REGIONAL

Weatherman on Tuesday forecast scattered to fairly widespread light to moderate rain and thunderstorm in Jammu Kashmir in next 24 hours. A meteorological department official here told GNS that widespread light to moderate rain was expected in the subsequent two days. In the last 24 hours till 0830 a.m., he said, Katra received 14.4mm of rain while other observatory stations recorded no rainfall. Regarding minimum temperature, the official said that Srinagar recorded a low of 19.5°C against 18.0°C on the previous night. The temperature was 2.1°C above normal during this time of the year for the summer capital, he said. Qazigund recorded a low of 17.2°C against 16.0°C on the previous night. The temperature was 1.7°C above normal there, he said. In Pahalgam, the mercury settled...

As many as four mild earthquakes jolted Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday in less than six hours. The tremors reportedly occurred in Reasi, Doda and Udhampur districts measured 3.9, 2.6, 2.8 and 2.9 on the Richter scale, according to officials. The tremors occurred 5 and 10 km inside the earth’s crust. The timings of the quakes were 2.20 a.m., 3.21 a.m., 3.44 a.m. and 8.03 a.m. No report of any casualty or damage to property has so far been received from anywhere,” the officials said.

Army on Tuesday claimed to have killed two infiltrators after foiling an infiltration bid in Pukharni area of Nowshera sector along the Line of Control in Rajouri district. An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that army troops deployed near the LoC noticed some suspicious movement last night and opened fire. He said that in the incident two infiltrators were killed and their bodies are lying near the fence, while attempts are being made to recover them. Meanwhile, army in a statement said that the reconnaissance of the general area of attempted infiltration site is in progress. “In reconnaissance by Quadcopter, two bodies of infiltrators have been observed and the area is being scanned further,” army said—(KNO)

An ITBP personnel, who was injured during a road accident in Chandanwari area of Pahalgam in South Kashmir’s Anantnag, succumbed to his injuries at SKIMS Soura on Tuesday, taking the toll to eight. Quoting an official the news agency—KNO said that an ITBP jawan identified as Nandan Singh son of Lal Singh was injured in Pahalgam accident on August 16 and was undergoing treatment at SKIMS Soura. He said that the injured jawan succumbed to his injuries during treatment today at SKIMS Soura. Notably, seven ITBP personnel were killed while 32 others including two JK Police personnel were injured when a bus carrying them fell into a gorge near Chandanwari area of Pahalgam on August 16.

Army has foiled an infiltration attempt by a group of (militants) along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, a defence spokesperson said on Tuesday. There was movement of suspected infiltrators in Naushera sector on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday. A search operation in the area is underway and further details are awaited, he said. According to officials, a group of suspected (militants) tried to sneak into Pukharni village of Laam in Naushera under the cover of darkness from across the border. One of the (militants) stepped over a landmine causing an explosion around 10 pm on Monday, they said, adding the alert Army troops who were observing the movement of the terrorists laid a cordon and started a search of the area on Tuesday morning....

Pulwama, Aug 22 (KNO): The residents of Drangbal village in Kulgam and Dougam area of Pulwama are up in arms against the government for failing in providing potable drinking water facilities in these areas. The residents of the Drangbal area of Kulgam told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that they have been facing water shortage for years and authorities are acting as mute spectators. They said that initially the village was connected with Check-e-Samad water supply for time, however, with construction of road in the area the pipeline was removed and it was never installed again and later we were connected with another scheme but that too is defunct. Locals said that they have brought this issue in notice of concerned authorities in this regard but nothing was done as...

A video showing the Government Force personnel assaulting civilians has gone viral on social media. In the video posted by JKNC spokesperson, Sara Hayat Shah, Army men can be seen rounding up a civilian on a busy street in Nowgam Srinagar Army and assaulting a civilian. The video shows an argument taking place between a civilian and some army personnel. During the argument, another Army man carrying an assault rifle and a stick in his hand rushed to the spot. He, then, hit another civilian on his head from the back side. The video has evoked widespread criticism from Twitter users. "Such behaviour from Army is Highly unwarranted. @OfficeOfLGJandK @ChinarcorpsIA @adgpi @JmuKmrPolice. This needs your immediate attention," Tanvir Sadiq, the spokesperson of Jammu Kashmir National C...

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today said that the government is investing in healthcare and medical education so that all our citizens and youth have the best service and career options they deserve for a better tomorrow. “We have radically reformed the healthcare services delivery model. In the last two years, we have acted swiftly to bridge the gaps at the district and sub-district levels and harmonized all services for speedy and effective care of the needy. People now have easy access to healthcare they need, when they need and where they need it. Systemic improvements have led to high quality health care clearly visible in key health status indicators and national rankings,” the Lt Governor said. Lt Governor also noted that the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (...

Body of a 24-year-old youth was found under mysterious circumstances near Sonia Wali Bawali Mendhar on Monday, official said. They said the youth, Abdul Jabar son of Mohammad Kushal of Kasblari area of Mendhar, had been at his relative’s residence and his body was found from a field near graveyard. A student by profession, Jabar’s body was shifted by police to government SDH Mendhar for autopsy. A police officer told GNS that proceedings under 174 CrPC have been initiated and cause of the death would be known through autopsy. BMO Mendhar Dr P A Khan told GNS that a team of doctors have been constituted for the purpose of postmortem. Officials said that police will hand over the body to the family for last rites after completion of the formalities. They said Jabar’s both parents...

Police on Monday claimed to have arrested two Lashker-e-Toiba militants associates in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district. In a handout to GNS, the police said that police along 50 RR and 181 Bn CRPF have arrested two militant associates ofoutfit LeT in Budgam. According to police spokesman, Incriminating materials of Lashkar-e-Toiba and following arms/ammunition were also recovered from their possession, they include 02 AK magazines and 54 AK rounds. The arrested militant associates have been identified as Shahnawaz Ahmad Bhat son of Abdul Aziz Bhat resident of Kralpora and Sameer Ahmad Najar son of Gulam Ahmad resident of Gund Chekpora Kanipora, he said. Both arrested militant associates have been found involved in providing logistics and support to the active militant of LeT a...