<p>Navroz, the Persian New Year is considered to be the first day of spring in the Kashmir Valley, and on the same day, hundreds of people in the valley gather at the leech therapy centres hoping to get rid of their age-old ailments. These people believe that leech therapy works best on the day of Navroz.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Leech therapy is an ancient&nbsp;Egyptian method where medicinal leeches are used to treat patients. Medicinal leeches have three jaws with tiny rows of teeth. They pierce a person’s skin with their teeth and insert anticoagulants through their saliva. The leeches are then allowed to extract blood, for 20 to 45 minutes at a time, from the person undergoing treatment.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the therapists, leeches are used to treat pain and cure nervous system abnormalities. They are also used to treat dental problems, skin diseases, infections, arthritis, chronic headaches and sinusitis.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Indian soldiers celebrate Holi across Jammu and Kashmir</strong></p>

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<p>''We have been doing leech therapy for around 30-40 years. It's an ancient method which was used by our forefathers, we have been treating patients in the Dooru area with the help of leeches. If there are people suffering from allergies, high blood pressure, frostbite and also lumps, they come to us, especially on the day of Navroz, and get themselves treated with the help of these medicinal leeches. We get patients from Ramban, Kishtwar, North Kashmir and South Kashmir. We specialise&nbsp;in leech therapy and have a huge rush around Navroz,'' said Showkat Ahmad Rather, a therapist.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>People from various parts of the Union Territory come specially to these leech centres to get themselves treated. And some of them claim that what allopathic medicine could not do for them, leech therapy has.&nbsp;</p>

<p>''I have been coming here for many years to get the treatment. I was relieved after visiting the Leech Centre. I used to take a lot of medicines, but I was not benefited by it at all, and through social media I got to know that this therapy is being done here and I came here. It has really worked well for me. And specially on Navroz, they say it works the best, '' said Sameer Ahmad, Anantnag, South Kashmir.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwi19PjF75GFAxXui2MGHQRUD_EQxfQBKAB6BAgMEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-elections-2024-jammu-and-kashmir-to-have-over-34-lakh-first-time-voters-700052" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-elections-2024-jammu-and-kashmir-to-have-over-34-lakh-first-time-voters-700052&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi19PjF75GFAxXui2MGHQRUD_EQxfQBKAB6BAgMEAE">Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Jammu and Kashmir to have over 3.4 lakh first-time voters</a></strong></p>

<p>In recent times, it has been observed that more and more people are shifting to Homeopathy treatment&nbsp;in the valley.&nbsp;</p>


Navroz, the Persian New Year is considered to be the first day of spring in the Kashmir Valley, and on the same day, hundreds of people in the valley gather at the leech therapy centres hoping to get rid of their age-old ailments.

Navroz, the Persian New Year is considered to be the first day of spring in the Kashmir Valley, and on the same day, hundreds of people in the valley gather at the leech therapy centres hoping to get rid of their age-old ailments. These people believe that leech therapy works best on the day of Navroz. Leech therapy is an ancient Egyptian method where medicinal leeches are used to treat patients. Medicinal leeches have three jaws with tiny rows of teeth. They pierce a person’s skin with their teeth and insert anticoagulants through their saliva. The leeches are then allowed to extract blood, for 20 to 45 minutes at a time, from the person undergoing treatment. According to the therapists, leeches are used to treat pain and cure nervous system abnormalities. They are also used to treat dental problems, skin diseases, infections, arthritis, chronic headaches and sinusitis. Watch: Indian soldiers celebrate Holi across Jammu and Kashmir × ''We have been doing leech therapy for around 30-40 years. It's an ancient method which was used by our forefathers, we have been treating patients in the Dooru area with the help of leeches. If there are people suffering from allergies, high blood pressure, frostbite and also lumps, they come to us, especially on the day of Navroz, and get themselves treated with the help of these medicinal leeches. We get patients from Ramban, Kishtwar, North Kashmir and South Kashmir. We specialise in leech therapy and have a huge rush around Navroz,'' said Showkat Ahmad Rather, a therapist. People from various parts of the Union Territory come specially to these leech centres to get themselves treated. And some of them claim that what allopathic medicine could not do for them, leech therapy has. ''I have been coming here for many years to get the treatment. I was relieved after visiting the Leech Centre. I used to take a lot of medicines, but I was not benefited by it at all, and through social media I got to know that this therapy is being done here and I came here. It has really worked well for me. And specially on Navroz, they say it works the best, '' said Sameer Ahmad, Anantnag, South Kashmir. Also read: Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Jammu and Kashmir to have over 3.4 lakh first-time voters In recent times, it has been observed that more and more people are shifting to Homeopathy treatment in the valley.

Ancient Egyptian leech therapy still popular in Kashmir Valley, demand soars during Navroz

<p>A selfie point in Kashmir’s Uri near the Line of Control (LoC), India’s de-facto border with Pakistan, is drawing tourists in large numbers as it allows them to capture stunning border regions as well as the picturesque Jhelum river.</p>

<p>The point, named INDIA, was opened for public around India’s Republic Day this year, which is observed on January 26. Indian news agency PTI quoted army officials as saying that the selfie point provides visitors with an engaging environment symbolising a sense of nationalism in the region.</p>

<h2><strong>Brain child of Rouble Nagi</strong></h2>

<p>The INDIA selfie point was envisioned by Rouble Nagi, an artist and the founder of Rouble Nagi Art Foundation (RNAF), a Mumbai-based NGO.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Kashmir: Snowfall welcomes tourists as Gulmarg witness a massive tourist influx</strong></p>

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<p>The point has been placed along the National Highway-44 and the structure offers a panoramic view of the picturesque Jhelum river, enhancing the pride of the locals as well as the tourists, the officials said.</p>

<h2><strong>Army thanks the RNAF</strong></h2>

<p>PTI quoted the Indian Army as thanking the Nagi’s foundation for its women empowerment projects. “Her gesture of gifting the structure stands as a testimony to rising nationalism in the valley. The selfie point was conceptualised with an aim to provide a unique engaging environment for individuals and groups alike,” the army said.</p>

<h2><strong>Nagi expresses gratitude</strong></h2>

<p>Nagi also expressed her gratitude for having the opportunity to sculpt the name of the nation through her art installation. She said she saw her work as a tribute to the sacrifices made by various sections of society for the country’s freedom.</p>

<p>“Nothing feels better than sculpting the name of my nation through my art. Proud to install my sculpture #INDIA at Uri, a remote border region,” Nagi, daughter of a retired army officer, said.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw1-I74u_ki0i3ZbEkZ6sJSm" data-ved="2ahUKEwihvpv7wrWEAxUJyqACHXr2AEoQxfQBKAB6BAgREAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-farooq-abdullah-to-contest-solo-in-jammu-and-kashmir-hints-potential-nda-return-690633" jsname="YKoRaf">India elections: National Conference to go solo in Jammu and Kashmir, says Farooq Abdullah</a></strong></p>

<p>“How blessed we are to be free. Our children need to know the sacrifices that were made by so many to protect the freedom we enjoy today,” she said, urging people to visit Uri.</p>

<p>Nagi has played a key role in establishing other important selfie points in Kashmir as well, including one at the revamped Polo View market, Rajbagh and Dal Lake.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A selfie point in Kashmir’s Uri near the Line of Control (LoC), India’s de-facto border with Pakistan, is drawing tourists in large numbers as it allows them to capture stunning border regions as well as the picturesque Jhelum river.

A selfie point in Kashmir’s Uri near the Line of Control (LoC), India’s de-facto border with Pakistan, is drawing tourists in large numbers as it allows them to capture stunning border regions as well as the picturesque Jhelum river. The point, named INDIA, was opened for public around India’s Republic Day this year, which is observed on January 26. Indian news agency PTI quoted army officials as saying that the selfie point provides visitors with an engaging environment symbolising a sense of nationalism in the region. Brain child of Rouble Nagi The INDIA selfie point was envisioned by Rouble Nagi, an artist and the founder of Rouble Nagi Art Foundation (RNAF), a Mumbai-based NGO. Watch: Kashmir: Snowfall welcomes tourists as Gulmarg witness a massive tourist influx × The point has been placed along the National Highway-44 and the structure offers a panoramic view of the picturesque Jhelum river, enhancing the pride of the locals as well as the tourists, the officials said. Army thanks the RNAF PTI quoted the Indian Army as thanking the Nagi’s foundation for its women empowerment projects. “Her gesture of gifting the structure stands as a testimony to rising nationalism in the valley. The selfie point was conceptualised with an aim to provide a unique engaging environment for individuals and groups alike,” the army said. Nagi expresses gratitude Nagi also expressed her gratitude for having the opportunity to sculpt the name of the nation through her art installation. She said she saw her work as a tribute to the sacrifices made by various sections of society for the country’s freedom. “Nothing feels better than sculpting the name of my nation through my art. Proud to install my sculpture #INDIA at Uri, a remote border region,” Nagi, daughter of a retired army officer, said. Also read: India elections: National Conference to go solo in Jammu and Kashmir, says Farooq Abdullah “How blessed we are to be free. Our children need to know the sacrifices that were made by so many to protect the freedom we enjoy today,” she said, urging people to visit Uri. Nagi has played a key role in establishing other important selfie points in Kashmir as well, including one at the revamped Polo View market, Rajbagh and Dal Lake. (With inputs from agencies)

‘INDIA’ selfie point becomes highly popular among tourists in Kashmir’s Uri near LoC

<p>To add more to the experience of the tourists visiting the Kashmir Valley during the winters, Indian Railways's vistadome&nbsp;train coaches offer&nbsp;views no less than Switzerland. The coach is made of glass and provides a 360-degree view of the Kashmir Valley, currently covered in snow.&nbsp;</p>

<p>To further boost tourism in the Kashmir Region, Indian Railways Vistadome coach is fast becoming a hotspot for tourists to experience the train journey from North to South Kashmir. Vistadome is an all-weather glass-ceiling AC train coach and one of the must-do's for tourists coming to the valley. And nowadays, vistadome is on everyone's list as the Valley is covered with snow and while sitting in an AC train, the visitors experience the view of snowcapped Kashmir from Baramulla to Banihal giving them the feel of Switzerland in India.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Kashmir tourism: Kashmir's record-breaking tourist arrivals in the year 2024</strong></p>

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<p>''We are getting a great response as more and more people are taking this train journey. After the snowfall, we are seeing a huge rush of visitors. We used to have occupancy of 10-12 people on an average but after the snowfall, the coach is running full. People from everywhere&nbsp;are taking this journey. We have kept a good facility, it's like a Vande Bharat&nbsp;train. Seating is comfortable while giving a unique&nbsp;experience&nbsp;to the tourists. This is no less than Europe and it is the paradise on earth '' said Prabhat Kumar, an&nbsp;Indian Railways employee.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The train runs six days a week and the tickets are priced at Rs 960.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The 40-seater vistadome coach is running from Banihal to Budgam. The air-conditioned carriage has huge glass windows, a glass roof, an observation lounge and seats that can rotate, giving passengers the opportunity to enjoy stunning views and points of interest on the 135 km route. Tourists/passengers who travel in it highly appreciate this coach.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw0fFiIqjgCwRhaIUeJYacqB" data-ved="2ahUKEwjB_ObMk6aEAxXQ1zgGHXP9B7cQxfQBKAB6BAgIEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/train-travels-through-jammu-and-kashmir-covered-in-snow-indian-railways-posts-captivating-footage-689019" jsname="YKoRaf">India: Train travels through Jammu and Kashmir covered in snow; Indian Railways posts captivating footage</a></strong></p>

<p>''It's such a great experience, it's wonderful. The views are breathtakingly amazing with snow-capped mountains. People should take this train journey;&nbsp;The seating is very comfortable. The view from the glass windows gives an experience of paradise. It will boost tourism further and Kashmir is the real paradise on earth,'' said&nbsp;Hukumat Singh, a visitor.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The train is capable of running smoothly in all seasons whether it is extreme winter or extreme summer. Vistadome was launched in Kashmir in October&nbsp;2023.&nbsp;</p>


To add more to the experience of the tourists visiting the Kashmir Valley during the winters, Indian Railways's vistadome train coaches offer views no less than Switzerland.

To add more to the experience of the tourists visiting the Kashmir Valley during the winters, Indian Railways's vistadome train coaches offer views no less than Switzerland. The coach is made of glass and provides a 360-degree view of the Kashmir Valley, currently covered in snow. To further boost tourism in the Kashmir Region, Indian Railways Vistadome coach is fast becoming a hotspot for tourists to experience the train journey from North to South Kashmir. Vistadome is an all-weather glass-ceiling AC train coach and one of the must-do's for tourists coming to the valley. And nowadays, vistadome is on everyone's list as the Valley is covered with snow and while sitting in an AC train, the visitors experience the view of snowcapped Kashmir from Baramulla to Banihal giving them the feel of Switzerland in India. Watch: Kashmir tourism: Kashmir's record-breaking tourist arrivals in the year 2024 × ''We are getting a great response as more and more people are taking this train journey. After the snowfall, we are seeing a huge rush of visitors. We used to have occupancy of 10-12 people on an average but after the snowfall, the coach is running full. People from everywhere are taking this journey. We have kept a good facility, it's like a Vande Bharat train. Seating is comfortable while giving a unique experience to the tourists. This is no less than Europe and it is the paradise on earth '' said Prabhat Kumar, an Indian Railways employee. The train runs six days a week and the tickets are priced at Rs 960. The 40-seater vistadome coach is running from Banihal to Budgam. The air-conditioned carriage has huge glass windows, a glass roof, an observation lounge and seats that can rotate, giving passengers the opportunity to enjoy stunning views and points of interest on the 135 km route. Tourists/passengers who travel in it highly appreciate this coach. Also read: India: Train travels through Jammu and Kashmir covered in snow; Indian Railways posts captivating footage ''It's such a great experience, it's wonderful. The views are breathtakingly amazing with snow-capped mountains. People should take this train journey; The seating is very comfortable. The view from the glass windows gives an experience of paradise. It will boost tourism further and Kashmir is the real paradise on earth,'' said Hukumat Singh, a visitor. The train is capable of running smoothly in all seasons whether it is extreme winter or extreme summer. Vistadome was launched in Kashmir in October 2023.

Vistadome coaches in trains to Kashmir become tourist attraction as snow-capped valley welcomes visitors

Kashmir Valley is witnessing an unprecedented change in the weather. In January, tourist resorts such as Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonmarg would typically have accumulated ample snow by now. But this year, the winter wonderland of Kashmir, Gulmarg is dry with no snow anywhere to be seen. Experts attribute the disappointment of tourists who visit to witness the snow to global warming.

No snow In Gulmarg this year, dry ground in Kashmir disappoint tourists

Bumper saffron harvest after 10 years, farmers in Kashmir elated

Kashmir: Bumper saffron harvest after 10 years, farmers in Kashmir elated

<p>Several houseboats were gutted after a massive fire broke out on a houseboat in Dal Lake on the outskirts of Srinagar district in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.</p>

<p>The fire, which began in one of the houseboats on Friday late at night (Nov 10), quickly spread and engulfed several others.</p>

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<p>The officials further informed that there were no immediate reports of injuries or loss of lives in the blaze.</p>

<p>"Several houseboats were gutted in a massive fire on Dal Lake. The fire erupted in one of the houseboats and engulfed several others," they said.</p>

<p>As per initial reports, at least half a dozen houseboats have been damaged due to the fire.</p>

<p>More details are awaited.</p>


Several houseboats were gutted after a massive fire broke out on a houseboat in Dal Lake on the outskirts of Srinagar district in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

Several houseboats were gutted after a massive fire broke out on a houseboat in Dal Lake on the outskirts of Srinagar district in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. The fire, which began in one of the houseboats on Friday late at night (Nov 10), quickly spread and engulfed several others. #WATCH | Several houseboats were gutted in a fire in Srinagar's Dal Lake last night pic.twitter.com/uDtuOQO9yw — ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2023 × The officials further informed that there were no immediate reports of injuries or loss of lives in the blaze. "Several houseboats were gutted in a massive fire on Dal Lake. The fire erupted in one of the houseboats and engulfed several others," they said. As per initial reports, at least half a dozen houseboats have been damaged due to the fire. More details are awaited.

India: Massive fire at Srinagar's Dal Lake destroys several houseboats

<p>Two terrorists were gunned down in an encounter in South Kashmir's Kulgam district on Wednesday (Oct 4). The operation began earlier in the day in the Kujjar area of Kulgam district.</p>

<p>Security forces had a tip-off about the presence of terrorists in the area after which a cordon and search operation was launched. During the search operations, terrorists fired on the security forces, resulting in a gun battle.&nbsp;</p>

<p>''2 terrorists killed. Bodies of the killed terrorists being retrieved from the site of encounter. Cordon &amp; search operation is still in progress. Further details shall follow,” said Vijay Kumar, ADG, Jammu and Kashmir Police.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The bodies of the terrorists have not been retrieved yet from the operation site as security forces continue their combing operation in the area. Jammu and Kashmir Police had a tip-off about the presence of 2-3 terrorists&nbsp;in the area.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Kashmir’s prized willow tree in crisis</strong></p>

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<p>One more operation is on in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir in the Rajouri sector. The operation started on October 2 and still continues in the dense forest area of Kalakote in Rajouri district.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Indian army said that specific intelligence about the movement of some unidentified individuals was received on Oct 1 by Jammu &amp; Kashmir Police.</p>

<p>It must be noted that the army had conducted a successful operation in the same area on Sept 13, which enabled a continuous flow of intelligence from the region, helped the army establish domination and exerted pressure on the terrorists.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/crpfs-1st-female-biker-expedition-starts-from-kashmir-shillong-and-kanyakumari-150-bikers-participate-642061"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;CRPF`s 1st female biker expedition starts from Kashmir, Shillong and Kanyakumari</strong></a></p>

<p>''The operation is still under progress. However, following points can be given out in further update of the operation. Timely &amp; accurate intelligence. Full Synergy with JKP. Operation is being conducted in Different terrain, therefore it is being done very deliberately to avoid collateral damage. Full support was provided by Awaam in the operation,'' said Lt Col Suneel Bartwal PRO (Defence) Jammu.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At both the operation sites, security forces continue to carry out a combing operation.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Two terrorists were gunned down in an encounter in South Kashmir's Kulgam district on Wednesday (Oct 4). The operation began earlier in the day in the Kujjar area of Kulgam district.

Two terrorists were gunned down in an encounter in South Kashmir's Kulgam district on Wednesday (Oct 4). The operation began earlier in the day in the Kujjar area of Kulgam district. Security forces had a tip-off about the presence of terrorists in the area after which a cordon and search operation was launched. During the search operations, terrorists fired on the security forces, resulting in a gun battle. ''2 terrorists killed. Bodies of the killed terrorists being retrieved from the site of encounter. Cordon & search operation is still in progress. Further details shall follow,” said Vijay Kumar, ADG, Jammu and Kashmir Police. The bodies of the terrorists have not been retrieved yet from the operation site as security forces continue their combing operation in the area. Jammu and Kashmir Police had a tip-off about the presence of 2-3 terrorists in the area. Watch: Kashmir’s prized willow tree in crisis × One more operation is on in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir in the Rajouri sector. The operation started on October 2 and still continues in the dense forest area of Kalakote in Rajouri district. The Indian army said that specific intelligence about the movement of some unidentified individuals was received on Oct 1 by Jammu & Kashmir Police. It must be noted that the army had conducted a successful operation in the same area on Sept 13, which enabled a continuous flow of intelligence from the region, helped the army establish domination and exerted pressure on the terrorists. Also read: CRPF`s 1st female biker expedition starts from Kashmir, Shillong and Kanyakumari ''The operation is still under progress. However, following points can be given out in further update of the operation. Timely & accurate intelligence. Full Synergy with JKP. Operation is being conducted in Different terrain, therefore it is being done very deliberately to avoid collateral damage. Full support was provided by Awaam in the operation,'' said Lt Col Suneel Bartwal PRO (Defence) Jammu. At both the operation sites, security forces continue to carry out a combing operation. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Kashmir: 2 terrorists killed in Kulgam; Rajouri operation continues on fourth day

<p>Three terrorists were killed in an ongoing encounter in North Kashmir's Uri sector of Baramulla district on Saturday. The encounter between terrorists and security forces started early morning in the Hathlanga area of Uri in north Kashmir's Baramulla district. The security forces had a tip-off about the presence of terrorists in the area after which a cordon and search operation was launched. During the search, terrorists started firing towards the security forces leading to an encounter.</p>

<p>“Op Khanda, Uri In a Joint Operation launched by Indian Army, J&amp;KPolice and Intelligence agencies an infiltration bid was foiled today in the morning hours along LoC in Uri Sector, Baramulla. 3 Terrorists tried to infiltrate who were engaged by alert troops. 2 Terrorists have been eliminated and bodies recovered, third terrorist killed but retrieval of body being interfered by firing by Pak post in vicinity, on LoC,” said Indian Army in a tweet.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;India: Joint anti-terror operation in South Kashmir</strong></p>

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<p>Meanwhile, the operation in Gadole forests of Kokernag area in Anantnag district entered the fourth day. The Indian Army had lost one more soldier injured in the Kokernag gunfight on Friday, taking the toll to four.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The security forces resumed the operation on Saturday morning after a night halt. It’s the fourth day of the encounter and it has been over 80 hours since the operation began.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jammu and Kashmir police had earlier said that the terrorists have been spotted and cornered. At least two terrorists, including Uzair Khan of the Lashkar, have been surrounded in the cordon. The Indian army had said that the forces are using modern equipment like drones and other high tech gadgets to conduct the operation.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jammu-and-kashmir-anantnag-encounter-resumes-for-third-day-636116"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Jammu and Kashmir: Another Indian Army soldier martyred as Anantnag encounter enters third day</strong></a></p>

<p>Security forces also destroyed two terrorist hideouts during the operation. They also recovered one AK 47 rifle, ammunition, food and utensils from these hideouts.</p>

<p>Earlier, two Indian Army officers and a DSP of Jammu and Kashmir Police were martyred in the Anantnag operation. The army colonel was identified as Manpreet Singh, who was Commanding officer of 19 Rashtriya Rifles, while the major was identified as Aashish Dhonchak. The DSP of Jammu and Kashmir Police was identified as Humayun Bhat, son of a retired police officer.</p>

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Three terrorists were killed in an ongoing encounter in North Kashmir's Uri sector of Baramulla district on Saturday. The encounter between terrorists and security forces started early morning in the Hathlanga area of Uri in north Kashmir's Baramulla district.

Three terrorists were killed in an ongoing encounter in North Kashmir's Uri sector of Baramulla district on Saturday. The encounter between terrorists and security forces started early morning in the Hathlanga area of Uri in north Kashmir's Baramulla district. The security forces had a tip-off about the presence of terrorists in the area after which a cordon and search operation was launched. During the search, terrorists started firing towards the security forces leading to an encounter. “Op Khanda, Uri In a Joint Operation launched by Indian Army, J&KPolice and Intelligence agencies an infiltration bid was foiled today in the morning hours along LoC in Uri Sector, Baramulla. 3 Terrorists tried to infiltrate who were engaged by alert troops. 2 Terrorists have been eliminated and bodies recovered, third terrorist killed but retrieval of body being interfered by firing by Pak post in vicinity, on LoC,” said Indian Army in a tweet. Watch: India: Joint anti-terror operation in South Kashmir × Meanwhile, the operation in Gadole forests of Kokernag area in Anantnag district entered the fourth day. The Indian Army had lost one more soldier injured in the Kokernag gunfight on Friday, taking the toll to four. The security forces resumed the operation on Saturday morning after a night halt. It’s the fourth day of the encounter and it has been over 80 hours since the operation began. Jammu and Kashmir police had earlier said that the terrorists have been spotted and cornered. At least two terrorists, including Uzair Khan of the Lashkar, have been surrounded in the cordon. The Indian army had said that the forces are using modern equipment like drones and other high tech gadgets to conduct the operation. Also read: Jammu and Kashmir: Another Indian Army soldier martyred as Anantnag encounter enters third day Security forces also destroyed two terrorist hideouts during the operation. They also recovered one AK 47 rifle, ammunition, food and utensils from these hideouts. Earlier, two Indian Army officers and a DSP of Jammu and Kashmir Police were martyred in the Anantnag operation. The army colonel was identified as Manpreet Singh, who was Commanding officer of 19 Rashtriya Rifles, while the major was identified as Aashish Dhonchak. The DSP of Jammu and Kashmir Police was identified as Humayun Bhat, son of a retired police officer. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

India: 3 terrorists killed in Uri encounter, Kokernag operation continues on fourth day

<p>The ongoing encounter between terrorists and Indian security forces in the Anantnag district of the Kashmir region entered its fourth day Saturday (Sept 16).</p>

<p>So far, four security personnel have been martyred in the ongoing operation, launched with the quest to neutralise two to three terrorists holed up in a cave atop a hill in the Gadul forest of Kokernag.</p>

<p>The hideout can only be accessed by a narrow route with a deep ditch on one side. Security forces tried to take the route to the cave on Wednesday but came under heavy fire with no place to take cover.</p>

<p>The gunfight began Tuesday night (Sept 12) and is expected to end as soon as the terrorists are gunned down.</p>

<h2><strong>Indian forces in action</strong></h2>

<p>The Indian army is believed to have surrounded the hill where the terrorists are hiding. As reported in Indian media, they are well-trained terrorist with ample food and ammunition at their disposal.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;India: Joint anti-terror operation in South Kashmir</strong></p>

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<p>The forces are using rocket launchers and dropping bombs using drones acquired from Israel to attack the suspected hideout.</p>

<p>The terrain is extremely challenging, which has so far prevented the army from setting its domination.</p>

<h2><strong>Who is behind these attacks?</strong></h2>

<p>Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) offshoot The Resistance Front has claimed responsibility for these attacks, who say it was an act of revenge for the killing of their veteran leader in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) earlier this month.</p>

<p>LeT commander Riyaz Ahmed, codenamed Qasim, was shot dead at close quarters inside the Al-Qudus mosque in the Rawalakot region of POK on September 8.</p>

<h2><strong>Turmoil in Pakistan</strong></h2>

<p>The recent surge in terror activity in the Kashmir region coincides with rising turmoil in Pakistan. The cash-strapped nation is reeling under massive political and economic instability, along with soaring inflation and terrorism.</p>

<p>Recent fuel price hikes are further expected to exacerbate the inflation problem in the South Asian country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Islamabad and Kabul have also been in a diplomatic deadlock since early September over a dispute regarding an Afghan outpost. Pakistan might now try to fuel destabilisation on its eastern border and orchestrate a security crisis to divert the public's attention from burning issues at home.</p>

<h2><strong>Another encounter in the Baramulla district</strong></h2>

<p>Meanwhile, another encounter began Saturday morning (Sept 16) in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kashmir Police Zone said in a social media post, “Encounter has started between terrorists and Army &amp; Baramulla Police in forward area of Uri, Hathlanga in Baramulla district.”</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jammu-and-kashmir-anantnag-encounter-resumes-for-third-day-636116"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Jammu and Kashmir: Another Indian Army soldier martyred as Anantnag encounter enters third day</strong></a></p>

<p>It later informed that three terrorists were killed in the operation.</p>

<p>The encounter comes hot on the heels of the unearthing of a terror module in the district a day earlier, where two terrorists were arrested with heavy arms and ammunition.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Both of them are believed to be associates of LeT.</p>

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The ongoing encounter between terrorists and Indian security forces in the Anantnag district of the Kashmir region entered its fourth day Saturday (Sept 16). So far, four security personnel have been martyred in the ongoing operation, launched with the quest to neutralise two to three terrorists holed up in a cave atop a hill in the Gadul forest of Kokernag.

The ongoing encounter between terrorists and Indian security forces in the Anantnag district of the Kashmir region entered its fourth day Saturday (Sept 16). So far, four security personnel have been martyred in the ongoing operation, launched with the quest to neutralise two to three terrorists holed up in a cave atop a hill in the Gadul forest of Kokernag. The hideout can only be accessed by a narrow route with a deep ditch on one side. Security forces tried to take the route to the cave on Wednesday but came under heavy fire with no place to take cover. The gunfight began Tuesday night (Sept 12) and is expected to end as soon as the terrorists are gunned down. Indian forces in action The Indian army is believed to have surrounded the hill where the terrorists are hiding. As reported in Indian media, they are well-trained terrorist with ample food and ammunition at their disposal. Watch: India: Joint anti-terror operation in South Kashmir × The forces are using rocket launchers and dropping bombs using drones acquired from Israel to attack the suspected hideout. The terrain is extremely challenging, which has so far prevented the army from setting its domination. Who is behind these attacks? Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) offshoot The Resistance Front has claimed responsibility for these attacks, who say it was an act of revenge for the killing of their veteran leader in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) earlier this month. LeT commander Riyaz Ahmed, codenamed Qasim, was shot dead at close quarters inside the Al-Qudus mosque in the Rawalakot region of POK on September 8. Turmoil in Pakistan The recent surge in terror activity in the Kashmir region coincides with rising turmoil in Pakistan. The cash-strapped nation is reeling under massive political and economic instability, along with soaring inflation and terrorism. Recent fuel price hikes are further expected to exacerbate the inflation problem in the South Asian country. Meanwhile, Islamabad and Kabul have also been in a diplomatic deadlock since early September over a dispute regarding an Afghan outpost. Pakistan might now try to fuel destabilisation on its eastern border and orchestrate a security crisis to divert the public's attention from burning issues at home. Another encounter in the Baramulla district Meanwhile, another encounter began Saturday morning (Sept 16) in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir. Kashmir Police Zone said in a social media post, “Encounter has started between terrorists and Army & Baramulla Police in forward area of Uri, Hathlanga in Baramulla district.” Also read: Jammu and Kashmir: Another Indian Army soldier martyred as Anantnag encounter enters third day It later informed that three terrorists were killed in the operation. The encounter comes hot on the heels of the unearthing of a terror module in the district a day earlier, where two terrorists were arrested with heavy arms and ammunition. Both of them are believed to be associates of LeT. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

India: Encounter in Kashmir’s Anantnag enters fourth day, 3 Pak-backed terrorist killed

<p>Sopore town in North Kashmir's Baramulla district is called the apple town of Kashmir Valley. Around 40 per cent of the apple production and sale in Kashmir Valley is done through the Sopore Mandi (an open marketplace). And since horticulture contributes the most to the GDP of Jammu and Kashmir, Sopore plays a key role in this sector.</p>

<p>With a business of over 3000 crores annually, Sopore has been one of the key hubs for horticulture business in Kashmir Valley. And by September, the whole Kashmir Valley turns into an apple trading centre. The apples are harvested all across the Sopore town to be sent across India and other countries.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The fruit mandi of Sopore is Asia's second-largest fruit mandi, and the biggest when it comes to apple trade. The Sopore mandi is connected with over 450 fruit mandis across India and all the fruit produce is sent directly to those mandis from here. Countries like Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan are also directly supplied with apples from the Sopore mandi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>''Fruit mandi Sopore is Asia's second-largest, This mandi was established in 1989 and it has been expanding since then. We do great business here and Kashmir's economy depends on horticulture. 70 per cent of our population is dependent on horticulture. Around 7 lac families are involved in it. The trade increases with every year. Around 3000 crore business is done via Sopore mandi and it will increase every year. Nearly 450 fruit mandis get supplied directly from here across India. We have an American apple from North Kashmir which goes to Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, '' Zahoor Ahmad Tantray, General Secretary, Sopore Fruit Mandi told WION.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;India: Kashmir govt to introduce new export policy to boost export of saffron</strong></p>

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<p>The biggest apple orchards in the Kashmir Valley are in Sopore town and many of the farmers are now turning their traditional apple farms into high-density apple farms. The Centre and the government&nbsp;of&nbsp;Jammu and Kashmir have been pushing the farmers to expand their orchards, and huge subsidies are being given to the farmers to do so. One of the apple farmers from Sopore, Waseem Hajini, is the owner of one of the biggest high-density apple orchards in the town. He says the future is with the high-density farms and more and more youth need to get involved in the business of apples in Sopore.</p>

<p>''I have been in the apple business for 6-7 years, we have had traditional apple trees for ages but in 2016 I uprooted the plants and installed the Italian high-density ones, It has been a great journey. Sopore is known as apple town and the total revenue from apple business from Sopore is around 6000 crores. The future is with high-density farming. There is a lot of support from the government also. The government is promoting apple farming and it's a great deal for the unemployed youth. It is a good opportunity that the government is providing us and they should go for it. The new import policy will help the people of Kashmir, Himachal and Uttarakhand, '' said Wasim Hajini.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-kashmir-hosts-miss-world-along-with-other-beauty-pageant-winners-629984"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;India: Kashmir hosts Miss World along with other beauty pageant winners</strong></a></p>

<p>Sopore has around 61 villages and is also one of the oldest sub-divisions of Jammu and Kashmir. At the time of apple harvest, the fruit mandi of spore comes abuzz with thousands of buyers from across India. Around 400 trucks loaded with apples are sent across the country on a daily basis.&nbsp;</p>

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Sopore town in North Kashmir's Baramulla district is called the apple town of Kashmir Valley. Around 40 per cent of the apple production and sale in Kashmir Valley is done through the Sopore Mandi (an open marketplace).

Sopore town in North Kashmir's Baramulla district is called the apple town of Kashmir Valley. Around 40 per cent of the apple production and sale in Kashmir Valley is done through the Sopore Mandi (an open marketplace). And since horticulture contributes the most to the GDP of Jammu and Kashmir, Sopore plays a key role in this sector. With a business of over 3000 crores annually, Sopore has been one of the key hubs for horticulture business in Kashmir Valley. And by September, the whole Kashmir Valley turns into an apple trading centre. The apples are harvested all across the Sopore town to be sent across India and other countries. The fruit mandi of Sopore is Asia's second-largest fruit mandi, and the biggest when it comes to apple trade. The Sopore mandi is connected with over 450 fruit mandis across India and all the fruit produce is sent directly to those mandis from here. Countries like Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan are also directly supplied with apples from the Sopore mandi. ''Fruit mandi Sopore is Asia's second-largest, This mandi was established in 1989 and it has been expanding since then. We do great business here and Kashmir's economy depends on horticulture. 70 per cent of our population is dependent on horticulture. Around 7 lac families are involved in it. The trade increases with every year. Around 3000 crore business is done via Sopore mandi and it will increase every year. Nearly 450 fruit mandis get supplied directly from here across India. We have an American apple from North Kashmir which goes to Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, '' Zahoor Ahmad Tantray, General Secretary, Sopore Fruit Mandi told WION. Watch: India: Kashmir govt to introduce new export policy to boost export of saffron × The biggest apple orchards in the Kashmir Valley are in Sopore town and many of the farmers are now turning their traditional apple farms into high-density apple farms. The Centre and the government of Jammu and Kashmir have been pushing the farmers to expand their orchards, and huge subsidies are being given to the farmers to do so. One of the apple farmers from Sopore, Waseem Hajini, is the owner of one of the biggest high-density apple orchards in the town. He says the future is with the high-density farms and more and more youth need to get involved in the business of apples in Sopore. ''I have been in the apple business for 6-7 years, we have had traditional apple trees for ages but in 2016 I uprooted the plants and installed the Italian high-density ones, It has been a great journey. Sopore is known as apple town and the total revenue from apple business from Sopore is around 6000 crores. The future is with high-density farming. There is a lot of support from the government also. The government is promoting apple farming and it's a great deal for the unemployed youth. It is a good opportunity that the government is providing us and they should go for it. The new import policy will help the people of Kashmir, Himachal and Uttarakhand, '' said Wasim Hajini. Also read: India: Kashmir hosts Miss World along with other beauty pageant winners Sopore has around 61 villages and is also one of the oldest sub-divisions of Jammu and Kashmir. At the time of apple harvest, the fruit mandi of spore comes abuzz with thousands of buyers from across India. Around 400 trucks loaded with apples are sent across the country on a daily basis. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Asia’s second-largest fruit mandi in Kashmir abuzz with buyers from across India 

<p>To provide a platform to the local artists of Jammu and Kashmir, the handicraft department is organising exhibitions in Srinagar's Heritage Government Arts Emporium building.&nbsp;An art exhibition by local artist Deepa Soni was thrown open to the public. The artist says her exhibition depicts Kashmir valley in a positive way.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Deepa Soni, a visual artist hails from the Udhampur area of the Jammu region and has been living in Srinagar for some time. She has captured the essence of Kashmir's natural beauty along with the arts and crafts of the region. Soni has put out various types of paintings wherein oil colours, watercolours, fusion, three-dimensional and other paintings are on display&nbsp;in the exhibition. She says the platforms&nbsp;provided by the handicraft department are an encouragement for the artists in the Union Territory.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/number-of-local-terrorists-reduced-to-two-digits-says-jammu-and-kashmir-dgp-536442"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Number of local terrorists reduced to two digits, says Jammu and Kashmir DGP</strong></a></p>

<p>''As you can see, my paintings depict&nbsp;Kashmir in a very positive way. The beauty and the colours and all positive vibes around. This whole show is organised by the handicraft department and the tourism department also helped. They want to support the upcoming artists. Our art and culture is so rich, we have so many art forms and we should promote them for sure. We want to make sure the art forms are more attractive, and some fusion work&nbsp;can be done to attract more and more young people,'' said Soni.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The exhibition will continue for three days. The department of handicraft has received a huge number of requests from local artists to provide them space to display their&nbsp;art and craft. The department of handicrafts now plans to continue organising these exhibitions to promote artists and the craft of the valley.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/apple-farmers-in-kashmir-panic-as-overproduction-lack-of-cold-storage-drive-the-prices-low-536720"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Apple farmers in Kashmir panic as bumper crop, lack of cold storage drive the price down</strong></a></p>

<p>''We have been approached by a lot of artists to help promote their&nbsp;art and craft. The arts emporium is a heritage&nbsp;art building and we have kept a hall specially for art displays, we did an exhibition two weeks ago where we showcased the last artisan involved in glazed pottery in Kashmir.&nbsp;Then we got a lot of requests by people who want to display their&nbsp;art and we are carrying it forward.&nbsp;I am extremely happy that more and more people are approaching us and want to showcase their&nbsp;talent and we are welcoming them. You will see these exhibitions often now. It will promote the craft space of the valley,'' said Mehmood Shah, Director of Handicrafts.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The local youth of the valley were happy that such exhibitions are being held in Srinagar city and witness the various&nbsp;art forms of the Kashmir region which they know little about.&nbsp;</p>

<p>''The exhibition is wonderful and the take on Kashmir is great, the intricacy of Kashmiri art is portrayed&nbsp;through paintings. It's a 360-degree experience in the exhibition. Initiatives&nbsp;like these will help people to go back to art and it's a wonderful thing,'' said Nikita.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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To provide a platform to the local artists of Jammu and Kashmir, the handicraft department is organising exhibitions in Srinagar's Heritage Government Arts Emporium building.

To provide a platform to the local artists of Jammu and Kashmir, the handicraft department is organising exhibitions in Srinagar's Heritage Government Arts Emporium building. An art exhibition by local artist Deepa Soni was thrown open to the public. The artist says her exhibition depicts Kashmir valley in a positive way. Deepa Soni, a visual artist hails from the Udhampur area of the Jammu region and has been living in Srinagar for some time. She has captured the essence of Kashmir's natural beauty along with the arts and crafts of the region. Soni has put out various types of paintings wherein oil colours, watercolours, fusion, three-dimensional and other paintings are on display in the exhibition. She says the platforms provided by the handicraft department are an encouragement for the artists in the Union Territory. Also read | Number of local terrorists reduced to two digits, says Jammu and Kashmir DGP ''As you can see, my paintings depict Kashmir in a very positive way. The beauty and the colours and all positive vibes around. This whole show is organised by the handicraft department and the tourism department also helped. They want to support the upcoming artists. Our art and culture is so rich, we have so many art forms and we should promote them for sure. We want to make sure the art forms are more attractive, and some fusion work can be done to attract more and more young people,'' said Soni. The exhibition will continue for three days. The department of handicraft has received a huge number of requests from local artists to provide them space to display their art and craft. The department of handicrafts now plans to continue organising these exhibitions to promote artists and the craft of the valley. Also read | Apple farmers in Kashmir panic as bumper crop, lack of cold storage drive the price down ''We have been approached by a lot of artists to help promote their art and craft. The arts emporium is a heritage art building and we have kept a hall specially for art displays, we did an exhibition two weeks ago where we showcased the last artisan involved in glazed pottery in Kashmir. Then we got a lot of requests by people who want to display their art and we are carrying it forward. I am extremely happy that more and more people are approaching us and want to showcase their talent and we are welcoming them. You will see these exhibitions often now. It will promote the craft space of the valley,'' said Mehmood Shah, Director of Handicrafts. The local youth of the valley were happy that such exhibitions are being held in Srinagar city and witness the various art forms of the Kashmir region which they know little about. ''The exhibition is wonderful and the take on Kashmir is great, the intricacy of Kashmiri art is portrayed through paintings. It's a 360-degree experience in the exhibition. Initiatives like these will help people to go back to art and it's a wonderful thing,'' said Nikita. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

India: Handicraft department provides platform to Kashmir’s art and craft, promotes artists

<p>The upper reaches of the Kashmir Valley witnessed snowfall, leading to a drop in temperature across the region. Rains lashed the plains in the region, with the MeT department recording 13.8mm of rainfall during the last 24 hours. Areas like the famous hill station Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and areas close to the Line of Control in the Machil sector and many other upper reaches including Sithan pass and Margan pass received fresh snowfall.</p>

<p>The Met department has predicted that it's likely to snow and rain in most of the areas till today, and that weather will improve from tomorrow onwards.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/two-non-local-labourers-killed-in-south-kashmir-attack-police-arrests-two-let-terrorists-526356"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Two non-local labourers killed in South Kashmir attack, police arrest two LeT terrorists</strong></a></p>

<p>"Light to Moderate rain with snowfall over the higher reaches of J&amp;K. Light to moderate rain/snowfall (over high reaches) is very likely to continue at most places in Kashmir and at a few places in Jammu till late afternoon today and gradual improvement thereafter. From 21st to 30th October, there's no forecast of any major snowfall in J&amp;K and Ladakh. However, light rain or snow may occur at isolated places, "said the Met official in Srinagar.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The tourists visiting the place are extremely joyous and enjoy the snowfall. Some of them say that they went to sleep with green surroundings while waking up to a completely white layer in the morning.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-first-film-shoot-in-gurez-valley-starts-close-to-line-of-control-526188"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;India: First film shoot in Gurez Valley starts close to Line of Control</strong></a></p>

<p>"We came to Sonamarg yesterday. Everything was green yesterday, and when we woke up in the morning, everything was white. It's unbelievable. All the mountains are covered in snow. It's just amazing. '' said a tourist.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The fresh snowfall in the region has led to the closure of several roads, including Sadhna Top, connecting the border town of Tangdhar with other far-flung areas. The road to Gurez has also been shut down due to bad weather.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The temperature at Gulmarg was recorded at minus 2.0 °C, which is the lowest of the season. Meanwhile, in the Rajouri area of the Jammu and Kashmir region, 50 sheep and goats were killed during a lightning thunderstorm in the area. One person was injured in the incident as well.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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The upper reaches of the Kashmir Valley witnessed snowfall, leading to a drop in temperature across the region. Rains lashed the plains in the region, with the MeT department recording 13.

The upper reaches of the Kashmir Valley witnessed snowfall, leading to a drop in temperature across the region. Rains lashed the plains in the region, with the MeT department recording 13.8mm of rainfall during the last 24 hours. Areas like the famous hill station Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and areas close to the Line of Control in the Machil sector and many other upper reaches including Sithan pass and Margan pass received fresh snowfall. The Met department has predicted that it's likely to snow and rain in most of the areas till today, and that weather will improve from tomorrow onwards. Also read | Two non-local labourers killed in South Kashmir attack, police arrest two LeT terrorists "Light to Moderate rain with snowfall over the higher reaches of J&K. Light to moderate rain/snowfall (over high reaches) is very likely to continue at most places in Kashmir and at a few places in Jammu till late afternoon today and gradual improvement thereafter. From 21st to 30th October, there's no forecast of any major snowfall in J&K and Ladakh. However, light rain or snow may occur at isolated places, "said the Met official in Srinagar. The tourists visiting the place are extremely joyous and enjoy the snowfall. Some of them say that they went to sleep with green surroundings while waking up to a completely white layer in the morning. Also read | India: First film shoot in Gurez Valley starts close to Line of Control "We came to Sonamarg yesterday. Everything was green yesterday, and when we woke up in the morning, everything was white. It's unbelievable. All the mountains are covered in snow. It's just amazing. '' said a tourist. The fresh snowfall in the region has led to the closure of several roads, including Sadhna Top, connecting the border town of Tangdhar with other far-flung areas. The road to Gurez has also been shut down due to bad weather. The temperature at Gulmarg was recorded at minus 2.0 °C, which is the lowest of the season. Meanwhile, in the Rajouri area of the Jammu and Kashmir region, 50 sheep and goats were killed during a lightning thunderstorm in the area. One person was injured in the incident as well. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

India: Higher altitudes in Kashmir region experience snowfall, tourists amazed

One junior Indian army commissioner and four soldiers have been killed in an ongoing encounter in Kashmir's Poonch district and the latest update coming in is that the encounter has now spread to the Rajouri region. Adjacent to the site where the gunfight took place earlier in the day. After a cordon-and-search operation was carried out by the Indian army. Based on intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the region the five security personnel suffered critical injuries during a gun battle with the terrorists and later succumbed to their injuries when taken to a nearby medical facility.

Four soldiers killed in an ongoing encounter in Kashmir's Poonch

India on ,Monday hits out at Organisation of Islamic Cooperation over it's statement on Jammu and kashmir. 'OIC has no locus standi', says India.

India hits out at Organisation of Islamic Cooperation over J&K's statement

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has started construction of a 3.5-kilometer-long runway adjacent to the National Highway (NH-44) in Bijbehara area of South Kashmir. The work on the runway has started on a war footing and the 3.5 kilometre long runway will be used as an emergency runway facility for fighter jets in case of any emergency.

Kashmir: IAF runway being built in Anantnag district

Nightlife in Kashmir is missing from the past 3 decades. Now it's witnessing the slow but steady transformation. The theme-based cafes in Kashmir are helping youth to ideate but the situation post the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir special status has hit the sector overall. Watch the full report.

Kashmir catching up with cafe culture

Davinder Singh, who is presently posted as the deputy superintendent of police at the airport, was alleged to have been ferrying the militants from the Shopian area, possibly out of the Valley.

The black sheep of J&K Police: Know about him

15 Foreign envoys from Latin America, Africa and the Asian region are being hosted by the Indian government. The envoys reached Jammu after travelling to Srinagar yesterday. #ForeignEnvoysInIndia #KashmirCrisis #WIONNews

Foreign envoys in Jammu today

The situation in Kashmir is improving continuously. Youths are moving from online to the library, due to which libraries are witnessing huge rush. Libraries help students to prepare for exams. #KashmirNews #WION #KashmirLibraries

WION Dispatch : Students Back To Books In Kashmir Valley

It's A Working Monday In Jammu & Kashmir As Restrictions Are Being Eased In A Phased Manner.

WION Gravitas: Jammu & Kashmir slowly but surely on its way to normalcy

Government offices and schools reopened in India's Jammu and Kashmir with a mixed response on Monday (August 19), after two weeks of lockdown. Several areas of Jammu and Kashmir were facing a curfew-like situation after the administration imposed restrictions to curb violence in the valley, in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government's decision to abrogate Article 370 and 35A, revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.

Kashmir schools, offices reopen amid tight security

<p>We left early, crossing the towns of Sangam and Anantnag &ndash; the locals call it Islamabad &ndash; to reach Bemdoroo while the air was still cool. This is where the militant separatist Burhan Wani was killed on July 8.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Kashmir has been on lockdown ever since. The government has called a curfew, the security forces enforce it in the cities and the towns, and the Hurriyat has called a strike, which the people enforce vigilantly everywhere else. Makeshift roadblocks, manned by gangs of young men, some of them masked, have been put up every few kilometres.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Nobody is allowed to pass, especially if you are media. There is a fierce anger here against journalists, especially towards what in local parlance is called the &ldquo;Indian media&rdquo; &ndash; the Indian TV news channels.</p>

<p>The Kashmiris say they are fed up with saying one thing into a TV camera and then finding it &ldquo;distorted&rdquo; that evening.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The ferocity of the backlash has left even Kashmiri journalists reeling. &ldquo;It wasn&rsquo;t like this earlier,&rdquo; they say. There have been reports of journalists being roughed up and abused, especially those wielding cameras or camera phones inside hospital wards where the 50 mostly-young Kashmiri men have died or the close-to 4,000 injured are being treated. Even the Hurriyat had to call for calm a few days ago, making an appeal to the people through the local papers that journalists be allowed to go about their work.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
We got through because we left at half past five in the morning, while the people of Kashmir were still asleep and there was no one on the roads to enforce the strike. &nbsp;<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Bemdooro, Burhan, and a burnt orchard</strong><br />
<br />
I stayed inside the car at Bemdoroo. For my own safety, said my Kashmiri colleague Anees Zargar, while he first recced the village, and then returned some minutes later for his camera and Shahid, a schoolmate of his from Srinagar who was driving us.&nbsp;</p>

<p>I remained in the car.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Shahid owns a travel agency in Srinagar, two taxis, and a souped-up Tempo Traveller. One of his drivers, said Shahid, was back&nbsp;at his village. He had the other taxi with him, and no way of coming back.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Shahid and Anees returned a half-hour later, saying the house Burhan had been killed in had been burnt down, that angry men from nearby villages had looted the homes of the Bemdoroo villagers, that they remained fearful of a further backlash (see accompanying story), and that the angry mob had also burnt down a nearby apple orchard.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
I was allowed out at the orchard, which obviously belonged to a wealthy man. Young trees were laid out in neat lines and were covered by netting. But the orchard lay in disarray now, some trees had been felled, and an outhouse, what appeared to be a walking tractor, and two motorcycles had been burnt.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
A few villagers had guided us to the orchard, more followed on foot. They told us that the mob that looted their homes had kept a getaway lorry running, and had made off with every single valuable they could find, including shower heads. They added that one man had had an axe put to the back of his neck, and been ordered to burn his house down. (The mob had been angry because of rumours that the Bemdoroo villagers had tipped-off the security forces about Burhan&rsquo;s whereabouts. See accompanying story.)&nbsp;<br />
<br />
&ldquo;Did he?&rdquo; I asked.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
&ldquo;What else could he have done,&rdquo; I was told. &nbsp;<br />
<br />
We left, stopping some way ahead at a lone, partially-open shop for cigarettes, biscuits, and juice. This might seem trivial, but I mention it to make the point that virtually nothing is open in Kashmir at the moment. Last Thursday, when the Hurriyat relaxed its strike for a few hours post 2 pm, the government responded by strengthening its curfew. The people who had stepped out to replenish their larders were told to go home by the security forces &ndash; the only reason people are able to survive in Kashmir, have enough to eat, is because they stock up on supplies for as much as six months.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Nobody really knows when trouble might break out. &nbsp;<br />
<br />
Plus, in our case, cigarettes killed hunger.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>A spontaneous protest and an offer of chai</strong><br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/slogans-20160725042522.jpg" /></p>

<div class="media-description">
<p>People began to stream out of their homes and a large crowd soon gathered at Hillerbahai Kokernag.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>

<p>We met the first of the people-enforced roadblocks a little outside of Bemdoroo. The young men, boys really, assembled there told us to drive back to Hillerbahai Kokernag, where they said a man had been shot dead the day before (Saturday, July 23) by the CRPF.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
We got there, and Anees got out to talk to the locals. Shahid stayed back in the car with me. A few minutes later, an announcement rang out in Kashmiri from the mosque. I caught the word &ldquo;media&rdquo;, looked worriedly at Shahid, and asked him to translate.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
&ldquo;They&rsquo;re saying the media is here and everybody should come out of their homes, and talk about everything they want to,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
People began to stream out of their homes, and a large crowd soon gathered. As more people arrived, I began to feel more and more conspicuous inside our Toyota Innova and asked Shahid whether we should step outside. Just as we did, a thin, kindly-looking man appeared and asked us whether we would like a cup of tea.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
It seemed surreal.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/bite-20160725041801.png" /></p>

<div class="media-description">
<p>Ishtiyaq Rather&#39;s father, and cousin Shahnawaz Magray speak to WION. Shahnawaz says Ishtiyaq was shot by a Central Reserve Police Force patrol while trying to protect a girl the CRPF men were harassing.<br />
&nbsp;</p>
</div>

<p>In the din, we heard piecemeal what the villagers claimed had happened the day before. A CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) patrol had been harassing a girl when a villager, Ishtiyaq Rather, tried to intervene. When he did, the policemen shot him.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
WION was unable to corroborate this with police; repeated phone calls to the seniormost policemen in Kashmir &ndash; the director general of police and the additional director general of police &ndash; went unanswered. But WION does have Ishtiyaq&rsquo;s father, and his cousin Shahnawaz Magray on camera (see video) making the claim. Shahnawaz does the talking, the father looks too grief-stricken to say anything.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The gathering, suddenly, turned into a protest. A young boy was lifted onto the crowd&rsquo;s shoulders, and he began to lead the chanting. He would shout a line, and the crowd would shout another back in unison.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The chanting went on for a long time. When it finally began to lull, the women joined in, and it picked up again.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
How does a crowd chant for so long? What keeps it going?&nbsp;<br />
<br />
One doesn&rsquo;t have to look far for answers. In 2008, after the government handed about 100 acres of land over to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, 60 Kashmiris were shot dead in the protests that followed. In 2009, 35 Kashmiris were killed in the protests that followed the abduction, rape, and murder of two young women, allegedly by the security forces. And in 2010, after the army killed three villagers and tried to pass them off as militants, 120 people were shot dead in the ensuing protests.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
50 people have died this year so far, and close to 4,000 have been injured, many of them grievously. But the people continue to protest.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The chanting ended with cries of &ldquo;azaadi&rdquo;, &ldquo;we want freedom&rdquo;, and &ldquo;India go back&rdquo;.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
A weeping girl, and an older woman walked past us.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
&ldquo;Who are they?&rdquo; I asked Shahid.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
&ldquo;Probably his sister and his mother,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
A local boy comes to talk to me and I take out my phone to write down his details &ndash; his name, his age, what he does &ndash; but the minute I do, the attention focuses on Shahid and I and the crowd around us begins to get bigger.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
It is time to go, says Shahid, and all three of us make a beeline for the cab.</p>

<p>Just as we get in, the kindly-looking man appears with cups on a tray and a thermos of tea.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
We drink the tea sitting in the cab. A man knocks on my window, saying he wants to take a photograph of the newspaper I am reading. Then he says, &ldquo;You have to tell them what is happening to us. It is your duty.&rdquo;&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Another says, &ldquo;These (pellet) guns are used on wild animals. And they&rsquo;re using them on us.&rdquo;&nbsp;<br />
<br />
We leave, trying to inch our way past the protest. &nbsp;<br />
<br />
&ldquo;Just don&rsquo;t hit anybody,&rdquo; I say.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
&ldquo;This is how it starts,&rdquo; says Shahid. &ldquo;A spontaneous protest erupts, and the police come and begin to shoot at people.&rdquo;&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>An encounter with masked men and our luck runs out</strong><br />
<br />
We hit roadblock after roadblock. We are now trying to get to Tral, which is where Burhan&rsquo;s home is. Each time the boys manning the road say turn back, and then Anees and Shahid begin to talk them down. Shahid always ends with touching the good-luck charm hanging from his rear-view mirror, and saying &ldquo;Allah kasam&rdquo;.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
I am grateful to have him with us. He has a certain manner about him, one that doesn&rsquo;t give offence. And he has a believable face.</p>

<p>I keep telling him he should open a hotel, he would do well in hospitality.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
A plethora of excuses are used to keep us moving forward. We give lifts to a number of people &ndash; the buses are not plying because of the strike and curfew &ndash; a lady who is unwell and needs to get to the next hospital, and from there a man who needs to buy medicine for his son and hasn&rsquo;t been able to get it at the hospital, a family, a couple, a woman and her daughter walking through a town patrolled by the security forces. Having a woman in the car makes it easier to get through the roadblocks.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
While the unwell lady is in the car, I spot a youth holding a large stone in his hand put it behind his back and wave us on.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
At Bandayalgam, we are stopped by especially militant-looking, young, masked men. They hold sticks menacingly and tell us to &ldquo;go back&rdquo; but even they are talked down.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Our luck finally runs out at Chursoo. &nbsp;<br />
<br />
The boys here tear off our makeshift Press sticker, and force us to turn around. Then, suddenly, a whole bunch of them clamber aboard and on top of the Innova. Anees steps out in the melee and Shahid and I find ourselves driving in the wrong direction with the boys. They make us stop after a few kilometres and hop off &ndash; thankfully, they had just wanted a lift.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
We turn around looking for Anees, and we are again stopped by a group of boys looking for a lift. They too clamber aboard and make us turn around. After a while we cross the first set of boys, who again climb onboard and on top of the vehicle.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
After we have dropped everybody off, Shahid and I park by the roadside to take stock. He looks stressed. I&rsquo;ve been better too. We smoke a cigarette each to calm our nerves.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
A passerby tells us not to park by the roadside, that there is a mosque back the way we came and we should shelter there. Shahid crosses the road and enters a blue-coloured house with a large gate to ask if we can park inside the compound. We are told yes &ndash; Kashmiri hospitality is legendary I was told some years ago by a lady from Jammu &ndash; and we enter Ghulam Mohammad&rsquo;s home.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Two strange conversations and talk of becoming a militant&nbsp;</strong><br />
<br />
We sit on his carpeted verandah, make general chit-chat (by which I mean we talk about what is happening in Kashmir at the moment, nobody really talks about anything else) and I catnap.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
I wake up to find a sweet, cool drink next to me. A little later chai is offered.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
At some point, Mr Mohammad looks surprised to learn that I speak Urdu &ndash; Hindi really. (I have tended to keep my mouth shut over the course of the day, so as not to mark myself out as a non-Kashmiri.)&nbsp;<br />
<br />
&ldquo;What do you want?&rdquo; I ask him.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
This is a stupid question in Kashmir. There is generally only one answer, but I feel I have to ask.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
&ldquo;Azaadi,&rdquo; he says, &ldquo;woh toh hum le ke hi rahenge.&rdquo;&nbsp;<br />
<br />
A Muslim, he says, will want to live with another Muslim. Look at the newscasters in India, he says, they look &ldquo;naked&rdquo;. The ones in Pakistan look like that too, but at least they&rsquo;re better.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
I don&rsquo;t want to argue with him.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The boys and young men from his home appear, and I have another strange conversation with one of them. Tousif, who is 18 but in class IX because he took two years off for religious studies, asks if I will have lunch. I say no out of politeness. Then, because I know I will get hungry soon and that we might have to wait here till 11 at night when the people go home and the strike is no longer enforced, I say Shahid will take a call on lunch.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
&ldquo;Why?&rdquo; asks Tousif. &ldquo;Will you not eat food in the home of a Muslim?&rdquo;&nbsp;<br />
<br />
I say no, that&rsquo;s not the case. I ask back, &ldquo;Will you not eat food in the home of a Christian?&rdquo;&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Tousif is a jazzy-looking boy with a funky haircut, his hair cut short but spiked upwards and towards the middle of his scalp from both sides.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
He says no he won&rsquo;t.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
&ldquo;Why?&rdquo; I ask. &ldquo;Is that written somewhere?&rdquo;&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Yes, he says, it is written in the Quran. Anees tells him no it is not, the Quran only says a Muslim is not allowed to eat jhatka meat. Everything else is halaal for them.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
I ask Mr Mohammad&rsquo;s much younger cousin, Javed &ndash; he is 27, reed thin, bespectacled, dressed in a black salwar-kameez and looks a bit like a techie &ndash; what he does. Javed, smiling constantly, says he has a master&rsquo;s in political science but that he has been unable to get a job commensurate with his qualifications. So he works as a security guard. It pays him little.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
&ldquo;What else will he do if not become a militant?&rdquo; says Mr Mohammad, laughing and smiling.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
I can&rsquo;t really tell if he is joking.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Lunch, and fear&nbsp;</strong><br />
<br />
At about two in the afternoon, I ask Shahid sotto voce if maybe we can buy lunch somewhere, meaning off Mr Mohammad. He says we&rsquo;ve been offered it. That we were leaving but they insisted we eat first.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Somewhere deep down, I knew that was what would happen.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Lunch is delicious. Kashmiri rice, a mash vegetable of brinjal and squash, and a tomato and onion chutney.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
We get ready to leave. I see Shahid try to offer a little money but the family refuses to accept it. Javed and another young boy from the family accompany us to the same roadblock that we had been turned back from. There are trucks parked on the road now, blocking egress.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The roadblock is now manned by a large crowd of young men. They surge towards us when they see us approach, and an especially angry young man &ndash; rough-looking &ndash; pokes his head in through the window.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The questions come in quick succession. &ldquo;Where are you going? What Press are you?&rdquo;&nbsp;<br />
<br />
We tell him.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
&ldquo;WION? I haven&rsquo;t heard of it,&rdquo; he says.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
&ldquo;And who is he?&rdquo; he asks, looking at me in the backseat.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
For the first time in the day I feel afraid. I remember my conflict reporting training in which the British paratrooper taking the class asked us whether any story was worth risking life and limb. It was an easy question, and we&rsquo;d all said no.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Javed gets out to argue with the men. &ldquo;Let&rsquo;s go back I tell Shahid. How long will we keep doing this for?&rdquo;&nbsp;<br />
<br />
But Anees is insistent we keep pressing forward. He gets out again. And a combination of our video footage from the morning &ndash; I think Anees has been saying that we need to get it to Srinagar and send it out to the world; telephones and the internet have been shut down across most of Kashmir &ndash; and the Mohammad boys get us through this obstacle too.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
We get through yet another roadblock, where a boy we had met on our way out in the morning tells us: &ldquo;I had told you to go back in the morning.&rdquo;&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Shahid reaches for his good-luck charm.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Home, a worried policeman, and a young boy armed with a stick</strong><br />
<br />
Finally, outside of Awantipora, 30 kilometres from the capital Srinagar, we hit a police picket manning the road. So far we have not seen a single police or army vehicle on the road, and it seems to me that the security forces are marooned inside their camps. That their writ does not run out in the villages. (Again, calls to senior policemen to corroborate this went unanswered.)&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The policeman in charge stops us, asking, &ldquo;Aage kitne log hain?&rdquo;&nbsp;<br />
<br />
A lot, says Shahid, and asks him the same question. &ldquo;How many people are there ahead of us?&rdquo;&nbsp;<br />
<br />
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s smooth sailing from here,&rdquo; he says smiling. &ldquo;You can put your camera on top of your car and drive to Srinagar.&rdquo;&nbsp;<br />
<br />
A few minutes later, we come across a roadblock manned by young boys. My eyes focus on one dressed in a white salwar-kameez and armed with a stick. He can&rsquo;t be more than 12 or 13.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Shahid parks some way off from them, and Anees gets out to have yet another one of his endless conversations.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
&ldquo;Kids are dangerous,&rdquo; says Shahid. &ldquo;You can&rsquo;t do anything to a kid.&rdquo;&nbsp;<br />
<br />
After a while the motion of the boy&rsquo;s stick, which has so far been telling us to turn around, tells us to come forward. Shahid backs off farther. The boy runs towards the car and when he sees he&rsquo;s not gaining on us, he picks up a stone and throws it towards us. We are too far off, and it doesn&rsquo;t make contact.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Finally, when we see Anees wave, we move forward.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
(WION)</p>


The four districts of South Kashmir are on total lockdown. Nothing gets in, nothing gets out...

We left early, crossing the towns of Sangam and Anantnag – the locals call it Islamabad – to reach Bemdoroo while the air was still cool. This is where the militant separatist Burhan Wani was killed on July 8. Kashmir has been on lockdown ever since. The government has called a curfew, the security forces enforce it in the cities and the towns, and the Hurriyat has called a strike, which the people enforce vigilantly everywhere else. Makeshift roadblocks, manned by gangs of young men, some of them masked, have been put up every few kilometres. Nobody is allowed to pass, especially if you are media. There is a fierce anger here against journalists, especially towards what in local parlance is called the “Indian media” – the Indian TV news channels. The Kashmiris say they are fed up with saying one thing into a TV camera and then finding it “distorted” that evening. The ferocity of the backlash has left even Kashmiri journalists reeling. “It wasn’t like this earlier,” they say. There have been reports of journalists being roughed up and abused, especially those wielding cameras or camera phones inside hospital wards where the 50 mostly-young Kashmiri men have died or the close-to 4,000 injured are being treated. Even the Hurriyat had to call for calm a few days ago, making an appeal to the people through the local papers that journalists be allowed to go about their work. We got through because we left at half past five in the morning, while the people of Kashmir were still asleep and there was no one on the roads to enforce the strike. Bemdooro, Burhan, and a burnt orchard I stayed inside the car at Bemdoroo. For my own safety, said my Kashmiri colleague Anees Zargar, while he first recced the village, and then returned some minutes later for his camera and Shahid, a schoolmate of his from Srinagar who was driving us. I remained in the car. Shahid owns a travel agency in Srinagar, two taxis, and a souped-up Tempo Traveller. One of his drivers, said Shahid, was back at his village. He had the other taxi with him, and no way of coming back. Shahid and Anees returned a half-hour later, saying the house Burhan had been killed in had been burnt down, that angry men from nearby villages had looted the homes of the Bemdoroo villagers, that they remained fearful of a further backlash (see accompanying story), and that the angry mob had also burnt down a nearby apple orchard. I was allowed out at the orchard, which obviously belonged to a wealthy man. Young trees were laid out in neat lines and were covered by netting. But the orchard lay in disarray now, some trees had been felled, and an outhouse, what appeared to be a walking tractor, and two motorcycles had been burnt. A few villagers had guided us to the orchard, more followed on foot. They told us that the mob that looted their homes had kept a getaway lorry running, and had made off with every single valuable they could find, including shower heads. They added that one man had had an axe put to the back of his neck, and been ordered to burn his house down. (The mob had been angry because of rumours that the Bemdoroo villagers had tipped-off the security forces about Burhan’s whereabouts. See accompanying story.) “Did he?” I asked. “What else could he have done,” I was told. We left, stopping some way ahead at a lone, partially-open shop for cigarettes, biscuits, and juice. This might seem trivial, but I mention it to make the point that virtually nothing is open in Kashmir at the moment. Last Thursday, when the Hurriyat relaxed its strike for a few hours post 2 pm, the government responded by strengthening its curfew. The people who had stepped out to replenish their larders were told to go home by the security forces – the only reason people are able to survive in Kashmir, have enough to eat, is because they stock up on supplies for as much as six months. Nobody really knows when trouble might break out. Plus, in our case, cigarettes killed hunger. A spontaneous protest and an offer of chai People began to stream out of their homes and a large crowd soon gathered at Hillerbahai Kokernag. We met the first of the people-enforced roadblocks a little outside of Bemdoroo. The young men, boys really, assembled there told us to drive back to Hillerbahai Kokernag, where they said a man had been shot dead the day before (Saturday, July 23) by the CRPF. We got there, and Anees got out to talk to the locals. Shahid stayed back in the car with me. A few minutes later, an announcement rang out in Kashmiri from the mosque. I caught the word “media”, looked worriedly at Shahid, and asked him to translate. “They’re saying the media is here and everybody should come out of their homes, and talk about everything they want to,” he said. People began to stream out of their homes, and a large crowd soon gathered. As more people arrived, I began to feel more and more conspicuous inside our Toyota Innova and asked Shahid whether we should step outside. Just as we did, a thin, kindly-looking man appeared and asked us whether we would like a cup of tea. It seemed surreal. Ishtiyaq Rather's father, and cousin Shahnawaz Magray speak to WION. Shahnawaz says Ishtiyaq was shot by a Central Reserve Police Force patrol while trying to protect a girl the CRPF men were harassing. In the din, we heard piecemeal what the villagers claimed had happened the day before. A CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) patrol had been harassing a girl when a villager, Ishtiyaq Rather, tried to intervene. When he did, the policemen shot him. WION was unable to corroborate this with police; repeated phone calls to the seniormost policemen in Kashmir – the director general of police and the additional director general of police – went unanswered. But WION does have Ishtiyaq’s father, and his cousin Shahnawaz Magray on camera (see video) making the claim. Shahnawaz does the talking, the father looks too grief-stricken to say anything. The gathering, suddenly, turned into a protest. A young boy was lifted onto the crowd’s shoulders, and he began to lead the chanting. He would shout a line, and the crowd would shout another back in unison. The chanting went on for a long time. When it finally began to lull, the women joined in, and it picked up again. How does a crowd chant for so long? What keeps it going? One doesn’t have to look far for answers. In 2008, after the government handed about 100 acres of land over to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, 60 Kashmiris were shot dead in the protests that followed. In 2009, 35 Kashmiris were killed in the protests that followed the abduction, rape, and murder of two young women, allegedly by the security forces. And in 2010, after the army killed three villagers and tried to pass them off as militants, 120 people were shot dead in the ensuing protests. 50 people have died this year so far, and close to 4,000 have been injured, many of them grievously. But the people continue to protest. The chanting ended with cries of “azaadi”, “we want freedom”, and “India go back”. A weeping girl, and an older woman walked past us. “Who are they?” I asked Shahid. “Probably his sister and his mother,” he said. A local boy comes to talk to me and I take out my phone to write down his details – his name, his age, what he does – but the minute I do, the attention focuses on Shahid and I and the crowd around us begins to get bigger. It is time to go, says Shahid, and all three of us make a beeline for the cab. Just as we get in, the kindly-looking man appears with cups on a tray and a thermos of tea. We drink the tea sitting in the cab. A man knocks on my window, saying he wants to take a photograph of the newspaper I am reading. Then he says, “You have to tell them what is happening to us. It is your duty.” Another says, “These (pellet) guns are used on wild animals. And they’re using them on us.” We leave, trying to inch our way past the protest. “Just don’t hit anybody,” I say. “This is how it starts,” says Shahid. “A spontaneous protest erupts, and the police come and begin to shoot at people.” An encounter with masked men and our luck runs out We hit roadblock after roadblock. We are now trying to get to Tral, which is where Burhan’s home is. Each time the boys manning the road say turn back, and then Anees and Shahid begin to talk them down. Shahid always ends with touching the good-luck charm hanging from his rear-view mirror, and saying “Allah kasam”. I am grateful to have him with us. He has a certain manner about him, one that doesn’t give offence. And he has a believable face. I keep telling him he should open a hotel, he would do well in hospitality. A plethora of excuses are used to keep us moving forward. We give lifts to a number of people – the buses are not plying because of the strike and curfew – a lady who is unwell and needs to get to the next hospital, and from there a man who needs to buy medicine for his son and hasn’t been able to get it at the hospital, a family, a couple, a woman and her daughter walking through a town patrolled by the security forces. Having a woman in the car makes it easier to get through the roadblocks. While the unwell lady is in the car, I spot a youth holding a large stone in his hand put it behind his back and wave us on. At Bandayalgam, we are stopped by especially militant-looking, young, masked men. They hold sticks menacingly and tell us to “go back” but even they are talked down. Our luck finally runs out at Chursoo. The boys here tear off our makeshift Press sticker, and force us to turn around. Then, suddenly, a whole bunch of them clamber aboard and on top of the Innova. Anees steps out in the melee and Shahid and I find ourselves driving in the wrong direction with the boys. They make us stop after a few kilometres and hop off – thankfully, they had just wanted a lift. We turn around looking for Anees, and we are again stopped by a group of boys looking for a lift. They too clamber aboard and make us turn around. After a while we cross the first set of boys, who again climb onboard and on top of the vehicle. After we have dropped everybody off, Shahid and I park by the roadside to take stock. He looks stressed. I’ve been better too. We smoke a cigarette each to calm our nerves. A passerby tells us not to park by the roadside, that there is a mosque back the way we came and we should shelter there. Shahid crosses the road and enters a blue-coloured house with a large gate to ask if we can park inside the compound. We are told yes – Kashmiri hospitality is legendary I was told some years ago by a lady from Jammu – and we enter Ghulam Mohammad’s home. Two strange conversations and talk of becoming a militant We sit on his carpeted verandah, make general chit-chat (by which I mean we talk about what is happening in Kashmir at the moment, nobody really talks about anything else) and I catnap. I wake up to find a sweet, cool drink next to me. A little later chai is offered. At some point, Mr Mohammad looks surprised to learn that I speak Urdu – Hindi really. (I have tended to keep my mouth shut over the course of the day, so as not to mark myself out as a non-Kashmiri.) “What do you want?” I ask him. This is a stupid question in Kashmir. There is generally only one answer, but I feel I have to ask. “Azaadi,” he says, “woh toh hum le ke hi rahenge.” A Muslim, he says, will want to live with another Muslim. Look at the newscasters in India, he says, they look “naked”. The ones in Pakistan look like that too, but at least they’re better. I don’t want to argue with him. The boys and young men from his home appear, and I have another strange conversation with one of them. Tousif, who is 18 but in class IX because he took two years off for religious studies, asks if I will have lunch. I say no out of politeness. Then, because I know I will get hungry soon and that we might have to wait here till 11 at night when the people go home and the strike is no longer enforced, I say Shahid will take a call on lunch. “Why?” asks Tousif. “Will you not eat food in the home of a Muslim?” I say no, that’s not the case. I ask back, “Will you not eat food in the home of a Christian?” Tousif is a jazzy-looking boy with a funky haircut, his hair cut short but spiked upwards and towards the middle of his scalp from both sides. He says no he won’t. “Why?” I ask. “Is that written somewhere?” Yes, he says, it is written in the Quran. Anees tells him no it is not, the Quran only says a Muslim is not allowed to eat jhatka meat. Everything else is halaal for them. I ask Mr Mohammad’s much younger cousin, Javed – he is 27, reed thin, bespectacled, dressed in a black salwar-kameez and looks a bit like a techie – what he does. Javed, smiling constantly, says he has a master’s in political science but that he has been unable to get a job commensurate with his qualifications. So he works as a security guard. It pays him little. “What else will he do if not become a militant?” says Mr Mohammad, laughing and smiling. I can’t really tell if he is joking. Lunch, and fear At about two in the afternoon, I ask Shahid sotto voce if maybe we can buy lunch somewhere, meaning off Mr Mohammad. He says we’ve been offered it. That we were leaving but they insisted we eat first. Somewhere deep down, I knew that was what would happen. Lunch is delicious. Kashmiri rice, a mash vegetable of brinjal and squash, and a tomato and onion chutney. We get ready to leave. I see Shahid try to offer a little money but the family refuses to accept it. Javed and another young boy from the family accompany us to the same roadblock that we had been turned back from. There are trucks parked on the road now, blocking egress. The roadblock is now manned by a large crowd of young men. They surge towards us when they see us approach, and an especially angry young man – rough-looking – pokes his head in through the window. The questions come in quick succession. “Where are you going? What Press are you?” We tell him. “WION? I haven’t heard of it,” he says. “And who is he?” he asks, looking at me in the backseat. For the first time in the day I feel afraid. I remember my conflict reporting training in which the British paratrooper taking the class asked us whether any story was worth risking life and limb. It was an easy question, and we’d all said no. Javed gets out to argue with the men. “Let’s go back I tell Shahid. How long will we keep doing this for?” But Anees is insistent we keep pressing forward. He gets out again. And a combination of our video footage from the morning – I think Anees has been saying that we need to get it to Srinagar and send it out to the world; telephones and the internet have been shut down across most of Kashmir – and the Mohammad boys get us through this obstacle too. We get through yet another roadblock, where a boy we had met on our way out in the morning tells us: “I had told you to go back in the morning.” Shahid reaches for his good-luck charm. Home, a worried policeman, and a young boy armed with a stick Finally, outside of Awantipora, 30 kilometres from the capital Srinagar, we hit a police picket manning the road. So far we have not seen a single police or army vehicle on the road, and it seems to me that the security forces are marooned inside their camps. That their writ does not run out in the villages. (Again, calls to senior policemen to corroborate this went unanswered.) The policeman in charge stops us, asking, “Aage kitne log hain?” A lot, says Shahid, and asks him the same question. “How many people are there ahead of us?” “It’s smooth sailing from here,” he says smiling. “You can put your camera on top of your car and drive to Srinagar.” A few minutes later, we come across a roadblock manned by young boys. My eyes focus on one dressed in a white salwar-kameez and armed with a stick. He can’t be more than 12 or 13. Shahid parks some way off from them, and Anees gets out to have yet another one of his endless conversations. “Kids are dangerous,” says Shahid. “You can’t do anything to a kid.” After a while the motion of the boy’s stick, which has so far been telling us to turn around, tells us to come forward. Shahid backs off farther. The boy runs towards the car and when he sees he’s not gaining on us, he picks up a stone and throws it towards us. We are too far off, and it doesn’t make contact. Finally, when we see Anees wave, we move forward. (WION)

In and a difficult out of South Kashmir

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