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  • Reports about heavy downpour is baseless, says MeT

    Srinagar, June 20: The Meteorological department in Srinagar on Thursday said that there was no forecast of heavy downpour in Jammu and Kashmir.

    However, Deputy Director MeT, said that the light rains with thunderstorm will continue for the next upcoming days but the department has not predicted any heavy downpour, terming the reports as ‘baseless’.

    He said that light rains are occurring in northern districts at present but as per the forecast there won’t be any heavy downpour He told Kashmir News Observer (KNO) stated said that the Monsoon season in rest of the India is already delayed by almost 15 days due to which the frequent rainfall is occurring in the Valley.(KNO)

  • Anti-militancy Ops conducted in professional manner, keeping in view human values: Army commander

    Qazigund, June 20: A top Army commander on Thursday said that the Army was conducting anti-militancy operations in a very professional manner keeping in view the human values and dignity. He also said that Army has been counselling the Kashmiri students studying in various goodwill schools across the Valley through expert counselors who come from various states.

    According to KNO correspondent present on the occasion, while talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function at Wuzur in Qazigund area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, the northern Army commander Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh said anti-militancy operations in Jammu and Kashmir are conducted in a very professional and dedicated manner and the force has a code of conduct which values human dignity and values.

    “We have a very strong code of conduct which values human dignity and the values of the society. So I wish to assure you that all the operations by the Army in Jammu and Kashmir are being carried out in a very professional and dedicated manner,” the army commander said.

    Replying to a query, he said: “Wherever there are actions to be taken, those are taken at appropriate levels.” The army commander said Army Goodwill School, Wuzur, has been renamed after slain Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani, who was awarded Ashok Chakra posthumously in January this year. Wani was killed on November 25, 2018 in an anti-militancy operation at Batagund area of south Kashmirs’ Kulgam district where six militants were also killed.

    “Wani was also two times recipient of the Sena medal for gallantry by the government of India,” Lt Gen Singh said. On the functioning of the Army Goodwill schools in Kashmir, the Army commander said there are always some distractions which work against the interests of the country. “It is to the credit of our children, their parents and our teachers that we have been able to ensure that there has been no disruption in the education, which we are trying to impart to the children in these schools,” he said.

    “The children of Kashmir are our hope. We are sure that in the times to come they will work hard,” he said. “The children have a huge potential and they will become useful members of the society and take us on the trajectory of growth and development as far as Kashmir and the nation is concerned,” he said.

    To a query whether army was counseling the children studying in its good will schools across Kashmir, the northern army commander said that they have roped in various expert counselors from various States of India who hold interactive sessions with the children studying in good will schools. “This is an ongoing process,” he said.(KNO)

  • My father harassing me for having Muslim boyfriend, brother not helping either: Hrithik’s sister

    Actor Hrithik Roshan’s sister Sunaina Roshan has claimed that her family is making her life unbearable just because she is in love with a Muslim man.

    “I am living in hell as usual. I read Rangoli’s tweets and I don’t care because that is the truth. I am fine with her tweeting because I want the truth to come out. I have always supported the truth and I will always support it. I am meeting Kangana and Rangoli today as they are bringing me justice. I know this stance of mine will go against me but I don’t care,” she said.

    Sunaina alleged that her father Rakesh Roshan slapped her because she is in relationship with Muslim guy. Reportedly Sunaina is in relationship with Journalist Ruhail Amin.

    “Because I was in love with a Muslim guy, my father slapped me and told me that the guy I loved was a terrorist, which Ruhail isn’t. If he was one, would he go scot-free and work in the media? Wouldn’t he have been behind bars?” she asked.

    The celebrity sister said that her parents, Rakesh Roshan and Pinkie Roshan, do not want her to meet Ruhail. “I didn’t want to talk about this but I want them to accept Ruhail right now because they are making my life hell and I cannot tolerate it… They don’t want me to meet him. I don’t know about marriage but right now I want to be with Ruhail. Just because he is Muslim, they cannot accept him. If he was a terrorist, why would he be open in the media? Why would he be all over Google?” she said.

    When asked what Hrithik had to say about her relationship, Sunaina said, “Hrithik has no take as he is under my father’s guidance right now. Nobody is okay with my relationship, neither Hrithik nor my father. Hrithik had promised me that he would get me a house of my own, wherever that I wanted in Mumbai, but he has not done that. When I found a rented apartment for myself in Lokhandwala, he said it’s too expensive for me. Is 2.5 lakhs rent too expensive for him? I don’t think so. He didn’t stick to his words. Everybody is harassing me today.”

    Notably Hrithik’s ex wife Suzanne Khan is a Muslim.

  • Forces launch Search Operation in Litter Pulwama

    Pulwama: Government forces on Thursday evening launched Cordon and Search operation in Peer Mohalla of Litter tehsil in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

    Official sources told KNO that on specific inputs about the presence of militants joint team of forces including 55 RR launched search operation in the area.

    Locals told KNO that huge contingents of forces have been deployed in the area and door to door search operation is on in the area.(KNO)

  • Chinese-made steel bullets used in Anantnag fidayeen attack: Report

    It said that steel bullets pierced through the bullet proof jackets of the troopers, thereby causing injuries to them.

    Chinese-made steel bullets were used in Anantnag Fidayeen attack on July 12 that left five CRPF personnel and police officer dead, a media report said on Thursday.

    The initial investigation into the attack suggests that the steel bullets were used by the militant to cause severe damage to the security personnel.

    “The investigation into the militant attack on CRPF on June 12 has revealed that made-in-China steel bullets were used by the militants to cause severe injuries to the security personnel,” Zee News reported on Thursday.

    It said that steel bullets pierced through the bullet proof jackets of the troopers, thereby causing injuries to them.

    On July 12, militants attacked security forces on KP Road in Anantnag, killing five Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers and a Station House Officer (SHO) of Jammu and Kashmir Police. The lone attacker was also killed in the attack.

  • Bloody 24 hours in South Kashmir: 10 persons killed as forces, militants suffer equally

    Army major, two soldiers, civilian, four militants killed; two forces personnel shoot themselves dead

    Srinagar, June 18 (KNO) : An army major, two soldiers, a civilian, and four militants including top Jaish-e-Muhammad commander and another militant whose vehicle was used in the deadly suicide attack on February 14 that left 40 CRPF men dead. Two security forces personnel also shot dead themselves with the service riffles taking the total number of slain to ten in 24 hours, according to the KNO’s monitoring desk.

    In the Achabal area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, an unidentified militant was killed while as Army suffered a major causality in the form of a Major. Police said that the militant remained unidentified and was a foreigner and part of Jaish-e-Muhammad outfit. “He was a well-trained militant,” a police officer told KNO. Today, the body of a civilian was also found near the encounter spot.

    Soon after the encounter, militants blew up an Army vehicle at Arihal area of Pulwama with a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in which several soldiers’ sustained injuries who were evacuated to army’s 92 base hospital in Srinagar where two of the injured soldiers succumbed to their injuries on Tuesday morning.

    In another encounter at Marhama, Anantnag on Tuesday morning, the security agencies claimed to have achieved a major breakthrough by killing two militants including the one whose vehicle was used in the February 14, deadly Lethpora attack, that left 40 CRPF men dead and dozens injured. A soldier was also killed in the encounter, police told KNO.

    Talking to a selected group of reporters here, DGP Dilbagh Singh said that the two militants Towseef Ahmed Bhat and Sajad Ahmed Bhat. “Towseef was wanted and was a district commander of Jaish for Anantnag and he was the one who had brought Sajad into Jaish fold. With the killing of these men, Jaish has suffered a dent,” he said.

    Meanwhile, two security forces personnel also shot dead themselves with their service riffles. A soldier shot himself dead at army camp in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district and he was identified as Chotu Kumar. In another incident of similar nature, BSF man Constable Rajendera Minj who shot himself dead with his service riffle at Singhpora, Pattan in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

    In the two major encounters and the IED blast carried out by militants, security agencies suffered heavy losses in its anti-militancy operations. An army major and three soldiers died in an encounter and the IED attack carried out by militants in south Kashmir even as Jaish outfit also bore the brunt by losing its most wanted men.(KNO)

  • Mohamed Morsi, ousted president of Egypt, dies in court

    Egypt’s ousted president Mohamed Morsi has collapsed during a court session and died, according to state television.

    The state broadcaster said on Monday that Morsi, 67, was attending a session in his trial on espionage charges when he blacked out and then died. His body was taken to a hospital, it said.

    Morsi, a senior figure in the now outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, was elected president in 2012 in the country’s first free elections after longtime leader Hosni Mubarak was forced from power.

    Following a wave of mass protests in 2013, the military ousted Morsi and crushed the Brotherhood in a major crackdown, arresting many of the group’s leaders.

    In 2018, a panel of three British parliamentarians reported that Morsi was being kept in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day, with just one hour allowed for exercise.

    The politicians – who formed an independent detention review panel – said that the conditions of Morsi’s confinement could be classified as torture and could also lead to his premature death.

    Morsi, who had a history of ill health including diabetes, liver and kidney disease, was not receiving the medical care required, the MPs found.

    More details soon…

  • Pak Captain Sarfaraz Trolled for Not Following Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Advice

    Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed was trolled on social media after he did not pay heed to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s advise about winning the toss and batting first in their high-voltage World Cup clash against India in Manchester on Sunday.

    Taking to Twitter ahead of the match, Imran said: “Today, given the intensity of the match, both teams will come under great mental pressure and the power of the mind will decide the outcome of the match. In Sarfaraz we are fortunate to have a bold captain & today he will have to be at his daring best.

    “In order to have a winning offensive strategy Sarfaraz must go in with specialist batsmen and bowlers because “Raillu Kattas” rarely perform under pressure — especially the intense kind that will be generated today. Unless pitch is damp, Sarfaraz must win the toss & bat.”

    It seems the tweets didn’t reach Sarfaraz, who won the toss and promptly put India into bat under overcast conditions.

    Imran, who led Pakistan to their only World Cup victory in 1992, was proved right as India piled on 336/5 riding Rohit Sharma’s 140 and captain Virat Kohli’s 77. K.L. Rahul also scored 57 as the Men in Blue took the Pakistan bowlers to the cleaners.

    Fans on social media felt that Sarfaraz missed a trick by not listening to the legendary all-rounder as barring Mohammed Amir (3/47), all the bowlers toiled. In the last five overs, Pakistan managed to keep the run flow in check to a certain extent but they still have an uphill task.

    India have an all-win record against Pakistan at the World Cup, winning all six matches played between 1992 and 2015.

  • India vs Pakistan: Here is how the weather will play out

    News Desk – 15 Jun 2019

    Sunday will see the biggest match of the World Cup, but there is a condition. There are fears that the most anticipated match of the tournament might well be affected by rain and we might well see a reduced match.

    So far four matches have been washed out and Manchester received heavy showers, the pitch was under the hover cover, while the rest of the square was covered by sheets.

    Although the forecast is quite positive on Sunday, there are light showers expected towards late afternoon.

    The Met department of United Kingdom forecasts suggest that there’s a 50% chance of rain at around 1 pm (Local Time) on Sunday in Manchester and after 7 pm (Local Time) the possibility of rain will go below 40%

    Meanwhile, Accuweather, a weather forecasting website is predicting a light shower between 12 PM local time and 1 PM local time in Manchester on Sunday.

    The match begins at 10:30 AM local time, hence we might see an on-time start.

    The website further predicts be overcast conditions right through the day and there will be brief spells of shower as the day progresses.

    The ICC has been under fire for not having reserve days for the marquee event. However, Chief Executive David Richardson made it clear that having something like that in the group stages would have been a logistical nightmare

  • Turkey vs USA: Turkey issues huge THREAT to US over Russia’s S-400 missiles

    TURKEY TURNS TO RUSSIA AND NOT U.S. OR NATO FOR HELP IN SYRIA

    By KUMAIL JAFFER
    Fri, Jun 14, 2019

    TURKEY issued a stern warning to the US over Washington’s decision to impose sanctions for purchasing Russian missile systems.

    Washington claimed it would trigger economic warfare on Ankara if Turkey went ahead with its deal to buy S-400 missiles from Moscow. The US, who recently sold 100 F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, see the S-400 missile systems as a threat and said Turkey could not have both at the same time. However, President Erdogan’s administration pledged to respond to any aggression with action of their own.

    Foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said: “If the United States takes any negative actions towards us, we will also take reciprocal steps.

    “We are determined on the S-400 issue. No matter what the results will be, we will not take a step back.”

    The minister added that it is impossible to cancel the order from Russia.

    As well as threatening sanctions, Washington sent a letter yesterday saying it would pull Ankara out of the F-35 jet programme – despite being a fellow NATO member.

    The minister continued: “We reject the wording [of] the letter [by acting Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan] to our defence minister.

    “Nobody can give an ultimatum to Turkey.”

    His words were echoed by Russia’s ambassador to Turkey, who said: “There is no change and there will be no change.”

    The US Defence Secretary threatened earlier this month to remove all Turkish pilots currently training in the US if the deal went ahead – but it failed to deter President Erdogan.

    The US is concerned that any F-35s they sell could be exposed to subterfuge by the Russians.

    In addition, the Russian system is allegedly incompatible with NATO systems.

    Mr Cavusoglu’s aggressive speech ensured the Turkish lira weakened 1.5 percent in a single day.

    They are reportedly discounting their own missiles and have offered to protect the Turkish economy should Russia respond to their severing of ties.

    Assistant Defence Secretary Kathryn Wheelbarger said: “We would be seeking ways to protect the Turkish economy from any potential blowback – Turkey is learning perhaps the hard way that Russia cannot be relied upon.”

    It also ties into the overall power struggle in the region as both Russia and the US scramble to get nations on side.

    Turkey decided to buy the missiles in 2017 amid Washington urging them to purchase the US Patriot system instead.

    The US has had other issues with nations wishing to buy the Russian missiles systems, too.

    Washington is struggling to convince other powerful nations not to engage in the Moscow transaction.

    Despite being warned by the EU and US, President Erdogan has remained firm in his aspirations as he claimed he was protecting the interests of Turks in North Cyprus.