Gulmarg, Jan 29 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir''s Gulmarg, a bowl shaped plateau at an altitude of about 8,500 feet in the Pir Panjal ranges is a favourite destination for tourists to indulge in winter sports.

Attempts are on by local sports authorities to popularize skiing among the local youngsters by organizing sport events and competitions. It is hoped that it would fascinate more and more children and youngsters from local areas besides tourists.

Srinagar, Jan. 28 : Two militants including a key Al Badr terrorist, were gunned down in three separate encounters in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. A soldier also lost his life during one operation.

The first encounter broke out on Tuesday evening when militants, hiding in a house, opened fire on security forces during a search operation in Amargarh village.

The on-off firing operation continued till dawn when security forces killed the lone militant hiding in the house. He was identified as Al Badr ultra Abu Hamza.

Chushul(J-K) Jan 27 : Keen to develop a long lasting friendship between border forces, Indian and Chinese security forces held a flag meeting at Chushul in Ladakh on Monday.

Sino-Indian border personnel meetings and flag meetings are guided by a mechanism that has been in vogue as a viable means to promote of Confidence Building Measures (CBM)).

The Indian Army received the Chinese delegation.

The flags of the two countries hoisted on the occasion and a cultural programme was also organised by the Chushul Garrison.

Brigadier Somnath Jha, Commandant of Indian Army''s 114 Brigade based at Chushul who led the Indian delegation talked of the growing relation between the two countries.

Leh (Ladakh), Jan. 25 : The ''Spituk Gustor'', an annual two-day monastic festival, took place at the Spituk Monastery on January 18 and 19 in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir.

This festival is usually held during the 11th month of Tibetan calendar and marks the victory of virtue over evil.

A hallmark of the festival is the mask dance performed by monks who sport various masks representing the guardians, protectors and the gods and goddesses.

Samba, Jan 24 : Despite the cold weather, more than 50,000 came forward to enroll themselves in the Indian Army at a recruitment rally organised by the Zonal Recruitment Office in the Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir state.

The youngsters came from far flung Border areas and militancy prone areas.

"Around 10,000 youth have received the token, which means they are eligible in every way required. Secondly we have so many vacancies for Jammu and Kashmir, that whosoever is found eligible and be fit, they can join the Indian Army," said Brigadier K D Malhotra.

Srinagar, Jan 24: A record 900,000 migratory birds from Siberia, China and Central Asia besides Indian sub-continent, are presently nestling in Kashmir valley.

State wild life authorities said that they have received more avian visitors this year than they expected at the three famous waterfowl habitats of Haigam, Hokersar and Shalibugh in the valley.