At least five persons including two women and three Wildlife department officials were injured in a leopard attack in Ganderbal on Wednesday. The leopard was however, captured alive by the authorities.

An official said that locals spotted a leopard roaming in the area and informed the department concerned, following which a massive hunt was launched.

He said that two women amongst three wildlife officials got injured after they were attacked by the leopard during the search operation.

After hectic efforts the leopard was captured alive by the Wildlife officials, he said.

Meanwhile, the injured have been shifted to a nearby medical facility for treatment. (KNO)

SRINAGAR: At least seven shops of a shopping complex were gutted in a massive blaze that broke out in the main market of Kangan, officials said.

An official told the news agency, Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that the midnight blaze caused extensive damage, particularly to two cloth houses within the complex. 

The fire tenders rushed to the spot and doused the flames, however, the belongings worth lakhs of rupees were damaged, said the officials.

Meanwhile, no loss of life, or any injury was reported in the incident, and the cause of fire is being ascertained. (KNO)

SRINAGAR: Following the fatal road accident along the Zojila stretch, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ganderbal, Shyambir, conducted a thorough inspection of the Zojila pass, today.

Accompanied by SDM Kangan, Javaid Ahmad Rather, ARTO Ganderbal, Tehsildar Gund, SDPO Kangan, and OC BEACON, the DC conducted a visit to evaluate the road conditions and assess immediate safety measures to prevent future mishaps.

During the visit, the DC inspected vulnerable spots on the Zojila road stretch and issued instructions to BEACON authorities to implement necessary safety measures promptly.

The authorities briefed the DC on the immediate safety measures already taken, including erecting Hesco barriers with reflecting tapes, signages, reflecting mirrors, etc. The ongoing project for long-term measures, such as retaining walls and permanent crash barriers, is slated for completion in the next year.

Expressing grief over recent tragic road accidents on Zojila pass, the DC directed the concerned authorities to ensure effective safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

A discussion was held on cutoff timing from Sonamarg upward and Minimarg downward, with a decision made to restrict tourist vehicles beyond Sonamarg starting tomorrow.

To enhance road safety, the DC directed BEACON authorities to conduct thorough trail runs before allowing traffic towards Zojila pass.  He directed for displaying Speed limits prominently at key locations.

Meanwhile, The DC appealed to all commuters to strictly adhere to road safety measures, avoiding rash driving on Zojila pass.

The DC emphasized the importance of immediate action to secure Zojila road, ensuring the safety of commuters and preventing further tragic incidents.

OC BEACON assured implementing both short-term and long-term safety measures to safeguard lives on this critical stretch of road.

SRINAGAR: In a collaborative effort with the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, BHSS Manigam Ganderbal organized a comprehensive vocational education tour of IT/ITes students to the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) in Rangreth, Srinagar on 25th October 2023. Aimed at fostering practical skills and enhancing job readiness, the tour brought together enthusiastic students from Classes 11th and 12th under guidance of vocational trainer Information technology Ambreen Qureshi. 

Recognizing the pivotal role of such initiatives in preparing students for a competitive job market, the educational journey was guided by experienced educators and experts.

Vocational education is increasingly acknowledged as a vital bridge between academic learning and professional success. Institutions like BHSS Manigam Ganderbal, through such tours, are actively contributing to the comprehensive development of students, equipping them for a promising future. The tour to STPI Srinagar not only inspired participating students but also encouraged them to explore diverse career opportunities and acquire hands-on skills crucial for success in their chosen fields.

As the students return from this enriching experience, it is evident that such initiatives have the potential to shape the future workforce of Ganderbal and beyond. With unwavering support from the government and dedicated educational institutions, the region is poised for significant youth empowerment and economic growth. (HT)

SRINAGAR:  The Lt Governor felicitated the outstanding students and the citizens for their exemplary contributions in their respective fields.  He also interacted with the locals present there and listened to their demands and issues.

Coffee table books on Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2023 and Mashal-e-Gash were also released.

Earlier, the Lt Governor inaugurated various projects at Government Degree College Ganderbal including 12 classroom additional accommodation, Multipurpose Hall, Gym cum Health Centre and VIKALP- Venture Incubation and Knowledge Application Launchpad. He laid the foundation stone for 50-bedded Hostel for Girls at GDC Ganderbal and released a booklet on VIKALP Incubation Policy.

The various projects inaugurated by the Lt Governor today include - Bus Terminal Complex at Beehama, Ganderbal; Cafeteria MC Ganderbal; Sind View Point and Amrit Sarovar Beautification at Beehama. He also laid the beautification of area around Clock Tower Ganderbal.

The projects of Jal Shakti Department worth Rs 13.50 crore inaugurated by Lt Governor were MGD WTP Ganderbal town; Water Supply Schemes for Ganderbal town (Phase II), Kurag Daragpora, Gogjigund Malikpora and Aug Mammer.

Ms Nuzhat Ishfaq, DDC Chairperson Ganderbal; Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; Dr Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lt Governor; Sh Vijay Bidhuri, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Sh Shyambir, Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal; Sh Sujit Kumar, DIG CKR Srinagar; Adv Altaf, President Municipal Council Ganderbal, PRI members and senior officers were present. 

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested two men posing as journalists for extorting money in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, officials said.

The police identified the duo as Sohail Maqbool of Bamiluna Kangan and Kaiser Farooq of Cheerwan Kangan.

Police said a written complaint was received by Police Station Gund on Friday from Gulzar Ahmed Kasana of Surfraw Gund Ganderbal, stating therein that two unknown persons posing as journalists arrived at his residence and demanded a bribe of Rs 5000 from him.

Kasana was constructing a residential house, and the two self-styled fake journalists took Rs 500 cash from him and asked him to pay the remaining amount of Rs 4500 after two days.

"Further, the duo asked the victim that if he failed to pay the said amount, then they would dismantle his house," the complainant told the police.

A team of Ganderbal police later arrested them for blackmailing and extortion, police said.

A case under relevant sections of the law was registered at Police Station Gund, and further investigation was taken up.

Police said for many days there were complaints that some boys on scooters with mobile phones and cameras in their hands were blackmailing and extorting the public in the general area of Gund.

Ganderbal Police has requested the general public not to fall prey to blackmailing and report such crimes to police so that culprits shall be nabbed effectively under relevant sections of law in future also. (UNI)

SRINAGAR: A Youth died after accidentally slipping in Sindh Nallah in Mammer area of Central Kashmir's Genderbal district on Tuesday.

An official told news agency, Kashmir Scroll that Zakir Ahmad Thekri Son of Ghulam Qadir Thekri slipped and drowned in Sindh Nallah at Kangan. He said soon after the incident a police team along with locals launched a rescue operation.

He said that efforts are on to retrieve his body.

Police have taken cognizance in this regard. (KS)

SRINAGAR: A body of an unknown lady was recovered from Nallah Sindh in Ganderbal district on Wednesday officials said.

They told the news agency Kashmir Scroll that body of unknown lady was recovered from nallah Sindh village in Pathribal near Rayill Gund Ganderbal.

They said that police had taken cognizance and started investigation.(KS)

SRINAGAR: Some houses and other structures were damaged due to a cloudburst in the central Kashmir district of Ganderbal on Saturday morning, officials said.

They told news agency Kashmir Scroll that a cloudburst that occurred in the Gujjer Pati Prang area of Kangan this morning resulted in water entering some residential houses and causing damage in the area; however, there was no report of any loss of life in the incident.

Meanwhile, a police party reached the spot to monitor the situation. (KS)

SRINAGAR: Industrial area in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district facing blackout after a major lightening struck to damage a 6.3 MVA transformer on Tuesday night.

An official told Kashmir Scroll that the lightning strikes accompanied with heavy rainfall on Tuesday night destroyed the transformer forced the whole area to undergo an imminent blackout.

Meanwhile, A PDD official told news agency,  Kashmir Scroll that a team will visit the spot today and at earliest the electricity will be restored in the area. Pertinently, Kashmir parts on Tuesday night witnessed heavy rainfall followed lightining.(KS)

SRINAGAR: A Man died after accidentally slipping into a Power canal in Kangan area of central Kashmir's Ganderbal district on Wednesday. 

An official told news agency, Kashmir Scroll that Bashir ahmad wani Son of Abdul Gafaar wani slipped in power canal near power house kangan. He said soon after the incident a police team along with locals launched a rescue operation.

He said that his dead body was retrieved and after all legal-medico formalities is being handed over to family. Police have taken cognizance in this regard. (KS)

SRINAGAR: A woman died while another one was injured after a bus hit a scooty in Hush Nush Chinar area of central Kashmir's Ganderbal district on Monday. 

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the woman riding pillion died on spot after the bus hit the scooty near Hush-Nush Chinar. 

He said that in the incident the scooty rider was injured and he has been rushed to a nearby hospital. 

The deceased has been identified as Kulsuma wife of Yasir Ahmad Sofi of Giraj Ganderbal. (KNO)