Anantnag: A soldier of Territorial Army (TA) was killed by gunmen in this south Kashmir district this evening, official sources said.

They said gunmen fired at and critically wounded a soldier identified as Mohammad Saleem Akhoon when he stepped out of his house at Bijbehara, few meters away from national highway in Anantnag.

The injured soldier was immediately rushed to nearby hospital from where he was referred to G M College Anantnag hospital where he succumbed.

Akhoon had come to home on leave, they said.

Security forces and police have launched a massive Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) to nab the gunmen, they said.

Srinagar: Appealing to the general public to help security forces in stopping fresh recruitment in militant ranks, a top Army commander on Friday urged youth to shun the path of violence and join the mainstream.

General-Officer-Commanding (GOC) of Srinagar-based 15 Corps Lieutenant General Devendra Pratap Pandey said that every possible support will be provided to the youth, who wish to surrender and lead a normal life in the valley.

 “To control the cycle of violence in south and central Kashmir, I think a better connect between security forces and civilians is required. We have planned two ways to achieve peace in the Valley. The first step is to stop recruitment into militant ranks… and the second step is to dismantle the Over Ground Workers (OGWs) network which uses social media to radicalize and recruit youth,” Lt Gen Pandey flanked by Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir Vijay Kumar, told reporters during a press conference here on Friday.

The Army General also appealed to the general public to help security forces to prevent the youth from joining militant ranks. “Since I took over as GOC of 15 Corps, I have seen many parents coming to us and seeking help. Some parents even request us to keep their children in jails so that they don’t indulge in illegal activities,” he said.
“I urge people to help civil administration and security forces so that the cycle of recruitment ends and Kashmir becomes peaceful,” he said.
Lt Gen Pandey also appealed to the local youth, who have joined militancy, to shun the path of violence and join mainstream. “We will provide every possible support and help to the youth who are willing to leave militancy and join the mainstream,” he added.

Congratulating security forces for the operations during the last 24 hours that left seven militants dead in south Kashmir, he said maximum restraint was exercised when militants entered a mosque. “Some of our jawans were injured because security forces exercised maximum restraint. Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Vijay Kumar and GOC Victor force were at the spot, personally monitoring the operation,” he added.

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: For the third day in running, Jammu & Kashmir reported 808 new Covid-19 cases while four more people died due to the pestilence during the last 24 hours, officials said on Friday.

Among the fresh cases, 283 were reported from Jammu Division and 525 from Kashmir Valley, taking the total count to 136470.

Providing district wise details, the officials told GNS that Srinagar reported 299 cases, Baramulla 104, Budgam 36, Pulwama 5, Kupwara 22, Anantnag 23, Bandipora 11, Ganderbal 7, Kulgam 10, Shopian 8, Jammu 164, Udhampur 28, Rajouri 9, Doda 9, Kathua 11, Samba 9, Kishtwar 17, Poonch 3, Ramban 0 and Reasi 33.

A number of these cases were confirmed at diagnostic laboratories of SKIMS Soura, CD hospital and GMC Anantnag.

The SKIMS confirmed cases include six males (15, 18, 18, 15, 15, 15) from Hope Classes Srinagar, two females (41, 30) from Batmaloo, two females (35, 04) from Magarmal Bagh, female (50) from Chanapora, male (30) and two females (55, 86) from New Sectt Srg, male (39) and female (16) from Bemina, male (35) from Safakadal, male (13) from Barbarshah, male (66) and female (52) from Batmaloo, male (50) from Gungbug, female (55) and male (60) from Natipora, male (31) from Rawalpora, male (30) from Nawakadal, male (49) from NA Srg, two males (25, 40) and two females (47, 70) from Pandrethan, female (65) and male (70) from Botshah Mohalla, male (50) from Hafeez Bagh, female (25) from Naseembagh, male (26) from Nowshera, male (38) from Soura, two males (45, 44) from Umar Colony Srg, male (70) from Nowshera, female (22) from Lal Bazar, male (42) from Tengpora, male (52) from Pulwama, male (55) from Tangmarg, two males (75, 48) from Zadibal, female (60) and male (33) from Alamgiri Bazar, two males (18, 37) from Buchpora, male (31) from Elahibagh, male (65) from Nigeen, male (35) and female (20) from Illahibagh, male (51) from Rajbagh, male (58) from Hyderpora, male (56) from Kathidarwaza, two females (45, 17) from Karan Nagar, two females (40, 15) from Indranagar, female (62) from Kara Nagar, male (50) from Budshah Nagar, male (36) from Alochibagh, female (78) from Soura, two females (33, 30) from Parimpora, male (58) from Humhama, male (50) from Islamia College Srg, male (65) from Nowshera, female (32) from Nowhatta, female (33) from Hasan Abad Srg, female (11) from Gojwara, two females (10, 61) from Soura, male (30) from Hawal, male (58) from Pandan, male (44) from Hawal, male (38) from Nowhatta, male (35) from Lalbazar, female (30) from Nowshera, female (53) from Lalbazar, male (56) from Elahibagh, male (35) and female (43) from Nowshera, two females (55, 55) from Lal Bazar, male (47) from Nowshera, male (55) from Botakadal, three females (05, 65, 43) from Lal Bazar, male (NA) from Nowshera, male (27) from Elahibagh, two males (NA, 47) from Lal Bazar, male (32) from Umer Colony, male (64) from Illahibagh, male (35) from Bul Bul Lankar, two males (32, 45) from Bemina, female (40) from Batmaloo, male (57) from Alochibagh, male (50) from Noorbagh, male (50) from Alochibagh, male (25) from Rajbagh, male (26) from Batmaloo, female (24) from Rambagh, male (32) from Fatehkadal, female (55) from Alochibagh, three females (50, 33, 06) from Hyderpora, female (37) from Zaldagar, female (37) from Nowgam, female (35) from Bemina, two males (50, 17) from Batmaloo, male (17) from Lal Chowk Srg, male (55) from Zakura, male (70) and female (65) from Tangpora, two females (19, 19) from T K College Para Medical Lawaypora Srg, male (61) and female (23) from HMT, female (38) from Noorbagh, male (25) and female (52) from Eidgah Srg, sixty two males (27, 26, 24, 25, 24, 27, 23, 22, 24, 24, 23, 22, 21, 24, 23, 23, 26, 23, 23, 24, 24, 25, 26, 22, 24, 23, 28, 23, 25, 24, 27, 25, 24, 22, 21, 25, 25, 26, 23, 26, 29, 21, 22, 21, 21, 22, 24, 24, 22, 28, 21, 24, 22, 22, 25, 21, 22, 26, 25, 24, 26, 25) from Stf Bsf Snr Srg, male (27) from 144 Bn Crpf Darbar Hotel Srg, twenty four males (23, 21, 24, 25, 24, 24, 25, 22, 22, 23, 23, 23, 25, 24, 23, 24, 25, 25, 24, 21, 21, 25, 25, 27) from Stc Bsf Kashmir Srg, male (36) from Dangiwacha Baramulla, female (23) from Ibrahim Colony Srg, female (07) from Soura, male (70) from Zakura, male (54) from Magarmal, male (40) and female (35) from Soura, male (40) and female (25) from Rangpora, female (37) from Hyderpora, male (12) from Soura, male (30) from Zoonimar, male (20) from Narbal Budgam, female (28) from Pampore, two females (39, 09) from Wahipora Baramulla, female (45) from Bemina, male (57) from Lane no. 10 Srg, female (32) from Saidpora srg, male (34) from NA Srg, male (30) from Nowshera, female (30) from Qamarwari, male (25) from Pattan Baramulla, male (29) from Baghat, female (12) from Batmaloo, female (58) and male (32) from Safakadal, male (43) from Alochibagh, two females (34, 02) from Rawalpora, female (45) from Rajbagh, female (55) from Gulab Bagh, female (72) from Hawal, female (48) from Kral Sangri Srg, female (52) from Habakadal, male (77) and female (70) from Chattabal, male (74) from Qamarwari, female (70) from Hawal, female (07) from Umer Colony B srg, two males (27, 24) from Illahibagh Srinagar.

The CD cases include male (75) (NA)  from Pinglina, female (68) (NA) from Pinglina , female (35) (NA) from Pinglina, male (40) (NA) from Pinglina, male (16) from Konibal pulwama, male (33) from Putrigam pulwama, female (34) from Drangbal Pampore, female (30) from Tahab pulwama, male (64) from Panthachowk, female (23) from Khrew, male (36) from Ladhoo pulwama, male (12) from Ladhoo pulwama, female (60) from Batagund, female (35) from Batagund , male (26) from Chattapora Pulwama, male (10) from Chattapora Pulwama, female (02) from Chattapora Pulwama, female (60) from Kakapora, male (32) from Kadlabal Pampore, male (17) from Ratnipora, male (35) from Matrigam, female (90) (NA) from Budgam, male (77) (NA) from Sgr, female (27) (NA) from Mumbai, female (65) (NA) from Bemina, female (37) (NA) from Zaldagar, male (70) (NA) from Tangmarg, female (70) (NA) from Baramulla, female (35) (NA) from Nishat, male (36) (NA) from Nishat, female (59) (NA) from Tral, male (63) (NA) from Nishat, female (12) (NA) from Zevan, female (35) (NA) from Nishat, male (07) (NA) from Nishat, male (65) (NA) from Chanpora, male (55) (NA) from Bemina, male (42) (NA) from Padshahi Bagh.

The GMC Anantnag cases include male (50) from Poshkreeri, female (32) from Dogripora, male (34) and female (45) from Brienty, male (50) from Kokergund, female (42) from Narwani, male (35) from DK Marg, male (29) from Housing Colony Bijbehara, male (38) from KP Road, male (45) from Sallar, male (19) from Seer Hamdan, three females (65, 85, 40) and male (40) Ganiepora Mattan, male (22) from Shangus.

On Thursday, J&K reported 835 cases while 812 infections were recorded on previous day.

Moreover, they said, 312 more COVID-19 patients have recovered—60 from Jammu and 252 from Kashmir. Regarding four COVID-19 deaths , two each were reported from Jammu Division and Kashmir, taking the total toll to 2023—747 in Jammu and 1276 in Kashmir.  There are 6115 actives cases—1909 in Jammu and 4206 in the Valley. (GNS)

New Delhi: India on Thursday recorded 1,31,968 Covid-19 fresh infections, the highest single-day hike for the first time since the outbreak of the pandemic, pushing the tally to 1,30,60,542, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Friday.

With 780 people succumbing to the disease during the same period, the fatalities have increased to 1,67,642.

Of the 1,31,968 infections, Maharashtra accounted for 56,286 cases, Chhattisgarh– 10,662 cases, Uttar Pradesh– 8,490, Delhi– 7,437 while 6,570 cases were detected in Karnataka.

According to the Ministry’s data updated at 0800 hrs this morning, the number of active COVID-19 infections hiked to 9,79,608, which is 7.5 per cent of the total cases, while the recovery rate has further declined to 91.22 per cent.

While the number of recoveries from the disease has increased to 1,19,13,292, there has been a decline in the fatality rate which has descended to 1.28 per cent, the data showed.

Meanwhile, as many as 13,64,205 samples were tested on Thursday taking the total so far to 25,40,41,584, as per the Indian Council of Medical Research data.

The government today said that India surpassed the US to become the fastest vaccinating country in the world.

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: In a worrying development amid resurge in coronavirus cases, the bed occupancy of all dedicated hospitals has increased many folds.

Official sources told GNS that there are more than 90 patients admitted in the CD hospital including 14 travelers and nine tourists. All the 17 ICU beds in the hospital, one among the exclusive facilities for the management of the COVID-19 patients, are already occupied, they said.

Chest Diseases Hospital Srinagar, as per officials has 104 covid-19 dedicated beds while among the 87 total isolation beds, 54 are occupied by the patients, 48 of whom are on oxygen support.

When contacted HOD CD Hospital Dr Naveed Nazir Shah said that there has been in last few weeks a surge in the number of cases and admissions.

Our admissions have increased more than four to five times and our hospital is almost running full to capacity. Even in the ICU all the beds are occupied, Dr Naveed added.

In JLNM Hospital Srinagar, also among the exclusive facilities for COVID-19 management, 24 beds are occupied while at SKIMS Soura, the tertiary care hospital, 83 out of 253 covid-19 dedicated beds are occupied while among 252 isolation beds, 81 are occupied with 70 patients on oxygen support.

Washington: The global death toll due to COVID-19 has topped 2.893 million, while the cumulative case tally has almost touched 133.5 million cases, said the US-based Johns Hopkins University in it’s latest pandemic update.
Johns Hopkins University is the foremost and most credible global institution that tracks and compiles data regarding the pandemic.
As of 20:30 GMT Thursday (0200 hrs IST Friday), the number of cases globally stood at 133,499,369, including 2,893,583 fatalities.
The United States still has the highest case count in the world, with 30,983,624, including 559,849 fatalities.

Srinagar: In view of surge in Covid-19 cases, the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Mohammed Aijaz Asad today chaired a meeting of concerned officers to review the progress of Covid vaccination process in the district.

The meeting discussed the status of Covid-19 vaccination besides impact of the precautions that need to be taken in the district to control spread of the Covid-19.

At the outset, the concerned officer apprised the DC that about 10409 health workers and 56343 frontline workers have been so far administered Covid vaccine in the district besides 18 thousand people above age of 45 years were also covered under vaccination drive in Srinagar.

The DC directed the officers to work with added zeal and continue to maintain the highest level of alertness to ensure implementation of SOPs to counter the spread of virus.

The DC reiterated that apart from executing proactive measures, mobilization of all resources and manpower shall be put on ready gear to enable the Administration to tackle any emergencies arising from Covid-19 pandemic.

He also directed officers to intensify vaccination process in order to achieve cent percent immunization in the district with special focus on hotels, Coaching Centers, Banks, Business establishments and areas where public footfall is high.

The DC called for raising awareness among the masses to persuade the people especially above 45 Years to go for vaccination. He called for roping in NGOs, Religious Heads, PRIs, Asha Workers and other influencers to motivate the eligible persons for vaccination.

Additional Deputy Commissioners Srinagar, Dr Syed Hanief Balkhi and Khurshid Ahmad, SDM East, SDM West,  Deputy CMO, BMOs, ZMOs, Nodal Officer, GMC, Tehsildars and other concerned of the department were present in the meeting.

By: Jahangir Sofi

Srinagar: In view of the holy month of Ramadan Commencing April 13 (subject to appearance of crescent) amid prevailing Covid-19 pandemic for the second consecutive year, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Pandurang K Pole Friday said that the level of alertness that was in place last Ramadan will be repeated this year too. He, however, said rising number of positive cases was a matter of concern.

Talking to KNO he said, “I greet the people of Kashmir on the arrival of holy month of Ramdan, the holy month which is of divine worship and people keep fast for the day and ask for forgiveness from the Almighty Allah. The Covid-19 pandemic has not subsided yet and we have to be extra careful while going out in public places and follow the Covid-19 Sops by using the face mask which is mandatory and maintain a physical distance. We will repeat the same mechanism including preventive measures that were in place last Ramadan.”
He said, “Every individual has to take responsibility and show appropriate behavior towards Covid-19 SoPs, and if one is taking due care of self, the person is indirectly taking care of entire society.”
On the skyrocketing prices of essentials in the Valley he said, teams have been constituted to check black marketing and illegal profiteering rates, and if anywhere the violation is found, not only the fine, the FIR will be also lodged.

While talking about the continuous opening of coaching centres in the Valley, he said: “We are monitoring the situation, online options likewise schools are doing for coaching centres is also available and appropriate call will be taken according to the situation.”

About the increasing Covid-19 positive cases in the valley, he said the situation is evolving and is being monitored keenly by the administration and as per the situation, the response will follow accordingly.

He also appealed the people of the valley of age above 45 years of age to get their Covid-19 vaccination jab at their nearest authorised health centre, sooner the better.

New Delhi: At least 20 doctors and six MBBS students on Friday tested positive for coronavirus at the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) here, sources told IANS.

“Of the total 26 healthcare staff, 20 are doctors and six MBBS students of AIIMS, who were found to be Covid-19 positive in the last 10 days.”

Of these 26, only two had taken both the doses of Covid vaccine, sources said.

 This comes a day after it was reported that 37 doctors tested positive for coronavirus infection at Delhi’s Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

The 20 doctors testing positive at AIIMS include two faculty members, while the rest are resident doctors. Majority of them have mild Covid symptoms.

The contacts of most of them have been traced and the process is still on for some, the source said. There are more than 3,000 doctors, including resident doctors and faculty members working at AIIMS.

The news of Covid-19 positive from Delhi’s these two big hospitals have come in the backdrop of surging cases in the city for the past few weeks.