Category: Union Territory

Srinagar, July 31 : Two unidentified militants were killed in a gunfight in forest area of Nagberan Tarsar of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Saturday.

A senior Police officer told GNS that two militants have been killed, however their identity couldn’t be established as of now.

The officer further said that the exact location of the place were this operation is going on is between Namibian and Marsar, the general area or Dachigam forest which fall under police station Khrew in Pulwama district.

Earlier, Reports reaching GNS that a joint team of Police and Army launched a cordon and search operation in Nagberan.

As the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the forces, triggering off a gunfight.(GNS)

Srinagar July 30: With experts predicting a possible third wave of COVID-19, the Health Department has directed all private hospitals in Kashmir to be equipped with oxygen generation plants to deal with any crisis.
Kashmir valley has witnessed decrease in COVID-19 cases for the last over six-weeks. However, experts believe that there is a possibility of third COVID wave and children may be most affected.
Taking note, Directorate of Health Department Services Kashmir has written a letter to Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) in the districts across Kashmir.
According to the letter, a copy of which lies with news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS), the CMOs have been directed to ensure required oxygen generation plants are put in hospitals which have 50 bed capacity.
The CMOs have been directed to immediately convey the directions to the private hospitals so that the needful is done in this regard.
“You are requested to convey the concerned private health institutions under your jurisdiction which are having more than 50 beds capacity to establish the oxygen generation plants of appropriate capacity for the facility of patient care under the intimidation of this office,” reads the letter.
Experts have warned against lowering the guard in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, saying the third wave of Covid will be deadly.
The month of May was most devastating for Jammu and Kashmir as the Union territory reported the highest 114,382 Covid-19 cases and 1,625 deaths.
Dr Muhammad Salim Khan, the head of Department of Community Medicine has said the people should follow the guidelines fixed previously in order to minimise the impact of the third wave of the pandemic.
“The third wave of Covid will be highly dangerous, fatal and can take a heavy toll of lives,” Khan has said.
Many questions are also being raised in the expert community including how effective will vaccines be in defending against covid-19 infections.
According to reports, experts have said that a third wave of coronavirus infections is likely to hit India by October, and although it will be better controlled than the latest outbreak the pandemic will remain a public health threat for at least another year. (KINS)

Srinagar, July 30:Two paramilitary CRPF and a civilian was injured after suspected militants hurled a grenade on CRPF party at Khanpora Bridge in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Friday.

A senior Police officer told GNS that militants attacked by lobbing a grenade towards CRPF party at Khanpora Bridge in which two CRPF personnel and a civilian recieved splinter injuries. They were shifted to nearby hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile whole area has been cordoned off to nab the fleeing militants, they said.

The story is still emerging, more details awaited.(GNS)

Srinagar, July 29: Jammu Kashmir Apni Party President Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari Thursday said that he wishes Supreme Court gives verdict on Article 370 and 35A as per the aspirations of the people.

“My God do so, Supreme Court decides what people want. I wish Supreme Court gives the verdict what people want with regard to Article 370 and 35A,” Bukhari as per news agency Kashmir News Trust told reporters on the sidelines of a joining function at his party headquarters here in Kashmir capital Srinagar.

He said Jammu and Kashmir has lost its identity and it is the responsibility of political leadership to get this identity back. “Political leaders should come under one platform and convince Central Government that it is the right time to restore the identity of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari said that there is a dire need to pursue the matter related to the restoration of statehood of Jammu and Kashmir.

“If somebody thinks that things will improve and they will get what they want, they are living in a fool’s paradise. We all have to strive to restore the pristine glory of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said adding that Apni Party has successfully managed to secure the jobs and land rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. (KNT)

In the conventional sense, a marriage is considered a union between a man and a woman. But this definition has been redefined by some zany people, including celebrities, who simply want to grab the headlines by marrying either objects or four-legged creatures.

Five years ago, British artist Tracey Emin tied the knot, so to speak, with a rock in her garden. One wonders why on earth she would do something like this, marry something inanimate rather than a living human being. Perhaps she wanted a rock-solid support in her life.

Two years ago, an actress called Pascale Sellick married her duvet. Perhaps she found her true ‘comforter.’

In 2006 a South Sudanese man named Charles Tombe was forced to “marry” a goat in the Hai Malakal suburb of Juba, South Sudan.

A similar ceremony, but without the use of force, took place in Pakistan now when a man, Bhagat Pappu, from the peculiarly named Degree area of Mirpurkhas, Sindh province, married the bleating creature. The video of the marriage went viral on social media.

The video shows a large number of women and children from the Bheel community.

Perhaps for others the animal is just a goat, but for the man it must be what is nowadays called, in capital letters, GOAT: Greatest of All Time!

Srinagar, July 29: Weatherman on Thursday said that there is no forecast for any heavy rains in Jammu and Kashmir. However, the weatherman said occasional light rain was possible at some places today.

“No major rain occurred during night in whole J&K and Ladakh. Right now weather is generally cloudy at most places,” an official of the MeT said.

“The weather will be generally cloudy becoming partly cloudy towards afternoon. There is possibility of occasional light rain at some places. However there is no forecast of any heavy rain for today,” he said.

The meteorological department official here told GNS that Srinagar received 4.0 mm of rain in 24 hours till 0830 hours while the summer capital of J&K recorded minimum temperature of 20.3 degrees Celsius which is 1.6 degrees Celsius above the normal for the season.

Jammu, the winter capital of J&K, received 6.6mm of rain during the time and recorded minimum of 23.8 degrees Celsius against normal of 25.2 degrees Celsius, he said.

Katra recorded downpour of 43.6mm of rain while Batote had 33.8 mm, Banihal 23.0mm and Bhaderwah 9.0mm, the official said.

Qazigund, the gate town of Kashmir, received 8.8 mm of rain and recorded minimum temperature of 18.6 degrees Celsius, he said.

Pahalgam received 22.8mm of rain while the famous tourist resort recorded a low of 15.3 degrees Celsius.

Kokernag had 6.4mm of rain even as it recorded a minimum of 17.0 degrees Celsius, the official said.

The border town Kupwara received 19.6mm of rain while it recorded minimum temperature of 18.7 degrees Celsius, he said.

World famous skiing and tourist resort Gulmarg in north Kashmir received 2.0mm of rain and was the coldest place in Valley, recording minimum of 13.5 degrees Celsius, he added. (GNS)

Probe launched, explanation sought from doctors, paramedical staff: SDM

Baramulla, Jul 28 : In a shocking incident, two expecting mothers have lost their babies due to the alleged negligence of doctors at sub-district Hospital (SDH) Tangmarg in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district while the administration has stated that a probe has been launched to ascertain the facts.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), scores of family members staged a protest inside SDH Tangmarg against doctors and hospital authorities after their beloved, who was an expecting mother, lost her baby inside the womb. They demanded stern action against the doctors for their alleged negligence.

Shabir Ahmad Lone, husband of the lady patient from Ferozpora locality of Tangmarg told KNO that they have been visiting the hospital for medical checkup for the last three days.

“The doctors had given date for surgery today. However, doctors failed to arrive at the hospital on time. We had completed all the formalities and waited for doctors till 11am from 8am, while the condition of the patient worsened during the period, but no doctor was available to treat her,” he said.

Lone said that soon after doctors arrived at the hospital, they examined the patient and declared the baby inside the womb as dead. “We later shifted the patient to a private hospital in Srinagar for further treatment. Now we have sent a written complaint to the Sub-District Magistrate (SDM) and police with regard to the negligence of doctors,” Lone said.

Meanwhile, another family from main Tangmarg also alleged that the negligence of doctors at the hospital had left a baby dead inside the womb her mother.

SDM Gulmarg, Sameer Jan told KNO that a team has been constituted, who visited the hospital to verify the separate incidents.

He said that he has ordered an inquiry into the incidents. “The doctors and paramedical staff have been asked to give an explanation in this regard,” he said—(KNO)

Gauge @9:00 PM on 28/07/2021

(A) RIVER JHELUM
1) Sangam (18’/21′)=5.94ft
2)Pampore (3.85/4.45)=0.69m
3) MunshiBagh (16’/18′)=7.68ft
4) Asham (14’/14′)=6.13ft
5) Wullar (1579.00)=1576.42m

(B) TRIBUTARIES
1) Vishow Nallah at Khudwani (7.0)=3.22m
2) Rambiyara Nallah at Wachi (5.7)=0.57m
3) Lidder Nallah at Batkoot (1.65)=1.29m
4) Doodhganga Nallah at Barzulla (3.8)=2.04m
5) Sindh Nallah at Doderhama (3.35)=2.08m

Irrigation & Flood Control Department, Kashmir

Srinagar, Jul 28: As rains lashed J&K on Wednesday, the Meterological department stated that the rainfall will continue till Thursday while as overall weather will improve from July 31.

The Irrigation and Food Control department, however, said that situation was under control and there was no flood threat as such. The MeT department, however, asserted that the rainfall will lead to melting of glaciers and subsequent rise in water levels of all local streams across the J&K, which may lead to Flash Flood/Mudslides especially in sloppy areas.

A fresh communique issued by the MeT on Wednesday evening said that, light to moderate rain occurred across J&K with most rainfall recorded at Udhampur-Banihal- Katra axis, with (Katra receiving 37.8mm rainfall from Wednesday morning till evening). The MeT, however, forecasted intermittent light to moderate rain, heavy at times till Thursday and decrease thereafter gradually with overall improvement from July 31.

The MeT in its weather warning further said, “Melting of glaciers and Rainfall will lead to Rise in water Levels of all local streams. This may lead to Flash Flood/Mudslide especially in sloppy areas. Therefore people, Tourists/Trekkers are advised to Remain Cautious and Alert and avoid venturing into such vulnerable Places. Undertake Long journey Travel only after confirming the Status of the Road from concerned Traffic Police.

“This is a Weather warning as July-August rain has a history turning severe sometimes”, reads the warning.

Issuing the severe weather warning for Ladakh, MeT said: “On Wednesday, weather remained cloudy to overcast throughout Ladakh with reports of moderate to Heavy Rain in Zanskar region, light Rain at most places of Ladakh. Light to Moderate Rain will occur at most places of Ladakh from now till July 30. Some places may receive heavy shower as well. Overall, improvement is most likely from July 31 onwards.”

Director MeT, Sonum Lotus told KNO that till the end of this month, the weather will remain cloudy and there is possibility of intermittent rainfall in the plains of the valley while the hilly areas of North and South Kashmir including the Pir Panjal Range may witness rainfall and orange alert has been already issued.

He further said, in case if it rains more in plains, there can be water logging, and people have to be cautious and avoid venturing near landslide and flash flood areas.

“Currently it is raining at some places and widespread intermittent rain is most likely to continue till July end, heavy rain is also possible at some places which may lead to flash flood, mudslide, landslide and water logging (low lying areas),” he said.

Meanwhile a top official from the Irrigation and Flood Control Department (I&FC), said that the water level is below the alert mark at all gauges of the valley.

“The water level is below the alert marks, at all the gauges of the valley,” he said, adding that the current water level at Sangam gauge is 5.9 Ft, while at Ram Munshi Bagh, the water level is at 7.34 Ft—(KNO)

Srinagar, July 28 : Ahead of 15 August celebrations, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed the security agencies including paramilitary CRPF in Kashmir to maintain highest vigil while performing the duties.

A senior MHA official told news agency KINS, that the ministry has paid rich tributes to the slain security forces. “We paid a rich tribute to the security forces who laid their lives when they were performing their duties ,” the official said, wishing not to be named.

He said that strict directions have been passed to all security agencies in J&K Union territory which include “not to lower guard, maintain highest vigil while on duty and to ensure militants are strictly dealt with so that they don’t dare to attack security forces”.

“We have asked the security forces including paramilitary CRPF men to maintain extra alertness while performing duties with regard to August 15 celebrations,” the official said, adding that the forces have been asked to go after the militants wherever there is information about presence of militants.

“There should be no leniency for militants.

Another official in the MHA said that the security agencies have already been asked to maintain close watch in markets, busy places and outside religious places in Kashmir so that “militants who are coming to attack are neutralized before they target forces”.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently had lauded the role of police men and CRPF in fighting militancy and dealing with the Covid-19 challenge.

Sources said that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Defence Ministry have already asked security forces in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory to remain all-out alert along the Line of control and keep a close eye on “infiltrates”.

“Troops have been asked to maintain the highest possible vigilance along the International Border and Line of Control in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, Poonch and Baramulla, Kupawara and other districts of the Union territory,” sources said.

“A large number of militants are waiting at launch pads on the other side of the LoC to sneak into this side. They will attempt infiltration,” the MHA have told the troops.

“You need to take measures, and beef up counter-infiltration posture to take care of the situation.” the MHA has said.(KINS)