Srinagar, Nov 11: A foreign Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militant was killed in an encounter with security forces in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, police said.
The militant has been identified as Kamran Bhai alias Hanees, they said.
An encounter broke out between militants and security forces in the Kapren area of Shopian district in the early hours of Friday, a police official said.
“One FT of JeM #terror outfit killed, identified as Kamran Bhai @Hanees who was active in #Kulgam-#Shopian area. Search is still going on,” ADGP, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar tweeted. (Agencies)
JeM terrorist killed in encounter in J-K’s Shopian
Bukhari demands statehood restoration before J&K polls
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood should be restored before the assembly elections are conducted, Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari said here on Thursday.
Bukhari also said under an elected government not only the good work of the officers will be appreciated, but they will be held answerable for any wrongdoings too.
“Elections or no elections, as a political party, we are always ready for it. Our job is to serve the people and we will continue to do that,” he told reporters here.
He said the Apni Party wants the assembly elections to be conducted in J-K so that the problems faced by the people are resolved by an elected government.
“We also want that the statehood be restored immediately. Why are they (Centre) waiting for the elections? This is a promise of the Union Home Minister (Amit Shah),” he said.
We live a democratic country, and people have the right to elect their own government to represent them and address their grievances, Bukhari said.
“Once an elected government is there, it will analyse what has been done by the (current) bureaucratic set-up and while the good work will be appreciated, they will be answerable for their wrong doings,” the Apni Party president said.
He said his party will continue to fight for the aspirations of the people including the restoration of statehood, fighting for Articles 370 and 35-A in the Supreme Court, and for their land and job rights.
Asked about the decision to not contend election by Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti both former J-K chief ministers as long as J-K remains a UT, Bukhari said “it is their personal decision.”
“We are not for power, we want to serve the people So, it is their own decision, but we will contest in all 90 constituencies, secure a majority and form the government,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Congress party’s former district president Bandipora, Imtiyaz Parray joined the Apni Party.
Parray is a son of Mohammad Yusuf Parray alias Kuka Parray, the founder of counter-insurgency force Ikhwan’ in the valley.
Not mandatory to publish in journals before final PhD thesis: UGC
In new regulations for doctoral programmes notified Monday, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has scrapped the mandatory requirement of getting research papers published in peer-reviewed journals before the final submission of a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) thesis.
So far, it was mandatory for M.Phil (Master of Philosophy) scholars to present at least one research paper in a conference or seminar while PhD scholars had to publish at least one research paper in a refereed journal and make two paper presentations in conferences or seminars before the submission of their thesis for adjudication.
When contacted, Prof M Jagadesh Kumar, Chairperson, UGC, said by scrapping the mandatory publication requirement, the higher education regulator has recognised that the “one-size-fits-all” approach is not desirable. Elaborating on the need to shun a common approach towards assessing all disciplines, he pointed out that many doctoral scholars in computer science prefer presenting their papers at conferences rather than publishing in journals.
But it does not mean PhD scholars should stop publication of research papers in peer-reviewed journals, he said. “Focussing on high-quality research will lead to publications in good journals, even if it is not mandatory. It will add value when they apply for employment or post-doctoral opportunities,” he told
According to the latest available report of the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE), the enrolment at PhD level increased from 1,26,451 to 2,02,550 (0.5 per cent of total enrolment in higher education) between 2015-16 and 2019-20.
T20 WC: Half-centuries from Pandya, Virat power India to 168/6 against England in semifinal
Adelaide [Australia], Nov 10: Hardik Pandya rose to the occasion to play a blazing half-century knock, guiding India to 168/6 against England at the Adelaide Oval in the ongoing T20 World cup on Thursday.
Virat continued his love affair with the Adelaide ground to smash a fifty and held the innings together for the team. Pandya 63(33) meanwhile applied the finishing touches, and a late flourish from him propelled India to a par score after a slow start.
Electing to field, England could have not asked for a better start as they dismissed KL Rahul in the 2nd over after the batter slashed a boundary over point on the first ball of the inning. The right-hander could not replicate his last match’s heroics and could only score 5(5).
The leading run-scorer of the tournament, Virat Kohli walked out to bat and stamped his authority right away by smashing a beautiful six over covers to Chris Woakes on the first ball of the third over.
Captain Rohit Sharma also joined in on the action and smashed two consecutive boundaries to Sam Curran, releasing pressure off the batter. He also got Adil Rashid away for a boundary in the sixth over to take India to 38/1 after the end of the powerplay.
India’s star batter Virat continued his aggressive intent and struck Liam Livingstone for a boundary in the seventh over meanwhile, Rohit struggled to put bat to ball.
Pacer Chris Jordan was hit superbly for a boundary over covers by the opener but the bowler had the last laugh as he got rid of him in the same over. Rohit looked to launch the ball in the sky but lost his shape in the process and skied it towards mid-on where Sam Curran took an excellent running catch diving forward to dismiss him for 27(28).
Talismanic batter Suryakumar Yadav occupied the crease and took India to 62/1 at the halfway mark, with the game hanging in balance.
All-rounder Ben Stokes came on to bowl his second over only to be smashed for a six and a boundary in the 11th over.
Leg-spinner Adil Rashid proved to be the undoing of Suryakumar as the batter looked to hit him over the boundary but could only spoon the ball towards sweeper-cover, where Philip Salt held his nerves to complete the catch and hand England their biggest wicket of the night.
The onus then fell to Virat and Hardik Pandya to steady the Indian inning and provide it with some stability while making sure the scoring rate does not see a dip.
India squeezed in 10 runs from the 14th over and got things going from there on with Virat getting a boundary in the over.
King Kohli smashed a scintillating boundary on the last ball of the 15th over to bring up India’s hundred. He escaped a leg before review narrowly after getting rapped on the boots to a superb yorker from Jordan.
The batter rubbed salt into the wounds of the bowler as he smashed a boundary in the extra cover region on the very next ball.
India were off to a brilliant start in the 17th over as Pandya thumped Curran over covers for a majestic six. Virat and Pandya also ran hard and were lighting quick between the wickets to keep the scoreboard ticking.
The 18th over saw Pandya absolutely breaking free and pushing the accelerator with consecutive sixes off Jordan. Run machine Kohli brought up his fourth fifty of the tournament but was caught at short third man in the same over.
Pacer Sam Curran was at the receiving end of Pandya in the 19th over as he was taken apart by the batter for two fours and a six, in the process bringing up his fifty off just 29 balls.
India’s final over yielded 12 runs courtesy of Pandya with India ending the inning at 168/6.
Chris Jordan was the pick of the bowlers, clinching three wickets while giving away 43 runs.
Brief Score: India 168/6 (Hardik Pandya 63, Virat Kohli 50; Chris Jordan 3-43) vs England.(Agencies)
Traffic restored on Srinagar-Leh highway, Mughal road
Srinagar, Nov 10: The authorities on Thursday restored traffic movement on Leh-Srinagar highway and Mughal road after it was suspended due to snowfall, officials said.
Jammu and Kashmir Traffic police, in a tweet, stated that traffic on both thehighways has been restored.
“Mughal road through for vehicular movement. After the clearance of snow from road, LMVs released from both ends,” the police said in the tweet.
The Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri(SSG) road was also open for vehicular movement. “After the clearance of snow from road, LMVs released from Minamarg,” it said.
Authorities bar JeI entry into nine properties in Shopian under UAPA
Srinagar, Nov 10: District magistrate(DM), Shopian has ordered ban on entry and usage of at least nine properties including a yet to be functional school building belonging to Jamaat-e-Islami following communication by State Investigation Agency(SIA), officials said on Wednesday.
An official statement reported by news agency GNS said that the directions have been issued under Section 8 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
“The State Investigation Agency, Kashmir vide communication No. SIA/FIR-17-19/22/7010-14; dated: 05.11.2022 has intimated that during investigation of case FIR No. 17/2019 u/s 10, 11 & 13 UA(P) Act of P/S Batamaloo now being investigated by P/S SIA, nine (09) properties have surfaced that are owned by and under possession of banned association Jamat-e-Islami and are located in the jurisdiction of district Shopian and are to be notified in terms of section 8 UA(P) Act,” deputy commissioner, Shopian, Sachin Kumar Vaishya said.
The Government of India has already declared the Jamat-e-Islami, Jammu & Kashmir as an “unlawful association”.
The properties include land measuring 2 Kanal 15 Marla in village Batpora in the name of JeI through its Ameer-e-Zilla Abdul Hameed of Nadigam Shopian , 7 Marla in same village in the name of Ameer-e-Zilla Shahzada Aurangzeb, 7 Marla 3 Sarsai, also in village Batpora in the name of Aurangzeb, 16 Marla in the same and in the name of same person, under-construction building over land 1 Kanal and 7 Marla in Batpora in the name of same person , 17 Marla through its Ameer-e-Zilla Mohammad Sultan of Nownagari Tral, 17 Marla in village Heepora Batagund in the name of Ameer-e-Zilla Shahzada Aurangzeb, 2 storey yet to be functional School building over land measuring 1 Kanal and 08 Marla in village Bongam in the name of Iqra Public School through Falah-i-Aam Trust, Shopian and four storey building over land measuring 4 Marla and 02 Marla in village Kanipora/Batpora, according to the notification by DM.
“On perusal of the records and other connected documents, I, District Magistrate Shopian, am satisfied that there is sufficient material to notify (these) properties under the Act,” the notification read.
The restriction on these nine properties is on any person(s), association(s) or legal entity other than investigating officers of SIA for the purpose of investigation and police officers having jurisdiction for the purpose of enforcing the usage related prohibition and restrictions.
Generally cloudy sky, light rain likely in J&K: MeT
JAMMU, Nov 10: The Meteorological (MeT) department on Thursday forecast a generally cloudy sky with chances of light rain during the next 24 hours in Jammu and Kashmir.
On Wednesday, the UT experienced inclement weather with widespread rain/snow.
“Generally cloudy sky with chances of light rain is likely in J&K during the next 24 hours”, an official of the MeT department said.
Meanwhile, Srinagar recorded 4.7 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam 2.8 and Gulmarg minus 2 degree as the minimum temperature this morning.
Drass town in Ladakh region registered minus 3.4 degree, both Kargil and Leh 3.8, while
Jammu recorded 14.4 degrees, Katra 10.6, Batote 3.5, Banihal 4.6 and Bhaderwah 3.4. (AGENCIES)
Russia orders troops to withdraw from Ukraine’s Kherson
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has ordered troops to withdraw from the western bank of Ukraine’s Dnipro River, meaning that the forces were retreating from Kherson — the first big city to fall to Moscow after it launched its invasion on February 24.
Shoigu announced the decision on state TV, with Russia’s commander in Ukraine, Gen Sergei Surovikin reporting on the situation on the ground in Kherson.
“It is appropriate to organise defence along the barrier border of the Dnipro River, on its left bank… The decision to defend the left bank of the Dnipro is not an easy one. At the same time, we will save the lives of our military and the combat capability of the troops,” Ukrayinska Pravda quoted Surovikin as saying.
“The manoeuvre of the troops will be carried out as soon as possible. The troops will occupy the prepared defensive positions on the left bank of the Dnipro,” he added.
The main part of the Kherson city is located on the right bank of the wide river, and Surovikin called it a difficult decision to withdraw but it would most importantly preserve lives and combat capability of the Russian forces.
He explained that although the Russian air defence has been successfully repelling Ukrainian shelling of Kherson, up to 20 per cent of the rockets can still hit targets and the city and nearby settlements cannot be fully supplied, reports Xinhua news agency.
Meanwhile, Shoigu demanded Surovikin to take all measures to ensure the safe relocation of the personnel, armaments and hardware behind the Dnieper River.
Following the withdrawal, Russian troops could be deployed to carry out offensives in other directions, Surovikin added.
He also claimed that Ukraine had lost 9,500 soldiers in the battles for Kherson, whilst Russia’s losses were apparently 7-8 times less.
But Ukrainian authorities have claimed that they see no signs of Russia retreating from Kherson without a fight.
“Actions speak louder than words. Ukraine sees no signs that Russia is leaving Kherson without a fight. A significant part of the Russian troops remain in the city, and additional reserves are being sent into the region,” Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to President Volodymyr Zelensky, said in a social media post.
“Ukraine is liberating territories utilising intelligence data, not staged TV statements,” he added.
In his nightly address to the nation, Zelensky said the armed forces are moving forward “very cautiously, attentively, without undue risk” in order to liberate Ukrainian land with minimum losses.
“This is exactly how we are going to ensure the liberation of Kherson, Kakhovka, Donetsk, and other cities in our country. But this will be a result of our efforts, our defence operations.
“Those that are currently going on and those that we are still being planned,” he added.
Russian troops swept across southern Ukraine from annexed Crimea at the start of the war, seizing Kherson city in early March.
They also launched attacks in the south, east and north of the country, including surrounding the capital, Kiev.
In recent months, however, Ukraine’s forces have made significant advances.
This counter-offensive escalated in September, when Ukraine drove back Russian forces, retaking the cities of Izyum and Kupiansk, both key supply hubs for Moscow’s forces.
India believes in equality among countries: Rajnath
NEW DELHI: India does not believe in a world order where a few countries are considered superior to others, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday and noted that the possibility of a global framework could be envisaged if security becomes a truly collective enterprise.
In an address at the National Defence College, he also sounded a note of caution about cyber warfare and said it has increased the vulnerability of critical infrastructure.
“I would like to tell you that conduct of our strategic policy should be moral. India does not believe in a world order where few are considered superior to others,” Singh said.
“India’s actions are guided by the very essence of human equality and dignity, which is a part of our ancient ethos and its strong moral foundations, give us our political strength. Even our freedom struggle was based on the bedrock of high moral values,” he noted.
His comments came amid increasing concerns over China’s aggressive military posturing along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) as well as in the Indo-Pacific.
If security becomes a truly collective enterprise, “we can think of creating a global order which is beneficial to all of us”, the minister said.
Key infrastructure like power generation and distribution is increasingly becoming more complex and there is need for dealing with such challenges effectively, Singh said.
The energy sector, he added, is one of the main targets of cyber-attacks but it is not the only one; transport, public sector services, telecommunications and critical manufacturing industries are also vulnerable.
Singh emphasised that national security should not be considered a “zero-sum game” and that there is need to create a win-win situation for all. “We should not be guided by narrow self-interest which is not beneficial in the long run, but by enlightened self-interest which is sustainable and resilient to shocks,” he said.
The defence minister said a strong and prosperous India would not be built at the cost of others. “Rather, India is here to help other nations realise their full potential.”
“Our increasingly interconnected financial systems are also at great risk. You all must be aware that in February 2016, hackers targeted the central bank of Bangladesh and tried to steal 1 billion dollars. While most transactions were blocked, 101 million dollars still disappeared,” he said.
“This was a wake-up call for the finance world that cyber risks in the financial system had been severely underestimated. Today, the assessment that a major cyber-attack poses a threat to financial stability is not a question of if, but when.”
According to Singh, information warfare has the potential to threaten political stability.
“There is no account of how much fake news and hate material is likely to be brought in society through social media platforms. The organised use of social media and other online content generation platforms is being used for engineering the opinion or perspective of the masses,” he said.
“The deployment of information war was most evident in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Throughout the conflict, social media has served as a battleground for both sides to spread competing narratives about the war and portray the conflict on their own terms,” he observed.
LAHDC adopts resolution seeking constitutional safeguards for Ladakh
The BJP ruled Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) of Leh in a special session of the general council meeting on Wednesday passed a resolution seeking constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, protection of land and employment for youth.
The meeting was presided by LAHDC chairman TashiGyalson.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chairman, TseringAngchuk; EC RDD, Tashi Namgyal Yakzee; EC Minority Affairs, Ghulam Mehdi; EC Agriculture, StanzinChosphel; DC/CEO LAHDC Leh, Shrikant Suse; Leader of Opposition, Tsering Namgyal, and the Councillors representing different constituencies including Nominated Councillors.
Threadbare discussion took place on the two resolutions moved in the house, including the one moved by Executive Councillor for Agriculture, Stanzin Chosphel stating the need for a Constitutional safeguard for Ladakh under a suitable provision of the Indian Constitution as per the aspiration of the people of Ladakh and the other moved by Leader of the Opposition, Tsering Namgyal seeking Constitutional Safeguard on the lines of 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
After a detailed discussion, the house passed the resolution moved by Executive Councillor, StanzinChosphel thus seeking the Central Government’s intervention in fulfilling the aspiration of the people of Ladakh with the need for having safeguard for the protection of land, employment, socio-economy, culture, environment and trade.
Appreciating active participation of all the Councillors during the day-long session, CEC TashiGyalson said that every member of the house has shown his concern on the need for having a proper safeguard protecting the interest of the people of Ladakh in every sector, and further hoped that the Union Government under the leadership of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and Home Minister, Amit Shah would definitely take a major decision in the interest of the people of Ladakh in this regard.
It is worth mentioning that the LAHDC meeting has come days after the widespread protests across Ladakh organised by a joint action committee of all political parties, except BJP, seeking constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule, protection of land, employment for youth and protection of culture and heritage of Ladakh.