New Delhi: India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat (63), died along with his wife and 11 others, when their IAF Mi-17 crashed in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday.

This was the first fatality of a top defence official in nearly three decades – and has curious coincidences with the previous incident.

The previous incident of a senior Indian Army officer dying in a helicopter crash occurred in 1993 – and it also involved an Mi-17 helicopter, bad weather and the officer being accompanied by his wife.

Eastern Command chief, Lt Gen Jameel Mahmood, died in a helicopter crash in May 1993, while on a visit to Sikkim.

His wife, Military Assistant Col M.N. Ahmed, Lt Lakshman Tyagi, orderly Naik G. Thyagarajan, his personal bodyguard Havildar S. Vasudevan, and the IAF crew were also killed.

Commissioned into the Artillery in 1959, Mahmood commanded a platoon in Sikkim during the 1962 India-China war, and was conferred the Yudh Seva Medal. He also saw action during the 1965 and 1971 India-Pakistan war, held a series of key command (including of a brigade, infantry division, and the Srinagar-headquartered Chinar Corps), staff and instructional posts, including at the IMA, and the Army War College.

He became the Eastern Command chief in October 1992.

Three decades back, the Indian Army and Air Force lost a host of senior officials when an IAF Alouette chopper crashed near Poonch in November 1963.

Western Command chief, Lt Gen Daulat Singh, Western Air Command chief, Air Vice Marshal Erlic Pinto, Chinar Corps Commander, Lt Gen Bikram Singh, 25 Infantry Division chief, Maj Gen N.K.D. Nanavati, and 93 Brigade chief, Brigadier S.R. Oberoi, as well as pilot, Flight Lt S.S. Sodhi, were killed in the crash.

However, the miraculous survival of all passengers of an IAF de Havilland Devon transport aircraft crash near Lucknow in February 1952 was a godsend to the Indian Army.

On board were future Army chiefs – Lt Gen S.M. Shrinagesh and Major Gen K.S. Thimayya — as well as Major Gen S.P.P. Thorat, later Eastern Command chief, Maj Gen Sardanand Singh, Major Gen Mohinder Singh Chopra and Brig Ajaib Singh.

Lt Gen Shrinagesh’s ADC had to give up his seat at the last moment to accommodate Brig Singh. The person was K. Sundarji, who would go on to head the Indian Army in his turn.

Shopian: Three militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba outfit were killed in gunfight in South Kashmir’s Shopian district on Wednesday.

“Acting on specific input regarding the presence of (militants) in village Check Cholan area of Shopian, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, (army’s) 34RR and 178 batallion CRPF in the area,” a police spokesperson said.

“During the search operation, as the presence of (militants) got ascertained, they were given repeated opportunities to surrender; however they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated, leading to an encounter.”

Three militants of LeT (TRF) were killed in the ensuing encounter. They have been identified as Amir Hussain Ganie son of Manzoor Ahmad of Check Cholan Shopian, Rayees Ahmed Mir son of Nazir Ahmad of Kapran Shopian and Haseeb Ahmad Dar son of Mohammad Yousuf Dar of Khudwani Kulgam.

“As per police records, all the three of them were categorized (militants) and linked with LeT (TRF) including attacks on security forces.”

Pertinently, the spokesperson said Aamir was active since Sept-2020 and involved in several cases including case (FIR No. 264/2021) of police station Shopian regarding attack on Police and SFs at Village Rakhma on 01 Octomber 2021. “He was also involved in luring gullible youth to join (militant) folds.” Regarding Rayees Ahmad, the spokesperson said that he was active since June-2021 and involved in several cases including attack on Police and SFs. “He was also involved in attack on Police/SF at Village Rakhma.”

The spokesperson claimed that Haseeb Yousuf was also involved in several cases in Kulgam.

“Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including one AK 47 rifle and two pistols were also recovered from their possession,” he said, adding, “IGP Kashmir congratulated the joint teams for carrying out operation in professional manner without any collateral damage.”

Srinagar: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Wednesday said that post abrogation of article 370, no Kashmiri Pandit has been displaced from the Valley while as 366 militants, 96 civilians and 81 security personnel were killed since August 5, 2019 in J&K.

The Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a query in the Rajya Sabha, about the number of Kashmir Hindus and Kashmiri Pandits displaced in Kashmir post abrogation of article 370 and the number of militants, security forces personnel, and civilians killed stated: “After repeal of Article 370, no Kashmiri Pandit has been displaced from the valley.

However, recently some KP families, mostly women and children have moved to the Jammu region. These families are government employees, many of whom move to Jammu in winter as part of movement of officials and the winter vacation in educational institutions.”

In reply to another query, the MoS Home said that post roll back of Article 370, on August 5, 2019 to November 30, 2021, 366 militants, 96 civilians and 81 security forces personnel were killed. (KNO)

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha on Wednesday impressed upon Mission Director, AIM, and Executive Director, NIELIT to explore all possibilities for facilitating the skill development of the youth of Jammu and Kashmir.

Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and Additional Secretary, NITI Aayog, Dr. Chintan Vaishnav; DDC Chairperson Ramban, Shamshad Shan; and delegation of Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Jammu called on Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, at the Raj Bhavan here on Wednesday.

Mission Director, AIM, apprised the Lt Governor about various aspects of the mission, which is a flagship initiative of NITI Aayog (GoI). He informed that the Mission aims to inculcate the innovation and entrepreneurship skills in youth across India with various initiatives under the mission including Atal Tinkering Lab program meant for 6th to 12th grade school children to foster curiosity, creativity, and imagination in young minds.

Deepak Wasan, Executive Director, National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (Srinagar/Jammu) also met the Lt Governor and discussed about introducing various skill-based courses of NIELIT in the curriculum of JKBOSE, and the Universities in J&K. He gave a brief on the courses that can be opted by the students right from 6th standard till graduation.

The Lt Governor while interacting with the Mission Director, AIM, and Executive Director, NIELIT impressed upon them to explore all possibilities for facilitating the skill development of the youth of J&K. He assured them of every assistance from the UT administration in their efforts.

Later, Dr. Shamshad Shan, DDC Chairperson, Ramban also called on the Lt Governor and put forth various issues pertaining to health and education sectors, besides other issues of public importance of district Ramban.

Similarly, a delegation of Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Jammu, led by its president, Arun Gupta also met the Lt Governor and submitted a memorandum apprising him of issues pertaining to creation of new commercial and residential sites by JDA, extension of expired lease deeds for some allottees in Vegetable and Fruit Mandi Narwal, besides other issues of business community and industrialists.

The Lt Governor listened to the issues and demands presented by the delegations and assured them of redressal of all genuine issues and concerns.

Meanwhile, Prof. Sanjeev Jain, Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Jammu, called on Lt Governor and apprised him about the functioning of the University.

The Lt Governor asked the Vice-Chancellor to maintain the high standards of academic achievements, co-curriculum activities, and administrative functioning of the Central University.

Srinagar: Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Pandurang K. Pole Wednesday chaired a meeting to review the progress achieved in containment and mitigation of the possible threat from Omicron variant in the division at Divisional Covid-19 Control Room Kashmir (DCCRK), here.

At the outset, the Div Com stressed for further intensifying the disease surveillance network with rigorous screening and follow-up of all the international travelers coming from all entry points to Kashmir division. He also designated a Nodal Officer for Surveillance of International travelers.

The Nodal Officer was directed to monitor the preparedness as well as implementation of the previous directions by the Administration vis-à-vis Omicron threat.

Pole stressed upon Officers to personally visit the facilities which were made available in view of the Omicron variant. He also directed them to ensure that all the passengers with international travel history during past 14 days are subjected to RTPCR test and that they stay in the Administrative Quarantine till the reports of the test is available or they can also avail Rapid RTPCR test on paid mode which gives results within 3-4 hours.

The Director, Airport Authority of India in Srinagar Airport was directed to inform all the flight attendants/crew members for making necessary In-flight announcements in this regard for the information of all travelers.

Also a “Covid-19 Help Desk” was placed at Srinagar International Airport to facilitate the International Travelers for screening and testing for Covid-19.

In the meeting it was also decided that at least 75 samples per week shall be sent for Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) and the directions were given to the HoD Microbiology, SKIMS Soura to send these samples on fast-track basis to the concerned Laboratory at NCDC Delhi.

It was given out that the priority groups for sending of samples for WGS shall be Samples of all Covid Positive International travelers, Samples of all Covid death cases, Samples of a good number of Covid-19 patients who are admitted in tertiary care hospitals with Severe Covid and have taken both doses of vaccine and Samples of Covid-19 patients found in clusters/super spreader.

Further it was decided that training regarding RTPCR testing will be imparted to all SRF/JRF/Research Associates of departments with Scientific Research (Biological sciences) from all the universities of Kashmir division so that their services may be utilized in case of any eventuality arising out of Omicron/ any other variant.

Also directions were passed to the Director Youth Services and Sports for sending their Physical Education teacher for capacity building training for sampling so that their services can also be utilized in case of any eventuality.

Similar directions were passed to Director Health Services Kashmir for sending doctors and paramedical staff from peripheral Health Institutions for capacity building training in ICUs so that their services can also be utilized in case of any eventuality.

The Div Com also directed Director AYUSH to launch a fresh campaign for the distribution of Immunity Boosters for the general public in Kashmir so that people can further be benefitted by such immunity boosters.

In the meeting it was further decided that all the Chief Medical Officers of Kashmir division will share the information regarding the availability of Covid Management Kits to the Divisional Administration in the shortest possible time.

At the end Incharge DCCRK briefed the Div Com about the vaccination drive going on in Kashmir division and apprised him that 80 percent of the eligible population has received 2nd dose of Covid-19 vaccination in the division.

The meeting was attended by Incharge Divisional Covid-19 Control Room Kashmir, Tahir Ahmad Magray; Epidemiologist Kashmir/SSO Dr. Talat Jabeen and various senior level Public Health Specialists of DCCRK.

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday transferred six IAS officers in the interest of administration with immediate effect.

According to a government order, Bipul Pathak, IAS (AGMUT:1992) Principal Secretary to the Government, Department of Rural Development and Panchayatiraj has been transferred and posted as Principal Resident Commissioner, JK House, New Delhi relieving Dheeraj Gupta, IAS of the additional charge.

Rohit Kansal, IAS (AGMUT:1995), Principal Secretary to the Government, Power Development Department has been transferred and posted as Principal Secretary to the Government, Higher Education Department. “He shall continue to hold charge of Administrative Secretary, Information Department and Principal Secretary (Coordination) to coordinate with Government of India for review and monitoring of issues/ projects in addition to his own duties.”

Nitishwar Kumar, IAS (UP:1996), Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor shall hold the charge of Administrative Secretary, Power Development Department and Managing Director, J&K Power Corporation Limited in addition to his own duties, the order reads.

Mandeep Kaur, IAS (AGMUT:2004), Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Planning Development and Monitoring Department has been transferred and posted as Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Department of Rural Development and Panchayatiraj.

Prerna Puri, IAS (AGMUT:2006), awaiting orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department has been posted as Secretary to the Government, Information Technology Department relieving Amit Sharma, JKAS of the additional charge.

Sushma Chauhan, IAS (AGMUT:2009), Administrative Secretary, Higher Education Department has been transferred and posted as Administrative Secretary, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department.  (GNS)

Jammu: A dynamic, responsive, efficient, and people-friendly power department remains the objective of the government. This was stated by the Chief Secretary Dr. Arun K Mehta here on Wednesday. He was chairing a meeting to review the power sector in Jammu and Kashmir.

Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary Power Development Department, Shiv Tayal, MD Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited, Basharat Qayoom, MD Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited and Chief Engineers and other senior officers of various wings of the corporations from both Jammu and Kashmir attended the meeting.

The meeting was informed that a record number of 264 works costing Rs 2360.27 crores were slated for completion this year. This was by far the highest number of works ever completed in any single year. In the distribution sector, KPDCL and JPDCL have already completed 35 and 44 projects, respectively, and will be completing 23 and 46 additional projects by the end of this financial year. All these projects are being completed at an estimated cost of Rs. 1160.73 crore.

Under the IPDS and PMDP (U) schemes, 3621 distribution transformers were installed, 864 CKM HT lines and 2482 CKM LT lines were laid to add 1294 MVA capacity. Similarly, in rural areas, 2854 distribution transformers were installed, 1524 CKM HT lines and 3050 CKM LT lines were laid to add 587 MVA capacity under the DDUGYJ and PMDP(R) schemes.

It was further informed that Jammu and Kashmir has seen a significant leap of 150% in transformation capacity with the addition of 3806 MVA to the existing 8394 MVA, over a period of 2 years. While the transmission capacity addition at 132 KV level saw an increase of 305% during 2021-22, the 220 KV level capacities grew by 398% in the same period.

Further, the Department implemented tight enforcement and crackdown on power theft. Over the past few months, it conducted 5434 inspections resulting in 41781 disconnections, 2276 connection regularization. Subsequently, the Department recovered Rs. 44.38 crore as penalties and fees.

To improve power distribution performance, the Power Development Department digitized the database of distribution transformers and allotted unique identification numbers to each for seamless management of transformer damage and repair. Additionally, transformer repair workshops were modernized and preventive repairs were carried out to ensure standardized transformer health.

The Chief Secretary asked the Department to focus on enhancing the billing efficiency through the expeditious installation of pre-paid/ smart meters and prioritized metering of non-metered areas, besides intensifying the inspection drives. The Department was advised to devise an installation strategy to streamline the metering of non-metered areas through spare meters from the areas being covered by the pre-paid/smart meters.

Dr. Mehta emphasized the reduction of AT&C losses to below 25% through the time-bound installation of smart meters and aerial bunched cables (ABC). He asked the Department to draw up a strategy for installation of 8 lakh meters in both capital cities and major towns and ensure 24X7 reliable electricity supply to the metered.

The Department was asked to make public grievance redressal prompt and efficient. The Chief Secretary emphasized the need for providing quick and reliable information on curtailment schedules, power failures, and other important aspects through the 24X7 helplines of the department. The Department was also directed to explore the possibility of informing the public about the scheduled power cut through text messages in the future. It was also asked to further enhance the user-friendliness of the Bill Sahuliyat application.

Moreover, the Department was also asked to undertake an extensive IEC campaign in both print and social media to promote adherence to power norms besides raising awareness on the feeder-wise authorized electricity drawal limit in collaboration with the Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies. He also directed the initiation of IEC campaign for raising awareness on adherence to agreemented power load and desisting from use of crude and unauthorized heating and cooking devices.

SDH Kupwara gets NBEMS seats in General Medicine

Srinagar: In yet another milestone for Health and Medical Department, the National Board of Examinations has accredited the General Medicine Department of Sub District Hospital (SDH), Kupwara, with approval of two seats in Medical Sciences (NBEMS).

In addition, NBEMS has approved 14 more seats for Government Medical Colleges and District Hospitals of Jammu and Kashmir raising the total P G seats approval for the UT to 140 which is above the DM/MCH and MD/MS courses already being run here.

The Government Medical Colleges of Kathua and Doda besides Community Health Center, Kupwara, have received approval for 2 seats each in General Medicine department while Government Medical Colleges Anantnag and Rajouri have got approval four seats each in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Besides, SKIMS Soura has received approval for 2 seats in the department of emergency medicine.

Mission Director National Health Mission, Yasin Choudhary, while giving details about the development said that a total of 164 applications have been submitted by various health institutions under Diplomat of National Board (DNB) programme in the UT, out of which, 53 applications have been approved till date against which 140 seats have been granted to the accredited departments. This has been possible consequent to the hard work of the administrative department H&ME, NHM and the team of health institutions being monitored by Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Medical Department, Vivek Bhardwaj, he added.

Pertinently, the DNB courses have been introduced in District Hospitals and new Government Medical Colleges besides old GMCs and SKIMS in order to strengthen the institutions, decongest the GMCs and address the shortage of specialists in J&K.

The DNB courses are expected to drastically improve the healthcare services in far flung districts of the UT besides improving services in the tertiary care institutions. This is also expected to bring down the referral from the far flung districts to already overburdened tertiary care institutes of J&K.

Chairs Mega Block Diwas at Wavoora Lolab, Kupwara

Kupwara: Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole Wednesday visited border district Kupwara and chaired the Weekly public outreach programme, Block Diwas at Wavoora in picturesque Lolab Subdivision of Kupwara district.

The Vice Chairman, District Development Council (DDC), Kupwara, Haji Farooq Ahmad Mir was also present at the occasion.

The Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara, Imam Din, SSP Kupwara Yougal Manhas, senior officers of District Administration also participated in the Block Diwas programme.

The programme was largely attended by people of the area, besides BDC Chairperson, Mohammad Rafeeq, PRIs, Numberdars and Chowkidars.

In his address, the Div Com gave the historical background of Panchayat Raj System and said that in Jammu and Kashmir it will take some time to grow strongly at grassroots level as it started just two year ago.

He urged the officers to respect PRIs and provide requisite information to them, adding that they (officers) should not feel any encroachment when they (PRIs) come to their offices.

He said the essence of democracy is that people shall rule themselves and decide for themselves what is good or bad for them. He said “We are here for them, they are not for us”, adding that we need to attend Public Representatives on priority basis.

Quoting Lolab Valley as the Land of Love and beauty, Pole said that people of Lolab have ever since known as lovers of peace. He said people here are still adopting the values of Maulana Anwar Shah Kashmiri, whose birth place is here in Lolab.

Replying to questions raised by public representatives regarding holding of meetings and its outcome and establishment of domestic airport, the Div Com said that Panchayat Raj System consists of three tiers and each tier has its own level of powers which shall be utilized in full.

He said all issues projected by VC DDC and other public representatives shall be looked into on priority and assured that all demands would be fulfilled in a time bound manner.

Regarding power curtailment, Div com stressed for strict implementation of curtailment schedule and directed for timely completion of augmentation of Arampora grid so that people of Kupwara district get instant relief in this winter.

Regarding employment, the Div Com exhorted youth to take interest in self employment schemes for which the Government provides every kind of facilities, including financial assistance and technical know-how.

On the occasion, Div com distributed baby kits, soil health certificates, Golden Cards, e-Shram cards, PM Disha certificates, RBA and Phari Speaking certificates.

The VC DDC in his address vigorously projected the issues of the Lolab Subdivision and demanded immediate completion of Lolab-Bandipora road and tehsil status for Wavoora block. He expressed his pleasure for holding block diwas programme at wavoora and added that holding of Block Diwas programme is a unique developmental initiative given by the present LG Government to provide maximum governance at the doorsteps of the people.

He complimented Deputy Commissioner Kupwara for reaching out to the public, especially in far-flung and border areas of the district and resolving public issues in a time bound manner. He also enlisted the developmental works completed during the year. He stressed for acceleration of development tempo in the district so that targets fixed for the current financial year could be achieved within the stipulated time frame.

Deputy Commissioner in his address said that the Government is committed to provide equitable developmental benefits in all urban and rural areas of the district. He said that the three tier Panchayati Raj System has increased the expectations of the public and assured that all demands shall be fulfilled step by step.

BDC Chairperson Wavoora, various Sarpanchs and public representatives also spoke on the occasion and projected development issues of the area.

District Officers also spoke on the occasion and replied to the queries raised by the public during the Block Diwas programme.  They also gave thorough awareness of developmental schemes and welfare programmes of their respective departments.

ACD Kupwara while replying to queries raised by the public said that 1.37 lakh mandays/ person days of work were generated during the year. Ex. Engineers of PDD and Jal Shakti besides BMO Sogam also replied to the queries in front of Div com.

Block Development Officer, Wavoora/ Sogam briefed about the achievements carried out in the Lolab Subdivision.

Div Com also planted a forest sapling in the Eidgah of wavoora, which was appreciated by the local populace.

Later, Div com visited Chandigam and other places of the Lolab and reviewed the developmental profile of the area.

Block Diwas programmes were also held at BakiAkher in Handwara subdivision under the Chairmanship of ADC Handwara, Nazir Ahmad Mir.

Likewise Block Diwas programme was held at Dragmulla block under the Chairmanship of ADC Kupwara, Ghulam Nabi Bhat.

Block Diwas programme was also held at Khawarpara in Karnah subdivision under the Chairmanship of BDC Karnah and Tehsildar Karnah.