Srinagar, Sep 22: People in Kashmir felt tremors on Tuesday reported to be after an earthquake hit the region.
Meanwhile, reports also surfaced that the tremors were felt by the people after a loud blast or explosion may be a sonic boom. However, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) reported that tremors were felt in Srinagar.
Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Shahid Choudhary took to Twitter and said “this was scary. Hope everyone is safe. #EARTHQUAKE”
Choudhary further said, The “earthquake like situation” confirmed by seismologists is an actual earthquake of magnitude 3.6. Epicentre close to us.”
Also, National Center for Seismology (NCS) has officially confirmed it was an earthquake with the magnitude of 3.6.

Naveed ul-Haq
Budgam, Sep 22: Jammu and Kashmir Police today said that a Jaish-e-Muhammad militant was killed and a soldier sustained injuries in an overnight encounter at Nowhal area of Charar-e-Sharif in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district. Police said that a few associates of the slain militant were active in the area who would be tracked very soon.
The encounter broke out yesterday evening at Nowhal area of Charar-e-Shareef, after joint teams of police, army and CRPF zeroed in Nowhal area of Charar-e-Shareef on the basis of a specific lead about the presence of militants in the area. “The operation was put on a halt for due to the dark and it resumed this morning again after which a militant was killed. A soldier had sustained injuries in the initial exchange of firing,” said an official.
Talking to the reporters, SSP Budgam Amod Nagpur said, “Yesterday evening joint teams launched an operation on the basis of specific information about the presence of militants in Nowhal area of Charar-e-Shareef area. “The militants fired indiscriminately at the forces with bullets and grenades. Today morning, one unidentified militant has been killed from whose possession large quantity of arms and ammunition besides incriminating material has been recovered,” the SSP said, adding that the slain militant is affiliated with the Jaish-e-Muhammad outfit.

Asked whether any militant managed to escape, he said that the operation as successful on part of the forces. “There are a few associates of slain militant active in the area and we will soon catch them,” the SSP said, adding that the identity of the slain militant is being ascertained.

Meanwhile, a police spokesman said that an army soldier of 53 RR sustained splinter injuries in the gunfight who was shifted to hospital for treatment. “In the ensuing gunfight, one militant was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of encounter. He has been identified as Asif Shah, a resident of Samboora, Pulwama who was affiliated with the militant outfit JeM,” the police spokesman said.

It said that the body of the slain militant shall be sent to Handwara for his last rites after conducting medico-legal formalities. “People are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosive materials,” he said—(KNO)

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Sep 22: Appreciating the officers and Jawans of police and other security agencies for successfully accomplishing encounters and killing militants, Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh on Tuesday asked them to be more watchful and alert to foil any plan by Pakistan to stir and step up violence in Jammu and Kashmir.
A police spokesman said Singh visited Police Component Srinagar where he interacted with the jawans and held officers meeting.
He distributed the cash rewards and certificates of appreciation for commendable work done by the officers and personnel of the component.
The DGP was accompanied by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir range Vijay Kumar and other officers.
Speaking to the officers in the meeting, the DGP appreciated the commendable work done by the officers and jawans of Police Component Srinagar in handling difficult situations along with other security forces during the recent operations at Panth Chowk and at Batmaloo in Srinagar.
He appreciated the officers and Jawans for successfully accomplishing encounters and neutralising militants while taking due precautions.
The DGP said that it was very unfortunate that during the Batmaloo encounter, a civilian woman died. He said that in most of the operations, Police and security forces are displaying their discipline and professionalism in handling such situations.
The DGP said that Jammu and Kashmir Police efforts can be judged by the fact that the families were called to persuade the militants to surrender during the encounter at Pantha Chowk. He said despite the death of one of our finest officers in that encounter our personnel gave a chance to a militant to surrender.
He stressed upon the officers to be more watchful and alert as the militants and their handlers in Pakistan have plans to stir and step up violence in Jammu & Kashmir to take out their desperation to recent losses to militant cadres.
While interacting with the jawans the DGP complimented their bravery and valour. He advised them to take care of their health and fitness. He also interacted with the personnel of different sections of the component and appreciated their efforts and support provided to the personnel on ground.

Precious Kashmir News
New Delhi, Sep 22: National Conference (NC) President and Member of Parliament (MP) Dr Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday sought the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional position, which he said was “unconstitutionally, undemocratically and illegally” rescinded on August 5 last year.
In a statement here a NC spokesman said that the party president in his address in the Lok Sabha said, “Today while I am speaking here, there is a fierce gun battle going on in Kashmir. Unfortunately, such violent encounters have become a routine in the Valley. There will be no peace in Jammu and Kashmir unless decisions taken on Aug 5 2019 are not revoked and the special status is restored.”
He also demanded unconditional release of political, youth, civil society detainees arrested following the Aug 5 decisions saying that it was imperative to restore long-lasting peace in J&K.
Earlier the party President Dr Farooq Abdullah along with Member of Parliament of Dravida Munetra Kazhagam (DMK) Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, NC Members of Parliament Hasnain Masoodi, Muhammad Akbar Lone; Rajya Sabha members Fayaz Ahmed Mir of PDP, Nazir Ahmed Laway; protested in front of Gandhi Statue in the foreground of the Parliament house and demanded restoration of the constitutional position to Jammu and Kashmir as per 1952 Delhi agreement, 1975 accord and restoration of the Articles 370, 35-A which were unconstitutionally, undemocratically abrogated by GOI on the 5th of August last year.
The protesting MPs said that there was no peace in J&K, and that there could be no long-lasting peace in the region unless the undemocratic measures undertaken by the GOI on Aug 05 2019 are not reversed.
The party’s MPs led by Dr Farooq had earlier called on the Lok Sabha Speaker and urged him to enable discussion on the situation in J&K.

‘Incriminating material, digital devices seized’

Srinagar, Sep 22: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) Tuesday conducted searches at multiple locations in Baramulla-Uri and one location in Srinagar in connection with Hizbul Mujahideen militant Naveed Babu case and Cross-border Trade case.
In a statement a NIA spokesman said, “Hizbul Mujahideen militant Naveed Babu case, houses of close associates of accused Tariq Mir r/o Maldera, Shopian, who was arrested by NIA on April 29 this year for his role in smuggling and supply of weapons to HM militants, were searched—Azad Ahmad Pir r/o Dardkote, Uri, Haleema Begum r/o Boniyar, Baramulla, Shaheen Lone r/o Kanspora, Baramulla, working as an Inspector in Power Development Department and His father- in-law’s house at Waza Mohalla, Palhalan, Baramulla, was also searched—Shareen Bibi w/o accused Tariq Mir r/o Chinad, Baramulla. “Tafazul Parimoo r/o Rehmatabad, Hyderpora, Budgam.”
It said that several incriminating documents and digital devices have been seized during these searches.
“To recapitulate, the instant case was registered on January 11 this year, when two Hizb militants Naveed Babu and Rafi Ahmad Rather were apprehended along with now-suspended DSP Devender Singh and one Irfan Shafi Mir alias Advocate by J&K Police at Al-Stop Naka, Qazigund. The investigation had revealed a deep-rooted conspiracy hatched by Pakistan-based HM leadership and Pak ISI and an OGW network that facilitates the supply of funds and arms & ammunition to the HM terrorists in J&K,” the statement said.
The NIA statement said that searches were also carried out at the premises of the following traders in connection with illegalities in LoC trade case: Peer Arshid Iqbal alias Ashu s/o Pir Gayas-ud-Din r/o Khawaja Bagh, Baramulla, J&K, currently lodged in Kathua jail, Jammu in a narcotics case.
“Tariq Ahmad Sheikh s/o Abdul Hamid Sheikh r/o Tawheed Gunj, Baramulla, Prop. Of M/s Sheikh Brothers and M/s Hamid Brothers, Baramulla, currently in Baramulla jail in a narcotics case,” the statement said, adding that “Bashir Ahmad Sofi s/o Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din r/o Khwajabagh, Distt. Baramulla (J&K) – District level Hurriyat Leader. Abdul Hamid Lone s/o Abdul Rajaq Lone r/o Gundpura, Sopore M/s Asha Traders, Wugub, Sopore, J&K.”
The NIA further said that searches have yielded several incriminating documents and digital devices. Further investigation in the case is continued.

67000 in High Court, 196000 in subordinate courts
Nasir Azam
Srinagar, Sep 22: As many as 2.63 lakh civil and criminal cases are pending in Jammu & Kashmir courts for disposal.
Official information available with news agency KNO lay bare that 67456 cases- 7946 criminal cases and 59510 civil cases- are pending in common High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh Union Territories.
Under the Re-Organisation Act, the High Court of the erstwhile State of J&K serves as common High Court for both the UTs which came into existence on October 31, 2019.
The High Court is presently short of five judges as it has only 12 judges against sanctioned strength of 17.
The official information also reveals that 196393 cases are pending in subordinate courts of Jammu & Kashmir. Of which 78436 are civil cases and 117957 are criminal cases.
It is worthwhile to mention that the case clearance rate of Jammu & Kashmir’s subordinate courts is 16 percent more than its High Court. As already reported by KNO, the case clearance rate of J&K High Court stood at 76.20 per cent for the period between 2017 to 2019. In the same period, the CCR of J&K Subordinate Court was 92. 60 percent.
The CCR is defined as the number of cases cleared in a year measured against the cases filed that year.
The Economic Survey 2018-19 defines Case Clearance Rate (CCR) “as the ratio of the number of cases disposed of in a given year to the number of cases instituted in that year.”

New Delhi, Sep 22: The Lok Sabha on Tuesday approved a Bill to introduce Hindi, Kashmiri and Dogri as official languages in Jammu and Kashmir, in addition to Urdu and English.
Minister of State for Home affairs G Kishan Reddy introduced the Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Bill, 2020.
He said over 56 per cent population in the State understands and speak Kashmiri, still it is not recognised as an official language.
He asked why was Kashmiri language still not recognised as an official language of Jammu and Kashmir.
Reddy said it was a ‘historical blunder’, adding that such blunders of past 50 years will now be fixed under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
As per the census of 2011, only 0.16 per cent of the population in the State speaks Urdu, which has remained the sole official language in the state, he added.
Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh said it is not only a fulfilment of a long-pending public demand of the region but also in keeping with the spirit of equality which was ushered after August 5, 2019.’
The erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated on August 5, with Ladakh becoming a separate Union Territory.
Speaking on the proposed legislation, Hasnain Masoodi of National Conference alleged that Urdu language will be marginalised, adding that it has been official language of Jammu and Kashmir since 1889.

He said the Urdu language has over the years developed not only into an efficient means of transacting official business in administration of justice, police, revenue and other departments but also evolved as household language and above all a fluently spoken link language between different regions and communities in Jammu and Kashmir.
He opined that the decision to have five official languages would be impractical.
The Bill will include Kashmiri, Dogri and Hindi as official languages in the newly-created Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir.

Kansal chairs its first AGM after unbundling of PDD
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Sep 22: Principal Secretary Power Development & Information Departments, Rohit Kansal today chaired the first Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) here.
The Principal Secretary commended the company for completing all the financial statements within the deadline. He asked the officers to make the company vibrant by incorporating a HR consultancy, IT consultancy, employees welfare and framing of recruitment rules besides other measures for the company.
The meeting was informed by MD KPDCL, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, Representative of Ministry of Power, GoI, Vishal Sharma, Special Secretary Finance, Shamim Ahmad Wani and representatives of many departments were present in the meeting.
Kansal, who is also Chairman and Director of the Company asked them to utilize there sources and powers conferred upon them efficiently so that the company reaches to its optimum potential. He further said that companies have ample chances of growth as they are lot more independent to take decisions and implement policies as per changing times and needs.
Kansal also advised the Company officials to work with zeal as their prospects of progress are much more than anywhere else. He asked them that the progress of company is proportional to the progress avenues of its employees.
The meeting was informed that after the unbundling of the department after November, 2019 the company has already held 2 Board of Directors meetings and an AGM. It was given that company is in the process of replacing all the worn-out LT/HT electric lines and wooden poles in the division for which Rs 40 crores have been earmarked. Further the fundamental set-up and logistics necessary for the running of company has already been put in place in the shortest possible period of 6 months only.
Later Kansal also took stock of the winter preparedness of the distribution company. He was informed that company is set to improve its distribution in coming winter. They further said that people will feel the difference in power supply as many other measures have been taken or are in pipeline to improve the system.

United Nations, Sep 22: India on Tuesday rejected Pakistan’s contention that the Kashmir issue is one of the most long-standing disputes at the United Nations (UN), saying Islamabad should instead focus on the unfinished task of “tackling terrorism.”
In a video message on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the world body, Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi lauded the UN’s achievements but also referred to “failings and deficiencies”.
“The organisation is only as good as its member states wish it to be. The Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and Palestine disputes are the organisation’s most glaring and long-standing disputes. The people of occupied J&K still await fulfilment of the commitment made to them by the UN to grant them their right to self-determination,” he said.
“Today, the UN is derided as a talk shop. Its resolutions and decisions are flouted. International cooperation, especially in the Security Council, is at its lowest,” he added.
Exercising its “right of reply”, the Indian delegation at the UN responded soon after. First secretary Vidisha Maitra said India had hoped the General Assembly “would be spared another repetition of the baseless falsehoods that have now become a trademark of Pakistan’s interventions on such platforms” during the commemoration of a shared global milestone.

“However, for a nation that is bereft of milestones, one can only expect a stonewalled and stymied approach to reason, diplomacy and dialogue,” she said.
Turning to the specific reference to the Kashmir issue, Maitra said Pakistan was interfering in India’s internal matters.
“What we heard today is the never-ending fabricated narrative presented by the Pakistani representative about the internal affairs of India. We reject the malicious reference made to the union territory (UT) of J&K, which is an integral part of India,” she said.
“If there is an item that is unfinished on the agenda of the UN it is that of tackling the scourge of terrorism,” she added.
Maitra said Pakistan “would do well to turn its attention inwards to immediately addressing these pressing concerns instead of diverting attention from them by misusing the UN platform”.

Asks Govt To Facilitate Sopore Youth’s Exam Lodged In Bhaderwah Jail
Srinagar, Sept 22: A person under detention cannot be prevented from taking the examination unless there are pressing circumstances, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Tuesday directed government to facilitate appearance of a young detainee from Sopore in the 12th class examination.
A bench of Justice Sanjay Dhar passed the directions after hearing an application on behalf by one Omer Akbar Mir, seeking a direction for shifting of him from District Jail Bhaderwah to District Jail Baramulla or Central Jail, Srinagar, so as to enable him to write examination commencing from September 22.
A resident of Mir Mohalla Brath Kalan Sopore, the detainee as per his counsel has to appear in Class 12th examination for which revised date sheet has been issued. The counsel submitted that in case Omar is not permitted to appear in the examination, he would lose one year of his career.
Upon verification, government counsel certified that the examination of the detainee is going to take place from September 22.
“In view of the submissions made and the documents placed on record, I am of the view that a person under detention cannot be prevented from taking the examination, unless there are pressing circumstances, which may even involve the security of the detenu itself,” the court said as per GNS, directed government to make requisite arrangements to facilitate appearance of Omar in examination scheduled from September 22. “Main petition be listed on 12.10.2020. By that date, respondents shall file the counter affidavit,” the court added. (GNS)