J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Police officer, son shot in J&K

Srinagar, October 15 An officer of the Counter-Insurgency Kashmir unit of Jammu and Kashmir police and his son were shot dead by militants in the outskirts of the city last night, official sources said here today.
Relatives wail during the funeral of Abdul Rahim Sofi and his son Gowhar Ahmad at Harwan, Srinagar, on Friday.

Storing ration for wintry days
Jammu, October 15
About 1,250 mules have been engaged by the Department of Consumer Affairs for dumping food stuff in the mountainous areas of Kishtwar Tehsil that would get cut of due to snow in winters.

Navratra celebrations begin at Vaishno Devi
Jammu, October 15
More than 20,000 pilgrims started their trek to the mountain cave, the abode of Mata Vaishno Devi, today heralding the beginning of the nine-day long Navratra.

Police officer, son shot in J&K

Storing ration for wintry days
Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 15
About 1,250 mules have been engaged by the Department of Consumer Affairs for dumping food stuff in the mountainous areas of Kishtwar Tehsil that would get cut of due to snow in winters.

Food stuff is being stored in these areas for eight months of winter.

According to the Director of the department, Mr Prithpal Singh Betab, with the fast approaching winter season, the department has vigorously expedited the process of dumping ration in the far-flung hilly areas where either there are no roads or the roads get closed in winter months.

More than 1,000 mules are on the job of carrying ration to Nowpacchi, Tallar and Derna villages in Marwah block, whereas more than 250 mules are on the work in the Dacchan area.

Out of total requirements of ration to the tune of 14,000 quintals for the Marwah and Dacchan areas, ration of the quantity or more than 7,500 quintals has already been dumped.

Navratra celebrations begin at Vaishno Devi
Our Correspondent

Jammu, October 15
More than 20,000 pilgrims started their trek to the mountain cave, the abode of Mata Vaishno Devi, today heralding the beginning of the nine-day long Navratra.

The Governor, Mr S.K. Sinha, was the first dignitary who participated in the Ganesh Mandal poojan, Nav Greh Mandal poojan and sarvatro Badr Mandal poojan, which was being performed by 27 pandits led by Dr Vishwa Murti Shastri. Head pujari Amir Chand later escorted the Governor to the holy cave where he spent 20 minutes.

Several thousand pilgrims were delighted to see Sonu Nigam, a playback singer, and dancer Sonal Mansingh at the door of the old cave. Sonu Nigam sang two bhajans on the occasion.

Security forces had thrown a security ring around the holy cave and additional police pickets had been established on the 13-km mountain track from Katra to the Bhavan.

The shrine board had set up additional counters for providing assistance to the pilgrims. The State Road Transport Corporation and the private transporters had pressed into service additional fleet of buses and mini buses for ferrying pilgrims from Jammu Railway Station and the bus stand to Katra.

The Army experts had carried out road opening exercise between Jammu and Katra from early hours of the morning to ensure that no IEDs was planted on the highway.