The Kashmir Pulse

SAMBA — Three persons were injured in a mysterious blast in Samba district on Monday evening.

Quoting sources, the local news agency Kashmir Scroll reported that a mysterious explosion took place in Madana area of Samba on Monday evening.

The reports said that three persons were injured in the blast and were immediately taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

A police officer said that the whole area has been sealed by security forces and an investigation has been initiated in this connection.

BANDIPORA — Security forces on Sunday claimed to have arrested a militant associate along with huge arms and ammunition from the forest area of northern Kashmir’s Bandipora district.

A top police officer quoted by a local news agency said that based on specific information about the presence of militants in the area of Pathooot Forest in Bandipora, a cordon and search operation was launched by a joint team of Army, Police and CRPF.

The officer said the successful operation led to the arrest of a militant associate besides the recovery of a huge cache of arms and ammunition. He said a formal case has been registered in this regard.

POONCH — Five soldiers were injured after militants opened fire on two security forces' vehicles in Jammu's Poonch district on Saturday.

Reliable sources quoted by a local news agency said that at least five soldiers were injured after militants opened fire on two of their vehicles, including one belonging to the Indian Air Force (IAF) in Poonch district.

They said that a unit of the Rashtriya Rifles has begun cordon and search operations in the area.

Meanwhile, the vehicles have been secured inside the air base in the general area near Shahsitar.

SRINAGAR — A massive fire broke out in a hotel in the southern Kashmir's Anantnag district on Wednesday morning.

Reports from a local news agency said that a fire broke out in Shishang Hotel in the world-famous health resort of Pahalgam this morning.

It added that a team of fire tenders, police, and locals are on the job to douse the flames and bring the fire under control.

A police officer also confirmed the fire incident and said that a team is working to put the fire under control, but the cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

SRINAGAR — A man succumbed to injuries after he was attacked by militants in Rajouri district of Jammu division on Monday evening.

Reliable sources, quoted by a local news agency, said that the militants fired upon a man, identified as Mohammad Razaq, son of Mohammad Akbar and a resident of Kunda Tope, Shahdhara Sharief, in Rajouri district.

They said that the man was shifted to a local hospital in injured condition where he succumbed to his injuries.

Meanwhile, the area has been cordoned off by security forces to nab the attackers.

SRINAGAR — A man was injured after being attacked by suspected militants in Rajouri district of Jammu division on Monday evening.

Reliable sources, quoted by a local news agency, said that militants fired upon a man, identified as Mohammad Razaq, son of Mohammad Akbar and a resident of Kunda Tope, Shahdhara Sharief, in Rajouri district.

They said that Mohammad Razaq was shifted to a local hospital in injured condition. Meanwhile, the area has been cordoned off to nab the attackers.

SRINAGAR — An unidentified dead body of a male was found in Wasoora area of southern Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Thursday afternoon.

An unnamed official, quoted by a local news agency, said that some locals spotted a dead body in Wasoora village and immediately informed the police.

He further said that after getting the information, the police team reached the spot and recovered the body with the help of locals.

Meanwhile, the local police took cognizance of this incident and started an investigation in this regard.

SRINAGAR — A civilian was shot dead by the suspected militants in Bijbehara area of southern Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Wednesday evening, officials said.

An official told the news agency KNO that a civilian hailing from Bihar, identified as Raja Shah, son of Shankar Shah, presently living at Jablipora, Bilal Colony, was fired upon by the militants in Bijbehara.

The official said that the civilian received bullet injuries in neck and abdomen, leaving him in a pool of blood. He was immediately taken to the hospital where he was declared dead.

Meanwhile, the area has been cordoned off to nab the attackers.

PULWAMA — A gunfight erupted between militants and security forces in Frassipora area of southern Kashmir's Pulwama district on Thursday.

A top police officer quoted by a local news agency said that a joint team of local police and army launched a cordon and search operation in Frassipora Pulwama.

As the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the forces, triggering off a gunfight, the officer said.

Meanwhile, a top police officer also confirmed the exchange of firing between militants and security forces.

JAMMU — In light of the addition of four new tribes i.e. Pahari Ethnic Group, Paddari Tribe, Kolis and Gadda Brahmins, to the Scheduled Tribes Order as applicable to the J&K by the Parliament, the Administrative Council approved 10% reservation in favour of the newly added tribes.

Pertinently, the Administrative Council which met here under Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha approved the proposal of the Social Welfare Department to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Rules, 2005 in light of the Jammu & Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Act, 2023 dated 15.12.2023, Constitution (Jammu & Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order (Amendment) Act, 2024, Constitution (Jammu & Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Act, 2024 and recommendations of Jammu and Kashmir Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Commission constituted vide Government Order No. 2030-JK (LD) of 2020 dated 19.03.2020.

Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor; Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary, J&K; Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor attended the meeting.

In light of the addition of four new tribes i.e. Pahari Ethnic Group, Paddari Tribe, Kolis and Gadda Brahmins, to the Scheduled Tribes Order as applicable to the J&K by the Parliament, the Administrative Council approved 10% reservation in favour of the newly added tribes, taking the overall reservation for STs to 20%.

In order to ensure that both already notified and now newly added tribes get benefits of reservation equally and separately, the AC approved an equal and separate percentage of reservation for them i.e. 10% each.

The AC also approved the addition of 15 new castes in OBCs and the enhancement of reservation in favour of OBCs to 8%, which will meet the long pending demand of the OBC category in the UT. It also approved changes in nomenclature and synonymy of some castes as recommended by the SEBC Commission.

Approval was also accorded to replace the term physically challenged persons or handicapped wherever appearing in the rules with the term Persons with Disabilities in conformity with the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

RAMSOO — A devastating fire engulfed a home in the Ramsoo area of the Jammu region on Sunday night, resulting in the tragic deaths of three sisters, according to reliable sources.

The victims, identified as Sanya Latife (9), Saika Banoo (15), and Bisma Banu (18), were the daughters of Abdul Latief Lone, son of Ghulam Rasool Lone of Taj Nihaal, as reported by a local news agency.

The sisters were asleep when the fire erupted, and despite efforts by the fire service department, police, and locals to douse the flames, the house could not be saved, sources added.

A police officer confirmed that an investigation into the incident has been initiated, with a case registered.

The entire area is in mourning over the loss of these young girls in this unfortunate tragedy.

SRINAGAR — Suspected militants shot dead one person and injured another in Karfali Mohalla ShalKadal area of Srinagar district on Wednesday evening.

A top police officer told the news agency GNS that this evening militants fired upon two persons from a close range.

One of the injured succumbed on the spot while another has been in shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, the whole area has been cordoned off to nab the attackers.

As per intial reports, the deceased has been identified as Amritpal Singh, resident of Amritsar and the injured has been identified as Rohit, who is admitted in SMHS Hospital Srinagar.

PULWAMA — In an ongoing effort to eliminate the scourge of drugs from society, Pulwama Police took action by booking two notorious drug peddlers under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT NDPS Act).

In this connection, formal detention orders from the competent authority were obtained to bring these individuals to justice.

The identified drug peddlers are Imtiyaz Ahmad Ganie, son of Late Wali Mohd Ganie, residing in Chatapora, and Javaid Ahmad Ganai, son of Mohd. Shaban Ganai, residing in Loolipora Nehama.

Both individuals have been linked to multiple NDPS cases registered in various police stations within the district, actively contributing to the promotion of drug addiction by supplying narcotics to the local youth of District Pulwama.

The community members of Pulwama have expressed their appreciation for the proactive role played by Pulwama Police in taking swift action against these notorious drug peddlers.

The consistent efforts of Pulwama Police against drug peddlers aim to reassure the public that law enforcement is dedicated to maintaining a drug-free society.

SRINAGAR — While famed tourist destinations in Kashmir, including Gulmarg and Pahalgam, are yearning for precipitation, Hirpora on the Mughal road is experiencing a thin blanket of snow, drawing hundreds of eager onlookers.

The Mughal road, an 84-kilometer stretch connecting Shopian in Kashmir with Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu, typically remains closed for a substantial portion of the winter due to heavy snowfall and the risk of high-danger avalanches. However, a prolonged dry spell this winter has kept the road open, creating a unique opportunity for tourists to explore Hirpora, currently adorned in a pristine layer of snow.

Locals from South Kashmir, who usually contend with inaccessible tourist spots like Dobjan and Peer Ki Gali during winter, are now flocking to the Mughal road to witness the rare phenomenon of snowfall. Speaking with The Kashmir Pulse, Ishfaq Ahmad Bhat, a local restaurant owner from Shopian, expressed the novelty of the situation, saying, "It feels like we are tourists too."

The lack of snowfall in premier tourist destinations like Gulmarg and Pahalgam has left residents and visitors alike disappointed, making the snow-covered landscapes of Mughal road all the more enticing. The region is attracting attention as a feasible day trip, with Hirpora easily accessible and just half an hour's drive from Shopian town.

Altaf Ahmad, a local, emphasized the convenience, stating, "It is a feasible day trip." The journey to Hirpora along the Mughal road offers breathtaking views, with mountains adorned by tall pine trees, providing a picturesque winter landscape.

Established in 2015, the Shopian-Dubjan-Peer Ki Gali Development Authority aims to enhance the region's tourism potential. With the snowfall this winter, Hirpora and the Mughal road have become unexpected attractions, offering a unique experience for both locals and tourists eager to witness the beauty of Kashmir's winter wonderland.

SRINAGAR — A 27-year-old man was found dead under suspicious circumstances inside a Tempo Traveller vehicle at Salani Bus Stand Rajouri on Tuesday.

The deceased, identified as Mohd Ikhlaq, son of Mohd Sharief Gujjar, a resident of Kanthol Kotranka, Rajouri, was found lifeless in a Tempo Traveller with registration number JK11G 2987, as reported by a local news agency while quoting an unnamed official.

"The mortal remains have been shifted to GMC Rajouri for medico-legal formalities," the official stated, hinting at a potential investigation into the mysterious circumstances surrounding Ikhlaq's death.

Authorities are expected to conduct a thorough examination to determine the cause of death, raising concerns about the possible involvement of foul play.

Further details and updates on the investigation are anticipated as authorities work to unravel the circumstances leading to this tragic event.

SRINAGAR — In a targeted assault on Friday evening, militants attacked an army vehicle in the Khanetar area of Poonch district within the Jammu division, according to a top unnamed official quoted by a local news agency.

The assailants fired upon the army convoy, resulting in no reported injuries or damages, as confirmed by the official. Swiftly responding to the incident, security forces have cordoned off the area in a concerted effort to apprehend the attackers.

The attempted assault highlights the ongoing security challenges faced in the region, prompting heightened vigilance among the military and law enforcement agencies in Jammu and Kashmir.

Further details about the incident are expected to emerge as the investigation unfolds.

SHOPIAN — The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Friday morning confirmed that government forces engaged in a gunfight with militants in Chotigam area of Shopian district.

The joint operation involves Shopian Police, Army personnel, and CRPF forces as they work collaboratively to handle the situation.

Specific details regarding the identity of the militants, who are trapped in the area, were not immediately disclosed by the authorities.

The J&K Police's Twitter handle, Kashmir Zone Police, was the first to make the announcement about the ongoing operation. They stated, "#Encounter has started at Chotigam area of #Shopian district. Shopian Police, Army & CRPF are on the job. Further details shall follow."

It is pertinent to mention that security in the region has been a pressing concern, and encounters between security forces and militant elements have occurred sporadically in various parts of Jammu and Kashmir.

SRINAGAR — Three individuals suspected of involvement in illicit activities were apprehended in a joint operation conducted by the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police in south Kashmir's Pulwama district.

An Army official informed a local news agency that based on credible information, a coordinated operation was launched in the Panzu and Gamiraj area of Pulwama.

During the operation, the joint forces detained three suspects.The official disclosed that the apprehended individuals were found in possession of two pistols along with other items deemed potentially hazardous.

As of now, a collaborative investigation is actively ongoing to uncover further details, the official added.

SRINAGAR — A former Senior Superintendent of Police, Mohd Shafi Mir, fell victim to a fatal attack by militants in the Gantmulla area of Baramulla district on Sunday morning.

Initial reports by the news agency GNS indicated that the militants opened fire on Mohd Shafi as he approached a mosque near his residence.

In the aftermath of the assault, he was swiftly rushed to a nearby hospital. Tragically, medical professionals on duty declared him dead upon arrival.

The incident has rattled the region, with further details anticipated to follow as the investigation unfolds.

JAMMU — Three men were found dead under suspicious circumstances on Friday near the site of an ambush by terrorists on two Army vehicles in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district that left five soldiers dead and two injured the previous day, officials said.

The deceased were among the eight people reportedly picked up by the Army for questioning in connection with Thursday's attack at Dhatyar Morh, between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz, under the jurisdiction of the Surankote police station, the officials said.

They said Safeer Hussain (43), Mohammad Showket (27) and Shabir Ahmad (32), all residents of Topa Peer village of Bufliaz, died under mysterious circumstances but the cause of their death was not known immediately.

Poonch Deputy Commissioner Choudhary Mohammad Yasin and Senior Superintendent of Police Vinay Kumar reached Bufliaz following the reports of the deaths of the three men while Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar is also heading for Surankote, the officials said.

Three to four heavily-armed terrorists targeted a Maruti Gypsy and a truck of the Army late Thursday afternoon, killing the five soldiers and injuring two.

After the attack, the terrorists reportedly mutilated the bodies of at least two soldiers and took the weapons of some of them.