J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Grenade attack on temple in Bhaderwah
Udhampur, August 9
To protest against the failure of the authorities to nab culprits involved in throwing a grenade near Lakshmi Narayan temple on Wednesday night, members of the minority community today observed bandh in Bhaderwah town. They also demonstrated and demanded strengthening of security in Bhaderwah and adjoining localities.

Night curfew in border villages
Jammu, August 9
To prevent infiltration of terrorists from Pakistan, the district magistrate, Jammu, today ordered imposition of night curfew in all villages along the international border within the district.

Pvt company to build ropeway at Patnitop
Patnitop, August 9
The first ever project of its kind in the tourism sector in Jammu and Kashmir is being undertaken with 100 per cent private financial support. The Nagarjuna Construction Company has entered into an agreement with the Jammu and Kashmir government to invest more than Rs 90 crore in an aerial passenger ropeway at Patnitop hill resort on the Jammu-Srinagar highway.

Hizbul commander, 2 others killed
Srinagar, August 9
The Army today eliminated a battalion commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen and nabbed one of his accomplices in Kulgam in south Kashmir. Militant was identified as Sabzar Ahmed Malik alias Muzamil.There was long encounter with militants hiding in Matibugh village. An operation was launched by 1 Rashtriya Rifles last evening and engaged militants in an encounter when they were leaving the village today morning.

Grenade attack on temple in Bhaderwah 
Tribune News Service

Udhampur, August 9
To protest against the failure of the authorities to nab culprits involved in throwing a grenade near Lakshmi Narayan temple on Wednesday night, members of the minority community today observed bandh in Bhaderwah town. They also demonstrated and demanded strengthening of security in Bhaderwah and adjoining localities.

On the other hand, a team of Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) today visited Bhaderwah and collected splinters of the blast for further investigation. Six persons received injuries in the blast. Initially authorities stated the blast occurred due to the bursting of a stove but later it was established it was a crude bomb.

Tension flared up in the minority- dominated areas of Bhaderwah town since last night after the blast. Shops and other business establishments of minority community in Seri Bazar and other areas were closed since morning. Fear- stricken minority community members expressed anguish despite appeals to the authorities nothing had been done to check activities of anti-national forces in the town. They alleged movement of militants had been increased in the last some months but the authorities seemed to be unconcerned.

Agitating members demanded free of cost treatment for the injured in the blast and adequate compensation to them.

Former state president of the BJP Daya Krishan Kotwal, Koushal Kumar and other senior leaders addressed people and asked the authorities to take strict action against anti-national forces.

As Bhaderwah is communally sensitive area, senior police officers rushed to the spot and tried to pacify the agitating people. 

Night curfew in border villages
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 9
To prevent infiltration of terrorists from Pakistan, the district magistrate, Jammu, today ordered imposition of night curfew in all villages along the international border within the district.

The curfew will remain in force daily between 10 pm and 5 am. He has banned the movement of civilians in these areas except in emergency situations with permission of the local police or the BSF. Taking advantage of elephant grass along the border belt, terrorists have been making attempts to infiltrate here. The district magistrates in the Kashmir valley have also ordered restrictions on the movement of civilians in the border areas at night.

Pvt company to build ropeway at Patnitop
Dinesh Manhotra
Tribune News Service

Patnitop, August 9
The first ever project of its kind in the tourism sector in Jammu and Kashmir is being undertaken with 100 per cent private financial support. The Nagarjuna Construction Company has entered into an agreement with the Jammu and Kashmir government to invest more than Rs 90 crore in an aerial passenger ropeway at Patnitop hill resort on the Jammu-Srinagar highway.

This is first ever project in any sector being constructed by a private company in the state on the basis of build, transfer and operate (BOT) agreement.

Separatist outfits as well as certain mainstream political parties had been opposing the role of private players in tourism and other sectors. The state government had to shelve its earlier proposal of involving private players in developing tourist infrastructure at Gulmarg in Kashmir. Despite the opposition, a company has decided to make investment in the state.

This project would be completed in one and a half years under the guidance of C. Partha of Bangalore, a ropeway specialist in India. Located at an altitude of 2024 metres, Patnitop is enveloped by thick forest of deodars. Due to its beautiful plateau, this hill resort has been drawing the private players to explore tourism potential. 

Hizbul commander, 2 others killed
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 9
The Army today eliminated a battalion commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen and nabbed one of his accomplices in Kulgam in south Kashmir. Militant was identified as Sabzar Ahmed Malik alias Muzamil.

There was long encounter with militants hiding in Matibugh village. An operation was launched by 1 Rashtriya Rifles last evening and engaged militants in an encounter when they were leaving the village today morning. Muzamil was wanted in over six cases and an expert in IED. His accomplice Pintoo Rashid was arrested. In another operation in Awantipora, the forces killed 2 unidentified militants.