Srinagar, Feb 24 : An encounter was underway on Wednesday between militants and security forces in south Kashmir district of Anantnag, a police spokesman said.
He said troops of Rashtriya Rifles (RR), CRPF and Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir launched a joint Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) at Serigufwara in Anantnag following a tip-off about the presence of militants.
After sealing all exit points, when security forces were moving towards a particular area in the cordoned off area, militants hiding there opened indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons.
He said security forces also retaliated ensuing in an encounter.
The operation was going on when the reports last came in, he added.
Meanwhile, additional security forces have been deployed in the adjoining area to prevent any law and order problem.

UNI.

Bharti AXA Life introduces smart protection solution Flexi Term Pro up to 99 years

Business

Asian Mail

February 23, 2021

New Delhi, Feb 23 : Leading private life insurer Bharti AXA Life Insurance on Tuesday announced its new-age and comprehensive protection solution, Bharti AXA Life Flexi Term Pro, that offers the option to cover the life up to 99 years and provides a customized shield with multiple flexibilities to financially secure the insured and his/her family.
Bharti AXA Life Flexi Term Pro is a non-linked, individual, non-participating pure protection plan that also offers One Year Term and tele-medical underwriting option to individuals as a key differentiator in the domestic insurance market.
With the novel term plan, the company introduced quit smoking and stay fit benefits for customers with an additional discount of 5 per cent on the subsequent renewal premium. The new protection solution stirs customers to get rewarded for a healthy lifestyle on quitting smoking and improved health status and reduce policy premium under the ‘Quit Smoking’ and ‘Stay Fit’ benefits before the third policy anniversary and the second policy anniversary, respectively.
Unveiling the wide-ranging life security solution, Bharti AXA Life Insurance MD and CEO Parag Raja said, ‘’The ongoing Coronavirus pandemic has made people aware about the need for financial protection and obligations in the uncertain life and set term insurance a crucial component in their portfolio, which was not the same a few years ago. We designed Flexi Term Pro with multiple features and options that help people insure their life and earn financial security for their families as per the preference and needs. Further, the value-loaded protection solution also caters to the evolving life stage needs of our customers. We believe that quit smoking and stay fit benefits are game-changing characteristics that will redefine the protection insurance market in India.’’
Bharti AXA Life Flexi Term Pro is available in two options – Without Return of Premium and With Return of Premium. It gives 100 per cent premium back to the policyholders at the end of maturity only in the return of premium option. In case the life insured survives and all due premiums have been paid till the date of maturity, the sum assured at maturity (total premiums paid till maturity)without GST will be payable.
Under without return of premium variant, the customer also has the option to avail a joint-life benefit in the same policy which allows the assured to cover his/her spouse. On the demise of the primary life assured, the life cover for the spouse will continue.
Apart from providing protection,the return of premium on maturity, and death benefit payout option- including lump sum and monthly income – benefits, it also gives the policyholders flexibility to increase their protection cover across various life stages – single, marriage, childbirth and education etc. ‘’This feature empowers our customers with adequate protection at different milestones of their lives with no additional financial and medical requirements. With this unique product, we will be able to bridge, to an extent, the protection gap that currently exists in the country,” Raja pointed out.
The life cover is available till 85 years, though there is an option of whole life term coverage up to 99 years. ‘’We are also extending the life coverage from the age of 85 years to 99 years to support our customers at a later stage of life,’’ he said, adding that the innovative term plan also allows the customers to pay a premium for a limited-term, as less as five years, and get a life cover till the age of 85.
It offers the option to choose from multiple policy terms and premium payments terms and the opportunity for the customers to customize their plan as per life needs. They can also enhance their protection by availing riders – Bharti AXA Hospi Cash Rider, Bharti AXA Life Accidental Death Benefit Rider, Bharti AXA Life Premium Waiver Rider and Bharti AXA Life Accidental Total and Permanent Disability Rider – at an additional premium.
The customers are eligible for tax benefits on the premiums paid as well as the benefits received as per the prevailing tax laws.
Raja said, ‘’With the introduction of Flexi Term Pro, we are offering a wide range of benefits and choices to help our customers and their loved ones fulfill their specific financial requirements at each stage of life and to empower them with adequate financial resources to live the life of their dreams. Further, we aim to penetrate deeper into the current industry and explore new segments in order to expand the overall term market in India.’’
UNI.

Bullion Market closing rates

Business

Asian Mail

February 23, 2021

Chennai, Feb 23 : Following is the bullion markets
closing rate here today.
1 Gm Gold 22 Ct : 4,414
1 Gm Silver : 75.10

UNI

Train services set to resume partially from Feb 22

Regional
Kashmir

Asian Mail

February 17, 2021

Srinagar, Feb 17: After remaining suspended for the last 10 months due to Covid-19 pandemic, the rail services are all set to resume “partially” from February 22 onwards in Kashmir, officials said on Wednesday.

The officials told GNS that Chief Area Manager Northern Railway Srinagar has written a communication to SSP/GRP/ Srinagar, clearly mentioning that the train services are to be partially restored in Banihal-Baramulla section from February 22.

The Chief Area Manager is learnt to have sought comments from the SSP if his office has any objections in restarting the passenger services between Banihal-Baramulla section. The response has been sought on urgent basis, they added.

The decision for the resumption of the train services after Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole, wrote a letter to railway officials earlier this month. (GNS)

European Union Envoys arrive in Srinagar

Regional
Kashmir
Top Stories

Asian Mail

February 17, 2021

**European Union Envoys arrive in Srinagar**

Srinagar, Feb 17 : A highh level European Union delegation landed in Srinagar today, officials said.

As per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) the delegation is on a two day visit and is scheduled to meet various groups in Kashmir.

This will be the third delegation visiting the valley to assess the ground situation in the UT after the Cetral Government stripped off the Special Status of erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the state into two UTs—Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

As per the reports, the Delegation is scheduled to meet the Civil Society members in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district today.

Sources said the visiting envoys may meet some delegations from the valley as well—(KNO)

Banihal Convoy Attack case: NIA files supplementary charge against arrested Hizb commander Naveed Babu

Regional
Jammu

Asian Mail

February 13, 2021

Srinagar, Feb 13 (KNO): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) Saturday filed a supplementary chargesheet against arrested Hizbul Mujahideen commander Naveed Babu before the special NIA court Jammu.

In a statement issued to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the NIA said that today ( 13.02.2021), NIA filed Supplementary chargesheet against Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militant Naveed Mushtaq Shah alias Naveed Babu@ Babur Azam in the Special NIA Court, Jammu under sections 120B, 121, 121A, 122, 307 of RPC, section 3 of Explosive Substances Act , section 4 of Jammu and Kashmir Public Property ( Prevention of Damage) Act and sections 16,18,20,23,38 & 39 of UA(P) Act.

“The case relates to an attack on the CRPF Convoy at Tethar, Banihal, District Ramban J&K by a militant who had exploded an explosive laden Santro car on 30.03.2019 with the intention of killing security personnel and waging war against the Government of India. In this regard, a case FIR No. 39/2019 dated 30.03.2019 was registered at PS Banihal, District Ramban. NIA re-registered the case as RC-03/2019/NIA/JMU dated 15.04.2019 and took over the investigation of the case,” the statement said.

It said that the NIA had earlier filed charge-sheet against six Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militants for their role in this attack.

“Accused Naveed Mushtaq Shah alias Naveed Babu is an ex-constable of J&K Police. He had decamped with arms and ammunition in 2017, when he was posted as a guard in FCI, Budgam. After deserting the force he had joined the militant group Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and became an active militant,” the statement said.

“ Investigation has established that accused Naveed Mushtaq Shah was actively involved in the planning and execution of the attack on the CRPF convoy in Banihal along with other militants Riyaz Ahmed Naikoo, Rayees Ahmed Khan and Dr. Saifullah Mir who were subsequently killed in encounters with Security Forces.

The deceased militants Sahil Abdullah Bhat, Adil Bashir Sheikh and Zubair Ahmed Wani were actively involved in preparation of the explosives that went into the making of the IED.

Charges have been abated against the deceased terrorists involved in the conspiracy.” The NIA statement said that charges have been framed by the Hon’ble Special NIA Court, against the six accused chargesheeted earlier—(KNO)

DDC election for chairperson: PAGD candidates secure posts in Pulwama

Regional
Kashmir

Asian Mail

February 10, 2021

The candidates from Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) on Wednesday managed to secure District Development Council (DDC) Chairperson and Vice Chairperson posts in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) bagged chairperson post while National Conference (NC) secured vice chairperson post in Pulwama.

An official of the administration in Pulwama told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that PDP candidate for chairman post Syed Bari Andrabi and NC candidate for vice chairman Mukhtar Ahmad Bhand got nine votes each.

They said four votes each went in favour of Javid Rahim Bhat an independent candidate for chairman seat and Minha Lateef who won on BJP ticket from Kakapora.

Notably, out of 14 DDC seats seven were won by PDP, four by NC and four by others including two independents.

It is worth to mention here that PDP’s DDC member Waheed-ur-Rehman who was arrested by NIA first and later CIK and is yet to take oath as DDC member and couldn’t participate in today’s election for the post of chairperson—(KNO

Jammu residents protest against “anti-encroachment” drive; police bus damaged

Regional
Jammu

Asian Mail

January 22, 2021

Jammu :22 Jan:/ The inhabitants of Sunjwan and Bhatindi areas of Jammu city on Friday morning held a protest demonstration against the government authorities after an anti-encroachment drive was started in the wee morning hours.

Witnesses told a local news agency, Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the drive was objected by locals who resorted to stone pelting, damaging a police bus and two JCB machines.

They said the protesters raised slogans against the municipal authorities and other concerned government departments.

Meanwhile, locals said that amid darkness, authorities pressed into service it’s men and machinery to demolish structures in the area without serving any notice.

“The area is being targetted time and again despite the fact that a number of other localities in Jammu are also having structures on state land,” locals alleged.

The protest was going on when the reports last came in—(KNO)

JMC Sealed the Commercial Building

Regional
Jammu

Asian Mail

January 9, 2021

jammu:09January:/ Jammu Municipal Corporation sealed the Commercial building owned by Ms. Naseema Rashid Wani and Ms. Asra Wani at Sidhra Jammu. The huge commercial Building had been raised in violation of extant building Bye-laws and Jammu Municipal Corporation had accordingly initiated action against the violations as per provisions of Control of Building Operations Act, 1988 wherein the violative part of the Building had already been sealed by the Corporation.

In a recent development, Revenue Department after undertaking fresh measurements of the land of the building had observed that the owner had encroached 3 marlas of State land, owing to which the Commissioner Municipality after affording due opportunity to the violator has cancelled the building permission of the building rendering the whole structure as illegal.

After following due course of law under provisions laid down under Jammu Municipal Corporation Act,2000 and Control of Building Operations Act ,1988, the Enforcement wing of Jammu Municipal Corporation today sealed the Building to restrain the violator to undertake any fresh construction at the site.

It is worthwhile to mention that the Corporation has already filed an appeal against the violator in the Hon’ble High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and has simultaneously rejected the Compounding fee deposited by the violator for violations committed in the raised structure.

Jammu Municipal Corporation in its endeavor to make the City encroachment and violation free, fervently appeals the residents to adhere to the extant Building and Civic laws.