Srinagar, July 31: Troops foiled a major infiltration bid from other Kashmir in the wee hours on Friday and recovered a  huge cache of arms and ammunition near the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmir district of Kupwara.

Defence Ministry spokesperson said that troops guarding the LoC in Machil sector in Kupwara noticed suspicious move of unidentified persons about 600 meters on his side at around 0300 hrs on Friday.

“The group of militants, who were trying to sneak into this side of LoC under the cover of darkness, were asked to surrender,” he said, adding they opened indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons.

“Troops retaliated ensuing in a brief exchange of fire,” he said, adding with the first light a search operation was launched in the area. “Three AK rifles, a sniper rifle, eight grenades and other war like stores recovered from the encounter site,” he said, adding blood stains were also located.

Official sources said it was not immediately clear if the militants went back  or are still hiding in the dense forest near the LoC.  “A massive Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) was going on in the dense forest near LoC to sanitize the area,” they said.

Srinagar, July 31: In a bid to rein employees found involved in ‘anti-national’ activities, Government has begun the process to act tough which could lead to their dismissal of their services.

Sources told KNS that J&K Government has constituted a panel to scrutinize and recommend cases for dismissal of services of those employees who were involved in ‘anti-national’ activities overtly or covertly.

An order issued by the Government of J&K on Thursday night announced the constitution of a committee headed by Chief Secretary BVR Subramanyam to take stock of all such cases that would be referred to it by the police and home departments, sources said.

They added the action would be taken against ‘anti-state’ employees by invoking Sec 311 of the Constitution that is now applicable to J&K Union Territory.

The provision would be applicable to all those employees about whom there are cases of having taken part in the “anti-national” activities overtly or covertly. It will also apply to those who have served detention.

Notable in the regime of Governor Satya Pal Malik, Government employees were repeatedly warned, soon after Jama’at-e-Islami J&K (JeI) and JKLF were banned, to shun taking part in ‘anti-national’ activities.

Meanwhile one of the critical parts of the fresh order is that the employees’ cases would be dealt with by the police on the basis of their interrogation reports and the collateral evidence which will dispense with the need for any inquiry, and once the cases are examined and recommended, the General Administration Department will issue orders for their dismissal from service as also suspension. This provision will also apply to such pending cases.  (KNS)

Precious Kashmir News

Srinagar, July 31: Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu has expressed grief over the sad and untimely demise of senior KAS Officer Tasaduq Jeelani, who was working as Special Secretary, Social Welfare department.

‘He was a dedicated officer who worked with zeal and enthusiasm. It’s unfortunate that we lost him so early’, he said.

In a condolence message, the Lt Governor has prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and forbearance to the bereaved family at this hour of grief.

Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan termed Jeelani as one of the committed officers who always proved his mettle during his long period of service.

The Advisor said his demise is a huge loss to the Jammu and Kashmir in general and to the administration in particular and the void after his death would hard to be filled.

Advisor Khan prayed for the peace to the departed soul and expressed his deepest sympathies to the bereaved family.

Advisor  Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar  in his condolence message, Advisor Bhatnagar maintained that Jeelani was one of the dedicated officers who always worked for the benefit of common masses during his period of service. The Advisor said that his untimely demise is a big loss to J&K administration.

Advisor Bhatnagar expressed deep sympathy with the Jeelani’s family and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul as well as strength for the family to bear this irreperable loss.

Employee friendly officer: Dr Sehrish Asgar

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, July 31: The news of sudden demise of senior bureaucrat and Special Secretary, Social Welfare, Tassaduq Jeelani was received with shock and disbelief, much among his colleagues and subordinates.

At the Directorate of Information & Public Relations (DIPR) where Tassaduq Jeelani served as Director during 2014, officers and officials recalled his services and employee friendly attitude and helpful nature in dealing with the issues.

Chairing an emergency condolence meeting, Director Information, Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar termed Tassaduq Jeelani as a highly capable officer who always took a keen and personal interest in solving the issues and problems of his subordinates. “The services rendered by him would be remembered for long times to come”, she said.

Recalling his contribution during his stint at the DIPR as Director, the officers and subordinates recalled his dedicated role during the floods of 2014 when he proved his leadership traits and led the Department from the front during the unparalleled Natural Disaster.

The employees also remembered his friendly, humane and humble attitude towards his subordinates and fellow colleagues in the discharge of official duties.

The meeting prayed for peace to the departed soul of Tassaduq Jeelani and conveyed heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family.

At present, Special Secretary, Social Welfare, Taasaduq Jeelani also served the J&K administration as Director, Rural Development Department, Kashmir; Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag; Director, Estates Department; Director, Tourism, Kashmir and Additional Commissioner, State Taxes Department besides other assignments

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, July 31: Chairman, J&K Public Service Commission, B.R. Sharma, administered Oath of Office to the newly appointed Member Syed Ahfadul Mujtaba here today.
He was administered Oath of Office at Srinagar through video conferencing.

New Delhi, July 31:  Aviation regulator DGCA on Friday said the suspension of scheduled international flights to and from the country has been extended till August 31.

Earlier, overseas flights were suspended till July 31.

“The government has decided to extend the suspension on the scheduled international commercial passenger services to/ from India up to 2359 hours IST of 31st August,” the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in statement.

This restriction will not apply to international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by the DGCA.

Precious Kashmir News

Jammu, July 31:    Crime Branch Jammu registered a formal case against Arfat Ahmed Khan- Lecturer computer science, Jakyas Doda S/O Mohd Aslam R/O Baland Pur Tehsil Assar District Doda and others for issuing forged and fictitious transfer / posting orders in School Education Department under relevant sections of law for in-depth investigation.

“Director School Education Jammu submitted a formal complaint to Crime Branch alleging that while scrutiny, some fake and forged transfer/ posting orders of lecturers in School Education Department Jammu were noticed and it was suspected that some teaching/non-teaching staff of the department may also be involved in it and their continuance without getting identified may lead to more such cases and thus required probe,” a spokesman of Crime Branch said.

He said  Crime Branch initiated a preliminary inquiry and the during inquiry, involvement of Arafat Ahmed Khan (Lecturer) has prima facie been established for his role in issuing fake and fictitious orders of transfers / posting in School Education Department, which also includes his own transfer from HSS Jakyas Doda to GGHSS Kishtwar among others.

“FIR has been lodged & investigation initiated,” he added.