National Conference (NC) vice president and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday conceded defeat to Independent candidate Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, in the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency in North Kashmir. In a social media post, he said it was “time to accept the inevitable” as the voters have spoken.
Tag: baramulla
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Women in this north Kashmir town grow mushrooms for income
By PTI
BARAMULLA: A group of women living in this north Kashmir town abutting the India-Pakistan LoC are scripting a success story by growing mushrooms in their homes and using the sale profit to fund their education and other needs.
The agriculture office of the district, located along the banks of the Jhelum river, launched a “vertical farming” programme along with women self-help groups (SHGs) about two years back and the initiative is now bearing fruit.
“We have 88 mushroom farming clusters in this district as part of which 22 women have been engaged till now. The aim is to financially empower the women within their household, where they spend their maximum time,” Yadvinder Singh, the chief agriculture officer of the district, told PTI.
The district administration provides an initial support fund of Rs 15,000 to each women entrepreneur along with 100 bags of mushroom seeds known as spawn, he said.
The success story of these clusters are encouraging more women to come forward and officials feel this is helping break the proverbial glass ceiling in the rural Kashmiri community where women are not much seen stepping outside the household to earn a living.
Baramulla shares about 105 km of the India-Pakistan Line of Control (LoC) that is just about 35-40 km from the main town.
It is located about 54 km north-west from the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar.
Kulsum Majeed, a class 12 student and resident of Fatehpora locality of the town, is among the women entrepreneurs who are working on the initiative after her mother Shakeela Begum enrolled with the district administration.
“A lot of money is spent on my education and that of my siblings. After we got to know if this initiative, my mother and I thought of taking up the activity of growing mushrooms at home and selling the produce in the local market,” Majeed said.
We got in touch with the agriculture office and they gave us 100 bags of seeds to start the farming, she said.
The daughter-mother duo prepared a small room on the ground floor of their two-storey house following which an inspection was carried out by officials and a green signal was given to them.
The seeds are planted in poly bags containing compost and are kept on long wooden benches inside the small room within the house and the average total produce from such a establishment is about two quintals within a period of two months, another officer said.
A small heater is sometimes used when the temperature falls below zero so as to stabilise the room climate for mushroom growth.
We harvest the micro-climate of this region, he said.
Singh informed that the mushroom produce is sold at a cost of around Rs 180-200 per kg in the local market and other parts of the Kashmir valley.
“A single entrepreneur earns about Rs 40,000 from one harvest that takes about two months and after deducting the expenditure incurred, the net profit is about Rs 20,000-25,000,” Singh said.
Another women entrepreneur said she has been undertaking mushroom farming for over a year and she has earned a good profit that she uses to supplement her family income and for the construction of her house.
Baramulla deputy commissioner Syed Sehrish Asgar said some women entrepreneurs have reported an earning of Rs 8,000-Rs 10,000 per month from mushroom farming.
“We are reaching out to more and more women in Baramulla so that they can be made self-reliant and financially strong. Many have shown interest and this initiative will be widened by helping them to grow exotic fruits and vegetables like mushrooms,” Singh said.
BARAMULLA: A group of women living in this north Kashmir town abutting the India-Pakistan LoC are scripting a success story by growing mushrooms in their homes and using the sale profit to fund their education and other needs.
The agriculture office of the district, located along the banks of the Jhelum river, launched a “vertical farming” programme along with women self-help groups (SHGs) about two years back and the initiative is now bearing fruit.
“We have 88 mushroom farming clusters in this district as part of which 22 women have been engaged till now. The aim is to financially empower the women within their household, where they spend their maximum time,” Yadvinder Singh, the chief agriculture officer of the district, told PTI.
The district administration provides an initial support fund of Rs 15,000 to each women entrepreneur along with 100 bags of mushroom seeds known as spawn, he said.
The success story of these clusters are encouraging more women to come forward and officials feel this is helping break the proverbial glass ceiling in the rural Kashmiri community where women are not much seen stepping outside the household to earn a living.
Baramulla shares about 105 km of the India-Pakistan Line of Control (LoC) that is just about 35-40 km from the main town.
It is located about 54 km north-west from the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar.
Kulsum Majeed, a class 12 student and resident of Fatehpora locality of the town, is among the women entrepreneurs who are working on the initiative after her mother Shakeela Begum enrolled with the district administration.
“A lot of money is spent on my education and that of my siblings. After we got to know if this initiative, my mother and I thought of taking up the activity of growing mushrooms at home and selling the produce in the local market,” Majeed said.
We got in touch with the agriculture office and they gave us 100 bags of seeds to start the farming, she said.
The daughter-mother duo prepared a small room on the ground floor of their two-storey house following which an inspection was carried out by officials and a green signal was given to them.
The seeds are planted in poly bags containing compost and are kept on long wooden benches inside the small room within the house and the average total produce from such a establishment is about two quintals within a period of two months, another officer said.
A small heater is sometimes used when the temperature falls below zero so as to stabilise the room climate for mushroom growth.
We harvest the micro-climate of this region, he said.
Singh informed that the mushroom produce is sold at a cost of around Rs 180-200 per kg in the local market and other parts of the Kashmir valley.
“A single entrepreneur earns about Rs 40,000 from one harvest that takes about two months and after deducting the expenditure incurred, the net profit is about Rs 20,000-25,000,” Singh said.
Another women entrepreneur said she has been undertaking mushroom farming for over a year and she has earned a good profit that she uses to supplement her family income and for the construction of her house.
Baramulla deputy commissioner Syed Sehrish Asgar said some women entrepreneurs have reported an earning of Rs 8,000-Rs 10,000 per month from mushroom farming.
“We are reaching out to more and more women in Baramulla so that they can be made self-reliant and financially strong. Many have shown interest and this initiative will be widened by helping them to grow exotic fruits and vegetables like mushrooms,” Singh said.
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108-feet high flag installed by Army in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla
By PTI
SRINAGAR: The Army on Sunday inaugurated a 108-feet high national flag in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir.
The tricolour was installed at Hyderbaigh in Pattan in the north Kashmir district, PRO Defence Col Emron Musavi said.
He said General Officer Commanding, Counter-Insurgency Force (CIF) (Kilo), Major General S S Slaria, dedicated it to the people of Kashmir.
The installation of the high mast was completed in a record time of 30 days, he said.
The flag, constructed in collaboration with the Flag Foundation of India, not only instills a sense of pride and honour among the people but also honours all the bravehearts who have laid down their lives towards eliminating terrorism, the PRO said.
The project is a part of Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ initiative of the central government.
Major Gen Slaria appreciated the efforts of all those involved in the completion of the project.
The people of Hyderbaigh Pattan also appreciated the district administration and the Army for this unique initiative, which will remain etched in the history of the area, the PRO Defence said.
SRINAGAR: The Army on Sunday inaugurated a 108-feet high national flag in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir.
The tricolour was installed at Hyderbaigh in Pattan in the north Kashmir district, PRO Defence Col Emron Musavi said.
He said General Officer Commanding, Counter-Insurgency Force (CIF) (Kilo), Major General S S Slaria, dedicated it to the people of Kashmir.
The installation of the high mast was completed in a record time of 30 days, he said.
The flag, constructed in collaboration with the Flag Foundation of India, not only instills a sense of pride and honour among the people but also honours all the bravehearts who have laid down their lives towards eliminating terrorism, the PRO said.
The project is a part of Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ initiative of the central government.
Major Gen Slaria appreciated the efforts of all those involved in the completion of the project.
The people of Hyderbaigh Pattan also appreciated the district administration and the Army for this unique initiative, which will remain etched in the history of the area, the PRO Defence said.
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Security forces arrest militant associate in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla
By PTI
SRINAGAR: A militant associate was arrested with arms and ammunition in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said on Saturday.
Security forces on Friday established a routine mobile vehicle checkpoint at the Authoora Bala bridge in north Kashmir’s Baramulla.
During the checking, the joint party intercepted a person whose movement raised suspicion, a police official said.
He said the person tried to flee on noticing the naka party. However, he was tactfully apprehended by the alert joint party. The militant associate was identified as Mohammad Saleem Khan, a resident of Shrakwara Kreeri, he added.
During a search, arms and ammunition including a pistol, a pistol magazine and five pistol rounds were recovered from Khan’s possession, the official said.
During the preliminary investigation, it came to the fore that he had obtained these illegal arms and ammunition with the intention to carry out terrorist activities in Kreeri and adjacent areas, he said.
A case has been registered and an investigation set into motion, the official said.
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Encounter breaks out between militants and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla
By PTI
SRI LANKA: An encounter broke out between militants and security forces in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, police said.
“Encounter has started at Najibhat crossing in Kreeri area of #Baramulla. Police and Army on job. Further details shall follow,” a police spokesperson tweeted.
There were no reports of any casualties so far on either side.
(More details awaited)
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NIA chief visits encounter site at Jammu’s Sunjwan ahead of PM visit
By PTI
JAMMU: NIA chief Kuldeep Singh on Saturday visited Jammu’s Sunjwan area where two suicide bombers of banned Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) were killed in a fierce gunfight with security forces ahead of the prime minister’s visit, officials said.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) chief was accompanied by Inspector General of CRPF, Jammu sector, P S Ranpise.
Singh, who is also the director-general of the Central Reserve Police Force, was briefed about the gun battle by CRPF officers, the officials said.
ALSO READ: PM to inaugurate projects worth Rs 20,000 crore during J&K visit
A team of the NIA had visited the encounter site on Friday evening and the federal agency is likely to take over the case for a thorough investigation, they said.
Besides the two terrorists, a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officer died in the gunfight that took place near an Army camp in Sunjwan on Friday.
Nine security personnel were also injured as forces engaged the terrorists after they attacked a bus carrying CISF personnel.
Director-General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Dilbag Singh had said the two terrorists were part of a suicide squad of Pakistan-based JeM and their infiltration could be a “big conspiracy” to sabotage the prime minister’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir.
The PM is scheduled to visit Samba district’s Palli village, 17 km from here, on National Panchayati Raj Day on April 24.
He is also scheduled to address a gathering there.
According to officials, a multi-tier security setup has been put in place for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit.
An alert has been sounded along the border and a high degree of vigilance is being maintained at vital installations in Jammu and Kashmir in view of the visit, officials said on Friday.
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Jawan killed, 4 hurt in Jammu encounter; death toll in Baramula rises to 4
Express News Service
SRINAGAR: Two days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir, an encounter erupted between militants and security forces in the Sunjwan area of Jammu in which a jawan has been killed and four others have been injured. The death toll in the Baramulla encounter has risen to four with the killing of two more militants.
Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Jammu Mukesh Singh said security forces launched a search operation in the Sunjawan area of Jammu yesterday evening after receiving inputs about the presence of militants in the area.
“We had reports that militants wanted to do something. The search party of security forces came under fire from militants in the early hours today in which a security force jawan was killed and four others injured,” he said.
The injured security men have been evacuated to Government Medical College Jammu.
More reinforcement has been rushed to the area to tighten the siege and prevent militants from escaping from the area.
The ADGP said it seems that militants are hiding in a house and firing on security forces from there.
Loud explosions were heard from the area and heavy gunfire was going on.
The administration as a precautionary measure has closed all schools in the area while the security arrangements in other parts of Jammu have been tightened and patrolling intensified.
Meanwhile, the encounter between militants and security forces at Malwah area of Baramulla in north Kashmir entered the second day today.
A police official said two more militants were killed in the overnight gunfight, taking the death toll of militants killed in the encounter to four.
Among the slain militants is top Lashkar-e-Toiba commander Yousuf Kantroo, who was the longest surviving LeT militant and had been active since 2020. He had twice recycled to the militancy after the arrest.
IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar has said Kantroo was involved in the killing of several security men and civilians termed his killing a major success for security forces.
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Sarpanch shot dead in Kashmir
By PTI
SRINAGAR: A village sarpanch, who was elected as an independent, was shot dead by militants in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Friday, officials said.
Manzoor Ahmad Bangroo was shot at by the ultras at Goshbug in Pattan area officials said, adding he was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
Bangroo is the second victim of targeted killing of civilians by militants in three days. Satish Singh, a local Rajout, was shot dead on Wednesday in Kulgam district. The militants have stepped up attacks on civilians in the past two weeks.
A police spokesman said a case has been registered in the sarpanch’s killing under relevant sections of law. “Investigation is in progress and officers continue to work to establish the full circumstances of this terror crime. The area has been cordoned and search is going on,” he added.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and political parties condemned the killing. “I strongly condemn the terror attack on Sarpanch, Manzoor Ahmad Bangroo. Perpetrators of this despicable act shall be punished. My deepest condolences to the bereaved family in this hour of grief,” Sinha tweeted.
“Another targeted killing, another family in mourning this evening. This unending cycle of violence is heartbreaking. My condolences to the family of Manzoor Bangroo. May he find place in Jannat,” National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said in a tweet.
The PDP and the BJP also condemned the killing. “Deeply pained by the news of killing of a Sarpanch Manzoor Ah Bangroo in Pattan. Even after multiple security assesments, bundling them in secure accomodations in Srinagar, why do sarpanches still continue to be killed,” a spokesman of the PDP tweeted.
BJP spokesman Altaf Thakur said he strongly denounces the “barbaric killing” of Bangroo. “Gruesome act, terrorists have no religion and mercy even during the fasting month of Ramzan,” he said.
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One militant killed in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla
By PTI
SRINAGAR: One militant was killed in a brief shootout in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, police said.
A police spokesperson said militants fired upon an area domination patrol of the Army and police at Cherdari in Baramulla district.
The security forces retaliated, resulting in the death of one ultra, the spokesperson said, adding that a pistol, magazine and one hand grenade were found on his body.
Kashmir zone Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar said the slain militant was a “hybrid type” and identified as Javed Ah Wani of Kulgam district.
“He (Wani) had assisted terrorist Gulzar (who was killed on October 20) in killing two labourers from Bihar at Wanpoh earlier this month,” the IGP said.
Kumar claimed that Wani was on a mission to target a shopkeeper in Baramulla.
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Four soldiers injured as Indian Army foils infiltration bid along LoC in J&K’s Baramulla
By PTI
SRINAGAR: Four soldiers were injured as the Army foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district, officials said on Monday.
The Army launched a counter-infiltration operation along the LoC in the Uri sector in north Kashmir on Saturday after noticing suspicious movement, they said.
“Four soldiers were injured in the exchange of firing with infiltrators from across the LoC in Uri,” the officials said.
The infiltrators were challenged by the Indian Army soldiers, leading to a gunfight, they said.
The officials said four soldiers were injured in the exchange of firing between the two sides over the past two days There were unconfirmed reports of one infiltrator being killed in the operation, but there was no official word on it so far.