Precious Kashmir

2 militants arrested in Shopian: Police

Front

06/12/2021

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Sunday claimed to have arrested two active militants in Shopian and recovered arms and ammunition from their possession.
In a statement here, a police spokesman said : “Acting on specific input regarding presence of an active militants identified as Shahid Ahmad Gaine son of Gulzar Ahmad Ganie a resident of Doomwani Keegam of Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) and his close aide at village Doomwani near Rambi Ara. Police along with 44RR and 14Bn CRPF launched a joint cordon and search operation in the area.”
“When joint parties of Police and SFs approached the spot, the two suspects tried to flee. However, the duo was arrested tactfully by the joint search parties. Another arrested militant has been identified as Kifayat Ayoub Alie son of Mohammad Ayoub Alie of Pinjoora Shopian,” the spokesman said.
“Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including a Chinese pistol, one pistol magazine, two Chinese hand grenades, eight pistol rounds were recovered, besides cash amount of ₹2.9 lakh was also recovered from their possession,” he added.

A case FIR No.294/2021 under relevant sections of law has been registered and further investigation has been taken up.

Omicron: India’s tally rises to 21 as 17 more test positive

Front

Precious Kashmir

06/12/2021

New Delhi: India reported 17 more cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 on December 5 — nine in Rajasthan capital Jaipur, seven in Maharashtra’s Pune district and a 37-year-old fully vaccinated man who arrived in Delhi from Tanzania — taking the tally to 21 in the country.

Most of those who tested positive either recently arrived from African countries or were in contact with such people. With this, four States and the national capital have now reported cases of the potentially more contagious variant which has sparked a fresh alert across the world.

The nine people who tested positive in Jaipur include four members of a family who returned from South Africa recently. “Genome sequencing has confirmed that nine persons are infected with the omicron variant,” Rajasthan Health Secretary Vaibhav Galriya said.

The new cases in Maharashtra include a woman who along with her two daughters came from Nigeria, her brother and a man who returned from Finland in the last week of November, officials said. The total number of confirmed Omicron cases in Maharashtra has gone up to eight now.

The country reported the first two cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 on December 2 in Karnataka — a 66-year-old South African flyer and a 46-year-old Bengaluru doctor with no travel history. Both men are fully vaccinated. On December 4, a 72-year-old NRI from Gujarat and a 33-year-old man from Maharashtra’s Thane tested positive for the new strain.

The country reported the first two cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 on Thursday in Karnataka — a 66-year-old South African flyer and a 46-year-old Bengaluru doctor with no travel history. Both men are fully vaccinated.

On Saturday, a 72-year-old NRI man from Gujarat and a 33-year-old man from Maharashtra tested positive for the new strain.

All Covid-positive international travellers are being admitted to the LNJP Hospital, where a dedicated ward has been set up for isolating and treating them.

According to the Centre, the countries designated as “at-risk” are European countries, including the UK, and South Africa, Brazil, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong and Israel.

Under the new norms, RT-PCR tests are mandatory for passengers arriving from the “at-risk” countries and they will be allowed to leave the airport only after the results come.

Also, two per cent of the passengers arriving on flights from other countries will be subjected to the test randomly.

COVID-19: J&K records 2 deaths, 161 fresh cases

Front

Precious Kashmir

06/12/2021

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir reported 161 new covid-19 cases while as two persons succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Sunday.

18 of the fresh cases were reported from Jammu Division and 143 from Kashmir, taking the overall tally to 337807.

There were deaths, both from the Valley, due to the virus during the last 24 hours, they said. So far 4481 persons—2185 in Jammu and 2296 in Kashmir—have died due to the virus, they said.

Giving district wise details of the fresh cases, the officials said that Srinagar reported 62 cases, Baramulla 21, Budgam 19, Pulwama 6, Kupwara 13, Anantnag 1, Bandipora 11, Ganderbal 8, Kulgam 2, Shopian 0, Jammu 7, Udhampur 0, Rajouri 1, Doda 6, Kathua 1, Samba 0, Kishtwar 0, Poonch 1, Ramban 0 and Reasi 1.

A number of these cases were confirmed at CD hospital’s diagnostic labouratory and include female (27) from Sgr, male (80) from Qamarwari Sgr, female (80) (NA) from Habakadal, female (54) from Zakura Sgr, female (20) from Zakura Sgr, male (58) from Punzwa kupwara, female (60) from Karnah kupwara, male (70) from Turkapora kupwara, male (23) from Braripora handwara, female (55) from Punzwa vilgam, male (32) from Lalbazar Sgr, male (80) from Sontipora, male (18) from Reshigund, male (08) from Pampore pulwama, male (20) from Pampore pulwama, female (16) from Dadsara, male (35) from Tral, female (30) from Tral, male (44) (NA) from Batamaloo, male (08) (NA) from Batamaloo, male (29) (NA) from Nowshera, female (35) (NA) from HMT Sgr, female (31) from Shalimar, female (26) from Ishbar nishat, male (60) from Batpora Sgr, male (40) from Dargah, female (14) from Nishat, male (48) from Hazratbal, male (69) (NA) from Soura, male (45) (NA) from Bengal, male (83) (NA) from Navepora.

Moreover, 184 Covid-19 patients recovered during the time, 34 from Jammu Division and 150 from Kashmir, they said.

So far 331620 patients have recovered, leaving active case tally at 1706—439 in Jammu and 1267 in Kashmir.

They said there was no new confirmed case of mucormycosis (black fungus) reported today. So far 58 black fungus cases have been confirmed in J&K, the officials said.

The officials also informed that 30753 doses of covid-19 vaccine were administered during the time in J&K.

13 civilians, soldier killed in Nagaland

National

United News Of India

06/12/2021

13 civilians, soldier killed in Nagaland

Army says incident deeply regretted

Guwahati, New Delhi, Kohima: Security forces opened fire on civilians killing 13 and injuring 11 more in Nagaland’s Mon district in two consecutive incidents of firing, police said on Sunday. One soldier also died in rioting which followed.

The first firing occurred when army personnel who mistook some coal mine workers were returning home in a pick-up van singing songs on Saturday evening, to be insurgents belonging to the Yung Aung faction of proscribed outfit NSCN (K), killing six worker, about whose movements they had been tipped off.

As workers failed to reach their homes, local youth and villagers went in search of them and surrounded the army vehicles. In the ensuing melee one soldier was killed and army vehicles burnt down. Soldiers who fired in self-defence killed another seven civilians, said police officials.

Angry mobs have since then on Sunday afternoon vandalised the offices of the Konyak Union and an Assam Rifles camp. The Nagaland government through a notification has banned mobile internet and data services as well as bulk SMS in the district to curb “circulation of inflammatory video’s, pictures or text”.

Police said that the post-mortem of the 13 killed is being conducted in Mon and feared that the number of fatalities may increase as at least two of those injured were critical and had to be evacuated to hospitals in Assam while the rest were being treated in Nagaland.

Ordering a Court of Inquiry into the incident, Army said one of its personnel was killed and several others were seriously injured. It said that the incident and its aftermath is “deeply regretted” and the unfortunate loss of lives is being investigated at the highest level.

The state government has constituted a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by IGP Nagaland, officials said.

PRO Defence (Kohima) Lt Col Sumit K Sharma said Based on credible intelligence of likely movement of insurgents, a specific operation was planned to be conducted in the area of Tiru, Mon District, Nagaland. The incident and its aftermath is deeply regretted.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio promised a high-level probe into the incident and appealed to all sections of the society to maintain peace.

An investigation is underway to ascertain whether the incident was a case of mistaken identity, the officer said.

Mon shares a porous international border with Myanmar, where the Yung Aung faction of NSCN (K) is based.

Official sources said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Army Chief Gen M M Naravane have been briefed about the incident.

SIT shall investigate the incident from all angles while a court of inquiry has been instituted against the army personnel involved, Jagdish Mukhi, Governor of Assam and Nagaland said in a statement, while appealing for peace.

Rio tweeted “the unfortunate incident leading to killing of civilians at Oting, Mon, is highly condemnable. Condolences to the bereaved families & speedy recovery of those injured. High level SIT will investigate & justice delivered as per the law of the land. Appeal for peace from all sections.”

Home Minister Amit Shah too tweeted his anguish and expressed deepest condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives. A high-level SIT constituted by the State govt will thoroughly probe this incident to ensure justice to the bereaved families.

Reacting to the incident, Gandhi however pointed out in a post on social media “This is heart wrenching. GOI must give a real reply. What exactly is the home ministry doing when neither civilians nor security personnel are safe in our own land?”

In protest against the incident, the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisaiton (ENPO) urged the six tribes of the region to withdraw participation from the ongoing Hornbill Festival, which is the state’s biggest tourism extravaganza.

“While expressing deep sorrow and sadness over the indiscriminate firing by Indian security force where more than 10 daily wage laborers from Oting village were blatantly killed, the ENPO vehemently condemn the barbaric act of the security force,” a release issued the organisation said.

The ENPO asked the six tribes to hoist black flags in their respective Morungs at Hornbill Festival venue Naga Heritage Village in Kisama near the state capital against the incident.

“It has to be understood by all concerned that this order/move is not against the State Govt., but to show resentment against the security forces who have committed this heinous crime, and to show solidarity of the 6 tribes,” it said.

Abu Mehta, advisor to the chief minister, said that two minutes’ silence will be observed and prayers will be held at Kisama for those killed in the incident.

6 charged with fraud mutation of land

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

06/12/2021

Jammu: The Crime Branch of Jammu and Kashmir Police has filed a chargesheet against six persons, including government officials, for their involvement in hatching a criminal conspiracy and preparing mutation of over two acres of land here, an official said on Sunday.

The chargesheet against two revenue officials and four members of a family was filed in the court of special judge, anti-corruption, for judicial determination on Saturday, a spokesperson of the Jammu Crime Branch said.

He said the mutation of the land at Tikku Tehra was done in contravention of the law of the land and against the interest of the complainant Gurdeep Singh, son of a Pakistan-occupied Kashmir refugee of 1947.

In his complaint in 2016, Singh claimed the state land was allotted in favour of his father Jagat Singh, who during his lifetime, remained in its continuous physical cultivation and possession.

After his death, the complainant said he and his brother were in physical cultivation and no rights of proprietorship could be vested in favour of any person, including the allottees – Chaju Ram alias Chottu Ram and his three sons Sheru, Hari and Paras of Alora.

The spokesperson said the allegations were prima facie substantiated during a preliminary verification, leading to the registration of an instant formal criminal case.

“During the course of investigation, material and other documentary evidence was collected, which proved Ram and others, in connivance with the then revenue authorities, prepared the mutation besides making false entries in the revenue record in contravention to the law of the land and against the interests of the complainant,” the spokesperson said.

J&K BJP nominates senior leaders as vice-president, spokesperson

Jammu & Kashmir

United News Of India

06/12/2021

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir BJP on Sunday nominated senior party leaders as vice presidents, spokesperson and other designates.

As per the handout, J&K BJP President Ravinder Raina in consultation with senior leaders of the party, nominated Surjit Singh Slathia, former Minister as J&K BJP Vice-President, Y V Sharma former President Jammu Chamber of Commerce as J&K BJP Spokesperson, Colonel (Retd.) Gurbaksh Singh Gill as J&K BJP Convenor Ex. Service-men Cell, Sudhir Singh Dogra (Retd). IGP as J&K BJP Prabhari Ex-Servicemen Cell and Pankaj Basotra (Billwar) as J&K BJP Executive Member.

Farooq, Omar, others remember late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah on his 116th birth anniversary

City

Precious Kashmir

06/12/2021

Farooq, Omar, others remember late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah on his 116th birth anniversary

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Party President, Member of Parliament Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Vice President Mr. Omar Abdullah Sunday led party functionaries in offering Fatiha and floral tributes at the final resting place of Baba-e-Qoum, Sher-e Kashmir Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah on his 116th birth anniversary at Qaid Mazar Hazratbal.

The duo reached Qaid Mazar earlier today and led scores of party functionaries in offering floral tributes and Fatiha at the final resting place of Sher e Kashmir. The occasion was marked by overwhelming participation of workers from different parts of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. A Majlis of Quran Khawani and Durood-o-Azkar was also held at the Mazar earlier, where party functionaries, delegates and workers prayed for eternal peace to the soul of the great benefactor of theirs. Among scores of senior party leaders, functionaries Party General Secretary Haji Ali Muhammad Sagar, Additional General Secretary Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani were also present on the occasion.

Later Dr Farooq Abdullah addressed a massive convention of Youth National Conference workers at the same venue. In his address he exhorted the YNC cadre to work shoulder to shoulder with the parent wing and take party programme to every nook and corner of the valley. He thanked the party, YNC Kashmir functionaries for putting on a massive show in spite of the incessant rains. The YNC convention was organized by YNC Provincial President Salman Ali Sagar.

Promising to continue with the party’s peaceful, constitutional and democratic struggle for the restoration of Articles 370, 35-A, Dr. Farooq said, “In last eleven months hundreds of farmers have lost their lives which forced the central government to repeal the contentious farm laws. We also have to make such sacrifices to have our rights back. We have not budged from our stated position on the restoration of our rights which were undemocratically, unconstitutionally snatched from us on 5th of August 2019.”

Rejecting the claims of the Union Government on development in Jammu and Kashmir, he said “As if tourism is everything. What about the thousands of Jobs they had promised? Where are they? Contrarily the administration is on a termination spree of in-service employees,” he added.

Speaking about the pressure on media and press, he said, “If any one writes anything, it is not being liked. Journalists are being summoned to police stations. How can the press work freely under such circumstances?” he said.

On the Hyderpora Shootout, he said, “three innocent men were killed and their bodies were returned after the people got united and raised their voices. Parents of one of the slain youth are still waiting for his body to be handed over to them. It is for us to hold them accountable for their actions. That requires us to raise our voice steadfastly,” he said.

Cautioning the YNC cadre, he said, “It is our unity that frets them. We will only be able to achieve our goals if we remain united and not let ourselves be swayed by their nefarious propaganda. Such parties are here to divide our voice. Our victory is embodied in our unity. Need of the hour calls for strengthening our rows.”

Meanwhile Party General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar has expressed gratitude to the scores of functionaries, delegates and workers and YNC, women’s wing functionaries for making it a point to be present on the occasion despite the inclement weather conditions. (KNS)

5 shops gutted, Army help put off the fire in Barmulla

City

Precious Kashmir

06/12/2021

Srinagar: A massive fire broke out in the main market area of Village Fatehgarh in north Kashmir district of Baramulla causing damage to the public property.

Meanwhile, Fire and Emergency officials said five shops were gutted in a devastating fire incident at Fatehgarh causing damage to the property.

Defence spokesman Col Emron Musavi said, a massive fire broke out in the main market area of Village Fatehgarh in the night of December 4 – 5 around 2110 hours.

He said the fire soon engulfed a large densely populated area built with wooden shops and residential areas. Trees in the vicinity also caught fire which extended the conflagration zone in the market.

Initially local volunteers from the village tried to control the blaze but failed to contain it followed by which help was sought from the Indian Army.

Responding to the break of fire, two teams of army including one Quick Reaction Team swiftly rushed to the site with fire fighting equipment.

Army troops without caring for their own safety, quickly formed a human chain from the water point to the incident site. The fire was contained and not allowed to spread to adjacent Shops, houses and trees.

Meanwhile local police, Fire Fighting teams from the fire service department and assistance from other security forces with water bowsers and other fire fighting equipment also moved for place of the incident.

Army troops paved the way for the local fire brigade and continued extinguishing the fire alongside the firefighters. After a strenuous firefight, the blaze was finally tamed at 01:15 AM.

Village Panchayat members witnessing the incident lauded the selfless efforts, professionalism and courage displayed by Army personnel for timely assistance provided in extinguishing the fire thereby minimising losses.

Senior Citizens of the village present also extended the thanks for the spirit of unity displayed by men in uniform.

Drug peddlers nabbed in Kathua

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

06/12/2021

Jammu: Police on Sunday have arrested drug peddlers with 950 bottles of banned intoxicants in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Kathua, Ramesh Kotwal said around 950 bottles of banned intoxicants (corex syrup) has been seized from inter-state narco peddlers.

He said one luxurious vehicle has also been seized while drug peddlers have also been taken into the custody.

“We are investigating the matter,” said the SSP.

IND vs NZ, 2nd Test: All eyes again on Rachin Ravindra

Sports

Indo Asian News Service

06/12/2021

IND vs NZ, 2nd Test: All eyes again on Rachin Ravindra

Mumbai: India will be keeping a wary eye on New Zealand batter Rachin Ravindra, who along with last man Ajaz Patel had defied India for nearly 10 overs and denied the hosts victory in the first Test of the series in Kanpur.

Ravindra is again in the middle at stumps on the third day of the second and final Test at the Wankhede here on Sunday, batting on two along with Henry Nicholls (36) as New Zealand stare down a barrell, having 400 more runs to score to win this match.

Ravindra had survived 52 deliveries along with Ajaz Patel in Kanpur and New Zealand will be hoping that he works out the same magic here on the next two days. The 22-year-old batter of Indian-origin said they have their work cut out for Monday.

“I think we have lost a few wickets, we have to take it ball-by-ball and we have a very long road ahead. Hopefully, we can build some partnerships and play ourselves in. Two of them (Mitchell and Nicholls) showed us how to get it done and we will hope to build on it,” Ravindra said at the post-match press conference on Sunday.

Asked about his defiance against India at Kanpur, Ravindra said it was a team effort and not him alone that denied India victory in the first Test.

“Yeah, I think it’s important to keep our intent high. Get into good positions and smother the ball nicely. It wasn’t just me (who defied India in the first Test), it was the team that did it. Pretty cool to be there at the end though. Two days and a lot of cricket to play here. Take it ball-by-ball and maybe do something special,” he said.

Asked whether they would take a defensive approach or play his natural game on Monday, Ravindra said, “Whatever your natural game is. Keep the good balls out and put the bad ones away. Back our game plans and play accordingly.”

Asked about the incredible performance of Ajaz Patel, the other batsman of Indian-origin in the Black Caps lineup here, Ravindra said he was very happy for him.

“I couldn’t be happier for Jazzy (Ajaz). He’s an incredible bloke and a great spinner. Taking 14 wickets is ludicrous. Each time we gave him the ball, we knew he was going to give us a result. Having him in the team is also helpful for me and the others in the team.”

Ravindra, who had not been keeping well for the last few days, had broken Ajaz’s streak of taking all 12 Indian wickets to fall in the match so far when he got Shubman Gill out, claiming his maiden victory wicket.

Asked what was said in the huddle after he had taken that wicket, Gill said, “It was pretty funny because we thought he was going to take all 20. They congratulated me for taking my first wicket. That first wicket was very special.”

Asked what was the discussion in the team after they were bundled out for 62 in the first innings, Ravindra said they tried to put it behind them.

“It’s always tough being bowled out for 62. A lot went wrong. Everyone is a fighter and everyone tries to be better. We tried to put it behind and get better. Our plans were a bit more clear in the second innings. We just tried to do the same things over and over,” he said.

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