Srinagar Jan 26 PTI Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday recorded 5606 fresh cases of coronavirus raising its tally to 414172 while eight more deaths pushed the toll to 4635 officials said Of the fresh cases 1353 were reported from the Jammu division and 5253 from the Kashmir division of the union territory they said The officials said Srinagar district recorded the highest of 1305 cases followed by 803 cases in Budgam district There are 47969 active cases in the union territory The number of recovered patients was 362168 they said PTI MIJ AQS AQS

Srinagar Jan 26 PTI Abdul Razaq Wagay former PDP MLA from Jammu and Kashmirs Shopian constituency died in his native village on Wednesday The 80-year-old was ailing for longAbdul Razak Wagay Zawoora former MLA Shopian is no more He lost the battle of his life today after prolonged illness at home in Zawoora Shopian PDP leader Yawar Banday saidWagay was elected to the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly in 2008 on a PDP ticket He did not choose to contest the 2014 assembly elections due to ill-healthPDP president Mehbooba Mufti condoled the demise of the veteran leader who was a long time associate of party founder Mufti Mohammad SayeedDeeply saddened to hear about the passing away of Abdul Razak Zawoora sahab A true loyalist to PDPs agenda who stood by Mufti sahab through thick and thin May his soul rest in peace Mehbooba tweeted PTI MIJ DV DV

Srinagar Jan 26 PTI Braving inclement weather and bone-chilling cold contingents of police and paramilitary forces on Wednesday took part in the 73rd Republic Day celebrations here amidst tight security arrangements officials said R R Bhatnagar Advisor to Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor presided over the Republic Day function which was held at Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium at high security Sonawar area of the city the officials said The contingents of various wings of the police and paramilitary forces took part in the march past the officials said They said a cultural programme showcasing the diverse art and culture of the union territory was performed after the parade In his Republic Day address Bhatnagar lauded the role played by health care workers and other allied personnel in combating the COVID-19 pandemic He also praised the security forces for maintaining law and order and battling subversive elements in Kashmir The advisor also highlighted the infrastructure development initiatives of the administration while outlining the benefits of various social welfare schemes rolled out for the people of Jammu and Kashmir The Republic Day celebrations passed off peacefully as stringent security arrangements were put in place to foil any nefarious designs of the inimical elements Barricades were erected at all major intersections in the city and security forces personnel were deployed in large numbers to maintain peace law and order For the past one week police with help of Army and CRPF have been carrying out area domination and other drills The security forces also carried out drone surveillance to ensure peaceful celebrations not only in Srinagar but in all district headquarters The security forces have been carrying out random frisking of vehicles to prevent the movement of subversive elements while the deployment of security forces around vital installations and sensitive areas in the city was increased PTI MIJ RCJ RCJ

Srinagar Jan 26 PTI Internetservices on mobile devices weresuspended in Kashmir on Wednesday as a precautionary measure forensuring smooth passage of Republic Day celebrations in the Valleyofficials said Howevermobile phone services and internet on fixed lines remained unaffectedThe mobile internettelephone services have been temporarilysuspended in the valley for ensuring peaceful Republic Daycelebrations the officials saidSuspension of mobile phone and internetservices on Republic Day and Independence Day have been part of the security drill in the Valleysince 2005 when terrorists used a mobile phone to trigger an IED blastnear the venue of Independence DaycelebrationsThe services are usually restored in the afternoon following culmination of official functions across the Valley Republic Day celebrations were held amidst tight security arrangements in Srinagar City and elsewhere in the valley Officials said here were no report of any untoward incident from anywhere in KashmirPTI MIJ DV DV