Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Nov 8: The DySP Sheikh Aadil (JKPS) today released a book authored Mir Raafiyah.
The book release function took place at 21Miles Café in Lal Chowk, Srinagar.
While speaking on the occasion, DysP Adil appreciated Mir Raafiyah a young girl who has authored the book, “Sadaye Qalb” with an aim to rekindle the love and enthusiasm for Urdu language among young people of Kashmir valley.
He said the big problem in the world is that “we identify our passion very lately.”
Raafiya said, “I’ve been writing for last four years. It was this year that I thought it is the right time to show my work to people and publish my book in Urdu with the name of Sadaye Qalb. There has been a sort of disconnect with this language among the young masses, I am hopeful all will read it and find it interesting”.
“It’s important for every girl to remain independent and stay upright with her own potential and expertise in current times. We’ve to make our space in this world, with our efforts and hard work and prove that we’re no less than others,” she said.
According to Raafiya, there is a lot of talent and potential among students of Kashmir to excel in every field and the key is to explore various things and possibilities around, without being afraid of setbacks and losses that people face in their lives.
Talking about her book, Raafiyah says that the book touches almost every aspect of our lives, and doesn’t remain restricted to a particular theme or angle.
“My book revolves around parents, teachers, friends and most significantly day to day happenings in Kashmir valley and our lives too”.
She said along with these aspects, her book also focuses on the ongoing pandemic which has afflicted lakhs of people with losses and sufferings across the world.
DySP Sheikh Aadil releases book titled ‘Sadaye Qalb’
NC asks pvt schools to work out fee reduction plan
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Nov 8: National Conference on Sunday said most parents of the school children studying in private schools are in financial distress following the denial of the school administration to grant them favorable fee reduction.
While expressing concern over the plight of parents, Party’s Additional Spokesperson Sarah Hayat Shah said various noted schools are flagrantly pressurizing parents to submit all dues failing which they are being told that the annual results of their wards would be withheld.
“It is highly unbecoming of these schools to charge exorbitantly from the parents, most of who are reeling under economic stress due to the all-pervading economic slump down and salary cuts. The tactics, the privately run school administration is employing is pure intimidation. It goes without saying that the schools have remained shut for nearly one and a half years now; the entire sector has been hard hit since august 5th 2020. The successive clampdown and COVID-19 induced lock down has brought all economic activities in J&K, particularly Kashmir to a grinding halt. How is it possible for salaried classes to reimburse fees, capitation charges and other allied charges due to school, given the fact that there has been no academic activity for all most two years now,” she said.
She said the situation demands that the school administration discuss the modalities with the respective parents and work out a favorable fee reduction plan for ensuing year as well impending dues from previous months.
“The concerned government departments should act and ensure no child is denied of education on account of his failure to submit fees. The coercive tactics need to be checked,” she said.
COVID-19 third wave in Delhi is worst so far
New Delhi, Nov 8: Delhi has hit the peak of third wave of the novel coronavirus, Health Minister Satyendar Jain said.
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain further added that cases will come down soon in the national capital.
“The third wave of COVID-19 is at its peak in Delhi. The number of cases suggests it is the worst wave so far. But the cases will come down soon,” Jain said.
Delhi recorded 6,953 new coronavirus cases and 79 deaths on Saturday, according to the official health bulletin.
“The total number of positive cases in Delhi stands at 4,30,784. The total active and recovered cases are 40,258 and 3,83,614, respectively,” the bulletin said.
According to the bulletin, a total of 15,409 RT-PCR tests were conducted on Saturday while the number of rapid antigen tests was 42,024.
On Friday, Delhi recorded over 7,000 COVID-19 cases for the first time taking the tally to over 4.23 lakh.
He again appealed to Delhiites to treat wearing masks as a vaccine, till the real medication is developed.
On rising level of pollution and rising cases of COVID-19 in Delhi, he said pollution is not the cause of it.
“But both are dangerous. The biggest reason for the increase in infections is our lax behavior. If we do not wear masks, don’t follow social distancing, then it is the main reason for the surge,” Jain said.
SMC seals 4 commercial structures at Karan Nagar
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Nov 8: Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) sealed four illegal structures in Karan Nagar area of uptown Srinagar.
The structures were sealed in Shutrashahi area.
The sealing took place after receiving several complaints from the residents of the said area. While taking cognizance of the complaint, Commissioner SMC Gazanfar Ali passed on directions to the Enforcement wing for prompt action after conducting spot visit.
The structures were sealed in presence of Concerned Enforcement Officer, ward officer and other concerned officials.
“All those structure coming up illegally or the structures deviating from the sanctioned building plans will face similar action,” the SMC commissioner said.
He appealed public to strictly adhere to the approved building permission whether of residential or commercial nature and to do away with deviations in sanctioned building plans and illegal constructions. (KNS)
DDC polls: To participate or not, political parties in dilemma
Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Nov 6: The Jammu and Kashmir government announcing the District Development Council elections has put the political parties in the Valley in a quandary.
The big question that has arisen is, will the Valley based parties that have formed the Peoples’ Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) contest these polls or not?
The political parties, including National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party, Peoples Conference, Awami National Conference and others that have come together to seek restoration of August 4, 2019, position will have to sit together to take a call over this issue.
After the PAGD was formed its leaders had announced that the alliance won’t contest any elections till the “larger goal” is achieved and their fight is not for coming into power. “If these parties decide to stay away from the DDC polls they would once again lose a chance to make a comeback. It will provide an opportunity to BJP and other newcomers to make inroads into the power corridors. The forthcoming DDC elections may not be that big but these are significant due to these being the maiden elections after the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. These elections can set the tone and tenor for the big events which are likely to follow in coming months,” an analyst told Precious Kashmir.
A politician said, “We are unable to understand how the government has devised the new electoral system. An attempt has been made to create one layer after another. It appears that we will have a public representative in every lane. The decision of whether to participate in these elections or not lies with the PAGD leadership.”
An observer said, “The Valley based parties participating in these polls directly look difficult. We may have a situation where the candidates affiliated with these parties may contest as independents. Political parties are aware of the fact that if they remain away from the power corridors for a longtime, they may find it hard to sustain that too in the changed political scenario in J&K UT.”
He said, “The political parties that have come together in Kashmir at this point of time know it very well that they don’t have an option other than putting up a united front.”
The observer said, “It will be interesting to see how the Congress Party will react to the development. Will it contest the DDC polls or not. The party has stayed away from PAGD but has dropped enough hints that it cannot survive alone. All these questions will be answered in the next few days. We just have to wait and watch.”
Pampore encounter: 2 militants, civilian killed; one surrenders
Srinagar, Nov 6: Two militants of Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) and a civilian were killed and a militant surrendered during an encounter which ensued after security forces launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in Pampore areas in south Kashmir, officials said.
Giving details about the encounter, they said, on a tip-off about the presence of militants troops of Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF launched a joint CASO at Meeg Lalpora, Pampore, in Pulwama district on Thursday evening.
However, when the security forces were moving towards a particular area in the village, militants hiding there hurled grenades and resorted to indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons, they said adding security forces also retaliated ensuing in an encounter.
Two civilians were injured in the shootout. They were immediately shifted to a hospital. One of the injured identified as Abid Nabi died in SMHS hospital Friday morning.
Sources said CASO was halted due to darkness last night adding this morning with the first light when search operation was launched again, militants opened fire. Security forces made repeated announcements to holed up militants to surrender who continued firing. Security forces also returned the fire and in the ensuing gun battle a militant was killed.
Security forces again appealed to militants to surrender, they said adding family members of a local militant who was trapped in the area also joined to appeal him to lay down his arms. After some time the local militant surrendered before the security forces. He said he had recently joined militancy and will now a peaceful life with the family.
Nine militants were allowed to surrender by security forces during live encounters in the Valley during the past about two months.
Sources said after some time another militant in the area also opened fire ensuing in a fresh encounter during which he was killed.
Bodies of both the militants were recovered, they said adding large incriminating material, including arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants who belong to LeT, the officials said.
Youth surrendering in live actions success of forces: IGP Kumar
Srinagar, Nov 6: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Friday said that security forces and the police are achieving a success as “misguided youth are returning back and surrendering even in live encounters.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar in a tweet said, “Success of police and security forces is that they are getting misguided youth back. This year has been successful as they (youth) are returning now and they are being honourably welcomed.”
The IGP’s tweet came soon after a local militant surrendered during an encounter in Pampore.
Ladakh Standoff:India will not accept shifting of LAC: Gen Rawat
New Delhi, Nov 6: Amid border standoff with China in eastern Ladakh, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat on Friday said that India will not accept shifting of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
His comments come on a day the Corps Commanders of two armies are holding talks to reduce military friction along the LAC in Ladakh.
“In the overall security calculus, border confrontation, transgressions and unprovoked tactical military actions spiralling into a larger conflict cannot be discounted,” the CDS said at an event organised to mark the diamond jubilee celebrations of the National Defence College.
The CDS said the situation in the Ladakh theatre was tense and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army was facing unanticipated consequences of its misadventure in the sector because of the Indian military’s “firm and strong” response.
‘‘Our posturing is unambiguous, status quo has to be restored as we will not accept any shifting of the LAC,’’ Gen Rawat said.
He also warned of a collusive threat from China and Pakistan.
Gen Rawat said there was constant friction with the two nuclear-armed neighbours with whom India has fought wars and their acting in collusion posed an “omnipresent danger of regional strategic instability with the potential for escalation.”
For Pakistan, he said the country has continued to remain the epicenter of armed insurgency. “For three decades now, the Pakistan Army and ISI-known as the deep state have been waging proxy war in J&K,” he added.
On Thursday, in his opening statement, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had said that India was determined to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of unilateralism and aggression, no matter what the sacrifice.
The Minister said peace could only be ensured through the ability to deter war. “Perhaps the most fundamental lesson that the roller coaster of the rise and fall of nations taught us was that peace cannot necessarily be achieved by a desire for peace but by the ability to deter war. Unfortunately, the mere desire to seek peace, if not reciprocated by others, does not necessarily succeed in building a harmonious environment in a world beset by conflicting ideas of security, sovereignty and national interests,” Singh had said.
IAF’s strong posturing helped India ward off China threat: Bhadauria
New, Delhi, Nov 6: The proactive deployment of IAF’s “offensive” capabilities in response to the standoff with China in eastern Ladakh demonstrated its current operational readiness and the strong posturing was instrumental in dissuading the adversary to a large extent, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria said on Friday.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) chief also said that the Balakot air strikes in Pakistan clearly demonstrated that air power could be put to sophisticated use and create a space for action below the conventional threshold.
Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria was speaking at an online seminar organised by the National Defence College. “Over the past few months, the proactive deployment of our offensive capabilities in response to developments in eastern Ladakh, both in terms of deployment of air assets as well as rapid airlifting of Army combat elements, demonstrated the IAF’s operational readiness today,” he said without elaborating .
He said the deployment also reflected the capability and the nation’s resolve to use air power if the need arises.
“It is our belief that our pro-active action and strong posture was instrumental in dissuading the adversary from making further attempts…We remain hopeful that the peace and stability will be restored along the LAC through ongoing dialogue,” he said.
The IAF has deployed almost all its frontline fighter jets like Sukhoi 30 MKI, Jaguar and Mirage 2000 aircraft in the key frontier air bases in eastern Ladakh and elsewhere along the Line of Actual Control(LAC).
The newly inducted fleet of Rafale jets has also been carrying out sorties in eastern Ladakh.
On the Balakot strikes, he said militant organisations will have to think “hard” before making any further attempts to carry out attacks.
“The air strikes in February last year by Indian Air Force targeting terror infrastructure at Balakot clearly demonstrated that air power could be put to sophisticated use and create a space for action below the conventional threshold,” Bhadauria said.
Talking about the overall security scenario, he said there has been a transformation of the security paradigm in recent years.
“Our definitions of national boundaries have shifted beyond the classical definition of land border, shore lines etc. We cannot remain chained to the old concepts of fronts — two fronts, one front. The nature and scope of warfare itself has expanded,” he said.
In Indian defence parlance, the two front conflict refers to hostilities along the country’s western and northern borders.
The Chief of Air Staff said the induction of modern platforms and acquisition of nice capabilities has bolstered the IAF’s combat capabilities across the entire spectrum of warfare.
“The ongoing transformation is aimed at adding agility to our combat fleets. However, practitioners of air power are mindful of the fact that besides providing a host of kinetic and non-kinetic response options against an adversary, a strong and capable air force plays a much larger role in ensuring deterrence and avoiding conflict in the first place.”
Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chief of Army Staff S K Saini said India’s unsettled borders have been its biggest security challenge.
“The possibility of conflict over territorial disputes with China and Pakistan will continue to remain an important factor in our defence planning,” he added.
Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh said the Indian Navy remained poised for rapid response in any situation.
“For the Indian Navy, operating farther and outward from Indian shores, in step with our country’s national interests, is a strategic imperative and necessity,” he said.
He said the aim of Indian Navy is to be ‘first responder’ and ‘preferred security partner’ for the Indian Ocean littorals. (AGENCIES)
COVID-19: 5 more die, 581 fresh cases in J&K
Fatalities mount to 1526, 97805 test positive till date
Nadeem Nadu
Srinagar, Nov 6: Jammu and Kashmir reported five more COVID-19 deaths, while 581 more people tested positive for the virus in the last 24-hours, officials said on Friday.
They said that casualties due to COVID-19 in J&K have mounted to 1526, while 97805 people have tested positive for the virus till date across the Union Territory.
Among those who succumbed to the virus include three from Kashmir while two others were from Jammu division, they said.
The victims from the Valley include a 65-year-old woman from Lal Bazar, 84-year-old from Natipora and 78-year-old from Naseem bagh Srinagar.
The victims from Jammu division include one from Kathua and another from Ramban—a 72-year-old from Banihal area of the district.
Officials said that he septuagenarian died at CD hospital Srinagar.
With these deaths, the fatality count has reached 1526 in J&K—1011 in Valley and 515 in the Jammu region.
Srinagar district with 373 deaths tops the list followed by Jammu (265), Baramulla (147), Budgam (94), Pulwama (83), Kupwara (73), Anantnag (76), Rajouri (48), Kulgam (48), Bandipora(47), Doda (48), Shopian (35), Ganderbal (35), Udhampur (32), Kathua (33), Samba (25), Poonch (23), Ramban (18), Kishtwar(15), and Reasi (8).
581 fresh cases reported, total 97805
Meanwhile, 33 travelers were among 581 new COVID-19 cases that were reported in Jammu and Kashmir in last 24 hours, taking the total tally to 97805.
Among the fresh infections 228 were reported in Jammu and 353 in Kashmir.
Giving district wise details, Srinagar reported 169 cases, Baramulla 58, Budgam 29, Pulwama 13, Kupwara 37, Anantnag 12, Bandipora 9, Ganderbal 20, Kulgam 2, Shopian 4, Jammu 92, Rajouri 12,
Udhampur 22, Doda 11, Kathua 9, Poonch 8, Samba 10, Kishtwar 20, Ramban 23 and Reasi 21.
Moreover, officials said that 632 COVID-19 patients have recovered and were discharged from various hospitals— 293 from Jammu Division and 339 from Kashmir Valley
