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  • Missing Malaysian airliner hijacked, concludes probe

    Investigators have concluded that the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 was hijacked, an official said Saturday.
    According to the report cited by Xinhua, which is yet to be corroborated, the hijackers had rich flying experience and they switched off communication devices deliberately and steered the Boeing 777 aircraft off course.
    Although piracy is no longer a theory, the motives are yet to be established, the official was quoted as saying. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is scheduled to hold a press conference in Kuala Lumpur Saturday.
    The Malaysia Airlines flight with 239 passengers and crew on board vanished mysteriously about an hour after taking off from Kuala Lumpur early morning March 8. It was presumed to have crashed off the Vietnamese coast in the South China Sea.
    The 227 passengers on the flight included five Indians, 154 Chinese and 38 Malaysians. Contact with the plane was lost along with its radar signal when it was flying over the air traffic control area of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.
    A multinational intensive search has so far failed to locate the plane.
    On Friday, Malaysia confirmed that search areas for the missing aircraft had been widened to cover the Indian Ocean, but made no comment on US reports that the aircraft sent signals to a satellite for four hours after it went missing.
    As of Friday, 57 ships and 48 aircraft were involved in the multinational search operation.

  • Naidkhai Killing: Curbs in Kashmir on Saturday

    Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government will impose curfew-like restrictions in parts of the Valley on Saturday after a youth was killed in government forces firing in Bandipora district.
    Sources told GNS that curfew-like restrictions will be imposed in Naidkhai, Bandipora main town, Sumbal in the district.
    Kashmir’s Divisional Commissioner Shailender Kumar confirmed to GNS that restriction will be imposed in district after the teenager’s killing. The government has already ordered a probe into the death of Farhat Dar, 17 in Naidkhai today.
    Sources said restrictions will also be imposed in summer capital Srinagar. During a meeting of the top security officials held in Srinagar it was decided to impose restrictions in Maisuma and parts of Old City.
    However, Kumar, said no decision was taken on imposing restrictions in Srinagar. “If need arises we will impose restrictions in Srinagar,” he said.
    Restrictions will also be imposed under section 174 in various parts of Baramula district including Sopore and Palhalan, sources said.  (GNS)

  • Police version of Naidkhai killing

    Srinagar: Today in evening hours an unruly mob in Naidkhai Sumbal attacked a security personnel vehicle and tried to set it ablaze. Security personnel boarding in the vehicle fired in air to disperse the mob in which one person got injured.” a police statement issued here reads. “The injured person was identified as Farhat Ahmad Dar son of Ghulam Rasool resident of Shahgund, Sumbal who unfortunately died on way to the hospital.” the statement added. “Appropriate action is being taken into the matter.” it added.

  • One killed two injured in Bandipora firing

    Have ordered magisterial probe: DC FIR registered, investigation started: Police
    Srinagar: One youth was shot dead while two others were injured when they were allegedly pelting stones on a police vehicle at Naidkhai Baramulla. Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Bandipora has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the matter.
    According to the KNS reports, people made special prayers for the ailing separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani and assembled after Friday prayers in Niadkhai area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora. The people later started marching towards IRP camp. The police had already put in place deployment to prevent any law and order situation. However, some youth started pelting stone on police which tried to disperse the protesting crowd and fired several teargas shells. Late in the evening, forces reportedly fired upon the protesters that injured three protesting youth.
    The injured were rushed to the district hospital Pattan, where one injured namely Farhat Dar, 17, son of Ghulam Mohammad Dar of Shahgund Sonawari succumbed to injuries in  the hospital.
    The news spread like a wildfire in the area with people including women in the area took to streets and protested against the killing. The Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Shah Faisal when contacted told KNS that  the stone pelting incidents in  the area takes place after almost every Friday prayers and that today when the youth were pelting stones on forces, they resorted to firing that resulting into the killing of one person while has three two others have been injured.  He stated further that according to forces, protesters tried to set ablaze the police vehicle due which they resorted to firing. “I have ordered a magisterial probe into the incident and additional district magistrate will conduct the inquiry into the killing of one person”
    Police sources told KNS that a joint forces party was passing near Naidkhai area when the protesters hurled stones on near by bunker and forces vehicle.  Sources stated further that the protesters tried to ablaze a nearby bunker and a forces vehicle due to which forces had to fire in retaliation. DIG North Kashmir G.H.Bhat told KNS over phone that the FIR into the incident has been registered and that the investigation has been started by the police. . (KNS)

  • Geelani’s health condition improving’

    Geelani has neither nominated his son or any other successor: Hurriyat (G)
    Srinagar: Chairman, Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Geelani has neither nominated his son or any other as his successor and nor is it possible in future, a statement issued by Hurriyat (G) has said.
    According to the statement issued to KNS, Tehreek-e-Hurriyat is an ideological and structured organization which doesn’t only reject the successor theory but it terms this type of nominations as an undemocratic and unprincipled acts.
    While terming the news report which appeared in a Delhi base English daily regarding nomination of successor as baseless and mischievous acts, spokesman of Geelani said that the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat is going to take legal action against the newspaper and its reporter and for this, the consultation of many senior lawyers of Srinagar High Court and legal experts has been sought.
    He said that neither Geelani has any concept or idea of any successor nor his son is the candidate or desirous for this. Tehreek-e-Hurriyat is an ideological organization, where every act is done with the proper consultation of its executive body and it does not follow any type of dictatorship system.
    “Since Geelani son does not even have any basic membership in Tehreek-e-Hurriyat so there is no question of his nomination as successor.” According to the spokesman, the reporter of the news daily has not only falsely reported but he has proven that how little information he has about the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat.
    Ghulam Nabi Sumji and Masrat Aalam Bhat are the leaders of Muslim Conference and Muslim League respectively and both of them are although respectable and great personalities on the forefront of this freedom struggle but they neither have any organizational relationship nor they held any membership with the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat.
    The Hurriyat (G) spokesman has also strongly rejected the theory of news reporter that in 2010, Geelani had any confrontation with Sehraie and Masrat Aalam. He said that the organizations of both the leaders (Sehraie and Masrat) are the constituents of Hurriyat Conference and this forum has a set policy regarding the freedom struggle of Kashmir. According to the UN resolutions, this forum (Hurriyat Conference) favours a peaceful solution of Kashmir dispute and there is no division of thoughts within the forum.
    “The news reporter, who had termed both the persons as hardcore, has actually provided this misleading information to the Indian agencies and have indirectly advised them (agencies) that they should be dealt with iron hands.” The spokesman said that Sehraie is a senior leader of freedom struggle of Kashmir and General Secretary of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat and the reporter who have said that Sehraie believes that the gun is the only solution of Kashmir dispute, is not only a mischievous act but it is an act to defame his identity.
    He said that though gun also plays an important role in highlighting the Kashmir cause but the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, of which Sehraie is a backbone, favours a peaceful struggle to address this issue and it doesn’t indulge in any type of underground activities. “This organization has its own constitution and policies and there is no confusion in following these policies.”
    The Hurriyat (G) spokesman in a press release said that the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat is going to take legal action against the false reporting and mischievous act of the above mentioned newspaper and its reporter and for this, a meeting was held with the senior lawyers and legal experts, in which final decision has been taken regarding the action.
    Meanwhile, according to the Hurriyat (G) spokesman a detailed checkup of Geelani has been conducted in APOLO hospital New Delhi and doctors have advised many important medical investigations. The health condition of pro-freedom leader is improving and he is also taking some light food. The Hurriyat (G) spokesman said that Dr. Sameer Koul conducted his detailed checkup and on his advice some important medical investigations were also conducted who’s results are awaited.
    Although doctors have expressed their satisfaction over the health of Geelani, but they advised some important precautions and said that there is no possibility of carelessness. Hurriyat (G) spokesman said that the people are showing their tremendous affection and attachment towards the health of Geelani and they are continuously enquiring about his health over phone and physical visit.  (KNS)

  • Azad, Soz, NC leaders kick start campaign from Sunderbani

    Jammu: Congress-National Conference leaders today kick started election campaign by addressing public rallies at Sunderbani, Nowshera and Rajouri today.
    According to a statement issued by Congress to KNS, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, President JKPCC Prof. Saifuddin Soz-MP (former Union Minister) accompanied by Minister for Planning Shri Ajay Sadotra and Provincial President National Conference Shri Davinder Singh Rana-MLC and Shri Madan Lal Sharma Congress candidate for Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha Constituency kick started the campaign from Sunderbani. They addressed largely attended public meetings at Sunderbani, Nowshera and Rajouri today for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in the state.
    Addressing largely attended meetings Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad said that country has witnessed tremendous development in all spheres of life under the UPA regime in the past 10 years including in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The negative campaign against the UPA is only to divert the attention of people from the achievements of government in every spheres of life including road network, hospitals, education and other pro-poor schemes which have benefited the cross sections of the society. He said that the politics of the hatred is a dangerous campaign for the country and urged the people to reject the communal and divisive forces and strengthen the secular and progressive forces in order to strengthen the unity and integrity of the nation and the state. He said that foundation of this country has been laid on secular ideals which are strength of our nation and we should not allow weakening this at any cost and urged the people to reject such kind of forces who are posing threat to the secular fabric of the nation. He also referred to the numerous achievements of the coalition government in the state by the liberal funding of UPA government and appealed to people to vote in favour of coalition candidates in the state.
    Prof. Soz in his address referred to fulfillment of various issues like implementation of 73rdAmendment, Creation of large number of Administrative Units in the state, although there are some genuine demands from certain areas for creation of such units. He said that 73rd Amendment will strengthen the basic democratic Institutions i.e Panchayats in the state. He referred to the issue of refugees of different categories for which Congress party initiated at the highest level of the Prime Minister, UPA Chairperson and Union Home Minister for one time settlement and the party is trying its best to solve their issues.
    He also referred the demand of Border Migrants, Reservation for Jatts and issue of OBC’s which have been taken up at highest level. He appreciated the efforts of   Madan Lal Sharma during past 10 years to nourish and effectively represent the constituency and the state in the Lok Sabha before the centre government. Ajay Sadotra in his address urged the people to strengthen the hands of NC-Congress coalition and urged the people and  workers of both the party to work for the success of coalition candidates. He highlighted the achievements Omar led coalition government in the state.
    Davinder Singh Rana in his address said that the success of coalition candidates is necessary to defeat the divisive forces and strengthen the bond of unity and integrity of the state. He urged the party workers to launch a co-ordinated campaign for the success of coalition candidates in the state.
    Earlier, the visiting leaders welcomed by Vice Chairman Kissan Board & MLA Nowshera Shri R. S. Sharma and Shri Ravinder Sharma-MLC besides prominent Congress-NC leaders, Sarpanchs and Panchs of the area.
    Ravinder Sharma in his address said that various demands of Sunderbani and Nowshera have been met including setting up of Degree college and status of Sub-District at Sunderbani, besides creation of various tehsils, niabats and blocks. He said that the upgradation of Sunderbani and Nowshera hospitals have been sanctioned. However, he referred to genuine demand of creation of tehsil status to Devak area of Sunderbani-Bhawani and Lamberi area of Nowshera needs to be addressed. He also highlighted the problems of the people of the area
    Prominent others who attended the meetings included President J&K Mahila Congress Smt. Indu Pawar-MLA; Sham Lal Bhagat-MLC; Thakur Manmohan Singh, Dr. Rashid Choudhary (General Secretaries); Shiv Kumar Sharma-President INTUC; Dr. Ramosh Chander Sharma-Ex Minister; Ashok Sharma-Ex-MLA, Rattan Lal Gupta (NC); Narinder Sharma, Narinder Gupta, Neeraj Gupta (Sacretaries); Pranav Shagotra, Vipan Pal-District President NC; Th. Shamsher Singh-President BCC Sunderbani; H. L. Bakshi-President BCC Nowshera; Capt. Moti Ram-President Block NC Nowshera; Rajinder Parshad; Prithvi Raj Khokhar; Ch. Manmohan Singh and others. (KNS)

  • Post snowfall situation a failure of Govt on all fronts: Mirwaiz

    Srinagar: Terming the immense hardships faced by the people due to recent rains and heavy snowfall as failure of government at all levels, Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman Dr Mirwaiz Moulvi Umar Farooq Friday said the government preferred to remain in deep slumber to make people suffer despite weather advisory issued by the met department.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, while asserting that authorities were completely caught off-guarded to tackle the emergency, Mirwaiz said they only acted when the situation turned out of control thereby adding to the hardships and sufferings of people.
    Coming heavily on government, Mirwaiz said that state authorities expressed its helplessness before the situation arisen out due to unprecedented rain and snow fall, adding, they only issued hollow statements which was reflective of the reality that like past they (government) had not even a distant concern regarding the worries and hardships faced by the people. He said the snow and rains were not new to Kashmir, but government has taken no advance measures to deal with the situation thus putting people on their own mercy. He said at many places people prevented untoward incidents from happening due to their own valor efforts.
    Mirwaiz said people were facing acute shortage of food items, adding, power and water breakdown has further complicated the sufferings of Kashmiris. He said the callous attitude of government reflected the complete failure of government at all levels to deal with the situation.
    Expressing serious concern over shortage of food items in the market due to black marketing, Mirwaiz said it was against the moral and Islamic values of Kashmiris. He said as a nation, Kashmiris should think collectively in these testing times and lend their solidarity and help to fellow Kashmiris instead of making them to suffer.
    Expressing profound grief and sympathy with over the loss of life and property due to recent snowfall, he offered special prayers for the victims of the snow fury. He also appealed people to lend their helping hand who have lost their properties and relatives during the recent snowfall. (KNS)

  • Lok Sabha elections 2014: Threat, preparation level at par with last elections: DGP

    Srinagar: Director General of Police (DGP) Ashok Prasad Friday said the level of threat and preparations to meet the security challenges in Jammu and Kashmir for the smooth conduct of upcoming Lok Sabha polls is at par with what was at the time of last elections held in 2009.
    Talking to KNS, Mr Prasad said that the peaceful conduct of Lok Sabha and the legislative assembly elections this year is a major challenge for the state police. “We will have to remain vigilant to foil the attempts of anti-national elements who will try to disturb the smooth conduct of elections in the state,” he said adding he has issued directions to the department to discharge duties with utmost dedication and commitment to ensure law and order during elections.
    Mr Prasad observed that though the level of militancy has reduced to a large extent but the threat remains alive. “But the elections being held in phased manner will help our security preparations. Obviously the militants will try to target their soft targets to make some news but we are ready to face any eventuality,” the DGP remarked.
    He said that the preparations put in place for the ensuring smooth conduct of Lok Sabha elections will help to make our plans better for the coming assembly polls. “We will surely need a large fleet of vehicles for Lok Sabha elections but the same depends on the number of candidates contesting these polls.”
    The DGP said that almost all polling booths in Valley are sensitive but the police will have to adequate measures where the polling booths are declared super sensitive.  (KNS)

  • HCJK election boycott campaign reaches Sopore

    GoI resorting to ‘divide and rule’ policy in JK
    Srinagar: As part of its election boycott campaign Hurriyat Conference Jammu Kashmir (HCJK) leaders Friday addressed a huge gathering at Bomai, Sopore in north Kashmir.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, the leaders led by Shabir Ahmad Shah said that by involving the people of Kashmir in so-called elections India can never suppress our freedom movement.
    “The freedom movement is aimed at creating self-reliance among people by liberating the nation from the clutches of slavery while as the so-called power politics is the game-plan of the elements who exploit the nation for their petty self interests,” Shabir Ahmad Shah while addressing the gathering said. Other Hurriyat leaders who spoke on the occasion included Mushtaq ul Islam, Shabir Ahmad Dar, Muhammad Yusuf Naqash, Wajahat Quereshi and Muhammad Yasin Ataai.
    Shah said that living nations do not sacrifice their “freedom” for petty interests. He said we have laid innumerous sacrifices so as to live with honour and dignity at par with other free nations. “So, we call for complete boycott of upcoming parliamentary and assembly polls to honour the precious blood laid by our martyrs like Shaheed Muhammad Maqbool Bhat and Shaheed Muhammad Afzal Guru,” he said.
    Warning people against the ill designs of pro-India politicians, Shah said they are applying “divide and rule” policy here by turning people against each other on geographical, linguistic, religious and racial lines but our freedom struggle is aimed at liberating all the sections of Jammu and Kashmir State from the forcible occupation of India.”
    Commenting on the state terrorism leashed upon the length and breadth of the valley, Shah said despite the ill treatment of political prisoners in jails, miseries of the parents of disappeared people and frequent arrests of Hurriyat activists, the people of Kashmir are filled with the spirit of freedom.
    Shabir Ahmad Shah also expressed satisfaction and gratitude to the Government of Pakistan for its unrelenting political, moral and diplomatic support to Kashmiris.
    “It is due to the endeavours of Pakistan that oppression and atrocities inflicted by India on Kashmiri people were highlighted at international level. Our freedom movement is in dire need of that country’s every support and we hope that Pakistan will continue fulfilling its responsibilities towards Kashmir issue,” Shah said. Shah also urged Hurriyat leaders to play active role in creating awareness among people with regards to anti-movement propagandas of pro-India elements.  (KNS)

  • Last date for submission of application form extended till Mar 22

    Srinagar: The Haj Committee of India has extended the last date for submission of Haj Application Forms for Haj 2014 to March 22. Earlier, the last date was March 15.
    Passport officer Srinagar Firdous Iqbal told KNS that the Haj Committee of India has accepted the request made by the state government and his office and extended the date for submission of application forms by a week.
    “I had written to the state Haj committee as well as copied to my own joint secretary besides forwarding the request to the Haj Committee of India  that due to unprecedented snowfall the department was facing multiple problems which necessitated an extension in last date for the submission of application forms from the intending Haj applicants in the state,” said Firdous Iqbal, Passport officer Srinagar.
    Minister for Haj and Auqaf Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed confirmed this to KNS, saying the intending Haj applicants may now submit their applications up to March 22. He said that while extending the last date all other conditions would remain the same and there would be no change in this regard.
    The passport officer Srinagar said that for the convenience of intending Haj pilgrims one more week has been given for submission of Haj Application Forms and those applicants whose Passport is not received may make efforts to obtain their passports. (KNS)