The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir is bracing for a severe heatwave over the next four days, with temperatures hitting record highs and impacting both daily life and the region's delicate ecosystems.

Srinagar, the summer capital, recorded its second-highest July temperature in a decade at 35.6°C, matching Jammu City’s temperature. Qazigund registered its third all-time highest temperature at 34.2°C.

Other parts of Kashmir, including Pahalgam and Kupwara, also experienced significant temperature increases, with the mercury rising to 29.3°C and 35.0°C, respectively. This heatwave is expected to continue, with weather models forecasting dry conditions and potential record-breaking temperatures.

The ongoing heatwave has exacerbated water scarcity issues, leading to public protests in Baramulla district. Residents, particularly within Pattan jurisdiction, have voiced their concerns over severe water shortages, prompting police to urge people not to block highways.

A recent violent demonstration at Chainabal saw the Srinagar-Baramulla National Highway blocked in protest. In response, Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Pattan, Dr Gulzar Ahmed, assured residents that their grievances would be addressed promptly, with water tankers deployed on a roaster basis to mitigate the crisis.

The rising temperatures are also threatening Kashmir’s aquatic life. Experts warn that the heat wave is disrupting the region’s aquatic ecosystems, leading to potential mass fish mortality.

Fish are highly sensitive to changes in water temperature, and the heatwave is causing water levels to drop and oxygen levels to decrease. This hostile environment has already led to incidents of mass fish deaths, with the most recent occurring in the Tsoont Koel stream near Barbar Shah, Srinagar.

Research highlights the deteriorating water quality in lakes such as Dal Lake, where dissolved oxygen levels have fallen drastically due to untreated sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial waste. The increased biological oxygen demand from pollution, combined with rising temperatures, creates a deadly combination for aquatic life.

Dr. Mehraj Bashir, an ichthyologist, noted that while some fish species can tolerate higher temperatures and pollution levels, the native Schizothorax species is particularly vulnerable and has seen declining numbers.

Meanwhile, despite the severe heatwave, the Education Department in Doda and Kishtwar districts has yet to change school timings, unlike in other parts of Jammu and Kashmir. Chief Education Officer (CEO) Doda, Prakash Lal Thapa, stated that no representations from parents or heads of institutions have been received to prompt a change in school hours, leaving students to endure the harsh conditions.

As the heatwave continues to grip the region, authorities and experts alike are calling for vigilance and immediate measures to mitigate its impact on both human and aquatic life. Relief is expected after July 28, with a forecasted decline in temperatures.

BARAMULLA — Traders Union Pattan in northern Kashmir's Baramulla district has called for a complete shutdown tomorrow, July 23, 2024 (Tuesday), to protest against the transfer of the SHO of Police Station Pattan to southern Kashmir.

The Union stated, "All shops and business establishments will remain closed as a mark of protest against the sudden transfer of the people-friendly SHO, Inspector Khalid Fayaz."

In an audio announcement, the trade union president Nasir Shah appealed to traders and shopkeepers in the area to join in protesting the transfer of the police officer. "Except for medical shops, all other establishments are urged to remain closed tomorrow to register their protest against the transfer," he said.

Notably, the Kashmir Police Zone issued an order transferring the said officer from the North Kashmir range to South Kashmir.

SRINAGAR — Properties of two Pakistan-based handlers were attached in northern Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Tuesday, police said.

The properties worth lakhs of rupees, which belonged to the two handlers based in Pakistan, were attached after obtaining an order from Sub Judge Uri, a police spokesman said.

He identified the two as Jalal Din, a resident of Zamboor Pattan, and Mohammad Saki, a resident of Kamalkote Uri.

SRINAGAR — Tragedy struck in the Pattan area of North Kashmir's Baramulla district on Friday afternoon as an elderly woman lost her life in a road accident.

According to an official quoted by a local news agency, the victim, identified as Khazri Begum, aged approximately 60 years and wife of Mohammad Asgar Dar, was struck by a motorcycle.

The accident occurred when Begum was crossing the road, resulting in severe injuries. She was promptly rushed to the Trauma Hospital Pattan for urgent medical care. Despite efforts, Begum succumbed to her injuries while undergoing treatment.

Authorities have initiated an investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances leading to the tragic accident.

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.

BARAMULLA — A dispute between two brothers in the Hanjiwera area of Pattan sub-district town of Baramulla district resulted in one sibling sustaining critical injuries, according to reliable sources.

The altercation, reported by a Srinagar-based news-gathering agency, led to one brother being severely injured. Sources indicated that the injured individual was swiftly transported to a Pattan hospital for initial treatment, subsequently requiring transfer to a medical institution in Srinagar for further medical attention.

Confirming the distressing incident, a senior police official corroborated the report, identifying the injured person as Muzaffar Hussain Dar, aged 30, son of Ghulam Mohammad Dar and resident of Hanjiwera Pattan. Authorities have initiated a case and commenced further investigation into the matter.

This event follows closely on the heels of another fraternal tragedy in the region, where authorities in north Kashmir's Sopore recently apprehended a man accused of fatally assaulting his brother earlier this week.

BARAMULLA — A 28-year-youth was charred to death in a devastating fire incident that damaged two residential houses completely in Khambyar Pattan village of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

Police sources told the news agency KNT that a fire broke out in the house of Muhammad Ramzan Dar. The fire, which broke out at 2:00 am on Monday during pre-dawn hours, spread to another house of Muhammad Asadullah. Both the houses were completely damaged in the incident.

Fire Service Pattan, policemen from Palhalan Police Post and locals tried hard to douse the flames, however, both houses suffered extensive damage.

While clearing the debris, police and locals recovered the charred body of the son of Muhammad Ramzan identified as Aadil Ahmed Dar.

A police official said that a case has been registered in this regard. He added that prima facie it seems that a short circuit was the cause of the fire that claimed a precious human life and damaged the property worth crores.

BARAMULLA — Police in north Kashmir have booked a trio under Public Safety Act (PSA) and shifted them to a Jammu jail for their alleged involvement in ‘anti-India’ activities.

Baramulla Police said that many cases had been registered against these three persons in connection with anti-national activities.

The police, as per the news agency KNT, added that the formal detention orders were secured from the competent authorities and the trio had been shifted to Kot Balwal Jail Jammu.

The arrested persons have been identified as Tawseef Ahmed of Andargam, Pattan; Ghulam Muhammad Lone of Lachipora, Uri and Shahzad Ahmed Malik, a resident of Singhpora, Pattan.

BARAMULLA — Two local militants were killed in an eight-hour-long encounter that raged between militants and government forces in Yedipora village of Pattan in north Kashmir's Baramulla district on Friday.

An official told the news agency KNO that based on specific intelligence inputs, a joint cordon and search operation was launched in the village and during searches, contact was established with the hiding militants and in the ensuing encounter, two militants were killed.

"The militants belonged to a banned militant organization Jaish-e-Mohammad and have been identified as Mohammad Shafi Ganaie and Mohammad Asif Wani - both residents of Takiya Kulgam in south Kashmir," they said.

"Two militants, who were killed in an encounter, were planning to carry out an attack on Army's Angniveer recruitment rally in the district," they added.

Addressing a presser, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Baramulla, Rayees Muhammad Bhat, as per the news agency KNO said that the killed militants had come to Baramulla with a motive to attack the Army's recruitment rally at 10 Sector Hyderbeigh headquarters in the district.

“Their mission was to fail this recruitment rally by disturbing the youth. However, we have been successful in repulsing their plan to attack the rally by killing both the militants,” he said, adding that the militants are trying to attack those people who are coming forward in the mainstream.

“An AK-74U, a new version of AK-47, which is being carried by foreign militants was also recovered from the encounter site. In addition, one AK rifle, three magazines, pistol along with magazine and two bullets were also recovered,” SSP further added.

BARAMULLA — Little over a month after militants killed a Sarpanch in Goshbugh area of Pattan in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, Police on Monday claimed to have worked out the murder case by arresting three militants along with their associate.

“During the investigation in the case of the killing of Sarpanch of Goshbugh Manzoor Ahmad Bangoo, who was killed by (militants) on April 15, three suspects namely Noor Mohammad Yatoo son of Ghulam Hassan Yatoo, Mohammad Rafiq Parray son of Mohammad Akbar Parray and Ashiq Hussain Parray son of Abdul Rahman Parray, all residents of Goshbugh Pattan, were arrested after receiving information from reliable sources about their involvement in the militancy-related activities,” a police officer told GNS.

The arrested persons, the officer said, revealed that they were in contact with one Mohammad Afzal Lone, an OGW of the Lashkar-e-Toiba militant outfit who is presently in judicial custody.

Lone, the officer said, had directed his close aid Noor Mohammad Yatoo to motivate two persons from his area to join the militant ranks and in turn, he contacted Mohammad Rafiq Parray and Ashiq Hussian Parray, both residents of Goshbugh and motivated them to join militant ranks.

He said, “Yatoo directed the duo along with his brother-in-law Mehraj-ud-din Dar son of Sona Ullah Dar of Gund Jehangir Hajin Bandipora to meet Lone personally.”

All the three met Lone who motivated them and set targets, the officer said. He also gave different assignments to them, the officer added.

“After a few days, Lone sent arms and ammunition (two pistols, two hand grenades and two magazines with live bullets) to Yatoo through Mehrajuddin Dar for Rafiq Parray and Ashiq Parray with the directions to kill politically affiliated persons, especially Sarpanches of the Pattan area,” he stated.

Meanwhile, he said, Lone and his other three associates were arrested in connection with the Palhalan grenade blast case.

“Their arrest delayed the actions of the three and they remained dormant until two local militants namely Umer Lone and Gulzar Ganie of Wussan Pattan, who had recently infiltrated back from (PaK) after doing training of arms and ammunition approached the trio and asked them about the arms and ammunition and the tasks given,” the officer said, adding, “They told them to complete the given assignments of killing the Sarpanchs.”

Subsequently, the officer said, the “conspirators set the target and carried recee of the Sarpanch Manzoor Ahmad Bungroo (now deceased) and set a particular date for his killing.”

He added, "On that particular day, Ashiq talked to militant Umer Lone through Facebook Messenger and briefed him about the plan which the militants executed on April 15 by killing the Sarpanch in the orchards of Chanderhama Pattan."

“Upon further interrogation, Yatoo revealed that he gave the arms ammunition to Umer Lone. However, more arms and a few live rounds are still with him which are in a sealed box in his house,” the officer said, adding, that another pistol with live rounds has been seized on the spot.

“Further investigation going on,” the officer said, adding that so far, 3 pistols, 2 grenades, 3 Magazines and 32 bullets have been recovered in this case.

SRINAGAR — The death toll in the Pattan road accident rose to three on Tuesday after one more Sarpanch succumbed to his injuries, officials said.

Officials confirmed that one more injured Sarpanch Abdul Jabbar (56), son of Abdul Rahim Lone of Lachipora Baramulla succumbed to his injuries at SKIMS Srinagar, taking the toll of dead persons to three including two Sarpanchs and a driver.

Earlier on Monday evening, the SRTC bus, en route to Baramulla with PRIs on board, crashed into a Tipper near Renzi Tappar Pattan, leading to the death of Sarpanch, Fayaz Ahmad Bhat son of Samad Bhat from Gulgam Kupwara, and serious injuries to six others identified as Abdul Qayoom Shah (driver of the SRTC bus) son of Aladin of Gugloosa Kupwara, Haqeeqat Shah son of Abdul Qayoom, constable Abdul Hameed Bhat son of Abdul Jabbar, Abdul Jabbar Lone, SGCT Mohammad Iqbal Sheikh son of Ghulam Mohiuddin, Abdul Ahad Khan son of Wali Mohammad Khan of Nutnoosa.

The injured were hospitalized and late on Monday night, the driver of the vehicle Abdul Qayoom Shah succumbed to the wounds.

Meanwhile, a case has been registered and further investigations were taken up.

PATTAN — A Sarpanch was killed while six others sustained injuries when the bus they were travelling in crashed into a Tipper and overturned on Baramulla-Srinagar Highway at Pattan on Monday.

Officials told the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the mishap took place this evening when the SRTC bus, enroute to Baramulla with PRIs onboard, crashed into a Tipper and overturned resulting in the death of a Sarpanch and injuries to six others.

"Local police along with police personnel rushed to the spot and helped shift the injured passengers to a nearby hospital for treatment," they said, adding that the condition of the injured is said to be stable at the hospital.

The officials said that the deceased has been identified as Fayaz Ahmad, Sarpanch of Kupwara, whose body was shifted to the hospital for legal formalities.

Meanwhile, Pattan Police has registered a case and took up an investigation into the incident.

SRINAGAR — A 25-year-old youth from north Kashmir’s Baramulla district died after falling from a building in Saudi Arabia on Friday.

Reports reaching news agency Kashmir Dot Com said that the youth identified as Imran Ahmad Sheikh, son of Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh, a resident of Nehalpora area in Baramulla was working with Shahwarmar Company Taif in Saudi Arabia.

Preliminary reports said that Sheikh had fallen from a building at his working place and was immediately shifted to a hospital where he was declared dead.

As per the deceased's family, Saudi Police have taken his body for medico-legal formalities and are also ascertaining the exact cause of death.

In the aftermath of the accident, Saudi Police registered a case and also went to the spot to check the CCTV footage besides finding out the circumstances in which Sheikh had died.

The family has appealed to the Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, Ministry of External Affairs for the early return of his body from Saudi Arabia so that they can perform his last rites.

Spokesperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, Nasir Khuehami said that the association has written to Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha to help the family and pursue this matter with the Ministry of External Affairs in airlifting the mortal remains of the deceased back to Kashmir from Saudi Arabia for the last rites at his ancestral village.

Sources in Raj-Bhawan told KDC that the Lt Governor has taken up the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs for the earliest redressal.

BARAMULLA — Unknown gunmen shot dead a BJP Sarpanch in an orchard at Goush-bugh village of Pattan in north Kashmir's Baramulla district on Friday evening.

Official sources told the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a Sarpanch associated with BJP was shot dead by suspected militants in an orchard at Goush-bugh village this evening.

The Sarpanch has been identified as Manzoor Ahmad Bangroo of Goush-bugh.

Meanwhile, the area has been cordoned off by security forces and a search operation has been launched to nab the attackers.

BARAMULLA — One person was killed and a woman was injured after two families clashed with each other on Wednesday over a land dispute at Gund-Abrahim area of Pattan in north Kashmir's Baramulla district.

Officials told the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a clash broke out between two families in Gund-Abrahim area which took a violent turn.

The people from both groups allegedly attacked each other with axes during which one person, identified as Sunaullah Dar (56), suffered serious injuries.

The officials said that he was immediately rushed to a hospital for medical treatment but was declared dead by the doctors.

They said that a woman was also injured in the incident which led to a tense situation in the village.