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Encounter Between Militants and Security Forces Starts in Kulgam South Kashmir

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An encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in Modergam village of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Saturday, officials said.

An official told that a joint team of Police, Army’s 9 RR and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation on specific information about the presence of terrorists in the area.He said that as the joint teams of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding terrorists fired upon them which was retaliated to, triggering an encounter.

As per the sources two terrorists are believed to be trapped in the area—(KNO)

Further details are awaited

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Fisheries Department in Anantnag Initiates Major Fish Stocking Project to Boost Local Economy and Ecosystem

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The Fisheries Department in Anantnag district of South Kashmir has launched a significant project to stock fish seeds in various streams and rivers, aiming to enhance the local aquatic ecosystem and provide substantial benefits to the community, particularly fishermen.

By introducing fish seeds, the department aims to increase the fish population, ensuring a sustainable source of livelihood for fishermen.

This initiative is expected to positively impact the local economy. As the fish population increases, local markets will see a rise in supply, potentially lowering prices and making fish more accessible to the broader community.

Additionally, the project will boost fishermen’s income, providing them with a more stable and reliable source of revenue. Moreover, the initiative aligns with environmental conservation goals. Maintaining healthy fish populations will improve the overall health of the aquatic ecosystems in these streams and rivers. This can lead to better water quality and a more balanced ecosystem, benefiting both wildlife and human populations.

Notably, the Department of Fisheries undertook fish seed stocking under Mission Fingerling. According to the Fisheries Department’s website, under the Mission Fingerling stocking programme, fish seeds of fingerling size are stocked in natural water bodies as well as manmade water resources, including private fish rearing units.

This activity aims to increase the fish population in natural water bodies and sustain the biomass due to an enhanced survival rate and faster growth. Under the programme, all natural water bodies are stocked with quality, disease-resistant, and fast-growing varieties of fish seed.

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Er. Rashid, finally took oath as Member of Parliament from the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency

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Abdul Rashid Sheikh, also known as Er. Rashid, finally took his oath as Member of Parliament from the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency on Friday. The 56-year-old politician has been incarcerated in Delhi’s Tihar Jail for over five years under accusations of militant funding, charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

On 2nd July, the Delhi Patiala House Court granted him a two-hour custody parole, following the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) consent, to permit the oath-taking, albeit after numerous delays.

The ceremony was attended by several of Er. Rashid’s family members, including his sons Asrar Rashid and Abrar Rashid, his daughter, his wife, his brother Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh, and at least two other party officials.

Attendees were allowed entry upon presenting identity cards and were prohibited from using phones and the internet during the event.

After the ceremony, Er. Rashid was allowed to briefly interact with his family before being escorted back to jail. He was not permitted to speak to the media or any unrelated individuals, as per the court’s directives.

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Thousands of Pilgrims Visit Amarnath Cave Shrine Amid Tight Security

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Over 74,000 pilgrims from across the country have paid obeisance at the holy cave of Shri Amarnath Ji as of July 2nd, marking the fourth day of the annual yatra, which began on June 29th from the Baltal and Nunwan-Pahalgam routes.

Officials reported that by Tuesday evening, 22,715 pilgrims had darshan of the ice lingam at the Amarnath cave. This brings the total number of visitors to the 3,888-metre-high cave shrine in the Himalayas to 74,696 since the pilgrimage commenced.

“Stringent security arrangements have been put in place for the smooth conduct of the Yatra,” an official said. Thousands of security personnel from the police, Central Reserve Police Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, and other paramilitary forces have been deployed along the route. Additionally, aerial surveillance is being conducted.

Meanwhile, the 6th batch of 5,725 pilgrims departed from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas base camp in Jammu for the Kashmir Valley to perform the pilgrimage to the Amarnath Cave Shrine.

Chanting ‘Bam Bam Bhole’, the pilgrims left the base camp in a convoy of 238 vehicles early this morning. This group included 4,481 men, 1,034 women, 25 children, 173 sadhus, and 12 sadhvis (female sadhus). Of these, 2,514 pilgrims departed for Baltal at 3:25 AM and 3,211 for the Pahalgam base camp at 3:45 AM.

These pilgrims are expected to reach their respective base camps by this evening, from where they will proceed towards the holy cave early tomorrow morning under tight security measures.

More than 125 free langars (community kitchens) have been established by philanthropic organisations at the base camps and along the yatra route up to the holy cave to serve the pilgrims.

The 52-day-long Amarnath Ji Yatra will conclude on 19th August this year, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Shravan Poornima and the festival of Raksha Bandhan.Last year, over 4.5 lakh pilgrims paid obeisance at the cave shrine.(KNO)

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Earthquake Hits Leh in Ladakh magnitude 4.4

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An earthquake of magnitude 4.4 on the richer scale hit Leh in Ladakh on Wednesday, said the National Center for Seismology (NCS).

According to the NCS, the epicentre of the earthquake was located at Latitude 36.10 North, Longitude 74.81 East, at a depth of 150 kilometres.The earthquake hit Leh on Wednesday at 8:12 a.m.

Taking to ‘X’, the NCS said, “EQ of M: 4.4, On: 03/07/2024 08:12:59 IST, Lat: 36.10 N, Long: 74.81 E, Depth: 150 Km, Location: Leh, Ladakh.”No casualties have been reported yet.More details are awaited.

Earlier last month, an earthquake of magnitude 3.2 on the Richter Scale struck Assam.

The epicentre of the earthquake was located in the Karbi Anglong district at a depth of 25 kilometres, according to the NCS. (ANI)

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Sayed Aamina Khataie Selected for 2024 Global Korea Scholarship at Pusan National University

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Sayed Aamina Khataie from Sopore has been chosen as a scholar for the 2024 Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) Programme at Pusan National University in the Republic of Korea.

This programme is sponsored by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) under the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea. Aamina completed her schooling at MET Higher Secondary School Sopore, graduating in 2024

Currently, she is in South Korea, completing her language year as a GKS Scholar at Pusan National University. Next year, she will commence her undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences as part of the GKS programme.

In a conversation with Greater Kashmir, Aamina described her selection as a GKS Scholar as a significant achievement and a major milestone in her academic journey and personal growth.

“I am incredibly honoured and excited to have been selected for the GKS undergraduate scholarship programme by NIIED and to attend Pusan National University. Being part of such a renowned institution will provide me with access to world-class education and resources, which I believe will greatly enhance my skills and knowledge,” she said.

Aamina emphasised that this scholarship not only acknowledges her past achievements but also motivates her to strive for excellence in her future endeavours.

“I am looking forward to immersing myself in South Korean culture, building international networks, and contributing to the academic community at Pusan National University,” she added.

Aamina believes that this opportunity is a transformative step towards achieving her long-term career goals and making a positive impact in her field.

“This scholarship will be instrumental in my academic and professional growth. Studying at Pusan National University will expose me to cutting-edge research, advanced coursework, and a diverse range of perspectives,” she said.

“As I will major in Biological Sciences, I believe PNU offers numerous opportunities in my field,” she added.

Aamina also highlighted the professional benefits of the international experience and network she will build during her time in South Korea.

“Engaging with professors, industry experts, and fellow students from around the world will broaden my horizons and open up numerous opportunities for collaboration and career advancement,” she said.

Aamina concluded by noting that the cultural immersion and language skills she will gain will enhance her ability to work in a global environment, making her a more well-rounded and competitive candidate in the job market.

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Fire Destroys Ten Houses and Eight Shops in Anantnag

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As many as ten residential houses and eight shops were destroyed in a fire incident in South Kashmir’s Anantnag on Tuesday night, sources said.

Sources reported that the fire broke out in one of the residential houses in the area last night and quickly spread to nearby properties, causing extensive damage to ten houses.

“Eight shops were also gutted in the fire incident,” they said.The cause of the fire is currently being ascertained.

Officials have reached the scene to assess the damage—(KNO)

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Engineer Rashid Allowed by NIA to Take Oath

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Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has agreed to allow Kashmiri leader Engineer Abdul Rashid Sheikh to take his oath as a Member of Parliament while he remains in jail. The final decision now awaits a Delhi court’s ruling, expected tomorrow, on the conditions for his oath-taking.

Engineer Rashid, who won the Baramulla seat as an Independent candidate in the recent Lok Sabha elections, has been held in Tihar Jail since 2019. Facing charges in a terror-funding case by the NIA, his detention had prevented him from swearing in with other MPs in the 18th Lok Sabha. Despite his incarceration, Rashid achieved a significant victory, defeating former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah by more than 200,000 votes.

On Saturday, Additional Sessions Judge Kiran Gupta instructed the NIA to respond to Mr Rashid’s application for interim bail to facilitate his oath-taking. The court set a deadline for the anti-terror agency to submit its reply by 1 July. Advocate Vikhyat Oberoi, representing Mr Rashid, argued that his client’s electoral triumph demonstrates a robust democratic mandate from the people of Baramulla. “He secured a resounding majority. The people support him and want him to represent their interests in Parliament democratically,” Mr Oberoi asserted.

Mr Rashid’s legal team drew comparisons with a case involving AAP MP Sanjay Singh, suggesting that Mr Rashid, under judicial custody, should be permitted to take his oath. They contended that the NIA’s role should be minimal in facilitating this process, citing the procedural approach taken in Mr Singh’s case where judicial custody did not hinder parliamentary participation.

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Ovais Amir  Naib Tehsildar of Pahalgam Suspended

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Doctors Suspended

 Naib Tehsildar of Pahalgam, Ovais Amir, was suspended on Saturday for leaving his station without permission.

According to the order issued by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anantnag, “Sh. Ovais Amir, Naib Tehsildar Pahalgam, is hereby placed under suspension for leaving the station without permission and sabotaging the ongoing SANJY 2024.”

Meanwhile, Sub Divisional Magistrate Kokernag shall enquire into the matter for noncompliance of the Naib Tehsildar and the suspendee shall remain attached with his office during the period of his suspension, the order added.