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Srinagar, Jul 28: As rains lashed J&K on Wednesday, the Meterological department stated that the rainfall will continue till Thursday while as overall weather will improve from July 31.

The Irrigation and Food Control department, however, said that situation was under control and there was no flood threat as such. The MeT department, however, asserted that the rainfall will lead to melting of glaciers and subsequent rise in water levels of all local streams across the J&K, which may lead to Flash Flood/Mudslides especially in sloppy areas.

A fresh communique issued by the MeT on Wednesday evening said that, light to moderate rain occurred across J&K with most rainfall recorded at Udhampur-Banihal- Katra axis, with (Katra receiving 37.8mm rainfall from Wednesday morning till evening). The MeT, however, forecasted intermittent light to moderate rain, heavy at times till Thursday and decrease thereafter gradually with overall improvement from July 31.

The MeT in its weather warning further said, “Melting of glaciers and Rainfall will lead to Rise in water Levels of all local streams. This may lead to Flash Flood/Mudslide especially in sloppy areas. Therefore people, Tourists/Trekkers are advised to Remain Cautious and Alert and avoid venturing into such vulnerable Places. Undertake Long journey Travel only after confirming the Status of the Road from concerned Traffic Police.

“This is a Weather warning as July-August rain has a history turning severe sometimes”, reads the warning.

Issuing the severe weather warning for Ladakh, MeT said: “On Wednesday, weather remained cloudy to overcast throughout Ladakh with reports of moderate to Heavy Rain in Zanskar region, light Rain at most places of Ladakh. Light to Moderate Rain will occur at most places of Ladakh from now till July 30. Some places may receive heavy shower as well. Overall, improvement is most likely from July 31 onwards.”

Director MeT, Sonum Lotus told KNO that till the end of this month, the weather will remain cloudy and there is possibility of intermittent rainfall in the plains of the valley while the hilly areas of North and South Kashmir including the Pir Panjal Range may witness rainfall and orange alert has been already issued.

He further said, in case if it rains more in plains, there can be water logging, and people have to be cautious and avoid venturing near landslide and flash flood areas.

“Currently it is raining at some places and widespread intermittent rain is most likely to continue till July end, heavy rain is also possible at some places which may lead to flash flood, mudslide, landslide and water logging (low lying areas),” he said.

Meanwhile a top official from the Irrigation and Flood Control Department (I&FC), said that the water level is below the alert mark at all gauges of the valley.

“The water level is below the alert marks, at all the gauges of the valley,” he said, adding that the current water level at Sangam gauge is 5.9 Ft, while at Ram Munshi Bagh, the water level is at 7.34 Ft—(KNO)

Srinagar, July 28 : Ahead of 15 August celebrations, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed the security agencies including paramilitary CRPF in Kashmir to maintain highest vigil while performing the duties.

A senior MHA official told news agency KINS, that the ministry has paid rich tributes to the slain security forces. “We paid a rich tribute to the security forces who laid their lives when they were performing their duties ,” the official said, wishing not to be named.

He said that strict directions have been passed to all security agencies in J&K Union territory which include “not to lower guard, maintain highest vigil while on duty and to ensure militants are strictly dealt with so that they don’t dare to attack security forces”.

“We have asked the security forces including paramilitary CRPF men to maintain extra alertness while performing duties with regard to August 15 celebrations,” the official said, adding that the forces have been asked to go after the militants wherever there is information about presence of militants.

“There should be no leniency for militants.

Another official in the MHA said that the security agencies have already been asked to maintain close watch in markets, busy places and outside religious places in Kashmir so that “militants who are coming to attack are neutralized before they target forces”.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently had lauded the role of police men and CRPF in fighting militancy and dealing with the Covid-19 challenge.

Sources said that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Defence Ministry have already asked security forces in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory to remain all-out alert along the Line of control and keep a close eye on “infiltrates”.

“Troops have been asked to maintain the highest possible vigilance along the International Border and Line of Control in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, Poonch and Baramulla, Kupawara and other districts of the Union territory,” sources said.

“A large number of militants are waiting at launch pads on the other side of the LoC to sneak into this side. They will attempt infiltration,” the MHA have told the troops.

“You need to take measures, and beef up counter-infiltration posture to take care of the situation.” the MHA has said.(KINS)

As per an official, a team of the SDRF has been deputed from Ganderbal district to assist the one already stationed at the cave shrine to tackle any eventuality.

Further details awaited

Srinagar, July 28: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Moulvi Umar Farooq, who continues to be under illegal house arrest for the last two years, has expressed deep sorrow and shock over the loss of lives and property caused by the cloudburst in Hunzar village of Kishtwar in Dachhan Tehsil of Chenab region.

Mirwaiz expressed his heartfelt condolences, sympathy and solidarity with the victims of the tragic death of seven people and the disappearance and injury of dozens of others in Hunzar, the destruction of half a dozen residential houses and other properties. He prayed to Allah Almighty to grant heavenly abode to the deceased. He also prayed for safety of the disappeared.

Mirwaiz appealed to the local people, especially the financially well off ones, to come forward for the possible relief and immediate rehabilitation of the victims in these moments of ordeal.

Mirwaiz also expressed concern over the damage caused in another cloudburst incident in Aloosa, Bandipora and expressed sympathy with the affected people.

Says J&K was made scapegoat for gaining votes, IGP must probe killings of three youth in recent encounters, youth must stay away from gun culture, follow peaceful path of Gandhi

Srinagar, Jul 28 : Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said that whatever was snatched from Kashmiris on August 05, 2019 will have to be returned with interest.

Addressing party workers on the occasion of 22nd foundation day of PDP at party headquarters, Mehbooba as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said with the decision taken in August 2019, the Jammu and Kashmir was made scapegoat for gaining votes.

“It is unfortunate that the only Muslim majority state in India was split,” she said, adding that whatever people of Kashmir faced wasn’t done by India and its constitution, but by an individual party.

“The identity of J&K people was snatched illegally and whatever was snatched from people on August 5, 2019, will have to be returned with interests,” she said, adding that “when India can achieve freedom from British after 70 years, when BJP can snatch special status of J&K after 70 years, then why can’t we fight out rights.”

The PDP president said that the J&K people want to live with India and thus will continue to raise their voice and seek the restoration of special status.

She appealed to youth to shun the militancy, saying that some people want youth to take up arms, but “the youth should stay away from culture. We will raise our voice peacefully. We have to learn from Mahatma Gandhi. We need to learn from him.”

According to KNO, Mehbooba said that J&K people preferred to stay with India due to its democratic nature, but whatever was given to the people by India itself has been snatched.

“Today forces are not fighting enemies, Pakistan and China, but with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. They (forces) have created fear among the people,” she said, adding that people are being threatened for raising their voice.

On the formation of PDP, she said her father established this party with an intention to help Kashmiris to come out for the suppression they faced. “My father never sought votes for developmental issues. Although he did development during his tenure by constructing Colleges, Universities and roads as well, he always sought votes for the well being of Kashmiris in terms of helping them to come out from the situation they were facing,” she said.

Meanwhile, she appealed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir to probe the killing of three youth in encounters, saying that people are raising fingers on IGP after the killing of three youth in the encounters.

“IGP should probe the killings of Zakir, Imran and Azad Mushtaq. The facts in this regard should be made public,” she said—(KNO)

Srinagar, July 28 : The union home minister, Amit Shah on Wednesday said that he has spoken to LG Manoj Sinha and director general of police Jammu and Kashmir regarding the cloudburst incident in a village in Kishtwar.

Amit Shah on his official Twitter handle Tweeted in Hindi that rescue teams have been engaged to rescue the missing people and priority was to save as many lives as possible.

He also expressed condolences with the bereaved families.

“I have spoken to LG and DGP of Jammu and Kashmir regarding cloudburst in Kishtwar (J&K). SDRF, Army and local administration are engaged in rescue work, NDRF is also reaching there. Our priority is to save as many lives as possible. I express my condolences to the bereaved families,” he Tweeted in Hindi.

Earlier, Four people died while around 35 people were reported missing after a cloudburst hit Honzar village of Dacchan tehsil in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmi.

Meanwhile, LG Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha in a Tweet said: “Saddened over loss of precious lives due to flash floods caused by cloud burst in Dacchan, Kishtwar. My thoughts are with bereaved families.”

In another Tweet, Sinha said: “Spoke to senior authorities and district administration. Army and SDRF team working on war footing to rescue people and trace the missing persons. I am continuously monitoring the situation.”

NEW DELHI, July 28: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has said full statehood will be reinstated in Jammu and Kashmir at an “appropriate time” after normalcy is restored.

In a written response to Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi in Rajya Sabha, MoS Home Nityanand Rai said statehood to Jammu and Kashmir would be granted at an appropriate time after normalcy is restored.

The erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was stripped of its statehood on August 5, 2019 after the removal of Articles 370 and 35A. The state was bifurcated into two Union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

In a separate response to BJP MP Sasmit Patra over the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Nityanand Rai stated that terrorist incidents were reduced in Jammu and Kashmir during 2020 by 59 per cent as compared to 2019 and 32 per cent up to June 2021.

Nityanand Rai said in the written response that the government has a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and has taken various measures such as strengthening the security, intensified cordon and search operations to effectively deal with the challenges posed by the terrorist organisation. The security forces also keep a close watch on persons who attempt to provide support to terrorist groups, the minister said in his response.

On the issue of rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley, the MHA said currently, there are 900 families of Kashmiri Pandits and Dogra Hindus living in Kashmir. The government is taking all steps to ensure their safety, the MHA said. (India Today)

Srinagar, July 27: A youth was shot dead at Nawakadal area of Srinagar in an act of ‘gang rivalry’, police said on Tuesday.

The youth Mehran Ali Sheikh son of Shabir Ahmad was fired upon outside his home at Bulbul Lanker Nawakadal, officials said.

In this incident, Mehran sustained grievous bullet injuries and was shifted to SMHS hospital for the treatment. However, he succumbed to his injuries.

“Primary investigation into killing of a youth in a firing incident at Nawa Kadal area of Srinagar has revealed that the incident is an act of Gang rivalry,” a police spokesman said in a statement to GNS this evening. “The Preliminary investigations conducted into the matter revealed that the killed youth was a part of 16 Gujjar Gang and was killed following a rivalry between two local gangs in the area,” he said, adding, “There was rivalry between two local gangs –Downtown Itehad and Gujjar Gang in the area and Mehran was part of Gujjar Gang. Further investigation into the matter is in progress.”

Earlier police said militants fired had fired upon the civilian outside his home.