Category: Union Territory

Police, army terms allegation baseless

A family in Seer Jageer area of Tral in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district Tuesday alleged that they were assaulted by the army on Monday evening.

The family alleged that their daughter Ishrat Jan was dragged while her clothes were torn before she fell unconscious and was later taken to hospital.

Ishrat while talking with the media alleged that the army dragged her out of the house and tried to take her away in their vehicle.

“I raised a hue and cry after which villagers came out and saved me,” she said.

“Army has been raiding our house frequently due to which we are feeling disturbed and insecure,” she said.

Ishrat’s mother said that her one son was already languishing in jail for the last three months, “while two others are being assaulted by the forces.”

The family demanded an end to such “atrocities” so that such an incident should not happen again.

Meanwhile, the army termed the allegation as baseless.

An army officer said that no manhandling of anyone was carried out by the army at Seer last night.

“An army night domination party had gone to a village where they spotted two persons near Arapal Nala. The duo were called and were being questioned, Ali Mohammed Chopan and his family came out of the house which was nearby,” an officer said.

“As they came out, Ishrat Jan feigned fainting while other members started shouting after which other villagers came out and started blaming the army for ransacking the house and beating the girl,” an officer said.

SSP Awantipora Mohammed Yousuf told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the claims made by the family are baseless after inquiring about the incident.

“Basically, they have links with militancy. One of their sons is already in jail after he was arrested in a militancy related case,” he said, adding that all the claims made by the girl are baseless.

Meanwhile, former chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti said that this is not the first time that civilians from Seer village have been beaten up by the army.

“Army from Yagwani camp in Tral ransacked homes & ruthlessly thrashed a family last night.The daughter owing to her serious injuries was admitted to hospital. Not the first time that civilians from this village have been beaten up by the army in this area (sic),” Mehbooba tweeted.

Uri, Sep 28: The 19-year-old militant, who was apprehended at Salamabad Uri in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district Tuesday said that he was hopeful to see his mother back home in Pakistan one day soon.

Ali Babar Patra, aged 19, son of Lt. Muhammad Haneef, a resident of Okara district in the Punjab region in Pakistan was apprehended by the Indin Army during a nine-day long counter-militancy operation at Salamabad Uri in which seven militants were killed.

In an interview with the reporters at Uri brigade, the apprehended infiltrator as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that he attained the arms training in Muzaffarabad back in 2019 for around three weeks and was recalled by one of the LeT commanders saying that he was to take part in an important operation un-known to him in April in the ensuing year.

He said that he has a mother and elder sister at home while his father passed away a couple of years ago and they have no one other than him to earn for living and survival. “I am hopeful to see my mother and sister back home in Pakistan one day soon,” Ali said.

Babar stated that no infiltrator can cross the Line of Control (LoC) without support from across the border saying that it is impossible to cross the massive cover of the two armies on the LoC.

He said that his group was tasked to enter Kashmir through the route they sneaked in and remain in the Baramulla district at Pattan area. “We were told to reach Pattan and the LeT handler there will get in touch with us (the infiltrator’s group) and that he will give directions about the plans ahead”, he revealed.

Babar said that they were told by handlers on leaving that their immediate task is to motivate the local youth of Kashmir valley and get them in their folds.

About the communication, he revealed that they have a device through which they send voice SMS directly and the directions are issued in the same medium to carry out the tasks given to them.

The apprehended militant claimed to have attained the arms training along with nine others and he was the youngest among them and was chosen by one of the handlers for this particular operation earlier this year to drop the supplies in north Kashmir besides to motivate local youth—(KNO)

Uri, Sep 28: The army on Tuesday claimed to have carried out a successful anti-militancy operation in a period of nine days along the Line of Control in Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir by killing seven heavily armed militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba militant outfit and capturing another one live in the area.

Addressing a press conference at Uri, General Officer Commanding (GoC) of Baramulla based- army’s 19 Infantry Division, Virendra Vats, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that the operation started on September 18, when alert troops detected the infiltration movement flowing which an encounter broke out by the infiltrators and more reinforcement was mobilized.

“The infiltrating group comprised six infiltrators and two of them managed to sneak into the Indian side while four others went back, taking advantage of darkness. Two militants who were in the process of crossing the fence sneaked into this side and once we realized all this, additional forces were mobilized but given that the civilian population’s maximum restraint was exercised to avoid any collateral damage during the operation. All this happened the night of September 18,” he said.

The GoC also said that two of the infiltrators were holed up in a Nallah at Salamabad and the contact was established again on September 25 and one of them was killed on the September 26 morning, while another one pleaded to spare his life and he was accordingly apprehended.

“The apprehended militant identified himself as Ali Babar Patra, 19, son of Late Muhammad Lateef resident of Dipalpur district Okara of Punjab Pakistan, he has admitted that he was the member of LeT and was trained by the outfit,” the GoC said.

Given the recoveries made from the slain militants, the GoC said that it is quite possible that these infiltrators had come here for some kind of major strike which seems beyond the weapon supply drop.

“This infiltration attempt was made in the area of Salamabad Nallah, this is the same area through which we have had a history of infiltration in 2016 that is when a suicide attack on Uri Garrison took place,” the GoC said.

He said that it has also been revealed that this infiltration group was supported by the Pakistani side by three porters who had come to the LoC along with supplies.

“What we have also seen is that there has been a lot of movement in the launch pads across the LoC. An infiltration was also made when three militants were neutralized in the neighboring area recently, which shows the desperation of the neighbouring country whenever there is peace and stability in Kashmir,” said the army officer said.

He claimed that in the last seven days seven militants have been neutralized and one has been apprehended and five of these neutralizations have taken place near the Line of Control. “The major recoveries that have taken place include 7 AK series rifles, 9 pistols and revolvers and more than 80 different kinds of grenades and some Pakistani and Indian currency.” The GoC 19 Infantry division said that the operation was over in the area now—(KNO)

SRINAGAR, SEP 28 : During his visit to review progress of work on Zojila and Z Morh tunnels today, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said that extensive road networks in the Himalayan Region will help boost the tourism sector in the area. The minister is on a two day visit to the Union territory of Jammu & Kashmir.

Addressing the media persons the minister gave the detailed information about the two tunnel projects and said that the Central Government has given a new impetus to the construction of new highways, tunnels and bridges which will bring transformative changes in the lives of people and will create huge employment opportunities to the local people.

He said that Zojila tunnel project will provide all weather connectivity to the Union Territory of Ladakh. He assured that work on the Zojila Tunnel is in full capacity and NHIDCL is geared up to continue the work in winter months. He stressed for putting in every effort in place to complete the project well before the scheduled date.

Gadkari expressed his satisfaction on the work progress and said that the Zojila tunnel is of a significant importance to the development and tourism for both UTs of J&K and Ladakh as it will provide round the year connectivity to Ladakh region.

Gadkari expressed satisfaction over the construction work at the Zojila tunnel and said that he has directed the authorities to complete the tunnels before the 2024 parliamentary election.

“I am satisfied with the speed of construction and have told the authorities to complete the construction of the tunnels before May 2024, so that we can show the opposition what we have achieved”, Gadkari said while addressing a press conference.

Pertinent to mention that, once completed the Zojila tunnel will be India’s longest road tunnel and Asia’s longest bi-directional tunnel. Several bridges are being constructed along this route and a connecting tunnel from Z-Morh in the National Highway-1 to Zojila tunnel will be constructed in the Zojila Ghats between Sonamarg and Kargil. The entire work is divided into two divisions in the 33 km span.

Stressing upon the state of art infrastructure in the tunnel projects he said that appropriate security measures have been kept in place including vertical shafts at three places and adequate security and lighting measures with CCTV, fire alarm and heat detection systems at par with international standards.

He further highlighted various important tunnel, rail and road projects of the country that were completed on priority by the Government keeping in mind border security alongside development and said various infrastructure development projects are going on in full swing throughout Jammu and Kashmir.

Important to mention, the project site of Zojila tunnel is located at existing highway (NH-01) starting from Sonamarg (UT of J&K) and ending at Minamarg (UT of Ladakh) at an elevation ranging from 2700m to 3300m, thus making the Zojila Tunnel (13.2 km) the longest tunnel at this elevation in Asia region. The present site location falls into seismic zone IV and all precautionary measures have been provisioned to safeguard the structures provisioned in the project.

Srinagar, Sept 28: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday warned the government against sacking employees on the grounds that they had links to militants, saying the move will create more problems.
“The government should stop it. The militancy will not reduce, it will only increase and create more problems for them (government),” Abdullah told reporters here.
He was responding to questions about the sacking of government employees on various grounds, including links to militancy and separatism.
Six government employees, including two policemen, were dismissed from service on September 22 for their alleged links to terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir.
Asked about the sacking of employees on the grounds that they were appointed without following the laid down procedure, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said the previous governments gave jobs to the people so that they could earn a living.
“It is not as if we had taken money or there was corruption (in recruitment). We gave jobs to people so that they earn a living. Now, if they are sacking them, what will their children do? How will they meet everyday needs?” Abdullah said.
In response to a question, the Lok Sabha member from Srinagar said he has not received any information about the next meeting of the delimitation commission for Jammu and Kashmir.
“As a Member of Parliament, I have to sit in the delimitation commission but so far I have not received any information,” he added.
Asked about restoration of statehood and special constitutional status to Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah said “We want to do it in a Gandhian way”.
“The case is before the Supreme Court. There has been no hearing. What can we do? We can’t throw stones. We want to do it the Gandhian way,” he said. ( KINS)

Srinagar Sep 28: As Kashmir is prone to floods, the Irrigation and Flood Control department has emphasised the preparation of a master plan for flood prone areas that could help Kashmir to prevent floods in future.
A senior official said the department has stressed the preparation of a master plan for flood prone areas, and called for various measures to prevent the valley from floods in the future.
“Measures to establish the extensive networks for flood forecasting to give timely warnings to the people likely to be affected shall also be outlined. A roadmap for determination of the limits of the flood basins and the necessary exercises to be carried out shall be prepared,” the official quoting Irrigation and Flood Control Department having said to the government.
Further, it has emphasised measures to protect the natural drainage systems with a view to removing artificial barriers in the path of flow of excess drainage water. “Operating procedures for reservoirs shall be evolved, and implemented in such a manner so as to have flood cushion, and reduce trapping of sediments during flood seasons,” the official told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) while quoting Irrigation and Flood Control Department having told to the government.
Kashmir has a history of floods since 1990. As per the official records, the state has witnessed major floods in 1900, 1902, 1903, 1905, 1912, 1929, 1948, 1950, 1955, 1957 and 1959. Floods were also witnessed in the years 1976, 1987, 1988, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997 and in September 2014. The floods of September 2014 caused immense damage resulting in loss of land, lives, houses and public infrastructure.
A study titled ‘A satellite-based rapid assessment on floods in Jammu & Kashmir–September, 2014’ conducted jointly by the Department of Environment & Remote Sensing (DERS) and ISRO has warned that intensity of rainfall and frequency of rainy days in the Himalayan region may increase in 2030s, leading to another flood in Kashmir if immediate steps are not taken to restore the drainage system of Jhelum.
According to a disaster management report, 13 districts in J&K out of 100 districts in India have been identified as ‘multi hazard districts’.
“Majority areas of the valley, especially Sonawari, Awantipora and Srinagar, along with parts of Jammu are prone to floods. Upper catchments of all the tributaries of the Jhelum, Indus, Chenab and Tawi rivers are prone to flash floods,” the report says. All these areas were worst hit by September 2014 floods.
A senior official of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department said the Wular Lake which is the largest flood absorption basin has lost the water carrying capacity due to a host of factors. “Several surveys have found gross human interference, deforestation, encroachments, choking of waterways and reduction in capacity of wet lands due to heavy siltation posing an imminent threat of floods even by average downpour,” the official said. “Government should prepare a master plan and issue directions to implement it,” he added. (KINS)

Says infiltrating group was possibly going to carry out major strike in Kashmir

Handwara, Sep 28: A girl has died even as her two brothers are battling for life of some ‘unascertained cause’ in Mawar Bala village in Handwara in north-Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

Reports reaching GNS said that Mehfooza Bano (5), Zakir Ahmad Lone (8) and Aamir Ahmad Lone (3) children of Mohammad Akbar Lone took ill two days before. The trio was removed to NTPHC Qalamabad for treatment, however the minor girl was declared dead on arrival by the doctors there. The two siblings after administration of treatment were later on referred to District Hospital Handwara, where both of them are said to be in critical conditions.

Talking to GNS Medical officer NTPHC Qalamabad Dr Burhan confirmed the death of the 5-year-old girl saying that the minor was brought dead on arrival to the health facility. “She had been suffering from vomiting and diarrhea for the last two days, however the family didn’t sought any medical help and instead resorted to traditional way of treatment” the medical officer said, adding that her two brothers are currently being treated at DH Handwara.

When asked about the cause of the eventuality, the medical officer said that a team of doctors is there to ascertain the facts and cause adding it may be even some water-borne disease.

When contacted, Block Medical Officer Langate Abdul Ahad Qureshi told GNS that the cause of the occurrence remains unascertained as of now. “A team led by Dr. Qaiser is there to conduct door-to-door tests to rule out the possibility of any further outbreak of the disease,” the BMO said.

“Till now we are oblivious of the fact that whether it is water-borne disease or not, once the cause is ascertained the details will be shared accordingly”, the medical officer added. (GNS)

New container-based accommodations built in addition to additional military camps that the Chinese military set up following the escalation in tension between the two sides last year

China has put in place new modular container-based accommodations for its troops in several high-altitude forward areas on its side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh in response to Indian deployment in the region, people familiar with the developments said on Monday.

The shelters were installed in locations near Tashigong, Manza, Hot Springs and Churup among others, in reflection of simmering tensions between the two sides in the region, they said.

The people cited above said China’s People Liberation Army has been feeling the heat of the Indian response to its “misadventure” in the region last year and that the Chinese military has been forced to go for long deployments and boost infrastructure in the region.

They said the Indian response to the Chinese actions last year, particularly after the Galwan Valley clashes, surprised the neighbouring country and that it deployed troops in areas where it never used to earlier.

“Our strategy is hurting them. They are reacting to our response. We have forced PLA to go for forward deployment and boost infrastructure,” said one of the people.

They said the new deployments are appearing to be affecting the morale of the Chinese troops as they were not used to operate in such difficult terrain.

The new container-based accommodations were built in addition to the additional military camps that the Chinese military had set up following the escalation in tension between the two sides last year.

The people said India is also ramping up construction of tunnels, bridges roads and other critical infrastructure in eastern Ladakh and other areas along the nearly 3,500-km LAC.

They said China is also significantly enhancing its airbases and air defence units near the LAC in eastern Ladakh.

The border standoff between the Indian and Chinese militaries erupted on May 5 last year following a violent clash in the Pangong lake area and both sides gradually enhanced their deployment by rushing in tens of thousands of soldiers as well as heavy weaponry.

The border row escalated after the Galwan Valley clashes on June 15 last year.

Twenty Indian Army personnel laid down their lives in the clashes that marked the most serious military conflicts between the two sides in decades.

In February, China officially acknowledged that five Chinese military officers and soldiers were killed in the clashes with the Indian Army though it is widely believed that the death toll was higher.

As a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, the two sides completed the disengagement process in Gogra area last month.

In February, the two sides completed the withdrawal of troops and weapons from the north and south banks of the Pangong lake in line with an agreement on disengagement.

Each side currently has around 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the LAC in the sensitive sector. PTI

Says there is no place for unethical journalism in democracy

Budgam, Sep 27: The Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Sports, Anurag Thakur Monday said that 70 years of dynastic rule had made the youth of J&K incompetent and the BJP put an end to the dynastic rule.

As per Kashmir News Service (KNS) correspondent, addressing media persons at Budgam, Anurag Thakur said the difference of the 70 years of dynastic rule in J&K are now visible in the two years of BJP government.

He said the central Government is committed to work for the youth of Jammu as well as Kashmir for their participation and progress in every sector.

About the media policy in Kashmir, Thakur said that there is no place for unethical journalism in democracy. “The media policy in Kashmir has changed for the good of the people so that they can get accurate and truthful information.”

He said that journalists should understand their responsibility of reporting the truth and presenting unbiased and accurate information to the people, and they should do justice with their profession.

He maintained that the central government is committed to strengthen the existing sports infrastructure and facilities to the youth of J&K so that more youngsters can join sports and represent their UT at various national and international levels.

Thakur said that for the revival of artistic culture and to stop the propaganda from Pakistan, the central government has launched high power transmitters of Doordarshan and All India Radio at Kargil.

On being asked about the cultivation sector and carpet business of UT, he said that various schemes for export of saffron, apricots, and carpets to every corner of the world are already in progress.

“This will ensure more progress and boost the farming sector and the carpet business in the UT. (KNS)