News Analysis India

Tag: Jammu and Kashmir

  • Two LeT terrorists overpowered by villagers; handed over to police in J&K

    By PTI

    JAMMU: Two heavily-armed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists, including the mastermind of an IED blasts in Rajouri recently, were overpowered by villagers and handed over to the police in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, a senior police officer said.

    Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and Director General of Police Dilbag Singh lauded the villagers for their courage and announced cash rewards for them.

    The terrorists including the most wanted LeT commander Talib Hussain, a resident of Rajouri district and the mastermind of the recent IED blasts in the district, were nabbed at Tuksan Dhok village, the officials said.

    “Today, villagers of Tukson Dhok showed extreme courage in apprehending two most wanted terrorists of LeT who had reached the area to take shelter after continuous pressure from the police and army (in Rajouri district),” Additional Director General of Police, Jammu zone, Mukesh Singh said in a statement here.

    He identified the other captured terrorist as Faisal Ahmad Dar of south Kashmir’s Pulwama, and said two AK assault rifles, seven grenades, a pistol and a huge quantity of ammunition were recovered from the two arrested terrorists.

    Singh said the Lt Governor has applauded the courage of villagers and announced a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh for their bravery, while the Director General of Police announced a cash reward of Rs 2 lakh for them.

    “I salute the bravery of villagers of Tukson Dhok, Reasi, who apprehended two-most wanted terrorists. Such determination by common man shows end of terrorism is not far away. UT Govt to extend Rs five lakh cash reward to villagers for gallant act against terrorists and terrorism,” the office of LG tweeted.

    The arrest of the duo followed unearthing of a module headed by Hussain in Rajouri district on June 28, which was behind the recent series of explosions in the district.

    While two terror operatives of the outfit were arrested along with five Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), Hussain was on the run and had moved to nearby Reasi district to escape the dragnet of security forces. “Hussain was in constant touch with LeT terrorist Qasim based in Pakistan and was involved in at least three cases of IED blasts at Rajouri district besides civilian killings and grenade blasts,” Singh said.

    During preliminary questioning, he said it was revealed that both the terrorists were also in touch with a Pakistani LeT handler Salman. Terming the arrest of the two terrorists a “major breakthrough,” the officer said they were attempting to revive terrorism in the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch besides Reasi.

    Twin explosions rocked Kotrana town of Rajouri on March 26 and another on April 19, leaving two persons injured. Two more persons were injured in another blast that took place in Shahpur-Budhal area of Rajouri on April 24.

  • Two LeT terrorists overpowered by villagers; handed over to police in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi

    By PTI

    JAMMU: Two heavily armed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists, including one of its most-wanted commanders, were overpowered by villagers and handed over to the police in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district on Sunday, officials said.

    LeT commander Talib Hussain, a resident of Rajouri district and the mastermind behind the recent IED blasts in the district, and Faizal Ahmad Dar, a categorised terrorist of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, were captured in Tuksan village, they said.

    Two AK assault rifles, seven grenades and a pistol were recovered from them, the officials added. Director General of Police Dilbag Singh announced a cash reward of Rs 2 lakh for the villagers for their bravery.

  • Days after sacking 112 doctors for ‘unauthorised leaves’, 16 more get notices in Jammu and Kashmir

    Express News Service

    SRINAGAR:  Ten days after sacking 112 doctors for remaining absent without permission, the government is planning to show the door to 16 more doctors. The J&K Health and Medical Education Department have issued separate final show-cause notices to these medical practitioners for their absence from duties.

    Earlier, most of the doctors had neither replied to the previous notice nor reported back on duty.“Their continuous unauthorised absence from official duties for such a long period of time clearly indicates that they are non-serious towards their official duties and not interested in the government job,” reads the order.

    The 16 doctors have been asked to reply to the notices within 15 days failing which disciplinary proceedings will be taken against them.  Acting tough against the doctors for unauthorised leave for years, the administration on June 20 terminated the services of 112 doctors.

    The Lt Governor administration in J&K has gone tough against its workforce, and over three dozen employees have been suspended so far for alleged anti-national activities. Some other workers have been suspended for unauthorised absence from duties or alleged involvement in corruption cases.

  • Jammu and Kashmir cadre IPS officer resigns, to join politics

    Express News Service

    SRINAGAR:  Orissa-born J&K-cadre IPS officer Basant Rath, who is under suspension for about two years, has resigned from the Indian Police Service to enter politics. He is the second senior civil servant of Jammu and Kashmir cadre, after 2010-batch IAS topper Shah Faesal, to resign from the job to join politics.  

    Rath, a 50-year-old 2000 batch IPS officer, posted his resignation letter on the social media on Sunday. He also tweeted, “Politics is a noble profession.”  Rath had earlier posted on Twitter, “If I ever join a political party, it WILL be BJP. If I ever contest an election, it WILL be from Kashmir. If I ever join politics, it WILL be before March 6, 2024”.

    Rath has served in J&K on several posts, including IGP Traffic, wherein he invited controversy for his no-nonsense style in regulating traffic in Srinagar and Jammu. He had won both laurels and criticism for his style of working, and had earned the title “dabang”.

    He had won admirers for shipping study material for competitive exams free of cost to youth in remote areas. He was suspended in July 2020 for alleged misconduct and misbehavior. He was posted in Home Guards and Civil Defence.

    Rath had on June 12, 2020 indirectly accused DGP Dilbagh Singh of owning 50 kanals land in Jammu. He had later lodged a police complaint against Singh, alleging threat to his life and liberty and stating that in case anything untoward happens to him, the DGP should be held responsible. 

  • Jammu and Kashmir to host G-20 meetings in 2023, form five-member coordination panel

    By PTI

    JAMMU: In a major development, Jammu and Kashmir will be hosting the 2023 meetings of G-20, an influential grouping that brings together the world’s major economies, with the Union Territory government Thursday setting up a five-member high level committee for overall coordination.

    This will be the first major international summit to be held in Jammu and Kashmir after the erstwhile state’s special status guaranteed under Article 370 of the Constitution was withdrawn and it was divided into two union territories in August 2019.

    In September last year, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal was appointed as India’s Sherpa for the G20. The Ministry of External Affairs had said that India will hold the G20 presidency from December 1, 2022, and will convene the G20 leaders’ summit in 2023 for the first time.

    According to an official order issued here on Thursday, the Union Territory’s housing and urban development department principal secretary will be the chairman of the committee which was formed in response to a June 4 communication from the Ministry of External Affairs.

    “Sanction is hereby accorded to the constitution of a committee – for overall co-ordination of G-20 meetings to be held in the Union Territory of J&K,”the order issued by Principal Secretary (General Administration) Manoj Kumar Dwivedi said.

    The members of the committee include Commissioner Secretary (Transport), Administrative Secretary (Tourism), Administrative Secretary (Hospitality and Protocol) and Administrative Secretary (Culture). “Further, principal secretary to the government, housing and urban development department is also nominated as UT level nodal officer to coordinate the arrangements for G-20 meetings in the Union Territory of J&K,” the order said.

    Prime Minister Modi has been leading India’s representation at G20 summits since 2014. India has been a member of the G20 since its inception in 1999. According to the MEA, India will be part of the G20 Troika (preceding, current, and incoming G20 Presidencies) from December 1, 2021 till November 30, 2024.

    G20 brings together 19 of the world’ leading economies and the European Union, with its members accounting for more than 80 per cent of global GDP, 75 percent of global trade and 60 percent of the global population, according to the MEA.

    The G20 member nations are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.

  • Flash floods, landslides as heavy rains, snowfall lash Jammu-Kashmir

    By PTI

    JAMMU/ SRINAGAR: Heavy rains lashed Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, triggering flash floods and landslides, with authorities forced to shut schools in several districts including Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban and evacuate people from low-lying areas, while the strategic Jammu-Srinagar national highway remained blocked for the second day leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded.

    In Kashmir, the Jhelum crossed the danger mark at Sangam in Anantnag district and the water level was rising in other rivers also, officials said. A high alert has been sounded in areas close to river Chenab and its tributaries, they said.

    Snowfall in the higher reaches including the holy cave shrine of Amarnath has brought down the day temperature substantially, the officials said. Police rescued 50 passengers travelling in ten vehicles which were trapped due to snowfall and heavy rains in the high-altitude area in Kishtwar district on Wednesday afternoon, officials said.

    ”Snowfall and heavy rains triggered flash-floods in Simthan top area following which 50 passengers including some women and children, were stranded.

    The police got the track cleared and after a lot of hard work rescued all the passengers, an official said. The water level at Sangam in Anantnag district was measured at 21.60 ft, marginally above the 21-feet mark for flood declaration, they said.

    Vaishov stream, which flows mainly through Kulgam district, was flowing dangerously above the flood alert mark. However, the water level has started receding since 10 am, the officials said.

    A breach was reported in a temporary diversion along the banks of Vaishov stream as Chamgund in Kulgam, they said adding many areas of the district have been flooded. Authorities have started moving people from low-lying areas to safer locations, they said.

    The Doodhganga stream was also flowing close to flood alarm level at Barzulla in the heart of Srinagar’s civil lines area. The weatherman had forecast improvement in weather later in the day. Schools in many parts of the valley were closed due to the heavy rains which resulted in waterlogging in low-lying areas.

    Many houses in Bemina, Rambagh and Rajbagh areas of the city were affected due to water-logging. A group of 14 trekkers was stranded near Tarser Lake in south Kashmir and a rescue team was rushed to the spot from Pahalgam.

    The snowfall in the upper reaches and rains in the plains have sent the mercury nosediving and Srinagar witnessed its coldest June day in almost 50 years, according to available data. Srinagar on Tuesday recorded a maximum temperature of 15.0 degrees Celsius, which was 14.2 degrees lower than normal for this time of the year.

    An incident of house collapse was also reported from Ramban district, while five people trapped in flash floods in river Ans in Reasi district were rescued by the police, officials said. The Doda district administration has declared high alert in several areas in the mountainous district.

    “We have been forced to declare high alert in areas close to river Chenab and its tributaries, and also on slopes and slide-prone areas of Ramban and Doda districts,” an official said.

    The 270-kilometers Jammu-Srinagar national highway was closed for a second consecutive day on Wednesday due to over 30 landslides and mudslides triggered by the heavy rains in the Ramban-Udhampur sector, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded, officials said.

    ALSO READ | Climate change a factor in ‘unprecedented’ South Asia floods, says Scientists

    The traffic on Mughal Road, an alternative link connecting the twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri in the Jammu region with south Kashmir’s Shopian district, was also suspended due to landslides en route, they said.

    Besides Doda, the deputy commissioners of Ramban and Kishtwar districts have also ordered the closure of all educational institutions up to higher secondary level including private schools for the day, an official said.

    “All schools across Ramban district, including higher secondary schools, shall remain closed today in view of the heavy rainfall and overflowing of nallahs and mudslides at several locations,” Deputy Commissioner Ramban Mussarat Islam said in a tweet. Officials said one kutcha house in Dachhan collapsed but all its occupants were safe.

    “As a part of advisory in view of hostile weather conditions and reports submitted by tehsildars, I have directed CEO Kishtwar to close all educational institutions in District Kishtwar today. We will assess the situation later in the day for further decision,” said District Development Commissioner Kishtwar Ashok Sharma.

    “As of now, there is no report of any damage from any part of the district,” the DDC said. The deputy commissioners of these districts have issued advisories asking people to remain indoors in view of the flood-like situation developed in the mountainous belts.

    According to a weather office forecast, heavy rain is predicted in Kishtwar district which may cause temporary disruption of air and surface traffic mainly on the national highway and hilly roads, besides land landslides and shooting stones in vulnerable spots of the highway, according to the advisory issued by the district administration.

    “District police Kishtwar has established a help desk and people are advised to stay at home and not to venture out of their home unnecessarily,” it said. The district administrations have also issued helpline numbers in case of any emergency.

  • Jammu and Kashmir administration sacks over 100 doctors for taking ‘unauthorised leaves’

    Express News Service

    SRINAGAR:  The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Monday sacked 112 doctors for taking unauthorised leaves. The J&K Health and Medical Education Department in a series of orders on terminated the services of 112 doctors, including Medical Officers, Consultant Surgeons and B-Grade Specialists, for being absent from duty without authorisation. The sacked medicos have been absent from duty over different periods between 2005 and 2020.

    While many of these doctors have been sacked for remaining absent for over five years, some others have been terminated for taking unauthorised leaves during their probation period. The Lt Governor administration in J&K has been going  tough against its work force and over three dozen employees have been suspended for alleged anti-national activities and some more have been suspended for unauthorised absence from duties.

    The Administrative Department and the Director of Health Services of Kashmir and Jammu regions had earlier issued showcause notices to the absentee doctors. They neither responded to the show cause notices nor resumed the duty.

    “The cases of these doctors have been examined thoroughly and it has been found that these doctors have not resumed their duty despite notices issued to them. Their act is voluntary and they are liable to be discharged on account of unauthorised absence from duty for more than five years,” read the order issued by Principal Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Manoj Kumar Diwedi.

    The order stated that these doctors neither replied to notice nor reported back for duty. As per rules, “willful absence from duty after the expiry of leave renders a government servant liable to disciplinary action”.

  • Two encounters break out in Kashmir

    Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Tulibal village in Sopore area of Baramulla district following information about presence of militants there, a police spokesman said.

  • Pakistani LeT terrorist killed in Kupwara encounter; another gunfight underway in Kulgam

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: A Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist from Pakistan was killed in an encounter Sunday with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district, while another gunfight was underway in Kulgam district, police said.

    They said the encounter in Kupwara started after the forces launched an operation in Lolab area of the north Kashmir on the instance of an arrested terrorist, Showket Ahmed Sheikh, During the search of the hideouts, the hiding terrorists fired upon the force personnel who retaliated, in which one terrorist was killed, the Kashmir Zone Police said on Twitter.

    “The arrested terrorist also got trapped,” the police said, adding the encounter was still underway.

    Inspector-General of Police Vijay Kumar said the killed terrorist has been identified as a Pakistani, linked with the proscribed LeT terror outfit. The IGP Kashmir tweeted, “2-3 more #terrorists along with arrested terrorist trapped in ongoing #encounter.”

    Another encounter is underway in Damhal Hanji Pora area of Kulgam in south Kashmir, the police said. They said the exchange of fire was going on but there were no reports of any casualty on either side so far.

    #Encounter has started at D.H Pora area of #Kulgam. Police and Army on job. Further details shall follow.@JmuKmrPolice
    — Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) June 19, 2022

  • Two terrorists killed in Kupwara encounter; another gunfight underway in Kulgam

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: Two terrorists were killed in an encounter on June 19 with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district, while another gunfight was underway in Kulgam district, police said.

    They said while one of the terrorists killed in the Kupwara encounter was a Pakistani affiliated with the proscribed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the identity of the second was being ascertained.

    Police said the encounter in Kupwara started after the forces launched an operation in Lolab area of north Kashmir on the instance of an arrested terrorist, Showket Ahmed Sheikh.

    During the search of the hideouts, the hiding terrorists fired upon the force personnel who retaliated, in which one terrorist was killed, the Kashmir Zone Police said on Twitter. “The arrested terrorist also got trapped,” the police said.

    Inspector-General of Police Vijay Kumar said the killed terrorist has been identified as a Pakistani, linked with the LeT terror outfit. The IGP Kashmir tweeted, “2-3 more #terrorists along with arrested terrorist trapped in ongoing #encounter.”

    Encounter in Kulgam underway

    Another encounter is underway in Damhal Hanji Pora area of Kulgam in south Kashmir, the police said. They said the exchange of fire was going on but there were no reports of any casualty on either side so far.

    #Encounter has started at D.H Pora area of #Kulgam. Police and Army on job. Further details shall follow.@JmuKmrPolice
    — Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) June 19, 2022