News

News

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Celebrates 78th Independence Day at Bakshi Stadium

by

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha marked the 78th Independence Day by hoisting the National Flag and delivering a stirring address at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar today.

On X, Lt Governor Sinha shared: “I proudly hoisted the National Flag at Bakshi Stadium today, celebrating our 78th Independence Day. As we embrace the spirit of freedom and unity, we must remember and honor the immense sacrifices of our courageous freedom fighters and martyrs.

Over the past five years, our democratic roots have grown deeper. I urge the citizens of J&K to commit collectively to making democratic ideals a fundamental part of our consciousness and daily lives.

J&K is forging ahead with renewed confidence towards peace, progress, and prosperity. Let us pledge to work together to make J&K UT a symbol of achievement.”

During the UT-level Independence Day celebrations, the Lt Governor reviewed the parade and received the salute during a grand march past featuring J&K Police, security forces, school students, and brass and pipe bands from the J&K Police and BSF.

The Lt Governor also awarded cash prizes to winners of the National Anthem singing competition and recognized the contingents and groups for their outstanding performances in the march past and cultural displays.

Earlier, Lt Governor Sinha honored the memory of the nation’s heroes by laying a wreath at ‘Balidan Stambh’ in Srinagar, paying tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country.

News

Scooty Rider Dies in Guroora village of north Kashmir’s Bandipora

by
Truck Accident

A 22-year-old scooty rider died in a road accident in Guroora village of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Thursday morning, officials said.

An official told that a vehicle hit the scooty in Guroora, resulting in critical injuries to the rider.

He was immediately shifted to district hospital Bandipora where he succumbed to injuries, he said.

The dead has been identified as Mehraj Ud din son of Javid Ahmad of Chitteybandy—(KNO)

News

Cloudburst Hits Banward Damhal Hanjipora Kulgam one Man dies, Another Injured

by
Dead

A man died after a cloudburst hit Damhal Hanjipora area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Thursday, official sais.An official told that the cloudburst hit Banward area in DH Pora and soon after a rescue operation was launched.

“One person died in the incident, while another suffered injuries. Police and civil administration is on the spot,” he said.

The dead has been identified as Mukhtar Ahmad Chouhan son of Mohammad Hussain Chouhan of Bangward Bala. The injured person has been identified as Rafakat Ahmad Chouhan son of Mohammad Hussain Chouhan, also from Bangward Bala.

Tehsildar DH Pora, Zahid Ahmad, told that a team has been rushed to the spot, and further details will be shared later—(KNO)

News

To Review J&K Security Situation ECI Meeting Union Home Secretary

by

The Election Commission will meet with Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla on Wednesday to review the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, sources have said.

In December last year, the Supreme Court directed the central government to conclude the election process in the Union territory by September 30, 2024.

If it happens before September, Jammu and Kashmir will witness elections after a gap of ten years as the last assembly election was held in 2014. The PDP-BJP coalition government fell in June 2018 when the latter withdrew support to the then-chief minister Mehbooba Mufti.

Recently, a poll body delegation led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar reviewed the poll preparations in J&K. During a press conference in Jammu during the visit, Kumar had emphasised that the commission is committed to holding elections there “at the earliest”.

No outside or internal forces can derail the electoral process, he had said, adding that the people of J&K will give a befitting response to “disruptive forces.”

CEC had further said that all parties in Jammu and Kashmir are “batting strongly” for holding assembly elections.

During the visit, the poll body officials met national and recognized parties there.

“All of them praised the public and Election Commission for the successful Lok Sabha polls in Jammu and Kashmir. They all said it was a historic achievement, it had good participation, and no incident (of violence) took place which has boosted people’s confidence. All the parties demanded that the Assembly polls be held at the earliest. All the parties demanded that there be public-elected representatives in J&K, who have a better connection with locals. More or less all the political parties, except one or two, also wanted that a level playing field be established,” he said.

Rajiv Kumar further said that everyone’s perception was that everyone should get equal security.

“They had another demand. There was a review of the security of political functionaries in the state in which the security of some of them was downgraded, some did not get it and the security of some was upgraded. Their perception was that everyone should get equal security so that they can get involved in political activities without any fear, irrespective of the party they are from,” he said.

There are a total of 90 assembly constituencies, of which 74 are General, nine are reserved for ST and seven are SC.

In Jammu and Kashmir, there are 87.09 lakh total electors. Of which 44.46 lakh are male, 42.62 female, 169 are Transgender, 82,590 persons with disabilities, 73943 very senior citizens, 2660 centenarians, 76092 service electors, and 3.71 lakh are first-time voters.

News

Kokernag Encounter Update: Operation Enters in 3rd day, More Forces deployed

by
Indian Army

The search operations by security forces in Kokernag, Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag District, continue for the third consecutive day on Monday.

At least two soldiers and a civilian were killed during a gunfight between the terrorists and the security forces in Anantnag on Saturday.

The officials said that more forces were rushed to the site in order to intensify the search operations. The operations are underway in the Ahlan Gadole forest area of Kokernag.

Earlier, IGP Kashmir Zone VK Birdi said that the security forces had information regarding the movement of terrorists in the upper reaches.

“A search operation was being conducted in the Gagar-Mandu area. Security forces spotted the movement of terrorists and there was an exchange of fire between the security forces and terrorists,” IGP Birdi told reporters.

Earlier on Aug 11, an encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in the higher reaches of Basantgarh in Udhampur district on Sunday evening, officials said.”Based on specific intelligence about the presence of terrorists, a joint search operation was launched by Security forces in higher reaches of Basantgarh under the J/D of P/S Basantgarh ) of Udhampur district. An exchange of fire has taken place. Area cordoned off,” Jammu and Kashmir said.

As per officials, another encounter broke out during a joint operation launched by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF in the general area of Kokernag in Anantnag.

Havildar Dipak Kumar Yadav and Lance Naik Praveen Sharma laid down their lives in the line of duty in Anantnag. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi and all ranks of the Indian Army paid tribute to Havildar Dipak Kumar Yadav and Lance Naik Praveen Sharma, who lost their lives during the encounter on Saturday. (ANI)

News

Chittargam Budgam student found dead in Bengaluru

by
Dead body

A Kashmiri student who was studying in Bengaluru was found dead under mysterious circumstances in his rented accommodation on Sunday evening, officials said.

An official told that the student from Reva University in Bengaluru, who was living as a paying guest there, was found dead on Sunday evening.

He said that the student has been identified as Tanveer Hussain Rather of Budgam’s Chittargam, while investigation has been initiated—(KNO)

News

Encounter Starts in Basantgarh Udhampur

by

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.

News

Ahlan Kokernag Encounter Update: Injured Civilian Dies toll Mounts to three

by
indian army

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.