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Srinagar, January 21: Gunfight rages in Hapatnar area of Charar Shareef of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district between militants and goverment forces on Monday morning.

Reports reaching GNS said that a joint team of army and police cordoned off the suspected spot after having credible input about presence of some militants in the area.

As the joint team of forces approached the suspected spot the hiding militants fired upon goverment forces triggering an encounter.

As senior Police official told GNS that a exchange of firing has taken place between militants and goverment forces.

The officer further said that its a mountainous area the whole area has been sealed off.

As per the sources two to three militants are believed to be trapped.

Till this report was filed intermittent firing was going on. (GNS)

Met says weather to improve after Wednesday

Srinagar: Despite a forecast of heavy snowfall leading to a possibility of widespread disruptions, the Kashmir valley has witnessed little precipitation in the last two days.

The Indian meteorological department, however, continued to warn that “intense western disturbances” are likely to cause heavy to very heavy snowfall during the next two days at isolated places in the state.

The Valley received light to moderate snowfall overnight while the weather remained dry at most places in the region on the second day of the snow spell on Sunday.

Sonam Lotus, director of Srinagar Meteorological Centre, said the precipitation so far had been lower than expected. “The (storm) system is still developing. We are expecting rain and snow tonight and peak activity tomorrow,” he added.

Srinagar city and most parts of south Kashmir have received light intensity snowfall during this spell, which is the seventh of the ongoing winter that has witnessed abundant precipitation and freezing climatic conditions. North Kashmir has been an exception as several areas received heavy snowfall.

Lotus said theere was possibility of more rain and snow and weather would improve only after Wednesday.

However, despite the warning of heavy snowfall and suspension of road, rail and air traffic, only partial disruptions have occurred so far, including cancellation and delay of several flights.

The Srinagar-Jammu highway, a major arterial link between the Kashmir valley and rest of the country, has remained open for one-way traffic for the past two days and the decision is taken on a day-to-day basis after assessing the weather conditions. (TNS)

Srinagar: Ahead Of JRL Program On The Eve Of Gaw kadal Massacre Anniversary (21 January) JKLF Chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik was Arrested from his residence Maisuma Srinagar.

Leaves two labourers dead, four grievously wounded

Jammu, January 20: Two labourers died while four others sustained injuries on Sunday evening after a mock drill was being conducted at Jammu cable car.

The mock-drill at Jammu cable car project was being conducted days ahead of its proposed inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Sources told KNO that two labourers died while four others were injured at Jammu cable car project site during a mock drill when a rescue trolley fell down near Mahamaya Mandir.

They said that the injured were shifted to Government Medical College (GMC) for specialized treatment.

Eyewitness told KNO that the trolley in which around six labourers were on way to Mahamaya Temple from Peerkho area side suddenly fell down due to technical snag in which two labourers died on the spot and four others were injured whose conditions are stated to be stable after shifting to GMC hospital for further treatment.

They added that both the dead bodies of labourers also shifted to the hospital who were declared dead by the doctors.

The victims were identified as Manjeet singh s/o Jaswant singh r/o UP A/P Peerkhoo age 50/yrs, Balkeet singhbs/o Tarjeet singh r/o Trikuta nagar age 32/yrs, Ravinder s/o Kuldeep singh r/o UP A/P Peerkhoo age 30/yrs and Manjeet singh s/o Kuldeep r/o West Bengal A/P Peerkhoo age 32/yrs. (KNO)

Srinagar, Jan 20: The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa, Gulmarg’s first luxury resort, has once again been appreciated and honoured by Outlook Traveller, India’s prestigious travel magazine. At the Recently held Outlook Traveller Boutique Hotels Awards 2018, the resort was conferred with the Best Destination Hotel Award.
The 3rd edition of the Outlook Traveller Boutique Hotel Awards was held in Haridwar recently where the best boutique properties around the country were awarded for their contribution to the hospitality industry.
The chief guest for the night was Satpal Maharaj, the Minister of Tourism, Government of Uttarakhand.
“We are truly overwhelmed with the response from both guests and traveller writers and of course the eminent jury. This honour is testimony to the hard work by the team at The Khyber ensuring a superlative, international class guest experience and a memorable time in Gulmarg enjoying the natural beauty and activities available all year round,” said Umar Tramboo, MD, Pinnacle Resorts Pvt. Ltd, promoter of The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa, Gulmarg.
In a short span, since it opened six years ago, The Khyber Himalayan Resort and Spa has been hugely appreciated for its impeccable service, warm hospitality, and facilities at par with international standards.
The Khyber has consistently received recognition from several hospitality and travel awards including Condé Nast Traveller India, the Last Word in Travel, as Favourite Boutique Hotel –India, for six consecutive years.
In addition to luxurious guest rooms, The Khyber has a Wellness Block, which houses the world-class international spa, The Khyber Spa by L’OCCITANE along with a state of the art gym with the latest equipment, separate steam and sauna chambers for men and women. It also offers an impressive heated indoor pool offering dramatic views of the mountain ranges.
About the Outlook Traveller Boutique Hotel Awards
Outlook Traveller Boutique HotelAwards2018 are meant to celebrate an industry that is well in its prime and will remain so long as people seek new experiences and retain their wanderlust.
These are much coveted travel awards, which are given to brands that have left an everlasting impression on their guests through their hospitality and services. The esteemed jury members along with EY, the process advisors for the event, made the celebrations on the banks of the holy Ganga a great success. The jury for the 2018 edition were: Aman Nath, chairman, Neemrana Hotels; Dilip Puri, founder & CEO, Indian School of Hospitality; fashion designer Anupamaa Dayal; Anurag Mallick & Priya Ganapathy of Red Scarab Media; and Charukesi Ramadurai, travel writer and blogger.

About The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa, Gulmarg

The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa, Gulmarg located at an elevation of 8,825 ft. in the Pir Panjal range of the majestic Himalayas is spread over seven acres in a pristine pine valley. This international class, 85-key resort, clad in timber and stone, offers breathtaking views of snow capped Affarwat peaks. Also situated here is The Khyber Spa by L’OCCITANE with stunning vistas from all its treatment rooms, offering luxurious and holistic spa treatments inspired by the rituals of Provence, France. The wellness centre includes a Gym, separate steam and sauna rooms for men and women and a heated indoor swimming pool. Since its launch in December 2012, the resort has won several accolades and appreciation for its impeccable service, warm hospitality, and facilities at par with international standards. The awe-inspiring location of The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa combined with the unfolding drama of Gulmarg’s changing seasons has been tempting guests to return again and again. The resort is an easy walk from the Gulmarg Gondola, the highest ski lift in the world.
For more information on The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa, Gulmarg, please visit www.khyberhotels.com.

Says ‘Political leaders, media from mainland India should speak to connect Kashmir youth with India’

Srinagar, Jan 20: Former Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Kuldeep Khoda termed the alienation of Kashmir youth as the cause of radicalization of youth in Valley and advised the political leaders and media from mainland India to speak in a way that would connect alienated youth of Kashmir with the rest of the country.
In an interview with “The Kashmir Magazine” the former J&K DGP Kuldeep Khoda said, “Usually, radicalization and alienation have largely remained inter-connected. When alienation breeds it gives way to radicalization and vice-versa adding that’ both encourage recruitment to militant ranks.”
Saying that the radicalization and alienation among youth in Kashmir is due to several factors, the former DGP said, “The basic radicalization’ and alienation is created by Pakistan and separatists want to accelerate this radicalization by adopting the respective plans and programmes, but this factor has been there since 1990s and Pakistan wants this radicalization to spurt more and more so that they keep alive their ‘freedom movement’ narrative in Kashmir.”
Warning that fresh spurt in radicalization has been witnessed after 2014, Khoda said, “If we analyze the security scenario in Kashmir after 2014 and especially 2016, we saw a spurt in radicalization in youth owing its origin largely to the insensitive statements from political leaders from the mainland India and the loud-mouths of electronic media.”
Warning that under such vociferous voices and political clout an average Kashmiri with fresh mind have developed a feeling that his future is not safe with the rest of India, Khoda said, “As a reaction to such insensitive statements and media debates, the alienation and radicalization of Kashmiri youths has spiked.”
Saying that the ‘extra-radicalization’ and alienation is a revolt against simmering discontent against the insensitive statements and media debates from mainland India, the former DGP said, “When Kashmiris are viewed, presented and debated as anti-national, Pakistani, it is certain that they will react as it is human psychology.”
Asking political leaders especially from the mainland India to work and speak to media in a way to carry the alienated youth of Kashmir with the rest of the country, Khoda advised them to make efforts to win back the radicalized minds and encourage them for achieving their goals. Second, electronic media must behave properly to help in the better integration of the alienated and marginalized sections and lands by weaning away from insensitive debates and violent content.
Warning that the electronic media having higher TRPs also enjoy huge impacts on the viewers and the young minds are more vulnerable to graver impressions than elder generations, the former DGP said, “When a 16 or 17 year old Kashmiri youth is told that you are an anti-national and nation wants to know this, an impressions creeps in the fresh mind of youth that entire country is against him and there is no space for him adding that’ the consequently the youth in Kashmir react naturally, get radicalized and develop hatred against India.” (KNS)

SRINAGAR, JAN 20: Senior leader and former Parliamentarian, Dr. Mehboob Beg has come out in support of Mehbooba Mufti and hailed her as one of the most consistent and strongest Chief Ministers.

There is consistency and perseverance in Mehbooba Mufti’s politics, no matter if she is in the Govt or in the Opposition. Her politics and conviction finds basis in her ‘pro-people belief’, how she handled the Kathua rape case in a case in-point, remarked Dr.Beg. Mehbooba Mufti objected to the use of the National flag by those who were brazenly trying to defend the alleged accused persons, who can find faults with that? She put her foot down and backed her police force to conduct investigations. Is trusting your police force a fault? She made sure that those who were politicizing the unfortunate incident were taken to task, even if they were Ministers in her Cabinet and members of the Alliance Partner, would a weaker Chief Minister dared to do it, asked Dr.Beg. We must give credit where due and applaud her bravery and principles to stand-up despite heavy odds.

She resisted the sinister attempt to disturb and dislodge the Tribal community and allowed no politics was played on this issue. Mehbooba Mufti’s stand was made crystal clear to the all powerful Central Govt as well, the Home Minister offered unconditional talks, the cases against protestors were withdrawn, the unilateral ceasefire was announced, how can we not appreciate how she persisted with pro-people policies and made the BJP agree to matters that were politically inconvenient to them, asked Dr.Beg. She took stands very well realizing that she did not have the numbers to dictate terms to the BJP, yet she persisted and since the BJP did not have the intentions to fulfill the terms agreed upon, they had to pull-out.

The BJP had entered into this coalition by signing on dotted lines, the Agenda of Alliance was a carefully drafted ‘pro-people’ document. It appears that the BJP had no intention to fulfill what they had committed to do, one cannot do much about if somebody intends to cheat and deceive you, remarked Dr. Beg.

We have had people waste historical opportunities. 1996 was a historic opportunity, the government of the day had overwhelming numbers, but did that government dare to take ‘pro-people’ stands? Let history be the judge on that, concluded Dr. Beg.

Srinagar, Jan 20: Waheed Jeelani, a celebrated Kashmiri artist, social and cultural activist, recently joined the National Conference Party, who also has been asked to handle party’s cultural and media affairs, is hopeful to work and contribute more towards the art & culture sector.

Jeelani, a household name, said he wants to give a strong voice to the people of Jammu & Kashmir in general and to those who are related to art and culture field in particular.The central government and previous state government have betrayed people related to art and culture, nobody listened to genuine demands and grievances of the people related to my community. This is the first time in the history of Jammu and Kashmir that some party has given representation to performing artists and media professionals of the state.

Jeelani said he chose NC because it is “artist friendly and a moderate political party, NC chief and former chief minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah is the biggest art lover and promoter and I am highly impressed by the efforts and initiatives taken by Omar Abdullah sahib, in this sector, during his tenure as Chief Minister of the state.

Jeelani expressed that he is not power hungry but would like to serve his people in a dignified way. He could contest elections, if asked, yet to be decided by the NC leadership.

Meanwhile several individuals, literary and cultural organizations have expressed their contentment and gratitude towards the NC leadership, for incorporating Mr. Waheed Jeelani in the party. J&K’s Performing Artist community associated with the rich cultural landscape have extended a very hearty vote of thanks to Jinab Farooq Abdullah sahab President National Conference, Vice President Jinab Omar Abdullah and entire party leadership for taking this remarkable decision, with the hope and wish that under the dynamic leadership of these legends state’s Art & Culture would progress and flourish further.

Srinagar, January 20, 2019: All Parties Hurriyat Conference chairman, Syed Ali Geelani was shocked and grieved to know about the inhuman and gruesome incident in LD hospital, where a poor lady from far flung area was denied admission in the hospital, resulting in birth of a dead baby in chilling cold on road side.

He said that social evils and immoral incidents have eroded our society to such a hollow that no artificial developments, like sky touching mansions, wide roads and expensive automotives, can help to sustain and uphold such about to fall society.

Hurriyat chairman said that medical profession is such a noble and pious profession that it is a source of hope and courage to the sick and ailing masses, but incidents like LD hospital, has cast dark shadows on this profession.

He said that our doctors, paramedics and other related personnel render praiseworthy services to the ailing humanity in this strife torn land, irrespective of their personal stresses and people of valley in general hail their sincere efforts and are proud of them, but at the same time inhuman acts like this can in no way be tolerated and such black sheep should be brought to book as early as possible.

Hurriyat chairman said that media reports about these horrifying incidents are not only alarming, but should be driving us for introspection of our social system. He very humbly requested the people in general and youth in particular to strengthen the bond of faith, take guidance from Quran and Sunnah and help building a society on the principals of humanity, brotherhood and justice irrespective of any cast, creed, religion or region, and that is the only guarantee of any viable, sustainable and flourishing society.