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SRINAGAR: India has asked China to quickly withdraw troops at Gogra, Hot Spring and Demchok and insisted that Chinese troops should not stop Indian patrolling in Depsang, so that the eastern Stress can be reduced in Ladakh.

Nothing has been officially said about the outcome of the tenth round of commander-level talks between India and China. The conversation, which started at 10 am on Saturday, continued till late in the night.

The TIMES OF INDIA has quoted sources as saying that there is no such disagreement between India and China over traversing the Saunikas. There are a handful of soldiers from both countries at the forward positions, who are not even close to each other.

The news has said that the more problematic situation between the two countries is in the strategically important Depsang or Bulg area, which is at an altitude of 16,000 feet, where there has been continuous tension since 2013.

Srinagar, Feb 21: The weather again turned pleasant as bright sunshine greeted people in the summer capital, Srinagar, and other parts of Kashmir valley ahead of prediction of fresh spell of rain and snow from Monday onwards.

However, the night temperature dipped though settled several degrees above normal across the valley, where the weather during the day on Saturday was chilly due to overcast conditions. World famous ski resort of Gulmarg and tourist resort of Pahalgam were the only two places in the valley where the mercury settled below freezing point.

A Met department spokesperson said that weather will remain dry during the next 24 hours in Kashmir valley. However, he said a fresh Western Disturbance (WD), which originated from the Arabian Sea and is approaching the region though Afghanistan and Pakistan, will hit Jammu & Kashmir on Monday.

“Under the influence of this WD, light to moderate rain and snow is predicted on Monday and Tuesday at many places,” he said, adding the system will further build up and the wet weather is expected to continue till Saturday. (PTK)

Reiterates her call for dialogue between India, Pakistan and people of Jammu and Kashmir

Kupwara, Feb 21: Terming the killings in Kashmir in the past 30-years as unfortunate, former chief minister and People’s Democratic Party president, Mehbooba Mufti Sunday said that there is a dire need for dialogue with people of J&K and Pakistan while the central government is unmoved by the killings here.

Mehbooba Sunday visited the house of the slain cop in Zurhama village in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district along with other party leaders to express sympathies with the bereaved family members.

Talking to reporters, Mufti as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that it’s very unfortunate that Kashmiris are killing one another for the past 30 years while the central government is unmoved.

She reiterated that a peaceful solution can only be found by initiating dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan.

She said that recently China encroached on “our land and killed more than 20 of our Jawans by beating them but the positive point is talks are underway with them and the solution is nearing.”

Mehbooba said that Kashmir has become the ring of war for both India and Pakistan and people from both sides are losing their lives including the commoners and security forces. “Both war and gun are no solution to anything be it of a militant or security forces,” she said.

While batting for a dialogue, Mehbooba said that like other parts of the world both India and Pakistan must find a permanent solution by initiating dialogue.

“Both militancy and bloodshed reduced when talks were held with Pakistan back in 2003 and 2004. So there is a need to end this all and initiate a dialogue process,” Mehbooba said—(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 21: Passengers travelling in different villages and cities in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, will face inconvenience as hundreds of transporters associated with All J&K Transport Welfare Association are set to go on an indefinite strike from February 24.

According to News Agency Kashmir Dot Com (KDC), General Secretary of the Association said, “it was unanimously decided in the meeting that we will go for an indefinite strike from February 24 ( Wednesday) till our demands are not fulfilled by the Govt. for revision in passenger fare and waive off/ rollback Token Tax/ Passenger tax during the lockdown period for one year.”

He said,”We had observed one day strike on 6th Jan 2021 and J&K Govt. that time had assured us that all our demands will be fulfilled by one week time, but till date nothing has been done. We have submitted the cost of operation in the office of Transport Commissioner for Revision in passenger fare because the rate of petroleum products are increasing day-by-day. Passenger fare was revised in April 2018, then the rate of Diesel was Rs 65/litre but now the rate of Diesel is 82/litre which is not now bearable by the Transporters of J&K (UT).”

“We are not interested to go for indefinite strike but the UT Govt. of J & K is enforcing us to do so. Due to the indefinite strike inconvenience to the general public/student community is the responsibility of the Govt,” he added.

Pertinently, the decision was taken during a meeting which was held in Ware House Jammu in which Vijay Singh, Kuldeep Singh & Mohinder Singh and also Presidents of all Commercial Transport Association including Nazir Ahmad, Mudasir Bashir Dar from Kashmir province were also present. (KDC)

Srinagar, Feb 20: With India reporting mutated strains of the novel Coronavirus, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Saturday said the new variants could lead to resurgence of Covid-19 cases.
“New variants could trigger a new wave of Covid-19 that could reignite the pandemic,” said DAK President and influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan.
“After the UK variant, South African and Brazilian variants have found their way into India,” he said.
“At least 4 people have tested positive for South African variant of the virus and one has tested positive for the Brazilian variant.”
“While we struggle to come to grips with the foreign strains, a “new Indian mutant strain” has been found in Maharashtra which is seeing a spike in cases after a two month lull,” DAK President said.
“The new variants are on the move and they can sneak into the valley anytime,” he said adding Kashmir being the favorite tourist destination, the mutant strains could spread into the region through tourists.”
“The variants seem to spread more easily and quickly than other variants which could lead to surge in new Covid-19 cases,” Dr Nisar said.
“People who have recovered from Covid-19 infection could be re-infected with the new mutated strains of the novel virus.”
Quoting a study published in the preprint server bioRxiv, he said that antibodies elicited by natural Covid-19 infection may not be able to neutralize emerging strains that display mutations in their genetic sequence.
“The new strains have been found to evade the effectiveness of the existing vaccines that have been developed against the original strain of the novel virus,” Dr Nisar said.
“Researchers from Johannesburg have shown that Oxford vaccine had significantly reduced efficacy against the South African variant.”
“Vaccine trials carried out by Janssen and Novavax too showed a significant drop in efficacy due to the variant,” he said.
“The variants loom at a time when Covid-19 cases are declining and people are weary of precautions. People must realize that the downward trend could quickly reverse if new variants take hold.”
“The fact of the matter is we are kind of in the dark. We don’t know whether the variants have sneaked in as there is no rigorous genetic surveillance system for tracking the variants.
Detecting variants and knowing where and how widely they are spreading could be critical to preventing another deadly wave of Covid-19 like the one we saw earlier,” said Dr Nisar.

Srinagar, Feb 20, KNT: Mutton mafia that is active both outside and in Valley has allegedly created artificial shortage of meat much to the discomfiture of the consumers.

Majority of the meat shops are shut waiting for the government to take a final call on the report submitted by Kashmir Economic Alliance in consultation with Journalists, traders and meat dealers.

Sources told News Agency Kashmir News Trust that some vested interest elements who are seen active outside meat markets are responsible for the artificial meat crisis in Kashmir Valley. They said these elements are not happy with the recommendations of ‘fact finding’ team which recently submitted its report to the government.

“On the one hand butchers are unwilling to open up their shops while on the other hand they supply meat to hoteliers on exorbitant rates. These butchers are insensitive towards the needs of consumers and are only interested in profit maximization,” said a meat dealer to KNT holding government responsible for the present crisis.

A government official said that report submitted by ‘fact finding’ Committee has not been discussed yet as Divisional Commissioner Kashmir is out of station. He said report will be considered only after the top official takes the charge.

If sources are to be believed, vested interest elements are satisfied with the present shortage of meat. They want butchers to sell meat at Rs 600 per kilogram. “After creating artificial shortage of meat, a consumer is left with no option but to pay what butchers demand.”

Sources said that mutton mafia is keen to run this Rs 23,000 crore industry in an unorganized manner, without any accountability. They said that ‘fact-finding’ team’s recommendation to organize meat industry effectively and hold those who supply mutton from outside markets to Kashmir accountable has upset some mutton dealers. It is learnt that this mutton mafia is trying to mount the pressure on the government so that the report of the Kashmir Economic Alliance and the official report are not taken into account and this business keeps on running in an unorganized way.

Sources added that outside mafia has successfully mobilized their agents in Kashmir and are playing key role in creating artificial meat shortage.

However, all butchers are not happy with their shops shut. “We are waiting for the final call that government has to take on the report. Our business has suffered,” said a group of butchers admitting that there are butchers that sell meat to restaurant owners instead of consumers for profit.

Consumers say if meat is scarce in market, then how is this mutton available in restaurants, hotels and other places.

Consumers appealed authorities to take a final decision and initiate action against the butchers and those meat dealers who don’t want this industry to run in an organized manner and loot consumers in absence of any regulation. (KNT)

Srinagar, Feb 19: The killing of two policemen, who were killed in a militant attack in Baghat area of Srinagar district on Friday, evoked widespread condemnation from several political and social organisation of Jammu and Kashmir.

Notably, two policemen were killed in Baghat area after being attacked by militants in broad day light today afternoon.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the killing of the policemen was condemned by several political leaders including former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti and PC president Sajad Ghani Lone and several political parties including, CPI(M), Congress and National Conference.

In a Tweet former chief minister and president Mehbooba Mufti while condemning the attack said: “Condemn the killing of two policemen in the Baghat attack. My heart goes out to their families & loved ones. This cycle of violence serves no cause & begets only misery.”

Meanwhile, former chief minister and vice-president National Conference, Omar Abdullah also condemned the attack.

In a Tweet, he said: “I condemn this act of militant violence & send my condolences to the families of these brave men.”

In another Tweet he said: “What makes this attack even more reprehensible is that SgCT Mohammad Yousuf of Zurhama and Ct Suhail Ahmad of Logripora were unarmed & shot in the back. Senseless & cowardly at the same time.”

Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference on its official Twitter handle also condemned the attack on two policemen. The Tweet was Retweeted by president JKPC, Sajad Lone.

In a Tweet JKPC said: “We strongly condemn the killing of two policemen in a dastardly and savage act of senseless violence at Baghat today. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Suhail Ahmad and Mohd Yusuf in this hour of grief.”

Meanwhile, in a statement CPI(M) also condemned that killing of two policemen in Baghat and said that the killing of two policemen is highly condemnable and unfortunate.

The statement reads that violence has no place in a civilised society. “There is an urgent need to put and end to these killings. CPI(M) expresses heartfelt sympathies with the families of the slain policemen,” the statement reads.

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) also condemned the killing of two policemen in a militant attack in Baghat.

In a statement, JKPCC said that the mindless attack has cost two more precious lives of police personnel, which was very anguishing and unfortunate.

The Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party president, Mohammad Altaf Bukhari while terming the attack as inhuman said that violence is not a solution but a huge impediment in peace and progress of any society.

In a statement, Altaf Bukhari said that it is highly unfortunate and heart-wrenching that Kashmir continues to lose precious lives to senseless violence which has only aggravated the sufferings of the people over the years.

“The attackers have no respect for human lives and are only adding to the tragedies of the ill-fated families which must be condemned by one and all,” he added while extending heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Bukhari prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls and courage to their families to bear this irretrievable loss—(KNO)

Srinagar Feb 19: Three policemen, three militants were killed on Friday in various gunfights between militants and security forces in Kashmir.
Security forces started cordon and search operation in the Beerwah area of Budgam district in central Kashmir.
As the suspected spot was cordoned the hiding militants fired upon the searching party injuring one constable and SPO (special police officer), who later succumbed to his injuries. The militants have escaped from the spot.
According to news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS), IGP Vijay Kumar said a cordon was laid in a village in Beerwah area of Budgam.
“In the initial exchange of firing, SPO Altaf Ahmed and constable Manzoor Ahmed sustained injuries. Altaf succumbed to injuries later,” Kumar said.
There were reports of presence of a militant Yusuf Kandroo and another foreign militant.
In a separate incident, a gunfight erupted shortly after security forces launched an operation late Thursday in a village in southern Shopian district following a tip that three militants were there.
“All three were killed in an exchange of gunfire early Friday,” Kumar said. He said police recovered two rifles and a pistol.
While, two policemen were killed on Friday afternoon. The attack took place on the High Security Airport Road in the Baghat area of Srinagar. The two policemen were shot from close range
The wounded police officers were taken to a hospital where they died. They were identified as  Mohammad Yousuf and Suhail Ahmad.
A short video of the attack circulated on social media shows a man in a pheran, a Kashmiri tunic worn during the winter, taking out what appears to be an automatic rifle and shooting at the policemen. He then quickly runs away.
The IGP Kashmir said Lashkar-e-Toiba militants including a local were behind the Baghat attack.
“One among them is a foreign militant while another Saqib is a local,” he said.
He said the policemen were on a routine duty and were at a shop to buy something.
“They were fired from the back. They were totally unarmed,” he said. “Doctors at the hospital tried their best to save the two injured cops but they could not survive,” he said.
He said policemen will take some precautionary measures in the future. “We will plug the loopholes,” he said.
About detention of a civilian, Kumar said, “He might have been detained for questioned. We have not arrested anyone related to Baghat incident.”
The slain cops have been identified as Suhail Ahmed and Muhammad Yousuf, residents of Ashmuqam, Anantnag and Zurhama, Kupwara (KINS)

SRINAGAR: The Meteorological Department has predicted a wet spell in J&K and Ladakh between February 22 and 27.

Srinagar, Feb 19: Both police cops, who were injured in a militant attack in Baghat area of Kashmir capital Srinagar on Friday afternoon, succumbed to their injuries in Srinagar hospital.

An official told News Agency Kashmir Dot Com (KDC) that police men identified as constable Suhail Ahmad and Mohammad Yousuf, who were injured in militant attack succumbed to injuries at hospital in Srinagar.

Pertinently, the attack was the second one in the last 48 hours in the Srinagar city. Earlier, militants had shot and injured a shopkeeper in Dalgate area on Thursday evening. (KDC)