J&K police arrests female terror suspect; live cartridges & grenades recovered

Pampore town in Jammu & Kashmir witnesses fall in Saffron production

<p>Two Hizbul Mujahideen&nbsp;terrorists were killed in an overnight encounter with security forces in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said Sunday.</p>

<p>The security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Khudpora area on Saturday evening following information about the presence of the militants there, a police officer said.</p>

<p>He said the search operation turned into an encounter after the militants opened fire towards the security forces, who retaliated.</p>

<p>Two terrorists were killed in the encounter while two others managed to escape, he said.</p>

<p>"A couple of terrorists managed to escape from the site as blood trails have been seen there," he added.</p>

<p>The slain militants have been identified as Mohammad Irfan Bhat and Shahid Mir. While Bhat had joined militant ranks last year, Mir was part of an arms case from 2004, a police spokesperosn said.</p>

<p>"Incriminating material, including arms and ammunition, have been recovered from the encounter site.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Police have registered a case and started investigations," he said.&nbsp;</p>


Two Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists were killed in an overnight encounter with security forces in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said Sunday. The security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Khudpora area on Saturday evening following information about the presence of the militants there, a police officer said.

Two Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists were killed in an overnight encounter with security forces in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said Sunday. The security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Khudpora area on Saturday evening following information about the presence of the militants there, a police officer said. He said the search operation turned into an encounter after the militants opened fire towards the security forces, who retaliated. Two terrorists were killed in the encounter while two others managed to escape, he said. "A couple of terrorists managed to escape from the site as blood trails have been seen there," he added. The slain militants have been identified as Mohammad Irfan Bhat and Shahid Mir. While Bhat had joined militant ranks last year, Mir was part of an arms case from 2004, a police spokesperosn said. "Incriminating material, including arms and ammunition, have been recovered from the encounter site. Police have registered a case and started investigations," he said.

J&K: Two Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists killed in encounter

First snowfall disrupts flight services in Srinagar

<p>Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir killed two militants on Thursday in a gunfight at Zagoo Arizal area in Badgam district, police said.</p>

<p>The security forces started a cordon and search operation after they received information about the presence of militants in the locality.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UPDATE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UPDATE</a>: 2 terrorists have been killed in the encounter which broke out at Zagoo Arizal area of Budgam. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JammuAndKashmir?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JammuAndKashmir</a> <a href="https://t.co/5VPLA2z81Y">https://t.co/5VPLA2z81Y</a></p>
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<p>The hiding militants started firing at the security forces triggering the gunfight.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Searches are ongoing in the village," police sources said.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Gunshots heard at the site of encounter in Zagoo Arizal area of Budgam, where 2 terrorists have been neutralised by security forces.The operation has concluded now. (Visuals deferred by unspecified time) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JammuAndKashmir?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JammuAndKashmir</a> <a href="https://t.co/y3LvwzLfGH">pic.twitter.com/y3LvwzLfGH</a></p>
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<p>Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter. Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation into the matter.</p>

<p>Police requested citizens not to venture into the encounter zone. Police have requested the people to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosives materials.</p>


Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir killed two militants on Thursday in a gunfight at Zagoo Arizal area in Badgam district, police said. The security forces started a cordon and search operation after they received information about the presence of militants in the locality.

Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir killed two militants on Thursday in a gunfight at Zagoo Arizal area in Badgam district, police said. The security forces started a cordon and search operation after they received information about the presence of militants in the locality. #UPDATE: 2 terrorists have been killed in the encounter which broke out at Zagoo Arizal area of Budgam. #JammuAndKashmir https://t.co/5VPLA2z81Y — ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2018 × The hiding militants started firing at the security forces triggering the gunfight. Searches are ongoing in the village," police sources said. #WATCH Gunshots heard at the site of encounter in Zagoo Arizal area of Budgam, where 2 terrorists have been neutralised by security forces.The operation has concluded now. (Visuals deferred by unspecified time) #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/y3LvwzLfGH — ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2018 × Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter. Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation into the matter. Police requested citizens not to venture into the encounter zone. Police have requested the people to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosives materials.

Jammu & Kashmir: 2 militants killed in gunfight

<p>Two terrorists were&nbsp;killed by security forces in the ongoing encounter which started in Malganipora area of Sopore in Baramulla district on Friday morning.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One soldier was also killed during the gunbattle.</p>

<p>Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Pazalpora village of Dangiwacha town in the north Kashmir district this morning after receiving specific information about the presence of militants in the area, a police official said.</p>

<p>The official said the search operation turned into an encounter after the terrorists&nbsp;fired at the search party.</p>

<p>Heavy firing has been going on from both sides. Further information is awaited.</p>

<p>Reports say that internet services in the area have been suspended as a precautionary measure.</p>

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<p>The encounter comes hours after another army jawan was killed in a sniper fire by terrorists in Tral area of South Kashmir. Terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed has claimed responsibility for the attack on a camp of the 42 Rashtriya Rifles.</p>

<p>The terrorists used carried out the attack in Luragam around 9 pm, killing Sepoy Ngamsiamliana, who was on the guard duty. Another hjawan was injured in the attack.</p>


Two terrorists were killed by security forces in the ongoing encounter which started in Malganipora area of Sopore in Baramulla district on Friday morning. One soldier was also killed during the gunbattle.

Two terrorists were killed by security forces in the ongoing encounter which started in Malganipora area of Sopore in Baramulla district on Friday morning. One soldier was also killed during the gunbattle. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Pazalpora village of Dangiwacha town in the north Kashmir district this morning after receiving specific information about the presence of militants in the area, a police official said. The official said the search operation turned into an encounter after the terrorists fired at the search party. Heavy firing has been going on from both sides. Further information is awaited. Reports say that internet services in the area have been suspended as a precautionary measure. #Visuals: An encounter between terrorists and security forces has started in north Kashmir's Sopore. #JammuAndKashmir (visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/8KeYHE5bLr — ANI (@ANI) October 26, 2018 × The encounter comes hours after another army jawan was killed in a sniper fire by terrorists in Tral area of South Kashmir. Terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed has claimed responsibility for the attack on a camp of the 42 Rashtriya Rifles. The terrorists used carried out the attack in Luragam around 9 pm, killing Sepoy Ngamsiamliana, who was on the guard duty. Another hjawan was injured in the attack.

Watch: Two terrorists, one soldier killed during encounter in J&K's Sopore

<p>As the counting of votes concluded in the Jammu and Kashmir civic polls on Saturday, the Bharatiya Janata Party emerged as a clear winner in the municipal polls by winning 43 seats, raising its previous strength of 25 in the 75-member body.</p>

<p>The Congress suffered a big loss in the election, winning only 14 seats against its 26 in the 2005 civic polls, election officials said. Then it was ruling Jammu and Kashmir in coalition with the PDP.</p>

<p>In rest of the 446 wards spread across Jammu region covering a total of 36 municipal committees and councils, the BJP had an edge over its rivals in 15 bodies followed by Independents in 12 and the Congress in five, they said.</p>

<p>The BJP won a total of 169 seats in these bodies followed by independents at 167 and the Congress at 96, the officials said.</p>

<p>They attributed the emergence of independents as a strong force in view of the absence of the NC and the PDP, the key regional parties.</p>

<p>The election in a ward in Ramban was countermanded due to the death of a BJP candidate who suffered a heart attack on the day of polling in the second phase on October 10.</p>

<p>The election in the 521 municipal wards in the 10 districts of Jammu was held in the first three phases of the elections in the state, which concluded on October 16, recording a high voter turnout of 68.4 per cent among the over 6.44 lakh electorate.</p>

<p>Thirteen candidates were elected to different municipal wards unopposed, leaving a total of 2,137 candidates in the fray.</p>

<p>The JMC along with seven municipal committees of Jammu went to polls in the first phase on October 8, registering a turnout of 63.8 per cent.</p>

<p>The counting of votes in the winter capital started at a government polytechnic institute at 9 am. As the results started pouring in, BJP leaders and activists came out to celebrate party's victory.</p>

<p>"This is the victory of the people and they have reposed their faith in us. We will continue to serve the people to the best of our ability," BJP state chief Ravinder Raina said while leading the celebrations at party headquarters here.</p>

<p>He said it was the victory of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision and efforts to take the country to new heights and the hard work and dedication of party leaders and workers.</p>

<p>The Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) failed to open its account in the majority of the wards, including the JMC.</p>

<p>Party chairman and former minister Harsh Dev Singh alleged rigging and claimed, "It is not the BJP but electronic voting machine (EVM) which won the election for the party."</p>

<p>"EVMs should be replaced with ballot boxes to enure free and fair polls," he said.</p>

<p>Deepak Gupta, the brother of senior BJP leader Kavinder Gupta, was among the prominent candidates who lost the elections.</p>

<p>However, Rajinder Singh alias Bubby, the brother of senior BJP leader Choudhary Lal Singh, and his wife Vandina Andotra won as independents from Kathua municipal council.</p>

<p>Bubby was in the centre of a controversy in May when a video of him went viral on social media in which he was purportedly abusing former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti during a 'Dogra Swabhiman rally.</p>

<p>The rally was led by the former minister in support of a demand for a CBI probe into the Kathua rape and murder case.</p>

<p>An FIR was registered against Bubby who was later arrested from Rajasthan's Udaipur in June after evading arrest for nearly a month.</p>

<p>In the seven municipal committees of Jammu, the BJP won Akhnoor with 11 seats, while two seats went to Congress. In Bishnah, the BJP won six seats against seven by Independents.</p>

<p>In Arnia, the BJP won seven seats, independents five and Congress one, in R S Pura BJP won nine, Independents three and Congress one, in Ghmanhansan won BJP two, Congress-two, in Khour won BJP nine and Congress four and in Jourian BJP won two, Congress four and independent one, the officials said.</p>

<p>The Congress and the BJP are the two national political parties battling for municipal authority in the state as the two major regional parties, the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Alliance (PDP), have boycotted the elections over lack of clarity in the Centre`s stance on Articles 35A.</p>

<p>The Urban Local Body elections were held after a gap of 13 years.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


As the counting of votes concluded in the Jammu and Kashmir civic polls on Saturday, the Bharatiya Janata Party emerged as a clear winner in the municipal polls by winning 43 seats, raising its previous strength of 25 in the 75-member body.

As the counting of votes concluded in the Jammu and Kashmir civic polls on Saturday, the Bharatiya Janata Party emerged as a clear winner in the municipal polls by winning 43 seats, raising its previous strength of 25 in the 75-member body. The Congress suffered a big loss in the election, winning only 14 seats against its 26 in the 2005 civic polls, election officials said. Then it was ruling Jammu and Kashmir in coalition with the PDP. In rest of the 446 wards spread across Jammu region covering a total of 36 municipal committees and councils, the BJP had an edge over its rivals in 15 bodies followed by Independents in 12 and the Congress in five, they said. The BJP won a total of 169 seats in these bodies followed by independents at 167 and the Congress at 96, the officials said. They attributed the emergence of independents as a strong force in view of the absence of the NC and the PDP, the key regional parties. The election in a ward in Ramban was countermanded due to the death of a BJP candidate who suffered a heart attack on the day of polling in the second phase on October 10. The election in the 521 municipal wards in the 10 districts of Jammu was held in the first three phases of the elections in the state, which concluded on October 16, recording a high voter turnout of 68.4 per cent among the over 6.44 lakh electorate. Thirteen candidates were elected to different municipal wards unopposed, leaving a total of 2,137 candidates in the fray. The JMC along with seven municipal committees of Jammu went to polls in the first phase on October 8, registering a turnout of 63.8 per cent. The counting of votes in the winter capital started at a government polytechnic institute at 9 am. As the results started pouring in, BJP leaders and activists came out to celebrate party's victory. "This is the victory of the people and they have reposed their faith in us. We will continue to serve the people to the best of our ability," BJP state chief Ravinder Raina said while leading the celebrations at party headquarters here. He said it was the victory of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision and efforts to take the country to new heights and the hard work and dedication of party leaders and workers. The Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) failed to open its account in the majority of the wards, including the JMC. Party chairman and former minister Harsh Dev Singh alleged rigging and claimed, "It is not the BJP but electronic voting machine (EVM) which won the election for the party." "EVMs should be replaced with ballot boxes to enure free and fair polls," he said. Deepak Gupta, the brother of senior BJP leader Kavinder Gupta, was among the prominent candidates who lost the elections. However, Rajinder Singh alias Bubby, the brother of senior BJP leader Choudhary Lal Singh, and his wife Vandina Andotra won as independents from Kathua municipal council. Bubby was in the centre of a controversy in May when a video of him went viral on social media in which he was purportedly abusing former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti during a 'Dogra Swabhiman rally. The rally was led by the former minister in support of a demand for a CBI probe into the Kathua rape and murder case. An FIR was registered against Bubby who was later arrested from Rajasthan's Udaipur in June after evading arrest for nearly a month. In the seven municipal committees of Jammu, the BJP won Akhnoor with 11 seats, while two seats went to Congress. In Bishnah, the BJP won six seats against seven by Independents. In Arnia, the BJP won seven seats, independents five and Congress one, in R S Pura BJP won nine, Independents three and Congress one, in Ghmanhansan won BJP two, Congress-two, in Khour won BJP nine and Congress four and in Jourian BJP won two, Congress four and independent one, the officials said. The Congress and the BJP are the two national political parties battling for municipal authority in the state as the two major regional parties, the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Alliance (PDP), have boycotted the elections over lack of clarity in the Centre`s stance on Articles 35A. The Urban Local Body elections were held after a gap of 13 years.

BJP sweeps Jammu Municipal Corporation elections, wins 43 seats in 75-member body

<p>The Congress on Saturday won as many as 12 seats out of 21 in Baramulla and six in Uri out of 13 in the municipal elections in Jammu and Kashmir.</p>

<p>The rival Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) failed to bag any seat in Uri municipal committee and could only manage six seats in Baramulla.</p>

<p>In total, 52 civic bodies went to polls in four phases amid tight security arrangements in the state.</p>

<p>A total of 3372 nominations were filed for 1145 wards.</p>

<p>Covering 79 municipal bodies, 27 in the Valley did not go to polls owing either to the fact that there was no candidate or only one candidate had filed nominations for a particular ward.</p>

<p>The Congress and the BJP are the two national political parties battling for municipal authority in the state as the two major regional parties, the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Alliance (PDP), have boycotted the elections over lack of clarity in the Centre`s stance on Articles 35A.</p>


The Congress on Saturday won as many as 12 seats out of 21 in Baramulla and six in Uri out of 13 in the municipal elections in Jammu and Kashmir. The rival Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) failed to bag any seat in Uri municipal committee and could only manage six seats in Baramulla.

The Congress on Saturday won as many as 12 seats out of 21 in Baramulla and six in Uri out of 13 in the municipal elections in Jammu and Kashmir. The rival Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) failed to bag any seat in Uri municipal committee and could only manage six seats in Baramulla. In total, 52 civic bodies went to polls in four phases amid tight security arrangements in the state. A total of 3372 nominations were filed for 1145 wards. Covering 79 municipal bodies, 27 in the Valley did not go to polls owing either to the fact that there was no candidate or only one candidate had filed nominations for a particular ward. The Congress and the BJP are the two national political parties battling for municipal authority in the state as the two major regional parties, the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Alliance (PDP), have boycotted the elections over lack of clarity in the Centre`s stance on Articles 35A.

J&K municipal polls: Congress wins maximum seats in Baramulla, Uri

<p>The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is leading in the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) polls, as the counting of votes for the Urban Local Bodies elections was going on in all the 10 districts of Jammu region on Saturday.</p>

<p>The counting of votes in the state's winter capital began at Government Polytechnic Institute in Bikram Chowk at 9 am. The results for JMC so far indicate an edge to the BJP over its rivals.</p>

<p>There are 521 wards in the 10 districts of Jammu, which went to polls in the first three phases of the four-phased ULB elections in the state, which concluded on October 16, recording a high voter turnout of 68.4 per cent in the electorate of nearly 6.44 lakh people.</p>

<p>Thirteen candidates were elected to different municipal wards unopposed, leaving a total of 2,137 candidates in the fray.</p>

<p>Of the 32 results declared for the 75-member JMC so far, the largest municipality in the state, the BJP has won 19 followed by independents (nine) and the Congress (four), officials said.</p>

<p>BJP had won 25 seats in the last municipal elections for the JMC in 2005, while the then ruling Congress had emerged victorious with 26 seats.</p>

<p>In 13 wards of Kishtwar Municipal Committee, officials said independents won 10 seats, while the Congress and the BJP won two and one seat, respectively.</p>

<p>Of the three municipal committees in Ramban, officials said results were declared for seven-member Batote Municipal Committee with BJP winning four, Congress one and independents two seats.</p>

<p>In Kathua district's Basohli, BJP won five seats while Congress and independents were successful in four wards each.</p>

<p>The results of six other municipal committees in the district are awaited, the officials said.</p>

<p>In Rajouri district's Sunderbani Municipal Committee, the BJP won with 10 of its candidates winning, while three seats went to independent candidates.</p>

<p>In Kalakote Municipal Committee, six independents and one Congress candidate registered wins, officials said.</p>

<p>Six BJP candidates won from Reasi Municipal Committee, which saw five independents and two Congress candidates registering their wins in the 13-member body, they said.&nbsp;</p>


The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is leading in the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) polls, as the counting of votes for the Urban Local Bodies elections was going on in all the 10 districts of Jammu region on Saturday.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is leading in the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) polls, as the counting of votes for the Urban Local Bodies elections was going on in all the 10 districts of Jammu region on Saturday. The counting of votes in the state's winter capital began at Government Polytechnic Institute in Bikram Chowk at 9 am. The results for JMC so far indicate an edge to the BJP over its rivals. There are 521 wards in the 10 districts of Jammu, which went to polls in the first three phases of the four-phased ULB elections in the state, which concluded on October 16, recording a high voter turnout of 68.4 per cent in the electorate of nearly 6.44 lakh people. Thirteen candidates were elected to different municipal wards unopposed, leaving a total of 2,137 candidates in the fray. Of the 32 results declared for the 75-member JMC so far, the largest municipality in the state, the BJP has won 19 followed by independents (nine) and the Congress (four), officials said. BJP had won 25 seats in the last municipal elections for the JMC in 2005, while the then ruling Congress had emerged victorious with 26 seats. In 13 wards of Kishtwar Municipal Committee, officials said independents won 10 seats, while the Congress and the BJP won two and one seat, respectively. Of the three municipal committees in Ramban, officials said results were declared for seven-member Batote Municipal Committee with BJP winning four, Congress one and independents two seats. In Kathua district's Basohli, BJP won five seats while Congress and independents were successful in four wards each. The results of six other municipal committees in the district are awaited, the officials said. In Rajouri district's Sunderbani Municipal Committee, the BJP won with 10 of its candidates winning, while three seats went to independent candidates. In Kalakote Municipal Committee, six independents and one Congress candidate registered wins, officials said. Six BJP candidates won from Reasi Municipal Committee, which saw five independents and two Congress candidates registering their wins in the 13-member body, they said.

BJP leading in Jammu Municipal Corporation elections, independents fare well in Kishtwar

<p>The BJP won the urban local body elections in four districts of militancy-infested south Kashmir Saturday, winning 53 of the 132 wards, where polls were held over four phases earlier this month, election officials said.</p>

<p>The unprecedented victory for the saffron party has given it control of at least four of the 20 civic bodies in the four districts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian.</p>

<p>The results of 94 wards of south Kashmir have been declared so far in which the Congress has managed to win 28 seats. The party, thus, will have control of at least three municipal bodies.</p>

<p>The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) did well in Shopian where its candidates won in 12 wards unopposed. Five wards in the district did not have any nominations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In Devsar municipal committee, the party won all the eight seats. The area is represented by Congress leader Mohammad Amin Bhat in the legislative assembly.</p>

<p>The BJP got a simple majority in Qazigund Municipal Committee, winning four of the seven wards. The other three wards had no candidates.</p>

<p>In Pahalgam municipal committee, the party won seven of the 13 seats uncontested, while there were no candidates for the remaining six seats.</p>

<p>The Congress, on the other hand, won a thumping majority in Dooru municipal committee, the stronghold of JKPCC chief G A Mir. The party bagged 14 of the 17 seats, while the BJP managed to win two seats. One seat remained vacant.</p>

<p>Congress also won in Kokernag municipal committee, bagging six of the eight seats. In Yaripora, the party bagged three seats, while the remaining three seats were vacant due to the absence of candidates.</p>

<p>Independents bagged 13 seats in the polls.</p>

<p>The counting of votes of Anantnag and Mattan -- the other two civic bodies in south Kashmir -- is going on and the results are expected later Saturday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Elsewhere, Congress won the Budgam municipal committee bagging six seats, while the BJP won four seats. Three seats were vacant.</p>

<p>In Chrar-e-Sharief, Congress won 11 of the 13 seats, while the remaining two seats were vacant. In Chadoora too, the party won six of the eight seats, while there was no candidate for the other five seats.&nbsp;</p>


The BJP won the urban local body elections in four districts of militancy-infested south Kashmir Saturday, winning 53 of the 132 wards, where polls were held over four phases earlier this month, election officials said.

The BJP won the urban local body elections in four districts of militancy-infested south Kashmir Saturday, winning 53 of the 132 wards, where polls were held over four phases earlier this month, election officials said. The unprecedented victory for the saffron party has given it control of at least four of the 20 civic bodies in the four districts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian. The results of 94 wards of south Kashmir have been declared so far in which the Congress has managed to win 28 seats. The party, thus, will have control of at least three municipal bodies. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) did well in Shopian where its candidates won in 12 wards unopposed. Five wards in the district did not have any nominations. In Devsar municipal committee, the party won all the eight seats. The area is represented by Congress leader Mohammad Amin Bhat in the legislative assembly. The BJP got a simple majority in Qazigund Municipal Committee, winning four of the seven wards. The other three wards had no candidates. In Pahalgam municipal committee, the party won seven of the 13 seats uncontested, while there were no candidates for the remaining six seats. The Congress, on the other hand, won a thumping majority in Dooru municipal committee, the stronghold of JKPCC chief G A Mir. The party bagged 14 of the 17 seats, while the BJP managed to win two seats. One seat remained vacant. Congress also won in Kokernag municipal committee, bagging six of the eight seats. In Yaripora, the party bagged three seats, while the remaining three seats were vacant due to the absence of candidates. Independents bagged 13 seats in the polls. The counting of votes of Anantnag and Mattan -- the other two civic bodies in south Kashmir -- is going on and the results are expected later Saturday. Elsewhere, Congress won the Budgam municipal committee bagging six seats, while the BJP won four seats. Three seats were vacant. In Chrar-e-Sharief, Congress won 11 of the 13 seats, while the remaining two seats were vacant. In Chadoora too, the party won six of the eight seats, while there was no candidate for the other five seats.

BJP sweeps urban local body polls in 4 districts of south Kashmir

Orchards dazzle with apples in Jammu and Kashmir

<p>The just-concluded urban local body elections in Kashmir witnessed poor voter turnout but these polls will perhaps be remembered for the dearth of contestants as 69 per cent of 598 wards in the valley did not require any polling.</p>

<p>According to data compiled by the election department of Jammu and Kashmir, out of 598 wards spanning across 40 municipal bodies in 10 districts of the valley, polling was held only in 186 wards.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The remaining 412 wards&nbsp;constituting 68.89 per cent of the total - did not require any voting.</p>

<p>The government had made elaborate security arrangements to secure polling staff and polling stations but kept the identity of candidates, who dared to defy militant threats, a secret for security reasons.</p>

<p>As a result, there was no campaigning for these elections and in most cases the candidates chose to remain anonymous.</p>

<p>Over thirty per cent of wards in these 40 urban local bodies across Kashmir valley will remain unrepresented.</p>

<p>No nomination papers were received from 181 wards (30.26 per cent) for the elections. Most of these wards were in the third phase of the polls ? 62, followed by 56 in the second phase, 44 in the last and 19 in the first phase.</p>

<p>Out of the 598 wards, 231 wards - 38.62 per cent ? were those which saw no contest and the solitary candidate in each of these wards was declared winner unopposed.</p>

<p>While 69 of these wards were in the first phase, 61 were in the second, 49 in the third and 52 in the fourth and last phase.</p>

<p>In these polls, six municipal bodies had two or less contesting candidates in total two of them zero.</p>

<p>For Pulwama municipal body, which has 13 wards, there were only two contesting candidates who won unopposed. Awantipora, Beerwah and Seer Hamdan municipal bodies ? all having 13 wards each had only one contesting candidate each in the whole civic body.</p>

<p>Frisal in Kulgam district and Khrew in Pulwama district ? both in south Kashmir received no nomination papers from any of the 13 wards each body has.</p>

<p>In total, out of the 40 civic bodies in the valley, voting did not take place in 27 of them.</p>

<p>The poll percentage in the rest of the 13 municipal bodies was recorded at 8.3 per cent in the first phase, 3.4 per cent in the second, 3.5 per cent in the third and 4.2 per cent in the fourth and last phase.</p>

<p>The reasons for the low participation in these polls candidate-wise as well as voting percentage-wise&nbsp;can be attributed to threats by militants against any participation in these polls.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Stringent security arrangements were made for the smooth conduct of the polls, while candidates at many places were taken to secure locations ? which meant no visible campaign for the polls in the valley.</p>

<p>The state's two main parties National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) along with CPI(M) stayed away from the polls because of the legal challenge to Article 35-A of the Constitution in the Supreme Court.</p>

<p>Separatists in the valley had also asked the people to boycott polls.&nbsp;</p>


The just-concluded urban local body elections in Kashmir witnessed poor voter turnout but these polls will perhaps be remembered for the dearth of contestants as 69 per cent of 598 wards in the valley did not require any polling.

The just-concluded urban local body elections in Kashmir witnessed poor voter turnout but these polls will perhaps be remembered for the dearth of contestants as 69 per cent of 598 wards in the valley did not require any polling. According to data compiled by the election department of Jammu and Kashmir, out of 598 wards spanning across 40 municipal bodies in 10 districts of the valley, polling was held only in 186 wards. The remaining 412 wards constituting 68.89 per cent of the total - did not require any voting. The government had made elaborate security arrangements to secure polling staff and polling stations but kept the identity of candidates, who dared to defy militant threats, a secret for security reasons. As a result, there was no campaigning for these elections and in most cases the candidates chose to remain anonymous. Over thirty per cent of wards in these 40 urban local bodies across Kashmir valley will remain unrepresented. No nomination papers were received from 181 wards (30.26 per cent) for the elections. Most of these wards were in the third phase of the polls ? 62, followed by 56 in the second phase, 44 in the last and 19 in the first phase. Out of the 598 wards, 231 wards - 38.62 per cent ? were those which saw no contest and the solitary candidate in each of these wards was declared winner unopposed. While 69 of these wards were in the first phase, 61 were in the second, 49 in the third and 52 in the fourth and last phase. In these polls, six municipal bodies had two or less contesting candidates in total two of them zero. For Pulwama municipal body, which has 13 wards, there were only two contesting candidates who won unopposed. Awantipora, Beerwah and Seer Hamdan municipal bodies ? all having 13 wards each had only one contesting candidate each in the whole civic body. Frisal in Kulgam district and Khrew in Pulwama district ? both in south Kashmir received no nomination papers from any of the 13 wards each body has. In total, out of the 40 civic bodies in the valley, voting did not take place in 27 of them. The poll percentage in the rest of the 13 municipal bodies was recorded at 8.3 per cent in the first phase, 3.4 per cent in the second, 3.5 per cent in the third and 4.2 per cent in the fourth and last phase. The reasons for the low participation in these polls candidate-wise as well as voting percentage-wise can be attributed to threats by militants against any participation in these polls. Stringent security arrangements were made for the smooth conduct of the polls, while candidates at many places were taken to secure locations ? which meant no visible campaign for the polls in the valley. The state's two main parties National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) along with CPI(M) stayed away from the polls because of the legal challenge to Article 35-A of the Constitution in the Supreme Court. Separatists in the valley had also asked the people to boycott polls.

J&K urban body polls: 69% of 598 wards in Valley did not require polling

<p>Eighty-eight candidates have already&nbsp;been declared winners without any opposition in the urban local body elections in&nbsp;Jammu and Kashmir(J&amp;K) in five districts ahead of the third phase of elections on Saturday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Out of the 110 candidates, eight-eight candidates have won the polls without a contest.&nbsp;No one filed any nomination from 23 wards.</p>

<p>On Saturday, out of the 157 wards in the five&nbsp;districts in the Kashmir Valley, polls will be held in&nbsp;40 wards where 110 candidates will be fighting the elections.</p>

<p>At least 2 lakh 35 thousand voters are expected to exercise their franchise in the third phase of the polls.</p>

<p>The voting for the second phase of the urban local body polls in Jammu and Kashmir took place on Wednesday. The polls received about 80 per cent of voter turnout in Jammu while it was 3.4 per cent came out to vote in Kashmir.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Valley witnessed a low voter turnout in the first phase of municipal polls which concluded on October 8. The first phase of elections saw 70 per cent voter turnout in Jammu region&nbsp;and 8.2 per cent in the Valley.</p>

<p>The four-phase urban local body elections began on October 8 and will end on October 16.</p>


Eighty-eight candidates have already been declared winners without any opposition in the urban local body elections in Jammu and Kashmir(J&K) in five districts ahead of the third phase of elections on Saturday.

Eighty-eight candidates have already been declared winners without any opposition in the urban local body elections in Jammu and Kashmir(J&K) in five districts ahead of the third phase of elections on Saturday. Out of the 110 candidates, eight-eight candidates have won the polls without a contest. No one filed any nomination from 23 wards. On Saturday, out of the 157 wards in the five districts in the Kashmir Valley, polls will be held in 40 wards where 110 candidates will be fighting the elections. At least 2 lakh 35 thousand voters are expected to exercise their franchise in the third phase of the polls. The voting for the second phase of the urban local body polls in Jammu and Kashmir took place on Wednesday. The polls received about 80 per cent of voter turnout in Jammu while it was 3.4 per cent came out to vote in Kashmir. The Valley witnessed a low voter turnout in the first phase of municipal polls which concluded on October 8. The first phase of elections saw 70 per cent voter turnout in Jammu region and 8.2 per cent in the Valley. The four-phase urban local body elections began on October 8 and will end on October 16.

J&K urban local body elections: 88 candidates win without contest in third phase to be held on Saturday

<p>Polling began Wednesday for the second phase of the four-phased municipal elections in Jammu and Kashmir to seal the fate of 1,029 candidates in fray across the state.</p>

<p>Voting began at 6 am on Wednesday morning amid stringent security arrangements, officials said.</p>

<p>They said the voting would take place at 544 polling stations across the state and would end at 4 pm.</p>

<p>The officials said 1,029 candidates - 881 in Jammu division and 148 in Kashmir division - are in the fray for 263 municipal wards, including 49 in Kashmir and 214 in Jammu.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jammu and Kashmir: 84-year-old woman arrives at a polling station in Reasi to cast her vote in the second phase of urban local bodies elections <a href="https://t.co/QKnEKbPpZo">pic.twitter.com/QKnEKbPpZo</a></p>
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<p>A total of 65 candidates - 61 of them from Kashmir valley - have already won the polls uncontested, while in 56 wards ? all in the valley - no nomination was received, so no polling is taking place in those places, they said.</p>

<p>As many as 270 polling stations have been designated for voting in Kashmir Division and 274 in Jammu Division, they added.</p>

<p>The officials said the total electorate in these wards is 346,980 - 128,104 in Jammu Division belonging to 18 Municipal bodies and 218,876 in Kashmir Division of five Municipal bodies.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JammuAndKashmir?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JammuAndKashmir</a>: People queue up outside a polling booth in Udhampur to cast their votes for the second phase of local body elections. <a href="https://t.co/15Sy9VXxC7">pic.twitter.com/15Sy9VXxC7</a></p>
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<p>They said massive security arrangements have been put in place to ensure smooth conduct of the polls.</p>

<p>The elections, covering 79 municipal bodies with an electorate of about 17 lakh, are being held in four phases.</p>

<p>A total of 3,372 nominations have been filed for 1,145 wards. The next phases will take place on October 13 and 16.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Voting underway in 13 districts of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JammuAndKashmir?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JammuAndKashmir</a> in the second phase of urban local bodies elections; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/visuals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#visuals</a> from a polling station in Reasi <a href="https://t.co/CpRO7ZFFow">pic.twitter.com/CpRO7ZFFow</a></p>
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<p>The National Conference (NC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the CPI(M) have boycotted the polls to protest the legal challenge to Article 35A of the Constitution in the Supreme Court.</p>

<p>The government has declared a holiday on the day of poll in the municipal areas concerned to enable voters to cast their vote.</p>


Polling began Wednesday for the second phase of the four-phased municipal elections in Jammu and Kashmir to seal the fate of 1,029 candidates in fray across the state.

Polling began Wednesday for the second phase of the four-phased municipal elections in Jammu and Kashmir to seal the fate of 1,029 candidates in fray across the state. Voting began at 6 am on Wednesday morning amid stringent security arrangements, officials said. They said the voting would take place at 544 polling stations across the state and would end at 4 pm. The officials said 1,029 candidates - 881 in Jammu division and 148 in Kashmir division - are in the fray for 263 municipal wards, including 49 in Kashmir and 214 in Jammu. Jammu and Kashmir: 84-year-old woman arrives at a polling station in Reasi to cast her vote in the second phase of urban local bodies elections pic.twitter.com/QKnEKbPpZo — ANI (@ANI) October 10, 2018 × A total of 65 candidates - 61 of them from Kashmir valley - have already won the polls uncontested, while in 56 wards ? all in the valley - no nomination was received, so no polling is taking place in those places, they said. As many as 270 polling stations have been designated for voting in Kashmir Division and 274 in Jammu Division, they added. The officials said the total electorate in these wards is 346,980 - 128,104 in Jammu Division belonging to 18 Municipal bodies and 218,876 in Kashmir Division of five Municipal bodies. #JammuAndKashmir: People queue up outside a polling booth in Udhampur to cast their votes for the second phase of local body elections. pic.twitter.com/15Sy9VXxC7 — ANI (@ANI) October 10, 2018 × They said massive security arrangements have been put in place to ensure smooth conduct of the polls. The elections, covering 79 municipal bodies with an electorate of about 17 lakh, are being held in four phases. A total of 3,372 nominations have been filed for 1,145 wards. The next phases will take place on October 13 and 16. Voting underway in 13 districts of #JammuAndKashmir in the second phase of urban local bodies elections; #visuals from a polling station in Reasi pic.twitter.com/CpRO7ZFFow — ANI (@ANI) October 10, 2018 × The National Conference (NC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the CPI(M) have boycotted the polls to protest the legal challenge to Article 35A of the Constitution in the Supreme Court. The government has declared a holiday on the day of poll in the municipal areas concerned to enable voters to cast their vote.

J&K municipal polls: Second phase of elections begin amid tight security

<p>Security forces have intensified checking and area domination as part of an elaborate plan to provide a sense of security for the smooth conduct of local body polls in the Kashmir Valley, officials said Sunday. The first phase of the polls start Monday.</p>

<p>"An elaborate security plan has been put in place for the smooth conduct of the polls,"&nbsp;a senior police official said.</p>

<p>He said security forces have intensified vehicle checking, frisking and area domination in the city as well as in the other areas of the valley in the run-up to the polls.</p>

<p>"Many check-points have been placed in the city where vehicles are being checked. Sniffer dogs are also being used to check vehicles. We are making sure that no untoward incident happens,"&nbsp;he said.</p>

<p>The official said while providing a secure atmosphere for the polls was a challenge, there is a good synergy between various security agencies and several steps have been taken to provide a general sense of security in the valley.</p>

<p>"We are providing cluster security. Most of the candidates have been taken to secure locations and some have been given a security cover. The areas are being made safe through operations and increased presence of forces as well as through area domination,"&nbsp;the official said.</p>

<p>He said deployment of forces has been worked out and sensitive areas have been taken care of.</p>

<p>The official said polling booths have been secured and a thick layer of security has been thrown around them.</p>

<p>"The focus is to keep trouble-makers at bay so that there is untoward incident and people come out to vote without any fear,"&nbsp;he said.</p>

<p>Inspector General of CRPF, Kashmir, Ravideep Singh Sahi said the "environment" in the entire Kashmir Valley is under control and the endeavour is to create a sense of security so that the people come out to vote.</p>

<p>"We have made elaborate arrangements for the security. Whatever force was required for the elections, has come and they are being deployed. They have been here for some time and they are adequately familiarised with the area. We have started area domination, check-points have been installed in various areas and we are working in close coordination with the police and army,"&nbsp;Singh said.</p>

<p>He said operations were being conducted to arrest trouble mongers so that a secure environment is provided to the people.</p>

<p>"We have made adequate arrangements for the security of the candidates, their personal security as well as the accommodation arrangements, we have an elaborate plan for that. Area domination, checking and operations have been going on so that trouble mongers are arrested and there is a general sense of security," the IG CRPF said.</p>

<p>Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik Saturday took a detailed review of the security situation in the state ahead of the first phase of the municipal elections.</p>

<p>The meeting was attended by Northern Army Commander, Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, Director General of Police Dilbagh Singh, GOC 15 Corps, Lt Gen A K Bhat, and top officials from police, CRPF and civil administration.</p>

<p>The meeting discussed security arrangements made for the smooth conduct of the forthcoming elections to urban local bodies and panchayats and the need of a safe environment for the elections.&nbsp;</p>


Security forces have intensified checking and area domination as part of an elaborate plan to provide a sense of security for the smooth conduct of local body polls in the Kashmir Valley, officials said Sunday.

Security forces have intensified checking and area domination as part of an elaborate plan to provide a sense of security for the smooth conduct of local body polls in the Kashmir Valley, officials said Sunday. The first phase of the polls start Monday. "An elaborate security plan has been put in place for the smooth conduct of the polls," a senior police official said. He said security forces have intensified vehicle checking, frisking and area domination in the city as well as in the other areas of the valley in the run-up to the polls. "Many check-points have been placed in the city where vehicles are being checked. Sniffer dogs are also being used to check vehicles. We are making sure that no untoward incident happens," he said. The official said while providing a secure atmosphere for the polls was a challenge, there is a good synergy between various security agencies and several steps have been taken to provide a general sense of security in the valley. "We are providing cluster security. Most of the candidates have been taken to secure locations and some have been given a security cover. The areas are being made safe through operations and increased presence of forces as well as through area domination," the official said. He said deployment of forces has been worked out and sensitive areas have been taken care of. The official said polling booths have been secured and a thick layer of security has been thrown around them. "The focus is to keep trouble-makers at bay so that there is untoward incident and people come out to vote without any fear," he said. Inspector General of CRPF, Kashmir, Ravideep Singh Sahi said the "environment" in the entire Kashmir Valley is under control and the endeavour is to create a sense of security so that the people come out to vote. "We have made elaborate arrangements for the security. Whatever force was required for the elections, has come and they are being deployed. They have been here for some time and they are adequately familiarised with the area. We have started area domination, check-points have been installed in various areas and we are working in close coordination with the police and army," Singh said. He said operations were being conducted to arrest trouble mongers so that a secure environment is provided to the people. "We have made adequate arrangements for the security of the candidates, their personal security as well as the accommodation arrangements, we have an elaborate plan for that. Area domination, checking and operations have been going on so that trouble mongers are arrested and there is a general sense of security," the IG CRPF said. Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik Saturday took a detailed review of the security situation in the state ahead of the first phase of the municipal elections. The meeting was attended by Northern Army Commander, Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, Director General of Police Dilbagh Singh, GOC 15 Corps, Lt Gen A K Bhat, and top officials from police, CRPF and civil administration. The meeting discussed security arrangements made for the smooth conduct of the forthcoming elections to urban local bodies and panchayats and the need of a safe environment for the elections.

Jammu and Kashmir: Local body polls today after 13 years, security beefed up

<p>At least 13 Army men were injured when their vehicle met with an accident in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district Saturday, news agency PTI reported quoting defence sources.</p>

<p>The Army vehicle turned turtle near Kanipora in the south Kashmir district Saturday morning, they said.</p>

<p>Thirteen jawans were injured and they have been taken to a nearby medical facility for treatment. Their condition has been stated as stable, the sources said.&nbsp;</p>


At least 13 Army men were injured when their vehicle met with an accident in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district Saturday, news agency PTI reported quoting defence sources.

At least 13 Army men were injured when their vehicle met with an accident in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district Saturday, news agency PTI reported quoting defence sources. The Army vehicle turned turtle near Kanipora in the south Kashmir district Saturday morning, they said. Thirteen jawans were injured and they have been taken to a nearby medical facility for treatment. Their condition has been stated as stable, the sources said.

13 jawans injured after Army vehicle turns turtle in J&K

<p>At least 15 people were killed and 19 injured when a minibus fell into a deep gorge along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway near here, a senior police officer said on Saturday.</p>

<p>“So far, 10 bodies were retrieved from the accident site, while 15 people rushed to a hospital,” Deputy Inspector General of Police, Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban range, Rafiq-ul-Hassan said.</p>

<p>SSP, Ramban, Anita Sharma said the jam-packed minibus was going to Ramban from Banihal.</p>

<p>On reaching Kela morh near Maroof, the driver lost control and the vehicle rolled down into the 200-feet-deep gorge, she said.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SpotVisuals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SpotVisuals</a>: 15 people died and 19 injured in the accident where a minibus fell into a deep gorge at Kela Moth on Jammu Srinagar National Highway while it was going from Banihal to Ramban. 8 people have been airlifted to Jammu. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JammuAndKashmir?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JammuAndKashmir</a> <a href="https://t.co/4bHMEDwqCw">pic.twitter.com/4bHMEDwqCw</a></p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SpotVisuals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SpotVisuals</a>: A minibus on its way from Banihal to Ramban fell into a deep gorge at Kela Moth on Jammu Srinagar National Highway. Rescue operations underway. More details awaited. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JammuAndKashmir?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JammuAndKashmir</a> <a href="https://t.co/IDHNLFnoPU">pic.twitter.com/IDHNLFnoPU</a></p>
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<p>According to the Deputy Inspector General of Police, the death toll might go up as the rescue operation was still in progress and the condition of some of the injured was stated to be “critical”.</p>

<p>He said police and Army personnel, along with local volunteers, are engaged in the rescue operation.</p>


At least 15 people were killed and 19 injured when a minibus fell into a deep gorge along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway near here, a senior police officer said on Saturday.

At least 15 people were killed and 19 injured when a minibus fell into a deep gorge along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway near here, a senior police officer said on Saturday. “So far, 10 bodies were retrieved from the accident site, while 15 people rushed to a hospital,” Deputy Inspector General of Police, Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban range, Rafiq-ul-Hassan said. SSP, Ramban, Anita Sharma said the jam-packed minibus was going to Ramban from Banihal. On reaching Kela morh near Maroof, the driver lost control and the vehicle rolled down into the 200-feet-deep gorge, she said. #SpotVisuals: 15 people died and 19 injured in the accident where a minibus fell into a deep gorge at Kela Moth on Jammu Srinagar National Highway while it was going from Banihal to Ramban. 8 people have been airlifted to Jammu. #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/4bHMEDwqCw — ANI (@ANI) October 6, 2018 × #SpotVisuals: A minibus on its way from Banihal to Ramban fell into a deep gorge at Kela Moth on Jammu Srinagar National Highway. Rescue operations underway. More details awaited. #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/IDHNLFnoPU — ANI (@ANI) October 6, 2018 × According to the Deputy Inspector General of Police, the death toll might go up as the rescue operation was still in progress and the condition of some of the injured was stated to be “critical”. He said police and Army personnel, along with local volunteers, are engaged in the rescue operation.

Jammu and Kashmir: 15 killed, 19 injured as minibus falls into gorge near Banihal

<p>&nbsp;A Pakistani chopper Sunday violated the airspace along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, the Army said.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> A Pakistani helicopter violated Indian airspace in Poonch sector of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JammuAndKashmir?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JammuAndKashmir</a> <a href="https://t.co/O4QHxCf7CR">pic.twitter.com/O4QHxCf7CR</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1046318954212339713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>News agency PTI quoting Jammu-based Army PRO Lt Col Devender Anand said that the helicopter violated the airspace around 12:13 pm.</p>

<p>The helicopter flew for nearly five minutes inside Poonch area near Line of Control, the report added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Official sources said a white-colour chopper crossed into this side in Gulpur sector and hovered for sometime before turning back.</p>

<p>Helicopters are barred coming within 1 kilometre of the LoC, according to sources.&nbsp;</p>


A Pakistani chopper Sunday violated the airspace along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, the Army said. #WATCH A Pakistani helicopter violated Indian airspace in Poonch sector of #JammuAndKashmir pic.

A Pakistani chopper Sunday violated the airspace along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, the Army said. #WATCH A Pakistani helicopter violated Indian airspace in Poonch sector of #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/O4QHxCf7CR — ANI (@ANI) September 30, 2018 × News agency PTI quoting Jammu-based Army PRO Lt Col Devender Anand said that the helicopter violated the airspace around 12:13 pm. The helicopter flew for nearly five minutes inside Poonch area near Line of Control, the report added. Official sources said a white-colour chopper crossed into this side in Gulpur sector and hovered for sometime before turning back. Helicopters are barred coming within 1 kilometre of the LoC, according to sources.

J&K: Pakistan helicopter violates Indian airspace in Poonch sector

<p>Six militants were killed on Sunday after the Indian Army foiled an infiltration bid on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Keran sector.<br />
<br />
Defence Ministry spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said: "An infiltration bid from across the border was foiled in Keran sector of Kupwara district today. Six terrorists have been killed in so far in the ongoing operation."&nbsp;</p>

<p>The incident comes barely 4 days after three terrorists were killed in Machil sector of Kupwara. The infiltrators were eliminated after the Army noticed suspicious movement in Khanbal area along the Line of Control, Defence spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia had said.</p>

<p>The killing of terrorists infiltrating from Pakistan comes at a time when the Indian government has announced a unilateral ceasefire with the militants present on the Kashmiri soil. The unprecedented ceasefire was called in the wake of Ramzan.</p>

<p>"As far as terrorism is concerned, our stand is very clear. We have zero tolerance. But the ceasefire has been called so that the local populace is not faced with inconvenience in the month of Ramzan," said MoS, PMO, Jitendra Singh, adding that counter-terror operations targeting militants often lead to the evacuation of entire villages in order to minimise civilian casualties.</p>

<p>Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who visited the Valley earlier in the week, said the possibility of extending the ceasefire beyond Ramzan could not be ruled out if the situation improves.</p>


The infiltrators were eliminated after the Army noticed suspicious movement in Khanbal area along the Line of Control, Defence spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia had said.

Six militants were killed on Sunday after the Indian Army foiled an infiltration bid on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Keran sector. Defence Ministry spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said: "An infiltration bid from across the border was foiled in Keran sector of Kupwara district today. Six terrorists have been killed in so far in the ongoing operation." The incident comes barely 4 days after three terrorists were killed in Machil sector of Kupwara. The infiltrators were eliminated after the Army noticed suspicious movement in Khanbal area along the Line of Control, Defence spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia had said. The killing of terrorists infiltrating from Pakistan comes at a time when the Indian government has announced a unilateral ceasefire with the militants present on the Kashmiri soil. The unprecedented ceasefire was called in the wake of Ramzan. "As far as terrorism is concerned, our stand is very clear. We have zero tolerance. But the ceasefire has been called so that the local populace is not faced with inconvenience in the month of Ramzan," said MoS, PMO, Jitendra Singh, adding that counter-terror operations targeting militants often lead to the evacuation of entire villages in order to minimise civilian casualties. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who visited the Valley earlier in the week, said the possibility of extending the ceasefire beyond Ramzan could not be ruled out if the situation improves.

Six terrorists killed in Jammu & Kashmir's Kupwara after army foils infiltration bid

<p>A sixty-year-old politician Ghulam Nabi Patel who was killed by militants in Pulwama district was disowned by both the parties whom he had provided his valuable services and time. His decades-old contribution was not acknowledged by any of the parties he worked for.</p>

<p>Patel was earlier associated with the Congress party in 2002. In the year 2004, he joined a lesser known new political party the SDA (social democratic alliance) headed by Darakshana Andrabi who later joined hands with the BJP. Patel's family says that he, in 2014, joined PDP (People’s Democratic Party) in front of late Mufti Mohammed Sayeed who was the party president and former chief minister. As the news of his killing broke, state CM Mehbooba Mufti condemned the incident but associated him with the Congress party.<br />
&nbsp<br />
“Heartfelt condolences to the family of senior Congress leader, GN&nbspPatel who was killed by militants today in Rajpora. Such cowardly acts achieve nothing but leave one more family devastated,” she tweeted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Heartfelt condolences to the family of senior Congress leader, G. N. Patel who was killed by militants today in Rajpora. Such cowardly acts achieve nothing but leave one more family devastated.</p>
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) <a href="https://twitter.com/MehboobaMufti/status/989090073802170370?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>It doesn’t stop at that! Replying to chief minister's tweet, the Congress quoted their state Vice President and condemned the killing. They mentioned Patel as a PDP leader, “Strongly condemning the gruesome killing of Senior PDP activist Gulam Nabi Patel, the J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Vice President Mohd Anwar Bhat while reacting to CMs tweet about the deceased Gulam Nabi Patel said that CM is disowning her own Party worker for the reasons known to her<br />
In a statement issued to Press today Congress Vice President expressed profound grief over the gruesome killing of PDP activist saying that the deceased (Patel) had joined PDP before 2014 and was actively working for PDP in Pulwama District,” the statement read.&nbsp<br />
&nbsp<br />
Patel's family says he was with the PDP for last four years and had worked for the area MLA Haseeb Drabu with all efforts to make him win. They said he motivated people of the region to vote for the PDP. The family says its very unfortunate that at this time of grief his own party had disowned him, that’s a double shock for them.<br />
&nbsp<br />
“He was with PDP, he went to people's homes, brought people from orchards and got them to vote for PDP. In this time of grief PDP didn’t offer a helping hand and disowned it's very unfortunate and shocking for us, everyone knows he was with Mehbooba Ji, he was with the PDP,” Said Ali Mohammad brother, Ghulam Nabi Patel brother noted.<br />
&nbsp<br />
Former Chief Minister and the leader of Opposition, Omar Abdullah said, "it’s tragic that a political worker is disowned after he is killed".</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Ghulam Nabi Patel is being denied the dignity of having been assassinated for belonging to a political party just so the PDP & Congress can lie to their workers to claim they aren’t at risk from militant bullets.</p>
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) <a href="https://twitter.com/OmarAbdullah/status/989108468048060416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>“How tragic is that Patel Sahib, a political worker assassinated by militants in Kashmir, disowned by both the PDP and the&nbspCongress. If neither party is willing to own him as one of their own, let's just call him an NC worker,” Omar posted on Twitter.<br />
&nbsp<br />
Senior political worker Ghulam Nabi Patel was critically injured in a terrorist attack in Rajpora Chowk of Pulwama yesterday. He was coming back from his home village Yader Shadimarg. Patel later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. He was travelling in a Scorpio SUV along with a&nbspdriver and his two personal security officials. All of them also got injured in the attack and were being treated at a hospital in Srinagar one of them is said to be critical in condition.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Visuals?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Visuals</a> from Pulwama: Two injured security personnel of former PDP leader Ghulam Nabi Patel admitted to hospital after terrorists fired upon the leader & them in Rajpora. Ghulam Nabi Patel succumbed to his injuries. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JammuAndKashmir?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JammuAndKashmir</a> <a href="https://t.co/9RiPwkh0WY">pic.twitter.com/9RiPwkh0WY</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/989101562499825664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>It’s said that Patel was not in the practice of visiting his home often because of security threats, this time around he had gone to see the preparation of a marriage at his home due next month.<br />
&nbsp<br />
Eyewitnesses say&nbspthat his car was stopped just a&nbspfew kilometres away from his residence by three armed men&nbspwho opened fire&nbspat him indiscriminately. Patel was hit on his mouth and neck he was sitting in the front.</p>

<p>The police later said that the attack was carried out by local militants of Hizbul Mujahideen and its mastermind commander Samir tiger. The attack has again sent a signal of fear among mainstream politicians of Kashmir, but this time another question has been raised among political workers -- whether or not political parties they work with should be trusted?.</p>

<p>“When we see what they have done with Patel Sahab after he was killed, we have no choice but to think again that for who should we put over lives at stake? Do they really care for us? It’s very shocking, tomorrow it could happen with us too,” said a political worker from the region.<br />
&nbsp<br />
This is what is happening while the political leaders and political activists are being attacked and killed in the valley, especially in southern Kashmir. The space for mainstream politicians is shrinking. Those who have kept mainstream parties alive despite life threats are smelling suspicion from where they always expected protection.&nbsp</p>


The police later said that the attack on Patel was carried out by local militants of Hizbul Mujahideen and its mastermind commander Samir tiger

A sixty-year-old politician Ghulam Nabi Patel who was killed by militants in Pulwama district was disowned by both the parties whom he had provided his valuable services and time. His decades-old contribution was not acknowledged by any of the parties he worked for. Patel was earlier associated with the Congress party in 2002. In the year 2004, he joined a lesser known new political party the SDA (social democratic alliance) headed by Darakshana Andrabi who later joined hands with the BJP. Patel's family says that he, in 2014, joined PDP (People’s Democratic Party) in front of late Mufti Mohammed Sayeed who was the party president and former chief minister. As the news of his killing broke, state CM Mehbooba Mufti condemned the incident but associated him with the Congress party. “Heartfelt condolences to the family of senior Congress leader, GN&nbspPatel who was killed by militants today in Rajpora. Such cowardly acts achieve nothing but leave one more family devastated,” she tweeted. Heartfelt condolences to the family of senior Congress leader, G. N. Patel who was killed by militants today in Rajpora. Such cowardly acts achieve nothing but leave one more family devastated. — Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) April 25, 2018 × It doesn’t stop at that! Replying to chief minister's tweet, the Congress quoted their state Vice President and condemned the killing. They mentioned Patel as a PDP leader, “Strongly condemning the gruesome killing of Senior PDP activist Gulam Nabi Patel, the J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Vice President Mohd Anwar Bhat while reacting to CMs tweet about the deceased Gulam Nabi Patel said that CM is disowning her own Party worker for the reasons known to her In a statement issued to Press today Congress Vice President expressed profound grief over the gruesome killing of PDP activist saying that the deceased (Patel) had joined PDP before 2014 and was actively working for PDP in Pulwama District,” the statement read. Patel's family says he was with the PDP for last four years and had worked for the area MLA Haseeb Drabu with all efforts to make him win. They said he motivated people of the region to vote for the PDP. The family says its very unfortunate that at this time of grief his own party had disowned him, that’s a double shock for them. “He was with PDP, he went to people's homes, brought people from orchards and got them to vote for PDP. In this time of grief PDP didn’t offer a helping hand and disowned it's very unfortunate and shocking for us, everyone knows he was with Mehbooba Ji, he was with the PDP,” Said Ali Mohammad brother, Ghulam Nabi Patel brother noted. Former Chief Minister and the leader of Opposition, Omar Abdullah said, "it’s tragic that a political worker is disowned after he is killed". Ghulam Nabi Patel is being denied the dignity of having been assassinated for belonging to a political party just so the PDP & Congress can lie to their workers to claim they aren’t at risk from militant bullets. — Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) April 25, 2018 × “How tragic is that Patel Sahib, a political worker assassinated by militants in Kashmir, disowned by both the PDP and the&nbspCongress. If neither party is willing to own him as one of their own, let's just call him an NC worker,” Omar posted on Twitter. Senior political worker Ghulam Nabi Patel was critically injured in a terrorist attack in Rajpora Chowk of Pulwama yesterday. He was coming back from his home village Yader Shadimarg. Patel later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. He was travelling in a Scorpio SUV along with a&nbspdriver and his two personal security officials. All of them also got injured in the attack and were being treated at a hospital in Srinagar one of them is said to be critical in condition. #Visuals from Pulwama: Two injured security personnel of former PDP leader Ghulam Nabi Patel admitted to hospital after terrorists fired upon the leader & them in Rajpora. Ghulam Nabi Patel succumbed to his injuries. #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/9RiPwkh0WY — ANI (@ANI) April 25, 2018 × It’s said that Patel was not in the practice of visiting his home often because of security threats, this time around he had gone to see the preparation of a marriage at his home due next month. Eyewitnesses say&nbspthat his car was stopped just a&nbspfew kilometres away from his residence by three armed men&nbspwho opened fire&nbspat him indiscriminately. Patel was hit on his mouth and neck he was sitting in the front. The police later said that the attack was carried out by local militants of Hizbul Mujahideen and its mastermind commander Samir tiger. The attack has again sent a signal of fear among mainstream politicians of Kashmir, but this time another question has been raised among political workers -- whether or not political parties they work with should be trusted?. “When we see what they have done with Patel Sahab after he was killed, we have no choice but to think again that for who should we put over lives at stake? Do they really care for us? It’s very shocking, tomorrow it could happen with us too,” said a political worker from the region. This is what is happening while the political leaders and political activists are being attacked and killed in the valley, especially in southern Kashmir. The space for mainstream politicians is shrinking. Those who have kept mainstream parties alive despite life threats are smelling suspicion from where they always expected protection.

Kashmir: Killed by militants, political worker now disowned by both PDP and Congress

<p>Chandra Prakash Ganga, one of the two BJP ministers who defended the men accused in the Kathua gang-rape case, resigned earlier today. Ganga stated that his resignation did not come under any pressure but in order to save the "image" of his party.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ganga further added that he has "never done politics for power".</p>

<p>"I have demanded a CBI enquiry in this matter. I have never done politics for power. There was no pressure on me to resign, I have done it by myself. If my resignation can save the image of my party, I will give this sacrifice," Ganga told reporters.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I have demanded a CBI enquiry in this matter (Kathua rape & murder case). I have never done politics for power. There was no pressure on me to resign, I have done it by myself. If my resignation can save the image of my party, I will give this sacrifice: Chandra Prakash Ganga <a href="https://t.co/fvQr6kM9FB">pic.twitter.com/fvQr6kM9FB</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/985114078225096704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Meanwhile, reports suggest that the two BJP ministers handed in their resignations owing to mounting public pressure. The Mufti-led government demanded their resignation.</p>

<p>According to senior BJP leader Ram Madhav, the resignation of the ministers was to address the fears of not only its ally PDP and the people of Jammu and Kashmir but also the entire nation.</p>

<p>Madhav, who is the party's general secretary in-charge of the state, said state party president Sat Sharma will send the resignations to the chief minister.</p>

<p>Forest Minister Lal Singh and Industries Minister Chander Prakash Ganga tendered their resignations in view of a perception being created, he said. Both the ministers had addressed a rally in support of the accused by a group called the Hindu Ekta Manch.</p>

<p>Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had condemned the march.</p>

<p>"Appalled by the marches and protests in defence of the recently apprehended rapist in Kathua. Also horrified by their use of our national flag in these demonstrations, this is nothing short of desecration. The accused has been arrested and the law will follow its course," Mufti tweeted.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from PTI)&nbsp;</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Chandra Prakash Ganga further added that he has 'never done politics for power'

Chandra Prakash Ganga, one of the two BJP ministers who defended the men accused in the Kathua gang-rape case, resigned earlier today. Ganga stated that his resignation did not come under any pressure but in order to save the "image" of his party. Ganga further added that he has "never done politics for power". "I have demanded a CBI enquiry in this matter. I have never done politics for power. There was no pressure on me to resign, I have done it by myself. If my resignation can save the image of my party, I will give this sacrifice," Ganga told reporters. I have demanded a CBI enquiry in this matter (Kathua rape & murder case). I have never done politics for power. There was no pressure on me to resign, I have done it by myself. If my resignation can save the image of my party, I will give this sacrifice: Chandra Prakash Ganga pic.twitter.com/fvQr6kM9FB — ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2018 × Meanwhile, reports suggest that the two BJP ministers handed in their resignations owing to mounting public pressure. The Mufti-led government demanded their resignation. According to senior BJP leader Ram Madhav, the resignation of the ministers was to address the fears of not only its ally PDP and the people of Jammu and Kashmir but also the entire nation. Madhav, who is the party's general secretary in-charge of the state, said state party president Sat Sharma will send the resignations to the chief minister. Forest Minister Lal Singh and Industries Minister Chander Prakash Ganga tendered their resignations in view of a perception being created, he said. Both the ministers had addressed a rally in support of the accused by a group called the Hindu Ekta Manch. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had condemned the march. "Appalled by the marches and protests in defence of the recently apprehended rapist in Kathua. Also horrified by their use of our national flag in these demonstrations, this is nothing short of desecration. The accused has been arrested and the law will follow its course," Mufti tweeted. (With inputs from PTI)

My resignation can save image of party: BJP minister who backed Kathua accused

<p>The Pakistani troops again resorted to unprovoked firing along the Line of Control in Jammu &amp; Kashmir&rsquo;s Khari Karmara area of Poonch district on Thursday.</p>

<p>This is the second ceasefire violation in less than 24 hours targeting Indian forward posts and villages.</p>

<p>The Indian Army is retaliating strongly to the indiscriminate firing.&nbsp;There was no immediate report of any casualty so far.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jammu &amp; Kashmir: Pakistan violated ceasefire in Poonch&#39;s Khari Karmara. Locals say, firing of small arms on since 4 am today and heavy shelling started around 3:40 pm. <a href="https://t.co/uRVRD2A1zA">pic.twitter.com/uRVRD2A1zA</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/946356299901497345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Khari Karmara falls opposite Rawalakote where Indian Army soldiers, in a cross LoC raid on Monday evening, killed three Pakistani troopers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The raid had come in retaliation to the killing of four Indian soldiers including a Major by Pakistan in Keri sector last week. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a total of 881 ceasefire violations in 2017, highest in past seven years, resulting in the death of 34 people.</p>


The Indian Army is retaliating strongly to the indiscriminate firing

The Pakistani troops again resorted to unprovoked firing along the Line of Control in Jammu & Kashmir’s Khari Karmara area of Poonch district on Thursday. This is the second ceasefire violation in less than 24 hours targeting Indian forward posts and villages. The Indian Army is retaliating strongly to the indiscriminate firing. There was no immediate report of any casualty so far. Jammu & Kashmir: Pakistan violated ceasefire in Poonch's Khari Karmara. Locals say, firing of small arms on since 4 am today and heavy shelling started around 3:40 pm. pic.twitter.com/uRVRD2A1zA — ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2017 × Khari Karmara falls opposite Rawalakote where Indian Army soldiers, in a cross LoC raid on Monday evening, killed three Pakistani troopers. The raid had come in retaliation to the killing of four Indian soldiers including a Major by Pakistan in Keri sector last week. Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a total of 881 ceasefire violations in 2017, highest in past seven years, resulting in the death of 34 people.

J&K: Pakistan violates ceasefire for second time in less than 24 hours in Poonch

<p>Unfazed by the legal cases and sharp criticism, former chief minister and National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah on Saturday reiterated that Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) is part of Pakistan.</p>

<p>While addressing a gathering in Jammu today, Farooq Abdullah said &#39;that You have made one Pakistan, how many Pakistans will you make, how many pieces will you cut India into?&#39;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Jammu: Farooq Abdullah says, &#39;You have made one Pakistan, how many Pakistans will you make, how many pieces will you cut India into?&#39; <a href="https://t.co/LN3RV1Z5Up">pic.twitter.com/LN3RV1Z5Up</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/931798888872263680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;Yes, I say it (PoK) belongs to them (Pakistan). Are they (Pakistan) wearing bangles? They also have atom bombs! Do you want us to be killed by them? You are sitting in palaces, think about the poor people living in border areas, who are bombed daily.&quot; he added.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Yes, I say it (PoK) belongs to them (Pakistan). Are they (Pakistan) wearing bangles? They also have atom bombs! Do you want us to be killed by them? You are sitting in palaces, think about the poor people living in border areas, who are bombed daily: Farooq Abdullah in Jammu <a href="https://t.co/C2WkpowNji">pic.twitter.com/C2WkpowNji</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/931801673739091969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>He further stated that he is ready to face all legal cases against him.</p>

<p>The National Conference chief has given similar statements in the past, saying that PoK&nbsp;belongs to Pakistan and &quot;this won&#39;t change&quot; no matter how many wars India and Pakistan fight against each other.</p>

<p>A complaint has&nbsp;been filed in Delhi high court against Farooq Abdullah by a Jammu based social activist Sukesh Khajuria on November 17.</p>

<p>Read more:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/complaint-filed-against-farooq-abdullah-and-rishi-kapoor-over-pok-comments-24477">Complaints filed against Farooq Abdullah and Rishi Kapoor over PoK comments</a></p>

<p>Read more:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pok-is-part-of-pakistan-farooq-abdullah-23989">&#39;PoK is part of Pakistan&#39;: Farooq Abdullah</a></p>


Unfazed by the legal cases and sharp criticism, former chief minister and National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah on Saturday reiterated that Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) is part of Pakistan

Unfazed by the legal cases and sharp criticism, former chief minister and National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah on Saturday reiterated that Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) is part of Pakistan. While addressing a gathering in Jammu today, Farooq Abdullah said 'that You have made one Pakistan, how many Pakistans will you make, how many pieces will you cut India into?' #WATCH Jammu: Farooq Abdullah says, 'You have made one Pakistan, how many Pakistans will you make, how many pieces will you cut India into?' pic.twitter.com/LN3RV1Z5Up — ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2017 × "Yes, I say it (PoK) belongs to them (Pakistan). Are they (Pakistan) wearing bangles? They also have atom bombs! Do you want us to be killed by them? You are sitting in palaces, think about the poor people living in border areas, who are bombed daily." he added. Yes, I say it (PoK) belongs to them (Pakistan). Are they (Pakistan) wearing bangles? They also have atom bombs! Do you want us to be killed by them? You are sitting in palaces, think about the poor people living in border areas, who are bombed daily: Farooq Abdullah in Jammu pic.twitter.com/C2WkpowNji — ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2017 × He further stated that he is ready to face all legal cases against him. The National Conference chief has given similar statements in the past, saying that PoK belongs to Pakistan and "this won't change" no matter how many wars India and Pakistan fight against each other. A complaint has been filed in Delhi high court against Farooq Abdullah by a Jammu based social activist Sukesh Khajuria on November 17. Read more: Complaints filed against Farooq Abdullah and Rishi Kapoor over PoK comments Read more: 'PoK is part of Pakistan': Farooq Abdullah

'How many Pakistans will you make', reiterates Farooq Abdullah

<p>The Supreme Court will on Monday hear four petitions demanding the scrapping of Article 35A which grants special privileges to Jammu &amp; Kashmir.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The original petition was filed by Delhi-based NGO We the citizen, saying the state&rsquo;s autonomous status granted by Article 370 and Article 35(A) of the Constitution discriminates against fellow citizens from the rest of the country.</p>

<p><b>What is article 35A?</b></p>

<p>Article 35A is a provision in the Constitution that empowers the J&amp;K Legislature to define &quot;permanent residents&quot;&nbsp;of the state.</p>

<p>Permanent residents&nbsp;are conferred&nbsp;special rights and privileges in public sector jobs, acquisition of property in the state, scholarships, and other public aid and welfare.</p>

<p>The provision mandates that no act of the legislature coming under it can be challenged for violating the Constitution or any other law of the land.</p>

<p>Article 35A was added through the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 1954, issued under Article 370.</p>

<p>The J&amp;K legislature can alter the definition of &quot;permanent resident&quot; only through a law passed by a two-thirds majority.</p>

<p>Article 35A was incorporated into the Constitution by an order by then President Rajendra Prasad on the advice of the Jawaharlal Nehru Cabinet.</p>

<p>The petition We the Citizens challenges the validity of both Article 35A and Article 370. It argues that four representatives from Kashmir were part of the Constituent Assembly involved in the drafting of the Constitution, and that the state of Jammu and Kashmir was never accorded any special status under the Constitution. It contends that Article 370 was only a &quot;temporary provision&quot; to help bring normalcy to Jammu and Kashmir and strengthen democracy in the state. And that the writers of the Constitution did not intend Article 370 to be a tool to bring about permanent amendments -- like Article 35A -- in the Constitution</p>

<p>The petition states that Article 35A is against the &ldquo;very spirit of oneness of India&rdquo; as it creates a &ldquo;class within a class of Indian citizens&rdquo;.</p>

<p>And that stopping citizens of other states from finding employment or buying property in Jammu and Kashmir is a violation of fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution.</p>


Article 35A allows the state of Jammu and Kashmir to pronounce who is a 'permanent resident' of the state

The Supreme Court will on Monday hear four petitions demanding the scrapping of Article 35A which grants special privileges to Jammu & Kashmir. The original petition was filed by Delhi-based NGO We the citizen, saying the state’s autonomous status granted by Article 370 and Article 35(A) of the Constitution discriminates against fellow citizens from the rest of the country. What is article 35A? Article 35A is a provision in the Constitution that empowers the J&K Legislature to define "permanent residents" of the state. Permanent residents are conferred special rights and privileges in public sector jobs, acquisition of property in the state, scholarships, and other public aid and welfare. The provision mandates that no act of the legislature coming under it can be challenged for violating the Constitution or any other law of the land. Article 35A was added through the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 1954, issued under Article 370. The J&K legislature can alter the definition of "permanent resident" only through a law passed by a two-thirds majority. Article 35A was incorporated into the Constitution by an order by then President Rajendra Prasad on the advice of the Jawaharlal Nehru Cabinet. The petition We the Citizens challenges the validity of both Article 35A and Article 370. It argues that four representatives from Kashmir were part of the Constituent Assembly involved in the drafting of the Constitution, and that the state of Jammu and Kashmir was never accorded any special status under the Constitution. It contends that Article 370 was only a "temporary provision" to help bring normalcy to Jammu and Kashmir and strengthen democracy in the state. And that the writers of the Constitution did not intend Article 370 to be a tool to bring about permanent amendments -- like Article 35A -- in the Constitution The petition states that Article 35A is against the “very spirit of oneness of India” as it creates a “class within a class of Indian citizens”. And that stopping citizens of other states from finding employment or buying property in Jammu and Kashmir is a violation of fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution.

What is Article 35A, which SC will hear petitions against today?

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