Srinagar, Sept 12 (NVI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday conducted searches at multiple locations in Kashmir as part of an ongoing investigation, officials said.
The searches were carried out at several locations in Kulgam, Bandipora and Ganderbal districts, they said.
The NIA teams were assisted by local police and security personnel during the operations, officials said.
Further details about the searches and the case were awaited.—(NVI)
New Delhi, Sept 11 (NVI) Meeting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian for the second time in two weeks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today underlined the need for resolving the West Asia crisis through dialogue and diplomacy and keeping navigation and commerce in that region safe.
Pezeshkian is here to participate in the two-day BRICS Summit starting tomorrow. This is his first visit to India as the President of Iran.
His visit comes amid fresh escalation in fighting between the US and Iran, which has engulfed other countries of the region.
During their meeting, Modi and Pezeshkian discussed various aspects of the India-Iran relationship.
“The two leaders exchanged views on recent developments in West Asia. The Prime Minister reiterated India’s consistent position that all issues must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
The MEA said Modi and Pezeshkian discussed various aspects of the bilateral relationship and that the Prime Minister thanked Iran for its regular, high-level participation in BRICS-related meetings despite the challenging circumstances.
The MEA said Modi appreciated the continued cooperation between the two sides on issues of mutual interest in multilateral organisation, including BRICS.
Modi had met the Iranian leader on the sidelines of SCO summit in Bishkek on August 31 and conveyed that India supports all efforts toward ending the conflict.
In the talks this evening, the Indian side is learnt to have again underlined the importance of free flow of shipping.
Global oil supplies have suffered severe disruptions due to tensions in West Asia and blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical energy chokepoint, through which roughly 20 per cent of international petroleum products move. (NVI)
Shivam Bakshi
Udhampur, Sep 11 (NVI) DIG Udhampur-Reasi Range Shiv Kumar Sharma on Friday reviewed security arrangements at Kailash Kund as the annual pilgrimage concluded peacefully, officials said.
Sharma visited Kailash Kund and interacted with pilgrims, officers and personnel deployed along the route to assess their preparedness and deployment, they said.
He appreciated the efforts of the police personnel and stressed the need for alertness, effective coordination and prompt response during such events, officials said.
The annual yatra commenced on September 8 from Vasuki Nag Temple at Dudu and concluded on September 10, with around 3,500 devotees participating in the pilgrimage.
The pilgrims traversed the challenging mountainous route through Dudu, Gharkatiyas, Ranmatha, Seojdhar and Kailash Kund.
The yatra concluded without any untoward incident, and all pilgrims returned safely, officials said.—(NVI)
New Delhi, Sept 11 (NVI) Ahead of the BRICS Summit here, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence that the conclave of leaders from 11 countries will involve positive and meaningful discussions on a range of issues, with countries sharing a common goal of global welfare.
India is hosting the two-day BRICS Summit from tomorrow as per the cycle followed by the grouping for annual meets.
Besides leaders from 11 member countries, the conclave will have presence of representatives from 10 partner countries and international organisations.
“Over the next few days, leaders from around the world will gather for the BRICS Summit. I am fully confident that there will be positive and meaningful discussions on various issues with a shared wish for global welfare,” Modi said in a post on X.
The summit is expected to provide a platform for leaders to discuss areas of mutual interest and strengthen cooperation among BRICS members and partner countries.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are among the leaders attending the summit. (NVI)
Srinagar, Sep 11 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir is set to establish a dedicated Project Monitoring Group (JK-PMG) on the lines of the National Project Monitoring Group (PMG) to ensure high-level monitoring of mega development projects and facilitate timely resolution of bottlenecks, officials said.
The institutional framework for replicating the national mechanism in the Union Territory was presented before Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo by representatives of the National PMG here, an official statement said.
The proposed JK-PMG will strengthen project oversight and inter-departmental coordination while facilitating timely intervention in matters related to land acquisition, statutory clearances, construction approvals and other implementation issues, it said.
Dulloo stressed the need to leverage technology to move from periodic status reporting to real-time and milestone-based monitoring of projects.
He said a comprehensive digital platform would enable authorities to track progress, identify critical gaps and take informed decisions based on reliable data.
The Chief Secretary also emphasised the need for a clearly defined escalation mechanism so that issues are resolved at the appropriate level, while matters requiring higher-level intervention are referred without delay.
He asked the National PMG team to conduct additional capacity-building sessions for local stakeholders to familiarise them with the system, workflow and escalation mechanism and equip them to efficiently take over its operations in J&K.
Commissioner Secretary, Planning Development and Monitoring Department, R Alice Vaz said the National PMG currently monitors 61 projects in J&K involving investments of Rs 3.91 lakh crore.
There are 130 active issues related to these projects currently under review through the National PMG portal, she said.
The proposed JK-PMG will function under the overall supervision of the Chief Secretary, with a dedicated team of project experts and a designated administrative department responsible for its day-to-day operations and coordination, according to the statement.
The group will monitor identified mega and strategically important projects, track milestones and pending approvals, facilitate coordination among executing agencies and district administrations, and escalate unresolved issues for appropriate intervention.
The framework envisages fortnightly departmental-level reviews by administrative secretaries and heads of departments, followed by monthly reviews chaired by the Chief Secretary.
Matters requiring consideration at the highest level will be reviewed by the Chief Minister, the statement said.
The proposed JK-PMG will use a digitised, cost-free portal equipped with automated reporting and analytical capabilities.
Under the envisaged workflow, project proponents will register projects and bottlenecks, while sponsoring departments will verify the issues. The concerned district administrations and departments will then take action for their resolution.
Critical unresolved matters will be escalated to higher forums involving the concerned stakeholders for expeditious resolution, it said.
Later, the National PMG team conducted a sensitisation workshop for officers and officials of the Planning Department and other stakeholders, apprising them of the proposed group’s institutional architecture, digital workflow and escalation mechanism.
The workshop focused on the roles of various stakeholders in identifying, tracking and resolving project-related bottlenecks and facilitating a common understanding of the operational processes required for implementing the JK-PMG in the Union Territory.—(NVI)
New Delhi, Sept 11 (NVI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin met here today and agreed to further strengthen the special relationship between their countries, particularly in energy and defence sectors.
This was the second meeting between the two leaders in two weeks and was held on the eve of the annual BRICS Summit which will also be attended by Chinese President Xi
Jinping and Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, among others.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Modi and Putin “shared perspectives on … the conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region which have impacted maritime trade and the safety and security of Indian seafarers.”
In a statement, it also said, “The two leaders agreed to remain engaged in an effort to strengthen further the special and privileged strategic partnership between the two countries.”
India is one of the biggest buyers of Russian oil, which has been a sore aspect for the United States as it has been trying to curb the energy exports of Russia because of the Ukraine war.
India has sought to resist the pressure to scale back the trade, saying its large population and economy need secure, affordable and reliable energy supplies.
At the same time, India has said the Ukraine conflict can be resolved only through dialogue and diplomacy and not by some countries stopping energy, metal or fertiliser trade with Russia.
Russia’s share of Indian crude imports rose in 2026, reaching a record 51% in July, as disruptions to Middle Eastern supplies increased Indian refiners’ reliance on Russian oil.
That share likely moderated in August as China stepped up Russian oil purchases, Indian media reported.
During today’s meeting, Modi presented to Putin a Russian translation of the Thirukkural, a revered classical text in India’s Tamil language comprising 1,330 couplets on virtue, governance and love, attributed to the poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar.
The two leaders also visited an India-Russia industrial fair showcasing Russian technology, AI, aviation, space, nuclear science, heavy engineering, mining and banking companies. (NVI)
Srinagar, Sep 11 (NVI) The Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir, organised the September edition of its ‘Know Your Artisan’ initiative at SK Park here on the sidelines of the first International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK), officials said.
The event focused on showcasing Kashmir’s high-value GI-tagged and traditional crafts, attracting tourists, students, craft enthusiasts and members of the public, they said.
According to a department spokesperson, 26 stalls were set up at the venue, allowing visitors to explore handcrafted products and interact directly with master artisans.
The School of Designs, Kashmir, organised live craft demonstrations, while a ‘Try Corner’ provided visitors an opportunity to experience pottery, papier-mache and needlework.
Live music, organised in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, was also held during the event.
Students from various schools and colleges participated in the programme and interacted with artisans, watched live demonstrations and tried their hand at traditional crafts, the spokesperson said.
The initiative also provided artisans an opportunity to showcase their skills and market their products directly to tourists, buyers and the general public.
The department said the ‘Know Your Artisan’ series aims to create awareness about the heritage value, authenticity and craftsmanship associated with Kashmir’s traditional crafts while strengthening the connect between artisans and consumers.
The encouraging response to the initiative has prompted the department to take it to prominent tourist destinations and other high-footfall areas to provide greater visibility and market access to artisans, it said.
The department also appealed to tourists, buyers and craft enthusiasts to purchase authentic Kashmiri handicrafts and support efforts aimed at preserving the region’s traditional craft heritage.(NVI)
Srinagar, Sep 11 (NVI) Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat on Friday reviewed the Border Protection Grid (BPG) with senior officers and representatives of the BSF, CRPF and J&K Police, officials said.
The meeting took stock of the existing border security arrangements and the coordination among various security forces deployed for effective protection of the borders, they said.
The discussions focused on strengthening inter-agency coordination, enhancing operational preparedness and ensuring a robust security mechanism in vulnerable areas.
Prabhat stressed the need for close coordination among all security formations to effectively meet emerging security challenges and maintain peace and security in the region, officials said.—(NVI)
Srinagar, Sept 11 (NVI) The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Friday arrested a Patwari after allegedly catching him red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000 in Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
The accused, identified as Bashir Ahmad Dar, Patwari of Gund Ali Nayak Halqa in Waterrehal area of Khansahab tehsil, had allegedly demanded money from a complainant for issuing a revenue extract (Fard), the ACB said.
According to the anti-graft agency, the complainant had applied online on July 21 for issuance of the Fard on behalf of his elderly grandfather.
The complainant later approached the Patwari to enquire about the status of his application. The official allegedly delayed the matter on various pretexts and eventually demanded Rs 12,000 as bribe, which was later settled at Rs 10,000 after negotiations, the ACB said.
The complainant, unwilling to pay the bribe, approached the ACB, following which the agency verified the allegations and found prima facie evidence of illegal gratification.
A case was subsequently registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, at Police Station ACB Srinagar, and a trap team was constituted.
During the trap operation, the accused Patwari was allegedly caught while demanding and accepting Rs 10,000 from the complainant.
The bribe amount was recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses and the accused was taken into custody, the ACB said.
Further investigation in the case is underway.—(NVI)
Srinagar, Sep 11 (NVI): The Indian Army and Bharti Airtel Foundation on Friday marked 10 years of their partnership aimed at strengthening the educational ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh through Army Goodwill Schools (AGS).
The commemorative event was held at Army Goodwill Public School, Pahalgam, and was attended by Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, Bharti Airtel Foundation Co-Chairman Rakesh Bharti Mittal and Regional President, AWWA, Northern Command, Shinei Sharma, besides senior Army and foundation officials.
The partnership, which initially covered 14 schools, has expanded its initiatives to all 43 Army Goodwill Schools in the region, the Army said in a statement.
The collaboration has focused on strengthening institutional leadership, classroom practices, academic management and teachers’ capabilities, besides promoting technology-enabled learning and implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The initiative has also sought to promote creativity and scientific temperament among students. According to the Army, AGS Innovation Clubs have facilitated more than 160 student-led projects, with students participating in national platforms such as ISRO YUVIKA, INSPIRE-MANAK and Young Scientist India.
Addressing the gathering, Lt Gen Sharma shared his experiences as a student and spoke about overcoming challenges, exhorting students to aim high and remain committed to their goals.
Mittal assured continued support to the Army Goodwill Schools for the next decade and announced initiatives including additional library books, sports coaching, smart classes, scholarships for higher education and cash incentives for meritorious Class 10 and 12 students.
Shinei Sharma urged teachers and parents to support and nurture students to help them meet future challenges. She also called for greater focus on educating the girl child and promoting an inclusive society.
The Northern Command reiterated its commitment to strengthening the educational ecosystem of Army Goodwill Schools and empowering the youth through education, creativity, leadership and all-round development.—(NVI)
