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March 14: Police and security forces have arrested an active terrorist in Sopore and recovered arms and ammunition from his possession.

Based on specific input regarding presence of terrorist in Madina Bagh Moh, Dangerpura area, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Sopore Police and Army (22RR) in the said area. As the initial cordon was being laid, a terrorist was spotted trying to run away and attempting to break the cordon, taking cover of narrow lanes by-lanes and congested area. The movement was passed to all the troops and depending on information the mission leader re-organised the inner cordon.

Assessing the situation the vigilant troops displayed situational awareness, extreme restraint and exceptional fire control in not opening the fire. The alert troops of the joint team managed to nab the terrorist alive thereby displaying great synergy. He has been identified as Owais Ahmad Mir son of Nazir Ahmad Mir resident of War Mohalla Gund Brat. During search, incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including a 9mm Pistol, 08 (9mm) rounds, a Pistol Magazine and a Chinese Grenade were recovered.

It is pertinent to mention here that by the apprehension of the said terrorist, police and security forces have averted a major tragedy and prevented planned target killings in the area thereby spoiled the nefarious designs of Pakistan terrorist handlers who are always hellbent towards disrupting peace in the valley.

Srinagar, Mar 14 : The National Investigation Agency on Tuesday carried out searches at several locations in the Kashmir Valley in a case related to militant conspiracy.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the NIA raids were underway at 6 locations in the Kashmir Valley.

He said the case was filed last year alleging criminal conspiracy for carrying out militant and subversive activities hatched by the cadres and OGWs of various proscribed organisations and their affiliates and off-shoots, operating under various pseudo names, at the behest of their Pakistani handlers.

The officials said the suspects are involved in carrying out attacks by using cyber-space in J&K, targeting of minorities, security personnel and spreading communal disharmony.

“Initial searches carried out last year had led to seizure of digital devices which were analysed forensically. Current searches are based on those leads,” he said.

Searches were underway at different locations in Srinagar, Kulgam, Pulwama, Anantnag and Shopian—(KNO)

Srinagar, Mar 13 : Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday unveiled Rs 1,18,500 crore budget for Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory for the next financial year.

As per documents laid in the Parliament today, the total budget estimates for the fiscal is Rs. 1,18,500 crore, of which developmental expenditure is of the order of Rs. 41,491 crore.

“The capital component of the budget has increased substantially. The expected revenue receipts are Rs 1,06,061 crore whereas Revenue expenditure is expected to be Rs 77,009 crore, thereby making available revenue surplus for capital expenditure to the tune of Rs 29,052 crore,” reads the budget document, a copy of which is in possession of news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO)

This was the fourth consecutive budget of Jammu and Kashmir to be presented in the Parliament. The budgets of 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23 were also presented in the Parliament in absence of an elected government in the Union Territory—(KNO)

Srinagar, Mar 13: Jammu and Kashmir police on Monday said it busted a LeT militant hideout and recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition in Rakh Momin area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

In a statement, issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said on the intervening night of 12th and 13th of March on the basis of a specific input developed over a period of time by Anantnag Police, a joint CASO along with army’s 1RR was launched in Rakh Momin Dangi area Bijbehara.

The statement reads search in the area led to busting of a LET hideout and subsequent recovery of huge cache of arms, ammunition and other war like stores.

It reads the recovery includes IED’s (05 No’s) PTD’s programmed timer devices and RCIEDs, Detonators (06 No’s), Pistols (03 No’s), Pistol Magazines (05 No’s), Ammunition (09mm rounds = 124 No’s), Remote controls (04 No’s) and Batteries (13 No’s).

“In this regard, Case FIR No. 58/2023 stands registered in PS Bijbehara under relevant sections of law and investigation set into motion,” it reads—(KNO)

Srinagar, Mar 12: Amid growing criticism over imposition of property tax in Jammu & Kashmir, the administration of the Union Territory has sought feedback from the general public over the proposed tax.

In a notice , a copy of which is in possession of news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Housing & Urban Development has sought suggestions/ comments from the general public over imposition of property tax in Jammu & Kashmir.

“Any suggestions/ comments in this regard are welcome and may be sent to the Housing & Urban Development Department at the email address housingudd9@gmail.com within 10 days ,” reads the notice lying with KNO

The notice states that UT of Jammu & Kashmir is levying property tax on residential houses/apartments, commercial establishments, within the municipal areas from April 01, 2023 in terms of two notifications issued by the H&UDD on Feb 21.

On February 21, 2023, J&K’s Housing and Urban Development Department issued two separate notifications for levying, assessment and collection of property tax in the urban areas of Jammu and Kashmir, where 27% of the UT’s population resides as per the 2011 census figures.

The Jammu & Kashmir Property Tax (Municipal Corporation) Rules, 2023 and the Jammu & Kashmir (Other Municipalities) Rules, 2023, notified by the government, define the procedure for collection of property tax within the limits of municipal corporations, committees and councils in the UT.

As per these rules, property tax is to be 5% of the taxable annual value (TAV) on residential properties and 6% of the taxable annual value on commercial properties.

The rules faced widespread criticism, with political parties including National Conference, Congress, Peoples Conference, and Peoples Democratic Party assailing the move. Even the State BJP distanced itself from the move—(KNO)

War against drug continues in Baramulla District

Police under the supervision of Sh Altaf Ahmad-JKPS Offg. SDPO Kreeri assisted by Inspr. Irfan Ahmad, SHO PS Chandoosa arrested 2 Drug Peddlers including female namely Haroon Rashid Bhat S/O Ab Rashid R/O Pachar & Naza Begum W/O Ab Majeed Sofi R/O Shumlaran among them the lady is notorious drug peddler involved in selling contraband drugs to the youth of the area.

During their personal search 70 grams of contraband Charas like substance was recovered from them and were taken into custody immediately.

Cases under NDPS Act registered in Police Station Chandoosa and investigations set in motion.

General People of the area hailed the efforts of Baramulla Police and showed their willingness to support police to eradicate menace of drugs from the society which is the real sign of Police Public relationship.

Srinagar, Mar 12: In a gruesome and shocking incident, a man has killed a 30-year-old woman by chopping off her head and slicing her body into pieces in Mohanpora area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district, police said here on Sunday.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) the man later dumped the body parts at different spots in his neighbourhood to conceal the crime.

He said that police have recovered all body parts from different spots yesterday after the man admitted to have committed the crime.

A similar murder was reported in Delhi last year when a man killed her girlfriend and chopped her body into pieces. He later stored them in a fridge before dumping the parts one by one in a nearby forest area.

The official said that the incident came to light after brother of the woman, a resident of Soibug area of Budgam had filed a missing complaint on March 8.

“Tanveer Ahmad Khan, brother of the woman had stated that his sister aged 30 years left for coaching classes on March 07 but didn’t return home. In this regard, a missing report was filed and investigation was taken up,” he said.

He said during investigation police rounded up several suspects including Shabir Ahmad Wani son Abdul Aziz Wani of Mohandpora Budgam.

“After sustained interrogation, Shabir confessed to have murdered the missing girl. To hide his crime, the culprit had cut the body into pieces and buried the parts at different locations,” he said.

The official said on his disclosure, the parts have been recovered and medico-legal formalities are underway.

He said further investigation into the case is going on—(KNO)

Srinagar, Mar 11: Patwaris have deferred their UT-wide pen-down strike for a month, after discussions with the government.

The logjam between the government and patwaris on Saturday witnessed a breakthrough as the All J&K Patwar Association (AJKPA) announced to defer their strike for a month.

Addressing a press conference, AJKPA president Abdul Majeed Malla, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that after a series of “online and offline” meetings with the administration, they have given a month’s time to the government to fulfill their “demands”.

“A series of deliberations were held with the administration on our demands where we both placed our positions. The government asked for three months, but we gave a month’s time to resolve our genuine demands,” he said.

Malla said they have not permanently called off their strike but only deferred it by a month. “We have proved that 100 percent of primary members were supportive of the strike and that they should not be tested again otherwise they will be forced to go back to the strike,” he said.

The AJKPA president further said, “The government has declared all our demands as genuine and also shared minutes of meeting with us. They have asked for the time to solve our demands within a stipulated time.”

Following a charter of demands, the patwaris’ association earlier stated that they have been fighting for their “legitimate demands” for the last ten years. On March 1, 2023, they called for an indefinite strike and refused to resume their duties till their “demands” were not met—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Kupwara, Mar 11 : Deputy commissioner Kupwara Dr Diofode Sagar Dattary on Saturday suspended the executive officer MC Handwara, who was holding the additional charge of MC Kupwara.

Additional deputy commissioner Kupwara has been asked to conduct a thorough probe into the matter and submit the report within 15 days positively, an official order said.

The copy which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that Farooq Ahmed executive officer Municipal Council Handwara has been suspended with immediate effect for dereliction of his duties. “Farooq, as per the order, failed to provide necessary public services, besides mismanagement and lack of administrative acumen”.

Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir on his recent visit to Kupwara district observed serious issues of maintaining sanitary conditions, lifting of garbage in Handwara and Kupwara townships, while as time and again, the EO was already directed about the same however, the officer failed to act, it added.

The order also stated that the executive officer failed to act over the irregular building permissions in Handwara town, which are still on a rise. Besides, there is total executive action, coordination amongst various staff and stakeholders in the MC Handwara.

Meanwhile, the additional deputy commissioner, Kupwara has been asked to conduct a thorough inquiry into the matter and furnish his report to DC’s office within 15 days positively.

The order furthermore stated that, Imran Ahmed, Tehsildar Machil shall hold the charge of chief executive officer, Municipal Council Kupwara while Shahbaz Ahmed, Tehsildar Handwara as executive officer, Municipal Council Handwara in addition to their own duties—(KNO)

Srinagar, Mar 11 : As the Tulip garden is set to be thrown open for public on March 19, the government is expecting a record break visitors this year at the garden, saying that 16 lakh flowers with 68 tulip varieties will be in a full bloom to mesmerize the people.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Director Floriculture, Farooq Ahmad Rather said that Asia’s largest Tulip garden will be thrown open for the general public on March 19.

He said that a total of 16 lakh flowers with 68 varieties of Tulips including mascaras, daffodils and others will be in full bloom from March 19 and they are expecting a record break visitor this season. “Keeping in view the number of visitors last year, this year, we are again expecting a record break of visitors,” he said.

“The improvement is being done every year, and this year apart from tulips, we are taking care of facilities available at the garden. Rain shelter, washrooms, water ATMs and other things have been made available,” he said, adding that the garden is being improved constantly.

“Tulip garden in Srinagar is a garden of international standard. In 2015, Canada based Tulip society declared Tulip garden Srinagar as second best garden across the globe,” he said.

Apart from the facilities, the online facilities have also been made available for the people. “We have observed that the rush of people remains high on Saturdays and Sundays, which lead to congestion. We appeal to people to plan their trip on other days of the week too so that the issue of congestion is addressed,” he said.

He added that the Floriculture Department welcomes people to visit the garden as belongs to them only, but they should not come along plastic bags and other trash, which affects the ambiance of the garden—(KNO)