Pulwama, August 02 : After a brief lull, fresh exchange of fire has resumed between militants and government forces in Pandushan village of South kashmir’s Shopian district and an army man who was injured in initial exchange of fire has succumbed to his injuries.

An official confirmed to that a fresh contact has been established after initial exchange of fire and army man who was injured in initial exchange of fire has succumbed to his injuries.

He got injured in initial exchange of fire and was shifted to Army hospital Badamibagh Srinagar, where he breathed his last. 

Pertinently encounter broke out in the area at around 1 am on Friday after joint team of forces including 34 RR has launched cordon and search operation on credible inputs about the presence of militants in the area.(KNO)

SHIOPAN, AUG 2 : An army vehicle suffered partial damages after an IED blast rocked Darbagh village of South Kashmir’s Shopian district on Friday morning.

Reports said an armoured vehicle was passing through Darbagh Wachi village when suspected militants detonated an Improvised Explosive Device causing partial damage to the vehicle.

Sources told that soldiers fired a couple of shots in air after the blast, however militants managed to escape from the area.

Official sources while confirming that blast occurred said that no loss of life was reported. They added that area has been cordoned off search operation started. (KNT)

Umer Rashid

Srinagar, August 02: A nocturnal gunfight broke out between militants and government in Pandushan area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district on Friday.

Reports reaching GNS said that a joint team Army’s 34RR , SOG and CRPF launched cordon and search operation in Pandushan area.

A senior Police officer told GNS that contact has been established with hiding militants after forces on an credible inputs zeroed towards suspected spot.

As per the sources two to three militants are believed to be trapped in the area.

While this report was being filed exchange of firing was going.(GNS)

Thanks Governor’s administration for enhancement of hardship allowance and ration money allowance

Srinagar, Aug 01 : The Director General of police Dilbag Singh today chaired a welfare meeting at Armed Police Complex Zewan in which Commandants of different Armed Battalions and IRP participated. The meeting was attended by ADGP CID J&K Dr. B. Srinivas, ADGP Coordination, PHQ A.K. Choudhary, ADGP Armed, J&K S. J. M. Gillani, ADGP (Hqrs) PHQ A.G. Mir, ADGP (SHRC) J&K, Mohd Sulaiman Salaria, IGP (Pers.) PHQ J.P. Singh, IGP Armed Kashmir Vijay Kumar, Director SSG, J&K Surinder Gupta, MD Police Housing Corporation J&K S. Ahfadul Mujtaba, Director Anti-Corruption Bureau, J&K Anand Jain.

At the very outset of the meeting the DGP J&K thanked the Governor Satya Pal Malik, Advisors to Governor, K. Vijay Kumar, K.K. Sharma, K. Skandan, Farooq Khan, Chief Secretary J&K B.V.R Subrahmanyam and Principal Secretary Home Shaleen Kabra for enhancing the ration money allowance from Rs.2000/- to Rs.2500/- and hardship allowance from existing 8% to 10% in respect of all the ranks of J&K Police personnel and from existing 10% to 12% in respect of classified category of J&K Police w.e.f 01.08.2019.

In the meeting DGP advised the Commandants to lookafter the welfare needs of the jawans and their families. Referring to the recent Central Welfare Committee meeting the DGP said that the various decisions such as enhancing the special welfare relief for the NoKs of the deceased police personnel have been enhanced from Rs.15 lakhs to Rs.20 lakhs and for SPOs from Rs.2.50 lakhs to Rs.5.00 lakhs and also other decisions have been implemented.

During the meeting ADGP Armed, IGP Armed Kashmir and all the Commandants briefed the DGP regarding working and nature of duties including a large deployment for yatra duties, apart from law and order and other duties on day to day basis. DGP complimented the role of officers and jawans in the smooth conduct of ongoing Amarnath Yatra and other multifarious duties.

DGP said that the welfare of officers/jawans is always on our top priority and all genuine issues are being taken up with government. It is a matter of great satisfaction that the government is equally concerned and sympathetic to all the genuine requirements put forth by PHQ which are considered on priority basis. In the present case the second enhancement of hardship allowance has come just within a few months of the earlier. Ration money allowance has also been stepped up after the earlier hike just a couple of years ago .

Large scale promotions are also effected, including over 697 yesterday from PHQ after fresh avenues for the promotion of various ranks were explored and sanctioned by the government as per PHQ request.

More such proposals are under active consideration of the government wherein an early favourable action is expected.

Srinagar, Aug 1 : National Investigation Agency on Thursday filed a chargesheet against four local persons in connection with a fidayeen attack on CRPF in which five paramilitary personnel were killed and three others were injured at Lethopra in south Kashmir’s Pulwam district earlier in 2017.

According to NIA, a group of three heavily armed militants of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) carried the attack on CRPF Group Centre at Lethpura in the intervening night of 30/31st December, 2017 to avenge the killing of their commander Noor Mohammad Tantray. In the attack, five CRPF personnel were killed and three others got injured. During the ensuing operation, all the three militants were also killed. Initially, a case under FIR number 150/2017 was registered at Awantipora Police station. “Considering the gravity of the case, NIA took over the investigation of the case on 27.02.2018,” an official of the NIA said.

He said the chargesheet has been filed in NIA Special Court, Jammu against four accused namely –Fayaz Ahmad Magray resident of Lethpora, Awantipora, Nisar Ahmad Tantray of Dar Ganaie Gund, Tral, Syed Hilal Andrabi and Irshad Ahmad Reshi, both residents of Ratnipora, Pulwama. 

“The sections invoked against the accused are: section 120B read with Sections 121, 121A, 122, 123, 302, 307, 325, 330, 436, 440, 457, 459 and 460 of the Ranbir Penal Code, Sections 07 and 25 of the Arms Act, Sections 3 and 4 of the Explosives Substances Act, Sections 18, 19, 20, 23 & 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and Section 04 of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Property (Prevention of Damage) Act, 1985,” the NIA said.   

During investigation, it said, identity of the three Fidayeen militants was established. The two local militants among the attackers were identified as Fardeen Ahmad Khandey son of Gulam Mohi-ud–din Khandey of Nazneenpora, Tral, Pulwama and Manzoor Ahmad Baba son of Ali Mohammad of Drubgam, Pulwama , while, the identity of the third Fidayeen was identified as Abdul Shakoor, a resident of Rawalakot, PaK.

“Recce of the CRPF Group Centre, Lethpora was done by Noor Mohd Tantray along with other accused during the second week of December 2017. However, before the attack could be launched, Noor Mohd Tantray was killed in an encounter with security forces,” NIA said in a statement issued here.

“Mufti Waqas, a Pakistani militant of JeM who took over as commander after Noor Mohammad, immediately started planning the execution of attack at CRPF Group centre, Lethpora to retaliate against the killing of Noor Tantray.”

Accused Syed Hilal Andrabi, Irshad Ahmad Reshi, Fayaz Ahmad Magray, Nisar Ahmad Tantray, Mudasir Ahmad Khan and JeM commander Mufti Waqas (Pakistani) played a vital role in the conspiracy, the NIA said. “Mufti Waqas and Mudasir Ahmad Khan were later killed in different encounters with security forces.”

Accused Fayaz Ahmad Magray was an active associate of slain Noor Mohd. “Tantray and he played an active role in planning and execution of this attack. After the attack, in the month of January 2018, the role of Mudasir Ahmad khan who was an OGW of JeM at that time came into knowledge of Police and a raid was conducted at his house.”

 Fayaz Ahmad Magray, the NIA said, immediately facilitated Mudasir Ahmed khan to join the JeM militant ranks as an active militant by arranging weapon through JeM commander Mufti Waqas. He also escorted him and helped him to cross the police check posts while escaping.

The Accused Syed Hilal Andrabi and Irshad Ahmed Reshi facilitated the fidayeen attack by providing shelter, by extending logistic support and by transporting the fidayeens along with their arms and ammunition immediately before the attack, the NIA said. “The fourth accused charge-sheeted namely Nisar Ahmad Tantray is the younger brother of slain JeM commander Noor Mohd Tantray and he was also part of the said conspiracy”.

Further investigation continues in respect of other accused and cross border linkages of the attack, the NIA added. (GNS)

Qayoom Khan

Srinagar, Aug 01 : Employees of Block Development Office (BDO) Pulwama Thursday went on indefinite strike against the alleged inaction by police against a person who allegedly assaulted a technical staff member in his office last month.

In a detailed letter, of which a copy lies with news agency to Assistant Commissioner Development of the district, BDO Pulwama Abid Iqbal Malik has maintained that a person Altaf Ahmad Bhat son of Abdul Gani Bhat of Washbugh forcibly and unauthorizedly entered his office whereupon he manhandled a technical staff (member) of his office.

The BDO has maintained that he wrote to the Station House Officer (SHO) vide his office Letter No. FIR/19/390-92 dated 03/07/2019 for registration of FIR against the said person, however to utter dismay the person is roaming free and can be seen wandering around the office with some unknown persons.

According to BDO the person (also) made forcible entry to his office on 31 July 2019 at 4.15 pm and asked him to sign the document regarding execution of work under 14th FC. On being retorted that he cannot sign the document without approval of Deputy Commissioner Pulwama and District Panchayat Officer Pulwama and without following proper and due procedure, the said person according to BDO abused and vandalized his office. He caught hold of my color, threatened me of dire consequences and threw a paperweight which hit my shoulder.

The BDO quoting the assailant said that he threatened him that “I will definitely get you killed in ten days and nobody can do anything to me”. He boasted of having very high contacts in police and elsewhere and while referring to a previous complaint filed against him vide FIR number 19/390-92 dated 03/07/2019, he said, “even you a dozen of FIR against me, nobody will arrest me,” the BDO has maintained in the letter.

While underlining the importance of public servants working with fairness, honestly and effectively, the BDO has said that “in order to enable a public servant to discharge his duties without fear or favor or without malice or ill will, sufficient legal sanctions and institutional measures have been put in place by the state.

According to the official the inaction by the police against the person give credence to his claims of having high contact in the corridors of power and reasonable apprehensions have arose in my mind regarding the safety and security of my person as well as of my family.

The BDO has further wrote that the matter be taken up with higher authorities of the department as well as the District and apprise them of severity of the situation.

The BDO has meanwhile requested in his letter that the person be black-listed from performing any functions’ as mate/contractor/supplier/facilitator/vendor and communication be addressed to various other Government departments/private companies for issuance of similar orders against the said person.

A police official told news agency that two separate FIRs are registered against the assailant at Police Station Pulwama. “For the incident involving the manhandling of technical staff on July 3 we have registered an FIR number 124/2019 under section 353,506 while for the incident of 31 July another FIR with number 158/2019 under section 353, 506.

However the official declined to comment further.

Meanwhile in a complete solidarity with the department, employees of eleven blocks of the district are on indefinite strike. “We are in complete solidarity with our department and demand that assailant be sent behind the bars sooner than later with stern action taken against him”, they said. (GNS)

Srinagar, Aug 1 : Budgam Police received several complaints against a job consultancy firm namely Gulf HR Solutions Hyderpora that the owner duped people by seeking their documents, passports and huge amount of money in lieu of providing jobs in foreign countries, which turns to be false.

Case FIR No. 240/2019 under relevant sections of law was registered in Police Station Budgam and initiated investigation in the matter.

Officers arrested one individual identified as Adil Ahmad Shiekh son of Mohammad Yousuf Sheikh resident of Nowpora Khayam, shifted to Police Station Budgam where he remains in custody. Officers have also seized relevant records for the course of investigation.

The investigation of the case is going on.

General public lauded the timely efforts and prompt action of police. Police has resolved to act tough against inimical elements. 

Srinagar, Aug 1 : Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached assets worth Rs. 1.73 crores of Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali and his family members in the case of alleged funding case.

ED in a statement said that the assets worth Rs. 1.73 crores of Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali and his family members in the case of financing by Hafiz Muhammad Saeed (Founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jamaat-Ud-Dawa) and others.

“The attached assets consisting of immovable properties worth Rs. 1.48 crores in the name of family members of Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali and balance available in the Bank Account of Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali in Jammu & Kashmir Bank Ltd, New Delhi worth Rs. 25 lakhs under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002, (PMLA) in the ongoing investigations in the case against Hafiz Muhammad Saeed (Founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jamaat-Ud-Dawa), Mohd. Yusuf Shah @ Salahuddin (Head of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen) and others”.

ED initiated investigation under PMLA based on Charge Sheet filed by National Investigation Agency (NIA) against Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, Mohd. Yusuf Shah @ Salahuddin, Aftab Ahmad Shah @ Shahid-Ul-Islam, Altaf Ahmad Shah @ Fantoosh, Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Farooq Ahmad Dar @ Bitta Karate, Mohammad Akbar Khanday, Raja Mehrajuddin Kalwal, Bashir Ahmad Bhat @ Peet Saifullah, Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali, Kamran Yusuf and Javed Ahmad Bhat under Section 120B, 121 & 121A of IPC, 1860 read with Section 13, 16, 17, 18, 20, 38, 39 & 40 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, reads the statement

“Accused Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali has been found to be involved in fund raising and as a financial conduit for Hurriyat Leaders. NIA investigation also discloses that the All Party Hurriyat Conference(APHC) and other secessionists instigate the general public, especially the youth, to observe strikes and issue directives to the masses to hold anti-India protests, demonstrations and processions through press releases, newspapers and social media,” the statement reads further.

“The secessionists instigate the masses to resort to violence especially stone-pelting on the security forces at encounter sites and also after the dispersal of Friday prayers. This has been done willfully to create such circumstances which will arouse disaffection among the people of Jammu & Kashmir towards the Government of India”.

Investigations under PMLA revealed that the Hurriyat leaders have received funds from Pakistan through conduits and also from the Pakistan High Commission which is reflected in the document seized from the house of Ghulam Mohd Bhatt during search, reads the statement.

Ghulam Mohd Bhat worked as the cashier-cum-accountant with Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali. This document indicates that Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali was receiving money from Hafiz Saeed (Head of Jamaat-ud-Dawa), from ISI, from the Pakistan High Commission at New Delhi and also from a person based in Dubai. Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali was remitting the same to the Hurriyat leaders, separatists and stone-pelters of Jammu & Kashmir,” the statement reads.

Investigations under PMLA have resulted in quantification of Proceeds of Crime to the tune of Rs 8.94 Crore and all these proceeds of crime have been attached provisionally, the statement reads.

“Earlier, one immovable property of accused Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali, located in Gurugram, worth Rs 1.03 Crore was attached. Subsequently, other immovable properties (Land at Sozeith Goripora, Narbal, Budgam, J&K), belonging to Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali and his family members, worth Rs 6.19 Crores were also attached. Now, these attachments of assets worth Rs. 1.73 crores have been made which is equivalent to the value of foreign remittances received by Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali from unknown sources in Dubai,” the statement reads.

Further investigation is under progress, the statement added. (GNS)