Jammu, October 4
A soldier died, while another injured critically after an IED (improvised explosive device), suspected to have been planted by some “rogue elements” from across the Line of Control (LoC), went off this afternoon in the Balnoi sector of Poonch district.

The deceased soldier has been identified as sepoy Akshaya Godbole and critically injured trooper as Shubham Khadatkar, both of 1st Mahar Regiment.

“In an IED attack on foot patrol of the Army in the Balnoi Battalion area around 4.05 pm, two soldiers were injured initially. Sepoy Akshaya Godbole was martyred and sepoy Shubham Khadatkar was injured,” said Defence spokesperson Lt Col Manish Mehta.

The injured trooper was immediately admitted to Garrison Hospital in Rajouri. His condition is stated to be stable, added Col Mehta.

He informed that an operation has been launched to sanitise the area.

An Intelligence source said a foot patrol, comprising seven soldiers, was being led by a JCO in the Topa Tera area along the LoC in the Balnoi sector of Poonch district.

“It was an area domination patrol, which was moving from one post to another. However, it was suspected that the patrol was targeted by an IED planted by elements from PoK,” he added.

The source informed that the patrol was moving near the Taba Tekri post when the IED went off.

“While the JCO and five other troopers escaped with minor injuries, two soldiers bore the brunt of the blast. One of them died and another was seriously injured. However, as of now it could not be ascertained whether the IED was a time-fitted, pressure-operated or a remote-controlled device,” he said.

Jammu, October 4
A 70-year-old man and his 10-year-old grandson were injured, two head of cattle killed and seven houses suffered partial to extensive damage as Pakistan pounded at least half a dozen Indian posts and forward villages along the international border (IB) in the Arnia area of the RS Pura sector in Jammu district overnight.

Fresh spate of shelling by Pak Rangers after a hiatus of just over a month has reignited fear among the villagers in the Arnia and RS Pura areas of getting displaced once again.

However, the BSF later today contacted the Rangers and asked them not to vitiate peace on the border by opening unprovoked firing and shelling.

The injured have been identified as Dewan Singh, 70, and his minor grandson Ghar Singh, residents of Kaku-de-Kothay village.

Dewan Singh sustained a splinter injury in his left eye, while his grandson was hit on the legs. Both of them were admitted to a hospital in Arnia from where they were referred to Government Medical College and Hospital here.

“In a major ceasefire violation by Pakistan at least six BSF posts, including Pittal, Tent Guard, Jabowal and Budhwar, were targeted,” said an Intelligence official.

He said rangers, who had initially opened small arms fire from their Bajra Gali, Harnawali, Paswan, Jarwal and two other posts, had also fired 82 mm mortars on Indian posts and villages.

Around 7.12 pm last evening Pakistan had opened small arms fire and then started firing mortar shells prompting the BSF to retaliate. The firing was intermittent and it came to an end around 5.30 am today, he added.

The IG, BSF, Jammu region, RK Sharma, said, “Rangers fired 82 mm mortars, but intermittently, prompting us to respond in equal measure. The situation is under control.”

In the unwarranted act by Pakistan, two members of a family were injured and two head of cattle died, he added.

“At a local-level contact today we conveyed the rangers not to vitiate peace on the border by opening unprovoked fire. We have told them that if they fire at us, we would be compelled to retaliate for the safety of our people,” said the IG.

The BSF has conveyed them that the firing was not in the interest of population living on either side of the border.

Against the backdrop of trust deficit, the BSF has advised border populace to quickly ensure their safety whenever Pakistan opens fire, he added.

The rangers had resorted to firing and shelling along the IB on the night of August 2 and 3 in the Pargwal and Arnia forward belts of Jammu district causing injuries to two people.

A minor girl has been killed and 10 others have been injured in the firing and mortar shelling along the LoC in the Sabjian sector of Poonch district in the past three days.

Srinagar, October 4
The Army said today that Pakistan violated ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmir’s Gulmarg sector.

“… We are studying the pattern of things (ceasefire violation),” General Officer Commanding of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps Lt Gen Subrata Saha told reporters on the sidelines of a function on the outskirts of the city.

He said the first ceasefire violation took place on the intervening night of September 30 and October 1 in the Poonch sector in Jammu region.

“Yesterday, it was in the south of Gulmarg where the violation took place. The effects were more pronounced on the Poonch side. It was very much there on our side, but comparatively not significant,” Lt Gen Saha said.

Prior to the ceasefire violation in Gulmarg, there have been eight ceasefire violations along the LoC in Kashmir this year, unlike the Jammu region, which has witnessed nearly 80 such violations along the LoC and international border.

There are always apprehensions that Pakistan violates the ceasefire along the LoC to give cover to militants to enter this side.

The Corps Commander said it would be premature to say if there was any design behind the truce violation in Gulmarg.

“Yesterday’s firing lasted for around four hours. It was intermittent. The highest caliber that we could make out from the bombs lying in the Poonch side was a 120-mm bomb. We are analysing it. We are trying to see where does it fit in the larger picture,” he said.

Gulmarg has not been a traditional route of militants to sneak into the Valley over the year. However, militants in past have been gunned down in the sector while trying to infiltrate.

The GOC said after the ceasefire violation in Gulmarg, Army responded “appropriately”.

“Whenever there has been any such ceasefire violation, they have been responded to appropriately, both in terms of the response on the ground and also putting it across as far as ceasefire agreements are concerned. We have been sending the hotline messages,” Lt Gen Saha said.

He hoped the ceasefire violations would not last long like the one witnessed in August this year.

Srinagar, October 4
General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 15 Corps Lt Gen Subrata Saha called on Governor NN Vohra here today.

Lt Genenal Saha briefed the Governor about the post-flood operations, being carried out in the Valley and the Army’s full involvement in them. The 15 Corps GOC also briefed the Governor about the rehabilitation work underway at the Badami Bagh Cantonment in Srinagar and at various military stations in the Valley.

He also informed the Governor about the continuing infiltration attempts from across the Line of Control since the floods.

The Governor lauded the role of the armed forces, particularly the Army, for their role in the aftermath of the devastating floods and the promptitude with which they had undertaken rescue and relief operations at affected places in the state. He also complimented the Indian Air Force for evacuating over 12,000 people during the floods.

The Governor shall be undertaking another review of the flood situation in the next few days. The earlier reviews were held on September 9 and 18 when he had also done an aerial reconnaissance of the Valley. — TNS

Srinagar, October 4
Srinagar’s main markets were deserted today even as Eid-ul-Zuha, one of the two main Muslim festivals, will be celebrated in the region on Monday.

Most of the shops and godowns in the city have lost their commodities in the devastating deluge that ravaged through parts of the region last month.

The floods have also displaced thousands of residents from Srinagar’s worst-hit neighbourhoods and has caused economic losses of Rs 1,00,000 crore, as per the state government’s preliminary estimate.

The impact of the floods is evident from the pre-Eid rush which is missing from most parts of the city and residents are still grappling with the post-flood crisis. Many houses have crumbled and hundreds of families have lost everything, including utensils.

In Lal Chowk and its adjoining markets, which form the commercial nerve centre of the city, most shops remain closed as there is little supply and demand of goods.

The countdown to Eid festivity in the Kashmir region is marked by huge traffic jams, long queues outside mutton and bakery shops and a rush of shoppers in markets, all of which is missing in the run-up to the festivity.

Shops selling bakeries, sweets and clothes, which remain busy during festivities, are desolate in the Lal Chowk, Residency Road, Polo View, Kokar Bazar, Amira Kadal, Maisuma and Jehangir Chowk markets.

The demand for mutton, which is the main ingredient of various cuisines, has also come down drastically in the region. “The sales are almost zero. We are also not receiving any new supplies and are mostly relying on the available stock,” said Khazir Mohammad Rigoo, president of the All Kashmir Butchers’ Union.

Rigoo appealed to the people to distribute sacrificial meat among the flood-affected people. “It is better to celebrate the festivity with simplicity,” he said.

He said the demand for sacrificial goats and sheep was also down.

Low-key celebrations Shops selling bakeries, sweets and clothes, which remain busy during festivities, are desolate in the Lal Chowk, Residency Road, Polo View, Kokar Bazar, Amira Kadal, Maisuma and Jehangir Chowk markets. The demand for mutton has also come down drastically in the Kashmir region.

Jammu, October 4
The ruling National Conference today sought expeditious settlement of insurance claims of the flood victims across the state.

The party also urged the Centre for early sanctioning of the special package for Jammu and Kashmir.

In a statement issued here, vice-president of the party Rattan Lal Gupta expressed concern over the slow pace of settlement of insurance claims and said this would harm the interest of clientele, which have undergone a phase of trauma and destruction.

“In view of ensuing winter, the claimants may require immediate release of insured amount to take up reconstruction of their damaged houses,” Gupta said.

He said the damages caused by the calamity have been enormous and the situation calls for special dispensation to meet the challenge. “Priority has to be given for reconstruction and renovation of the houses which have fully or partially damaged as the people cannot be left in distress.”

Gupta also showed concern about the losses suffered by the business community and appealed to the Centre to sanction a special comprehensive package for the affected community at the earliest.

The NC leader, meanwhile, expressed anguish over the attempts being made by the “vested interests to politicise the miseries of people”. “We condemn any such attempt,” Gupta said.

The NC leader though expressed satisfaction over the relief and rehabilitation initiative taken by the Omar Abdullah-led government saying the entire process was being effectively monitored by the authorities concerned at all levels so that the sufferers do not face any difficulty.

Srinagar, October 4
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today urged the Central government to shun the “indifferent attitude” towards the calamity-hit state and reach out to flood victims.

Asserting that the real extent, dimensions and impact of the recent floods was still not being realised by the government agencies, Mufti said: “The PDP wants to convey to the Centre in the strongest terms that the response to the tragedy in Kashmir has been grossly inadequate, tardy and it looks cruelly indifferent.”

The PDP leader said Narendra Modi’s reputation as pragmatic leader was on test in Jammu and Kashmir and even after one month of the catastrophic floods the Centre was yet to convey a sense of urgency in rehabilitation and reconstruction of the ravaged state.

“Modi as the Chief Minister had rebuilt Gujarat in the wake of an earthquake and even extended immediate help to another state, Uttrakhand, in their moment of crisis. But he is still to respond adequately as the Prime Minister of the country to the pain and destruction Jammu and Kashmir has suffered in the recent floods,” Mufti said while addressing a party convention here.

He said people of the country and Government of India, in particular, has in the past responded with all urgency and seriousness to all the natural calamities that have struck various parts of the country, whether it was the tsunami, earthquakes or floods.

“However, in case of Kashmir there seems to be lack of empathy and concern which could result in increasing the trust deficit between the state and rest of the country,” he said.

Mufti said the Centre’s response to the tragedy in Kashmir could redefine the level of relationship between the people here and the rest of the country, which had in the past been “victim of mistrust and mistakes”.

He said the people of the state could not be left to their own for the inability of the state government to deliver.

“The GoI has a moral and legal obligation to provide immediate relief and ensure proper rehabilitation of the affected people and such a responsibility is not limited to the only visit of PM and announcement of initial financial package,” the veteran leader said.

Jammu, October 4
The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) has taken various initiatives for mitigating the sufferings of the flood victims of the Valley.

One truckload of water bottles, eatables and medicines was sent to Anantnag district on September 16 by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation , Dulhasti Power Station, Kishtwar, for the flood victims.

The Kishanganga Project of the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation , located in Bandipora district, deployed two dewatering pumps on September 19, having a capacity of 3,000 liters per minute for removal of water from the flood-affected areas.

The NHPC has also deployed 30 skilled electricians and helpers along with two senior officials in Srinagar for restoration of power lines along with the Power Development Department officials.

Jammu, October 4
The state government today ordered transfers and postings of six Kashmir Administrative Services officers with immediate effect.

According to an order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), Nirupa Rai, Programme Officer, ICDS Project, Udhampur, was transferred and posted as Joint Director, Tourism, Jammu.

Krishan Lal, Principal, Revenue Training Institute, Jammu, was transferred and posted as Programme Officer, ICDS Project, Udhampur, while Pran Singh, Collector, J&K Housing Board, Jammu, was transferred and posted as Joint Director, ICDS Project, Social Welfare Department, against an available vacancy.

Paramjeet Singh, who was awaiting orders of adjustment in the GAD, was transferred and posted as Collector, J&K Housing Board, Jammu.

Indu Kanwal Chib, Joint Director, Hospitality and Protocol, Jammu, would continue at her present place of posting.

Syed Muried Hussain Shah, Chief Executive Officer/Secretary, J&K Building and other Construction Workers Welfare Board, will also continue at his present place of posting, till further orders, the order stated. — TNS

Rajouri, October 4
On September 4, a bus carrying 66 persons of a marriage party fell into a gushing seasonal rivulet in Rajouri. Though most of the bodies were retrieved, 14 bodies (four men, nine women and one child) remain untraced.

The district administration and the Army have stopped the search operation but the kin of the 14 missing persons have continued the search for their dear ones. “Though the official search for the bodies has been withdrawn, the administration can’t declare them dead till 60 days. Now the kin of the missing persons have been approaching the police with missing reports. Soon all legal formalities to declare them dead will be completed,” said Deepti Uppal, SDM, Nowshera.

On September 4, the marriage party had left Rajpur Bhata village in the bus for Lam village around 11.30 am amid incessant rain. As the bus reached near to the seasonal rivulet at Ghambhir, the driver lost control of the bus and it overturned in the flooded rivulet and got submerged. Of the 66 persons of the marriage party, five had managed to swim to safety.

Eight bodies were recovered from Akhnoor.

“Had the GREF authorities filled the pothole on the small bridge on the rivulet, as was demanded by the locals and in which the front tyre of the bus had got stuck, the lives of 66 innocent people would have been saved,” said Madan Singh, who lost his wife, daughter, son and two brothers in the accident.

Srinagar, October 4
An Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) was today caught accepting bribe by the sleuths of the State Vigilance Organisation (SVO) in Budgam district.

An SVO official said a complaint was lodged by Mohammad Yousuf Mir of Arigam in Budgam, alleging that AEE Mushtaq Ahmad Tanga in the office of the Dodhpathri Development Authority, Budgam, had demanded Rs 5,000 from him for the release of the payment relating to some construction work.

“On my insistence, the amount was settled at Rs 3,000,” the complainant said.

A case was registered and investigation taken up.

During the course of the investigation, a team, headed by Inspector Abdul Rashid Khan, under the supervision of Altaf Ahmad Shah, Senior Superintendent of Police, Vigilance Organisation Kashmir, Srinagar, laid a trap at the office of the Dodhpathri Development Authority.

“The AEE, a resident of Alnoor Colony, Chanapora in Srinagar, was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe of Rs 3,000 from the complainant,” the SVO official said.

Further investigation into the case is on.

Srinagar, October 4
The Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police (JKAP) today organised a blood donation camp at Mattan in Anantnag district.

The police have been continuing relief and rehabilitation campaign for the flood-hit people of the state.

The campaign, led by the Additional Director General of Police, Armed, SM Sahai, entered its 25th day today as jawans of the 12th Battalion of the IRP donated blood for the flood victims at Mattan.

Police personnel also reached out to the flood-affected families in south Kashmir’s Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama districts today with truckloads of family packs comprising blankets, clothes and eatables, an official of the JKAP said.

The JKAP men also organised medical camps at Kralsangri, Sumbal, Batamaloo, Chakpora and Nowgam Payeen, the official said. — TNS