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Bandipora: The Pakistan army on Monday repatriated the cattle, which had crossed over to other side of the Line of Control in Gurez valley in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district a week ago, to the officials of this side, officials said here.

Officials told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a Revenue team led by Naib Tehsildar, Salim Ahmad Samoon, accompanied by SHO Tulail received 29 yaks (locally called Zumba) that had crossed over to the other side of the LoC from Baduaab side in Tehsil Tulail a week ago.

“The yaks were received via Lower Salleem Post of Pakistan to Nadaan post of India,” the officials said, adding that the locals after receiving the cattle broke into jubilation.

Meanwhile, the locals expressed their gratitude for this gesture and thanked SDM, and Army authorities who, they said, “made all efforts to ensure the return of cattle back to Tulail”—(KNO)

Srinagar 09 Aug : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Monday condemned the killing of BJP Leader & (Sarpanch) Ghulam Rasool and his wife Jawahira of Redwani Kulgam by terrorists in Anantnag.

BJP General Secretary Organization Ashok Koul strongly condemn the terrorist attack on BJP workers and described the incident as “shocking” and “highly painful”. terrorists are now frustrated after witnessing changes in Kashmir valley he “said

Koul termed the incident as unfortunate and offered condolences with the bereaved family. We stand the family at this difficult situation. Those who are responsible would not spared,” he said

Says Both Were Staying In Secure Hotel Before Choosing To Stay At Their House

Srinagar, Aug 9: Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar on Monday said BJP Sarpanch and his wife (Panch), killed in a militant attack in Anantnag district earlier in the day, were staying in a secure hotel accommodation until recently and were allowed to stay at their house on their request.

The top police officer who visited the spot said Lashker-e-Toiba was behind the attack, killing Ghulam Rasool Dar (sarpanch) and wife Jawahira, a Panch, from Redwani Kulgam.

“Earlier couple was staying in a secure hotel at Kulgam. They were allowed to stay at their house on their request,” the IGP told GNS.

Pertinently, the militants on Monday afternoon shot dead the BJP leader and his wife at Lal Chowk Anantnag after barging inside their rented accommodation at Lal Chowk Anantnag.

Both Dar and his wife Jawahira received critical injuries and were removed to GMC Anantnag. However, both were declared brought dead on the arrival at the hospital, the officials added.

Meanwhile police reached the spot and along with security forces cordoned off the entire area. (GNS)

Srinagar, Aug 9: Unknown gunmen suspected to be militants on Monday shot dead BJP leader and his wife at Lal Chowk Anantnag south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, officials said.

They said the gunmen barged inside the rented accommodation of the BJP leader Ghulam Rasool Dar (Sarpanch) of Redwani Kulgam at Lal Chowk Anantnag and fired indiscriminately.

Both Dar and his wife Jawahira received critical injuries and were removed to GMC Anantnag. However, both were declared brought dead, the officials added.

Meanwhile police reached the spot and along with security forces cordoned off the entire area. Emerging story, more updates awaited. (GNS)

Saudi Arabia announced on Sunday receiving Umrah requests from foreign performers from Aug. 9, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

For the concerns over COVID-19, only the vaccinated and the recovered will be provided with permissions, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced.

The Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Abdulfattah bin Sulaiman Mashat said the authorities determine the countries from which Umrah performers come, and their numbers on a periodic basis according to the classification of preventive measures.

He called upon the performers to adhere to organizational plans and health procedures set by the ministry.Saudi Arabia received on Nov. 1 foreign pilgrims under tight precautionary measures to perform Umrah for the first time since the outbreak of the pandemic early last year.

Institutions Permitted To Seek Personal Attendance Of Vaccinated Staff Or Students On Aug 15

Srinagar, Aug 8 : Authorities on Sunday decided to keep the schools and higher educational institutes including coaching centers closed in Jammu and Kashmir till further orders.

However, the educational institutions have been “permitted to seek personal attendance of vaccinated staff/students for administrative purposes and Independence day celebrations subject to limit of 25 and strict adherence to Covid Appropriate Behaviour.”

The decision was taken at a review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Arun Kumar, who is also Chairperson State Executive Committee.

The meeting was attended by the additional Chief Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Principal Secretary to Government, Home, Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police and other officers of Jammu and Kashmir.

“All school and higher educational institutions, including coaching centers, shall continue to remain closed for onsite / in-person teaching, till further orders,” reads the order, a copy of which lies with GNS.

However, the educational institutions are permitted to seek personal attendance of vaccinated
Staff or students for administrative purposes and Independence Day celebrations subject to limit of 25 and strict adherence to Covid Appropriate Behaviour, the order added
All Deputy Commissioners have been asked to intensify testing by making optimum use of available rt-PCR and RAT capacities. There shall be no drop in testing levels
The government also reiterated that there shall be no weekend curfew in any district of Jammu and Kashmir. Also, night curfew shall continue to remain in force in all districts from 8 pm to 7 am, the order said.

“The maximum number of people permitted to attend any indoor/ outdoor gathering shall be restricted to 25,” it reads.

All Deputy Commissioners have been also asked to focus on the positivity rates of the medical-blocks under their jurisdictions.

“Intensified measures, related to Covid management and restriction of activities, shall be undertaken by the DCs in these Blocks,” the order reads, adding, “There shall be renewed focus on Panchayat level mapping of cases and effective micro-containment zones shall be constituted wherever unusual spike of cases is noticed.”

The deputy commissioners, the government said, shall keep active track of the positivity rates in the Blocks and consider implementing stricter control measures in closed clustered spaces like Public or Private Offices, community halls, malls, bazaars etc in case weekly positivity rate goes beyond 4 percent in these Blocks.
“The three – “T” protocol of testing, tracking and treating, besides vaccination, needs to strengthened in these Blocks. The proportion of RT-PCR tests in the total mix should be scaled up, on best effort basis, to 70 % or more, excluding travelers.”

The government also asked the District Magistrates to strictly ensure that there was full compliance to COVID appropriate behavior and defaulters are firmly dealt with under relevant sections of the Disaster Management Act and the Indian Penal Code.

“The District Magistrates shall constitute joint teams of Police and Executive Magistrates for intensifying enforcement of Covid Appropriate Behaviour,” it said, adding, “The joint teams shall submit daily report regarding activities carried out by them and their assessment of compliance level. DCs will intensify the campaigns for ensuring COVID appropriate behavior. Dedicated IEC, including Public Announcements through mobile vehicles must be undertaken.” (GNS)

Srinagar, August 07:A cop was killed after suspected militants fired upon a police party in Pumbay area of DH Pora in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Saturday.

A senior police officer told GNS that militants fired upon on Police Party when it was regulating traffic in Pumbay.

The slain cop has been identified as constable Nisar Ahmad.

Meanwhile whole area has been cordoned off to nab the attackers.(GNS)

Srinagar August 7: The famous clock tower at Lal Chowk in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar was illuminated in Indian tricolour on Friday night ahead of Independence Day.
Srinagar Mayor Junaid Mattu took to Twitter to share a photograph of the clock tower that was lit up by the district administration for the first time.
“We have illuminated the Clock Tower (‘Ghanta Ghar’) at Lal Chowk in colours of the Tricolour ahead of Independence Day. New clocks fitted,” he tweeted.
Lal Chowk is a highly sensitive area in Srinagar. Traffic plying or a deserted look during shutdown, often gives a glimpse of the situation in the city.
In a similar incident on Friday, the Zero Bridge, a popular spot for visitors in Srinagar, was also illuminated in tricolour of the national flag.
The first noticeable flag hoisting at Lal Chawk was done in 1992. The flag was hoisted by the then BJP president, Murli Manohar Joshi, and coordinator of the Ekta Yatra Narendra Modi amid tightened security.
Since then, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) hoists the tricolour every year at the clock tower, after evaluating the security situation. However, this is the first time that the clock tower was illuminated in tricolour.

Srinagar, Aug 7: Cautioning that next 100 days are crucial as per the report of expert, Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory (UT) Lt Governor Manoj Sinha asked officials and people to remain alert, vigilant and adhere to COVID protocols to prevent third wave.
Ensure no congregation takes place with more than 25 people, he said.
“ Religious, social and community leaders must be roped in for generating awareness among the people”, Mr Sinha said at a weekly meeting on COVID Task Force, a press release issued by Raj Bhavan here today said.
Mr Sinha said focus shall be on timely inoculation of second dose and ensuring 100 per cent coverage of 18-44 year age group.
The release said that Mr Sinha chaired the weekly meetings with members of COVID Task Force, Deputy Commissioners, and Senior Superintendents of Police (SsPs) on present Covid scenario in the UT.
“Next 100 days are crucial as per the experts’ report. We need to be alert, vigilant and must dhere to Covid protocols to prevent the third wave”, observed the Lt Governor.
Emphasizing on reaching out to the maximum population to make them aware about the COVID related Standard Operating Procedure ( SoPs), the Lt Governor directed the Health and Information departments to come up with a comprehensive district-level plan for conducting IEC campaigns. Divisional Commissioners will monitor the implementation of awareness activities in their respective divisions, he added.
He further asked the DCs and SsPs to rope in religious leaders and community heads for spreading awareness regarding adherence of COVID Appropriate Behaviour, besides making informative announcements from religious places to create a sense of responsibility on the part of the general public to follow covid protocols and control the spread of the infection.
The Lt Governor laid special emphasis on mobilizing the joint teams for effective enforcement on the ground and taking long-term solutions to mitigate the spread of Corona virus. Directions were passed to the DCs, SsP to ensure that no congregation takes place with more than 25 people.
On being informed that as many as 5,62,000 vaccine doses are available with J&K, the Lt Governor observed that availability of vaccines in such large numbers will go a long way in complementing the government’s efforts to achieve the set target of covering 60 per cent of our population by this month.
Dedicated focus must be given on timely inoculation of 2nd dose, besides ensuring 100% coverage of the 18-44 age group with the first dose, the Lt Governor told the officials.
While assessing the surveillance activities being conducted in the districts, the Lt Governor directed the district administrations to scale up the surveillance exercises. Contact tracing must be done at a 1:15 ratio to break the spread chain of the virus, he added.
The Lt Governor passed specific directions for uploading of all covid related data at the earliest, besides increasing testing and awareness activities in areas with high positivity rates.
While taking a district-wise thorough assessment, the Lt Governor sought the present standings of the districts in respect of various indicators and norms set for evaluating the COVID situation from Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department, Atal Dulloo, who in turn briefed the chair about the analysis of Covid-19 pandemic including the status of vaccine availability and coverage; real time reproductive number of cases ( Rt value); availability of vaccine; positivity rate; daily trends of COVID 19 cases & testing done.
He informed that more than 51 lakh population has been inoculated with 1st dose till date. It was further informed that the remaining districts viz Kupwara, Srinagar, Doda, Kathua, Reasi, and Udhampur which were yet to achieve saturation of 1st dose in 45 and above age group are also nearing the 100 per cent coverage.
The Lt Governor also sought the status of the covid containment efforts of the Administration, besides the measures taken to vaccinate the targeted population under different age-groups and other interventions made to effectively tackle the spread of the corona virus.

7 years research of PHD scholar helps her to prove UT’s status compared to other States, UTs

Srinagar, Aug 06: The seven year’s research of a PHD scholar from Kashmir, Sehar Iqbal has finally come to an end in the shape of a book ‘A Strategic Myth Under Development in Jammu and Kashmir’.

The writer from Kashmir has showcased that Jammu and Kashmir is not under developed but a developed State, compared to the rest of the country. She went from pillar to post and visited far-flung areas in seven years to gather the facts vis-à-vis development in Jammu and Kashmir.

Iqbal, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that she has been supported by her family in all these years in completing this book. “It was quite difficult for me to move out for research purposes having a 4-year-old with me. I am thankful to my family who supported me all the time,” she said.

“To compile this book, secondary research as well as field research was done by me in seven years,” she said, adding that it was not an easy task to gather the facts from the ground to check all the indicators in which Jammu and Kashmir is better than the other States or the Union Territories.

“I visited far-flung areas in Kashmir also to ascertain the facts,” Iqbal, a PHD scholar from Oxford University said, adding that this book is not only an academic book, but it’s for all those who want to know about Kashmir and history of Kashmiri people with proper facts and figures.

According to facts collected, Jammu and Kashmir is better than compared with other States and Union territories in terms of poverty, literacy, life expectancy, infant mortality rate, women literacy, electricity and many other things.

“J&K is less than 10 per cent in terms of poverty rate and compared to India, it is only 1/3rd,”she said as per the figures.

As far as women literacy is concerned, the rate in J&K is 69% while in India, it is 68.4 %, adding that the 87 % men are literate in J&K while in India the rate is only 85.7 %.

Iqbal hoped that this book will increase the knowledge of people and help them in comparing easily that J&K is better than the rest of the country.

This book is available at Gulshan Books, Watan Publications and also available on Amazon, she said—(KNO)