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  • Hizb chief Dr. Saifullah killed in a gunfight at Rangreth, Srinagar: IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar

    Hizb-ul-Mujahideen Chief Dr Saifullah has been killed, while as 1 militant associate was arrested in a gunfight at Rangreth area of Central Kashmir’s Srinagar district.

    File Photo

    Big achievement for forces, he had taken over control outfit after killing of Reyaz Naikoo in May this year, a suspect also arrested at encounter site’

    Srinagar, Nov 01: Inspector General of Police Kashmir range Vijay Kumar said that Hizbul Mujahideen’s chief operational commander for the valley Dr Saifullah has been killed in an encounter at Rangreth area of Srinagar outskirts while a suspect has also been arrested, who is being questioned.

    Talking to reporters at the encounter site, the Kashmir police chief said that on the basis of a specific lead, joint teams of police and CRPF laid a cordon at Rangreth area and later army also joined in the operation. “I am 95 per cent sure that the militant killed in the gunfight is Hizb chief operational commander Dr Saifullah who had taken over the reins of Hizb after the killing of its chief Reyaz Naikoo in an encounter in May this year,” the IGP said as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

    The IGP said a suspect and not the militant has been arrested at the encounter site who is being questioned. “The encounter is almost over. We are sanitizing the area and clearing it as there may be some leftover grenades etc,” he said. Asked how big an achievement is the killing of Dr Saifullah for the security forces, he said: “It’s a big success as he was the chief of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit. He had taken over the control of the outfit after the killing of Reyaz Naikoo. So it’s really a very big achievement.”—(KNO)

  • Gunfight breaks out in Rangreth area of Srinagar

    Two to three militants are believed to be trapped: Sources

    Further details awaited…

  • PM Imran Khan announces granting Gilgit-Baltistan provisional provincial status

    Blames India for promoting sectarian hate in Pakistan, saying that New Delhi was behind fanning hate between the Shia and Sunni sects in Pakistan

    Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan announced granting the provisional-provincial status to Gilgit-Baltistan on Sunday as he arrived in the area to attend its 73rd Independence Day celebrations.

    “One of the reasons for me coming to Gilgit-Baltistan is to announce that we have decided to grant Gilgit-Baltistan the provisional provincial status,” he said. “We have taken this decision keeping in mind the UN Security Council’s resolutions,” added the prime minister.

    PM Imran said that he could not announce or talk about the development packages for Gilgit-Baltistan since it would be a violation of the stated procedures as elections were about to take place in the area.

    “However, I will tell you that it is our government’s foremost policy to uplift Pakistan’s poor that amount to 25% of the population and the country’s backward areas,” he said.

    The prime minister said that one of the many reasons Gilgit-Baltistan remained backwards was because it was “cut off” from the rest of Pakistan.

    “Insha’Allah you will see in the coming days, our development plans will go there [backward areas],” he said.

    Pakistan secure because of our armed forces, says PM Imran Khan

    Turning his guns towards India, PM Imran said that the Hindu supremacist government in history was in power in India. He said that the citizenship and registration laws were enacted to target Muslims in the country.

    PM Imran said that he could not stress enough the importance of a strong army for a nation’s security. “Pakistan is secure today because of its armed forces,” he said. “Our army is the main reason why we haven’t suffered the same fate as many other Muslim countries.”

    He blamed India for promoting sectarian hate in Pakistan, saying that New Delhi was behind fanning hate between the Shia and Sunni sects in Pakistan. The prime minister felicitated Pakistan’s intelligence agencies for rendering ineffective India’s conspiracies to spread anarchy in the country.

    So-called democrats are discrediting army, judiciary: PM Imran Khan

    The premier lashed out at the Opposition, saying that so-called democrats in the country were targeting the military and the judiciary.

    “Those who call themselves democrats have started a programme according to which they are discrediting the country’s judiciary and military,” he said.

    He blamed the Opposition for trying to establish the narrative that General Elections 2018 in Pakistan were rigged. After that, the prime minister said, they tried to blackmail him on the economy and the coronavirus situation.

    PM Imran accused the Opposition of attempting to blackmail him so he can forgive them for their alleged corruption. “Their interest is against Pakistan’s interest and this is happening. All of them have become one,” he said.

    The prime minister said that since the Opposition cannot blackmail him, they have turned their guns towards the ISI chief.

    “I thank Allah that they are speaking out against the army chief and the ISI chief. This means I was right in selecting them [to their posts],” he said. “Because if these robbers are speaking out against them then that means these two are correct people.”

    He said that if one were to study the history of the Muslims of the sub-continent, he/she would realise that Muslims always used to fight with determination. “However, the most damage that was inflicted on the Muslims was through people of their own, their Mir Jafars and Mir Sadiqs,” he said, referring to the Opposition.

    “These people are now speaking the language of Narendra Modi. All heads of states congratulated me on the way we handled the Pulwama situation,” he said, adding that it was disappointing what Ayaz Sadiq was saying about Abhinandan.

    “I want to make it clear right now — Imran Khan will never forgive these dacoits,” he said.

    With inputs from GEO NEWS

    (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Kashmir Today staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

  • New land law will help to create 13 lakh job opportunities in J&K, says BJP

    Jammu: Bhartiya Janta Party claimed that new land law would help to create 12 lakh job opportunities for youth of Jammu and Kashmir.

    The Jammu and Kashmir land law was revised by the Centre last week as the Ministry of Home Affairs said no domicile or permanent resident certificate is required for purchasing non-agricultural land in the erstwhile state.

    Political parties have resisted the move and have started taking onto streets against this order.

    However, senior BJP leader Sofi Yusuf claimed that some political parties were playing politics on this issue for their vested interests.

    “Some politicians are lying with people that new law will change demography of Kashmir. People are angry with regional parties who were playing politics over Article 370. Nobody will be forced to sell his land to outsiders. If any person wants he can sell on his will,” Yusuf told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).

    “This law will help industrial sector to grow. If industries are set up, 13 lakh job opportunities will be created for youth of Jammu and Kashmir. We welcome this decision by the Centre,” he said.

    In replying to People’s Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti statement that India should fight with China not with Kashmir, he said, “She is already confused after many leaders resigned from her party. We want to end dynastic rule in J&K. India is a powerful nation and can fight against any nation.”

    “You are using suppressive measures on people of J&K. But why don’t you fight with China who killed our 20 soldiers. You can try to suppress us but we will foil your plans for which we can go to any extent,” Mehbooba has said.
    Authorities on Thursday morning foiled PDP’s protest against the new land law in Jammu and Kashmir. 

    “Anyone can differ on certain issues but we won’t tolerate anti-national statements. We request government to put these leaders into jail who give anti-national statements,” Yusuf said.

    In her tweet, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said, “PDP office in Srinagar sealed by J&K admin & workers arrested for organising a peaceful protest. A similar protest was allowed in Jammu  so why was it thwarted here? Is this your definition of ‘normalcy’ thats being showcased in the world?”

    Mehbooba, who recently formed the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration with National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and others for restoration of the special status, has been unapproving of the recently passed law that delimits sale of non-agricultural land in Jammu and Kashmir. (KINS)

  • Covid-19: October month shows significant dip in positive cases, deaths

    ‘Figures reveal 19,715 test positive, 297 die in J&K in past 31 days

    Srinagar: After witnessing a huge surge in month of September, the intensity of Covid-19 pandemic in J&K has decrease as positive cases reported in October month are around half of the cases reported in month of September.

    Moreover, the deaths reported in October month also showed a significant dip as compared to the deaths reported in month of September.

    As per official data available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), 19,715 positive cases and 297 deaths were reported in Jammu and Kashmir in month of October.

    “Out of 19,715 positive cases, 11,197 cases are from Kashmir division while as 8,518 are from Jammu division and out of 297 deaths, 144 are from Kashmir division and 297 are from Jammu division,” the data states.

    Pertinently, 37,373 positive cases and 478 deaths were reported in J&K in month of September alone, highest since the pandemic outbreak.

    “17,339 positive cases and 326 deaths were reported in J&K in month of August,” the figures suggest. Moreover, 12,862 positive cases and 276 deaths were reported in J&K in month of July.

    As per the official data available, in the first 115 days (from March 08-June 30) 7,497 positive cases and 101 Covid-19 related deaths were witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir

    Interestingly, the first case of the COVID-19 pandemic in India was reported on 30 January 2020, originating from China.

    Slowly, the pandemic spread to various states and union territories including the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir. Two suspected cases with high virus load were detected and isolated on March 4 in Government Medical College, Jammu. One of them became the first confirmed positive case on 9 March 2020. Both individuals had a travel history of outside J&K—(KNO)

  • Pakistan’s Aleem Dar set to break record for most ODIs as umpire

    Rawalpindi: Aleem Dar will surpass Rudi Koertzen’s record of most one-day internationals as an umpire in the second match between Pakistan and Zimbabwe on Sunday, which will be his 210th ODI.

    The 52-year-old, who played first-class cricket in Pakistan for over a decade as an all-rounder before taking up umpiring, had also made his ODI debut in Pakistan, when he stood in a match against Sri Lanka in his hometown of Gujranwala in February 2000.

    Last year, Aleem passed his idol Steve Bucknor to the top of the Test umpires’ list. He holds the record of officiating in 132 Test matches and is second in the list of T20Is, only behind compatriot Ahsan Raza, with 46 T20Is. Aleem has officiated in 387 international matches so far, the most by any umpire.

    “It is a matter of great honour for me to be on the top of the list of both Tests and ODIs for umpires. When I had started out in the profession, I had never imagined I would get this far. I can only say that I have enjoyed every moment on the field and learning has been an ongoing process all this while,” Aleem Dar said in an ICC release.

    “I thank my family for standing by me over the years and am grateful to the International Cricket Council and the Pakistan Cricket Board for backing me and providing me with all the opportunities. I am also thankful to all my colleague match officials for their help and support,” he added.

    Adrian Griffith, ICC Senior Manager Umpires and Referees: “Aleem has been a very consistent umpire over the years, and this is reflected in his 16 years on the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires. We congratulate Aleem on the milestone, and wish him all the best for the upcoming game and series. We are sure many aspiring match officials look up to Aleem, and he will continue to inspire the next generation.” (ANI)

  • Surrender of militants during encounter welcome change: DGP

    Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh said on Saturday that militants are preferring to surrender during encounters with security forces and this is a welcome change.

    Singh appealed to the youth who had taken up arms, to leave the path of violence and return to the mainstream. DGP speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event organized on the outskirts of the city on the occasion of National Unity Day.

    “Surrendering militants is a welcome change in the last few encounters,” he said. During the encounter, the stray youth are accepting offers from the police and security forces to surrender even when the bullets are on.

    The DGP said that those who have taken up arms in their hands, leave the path of violence and return to the mainstream. The official said that such people will be supported in every way. He said, we want the youth who have been deceived and sent on the wrong path, they should return. There is still time, they can come back and we will help them in every way.

    The Union Territory Police Chief said that he was happy to see that Kashmiris are participating in positive activities like youth sports. Regarding the progress in the investigation of the murder of three BJP workers in Kulgam in South Kashmir on Thursday, Singh said that the investigation is moving in the right direction.

    The DGP said, the militants who carried out the attack have been identified and further action is being taken. (PTK)

  • Kashmir on a new path of development, says PM Modi

    Srinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid tribute to the ‘Iron man of India’ Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary, marked by the ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diwas’.

    Addressing the celebrations, PM Modi spoke about Kashmir and said, “Leaving behind the obstacles that were coming in the development of Kashmir, now Kashmir has moved on a new path of development.

    Whether it is the restoration of peace in the Northeast, or the steps being taken for the development of the Northeast, today the country is establishing new dimensions of unity”.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi also reiterated the need for a self-reliant India. (PTK)

  • Mehbooba Mufti, Farooq Abdullah should be sent to Andaman jail for 10 years: Shiv Sena

    Srinagar: Referring to Mehbooba Mufti and Farooq Abdullah’s statement against the tricolor and the enforcement of Article 370 in Kashmir with the help of China, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday said they should be arrested.

    Be it Farooq Abdullah or Mehbooba Mufti, if someone talks about taking China’s help to challenge India’s constitution, then they should be arrested and sent to Andaman for 10 years.” Raut further asked, “How are they roaming free?” said Raut.

    Earlier Sena spokesperson appealed to the central government that if anyone is prevented from hoisting the tricolor, it should be considered treason.

    “If Mehbooba Mufti, Farooq Abdullah and others want to implement Article 370 in Kashmir with the help of China, then the central government will have to take tough steps. If any person trying to hoist the tricolor in Kashmir is stopped, I will see it as’ treason.”

    Notably, Mehbooba Mufti recently said that until the repealed provisions of Article 370 are reimplemented in the valley, she will not hold any flag. (PTK)

  • Unemployment will be over in five years, policy in offing: J&K LG Manoj Sinha

    ‘Big business houses participated in today’s workshop on youth engagement’

    Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today said that an employment policy is being framed by the UT administration and in the next five years, unemployment will be over.

    Speaking to the reporters on the sidelines of a workshop on Youth Engagement and Outreach at SKICC here, the LG Sinha said that today big business houses of the country participated in the workshop and deliberated on what can be done to end the unemployment. “The basic aim of today’s workshop was to give proper counselling to the youth. At the government level, we are working on an employment policy and in the next five years, unemployment will be over,” the LG said as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO)

    Director IIM Jammu B S Sahey while speaking at the workshop said that J&K government must encourage voluntary organizations to come forward and widen the ambit of Youth Outreach in J&K.

    Present on the occasion, Ashok Leyland proposed establishment of rural schools where school dropouts could be admitted to learn skills and trained to deliver in trades which are their areas of interest.

    A few participants of the workshop also stressed on creating a portal and call centres that are all inclusive providing career related material, awareness and opportunities regarding gaining skills, education and employment.

    Many participants advocated skill development programs on ground so that the talent among the youth of J&K could be identified and explored simultaneously—(KNO)