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  • ‘Let its MLCs resign if PDP feels alliance with BJP was a sin’

    Srinagar: People’s Conference chairman Sajad Gani Lone Sunday said the PDP MLCs elected “with the support” of BharatiyaJanta Party, should resign if the PDP feels their “power-sharing pact” with the BJP was a “sin”.
    “If the PDP is really peeved with the BJP and want to atone for its sins, then they should ask their MLCs to resign because they are part of a sin since they have been elected by the collective vote of the BJP and the PDP,” Sajad said on the sidelines of a function organised by the party to welcome former MLA Tangmarg Muhammad Abbas Wani into the party fold.

    Sajad said there is no question of the PC entering into a pre-poll alliance with any party. “We have already made it clear that we will fight on all 87 seats,” he said.
    He also lashed out at the NC and the PDP, saying “they are responsible for the bloodshed and the massacres carried out in Kashmir after the outbreak of armed conflict.”
    Lone said the NC and the PDP are “hoodwinking” the people in the name of protecting interests of Kashmiris. “They were telling the people one month ago that they have joined hands for the protection of Article 35A. The case of Article 35A is yet to be heard by the Supreme Court but they have started abusing each other,” he said.


    Welcoming Abbas into the party, Lone said that Abbas was a “victim of elitism” and the PDP never forgave him for winning election.
    “If (In PDP) you are not an elite, you cannot become MLA. I am witness to the fact that how he was persecuted by his party ministers for winning the election,” he said.
    Sajad said Abbas would get due respect and position in the party. “Ours is not a party of elites, it is a party of commoners. I assure him that we will walk shoulder to shoulder to bring change in the State,” he said.
    In 2014 Assembly polls, Abbas had defeated chief of Democratic Party Nationalist Ghulam Hassan Mir.
    Speaking on the occasion, Abbas said that MLAs were “ignored and humiliated” by the ministers during the PDP-led rule.
    “I often raised the issues of discrimination with the MLAs on the floor of the Assembly. I even suggested to the MLAs that we should form a coordination committee for redress of grievances of the MLAs,” he said.
    Abbas became the fourth former MLA to join PC after dissolution of the Assembly last month following PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and PC chief SajadGani Lone separately staked claims for forming government in the state.
    Before Abbas’s entry , prominent Shia leader and minister in the previous PDP-led government Imran Raza Ansari, ex-MLA ZadibalAbid Ansari and ex- MLA Bakir Rizvi joined the party.

  • ‘Local recruitment, south Kashmir headache for troops’

    Srinagar: Failure to curb infiltration from across the Line of Control and putting a check on local recruitment of youth in militant groups remain a constant source of worry for security agencies in militancy-hit Jammu Kashmir, officials said Sunday.
    Analysing the trends of 2018, it has been seen that infiltration figures continue to remain unchanged as around 140 militants successfully sneaked into the Kashmir valley, majority of whom are believed to be of Jaish-e-Muhammad group, they said.
    Although around 110 militants were killed during infiltration, the successful number of crossovers continues to worry the security agencies.
    During recent meetings of Army and BSF officials, it has been brought to the notice that the counter infiltration grid needs to be further strengthened as militants may try and sneak in during the peak winters as well.
    “It is not only the Line of Control, which stretches from Poonch in Jammu to Kupwara in Kashmir, but also international border, which has been exploited by the militant groups,” said a senior security official on condition of anonymity.
    The Army and the BSF have been maintaining that they have been able to substantially curb infiltration, but their assertions were negated by the arrest of some of the militants during 2018 who spoke about bringing in militant groups successfully, the official said.
    According to the officials in the know of the security situation in the State, around 130 foreign militants were still active in the Kashmir valley, who were mainly tasked to impart training to local youth, who were lured into the militant ranks and files.
    Besides infiltration, inability to check flow of local youth to the militancy fold continues to worry the security agencies.
    While local recruitment crossed the 100 mark from four districts of south Kashmir, a careful analysis of south Kashmir shows that 104 local militants from this area had been killed during the last year, showing that the area was dominated with more numbers of local militants.
    The year gone by saw the maximum number of local militants killed in the region which accounted for over 250 militant killings in last five years.
    Considered a highly politically-sensitive area of the Valley, south Kashmir has virtually turned into a breeding ground for militants with many youth joining their rank and file or becoming their sympathisers.
    The area has seen a better intelligence network of militants, assistance of people to local militants, heavy turnout at the funerals of militants and stone-pelting at the government forces even during gunfights.
    Comprising four districts – Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian – south Kashmir has been on the boil ever since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen’s poster boy Burhan Wani in July 2016.
    The intelligence network of the militant groups, which had ended in mid-1990s, is understood to have revived again and the militants come to know about the advancement of the government forces, giving them an advantage to flee the area, the officials said. PTI

  • World SnowShoe Championship-2019: Kashmir athletes set to take part in Italy event

    Srinagar: The World SnowShoe Championship -2019 was declared open officially on Friday in Val Di Non, Trento Italy with Kashmir SnowShoe athletes representing India in the championship.

    The event in which athletes from 29 countries are participating got off to a grand start on Friday evening with representatives taking part in the march through old city of Trento followed by the official ceremony that involved a lighting and cracker show.

    This year World SnowShoe Championship is being held as part of the 40th edition of La Ciaspolada race and is being conducted by Societa Podistica Novella under the auspices of World SnowShoe Federation (WSSF).

    It is fourth time that the team of athletes from Kashmir representing SnowShoe Federation of India would be participating in the World SnowShoe championship. This year Federation has deputed four member team that includes two officials and one athlete. The format of the competition is such that even officials take part in the race and that applies to the Indian contingent from Kashmir as well. The Kashmir athletes included sports promoter Arif Laigaroo as manager, Gulzar Ahmad Khan as athlete, Mushtaq Bashir as athlete and Abid Hussain as World SnowShoe Federation official. The team is being sponsored by Heevan Retreat, Ahad Hotels & Resorts, J&K Bank, Mushtaq Group of Hotels and Kehwa Group.

    Before the official ceremony, the contingent also attended the World Congress meet of WSSF and put their views and suggestions across to the delegates from around the world. The suggestions and views from the contingent focused on the promotion of the SnowShoe sport and activity in India and in the region of Kashmir.

    “It is great opportunity for us provided by SnowShoe Federation of India (SSFI) to be part of this mega event. The opening ceremony was grand with lot of shows at display. The race is going to be held on January 6 and in it the organizers expect around 6000 athletes to participate,” said Mushtaq Bashir.

    Arif Laigaroo said that he has not seen anything like this in Kashmir in which race of this magnitude was held.

    “I have been part of many events in Kashmir but not on this scale. The people, organizers are committed to their goal and give everything to make it a success. They had started this race around 40 years ago and it has turned into World’s biggest SnowShoe race. I saw the pictures displayed during official ceremony and was delighted to see how from a humble beginning it has turned into a flagship race for World SnowShoe athletes,” he said.

    “For the race they had no snow at all and it looked like world event will not happen. But then they joined together and worked hard to make it happen. They have brought snow from mountains and made a race course. It is big learning experience for me and the teammates,” he said.

    Khan Gulzar who has been a national medal winning athlete is competing in his first World SnowShoe race and is focused on leaving a mark.

    “It is first time to be part of the event and among the top athletes. I am focused on the race. My first aim is to complete the race as it is tougher than normal running. The course is of 10-kilometres involving gradual steep slopes and will be a challenge for athletes. I am thankful to SnowShoe federation of India President Mir Mudassar for providing me this chance to be part of the championship,” he said.

    “I am also thankful to sponsors who made it possible for us to participate in this”.

    SSFI President Mir Muddasar said that the Federation is focused on making SnowShoe activity popular in Kashmir and other parts of the India.

    “We would like to field a big team and leave a mark at world events but we have been facing problems in getting visa for athletes. We are doing our bit in making the activity popular and with the passage of time will turn this activity into major one in our part of the country as well as other parts where you get the snowfall,” he said.

    “More than sport we are focusing on it to be an everyday activity for us during winters. It will help us to develop tourism in various parts of state that get snow and not just Gulmarg,” he added.

  • JKLF Chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik has no official Twitter Account: JKLF

    Srinagar: From last some days a twitter account in the name of JKLF chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik is being circulated by some unknown person there have been some attempts like these previously too we want to confirm that JKLF chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik has till date no official Twitter account and all these twitter messages and accounts including the one in question does not belong to Yasin Malik. Please be aware of this. if and when JKLF chairman will join Twitter,we will officially inform everyone
    we hereby also want to give a message to friends running these twitter accounts to please delete these accounts in the best interest of Freedom movement and JKLF.

  • Our doors open’ for youth, to put forth their grievances, suggestions: JRL

    Srinagar: Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) comprising of Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Yasin Malik on Friday said that their doors are open for youth to highlight their grievances or to give their suggestion on taking Kashmir movement forward.

    Addressing congregational prayers at historic Jamia Masjid, JRL said it was youth who are sacrificing their lives for right to self-determination.

    “We appeal youth not to get swayed with something (ISIS) that is being Internationally condemned by all section of the society rather than raise their concerns with pro-freedom leaders,” JRL said.

    JRL said youth are welcome to visit home of Geelani or Mirwaiz to putforth their grievences and suggestions.

  • Snowfall predicted in Kashmir valley from today evening: Sonam Lotus

    Srinagar— According to MeT official says Moderate to heavy snowfall predicted in Kashmir valley during next 72 hours.

    “Widespread moderate to heavy snowfall in Kashmir & rains in plains of Jammu division most likely from this evening to 6 Jan with peak on 5 Jan. Some places may receive heavy snowfall which may affect surface & air traffic mainly on 5 Jan, Director MeT Sonam Lotus said.

  • We were ready for unconditional talks with Hurriyat, they didn’t respond: Rajnath

    New Delhi: Home Minister Rajnath Singh Thursday said the government is willing to hold elections in Jammu and Kashmir along with General Elections which are slated to be held by May.
    Jammu and Kashmir was last month placed under President’s rule, six months after the BJP pulled out of Mehbooba Mufti- led government and the state was put under Governor’s rule.
    “If Election Commission wants (to hold elections in state along with general elections), our government will have no objection,” Singh said replying to a debate on proclamation of imposition of Central rule in the state.
    He said there would be no obstruction from the Government of India (GoI) for holding elections in the state.
    “We are willing to provide whatever force Election Commission wants for holding elections there” he said.1
    After 1996, this is the first time the Central rule has been imposed in the militancy-hit state.
    Rejecting opposition criticism that BJP’s “unnatural” alliance with PDP had alleniated population, he reeled out statistics to drive home the development without appeasement agenda of his party.
    “There was no conspiracy not to allow any other party to form the government,” he said in response to opposition charge that the Governor did not allow National Congress, PDP and Congress to form an alternate government.
    Governor’s rule was imposed in June last year after the leaders of all political parties in the state stated that they were not in a position to form the government, he said.
    In his report to the GoI, the Governor clearly stated that there was no initiative by political parties to form an alternate government, Home Minister said.
    “Allegations are being heaped on us but I want to make it clear that our intentions cannot be doubted,” he said.
    The BJP and the government is not responsible for the sense of alienation which has been there since independence as no one worked to address that, he said.
    “We do not want any sense of alienation in people of the state. We want to minimise it and neutralise any sense of alienation.”
    Singh said the government supported an all party delegation holding talks with separatist Hurriyat but their doors were shut.
    “There was this perception that BJP leaders are against talking to Hurriyat… but when an all party delegation visiting the state asked us about talking to Hurriyat, we encouraged them to do that,” he said. “But when these leaders went, doors of Hurriyat were closed. They did not even talk to these leaders.”
    The Home Minister said he had told the chief minister Mufti to try and speak to Hurriyat. “We were ready for unconditional talks. They did not respond to our initiative.”
    He reeled out statistics on employment of locals in forces to counter opposition charge that unemployement was creating unrest in the Valley.
    “In 1995, there were 5,938 militant incidents. In 2017 there were only 342 militancy-related incidents,” he said. “Our endeavour is that there should not be a single act of terrorism.”
    He said this was not the first time that Governor’s rule had been imposed in the state. The state has been under President’s rule for six years in a row at one point of time.
    The Governor’s rule was imposed as no one came forward to form government. “When after six months the Governor’s rule was ending, the Governor said he spoke to political parties once again and nobody had come forward to stake claim for forming a government and so recommendation was made for President’s rule,” he said.
    While Muslims not just in Jammu and Kashmir but all over the country whose number were more than those in Pakistan had decided to stay with India and not migrate at the time of partition, politics of appeasement has created a crisis, he said.

  • Snow, Rain prediction over next 24 hours in J&K: MeT

    Srinagar: Indian Meteorological department has predicted Light snow and rainfall over the state for next 24 hours.

    The Indian MeT department has also said that there will be isolated to widespread rain and snow on 4th and 5th of this month.

    Srinagar will witness moderate rain during night of 4th January with temperatures around 8 degree° C to -3 degree° C during day and night respectively, MeT official told Valley Media Service.

    As per the forecast, Jammu region will also experience light rainfall with minimum and maximum temperatures at 20 and 10°C respectively.

    Mercury will dip to -12 tomorrow in Leh as per the report.

    There is no warning issued for the state of Jammu and Kashmir for next 24 hours by Indian MeT department.(VMS)

  • Year’s first encounter, 3 militants killed in South Kashmir

    Srinagar: This year’s first encounter between militants and government forces killed 3 militants in Gulshanpora Village of Tral in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Thursday.

    Three Hizbul Mujahideen and Jaish e Mohammad militants killed in an encounter with security forces in Gulshanpora Village of Tral in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Thursday.

    A joint team of Army’s 42RR, CRPF and SOG cordoned off Gulshanpora area after having credible input about presence of some militants in the area.

    While hiding militants fired upon government forces triggering an encounter, police official told Valley Media Service.

    Three Hizbul Mujahideen and Jaish e Mohammad militants have been killed and Identified as Zubair Ahmad Bhat @Abu Huraira son of Bashir Ahmad Bhat resident of Chursoo Awantipora, Shakoor Ahmad Parray @Jaffar son of Ghulam Nabi Parray resident of Laribal Tral and Tawseef Ahmad Thoker @Abu Talha son of Ghulam Mohi-ud-deen Thoker resident of Chursoo Bunpora Awantipora, police told VMS.

    Tawseef who was an M Sc in Mathematics has joined Militant outfit Hizb ul Mujahideen on 14 May 2018, sources said.

    Five Army man of 42RR also sustained injuries. One of the critically wounded was shifted to army’s 92 Base hospital in Srinagar for advanced treatment, Srinagar based defence spokesman Rajesh Kalia told Valley Media Service.

    All the three killed militants were wanted by law for their complicity in a series of militancy activities including attacks on security establishments and civilian atrocities. It was a combined group of JeM and HM and as per police records Zubair was affiliated with outfit JeM while Shakoor and Tawseef were affiliated with outfit HM, police spokesman said VMS.

    Police has registered a case and initiated investigation in the matter. Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter, he added.

    Meanwhile, youth took to streets and staged protests as soon as the news of gunfight spread in the town.

    At least ten civilians were injured in clashes with the government forces.

    Eye witness said that clashes erupted after the youth came out of their homes and hurled stones on the forces’ vehicles heading towards the gunfight site in Gulshanpora.

    A complete shutdown is being observed in the area.

    Internet service was suspended in the area soon after the gunfight broke out in Gulshanpora for Precautionary measures. (VMS)

  • PDP chief meets another family of militant, urges Guv to direct police not to harass them  

    Visits aimed to rehabilitate badly damaged reputation: Omar; Sajad lashes out at PDP, NC

    Srinagar: Reviving the strategy of meeting families of militants yet again, the former chief minister and PDP president, Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday met the family of another militant in south Kashmir’s Shopian district.

    However, the former chief minister and NC vice president criticized Mehbooba’s visit to the families of militants, calling it as ‘using dead militants to appease voters’.

    Today, the PDP president met the family of a slain militant in Safanagri village of South Kashmir’s Shopian district. It is her second visit to the families of militants.

    The PDP chief had earlier visited Patipora village in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district where she met the family of a militant on December 30. Mehbooba after meeting the family of a slain militant urged Governor Malik to direct the police and other forces not to harass the militant’s family.

    Stating that police is disciplined force and don’t want to harass the families of militants, Mehbooba said there seems directions from somewhere due to which such actions are taking place.

    “When I was Chief Minister, I also directed the police and other forces in Manigam not to harass the families of militants when you are dealing with the militants,” she said, impressing upon the Governor Satya Pal Malik to direct police and other forces engaged in anti-militancy operations not to harass families of militants.

    Mehbooba in a tweet added that in case the initiative of ceasefire taken by her could have sustained, many more precious lives would have been saved. She said that no mother wants her son to pick up a gun, saying that harassing the families of militants is not going to help the situation.

    “No mother wants her son to pick up a gun and lose his life in the prime of his youth. Therefore harassing the family is not going to help the situation. Had my initiative of cease fire sustained many more precious lives would have been saved,” she tweeted.

    In her another tweet, Mehbooba said that no force or military can help to win the war with the people. “No force or military can help us win this war with our people. Only affection of mothers and family will help reclaim our own generation in rage,” Mehbooba tweeted.

    Reacting over her frequent visits to the families of militants, former chief minister and National Conference (NC) Vice President, Omar Abdullah in his tweets said that Mehbooba Mufti is using dead militants to try to appease the voters.

    In his tweet, Omar termed Mehbooba as architect of “Operation All-out”, saying that by visiting the families of militants, she is trying to rehabilitate a badly damaged reputation.

    “The architect of “Operation All-out” & the overseer of the operations that killed hundreds of militants since 2015 is now going from one militant home to the next trying to rehabilitate a badly damaged reputation,” Omar tweeted. Omar further added that Mehbooba appeased BJP by the deaths of militants and now she is using dead militants to appease the voters.

    “She used militants by sanctioning their deaths to appease the BJP and now she uses dead militants to try to appease the voter. Just how gullible does she think people are?,” Omar tweeted. Reacting to Omar’s tweet, Mehbooba said that “we all should try to reach to the families of militants as they cannot be left at the mercy of others.”

    “@OmarAbdullah My visiting these helpless families shouldn’t trouble you , rather we all should try to reach out to them as they can not be left at the mercy of others,” Mehbooba replied to Omar’s tweet. However, Peoples Conference (PC) president and former minister, Sajad Gani Lone also hot out at both the parties, citing the killings of civilians in 2010 and 2016 agitations.

    “The two dynasties r at it again. Enacting theatre. A month or so back both were squeaky clean. Now the gloves r off. Accuse each other by the day confer by the night. Winking on twitter hoodwinking en masse. One has 2010 to his credit the other has 2016 to her credit,” Lone tweeted.(KNO)