Jammu: Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta Monday chaired a meeting to review the condition of the National Highway-44 connecting Jammu and Srinagar, and take stock of the traffic movement thereon.

Principal Secretary, Public Works (R&B) Department, representative of NHAI, Deputy Commissioner, Ramban, and district SP, Ramban participated in the meeting.

It was informed that the Department has prioritized construction and maintenance of the national highway-44 which has kept the highway open for vehicular traffic even during extreme weather vagaries.

The Chief Secretary was apprised of the recent traffic disruption on the highway due to the breakdown of an overloaded vehicle carrying 36-ton dry ration in violation of the laid down norms.

The Chief Secretary directed for ascertaining reasons for the incident to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future. He further directed the NHAI and traffic police to forthwith put in place a mechanism for calibrated checking of all load carriers to prevent plying of overloaded vehicles, which not only disrupts the usual traffic flow but also compromises the road quality.

Dr. Mehta maintained that all load-carrying vehicles are to be passed through weighing bridges at toll plazas in a staggered manner to avoid any jams and action against overloaded vehicles is to be initiated to ensure smooth flow of traffic.

Further, the concerned agencies were asked to submit daily violation reports and weekly action taken reports to the higher offices and establish zero tolerance to traffic violations and plying of overloaded vehicles. They were asked to conduct regular drives to check traffic violations.

Reviewing the progress of works at the Panthayal Tunnel, the Chief Secretary directed the NHAI to double its efforts and complete the pending works by 15th April 2022.

The Chief Secretary emphasized that on completion, the tunnel will provide reliable connectivity by-passing the current landslide-prone stretch of NH-44 and as such will provide safe and secure transit to vehicles.

To further facilitate smooth traffic flow on the Ramban- Banihal stretch of the National Highway, the traffic police and district administration were directed to properly demarcate single-lane driving zones and ensure lane-driving and traffic discipline among the commuters. Dr. Mehta also emphasized wearing of body cameras by traffic police.

Srinagar: Around 104 to 135 militants are ready to sneak into the Indian side of the Line of Control (LoC), Raja Babu Singh, Inspector General (IG) of Border Security Force (BSF) said on Monday.

The IG BSF said that post ceasefire agreement last year, the overall situation on Kashmir LoC remained peaceful, but the fresh intelligence inputs suggest that 104 to 135 militants are ready to sneak into this side.

“Some guides have crossed over to the other side of LoC to facilitate the infiltration of the waiting militants. Their movement is being tracked and their families are under constant watch of security agencies,” the IG said while addressing the annual conference at the BSF headquarters in Humhama on the outskirts of Srinagar city.

The IG BSF Kashmir Frontier said, “Our inputs suggest that there are 104 to 135 militants at the launch pads who are ready to infiltrate into this side”.

“Their movement is being tracked. The primary job of the guide is to bring groups of militants along”, he said.

Asked about the drone threats on LoC, the IG BSF said that it guards 96 kms of LoC in Kashmir and the drone threat was real.

“We are procuring our own drones to counter the drone threat. Besides, a series of measures are in place to deal with drone threats,” he said.

He said that last year 17.3 kg heroin worth Rs 88 crore was seized on the LoC by BSF and all efforts are being made to foil bids aimed at transporting narcotics from LoC. He said the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan last year has not affected J&K in any form so far, but the security agencies are monitoring the situation closely. (IANS)

Jammu: Ahead of the Republic Day, the BSF troops deployed along the International Border (IB) in Jammu are on high alert to deal with nefarious attempts of anti-national elements (ANEs) from across the border.

“Keeping in mind the present security scenario, intelligence inputs on the eve of Republic Day, BSF Jammu has been on high alert on Jammu International Border (IB),” BSF said.

BSF said it is carrying out extensive Anti-Tunnelling drive, Special Patrolling and Depth area domination despite extremely hostile weather conditions.

“To strengthen the border domination, mobilisation of troops has been done. Regular monitoring of suspicious activities of counterpart is being carried out through surveillance equipment,” BSF said.

“A joint patrolling/exercise are also being conducted along with Army, CRPF and State Police to scuttle any nefarious attempts of ANEs.”

Pertinently, the BSF troops deployed on Jammu IB have been successful in foiling attempts from across the border by eliminating Pakistani intruders, seizing huge caches of arms and ammunition, narcotics and detecting tunnels in past one year. (IANS)

Srinagar: Government on Monday ordered the transfer of a JKAS officer and assigned additional charge of the post to another in the interest of administration.

According to an order issued here, Farukh Qazi, JKAS, Sub-Registrar, Jammu (North), has been transferred and posted as Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, J&K Khadi and Village Industries Board, with immediate effect.

Pawan Kumar, JKAS, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Jammu (North), has been asked to hold the charge of the post of Sub-Registrar, Jammu (North), in addition to his own duties, ill further orders.

The order has been issued by order of the Lieutenant Governor.

R-Day: Security beefed up across Kashmir

Srinagar: Police, and paramilitary personnel and army have heightened security arrangements across Kashmir Valley ahead of January 26.

“From last one week, J&K police along with CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces) and army is dominating the area. Frisking and checking is going on,” Inspector General of Police Kashmir Zone Vijay Kumar told reports on the sidelines of a function at SK Stadium here.

“Surveillance is done through drones. Complete security arrangements have been made,” he said, adding, “The function will be conducted peacefully.”

Responding to question, he said that incident-free functions will be held in Srinagar and other district headquarters.

Reports said that police and paramilitary personnel stopped and searched vehicles at several places while people were subjected to frisking in Srinagar and elsewhere in the Valley.

Not only public transport, scooter riders and private vehicles were also randomly stopped and checked for any subversive element to ensure that the ensuing official functions on Wednesday pass off peacefully and incident-free.

Apart from frisking people thoroughly, the men in uniform were also seen checking I-cards of some people.

Reports of frisking of the people by police and paramilitary forces were also received from various parts of the city and Valley.

There is already larger presence of police and the paramilitary men across Srinagar, particularly in and around Lal Chowk, the commercial hub of the summer capital of J&K.

Meanwhile, full dress rehearsal was held, on Monday, across all the districts of Kashmir.

In Srinagar, the full dress rehearsal was held at S.K Stadium Sonwar, Srinagar where Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole unfurled the tricolor over the mast and took salute at the March–past.

On the occasion, various contingents of security agencies took part in the parade including J&K Police, J&K Armed Police, Indian Reserve Police, Central Reserve Police Force, SSB, Home Guards, Fire & Emergency and NCC.

Later, Div Com witnessed various cultural programmes including folk dance, baand-e-paether and dance based on patriotic songs presented by different groups and troupes.

Among others present in the full dress rehearsal function were senior officers from civil administration and police department. Such events were also organized across the Valley. (GNS)

New Delhi: Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions on Sunday virtually reviewed the pandemic and other related issues with Deputy Commissioners, District Development Council Chairpersons and Senior Superintendents of Police of the Udhampur-Kathua-Doda Lok Sabha constituency, which is represented by him in the Parliament.

During the meeting, he enquired about the availability and functioning of dashboard in districts for real time updates, and also issued fresh instructions to deal with the surge in Covid cases.

District Collectors, SSPs, DDC Chairman of Reasi, Kishtwar, and Ramban joined the review meeting along with other district officials.

The Minister was informed that most of the positive cases in the third wave have remained asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic with flu-like symptoms which lasts for four to five days and then dissipates.

Singh, however, underlined that there was no room for complacency and all Covid norms and protocols must be followed in the strictest possible manner.

He also lauded the efforts of DCs for completing the vaccination process in his Parliamentary Constituency, barring a few far-flung pockets in districts like Kishtwar.Singh was also updated about the aSansad Khel Spardha’ programme or the Parliamentary Sports Competition Programme in his constituency to promote sports, sports talent and also identify young budding as well as hidden talents in village, panchayat, block and district level.

He said that a sports competition will be organised in the coming days at panchayat, block and constituency level as a whole to tap hidden talents in sporting activities like archery, wrestling, boxing, badminton, table tennis, athletics, cycling, and swimming and in games like hockey, football, volleyball and cricket.

Singh also announced the formation of ‘Steering Committee’ comprising all the DCs, SSPs, DDC Chairpersons and District Sports officials to organise Indoor and Outdoor competitions for boys and girls under 17 years, and identify the sporting talent to catch them young.

“The budding stars in the individual category will be provided an opportunity to get the best of the training facilities at National Sports Coaching Institutes and Academies. He also asked the DCs to nominate Sports Ambassadors for each District,” the Minister said.

He also asked the DCs to come out with a niche sporting event for each district to build brand and promote the same with the help of the corporate sector, local influencers and civil society.

New Delhi/Srinagar: The Border Security Force on Monday said that it has successfully recovered and seized three AK-47 Rifles, six 9MM pistols, 1071 ammunitions, 20 Hand Grenades, two IEDs and 17.3 kg Heroin worth around Rs 88 crore in different operational incidents during the year 2021 in J&K.

Holding an annual press conference at Srinagar, the BSF Inspector General Kashmir Raja Babu Singh said that the Kashmir Frontier has been manning the Line of Control (LoC) Kashmir Valley with full zeal and devotion.

“Despite many challenges, like inclement weather conditions, constrained living in bunkers, infiltration, danger of Border Action Team (BAT) of Pakistan, snipers, etc., to name a few, but valiant BSF Jawans guarding the LoC round the clock with utmost dedication and unflinching spirit and would continue its endeavour to safeguard the LoC from nefarious designs of Pakistan in maintaining active communication and coordination with all the stakeholders,” Singh said.

He also said that in addition, the Force also looks after the well-being of the populace residing in border/near LoC areas. Through various Civic Action programmes, which include Free Medical Camps, Sports and cultural activities, evacuation (airlifted) of civilians patients from snow-bound areas and also efforts to help the people in need on LoC, the IG further said. In addition, the BSF also has initiated campaigns about awareness and preventive measures to stop spread of the coronavirus and sanitization drives, he added.

Talking about the ‘Aazadi Ka Amrit Mohtsav’, a yearlong campaign started by the government, the BSF officials said it celebrated ‘International Yoga Day’, ‘Children’s Day’, ‘Police Commemoration Day, ‘Run for Unity and campaign of ‘Fit India Run’ and ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan’ (Clean India Mission). Many initiatives were taken to improve the basic infrastructure at the grassroots level to provide maximum facilities to Jawans in Kashmir Frontier while keeping in view the welfare of Jawans and their family members, Family Welfare Centers (BWWA) are functional in each unit where various Civil/Vocational courses are being run for families of BSF personnel.

“We are always there to serve the people of Kashmir” and ensuring their well-being is our first and foremost priority,” the BSF IG Singh said.

The IG BSF said that it guards 96 kms of LoC in Kashmir.

Srinagar: Jammu-Srinagar highway, the only surface link connecting Kashmir Valley with the outside world, will reopen for “fresh one-way traffic” after two days closure on Tuesday, officials said.

The highway remained closed till around 1300 hours on Monday as a “loaded truck was deeply embedded in the mud” near Panthyal area in Ramban district. The truck was later retrieved with the help machines employed by the officials and the stranded traffic moved from Jammu towards Srinagar.

Authorities had Sunday announced that only stranded traffic shall be allowed on thoroughfare which was closed following mudslides and shooting stones at many places on the weekend.

“On 25-01-2022, subject to fair weather and better road conditions LMVs (passenger)/private cars shall be allowed from Srinagar towards Jammu (strictly one way) on Jammu-Srinagar highway,” a traffic department official here said. Traffic Control Unit Srinagar shall liaise with TCU Ramban before releasing the traffic, he said.

Regarding cut off timing, he said, for LMVs/private cars from NAVYUG Tunnel (Qazigund side) it is at 0900 hours to 1200 hours, “subject to change depending on the road position then”.

Regarding HMVs/load carriers, he said, subject to fair weather and better road conditions, they shall be allowed from NAVYUG Tunnel (Qazigund side) towards Jammu after assessing the traffic situation on highway. TCU Srinagar shall liaise with TCU Ramban before releasing the HMVs, the official said.

“Security Forces are advised/requested not to ply against advisory/ traffic plan in view of traffic congestion on Jammu-Srinagar highway,” he said, adding, “they may ply from Srinagar towards Jammu after confirming the status of highway.’

Meanwhile, Mughal Road, connecting Shopian with Poonch and Rajouri districts, remained closed for vehicular movement in view of snow accumulation at Peer Ki Gali.

Also, Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri road remained shut for vehicular movement in view of snow accumulation on Zoji la axis and has been closed till further orders. Kishtwar-Sinthan road also remained closed in view of snow accumulation, the traffic department official said.  (GNS)