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Indian Army’s ‘Wheels of Valour: Sanchar Shakti’ Expedition Reaches Kargil War Memorial

Dras, Jul 7 (NVI): The Indian Army’s Corps of Signals motorcycle expedition, ‘Wheels of Valour: Sanchar Shakti’, on Tuesday reached the Kargil War Memorial in Dras after an 11-day journey to pay tribute to the soldiers who laid down their lives during the 1999 Kargil War.

According to the Defence Ministry, the 20-member expedition, comprising officers, Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs), other ranks and women personnel of the Corps of Signals, travelled through the plains of north India to the mountainous regions of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

The team paid homage at several war memorials during the expedition, including Hussainiwala in Punjab and the Palampur War Memorial in Himachal Pradesh, honouring freedom fighters and decorated Army personnel.

The expedition also visited key communication establishments of the Corps of Signals, where members interacted with serving personnel and highlighted the role of the Corps in ensuring secure and uninterrupted military communications.

A major highlight of the journey was a world record attempt by the Corps of Signals’ Dare Devils motorcycle display team inside the Atal Tunnel, Rohtang, in which 10 riders performed on two motorcycles over the 9.8-km tunnel. The event was dedicated to Kargil Vijay Diwas and was conducted under strict safety protocols with support from civil and military authorities.

During the expedition, the team also interacted with National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets, students, veterans and members of the public to encourage youth to adopt the values of patriotism, discipline and leadership and consider careers in the armed forces.

At the Kargil War Memorial, the riders paid floral tributes to the soldiers of Operation Vijay and reaffirmed their commitment to the ideals of duty, honour and selfless service.

The expedition will now proceed towards Leh, Rezang La, Nyoma, Debring and Sarchu before concluding its journey, the ministry said.(NVI)

Police Launch Probe Into Alleged Firing, Abduction Near J&K Samba Court

Representational Image

Shivam Bakshi

Jammu, July 7 (NVI): Police have launched an investigation after a family alleged that unidentified persons opened fire on their car near the Samba court complex in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday and abducted a woman travelling with them, officials said.

According to the family’s complaint, they were travelling in a car when they noticed several vehicles following them. They alleged that the occupants of the vehicles opened fire near the Samba court complex before forcibly taking away the man’s sister.

Police said they have taken cognisance of the allegations and initiated an investigation to verify the claims and establish the sequence of events.

Efforts are underway to trace the missing woman and identify those involved, officials said, adding that further investigation is in progress.(NVI)

J&K Chief Secretary Reviews Rs 1,990 Cr Urban Infrastructure Projects

J&K Chief Secretary at review meeting

Srinagar, July 7 (NVI): Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Tuesday reviewed the progress of urban infrastructure projects proposed to be taken up under the Centre’s Urban Challenge Fund (UCF), directing the concerned departments to expedite preparation of detailed project reports and ensure timely submission of proposals.

Chairing a meeting of the Housing and Urban Development Department (H&UDD), the Chief Secretary stressed the need to prepare financially viable and technically sound projects in accordance with the Urban Challenge Fund guidelines.

According to an official statement issued here, Dulloo said the projects should address the infrastructure requirements of urban centres while generating long-term economic opportunities, improving public services, promoting environmental sustainability and enhancing the quality of life.

He also emphasised close coordination with the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) to facilitate timely appraisal and approval of the proposed projects.

During the meeting, Commissioner Secretary, H&UDD, Mandeep Kaur informed that Jammu and Kashmir has shortlisted four major urban development projects with an estimated cost of Rs 1,990.37 crore.

She said the proposals include Rs 495.86 crore as Central assistance, Rs 486.12 crore as the Union Territory’s share, while around Rs 1,008.38 crore is proposed to be mobilised through market-based financing.

The shortlisted projects include the Walled City and Nigeen Lakefront Revitalisation Project, TARANG (Tawi Area Regeneration and Green Growth Project), Lidder Riverfront Development Project in Anantnag and KRIPA (Katra Revitalisation through Integrated Pilgrimage Amenities) project.

The meeting was informed that these projects aim to strengthen urban infrastructure, improve civic amenities, conserve heritage, promote tourism, enhance mobility and attract private investment through sustainable development initiatives.

The Chief Secretary directed all the departments concerned to complete the required formalities at the earliest so that Jammu and Kashmir can effectively leverage the opportunities available under the Urban Challenge Fund, the he added. — (NVI)

Joint Mock Drill Conducted at Jammu Railway Station to Boost Amarnath Yatra Security Preparedness

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Jammu, July 7 (NVI): A joint security mock drill was conducted at Jammu Railway Station on Tuesday to strengthen preparedness and emergency response mechanisms for the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026, officials said.

The exercise, led by the Railway Police, witnessed the participation of various security forces and emergency response agencies, which simulated different emergency scenarios to assess coordination, communication and operational readiness.

Officials said the drill was aimed at enhancing inter-agency coordination, testing evacuation procedures and improving crisis management capabilities at the railway station, a key transit point for Amarnath pilgrims.

During the exercise, participating agencies carried out coordinated response measures under simulated emergency conditions to evaluate preparedness for any unforeseen incident during the annual pilgrimage.

Officials said such mock drills help identify operational gaps and strengthen the overall security framework, ensuring a prompt and effective response in case of emergencies.

They added that security and logistical arrangements for the pilgrimage are being continuously reviewed to ensure a safe and smooth journey for devotees.—(NVI)

J&K LG Sinha Directs Immediate Relief, NH-244 Restoration After Doda Cloudburst

 

Jammu, Jul 7 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday directed the Doda district administration to provide immediate relief to families affected by the cloudburst in the Thathri area and expedite restoration of the affected infrastructure, including the clearance of National Highway-244.

In a post on X, Sinha said he reviewed the situation after speaking to the Deputy Commissioner of Doda.
He said several houses and shops were damaged in the cloudburst, but no loss of life or injuries had been reported.

The Lieutenant Governor directed the district administration to ensure immediate relief and assistance to the affected families and speed up restoration work to restore normalcy, with priority given to the clearance of NH-244.—(NVI)

MeT Forecasts Rain Across J&K Till July 12, Warns of Flash Floods in Vulnerable Areas

(File/Representational image)

Srinagar, July 7 (NVI): The Meteorological Department has forecast light to moderate rain and thundershowers across Jammu and Kashmir till July 12, with heavy showers expected at isolated places, and warned of flash floods, landslides and mudslides in vulnerable areas.

According to the MeT Department, many areas of the Jammu division are likely to witness one or two spells of light to moderate rain and thundershowers on July 7 and 8, with heavy rain and brief intense showers expected at a few places, particularly during late night and early morning hours.

The Kashmir division is also likely to receive light to moderate rain at many places, with brief intense showers expected at isolated locations, mainly during the afternoon and early morning hours.

The weather office said light to moderate rain and thundershowers are likely at many places across the Union Territory on July 9 and 10, while similar conditions are expected on July 11 and 12, with heavy rainfall possible at isolated places.

The MeT has issued an advisory warning of flash floods, landslides and mudslides in vulnerable areas of the Chenab Valley and Pir Panjal ranges due to heavy rainfall and brief intense showers.

People have been advised to avoid venturing near nallas, streams and landslide-prone areas during the forecast period.(NVI)

Record 8,815 Pilgrims Leave Jammu for Amarnath Yatra in Sixth Batch

File Photo

Jammu, July 7 (NVI): A record 8,815 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here on Tuesday for the twin base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam in Kashmir as part of the sixth batch of the annual Amarnath Yatra, officials said.

The pilgrims travelled in a convoy of 363 vehicles under multi-layered security arrangements, making it the highest single-day departure since the pilgrimage began on July 3.

According to officials, 3,989 pilgrims in 181 vehicles left for the shorter Baltal route at around 3:35 am, while 4,826 pilgrims in 182 vehicles departed for the traditional Pahalgam route at about 4:08 am.

The batch included 5,831 men, 2,193 women, 30 children, 598 sadhus, 131 sadhvis, one child sadhu and 31 foreign male pilgrims.

Officials said the convoy comprised 172 buses, 58 medium motor vehicles, 130 light motor vehicles and three two-wheelers.

The annual 57-day pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine, situated at an altitude of 3,880 metres in the Himalayas, has witnessed a strong response from devotees. Officials said more than 86,000 pilgrims had offered prayers at the shrine during the first four days of the Yatra.(NVI)

Flash Flood in J-K’s Doda, Thathri Road Blocked

Shivam Bakshi

Doda, July 7 (NVI): A flash flood in the Thathri area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district early Tuesday, blocking the Thathri road and disrupting vehicular movement, officials said.

The incident occurred at around 3 am, when heavy rain led to a flash flood, dumping large quantities of mud, debris and boulders on the road, they said.

Officials said the local administration, police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and other rescue agencies have launched relief and restoration operations to clear the road and assess the damage.

The situation is being closely monitored, and further details are awaited, officials added.—(NVI)

Army Recovers Five AK Rifles, War-Like Stores from Hideout in J-K’s Kupwara

File Photo

Srinagar, Jul 7 (NV): Security forces on Monday unearthed a terrorist hideout in the Keran sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district and recovered five AK-series rifles along with a cache of arms, ammunition and war-like stores, officials said.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the Army launched a search operation in the Keran sector, leading to the discovery of the hideout, they said.

The recoveries included five AK-series rifles, nine AK magazines, one hand grenade, ammunition and other war-like stores, officials added.

The Army’s Chinar Corps said the operation was based on intelligence inputs and that searches in the area were continuing.

Further details are awaited.—(NVI)

Kashmir: Terrorist Hideout Unearthed Near LoC by Army, 5 AK Rifles, Ammunition recovered

MHA
Indian Army on patrolling somewhere in Jammu and Kashmir (File Pic)

Srinagar, July 6 (NVI) A hideout of terrorists was today unearthed by the Indian Army in Kupwara district of Kashmir, close to the Line of Control (LoC), and a large cache of arms and ammunition were recovered.

The recoveries included 5 AK assault rifles, its 9 magazines, huge cache of ammunition and a hand grenade, the Indian Army said tonight.

The hideout in Keran area of Kupwara district was unearthed during an operation launched on the basis of specific intelligence inputs, it said.

A search operation in the area is still underway, said the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps in a post on X. (NVI)

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