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Two more COVID-19 deaths recorded in J&K, toll at 43

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir recorded two more Covid-19 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the total death toll to 43 in the Union Territory.

Among the two deaths, one was a CRPF man posted in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district and died at SKIMS Soura and the other was a civilian from Khanyar area of Srinagar who also breathed his last in a Srinagar hospital.

Medical Superintendent SKIMS, Soura, Farooq Ahmed Jan, said that a CRPF man with underlying illness was admitted in the hospital on June 4. “His samples were taken and he had tested positive for the virus. His condition deteriorated early this morning after which he died.”

Assistant Commandant and CRPF spokesman for (Operations) in Kashmir, Junaid Khan said, “The deceased CRPF man was sick from sometime. He was posted with the 90th battalion in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.”

This is reportedly the first coronavirus death in paramilitary CRPF, in Kashmir, since the outbreak of pandemic.

In addition to this, a Srinagar man, who had met with an accident and was first admitted at SMHS, he was later shifted to CD hospital Srinagar after testing positive, breathed his last today morning.

Saleem Tak, Medical Superintendent CD hospital, confirmed that a 35-year-old male has died of Covid infection at CD hospital in the wee hours. “He was an accident patient and had transmitted the virus,” the MS said.

With two fresh deaths, the number of COVID deaths in J&K have reached 43 — 38 from Kashmir (including a non-local resident and a CRPF personnel) and five from Jammu division.

4 terrorists killed in an encounter in J&K’s Shopian district

encounter
File photo

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): A day after security forces killed five terrorists including a top Hizbul Mujahideen commander in South Kashmir’s Shopian district, four terrorists were killed in a separate gun-battle in the same district in the wee hours, police today said.

Two security forces personnel also sustained injuries in the exchange of fire. A police official said that acting on a specific input, joint teams of police, Army and CRPF laid a siege at village Pinjoora, in Shopian early this morning. “With the first light of the day, contact was established with the terrorists and in exchange of fire, four of them were killed,” he said.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said that four terrorists were killed in a clean operation at Shopian. “Their identity and affiliation is being ascertained.”

Defence Spokesman in Srinagar, Colonnel Rajesh Kalia said that a joint operation was launched early morning today on an intelligence input by the J&K police. “Cordon was laid and contact established. Four terrorists have been killed. The operation is in progress,” he said.

In the past 24 hours, nine terrorists have been killed in two separate encounters.

Official figures available with the NVI suggest that since January this year, 84 terrorists including the Chief Operational Commander of Hizbul Mujahideen Reyaz Naikoo were killed in various encounters across J&K. Since the outbreak of Covid pandemic on March 20, at least 50 terrorists have been killed in various encounters.

India’s Covid cases rise to 2.56 lakh, death toll 7,135

New Delhi (NVI): As India eases its lockdown restrictions from today after 75 days, the total number of coronavirus cases in India now stands at 2,56,611, with 7,135 deaths due to the pandemic, Union Health Ministry said.

At least, 9,983 new cases of coronavirus and 204 deaths have been reported in India in the last 24 hours.

So far, 1,24,095 patients have recovered all over the country.

In worst-hit Maharashtra, the COVID-19 cases climbed to 85,975, followed by Tamil Nadu with 31,667 cases, and Delhi with 27,654 cases.

Maharashtra has also reported the highest number of fatalities at 30,60 followed by 1,249 in Gujarat and 412 in Madhya Pradesh.

The death toll in the national capital rose to 761, while 10,664 patients in Delhi have recovered so far, the healthy ministry data shows.

The other worst affected states are Gujarat (20,070) Rajasthan (10,599), Uttar Pradesh (10,536) and Madhya Pradesh (9,401).

Meanwhile, the government has decided to reopen the country for business as it heads into the “unlock” phase. Shopping malls and places of worship across the country, with lists of dos and don’ts for the people.

INS Jalashwa brings back 700 Indians stranded in Maldives

New Delhi (NVI): Indian Navy Ship ‘INS Jalashwa’ today arrived at Tuticorin harbour in Tamil Nadu with 700 Indian nationals evacuated from Male in Maldives, under ‘Operation Samudra Setu’.

With this, the Navy ship has evacuated 2672 Indian citizens from Maldives and Sri Lanka to India as part of Vande Bharat Mission, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

“The embarkation of Indian nationals was facilitated by the Indian Mission in Maldives. Personnel were embarked onboard after carrying out requisite medical screening. COVID related safety protocols were also strictly adhered to during the sea-passage,” the Ministry said.

At Tuticorin, the evacuees were received by local authorities and arrangements were in place for their speedy disembarkation, health screening, immigration and transportation.

With this evacuation, the Indian Navy has now repatriated 2,874 Indian nationals from the Maldives and Sri Lanka during the ongoing pandemic, the MoD said.

Highest single-day spike in J&K with 620 new Covid cases, total over 4,000

Over 3,200 cops COVID positive in J&K and 15 succumbed to virus
File photo

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir today witnessed a big jump in Covid-19 cases as 620 people tested positive for the deadly virus in the past 24 hours, triggering a fresh wave of fear and panic across the Union Territory.

This is the highest single-day spike in coronavirus cases since the outbreak of the pandemic in J&K. The fresh cases include 60 pregnant women, 24 health workers, 3 prisoners and many security forces personnel, officials said.

The total number of Covid positive cases in UT has now climbed to 4087 while the death toll due to pandemic has reached 41, of which 36 including a non-local have been recorded in Kashmir and 5 in Jammu region.

Officials said that among the new 620 new cases, 58 were tested positive at SKIMS, over 500 at CD hospital, 3 at JVC Bemina, 8 at Army’s Command Hospital Udhampur and rest at other hospitals.

Among 620 new cases, 583 belong to Kashmir while 37 are from Jammu, officials said, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir has reached 3,198 including 1,016 recoveries and 36 deaths while the total number of cases in Jammu has reached 889 including 200 recoveries and 5 deaths.

The officials said that the total number of active cases in J&K is 2830 including 2146 from Kashmir and 684 from Jammu.

Cases tested positive in J&K include 59 from Anantnag, 161 from Kulgam, 87 from Srinagar, 18 from Budgam, 7 from Kupwara, 24 from Shopian, 132 from Baramulla, 21 from Bandipora, 60 from Pulwama and 14 from Ganderbal in Kashmir.

37 are from Jammu division include 22 from district Jammu, 1 each from Poonch and Udhampur, 2 each from Kathua and Samba, 4 from Rajouri and 5 from Doda.

Officials from CD hospital said that late last night, 253 samples were tested positive at the hospital including over a dozen health workers and over 50 pregnant women. They said that on Sunday, 283 samples were tested positive at the hospital which includes 9 policemen, 3 prisoners, around 30 health workers, besides 9 pregnant ladies.

It may be recalled that earlier in the day, J&K recorded the first death of a non-local resident, a 38-year-old tailor from Kolkata who was putting up in a rented accommodation in Srinagar.

The death toll of Covid-19 positive patients in Jammu and Kashmir has reached 41 including 36 from Kashmir (including a non-J&K resident) and 5 from Jammu. The tailor from Kolkata died late last night at SMHS hospital Srinagar and his samples tested positive for Covid-19 today.

Centre gives nod to open 820 ASI monuments with places of worship from tomorrow

Qutub Minar, one of the ASI protected monuments in Delhi.

New Delhi (NVI): Union Ministry for Culture and Tourism today said that it has approved the opening of 820 centrally protected monuments under the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) which have places of worship from tomorrow (June 8).

Union Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel also informed that all the protocols issued by the MHA and the Health Ministry will be followed in these monuments.

In its order, the Culture Ministry said that ASI shall ensure that preventive measures as stipulated in the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) issued by the Health Ministry.

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) in its SOP released on June 4 to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the religious places/places of worship said that the new measures are to be effectively put in place and scrupulously followed while opening and managing these Centrally Protected Monuments.

Apart from this, ASI shall also further ensure that it follows all other directions issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Health Ministry in this regard, the Ministry of Culture said in a statement.

The Ministry has also asked ASI to share the list of these 820 CPMs proposed to be opened on June 8 with respective states and the districts concerned and that any state and/or district-specific orders with regard to containment and prevention of the spread of COVID- 19 are also comprehensively implemented.

Pak shells forward areas along LoC in J&K’s Kupwara, Baramulla districts

Ceasefire
Representational image

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Pakistani troops today violated ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Keran and Rampur sectors of Kupwara and Baramulla districts respectively, by resorting to unprovoked firing which was retaliated by the Indian Army, defence officials said.

Defence spokesman in Srinagar Rajesh Kalia told NVI that Pakistan violated ceasefire twice today, first at 11 am and then at 12:40 am at Keran and Uri sectors in Kupwara and  Rampur sector in Baramulla district.

“Army is retaliating befittingly. Enemy positions targeted with high precision,” Kalia said. Locals from Uri told NVI over the phone that panic gripped at least six villages this morning when intense firing started from across LoC.

“Six villages were affected which include Churunda, Silikote, Hatlanga, Nambla and Rustom, Mohallah,” they said.

Shakeel Ahmed, a Sarpanch of village Nambla said that panic gripped these villages and people were running for cover. “It was an intense firing. Many people took shelter in underground bunkers and while many others were seen running towards the main town of Uri for safety,” he said.

Latin America is new epicenter for Covid-19; Brazil second worst-hit after US

US sees highest single-day spike in Covid cases

New Delhi (NVI): With countries like Brazil and Mexico recording some of the fastest Covid-19 growth rates and daily deaths, Latin America is emerging as the new epicenter for Covid-19.

The surge in the positive cases is now being led by Brazil as the number of global cases is fast approaching the seven million mark.

Latin America now accounts for roughly 16 per cent of total cases in the world, although 30 per cent of these cases or nearly 2 million infections are in the United States.

The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Brazil is 6,76,494, while 36,044 have died in the Latin American country. 3,02,084 have recovered from the virus.

In another development, reports in foreign media claimed that Brazil Health Ministry removed the Covid-19 data from public view from a website that had the number of infections as per state and municipality.

Meanwhile, the global tally has climbed to 66,63,304 confirmed cases and 3,92,802 deaths. On average, there are 857 cases per 1 million people.

The United States, Brazil, Russia, the UK, India and Spain are among the top six worst-affected countries in the world, followed by Italy, Peru and Germany.

The United States, with the maximum number of cases, has reported 19,59,009 infections so far, with 1,11,374 deaths and 4,57,721 recoveries.

Kashmir reports first death of a non-local from coronavirus

Representational image

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir today reported the first death of a non-local resident from Kolkata due to coronavirus at a Srinagar hospital here, health officials said.

With this, the number of deaths due to Covid-19 has reached 41 in J&K UT of which 36 including the non-local were recorded in Kashmir and 5 in Jammu. The deceased was a tailor by profession and aged around 38.

Dr Nazir Choudhary, Medical Superintendent at SMHS hospital Srinagar said that a non-local resident from Kolkatta died at the hospital late last night. His samples were tested as positive for the deadly virus today.

“Yes, he is the first non-local who has died due to Covid in Kashmir so far,” Dr Choudhary said.

Official sources said that now the administration will take a call whether the body of the deceased needs to be sent back to his home in Kolkata or his last rites and burial would be performed in Srinagar only. “We are discussing the issue. No decision has been taken so far,” an official in the Srinagar administration said.

Five terrorists killed in encounter with security forces in J&K’s Shopian

July 18 Shopian encounter: Army completes summary of evidence
An encounter site in Kashmir (File Pic)

(Updating earlier copy)

Abid Bashir

Shopian (NVI): Two more terrorists have been killed in an ongoing encounter with security forces at Reban village of south Kashmir’s Shopian district, taking the total number of ultras eliminated in the gunbattle to five, a senior defence official said.

“In total, five militants were killed. Good drills were ensued. There was no collateral damage,” defence spokesman in Srinagar, Rajesh Kalia told NVI.

A police official said that among the five slain militants is a top commander as well. “The identity and affiliation of the slain militants is being ascertained,” he said, adding the operation is still underway.

Earlier, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar told NVI that three militants were killed in the gunfight.

The operation was launched in the Reban village in the wee hours today after security forces including Police, Army and the CRPF acted on a lead about the presence of militants there.

“Contact was established with the militants after security forces zeroed in on the house where militants had taken refuge,” police sources said.

As a precautionary measure, the authorities have snapped the internet services in Shopian and Kulgam districts of South Kashmir to prevent any law and order situation and rumor-mongering, they said.

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