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Pulwama encounter: Two militants killed, search ops underway

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Two unidentified militants have been killed in an ongoing encounter that raged between security forces and militants at Dangarpora area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, police officials today said.

A senior police official said that two militants were killed in the gunfight, adding that search operation is on in the area. Kashmir Zone police also tweeted in this regard.

Earlier in the day, security forces had launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in the area after they received specific inputs about the presence of militants hiding in a residential house.

As the security forces zeroed in on the house, the hiding militants started firing upon the forces who thereafter retaliated, triggering an encounter.

“We have killed both the militants after heavy exchange of firing,” the police official said.

Locals of Dangarpora, however, said the residential house where militants were hiding, was damaged in the exchange of fire between militants and security forces.

The authorities have also snapped internet services in the area as a precautionary measure. With the killing of two more militants, the number of militants killed in Kashmir since the outbreak of pandemic Covid-19 raised to 32 whereas, the total number of militants killed in this year so far is 52.

Passenger train services suspended till May 17

New Delhi (NVI): The Ministry of Railways today announced that its passenger train operations will continue to remain suspended till May 17 in respect with the extension of the nationwide lockdown.

The movement of migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons stranded at different places shall be carried out by Shramik Special trains, as required by state governments, as per the guidelines issued by Ministry of Home Affairs.

However, freight and parcel train operations shall continue, as at present.

The government on Friday announced extension of the lockdown by two more weeks, with effect from May 4 to contain the Covid-19 outbreak.

Nepal govt plans to relax lockdown, restart economy

New Delhi (NVI): The Nepal government plans to relax the nationwide lockdown to gradually restart the economy, according to local media reports.

The government has planned to divide 77 districts of the country into three categories of red, yellow and green, depending on population density, geography, linkage to international border and number of coronavirus cases, as per media reports.

The districts that will fall under yellow and green zones will see relaxation in restrictions, whereas areas categorised as red zones will continue to remain shut, it added.

The Nepal Ministry of Health and Population has started preparing modalities to ease the lockdown based on the instruction given by the High-Level Coordination Committee for the Prevention and Control of COVID-19 led by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ishwar Pokhrel.

The government of Nepal enforced nationwide lockdown on March 24 to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Since then, almost all economic activities have come to a halt, inflicting billions of rupees of losses on businesses and leaving many jobless.

So far, 59 people have been infected with coronavirus in Nepal, but no deaths.

Thousands of flamingos flock to Mumbai amid lockdown

Mumbai (NVI): With Mumbai under lockdown for over a month, tens of thousands of flamingos have flocked to the mega city.
Though it is an annual feature, the number of these birds visiting Mumbai this time is up by at least 25 per cent this time, according to Bombay Natural History Society.
The number has risen from 120,000 in 2019 to 150,000 this year, according to media reports.

The lockdown has resulted in less human pressure on the environment, which is the most probable cause for the increase in the number of birds who have migrated this year.Birds are coming to the city in massive numbers as they take advantage of the peace and quiet due to the human inactivity.

Animals across the world have been taking advantage of the coronavirus lockdown, wherein, Sika deer were spotted roaming around the city of Nara in Japan and visiting subway stations.

A herd of Cashmere goats trotted on the empty streets of Llandudno, in Wales, while in Monmouthshire, a flock of sheep decided to stop by at a children’s playground and frolic on the empty rides.

In India also, monkeys in huge numbers are being spotted in the streets of Delhi, whereas a few days ago Dolphins in the Ganga were also spotted.

Lockdown 3.0: No inter-district buses to ply in Orange Zones

Ceasefire Agreement

New Delhi (NVI): The inter-district and intra-district plying of buses remains prohibited in the orange zones, according to a clarification issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs today.

The clarification comes a day after the Central Government extended the nationwide lockdown for two weeks from May 4 and issued a set of guidelines to be followed during this period in various zones.

In addition to this, taxis and cab aggregators are permitted, with one driver and two passengers only in the orange zones.

Meanwhile, inter-district movement of individuals and vehicles is allowed, only for permitted activities, with maximum two passengers, besides the driver, in four wheeler vehicles.

The MHA release also states that, the state and UT governments based on their assessment and priorities, may choose to permit a lesser number of activities.

The largest hole in the ozone layer over the Arctic has closed

The total column ozone field (in Dobson Units) (Source: Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service)

New Delhi (NVI): The ozone layer hole, which developed to become the largest ever seen over the Arctic, has closed just weeks after opening, the scientists discovered.

The scientists monitoring hole at the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) have confirmed that the ozone in the affected area had recovered.

According to the CAMS, this disappearance is likely not due to the decrease in pollution around the world.”The Arctic ozone hole actually has nothing to do with coronavirus-related lockdowns as well,” the organisation explained repeatedly in the comments to the tweet.

The CAMS said that the hole had been driven by an unusually strong and long-lived polar vortex, and isn’t related to air quality changes.

Particularly cold temperatures and powerful winds formed a “polar vortex,” creating the frigid conditions which led to vast ozone depletion.

The gap in the vital layer, which protects the Earth from harmful radiation from the sun, set a new record for ozone depletion in the northern hemisphere when it formed.

This unprecedented hole was roughly the size of Greenland, and stretched over the top of the polar icecap.

Although previously smaller holes have appeared in the ozone layer over the northern hemisphere before, scientists said it was the first time you can speak about a real ozone hole in the Arctic.

The CAMS scientists also added, “This ozone hole was basically a symptom of the larger problem of ozone depletion, and closed because of local annual cycles, not long-term healing.

However, there’s hope the ozone layer is also healing, but slowly.

Lockdown 3.0: List of permitted and prohibited activities

New Delhi (NVI): The Central Government on Friday announced the extension of lockdown for 14 days beyond May 4, for the second time, but with some easing of restrictions.

On the basis of risk profiling of districts in the country into red, orange and green zones, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has also issued new guidelines to regulate activities in this period.

The new guidelines have permitted considerable easing of restrictions in Green and Orange zones. These zones have been classified in terms of districts with either zero confirmed cases till date; or, no confirmed cases in the last 21 days.

According to the MHA notification, here is a list of what is allowed and what is not:-

Prohibited throughout the country, irrespective of the zone:

Travel by air, rail, metro and inter-state movement by road, except for those purposed allowed by MHA; running of schools, colleges, and other educational and training/ coaching institutions.

Hospitality services, including hotels and restaurants; places of large public gatherings, such as cinema halls, malls, gymnasiums, sports complexes etc; social, political, cultural and other kinds of gatherings and, religious places/ places of worship for public.

Movement of individuals, for all non-essential activities, shall remain strictly prohibited between 7 pm and 7 am.

Red Zone:

In red zones, outside containment zones, certain activities are prohibited in addition to those prohibited throughout the country. These include plying of cycle rickshaws and auto-rickshaws; taxis and cab aggregators; intra-district and inter-district plying of buses and barber shops, spas and salons.

However, all industrial and construction activities in rural areas, including MNREGA works, food processing units and brick-kilns; agricultural and animal husbandry activities are permitted in the red zones.

Orange Zone:

In the Orange Zones, in addition to activities permitted in Red Zone, taxis and cab aggregators will be permitted with 1 driver and 1 passenger only. Inter-district movement of individuals and vehicles will be allowed for permitted activities only. Four wheeler vehicles will have maximum two passengers besides the driver and pillion riding will be allowed on two-wheelers.

Green Zone:

In the Green Zones, all activities are permitted except the limited number of activities that are prohibited throughout the country, irrespective of the zone. However, buses can operate with up to 50% seating capacity and bus depots can operate with upto 50% capacity.

Modi speaks to Thailand PM over COVID-19

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today discussed issues related to COVID-19 pandemic with Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

PM Modi took to twitter and said, “Discussed issues related to COVID-19 pandemic with good friend @prayutofficial.”

“As neighbours with deep-rooted historical and cultural links, India and Thailand will work together to deal with the multifarious challenges posed by this present crisis,” he added in his tweet.

So far, Thailand has reported 2,966 coronavirus cases and 54 deaths.

Gunfight rages in South Kashmir’s Pulwama

Pulwama
Representative picture of Kashmir

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): An encounter broke out between militants and security forces at Dangerpora area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, police officials said today.

They said that after receiving a specific lead about the presence of militants, joint teams of army, police and paramilitary CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in Wasbugh-Dangerpora area of main town of Pulwama district.

A police official said that when the forces zeroed in on the suspected spot where militants were believed to be hiding, the militants opened fire triggering of a gunfight. “At least two militants are believed to be hiding in a residential house,” he added.

It may be recalled that the security agencies have intensified anti-militancy operations across Kashmir amid COVID-19 pandemic.

So far 30 militants of various militant outfits have been killed in encounters with the security forces since the first case of coronavirus was reported in the Valley on March 18.

Since January, at least 50 militants have been killed in J&K, as per official figures.

Two soldiers die of injuries sustained in Pak firing in Kashmir’s Baramulla

Kashmir
Representational Image

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Two soldiers, who were injured in firing by Pakistani troops in Uri sector of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district yesterday, succumbed to their injuries early this morning, defence officials said.

Pakistan resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation in Rampur sector in north Kashmir’s Uri yesterday in which two soldiers had sustained injuries and were evacuated to army base hospital for treatment. However, they succumbed to injuries early morning, they said.

“Two soldiers succumb to their injuries, a day after ceasefire violation by Pakistan along LoC in Rampur sector of Kashmir’s Baramulla,” Defence spokesperson in Srinagar, Colonel Rajesh Kalia told NVI.

In another incident yesterday, a 12-year-old girl and a woman were injured in ceasefire violation by Pakistan along LoC in Uri sector. They received minor splinter injures and were rushed to a hospital, where their condition was stable.

Defence sources said that Pakistan resorted to shelling at Hajipeer and Rampur sectors of Uri which was retaliated by the Indian army effectively. They said that the shelling intensified on Friday afternoon which triggered panic in areas that include Chrunda, Sahoora, Silikote, Balkote, Nambla, Garkote areas.

Locals at Uri, while speaking to NVI yesterday, said that they are living under constant fear and they are worried about their livestock. Notably, majority of people in border areas of Kashmir survive on cattle grazing, farming and have to move out of their houses every day. However, due to the intense shelling, the residents have confined themselves to their homes only.

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