July 27: The ongoing Amarnath yatra is showing a decreasing trend in the number of pilgrims as a batch of only 1,147 of them left the base camp here on Wednesday for the twin base camps of the cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas, officials said.
While 3,862 pilgrims had left Jammu for the cave shrine located at a height of 3,880 metres on Monday, 2,189 and 1,147 devotees had embarked on the annual pilgrimage from here on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively.
In the 26th batch of pilgrims, 1,147 people left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here on Wednesday morning in a convoy of 47 vehicles amid heavy security provided by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the officials said.
They said 476 pilgrims headed for Baltal were the first to leave the Bhagwati Nagar camp in 18 vehicles, followed by a second convoy of 29 vehicles carrying 671 pilgrims for Pahalgam.
The number of pilgrims has drastically fallen in the last three days mostly due to bad weather conditions, the officials said.
The annual 43-day pilgrimage commenced on the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route in south Kashmir’s Anantnag and the 14-km shorter Baltal route in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal on June 30.
Over 2.3 lakh pilgrims have so far offered their prayers at the cave shrine, housing a naturally formed ice-shivlingam, the officials said.
A total of 1,38,921 pilgrims have left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp since June 29, the day the first batch of pilgrims was flagged off by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
The yatra is scheduled to be concluded on August 11 on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.
A total of 36 people, mostly pilgrims, have died during the ongoing yatra, excluding 15 pilgrims who were killed in flash floods near the cave shrine on July 1. (Agencies)
Amarnath Yatra: 1,147 pilgrims leave for cave shrine from Jammu
Cloudy weather, rain and thundershowers in J&k
Srinagar, July 27: The Meteorological (MeT) department on Wednesday forecast cloudy weather with rain and thundershowers during the next 24 hours for Jammu and Kashmir.
Weather was generally cloudy in the union territory during the last 24 hours.
“Cloudy weather with rain/thundershowers is likely in J&K during the next 24 hours in J&K,” an official of the MeT department said.
Srinagar had 21.8, Pahalgam 17.8 and Gulmarg had 13.2 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature.
Jammu had 25.8, Katra 23.4, Batote 18.5, Banihal 19.8 and Bhaderwah 20.2 as the minimum temperature.
2 BSF member of UN peace keeping died in Republic of Congo during operations
During the bloody armed protests, 2 BSF members of the UN Peace Keeping Contingent (MONUSCO) stationed in Butembo, Democratic Republic (DR) of Congo, died from their injuries.
Following are the places concerned with the attack:
(1) Goma – Place of armed attack. 2 Platoons of India deployed here. 2 deaths took place here.
For last 90 mins, situation peaceful.
Nepal and Morocco Army personnel have reached spot. Bodies of 2 Indians airlifted to Beni.
(2) Beni – Place has been peaceful. These are Hqrs of Indian contingent. 1 Indian BSF platoon deployed here .
Bodies of 2 Indian soldiers airlifted and brought here.
Locals in the DR of Congo had called for protests and agitation against MONUSCO. The call covered the entire week beginning on Monday.
The situation turned violent in Goma (about 350 Km South of Beni and a big MONUSCO base ) with looting and setting fire to UN property.
Both Beni and Butembo (02 BSF platoons are deployed there on detachment since 02 Jun 2022) were on high alert. Monday though passed off peacefully.
However, today the situation in Butembo turned violent. The camp of Morroco Rapid Deployment where BSF platoons are stationed was surrounded by demonstrators.
Congolese Police (PNC) and Congolese Army (FARDC) troops arrived but could not control the crowd estimated to be over 500 people.
Initially stone pelting was done by them. To contain the situation MORRDB troops fired in air and BSF troops fired tear smoke amn to disperse the crowd but they managed to breach the perimeter wall at three different places.
The crowd was repelled but they gathered again. There were reports that armed rebels had infiltrated the demonstrators. The second attack was more fierce and was accompanied by fire from small arms (automatics).
Morrocan and Indian troops fired in self defence. Sporadic firing still going on.
2 BSF personnel succumbed to fatal injuries. MORRDB also suffered one fatality and 01 IPOs sustained gun shot injury. Reinforcements of UN Force (Army component) on their way.
India reports 18,313 fresh COVID-19 cases
July 27: With 18,313 fresh cases reported in a day, India’s COVID-19 tally has climbed to 4,39,38,764, while the count of active cases of the infection has declined to 1,45,026, the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday, July 27, 2022.
The death toll due to the viral disease has gone up to 5,26,110 with 57 more fatalities, according to the Health Ministry’s data updated at 8 am.
The active cases account for 0.34 per cent of the total caseload, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.47 per cent, the Health Ministry said.
A decline of 2,486 cases was recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours, it added.
The daily positivity rate was recorded at 4.31 per cent and the weekly positivity rate at 4.57 per cent, according to the data.
A total of 87.36 crore tests have so far been conducted to detect the viral infection in the country, including 4,25,337 in the last 24 hours.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has gone up to 4,32,67,571, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.2 per cent, the data showed.
According to the Health Ministry, 202.79 crore vaccine doses have so far been administered under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive. (Agencies)
Missing Lady Traced by PP Pargwal
Missing Lady traced by the team of Police post Pargwal after 6 yrs and 2 months .
Lady namely Neelam Devi w/o Rattan lal R/o Pargwal Jammu was missing since 19/5/2016 vide DD No. 9. Yesterday said lady was recovered from Panipat Haryana and now brought to PP. After completing the required formalities missing lady was handover to her family
The Complain was Closed
Defence Ministry approves arms procurement proposals worth ₹28,732 crore
NEW DELHI, July 26: The Defence Ministry on July 26 approved the procurement of military equipment and weapons worth ₹28,000 crore, which included swarm drones, carbines and bulletproof jackets.
The procurement proposals were cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
“The Acceptance of Necessity [AoN] for capital acquisition proposals of the armed forces amounting to ₹28,732 crore were accorded by the DAC,” the Defence Ministry said in a statement.
The approval to the new procurement proposals came amid India’s over two-year-long border row with China in eastern Ladakh.
The ministry said approval to procure four lakh close quarter battle carbines was granted to combat the “current complex paradigm of conventional and hybrid warfare”.
“This is set to provide a major impetus to the small arms manufacturing industry in India and enhancing AtmaNirbharta [self-reliance] in small arms,” the ministry said.
“Considering the demand of enhanced protection against the threat of enemy snipers to our troops deployed along the Line of Control, and in close combat operations in counter-terrorism scenario, the DAC accorded AoN for bulletproof jackets with Indian Standard BIS VI level of protection,” it said. (Agencies)
ED summon to Sonia Gandhi cheap vendetta politics: Saroori
Jammu, July 26: – Congress held a strong protest demonstration led by Former Minister J&K, G. M Saroori at Kishtwar J&K and marched towards DC Office, in protest against ED summon to Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi as part of vendetta politics of Modi Govt which was foiled by Police and stopped midway.
Senior leaders comprising Zafferullah Magray, Ravi Kumar Shan, Noor Hussain, Randeep Bhandari, Advocate Suman, Shakti Kumar, Shakeel Dev, Sajjad Hussain, Ghulam Hussain, Shadi Lal, Tariq Hussain Mintoo, Abdul Wahid Lone, Farooq Ahmed, Chowdhary Haleem, Mohd Yusuf, Nazir Ahmed, Mohd Rafi, Mohd Shafi, Ghulam Nabi Mir, Abdul Gani, Irshad Ahmed Sheikh, Majeed Khan, Chowdhary Bashir, Rajinder Kumar, Tariq Hussain Sheikh, Piyaray Lal, Mushtaq Ahmed Malik, Mohd Amin Naik, Manzoor Kohli, Mohd Saleem, Atta Mohd Kiraypak, Irshad Ahmed, Altaf Hussain Malik, Bidya Lal Sharma, Shabir Ahmed Lone, Ali Mohd Naik, Jaffer Hussain Ganie, Akhtar Hussain Butt, Fateh Mohd, Bashir Ahanger, Somnath, Mukesh Kumar, Jagdish Kumar, Chowdhary Noor Din, Ghulam Rasool, Mohd Iqbal, Mohd Ashraf, Atta Mohd, Mohd Amin, Mohd Rustam, Bashir Ahmed, Ghulam Mohd, Atta Mohd, Akhtar Hussain Khurwaey, Suraj Parihar, Dewan Chand Thakur, Firdous Ahmed Zargar, Mohd Rafi, Mohd Iqbal Khurwaey, Khursheed Ahmed, Siraj Din, Tanveer Ahmed, Sajjad Ahmed, Ved Prakash, Irshad Ahmed, Mohd Yusuf, Saif Ali, Abdul Rasheed, Chowdhary Masoodi, Chowdhary Ishaq, Prithviraj, Subash Chander, Qasim Kasana, Beli Ram, Hukum Chand, Rabeyl Singh, Altaf Hussain, Chowdhary Ameena Banoo, Vinod Kumar, Zakir Hussain, Mohd Yunus Keen, Bashir Ahmed Keen, Nissar Ahmed, Mohd Ismaeil, Mohd Yaqoob, Mohd Yusuf, Qasim Din, Abdul Rehman, Chowdhary Liyakat, Mohd Rafiq Dhandhal and several others were stopped alongwith hundreds of workers when they held a strong protest demonstration and took out a march to DC office against the vindictive actions of Modi Govt. against Congress President Sonia Gandhi and others as part of vindictive policies and misuse of Central agencies.
The large number of leaders and workers were carrying play cards and raising slogans in favour of Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi and against BJP Govt. and ED and took out a peaceful march when a heavy contingent of police stopped them midway.
Congress leaders and workers from different parts assembled at Saroori manzil as part of nationwide protest against Centre Govt. and BJP over the politics of vendetta and misuse of Central agencies like ED against Congress leadership to malign their image in false and fabricated cases.
The Congress leaders and workers showed solidarity with the leadership and said that they shall unitedly fight back the politics of vendetta of BJP Govt. led by Shri Narender Modi against oldest opposition party in the country.
Earlier addressing the Congress workers Shri G. M Saroori said that using the Central agencies, the Centre was trying to demoralise the Congress to prevent emergence of a united opposition. Otherwise, there is no reason to issue summons to Mrs Gandhi without filing a case. He said the party would intensify the agitation and would organize demonstrations against the ED summons. Saroori hit out at the BJP-led Central government, accusing it of indulging in cheap vendetta politics to divert attention from issues such as inflation, falling GDP growth, social unrest, and social divisiveness in the country. He said the case of money laundering was “weird” as there was no money involved. He argued that the charges were “hollow, hollower than a pack of cards”. We will face them, we are not a bit scared or overawed or intimidated by such cheap tactics. Money laundering case on which summons is issued with no money involved.
Saroori also remind BJP off Gandhi family sacrifices for country, slams Modi government for misusing agencies like ED, CBI & Police against their opponents including against Gandhi family.
On the occasion Several people from different political parties including Abdul Hameed Tak, Chowdhary Mohd Aslam, Rajinder Kumar, Hukum Chand, Mukesh Kumar, Rabeil Singh, Beli Ram, Chowdhary Bharu, Shabir Ahmed and several others joined Congress at Kishtwar in presence of Mr. Saroori. Welcoming newly entrants into the party fold, Saroori said it was heartening that the people in sufficient numbers are becoming part of the Congress and reposing their faith in the party’s agenda which aims at bringing peace, development and prosperity in the entire Jammu and Kashmir.
Kargil Vijay Diwas: Ex-Servicemen league took out rally in Bhadarwah
By King RJ
Bhadarwah, July 26: To mark the 23rd Anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, Ex-Servicemen league District Doda organised Vijay rally in Bhadarwah on Tuesday to remember war heroes and paying tributes to Martyrs on Kargil Vijay Diwas.
The day marks the victory of Indian armed forces in Operation Vijay in 1999, when they evicted the infiltrators backed by Pakistani army from high outposts in Kargil sector.
Ex-Servicemen League members along with general public pay homage to the indomitable courage and sacrifice of the Indian Armed Forces during the Kargil Conflict in 1999.
Participants saluted the heroes of the Kargil War and paid homage to the martyrs for their supreme sacrifice.
The rally taken out under the chairmanship of President Ex-Servicemen League Doda Raj Singh Charak from outside Surya Hotel and after passing through different areas including Jaie Road and Seri Bazar, culminated at historic Lakshmi Narayan Chowk Bhadarwah, in which dozens of Ex-Servicemen and general public participated.
They also hoisted National Flag in the park of Seri Bazaar Bhadarwah and distributed sweets among people to celebrate victory in Kargil. National Anthem was also sung on the occasion by all.
While addressing, Raj Singh Charak said, the nation will remain forever grateful to them and their families. We can never forget the circumstances under which this Kargil war was fought.
He said that the victory achieved by the Indian Army in Kargil, in spite of difficult and unfavourable condition is incomparable. The gallant soldiers of Indian Army triumphed over Pakistani invaders with undaunted courage and determination.
Neeraj Singh Manhas BJP Leader said that we feel proud of our soldiers, who always be ready to protect the nation. He said that this day is a reminder of the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers towards flushing out infiltrators from our sacred Motherland.
“It was on this day when Indian Army with its inexorable courage, indomitable spirit and irrepressible valour inflicted defeat on Pakistan,” Manhas added.
Beside Nirmal Singh and other Ex-Servicemen members, BJP Leaders Sanjay Saraf, Ramneek Manhas, Neeraj Singh Manhas, Raj Singh, Anil Kotwal and others were also present on the occasion.