Category: Union Territory

IANS

New Delhi: Indian security forces have launched fresh operations to neutralize the next wave of Top 10 most wanted terrorist currently active in Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. According to top sources in the security establishment, these terrorists are linked to Pakistan-based terror outfits Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM). The immediate aim of security forces is to disrupt all the active terrorist networks and launch retaliatory strikes to neutralize them.

These top 10 terrorists were trained in terror camps operated with the help of Pakistan”s intelligence unit ISI. They were well-armed before infiltrating into Indian territory to recruit Kashmiri youth and carry out terror strikes.

“Pakistan is recruiting gullible youngsters from Kashmir and are training them for carrying out jihad against India,” said a top anti-terror unit chief.

The security forces move to identify top terrorists came after Riyaz Naikoo, one of Kashmir”s most wanted terrorists and the commander of terror group Hizbul Mujahideen, was killed during an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir”s Pulwama during an anti-terrorist operation conducted by the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police in the Beighpura area.

Naikoo, 32, had a bounty of Rs 12 lakh on his head and was a key target for India once he took charge of the Hizbul Mujahideen in Kashmir.

The security forces are offering rewards for information leading to the apprehension of the next line of 10 most wanted active terrorists after a list was prepared as early as this week. This is a part of a counter terror strategy adopted after two senior army officers — a colonel and a major- were among five security personnel killed in action during an encounter in Handwara in Kashmir”s Kupwara district. Colonel Ashutosh Sharma along with Major Anuj Sood, Naik Rajesh Kumar, Lance Naik Dinesh, and police Sub-Inspector Sageer Ahmad Pathan was killed in the encounter.

According to security forces, Hizbul Mujahideen newly appointed head Saifullah Mir alias Ghazi Haider alias Doctor Sahab is on the top of the wanted list. He had joined Hizbul Mujahideen in October, 2014 and hails from Malangpora in Pulwama. He was radicalised by Naikoo and given the name Ghazi Haider.

The second in the list is Mohammad Ashraf Khan alias Ashraf Maulvi alias Mansoor-ul-Islam. He joined Hizbul Mujahideen on September 9, 2016 and has since been active in the valley. Third in the list is Junaid Sehrai and he also belong to Hizbul Mujahideen. Then comes Mohammad Abbas Sheikh infamous as Turabi Maulvi and is active since March 3, 2015. He is also member of terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen.

Fifth in the list is Zahid Zargar and he part of JeM. He has been active since late 2014 and has gone underground for last few months. The sixth in the list is Shakur, who is member of LeT and is active since 2015.

Seventh in the list is Faisal and he is infamous as Faisal Bhai. He is member of JeM and is active since 2015.

At eight is Hizbul member Sheraz al Lone. He is infamous as Maulvi Shaab and he joined the terror outfit on September 30, 2016. Saleem Paray of JeM figures at ninth place and Owais Mallick of LeT comes last on the wanted list.

These terrorists belong to top category and are active in north and south Kashmir.

Some of the wanted terrorists names came up before the security forces following a spate of rivalry between terror recruits of The Resistance Front” (TRF), a newly-created terror organisation in Kashmir, and the Hizbul Mujahideen.

The security establishment have decided to increase bounty of these terrorists” manifold as part of counter-terrorism strategy in a bid to neutralize them as soon as possible.

“Hunt for these terrorists are on. The quality of intelligence about terrorists in several districts has improved and we are determined to act against terror before it raises its head in the region,” said the anti-terror unit chief.

(Sumit Kumar Singh can be reached at [email protected])

–IANS

Waiting for Centre’s nod, Its going to be a challenge, proper arrangements for social distancing of passengers, airline officials to be ensured: Director Sgr Airport, SMC installs de-contamination tunnel for passengers

Srinagar: The airport authorities in Srinagar Thursday said that they are ready to resume the flight operations with only 30 to 40 per cent air traffic the Centre gives its nod while as Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) and the Covid-19 protocol will be followed in spirit.

The officials said that there will be a major change in travel by air and all the guidelines will be followed. They said that it may take some time to start full-fledged operations but initially “30 to 40 per cent air traffic operation would start.”

Talking exclusively to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Director Srinagar Airport, Santosh Dhoke, said that all the necessary protocols, SOPs are being put-in place and they will ensure the normal operation without any hesitation soon after Centre gives a go ahead.

“We are ready to resume the flight operations but final call is up to the ministry of aviation (GoI). The moment they give us the nod, we will go ahead”, he said.

He told KNO that to ensure protocol is follow in spirit and social distancing maintained among the passengers, they have started marking some spots and in the coming few days’ marks to be used for maintaining social distancing will be done.

“Special marks will be used at the checking counters to ensure social distancing among officials. Airlines will also depute their officials who will provide passengers boarding pass after showing valid PNR number. But in entire exercise, proper guidelines will be followed and no laxity will be allowed,” he said.

He said all the arrangements are being made to ensure the safety of passengers and officials. “At entrances, the computers and web cameras have been installed to magnify the boarding passes and tickets. Passes will be shown on computer screen to satisfy the CISF officials who will allow entry,” Dhoke said.

Similarly, at the gate, there will be a team of health officials who will check the temperature of Passengers and as per government guidelines, the passenger should have Arougya-Setu app and the indication it shows must be green. “In case it’s orange, one won’t be allowed to enter/proceed,” he said, adding that Arogya-Setu app is mandatory. “If a passenger arrives without it he/she won’t be allowed to proceed,” he said.

A decontamination tunnel is also being installed by SMC for sanitizing the passengers and their luggage also with 1% of hydro chloride. The director airport said that its going to be a challenge but all the government guidelines are being followed to ensure smooth flow of air traffic and passengers that include arrivals and departures—(KNO)

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister announces a compensation of ₹2 lakh to the family of the deceased and ₹50,000 to the family of the injured

According to police, four of the deceased were from Gopalganj and the other two were from Patna and Bhojpur. “The bus was empty and the driver was under the influence of alcohol. He has been arrested,” said Abhishek Yadav, SSP, Muzaffarnagar.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has asked the Commissioner of Saharanpur zone to investigate the incident and has announced a compensation of ₹2 lakh to the family of the deceased and ₹50,000 to the family of the injured.

Condoling the death of workers, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav tweeted: “First train accident and now bus accident, why the lives of workers are so cheap? Can’t the poor of the country reach home via Vande Bharat Mission?”

With inputs from The Hindu

High Court directed the government to take a decision over the impact of the pollen and fluff from the trees, desirability of felling poplar trees with issues related to it and place the same by 20th May 2020.

The extension order, finalised by the Home department, is likely to be served to Mr. Faesal in the next 24 hours, sources said.

The detention period of IAS topper and Jammu and Kashmir People’s Movement chief Shah Faesal, 36, was extended by three months under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) on Wednesday, official sources said.

The extension order, finalised by the Home department, is likely to be served to Mr. Faesal in the next 24 hours, sources said.

Mr. Faesal, who was booked under the PSA on February 15, was about to complete three months of detention under the PSA and was due to a review as per the rules.

Mr. Faesal was detained at the Delhi international airport in the second week of August following his interviews to several media channels, expressing strong views against the Centre’s move to revoke J&K’s special status.

Mr. Faesal, who quit his government job to launch his own party last year, was shifted to a detention centre in Srinagar on August 14, 2019. At present, he is detained in the MLA Hostel in Srinagar.

He has become fifth mainstream leader to face extension in their detention. Earlier, the detention periods of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti, Naeem Akhtar, Sartaj Madani and National Conference’s Ali Muhammad Sagar were extended.

With inputs from The Hindu

Nocturnal gunfight starts in Yaripora Kulgam

Kulgam: A nocturnal gunfight has started between Government forces and militants in Yarmrach village of Yaripora belt in South kashmir’s Kulgam district.

An official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that on specific inputs about the presence of militants cordon and search operation was launched in the area by joint team of forces including 34 RR, CRPF and Kulgam Police.

As forces zeroed in towards suspected spot, hiding militants fired upon forces which was retaliated, triggering an encounter, he said

Two to three militants are believed to be trapped and operation was under way when this report was filled

– KNO

Srinagar: With the advent in technology across the globe and in Jammu and Kashmir in particular, girls have turned to be the worst victims of cyber-crime with people using social media platforms to tarnish their dignity forcing them to undergo extreme mental stress.

Number of teenage girls has complained about the scary incidents they have been going through over past few months. A couple of girls wishing anonymity told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that cyber-crimes against girls are on rise with people using their names and profiles to use social media accounts, thereby leaving them in a state of extreme depression.

Saima (name changed) from north Kashmir complained that over past few months cyber-crimes have witnessed huge spike and most of the girls are in depression and suffering from mental health issue and which has adversely impacted their social life as well.

She shared couple of instances where many of her colleagues including herself were exploited through online means by unknown users having their actual profile names, address and sharing the details of their life with others through chat messages on different social media platforms.

“A Facebook profile with female username would chat with many people including the native guys and presented self as one of my friends who isn’t available on any of the social media. The person even shared a photo of my house that almost caught me in a state of extreme mental depression. I am unable to report it anywhere and talk about it even with my family members,” she said.

Another girl who wished not to be named said that most of the girls are in state of dispersion and suffering badly because they are unable the give voice to what they’re made to undergo even maximum fear to report about it.

She said if the girls raise voice or report about, it puts their dignity at stake and at the same time such incidents are happening at an alarming rate.

The girls have demanded that there should be a proper medium for reporting where their name remains anonymous as such incidents where girls are made the victims by misuse of social media tarnishes their image.

They demanded that a separate reporting cell be established so that such indents don’t go unreported and involved get punished for the crime.

They also suggested that authorities should initiate measures and ensure they come up with necessary mechanism so that girls are encouraged to report about such incidents—(KNO)

Srinagar: The migrant labourers continue to remain stranded in Kashmir as authorities are not making any efforts for their evacuation.

On April 29, the Ministry of Home Affairs said that it has issued an order to state and Union Territories to facilitate inter-state movement of stranded people including migrant labourers in the country.

Since then states have started evacuation of labourers in various parts of the country. However, the non-local labourers stranded in Kashmir said they have been left at the mercy of God.

Shahid Ahmad, 25, a resident of Sapual district of Bihar is stranded at Sopore Degree College along with 300 other co-workers.

“There is no hygiene here. Non-local labourers are not safe of coronavirus here as we are not maintaining distance from others. We are running out of money and all the stock we had brought have exhausted,” he told news agency KINS.

Shahid, a mason by profession has been working in Kashmir for last three years. Last year in August before abrogation of Article 370 he had to leave suddenly Kashmir and came recently for the work.

He has appealed the government to make arrangements to evacuate them to Bihar in view shortage of food and uncertainty about the future.

Similarly, Mohammad Hyder Ali from Marwa Westbengal arrived Kashmir in the first week of March.

“We have been left at the mercy of God. Nobody is approaching us. Why are we not being evacuated like other labourers in rest of the country,” he asked.

He has been lodged at a government accommodation at Lassipora Pulwama. He has been coming to Kashmir in the last six-years. Last year in August before abrogation of Article 370 he had to leave suddenly Kashmir and came back in first week of March.

Another labourer Suresh Kumar of West Bengal who too is stuck in south Kashmir said government has asked non-local labourers to make online registration on Labour Department website who want to go to their respective states.

“Nobody approached us. Nobody is concerned about us. We are running short of money. Even internet is not working then how can we make online registrations,” he said.

As per the MHA notification, the states and Union Territories should designate nodal authorities and develop standard protocols for receiving an sending such stranded persons. The nodal authorities shall also register the stranded persons within their states and UTs. “But we don’t know whom should we contact neither anyone has asked us for any details,” they said.

An official at Divisional Commissioner Kashmir office said few districts have started a process for registering non-local labourers for evacuation.
“Some migrant labourers have resumed their work in Kashmir.

Those who want to move back to their states should apply online on the Labour Department’s website. Registration process will take some time then only evacuation will be started,” he added.

The migrant labourers are estimated to make up 80% of the Valley’s construction workforce.(KINS)

Srinagar: Three nurses, one doctor and a sweeper are among 15 people who have been tested positive for the coronavirus at Super Specialty Hospital Srinagar, creating a scare among the staff members and the patients over the spread of the virus.
This all started on April 29 when a patient who was admitted in plastic surgery ward tested positive. After which he was referred to the Chest Disease Hospital.

Surprisingly, 10 patients and their attendants who were in the same ward where the patient was admitted were not quarantined.

“The patients and their attendants should have been quarantined. Since then 15 people have been tested positive including three nurses, one doctor, and sweeper while rest are patients and attendants. The family of the said doctor has also tested positive,” a doctor told news agency KINS.

Two people who were tested positive at the hospital also died.
The doctor claimed the hospital administration did not show any concern to contain the spread of virus. “They took things lightly. Even patients were not screened for COVID-19 prior to their admission. The hospital was not properly sanitised,” the doctor said.

On May 8, a 70-year-old patient was admitted to the hospital. His attendant son according to the doctor got infected in the hospital after coming in contact with a couple of other attendants. He died within 24 hours after admitted to the hospital. Four days later, his father also became victim of the deadly disease.

“When the patient was admitted he was COVID-19 suspect because of some symptoms. But hospital administration told us that we should treat him as non-COVID till his reports came. We were not given any protective gear. One of the nurses who tested positive had come in contact with the said patient. The nurse also resided in the hostel for days and shared a room with other nurses despite she had brought into the notice of the hospital administration she had come in with a positive case. We were not provided personal protective equipment despite our repeated requests,” a nurse at Super Speciality Hospital claimed.

At least 40 staff members who have come in contact with COVID patients have been sent into quarantine. Maximum among them are nurses.
“Why 15 people including nurses and doctors of the non-COVID hospital tested positive? Why not in hospitals where coronavirus patients are being treated,” the nurse asked.

The nurse said the GMC Srinagar administration block has been shut after a clerk tested positive there.

“But 15 cases have been tested positive here but hospital has not been declared contaminated. I don’t care about myself as being young I can fight it out if gets infected. But what about my old parents if they get infected because of me who are already immune compromised,” the nurse asked.

The super-specialty hospital provides facilities such as neurology, neurosurgery, gastroenterology, oncology, plastic surgery and others. So far urology and gastroenterology wards have been shut and new admissions to plastic surgeon department have been stopped.
Another nurse claimed that hospital administration was risking their lives.

“The infection has already transmitted in the hospital. We are vulnerable to catch infection. There is an isolation ward but there is no cabin and separate washroom,” another nurse said.

The nurse said government should provide them a hotel where they can stay after hospital duty instead of going home. “Who will like to infect their families,” they asked.

They protested on Monday against the authorities for not sending them into quarantine during the COVID-19 outbreak. They were also joined by resident doctors, registrars, security guards, demanding personal protection equipment (PPEs), and accommodation for the front line workers.

Principal GMC Srinagar Dr Samia Rashid claimed that administration was addressing the issues of staff members of Super Specialty Hospital. “Administration has taken measures to contain virus from spread,” she said. (KINS)

21 more positive cases reported Kashmir, 20 from Anantnag and 01 from Kulgam.

Taking toll to 955, out of which 455 have recovered and death toll stands 11