Two CRPF jawans martyred, 2 injured in terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir

'Happy to meet my family': CRPF jawan released by Naxals reaches home in Jammu

CRPF jawan Rakeshwar Singh Manhas reached his hometown, Jammu on Friday. Rakeshwar was released last week after being abducted by Naxals in Chhattisgarh. The jawan was warmly welcomed by family, friends who put garlands around his neck. “I am very happy that I am meeting my family today. Our soldiers were brave enough to fight back the Naxals,” Rakeshwar said. Rakeshwar was abducted by Naxals during the Sukma-Bijapur encounter on April 3. Rakeshwar, who was part of security force's elite CoBRA unit, was released on April 8. 22 security personnel were killed and 31 others were injured in the fierce gunbattle.

Watch: Purported video of Sitalkuchi firing goes viral, TMC calls it 'genocide'

A purported video from Sitalkuchi in Bengal's Cooch Behar is doing rounds on social media. Four villagers had died in the area in an altercation with CRPF jawans during the fourth phase of polling. Ruling TMC said video vindicates its position that there was no provocation for CRPF to fire. TMC MP and spokesperson Derek O'Brien went on to dub it as cold-blooded genocide. The video shows many locals gathered in a field, while some are seen wielding sticks. In the viral video, some central force jawans can also be seen. Soon firing can be heard, though it is not clear who fired the shot. Video shows a ruckus erupt in the area after the shots are fired. Earlier, Cooch Behar SP had said there was rumour that police opened fire. Debasish Dhar had added that the rumour led locals to come out in large numbers. The SP had said that this led the Central forces to open fire in self defence.

CRPF neutralises pressure cooker bomb in Chhattisgarh

During a search operation, CRPF found pressure cooker bomb in Chhattisgarh's Sukma on April 12. Later, a bomb squad destroyed the bomb in controlled explosion.

CRPF takes disabled youth on a 'day out' picnic to Srinagar's Tulip garden

Central Reserved Police Force (CRPF) under its Madadgaar project on Aprik 12 organised a 'Day out' picnic for the disabled youths at the famous Tulip garden in Srinagar. About 25 people were taken out for a day of fun, out of which 18 were disabled and 7 were helpers of them. CRPF also provided transport and refreshment to these disabled youths keeping in mind COVID norms. Such initiative was taken for disabled ones to give a change to the disabled usually living inside their homes and it was also an opportunity for them to interact with the normal people.

Despite limited resources, JandK girl cracks bank exam

There is a famous saying, "Where there is a will, there is a way." This has been proved to be true by Pallavi Sharma from Jib Village of Udhampur district in Jammu and Kashmir. Despite belonging to a lower middle class family with limited resources, Pallavi has cracked the JandK Bank PO (probationary officers) exam. While narrating her story, Pallavi told ANI that if not for Pradhan Mantri Scholarship Programme, she wouldn't have been able to complete her B Tech. She credited her parents for her success and also appealed to youth to not let hardships demotivate them.

Handicrafts exhibition at tulip festival attracts tourists in Srinagar

The Jammu and Kashmir Handicrafts Department organised handicrafts and handloom exhibition in Srinagar. The exhibition is being organised to provide marketing support to artisans and weavers of the Valley. Various products were displayed during the exhibition. Altogether 25 stalls have been set up to display the rich handloom and handicrafts products of the Valley. The exhibition began on March 25 which also coincides with the Tulip festival.

Competition organised in Srinagar to promote young calligraphers

A calligraphy competition themed 'Your Hand Drawn Charm'was organized in Srinagar. The art competition was organized by a local NGO "Shama" to promote talented young calligraphers."Calligraphy is losing its sheen. However, post coronavirus outbreak, the art is coming back to life. The competition was organized at Kashmir University and other places too. This creates an interest and it makes us contemplate that there is something special about this art. The Quaran is also written with calligraphy," said a participant.

Pak terrorists instigating local terrorists in Kashmir: Lt Gen DP Pandey

While speaking to ANI, 15 Corps (Srinagar) Commander Lt Gen DP Pandey said that Pakistan Army used ceasefire violations to assist infiltrations but it is now reduced after the agreement between India and Pakistan. He also emphasised that current terrorist attacks have not been led by Pakistan but it is instigating local terrorists in Kashmir valley. "Ceasefire was announced about 2 months back and both sides (India and Pakistan) are adhering to norms, but we shouldn't draw too many conclusions. In about another month or two, we'll get to see the impact of this ceasefire in Kashmir. The numbers of (terror) incidents are on decline, they're virtually half, as compared to last year. Pakistan Army used ceasefire violations primarily to assist infiltrations; currently what we observe is adherence and reduction," said Lt Gen DP Pandey. He further said, "Pakistan's objective in terms of facilitating terrorism in Kashmir hasn't changed, but their intent to indigenize it has changed. For last few years, Pakistan terrorists aren't leading attacks, but primarily instigating local terrorists."