Srinagar, Feb 08: With cancellation of flights due to snowfall on Thursday, thousands of Kashmiri pilgrims who returned from Umrah from Saudi Arab are stranded at the IGI Airport in New Delhi.
Mohammad Amin Wani, one of the stranded Umrah pilgrims, told Kashmir News Service (KNS) over phone that they are still stranded at the airport terminal after arriving from Jeddah airport yesterday.
He said that after KNS reported their agony on Thursday, the authorities woke up and accommodated them in hotels in Delhi for overnight.
“However, today we are stranded and struggling to reach home. Authorities at the airport and Air India operator have made our life plightful here. We appeal to the state government to fly us to Srinagar airport,” he said.
He said the number of Umrah pilgrims stranded at the airport has reached in thousands as more flights arrived since yesterday.
“Old aged persons, children and women are among the stranded passengers since 6 am at Gate no 29A, 29B, 30A and 30B. Air India has not provided us any refreshment since morning,” he said, adding the authorities should intervene to provide travel arrangements for them today. (KNS)
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Thousands of Umrah pilgrims stranded at IGI Airport Delhi.
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Pak Using Social Media To Mobilize Kashmiri Youth Toward Militancy: Army
UDHAMPUR — The general officer commanding-in-chief of the northern command, Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, said Thursday the Pakistani army has been using social media to mobilize support among the youth of Jammu and Kashmir to stir them towards militancy.
He also said that militant infrastructure continues to remain intact in PcK and Pakistan.
He said Pakistan is trying to develop narratives to alter public opinion in Kashmir to disrupt peace and stability. “It is matter of concern for us. We are seized of this concern.”
He said the “Pakistani army has been exploiting social media platforms to influence the youth of the Valley to join militancy.”
“Radicalization is not only a concern in India but a global concern,” Lt Gen Singh told reporters here.
However, he added, the Indian Army has developed effective counter-militancy capabilities and the fight against militancy has now entered “an important phase”.
“We are using technology and artificial-based solutions to counter the message, so that youth do not fall prey to the designs of the Pakistan army,” he said.
“I am hopeful that in the coming year, we will be able to see peace, prosperity and development in the state,” he said.
Replying to a question on America’s proposed pullout of troops from Afghanistan, the officer said the Indian Army and all agencies are keeping a close watch on the developments.
“We are prepared for any contingency,” he said, referring to possible infiltration by Afghan-based militants into Jammu and Kashmir.
He said options for another “surgical strike” on militant bases are open.
“Surgical strikes were a tactical operation to give a strategic message that Indian Army has the capability to do acts which are unpredictable. We were successful in conveying that message,” he added.
On the investigation into sepoy Aurangzeb’s killing in south Kashmir last year, he said, “We got information that one or two jawans intentionally or unknowingly passed information about his movement.”
“Perhaps the militants picked up the news and took benefit of it,” he said, adding a probe is going on.
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300 Umrah Passengers stranded at IGI Airport Delhi
Srinagar, Feb 07: With cancellation of flights due to snowfall, hundreds of Kashmiri passengers who returned from Umrah from Saudi Arab are stranded at the IGI Airport in New Delhi.
Mohammad Amin Wani, one of the stranded Umrah passengers, told Kashmir News Service (KNS) over phone that they arrived by Air India Flight No. 992 at IGI Airport today morning at 6.
“Old aged persons, children and women are among the stranded passengers since 6 am at Gate no 29A, 29B, 30A and 30B. Air India has not provided us any refreshment since morning,” he said, adding the authorities should intervene to provide accommodation and refreshment to the stranded passengers. (KNS) -
Govt in Jammu Kashmir Likely to Install Pre-Paid Electricity Meters
JAMMU : Commissioner Secretary, Power Development Department (PDD), Hirdesh Kumar, convened a meeting to review revenue realization progress and the implementation of ongoing flagship power sector schemes in Jammu region here today.
In the meeting, it was given out that the amount realized as power revenue by EMRE Wing, Jammu ending 3rd Quarter of this financial year has increased considerably over the realization in corresponding period of last year.
Hirdesh directed the concerned to ensure timely bill distribution to all the consumers while instructing the billing centers to remain functional even during late working hours for quick resolution of bill related issues in view of financial year closure. He further asked the officials to encourage the public to make use of online bill payment channels like billsahuliyat.jkpdd.net and the recently launched android app for easy bill payments. However, he was hopeful that with the addition of new electricity connections released under Saubhagya scheme, the revenue realization is expected to witness a healthy jump.
The meeting was informed that 153223 new connections have been registered in Jammu region during last eight months of current fiscal taking the total number to 1028585 resulting in total load addition of 75000 kW. It was also informed that the Departmental checking squads have conducted 29336 inspections across the region to check illegal connections and power pilferage, imposing a fine Rs. 2.1 crore against the violators till November 2018.
Even as the Department has succeeded to bring down the AT&C losses in comparison to last year, Commissioner/ Secretary expressed his concern over the high loss figures and directed the concerned to further gear up enforcement drive to control and eradicate the menace of power theft as it can play a pivotal role in reducing the losses to meet the commitment of the State under UDAY.
Taking stock of progress of works on various flagship schemes of Power Sector, the Commissioner Secretary asked the concerned to work with utmost dedication and accelerate the pace of work on all ongoing projects and complete them within the stipulated time.
Development Commissioner (Power), Chief Engineers, Superintending Engineers , Executive Engineers and representatives from the concerned Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) such as PGCIL , RECPDCL , RECTPCL , Reliance Elektrik , Transrail Lighting and Capital Electech , also attended the meeting.
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Not only three Kashmiri soldiers, many others being questioned, says Army
Police starts separate probe into Aurangzeb’s killing
Srinagar, February 06: Not just three Kashmiri soldiers but many soldiers are being questioned with regard to slain soldier Aurangzeb’s killing while as police has taken up the investigations into the case at a separate level, top security officials told KNO.
A source told KNO that among many, three local soldiers are being questioned over their possible involvement in leaking information about the movement of their colleague Aurangzeb, who was abducted and killed by militants in south Kashmir last year.
“This is a part of routine investigation procedure,” a top Army official told KNO. “The three soldiers are being quizzed on suspicion that they might have knowingly or unknowingly leaked information about Aurangzeb’s movements.”
However, he made it clear the soldiers in question have neither been detained nor arrested so far. While the police are investigating the case, the Army is providing all possible cooperation so that those involved in killing of Aurangzeb are brought to justice, they said.
One of the soldiers under the scanner is brother of Tauseef Wani — who was allegedly tortured by An army officer in Shadimarg camp — where Aurangzeb was posted, the sources said. Wani is currently undergoing treatment at SMHS hospital here.
Aurangzeb, who was proceeding on leave for Eid on 14 June 2018, was abducted and later shot in the head and neck. His body was found by a team of police and Army officials at Gussu village, about 10 km from Kalampora, in Pulwama district, from where he was abducted.
Aurangzeb had taken lift from a private vehicle outside his camp in Shopian but was being tracked by militants, who stopped the car and abducted him a few kilometres away. Defence spokesman in Srinagar Colonel Rajesh Kalia said that “they are ascertaining the details.” (KNO)
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Army never did anything wrong in Kashmir: Kavinder Gupta over Major Shukla
SRINAGAR, FEB 06: Former deputy chief minister of the state and Senior BJP leader Kavinder Gupta said that Army never did anything wrong in Kashmir with Kashmiri people.
While speaking to news agency Press Trust of Kashmir Gupta said, “Indian Army always works with Patience in Kashmir and I don’t think army have done anything wrong”.
He added that both national Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) support Militants and they can say anything about Indian Army but in real army have not done anything wrong.
While reacting over the comment of Shah Faesal Gupta said, “Who is Shah Faesal to decide Major Shukla transfer. It’s the duty of army. Shah Faesal should not interfere in this matter”.
Earlier Shah Faesal wrote on Facebook that ‘The least that can happen is that the officer is transferred and an enquiry is ordered into his conduct. Many youths from that area have reported to me that the officer is a serial offender”.
Meanwhile former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti visited a Srinagar hospital to meet a youth allegedly tortured by an Army officer in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
She visited the SMHS hospital yesterday to see the condition of the youth.
“She sought investigation and action from the Governor and the Army top brass in this regard,” a PDP spokesman said.
Mehbooba was quoted by the spokesman as having said that “if this is the condition of someone whose brother is working with the Army and whose father has already been killed by militants, how would others fair?”
Tawseef Ahmad Wani, 27, from Pulwama was allegedly beaten up inside an Army camp on Monday. His family alleged that an Army officer tortured him and also made his video. The family said he was later released by the Army. Wani’s brother is an army man.
“Tawseef was taken to a Pulwama hospital and later shifted to the SMHS,” a family member said. (PTK)
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Pulwama encounter : One militant killed, amid rattling exchange of gunfire protesters clash with forces
Pulwama, February 06: One militant has been killed in the ongoing gunfight between militants and government forces in Chakoora village of Pulwama while massive clashes are underway as well. A police source told KNO that one militant has been killed so far in the gunfight.
“Identification will be done once we retrieve the body from the spot,” he said .
Amid raging gunfight in Chakoora area of Pulwama district of South Kashmir, massive protesters erupted in the area which has been tear gassed.Reports reaching KNO said that protesters clashed with forces conducting the operation in the area, trying to help holed militants escape. “Youth pelted stones on the forces who in retaliation have tear gassed the area,” locals told KNO.
They said the clashes were going on amid heavy exchange of gunfire.
Earlier gunfight between militants and forces erupted in the area, as police sources said, that the joint forces party was fired upon by the militants hiding there that lead to gunfight.(KNO) -
Decline in Militancy, Stone Pelting Good Sign For Polling: Police
Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Police Tuesday termed the news reports that 191 youth joined militancy in Kashmir in 2018 as far from the reality stating that the decline in militancy and the stone pelting incidents was the ground reality and a good sign ahead of polls.
A media report Monday said 191 local boys joined various militant organisations in 2018 against 126 in 2017. “The figure is far from the reality. It’s not true that 191 youth joined militant ranks in 2018″, he said.
He said the fact is that militancy sustained a major ever jolt in Kashmir in 2018 as 250 militants were killed. “As far as the recruitment of local boys into various armed groups is concerned in year 2018, not more than 80 to 90 youth joined of whom majority got killed,” the officer said on condition of anonymity.
He said the fact remains that in 2018, the stone pelting incidents witnessed all time low, law and order situation improved, and the militant recruitment also went down considerable which is a good sign.
“Now that we are in an election year, improvement in situation is a good sign as that can help in creating a peaceful atmosphere for the polls,” he said.
Kashmir is all set to witness two crucial polls this year, the Assembly polls and the Lok Sabha polls with political parties already in poll mode to garner as much as possible support to win maximum seats.
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Army detains three RR men over killing of soldier Aurangzeb
Reached for comment, Defence spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia told that “details are being ascertained” about the incident.
Three personnel of the 44 Rashtriya Rifles have been detained by the Army and are being questioned for their alleged involvement in the abduction and killing of fellow soldier Aurangzeb by militants in June last year. Sources said it is suspected that the three RR soldiers shared information about Rifleman Aurangzeb who was abducted after he set out from the camp for his home in Poonch.
His killing led to outrage across the country. He was conferred the Shaurya Chakra posthumously on Independence Day last year. Two days ago, his father joined the BJP in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a rally in Vijaypur, Jammu. On Monday, 27 year-old Tawseef Ahmad, brother of Abid Wani, one of the three soldiers detained, was taken to hospital with multiple bruises after being assaulted, allegedly by RR personnel.Reached for comment, Defence spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia told The Indian Express that “details are being ascertained” about the incident. Ahmad was first taken to the Pulwama district hospital from where he was referred to Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital in Srinagar. Doctors said his condition was stable.
PDP leader and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who visited the Srinagar hospital Tuesday to inquire about Ahmad’s condition, said: “I will talk to the Corps Commander regarding the matter. I am sure Governor Sahib will take note of this matter… his brother is also missing, his whereabouts are not known.”
Sources said detained RR personnel Abid Wani, Tajamul Ahmad and Adil Wani are facing an inquiry for allegedly sharing information about Aurangzeb. “Two are from Pulwama and one is from Kulgam. Their role came up during the investigation into the killing of Aurangzeb,” sources said.
Ahmad’s family members said he was called to the RR camp in Pulwama where was beaten. “When he came out of the camp, he was spotted by a local resident and taken to hospital,” one of his cousins said. Dr Abdul Rashid Parra, medical superintendent of Pulwama district hospital, said: “We received a patient on Monday evening. He reported to the hospital with an alleged history of beating. The patient had multiple bruises. His whole body was bruised. He was then referred to a Srinagar hospital for further treatment.”
Dr Saleem Tak, medical superintendent of SMHS Hospital, said: “The patient’s condition is stable and he is currently under observation at the hospital. The patient has soft tissue injuries.”
The Indian Express
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Shah Faesal’s resignation not yet accepted by govt
Shah Faesal had submitted his resignation on January 4
Jammu: The government has not accepted the resignation of IAS officer Shah Faesal even after more than a month since he quit the civil services to join politics, according to highly placed sources in the government.
Faesal, the 2010 IAS topper, had submitted his resignation on January 4 without detailing the reasons.
The J&K Government’s website carrying the details of the in-service IAS officers lists Faesal at No. 49 (as on February 5), showing him as “pursuing a mid-career master’s programme in public administration at Edward S Mason Harvard University”.
In the normal course, his resignation should have been accepted by now as he has declared himself unshackled by the service rules that could have prevented him from airing his views, but there is no word about his resignation having been accepted.
Sources in the government said they had no problems in his joining the politics as it was his wish.
Faesal had announced his plunge into the politics on January 9, claiming that he was doing so to protest the “unabated killings in Kashmir, marginalisation of Muslims in India and the undermining of the institutions like NIA, CBI and RBI”.
In his media interviews and an aggressive campaign on the social media, he came out as a critical voice against the system. One of his salvos fired on January 28 was that the “time has come for the Kashmir resolution”.
A highly placed source said the delay in acceptance of his resignation could be because an inquiry was going on against him for his unacceptable remarks made on the social media a few months ago. It is because, the source said, if his resignation was accepted, he would be off the hook and no action could be taken against him.
The politically savvy class, however, said the government would prefer not to take any action against Faesal to avoid precipitating the matter and make him a hero. A top source in the government told The Tribune that his resignation would be accepted and remarked: “If someone wants to become a leader, why should we stop him (from doing so).” TNS