New Delhi, Aug 3: The recruitment  of local youths in Jammu and Kashmir by militant outfits has come down by nearly 42 percent since August 5, 2019 when the special provisions under Article 370 was abrogated and the erstwhile State was bifurcated into two Union Territories (UTs), the Home Ministry officials said here on Monday.

The officials, quoting figures provided by intelligence agencies, said, during the one year period before August 5, 2019 around 172 locals joined different militant groups, but after August 5, 2019 till date, recruitment of such vulnerable reduced by around 42 percent (from 172 to 100).

They also said that total number of militants who attempted infiltration from other Kashmir decreased by 33 percent as the figure was 241 in previous period which came down to 162 post August 5. However, the success rate of infiltration increased by 27 percent as the entry of 112 foreign militants out of a total of 162 attempting to enter. The figure for previous period was 101 successfully entering out of a 241 who attempted.

“A total of 276 militants were killed during one year period prior to August 5, 2019. It may be noted that after August 5, 2019 there was very little violence and almost a complete lull for about six months. Since January 2020 till date, within seven months, 148 militants have been killed whereas prior to August 5, 2019, militants killed during infiltration was 22 which has come down to 3 post August 5”, the officials in the security set up said.

Sharing the data on militant initiated violence, the Ministry officials said that as against 395 incidents prior to August 5 in 2019, it was 181 in post August 5 with substantial decrease of 54 percent whereas there was also a drop in civilian killing by 18 percent as 51 civilians got killed by militants during previous period but in post August 5 period, it was only 42.

There has been decline in number of casualty in Security Force as 117 personnel had lost their lives during previous period but in post August 5, the figure fell to 40, a decrease of 66 percent whereas injuries to forces has come down from 207 to 98 in last one year.

Srinagar, Aug 4:  Security agencies remained clueless so far about the whereabouts of Rifleman of Territorial Army (TA) who was abducted by suspected militants in Shopian on Sunday evening when he was driving his vehicle, which was later recovered in damaged condition (burnt) in Kulgam.
So far there was also no response to appeal by the family members of the soldier seeking his release.

Official sources said security forces and police personnel alongwith intelligence agencies had launched searches to trace the missing rifleman of 162 TA Shakir Manzoor, a resident of Harmain Shopian. However, there was no clue about Manzoor, who had come to his home to celebrate Eid-u-Adha with family members, sources said on Tuesday. We are on the job and working on different directions to trace the missing soldier, they said.

A defence ministry spokesman said on Monday that soldier Manzoor is missing since 1700 hrs on Sunday. However, his abandoned burnt car was later found near Kulgam, he said adding it is suspected that the soldier has been abducted by militants.

He said massive searches have been launched to trace the missing soldier.

Sources said Shakir had left his home at Harmain Shopian Sunday evening in the car. However, when he did not return, police was informed and a massive hunt was launched to trace him.

They said the burnt car of Shakir was later recovered at Rambhama in Kulgam.

Meanwhile, family members of soldier have appealed to abductor to release him on humanitarian grounds.

Ishtiyaq Ahmad

Srinagar, Aug 4:  In view of the inputs that ‘militants may attack and target top political leaders’, the police are reviewing security of all political leaders in Kashmir.

Highly placed sources told KINS that top police officers are taking all measures for the safety of politicians.

“Top police officers have issued instructions to field units to be extra careful in view of serious inputs of attack on political leaders,” top sources said.

Quoting a communication which has been sent to field units, the source said, “As per field sources militants are planning to attack on important political leaders. You are instructed to review security of all political leaders and take all precautions/measures including strengthening of their security grid and also advise them to restrict their movement only to important events and unnecessarily/ avoidable movement be avoided.”

The move comes after the killing of a young BJP leader in north Kashmir’s Bandipora on July 8 last month.

A senior police officer said that the security of politicians is being reviewed and could also be upgraded on the risk assessment of different leaders. “From time to time we review the security of protected political leaders but after the political killings in Bandipora, and the recent inputs the security of party leaders is being again reviewed,” the officer said.

Sources said that the top police officials have taken the inputs seriously and are ensuring proper protection of the politicians in Kashmir. “The field officers like SPs, SDPOs and SHOs have already been apprised of the need of protecting the politicians, especially those travelling frequently to southern districts of Kashmir,” sources said.

A series of meetings, according to sources, were held, to work out the security cover for the top politicians.

Sources said that scores of leaders, including those who are protected already had sought an increase in their security cover in the wake of fresh security threats.

“One of the BJP leader’s had sought an increase in the security cover,” sources maintained.

However, in response, the leader was advised to refrain from taking unnecessary visits and not to venture out unnecessarily,” sources maintained.

The communique sent to the BJP leader who is active in the party affairs here in Srinagar reads, “In case there is a need for urgent political trip or tour, the security wing of the police and the concerned police station should be informed in advance for additional deployment of forces for security cover”.

It is advised to follow the advisor/ SOP/ Guidelines issued from time to time which is in the best interest of your personnel security and safety,” it reads

Another senior police officer said that the security advisory has already been issued to all political leaders and workers, who are protected persons, in the wake of fresh threats issued to them by the militants after an attack on a young BJP leader in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.

“We have urged BJP and other political leaders to avoid unnecessary travel so that they remain safe. We have also asked them to inform us in advance in case they really need to go out for party related activities so that additional security will be provided to them,” the officer said, adding that not informing the security agencies about political events or other important visits can “jeopardize the security of a particular leader.”

He however said that the police can’t give nafri (security men) to each and everybody who is in politics. “We will assess the threat perception of politicians and accordingly work out a protection plan,” the officer said, wishing anonymity.

Politicians from various mainstream parties have expressed concern over their security arrangements, especially in Kashmir.

Top BJP leaders like general secretary Ram Madhav and state president Ravinder Raina had also flagged the issue of security of their leaders before police officials.

After the revocation of Article 370 last year, the security of many politicians affiliated with different parties was downsized or withdrawn.

It is to mention here that last year a high level committee headed by chief secretary BVR Subramaniam was constituted to work out the modalities and review the cases of each individual who had requested for the security cover.

Suhail Khan
Srinagar, Aug 4: As many as 16 aspirants from Jammu and Kashmir have qualified Civil Service exams 2019.
A young girl from north Kashmir’s Kupwara district became one of the youngest IAS officers of India by cracking the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) civil service exam-2019 along with 15 more aspirants from Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the details available with KINS the list of 829 successful candidates made public by the UPSC on Tuesday included 16 from the erstwhile J&K state including two from Ladakh.
A 23-year-old girl Nadia Beigh from Punzwa village of Kupwara cracked civil services of India in her second attempt and became one of the youngest IAS officers of India.
She credited her family for the success who became part of her journey. She also said hard work and dedication were key to success.
“I did this after making many sacrifices, hard work and prayers of many people. I thank everyone for prayers and hope many people will get inspired by my success. Nothing is impossible in life if you focus on a goal and work hard,” she said.
Aftab Rasool Malik another achiever from Trehgam Kupwara also cracked IAS after years of hard work.
In an interview, Rasool said that consistency was the key to crack civil services. He said he was satisfied with the rank he got in the top-level exams.
Rasool has completed his higher education outside the state. His parents also expressed satisfaction over the achievement.
Meanwhile, in a tweet, Deputy Commissioner Kupwara expressed congratulated the civil services achievers from the district.
“Congratulations to the Civil Services Achievers of this Frontier District for conquering New frontiers ! Kupwara Youth have New Role Models to look up to, who have surpassed all challenges to emerge victorious through their grit and determination,” he tweeted.
Among others who cracked the exam include Abhiskhek Augustsya from Jammu is ranked at 38 followed by Sunny Gupta (148), Dev Ahuti from Jammu (177), Parth Gupta (240), Asrar Ahmad Kitchloo (248), Asif Yousuf Tantray (328), Namgyal Angmo (323) Nadia Beigh (350)–Kupwara, Aftab Rasool (412)—from Trehgam Kupwara, Sabzar Ahmad Ganie (628)— Hailing from a remote village of Gheeboom Kokernag, Majid Iqbal Khan (638)—a resident of shangus Anantnag, Stanzin Wangyal (716), Rayees Hussain (747), Mohammed Nawas Sharaf Uddin Sharafuddin (778), and Syed Junaid Adil (822).

Srinagar, Aug 4: Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu today congratulated the candidates from the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir for cracking the Civil Services Examination.

In a congratulatory message, the Lt Governor conveyed his warm felicitation to all the successful candidates for the commendable accomplishment and expressed hope that they would discharge their duties with utmost dedication, commitment, rectitude and sincerity to uphold the highest traditions of the Civil Services.

He said that this accomplishment is the true recognition of their sincere efforts and hard work and wished them high success in their future endeavours.

“Their achievement would certainly motivate and inspire many more youths from J&K to take the country’s prestigious Civil Services Examination in years to come”, he added.

He also conveyed his warm greetings to the family members and parents of all the successful candidates.

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Aug 4: The Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam today chaired a meeting to review status with regard to reservation of seats for students belonging to the Union Territory of Ladakh in professional institutions, for the academic year 2020-21.

The meeting was informed that the reservation in professional institutions is governed in terms of Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act and Rules which have been amended post reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir. The Act and Rules do not apply to UT of Ladakh.

Keeping in view the non-availability of professional institutions in the Union Territory of Ladakh and recommendations of the Advisory Committee constituted by the Government of India, a decision was taken earlier to reserve 4% seats in both engineering as well as medical colleges of Jammu and Kashmir for students from UT of Ladakh. “24 seats from engineering colleges and 35 seats from medical colleges will be deducted from total number of available seats and the reservation for the residents of J&K will be calculated on remaining seats  as per the provisions of JK Reservation Act and Rules”, Chief Secretary maintained. The General Administration Department was asked to inform the Ladakh Administration accordingly.

Regarding the seats reserved for Ladakh students, Chief Secretary directed the Jammu and Kashmir Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPEE) to take up the matter with Ladakh Administration in terms of admission policy and reservation policy to be adopted for selecting their candidates.

Administrative Secretaries of the Social Welfare Department and Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs Department, among others participated in the meeting.

Srinagar, August 4: Militants on Tuesday evening shot at and critically injured a Panch, reportedly affiliated with BJP, in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district. Also, two policemen were injured in a grenade attack in Pulwama district.

Official sources told GNS said the militants attacked the Panch identified as Arif Ahmad near his residence at Akhran Qazigund.

A police officer confirmed the incident and said that the injured was shifted to emergency Hospital Qazigund. “He had firearm injury in neck and his condition is critical,” the officer added.

Meanwhile, militants attacked a police party in Pulwama district this evening, injuring two personnel.

Sources said the militants lobbed a grenade at the police party near Wanpora Pulwama, injuring head constable Khurhsid Ahmad and SPO Ishfaq Ahmad. The duo suffered splinter injuries and were taken to hospital. “Both are stable,” they said. A senior police officer confirmed the attack and said that both of them suffered “minor injuries and are stable.”

Holds video conference with Committee of Experts

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Aug 4:  Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu today held a meeting, through video conference, with the Committee of Experts (CoE) to discuss the modalities for taking effective conservative measures to restore the pristine glory of water bodies like Dal & Nageen.

A detailed deliberation was held on various important measures required to be undertaken for restoration, maintenance and preservation as well as all ancillary issues including securing the banks of the Dal Lake. A brief was also given on the present status of DPRs prepared for STPs.

The members of the Committee suggested that any planning and development in and around the Dal Lake has to be in consonance with the High Court directions and requirements satisfying the points raised in various deliberations of the Committee.

They also made several recommendations and suggestions pertaining to empowering the Vice Chairman of J&K Lakes and Waterways Development Authority for effective administration and better coordination.

The Lt Governor stressed on taking all the requisite measures to restore the ecosystem of Dal Lake and preserve its unique biodiversity. He further said that all the suggestions from the CoE would be incorporated in the future plan of restoration, preservation and maintenance of the lake.

Pertinently, pursuant to the directions of the Committee members, machinery was purchased from Delhi Metro Rail Corporation for an amount of Rs 4 cr which includes barges and weed harvesters. In addition to it, aerial drone survey within 200 metres from the lake is under process to check illegal constructions. Purchase of Bio-digesters for 100 households and large sized Bio-digesters for 10 households each on Pilot Basis has been finalised with financial implications of Rs 3.50 cr.

The meeting was attended by members of the Committee of Expert (CoE) including former MD, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Dr. E Sreedharan; Former Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Kerala, Dr Nivedita P Haran; MD Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd, Dr Mangu Singh; MC Mehta, Environmentalist and other senior officers, through video conference.

Chari Mubarak reaches Srinagar
Srinagar, August 4: Chari Mubarak reaching Srinagar on Tuesday, led to the formal conclusion of annual Amarntah  Yatra 2020 amid Covid-19 pandemic.

Officials told KNS that the Chari Mubarak Pooja was carried out at the cave in the Himalayas on Monday.
According to SASB a group of sadhus led by Mahant Deependra Giri were airlifted and they performed the Pooja at the cave shrine in Himalayas.

Earlier a special Pooja was performed at the shrine on July 5 which was attended by Lieutenant Governor GC Murmu, Chief Secretary BVR Subramanyam and other officials of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), the pilgrimage was later called off amid spike in Covid-19 caseloads in J&K. However authorities conducted live telecasts of Aarti for devotees.

According to SASB officials a group of sadhus led by Mahant Deependra Giri performed Chari Mubarak pooja after holy stick was airlifted to the shrine”, officials said. (KNS)