Your Window To The Kashmir
NOK Desk 
An encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in the higher reaches of Basantgarh in Udhampur district on Sunday evening, officials said.
A Police spokesperson said, “Based on specific intelligence about presence of terrorist, Joint search operation was launched by Security forces in higher reaches of Basantgarh under the J/D of P/S Basantgarh of Udhampur district.”“Exchange of fire has taken place. Area cordoned off”, he said.
Sheikh Ashiq Ahmad, COA CEPC INDIA, raised a significant concern on Sunday about the increasing prevalence of counterfeit handicrafts being sold as genuine artisanal products. He emphasized that these fake items not only deceive consumers but also undermine the hard work and cultural heritage of genuine artisans who infuse their skill, creativity, and tradition into every piece they make.
“Authentic handicrafts are more than mere objects; they are a testament to our rich cultural history and the dedication of artisans who have refined their craft over generations. The sale of counterfeit handicrafts jeopardizes the livelihoods of these artisans and devalues their work,” Sheikh Ashiq stated.
He urged both sellers and buyers to be vigilant, ensuring that the handicrafts they trade or purchase are authentic. “Supporting genuine artisans helps preserve our cultural heritage and supports the communities that depend on these crafts for their sustenance,” he added.
Sheikh Ashiq reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to safeguarding cultural assets and announced initiatives to raise awareness about this issue. He called on the public to report any suspicious or counterfeit items and assured that the organization will collaborate with authorities to address the production and distribution of fake handicrafts.
“Let us unite in preserving the authenticity and value of our cultural heritage,” Sheikh Ashiq concluded.
In a tragic development, one of the two civilians injured in yesterday’s confrontation between security forces and terrorists in Ahlan Kokernag has succumbed to their injuries today, bringing the total number of fatalities to three, according to officials.
The intense gunfight unfolded in the afternoon as security forces carried out an anti-terror operation in the densely wooded area of Ahlan Gadole, a remote region within Kokernag. The police reported that the operation was initiated based on credible intelligence indicating the presence of terrorists in the area. As the forces moved deeper into the forest, they were met with gunfire from the terrorists, resulting in a protracted and fierce firefight.
During the clash, two soldiers sustained critical injuries and were promptly transported to a medical facility, where they later died from their wounds.
According to a statement from a Srinagar-based defense spokesman, credible intelligence received on August 5, 2024, had indicated that the terrorists, who had been responsible for recent attacks in the Doda region in July, had crossed into the Kapran Garol area of South Kashmir. Following this, the Rashtriya Rifles and J&K Police initiated relentless tracking and precise operations targeting these terrorists.
On the night of August 9-10, 2024, security forces launched operations in the eastern part of Kapran, where the terrorists were believed to be hiding. On August 10, at around 1400 hours, suspicious movement in the area prompted an immediate response. However, the terrorists responded with indiscriminate and reckless firing, resulting in injuries to two Army personnel and two civilians nearby.
The defense spokesman noted that the backgrounds of the injured civilians are being investigated. He also described the challenging terrain, which includes high altitudes, dense undergrowth, large boulders, and watercourses, as a significant obstacle to the operations. Despite these difficulties, security forces are actively pursuing the terrorists and are expected to continue their efforts through the night.
Jammu and Kashmir DGP RR Swain on Sunday said that we have always had a different kind of challenge in the tunnelling and the riverine.
“But taking advantage of the villages, the border villages who have a history of standing up and being able to participate alongside police and security forces, to be able to play their role or contribute and defeat infiltration and intrusion. We want to take that to a different level,” he said.
DGP Swain said that there were village defence groups earlier, but their numbers were less.
“In some of these village defence groups, the total number of members was less…So we would like to increase both the numbers and the membership,” he said.
The police chief said that they would like to also increase the quality of the weapons, the equipment and the coordination with the police and the BSF, and a new level of energy..
A 12 year-old boy was killed in a road accident in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Sunday afternoon.
Reports reaching to GNS said that a minor was hit by a tractor in Akura Mattan today. The boy was immediately shifted to PHC Mattan in a critical condition, where from he was referred to GMC Anantnag. However the said injured boy succumbed to his injuries while being shifted to DH Anantnag.
Meanwhile, A police official also confirmed to GNS about the incident and said that a case has been registered in this regard for further investigations.
Traffic movement has been restored on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on Sunday, authorities said.Earlier in the day, the national highway was blocked at the Mehad-Cafeteria area of Ramban due to a mudslide, Officials said.
“Traffic restored on Jammu Srinagar NHW. SANJY down convoy plying towards Jammu and stranded vehicles between Nashri and Banihal are being cleared. Commuters are advised to keep patience and follow lane discipline, overtaking will lead to congestion,” Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police said on Sunday.
Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police issued an advisory on August 10 for National Highway-44.
“Commuters are advised to avoid journey on NH-44 till the weather improves, as there is apprehension of landslide/shooting stones,” read the advisory.
Meanwhile, the flash floods in Drungali Nallah damaged the breast wall of a bridge in Poonch. As a result, traffic has been diverted from the bridge, which connects the Buddha Amarnath Mandi area to NH 144 Poonch-Jammu National Highway.
Inspector Karim Jatt who was at the site told ANI, “When we came here at 5 am for Amarnath Yatra duty, we saw that the bridge had been damaged due to the flash floods. We have blocked the traffic on the bridge and informed the senior officials about the incident…” (ANI)
Two Army men were killed while as two civilians were also injured in an ongoing operation in Ahlan area of Kokernag in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Saturday.
A top police officer told that during firefight two army soldiers were critically injured. They were immediately shifted to nearby hospital, where they succumbed to their injuries.
Meanwhile on micro-blogging platform X, The Chinar Corps of Army wrote, ” Two civilians have also been reported injured due to indiscriminate, desperate and reckless firing by terrorists in the ongoing operation; they have been provided immediate medical aid and evacuated further.Operations are under progress,”.
Earlier, a fierce gunfight erupted between militants and security forces in Ahlan Kokernag after a specific input was recieved by the security forces.(GNS)
Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) Saturday changed school timing in Kashmir division.
According to the official orders in this regard, the timing for school falling within Srinagar Municipal limits will be 9Am to 3Pm while the educational institutes falling outside Municipal limits of Srinagar District and other areas of Kashmir Province shall remain open from 10Am to 4Pm.
Directorate of School Education kashmir (DSEK) said that the new school timing for both government and recognised private schools in the Kashmir Division, with effect from August-12—(KNO)
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Encounter has started between militants and security forces in Ahlan area of Kokernag in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Saturday.A senior police officer told that a team of Police and security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Ahlan on a very specific input.
As the joint team approached towards the suspected area, the hiding militants fired upon the joint party, leading to an encounter, officer added.Till this report was being filed intermittent exchange of fire was going on.(GNS)
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On Thursday, SKUAST Kashmir hosted an orientation program for the inaugural cohort of its B.Tech in Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture, positioning itself as the first agricultural university in India to offer such a groundbreaking course.
This pioneering degree, available exclusively through SKUAST Kashmir in collaboration with IIT Mandi, is set to revolutionize the field by equipping students with advanced skills to address contemporary agricultural challenges through state-of-the-art technology. This program is the first of its kind in India, focusing specifically on the integration of AI within the agricultural sector.
The orientation took place at the university and was chaired by the Vice Chancellor of SKUAST Kashmir, with Ambassador Chinthapally Rajasekhar (IFS) serving as the guest of honor. Key university figures present included Prof. Nelofar Banday (Dean of Students Welfare), Prof. S.A. Gangoo (Dean of the Faculty of Forestry), Prof. Feroz Bhat (Dean of the Faculty of Fisheries), Prof. Azmat Alam Khan (OSD to the Vice Chancellor), and Prof. Rohitashav Kumar (Associate Dean of COAET).
Prof. Rohitashav Kumar opened the event with a welcome address and a comprehensive overview of the program’s significance, detailing the carefully crafted curriculum and course structure.
Industry representatives such as Mr. Manu Mehta from Fore Solutions, Mr. Rohit Agarwal from Partex Solutions, and Mr. Moorty Kanagraj from Enthutech Solutions also spoke at the event. They commended the university for launching this much-needed program and motivated students to engage with it passionately. They also extended their support for the program’s success.
IIT Mandi was represented by Dr. Tushar Jain (Dean of Students and Expert in Climate-Controlled Agriculture), Dr. Shyam Masakapalli (Associate Professor of Smart Agriculture and Plant Biology), and Dr. Radhe Shyam (AI and Robotics Expert). They emphasized the significance of the B.Tech in AI for Agriculture and highlighted IIT Mandi’s role in preparing students for future challenges. They also noted that students will spend the final two years of their degree at IIT Mandi.
Prof. Nazir A. Ganai welcomed the new students and urged them to lead the way in agricultural technology and future job creation. He underscored the transformative potential of AI and ML in agriculture and praised the Associate Dean and his team for their initiative.
During the event, Prof. Ganai distributed starter kits to the students, including Lenovo tablets, microcontroller kits, and essential university information. These kits were sponsored by Fore Solutions and Enthu Technology Solutions Coimbatore.
Ambassador Chinthapally Rajasekhar expressed his enthusiasm for SKUAST Kashmir’s innovative approach and commended the university’s efforts to internationalize education. He also offered continued support for these initiatives.