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Man from Srinagar arrested for cheating job-seekers in UP

noreply@blogger.com (Haamid Qadri) — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 04:13:00 +0000

Hyderabad, Feb 19: A man from Srinagar has been arrested in Uttar Pradesh and brought to Telangana for allegedly cheating people to the tune of Rs 60 lakh after promising them government jobs, police said on Monday.

The Central Crime Station (CCS) police arrested Gulam Mohammed, a native of Srinagar, from village Dulahipur in Uttar Pradesh and brought to Telangana on transit remand.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Avinash Mohanty said the accused was involved in cheating people on the pretext of offering them jobs.

Speaking to ANI, Mohanty said, “The accused Gulam Mohammed Illahi, who cheated around 24 unsuspecting people to the tune of 60 lakhs, was arrested by police after following leads based on credible information.”

“The accused would promise secure government jobs in Railways, SBI, FCI among others. Since the month of January 2018, the accused along with another accused induced the victims to pay Rs 2,50,000 each by creating a fake online website of Railway Recruitment Board along with fake offer letters.

“The accused also facilitated medical tests at Bardhaman in Kolkata. After receiving the cash, the accused and others have been absconding from Hyderabad since June’2018. On receiving a complaint from the victims, a case under relevant sections of Indian Penal Code was registered and an investigation was carried out,” added Mohanty.

Jammu-Srinagar highway opens for one-way traffic after a week

noreply@blogger.com (Haamid Qadri) — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 04:11:00 +0000

Jammu, Feb 19: One-way traffic will be allowed on the Jammu-Srinagar highway on Tuesday with vehicles moving only from Srinagar to Jammu. "The highway is open for one-way traffic and vehicles will be allowed to move from Srinagar to Jammu today," a traffic department official said here.

"The highway has been fully decongested as all traffic from Jammu to Srinagar was cleared on Monday with all the Kashmir Valley-bound vehicles crossing the Jawahar Tunnel safely." After remaining closed for seven days until February 12, the partial restoration of the highway has stabilised the supply of essentials to the landlocked valley.

J&K Bank postpones recruitment examination New dates to be communicated separately

noreply@blogger.com (Haamid Qadri) — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 04:01:00 +0000

Srinagar, Feb 19: Amid the unfolding situation within the state and in response to the apprehensions expressed by the candidates through print, electronic and social media platforms, J&K Bank has decided to postpone the Probationary Officer and Banking Associate examination scheduled to be held on 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 24th February 2019.

The decision in this regard was taken today after thorough deliberations at a high-level meeting presided over by the J&K Bank Chairman and CEO Parvez Ahmed, Executive Presidents and Presidents here at the bank’s corporate headquarters.

The meeting deliberated and discussed the ongoing situation across the state and discussed the pros and cons of conducting exams on the scheduled date while factoring in the feedback that kept streaming in.

The meeting concluded in favour of postponing the examination and the Chairman and CEO Parvez Ahmedin his tweet said, “Lot of queries being received #JKBank exam. Though preparations are done, our partners in exam IBPS, TCS are here and visiting the test centers but keeping in view the inconvenience the applicants may have to face in the current circumstances, we are announcing the postponement of exams which were to be held on 21, 22,23 & 24 Feb. New dates will be notified in due course.”

Notably, all the prominent news dailies of the state had published items citing public concerns over the conduct of online examinations on these dates. The entire social media also echoed the concerns of the thousands of candidates.

About 280 students from Dehradun reach Mohali, many head for homes in J&K

noreply@blogger.com (Saber Qadri) — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 12:24:00 +0000

Mohali, Feb 18: Over 300 Kashmiri students have reached Mohali from Uttarakhand and Haryana on their way to their homes, a student body arranging their stay in the Punjab town said Monday, amid reports of harassment of students from the Valley in Dehradun after the Pulwama terrorist attack.

Some Kashmiri youths studying in the Uttarakhand capital have alleged they were harassed and asked by their landlords to vacate accommodations fearing attacks on their properties after the terrorist strike in Pulwama on Thursday that left 40 CRPF personnel dead.

Over the past two days, nearly 280 students have arrived from Dehradun and up to 30 from Haryana’s Ambala district, said Jammu and Kashmir Students Organisation president Khwaja Itrat.

He said nearly 150 of the total students have moved towards Jammu, from where they will head to their homes in Kashmir Valley.

“The students told us they wanted to make a halt in Mohali as it was a safer place. We helped them arrange a temporary stay here,” Itrat said.

“Authorities here are cooperating and helping us out. It is a crucial time for many students with final examinations approaching and loss of studies at this time will impact their grades. But the students want the issue to settle down and then they will decide to return,” he said.

One student has alleged that unknown people attacked him on Saturday night when he was returning to the university hostel in Mullana in Ambala district.

On Sunday, talking informally to reporters in Mohali, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Sing made it clear that all Kashmiri students will be given full protection by his government.

No one will be harassed, he stressed.

Meanwhile, the Haryana police has registered an FIR after a video on social media showed some people asking Kashmiri students to vacate their accommodations in Mullana.

“Another video has surfaced in which two students were threatened to vacate their private accommodation,” Ambala Superintendent of Police Astha Modi said on Monday.

She said there were nearly 600 Kashmiri students in Ambala district, of whom 350-400 were enrolled in a private university in Mullana.

“We reached out to the students and assured them about their security. We also spoke to their parents and assured them. Both the students (identified in the video) and their parents are satisfied with the steps we have taken,” she said.

“Mullana villagers are making announcements on loudspeakers, assuring Kashmiri students of their safety and security,” she said.

Officials said the security around other educational institutes in Haryana, including in Panchkula district, where a large number of Kashmiri students are enrolled, has been stepped up.

Crime Branch books revenue officials for grabbing State land at Pahalgam

noreply@blogger.com (Saber Qadri) — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 12:09:00 +0000

Srinagar, Feb 18: Crime Branch Kashmir registered a case against revenue officers/officials for illegally transferring state land at Pahalgam in favour of beneficiaries.

Crime Branch Kashmir received a complaint from inhabitants of Village Nunwan Pahalgam Anantnag. The complaint inter-alia reveals that as per revenue records of year 1978 (Bikrami) land measuring 45 Kanals and 19 Marlas under Survey No. 169 situated at village Nunwan Pahalgam was Khalsa Sarkar/state land. The said land as per year 1990-91 (Bikrami) stands divided under various Nos. viz 196/169 (9.1 Kanals), 200/169(5.4 Kanals), 206/169(1.16 Kanals), 207/169(4.9 kanals), 208/169(8.2 Kanals), 220/169(3.11 Kanals),169 (6.7Kanals) and in the same Jamabandi the entries have been made in tenancy column in favour of tenants and possession holders, but in the same record piece of land under survey No. 169 was recorded as state land (Kabza Najaiz).

It is alleged that in Jamabandi of the year 1969-70 few fictitious survey Nos 301/169(10.10 Kanals) 326/169 (3.7 Kanals) were made in favour of some non-locals namely Salam-Din & others R/O Khanabal Anantnag, and 301/169 (2 Kanals) in favour of Abdul Rehman R/O Kanelwan Bijbehara, by the revenue officials in connivance with the beneficiaries.

The land has been illegally occupied by the said persons while as the land is state land measuring 38 Kanals as Shamilat U/S 5, and 6.7 Kanals are recorded as “Goorvan”.

Subsequently a preliminary enquiry under Reg.No.58/2011 was initiated at Police Station Crime Branch Kashmir. It came to fore that the land in question has been reflected as Khalsa Sarkar as per “Misle-Haqiyat” (record of rights) of the year 1978 (Bikrami).

Subsequently the said land was converted to Shamilaat and then fraudulently in furtherance of criminal conspiracy by the revenue officers/officials and the beneficiaries and mutated in favour of Salam-Din R/O Khanabal Anantang, and Ab. Rehman R/O Kanelwan Bijbehara, U/S 4 & 8 of Agrarian Reforms Act, thereby misused their official position in order to render undue benefit upon beneficiaries.

Pulwama Gunfight: Top Police Officer Injured In Ongoing Operation

noreply@blogger.com (Saber Qadri) — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 11:44:00 +0000

Srinagar, Feb 18: A top Police officer was injured in an ongoing encounter at Pingleena area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Monday.

Two militants and four soldiers including an officer of Major rank were killed and five other soldiers including a Lieutenant Colonel injured during the course of firefight.

A civilian Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat (46) was also killed during the gunfight.

Sources said that there was lull for some time before fresh firing started in which the police officer of DIG rank Amit Kumar was injured and has been hospitalised.

A police officer confirmed to GNS about the injury suffered by the DIG and said that he has received a bullet wound in his left thigh.

The officer said that the condition of the DIG is said to be stable.

An army spokesman also confirmed the death of four soldiers including an officer of Major rank. He said that the identity and group affiliation of the slain militants are being ascertained.

The gunfight broke out at Monday morning after a joint team of army’s 55 RR, SOG and CRPF launched a cordon-and-search operation following a “credible inputs” about the presence of two to three militants in the area. Massive clashes are also going on near the encounter site, the official said.

EJCC protests against harassment of Kashmiris outside Valley

noreply@blogger.com (Saber Qadri) — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 11:05:00 +0000

Srinagar, Feb 18: After attacks on employees in Jammu, the Employees Joint Consultative Committee (EJCC) Monday staged a protest against the attacks on Kashmiris in Jammu and students studying in different colleges outside the State.

The EJCC members assembled in Srinagar’s press enclave and chanted slogans in favour of safety to Kashmiris who are currently outside the Valley.

The protesting association members said Kashmiri students studying in different colleges and universities outside the State are facing harassment. “Kashmiri traders and Kashmiri secretariat employees are facing attacks and harassment from last couple of days and that must come to end at an earliest,” they said.

They urged the Governor Satya Pal Malik led administration to ensure safety and protection to all the Kashmiris, adding that those who suffer loss due to the recent attacks must be compensated.

Clashes erupt in Srinagar’s Parraypora area

noreply@blogger.com (Saber Qadri) — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 10:47:00 +0000

Srinagar, Feb 18: Clashes broke out in Parraypora area of the Srinagar after youth took to streets to protest over the harassment of Kashmiris living outside the Valley on Monday afternoon.

A police official confirmed that the clashes were going on in Parraypora area of Srinagar. As per locals, youth amassed on roads and chanted slogans against the harassment and violence targeting Kashmiris. The clashes broke out soon after the police arrived at the spot and youth started pelting stones.

Meanwhile, the traffic on the roads has been disturbed due to ongoing clashes in the area. The area is upper town of the city and is a hub of private coaching centres.

Students Protests In Sopore, Srinagar Against Attacks On Kashmiris Outside Valley

noreply@blogger.com (Saber Qadri) — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 10:45:00 +0000

Sopore, Feb 18: Students of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) of North campus at Wadoora Sopore in north Kashmir on Monday staged a protest demonstration over growing incidents of harassment and attacks on Kashmiris by rightwing extremists in Jammu and outside the state.

The students protested inside the college premises and demanded an immediate release of Kashmiri student who was detained in Himachal Pradesh on Sunday.

“Kashmiris are not safe outside and this is not for the first time that our brothers and sisters are being targeted, harassed and detained,” a group of agriculture students while talking to GNS said.

Meanwhile, scores of students studying in different tuition centers in Paray[pora area of Srinagar. The students also expressed serious resentment over the growing attacks on Kashmiris and demanded an immediate end to it.

They also demanded the withdrawal of sedition and other cases the students in different parts of India.

The students also demanded the safety of Kashmiri students outside the Valley.

Pertinently on Sunday police detained Tahseen Gul of Kashmir, a B.Tech student of Chitkara University in Baddi on the charges of allegedly glorifying suicide bomber Adil Ahmed Dar who was behind the Pulwama attack in which 49 CRPF men were killed and several others were injured on Thursday.

Lieutenant Colonel Among 3 Soldiers Injured In Fresh Firing In Pulwama

noreply@blogger.com (Saber Qadri) — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 10:44:00 +0000

Srinagar, Feb 18: A lieutenant colonel and two other army soldiers were injured in fresh firing in an ongoing encounter at Pingleena area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Monday.

Two militants and four soldiers including an officer of Major rank were killed and three other soldiers injured during the initial phase of the firefight. A civilian Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat (46) was also killed during the gunfight. Sources said that there was lull for some time before fresh firing started in which an army Lieutenant colonel and two soldiers were injured and they were evacuated to army’s 92 base hospital at Badamibagh here.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police South Kashmir range Amit Kumar told earlier that two militants were killed in the operation. He said that the bodies of the slain militants have been recovered along with as many weapons and other warlike stores.

An army spokesman also confirmed the death of four soldiers including an officer of Major rank. He said that the identity and group affiliation of the slain militants are being ascertained.

The police officer earlier said that the gunfight broke out at Monday morning after a joint team of army’s 55 RR, SOG and CRPF launched a cordon-and-search operation following a “credible inputs” about the presence of two to three militants in the area. Massive clashes are also going on near the encounter site, the official said.

District Magistrate Jammu announces relaxation in curfew in areas falling under 5 police stations

noreply@blogger.com (Saber Qadri) — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 08:35:00 +0000

Jammu, Feb 18: According to District Magistrate Jammu, curfew shall be relaxed in the areas falling under Police Stations of Gandhi Nagar (except Police Post Nehru Park and Digiana), Channi Himmat, Sainik Colony, Trikuta Nagar and Satwari (except Police Posts of Belicharana and Gadighat) from 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm today.

“However, restrictions would be in place in these areas under Section-144 on public gatherings,” DM said.

He said official identity cards of the Civil Secretariat Employees and the staff deployed with Essential Services shall be treated as curfew pass to facilitate their movement.

The DM said, in addition, Air Tickets, Railway Tickets and Admit Cards for various examinations would be also treated as curfew passes.

The District Magistrate has urged people to maintain peace and tranquility and do not allow the miscreants to create any trouble in their respective areas.

CASO launched in Shopian village

noreply@blogger.com (Saber Qadri) — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 08:33:00 +0000

Shopian, Feb 18: Government forces launched a cordon and search operation at a village in south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Monday morning.

Reports said that a joint team of the army’s 44 RR, Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel laid a siege around the Krawoora village and began a door to door search operation.

The operation was underway when the reports last came.

Amid Prevailing situation, J&K bank aspirants appeal for postponement of exams

noreply@blogger.com (Saber Qadri) — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 07:52:00 +0000

Srinagar, Feb 18: In wake of the prevailing situation in Kashmir, the Kashmiri aspirants preparing for the Jammu and Kashmir Bank recruitment exams have urged the concerned authorities to postpone the examination.

Scores of the students, currently outside the valley on Monday have urged the concerned authorities to shift the exam date as they are not able to reach back to Kashmir for the exam due to the prevailing situation in Kashmir as well as in other parts of the country. Pertinently, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir worsened after the attack on CRPF convoy on February 14, 2019, that claimed the lives of 49 troopers, and dozens were left injured.

Commenting on it, an official from the Jammu and Kashmir Bank told that an official meeting will be held in Jammu today under the state administration, and in the larger interest of the candidates, it will be notified today itself whether to conduct the examination on time or not.

Meanwhile, the IAS topper Shah Faesal, who is set to form his own political cadre said that J&K bank has scheduled two options either to go ahead with the exam and allow other chance to those candidates who miss the exam or to conduct the exam for the candidates present in Kashmir and postpone for other regions.

“Authorities in the JK Bank have told me that they are aware of the hardships faced by JKB Exam aspirants in view of the prevailing situation. There are two possibilities. One to go ahead with the exam and allow another chance to candidates who miss the exam. Another, to conduct exam for candidates present in Kashmir and postpone the exam for other regions. Candidates are requested to be patient and wait for the final decision from the Bank. It has been assured that the Bank will do it’s best to take care of the concerns of the candidates,” the IAS topper wrote on his Facebook handle.

Sopore Youth’s Gun-Wielding Picture Goes Viral; Family Rejects, Says He Is Pursuing Education In Pakistan

noreply@blogger.com (Saber Qadri) — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 07:47:00 +0000

Sopore, Feb 18: A family in Sopore town of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Monday rejected the joining into militancy ranks of their son whose gun-wielding picture has surfaced on social media.

According to the family, the youth Sadat Amin Malik Son of Mohammad Amin Malik, a resident of Krankshivan Colony Sopore, is pursuing Engineering in Pakistan.

The family members questioned the authenticity of picture, asserting that they are still in contact with him in Pakistan.

On Sunday evening, his gun-wielding picture surfaced on social media—the trend Kashmiri youth follow to announce their joining into militant ranks.

Meanwhile, SSP Sopore Javeed Iqbal when contacted told that soon after the picture went viral on social media a team of police visited his home.

However, he said, the family informed that their son is pursuing education in Pakistan. The SSP said that police was verifying the facts and in this regard, further investigation is underway.

NSUI constitutes a CCC for help to valley students

noreply@blogger.com (Saber Qadri) — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 07:45:00 +0000

Srinagar, Feb 18: The National Students Union of India (NSUI), a student body of All India Congress Committee, has constituted a Central Coordination Committee of National Office bearers to extend all possible help to students from Kashmir or any other region of the State, who are studying in different colleges in other parts of the Country.

The students, as reported, were being intimated in the wake of Pulwama attack. Any student feeling insecure under the current situation can contact below mentioned NSUI 6ffice bearers for help.

Ankit Dedha (9999938784), Surbhi Diwedi (9987808167), Naved Khan (7905177343), Sunny Mehta (9872960887).

Pulwama Gunfight: Two Militants Killed, Bodies Recovered Amid Ongoing Searches

noreply@blogger.com (Saber Qadri) — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 06:36:00 +0000

Srinagar, Feb 18: Two militants were killed in an ongoing operation at Pingleena area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Monday.

Four soldiers including an officer of Major rank were killed and three other soldiers were injured in the encounter. A civilian Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat (46) has also been killed during the exchange of gunfight.

Official sources told that two militants were killed in the operation so far.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police South Kashmir range Amit Kumar told that two militants were killed in the operation.

He said that the bodies of the slain militants have been recovered along with as many weapons and other warlike stores.

He said that the identity and group affiliation of the slain militants are being ascertained.

DIG further said that the searches in the area is still underway to find out if there is any more militant body.

A police officer earlier said that the gunfight broke out today morning after a joint team of army’s 55 RR, SOG and CRPF launched a cordon-and-search operation following a “credible inputs” about the presence of two to three militants in the area.

Kashmiri doctor claims he was asked to leave Kolkata or face "dire consequences"

noreply@blogger.com (Saber Qadri) — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 05:19:00 +0000

Kolkata, Feb 18: A Kashmiri doctor, who has been living in Kolkata for 22 years, has claimed that he has been asked to leave the city or face "dire consequences" following the Pulwama terror strike that claimed the lives of 40 CRPF men. The doctor, however, has decided to stay put after the West Bengal government came to his rescue.

The doctor, who did not wish to be named, said he was heckled but he had not paid much heed to the threats he had received initially. However, his concern grew when some men gathered outside his residence and threatened to harm his daughter unless he "returned to Pakistan". On February 15, a day after the Pulwama attack, five men aged between 20 and 25 years came to his house after he returned home from his chamber, the doctor said, adding that they asked him to leave the city immediately and "go back to Pakistan as Kashmiris have no place in this country".

"I was heckled by those men and threatened with dire consequences. Initially, I ignored those threats as I had never faced such a situation here in 22 years. The next morning, while I was leaving for my hospital, I again saw those men standing outside my house. They threatened me and said If I did not leave the city, my daughter would pay a heavy price," he said. The doctor admitted that this time the threats sounded more serious and he even made up his mind to leave. However, before preparing to leave the city that he grew so fond of, the doctor tried reaching the West Bengal government as a last resort.

"I decided to inform Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee regarding the incident through social media platforms and posted a message on Facebook. I also left a message on the chief minister's Facebook page," he said. The next day, the doctor received a call from the chairperson of the West Bengal State Commission for Protection of Child Rights. The official assured him of all help, he said. When PTI contacted Ananya Chakraborti, Chairperson of the West Bengal State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, she said all steps were taken to ensure that the doctor's family did not face any difficulty.

"I had called the doctor after I came to know about his Facebook post. I told him not to worry and everything will be taken care of. Police protection has been provided to the family," she said. The doctor and his family were provided with round-the-clock police protection, Chakraborti said, adding that officers of nearby police station were calling him regularly to ensure his well being. "Initially, after the threat, I had decided to go back to Kashmir. But after receiving support from my neighbours and the administration, I have decided to stay back. The kind of love and respect I have received in Kolkata is unimaginable," the doctor said.

JKCSECC Asks Employees To Attend Families First, Rather Than Duties Amid Attacks On Kashmiris

noreply@blogger.com (Saber Qadri) — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 05:00:00 +0000

Srinagar, Feb 18: Amid fresh attacks on Kashmiris, JK Civil Secretariat Employees Coordination Committee Chairman on Monday asked employees to take care of their families first and not to attend offices today.

“Employees are requested to take care of their families first at their respective residences rather than attend offices,” JK Civil Secretariat Employees Coordination Committee Chairman (JKCSECC) Ghulam Rasool Mir in a statement issued to GNS said.

Last night, Kashmiris quarters at Subash Nagar Toph Sheer Khan were attacked by the frenzied mobs amid” so-called curfew” and despite the assurances by the administration to ensure their security.

Mir condemned the continuous attacks on quarters and damaging properties and vehicles belonging to Kashmiris.

“The unabated attacks are highly condemnable, very unfortunate and total failure on part of the government,” he had said, adding that there are brazen attempts to damage the communal harmony and brotherhood and the administration must swing into action as early as possible to ensure that such attacks are stopped instantly and that life and property of the Kashmiris and other innocents are protected,” he said.

Since Friday, there was widespread violence in which nearly 50 vehicles belonging to a particular community were reduced to ashes while more than 60 vehicles were damaged during a strike called by the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industries and Bar Association in the state’s winter capital against Thursday’s attack on CRPF in Lethpora Pulwama in south Kashmir.

The curfew was imposed by district magistrate from Friday afternoon.

Passenger traffic up at Srinagar airport

noreply@blogger.com (Saber Qadri) — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 04:44:00 +0000

Srinagar, Feb 18: Srinagar Airport saw a significant increase in passenger traffic in the year gone by, basis which there is expectation that advertising at this airport will generate more business in the current year, the recent political disturbances notwithstanding. According to recent AAI data, in 2018, 28.9 lakh passengers transited at the Srinagar airport for both domestic and international flights, an 18% jump over 2017 passenger traffic data, and the flights increased by 12% in the same period. The authority is planning to build a new terminal at this airport to handle the increasing passenger traffic. Night landing facility has also been created at the airport.

Pertinent to note that the ad rights at Srinagar Airport are handled by Orango Solutions which has built some landmark sites at the airport for brands to showcase their products and services such as a 100 feet tall hoarding, one of its kind videowalls with 16 TV of 55 inches synced together, and a border-less pillar wrap format.

Rain, snowfall likely to occur for next 48 hours in Jammu-Kashmir

noreply@blogger.com (Saber Qadri) — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 04:39:00 +0000

Srinagar, Feb 18: Rain and snowfall is likely in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday and Tuesday after the minimum temperatures across the region improved following a nightlong cloud cover. Light to moderate rain and snowfall is likely to occur for the next 48 hours. It was 0.4 degree Celsius here on the day as the minimum temperature rose above freezing point in the valley.

In Pahalgam and Gulmarg the minimum was minus 0.5 and minus 4.5 degrees Celsius, respectively. In Ladakh, Leh was at minus 5.9, Kargil minus 13 and Drass minus 10.6 degrees. Jammu recorded 10.6, Katra 8.2, Batote 0.3, Bannihal 1.4 and Bhaderwah was at 1.1 degrees Celsius.

Kamal Haasan bats for plebiscite in Kashmir, asks what government is 'scared of'

noreply@blogger.com (Saber Qadri) — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 04:33:00 +0000

Chennai, Feb 18: Actor-turned-politician Kamal Hassan, on Monday, asked why the government was not holding a plebiscite in Kashmir and questioned what the government was 'afraid of'. Referring to Pakistan Administered Kashmir (PAK) as 'Azad Kashmir', Haasan said that if India wanted to prove that it is a 'better country', then it should 'not behave like this'. He said this in reference to the situation in Kashmir. Haasan was being asked to comment on the Pulwama suicide attack, by Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist, which resulted in the death of 40 CRPF jawans.

"I truly regret when people say army men are going to Kashmir to die. The army itself is an old fashioned thing. Like how the world changed, How we decided that humans will not kill each other for food, likewise a time will come to stop fighting. Has the civilisation not learnt this in the past 10 years?" Haasan said while addressing a gathering in Chennai.

"When I was running a magazine called 'Maiyam' I have written about Kashmir issue and what is expected. I mourn this day because I forecasted that this is what will happen, unfortunately, I should have predicted something else. Hold plebiscite and make people talk...why have they not conducted it? What are they scared of? They want to divide the nation that's all. Why don't you ask them again? They won't do it? Now it (Kashmir) belongs to India, the same situation prevails across the border," Haasan said on being questioned about the Pulwama terror attack on CRPF convoy in which 40 jawans lost their lives.

"In Azad Kashmir, they are using Jihadi's pictures in trains to portray them as heroes, that is also a foolish thing to do. India also behaves with an equal amount of foolishness, it's not fair. If we want to prove that India is a far better country, then we should not behave like this. There begins the politics, there begins the new political culture," he further said.

Pulwama Gunfight: Civilian Succumbs, Fresh Exchange Of Firing Resumes

noreply@blogger.com (Saber Qadri) — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 04:24:00 +0000

Srinagar, Feb 18: A civilian who was injured critically during the encounter on Monday wee hours, succumbed to injuries, even as a fresh exchange of gunfight was reported at the site of gunfight after a several hours lull at Pingleena area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

A police officer told that the civilian Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat (46) suffered critical injuries during the exchange of gunfight succumbed to injuries.

The officer also confirmed that the fresh exchange of gunfight resumed after more than three hours lull at the encounter site.

He said that the operation is still going on in the area.

Four armymen including a major died and another was injured during the initial exchange of gunfight.

The gunfight broke out today morning after a joint team of army’s 55 RR, SOG and CRPF launched a cordon-and-search operation following a “credible inputs” about the presence of two to three militants in the area.

Saudi Arabia signs deals worth $20 bn with Pakistan

noreply@blogger.com (Saber Qadri) — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 04:06:00 +0000

Riyadh, Feb 18: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday signed with Pakistan eight agreements worth $20 billion, the media reported.

One of the agreements is about Saudi Arabia's Aramco-run refinery in the Pakistani port of Gwadar, one of the world's largest refineries, at a value of $10 billion, Xinhua reported citing the Al Arabiya TV.

"Pakistan is a dear country to the Saudi people and we will be partners as we have always been," Al Arabiya quoted the Saudi Crown Prince as saying.

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are working together to expand economic partnership, particularly in the tourism sector, he added.

The Crown Prince is currently on a two-day official visit to Pakistan, the first leg of his Asian tour, starting Sunday.

He is scheduled to visit India and China later.

Day 4: Curfew continues in Jammu

noreply@blogger.com (Saber Qadri) — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 04:02:00 +0000

Jammu, Feb 18: The curfew in Jammu continued on Monday for the fourth consecutive day with authorities likely to take a decision on its relaxation later.

"The curfew that was imposed on February 15 in Jammu city will continue today," the police said.

"A decision on its relaxation will be taken later in the day."

The police said that no untoward incident occurred anywhere in the city on Sunday night.

The curfew was imposed after miscreants torched vehicles and damaged several others carrying number plates of the Kashmir Valley in protest against the February 14 terror attack in Pulwama that killed 49 CRPF troopers.

Mobile Internet services also remained suspended in Jammu.

Jammu-Srinagar highway to open for one-way traffic

noreply@blogger.com (Saber Qadri) — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 03:50:00 +0000

Jammu, Feb 18: The strategic Jammu-Srinagar highway is slated to open for one-way traffic on Monday, according to a traffic department official.

“Traffic moved from Srinagar to Jammu yesterday (Sunday). But many vehicles are yet to cross the Ramsoo-Ramban stretch of the highway,” the official said.

“After these vehicles cross the Ramsoo-Ramban stretch, one-way traffic will be allowed from Jammu to Srinagar today.”

The 300-km long national highway that links the landlocked Kashmir Valley to other regions was restored on February 15 for traffic.