Category: Union Territory

Duo had recently infiltrated; managed to escape from Bandipora forest during gunfight; Technical evidence proved their presence at Chadoora, confirms their involvement in killing of Rahul Bhat; they had moved back to Bandipora; were received by local LeT militant Lateef Rather, Hunt on for him: Police

Bandipora, May 13: Two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants who had recently infiltrated into Kashmir valley were killed in an encounter with security forces at upper belt Brar-Aragam village of North Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Friday, officials said.

They said that the technical evidence proved the presence of 

“The presence of two recently infiltrated militants was ascertained in Brar-Aragam area during a joint cordon and search operation by security forces following which the trapped militants fired indiscriminately towards search party, ” a senior police officer told the news agency-Kashmir News Observer (KNO). The duo had managed to escape during an encounter in the Salinder forest area on last Wednesday, he said. “In the ensuing exchange of fire, two militants were killed and their bodies were recovered from the site of the encounter.”

The official said that the police have recovered incriminating materials including arms and ammunition also from the site. Another security officer said that the movement of three unidentified militants was tracked in the Bandipora area on May 10 following which an alert was issued.

However on May 11, a local Lashkar-e-Taiba militant, identified as Gulzar Ganai (20), was killed in a gunfight with security forces at Srinder woods and the other two were escape who were killed in today’s operation.

A police spokesman in a statement to KNO said that Police & Army (13RR) killed two recently infiltrated foreign militants of LeT in an anti-militancy operation at Brar Aragam area of Bandipora. “The duo had escaped from recent operation at Srinder Forest area of Bandipora,” the police spokesman said.

He said that Police was tracking a local LeT militant namely Lateef Rather alias Osama who was involved in terror incidents in Srinagar and Budgam from last two months. “A week ago movement of Lateef Rather was confirmed in Salindar area of Bandipora where he had gone to receive a fresh infiltrated group of militants of LeT outfit. The presence/ movement of these militants was zeroed and shared with the Bandipora police and accordingly an operation was launched on 11/5/22 resulting in elimination of a local militant  identified as Gulzar Ahmed Ganaie of district Baramulla. While as the other two terrorists managed to escape from the said encounter site. However, Police team kept following the footprints of escaped militants , whose presence was confirmed technically in Chadoora area of Budgam, where terror incident took place yesterday on 12/05/22. Thereafter their footprints were again confirmed in Brar, Aragam area of Bandipora today on 13/5/22. Accordingly the information was shared with the police Bandipora and operation was launched by them along with 13RR resulting into elimination of two foreign militants of LeT outfit identified as Faisal alias Sikander alias Mohsin resident of Pakistan & Ukasha resident of Pakistan. While the hunt for Lateef Rather alias Osama is on.

IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar congratulated joint team of Police/SF for tracking down the  foreign militants who had recently escaped during an encounter and whose presence was technically confirmed yesterday at terror incident site at Chadoora which confirmed their involvement in killing of Shri Rahul Bhat and said that Lateef Rather alias Osama will be tracked down soon as the hunt for him is vigorously on—(KNO)

Meets family members of slain in Jammu, says SIT to probe all aspects of attack; announces Govt job for Rahul’s wife, educational expenses of his daughter to be borne by J&K Admin; protests continue on second straight day

Srinagar, May 13: Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Friday said that militants and their supporters involved in the act of killing of a Kashmiri Pandit employee Rahul Bhat “will have to pay a very heavy price for the heinous act.” He also said that the government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe all aspects of the attack.

As per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the J&K LG met the relatives of slain Rahul Bhat in Jammu and assured them justice. In a tweet, the LG said: “Met the relatives of Rahul Bhat and assured justice to the family. In this hour of grief, the government stands firmly with Rahul’s family. Militants and their supporters will have to pay a very heavy price for their heinous act.”

He also said that a decision has been taken to constitute special investigative team to probe all the aspects of the ‘despicable terror attack.” “The SHO of the concerned police station has also been attached,” the LG tweeted.

He further stated that J&K administration will provide a government job to Rahul Bhat’s wife in Jammu and financial assistance to the family. “The government will bear the educational expenses of the daughter,” the LG said.

Rahul was shot dead by militants in Tehsil office Chadoora in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Thursday. His killing’s left the entire Kashmiri Pandit community shattered while the incident evoked mass resentment and condemnation from all quarters. On the second day (Friday), members of Kashmiri Pandit community staged massive protests in various parts of the Valley and demanded protection and heightened security at their places of jobs and residential quarters including Sheikhpora, Budgam, Vessu in Qazigund and Hall in Pulwama.

Ravi, a Kashmir Pandit, said that the government has miserably failed to protect the KP community members, who were brought to Kashmir under Prime Minister’s Rehabilitation Pakage. “We continue to fall prey to militants. We urge the LG administration to step up our security and ensure safe and secure environment for all the KPs working under the PMRP package in Valley,” he said.

Civil Society groups also staged a protest at Clock Tower (Ghanta Ghar) and demanded justice for the family. Divisional Commissioner Kashmir P K Pole also joined them in the protest against the killing of Rahul Bhat—(KNO)

Kupwara, May 13: At least four persons, including a father son duo, died in a probable case of asphyxiation while cleaning a well in Keegam area of frontier north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

Local sources told GNS that commotion broke out in Keegam Kandi this afternoon after news spread of four persons falling unconscious while cleaning a well. People from the area took to the site in a bid to rescue the persons, however once a person entered the water source, he also fell unconscious, they said.

“The victims were later on retrieved from the well by the locals and police with the assistance of army and taken to 168 Military Hospital Drugmulla”, the sources said adding “despite efforts made by the doctors, four persons could not be revived.”

The deceased persons have been identified; Nazeer Ahmad Magray (36), Abdul Gani Magray (60), his son Lateef Ah Magray (35) and Obaid Ahmad Magray (30). The other person identified as Mohammad Younis, resident of Kerbal Anantnag working in MES, has been referred to SMHS Srinagar.

Meanwhile officials have confirmed the death of two persons so far. “We have so far received reports about the death of two persons and the other persons are under treatment”, they said.

SRINAGAR, MAY 13:  Jammu and Kashmir governemnt denied the reports of resignation of Kashmiri Pandit employees by saying as no such letter of resignation(s) have been recieved by the administration.

DIPR-J&K  tweetd, “The social media reports of  resignations  by Migrant employees are denied as no such letter of  resignation(s) have been recieved by the administration. Service related issues are being addressed in time bound manner, in week. The process has been already started”.

Kashmiri Pandits demonstrated vigorously by staging a sit-in on the Srinagar-Anantnag and Baramulla-Uri highways. This was the first time that Kashmiri Hindus held simultaneous sit-in demonstrations in almost every district, including Srinagar, Kulgam, Baramulla, Pulwama and Anantnag, over a murder.

Srinagar, May 13: Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) traps and arrests Bilal Ahmed Bhat, President Municipal Committee, Awantipora for demanding and accepting the bribe of Rs 1000 for processing the bills.

In a statement issued here, Anti Corruption Bureau received a complaint alleging therein that Bilal Ahmed Bhat, President Municipal Committee, Awantipora is demanding Rs 1000 for processing the bills of the complainant.  The complainant mentioned in his complaint that the accused used to demand commission @5% for processing of the bills.

The complainants alleged that he is an owner of IT firm. He was allotted a tender year back. The accused was demanding 5% of the total bill (Rs 20,650) for the renewal of the existing contract for the year 2022.

Since the contents of the complaint disclose demand of bribe by alleged accused Bilal Ahmed Bhat, President Municipal committee, Awantipora.  Consequently, case FIR No. 09/2022 was registered in P/S ACB Anantnag and investigation taken-up.

During the course of investigation, a trap team was constituted. The team caught red handed Bilal Ahmed Bhat, President Municipal committee, Awantipora for demanding and accepting Rs 1000 i.e, 5% of Rs 20,650 for processing the bills of the complainant. He was arrested on the spot by the ACB team, the bribe money was also recovered from his possession in presence of independent witnesses.

Further investigations are going on.

Srinagar, May 13 : Weatherman on Friday forecast “widespread” moderate rain and thunderstorm with hailstorm at some places and snowfall over higher reaches in Jammu and Kashmir from May 16 to 18.

“Today, weather most likely to remain mainly clear to partly cloudy turning generally cloudy and windy towards late afternoon,” an official of the local meteorological department here told GNS. “Same weather most likely to prevail till May 16,” he said, adding, “Thereafter, widespread moderate rain/thunderstorm with hailstorm at some places of Jammu & Kashmir and snow over higher reaches is most likely during May 16th (evening)-18th.” He said there are 70% chances for rain and snowfall during the time.

Meanwhile the meteorological department official here told GNS Srinagar recorded a low of 14.1°C against 14.2°C on the previous night. The temperature, he said, was 3.5°C above normal during this time of the year for the summer capital.

Qazigund recorded a low of 10.5°C against 11.4°C on the previous night. The temperature was 1.3°C above normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, he said.

Pahalgam recorded a minimum of 7.3°C against 7.5°C last night. The temperature was 2.2°C above normal for the famous resort in south Kashmir during this time of the season, he said.

Kokernag recorded a low of 11.7°C against 11.9°C on the previous night. It was 2.4°C above normal during this time of the season for the place in south Kashmir, the official said.

Gulmarg recorded a low of 7.0°C against 7.2°C on the previous night, the official said. While 5.5°C is normal for the world famous skiing resort during this time of the season, the official said that the temperature was 1.5 °C above normal for the place in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a low of 10.9°C against 11.4°C on the previous night. The temperature was 1.3°C above normal for the district, the official told Global News Service.

Jammu recorded a low of 24.7°C against 26.5°C on the previous night, the official said. The temperature was 1.2°C above normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said. Banihal recorded a low of 14.8°C, Batote 16.5°C and Bhaderwah 12.3°C, the official added. (GNS)

Says Some subversive elements are trying to give it different colour

Srinagar, May 13: Locals arrested a thief from West Bengal red handed while attempting theft at Aalikadal here, police said.

Police said that the thief namely Milan Islam son of Mohammad Noorul Islam of West Bengal, at present Rajbagh here was caught by locals. “Some stolen items were also recovered,” police said in a tweet as per GNS.

“He was allegedly caught red handed while attempting theft at Aalikadal,” police said, adding, “Some subversive elements are trying to give it different colour.”

Pulwama, May 13: A police constable, who was shot at and injured in Gudoora area of Pulwama on Friday morning, succumbed to his injuries, officials said.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that suspected militants on Friday morning fired upon a constable namely Riyaz Ahmad Thoker, son of Ali Mohammad Thoker from Gudoora.

He said that Thoker after receiving bullet injuries, was rushed to district hospital Pulwama for treatment where from he was shifted to Army base hospital

However, he succumbed to his injuries at Army base hospital, he said.

Meanwhile, the area has been cordoned off to nab the attackers—(KNO)

SRINAGAR MAY 12: Manager Northern Railway (NR), Ashutosh Gangal today called on the Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta and apprised him about the status of the ongoing works on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL).

CAO construction Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL), A. K. Khandelwal; PCSC NR, A N Mishra; DRM Firozpur, Seema Sharma also accompanied GM NR.

GM Northern Railway briefed the Chief Secretary about the works that have been finished, or nearing completion, works under progress, and the adherence to the set timelines to dedicate the project to the people at the earliest.

Chief Secretary was informed that it is expected that Kashmir valley would be connected to the Jammu and rest of the country during 2023, providing efficient connectivity to Kashmir valley with other parts of the country by rail. The all-weather and cost-effective connectivity shall be a boon for economy of J&K.

Chief Secretary was informed about the work on the intervening 111 kms of Katra-Banihal section which is going on in full swing despite challenging and inhospitable terrain.

While appreciating the Railways for the work done with respect to connecting the Jammu and Kashmir region with the rest of India, Dr Mehta observed that the railway line will act as a catalyst for the overall development, progress, and prosperity of the region and shall play important role in rapid industrialization, movement of raw materials, boost trade and tourism, besides providing opportunity for employment generation.

Dr Mehta assured all possible support and cooperation from the UT administration to finish the project within the given timeline.

General Manager NR also thanked the Chief Secretary for the UT administration’s support that has been extended to the Railway for executing the several projects and finishing those in a time-bound manner. (PTK)

Those behind despicable act, will not go unpunished says LG Manoj Sinha

Budgam, May 12: A government employee belonging to the Kashmiri Pandit community, working in Tehsil office Chadoora in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district was shot dead inside the office premises on Thursday, officials said.

Police sources told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that gunmen barged into the Tehsil office Chadoora and fired from a close range at a government employee, working under Prime Minister’s Rehabilitation Package (PMRP), as a clerk. “He was immediately referred to Srinagar hospital where doctors declared him dead. The slain was identified as Rahul Bhat,” they said.

The killing of Rahul triggered massive protest at migrant Pandit colony Sheikhpora, Budgam, where Rahul was putting up. Scores of fellow colleagues of Rahul sat on the road and termed the killing as a “major security lapse.”  “We aren’t secure at all. BJP government too has failed us,” the angry protestors said and demanded stern punishment to the killers.

Soon after the incident, police officials rushed to the spot and launched massive manhunt to nab the perpetrators. A police official said that the massive search operations were launched at various places across Budgam district to nab the killers of KP employee. “Check-points were set up at various points to ensure those involved in the act are zeroed in,” the official said.

The incident evoked wide-spread condemnations from all quarters. Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha tweeted: “I strongly condemn the barbaric killing of Rahul Bhat by militants at Budgam. Those behind this despicable terror attack will not go unpunished. J&K government stands in solidarity with the bereaved family in this hour of grief.”

As per the eye-witnesses, the body of slain KP employee reached Sheikhpora migrant colony in the evening. A pall of gloom descended on the entire KP community putting up at the Sheikhpora colony. Amid wails and cries, the KP members demanded punishment for the attackers. The body of slain Rahul is likely to be sent to Jammu for last rites.