Militant, five security men killed as Kupwara gunfight continues
Srinagar: At least three soldiers, two policemen and a militant were killed on Wednesday as the gunfight in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district entered its second day officials said.
The gunfight broke out on Tuesday inside Halmatpora forest area of Kupwara, about 110 km from Srinagar city.
"Firing still continues in Kupwara and on Wednesday, two policemen and three soldiers were killed in the ongoing operations," Indian army spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia told the media.
"The policemen have been identified as Deepak Pandit and Muhammad Yusuf. The operation is still going on," a source said.
On Tuesday, four militants were killed in the gunfight and another one on Wednesday.
A senior police official said the forest area was cordoned off by joint contingents of army and police late Tuesday following intelligence information about presence of militants.
Authorities have rushed additional reinforcements to the forest area to take on militants.
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Adequate LPG stock in Chhattisgarh, no need to panic, says CM Sai
Raipur (PTI): Amid reports of shortage of commercial LPG cylinder in several parts of the country due to the US-Israel-Iran conflict, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday assured people that they need not worry about the availability of cooking gas in the state.
He asserted that adequate stock of LPG as well as petrol and diesel was available in the state.
Sai said in a statement that authorities have been directed to regularly monitor stock at gas agencies and keep a close watch on the supply chain. Necessary instructions were issued to officials in all districts to ensure a smooth supply of LPG.
The chief minister instructed officials to take strict action if any complaint of black marketing or hoarding of LPG cylinders is received.
Sai urged state residents not to pay attention to rumours and to book cooking gas cylinders as per their actual requirement.
The government was fully alert to ensure the availability of essential commodities to citizens, he emphasised.
Meanwhile, the Chhattisgarh Hotel and Restaurant Association has issued an advisory to hotels, restaurants, caterers and other food businesses across the state, urging them to maintain calm and avoid panic buying.
In the advisory, Taranjeet Singh Hora, president of the association, asked members to maintain coordination and immediately inform it about any major disruption in LPG supply.
He cautioned businesses against hoarding cylinders, saying such practices could worsen the situation for the entire hospitality sector.
The association advised hotels and restaurants to prioritise essential kitchen operations, core menu items and already committed banquet events.
Use electric cooking equipment wherever possible for emergency and staff kitchens such as induction cooktops, electric hot plates, electric rice cookers and kettles, the advisory stated.
