Shaharbeen News Service Kashmir is a news service which covers, gathers, writes, and distributes news to newspapers, periodicals, radio and television broadcasters, government agencies, and other users. We at SNS Kashmir believe in fair and independent journalism to inform our masses or subscribers and readers about the happenings around the world. The prime focus of the news gathering and reporting is focused on Jammu and Kashmir state.
At least five people were killed and dozens more wounded in an attack on Aden airport, shortly after a plane carrying a newly formed government for Yemen arrived from Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, a local security source told Reuters.
Loud blasts and gunfire were heard at the airport shortly after the plane arrived, witnesses said.
The cabinet members including Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik, as well as Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Said al-Jaber, were transferred safely to the city’s presidential palace, the witnesses and Saudi media said.
A local security source said three mortar shells landed on the airport’s hall.
The newly formed cabinet unites the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi with southern separatists. The two groups are the main Yemeni factions in a southern-based, Saudi-backed alliance, fighting against the Iran-aligned Houthi movement that controls the north.
Saudi state television Ekhbaria showed destroyed vehicles and smashed glass. Plumes of white smoke rose from the scene.
The southern port city of Aden has been mired in violence because of a rift between the separatists and Hadi’s government. The separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC), which seeks independence for south Yemen, declared self rule in Aden earlier this year, triggering violent clashes and complicating U.N. efforts to forge a permanent ceasefire in the overall conflict.
The Saudi-led coalition announced earlier this month the new power-sharing cabinet that would include the separatists.
The cabinet landed from Riyadh where both parties negotiated for more than a year with Saudi mediation. (Reuters)
Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party leader Waheed Ur Rehman Para allegedly paid Rs 10 lakh to militant outfit Hizb-ul-Mujahideen to ensure its support ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, an investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is said to have found, reported The Indian Express.
The Central agency arrested Para in November, just ahead of the District Development Council (DDC) polls in J&K, in connection with its probe into suspended DySP Davinder Singh’s links with the Hizbul.
Parra, who won the polls from his constituency in Pulwama, is currently in jail.
When contacted, Para’s lawyer T N Raina declined to comment on this specific NIA claim. But in his bail application filed before the NIA special court in Jammu earlier this month, Para denied all allegations of Hizbul links and suggested he was being framed “for settling political scores with a political party”.
Quoting sources newspaper The Indian Express reported that the money was allegedly delivered to Hizbul operative Syed Mushtaq Naveed alias Naveed Babu through Davinder Singh.
The former J&K police officer had allegedly received the money at Srinagar airport — where he was posted then — and had carried the same hidden in a tiffin box, said the report.
Davinder Singh was arrested on January 11, 2020, travelling in his Hyundai i10 car with Naveed Babu, Hizbul district commander for Shopian and Ganderbal; and Hizbul operative Rafi Ahmed Dar.
LoC trader Tanveer Ahmed Wani; advocate Irfan Shafi Mir and Naveed’s brother Syed Irfan Ahmad were later arrested by NIA once the case was transferred to it.
In its chargesheet filed against the accused in July, NIA alleged that Singh had been providing shelter to Hizbul militants and was aiding and abetting their activities at the behest of Pakistan.
“In February 2019, when Naveed Babu and Mir were staying in a hideout allegedly provided by Davinder Singh in Jammu, Mir allegedly called Para over Signal for financial assistance to help Hizbul,” The Indian Express quoted sources as saying.
“Mir and Para have known each other for a long time. Mir told Para that Rs 10 lakh was required for purchase of five AK-47 rifles for Hizbul. Para agreed but put a condition that Hizbul would not create any trouble ahead of the polls and that the outfit would take care of his workers in Pulwama. He also sought Hizbul’s support for the polls,” the newspaper quoted an NIA officer as having said.
Following this, the job of coordinating the deal was given to Davinder Singh who called Para on his phone on February 18, 2019, NIA sources said according to report. He also received calls from Para during this period.
In March that year, Para allegedly sent a man with Rs 10 lakh in an envelope to Srinagar airport where Singh was then posted.
“Singh received the money and asked one of his assistants to put the same in a tiffin box and keep it in his car. It was later delivered to Naveed Babu,” The Indian Express quoted the officer as having said.
Investigators have cited confessional statements of Mir and Naveed Babu to support their case along with recorded statements of independent witnesses including those who allegedly saw the money being delivered to Davinder Singh.
In his bail application, Para said that NIA has nothing but confessional statements of accused – and these cannot be considered as evidence. The application has claimed that Para was called for questioning in June as well but was let off after NIA “felt satisfied” of his innocence.
“It is only the announcement of DDC elections, which PDP and in particular, applicant-accused, is contesting, that NIA is being used as a tool for wrecking political vengeance against PDP, that the applicant was suddenly arrested on concoction and allegations which the NIA knows, are false,” the application said.
NIA sources said Para was not arrested in June as the probe against him had not been completed.
The NIA chargesheet against Singh and others claimed that the former police officer was well-entrenched in the Hizbul network providing its operatives shelter and weapons which were later used for militant activities, reported The Indian Express.
Families of three persons claimed to be militants killed in an encounter with joint team of police and security forces at Hokersar in city outskirts of Srinagar staged a protest, asserting that they were innocents.
“Yesterday at 10 a.m., he had tea with me and I swear about it. I don’t know where he was brought down from Sumo. Is this what is going to happen in Kashmir. Is this democracy? Is this the governor Raj? Kill me. Why you killed him. He was a student,” said Bashir Ahmad Ganie, grandfather of Aijaz Maqbool, one of the slain.
“Why was he killed? Was he a terrorist?” he asked, adding, “(Aijaz) is the son of a policeman Mohammad Maqbool Ganie who is posted in Ganderbal,” the elderly man told reporters outside PCR here as per GNS. “Tell us why our son was killed. If they don’t, let them send task force and kill us all at home,” the elderly man said.
Besides, Aijaz Mushtaq from Putrigam Pulwama, families of two others—Ather Mushtaq Wani (class 11th student as per family) son of Mushtaq Ahmad Wani from Bellow Pulwama and Zubair Ahmad Lone (carpenter) from Turkewagan Shopain—also protested and claimed they are innocents. Police could not be immediately contacted for the comments even as on twitter it said that three militants were killed in the gunfight. The names were revealed by the families and have not been officially revealed by the police so far.
Reportedly also, bodies of all three have been taken to Baramulla for burial with their family members allowed to participate in their last rites. (GNS)
Says inputs about militant movement on Sgr-Baramulla highway were continuously pouring in, militants choosing Sgr outskirts for attacks to gain maximum publicity, identity of slain trio yet to be ascertained, will not allow militants to disrupt Jan 26 functions
GoC Kilo Force H S Sahi (file photo )
SNS KASHMIR
SRINAGAR, DECEMBER 30 :
General officer Commanding (GoC) Kilo Force H S Sahi Wednesday said that three militants killed in an encounter at Lawaypora on Srinagar outskirts were planning a big strike on the highway to gain publicity.
He, however, said that the identity and affiliation of the slain trio is yet to be known as police is trying to find out to which outfit they belonged to. Addressing a joint press conference at 2 RR headquarters at Zainakote, HMT, Srinagar, GoC Kilo Force said that in the past one week, five militants including a Pakistani national were killed in two separate gunfights in north Kashmir.
“Since past many days, intelligence inputs were pouring in continuously about the movement of militants on the Srinagar-Baramulla highway. Yesterday, we developed leads and came to know that militants are hiding in a house right opposite to Noora hospital at Lawaypora in HMT area,” Sahi said as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO)
He said that when the presence of militants got established, army’s 2 RR, Police and the CRPF repeated asked them to surrender. “The militants fired indiscriminately at security forces and lobbed grenades as well. The operation was put on a halt due to dark but cordon layers were tightened. With the first light the firefight again resumed and militant used heavy ammunition against security forces,” the GoC said, adding that in the ensuing gunfight three militants were killed.
“This was a clean operation and there was no causality to the security forces,” said GoC Sahi, who was flanked by commander 10 sector RR Naresh Mishra and SP West Shehzad Saliar besides other officials of army and police.
“The operation ended at 11:30 am. The bodies of three slain were retrieved and police is identifying them,” he said. Asked whether it was clear to which outfit they belonged to, he said: “So far it is not clear. It is been an hour only since the encounter ended, police is verifying their identity and affiliation,” he said.
To a query why militants are choosing Srinagar outskirts, he said: “Militants choose Srinagar outskirts or highways to carry out attacks on security forces to get maximum publicity. The nature of ammunition used by the militants in today’s gunfight, suggests they were planning a big strike on the highway.”
He said that another reason why militants choose Srinagar outskirts is because the area has congested locality, lanes, and by-lanes, “they perhaps feel, these areas are safe heaven for them.” “But our intelligence grid is very strong and will not allow to carry out any major strike in these areas. January 26 is coming and they may try to play some mischief, but we are alert and will foil their all plans.”
Asked whether the operation has been called off, the army officer said that the encounter has ended and the traffic that was divert is also being allowed to ply on the road again. Meanwhile, a police officer told KNO that one Ak-47 riffle, two pistols and a few grenades were recovered from the slain militants—(KNO)
Newly elected Sarpanches and Panches were administered oath today by the concerned Block Development Officers in Kupwara district. This was followed after 13 District Development Council members took oath at Town Hall Kupwara on Monday this week after registering their victory in recent maiden DDC election. According to District Panchayat Officer (DPO), Kupwara, Shujaat Qureshi, 32 Sarpanchs and 763 Panchs took oath at concerned Block Headquarter after registering their success in recently held Panchayat by election. It was informed by the DPO that 37 membered District Development Council (Zila Panchayat) consist now 13 DDC members and 24 BDC chairpersons who shall work for the development of the district. Besides, all 24 Block Development Councils of the district consist 24 BDC chairpersons and 384 sarpanch members. Moreover, 384 Halqa Panchayats will be run by 384 Sarpanchs and 3136 Panchs at village level. It was also informed that one Sarpanch and 25 Panch seats shall remain vacant. Pertinent to mention here, counting for one DDC constituency of the district has been withheld by State Election Commission, earlier.
Three militant were killed in an overnight encounter in Hokarsar area of Central Kashmir’s Srinagar district district.
Inspector General of Police Kashmir Vijay Kumar told GNS that all three militant have been killed in the operation. However Indentity of militant couldn’t be established as of now.
The encounter resumed this morning after being suspended for night due to darkness.
Yesterday, Reports reaching GNS that a joint team of Police, army’s 02 RR and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in Hokarsar .
As the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the forces, triggering off an gunfight.(GNS)
A team of Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK), wing of Jammu and Kashmir police Wednesday carried out raids at different locations including the residence of PDP youth president Waheed Para in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that CIK sleuths accompanied by a team of CRPF and Police are conducting searches at different locations in the district.
He added that residence of PDP leader Waheed ur Rehman Para besides other locations are being searched.
The official said that searches are being conducted in connection with some bank transactions, Hawala money and Pakistan trade connections.
He said that further details about this will be shared once searches conclude—(KNO)
One militant has been killed in an ongoing overnight encounter in Hokarsar area of Central Kashmir’s Srinagar district district.
A senior police officer told GNS that one militant has been killed so far in the ongoing encounter. However Indentity of militant couldn’t be established as of now.
The officer further said that the operation was suspended due to darkness as there is always chance of collateral damage. The cordon around the place where militants were hiding was strengthened so that there is no chance for militants to escape.
Yesterday, Reports reaching GNS that a joint team of Police, army’s 02 RR and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in Hokarsar .
As the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the forces, triggering off an gunfight.(GNS)
Police today claimed to have arrested the militant associate of outfit The Resistance Front in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
In a statement issued here, police said that based on specific input that there will be some movement of militants/OGWs on Baramulla-Handwara highway, a joint NAKA comprising of Police Baramulla & SF was established near Jehlum Stadium within the jurisdiction of Police station Baramulla.
At about 1800 hours, a Maruti Alto car bearing No JK05G 1675 was moving from Baramulla towards Handwara. On seeing the Naka, the driver tried to flee.
This action seemed suspicious to the naka personnel. The naka personnel boldly cordoned and stopped the car. On spot frisking and physical search, cash 13000 was recovered from the person. On searching the car three grenades were recovered which were hidden in a bag full of charcoal.
During on spot questioning he revealed his name Asif Gull son of Ghulam Mohd Alwaie. He also revealed that he was working as OGW for TRF which is an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Toiba outfit.
He also revealed that he was in contact with one local militant Abid presently at PoK. He was also in contact of Hyder @ Jajja, Usman (FT) and Inayatullah and also arranged logistic for them.
In this regard case FIR no 218/2020 stands registered in police station Baramulla and further investigation taken up, reads the statement.
District Level Review cum Consultative Committee (DLRCC) meeting was held under the chairmanship of Additional Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Nazir Ahmad Lone, here today. The meeting was aimed to review the Annual District Credit Plan 2020-21. While highlighting the overall performance for 2nd quarter under Annual District Credit Plan, Lead District Manager, Kupwara, Shamim Ahmad Haji informed the meeting that under District Credit Plan 2020-21, the District has recorded an achievement of Rs.597.31Crores which constitutes 43% of against target of R.1382.26 corers. The achievements under Priority Sector advances were to the tune of Rs.366.95 Crores against target of Rs.1182.87 Crores for September quarter which constitutes 27% while as under non-priority sector the achievements are to the tune of Rs.230.36 Crores against target of Rs.199.39 Crores for 2nd quarter which constitutes 116%. The meeting was informed that, the deposits of the banks in the District were to the tune of R.2773 Crores as on 30-09-2020 as compared to Rs.2424 Crores as on 30-09-2019 thereby registering an increase of Rs.349 Crores constituting 14%. The advances of the banks stood at Rs.2831 Crores as on 30-09-2020 against Rs.2379 Crores as on 30-09-2019 thereby registering an increase of Rs. 452 Crores which works out to 16%. The CD ratio of the District as on 30-09-2020 stood at 102%. The meeting was also informed that Rs.397.02 crore have been disbursed by the banks amongst 21669 beneficiaries under PM Mudra Yojana. Under the KCC scheme for Animal husbandry, Sheep & Fisheries, the banks have sanctioned 6614 cases & have disbursed Rs 37.71 Crores among the beneficiaries. Meanwhile, Potential Linked Plan (PLP) 2021-22 was also launched for District Kupwara for an amount of Rs.1427 Crores under priority sector. Annual credit Plan for year 2021-22 was also approved by the chair in the meeting. Total of 1520 crore ACP for the district in which 1300 coriander priority sector & 220 crore under non priority sector. The ADC directed all the banks and the line departments to work with coordination and cohesion to achieve the targets of development and progress besides generation of employment for unemployed youth of the district. He also directed them to conduct awareness programmes at village/block levels to generate mass awareness about the schemes. Among others, Chief Agriculture Officer Kupwar, Muzaffar Ahmad Hurrah; Chief Horticulture Officer, Lead District Manager, Officers from KVIB, DIC, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries Department, Managers of various banks and other concerned attended the meeting.
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