Kashmir Archives | Page 72 of 230

CBI confirms identity of 33 of 57 civilian killed in 1993 Sopore Massacre

December 18, 2017December 18, 2017 Editor

On January 6, 1993 the BSF set ablaze the main market Sopore and indiscriminately fired upon civilians, allegedly killing 57 people after a militant had, as per reports, snatched a rifle from a BSF trooper. Of the 57 civilians killed in the 1993 Sopore massacre by the BSF, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has confirmed the identity of 33 civilians. A rights activist, Ahsan Untoo in his petition to State Human Rights Commission had produced a list of 51 civilians allegedly killed by the BSF. But the CBI in its…

Civilian killed in Army firing in Kupwara, probe ordered

December 18, 2017 Editor

Family alleges cold-blooded murder A civilian was killed when the Army allegedly fired at him during an ambush laid down last night to trap militants in a remote village of Kupwara district, the police said. However, the Army said the victim identified as Asif Iqbal Bhat, 22, a resident of Thandipora village, was killed in the cross-firing between soldiers and militants, a claim refuted by locals. Following fierce clashes in the village that left at least eight policemen, including Kupwara Superintendent of Police injured, the police registered a case and…

Cold tightens grip across Kashmir Valley; Gulmarg coldest at -10°C

December 16, 2017 Editor

Kashmir continued to be under the grip of cold wave as the minimum temperatures remained below the freezing point. Traffic on the national highway was allowed from Srinagar to Jammu only. The Met department said the minimum temperatures throughout the Kashmir valley and the Ladakh region remained below the freezing point, with Gulmarg and Kargil witnessing the lowest minimum temperatures. The department has forecast dry weather in the Valley till December 19, with the exception of light rain or snow at isolated places. “At minus 10 degree Celsius, Gulmarg was…

Neglected Lolab valley receives 30 minute electricity every 24 hours

December 16, 2017 Editor

Almost all villages of Lolab valley in district Kupwara are reeling under darkness for last two months, the resident say that government has turned a blind eye towards their problems. Residents of Lolab, known as Wadi-e-Lolab, said the health services are in a shambles and they have to ferry patients to Kupwara and Srinagar for treatment. Lolab is a combination of three valleys – Potnai, Brunai and Kalaroos – and its headquarters is situated at Sogam. “Come winter and the PDD starts showing their true colour. At a time when…

Majority in Kashmir Valley want independence: Study of Developing Societies Poll

December 15, 2017December 15, 2017 Editor

Nearly 90 percent of people living in Indian Kashmir’s summer capital want their troubled and divided state to become an independent country, according to a poll in an Indian newspaper on Monday. India and Pakistan have fought and argued over the Himalayan region ever since partition in 1947, but 87 percent of people questioned in Srinagar have no allegiance to either side. Only 3 percent of the mainly Muslim inhabitants of the city think Kashmir should become part of Pakistan, and 7 percent prefer Indian rule, the poll said. But…

Due to official negligence, power starving valley loses 50 MW power every day

December 15, 2017December 15, 2017 Editor

While Kashmir continues to reel under worst power crisis for the past two months now, the power development department has failed to repair a damaged transmission tower in Jammu, resulting in loss of at least 50 MW of electricity to the Valley every day. An official said that one of the 220-kv towers of the Kishenpur-Pampore transmission line, which supplies electricity to Kashmir, was damaged during road widening in Surmoil, Udhampur following heavy rainfall in late July. Since then, the official said, the tower hasn’t been restored. The Kishenpur-Pampore transmission…

Snow snaps power supply across Kashmir Valley

December 13, 2017 Editor

Many areas in Valley faced severe power cuts as distribution lines were snapped due to the snowfall. The lines were damaged at many places forcing the Power Development Department (PDD) to discontinue the power supply. PDD officials said many rural areas experienced extended power disruption. The residents of many areas in Srinagar city also complained of longer duration power cuts due to the snowfall. Local residents of majority of the parts of Srinagar complained of no electricity or frequent power cuts. The areas which were hit include Batamaloo, Bemina, Karan…

Three Lashkar militants, woman killed in Handwara gunfight

December 12, 2017 Editor

Protests erupt in area after 25-year-old local dies in the crossfire At least three militants of the Lashkar-e-Toiba were killed in a gunfight in north Kashmir’s frontier Kupwara district. A 25-year-old woman was also killed in the “crossfire”, triggering protests. The gunfight erupted around 12.30 am when joint teams of the police, Army and the CRPF launched a cordon and search operation at Unisoo in Handwara, 70 km from Srinagar, after a specific input about the presence of militants. “The militants tried to break the cordon and fired indiscriminately. In…

Baramulla takes lead, grants amnesty to 390 first time stone pelters

December 11, 2017 Editor

Baramulla in north Kashmir has become the first district in the state to withdraw cases against youth following Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s recent decision to grant amnesty to first-time stone throwers. The authorities today withdrew FIRs against 390 persons, mostly youth, who were not habitual offenders and were not involved in heinous crimes. The withdrawal of cases was announced at a function in the main Baramulla town by the district administration and the police authorities. The youth against whom the cases were withdrawn were also present along with their parents.…