MILITANT KILLED IN GUNFIGHT IN KASHMIR’S BUDGAM

SRINAGAR: A militant was killed in an ongoing gunfight between security forces and militants in central Kashmir on Monday.

The gunfight erupted in Patrigam village of Chadoora in Budgam district in the afternoon after security forces got inputs about the presence of militants there.

Army’s strategic Chinar Corps tweeted that a militant has been killed.

Budgam superintendent of police Tejinder Singh said that no security forces’ personnel was wounded in the gunfight.

Locals said that the district authorities have also suspended the mobile internet service in the region apparently to prevent rumour-mongering and galvanisation of locals to protest, though some local youth poured out on the streets and engaged in stonepelting upon the security forces.

Budgam police control room confirmed late in the evening that the gunfight has ended with the recovery of the body of a militant. The identity of the militant is yet to be identified.

The reports of militants being two to three in number were either wrong or some militants have managed to escape. Police has not commented on this.

The encounter comes two days after a powerful explosion in Sopore town in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district killed four policemen. The Jaish-e-mohammad militant outfit claimed responsibility for the attack.

The JEM also claimed an attack in which five CRPF personnel died in Pulwama district on December 31. DHARAMSHALA: Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jai Ram Thakur was on Monday accorded a warm welcome on his first visit to Dharamshala as the government moved to the hill town for its maiden assembly session beginning on Tuesday.

The members of tribal Gaddi community performed Natti (local dance) at the courtyard of the circuit house here. Jai Ram also joined them, which received an applause from supporters.

Later, on Tuesday evening, the chief minister presided over the BJP legislative party meet.

The CM was also finally seen donning the trademark cap on Monday. The maroon cap in the

‘WON’T LET FISCAL MESS HINDER DEVELOPMENT’ Jai Ram Thakur said despite the previous Congress regime leaving the state with a debt liability of ₹46,500 crore, funds won’t be a problem when it comes to development.

Addressing a gathering in Seraj, the CM said, Achhe Din are here for Seraj assembly constituency and for the state.”

Thakur was in Seraj where he announced that government middle school at Dharotdhar in Mandi will be upgraded to high school from the next academic session. He also paid obeisance at Dev Matloda Temple at Shikawari village of Seraj segment.