An Indian paramilitary soldier stands guard outside his post during a strike in Srinagar.
An Indian paramilitary soldier stands guard outside his post during a strike in Srinagar.

Shootings bring Indian Kashmir to a standstill



SRINAGAR // Indian Kashmir largely shut down yesterday and hundreds of police were deployed in the troubled region's main city after the weekend shooting of two civilians by the army, a police chief said.

The shutdown to protest against the shootings came as a police officer and a militant were killed in a separate incident south of the main city Srinagar, said Kashmir's police chief Abdul Gani Mir.

The officer and the rebel died in the village of Mandoora, 35 kilometres from Srinagar, during a gun battle that also wounded three soldiers, the police chief said.

"We launched an operation based on intelligence of the presence of militants in the area. One of our boys was martyred in the operation," Mr Mir said and also confirmed the death of the rebel.

In Srinagar, shops and other businesses, along with schools, were closed and traffic was light after a separatist group called for a strike in the region to protest against the weekend killings.

Soldiers had opened fire on angry villagers on Sunday, killing one. The villagers had been protesting over the shooting of a teenager by the military just hours earlier during a hunt for militants in Markondal village north of Srinagar.

Hundreds of police and paramilitary troops were deployed in the inner parts of Srinagar yesterday to try to prevent protests, while a curfew was imposed on parts of the region.

Despite the curfew, hundreds of villagers in the northern town of Hajin took to the streets, shouting anti-India slogans, while some tried to torch an army-run school.

"Curfew is strictly implemented. The area is calm now," the police superintendent, Bashir Khan, said.

The army runs "goodwill" schools across the territory as part of an operation aimed at "winning the hearts and minds" of people who deeply resent their presence in populated areas.

Police have launched an investigation into the weekend shootings. The army has started its own inquiry after describing both incidents as regrettable.

Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan by a United Nations-monitored Line of Control. Both countries claim the Himalayan territory in full.

In a separate incident, Indian soldiers shot and killed a man at Saujaya in Poonch region who may have been carrying explosives from across the Pakistani side of the Line of Control, an army spokesman said.

"When our troops fired at him an explosion occurred. A badly mutilated body was found on the spot," said Colonel Rajesh Kalia.

About a dozen armed groups have been fighting Indian forces since 1989 for Kashmir's independence or for its merger with Pakistan.

Tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians, have died in the fighting.

'The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window'

Director:Michael Lehmann

Stars:Kristen Bell

Rating: 1/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

Match info

Manchester United 1 (Van de Beek 80') Crystal Palace 3 (Townsend 7', Zaha pen 74' & 85')

Man of the match Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
 
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'Worse than a prison sentence'

Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.

“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.

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Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
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Mia Man’s tips for fermentation

- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut

- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.

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Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.

Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.

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Analysis

Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more

The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre turbo

Power: 181hp

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Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Starting price: Dh79,000

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Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
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Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
The Brutalist

Director: Brady Corbet

Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn

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Kamindu Mendis bio

Full name: Pasqual Handi Kamindu Dilanka Mendis

Born: September 30, 1998

Age: 20 years and 26 days

Nationality: Sri Lankan

Major teams Sri Lanka's Under 19 team

Batting style: Left-hander

Bowling style: Right-arm off-spin and slow left-arm orthodox (that's right!)

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Favourite hobby: taking his rescue dog, Sally, for long walks.

Favourite book: anything by Stephen King, although he said the films rarely match the quality of the books

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The specs

Common to all models unless otherwise stated

Engine: 4-cylinder 2-litre T-GDi

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All about the Sevens

Cape Town Sevens on Saturday and Sunday: Pools A – South Africa, Kenya, France, Russia; B – New Zealand, Australia, Spain, United States; C – England, Scotland, Argentina, Uganda; D – Fiji, Samoa, Canada, Wales

HSBC World Sevens Series standing after first leg in Dubai 1 South Africa; 2 New Zealand; 3 England; 4 Fiji; 5 Australia; 6 Samoa; 7 Kenya; 8 Scotland; 9 France; 10 Spain; 11 Argentina; 12 Canada; 13 Wales; 14 Uganda; 15 United States; 16 Russia

Timeline

1947
Ferrari’s road-car company is formed and its first badged car, the 125 S, rolls off the assembly line

1962
250 GTO is unveiled

1969
Fiat becomes a Ferrari shareholder, acquiring 50 per cent of the company

1972
The Fiorano circuit, Ferrari’s racetrack for development and testing, opens

1976
First automatic Ferrari, the 400 Automatic, is made

1987
F40 launched

1988
Enzo Ferrari dies; Fiat expands its stake in the company to 90 per cent

2002
The Enzo model is announced

2010
Ferrari World opens in Abu Dhabi

2011
First four-wheel drive Ferrari, the FF, is unveiled

2013
LaFerrari, the first Ferrari hybrid, arrives

2014
Fiat Chrysler announces the split of Ferrari from the parent company

2015
Ferrari launches on Wall Street

2017
812 Superfast unveiled; Ferrari celebrates its 70th anniversary

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Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.

Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.

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Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.

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Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.

Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.

Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.

Source: American Paediatric Association