Kashmir.Watch

Blog

  • 52-yr-old Rajouri man killed, 3 injured as militants attack wine shop in Bla

    Burka clad militant hurled grenade inside shop through porthole window: Police

    Baramulla, May 17: A 52-year-old man was killed while three others sustained injuries after militants lobbed a grenade inside a Wine shop, located at Dewan Bagh area in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Tuesday evening.

    Officials told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the injured were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment, however, one among them identified as Ranjit Singh, son of Krishan Lal (52), of Rajouri has succumbed to his injuries.

    The injured have been identified as Govinder Singh of Kathua, Ravi Kumar son of Kartar Chand of Khatua and Govind Singh from Rajouri district of Jammu division.

    They said that the condition of one among the three injured persons, Govind Singh, is stated to be critical and has been referred to Srinagar hospital for specialised treatment.

    Meanwhile, the search operation has been launched in the area to nab the attackers.

    Moreover, police in a tweet also confirmed the death of one injured, saying that the militants lobbed a hand grenade inside a newly opened wine shop in Baramulla and said that the area has been cordoned.

    “Terrorists lobbed hand grenade inside a newly opened wine shop in Baramulla. O4 employees got injured. One among them succumbed to his injuries. All are from Jammu division. Area cordoned and search started to nab culprits,” Kashmir Zone Police tweeted.

    Police in a statement issued to KNO said that two militants riding on a bike stopped near the newly opened wine shop at Dewan Bagh Baramulla. “The pillion rider wearing a Burka walked to the window of the said wine shop and dropped a grenade inside the said wine shop through the porthole window and thereafter fled away on the bike from the spot.”

    “In this incident, four employees of the said shop received splinter injuries. All the injured were immediately shifted to nearby hospital however, one among the injured identified as Ranjit Singh son of Kishan Lal resident of Bakra Rajouri succumbed to his injuries. The other injured employees have been identified as Govardhan Singh son of Bijendra Singh, Ravi Kumar son of Kartar Singh, both residents of Billawar Kathua and Govind Singh son of Gurdev Singh resident of Kangra Rajouri. Among the injured Govind Singh has been referred to Srinagar hospital for specialised treatment,” the statement said.

    Senior police officers immediately reached at the spot while the area has been cordoned and search in the area is going on, police said, adding that a case has been registered in this regard under relevant sections of law and investigation is in progress. “Officers continue to work to establish the full circumstances of the incident,”—(KNO)

  • World hypertension day: ‘Every other person in J&K suffering from silent killer’

    Taking anti BP medicine at bed time will prevent brain strokes, heart attacks: Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan, advocates separate hypertension clinics in hospitals

    Srinagar, May 17: Hypertension is a silent killer and around half of the population in J&K is hypertensive but most of them are unaware about it, Dr Nisar ul Hassan said on Tuesday.

    Dr Nisar who is also president of Doctors Association of Kashmir told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that almost every other person in J&K is hypertensive.

    He said that a blood pressure lowering pill at bedtime prevents heart attacks and strokes.

    According to Dr Nisar, hypertension is one of the common diseases in J&K and there is a need to have separate hypertension clinics at tertiary care hospitals besides district hospitals.

    He suggested patients with high blood pressure need to relax for a few minutes and it is not possible in general ward or OPD. So, separate hypertension clinics are needed, he added.

    Dr Nisar said that it is a myth that everyone suffering from a headache is a hypertension patient. “But truth is that hypertension is invariably a silent disease and population based screening is vital. There is a need to reach more and more people and screen them so that we can pick up patients early,” he added.

    He suggested lifestyle modification and reduction in salt intake in food and eating potassium rich foods.

    Paediatric hypertension is a reality and after three years of age every child must be screened and if ignored it may trigger complications in adults, he said—(KNO)

  • 4 Persons Injured In Grenade Blast At Newly-Open Wine Shop In Baramulla

    Srinagar, May 17: Four persons were injured when an unidentified militant, disguised as buyer, hurled a grenade inside a newly opened wine shop at Dewan Bagh on Tuesday evening.

    Official sources told GNS the militant hurled grenade at the wine shop this evening which exploded with a bang, leaving four persons injured. The injured were immediately shifted to hospital and details about their condition is awaited.

    A police officer confirmed the grenade blast and told GNS that attacker disguised himself as buyer. He said that the area has been cordoned off and searches have been launched to nab the attacker (s). (GNS)

  • Minor girl kidnapped, sexually assaulted in Malbagh, juvenile among 3 accused held: Police

    Srinagar, May 17 : Jammu and Kashmir police on Tuesday arrested three persons including a juvenile for allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting a minor girl in Malbagh area of Soura in Srinagar outskirts.

    According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), police said that three persons kidnapped a minor girl from Taqdeer Park Hazratbal and sexually assaulted her at a rented house at Mallabagh.

    Soon after receiving the information, officials at Police Station Nigeen registered a case under FIR number 57/2022 under section 363-342-354/IPC and starts investigation.

    The trio were arrested by police while the victim was shifted to hospital for medical checkup.

    Meanwhile, police in a tweet said that three persons involved in the act were arrested.

    “Three accused including one Juvenile apprehended for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a minor girl in Malbagh, Soura. The girl was kidnapped from Hazratbal area and taken to Malbagh by these accused. Case registered under relevant sections of POCSO and IPC act at Nigeen PS,” Srinagar Police tweeted.

    “Juvenile has been lodged in Observation home at Harwan, while other two adult accused have been arrested and lodged in lock-up of Nigeen Police station,” police tweeted—(KNO)

  • Killings are plans to push you out of Kashmir; don’t allow such elements suceed: IGP tells protesting KPs at Budgam

    Says shortcomings in security  grid  to be plugged soon, promises enhanced security cober for KPs, promises eradication of militancy

    Budgam, May 17 : Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Tuesday met protesting  KPs at Budgam and urged them not to think  of leaving Kashmir as the “same was plans of militants  and their masters across” that has to be foiled by all means. He assured KPs of every help and promised  them “better and enhanced security cover in the days ahead.”

    As per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), while addressing Kashmiri Pandit protesters at Sheikhpora, Budgam, Inspector General of Kashmir said that the shortcomings in security grid will be addressed very soon and at the same time, ‘we will eradicate terrorism’. 

    The Kashmir police chief visited  Sheikhpora where the pandit community has been protesting continuously for the last six days against the killing of their colleague last week.

    Assuring  the protesters there, he said: “Everyone including police, army and even local people will have to fight against terrorism. I urge the protesters not to do anything that will make our enemy successful. To push you out of Kashmir is the plan of militants  and their masters which has to be foiled you and us collectively.”

    He said  attacking KP community is a ploy of the  to drive them out of Kashmir which “we will never allow to succeed.”

    O”On behalf of the Army, Police and other security forces, I assure protesters that any shortcomings in security grid regarding the safety and security of KP’s will be addressed very soon, ” he said, adding that at the same time, terrorism will be eradicated as we have been doing—(KNO)

  • US has made Pakistan ‘a slave’ without invading it, says former PM Imran Khan

    LAHORE: The US has made Pakistan “a slave” without invading it, ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan claimed, asserting that the people will never accept an “imported government.”

    Khan, the 69-year-old cricketer-turned-politician, was voted out of power last month through a no-confidence motion, which he alleges was plotted by the US with the help of local players over his pursuance of an independent foreign policy.

    After his ouster, Khan has held several public rallies in different cities, labelling the new government headed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as “traitors and corrupt rulers” allegedly imposed at the behest of the US.

    Following his ouster, he has blamed the US for conspiring against his government – an allegation the US and the incumbent government here have refuted.

    “The US has made Pakistan a slave without having to invade it. The people of Pakistan will never accept the imported government,” he said while addressing a rally in Faisalabad in Pakistan’s Punjab province on Sunday.

    The former premier accused the US of being a self-centred country that does not help others without seeing its own interest.

    Khan on Sunday said that Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari will “beg” for money from the US Secretary Antony Blinken so that he (Khan) cannot come back to power.

    An invitation was extended by Blinken for Pakistan’s participation in the Ministerial meeting on Global Food Security to be held in New York on May 18.

    Khan accused Bilawal and his father Asif Ali Zardari of being corrupt and stashing their wealth across the globe.

    “Since all of Bilawal’s wealth is stored outside of the country, he cannot dare to upset the US, otherwise he will lose everything,” Khan said at the rally.

    The former Prime Minister on Saturday claimed that a “conspiracy” to assassinate him was being hatched in Pakistan and abroad, warning that if anything happens to him, the people will come to know about the perpetrators through a video message he has recently recorded and placed in a safe place.

    Khan has already announced a long march in Islamabad. He said the date of the march would be made public after May 20
    PTI

  • Chinese carrying out capability enhancement near LAC, says Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen RP Kalita

    Guwahati (Assam), May 16: The Chinese army is carrying out capability enhancement in terms of infrastructure, and operational capability close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in a large measure, said General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Command Lt Gen RP Kalita on Monday.
    Briefing mediapersons here, Lt Gen Kalita said, “We talk about border villages created close to LAC which has got dual-use possibility. If we put together everything, it would suffice to say that PLA is carrying out capability enhancement whether in infrastructure, or operational capability in a large measure.”
    He emphasized that India is acting towards enhancing infrastructure and operational capabilities in order to respond to any emergent situation.
    “All our agencies, including armed forces, are continuously monitoring this situation. We are also upgrading our own capabilities whether in terms of infrastructure or in terms of operational capabilities. If we talk about the LAC in the eastern theatre, across the LAC in Tibet there has been a lot of development in the infrastructure which is taking place. We all keep hearing about it,” Lt Gen stated.
    “The other side is constructing and upgrading their roads and tracks and connectivity. New airports and helipads are being constructed. Activities being undertaken to improve infrastructure so that they are in better position to respond to any emergent situation,” he added.
    The military standoff with China has been going on for over two years now when the Chinese side attempted to change the status quo unilaterally by moving troops in large numbers against Indian positions.
    In view of the Chinese threat, the Indian Army has shifted six Divisions that were earlier deployed in counter-terrorism roles and after taking care of the Pakistan front. The Indian Army has been doing rebalancing and realignment of its forces which were earlier more prepared for the Pakistan threat than the challenges faced from the Northern borders.
    Senior government sources said that after this rebalancing and realignment exercise was done over the last two years, two divisions (around 35,000 troops) have been feeding up from counter-terrorism roles for looking after the China border deployment.
    One division from Rashtriya Rifles was taken out from counter-terrorism roles from Jammu and Kashmir and has now been deployed in the Eastern Ladakh sector and would be there along with the 3 Division already based there, they said.
    Likewise, an Assam-based Division under the Tezpur-based Gajaraj Corps has been pulled out of its counter-insurgency role from the state and now its mandate is to look after the China border in the northeast, they said.
    The 17 Mountain Strike Corps which earlier had tasks in the Ladakh sector also has now been confined to the Northeast only and has been given one more Division based out of Jharkhand. The division earlier was tasked to carry out strike operations along the Western front.
    Two Army Divisions located in Uttar Pradesh have also now been assigned to the Northern Command for Ladakh theatre. The two formations were earlier tasked to fight on the Western front in case of a war, they said.
    Similarly, a Uttarakhand-based Division of a Strike Corps has been reassigned to the Central Command to look after the entire Central sector where the Chinese have been attempting transgressions on multiple occasions, they said.
    Sources said that the rebalancing has resulted in the deployment of two of the four Strike Corps in the Army with offensive elements on the China border whereas prior to April-May, 2022, three of them looked after Pakistan prominently, they said.
    The heavy deployment by India has also sent across a message to the Chinese military that any misadventure to attempt altering the status quo on the LAC would not be possible, they said.
    After the Chinese Army deployed on the Indian borders in heavy numbers, India also rushed in troops in the same manner and sent around 50,000 troops there. (Agencies)

  • Some people want bloodshed to continue in Kashmir: Ravinder Raina

    Says killers of innocent people are enemies of peace

    Srinagar, May 16: BJP President Ravinder Raina on Monday said that there are some forces who want bloodshed to continue in J&K and do not let people live peacefully.

    As per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), he said this after visiting slain Policeman’s Riyaz Ahmad Thoker residence for condolence in Gudoora’s Pulwama. The constable was killed by militants outside his home.

    Raina said that the slain policeman gave his life for the country and it is their duty to take care of his family now.

    Without naming Pakistan, he said that the neighbour doesn’t want peace here and they don’t think the people of Kashmir should live peacefully.

    “Through their conspiracies they want bloodshed to continue in Kashmir and killers of innocent people are enemies of peace,” he said.

    He said killers of Riyaz are killers of humanity and law will definitely take action against them but even Almighty Allah won’t forgive them for killing innocent people.

    “There are some powers who don’t want to see our children living happily and they just want bloodshed and they are killers of peace and humanity,” he said—(KNO)

  • India hits out at OIC for ‘unwarranted’ comments on delimitation exercise in J&K

    New Delhi, May 16: India on Monday slammed the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for its “unwarranted” comments on the delimitation exercise in Jammu and Kashmir and asked the grouping to refrain from carrying out its “communal agenda” at the behest of one country, in an oblique reference to Pakistan.

    India’s strong reaction came after the OIC criticised New Delhi over the delimitation exercise in Jammu and Kashmir.

    “We are dismayed that the OIC secretariat has once again made unwarranted comments on the internal affairs of India,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.

    “As in the past, the Government of India categorically rejects the assertions made by the OIC secretariat on the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir which is an integral and inalienable part of India,” he said.

    Bagchi was responding to media queries on the OIC statement on the delimitation exercise in Jammu and Kashmir.

    “The OIC should refrain from carrying out its communal agenda vis-a-vis India at the behest of one country,” Bagchi said.

    The delimitation commission, tasked with redrawing parliamentary and assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir, notified its final report earlier this month.–(PTI)

  • Films like Kashmir Files should be stopped, says Farooq Abdullah after attack on Kashmiri Pandit

    Former J&K CM Farooq Abdullah said on Monday that films like The Kashmir Files were creating hatred in India and should be stopped. He said that the atmosphere of hatred against Muslims in India was creating anger among Muslim youth in Kashmir.

    Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah said on Monday that films like Vivek Agnihotri’s The Kashmir Files were giving rise to hatred in the nation and should be stopped. The film is centred on the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley in the 1990s.

    Farooq Abdullah’s statement comes in light of the recent killing of Kashmiri Pandit Rahul Bhat in Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir.

    “We met J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday to raise the issue of the deteriorating law and order situation in Jammu and Kashmir. At the meeting, I told him that the film ‘The Kashmir Files’ has created hatred in the country. Is it possible that a Muslim killed a Hindu, put his blood in rice and asked his wife to eat it? Such things [films] should be stopped. Media that spreads hatred should be stopped,” J&K National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah said.

    He added, “The atmosphere of hatred against Muslims in the country is giving rise to anger among Muslim youth in Kashmir.” (India Today)