Javaid Bhat

The lone son of his ailing old father and the father of four minor children, teacher by profession, Lateef Sonaullah, a paragon of sincerty and devotee of humanity moved to his eternal abode, On the day, when the ranks for Allah's servants are high and the doors of Heaven wide open to greet and embrace its best occupants. Known for his sincerty, soberty and pious attitude, Lateef was dwelling in the hearts of many.

His personality, pleasing face, the grandeur of his attire and the way of greeting and talking to all young and old was unique. Post Graduate in Public Administration and EVS, Lateef's entry in the department was also uniqe and sacrificable, he created means for others for not joining General Line post of Teacher in 2009. Had hej oined, he would have been covered in pension scheme. 

Besides, he said that he was well satisfied as RET Teacher and gave best to pupils at UPS Amarghad. His fountain of knowledge was quenching non stop and with full zeal. The dawn of Eid-ul-Fitr was quacking when morning turned into mourning with the news of his death and shacked every soul. It was a bolt from the blue. People hardly believed the messengers as he was completely busy in Eid-ul-Fitr preparations without any trace of ailment. Finally the plying of Ambulance back to his home, confirmed the news.

He had died of cardic arrest. People from all walks of life; teachers, employees, officers, students and elderly men thronged to his residence to participate in his last rites. 

Near about ten thousand people participated in his funeral prayer. Every eye was moist and every heart was bleeding. 

"It was the largest gathering of people and I have never in my life seen such a massive prayer," Ab Rashid,  an attendee said. 

He was laid to rest in his ancestral grave yard at Malikpora Amarghad. Verily his absence will create a vacuum and death of such a Teacher is catastrophic. May his soul rest in eternal peace!

SRINAGAR: An earthquake of 3.5 magnitude on the Richter scale early Monday morning jolted the mountainous Kishtwar district.

The National Center for Seismology (NCS) said that an earthquake of 3.5 magnitude occurred at around 2:47 am in Kishtwar district.

Earlier on Saturday an earthquake of 3.8 magnitude was also reported in the district.

SRINAGAR: Generally dry weather has been forecast in Jammu and Kashmir till April 10 even as night temperature recorded a drop at most places barring Gulmarg and Jammu on Saturday.

A meteorological department official here told GNS that on April 11-12, weather is likely to be generally cloudy with possibility of light rain/snow at isolated places.

From April 13-15, he said, generally cloudy weather is expected with likelihood of intermittent light rain/snow at many places.

Regarding the temperature, he said, Srinagar recorded a minimum of 4.5°C against 7.4°C on the previous night and it was 2.4°C below normal for the summer capital of JK for this time of the year.

Qazigund recorded a minimum of 2.5°C against 6.4°C on the previous night and it was 3.2°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, he said.

Pahalgam recorded a low of 2.7°C against 4.7°C on the previous night and it was 3.1°C below normal for the famous resort in south Kashmir.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a minimum of 3.8°C against 1.1°C on the previous night and it was 1.6°C below normal, the official said.

Kupwara town recorded a low of 2.4°C against 5.4°C on the previous night and it was 2.8°C below normal there, the official said.

Gulmarg recorded a low of 1.0°C against 0.0°C on the previous night and it was above normal by 0.5°C for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

Jammu, he said, recorded a minimum of 17.1°C and it was below normal by 0.7°C for the winter capital of J&K.

Banihal recorded a low of 5.8°C, Batote 8.5°C and Bhaderwah 4.8°C, he said. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: A double-storey residential house was completely gutted on Monday late evening in a fire incident in Ahim-Sharif village of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, leaving the family shelterless and causing loss of property, officials said.

The officials said that fire broke out in the two storey house belongs to Mohammad Akram Wani, son of Abdul Gani  Wani resident of Bilal Colony Ahim-Sharif Bandipora, resulting in the property worth laks reduced into ashes.

"However timely action of locals and fire tenders doused the flames and save the other nearby properties, “they said, adding that the cause of fire could not be confirmed immediately.(KNO).

SRINAGAR: A blaze has engulfed forest Compartment number 81 in north Kashmir's Bandipora district, an official said on Tuesday evening.

The official told GNS that different kinds of trees and dry bushes are caught in a massive fire in the compartment falling in Yali Pethkote forest area. 

A joint operation by Fire & Emergency Services Bandipora, Fire Services' NHPC Kralpora and Forest Department is underway to contain the blaze. No significant success has however been achieved as the flames continued to spread - when this report was being filed. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police (DGP) RR Swain Monday said that police are fully prepared to ensure peaceful Lok Sabha elections whenever they are announced and the force will provide a safe and secure atmosphere to enthusiastic voters.

Talking to reporters after inaugurating the police post at Rohmoo in Southern district of Pulwama, the DGP said that police force is fully prepared and geared up for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in JK.

“We will ensure peaceful Lok Sabha polls in J&K. We will provide a safe and secure atmosphere to enthusiastic voters,” the DGP said, in reply to a query.

Replying to another query about links between narco-trade and militancy, the DGP said that earlier, they had a doubt whether these two are really linked. “As and when investigations progressed, concrete evidence came to fore that narco-trade and militancy are deeply not only linked but interconnected. Militant outfits like Al-Badr, Jaish-e-Muhammad, Lashkar-e-Toiba are behind this trade,” he said.

The J&K police chief said that the value of Rs 15 lakh consignment of narcotics reaches upto Rs 1 crore while travelling from Kashmir to Delhi and other parts of the country.

“We have a robust mechanism to curb and crack this trade. It is not so easy but we are doing and the police force is cable to do it,” he said. (KNO)

SRINAGAR: Government of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday ordered transfers and postings of Jammu and Kashmir in administration with immediate effect. 

Among the shifted JKAS, as per GNS, include; Vikas Dhar Bhagati, Personnel Officer in the Directorate of School Education, Jammu to Assistant Commissioner (General), Jammu.

Parvinder Kour, JKAS, Secretary, Jammu Municipal Corporation, is transferred and posted as Sub-registrar, Jammu (North). 

Chand Singh, JKAS, Deputy Secretary to the Government, Transport Department, is transferred and posted as Secretary, Jammu Municipal Corporation. 

Manisha, JKAS, Assistant Commissioner (General), Jammu, is transferred and posted as Personnel Officer in the Directorate of School Education, Jammu. 

Savita Chouhan, JKAS, Sub-registrar, Jammu (North), is transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Tourism Jammu. 

Abdul Jabbar, JKAS, Deputy Director, Tourism Jammu, is transferred and posted as Deputy District Election Officer, Ramban. 

Mohd. Farooq Malik, under orders of transfer as Deputy District Election Officer, Ramban, is posted as Development Officer, Handicrafts (Textiles), Jammu, against an available vacancy. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: A 27-year-old soldier was injured in “accidental” fire along the Line of Control in Poonch district, officials said on Thursday. 

An official told GNS that the soldier suffered injury in left foot as his rifle went off accidentally in Krishna Ghati Sector in the district. He was immediately shifted to hospital and is under treatment, the official added. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday arrested a militant associate and recovered from his possession ammunition and other incriminating material in Baramulla district. 

“Police alongwith security forces arrested militant  associate linked with proscribed militant outfit LeT and recovered incriminating materials, ammunition from his possession in Baramulla,” reads a statement issued to GNS.

“On a specific input of terrorist movement in Pattan area, a joint Naka was established at Chinar Crossing Pattan by Baramulla Police, 2nd Bn SSB &  Army 29  RR.”

“During naka checking suspicious movement of one person coming towards naka point by foot was observed. While seeing police party and security forces, the suspect person tried to flee from the spot but alert naka party apprehended him tactfully,” reads the statement.

During preliminary questioning, the statement said the arrestee was identified as Mehraj ud din Bhat son of Manzoor Ahmad Bhat resident of Mundyari Pattan.

“During his search one live hand grenade was recovered from his possession.”

“In this regard, case under sections UA (P) & Arms Act has been registered in PS Pattan and investigation has been taken up,” reads the statement further. (GNS)

Mukaram Ali Sarfaraz

SRINAGAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that the dreams of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, which has been 70 years in the making, will soon be fulfilled under his leadership.

Speaking at a large gathering in Jammu as per news agency Kashmir Scroll, PM Modi highlighted the positive changes that have taken place under his leadership, signifying a departure from the previous narrative of violence and instability in the region.

The Prime Minister underscored the newfound freedom experienced by the youth, who are now actively shaping their own futures, transcending the limitations imposed by dynastic politics. He commended their efforts in creating their own success stories and emphasized that a vibrant and peaceful Kashmir is no longer just an aspiration but a reality currently being realized.

One of the longstanding hurdles in the region has been the lack of local opportunities for professional education, resulting in the migration of young individuals to other areas. Recognizing this, the Modi government has implemented policies to address this issue, ensuring that soon all education needs can be met within the region, eliminating the need for outmigration.

PM Modi also reflected on his previous visit to the same location in 2013, during which he made a commitment to fulfill the aspirations of the people. He took pride in announcing that this commitment has been honored, pointing to the establishment of prestigious institutions such as IIT and IIM in the region as a testament to the progress being made.

PM Modi expressed his optimism for a new Kashmir where peace, prosperity, and development are flourishing, signifying a marked departure from the past. 

SRINAGAR: The authorities suspended vehicular movement on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway on Monday after the thoroughfare was blocked by a mudslide near  Mehad-Cafteria, Ramban, and a landslide at Tabela Chamalwass, Banihal.

In a post on X, traffic police advised people to refrain from travelling on NH-44 until weather conditions improve and the road is cleared. Officials emphasized consulting TCU before commencing the journey.

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police in Kupwara apprehended a militant associate with arms and ammunition on Friday. 

"Today on 16/02/2024 police Kupwara apprehended one person whose identity was ascertained as Asif Mushtaq Wani son of Mushtaq Ahmed Wani resident of Galizoo Kupwara at a surprise Naka checking jointly established by Police Kupwara, PC Kupwara, 47RR and 162 CRPF near BEd college Dragmullah", reads a statement issued to GNS. 

"The person tried to escape on seeking the alert joint security forces party , however he was apprehended after putting hectic efforts. On the search of the said person one Pistol Chinese Make, one pistol magazine and 6 pistol rounds were recovered from his possession", reads the statement. 

"In this regard case FIR No 37/2024 under relevant sections of law has been registered in police station Kupwara and investigation has been taken up", reads the statement further. (GNS)