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Srinagar: 33 travelers were among 701 fresh covid-19 cases reported in Jammu and Kashmir in last 24 hours, taking the total count to 85409.

Among the fresh cases, 264 were reported from Jammu Division and 437 from Kashmir Division, officials told GNS.

They said that Srinagar reported 163 cases, Budgam 43, Baramulla 70, Pulwama 26, Kupwara 23, Anantnag 28, Bandipora 32, Ganderbal 35, Kulgam 8 and Shopian.

Jammu reported 28 cases, Rajouri 22, Udhampur 21, Doda 11, Kathua 9, Poonch 18, Samba 13, Kishtwar 28, Ramban 9 and Reasi 5.

Moreover, they said, 816 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and were discharged from various hospitals— 401 from Jammu Division and 415 from Kashmir Valley. (GNS)

Two militants killed so far in Shopian encounter

Srinagar: DirectorGeneral of Police Dilbagh Singh Wednesday said that police is on job to track the case of Special Police Officer (SPO) who has gone missing with 2 AK- rifles in central kashmi’s Chadoora.

“Thiskind of incident at times takes place.They are unfortunate incidents, but we are on job to track out the case. I am sure we will get it soon,” DGP told reporters on the sidelines of the cricket final match in Handwara as per newsagency KINS.

Commenting on the shopian encounter, Dilbagh Singh said that so far two militants have been neutralized. “Area is under search now there could be more militants, opreation is not over, more details would be avaliable later,” he siad.
As per reports a special police officer (SPO) has gone missing from a camp of special operations group (SOG) along with two AK-47 rifles.

Quoting official sources, Local news agency has reported that Altaf Hassan (Belt No. 1197 /SPO) son of Ghulam Hassan Bhat of Qazipora Chadoora, who was posted at SOG Camp Chadoora, went missing along with two AK-47 rifles and three magazines.

Confirming it, a police officer has said that a case has been registered and further investigation is underway.

The report has mentioned that in a similar incident, a Sashastra Seema Bal constable has also gone missing from his camp in Chadoora along with a magazine of INSAS rifle.(KINS)

Local Militants being given every opportunity to surrender during faceoff: DGP Dilbagh Singh

Srinagar: Stating that many Lashkar militants from Pakistan still active in south Kashmir, Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh on Tuesday said during faceoff between security forces and militants, the later is being given every opportunity to surrender before taking a decisive action.

He termed the killing of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) commander Zahid Tiger in a recent gunfight in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district a “big success” for security forces.

DGP said that there is no discrimination in the policy as recently security forces managed to save a life of a newly recruited militant in Dadoora Pulwama.

As per the news agency KINS the DGP was addressing a press conference in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district after taking stock of the security situation in the district.

“There were three militants trapped and all were asked to surrender. Two of them fired upon forces which were retaliated in which two militants were killed. The slain were Zahid Tiger while another one was a native of Pakistan”, DGP who was flanked by several officers told reporters.

Police chief said that killing of Zahid Tiger was a “big success” for security forces and added during the exchange of fire, forces managed to save the life of a newly recruited militant from Doda district of Jammu.

When asked about active foreign militants in south Kashmir areas, the DGP said that many Lashkar militants from Pakistan are still active in south Kashmir. “In 2020 we carried out several anti-militancy operation in south Kashmir in which 24 Pakistani militants were killed who were associated with Lashkar-e-Toiba”, DGP said and added their presence was threat to forces as well as civilians.

DGP said that security forces will leave no stone unturned to frustrate the designs of militants. “We will not allow militants to succeed in their designs. Efforts are on to kill the remaining foreign militants in valley”, he said.

When asked about the frequent militant attacks on highways, DGP said that for the movement of 0.1 percent militants, security forces can’t block the road for the rest of 99.99 percent civilians.

“Whenever inputs come, we conduct frisking of particular vehicles with an aim to inflict no harm to public movement. At times we establish contact with militants during frisking as seen in Nagrota this year where ammunition was also recovered”, DGP said.

He also said that infiltration at Line of Control (LoC) has witnessed a decline this year as compared to the past. (KINS)

Former MD denies allegations

Srinagar: A probe has been sought into alleged wrongdoings over the years in Jammu and Kashmir Handloom Development Corporation.
In a letter to anti-graft bodies, a probe has been sought into alleged wrongdoings in the Corporation.

J & K State Handloom Development Corporation was incorporated to give raw material, technical support and marketing cover to local handloom societies as per the article of association.

The letter also received by news agency KINS said that funds worth crores of rupees were released for the up gradation and purchase of new machineries for scouring, dyeing and finishing of wool fiber and cloth in UNDP, Nowshera, Srinagar.

Similarly funds worth crores of rupees were released for the upgrade of Export Oriented Handloom Development Project Samba, for repair and sourcing of new processing/printing machines, handloom, looms etc.

These funds were released to strengthen the infrastructure for the production of traditional cloth on handlooms, working in the decentralized sector, which would benefit the common weaver for socio economic upliftment. Also simultaneously generate revenue by upgrading the existing post loom facilities in order to attract manufacturing units within & outside the state, to send their goods to these units for scouring, bleaching, dyeing, printing and finishing.

“All these funds have been utilized for sourcing the undesired machineries which as on date are defunct as they are not required in the handloom industry owing to the fact that they are high speed Rapier looms run purely on power and JKHDC has no mandate to source them at huge costs,” the letter said.
The latter has raised questions over the purchase of these machines worth crores of rupees.

“For what purpose, they have purchased power driven Jaquard, Juki knitting machines, new warping m/c, replacing existing fully operational warping machine, new boiler, replacing existing fully operational boiler, new printing tables, curing machine and huge qty of printing blocks, screens’, dyes and chemicals, dismantling the constructed portion inside the processing house and construction of new sheds within the samba premises for what,” the latter say.

They have accused that all such activities have been done without any sanctioned project report, or hiring a proper textile consultant for the implementation of this project. “No proper tendering process has been adopted as per the guidelines of financial code. Parties have been selected on the basis of mutual understanding,” they have alleged in the letter.

“Now if these machines are sourced, why are they defunct as on date? How come authorities claim to weave world Famous Kani Pashmina Shawls in Samba, when the project has no mandate to weave such sophisticated items. The whole activity for the last two years of the Samba Project needs to be probed thoroughly,” they have demanded.

As per the letter, orders approximately worth Rs 55 crores were received by the Corporation from Sarwa Siksha Abhiyan, Education Department.

“Firstly, JKHDC has no mandate to supply such items like terry cot uniform cloth in stitched form. This is purely a mill sector product and the cloth woven is on high speed power looms. But authorities made it to show that stitching is done in Samba Project as an eye wash while the entire material was sourced from Mumbai based firm, through a broker thus cheating the govt. and the department. The stitched uniform has been sourced from outside the state.”

They have claimed that despite having a full fledged Financial Advisor, authorities had given DDO powers to much lesser rank non account people.

“This is precisely done in order to avoid any sort of objections or queries by FACAO. All payments to suppliers of machines or cloth have been released by these very favorite persons, by passing FACAO. Why? It needs to be enquired,” they said.

“This year also, authorities have purchased uniform cloth worth crores of rupees, in anticipation of a repeat of education order, which was not placed by them. The material as on date is still stored in Himalayan Wool Combers Premises, Bari Brahmana, which can be physically seen even today, thus causing huge loss to the govt. exchequer.

In order to silence the voice of dissent, promotions have been given in bulk without adhering to basic rules and appointed at will the persons,” they added.

However, former Managing Director J&K Handloom Development Corporation denied the allegations.

“No money is released with sanctioned projects by the government. The machines which have been procured are operational at Samba plant which you can confirm from concerned officials there. If there is any complaint that proper procedure has not been followed during the procurement let the ACB hold a probe to unveil the facts,” the former MD told news agency KINS.(KINS)

Serological Survey of Jammu region assesses infection rate at 8%

Srinagar: Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam Tuesday chaired a meeting to take stock of efforts toward mitigating COVID-19 pandemic in view of the upcoming festivities and winter season.

Administrative Secretaries of departments of Health & Medical Education, Power Development, Rural Development, Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir, and Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of all the districts participated in the meeting.

The Chief Secretary complimented the district administration of Jammu district for effectively controlling the recent surge in COVID cases by strictly ensuring parameter control, increasing testing in the concentrated clusters and earnestly adhering to the COVID related SOPs.

The Chief Secretary impressed upon the Deputy Commissioners to increase the per-day testing rate for early detection of cases followed by their isolation and respective medical intervention, especially in the upcoming season of festivities, and winter.

“In the winter season when influenza like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARIs) are widespread, it will be paramount to test all the vulnerable sections for COVID-19 and prevent its outbreak”, he added.

Regarding testing during the forthcoming season of festivities, the civil administration and the Health Department were asked to extensively collect samples from the high impact areas with high vulnerability including markets, offices, banks, universities, colleges, health institutions, and residential colonies with incidences of infection.

Health and Medical Education Department informed that the recently concluded serological survey of Jammu province has established the spread of COVID infection in the region at 8% with an almost uniform rate among rural-urban, old-young, and male-female categories. The Department was asked to conduct a serological survey of Srinagar city to assess its infection rate.

Further, it was informed that the frequency of trains coming to Katra and Jammu is being gradually increased, for which DCs of Reasi, Udhampur and Jammu districts were directed to intensify the testing of all incoming passengers at the respective railway stations—(KNO)

Only policy for militants is bullet: Ravindar Raina, Nothing wrong if government will rehabilitate militants who surrender: Kavinder Gupta

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir’s unit of Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) is divided on the on the recent announcements of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha that government is ready to help militants with job and entrepreneurial opportunities if they will shun the path of violence.

Days after Governor’s statement, BJP President for J&K Ravindra Raina told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that there can never be any rehabilitation policy for the militants and they will be paid pack in the same coin. He added that whosoever pickups a gun against India will be eliminated.

However, senior BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of J&K Kavinder Gupta seconded Governor’s rehabilitation policy for those who will shun path of militancy.

He said that whosoever will give up the path of militancy will be welcomed as they too have families and there is nothing wrong in it if government is going on help them with rehabilitation policy.

Pertinently, on October 02 while speaking on the 151st Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, LG while speaking at a gathering at Shirmal Shopian during Back to Village 3 programme, he asked militants to shun violence as we are ready to help you with jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities—(KNO)

Says soldiers with capabilities latest equipment ready to foil all attempts, No local youth joined militancy in past one year in Kupwara district

Machil: The army on Tuesday said that at least 250 militants are ready to sneak-in but alerts troops laced with latest technology are well-equipped to foil all attempts by the militants that are aimed at infiltrating into this side before snowfall starts this winter.

Speaking to media men on the sidelines of Machil Mela in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, General officer Commanding (GoC) of Kupwara based army’s 28-division, ADS Aujla also said that not a single person has joined militancy in the past one year in the district.

“After remaining the hub of militancy for almost 30 years, Kupwara is growing as a most normal district in the region. People here haven’t joined militant ranks for a year now and no drone attempt to drop weapons close to LoC has been made so far,” said GoC Aujla, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

He said still there is some time for snowfall and desperate attempts will be made to push in more infiltrators. “But if militants are ready to infiltrate so are we to thwart any such attempt,” the army officer said.

The GOC 28 Division said no new youth has joined the militancy in entire Kupwara district in past one year. “No agitation, no stone pelting, no recruitment has happened for past one year in Kupwara district,” he said.

To a question about the deployment or Army’s women wing in the district, he said they have deployed Army constables at some vital places to stop the smuggling of weapons, currency and drugs in Tandghar area of the district.

“Women soldiers are frisking women carriers of militants which earlier was an issue for us as we couldn’t frisk women carriers. Women soldiers are assisted by the women SPOs of (J&K) Police. Let me tell you, since the deployment of women soldiers, we have been able to plug the supply of drugs, Pakistani currency, weapons etc,” said the GoC Aujla said.

Responding to a query about the use of drone’s to deliver the weapons, GoC Aujla said that this is a reality but there is nothing such in Kuwpara district and this is happening in Jammu and Punjab division only. “Our deployment and high altitude is a major challenge for them to use drone to drop the weapons,” the army officer said as per KNO.

About the possible infiltration bids this year, he said that 250 militants are ready to infiltrate this year as they are ready on the launch pads across the LoC. “Troops are laced with the latest equipment and ready to foil all the infiltration bids,” he said.

Referring to Pakistan about the use of winter cover (White cover recovered from militants killed in Keran sector in winter), the GOC said the army is well trained and laced with latest equipment that will help trace and track the infiltrators using white cover.

About the Machil Mela, the army officer said that soldiers enjoy close relation with the people in Machil since long. “The area remains curt off for six months and army with local people live like a family,” he said—(KNO)

Srinagar: Bhartiya Janata Party J&K spokesman Altaf Thakur today said that National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah must go to Wuhan, China and contest polls there given the love-lost he has for the China.

In a statement issued here, the BJP J&K spokesman Thakurs said that it was so unfortunate that after taking salary from the Government of India for decades together and swearing by the Indian constitution and chanting “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” in various television shows and interviews, NC president Farooq has all of a sudden started praising China. “My suggestion to Farooq is to settle down in Wuhan and contest polls there as he has so much love lost for Chinese. In Kashmir, there is no space for people like Farooq, who speak one language in Delhi and another in Kashmir,” Thakur said.

He said that Farooq by praising China and by claiming that Chinese intervention can bring back Article 370, reflects his myopic vision and that he doesn’t deserve to be in the parliament now. “Sitting in national capital and praising China tantamount to challenging the Indian sovereignty,” Thakur said, adding that “Article 370 revocation is reversible and historic step taken by the BJP government.”

“Those claiming that they will bring back Article 370 are day dreaming,” said Thakur. He said that irony is that the person (Dr Farooq) who claims to be so vocal is not able to speak in the parliament on Article 370 and instead prefers silence. “I recommend NC leaders to visit shrines and pay charity in favour of Dr Farooq so that he can open his mouth in the parliament,” Thakur said adding that “It is better for Dr Farooq to resign.”

He also said that since the fate of Gupkar declaration was known from day one, time has proved that in just two months, the declaration has died a silent death as there were no takers for it. “The move was to befool people but every single citizen of J&K UT is mature enough and won’t fall in the trap of regional parties especially NC.” (PTK)