State

Foreign envoys expected to visit J&K

(Asian News Hub) – A group of foreign envoys are expected to visit the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on February 17. The visit, which is still in the planning stage, will focus on the progress made on the ground in the aftermath of the removal of the special status of the region in 2019.

This will be the third such visit of envoys to the union territory in the last year. India had taken a group in January, and another group in February of 2020. During that visit, the envoys had met locals as well as top administrative leadership of the union territory.

The visit comes soon after 4G speed internet was restored in the union territory.

The internet was restored after a gap of 18 months. The decision was welcomed by the US state department.

The US state department, in a tweet, said, “We welcome the resumption of 4G mobile internet in India’s Jammu & Kashmir. This marks an important step for local residents and we look forward to continued political & economic progress to restore normalcy in J&K.”

The focus will also be on how grassroots democracy has taken root in the union territory particularly after the recent DDC elections.

In the last one year, India has been reaching out to the diplomatic community in Delhi to showcase its COVID-19 action plan as well.

Last year, more than 50 envoys based in Delhi were taken to the southern Indian city of Hyderabad to show India’s pharma plants where COVID-19 vaccines are being manufactured.

New Delhi has invited the diplomatic community to take part in its vaccination program as well and has got an enthusiastic response. 3000 foreign diplomats and their families have accepted the invite to get vaccinated. (With Inputs From Agencies)

State

‘Militant associate’ arrested in Kupwara; 10 grenades, 182 bullets recovered

(Asian News Hub) – Army and police have recovered ten grenades and 182 rounds of Ak-47 rifle from a militant associate who was arrested in Kralpora area in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, official sources said on Tuesday.

They said army 160 Territorial Army and SOG Kralpora arrested the “militant associate” Abdul Ahad Lone based on specific information. “10 grenades and 182 Ak-47 rounds” have been recovered from his possession.They said middle-aged man was associated with Al-Badr formerly.

A police officer confirmed the arrest and said that further investigations are underway.

GNS

State

Three unidentified militants killed in Anantnag

(Asian News Hub) – Three unidentified militants have been killed in an encounter that raged between government forces and militants in Vailoo area of Kokernag belt in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Tuesday.

A senior police officer told that three unidentified militants have been killed whose identification is being ascertained while as operation is on in the area.

He said the militants turned down repeated surrender offers given to them by government forces.

Earlier, an official said that a joint team of Police, Army’s 19 RR and CRPF launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) on specific information about the presence of militants in the area.

He said that as the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them, which was retaliated, triggering an encounter.

Pertinently, 46 militants have been killed in J&K so far this year and most of them belong to Shopian district.

KNO

State

Militant killed in an ongoing encounter at Anantnag

(Asian News Hub) – One militant has been killed in an ongoing encounter that raged between government forces and militants in Vailoo area of Kokernag belt in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Tuesday.

A senior police officer told that one militant has been killed whose identification is being ascertained while as operation is on in the area.

Earlier, an official said that a joint team of Police, Army’s 19 RR and CRPF launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) on specific information about the presence of militants in the area.

He said that as the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them, which was retaliated, triggering an encounter.

Pertinently, 44 militants have been killed in J&K so far this year and most of them belong to Shopian district.

KNO