REGIONAL

The Patwaris of Jammu Kashmir has called for a three-day pen down strike starting Wednesday in the region against apathy of the authorities towards their long-pending demands. The Patwaris under the banner of All Jammu Kashmir Patwar Association staged a protest on Wednesday in both Jammu and Kashmir division to press for their demands. "The JK admin has called for the digitization of revenue records. However, the Patwaris are not being provided the required infrastructure. We had put forth the demand in the month of March," a protesting Patwari said. We had also put forth the demand opposing the direct recruitment for the post of Naib Tehsildar. "Several Patwaris are being transferred into farther districts. We demand that a transfer of Patwaris into father districts be stoppedd,...

The Jammu Kashmir administration has granted permission to over 150 filmmakers from the Hindi (Bollywood) and Tamil (Tollywood) industry to shoot movies and web series in Jammu Kashmir. "The JK Film Development Council (JKFDC) has received more than 500 applications from filmmakers for resuming film shoots," Afaq Rasool Gadda, Films Officer was quoted by Kashmir Monitor as saying. Out of these, so far 150 filmmakers have been granted permission to shoot in Jammu Kashmir, he said. “Few of the films have been already shot, while some projects will be filmed in the coming weeks. The process of receiving applications and granting permissions is a continuous process,” he said. Recently, the Aamir Khan-starrer Lal Singh Chadha was shot in Kashmir. Another official said that many p...

In the interest of national security, the army on Wednesday cautioned against unauthorised sale of outfits resembling its combat uniforms to the public, an official said. The Northern Army Command, along with the police, have already carried out a chain of awareness campaigns in Udhampur city in order to dissuade sellers from trading unauthorised uniforms, he said. The measure has been initiated as easy access to the Indian Army uniforms in open markets causes a potential threat to the security of military establishments and their personnel, public relations officer for the Northern Command said. "Now, the Indian Army has chalked out plans to take tough action against the dealers who are selling unauthorised but almost similar looking pattern and fabric uniforms," he added. Acc...

Police today claimed to have arrested an absconding Special Police Officer (SPO) of Jammu Kashmir Police who allegedly murdered his pregnant wife in Billawar in Kathua district. Police sources said that Mohan Lal, SPO posted in DPL Kathua, son of Puran Chand, resident of Dharalta in Billawar was evading his arrest after he allegedly brutally killed his pregnant wife Asha Sharma, 27, with a sharp edged weapon on Tuesday. Following the murder, the protests broke in the area and the protesters set the house of the accused on fire.(KDC)

The Economic Offence Wing of Crime Branch Kashmir today arrested an accused from Srinagar on charges of misrepresenting himself as SLTC Expert of J&K Housing Board and misusing Official Seal. The Economic Offence Wing of Crime Branch Kashmir identified the accused as Engineer Hakim Muzamil of Bhagwanpora Lal Bazar Srinagar, Local news agency Kashmir News Trust reported. Crime Branch stated that an instant case (67/2022) was registered upon receipt of a written complaint preferred by Managing Director J&K Housing Board, wherein it was alleged that the accused has been disengaged from J&K Housing Board as State level Technical expert (SLTC), despite being disengaged he is misrepresenting himself as SLTC Expert of J&K Housing Board and misusing Official Seal. The Econ...

Police on Wednesday issued a detailed statement over raids at four locations in Srinagar city in connection with Babar Qadri Murder case. In a handout issued to GNS, the police said that Srinagar Police today conducted simultaneous searches at four locations, two located in Barzulla area, one in Brein Nishat and one in Maisuma in houses and offices of three lawyers in connection with killing of Advocate Babar Qadri. According to police spokesman, the houses of lawyers Mian Abdul Qayoom, Muzaffar Ahmad and Manzoor Ahmed Dar were searched in furtherance of the investigation of the aforementioned murder case. All procedures as per due process of law were followed in the searches so conducted in presence of Executive Magistrates. Deputy Superintendent level officers personally supervi...

Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Agriculture Production Department, Atal Dulloo chaired a meeting with expert delegation from New Zealand in connection with survey of ruminant sector in Jammu Kashmir. It is pertinent to mention that a Memorandum of Cooperation has already been signed between Governments of Jammu & Kashmir and New Zealand for overhauling sheep husbandry sector in the region through transfer of technology, research and development, value addition and marketing areas. The delegates from New Zealand included Consul General & Trade Commissioner, Ralph Hays; Director, Agribusiness Group New Zealand, Dr Stuart Ford; Science Impact Leader, AgResearch Ltd, Dr Warren King; and Senior BDM, New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, New Delhi, Sudha Palit. In a powerpoint p...

Two teenage boys were rescued by River Police Srinagar from drowning while taking a bath in river Jhelum near Rajbagh area of Srinagar. An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that two teenage boys identified as Faheem Nisar Handroo (14) son Nisar Ahmad Handroo of Rajbagh and Ahsan Javaid son of Javaid Ahmad resident of Kursoo Rajbagh (16), drowned while taking a bath in the Jhelum. He said that within no time Srinagar River police launched a rescue operation and saved the duo from drowning. Meanwhile, locals hailed the efforts of River police for their timely action and saving lives of two teenage boys—(KNO)

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed the appeal filed by Kashmiri businessman Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali challenging the Trial Court order denying him bail last year on the ground of COVID-19, in connection with a (militancy) funding case, Live Law reported. Watali had challenged the order passed by Trial Court dated 15th May 2021 wherein it was concluded that there was no question of granting bail to him only on the ground of spread of COVID-19 pandemic. The Trial Court also took note of his medical condition as he was suffering from various ailments including diabetes, hyperthyroidism, piles etc. Thereafter, on January 31, 2022, the Trial Court had, till further orders, directed Watali to be kept under house arrest at his Gurugram residence for his medical treatment. A div...

The Jammu Kashmir Police is conducting raids at the houses of three Srinagar-based lawyers including Mian Abdul Quyoom in connection with the murder of Advocate Babar Qadri. On Wednesday morning, Police in a tweet said, "Srinagar police conducting searches at the residence of Adv Miyan Qayoom, Adv Manzoor Dar and Adv Muzzaffar Mohdammed in connection with further #investigation of #murder of Adv Babar Qadri, FIR No 62/2020 of PS Lal Bazar: ADGP Kashmir. Babar Qadri, a lawyer, was shot dead by two gunmen who entered his residence on September 24, 2020, saying that they wanted to discuss legal matters of an accident case.