The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) on Wednesday announced its president Er Rashid as their candidate from North Kashmir parliamentary constituency.

Addressing a news conference, AIP spokesman, as per the news agency KNO said that the party is not going to support anyone, but will field its own candidates. "Er Rashid is our candidate from North Kashmir and the candidates for other parliamentary constituencies will be announced soon," he said.

Rashid had twice represented the Langate segment in the J&K Assembly. In 2019, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested him in a case related to funding of 'terror activities' in Kashmir.

In the DDC election held in 2020, the Peoples Conference polled more votes than Rashid’s Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) in the Langate Assembly segment. While Qazibad DDC segment was won by PC, Mawar was won by AIP.

SRINAGAR — Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has sanctioned a significant allocation of funds for vital infrastructure projects in Jammu & Kashmir, aimed at enhancing connectivity and boosting tourism in the region.

Gadkari has greenlit Rs. 1,404.94 crores for the widening and strengthening project of the Rafiabad – Kupwara – Chowkibal – Tangdhar – Chamkot section of National Highway-701. This project, executed under Project Beacon in Baramulla & Kupwara districts, will transform the 51-kilometre route into a two-lane road with paved shoulders, crucial for logistical operations and integral to the development of the tourism sector in North Kashmir.

Additionally, an allocation of Rs. 562.40 crores has been approved for the upgradation and strengthening project of the Nashri-Chenani section of National Highway-244, spanning 39.10 kilometres in districts Udhampur & Ramban. This initiative, operating under the EPC mode, is expected to enhance connectivity to the prominent tourist spot of Patnitop, fostering economic development in the region.

Furthermore, Gadkari has earmarked Rs. 126.58 crores for the development, operation, and maintenance of a ropeway from SDA Parking (near Zabarwan Park) to Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar district.

Spanning 1.05 kilometres, this project, operating on the Hybrid Annuity Mode, will utilize MonoCable Detachable Gondola (MDG) technology with a capacity to transport 700 passengers per hour per direction (PPHPD). The initiative is designed to offer a panoramic view of Srinagar city and Dal Lake, providing a safe and convenient transportation means.

Gadkari emphasized that the ropeway project would ensure easy access for individuals with disabilities and senior citizens to visit the temple, reducing travel time from approximately 30 minutes to about 5 minutes. Additionally, it will serve as an eco-friendly mode of transport, create employment opportunities for the local populace, and bring economic benefits to the region by enhancing tourism.

SRINAGAR — In coordinated operations, security forces in northern Kashmir's Bandipora and Baramulla districts achieved significant breakthroughs on Tuesday, uncovering a militant hideout and apprehending a militant associate.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs, a joint operation comprising J&K Police, 14RR of the Indian Army, and 3rd Bn CRPF successfully dismantled an old hideout nestled in the orchards of Ayathmullah Bandipora. Sources revealed that the hideout yielded a cache of arms and ammunition.

According to a police official quoted by a local news agency, the recovered items included a UBGL/grenade launcher, seven UBGL grenades, 95 rounds of ammunition, and various other old and rusted items. A case has been registered, and further investigations are underway.

Simultaneously, in Baramulla district, police, along with 2nd Bn SSB and Army's 29 RR, thwarted a potential threat by apprehending a militant associate. Acting on intelligence regarding the militants' movement in Pattan area, a joint checkpoint was established at Chinar Crossing Pattan.

During routine checking, security personnel noticed a suspicious individual approaching the checkpoint on foot. Upon seeing the security forces, the suspect attempted to flee but was swiftly apprehended.

Identified as Mehraj-ud-din Bhat, son of Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Mundyari Pattan, the individual was found in possession of a live hand grenade.

Authorities have initiated legal proceedings under sections UA(P) and Arms Act, registering a case at Police Station Pattan and launching a thorough investigation into the matter.

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference (PC) on Monday declared its president Sajad Gani Lone as the Lok Sabha candidate from North Kashmir.

In a statement, issued to the news agency KNO, the party's General Secretary Imran Raza Ansari said that the decision has been taken after extensive discussions with party leaders and workers over the past two weeks.

"It is with great pleasure that I formally announce that Sajad Lone has acceded to the demand of the party. He will be the candidate of the party from Baramulla Parliamentary seat," he said.

He stated that the party leadership wishes him the best and believes that the fiercest speeches on the floor of the Parliament, advocating the just cause of the people will finally be delivered by Sajad Lone after a painful wait of seven decades. "The people of J&K will finally get the chance to roar," he said.

SRINAGAR — In a major crackdown in Jammu and Kashmir, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday raided multiple locations with the assistance of J&K Police and CRPF in Jammu and Kashmir in connection with a case of banned organization Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI).

Reliable sources informed Srinagar-based news agency KDC that the sleuths of NIA with the assistance of police and CRPF raided the house of Ghulam Mohammad Bhat (85) son of Mohammad Jabbar Bhat at HIG Colony Bemina in Srinagar. The raid carried out by the agency is related to the JeI.

In south Kashmir’s Anantnag, the NIA team raided the house of Mudasir Ahmad Dar son of Ghulam Hassan Dar, a resident of KV-pora Marhama.

The other team headed by Inspector Patail searched the house of Ghulam Quadi Wani son of Abdul Salam Wani, a resident of Goosu Pulwama as he was affiliated with JeI. The NIA team also raided Thokerpora Rajpora in the house of Shameem Ahmad Thoker son of Ghulam Nabi Thoker, who is a government teacher.

Another NIA team searched the house of Mansoor Ahmad Dar son of Late Mohd Maqbool Dar, a resident of Wanbal Nehama in Kakapora. At Nehama, the houses of Mushtaq Ah Rather son of Assadullah Rather and Abdul Rashid Malik son of Ghulam Ahmad Malik are being searched by another team of NIA.

The agency also raided the house of Abdul Rashid Malik son of Ghulam Ahmad Malik at Daferpora Newa. He is said to be the close relative of Advocate Zahid (JeI), a resident of Nehama Kakapora who is presently under Public Safety Act (PSA).

In north Kashmir, the house of Ubaid Khazir Malik son of Khazir Mohd Malik at Warpora Zachaldara, Handwara is being searched by the nation probing agency.

The raids are being carried out at other locations in Jammu and Kashmir, of which details will be shared later.

An official confirmed the raids and said that further details will be shared after the conclusion of the raids.

The Centre had banned the Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 for five years under an anti-terror law on grounds that it was "in close touch" with militant outfits and is expected to "escalate secessionist movement" in the state.

SRINAGAR — A massive windstorm coupled with rains swept parts of north Kashmir on Monday afternoon, blowing away roofs of several residential, commercial structures and uprooting trees.

The news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) learnt that dozens of residential houses, electric transmission lines got damaged while trees were uprooted due to strong winds in several areas of north Kashmir including Sopore and Bandipora.

At several areas, heavy hailstorm also wreaked havoc on fruit bearing orchard trees while the traffic movement on interior roads were also halted after many trees fell on ground due to strong winds.

An official said that power supply also got affected as strong winds damaged transmission lines and uprooted electric poles at several places in these areas.

"Although no causalities have been reported, the authorities are still collecting the details from various places," the official said.