The Kashmir Pulse

PULWAMA — Pulwama Police on Wednesday organized awareness programs on preventing drug addiction at GHSS Drabgam and GHSS Achan as part of their ongoing efforts to combat drug abuse in the community.

The events aimed to empower students to reject drugs and raise awareness about substance abuse, encouraging them to engage in creative pursuits. Chairing officers at the programs emphasized the critical need to protect the younger generation from the dangers of drug abuse, calling it a serious societal challenge.

They urged participants to actively oppose the drug menace and advised parents to closely monitor their children and guide them towards diverse career paths.

The officers also highlighted the importance of public cooperation in eradicating drug abuse, encouraging attendees to report any information related to drug addicts and peddlers to the police for prompt action.

Participants expressed gratitude for the police's efforts in organizing these awareness programs.

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Police in Pulwama have arrested 10 'absconders' who were evading their arrest for the last two decades.

“Police in Pulwama constituted a special team to nab the absconders who were evading their arrest. After strenuous efforts, the special team was able to arrest 10 absconders who were evading their arrest for the last two decades,” police said in a statement issued here on Wednesday.

These absconders, police said, are involved in “heinous cases” registered at the police stations of Rajpora and Pulwama.

The accused have been identified as Manzoor Ganai son of Abdullah Ganai, Bashir Ganai son of Abdul Ahad, Aziz Bakshi son of Nabir Bakshi, Gulzar Sheikh son of Mohda Sheikh, Mushtaq Ah Lone son of Abdullah Lone, all residents of Drabgam Rajpora; Javied Ahmad Shah son of Gh Mohammad Shah, resident of Bagat Barzullah at present Dangerpora Nowgam; Abdul Hamid Parray son of Gh Ahmad Parray, resident of Pandit Pora Ballah Tangmarg; Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat son of Gh Mohammad Bhat, resident of Jagir Parigam; Ab Hamid Bhat son of Wali Mohammad Bhat, resident of Tenpuna Pulwama and Mohd Afzal Malik son of Abdul Rahim Malik, resident of Ugergund Newa.

“All the arrested absconders have been produced before Court for further disposal,” he said, adding, “Our consistent actions against anti-social elements should reassure the community members that we are making every effort to keep our society free of crime. Police have resolved to act as per law against those who indulge in criminal activities,” the statement added.

SRINAGAR — Three Local militants affliated with Lashkar-e-Toiba oufit were killed in an overnight gunfight in Drabgam area in south Kashmir's Pulwama district on Sunday.

In a series of tweets, quoting Inspector-General of Police Kashmir Vijay Kumar, the Kashmir Police Zone wrote, "All three killed militants are locals, linked with militant outfit LeT."

"One of them has been identified as Junaid Sheergojri, involved in killing of our colleague Martyr Reyaz Ahmad on 13/5/22," it said.

In another tweet, they wrote, "Other two killed militants have been identified as Fazil Nazir Bhat & Irfan Ah Malik of Pulwama district. Incriminating materials, arms & ammunition including 02 AK 47 rifles and 01 pistol recovered."

The gunfight had started on Saturday evening in Drabgam village after joint team of government forces launched a cordon and search operation in the area.

The 'operation' was suspended by the forces due to darkness and was resumed early morning on Sunday.

PULWAMA — An encounter broke out between security forces and militants at Drabgam in Rajpora area of south Kashmir's Pulwama district, officials said on Saturday.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a joint of team of police, Army and CRPF after receiving information about the presence of militants launched search operation in the area.

He said that as the joint team of forces intensified searches towards suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the party, which was retaliated, thus triggering an encounter.

He said that the exchange of fire is on in the area and two to three militants are believed to be trapped in the area.

PULWAMA — A teenage boy from south Kashmir's Pulwama district has gone missing a week ago, leaving his parents in shock and despair.

A resident of the district's Drabgam village, the youth Fazil Nazir Bhat is the brother of a slain militant commander Zahid Nazir Bhat alias Zahid Tiger.

Meanwhile, the family of the missing youth, who is just 18-years-old, have appealed to the youth to return home as it is believed that he might have joined the militant ranks.

In a video appeal issued by the family on Friday, they asked Fazil to return back home as they have been living in despair since he left them.

It is in place to mention here that Zahid Tiger, a top commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba was killed along with one more militant by security forces in an encounter in Dadoora area of Pulwama district on October 10, 2020.

SRINAGAR — At least five youth are believed to have gone missing for a few weeks from south Kashmir and some of them have purportedly joined militant ranks.

Sources told news agency Kashmir Dot Com that at least five youth, falling between 20-25 years, have gone missing and are not able to be traced given their families and police’s strenuous efforts.

“The missing youth’s joining to militant ranks cannot be ruled out as a couple of them have already joined a militant outfit,” they said.

If sources are to be believed, an engineering student Touseef Ahmad and a nursing student Zahid Ahmad Chopan, both residents of Shopian have allegedly joined a militant group.

Also, among the missing youth is an 18-year-old boy from Drabgam Pulwama, whose family has been appealing for his return in a video that is making rounds on social media.

Meanwhile, a police official told KDC that they are doing their best to retrieve the missing youth and reunite them with their families.