J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Four militants shot, 20 kg RDX seized

Srinagar, March 10 Four militants, including two belonging to the Lashker-e-Toiba, were killed while one Hizbul Mujahideen militant was arrested and large cache of arms and ammunition, including 20 kg of RDX, were seized in the Jammu and Kashmir overnight. A security officer searches a house where a foreign mercenary was killed in an encounter in Pampore. — Tribune photo by Amin War

Results to affect teachers’ career
Jammu, March 10
The Jammu and Kashmir Government is planning to prematurely retire or demote those teachers whose students perform poorly in examinations. This was stated by Minister for Education Harsdev Singh, in reply to a question by Mr Ghulam Nabi Lone here today.

Traffic on Srinagar highway restored
Jammu, March 10
The 300-km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, closed to traffic due to a massive landslide triggered by rain at Sarmoli, near Udhampur, this morning, was thrown open to traffic in the evening.

Four militants shot, 20 kg RDX seized

Srinagar, March 10
Four militants, including two belonging to the Lashker-e-Toiba, were killed while one Hizbul Mujahideen militant was arrested and large cache of arms and ammunition, including 20 kg of RDX, were seized in the Jammu and Kashmir overnight.

An official spokesman said the security forces killed two Laksher militants in an encounter at Bakipora Panzalla village in Baramula last night. Two AK rifles, five magazines, 40 rounds of ammunition, eight hand grenades, one wireless set and eight UBGL grenades were seized from the slain militants, identified as Naseer Ahmad Dar and Ashiq Hussain Rather.

He said a Hizbul militant, Nazir Ahmad Bhat, alias Hashim Khan, was killed by the security forces during a search operation at Nowbugh Bijbehara village in Anantnag last night. One AK rifle, two magazines and 20 rounds were seized from the slain militant.

An encounter took place at Tulbagh Pampore village in Pulwama district today during which a militant was killed. One house was also damaged in the shootout, he said, adding that the encounter ensued after a search party was attacked by the militants.

The security forces arrested a Hizbul militant at Doda while elsewhere in the state three hideouts were unearthed and large cache of arms and ammunition, including 20 kg of RDX, 2 kg shrapnel, two remote control devices, 12 detonators, one UBGL with eight grenades, nine rifle grenades, five explosive sticks and one hand grenade were recovered. — UNI

Results to affect teachers’ career
Tribune News Service

Jammu, March 10
The Jammu and Kashmir Government is planning to prematurely retire or demote those teachers whose students perform poorly in examinations.

This was stated by Minister for Education Harsdev Singh, in reply to a question by Mr Ghulam Nabi Lone (NC) here today.

He said the government had taken several measures to promote the quality of education, including introduction of kindergarten system, for the first time in government schools.

He said the minimum age limit for admission to government schools had been reduced from six to four years and English had been introduced as a compulsory subject from first primary. School curriculum at the secondary and senior secondary levels had been revised.

In reply to a question by Mr Bhim Singh (Panthers Party), Minister of State Manjeet Singh said the government was considering the reservation of seats for Scheduled Tribes in the legislature. He said Section 49 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir provided for the reservation of seats in the Legislative Assembly for Scheduled Castes only.

Traffic on Srinagar highway restored

Jammu, March 10
The 300-km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, closed to traffic due to a massive landslide triggered by rain at Sarmoli, near Udhampur, this morning, was thrown open to traffic in the evening.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Udhampur-Doda) Satvir Gupta said a massive landslide occurred at Sarmoli in the morning as a result of which the road was blocked.

He said a portion of the road was cleared by the Beacon authorities at about 5.30 pm and one-way vehicular traffic made operational. Mr Gupta said traffic was moving on the highway at a snail’s pace due to slippery road conditions. — UNI