The nuclear tests conducted by Pakistan on May 28, 1998, in Chagai mountains of Balochistan have resulted in devastating consequences for the region and its people, according to activists. The radiation emitted from the atomic explosions have caused serious health problems for the people, particularly the children. It has also seriously impacted the water bodies and flora of Balochistan. #nuclear #nucleartests #Chagai #balochistan #health #Pakistan #atomic What We Offer In-Depth Analysis and Exclusive Reports: Our team of experienced journalists and analysts delve deep into the complexities of regional and international issues, providing you with exclusive reports and thorough analysis. Whether it’s the intricate political dynamics of Balochistan, the ongoing developments in POK, or the security challenges in Kashmir, we bring you stories that matter. Timely and Accurate Updates: Stay informed with our timely updates on the latest events and trends. From breaking news to detailed feature stories, NVI ensures you are always ahead of the curve with accurate and reliable information.
Persecution of Hindus, Christians and other minorities in Pakistan
Minorities, like Hindus and Christians, have been suffering immense atrocities in Pakistan. Very frequently, some or the other member of a minority community, whether Hindu or Christian, is subjected to humiliation, tortrure and cruelty in various forms. While men are thrashed and even lynched, their girls are raped and forcibly converted to Islam to be married to a Muslim man against their choice. Most tragically, the victims of these victims get no support from the police, the government or even the judiciary. #pakistan #minorities #Hindus #christians
India’s neighbours participate in Modi’s grand oath-taking ceremony
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the visiting leaders who congratulated him for the historic third consecutive term in office.
New Delhi, June 9: Narendra Modi took oath as the Prime Minister of India for the third consecutive time, in a grand ceremony on Sunday evening that saw the leaders of seven neighbouring countries invited as honoured guests.
Modi, clad in white kurta and churidar and donning a blue jacket, was administered the oath of office and secrecy by President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashparati Bhawan here.
The 74 year old leader took the oath in the name of God to loud cheers from the large number of guests, which included leaders from India’s neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean Region.
The leaders who attended the ceremony included President of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe; President of Maldives Mohamed Muizzu; Vice-President of Seychelles Ahmed Afif; Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina; Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth accompanied by his spouse; Prime Minister of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’; and Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay. Leaders of Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan were accompanied by Ministers.
Following the swearing-in ceremony, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the visiting leaders who congratulated him for the historic third consecutive term in office. Thanking them for gracing the occasion, Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and ‘SAGAR Vision’.
Prime Minister Modi emphasized that in his third term, India will continue to work for the peace, progress and prosperity of the region in close partnership with the countries, even as it pursues its goal of VIKSIT BHARAT by 2047, a statement said.
In this context, he called for deeper people-to-people ties and connectivity in the region. He further added that India would continue to amplify the voice of the Global South in the international arena.
The leaders also attended a Banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The President while welcoming them and conveying her wishes to Prime Minister Modi in the service of the nation, stated that India’s democratic exercise was not only a moment of pride for its people, but an inspiration to millions around the world.
The participation of leaders from India’s neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region on the momentous occasion of swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, underlines India’s deep-rooted bonds of friendship and cooperation with the region, a statement said.
Journalists, opposition groups boycott controversial Punjab Defamation Bill
The central Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the media bodies announced a total boycott of coverage concerning all government affairs as a mark of protest.
Islamabad, June 9: The controversial Punjab Defamation Bill 2024 was officially brought into effect and became a full-fledged law in Pakistan after the province’s Acting Governor Malik Ahmed Khan signed it. Seen as a draconian bill which curbs press freedom in the country, the bill was boycotted by various organisations and opposition groups in the National Assembly.
Drawing great ire from journalist groups and civil society organisations, the central Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the media bodies announced a total boycott of coverage concerning all government affairs at both the provincial and federal proceedings in the National Assembly as a mark of protest.
The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND), held an emergency meeting to discuss the development and decided to record their protest against the law.
Just hours after the bill was passed, a joint petition was filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC) by journalists Riaz Ahmad Raja and Jaffar Ahmad Yar challenging its legality. The petition asked the high court to strike down the defamation law, saying it violated the fundamental rights of citizens protected in the Constitution.
The plea lamented that journalists were not consulted before the passing and approval of the defamation law, arguing that it was ludicrous and unconstitutional to allow a person to bring a claim of defamation without any proof.
Terror Module busted in Kashmir: How Pakistani terrorist hid and operated
Abu Hurera infiltrated into India over 10 years back
New Delhi, Apr 7: Two Pakistani terrorists, along with 3 other local associates, have been arrested by the Jammu and Kashmir Police which claimed to have busted a terror module of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) outfit.
One of the two Pakistani terrorists is Abu Hurera, who presents a story of covert operations, involving local embedding and deception for over a decade.
He is said to have infiltrated into India more than 10 years back.
With some suspected local help, he found hiding places in various areas of the Kashmir valley.
Harwan, on the outskirts of Srinagar and in the foothills of Zabarwan mountain range, is said to have been his main hiding area.
He also had hideouts in Danihama, close to Harwan, besides Chhaterhama, Wanihama and Gassu areas.
To make his stay safer in Kashmir, Abu Hurera married the daughter of one Gh Mohammad, who is linked to Jamaat-e-Islami.
This helped him camaflouge better and embed within the socio-religious network of Kashmir.
His residence became a support base for terrorists, with shelter, food and money being provided to them.
Hurera had a key role in terror financing in Kashmir, with funds being routed via Saudi Arabia using Hajj & Umrah agents.
These funds were distributed locally to sustain operations.
The network involving him even resorted to sexual exploitation of local Muslim girls in Kashmir, committed under threats.
He even gained access to the Kashmir University campus located at Naseem Bagh, close to Hazratbal mosque, in Srinagar. This access was used by him to hide during operations by the security forces.
Investigations are still underway to find out more about his activities and those of the other members of the module busted. (NVI)
Omar Abdullah Inaugurates ₹5.93-Crore Agriculture Centre in Jammu
Jammu, Apr 7 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday inaugurated a ₹5.93-crore Centre of Excellence for Entrepreneurship in Precision Vegetable and Floriculture Farming at Talab Tillo here and stressed the need for climate-resilient agriculture to safeguard farmers’ livelihoods amid erratic weather conditions.
The facility, developed with support from National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), aims to provide quality planting material and promote modern farming techniques to enhance farmers’ income, officials said.
Addressing farmers after the inauguration, Abdullah said agriculture has become increasingly challenging due to changing climatic patterns and called for adopting scientific practices, assured irrigation and crop insurance to mitigate risks.
“It is good that we are setting up such centres, but the larger challenge today is the unpredictability of weather. We cannot control the weather, but we can certainly reduce its adverse impact on farmers,” he said.
Highlighting recent incidents of crop damage due to unseasonal weather, the chief minister said the government is committed to supporting farmers through better infrastructure, improved irrigation systems and access to quality inputs.
He also underscored the importance of ensuring high-quality seeds and planting material, saying poor-quality inputs could undermine farmers’ efforts and productivity.
The chief minister directed officials to focus on strengthening irrigation at the grassroots level, particularly ensuring water reaches tail-end areas.
He said similar Centres of Excellence should be replicated across districts to ensure timely availability of quality planting material.
Abdullah also distributed sanction letters among beneficiaries under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening the agriculture sector.
Agriculture Production Minister Javid Ahmed Dar said Centres of Excellence would be established in all 20 districts of the Union Territory as announced in the Budget 2026-27.
Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani said the adoption of modern techniques would significantly boost the rural economy.
Senior officials and a large number of farmers were present on the occasion.(NVI)
“Terror Modules Still Emerging Raises Serious Questions”: Omar Abdullah
Jammu, April 7 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said that while the busting of a terror module by J&K Police is a positive development, the repeated surfacing of such modules raises serious concerns about the origin and continued infiltration of terrioists.
Speaking to reporters, the Chief Minister said, “It is good that the module was busted,” but questioned the recurring pattern of such incidents.
“Alongside that, the question arises—where did they come from and why did they come? We are repeatedly told that terrorism has ended and there is no trace of it left. Yet, modules keep getting busted, and terrorists coming from across the border continue to be found,” he said.
Referring to remarks made by Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Abdullah dismissed the claims, stating that such assertions lack credibility.
“It hasn’t even been a year since Operation Sindoor was completed. Forget Kolkata, they could barely reach Jammu. Even in Jammu, they failed to cause any significant damage. They could not reach the country’s capital either,” he said.
“The dream of reaching Kolkata should be forgotten by them,” the Chief Minister added. (NVI)
India Issues Urgent Advisory for Nationals in Iran, Urges 48-Hour Indoor Stay
Tehran, Apr 7 (NVI): The Embassy of India in Tehran on tuesday issued an urgent advisory asking all Indian nationals in Iran to remain indoors for the next 48 hours, citing security concerns and heightened sensitivity in certain areas.
The advisory, citizens have been strictly instructed to avoid all electric and military installations, as well as upper floors of multi-storey buildings. Any travel, particularly on highways, must be coordinated in advance with the Embassy.
The Embassy further directed Indian nationals staying in Embassy-arranged accommodations to remain inside and maintain constant contact with Embassy officials on the ground.
In view of the evolving situation, nationals have been urged to closely follow official updates and adhere to all safety instructions without exception.
Reassuring citizens, the Embassy confirmed that its emergency helplines and email services remain fully operational to provide immediate assistance.
The advisory underscores a heightened state of alert, with authorities prioritising the safety and security of Indian nationals in Iran.(NVI)
LG Manoj Sinha Inaugurates J&K Bank’s Regional Business Centre in Jammu
Jammu, Apr 7 (NVI): Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday inaugurated the new Regional Business Centre of Jammu & Kashmir Bank at Rail Head Complex in Jammu, marking a major step towards strengthening the bank’s infrastructure and enhancing service delivery in the region.
The Lieutenant Governor congratulated and extended his felicitations to the entire team of J&K Bank on the occasion.
Marking a significant milestone in the Bank’s infrastructure and business expansion strategy, the newly established centre will serve as a vital operational and administrative hub.
The facility is designed to further improve service delivery and operational efficiency through its robust infrastructure and enhanced customer interface areas.
The integrated and technology-enabled business centre will be pivotal in driving efficiency, deepening market penetration and supporting J&K Bank’s vision of sustainable and inclusive expansion across geographies.
Amitava Chatterjee, MD & CEO, J&K Bank also apprised the Lieutenant Governor of the Bank’s strong financial performance, highlighting that the Bank’s business has crossed Rs 2.90 lakh crore.
The commissioning of the Regional Business Centre is not merely an expansion of physical infrastructure, but a decisive step towards strengthening our business architecture in a key growth region, he said.
The new Regional Business Centre will enhance the Bank’s presence in the Jammu region while reinforcing its commitment to modernizing infrastructure in line with evolving customer expectations and business needs.
The building houses a currency chest, a state-of-the-art branch, multiple departmental offices, and dedicated operational and administrative units, significantly enhancing administrative and backend support. This facility will enable faster decision-making, improved coordination and superior customer service.
Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor; Sudhir Gupta, Executive Director, J&K Bank; R.K Chhibber and Arun Gandotra, Directors on Board of J&K Bank; Bhim Sen Tuti, IGP Jammu; Chief General Managers, Divisional Head, General Managers and other office bearers of the Bank, senior officials of the Industries and other line departments attended the inaugural ceremony. (NVI)
Trump issues latest threat to Iran: ‘A whole civilisation will die tonight’
The new threat comes ahead of the deadline of 8 PM, Tuesday (Eastern Time) set by Trump for Iran to allow navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
New Delhi, Apr 7: As the Iran war continues in the 5th week, US President Donald Trump escalated the threat level manifold today as he said “A whole civilisation will die tonight and never to be brought back again”.
He issued the latest threat ahead of the deadline of 8 PM, Tuesday (Eastern Time) set by him for Iran to allow navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will. However, now that we have Complete and Total Regime Change, where different, smarter, and less radicalized minds prevail, maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen, WHO KNOWS?
“We will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World. 47 years of extortion, corruption, and death, will finally end. God Bless the Great People of Iran!”
His latest threat came hours after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said more than 14 million citizens of the country are ready to sacrifice their lives for national defence.
“More than 14 million Iranian people have declared their readiness to sacrifice their lives… I too have been, am, and will remain ready to give my life for Iran,” Pezeshkian posted on social media.
Meanwhile, the Iranian military said if the US military crosses “red lines”, Iran’s response would not be limited to the Middle East, but could expand beyond the region.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), affiliated to the Supreme Leader, said there will end to the restraint and attacks will be carried out on the energy infrastructure of the US allies in West Asia.
IRGC said it has “removed all previous considerations” from its response posture, according to Iran’s Fars News Agency.
The IRGC warned US regional partners that they could be directly targeted, with threats aimed specifically at critical infrastructure tied to oil and gas.
Amid these threats, the Kharg Island, which hosts 90% percent of Iran’s crude oil, was hit today in the air attacks by the US and Israel.
The two countries also carried out strikes near a railway track, causing casualties. (NVI)
Ladakh Moves to Renew Long-Pending Lease Deeds, Relief for Residents
Leh , Apr 7 (NVI): In a major relief to residents of Ladakh, authorities have directed the renewal of long-pending expired lease deeds, a move aimed at providing legal security to landholders in the region.
Official details, the decision addresses a long-standing demand of the people, as several lease renewal cases had been pending for years. The step is expected to benefit a large section of the population by ensuring legal recognition and stability of land titles.
They said that the Chief Secretary has been instructed to organise special camps to expedite the clearance of all pending cases. These camps will facilitate verification of documents, processing of licence fees, and issuance of renewed lease deeds to applicants.
The first such special camp is scheduled to be held on April 15, during which eligible applicants will be handed over renewed lease documents after completion of necessary formalities.
The move is being seen as a significant step towards strengthening governance, improving transparency, and ensuring security of tenure for affected families. Authorities reiterated their commitment to responsive and citizen-centric governance.(NVI)
CM Omar Abdullah Reviews Progress of High Court Complexes in J&K, Calls for Swift Completion
Jammu, Apr 7 (NVI): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the progress of construction of new High Court complexes for the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court at Srinagar and Jammu wings, stressing the need for expeditious execution of the projects.
During the Chief Minister underscored time-bound completion and enhanced inter-departmental coordination, directing all concerned departments and executing agencies to fast-track work on these key judicial infrastructure projects.
He also called for early administrative approval for the proposed Jammu wing at Raika, envisioned as a modern, integrated judicial complex. The project, being executed by National Buildings Construction Corporation Limited, involves shifting the existing High Court from Janipur to a purpose-built campus at Raika to meet the growing needs of the judiciary.
Officials informed that the new complex will feature state-of-the-art courtrooms, judges’ chambers, administrative blocks, litigant, parking infrastructure, and digital-enabled court systems aligned with contemporary judicial standards.
NBCC representatives said the project is being carried out in multiple phases to ensure structured development and optimal use of resources. A detailed presentation was made on the site layout, zoning plan, phased construction strategy, timelines, and execution challenges.
The Chief Minister also reviewed proposals for redevelopment of the Lower Court Complex in Srinagar, aimed at modernizing judicial infrastructure in Kashmir and improving accessibility and case management efficiency.
Emphasizing the importance of robust judicial infrastructure, he directed officials to ensure strict adherence to timelines, quality standards, and transparency in execution. He also called for regular monitoring and timely resolution of bottlenecks related to approvals, funding, and coordination.
Reiterating the government’s commitment, the Chief Minister said modern court infrastructure is crucial for efficient justice delivery and strengthening public trust in the legal system across both Jammu and Kashmir divisions.(NVI)
Fire Erupts at Security Barrack of FCI Godown in South Kashmir’s Kulgam
Srinagar, Apr 7 (NVI): A fire broke out at the security barrack of a Food Corporation of India (FCI) godown in the Mirbazar area of Kulgam district along the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway on Tuesday, officials said.
They said the blaze originated in the barrack designated for security personnel and was soon noticed by locals and staff in the vicinity.
Fire and Emergency Services personnel rushed to the spot and launched an operation to douse the flames, they said, adding that the fire was brought under control after sustained efforts.
No loss of life or injuries were reported in the incident, officials said. However, some property damage to the barrack was reported.
The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, and an investigation has been initiated, they added.(NVI)
Poonch: CRPF Personnel dies in Accidental Firing, Probe Underway
Poonch, Apr 7 (,NVI): A constable of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was dies in an accidental firing incident in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch sector on Tuesday.
The deceased has been identified as Constable (GD) Abdul Gani of 38 Battalion, a resident of Chak Dayala in Samba district.
According to officials, preliminary reports suggest that the incident occurred due to an accidental discharge of a weapon. However, the exact circumstances leading to the firing are yet to be ascertained.
They said cognisance of the matter has been taken and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident.(NVI)
