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First Friday of Ramadhan No Azan, Prayers in Jamia Masjid

Situation remained normal: IGP Kashmir

Srinagar: Curfew like restrictions were in place in Srinagar on Friday with the huge deployment of police and paramilitary forces made to thwart any protest demonstrations after Friday prayers.

According to the KNS correspondent, curfew like restrictions was imposed in several areas of Srinagar including the old city wherein barricades and concertina were placed to   put curbs on pedestrian movement.

Kashmir’s separatist leadership earlier had called for a strike on July 4 against the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Reports have maintained that a complete shutdown was observed in various parts of valley on Friday   – the first Friday in the ongoing month of Ramadhan. People preferred to stay indoors with the roads of the summer capital giving the deserted look. Shops and other business establishments remained closed and the educational institutions were shut due to the non- availability of the transport services. Government and private offices also marked the negligible attendance.

In old city of Srinagar, huge deployment of forces was made and the barricades and concertina wires were placed on the middle of the various roads to keep a check on the pedestrian movement. In Hawal, Safa Kadal, Khaniyar, Nowhatta and adjoining areas the barbed wires were placed at the connecting routes and the people were denied the permission to travel towards Nowhatta.

The Maisuma area of Srinagar remained under siege with no one being allowed to enter into the area. Troops were seen deployed at the check points to foil any protest demonstration. Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Muhammad Yasin Malik was Friday morning arrested from his Maisuma residence.  Reports said police raided Malik’s residence and detained him at Kothi Bagh Police Station. In various other area of upper town, people complained of strict curfew like restrictions- maintaining that no one was allowed to leave their places with the deployment of forces in the area were much large in number.

Also several employees of the Radio Kashmir Srinagar Friday stated that the forces didn’t allow them to proceed towards the station while as various people accused that they were   not allowed to visit GB Pant hospital to get their children treated. Meanwhile, a complete shutdown is being observed in the whole valley on the call of separatists. 

IGP Kashmir A G Mir, told KNS: “The situation remained normal and no untoward incident was reported from anywhere today.” A senior spokesman in the civil administration told KNS, that the restrictions in the city have been lifted and no untoward incident was reported from anywhere. “There will be no restriction tomorrow,” said the senior officer in the civil administration.

Despite being the first Friday of the ongoing month of Ramadhan, no congregation prayers were offered at Kashmir’s historic Jamia Masjid in old city. According to the KNS correspondent, authorities since Thursday evening placed Kashmir’s chief religious cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house arrest who was supposed to deliver Friday sermon in the grand mosque.

Reports informed that in view of the Prime Minister Narendera Modi’s visit to valley and the strike call issued by the separatist leadership here, curfew and restrictions, on first Friday of Ramadhan, were imposed in old city with the roads wearing deserted look. No Friday congregation prayers were allowed in Jamia Masjid.

Police also have placed Masjid’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house detention. Strict curfew has been imposed in various places in and outside the Srinagar in view of the Modi’s first visit to Kashmir. Meanwhile, various pro-freedom leaders including Syed Ali Shah Geelani and others have been placed under arrest.

Dedicates Katra rail link to Nation

Winning hearts of people of J&K my priority

Srinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated 240 MW Uri-II Hydro Electric Project here.  Addressing a gathering on the occasion, the Prime Minister said the government has laid stress on environment-friendly energy of which hydro power is an important constituent. He said J&K has a potential of production of 13-14 thousand MW clean and environment-friendly energy for which he said all the efforts would be channelized.

Narendra Modi said J&K is on the path of development and progress and visualized many big mile stones in coming days. Prime Minister also announced upgradation of Local Kendraya Vidalya from High School to Higher Secondary School for which admission would be started from the coming session.

Governor, N. N. Vohra, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, Union Minister of State for Power, Piyush Goyal, MLC, G.N. Monga, Chief Secretary, Iqbal Khanday, DGP, K Rajendra, Principal Secretary Power, A. K. Mehta, Divisional Commissioner, Shalendra Kumar, IGP, A. G. Mir, Chief Engineer Power, Deputy Commissioner, Barmaulla, officers of NHPC, HCC and district administration were present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, dedicating the Udhampur –Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway line to the people of the nation by flagging off the train from Katra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that chugging of train to Katra will accelerate and give a new momentum to the development of the state. Modi also flagged off first train–a DMU– from newly constructed Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Katra Railway Station, “Today Jammu and Kashmir will get both speed and energy. I am inaugurating this and a power project later today,” the Prime Minister said adding that “On one side Amarnath Yatra is on, on the other there is Ramdhan being observed and at the same time this  new facility comes up for devotees to connect to Mata Vaishnoo Devi ,” Modi said, suggesting that the train be called ‘Shri Shakti Express’. He congratulated the people of the nation and said the vital rail link will fulfill the aspirations of the people across the nation.

N. N. Vohra, Governor of J&K and Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of J&K, Shri D.V. Sadananda Gowda Union Minister of Railways, Shri Manoj  Sinha, Minister of State for Railways, Government of India and Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science and Technology, Earth Science & Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances, & Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Government of India.  Chairman Railway Board, Shri Arunendra Kumar, Member Engineering Railway Board Shri V. K. Gupta, General Manager, Northern Railway & North Central Railway Shri Pradeep Kumar, Senior officials of Railways and J&K State Government were among those present on the occasion.

“Katra will see massive growth and emerge as the centre stage of major economic and developmental activities in the coming 10 years and its impact will percolate to all the facets and dimensions of development of the state” Prime Minister said adding that better infrastructure and developmental projects have their positive spillover effects in terms of employment generation and overall growth. Prime Minister assured that the start made by former Prime Minister Atalji for connecting Jammu and Kashmir through Railways will be taken ahead.

Assuring holistic development of Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister said that J&K has faced lot of hardships and it is collective responsibility of all to work for the growth of the state. ”Carrying forward the ideology of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and winning the hearts of the people of J&K is my priority and it will be strengthened by development and growth for progress and prosperity of people of state”, Prime Minister added.

Mr. Modi said that development should aim at bringing about a qualitative change in the life of all stakeholders and all developmental activities should be conceptualized by setting benchmarks for sustainable growth. He said that the Himalayan states have their unique set of problems and developmental aspirations and government is ensuring all efforts to meet these needs and aspirations. He maintained that development should keep focus on promotion and protection of ecology of these regions. He maintained that unique environment friendly infrastructural development will be promoted in the Himalayan states.

The 25.6 km long track came up at an estimated cost of Rs.1132.75 cr and has 10.9 km of tunneling, one important, seven major and 29 minor bridges. The station on this section is Chakrakhwal in addition to Udhampur & Katra. The construction of the rail line necessitated building of 11 Road-Over-Bridges & 1Road-Under-Bridge besides one pipe-line crossing in addition to 3 Foot-over-Bridges and 38.86 lakh cum earthwork. The bridge on River Jhajjar is the longest Steel Girder Bridge in India with a height of 85 m and with two spans of 154m each. Prime Minister said that State of Art facilities at Katra Railway Station will attract a huge influx of tourists and expressed hope that the impact will reinforce the developmental activities in Jammu too.

He said that in a unique initiative and centre-state partnership to improve the facilities for the tourists. Tourism infrastructure will be developed in state and also a single ticket facility will be provided to travel to Katra and further to Banihal by bus and to proceed to Kashmir via train.

He said that it is also the time to introspect as how much the benefits of developmental initiatives have actually reached the grass root. He maintained that growth is achieved only when the person living in the farthest and remotest parts of the nation enjoys the benefits of development. Mr Modi said that development initiatives should have a spillover effect to bring vital changes in the socio-economic status of the people.

Speaking on the improvement of railways, Prime Minister said that new guidelines have been forwarded for developing ultra modern railway stations to facilitate the travelers adding that such developmental initiatives will turn into economically viable projects and will attract private participation in the field. He stressed that it is important that the railway stations should be revamped to provide services and ambience at par with airports .We should also make better use of SOLAR ENERGY and all railway stations should draw Solar Power” said Mr Modi.

Mr Modi said that in order to give impetus to rail connectivity in the state, Northern Railway plans to extend the 3 pairs of DEMU train services currently servicing from Jammu Tawi to Udhampur to Katra. The Railway also proposes to run 3 pairs of Express trains from New Delhi, Kalka and Ahmedabad to Katra besides the proposal to run 3 pairs of Premium trains from Bandra (T), Howrah and Yeshwantpur to Katra in the year ahead

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra station is provided with modern passenger conveniences. It is a four line crossing station. Platform No. 1, 2 & 3 the main passenger train dealing platforms are 550m long high level Platform each with 400 m long platform shelter.

One escalator connecting station building and PF-1 is also provided here. Sufficient water booths are provided on all platforms. Public conveniences, water taps, benches, etc. are also provided on all the platforms. One through FOB has been provided for the local people of the town.

Earlier the Union Railway Minster, D.V. Sadananda gave a resume of the project and other important aspects and said that Permanent job in Railways has been provided to one of the family members, whose more than 75% of land has been acquired and job to 700 persons has been given so far in this project. The completion of this project will provide an all weather and reliable connectivity to the J&K State with rest of the country by the railway network and also provide connectivity by rail to far flung areas of J&K which will result in overall development of the state. Construction of Access Roads – More than 235 Km approach road to work sites is being constructed; these roads will provide connectivity to far-flung villages and will connect them to the main stream. Later, the Prime Minister flew back to Delhi. 

JKLF Chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik arrested in a nocturnal raid. JKLF Condemns the arrest. Peaceful protest in Srinagar, balloons bearing JKLF flags and pro “quit Kashmir” slogans released in air.

People deserve congratulations on exemplary protest strike: Noor Mohd Kalwal.

Srinagar: Chairman Jammu Kashmir liberation front (JKLF) was arrested by police in a nocturnal raid on his residence last night .police and forces cordoned the residence of Yasin sahib and arrested him. Also despite curfew like situation and a total protest strike in Kashmir, JKLF leaders and activists released balloons with JKLF flags and play cards about “quit Kashmir” in air from many places in Srinagar and registered their peaceful protest . Police also has arrested JKLF district president Kupwara Rafiq Ahmad War.

Condemning the nocturnal raids on Yasin Malik’s residence and his arrest, senior JKLF leader and zonal president Noor Mohammad kalwal in a press release said that that these arrests, restrictions, oppressive measures and suppression is a glaring example of how India is controlling Kashmir. He said that this has yet again proved the fact that India is keeping its occupation on Kashmir through military might and oppression. He said that today’s peaceful and total protest strike in entire Kashmir must serve as an eye opener and Nerander Modi, BJP; RSS etc should revisit their anti-Kashmir approach and policies. He said that Indian prime minister and his party should respect the people’s sentiments, aspirations and struggle and take positive steps to resolve Jammu Kashmir issue in accordance with these aspirations and with the participation of people of Jammu Kashmir. Noor Mohd Kalwal congratulated people for their exemplary protest strike.

Commenting upon the statement of erstwhile employee leader Khurshid Alam Wani that has surfaced in some dailies today, Noor Mohd Kalwal said that this statement is ridiculous and bundle of lies. He said that a new trend has been started by some pro-India parties in Kashmir from some months. If any resistance leader issues a statement against PDP, they say that it is a conspiracy of National conference and if someone issues a statement against NC they dub it as pro PDP. Noor Mohd Kalwal said that for resistance lovers PDP, NC and all those who side with India and are engaged in pro-India politics are enemies of Kashmir and their only job is to safeguard the interests of India ridiculing the statement of khusheed Allam in which he had claimed that he never used any pro resistance platform, He said that we want to remind this man that if it was true then why was he along with many other employee leaders indulged in expelling Ishtiyaaq Qadri dubbing him as an enemy of resistance movement. Why was Khursheed Aalam seen often at APHC offices those days? We also want to remind him that if he was never with pro-Azadi camp then why did he and his people participated in coordination committee of all pro resistance parties in 2008. We also want to freshen up his memory about his closeness with Shura I Jehad, that at the end he used for plundering lakh’s of bags and truck loads of rice of food and supplies department. Noor Mohd Kalwal said that this nation needs an explanation from Khusheed Aalam that despite being a “Ghat Munshi” how he became owner of many mills, hundreds of trucks and more than 200 Crores. He said that khurshid Aalam must know that the area of down town Srinagar he claims to be representing has a history of resistance from 1928.  Down town has in past defeated the nefarious designs of (renegades) Kuka Parray’s and will in future also bury the ill designs of modern day political renegades. Noor Mohd Kalwal said that JKLF has a distinction of fighting the might of national conference and when renegades like kuka parray’s came to defeat resistance movement, JKLF led by Yasin Malik chased them to Hajin and Islamabad. Noor Mohd Kalwal said that JKLF will leave no stone unturned in exposing the new breed of political renegades and will chase them till their nefarious designs of defeating the resistance movement of Kashmiris are finished. (Insha’Allah). He said that JKLF has accumulated all the evidences, speeches, meetings and also details of black deeds by these people and their family members and these evidences will be made public on proper time.

All necessary security measures in place: DGP

Srinagar: A day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir, heavy security measures are in place to thwart any untoward incident. According to the KNS correspondent, heavy deployment of police and other security agencies was made in various areas of Srinagar with the frisking and checking being done in various areas here.

Talking to KNS, DGP K Rajindera who is in Jammu, said: “All necessary security arrangement have been taken and a foolproof security grid is in place.”

Reports reaching KNS said that the senior police officials were themselves monitoring the situation with the vehicles at check points being thoroughly monitored before being allowed to proceed. A senior police official while pleading anonymity stated that the clear directions have been given to them for the arrangement of the adequate security measures ahead of the scheduled visit of prime minister. Also the reports maintained that police has been directed to check vehicles in such a way that commoners don’t feel inconvenience. Security has also been beefed in view of the strike call extended by almost all major separatist outfits calling for a general strike on the occasion of the Prime Minister’s visit. On July 4 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay a one-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir- his first after assuming office of the prime minister. The prime minister will arrive in Jammu and then proceed to nearby Katra town to inaugurate the Katra-Udhampur train that would cover a 25-km distance between the two places, sources said. Katra is the base town of the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine that is visited by millions of devotees every year. After the commissioning of the Katra railway station, pilgrims would be able to reach the town directly without having to engage other modes of transport as they now do.

Railways Minister Sadananda Gowda and Minister of State in the PMO Jitendera Singh will accompany Mr Modi during his visit. The prime minister will then leave for Srinagar where he will chair a security review meeting at the Badami Bagh headquarters of the army’s 15 Corps. The meeting will be attended by Governor N.N. Vohra, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, general officer commanding-in-chief (GOC-in-C) Northern Command, Lt. Gen. D.S. Hooda and the three corps commanders of the 14th, 15th and the 16th Corps. The governor will later host lunch for the prime minister at the Raj Bhavan in Srinagar. Mr Modi is also scheduled to visit Uri town in Baramulla district to inaugurate the 240 MW Uri-II hydroelectric power projects. 

‘Amalgam of opportunists hatching conspiracy against NC’

‘Teach them befitting lesson in coming election’

Budgam: Chief Minister and Working President National Conference, Omar AbdullahWednesday asked the people to teach a befitting lesson to the ‘amalgam of opportunists’ hatching conspiracy against the State and its people to grab power.

“They have converged yet again to confuse the people by unleashing false and baseless propaganda against National Conference and the Government to attempt at power grabbing”, he said and added that people are well-versed to read between the lines and understand the only agenda of these elements to seek power at any cost.

According to a statement issued to KNS, while addressing National Conference Workers meetings in Khan Sahib, Budgam and other areas today, Omar Abdullah said that falsehood is always short lived and it cannot defeat the sincerity and truthfulness.

Amid thunderous applause by hundreds of NC workers, Omar Abdullah recited the famous couplet “Batil Say Dabnay Walay Ay Aasman Nahi Hum; Sobar Kar Chuka Ha Tu Imtihan Hamara” (The Cosmos is witness that we have never succumbed before negative forces. Our trait has been tested hundreds of times by the World”. He referred to the history of sacrifices and struggle rendered by National Conference, its leadership and brave workers during the difficult and challenging times.

Omar Abdullah said that NC belongs to common people. “It represents the aspirations of all shades of people. It has proved its mettle time and again. Its fountain head of strength is commoners. It has withstood onslaughts of conspirators always with the highest support of masses emerging victorious”, he maintained and expressed confidence over the workers of National Conference that they will steer the party once again through tumult waters to achieve the cherished goal of ‘Naya Kashmir’.

“Your detractors are out to put all hurdles in your way. They want to damage National Conference. This has been their long desire but like in the past you teach them a lesson again and put down their castle of ill designs to the ground”, he said asking NC rank and file to make the opponents bite the dust in forthcoming elections by handing over people’s overwhelming verdict against them.

The Working President National Conference castigated PDP for its bizarre behaviour of making the party safe castle for the elements having corruption charges and bad reputation. He said that this has punctured the balloon of falsehood of PDP crying hoarse against corruption. He said by inducting elements with charges of corruption in the party fold and allotting tickets to them speaks volumes about the lust of the party to grab power by hook or crock. He said they cannot fool people who know everything what is being cooked to divide them for power politics.

Referring to the achievements of the government, Omar Abdullah asked the National Conference workers to make people fully aware of the historic decisions taken by the government during the last over five years to empower common man and give him the authority to ask any question to the government regarding its performance in various fields of development and governance. He said this historic measure alongwith establishment of Panchayat Raj and creation of hundreds of New Administrative Units to enhance the access of the people to the administration besides implementation of Public Services Guarantee Act – a novel legislation – to ensure time bound public services to the people, are some extra-ordinary achievements of the coalition government which NC workers need to explain to the people and make them aware of the impact of these for ensuring in transparency and curbing corruption.

Omar Abdullah also mentioned the measures of e-tendering, e-procurement and 3rd party independent monitoring of development projects besides making formulation of Results Framework Document essential for every department so that at the end of the year the performance of these departments could be ascertained as per their own set gauge. He said that these measures will revolutionize the functioning and governance in the State and people will remember my government for a long period for such path braking initiatives.

The Chief Minister mentioned the stupendous task undertaken by the government during the last over five years on road communication sector and referred to the construction of over 450 road projects and 265 bridges. He also mentioned construction of 10000 kilometres of new roads and upgrading and blacktopping of 19000 kilometres during the last over five years. He said that linking remote and far-flung areas with main highways received focused attention during his government adding that over 700 schemes have been completed under PMGSY during this period.

Omar Abdullah also listed achievements of the government in the other development fields and urged National Conference workers to disseminate the information about these to the grass roots. Party General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar & Provincial President National Conference, Kashmir, Nasir Aslam Wani also addressed the meetings.

Srinagar: As the holy month of Ramadan commenced on Monday, people in Kashmir observed fast with religious zeal and fervor. In large numbers, people were see participating in congregational prayers in mosques. The shops in the city centre on Monday opened late due to the first day of the Ramadan with the roads witnessing less traffic as compared to other days. According to the KNS correspondent, people here were seen busy in buying fruits and other eatable that would be consumed at the dusk (Iftaar). Also the officials of the market checking squad were observed making rounds of the various markets to check the rates and quality of the food items being sold to people at present.

Also due to the increase in the temperatures, people were seen busy in the purchase of juices and ice creams, meant to be consumed later. The Naats and the Quranic recitations were being played at the various shops selling CDs and audio cassettes at Lal Chowk.

Huge rush was also witnessed at the Mutton and Chicken shops with the people purchasing the commodities in large numbers. Various others accused that the prices in the markets is not being monitored and that the sellers claim the rates of the certain commodities as per their own wish with no rate list hanging around the shops.

The vendors in the city centre Lal Chowk made good business on Monday with the fruits, vegetables being sold to people at large. Polythene was widely used in the Srinagar markets on Monday with the concerned authorities on the deep slumber over the open usage of the banned entity.

The people also accused that the authorities didn’t announce the rates of the essential commodities for the holy month, hence paving ways for the black marketing and illegal price hikes. Masses urged the state government to come up with the detailed rates of the items being sold in the markets so that buyers could not be deceived with the wrong rates.

Also the mosques were seen crowded for whole days with particularly special lectures of Quran and Hadith were arranged at certain places for the people. Kashmir’s historic grand mosque witnessed the huge rush of believers on the very first day with the individual recitations of Quran going on for several hours inside the mosque premises.

No major change expected in weather: Met office

Srinagar: With the increase in the temperatures in Srinagar on the very first day of Ramazan, the weathermen here predicted light to moderate rain and thundershowers at some places.

According to the KNS correspondent, Srinagar recorded 32.6 °C temperatures on Monday with the night temperatures recorded as 19.2.  The state metrological department has stated that there is a possibility of light rain, thundershower in Srinagar with the maximum and minimum temperatures will be round 32°C and 19°C respectively.

In Jammu region there will be Rain at some places and the maximum and minimum temperatures will be around 36°C and 27°C respectively.

According to MET office reports, Kashmir valley witnessed much increase in the temperatures during the last few days with Sunday’s temperature recorded as 31.6 degrees Celcius. In Jammu, the temperatures on Sunday were recorded as 33.7 degrees Celcius. The people of the region from the last several days are witnessing unabated increase in the temperatures. In Leh, the temperature remained 28. 2 on Monday. The state metrological department Monday maintained during the last 24 hours there is a possibility of light rain and thundershowers.

Maximum and Minimum temperatures will be around 30°C and 15°C respectively in Srinagar. In Jammu, the weather department predicted rain and thundershowers. Maximum and minimum temperatures will be around 37°C and 29°C respectively. Ladakh will be partly cloudy sky. Maximum and minimum temperatures will be around 25°C and 11°C respectively. 

Srinagar: Inspector General of Police, Mr. A.G. Mir in presence of Director Tourism Kashmir, Mr. Talat Aziz today flagged off the Sports Triathlon comprising cycling, mountaineering and swimming from Makai Park, Bouleverd road Srinagar. The event is part of the 9-Day Kashmir Summer Festival.

The Triathlon was sponsored by the Tourism Department Kashmir and organized by the Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering (IISM) Gulmarag Kashmir. Teams from different schools of the Valley participated in the event.

Later, the IGP also flagged off the boat race events at SKICC, Srinagar.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Mir highlighting the importance of sports events for the physical and mental development of the youth added that such events provide a competitive environment for the youth to showcase their talent. He said more and more sports events should be held covering various events and activities to encourage maximum participation of youth. Later medals and mementos were distributed among the participating teams. Among others Director, IISM, Gulmarg Kashmir, Col. J.S. Dillon, senior officers of the Tourism Department and various school children were present on the occasion.

Situation remained normal: Govt.

Srinagar: Kashmir valley observed shutdown on Tuesday after both the factions of Huriyat Conference issued a strike call against the killing of a youth in North Kashmir.

According to the details received by KNS, the shutdown call issued by both the conglomerates evoked mixed response in various areas of valley as the public transport remained off the roads the private vehicles plying normally. In Srinagar’s Lal Chowk area, shops and other business establishments remained closed with the government and private offices witnessed very thin attendance.

The school children also remained indoors as the educational institutions remained closed with the children playing cricket on the city roads. No restrictions were imposed by the authorities on Tuesday in Srinagar’s old city as the private vehicles were seen plying on the down town area.  Comparatively less number of police personnel deployed on the roads of the city.

The state authorities told KNS that no untoward incident took place in any area of Kashmir valley on Tuesday and that the day passed off peacefully. According to KNS north Kashmir correspondent, undeclared curfew was clamped in Sopore area a day after a youth namely Arshad Ahmad Shah was killed during firing on Monday when protesters allegedly attacked forces at the site wherein a fierce gun battle was going on in the area.

Reports informed that huge deployment of was made in the town with the concertina wires and barricades placed at various points. Reports informed that the roads were blocked as few were allowed to move without being thoroughly being frisked. Reports of partial shutdown have been received from other district and Tehsil headquarters of the valley.

Meanwhile, Huriyat (G) Chairman Syed Ali Geelani continues to remain under house arrest besides other leaders of his amalgam including Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai, Ayaz Akbar, Peer Saif-ulah and Altaf Ahmad Shah.

Also the reports reaching KNS informed that most of the separatist leaders remained under house arrest including Huriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Shahid-ul-Islam, HCJK senior leader Shabir Ahmad Shah besides several others. Meanwhile, according to police, Situation remained peaceful throughout the valley on Tuesday. However in a stray stone pelting incident in Muran Chowk Pulwama an  8th class boy Sarwar Husain Dar son of Ashiq Husain resident of Matrigam was hit by a stone and received injury on his head when he was on way to his school. The boy has suffered depressed skull fracture as per doctor of DH Pulwama. In two other minor incidents some miscreants in Gulshan Chowk Bandipore and Gojwara Srinagar tried to pelt stones on civilian vehicles but were immediately chased away. Curfew remained imposed in Sopore town today.

Srinagar: A Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant commander Mehmood Bhai was killed in an encounter with police and security forces that started last evening in Baba Raza, Krankshawan area of Sopore, police said.

According to a police statement issued to KNS, acting on a specific information about the presence of militants in Krankshawan, Baba Raza Sopore Police, 52 RR, 22 RR and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation, last evening. The hiding militants opened fire on the search party triggering an encounter. The encounter ended today when a Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorist commander operating with code name Mehmood Bhai resident of Pakistan was killed.

One AK series rifle and other arms and ammunition was recovered from the possession of slain terrorist who was wanted in many terrorist crimes. He had escaped on several occasions from Security force cordons including from one fierce gun battle in Ahmad Nagar Srinagar last year.