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Two militants who were killed in a brief encounter near court complex in central Kashmir’s Budgam this morning have been identified affiliated with Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants outfit, Additional Director General of Police Kashmir Zone Vijay Kumar said.

Quoting ADGP, Kashmir Zone, Vijay Kumar, Kashmir Zone Police in tweet said, “Both the killed militants are identified as Arbaaz Mir and Shahid Sheikh of Pulwama linked with the proscribed militant outfit LeT. Both the militants earlier escaped from recent encounter.”

Srinagar, Jan 17 : Two militants killed in a retaliatory fire after security forces tried to stop a vehicle during area domination in central Kashmir’s Budgam district had escaped from a recent encounter in the area, police said here.

Quoting additional director general, Kashmir zone police on its official Twitter handle, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) informed that both militants belonged to LeT militant outfit

“Both the killed terrorists are identified as Arbaaz Mir and Shahid Sheikh of Pulwama linked with the proscribed terror outfit LeT. Both the terrorists earlier escaped from recent encounter: ADGP Kashmir,” police tweeted.

Earlier police said on specific input, joint area domination party of Army & Police tried to stop one suspected vehicle, militants fired upon and in retaliation two militants were killed—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Srinagar, Jan 16 : The Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday suspended Executive Officer, Municipal Council Kupwara, Anees Ahmed Chowdhary while as the Executive Officer Municipal Council Handwara has been directed to hold the additional charges of EO, Kupwara till further orders.

An order, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) reads that pending enquiry into his conduct and in terms of Rule 3 1(1) of Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Classification. Control and Appeal) Rules. 1956. Mr. Anees Ahmad Chowdhary, the then Executive Officer, Municipal Committee Ganderbal, presently Executive Officer Municipal Council, Kupwara is hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect.
“During suspension, the said officer shall remain attached in the office of the Directorate of Urban Local Bodies, Kashmir,” it reads.

“It is further ordered that Executive Officer, Municipal Committee Handwara shall hold the charge of the post of Executive Officer, Municipal Council Kupwara, in addition to his own duties, till further orders,” the order added—(KNO)

Waris Fayaz

Kupwara, Jan 16 : Assistant Executive Engineers (AEEs) and AEs of Rural Engineering Wing (REW), Kupwara here have begun indefinite strike after alleged harassment and humiliation by the concerned Deputy Commissioner (DC).

The aggrieved AEEs and AEs have written to the Executive Engineer REW and stated that the strike will continue till the matter is resolved.

The letter, which is in possession with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), reads that during a review meeting with DC Kupwara on 16-01-2023, the AEEs/AEs were humiliated, abused and unparliamentary language was used for the matter, which were not mandated/vested to AEEs/AEs.

“Words like Bastard, Third-Class, Thieves were used which goes against the CSR rules,” it reads, adding that AEEs/AEs of REW Kupwara will go on indefinite strike till the matter gets resolved.

An Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE), looking for Sogam and Wavoora belt told KNO that during a review meeting, he was abused and called Deadwood.

When contacted, Executive Engineer REW, Shafqat Hussain, said that he was on leave for some days as he’s not feeling well.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara, Dr. Doifode Sagar Dattatray despite repeated attempts couldn’t be contacted for the comments—(KNO)

Srinagar, Jan 16 : Jammu and Kashmir Police on Monday urged media fraternity to desist from publishing information about militant sightings in Rajouri district.

In a communication, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) Rajouri police said sharing or publishing such information is detrimental to the ongoing investigation and anti-militancy operations.

It said the media fraternity is requested to desist from publishing such sensitive information.

At least seven civilians were killed after militants stormed Dhangri village of Rajouri district on January 01—(KNO)

Srinagar, Jan 16 : The vehicular traffic on Srinagar-Jammu National highway on Monday came to a sudden halt due to shooting stones at Panthial in Ramsu area.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KMO) an open steel cover bridge on the highway at Panthial has been damaged due to shooting stones.

He said following the shooting stones and damage to the bridge traffic movement has been halted on the highway.

“The bridge will be repaired once shooting stones stop and thereafter traffic would be resumed,” he said—(KNO)

Srinagar, Jan 16 : The Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday ordered transfer and posting of 7 JKAS officers with immediate effect.

According to an order, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Pardeep Kumar, JKAS, Deputy Secretary to the Government, Information Department, is transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Reasi, against an available vacancy.

As per the order, Ishtaq Ahmad Bhat, IKAS, Deputy Secretary to the Government, Culture Department, is transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Ganderbal, against an available vacancy.

Muzaffer Ahmad Sheikh, JKAS, BDO, Devsar, is transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Bandipore, against an available vacancy. Shabir Ahmad Hakak, JKAS, Sub-Registrar, Budgam, is transferred and posted as Project Officer, Wage Employment (ACD), Baramulla, against an available vacancy.

Muzamil Maqbool Beigh, Collector Land Acquisition Special Army (Budgam & Srinagar) will look after the routine work of Sub-Registrar, Budgam in addition to his own duties.

Sheraz Ahmad, JKAS, is transferred and posted as Project Manager, IWMP, Rajouri, Commissioner Panchayat, Rajouri, against an available vacancy. He shall also hold the additional charge of the post of Project Manager, IWMP, Rajouri, till further orders.

Manzoor Ahmad Mir, JKAS, Deputy Secretary to the Government, Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, is transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Shopian, against an available vacancy.

Sunil Kumar, JKAS, Project Manager, IWMP, Samba, is transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Samba, against an available vacancy. He shall also hold the additional charge of the post of Project Manager, IWMP, Samba, till further orders—(KNO)

Addressing a rally in Rajouri on Veterans Day, he said that they eliminate terrorism and foil such attempts by neighbouring countries. “Rajouri is the land of heroes and has never allowed the conspiracies and nefarious plans of the neighbouring nation to succeed,” he added.

“Security agencies have effectively controlled violence and a befitting reply is being given to those who are trying to fulfil their political goals with the help of this proxy war,” he said.

“In this resolution of ours, the Village Defence Committees are being further strengthened and trained with the participation of ex-servicemen,” Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi said.

“J&K government has accepted the long pending demand of increasing the Ex Gratia amount of our Fallen Heroes in J&K and this amount has been increased from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 25 lakh. Monthly financial assistance to World War II and Ex J&K Militia, Veterans, and their Veer Naris has been increased from Rs 4,000 and Rs 2,500 to Rs 5,000 respectively,” he said while adding that out of 73 cases of last year’s Ex-Gratia relief, a total of 60 claims have been passed so far, with a total amount of Rs 1,52,95,000.

“The remaining amount of Rs 36,70,000 will also be paid soon to the soldiers and their families,” he added.

He said that the recent J&K Government has appointed Nodal Police Officers of DSP rank to redress the grievances of ex-servicemen in all the 20 districts of J&K