Category: Union Territory

Srinagar: An encounter broke out between forces and militants in Binner village of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Wednesday.

Reports reaching KNO said that Army’s 46 RR, SOG of Jammu and Kashmir Police and the CRPF launched a Cordon-And-Search Operation (CASO) at Jamia Mohalla, Binner area of North Kashmir’s Baramulla District.

As the forces intensified the searches, the militants opened fire on them triggering off a gunfight, they said, adding that three militants are believed to be trapped in the militant

Meanwhile, police confirmed the gunfight in the area and said that more details to follow.

The district police in a tweet also said that the exchange of fire between militants and joint team of police and forces took place in outskirts of village Binner Baramulla.

“Exchange of fire between terrorists and joint team of police and security forces in outskirts of village Binner Baramulla. Details shall follow,” Baramulla police tweeted.(KNO)

Srinagar, Jan 23: An encounter started between militants and government forces at Binner village of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Wednesday.

Reports reaching news agency GNS said that a heavy contingent of army and SOG cordoned off the area today in the afternoon.

Official sources to GNS that a joint team of army’s 46 RR, SOG and 53 bn CRPF launched a cordon-and-search operation at Binner village in outskirts of Baramulla following inputs about the presence of militants.

As the joint team of forces approached the suspected spot, the hiding militants opened fire triggering off a gunfight.

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)

O Al-Umar Mujahideen chief Mushtaq Ahmad Zargar on Wednesday called for a complete shutdown in Jammu and Kashmir on January 26.

“We call for a strike and observing January 26 as a black day,” he said in a tele-statement to GNS and also reiterated that there was no solution other than the “armed one” to Kashmir issue.

“Indian has forcibly occupied our home since 1947. There is only one solution and that is struggle through the gun. Talks and dialogue won’t lead to any solution,” he said, adding, “We have not taken the gun at anybody’s behest but only to liberate Jammu and Kashmir from India and until a single Indian soldier is there, our struggle will continue.”

He also paid tributes to all militants killed in gunfights: “We pay tributes to all the militants and pay salute to them and their families.” (GNS)

India has disrespected its own constitution in J&K

Forcing employees to participate in republic day celebrations speaks level of alienation

Before calling others communal Governor should answer why his three out of four advisers are non-Muslims and why from Chief Secretary to District SP’s Muslim officers have been shown the door

Srinagar 23 January: Rejecting Governor Satpal Malik’s allegation that political parties are dividing J&K on communal lines over the circular issued by his administration making it compulsory for state government employees to attend republic day celebrations, AIP President Er. Rasheed has said that the facts are totally opposite to what Governor has claimed. In a statement issued today Er. Rasheed said “Governor has spoken half-truth, as he is absolutely right in revealing that the circular making government employees bound to participate in republic day functions is being issued every year from 2008 and as such the hue and cry being made by NC and PDP carries no meaning, but Mr. Malik needs to be reminded that this argument does not justify the validity of colonial dictate issued by him or his predecessors including Omer Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti. Kashmiris must truly understand and expose the hypocrisy of both Mehbooba Mufti and Omer Abdullah and both of them should not make a fool of themselves by talking about the colonial traditions they have introduced. The order itself speaks volumes about alienation on the ground. To make state sponsored functions a success government every year forces not only police men in civic but also government employees to participate in these events. Governor should not forget that he has already bulldozed democracy in the state and it looks like a joke to celebrate the republic day in a state where there is complete lawlessness and the fundamental rights of people of J&K are officially suspended. Had New Delhi faith in its constitution it would not have disrespected state’s special status and never dragged Article 35-A and Article 370 to Supreme Court. While in rest of the country people eagerly wait for republic day and Independence Day functions but in J&K the huge chunk of masses show no interest in such events. One wonders while employees are being forced to republic day functions, many tuition centers are being closed and harassed by security agencies ahead of republic day, thus playing with the carrier of students”. Rejecting Satpal Malik’s claim that political parties are dividing state on communal lines Er. Rasheed said “It should not be difficult for even a layman to understand that who is dividing state on communal lines and whose agenda Mr. Malik is implementing in J&K. Now when New Delhi has appointed fourth advisor to the Governor, one wonders how in a heavily Muslim dominated state not only three out of four advisors are non-Muslims but state Chief Secretary, DGP, Home Secretary and all those holding key postings and positions in civil and police administration are from other community and mostly non-state subjects. May Mr. Governor answer before accusing others of being communal, why could not even a single Muslim officer find place to occupy the chair of DGP, state police intelligence chief, IG or even DIG. It is like conquering Himalaya to find place even as a district SP if you are a Muslim and even if you kill, humiliate and blind your own people just to please your non-Muslim bosses. It is New Delhi and Sang Parivar not Kashmiris dividing state on communal lines and trying to dislodge the majority community form all the key positions”. Er. Rasheed asked Governor is it ever possible that there could be a Muslim chief secretary, DGP and Home secretary posted in office in UP or Assam or some other state. Er. Rasheed accused governor of distorting the facts and trying to justify his agenda of implementing illogical and unfair nefarious designs of BJP and its allies and reiterated that all these cheap tactics and misuse of official position by Mr. Malik are bound to fail and efforts to suppress the majority community will never succeed.

Srinagar: Welcoming Union Minister Rajnath Singh’s assertion that Inida wants cordial relationship with Pakistan, former finance minister Jammu and Kashmir Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Wednesday said sustained engagement between the two neighboring countries is the only way out for a durable peace in the region.
In a statement issued , Bukhari said while the Union Minister has expressed his desire to strengthen the relationship with Pakistan, need of the hour is to reach out to all the stake holders in Jammu and Kashmir to address the political aspirations of the State.
“While reaching out to Pakistan is a welcome step but the government of India must also address the internal dimension of the Kashmir issue by engaging all shades of political opinion in J&K,” the former finance minister observed.
Emphasizing on the need of extending some confidence-building measures for alleviation of trust deficit in Kashmir, Bukhari, however, cautioned that the same should not be used as a substitute for the resolution of the political grievances.
“I whole heartedly welcome Raj Nath Ji’s statement made at Attari joint check-post in which he has desired an atmosphere of peace and mutual trust wherein the two neighboring countries can live in peaceful co-existence,” Bukhari said, while adding that such an approach is also needed to address the brewing alienation in Kashmir.
He said the festering Kashmir issue has bedevilled relations between India and Pakistan and its long pending resolution has brought immense suffering and hardship to the people of the state.
“The unresolved political nature of Kashmir issue has also been a major drain on the resources of the two countries and has been a stumbling block to normalising relations between them,” he observed while urging the government of India to start dialogue with all shades of public opinion in Kashmir.

Srinagar, January 23: In a significant development, the 2009 record maker IAS topper, Shah Faisal has hinted at floating his own independent party by seeking public donations.

The IAS topper who recently resigned from country’s elite services in this morning sought public donation. He said that it is a people’s movement for a change and asked people to be a part of this journey and support him with small donations.

Taking to his Twitter account, Faesal wrote: “It is a people’s movement for a change. Be a part of this journey for clean politics and corruption free administration in J&K. Support Shah Faesal with your small donations.”

Shah Faesal : 0910010100000088,J&K Bank Kanispora, IFSC Code; JAKA0KANISP, Swift SCBLUS33 ,Paytm. 9622198671

Faesal after resigning started mass consultations with the youth. Today’s Twitter message of Faesal has indicated that he won’t join any political party and instead launch his own independent party.(KNO)

South Africa beat Pakistan in the second ODI but it was Sarfraz who made the news for his comments caught on the stump mic.

South Africa beat Pakistan in the second one-day international on Tuesday in Durban to level their five-match series as unbeaten half-centuries from Rassie van der Dussen and Andile Phehlukwayo guided the hosts to a five-wicket victory.

However, it was comment by Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed during the match that got fans on social media talking. The comment, allegedly directed at Andile Phehlukwayo, was caught by stump mic during South Africa’s batting.

According to clip posted on social media by some fans, Sarfraz called Phehlukwayo ‘kaala’ and asked ‘where was his mother’. Sarfraz can be heard saying, “Abey Kaaley, Teri Ammi aaj kaha baithi huyeen hain, Hain??? Kya parhwa ke aya hai aaj tu?”

The sledge can be translated literally to: “Hey black guy, where’s your mother sitting today? What [prayer] have you got her to say for you today?”

Even the commentators noticed the sledge.
On commentary, Mike Haysman asked Ramiz Raja, “What’s he saying there Ramiz?”
“Difficult really to translate that,” Ramiz replied. “It’s a big long sentence.”
Soon, fans on social media reacted to the comment with some calling for

Earlier, tailender Hasan Ali’s quickfire 59 has taken Pakistan to a total of 203 all out batting first, but despite a top-order collapse, the Proteas made the series 1-1.
Andile Phehlukwayo was the star of the day for South Africa with an all-round performance of 4/22 with the ball and unbeaten 69 with the bat.
Pakistan were hopeful of a win after Shaheen Afridi removed Hashim Amla, Reeza Hendricks and Faf du Plessis within the first 15 balls of his spell as South Africa slumped to 29 for 3. Shadab Khan then dismissed David Miller and Heinrich Klassen off successive balls to make it 5 for 80.
However, Rassie van der Dussen and Andile Phehlukwayo stiched the winning partnership to take their team to the win.

Pulwama district of south Kashmir accounted for the killing of 39 militants followed by Anantnag which witnessed the death of 30 militants.

Encounters between security forces and militants were witnessed in 12 of the 22 districts of Jammu and Kashmir last year with Kupwara accounting for the highest number of militants, 55 killed in such encounters, police said.
While such encounters were witnessed in 9 out of 10 districts of Kashmir Valley in the year, 3 out of 10 districts of Jammu region saw such incidents. There was no encounter reported in Ladakh province during the time period, an officer told PTI.

Out of the total 256 militants killed in 2018, south Kashmir recorded the highest number of killings, 127 followed by north Kashmir, 93 and central Kashmir 24. Nine militants were killed in Jammu region last year.
“As many as 52 militants were killed in Kupwara border district of north Kashmir in 2018. The militants were killed in encounters in the hinterland and during foiling of infiltration bids along LoC in this border district,” the officer said.
Shopian, considered the hub of militancy in the Valley, saw the killing of 43 militants, he said.
Pulwama district of south Kashmir accounted for the killing of 39 militants followed by Anantnag which witnessed the death of 30 militants.
“Most of the militant attacks and encounters in the Valley have taken place in this region. It has of late emerged as the hub of militants. The militants can roam freely and have connectivity due to the dense forests in this region,” the officer said.
South Kashmir was also the epicenter of the over five month-long unrest in the Valley in 2016 following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen leader Burhan Wani.
The militants belonging to the Burhan Wani group and others operated in the south Kashmir hills and made videos of their activities from this part of the state, officials said.
The top militant commanders who emerged from this region are Burhan Wani, Zeenat Ul Islam, Al Badr commander Zeenat-ul Islam, Lateef Tiger and Sabzar Ahmad Bhat, the officials said.
The police officer said more than 26 top militant commanders affiliated to Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar, Hizbul Mujahideen, Harkat-ul- Mujahideen and Ansar–ul-Gazwat- ul-Hind were killed in different anti-militancy operations by the government forces last year.
In north Kashmir, 93 militants were killed last year, 27 were killed in Baramulla, 17 in Bandipora and 52 in Kupwara.
In central Kashmir, Srinagar recorded killing of 16 militants followed by eight in Budgam. No militant was killed in Ganderbal district in 2018.
In the Jammu region, where nine militants were eliminated in the encounters, five were killed in Jammu district followed by three in Reasi and one in Poonch border district, officials added. PTI

“Mehbooba traded very dignity of chief minister’s chair by bald-facedly presiding over bindings, killings”

Srinagar, Jan 22: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Tuesday paid tributes to the victims of Gawkadal massacre saying that people have not forgotten the massacre let loose on the civilians on that day.
Addressing a gathering of party functionaries, and workers of Srinagar District at party headquarter Nawa –e-Subha Srinagar, party’s General Secretary Haji Ali Muhammad Sagar said, “Those who are passing the blame and shedding crocodile tears now on the plight of Kashmiris are the one who actually traded the miseries of the people for grabbing power,” adding that Mufti as home minister trusted Jagmohan on kashmir, what followed is history.
Sagar said that Mufti through his nominated Governor unleashed havoc in Kashmir and that as home minister of India Mufti presided over 18 massacres in Kashmir including Mashali Mohalla massacre, Islamia college massacre, Chara- e- Sharief massacre, Shopian massacre, Pulwama, Kulgam massacre and Habbak massacre.
“Mufti-Jagmohan camaradie proved detrimental for Kashmir, it is this camaradie that is credited with unleashing Operation Catch and Kill, crackdowns and other human rights violations. Not just that Mufti extended draconian laws like AFSPA to Kashmir and besides that Ikhwan was also a brain child of Late Mufti Syed,” he said adding, “Continuing with their legacy of political bankruptcy Mufti’s entered into a trade policy with BJP with a sole design to destroy the respect and dignity of kashmiris.”
Sagar maintained what was left of our special status; Mufti a former lieutenant of G M Sadiq took it upon himself to destroy it. “The BJP-PDP coalition opened flood gates for all such forces as are contriving hard to harm our state’s special status.”
He said that Dr Farooq Abdullah owing to communal disposition of late Jagmohan insisted on then government at the centre not to appoint him as state’s governor. “It was late Mufti who nominated him and was instrumental in thrusting him on the state. No sooner did he become Governor, Dr. Farooq resigned as a mark of protest. What followed is written in bold red letters in the annals of history,” he said.
The meet was attended by District president Srinagar Peer Afaq, JKNC Women’s wing president Shameema Firdous, Ali Muhammad Dar, Irfan shah and others.
Sagar maintained that Mehbooba trailing her father path traded the very dignity of chief minister’s post by bald-facedly presiding over the large scale maiming, killings, blinding, nepotism, corruption, human rights violation during her stint as chief minister. “It was for the first time that people were not allowed to pray at Jamia Masid for many months altogether,” he said.

Says Delhi showing ‘revengeful’ attitude toward Kashmiri prisoners

Srinagar, Jan 22: Paying rich tributes to militants killed in Hapatnar, Budgam and Heff Shopian encounters, Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani on Tuesday reiterated that the youth of Kashmir were forced to opt for gun as a reaction to “Indian military and forcible occupation of the state”.

Terming Kashmir as a bone of contention between the two nuclear powers of the subcontinent, Hurriyat (G) chairman in a statement “regretted that the stubborn attitude of India regarding this globally accepted political dispute and dealing with it only militarily has created death and destruction in whole state and threatening even the idea of peace and stability of the region”.

Meanwhile, Geelani expressed serious concern over the plight of Kashmiri prisoners in jails especially Tihar, and said despite repeated reminders, administration seems to be unconcerned and least bothered about the worst condition these prisoners are facing.

Citing the example of a prisoner Muzaffar Ahmad Dar who is languishing in Tihar jail for the last 10 years, Hurriyat (G) chairman said Dar is suffering from a serious ailment for the last so many days and is having unbearable pain, but jail administration didn’t listen to his horrifying cries. Instead of providing him medical care, he has been left to battle for his life, he said.

A person confined in four walls miles away from his family, under every law qualifies for a human treatment, but the “revengeful” attitude of Indian rulers has blinded them to the extent that they forget the obligations and legal responsibilities to ensure their safety at any cost, he said.

Geelani said these detainees are denied the basic and fundamental rights especially medical aid resulting in their ill health.

“Recently Peer Saifullah, a brain tumour patient, due to lack of timely medical attention, fell unconscious. Senior Hurriyat leaders Shabir Ahmad Shah and Asiya Andrabi are also sick for quite some time and criminal negligence by the authorities has taken a heavy toll on their health.

“Altaf Ahmad Shah is a known patient of diabetes and improper diet and medical negligence has badly affected him. Likewise, Mehraj-ud-din Kalwal and Zahoor Ahmad Watali are also suffering from multiple ailments, but authorities hardly care about their wellbeing,” he said.

The pro-freedom leader said that wives of Ayaz Akbar and Shahid-ul-Islam are suffering from life threatening health problems and their life partners should have been around them in this need of hour. “But our oppressor is so harsh that it enjoys the painful and agonizing condition of the families of these prisoners,” he said.

Geelani further said that Syed Shakeel Ahmad and Syed Shahid Yousuf are also targeted and humiliated for being sons of Hizb chief Syed Salahuddin. “They have no affiliation with any of the political party and both where performing their professional duties in their respective fields,” he said.

Geelani said that other prisoners in Tihar jail including Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Farooq Ahmad Dar, Fehmeeda Sofi, Nahida Nasreen, Mohammad Aslam Wani, Mushtaq Ahmad, Dr Mohammad Shafi and others are facing very hard times and Kashmiris in general and their families in particular are worried about their safety.