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J&K DGP Nalin Prabhat reviews operational preparedness of SOG in Kashmir

Srinagar, Jul 15 (NVI): Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat on Wednesday visited the Special Operations Group (SOG) unit at Cargo here and reviewed its operational preparedness, officials said.

The DGP, accompanied by Inspector General of Police (Kashmir) V K Birdi and other senior officers, took stock of the unit’s operational readiness and working conditions, they said.

During the visit, Prabhat interacted with SOG personnel and appreciated their role in maintaining peace and carrying out counter-insurgency operations in the Valley.

Senior officers briefed the DGP on the prevailing security situation and the ongoing anti-militancy operations in Kashmir, officials added.(NVI)

Amarnath Yatra crosses 3 lakh pilgrims in 12 days

Jammu, Jul 15 (NVI): The ongoing Amarnath Yatra has crossed the three-lakh mark in just 12 days, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said today as he reviewed facilities and services for pilgrims at the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here.

During his visit, Sinha discussed the arrangements with officials of the police, Army, security forces, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board and civil administration, according to an official statement.

He commended the officials for their efforts in managing the annual pilgrimage and asked them to treat every pilgrim as a “divine guest”.

“With the holy pilgrimage already crossing the three-lakh mark in just 12 days, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience for pilgrims is our top priority,” Sinha said.

The lieutenant governor directed officials to ensure flawless registration, comfortable lodging and smooth transportation for devotees undertaking the pilgrimage to the cave shrine in south Kashmir.

He also asked the administration to organise sightseeing tours to prominent spiritual and tourist destinations in the Jammu region and promote local handicrafts and handloom products among pilgrims.

“It is our goal that whenever Baba Amarnath pilgrims return home, they should carry a piece of Jammu in the form of beautiful local handmade products and unforgettable memories,” he said.

Sinha reviewed food safety measures at community kitchens, facilities at reception and lodging centres, on-the-spot registration, transportation and security arrangements. He directed officials to optimise manpower deployment to handle the increasing influx of pilgrims.

He also instructed the administration to closely monitor weather forecasts issued by the Meteorological Department and remain prepared for any adverse weather conditions.

During the meeting, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar informed the lieutenant governor about legal action initiated against persons allegedly involved in fraudulent practices related to the yatra. Sinha directed that strict administrative and legal action be taken against any official found involved in misconduct.

The lieutenant governor later interacted with pilgrims and wished them a safe and peaceful pilgrimage.(NVI)

Bhairav Yatra Included in National Heritage Inventory, Proud Moment for Rajouri: J&K LG Sinha

Srinagar, July 15 (NVI): Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday welcomed the inclusion of Rajouri’s historic Bhairav Yatra in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of India, describing it as a proud moment for the district and a significant step towards preserving Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural and spiritual heritage.

In a post on X, Sinha congratulated the Rajouri district administration and the Jammu and Kashmir Department of Culture for securing the recognition.

“Congratulations to the Rajouri District Administration and the J&K Department of Culture for turning this dream into a reality. This prestigious recognition will go a long way in documenting, preserving and celebrating the area’s deep spiritual and cultural roots,” the lieutenant governor said.

He said the recognition honours generations of devotees who have kept the centuries-old tradition alive and reinforces Rajouri’s distinct cultural identity at the national level.

Sinha said the inclusion of the Bhairav Yatra in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage would promote research, cultural exchange and sustainable heritage tourism, while helping preserve the region’s spiritual and cultural legacy for future generations.(NVI)

Export of apricots from Ladakh to UAE begins, Lt Governor flags off consignment

Ladakh Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena flags off apricot consignment for UAE

Leh (Ladakh), July 15 (NVI): Organic apricots of Ladakh will now be available in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The first consignment of five metric tonnes (MT) of organic apricots, destined for UAE, was today flagged off by Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena who said the initiative will provide local farmers direct access to international markets and significantly boost their incomes.

In a post on X, the Lieutenant Governor said the export has been facilitated through a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UAE-based LuLu Group.

He said apricot exports from Ladakh are expected to exceed 1,000 MT this season, a substantial increase from the 1,500 kg exported over the previous two years.

According to the LG, the initiative is expected to multiply farmers’ incomes, reduce post-harvest losses and improve their standard of living by opening up overseas markets for Ladakh’s produce.

Saxena said the initiative is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Vocal for Local” and “Local to Global” vision and expressed confidence that it would help establish Ladakh as a premier export hub while strengthening the local economy and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities.(NVI)

CRPF ASI dies of cardiac arrest while on duty in J-K’s Kulgam

REPRESENTATIONAL PIC.

Srinagar, July 15 (NVI): A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) assistant sub-inspector died after suffering a cardiac arrest while on duty in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Wednesday, officials said.

The officer, identified as Jai Prakash, a resident of Haryana, was posted with the 18th Battalion of the CRPF in Kulgam, they said.

According to officials, Jai Prakash collapsed while on duty and was rushed to Government Medical College (GMC), Anantnag, where doctors declared him brought dead.

Doctors said the cause of death was a cardiac arrest, officials added.

Further legal and departmental formalities are underway, they said.(NVI)

Ex-Sarpanch Dies After Shooting Stone Strikes Vehicle in J&K Ramban

Shivam Bakshi

Jammu, July 15 (NVI): A former sarpanch was killed on Wednesday after a boulder rolled down a hillside and struck his car on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Ramban district, officials said.

The incident took place near Trishul Morh when Mohammad Iqbal Tantray, a resident of Seri village in Ramban, was returning home after dropping a person in Ramban town, they said.

The boulder hit his vehicle, leaving him critically injured. He was rushed to the District Hospital Ramban, where doctors declared him brought dead, the officials said.

Police have taken cognisance of the incident and started an investigation, they added.(NVI)

Terrorist hideout busted in J&K’s Poonch; 246 rounds of Pika ammunition recovered

Shivam Bakshi

Poonch, Jul 14 (NVI): Security forces on Tuesday busted a terrorist hideout during a search operation in the Sawjian area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district and recovered 246 rounds of Pika machine gun ammunition, officials said.

The operation was launched on the basis of specific intelligence inputs in the Sawjian area of Poonch district.

During the searches, the security forces unearthed a terrorist hideout and recovered 246 rounds of Pika machine gun ammunition from the site, the officials said.

The recovered ammunition has been seized, and further investigation is underway, they added.(NVI)

Veterans, Veer Naris visit Srinagar ahead of 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations

Srinagar, Jul 14 (NVI): A delegation of military veterans and Veer Naris visited the Chinar Corps headquarters at Badami Bagh Cantonment here as part of the run-up to the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations, an official statement said on Tuesday.

The delegation, organised by the Akhil Bhartiya Poorva Sainik Seva Parishad and led by retired Major General P. Vivekananda, arrived in Srinagar on July 13 before proceeding to Drass and Kargil as part of the commemorative events.

The veterans and Veer Naris paid tributes at the Chinar War Memorial, visited the “Ibadat-e-Shahadat” museum and were briefed on the rich heritage and culture of Jammu and Kashmir, the statement said.

According to the Army, the visit highlighted the contribution of ex-servicemen towards nation-building and their continued engagement with society.

Kargil Vijay Diwas, observed every year on July 26, commemorates India’s victory in the 1999 Kargil conflict and honours the courage and sacrifice of the armed forces personnel who laid down their lives in the war.

The 27th anniversary will be marked through a series of events in Srinagar, Drass and Kargil.—(NVI)

CM Omar Abdullah Meets Public Delegations, Assures Consideration of Genuine Demands

Srinagar, Jul 14 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday met several public and industry delegations at the Civil Secretariat here and assured them that their genuine grievances and demands would be examined for appropriate action.

A delegation of the Bat Manufacturers Association Kashmir, led by its president Fayaz Ahmad Dar, sought government support for the cricket bat manufacturing industry and urged measures for its promotion and sustained growth.

Another delegation, headed by Srinagar International Airport Taxi Stand Drivers Union president Riyaz Thakur, apprised the chief minister of the issues faced by taxi operators at the Srinagar airport.

Representatives of the Hot Mix Plant Owners Association, Kashmir, led by Bashir Ahmad Khan, also met Abdullah and discussed the challenges confronting the association.

A separate delegation from the Industrial Estate Pampore highlighted issues related to the industrial estate and sought government intervention.

The chief minister assured all the delegations that their concerns would be examined sympathetically in consultation with the concerned departments for appropriate resolution, an official spokesperson said.

Later, a delegation from ICICI Bank also called on Abdullah and discussed ways to strengthen Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and expand financial inclusion across Jammu and Kashmir.(NVI)

J&K CM Omar Abdullah Pays Tributes to Uncle on his death

File Photo : CM Omar Abdullah

Srinagar, Jul 14 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday paid tribute to his uncle and senior National Conference (NC) leader Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, who died after a prolonged illness at a private hospital in Srinagar.

Kamal, younger brother of former chief minister Farooq Abdullah and son of National Conference founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, was undergoing treatment at Paras Hospital, where he breathed his last on Tuesday evening.

In a post on X, Omar Abdullah said his uncle had been unwell for several months and his condition deteriorated four days ago.

“My father’s younger brother Dr Mustafa Kamal passed away earlier this evening at Paras Hospital in Srinagar. Uncle Mustafa had been unwell for some months but took a turn for the worse four days ago. He put up a brave fight… May Allah grant uncle Mustafa the highest place in Jannat,” the chief minister said.

A senior NC leader, Kamal served as a minister in the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir governments formed in 1983, 1987 and 1996. He remained associated with the party for decades and played an active role in the Union Territory’s political affairs.

Leaders from across the political spectrum expressed grief over his demise and conveyed condolences to the bereaved family.

The family is expected to announce the funeral programme later.(NVI)

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