Panchayat Polls-2018: CEO announces schedule

23/10/2018
SRINAGAR, Oct 22: Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Jammu and Kashmir, Shaleen Kabra today announced the schedule for conduct of Panchayat Elections in the State. "The elections to 316 Blocks in 4483 Panchayat Halqas comprising of 35029 Panch Constituencies will be held from November 17 to December 11 in 9 phases," Kabra said at a press conference here today. He said the last Panchayat elections in the State were held in 2011 after a gap of 10 years and the Panchayats completed their term in Jul...

Indian Army asks Pak to take back bodies of intruders killed in Sunderbani

23/10/2018
New Delhi, Oct 22: The Army on Monday warned Pakistan to restrain the terrorists operating from its soil, a day after killing two heavily-armed Pakistani "intruders" in a gunfight in Sunderbani sector of Jammu on Sunday, official sources said. They said the Army has also asked the Pakistan military to take back bodies of the two "intruders", who were wearing combat uniforms and believed to be members of Pakistani Border Action Team, they said. Two heavily armed Pakistani intruders and three A...

India slams Imran’s remarks on Kashmir, asks Pak to dismantle terror infrastructure on its soil

23/10/2018
New Delhi, Oct 22: Terming as "deeply regrettable" Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's remarks on Kashmir, India today said that instead of making comments on internal affairs of another country, Islamabad should take "credible action" to dismantle terror infrastructure operating from its soil. Pakistan's "deceitful stand" on dialogue, while supporting terror and violence, "stands exposed" to the whole world, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar told reporters while replyin...

Imran Khan calls for dialogue to resolve Kashmir issue

23/10/2018
Islamabad, Oct 22: India should move to resolve the Kashmir issue through dialogue, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said Monday. His remarks came a day after six civilians were killed after an explosive went off at an encounter site in Kulgam district of South Kashmir. "Strongly condemn the new cycle of killings of innocent Kashmiris....by Indian security forces," Khan tweeted. "It is time India realise it must move to resolve the Kashmir dispute through dialogue in accordance with the UN...

India asks China to support application in UN on Masood Azhar, not to give shelter ULFA chief

23/10/2018
New Delhi, Oct 22: India on Monday asked China to support the pending application in the UN to designate Pakistan-based JeM terror group leader Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, officials said. It also asked Beijing not to give shelter to hardline ULFA leader Paresh Baruah on its soil, they said. The two key issues were raised at the first India-China high level meeting on bilateral security cooperation which was co-chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Zhao Kezhi, State Councilor and M...

Northern Army Commander reviews security situation

23/10/2018
Srinagar, Oct 22: Northern Army commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh on Monday reviewed the security situation and operational preparedness of the forces in the forward areas of Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. Lt Gen Singh visited forward areas in eastern Ladakh sector on Monday, an Army spokesman said. He reviewed the security situation and operational preparedness of the forces in the frontier region. The Army commander lauded all ranks for their dedication and high morale, the spokesman added.

Bodies of 3 Army personnel killed in gunfight reach native villages

23/10/2018
Jammu, Oct 22: The bodies of three Army personnel, who sacrificed their lives for the nation fighting Pakistani intruders in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, were taken to their respective villages for cremation on Monday, officials said. Coffins of the slain soldiers wrapped in the Tricolour were taken to their respective villages after a wreath laying ceremony at a military station in Akhnoor sector here. The deceased soldiers were identified as Havildar Kaushal Kumar of Nowshera (Raj...

Code of conduct for people in public life necessary: Naidu

23/10/2018
New Delhi, Oct 22: A code of conduct for people in public life is very much necessary, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said Monday, as he hailed former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri for his "integrity and moral uprightness". Naidu, while addressing a gathering at the presentation ceremony of the 19th Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Excellence in Public Administration to eminent jurist Fali S Nariman, also said there was a need to revisit the education system and highlight the contr...

Rajnath holds talks with his Chinese counterpart; Rijiju part of delegation

23/10/2018
New Delhi, Oct 22: Home Minister Rajnath Singh and his Chinese counterpart on Monday held delegation-level talks which was also attended by union minister Kiren Rijiju, an MP from Arunachal Pradesh, the border state over which India and China are locked in a territorial row. Rijiju was part of the Indian team led by Singh but his name later apparently did not figure for talks with the Chinese delegation, led by Zhao Kezhi, China's Minister of Public Security, said an official in the Ministry o...

J&K police warns people about fake Twitter handle

23/10/2018
Jammu, Oct 22: A fake Twitter handle of the Jammu and Kashmir police was being shared on the Internet and a warning of legal action was issued in this connection, an officer of the force said Monday. "An image of a fake Twitter account with an update of our official Twitter account is being shared on the Internet. We request the public not to share it," the officer said. "We have taken cognizance of this criminal activity and necessary legal action is being initiated," he added. The officer ...

Petrol pumps in Delhi on strike demanding VAT cut

23/10/2018
New Delhi, Oct 22: Petrol pumps across the national capital were shut on Monday in protest against the Delhi government's refusal to cut sales tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel. But for a dozen company-owned-company-operated petrol pumps in the city, all pumps refused fuel, sending motorists running low on fuel and scrambling for alternate refuels. "All 400 petrol pumps and linked CNG pumps shut operations from 6.00 am Monday and will remain closed till 5 am tomorrow (Tuesday)," said Delhi Petrol...

NC asks Centre to initiate dialogue for Kashmir solution

23/10/2018
Srinagar, Oct 22: The National Conference (NC) Monday asked the Centre to "see the writing on the wall" and initiate a time-bound inclusive political process, saying the solution to Kashmir lies only in dialogue. "NC is of the firm belief that the solution to Kashmir lies only in dialogue. We will make every possible effort to get the state out of the morass of uncertainty and chaos," NC general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar said after meeting senior party functionaries at the NC headquarters a...

Amritsar tragedy: Case in Bihar court against Sidhu’s wife; NHRC notices to Railways, Punjab Govt

23/10/2018
Amritsar/Muzaffarpur, Oct 22: Amid a blame-game over the Amritsar tragedy, a case was filed in a Bihar court on Monday holding organisers of the Dussehra event and chief guest Navjot Kaur Sidhu responsible for mowing down of several revellers by a passing train, while the NHRC served notices to the Railways and the Punjab government. Congress MP Sunil Jakhar and Punjab minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, however, came forward in defence of Sidhu and sought to put the blame on the Railways for...

SC terms as ‘unacceptable’ vacancies in lower courts; seeks responses from HCs, states

23/10/2018
NEW DELHI, Oct 22: The Supreme Court Monday took note of over 5,000 vacant posts of judicial officers in lower courts across the country and sought information from all the 24 high courts as also states, terming the extent of vacancies as “wholly unacceptable”. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi exercised the extra-ordinary powers of the apex court under Article 142 (power of the Supreme Court to seek enforcement of its orders) under the Constitution and directed all the 24 high cour...

Cong accuses Govt of conniving with fraudsters: Jaitley should be sacked

23/10/2018
NEW DELHI, Oct 22: The Congress Monday accused the Modi Government of conniving with fraudsters who had escaped the country and cited “conflict of interest” to say Finance Minister Arun Jaitley should be sacked after his daughter and son-in-law, both lawyers, allegedly received a retainership of Rs 24 lakh from fugitive Mehul Choksi. In the 44 months till January 2018, the Modi Government witnessed an unprecedented 19,000 ‘bank fraud cases’ involving Rs 90,000 crore, Congress leader Sachin Pil...

Finalise SoP for cyber police portal by Nov 15: SC to Centre

23/10/2018
NEW DELHI, Oct 22: The Supreme Court Monday fixed November 15 as deadline for the Centre to finalise a standard operating procedure (SoP) for a cyber police portal to handle complaints regarding child pornography, child sexual abuse, rapes and obscene content on the Internet. A bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and U U Lalit noted that first version of the SoP was prepared on June 18 this year and it was subsequently revised on July 12. The bench also noted the submissions of the counsel appear...

Serious credibility crisis in CBI, govt to be blamed: Congress

23/10/2018
New Delhi, Oct 22: The Congress Monday said there is a serious credibility crisis in the CBI with its top officers accusing each other of massive corruption and blamed "vested interests" within the government for bringing the agency to "such a pass". Congress president Rahul Gandhi alleged the CBI was being used as a "weapon of political vendetta" under the Modi government and that the premier investigation agency was on a terminal decline and "at war with itself". Taking to Twitter, he cite...

Avg income of salaried, non-salaried & corporate taxpayers rises over last 3 years: CBDT

23/10/2018
NEW DELHI, Oct 22: The number of and average income declared by salaried and non-salaried categories of taxpayers in the country have increased over the past three years, the CBDT said on Monday. The policy-making body for the Income Tax Department (ITD), while releasing the latest data, also said that the “average tax” paid by corporates and individual taxpayers has seen a jump over the same time period. The number of salaried and non-salaried taxpayers saw an increase between 2014-15 and 20...

Security forces want to avoid Kulgam like incidents: DGP

23/10/2018
SRINAGAR, Oct 22: Jammu and Kashmir DGP Dilbagh Singh Monday said security forces want to avoid Kulgam like incidents where seven civilians died in a blast after an encounter with militants had concluded. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the wreath laying ceremony of a Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) jawan who was killed in a militant attack in Tral on Sunday, the Director General of Police (DGP) urged people to stay away from sites of anti-militancy operations. “It was an unfortunate incid...

3 militants, 7 civilians killed in Kulgam encounter

22/10/2018
Srinagar, Oct 21: Seven civilians were killed Sunday when unused explosives of three Jaish-e-Mohammed militants, gunned down in an encounter, went off in Kulgam district of South Kashmir, police said. The incident happened at Laroo village in Kulgam district, one of the worst hit by militancy in South Kashmir, Sunday morning when security forces launched a search-and-cordon operation following intelligence report about the presence of militants. The security forces made repeated announcements...

2 Pak intruders killed, 3 soldiers martyred in Sunderbani sector

22/10/2018
JAMMU, Oct 21: Two heavily armed Pakistani intruders and three soldiers were killed Sunday in a gunfight after the Army foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district, a defence spokesman said. The slain intruders are believed to be members of a Border Action Team (BAT) comprising Pakistan Army jawans and trained militants, an army officer said on condition of anonymity. "At about 1.45 pm, Indian Army in Sunderbani sector had a fierce encounter with heavily arm...

India will hit back with ‘double the force’ if its sovereignty is challenged: PM

22/10/2018
New Delhi, Oct 21: India never eyes anyone else's territory but will hit back with "double the force" if its sovereignty is ever challenged, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sunday at an event to mark the 75th anniversary of proclamation of the Azad Hind government by Subhas Chandra Bose. He also said his government is working towards providing the armed fores with better technology and latest weapons even as efforts are underway to make the lives of soldiers easier by giving them better faci...

Huge improvement in ground situation in Kashmir: Malik

22/10/2018
SRINAGAR, Oct 21: There is a huge improvement in the ground situation in Kashmir Valley and people coming out to vote in the recent civic polls in a peaceful atmosphere is a positive sign, Governor Satya Pal Malik said here Sunday. "We are trying a lot to improve the situation at the ground level and as you can see, there is a huge improvement," the Jammu and Kashmir governor told reporters after addressing a Police Commemoration Day function at Zewan on the outskirts of the city. The governo...

Woman falls into 40-ft-deep gorge, dies

22/10/2018
BHADARWAH, Oct 21: A 35-year-old tribal woman died Sunday after she fell into a gorge in Doda district, police said. The deceased was identified as Suffera Begum, a Gujjar. She was a resident of Malat Chilli in Gandoh tehsil. At the time of the accident, Begum was collecting fodder near her house when she accidentally slipped from a hillock and fell into a 40-feet-deep gorge, said Assistant Superintendent of Police, Bhadarwah, Rajinder Singh. He said the rescuers shifted her to a hospital, w...

1 killed as under-construction building collapses

22/10/2018
Jammu, Oct 21: A 19-year-old labourer died when an under-construction building collapsed in Udhampur district, police said Sunday. In the accident, four other labourers and the building owner were injured, who were being treated at a hospital, they added. The under-construction building collapsed late Saturday evening at Barta village, about 25 km from Udhampur town, when a group of labourers were busy at work, they said. He said Tanveer Ahmad, a labourer from Ramban district, got trapped...

BJP eyeing 50+ seats in Assembly polls to form Govt in JK: Raina

22/10/2018
Jammu, Oct 21: Buoyed by the Urban Local Bodies (ULB) election results in Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP said Sunday it is hopeful to win over 50 assembly seats in the next elections and form a government on its own in the state. The BJP swept the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) elections and made some advances in Kashmir, by winning 100 wards in the Valley, in the four-phased ULB elections in the state that were marred by boycott by the NC and PDP. BJP state president RavinderRaina said Sunday...

Rajnath to visit JK on Tuesday, will assess security situation

22/10/2018
New Delhi, Oct 21: Home Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday during which he will review the security situation in the state and interact with political leaders, officials said. During the day-long visit, Singh will attend a high-level meeting with Governor Satya Pal Mailk and top civil, police and security forces officials and assess the prevailing situation. The home minister will review the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the valley and alo...

Separatists call for strike on Monday against killing of civilians

22/10/2018
Srinagar, Oct 21: Separatists in the Kashmir valley have called for a strike on Monday over the death of civilians in a blast at an encounter site in Kulgam district. The strike has been called by separatists Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik under the banner of Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL). Three militants were killed Sunday in an encounter with security forces in Kulgam district, while six civilians lost their lives in a blast following the gunfight th...

One-way traffic resumes on Jammu-Srinagar highway

22/10/2018
Banihal, Oct 21: One-way traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway resumed Sunday after authorities cleared the road of debris following a landslide, officials said. A massive landslide struck the highway the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country near Ramsoo in Ramban district Saturday evening and it took at least five hours for the agency concerned to clear the 270-km highway for traffic movement, the officials said. They said stranded vehicles were allowed t...

India to host global meet on maternal, child health in December: UNICEF

22/10/2018
New Delhi, Oct 21: India would be the host for a global meet of stakeholders from nearly 100 countries on issues related to maternal and child health, the UNICEF has said. The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health forum will emphasise the importance of people-centred accountability bringing forward the voices and lived realities of women, children and adolescents through innovative programming and creative projects. The forum will be hosted by the Ministry of Health and Family W...

61,000 posts lying vacant in paramilitary forces

22/10/2018
New Delhi, Oct 21: Over 61,000 posts of central paramilitary personnel are lying vacant in six paramilitary forces in the country, Home Ministry statistics said. Altogether, 18,460 posts are lying vacant in the country's largest paramilitary force, CRPF, as on March 1, 2018, while 10,738 posts are remaining vacant in the border guarding force BSF. A home ministry official said the vacancies in the paramilitary forces arise due to retirement, resignation, death, creation of new posts or raising...

Interim Bail of Talib Hussain challenged in HC

22/10/2018
Jammu/New Delhi, Oct 21: Mr. A.K. Sawhney Advocate challenged the interim bail order Dt. 12/10/2018 of Talib Hussain in High Court of J&K and Interim Bail in Rape case was granted by Mr. R.K. Wattal Sessions Judge Samba when the judgment in bail was adjourned several times and again on 27/10/2018 the bail is fixed for judgment, therefore, there was no justification to grant interim bail. Mr. Sawhney questions the bail order in the High Court when the final bail order is to be announced on 27/1...

Modi thanks JK people

21/10/2018
New Delhi, Oct 20: As BJP performed well in the Jammu and Kashmir local body elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday said his party will work hard to fulfil the aspirations of the people. "I thank the people of Jammu and Kashmir for their support to the @BJP4JnK in the urban local body elections," he tweeted. He assured the people of the state that BJP will work hard to fulfil the aspirations of the state's youth and "serve the state with utmost diligence." Modi also hailed the B...

BJP wins 43 out of 75 seats in JMC elections

21/10/2018
Jammu, Oct 20: The BharatiyaJanata Party (BJP) on Saturday emerged as a clear winner in the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) elections with 43 seats in its kitty, bettering its previous strength of 25 in the 75-member body. The Congress suffered a big loss in the election, winning only 14 seats against its 26 in the 2005 civic polls, election officials said. Then it was ruling Jammu and Kashmir in coalition with the PDP. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) along with the National Conference (...

BJP has earned people’s trust: Shah

21/10/2018
New Delhi, Oct 20: BJP president Amit Shah said Saturday his party had earned the trust of people in Jammu and Kashmir with its "impressive" show in the urban local body polls in the state. "These results are a reflection of aspiration of people of Jammu and Kashmir, who want to move away from politics of strife towards PM Modi's politics of development. I thank them for their continued support and assure them that the BJP will leave no stone unturned to realise their dreams," he tweeted. "...

Chief Justice inaugurates training programme for Presiding Officers, Medicos

21/10/2018
SRINAGAR, Oct 20: Highlighting the significance of a doctor acting as the first responder to the victim of domestic or sexual violence, the Chief Justice of J&K High Court, Justice Gita Mittal today said the dying declaration of a victim supported by the testimony of the doctor, could send the people involved in the crime to gallows. The Chief Justice was speaking at a day-long training programme for presiding officers and doctors on how to handle survivors of sexual violence at hospitals. The...

Advocate General, Law Secretary review ongoing work at AG office

21/10/2018
JAMMU, Oct 20: Advocate General D C Raina and Law Secretary, Abdul Majid Bhat today reviewed the pace of ongoing work of Advocate General's Office at High Court Complex here in Jammu.They instructed the JKPCC Engineers to prepare a new DPR for the furnishing and furniture component for the said infrastructure. During the meeting, directions were passed to reschedule the deadline for the completion of the project to November 30th, 2018. Earlier, the deadline was fixed as October 31. GM, JKPCC, ...

Commercial Taxes Deptt, Jammu tightens noose against Non-Filers of GST Returns

21/10/2018
JAMMU, Oct 20: A teams of Commercial Taxes Department conducted surprise inspections at 6 hotel premises 3 each in Jammu and Katra, 1 fitness centre and 3 traders having principal place of business in Jammu in an endeavour to tighten the noose on delinquent taxpayers. The move has resulted in wake of non-filling of monthly GSTR-3B returns by these establishments despite repeated notices/ reminders from the department for submission of due tax within stipulated timelines. Additional Commi-ssio...

Massive landslide blocks Jammu-Srinagar highway

21/10/2018
BANIHAL/JAMMU, Oct 20: A massive landslide on Saturday blocked the Jammu-Srinagar national highway near Ramban district, leaving a number of vehicles stranded, officials said. The nearly 270-km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country. The landslide occurred near Ramsoo town in Ramban, the officials said. No vehicle was passing by when the landslide took place, they said. "The concerned agency (has) pressed its men and machines...

Amritsar tragedy: Railways to launch massive anti-trespassing drive, budget to be ‘no constraint’

21/10/2018
NEW DELHI, Oct 20: The railways will launch a massive drive against trespassing on tracks across its network, Chairman Railway Board AshwaniLohani said Saturday, a day after 59 Dussehra revellers were run over by a train in an incident described by the railways as a "clear case of trespassing". Lohani said the railways has launched such campaigns in the past as well, but intermittently. The national transporter had initiated a drive last year too, after a slew of 'selfie deaths' on tracks were...

Encounter in Pulwama

21/10/2018
SRINAGAR, Oct 20: An encounter broke out between militants and security forces in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, police said. Based on credible intelligence input about the presence of militants in Pattan area of Pulwama district in south Kashmir, security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the area Saturday evening, a police official said. He said the militants fired upon the search party and a gunfight was on when reports last came in. Further details were...

Ready to join hands with ‘ecular minded’ candidates in SMC: JKPCC

21/10/2018
Srinagar, Oct 20: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Saturday said the party was ready to join hands with "secular-minded" winning candidates or groups to form the new body of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC). The party is emerging as the single largest party in the civic polls but independents have won most of the 27 seats in the 74-ward body for which results were declared so far, officials said. Independents have won on 15 seats followed by Congress which has won in 10...

40 of those killed in Amritsar mishap identified, 36 bodies cremated

21/10/2018
AMRITSAR, Oct 20: Forty of the 59 people killed in the train accident near here have been identified so far and the bodies of 36 of were cremated, officials said Saturday. The bodies of four other persons, who belonged to Uttar Pradesh, have been sent to their home towns by the district administration, an official said. The 36 bodies were cremated in batches at a ground near Shitla Mata Temple here in the presence of officials of the state government and family members of the deceased. Accor...

Burning Ravana effigy, firecrackers, festive euphoria made people oblivious to approaching train

21/10/2018
Amritsar, Oct 20: A burning effigy of Ravana, bursting of firecrackers and festive euphoria made Dussehra revellers oblivious to the train approaching them, and, in a matter of seconds, bodies were left strewn on railway tracks, eyewitnesses of the tragic accident in Amritsar recounted Saturday. At least 59 people were killed Friday evening after a crowd of Dussehra revellers that had spilled onto railway tracks while watching the burning of the Ravana effigy was run over by a train near JodaP...

NIA arrests absconder in 2016 Nagrota army camp attack case

21/10/2018
New Delhi, Oct 20: The National Investigation Agency has arrested a man wanted in the 2016 attack on an army camp in Jammu's Nagrota when he was allegedly trying to flee the country through Sri Lanka, officials said Saturday. Ashraf Khandey, a resident of Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, was taken into custody from the Indira Gandhi International Airport here when he was trying to leave for Saudi Arabia via Sri Lanka, they said. Khandey was arrested for his alleged involvement in the terrorist a...

Rahul promises farm loan waiver in Telangana, accuses Modi, KCR of making false promises

21/10/2018
Bhainsa (Telangana), Oct 20: Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday promised farm loan waiver of up to Rs two lakh at one go if his party wins in Telangana and targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao accusing them of making false promises and indulging in corruption. Kicking off the party's campaign for December 7 Telangana Assembly polls at a public meeting in Nirmal district here, he alleged that KCR, as Rao is popularly known, insulted B R Ambedkar by ch...

India took steps to disrupt terror activities, will not hesitate to do so again: Sitharaman

21/10/2018
New Delhi/ Singapore, Oct 20: India has exhibited measures to disrupt and deter the activities of terror groups and their patrons and would not hesitate to do so again if required, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Saturday, in a veiled reference to cross-border terrorism from Pakistan. Sitharaman, speaking at a meeting of ASEAN defence ministers in Singapore, also said that the presence of terrorist infrastructure and support to terrorists in the "immediate neighbourhood" constantly te...

52 dead as train runs over Dussehra revellers in Amritsar

20/10/2018
Amritsar (Pb), Oct 19: At least 52 people were killed and 72 injured Friday evening after a crowd of Dussehra revellers that had spilled onto railway tracks while watching burning of Ravana effigy was run over by a train near here, officials said. The train was coming from Jalandhar to Amritsar when the incident occurred at Joda Phatak where at least 300 people were watching 'Ravana dahan' at a ground near the tracks. Sub Divisional Magistrate Amritsar I Rajesh Sharma said 52 people have died...

Counting of votes for civic body polls

20/10/2018
Srinagar, Oct 19: The stage is set for the final leg of urban local body elections in Jammu and Kashmir as the counting of votes for the 52 civic bodies, polling for which was held in four phases earlier this month, will be done on Saturday. "All the arrangements for counting of votes have been put in place at respective district headquarters. The counting of votes will begin at 9 am tomorrow (Saturday)," an official of the election department said. The fate of over 3,000 candidates will be de...

India’s decision to buy S-400 missile system will further destabilise region: Pak

20/10/2018
Islamabad, Oct 19: Pakistan said on Friday that India's decision to buy S-400 missile defence system from Russia will further destabilise stability in the region and renewed the arms race. In a statement, the Foreign Office said the Indian purchase was part of its efforts to acquire a Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) System through multiple sources. "This (S-400) will further destabilise strategic stability in South Asia, besides leading to a renewed arms race," it said. India and Russia conc...

2 militants killed in shootout in Baramulla

20/10/2018
Srinagar, Oct 19: Two unidentified militants were killed Friday in a shootout with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district, police said. Security forces signalled a sports utility vehicle (SUV) to stop at Kraalhaar in Baramulla but the militants travelling in it opened fire at them, a police spokesman said. He added the security forces retaliated and neutralised the two ultras. A policeman was injured in the brief exchange of fire between the two sides, the spokesman said. T...

Militants hurl grenades at Army camp

20/10/2018
Srinagar, Oct 19: Militants attacked an Army camp in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, a police official said. The militants fired UBGL grenades at the camp, he said. "There has been a UBGL attack followed by firing at the Army camp in Shadimarg area of Pulwama," the police official said, adding that there were no reports of any casualties so far.

Woman killed in cross-firing during militant attack on Army camp

20/10/2018
SRINAGAR, Oct 19: A woman was killed on Friday night in the cross-firing between militants and security forces as the ultras attacked an Army camp in Pulwama district, police said. “There was a UBGL attack followed by firing at the army camp in Shadimarg area of Pulwama,” a police official said. He said the security forces returned fire, triggering a brief gun battle in which a woman, identified as Firdausa, was injured. She was rushed to a local hospital but the doctors declared her dead on ...

Previous Govt was not serious about poverty alleviation: PM

20/10/2018
Shirdi (Maha), Oct 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday accused the previous Congress-led government of not being serious about poverty alleviation and working only to promote the "name of a particular family". Addressing an event at the famous temple town of Shirdi in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district after offering prayers at the Saibaba temple, Modi said there was a need to defeat divisive forces for all inclusive development. He sought to highlight the difference between his and the...

Tech solutions will eliminate need for soldier to stand guard to protect borders: Rajnath

20/10/2018
Bikaner, Oct 19: Home Minister Rajnath Singh Friday said technological solutions in border security, which were being implemented by India, would eliminate the need for a soldier to stand guard round-the-clock to protect the borders. He said a comprehensive integrated border management system was being implemented by the government to strengthen border security and a pilot project under the system was launched in Jammu. “We want that such technological solutions be used where there is fencing...

Rajnath celebrates Dussehra with BSF jawans; performs ‘shastra puja’

20/10/2018
Bikaner (Rajasthan), Oct 19: Home Minister Rajnath Singh Friday celebrated Dussehra with BSF jawans and performed 'shastra puja' in this forward post along the highly sensitive Indo-Pak border, officials said. This was for the first time that a senior Union minister conducted the 'shastra puja' or worship of weapons on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami along India's border with Pakistan. The home minister, who arrived at the frontier headquarters of the Border Security Force (BSF) here last...

PM, President attend Dussehra celebrations

20/10/2018
New Delhi, Oct 19: President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday participated in the Dussehra celebrations here and fired arrows to set the effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhakarna ablaze. The burning of the giant effigies, signifying the triumph of good over evil, was organised by the Luv Kush Ramleela Committee at the 15 August Park of Red Fort. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi also participated in ...

Pedestrian dies in accident

20/10/2018
Jammu, Oct 19: A pedestrian died after being hit by a negligent car driver on national highway near Hatli Morh in Kathua, police said Friday. Jagdish Raj was seriously injured after he was hit by Vinod Kumar's vehicle Thursday evening, they said. Raj was rushed to hospital where he succumbed to injuries, they said, adding police have registered a case against the accused and seized his vehicle. The accused was apprehended later, they said.

Govt schools in Udhampur dist get legal literacy clubs

20/10/2018
Jammu, Oct 19: Two legal literacy clubs were inaugurated in the government schools of Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district on Friday to educate students about the legal rights, an official said. Under the supervision of Principal District and Sessions Judge K S Parihar, the clubs were inaugurated at Government Model Girls Higher Secondary School and Government Model Boys, Higher Secondary School at Udhampur, he said. Chief Judicial Magistrate Balbir Lal Jaswal inaugurated the clubs, formed un...

India a reliable partner, whatever turn Brexit takes: Indian envoy

20/10/2018
LONDON, Oct 19: India’s outgoing High Commissioner Y K Sinha has said the UK will find India a reliable partner whatever turn its exit negotiations with the European Union (EU) may take. Speaking at one of many farewell events being organised here to mark his retirement from the Indian Foreign Service at the end of this month, the diplomat described his UK posting as the “crowning glory” of his 37-year career because he leaves at a time when UK-India relations are poised to “reap the dividends...

Indian banks to sell Mallya’s cars ‘shortly’ in UK

20/10/2018
London, Oct 19: A UK High Enforcement Officer is set to sell a fleet of Vijay Mallya's cars in the UK as part of efforts to recover loan repayment dues owed by the beleaguered liquor baron to a consortium of 13 Indian banks, the banks' legal representative confirmed on Friday. TLT LLP, the law firm which had won a landmark case in May when a UK High Court judge ruled in favour of the Indian banks and concluded they were entitled to recover funds amounting to nearly 1.145 billion pounds, said t...

Naidu meets Prime Ministers of Greece, Portugal

20/10/2018
BRUSSELS, Oct 19: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has met Prime Ministers of Greece and Portugal here and discussed ways to boost bilateral ties through greater economic cooperation and people to people exchanges. Naidu, who is here to attend the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit, met on Thursday Prime Minister of Greece Alexis Tsipras and Portugese Prime Minister Antonio Costa and sought his collaboration to strenghten ties in areas of defence, space, infrastructure and startups. Tsipra...

Situation in Kashmir under control: Ahir

20/10/2018
SRINAGAR, Oct 19: Union Minister of state for Home Affairs Hansraj Ahir on Friday said the situation in Kashmir was under control and the security forces were capable of dealing with terrorists both within the valley and infiltrating from across the Line of Control. “There is no rise (in militancy). We have been foiling the infiltration attempts and we will continue to do so. The soldiers are fighting the infiltrators and terrorists,” Ahir told reporters after taking part in Dussehra celebrati...

Sitharaman holds bilateral talks with her US, ASEAN counterparts in Singapore

20/10/2018
SINGAPORE, Oct 19: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday held a series of bilateral meetings with her counterparts from ASEAN nations and US Defence Secretary James Mattis on the sidelines of ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meet here. Defence Ministers from ASEAN countries and that of Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, and the US have gathered here for the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and the 5th ADMM-Plus, which is being hosted by Singapore. The ADMM ...

Onus on Pakistan to create conducive conditions for talks: India

19/10/2018
New Delhi, Oct 18: India Thursday said the onus was on Pakistan to create conducive conditions for talks by taking steps such as action against terrorists and terror infrastructure operating from its soil. During a media briefing, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar reiterated India's stand that talks and terror cannot go together and said this was one of the reasons why the scheduled meeting in New York between the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan was cancelled. Barel...

Militant involved in attack on police party killed

19/10/2018
SRINAGAR, Oct 18: A Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen (TuM) militant involved in a grenade attack in which three police personnel were injured in Baramulla district was killed Thursday in a gunfight with security forces in Pulwama district, police said. Showkat Ahmad Bhat was wanted in Wednesday's Pattan grenade incident and was killed in the gunfight in the south Kashmir district, a police official said. He said some arms and ammunition were recovered from his possession. Bhat had managed to escape Wedn...

Army says transgressions down along LAC in Ladakh

19/10/2018
BIR BILLING (KANGRA), Oct 18: Incidents of transgressions along the Sino-Indian border in Jammu and Kashmir's Ladakh region has come down this year and an effective mechanism has been put in place to tackle any situation, a top Army commander has said. The officer also said the security situation along the LoC and in hinterlands in Jammu and Kashmir is fragile but under control. "There has been a relative decline in the number of transgressions (along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh) dur...

PM to unveil national police memorial, museum on Oct 21

19/10/2018
New Delhi, Oct 18: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the refurbished national police memorial, including a newly built museum of these forces in khaki, in Delhi this Sunday, officials said Thursday. Home Minister Rajnath Singh, his two Ministers of State KirenRijiju and Hansraj G Ahir and the top brass of central armed police forces (CAPFs), central security agencies and state police units will be in attendance during the event on October 21 at the memorial based in central Delhi'...

Top cops of 8 states decide to enhance coordination to tackle crime

19/10/2018
CHANDIGARH, Oct 18: Top police brass of eight northern states and some paramilitary forces proposed a slew of measures Wednesday to enhance coordination among them to tackle crime in the region. The proposed measures included shifting of hardcore criminals to jails of other states and deploying paramilitary forces for prison security besides sharing real time inputs about criminals and their activities. The novel proposals were made and discussed during a brainstorming session of the police b...

Dussehra, Mahanavami celebrated with religious fervour across Jammu

19/10/2018
JAMMU, Oct 18: Advisor to Governor, B.B Vyas today greeted the people on the occasion of Dussehra and Mahanavami and highlighted the significance of the day as the triumph of good over evil. He said that corruption is greatest enemy of people in present times and we have to join hands to fight it out. The Advisor was addressing a huge gathering during Dussehra celebrations at Parade Ground where he was present as a chief guest. Celebrating Dussehra with religious fervour and gaiety to mark th...

Power transmission capacity for Kashmir increased by 70 pc: Sterlite

19/10/2018
Srinagar, Oct 18: Power transmission capacity for the Kashmir valley has increased by 70 per cent with the commissioning of the 414-km-long Northern Region Strengthening Scheme (NRSS) by Sterlite Power, a company official said. The NRSS-29, with a project cost of Rs 3,000 crore, connects the northern grid to Jammu and Kashmir and would enable power transfer of 1,000 MW to the valley, Sterlite Power CEO Ved Mani Tiwari told reporters here Thursday. He noted that there was only one line for po...

Restrictions imposed in parts of Srinagar

19/10/2018
SRINAGAR, Oct 18: Authorities Thursday imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar as a precautionary measure in view of a strike called by separatists. Restrictions under Section 144 CrPc have been imposed in five police station areas of the city here, a police official said. He said the curbs have been imposed in the police station areas of Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, Safakadal and M R Gunj. The official said the restrictions were imposed as a precautionary measure to maintain law and orde...

No move to deploy ‘Black Cat’ commandos in JK: Guv Malik

19/10/2018
Srinagar, Oct 18: Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik said there is no move to deploy 'Black Cat' commandos of the elite National Security Guard (NSG) in counter-militancy operations in the state, and made it clear that the specialised force could be used only in the "gravest of grave" situations. Complimenting the state police, Army and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for their exceptional work in countering militancy, he denied of any move of deploying the elite NSG in counter...

CBI begins probe in JK arms licence case

19/10/2018
Srinagar, Oct 18: The CBI has begun investigation into a case of arms licences issued in Jammu and Kashmir between 2012 and 2016 on forged documents allegedly involving some IAS officers of the cadre, officials said Thursday. The agency has registered two FIRs in this regard with the consent of Jammu and Kashmir government with the then DC of Kupwara listed as accused in one of them while unidentified officials of various districts have been mentioned in another, they said. The Chanigarh unit...

Trump administration plans major changes in H-1B visas

19/10/2018
WASHINGTON, Oct 18: The Trump administration has said it is planning to "revise" the definition of employment and specialty occupations under the H-1B visas by January, a move which will have an adverse impact on Indian IT companies in the US and small and medium-sized contractual firms mostly owned by Indian-Americans. The H-1B visa, most sought-after among Indian IT professionals, is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that requir...

Stubble burning: Farmers block Amritsar-JK rail traffic

19/10/2018
Amritsar, Oct 18: Protesting against the prohibition on stubble burning, hundreds of farmers blocked the Amritsar-Jammu and Kashmir rail route by sitting on 'Dharna' on the tracks in Batala, 40 kms from Amritsar, on Thursday. Two trains, Amritsar to Kadian and Amritsar to Pathankot, were also stopped in Batala. The protesting farmers demanded that the state government should either give them financial aid for managing stubble or allow them to burn their crops' residue. They also criticised "t...

Rahul persists with Rafale attack on Govt, alleges deal re-negotiated to benefit crony capitalists

19/10/2018
NEW DELHI, Oct 18: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday attacked the Modi government over the Rafale deal alleging that it renegotiated the contract to benefit crony capitalists and reduced India's prestige globally. In a Facebook post, Gandhi said due to the renegotiated deal, India could not get transfer of technology as negotiated during the UPA rule and it was shameful that Indian pilots have to put their lives at risk flying the ancient Jaguar aircraft as the new technology did not...

Border security paramount for development: Bhagwat

19/10/2018
Nagpur, Oct 18: Secured borders are of paramount importance to ensure prosperity and development of India given the current complex international scenario, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said here on Thursday. "Border security and internal security are issues of foremost consideration as they ensure space and opportunity to the nation for prosperity and development. Fruitful efforts have been made to entwine the web of international relations by appraising the nations with our security concerns and ...

N D Tiwari dies on his 93rd birthday

19/10/2018
New Delhi, Oct 18: Congress veteran Narayan Dutt Tiwari, who served in various positions at the Centre and in states and was even a strong contender for prime ministership in 1991, died on his birthday at a private hospital here on Thursday after prolonged illness, doctors said. Tiwari, who was undergoing treatment at Max Super Speciality Hospital, breathed his last at 2.50 pm after he suffered a heart attack, hours after he turned 93, they said. He was admitted to the hospital in September l...

Azad's remarks at AMU event an ‘abuse’ for Hindus: BJP

19/10/2018
New Delhi, Oct 18: The BJP on Thursday accused the Congress of "demeaning and demoralising" Hindus and termed as an "abuse" a reported remark by the opposition party's leader GhulamNabi Azad that the number of Hindu candidates inviting him for campaigning has reduced drastically. Azad reportedly made the comments at an event of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in Lucknow on Wednesday, apparently to criticise the political climate in Uttar Pradesh under the BharatiyaJanata Party (BJP)-led go...

Pilgrim killed in accident

19/10/2018
Jammu, Oct 18: A pilgrim headed to the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine was killed and three others injured on Thursday in a road accident in Reasi district, police said. A bus carrying the pilgrims hit a barricade at Moori Naka near Katra town apparently after the driver lost control of the vehicle. The injured were shifted to a government hospital here.

3 militants, policeman killed in encounter

18/10/2018
Srinagar, Oct 17: Three militants, including a wanted Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander involved in several killings, and a policeman were killed during an encounter between ultras and security forces in the city Wednesday. The district administration has closed all schools and educational institution in the city as a precautionary measure and mobile internet services have also been snapped. Police assisted by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a cordon and search operation in Fa...

Militant arrested after grenade attack on police party

18/10/2018
Srinagar, Oct 17: A Tehreekul Mujahideen militant was Wednesday arrested by security forces soon after carrying out a grenade attack in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, injuring three cops, police said. "Based on credible inputs that some terrorists are travelling on the Baramulla-Srinagar highway, a police team set up a checkpoint at Baba Teng Pattan," a police spokesman said. He said one of the vehicles was signalled to stop but the militants inside the vehicle hurled a grenade. "O...

SAC approves hike in SPOs’ honorarium

18/10/2018
SRINAGAR, Oct 17: The State Administrative Council (SAC), which met here today under the chairmanship of Governor, Shri Satya Pal Malik approved the signing of Memorandum of Understanding(MoU), for leasing out of State Land measuring 23 Kanals and 02 Marlas at Village Ghaink, Tehsil Bhalwal, District Jammu between Pt. Deendayal, Upadhayay Institute for Physically Handicapped, New Delhi (Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govern-ment of India) and State of Jammu and Kashmir through Depart...

Militants should not expect bouquets if they fire bullets: Gov

18/10/2018
Srinagar, Oct 17: Talking tough on terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik has said militants don't have "much of a shelf life" with more than 40 being killed since August and should not expect bouquets if they fire bullets. Stone pelting has come down as has the number of local recruits in militancy, Malik said while describing the situation in the state as "not grave". "It is simple. Goli chalaogay to goli chalegi, koi guldasta toh milega nahi (If you resort to firing, you wil...

Justice MK Hanjura accorded farewell

18/10/2018
SRINAGAR, Oct 17: Justice MK Hanjura was accorded affectionate farewell today on his superannuation as a Judge of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court. Full court reference was organized by the High Court to bid adieu to Justice Hanjura. The farewell function was attended by Chief Justice of J&K High Court, Justice Gitta Mittal, Judges of the J&K High Court, Justice Alok Aradhe, Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey, Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice Rashid Ali Dar, Advocate General, DC Raina, Principal Sec...

Fresh documents reveal ‘murky dealings’ in Rafale deal, time for PM to speak: Cong

18/10/2018
NEW DELHI, Oct 17: The Congress Wednesday alleged that fresh documents in the Rafale deal reveal that Prime Minister Narendra Modi facilitated the contract between Dassault Aviation and Reliance Defence and said it is time he broke his silence on the issue. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the Rafale scam is getting "murkier and muddier" by the day as fresh documents have reinforced that prime minister Modi "facilitated a sweetheart deal" with Dassault to "illegitimately" ben...

Slash cap on anonymous donations to parties: EC asks Law Ministry

18/10/2018
NEW DELHI, Oct 17: The Election Commi-ssion has urged the Government to slash the cap on anonymous donations to political parties from the present Rs 20,000 to Rs 2,000 to usher in more transparency, a move which comes months ahead of Lok Sabha elections due next year. In a letter to the Legislative Department of the Law Ministry last week, the commission pointed out that while its demand to cap cash donations to parties to Rs 2,000 per person has been accepted and made part of the Finance Act...

Kashmiri students defer decision to leave AMU en masse

18/10/2018
ALIGARH (UP), Oct 17: Kashmiri students at the Aligarh Muslim University have deferred their decision to surrender their degrees and leave the campus en masse Wednesday following revocation of the suspension order of the two students by the varsity. The suspension order was revoked Tuesday night after a three-member enquiry panel set up by the varsity exonerated Waseem Ayyub Malik and Abdul Haseeb Mir, saying "no credible evidence" of their participation in any "unlawful assembly" in the varsi...

Police ready for panchayat elections in J&K: DGP

18/10/2018
Jammu, Oct 17: Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Dilbag Singh Wednesday said his force was ready for the nine-phased panchayat elections scheduled to begin from November 17 in the state. "Police is ready for panchayat elections and all arrangements will be made to ensure smooth and peaceful polling," Singh said during a visit to the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch in this region. The DGP chaired separate review meetings with senior officers of the district and also held...

J&K urban body polls: 69% of 598 wards in Valley did not require polling

18/10/2018
Srinagar, Oct 17: The just-concluded urban local body elections in Kashmir witnessed poor voter turnout but these polls will perhaps be remembered for the dearth of contestants as 69 per cent of 598 wards in the valley did not require any polling. According to data compiled by the election department of Jammu and Kashmir, out of 598 wards spanning across 40 municipal bodies in 10 districts of the valley, polling was held only in 186 wards. The remaining 412 wards constituting 68.89 per cent ...

2 bovine smuggling bids foiled, 3 held

18/10/2018
Jammu, Oct 17: Three persons were arrested and two separate attempts of bovine smuggling were foiled in Rajouri and Samba districts of Jammu and Kashmir, police said Wednesday. Three persons, travelling in a mini truck, were arrested after they broke a police checkpoint during a bovine smuggling bid in Rajouri district, a police official said. He said a police party during routine highway checking signalled the vehicle to stop at Solki on Jammu-Rajouri road last night. "The driver of the vehi...

Drug peddler held heroin seized

18/10/2018
Jammu, Oct 17: An alleged drug peddler was arrested in Jammu and 50 grams of heroin was seized from his possession, the police said on Wednesday. Rayees Ahmad Ganai, a resident of Verinag area of Anantnag district was held near Ban in Nagrota area on Tuesday evening while he was on his way to Jammu, they said. When asked to stop by the police party, Ganai abandoned the vehicle and tried to escape but was caught after a brief chase, they added. The vehicle was seized and a case under NDPS ac...

India presses OPEC for responsible pricing of oil

18/10/2018
NEW DELHI, Oct 17: India, the world's third-biggest oil consumer, Wednesday pressed OPEC to move to responsible pricing of oil and gas saying the recent spike in rates are far detached from market fundamentals and are hurting importing nations. A combination of crude oil climbing to four-year high and rupee dipping to its lowest level against US dollar has sent retail petrol, diesel and cooking gas (LPG) rates to record high. The relentless price rise has wiped away tax cuts done by the Govern...

Security situation ‘fragile’ along LoC: Army

18/10/2018
Kangra (HP), Oct 17: There has been no change in terror infrastructure across the Line of Control after Imran Khan took charge as Pakistan prime minister, the Indian Army said on Wednesday and termed as "fragile" the security situation along the LoC due to continuous attempts by Pakistan to push infiltrators into Jammu and Kashmir. General Officer commanding in chief (GoC-in-C), Northern Command, Lt Gen Ranbir Singh also said that a winter strategy will be put in place along the LoC and other ...

Security forces allegedly thrash some journalists covering Srinagar encounter

18/10/2018
Srinagar, Oct 17: Security forces allegedly thrashed some media personnel who were covering an encounter with militants in the city here, a journalist present at the spot said Wednesday. Though the police refused to comment on the alleged incident, a PTI photojournalist present there gave a first-hand account. There were several media personnel who were covering the encounter when some police personnel asked them to leave, he said. However, the media personnel stood their ground, leading to a...

President accepts Akbar’s resignation

18/10/2018
NEW DELHI, Oct 17: President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday accepted the resignation of M J Akbar from the Union council of ministers on the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said. Akbar stepped down as Minister of State for External Affairs following a spate of allegations of sexual harassment during his days as editor of several publications. "The President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, has accepted the resignation of M J Akbar from the Union Council...

Dull voting in final phase, Valley records 4.2% turnout

17/10/2018
# Zero turnout in Soura ward JAMMU, Oct 16: Continuing the trend of low voter turnout, just 4.2 per cent of the electorate Tuesday turned up in the final phase of urban local bodies elections in militancy-wracked Kashmir Valley, drawing curtains on the four-phased polls in Jammu and Kashmir. The counting of votes will be done on October 20, officials said. Polling began at 6 am this morning amidst stringent security arrangements at 308 polling stations in the twin districts of Srinagar a...

‘Not a bird was harmed’ during Civic Polls:Guv

17/10/2018
SRINAGAR, Oct 16: "Not a bird was harmed" and the civic elections were conducted peacefully, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik said Tuesday. Malik, in an exclusive interview to PTI soon after the conclusion of the urban local body polls' final phase, also said the NC and the PDP should not have boycotted it and asserted that articles 35A and 370 of the Constitution were non-issues in this election. The National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had announced the...

11 Munsiffs promoted as Sub-Judges

17/10/2018
Srinagar, Oct 16: A Full Court meeting held under the Chairmanship of Chief Justice Gitta Mittal in which 11 Civil Judges (Junior Division)/ Munsiffs are promoted as Civil Judges (Senior Division)/ Sub-Judges on ad-hoc basis. Full Court also granted Supertime Scale to one Senior Sessions Judge and Selection Time Scale to Two Sessions Judge. According to the order issued by Registrar General Sanjay Dhar that Sanjeev Gupta, District & Sessions Judge (Selection Time Scale) presently posted as Pr...

J&K Bank half-yearly net profit grows 44% to 146 Cr

17/10/2018
Srinagar, Oct 16: J&K Bank, the state-owned premier financial institution and a listed entity, today reported a 44% increase in its net profit to Rs 146.34 Cr for the half year ended 30th September 2018 after the reviewed results of the Bank were adopted by the Board of Directors in the meeting held at the Bank's Corporate Headquarters. The Bank had posted a net profit of Rs 101 Cr during the first half of previous fiscal. Notably, the Bank has now reported six consecutive quarters of profitab...

India, UAE decide to boost defence ties

17/10/2018
NEW DELHI, Oct 16: India and the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday agreed to deepen their defence cooperation in a range of areas including military-to-military exchanges, training of personnel and defence production, officials said. The decision was taken during talks between Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the UAE's Minister of State for Defence Affairs Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi Al Falacy. The Defence Ministry said the ministers undertook a review of bilateral defence cooperation and ...

Soldier commits suicide in Samba

17/10/2018
Jammu, Oct 16: An Army personnel allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself with his service rifle in Samba district, police said on Tuesday. Sepoy Bahadur Thappa Mager (19), a resident of Nepal, was on guard duty when he shot himself fatally from his service rifle inside a camp at Bari Brahmana area of the district on Monday, a police official said. He said his colleagues rushed to the scene and found him dead. The motive behind his taking such an extreme step was not known immediately...

Separatist-sponsored strike disrupts normal life in Kashmir Valley

17/10/2018
SRINAGAR, Oct 16: Normal life was affected in poll-bound areas of Kashmir Valley Tuesday due to a strike called by separatists against the conduct of urban local body polls in the state. Shops, fuel stations and other business establishments were shut in poll-bound areas of Ganderbal and Srinagar the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. They said public transport was off the roads in these areas even as few private cars, cabs and auto-rickshaws were seen plying. The government...

Lt Gen Singh reviews security situation along LoC in Rajouri, Poonch

17/10/2018
JAMMU, Oct 16: General officer Commanding of Jammu-based White Knight Corps Lt Gen Paramjit Singh Tuesday visited forward posts along the Line of Control (LoC) and reviewed operational preparedness and security situation, officials said. The corps commander visited forward posts in Poonch, Krishna Ghati and Sunderbani sectors where he was briefed in detail by commanders on ground on current operational and security situation and the preparedness of the formations in dealing with the same, a ...

Court awards 10 years imprisonment to fraudster

17/10/2018
Jammu, Oct 16: Principal Sessions Judge Jammu Vinod Chatterji Koul awarded 10 years imprisonment and fine to Anuj Trikha S/o Parbat Kumar Trikha R/O House No: 5, Lane No: 5, K.B Colony, Bantalab, Jammu. The accused has been prosecuted for the offences punishable under sections 420, 467, 468, 170 RPC by the police of P/S Gandhi Nagar, Jammu. The allegations against the accused are that on 17.3.2009 one application through post was received in the Police Station Gandhi Nagar, Jammu from the co...

Omar accuses Mehbooba of showing ‘fake sympathy’

17/10/2018
SRINAGAR, Oct 16: After former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti described slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Manan Wani a "victim of relentless violence", National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah Monday accused her of showing "fake sympathy", saying it worked in the past but would not work now. "How short Ms Mufti's memory is! She forgets that she was the architect & beneficiary (it kept her allies in good humour) for her entire period in office. She is in no positio...

Rassana Murder Case: Witness states Crime Branch officers beat him

17/10/2018
Pathankot, Oct 16: The Prosecution produced a witness namely Mr. Ajay Kumar but in examination in chief did not support the prosecution story and was declared hostile. After declaring the witness hostile prosecution having the right to cross examination the witness and the right was avaitled. The witness made the statement in the court that S.I.T. members had beaten him and after mercilessly beating the signature were obtained. The prosecution witness narrated no voluntarily statement was made...

PM meets winners of Asian Para Games

17/10/2018
NEW DELHI, Oct 16: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday interacted with medal winners of the Asian Para Games held recently in Jakarta. "It was a delight to interact with the medal winners of the Asian Para Games held in Jakarta recently," he tweeted posting a series of pictures of the athletes. Referring to individual winners, he said the country was proud of their achievement. "India is proud of Anand Kumar Boregowda for bringing home the Bronze Medal in Men's Doubles badminton at the Asia...

2 PHE officials suspended for negligence of duty

17/10/2018
SRINAGAR, Oct 16: The Government today suspended Assistant Executive Engineer and Establishment Clerk of PHE Division, Budgam for online registration of Casual, Seasonal Labours/ Workers (CSLWs) engaged on need-based for a limited period before 2009 against the norms. According to the order issued by Secretary PHE and I&FC: "in pursuance of the provisions of Rule 31 of J&K Civil Services, Classification and Control Rules, 1956 pending enquiry of the officer/ official, are hereby placed under s...

Govt notifies 88 new services in 16 Departments under PGSA

17/10/2018
SRINAGAR, Oct 16: The Government today issued formal notification bringing 88 services in 16 Departments under the Public Service Guarantee Act-2011. The proposal in this regard was approved earlier by the State Administrative Council (SAC) in its meeting chaired by Governor Satya Pal Malik on 4 October 2018. The new Departments brought under the ambit of PGSA include Tourism, Industries & Commerce, Handloom Development, Handicrafts, Geology & Mining, Labour & Employment, Public Works (R&B), ...