By: Sajid Raina

Srinagar, Aug 03: A top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militant Babar Ali from Pakistan was killed during an encounter that broke out between militants and security forces in Dard Gund locality of Chandaji in North kashmir’s Bandipora district on Tuesday, police said.

A senior police officer, who was also a part this operation, said that the top militant identified as identified as Babar Ali of Ugada district of Punjab, Pakistan was killed today after he was tracked by security forces.

He said that that the slain was escaped during Sumlar-Aragam encounter on July 24 since then he was continuously tracked and was subsequently killed in today encounter.

The officer said the slain militant and other three including a local militant Shakir Altaf Baba of Bandipora who ex-filtrated in 2018 were killed during Sumlar-Aragam gunfight was the same group which had infiltrated recently.

Earlier, official said that a Joint team of security forces launched a cordon and search operation after “specific inputs” about the presence of militants in Dard Gund area of Chandaji.

“As the security forces approached the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them, which was retaliated, triggering an encounter,” he said, adding that Babar Ali was killed while arms and ammunition and incriminating material was recovered from the site of encounter

A police spokesman in a statement said that a foreign LeT militant Babar Ali who had escaped from Shokbaba encounter on 24 July was killed in an encounter at Chandajji forest area of Bandipora today.

It is pertinent to mention that, on 23/24 July 03 militants of proscribed terror outfit LeT including Sharik Altaf (who had ex-filtrated in 2018) were killed in Shokbaba encounter.

However, militant Babar Ali had managed to escape from the said encounter site and was being continuously tracked rigorously thereafter. In furtherance of the tracking and after pinpointing his presence in Chandajji forest area today a joint operation was launched by Police, 26 Assam Rifles & CRPF in the area.

During the search operation, the hiding militant fired upon the search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter. In the ensuing encounter, the hiding militant Babar Ali resident of Ugada district of Punjab Pakistan was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of encounter.

Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including 01 AK-rifle, 02 AK-Magazines, 40 AK-rounds, 01 pouch, 01 wireless set and 01 medicine bag were recovered from the site of encounter.

IGP Kashmir congratulated joint team of Police/SF for successfully tracking down the militant and conducting operation in a professional manner without any collateral damage. In this connection, Police has registered a case under relevant sections of law and investigation has been initiated. (KNO)

Srinagar: A policeman and a civilian were injured when militants attacked a police party in Khanyar area of Srinagar on Tuesday, officials said.

A police spokesman said that at around 1815 hours, militants fired upon a police party near Sheeraz Chowk Khanyar, injuring a policeman and a civilian who were immediately shifted to hospital for the treatment.

The injured police personnel has been identified as constable Abdul Waheed, posted at Police Station Khanyar, while as injured civilian is Ishtiyaq Ahmad Bazaz son of Ghulam Mohammad Bazaz of Nowshera Srinagar. “The condition of both the injured is stated to be stable,” the spokesman said.

He said police have registered a case in this regard under relevant sections of law. “Investigation is in progress and officers continue to work to establish the circumstances which lead to this incident,” he said, adding, “Area has been cordoned off and search in the area is going on.” (GNS)

By: Sarfaraz A Lone

Srinagar: At least 90 militants were killed, more than half of them from Lashker-e-Toiba, this year so far, in Kashmir Valley, officials said on Tuesday. Also, 73 new recruitments have taken place this year, they said.

A senior police officer said that the Valley also witnessed over 72 per cent drop in the incidents of “law and order” from August 2017-July 2019 to August 2019 to July 2021.    Providing outfit-wise break-up of the militants killed, the officer said that 51 were from Lashker-e-Toiba, 20 from Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, eight from Jash-e-Mohammad, six from Al-Bard, three from AGuH and two from ISJK.

The officer said there were 1394 “law and order” incidents from August 2017-July 2019 in which 27 civilians and four police or security forces personnel were killed.

From August 2019 to July 2021, the officer said, 382 “law and order” incidents took place and there was no civilian or security force personnel killing.

Regarding recruitments into militant folds, he said, 383 joined during August 2017-July 2019 while such number was 252 from August 2019 to July 2021.

Regarding the number of militant incidents, he said, 680 occurred during August 2019 to July 2021 while number of such happenings was 350 from August 2017-July 2019.

He said that number of civilians killed during August 2017-July 2019 was 135 while 72 lost life from August 2019 to July 2021. “202 police and security forces personnel were killed from August 2017-July 2019 while 76 were killed from August 2019 to July 2021,” he said. (GNS)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that more than 80 crore people are getting free ration during the pandemic with an expenditure of more than 2 lakh crore rupees.

‘The world has acknowledged the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. Free ration has been made available to more than 80 crore people during the pandemic with an expenditure of more than 2 lakh crore rupees,’ the Prime Minister said while interacting with beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana in Gujarat today via video conferencing.

A public participation programme was launched in the state to create further awareness about the scheme.

Addressing the event, the Prime Minister said lakhs of families in Gujarat are getting free ration under PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.

This free rations reduces distress for the poor and gives them confidence, he said.

The Prime Minister said the poor should feel that whatever might be the calamity, the country is with him.

Modi pointed out that after independence, almost every government talked about providing cheap food to the poor.

He said the scope and budget of cheap ration schemes increased year after year, but the effect it should have had remained limited.

‘The country’s food stocks kept increasing, but starvation and malnutrition did not decrease in that proportion. One major reason for this was the lack of an effective delivery system. To change this situation work was started afresh after 2014,’ Mr Modi said.

He said, using new technology, crores of fake beneficiaries were weeded out of the system and ration cards were linked to Aadhar cards.

This helped in ensuring that no citizen went hungry despite the biggest calamity of the century when livelihood were threatened and business suffered due to lockdown, the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister said today, in addition to the quota of wheat at Rs 2/kg, rice at Rs 3/kg, 5 kg of wheat and rice is being given free to every beneficiary.

‘That is, almost double the amount of ration is being provided to the ration card holders than before this scheme started. This scheme is going to continue till Diwali. No poor will sleep hungry,’ the Prime Minister said.

He praised the Gujarat government for taking care of the migrant labourers, fulfilling the purpose of One Nation One Ration Card Initiative.

The Prime Minister said today the country is spending lakhs of crores on infrastructure, but at the same time, to improve the quality of life of common human beings, it is also setting new benchmarks for Ease of Living.

‘Empowerment of the poor is being given top priority today. They are being empowered as more than 2 crore poor families got houses, 10 crore families got toilets. Similarly, they get empowered when they get included in the banking system via Jan-Dhan account,’ the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister said empowerment needs consistent hard work for ensuring health, education, facilities and dignity. Schemes like Ayushman Yojana, Reservations for Economically Weaker sections, roads, free gas and electricity connection, Mudra Yojna, Svanidhi Yojna are giving direction to dignified life for the poor and becoming a medium of empowerment.

The Prime Minister said there are many such works in the entire country including Gujarat, due to which the confidence of every countryman and every region is increasing today.

And it is this self-confidence which is the formula to overcome every challenge, to achieve every dream, he said.

Referring to India’s Olympic contingent, the Prime Minister said despite the once-in-a-century calamity, the highest number of players qualified for Olympics. ‘They just didn’t qualify but are giving tough fights to better ranked players,’ he said.

The Prime Minister said the zeal, passion and spirit of Indian players is at the highest level today.

He said this confidence comes when the right talent is identified and encouraged.

‘This confidence comes when the systems change, become transparent. This new confidence is becoming the hallmark of New India,’ the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister urged the people to continue this confidence in the fight against Corona and also in our vaccination campaign.

He stressed on the need to maintain our vigilance continuously, in this environment of global pandemic.

He said as the country is moving rapidly towards the vaccination milestone of 50 crore, Gujarat is also approaching the milestone of 3.5 crore vaccine doses.

The Prime Minister stressed the need to vaccinate, wearing masks and avoid being a part of the crowd as much as possible.

The Prime Minister gave a resolution to the countrymen to awaken new inspiration for nation building. He urged to take this holy vow during the 75 years of independence.

In these resolutions, he said poor, rich, men and women, downtrodden, everyone has an equal share. (UNI)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually chair an open debate on maritime security at the United Nations Security Council on August 9, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday.

It will be the first time that an Indian Prime Minister will preside over an open debate at the world body.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a tweet, “PM @narendramodi will Chair Open Debate on ‘Maintenance of international peace and security: Maritime security’ in virtual mode @UN #SecurityCouncil on 9th August. This will be the 1st time an Indian Prime Minister will preside over Open Debate.”

On August 1, India took over the rotating presidency for the month at the 15-nation UN Security Council, and on January 1, India began its two-year tenure as a non-permanent member of the UNSC. It is India’s seventh term.

India has planned high-level engagements with the world community on key focus issues like maritime security, peacekeeping and counter-terrorism during the month of August.

India has been in the forefront in helping friendly countries in pursuit of the country’s ‘Act East’ policy and to enhance military cooperation with the friendly countries.

The Indian Navy undertakes regular deployments to friendly foreign countries and in the Indian and Pacific Ocean regions in furtherance of the Prime Minister’s initiative of ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’ (SAGAR).

Such engagements build ‘Bridges of Friendship’ and strengthen international cooperation.

These maritime initiatives enhance synergy and coordination between the Indian Navy and friendly countries, based on common maritime interests and commitment towards ‘Freedom of Navigation’ at sea.

Besides regular port calls, Indian Navy operates in conjunction with the friendly navies to build military relations and develop interoperability in the conduct of maritime operations. (IANS)

Srinagar: At least sixteen detainees from Kashmir Valley were shifted to jails outside Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, official sources said.

While sources confirmed that the detainees have been shifted outside, no reason has been given for the move, which comes barely a couple of days ahead of the second anniversary of effective nullification of the Article 370 and bifurcation of the erstwhile state into union territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. (GNS)

Srinagar: A meeting was on Tuesday held to review the pace of progress in implementation of the centrally sponsored scheme ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’ in Jammu and Kashmir.

Chief Secretary, J&K Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta and Additional Secretary, Jal Jeevan Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, participated in the meeting.

Commissioner/Secretary Jal Shakti Department and Mission Director, Jal Jeevan Mission along with Deputy Commissioners of all districts and concerned officers of the Department were also present.

At the outset, the Additional Secretary Jal Jeevan Mission, Government of India gave a detailed presentation on the district-wise progress of the Mission and overall position in comparison to the national average.

It was informed that as per the Jal Jeevan Mission dashboard, since the inception of the Mission, 4.64 crore households have been given functional household tap connections (FHTCs), constituting 24% of the total households in the country. The Mission has ensured inclusiveness by equitable distribution of new connections at village level.

Similarly, in Jammu and Kashmir 4,47,882 (24.41%) households have been connected with FHTCs so far, with Srinagar and Ganderbal districts ensuring universal coverage. However, it was mentioned that some districts like Kathua, Udhampur, Ramban, Budgam, Rajouri, Kishtwar, Kulgam, and Jammu are lagging behind and need to expedite scheme implementation and coverage under Jal Jeevan Mission. J&K currently figures at rank 13 in the National Index.

It was also mentioned that in Jammu and Kashmir 93.86% of schools and 92.25% of Anganwadi centres have been connected with functional tap connections.

The Chief Secretary, J&K directed the Deputy Commissioners to provide all schools, Anganwadi centres and hospitals with functional water connections before 15th August 2021. DCs were asked to float tenders for hiring Implementation Support Agencies (ISAs) to undertake dedicated IEC activities for awareness generation on various aspects of water conservation.

The Department was asked to expedite tendering of various schemes across Jammu and Kashmir for fast-track completion of the Mission in the Union territory.

The Additional Secretary, JJM, Government of India informed that the Mission will be introducing a sensor-based water management system to assess quantity and quality of water being supplied under the Mission on a real-time basis.

To ensure distribution of safe drinking water, the Jal Shakti Department was advised to train 5 women per village to test the water quality on given parameters through mobile testing kits and upload test data on the national portal. In case of any chemical or biological contamination of water supply, the Department must undertake immediate treatment with suitable intervention to prevent its ill-effects on public health.

The Department was further asked to regularly test water quality at the source especially before and after monsoon season and geo-tag all the sources and water connections.

To regularly monitor the quality standards of water being provided under the Mission as per ISO standards, the Chief Secretary asked the Department to seek NABL accreditation for all district testing laboratories, at the earliest. Deputy Commissioners were asked to install display boards carrying details of the water source, scheme, implementing agency and maintenance support in all villages.

The Chief Secretary assured the Director Jal Jeevan Mission, Government of India that Jammu and Kashmir will come up to the expectation of the Central Government and provide universal quality drinking water connections to all households by September, 2022.

Srinagar: Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulama (MMU), an amalgam of leading socio-religious organizations of Kashmir, on Tuesday said that it will launch a campaign against different evils of society, including the menace of drug addiction, rise in the number of suicide and dowry cases in Kashmir valley.

The amalgam also demanded that the administration should release its chairman Mirwaiz Maulvi Umar Farooq, who remained under house arrest since abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35 A in August 2019. “We will write a letter to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to seek release of Mirwaiz and other political leaders lodged in various jails in and outside J&K,” Grand Mufti of J&K Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam told reporters here on Tuesday.

He said strict action will be taken against any Imam who tried to create a rift between different sects of Islam. “It has been unanimously decided that keeping aside all the differences between sects, we will work together to resolve all issues. No one will be allowed to create a wage between different sects. If Imam is found involved in doing so, strict action will be taken against him,” he added.

Responding to a question about an order issued by the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, that Deputy Commissioner (DC), Srinagar will decide whether to hold Muharram procession or not, the Grand Mufti said it is for Anjuman Shari Shian to decide about the precession. The Div Com, Kashmir, had issued an order allowing Muharram procession after over three decades. However, the Div Com issued another order the next day authorizing the DC Srinagar to take a call on Muharram processions. (UNI)

Jammu: After a day-long search, the rescue teams have called off the operation and will resume it Wednesday morning to trace missing pilots of the Army chopper that crashed into the Ranjit Sagar Lake in Basholi area of Kathua district in Jammu and Kashmir this morning.

“Two pilots of an ALH Dhruv helicopter of the Indian Army are still missing after their chopper crashed into Ranjit Sagar Dam,” Army sources said. They said that the search operation was suspended in the evening and will resume again on Wednesday.

Ranjit Sagar Dam shares boundaries with Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, Punjab’s Pathankot district and a portion of Himachal Pradesh. “Some parts of the chopper that were floating on the water have been recovered. Specialised forces and divers conducted the rescue operations,” they said.

“The search operation for the two pilots will resume tomorrow,” Army sources said.

Earlier inputs had stated that there was no casualty in the incident and both the pilot and co-pilot were safe.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Response Force also assisted in the search and rescue operation in the lake while Police and Army teams also joined at the site.

Army sources said that it was an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) that took off from the Army’s Aviation Squadron at Mamun Cantonment in Pathankot, Punjab.

“The chopper has crashed into deep waters of the Ranjit Sagar Lake. Rescue boats were pressed into service while from the Punjab side, SDRF teams have also reached the spot,” they said.

In January this year also, one pilot had died after an Indian Army helicopter crashed in Kathua district’s Lakhanpur near the Jammu and Kashmir-Punjab border.

The HAL Dhruv helicopter had crashed after developing a technical snag. (UNI)

By: Tasaduq Hussain

Srinagar: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Tuesday informed the Parliament that a total of 100 AK series rifles with 100256 ammunition was recovered by the security forces along the Line of Control (LoC) between 2018 to 2020.

Giving details through a written reply, the Minister of State (MoS) for Home Nisith Pramanika said that a total of 100 AK rifles with 10026 ammunition, 79 Pistols with 1676 ammunition, 22 UBGL, 107 UBGL Grenades, 248 Hand Grenades, 6 Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), 4 each RPG and M4 Carbine, 1 Pika Gun, 6 Kilogrmas of Explosive and 14 Detonators were recovered near Line of Control (LoC) in past three years.

The reply reads that the Government has adopted a multi-pronged approach to counter cross border crimes i.e. infiltration, militancy, smuggling etc which has an appropriate mix of technology and human resource. “Innovative troop deployment, proactive use of surveillance and monitoring devices has enhanced the ability to detect and intercept militants attempting infiltration/ exfiltration,” the reply said.

It further states that the security forces regularly carry out threat assessment and analysis of past infiltration attempts and based on these reviews, drills and procedures are modified to counter emerging threats”, reads the reply. “The Government has formulated Defence Cyber Framework with responsibilities assigned to various agencies.”

It further reads that the forces are continuously upgrading their systems and procedures to check and prevent cyber threats

“To enhance the cyber warfare tactics, continuous training and upgradation of technical skills for personnel are being undertaken”, it reads. (KNO)