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  • Video | Rajbagh accident caught on camera

    Rajbagh Accident | In the incident one person was critically injured, reports said that minors were driving the cars.

    Watch Video:

  • 6 Jaish militants, soldier killed in two separate encounters in South Kashmir: Police

    Two M-4 rifles and 04 AK-47 rifles recovered; two slain foreign militants were involved in Zewan attack, IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar, says 2 M-4 guns, 4 AK-47 rifles recovered from slain; 11 militants killed in five days, 6 in 24 hours, foreign militants coming out of hide-outs: GoC 15 Corps DP Pandey

    Anantnag, Kulgam, Dec 30: Six Jaish-e-Muhammad militants including two foreigners and a soldier were killed in two separate encounters in southern districts of Anantnag and Kulgam conducted by security agencies in the past 24-hours, police said Thursday. Two soldiers and a policeman were also injured in one of the encounters.

    A police official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), during the past 24-hrs, two anti-militancy operations were carried out in twin districts of South Kashmir resulting in elimination of six militants of JeM.

    “The slain militants include two foreigners who were involved in the attack on police bus at Zewan killing three policemen and injuring 11 years,” the official said. He said that the first encounter took place in Nowgam,Dooru area of Anantnag, where a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, 19RR and 164Bn CRPF on Wednesday late evening.

    “During the search operation, as the presence of militants got ascertained, they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter,” the official said, adding that “In the initial exchange of fire, four security forces personnel including a policeman received gunshot injuries. They were evacuated to hospital for treatment of their injuries however, one soldier succumbed.”

    Briefing the media persons at Wuzur,Qazigund army camp, the IGP Kashmir said that in the encounter, three militants of JeM were killed. “They were identified as Sultan alias Rayees alias Mavia (a foreigner), Nisar Ahmad Khanday, a resident of Dudwangan, Kapran and Altaf Ahmad Shah, a resident of Nathipora, Dooru,” the IGP said.

    He said that slain militant Altaf and foreign militant Sultan alias Rayees alias Mavia along with another militant Suhail Rather were involved in the Zewan, Srinagar attack in which three policemen were killed and 11 others injured.

    The IGP Kashmir said another operation was launched in Mirhama, Kulgam. “A joint cordon was laid by police, army’s 9RR and 18 battalion CRPF in the area,” he said.

    “During the search operation, as the presence of militants got ascertained, they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter. In the ensuing encounter, three militants JeM were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter,” the IGP said, adding that the slain were identified as Shahid alias Shahzaid resident of Pakistan (a foreign militant), Muhammad Shafi Dar resident of Tral and Uzair Ahmad, a resident of Mirhama.

    The IGP said that slain militant Shahid was listed among the top most wanted militants operating in J&K while as the other two killed militants were also categorized ones linked with JeM.

    He said that huge cache of arms and ammunition including 02 M-4 rifles, 04 AK-47 rifles were also recovered from the sites of encounters. Speaking on the occasion, General officer Commanding (GoC) of Srinagar-based army’s 15 Corps Lieutenant General D P Pandey while replying to a query that of late, foreign militants are also getting killed, said that it was because they are coming out of their hide-outs to carry out operations as locals militants are refusing to attack forces due to their own challenges. “As the foreigners would come out of their hide-outs, they will be killed,” he said in the past five days, 11 militants were killed and in past 24 hours, six militants were killed—(KNO)

  • Karnataka: Man arrested for dropping used condoms in donation boxes at religious places

    The Mangaluru Police have arrested a 62-year-old man for dropping used condoms at various temple premises and in donation boxes in the region. The police were on the lookout for the accused from the past one year, News9 reported.

    At least five temples in Mangaluru had complained to police after used condoms were found in the temple premises this year. The police had failed to nab the accused. On December 27, a similar incident had taken place at a temple in Korajjana Katte village. After the temple management complained to the police, CCTVs in the temple and surrounding areas were checked, in which a suspicious-looking man was seen dropping something in the donation box and leaving the place.

    Based on the CCTV footage, police nabbed a person on suspicion and during investigation, the accused confessed that he had desecrated many religious places in a similar manner.

    Mangaluru Police Commissioner N Shashikumar said five such cases were registered this year.

    “Five cases were registered at various police stations where used condoms were thrown in different temple premises in Mangaluru. With the help of the CCTV footage, our team managed to nab the accused.”

    According to police, the accused has been identified as Devdas Desai, a native of Unkal in Hubbali, who has been living in Mangaluru for the past 20 years.

    “Since his father’s days, the family has been practising Christianity. He left his wife and child many years ago and is not in touch with them. He is an ardent Christian,” Shashikumar added.

    Desai used to work as an auto driver. Due to old age, he left the job and started collecting plastic and sell it to scrap shops to earn a livelihood.

    During the interrogation, Desai confessed that he targeted not just Hindu temples, but also other religious places.

    “The accused had dropped used condoms in Gurudwaras as well as Mosques in the region. He has also revealed all the areas where has done such acts. When asked about how he can recall all the places clearly, he said he had worked as an auto driver for over 15 years and is well versed with all the places. He used to collect used condoms from waste dumps. We have also found some writings against other religions from his house,” Shashikumar said.

    A total of 18 religious places were desecrated by the accused in the past year in the sensitive Mangaluru region.

    While speaking to the media, Desai defended his acts and said he had no remorse.

    “I am spreading the message of Jesus from the past 15 years. The Bible says that except Jesus there is no other god. I used to drop these condoms as impure gifts must be given to impure places. I don’t have any remorse, the god has given us a life of 70 years and I am already 62 years old.”

    The Mangaluru Police Commissioner added: “During our questioning, we did not find him to be mentally ill. He can read and write, and answers all our questions. During his medical check-up, we will ask doctors to issue us a certificate on his mental health.”

    Police said they would produce Desai before the court and seek his remand for further interrogation.

  • Earthquake in Pakistan, tremors felt in North Kashmir

    Magnitude: 4.0
    Date & time: Dec 30, 2021  5:54 p.m.
    Depth: 60.0 km
    Epicenter latitude / longitude: 35.55°N / 75.05°E (Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan)
    Antipode: 35.55°S / 104.95°W

    Weather at epicenter at time of quake:
    Overcast Clouds,  -15.4°C, humidity: 50%, wind: 7 kts from E

    Primary data source: NCS (National Center for Seismology)

    Via: Kashmir Weather

    Estimated released energy: 6.3 x 10¹⁰ joules (17.5 megawatt hours, equivalent to 15.1 tons of TNT)

  • Police report into Hyderpora encounter ‘false’, alleges Dr Farooq Abdullah demands judicial probe

    Says let world react over Real Estate Sumit held in Jammu, Have framed response to delimitation panel’s report, will make that public soon

    Srinagar, Dec 30: National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah Thursday termed the SIT report into the Hydeprora encounter as “false” stating that there should be a judicial probe to bring justice.

    Talking to the reporters on the sidelines of a function at Tagore hall in Srinagar, Dr Farooq alleged that police (SIT) report into the Hydeprora encounter is “false and wrong”. “Police has tried to save itself as the fact remains those killed in the encounter were killed by police,” the NC chief alleged as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO). He said that there should be a judicial probe to nail the truth. Dr Farooq’s statement on Hyderpora comes a day after SIT chairman (DIG Central Kashmir range) had stated that statements from political leaders may invite “penal provisions as per the law” as the same can “trigger fear, alarm and provocation.”

    On Real Estate Summit held in Jammu, Dr Farooq said let the world react over it. “What would I say about it, let world react over it,” he said.

    About delimitation panel’s report, he said that NC has framed a response and the same would be made public soon. “We have framed a response to the delimitation panel’s report which will be made public soon,” he said.

    The delimitation panel recently in its proposal advocated addition of six seats to Jammu region and only one seat to Kashmir. The proposal evoked sharp criticism and opposition from all the political parties except BJP—(KNO)

  • First time in J&K, number of active militants less than 200 at present: Security top brass

    Only 86 local militancy active; 128 locals joined militancy this year, 73 were killed, only 39 remaining: IGP Kashmir; Local militant recruitment drastically down; foreign militants coming out of hide-outs as locals refuse to carry out Ops: GoC 15 Corps; six militants including two foreigners, one soldier killed in two Ops in South Kashmir since last night

    Qazigund, Dec 30 : Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar Thursday said that for the first time in the past 30 years of militancy in Kashmir, the number of active militants in the Valley has come down to less than 200 while the number of local militants active is just 86. The Kashmir police chief also said since last night, six militants including two foreigners and a soldier were killed in two separate encounters in Southern districts of Anantnag and Kulgam.

    Addressing a joint press conference at 2 Sector RR headquarters in Wuzur area of Qazigund, the General officer Commanding (GoC) of Srinagar-based 15 Corps Lieutenant General D P Pandey, IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar, SSP Anantnag Ashish Kumar Mishra and other officials of police and army said that in the last 24 hours, six militants including two foreigners and a soldier were killed in two encounters at Anantnag and Kulgam districts. “Two soldiers and a policeman also sustained injuries in the Anangnat encounter,” the GoC 15 Corps said as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), adding that those injured are stable. “Two foreign militants killed in Anantnag encounter were affiliated with Jaish-e-Muhammad outfit,” he said. “The slain soldier was identified as sepoy Jasbir Singh.”

    Replying to a query that foreign militants are also getting killed, the GoC said that it was because they are coming out of their hide-outs to carry out operations as locals militants are refusing to attack forces due to their own challenges. “As the foreigners would come out of their hide-outs, they will be killed,” he said.

    Speaking on the occasion, SSP Anantnag said that one M-4 carbine, eight magazines, two AK 47 riffles and other ammunition were recovered from slain JeM militants.

    Replying to a query, IGP Kashmir said that in the past five days, 11 militants were killed and in two operations since last night, six militants including two foreign militants were killed. The IGP Kashmir, however, said that rise in encounters doesn’t mean that militancy has increased as it was totally otherwise. “For the first time in the past 30 years of militancy in Kashmir, the number of active militants has come down to less than 200. It is also for the first time that number of local active militants is 86 only,” IGP Kumar said.

    GoC Pandey said that local militant recruitment has drastically come down as this year only 128 to 130 locals joined militancy compared to 180 last year. Chipping-in, IGP Kashmir said that this year out of 128 local militants who joined militancy, of which 73 were killed, 17 were arrested and only 39 are active only—(KNO)

  • NIA raids house of ‘chronic stone pelter’ in Srinagar, detained for questioning

    Srinagar, Dec 30: National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday morning conducted a raid in Zaldagar area of Kashmir capital Srinagar.

    Official sources told Srinagar based news agency, Kashmir Dot Com (KDC) that sleuths of NIA accompanied by contingents of J&K Police raided the house of Arsalan Feroz, a resident of Zaldagar MaharajGanj. The raid was conducted in connection with Arsalan being a ‘chronic stone pelter.’

    If reliable sources are to be believed Arsalan, a mechanic by profession was arrested by J&K Police on 23-Oct-this year however he was handed over to SOG Srinagar on 27-october for questioning and subsequently was released on 29-November.

    The NIA raid ended with the arrest of Arsalan who was taken to NIA’s Srinagar headquarters for further questioning. (KDC)

  • MeT forecasts widespread snow, rain spell in J&K, Ladakh from Jan 4-6

    Srinagar, Dec 30: Weatherman on Thursday forecast widespread snow and rain spell of “moderate intensity” from January 4 to 6 in J&K and Ladakh.

    “As of now, widespread snow/rain spell of moderate intensity is most likely during 4-6th January in both J&k and Ladakh,” an official of the meteorological department said. He said further fall in minimum temperature is expected till January 2.

    Barring Gulmarg, the temperature across Kashmir Valley dropped today with Srinagar recording a low of minus 4.0°C.

    The official told GNS that the minimum temperature in Srinagar, the summer capital of J&K, recorded a drop of 1.7°C than the previous night and was below minus 1.9°C below normal for this time of the year.

    Kashmir is presently under the grip of 40-day long harshest period of winter, known locally as ‘Chillai Kalan, which started from December 21. It is followed by a 20-day long ‘Chillai Khurd’ and a 10-day-long ‘Chilla Bachha’.

    The mercury settled at the world famous resort of Gulmarg at minus 9.6°C against minus 10.4°C on the previous night.

    Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, had a low of minus 4.2°C against 0.6°C on the previous night, he said.

    Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 8.9°C against minus 6.6°C on previous night, he said.

    Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 3.6°C against minus 0.4°C on previous night, the official said.

    Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a minimum of minus 4.4°C against minus 3.2°C on the previous night, the official said.

    Jammu, the J&K’s winter capital, saw a rise temperature by 9 notches from the precious night, recording a low of 5.9°C which is minus 1.5°C below normal for the place during this time of the year, he said.

    Ladakh’s Leh had a low of minus 16.0°C against last night’s minus 14.7°C while automatic Kargil station recorded a minimum of minus 14.2°C. Drass in Kargil, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia, recorded a low of minus 21.9°C, the official said. (GNS)

  • Foreigner among three militants killed in Kulgam gunfight IGP terms it as big success

    Kulgam,Dec 29: Three militants including two local and one foreigner were killed in a gunfight between government forces and militants in Mirhama area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, officials said on Wednesday.

    A senior police officer told news agency— (KNO) that three militants have been killed while as search operation is on in the area.

    Earlier, an official said that a joint team of Police, Army and CRPF launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) on specific information about the presence of militants in the area.

    He said that as the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them, which was retaliated, triggering a gunfight.

    Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar termed it as big success.

    “#KulgamEncounterUpdate: Two local #terrorists and one #Pakistani terrorist affiliated with proscribed #terror outfit JeM killed. Search still going on. 01 M4 and 02 AK 47 rifles recovered. A big success: IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar,” Kashmir Zone Police tweeted—(KNO)

  • Kulgam Gunfight: Militant killed, operation on

    Kulgam, Dec 29: militant has been killed in a gunfight between government forces and militants in Mirhama area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, officials said on Wednesday.

    A senior police officer told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a militant has been killed whose identification is being ascertained while as search operation is on in the area.

    Earlier, an official said that a joint team of Police, Army and CRPF launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) on specific information about the presence of militants in the area.

    He said that as the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them, which was retaliated, triggering a gunfight—(KNO)