An encounter broke out between security forces and militants in Check-e-Choland area of South Kashmir's Shopian district, officials said on Wednesday. An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a joint of team of police, Army and CRPF after receiving information about the presence of militants launched search operation in the area. He said that as the joint team of forces intensified searches towards suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the party, which was retaliated, thus triggering an encounter. He said that the exchange of fire is on in the area and two to three militants are believed to be trapped in the area—(KNO)

Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta Monday chaired a meeting to review the progress achieved by the Rural Development Department under various centrally sponsored schemes. It was informed that under MGNREGA, the Department has registered 98% expenditure against the released amount by generating 170.87 lakh man-days employment through the issuance of 12.41 lakh job cards in the current financial year. The Department has completed 44,509 works and has ensured geo-tagging of 98.67% of works under phase I and 84% of works under phase II. Under the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA), The Department has conducted capacity building training for 37,500 PRI members and 3500 sector enablers, besides undertaking construction and renovation of 41 Panchayat Bhawan. Additionally, 450 elected r...

Tourists have urged authorities to allow their vehicles upto Gulmarg, alleging that they have been "unnecessarily" asked to stop at Tangmarg and asked to board local vehicles. A group of tourists told GNS that authorities concerned authorities are stopping the vehicles and make them to board the local vehicles fitted with chains. “There is no huge snowfall so that our vehicles cannot proceed. We are unnecessarily prevented and made to board local vehicles which is actually risky in covid-19 times,” they said, adding, “many tourists are hesitant in sitting along with other tourists because in our own vehicle we make every safety endeavor and ensure covid appropriate behavior.” The tourists urged authorities to look into the matter and ensure that all tourist vehicles are allowed to pr...

Javid Mushtaq/ Ulfat Bashir The Residents of the Mughalpora area in the Breenti area in south Kashmir’s district Anantnag are up in protest against the Power Development Department (PDD) as they have not received electricity in the past ten days. The residents said a transformer was installed five years ago, Since then we have spent two and a half lakh rupees, but we have not received a new transformer in replacement to the faulty one. Locals told The kashmiriyat that they staged a protest two days ago after which AEE assured us that we will give a new transformer. "He handed over the new transformer, but they did not connect it to the HT line, which caused it to explode," a local said. They said that they have informed the concerned officials several times but nothing has been...