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SRINAGAR, FEB 03: o Prime Minister during his day-long visit to the state, on Sunday, raised the issue of Kashmiri Pandits and said that his government is committed to protect their rights, dignity and pride.

“The country will never forget the violent times in which they were forced out of their homes,” he had said.

Taking the note of Kashmiri Pandits hardships he said, “The Central government is committed to mitigate the hardships of the Kashmiri Pandits, our displaced brothers and sisters and is devoted to restore their pride.”

He also announced 5 more medical colleges to be constructed in the state, adding that a new Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) will give better professional education to the youth of the state.

He laid the foundation stone for AIIMS, Vijay Pur and AIIMS, Awantipora and for the construction of Northern Regional Centre Campus of Indian Institute of Mass Communication at Jammu and also launch the University of Ladakh, the first-ever varsity in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir.

“In the last 70 years, there were only 500 seats in Jammu and Kashmir but with the continued efforts of the Bharatiya Janata party, these seats have been doubled. The new 750 bedded AIIMS will not only provide better healthcare facilities to the people of J&K but would also become beneficial for medical students of nearby areas,” the Prime Minister said.

Modi further said, “The transportation in the state is being strengthened in the state. The road network is being improved and new roads are being constructed to make stronger connectivity. Rs. 40,000 crore is being allocated for the same.”

The Prime Minister said that over three lakh tourists visited Leh during the last year and around a lakh also travelled to the Kargil district during that period.

“This figure is around half the total number of tourists who visited the Kashmir Valley last year. Tourism in Ladakh will reach new heights in the coming years and I promise that,” Modi said

The Prime Minister is slated to lay the foundation stones for developmental projects worth Rs 35,000 crore and also inaugurate few other projects worth Rs 9,000.

Modi said that the Congress has been filling the pockets of middlemen in the name of farm loan waiver.

Praising the Interim Budget presented in Parliament on 1 February, the PM said that it is designed to help farmers as well as people from all sections of the society.

“Over 12 crore families of farmers who have just two hectares of land will now get an annual direct bank transfer of Rs 6,000. This amount shall be credited to their bank accounts in three equal instalments of Rs 2,000,” he said referring to the Prime Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN).

The Prime Minister said when Finance Minister Piyush Goyal was reading out the budget proposals in Parliament, “the faces of Congress leaders turned pale”.

Modi said the 10 per cent reservation in jobs and educational sectors for economically weak members of general category will benefit the youth of Kashmir, too.

Authorities have suspended mobile internet services in Srinagar, to ensure that PM’s visit passes off smoothly.

However, many separatists groups called for a complete shutdown in the valley to protest against Modi’s visit. (PTK)

Srinagar, February 03, 2019: On Saturday evening at 8:35 pm, Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi calls on All Parties Hurriyat Conference chairman, Syed Ali Geelani on phone and discussed the current volatile situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Thanking Pakistan for its moral, political and diplomatic support to our just cause and struggle since 1947, Hurriyat chairman said that we pray to Almighty Allah for peace, strength, stability, progress and prosperity of Pakistan for a strong and stable Pakistan is very important for the peaceful resolution of Kashmir dispute.

Hurriyat chairman expressed his hope that the new government shall leave no stone unturned to safeguard the basic and fundamental rights of the oppressed and suppressed people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Syed Ali Geelani asked Pakistan to take cognizance of deteriorating human values and prevailing bloodshed in occupied state and urged them to activate its embassies all over the world and appraise world about this issue and people facing the atrocities from occupational forces. He also expressed hope that if Pakistan makes its sincere efforts to highlight the Kashmir issue in international level the world leadership will play a positive role regarding the settlement of this long pending dispute in accordance to the wishes and aspirations of the people of the state.

Hurriyat chairman in conversation with Foreign Minister of Pakistan said that the repressive measures adopted by the Indian Government in occupied Kashmir, had compelled the people of Kashmir to resist through peaceful means. He said that authorities in the state have crossed all limits, people and leadership is caged and voices strangulated, hence it is the duty of Pakistan to represent our aspiration, in every corner and in all world forums.

Hurriyat chairman in his appeal to people of Pakistan asked to maintain peace and work for the prosperity of the nation and serve and respect minorities in that country. He stressed for the cordial relation between Pakistan, Afghanistan & Iran and said that best relation between these countries will lead the region to overall stability, peace, development, and progress.

In his response Pakistan Foreign Minister assured Hurriyat chairman that Pakistan will raise strong voice to highlight Indian aggression and brutalities being perpetrated against the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan will continue to extend its political, moral and diplomatic support to Kashmiries for their right to self-determination in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions, Shah Mehmood Qureshi said.

KARACHI: Former captain of the Pakistan women team Sana Mir has become the first Asian woman to play hundred T20Is.

Mir, 33, is one of Pakistan’s most senior women cricketers and has been representing the country since 2005. She achieved the feat when she took the field against West Indies in the third and final T20I in Karachi on Sunday.

The top-ranked ODI bowler and seasoned all-rounder of Pakistan team was delighted ahead of achieving the landmark. “Every match for Pakistan is a wonderful opportunity and a big responsibility,” Sana told Geo.tv.

“All I can say that I have been privileged to represent Pakistan for so long and have given my best in every match for my country with best of my ability,” she added.

She was part of Pakistan’s inaugural T20I team that played Ireland in 2009 at Dublin, since then, she has missed only two T20Is due to an injury.

Mir is only the sixth woman from around the world to complete a century of T20Is. Daendra Dottin of West Indies leads the list with 109 T20Is to her name.

Among all the women from Asian countries, Mir is the first to achieve this milestone. Fellow Pakistan cricketer Bismah Maroof follows Mir with 94 T20Is, with India’s India’s Harmanpreet Kaur on third with 93 T20Is.

‘India shouldn’t make an issue over my telephone talk with Mirwaiz’

Multan: Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Saturday said Pakistan was ready to work with next Indian government in case it wants to work with Pakistan.
Talking to the media, he said the elections in India was her internal matter and Pakistan had neither interfered in its internal matters nor it intends to do so.
“Although, issues are emerging in India but Pakistan has no role in this regard,” he said.
He said Pakistan was ready to work with next Indian government on resolving the outstanding issues between the two countries.
Asserting that Kashmir dispute needed to be resolved, Qureshi said, “Pakistan, India and Kashmiris were three important identities in this regard.”
On his talks with separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, he said, “I had an exchange of views with Mirwaiz. India should not make it an issue.”
“We want to resolve Kashmir dispute through dialogue but India was making undue hue and cry,” he said.
Qureshi said he was going to attend House of Common (London), wherein he would highlight Pakistan’s view point on Kashmir issue.
The Foreign Minister maintained that Pakistan’s relations with many countries had been improved further due to successful diplomacy of the incumbent government.

Says words not enough to condemn her gruesome, barbaric murder

Jammu : Former Chief Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday evening broke her silence on the gruesome killing of a 25-year-old woman by militants in south Kashmir’s Shopian district.

In a tweet, she described the killing of the woman as “barbaric and gruesome”.

“Women living in conflict areas like Kashmir have faced unimaginable pain and trauma. No words are enough to condemn her gruesome and barbaric murder,” Mehbooba wrote on Twitter.

Earlier, she had refused to comment on the issue, saying “it is my decision whether to speak on the issue”.

Mehbooba had virtually rebuked the TV journalist who asked her about her silence on the killing of the young woman, saying she was not answerable to him.

“I am not answerable to you. It is my decision and choice to post a tweet or speak on an issue,” Mehbooba had retorted to the journalist while leaving a media briefing in a huff at her residence here.

The PDP chief, who had recently visited the families of militants in Kashmir, used to comment and post tweets about the killing of civilians during violent clashes with security forces at encounter sites. On Friday morning, security forces had retrieved the body of a woman from south Kashmir after she was shot by militants. The chilling video of the execution went viral late Thursday night, mainly over Facebook and WhatsApp.

Meanwhile, condemning the incident, NC vice-president Omar Abdullah said, “Horrific murder and deserves the strongest condemnation. There can be no place for such brutal acts in a civilised society. Apologists for these murders are just as guilty as the perpetrators.”

Earlier, former Jammu and Kashmir Teachers’ Forum president Abdul Qayoom Wani joined the PDP here. He was welcomed into the party by Mehbooba Mufti and other senior leaders of the party.

Mehbooba also announced that Wani would contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as the PDP candidate from Baramulla.

Had earlier refused to comment on issue

Mehbooba Mufti had refused to comment on the incident, saying “it is my decision whether to speak on the issue”. Mehbooba had virtually rebuked the TV journalist who asked her about her silence on the killing of the young woman, saying she was not answerable to him.

With inputs from PTI

NEW DELHI — In major move towards modernisation of the Indian Army’s infantry, the defence ministry has cleared a long-pending proposal to procure around 73,000 assault rifles from the US under fast-track mode, official sources said on Saturday.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman approved procurement of the Sig Sauer rifles, which will be used by troops deployed along the nearly 3,600-km border with China, the sources told PTI.

They said the rifles, being used by US forces as well as several other European countries, are being bought under the fast-track procurement procedure.

“The contract is expected to be finalised within a week. The US firm will have to deliver the rifles within one year from the date of finalising the deal,” said a senior official involved in negotiation of the deal said.

Army sources said the US-manufactured rifles will replace the INSAS rifles. The world’s second-largest standing Army has been pressing for fast-tracking the procurement of various weapons systems considering the evolving security threats, including along India’s borders with Pakistan and China.

In October, 2017, the Army began the process to acquire around 7 lakh rifles, 44,000 light machine guns (LMGs) and nearly 44,600 carbines.

Around 18 months ago, the Army had rejected an assault rifle built by the state-run Rifle Factory, Ishapore, after the guns miserably failed the firing tests. Following this, the Army started scouting for rifles from the global market.

The procurement of assault rifles has witnessed significant delays due to a variety of reasons including the Army’s failure to finalise the specifications for it. The Army needs around 7 lakh 7.62×51 mm assault guns to replace its INSAS rifles.

Ashmuqam: Government forces launched cordon and search operation in Salia village of Ashmuqaam on Saturday late night hours.

According to sources Army 3 RR and Police have sealed the area and launched door to door searches.

The operation was launched, sources told KNO, after specific inputs of militants movement in the area.(KNO)

Further details awaited.

The case of a Kuwaiti couple who got divorced just minutes after getting married went viral on Twitter after the groom called his bride “dumb” for slipping

The newly married couple parted ways and walked out of the court just after signing their marriage contract, reports Step Feed.

The bride got annoyed after the groom ridiculed her for tripping while walking out of the courtroom. Instead of helping her when the bride tripped, the man called her “stupid” for slipping.

Outraged by his behaviour on their wedding day, the woman marched right into the courtroom and demanded a divorce.

Now called “the quickest divorce in Kuwait,” the case went viral on Twitter shortly after being reported.

Many Twitterati displayed their shock over this unusual case, while others ridiculed it with some extra humour.

Divorce rates are relatively high in recent years and 2019 isn’t changing anything.

Kuwait ranked 2nd in the Arab world when it comes to soaring divorce rates, according to a survey.

In 2017, statistics released by Kuwait’s Ministry of Justice showed that around 60 per cent of marriages in the country ended in divorce.

The main reason for divorce includes “interest-driven marriages” which indicates that many newlyweds only get married for the financial assistance they get from the state.

This article appeared originally in Step Feed.

To inaugurate Rs 44000 crore worth projects in the State, Drones, UAVs pressed into service

Srinagar, February 02: A multi-tier security arrangement has been put in place for the Prime Minister Narendera Modi’s visit across Jammu and Kashmir especially in Srinagar to ensure smooth functions of the PM. Drones, Unarmed Vehicles (UAVs) have been pressed into service to keep aerial vigil

A team of Prime Minister’s Special Protection Group (SPG) has taken over all the venues Modi is scheduled to visit. “Forces carried out three-day-long searches in Samba district to ensure security for the public rally Modi is addressing in Vijaypur on Sunday,” an official told KNO.

In addition, close vigil is being maintained all along the International Border (IB) from Pathankot to Jammu. Border Security Force (BSF) troops guarding the IB have been put on high alert.

Frisking of commuters, setting up of static and mobile checking points have been witnessed in Jammu city over the last three days. In Srinagar, forces carried out search drills in city centre Lal Chowk on Friday. Drones fitted with cameras were used to provide aerial surveillance during these searches.

Frequent frisking of commuters and thorough searches of vehicles entering Srinagar city has been started.

The main venue is Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) on the banks of the Dal Lake. Authorities on Saturday placed senior separatist leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq under house arrest ahead of the visit.

A police officer told KNO that all the measures have been put in place to ensure peaceful functions of PM Modi in Srinagar and elsewhere. “Nothing has been left to chance,” he said.

Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), a separatist conglomerate headed by Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik, has called for a valley-wide shutdown on Sunday.

Former legislator Er Rasheed who had called for welcoming PM Modi with black flags was placed under house detention. During his visit, Modi will lay the foundation stone of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), IIM, IIT, Jammu-Akhnoor road, Shahpur-Kandi road, Sunderbani College, and IIMC in Jammu during his visit. He will also inaugurate an engineering college in Kathua district of Jammu division.

Modi is scheduled to address a public rally in Vijaypur in Samba district from where he will kickstart the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Lok Sabha election campaign in the state. Modi has visited Jammu and Kashmir 10 times since he took over as the country’s Prime Minister.

His last visit was on May 19 when he laid the foundation of the Zojilla Tunnel that once completed will connect the Ladakh region with the valley making the present Srinagar-Leh Highway an all-weather road. At present, the surface link to Ladakh region remains cut off during the winter months. Modi will also inaugurate the first ever business process outsourcing (BPO) unit in Bandipora district.(KNO)

We are ascertaining veracity of photograph of Danish, says Police

Srinagar, Febuary 02: The family of a 22-year-old youth from Natipora area of Srinagar on Saturday made a passionate appeal for his return after his gun-wielding picture surfaced on the social media taking his family by a storm.

Danish Haneef Wani went missing soon after he left home for prayers in the nearby mosque on December 30. His family lodged a missing report at police station Chanapora on the next day.

However, a picture of Wani holding a gun and a copy of Qur’an in his hand surfaced on social media on Saturday. According to the picture, Wani has joined Lashkar-e-Toiba militant group on January 8. “He was never detained nor did he participate in any protest. He has completed his B.Com,” said Shoaib Haneef Wani, his younger brother told KNO.

Son of a government employee, Danish would always obey to his parents and never turn down their orders. “On December 30 last year, he left his home to offer Zuhr prayers but didn’t return,” said Shoaib. “He never discussed about joining militancy of leaving home. Today, we were surprised to see his photograph where-in he is wielding a gun and holding a copy of quran in his hands.

A senior police officer said they were verifying the authenticity of the photograph. “We are in touch with his parents and hope that Danish pays heed to his mother’s passionate appeal and would return home soon,” he said. In December last year, police had persuaded Ehtesham Bilal, a resident of Khanyar area of Srinagar, who had purportedly joined.(KNO)