Infiltration bid foiled, terrorist killed in Baramulla

20/08/2018
SRINAGAR, Aug 19: The security forces on Sunday foiled an infiltration bid and gunned down one terrorist Baramulla district. The operation is still in progress. This comes a day after the security forces killed three terrorists and successfully foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in Tangdhar sector of Kupwara district. Confirming the news, Director General of Police (DGP), Jammu and Kashmir, SPVaid said via a tweet, "Three terrorists killed by Army while infiltrating in...

Economy transformed under Modi, Cong creating ‘mirage’ of growth: BJP

20/08/2018
NEW DELHI, Aug 19: Hitting back at Congress over its claim of highest growth rate during UPA rule, the BJP today said India has transformed from "fragile five" economies to "fabulous few" investment destinations under Prime Minister NarendraModi-led dispensation, adding the previous government was trying to create a 'mirage' of growth. "Headline figures do not subvert the fact that Congress-led UPA rule was marked by reckless lending, macro-economic instability, high inflation, policy paralysi...

Samba Rape Case: Samba Sessions Court to hear arguments on Bail Application today

20/08/2018
Samba, Aug 19: The Sessions Court Samba will be hearing bail application in rape case filed by an accused TalibHussain today. Mr. A.K. Sawhney Advocate is representing Prosecutrix/ complainant and had already moved an application that complainant opposes the bail application andobjections to bail application have also been filed. Sessions Judge Samba has also listed the main challan for today alongwith bail application. Mr. Sawhney raised various objections to seek bail application so that one ...

Two women found dead in Reasi

20/08/2018
JAMMU, Aug 19: Two women were found dead under suspicious circumstances in Reasi district, the police said today. Vidya Devi was found hanging from a tree in a field behind her house in Kansar Bakal village last evening, a police official said. He said Devi had gone out for some work but when she failed to return home, her family started looking for her and found her dead. Police have started inquest proceedings to ascertain the cause of her death, the official said, adding that preliminary i...

India has been fastest growing economy in world for past 4 years: Jaitley

20/08/2018
NEW DELHI, Aug 19: Countering Congress stance that the UPA delivered the highest decadal growth since Independence, Union Minister ArunJaitley said on Sunday that India has been the fastest growing economy in the world for the last four years and has consistently overtaken China in the growth rate. In a blog on social networking site Facebook, MrJaitley said in the global context all economies were growing during the boom years, which was not peculiar only to India. It slowed down after the bo...

Rahul’s love Mani is back: BJP

20/08/2018
NEW DELHI, Aug 19: The BJP today took on Rahul Gandhi over the revocation of suspension from his party of Mani Shankar Aiyar, who had used objectionable language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying it exposed the Congress chief and his "love for a person of many controversies". Aiyar was suspended from the primary membership of the Congress on December 7 last year for his "neechaadmi" remarks against Modi on the eve of the Gujarat Assembly polls. Addressing a press conference at the ...

India, Thailand complete two-week-long ‘Exercise Maitree’

20/08/2018
NEW DELHI, Aug 19: The Indian Army and the Royal Thai Army today completed a two-week-long platoon level annual joint military exercise aimed at strengthening partnership and cooperation between them, the Army said here. 'Exercise Maitree' commenced on August 6 in Thailand. The exercise last year was held in Himachal Pradesh. This year, the exercise began with a cross-training period involving familiarisation training between the two armies to evolve drills and procedures involved in counter-...

JK gives Kerala Rs 2 cr for flood relief

20/08/2018
SRINAGAR/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Aug 19: The Jammu and Kashmir government today announced an assistance of Rs two crore for supporting the flood relief efforts in Kerala. Governor N NVohra has conveyed to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan the "sorrow and sincere sympathy" of the people and the government of the state over the "tragic" loss of hundreds of lives and the enormous damage of the public and private properties in the worst flood crisis that Kerala is facing in the past several decad...

Govt bans posting of teachers in Zonal Education Offices

20/08/2018
SRINAGAR, Aug 19: Director School Education Kashmir Dr. G.N. Itoo has said in a meeting with Joint Directors and Chief Education Officers (CEOs) of Kashmir Division that no teacher will be allowed to work in Zonal Education Offices. The meeting was organised to review the implementation of the directions of the state government regarding detachment of the employees at the ground level. The DSEK directed all the CEOs to implement the directions regarding the attachment of employees in letter a...

Mumbai blast accused Farooq Takla got Indian passport in 2011 with fake identity: CBI

20/08/2018
NEW DELHI, Aug 19: Farooq Takla, the alleged "active conspirator" behind the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts and a close aide of Dawood Ibrahim, had managed to get an Indian passport under the assumed identity of Mushtaq Mohammed Miyan in 2011, the CBI has said. The passport issued by the Indian consulate in Dubai was recovered from Takla when he was brought from there on March 8, 2018 and arrested at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here, the CBI has claimed in a charge sheet it filed before a...

China Defence Minister arrives on Tuesday; focus on boosting strategic communication between armies

20/08/2018
NEW DELHI, Aug 19: Chinese Defence Minister and State councillor Wei Fenghe will arrive here on Tuesday on a four-day visit during which the two sides are expected to explore specific measures to build trust between their armies, guarding the nearly 3,500 km Sino-India border, official sources said. They said the primary objective of Wei's visit is to deliberate with Indian defence establishment on implementation of decisions taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinpi...

Kashmiri engineer suspected to be ISIS sympathiser deported from UAE

20/08/2018
Srinagar, Aug 19: A Kashmiri man, suspected to be a sympathiser of the banned ISIS terror group, was recently deported to India from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), officials said here today. Thirty-six-year-old Irfan Ahmad Zargar, a resident of Chattatabal area on the outskirts of Srinagar, was deported from the Gulf country on August 14 and subjected to questioning by various security agencies, including the National Investigation Agency, they said. He was then handed over to the Jammu and K...

Swaraj meets top leadership of Mauritius, discusses bilateral ties

20/08/2018
PORT LOUIS, Aug 19: India and Mauritius today discussed measures to further strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation in the field of maritime security as External Affairs Minister SushmaSwaraj held talks with the country's top leadership. Swaraj, who was here to attend the 11th World Hindi Conference, called on Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and discussed bilateral ties. "Connecting with a maritime neighbour! EAM @SushmaSwaraj called on Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Ku...

Pak violates ceasefire in Uri sector

19/08/2018
Srinagar, Aug 18: Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri sector with unprovoked shelling this evening, although there was no loss of life, police said. "Some mortar shells were fired by Pakistani forces on the Thajal-Chranda area of Uri (in north Kashmir's Baramulla district)," Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Baramulla, ImtiyazHussain said. One of the shells hit a washroom adjacent to a house in Thajal and damaged it, he said. ...

PM announces Rs 500 crore assistance to Kerala

19/08/2018
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 18: Prime Minister NarendraModi undertook an aerial survey of monsoon ravaged Kerala and announced an immediate assistance of rs 500 crore, even as rain and landslides in some parts of the state caused concern. The rains have so far claimed 194 lives since August 8. Thousands of stranded people perched on terraces of their homes and marooned buildings were rescued by the Defence, NDRF personnel, fishermen and local people. Modi, who reviewed the flood situation in the...

Declare Kerala floods as national disaster: Rahul to PM

19/08/2018
NEW DELHI, Aug 18: Congress president Rahul Gandhi today appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare floods in Kerala as "a national disaster". The deadliest deluge in Kerala in close to a century has claimed 194 lives since August 8. Over 3.14 lakh people have been moved to relief camps. "Dear PM, please declare #Kerala floods a National Disaster without any delay. The lives, livelihood and future of millions of our people is at stake," Gandhi tweeted. He also appealed to Congres...

Govreviews all Immunization Programmes and preparation against spread of H1N1

19/08/2018
SRINAGAR, Aug 18: At a meeting held today Governor N.N Vohra reviewed the implementation status of the various Immunization Programmes, Measles Rubella Campaign and H1N1 which are being implemented by the State Health Department. The meeting was attended by Advisor (K) to Governor; Chief Secretary; Principal Secretary to Governor; Principal Secretary Health & Medical Education; Secretary to Govt. School Education; Secretary to Govt. Social Welfare; Principal, Govt. Medical College Srinagar; Pri...

Justice Mittal visits District Court Anantnag

19/08/2018
ANANTNAG, Aug 18: Chief Justice, Jammu and Kashmir High Court, Justice Gita Mittal, visited the District Court Complex Anantnag and interacted with the Judges and Lawyers here today. On the occasion, the Chief Justice said: "we, as lawyers and judges have been blessed with the power to deliver justice; therefore, we can mould the society towards the right direction." She stressed upon the lawyers and other concerned to set high goals for better and improved justice delivery system. She furth...

Samba Rape Case by accused Talib Hussain

19/08/2018
Samba, Aug 18: The Session Judge Samba today received the application of Mr. A.K. Sawhney Advocate filed on behalf of complainant victim and urged that he opposes the bail application of Talib Hussain. Application filed by MrSawhney includes objection to a bail application. Mr. Sawhney has opposed the bail application alleging that the accused is a habitual offender and numerous serious FIR are registered against him. He intimidates thewitnesses so much so that one FIR is registered against him...

FCS&CA Department suspends 3 FPS Licenses

19/08/2018
JAMMU, Aug 18: In a special drive for upcoming Eid-ul-Azha Festival, Director Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Jammu Amit Sharma directed a Special Surprise Drive along with team of officers from the Directorate, comprising of Deputy Director Supplies Joginder Singh Jasrotia, Deputy Director Food & Rationing Kulraj Singh, Assistant Director Enforce-ment /Member Vigilance Monitoring Committee Mukhter Ahmed, Assistant Director City Circle-I Zaheer Ahmed Kaifi and Inspectors Raman Kumar, Y...

Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan dies at age 80

19/08/2018
Geneva, Aug 18: Kofi Annan, one of the world's most celebrated diplomats and a charismatic symbol of the United Nations who rose through its ranks to become the first black African secretary-general, has died. He was 80. His foundation announced his death in Switzerland today in a tweet, saying that he died after a short unspecified illness. "Wherever there was suffering or need, he reached out and touched many people with his deep compassion and empathy," the foundation said in a statement. ...

Woman raped by 2 men

19/08/2018
Jammu, Aug 18: A woman was allegedly raped by two men in Reasi district, a police official said today. Based on a complaint lodged by the victim's mother, an FIR was registered against Anil Sharma alias Rinku and Narinder Kumar alias Kalu, he said. The police today arrested Rinku from Bhaga area here while efforts are underway to nab the other accused, he added.

Filmmakers must promote the culture of Kashmir: John Abraham

19/08/2018
Srinagar, Aug 18: Actor John Abraham today called upon filmmakers to concentrate on Kashmir's positivity and beauty instead of its politics, saying it is the responsibility of the film industry to make sure they show the state in a positive light. "Kashmir is one of the most beautiful places in the world, which needs to be presented in a good way. I have read about Kashmir and know its history since 1947. "I know the situation and how things are here. I understand everything. I understand the...

Cong finalises month-long, country wide agitation against Modi Govt on corruption

19/08/2018
New Delhi, Aug 18: Stepping up attack on the Modi government, the Congress today finalised a month-long, countrywide agitation to "expose" the alleged corruption under the BJP rule including the Rafale jet deal. The party also demanded that Kerala floods be declared a 'national calamity'. The final shape to the party's agitational plan was given at a meeting of top Congress leaders, including party general secretaries and in-charges of various states, state unit chiefs and legislature party le...

Omar to donate month's salary for Kerala flood relief, asks Guv to send relief

19/08/2018
Srinagar, Aug 18: National Conference vice-president and MLA Omar Abdullah today said he would donate a month's salary to the relief efforts in flood-ravaged Kerala, and appealed to Jammu and Kashmir Governor N NVohra to send some assistance to the southern state. The deadliest deluge in close to a century has claimed 194 lives in Kerala since August 8, and dealt a body blow to the scenic state, wrecking its tourism industry, destroying standing crops in thousands of hectares and inflicting hu...

Vajpayee’s ashes to be immersed in Haridwar

19/08/2018
New Delhi/ Lucknow, Aug 18: Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's ashes will be immersed in various rivers across the country, starting with the Ganga at Haridwar tomorrow, the BJP said today. The immersion ceremony at the holy city tomorrow will be attended by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, his Uttarakhand counterpart Trivendra Singh Rawat, chief ministers of other states and BJP president Amit Shah among others, party leader Bhupender ...

Nation bids tearful adieu to Vajpayee

18/08/2018
New Delhi, Aug 17: Former Prime Minister AtalBihari Vajpayee, whose appeal transcended party lines and geographical boundaries, was cremated with full military honours on Friday in the presence of the country's top leaders cutting across the political divide and adoring masses. Amidst chanting of vedic hymns and firing of a 21-gun salute by soldiers, his foster-daughter Namita lit the funeral pyre in the presence of a galaxy of leaders including Prime Minister NarendraModi, President Ram NathK...

Atalji will live on in hearts and minds of every Indian: Modi

18/08/2018
New Delhi, Aug 17: Paying his last respects to Bharatiya Janata Party stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister NarendraModi said he was an extraordinary personality who will live on in the hearts and minds of every Indian. Modi said that no words can ever do justice to Vajpayee's "rich contribution to the making of our country". "People came from all parts of India, from all sections of society pay tributes to an extraordinary personality who made an extraordinary contribution to the nati...

Samba Rape Case by accused Talib Hussain

18/08/2018
Samba, Aug 17: A rape case has been registered against TalibHussain the so called Bakerwal Leader at Police Station Samba. Vide FIR No. 211 of 2018 registered at Police Station Samba. Another FIR too was got registered by wife of TalibHussain alleging that brother of TalibHussain committed rape to her and Talib made an attempt to murder and threaten to Divorce, if Dowry of Rs. 10 lakhs is not paid to him. The offence of 498 RPC too was registered. However Mr. Talib who is resident of Distt.Kath...

Indo-Pak peace greatest tribute to Vajpayee: Farooq

18/08/2018
Srinagar, Aug 17: National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Friday said that friendship with Pakistan would be the greatest tribute that can be paid to late former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Speaking to media, Abdullah said, "He (Vajpayee) was a great man, I cannot see the values he had in anyone today. He was from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bharatiya Jana Sangh, but his ideology was opposite to theirs. He wanted India to be everybody's. He also wanted to s...

Atalji’s stature, dignity attracted me to public life: Kovind

18/08/2018
NEW DELHI, Aug 17: President Ram NathKovind today described AtalBihari Vajpayee's demise a personal loss for him and said it was the former prime minister's stature and dignity that attracted him to public life by giving up his legal profession. Conveying his condolences on the passing away of Vajpayee, the president in his letter to the former prime minister's adopted daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya said that working with him was an unforgettable experience. "Atalji's death is of course a ...

Army jawan killed in encounter

18/08/2018
SRINAGAR, Aug 17: An Army jawan was killed in an encounter with militants in Kupwara district today, the police said. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation at Kachloo village in Handwara area of Kup-wara district following in-formation about presence of militants there, a police official said. The official said as the security forces were carrying out searches, the militants opened fire on them, resulting in injuries to one soldier. The injured jawan was evacuated to 92 Base ...

Swami Agnivesh attacked on way to pay homage to Vajpayee

18/08/2018
NEW DELHI, Aug 17: Swami Agnivesh was allegedly heckled and assaulted near the BJP headquarters here today by some people, who the social activist said were BJP workers, when he was on his way to pay homage to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. A video of the alleged attack doing the rounds on social media shows some people heckling the 79-year-old social activist. Agnivesh said he had gone to pay homage to Vajpayee at the late leader's Krishna Menon residence, but was not allowed to...

Rains savage Kerala, death toll mounts to 173

18/08/2018
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 17: As a murderous monsoon savaged Kerala claiming 106 lives on a single day yesterday, the state plunged deeper into misery today with hospitals facing shortage of oxygen and fuel stations running dry, officials said. The deadliest deluge in close to a century has claimed 173 lives since August 8, and dealt a body blow to the scenic state, wrecking its tourism industry, destroying standing crops in thousands of hectares and inflicting huge damage to infrastructure. Pe...

India clocked 10.08 pc growth under Manmohan’s tenure, shows data

18/08/2018
NEW DELHI, Aug 17: Indian economy clocked a 10.08 per cent growth rate in 2006-07 under the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the highest since liberalisation of the economy in 1991, according to an official data. The highest ever growth rate since Independence was recorded at 10.2 per cent in 1988-89 when Rajiv Gandhi was prime minister. The back series data on GDP has been prepared by the Committee on Real Sector Statistics, constituted by the National Statistical Commission. The report h...

Woman shot dead by Hizb militants in Pulwama

18/08/2018
SRINAGAR, Aug 17: A woman was shot dead by suspected militants of the Hizbul Mujahideen in Pulwama district today, police said. Shameema Bano, a resident of Quil, was shot in the Drubgam area of Pulwama, an official said. He said the woman was rushed to a hospital where doctors declared her dead. A police spokesman said banned militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen was behind the killing of the woman. However, four civilians were injured today in a grenade attack by terrorists on a police installa...

CEO initiates process of revision, updation of Panchayat Electoral Roll-2018

18/08/2018
SRINAGAR, Aug 17: The Election Authority under Panchayati Raj Act, 1989 (Chief Electoral Officer J&K) has initiated the process of Revision and Updation of Panchayat Electoral Roll-2018(w.r.t 01-01-2018) as qualifying date) as prescribed in the rules governing the conduct of Panchayat Elections. The Draft Panchayat Electoral Roll shall be published on 18th August, 2018. The detailed public inviting claims and objections for revision of Panchayat Electoral along with details of Electoral Regist...

CBI raids former Bihar minister’s residence, places linked to shelter home case main accused

18/08/2018
PATNA, Aug 17: The CBI today conducted marathon raids at nearly a dozen properties in four districts of Bihar, including residences of former state minister Manju Verma in Patna and Begusarai, to collect vital clues relating to the Muzaffarpur shelter home sex scandal case. Raids in Patna, Muzaffarpur, Begusarai and Motihari, which began around 07:30 am concluded around 02:30 pm, official sources said. Besides the raids at former social welfare department minister's residence in Patna, the ce...

Imran Khan elected as Pakistan's new PM

18/08/2018
ISLAMABAD, Aug 17: Cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan was elected as Pakistan's new prime minister today after he defeated veteran politician Shahbaz Sharif in a one-sided election in the National Assembly. The election for the top post became just a formality after the Pakistan Peoples Party led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari with 54 seats abstained from voting following a rift over Sharif's candidature. Khan, 65, the chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), secured 176 votes while his...

END OF ERA: Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee, poet and politician, dies at 93

17/08/2018
NEW DELHI, Aug 16: Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, one of India's most charismatic leaders who led the nation through several crises while holding together a tenuous coalition with his inclusive politics and superlative oratory, died here today. He was 93. Vajpayee, a bachelor, is survived by his adopted daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya. He will be cremated tomorrow in New Delhi. "It was Atalji's exemplary leadership that set the foundations for prosperous and inclusive India in ...

Lost a father figure today: Modi

17/08/2018
NEW DELHI, Aug 16: Describing Atal Bihari Vajpayee as a "father figure", Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the void left by the former prime minister's death could never be filled. In a brief televised address, Modi said through his leadership and struggles, Vajpayee had strengthened the Jan Sangh and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). "He took these parties to every part of India and spread the policies and philosophy of the BJP to the people," he added. Modi said he had lost a "fathe...

7 days mourning announced in JK

17/08/2018
SRINAGAR, Aug 16: Governor’s Administration has announced 7-Day mourning in Jammu and Kashmir as a mark of respect to Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister who passed away at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi this afternoon. According to a notification issued by the General Administration Department here this evening, state mourning shall be observed for 7 days from 16th August to 22 August 2018 (both days included). The national and the state flag shall fl...

Will move forward in J&K by embracing all, not by ‘goli and gaali’: Modi

17/08/2018
NEW DELHI, Aug 16: The government will move forward in Jammu and Kashmir by adopting an approach of embracing all and not by 'goli and gaali' (bullet and abuse), Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today as he announced that elections to village panchayats and local bodies in the state would be held in coming months. Speaking from the ramparts of Red Fort on the 72nd Independence Day, Modi said his government will move ahead in the state by following the path of 'Insaaniyat, Kashmiriyat and Jamh...

Amarnath Yatra resumes from Jammu

17/08/2018
JAMMU, Aug 16: The Amarnath Yatra resumed today from Jammu after it was suspended for three days due to bad weather conditions in Kashmir, with a fresh batch of 548 pilgrims leaving for the Pahalgam base camp for the 3,880-metre-high holy cave shrine, officials said. The Jammu-Srinagar national highway was reopened today for vehicular traffic after remaining closed due to landslides for past three days. The yatra was suspended from the Jammu base camp on August 13. The pilgrims left the ...

Guv urges state leaders for dialogue, praises security forces

17/08/2018
SRINAGAR, Aug 16: On Independence Day today, Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra asserted that only dialogue and discussion can pull the state out of "fear, distrust and growing cynicism" that have impeded its economic development. In his address at Sher-e-Kashmir stadium in Srinagar, he also announced that the long-delayed panchayat and urban local body elections will be held between September and December. Vohra said confrontation will not help in resolving the issues facing the state,...

Expedite trial in cases of violence against women: Chief Justice to Judiciary

17/08/2018
SRINAGAR, Aug 16: Chief Justice, J&K High Court, Justice Gita Mittal today said there is a need to expedite trial in cases of atrocities and domestic violence against women. She made these remarks during her maiden visit to District Court Complex Moominabad here. Chief Justice was accompanied by Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey and Justice Alok Aradhe. The Chief Justice was accorded Guard of Honour and was welcomed by all the Judicial officers headed by Mohammad Akram Chowdhary, Principal Di...

Army Commander visits forward areas in Rajouri

17/08/2018
JAMMU, Aug 16: Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, Army Commander, Northern Command, accompanied by the White Knight Corps Commander, Lt Gen Saranjeet Singh visited forward areas of Rajouri Sector to review the operational preparedness and the prevailing security situation. During the visit to the sector, the Army Commander was briefed by the commanders on ground about the current operational and prevailing security situation and the preparedness of the formations in dealing with the same. The Army Comm...

Machail Mata Yatra crosses 1 lakh mark

17/08/2018
KISHTWAR, Aug 16: Machail Mata Yatra had crossed landmark of one lakh yatris on 15th August when the whole country was celebrating the 72nd years of India's Independence with gaiety and enthusiasm. The pilgrims coming across different parts of the country paid rich obscene at Machail Mata temple, crossing one lakh landmark. As per official figures about 1,02224 pilgrims have visited Machail Mata temple during the one and half -month long yatra which officially commenced from 25th July of this y...

Govt to enhance financial powers of Div Coms, Dy Commissioners

17/08/2018
SRINAGAR, Aug 16: The Governor's Administration in J&K mulls enhancing financial powers of the Divisional and Deputy Commissioners given their increasing role in development administration. This information was given at a meeting convened here today under the chairmanship of Principal Secretary Finance, Navin K Choudhary to review the working of the newly created Expenditure Management Cell and the measures taken by the Finance Department to improve the State's fiscal health. Secretary, S...

Rahul hits out at Modi govt on Rafale deal, resolve to dislodge it

17/08/2018
NEW DELHI, Aug 16: Congress chief Rahul Gandhi today took on the Narendra Modi-led BJP government at a meet of the united opposition here, hitting out at the dispensation on the contentious Rafale deal and resolved to dislodge it. He claimed while his party viewed the country as pure as Ganga river, where people amalgamate with each other, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) viewed it from the prism of 'sone ki chidiya' (golden bird) to make money out of it and favour their friends and crony capi...

We are not terrorists: Farooq calls for equality

17/08/2018
NEW DELHI, Aug 16: Kashmiris are not terrorists, said National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Thursday, while adding that he will not accept the idea of a nation sans equality. Farooq, while addressing an event here in Delhi, urged for adopting ideals of Mahatama Gandhi who strongly propagated secularism. "We (Kashmiris) are not terrorists. We don't want to separate from the nation. But at the same time we will not support the idea of a nation where its people are not treated eq...

Creamy layer cannot be applied to deny benefits of quota in promotions: Centre to SC

17/08/2018
NEW DELHI, Aug 16: The Centre today told the Supreme Court that the creamy layer concept cannot be applied to deny benefits of quota in promotions to government employees of SC/ST community as the stigma of caste and backwardness is still attached to them. Attorney General K K Venugopal told a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra that there is no judgment which says that affluent people of the SC/ST community can be denied quota benefits by applying creamy layer c...

Pak troops violate ceasefire along LoC in Poonch sector

17/08/2018
JAMMU, Aug 16: The Pakistan Army violated the ceasefire tonight by firing on the forward posts along the Line of Control (LOC) in Poonch district, drawing retaliation from the Indian Army. The Pakistani troops resorted to moderate firing on the forward posts along the LoC in the Poonch sector, defence sources said. The Indian troops guarding the border retaliated and the exchanges were on, they added. Commander of the Army's Northern Command Lt Gen. Ranbir Singh visited the forward areas alo...

India raises intrusion in Pir Panjal mountains with Pakistan

17/08/2018
NEW DELHI, Aug 16: Asserting that infiltration by terrorists was a major concern, India today told Pakistan that intrusions have increased in the north of Pir Panjal mountain ranges and Islamabad must take measures to prevent it. A statement by the Indian Army said the Director Generals of Military Operations of the two armies held talks and expressed pleasantries on the occasion of Independence Day. The Pakistan DGMO made an assurance that the Pakistani army would take prompt action against ...

Vyas for speedy expansion of Srinagar drainage network

15/08/2018
SRINAGAR, Aug 14: Advisor to Governor, B B Vyas today directed for fortnightly review of drainage works in Srinagar for speeding up its upgradation and expansion. The Advisor was chairing a high-level meeting convened to discuss the issues being faced by the people of the city with regard to the drainage network. The Meeting was attended by Financial Commissioner, Housing and Urban Development Department, K B Agarwal; Managing Dire ctor, National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC), Chi...

15/08/2018
SRINAGAR, Aug 14: Secretary, PHE, Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (DMRRR), Farooq Ahmed Shah today held a meeting to review the functioning of the department. Chief Executive Officer Jhelum & Tawi Flood Recovery Project, Vinod Sharma, Director Finance DMRRR, Zahoor Ahmed Wani, Director Disaster Management Aamir Ali, Addl. Secre tary, Suraj Rakwal and Deputy Director Planning, Ved Prakash besides other officers of the department including Disaster Management Prof...

Let contentious issues, extraneous debates not distract us: Prez

15/08/2018
NEW DELHI, Aug 14: President Ram Nath Kovind asserted on Tuesday that contentious issues and extraneous debates should not be allowed to distract us at a "pivotal moment" when the country is at the cusp of achieving many long-awaited goals In his televised address to the nation on the eve of India's 72nd Independence Day, Kovind recalled Mahatma Gandhi's "most noble mantra" on the power of 'ahinsa'(non-violence) being far greater than the power of 'hinsa' (violence), remarks that come against ...

Hope new Pak Govt will recognise futility of continuing with its terrorist agenda in JK: Vohra

15/08/2018
SRINAGAR, Aug 14: Governor N N Vohra today expressed hope that Prime Minister-in-waiting Imran Khan-led new government in Pakistan would recognise "the futility of continuing with its terrorist agenda" in Jammu and Kashmir. He said various initiatives taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to secure amicable relations with Pakistan have so far not engendered any results. "I very much hope that the new leadership in Islamabad will recognise the futility of continuing with its terrorist age...

Security strengthened in Jammu ahead of I-Day

15/08/2018
JAMMU, Aug 14: Tight security arrangements have been put in place across Jammu division to ensure a peaceful and violence free Independence Day, officials said today. Security has been strengthened at all vital installations, including government buildings and religious places, to maintain a tight vigil, they said. Reports of stringent security arrangements were also received from all district headquarters and major towns in the division. Continuous and random frisking of vehicles is goi...

Chinese troops intruded 300m into Demchok in Eastern Ladakh last month

15/08/2018
NEW DELHI, Aug 14: A group of Chinese Army personnel intruded around 300 metres into the Demchok area in eastern Ladakh and pitched four tents in the area last month, official sources said today. They said the Chinese troops came to the Indian side of the border in the garb of nomads and pitched the tents. The sources said transgression took place in the first week of July and days later, four out of the five tents were removed by the Chinese troops after the Indian side officially t...

PM likely to announce launch of Ayushman Bharat-NHPS on I-Day

15/08/2018
NEW DELHI, Aug 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to announce the launch of the Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Scheme (AB-NHPS) on a pilot basis in some states tomorrow on the occasion of Independence Day, with the full-scale roll-out of his pet project expected in September end, sources said. The ambitious Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM) aims to provide a coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family annually, benefiting more than 10 crore poor families. ...

Landslides lead to closure of Jammu-Srinagar NH

15/08/2018
JAMMU, Aug 14: Traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was suspended for the second consecutive day today due to landslides triggered by heavy rains in Ramban district. However, the Mughal road is opened for two-way traffic. The nearly 270-km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, was blocked by fresh landslides at Digdol in Ramban district, they said. They said no damage or casualty was reported in the landslides and ...

Pakistani Rangers offer sweets to BSF at Attari-Wagah border

15/08/2018
ATTARI (Amritsar), Aug 14: Pakistani Rangers here offered sweets to the Border Security Force (BSF) today on the occasion of their Independence Day at Attari-Wagah border. Security personnel of both the sides hugged and shook hands with each other, officials said. Tomorrow, the BSF will offer traditional Indian sweets to their Pakistani counterparts. On January 26 this year, the BSF had refused to exchange sweets and greetings with their Pakistani counterparts in the wake of heightened tensi...

Tinkering with Article 35-A will reopen debate on accession with India: Omar

15/08/2018
SRINAGAR, Aug 14: National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah today said any attempts to tinker with Article 35-A of the Constitution would have "serious ramifications" and would inevitably "reopen the debate on Jammu and Kashmir's accession with the Union of India". He said Jammu and Kashmir had acceded with the Union of India on certain conditions unlike the other princely states in 1947. "If legality of the Article 35-A comes under scanner, then the relationship between the state ...

Major Aditya, Rifleman Aurangzeb to get Shaurya Chakra

15/08/2018
NEW DELHI, Aug 14: Major Aditya Kumar, who was embroiled in a controversy after his unit fired on a stone-pelting mob in South Kashmir's Shopian in January leading to death of three persons, is among 20 armed forces personnel who will be honoured with Shaurya Chakra. Rifleman Aurangzeb, who hails from Jammu and Kashmir and was brutally killed by terrorists in Pulwama in June when he was on his way home for Eid, will also be conferred the gallantry award. The official list of gallantry award...

2 Pakistani soldiers killed by Indian Army in Tangdhar

15/08/2018
SRINAGAR, Aug 14: Two Pakistani troopers were killed by the Indian Army in response to ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) in Tangdhar sector of Jammu and Kashmir, a defence spokesman said here today. Indian troops carried out operations last night after the ceasefire violations. "In retaliatory action to unprovoked ceasefire violations and repeated attempts to facilitate infiltration by Pakistan Army in Tangdhar sector, own troops carried out calibrated operations last night...

Vaishno Devi pilgrim dies

15/08/2018
JAMMU, Aug 14: A 65-year-old woman died apparently due to cardiac arrest after paying obeisance at the Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district, police said today. Matia, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, collapsed near Panchi view point while returning from the cave shrine last evening, a police official said. He said the body was handed over to the pilgrim's legal heirs after completion of legal and medical formalities.

Another accident victim dies in Poonch; death toll now 4

15/08/2018
JAMMU, Aug 14: One of eight persons, critically injured in an accident in Poonch district, has succumbed to injuries, raising the death toll in the incident to four, officials said today. Three people, including a woman, were killed and eight others injured when a cab skidded off a road and plunged into a 250 feet deep gorge near Gursai Parnav late last evening. Four of the critically injured people were referred to the Government Medical College hospital, Jammu, for specialised treatment. O...

Shah’s push for simultaneous polls draws mixed reactions

15/08/2018
NEW DELHI, Aug 14: A day after BJP president Amit Shah made a fresh push for simultaneous polls, the Congress today dared Prime Minister Narendra Modi to dissolve the Lok Sabha so that its elections could be held with those due in four states later this year, while Shiv Sena mocked its NDA ally, saying it may hold Indian polls together with the US and Russia. On its part, the BJP asserted that it was in favour of holding simultaneous polls as per the law and with consensus, but rejected report...

Falling rupee gives ‘supreme leader’ a vote of no-confidence: Rahul

15/08/2018
NEW DELHI, Aug 14: Congress president Rahul Gandhi hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the rupee breaching the historic low of 70-mark against the US dollar today, and said it has given the 'supreme leader' a vote of "no confidence". In his Twitter barb, Gandhi also tagged an old video of Modi attacking the then UPA government over the falling rupee. Modi was then the Gujarat chief minister and the BJP's prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 parliamentary election. "The Indian Rup...

Civilian shot dead by militants

14/08/2018
SRINAGAR, Aug 13: Militants shot dead a civilian after abducting him from his house in Pulwama district, police said today. "Terrorists in Murran area of Pulwama last night barged inside the house of Gulzar Ahmad Bhat and abducted him," a police official said. The official said police recovered Bhat's bullet-riddled body from a nearby field. "Police have registered a case and initiated investigation, which suggest involvement of local militants Zahoor Thokar and Showkat Dar of the Hizb...

RASSANA MURDER CASE: 40th Witness to be recorded by Court

14/08/2018
PATHANKOT, Aug 13: Pathankot Sessions Judge recorded 39th witness in Rassana Murder Case. An application was moved by the prosecution before the court that escort police be permitted to handcuff the accused persons while bringing them from Gurdaspur Jail to Pathankot court. Mr. A.K. Sawhney Advocate defence counsel alongwith others filed the objections alleging that the prosecution is raising the flimsy grounds to handcuff the accused person. Approximately 3 months have been completed and...

Cop, killed fighting terrorists, laid to rest with full honours

14/08/2018
RAJOURI, Aug 13: Police constable Parvez Ahmad, killed in a gunfight with terrorists in Srinagar, was laid to rest today with full honours at his ancestral village in Rajauri district near here with a large number of people, including senior Army and police officers, attending his last rites braving incessant rains. Ahmad's body reached his village Dhandote near Budhal town of the district around 3 pm from Srinagar and was laid to rest at his ancestral graveyard with full honours, a police...

Two jawans killed in blasts along LoC

14/08/2018
SRINAGAR, Aug 13: Two Army jawans were killed in separate incidents along the Line of Control (LoC) over the past 24 hours, an official said here today. Sepoy Pushpendra Kumar was critically injured in a blast near the LOC in Kupwara district yesterday, a police official said. Kumar, who belonged to the 20 Jat regiment, succumbed to injuries, he added. In another blast in Uri sector yesterday, Kuldeep Singh Rawat of 4 Garhwal rifles, was killed, the official said. It was not immediately cle...

Rains create havoc, flash floods damage Jammu roads

14/08/2018
JAMMU, Aug 13: The overnight rains have created havoc in this winter capital of the state as flash floods damaged cars and roads in many parts of the city thus triggering protests and resentment from the locals. The heavy rains lashed in the plains of Jammu on the intervening night of August 12-13, where more than a dozen vehicles including cars, motorbikes were partially damaged while the roads and lanes were also affected. Areas like Janipura, Canal Road, Bhagwati Nagar, Talab Tillo, Je...

No prisoner convicted for rape, murder, corruption to be released under govt amnesty scheme

14/08/2018
NEW DELHI, Aug 13: Prisoners, including politicians, who have been convicted in cases of murder, rape or corruption, will not be released as part of an amnesty scheme announced by the government for the year-long celebrations to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi beginning October 2. Women convicts aged 55 years and above and male convicts of 60 years or more, who have completed half of their sentence, and a few other categories of prisoners in jails across the country will be ...

Ease of Living Index: Jammu ranked 95th city, Srinagar 100th

14/08/2018
NEW DELHI, Aug 13: Pune, Navi Mumbai and Greater Mumbai from Maharashtra were ranked today India's three most livable places on the government's inaugural 'Ease of Living Index', where the national capital came at 65th place out of total 111 cities. Rampur in Uttar Pradesh figured at the bottom of the livability index released by the Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry. Chennai has been ranked 14th, while Kolkata did not participate in the survey. Kohima (Nagaland) and Patna (Bihar) were also p...

Security beefed up ahead of I-Day celebrations

14/08/2018
SRINAGAR, Aug 13: Ahead of Independence Day celebrations on Wednesday, security arrangements have been beefed in the Kashmir valley and summer capital Srinagar. Stringent security measures have been put in place. The police is alert, director general of police (DGP) S P Vaid told reporters here. The police and other security forces will ensure that the people celebrate Independence Day without any fear, Vaid said. Referring to the anti-militancy operation at Batamaloo here, yesterday, ...

15-yr-old girl found dead under mysterious circumstances

14/08/2018
BANIHAL, Aug 13: A 15-year-old girl was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir following which her relatives staged a protest on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, a police official said today. Simran Rakwal, a Class 9 student, was found dead inside her house at Karool village yesterday, he said. A police party was rushed to the spot and it took the body for postmortem while inquest proceedings were started to ascertain the cause of her death. Aft...

Gov for establishing a policy frame for tackling persisting Faculty shortage in Medical Colleges

14/08/2018
SRINAGAR, Aug 13: Asking recruiting agencies to prioritize selections for all pending vacancies in Health & Medical Education Department, Governor N N Vohra today called for drawing a policy framework to overcome the acute and recurring human resource shortage in this critical sector. "The Public Service Commission (PSC) should expedite the recruitment for the posts of Medical Officers and Faculty Positions for New Medical Colleges and ensure completion of the same before end November 2018, if...

Two held on charges of rape

14/08/2018
JAMMU, Aug 13: Two persons have been arrested for allegedly raping a girl in Kathua district, police said today. On August 9, three men from Salalpur Marheen village raped a girl in Chabe Chak area of Rajbagh. The survivor's family registered a police complaint. The police arrested two of the accused yesterday and a search is going on for the third suspect, said an official from Rajbagh police station. The arrested were identified as Kulvinder Kumar alais Nanku, who is the main accused, and...

Two held for sharing doctored video on WhatsApp group

14/08/2018
JAMMU, Aug 13: A government school teacher and a college student were arrested in the Rajauri district near here for sharing and circulating a sensitive WhatsApp post with potential to create law and order problem. Teacher Anwar Hussain of Ladhote Government School in Rajouri and local college student Shokat Ali were arrested for sharing and circulating a highly sensitive video on their WhatsApp group 'Daily News & Notification, said a senior police official, adding that the teacher was the gr...

Rahul dares Modi to debate on Rafale

14/08/2018
BIDAR (KAR), Aug 13: Ratcheting up his criticism of the Prime Minister over alleged corruption in the Rafale deal, Congress president Rahul Gandhi today dared him to a debate and claimed Narendra Modi will not be able to answer his questions on the issue "even for a second". Gandhi targeted Modi on a variety of issues, including the recent incidents of rape of small girls in BJP-ruled states, farm loan waiver and the GST. "Let there be a debate for however long you want.... Narendra Modi wil...

PNB scam: Court takes cognisance of Prez sanction to prosecute Ananthasubramanian

14/08/2018
MUMBAI, Aug 13: A special CBI court today took cognisance of the sanction granted by the President to prosecute Usha Ananthas-ubramanian, former managing director of Punjab National Bank and Allahabad Bank, in the Rs 14,000 crore PNB scam. Ananthasubramanian was today dismissed from service by the government, according to an official notification. She was to superannuate today. Prior sanction from competent authorities is required for the court to take cognisance of an offence alleged to have...