Author: snskashmir

SRINAGAR FEBRUARY 08 :

Nearly 100 Kashmiri youths, who travelled to Pakistan on valid visas for short durations, have either not come back or have disappeared after their return in last three years, raising an alarm within security agencies which fear that they could be possible sleeper cells of militant groups operating from across the border.

Alarm bells rang in April last year when a group of five militants were killed in jungles of the border area of Handwara in North Kashmir. One of them was a local who went to Pakistan in 2018 and had not returned since, various officials from security agencies said.

Between April one to six of last year, youths hailing from Shopian, Kulgam and Anantnag districts of South Kashmir were seen as part of the infiltrating groups of militants and all of them had travelled to Pakistan on valid documents and never returned thereafter, they said.

Security agencies, along with the immigration officials at Wagah border as well as at the New Delhi airport, have been collecting data of Kashmiri youths who travelled on valid visa for durations ranging more than seven days over the last three years, the officials said.

The figures were astonishing and in some of the cases it was found that the youths never returned and in others they disappeared after their return, raising speculation that they could have become ‘sleeper cells’, waiting for instructions from the masters in Pakistan’s snooping agency, ISI, or handlers in militant groups located across the border.

Kashmiri youths, who travelled to Pakistan even two years back, were called for questioning and a proper analysis of their activities after their return was being carried out by the security agencies, the officials said, adding some inconvenience was caused but precaution was always better than cure.

Those questioned by the security agencies were asked a valid reason for their travel to Pakistan, the officials said, adding that the background history of all these people was checked and verified at the minutest level.

While the security agencies believe that there was a six weeks’ training course for new militant recruits, intelligence inputs suggest that some of the youths were provided a quick module of fabrication of improvised explosive devices using easily available explosive material within a week’s time, they said.

The recruitment of youths for various militant organisations is also being carried out discreetly and it is quite possible these youths could also be doubling as ‘recruiters’ for brain-washing of vulnerable men in the militancy affected union territory.

The missing youth are mainly from an average middle class and have been described as the new faces of militancy in Kashmir. They could be waiting for delivery of arms and ammunition for all of them which has been substantially been choked due to heightened surveillance at the Line of Control, they said. (PTI)

Highest iconic flag of 100 feet is being put up in Kashmir which will be the first of it’s kind at Gulmarg. 

SNS KASHMIR

GULMARG, FEBRUARY 07 :

The Indian Army Sunday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the solar industry as part of the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” and placed an order of 1 million multi-mode hand grenade at Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.  

Signing the MoU in Gulmarg, GoC Dagger Division, Virender Vats and representing officer from solar industry India, Ramit Arora, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) unfurled the replica of Kashmir’s heights flag to be installed in Gulmarg and showcased an Indian made multi-mode hand grenade set to replace the old one.

While presenting a replica of the Indian flag, Amit Arora of the solar industry said that the highest iconic flag of 100 feet is being put up in Kashmir which will be the first of it’s kind at Gulmarg. 

“Besides this, the solar industry under the Atmanirbhar Bharat is making ammunition for the Indian Army, and the first to come out is a hand grenade, which is also the first of its kind,” he said.

He said that the multi-mode hand grenade will replace the vintage hand grenade. Arora said that the Army so far have used the vintage grenades (Grenade-36) of the first world war and now under the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission, the solar industry will produce the exclusive grenades.

“The first consignment order placed by the Indian Army is of 1 million multi-mode hand grenades, the production of which will commence from this month only,” he said.

Arora told KNO that the Army approached them and wanted to make a symbolic and iconic flag that will be the first of its kind in many ways.

“This a very noble endeavour as this will be dedicated to the people of Kashmir and the people of India.”

Notably, the Indian army is organising the first 2021 winter festival in Gulmarg and on the occasion, GoC Dagger Division, Bollywood celebrities, police officers, and other officials were present—(KNO)

SNS KASHMIR

 GULMARG 07 FEBRUARY :

A mega cultural extravaganza marked by presence of Bollywood stars was witnessed among the snow claded mountains of Gulmarg.
 The programme was organised by Indian Army along with the J&K Tourism Department to provide a platform to the local youths to showcase their talents.

The two days extravaganza was full of adventure activities & the highlight were Skiing, Snow mobile, ATV race & Snow cycling. Apart from this cultural performances by renowned artists of Kashmir mesmerised  the audience with their spell bound performances. Display of local cuisines & handicrafts made the event more than perfect, according to KNS correspondent.

The bollywood stars including Arbaaz Khan along with Vidya Balan supported the efforts of Indian Army & inspired the local talents.
Other notable artists who made this event a mega success  were Altmash Faridi, Aabid Aly, Shafi Sopori, Zubair Khan, Waseem Ahmed & Umer Rockband.

The event was organised after two years & aptly announced the re-opening of Kashmir to the world, officials said.
“Indian Army has always maintained a great connect with the local people & this is yet another instance of Army supporting the aspirations of Awaam for a future of hope, prosperity & peace in the valley. The event is likely to provide a fillip to the tourism in the valley & support the Kashmiri people whose livelihood has been impacted adversely due to COVID pandemic,” they addedm

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by the Chief Guest Major General Virendra Vats,Baramulla Division, where he congratulated everyone involved in the historic event & assured that Indian Army is committed towards endorsing the progress & prosperity of people of valley & will continue supporting the dreams & aspirations of all Kashmiri in all possible manner.(KNS)

SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY 7 :

Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today criticised the authorties for slapping FIR against a person for demanding body of his son.

According to KNS correspondent, Mehbooba in a tweet said, ” After losing his son in an alleged fake encounter, Athar Mushtaq’s father has been slapped with an FIR for demanding his dead body. His crime was to stage a peaceful protest. The inhabitants of Naya Kashmir can’t even question a callous admin & have been reduced to living corpses.” (KNS)

SNS KASHMIR

JAMMU FEBRUARY :

Asserting that Jammu has always remained a target of Pakistan and its agencies, Director General of Police Dilbag Singh on Sunday said militants are planning to set up their hideouts here to receive arms and ammunition from across the border and smuggle it to Kashmir.

However, the Jammu and Kashmir Police is alert to the challenge, he added.

Singh said the arrest of Lashker-e-Mustafa chief from the Kunjwani area of Jammu on Saturday reflects the determination of the force to scuttle the nefarious designs of the neighbouring country sponsoring militants and drugs in the union territory.

“Jammu has always remained a target of Pakistan, its sponsored militant outfits, ISI and the agencies running militancy in J&K. In the past, religious places were repeatedly targeted and a grenade attack had taken place on a temple in Rajouri in the recent past.

“Police have got inputs and are taking action (to foil any attempt to disturb peace and harm the communal harmony),” the police chief told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

Singh said the recently floated Lashkar-e-Mustafa is an offshoot of the Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit and majority of its members were arrested in Kashmir or Jammu.

“The questioning of its commander (who was arrested in Jammu city on Saturday) is going on and his disclosure suggests that they wanted to spread militancy to Jammu and set up hideouts so that they can dump the arms and ammunition received from Pakistan before smuggling to Kashmir or any other place,” he said.

The DGP said he was happy that the police arrested the militant on time and the plan was thwarted.

“The Jammu as well as Kashmir police are working in coordination and are ready to face any challenge with determination…We have a cent percent success rate in the cases where police seized arms and ammunition and drugs which were airdropped by drones or smuggled by other means,” he said.

Singh said Pakistan is playing with the lives of the youth by luring them into militancy, using drugs to ruin their lives and also smuggling contraband to use the money for militants.

“All these three things are happening together from Pakistan. The menace of drugs is a major challenge as it is well organised with the support and sponsorship of Pakistan,” he said.

The DGP said both Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab share borders with Pakistan and remain the target for drug trafficking.

“We have seen the recovery of a truck-load of 685 kgs of drugs at Attari border in Punjab in recent times. BSF also seized the biggest haul of drugs when it recovered 66 kgs of narcotic substance from the Arnia sector of J&K.

“We have successfully foiled repeated drug smuggling attempts in Kupwara and Baramulla in north Kashmir and Poonch, Rajouri and Samba in Jammu region. Police have gone all out against the menace and have managed to seize the contraband being smuggled out of J&K,” he said.

However, he said, there are various modes of transportation and chances are that a few consignments might have reached their destinations after escaping the vigilant forces.

“We all have to come together to continue our fight against the menace with more vigour,” he said.

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY 7 :

Eleven travelers and a CRPF trooper were 59 new covid-19 cases even as there was no death reported in Jammu and Kashmir in the last 24 hours, the officials said on Sunday.

Among the fresh cases, 13 were from Jammu and Udhampur districts besides 46 from seven districts in Kashmir Valley, taking the total case tally to 124909, the officials told GNS. In all, 11 out of 20 districts in J&K reported zero cases.

The districts which reported cases include Srinagar 22, Baramulla 2, Bufgam 6, Anantnag 7, Bandipora 2, Kulgam2, Jammu 8 and Udhampur 5, they said.
A number of these cases were confirmed at diagnostic laboratories of CD hospital, SKIMS Soura and GMC Anantnag.

The CD cases include male (60) from Budgam, male (29) from Sopore, two males (25, 32) and two females (33, 28) from Lal Bazar, female (17) from Umer Colony, male (23) from Nowshera, female (10) from Zadibal, female (60) and male (30) from Botakadal, male (32) from Nagbal, female (30) from Dragnad, female (40) from Thamnu, female (30) from Yader, male (10) from Khalil, male (35) from Safakadal, male (23) from Bemina, male (18) from Magarmal Bagh, female (53) from Bemina, two males (25, 38) from Lalbazar, male (32) from Soura, female (60) from Nigeen, female (NA) from Tankipora Srinagar.

The SKIMS cases include male (55) from Zabgullah Budgam, male (50) from CRPF’s Humhama Camp Srinagar, female (28) from Manasbal Ganderbal, female (85) from Saloora Ganderbal, male (65) from Hyderpora, male (40) from Nowshera and male (70) from Hafizbagh Srinagar.

The GMC Anantnag cases include male (25) from Wani Mohalla Anantnag, female (20) from Mattan, male (80) from Pinjoora, female (38) from Wupzan.

Moreover, they said, 60 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and were discharged from various hospitals— 12 from Jammu Division and 48 from Kashmir. (GNS)

JAMMU:7 FEBRUARY 2021,

A day after Lashker-e-Mustafa (LeM) chief and his associate were arrested in two separate operations here, police on Sunday arrested two house owners who have rented their premises without verification to them, officials said.

Hidayatullah Malik alias Hasnain, an ”A” category terrorist from Shopian district, was arrested from a private car from the Kunjwani area on the outskirts of Jammu on Saturday. Later his associate Nazir Ahmad, also a resident of Shopian, was arrested from Bathindi area of the city.

“A police team conducted verification of tenants (Malik) and Ahmed who were staying in the houses of Nazir Bhat and Farooq Ahmed at Sanjwan, respectively. Both the owners have neither informed police nor conducted any verification in police station (before providing them accommodation in their homes),” a police spokesperson said.

He said the owners have violated a notification issued by the District Magistrate Jammu on September 24, 2019, wherein it was made mandatory to inform police station concerned about a tenant.

“Both the accused were arrested and booked separately,” he said, adding further investigation is on(PTI)

Five injured after haystack caught fire in Sultan Daki  

Property and belongings worth lakhs reduced to ashes, administration announced cash relief of Rs 30,000 to two victim families

Reyaz Rashid

Baramulla: A double story residential house and a cowshed was gutted and property worth lakhs of rupees was reduced to ashes when fire broke out in Tantary Mohalla Boniyar in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district during the intervening night Saturday and Sunday.

Witnesses said that fire engulfed double story residential joint residential house of Abdul Ahad Tantray and Tariq Ahmad Tantary when the families were  asleep late last night in which the house was completely destroyed and goods worth lakhs of rupees was turned into ashes.

“Fire broke out from the trace of our joint residential whouse which spread to the entire house in jiffy causing huge damage.  As we tried to extinguish the fire but it went out of control, reducing the entire house and goods worth lakhs of rupees into ashes besides the fire spread to nearby cowshed,” said house owner Abdul Ahad Tantray father of Tariq Ahmad.

Soon after the fire broke out, locals were joined by police and fire service men to douse the fire flames.“Army’s 25 Punjab, Fire tenders of CISF and Fire and Emergency Department jointly  brought the fire under control and  preventing it to spread to adjoining houses,” locals said.

According to prima-facie the cause of fire seems to be short circuit, however further investigations taken up.

Meanwhile, the DC also announced cash relief of Rs 30,000 each out of the district red cross fund for the two victim families and directed Revenue officials to prepare the records under Rules for Ex-gratia Relief admissible under Rules.

District Administration Baramulla has provided an immediate relief among the victims whose residential house was  gutted in the fire incident during the intervening night of 5th & 6th February. The relief,  apart from some essential commodities, include blankets, tents and other relief items of daily use.

In this connection, a team of officers/officials headed by SDM Uri visited the spot so as to assess the damages due to the fire incident.

Meanwhile, the DC also announced cash relief of Rs 15,000 each out of the district red cross fund for the two victim families. Further he has directed Revenue officials to prepare the records under Rules for Ex-gratia Relief admissible under Rules. 

It is worth here to mention that two residential houses including a cowshed in Boniyar were gutted in a fire incident that occurred early morning at around 4:00 am.

People of the area has appreciated the prompt response of district administration and expressed gratitude for providing the immediate relief.

Meanwhile, five persons were injured after massive fire broke out in haystack in Sultan Dhaki Uri of north Kashmir’s Baramulla.

The injured were identified as  Sajid Ahmad son of Abdul Razak Sheik, Abdul Rasheed son of Abdul Kareem Turk, Roshi Begum wife of Abdul Kareem, Wahid Ahmad son Abdul Rasheed and Mafad Ahmad son of Younis Ahmad Mir.

“All were shifted to SDH, Uri for the treatment where from Sajad Ahmad who got serious burn injured was referred to GMC Baramulla,” said an official.

Soon after the incident, police, army and volunteers rushed to the spot to douse the fire.

Candidates engaged under Rehbar-e-Khel 2017 Scheme, needed to be acknowledged

Jammu February 07 : – Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee, Vice President, G. M Saroori has urged upon the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri. Manoj Sinha and his administration, that the services of Rehbar-e-Khel Physical Education Teachers should be regularised who are working in Youth Services and Sport Department, saying placing them in probation for seven years on paltry remuneration is gross injustice and against the principle of equal work, equal pay.

As per the statement issued to SNS Kashmir Saroori expressed solidarity and concern with a deputation of All J&K Rehbar-e-Khel Teachers Forum, which called on him, and described their services in promotion of sports and overall physical growth of school-goers as significant, adding that the candidates engaged under Rehbar-e-Khel Scheme in 2017 in terms of a Cabinet Decision, is needed to be acknowledged.

He described as illogical the paltry monthly remuneration of Rs 3000 per Rehbar-e-Sehat for the first two years of the probation and Rs 4,000 for another four years probation, saying that this is even lesser than the per day minimum wages as well.

Saroori said engagement of 3,000 such workers under the Rehbar-e-Khel Scheme has made almost equal numbers of families suffer during these times of recession, as pulling on life on such meager wages is incomprehensible. These appointees deserve all the compassion and care, especially for the role they were playing towards the growth of the younger generation, he added.

J&K Congress Vice President urged the administration to consider the demands of the Rehbar-e-Khel workers, who are not performing lesser than the Physical Education Teachers by studying the prevalent pay-structure model in various parts of the country. He said these demands deserve consideration keeping in view the recent course correction in SRO 202 whereunder the probation period has been significantly reduced. Similar logic should be applied to these workers, he said, adding that by regularizing their services they should be placed in the same mode as that of Physical Education Teachers.

Prominent among those present in the deputation included Raja Shafeeq Ahmed, Adil Iqbal, Firdous Rather, Abid Hussain Malik, Mudassir Mir, Nasir Ali and Irshad Iqbal.

SNS KASHMIR

Srinagar, Feb 7: Provincial Commissioner Kashmir Pandorang Pole has said that the details of annual property returns of all revenue employees of the Valley have been made public. 

Te commissioner’s provincial Kashmir PK Pole said that the details of property returns of all employees of the finance department for the year 2020 has been  uploaded on the Kashmirdivision.nic.in website. 

” Access to these details is available at the Employees Corner link, where scanned copies of the property returns of all employees are available district-wise,” he said.

 In this regard, the Provincial Commissioner issued necessary instructions to the concerned persons to ensure that employees submit details of their movable and immovable property. “Instructions were issued to all Tehsildars and  the Home Department who will present the details of the annual returns of the employees of the Revenue Department including the Deputy Tehsildars, Gurdwaras, Patwaris, Junior Assistants and all other officials to the offices of the concerned Deputy Commissioners,” officials said.
 “Details should be submitted to the Divisional Office and uploaded on the official website accordingly,” he said.
The Commissioner said that any employee who failed to submit the details would be considered as non-compliance with the government orders and action will be taken.