Says infiltrating group was possibly going to carry out major strike in Kashmir
Addressing a press conference at Uri, General Officer Commanding (GoC) 19 Division, Virendra Vats, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that the operation started on 18th September when alert troops detected the infiltration movement flowing which an encounter broke out by the infiltrators and more reinforcement was mobilized.
“The infiltrating group comprised of 6 infiltrators and two of them managed to sneak into Indian side while four others went back, taking advantage of darkness. Two militants who were in the process of crossing the fence, they sneaked down this side and once we realized all this, additional forces were mobilized but given that the civilian population maximum restrain was exercised to avoid any collateral damage during the operation. All this happened the night of 18th,” he said.
GoC also said that two of the infiltrators were holed up in a Nallah at Salamabad and the contact was established again on 25th September and one of them was killed on the morning of 26th September, while another one pleaded to spare his life and he was taken into custody.
“He identified himself as Ali Babar Patra, 19, son of Late Mohammad Lateef resident of Dipalpur district Okara of Punjab Pakistan, he has admitted that he was the member of LeT and was trained by the outfit. He said that he underwent three-weeks course in 2019 at Khyber camp in Muzaffarabad. Subsequently after training, he was sent home and thereafter he was recalled for some important task this year.
He has also given the contact number of his mother, while he claimed that he was informed by his handlers that he was supposed to drop a supply in the area of Pattan, but when we saw the recoveries that were made, it is quite possible that these infiltrators had come here for some kind of strike, which went beyond the supply drop. This infiltration attempt was made in the area of Salamabad Nallah, this is the same area through which we have had a history of infiltration in 2016 that is when a suicide attack on Uri Garrison took place.”
He said that it has also been revealed that this infiltration group was supported by the Pakistani side by three porters who had come till the LoC along with supplies. “The Pakistani post opposite this post is the Jaabri post, now movement of such large people cannot take place without active complicity of the Pakistan army.”
“What we have also seen that there has been lot of movement in the launch pad across the LoC. An infiltration was also made when three militants were neutralized in the neighboring area, which show the desperation of Pakistan when they see peace and stability in Kashmir.”
He claimed that in the last seven days seven militants have been neutralized and one has been apprehended and five of these neutralizations have taken place near the Line of Control. “The major recoveries that have taken place include 7 AK series rifles, 9 pistols and revolvers and more than 80 different kinds of grenades and some Pakistani and Indian currency.”—(KNO)
Gadkari visits Zojila, Z-Morh tunnel, directs to complete work on approaching tunnels before 2024 polls
Projects worth Rs 1 lakh crore implemented in J&K
Raja Syed Rather
Ganderbal, Sep 28 (KNO): Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari Tuesday expressed satisfaction over the construction work of the Zojilla tunnel and said that he has directed the authorities to complete the approaching tunnels before the 2024 parliamentary election.
“I am satisfied with the speed of the construction and have told the authorities to complete the construction of the approaching tunnels before May 2024, so that we can show the opposition that we have achieved,” Gadkari said, while addressing a press conference after inspecting work progress on Zojila and Z-Morh tunnel. Gadkari said that projects worth Rs1 lakh crore are currently being implemented in Jammu and Kashmir
“Among all the projects, six of them are the most important ones for the socio-economic development of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said. Gadkari said that since 2014, after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took over the government, the national highway has been stretched from 1695 km to 2664 km. “There has been an increase of 969 km in the national highway,” he said.
Gadkari Tuesday visited Zojila and Z-Morh tunnels here on Tuesday to review and inspect work on the tunnels. According to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the minister is on a two day visit to Jammu & Kashmir to review the progress on Tunnel 1 and Tunnel 2 at Nilgrar site. These twin tunnels are part of an 18 km long approach road to Zojila west portal. He also visits the Zojila through the east and west ends.
Addressing the media, settlement engineer Burhan Ahmad said that NHIDCL is geared up to continue the work on zojila tunnel in winter months and the project will provide all weather connectivity to the Union Territory of Ladakh.
The Zojila tunnel is of a significant importance to the development and tourism for both UTs of J&K and Ladakh as it will provide round the year connectivity to Ladakh region.
Prashant Kumar (DGM) while talking with reporters said that the tunnel has a historical significance and from the last 20 years the government is working on the project.
“Without wasting a day, we are doing work round the clock to complete the project before scheduled date to connect the people of J&K Union Territory with Drass, ladakh UT round the year,” Kumar said
Meanwhile, in view of the visit of the minister for road transport and highways and LG at Zojilla tunnel, Div Com.,IGP Kashmir, DIG CKR, DC Ganderbal, SSP ganderbal and other district and sub division officers reached Sonamarg.
Once completed, the Zojila tunnel will be India’s longest road tunnel and Asia’s longest bi-directional tunnel. Several bridges are being constructed along this route and a connecting tunnel from Z-Morh in the National Highway-1 to Zojila tunnel will be constructed in the Zojila Ghats between Sonamarg and Kargil.
The entire work is divided into two divisions in the 33 km span.The project site of Zojila tunnel is located at existing highway (NH-01) starting from Sonamarg (UT of J&K) and ending at Minimarg (UT of Ladakh) at an elevation ranging from 2700m to 3300m.
The present site location falls into seismic zone IV and all precautionary measures have been provisioned to safeguard the tunnels.