SRINAGAR: Police on Tuesday ruled out of the involvement of DySP Adil Mushtaq in Kokernag encounter in which three officers and a soldier were killed, rejecting claims of “insider betrayal” made by a new agency.

The Kashmir Police Zone while quoting ADGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar wrote on social media blogging platform, "It has come to notice that a video news item has been uploaded purportedly issued by a news agency by the name of Bharat TAK suggesting that DSP Adil Mushtaq is involved in the Kokernag terror incident as an insider betrayal. There is no truth to this video news.”

DSP Adil Mushtaq is being investigated for an entirely different case in Srinagar district and not in Anantnag. “This type of irresponsible journalism is also an act of criminal misconduct and is liable for legal action”, it reads. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: Body of an army soldier who was missing since gunfight erupted in Gadoole has been recovered  on Monday.

Official told GNS that Body of a missing soldier has been recovered today at encounter and is subsequently transported back.

Pertinently on day first of gunfight, an army colonel,  Major, soldier and a DySP were killed in the initial gunfight.

Meanwhile, searches led by joint team of army and police are searching the encounter site, which is a vast forest with tough terrain. (GNS)

Lt Governor Sinha expressed his condolences to the family members and assured the family of all assistance and support from the administration.

“The entire nation stands in solidarity with the family of our braveheart,” Lt Governor said.

Two decorated Army officers, Colonel Manpreet Singh, Commanding Officer of the 19 Rashtriya Rifles, his company commander, Major Aashish Dhonchak, also from the 19 RR, and Deputy Superintendent of Police Himayun Muzamil Bhat, were killed and two other soldiers were injured in a gun battle in the Garool forest of Kokernag in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Wednesday.

Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and Sujit Kumar Singh, DIG CKR Srinagar were also present. (UNI)

SRINAGAR: One more army jawan succumb to his injuries, bringing the total number of casualties from the security forces to four in Gadool Kokernag encounter.

Official sources told news agency Kashmir Scroll that one more army jawan has succumb to his injuries, bringing the total number of casualties from the security forces to 4. They said that the search operation within the cordoned-off area has commenced on the third day on Friday despite rains.

On Wednesday Colonel Manpreet Singh, who was the commanding officer of 19 RR, Major Aashish Dhonchak Salvinder Kumar and DySP Humayun Bhat, the son of former DIG Kashmir Ghulam Muhammad Bhat were killed during initial exchange of fire. (KS)

SRINAGAR: National Conference president and Member of Parliament, Dr Farooq Abdullah on Thursday said that militancy has not ended in Jammu & Kashmir and that only dialogue can ensure peace here. 

Farooq Abdullah, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), visited the residence of deputy superintendent of police, Himayun Muzamil Bhat at Humhama, who was killed Anantnag encounter last evening.

Senior Abdullah while talking to media persons said that militancy has not come to an end in J&K. 

“We cannot achieve peace without holding talks. Fighting with enemies can only lead to destruction and Ukraine is the perfect example of it," he said. (KNO)

SRINAGAR: Police on Thursday said that operation has been resumed in Gadole area of Kokernag in South Kashmir’s Anantnag.

Taking on to X formerly known as Twitter, The Kashmir Police Zone wrote, " In solemn tribute to the unwavering valor of Col Manpreet Singh,Major Ashish Dhonak & DSP Humayun Bhat who laid down their lives leading from the front during this ongoing operation. Our forces persist with unwavering resolve as they encircle 2 LET terrorists including Uzair Khan".

Uzair Khan is a local LeT militant resident of Kokernag.

Yesterday, army’s Colonel, Major and a DysP of J&K police were killed in an fierce gunfight in Gadole area.

Operation was suspended yesterday due to darkness, however more reinforcement was rushed to the encounter site. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: Three casual labourers were timely rescued and hospitalised after they made a self-immolation bid at Botanical Garden Kokernag in south Kashmir's Anantnag district this afternoon, official sources said. 

The sources told GNS that panic gripped the people present in the Garden after three persons tried to self-immolate themselves. "The onlookers timely intervened to rescue trio and took them to a SDH Kokernag from where they have been referred to GMC Anantnag", they said.

The trio has been identified as Zakir Hussain Shakshaz (30) son of Ghulam Hassan Shakshaz and Arshid Ahmad Itoo (33) son of Abdul Salaam, residents of Bidder Kokernag and another Hilal Ahmad Tantray son of Mohammad Akbar Tantray resident of Watnard. 

It has been learnt the labourers belong to Floriculture Department and took the extreme step over alleged transfer issue. 

More details are awaited. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: A bike rider and a pillon rider were injured in a road accident in Kokernag area of South Kashmir Anantnag district on Saturday afternoon.

 An official told news agency, Kashmir Scroll that bike bearing registration No JK03K/7489 and Bolero bearing registration No JK01AJ/1285 met with an accident at Dandipora Anantnag.

In the incident, bike Rider Yawar Yaseen Bhat Son of Mohd Yaseen Bhat and pillion rider Zubair Yaseen Dar son Muhammad Yaseen Dar both residents of Shoul Wanpora Batengoo were injured. Both were shifted by locals to SDH kokernag for treatment, he said. Meanwhile, police have taken cognizance of the incident and started investigation. (KS)

SRINAGAR; A non-local resident was injured in a scuffle with another non-local in Kokernag area of South Kashmir Anantnag district on Wednesday.

An official told news agency, Kashmir Scroll that in garden Kokernag, a scuffle took place between two non locals namely Lal Mohan Sah S/O Shankar Sah and Ravinder Sah S/O Bajnath Sah residents of Bahawalpur Bihar. In the incident Lal Mohan got critically injured and has been referred to GMC Anantnag for treatment, he said.

Meanwhile police have taken cognizance of the incident and started investigation. (KS)

SRINAGAR: 

A court in Srinagar has convicted a man for raping a 14-year-old girl in Soura area of Srinagar in 2012 and termed it as the “crime against society”.   

According to the prosecution, police received a complaint from the father of the victim that he took his daughter for check up after she complained of abdominal pain and upon tests by the doctors, she was declared to be having child in her womb.   

The complainant said that upon enquiry by him and his wife, the minor disclosed that the person who resides in their neighborhood as tenant, namely Irshad Ahmad Malik of Kokernag, raped her several times. 

Subsequently, a case (FIR No 33/2012) under Section 376 RPC was registered in police Station Soura and the investigation culminated into the filing of the chargesheet under Section 376 RPC on 23 June 2012. Subsequently the trial ensued and culminated in conviction of the accused, Irshad Ahmad of Malik of Ahlan Gadwak Kokernag, at present Anchar Soura.

 “It is established that accused at the time of committing heinous crime of rape with a minor girl who was studying in 4th class, was major married person living with his wife at rented room in neighbourhood of victim who used to go there for playing with younger brother of the accused who was also putting up with them there,” presiding officer of 2nd Additional Session Judge Srinagar, Renu Dogra Gupta said after hearing the counsel for accused and additional Public Prosecutor Farooq Ahmad Malik. “The accused had gagged her mouth and committed heinous and barbaric crime of rape with her there and also threaten not to disclose the same to anyone,” the court said and convicted him for the offence under 376 RPC (rape).

The accused being major and married person, the court said, was fully aware of the consequences of his “barbaric act”.

The Crime of this nature against the child girl, the court said, is definitely a crime against the society.
 “This court is of considered opinion that prosecution has successfully proved the guilt of the accused beyond any reasonable doubt. Therefore the accused is liable to be convicted for the offence punishable under Sections 376 of RPC,” the court said and convicted him, as per the verdict, a copy of which lies with GNS. Subsequently the court ordered him to be taken to judicial custody in Central Jail Srinagar and ordered listing of the case for quantum of punishment on Wednesday. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: A hideout has been unearthened near encounter site at Sagam area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Sunday, officials said.

A top police officer told GNS that during firefight at encounter site, a hideout was also found by the security forces.

However, recovery from the hideout spot was not available at the time of filing this story.

Meanwhile, operation in Sagam area of Anantnag will be prolonged since it is a huge forest area, the officer added.(GNS)