Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today opposed the demand for abrogating Article 370.
We can never think in terms of abrogating Article 370. Our party’s stand has been clear on this issue. There has been a attack and whatever action is required to punish those guilty besides preventing such incidents in future should be taken, Kumar, News 18 reported.
But this does not mean that Jammu and Kashmir should be deprived of a provision that has been in place, he added.
Srinagar, February 21: In a significant decision, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said the Narendra Modi-led central government has decided to stop its share of eastern river waters flowing to Pakistan in the wake of the deadly Pulwama terror attack.
“Under the leadership of Hon’ble PM Sri Narendra Modi ji, Our Govt. has decided to stop our share of water which used to flow to Pakistan. We will divert water from Eastern rivers and supply it to our people in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab,” Gadkari tweeted, according to the KNO monitoring desk.
The development comes days after New Delhi revoked Islamabad’s status as the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) and hiked the excise duty on imports to 200 per cent post Lethpora attack on Centreal reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy.
In the deadly blast carried out by the Jaish-e-Muhammad suicide bomber Adil Dar on February 14, over 40 CRPF men were killed while many others sustained injuries.(KNO)
SRINAGAR, FEB 21: Days after the Pulwama attack which claimed lives of 44 CRPF men, intelligence agencies have alerted security forces about fresh intercepts on Jaish-e-Mohammed planning more such ‘fidayeen’ attacks.
According to Zee News, specific inputs have warned that an IED blast, similar to one carried out in Pulwama on February 14, is being planned in areas of routes of Chowkibal and Tangdhar convoys in coming two days.
According to intel inputs, the Jaish-e-Mohammed is planning the next attack on security forces by a green-colour Scorpio car.
Sources further revealed that guns, grenades and RDX is being brought into Indian territory from across the border to carry out the attack.
The intercepts picked up by the agencies also revealed that JeM is to release the video of the preparations of the Pulwama suicide bombing preparations.
The intelligence inputs received on Hizb-ul-Mujahideen suggest a surge in infiltration from across the Line of Control (LoC) by its .
The Hizb-ul-Mujahideen have been receiving big support from local Kashmiri youths, the agencies warned.
Intelligence sources claimed that at least 5 to 6 trained ‘fidayeen’ are ready to infiltrate into the Indian side and presently stationed at terror launch pads along the LoC near Gurez sector and waiting for an opportune time.
Top intelligence sources said on Wednesday that women and children were recruited to transfer explosives used in the Pulwama attack from one point to another.
The explosives were carried from across the border over a period of few months and the actuating mechanism to trigger the explosives were created locally. Both the components were fitted in the bomb justs days before the attack.
On February 14, over 2000 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel travelling in a convoy of 78 vehicles on Jammu-Srinagar highway was attacked by a vehicle-borne suicide bomber at Lethpora (near Awantipora) in the Pulwama district. The attack resulted in the death of at least 44 CRPF men and injured many others.
JeM claimed responsibility for the attack and local militant Adil Ahmad Dar was identified as the suicide bomber.
The RDX used in the attack is reported to be of Military A5 grade category and was transported across the border in small quantities over a period of few months primarily by women and kids. These were accumulated in Pulwama for the February 14 attack.
RDX is a highly unstable compound and is often mixed with wax or soap to make it stable for easy handling, said sources in the Army. Military grade RDX is, however, mixed with high quality stearic or octadecanoic Acid. An A5 grade RDX denotes 98.5 to 99.5 percent purity and is reportedly very expensive. (PTK)
SRINAGAR, FEB 21: Bharatiya Janata Party, Jammu & Kashmir welcomes the decision of government in which the security cover was withdrawn from separatists. BJP also welcomes the decision of Union Cabinet in which the reservation to economically weaker sections and the reservation in promotion to SC/ST is extended to the state of J&K. Those who favour Pakistan need to be taught a lesson.
This was stated in a Press Conference addressed by BJP State President Ravinder Raina, accompanied by former Dy. CM Kavinder Gupta, BJP State General Secretary Yudhvir Sethi and State Chief Spokesperson Sunil Sethi, while he addressed media persons at party headquarter, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu.
Ravinder Raina, while addressing media persons, thanked Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh & honourable Governor Satya Paul Malik for giving set back to anti-national forces by taking back the security cover from separatist leaders of Hurriyat Conference, who have always conspired to drain innocent blood in the streets of valley. Security cover of more than 150 leaders from various affiliations has been withdrawn for the obvious reason of fiddling with the security of the Nation. More than 1000 security personnel and more than 100 vehicles have been taken back. Security withdrawal is a step to nail anti-National elements, he said.
Very strict message has been given by Governor and Union Minister to the anti-National elements for supporting Pakistan by this move. BJP has always demanded to withdraw such privileges at the cost of National and state exchequer and this became absolute necessity after Pulwama attack. These people always conspired against nation and worked to halt development. They took away books handing guns to the innocent kids of valley. They all acted as agent of Pakistan and destroyed Kashmir, said Ravinder Raina.
We request government to give speedy trial on the cases pending against such persons. They are murderers, they tried to disturb the peace of the region. We thank Centre government, Union Minister and Governor for the move, added Raina.
Raina said that Pakistan has been given befitting rely by our brave security forces for its actions on the borders and Pakistan has suffered heavy losses due to the retaliatory action of our forces in the areas of Poonch.
Raina, targeted Congress, NC, PDP leaders for having soft corner for Pakistan and its sponsored militancy. He emphasized that these so called leaders have no time to visit Mohd. Ayub Pandit and others who also sacrificed their lives.
Raina, also said that now the civil society of Kashmir has also started to understand the reality that these leaders have no respect for the lives of common masses. The society of Kashmir is now supporting security forces and coming forward to join them in large numbers, he added.
Kavinder Gupta, in his address, thanked the Union Government and Governor Satya Paul Malik for extending the benefit of reservation to the economically weaker sections. He also appreciated the move of Union Cabinet in which the reservation benefits in promotions for SCs, ST has also been extended to the state of J&K. He said that going by the policy of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas”, BJP government has lightened up the life of every section by doing ground work on their expectations.
BJP State Additional Publicity Secretary Ajay Vaid and State Incharge Library Kulbhushan Mohtra were also present in the Press Conference. (PTK)
Srinagar: Saudi Arabia has said that the country backs the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions on Kashmir and that India and Pakistan should hold talks to preserve the Kashmiri interests.
Saudi Minister of state for foreign affairs Adel al-Jubeir in an interview with India Today TV said: “We have said there are UN resolutions with regard to Kashmir that Saudi Arabia supports.”
He said that Saudi Arabia has encouraged the two countries sit at the negotiating table and resolve those issues amicably, in a way that preserves the interest of Kashmiri people, and, also the interests of India and Pakistan. “We believe where there is good will and honest dialogue a resolution to this issue can be achieved.”
Asked that Pakistan was responsible for the “cross border terrorism,” Jubeir said that he was not sure who was responsible. “I am not aware of that,” he said.
In view of the Pulwama attack which left 49 CRPF men did and triggered tensions between the two nuclear armed neighbors, Saudi Arabia said the situation between India and Pakistan should be de-escalated.
Earlier during a high profile visit to Pakistan, the Saudi Arabia said that it will take all measure to held and de-escalate tensions between India and Pakistan.
Srinagar, February 21: Government on Thursday extended the winter vacation in schools till March 2 and will open on March 5.
According to officials at Directorate of School Education Kashmir they had urged secretary school education department that the prevailing weather conditions should be considered for the decision .
Officials told KNO that DSEK has recommended that due prevailing weather conditions in Kashmir valley particularly latest snowfall in far flund areas the winter vacation may be extended upto March 2 and to order opening of schoosl on March 5 as Mar 3 and 4 are gazetted holiday.
“Following DSEK recommendation Government has extended the winter vacation and opening of schools as well,” they confirmed to KNO.
Earlier Governemnt had ordered winter vacation upto 8th standard to be observed till March 2.
“For 9th standard and onwards the vacations were scheduled to end on February 23, 2019,” officials said.
They told KNO that the teaching faculty will be reporting for duties on February 25.
“Faculty will join duties in advance so as to supervise the arrangements for reopening of the schools,” they said.(KNO)
Srinagar, February 21: The Valley traders Thursday decided to observe complete shutdown in Lal Chowk and adjoining areas from Friday afternoon against the harassment of Kashmiris outside the Valley.
They have also decided to carry out a protest rally from Ganta Ghar area of Lal Chowk at 04:00 pm on Friday in this regard.
Kashmir Traders Manufacturing federation (KTMF) president, Muhammad Yasin Khan told KNO that in view of attacks on Kashmiri students, businessmen outside the Valley, the traders jointly have decided to observe a complete shutdown from Friday 03:30 pm and later organize a rally in solidarity to the Valleyities who were either attacked or harassed outside Kashmir.
Pertinently, Kashmir remained shut on Sunday following the call given by Valley traders here against the attacks on Kashmiris.
This will be the second protest strike against the attacks on Kashmiris outside the Valley. (KNO)
NEW DELHI, SRINAGAR : Following the 49 CRPF men were killed by a suicide bomber in Pulwama area of South Kashmir, Vikas Verma, a Bajrang Dal leader in Uttarakhand said that India that Kashmiri students had to leave the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled state.
Verma, who is the right-wing organisation’s convener for Dehradun, Vikas Nagar and Purola, said that the Kashmiri students could return to Uttarakhand only after Kashmiris stopped throwing stones on the security personnel stationed in Kashmir, and the Indian flag was raised in every house in Kashmir Huffington Post reported.
Verma also said that students could return to Uttarakhand after Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir State, was abrogated, and Indians could live, work and buy property in Kashmir.
“Kashmiri students cannot come to Uttarakhand until the stone pelting in Kashmir stops. Kashmiri students cannot come here until there is an Indian flag raised in every house in Kashmir,” he said.
The deadly attack on Indian soldiers stationed in Pulwama on 14 February has triggered a backlash against Kashmiri students in different cities of the country, but largely in BJP-ruled Haryana and Uttarakhand.
Previously locals, led by a village sarpanch, demanded that Kashmiri students studying in the locality of Mullana in Ambala, Haryana, leave within 24 hours.
Kashmiri students have been forced to leave hostels or rented rooms in Haryana and Uttarakhand. Almost a dozen have been either suspended or expelled from college for expressing “offensive” views on the Pulwama attack. At least five students — one in Bengaluru and four in Rajasthan — have been booked for sedition under the Indian Penal Code by the local police.
While, on the one hand, Verma says the Bajrang Dal is targeting Kashmiris who allegedly raised “pro Pakistan” slogans and lauded the 19-year-old suicide bomber, Adil Ahmed Dar, on social media.
On the other, the 41-year-old activist, who has studied till class 12 and has worked with the Bajrang Dal for the past five years, accused “all” Kashmiri students in Uttarakhand of engaging in some kind of “anti-India” activities.
“Our campaign against them will continue,” he said. (PTK)
New Delhi: Days after the Pulwama attack which claimed lives of 44 CRPF men, intelligence agencies have alerted security forces about fresh intercepts on Jaish-e-Mohammed planning more such ‘fidayeen’ attacks.
According to Zee News sources, specific inputs have warned that an IED blast, similar to one carried out in Pulwama on February 14, is being planned in areas of routes of Chowkibal and Tangdhar convoys in coming two days.
According to intel inputs, the Jaish-e-Mohammed is planning the next attack on security forces by a green-colour Scorpio car.
Sources further revealed that guns, grenades and RDX is being brought into Indian territory from across the border to carry out the attack.
The intercepts picked up by the agencies also revealed that JeM is to release the video of the preparations of the Pulwama suicide bombing preparations. (PTK)
SRINAGAR: senior Congress leader and Former home and finance minister of India P Chidambaram said that Some people want Kashmir to be part of India but don’t want Kashmiris to be part of Indians, said on Thursday and asserted that the “irony of the situation is depressing”.
He said that the also took a dig at Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy’s statement that he favoured a call for the boycott of Kashmiri products and visiting the state as tourists.
“The irony of the situation is depressing. We want Kashmir to be part of India, but we do not want Kashmiris to be part of Indians,” he said in a tweet. (PTK)