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Rain, Thundershowers Likely In Kashmir Over Next Week; Farmers Advised Caution

File photo

Srinagar, May 23 (NVI): Intermittent rain and thundershowers are likely across parts of Kashmir over the next seven days, with weather experts warning of possible lightning strikes, hailstorms and gusty winds during the period.

According to the weather forecast, morning showers on Saturday are expected to gradually fade, followed by generally dry weather. However, some areas may witness late afternoon or evening thundershowers.

On May 24 and 25, several places are likely to receive intermittent showers, particularly during the early morning and afternoon/evening hours.

The weather is expected to remain mostly dry on May 26 and 27, although a brief thundershower cannot be ruled out in isolated areas towards evening on May 27.

From May 28 to 29, another spell of rain and thundershowers is likely in some areas of the Valley, though no prolonged or continuous rainfall activity is anticipated, the forecast said.

Weather experts advised orchardists and farmers to avoid spraying operations during periods marked as risky due to chances of rain and gusty winds. Spraying activities have been suggested mainly for May 26 and 27 when weather conditions are expected to remain largely stable.

The forecast also cautioned about the possibility of lightning, hailstorm activity and strong winds during the week.(NVI)

Balochistan: BLA captures senior officer of Pakistani military

Quetta, May 22: Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) tonight said it has captured a senior officer of the Pakistani military in Balochistan.

Wasim Ahmed, Deputy Director and Commanding Officer of the Airport Security Force which operates under Pakistan’s Defence Ministry, was captured from Kalat district of Balochistan, BLA spokesman Jeeyand Baloch said in a brief statement.

“The Deputy Director and Commanding Officer of the Airport Security Force (ASF), which operates under the Ministry of Defense of Pakistan, Wasim Ahmed, is in our custody,” the spokesman said.

He said the BLA fighters detained him after identifying him on the main highway in Kalat.

“This operation was carried out based on confidential intelligence provided by the BLA’s intelligence wing, ZIRAB,” Jeeyand Baloch added.

He did not share any more information, saying further details will be released to the media soon.

PM Surya Ghar scheme transforming power sector in Anantnag; consumers, govt offices get zero electricity bills

Srinagar, May 22 (NVI): The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and the Solarisation Scheme for Government Buildings are transforming the power sector in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district, with several households and government offices recording “zero electricity bills”, officials said on Friday.

The flagship rooftop solar initiatives are aimed at reducing electricity expenses of households and public offices while promoting clean and sustainable energy generation.

According to officials, 2,398 solar rooftop systems with a cumulative capacity of 8.65 MW have been installed in the district under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana so far.

They said subsidy amounting to Rs 17.67 crore has been disbursed among 2,394 beneficiaries under the scheme.

Under the Solarisation Scheme for Government Buildings, rooftop solar installations with a total capacity of 3,532 kW have been completed in 242 government buildings across the district, officials said.

As per data released by the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL), several domestic consumers and government establishments, including staff quarters, Tourist Office Achabal, Horticulture Office Achabal and government high schools at Buchoo, Khrity and Dessu, have reported zero electricity bills after installation of rooftop solar systems.

Officials said the grid-connected solar systems enable beneficiaries to generate electricity for their daily needs and feed surplus power back into the grid, resulting in substantial savings on electricity consumption.

Senior officials of the district administration and KPDCL said the response to the schemes reflected their potential to reduce dependence on conventional power sources and lessen the burden on the existing power grid.

The authorities have urged consumers to register under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana through the national portal to avail benefits of clean and affordable energy, they added.(NVI)

IGP Kashmir V.K Birdi reviews security arrangements for Eid-ul-Adha, Amarnath Yatra

Srinagar, May 22 (NVI): Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, V K Birdi on Friday reviewed security and logistical arrangements for Eid-ul-Adha and the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY)-2026 during a high-level meeting at the Police Control Room (PCR) Kashmir, officials said.

They said the meeting was attended by senior police and security officers, including Deputy Inspectors General of Police, district SSPs of Kashmir zone, traffic officials, CID, SDRF, Telecom and other concerned officers.

During the meeting, district SSPs briefed the IGP on security preparedness, deployment plans, traffic regulation, crowd management measures and other logistical arrangements for Eid celebrations and the annual pilgrimage, officials said.

Birdi directed officers to ensure robust crowd management at mosques and major congregation points across the Valley during Eid-ul-Adha celebrations.

“He stressed adequate security arrangements at entry and exit points, deployment at sensitive locations and measures to prevent overcrowding,” an official said.

The IGP also instructed field officers to intensify surveillance, conduct random checks at vulnerable locations and increase patrolling to prevent any potential security threats during the festive period.

Reviewing arrangements for the Amarnath Yatra, Birdi emphasized coordinated planning and preparedness to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims, officials said.

He directed officers to strengthen security measures along the yatra routes by deploying anti-sabotage teams and enhancing surveillance and threat detection capabilities through advanced technology and real-time monitoring, they said.

The IGP also highlighted the importance of adhering to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) during the pilgrimage and stressed close coordination among all stakeholders to tackle any unforeseen situation effectively, officials added.(NVI)

Army jawan injured in mine blast along LoC in Rajouri

Indian Army jawan injured in Landmine Explosion Along LoC in Jammu and Kashmir
File Photo

Rajouri, May 22 (NVI): An Army jawan was injured in a mine blast near the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, officials said.

The explosion took place around afternoon at Arsar Nallah near Raja Post in the Kalal area of Nowshera sector, they said.

The injured soldier was identified as Naik Sundar Singh, who suffered injuries to his left foot in the blast, officials said.

He was immediately evacuated to a nearby medical facility for treatment, they added.

Further details are awaited.—(NVI)

ACB books Kishtwar AEE in disproportionate assets case, conducts raids in Doda and Kishtwar

Kishtwar, May 22 (NVI): The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a disproportionate assets case against an Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) posted in Kishtwar district and conducted searches at multiple locations in Doda and Kishtwar, officials said on Friday.

The accused officer, identified as Ashiq Hussain Rather, is presently posted as AEE, Hydraulic Sub-Division Chhatroo in Kishtwar district, they said.

According to the officials, FIR No. 01/2026 under Section 13(1)(b) read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, was registered at Police Station ACB Doda following a verification into allegations that the officer possessed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

They said the verification revealed that the accused allegedly owned immovable and movable assets in his name and in the names of his family members, including a five-storey residential house at Court Road Doda, land at Udrana in Bhaderwah and Sunjawan in Jammu, besides substantial bank deposits, fixed deposits, electronic gadgets and jewellery.

“The value of the assets acquired by the suspect has been found disproportionate to the income earned by him from all known sources,” an ACB spokesperson said.

Officials said the ACB obtained search warrants from a competent court and carried out searches at the residential and official premises of the accused in Doda and Kishtwar in the presence of magistrates and independent witnesses.

Further investigation in the case is underway, they added.(NVI)

RAABITA outreach: Advisor Wani hears Jammu delegations, assures speedy redress

Jammu, May 22 (NVI): Advisor to Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani on Friday conducted a public outreach programme under the RAABITA initiative in Jammu and directed officials to ensure timely resolution of public grievances, officials said.

During the programme held at the RAABITA office on Canal Road, several delegations and individuals from across the Jammu division met the Advisor and raised issues related to development, recruitment, banking and welfare measures, they said.

Officials said Wani issued on-the-spot directions to the concerned officers for priority redress of grievances and asked the delegations to remain in touch with departments concerned for speedy disposal of their issues.

A delegation from GCC Gurha Slathia raised issues related to area development and social welfare, while members of the Bathindi Welfare Board sought resolution of developmental concerns in the locality, they said.

According to officials, a deputation led by the Chairman of Citizens Cooperative Bank Limited, Jammu, highlighted matters concerning the bank and sought government intervention.

Retired migrant employees of the Revenue Department also met the Advisor and demanded that their service period be treated as on-duty besides seeking early clearance of pending leave encashment benefits, they added.

A delegation from Panthal discussed issues related to land for a Kendriya Vidyalaya and other developmental requirements of the institution.

Meanwhile, aspirants of Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission and Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board highlighted concerns over delays and uncertainty in the recruitment process, officials said.

Wani said the RAABITA initiative was launched to strengthen direct interaction between the government and citizens for prompt redress of public grievances and directed officers to ensure time-bound follow-up on issues raised during the outreach programme.(NVI)

Dy CM seeks time-bound report on Gair Mumkin Khads issues in J-K

Srinagar, May 22 (NVI) : Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Friday directed officials to submit a time-bound report on issues related to Gair Mumkin Khads in Jammu and Kashmir, while stressing the need to address genuine public concerns in a fair manner.

Chairing a meeting of a sub-committee constituted to examine issues concerning Gair Mumkin Khads at the Civil Secretariat here, Choudhary called for public participation before finalisation of the report, officials said.

The meeting was attended by Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Javed Ahmad Rana and Agriculture Minister Javid Ahmad Dar, who are members of the panel.

The deputy chief minister directed officials to designate a nodal officer at the Civil Secretariat to facilitate submission of suggestions from the general public and said policy decisions should balance environmental protection with safeguarding livelihoods and property rights of citizens.

Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti Department, Shaleen Kabra, briefed the committee on the present status of Gair Mumkin Khads and the ongoing process of segregation.

The committee also called for constitution of a technical team for proper segregation of Khads and identification of chronic problem areas to address recurring public grievances effectively.

Rana stressed the need for an environmentally sustainable approach and coordinated efforts among departments, while Dar emphasised transparency, public participation and timely redressal of grievances.

The sub-committee discussed the status of Gair Mumkin Khads, Daryas and Nallahs and deliberated on measures aimed at providing relief to affected people, officials added.(NVI)

LG chairs meeting on International Museum of Goddess at Katra

JAMMU, May 21 (NVI): Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting to discuss the establishment of a state-of-the-art International Museum of Goddess at Katra, officials said.

The proposed museum aims to emerge as a major spiritual and cultural landmark, offering pilgrims and visitors an immersive understanding of Mata Shakti through a blend of traditional heritage and modern technology, they said.

The meeting was attended by members of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, including Sudha Murty, along with senior administrative officials, academicians and Sanskrit scholars.

According to officials, the museum will showcase the sacred iconography of 51 Shakti Peethas and the nine divine swaroops of Maa Durga through immersive storytelling, artefacts and exhibits rooted in local traditions.

The Shrine Board’s Chief Executive Officer informed the meeting that preparatory steps have already been initiated, including the launch of a dedicated website to invite suggestions from across the globe, study visits to leading museums in the country and identification of domain experts for the project.

The Board approved the creation of a permanent post of Director General to head the museum and also sanctioned a dedicated corpus fund for the conceptualisation, development and operation of the project, officials said.

During the meeting, Sinha suggested deputing expert teams to various Shakti Peethas proposed to be featured in the museum and stressed detailed research and architectural planning for the institution.

Officials said the museum will also house an integrated library and research centre aimed at promoting awareness among younger generations about the cultural, spiritual and traditional heritage associated with Shakti Peethas and the region.(NVI)

Div Com Kashmir reviews arrangements for Amarnath Yatra 2026

Srinagar, May 21 (NVI): Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg on Thursday reviewed preparations for the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026 and directed officials to expedite registration of service providers and complete developmental works in a time-bound manner.

Chairing a high-level meeting here, Garg stressed the need for coordinated efforts among departments to ensure smooth conduct of the pilgrimage, officials said.

Deputy Commissioners of Anantnag, Srinagar, Ganderbal and Bandipora, Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation and senior officers from various departments attended the meeting. Representatives of telecom companies, including BSNL, Jio, Airtel and G-Max, were also present.

The Divisional Commissioner directed officials to speed up registration of service providers to meet the target of 28,000 registrations, including pony operators, and ensure issuance of RFID cards by May 30.

Reviewing arrangements for pony stands, officials informed the meeting that fencing and shed construction works had been completed. Garg also instructed authorities to conduct health check-ups of ponies and ensure adequate fodder along the yatra routes.

The meeting reviewed telecom connectivity and bandwidth availability at base camps and along the yatra tracks up to the holy cave shrine. Garg directed telecom service providers to ensure uninterrupted network connectivity during the pilgrimage period, while Chief Engineer KPDCL was asked to maintain regular power supply to telecom installations.

Snow clearance, repair works, and construction of protective structures along the yatra routes also came up for discussion, with Deputy Commissioners asked to personally monitor the works.

Garg further directed officials to augment manpower at yatri registration counters and rationalise counters across districts in view of direct railway connectivity to Srinagar.

The meeting also reviewed arrangements related to tents, fire safety audits, drinking water, power supply, sanitation, transport, health services, SDRF deployment and other essential facilities for pilgrims, officials added.(NVI)

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