New Delhi, June 16: India on Tuesday accused China of failing to adhere scrupulously to the June 6 agreement reached between senior military officials of the two countries for de-escalation of the situation in Eastern Ladakh where troops from both the sides have been involved in a face-off since early May.

In first official reaction to the violent clashes with the Chinese troops that left 20 Indian Army personnel dead, the External Affairs Ministry said that both sides suffered casualties that could have been avoided had the agreement at the higher level been scrupulously followed by the Chinese side.

The official spokesperson of MEA, Anurag Shrivastava said, “Given its responsible approach to border management, India is very clear that all its activities are always within the Indian side of the LAC. We expect the same of the Chinese side.”

While stating that India remains firmly convinced of the need for the maintenance of peace and tranquility in the border areas and the resolution of differences through dialogue, he said, “At the same time, we are also strongly committed to ensuring India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

He also said that “India and China have been discussing through military and diplomatic channels the de-escalation of the situation in the border area in Eastern Ladakh.”

The violent clash between Indian and Chinese troops took place in Galwan Valley came at a time when de-scalation process was on.

The massive flare-up along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) also came after 1975 when casualties had taken place.

The violent face-off prompted Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to hold a high level review meeting in which the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Bipin Rawat, External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishanker and three service chiefs were present.

The Defence Minister also briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the operational situation prevailing at Galwan Valley in Eastern Ladakh.

New Delhi, June 16: China’s Foreign Ministry has asked India “to not take unilateral actions or stir up trouble.”

Beijing accused Indian troops of crossing into its territory. Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters in Beijing Indian troops crossed the border twice on Monday, “provoking and attacking Chinese personnel, resulting in serious physical confrontation between border forces on the two sides”. Beijing has lodged “strong protests and solemn representations” to Delhi, he said.

“We again solemnly request that India follows the relevant attitude and restrains its frontline troops,” he said. “Do not cross the border, do not provoke trouble, do not take any unilateral action that would complicate the border situation.”

Tensions flare on a fairly regular basis between India and China over their 3,500-kilometre (2,200-mile) border. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have sought to improve relations at summits over the past two years.

Last week, China said it had reached a “positive consensus” with India over resolving tensions that had bult up in recent weeks over five different places on the border in Ladakh and Sikkim.

The huge escalation of hostilities comes after high-level talks between military officers of both sides. There were reports last week that both armies had thinned out forces; however, experts warned that soldiers, tanks and other armoured carriers remained heavily deployed in the high-altitude region. Indian sources have also said that China has advanced into new territory at the strategically vital Pangong Lake.

94 militants killed since Jan 2020, 24 of them in last 2 weeks alone: IGP 

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, June 16: Three militants, including a nephew of a former PDP MLC, were killed in a gunfight with the security forces in south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Tuesday.
An official said that security forces cordoned off Turkwangam village this morning and launched searches.  “As the joint team approached the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon it. The fire was retaliated by the team, triggering off an encounter in which three militants were killed,” the official added.
A defence ministry spokesman in a statement said slain militants were involved in the recent killing of a civilian, Tariq Ahmad Paul, “who was abducted and killed by them last week.”
A local news agency GNS said that Paul’s house was damaged during a gunfight leading to the killing of four militants’ at Pinjoora, two days before his body was found in Turkwangam.
While police said that the identity of the slain militants was yet to be ascertained, official sources identified the slain as Hizb-ul-Mujahideen district Commander Zubair Wani of Turkawangam, Kamran Manhas, nephew of former PDP MLC Zaffar Iqbal Manhas, a resident of Sharaab Kareena  and Muneeb-ul-Haq of Sugan Zainapora Shopian.
Kamran Manhas had announced joining the Hizb ranks in January 2019 and a picture showing him holding an AK-47 rifle went viral on social media then. Reacting to it then, Zaffar Manhas had said he was in “absolute disbelief” and that he and his family could never imagine such a thing even in dreams. Since then Zaffar Manhas left PDP and joined Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party.
Kamran was the first youth from the Sharaab village to join militancy in more than twenty years. It could not be ascertained immediately if any other youth has joined the militant ranks since then.
The slain trio was buried in Sheeri Baramulla.  Meanwhile, internet services were suspended in Shopian district.
Addressing a joint press conference after the encounter, Inspector General of Police Kashmir Vijay Kumar said that the “joint operation was carried out in a professional manner with no collateral damage.”
“During the current year, 94 (militants) including top commanders have been killed so far,” he said, adding, “ Twenty four militants were killed in the past two weeks mostly in Shopian district.”
He said, “Militancy has almost been wiped out from South Kashmir though there may be a few militants still present. Our focus will now shift to north Kashmir from next month,” he said, adding that all the operations so far in the recent past including the one conducted today were “clean in nature and there was no collateral damage which has been widely appreciated by the people.”

On the recent killing of a Kashmiri Pandit Sarpanch Ajay Pandita in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, the IGP said that those behind the killing have been identified and one militant of Hizbul Mujahideen- Umar and another one, whose name was coming up during investigation, were killed recently in Shopian encounter. “To complete the investigations, we are waiting for the ballistic report from the forensic laboratory,” he said.
Kumar also said that police took the cognizance of woman sarpanch being kidnapped by militants from Bomia area of Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, and found that one newly recruited militant of Lashkar-e-Toiba Waleed and his another associate were involved in the act. “We have shifted the woman Sarpanch and her husband who is also a Sarpanch to Srinagar and provided them accommodation and security. My appeal to Sarpanchs and Panchs is that if some of them are facing threats from militants, they should contact us and we will provide them with security,” the IGP added.
He said that this year so far 94 militants have been killed and 24 militants were alone killed in various gunbattles in South Kashmir in the past two weeks most of them in Shopian district alone. “In South Kashmir, militancy stands almost wiped out and now we will be shifting focus on north Kashmir from next month,” the IGP said. He said all the recent operations have been clean and without collateral damage.  (With inputs from GNS, KNO)

  ‘Case likely to be handed over to NIA’

Faizan Wani

Srinagar, June 16: Jammu and Kashmir police Tuesday said that the main source of funding for militancy in Kashmir is the “illegal drug trade” through which narcotics worth crores of rupees are being transferred from across the LoC (Line of Control) and sold in Punjab, New Delhi, Mumbai, and the proceeds of which are used for the survival of militancy in J&K.
The police also said that in South Kashmir, militancy stands almost wiped out and from the next month, focus will be shifted to north Kashmir where foreign component of militancy is believed to be more than the south.
Addressing a press conference at police control room (PCR) Srinagar, the IGP Kashmir said, “A narco-terror module was busted recently in Handwara area of Kupwara where heroine worth Rs 100 crore and cash Rs 1.35 Crore was seized from the kingpin of the module- Abdul Moomin Pir of Handwara. Investigations also revealed that the narco material worth Rs 5 crore was sold in Punjab, New Delhi and Mumbai and so far Rs 3.5 crore has been distributed among militants in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley,” the IGP said.

He said that so far, four persons have been arrested in narco material module in Handwara and further probe is on. The IGP Kashmir was flanked by General officer Commanding (GoC) of south Kashmir based Army’s Victor Force, A Sengupta and Inspector General of CRPF (Operations) Rajesh Yadav.

He said that narco-terror module is run by Lashkar militants based across the Line of Control. “With the help of local cadre of Lashkar, Pakistan army cultivates opium in large quantities and the end product is then kept ready at the LoC and pushed into this side with the help of militant handlers. The militant supporters in Kashmir get the material and through a chain it is transported to New Delhi, Punjab and Mumbai,” the IGP said. He said the money generated from the drug trade is later distributed among militant organizations in Kashmir for sustaining militancy.
He said that it was clear that the main source of funding for the militancy in Kashmir is narco- trade. “Since people in other states are also involved in it, we may handover the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA),” the IGP said.

Srinagar, June 16: Jammu and Kashmir government has constituted an Apex Level Advisory Committee to outline measures to be taken to control the COVID pandemic and other related matters in the Union Territory.

The 10-member apex level panel has also been tasked to review the protocol/ guidelines and other related issues pertaining to the treatment of COVID patients. Headed by Dr Mohammad Sultan Khuroo, Former Director SKIMS, Soura and Vice-Chairman, Apex Selection Committee, the panel has been also tasked to advise the government on these issues.

“The terms of reference of the Committee shall be to review the protocol/guidelines and other related issues relating to the treatment of COVID Patients, measures to be taken to control the COVID pandemic and other related matters and advise the government on these issues,” reads a government order.

Members of the panel include Dr. A. G. Ahangar, Director/Ex-Officio Secretary, SKIMS; Principal, Government Medical College, Jammu/Srinagar; Dr. Rajinder Singh, Former Prof & Head, Chest Diseases & Principal, Government Medical College, Jammu; Dr. Javid Malik, Head, Pulmonary Medicine, SKIMS Medical College, Bemina Srinagar; Dr. Anil Sharma, Prof & Head, Department of Medicine, Government Medical College, Jammu; Dr. Naveed Nazir, Prof & Head, Chest & Diseases, Government Medical College, Srinagar; Dr. Aijaz Nabi Koul, Additional Professor General Medicine & Head Infectious Disease Unit, SKIMS, Soura ; Dr. Simriti Gulati, Prof & Head, Department of Anesthesiology, Government Medical College, Jammu; Dr. Rahul Gupta, Prof & Head, Chest Diseases, Government Medical College, Jammu.

‘UT records 2781 total recoveries so far’

Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar, June 16: The number of COVID-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir have reached to 5298 as 78 fresh cases including 23 travelers tested positive for the deadly pandemic on Tuesday.

Official sources told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that among 78 new cases, 41 were tested positive at SKIMS Soura, 16 at JVC Bemina, 4 at Army’s Command Hospital Udhampur and rest at other hospitals.

Among 78 new cases, 62 belong to Kashmir division while as 16 are from Jammu division, officials said, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir division has reached to 4091  including 2275  recoveries and 56 deaths while as total number of positive cases in Jammu division has reached to 1207  including 506 recoveries and 7 deaths

They added that the total number of active cases in Jammu and Kashmir are 2454 including 1760 from Kashmir division and 694 from Jammu division.

Meanwhile, out of 5298 positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir, 2781 cases have recovered which is 52.49 percent of total cases in J&K

“Cases tested positive in J&K include 9 from Kulgam, 4 from Baramulla, 10 each from Srinagar and Anantnag, one from Shopian, 3 from Kupwara, 4 from Bandipora, 14 from Budgam and 7 from from Pulwama in Kashmir division while as 16 from Jammu division include include 7 Samba district, 3 each from Udhampur and Rajouri, 2 from Kuthua and one from Poonch,” officials disclosed.

Dr G H Yatoo Nodal officer for covid-19 at SKIMS said that out of 1590 samples tested at SKIMS virology Lab, 41 were tested positive.

He said that 41 new cases include 11 from Anantnag, 09 from Kulgam, 06 from Srinagar, 04 each from Bandipora and Baramulla, 03 from Kupwara, 02 from Pulwama and one each from Shopian, Srinagar and Budgam.

Dr Reyaz Untoo, Principal JVC Bemina said that out of 524 samples tested at SKIMS Bemina 16 including 14 from Srinagar and 02 from Budgam were found positive.

He said 454 Covid-19 positive patients were admitted at hospital so far among them 347 have been discharged and 103 are still undergoing treatment.

Lt Col Inam Danish Khan from Army’s Command Hospital Udhampur said that 4 from Udhampur were tested positive at the hospital.

Pertinently as per government bulletin 57 were tested positive in J&K till Monday 5 pm, however another bulletin was released later showing 179 were tested positive in J&K till Monday 9 pm

As per officials figures, 643 positive cases including 08 deaths and 422 recoveries are from Kulgam, 525 including 11 deaths and 223 recoveries are from Baramulla, 549 including 14 deaths and 202 recoveries are from Srinagar, 579 including 386 recoveries and 05 deaths are from Anantnag, 558 including 322 recoveries and 06 deaths are from Shopian, 410 including 298 recoveries and 05 deaths are from Kupwara, 246 including 195 recoveries and 01 death are from Bandipora, 259 including 112 recoveries and 04 deaths are from Budgam, 259 including 60 recoveries and 02 deaths are from Pulwama and 63 including 55 recoveries are from Ganderbal.

In Jammu division, 279 including 146 recoveries and 04 deaths are from Jammu district, 199 including 83 recoveries are from Ramban, 168 including 61 recoveries and 01 death are from Udhampur, 162 including 76 recoveries are from Kathua, 105 including 44 recoveries from Poonch, 112  including 35 recoveries are from Samba, 69 including one death and 12 recoveries are from Rajouri, 63 including 29 recoveries and 01 death are from Doda, 27 including 12 recoveries are from Reasi and 23,including 08 recoveries are from Kishtwar.

As per the daily information bulletin, 239,712 persons in Jammu and Kashmir are under observation while 40,265 persons have been kept under home quarantine besides that 2454 persons are in hospital isolation while 31 persons are under hospital quarantine.

According to the bulletin, 149,320 persons have completed surveillance period and 47,579 persons are under home surveillance besides that so far results of 276,174 samples are available.

Out of 276,174 the number of samples tested negative stands at 270,876 while as 5298 have been tested positive, among them 2454 are active and 2781 persons have recovered and 63 persons have died—(KNO)

India’s tally surges to 3.43 lakh

New Delhi, June 16: India’s COVID-19 tally reached 3.43 lakh on Tuesday after recording 10,667 fresh cases while 380 more patients succumbed to the virus, taking the death toll to 9,900. Of the fresh cases, maximum 2,786 surfaced in Maharashtra, followed by 1,843 in Tamil Nadu.

Delhi and Haryana added 514 cases each, 511 in Gujarat, 476 in Uttar Pradesh and 407 in West Bengal. In terms of fatalities, highest 178 were reported again from Maharashtra, while 73 registered in Delhi, 44 in Tamil Nadu and 28 in Gujarat.

The day was also marked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi holding a virtual meeting with chief ministers and Lt Governors of 21 states and union territories to discuss ongoing ‘unlock’ phase and the road ahead.

After remaining under lockdown for more than two months, India significantly lifted the restrictions at the starting of June to bring the battered economy back to life and called it ‘unlock phase’.

In the meeting, PM Modi stated that economy has started to revive which can be seen by power consumption going up, doubling of fertiliser sales and 12-13 per cent increase in Kharif sowing. Moreover, digital payments and toll collection have shown an uptick.

‘In June, exports have bounced back to pre-Covid levels. In most of the states where horticulture, agriculture, and MSME share is high, the Aatmanirbhar Abhiyan has led to many decisions responsible for boosting these sectors. Efforts are being made to make banks lend to MSME”, PM  Modi asserted.

However, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh requested the Centre to work closely with states to trim the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the economy while stressing that restrictions cannot continue indefinitely.

The Punjab CM suggested to set up a group, including chief ministers, to discuss and formulate a coordinated Centre-state response.

Modi underscored that India’s position is still better than other worst-affected countries in terms of deaths and recovery rate which was made possible by timely and effective implementation of the lockdown.

As per the latest update from the Union Health Ministry, the recovery rate stands at 52.46 percent while death rate at 2.88 pc.

The Health Ministry said it is continuously ramping up testing for COVID-19 with 1,54,935 tests conducted in last 24 hrs.

The US handed over to India 100 ventilators, valued at about 1.2 million dollars, as part of President Donald Trump’s offer of assistance to New Delhi in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Embassy said in a statement.

Inside, Maharashtra continues to bear the maximum burden of infection with 1,10,744 cases and 2,786 deaths. In past 24 hrs, the state reported 4,128 cases and 178 deaths.

The state’s tally is almost one-third of total infections in India, meaning one out of three infected is in Maharashtra.

Tamil Nadu, at distant second, has recorded 46,504 cases and 1,843 deaths. The fresh cases in the state were 479 while deaths 44.

Delhi has registered 42,829 cases and 1,400 fatalities. This includes 1,647 fresh cases and 73 new deaths.

Srinagar, June 16: To review the measures undertaken by the administration for the containment and management of Covid-19 pandemic, the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole chaired a meeting here today.

The Additional Commissioner, Kashmir, OSD Health & Medical Education, VC Srinagar Development Authority, Director Health Services Kashmir, Nodal Officer, Isolation (Hospitals), Lab Coordinator J&K, Nodal Officers Covid-19 of GMC Srinagar, SKIMS and JVC Bemina were present in meeting,  While as the Deputy Commissioners of all Kashmir districts and Mission Director NHM participated in the meeting through video Conference.

During the meeting, the Divisional Commissioner was appraised about the measures undertaken by the district administrations for management of Covid-19 spread as most of day to day activities have started resuming. They informed the meeting that all precautionary measures as per Covid-19 guide lines are being followed in letter and spirit to avoid any Corona Virus outbreak. It was also given out that work on various developmental projects have been started all across the Kashmir where all necessary guidelines are being followed to protect manpower from any ill effect of Covid-19.

On the occasion, the Div Com directed for further strengthening and improving the mechanism by adopting coordinated strategy in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines so that spread of disease is curbed.

He stressed on carrying mass awareness campaign regarding Dos and Don’ts about the Covid-19 management and asked all Deputy Commissioners to aware people about the various aspects and precautionary measures to be taken through print and electronic media so that traders, farmers, employees and general public take due care during day to day activities.

He also called for giving focused attention towards the mental health of the people side by side to their physical health by counseling them through social media, wall paintings, pamphlets and other means so that people could get rid of mental and psychological stress caused to Covid-19 pandemic.

Nasir Azam

Srinagar, June 16: The Jammu & Kashmir High Court on Tuesday quashed Public Safety Act detention of National Conference general secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar who was arrested after abrogation of Article 370 by BJP- led Central government in 2019.

A single bench headed by Justice Sindhu Sharma quashed the PSA detention order of Sagar passed by district magistrate Srinagar on February 5, 2020.“Respondents shall set the detenu at liberty forthwith, provided he is not required in any other case,” the Court ordered as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO)

Sagar is the first mainstream leader of Kashmir whose PSA detention order has been by the High Court.

The High Court held that “detention order of detenu is illegal because the detaining authority has not shown its awareness to the fact that the detenu was already in custody in view of the law laid down in N. Meera Rani Vs. Government of Tamil Nadu”.

“Moreover, there is nothing in the grounds of detention as to when and on which date he took out a protest rally with 250 party workers towards Lal Chowk after the so-called hearing, Article 35 (A) before whom as also the date on which he addressed gathering at Khansahib Budgam where he allegedly criticized the Government. Every such activity should have nexus with the alleged abrogation of Articles which took place on 5th & 6th of August, 2019 but no such nexus has been alleged in the grounds of detention, “reads the judgement.

The Court also held that grounds of detention of the detenue are so fragile in the present case that they do not justify his detention in view of the law laid down by the Supreme Court in case of Mohd Yousuf Rather.

“Even though the detenu in above case before the Supreme Court was a die-hard Naxalite and as compared to the grounds of detention in the present case, which in a democracy are the normal activities of a politician, who admittedly is an active member of National Conference party since 1977 and has been legislator as well as the Member of Cabinet in the erstwhile State of Jammu & Kashmir.

His opposition to the abrogation of Articles-370 & 35(A) of the Constitution of India is not something new, but the question is whether such apprehension could be a ground for his detention in the present case while considering the grounds of detention with the case of Mohd. Yousuf Rather. In my opinion, the grounds of detention of the detenue are so fragile in the present case that they do not justify his detention in view of the law laid down by the Supreme Court in the case of Mohd Yousuf Rather…. ,” it states—(KNO)

Nasir Azam

Srinagar, June 16: Peoples Conference leader Junaid Azam Mattu was Tuesday unseated as mayor of Srinagar Municipal after “BJP-backed” no-confidence motion against him succeeded with support of some National Conference corporators.

In a dramatic development, Mattu lost trust vote after 40 corporators voted in favour of the no-confidence motion during a special session convened here at banquet hall.

“Out of 70 councilors, 40 corporators have voted against Mattoo,” an official told KNO.

Interestingly, some corporators from NC also voted in favour of the motion, prompting Mattu to level serious allegations against the party.

The corporators from Peoples Conference and Congress abstained from the proceedings as part of their strategy to defeat the no-confidence motion.

In a series of tweets, Mattu said that National Conference and Bharatiya Janta Party joins hands to succeed no-confidence against him.

“I respect the verdict of the Corporation. The seemingly unthinkable seems to have happened as @JKNC_ and @BJP4India have come together in Srinagar. But more on that later. Time to spend some time with my family after nearly four months of our war against #COVID19,” Mattu tweeted.

He accused National Conference of sabotaging floor strategy for failing the motion against him.

“Between PC, NC and INC-the combined strength of 18+8+17 corporators constituted 43 out of 70 seats. BJP has 11 corporators (4 on its ticket and 7 who joined the party). The floor strategy was unambiguous- to disallow a quorum of 35 and fail the motion by *abstention*,” Mattu said.

He said National Conference sabotaged their floor strategy by marking their attendance in full as opposed to Congress and PC.

“Here is where JKNC played a pivotal role led by the incumbent Dy. Mayor- It marked it’s attendance in Full as opposed to JKPC and INC-hence completing the quorum for such a motion! Whether all of them voted for BJP motion or not is irrelevant,” he said.

With Mattu losing trust vote, fresh elections would be held for the post of SMC mayor.

“It will take us at least one month to hold the election,” a senior official said—(KNO)