Srinagar, Nov 15: Jammu and Kashmir Police in Baramulla conducted a series of coordinated preventive measures across the district to enhance public safety and address activities linked with anti-national elements.

An official said that during the course of these operations, three individuals with verified subversive links were summoned and bound down under preventive law. He said that seven locations linked with OGWs were searched, and seven persons were bound down.

The official said that two individuals booked under UAPA (presently on bail) were examined; while one was bound down under preventive provisions. Moreover, seven UAPA-accused (on bail) were identified for bail cancellation, and two related cases were submitted to the court. 29 CASOs were conducted in sensitive areas to strengthen area domination and surveillance.

The official further said that 244 vehicles were checked at various points to monitor movement and verify credentials, 18 SIM vendors were checked. Besides, 4 persons linked with E&IMCO-related activities were examined for compliance with guidelines.

These measures were aimed at preventing potential threats, ensuring adherence to law, and maintaining an atmosphere of peace across the district, he said.

Police remains committed to upholding public order and will continue such preventive activities to maintain stability and security, he also said.

Srinagar, Nov 15: Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker and National Confernce Senior leader, Abdul Rahim Rather on Saturday said that the National Conference’s defeat in the Budgam by-election must be viewed in a wider political context, adding that the votes secured by the winning PDP candidate were not solely his own.

“This is not a PDP vote. This is Ruhullah’s vote, Maulvi Ansari’s vote and the candidate’s own family vote,” Rather said, adding that the combined support of these leaders increased the PDP tally by nearly 3,500 votes compared to previous elections.

He said that in the 2024 Assembly polls, the PDP had secured around 17,000 votes in the constituency, and this time the total had risen to over 21,000 only because “both Ruhullah and Ansari brought their respective support bases together.”

Commenting on the NC’s first-ever loss in Budgam, the Speaker said that democratic results must be respected. “In elections, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. There is no problem in accepting the people’s decision,” he said, as per KNS.

He also said that, as Speaker, he does not participate in active politics but can comment on the election trend from a “financial and numerical perspective.”

Speaking about the Nowgam Police Station blast, which killed nine people and injured 32, Rather described the incident as tragic and said it must be investigated thoroughly.

“It is a matter of great misfortune. It should be investigated, and we must reach the bottom of it. Those responsible should be prosecuted according to law,” he added.

He urged people not to speculate about the cause of the blast and emphasized the need to uphold law and order.

“My only appeal is that nobody should be punished without reason, and nobody should be harmed unjustly,” he said.

When asked whether the government would be able to meet people’s expectations, Rather said the administration is making sincere efforts. “We are trying,” he responded briefly.

Srinagar, Nov 15: State Investigation Agency Inspector Israr Ahmad Shah was among the nine people who were killed in the massive explosion at the Nowgam police station in Jammu and Kashmir.

Shah, who joined the police force in 2011, is survived by a wife, two young children, and elderly parents.

Hailing from the Drugmulla area of Kupwara district, Shah was known as a soft-spoken person who focused mainly on his work, according to his neighbour Ghulam Mohammad.

The police officer also had a reputation of being helpful, which was evident from the rush of neighbours at his residence as soon as the news of his death reached the village.

Among the deceased were Selection Grade Constables Javaid Mansoor Rather and Arshid Ahmad Shah (both Crime Branch photographers), Selection Grade Constable Aijaz Afzal Mir and Constables Mohammad Amin Mir and Showkat Ahmad Bhat (all three working with the Forensic Science Laboratory).

Naib Tehsildar Muzaffar Ahmed Khan, chowkidar of the area Suhail Ahmad Rather, and Mohammad Shafi Parray, a tailor, were the other persons killed in the accidental blast.

Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat said the blast took place when a team of officials was collecting samples of the explosives seized during the investigation into the ‘white collar terror module’ case.

“As part of the prescribed procedure, the samples of the recovery had to be forwarded for further forensic and chemical examination. On account of the voluminous nature of the recovery, this process was going on for the past two days by the Forensic Science Laboratory team,” Prabhat said.

“Unfortunately, during this course, on Friday night, around 11.20 pm, an accidental explosion took place. Any other speculation into the cause of this incident is unnecessary,” he added.

The top cop said nine people lost their lives in the explosion and 32 others were injured.

He said 27 police personnel, two revenue officials, and three civilians from the adjacent area sustained injuries in the incident.

Srinagar, Nov 15: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday visited Ujala Cygnus hospital to meet those injured in the Nowgam police station blast.

The LG, per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), inquired about the health of the injured and assured them of all possible assistance.

He arrived in Srinagar today afternoon from Jammu after the accidental blast inside the Nowgam police station. He will visit the Police Control Room headquarters for a wreath laying ceremony of the officials who died in the blast.

Nine people died, including a State Investigation Agency (SIA) officer, a Naib Tehsildar and a tailor, while 31 others were wounded after a stockpile of explosive seized from Faridabad terror module went off accidentally inside the police station—(KNO)