J&K

Srinagar, Sep 21 (PTI) Restrictions were lifted from most parts of Kashmir on Saturday, but remained in force in the Handwara area of Kupwara district as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order, officials said.

Fresh restrictions were imposed in many parts of the Valley on Friday in view of apprehensions that vested interests might exploit the large Friday prayer gatherings at big mosques and shrines to fuel protests.

Officials said restrictions have been eased out in most areas of Kashmir.

Srinagar, Sep 18 (PTI) The situation in Kashmir showed some signs of normalcy on Wednesday with more private vehicles plying on roads and street vendors resuming their business though markets and commercial establishments remained shut and students stayed away from schools.

New Delhi, Sep 18 (PTI) A military exercise in the high altitude area in eastern Ladakh was carried out on Wednesday, the Army said in a statement.

The exercise, encompassing the use of mechanised forces with high technology platforms, was witnessed by Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command.

New Delhi, Sep 16 (PTI) The Congress on Monday strongly condemned former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah's detention under the Public Safety Act (PSA), saying it is the country's "misfortune" that the leaders who fought for its unity and integrity have been put behind bars.

Congress' reaction came as sources said on Monday that Abdullah has now been detained under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA), which enables authorities to detain any individual for two years without trial.

Jammu, Sep 14 (PTI) Pakistani troops engaged in heavy firing and mortar shelling on forward posts and villages along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday in violation of the ceasefire, officials said.

The firing and mortar shelling from across the border started in Balakote and Mankote areas around 10 am, drawing a strong retaliation from the Indian Army, the officials said.

They said heavy exchange of fire between the two sides was going on when last reports were received.

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Srinagar, Sep 12 (PTI) Normal life remained affected in Kashmir as the stalemate following abrogation of Article 370 entered its 39th day on Thursday with schools closed and public transport off the roads, officials said.

Restrictions on the movement or assembly of people have been lifted from most areas of the valley, but security forces continued to be deployed to maintain law and order, the officials said.

They said the authorities were also considering easing out restrictions on mobile communications and restoring voice call services.

Srinagar, Sep 11: A Kashmiri was killed in an alleged gunfight between with Indian security forces and Kashmiri separatist in Sopore of Baramulla districts of Indian administered Kashmir, an Indian official said.

Two police personnel were injured in a grenade blast at the encounter site and are out of danger.

Jammu, Sep 8 (PTI) To foster the spirit of entrepreneurship in the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, the Army is conducting a three-day "startup weekend" at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University in Reasi district from September 20, an official said on Sunday.

The workshop to come up with ideas for the next generation is being conducted by Army's Counter Insurgency Force (Uniform) under the aegis of White Knight Corps in association with Techstars, a Banglore-based startup seed accelerator, PRO (Defence) Udhampur Lt Col Abhinav Navneet said.

Jammu, Sept 8 (PTI) The Union territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh will have a common high court, State Judicial Academy's Director Rajeev Gupta said on Sunday.

He also said 108 Central Laws would be applicable for the two UTs while 164 state laws would be repealed and 166 state laws will continue to be applicable.

The Centre had on August 5 nullified Article 370 of the Constitution, revoking the special status of the state.