PDP likely to head grand alliance with Congress, NC to form govt in J&K

A grand alliance is shaping up in Jammu and Kashmir where arch rivals Peoples Democratic Party and National Conference are set to team up with the Congress to stake claim to form the government. Former finance minister and senior PDP leader, Altaf Bukhari confirming the alliance move said, “My leadership has confirmed it to us that the three parties (Congress, PDP and NC) have agreed to make a coalition to defend the special identity of the state politically and legally. Very soon you will get a good news.’’ Another senior…

Read More

Mourning as well fear across valley after rebels abducted, executes civilians

After spending four harrowing hours in the custody of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militants at an unidentified location, Farooq Ahmed Thokar and Shahid Ganai found themselves blindfolded, standing on what they could tell was a macadamised road somewhere in south Kashmir. They were accompanied by two militants, who had just interrogated them. Thokar and Ganai were asked to turn their backs towards the car that had been used as transportation. “[Then] they removed our blindfolds. A voice came from behind and told us that we were free to go. One of…

Read More

PDP, Congress and NC appear to be joining hands to form a coalition govt?

In a potentially far-reaching realignment of political forces in Jammu and Kashmir, the PDP, Congress and the National Conference appear to be joining hands to form a coalition government, sources in the three parties indicated Tuesday. The state is currently under Governor’s rule which cannot be extended after it completed its six-month period on December 19. It is proposed to impose President’s rule thereafter but the 87-member assembly is not being dissolved, according to Governor Satyapal Mallik. The government headed by the Peoples Democratic Party’s Mehbooba Mufti fell when its…

Read More

Hurriyat leader Hafizullah shot dead in Anantnag, JRL calls for shutdown

Unknown gunmen on Tuesday shot dead a top separatist leader, Mir Hafizullah, at his residence in Badura locality in Akingam Achabal area of Anantnag district. Mir was shot dead barely 20 yards away from his home on Anantnag-Kishtwar highway at Akingam at around 10:30 am. “A car stopped on highway outside his home and a masked person alighted from it while two remained seated inside. As the masked man approached towards him, Hafizullah started asking the masked man who he was and why they had stopped outside his house. Within…

Read More