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Shopian, Dec 25: Two militants have been killed in a gunfight between government forces and militants in Chowgam area of south Kashmir’s Shopian district, officials said on Saturday.

A senior police officer told news agency— (KNO) that two militants have 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)

A Hizbul Mujahideen militant was killed in an encounter at Mominhall, Aarwani area of Bijbeheara in southern district of Ananatnag on Friday, police said.

A police official said that based on a specific input regarding presence of a militant in village Mominhall Aarwani area of Bijbehara Anantnag, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, 1stRR and 90Bn CRPF in the said area.

“During the search operation, as the presence of the trapped militant got ascertained, he was given ample opportunities to surrender. However, he denied the surrender opportunities and instead fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter,” the police official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), adding that “in the ensuing encounter, one terrorist identified as Shahzad Ahmad Seh son of Bashir Ahmad Seh resident of Sehpora Kulgam was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of encounter.”

A police spokesman in a statement said that as per police records, the killed militant was a categorized one linked with Hizbul Mujahideen and was part of groups involved in several cases. “He was involved in killings of Police Inspector Mohammad Ashraf Bhat of Chandpora Kanelwan Anantnag at his residence and three BJP workers at YK-Pora Kulgam last year. He was also involved in the killing of BJP Sarpanch and his Wife at Lal-Chowk Anantnag this year,” he said. The spokesman said that arms and ammunition including 01 AK 47 Rifle, 02 AK Magazines, 40 AK rounds and a grenade were recovered from his possession.

KNO

Year registers 713 deaths in 5036 road accidents, 4,347 person killed, 35137 injured from 2017 to Nov 2021, reveal official figures; Rash driving, violation of rules major reasons for accidents, say experts, question MVD for not procuring hi-tech gadgets used for preventing accidents

Srinagar, Dec 24 : The year 2021 has claimed lives of 713 people in road accidents, a figure which is eight times more than those killed by bullets in the conflict ravaged J&K, official data reveals.

As per the data compiled by the J&K Traffic Police Department accessed by news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), 5036 accidents happened in J&K from January to November in 2021, in which 713 persons were killed and 6447 were injured. “589 accidents were reported fatal and 4447 non-fatal,” the figures reveal, adding that 3278 accidents happen only in Jammu, in which 521 persons were killed and 4241 injured. “102 persons were killed and 1175 injured in Jammu district, 76 killed and 536 injured in Kathua, and 63 persons were killed and 313 injured in Ramban,” the data available with the KNO, reveals.

In Kashmir, the figures suggest that 1758 accidents took place since January 2021 in which 192 persons were killed and 2206 injured. “36 persons were killed and 333 injured in Srinagar, 25 were killed and 140 injured in Kulgam, and 21 persons were killed and 340 injured in Anantnag district,” the data states.

The figures state that in 2017, 926 were killed and the injured persons were 7419. “In 2018, 984 people were killed and 7845 injured. “In 2019, a total of 996 persons were killed, 7532 were injured. In 2020, 728 people were killed, while as 5894 were injured,” the figures reveal.

Pertinently, the deaths caused by road accidents in J&K in year 2021 are much higher than those killed by bullets. The figures revealed in the Parliament recently state that in 75 people including 40 civilians and 35 security forces personnel were killed in militancy related in Kashmir in year 2021 (upto November 31).

Superintendent of Traffic Police for Rural Kashmir Manzoor Ahmed Mir told KNO that that rash driving and violation of traffic rules are the basic reasons for rising accidents in rural areas of Kashmir. “People resort to rash driving and often resort to violation of traffic rules which ultimately result in accidents which at times turn fatal,” Mir said. “Jumping of signals in one of the biggest reasons responsible for accidents.”

He, however, said that on the spot challans and speed guns are proving as major tools to prevent accidents. “People should develop traffic sense,” Mir said.

Hit-and-run cases are on the rise in Kashmir, said Junaid Nazir, a Road Safety Expert. “But in this case, entire fault doesn’t lie on the traffic cop who remains on the road for manning the traffic. Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) should play a major role as it is the only department that has a right to suspend the license,” he said, adding that “MVD has a Road Safety Cell under Road Safety Policy (RSP) why that is not being implemented. Police doesn’t have funds to create awareness.”

He said that preventing rash driving is all about safety tools. “We need intercepting vehicles, safety vehicles, high speed cameras and other latest gadgets. I wonder why traffic department is not utilizing funds to procure latest gadgets,” he said, adding that “minimising road distance will definitely help bring down the accident rate in the Valley.”—(KNO)

‘Nazir dedicated his entire life towards education, was known for his skills’

Srinagar, Dec 24: Nazir Ahmad, a prominent teacher from Eidgah area of Srinagar City, who has taught almost 30 per cent of downtown dwellers, died on Friday.

Nazir was known for his teaching skills with locals saying that it is because of him that the most of the people living in downtown areas are qualified and are currently holding good positions. Nazir Sir was commonly known as Nazir D. He led the Scouts and Guides programme in Jammu and Kashmir for several years.

Umar Iqbal, one of his students, told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that Nazir Sir was not only a teacher, but a fatherly figure for many. “He bore the educational expenses of many students who were not able to get education due to financial crunch,” said Umar, who is president of Private Diagnostic Centres Association president.

About 30 percent people, currently holding good positions, have got education from Nazir Sir, he said, adding that it is because of him only that they are well educated, saying that like others, they could not have achieved the feat in their lives.

“It’s a personal loss for me and all the students, who received education from Nazir Sir in the past five decades,” he said, adding that Nazir was serving as a private teacher for the last five decades.

Nazir, who was a resident of Laigardoori Eidgah was known for his teaching skills, Umar said, adding that one cannot imagine the way and methods he was using to make the students understand. “He was only focused towards the education of the children. In his entire life, he never ever shifted his focus to anything. I am sure that if he would not have been there for us, 10 per cent of those holding top positions today, would have remained uneducated,” he said.

“We all are bereaved today. Today, all his efforts, pain in realizing knowledge in us are doing rounds in my mind. As Vice Principal, he took care of all branches of Shaheen Public School,” he said. Believe me, I would have not atleast been what I am today, he said.

The funeral prayers for the deceased teacher were held today at 2:15 PM at Fakeer Makaber Waniyar Chowk Noor Bagh.

Notably, Nazir is father of a social activist, Uman Omer—(KNO)

Machine Can measure Patients Blood Glucose Level Non-invasively, Heart Rate, Blood Oxygen Level & Body Temperature

Srinagar: To help the diabetic patients who are reluctant to use needle based machine for monitoring of blood glucose levels 5 Kashmir University students (Irtiza yousuf , Musaib Khurshid,Mohd Mubraiz, Asmat Farooq & Iqra Manzoor) from the Department of  Electronics & Communication  Engineering ku had developed a smart medical monitoring machine which can measure blood glucose levels non-invasively This machine can also measure patients blood oxygen level, Body temperature,  Heart rate and Room Humidity and temperature & the respective readings can be sent wirelessly to mobile phone of concerned Doctor.

The main aim of this project is to reduce healthcare costs and  help diabetic patients who are suffering from infection and pain due to frequent finger pricking by needle based glucose monitoring machines. As this device operates wirelessly it can prevent the spread of infectious diseases and COVID 19.

The students had developed this project under the guidance of  Dr. Bilal Ahmed malik (senior scientific officer KU) and Er afshan amin( assistant professor KU) This project was evaluated by Professor. AH Moon ( Director IT&SS and Project Coordinator TEQIP at Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora).

Srinagar, Dec 24: Authorities on Friday stopped congregational Friday prayers at historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar for the 20th consecutive week.

Jamia Masjid, the 14th century building, is the only major place of worship in the valley closed for congregational prayers by the authorities.

The officials did not give any reason for the continuous closure of the mosque, which was shut down initially in August 2019 in the wake of abrogation of Article 370 by the Centre.

The mosque was briefly opened in December 2019 but closed again in April as part of the government curbs on large gatherings to combat the COVID wave.

Prayers were allowed on first Friday of August this year but since then the mosque has been closed.

Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid Srinagar, which manages the affairs of the mosque, expressed strong resentment over the decision.

The Anjuman and the Muslims of Kashmir are unable to understand that on the one hand, all the places of worship, mosques, shrines, imambargahs and khanqahs in Jammu and Kashmir are open for Friday prayers, but only Jamia Masjid Srinagar continues to be selectively banned and restricted from holding Friday prayers, which is extremely unfortunate and incomprehensible,” the Anjuman said in a statement.

It said the decision to close the mosque tantamount to sheer interference in religion and hurting the religious sentiments and feelings of Muslims .(PTI)

Srinagar: Kashmir University students suffer a lot as stray dogs hardly allow anyone to move around the campus.
A couple of weeks back, a girl was bitten by dogs within the University campus and was later hospitalized.
There isn’t a single day when these dogs don’t run after/chase people.
Not only on a single spot, these dogs roam around the campus every single day and restrict the movement of students and others.
Authorities have done nothing in regard to this matter as always.