Srinagar, Nov 2: The Zojila Day was commemorated at the Zojila War Memorial near Drass in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday to celebrate the action by Indian troops in 1948 on the icy heights of Zojila pass, the gateway to Ladakh.
The Srinagar-based Defence Ministry spokesman said the day was marked with a solemn wreath laying by Commander Dras Warriors of the Leh-based Fire and Fury Corps to pay homage to the soldiers who died liberating the Zojila Pass from Pakistani intruders.
The Zojila Day epitomises the indomitable spirit of bravery of the Indian Army. The battle was also historic for the reason that tanks were used for the first time at such heights.
The Commander of Drass Brigade interacted with the soldiers. (Agencies)
Zojila Day commemorated near Drass
India’s Suryakumar becomes world’s No.1 T20I batter
NEW DELHI, Nov 2: The swashbuckling Suryakumar Yadav on Wednesday became the world’s number one batter in T20 Internationals, rising to the top on the back of his incredible form in recent times.
Yadav overtook Pakistan opener Mohammad Rizwan to become just the second Indian player to hold the top T20I batter ranking.
Since beginning his T20I journey for India in March last year, Yadav has quickly established himself as one of the best batters in the shortest format of the game, scoring one century and 11 fifties from 37 appearances for his country.
The 32-year-old Yadav has also played 13 ODIs for India.
Yadav has accumulated 863 points with Rizwan at 842 points. New Zealand’s Devon Conway completes the top three with 792 points. (Agencies)
LeT commander among 4 terrorists killed in Kashmir encounters, 3 arrested
SRINAGAR: A wanted LeT Commander involved in killing of 3 security personnel was among four terrorists killed in two encounters with security forces in Pulwama and Anantnag districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, police said.
While three terrorists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Pulwama’s Khandipora, one was gunned down in Anantnag’s Semthan, they said.
Also, three alleged “hybrid” terrorists of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) were arrested during an anti-terror operation in Srinagar and Budgam districts, the police said.
Additional Director General of Police, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar termed the killings in the Pulwama encounter a “big success” for the security forces.
In a tweet, he said, “03 terrorists killed in Awantipora encounter.”
He said the identities of the slain terrorists are being ascertained.
“As per our source, 1 is FT (foreign terrorist) & 1 local terrorist of LeT namely Mukhtiyar Bhat, involved in several terror crimes including killing of 01 ASI of CRPF & 2 RPF personnel. A big success for us,” the DGP said.
Kumar said two AK rifles and a pistol were among the recoveries made from the scene of the encounter.
Earlier, the officer said, security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the Semthan area of Bijbehara in Anantnag following information about the presence of terrorists there.
The search operation turned into an encounter after the terrorists opened fire at the security forces, who retaliated, he said.
“One terrorist has been killed while the operation is still in progress,” he added.
In a separate operation, the police set up a checkpoint in the Harnambal area in Srinagar after information was received about the movement of terrorists there, a police spokesperson said.
“Two hybrid terrorists — Aamir Mushtaq Dar and Kabil Rashid — were arrested at the Naka. Two grenades were recovered from their possession,” he said.
He said the duo disclosed the identity of their third associate, Aqib Jamal Bhat, who was arrested from Sozaith in Budgam.
“Hybrid” terrorists are not listed as ultras but are radicalised enough to carry out a terror strike and then slip back into routine life.
During questioning, the arrested terrorists revealed the location of an IED in the Rangreth area of the city, the spokesperson said.
“The IED, weighing around 10 kg, was recovered and destroyed,” he said.
A case has been registered under the relevant sections of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Explosives Act and Arms Act at Chanapora police station, he said, adding that all three terrorists are affiliated with LeT.
Baaghi urges LG to regularise daily wagers and other casual appointees of different departments
Aam Aadmi Party leader & Social activist Gurmeet Singh Baaghi urged the Government to enact a concrete policy for the regularisation of daily wagers and other casual appointees of different departments and release the pending wages of workers. The government has failed to address the sufferings of daily wagers and other appointees in different departments. The casual labourers and daily wagers working in various departments rejected the minimum wages recently set by the J&K administration recently. The Government recently issued a notification regarding the Minimum Wages Act, but it is sheer injustice because, in Delhi, workers get Rs 635 and Rs 311 have been set for daily wagers. The 7th Pay Commission in 2018 recommended Rs 18000 as minimum wage and the same was accepted by the Supreme Court, India Labour Conference and now in 2022, J&K administration are giving minimum wages of Rs 9000 per month which is nothing but injustice, said Baaghi. The Government had already regularised Adhoc / Contractual Doctors, Range Officers, Information Officers, Instructors in Technical Education, and JEs others as per Civil Services Special provision Act 2010 then why daily wagers have been debarred from the same right.
Baaghi said that the Government could not ignore the fact that thousands of families were dependent on their breadwinners, Govt should immediately regularised them in the service. They have given their life precious years to departments, served in far flung areas and most of are over age, what they get after giving their life precious time to departments.
Baaghi urged to the LG Administration that the long pending demands of daily wagers and other appointees etc may be considered as soon as possible, with issuance of their regularisation and till their wages require to be enhanced to enabling them to feed their families in the present hard times.The exploitation of workers must stop and should be regularised without any further delay, said Baaghi.
Man missing after boat capsizes in Wular Lake in Bandipora
BANDIPORA, Nov 2: A man went missing after a boat capsized in Wular Lake in Banyari village of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Wednesday.
Quoting an official, that three persons drowned in Wular Lake after their boat capsized in Banyari village today morning.
He said that two persons were rescued immediately, while the third one was still untraced. “A rescue operation was launched to trace him,” he said.
The official identified the missing person as Javed Ahmed. (KNO)
South Korea issues air raid alert after North Korea fires short-range missiles
Seoul on Wednesday issued an air raid alert after North Korea fired short-range missiles that landed near South Korean waters for the first time.
The Yonhap News Agency in South Korea quoted an official on the island saying that employees took shelter in a basement when the air raid warning for Ulleung was broadcast on national television. President Yoon Suk-yeol convened a meeting of the National Security Council and condemned the “unprecedented” launches, which took place amid a period of national mourning for the 156 people killed in the Itaewon crowd crush at the weekend.
Sending a missile south of the NLL was “tantamount to territorial intrusion,” he was quoted as saying in a statement following the NSC meeting.
The missile launch by North Korea is followed by Pyongyang’s warning over ongoing military exercises between South Korea and the United States, reported Al Jazeera.
Denouncing North Korea’s launch of its first missile into an area close to the South’s territorial waters since the peninsula’s division more than seven decades ago, South Korea’s military called it an “intolerable” act, reported Yonhap News Agency.
The missile, one of at least 10 missiles fired on Wednesday morning, was detected by South Korea’s military and the Japanese coast guard and landed less than 60km (37 miles) off South Korea’s coast.
The missile was one of a number of short-range missiles launched from the area around Wonsan on North Korea’s eastern coast at about 8.51 am (23:51 GMT), according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) and an air raid warning for the island of Ulleung was issued shortly afterwards, reported Al Jazeera.
The JCS said at least one of the missiles landed 26km (16 miles) south of the Northern Limit Line, which serves as an unofficial maritime border between the two Koreas; the first time that has happened since the peninsula was divided.
The launch was “very unusual and absolutely unacceptable,” the JCS said, adding that it would respond “decisively”.
The missile landed 57km (35 miles) from the South Korean city of Sokcho on the east coast, and 167km (104 miles) from Ulleung, reported Al Jazeera.
North Korea has carried out an unprecedented number of weapons tests this year – now more than double the launch record set in 2019 – and there are expectations it may soon resume nuclear testing.
Japan said it had detected two suspected ballistic missiles launched from the North, one flying east and the other southeast.
“North Korea has repeatedly been launching missiles at an unprecedented rate, in new ways that we have not seen before,” Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada told reporters in Tokyo on Wednesday.
“These actions threaten the peace and stability of Japan, the wider region, as well as the broader international community, and are utterly unacceptable.”
Japan has lodged a protest against the launches via diplomatic channels in Beijing, he added.
Pyongyang argues its weapons are necessary for ‘self-defence’ and that recent tests are a warning to Washington and Seoul over joint military drills that it views as an invasion rehearsal, reported Al Jazeera.
This week’s exercises, dubbed Vigilant Storm, began on Monday and are some of the two allies’ largest, involving about 240 warplanes from both sides staging mock attacks 24 hours a day.
The White House says such drills are part of the US’s routine training schedule with South Korea.
“We reject the notion that they serve as any sort of provocation. We have made clear that we have no hostile intent towards the DPRK and call on them to engage in serious and sustained diplomacy,” White House National Security Council Spokesperson Adrienne Watson said on Tuesday, using North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Traffic movement resumes on Srinagar-Leh highway
SRINAGAR, Nov 2: The traffic movement on Srinagar-Leh highway, which was suspended on Tuesday after fresh snowfall near Zoji La, was restored on Wednesday morning.
Quoting an official, that the road was opened for two-way traffic this morning.
Jammu and Kashmir traffic police on its official Twitter handle also informed that traffic on the highway has been restored.
“Traffic plying on Jammu-Srinagar NHW. Mughal road and SSG(Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri) road through for vehicular movement,” the police said in the tweet. (Agencies)
GOC Lt Gen Manjinder Singh inaugurates 5 days Chenab Valley Youth Festival ‘SANGAM-2022 at Bhadarwah
By King RJ
Bhadarwah: With an aim to inculcate sense of belonging for the nation and promote communal harmony among youth beside to boost adventure tourism in Chenab region, Indian Army’s 4 Rashtriya Rifles in collaboration with Bhadarwah Campus organising 5 day’s Chenab Valley Youth Festival ‘SANGAM-2022’ at Bhadarwah, which commences on Monday.
The 5 days mega youth festival SANGAM-2022 was inaugurated by Lt Gen Manjinder Singh, YSM, VSM, Corps Commander, 16 Corps, who was the chief guest, in presence of Maj Gen Ajay Kumar, GOC, CIF (D), CO 4RR Col Rajat Parmar, Prof Rahul Gupta Rector Bhadarwah Campus by lighting of traditional lamps and releasing pigeons.
The festival with theme of ‘National Integration and Harmony’, in which 1200 students from 34 Colleges, universities and satellite Campuses are participating is being organised at Bhadarwah Campus of Jammu University.
ADC Bhadarwah Dil Mir Choudhary, DFO Bhadarwah Chander Shekhar, ERO Bhadarwah Campus Arif Khateeb, SDPO Bhadarwah Meer Gafoor, SHO Bhadarwah Jatinder Singh, officials of Civil Administration, Police Department, CRPF, Prominent Citizens of Bhadarwah, Principals and Teachers of Colleges/Schools were also present on the occasion.
Students present cultural items depicting culture and tradition of Chenab Valley, beside a skit on Army, depicting their determination for the nation on the opening Ceremony of the event.
GOC 16 Corps Lt Gen Manjinder Singh while lauding the role of Army and Bhadarwah Campus said that it's a iconic festival and involve our youths in a positive activity. He congratulated the Army and Bhadarwah Campus for resuming this colourful bonanza.
“The cultural programme presented by the students depicted mutual harmony and brotherhood which is an integral part of the culture of Chenab region,” he said adding that the people of this region especially youths should rise above the communal politics and secure a bright future for themselves and for this region.“Youth festival is an appropriate platform to showcase talent. We hope the festival is successful and every year we can increase the stature and scale of the programme. The university has put in all efforts to make the programme successful,” Singh added.
He while emphasising on youth of this region said that the youths of the Chenab valley should play a vital role in making this region a hub of higher learning.
Rector Bhadarwah Campus Prof. Rahul Gupta in his welcome address congratulated the youth for resuming of SANGAM-2022.
He also highlighted the role of youth in developing the Nation and importance of Army in one’s life. 
‘SANGAM’ is the iconic youth festival of Jammu and Kashmir and this used to be the most important and eagerly awaited event of the annual calender of Jammu University. But due to unfavourable circumstances which emerged due to pandemic it remained suspended for three years.
The youth festival provides a suitable platform for the youth to showcase their talent across domains of sports, culture and fine arts with an aim of spreading the message of peace & communal harmony.
The participants will also get an opportunity to try their hands at various adventure activities like Paragliding, River Rafting, Rock Climbing, Rappling & Zip Lining.
This unique festival also provides students with an opportunity to interact with one another and learn good values and experience the local cultural heritage.
A total of 40 events (outdoor and indoor activities) including Debate, Sketching, Clay Modelling, Photography, Athletics, Chess, Badminton for girls, Quiz,Painting, Marathon, Volleyball and Cricket etc will be conducted during the 5 days of Youth Festival. The traditional folk dance and other cultural programs performed by students mesmerised the audience with their talent. An attractive ‘Chho Dance’ was performed by Adivasi soldiers from army. The enthusiasm and motivation of the participating students was very encouraging.
Such cultural and sporting events are a great media towards aligning the perception of youth towards a positive end and portray an overall image of the Indian Army as a harbinger of peace.
Government rolls out services to ease biz activities in J&K
Jammu, November 2
To attract investments and also give a boost to the industrial sector, the J&K government on Tuesday rolled out several services with designated officials to ensure the processing in stipulated time.
The step is a part of ease of doing business in J&K.
Most of the services rolled out by the government have general managers of district industries centres (DIC) as the designated officers for providing services and the Director of Industries and Commerce as the first appellate authority while the Administrative Secretary of the same department as the second appellate authority.
A senior official said the measure would also help check corruption as it would be the responsibility of the designated officers to provide the required service in stipulated time period after a person applies for the same.
The services under the Directorate of Industries and Commerce include assessment of raw material and finished goods, prior permission for substantial expansion, additional line of activity, change in location, merger of units, subsidies on diesel generator and installation of pollution control devices among others.
While the J&K government claims that it has received investment proposals worth over Rs 51,000 crore since last year, the Opposition has often criticised the administration for “doing little” for the industry and business.
For small vendors, the government has also extended certification of verification of weights and measures under these services. The Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumers Affairs will also register manufacturers, packers and importers under Packaged Commodities Rules within 30 days.
The change of land use that was earlier a hectic exercise will now be completed within 30 days with the district collector as the designated officer and divisional commissioner and financial commissioner (revenue) as first and second appellate authorities.
The Forest, Ecology and Environment Department will register dealers under the Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules 2001 within 60 days. A fresh licence for wood-based industrial units will be issued within 120 days under the new scheme.
As per the order, a no objection certificate (NOC) for obtaining commercial water connection can be availed in 30 days.
Light rain, snow likely at isolated places in J&K: MeT
JAMMU, Nov 2: The Meteorological department here predicted light rain and snow at isolated places in Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24 hours.
“Light rain/snow at isolated places is likely to occur in J&K during the next 24 hours,” an official of the MeT department said on Wednesday.
The weather was mainly cloudy in the union territory during the last 24 hours.
Jammu had 15.3, Katra 15.5, Batote 9, Banihal 7.2 and Bhaderwah 5.3 as the minimum temperature.
Srinagar had 5, Pahalgam 0.2 and Gulmarg minus 1.0 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature.
Drass in Ladakh region had minus 3.5, Kargil minus 3.2 and Leh minus 2.6 as the minimum temperature. (AGENCIES)