Rajnath reviews Kashmir situation; ‘Tamgha-e-Jurrat’ for Burhan Wani announces Shabir Shah

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting to review the security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of slain Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Burhan Wani’s first death anniversary on Saturday. Minister of State Home Affairs Hansraj Ahir, Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, Inspector General of National Security Guard (NSG) and other senior officers were also present in the meeting. The security forces and intelligence agencies are apprehending trouble in the Kashmir Valley on Wani’s death anniversary. Widespread protests erupted in the Kashmir valley after Burhan’s death. Kashmir…

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Armyman deserts his unit along with rifle and ammunition

There are apprehensions Zahoor may have joined militant ranks A Kashmiri armyman posted in Baramulla district deserted his unit along with arms and ammunition on Tuesday night. Sepoy Zahoor Ahmed Tokar of Sirnoo, Pulwama, who was posted in 173 Territorial Army Engineering regiment at Gantmulla Baramulla, fled with an AK rifle and three magazines. Sources said there were apprehensions that Zahoor might have joined militant ranks. “We have put security apparatus on alert as the TA man has good knowledge of the security system and units deployed in the Valley,”…

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Leh celebrates Dalai Lama’s 82nd birthday

Thousands of Tibetans on Thursday morning joined in the 82nd birthday celebrations of their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama here. Large crowds donning traditional dresses began to assemble since morning at the Shiwatsel Phodrang complex on the outskirts of Leh for the birthday celebrations. “Special prayer sessions were held for the long life of His Holiness,” a Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) spokesperson told IANS. The Dalai Lama, revered by the Tibetans as a “living god”, attended the prayers and blessed the gathering. Tibetan Prime Minister Lobsang Sangay also attended the…

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Burhan Wani’s Anniversary triggers diplomatic activity as far as in United Kingdom

Birmingham city council today withdrew its permission for a planned rally to mark Burhan Wani Day on Saturday after India lodged a protest with the UK government. The rally was being planned by UK-based Kashmiri groups to mark the first death anniversary of the commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen militant outfit killed by Indian armed forces in Kashmir on July 8 last year. India on Monday protested to the UK over the planned rally. “We took a booking for a peaceful rally highlighting the human rights abuse in Kashmir. However,…

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GST a slap on Hurriyat’s face: Sat Sharma

Rashid says not implementing the law proved JK not ‘Atoot Ang’ State President of the rightwing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Sat Sharma Wednesday said implementing the new Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime in Jammu Kashmir would be a slap on the face of Hurriyat leaders. Speaking in the Legislative Assembly on the resolution presented by Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu for implementing GST in the State, Sharma said implementing the new tax regime would be a slap on the face of separatists who do not accept that Jammu Kashmir to…

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Iran expresses support for ‘Oppressed Kashmiris’ twice in a week

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei for the second time in a week, made comments about Kashmir, urging support for its ‘oppressed’ Muslim, reported the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). Khamenei’s timing for the statement is noteworthy, as his comments came in the run-up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel, which is no friend of Iran’s. Further, with India and Iran squabbling over a gas field, and India’s tilt toward Riyadh, Indo-Iran ties are suddenly not looking too high on New Delhi’s agenda. In 2010, when Khamenei spoke of…

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War of words in Assembly over GST; Speaker expunges remarks

Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker Kavinder Gupta on Wednesday expunged the “intimidating and unparliamentary” words used by members during heated exchanges in the House over the last two days and directed the media not to report them. Gupta was ruling on a petition moved by opposition National Conference (NC) MLA Devender Rana, seeking an FIR against PDP minister Imran Ansari for his “intimidating” comments against him during a discussion on the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime in the state yesterday. “It is my hand-folded request to…

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GST latest assault on special status: Joint Resistance Leadership

Kashmir’s joint resistance leadership comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik on Wednesday termed implementation of Goods and Service Tax regime in J&K as a “latest assault” on state’s special status. In a statement here, the leaders said the government is “punishing and harassing” the resilient people of Downtown by imposing restrictions and curbs there. It has become a regular feature of the “anti-Kashmir ruling regime” which keeps breaking its records of repression and revenge on people, they said. “The arm-twisting tactics of the authorities which…

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Will turn Kashmir into graveyard for Azadi seekers: Ashok Khajuria

Criticising separatist leaders, senior BJP MLC, Ashok Khajuria Wednesday said Jammu and Kashmir will be turned into a graveyard for those seeking Azadi from India and supporting Pakistan. Speaking during a discussion on GST in the upper house of legislature, the BJP member said separatists had ruined four generations in J&K for their “petty politics”. “We will not allow anyone to ruin the future of our next generations. Separatists have done enough damage to our kids. Now it is time for them to mend their ways. If they don’t change…

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