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Army GOC Reviews Security in Kishtwar, Directs Troops to Stay Alert & Mission-Focused After JeM Encounter

Jammu, Mar 2: (NVI) : In the wake of a recent successful counter-terrorism operation in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, a senior Army commander has directed all ranks to remain alert, proactive and mission-oriented to ensure sustained peace and stability in the region.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Army’s White Knight Corps, Lt Gen P K Mishra, issued the directions during his visit to Kishtwar where he reviewed the prevailing security scenario and ongoing counter-terror operations.

He was accompanied by the General Officer Commanding of Counter-Insurgency Force (Delta), Maj Gen Ajai Singh Dabas, who recently assumed command.

During the visit, the Corps Commander lauded the Delta Force for its unwavering dedication, sharp operational focus and steadfast commitment to duty. He emphasized the need for continued vigilance and operational dominance, directing troops to uphold the highest standards of professionalism in every action.

The review comes days after security forces eliminated three Pakistani terrorists affiliated with the proscribed outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad in a fierce encounter in the Chatroo area of Kishtwar on February 22. Among those killed was self-styled commander Saifullah, who had reportedly evaded multiple encounters over the past year in high-altitude areas.

“In the hinterland, vigilance is victory; firm resolve, proactive dominance and relentless action will secure lasting peace and stability,” the Corps said in a statement posted on X.

Meanwhile, police have intensified efforts to identify and apprehend overground workers (OGWs) who allegedly provided logistical and material support to the slain militants. Officials stated that multiple teams have been constituted to track down suspects believed to have facilitated the group’s movement by arranging food, shelter, communication channels and financial assistance.

Police reiterated that strict action will be taken against anyone found providing direct or indirect support to terrorist elements, reaffirming their resolve to curb militancy and strengthen peace in the region.(NVI)

Curbs to Remain in Force Across Kashmir on Tuesday to Maintain Law & Order

Pune

Srinagar, Mar 02 (NVI): Authorities on Monday evening announced that restrictions will stay in place across all districts of Kashmir on Tuesday as a precautionary step in view of protests reported in parts of the Valley over the death of Iran’s leader Ali Khamenei.

Security officials within the security establishment told NVI that the decision has been taken to safeguard public order and prevent any untoward incidents amid the prevailing situation.

A senior official said the measures will continue on Tueaday and are aimed at ensuring a peaceful atmosphere, adding that the situation by and large remained calm during the day on Monday.

Officials privy to move said that the administration is keeping a close watch on developments and appropriate steps will be taken as required. (NVI)

Suspicious balloon detected in Rajouri, security agencies alerted

Rajouri, Mar 2 (NVI): A balloon suspected to have originated from Pakistan was recovered from Sarhoti village in the Dhari area of Teryath tehsil in Rajouri district on Monday, officials said.

They said the object was noticed by locals and security forces were immediately informed. Soon after, the area was cordoned off as a precautionary measure.

Officials added that further investigation has been taken up to determine the nature and origin of the balloon.(NVI)

Several US fighter planes have ‘crashed’ in Kuwait as Iranian attacks continue
US confirmed that 3 of its F-15 fighter jets went down in "apparent friendly fire"

Screengrab of a US fighter plane crashing in Kuwait, possibly F-15

New Delhi, Mar 2 : Kuwait government today said “several” fighter planes of the US “crashed” in the country but all crew members survived.

Hours later, the US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that three of its F-15E fighter jets, flying in support of the ‘Operation Epic Fury’, “went down over Kuwait due to an apparent friendly fire incident” but the pilots were safe.

The Ministry of Defense of Kuwait said this in a statement after videos emerged on social media showing a fighter plane, having caught fire, and crashing somewhere in the country.

It was claimed to be F-15 fighter plane of the US, with unverfied assertions that it had been shot down.

However, no details were available regarding the cause of the crashes.

“Relevant authorities immediately initiated search-and-rescue operations,” spokesperson of Kuwait’s Defense Ministry Col. Said Al-Atwan said in the statement.

“The crews were evacuating from the crash sites and transferred to hospital to assess their condition and provided necessary medical care,” he said.

The crew members are in a “stable” condition, he added.

The spokesperson said Kuwait was in “direct coordination” with US authorities.

Kuwait has been facing missile and drone attacks from Iran which is targeting US interests in the Gulf as part of retaliation against attacks by America and Israel.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei along with several top political and military leaders have been killed in the joint action by the US and Israeli militaries.

The US military has a significant number of military assets in the region, deployed in the weeks leading up to the joint US-Israeli military operation launched on the morning of February 28.

A list put out by CENTCOM on Sunday showing the assets employed thus far included F-18s, F-16s, F-22s, F-35s, A-10 attack aircraft, MQ-9 Reaper drones, refueling aircraft, counter-drone systems, Navy aircraft carriers and guided-missile destroyers. (NVI)

Six injured as security forces disperse protesters in Kashmir after Khamenei killing

Srinagar, Mar 02 : At least six security personnel sustained minor injuries during widespread protests that erupted across several parts of Kashmir following the killing of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, officials said on Monday.

Security forces dispersed protesters at multiple locations to prevent the situation from escalating and to maintain law and order, they said.

Authorities have placed the region on high alert and imposed strict security restrictions as a precautionary measure, officials added.—(NVI)

World’s largest oil refinery Aramco in Saudi Arabia hit by Iranian drone, India may be affected

Representational image

New Delhi, Mar 2: In a development that may have massive adverse impact for India’s energy sector, a major refinery of the world’s largest oil producer Aramco in Saudi Arabia was today hit by an Iranian drone, affecting its functioning.

The refinery went up in flames after being hit and was shut down subsequently.

Although the extent of the impact was not immediately known, the development may have adverse impact for India which sources a large quantity of crude oil and gas from this company.

Saudi Arabia is the second largest supplier of crude to India after Iraq, accounting for about 19% of crude oil imports and 29% of LPG imports, respectively.

Aramco supplies the petroleum products to State-run Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Reliance Industries.

Over the years, it has been strengthening its presence in India, focusing on securing long-term crude supply and investment in downstream assets.

Through its subsidiary Amarco India, Saudi Aramco serves as a crucial bridge for supply and investment in the Indian energy landscape, focusing on energy security and long-term partnerships.

As of early 2026, Aramco was exploring a 20% stake in a new $11 BPCL refinery.

The company has targeted significant investments, including a potential 20% stake in a new BPCL refinery at Ramayapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, which aims to process 180,000–240,000 barrels per day.

The Saudi company also had long-term plans to supply 500,000 barrels per day of Arabian crude to major refineries in India, including the Jamnagar complex run by Reliance Industries.

Aramco’s continued investment interest is aligned with India’s growing energy demand and the nation’s efforts to increase its refining capacity.

Internet services affected in Kashmir amidst protests over Khamenei killing
Protests in Several Kashmir Areas, Mobile Internet Curtailed as Precautionary Measure

Srinagar, Mar 2 (NVI): Authorities on Monday curtailed high-speed mobile internet services across the Kashmir Valley following protests over the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, officials said.

Officials told (NVI) that the decision was taken as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order in view of the prevailing situation.

They said that protests were reported from various areas of Kashmir including Lal Chowk, Saida Kadal, Budgam, Bandipora, Anantnag and Pulwama, where demonstrators were seen beating their chests and raising anti-US and anti-Israel slogans over the killing of the Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei two days back.

Officials further said that mobile internet speeds have been restricted across all service providers in the Valley.

Meanwhile, police issued an advisory to media houses, journalists and social media users, urging them to act responsibly while reporting and sharing information.

“Media persons are advised to refrain from circulating unverified information or rumours and ensure that all news related to law and order is confirmed through credible and official sources. Sensational reporting that may create panic should be avoided,” the advisory read.—(NVI)

Pakistan’s Nur Khan Airbase, other major military facilities hit with drones: Afghanistan

Image shared by Afghan Defence Ministry in relation to attacks in Pakistan

Kabul, Mar 1 : In a huge development, Afghanistan tonight its forces have hit major military installations with drones deep inside Pakistan, including the Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, and claimed to have caused “signficant damage to the intended targets”.

These attacks were carried out in response to the aerial strikes by Pakistani military, targeting Kabul, Bagram and several other places, it said and warned that any further such act by Pakistan would receive “a swift, decisive and proportionate response”.

The Afghan military also reportedly crossed the disputed Durand Line border tonight and attacked several Pakistani military posts.

The Afghan Ministry of Defense also said its forces had killed 32 Pakistani soldiers in cross-border attacks carried out on Saturday night (intervening between February 28 and March 1).

According to the ministry of the Taliban regime, the attacks—carried out by the 203 Mansouri, 201 Silab, and 205 Al-Badr Corps, also resulted in the wounding of 10 Pakistani soldiers and the destruction of four of their outposts.

In a separate statement tonight, it said, “Today, the Air Force of the Ministry of National Defense conducted precise and coordinated aerial operations against key military installations in Pakistan.”

These operations targeted the Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, the 12th Division headquarters in Quetta (Balochistan), the Khwazai (military) Camp in the Mohmand Agency of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as well as several other significant Pakistani military facilities and command centers, it said.

“Based on preliminary assessments, the strikes successfully caused significant damage to the intended targets,” it said.

“These operations were carried out in response to the recent aerial incursions by the Pakistani military, which struck Kabul, Bagram and several other regions last night and earlier today,” the Ministry said.

“It should be emphasised that any further violations of our airspace or acts of aggression by hostile Pakistani elements will be met with a swift, decisive, and proportionate response,” it warned.

Earlier, Deputy spokesperson for the Ministry Sediqulalh Nasrat said two drones of Pakistan’s military were shot down by the Afghan forces.

“The country’s defense forces last night launched offensive operations using laser weapons and advanced equipment against the enemy in the provinces of Nangarhar, Paktia, Khost, and Kandahar, led by the 203 Mansouri, 201 Khalid bin Walid, and 205 Al-Badr Corps,” Nasrat said.

The Afghan regime said Pakistani military carried out drone attacks last night on civilian homes in the Ghani Khail district of Nangarhar province of Afghanistan.

As a result of these attacks, four houses were destroyed, one woman was killed, and two others were wounded, it said.

According to the Afghan regime, at least 52 civilians have been killed and 66 injured in attacks by Pakistan’s military regime starting from February 22 to February 28 in the provinces of Khost, Paktika, Nangarhar, Paktia, Kandahar, and Kunar in Afghanistan.

The killed and injured Afghan civilians included women and children. (NVI)

Indian national among 58 injured in UAE due to Iranian attacks
UAE shuts down its Embassy in Tehran

National Flag of UAE

Dubai, Mar 1 : An Indian national was among 58 people injured in United Arab Emirates (UAE) today in the Iranian missile and drone attacks, which killed 3 foreigners from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.

While this information was given out by Ministry of Defence of UAE, the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi said the injured Indian was out of danger.

The identity was, however, not disclosed.

Earlier, the Defence Ministry of UAE said the country’s air force and air defence forces have dealt with 165 ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles and 541 Iranian drones since the start of the Iranian attack on Saturday (February 28).

Of these, 152 were destroyed, while 13 fell into sea waters. Two cruise missiles were also detected and destroyed.

On the morning of the second day of the attack (on Sunday), UAE air force and air defence forces destroyed 20 ballistic missiles, while eight missiles fell into the sea.

They also destroyed two cruise missiles and 311 drones, it said.

However, 21 drones struck civilian targets, the Ministry said.

It said some debris fell in various areas of the country as a result of air defence systems intercepting ballistic missiles and drones, leading to minor to moderate material damage to a number of civilian properties.

“The incidents resulted in three fatalities of Pakistani, Nepali and Bangladeshi nationalities, and 58 minor injuries among Emirati, Egyptian, Ethiopian, Filipino, Pakistani, Iranian, Indian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Azerbaijani, Yemeni, Ugandan, Eritrean, Lebanese and Afghan nationals,” the Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry expressed its full readiness to address any threats and stressed that the safety of citizens, residents and visitors remains a top priority that cannot be compromised.

Later, the Foreign Ministry of UAE announced that the country has decided to shut down its Embassy in Tehran and recall its Ambassador along with all other diplomats in protest against the Iranian attacks.

Restrictions to Be Imposed Across Kashmir Districts from Monday as Precautionary Measure

Pune

Srinagar, March 01 (NVI): Authorities on Sunday said that restrictions will be imposed across all districts of Kashmir on Monday as a precautionary measure to ensure a peaceful atmosphere after reports of protests across Kashmir on the death of Iran’s leader Ali Khamenei

Senior officials within the security grid told NVI, that the decision has been taken to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incidents amid the prevailing situation.

“It has been decided to impose restrictions as a precautionary measure,” a senior official said.

The authorities said the restrictions will be enforced tomorrow and the situation will be closely monitored. (NVI)

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