Kashmir Updates: Terror alert issued in Valley ahead of Independence Day

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The Jammu region's border areas are reeling under strict restrictions. Communication in the region has been down for the past seven days. Even voice calling is not permitted just like in Kashmir.

A woman shared her grievance ahead of Raksha Bandhan. "Festival of Rakhi [Rakhsha Bandhan] is around the corner. At least I should be able to talk to my brothers. I miss them and during the festival. We should be given some hours to contact our beloved. I haven't spoken to my relatives for the past one week," Geeta Devi, a resident of Nowshera, Jammu and Kashmir, said.

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No passenger was to be seen at Atari railway station in India after the Samjhauta Express train movement was stopped between India and Pakistan. The Indian Railways announced on Sunday that it has cancelled the Samjhauta Express train run at its end of the international border, days after Pakistan suspended services on its side.

There will be relaxation for Eid prayers in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir. However, section 144 remains in place. Rajouri is a very sensitive district in terms of law and order.

National Conference leader and former minister Ali Mohammad Sagar, who was arrested a few days ago in Jammu and Kashmir, was on Sunday shifted to a jail in Uttar Pradesh, officials said. Sagar was arrested on August 5 along with the former chief ministers, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti. He is the first mainstream political leader being sent out of Jammu and Kashmir as part of a government plan to shift prisoners to jails outside the state.

The trade community in Srinagar has suffered an estimated loss of Rs 1,000 crore in the past week due to the restrictions imposed after the Centre abrogated provisions of Article 370 and divided Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories, stakeholders claimed Sunday.

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Terror alert has been issued in J&K for next three days ahead of Independence Day. Security has been tightened in the area. Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to visit Valley on August 15.

According to sources, a security alert has been issued in Valley ahead of Independence Day on August 15. As of now, no untoward incident has been reported, while the situation in J&K is said to be normal. Landlines are likely to be opened after reviewing the situation in one or two days.

Arrangements are being made to provide transport services to people longing to reach their homes. Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary, Planning Commission in Srinagar said, "We are trying to provide transport at Civil Airport in Srinagar, as well as at TRC (bus stand) so that people can reach their home without any difficulty."

Jammu and Kashmir Police, in a tweet, has said that the situation in the state has remained normal so far. No untoward incident has been reported from anywhere as of now, they said.

The situation in the state has remained normal so far. No untoward incident has been reported from anywhere so far.@KashmirPolice @igpjmu

J&K Police (@JmuKmrPolice) August 11, 2019

According to our reporter, there is a complete shutdown in Jammu border towns. Communication has been snapped in the area with no voice calling or internet in operation. Even as Section 144 continues to be imposed in the Jammu border area, vehicular traffic is being witnessed with markets functioning.

Baseer Khan, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir told ANI that all ration outlets in the Valley were open and people were purchasing rations from different locations. People were allowed to move and make purchases for Eid which falls tomorrow, he said.

Baseer Khan,Divisional Commissioner,Kashmir: All ration outlets in the valley were open&people were purchasing rations from different locations. Today&yesterday in many areas restrictions were lifted&people were allowed to move and make purchases for Eid which falls tomorrow. https://t.co/b2G0PKRGDE

ANI (@ANI) August 11, 2019

Section-144 relaxed for six hours in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on the eve of Eid al-Adha. Rush in markets of Poonch were seen as locals head out for shopping.

#JammuAndKashmir: Rush in markets of POONCH; 6-hour relaxation in Section-144 has been provided here on the eve of Eid al-Adha pic.twitter.com/Aex2vq0GwB

ANI (@ANI) August 11, 2019

The Army has launched 'Mission Reach Out' in Jammu to ensure basic necessities and essential services are available in the region post the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 and reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Sunday.

A high level 'Mission Reach Out' conference to review the prevalent situation in the region was held in the Nagrota Military Station on Saturday which was chaired by White Knight Corps Commander Lt Gen Paramjit Singh, they said.

The Indian Railways announced on Sunday that it has cancelled the Samjhauta Express train run at its end of the international border, days after Pakistan suspended services on its side.

The railways run the train on Sundays from Delhi to Attari and back, while Pakistan used to run the train between Lahore and Attari. Passengers used to change trains at the Attari station.

The Centre will be in direct control of law and order and police in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir through the Lieutenant Governor (L-G), while land will be a subject under the elected government there, officials said on Sunday.

Land -- the rights in or over it -- will be with the elected government of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, unlike in Delhi where the L-G exercises control through the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), a central government entity.

The UT of Jammu and Kashmir will have a Lieutenant Governor and the maximum strength of its assembly will be 107, which will be enhanced to 114 after a delimitation exercise.

Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday backed the scrapping of special status under Article 370 to Jammu and Kashmir, saying it was in the interest of the nation and should not be treated as a political issue.

It was the need of the hour and people of the country should stand with their counterparts in J&K, Venkaiah Naidu said. He said this while speaking at the release of a book on his two-year term in office titled "Listening, Learning & Leading".

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami, quoting verses from Islam's holy book Quran, urged the people to imbibe the spirit of love, peace, humanity, virtue and unity on the auspicious day. "I wish happy Bakrid to the people of Islam...This day is celebrated to appreciate the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim who was ready to offer his only son to show his dedication to God," he said.

Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Sunday led the state in conveying greetings on the eve of Eid-il-Adha, also called Bakrid. In his greetings, Purohit said that the day marks the ultimate sacrifice done by a devout father in the obedience to the will of God.

Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday reiterated his firm commitment and belief on abrogation of Article 370 while revealing that though he had faith in the outcomes of scrapping Article 370, he too had several apprehensions regarding the functioning of the Upper House when the bill was introduced. Amit Shah said this while speaking at the launch of a book on Vice-President M Venkiah Naidu's two years in office.