1,91,181 inoculated with COVID vaccines, no post-inoculation hospitalisation so far

17/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 16: Over 1.90 lakh beneficiaries were inoculated with COVID-19 jabs at 3,352 session sites across the country on Saturday and no case of post-inoculation hospitalisation has been reported so far, the government said on the first day of India's massive vaccination drive against the virus. The COVID-19 vaccination drive was successfully conducted on the first day, Additional Secretary in the Union Health Ministry Manohar Agnani said during a press briefing. Giving an update on CO...

India remained vigilant round the clock, took right decisions at right time: Modi

17/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 16: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the country remained vigilant round the clock against the coronavirus and asserted that the Central govern-ment took the right decisions at the right time. Speaking at the launch of the nationwide vaccination drive against the novel coronavirus via video conferencing, PM Modi said that a high-level committee had already been constituted days before the first case of coronavirus was reported in the country. "India remained vigilan...

LG Sinha calls COVID-19 vaccination drive ‘historic’

17/01/2021
JAMMU, Jan 16: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday called the vaccination drive against the novel coronavirus as 'historic', and said that the Union Territory is working to successfully carry out its first phase. "This is a historic day. We are working to successfully carry out the first phase of the vaccination drive within the deadline and then complete the second phase to make a healthy Jammu and Kashmir," Sinha said. The LG had paid a visit to healthcare worke...

Five militant associates held for posting threat posters in Pulwama

17/01/2021
SRINAGAR, Jan 16: Five alleged militant associates were arrested for pasting threat posters in Pulwama district, police said on Saturday. Threat posters of a militant outfit were found pasted in Seer and Batagund villages of Tral area of the south Kashmir district, a police spokesman said. Accordingly, a case was registered and a police party raided multiple places and rounded up several suspects, he said. During the questioning of the suspects and collection of other evidence, five terr...

Govt orders transfers, new postings in administration

17/01/2021
JAMMU, Jan 16: Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday ordered new postings and transfers in the civil administration. An order issued here by the General Administration Department said that in the interest of administration, the following transfers and postings are hereby ordered with immediate effect. Bhupinder Kumar, IAS (UK:2011), Mission Director, National Health Mission, J&K is transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla. Anshul Garg, IAS (K:2013), Deputy Commissioner, Ku...

Cold wave intensifies in Kashmir as minimum temp dips further

17/01/2021
SRINAGAR, Jan 16: The minimum temperature at most places in Kashmir dropped further on Saturday as the intense cold Tightened its grip in the Valley, resulting in the freezing of water supply lines and water bodies, including the famous Dal Lake, in several areas. A thick fog also engulfed many parts of the valley, including the city, in the morning, reducing visibility. The cold wave conditions intensified as the mercury dropped further during the night and the minimum temperature settle...

Charge sheet produced against LeT associates

17/01/2021
JAMMU, Jan 17: A chargesheet was produced before the court of 3rd additional sessions Judge Jammu against the accused persons namely 1.) Mubashir Farooq Batt R/O Sazan Doda 2.) Toqeer Ahmad Batt R/O Sazan Doda 3.) Mohammad Asif Batt R/O Sazan Doda 4.) Khalid Latief Batt R/O Kotal Doda 5.) Gazi Iqbal Batt R/O Kotal Doda 6.) Tariq Hussain Mir R/O Tanta Doda 7.) Farooq Ahmad Malik R/O Doda 8.) Farooq Ahmad Batt R/O Kathawa Doda (Real brother of Pak handler @Haroon) 9.) Junaid Aziz Lone R/O Handwar...

J&K records 109 fresh COVID-19 cases, one more death

17/01/2021
JAMMU, Jan 16: With 109 fresh cases detected in a span of 24 hours, Jammu and Kashmir's COVID-19 tally went up to 1,23,217 on Saturday, while one more fatality pushed the death toll due to the disease to 1,921 in the Union Territory, officials said. Of the fresh cases, 55 were reported from Jammu division while the remaining 54 were registered in Kashmir division, they added. Jammu district recorded the highest number of 47 cases, followed by 20 in Srinagar district, the officials said. ...

‘Kangri’ sales go up as cold grips Kashmir valley

17/01/2021
SRINAGAR, Jan 16: As the intense cold grips north India, people in Jammu and Kashmir are keeping themselves warm with 'Kangris'. Kangri is an eart-henware encased within wicker basket. It is like a portable and movable heater that Kashmiris keep in their warm woollen cloak to keep themselves warm in the frosty winters. To battle against the crippling cold, people in Srinagar are using Kangri (fire-pot) which has been an old and traditional method of keeping warm. The Kashmir valley received h...

Earthquake of magnitude 4.1 strikes J&K

17/01/2021
SRINAGAR, Jan 16: An earthquake of magnitude 4.1 hit Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, but there was no report of any damage, officials said. At 10:01 pm, the earthquake struck at a latitude of 33.03 degrees north and a longitude of 75.93 degrees east -- 93 kms east of Katra, they added. The depth of the earthquake was 10 kms, the officials said. They said while the tremors caused panic among people, there were no reports of any loss of life or injury or damage to property.

History will remember Rahul for standing up to ‘present dictatorial regime’: Mehbooba

17/01/2021
SRINAGAR, Jan 16: History will remember Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for standing up to the “present dictatorial regime”, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said on Saturday. Taking to Twitter, Mufti said it is a fact that “new India is in the grip of a select few” and Gandhi is the only politician who dares to speak the truth. “Ridicule Rahul Gandhi all you want, but he's the only politician who dares to speak the truth. Its a fact that new India is in the grip of a select few & crony capitalists....

IndiGo to launch flight services between Delhi, Leh on Feb 22

17/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 16: IndiGo will launch flight services between Delhi and Leh on February 22, the private carrier announced on Saturday. Leh will be the 63rd domestic destination for IndiGo. The bookings for the daily Delhi-Leh flights have already begun, the airline said in a press release. “Leh, the capital of Ladakh, is known for its magnificent landscapes, crystal clear skies, adventure activities, Buddhist monasteries and festivals. The destination attracts tourists from April to September...

300-400 Pak-trained terrorists ready to infiltrate into J&K: Army Chief

16/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 15: Around 300-400 terrorists trained in camps across the Line of Control (LoC) are ready to sneak into Jammu and Kashmir, Army chief General M M Naravane said on Friday. In his speech during the Army day parade, he also said that there has been 44 per cent increase in ceasefire violations that reflects Pakistan's sinister design. Pakistan often provides cover fire to help terrorists sneak into Jammu and Kashmir. Gen Naravane said India's active operations and strong counter-i...

Drone operations feature for first time at Army Day parade

16/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 15: Drones of the Indian Army carried out mock kamikaze attacks and first-aid delivery exercises as the service showcased its latest assets during the Army Day parade held at the Cariappa ground here on Friday. This is the first time drones featured at the parade that also had detachments of the upgraded anti-aircraft weapon system Schilka, BrahMos missile system, infantry fighting vehicle BMP-2, T-72 bridge laying tanks and multi-rocket launcher system Pinaka. Army Chief Gen M...

In one-time reprieve, Govt relaxes upper age limit for Combined Competitive Exam

16/01/2021
JAMMU, Jan 15: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday increased the upper age limit for Combined Competitive Examination following appeals by the aspirants and various delegations, said a government spokesman. Under SRO 130, the government had last week reduced the upper age limit for the J&K Combined Competitive Examination (JKCCE) by five years from 37 to 32 years, drawing flak from the aspirants and political outfits. A government handout quoted Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha announc...

People living in IB areas provided development with dignity: Jitendra

16/01/2021
JAMMU, Jan 15: Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Friday said the government has provided development with dignity to the people living along the International Border (IB) and this was visible in the form of individual bunkers and 1,000 modern toilets coming up in these areas. He also said four per cent reservation has also been provided to the youth living along the IB. Describing the recently held District Development Council (DDC) election in Jammu and Kashmir as a turning point in the h...

Govt appointments District Judges on ad-hoc basis

16/01/2021
JAMMU, Jan 15: The government of Jammu and Kashmir today sanctioned appointment of Sub Judges as District Judges on ad-hoc basis. According to an order issued in this regard, the sanction has been accorded in terms of Rule 20 of the Jammu and Kashmir Higher Judicial Service Rules 2009, as recommended by the J&K High Court. Those promoted included Abdul Nasir, Surinder Singh, Javid Ahmed Gilani, Mohammad Amin Mir, Ajay Kumar Gupta, Sudhir Kumar Khajuria, Om Prakash Thakur, Gowher Majid Dalai, ...

144 new coronavirus cases, 5 deaths reported

16/01/2021
JAMMU, Jan 15: Jammu and Kashmir on Friday recorded 144 new positive cases, while five deaths took place in the last 24 hours, taking the tally to 1,23,108 and the toll to 1,920, officials said. Out of the fresh cases, 64 were from Jammu division and 80 from Kashmir division of the Union Territory, they said. The officials said Jammu district recorded the highest with 46 cases followed by 40 in Srinagar district. While four districts Doda, Rajouri, Reasi and Kishtwar - did not report any fre...

Govt-farmers meet: 9th round ends with date for 10th round of talks; Centre asks unions to be flexible

16/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 15: The government on Friday asked protesting farmers to form an informal group to prepare a concrete proposal about their objections and suggestions on the three farm laws for further discussion at their next meeting on January 19 to end the long-running protest at various Delhi borders, but unions stuck to their main demand of a complete repeal of the three Acts. As nearly five hours of talks between 41 unions and three central ministers did not reach a decisive stage in the n...

2 women killed in accident in Udhampur

16/01/2021
UDHAMPUR, Jan 14: Two women were killed and seven critically injured when a mini-bus skidded off the road and rolled down into a gorge in Udhampur district on Thursday night, officials said. The mishap occurred when the driver lost control of the vehicle at Dibbar area in outskirts of the city, they said. The injured were shifted to Udhampur district hospital for treatment, they said.

Army’s revised SOP leads to surrenders of terrorists; 4 units receive COAS commendation

16/01/2021
AWANTIPORA, Jan 15: The Indian Army has changed its standard operating procedure (SOP) for anti-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir to now focus on ensuring surrenders during live encounters notwithstanding the threat to the lives of its personnel -- a policy that has helped save the lives of 17 youths in the last six months. On the occasion of Army Day on Friday, four Rashtriya Rifles (RR) units working under the Victor Force, which combats terrorist activities in south Kashmir and par...

Mercury settles several degrees below freezing point in Kashmir

16/01/2021
SRINAGAR, Jan 15: Kashmir reeled under intense cold wave conditions on Friday as mercury stayed several degrees below the freezing point, resulting in freezing of several water bodies including the Dal Lake. Srinagar recorded a low of minus 7.6 degrees Celsius which is around five degrees below normal for this time of the year, MET department officials said. The city had recorded a low of minus 8.4 degrees Celsius on Thursday, which was the lowest temperature in Srinagar since 1991. Srin...

Stage set for roll-out of world’s biggest vaccination drive against COVID

16/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 15: India is all set to roll out the world's biggest vaccination programme on Saturday with over 3 lakh healthcare workers to be inoculated on the first day of the much-anticipated drive against coronavirus which the Centre said is "probably the beginning of the end" of COVID-19. A total of 3,006 session sites across all states and union territories will be virtually connected during the launch at 10.30 am by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and around 100 beneficiaries will be vacc...

India, Nepal discuss cooperation on border management, political, security issues

16/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 15: Foreign ministers of India and Nepal on Friday held a comprehensive review of all aspects of bilateral ties and explored ways to further strengthen cooperation in key areas of connectivity, trade and energy, in the first high-level engagement between the two nations after relations nosedived following a boundary row last year. In the sixth India-Nepal Joint Commission Meeting (JCM), External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Nepalese counterpart Pradeep Kumar Gyawali dis...

Car used by J&K House in Delhi stolen

16/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 15: A car used by the Jammu and Kashmir House in Delhi was allegedly stolen from outside Prem Nagar market here, police said on Thursday. The car was stolen on Tuesday when the driver parked the vehicle outside the market, they said. A case has been registered in this regard at the Kotla Mubarakpur Police Station, said Atul Kumar Thakur, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South). The car's bonnet had government vehicle' printed on it, police said, adding that CCTV cameras are bein...

PM doesn’t respect farmers, wants to tire out those protesting against agri laws: Rahul

16/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not respect farmers and wants to tire out those protesting against the Centre's new agriculture laws, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged on Friday. He also claimed that the talks that are being held with farmer leaders are part of the government's delaying tactics. The farmers will not relent till the laws are repealed, Gandhi said at Jantar Mantar, where he and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joined party MPs from Punjab...

Modi to launch COVID-19 vaccination drive on January 16

15/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch India's COVID-19 vaccination drive on January 16 via video conferencing and adequate doses of the two made-in-India vaccines have been delivered across the country to all states and Union Territories, the government said on Thursday. This will be the world's largest vaccination programme covering the entire length and breadth of the country and all preparations are in place to initiate the programme on the principles of 'Jan Bhagidari...

Centre sends rulebook to states

15/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 14: Two days to go for the rollout of the Covid vaccines, the Centre circulated the dos and don’ts for vaccination to the states this evening. The rollout on Saturday is expected to cover 3 lakh healthcare workers across 3,006 sites across the country. Vaccination is allowed only for those who are above the age of 18 years, the Centre said. Women who are pregnant or not sure of their pregnancy and lactating mothers should not receive the vaccine. The Centre also said that inter...

India & China continue to maintain close communication: MEA on Ladakh standoff

15/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 14: India and China continue to maintain close communication through diplomatic and military channels with the objective of ensuring complete disengagement at all friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, the Ministry of External Affairs(MEA) said on Thursday. The MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said the two sides have agreed to hold the next round of military talks and are in constant communication in this regard. "India and China continue to...

Naeem Akhtar admitted to hospital

15/01/2021
SRINAGAR, Jan 14: Senior PDP leader Naeem Akhtar, who was arrested in December, was admitted to a private hospital on Thursday after he fell unconscious in a sub-jail here, his family said on Thursday.

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board’s hi-tech Call Centre inaugurated

15/01/2021
KATRA, Jan 14: Taking a major leap towards creating a robust response mechanism to address the queries and grievances regarding Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji pilgrimage, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, who is also the Chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, today inaugurated a hi-tech, round the clock Call Centre for devotees of the Holy Shrine at Spiritual Growth Centre, Katra. Terming the Call Centre as yet another initiative of the Shrine Board towards optimum utilization of avai...

3 COVID-19 deaths reported in J&K

15/01/2021
JAMMU, Jan 14: Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday recorded 79 new positive cases and three deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of infections to 1,22,964 and the death toll to 1,915, officials said. Out of the fresh cases, 30 were from Jammu division and 49 from Kashmir division of the union territory, they said. The officials said Srinagar district recorded the highest of 26 cases followed by 23 in Jammu district. While six districts -- Shopian, Samba, Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi and ...

Committed to resolve disputes through talks; will stand firm against any attempt to ‘unilaterally’ change status quo: Army Chief

15/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 14: The Indian Army will stand firm against any attempt to "unilaterally" change the "status quo" at the borders and its desire for peace and tranquillity should not be interpreted as a sign of weakness, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane said on Thursday, remarks that came against the backdrop of the Ladakh standoff with China. In a message aired on All India Radi(AIR) on the eve of the Army Day on Friday, Gen Naravane said the Army is committed to resolving disputes through dialogue. ...

Govt-farmers talks to take place as scheduled on Friday; Tomar says hopeful of positive discussion

15/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 14: The government's ninth round of negotiations with protesting farmer unions will take place as scheduled on Friday and the Centre is hopeful of positive discussions, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said on Thursday. "The government is ready to hold talks with farmers' leaders with an open mind," Tomar told reporters here. Clearing the confusion over the fate of the ninth round of talks, which was the only outcome in the last meeting on January 8, in the wake of the...

India records less than 20,000 new COVID-19 cases daily during last 7 days

15/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 14: India reported 16,946 new COVID-19 cases and 198 deaths in the last 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry said on Thursday. With this, India has recorded less than 20,000 daily new cases during the last seven days and less than 300 daily deaths during the last 20 days. In the last 24 hours, only 16,946 persons were found to be infected with COVID in India. In the same period, India also registered 17,652 new recoveries ensuring a net decline of 904 cases in the active caseload...

Lok Sabha session to begin on Jan 29, Union Budget to be presented on Feb 1

15/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 14: The Budget Session of Parliament will commence on January 29 and the Union Budget will be presented on February 1. The session is likely to conclude by April 8, with a recess of 20 days between February 15 and March 8, according to a press release issued Thursday. Parliament will resume later this month for the first time since September, when the Monsoon Session was cut short by seven days after many MPs tested positive for Covid-19. The government subsequently decided to ...

Befitting reply if any ‘superpower’ hurts national pride: Rajnath

15/01/2021
BENGALURU, Jan 14: India does not want a war but its soldiers are capable of giving befitting reply if any 'superpower' hurts the country's pride, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday amid the eight-month-old border standoff with China. "We don't want war and we are in favour of protecting everyone's security but I want to say this in clear terms that if any superpower wants to hurt our pride then our soldiers are capable of giving them a befitting reply," Singh said. The Defence m...

Rahul asks why PM is silent on Chinese troops sitting inside Indian territory

15/01/2021
MADURAI, Jan 14: Slamming the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government for China's alleged entry in Indian territory, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi is silent about the fact that 'Chinese troops are sitting inside Indian territory'. Addressing the media during his trip to Madurai, the Wayanad MP claimed that the BJP government is conspiring to destroy the farmers to benefit a few of its corporate 'friends'. "What is China doing i...

150-m cross-border tunnel detected by BSF along IB in Hiranagar sector

14/01/2021
Jammu, Jan 13: A 150-metre tunnel constructed along the International Border (IB) to facilitate infiltration of terrorists into Jammu and Kashmir from Pakistan was detected by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district on Wednesday, officials said. This is the third tunnel unearthed by alert border guards along the IB in the twin districts of Samba and Kathua in Jammu region over the past six months and ninth in the past decade. "A nearly 150-metre-long tunne...

J&K receives first batch of Covishield vaccine

14/01/2021
JAMMU, Jan 13: Jammu and Kashmir today received the first batch of Covid-19 vaccine (Covishield) from Serum Institute of India, Pune. As many as 1,46,500 doses of Covishield vaccine have been received out of which 79,000 are for Kashmir division and 67, 500 are for Jammu division. The vaccine is being stored at the Divisional cold chain stores at Jammu and Kashmir divisions from where it will be distributed to all the Districts maintaining the cold chain at all levels. Director Health Service...

Police arrests 23 people in connection with cyber frauds, hacking

14/01/2021
SRINAGAR, Jan 13: The Jammu and Kashmir Police has arrested 23 people after multiple raids were conducted at different call centres in Srinagar in connection with cyber frauds and hacking. According to police, arrests were made after a First Information Report (FIR) was registered under sections 66, 66-B and 66-C of the IT Act, and sections 419 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The FIR on the reports of cyber frauds and hacking was registered at Cyber Police Station, Kashmir Zone, Srinag...

J&K Bank’s executive manager among 6 booked by CBI for depositing Rs 12.84 cr in banned currency

14/01/2021
New Delhi, Jan 13: Over four years after the demonetisation exercise, the CBI has booked the executive manager of a bank, three firm proprietors and two persons for depositing Rs 12.84 crore in banned currency which was later transferred to different accounts through net banking as legitimate money, officials said. Based on "source information" received on December 10 last year, the CBI has filed an FIR saying Rahul Chaudhary and Dushyant Chaudhary were operating accounts of Shiva Trading Comp...

Srinagar records minus 7.8 degrees Celsius, lowest in 8 years

14/01/2021
SRINAGAR, Jan 13: The Kashmir Valley reeled under severe cold, with Srinagar city the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir recording its lowest minimum temperature in eight years, the Meteorological Depart-ment said here on Wednesday. Srinagar recorded a low of minus 7.8 degrees Celsius, which was the lowest temperature recorded in the city in eight years, an official of the MET department said. He said the exact same minimum temperature was recorded in the city in 2012 on January 14. The res...

Fighting menace of terrorism requires robust support from UNSC, international community: India

14/01/2021
United Nations, Jan 13: India on Wednesday said that the UN mission in Mali is overburdened with a huge mandate but is functioning with inadequate resources and called for equipping the mission with commensurate resources, as it stressed that fighting the menace of terrorism in the Sahel region will require more robust support from the Security Council and the international community. Speaking at the UN Security Council meeting on UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (M...

J&K records 121 new coronavirus cases, no deaths reported

14/01/2021
JAMMU, Jan 13: Jammu and Kashmir did not record any coronavirus deaths in the past 24 hours but 121 new positive cases took the number of infected people to 1,22,885, officials said on Wednesday. Out of the fresh cases, 55 were from Jammu division and 66 from Kashmir division of the union territory, they said. The officials said Jammu district recorded the highest of 47 cases followed by 35 in Srinagar district. Anantnag, Kulgam, Poonch, Ramban, Reasi and Kishtwar did not report any fresh cas...

NSA Doval visits Kabul, discusses Afghan peace process, combating terrorism

14/01/2021
New Delhi, Jan 13: National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval on Wednesday visited Kabul and met with Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani and his Afghan counterpart Hamdullah Mohib to discuss cooperation in the ongoing peace process and combating terrorism. He also met former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai. Sediq Sediqqi, Ghani's spokesperson said in a tweet that the two sides discussed expansion of cooperation in countering terrorism, and strengthening regional consensus on the Afghan peac...

India clears Tejas jet deal worth Rs 48,000 cr in a boost to domestic aerospace industry

14/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 13: In a major decision aimed at boosting the domestic aerospace industry, India on Wednesday approved a much-awaited deal worth Rs 48,000 crore to procure 83 indigenously-developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas for the Indian Air Force. The decision to procure the fleet was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister NarendraModi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said. "The CCS chaired by PM Sh.@narendramodi today approved the larg...

Police arrests 2 LeT terrorist associates, recovers arms, ammunition

14/01/2021
Srinagar, Jan 13: Srinagar Police on Wednesday arrested two terrorist associates of proscribed terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) from Bulbul Bagh Barzulla area of district Srinagar. The police said in a statement that the arrested terrorist associates have been identified as Muzaffar Jan son of GhulamNabi Mir resident of Old Barzulla Srinagar and Abass Shafi Najar son of Mohd Shafi Najar resident of Natipora Srinagar. The police said that arms and ammunition including two Chinese pistols,...

Bird Flu: Unusual mortality reported in some districts of Jharkhand, J&K

14/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 13: Bird flu has been confirmed in 9 states and 1 Union Territory so far while cases of unusual mortality have been reported in some districts of Jharkhand and Jammu & Kashmir, the Centre on Wednesday said, and asked the state governments not to ban supply of poultry products. Till Monday, bird flu outbreak was confirmed in Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Gujarat. "Cases of Avian Influenza have bee...

90% of farmers not in favour of continuing agitation after SC stay on farm laws’ implementation: BCI

14/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 13: Terming the Supreme Court's order staying the implementation of the three farm laws as "a historic step," the Bar Council Of India (BCI) has said that 90 per cent of "peaceful farmers" are not in favour of continuing the agitation. "Everybody knows that 90 per cent of the peace-loving farmers are not in favour of the continuance of agitation after the stay order of Supreme Court but persons with vested interests are trying to fulfill their own political ambition even at the ...

SC stays implementation of 3 new Farm Laws, sets up panel to resolve impasse

13/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 12: The Supreme Court Tuesday stayed the implementation of new farm laws till further orders saying it may encourage the protesting farmers to come to the negotiating table in good faith, and constituted a 4-member committee to listen to their grievances as also make recommendations to resolve the issue. The stay may assuage the hurt feelings of farmers and encourage them to come to the negotiating table with confidence, a bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde said. It also o...

Will never tolerate cross-border TERRORISM: Gen Naravane

13/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 12: In a stern message to Pakistan, Chief of Army Staff Gen MM Naravane on Tuesday said India will never tolerate cross-border terrorism and it reserves the right to respond with precision to any terror activity at a time and place of its choosing. Addressing a press conference ahead of Army Day on January 15, he also said India must be prepared to deal with a "two-front" threat scenario as collusive approach by Pakistan and China was manifesting on the ground. "Pakistan contin...

‘I am stressed too... It can result in good work’

13/01/2021
‘I am stressed too. Stress is not a bad thing,’ army chief Gen MM Naravane said in a lighter vein on Tuesday, dismissing a recently reported survey that claimed that more than half of Indian Army personnel seem to be under severe stress. The Chief of Army Staff said that the report was based on an inadequate sample size of 400. He said said that several steps were being taken to reduce stress among the personnel, and noted that the number of suicides in the force has been coming down. "Based...

Dynastic politics burdens country with incompetence: Modi

13/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 12: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday blasted dynastic politics as the "biggest enemy" of democracy and said it gives rise to a new form of "dictatorship" and burdens the country with "incompetence". Addressing the valedictory function of the second National Youth Parliament Festival, Modi launched an all out attack on dynastic parties, saying those who rise due to their dynasties have no respect and fear of law as they believe if their previous generations were not accoun...

J&K witnessed positive changes in past two years: DGP

13/01/2021
JAMMU, Jan 12: Director General of Police Dilbag Sigh on Tuesday said a number of positive changes have taken place in the Union Territory over the past two years and the police force will continue to work with more dedication to strengthen peace and stability in the region. Singh was speaking at a closing ceremony of the 9th Police Martyrs Memorial Inter Club Cricket Championship at Kathua district. "The Jammu and Kashmir Police is engaged on different fronts to strengthen the peace in Jammu...

Bukhari advocates early restoration of statehood, assembly polls

13/01/2021
JAMMU, Jan 12: Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) president Syed Mohammed Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday advocated the early restoration of statehood and holding of assembly elections in the Union Territory, asserting that the people desperately need a popular government as the present administration is paralysed . Bukhari also pitched for the immediate restoration of the 4G internet mobile service, stipend for unemployed educated youth, release of arrested youth and rehabilitation policy for m...

NIA files charge-sheet against doctor who joined ISIS

13/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 12: The National Investigation Agency on Tuesday filed a charge-sheet against a doctor who allegedly joined the Islamic State terror group to further its ideology and illegal activities in India, an official said. The charge-sheet was filed before a special NIA court here under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against 28-year-old Abdur Rahman of Bengaluru. "Rahman has been charge-sheeted for furthering the ideology and ...

PAGD not for petty electoral gains, but for restoration of special status: Mehbooba

13/01/2021
SRINAGAR, Jan 11: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday asserted that the formation of Gupkar Alliance was not for petty electoral gains, but for the restoration of special status of Jammu and Kashmir. "Amidst all the unnecessary speculation about PAGD, Id like make a few things absolutely clear. The purpose of this grand alliance is not for petty electoral gains. It exists for a much larger cause & purpose i.e to restore J&Ks special status," she said in a series of tweets. The PDP leader w...

Jammu-Srinagar highway may take 10 days to become motorable

13/01/2021
SRINAGAR, Jan 12: The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway which was closed on Sunday due to sudden collapse of a bridge continues to remain closed and may take 10 days to become motorable again, officials said on Tuesday. "Jammu-Srinagar National Highway shall remain closed due to sudden collapse of retaining wall of a bridge near Kela Morh, Ramban on January 10 at 6:20 p.m. Repairing by concrete filling and settling of the concrete for making it motorable may take approximately 10 days as per NHA...

J&K records 113 fresh cases, one more death

13/01/2021
JAMMU, Jan 12: Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday recorded 113 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the infection tally to 1,22,764 while the death toll reached 1,912 with one more fatality, officials said. Out of the fresh cases, 65 were from Jammu division and 48 from Kashmir division of the Union Territory, they said. The officials said Jammu district recorded the highest of 48 cases followed by 24 in Srinagar district. While Rajouri and Kishtwar did not report any fresh cases, 16 other districts had n...

Of all COVID-19 vaccine doses ordered 54.72 lakh received till Tuesday afternoon: Centre

13/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 12: The Centre said that 54.72 lakh of the entire stock of COVID-19 vaccine doses ordered so far have been received at designated national and state-level vaccine stores in states and Union Territories till Tuesday afternoon with the coronavirus inoculation drive set to begin from January 16. Addressing a press conference, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said all the shots, consisting of 1.1 crore doses from Serum Institute of India (SII) and 55 lakh doses from Bharat Biot...

J&KHCBA Jammu to hold elections in Mid March 21

13/01/2021
JAMMU, Jan 12: The J&K High Court Bar Association, Jammu, organized its Special General House meeting today in the open Lawn, near Flag Hoisting Site, High Court of J&K Janipur, Jammu, under the Chairmanship of Sh. Ved Raj Wazir, Sr Advocate, Chairman, Presidium, J&K High Court Bar Association, Jammu, in which majority of the members including Senior Advocates and other worthy members participated .The members of Presidium JKHCBAJ namely S.D.S Saini, Adv. Former President, S. Surinder Si...

There must be no ifs and buts in fighting terrorism, no good or bad terrorists: India at UNSC

13/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 12: Asserting that there must be no ifs and buts in the fight against terrorism, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said that countries must not countenance double standards in this battle and "terrorists are terrorists, there are no good and bad ones". Speaking at the United Nations Security Council open debate on "International Cooperation in combating terrorism 20 years after the adoption of 1373", he said there are countries that are clearly guilty of aiding a...

SC raps Centre over prolonged impasse with protesting farmers, indicates it may stay implementation of farm laws

12/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 11: The Supreme Court on Monday rapped the Centre over the prolonged impasse with the protesting farmers demanding the repeal of the three new farm laws, saying it was extremely disappointed with the negotiation process, and also expressed its inclination to stay the implementation of the acts. After some tough talk that the Centre has been given a long rope and "failed" to break the deadlock and not been "effective" in handling the stir, the court said it will pronounce orders ...

RUBIYA SYED KINDAPPING CASE: TADA Court frames charges against Yaseen Malik, 9 others

12/01/2021
JAMMU, Jan 11: After registration of 30 years of FIR in Rubiya Syed Kidnapping case, Special Judge TADA Jammu Sunit Gupta today order of framing charges against Yasin Malik JKLF Supremeo, Ali Mohd Mir, Mohd. Zaman Mir, Iqbal Ahmad Gandroo , Javed Ahmad Mir , Mohd. Rafiq Pahloo @ Nana Ji @ Saleem , Manzoor Ahmed Sofi, Wajahat Bashir , Mehraj-ud-Din Sheikh and Showkat Ahmad Bakshi S/O Ghulam Mohd Bakshi. According to the CBI case that in the first week of December 1989, the accused persons...

J&K witnessed 63.93% decrease in terrorist incidents in 2020: MHA

12/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 11: The number of terrorist incidents in 2020, up to November 15, decreased by 63.93 per cent as compared to the corres-ponding period in 2019 in Jammu and Kashmir, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The Ministry informed that there was also a decrease in fatalities of Special Forces Personnel by 29.11 per cent and a decrease in casualties of civilians by 14.28 per cent in 2020 (up to November 15, 2020) as compared to the corresponding period in 2019. The home min...

J&K records 113 new COVID cases

12/01/2021
JAMMU, Jan 11: Jammu and Kashmir on Monday recorded 113 new positive cases, while one death took place in the last 24 hours, taking the infection tally to 1,22,651 and the death toll to 1,911, officials said. Of the fresh cases, 46 were from Jammu division and 67 from Kashmir division of the union territory, they said. The officials said Srinagar district recorded the highest of 42 cases followed by 35 in Jammu district. While four districts -- Doda, Samba, Reasi and Ramban -- did not report...

14-yr-old boy injured in Pakistani shelling along LoC in Poonch

12/01/2021
JAMMU, Jan 11: A 14-year-old boy was seriously injured on Monday in Pakistani shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district, officials said. Mohammad Jehangir was hit by splinters when a mortar shell exploded near his house in Shahpur sector during intense shelling by Pakistan Army, the officials said. The injured boy is being shifted to hospital, the officials said. The Shahpur sector witnessed heavy mortar shelling by the Pakistan side twice during the day, prompting stro...

Two JeM overground workers held in Pulwama

12/01/2021
SRINAGAR, Jan 11: Security forces on Monday arrested two overground workers of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) from Pulwama district, police said. "Police along with Army and CRPF arrested two terrorist associates of proscribed outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad from Awantipora area who are involved in providing shelter, support and logistics," a police official said. He said the arrested per-sons were also transporting arms and ammunition of the militants in Awantipora and Tral areas of the district and passing...

Made-in-India COVID vaccines more cost-effective than others in world: Modi

12/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the two already approved made-in-India COVID-19 vaccines are more cost-effective than any other in the world and have been developed as per the country's needs. Interacting with chief ministers of all states to discuss the COVID-19 situation and the vaccination roll-out in the country, Modi also said that apart from the two already approved vaccines, four others are in the pipeline. "Our experts have taken all precautions to provi...

No avian death reported from prominent Hokersar wetland, but officials maintain vigil

12/01/2021
SRINAGAR, Jan 11: No bird deaths have been reported from Hokersar wetland -- Kashmir's largest and the most prominent wetland -- even as a sustained surveillance and monitoring campaign for bird flu has been launched in the valley, officials said on Monday. A team of experts from the Institute of Animal Health and Biological Products (IAH&BP), Zakura, Animal Husbandry Department, Kashmir, in coordination with the Wildlife Protection Department, Kashmir, visited the wetland Monday to set in...

Army, police on alert to foil infiltration bid by terrorists from across LoC: IGP

12/01/2021
JAMMU, Jan 11: The Army and police are on alert to foil any attempt of infiltration into Jammu and Kashmir by terrorists assembled at launching pads across the Line of Control, a top police officer said on Monday. Asserting that attempts were being made revive terrorism in Poonch, a border district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said six terrorists and over-ground workers of terror groups have been arrested in Mendhar-Poonch district in the last few months. Inspector General of Police (IGP),...

Jammu-Srinagar NH closed after road patch caves in; repair work to take 5 days

12/01/2021
JAMMU, Jan 11: The 270-kilometre Jammu-Srinagar national highway was closed for traffic after a portion of the road caved in near Ramban town, officials said on Monday, adding the repair work would take at least five days to restore the arterial route. A portion of the road near Kela Morh, about four km ahead of the Ramban district headquarters, sank after a concrete retaining wall of the bridge collapsed, leading to the sinking of the road on Sunday evening, the officials said. "The construc...

BJP’s vote share down by 25% in DCC polls: Patil

12/01/2021
JAMMU, Jan 11: The Congress on Monday claimed that the BJP's vote share in the District Development Council (DDC) polls declined by around 25 per cent in Jammu region as compared to the last Lok Sabha elections. Jammu and Kashmir Congress in-charge Rajni Patil alleged that the BJP made every attempt to polarise the election atmosphere for vested political interests but the Congress is a unifying force and would not compromise on its inclusive policies for the sake of political interests. "The...

ACB registers FIR in disproportionate assets case against Patwari, Ors

12/01/2021
JAMMU. Jan 11: Based upon the results of a Preliminary Enquiry conducted by the Anti Corruption Bureau on the allegations that one Javed Ahmed (Patwari) S/O Bashir Ahmed R/o Village Kanger Tehsil Bhalwal District Jammu posted as Patwari in Revenue Department at Kote has amassed huge immovable properties worth Crore of rupees in his own name and in the names of his family members which were highly disproportionate to his known sources of income, an FIR No. 02/2021 (PS ACB Central) was regist...

Joshi arrives in Jammu on 4-day visit to review organisational matters of RSS

12/01/2021
JAMMU, Jan 11: Senior leader of the RSS, Suresh "Bhaiyyaji" Joshi, arrived here on Monday on a four-day visit to review the organis-ational matters of the Sangh in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Joshi, the national general secretary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), will take stock of the work done by the organisation during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, a spokesperson of the Sangh said. After his arrival in Jammu, Joshi has attended me...

India's COVID-19 tally climbs to 1,04,66,595, active cases stand at 2,22,526

12/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 11: The total number of COVID-19 cases climbed to 1,04,66,595 including 2,22,526 active cases, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Monday. The cumulative recoveries reached 1,00,92,909 while the death toll has reached 1,51,160. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a total of 18,17,55,831 samples were tested for COVID-19 up to January 10 including 6,59,209 samples tested yesterday. India on Monday reported daily coronavirus case...

Amshipora encounter case: Army says it has no system of cash rewards for its personnel

12/01/2021
SRINAGAR, Jan 11: The Army on Monday denied that its captain, who is facing disciplinary proceedings for an alleged fake encounter in Amshipora, was "driven" by a Rs 20-lakh reward for killing terrorists, virtually contradicting the charge sheet filed by Jammu and Kashmir in the case. A brief statement by Srinagar-based defence spokesperson Col Rajesh Kalia said there was no system of cash rewards for Army personnel for any acts in combat situations or otherwise in the line of duty. "There ar...

Moderate earthquake jolts Kishtwar

12/01/2021
JAMMU, Jan 11: A moderate intensity earthquake of magnitude 5.1 hit Kishtwar district on Monday, an official of the Meteorological Department said. A police official said there was no immediate report of any damage in the earthquake which caused panic among the people who rushed out of their buildings. The tremors were felt at 7.32 pm and lasted for a few seconds, the official said. The earthquake had a depth of five kilometer and the epicentre was at latitude 33.34 degrees north and longitude...

Court grants seven days transit remand to PDP Leader

12/01/2021
JAMMU, Jan 11: Special Judge NIA Sunit Gupta today granted seven days transit remand of PDP Leader Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra S/O Ghulam Ahmad Parra R/O Naira, Pulwama and Mukhtyar Ahmed Waza @ Munir Ahmed Sofi S/O Mohd. Subhan Sofi R/O Darbari Mohalla, Bijbehara, Anantnag who were arrested by the CIK. Special Judge NIA Sunit Gupta after perusal of remand application reveals that Police Station CIK Srinagar has registered an FIR No. 31/2020 for the offences under sections 13/17/18/38/39/4...

Lt Gov declares ‘Heavy Snowfall’ as state specific Natural Calamity under SDRF

11/01/2021
JAMMU, Jan 10: Extending the much needed relief to the people of snow bound areas, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha declared 'Heavy Snowfall' as state specific Natural Calamity under SDRF norms. The Lieutenant Governor was chairing a meeting to take stock of the winter management, particularly, snow clearance efforts of Administration, with all DCs and SSPs of Kashmir Division, through virtual mode, at the Raj Bhavan here today. Pertinently, 'Heavy Snowfall' was not figuring in the list o...

Pak violates CEASEFIRE in different sectors along LoC, IB

11/01/2021
JAMMU, Jan 10: Pakistani troops violated ceasefire by resorting to unprovoked mortar shelling and firing on forward posts and villages in different sectors along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) in Rajouri, Poonch and Kathua districts of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Sunday. However, there was no immediate report of any damage on the Indian side, they said. At about 3 pm, Pakistan (Army) initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and s...

Major tragedy averted as IED-fitted motorcycle detected in Mendhar

11/01/2021
JAMMU, Jan 10: A major tragedy was averted with the timely detection of a 2.4 kg Improvised Explosive Device (IED) fitted on a motorcycle in Mendhar sector of Poonch district, a police officer said on Sunday. The IED was found planted on the roadside along Gohlad Reelan-Mendhar Road by a police party around 10 pm on Saturday and was destroyed in a controlled explosion by the bomb disposal squad around 1 pm on Sunday, Poonch Senior Superintendent of Police Ramesh Angral said. Quoting prelimina...

Srinagar-Jammu national highway reopens for traffic

11/01/2021
SRINAGAR, Jan 10: The Srinagar-Jammu national highway was reopened on Sunday after seven days in the wake of heavy snowfall last week, even as the city and some other parts of Kashmir received another spell of snowfall, officials said. The 260 kilometre-long highway -- the only all-weather road connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country -- was re-opened for fresh traffic on Sunday morning, the officials said. They, however, said only one-way traffic was allowed from Jammu towards Sri...

Bird flu confirmed in 7 states; test results of Delhi, Maharashtra samples awaited

11/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 10: The Centre on Sunday said bird flu outbreak has been confirmed in seven states -- Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, while test results are still awaited for Delhi and Maha-rashtra samples. No samples have been confirmed positive in wild birds from Balod district, Chhattisgarh which were tested earlier, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying said in a statement. After confirmation of avian influenza (bird flu) p...

SC to hear pleas on farm laws, ongoing farmers’ agitation at Delhi borders on Monday

11/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 10: Amid a deadlock in the government's negotiations with protesting farmer unions, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday a clutch of pleas challenging the new farm laws as well as the ones raising issues related to the ongoing agitation at Delhi borders. The eighth round of talks between the Centre and the farmer unions on January 7 appeared heading nowhere as the Centre ruled out repealing the contentious laws while the farmer leaders said they are ready to fight ti...

LeT hideout busted in Pulwama, militant associate held

11/01/2021
SRINAGAR, Jan 10: Security forces on Sunday busted a hideout of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and arrested a militant associate in Pulwama district, police said. Based on credible input regarding the presence of LeT militants in a hideout located in a house in Chandhara Pampore village of the south Kashmir district's Awantipora area, security forces launched a search operation early this morning, a police officer said. During the search, the hideout was unearthed in a cowshed and subsequently des...

Man dies of stab injuries; family stages protest

11/01/2021
JAMMU, Jan 10: A man died of stab injuries at the Government Medical College here on Sunday, triggering protests by his family, even as police said one of the three accused in the case have been arrested. Mohammad Shariq (38) was stabbed by three assailants at Bhagwati Nagar locality of the city last week. He was undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College (GMC), officials said. Shariq, a driver by profession, breathed his last early Sunday following which his family members ga...

Harsh winter freezes taps, plunges village in Bhaderwah valley into water crisis

11/01/2021
BHADERWAH, Jan 10: Severe water crisis has grip-ped a village in Bhaderwah valley in Doda district, which is facing the harshest winter in years, freezing water pipelines and forcing residents to travel long distances in search of potable water. Located on the hilly slopes around 25 km from the Bhaderwah town, Sunote village in the middle of a dense cedar forest comprises nearly two dozen houses, including six tribal Gujjar families. Frozen taps and over-ground water pipes in the village have...

16 pilgrims injured in road accident

11/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that doubts were once expres-sed about democracy working in India, but today the country is the most vibrant democracy in the world. Speaking at the 16th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention, he said that when India gained independence, some people felt that the country would break up as it was poor and its people were not so well educated. "India's history is a testimony to the fact that whenever apprehensions were raised about our...

Army Captain staged Amshipura encounter for Rs 20 lakh: Police

11/01/2021
SHOPIAN, Jan 10: The Army Captain, who was involved in the alleged fake encounter in Shopian in July last year in which three youths were killed, had hatched a conspiracy along with two civilians with the motive for "grabbing" a reward money of Rs 20 lakh and also fired at the victims even before his men could lay a cordon of the area, according to a police charge sheet. Captain Bhoopinder Singh is currently in the custody of the Army, with informed sources saying he may face Court Martial pro...

J&K reports 113 cases, one death

11/01/2021
JAMMU, Jan 10: Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday recorded 113 coronavirus cases and one death due to it, taking the infection tally to 1,22,538 and the death toll to 1,910, officials said. Of the fresh cases, 56 were reported from Jammu division and 57 from Kashmir division, they said. Jammu district recorded the highest number of 48 cases, followed by 18 in Srinagar district. Seven districts in the union territory -- Bandipora, Kulgam, Udhampur, Kishtwar, Poonch, Reasi and Ramban -- did not repor...

Govt pays Rs 1,364 cr to over 20 lakh undeserving beneficiaries under PM-KISAN: RTI data

11/01/2021
NEW DELHI, Jan 10: The government has paid Rs 1,364 crore to 20.48 lakh undeserving beneficiaries under its ambitious PM-KISAN scheme, a reply to a Right to Information (RTI) query by the Union Agriculture Ministry reveals. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sammann Nidhi (PM-KISAN) was launched by the Centre in 2019 and under the scheme, an income support of Rs 6,000 per year in three equal installments is paid to small and marginal farmer families having combined land holding or ownership of up to 2 hecta...

Billawaria congratulates Aditya clearing UPSC examination

11/01/2021
JAMMU, Jan 10: Chair-man Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and senior BJP leader Baldev Singh Billawaria paid a visit to Aditya Sangotra's residence and congratulated him for clearing UPSC examination. While greeting him he also hoped his selection would definitely inspire others to work hard & achieve goals in their lives. Billawaria said that Aditya Sangotra's guardian is a government teacher, he has given good values to his child. For once education it is equally dependent upon both parents...