December 2023 - Page 3 of 22

Dec282023 by News DeskNo Comments

Search operation launched in Poonch-Rajouri to trace militant hideouts

REGIONAL

On Wednesday, a joint operation involving the army, BSF, and police was carried out in villages along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri and Poonch districts, as well as along the international border in Samba district, The Tribune reported. The operation was launched locate any potential hideouts or tunnels that militants could use for infiltration. The initiative comes in the aftermath of a recent ambush on two Army vehicles in Poonch by a group of militants, as reported by The Tribune. In the regions along the LoC, the Army focused on searching for natural caves that could serve as potential hiding places for militants. Simultaneously, along the international border, the BSF and police conducted searches specifically for cross-border tunnels that might be exploited by mili...

Dec282023 by News DeskNo Comments

Over 12 lakh patients visited Srinagar’s SKIMS hospital

REGIONAL

SKIMS Soura, a premier medical institution in J&K, witnessed a huge influx of patients, with over 12 lakh individuals visiting the Out Patient Department (OPD), including Accident and Emergency (A&E), in the past year. In the OPD, 387,088 new patients were registered, and 501,690 revisit patients sought medical attention, according to data accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO). In the Gynae and Obstetrics, 97,796 patients visited over the past one year, while the total number of registrations in Accident and Emergency is 267,180, taking the total outpatient attendance including A&E to 1253,754, the data reveals. In terms of inpatient attendance, the institute recorded 57,277 routine admissions, 25,384 emergency admissions, and 7,362 Gynae and Obstetri...

Dec282023 by News DeskNo Comments

Dense fog persists, Srinagar shivers at minus 3.3 degree Celsius

REGIONAL

Dense fog continued to blanket most parts of the Kashmir Valley on Thursday while the night chill has further intensified across the region. With no forecast of any weather activity till December 31st, Director Meteorological department, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the foggy mornings would continue to be witnessed till December 31st. Besides, the night temperature continues to settle below freezing point across the Valley today while Pahalgam was the coldest place at minus 5.4 degree Celsius. Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu Kashmir shivered at minus 3.3 degree Celsius while Qazigund in South Kashmir has recorded a low of minus 3.8 degree Celsius. Gulmarg, a famous ski-resort, has recorded a low of minus 2.6 degree Celsius. Kup...

Dec272023 by News DeskNo Comments

Warriors and Falcons: A tapestry of Kashmiri medical excellence unveiled in century-long odyssey

WRITE-UPS

The book 'Warriors and falcons: Life sketches of 100 outstanding Kashmiri doctors' is a collaborative effort of Dr. Faroque A. Khan (New York) and Rumana Makhdoomi (Srinagar) showcases the profound impact of individual doctors but also highlights their ability to influence entire healthcare systems through a sense of purpose and commitment to community service. The establishment of institutions like Government Medical College and Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) against significant odds stands as a testament to the vision and perseverance of leaders like Dr. Ali Jan. Upholding these legacies is crucial as they serve as wellsprings of inspiration. Released in September 2023, the preface of the book eloquently underscores the pivotal role played by the 100 distingui...

Dec272023 by News DeskNo Comments

Israel stealing vital organs of dead Palestinians: Health Ministry

INTERNATIONAL

On Tuesday, local authorities in Gaza leveled serious accusations against Israel, alleging the illicit harvesting of organs from deceased Palestinians. The Gaza-based government media office issued a statement asserting that thorough examinations of the bodies had uncovered significant alterations, pointing to the purported theft of vital organs. These alleged incidents of organ theft were claimed to have occurred repeatedly during the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with reports suggesting that bodies were even exhumed from graveyards. The statement went on to criticize what it described as the "silent position" of international organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, regarding what they deemed an "awful crime" committed by the Israeli occupation. The ...

Dec272023 by News DeskNo Comments

Wailing wombs: Voices of grief and demands for justice echo in Poonch

WRITE-UPS

Under the solemn backdrop of her modest, one-story pucca house in Topi Peer in Bafliaz of Poonch district in Jammu Kashmir, a man cradled a young girl adorned in pink. Bearing the weight of profound sorrow on her countenance, she proclaimed with resolute conviction, "The perpetrators took the life of my brother; those responsible must face punishment. The forces are entrusted to safeguard us, not inflict harm. We, four siblings, relied on my brother as the sole provider for our destitute family. Compensation is not our plea; justice is our sole cry." Tragedy befell Topi Peer at Poonch when three to four heavily armed militants targeted an Army truck and a Maruti Gypsy late Thursday afternoon.at Dhatyar Morh, between Dhera Ki Gali and Buf...

Dec272023 by News DeskNo Comments

Teenage girl from Anantnag releases debut poetry anthology

REGIONAL

Danishwar Hameed A teenage girl from Anantnag district has penned her first book, based on poetry, which was released a month ago. The book, titled "The Night Whispers of Her," is authored by Subreena Bashir, daughter of Bashir Ahmad Mir, a resident of Sadoora, an area of Anantnag. Subreena is a medico student at Govt Higher Secondary School Vessu, Qazigund, and she believes, "We need to be dedicated and passionate towards our work and art." The book, according to the author, is a collection of her best poems describing her social experiences, her love for nature, and her frustration with the contemporary materialistic world around her. She has been inclined towards writing since her childhood and drawn towards the mystic poems of Kashmiri poets such as the "shrucks" of Shei...

Dec272023 by News DeskNo Comments

‘Any citizen can be stereotyped as anti-national’, says High Court

OTHERS

In a significant development, a court has ruled in favor of the petitioner, quashing the preventive detention order imposed under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act. The judgment, delivered under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, highlights concerns about the lack of factual and legal reasoning in the grounds of detention. The petitioner, represented by their father, challenged the detention order dated December 31, 2022, issued by the District Magistrate, Srinagar. The court expressed serious reservations about the grounds of detention, describing them as an "opinionated caricature" created by the Senior Superintendent of Police, Srinagar. The court pointed out that the grounds of detention lacked context and failed to provide a factual basis for the petitioner's allege...

Dec272023 by News DeskNo Comments

Centre bans Masarat Alam led Muslim League for 5 years

INDIA

The Centre on Wednesday declared Muslim League Jammu and Kashmir, led by incarcerated separatist leader Masarat Alam Bhat, as ‘unlawful association’ and banned it for 5 years under UAPA. In a post on X, Home Minister Amit Shah, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that this organisation and its members are involved in anti-national and secessionist activities supporting terrorist activities and inciting people to establish Islamic rule in J&K. “The ‘Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction)’/MLJK-MA is declared as an 'Unlawful Association' under UAPA,” he said. He said that PM Modi led government's message is loud and clear that anyone acting against the unity, sovereignty, and integrity of the nation will not be spared and face the full wrath of the law...

Dec272023 by News DeskNo Comments

India’s University Grants Commission declares MPhil degree invalid

EDUCATION

The MPhil degree has been deemed invalid by the University Grants Commission (UGC), accompanied by a warning to universities to cease MPhil admissions in accordance with Clause 14 of the Commission. Secretary Manish Joshi issued a notification addressing concerns about some universities soliciting fresh applications for the M.Phil. (Master of Philosophy) program. The notification underscores that the M.Phil. degree lacks recognition, citing Regulation No. 14 of the UGC Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of Ph.D. Degree) Regulations 2022, which explicitly prohibits Higher Educational Institutions from offering M.Phil. programs. Secretary UGC highlighted that the Commission formulated the University Grants Commission (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of Ph.D. Degree) ...