J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

5 militants killed in Kashmir
Srinagar, January 20
Five militants and a security personnel were among eight people killed, while the security forces seized arms and ammunition in Jammu and Kashmir overnight. An official spokesman said a security personnel was killed in militant firing at Chak Nullah, while the security forces gunned down a militant at Rajpora in Pulwama district today.

Markets abuzz with Id fervour
Srinagar, January 20
Market places here and other major towns of the Kashmir valley are abuzz with the heavy rush of people shopping for Id being celebrated tomorrow. A heavy rush of shoppers has been observed in the main market places of Srinagar since early this week, ahead of the Id celebrations.

A market bustles with people, out on Id shopping, on Thursday in Srinagar.  — PTI  photo

5 militants killed in Kashmir

Srinagar, January 20
Five militants and a security personnel were among eight people killed, while the security forces seized arms and ammunition in Jammu and Kashmir overnight. An official spokesman said a security personnel was killed in militant firing at Chak Nullah, while the security forces gunned down a militant at Rajpora in Pulwama district today.

The security forces also killed two militants in an encounter at Krishna Ghati Mendhar last evening and seized two AK rifles, four magzines and nine cartridges from them.

Official sources said the security forces gunned down two militants in an encounter at Drabgam in Pulwama district today.

The encounter ensued after a patrol party was attacked by the militants. Two AK rifles and other arms and ammunition were seized from the slain militants.

Sources said militants shot dead two released ultras, Feroz Ahmad and Mohammad Yousuf, at Vishbugh Pulwama late last night, while store-keeper Abdul Rashid was kidnapped and later killed at Aglar Pulwama last evening.

Troops of 79 battalion of the Border Security Force (BSF) cordoned a village near Tral in a South Kashmir district last night on a specific information.

However, when the troops were sealing the village, militants opened fire and hurled a hand grenade.

They said a reinforcement was immediately rushed to the area.

The encounter was going on when the reports last came in, sources said, adding one militant had been killed so far.

Militants today hurled a hand grenade towards the shop of an Independent candidate Mohammad Rafiq, contesting civic poll in Baramula, causing damage to the shop. However, no one was injured.

The Central Reserve Police Force and the police in a joint operation busted a hideout at Kupwara in North Kashmir and seized 20 hand grenades and one snipper rifle. However, no one was arrested. — UNI

Markets abuzz with Id fervour
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, January 20
Market places here and other major towns of the Kashmir valley are abuzz with the heavy rush of people shopping for Id being celebrated tomorrow. A heavy rush of shoppers has been observed in the main market places of Srinagar since early this week, ahead of the Id celebrations. The heavy rush led to traffic jams and congestion along the main markets, particularly in the Lal Chowk area. Footpath vendors have installed vends along the main markets and posh market places here.

Even as many believe that spending lavishly is not in accordance with the spirit of Id in Islam, which favours to help the poor and needy on the occasion, there has been a heavy rush for bakery, mutton, poultry and other eatables. Most of the bakery owners here have installed extension counters to deal with the heavy rush of customers. Nomads and other dealers of sacrificial sheep and goats have also occupied space along the main markets.

Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, who has been camping here over the past few days has asked the divisional administration to ensure all arrangements for Id-ul-Azha so that people do not face any difficulty. He issued instructions to make functional all units of gas turbine to improve power situation during the Id festivities.

The Chief Minister also called for elaborate arrangements for cleanliness, medicare, power, policing and drinking water at the places where main congregational prayers would be held. He asked the Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Wakf Board to post officers at important places like Idgah, Jama Masjid and Hazratbal for the assistance of the devotees. He asked the administration to make similar arrangements in districts and important towns of the valley.

An official spokesman said here that the Chief Minister asked the Power Development Department to take urgent measures for the repair of the damaged transformers. He was informed that out of the total 11,073 electric transformers installed across the valley, 289 were damaged as on January 16. Of these, 179 would be restored by today, while the remaining 110 would be repaired soon.