Srinagar, Oct 27: Encounter broke out between militants and security forces in Mouchwa area of Budgam district on Tuesday evening.
Reports reaching GNS that a joint team of Srinagar Police, Budgam Police and Army’s 50RR launched a cordon and search operation in Mouchwa.
As the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the forces, triggering a gunfight.
A senior police officer also confirmed to GNS about exchange of firing between militants and security forces.
As per the sources two JeM militants believed to be trapped.

Death toll at 1452, total cases 92677
Nadeem Nadu
Srinagar, Oct 17: Jammu and Kashmir reported seven more COVID-19 deaths, while 452 more people tested positive for the virus in the union territory during the past 24-hours, officials said on Tuesday.
They said that fatality count due to COVID-19 in J&K has mounted to 1452, while 92677 have tested positive till date.
Among those who succumbed to the virus today, include four from Jammu division and three from Kashmir.
Regarding those who died in Jammu include two residents of the winter capital of J&K, and one each from Udhampur and Reasi. The victims from the Valley include on each from Srinagar, Kupwara and Bandipora.

The victim from Srinagar was a 63-year-old man from Rainawari who died at CD hospital, one of the exclusive facilities for the management of the covid-19 patients. The sexagenarian, officials told GNS was admitted on October 19 and died late last night. The victim from Kupwara was a 75-year-old man from Deedikootarea while that Bandipora was a 65-yerar-old man from Muslimabad area.
With these deaths, the fatality count has reached 967 in Valley and 485 in Jammu region.
Srinagar district with 347 deaths tops the list followed by Jammu (251), Baramulla (143), Budgam (92), Pulwama (80), Kupwara (72), Anantnag (74), Kulgam (46), Bandipora(46), Rajouri (46), Doda (45), Shopian (35), Ganderbal (32), Kathua (30), Udhampur (30), Samba (25), Poonch (23), Kishtwar(14), Ramban (13), and Reasi (8).
J&K reports 452 new cases, total 92677

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir reported 452 fresh COVID-19 cases in last 24 hours, taking the total count to 92677. Among the cases includes a minor and a doctor besides two BST troopers.
Giving district wise breakup of the cases, they said, Srinagar reported 118, Budgam 22, Baramulla 47, Pulwama 24, Kupwara 9, Anantnag 6, Bandipora 13, Ganderbal 18, Kulgam 0, Shopian 1, Jammu 109, Rajouri 7, Udhampur 6, Doda 9, Kathua 9, Poonch 7, Samba 8, Kishtwar 17, Ramban 4 and Reasi 18.
A number of these cases were confirmed at diagnostic laboratory of SKIMS Soura and Include male (45, 35) from BSF Humhama Sgr, male (35) from Chadoora Budgam, female (45) from Chadoora Budgam, female (32) from Hanjura Budgam, male (32) from Hashroo Chadoora, male (26) from Yarikalan Chadoora, female (35) from Hashroo Chadoora, female (45) from Kanipora Budgam, male (07) from Natipora Budgam, male (15) from Natipora Budgam, male (12) from Natipora Budgam, male (34) from Natipora Budgam, female (58) from Rawalpora Sgr, male (79) from Gujjarpati Charar, female (31) from Ratnipora Budgam, male (40) from Nowgam Budgam, male (35) from Nowgam Budgam, female (45) from Machowa Budgam, male (24) from Wagoora Budgam, male (70) from Bkpora Budgam, male (47) from Bk Pora Budgam, female (40) from Bk Pora Budgam, male (50) from Rethan Budgam, female (45) from Rethan Budgam, female (30) from Uri Baramulla, female (25) from Dobipora Ganderbal, female (28) from Dobipora Ganderbal, female (32) from Behama Ganderbal, male (55) from Batpora Ganderbal, female (55) from Batpora Ganderbal, male (26) from Batpora Ganderbal, female (43) from Batpora Ganderbal, male (65) from Wanigam Ganderbal, female (30) from Khanan Ganderbal, female (37) from Wangath Ganderbal, male (35) from Panzan Ganderbal, female (26) from Surbal Ganderbal, male (28) from Margund Ganderbal, female (55) from Tangchater Ganderbal, male (35) from Chinar Ganderbal, female (27) from Khayam Sgr, male (50) from Malangpora Pulwama, female (52) from Safakadal Sgr, female (40) from Naseembagh Sgr, male (48) from Malbagh Sgr, male (24) from Ellahibagh Sgr, male (60) from Fatehpora Baramulla, female (16) from Main Town Kargil, male (55) from Banihal, female (60) from Rainawari Sgr, female (70) (Na) from Ganiwan Ganderbal, male (75) from Kupwara, male (63) from Mamar Ganderbal, male (50) from Soura Sgr, female (56) from Buchpora Sgr, female (68) from Sgr, female (49) from Kangan, female (06) from Hamray Baramulla, male (80) from Gundpora Bandipora, male (60) from Qamarwari Sgr, male (50) from Lalbazar Sgr. (GNS)

New Delhi, Oct 27: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday extended the Unlock 5.0 guidelines till November 30 with no new changes.
According to the order, strict lockdown will continue in the containment zones.
The Centre has asked people to exercise extreme caution and follow Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Jan Aandolan and to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
As per the Unlock 5.0, all activities such as the operation of the metro rail, shopping malls,hotel, restaurants and hospitality services, religious places, yoga and training institutes, gymnasiums, cinemas and entertainment park under the prescribed Standard Operative Procedures while the States and Union Territories have been permitted to take decision on reopening of schools and colleges.
However, the Centre has permitted the state and private universities for research scholars allowing gatherings not above the limit of 100.
International air travel of passengers as permitted by MHA under ‘air bubble scheme’ to continue till November 30, swimming pools being used for training of sportsperson while cinemas, theatres and multiplexes to function upto 50 percent of their seating capacity.
The Covid-19 protocol has to be followed strictly and three precautions: wearing a mask properly, washing hands frequently and maintaining safe distance have to be followed as usual, the guidelines said.
The national directives for COVID-19 management will continue to be followed throughout the country, so as to enforce COVID-19 appropriate behavior.The States have been asked not to impose any local lockdown outside containment zones and there will be no restriction on Inter-State and intra-State movement.
The use of Aarogya setu app to be encouraged while adequate protection for vulnerable persons, the guidelines said.The coronavirus induced country-wide lockdown was first announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from March 25 and it was extended in phases till May 31.
The Unlock process in the country had begun on June 1 with the graded reopening of commercial, social, religious and other activities.

Ishityaq Ahmad
Srinagar, Oct 27: The government has said that it is trying to put all the arrangements in place ahead of winters as the experts have warned that the Covid- 19 virus can behave erratically during the cold season.
A top divisional administration said the administration is aware about the challenges that people can face during winters.
“Hospitals and other health institutions are being equipped to prevent crisis like situation. We are taking the warnings being issued by the experts seriously. There is no scope for sitting back and relaxing,” said one of the officials said.
Kashmir is bracing up for winter amid COVID-19 pandemic as experts have warned that the virus could become deadly in the cold weather.
A medico said, “People seem to have become complacent. We see very few people wearing masks. Social distancing norms are being violated everywhere. When the pandemic broke out in Kashmir in March this year, winter was almost over and the temperatures had improved. For COVID it’s the first winter in Kashmir.”
“Flu is a common thing in the winter season in Kashmir. It will become very difficult for doctors to differentiate between a normal flu and COVID after the mercury plummets,” he said.
The doctors have warned that the “complacency could trigger a second wave of COVID-19 infection.”
They have said people no longer regard pandemic as a risk and have thrown caution to the wind.
“We are not out of the woods yet. COVID-19 is far from over and we must not lower our guard. We are sitting on a powder keg that could explode any time,” the doctors have warned.
A doctor said it seems that the vaccine won’t reach Kashmir before March next year.
“It means people will be without any protective shield during the winter. Things are not going to be that easy. The decline in Covid cases does not mean that pandemic is over. The virus is very much there and no one can predict how it will behave in the coming days. We have to keep our fingers crossed till the vaccine comes,” he said.
The doctor said Covid positive patients are visiting the health facilities daily.
“Thousands of asymptomatic patients are under home quarantine. Situation continues to be grim,” he said.
During winter, people prefer to move outside Kashmir to save themselves from biting cold.
“However, this year the situation in other states is also grim as the COVID-19 continues to rule the roost. We may not see many people moving out of the Valley this winter due to the pandemic,” the doctors said. (KINS)

IPFC will encourage small businesses, increase JK’s footprint in global marketplace: Sinha
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 27: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha Tuesday inaugurated Intellectual Property Facilitation Centre (IPFC) at Jammu and Sub-Centre at Srinagar through virtual mode.
Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor observed that the initiative is a move forward by the Government to promote awareness and adoption of Intellectual Property Rights amongst entrepreneurs and MSMEs in J&K.
Highlighting Government’s initiatives for development of economic sector in J&K, the Lt Governor said that the UT government is making untiring efforts for the promotion and growth of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises and all those associated with the sectors. Some recent steps taken by the government are sure to uplift the sectors in a short period of time.
The Economic Package announced recently and allied 83 measures have brought some respite to the industries in the region. Once announced, the Industrial Package would revolutionize the industries in here, he added.
In order to improve competitiveness of local industry post abrogation of toll tax at Lakhanpur, we are also taking 20 key steps that will not only enable the industry to become competitive, but also flourish in times to come and become more competitive not only in this region but also at the national level, said the Lt Governor.
The Lt Governor expressed his gratitude to the PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises for this initiative of promoting and safeguarding Intellectual Property Rights in this Union Territory. I’m sure it will encourage small businesses and increase J&K’s footprint in the global marketplace, he added.
Speaking on promoting self employment, the Lt Governor underlined the need to safeguard the innovations of entrepreneurs through Trademark and Patent laws and help them sustain in competitive global market. This facility would also help in promoting our local crafts. Both the Centres will provide help to the entrepreneurs with respect to IPR and GI Tags, he added.
He stressed on the need to generate awareness among stakeholders and devise simple mechanisms to ensure that the benefits of the IPR reach start-ups, village industries and people associated with the MSMEs.
The UT government has recently signed a MoU with Flipkart to help connect the entrepreneurs to the global market.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 27: The newly formed alliance of seven J&K parties – Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration and other mainstream leaders have slammed the amendments in land laws of J&K, paving way for buying of land in the UT by non locals.
People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration spokesman Sajad Lone termed the MHA Order as a huge betrayal.
“This is a massive assault on the rights of the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh and grossly unconstitutional. The Alliance has vowed to fight the anti Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh measure on all fronts. The order made in exercise of powers under Reorganisation Act, 2019, it is stated, is yet another brazen violation of the principle of constitutional proprietary of fundamental importance to a constitutional democracy”, he said.
“The unconstitutional measure is clearly designed as an attempt to preempt the outcome of the challenge before the Supreme Court. The assault on exclusive property rights apart, changes in urban development laws and creation of Security Zones is bound to prejudicially affect environment and ecosystem in environmentally fragile regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh in utter disregard of grave environmental concerns” he said.
National Conference Vice President and former J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called the newly introduced J&K Development Act as hostile to the interests of the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
He said that the amendments to the land ownership law have put J&K up for sale. “With these new laws in place tokenism of the domicile certificate has been done away with as purchasing non-agricultural land has been made easier. These new laws are unacceptable to people of J&K, Ladakh,” he said.
“The measures are also part of a larger design aimed to destroy the local, distinctive cultural identity of Kashmir thereby giving a ditch to the successive promises made by the successive central governments from time to time,” he said adding, “Such measures reveal that it is not the people’s aspirations which matters to the ruling dispensation at New Delhi, it is rather the land which they want to hold on and are interested in.”
Former chief minister and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti termed the amendment as an attempt to snatch the democratic right of people.
She in a tweet said after abrogating Article 370, the government is paving way for the people outside Jammu and Kashmir to buy the land here.
Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari said any laws which do not safeguard the interests and rights of people of J&K would be unacceptable to the Apni Party.
“We pledge to continue with our fight for restoration of Statehood and domicile laws on land that would ensure safeguards for the rights of residents of J&K like many states in the country,” he said.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Vice-President and former MLC G N Monga said since last year the BJP Government in New Delhi is issuing orders at frequent intervals and psychologically torturing people of J&K further.
“What government of India wants to convey to the people of J&K by issuing such laws? They want to dis-empower the people of Jammu and Kashmir fully. The BJP government at the Center has been humiliating and subjugating people of J&K and Congress will fight against these moves tooth and nail,” Monga said.
CPI (M) senior leader and former MLA Kulgam, Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami termed it a design to disempower the people of Jammu and Kashmir further.
“This is a design to disempower the people of J&K further and put their land on sale for corporations. It is daylight robbery of land in the name of integration, development and security,” Tarigami tweeted—(KNO)

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Oct 27: Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam Tuesday administered the oath of office of the Chairman of J&K State Water Resources Regulatory Authority (SWRRA) to Ghanshyam Jha.
Jha has earlier served as the Chairman, Central Water Commission (CWC), and has a vast experience in the areas of flood management, flood forecasting, monitoring and management, collection and analysis of hydrological and hydro-meteorological data, mathematical modeling and computational analysis of rivers, drainage and environmental management, and design of civil engineering structures.
Welcoming Jha, the Chief Secretary expressed hope that his expertise will further strengthen the functioning of the J&K State Water Resources Regulatory Authority, besides providing it an inspirational leadership.
Being a statutory body, SWRRA is responsible for regulating water resources within the territorial jurisdiction of Jammu and Kashmir, ensuring judicious, equitable and sustainable management, allocation and utilization of these resources, and fixing the rates for use of water.

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, Oct 27: The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) produced chargesheet of case FIR No. 25/2014 u/s  5(1)(c), 5(1)(d) r/w 5(2) J&K Prevention of Corruption Act &  sections 120-B, 109 RPC in Anti Corruption Court Baramulla on Tuesday.

“The case was registered against  Abdul Rashid Wani (then CAO Kupwara), Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Shah (then ASCO Kupwara), Abdul Majid Dar (then SCA Kupwara), Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Lone (then SCA Kupwara), Abdul Qayoom Shah (then Field Assistant Kralpora), Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Bhat (then Field Assistant Kralpora), Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Khan (then Field Assistant Kralpora), Nazir Ahmad Mir R/o Rawathpora Kupwara (Beneficiary), Tasnima Banoo R/o Rawathpora Kupwara (Beneficiary) and  Abdul Rashid Mir R/o Thandipora Kupwara (Beneficiary),” a spokesman of ACB said

He said during investigation it was found that accused officers of Agriculture Department in league with private beneficiaries, booked expenditure against construction of Protection Bund at Nallah Tulwari at Rawathpora Kupwara which was actually constructed by Block Development Office Kralpora a few years back. As such by abuse of their official positions, they have misappropriated the funds which were meant for carrying out flood protection works on Nallah Tulwari and thereby caused a loss of Rs 2,47,993/- to the State Exchequer.

“The Chargesheet was produced before Court of Special Judge Anti Corruption Baramulla after Government accorded prosecution sanction in respect of in-service accused public servants vide  order No. 52-JK-GAD (Vig) of 2020 dated 15.10.2020,” he said.

The spokesman said all ten accused public servants and private beneficiaries were arrested and produced in custody before Court alongwith the chargesheet against them.