Srinagar, Jan. 4 : People''''s Democratic Party (PDP) has severed its ties with the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) at the Centre following Congress party's decision to get into an alliance with the National Conference (NC) to form a coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir.

Mehbooba Mufti is the sole representation from PDP in Lok Sabha.

In a letter written to the UPA chairperson, PDP's President Mehbooba Mufti has conveyed her party's decision. She said "PDP has formally dissociated itself from the UPA alliance at the Centre."

Poonch, Jan 3 : A Special Police Officer (SPO) was killed in an encounter between militants and security forces in Bhati Dhar forest area of Mendhar in Jammu and Kashmir''s Poonch District on Saturday.

According to official sources, SPO Naresh Kumar was killed in an encounter, which was resumed around midnight.

An encounter has been going on for the last two days in the area.

JCO Rakesh Kumar and Naik P K Singh, and four militants were killed in a gunbattle, which started on Thursday evening.

Srinagar, Kashmir - At least six suspected Muslim militants and three security personnel were killed in separate gunbattles in India-administered Kashmir, officials said Saturday.

Two army soldiers, one policeman and four rebels died in fighting in a forested area of Poonch region, 270 kilometres west of the state's winter capital Jammu, defence spokesman Colonel SM Acharya said.

Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister designate of Jammu and Kashmir, shall take charge along with a few Ministers from the National Conference and the Congress, before January 6, after the understanding reached between them.

This was announced after a meeting with the Congress at External Affairs Minister, Pranab Mukherjee’s office. Mr. Abdullah, accompanied by the Pradesh Congress Committee President, Saifuddin Soz and party in-charge of J&K, Prithviraj Chavan, said that he shall take the oath along with two National Conference members.

Srinagar, Jan. 2 : As large number of people around the country cherished being in holidaying mood or spending a good time with friends and families, Kashmiris in Srinagar opted to pray for peace and harmony in the Jammu and Kashmir region on the first day of
2009.

Srinagar witnessed over two month-long agitation and violence over Amarnath land transfer row, which brought the life almost to standstill here. On the first day of the year, people prayed to the almighty for a peaceful year ahead.

Srinagar, Jan. 2 : Accepting people's mandate in the recently concluded elections, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, chief of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that his party would play the role of a responsible opposition in the state.

"I assure the people that the PDP will fortify the mandate and safeguard their aspiration as a responsible opposition party," said Sayeed said.

He also said that the UPA government should not misconstrue large voter turnout as a solution of the Kashmir issue and demanded renewal of the resolve of the Kashmir resolution process.