Sangbaaz Force’ hacks yatra-related website

Srinagar, June 12

 A website related to Amarnath Yatra has been defaced by a group of hackers calling itself “Cyber Sangbaaz Force & Z Company Hacking Crew Free Kashmir.”

Photo Courtesy Facebook.com

The group, which claims to have hacked more than 200 government and private websites on India’s Independence Day last year, posted messages like “Free Kashmir from illegal occupation supporting Kashmir” on the website of Jammu-based Amarnath Yatri Niyas.

 “A big blot on the face of so-called Indian democratic state, which holds state of Jammu and Kashmir under illegal occupation and has committed the worst human rights violations,” says the message on the home page of www.amarnathyatriniyas.org 

It says the “world has ever seen, in a new tactics employed by Indian Intel. which with has under gone killing of more than 300 teenagers students from 2008 to 2010 and till now (sic).”

The Amarnath Niyas works for the facilities like food and medicines for the pilgrims who visit Amarnath shrine located in south Kashmir’s Pahalgam area from different states of India. The organisation is run by many Hindu religious groups, traders and voluntaries from various professions. 

The hackers’ message adds: “This is a policy of slow genocide in State of J&K. As young as 8 year Kid, was brutally murdered by the hands of occupational forces.  Since India Judiciary Stands Exposed as the Culprits involved have neither been booked nor bought in the court of law. This is the message to all the international forums that claims of Indian Democratic setup is nothing but a HOAX. It’s a high time when international bodies should cognise the world about the brutal face of Indian Democracy (sic).” 

The hackers have also uploaded the video of the killings of 2010 agitation in the Valley in which more than 120 protesters and bystanders were killed in action by the government forces.

Confirming that its website has been hacked, Yatri Niyas’s convenor Gineshvar Mishra told Kashmir Reader that “I also came to know about this incident through my friend.”

Mishra said they were working to restore the website to its original form

Vivanta has 'Israeli trained guards and intelligence network'

Srinagar, March 2:

A leading hotel in Kashmir valley, owned by the Taj group, has its own intelligence gathering network and its security staff has been trained in counter-terrorism techniques in Israel, aleading American daily has revealed. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Hotel Vivanta, one of a two five star hotel of Kashmir, which has been widely hailed because of its natural picturesque which is studded with sparkling and serene Dal lake, Asia's largest tulip garden and a wide sweep of shimmering snow-clad mountains has 'Israeli trained guards and intelligence network'.

 "It is guarded like a fortress by armed men, but many of its defenses are not visible to the pampered guests," New York Times report said. The newspaper quoted a private security official of the hotel as saying that it has "its own intelligence gathering system, which includes using a network of local residents for information about anything unusual in their neighborhood. 

The security official himself, according to New York Times, has undergone a month's counter-terrorism training in Israel. Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, India's leading player in hospitality, On April 18 last year, launched Vivanta by Taj - Srinagar.

The launch event was then attended by Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir Omar Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah, Abhijit Mukerji, Executive Director, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces along with Veer Vijay Singh, Chief Operating Officer, Vivanta by Taj - Hotels & Resorts. 

Located on Kralsangri hill overlooking scenic Dal Lake, Vivanta by Taj - Srinagar, is 20 kms away from the new airport in the city. The six acre property has 89 rooms; each room and suite provides breathtaking views of the Valley. Militants in past have barricaded themselves into several hotel buildings in the city here while carrying out commando-style raids on security installation. 

In last such gun battle in Jan 2010, a two-member Fidayeen squad launched a gun and bomb attack on security installation located at Palladium Cinema in Lal Chowk. The militants then took shelter at the adjoining New Punjab Hotel, which was completely damaged after the 22-hour long gunfight. 

The heightened security set-up of Hotel Vivanta is also the after-effect of 26/11 Mumbai attacks, in which 10 Lashkar-e-Toiba militants launched a commando raid crippling the entire city for three days. During the attack on Mumbai, a militant squad has barricaded themselves inside The Taj hotel there, after which the security set-up around all high-profile hotels has been considerably increased Vivanta.

September, Valley will shout waka waka!

Srinagar, June 8:

Football fans in the Valley will have a lot to cheer this summer as nine leading Indian soccer clubs–out of which four have already confirmed their participation–are expected to compete in a tournament hosted here after three decades.

Photo Courtesy BBC

The Jammu and Kashmir Bank is organising the tournament–All India Gold Cup Tournament 2012–this September which will see high profile football clubs in action.

The invited clubs include Mohamodean Sports, East Bengal, Mohan Bengal, Salgaocar Goa, Churchill Brothers, Simla Youngs, FC Delhi, Logone North East and Punjab Police.

So far, East Bengal, the giants of Kolkata football, Salgaocar Goa, Punjab Police and Logone North have agreed to send their teams to the Valley, the organizers told Kashmir Reader.

Kashmir used to be the hub of soccer activities till early ‘80s with massive fan following. Club football in specific would be the talk of the town those days as jam packed stadiums would witness the football encounters between the different football clubs.

Tafazal Hussain, Executive President and Chairman J&K Bank Sports Board, who is one of the brains behind the idea, said that the organizing committee has already sent invitations to nine clubs outside Jammu and Kashmir. “This will be the first tournament of its kind hosted by Jammu and Kashmir Bank which will start from the first week of September. Nine teams are expected to participate in the tournament,” Tafazal told Kashmir Reader.

Besides top football clubs outside the valley, some of the local clubs will also feature in the tourney. The qualifying tournament, Tafazal said, will commence Eid-ul-Azha. “We will have some district teams participating in the tournament as well.” He added that the J&K Bank will organise with the tournament every year.

Kashmir last brush with a high profile club football tournament came in 1984 when it played host to Federation Cup. Thanks to the host of reasons, Kashmir couldn’t organise a big tournament ever since except for Santosh Trophy that it hosted in 2008.

The tournament will be organised in alliance with Jammu and Kashmir Football Association (JKFA) - the custodians of the game in the state.  

Conforming the participations of different clubs of India JKFA President, Zameer Ahmad Thakur said, “We have so far received green signals from the teams like East Bengal, Salgaocar Goa, Logone North East and Punjab police and rest are pending.”

The decision for the football club has been widely hailed among the fans and senior football players.

Mohammad Haneef, one of the stalwarts of JKSRTC-one of the most popular clubs of yesteryears — sounded a happy man. “Obviously I am happy to hear this news. It will bring Kashmir football back to the limelight. Hopefully, we will make this tournament a success,” said the former player.

Going through the memory lane, Hanief said, “It used to be carnival like atmosphere when the leading clubs were playing. The fans cheering for their favourite club would be an ad-on for the quality football. This initiative to start the tournament will help to promote the sports culture and also to restore the lost glory of the game.” 

Faceless assasins on prowl

My son has done nothing, He is innocent

BY Yawar Nazir

Sopore, Nov 10

Mohammad Ashraf Dar quietly ventured out in the midnight of his house in ChanKhan locality of Sopore town. But, his mother saw him talking on cellular phone while moving out. "We presumed that he was talking to his fiancee," says a family member.
Dar the eldest among three siblings, including two sisters, had been engaged last week and had plans to solemnize his marriage in near future.
At about 10.15, the silent night was broken by a volley of bullets that triggered panic among the residents. Then there was silence. "We first thought a gun-battle had broken but minutes later the gunfire stopped," says a local Zubair Khan.
Asharaf's father, Ghulam Ahmad Dar, who works as a sweeper, tried to venture out but was stopped by the family members. They too thought that a gun-battle had broken out so choose to stay indoors and wait for Ashraf to return.
Till the crack of the dawn, he didnt return and his family went out in search. His bullet ridden body was found few hundred meters away away from his house near Krankshivan Colony.
Ashraf, 28, belonged to a poor family and worked as a labourer at a band saw mill. "He was the only one to have a cellular phone in our family. We could not call him," says a relative.
"My son has done nothing, he is innocent," says Ashraf's mother Sara Begum at her modest house on Muslim Educational Trust road in Sopore.
His body was taken by police for post mortem and later returned to the family for final rites.
"Police recovered a bullet-ridden body of a band saw labourer near Krankshivan Colony, Sopore. A case has been registered in this regard," a police official said.
Ashraf's killing comes five days after MohsinWani, 35, a businessman was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Kralteng locality of the town.
Despite resentment, protests and strong condemnations from pro-freedom and pro-India parties, the killings at the hands of unknown gunmen have continued in north Kashmir's Baramulla district since the begining of year.
In the last six months, shockingly, at least eight people, including two teenage sisters were killed and four injured by mysterious gunmen.
The cycle of the killings by the 'unknown gunmen' started from one-room house in Muslim Peer locality of Sopore on the evening of January 31. The victims- Kulsuma, 19 and Rehana, 17 were dragged from their house and shot dead in the neighboringMohalla Rahim Sahab.
The killing led to a blame game between police and the militants. While police accused Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) for the siblings' killings and even identified the militants involved, the latter rejected the police claims and suspected the hand of the government agencies.
Amid charges and counter charges, the police on March 13, claimed to have killed Lashkar militant, Waseem Ahmad Ganai 'responsible' for the sisters' killing.
Ten days after Muslim Peer killings, unidentified gunmen shot at and injured two youth in two different shootouts in the Apple town.


Majid Ahmad, son of Bashir Ahmad Khan of BadamBagh was shot at and injured in Chotta Bazar area while Mohammad Arif, son of Abdul GaffarReshi of Watlab was fired upon near the Sopore bus stand.
On the evening of February 15, the horror of unknown gunmen visited Kreeri area of the district.
Two girls, including a minor were injured after being shot at by unidentified pistol-borne men in Duderhama village of Kreeri.
The girls, Shaista, 18, daughter of GhulamMohi-ud-din Akhoon and 6-year-old Monisa, miraculously survived in the shootout.
The police arrested three people, including Shaista's sister-in-law, HaseenaBadroo for hatching the conspiracy with the help of pro-government gunmen, popularly known as Ikhwanis.
On February 28, unidentified gunmen again resurfaced in Kreeri. Their target: A businessman. Haji Nazir Ahmad Lone, 45, son of Mohammad Abdullah of Thindam was shot dead from close range inside his office in broad day light.
The locals took to streets demanding the identification of the 'unidentified killers'.
As the police probed the incident, starling revelations came into the light. The killing, according to the police was carried out by Lone's competitor to settle personal scores.
Interestingly, in this 'contract killing' plot, the names of former militants and police sources surfaced surprising even the police department.
Twenty-one-year old, Sajad Ahmad Dar, son of Abdul Rahman Dar of Kraleteng was the third victim of unknown gunmen this year.
A school drop-out, Sajad was shot dead near Mohalla Rahim Sahib, Sopore on April 10.
Fourteen days after Sajad's killing, unidentified gunmen again stuck in Kreeri village killing an Imam.
Hafiz Mohammad Ashraf Lone, 30, of Chattipora, Sopore was shot in the head, three days after he reportedly went missing. The killing was widely condemned across political circles.
However, the condemnations and the calls for probe did not put an end to the killings.
In the evening of April 30, unidentified gunmen appeared in Chankhan locality of the Apple town and shot at and critically injured Shams ud din Parray, 24, son of Ghulam Hassan.

Handicraft department generates Rs 7763 crore revenue through exhibitions

Sales mark to touch Rs 1200 crore: Kawoosa 

                                                                                                                        

 The Jammu and Kashmir handicraft department has generated revenue of Rs. 7763 crore from the exhibitions held in various states of the country during the last two years. According to reports, the department has witnessed nearly 34 percent boost in the overall sales of the products exported to different states during the fiscal year of 2010-11 as compared to last business period.                                                                                                                                                                                                   

In 2010, the department witnessed sale of Rs 661.24 crore, while in the last year it has reached the mark of Rs 1004 crore."On every passing year the sales are increasing. We have exported very good amount of goods in fiscal year the sales of handicrafts goods exported to different Indian markets were nearly rupees 700 crore which raised to more than rupees 1000 crore in 2010-11 which is the all time high sales so far" Publicity and Exhibition officer Handicrafts department, Reyaz Kawoosa told State Observer.                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                                                                                               "The department is expecting good sale in the coming years. The sales during 2009-10 were all time high," he added.          

                                                                                                                                                                                                         Kawoosa said that the department expects the sales mark to touch Rs 1200 crore."The department has also generated revenue of Rs. 7763 crores from the 15 national exhibitions it (department) had organized in different Indian states during the years of 2010 and 2011," he added.      

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 The handicrafts department had registered more than hundred corporation societies and covered 4423 artisan under the insurance schemes for the revival and development of the handicrafts. The boost in sales has also encouraged the traders associated with the handicraft industry considered to be the backbone of the state's economy. "Kashmiri handicrafts have the tremendous potential in the national and international arena. Be it Kashmiri carpet, shawls, paper machie all are exported to different parts of the world from Kashmir," Ali Mohammad, a carpet dealer told this newspaper.

Geelani darts letter to tourists 'to tell Kashmir's real story'

While launching an “awareness campaign” by distributing pamphlets, chairman Hurriyat Conference (G), Syed Ali Shah Geelani Friday darted a letter to tourist visiting the Kashmir valley from the Indian mainland and other parts of world.

“The main motive behind distributing pamphlets is to aware all tourists about real story of Kashmir,” Geelani told a press gathering at his residence in Hyderpora, here.



“We welcome tourists with open arms but appeal them to feel our pain, become the ambassadors of our peaceful and just struggle in India. We appeal them to tell our plight to others in India, tell the Indian masses that Kashmiris want freedom, fulfillment of promises made by the Indian leadership,” he said.

The Hurriyat (G) chairman also appealed locals to “behave well with tourists.” “Particularly local shopkeepers, traders shouldn’t take undue advantage by selling goods to tourists at exorbitant rates.”

“Sell them (tourists) original Kashmiri products, and do not dupe them,” Geelani said.

“We must especially ensure that tourists do not feel a trust deficit while purchasing things because trust, as Socrates has said, is like soul— it cannot be retrieved once it dies,” he said.
“Besides the beautiful view of Valley there is a suffering of every Kashmiri which tourists need to know so that they could convey our messages to their native lands,” Geelani wrote in the letter that has been imprinted on the pamphlet.



The booklet titled “Tourists and Pilgrims Welcome to Kashmir” systematically mentions the history of Kashmir from 1947 onwards, “This country had a distinct position in the comity of nations. On 27th of October 1947, sorties after sorties of Indian army landed on this land and occupied it. The people of this land of great tradition of religious tolerance and humanism are suffering for past sixty three years,” it reads.

The pamphlet that has been written in three languages- English, Hindi and Urdu also talks about the various United Nations resolutions passed on Kashmir.

“The UNSC has passed as many as eighteen resolutions guaranteeing right to self determination to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. These resolutions explicitly state providing of an opportunity to the people of the state to decide their future and holding of a plebiscite under the aegis of the United Nations,” the pamphlet reads.


Geelani also released a pamphlet— “Tourists and Pilgrims Welcome to Kashmir”— which he said would be distributed among the tourists visiting the Valley. The pamphlet written in English, Urdu and Hindi, appeals tourists “ ( to) become my(Geelani’s) ambassador in people of India and raise your voice against suppression of about ten million people. And I am equally confident that you will garner support of all justice loving people for my just cause.”

Geelani termed the government’s allegations that pro-freedom leaders were against peace as baseless. “ The fact is that we are for peace while the government, the police, army and other forces are trouble makers, they don’t want peace in Kashmir. “

Referring to the unrest of last three summers, Geelani said Kashmiris have been protesting peacefully against “injustices being done to them but New Delhi and its allies in Kashmir have killed hundreds of youth, arrested thousands.”

“If india would have been sincere, the Kashmir issue would not have been lingering on for 63 years , there would have been no rigged elections and our youth wouldn’t have been forced to pick up the gun. But the truth is that India has broken promises, it did not even spare its friends, a leader was put in jail for 11 years and released after he surrendered.”

“ I wany to ask the self-proclaimed champions of peace who allotted land to Shrine Board in 2008, and killed hundreds of youth when people took to streets peacefully against it, who allowed the perpetators of Shopian double rape and murder case to go scot free,” he said.

“Even last year when people protested against the killings of teenagers like Wamiq Farooq, Zahid Farooq, Machil Killings, 118 people were killed by government forces. Today, jails in Jammu and crammed with Kashmiri youth and political activists and they are treated as criminals.”

Geelani said New Delhi was mistaken “ if it thinks that people will accept status quo because of btute force .”

Budgam residents asked to stay indoors during artillery practice

State authorities on Thursday issued advisories in over a dozen villages of central Kashmir’s Budgam district asking locals to remain indoors during the six-day firing session of Army that will begin on June 7.

According to an official spokesman, the locals in sixteen villages of Lachmanpora, Khaipora, Lassipora, Drung, Habber, Kadlabal, Khanpora, Shunglipora, Zoogukharian, Sutharan, Saigalipora, Chill, Gutlipora, Khandpora, Pabhanpora, Batapora and Brass have been asked to avoid moving out of their houses in view of the six-day artillery practice in picturesque Tosa maidan field that will start on June 7. The advisory, the spokesman said has been issued to prevent any loss of human life.
"As per the information of Commanding Officer, field firing range Tosa maidan, received through the district administration, the Army will carry out artillery practice in Tosa maidan field firing ranges from June 7 to June 12," the spokesman said.

The practice hours will begin at 8 AM and will end at 9 PM each day. There will be a respite between 4:30 PM and 7 PM when there will be no firing,” he added.