Srinagar, Mar 12: The Jammu and Kashmir Civil Society Forum (JKCSF) has strongly condemned the attack on former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah in Jammu yesterday, terming the incident highly disturbing and unacceptable in a democratic society.

In a statement issued today, JKCSF Chairman Abdul Qayoom Wani expressed serious concern over the incident and said that violence or intimidation against political leaders and public figures has no place in a civilized society. He said that differences of opinion must always be resolved through democratic dialogue and peaceful means.

Mr. Wani stated that such acts not only endanger individuals but also undermine the democratic ethos and the atmosphere of peace and harmony in Jammu and Kashmir. He urged the authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident and ensure that those responsible are identified and brought to justice at the earliest.

The JKCSF expressed relief that Dr Farooq Abdullah his colleagues Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani and Depty Chief minster remained safe and unharmed along with others. The Forum also appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to maintain calm, uphold the values of tolerance and mutual respect, and collectively reject all forms of violence.

Jammu, Mar 12: The Jammu and Kashmir Congress on Thursday strongly condemned the murderous attack on former chief minister Farooq Abdullah in Jammu and said “those entrusted with maintaining law and order must be held accountable”.

Abdullah had a narrow escape when a gunman allegedly opened fire at him from behind while he was leaving a marriage function at Greater Kailash on the outskirts of Jammu on Wednesday night.

Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and advisor to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Nasir Aslam Wani, were also accompanying Abdullah when the incident occurred.

The accused, identified as 63-year-old Kamal Singh Jamwal, a resident of Purani Mandi in Jammu, was arrested and told police that he had been waiting for an opportunity to target Abdullah for the past 20 years.

Jammu and Kashmir Congress Committee president Tariq Hamid Karra termed the incident shocking and said it raised serious concerns about the prevailing security situation in the region.

“Strongly condemn the shocking firing incident on former CM Farooq Abdullah and other senior leaders …Such acts of violence are deeply disturbing and raise serious concerns about the prevailing security scenario in the region,” Karra said in a post on X.

He said the increasing criminalisation and lawlessness cannot be ignored.

“Those entrusted with maintaining law and order must be held accountable. The people deserve safety, stability, and a secure environment, and it is the responsibility of the administration to ensure that such incidents are not repeated,” he said.

All India Congress general secretary and Congress Legislative Party leader Ghulam Ahmed Mir also condemned the incident, describing such occurrences at public places as unfortunate.

“Such incidents are unfortunate. The security setup should investigate how this happened. The matter needs to be addressed,” Mir said.

Srinagar, Mar 12: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of the Crime Branch J&K has produced a chargesheet against 17 persons, including a Chief Medical Officer (CMO), a Block Medical Officer (BMO), doctors/medical officers, a senior assistant, and office/dealing assistants of the Health Department in connection with a fake appointments scam in the Health Department in Medical Block Bandipora, inflicting losses of crores of rupees on the state exchequer, officials said

In a press statement, an official spokesperson said that “The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K has produced a chargesheet in case FIR No. 07/2013 before the Hon’ble Court of Special Anti-Corruption Judge Baramulla against seventeen (17) accused persons for offences punishable under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B and 201 RPC read with Section 5(2) PC Act.”

The case was registered following the receipt of official communications from the Deputy Director Health Services (HQR) Kashmir, Srinagar, alleging fraudulent insertions in Government Order No. 235-HME of 2010 dated 19.04.2010. It was alleged that certain officials, in conspiracy with others, manipulated the said order and fraudulently showed the creation of additional posts in the Health Department in Medical Block Bandipora, the statement added.

During investigation, the spokesperson stated, it surfaced that, under a well-planned criminal conspiracy involving departmental officials and beneficiaries, fake transfer and appointment orders were prepared and used to illegally adjust several individuals against non-existent posts in PHC Chuntimullah, PHC Ashtangoo, SDH Bandipora and PHC Sheikhpora Gurez. By using these forged documents, the accused beneficiaries managed to secure illegal appointments and subsequently drew salaries and 6th Pay Commission arrears from the Government treasury.

The investigation established that the accused persons, by resorting to forgery and fraudulent means, caused crores of rupees wrongful loss to the State exchequer while deriving corresponding wrongful gain for themselves, the statement said.

Accordingly, after completion of investigation, the chargesheet has been filed before the Court for judicial determination, it said.

The spokesperson further said, “The chargesheet has been filed against 17 accused persons including a Chief Medical Officer, a Block Medical Officer, doctors/medical officers, a senior assistant, office/dealing assistants of the Health Department and 12 beneficiary employees who were fraudulently adjusted against non-existent posts.”

Srinagar, Mar 11: Rain in the plains and fresh snowfall in the higher reaches of Kashmir on Wednesday ended a prolonged spell of unusual warmth, with temperatures dropping below normal at several weather stations for the first time since February and the early days of March.

Several parts of the Valley witnessed light to moderate rainfall, while higher reaches in north and central Kashmir received fresh snowfall.

According to meteorological officials, the higher reaches of Kupwara and Bandipora districts, along with central Kashmir areas including Razdan Pass, Sadhna Top, Pharkian Gali, Z-Gali, Tulail Valley, Keran, Sonamarg and Zojila, received about 4 to 6 inches of snowfall.

Traffic on some of these routes was temporarily suspended as authorities initiated snow-clearance operations.

In the Ladakh region, higher areas of Leh, Kargil, Nubra Valley and Drass also experienced moderate snowfall.

Across the plains of Kashmir, including Srinagar, light to moderate rainfall was recorded, with the impact more pronounced in north and central Kashmir than in the southern districts.

Tourist resorts Gulmarg and Pahalgam also received rainfall, while light snowfall was reported in the evening from Mughal Road, Sinthan Top, Margan Top, and the twin valleys of Marwa and Warwan.

Srinagar recorded 2.8 mm of rainfall, with the maximum temperature settling at 12.2°C, which is 2.2°C below normal.

Pahalgam received 2.7 mm of rainfall and recorded a maximum temperature of 9°C, 2.4°C below normal. Gulmarg received 6.4 mm of precipitation and recorded a temperature of 5.4°C, about 0.8°C above normal.

Kupwara recorded 11.2 mm of rainfall, with the maximum temperature settling at 10.2°C, which is 4.3°C below normal.

However, temperatures in south Kashmir remained relatively higher despite the dip. Kokernag recorded a maximum temperature of 19.4°C and Qazigund 19.6°C, which were still 6.8°C and 4.7°C above normal, respectively.

The rainfall and snowfall brought relief after an extended spell of unusually warm weather across the region. During February and the first ten days of March, Kashmir witnessed temperatures significantly above seasonal averages.

In several places, including Srinagar and hill stations such as Gulmarg and Pahalgam, temperatures had risen 9°C to 13°C above normal. Although occasional precipitation occurred in higher reaches during this period, the warm conditions largely persisted.

The Meteorological Department had earlier issued an advisory for farmers, urging them to suspend agricultural activities and spraying on March 10 and 11 due to the prevailing weather conditions.

Thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds of 30–40 kmph were also reported in several areas.

Officials said that after the current spell of rain and snowfall, the region is likely to witness a dry spell from March 12 to March 14. Another feeble western disturbance is expected to affect the region thereafter.