The Jammu and Kashmir authorities have imposed restrictions at eight police station areas in Srinagar as a precautionary law and order measure after the killing of a terrorist in Zakura last night.

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Jammu and Kashmir: Authorities have imposed restrictions at 8 police station areas in Srinagar as a precautionary law and order measure after the killing of a terrorist in Zakura, last night.
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/931734564891869185?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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A terrorist who was injured in the attack on police party succumbed to his injuries while a policeman also lost his life.

The incident occurred in Zakura Hazratbal area of Srinagar where three militants travelling in a car opened fire on a police team.&nbsp;

The incident occurred in Zakura Hazratbal area of Srinagar where three militants travelling in a car opened fire on a police team.?

The Jammu and Kashmir authorities have imposed restrictions at eight police station areas in Srinagar as a precautionary law and order measure after the killing of a terrorist in Zakura last night. Jammu and Kashmir: Authorities have imposed restrictions at 8 police station areas in Srinagar as a precautionary law and order measure after the killing of a terrorist in Zakura, last night. — ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2017 × A terrorist who was injured in the attack on police party succumbed to his injuries while a policeman also lost his life. The incident occurred in Zakura Hazratbal area of Srinagar where three militants travelling in a car opened fire on a police team.

Restrictions imposed in 8 police station areas in Srinagar

&nbsp;A policeman lost his life in a terrorist attack in Srinagar.

The incident occurred in Zakura Hazratbal area of Srinagar where three militants travelling&nbsp;in a car opened fire on a police team.&nbsp;

The terrorist attack on a police party has led to the&nbsp;death of one sub-inspector Imran Tak and injured a Special Police Officer (PSO)

The police have apprehended one terrorist, while two others managed to escape.&nbsp;

The operation to locate them is underway.&nbsp;

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Terrorists attack police party in Zakura Hazratbal area of Srinagar. One Sub Inspector has lost his life and a PSO has been injured in the attack (visuals deferred by unspecified time) <a href="https://t.co/iNqJcrPlIc">pic.twitter.com/iNqJcrPlIc</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/931486480655982592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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J&amp;K: Wreath laying ceremony of Sub-Inspector Imran Tak, who lost his life during terrorist attack in Zakura Hazratbal. <a href="https://t.co/fdqQSsJM3I">pic.twitter.com/fdqQSsJM3I</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/931501224381124610?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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A terrorist who was injured in the attack on police party in Srinagar today has succumbed to his injuries
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/931537358582824960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The police have apprehended one terrorist, while two others managed to escape

A policeman lost his life in a terrorist attack in Srinagar. The incident occurred in Zakura Hazratbal area of Srinagar where three militants travelling in a car opened fire on a police team. The terrorist attack on a police party has led to the death of one sub-inspector Imran Tak and injured a Special Police Officer (PSO) The police have apprehended one terrorist, while two others managed to escape. The operation to locate them is underway. Terrorists attack police party in Zakura Hazratbal area of Srinagar. One Sub Inspector has lost his life and a PSO has been injured in the attack (visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/iNqJcrPlIc — ANI (@ANI) November 17, 2017 × J&K: Wreath laying ceremony of Sub-Inspector Imran Tak, who lost his life during terrorist attack in Zakura Hazratbal. pic.twitter.com/fdqQSsJM3I — ANI (@ANI) November 17, 2017 × A terrorist who was injured in the attack on police party in Srinagar today has succumbed to his injuries — ANI (@ANI) November 17, 2017 ×

Terrorists attack police team in Srinagar, sub-inspector dead

For the first time in five decades, a church bell rang on Sunday at the largest Catholic church located on Srinagar&#39;s M A&nbsp;Road by representatives of Muslims, Hindus, Christians, and Sikhs. &nbsp; &nbsp;

The British-era church, built in 1896, had lost its original bell in a fire sparked by an arson attack in June 1976. According to church officials, the church and its belfry were damaged in the attack by protesters demonstrating against the Mideast war. &nbsp;

He said the bell was not installed all these years because &quot;the community didn&#39;t have enough resources to order a new bell after its damage. Around 30 Christian families living in Srinagar donated for the new bell.&quot;&nbsp;

The event was a shining example of communal harmony as Church invited everyone for ringing the bell; Representatives of every religion made their presence in the event.&nbsp;

&quot;We want to send out a message at the national, international and local levels that we are one here and we love and accept each other as we are,&quot; the parish priest father Roy Matthews told media.&nbsp;

According to church officials, the church and its belfry were damaged in the attack by protesters demonstrating against the Mideast war. ?

For the first time in five decades, a church bell rang on Sunday at the largest Catholic church located on Srinagar's M A Road by representatives of Muslims, Hindus, Christians, and Sikhs. The British-era church, built in 1896, had lost its original bell in a fire sparked by an arson attack in June 1976. According to church officials, the church and its belfry were damaged in the attack by protesters demonstrating against the Mideast war. He said the bell was not installed all these years because "the community didn't have enough resources to order a new bell after its damage. Around 30 Christian families living in Srinagar donated for the new bell." The event was a shining example of communal harmony as Church invited everyone for ringing the bell; Representatives of every religion made their presence in the event. "We want to send out a message at the national, international and local levels that we are one here and we love and accept each other as we are," the parish priest father Roy Matthews told media.

Watch: All faiths come together to ring church bell after 50 years in Srinagar

Shah Faesal, the first Kashmiri to top the Indian civil service examinations, wrote recently of how his father was killed by militants.&nbsp;

They came to the family home one evening, and unlike other guests were allowed to walk in with their boots on.&nbsp;

They asked Shah&rsquo;s father to accompany them to the next room.&nbsp;

Knowing what was coming, his mother told the militants that whatever needed to be said to her husband could be said in front of her.&nbsp;

So the men stayed and talked.&nbsp;

Finally, when it was time to leave, Shah&rsquo;s father walked the militants to the door. As is custom, Shah wrote.&nbsp;

The men walked out and as Shah&rsquo;s father bid them goodbye, they poked their guns in through the closing door and shot him.&nbsp;

My father had been killed with &ldquo;all courtesy&rdquo;, Shah wrote.&nbsp;

A few days later, another Kashmiri Muslim &ndash; Imad Ul Riyaz &ndash; wrote in the same paper about what it is like to be those two words and live in mainland India. (Imad lives in Delhi.)&nbsp;

His father, he said, had taken to calling him at least five times a day.&nbsp;

Like all taciturn relationships between fathers and sons the world over, his father, Imad said, talked mostly of trivial matters during the phone calls.&nbsp;

But what he was really trying to say, Imad wrote, was that he was worried by the recent spate of lynchings of Muslim men.&nbsp;

I can understand some of what Shah and Imad were talking about.&nbsp;

I was in Kashmir last year after the killing of the Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.&nbsp;

And as I looked bewildered at what was going on around me, I remember saying one evening to the Kashmiri journalists in my hotel room that I sometimes got the feeling I was in &ldquo;enemy territory&rdquo;.&nbsp;

I was speaking half in jest at the time but, surprisingly, one of the Kashmiri journalists replied that he too occasionally got the same feeling. (Like Imad, he also worked in Delhi.)&nbsp;

I had thought then that he was joking but I understand now what he meant.&nbsp;

The schism in Kashmir &ndash; between the people who are thought to be pro- and anti-India &ndash; is complete.&nbsp;

That is why Shah&rsquo;s father was killed.&nbsp;

Shah has written in innumerable pieces that all his family tried to do was stay as far away from the conflict as possible, be neutral, but that was not good enough.&nbsp;

You had (have) to choose a side.&nbsp;

That was also why the Deputy Superintendent of Police Ayub Pandith was lynched outside the Jamia mosque in Srinagar.&nbsp;

He was a symbol of the Indian state, part of the &ldquo;other&rdquo;.&nbsp;

And we have got to a situation where it is okay to attack the other.&nbsp;

The critics of Not In My Name &ndash; the large-scale protests against the lynchings &ndash; had at the time used the Srinagar killing to argue that the recent lynchings were not exclusively of Muslim men by the Hindu majority.&nbsp;

That both communities were guilty of lynching.&nbsp;

And that somehow the Srinagar lynching made the others less worse.&nbsp;

There is little that is as terrible as a hate crime.&nbsp;

How do you explain the idea that somebody can be killed just because of who or what they are? A brown man in America, a teenage boy wearing a skull cap in India.&nbsp;

There is no reason for the killing.&nbsp;

It is simply inexplicable.&nbsp;

But I&rsquo;ve come to understand that the critics were, at least in one way, right.&nbsp;

There is little difference between the killings here and the one in Srinagar.&nbsp;

You drive a wedge between a people, you force them on either side of a divide, and somebody will get killed. Here because you are supposedly &ldquo;anti-national&rdquo; and there because you are supposedly &ldquo;pro-national&rdquo;.&nbsp;

Close to a 100 people were killed in Kashmir last year in the protests that broke out after Wani&rsquo;s killing.&nbsp;

The people killed were not militants with guns but protesters. Civilians; men, women, and children.&nbsp;

They followed in a long line of similar killings.&nbsp;

In 2008, Indian security forces killed 60 protesters.&nbsp;

In 2009, they killed 35.&nbsp;

And in 2010, they killed 120.&nbsp;

The youngest child shot and wounded last year in Kashmir while I was there was a four-year-old girl.&nbsp;

She had been shot by a pellet gun. She had lost one eye, and had been shot in the face, the chest, the abdomen, and the vagina.&nbsp;

In a way, we are all responsible for what happened to her.&nbsp;

It is our tax money that funded the guns and ammunition that were used to shoot her.&nbsp;

At some point, we will have to think long and hard about that.&nbsp;

On my last evening in Srinagar, the familiar group of Kashmiri journalists had gathered in my room. (It had become an informal base to meet at after the day&rsquo;s work.)&nbsp;

Amidst them was a new gentleman.&nbsp;

I had only met him that afternoon.&nbsp;

I had shaken hands with him, but hadn&rsquo;t said much more. He hadn&rsquo;t seemed very talkative.&nbsp;

He had walked into my hotel room and sat down in a chair.&nbsp;

Then he plonked himself on my bed, picked up my room phone, turned to me and brusquely asked what the number to room service was.&nbsp;

There were apologetic smiles from one or two of the others.&nbsp;

I told him. He dialled, and asked for cups of tea all around.&nbsp;

The tea came. He drank.&nbsp;

Then he walked into my bathroom.&nbsp;

I heard it flush a few minutes later.&nbsp;

He exited, and walked out of my hotel room.&nbsp;

There was no thank you.&nbsp;

I had wanted to stop him.&nbsp;

To tell him that he had been rude to me in my hotel room, my &ldquo;home&rdquo; while I was in Kashmir.&nbsp;

And that you should not be rude to a man in his own home.&nbsp;

But I said nothing. I let him go.&nbsp;

For he could just as easily have turned around and said the same thing to me.&nbsp;

But I said nothing, for he could just as easily have turned around and said the same thing to me

Shah Faesal, the first Kashmiri to top the Indian civil service examinations, wrote recently of how his father was killed by militants. They came to the family home one evening, and unlike other guests were allowed to walk in with their boots on. They asked Shah’s father to accompany them to the next room. Knowing what was coming, his mother told the militants that whatever needed to be said to her husband could be said in front of her. So the men stayed and talked. Finally, when it was time to leave, Shah’s father walked the militants to the door. As is custom, Shah wrote. The men walked out and as Shah’s father bid them goodbye, they poked their guns in through the closing door and shot him. My father had been killed with “all courtesy”, Shah wrote. A few days later, another Kashmiri Muslim – Imad Ul Riyaz – wrote in the same paper about what it is like to be those two words and live in mainland India. (Imad lives in Delhi.) His father, he said, had taken to calling him at least five times a day. Like all taciturn relationships between fathers and sons the world over, his father, Imad said, talked mostly of trivial matters during the phone calls. But what he was really trying to say, Imad wrote, was that he was worried by the recent spate of lynchings of Muslim men. I can understand some of what Shah and Imad were talking about. I was in Kashmir last year after the killing of the Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani. And as I looked bewildered at what was going on around me, I remember saying one evening to the Kashmiri journalists in my hotel room that I sometimes got the feeling I was in “enemy territory”. I was speaking half in jest at the time but, surprisingly, one of the Kashmiri journalists replied that he too occasionally got the same feeling. (Like Imad, he also worked in Delhi.) I had thought then that he was joking but I understand now what he meant. The schism in Kashmir – between the people who are thought to be pro- and anti-India – is complete. That is why Shah’s father was killed. Shah has written in innumerable pieces that all his family tried to do was stay as far away from the conflict as possible, be neutral, but that was not good enough. You had (have) to choose a side. That was also why the Deputy Superintendent of Police Ayub Pandith was lynched outside the Jamia mosque in Srinagar. He was a symbol of the Indian state, part of the “other”. And we have got to a situation where it is okay to attack the other. The critics of Not In My Name – the large-scale protests against the lynchings – had at the time used the Srinagar killing to argue that the recent lynchings were not exclusively of Muslim men by the Hindu majority. That both communities were guilty of lynching. And that somehow the Srinagar lynching made the others less worse. There is little that is as terrible as a hate crime. How do you explain the idea that somebody can be killed just because of who or what they are? A brown man in America, a teenage boy wearing a skull cap in India. There is no reason for the killing. It is simply inexplicable. But I’ve come to understand that the critics were, at least in one way, right. There is little difference between the killings here and the one in Srinagar. You drive a wedge between a people, you force them on either side of a divide, and somebody will get killed. Here because you are supposedly “anti-national” and there because you are supposedly “pro-national”. Close to a 100 people were killed in Kashmir last year in the protests that broke out after Wani’s killing. The people killed were not militants with guns but protesters. Civilians; men, women, and children. They followed in a long line of similar killings. In 2008, Indian security forces killed 60 protesters. In 2009, they killed 35. And in 2010, they killed 120. The youngest child shot and wounded last year in Kashmir while I was there was a four-year-old girl. She had been shot by a pellet gun. She had lost one eye, and had been shot in the face, the chest, the abdomen, and the vagina. In a way, we are all responsible for what happened to her. It is our tax money that funded the guns and ammunition that were used to shoot her. At some point, we will have to think long and hard about that. On my last evening in Srinagar, the familiar group of Kashmiri journalists had gathered in my room. (It had become an informal base to meet at after the day’s work.) Amidst them was a new gentleman. I had only met him that afternoon. I had shaken hands with him, but hadn’t said much more. He hadn’t seemed very talkative. He had walked into my hotel room and sat down in a chair. Then he plonked himself on my bed, picked up my room phone, turned to me and brusquely asked what the number to room service was. There were apologetic smiles from one or two of the others. I told him. He dialled, and asked for cups of tea all around. The tea came. He drank. Then he walked into my bathroom. I heard it flush a few minutes later. He exited, and walked out of my hotel room. There was no thank you. I had wanted to stop him. To tell him that he had been rude to me in my hotel room, my “home” while I was in Kashmir. And that you should not be rude to a man in his own home. But I said nothing. I let him go. For he could just as easily have turned around and said the same thing to me.

An evening in Kashmir

&nbsp;An attempt to loot a Jammu and Kashmir ATM in Srinagar&#39;s Somerbugh was foiled by alert locals on Friday.

As per reports, the locals chased three armed youth who attempted to loot the ATM, following which all the three people escaped.

Further details are awaited in this issue.

Earlier on July 31, a group of terrorists looted the Jammu and Kashmir Bank at Arwani Bijbehara in Anantnag district.

As per reports, the terrorists managed to took away cash more than Rs. 5 lakh cash.

On July 11, the Shopian Police arrested three accused involved in the attempt of bank robbery and weapon snatching that took place at Jammu and Kashmir Bank of Imam Sahab area.

Three armed men who tried to rob the ATM were chased by locals in Srinagar's Somerbugh

An attempt to loot a Jammu and Kashmir ATM in Srinagar's Somerbugh was foiled by alert locals on Friday. As per reports, the locals chased three armed youth who attempted to loot the ATM, following which all the three people escaped. Further details are awaited in this issue. Earlier on July 31, a group of terrorists looted the Jammu and Kashmir Bank at Arwani Bijbehara in Anantnag district. As per reports, the terrorists managed to took away cash more than Rs. 5 lakh cash. On July 11, the Shopian Police arrested three accused involved in the attempt of bank robbery and weapon snatching that took place at Jammu and Kashmir Bank of Imam Sahab area.

Jammu and Kashmir: Locals thwart attempt to loot ATM in Srinagar

An unidentified man was lynched by an irate mob after he allegedly opened fire at a group of people who caught him clicking pictures near a mosque in downtown area of Srinagar.

A man was seen moving in suspicious circumstances by some people near Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta area at 0030 hours, police sources said. He was reportedly clicking pictures of people while they were coming out of the mosque.

They said people tried to catch the man who allegedly fired several shots from his pistol, injuring three persons. The irate mob then caught hold of him and stripped him naked before stoning him to death, the sources said.

His body was taken to police control room for identification and other legal procedures, they said adding the situation in old city has turned tense following the incident.

The identity of the deceased could not be immediately established as the angry mob went on a rampage targeting empty security pickets erected in the area. Police reinforcement were rushed in to restore normalcy in the area.

Muslims across Kashmir are observing Shab-e-Qadr (the night of power) with night-long prayers and supplications being made inside the mosques and shrines of the valley.

The authorities have already announced restrictions on movement of people in seven police station areas of the city as a precautionary measure.

The restrictions, which would come into force at dawn, were announced to maintain law and order as separatists had called for protests after Friday prayers against killing of a civilian during protests in Kakapora area of Pulwama District yesterday.

He was taking pictures near a mosque. People tried to catch him, he shot and injured three people with a pistol, then they stoned him to death

An unidentified man was lynched by an irate mob after he allegedly opened fire at a group of people who caught him clicking pictures near a mosque in downtown area of Srinagar. A man was seen moving in suspicious circumstances by some people near Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta area at 0030 hours, police sources said. He was reportedly clicking pictures of people while they were coming out of the mosque. They said people tried to catch the man who allegedly fired several shots from his pistol, injuring three persons. The irate mob then caught hold of him and stripped him naked before stoning him to death, the sources said. His body was taken to police control room for identification and other legal procedures, they said adding the situation in old city has turned tense following the incident. The identity of the deceased could not be immediately established as the angry mob went on a rampage targeting empty security pickets erected in the area. Police reinforcement were rushed in to restore normalcy in the area. Muslims across Kashmir are observing Shab-e-Qadr (the night of power) with night-long prayers and supplications being made inside the mosques and shrines of the valley. The authorities have already announced restrictions on movement of people in seven police station areas of the city as a precautionary measure. The restrictions, which would come into force at dawn, were announced to maintain law and order as separatists had called for protests after Friday prayers against killing of a civilian during protests in Kakapora area of Pulwama District yesterday.

Srinagar mob lynches photo-taking, pistol-carrying man

Curfew-like restrictions continued in parts of Kashmir for the second consecutive day on Monday&nbsp;as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Sabzar Bhat in an encounter with security forces.

The restrictions were in place in seven police station areas of Srinagar--&nbsp;Khanyar, Nowhatta, Safakadal, M R Gunj, Rainawari, Kralkhud and Maisuma, officials said.

Strict restrictions also continued in Anantnag and Shopiandistricts and Pulwama town in south Kashmir and in the township of Sopore in the Baramulla district of north Kashmir, the officials said.

In all the restrictions were in place in four out of 10 districts in the valley.

They said Section 144 of CrPc continued in the districts of Budgam and Ganderbal in central Kashmir.

The officials said the curbs in these areas continued for the second day as a pre-emptive measure to prevent spread of violent protests which took place on Saturday immediately after Bhat was killed along with his colleague in an encounter in Soimoh area of Tral in south Kashmir&#39;s Pulwama district.

A civilian was also killed allegedly in cross firing between militants and security forces during the encounter.

Though there were few stone-pelting incidents in some areas of the valley on Sunday&nbsp;the situation remained under control.

A police spokesman said on Sunday that there were six incidents of stone pelting in Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian and Sopore, but the situation across the valley remained peaceful and under control.

He said police and security forces used maximum restraint while dealing with the situation at these places and miscreants were chased away.

Meanwhile, normal life remained affected in the rest of the valley for the second day due to a two-day strike called by separatists to protest killing of the two militants and use of &quot;brute force&quot; against protestors.

The separatist trio - chairmen of both factions of Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and JKLF chief Yasin Malik have also called for a march to Tral tomorrow to pay tributes to the slain militants.

While Malik was arrested from his residence in Srinagar on Sunday, Geelani and Mirwaiz are under house detention.

The authorities have suspended mobile internet services in the valley, while the outgoing call facility on prepaid numbers has also been snapped as a precautionary measure.

Kashmir University has postponed all examinations scheduled to be held today and tomorrow.

A spokesman of the university said fresh dates for the deferred examinations shall be notified later.

Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora, on Sunday also postponed the examination scheduled for today.

The university also suspended the class work for today in view of the prevailing situation.

Schools and colleges have also been closed for today in Srinagar and for two days in Pulwama.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Restrictions are in place in four out of 10 districts in the valley

Curfew-like restrictions continued in parts of Kashmir for the second consecutive day on Monday as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Sabzar Bhat in an encounter with security forces. The restrictions were in place in seven police station areas of Srinagar-- Khanyar, Nowhatta, Safakadal, M R Gunj, Rainawari, Kralkhud and Maisuma, officials said. Strict restrictions also continued in Anantnag and Shopiandistricts and Pulwama town in south Kashmir and in the township of Sopore in the Baramulla district of north Kashmir, the officials said. In all the restrictions were in place in four out of 10 districts in the valley. They said Section 144 of CrPc continued in the districts of Budgam and Ganderbal in central Kashmir. The officials said the curbs in these areas continued for the second day as a pre-emptive measure to prevent spread of violent protests which took place on Saturday immediately after Bhat was killed along with his colleague in an encounter in Soimoh area of Tral in south Kashmir's Pulwama district. A civilian was also killed allegedly in cross firing between militants and security forces during the encounter. Though there were few stone-pelting incidents in some areas of the valley on Sunday the situation remained under control. A police spokesman said on Sunday that there were six incidents of stone pelting in Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian and Sopore, but the situation across the valley remained peaceful and under control. He said police and security forces used maximum restraint while dealing with the situation at these places and miscreants were chased away. Meanwhile, normal life remained affected in the rest of the valley for the second day due to a two-day strike called by separatists to protest killing of the two militants and use of "brute force" against protestors. The separatist trio - chairmen of both factions of Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and JKLF chief Yasin Malik have also called for a march to Tral tomorrow to pay tributes to the slain militants. While Malik was arrested from his residence in Srinagar on Sunday, Geelani and Mirwaiz are under house detention. The authorities have suspended mobile internet services in the valley, while the outgoing call facility on prepaid numbers has also been snapped as a precautionary measure. Kashmir University has postponed all examinations scheduled to be held today and tomorrow. A spokesman of the university said fresh dates for the deferred examinations shall be notified later. Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora, on Sunday also postponed the examination scheduled for today. The university also suspended the class work for today in view of the prevailing situation. Schools and colleges have also been closed for today in Srinagar and for two days in Pulwama.

Curfew-like restrictions continue in parts of Kashmir Valley

Standing by the statement of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Kashmir, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday said that a serious effort is being carried out by the Government of India in resolving the issue.

BJP leader S&nbsp;Prakash said the separatist elements and forces from across the border, which are fomenting trouble and creating an atmosphere of disturbance, must be put to an end.

&quot;Many efforts are underway to restore normalcy and urge people of the Valley to maintain peace and order which is currently under threat. A serious effort is being carried by the Government of India which the Home Minister has himself confirmed. The peaceful Kashmir Valley will be realised very soon,&quot; Prakash told ANI.

Another BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain submitted the same, saying that Singh only clarified that one should not live in the misconception that they can separate us from Kashmir.

&quot;Our government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have always shown concern for Jammu and Kashmir. The entire nation is united on the opinion that Kashmir is only ours. The same Rajnath Singh has said that they are ready to take out a solution for this problem,&quot; Hussain told ANI.

Assuring complete closure of the Kashmir issue on behalf of the government, Rajnath Singh yesterday made a strong statement that Kashmir, Kashmiris and Kashmiriyat belong to India.

&quot;We understand that Kashmir, Kashmiris and Kashmiriyat are ours. I assure you that we will come up with a permanent solution to end the issue,&quot; he said while addressing a gathering in Pelling, Sikkim.

In the hope of resolving the ongoing friction between India and Pakistan regarding territorial disputes in Kashmir, the Union Home Minister said it is time for Islamabad to mend its ways and come to a consensus on the issue, rather than prolonging the same.

&quot;Pakistan continues to carry out acts of violence in the name of Kashmir, just to destabilise us. It is time for Pakistan to end these and look into resolving the matter and extending cooperation,&quot; said Rajnath.

Developing on the importance of easing tensions along the border, Rajnath while drawing upon the reduction of border transgression with China, said Pakistan was invited to maintain friendly relations and not just bilateral ties.

&quot;There might be perceptional differences, but the border friction with China has declined now. Pakistan Prime Minister was invited to the oath-taking ceremony not just to join hands, but to be cordial hereafter,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

(ANI)

'Many efforts are underway to restore normalcy,' BJP leader S Prakash said

Standing by the statement of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Kashmir, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday said that a serious effort is being carried out by the Government of India in resolving the issue. BJP leader S Prakash said the separatist elements and forces from across the border, which are fomenting trouble and creating an atmosphere of disturbance, must be put to an end. "Many efforts are underway to restore normalcy and urge people of the Valley to maintain peace and order which is currently under threat. A serious effort is being carried by the Government of India which the Home Minister has himself confirmed. The peaceful Kashmir Valley will be realised very soon," Prakash told ANI. Another BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain submitted the same, saying that Singh only clarified that one should not live in the misconception that they can separate us from Kashmir. "Our government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have always shown concern for Jammu and Kashmir. The entire nation is united on the opinion that Kashmir is only ours. The same Rajnath Singh has said that they are ready to take out a solution for this problem," Hussain told ANI. Assuring complete closure of the Kashmir issue on behalf of the government, Rajnath Singh yesterday made a strong statement that Kashmir, Kashmiris and Kashmiriyat belong to India. "We understand that Kashmir, Kashmiris and Kashmiriyat are ours. I assure you that we will come up with a permanent solution to end the issue," he said while addressing a gathering in Pelling, Sikkim. In the hope of resolving the ongoing friction between India and Pakistan regarding territorial disputes in Kashmir, the Union Home Minister said it is time for Islamabad to mend its ways and come to a consensus on the issue, rather than prolonging the same. "Pakistan continues to carry out acts of violence in the name of Kashmir, just to destabilise us. It is time for Pakistan to end these and look into resolving the matter and extending cooperation," said Rajnath. Developing on the importance of easing tensions along the border, Rajnath while drawing upon the reduction of border transgression with China, said Pakistan was invited to maintain friendly relations and not just bilateral ties. "There might be perceptional differences, but the border friction with China has declined now. Pakistan Prime Minister was invited to the oath-taking ceremony not just to join hands, but to be cordial hereafter," he said. (ANI)

BJP claims 'peaceful Kashmir Valley will be realised very soon'

The month-long ban imposed by the Jammu and Kashmir government on social media applications and internet sites to curb the unrest in the valley has come a cropper with almost everyone accessing these platforms using Virtual Private Networks.

The state&#39;s home department, through an order issued on April 26, had banned 22 social media applications and sites including Facebook, Whatsapp and Twitter in a bid to curb the street protests in Kashmir.

&quot;In the interest of maintenance of public order, the government hereby directs all internet service providers that any message or class of messages to or from a person or a class of persons relating to any subject or any pictorial content through the following social networking sites shall not be transmitted in Kashmir Valley with immediate effect for a period of one month or till further orders, whichever is earlier,&quot; Principal Secretary, Home Department R K Goyal had said.

The inaccessible sites included Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, Wechat, QQ, Qzone, Google Plus, Skype, Line, Pinterest, Snapchat, Youtube, Vine and Flickr.

&quot;On careful examination of all relevant factors, it is observed that the use of social media platforms, which are being misused by anti-national and anti-social elements by transmitting inflammatory messages in various forms are immediately required to be regulated/curbed,&quot; the order read.

While the government order put the onus on Internet service providers to ban the access to these sites, it was silent on the possibility of users being able to bypass the ban.

Top politicians and officials of the government, including the director general of police have been using some of the banned applications like Twitter to put out posts on the current situation in the valley.

Opposition National Conference leader and former chief minister Omar Abdullah is one of those seemingly unaffected by the ban. He frequently tweets about the developments in Kashmir and other parts of world.

The ruling PDP has also used Twitter to put out press releases and at times counter the criticism levelled by opposition parties.

Both the National Conference and PDP entered into a war of words on Twitter yesterday over the raising of &#39;azaadi&#39; (freedom) slogans at a self help group function presided over by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.

Some of the senior police officials of the state frequently use Whatsapp and Facebook to put out updates.

&quot;Whatsapp is supposed to be out of bounds for internet users in Kashmir but we still receive press releases and invitations for official functions through this application. They probably know the ban has been ineffective ....It is high time the government revokes it,&quot; Yusuf Jameel, a journalist, told PTI.

Although the ban initially limited the common man&#39;s access to these applications, the discovery of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) by the people has made the ban redundant.

&quot;The use of VPNs has helped in accessing most of the banned sites ...These applications and sites have become the communication lifeline not only in Kashmir but across the world,&quot; Umar Bhat, a businessman, said.

Bhat, however, loathed the slow internet speed in Kashmir which has made online business transactions almost impossible.

&quot;I frequently travel between Srinagar and Delhi and the difference in the internet speed is huge. This has severely affected my business as I find it difficult to make online transactions,&quot; he said.

(PTI)

&nbsp;

Virtual Private Networks have made the ban redundant

The month-long ban imposed by the Jammu and Kashmir government on social media applications and internet sites to curb the unrest in the valley has come a cropper with almost everyone accessing these platforms using Virtual Private Networks. The state's home department, through an order issued on April 26, had banned 22 social media applications and sites including Facebook, Whatsapp and Twitter in a bid to curb the street protests in Kashmir. "In the interest of maintenance of public order, the government hereby directs all internet service providers that any message or class of messages to or from a person or a class of persons relating to any subject or any pictorial content through the following social networking sites shall not be transmitted in Kashmir Valley with immediate effect for a period of one month or till further orders, whichever is earlier," Principal Secretary, Home Department R K Goyal had said. The inaccessible sites included Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, Wechat, QQ, Qzone, Google Plus, Skype, Line, Pinterest, Snapchat, Youtube, Vine and Flickr. "On careful examination of all relevant factors, it is observed that the use of social media platforms, which are being misused by anti-national and anti-social elements by transmitting inflammatory messages in various forms are immediately required to be regulated/curbed," the order read. While the government order put the onus on Internet service providers to ban the access to these sites, it was silent on the possibility of users being able to bypass the ban. Top politicians and officials of the government, including the director general of police have been using some of the banned applications like Twitter to put out posts on the current situation in the valley. Opposition National Conference leader and former chief minister Omar Abdullah is one of those seemingly unaffected by the ban. He frequently tweets about the developments in Kashmir and other parts of world. The ruling PDP has also used Twitter to put out press releases and at times counter the criticism levelled by opposition parties. Both the National Conference and PDP entered into a war of words on Twitter yesterday over the raising of 'azaadi' (freedom) slogans at a self help group function presided over by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. Some of the senior police officials of the state frequently use Whatsapp and Facebook to put out updates. "Whatsapp is supposed to be out of bounds for internet users in Kashmir but we still receive press releases and invitations for official functions through this application. They probably know the ban has been ineffective ....It is high time the government revokes it," Yusuf Jameel, a journalist, told PTI. Although the ban initially limited the common man's access to these applications, the discovery of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) by the people has made the ban redundant. "The use of VPNs has helped in accessing most of the banned sites ...These applications and sites have become the communication lifeline not only in Kashmir but across the world," Umar Bhat, a businessman, said. Bhat, however, loathed the slow internet speed in Kashmir which has made online business transactions almost impossible. "I frequently travel between Srinagar and Delhi and the difference in the internet speed is huge. This has severely affected my business as I find it difficult to make online transactions," he said. (PTI)

Kashmir government's internet ban goes for toss

The BJP on Monday called for abandoning the pre-Independence, bi-annual practice of &#39;darbar move&#39;, under which the Jammu and Kashmir government functions six months each in the two capitals -- Srinagar and Jammu.

The stand of the BJP, a ruling coalition partner in Jammu and Kashmir, may trigger a major controversy in the state.

State government offices started functioning from the state&#39;s summer capital Srinagar on Monday after shifting from the winter capital Jammu.

The Raj Bhavan, Civil Secretariat and other offices closed in Jammu on April 28 and reopened in Srinagar on Monday.

&quot;The practice of &#39;darbar move&#39; should be abandoned. There should be bifurcation of the state offices,&quot; state BJP spokesperson Virender Gupta said.

His statement was endorsed by Assembly Speaker Kavinder Gupta who said the practice costs the state exchequers heavily.

The spokesperson said that practice of &#39;darbar move&#39; was adopted in Jammu and Kashmir as well as in some other parts of the country because of the special circumstance prevailing at that time when means of communication were limited and electronic communication was almost negligible.

He said because of the advancement in the electronic communication, air journey and better road facilities, this practice was abandoned in the rest of the country whereas it still continues in Jammu and Kashmir.

He suggested that the secretariat, directorates and offices of corporations should remain operational in Jammu as well as in Srinagar.&nbsp;

(PTI)

The BJP has called for a bifurcation of the state offices.

The BJP on Monday called for abandoning the pre-Independence, bi-annual practice of 'darbar move', under which the Jammu and Kashmir government functions six months each in the two capitals -- Srinagar and Jammu. The stand of the BJP, a ruling coalition partner in Jammu and Kashmir, may trigger a major controversy in the state. State government offices started functioning from the state's summer capital Srinagar on Monday after shifting from the winter capital Jammu. The Raj Bhavan, Civil Secretariat and other offices closed in Jammu on April 28 and reopened in Srinagar on Monday. "The practice of 'darbar move' should be abandoned. There should be bifurcation of the state offices," state BJP spokesperson Virender Gupta said. His statement was endorsed by Assembly Speaker Kavinder Gupta who said the practice costs the state exchequers heavily. The spokesperson said that practice of 'darbar move' was adopted in Jammu and Kashmir as well as in some other parts of the country because of the special circumstance prevailing at that time when means of communication were limited and electronic communication was almost negligible. He said because of the advancement in the electronic communication, air journey and better road facilities, this practice was abandoned in the rest of the country whereas it still continues in Jammu and Kashmir. He suggested that the secretariat, directorates and offices of corporations should remain operational in Jammu as well as in Srinagar. (PTI)

India: BJP calls for abandoning practice of 'darbar move' in Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested separatist leader Asiya Andrabi Thursday morning under the Public Safety Act.

PTI reported sources as saying she was arrested from her home.&nbsp;

The authorities accuse Andrabi of inciting women in the valley to pelt stones at the security forces.

(WION)

Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested separatist leader Asiya Andrabi Thursday morning under the Public Safety Act. PTI reported sources as saying she was arrested from her home. The authorities accuse Andrabi of inciting women in the valley to pelt stones at the security forces. (WION)

Separatist leader Asiya Andrabi arrested in Kashmir

The DNA newspaper reported Tuesday that Pakistan, in a change of strategy, has also begun pushing &quot;preachers&quot; into Kashmir rather than just militants.&nbsp;

The preachers, the newspaper said, then recruit young men to take up arms against Indian security forces, the paper said.&nbsp;

India blames most of its Kashmir problems on Pakistan, saying its neighbour sneaks militants into the state from over the border.&nbsp;

&quot;The brief given to these individuals is fairly simple -- brainwash as many young men, including teenagers, into taking up arms, reveals a recent review done by Intelligence agencies and the army,&quot; the DNA reported.&nbsp;

&quot;Sources in the security establishment told DNA that out of the 150 Pakistani terrorists currently operating out of J&amp;K, 40 to 50 have not fired a bullet in recent times, but have become preachers tasked with recruiting and influencing youngsters to take on security forces,&quot; the newspaper added.&nbsp;

The DNA added that sources in the security establishment had told it that out of the 150 Pakistani militants currently operating out of Kashmir, &quot;40 to 50 have not fired a bullet in recent times&quot;.&nbsp;

The DNA report did not name its sources.&nbsp;

(WION)

A report in the DNA newspaper said the preachers are tasked with recruiting young men to take on Indian security forces

The DNA newspaper reported Tuesday that Pakistan, in a change of strategy, has also begun pushing "preachers" into Kashmir rather than just militants. The preachers, the newspaper said, then recruit young men to take up arms against Indian security forces, the paper said. India blames most of its Kashmir problems on Pakistan, saying its neighbour sneaks militants into the state from over the border. "The brief given to these individuals is fairly simple -- brainwash as many young men, including teenagers, into taking up arms, reveals a recent review done by Intelligence agencies and the army," the DNA reported. "Sources in the security establishment told DNA that out of the 150 Pakistani terrorists currently operating out of J&K, 40 to 50 have not fired a bullet in recent times, but have become preachers tasked with recruiting and influencing youngsters to take on security forces," the newspaper added. The DNA added that sources in the security establishment had told it that out of the 150 Pakistani militants currently operating out of Kashmir, "40 to 50 have not fired a bullet in recent times". The DNA report did not name its sources. (WION)

Pakistan pushing preachers into Kashmir: DNA

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi today to discuss the situation in her strife-riven state.&nbsp;

Even as they spoke, television news reported clashes between stundents and police in Kashmir where schools and colleges have opened today after a week.&nbsp;

Speaking to reporters after her meeting with the prime minister, she said they would have to start from where former president Atal Behari Vajpayee left off or there would be no chance of improving the situation in the state.&nbsp;

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J&amp;K CM Mehbooba Mufti speaks to media after meeting PM Modi <a href="https://t.co/mTXADyzUaD">https://t.co/mTXADyzUaD</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/856383092499468288">April 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
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She added that in Vajpayee&#39;s time many talks had taken place. That the Hurriyat was talked to -- something that has not happened this time around -- and that &quot;others&quot; -- possibly a reference to militants -- were spoken to too.&nbsp;

She added that Modi has repeated said he will follow in the footsteps of Vajpayee, whose policy was one of reconciliation and not confrontation.&nbsp;

&quot;Jahan par Vajpayee ji chhor gaye the, wahin se issko aage le jaana padega nahin toh J&amp;K ki haalat sudharne ka koi chance nahin hai,&quot; Mufti told reporters after her meeting with the prime minister.&nbsp;

&quot;Pehle humein situation ko sambhaalne dijiye, kyunki pattharbaazi aur goli ke mahaul mein baat nahin ho sakti,&quot; she added.&nbsp;

&quot;There are some youths who are disillusioned, others are being incited. Will work out something in Unified command meet tomorrow,&#39; she said.&nbsp;

&quot;I pressed that J&amp;K doesn&#39;t have control over water resources, and how losses caused by Indus Waters Treaty can be compensated,&quot; she said.&nbsp;

&quot;J&amp;K mein pehle Vajpayee sahab ke time mei baat hui hai. LK Advani deputy PM thhe. Hurriyat ke saath baat hui hai, doosron se baat hui hai,&quot; she added.&nbsp;

&quot;Modi ji has repeatedly said that he would follow Vajpayee ji&#39;s footsteps, whose policy is of reconciliation not confrontation,&quot; she added.&nbsp;

Mufti also met with home minister Rajnath Singh.&nbsp;

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Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti meets Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi. <a href="https://t.co/699EGZbOTI">pic.twitter.com/699EGZbOTI</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/856388918769582080">April 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
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(WION)

Says they will have to start from where Vajpayee left off of there will be no chance of improving the situation in Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi today to discuss the situation in her strife-riven state. Even as they spoke, television news reported clashes between stundents and police in Kashmir where schools and colleges have opened today after a week. Speaking to reporters after her meeting with the prime minister, she said they would have to start from where former president Atal Behari Vajpayee left off or there would be no chance of improving the situation in the state. J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti speaks to media after meeting PM Modi https://t.co/mTXADyzUaD — ANI (@ANI_news) April 24, 2017 × She added that in Vajpayee's time many talks had taken place. That the Hurriyat was talked to -- something that has not happened this time around -- and that "others" -- possibly a reference to militants -- were spoken to too. She added that Modi has repeated said he will follow in the footsteps of Vajpayee, whose policy was one of reconciliation and not confrontation. "Jahan par Vajpayee ji chhor gaye the, wahin se issko aage le jaana padega nahin toh J&K ki haalat sudharne ka koi chance nahin hai," Mufti told reporters after her meeting with the prime minister. "Pehle humein situation ko sambhaalne dijiye, kyunki pattharbaazi aur goli ke mahaul mein baat nahin ho sakti," she added. "There are some youths who are disillusioned, others are being incited. Will work out something in Unified command meet tomorrow,' she said. "I pressed that J&K doesn't have control over water resources, and how losses caused by Indus Waters Treaty can be compensated," she said. "J&K mein pehle Vajpayee sahab ke time mei baat hui hai. LK Advani deputy PM thhe. Hurriyat ke saath baat hui hai, doosron se baat hui hai," she added. "Modi ji has repeatedly said that he would follow Vajpayee ji's footsteps, whose policy is of reconciliation not confrontation," she added. Mufti also met with home minister Rajnath Singh. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti meets Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/699EGZbOTI — ANI (@ANI_news) April 24, 2017 × (WION)

Jammu and Kashmir unrest: Mehbooba Mufti meets PM Modi

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, who is the joint candidate of Congress-NC, beat People&#39;s Democratic Party&#39;s Nazir Ahmed Khan&nbsp;to win the Srinagar Parliamentary&nbsp;bypoll.

Abdullah won by a margin of over 10,700 votes, officials said.

This will be the third term as Lok Sabha member for Abdullah, whose victory is being seen as a major setback for the ruling PDP. He was earlier elected to the House of People in 1980 and 2009.

Although there were seven other candidates in the fray, it was NOTA (&#39;none of the above&#39; option) that bagged the second runner-up spot with over 930 voters choosing this option.

&quot;These were the worst elections in history due to bloodshed. No doubt I have won but we have lost precious lives that&#39;s why we are not happy with this win,&quot; NDTV quoted Abdullah as saying.

Overall voter turnout of 7.13 per cent was recorded after the re-polling that went on in 38 polling stations of the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat on Thursday.

The by-polls of Srinagar Parliamentary constituency were held again after multiple incidents of violence resulting in the killing of seven civilians and injuring many on April 9.

Only 709 people voted when 38 polling stations went for re-election four days after the bloodshed.

National Conference workers did not celebrate the win of their party president as mark of respect to the eight youths killed in firing by security forces on April 9.

The bypoll to the seat was necessitated after the then PDP leader Tariq Hamid Karra resigned from the Lower House of Parliament in protest against the &quot;atrocities&quot; inflicted upon the people during the unrest triggered by killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani last year.

In wake of the prevailing tension in the Kashmir valley, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday deferred the Anantnag by-polls till May 25. Earlier, it was scheduled to be held on April 12.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies)

By-polls for the Srinagar parliamentary constituency were marred by violence resulting in killing of 7 people

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, who is the joint candidate of Congress-NC, beat People's Democratic Party's Nazir Ahmed Khan to win the Srinagar Parliamentary bypoll. Abdullah won by a margin of over 10,700 votes, officials said. This will be the third term as Lok Sabha member for Abdullah, whose victory is being seen as a major setback for the ruling PDP. He was earlier elected to the House of People in 1980 and 2009. Although there were seven other candidates in the fray, it was NOTA ('none of the above' option) that bagged the second runner-up spot with over 930 voters choosing this option. "These were the worst elections in history due to bloodshed. No doubt I have won but we have lost precious lives that's why we are not happy with this win," NDTV quoted Abdullah as saying. Overall voter turnout of 7.13 per cent was recorded after the re-polling that went on in 38 polling stations of the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat on Thursday. The by-polls of Srinagar Parliamentary constituency were held again after multiple incidents of violence resulting in the killing of seven civilians and injuring many on April 9. Only 709 people voted when 38 polling stations went for re-election four days after the bloodshed. National Conference workers did not celebrate the win of their party president as mark of respect to the eight youths killed in firing by security forces on April 9. The bypoll to the seat was necessitated after the then PDP leader Tariq Hamid Karra resigned from the Lower House of Parliament in protest against the "atrocities" inflicted upon the people during the unrest triggered by killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani last year. In wake of the prevailing tension in the Kashmir valley, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday deferred the Anantnag by-polls till May 25. Earlier, it was scheduled to be held on April 12. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Jammu and Kashmir: Congress-NC candidate Farooq Abdullah wins Srinagar by-poll

An unidentified militant was today killed in an encounter with security forces in a village in Pulwama district of south Kashmir, police said.

Security forces this evening launched an anti-militancy operation after receiving a tip off about their presence at Begumbagh village in Kakapora area, 25 kilometres&nbsp;from Srinagar, a police official said.

Hiding militants opened fire on noticing the security forces who retaliated, triggering a gunbattle, he said.

One militant was killed in the gunbattle, the official said, adding the identity and group affiliation of the slain militant is being ascertained.

(PTI)

The identity and the group affiliation of the dead militant is being ascertained

An unidentified militant was today killed in an encounter with security forces in a village in Pulwama district of south Kashmir, police said. Security forces this evening launched an anti-militancy operation after receiving a tip off about their presence at Begumbagh village in Kakapora area, 25 kilometres from Srinagar, a police official said. Hiding militants opened fire on noticing the security forces who retaliated, triggering a gunbattle, he said. One militant was killed in the gunbattle, the official said, adding the identity and group affiliation of the slain militant is being ascertained. (PTI)

Indian security kill unidentified militant in Kashmir

We, all who love Kashmir, have to work towards its economic revival

Kashmir: The need to start a peace process

Curfew was today extended to several places in Kashmir Valley in India as a precautionary measure in view of the call for a march given by separatist leaders.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Curfew has been extended to many towns including Aripathan and Magam areas in Budgam district to maintain law and order,&quot; a police official said. 
 
The call for march from Aripthan area of Budgam district in the Valley was given by separatists against the death of four civilians in clashes between federal law enforcement and civil agency Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) &nbsp;and protesters there on August 16. 
 
Normal life remained paralysed for the 42nd day in the Valley which has been rocked by violence after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8. 
 
Curfew also remained in force in entire Srinagar district, Anantnag town, Pampore town, Shopian town, Khanpora in Baramulla, Ganderbal town and Kaloosa in Bandipora district today, the official said. 
 
Restrictions on the movement of the people were in force in rest of the Valley. 
 
The separatist camp, headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik, has extended the agitation till August 25.&nbsp; 
 
Schools, colleges and private offices remained closed while public transport remained off roads. The attendance in government offices was thin. Mobile internet and telephony services also remained suspended. 
 
As many as 64 persons including two police personnel have been killed and several thousand others injured in the clashes that began on July 9.&nbsp; 
 
(PTI)&nbsp;

While unrest refuses to die down, the separatist camp in the Valley has decided to continue the agitation till August 25

Curfew was today extended to several places in Kashmir Valley in India as a precautionary measure in view of the call for a march given by separatist leaders. "Curfew has been extended to many towns including Aripathan and Magam areas in Budgam district to maintain law and order," a police official said. The call for march from Aripthan area of Budgam district in the Valley was given by separatists against the death of four civilians in clashes between federal law enforcement and civil agency Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and protesters there on August 16. Normal life remained paralysed for the 42nd day in the Valley which has been rocked by violence after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8. Curfew also remained in force in entire Srinagar district, Anantnag town, Pampore town, Shopian town, Khanpora in Baramulla, Ganderbal town and Kaloosa in Bandipora district today, the official said. Restrictions on the movement of the people were in force in rest of the Valley. The separatist camp, headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik, has extended the agitation till August 25. Schools, colleges and private offices remained closed while public transport remained off roads. The attendance in government offices was thin. Mobile internet and telephony services also remained suspended. As many as 64 persons including two police personnel have been killed and several thousand others injured in the clashes that began on July 9. (PTI)

India: Curfew extended to several areas in Kashmir as separatists call for march

Two armed militants attacked a police station in Indian Kashmir on Monday, police said, as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered his annual Independence Day speech in New Delhi. 
 
The gunmen were unable to take control of the police station in the old city of Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu &amp; Kashmir, but did kill one police reservist and injure nine in the attack. WION&#39;s Srinagar correspondent reports that the man slain was the commandant of the 49th battalion. The CRPF spokesman said that firing has stopped, but that a search and combing operation is currently going on. &nbsp;Two militants are believed to have been killed. 
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
UPDATE: Two CRPF jawans and one J&amp;K policeman injured after 3 terrorists attack security forces in Srinagar,exchange of fire continues
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/765034579895914496">August 15, 2016</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;

 
Separately, the Indian Army said it had foiled an attempt to infiltrate two militants from Pakistan into India. The two men were killed in the Uri sector of the de facto border between the neighbouring countries in North Kashmir. 
 
Kashmir has witnessed violent protests since the July 8 killing of militant leader Burhan Wani, a commander of the Pakistan-based Islamist militant group Hizbul Mujahideen, with 54 people killed and several thousand wounded in clashes with security forces. 
 
Modi avoided direct reference to Kashmir in his Independence Day speech, but he did criticise people in Pakistan for celebrating when what he called terrorist attacks were launched on Indian soil. 
 
The prime minister met national party leaders on Friday to seek ways to end the worst unrest in Kashmir since 2010, but there was no agreement to send an all-party delegation to the region for talks to try and calm tensions there. 
 
Both India and Pakistan rule Kashmir in part but claim it in full. The nuclear-armed neighbours have fought two of their three wars since independence 69 years ago over the Muslim-majority region where the Line of Control, or de facto border, still runs roughly where the guns fell silent in 1948. 
 
(WION with inputs from&nbsp;Agencies)

The gunmen were unable to take control of the police station in the old city of Srinagar, but did kill 1 reservist and injure 9

Two armed militants attacked a police station in Indian Kashmir on Monday, police said, as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered his annual Independence Day speech in New Delhi. The gunmen were unable to take control of the police station in the old city of Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir, but did kill one police reservist and injure nine in the attack. WION's Srinagar correspondent reports that the man slain was the commandant of the 49th battalion. The CRPF spokesman said that firing has stopped, but that a search and combing operation is currently going on. Two militants are believed to have been killed. UPDATE: Two CRPF jawans and one J&K policeman injured after 3 terrorists attack security forces in Srinagar,exchange of fire continues — ANI (@ANI_news) August 15, 2016 Separately, the Indian Army said it had foiled an attempt to infiltrate two militants from Pakistan into India. The two men were killed in the Uri sector of the de facto border between the neighbouring countries in North Kashmir. Kashmir has witnessed violent protests since the July 8 killing of militant leader Burhan Wani, a commander of the Pakistan-based Islamist militant group Hizbul Mujahideen, with 54 people killed and several thousand wounded in clashes with security forces. Modi avoided direct reference to Kashmir in his Independence Day speech, but he did criticise people in Pakistan for celebrating when what he called terrorist attacks were launched on Indian soil. The prime minister met national party leaders on Friday to seek ways to end the worst unrest in Kashmir since 2010, but there was no agreement to send an all-party delegation to the region for talks to try and calm tensions there. Both India and Pakistan rule Kashmir in part but claim it in full. The nuclear-armed neighbours have fought two of their three wars since independence 69 years ago over the Muslim-majority region where the Line of Control, or de facto border, still runs roughly where the guns fell silent in 1948. (WION with inputs from Agencies)

Militants open fire in India's Srinagar, 1 security personnel dead, 9 injured

India&#39;s Kashmir Valley remained tense today as people stayed away from roads due to prohibitory orders and a shutdown call given by separatists over the killing of a militant. 
 
The northern Jammu and Kashmir state has been on the boil since July 8, when security forces gunned down 22-year-old Burhan Wani, a commander of the Hizbul-Mujahideen, a group fighting Indian control of the Muslim-majority region. 
 
Armed police personnel patrolled deserted markets and roads as residents largely stayed indoors. Barricades and barbed wire were laid out on roads in sensitive areas. 
 
Violent protests in parts of the Valley, a subsequent curfew and a shutdown called by separatist leaders against Wani&#39;s killing, have kept normalcy away from the Valley. 
 
In the latest instance of violence, security forces opened fire on curfew-defying protesters on Friday, killing three and injuring 100 others, including security personnel. 
 
An opposition party leader in Kashmir blamed excessive use of force for the situation. 
 
&quot;The situation is getting worse. It is bad for all of us, for common people as well as political parties. We had warned the government before that they should stop using excessive force and pellet guns and the rampant arrests and crackdowns that are causing difficulties to people in the valley should also be stopped, only then can we hope for a silver lining of improved situation,&quot; said a regional opposition leader, Ali Mohammad Sagar. 
 
Authorities had lifted curfew from all districts on July 26, except the sensitive South Kashmir belt. 
 
However, it was re-imposed the next day after separatists called for protest march to Kulgam district town against Wani&#39;s killing. 
 
Fifty-five people have been killed and more than 5,000 wounded, including Indian security personnel, in the almost month-long unrest. More than 300 people have suffered injuries because of pellet guns, including 171 with eye injuries, further fuelling the anger against the forces and the government. 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp;

Fifty five people have been killed and more than 5,000 injured, including Indian security personnel, in the almost month-long unrest

India's Kashmir Valley remained tense today as people stayed away from roads due to prohibitory orders and a shutdown call given by separatists over the killing of a militant. The northern Jammu and Kashmir state has been on the boil since July 8, when security forces gunned down 22-year-old Burhan Wani, a commander of the Hizbul-Mujahideen, a group fighting Indian control of the Muslim-majority region. Armed police personnel patrolled deserted markets and roads as residents largely stayed indoors. Barricades and barbed wire were laid out on roads in sensitive areas. Violent protests in parts of the Valley, a subsequent curfew and a shutdown called by separatist leaders against Wani's killing, have kept normalcy away from the Valley. In the latest instance of violence, security forces opened fire on curfew-defying protesters on Friday, killing three and injuring 100 others, including security personnel. An opposition party leader in Kashmir blamed excessive use of force for the situation. "The situation is getting worse. It is bad for all of us, for common people as well as political parties. We had warned the government before that they should stop using excessive force and pellet guns and the rampant arrests and crackdowns that are causing difficulties to people in the valley should also be stopped, only then can we hope for a silver lining of improved situation," said a regional opposition leader, Ali Mohammad Sagar. Authorities had lifted curfew from all districts on July 26, except the sensitive South Kashmir belt. However, it was re-imposed the next day after separatists called for protest march to Kulgam district town against Wani's killing. Fifty-five people have been killed and more than 5,000 wounded, including Indian security personnel, in the almost month-long unrest. More than 300 people have suffered injuries because of pellet guns, including 171 with eye injuries, further fuelling the anger against the forces and the government. (Reuters)

A month on, India's Kashmir Valley remains tense

With curfew and shutdown continuing in Kashmir over the killing of a separatist militant for almost a month now, tourism has suffered a major blow in the Valley. 
 
Trouble began in the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir on July 8 when security forces gunned down 22-year-old Burhan Wani, leader of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, a group fighting India over control of the Muslim-majority region. 
 
&#39;90 per cent of visitors have already left&#39;&nbsp; 
 
Violent protests in parts of the Valley, a subsequent curfew and a shutdown called by separatist leaders against Wani&#39;s killing have kept the tourists away. 
 
Tourists who had made bookings for July-August period are cancelling them while those in the state are cutting short their trips and leaving. Reportedly, 90 per cent of the visitors have already left. 
 
It has been days since some bus and cab drivers saw any tourists. People earning their livelihoods from the tourism sector urged the government today to take steps to restore normalcy at the earliest. 
 
&quot;The shutdown in Srinagar has had a drastic effect on tourism. Tourists are cancelling their packages and vehicles are not plying. Drivers and travel agents have been sitting idle for the last month or month-and-a-half,&quot; said a travel agent, Sweet Ishar. 
 
A driver, Sayed Zaki Haider said that the locals were losing out a lot of business as it was peak tourist season. 
 
&quot;Small vehicles would ferry people from Poonch to Kashmir or to deliver things like fruits as it is peak season. People who earned their livelihood from all such activities have been badly affected,&quot; said Haider. 
 
Uneasy calm prevails, curfew extended to more areas&nbsp; 
 
Meanwhile, an uneasy calm continues to blanket Srinagar, the summer capital of the state. 
 
Armed police personnel patroll deserted markets and roads as residents largely stay indoors. Barricades have been pulled up and barbed wires have been laid out on roads and in sensitive areas. 
 
Curfew was extended to more areas of Kashmir today to thwart a planned march by separatists to Hazratbal shrine here even as normal life in the Valley remained paralysed for the 28th consecutive day. 
 
&quot;Curfew has been imposed in entire Srinagar district in view of the call for march by some elements to Hazratbal. 
 
&quot;Curfew has also been imposed in Ganderbal, Budgam, Anantnag town, Awantipora, Kulgam town, Baramulla district excluding Sopore, Shopian town, Kaloosa in Bandipora and parts of Handwara,&quot; a police official said.&nbsp; 
 
He said restrictions on assembly of four or more persons in rest of the Valley as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order 
 
Security forces have been deployed in strength in sensitive and vulnerable areas to maintain law and order.&nbsp; 
 
Schools, colleges, business establishments, petrol pumps banks and private offices remain closed while public transport remained off roads. Attendance in government offices was also thin, the official said. 
 
Mobile internet services continued to remain snapped in the entire Valley where the outgoing facility on prepaid connections is barred.&nbsp; 
 
Authorities had lifted curfew from all districts on July 26 except the sensitive South Kashmir belt. 
 
However, it was re-imposed the next day after separatists called for protest march to Kulgam district town against Wani&#39;s killing. 
 
Wani represented a new generation of fighters in a region where alienation runs deep even though attacks have fallen dramatically since the revolt broke out in 1989. 
 
His killing has triggered the Valley&#39;s worst outbreak of violence in six years. 
 
At least 46 people were killed and more than 5,000 wounded, including Indian security forces, in the violence. More than 300 people suffered injuries because of pellet guns, including 171 with eye injuries, further fuelling the anger against the forces and the government. 
 
Officials also informed police had recently launched a massive crackdown against &quot;hooligans and miscreants&quot; in Kashmir, arresting nearly 500 youths from across the Valley.&nbsp; 
 
(AFP, PTI)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Violent protests in parts of Valley, subsequent curfew and shutdown called by separatist leaders have kept tourists away

With curfew and shutdown continuing in Kashmir over the killing of a separatist militant for almost a month now, tourism has suffered a major blow in the Valley. Trouble began in the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir on July 8 when security forces gunned down 22-year-old Burhan Wani, leader of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, a group fighting India over control of the Muslim-majority region. '90 per cent of visitors have already left' Violent protests in parts of the Valley, a subsequent curfew and a shutdown called by separatist leaders against Wani's killing have kept the tourists away. Tourists who had made bookings for July-August period are cancelling them while those in the state are cutting short their trips and leaving. Reportedly, 90 per cent of the visitors have already left. It has been days since some bus and cab drivers saw any tourists. People earning their livelihoods from the tourism sector urged the government today to take steps to restore normalcy at the earliest. "The shutdown in Srinagar has had a drastic effect on tourism. Tourists are cancelling their packages and vehicles are not plying. Drivers and travel agents have been sitting idle for the last month or month-and-a-half," said a travel agent, Sweet Ishar. A driver, Sayed Zaki Haider said that the locals were losing out a lot of business as it was peak tourist season. "Small vehicles would ferry people from Poonch to Kashmir or to deliver things like fruits as it is peak season. People who earned their livelihood from all such activities have been badly affected," said Haider. Uneasy calm prevails, curfew extended to more areas Meanwhile, an uneasy calm continues to blanket Srinagar, the summer capital of the state. Armed police personnel patroll deserted markets and roads as residents largely stay indoors. Barricades have been pulled up and barbed wires have been laid out on roads and in sensitive areas. Curfew was extended to more areas of Kashmir today to thwart a planned march by separatists to Hazratbal shrine here even as normal life in the Valley remained paralysed for the 28th consecutive day. "Curfew has been imposed in entire Srinagar district in view of the call for march by some elements to Hazratbal. "Curfew has also been imposed in Ganderbal, Budgam, Anantnag town, Awantipora, Kulgam town, Baramulla district excluding Sopore, Shopian town, Kaloosa in Bandipora and parts of Handwara," a police official said. He said restrictions on assembly of four or more persons in rest of the Valley as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order Security forces have been deployed in strength in sensitive and vulnerable areas to maintain law and order. Schools, colleges, business establishments, petrol pumps banks and private offices remain closed while public transport remained off roads. Attendance in government offices was also thin, the official said. Mobile internet services continued to remain snapped in the entire Valley where the outgoing facility on prepaid connections is barred. Authorities had lifted curfew from all districts on July 26 except the sensitive South Kashmir belt. However, it was re-imposed the next day after separatists called for protest march to Kulgam district town against Wani's killing. Wani represented a new generation of fighters in a region where alienation runs deep even though attacks have fallen dramatically since the revolt broke out in 1989. His killing has triggered the Valley's worst outbreak of violence in six years. At least 46 people were killed and more than 5,000 wounded, including Indian security forces, in the violence. More than 300 people suffered injuries because of pellet guns, including 171 with eye injuries, further fuelling the anger against the forces and the government. Officials also informed police had recently launched a massive crackdown against "hooligans and miscreants" in Kashmir, arresting nearly 500 youths from across the Valley. (AFP, PTI)

Unrest over Burhan Wani's killing deals blow to tourism in Kashmir

Authorities lifted a curfew in summer capital of Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir today after 17 days of lockdown, but protesters continued to clash with police in the main city of Indian-administered Kashmir following two weeks of deadly violence. 
 
&quot;There will be no restrictions in any part of district Srinagar today on 26 July,&quot; top administrative official Farooq Ahmad Lone said in a statement. 
 
It was unclear whether the lifting of the curfew was simply a temporary move to allow angry protesters some release, or if the relaxation of restrictions would continue. 
 
Mobile and internet networks remained suspended in Srinagar and across the restive territory, while a curfew was still in force in southern areas, where most of the 50 deaths have occurred. 
 
Hundreds of angry residents rallied in the city today to protest against Indian rule, shouting slogans for freedom and clashing with police who fired tear gas canisters to disperse them, a witness said. 
 
Shops, schools and businesses remained shut in the city while vehicles were off the roads. 
 
Separatist leaders opposed to Indian rule of the disputed territory have extended an ongoing strike to Saturday, but have appealed to shopkeepers to open for a few hours each day to allow people to buy essential supplies. 
 
&quot;We will open shops after 2:00 pm,&quot; Umer Ahmed, a shopkeeper in the old quarter of Srinagar told AFP. 
 
The unrest was triggered by the killing on July 8 of a 21 years old young rebel leader Burhan Wani in a gunfight with soldiers. 
The wide-scale protests in the region have also left thousands injured. 
 
Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the rivals won independence from British rule in 1947. Both claim the territory in full. 
 
Several rebel groups, including Wani&#39;s Hizbul Mujahideen, have fought for decades an estimated 500,000 Indian troops deployed in the territory, demanding independence or its merger with Pakistan. 
 
Tens of thousands, mostly civilians, have died in the fighting. 
 
(AFP)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

It was unclear whether the lifting of the curfew was simply a temporary move to allow angry protesters some release

Authorities lifted a curfew in summer capital of Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir today after 17 days of lockdown, but protesters continued to clash with police in the main city of Indian-administered Kashmir following two weeks of deadly violence. "There will be no restrictions in any part of district Srinagar today on 26 July," top administrative official Farooq Ahmad Lone said in a statement. It was unclear whether the lifting of the curfew was simply a temporary move to allow angry protesters some release, or if the relaxation of restrictions would continue. Mobile and internet networks remained suspended in Srinagar and across the restive territory, while a curfew was still in force in southern areas, where most of the 50 deaths have occurred. Hundreds of angry residents rallied in the city today to protest against Indian rule, shouting slogans for freedom and clashing with police who fired tear gas canisters to disperse them, a witness said. Shops, schools and businesses remained shut in the city while vehicles were off the roads. Separatist leaders opposed to Indian rule of the disputed territory have extended an ongoing strike to Saturday, but have appealed to shopkeepers to open for a few hours each day to allow people to buy essential supplies. "We will open shops after 2:00 pm," Umer Ahmed, a shopkeeper in the old quarter of Srinagar told AFP. The unrest was triggered by the killing on July 8 of a 21 years old young rebel leader Burhan Wani in a gunfight with soldiers. The wide-scale protests in the region have also left thousands injured. Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the rivals won independence from British rule in 1947. Both claim the territory in full. Several rebel groups, including Wani's Hizbul Mujahideen, have fought for decades an estimated 500,000 Indian troops deployed in the territory, demanding independence or its merger with Pakistan. Tens of thousands, mostly civilians, have died in the fighting. (AFP)

India: Curfew lifted in Srinagar after 17 days of lockdown, clashes continue

In the midst of massive outburst, men and women, young and old, are out on roads. Slogans from the loudspeaker of nearby mosques fill the air.&nbsp;Young boys man the highway enforcing a strike called by &#39;pro-freedom&#39; camps.&nbsp; 
 
Gripped with unrest for more than two weeks, South Kashmir in India&#39;s northernmost state, Jammu and Kashmir, is angry and mourning.&nbsp; 
 
Amid this anger, a small hamlet in Kokernag area, between a dense cover of poplar and willow trees, is as silent as a grave. This &#39;unnerving&#39; silence in Bemdoora village is not usual for the inhabitants, they say.&nbsp; 
 
Dozen homes burnt down in frenzy&nbsp; 
 
Two weeks after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed here with two other rebels,&nbsp;the residents of this rural neighbourhood,&nbsp;nearly 80 km from state&#39;s summer capital Srinagar, are living in constant fear.&nbsp; 
 
Close to a dozen homes have already been burnt down in a frenzy that erupted against some locals of Bemdoora for allegedly informing the police about the whereabouts of the three armed militants in the area. 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/burhan%204-20160725084539.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
One of the homes in the hamlet that bore the wrath of protesters.
</div>
Following the gunfight on July 8 where Wani was killed, hundreds have come to the the hamlet to show contempt against the locals rather than empathy, holding them &quot;responsible&quot; for the encounter.&nbsp; 
 
Farooq Ahmad&#39;s home, where Wani and two others were shot down by security forces, was the first to be burned down by hundreds of angry protesters, who alleged that Farooq tipped off the police about them hiding in the area.&nbsp; 
 
Farooq, the maternal uncle of one of Wani&#39;s associates, Sartaj Ahmad, has left the village along with his family. 
 
The smoke still emanates from a spilled rice mound set on fire here, while the walls of granaries have already crumbled. People have vented out their anger by damaging these homes. &nbsp; 
 
&#39;Encounter did not last long&#39;&nbsp; 
 
According to a local, the gunfight between the militants and security forces did not last too long after the area was cordoned off on July 8. 
 
&ldquo;We heard a few gun shots, and within 10 minutes, the three were killed,&rdquo; he said, asking not to be named. Fearing a further backlash, the villagers are living in dread. Others hope to reason with the protesters to not damage properties further.&nbsp; 
 
Ghulam Qadir, along with many other locals, however, confesses no one in the locality had any idea about the presence of the armed militants in the area and said that people should wait until the facts are laid bare.&nbsp; 
 
&ldquo;We request people and Hurriyat leaders to tell others, especially people living in areas near this village, to be calm and patient,&rdquo; Qadir appeals.&nbsp; 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/kash1-20160723041103.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
Kashmir valley has been gripped with tension following Wani&#39;s death.
</div>
As many as 6,000 apple trees have been destroyed inside an orchard, spread over nearly 10-acre, close to where Burhan was killed.&nbsp; 
 
Fayaz Ahmad, an employee at the orchard, says they were beaten up by an angry mob that believed the property belonged to state chief minister Mehbooba Mufti.&nbsp; 
 
&ldquo;We pleaded before them that it is not owned by any minister, but they did not listen and destroyed everything, even setting our living quarters on fire,&rdquo; Fayaz says.&nbsp; 
 
Outside the village, a few young boys say they firmly believe that Farooq&#39;s family was involved in the encounter. &ldquo;Otherwise, there is no reason why it couldn&rsquo;t have lasted longer,&rdquo; they say.&nbsp; 
 
After Wani&#39;s killing, more than 50 have been killed and about 4,000 have been left injured in the widespread chaos that enveloped Kashmir valley over the past 15 days.&nbsp; 
 
Close to a hundred have been blinded in pellet firing. The separatist camp, fighting for Kashmir&#39;s independence, have issued a protest and strike calendar for people to follow till July 29.&nbsp; 
 
(WION)

Mobs from neighbouring areas attacked the Kokernag village after rumours that they had tipped-off police about Wani's hideout

In the midst of massive outburst, men and women, young and old, are out on roads. Slogans from the loudspeaker of nearby mosques fill the air. Young boys man the highway enforcing a strike called by 'pro-freedom' camps. Gripped with unrest for more than two weeks, South Kashmir in India's northernmost state, Jammu and Kashmir, is angry and mourning. Amid this anger, a small hamlet in Kokernag area, between a dense cover of poplar and willow trees, is as silent as a grave. This 'unnerving' silence in Bemdoora village is not usual for the inhabitants, they say. Dozen homes burnt down in frenzy Two weeks after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed here with two other rebels, the residents of this rural neighbourhood, nearly 80 km from state's summer capital Srinagar, are living in constant fear. Close to a dozen homes have already been burnt down in a frenzy that erupted against some locals of Bemdoora for allegedly informing the police about the whereabouts of the three armed militants in the area. One of the homes in the hamlet that bore the wrath of protesters. Following the gunfight on July 8 where Wani was killed, hundreds have come to the the hamlet to show contempt against the locals rather than empathy, holding them "responsible" for the encounter. Farooq Ahmad's home, where Wani and two others were shot down by security forces, was the first to be burned down by hundreds of angry protesters, who alleged that Farooq tipped off the police about them hiding in the area. Farooq, the maternal uncle of one of Wani's associates, Sartaj Ahmad, has left the village along with his family. The smoke still emanates from a spilled rice mound set on fire here, while the walls of granaries have already crumbled. People have vented out their anger by damaging these homes. 'Encounter did not last long' According to a local, the gunfight between the militants and security forces did not last too long after the area was cordoned off on July 8. “We heard a few gun shots, and within 10 minutes, the three were killed,” he said, asking not to be named. Fearing a further backlash, the villagers are living in dread. Others hope to reason with the protesters to not damage properties further. Ghulam Qadir, along with many other locals, however, confesses no one in the locality had any idea about the presence of the armed militants in the area and said that people should wait until the facts are laid bare. “We request people and Hurriyat leaders to tell others, especially people living in areas near this village, to be calm and patient,” Qadir appeals. Kashmir valley has been gripped with tension following Wani's death. As many as 6,000 apple trees have been destroyed inside an orchard, spread over nearly 10-acre, close to where Burhan was killed. Fayaz Ahmad, an employee at the orchard, says they were beaten up by an angry mob that believed the property belonged to state chief minister Mehbooba Mufti. “We pleaded before them that it is not owned by any minister, but they did not listen and destroyed everything, even setting our living quarters on fire,” Fayaz says. Outside the village, a few young boys say they firmly believe that Farooq's family was involved in the encounter. “Otherwise, there is no reason why it couldn’t have lasted longer,” they say. After Wani's killing, more than 50 have been killed and about 4,000 have been left injured in the widespread chaos that enveloped Kashmir valley over the past 15 days. Close to a hundred have been blinded in pellet firing. The separatist camp, fighting for Kashmir's independence, have issued a protest and strike calendar for people to follow till July 29. (WION)

Branded 'informers', Kashmir village Burhan Wani was slain in lives in terror

Kashmir residents said today they are facing shortages of prescription drugs, as parts of the region remained under curfew for an 11th day following deadly clashes between protesters and security forces. 
 
As the overall death toll from days of violence rose to 45, shopkeepers warned supplies were running low because trucks were unable to reach them, while residents complained of being &quot;caged&quot; in their homes. 
 
&quot;People are suffering without medicines. A lot of people are struggling for medicines for diabetes, hypertension and anti-depressants,&quot; said Nazir Ahmed who owns a pharmacy in the old part of the main city of Srinagar. 
 
With most vehicles ordered off the roads under the curfew, Ahmed said he walked five kilometres to a warehouse to buy medicines. 
 
&quot;No fresh supplies are coming from outside. This will last two to three days for my neighbourhood,&quot; Ahmed said, carrying plastic bags full of medicines. 
 
Shops and other businesses have been shuttered under the curfew which the government says is needed to curb the street clashes that erupted after the death of a Hizbul Mujahideen commander on July 8. 
 
Burhan Wani, killed during a gunbattle with government forces, was commander of the region&#39;s biggest separatist group Hizbul Mujahideen, listed as a terror group by India, United States and the European Union among others, one of several fighting for decades against Indian troops deployed in the territory. 
 
The clashes are the deadliest in Muslim-majority Kashmir since 2010 when massive demonstrations were held against Indian rule. 
 
Kashmir has been divided between rivals India and Pakistan since independence in 1947, but both claim the Himalayan territory in full. 
 
In the latest violence two protesters were killed late Monday when soldiers opened fire on stone-throwing demonstrators in the south. 
 
The army said in a statement troops were forced to shoot when a &quot;large mob turned violent&quot; and &quot;attempted to snatch weapons from the soldiers&quot;, adding that the deaths were regretted. 
 
In parts of Srinagar today, residents kept watch for volunteers from local charities delivering supplies including food on foot. 
 
An elderly woman suffering from hypertension and a heart condition said she hoped they would bring medicines soon. 
 
&quot;I don&#39;t have my medicines. Some volunteers came, but they did not have the medicines I need,&quot; Noora, 80, who uses one name, said from her doorstep. 
 
&quot;We are just caged inside our home,&quot; her son, Ghulam Nabi Ahangar, added. 
 
Ahangar said security forces were firing tear gas and pepper spray at night to deter people from venturing outside. 
 
&quot;The poisonous gases stay inside our home and lungs the whole night. Our children are falling sick and cannot sleep,&quot; Ahangar told AFP. 
 
Some pharmacies outside hospitals are open but few residents can reach them, while internet and phone services remain patchy. 
 
&quot;Patients who have not been able to reach hospitals will come in large numbers once the curfew is lifted. It will be another huge emergency,&quot; said Kaisar Ahmed, head of Sri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital and six other government hospitals in Srinagar. 
 
(AFP)

Shopkeepers warned supplies were running low as trucks were unable to reach them. Residents complained of being 'caged' in their homes

Kashmir residents said today they are facing shortages of prescription drugs, as parts of the region remained under curfew for an 11th day following deadly clashes between protesters and security forces. As the overall death toll from days of violence rose to 45, shopkeepers warned supplies were running low because trucks were unable to reach them, while residents complained of being "caged" in their homes. "People are suffering without medicines. A lot of people are struggling for medicines for diabetes, hypertension and anti-depressants," said Nazir Ahmed who owns a pharmacy in the old part of the main city of Srinagar. With most vehicles ordered off the roads under the curfew, Ahmed said he walked five kilometres to a warehouse to buy medicines. "No fresh supplies are coming from outside. This will last two to three days for my neighbourhood," Ahmed said, carrying plastic bags full of medicines. Shops and other businesses have been shuttered under the curfew which the government says is needed to curb the street clashes that erupted after the death of a Hizbul Mujahideen commander on July 8. Burhan Wani, killed during a gunbattle with government forces, was commander of the region's biggest separatist group Hizbul Mujahideen, listed as a terror group by India, United States and the European Union among others, one of several fighting for decades against Indian troops deployed in the territory. The clashes are the deadliest in Muslim-majority Kashmir since 2010 when massive demonstrations were held against Indian rule. Kashmir has been divided between rivals India and Pakistan since independence in 1947, but both claim the Himalayan territory in full. In the latest violence two protesters were killed late Monday when soldiers opened fire on stone-throwing demonstrators in the south. The army said in a statement troops were forced to shoot when a "large mob turned violent" and "attempted to snatch weapons from the soldiers", adding that the deaths were regretted. In parts of Srinagar today, residents kept watch for volunteers from local charities delivering supplies including food on foot. An elderly woman suffering from hypertension and a heart condition said she hoped they would bring medicines soon. "I don't have my medicines. Some volunteers came, but they did not have the medicines I need," Noora, 80, who uses one name, said from her doorstep. "We are just caged inside our home," her son, Ghulam Nabi Ahangar, added. Ahangar said security forces were firing tear gas and pepper spray at night to deter people from venturing outside. "The poisonous gases stay inside our home and lungs the whole night. Our children are falling sick and cannot sleep," Ahangar told AFP. Some pharmacies outside hospitals are open but few residents can reach them, while internet and phone services remain patchy. "Patients who have not been able to reach hospitals will come in large numbers once the curfew is lifted. It will be another huge emergency," said Kaisar Ahmed, head of Sri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital and six other government hospitals in Srinagar. (AFP)

Kashmir unrest: Residents under curfew face medicine shortage

Heavy rains lashed parts of India&#39;s northern state of Uttarakhand on Saturday, throwing normal life out of gear. 
 
The meteorological department has issued an alert of heavy to very heavy rainfall in the state in the next 24 hours. 
 
Several areas in Srinagar district were flooded after the Alaknanda river breached its embankments, submerging shops and houses. 
 
Vehicular traffic also remained disrupted due to recurring landslides on the Rishikesh- Badrinath National Highway, cutting link to Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts, in Uttarakhand. 
 
&quot;If I talk about the national highway, it is also lying in the danger zone. Water is flowing downside from across the national highway. There are chances of landslides too. I think if it continues to rain like this for one or two days, it may severely damage the National Highway,&quot; said a local. 
 
People in Farsu village of the district vacated their houses and took shelter in an ancient temple to escape nature&#39;s wrath. 
 
&quot;All houses, shops and ancient temple everything are submerged in water. Government and administration are here from last two days,&quot; said another villager. 
 
Several rivers in India&#39;s northern Uttarakhand state are in a spate following heavy rainfall in the last few days. In the holy city of Haridwar, water levels in the river Ganges also rose alarmingly. 
 
Rains triggered cloudbursts in various parts of the state earlier this month, claiming lives of 35 people. 
 
Uttarakhand suffered heavy losses after flash floods due to cloudburst in June 2013 that left over 5,000 dead or missing. 
 
Monsoon season is critical for the country&#39;s 263 million farmers because nearly half of their farmland lacks irrigation. 
 
But it also causes devastating landslides, floods and water-borne diseases, as civic administrations often fail to cope with challenges posed by it. 
 
(Reuters)

Several areas in Srinagar district are flooded after the Alaknanda river breached its embankments, submerging shops and houses

Heavy rains lashed parts of India's northern state of Uttarakhand on Saturday, throwing normal life out of gear. The meteorological department has issued an alert of heavy to very heavy rainfall in the state in the next 24 hours. Several areas in Srinagar district were flooded after the Alaknanda river breached its embankments, submerging shops and houses. Vehicular traffic also remained disrupted due to recurring landslides on the Rishikesh- Badrinath National Highway, cutting link to Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts, in Uttarakhand. "If I talk about the national highway, it is also lying in the danger zone. Water is flowing downside from across the national highway. There are chances of landslides too. I think if it continues to rain like this for one or two days, it may severely damage the National Highway," said a local. People in Farsu village of the district vacated their houses and took shelter in an ancient temple to escape nature's wrath. "All houses, shops and ancient temple everything are submerged in water. Government and administration are here from last two days," said another villager. Several rivers in India's northern Uttarakhand state are in a spate following heavy rainfall in the last few days. In the holy city of Haridwar, water levels in the river Ganges also rose alarmingly. Rains triggered cloudbursts in various parts of the state earlier this month, claiming lives of 35 people. Uttarakhand suffered heavy losses after flash floods due to cloudburst in June 2013 that left over 5,000 dead or missing. Monsoon season is critical for the country's 263 million farmers because nearly half of their farmland lacks irrigation. But it also causes devastating landslides, floods and water-borne diseases, as civic administrations often fail to cope with challenges posed by it. (Reuters)

Uttarakhand on alert after heavy rainfall

Eleven-year-old Umar Ahmad Shah of Pulwama in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir will probably not be able to see again out of one of his eyes. The sixth-standard boy was hit in one eye and the body by pellets in the latest round of clashes between Indian security forces and protesters in the troubled state.&nbsp; 
 
He lies in the emergency ward of a hospital here, his body bearing numerous entry marks where the pellets have pierced through his skin. 
&nbsp; 
Doctors say, given the nature of his injury, it is unlikely he will see out of his injured eye again.&nbsp; 
 
Umar&rsquo;s is not a stray case. About a 125 people across the state have received pellet injuries to the eyes. Doctors say a majority of them will suffer from some sort of vision impairment despite the best efforts of medical professionals. 
&nbsp; 
Thirty five people have died and some 1,300 have been injured since the unrest began last Friday when Hizbul Mujhadeen (branded a terrorist organisation by India, EU, and the US) commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani was killed in a gun battle in Kokarnag. 
&nbsp; 
&ldquo;We have conducted 90 initial eye surgeries on these patients. They need to be reoperated upon for restoration of their vision. There are 25 to 30 other patients who have suffered pellet wounds but are responding to conservative management. Majority will have some sort of vision impairment,&rdquo; Dr Sajad Khanday, senior assistant professor with the Department of Ophthalmology, Government Medical College, and an associate at Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) Hospital, told WION. 
&nbsp; 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/ctresize-20160713020628.jpg" /> 
(Photo: CT scan of a shawl weaver hit by pellet gunfire. Courtesy: Immad Manzoor Shah) 
 
Pellet guns were first used in Kashmir by Britishers hunting ducks. The gun was introduced into the armoury of the security forces as a &#39;non-lethal weapon&#39; after 2010 when 120 people were killed in firing on protesters and stone pelters. 
&nbsp; 
The guns shoot a cartridge which disgorges tiny lead projectiles on the way to its target. The guns have not caused very many fatalities, but they have blinded a number of people ever since the security forces took it up in the Valley. 
&nbsp; 
The Hurriyat Conference leader Abdul Manan Bukhari -- who has authored &#39;Scars of Pellet Guns&#39;; the Hurriyat is a body of Kashmiri leaders working towards independence for Kashmir --&nbsp;&nbsp;had earlier&nbsp;discovered that two major hospitals in the state have treated about 63 civilians for pellet gun injuries in the past two years. 
&nbsp; 
The Public Information Officer (PIO) of SKIMS Medical College has revealed that 16 patients with pellet gun injuries were brought to the hospital last year. Nine of them had eye injuries. The records show that two of the patients were blinded, three of them lost sight in one eye, while one patient had partial eyesight restored. 
&nbsp; 
Forty seven people with pellet gun injuries were brought to SMHS Hospital, said its PIO.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The Department of Ophthalmology, Government Medical College, Srinagar, said that 38 people with pellet gun injuries were admitted to the hospital between October 2014 and November 2015. 
&nbsp; 
An official communique from the Department of Ophthalmology, Government Medical College, Srinagar further states that 32 patients underwent surgery the same day they were brought in and were discharged a few days later. But the patients did not turn up for further check-ups. &ldquo;So the exact number of patients who lost their eyesight or whose eyesight was impaired is not known.&quot; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
Bukhari told WION that some 1,600 people had been injured by pellet gunfire up to last month. 
 
 
 
 
&nbsp;

In five days of unrest, some 125 youths have been hit in the eye. Doctors say most will suffer 'some sort of vision impairment'

Eleven-year-old Umar Ahmad Shah of Pulwama in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir will probably not be able to see again out of one of his eyes. The sixth-standard boy was hit in one eye and the body by pellets in the latest round of clashes between Indian security forces and protesters in the troubled state. He lies in the emergency ward of a hospital here, his body bearing numerous entry marks where the pellets have pierced through his skin. Doctors say, given the nature of his injury, it is unlikely he will see out of his injured eye again. Umar’s is not a stray case. About a 125 people across the state have received pellet injuries to the eyes. Doctors say a majority of them will suffer from some sort of vision impairment despite the best efforts of medical professionals. Thirty five people have died and some 1,300 have been injured since the unrest began last Friday when Hizbul Mujhadeen (branded a terrorist organisation by India, EU, and the US) commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani was killed in a gun battle in Kokarnag. “We have conducted 90 initial eye surgeries on these patients. They need to be reoperated upon for restoration of their vision. There are 25 to 30 other patients who have suffered pellet wounds but are responding to conservative management. Majority will have some sort of vision impairment,” Dr Sajad Khanday, senior assistant professor with the Department of Ophthalmology, Government Medical College, and an associate at Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) Hospital, told WION. (Photo: CT scan of a shawl weaver hit by pellet gunfire. Courtesy: Immad Manzoor Shah) Pellet guns were first used in Kashmir by Britishers hunting ducks. The gun was introduced into the armoury of the security forces as a 'non-lethal weapon' after 2010 when 120 people were killed in firing on protesters and stone pelters. The guns shoot a cartridge which disgorges tiny lead projectiles on the way to its target. The guns have not caused very many fatalities, but they have blinded a number of people ever since the security forces took it up in the Valley. The Hurriyat Conference leader Abdul Manan Bukhari -- who has authored 'Scars of Pellet Guns'; the Hurriyat is a body of Kashmiri leaders working towards independence for Kashmir -- had earlier discovered that two major hospitals in the state have treated about 63 civilians for pellet gun injuries in the past two years. The Public Information Officer (PIO) of SKIMS Medical College has revealed that 16 patients with pellet gun injuries were brought to the hospital last year. Nine of them had eye injuries. The records show that two of the patients were blinded, three of them lost sight in one eye, while one patient had partial eyesight restored. Forty seven people with pellet gun injuries were brought to SMHS Hospital, said its PIO. The Department of Ophthalmology, Government Medical College, Srinagar, said that 38 people with pellet gun injuries were admitted to the hospital between October 2014 and November 2015. An official communique from the Department of Ophthalmology, Government Medical College, Srinagar further states that 32 patients underwent surgery the same day they were brought in and were discharged a few days later. But the patients did not turn up for further check-ups. “So the exact number of patients who lost their eyesight or whose eyesight was impaired is not known." Bukhari told WION that some 1,600 people had been injured by pellet gunfire up to last month.

First used to hunt ducks, Kashmir's pellet guns now blind protesters

Strongly hitting back at Pakistan for raising the issue of the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani in the United Nations (UN), India has said Pakistan &quot;extols&quot; the &quot;virtues&quot; of terrorists and uses terrorism as a state policy towards the &quot;misguided end&quot; of coveting the territory of others. 
 
India&#39;s Ambassador to the UN Syed Akbaruddin responded strongly to the remarks made by Pakistan&#39;s envoy Maleeha Lodhi on Kashmir and Wani&#39;s killing during a debate on human rights in the 193-member UN General Assembly here yesterday. 
 
In her statement, Lodhi, apart from raising the Kashmir issue, also mentioned the &quot;extrajudicial&quot; killing of Wani, whom she described as a &quot;Kashmiri leader&quot;, by Indian forces. 
 
In his statement, which sources here termed as perhaps the hardest-hitting against Pakistan in recent times, Akbaruddin said Pakistan &quot;extols&quot; the virtues of terrorists and could not gain membership of the UN&#39;s human rights body because of its &quot;track record&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
Lashing out at Lodhi&#39;s raising of the Kashmir issue at the multi-lateral world body, Akbaruddin said it is regrettable that Pakistan attempted to &quot;misuse&quot; the UN platform. 
 
&quot;Regrettably, earlier today, we have seen an attempt at misuse of this UN platform. The attempt came from Pakistan; a country that covets the territory of others; a country that uses terrorism as state policy towards that misguided end; a country that extols the virtues of terrorists and that provides sanctuary to UN-designated terrorists; and a country that masquerades its efforts as support for human rights and self determination,&quot; he said. 
 
Akbaruddin asserted that Pakistan&#39;s &quot;track record&quot; failed to convince the international community that it should gain membership of the Human Rights Council in this very session of the UNGA. 
 
&quot;Pakistan, is the same country whose track record has failed to convince the international community to gain membership of the Human Rights Council in this very Session of the UNGA. The international community has long seen through such designs. Cynical attempts, like the one this morning therefore, find no resonance in this forum or elsewhere in the United Nations,&quot; he said. 
 
(PTI)&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

Pakistan envoy mentions the 'extrajudicial' killiing of 'Kashmiri leader' Burhan Wani, India retorts Pak 'extols the virtue of terrorists'

Strongly hitting back at Pakistan for raising the issue of the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani in the United Nations (UN), India has said Pakistan "extols" the "virtues" of terrorists and uses terrorism as a state policy towards the "misguided end" of coveting the territory of others. India's Ambassador to the UN Syed Akbaruddin responded strongly to the remarks made by Pakistan's envoy Maleeha Lodhi on Kashmir and Wani's killing during a debate on human rights in the 193-member UN General Assembly here yesterday. In her statement, Lodhi, apart from raising the Kashmir issue, also mentioned the "extrajudicial" killing of Wani, whom she described as a "Kashmiri leader", by Indian forces. In his statement, which sources here termed as perhaps the hardest-hitting against Pakistan in recent times, Akbaruddin said Pakistan "extols" the virtues of terrorists and could not gain membership of the UN's human rights body because of its "track record". Lashing out at Lodhi's raising of the Kashmir issue at the multi-lateral world body, Akbaruddin said it is regrettable that Pakistan attempted to "misuse" the UN platform. "Regrettably, earlier today, we have seen an attempt at misuse of this UN platform. The attempt came from Pakistan; a country that covets the territory of others; a country that uses terrorism as state policy towards that misguided end; a country that extols the virtues of terrorists and that provides sanctuary to UN-designated terrorists; and a country that masquerades its efforts as support for human rights and self determination," he said. Akbaruddin asserted that Pakistan's "track record" failed to convince the international community that it should gain membership of the Human Rights Council in this very session of the UNGA. "Pakistan, is the same country whose track record has failed to convince the international community to gain membership of the Human Rights Council in this very Session of the UNGA. The international community has long seen through such designs. Cynical attempts, like the one this morning therefore, find no resonance in this forum or elsewhere in the United Nations," he said. (PTI)

India & Pakistan go tit-for-tat at UN

&nbsp;Accusing the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir&#39;s chief minister Mehbooba Mufti&#39;s government of failing to assess the situation after Hizbul commander Burhan Wani&#39;s killing, National conference leader Omar Abdullah today said the PDP-BJP combine had &quot;forgotten&quot; the lessons of 2008 and 2010 when the Valley witnessed large scale protests. 
 
The former chief minister also charged that Mehbooba Mufti was &quot;shamelessly&quot; trying to convey message of normalcy in the state hit by violence. 
 
&quot;I will not go into whether the situation is worse or not than 2008 or 2010. That is something you people have to decide. However, I feel that unfortunately, the lessons which we learnt in 2008 and 2010, the present government has forgotten them for some reasons,&quot; Omar told reporters here. 
 
Abdullah was speaking to media after paying tributes to the martyrs of 1931 at Martyrs graveyard in Khawaja Bazar in downtown Srinagar. 
 
Omar, who is the working president of the opposition National Conference (NC), said either the government&#39;s assessment of the situation after Wani&#39;s killing was wrong or their preparations were not right. 
 
&quot;Either the present government exhibited negligence in assessing the situation after Burhan&#39;s killing or they did not prepare for the situation. Some reason out of the two is true that either their assessment was wrong or their preparations were not right.So, it is the responsibility of the government to restore normalcy,&quot; he said. 
 
The NC leader said it was the time to reach out to the Valley with a healing touch and requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to send specialist doctors to the Valley for treating the injured. 
 
&quot;Hon (Honourable) @narendramodi ji. After Kerala fire you carried a plane load of burn specialists with you.Please send eye/trauma specialists to Kashmir,&quot; he said. 
 
&quot;Please don&#39;t let the fact that these youngsters people have been injured in protests stop us from giving the best care possible.Thank you jenab,&quot; he said. 
 
The NC leader also appealed to the Centre to order the forces to show restraint while dealing with the protests. 
 
&quot;I appeal the Centre to order the forces for exercising restraint and if people and forces can be ferried in planes, then what is the problem in getting medicine here.The news about dearth of emergency medicine is coming out of the hospitals.I request them to bring medicines and other such things in the planes in which forces are being brought. 
 
&quot;Our doctors must be tired now, how many hours can they work? Our operation theatres are overflowing, so I appeal them that normalcy cannot be restored by ferrying people in buses, we need some concrete steps like restraint and immediate assistance to hospitals,&quot; he said. 
 
The former chief minister said he conveyed to home minister Rajnath Singh, who called him on Monday, that his party&#39;s political role to restore normalcy in the Valley would only start once the killings are stopped. 
 
&quot;I told the home minister that whatever our role would be in restoring normalcy, we would do that, but before that the spate of killings has to be stopped.Same statement of restraint has come from the UN secretary general as well. 
 
&quot;I told him that once there is restraint and killings stop, then we will lend our hand in playing a political role to create normalcy, but if anyone has played a role for the situation to reach this point, it is the present government and the biggest responsibility for restoring normalcy is of the government as well,&quot; he said. 
 
Omar also said that normalcy cannot be restored by having the forces &quot;attack&quot; ambulances and the patients inside the hospitals. 
 
&quot;I told the home minister that the visual images that we get from social media or other ways which show that ambulances are attacked, patients are attacked in hospitals, the situation will not get better by such things but would rather get worse,&quot; he said. 
 
He said the violence and the spate of killings was now shifting to other areas of the Valley and the government, rather than trying to restore normalcy, was allegedly staging a drama to give a semblance of normalcy. 
 
&quot;Every day there is news about killing of people from new areas. When it started, it was in south Kashmir only. Yesterday, such news came from Kupwara in north Kashmir. It is shameful that rather than using the police administration to restore peace, you saw in the morning how people were ferried here in police buses just to show to the chief minister that people had attended. While coming here, I was surprised to see people in police buses leaving the spot,&quot; he said. 
 
Omar said if the government feels the need to stage a &quot;drama of normalcy&quot;, then they cannot restore normalcy in the Valley. 
 
&quot;If in this situation, these people feel the need to stage a drama and if they do not learn even in such a situation and just to create an atmosphere of normalcy, they brought people in civil to the function, then, I feel, how can this government restore normalcy if they want to keep themselves oblivious of the ground realities,&quot; he said. 
 
Later on Twitter, the NC leader charged that the government had misplaced priorities and was shamelessly trying to convey message of normalcy. 
 
&quot;Brazen shamelessness of the @MehboobaMufti #BJPDP Govt, ferrying people in police buses to state function to convey normalcy has returned,&quot; Omar wrote on Twitter. 
 
The former chief minister said more than 30 people have died and all Mehbooba and her party want to do is put up party flags and get police to ferry people to her function. 
 
Misplaced priorities that put theatrics and falsified public participation over and above the ground realities so as to befool bosses in Delhi, Omar charged. 
 
The NC working president said the government should have rather focused on restoring calm in the Valley. 
 
&quot;Shameless Government should have been focused on restoring calm and on helping our doctors who are struggling to treat 1200+ injured people,&quot; he said.&nbsp; 
 
(PTI)

He accused the ruling coalition government of forgetting the lessons of 2008 and 2010 when the Valley witnessed large scale protests

Accusing the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir's chief minister Mehbooba Mufti's government of failing to assess the situation after Hizbul commander Burhan Wani's killing, National conference leader Omar Abdullah today said the PDP-BJP combine had "forgotten" the lessons of 2008 and 2010 when the Valley witnessed large scale protests. The former chief minister also charged that Mehbooba Mufti was "shamelessly" trying to convey message of normalcy in the state hit by violence. "I will not go into whether the situation is worse or not than 2008 or 2010. That is something you people have to decide. However, I feel that unfortunately, the lessons which we learnt in 2008 and 2010, the present government has forgotten them for some reasons," Omar told reporters here. Abdullah was speaking to media after paying tributes to the martyrs of 1931 at Martyrs graveyard in Khawaja Bazar in downtown Srinagar. Omar, who is the working president of the opposition National Conference (NC), said either the government's assessment of the situation after Wani's killing was wrong or their preparations were not right. "Either the present government exhibited negligence in assessing the situation after Burhan's killing or they did not prepare for the situation. Some reason out of the two is true that either their assessment was wrong or their preparations were not right.So, it is the responsibility of the government to restore normalcy," he said. The NC leader said it was the time to reach out to the Valley with a healing touch and requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to send specialist doctors to the Valley for treating the injured. "Hon (Honourable) @narendramodi ji. After Kerala fire you carried a plane load of burn specialists with you.Please send eye/trauma specialists to Kashmir," he said. "Please don't let the fact that these youngsters people have been injured in protests stop us from giving the best care possible.Thank you jenab," he said. The NC leader also appealed to the Centre to order the forces to show restraint while dealing with the protests. "I appeal the Centre to order the forces for exercising restraint and if people and forces can be ferried in planes, then what is the problem in getting medicine here.The news about dearth of emergency medicine is coming out of the hospitals.I request them to bring medicines and other such things in the planes in which forces are being brought. "Our doctors must be tired now, how many hours can they work? Our operation theatres are overflowing, so I appeal them that normalcy cannot be restored by ferrying people in buses, we need some concrete steps like restraint and immediate assistance to hospitals," he said. The former chief minister said he conveyed to home minister Rajnath Singh, who called him on Monday, that his party's political role to restore normalcy in the Valley would only start once the killings are stopped. "I told the home minister that whatever our role would be in restoring normalcy, we would do that, but before that the spate of killings has to be stopped.Same statement of restraint has come from the UN secretary general as well. "I told him that once there is restraint and killings stop, then we will lend our hand in playing a political role to create normalcy, but if anyone has played a role for the situation to reach this point, it is the present government and the biggest responsibility for restoring normalcy is of the government as well," he said. Omar also said that normalcy cannot be restored by having the forces "attack" ambulances and the patients inside the hospitals. "I told the home minister that the visual images that we get from social media or other ways which show that ambulances are attacked, patients are attacked in hospitals, the situation will not get better by such things but would rather get worse," he said. He said the violence and the spate of killings was now shifting to other areas of the Valley and the government, rather than trying to restore normalcy, was allegedly staging a drama to give a semblance of normalcy. "Every day there is news about killing of people from new areas. When it started, it was in south Kashmir only. Yesterday, such news came from Kupwara in north Kashmir. It is shameful that rather than using the police administration to restore peace, you saw in the morning how people were ferried here in police buses just to show to the chief minister that people had attended. While coming here, I was surprised to see people in police buses leaving the spot," he said. Omar said if the government feels the need to stage a "drama of normalcy", then they cannot restore normalcy in the Valley. "If in this situation, these people feel the need to stage a drama and if they do not learn even in such a situation and just to create an atmosphere of normalcy, they brought people in civil to the function, then, I feel, how can this government restore normalcy if they want to keep themselves oblivious of the ground realities," he said. Later on Twitter, the NC leader charged that the government had misplaced priorities and was shamelessly trying to convey message of normalcy. "Brazen shamelessness of the @MehboobaMufti #BJPDP Govt, ferrying people in police buses to state function to convey normalcy has returned," Omar wrote on Twitter. The former chief minister said more than 30 people have died and all Mehbooba and her party want to do is put up party flags and get police to ferry people to her function. Misplaced priorities that put theatrics and falsified public participation over and above the ground realities so as to befool bosses in Delhi, Omar charged. The NC working president said the government should have rather focused on restoring calm in the Valley. "Shameless Government should have been focused on restoring calm and on helping our doctors who are struggling to treat 1200+ injured people," he said. (PTI)

Former Jammu and kashmir chief minister accuses current CM of failing to assess Kashmir situation

Four militants and an Indian soldier were killed as the Indian Army today foiled an infiltration bid, the second such attempt in three days, in Tangdhar sector near the Indo-Pak Line of Control in Kashmir. 
 
&quot;Army foiled an infiltration bid in Tangdhar sector of Kupwara district near the LoC this morning. Two militants were killed in the initial exchange of firing while a soldier was injured,&quot; an army official said. 
 
He said the soldier, who was injured in the ongoing operation, later succumbed to injuries. 
 
The official said two more militants were killed in the counter-infiltration operation. 
 
This is second infiltration bid foiled by the security forces along the Line of Control in Kashmir. 
 
On Tuesday, an infiltration bid was foiled in Machhil sector of Kupwara district. 
 
The two-day operation left one militant dead while one soldier laid down his life. 
 
Four other Indian soldiers were also injured in the operation. 
(PTI)

The militants were intercepted by the army in Tangdhar sector near the Indo-Pak Line of Control in Kashmir.

Four militants and an Indian soldier were killed as the Indian Army today foiled an infiltration bid, the second such attempt in three days, in Tangdhar sector near the Indo-Pak Line of Control in Kashmir. "Army foiled an infiltration bid in Tangdhar sector of Kupwara district near the LoC this morning. Two militants were killed in the initial exchange of firing while a soldier was injured," an army official said. He said the soldier, who was injured in the ongoing operation, later succumbed to injuries. The official said two more militants were killed in the counter-infiltration operation. This is second infiltration bid foiled by the security forces along the Line of Control in Kashmir. On Tuesday, an infiltration bid was foiled in Machhil sector of Kupwara district. The two-day operation left one militant dead while one soldier laid down his life. Four other Indian soldiers were also injured in the operation. (PTI)

Indian soldier, 4 militants killed as Indian Army foils infiltration bid

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