Situation in South Kashmir

LeT District commander killed in gunfightOne civilian injured, Major success for security agencies

Shopian, October 26:  At least one militant was killed while a civilian was injured during a gunfight between Army and Lashkar Toiba militants in Hushanpora, Nagabal area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district.

Deputy Inspector General South Kashmir Vijay Kumar identified the slain militant as Abbas Reshi and said that he was the district commander of Let outfit and was involved in various militancy related incidents.

Reports said that after receiving inputs about the presence of three militants from sources in Hushanpora hamlet, Army personnel from 62 RR, SOG Imam Sahab and CRPF party jointly cordon off the village and started a search operation.

Sources said that during search operation, militants fired upon joint party and during the ensuing gunfight one militant was killed. Reports said that two militants managed to escape soon after the joint party of Government Forces cordoned off the area. However, DIG, South Kashmir said that there are apprehensions that one non-local militant is still present in the village and all resources are being utilized to neutralize him. During the gunfight, one militant Abas Reshi son of Bashir Ahmed Reshi resident of Alishapora was killed.

Police said that the slain militant was directly involved in Awnera incident where militants during an attack had killed a CRPF jawan.

“We have pressed sniffer dogs into service to trace the militants and all resources are being put to neutralize these Lashkar militants,” one of the police official told CNS.

During the gunfight, one civilian from Alishapora Shopian was injured who was shifted to evacuated and rushed to hospital. The injured civilian has been identified as Ghulam Muhammad Para son of Muhammad Akram Para.

Meanwhile, Mr.A.G.Mir, IPS, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone termed the killing of the District Commander, Abass Reshi as a major success for Police and Security forces.

Abass Reshi was involved in number of militancy related incidents including hurling of grenade on Army and firing on Police Station Zainapora. Abass was also involved in the killing of a released militant Shabir Ahmad Mir in September this year. One civilian Ghulam Ahmad Parry was also injured, he was hospitalized and is out of danger. (CNS)

Melissa officinalis-Lemon Balm seed plants for sale

Buy Lemon Balm seed

Bot. name : Melissa officinalis
Family : Labiatae or  Mint Family
Parts used : Whole plant/Leaves
Chemical composition : The main chemical components are trans-ocimene, cis-ocimene, 3-octanone, methyl hepenone, cis-3-hexenol, 3-octanol, 1-octen-3-ol, copaene, citronellal, linalool, b-bourbonene, caryophyllene, a-humulene, neral, germacrene-D, geranial, geranyl acetate, d-cadinene, y-cadinene, nerol and geraniol.

Common Uses : Beauty , Cardiovascular, Colds, Depression, Herpes, Hypertension, Insect Bites, Nausea, Pregnancy, Sore Throat, Sunburns

Properties : Anodyne, Antispasmodic, AntiViral, Aromatic, Cardic tonic Cordial, Carminative, Diaphoretic/sudorific, Digestive, Emmenagogue, Febrifuge, Hypotensive, Nervine, Sedative, Stomachic, Uterine Tonic,Vermifuge.

Medicinal use of Lemon Balm : Lemon balm is a commonly grown household remedy with a long tradition as a tonic remedy that raises the spirits and lifts the heart. Modern research has shown that it can help significantly in the treatment of cold sores. The leaves and young flowering shoots are antibacterial, antispasmodic, antiviral, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive, emmenagogue, febrifuge, sedative, and tonic. It also acts to inhibit thyroid activity. An infusion of the leaves is used in the treatment of fevers and colds, indigestion associated with nervous tension, excitability and digestive upsets in children, hyperthyroidism, depression, mild insomnia, headaches etc. Externally, it is used to treat herpes, sores, gout, insect bites and as an insect repellent. The plant can be used fresh or dried, for drying it is harvested just before or just after flowering. The essential oil contains citral and citronella, which act to calm the central nervous system and are strongly antispasmodic. The plant also contains polyphenols, in particular these combat the herpes simplex virus which produces cold sores. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is "Female aspects". It is used to relax and rejuvenate, especially in cases of depression and nervous tension.

Edible parts of Lemon Balm : Leaves - raw or cooked. A pleasant lemon-like aroma and flavour, they are used mainly as a flavouring in salads and cooked foods. A lemon-flavoured tea can be made from the fresh or dried leaves. A bunch of the leaves can be added to china tea, much improving the flavour, the leaves are also added to fruit cups etc. They are used as a flavouring in various alcoholic beverages including Chartreuse and Benedictine.

Other uses of the herb : The growing plant is said to repel flies and ants. It is also rubbed on the skin as a repellent, though the essential oil would be more effective here. An essential oil is obtained from the plant (the exact part is not specified, it is probably the entire plant and especially the flowering stems). It is used medicinally. The whole plant is very pleasantly aromatic, the aroma lasting for a long time after the plant has been harvested. It is therefore a very useful ingredient in pot-pourri.

Propagation of Lemon Balm : Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame. Germination can be slow. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant out into their permanent positions when the plants are at least 15cm tall. If there is plenty of seed it can be sown in an outdoor seed bed in April. Plant out into their permanent positions the following spring. Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring. Cuttings in July/August.

Cultivation : Planting is usually 40,000 plants/Ha. with propagation from seed or cuttings. The plants have a life of 10 years but are usually replaced every five years with crop rotation to rejuvenate the soil. Propagation in the northern hemisphere is from April to July.

Harvesting period : In the first year the crop is in August, thereafter two crops are experienced. The first in June and the second in August.

Harvesting methods : Usually by hand on a clear warm day as the leaves will turn black if harvested wet. For good appearance leaves should not be left in the sun.

Pre-Treatment : Weed control is recommended (Pank). It has been reported that, in Egypt, irradiating seeds has an effect on growth, essential oil content and composition. The quantity of herb was reduced but the oil content was increased, with the irradiation dosage varying the proportion of the constituents.

Preservation and Storage : The oil should be stored in filled sealed containers, out of light and kept cool. The oil is subject to oxidation.

Lemon Balm -Melissa Officinalis seeds/leaves are available at :

The Jammu and Kashmir Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre
"PIC: Gulmaag, Sonamarag, Kishtwar & Ramban"

Meet to us at :"Ginkgo House", Azizabad, Nambalbal, (Via Wuyan-Meej Road), Pampore PPR JK 192121

Or
Jammu and Kashmir Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre
POB: 667 GPO Srinagar SGR JK 190001
Mob: 09858986794
Ph: 01933-223705
e-mail: jkmpic@gmail.com
home: http://jkmpic.blogspot.com

Agriculture for the Future

External Forces increased funding of separatists: J&K Police chief

Arrests and killings of militants not our objective
External Forces increased funding of separatists
Geelani and other separatist leaders have no base in Kashmir: Ashok Prasad

Srinagar : Director General of Police Ashok Prasad Friday said that latest developments along the Line of Control are the source of concern and they are minutely assessing the situation and trying to figure out whether the strategy adopted by militants are short or long term.

“As per intelligence reports External Forces have increased the funding of separatist leaders and they are getting huge amounts from across the border while the militants along the Line of Control have become more aggressive now which is a cause of worry for us,” Prasad told Srinagar based news gathering agency CNS adding that such changes can create problems for us in future.

He said militants have changed their strategy now and instead of infiltrating during the dead of night, they have started sneaking into our side openly and frequently they resort to heavy firing on Indian posts.“Militants have changed their strategy and we are keenly assessing the situation. As per our reports there are at least 400 militants keen to infiltrate into Kashmir Valley,” Prasad said.

DGP said that at least 80 militants have managed to infiltrate successfully in recent times and they are present in different parts of Kashmir Valley. “Last year as per intelligence reports, this number was 120 but this year it diminished to 80. There is no need to panic as police and security agencies have ability to neutralize them,” he said.

Prasad told CNS that although the number of militants present in Valley is about 180 but, “only 7 to 8 militant leaders of Hizbul Mujhadeen are enthusiastically active in North and South Kashmir. Once these 7 to 8 militants are neutralized, militancy would almost disappear and even stray attacks on security and police personnel would stop,” he said.

“Militants of HM are present in Sopore area while in South Kashmir a group of Lashkar Toiba headed by Commander Qasim is active. Militants in Lolab, Rajwar and Tral are leaderless and no threat to us,” he said adding that militants have started targeting policemen,  and security personnel to demoralize them.

Ashok Prasad said that after failing to achieve their objective in attacking Sarpanchas and Panchas, militants changed their strategy and they have two objectives behind targeting security personnel. “One is to demoralize them and the other is that they should over react after every attack. “We are consciously avoiding both and are not giving them open hand,” he said.

He said that LeT, HM and Jaish Muhammad are providing logistic support to each other and carry out joint operations.

While replying to a question, Prasad said on the eve of Zubin Mehta’s musical concert, militants had planned to strike in Srinagar, Shopian and Pulwama. “Militants managed to strike in South Kashmir, however, we neutralized them in Srinagar and arrested 4 of them who during interrogation confessed that they were involved in several militancy related incidents,” he said.

He said we are following three fold-strategy which includes minimum visibility of security personnel, low profile and zero collateral. “If this policy could be reversed, militancy would come down to zero level but common people would feel the burnt which we don’t like,” he said.

“Arrests and killings of militants is not our objective. Our objective is that peaceful and conducive atmosphere should prevail in the State so that people could participate in electoral process and elect their representatives who could sit across and resolves all the issues politically and amicably,” he said.

While replying to a question, Director General of Police Ashok Prasad said that he has not placed Syed Ali Geealni under house arrest. “It is Code of Criminal Procedure which has imposed restrictions on Geelani. Geelani is free to offer Friday prayers at Hyderpora Masjid but he always insists that he would offer prayers at those places where chances of violence are maximum.

“Geelani should contest elections and prove his representative character. Geealni and other separatist leaders have no base in Kashmir and they knew it well they would not not be able to make it if they contest elections,” he said.

Prasad further said that the matters relating to police department particularly about releasing of ration money and police promotions have been taken up with higher ups and these would be resolved soon. (CNS)

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) seed

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba; in Chinese and Japanese 銀杏, pinyin romanization: yín xìng, Hepburn romanization: ichō or ginnan), also spelled gingko and also known as the maidenhair tree, is a unique species of tree with no close living relatives. The ginkgo is a living fossil, recognisably similar to fossils dating back 270 million years. Native to China, the tree is widely cultivated and was introduced early to human history. It has various uses in traditional medicine and as a source of food.

More details:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginkgo_biloba

Buy Ginkgo seed/plants 

Min. seeds : 50 seeds per pkt

Min. plants : 25 plants per pkt

The Jammu and Kashmir medicinal Plants Introduction Centre
"Ginkgo House", 

Nambalbal, 

New Coloney Azizabad, 

Via Wuyan-Meej Road, 

Pampore PPR J&K 192121
Mob:09858986794
Ph: 01933-223705
e-mail: jkmpic@gmail.com
home: http://jkmpic.blogspot.in 

Red alert in Srinagar

Buy Balloon Vine seed

Jammu and Kashmir Police Saturday sounded an alert after several cases of motorcycle thefts were reported from various parts of the Jammu and Kashmir's summer capital - Srinagar.

"Police have started investigations into bike lifting cases that have occurred in the past few days in Srinagar. Four bikes were reported to have been stolen from different places in the city," a police spokesman said.

Security agencies are looking into the possibility of militants having stolen the motorcycles for use in subversive activities, police sources said.

In the past, militants have used stolen bikes to carry out attacks on security forces in Srinagar and elsewhere in the valley.

The attack on an army convoy at Hyderpora here on June 24 which left eight soldiers dead and several others injured was also carried out using a motorcycle snatched by militants from two students in a nearby locality, the sources said.

The common pattern in the four theft cases reported over the past few days is that all the stolen bikes are at least 13 years old. (PTI)