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Srinagar: A Nocturnal gunfight broke out between militants and government forces in near Panthachowk in outskirts of Srinagar.

According to the reports reaching GNS, a joint team of Police, Army’s 20 and 50 RR and CRPF launched a cordon-and-search-operation at Dobey Mohalla and closely connected Khanday Mohalla.

As the joint team encircled the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them. The fire was retaliated by the joint team, triggering off an encounter.

A senior police officer confirmed to GNS the exchange of fire. As per the sources, three militants are believed to be trapped.

Earlier three bike-borne militants had attacked a joint team of police and CRPF near Panthachowk in which no damage was done, they said. (GNS)

Several rounds of gunshots were reportedly heard in Pantha Chowk area of Srinagar city outskirts. (KNT)

Further details awaited

PTI

Jammu: A 17-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a man here, following which the accused was arrested, police said on Saturday.

The girl alleged that the accused, identified as Suraj Singh of Jourian, called her to the neighbour’s house on Friday and raped her, a police official said.

Acting on the complaint of the teenager, a case was registered at Kahna Chak police station under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Subsequently, two teams were formed to nab the accused.

Singh was arrested from Akhnoor area, the official said, adding that probe into the matter was underway.

PTI

Jammu: Over 225 hectares of encroached government land was retrieved in a special drive in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir, an official spokesperson said on Saturday.

The anti-encroachment drive was jointly conducted by the Revenue department and police across the hilly district, the spokesperson said.

Over 4,500 Kanal (225 hectares) of land costing over Rs 45 crore as per stamp duty rates was retrieved from the illegal encroachers, he said.

The district administration has already expunged illegal entries for over 48,000 Kanal (2400 hectares) of land.

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir administration is mulling to hold polls on vacant Panchayat seats in September this year.

Sources told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) that that election on vacant Panchayat seats would be conducted in September-October and the notification for dates of elections will likely be issued in next few weeks.

Sources said that final electoral rolls are also being completed by the Chief Electoral Officer.

The Union territory government is considering holding polls on vacant Panchayat seats when there have been several attacks on Panches, Sarpanches and political workers in Kashmir. Many have fled their homes while the government has lodged some Panches and Sarpanches in hotels.

Sources said that the Chief Electoral Officer has also discussed with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha about holding of elections in September-October.

Sources said that issue is also being discussed with security agencies to ensure adequate security arrangements are in place. “Majority of seats remained vacant in Kashmir as no candidates were fielded in those constituencies. Most of these constituencies fall in south Kashmir,” the official said.

The Panchayat elections were conducted in November-December 2018 for 4483 Panchayats with a Sarpanch for each Panchayat Halqa and 35029 Panches in Jammu and Kashmir. However, there are over 60 percent Panchayat seats vacant in the new Union Territory.

In Kashmir out of 20093 Panch and Sarpanch seats, only 6162 Panches and 1366 Sarpanches were elected in the polls while 12565 constituencies have remained vacant.
In Jammu, 15800 Panches and 2289 Sarpanches were elected where 166 seats have remained vacant. While in Ladakh, 45 seats are vacant where 1414 Panches and 192 Sarpanches were elected.

The National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party boycotted the polls.

Elections for the Block Development Council were also conducted in Jammu and Kashmir. A top official of Rural Development Department said that the Centre has also directed Jammu and Kashmir administration to empower Panchayats to maximum level.(KINS)

Even as the multiple rounds of talks between India and China continue to resolve the Ladakh standoff, the Chinese army has started setting up 5G network in the border area along with enhanced structures at the Pangong Lake area.

As the dialogue process to find a resolution to the India-China standoff lingers on, Chinese enhancement of infrastructure close to the friction points in Ladakh has further intensified, including the setting up of 5G network near Demchok and fresh constructions at the Pangong Lake.

China is establishing 5G networks along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) for better communication while preparations have been noticed near Demchok area since the first week of August, intelligence reports indicate.

Fresh construction has also been noticed at the Pangong Lake where Chinese troops continue to hold positions. New huts and sheds have come up even amid the talks for disengagement.

The India-China standoff is nearing four months after tensions broke out in early May.

Mobilisation of Chinese troops continue along LAC, promoting India to continue with the enhance troop deployment in Ladakh. Indian Army has increased its deployment by three times. The Army is all set to continue with the additional troops even in peak winter.

“The deployment will depend on constant reviews. Till there is no change in the situation the enhanced deployment will continue,” said an Army official.

NO BREAKTHROUGH FOR DISENGAGEMENT

After the initial disengagement situation did not change as Chinese troops continued with their presence on the ridgeline of Pangong Lake. Even on the shore of the lake, pullback has been minimal as the Chinese have moved back from Finger 4 to 5 but expect India also to retreat. The mountain spurs jutting out into the lake are referred as fingers in military parlance.

China’s condition that it will pull back from the finger area of Pangong Lake but this should also be reciprocated by India has made the situation more complex, sources said.

India too pulled back from Finger 4 where troops from both sides had been in an eyeball-to-eyeball situation but a further retreat is not acceptable to India. India has maintained that status quo ante as of April end must be restored but China’s reservations have led to a deadlock.

Between Finger 5 and 8, China has strengthened its positions, brought in more boats and also set up new pre-fabricated huts keeping in mind a winter deployment.

“China has been demanding that India will also have to move back further in Pangong Lake if it wants China to pull back. This has made the situation trickier as a further retreat by India would mean leaving an area that is under our control. This would change the status quo,” said an official.

There have been five rounds of talks at the Corps Commander level and a diplomatic dialogue also continues. Another round of military talks is expected soon, sources said.

While initial disengagement took place in Galwan and Patrol Point 15, Pangong Lake but Gogra-Hot Springs area, also known as Patrol Point 17A, continued to be volatile.

There have been several deliberations to decide the future strategy if the Chinese don’t move back. Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Bipin Rawat has also said if talks fail, India will think of military options. Frequent meetings have been taking place in the security establishment to review the situation along LAC in Ladakh.

With inputs from India Today

PTI

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday reported 546 fresh cases of coronavirus and seven more deaths due to the disease, officials said.

The union territory’s caseload stands at 36,377, while the death toll has mounted to 685.

“Seven people infected with coronavirus have died in Jammu and Kashmir in the past 24 hours till 5.00 pm on Saturday,” the officials said.

Four deaths were recorded in Kashmir and three in Jammu.

Among the fresh cases, 214 were from the Jammu region, while 332 were from Kashmir, they said.

Jammu district reported the highest number of 134 new cases, followed by 102 in Srinagar, the officials said.

There are 7,672 active cases of the coronavirus disease in the union territory, while 28,020 patients have recovered so far, they said.