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: Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid on Thursday said that Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has been placed under house arrest.

“The Mirwaiz has been put under house arrest by the authorities ahead of his sermon that he was scheduled to deliver at Aali Masjid in the city today,” Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid said in a statement.

However, officials here refused to comment on the claim of Mirwaiz’s house arrest, as reported by PTI.

The Mirwaiz was released from house detention in September last year — more than four years after he was placed under house arrest in the wake of abrogation of Article 370 by the government of India in August 2019.

The authorities again placed curbs on his movement in the first week of October and prevented him from attending any religious gatherings, including Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid.

The Mirwaiz was again allowed to attend Friday prayers and other religious congregations a week ahead of the Ramzan fasting month.

SRINAGAR: Four persons of a family comprising mother and her three daughters died after a kacha house collapsed amid massive rains in Reasi district, officials said on Sunday.     

The incident happened at Kunderdhan Morha Band and those who died have been identified as Phalla Akther (30) wife of Mohammad Farid, their daughters— Samreen Kousar (2 months), Nasima Akther (2) and Safeen Kousar (3). Two more persons Kalu (60) son of Juma, his wife Bano Begum (58) were injured and shifted to hospital, the officials said.

Station House Officers Chasana Ranjit Rao confirmed to GNS the incident and said that a case has been registered. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: The management body of Srinagar’s historic Jama Masjid on Friday claimed that authorities have placed Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the chief priest of Kashmir, under house arrest.

“Mirwaz Umar Farooq has again been put under house arrest today ahead of the Friday congregation in Jama Masjid. Mirwaz was to give a special sermon today on the occasion of Shab-e-Mehraj at Jama Masjid, as had been announced,” the Anjumam Auqaf Jama Masjid said in a statement.

A large number of people were expected at the mosque for the Mirwaiz’s sermon, it said, adding the authorities stationed police vehicles outside the main gate of Farooq’s residence at Nigeen, PTI reported quoting the statement.

"Anjuman strongly denounces the repeated house arrest of Mirwaiz especially on Friday, disabling him from visiting Jama Masjid to deliver the Friday sermon and participate in the mandatory Friday prayers,” the management body said.

Mirwaiz was released from house arrest in September last year after remaining confined to his home for more than four years.

However, the authorities allowed him to visit Jama Masjid only for three Fridays. His movement in Srinagar remains restricted on Fridays since the latest flare up in Israel-Palestine conflict in October last year, reported the news agency.

SRINAGAR: Heavy rains caused significant damage to a residential house on the night of Monday in Kishtwar district.

Official sources told News Agency Kashmir Scroll that the house, belonging to Mohamdoo, son of Gafar Rather of Void Drubeel, was affected by a landslide triggered by the heavy rain.

He said the incident occurred during the intervening nights of Monday and Tuesday.

The official said that upon receiving the information, revenue teams promptly responded by taking immediate action. They ensured the safety of the affected family by relocating them to a secure location the official added. The higher reaches in Kashmir received fresh snowfall while rain lashed the plains.

Meanwhile, the in-charge director of the meteorological department in Srinagar, Mukhtar Ahmad, has stated that the weather is expected to improve from today onwards.(KS)

SRINAGAR: Three visually impaired siblings died while their mother and sister were rescued after their house collapsed amid continuous rains in Kishtwar district, officials said on Saturday.

They said, Ravinder Kumar (32), Rajesh Kumar (30) and Sajjan Kumar (28) sons of Soram Singh died after their house collapsed in Pullar village of Kishtwar during midnight.

While Soram Singh was not at home, his wife and daughter were rescued by rescuers and shifted to hospital, they said. 

Station House Officer Kishtwar Abid Hussain Bukhari confirmed it to GNS and said a case has been registered with regard to the incident. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: In order to avoid and stop theft incidents, police in Srinagar have advised people not to abandon their houses and refrain from keeping valuables in the house.

In some areas of Srinagar city, people claimed that thieves broke into their houses and looted cash and valuables when they were out to attend a marriage function.

To prevent such theft, police have advised people to safeguard their valuables and don’t keep cash and other valuables in the house when nobody remains present in the house.

A top police official told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that anti-social elements especially burglars keep an eye on those houses which remain locked and where family members go out to attend any function.

   “It’s our responsibility to advise people to safeguard their valuables as a preventive measure,” he said adding that people should avail of the facilities of bank lockers, ATMs, debit and credit cards.

The official said that a slight negligence on their part will cost them their hard-earned money and ornaments.

He said people should help the police by cooperating to prevent thefts, especially those that occur during the day.

“People can keep a minimum amount at home since all banks provide facilities such as ATM's and net banking which can be used for any transaction or transfers. They are reliable and convenient. Also, jewelry must be kept safe in the bank and only those required for daily use can be kept at home,” the official said adding that people should inform the concerned police station if they find suspects roaming in their areas. [KNT]

SRINAGAR: A residential house and a cowshed were completely gutted in a massive fire incident in Charwan area of Ajas in North Kashmir's Bandipora district this evening.

Reports reaching GNS said that a residential house and a cowshed belonging to one Mubeen Ahmad Gojar Matravi, son of Ghulam Mohiuddin Gojar Matravi, got completely damaged in a massive fire incident.

Expressing their anguish against F&ES Department for ‘failing to reach the site’, a group of locals told GNS that despite timely intimation no one from the department turned out for help.

The locals in the meantime hailed Army’s 13 RR and expressed their gratitude towards them for their timely help which, according to them, prevented the fire from spreading to other houses in the vicinity. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: At least forty three  persons, mostly women, were injured after a house they were attending a funeral at, collapsed in a village in Poonch district, this afternoon, officials said.

They told GNS that the women had assembled at house of one Zakir Hussain Shah in Khanetar village near High School in Poonch district to mourn death of a woman. "In the course of time as more people poured in, the roof collapsed, leading to injuries to at least 43 women", they said. 

"All the injured were taken to nearby hospital for immediate treatment", they further said. 

SHO Poonch Ranjit Rao also confirmed to GNS about the incident. "All the injured persons are under treatment at a hospital", the police officer said. (GNS)