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Terror Hideout unearthed in Kathua in Jammu

File Photo

Shivam Bakshi

Kathua, July 8 (NVI): Security forces on Wednesday busted a terrorist hideout in the upper reaches of Billawar in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district and recovered two hand grenades, officials said.

According to officials, the hideout was unearthed during investigation based on the disclosure of an alleged overground worker, Haji Latief, who was arrested on July 2.

Officials said Latief is accused of facilitating the infiltration of several terrorists from across the border over the years and is being jointly questioned by police and other security agencies.

During interrogation, he allegedly disclosed information leading to the recovery of the grenades from the hideout.

Investigators have also found that he was reportedly in regular contact with terror handlers across the border, they added.

Meanwhile, security personnel also detained a suspicious individual from Bobiya border village in the Hiranagar sector on Wednesday.

The man, identified as Prem (45), was subsequently handed over to the police for further questioning.

Further investigation into both cases is underway, officials said. (NVI)

J-K Govt Waives Fees for AAY Students in Govt Schools, Degree Colleges

Srinagar, Jul 8 (NVI): The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday announced a full waiver of fees for students belonging to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families studying in government schools and government degree colleges across the Union Territory.

According to separate orders issued by the School Education Department and the Higher Education Department, the decision has been taken to improve access to education for economically weaker sections and has come into effect immediately.

Under the School Education Department order, students of Classes IX to XII studying in government schools and belonging to AAY households will be exempted from payment of all fees charged by the institutions. Eligible students must possess a valid AAY ration card or any other prescribed document.

The Higher Education Department has also approved a full fee waiver for eligible undergraduate students enrolled in the first to eighth semesters of government degree colleges. The benefit will be available to AAY students who are not availing of any other scholarship assistance and possess the required documents.

The orders, however, clarify that fees payable to external statutory authorities or examining bodies will continue to be governed by existing rules unless exempted by the competent authority.

Institution heads and college principals have been directed to verify the eligibility of beneficiaries, maintain proper records and ensure compliance with the scheme.

The financial implications of the fee waiver will be worked out by the concerned directorates and communicated to the Finance Department for reimbursement.—(NVI)

Four Teachers Suspended in J&K Ganderbal Over Alleged Lapses During Amarnath Yatra Duties

 

Srinagar, July 8 (NVI): Four government teachers have been suspended in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district over alleged dereliction of duties during the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, officials said on Wednesday.

According to officials, the Chief Education Officer (CEO), Ganderbal, ordered the suspension with immediate effect following a report received from the Nodal Officer, Transit Camp Manigam, regarding alleged lapses in the discharge of duties assigned at the transit camp.

The suspended teachers have been identified as Bilal Ahmad Sheikh of Haripora Kangan, Aabid Mohi-ud-din Bhat of Manigam, Peer Mudasir of Wussan and Gowhar Rashid Kullu of Gund.

Officials said the action has been taken pending a detailed inquiry into the alleged negligence in connection with arrangements for the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra.

Further investigation into the matter is underway, they added.(NVI)

DRDO successfully test-fires Pinaka long-range guided rocket with 60-km minimum range

New Delhi, Jul 8 (NVI): The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Wednesday successfully conducted the flight-test of the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Odisha, officials said.

The rocket was tested for a user-defined minimum range of 60 kilometres and accurately struck the designated target after successfully executing all planned in-flight manoeuvres, they said.

According to the Defence Ministry, the rocket followed its predicted trajectory with precision, while all range instrumentation tracked the flight throughout the test.

Designed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in association with the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), the Pinaka LRGR has been developed with support from the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) and the Research Centre Imarat (RCI).

Officials said the trial was coordinated by the Integrated Test Range and the Proof and Experimental Establishment.

The rocket was launched from the in-service Pinaka launcher, demonstrating its ability to fire different variants of the Pinaka rocket system from the same platform.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Indian Army and industry partners on the successful test, describing it as a major milestone in India’s indigenous capability to design and develop long-range guided rockets.

Defence Secretary and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh monitored the trials and commended the teams involved in the successful flight-test.—(NVI)

 

ACB registers two FIRs in fresh Custodian land scam in Jammu

Shivam Bakshi

Jammu, July 8 (NVI): The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Wednesday registered two FIRs after uncovering an alleged fresh Custodian land scam in Jammu district, involving revenue officials, beneficiaries and alleged land grabbers accused of fraudulently securing ownership rights over government land.

According to the ACB, the alleged scam pertains to Custodian land in the Bhalwal and Amb areas, where officials of the Revenue and Custodian departments, in connivance with beneficiaries and Form Alaf holders, allegedly manipulated revenue records to facilitate illegal mutations and subsequent sale of government land.

The Bureau said its verification into complaints revealed that several ineligible persons were allegedly granted additional Custodian land without any valid government or Provisional Rehabilitation Office (PRO) orders, while in some cases fake allotment orders were purportedly used to obtain ownership rights.

The ACB said it had earlier detected irregularities involving more than 1,000 kanals of Custodian land, leading to the registration of 27 FIRs, with investigations still underway.

In the latest action, FIR No. 09/2026 was registered after the Bureau found a prima facie conspiracy involving revenue officials and private individuals in the fraudulent alienation of around 12 kanals and three marlas of Custodian land.

A second case, FIR No. 10/2026, was registered following verification of a complaint alleging fraudulent mutations and illegal conferment of ownership rights over nearly 15 kanals and eight marlas of land in Village Amb, Tehsil Bhalwal.

The ACB alleged that revenue officials abused their official positions and entered into a criminal conspiracy with beneficiaries to facilitate the illegal transfer of land, resulting in substantial loss to the government exchequer.

The Bureau said investigations in both cases are in progress.(NVI)

J&K: ‘Irregularities’ in Amarnath Yatra Registration; Probe ordered

File Photo

Srinagar, Jul 8 (NVI): The district administration in Ganderbal has initiated an investigation into alleged irregularities in the on-the-spot registration process for Shri Amarnathji Yatra pilgrims at the Manigam Transit Camp, officials said on Wednesday.

The administration said it has taken cognisance of the reported lapses and that appropriate action will be taken against anyone found involved after the inquiry is completed.

Officials clarified that pilgrims can avail the on-the-spot registration facility at the Baltal Base Camp Registration Centre, subject to verification of prescribed documents and fulfilment of the required eligibility criteria.

The administration advised pilgrims to obtain registration only through the authorised registration centre and cautioned them against approaching touts, middlemen or unauthorised persons claiming to facilitate registration in exchange for money or other consideration.

Pilgrims were also urged to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious activity or malpractice to officials at the base camp or the District Control Room Ganderbal.

The district administration reiterated its commitment to ensuring a transparent, fair and hassle-free registration process for all Shri Amarnathji Yatra pilgrims.

Former DDC Chairperson Safina Baig Joins National Conference

Srinagar, July 8 (NVI): Former District Development Council (DDC) Chairperson of Baramulla, Safina Baig, joined the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Wednesday at the party headquarters in Srinagar.

Safina, wife of PDP co-founder Muzaffar Hussain Baig, joined the party in the presence of NC president Farooq Abdullah, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Rural Development Minister Javid Ahmad Dar, senior leader Ali Mohammad Sagar and other party functionaries.

Party leaders welcomed Safina into the National Conference and expressed confidence that her induction would strengthen the party’s presence in north Kashmir, particularly in Baramulla district.

Safina previously served as the Chairperson of the District Development Council (DDC) Baramulla. Her husband, Muzaffar Hussain Baig, was among the founding members of the PDP and served as Deputy Chief Minister in the PDP-Congress coalition government. He also represented Baramulla in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and later in the Lok Sabha.

The National Conference had emerged as the dominant political force in Baramulla district by winning six of the seven Assembly seats in the 2024 elections, and party leaders described Safina’s induction as a significant addition to its cadre in the region.(NVI)

J&K: Three OGWs held After Facial Recognition System Alert During Amarnath Yatra

The 3 Overground Workers of Terrorists in police custody

Srinagar, July 8 (NVI): Three alleged Over Ground Workers (OGWs) were apprehended by police in Anantnag district after the Facial Recognition System (FRS) deployed for the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra flagged them as suspicious, officials said on Wednesday.

According to officials, the FRS installed in the Sarbal area generated alerts about three individuals moving through the route. Police personnel immediately intercepted them and carried out identity verification.

During the verification, the three individuals were identified as alleged OGWs and were taken into custody for further legal proceedings, the officials said.

They said the successful detection underscored the effectiveness of technology-driven surveillance in enhancing security arrangements for the annual pilgrimage.

Police said advanced surveillance systems, including the Facial Recognition System, are being used to strengthen the security grid and ensure the safe and smooth conduct of the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra.(NVI)

J&K: Suspected Movement of Terrorists noticed in Rajouri; Search Operation Launched

J&K Encounter
Security forces in Kashmir (File Pic)

By Shivam Bakshi

Rajouri (J&K), July 8 (NVI): A Village Defence Guard (VDG) member opened fire after noticing suspected movement of terrorists near his residence in Kalakote area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, prompting security forces to launch a search operation, officials said on Wednesday.

The incident took place during the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday in Saroh village, where the VDG member fired six to seven rounds from his service weapon after observing suspicious movement near his house, they said.

Following the incident, police and security forces rushed to the area and launched a cordon and search operation (CASO) to ascertain the nature of the movement and rule out the presence of any infiltrators or suspicious persons.

Officials said no suspicious person or incriminating material had been found during the searches till the last reports, and the operation was continuing.

They said the circumstances that led to the firing are being investigated.(NVI)

J&K Shopian Gunfight: Top Lashkar Commander Killed, Fresh Firing Suggests Another Terrorist Holed Up

Srinagar, July 8 (NVI): A top commander of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), identified as Zakir Ganie, was killed in an ongoing anti-terror operation in the Chanapora area of south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Wednesday, officials said.

The operation, launched by a joint team of the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the CRPF, entered its fifth day on Wednesday.

Officials said Zakir Ganie, who had been trapped along with another suspected terrorist, was killed during the operation. His body was recovered from a cowshed, and arms and ammunition were also seized from the site.

They described the killing as a significant success for the security forces.

Fresh exchange of fire was reported from the area on Wednesday morning, suggesting that another terrorist is likely to be holed up inside the cordoned area. The operation was continuing at the time of filing this report.

In a post on X, the Jammu and Kashmir Police said, “You can run, but you cannot hide,” confirming that one Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist had been neutralised in a joint operation by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Shopian, the Army’s Rashtriya Rifles and the CRPF.(NVI)

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