Srinagar, August 21
Jammu and Kashmir Governor S.K. Sinha unveiled the war memorial at the site of the decisive battle fought in the central Kashmir district of Budgam in 1947.

The memorial was built in the memory of the supreme sacrifice made by the brave soldiers who fought the battle next to the Shrine of Budgam on November 3. 1947, also symbolizes the courage and spirit of the Indian soldiers.

General Officer Commanding 15 corps Lt Gen S.S. Dhillon, GOC Victor Force Major General Prakash Menon, MLA Budgam Aga Khan Ruhilla, MLA Beerwah Sargfaraz Khan were amongst the dignitaries present who laid wreaths in memory of the gallant soldiers at the function which was attended by the local populace also.

The Governor said the memorial would go a long way in educating the soldiers’ future generations about the sacrifices made by.

Mr Sinha emphasised on the requirement for cordial relations between security forces and the ‘awam’ as the Army was always there to assist them.

Budgam always occupies a special place in nostalgia for soldiers of Indian army being a standing testimony to their sacrifices and valour in defence of the Srinagar Air Field in 1947.

Maj Somnath Sharma was awarded India’s first PVC for his exemplary courage and leadership during this battle.

The granite wall of the memorial is graced with the brief on the battle, a small write up about Maj Somnath Sharma and a map of the area all in gold lettering, to remind future generations of the sacrifices made for their prosperous tomorrow.

The structure itself is placed amidst a beautiful lawn adding to the serenity of the memorial.

The memorial symbolises the spirit of man’s eternal quest for freedom and his willingness to defend it against all odds at all cost. — UNI

Jammu, August 21
The Jammu police has arrested a CRPF jawan for allegedly pick pocketing a purse and withdrawing Rs 52,000 in cash from the victim’s bank account through ATM card.

According to the police reports, Deepak Raina, a constable of 34 battalion of CRPF and a resident of Purkhoo, pick-pocketed Dr Varinder Gupta’s purse in Bakshi Nagar area here. The victim informed the area police, who immediately swung into action and flashed message to all the police stations giving description of the accused.

In the meantime, the accused withdrew Rs 52,000 from an ATM in five attempts using Dr Gupta’s secret code, which he found in his purse. In the evening, a patrolling party of Domana police noticed a youth resembling the description disclosed by the victim and immediately intercepted him. The youth was then taken to Domana police station where during an interrogation, he confessed to the crime.

Raina has been handed over to Bakshi Nagar police station for further interrogation and a case registered against him. The cash withdrawn from Dr Gupta’s account was recovered in full from his possession and handed over to its claimant. — UNI

Jammu, August 21
The high energy physics laboratory in Jammu University was gutted in fire that broke out on the campus early this morning.

The laboratory of the Project Alice of high energy physics that had been set up in collaboration with the Science and Technology Department of the Centre was destroyed in the fire.

The staff of the university noticed smoke coming out of the Physics Department and by the time fire engines reached the campus, the laboratory was engulfed in fire.

It is learnt that the fire broke out due to short-circuit in one of the air-conditioners that was put on by a peon. Within seconds it spread to the entire laboratory which had a lot of inflammable material.

Poonch LoC Point (J&K), August 21
An Indian woman and her Pakistani husband, married 41 years ago, are still waiting for their honeymoon. because they live a kilometer apart on either side of LoC.

Although the five crossing points along the LoC have opened in past one year under confidence-building measure between India and Pakistan uniting thousands of divided families across the border could bring no end to the tragic saga of Barkat bi and her husband Niaz Mohammad, who are in their 70s.

Barkat bi, living in frontier belt at Jallas village of Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir since 1965, was separated from her husband Niaz Mohammad 41 years ago. Niaz Mohammad lives in Hajeera area of the PoK. She is still waiting to be united with her husband living just a kilometer away.

Jallas is the last Indian village which till recently was situated in the danger zone because of shelling from across the LoC.

The couple was separated during the 1965 Indo-Pak war. Niaz Mohammad was left on the other side of 'ceasefire line' which was later converted into the LoC.

Even after the war ended, there were no means of communication between the couple living on the two sides of the LoC. Telephone lines are still snapped between the two areas on both the sides.

But as the movement of civilians started due to initiative taken by India and Pakistan, the link between the couple was established.

''We had married each other after falling in love and tied the knot in fifties in our village in Poonch,'' says Barkat bi remembering her years of suffering and endless wait for her husband.

She further stated, ''It was the feeling of love which could not separate us emotionally even though we were separated physically.

“There was no way I could forget my love. The peace between the two countries is not just a word for both of us. It is the difference between life and death.''

Barkat bi still preserves the old family photographs and see them many times a day. The lady has not lost hopes and has applied to get permission to go across the LoC to embrace her missing love.

When asked whether she is still excited about her honeymoon, she says " yes I am waiting my soulmate for fresh honeymoon after 41 long years". — UNI