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Army Commander reviews counter-terrorism grid in South Kashmir

Srinagar, Sep 12 (NVI): Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma on Saturday reviewed the counter-terrorism grid in South Kashmir and took stock of the prevailing security situation and operational preparedness, the Army said.

During his visit, Lt Gen Sharma was briefed on the security scenario and measures in place to deal with emerging challenges, it said.

The Army commander emphasised adaptability, precision, sustained vigilance and synergy among security forces as key to intelligence-driven operations and rapid response, according to the Army.

Interacting with troops, Lt Gen Sharma appreciated their dedication and morale in countering terrorism and maintaining peace and stability in the region, the Army said.—(NVI)

BRICS Summit adopts Declaration; Calls for Reform of ‘outdated’ global institutions

BRICS

New Delhi, Sept 12 (NVI) BRICS, a grouping of 11 countries including India, China and Russia, today adopted a Declaration at its Summit here, underlining the need for reform of “outdated” international institutions and pitching for a greater participation of the Global South in technologies and rules governing them.

The New Delhi Declaration was adopted on the first day of the 18th BRICS Summit of the grouping which works though consensus.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the adoption of the declaration at the end of the opening day’s deliberations at the two-day India-hosted summit.

The negotiations on the text of the declaration went down to the wire as both Iran and the UAE had hardened their positions initially.

Prime Minister Modi was seen shaking hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the conclusion of the inaugural session at the summit.

“Today’s discussion makes it evident that the changing world cannot be steered by outdated institutions; reforms are essential in representation, responsiveness and rule-making,” Modi said in his concluding remarks.

“We also emphasised that the Global South must have equal participation in the development of future technologies and the rules governing them.”

The prime minister said the gap between decisions and their outcomes must be bridged through partnership and collective action.

“The New Delhi Declaration adopted today provides a clear direction for our shared resolve. It is now our responsibility to translate these resolutions into tangible results,” he said.

The agreement marks a significant diplomatic achievement for India’s BRICS chairship, particularly as the expanded grouping seeks to maintain consensus despite differences among its members on major geopolitical issues. (NVI)

Pakistan Airlines-Inscribed Balloon Found in J&K’s Rajouri 

Shivam Bakshi

Rajouri Sept 12 (NVI): A balloon bearing the inscription “Pakistan International Airlines” was found in Nowshera sector of Jammu and Kashmir  Rajouri district on Saturday, officials said.

The balloon was spotted by an official of the District Special Branch in the Upper Nonial area under Nowshera police station at around afternoon they said.

The official took the balloon into custody for further disposal, officials added.—(NVI)

Balochistan: BLA says Pakistani army convoy ambushed; dozens killed, injured

Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) fighters at some undisclosed location. File Pic.

Quetta, Sept 12 (NVI) Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) today said it carried out an attack on a convoy of Pakistan Army in Balochistan in which dozens of soldiers were killed or wounded.

The ‘Fateh Squad’, a special commando unit of BLA, targeted the convoy this morning in Walpat area of Lasbela, its spokesman Jeeyand Baloch said in a statement.

He said “dozens of personnel of the occupying army were killed and wounded”.

Further details in this regard will be released to the media shortly, he added.

This is the second major attack by BLA on the Pakistani military in over a week.

Earlier on September 4, its fighters carried out a major ambush of Pakistani military vehicles in Ziarat area, killing 18 soldiers on the spot.

A video released by BLA later showed dozens of its fighters carrying out a deadly assault, in which a military truck and another carrier were destroyed.

Bodies of several soldiers, lying in pool of blood, were visible in the video. (NVI)

Cross-border LeT terror conspiracy in Kashmir: NIA searches 10 loacations

Srinagar, Sep 12 (NVI) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday conducted searches at 10 locations across Jammu and Kashmir in connection with a cross-border terror conspiracy involving Pakistan-based handlers of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its overground workers (OGWs), officials said.

The searches were carried out in Kupwara, Kulgam, Bandipora, Baramulla and Sopore to gather further evidence about the conspiracy and ascertain the role of individuals allegedly providing logistical and other support to infiltrated terrorists, the agency said.

The case was initially registered as FIR No. 0024/2026 at Zakoora police station in Srinagar and later re-registered by the NIA as RC-02/2026/NIA/JMU under Section 23 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Sections 7 and 25 of the Arms Act and Section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act.

The investigation followed the arrest of an alleged LeT OGW at a naka point on March 31, during which a hand grenade and live ammunition were recovered, the NIA said.

Further investigation led to the arrest of Pakistani nationals allegedly linked to the conspiracy and helped uncover the identities and roles of members of the local support network, it said.

According to the agency, the investigation has so far revealed links between Pakistan-based LeT handlers and their local associates, who were allegedly being used for communication, movement and concealment of infiltrated terrorists, besides providing shelter, reconnaissance and other logistical support.

The NIA said it was also examining the financial trail, communication channels, movement of the accused and the source and supply chain of arms and explosives to establish the complete network and determine the extent of its activities.

During Saturday’s searches, incriminating material relevant to the case was seized and is being examined and corroborated with other evidence, the agency said.

The investigation is continuing to identify all those allegedly involved in the conspiracy and establish their respective roles.

Further legal action, including arrests and recoveries, may follow depending on the outcome of the probe, it said.—(NVI)

Modi, Putin discussed Strategic ties, safety of Indian seafarers in Black Sea

PM Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet in Delhi

New Delhi, Sept 12 (NVI) Ways to deepen economic and strategic cooperation and safety of Indian seafarers in the Black Sea in view of the Ukraine war were the main topics of discussion between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin here.

During the talks, which lasted over 45 minutes, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership, which has shown resilience despite geopolitical challenges, said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

India and Russia agreed to work towards increasing annual bilateral trade to USD 100 billion by 2030 from the current level of around USD 65 billion. The discussions focused on expanding trade and investment while improving market access for Indian exporters in Russia.

In a social media post, Modi said the two leaders discussed closer economic ties, including implementation of the Programme for Economic Cooperation 2030. Their discussions also covered infrastructure, energy, technology, defence and culture.

The Indian side is learnt to have sought greater access to the Russian market for Indian exporters as the bilateral trade balance remains heavily tilted in Moscow’s favour. Industrial cooperation, the rail and tunnelling sectors and development of the steel value chain also figured in the discussions.

The safety of Indian seafarers amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict was also raised during the meeting.

The MEA said Modi and Putin exchanged views on regional and global developments, including the conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region, which have affected maritime trade and the safety and security of Indian seafarers.

“The Prime Minister once again reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy was the way forward in resolving conflicts and India stood ready to assist in peace efforts,” the MEA said in a statement.

Five Indian seafarers have died in the Black Sea amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine hostilities, leading India to raise the incidents with both Moscow and Kyiv.

Addressing a business forum after his meeting with Putin, Modi said global trade can progress only when sea lanes are secure, supply routes remain open and seafarers are protected. “That is why India is a staunch supporter of freedom of navigation and the safety of seafarers.”

The two leaders also reviewed cooperation in defence, critical minerals, civil nuclear energy, fertiliser supplies and people-to-people exchanges.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that Russia and India are exploring upgrades to BrahMos missiles. He also said Moscow remains committed to completing pending deliveries of the S-400 systems and is discussing the proposed supply of Su-57 fighter jets.

In the energy sector, both sides reviewed the overall situation and agreed to expand cooperation in civil nuclear energy. The discussions also covered broader industrial cooperation and opportunities to strengthen supply chains.

The MEA said Modi and Putin reviewed bilateral cooperation across political, economic, defence, energy, space, skill mobility and people-to-people domains. Putin invited Modi to Russia for the 24th India-Russia Annual Summit, which the prime minister accepted. The dates will be finalised through diplomatic channels based on mutual convenience, the MEA said.

The two leaders also discussed India-Russia cooperation in multilateral forums, particularly BRICS under India’s chairship in 2026.

They welcomed Russia’s International Industrial Exhibition, INNOPROM India, which is being held in New Delhi for the first time from September 9, and underlined its importance in expanding bilateral trade and industrial cooperation.

Modi and Putin later visited the exhibition at Bharat Mandapam and interacted with participants. Following their bilateral talks, the two leaders also travelled together in the same car within the Bharat Mandapam complex to attend the business forum. (NVI)

All toll booths on highways to be barrier-free by March next year: Gadkari

FASTag
Union Minister of Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari

Mumbai, Sept 12 (NVI) All toll booths on national highways will become barrier-free by March 2027, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has said.

He said more than 70 pecent  of toll booths are expected to become barrier-free by the end of December this year, with the figure reaching 100 pecent  by March next year.

Speaking at the Global Fintech Fest, the minister also said that the full implementation of the FASTag-based electronic toll collection system can generate Rs 20,000-25,000 crore annually for the Government of India.

He said his ministry alone could deliver this benefit to the government once the system becomes fully operational.

FASTags have helped increase toll booth income by around 10 percent, or about Rs, 7,000 crore, taking the total revenue to more than Rs 82,000 crore, Gadkari said.

He attributed the increase to the use of electronic toll collection across the toll network.

The barrier-free toll booths currently being piloted are expected to add another 10 percent, or Rs 7,000-8,000 crore, to toll revenue, the minister said. He said the wider rollout of the system would further increase the financial benefit to the government.

Gadkari said the operational cost of running a toll booth has declined to 2-3 percent from around 12 per cent  earlier.

He cited the reduction as another benefit of the technology-led toll collection system.

The minister also said vehicle owners benefit from saving time as the likelihood of getting stuck at toll booths decreases. Citing studies, Gadkari said more than Rs 5,250 crore has been saved annually in fuel costs as a result.

Addressing technologists at the event, Gadkari urged the sector to develop solutions to gauge overloading of trucks. He said such technology could help address the issue of overloaded vehicles in the freight sector.

Gadkari also said the country’s freight sector lacks transparency and promised to work on improving it. He added that one of the operators had been booked by the Central Bureau of Investigation, without providing further details. (NVI)

Body of Pakistani terrorist recovered in Doda in J&K

File Photo

Shivam Bakshi

Jammu, Sept 12 (NVI): The body of a Pakistani terrorist, who was earlier neutralised during a joint operation, has been recovered in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Saturday.

He was affiliated with Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist group, according to the officials.

The recovery was made by personnel of the Special Operations Group (SOG) Doda, Army’s Rashtriya Rifles and the CRPF during a joint operation, they said.

A night-enabled M4 rifle was also recovered from the site, officials said.

Further details are awaited.—(NVI)

SIA conducts searches at multiple locations in Poonch, Udhampur

File Photo: SIA during Raid

Shivam Bakshi

Jammu, Sept 12 (NVI): The State Investigation Agency (SIA) on Saturday conducted searches at multiple locations in Jammu and Kashmir, including Mandi and Surankote in Poonch district and Ramnagar in Udhampur, officials said.

A senior official said SIA teams carried out searches at a residential premises in Mandi during the morning hours. The searches were underway, he said.

Similar searches were also conducted at locations in Surankote and Ramnagar as part of an ongoing investigation, the official said.

Further details are awaited.—(NVI)

13 suspected drug peddlers picked up during CASO in J&K’s Anantnag

Anantnag, Sept 12 (NVI): Police on Saturday picked up 13 suspected drug peddlers for questioning during a cordon and search operation at 20 locations in Waghama area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district, officials said.

The operation was launched as part of an intensified crackdown on drug peddling and was aimed at identifying and dismantling local networks involved in the illegal trade, they said.

The officials said the operation was based on intelligence inputs and formed part of sustained efforts to disrupt the supply chain of narcotics in the district.

Police have reiterated their zero-tolerance policy towards drug peddling and said such operations would continue to be intensified to curb the menace and protect the youth, the officials said.—(NVI)

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