Curfew-like Restrictions In Kupwara

Life remained crippled for the fourth day as curfew-like restrictions were extended to all major towns and tehsil headquarters in this frontier district, where security forces killed seven militants on February 24.

Restrictions continued in Lalpora while elsewhere in the Kupwara restrictions were extended following general strike called by breakaway Hurriyat Conference in the valley against these killings.

Locals alleged that seven militants killed by the Army at Dardpora were in fact locals who had gone to forest area for collecting herbs and hunting.

However, a senior Army officer and Deputy Inspector General of Police, North Kashmir dismissed these allegations and said all the seven were foreign militants belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

Sources said restrictions continued in Lalpora to maintain peace in the area, where local police station was attacked, damaging the building and about a dozen vehicles set on fire.

People alleged that they were not being allowed to move out of their homes.

A large number of security force and police personnel remained deployed, directing people to remain indoor.

There were incidents of stone pelting on security forces from different parts of the town, including main market Kupwara, where life remained disrupted due to spontaneous strike with shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic off the roads during the past three days.

However, today being Friday, restrictions were imposed to prevent any law and order problem.

Army and police in a joint operation had killed seven militants at Dardpora Lolab.

However, locals at Lalpora alleged that seven people had gone to forest area and did not return. They were demanding that bodies should be handed over to them for identification.

DIG police J P Singh said the bodies were handed over to local Auqaf and buried after taking their photographs.

The breakaway Hurriyat Conference has called for a general strike against the incident.

Islami Tanzeem Azadi Abdul Samad Inquilabi has supported the strike call and condemned security force’s action on demonstrators in Kupwara.


(Free Press Kashmir)

Mirwaiz, Shabir Put Under House Arrest

Chairman of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq and Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) chief Shabir Ahmad Shah were put under house arrest while breakaway HC spokesperson was taken into preventive custody.

However, official sources said restrictions on separatist leaders were imposed to prevent any law and order problem today, when there is a general strike call in the valley.

A spokesperson for the HC said Mirwaiz was put under house arrest since this morning.He said a large number of security force and state police personnel had been deployed outside the Nigeen house of Mirwaiz to prevent him from moving out.

Shabir Shah has also been put under house arrest since last evening. Shah said he was informed that he cannot move out of his residence till further orders.

HC spokesman Ayaz Akbar was taken into preventive custody from a local mosque on Thursday evening, his family members said.


(EKNN)

Strike Cripples Life In Kashmir

General strike, called by breakaway Hurriyat Conference (HC) to protest against alleged suspicious killing of seven militants in the frontier district of Kupwara crippled life in the Kashmir valley.

Seven foreign militants of Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) were killed in a joint operation by the Army and state police at Dardpora Lolab in Kupwara on February 24.

However, locals alleged that they were civilians, leading to massive protests, police firing and bursting of teargas shells and imposition of restrictions besides strike since February 25 in Kupwara.

Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq sought an impartial probe into Lolab encounter and said that given the past experience of encounters that were later proved ‘stage managed’, a probe through an independent agency must be ordered into the Lolab encounter.


(Free Press Kashmir)

Kashmiris Thong Markets to Shop For Eid-ul-Fitr

Markets across Kashmir Valley including summer capital Srinagar were flooded with people as residents came out in large numbers to shop for Eid-ul-Fitr likely to be celebrated tomorrow.

As the Muslims follow Lunar calendar, the fasting month of Ramadhan will come to an end with the sighting of crescent this evening or tomorrow evening.

The Eid will be celebrated a day after the sighting of the crescent, which is more likely today as Saudi Arabia and some other parts of the world are celebrating the culmination of fasting month today.
Bakeries, confectionaries and toy shops witnessed heavy rush of customers as Muslims started preparing for the two-day Eid festival.

Shopping outlets dealing with clothing including kids-wear, perfumes and footwear also saw brisk sales from early in the morning.

The roadside vendors have also set up stalls in Lal Chowk and adjoining areas selling all kinds of merchandise.

Serpentine queues were witnessed at ATM outlets and banks as people withdrew more than Rs 55 crore for Eid shopping in just two days, sources in the banking industry said.

Like last year, the traffic department has barred the entry of heavy passenger vehicles into the commercial hub of Lal Chowk as it leads to traffic jams.

“No vehicular traffic shall be allowed to ply on Residency road from Radio Kashmir to Hari Singh High street on one side and along MA road from SRTC crossing to Jehangir Chowk on the other side, except emergency and on-duty vehicles,” a traffic police officer said.

He said the restrictions shall remain in force till Eid prayers.


(EKNN)

Bears, Leopards Rampage Through Kashmir, Kill Two, Hurt Many

Black bears and leopards went on a rampage in different villages across Kashmir valley, attacking children and old women working in rice fields and orchards, police said on Tuesday.

Increasing fear of attacks from wild animals is forcing residents to abstain from work in orchards and vegetable fields in many areas, witnesses say.

A black bear attacked and killed 70-year-old Abdul Sattar Bhat in Gulmarg area of north Kashmir.
In another incident a 13-year-old girl, Kushboo, was killed by a leopard at Tangwari area of Kreeri.

Local residents said about a dozen leopards were roaming in Handwara villages posing threat to lives. They said they have been forced to accompany children to schools due to the fear of attacks from wild animals.

Leopard and Himalayan black bear populations have increased after a ban on hunting was enforced in Kashmir in 1970′s. Due to shrinking of their natural habitat, these animals are now wandering into villages and have killed nearly 200 people and maimed thousands since 2005.

Man-animal conflict has shown a drastic increase in the region after authorities erected a fence along Kashmir’s border with Pakistan designed to stop militant incursions.

The nine feet high fence along Line of Control, a military line which divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan, is curbing the movement of wild animals, experts say.

Authorities are now planning to set up control rooms and distribute leaflets urging people living near forests to take precautions to prevent more casualties.

Police say at least six bears and leopards have been killed by villagers and authorities in the last one year after attacking local people.

State’s Wildlife department has paid nearly five million rupees as compensation to the next of kin of the deceased persons and injured persons.


(EKNN)

Hurriyat (M) Protecting Indian Interests in Kashmir, Says Malik

Chairman of the pro-Independence Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), Yasin Malik has accused another senior separatist leader of “safeguarding Indian interests” in Kashmir.

He has also accused Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, chairman of his own faction of the separatist amalgam Hurriyat Conference, of misusing the Azadi movement or Freedom struggle.

“APHC (M) forum claims to represent people and resistance but a bitter truth is that these people have achieved big houses, expensive vehicles and other benefits in this name but are shying away to even speak on it,” said Malik in a press statement on the anniversary of Imam Khomeni, the revolutionary leader of Shiites.

“This forum is simultaneously trying to run movement and safeguard Indian Interests on the same time. These people in the garb of resistance accumulate money and build shopping malls and get those inaugurated by Indian politician and rulers,” Malik charged the forum which also includes leaders like Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, Syed Hassan Budgami and Moulana Abbas Ansari.

The outburst by the pro-freedom leader came after he was allegedly denied an opportunity to speak in a function organised by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq led Hurriyat at Kashmir University.

The statement of JKLF claimed that the party chairman had been invited by Shia group, Anjuman Shar’e-e-Shian to be part of the function at Kashmir varsity.

“Today after I reached Kashmir universality, they asked one of my colleagues to convince me not to talk about (resistance) movement during my speech as university authorities had asked them so,” Malik said. “( For them) it was important as university may deny permission to them next year.”

Yasin Malik said that it was ‘ironical’ that APHC (M) did this during a program to remember Imam Khomeni (RAH), “who taught us to fight against tyranny, oppression and falsehood”.

“Until now we were maintaining silence on these issues in the larger interests of the resistance movement but today we have been compelled to come out in public by these people.”


(Free Press Kashmir)

Air India cabin crew member detained in London for smuggling cigarettes

An Air India cabin crew was detained by the London police for allegedly smuggling 50 cigarette crates.

Though some members of the crew were released later Bhavik Shah, who admitted to his crime, was detained for eight hours.

Later, Air India bailed him out by paying 5,000 pounds. Confirming the incident, a senior Air India official said the cabin crew member has been suspended.

"We suspended crew member Bhavik Shah for the alleged incident on the same day when it was reported," an AI official said.

According to airline sources, the incident took place last Friday after AI's Mumbai-London flight landed at the Heathrow airport.

While the crew members were on way to the hotel, the police carried out a search of their baggage.

During the search, there was no claimant for a bag which contained the 50 cigarette crates, following which the police detained the entire crew.

After a four-hour-long questioning, it was confirmed that the bag containing the cigarettes belonged to Shah, sources said.

Following this, Shah was detained for further questioning, and he admitted to carrying the contraband.

He was released on bail after AI paid up for the bond.


(PTI)

Three senior Kingfisher executives quit

Troubles mounted for beleaguered Kingfisher Airlines with three more senior executives including its chief information officer, quitting even as a section of its pilots threatened to restart their agitation over non-payment of salaries for last 10 months.

“The airlines’ chief information officer Saurav Sinha, flight operations head Capt Ronald Nagar and cabin crew head Ajit Bhagchandani have put in their papers recently,” Kingfisher Airlines sources told PTI.

Their resignations come close on the heels of KFA’s executive vice president Hitesh Patel and ground handling chief Murali Ramachandran reportedly parting ways with liquor baron Vijay Mallya’s grounded airline.

The private carrier, which has not paid its employees since August last year, has been grounded since October. Its air operations permit or the flying licence lapsed on December 31 last year, although it can be renewed within two years.

Last month, Kingfisher Airlines had submitted a fresh revival plan to DGCA, seeking permission to resume operations.

But it has not yet been accepted by the regulator.

“Besides these executives, a few pilots and engineers have also quit the carrier in the last one month as they did not see any hope of its revival,” the sources said.

Meanwhile, Kingfisher Airlines’ Mumbai-based pilots are planning to revive their agitation over non-payment of salary and are likely to hold a meeting here tomorrow to chalk out their action plan, sources said.

“Our July 2012 salary was paid in March and since then we have not received any payment. The management is keeping quiet on when it will pay our dues. We have called an internal meeting on Monday to chart out our course of action,” an airline pilot said.

Saddled with an over Rs 7,000 crore bank debt, besides dues to various stakeholders, the airline reported net loss at Rs 2,141.80 crore for the March quarter of the previous fiscal.For the entire FY13, the net loss stood at Rs 4,001.12 crore.

State Bank of India (SBI) said last month that the consortium of lenders has recovered Rs 800-1,000 crore and is making all efforts to recover the remaining dues from the airlines.

The consortium of 17 banks, led by SBI, has an outstanding of over Rs 7,000 crore from the carrier.


(PTI)

Panic in North Kashmir After Body Found Hanging From Tree

A youth’s body was found hanging from a tree in the frontier district of Kupwara, spreading fear across the whole area official sources said here today.

They said panic gripped village Malikpora Haril, Handwara, in north Kashmir district of Kupwara when a youth was found hanging from a tree.

The body was taken away by police and the deceased was identified as Farooq Ahmad Shabingi.

It was not immediately clear whether it was a suicide or murder, they said, adding police has registered a case and initiated proceedings.

Later on a 15-year-old girl tried to commit suicide by setting herself ablaze at her home in the jurisdiction of police station Pahalgam.

She was shifted to SMHS Hospital Srinagar with burn injuries. Police has registered a case in this regard.
Elsewhere four people were killed in separate accidents across Kashmir valley since Saturday evening, police said.


(Free Press Kashmir)

Srinivasan steps aside as Dalmiya takes over as interim BCCI chief

Jagmohan Dalmiya has taken over as interim BCCI chief after N Srinivasan agreed to step aside, till the investigation into the IPL spot-fixing scandal is over, in the emergent board working committee meeting in Chennai on Sunday.

Dalmiya's name was proposed by BCCI vice-president Arun Jaitley and joint secretary Anurag Thakur. The proposal will now be ratified by the BCCI board.

Former BCCI secretary Sanjay Jagdale and treasurer Ajay Shirke have been asked to withdraw their resignation.

If the probe clears Srinivasan, he will return to the BCCI, according to the reported compromise formula reached after hectic bargaining from both the sides.

BCCI treasurer Ajay Shirke and secretary Sanjay Jagdale, who had resigned on Friday in the wake of IPL spot-fixing scandal, refused to accept the compromise formula.

According to reports, Srinivasan, who reached the meeting venue almost three hours early, held a meeting with Jagmohan Dalmiya to work out a compromise formula.

In the face of a series of protest resignations by top board officials, including IPL commissioner Rajeev Shukla, a defiant Srinivasan has been forced to call an emergency board meeting in Chennai on Sunday.

Earlier in the day, in an unexpected twist to the IPL spot-fixing scandal, BCCI president N Srinivasan said he did not dictate any conditions for his exit as the board chief, the Times Now reported.

Srinivasan, who was on Saturday reported to have set four conditions to step down, claimed it was all conspired by media.

It has been widely reported that Srinivasan has laid down four key conditions for stepping aside, pending the BCCI inquiry into the betting-fixing scandal.

These are: a) he should continue to represent India at the International Cricket Council (ICC); b) the two officials who resigned on Friday - board secretary Sanjay Jagdale and treasurer Ajay Shirke - should not return to the board; c) he would choose the secretary and treasurer before he leaves; and d) the interim president should be someone who is already in the board.


(Times Of India)

Less advertisements on TV channels by October

By October, TV viewers who are annoyed by frequent and long advertisement breaks can expect some relief.

Broadcasting regulator TRAI has now made it clear that there will be a cap of 12 minutes per hour for showing advertisements and promotional clips.

While the implementation of the rule will make TV watching more pleasurable for the general viewers, broadcasters, media planners and advertisers are trying to figure out the changes that the new rule will bring.

Reluctant initially to accept it, broadcasters have now agreed that the 12 minute cap should be enforced in a phased manner.

"Even though the law has been in existence for almost eight years (Advertising Code of the Cable Television Act), it never got enforced as the government apparently felt a new industry needs to develop its roots before such a law can be enforced.

"The Authority (TRAI) apparently feels the roots have grown well and it is now time to enforce the law," said Shailesh Shah, the secretary general of the Indian Broadcasting Federation when asked for his take on the issue.

Shah said the implementation of the rule would hurt advertisers, agencies and channels but it was also be an opportunity for broadcasters to get together to ensure digitisation is done and the elusive subscription revenue kicks in.

When asked about the impact restricting of advertisement limits to 12 minutes would have on their price, Shah said that "advertising rates have always been addressed by market forces, and will most certainly continue to do so."


(PTI)

Pakistan National Assembly to elect Speaker tomorrow

The Pakistan National Assembly will elect its Speaker and Deputy Speaker on Monday, with two senior leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz nominated for the posts.

Secretary National Assembly has accepted the nomination papers of PML-N candidate Sardar Ayaz Sadiq for the post of Speaker while Murtaza Javed Abbasi for that of Deputy Speaker, media reports said on Sunday.

Mr. Sadiq won National Assembly seat from NA-122 Lahore while Mr. Abbasi from NA-18 Abbottabad.

The National Assembly will elect its Speaker and Deputy Speaker on Sunday, while the leader of the house will be elected on Wednesday.

The main opposition Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) fielded Nawab Yousuf as its candidate for the office of the Speaker and Ghulam Rasool for Deputy Speaker.

Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) has nominated Sheryar Afridi for the post of Speaker and Munazza Hasan for that of Deputy Speaker.

Nomination papers of MQM parliamentarians S.A. Iqbal Qadri and Kishwar Zehra for the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively have also been accepted.

The nomination papers of all the candidates were declared valid and subsequently submitted in the National Assembly. The scrutiny of the nomination papers will take place on Sunday and the election for the posts will be held on Monday.

After Monday’s secret ballot, outgoing Speaker Fehmida Mirza will administer the oath to the new Speaker.

On Saturday, Mr. Sharif, the Prime Minister-designate, returned to the Assembly fourteen years after his last stint as a parliamentarian when he took oath with other lawmakers in the first democratic transition of power in the country’s 66-year history.

The election of the premier is scheduled for June 5, 2013 as Mr. Sharif’s election as leader of the House is a foregone conclusion with the PML-N’s over 180 members in the 342-strong National Assembly.

The first session of the 342-member National Assembly on Saturday marked the first phase of transition of power in Islamabad and in the four provinces following the historic May 11, 2013 general election.


(PTI)

Omar Fumes At Bollywood’s ‘Cheating’

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is upset with Ranbir Kapoor starrer Bollywood film “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani”.

He has expressed his strong resentment over the attribution of some scenes to tourist destination of Manali when actually they had been shot in Kashmir.

“It is irritating when we roll out the red carpet and facilitate the shoot only to have people believe it’s Manali #YJHD,” Omar wrote on Twitter.

“Those of you planning to visit Manali because of what you saw in #YJHD except for the temple and Span resort it’s all Gulmarg,” Abdullah tweeted.

Last year when the YJHD crew was in Kashmir, Omar had himself paid them a visit at Gulmarg.

He had asked the officials in Gulmarg to extend all possible cooperation to the film unit.

The chief Minister also wanted to know whether producer of the film, Karan Johar had given any credit at all to Kashmir, where parts of the movie were shot.

“If anyone has seen the movie can you tell me whether they have at least mentioned the state in the credits (opening or closing) #YJHD.”


(Free Press Kashmir)

Three Militants Killed At Kashmir Frontier

Three militants have been killed as the army foiled their bid to infiltrate from Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

A gunfight between the militants and the army broke out in north Kashmir’s Nowgam sector near the Line of Control late on Saturday.

The Army spokesman, Col Naresh Vij told Freepress that the other militants fled the site, back to where they came from.

There have been a series of firing incidents in the past week at the LoC that divides Kashmir between the two countries.

India says Pakistani troops fired at their troops and violated the ceasefire agreement. It says its troops did not retaliate to at least one ‘provocation’.


(Free Press Kashmir)

Rajeev Shukla resigns as IPL chairman

BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla has rendered his resignation from the post of IPL chairmanship on Saturday, a day before the emergency meeting of the Cricket Board in Chennai on Sunday.

Shukla said he took the decision due to the fixing scandals in the cash-rich Twenty20 league.

"I took the decision to quit in view of the recent controversies", said Shukla.

Beleaguered president N Srinivasan may also announce his resignation from the post in the BCCI emergency meeting tomorrow.


(Times Of India)

Massive Snow Clearance on Mountainous Amarnath Track in Kashmir

Snow clearance operation on traditional Pahalgam-Amarnath cave shrine route was going on war-footing to make the track ready before the commencement of the annual pilgrimage of self-made Ice-Shivlingam from June 28.

The weather office will issue ‘alerts’ after every three hours during the pilgrimage, for which thousands of quintal of essentials will be stored at all halting stations and seven duty magistrates will be deployed for smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.

As many as 13 medical aid centres, besides six emergency medical centres shall be established for the medicare facilities of the pilgrims.

Official sources said hundreds of labourers and others have been engaged to clear the snow on the traditional route.

Urging officers to adhere to the timeline for the conduct of smooth and successful yatra this year, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Shalender Kumar directed the officers concerned to expedite the clearance of routes via Pahalgam-Chandanwari, Chandanwari-Sheshnag, Sheeshnag-Panjtarni and Panjtarnti to holy cave.

Mr Kumar along with senior officers of divisional administration besides Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) undertook a day long tour yesterday to inspect the route and the camp stations via Pahalgam route.

He directed to put effective refractory mechanism in place to ensure that only those yatries who possessed valid yatra permits were allowed to undertake the yatra on the date and by the route for which they have procured yatra permits.

He also stressed upon the officers concerned for adequate facilities besides infrastructure and un-interrupted power and water supply, sanitation, medicare, Telecom facilities and transport facilities.



(Free Press Kashmir)

‘Informal’ Deal for Ex-Kashmiri Militants’ Surrender Policy

Despite the Liyaqat Shah fiasco underlining the lack of coordination between various agencies on return of ex-militants under the Jammu & Kashmir surrendercum-rehabilitation policy, the agencies are wary of formalizing the Indo-Nepal border check-post as a designated crossing point or making it mandatory for J&K authorities to inform border forces and relevant state jurisdictions of impending surrenders.

The involvement of multiple agencies, it is feared, would heighten the risk of the ex-militant’s identity getting compromised, rendering him vulnerable to retaliatory strikes by his former Pakistani handlers.

There are apprehensions that a rigid system of surrenders by Kashmiri ex-militants may not work on the ground, as those seeking benefits under the policy often return without any prior notice to the J&K authorities.

“An ex-militant virtually risks his life during the journey from Pakistan to J&K.

Though authorities are aware that a particular ex-militant will be returning under the scheme, the exact timing of his return is mostly not known.

Ex-militants randomly turn up at the Indo-Nepal check post and travel to J&K on their own ahead of their surrender,” said an official of the Central security establishment.

It may thus not be practical for J&K authorities to intimate border forces like SSB or the transit states on impending surrenders, the official added.

The agencies, instead, are pitching for continuing with the same informal system for surrenders under the J&K scheme, as it tends to give cover to the prospective surrenderee.

“At the most, the states can be told to check with the J&K authorities, each time a Kashmiri is intercepted at the border, whether he is an applicant under the state’s surrender-cum-rehabilitation scheme,” said an intelligence official.

“If multiple checks and balances are introduced, the ex-militants may become wary of the Pakistani agencies getting alerted.

Too much paperwork and formalities may add to the risk of the prospective surrenderee’s identity getting compromised,” warned a home ministry official.

As many as 260 ex-militants returned to J&K via Nepal under the state’s special policy until April 10 this year.


(Times Of India)

Militant Killed in South Kashmir Gunbattle, Operation Continues

A militant has been killed in a gunbattle with security forces in Shopian town of south Kashmir.

A police statement says a joint team of the Army and local police laid siege to Vandena village after recieving a tip off about the presence of militants.

“Militants fired upon the search party, triggering an encounter.”

One militant, whose identity has not been established so far, has been killed.

The gunfight is still on.

Overall violence involving militants and security forces has considerably declined in Jammu and Kashmir.

But occasional attacks and gunbattles still take place.


(Free Press Kashmir)

Petrol price hiked by 75 paise per litre, diesel by 50 paise

After four consecutive times reduction in petrol prices by cumulative Rs 6.60 a litre since April 1, state owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) have decided to increase the petrol prices by 75 paisa a litre and diesel prices by 50 paisa a litre due to depreciating Indian rupee, which hit 10 month low, making the import of crude oil costlier. Private refiners Reliance Industries (RIL) and Essar Oil are likely to follow the suit.

The management of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Hindustan Petroleum Corp ( HPCL) & Bharat Petroleum Corp ( BPCL) in a meeting in New Delhi decided on the revision in the petrol and diesel prices, which was approved by the oil ministry.

The OMCs had reduced the petrol prices by Rs 3 per litre on May 1, Rs 1.20 per litre on April 16, Re 1 on April 1 and Rs. 2.40 on March 16, 2013.

The government has deregulated the petrol and diesel prices, and now the oil marketing companies are revising the petrol prices according to the international market prices.

"Petrol prices are increased by Rs 1 a litre and diesel by 45 paisa as we had started incurring losses in petrol due to depreciating rupee, which makes the oil imports costlier," said a director on the board of an oil retailer.

The Indian basket of crude oil has fallen to $ 100.27per barrel on May 30, 2013 compared to average price of $ 101.21 during fortnight of May 1-15, 2013. However, in rupee terms, the price has gone up by Rs 146 to Rs 5,625 as on May 30, compared to the last fortnight, thus necessitating the hike. This is because the Indian rupee has weakened to Rs 56.50 against the US dollar, which is Rs 2 lower than the rate of Rs 54.32 during the fortnight of May 1-15, 2013.

The depreciating rupee has widened the loss on sale of diesel to Rs 5 a litre. Diesel price have been hiked four times since the de-regulation, the last being on May 11 when it was raised by Rs 1.02 a litre.


(Times of India)

Kingfisher Airlines posts $380 million loss

Debt-laden Kingfisher Airlines Ltd, which has not flown since last October, reported yet another quarter of loss, and the resumption of operations is still not in sight as it struggles to win regulatory approvals.

Kingfisher, once India's No.2 carrier, said net loss widened to 21.42 billion rupees ($380 million) for its fiscal fourth quarter ending in March, compared with a net loss of 11.5 billion rupees a year earlier.

The company, controlled by liquor baron Vijay Mallya, is estimated to owe about $2.5 billion to banks, airports and others and its flying licences expired at the end of last year.

Kingfisher has twice submitted revival plans to the sector regulator in bids to restart the airline, with parent UB Group committing initial funding, but is yet to win approval.

Kingfisher had never made a profit in its eight years of operations.


(Reuters)