JAMMU, Oct 8: A suspicious aircraft-shaped balloon which had ‘I love Pakistan’ message on it was seized by Jammu and Kashmir police on Saturday morning. It was recovered from Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district along the International Border.
According to sources, the balloon, yellow in colour, had ‘I love Pakistan’ written in English and Urdu languages.
Notably, the balloon has been handed over to police officials for further investigation. According to sources, the balloon was seized near the Cham Bagh area in the Kathua district of the Pakistan International Borders.
Meanwhile, upon subsequent searches that were carried out by Jammu and Kashmir police in the nearby area, nothing suspicious was found.
An investigation has been initiated by the police to look into whether it was wrongdoing by some locals who are trying to create panic in the area or it has come from across the borders. It is to be noted that, there have been several such similar incidents in the past. Police have taken cognisance and they are investigating. (Agencies)
Suspicious Aircraft-shaped Balloon With ‘I Love Pakistan’ Message Seized In J&K’s Kathua
Women’s Asia Cup 2022: India wins toss, opts to bat first against Bangladesh
Sylhet, Oct 8: Indian skipper Smriti Mandhana won the toss and opted to bat first against Bangladesh in their Women’s Asia Cup tie at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
The Indian team are heading into the match after a 13-run loss to Pakistan while Sri Lanka registered a previous 72-run win over Malaysia. The Indian team is at the top of the table with six points while Sri Lanka is at third place with six points. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur is rested while Mandhana is leading the team. Shafali Verma, Kiran Navgire and Sneh Rana are in the playing eleven today.
Bangladesh have only made one change. Shamina Sultana has been replaced with Lata Mondal.
The Women’s Asia Cup 2022 started on October 1 and will continue until October 15.
India Women (Playing XI): Smriti Mandhana(c), Shafali Verma, Sabbhineni Meghana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh(w), Kiran Navgire, Pooja Vastrakar, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Renuka Singh, Rajeshwari Gayakwad
Bangladesh Women (Playing XI): Murshida Khatun, Fargana Hoque, Nigar Sultana(w/c), Ritu Moni, Lata Mondal, Fahima Khatun, Rumana Ahmed, Nahida Akter, Salma Khatun, Fariha Trisna, Shanjida Akter.
Z-Morh Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir to Be Open for Traffic by Nov 15: Official
SRINAGAR, Oct 8: The 6.5 km Z-Morh tunnel between Gagangir and Sonamarg on the Srinagar-Leh highway will be thrown open for traffic by November 15, an official spokesperson said. He said Divisional Commissioner for Kashmir P K Pole gave directions in this connection to the officials concerned during a high-level meeting at Sonamarg, which was held to review preparedness for keeping the popular tourist destination open during the winters.
Discussions were held in order to ensure that necessary facilities such as water, electricity and snow clearance were in place for the convenience of tourists. During his visit, Pole also inspected the work on the Z-Morh tunnel which when operational will provide connectivity round the year, the spokesperson said.
He directed the executive director, National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (projects) to ensure all necessary works pertaining to the tunnel are completed by the second week of November so that it can be opened for traffic by November 15, the spokesman added. Pole also asked the director of tourism in Kashmir and CEO of Sonamarg Development Authority to widely publicise the region as a winter tourist destination.
Further, they were directed to finalise hotel rates by holding discussions with owners and notify the same by November 15. (Agencies)
Jammu Air Force station conference hall dedicated to Flt Lt Advitiya Bal
JAMMU, Oct 8: On the occasion of 90th Air Force Day, Air Force Station Jammu inaugurated the Station Conference Hall dedicated to ‘Son of the Soil’ braveheart, Flt Lt Advitiya Bal.
A Defence Ministry statement said: “Braveheart Flt Lt Advitiya Bal, Born on 16 July 1996 at MH Jammu, as a true “Son of the Soil” gave the ultimate sacrifice in the ‘Line of Duty’ on 28 July 2022 while flying a Battle Inoculation Training mission on a Mig-21 Type 69 trainer aircraft.”
“The officer with his sheer hardwork and perseverance joined Sainik School Nagrota and National Defence Academy. He was commissioned into the Fighter Stream of IAF on 16 Jun 2018.”
“The Bravery and supreme sacrifice made by Flt Lt Bal will always be remembered and inspire generations of this soil for years to come.”
“To mark this auspicious day of Indian Air Force as a red letter day, the ‘Bal Conference Hall’ of Air Force Station Jammu was inaugurated by Smt Praveen Kumari (mother) and Sub Maj Swaran Bal (father), parents of braveheart Flt Lt Advitiya Bal in the presence of Air Commodore G.S. Bhullar, VM (AOC Jammu) and Mrs Ruhi Bhullar (President AFWWA {L}) with senior Officers of Station along with Principal of Sainik School Nagrota Capt(IN) Desai.”
“Symbolically, The first video call in newly inaugurated conference room was made between the parents at Jammu with the CO and Officers of Fighter Squadron at Utarlai (Flt Lt Bal’s squadron), where the young officer made supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.” (Agencies)
CRPF man from Gurez dies in Jharkhand, suicide suspected
Srinagar, Oct 8: A paramilitary CRPF personnel from Gurez area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district has died of bullet wounds in Jharkhand, officials said here on Saturday.
Initial reports suggest that the personnel, Mehrah Ahmad of Wapora Gurez shoot himself to death with his service rifle in a camp of 218 battalion of CRPF, news agency GNS reported. However, the officials said that local police there have started inquest proceedings into the death.
Jitendra Singh terms developments in J&K PM Modi’s biggest achievement
New Delhi, October 8: Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Friday called the development in Jammu and Kashmir as the biggest achievement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government and further claimed that each sector of the Union Territory has got a common allocation.
“It is the biggest achievement of PM Modi that in 70 years, each division of J-K has a common allocation for the proposed development projects,” Union Minister Jitendra Singh said while reacting to Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) chief Farooq Abdullah’s response to the challenge of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Shah, during his public address in J-K’s Baramullah on Wednesday, took a dig at the Gupkar alliance and openly challenged the JKNC to present a ‘report card’ regarding the development projects in the Union Territory, during its tenure of governance.
Abdullah responded to Union Home Minister with a long list of the achievements of JKNC from Independence to 2014, while the party’s vice president Omar Abdullah revealed the details of the projects.
Dr Jitendra Singh further said that even before the abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution and declaration of J-K into two separate entities, PM Modi used to ensure that all the people’s concerns are addressed sensitively in Srinagar and Leh in Jammu, as earlier there was a complaint that either part of J-K was getting more attention.
“Ever since the government has achieved full control over the UT, people here are now free of that mentality,” Singh said.
He further added that development in the Union Territory has balanced after PM Modi resumed several development schemes and projects that had been lying pending for 50 years.
Laying down the schemes, the Union Minister said, “The restart of the project of Shahpur Kandi in Kathua near the International border by the intervention of PM Modi, which was halted for nearly 40 years, has been proven beneficial for both Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. Its first phase will begin to function in a month or two.”
Alleging the JKNC of “selective development”, Jitendra Singh said that developing the regions by considering your vote bank and not prioritising the others is against the values of democracy.
“The development here is balanced since Modiji came to power as no one was asked about their caste or religion for providing the beneficial schemes before their implementation. Raising high above the politics of religion and vote bank, PM Modi has given a new shape to the work culture because of which J-K has not only become a part of mainstream India but will also contribute to the PM-led campaigns,” he said.
“No matter what the political parties in J-K say, the common man of the UT wants to get rid of stone pelting, terrorism, and fire fighting and the development to move forward under the Prime Minister’s leadership,” he added. (Agencies)
Creation of a weapon system branch for the officers in the IAF approved: V R Chaudhari
CHANDIGARH, Oct 8: The Central Government has approved the creation of a weapon system branch for the officers of the Indian Air Force, which would save it Rs 3,400 crore in flying training, Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari said here on Saturday.
This is the first time since Independence that a new operational branch is being created, Chaudhari said in his speech here on the occasion of 90th anniversary celebrations of the IAF.
“On this historic occasion, it is my privilege to announce that the government has approved the creation of a weapon system branch for the officers in the IAF.
“This is the first time since Independence that a new operational branch is being created,” he said.
The weapon system branch will essentially man the specialised streams of surface-to-surface missiles, surface-to-air-missiles, remotely piloted aircraft, and weapon system operators in twin and multi-crew aircraft, he said.
Creation of this branch would result in savings of over Rs 3,400 crore due to the reduced expenditure on flying training, the IAF chief said.
A ceremonial parade was held at the air force station here Saturday morning on the occasion.
Chaudhari inspected the parade, which was followed by a march-past.
Air-Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command, Air Marshal Sreekumar Prabhakaran was among senior IAF officers present on the occasion. (Agencies)
Mainly dry weather likely in J&K during next 24 hrs: MeT
JAMMU, Oct 8: The Meteorological (MeT) department on Saturday forecast mainly dry weather in Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24 hours.
“Weather is likely to remain mainly in J&K during the next 24 hours”, an official of the MeT department said.
Meanwhile, Jammu recorded 22.1 degrees, Katra 19.2, Batote 14.6, Banihal 10.6 and Bhaderwah 11.
Srinagar registered 8.6 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam 5.3 and Gulmarg 4 degrees as the minimum temperature this morning.
In Ladakh region, Drass town had 1.5 and Leh 1.3 as the minimum temperature. (AGENCIES)
Oil price rise in India is way below global price hikes: Hardeep Singh Puri
Washington [US], Oct 8: Union Petroleum and Natural Gas minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that compared to fuel price hikes globally, India only raised prices by 2 per cent, which is way below that of other countries.
“In terms of petrol and diesel, if the increases in North America are 43-46 per cent, in India we allow prices to go up by only 2 per cent or so. In terms of gas, global benchmarks went up by 260-280 per cent and our own ability to contain gas price increases was something around 70 per cent,” Puri told reporters in Washington DC.
Puri on Thursday held bilateral meeting with US energy secretary Jennifer Granholm and other top officials of the Biden Administration.
The minister also highlighted India’s commitment to accelerating a just and sustainable energy transition at the ministerial dialogue on India-US strategic clean energy.
During his visit, the union minister also held meetings with senior officials of the World Bank, the Presidential envoy for energy and infrastructure Amos Hochstein and senior representatives of the White House. Puri is scheduled to meet energy business leaders in Houston on Saturday.
The Union Minister said that India was “very confident” of navigating the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries Plus (OPEC+) decision to cut oil production from November by a steeper-than-expected two million barrels per day (bpd).
“How will this impact India? We are very confident of being able to navigate through the situation,” Puri told reporters in Washington.
“How will this navigate India? We’re very confident of being able to navigate through the situation,” said Puri.
Puri highlighted India is one of the largest oil importers and the demand is expected to rise driven by an increase in the country’s per capita consumption of energy which currently stands at one-third of the global average. Puri further stressed that the fuel demand is expected to keep rising as the country’s economy grows.
“In India, 5mn (oil) bpd is being consumed daily; it’s set to rise. Our per capita consumption compared to global averages is 1/3rd. But I see in the coming years, 25 per cent of the global increase in demand will come from India. Energy is a critical driver of economic growth,” the union minister said.
The Union Minister also said that India will buy crude oil from whichever country it wanted and that New Delhi faces no pressure from Washington to cut its energy buys from Russia.
“India will buy oil from wherever it has to for the simple reason that this kind of a discussion cannot be taken to the consuming population of India,” Puri told reporters in Washington. (Agencies)
India adds 2,797 coronavirus infections, active cases drop below 30K after 122 days
New Delhi: India on Saturday logged 2,797 fresh COVID-19 infections that pushed its tally to 4,46,09,257, while the number of active cases dropped below 30,000 after 122 days, according to Union health ministry data. The death toll climbed to 5,28,778 with 24 fatalities including 12 reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated. There are 29,251 active COVID-19 cases in India which comprise 0.07 per cent of the total infections.
The national recovery rate has increased to 98.75 per cent, the ministry said. A decline of 1,111 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. The daily positivity rate was recorded at 1.05 per cent. The weekly positivity rate was recorded at 1.30 per cent, the ministry said.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,40,51,228, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent, it said. So far, 218.93 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered under the nationwide vaccination drive, according to the ministry. India’s COVID-19 tally crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.
It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19. India crossed the grim milestone of two crore cases on May 4 last year, three crore on June 23 and four crore on January 25 this year. (Agencies)