Srinagar: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday arrested an alleged over ground worker as part of the probe on the J&K Militancy Conspiracy Case, officials said.

The NIA teams conducted searches at four locations in Sopore and Srinagar and arrested Irfan Tariq Antoo, a resident of Kral Tang, Sopore.

“Investigation has revealed that arrested accused person is a militant associate/OGW of militant organisation and has been providing logistical and material support to militants,” a NIA statement said.

The case relates to conspiracy for undertaking violent militant acts in J&K and other major cities including New Delhi by cadres of militant organisations Laskhar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), Al Badr and their affiliates such as The Resistance Front (TRF), People Against Fascist Forces (PAFF) etc.

NIA had registered the case on October 10, 2021 and initiated the investigation. NIA has arrested 28 persons in the case till now.

“Further investigation in the case continues,” the statement added. (UNI)

Jammu: In a major reshuffle, Jammu and Kashmir administration on Thursday transferred 27 senior police officers of SSP and SP ranks.

As per order, Rakesh Balwal has been appointed as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, Javid Ahmed Koul, SSP Traffic City Srinagar, is transferred and posted as SO to ADGP, Traffic J&K with additional charge of the posts of DIG, Traffic, Jammu and DIG, Traffic, Kashmir.

Shridhar Patil, awaiting orders of posting upon modification of transfer on deputation to the Union Territory of Ladakh, is posted as AIG (Tech) PHQ, against an available vacancy. Dr Vinod Kumar, SSP, Poonch, is transferred and posted as SSP, Udhampur, Sargun Shukla, SSP, Udhampur, is transferred and posted as SO to IGP Technical Services.

Sandeep Choudhary, SSP Srinagar, is transferred and posted as SSP Cyber Crime Investigation Center for Excellence (CICE), Rakesh Balwal, IPS, awaiting orders of posting is posted as SSP Srinagar, Abhishek Mahajan, awaiting orders of posting is posted as SP.

Samba, Sheema Nabi Qasba, SP Rajouri is transferred and posted as SP (Tech), CID Hqrs, Lakshya Sharma, SP (Tech), CID Hqrs, is transferred and posted as SP South, Srinagar, Mohita Sharma, SP North, Jammu, is transferred and posted as SP, Ramban, Zahid Nasim Manhas, Commandant 1st Border Bn Jammu, is transferred and posted as SSP CID Hqrs. J&K.

Rajesh Kumar Sharma, SSP Samba, is transferred and posted as Commandant IR-22nd Bn, Mohd Aslam, SSP CID Hqrs. J&K, is transferred and posted as SSP Rajouri, Mumtaz Ahmed, SSP, Doda, is transferred and posted as Commandant

1st Border Bn, Jammu, Rohit Baskotra, SP CID, SB Jammu, is transferred and posted as SP, Poonch and he has been replaced by Arun Gupta, SP CICE.

Liaqat Ali, Addl. SP Poonch, is transferred and posted as SP APCR Kashmir, against an available vacancy, Rakesh Kumar, SO to ADGP, Traffic J&K, is transferred and shall await further posting in PHQ.

Sanjay Kumar Bhagat, SO to IGP Technical Services, is transferred and posted as Commandant Women Battalion Kashmir, against an available vacancy.

Abdul Qayoom, Addl. SP Bhaderwah, is transferred and posted as SP Doda, Rajinder Kumar Katoch, Commandant IR-22nd Bn., is transferred and posted as SO to DIG, JKS Range, against an available vacancy.

Muzaffar Ahmad Shah, Dy. Commandant. IR- 11th Bn., is transferred and posted as SP Traffic City Srinagar, Sajad Ahmad Shah, SP South, Srinagar, is transferred and posted as Dy. Commandant, IR-11th Bn.

Irshad Hussain Rather, SP Hazratbal, Srinagar, is transferred and posted as Addl. SP Handwara, Mashkoor Ahmed Zargar, Addl. SP Handwara, is transferred and posted as SP Hazratbal, Srinagar.

Pushkar Nath Tikoo, Dy. Commandant IR-5th Bn. is transferred and posted as Addl. SP CID (CI), Jammu and Kulbir Chand Handa, Addl. SP CID (CI), Jammu, is transferred and posted as SP North, Jammu.

Srinagar: Weatherman on Thursday forecast widespread “moderate to heavy” snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh from December 23 to 25.

There are currently reports about light snowfall in Gurez, Sonmarg, Zojila-Drass axis, said an official of the MeT office here.

“As on date, widespread moderate to heavy snowfall (at some places) is most likely during 23-25th December. We are in for a White X-Mas (Christmas ) in both J&K and Ladakh,” he said.

Meanwhile, intense cold conditions continued across J&K and Ladakh with world famous Gulmarg recording a low of minus 10.0°C.

The mercury in the world famous resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district was down by nearly two degrees Celsius from minus 8.6°C the previous night, the official said.

The minimum temperature in Srinagar, the summer capital of J&K, settled at minus 2.1°C and against previous night’s minus 3.9°C which was the lowest temperature recorded this season.

Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, had a low of minus 3.0°C against minus 4.2°C on the previous night, he said.

Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 6.9°C against minus 6.4°C on previous night.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 3.0°C against minus 3.9°C on previous night, the official said.

Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a minimum of minus 4.5°C against minus 3.8°C on the previous night, the official said.

Jammu, the J&K’s winter capital, saw a low of 5.9°C which is minus 3.3°C below normal, he said.

Ladakh’s Leh had a low of minus 15.0°C against last night’s minus 11.6°C while automatic Kargil station recorded minimum of minus 12.5°C. Drass in Kargil, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia, recorded a low of minus 19.2°C, the official said. (GNS)

Jammu: A Junior Commissioned Officer (Subedar) on Thursday died of mysterious bullet injury on the Line of Control in Balakote sector of Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir.

Police sources said that the Army subedar had died of mysterious bullet injury in Balakote sector, adding, “the body was shifted to the Sub District Hospital Mendhar for autopsy.”

Police sources said that investigation has been initiated to ascertain the cause of bullet injury. (UNI)

By: Sheikh Danish

Srinagar: An elderly woman was allegedly killed by her non-local servant at her home in Lal Bazar area of Srinagar on Thursday. The accused has, however, been arrested on way to Jammu, five hours after committing the crime.

Official sources said that a lady identified as Mala Puffi, 85, wife of Late Ghulam Ahmad Sheikh of Behrar Lal Bazar, Srinagar was attacked with a knife by their non-local servant.

They informed that the lady succumbed to her injuries, adding that the non-local servant identified as Omprakash Sah, 21, son of Gopal Sah of Village Tatuli Gormadn Uttarakhand has decamped with some cash and jewelry from the house, they said.

However, the accused was arrested five hours after committing the crime, they said, adding that he has been arrested on way to Jammu. (KNO)

‘Tourist place to remain open this winter’

By: Raja Syed Rather

Ganderbal: Following an increase in the footfall of tourists, the government is mulling to start snow skiing at famous tourist destination Sonamarg in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district this winter.

Notably, it is for the first time that Sonmarg will remain open for tourists during winter after the opening of Z-Morh tunnel.

Officials in the Directorate of Tourism informed that snow skiing and other related snow sports will be started for the first time this year at the famous tourist place.

An official said organizing the basic snow skiing in the mesmerizing hill station will attract more tourists to the place.

“In last month the place witnessed a huge response of tourists after mild snowfall in late October,” an official said.

Earlier, authorities said that Sonamarg will be opened for tourists in winters for the first time and said all arrangements have been put in place to provide hassle-free movement to tourists.

The Sonamarg used to remain closed in winter due to heavy snowfall and avalanches in the Gagangeer area but with the commissioning of Z-Morh Tunnel, the Sonamarg Tourist Destination shall remain open for the first time in winter also.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sonamarg Mushtaq Ahmad Rather, confirming the snow skiing at the tourist place, said, all the measures have been put in place for winter tourism. He said Jhelum Mountaineering Sport Gulmarg will organize the snow skiing in this tourist place.

According to the official figures, from November 20 to December 5, a total 19,526 tourists have visited the place. Among them 16, 390 are domestic and 3136 are local tourists. (KNO)

Srinagar: Authorities on Thursday appointed Dr. Nazir A. Ganai as Vice Chancellor of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Sciences & Technology, Kashmir (SKUAST).

An order in this regard has been issued by Chancellor of SKUAST-K, Manoj Sinha under number LGS-123(Appt.VC)AUK/2021/5435-38, dated 16-12-2021.

“In exercise of power vested in me under section 25(1) of the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Sciences & Technology Act, 1982, I, Manoj Sinha, Chancellor, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Sciences & Technology, Kashmir hereby appoint Dr. Nazir A. Ganai presently Director, Planning and Monitoring, SKUAST- Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar as Vice Chancellor, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Sciences & Technology, (SKUAST-K), Kashmir for a period of 03 years or until he attains the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier, with effect from the date on which he takes over charge, on the terms and conditions which are being notified separately,” the order reads.

By: Raja Syed Rather

Ganderbal: After fresh snowfall in upper reaches of Zojila in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, the authorities on Thursday closed the Sonamarg-Zojjila road for vehicular movement.

Drass and Sonamarg areas have experienced fresh snowfall today following which the authorities decided to close Sonamarg-Zojjila road for vehicular movement.

The road has been closed as a precautionary measure in wake of the slippery conditions triggered by fresh snowfall.

Reports said that Sonamarg, Menimarg and other areas received fresh snowfall today morning.

Desputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Traffic, Mehraj U Din said that keeping in view slippery condition and fresh snowfall, the Sonamarg-Zojjila road has been closed as a precautionary measure. (KNO)