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Nepal floods toll goes up to 1,127, many remain missing, PM Balendra praises India

New Delhi, Sept 2 (NVI) With more bodies being recovered, the death toll from Nepal’s devastating flash floods has increased to 1,127 while massive efforts continue to trace thousands of people who remain missing since the August 26 deluge.

Teams of Indian Army personnel and forensics specialists are working shoulder to shoulder with their Nepalese counterparts in the search and rescue operations.

India also airlifted today the 5th consignment of material required in the post-flood operations in Nepal.

Nepal Prime Minister Balendra today hailed India and China for extending help in the wake of the devastating floods.

According to the Nepal Police, 348 more dead bodies were recovered from Chitwan, 217 from Nawalparasi East, 190 from Nawalparasi West and 155 from Nuwakot.

Similarly, 66 bodies were recovered from Gorkha, 59 from Dhading, 45 from Rasuwa, and 38 from Tanahu.

Police said postmortem and legal identification procedures had been completed for 1,113 bodies, while 95 had been handed over to relatives.

Details of 911 unidentified bodies have been uploaded to the Nepal Police website to help families identify missing relatives.

So far, security forces have rescued 6,541 people from the affected areas while search operations continued for 4,858 missing people, the police said.

Authorities have deployed 7,912 police personnel to flood-hit areas for search and rescue operations, relief distribution and the management of recovered bodies.

Police teams are also moving families from high-risk areas to safer locations, clearing roads blocked by debris and coordinating search, rescue and relief operations with local authorities and residents.

Flash floods, triggered by a collapse or avalanche of ice and rock near the Nepal-Tibet border, devastated towns and villages in northern and central Nepal on August 26.

Fresh escalation in West Asia, US strike kills 5, injures 68 in Iran which retaliates

Iranian president Pezeshkian (File Pic)

New Delhi, Sep 2 (NVI) In fresh escalation in West Asia war, Iran today carried out a wave of attacks on American military targets across the region, hours after it faced US bombardment which killed 5 people, including a four-year-old boy, and injured 68 at a wedding party.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) said it targeted US military bases in Jordan, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region, marking the heaviest exchange between the two sides in weeks.

US Marine Corps base Camp Titin in Jordan was targeted for an “intense ballistic missile attack”, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said today, according to Iranian news outlet Tasnim.

Earlier last night, US Central Command said it targeted “air defense sites, radar systems, maritime assets and facilities, mine laying capabilities, and communications sites” associated with the IRGC.

It said the strikes followed a recent attack by IRGC against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and against American service members

“The strikes follow recent attempted attacks by the IRGC against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and against American service members,” Central Command added in the statement posted on X.

At least five people were killed and 50 were injured at a residential home in Kuhestak, Sirik, a coastal area on the Strait of Hormuz. A 4-year-old child was reportedly among those killed.

State-run IRNA news agency, citing a provincial official, put the number of wounded at ⁠68.

Iran’s foreign ministry condemned the killing and said that the cruelty cannot be separated from the chain of atrocities that happened before.

“This cruelty cannot be separated from the chain of atrocities that preceded it in #Minab, #Lamerd, Qeshm and elsewhere nor from the strikes on military targets that were dressed in deceptive justifications,” Esmaeil Baqaei said.

US President Donald Trump said the strikes were in retaliation for Iran trying to put mines in the strait and for an earlier assault on a military base and warned of more attacks if Tehran responded, Bloomberg reported.

He warned Iran that “very little will be left of the nation,” if it chooses to retaliate to the fresh US strikes near the Strait of Hormuz. The US president also claimed that Washington was in “almost total control” of the key maritime route, while adding that the Iranian economy was “collapsing” due to America’s sanctions and “economic D-day” approach to the war.

“If the failed Nation of Iran retaliates for this very justified attack, they will be hit again at a much harder and higher level, but it will not be the biggest attack of them all, that is waiting in the wings and, when it is over, there will be very little left of the Islamic Republic of Iran!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. (NVI)

Two Army commandos go missing during exercise in barrage in Haryana, search underway

Searches underway to trace the two Army commandos in Hathnikund barrage in Haryana

New Delhi, Sep 2 (NVI) Two Army commandos have gone missing during a training exercise in Hathnikund Barrage of Yamun river in Haryana and a large scale search has been launched to trace them.

The two soldiers of 1 Para Special Forces (SF) were part of a five-member group conducting an exercise when their army boat experienced a technical snag.

According to a statement by the Chandigarh-based defence public relations officer (PRO), the boat got caught in strong currents towards the downstream barrage.

“The teams made swift efforts to retrieve the boat. However, the boat got struck in strong eddies around the sluice gates and capsized resulting in the crew getting swept away by the strong currents. Two members of the crew are presently missing,” the spokesperson said.

While three soldiers managed to swim to safety, strong currents swept the remaining two downstream.

Two helicopters are conducting aerial surveys along the barrage and downstream parallel canals—the Western Yamuna Canal (WJC) toward Haryana and the Eastern Jamuna Canal (EJC) toward Uttar Pradesh.

To facilitate the search, the Haryana irrigation and water resources department reduced water discharge at the barrage and WJC following a request from the army.

Pratap Nagar police station SHO inspector Rohtash confirmed that the multi-agency operation is underway, though the missing personnel have yet to be traced. (NVI)

BJP, NC hold parallel protests in Srinagar, police halt marches

Srinagar, Sep 2 (NVI) The BJP and the ruling National Conference held separate protests here on Wednesday, with police stopping both parties from marching towards their respective destinations.

The BJP organised a demonstration in Lal Chowk, from where its leaders and workers began a procession towards Jahangir Chowk. The protesters sought to proceed towards the Civil Secretariat but were stopped by police at Jahangir Chowk.

Meanwhile, the National Conference held a separate demonstration in Rajbagh and planned to march towards the BJP headquarters. Police intercepted the procession before it could reach its destination.

Security personnel were deployed at both locations to regulate the gatherings and prevent the rival processions from coming face-to-face. Officials said there were no general restrictions on movement in the city.

Addressing BJP workers, Leader of Opposition in the J-K Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma accused the NC government of failing to address issues related to electricity, drinking water, roads, employment and rising power bills.

He alleged that several assurances made by the NC during the Assembly elections had not been fulfilled.

Sharma also questioned Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over the restoration of statehood and challenged the government to seek a fresh mandate from the people on the issue.

BJP J-K president and Rajya Sabha MP Sat Sharma said the protest was aimed at highlighting what he described as shortcomings in the functioning of the NC government.

He alleged growing dissatisfaction among the people and said the government should either address public concerns or make way for an alternative.

At Rajbagh, NC Chief Spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq said the party’s demonstration was aimed at reminding the BJP-led Centre of its commitments to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

The NC sought restoration of statehood, constitutional safeguards and rationalisation of the reservation system, besides measures to address issues concerning the youth.

Sadiq said the proposed march was directed at drawing the attention of the BJP leadership at the Centre and was not aimed at the party’s local leadership.

NC leader and Education Minister Sakina Itoo said the party would continue to pursue its demands through peaceful and democratic means.

“For us, every day is a day of protest,” Itoo said, reiterating the NC’s demand for restoration of Article 370, Article 35A and statehood.

Chief Minister’s Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani also highlighted statehood and rationalisation of reservations as key issues, particularly for the younger generation.

Both demonstrations remained peaceful despite the political rhetoric, with police preventing the processions from advancing towards the Civil Secretariat and BJP office respectively.(NVI)

Article 370, 35A, Statehood Must Be Restored: Sakina Itoo

Srinagar, Sep 2 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister and National Conference leader Sakina Itoo on Wednesday said her party would continue its peaceful struggle for restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and statehood, asserting that “every day is a day of protest” for the NC.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of an NC protest in Srinagar, Itoo said the demand for restoration of the rights of Jammu and Kashmir had continued since 2019 and would be pursued at every level and on every platform.

“The people of Jammu and Kashmir chose it and they can choose any day. For us, every day is a day of protest, and every day we will peacefully demand, at every level and on every platform, that our rights be restored,” she said.

Itoo said the demand was not limited to the NC and claimed it reflected the sentiments of people across Jammu and Kashmir.

“This is not just the voice of one organisation, but it is the voice of the people of the entire Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.

The minister alleged that restrictions had been imposed at several places to prevent people from joining the protest and that checkpoints had been established at multiple locations.

She further alleged that BJP workers were allowed to move freely through Lal Chowk while NC protesters faced restrictions.

“This injustice, pressure and harassment will not be tolerated. We will continue to demand our rights and will do so peacefully. InshaAllah, we will achieve them,” Itoo said.

“Our effort and our demand is that Article 370 and Article 35A be restored and statehood be restored, so that this high-handedness comes to an end,” she added.(NVI)

EOW Chargesheets Five in Fake Appointment, Transfer Order Case

Srinagar, Sep 2 (NVI) The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of the Crime Branch J&K has filed a charge-sheet against five people for allegedly preparing and using fake appointment, transfer and relieving orders in the Education Department, officials said on Wednesday.

The charge-sheet was filed before the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Budgam, in connection with FIR No. 36/2021 registered under various sections of the RPC, they said.

The accused have been identified as Nisar Ahmad Bhat of Tral in Pulwama, Shakir Gull of Kachdoora in Shopian, Mohammad Ayaz Rather of Ratnipora in Shopian, Sheikh Ruhail Ahmad of Kachdoora in Shopian and Tanveer Ahmad Rather of Khudpora Mowgam in Anantnag.

The case was registered following a communication from the Director, School Education Kashmir, regarding three persons who had joined as teachers in Zone Nagam, Charar-i-Sharief, Budgam, on the basis of purported transfer and adjustment orders allegedly issued by the Directorate.

During the investigation, the EOW found that the documents carried forged signatures, order numbers and dispatch or endorsement numbers, officials said.

Records obtained from the concerned education authorities confirmed that Rather, Ruhail and Tanveer had been transferred or adjusted on the basis of the questioned documents.

Verification from the Directorate further established that its order book had been closed on December 31, 2019, indicating that the order and endorsement numbers mentioned in the documents were fictitious, they said.

The investigation also found that the three individuals had never been appointed anywhere in the Education Department, according to the EOW.

Bhat, who was working as a teacher, and Gull allegedly acted as facilitators or intermediaries, while Bhat allegedly arranged the means and machinery used for fabricating and printing the forged official documents, officials said.

The allegations were found substantiated during the investigation and the charge-sheet was subsequently presented before the court for judicial determination, the EOW said.

The Crime Branch has advised people to remain vigilant against such economic frauds and report suspicious activities to the SSP, EOW Kashmir.—(NVI)

Srinagar Bribery Case: ACB Arrests Two Police Officers

Srinagar, Sep 1 (NVI) The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Tuesday arrested two police officers for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 15,000 in Srinagar, officials said.

The ACB received a complaint alleging that PSI Karanjeet Singh, investigating officer in a case registered at Ram Munshi Bagh police station, had demanded the bribe through his accomplice, Sub-Inspector Ravi Jee Bhat, they said.

The money was allegedly sought for closing the case as “not admitted” between the parties, according to the officials.

Following verification of the complaint, the ACB registered a case under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and laid a trap.

Bhat was caught allegedly demanding and accepting the Rs 15,000 bribe on behalf of Singh, the officials said.

The bribe amount was recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses, following which Bhat was taken into custody.

Singh was subsequently arrested by the ACB for his alleged involvement in the offence.

Further investigation in the case is underway, the officials said.—(NVI)

Northern Army Commander visits Madras Regiment units in Jammu, lauds troops

Shivam Bakshi

Jammu, Sep 1 (NVI) Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma on Tuesday visited units of the Madras Regiment deployed at Miran Sahib, BD Bari and Samba in the Jammu region and reviewed their operational preparedness.

Lt Gen Sharma, who is also the Colonel of the Madras Regiment, interacted with troops and veterans of the regiment during his visit and enquired about their welfare and operational readiness.

He commended the soldiers for their professionalism, dedication and high morale, and exhorted them to continue striving for excellence in all fields.

The visit underscores the Northern Command’s focus on maintaining operational readiness and boosting the morale of troops deployed in forward areas, officials said.—(NVI)

Rajnath Singh reviews performance of 16 DPSUs, calls for timely delivery, higher exports

New Delhi, Sep 1 (NVI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday reviewed the annual performance of 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and called upon them to focus on timely delivery, reducing import dependence, boosting exports and ensuring global-standard quality.

During the review meeting, Singh, along with Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, was briefed by Defence Production Secretary Sanjeev Kumar and the chairmen and managing directors of the DPSUs on their performance, key achievements and future roadmap.

The review covered progress in indigenous production and manufacturing capabilities, development of advanced defence technologies, defence exports, strengthening of supply chains and execution of major projects.

Singh commended the DPSUs for their contribution to strengthening India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem and advancing the vision of an ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.

He noted that India achieved defence production worth around Rs 1.8 lakh crore in 2025-26, with DPSUs contributing Rs 1.29 lakh crore.

The defence minister said the achievement reflected the country’s progress towards building a self-reliant defence industrial base.

Singh urged the DPSUs to reduce import dependence, transform research and development into technology leadership, increase defence exports, enhance productivity through capital expenditure, provide greater support to startups and MSMEs, and raise product quality to global standards.

“The progress of DPSUs is not merely an economic or industrial necessity; it is a national security imperative,” Singh said.

Recent global conflicts have demonstrated the importance of assured supply chains, surge capacity, availability of critical spares, rapid repair capabilities and the ability to sustain production during prolonged conflicts, he said.

Welcoming increased investment by DPSUs in research and development, Singh said its success should not be measured merely by the amount spent but by the development of new technologies, intellectual property, prototypes and operational products.

“We must identify niche technology areas where India can become not just self-reliant, but a global leader,” he said.

Singh also called for continued efforts to bring DPSU products on a par with global standards.

“In pursuit of the ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ objective, we must resolve to transform all DPSUs into global giants,” he said.

During the meeting, CMDs of seven DPSUs — Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL), Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL), Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE), BEML and MIDHANI — presented dividend cheques totalling Rs 3,951 crore for the government’s equity shares for 2025-26.

On the occasion, Singh also released four publications highlighting efforts towards self-reliance, indigenisation, innovation and development of future-ready defence capabilities.

The publications include ‘Aatmanirbhar DPSU – A Journey of DPSUs Towards Self-Reliance’, which outlines indigenisation targets, new products and processes planned over the next five years.

The other publications are ‘DISHA’, focusing on industry interaction with students and hands-on awareness of defence technologies and modern manufacturing processes; the ‘Modernisation Roadmap of HAL’ aimed at transforming the aerospace company into a future-ready enterprise; and the ‘Indigenisation Roadmap of HAL’ for greater self-reliance in the aerospace and defence sector.—(NVI)

Man Allegedly Shoots Himself Dead With Rifle in J&K’s Rajouri

Shivam Bakshi

Rajouri, Sep 1 (NVI) A man allegedly died by suicide using a 12-bore rifle in the Kalakote area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district on Tuesday, officials said.

The deceased, a resident of Behramarhote area, allegedly used the rifle to end his life, they said.

Information about the incident was received by police, following which a team rushed to the spot to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Police have initiated proceedings in the matter, officials said.—(NVI)

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