Tension mounts in Nowshera after attacks by right wing groups over Christian conversions

A number of Christian families in Sayal village of the border town of Nowshera are facing nightmarish situation after allegations of attacks by right wing groups on them over the conversion of Hindus into Christianity. Earlier a church, some shops and a tractor were set on fire by a right wing mob on January 15 after a woman died under “suspicious” circumstances. The allegation of conversion of Hindu families into Christianity and their reconversion to Hinduism has triggered unprecedented tension in Rajouri and Poonch districts. The woman Seema Devi, who…

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Tulip Garden thrown open for tourists, draws large crowds

The new-look Tulip Garden located in the foothills of the Zabarwan range overlooking the Dal Lake was thrown open to visitors on Sunday. Even as the garden opened with added attractions, including a fountain channel and hyacinth terrace, the beauty of myriad tulip varieties was also streamed live through drone cameras on the social media. And as the garden bustled with visitors on the opening day, causing traffic jams in the vicinity, stakeholders remain hopeful that it will augur well for the tourism sector. “We had actively promoted the Tulip…

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LeT militant Shafat Wani killed, woman injured in Budgam gunfight

A militant was killed and a teenage girl injured in a gunfight between forces and militants at Arizal in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Sunday. According to officials the personnel of special operations group (SOG) of police, army’s 53 RR and paramilitary CRPF troops launched a cordon and search operation in Khan Mohalla, Arizal, following a “specific” input about the presence of militants in the area. “During search militants tried to flee and came out of the house and fired indiscriminately on forces. In retaliation one militant was killed,” a…

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Hurriyat Chief, Ashraf Sehrai’s son joins Hizb, won’t appeal for his return: Family

Days after the new Hurriyat chief called ISIS ideology ‘venomous’ and anti-Kashmir, his son went missing Tehreek-e-Hurriyat chief decides not to pursue police complaint Junaid Ashraf, son of the newly elected chairman of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai has joined terrorist organisation Hizbul Mujahideen, Jammu and Kashmir police said on Saturday. The information comes barely 24 hours after the separatist leader filing a missing report for his son. “Junaid Ashraf, the 26-year-old son of Sehrai, has joined the Hizbul Mujahideen militant group,” a police official said. Earlier this week, Sehrai was…

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