Kashmir Times

Avalanche kills 17, 18 more injured

2010-02-09T11:32:00.003+05:30

Seventeen troopers including an officer killed while 18 others injured in Khilanmarg-Gulmarg today when an avalanche swept them. The army personnel were establishing a Winter Warfare Camp under the aegis of High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) Gulmarg.

Defence sources said that 400 troopers had left HAWS Gulmarg at 8 AM this morning and reached Khilanmarg at 10.30 AM, nine kilometers uphill at a height of over 10,000 feet when they were hit by the avalanche.

"We have recovered 17 bodies of troopers and 18 others are injured but all them are out of danger," Colonel Vineet Sood defence PRO in Srinagar said.

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3 Harkatul Jehad e Islami militants killed

2010-02-05T10:21:00.001+05:30

Just within 24 of killing of two Lashkar ultras in Kishtwar district, security forces claimed to have achieved another success and gunned down a selfstyled Supreme Commander of Harkatul-Jehad-e-Islami (HUJI) outfit and his two Deputy Commanders in a fierce gun battle in the district today. One army jawan was also killed while slain commander's wife was detained by police from the hideout.

Giving details Dr.Mohammad Haseeb Mughal, District Superintendent of Police revealed that after developing information troops of 11 Rashtriya Rifle and 26 Rashtriya Rifle assisted by Kishtwar police launched a search operation at a far flung dense forest area of Khankhu Dhar Ridge near Bela Chichha falling in the jurisdiction of Police Station Kishtwar.

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India Pakistan talks all set to resume

2010-02-04T10:38:00.003+05:30

The stalled India Pakistan talks since after 26/11 are all set to restart with the foreign secretaries of two countries meeting immediately after the SAARC home ministers' summit in Islamabad from February 26 to 28.

Sources here said the terrorism will be the focus of this meeting as a follow up of Home Minister P Chidambaram's meeting with his Pakistani counterpart on the sidelines of the SAARC summit. They said the actual resumption of the composite dialogue is expected after the prime ministers' meeting during the 2-day SAARC summit at Thimpu on April 28 and 28.

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Kashmir seething with anger

2010-02-03T10:53:00.005+05:30

Seething anger over the killing of teenage Wamiq Farooq (with teargas shell) last Sunday burst into anguished protests across Kashmir Valley today with defiant demonstrators mainly young men and, at many places, women engaging police and CRPF men in hand to hand combat.

As normal life in the capital city, towns and villages came to a grinding halt on a call given by both the groups of the Hurriyat Conference and other separatist organisations, police fired in air, burst teargas and resorted to stone pelting using catapults to chase violent groups of protesters. The city, particularly the congested downtown localities witnessed intense clashes on a large scale. The cops also used similar force against protestors at Baramulla and Anantnag.

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Massive protests, 60 injured in clashes

2010-02-02T11:21:00.001+05:30

The killing of a teenaged boy Wamiq Farooq of Rainwari by a tear gas shell yesterday led to general strike, massive protests and clashes today in different parts of old city and Maisuma. Sixty persons were injured in the clashes.

Both factions of Hurriyat Conference have called for a general strike tomorrow against the killing and atrocities by security forces and police. Dukhtaran-eMilat has also supported the strike call. JKLF (R) has also called for a strike on February 4.

However, a group of veiled youth appeared before media persons at Eidgah and gave a call for four days strike from tomorrow.

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Sagheer non-committal on autonomy, self-rule

2010-02-01T17:34:00.001+05:30

Contrary to general impression, Justice (Retd.) Sagheer Ahmed working group report on crucial subject of centrestate relationships has neither recommended nor rejected proposed autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir but urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that controversial issue of granting certain constitutional guarantees to Jammu and Kashmir be debated further for a possible consensus.

The 175 page report along with 400 pages of annexures and a small booklet of recommendations though addressed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was strangely presented to Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah on December 23, 2009 in Jammu by the chairman of the working group Justice (Retd) Sagheer Ahmed through its Secretary Ajit Kumar.

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Border violations can't hijack peace process: Chief Minister

2010-01-29T10:19:00.002+05:30

While expressing concern over the spurt in ceasefire violations and infiltration bids along the borders, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said this should not be allowed to hijack the Indo-Pak dialogue process. He described talks as the only way to remove all irritants at all levels.

"Ceasefire violations are a matter of concern. But these should not be allowed to hijack the Indo-Pak dialogue process," Omar told reporters here at the sidelines of the 9th state level Departmental Vigilance Officers' conference today.

"Every problem can be solved and settled on the table through dialogue and not through violent methods, that's why I am in favour of talks," Chief Minister added.

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Jammu and Kashmir owes Rs 519 crore to power providers

2010-01-28T11:01:00.000+05:30

Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Department (PDD) is in serious mess not only for repeated default in payment of Rs 519.1 crore to various power providers but also for dragging feet in concluding long pending Power Purchase Agreement with Tehri Hydro Power Development Corporation (THDC).

As of now, state has been slapped with Rs 24 crore interest for nonpayment of power dues. Not only this, even the new dispensation under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has miserably failed to repair state's dented credibility as borrower. To rub salt on wounds, lenders have imposed a condition that J&K would have to tender 'irrevocable letter of credit' for any future purchase of power.

Noticeably, the issue dominated the agenda of 14th meeting of Technical Coordination Sub-committee (TCC) and 15th meeting of Northern Regional Power Committee (NRPC) held on December 23 and 24, 2009 respectively at Chandigarh.

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Security beefed up in Jammu

2010-01-27T10:46:00.000+05:30

Security has been beefed up across Jammu zone, including in the state capital, with heavy deployment of the police and para-military force jawans, in view of Republic Day tomorrow.

A multi-tier security blanket has been thrown across the city of temples keeping in view the militants threat to sabotage Republic day function.

As per the directions of higher authorities, the Special Operation Group (SOG) cops deployed at various check points, not even spared the vehicles of VIPs with flashers.

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Centre lifts ban on pre-paid mobiles

2010-01-22T11:04:00.003+05:30

Nearly two and a half months after imposing ban on pre-paid mobile services in Jammu and Kashmir, Centre today lifted the gag order with immediate effect but put stringent conditions on operators for verification and re-verification of customers.

A notification from Department of Telecommunication (DoT) stated that services will be restored pending the formulation of a new system of verification and re-verification of identify and address of subscribers.

Sources said that decision to lift the ban was taken after centre finalised "foolproof" plan to ensure proper verification of nearly 38 lakh cell phone subscribers in the state.

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Kralkhud temple reopened after 21 years Valley Pandits threaten joining 'movement'

2010-01-21T11:59:00.002+05:30

The occasion of opening of historical temple in the heart of Srinagar city after 21 years tuned into a political issue after Kashmiri Pandits living here threatened to join the ongoing movement with Muslim community, incase they are not included in the special employment package of prime minister for migrants.

"We have decided to go on hunger strike from February 15, to register our protest against the government decision for not including Kashmiri Pandits in the employment package of 6,000 migrants, announced by prime minister recently. Incase government fails to accept our genuine demand after the hunger strike, we (Kashmiri Pandits) have decided to join the freedom movement with majority community to support them on all fronts," said Sanjay K. Tickoo, president of the Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti, immediately after opening of the historical temple at Kralkhud after 21 years.

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Headless for 7 years, State Commission for Women finally gets chairperson

2010-01-20T10:55:00.002+05:30

After remaining headless for seven long years, J&K State Commission for Women (SCW) finally got a chairperson today. The government on Tuesday appointed Shamima Firdous, MLA as the new chairperson J&K State Commission for Women with the status of a Minister of State.

Besides the appointment of Shamima, the government also announced the appointments of vice-chairmen of reconstituted Pahari Advisory Board and newly constituted Kissan Advisory Board.

Ex-MLA Mushtaq Ahmed Bukhari will be the vice-chairman of Pahari Advisory Board while MLA Kalakot will be the vice-chairman of Kissan Advisory Board. Both the Boards will have Chief Minister Omar Abdullah as the Chairman.

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6 anti-tank rifle grenades recovered

2010-01-19T10:59:00.005+05:30

Police claimed to have achieved major success by busting two militant hideouts in Kishtwar district. It was for the first time in two decade long insurgency in the state of Jammu & Kashmir that half dozen Anti Tank rifle grenades were recovered from one of the hideouts of militants in Kishtwar.

Police said a major tragedy has been averted by timely recovery of half dozen Anti Tank rifle grenades and consignments of arms and ammunition from a hideout of militants in the forest area of Pyas under the jurisdiction of Police Station Kishtwar, in the wee hours today.

Police claimed that it was dumped by militants of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) outfit in militancy prone area of Pyas Chhichha.

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China moving with "specific design" in Ladakh: Army

2010-01-18T15:13:00.002+05:30

Army officials in Leh were a part of a meeting convened by the Jammu and Kashmir government that agreed that China was encroaching into the land with "specific design" to grab a particular area to extend its control till Indus river.

"As per all maps and evidences, the Dokbug pasture (in Northeast of Leh) land undisputedly belongs to India and China is moving with specific design to grab this area to extend its control till Indus (river)," according to an official report.

During the meeting chaired by commissioner (Leh) AK Sahu and attended by Brigadier General Staff of 14 Corps Brig Sarat Chand and Colonel Indraj Singh, it was also agreed that all agencies must take "coordinated and effective measure to destroy the Chinese design and save our territory."

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Jaswant says wrong to demonise Jinnah

2010-01-15T10:42:00.001+05:30

Former BJP leader Jaswant Singh, who was last year expelled from his party for praising Mohammad Ali Jinnah in his book, said here that it was wrong to demonise Pakistan's founder.

"We were wrong to treat Jinnah as demon and Pakistan is wrong to treat Gandhi as demon. We can not invent history," Singh said here last night releasing the international edition of his controversial book `Jinnah: India, Partition, Independence' in the House of Commons.

Describing Jinnah as a man of great determination, Singh said his transition from ambassador of Hindu Muslim Unity to Quaide-Azam was fascinating.

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Jammu and Kashmir government again pledges to develop Raghunath Bazar as heritage market

2010-01-13T10:34:00.002+05:30

Jammu and Kashmir government today declared Raghunath Bazar as heritage market keeping in view the sanctity of historical Ragunath temple.

This announcement was made by Minister for Tourism Nawang Rigzin Jora while inaugurating three days Lohri Utsav at Raghunath Bazar here this evening. Minister said that sanctity of the majestic Raghunath temple and its market would be preserved at all costs, adding that on the recommendations of the state government, centre has declared Raghunath Bazar as a heritage bazaar and has released Rs. 2 crores in the first phase for its preservation.

He added that the concerned authorities have been directed to formulate project reports and estimates for initiating early preservation work of the market.

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China enforcing its writ in Ladakh

2010-01-12T10:55:00.001+05:30

With both centre and state maintaining complete silence, China has begun enforcing its writ over landlocked region of LehLadakh by claiming this part of Jammu and Kashmir as its territory and refusing to accept that it is a disputed area.

Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has been using tactics of threatening locals in villages deep inside the Indian territory on India-China border and at times, even forcing them to vacate land belonging to the Indian side. PLA control is so strong that even collecting bushy firewood difficult for locals of Ladakh villages bordering China is risk oriented and dangerous.

This is what Deputy Commissioner Leh-Ladakh Ajeet Kumar Sahu wrote on January 9, 2009 in an official communiqué no.DCL/PS/ MISC/09 to the then Divisional Commissioner Kashmir about Chinese control over Indian land in Ladakh.

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Resume Indo-Pak peace process: Say Peaceniks

2010-01-11T10:50:00.002+05:30

Peaceniks from Indian and Pakistan here on Sunday called upon both countries to resume peace process and sought a people centric solution to the issue of issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

Diplomats, academics, lawyers and civil society groups came together for a threeday conclave at the India International Centre (IIC) to lay a road map for resuming the stalled India Pakistan talks.

"They are military industries in third countries that are benefiting from our stupid actions," said formal chief of naval staff, Admiral L Ramdas.

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4 killed, 30 injured 23 hour long encounter at Lal Chowk ends

2010-01-08T11:27:00.002+05:30

The 23 hour long encounter at Lal Chowk here ended today after security forces and police killed both the miltants, who carried out the Fidayeen attack.

Besides the two militants, a police man and a civilian were also killed and atleast 30 others were injured.

Even as the encounter ended around 11.30 AM, the security forces lifted the seige of Lal Chowk and its adjoining areas late this evening.

After the night-long firing, police and CRPF troopers stormed the building housing Hotel Panjab in the morning.

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Fidayeen attack at Lal Chowk

2010-01-07T11:31:00.003+05:30

The militants took position in New Punjab Hotel at Lal Chowk, where from they continue to attack the security and police personnel. The security forces cordoned off the whole Lal Chowk and its adjoining areas for a final assault against the holed up militants.

According to police the final assault would be launched anytime after midnight or during the wee hours of tomorrow morning. Hundreds of people were trapped at Lal Chowk. While most of them escaped on their own, scores others were rescued by police. Three shopkeepers were rescued late tonight.

The security and police personnel faced a tough time during the operation as people assembled in the outer ring of the security cordon from different directions

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Rail services disrupted during Maoist bandh in Jharkhand

2010-01-06T10:46:00.001+05:30

Rail services between Garwah road and Sonnagar Route was disrupted after CPI (Maoists) blew up the up and down tracks near Kosiyara railway station during the 24-hour Palamu division bandh called by them today.

Railway services under Mugalsarai division of East Central Railway came to halt after the ultras blew up the track under Mohammadgunj police station in Palamu district last night, DIG(Palamu) Prasant Singh said today.

Singh said adequate police force has been sent to the spot and the repair work to restore the damaged tracks was going on on war-footing.

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Cold wave leaves over 100 dead in Uttar Pradesh

2010-01-05T11:07:00.001+05:30

With temperatures dipping below normal and snowfall witnessed in the upper reaches of Himachal Pradesh and the Kashmir Valley, the normal routine of the people was disturbed for the third consecutive day and over 100 deaths were reported in Uttar Pradesh.

The states of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have been the worst affected by the intense cold conditions.

A dense fog continues to prevail in Uttar Pradesh and the maximum temperature was recorded at 2 to 10 degrees Celsius below normal in most parts of the state.

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UK and US close Yemen embassies amid terror threat

2010-01-04T11:16:00.002+05:30

The US and Britain have shut their Yemen embassies after threats from an al-Qaeda offshoot linked to an alleged failed US plane bomb plot. The UK Foreign Office told the BBC its embassy in the capital Sanaa was closed "for security reasons", hours after the US announced its mission had been shut.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown earlier said the UK and US would step up counterterror efforts in Yemen.

There are mounting fears lawless Yemen is becoming an al-Qaeda haven.

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Angry guests ransack event venue, organisers run away

2010-01-02T10:21:00.002+05:30

They had gone to Gulmarg to greet the New Year in a unique way. But it proved to be a nightmarish experience for them.

Thousands of local people and tourists had gathered at Gulmarg to celebrate the arrival of New Year but the poor arrangements turned the event a flop show with the people gunning for the organizers of the show.

At least 3,000 tickets were sold for "Freak and Freeze" event organized by Space Communication Technologies and sponsored by several governmental and non-governmental agencies.

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Ban on pre paid phones may go in New Year

2009-12-31T10:33:00.002+05:30

If the reports from New Delhi are to be believed then the ban on pre-paid phones in Jammu and Kashmir is likely to be lifted in the first week of January. If it really happens the New Year is expected to begin at least on a positive note here.

The ban has affected lakhs of subscribers. According to media reports the decision to lift the ban was taken after a series of deliberations for several days amongst the officials of union home ministry, state secretaries and intelligence agencies besides officials from the state government.

And finally, the union home ministry seems to be contented with the fact that pre-paid phones are no threat to the security.

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