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Srinagar, Apr 12 : An encounter broke out between security forces and militants in Chakooraarea of south Kashmir’s Shopian district, officials said here.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that a joint of team of police, Army and CRPF after receiving information about the presence of militants launched search operation in the area.

He said that as the joint team of forces intensified searches towards the suspected spot, hiding militants fired upon the party, which was retaliated to, triggering an encounter.

He said that the exchange of fire is on and two to three militants are believed to be trapped—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Apr 11 : Jammu and Kashmir police Tuesday said that they have busted a major interstate drug module by arresting by persons including a kingpin woman and contraband substance has also been seized.

Addressing a press conference, senior superintendent of police Sopore, Shabir Nawab, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that on March 01 police during a Naka at Tarzoo held two persons identified as Tanveer Ahmed Shah and Javaid Ahmed Shah of Sopore along with 3512 tablets of Spasmoproxyvon plus tablets.

He said that during investigation they revealed the name of another person, who is involved in selling drugs in and around Sopore. “The arrested person was identified as Amir Sadeeq Parra of Chandoosa Baramulla. On his personal search 112 tablets were recovered.”

He said during further investigation names of two kingpins identified as Urooj daughter of Mohammad Muzzafar Bhat of Batapora Sopore and Mohammad Ashraf Mir son of Late Farooq Ahmed Mir of Hathishah Sopore also surfaced.

“The duo was involved in supplying drugs from outside valley to Sopore and other areas. On the confession of arrested persons, we managed to arrest the duo from Srinagar outskirts along with 1648 capsules. With their arrest we have managed to bust a major interstate module”, he said.

Meanwhile, a case FIR No 07/2023 U/S 8/22-29 NDPS Act has been registered in Police Station Bomai and further investigation has been set into motion—(KNO)

*Note: Detailed story will be updated in evening bulletin*

Srinagar, Apr 11: Srinagar police on Tuesday said it have busted another prostitution racket in Nowgam area of Srinagar by arrested three persons including a woman.

Srinagar police, in a Tweet, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), informed that the sex racket was busted following investigation in Chanpura case.

It said three persons including a woman and her husband have been arrested, while two customers and a sex worker have also been detained.

“Investigation in chanpura case led to busting of another prostitution racket in Nowgam area. 1) Shabir Mir of charlipora nowgam, 2) his wife Shazia Mir & 3) Adil Gulzar Hazar of Soura arrested on spot for operating this racket. 2 customers & a sex worker also detained(all locals),” police tweeted—(KNO)

Srinagar, April 11 : Jammu and Kashmir police on Tuesday claimed to have busted a militant module by arresting two associates of LeT outfit in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district

In a statement, issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) a spokesperson said that on the basis of reliable information, joint team of forces busted a militant module in Pattan by arresting two associates of LeT outfit identified as Farooq Ahmad Parra and Saima Bashir of Sopore.

The statement reads on their disclosure arms and ammunition including one pistol, 2 pistol magazines, 5 pistol rounds, IED and one remote control IED weighing approximately 2 kg were also recovered.

“During their further questioning, they revealed that duo were working with active LeT militant Abid Qayoom Lone of Wussan Pattan”.

It added a case under sections of Arms and ULA (P) Act stands registered in Police station Pattan and investigation is on—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Apr 10: The anti corruption bureau (ACB) on Monday arrested three employees at assistant regional transport office (ARTO) office in Sopore for accepting bribe, said an official.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that three employees (consolidated) at ARTO office Sopore were arrested for taking bribe from the public visiting the office for obtaining Driving License, NOC, Registration of vehicles.

There were a number of complaints pouring in from the public against these employees in connivance with various touts they were indulging in corrupt practices.

The arrested employees were identified as Aijaz Ahmed Mir, Farooq Ahmed Wagay and Mohammad Ashraf Dar.

Besides the arrest of three employees, documents were also seized.

The trio has been sent to custody and are scheduled to produce before the court of Anti Corruption tomorrow for remand, said an ACB official—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Apr 10 : The locals of Botingoo village of Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district have accused the Roads & Buildings (R&B) Department of using poor quality material for the road which was macadamized after 25 years. They have demanded an inquiry into the matter.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the locals alleged that the department macadamized some 10-kilometre stretch of Watlab-Chetkak road after 25 years but used substandard material due to which the road was damaged within a short span of time.

An inquiry must be initiated against the department and action must be taken against those involved for wasting public money, they said.

“Just a few months after the road was macadamized, it has developed cracks and potholes, which clearly indicated that poor quality material was used,” said Abdul Hameed Bhat, a local.

“We were happy that the work on this road was started after 25 years. However, we were surprised on seeing the road developing cracks and potholes just a few months after it was macadamized. It is obvious that substandard material was used in the construction,” Bhat added.

The locals have appealed to the district administration to order an inquiry to verify whether poor-quality material was used by the department.

Meanwhile, an official at the R&B Division Sopore told KNO that they will repair the road. He, however, said that if the substandard material is used, the contractor is responsible for that and not the department—(KNO)

Srinagar April 10 : State Council of Education Research and Trainings (SCERT) is all set to declare result of class 8th examination today.

According to an official communique, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), joint director SCERT has been directed to declare the result of class 8th, session 2022-23 after fulfillment of all the codal formalities

“A copy of the result details (gazette) of each DIET be shared with this Council for records,” it reads.

Earlier, School Education Department had decided to declare the results of the class 8th simultaneously for all schools in Jammu and Kashmir.

The decision was taken owing to adoption of Uniform Academic Calendar by School Education Department from the current academic session.

The Term II examination of class 8th was held between February 27 and March 10 of 2023 in soft zone areas of Kashmir and Jammu division followed by commencement of exam in hard zone areas from March 24 and were scheduled to culminate on April 8 of 2023—(KNO)

Ganderbal, Apr 9: The 6.5 km Z-Morh tunnel on the Srinagar-Kargil highway will be inaugurated tomorrow by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.

Official sources said that Nitin Gadkari will inaugurate the tunnel near Shutkadi after which he will inspect the ongoing construction work at Asia’s longest Zojila Tunnel.

An official from executive agency Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd (MEIL) told news agency Kashmir News Trsut that the 6.5 km Z-Morh tunnel between Gagangir and Sonamarg on the Srinagar-Leh highway will provide connectivity round-the-year. He said the tunnel has been equipped with all kinds of facilities.

The official added that the Minister will also have an interaction with the local officials and media after the inauguration process.

Meanwhile, police and civil administration officials visited the Z-Morh tunnel on Sunday to review the arrangements and preparedness. Police team led by DIG Central Kashmir Range Sujit Kumar held a security review ahead of the Union Minister’s visit. [KNT]

Bandipora, Apr 06: Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh Thursday said that militancy is not over in the UT but “it is surely declining rapidly” and the security forces are working hard to eliminate the remaining militants in the months ahead. He also said that there has been no law and order issue from Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir but the final call about allowing Eid-ul-Fitr prayers will be taken by the Divisional Administration in the days ahead.

Talking to reporters on the side-lines of a function at Sonwari, Bandipora, DGP Singh, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that militancy has not ended in Kashmir but it was fast declining. “Police and security forces are working hard to eliminate the remaining militants wherever they are in the UT,” he said.

He said the youth who would otherwise fall prey to the false propaganda and get lured into militancy are now following their careers in competitive exams and sports. “The youth and the people have understood the false narrative that was being run from across to fuel militancy. The people of Kashmir have rejected that narrative and they are now contributing to the peace,” the DGP said.

On whether weapons and narcotics dropped by drones was still a challenge, the J&K police chief said that police have achieved a huge success in foiling the designs of enemies to air-drop cash, IEDs, weapons and narcotics through drones. “Though the activity is less than what we have been noticing in the past but air-dropping of weapons through drones still takes place in Kuwpara, Baramulla, Rajouri and Poonch area. We have seized huge quantities of weapons, money and narcotics and such bids are continuously being foiled,” the DGP said, adding that those involved in supplying drugs to other parts of UT and even Punjab are being tracked and strict action is being taken against them.

He said that police have launched a massive campaign to root-out drug menace in J&K. “We have opened drug de-addiction centers across UT and there are demands from many parts of Kashmir. It needs technical staff and other infrastructure but we are working on expanding the drug de-addiction centers wherever it is possible,” the DGP said.

About whether Eid-ul-Fitr prayers will be allowed at Eidgah Srinagar as stated by Waqf Board chairperson Darakshan Andrabi, the DGP said that final decision will be taken by the Divisional Administration Kashmir. “Srinagar has been peaceful and so are the other parts of Kashmir. There has been no law and order issue in Srinagar or elsewhere in Kashmir. Final decision about allowing Eid prayers at Eidgah will be taken by the divisional administration in the days ahead,” he said—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Apr 05: Shabir Ahmed Raina – JKAS on Wednesday assumed the charge of Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Sopore. He was serving as Additional Deputy Commissioner, Tral earlier.

As per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), soon after joining he held introductory meetings with various sections of his office and urged the employees to work with dedication and transparency for the welfare of the general public.

While interacting with the officials, Raina said that the focus shall remain on providing prompt and efficient public service by strengthening transparency and punctuality in offices.

Notably, the town was without ADC since 55 days after Parveez Sajad Ganai – the former ADC was transferred on February 09. However, Executive Officer, Municipal Council Sopore was asked to hold the additional charges, in addition to his own duties—(KNO)