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.
Amid security concerns, DIG conducts extensive patrol across J&K’s Udhampur
Shivam Bakshi
Udhampur, Sep 21 (NVI) : Deputy Inspector General of Police, Udhampur-Reasi Range, Shiv Kumar Sharma on Monday conducted an extensive foot patrol and area domination exercise across major hubs of Udhampur town amid the prevailing security scenario, officials said.
Accompanied by SSP Udhampur Amritpal Singh and other senior police officers, Sharma inspected areas including Gole Market, Lambi Gali, Salain Talab, Ramnagar Chowk, the main bus stand and Town Hall, they said.
During the patrol, the DIG interacted with shopkeepers, commuters and members of the public to assess the security situation and traffic management, while assuring citizens of a safe environment, officials said.
He directed officers to remain extra vigilant and maintain a high level of alertness, besides intensifying patrolling in crowded and vulnerable areas to prevent any anti-social or anti-national activity, they said.
The police appealed to citizens to remain alert and report any suspicious movement or objects to the nearest police station or through the emergency helpline 112.—(NVI)
J&K govt dismisses Kishtwar teacher in POCSO case
Shivam Bakshi
Srinagar, Sep 21 (NVI): The Jammu and Kashmir government has dismissed a Teacher Grade-II from service in connection with a case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act involving a minor girl in Kishtwar district, officials said on Monday.
The School Education Department issued Government Order No. 388-JK(Edu) of 2026 on September 21, imposing the major penalty of dismissal from service with immediate effect under Article 311(2)(b) of the Constitution, read with Rule 30(vii) of the J&K Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956.
The order also disqualifies the teacher from future employment in the government service of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the order, the teacher was posted at Government Middle School, Bumalpora, Gurinalla, in Zone Inderwal of Kishtwar. He was under suspension and in judicial custody in connection with FIR No. 34/2026 registered at Chatroo police station.
The FIR was registered under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and Sections 4, 6, 8, 10 and 17 of the POCSO Act.
The government order said the competent authority, after considering the facts and circumstances of the case and material available on record, was satisfied that the teacher’s conduct warranted imposition of a major penalty.
It said a departmental inquiry was considered “not reasonably practicable” and Article 311(2)(b) was invoked to dispense with such an inquiry.
The government said the case fell within the category of rare cases and that continuation of the teacher in government service would be detrimental to the interests of the administration and erode public trust in government institutions.—(NVI)
ONGC strikes gas in Mahanadi Basin
New Delhi, Sept 21 (NVI) India’s State-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) Limited today said it has struck gas in deep waters of Mahanadi Offshore Basin, which can benefit the country towards meeting the energy requirements.
The well was perforated on September 18 following evaluation of subsurface data. It is currently flowing with a good gas rate and healthy reservoir pressure, ONGC said.
MDW-28, the maiden well of ONGC’s current deepwater campaign in the Mahanadi Basin off the coast of Odisha, is flowing gas with encouraging rates and sustained reservoir pressure, it said in a statement.
The well, drilled to a target depth (TD) of 1,623 metres, recorded the gas strike at 1,441–1,452 metre interval, it said.
ONGC will continue to push into deep and ultra-deepwater frontiers in the search for hydrocarbons, and towards India’s goal of energy security, it added. (NVI)
Pakistani military on losing track in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa & Balochistan
This year has been the deadliest so far for the Pakistani armed forces
By Ajay Kaul
The Pakistani military, portrayed as a powerful force, has lost its grip on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province and Balochistan.
This is evident from the spurt in the brazen attacks on the military personnel in the two regions, in which scores of soldiers have been killed and hundreds injured.
There has been a substantial increase in frequency and intensity of attacks on Pakistani forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, which is reportedly causing demoralization among the military personnel deployed in these regions.
In this month alone, so far, over 250 soldiers have been killed and more than 300 injured in scores of attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
The biggest among those was the suicide attack on Police headquarters in Kohat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on September 17, where a mosque was also situated.
The 24-hour-long assault by a group of 8 heavily-armed men left 31 personnel killed and over 150 injured. This is the official figure given by the Pakistani military. The unofficial count is said to be higher.
Two days later, a military convoy was attacked in Hangu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in which 6 soldiers were killed and several others were injured.
At least 100 soldiers were killed in scores of other attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by TTP and other groups since September 1.
In August, Wali Mehsood-led TTP alone claimed to have killed 294 Pakistani soldiers and injured 352 in 404 operations. Other factions also killed and injured many other personnel of the Pakistani forces.
In Balochistan too, more than 100 soldiers have been killed and many others injured in umpteen attacks by Baloch freedom-seeking outfits like Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) and Baloch Republican Guards (BRG).
The Baloch freedom fighters have also been increasingly seizing control of various cities and towns of Balochistan from the occupying Pakistani forces, shocking and mocking the Pakistani regime.
Lately, the Baloch freedom fighters have also started disrupting the loot of Balochistan’s rich mineral resources, like Lithium, by Pakistan and its surrogate companies. The Baloch rebels have been intercepting and setting ablaze the vehicles transporting such stuff out of Balochistan.
According the data collated by a Pakistani think tank, there were 3,145 attacks in the country this year till July end.
The frequency and intensity of the attacks has grown significantly compared to the previous years.
Deadliest Year for Pakistani Forces
As per an analysis, Pakistan has been experiencing the deadliest year since 2013 in terms of attacks on its forces, with the month of July alone accounting for over 600 deaths.
According to assessment made by Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) in August, July of 2026 saw the highest monthly death toll for Pakistani security forces since 2023.
Since then, there has been further increase in frequency and intensity of attacks on Pakistani forces.
In August, Pakistani military spokesman Lt. General Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry said 3,145 “terrorism incidents” had been recorded since the start of this year.
Attacks consist of suicide bombings, kamikaze drones, small arms ambushes, or any combination of the three.
New Dimension
The problems for Pakistani forces are escalating as TTP is increasingly using latest weapon systems like drones and snipers against them.
In this month alone, there have been at least 20 attacks where TTP used drones to target military camps and posts, causing a lot of human and material losses to the Pakistani forces.
Many of the recent attacks audaciously target security forces at police stations, police checkpoints, and military convoys along highways.
For instance, TTP attacked a police checkpoint in Hangu district on July 30 with drones fitted with explosives, and followed it up with assault using latest assault rifles, eventually leaving 11 police officers dead.
TTP has also been extending its reach from Kyher Pakhtunkhwa in northwest to Balochistan, located in the southwest of Pakistan.
On July 6, TTP fighters ambushed a military position at the Mangi Dam project in the Ziarat district of Balochistan, killing 9 police officers and abducting 18 others.
Two days later, the abducted personnel were executed by TTP after Pakistani forces encircled them.
These brazen attacks highlight the TTP’s strategy of stretching the limits of Pakistani security forces with the aim of demoralising their personnel.
There have been reports of local police personnel in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa quitting their job or refusing to participate in anti-TTP operations.
The Pakistan Army and paramilitary forces are hugely hated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, as a result of which they face anger from the locals.
From time to time, Pakistan Army has been conducting large-scale operations against the rebel groups but those have miserably failed to produce the results the Pakistani establishment desired.
The rebel groups, particularly TTP and BLA, continue to get deadlier for the armed forces of Pakistan, who are their prime targets.
In view of this, the situation is precariously poised for Pakistan and speedily going out of its hands. (NVI)
J&K: ACB Books Grameen Bank Official Over PMEGP Irregularities
Srinagar, Sep 21 (NVI): The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a case against a former branch head of J&K Grameen Bank and a business correspondent over alleged financial irregularities and premature release of capital subsidy under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), officials said on Monday.
The FIR has been registered against Arvind Saini, the then branch head of the bank’s Reban branch in Sopore, and Firdous Ahmad Sheikh, a business correspondent, among others, for allegedly misusing their official positions and causing financial irregularities during 2021-2023, the ACB said.
According to the anti-graft agency, Saini allegedly released or reversed capital subsidy amounting to Rs 41.17 lakh in 25 PMEGP loan accounts before the expiry of the mandatory lock-in period.
The subsidy was allegedly released without the requisite authorisation or adjustment letter from the implementing agency, in violation of PMEGP operational guidelines adopted by the bank, it said.
The ACB alleged that the premature adjustment of the subsidy facilitated the unlawful closure or adjustment of the concerned loan accounts. Six of the accounts were sanctioned in favour of Sheikh and his family members and were allegedly closed prematurely through adjustment of the subsidy.
During verification, the ACB also found that business units were not existing at the time of physical verification in 46 PMEGP units financed by the branch, involving a total sanctioned and disbursed amount of Rs 1.66 crore, it said.
The agency said the findings indicated possible diversion of loan funds and subsidy and alleged that the scheme’s objective had been frustrated in connivance with the beneficiaries.
A case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and relevant provisions of the IPC. Further investigation is underway, the ACB said.—(NVI)
India, Mongolia Begin Major Joint Military Exercise in Uttarakhand
New Delhi, Sep 21 (NVI): India and Mongolia on Monday commenced the 18th edition of their joint military exercise ‘Nomadic Elephant’ at Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand, with the two sides focusing on enhancing interoperability and operational capabilities in counter-insurgency operations.
The opening ceremony of the exercise was held at the Foreign Training Node in Pithoragarh, the Army said.
The exercise is being conducted from September 21 to October 3 and aims to enhance the joint military capability of the two armies to undertake counter-insurgency operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain.
It will also facilitate the exchange of best practices, refinement of operational drills and greater interoperability between the participating forces, the Army said.
The joint exercise will include training in cordon and search operations, room intervention drills and special heliborne operations.
The troops will also undergo training in cyber security and the employment of drones and counter-drone systems, it said.
The exercise provides an opportunity for the Indian and Mongolian armies to share operational experiences and strengthen bilateral military cooperation.—(NVI)
IGP Kashmir Reviews Srinagar Security Grid, Traffic Management
Srinagar, Sep 21 (NVI) :Kashmir Police chief Sujit Kumar on Monday reviewed the security grid and traffic management arrangements in Srinagar city, directing officials to strengthen entry and exit checkpoints while ensuring smooth movement of vehicles.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, chaired a security-cum-traffic management meeting at the Police Control Room (PCR), attended by senior officers from the police, CRPF and Traffic Police.
During the meeting, officers briefed Kumar about the prevailing security situation in their respective areas and discussed measures to address gaps in the existing arrangements and improve traffic management.
The security grid and deployment of personnel across Srinagar were reviewed, with emphasis on realigning naka points wherever required to improve security coverage and reduce traffic congestion, officials said.
Kumar directed officials to implement security arrangements across intra-zone, inter-zone, inter-district and peripheral areas.
He also called for strengthening checkpoints at the entry and exit points of Srinagar and stressed seamless coordination and real-time information sharing among the Traffic Police, District Police and naka points for effective monitoring and swift response.
The IGP further emphasised greater use of technology for traffic regulation, surveillance, coordination and information sharing.
The meeting concluded with directions for continuous review and close coordination among all stakeholders, with focus on public safety and minimising inconvenience to commuters, officials said.—(NVI)
MoD Signs Major Rs 586-Crore Contract to Strengthen T-72, T-90 Tank Fleet
New Delhi, Sep 21 (NVI) : The Ministry of Defence on Monday signed a Rs 586-crore contract with Accurate Industrial Controls Pvt Ltd for procurement of indigenously developed Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) for the Army’s T-72 and T-90 tanks.
The contract was signed in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi.
The APU serves as an alternate source of electric power for critical tank systems, including the fire control system, firing circuit and gun stabilisation system, besides other ancillary equipment, the ministry said.
The induction of indigenous APUs is expected to enhance the operational readiness, reliability and sustainability of the Army’s mechanised formations, it said.
The procurement is also aimed at promoting indigenisation of critical sub-systems used in armoured platforms and reflects the industry’s role in research and development under the Make-II category.
The ministry said the contract marks a step towards translating indigenous innovation into production and induction, in line with the government’s vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 and its push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing.—(NVI)
J&K Govt Releases Rs 2,211 Crore for Welfare Schemes: CM Omar
Srinagar, Sep 21 (NVI) : The Jammu and Kashmir government has released Rs 2,211.88 crore to various departments for implementing beneficiary-oriented schemes during the current financial year, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah informed the Legislative Assembly on Monday.
Of the total amount released, Rs 1,325.07 crore has already been utilised for providing support to beneficiaries across Jammu and Kashmir, according to the information shared in the House.
The funds have been released to the Social Welfare, Health and Medical Education, Tribal Affairs, School Education, Industries and Commerce, and Agriculture Production departments.
The government is funding several key welfare and beneficiary-oriented schemes from its own resources, the chief minister said during the ongoing session of the Assembly.—(NVI)
Security Forces Test Response Mechanisms During Joint Drill In J&K’s Pulwama
Srinagar, Sep 21 (NVI) : Pulwama Police on Monday conducted a joint mock drill with the CRPF at District Police Lines (DPL) Pulwama to assess the preparedness of security personnel and improve coordination between the forces, officials said.
Personnel of CRPF’s 182 and 183 battalions participated in the exercise, which was conducted under the supervision of the DySP, DAR Pulwama, they said.
The drill focused on assessing the response mechanisms, coordination and operational readiness of the participating personnel to deal with any unforeseen situation, officials said.
The exercise was conducted smoothly and concluded successfully, providing an opportunity to strengthen coordination and response capabilities for handling emergent situations, they added.—(NVI)
