REGIONAL

In a significant operation, Ganderbal police apprehended 12 individuals involved in the 'Rice-pulling machine scam,' seizing counterfeit currency and impounding five vehicles in the Kangan area of the district. According to a Police spokesperson,  Police Station Kangan received intelligence from reliable sources regarding suspicious activities near Kijpara, close to Dumping Park. Acting swiftly, the police team raided the location and detained 12 individuals found behaving suspiciously. During the search operation, the police recovered 30 bundles of counterfeit currency, each containing denominations of 50,000 (Children bank) notes, totaling 1,500,000 fake currency, along with a sum of Rs 56,600 in Indian currency. "The preliminary inquiry suggests their involvement in a 'Rice pul...

Following a militant attack in Srinagar resulting in the loss of two residents from Punjab, security measures around minority clusters were heightened, Kashmir Life reported. A joint meeting, led by the Inspector General of Police and the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir, was convened with Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police to assess preparations regarding minority clusters and other significant areas in light of recent events. Security arrangements were thoroughly reviewed for minority clusters and other critical regions in response to recent developments. "All participants were briefed on the extensive security measures implemented. Measures in these clusters have been bolstered to ensure a secure environment," stated a police spokesman. The Divisional C...

Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid Srinagar said that Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has again been put under house arrest today ahead of the Friday congregation in Jama Masjid. Mirwaiz was to give a special sermon today on the occasion of Shab-e-Mehraj at Jama Masjid, as had been announced by the Auqaf. A large gathering of people was expected at the mosque today to hear the Mirwaiz’s sermon and participate in the blessed congregation. But early in the morning, a contingent of police vehicles was stationed outside his residence and he was detained. Anjum in a statement said that it strongly denounces the repeated house arrest of Mirwaiz especially on Friday disabling him from visiting Jamia Masjid to deliver the Friday sermon and participate in the mandatory Friday prayers. It is pertinent to me...

Residents in the Samba district expressed anguish over ongoing and alarming phenomenon of fish loss within the renowned Mansar Lake of Jammu Kashmir. Over the course of the last four days, an estimated 2000 fish have died, prompting urgent response measures from Wildlife Department officials. The situation has sparked significant concern among locals, who fear the possibility of a disease outbreak being responsible for the sudden and widespread deaths. According to reports from the Daily Excelsior, efforts to remove the deceased fish from the lake are currently underway, with Wildlife Department staff diligently working to prevent pollution and potential epidemics. This repeated occurrence of fish mortality in Mansar Lake has heightened anxiety within the community, especially ...

In a unified voice against violence, leaders from various political parties in Jammu and Kashmir have strongly condemned the recent attack on non-locals in Srinagar. Expressing shock and disgust, leaders from the Jammu Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) including President Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Vice President Omar Abdullah, along with other prominent figures from parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), People’s Conference, and CPI (M), have denounced the killings that claimed the life of two civilians. Jammu Kashmir National Conference leaders Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah condemned the attack on the non-locals. “JKNC President Dr Farooq Abdullah and VP Omar Abdullah are shocked and disgusted by the barbaric incident that took the life of Amrit Pal Singh in Shala...

The family of Amritpal Singh, a dry fruit seller from Punjab, who was tragically killed in Srinagar by unknown gunmen, has refused to cremate his body. Expressing deep skepticism about the circumstances surrounding his death, they pointed out visible marks on his face and body instead of bullet wounds. Amritpal and his friend Rohit were ambushed while on their way back to their rented accommodation in the densely populated Shaheed Gunj locality of Srinagar, following a holiday in Amritsar. In the attack, Amritpal lost his life instantly, while Rohit sustained grave injuries and was undergoing treatment at SMHS hospital in Srinagar, having suffered bullet wounds in the abdomen. Rohit succumbed to his injuries on Thursday morning. The fatal attack has reignited concerns about the...

Another leader of Hurriyat is set to join  Altaf Bukhari led Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party. As per reports, a Hurriyat leader from Pattan Baramulla, alongside several dozen of his supporters will join the party at party’s office at M2 Church Lane Srinagar. In the recent past, scores of Hurriyat activists have joined Apni party and other mainstream parties. Among the incidents reported, Hurriyat activist Syed Muzaffar Rizvi had embraced mainstream politics in Jammu Kashmir. Another Hurriyat man named Talat Majid, originating from the Pulwama district of South Kashmir, joined the party in October. More details awaited.

Mercury recorded a drop in Jammu Kashmir on Thursday with Srinagar recording minus 5.2°C and 3.6°C respectively, the second lowest minimum temperature in February in a decade for the capital cities. A meteorological department official said that Srinagar recorded a low of minus 5.2°C against minus 2.0°C on the previous night and it was below normal by 4.8°C for the summer capital of JK for this time of the year. On 9 February 2019, Srinagar had recorded minus 5.7°C while all-time-low for the capital city was witnessed on 6 February 1985 when mercury plummeted to minus 20°C, the official said. Qazigund recorded a minimum of minus 6.4°C against minus 3.2°C on the previous night, he said. The minimum temperature was 4.9°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, the MeT official...

Two Punjab residents were shot at in Shal Kadal area of Srinagar on Wednesday evening in which one died on spot while another was shifted to hospital in critical condition. A top police officer told news agency Kashmir Scroll that two Punjab residents were shot at by suspected Militants in Shal kadal area of Srinagar. He said that sikh identified as Amrit Pal (31) from Amritsar Punjab died on the spot while Rohit Mashi (27) son of Prem Mashi resident of Punjab received bullet injury in abdomen who has been shifted to SMHS Srinagar in critical condition where he succumbed to injuries on Thursday morning. Meanwhile forces have cordoned off the area to nab attackers.(KS)

Two non local residents were shot at in Shal Kadal area of Srinagar on Wednesday evening in which one died on spot while another was shifted to hospital in critical condition. A top police officer told news agency Kashmir Scroll that two Punjab residents were shot at by terrorists in Shal kadal area of Srinagar. He said that sikh identified as Amripal (31) from Amritsar Punjab died on the spot while Rohit Mashi (27) son of Prem Mashi resident of Punjab received bullet injury in abdomen who has been shifted to SMHS Srinagar in critical condition. Meanwhile forces have cordoned off the area to nab attackers. (KS)