District Administration, Traffic Police, SMC, SDA and all the stakeholders including traders and customers by strictly following the Traffic rules  in letter and spirit for larger good of public.
The DC also stressed on optimal utilization of existing parking and simultaneously identifying and developing new parking spaces to accommodate the vehicles of traders and customers. He also asked to reserve adequate slots of parking space for the shopkeepers on reasonable monthly charges.
While interacting with the representatives of different trade bodies, the DC asked them to cooperate with the Administration in ensuring smooth regulation of traffic in the city particularly on congested and heavy traffic routes to overcome traffic jams.
The DC also asked them to motivate other shopkeepers and General public to use paid car parkings to overcome Traffic jams.
With regard to the demand of the traders for providing parking facility to the shop keepers on concessional rates, the Deputy Commissioner asked the concerned authorities of SDA to look into the demand of the shopkeepers on priority and revisit the parking charges for traders as they have to use on daily basis.
The Deputy Commissioner also asked the SDA authorites to submit the requisitions for allotment of land for new parking sites in the City so that sufficient parking space is made available to accommodate more vehicles.
Vice Chairman Srinagar Development Authority also spoke on the occasion and briefed the Chair about present parking capacity available in the Srinagar.