Category: Union Territory

104 to 135 militants ready to infiltrate into this side. Says Some guides have crossed over to Pak; their movement, their families under surveillance; shelf life of militants restricted to 6-8 weeks; procuring own drones to counter drone threat on  LoC, 17.3 kg heroin worth Rs 88 Crores seized last year

Srinagar, Jan 24: Inspector General of Border Security Force (BSF) Kashmir frontier Raja Babu Singh Monday said that post ceasefire agreement last year, the overall situation on Kashmir LoC remained peaceful but the fresh intelligence inputs suggest that 104 to 135 militants are ready to sneak into this side. He also said that some guides have crossed over to the other side of LoC and their movement and their families are under constant watch of security agencies.

Addressing the annual conference at BSF headquarters at Humhama on city outskirts, the IG BSF for Kashmir Frontier said that post ceasefire agreement in February last year, the situation has been peaceful on the LoC. “But our inputs suggest that there are 104 to 135 militants at the launch pads, who are ready to infiltrate into this side,” the IG BSF said, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO)

He said that there are also reports that some guides have crossed over to the other side of the LoC. “Their movement is being tracked and their families are under constant watch. The primary job of the guide is to bring groups of militants along,” he said.

Asked about the drone threats on LoC, the IG BSF said that it guards 96 kms of LoC in Kashmir and the drone threat was real. “We are procuring our own drones to counter the drone threat. Besides, a series of measures are in place to deal with drone threats,” he said.

He said that last year 17.3 kg heroin worth Rs 88 Crore were seized on the LoC by BSF and all efforts are being made to foil bids aimed at transporting narcotics from LoC. He said that Taliban takeover in Afghanistan last year hasn’t affected J&K in any form so far, but “security agencies are monitoring situation closely.”— (KNO)

The entry and exit from the containment area remain temporarily restricted

Amid COVID surge, Syedwari Khanyar, Batwara near Masjid, Mount View Colony Zakura, Narwara Eidgah, Nowpora Seki-Dafar, Batpora near marriage hall, Mahrajpora Batpora, Iqbal Muhalla Telibal, Geelan Lane Kanitar Hazratbal, Hamza Hills Exchange Colony Nishat, Jeelanabad Sector B Peerbagh, SD Colony near Guzar Ahle-Hadees masjid Batamaloo, Hyderpora near JK Bank, Lawaypora and Muslimabad Tengpora localities declared micro-containment zones in Srinagar

“The SSP Srinagar shall ensure the Entry/Exit points in the Containment zone are sealed except one designate entry/exit point for emergency purposes only; and restrictions on movement of the people in containment zones are affected in letter and spirit as the SOP,” reads the order issued by J&K Administration.

Srinagar: Restaurant and café owners in Kashmir valley are facing huge hardships to survive amid lockdowns in the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns day by day.

Sheikh Feroz, president Kashmir Restaurants & Cafes Association said, “We have already urged all our association members to follow strict COVID-19 SOPs as directed by the district administrations from time to time so that smooth and normal business of restaurants and Cafes all across the valley will not hinder as alarming raise of positive cases of COVID-19 in union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in the world and especially in Jammu and Kashmir, all the business activities came to standstill and it is our moral duty to keep the safety of clients and ourselves in this turbulent time on top priority and such safety measures during this Covid-19 pandemic in Jammu & Kashmir Union territory will play an important role for smooth running of hotels, restaurants and Cafes all across the valley,” he said.

Sheikh Feroz further said that during the last two lockdowns of Covid-19 pandemic in India and abroad, The restaurant and café business reeled under this challenge particularly because a large number of them are small to medium scale businesses with limited capacity to sustain through long periods of slow business. The post lockdown phase saw the reopening of the restaurant business but the pandemic continued to have its impact on this sector.”

“Last year we met the Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar and explained how the restaurant industry in Kashmir is struggling with losses in Covid-19 lockdowns. Till now, the owners of the restaurants were somehow managing to pay the salaries and other exigencies, but now it is becoming extremely difficult for them to continue making the payments without the businesses running,” RAK president said.

The president said that amid a surge in COVID cases in Kashmir, the people associated with the restaurant business are in distress fearing an upsurge in cases will dent their businesses badly and in winter months their business usually remains down, but they had high expectations from the coming months which now they feel will be spoiled by the spread of COVID.

He further said that the business and footfall of customers has nosedived and added that the online orders and takeaways business has also been affected.

“Everyone has been affected in one or another way. Although all the members of our association follow all the SOPs as directed by district administrations from time to time and during the past few years it was already challenging and now business was back to normal but this new wave has crippled the business in a huge way,” he said.

Sheikh Feroz further said, “In the past few years, like other businesses, restaurants and cafés switched to online delivery systems but as the COVID affected the dine-in, it has also impacted the online delivery and takeaways.”

JAMMU, JAN 22: The Union Minister of Home and Cooperation Amit Shah today virtually release India’s First “District Good Governance Index”, prepared by DARPG in collaboration with Government of Jammu & Kashmir in presence of Minister of State for PMO, Personnel, PG and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh and the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Manoj Sinha at Convention Centre Jammu.

“Major changes began in 2019 under the leadership of Shri Modi in Kashmir. Only 87 MLAs, six MPs and three families used to share power in Jammu & Kashmir, today more than 30,000 people’s representatives from the village level to the Union Territory leveling are serving the people. Some political parties are hurt because Panchayati Raj has taken effect away from clutches of their families and they say that after the Abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu &Kashmir, the law and order situation has deteriorated. I want to tell these people that if we undertake a comparative study of the period from April 2017 to 2019 and 2019 to 2021, then there has been a 40 percent decline in terrorist incidents and 57 percent in deaths,” he said.

Describing this event an important day not only for J&K but the country as a whole, Mr Shah said that this new beginning in J&K today will reach every state of the country and will lead to a healthy competition of good governance in every district of the country.

Mr Shah also said that the district is an important unit in the true sense if good governance is to be taken to the grassroots level and unless there is good governance at the district level, the governance has no meaning. Sh. Shah added that competition between districts through this Good Governance Index will be of great benefit to the general public of J&K.

Mr Shah also said that some political parties are hurt because Panchayati Raj has taken effect away from clutches of their families and they say that after the Abrogation of Article 370 in J&K, the law and order situation has deteriorated.

Udhampur: The Operation Snow Leopard’ is still on with troops on alert and ready to meet any eventuality as the focus of disengagements in Ladakh continues to be through talks, Army’s northern commander Lt Gen Y K Joshi said on Saturday.
Joshi, the General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), was speaking at the northern command’s investiture ceremony at its headquarters here in Jammu and Kashmir, where the units involved in the Ladakh operation ran away with major share of the appreciation certificates.
He presented GOC-in-C’s appreciation to 40 units and GOC-in-C’s Certificates of Appreciation’ to 26 units for their outstanding’ and distinguished’ performance in the command theatre.
The GOC-in-C’s Appreciation was given to units for their performance in Operation Meghdoot, Operation Rakshak, Operation Northern Borders, and other operations.
The GOC-in-C’s Certificates of Appreciation were given to units involved in Operation Snow Leopard, which was launched after China refused to move back and restore status quo ante in eastern Ladakh.
The importance of J&K and Ladakh is well known and we have played our role as far as the security of this region is concerned with full dedication and devotion and are maintaining our complete dominance, whether it is Line of Control, Line of Actual Control (LAC), Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) and International Border (IB), the army commander said in his address.
He said the brave soldiers of the northern command foiled the aggressive designs of the enemy.
Referring to the developments in Ladakh in the wake of Chinese aggression, he said disengagement with People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was completed from various areas in a peaceful manner and efforts are on through dialogue for disengagement from other areas.
However, the troops are maintaining alertness on the snow-bound peaks, he said.
On counter-insurgency campaign undertaken under Operation Rakshak, he said the people of Kashmir have rejected militancy, separatism, and gun culture, and after many years, the number of militants has gone below 200 in the valley which is a big achievement .
The ceasefire along the LoC has provided relief to the border residents. But the attempts of infiltration of militants is going on, which are being foiled by our alert security personnel, he said.
He said 2021 was a watershed year for the armed forces when they displayed boldness in standing up to the aggression on the LoC and LAC
“There has been a reduction in terrorist related incidents, stone pelting activities and protests as a result of tireless efforts of the security forces and the people of J&K,” Joshi said.
He congratulated local police, the CRPF, and other agencies for their role in counter-insurgency operations.
Joshi said technology is being used to assist the troops in keeping vigil and maintaining security.
“We are fully inducting the state-of-the-art technology in our army,” he said.
Referring to the current wave of COVID-19, he said like the previous two pandemic waves, the northern command is always there to help the government and the people.
“We are fully with you and ready to serve you, he said, saluting the healthcare workers of the command who reached out to the people without caring for their safety.”
The Army Commander lauded all ranks of northern command for their dedication and devotion to duty in the highest traditions of the Indian Army. PTI

Srinagar: Twenty two year old Aziz Ur Rehaman from Gulabagh area of Srinagar is earning by his talent of carving ornaments by animal bones.

The practice is called bone crafting. Such an art practice is unique in Kashmir.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) Aziz said, “I make different things from the bones of animals—like jewellery, keychains, knives, and other decorative items.”

“I have always been interested in art and creating things, right from my childhood, I have been making things with the bones of animals from the last two years and in the lockdown I got a chance to nurture my talent,” he said.

Aziz said he was fascinated with carving things out of scrap bones after watching his mother make Harissa (a meat delicacy in Kashmir consumed in winters).

“While making Harissa, you have to boil the meat at such a level that large chunks of meat fall off the bones. When my mother discarded the bones, I took one large bone and carved a knife out of it. I made a small pendant kind of knife and received a lot of appreciation for it on social media,” Aziz said.

“Once the carved art pieces are ready, I take pictures of them and post them on my social media platform for sale. Many people have bought my art pieces for their uniqueness,” he said.

“Earlier my parents didn’t support me as they thought I was wasting my time but today they appreciate me for it. They think it’s better than wasting my time and life in immoral activities,” Aziz said—(KNO)

Yet another example of viral fake news circulating on various Social Media platforms

Tech ARP

Marburg Virus Is Not New

Marburg virus is NOT a new virus. It was actually discovered in 1967, in Marburg, Germany. Hence, the name – Marburg virus.

It spread to the Frankfurt, as well as Belgrade, the capital of Yugoslavia. 31 people were infected, and 7 of them died.

The Marburg virus belongs to the same Filoviridae (filovirus) family as Ebola viruses, and cause clinically similar diseases characterised by haemorrhagic fever and capillary leakage.

Like Ebola, Marburg has a high mortality rate, varying from 24% to 88%, with an average of 50%.

The video circulating on various Social Media platforms Was From 9 August 2021 and the Marburg Outbreak Was Over By September 2021.

The Ministry of Health of Guinea informed WHO of only one confirmed case of Marburg disease virus (MVD) in south-western Guinea on 6 August 2021.

Only One Person Died

A total of 173 contacts were identified, including 14 high-risk contacts. Fortunately, no one else developed symptoms.

Only the man, who was identified as the first known case of Marburg virus disease in Guinea, died.

Marburg Virus Has Low Pandemic Risk

Marburg virus primarily transmits through direct contact with blood and/or bodily fluids of infected persons or animals; and through exposure to infected Rousettus bats.

This greatly reduces its transmissibility, compared to a respiratory virus like SARS-CoV-2 – the virus that causes COVID-19.

So while Marburg is more likely to kill an infected person than SARS-CoV-2, it does not transmit as easily and is very unlikely to become a pandemic.

Marburg Virus Has No Relevance To COVID-19 Pandemic

Anti-vaccination activists like Graham Hood, a former Qantas pilot, are using this Marburg virus announcement as “evidence” that vaccination is useless and pointless.

Their contention is – why get vaccinated against COVID-19 when new viruses like Marburg will keep coming up, with new vaccines?

Obviously, Marburg is not a new virus as I mentioned earlier. But more importantly, it is not related to SARS-CoV-2 virus which causes COVID-19.

Whether there is a Marburg outbreak or not, the COVID-19 vaccines will protect us against infection, hospitalisation or death from the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Marburg Vaccines Have Been Under Development For Years

Marburg vaccines have been under development for years because it was discovered a long time ago.

The claim that WHO was secretly working on the vaccines before announcing this “new virus” is completely FALSE, and is based on their ignorance that Marburg virus was discovered 55 years ago!

With inputs from Tech ARP

‘High fever most common symptom, no need to panic but follow CAB’

Srinagar, Jan 22 : The number of children requiring hospitalisation due to Covid-19 is on the rise in J&K in the third wave while only a fraction of children affected by the infection need hospital admission, doctors said.

Noted Paediatrician Dr Riyaz Malik while talking with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that as compared to first and second the number of hospitalisation in third wave have increased but the situation is very much under control.

He said that what we are witnessing is that more fever is the most common symptom in children in this wave as compared to the first two waves.

He further added that besides fever, it involves the upper respiratory tract as well and there is need to follow Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) in letter and spirit besides that those who are eligible for vaccination should go for vaccination.

He said that one small fraction of children need hospitalisation and parents are advised to give one paracetamol in fever to children and should avoid over medications, especially antibiotics.

Malik said that those children who need hospitalisation get fine in three or four days and there is no need to worry “but parents must keep vigil on their children and give them fruits and a balanced diet.”

Doctors said that symptoms in children include high grade fever, vomiting, poor oral intake and watery stool. “Most of these subside with symptomatic management at home itself,” they said.

One of the potential complications of Covid in children is multi-system inflammatory syndrome, they said while advising parents to keep a close watch for fever, sore throat, running nose and cough.

A very small percentage of children may also develop pneumonia, fast breathing and low levels of oxygen saturation, they said, adding that it was important to watch out for warning signs such as difficulty in breathing, fast or shallow breathing, blue lips or face, chest pain or pressure or the inability to awaken or not interact when awake in children suffering from mild to moderate illness.

“Such patients may require immediate medical attention,” they said—(KNO)

Shopian, Jan 22: Two militants were killed in a gunfight between government forces and militants in Kilbal area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district, officials said on Saturday.

A senior police officer told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that two unidentified militants have been killed, whose identification is being ascertained while as search operation is on in the area.

Earlier, an official said that a joint team of Police, Army and CRPF launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) on specific information about the presence of militants in the area.

He said that as the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them, which was retaliated, triggering a gunfight—(KNO)

Srinagar, Jan 22: An aircraft-shaped balloon with ‘PIA’ written on it, was found and recovered from an agricultural field in Samba district of Jammu division on Saturday afternoon, officials said.

They told GNS that the balloon tugged with a small paper flag of Pakistan was found lying in fields belonging to one Yashpal Singh in Raghu Chak in Samba district.

SSP Samba Abhishek Mahajan confirming it told GNS that they have taken the balloon into their possession. (GNS)