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: Jammu and Kashmir Government on Wednesday announced ex-gratia relief to the next-of-kins of the deceased and for the treatment of those injured in the fatal accident. 

"Deeply saddened by the tragic accidents in Baramulla & Kishtwar. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured. An ex-gratia of Rs. 5 lakh to be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives in the tragedies. The injured would be given Rs. 1 lakh", Office of LG Manoj Sinha wrote on a post on X, as per GNS. 

"Directed the district administrations to provide all possible assistance to the families expeditiously", reads the post. 

Pertinent to mention here that at least seven persons were killed and eight others injured in a tragic road mishap at Bujthala Boniyar in Uri Baramulla this afternoon.

In another accident, two persons were killed and as many injured in a road mishap at Warwan in Kishtwar. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: A 3.9 magnitude earthquake hit Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district in the early hours of Thursday, media reports said.

The quake hit at latitude 33.34 degrees north and longitude 76.67 degrees, at a depth of five kilometres.

SRINAGAR: Police on Thursday detained one terrorist associate in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Kishtwar, Khalil Poswal said that in a significant move aimed at safeguarding public safety and national security, Police as preventive measure detained a hardcore terrorist associate under the provisions of the Public Safety Act. (PSA)

The detained person was identified as Abdul Karim Butt, resident of Badhat Saroor, Tehsil Drabshalla, District Kishtwar, who happens to be brother of hardcore HM A++ category terrorist Jahangir Saroori, he said.

The SSP added that the detained terrorist associate was previously involved in anti national activities and accordingly was booked under provisions of UAPA Act who is facing trial in NIA court and his current activities are prejudicial to the security of the country and his free movements in the society also create circumstances to radicalise youth.
Accordingly the subject has been detained under PSA and lodged at District Jail Kishtwar, he added.

The Public Safety Act empowers law enforcement agencies to take necessary measures to counter potential security risks and maintain the safety of the community, said the SSP adding that police is committed to upholding the rule of law while ensuring that civil liberties are respected.
Poswal emphasized that the police force is employing a multi-pronged approach to address the issue of anti-national elements.

Alongside organizing awareness programs to educate the public, the police will not hesitate to take stern actions against those disrupting peace and harmony, he said.
The SSP issued a stern warning to all Over Ground Workers (OGWs) and anti-national elements, stating that Kishtwar will not tolerate any activities that threaten the security of our nation.

He urged them to return to the path of peace and urged the public to support the police in maintaining a safe and secure environment.

The Kishtwar Police Department encourages the general public to promptly report any information related to anti-national activities, anti-social elements. Citizens can contact the helpline number 9906154100 or submit information through the official Facebook page and the identity of informants will be kept confidential. (UNI)

SRINAGAR: Three people including two labourers were killed when a vehicle they were travelling skidded off the road and plunged into a gorge in Kishtwar district on Friday, officials said.

Official sources told GNS that the Camper vehicle (JK17-6327) carrying three people was moving near the under construction Kiru Hydro-electric project when its driver lost control and the vehicle rolled down into the gorge. All three occupants of the vehicle died on the spot, they said. All residents of Kistwara, the decease have been identified as Badal Kumar (19), driver of the vehicle, son of Ranjeet Singh of Bida Lower Bidda, Ashfaq Hussain (25) son of Mohammad Ashraf Malik and Chanjgu Ram (38) son of C. Singh of Chicgnana Nagseni. Local reports suggest that vehicle belonged to a construction company but official confirmation was awaited.     

Confirming the death of the three people in the accident, SHO Kishtwar Abid Bukhari told GNS that a case has been registered and investigations taken up. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: State Investigation Unit of Kishtwar on Tuesday raided at four locations against militancy funding.

A senior police officer told news agency Kashmir Scroll that SIU unit of Kishtwar police conducting raids at 4 different locations in Kishtwar District against militancy funding & OGW network operating from Pakistan through local militants The raids were conducts at residences of Jamal Naik resident of Sewa Chatroo, Gulzar Ahmad resident of Kucchal, Shabir Ahmad resident of Baig Pura Singpura and Gulabu resident of Mugalmaidan. (KS)

Further details awaited

SRINAGAR: The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of Police on Wednesday carried out raids at multiple locations in Kishtwar District in the houses of alleged militants operating from POK/PAK.

Kishtwar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Khalil Poswal told news agency Kashmir Scroll that house search warrants from NIA court Jammu in case FIR No 272/2022 registered under UAPA Act at PS Kishtwar.

Meanwhile different teams were constituted led by SDPOs including Magistrate and proper SOPs were followed by the team and raid were conducted in the houses of militant identified as Manzoor Ahmed at Tahir Ingalabi S/O Ghulam Ali Naik R/O Dwather Singpura, Nazir Ahmed at  Shaheen S/O Mohd Akbar Sheikh R/O Beighpura Singpura Chatroo.

Shabir Ahmed at Junaid S/O Gh. Mohd Rishi R/O Sewa Chatroo.

Mohd Igbal Rishi at Muzamil Ansari S/O Ab. Rashid R/O Dellar Chatroo, Mohd Amin Bhatt S/O Gh.Qadir Bhat

SRINAGAR: The government has approved suspension of mobile internet services in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir “in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State and for maintaining public order.” 

According to an order, ADGP, Jammu Zone, being the Authorized Officer under the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017, had issued directions to the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs)/Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to suspend mobile data services (3G/4G/5G) and limit 2G data Service (Less than 100 KBPS Speed), in District Kishtwar, with effect from June 28 (2200 Hours) to June 29 (1800 hours).

“The order/letter under reference, inter-alia, mentions about apprehension of misuse of mobile data services (3G/4G/5G) by anti-national elements/miscreants, for spreading rumours and inciting material on social media, with the aim of creating deterioration in public order, warranted suspension of 3G/3G/5G data services and limiting the speed of 2G data services,” reads the order by R K Goyal(IAS), Financial Commissioner (ACS) of J&K’s Home Department.

“…upon consideration of the various aspects, as brought out in the material provided by the Authorized Officer, I, Financial Commissioner (ACS) Home, being satisfied that there was absolute necessity for issuance of the aforesaid directions by the Authorized Officer, without obtaining prior approval of the Competent Authority, in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State and for maintaining public order, hereby confirm order No. 475(TSTS) of 2023 dated 28.06.2023,under endorsement No. JZ/CS/Snap-down/2023/476-77 dated 28.06.2023. issued by the Authorized Officer, in exercise of powers conferred under sub-rule (1) of Rule 2 of the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017,” the order, a copy of which lies with GNS, added. (GNS)

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: Police on Wednesday said that its Special Investigation Unit carried out multiple raids at different locations in Kishtwar district

In handout to GNS, the police said that, today Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of Kishtwar Police again carried out raids at multiple locations in Kishtwar District in the house of militants who are operating from POK/PAK.

According to police spokesman, While divulging the details SSP Kishtwar Khalil Poswal-JKPS said that CIO Kishtwar DYSP Vishal sharma after obtaining house search warrants from NIA court Jammu in case FIR No 272/2022 registered under UAPA Act at PS Kishtwar against terrorists namely  Azad Hussain S/O Ab Majid R/O Affani Padder, Gazi-Ud-Din S/O Mohd Ayoub R/O Jugna Keshwan, Bashir Ahmed Mughal S/O Gh Qadir R/O Jugna  Keshwan and Sattar Din @ Rajab S/O Mehar Din R/O Jugna Keshwan who are presently operating from POK/PAK, searched their respective houses/residential premises. During the course of searches, the evidences collected shall be investigated so as to subject the accused persons to judicial determination for their involvement in anti-national activities and perpetuation of militancy.

SSP Kishtwar further disclosed that all those supporter/associates of terrorists whose involvement surfaces during investigations shall also be prosecuted. SSP Kishtwar further said that searches are aimed at eliminating the militant ecosystem in the district by identifying various over-ground workers and supporters of militancy, reads the statement. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: Seven people were killed and three others were injured when a vehicle carrying workers met with an accident near the site of under construction Dangduru hydel power project in Kishtwar district on Wednesday.

A police officer told GNS that the cruiser vehicle with ten people on board skidded off the road and fell into deep gorge. Seven people died on the spot while three others were injured who were later shifted to District Hospital Kishtwar and GMC Doda as per requirement.  

The officer said that a case has been registered and further investigations taken up. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: A teacher accused of sexual harassment and was evading arrest has been held in Kishtwar on Friday. Reliable Sources confirmed that an accused teacher in sexual harassment case who evading arrested, was today arrested at Kishtwar police. They said that after a complaint was received from a local Govt Higher Secondary School. Teacher was evading arrest since last three days and was arrested today, they said. Case has been registered and further investigation has been taken up, they added. (KS)