The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Jammu and Kashmir conducted a successful operation, resulting in the arrest of an Assistant Engineer from the BDO office in Surasyar Chadoora, situated in central Kashmir's Budgam district, on allegations of accepting bribes.

According to a high-ranking official, who spoke to the news agency KDC, the arrest was made after Tanveer Ahmad was caught red-handed accepting a bribe. A substantial amount of money was seized from his possession during a thorough search, the official confirmed.

Following the receipt of a formal complaint, an FIR was promptly filed under section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, at the Police Station ACB in central Kashmir. Subsequent investigations were initiated to probe the matter.

A dedicated team was assembled for the operation. This team efficiently set up a trap that successfully apprehended Tanveer Ahmad while he was in the act of receiving a bribe. The recovery of the bribe money was witnessed by independent observers present at the scene.

The accused official was immediately taken into custody and transferred to a police station. Further inquiries and investigations into the case are currently underway.

SRINAGAR — A youth from Kulgam district was found dead in Chadoora area of central Kashmir's Budgam district on Friday.

An official said that a decomposed dead body was retrieved from a dam near Kultreh Gowherpora in Chadoora area of Budgam.

The dead person was later identified as Muhammad Ashraf Mir (22) son of Abdul Gani, a resident of Hallan, Manzgam area of Kulgam district.

Meanwhile, police have taken cognizance of the incident and taken up an investigation in this regard.

BUDGAM — In a significant development, Budgam Police on Thursday presented the chargesheet in the case FIR No. 49/23 U/S 302, relating to the tragic killing of Kaisar Yousuf Zargar of Gowharpora Chadoora in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.

In a statement to the news agency KDC, Budgam Police said Kaiser was murdered on March 9, 2023 at Nasrullahpora in Budgam. The chargesheet was submitted before the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Budgam.

The charge sheet provides comprehensive details surrounding the circumstances leading to the crime and sheds light on the events that unfolded on that fateful day. "The accused, Abid Hussain Dar, premeditated the act by procuring a knife one day prior to the incident, with the specific intent to harm the victim. On the day of the occurrence, the accused viciously attacked Kaisar Yousuf Zargar with a knife, tragically resulting in his death."

"The investigative team has meticulously gathered and examined the evidence, including witness statements, forensic reports, and other relevant materials, to build a solid case against the accused. The charge sheet encompasses these findings, providing a comprehensive account of the events surrounding the incident," the statement said.

The statement further stated that the presentation of the charge sheet is a significant step forward in the legal proceedings, bringing the case closer to a fair trial.

BUDGAM — Six houses were destroyed and hundreds of bundles of dry grass turned into ashes after a fire broke out at a village in Chadoora town of central Kashmir’s Budgam district, an official said. The incident occurred at Kutbal village late on Wednesday night.

The official told the news agency KNT that the fire spread to other houses after flames emanated from the rooftop of one of the residential houses.

“The blaze destroyed six houses while over 1000 bundles of dry grass turned into ashes,” he said, adding that fire tenders later brought the fire under control before it could spread to other parts of the village.

Muhammad Afzal Tantray, one of the affected persons, said the fire spread at a fast pace and they didn’t get any time to take out the household items or stored grains.

The six houses gutted in the incident belong to Muhammad Afzal Tantray, Muhammad Maqbool Tantray, Javid Ahmad Tantary, Ghulam Muhammad Tantray, Abdul Rashid Tantray, and Abdul Hameed Tantray. Officials from district administration visited the spot and assured all possible help to fire victims.

SRINAGAR — Unidentified persons stole an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) of J&K Bank on the intervening night of Saturday-Sunday and decamped with cash in Panzan Chadoora area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district.

A police officer told news agency KDC that unidentified persons entered into J&K Bank ATM, located at Panzan in Budgam and looted cash along with the ATM machine. "It was not immediately clear as to how much cash was in the ATM," he said.

The machine was found in a broken condition at the GunjBagh area, adjacent to the village.

"Efforts are on to identify the robbers," the officer said, adding that the ATM guard’s statement will be recorded and CCTV footage will also be analyzed following which the investigation will get a direction.

"A case under the relevant section of law has been registered in Police Station Chadoora, and further investigation is on," the officer added.

SRINAGAR — A lady, a TV actress by profession, was killed while her nephew sustained injuries after they were attacked by unidentified gunmen in Chadoora area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Wednesday.

Officials told the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a lady identified as Amreena Bhat from Hushroo Chadoora along with her 10-year-old nephew was fired upon by the unidentified gunmen, leaving them seriously wounded.

The lady and her nephew were immediately rushed to Sub District Hospital Chadoora wherefrom doctors referred the injured lady to Srinagar hospital in critical condition.

However, she succumbed to her injuries on way to the hospital. Medical Superintendent of SMHS Hospital, Dr Kanwaljeet Singh told KNO that the lady was brought dead to the hospital.

Moreover, the area has been cordoned off and the searches have been launched to nab the attackers.

Meanwhile, police said that three militants associated with Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) are involved in the attack.

“At around 1955 hrs, terrorists fired upon one lady Amreen Bhat D/o Khazir Mohd Bhat R/o Hushroo Chadoora at her home. She was shifted to a hospital in an injured condition where doctors declared her dead. Her 10-year-old nephew, who was also at home, received a bullet injury on his arm,” Kashmir Zone Police tweeted.

“Three terrorists of proscribed terror outfit LeT were involved in this heinous terror incident. The area has been cordoned off and searches started. Case registered and investigation on,” Police tweeted.

BUDGAM — Police on Saturday said that they have arrested a teenager for stabbing a man in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.

In a statement issued to GNS, the police said that yesterday at about 21:30 hours, a scuffle broke out between Mehrosh Parvaiz son of Parvaiz Ahmad Rather, resident of Hanjoora (aged about 19/20 years) and Mohammad Hussain Dar son of Showkat Ahmad Dar, resident of Muqam Dadompora (aged about 14/15 years).

The police spokesman further said that during the scuffle, Mohammad Hussain Dar stabbed Mehrosh Parvez in his abdomen, resulting in critical injuries to him.

"The injured was shifted to SDH Chadoora and later referred to SMHS Hospital Srinagar for further treatment where his condition is stated to be unwell," police said.

A case FIR No. 5/2022 under relevant sections of law stands registered at Police Station Chadoora and an investigation has been taken up.

"The accused teenager has been held in the instant case and an investigation is going on," reads the statement.

SRINAGAR — The family of a man, who died on Friday late evening in a “road accident” in Chadoora area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district, has alleged a foul play in his death.

As per the deceased’s family, the body of Farooq Ahmad Sheikh was found lying on a road after he was called by someone to come out of his home.

One of the family members said Sheikh’s body was later found in a pool of blood by locals on a nearby road.

Following the accident, Farooq was immediately shifted to Sub-district Hospital Nowgam where he succumbed to his injuries.

Family members further said that the deceased had some injury marks on his face and head purportedly inflicted by some sharp object and have appealed to the police to probe the matter forthwith.