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  • 26 soldiers, 22 militants killed in 50 days in J&K

    Srinagar: The army has lost 26 soldiers in the line of duty in Jammu and Kashmir in the first two months of 2017, while the security forces have stepped up the heat against militants, killing 22 ultras in 50 days — the highest since 2010.While 20 Army personnel including an officer lost their lives in avalanches in the valley, six soldiers were killed during counter-insurgency operations across the state that led to the killing of 22 militants as well, security officials said here.Among the security force personnel killed was an officer of the rank of Major who laid down his life while battling militants in Handwara area of Kupwara district on February 14.Three militants were killed in the operation, the officials said.Earlier that day, three soldiers were killed in a gun battle with militants in Hajin area of Bandipora district while one ultra was also killed, they said.The valley had witnessed a bloody day two days earlier on February 12 when four militants were gunned down in an encounter in Kulgam district of Kashmir, while two soldiers also laid down their lives.One civilian was killed in the exchange of firing between the militants and security forces while another civilian died in security forces firing on protesters who were pelting stones after the operation ended.Intelligence reports suggest that many youths — approximately 100 — have joined militancy after the killing of Hibzul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani last year, prompting security forces to launch proactive operations in recent times.Out of the nearly 50 operations conducted in Kashmir since January 1 this year, 16 operations have resulted in either killing (22) or arrest (three) of militants, the officials said.The security forces have also been able to bust the module of overground workers of militants, especially in north Kashmir.More than 40 overground workers (OGWs) have been arrested since the start of this year, they said.”These OGWs do the ground running for militants, acting as their eyes and ears — identifying soft targets, carrying out recce before striking and organising logistics like food and hideouts.””These workers might not be high on the priority list of security agencies but their arrest means crippling of the militants, particularly the foreigners,” a senior police official from north Kashmir said. — PTI

  • Police constable who threw shoe at Omar in 2010 is no more

    Srinagar: A Police constable, Abdul Ahad Jan, who shot to fame after hurling a shoe at former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on August 15, 2010, passed away Saturday.

    A resident of Ajas, Bandipora, Jan suffered a kidney failure, which his family accuses was the outcome of torture during his arrest after the shoe hurling incident.

    The slogans “teri Jan mere Jan, Ahad Jan, Ahad Jan” had became a popular hit after the shoe-hurling incident. That was the first such incident in Kashmir.

    Former government had claimed Jan having psychiatrist problems, which his family had denied.

    The summer uprising of 2010 witnessed more than 100 civilian killings

  • PDP Crisis: ‘It is a family issue: Altaf Bukhari

    Srinagar: J&K’s new education minister Syed Altaf Bukhari on Saturday said the tensions in the party is “just a small issue in the family.” He was talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function that Chief Minister Ms Mehbooba Mufti presided.

    “It is a family issue. Members in a family do have small issues,” Bukhari told reporters. “You can quote me for saying that we will settle it within the family.”

    A day after his take over, Bukhari flew to Srinagar where he was part of the function about the high-density apple planation scheme that Ms Mufti launched. He is possibly staying back for a few days.

    Earlier reporters tried to talk to Ms Mufti about the crisis that started with the resignation of two cabinet ministers but she evaded the queries. She, however, talked about the apple scheme and drove away.

    Two senior cabinet ministers Syed Basharat Bukhari and Imran Ansari put in their papers on Friday after the mini-reshuffle in the cabinet. Nobody in the party was in a position to offer any idea whether the resignations are being forwarded to the governor or not. A media report had earlier suggested that Chief Minister will be sending the papers to Raj Bhawan but party leaders, mostly second rung, suggested there might be a reconciliation effort. (CNS)

  • ‘Chemotherapy Kills People, Not Cancer’, Doctor Claims

    According to former Professor of Medical Physics and Physiology at the University of California, Berkeley, Dr. Hardin B. Jones, it’s chemotherapy that kills people rather than cancer. As the professor explains, patients who refuse chemotherapy live, on average, 12 ½ years longer than patients who take the treatment. In his point of view, chemotherapy is only prescribed for profit taken that treatments cost between $300,000 and $1,000,000.

    Statistical data reveal that on average 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women develop cancer during their life. What’s worse is that present-day cancer treatments are often unsuccessful and only aggravate the symptoms of the disease. According to the Berkeley doctor, chemotherapy is ineffective in 97% of the cases.

    Dr. Hardin B. Jones has studied the life expectancy of cancer patients for more than 25 years, after which time he has come to the conclusion that chemotherapy does more harm than good. The research made the professor realize that ‘leading edge’ cancer treatment is a sham.

    On the other hand, Dr. Jones is well-aware that cancer is a billion-dollar industry. “People who refused chemotherapy treatment live on average 12 and a half years longer than people who are undergoing chemotherapy,” said Dr. Jones of his research, published in the New York Academy of Science.

    “People who accepted chemotherapy die within three years of diagnosis, a large number dies immediately after a few weeks.” As seen by Dr. Jones, the only reason chemotherapy is prescribed to patients is because the medical industry can profit from it, which is quite plausible as cancer treatment runs, on average, from $300,000 – $1,000,000.

    “Patients with breast cancer who reject conventional therapy live four times longer than those who follow the system. So this is something that you will not hear in the mass media, which will continue to carry the myth that the best chemotherapy drug in the fight against cancer!”

    The US invests more in healthcare than any other high-income nation in the world. Still, ‘costly’ diseases continue to rise in prevalence, resulting in a shorter life expectancy. On the other hand, the importance of preventative medicine is completely disregarded by both mainstream media and the allopathic healthcare system.

    Overall health and longevity largely depend on a healthy diet, regular exercise, positive thoughts, no stress, and fulfilled social life. Plus, there are powerful natural medicines, including cannabis oil, that have been more effective in treatment of life-threatening diseases than conventional treatments.

    Statistics at a Glance

    • In 2016, an estimated 1,685,210 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in the United States, 595,690 of whom will die from the disease.
    • The most prevalent cancers in 2016 are breast, lung and bronchus cancer, prostate cancer, colon and rectum cancer, bladder cancer, skin melanoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, thyroid cancer, kidney and renal pelvis cancer, leukemia, endometrial cancer, and pancreatic cancer.
    • Cancer incidence – the number of new cancer cases is 454.8 per 100,000 annually (based on 2008-2012 statistics).
    • Cancer mortality – the number of cancer deaths is 171.2 per 100,000 on an annual level (based on 2008-2012 statistics). Cancer mortality is higher in men than women (207.9 per 100,000 men and 145.4 per 100,000 women).
    • Cancer mortality is highest in African American men (261.5 per 100,000) and lowest in Asian/Pacific Islander women (91.2 per 100,000). The evidence is based on 2008-2012 statistics.
    • In 2014, the number of people living beyond a cancer diagnosis reached nearly 14.5 million and is expected to rise to almost 19 million by 2024. Approximately 39.6% of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer at some point during their lifetimes.
    • In 2014, an estimated 15,780 children and adolescents, ages 0 to 19, were diagnosed with cancer and 1,960 died of the disease.
    • National expenditures for cancer care in the US totaled $125 billion in 2010 and could reach $156 billion in 2020.

  • FIR filed against former JNU student leader for ‘insulting’ Prophet Muhammad

    New Delhi: The Aligarh Muslim University Students’ Union (AMUSU) has filed an FIR against former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) Vice-President Shehla Rashid Shora for allegedly disrespecting Prophet Mohammad in a Facebook Post.

    “JNU student Shehla Rashid Shora made objectionable remarks against Prophet Mohammad in a Facebook post on January 9. She wrote insulting things about other religions as well,” AMUSU member Ghazal Ahmed said in the complaint filed at the Civil Lines police station in Aligarh.

    “Her post has disturbed students and could spoil the atmosphere of AMU campus,” the complaint further said.

    Rashid, however, denied the allegation, saying she had posted about some “right-wing persons”, who had abused her by making objectionable statements against the Prophet. “The post was about the hate speech in which I mentioned some right-wing trolls were abusing me by abusing the Prophet. If I’m quoting those tweets as an example of abuse, how does it become my statement?” she asked.

    The AMUSU has also postponed the All India Students’ Leader Meet scheduled to take place on Saturday, where Rashid and five other JNU students were invited. “The meet has been postponed due to some unavoidable circumstances and a fresh date will be announced shortly,” the AMUSU said in a notice.

    Rashid, who was also attacked in 2013 when some people took offence to her article published on an online portal, where she argued that Prophet Mohammad was a feminist, said that some people were trying to instigate AMUSU against her. “I don’t want to defend myself because anyone who is acting outraged has either not read the article or is trying to divert the attention from the Najeeb issue,” she said. “I refuse to allow myself to be targetted for giving a scholarly opinion on hate speech,” she added.

    Meanwhile, several JNU students came forward in Rashid’s support. “I read that post and then re-read it at the risk of being accused of the same thing that Shehla is being accused of right now, but I did not find it offensive at all,” student leader Umar Khalid said.

    “The ‘hurt sentiments’concept is largely used by the dominant majority to silence and even kill the minority communities. It thrives on lies and rumour-mongering,” he added.

  • Now, fresh strategy to tackle stone-throwers

    New Delhi: Two days after stone-throwing youth had interfered with Army operations in Handwara, a high-level review committee has laid down fresh guidelines to deal with stone-throwers.The review committee that met on February 15 has circulated a fresh set of rules for all stakeholders – Army, Central forces like the CRPF, J&K Government and the J&K Police. This comes against the backdrop of Army Chief General Bipin Rawat’s warning that people obstructing Army operations would face tough action.Top sources confirmed to The Tribune that a four-step procedure had been laid down.First, a joint control room (located within an armour protected vehicle) will be set up at the encounter site. Encounters, mobilisations to end ‘mopping up’ can usually last for few hours. The joint control will ensure greater coordination between the Army, CRPF and the J&K Police.Second, Deputy Commissioners of the state have been asked to prevent the assembly of people at the encounter site where the security forces engage with militants. In Handwara, where four soldiers, including Major Satish Dahiya, lost their lives, a huge crowd pelted the Army convoy with stones. This aided the militants, who opened fire on the soldiers. In the ensuing melee, two Militants escaped.Third, the police will pro-actively start identifying people who are providing shelter to militants in urban areas. Due to the severe snowfall and cold in the Valley, militants cannot remain holed up in their jungle hideouts and take shelter in villages and towns.Fourth, the police will earmark and identify the stone-throwers and further action under law will be taken.

    Tribune News Service

  • Another spell of rain, snow likely in Valley today

    Srinagar: The Meteorological Department today said a fresh spell of rain and snow was likely to occur across the Kashmir valley as two western disturbance systems were fast approaching the region.The department, in its morning forecast bulletin, said that fairly widespread to widespread rain and snow was likely to occur in the region on Saturday and Sunday. It said the downpour was also likely to continue on Monday and would reduce in intensity on Tuesday.The latest spell of precipitation will be caused by two western disturbance systems which are fast approaching the region.The department warned that heavy rain and snowfall was “very likely at isolated places” on Saturday, while “heavy to very heavy rain and snow is very likely at isolated places” on Sunday.The rain is also expected in Jammu division, where the main activity is likely on Sunday, the department said.The Valley has received heavy precipitation this winter, ending one of a longest dry spells in the region which lasted four months till the beginning of January.The region received four major spells of snowfall this winter, triggering avalanches and causing lengthy blockades of the highway connecting Kashmir and Jammu divisions.As the winter’s harshest phase, during which the night temperature plunged several degrees below the zero point, is already over, the minimum temperatures have registered a significant increase.The overnight temperature in Srinagar was recorded at a low of 5.1°C.

  • Aggressive Statements Would Fuel More Militancy: Unionists

    Even after the mayhem and bloodshed of 2016, if New Delhi still thinks warning and threatening the youth will help – it’s a tragic delusion

    SRINAGAR: The stern message by the Indian Army chief, General Bipin Rawat, that army will not countenance any interference by public in its operations against militants in Kashmir, has evoked a strong reaction in Kashmir with pro-India politicians also known as unionists terming it as unfortunate saying it was a tacit admission that India has lost control over Kashmir.

    “Threatening and warning youth who are already anguished and irrational to the sense of caring little for their lives will be of little consequence but would only push them farther from reconciliation,” National Conference said in a statement.

    “Aggressive, hot-headed statements would fuel the spurt in local militancy in Kashmir and make the challenge of engaging with the youth insurmountable,” it read.

    Gen Rawat on Wednesday warned Kashmiri protestors against obstructing anti-militant operations in the Valley while acknowledging that despite many people friendly measures army was not getting the support of people for these operations.

    It is considered to be an unprecedented acknowledgment that army was not getting support from local population in its operations against Kashmiri militants. General Rawat also had issued a stern message that the civilians trying to help militants during military operations will be dealt with like militants.

    He was speaking to media after paying homage to four slain soldiers in New Delhi. The four soldiers, including an officer, were killed by militants on Tuesday in two separate gunfights in North Kashmir.

    Principal pro-India opposition National Conference said, the “youth rushing towards encounter sites and incidents of stone-pelting on the forces during encounters are worrying and alarming signs of the sense of alienation and disenchantment in Kashmir. The need of the hour is to understand and acknowledge the deep sense of isolation in Kashmir and deal with it with statesmanship and magnanimity. Threatening and warning youth who are already anguished and irrational to the sense of caring little for their lives will be of little consequence but would only push them farther from reconciliation.”

    “Young men are choosing the path of armed militancy in Kashmir in numbers that we haven’t seen since the early 90s. Even though the passes along the Line of Control are still snowed shut, militancy related incidents have increased steeply due to a spurt in young, educated local boys picking up the gun. Even after the mayhem and bloodshed of 2016, if New Delhi still thinks warning and threatening the youth will help – it’s a tragic delusion,” the NC statement further said.

    “We need to understand there is a significant, palpable social sanctity for militancy in the young demographic in Kashmir and this derives its vitality from the political sentiment and how New Delhi has failed to engage with the sentiment in a sustained and constructive manner. This social sanctity can’t be eradicated by threats of showing ‘no mercy’. If anyone thinks threatening the youth will help – that individual and that establishment has clearly failed to analyze the recent history of the political turmoil in Kashmir.

    Repression and retaliation will only fuel the anger”, it said.

    Meanwhile, a senior NC politician did not rule out political motives behind the statement of army chief. “May be some people want to use this statement for political purposes,” NC Secretary General and MLA, Ali Mohammad Sagar, told. “It would be a worst case scenario as elections are going on in some states,” he said.

    Suggesting Gen Rawat to take lead from his contemporary and former Northern Command chief of Indian Army – Gen D S Hooda, Sagar said, “Gen Hooda was right when he said that we can’t kill people by might but we need to win their hearts and talk to them.”

    Terming the statement provocative, Sagar sought explanation from chief minister, Mehbooba Mufti, who is also president of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a coalition ally of the ruling BJP.

    “Mehbooba Mufti told assembly that she, as a head of the Unified Command, has directed security forces to save and mainstream local militants but the contrary to that Army chief has deflated her claim.”

    “Now,” he added, “common people are labelled as over ground workers (OGWs) of militants,” Sagar said.

    Senior National Conference politician and former minister, Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal said that people in Kashmir have ‘faith and love’ for militants.

    He said that the statement of Gen Rawat “amply proves that India has no sympathies with the common people of Kashmir”.

    “The Army Chief Bipin Rawat’s statement is the moral victory for the militants and for those who support and follow them. Army Chief forgot that there are aspirations and sentiments and people want resolution to Kashmir issue,” Kamal said.

    Castigating Army Chief, Kamal said, “there is not an iota of doubt in this fact that people in Kashmir have faith and love for militants.”

    “Why India has been scared of reality and why it is not accepting the ground reality. The fact is that people have love for militant and that is why they run towards encounter sites to ensure their escape. Instead of threatening the common people, India needs to understand the ground reality,” Kamal said.

    Independent lawmaker, Er Sheikh Rasheed, termed the Army Chief’s statement as threat to Kashmiris. However, he added that the statement of Gen Rawat was “a confession that state has lost the control in Kashmir”.

    “General’s threat is a confession that militants have mass support and calling them terrorists is not the solution. Gen Rawat’s warning can be his professional compulsion but New Delhi must see and analyse it beyond that. While militancy is completing its thirty years, New Delhi has miserably failed to consolidate its constituency in J&K,” he said.

    The lawmaker from border town of Langate said that if the masses do not care of the consequences and put their lives at stake to save the armed militants, “New Delhi must revisit its Kashmir policy and must understand that while General’s words are threat to Kashmiris but not less than an advice for New Delhi, conveying it that J&K is a political problem which has no military solution”.

    Centre Endorses General’s Statement

    Union Minister, Kiren Rijiju, on Thursday endorsed Army Chief Bipin Rawat’s statement on tough action against those creating hurdles during anti-militant operations in Kashmir, saying “country’s interest is supreme”.

    “There should be action against the stone-pelters and whoever works against national interest as national interest is supreme,” he told reporters here.

    Rijiju’s comments came after General Rawat said yesterday that hostile conduct of locals was causing higher casualties in the Kashmir Valley and those attacking security forces during anti-militancy operations will be treated as “anti-nationals” and will face “tough action”.

    “Whatever the Army Chief has said, he has said that in national interest. There is no need to misinterpret it. There is nothing wrong in the Army Chief’s statement,” he said. Asked about the prevailing security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the Minister of State for Home said he would not like to comment on the routine law and order matters.

    General Rawat’s statement came a day after four army personnel, including a Major, were killed in two separate encounters in the Kashmir Valley.

    Four militants were killed in the encounters on Tuesday.

    People Helping Militants Under Pressure: CRPF

    The locals are under pressure from militants to help them flee in certain areas in Kashmir Valley which was harming the ‘anti-militant’ operations in the Valley, CRPF has said.

    The CRPF Inspector General (Operations), Zulfiquar Hasan, on Thursday asserted that the “forces have been acting with restraint in crowded areas to check any collateral damage and the residents should not succumb to the threats of the militants”.

    His remarks came a day after Army chief General Bipin Rawat warned those attacking security forces during anti-militancy operations in Kashmir of “tough action”.

    “The casualties (of the security forces in recent operations) have taken place in crowded areas and the forces operate with restraint so that there is no collateral damage. But the crowds break the cordon and help the militants to flee. This is happening in certain areas of Kashmir, and villagers and local residents do this under pressure from militants,” Hasan said.

    The IG said the security forces, in encounters, also face incidents of stone pelting and all this “harms the operations”.

    “I would say locals should not get under pressure from militants. We are exercising a lot of restraint so that there is no casualty on the side of the crowds and that adds to our problem. We are constantly trying to evolve how could we do the operations better so that there is no harm to the people present around,” he said.

    Rawat’s Statement A Threat To Kill Civilians: Geelani

    Hurriyat patriarch Syed Ali Geelani on Thursday ridiculed the statement of Indian army chief saying that the statement has proved the “stale thinking of the ‘General’ and illustrates that his thinking is unfair and lacks political maturity”.

    General Bipin Rawat, the chief of Indian army, on Wednesday in a warning said that people who come to rescue of militants during gunfights in Valley will be treated as over ground workers of militants.

    “People exhibit their extreme valour and without any fear even face tough and dangerous situations,” Geelani said in a statement

    “It is clear indication that whole nation is against the occupation and should have served an alarm for Indian rulers that movement is not confined to a few but whole nation is determined to offer their serves for cherished goal,” said Geelani in a statement.

    Terming the statement a threat to carry killing spree of civilians, Geelani said, “since 1947, India is carrying these bloodbaths.” “They want to strengthen their forced occupation and even won’t hesitate to kill each soul for this purpose,” said Syed Ali Geelani.

    “Their arrogance and stale thinking is the basic reason for continuous bloodshed and political uncertainty in state. People of state and particularly the youth are up against this hegemony and suppression,” he added.

    Reflection Of Tyrannical Mindset: Mirwaiz

    Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairperson, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, on Thursday said the “threat” issued by General Bipin Rawat to the people of Kashmir is “unfortunate and reflects a tyrannical mindset towards the people of Kashmir”.

    “The army chief needs to ask the Executive of his country as to why is the institution of army being used by them to crush a mass political movement of people demanding their political right and why do people at the obvious risk to their lives gather? Only because they see them as freedom fighters pushed by the arrogance of Indian state which is not willing to address the Kashmir dispute politically and pushing educated youth towards armed resistance,” he said in a statement.

    Mirwaiz said before labelling Kashmiris as “anti-nationals”, “General Rawat should realize that Kashmiri nation was not fighting any nation or any political party but striving for its just rights which the Indian state had dealt with by killing tens and thousands of Kashmiris, subjecting over ten thousand people to enforced disappearances, burying thousands in unmarked graves, damaging property worth billions of dollars, harassing people, torturing youth with third degree in interrogation centres, oppression and suppression, arrests and detentions, restrictions, custodial killings and even sending people to gallows in fake cases”.

    The Hurriyat Conference (M) said, “instead of reining in his trigger-happy, unbridled, arrogant forces, people were being threatened to face the consequences of staging peaceful protests, which would deteriorate the already worse situation.”

    “The Indian military and political leadership had no other option but to come to the grips of the reality that Kashmir issue cannot be dealt with military might or with threats of war but by involving all parties to Kashmir dispute in a meaningful and result-oriented dialogue process, which could also help end political uncertainty in entire South Asia,” he added.

    It Will Push Youth Towards Armed Struggle: Malik

    Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairperson, Muhammad Yasin Malik, on Thursday said, General Bipin Rawat’s statement is a “direct threat to the Kashmiri nation”.

    In a press statement by JKLF, Malik said, “threats and intimidations cannot break the will of nations that have resolved to break the shackles of illegal occupation.”

    Terming Bipin’s statement as ‘absurd’, Malik added, “issuing such statements has shown his anti-human attitude and lack of political wisdom.”

    Malik termed the Army chief’s statement as “an open invitation to many (youths) for picking up arms”. “India’s army chief must realize that he cannot scare a nation that has sacrificed more than a hundred thousand of its men, women, youth and children during the on-going resistance movement.”

    “What army chief has said may add to the miseries of Kashmiris but it will also push many youth to the wall and drive them towards arms struggle and hence promote violence in this region,” he said.

    Threats Won’t Stop Us: DeM

    Reacting to the India’s Army chief statement, Dukhtaran-e-Millat (DeM), on Thursday said that the Indian army has “already unleashed itself on the innocent population of Kashmir”.

    “Whom is the army chief threatening,” Secretary General of DeM Nahida Nasreen asked, “we all, including our kids, are the over ground workers of Mujahideen.”

    She said that Indian army has been using force since 1947 and “are again threatening us with the same”.

    “We are ready to sacrifice ourselves for Mujahideen and will continue to gather around the encounter sites and help our Mujahideen escape from the clutches of occupiers at the cast of our lives because they are our saviours,” she added.

    “She said it is a lesson to India and its army that we all are with Tehreek and are its OGWs,” she said, “the threats won’t stop us from pursuing our dreams.”

    REPORTED BY: BY OBSERVER NEWS DESK

     

  • Pampore Public Park craves restoration, library building occupied by criminals

    PAMPORE: A park named after Lalla Arifa in her native town Pampore in south Kashmir has been left unattended in a dilapidated condition after floods devastated it in September 2014. The local Municipal Committee responsible for the upkeep of the recreational facility is now contemplating to raise a community hall in the area.
    Locals said the park has become an abode of the unscrupulous elements in the town and most of the people living in its vicinity have turned it into a dumping ground of waste and discard.
    The sprawling park established over an area of 10 kanals of land in the vicinity of a famous shrine also houses a building that was poised to house a public library. However, the park was devastated only two years after it had been dedicated to the people living in the congested town.
    Locals said that after the floods, the municipal committee completely left the park enclave leaving room for the vested interests to use it for their own purposes.
    “Some vested interest began using the park as a dumping ground. This is because the municipal committee paid no heed to the restoration of the park,” Abid Azad, a resident told.
    “The place has now become a hub of drug addicts. The anti-social elements find the place safe for their activities,” said Tariq Ahmad adding that the building inside the park has been occupied by these anti-social elements.
    Executive Officer Municipal Committee Pampore Imtiyaz Ahmad said that the 2014 floods completely devastated the park and then some miscreants looted the fixtures from the park enclave. “The iron grill and fittings of the fountain have been stolen,” Ahmad said.
    The proposal to turn the park into a community hall is under consideration and I have deliberated the same to the deputy commissioner Pulwama and local legislator Zahoor Ahmad Mir, who is also minister of state in the council of ministers, he said.

  • J&K Government Asks People Stay Away From Encounter Sites

    Srinagar: J&K Government on Thursday advised general public to stay away from counter-insurgency operation sites for their own safety.

    District Administrations of Srinagar, Budgam and Shopian advised people not to move towards or assemble near the places where encounters take place between security forces and militants to avoid loss and injuries to precious human lives, an official spokesperson said. 

    Further, prohibitory restrictions have been imposed within the radius of three kilometres from the site of any counter-insurgency operation in the districts.

    However, the restrictions shall not apply to the movement of ambulances, medical, paramedical staff and Government employees, the spokesperson added.