SRINAGAR: A labourer from Uttar Pradesh died after coming under a massive landslide in Ramban district along Jammu-Srinagar highway on Thursday, officials said. The landslide has further delayed the opening of the thoroughfare which continues to remain blocked for any fresh traffic for the last three days.  

Official sources told GNS that a fresh landslide occurred near Seeri, Ramban and one labourer reportedly working with a private construction company came under the landslide and died while being shifted to hospital.   They identified him as Desh pal Resident of Uttar Pradesh.

Meanwhile the Highway, the only surface link of Kashmir valley with the outside valley, remained closed after the fresh landslide, they said.

“Restoration work is in progress at Kishtwari Pather on Jammu-Srinagar NHW, it will take some time,” traffic police said, adding, “People are advised to avoid journey on NH-44 till the road is clear. Please ask TCU for latest update.”

Hundreds of vehicles, most trucks, were stranded at multiple places along the highway which was closed on Monday and, in the last three days, efforts are underway to restore the road for traffic which have been continuously hampered due to landslides at multiple places. The traffic had been partially restored on Wednesday afternoon to clear stranded vehicles but it was again closed. No fresh traffic could be allowed for three days, they added. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: An unidentified male body has been found in Khoni Nallah in Ramban district on Tuesday.

An official told the news agency Kashmir Scroll that a dead body has found in a deep gorge at Khuni nallah under suspicious circumstances.

Rescue operation by Ramsoo police and QRT Ramsoo underway, he said. (KS)

SRINAGAR: A man was killed and another injured in a road mishap in Banihal of Ramban district this afternoon, officials said.

They told GNS that a Sumo vehicle bearing registration number JK03D 4140 rolled down into a gorge in Khari area,  resulting in on spot death of an occupant and injuries to another. 

The injured person was rescued and taken to a nearby health facility for treatment. 

A police official confirming it told GNS that they have taken cognisance of the Incident. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: A driver of an oil tanker died after his vehicle fell into a deep gorge near Shaitani Nallah in Banihal area of Ramban district on Monday morning, officials said.

An official told the news agency, Kashmir Newe Observer (KNO) that oil tanker rolled down and fell into a deep gorge near Shaitani Nallah.

He said that soon after a rescue operation was launched, however, driver had died by then. 

The deceased has been identified as Ajay Kumar son of Thoru Ram of Akhnoor. 

Meanwhile, Police have taken cognizance of the incident. (KNO)

SRINAGAR: Two siblings were killed and another injured after a vehicle they were traveling in met with an accident in Chamalwas area of Banihal in Ramban district this afternoon, officials said.

They told GNS that an Alto-800 bearing registration number JK02N 1856, skidded off the road and plunged into a 200 metre gorge at Rahampadi Chamalwas, resulting in on spot death of two siblings and injuries to another. 

The deceased duo has been identified as Mohammad Afzal Malik (32), Mohammad Azmat (55) and the injured as Shabir Ahmad Malik - sons of Gull Mohammad Malik of Sarbhangi. 

The injured person has been taken to SDH Banihal for treatment, the officials said. 

Confirming it, a police official told GNS that they have taken cognisance of the incident. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: Authorities in Ramban district have ordered for closure of schools upto 10th class today. The decision has been taken due to heavy rains and flash floods in the area.

"In view of heavy rains and the warning of flash floods, all schools up to the secondary level (Class 10) shall remain closed in Ramban district today (June 26). Teachers will attend to their duties." Deputy Commissioner, Ramban said—(KS)

SRINAGAR: A low-intensity earthquake was felt on Saturday afternoon across Ramban district.

Officials in the knowhow of things said the earthquake, occuring at 2:03 PM, measured 3.0 on Richter Scale. The epicentre of the quake, happening at a depth of 5 kms, was located in Ramban, they said.

There were however no immediate reports of any damage caused anywhere in or around the epicentre.

Notably, the fresh tremor has taken the tally of earthquakes felt in Chenab valley to seven since occurence of a 5.4 magnitude quake in Doda district on preceding Tuesday. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: District administration Ramban has ordered for closure of all schools, upto Class 8 for the day, amid ongoing heavy rains across the district. 

Deputy Commissioner Ramban Mussarat Islam ordered for the closure of the schools albeit asking for scheduled conduct of exams, if any, in the district. 

"All Schools (Government & Private) up to middle level (Class 8) in Ramban District shall remain closed today in view of heavy rains. However, exams if any, shall be held as per schedule", Deputy Commissioner Ramban said. 

In the meantime, the administration has also urged people to ensure their children do not go anywhere near rivers and nallahs due to risen water levels.

"People are advised to ensure their children do not go anywhere near rivers and nallahs as water level has risen due to incessant rains", the DC office wrote on its Twitter handle. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: Two persons were killed and five others were injured in a fire incident in Hotel Maa Shanti at Sanasar, Ramban, officials said on Thursday.

Reports reaching GNS said that the fire erupted in the hotel overnight and before it was brought under control, two people died and five othets were injured and  shifted to local hospital.

Later three among the injured were referred to GMC Jammu. Meanwhile  Deputy Commissioner Ramban has ordered a magisterial inquiry headed by ADC Ramban. This was announced in a tweet by the Deputy Commissioner. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: Ammunition was recovered after a joint team of security forces busted a militant hideout in Khari tehsil of Ramban district on Monday, official said.

They told GNS that information was received through reliable sources regarding the presence of a cache of ammunition and other incriminating material in the far flung hilly and forested area of tehsil Khari in Ramban.

“Acting swiftly on the input, a search operation was launched by Police and SOG in the forest area and suspected hideout locations were searched during which the joint team busted and recovered ammunition from a hideout”, they said.

The recovered ammunition as per the official include; two rifle grenades, one UBGL thrower, one wireless with antenna without battery, two IED type with wire, one detonator type with wire, seventeen AK47 cartilage, seven 9mm cartilage, one glass bottle having glycerine type liquid, one Khaki jacket and a Black leather shoe.

“A case FIR number 106/2023 under section 4 Explosive Substance act has been registered at P/S Banihal and investigation taken up”, they said. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: Police and army claimed to have busted a militant hideout in Ramban district by recovering bullets.  

“On April 4, information was received through reliable sources regarding the presence of cache of arms, ammunition and related material in the far flung hilly and forested area of tehsil Khari of District Ramban,” a police official said in a statement to GNS.

Acting swiftly on the input, the official said, a joint search operation of Police and 23 RR of Army  was launched and suspected hideout locations were searched which continued till evening during which the suspected militant hideout was busted. He said recoveries include 256 number 7.62 MM Cartridges, 36 7.62-MM Empty Cartridges, 5 AK-47 Magazine, 34 9-MM  Cartridges, one 9-MM Empty Cartridges, two 9-MM Empty Magazine, two Pika ammunitions, 6 Pika Empty Cartridges , one Pika Belt, one 52-MM Mortar , four Detonators, two-ft Cordex, one Knife, one Lantern, one Kerosene Lamp, one Tape Recorder, one Walkman with headphone, five Audio Cassette, one Itar, one Watch, two Old Bags, one LMG Ammunition Belt Box and two identity Cards

“In this regard, a case FIR no. 77/2023 u/s 7/25 Arms act and Sec 4 Explosives substances act has been registered at police station Banihal and investigation has been taken up,” the official added. (GNS)