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Pakistan’s grand communications plan is designed to help infiltrating militants, carry Islamabad’s message across the LoC and neutralise communication lockdowns in Kashmir valley

Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government has readied a plan to expand coverage of its mobile coverage in Jammu and Kashmir that is not only designed to help Pakistan-trained militants infiltrating into the valley but also neutralise the impact of a future communication blockade imposed by the government, people familiar with the matter said.

The plan, according to a top security official in New Delhi, to tweak existing telecom towers and build new ones has been in the works for about a year. It was initially conceived to strength the existing phone network to help militants who have infiltrated into Kashmir. But the Pakistani foreign ministry pushed hard to scale up the exercise to give it the ability to sabotage the communications blockade ordered in Kashmir after last year’s Aug 5 decision to end its special status. It wants Kashmiris to use Pakistani telecom services that cannot be blocked by Indian security forces.

New Delhi had last year pulled the plug on Jammu and Kashmir’s communication network before it went public with the decision to abrogate Article 370 to be able to ensure that trouble-makers do not spread rumours on and off social media.

The restrictions have since then been lifted but local security officials do routinely snap phone links for some time in localities to prevent rumour mongering. If Pakistan is able to see its plan through, this would provide Kashmiris with an alternative to Indian phone companies.

A top national security planner told Hindustan Times that Pakistan’s Special Communications Organisation (SCO) – the state-run firm mandated to provide telecom services in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and the Gilgit-Baltistan region – had analysed signals from 38 sites along the Line of Control and the International Border with India. It has told the army that Pakistan could get a spillover effect via 28 existing phone towers. According to its analysis, the GSM antenna would need to be reoriented in 18 locations to achieve this objective though it would reduce the coverage on its side of the LoC.

The blueprint also includes setting up the new base transceiver station in Pak-administered Kashmir as well as use of Wireless local loop phones in Indian territory.

“This plan has been accepted and is being implemented,” the senior official said.

Pakistan’s ISI is also pushing for increasing the signal strength of SCO mobile towers in PaK nearest to Indian sites such as in Cham opposite Baramulla, Leepa opposite Sopore, Upper Neelam Valley and Athmuqam opposite Kupwara and Hillan Meera opposite Srinagar to provide coverage across the LoC

A parallel exercise by the SCO, which is maintained by the Pak army, is looking at increasing transmission power of TV towers located at Lawat near Muzaffarabad, Upper Neelam and at Khuiratta to provide extended TV coverage in J&K.

These efforts are in continuation of the SCO’s previous attempts to install a small cellular system with Internet based backhaul that could cover Kashmir towns at some distance from the LoC, a counter-terror official said.

With inputs from the Hindustan Times

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

Srinagar: Border Security Forces (BSF) and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on Sunday organized special recruitment drive in parts of J&K and Ladakh in which large number of unemployed youth turn up in the rally.

According to Kashmir News Service (KNS), a special recruitment drive (Rally Mode) for BSF and CISF is being organized in 22 districts of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

In regard to this rally, written test was organized in different venues in J&K and Ladakh on October 18, 2020.

BSF Campus Singhpura (Baramulla) was one of the centers where written test of candidates were organized under the supervision of DIG BSF Baramulla.

An official told KNS that during the drive a tremendous response was seen in local youth.

“390 candidates have applied earlier among those 375 appeared in the rally today. Those who will qualify physical fitness test, will have to appear in written test followed by training”, BSF official has said.

He appealed youth to shun the path of violence and opt a sound livelihood for sustenance of their families. (KNS)

Srinagar: Reacting to the statement of Home Minister Amit Shah about restoration of statehood of J&K , parties in unison has asked for August 4 position.

National Conference Memeber Parliament Justice Hasnain Masoodi has called for restoration of pre August 5 position.

“It is meaningless for us. Central Government should first restore the Pre August 5 position.

They have unilaterally eroded the special status of J&K which was very unconstitutional step by GoI. National Conference will fight for the restoration of pre August 5 position. National Conference believes that J&K has internal and external dimension. National Conference seeks pre 1953 position and for addressing external dimension talks should happen,” he told KNS.

J&K Congress Chief Ghulam Ahmed Mir said that Amit Shah should also remember his lack of development as ground on which he divided the state. From last 14 months, nothing bis happening on the ground. people of all faiths and regions are angry over the decesion. Central Government should restore the Pre August 5 position.

They should first conduct assembly elections and then there will be debate in assembly and people will decide what they want,” he told KNS over phone.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has made it clear that government will not take long to restore Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

Shah said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has committed Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

“I have also stated this on floor of Parliament and We won’t go back from our promise & won’t take too long,” he said.

He stated that there will be a wave of development in next 5-6 months as Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha is taking development of J&K to grass-root level.(KNS)

Srinagar: A seven-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by a local labourer in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

Reports said that incident was reported to the police immediately after the incident came to fore.

The victim informed her family about the incident who in turn rushed her to hospital.

Reports added that a local labourer of age 38 is involved in heinous crime. (PTK)

Total cases 87,942, 1,379 deaths; recovery rate over 88 percent in UT

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir today recorded seven Covid-19 related deaths taking the death toll to 1379 in the Union Territory while as 578 positive cases were reported pushing the J&K tally to 87,942.

Of the total 87,942 cases, 52,696 are from Kashmir and 35,246 from Jammu division. Officials told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that among 578 new cases, 385 belong to Kashmir division while as 193 are from Jammu division, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir division have reached to 52,696 including 46,537 recoveries and 922 deaths while as total number of positive cases in Jammu division have reached to 35,246 including 31,349 recoveries and 457 deaths.

The officials said that total number of active cases in Jammu and Kashmir are 8,677 including 5,237 from Kashmir division and 3,440 from Jammu division.

With 598 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in Jammu and Kashmir has reached to 77,886 which is 88.56 percent of the total cases.

“Cases tested positive in J&K include 167 from Srinagar, 33 from Budgam, 52 from Baramulla, 16 from Pulwama, 32 from Kupwara, 49 from Anantnag, 15 from Bandipora, 14 from Ganderbal, 07 from Kulgam and 00 from Shopian in Kashmir division while as 193 from Jammu division include 119 from Jammu, 09 from Rajouri, 0 from Udhampur, 12 from Doda, 02 from Kuthua, 14 from Poonch, 06 from Samba, 22 from Kishtiwar, 06 from Ramban and 03 from Reasi,” officials disclosed.

Notably, in the last 24 hours, seven persons who were tested positive for COVID-19 have died which include four from Kashmir division and three from Jammu division.

As per media bulletin, patients who have died include all four from Srinagar in Kashmir division while as three deaths from Jammu division include one each from Jammu district, Doda and Kuthua.

As per officials figures, 17,697 positive cases including 332 deaths and 15,500 recoveries are from Srinagar, 5,647 including 90 deaths and 5,121 recoveries are from Budgam, 5,215 including 3,801 recoveries and 135 deaths are from Baramulla, 4,414 including 4,068 recoveries and 76 deaths are from Pulwama, 4,076 including 71 deaths and 3,701 recoveries are from Kupwara, 3,973 including 3,556 recoveries and 70 deaths are from Anantnag, 3,846 cases including 3,512 and 42 deaths are from Bandipora, 3,315 including 3,022 recoveries and 30 deaths are from Ganderbal, 2,395 including 2,257 recoveries and 43 deaths are from Kulgam and 2,118 including 1,999 recoveries and 33 deaths are from Shopian.

In Jammu division, 16,106 including 14,741 recoveries and 237 deaths are from Jammu district, 3,120 including 2,716 recoveries and 45 deaths are from Rajouri, 2,561 including 2,390 recoveries and 25 deaths are from Udhampur, 2,502 including 2,207 recoveries and 42 deaths are from Doda, 2,328 including 2,240 recoveries and 30 deaths are from Kuthua, 2,139 including 1,504 recoveries and 22 deaths are from Poonch, 2,067 including 1,648 recoveries and 24 deaths are from Samba, 1,720 including 1,472 recoveries and 14 deaths are from Kishtwar, 1,510 including 1,423 recoveries and 11 deaths are from Ramban and 1,193 including 1,008 recoveries and 07 deaths are from Reasi.

As per the daily information bulletin, 627,750 persons in Jammu and Kashmir are under observation while 21,218 persons have been kept under home quarantine besides that 8,677 persons are in isolation.

According to the bulletin, 543,986 persons have completed surveillance period and 52,490 persons are under home surveillance besides that so far results of 2,004,113 samples are available.

Out of 2,004,113 the number of samples tested negative stands at 1,916,171 while 87,942 have tested positive, among them 8,677 are active, 77,886 persons have recovered and 1,379 persons have died—(KNO)

Kulgam: The Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) 3- Anantnag Parliamentary constituency, Justice (Retd), Hasnain Masoodi today visited Kulgam to take detailed review of major developmental projects, implementation of flagship schemes in the district.

He convened a meeting here at mini-secretariat with the officers of various departments to review the project wise status of all ongoing developmental projects.

On the occasion, District Development Commissioner (DDC) Kulgam, Showkat Aijaz Bhat briefed the MP through a powerpoint presentation about the detailed status of the ongoing projects.

He also presented sector wise progress of these projects besides key flagship schemes of different sectors including R&B, RDD, PDD, PHE, Health, Education, FCS&CA, Labour, Social Welfare, Horticulture and Agriculture besides Animal and Sheep Husbandry and other departments in the district.

The DDC informed the MP that out of allocated Rs 180.97 Crore under District Capex, having availability of Rs 45.09 Crore, Rs 42.03 Crore have been expended by the end of September, 2020.

He also informed the MP that more than 158 KMs of road length so far have been macadamized during 2020-21 in the district.

Sharing the constructional status of IPD Block of District Hospital Kulgam, the DDC informed the MP that the project is under execution of JKPCC with a project cost of Rs, 50.32 crore and work on IPD Block A has been completed and is functional.

The DDC also informed the MP about the status of all other work projects and achievements recorded under beneficiary oriented schemes.
The MP instructed the concerned to remove all the bottle-necks, and ensure timely completion of all work projects.

He also stressed for generating awareness among the masses about all schemes so that they can avail the benefits of these schemes. (KINS)

Srinagar: The Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, P K Pole Saturday chaired a meeting of officers to review the status and progress of work on the three 132 KV Power Transmission Lines (PTLs) in Kashmir division.

The work on these three Transmission lines is being executed by the JKPTCL.

The meeting deliberated over the acquisition of land for erection of towers, compensation to land owners, mutation and issues regarding the completion work of 132KV Budgam GSS to Budgam TSS Transmission Line, 132KV Mir Bazar to Qazigund TSS Transmission Line and 132KV Delina to Baramulla TSS Transmission Line.

The meeting was informed that out of 47 towers for 132 KV Mir Bazar to Qazigund TSS Transmission Line 42 towers have been erected, similarly out of 26 tower erection locations for 132 KV Budgam GSS to Budgam TSS Transmission line, PNC for 11 locations has been done.

Besides, out of total 21 locations to be acquired for 132kv Delina to Baramulla TSS Transmission Line, foundation for 19 locations has been completed while the work at two locations has been withheld.

The meeting also discussed the issue of acquisition of land by railways and compensation to landowners.

Among others, the meeting was attended by Assistant Executive Revenue, Srinagar, ACR, Collector PDD, MHPS Bemina, Dy Chief Electrical Engineer, Northern Railway, SE JKPTCL CR-2, SE JKPTCL CR -1, General Manager, IRCON-JK and other officers. (KINS)

Anantnag: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan Saturday said that government is very keen to encourage various sports activities while all the basic facilities would be provided for promotion of sports activities.

He made the remarks while speaking at a prize distribution ceremony at Pahalgam among the finalists of a cycle race.

The Cyclothon 2020 ‘Pedal for Lidder’ was organized by District Administration Anantnag in collaboration with Army & other Paramilitary Forces in which around 200 cyclists from across the Valley participated.

Advisor Baseer Khan appreciated the efforts of district administration Anantnag for organising such a mega event.

The Advisor, who was a chief guest on the occasion, congratulated all the participants.
‘This event carries a message of unity and peace’, he added.

He asked the Director Tourism, Kashmir to organise such events in future also in consultation with district administration.

The Advisor also appreciated the gesture of the public for encouraging the cyclists at various places from Sarnal to Pahalgam.

He appealed all the youth to participate in different types of sports activities and keep away from the menace of drugs.

Earlier, DDC Anantnag, K K Sidha flagged off the Cyclothon from Sarnal Anantnag at 8:10 am which culminated in Pahalgam at 9:20 am.

People and students from Sarnal to Pahalgam welcomed the cyclists with placards in their hands depicting various social reform messages.

Among men cyclists, Akbar Khan and Waheed Ahmad, both from Budgam secured 1st & 2nd positions respectively while as Bazil Rather from Kangan secured 3rd position.

Among women cyclists, Insha Wadoo secured 1st position, while as Zeenat Jan and Muskan Jan secured 2nd & 3rd Positions respectively.
The first three winners were awarded with cash prizes of Rs 30000, 20000 & 10000 respectively. Also, CRPF awarded female winners with Rs 50000. (KINS)

Srinagar: As people are struggling to make their earning and students unable to study amid COVID-19, Javid Ahmad Tak is on the forefront to help the children with disabilities by providing them monetary help and engaging in various activities.

For the last many months, children in Kashmir are confined inside four walls and have detached from studies due to COVID-19. At the same time, Tak, 44, the chairperson of Humanity Welfare Organization Helpline, has been providing all possible help to children with disabilities.

A few days before, his organization in collaboration with Azeem Premji Philinthropic Initiative Banglore organised an inclusive drawing competition at government degree college Anantnag on World White Can Day. Around 180 children from 20 villages of district Anantnag Pulwama and Kulgam participated in the drawing competition.

Ulfat Jan was declared as best Artist. She secured 1st position. Shakir Farooq from Hugam Bijbehara secured 2nd position, while Rtiza Nisar a deaf and mute girl from Arwani secured 3rd position. Five more consolation prizes were given to the juniour artists belonging to different areas of south Kashmir.

Syed Yasir (KAS), Assistant commissioner (Revenue) Anantnag threw open the ceremony. He viewed all the paintings one by one while children were drawing their drawings. Syed Yasir interacted with many children on the occasion. Speaking on occasion, he praised the working of Humanity Welfare Organisation Helpline.

“The organisation under the leadership of Javed Ahmad Tak work tirelessly for the empowerment of persons with disabilities,” Syed Yasir added. He assured participants that district administration will leave no stone unturned in the development of persons with disabilities.

A cricket match was played between cricketers facing visual disabilities on the occasion. The match was very interesting as young person’s facing blindness exposed their talent. The spectators were very much impressed by the performances of the youth facing blindness. Amir Wagay from Kanhama Shopion facing 75% visual disability was declared man of the match.

In the valedictory session Deputy Inspector General of Police south Kashmir Range Atul K Goel IPS was the chief guest on the occasion. He said that independence and dignity of persons with disabilities is a key factor for the development of persons with disabilities. He assured that mobility and assistive devices will be given to needy children facing severe visual and other disabilities.

Tak thanked all participants, volunteers from UNICEF Kashmir, childline Anantnag team, staff members of Zaiba Aapa Institite of Inclusive Education Bijbehara for their support and making the event a grand success. He explained the motive behind organising the world white Can day.

“All participants are winners. Every person with blindness should use white can and move towards independence and attain dignity,” he told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).

World White Can Day is being celebrated throughout globe on October 15. The objective behind the day is to show the importance of white can used by persons with visual disabilities in order to attain independence.

Despite his physical limitations, he has taken up a task to back the smile on the faces of disabled population.

“Since the COVID-19 broke out, I and my team have been collecting details about needy disabled people and then providing them financial support. We also provide eatables and medicines,” he told KINS.

His NGO is also running Zebunnisa Helpline School in Bijbehara where 103 disabled children are enrolled.

He however regrets that children with disabilities were not able to attend online classes amid lockdown.

These children have become more reclusive since the lockdown began.

Tak was not born disabled. He was a normal person and had gone to his uncle’s home in 1997, who was Block President of the mainstream party National Conference. He was then pursuing his bachelors from Anantnag Degree College in South Kashmir.

“Some unknown gunmen had come to kidnap my uncle. They fired bullets. Several bullets hit me and damaged my spinal code. I was hospitalized for two years. Since then I can’t walk and move only on a wheelchair,” he narrated. (KINS)