Ishtyaq Ahmad 

Srinagar, Jun 07 : With Kashmir topping the list of his ministry, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is all set to arrive in Kashmir next week to take stock of the situation prevailing on various security related fronts and to get feedback from the security agencies on the preparations put in place for the smooth conduct of Amarnath Yatra commencing from July 1.

Soon after he was sworn in as the country’s Home Minister, Shah stirred hornet’s nest by hinting at his ministry’s proposal of going for delimitation of Assembly seats that stands banned till 2022. He chaired a series of meetings on Kashmir in Delhi to get the fresh feedback of the situation prevailing on ground zero.

Reliable sources told that Shah has decided to visit Kashmir next week between 10 to 15 June to assess the situation himself. “He is likely to chair the meeting of unified headquarters in Srinagar where Governor S P Malik and heads of all the security agencies are expected to participate. Shah has also sought the power point presentation of the security plan framed for the smooth conduct of annual pilgrimage of Amarnath commencing from July 1,” the sources said.

Shah’s visit is also significant as with 48 hours of assuming the office of the home minister, he took multiple steps related to Jammu and Kashmir.

Also, CRPF DG gave him a presentation regarding Amarnath Yatra, which was majorly handled by the CRPF. The government is gearing up for Amarnath Yatra — a 46-days-long pilgrimage that commences on July 1.

It is also expected that Shah’s trip would be of two days where he will meet security forces personnel. 

Shah has, no doubt, emerged as the deputy of Modi in the government and the second most powerful minister. 

An official in the Union Home Ministry told that Shah will apprise the security top brass in Kashmir about his fresh policy vis-à-vis Kashmir and pass certain direction for ensuring peace in the region. “The Home Minister will also seek information from the security heads about the status of militancy and infiltration in Kashmir and the measures taken to deal with it so far,” the official said.

Pertinently, soon after Shah took over, the MHA issued a fresh list of top 10 wanted militants with Hizbul Mujahideen commander Reyaz Naikoo topping the list. Sources said that Shah may seek opinion from the political parties about his plans of going for the delimitation of Assembly seats. Bhartiya Janata Party leadership in New Delhi have been crying hoarse that Jammu region was facing discrimination as far as Assembly seats were concerned. “Jammu region has 29 lakh voters and Kashmir 31 while as Valley has more seats than Jammu. Isn’t it a big discrimination,” a BJP leader asked. (KNS) 

Srinagar, June 7 : The government forces on Friday allegedly blasted two houses, both 3-storeyed, at Panjran area of Lassipora Litter in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district to neutralize four militants, two of them SPOs who deserted police to join Jash-e-Mohammad ranks.

Both the houses were constructed recently and one of brothers– Ghulam Mohammad—had shifted only on just concluded Eid-ul-fitr.

The militants after a gunfight on the roadside with government forces had taken shelter in the houses, other belonging to Mohammad Yasin Ganie, an employee in the telecom department.  

Reports said that both the houses were damaged completely and there is an estimated loss of about Rs 1.5 cores.

While Ghulam Mohammad had shifted in his newly constructed house on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr, Mohd Yasin had shifted in his newly constructed a few months back, they said.

According to locals, the militants and the join team exchanged fire on the roadside and later the militants took shelter inside the residential houses. The families of both houses become homeless and were in a distressed situation. (GNS)

Suhail Khan

Srinagar, June 07: Two policemen sustained splinter injuries after suspected militants hurled a grenade on police station Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla on Friday afternoon.

A police officer said that the militants attacked the police station with a grenade. In the incident, two cops namely Abdul Aziz and Ali Mohammad suffered splinter injuries and were immediately shifted to DH Sopore for treatment.

Soon after the blast government forces launched searches to trace out the attackers.(GNS)

Srinagar, June 7 : An 18-year-old youth died while as four others suffered injuries due to electrocution at Bunoapora Aripanthan area of Beerwah in central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Friday.

Reports reaching GNS said that the five persons namely Mohd Rafiq Bhat son of Ghulam Nabi, Shakeel Ahmad Bhat son of Ghulam Mohd, Javid Ahmad Bhat son of Mehraj u Din Bhat, Sonullah Bhat son of Ghulam Mohd and Mohd Rafiq Mir son of Abdul Rashid Mir, all residents of Bunapora Aripathen while erecting an electric pole in the area when suddenly it came in contact with High Tension (HT) line.

In the mishap, all the five persons recieved seriously burn injuries due to electrocution and were taken to nearby hospital SDH Magam for treatment where from they have been referred to JVC Bemina hospital for advanced treatment, they said.

However, one among the injured Shakeel Ahmad Dar (18) succumbed to injuries, they said.

A police officer also confirmed the death and injuries to four others in the incident.

“A case under relevant sections of law has been registered and further investigations initiated,” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Budgam Sehrish Asgar said that five persons were injured due to electrocution.

“Some people have been injured while erecting an electric pole in the morning today without informing the department. I urge everyone not to indulge in such hazardous activities themselves and take assistance of the concerned departments,” DC said.

However, the local residents that despite repeated requests the department officials didn’t turn up. We requested time and again but nobody heard us as such locals were forced to do what they did. (GNS)