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.
QUAD nations should have contemporary agenda: Jaishankar
New Delhi, Oct 31 (NVI) At a meeting of QUAD nations, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Saturday called for a more contemporary agenda with a practical approach as he highlighted freedom of choice, resilient supply chains and action against non-market practices as priorities for the four-nation grouping.
The QUAD brings together India, the United States, Japan and Australia and the grouping’s agenda includes cooperation in maritime and transnational security, economic prosperity, critical and emerging technologies, and humanitarian assistance and emergency response.
In a post on X after the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Atlanta in the US, EAM Jaishankar outlined the priorities he raised with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
“Maintaining stability, driving prosperity and ensuring freedom of choice as our continuing commitments in the Indo-Pacific,” he said, listing the issues he highlighted.
He stressed the importance of deeper cooperation to strengthen supply chain resilience and ensure security in technology, critical minerals and energy.
EAM Jaishankar also called for “Countering non-market practices and increased economic stresses in the Indo-Pacific.”
His post did not name any country or identify specific practices.
On security, he emphasised taking forward agreements on counter-terrorism, maritime security and capacity building to enhance resilience and contribute to peace and stability.
“Developing a more contemporary QUAD agenda with a practical approach” was another priority he listed.
The joint release issued after the meeting outlined several initiatives reflecting those economic and security priorities.
The ministers expressed their intention to provide more than $85 million in technical and financial assistance to expand access to trusted artificial intelligence across the Indo-Pacific, including through the Quad SI Accelerator.
The release used the term “Super Intelligence”, explaining in a footnote that it refers to artificial intelligence in India, Australia and Japan.
The ministers also welcomed a US commitment of $10 million to promote facilities in India and ASEAN countries that recover critical minerals from waste. The funding was not earmarked solely for India.
The partners are working to recover minerals from discarded electronics and scrap to reduce reliance on any single supplier. They will explore simpler procedures for moving recyclable materials across borders.
On maritime cooperation, representatives of all four countries completed a voyage aboard an Indian Coast Guard offshore patrol vessel from Chennai to Perth between September 25 and October 7.
The partners plan their first exercise under the Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Collaboration initiative at Sea Dragon 2027. They also announced a maritime domain awareness symposium for early next year.
The ministers committed to dismantling online scam operations and holding transnational criminal groups accountable. They condemned groups that traffic people and force them to defraud citizens.
They also announced the first Quad Business Leaders’ Forum to strengthen commercial ties and promote deals in key sectors.
The Atlanta talks took place on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. This was the third Quad ministerial gathering this year, following meetings in New Delhi and Manila. (NVI)
NCLT Allows Plea to Recover Rs 5,431 Cr in Bhushan Power & Steel Fraud Case
New Delhi, Oct 31 (NVI) The Principal Bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), New Delhi, has allowed the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) to proceed with its petition seeking recovery of around Rs 5,431 crore allegedly diverted from Bhushan Power & Steel Ltd. (BPSL).
A Bench headed by NCLT President Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal and Technical Member Ravindra Chaturvedi on October 30 dismissed eight applications challenging the maintainability of the petition filed by the Union Government through the SFIO against the company’s former promoters and other associated entities.
The Tribunal held that it has the territorial jurisdiction to hear the case and examine the allegations of financial fraud.
The Bench clarified that jurisdiction would be decided on the basis of the location of the registered office of Bhushan Power & Steel Ltd., which is the company under investigation, and not on the basis of the registered offices of the other respondents.
The Tribunal also held that the Central Government had properly formed the required opinion under the Companies Act, 2013, and that the petition had been filed through an officer duly authorised by the SFIO.
The NCLT observed that the legal provision covering fraud that “is being conducted” can also apply to fraud committed in the past if its effects continue. This includes cases where money or assets were allegedly diverted and are still in the possession of the respondents.
The Tribunal further held that the approval of the company’s resolution plan under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) does not bring an end to proceedings relating to allegedly diverted assets.
It said that Section 32A of the IBC does not protect former directors or outside parties from action for properties that were allegedly wrongfully diverted.
Wrongful gains can be recovered
The Tribunal also held that the recovery of wrongful gains, legally known as disgorgement, is a civil remedy and can be sought under Sections 241 and 242, read with Sections 246 and 339 of the Companies Act.
It further ruled that pending cases before the Delhi High Court, proceedings under the IBC for recovery of assets, objections relating to limitation and Section 212(14A) of the Companies Act do not prevent the SFIO from pursuing the present petition.
However, the Tribunal clarified that no party would be required to pay twice for the same transaction.
SFIO must prove allegations against each respondent
Importantly, the NCLT clarified that its order is limited to deciding whether the SFIO petition can be heard. It has not given any finding that fraud was actually committed.
The SFIO will have to establish the allegations against each respondent and prove their individual role in the alleged diversion of funds.
The Tribunal has given the SFIO four weeks to file a detailed statement explaining the alleged role of every respondent in the transactions.
The interim orders will continue until further directions.
The matter will now be heard on November 26, 2026. (NVI)/SNG
Cybercrime, Drug Abuse Pose Serious Challenges to Society: IGP Kashmir Sujit Kumar
Fazil Mir
Srinagar, Oct 31 (NVI): Cybercrime and drug abuse have emerged as major challenges, and the Jammu and Kashmir Police is adopting a new approach to tackle these issues, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir Zone, Sujit Kumar Singh, said on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the National Unity Day (Ekta Diwas) celebrations at historic Lal Chowk here, Singh said cybercrime has become one of the biggest challenges, both at present and in the coming days.
“Cybercrime is the biggest challenge of the coming days and even today. Along with drugs, whatever activities are being carried out against our country, Jammu and Kashmir is looking at these issues from a new perspective,” he said.
The IGP said the police would separately discuss the measures being taken to address these challenges.
Referring to the National Unity Day celebrations, Singh said the programme was organised at Lal Chowk, where the Ekta Diwas parade and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address from Kevadia in Gujarat were witnessed live.
He said Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, security personnel, Jammu and Kashmir Police officers and personnel, youth and schoolchildren participated in the celebrations.
The IGP said the Prime Minister’s message underscored the importance of safeguarding the unity and integrity of the country, adding that police and security forces remain prepared to meet challenges on this front.
Singh also extended greetings to the people on the occasion of National Unity Day.—(NVI)
J&K CM Omar Abdullah and Journalist Nidhi Razdan Get Married
Srinagar, Oct 31 (NVI) Three months after his divorce with his first wife Payal, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has married journalist Nidhi Razdan at the age of 56.
Both Omar Abdullah and 49-year-old Nidhi announced their marriage through social media posts.
“A new journey began yesterday…,” Abdullah posted on X along with their photographs together in special wedding attire.
Nidhi posted: “It’s done bro” and tagged Omar.
Both Omar and Nidhi got married for the second time in their lives.
Omar’s first marriage with Payal ran into trouble over a decade back and she filed a divorce suit in the Delhi High Court. In her petition, she had said that her married life got spoiled because of a “Delhi-based journalist”, a woman she did not name but murmurs were triggered.
The marriage between Omar and Payal was finally dissolved by an order of the Supreme Court in July this year after the two reached a settlement.
Nidhi was also married earlier to a journalist Neelesh Misra but the two separated over a decade back. (NVI)
Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit takes over as IAF Chief
New Delhi, Oct 31 (NVI): Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit on Saturday assumed charge as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, succeeding Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, who retired after 42 years of distinguished service.
Air Chief Marshal Dixit, an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on December 6, 1986.
With a career spanning nearly four decades, he brings extensive experience in operational, flight testing, capability development and joint staff assignments.
An accomplished fighter pilot, qualified flying instructor and experimental test pilot, he has logged over 3,300 hours of flying on various aircraft, including Mirage-2000, MiG variants, Jaguar and transport aircraft.
He played a key role in the modernisation of the Indian Air Force, including finalising the Jaguar and MiG-27 upgrade programmes and completing the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) and Final Operational Clearance (FOC) activities of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-I Tejas.
His operational assignments included command of a Mirage-2000 squadron, a Forward Base Support Unit in the western sector and Air Force Station Bidar, a key fighter training establishment of the IAF.
He also served as Air Defence Commander at Southern Air Command, Senior Air Staff Officer at South Western Air Command and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, overseeing key capability development and procurement initiatives.
Air Chief Marshal Dixit subsequently headed the Central Air Command as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief and served as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee, during Operation Sindoor.
Before taking over as the Air Chief, he served as Vice Chief of the Air Staff.
He is a graduate of the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Bangladesh, and the National Defence College, New Delhi.
In recognition of his distinguished service, he has been conferred the Vayu Sena Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Param Vishisht Seva Medal.—(NVI)
Rusted 51-mm Mortar Shell Found Near Canal in Kanachak Jammu
Shivam Bakshi
Jammu, Oct 31 (NVI): A rusted 51-mm mortar shell was found near a canal in Kanachak sector of Jammu on Saturday and subsequently defused by a bomb disposal squad, officials said.
According to officials, local residents informed Police Station Kanachak about the presence of the mortar shell near the canal (Nehar) at Kinare Panjore.
Following the information, a Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) was called to the spot, which successfully defused the explosive device.
Further details are awaited.(NVI)
Woman Crosses LoC Into PoK With Eight Goats in J&K’s Poonch; Probe Underway
Shivam Bakshi
Poonch, Oct 31 (NVI): A woman allegedly crossed the Line of Control (LoC) into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) along with eight goats in Poonch district, officials said on Saturday.
The woman, identified as Rubina Kousar, wife of Mohd Shafi and a resident of Karni village, reportedly crossed over to the other side of the LoC from the Karni area on Friday evening, they said.The incident and said the matter was being verified.
An investigation has been initiated to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the crossing, officials said.
Further details are awaited.—(NVI)
Pahalgam Terror Probe Earns NIA’s Sandeep Chaudhary Home Minister’s Medal
New Delhi, Oct 31 (NVI): National Investigation Agency (NIA) officer Sandeep Chaudhary, who was the Chief Investigating Officer in the Pahalgam terror attack case, has been awarded the Union Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Investigation for 2026, officials said on Saturday.
The Ministry of Home Affairs announced the recipients of the Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak, with Chaudhary being recognised in the investigation category.
A 2012-batch IPS officer of the AGMUT cadre, Chaudhary is currently posted as Deputy Inspector General in the NIA.
He led the investigation into the April 22, 2025, terror attack at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, in which 26 people were killed. The NIA took over the probe shortly after the attack.
Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed and Sajid Jatt were among those named as accused in the chargesheet filed in the case.
Before joining the NIA, Chaudhary served as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in Shopian, Anantnag and Srinagar, where he led several counter-insurgency operations.
He has been awarded gallantry medals nine times for his role in anti-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
In 2021, an operation led by Chaudhary resulted in the arrest of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Syed Naveed Mushtaq alias Naveed Babu along with then Deputy Superintendent of Police Davinder Singh.
He has also received commendation discs from the Chief of Army Staff, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) Northern Command, Western Air Command of the Indian Air Force, and the Directors General of the CRPF, J&K Police, Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) and NIA.—(NVI)
EOW Kashmir Chargesheets Two for Cheating Job Seekers of Rs 15 Lakh
Srinagar, Oct 31 (NVI): The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of the Crime Branch J&K has filed a chargesheet against two persons for allegedly cheating job seekers of over Rs 15 lakh on the pretext of providing overseas employment, officials said on Saturday.
The chargesheet in FIR No. 32/2026 under Sections 420 and 120-B of the IPC and Sections 10 and 24 of the Emigration Act has been filed before the Court of PT&E, Srinagar, against Sajad Abdullah, a resident of Hamdaniya Colony, Bemina, and Jahangir Ahmad Tanky, a resident of Sheshgari Mohalla, Khanyar, officials said.
According to the EOW, the case was registered following complaints that the accused, proprietors of M/s Al-Aqsa Global Services Pvt. Ltd., located in Batamaloo, Srinagar, had lured people with promises of lucrative jobs in reputed foreign companies and collected advance payments exceeding Rs 15 lakh.
However, the promised employment was not provided, and cheques issued by the accused towards refunds were dishonoured due to insufficient funds, officials said.
The investigation revealed that the consultancy was registered as an excursion agent for tour and travel services and was not authorised to operate as a recruiting agent for overseas employment.
The accused allegedly received lakhs of rupees in their personal bank accounts from complainants on the pretext of arranging overseas jobs but failed to fulfil their commitments, the officials said.
They added that accused Jahangir Ahmad Tanky has been absconding since 2025 and could not be traced despite sustained efforts.
The investigation has been concluded, with the allegations established, and the chargesheet filed before the competent court for judicial determination.
SSP EOW Kashmir has advised job seekers to verify the credentials of recruitment agencies and refrain from paying advance fees to unauthorised agencies.—(NVI)
Balochistan: Pakistan uproots 30,000 people for military offensive
Quetta, Oct 31 (NVI) Pakistani authorities have uprooted nearly 30,000 civilians, including women and children, from an area of Kalat district in Balochistan as it is preparing for a military offensive.
Pakistani authorities have ordered around 5,000 families to vacate their ancestral homes which has evoked an outrage, with Baloch National Movement (BNM) condemning it.
Paank, the Human Rights Department of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), said the inhuman order concerning approximately 30,000 people comes ahead of a planned military offensive by Pakistan.
In a statement, Paank said the proposed displacement raises grave concerns about fundamental human rights, the protection of civilians and the rights of Indigenous communities to their ancestral lands, livelihoods and cultural identity.
“Ancestral land is not merely territory; it is the foundation of a people’s identity, history and collective existence,” the statement said, adding that Baloch families have lived, worked, raised children and buried their dead on these lands for generations.
According to Paank, Pakistani authorities issued the evacuation order citing the presence of freedom fighters there and claiming the area to be a government land.
The organisation said such claims do not justify arbitrary displacement or free the authorities from their obligations towards civilians, and that the scale of the order and its short deadline demand urgent scrutiny, transparency and accountability.
Paank pointed to Article 10 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which prohibits the forcible removal of Indigenous peoples from their lands without their free, prior and informed consent, fair compensation and, where possible, the option of return.
It also cited Articles 6 and 17 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement.
The statement warned that uprooting 30,000 people and moving them into camps shows a complete disregard for human dignity and the realities of their lives.
It added that Kalat is among the coldest regions of Balochistan, and that moving thousands of families into camps as winter approaches could put their health, safety and lives at serious risk.
