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PTI

Bhaderwah: A 22-year-old college student is feared to have drowned in a river in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district on Saturday, police said.

Waris Alam, a resident of Bun village, was among a group of youth taking bath in Neeru river. He went in deep water and was carried away by the strong current near Nai-Dhangri village this afternoon, the police said.

“As soon, we came to know about the incident, a police team along with locals, volunteers of an NGO and sleuthes of SDRF started the search and rescue operation but as the last reports came in the boy could not be traced,” Superintendent of Police, Bhaderwah, Raj Singh Gouria told PTI.

He said a teenager had also drowned at the same place last year.

PTI

Jammu: Over 1.68 lakh Jammu and Kashmir residents, who were stranded in other parts of the country due to the coronavirus-lockdown, have been brought back till now, an official spokesperson said.

The Union territory administration has so far evacuated 1,68,334 people through special trains and buses via Lakhanpur amid strict observance of all necessary guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures, he said.

He said 66 special trains with 53, 588 passengers have been received at Jammu and Udhampur railway stations from different states and Union territories. Also, 1,14,746 people have been evacuated through Lakhanpur.

On Saturday, 21 domestic flights carrying 2,424 passengers arrived at Jammu and Srinagar airports.

A total of 834 passengers aboard eight regular commercial flights arrived at the Jammu Airport, while 13 domestic flights with 1,590 passengers on board landed at the Srinagar Airport, the spokesperson said.

All the passengers were tested for COVID-19 on their arrival and transported to their destinations at both the airports amid strict observance of all necessary preventive protocols.

PTI

Srinagar: Two coronavirus-related fatalities were reported from Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, pushing the death toll to 93 in the Union Territory, officials said.

A 45-year-old woman Batengoo Khanabal area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district passed away at SKIMS hospital on Saturday, they said.

The woman was admitted to the hospital on Thursday with hypertension and other ailments.

She tested positive for the virus on Friday and was then shifted to COVID block of the hospital, the officials said.

On Friday night, a 70-year-old woman from Sopore area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district died at SMHS hospital here, they said.

According to the officials, she was admitted to the hospital on Thursday and was suffering from COPD and pneumonia.

Her sample was taken on Friday and it returned as positive after her death, they said.

With these two fatalities, the death toll in the UT due to COVID-19 has reached 93.

145 More Patients Recover, Discharged from Kashmir, Jammu Hospitals

Srinagar: 33 paramilitary CRPF and BSF personnel besides two army soldiers were among 204 fresh cases of novel coronavirus reported in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.

The fresh cases which also include 15 returnees from Kyrgyzstan take the overall number of covid-19 infections reported in J&K so far to 6966
Giving district wise details, officials told GNS that 52 cases were reported from Baramulla followed by Srinagar (49), Shopian (26), Pulwama (20), Budgam (13), Kupwara (9), Kulgam (8), Anantnag (6), four each in Bandipora and Ganderbal, three each in Rajouri and Jammu, two each in Udhampur, Ramban and Kishtwar besides Samba (1).

The cases include 31 from 44 batallion CRPF HMT Srinagar, two from 102 battalion BSF Trehgam Kupwara, two soldiers from BB CANT Srinagar, 6-month- old baby, and three other minors (08, 05, 05) besides several service providers and shopkeepers.

Out of the total cases, 109 were confirmed at viral diagnostic lab of SKIMS, Dr. G H Yatoo, Nodal Officer Coronavirus Control Measures at the tertiary care hospital, told GNS.

Professor Farooq Jan, Medical Superintendent SKIMS Soura, told GNS that among the positive cases, 33 are from CRPF and BSF Battalions, 21 from Shopian, 17 from Pulwama, seven from Kupwara, six each from Anantnag and Srinagar, five each from Kulgam and Baramulla, four from Budgam, two from Bandipora and one each from Karnah, Poonch and Doda.

He said sixteen among those pertained to 815 samples received from Srinagar airport on June 26 and include four from Srinagar, three from Budgam, two each from Baramulla and Kupwara and one each from Bandipora, Anantnag, Kulgam, Poonch and Doda.

The Anantnag cases include Male (32) from Guddar, Male (34) from Eidgah, female (25) from Aagnoo Verinag , female (20) from Verinag , Male (26) from Hakura Dailgam and Male (20) from Kokernag.

The Pulwama cases include four males (28, 32, 60, 21) and two females (58, 34) from Chandpora, Male (22) from Branwar, Male (60) from Sadpora , three Males (55, 35, 30) and two females (32, 28) from Tahab , female (31) from Muloodangerpora and three males (50, NA, NA) from Kachipora Pulwama.

The 31 cases from CRPF include males (1. 31 Male (48, 42, 38, 41, 36, 36, 41, 40, 34, 35, 33, 31, 31, 31, 33, 30, 29, 28, 29, 28, 28, 28, 30, 24, 26, 26, 28, 27, 49, 57 and 48) from 44 battalion stationed at HMT Srinagar.

The cases from Shopian include six males (27, 27, 28, 37, 39, 55) from DC Office Shopian, Male (17) from Rakh Narapora , four female (58, 34, 08, 05 ) from Kangnoo , female (17) from Sangran Check, Male (34) from Chatriwach, two females (32, 17) and four males (70, 12, 20, 30) from Herman, male (05) from Shamsipora and Male (28) from Alamgunj. Six cases from Kupwara include two males (43, 45) from DC office Kupwara, female (30) from Sultanpora and two males (38, 49) from 102 Bn Bsf Trehgam.

The cases from Baramulla include Male (45) from Sopore Baramulla, male (51) from Uri besides Male (21) and two females (24, 60) from Baramulla.The Kulgam cases include female (39) from Kilam, Male (65) and female (80) from Kulgam, Male (55) from Aharbal and female (22) from Qazigund.

The Srinagar cases include Male (53), Male (40) from Bohrikadal, Male (22) from Batwara, Male (21) from Hazratbal, Male (32) from Batwaraand Male (23) from Nowgam while Budgam cases include female (24) from Warhama Beerwah, Female (20) from Chadoora, female (21) from Gopalpora and Male (NA) from Hanjik while case from Bandipora is a male (21) from proper Bandipora, one from Karnah is Male (23) , Poonch—Male (25) and Doda—Male (20). The cases which were confirmed after samples taken at SKIMS include Male (35) from Raida Naag and Male (40) and female (14) from Hayatpora.

Dr Riyaz Untoo, Principal SKIMS Bemina, told GNS that out of 539 samples processed at the hospital’s lab, 13 tested positive for COVID-19, ten from Budgam and three from Srinagar.
The Budgam cases include male (35) Chaadora, three males (21, 48, 26 ) and two females (5, 54) from Charipora, female (50) from Chararishreef, female (32) from Khag, famale (23) from Goghithaigand male (22) from Dangerpora Chattergam while Srinagar cases include female (54) from Rainawari, male (25) from Gopal Pora and male (40) from Hyderpora.

The cases confirmed CD lab include Male (40) from Batangi Boniyar, NA (6 months) and two female (35, 30) from Zehanpora , two males (24, 26) from BB CANT Srinagar, Male (76) from Kulgam, female (75) from Pulwama , Male (65) from Nawakadal, Male (40) from Sangrama Sopore, female (70) from Sopore, female (30) from Safakadal , two males (38, NA) from Shopian, female (46) from Baramulla, male (35) from Batwara, female (55) from Barbarshah , Male (NA) from Rainawari , female (58) and male (50) from Pulwama 16. Male (NA) from Dugmulla Kupwara, two female (50, 43) and three males (21, 16, 52) from Model Town Sopore , male (NA) from Dangiwacha, Male (70) from Rampora, female (50) from Mehrajpora Sopore, Male (50) and female (51) from Hajam Mohalla, three Male (NA) and two female (NA) from Deed Baghat Fruit Mandi, two male (12, 43) and two female (38, 58) from Nageenbagh Sopore, two females (27, 29) from Takiyabal Sopore , two males (53, 22) from Alnoor colony Sopore , male (20) and three female (55, 32, 10) from Watlab Sopore , female (NA) from Lachipora, male (28) from Kupwara , Male (NA) from Dangerpora Sopore, Male (30) from Neharpora, two Males (57, 55) from Nageenbagh K colony, male (47) from town hall Sopore, male (30) from Badambagh Sopore, Male (40) from Bandipora, Male (30) from Gulshan Bagh, Male (NA) from Sultanpora, Male (36) from Naseer Abad Sopore , Male (57) from Noorbagh Sopore, Male (40) from Babanagri, two males (27, 32) from Kangan, female (46) from Raj Bagh colony Nagbal, Male (37) from Aaripanthan, Male (35) from Devpora, Male (30) from Chichloora, Male (26) from Ferozpora, Male (16) from Vodpora, Male (26) from Nutnusu and
Male (30) from Nadihal Baramulla.

Meanwhile, officials said that 145 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals, 58 from Jammu Division and 87 from Kashmir Division. (GNS)

PTI

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir police said on Saturday that 29 foreign militants are active in South Kashmir but assured that the security forces are experienced enough to deal with them and wipe out militancy from whole of South Kashmir.

“There is a presence of foreign militants in the upper reaches of Kokernag, Tral and Khrew. There are about 29 foreign militants active in South Kashmir and we will neutralise them when they come down and our sources inform us (about them),” Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said.

He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a wreath-laying ceremony of the CRPF jawan killed in a militant attack in Bijbehara area of Anantnag district on Friday.

Asked whether foreign militants are a bigger challenge or the local ones, the IGP said both are a challenge but the forces are experienced enough to deal with them.

“Foreign militants or locals both are a challenge even though foreign militants are more trained. Our security forces, especially SOG boys, are well trained and have been working for the last 25 years and we have developed an expertise in dealing with them. What matters is the pinpoint information and once we get it, we will neutralise them,” he said.

Kumar said the number of militants in South Kashmir was more than the north but security forces have started anti-militancy operations in North Kashmir as well.

“But there are militants remaining in the south and it is our priority (to deal with them),” he said.

On a question about the recent militancy-related incidents in north Kashmir and whether the ultras had the upper hand there, the IGP said it was not like that.

“There was a perception that militants had an upper hand in the north because there were huge losses on our side in the first week of May, but it is not like that. There are lesser number of militants in north Kashmir but we will neutralise them soon,” he said.

Kumar said the security forces have achieved a huge success by wiping out Hizbul Mujahidden (HM) from Tral area of Pulwama district and the aim is to wipe out militancy from the whole of South Kashmir.

“Tral was known as an epicentre of militants since 1989 along with Sopore and Shopian. Tral is a difficult terrain and militants have always been there. HM is an old outfit which shelters every outfit. It is a huge success for the security forces to have wiped out the HM from Tral area and our endeavour will be to wipe out militancy from the whole of South Kashmir, he said.

Asked whether the security forces were focussing on neutralising Hizbul militants, the IGP said the forces do not pick and choose.

It is not that we pick and choose the militants to neutralise them. When we get an input, we launch an operation and whichever militant is there, we neutralise them. There is no priority that we will neutralise only HM, he said.

Asked about Friday’s attack in Bijbehara, Kumar said they have identified the attacker and he will face action soon.

Some of our people were there, who are eyewitness, who have identified Zahid who was on a bike and fired indiscriminately from a pistol. We have registered an FIR against this militant by name and he will very soon be neutralised, Kumar said.

PTI

Uttar Pradesh: A man has been arrested in a village in Uttar Pradesh’s Ballia district for allegedly raping an eight-year-old girl by luring her with the offer of a toffee, police said on Saturday.

Station house officer of Revti police station Shailesh Singh said, “On June 22, the eight-year-old girl had gone to a shop to buy some items, where a person lured her by offering a toffee and later raped her.”

On Friday, the girl’s mother lodged a complaint and a case was registered against the shopkeeper under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the SHO added.

Singh also informed that the girl has been sent to a hospital for medical examination.

This has led to apprehensions that the Chinese are asserting their claims and conveying their disinclination for restoration of status quo ante in the area.

As tensions run high between India and China on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, and no talks scheduled so far between military commanders, the Chinese army has started consolidating its positions in the Pangong Tso area.

This includes undertaking construction of a helipad at Finger 4 and a sudden increase of Chinese troops on the southern banks of Pangong Tso. This has led to apprehensions that the Chinese are asserting their claims and conveying their disinclination for restoration of status quo ante in the area.

The Chinese Army has undertaken construction of a helipad at Finger 4 and increased the number of troops on the southern banks of Pangong Tso.(Photo Credit: AP)

An official told The Indian Express, “It is correct that the Chinese have started consolidating their positions on the north bank of Pangong Tso lake. There is a helipad that is now being constructed in the Finger 4 area, which is in addition to all the other infrastructure construction done by them in past eight weeks or so.”

“PLA patrols are now regularly making small forays down the ridge of Finger 3 towards the bank of the lake and then returning to the ridge. They are essentially asking us to move back to Finger 2,” the official said.

A second official said this meant that “the Chinese are telling us that they have no intention of going back or restoring the status quo as in April. It is why they have not been interested in discussing any disengagement or de-escalation in Pangong Tso.”

“We are also deployed in adequate strength but there are certain tactical restrictions imposed by the local terrain which we are cognisant of. Let me just say it is a challenging area for us,” the official said.

Pangong Tso and its northern bank have been a territory of contention between the two sides but before the current tensions arose, the Chinese had a permanent base at Finger 8. They have now deployed themselves eight kilometres to the west, at Finger 4 where they have also constructed shelters, pillboxes, bunkers and other infrastructure both on the bank and the ridgeline.

The Fingers are mountainous spurs jutting out from the ridge on the northern bank towards the lake.

While India asserts that the LAC in the area passes through Finger 8, the Chinese have always claimed it much further to the west. Historically, Indian patrols have had access to Finger 8 while the Chinese patrols would come further westward on vehicles using the road constructed during the 1999 Kargil War. A sharp rocky feature between the Finger 4 and Finger 3 means that the area to the west of Finger 4 is only accessible on foot.

India’s main base is close to Finger 3, around two kilometres west of the current Chinese deployment. The Indian side also has an administrative base closer to Finger 4, at the start of the sharp rocky feature. It is around this area that the Army has now deployed itself in response to the sudden Chinese deployment in the area. Less than 500 metres separate soldiers of both sides at this faceoff point.

The official also said that there has also been a sudden increase in Chinese troops on the southern bank of the lake, which has been matched by the Indian side as well.

This is the area of Chushul heights, where India has a base at Thakung on the southern bank. According to maps with the Indian Army, the LAC in the area goes south from Thakung to Point 5167 and Bump opposite the Spanggur Gap on the Chinese side.

Meanwhile, Army officers in Delhi confirmed that no further talks between the military commanders of both sides have been scheduled so far. After the meeting of the Corps Commanders on June 22, the consensus reached was to progress with meetings between the commanders on the ground.

With inputs from The Indian Express

PTI

Srinagar: The number of COVID-19 fatalities in Jammu and Kashmir rose to 92 on Saturday after a 70-year-old woman from Baramulla district tested positive for coronavirus following her death, officials said.

The woman from Sopore area of north Kashmir district died at the SMHS hospital here late Friday evening, the officials said.

They said she was admitted to the hospital on Thursday and was suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia.

Her sample was taken on Friday and it returned as positive, the officials said

With her death, the death toll in J&K due to COVID-19 has reached 92.