Srinagar, Mar 22 : Three Army personnel, a Major and four militants have been killed in an encounter at Hafrada forest in the Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to sources, the gunbattle, which is continuing since Friday, has also injured a soldier.

On receiving information of the militant infiltration in the forest area, the Army, assisted by the local police acted promptly and launched a gunbattle in which Major Mehak and three other jawans were killed, while Havildar Rakesh Kumar was injured, sources said.

Srinagar, Mar. 21 : A Jammu and Kashmir based engineer has come out with a 504-year cyclical chart so that countries celebrating Islamic holidays do not face confusion over Islamic calendar dates.

"I have revised a lunar calendar for 504-years. The work, the approach is totally unprecedented and in my assessment the whole thing will go a long way in preserving the chaotic conditions that we face time and again," Bilal Ghulam Nabi Mir said.

Srinagar, Mar 21: Houseboat Owner''s Association has launched campaign to spread awareness among the residents as well as tourists about Dal Lake.

Raw sewage, land encroachment and years of neglect have threatened survival of the lake.

Members of the Association are now pasting banners and poster with the message of protecting the lake on houseboats and Shikaras (Canoe).

Kathua, Mar 21: Ahead of general elections, Border Security Force (BSF) beefed up security at Indo-Pakistan international border in Jammu following political upheaval in Pakistan.

BSF personnel have been put on high alert and routine patrolling has also been increased along the international border from Paharpur to Akhnoor in Jammu division.

Srinagar, Mar 20 : A drama festival aimed at boosting theatre and projecting Kashmir as a safe place to visit kicked off in Srinagar.

Organised by the Academy of Art, Culture and Language, the week-long festival entertain theatre enthusiasts through different plays in Kashmiri and other languages.

A number of theatre artistes from different parts of the country have gathered here for the festival.

The organisers believe that the festival would boost theatre culture in the region.

Srinagar, Mar 20 : In order to gain market at a large scale, artisans of willow wicker in Jammu and Kashmir have brought some new and innovative changes to the old designs.

Wicker is used for making baskets, boxes, lamp-shades, curtain rings, trays, chairs and tables. The cultivation of wicker willow is the monopoly of the state

"They (artisans) have brought some new changes and created beautiful designs, which is an eye-catcher. People are attracted towards these new changes, which they have made in the designs," said Arif Hussain, a shopkeeper.