Category: Union Territory

Syed Ali Geelani addresses funeral of slain militant

Shopian, January 23: Almost thirty funeral prayers were held for six militants that were killed in two different gun battles with government forces in Budgam and Shopian districts on Monday and Tuesday. In one of the funerals, militants also offered gun salute to their slain associate.

“There was massive peoples participation in Draggad and Shirmal villages of Shopian district, include at IPS officer’s brother Shamsul Haq, Amir Suhail and Shoiab,” they told KNO, adding that thousands participated at Lassipora and Nopora Payeen villages of Pulwama district to offer funeral prayers of Syed Rubaan, Sabzar Ahmad and Towseef Itoo who were killed in a gunfight on Monday at Hapatnar village of Budgam district.

Pro-freedom leader Syed Ali Geelani addressed the mourners telephonically at slain Shamsul Haq’s funeral. Haq was also cousin of another slain militant Zubair Ahmed Turray, who was killed during a gunfight in April last year.

According to locals for slain militant Shoib Shah only, ten funeral prayers were offered. Multiple funeral prayers were offered to Haq, Amir and Shoib. “In Shoib Shah’s funeral, his associate appeared and offered gun salute,” locals claimed.

They claimed that the militant who offered gun salute had managed to escape from gunfight in which Shoib and two others were killed. Residents identified him as Aabid Manzoor Magray from Nowpora Payeen and claimed that when he appeared in Shah’s funeral he was injured, probably while escaping.

Militants also appeared at the funeral of Syed Ruban at Nazneenpora and offered a gun-salute. Ruban was killed in Hapatnar area of Budgam along with two associates.Multiple funeral prayers were offered for Sabzar Ahmad and Touseef Ahmad Itoo who were killed in a gunfight with the forces at Hapatnar in Charar-e-Sharif on Monday.

The twin districts of Shopian and Pulwama are also observing a complete shutdown to protest and mourn the killings of six militants.Reports said that all the shops and business establishments are shut in the twin districts and traffic is mostly off the roads.(KNO)

SRINAGAR, JAN 23 : While condemning the statement of PDP against Amit Shah, senior BJP leader and former MLC, Ramesh Arora said that the PDP has lost their ground in Kashmir adding that by such statement they are trying to gain place in Kashmir as elections are ahead.

While speaking to News agency Press Trust of Kashmir Arora said, “PDP is frustrated party as its members left the party”. He added that BJP never sought votes on communal lines”. He added that Mehbooba mufti should follow the path of his father late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, as he was always trying to create good relations with Jammu and Kashmir as well as India.

Mehbooba Mufti should look what her father was doing because Late Sayeed has done good work for Kashmir and Mehbooba should follow the path of her Father”. Arora added that the statement of PDP against Amit Shah is condemnable.

Earlier PDP Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) termed the BJP President Amit Shah’s West Bengal speech an open call for a Hindu Rashtra and said that the Saffron party chief has challenged the very idea of India.

Shah while addressing a rally at West Bengal said that Hindu, Buddhist, and Sikh need not be afraid in India because the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill has been brought to grant them citizenship. He also termed Muslims as infiltrators and stated that time for their deportation has come.

“This is nothing but an open call for a Hindu Rashtra. Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in itself is laying foundations of a Hindu Rashtra and exclusion of Muslims and Christians. What Amit Shah has said is communal poison and this is a moment of challenge for right thinking Indians who still believe in Idea of India as we have always been made to believe,” said senior PDP leader and former minister Naeem Akhtar.

Naeem Akhtar added BJP is setting up a dangerous game for electoral gains in the country and is playing a communal hatred card as last resort to win elections. “Unfortunately, BJP has only one goal and that is to win elections at whatever cost, he added. (PTK)

Srinagar, January 23: Even as the year 2018 proved to be a successful for the security agencies operating in Jammu and Kashmir, the first month of New Year—January is proving to the bloodiest month given the number of encounters and the causalities suffered by the militant organisations.

In back to back encounters this month, at least 16 militants were killed and of them nine were killed in the three encounters in the past 48 hours only.

What is more interesting is that the all the encounters that took place in January this year so far, occurred in open fields and no house was razed to the ground as seen in the year 2018. This, however, is the new strategy of the forces, a top police officer told KNO.

The officer said that the thrust is on eliminating the militants, minimising the collateral damage to almost zero and conducting the operations in the most professional manner.

In the recent three encounters, three militants of Al-Badr were killed in Hapatnar, area of Charara-e-Shareef in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district, three in Heff-Shirmal area of Shopian and three more in Binner village of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

“Yes some 16 militants were killed in the various encounters so far in January month. Majority of slain belonged to Hizbul Mujahideen oufit,” a top police officer said.

Additional Director General of Police law and order/security, Munir Khan said that it has been the endeavour of the police force to conduct anti militancy operations in a most professional manner to avoid collateral damage. “In the recent encounters, forces engaged militants in open fields as they were hiding in cave like or underground hideouts.

This however, doesn’t mean that forces would blow up the house after zeroing on the militants who refuse to surrender. We will try our best to avoid causing damage to residential houses,” he said.

He attributed the successful anti-militancy operations to complete synergy between various security agencies and the growing technical and human intelligence.(KNO)

SRINAGAR, JAN 23: The tall claims of the government about the so called international status Sheikh ul Alam Airport in Srinagar falls flat, when it fails to upkeep the basic facilities of bathrooms and hygiene for the passengers.

PTK learnt that the airport has two bathrooms outside, one for male passengers and other one for the females among one meant for males is locked. The only left female bathroom is left in dismal state and used by the male passengers. The bathrooms inside the building have no different fate.

Passengers scheduled to depart for different destination told PTK that the non-availability of enough number of washrooms besides keeping existing ones dirty is disgusting.

“The airport authorities have locked one bathroom and the other one is in miserable condition. Female passengers face hardship due to no bathroom availability as the female bathroom is now being used by the male passengers. How come this is an international stature airport. That seems a joke”, said Danish Raheed from Srinagar.

The passengers accused authorities of ignoring the plights of passengers while demanding immediate redressal of genuine grievances. Passengers said that the airports lack all the basic facilities like drinking water, toilets for passengers and people in waiting area and cleanness.

“The toilets are unhygienic and had blocked sewerage and in need of immediate repairs. This really give you a very bad impression on arrival”, said Sangeeta Agarwal of Chennie on arrival.

The passengers also demand proper infection control measures besides specific and enough number of bathrooms at the airport.

It is worth to mention that Sheikh Ul Alam International Airport is juggling the 2nd rank in the world having sophisticated and well-built Airport besides having all the necessities for travelers inside. (PTK)

SRINAGAR, JAN 23: Reacting over the order of Governor regarding Republic Day Celebration Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Dy chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Kavinder Gupta said that people should celebrate 26 Jan and 15 August like religious festival.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has made it mandatory for government employees to attend the Republic Day functions at Srinagar and Jammu and has warned that any failure will be “construed as dereliction of duty and disobedience of Government instructions”.

While speaking to News agency Press Trust of Kashmir Gupta said, “There is nothing wrong in the order. Its good and people should appreciate and come to celebrate 26 January”. He added that there should be feeling like nation First and Government employees should attend Republic day as there are taking salary from Government of India”.

He added that some people create problems in Kashmir otherwise people are attending R-Day with full joy and happiness. Meanwhile BJP national leader Ram Madhav seemed to be supporting the Governor on the issue saying the order should be accepted as a matter of pride.

“It is a matter of pride for every Indian. We all have to participate in the Republic day parade,” Madhav said in response to a question on political parties reportedly criticising the order.

The state of Jammu and Kashmir has been placed under the Governor’s rule since June last year when the coalition government between PDP and BJP fell apart.

However PDP leader Waheed Para wrote on twitter “Nationalism can never be dictated. There should be ‘will’ for such events not forced diktats. This clears how things happen and are happening in the ‘integral’ part. Patriotism can’t be enforced it should be inherent”.

MLA Engineer Rasheed termed it as an ‘unconstitutional’ order. Reacting to this opposition, the Governor reiterated his stand on Monday by saying that there is ‘nothing wrong with it’.

“It is the duty of every government servant to attend the (Republic Day) function which commemorates an important turning point in the history of our Nation,” reads a government order issued by the Deputy Secretary Chander Prakash. “All the officers and officials of the State government stationed at Jammu/Srinagar are, therefore, enjoined upon to attend the functions of the Republic Day celebration… as part of their official duty. Failure to attend the function will be construed as dereliction of duty and disobedience of Government instructions”.

Top officials have been asked to ensure that the staff working under them attends the Republic Day functions at Jammu and Srinagar.

“All the Administrative Secretaries, Heads of Departments, Managing Director/Chief Executives of the Public Sector Undertakings are requested to ensure that all officers/officials working under their administrative control, and stationed at Srinagar/Jammu, attend the function at their respective places,” the order reads.

The main Republic Day function in Jammu and Kashmir would be held at Jammu where Governor Satya Pal Malik will preside over at the official function. In the Kashmir Valley, the main function would be held at Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Stadium in Srinagar.

The order (No: GAD(Adm)173/2015-I) issued by the General Administration Department has asked the J&K State Road Transport Corporation and the Tourism Development Corporation to keep its vehicles ready for transportation of the employees to the Republic Day function. (PTK)

Srinagar, January 23, 2019: Our young generation is determined to get out of the unholy yolk of slavery at any cost and when young blood is so enthusiastic to achieve their goal, no power on earth can force them to subjugation, said chairman All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Geelani, in a telephonic address to the mourners of the martyr Dr. Shams-ul-Haq at Soghan Shopian today.

Syed Ali Geelani reiterated his pledge to take the movement to its logical end and will never allow any body to barter the precious blood of martyrs. We need to be aware of this and we are duty bound to safe guard their sacrifices and should desist from such activities which prove detrimental for our movement, he said.

He said that deceitful slogans of development, prosperity or material gains can never be a substitute for freedom. Pro-Indian politicians have turned into political leaches, sucking every drop of our blood to satisfy their masters in Delhi.

He said that election drama and the multi faced political stooges pose as our saviors to fetch them votes in the name of roads, electricity and water, but in reality they are the people who strengthen the unholy bond of slavery so nation as a whole should desist from any support to them.

Pro-freedom leader that our movement has become so precious that no perk and privilege can compel us for any compromise.

Stressing upon people in general and youth in particular, Hurriyat chairman said that we need to strengthen our faith and protect our civil, social, religious and human liberties, avoid miss deeds and nourish the Islamic culture in our homes and society without indulging in sectarian hatred and social evils.

‘Militants hell-bent to disrupt Jan 26 function’

Srinagar, Jan 23: Director General of Police Dilbagh Singh today said six persons have been arrested in connection with the recent grenade attacks that rocked the summer capital, Srinagar.
In an exclusive conversation with Kashmir News Service (KNS), Singh said six persons were arrested regarding the grenade attacks in Srinagar in the recent past. “One person was arrested with the help of Delhi police,” Singh said. He further said the militants were planning to hurl more grenades in public places, but the police successfully busted their module.
About the January 26 function, the DGP said all the preparations have been done in Srinagar and other districts of the valley. “Militant organisations are hell-bent to disrupt January 26 function. They have been making such attempts in the past as well by throwing grenades to discourage and pressurize people.” (KNS)

Srinagar, Jan 23: Three militants have been killed in ongoing encounter which started between militants and government forces at Binner village of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Wednesday.

Official sources confirmed to news agency GNS said that three militant have been killed while searches are still underway. However identity of the militants is yet to be ascertained.

An army official also confirmed that three mikitants have been killed and search operation is going on at the encounter site.

Earlier SSP Baramulla Imtiyaz Hussain also confirmed that the exchange of firing between militants and joint team of police and security forces in the area. (GNS)

Srinagar: Unabated genocide of Kashmiri youth in nooks and corners of Kashmir and subsequent silence of humanity on it, amounts to its abetting and patronage. Martyrdom of more than half a dozen Kashmiris at Budgam and Shupian during last two days and murderous assault on a civilian at Haba-Kadal are exhibition of colonial mindset of Indian forces who only know to kill , injure and humiliate humans at will. This was stated by the chairman of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Muhammad Yasin Malik while condemning the ongoing massacre in Kashmir. Terming the martyrdom of many more youth at Budgam and Shupian namely Martyr Syed Ruban, Martyr Zahid Ahmad, Martyr Shams-Ul-haq, martyr Tawseef Ahmad, Martyr Sabzar Ahmad, martyr Amir Ahmad Butt, as part of unabated genocide of Kashmiris by India, JKLF chairman said that first Indian police, Indian forces and agencies torture, torment, humiliate Kashmiri youth and leave no place for them to pursue peaceful path and then eliminate them in so-called CASO’s and crackdowns. Citing the example of a young martyr Syed Ruban of Nazneenpora Shupian, JKLF chairman said that one of his relatives had joined armed struggle and army, SOG and police started raiding his house, arresting him, torturing and humiliating this gentle soul on daily basis. On 19th June 2018, his residence was raided during night hours and he along with his columnist brother Syed Tajamul was severely tortured and this humiliating torture became a turning point for him as he left his family to join armed path. JKLF chairman said that JRL and JKLF had even issued a detailed condemnation press note against his torture and highhandedness of forces but colonial mindset did not get satisfaction till they forced him to go armed and sacrifice his life. While condemning the murderous assault on a young boy Muhammad Younis at Habakadal Srinagar, JKLF chairman said that assault by a goon in uniform is also a manifestation of the same colonial mindset and immunity enjoyed by these forces. While praying for the speedy recovery of this young boy, JKLF chairman expressed solidarity with his family.

Meanwhile JKLF chairman has expressed his heartfelt grief and sorrow over the demise of youthful Abdul Rashid Shigan of Batamaloo presently at HMT who passed away recently. JKLF chairman along with vice chairman Showkat Ahmad Bakhshi and Ataf Khan visited the bereaved family and expressed solidarity with them. While paying rich tributes to humble soul, JKLF chairman said that deceased was a Jolly person, a freedom lover and a humble man whose absence will be felt for a long time. While praying for his heavenly abode, JKLF chairman also prayed for the Sabr-i-Jamil to his bereaved family. JKLF has expressed its grief over the sad demise of the mother of its activist Manzoor Ahmad Sheikh of Ishtangoo Bandipora who breathed her last yesterday. JKLF district president Syed Nisar Jeelani along with Molvi Reyaz and Muhammad Ashraf Butt visited the bereaved family and expressed solidarity with them. Delegation also visited released Hurriyat Leader Khan Sopori and congratulated him on his release. Another delegation led by District president Budgam Gulzar Ahmad Pahalwan visited Sursyaar Chadoora and expressed condolences to the bereaved family of Bashir Ahmad Ahangar who left for heavenly abode recently. Deceased was son-in-law of Gulzar Ahmad Butt of Srinagar news. JKLF delegation prayed for the heavenly abode of the deceased.

‘BJP setting up dangerous game for electoral gains, playing communal hatred card as last resort to win elections’

Srinagar, Jan 23 : Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday termed the BJP President Amit Shah’s West Bengal speech an open call for a Hindu Rashtra and said that the Saffron party chief has challenged the very idea of India.
Shah while addressing a rally at West Bengal said that Hindu, Buddhist, and Sikh need not be afraid in India because the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill has been brought to grant them citizenship. He also termed Muslims as infiltrators and stated that time for their deportation has come.
“This is nothing but an open call for a Hindu Rashtra. Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in itself is laying foundations of a Hindu Rashtra and exclusion of Muslims and Christians. What Amit Shah has said is communal poison and this is a moment of challenge for right thinking Indians who still believe in Idea of India as we have always been made to believe,” said senior PDP leader and former minister Naeem Akhtar.
He added that the statement of BJP President has sent a very negative message to the communities other than the country’s majority community. Such remarks, said Akhtar, aren’t being taken positively in the states like Jammu and Kashmir which have Muslim majority character and other states with sizeable Muslim and Christian population like Kerala, West Bengal, UP and Bihar and northeast states.
“What Amit Shah has said negates the essence, letter, and spirit of the constitution of India which is a covenant of all communities, all classes, and all people of the county to live together,” Akhtar said.
The PDP leader said that the BJP is setting up a dangerous game for electoral gains in the country and is playing a communal hatred card as last resort to win elections. “Unfortunately, BJP has only one goal and that is to win elections at whatever cost. The real issues facing the country including the problems of Jammu and Kashmir which are of a major nature besides joblessness, agrarian crises have been thrown in cold storage,” Akhtar said.