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Terror Crackdown in Jammu: High-Altitude Strategy Yields Results, Over 100 Police Personnel Honoured

Srinagar, Apr 9 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Police have achieved a significant breakthrough in counter-terror operations in the Jammu region, with a high-altitude strategy helping security forces curb terrorist activities in difficult terrains, officials said on Thursday.

For the first time, more than 100 personnel have been awarded out-of-turn promotions, cash incentives and regularisation of Special Police Officers (SPOs) as constables for their role in anti-terror operations in the Jammu zone, they said.

According to officials, the Jammu region witnessed a resurgence of terrorist activities between 2021 and 2023, with outfits such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) attempting to expand their presence in mountainous areas.

They said a revised operational strategy, led by Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, played a key role in reversing the trend.

The strategy included the establishment of Temporary Operational Bases (TOBs) on high ridges and mid-altitude zones, areas that were earlier used by Terrioists for movement and concealment.

To strengthen operations, Special Operations Group (SOG) personnel were imparted training in jungle and mountain warfare and equipped with modern weapons and advanced gear, officials said.

The force was also augmented with fresh recruits and specialised units such as “Snow Leopards” and “Markhor” for high-altitude combat, they added.

Officials said the reward policy has also been enhanced, with higher incentives for personnel involved in high-risk operations targeting infiltrating terrorist.

They said coordinated efforts between the police and other security agencies in recent months have led to the dismantling of several terrorist networks and improved security in the region.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police have lost 1,620 personnel in the fight against militancy over the years, officials said, adding that the latest achievements reflect the force’s evolving strategy and commitment to maintaining peace in the region.(NVI)

Ceasefire Failure Will Be Israel’s Responsibility: Omar Abdullah

Srinagar, Apr 09 (NVI) : Chief minister Omar Abdullah said that the United States needs to put pressure on Israel for the ceasefire in the Middle East to succeed. He stated that if the ceasefire breaks, Israel would be responsible, not Iran, adding that the conflict was forced on Iran.

While speaking to reporters at SKICC in Srinagar, Omar Abdullah expressed concern over rising tensions, especially Israel’s actions in Lebanon. He said the US must act to control the situation.

Commenting on US President Donald Trump, the Chief Minister said his statements are often inconsistent. He remarked that Trump changes his stance frequently and uses language that does not suit a leader, adding that such behavior would not be acceptable for ordinary social media users.

He also said that many people appear hesitant to question the US President despite his repeated remarks.

Omar Abdullah further stated that the purpose of the war should have been clearly defined from the beginning.

On India’s role, he said that close ties with Israel may have limited New Delhi’s ability to act as a mediator. He added that only Israel seemed to need this conflict and suggested India might have played a different role if its relations with Israel were not so strong.(NVI)

PIA-marked balloon found in field in Nagrota, probe underway

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Jammu, Apr 09 (NVI) : Police on Thursday recovered a balloon marked “PIA (Pakistan International Airlines)” from the Kattal Battal area of Nagrota in Jammu district, officials said.

Officials said that the balloon was found in a field belonging a resident of Kattal Battal.

Soon after receiving the information, a police team from Police Station Nagrota rushed to the spot and recovered the balloon. The item was later taken into custody and shifted to the police station for further examination.

Officials said that the origin and purpose of the balloon are being investigated, and necessary inquiries have been initiated.

No suspicious material was reported to be attached to the balloon, they said.(NVI)

Over 1,100 Kashmiri Students Return Safely from Iran Amid Crisis; Remaining En Route to India

Srinagar, Apr 9 (NVI): Amid ongoing tensions and uncertainties in Iran, over 1,100 Kashmiri students stranded in the country have safely returned to India, while the remaining are on the final leg of their journey, officials said.

The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association nearly 1,200 students were affected by the situation, of whom the majority have already reached home safely. The remaining students have crossed into Armenia and Azerbaijan and are expected to arrive in India either later today or by tomorrow.

All returning students are reported to be safe and in good health. During the crisis, they were shifted to safer locations through coordinated efforts of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Tehran.

Officials said necessary logistical support was provided for evacuation, while students travelled back via commercial flights arranged independently.

Authorities are in constant contact with the students to ensure the safe return of all individuals, while further details are awaited. (NVI)

India reviews preparedness amid West Asia crisis; assures fuel, food supply stability

New Delhi, Apr 8 (NVI): The Centre on Wednesday reviewed India’s preparedness in view of the evolving situation in West Asia, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chairing a high-level meeting of an Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM).

The meeting, held in the national capital, was attended by several senior ministers including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, and Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, among others.

During the meeting, Singh directed all departments to remain focused on preparedness, coordination and resilience to deal with any eventuality arising from the crisis.

In a statement, he said the government is ensuring uninterrupted availability of LPG, petrol, diesel, fertilisers and essential commodities across the country, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Officials informed the ministers that India has facilitated the evacuation of the highest number of vessels among countries transiting the Strait of Hormuz over the past 40 days. Eight LPG vessels carrying around 340 thousand metric tonnes—equivalent to about 11 days of India’s import requirement—have successfully transited the route.

The government also said there have been no reports of LPG shortages at distributorships, and domestic supply continues uninterrupted. To support vulnerable sections, the supply of 5-kg LPG cylinders has been increased beyond the earlier allocation.

To ensure industrial continuity, the government has allocated 70 per cent of LPG supplies to non-domestic bulk consumers, prioritising key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, food processing, agriculture and steel.

The meeting also noted a push towards Piped Natural Gas (PNG), with over 3.16 lakh new connections added recently, alongside voluntary surrender of more than 16,700 LPG connections.

On food security, officials said buffer stocks of wheat and rice remain adequate to meet both public distribution system (PDS) and emergency requirements. The government is also prepared to intervene in the market through the Open Market Sale Scheme to stabilise prices if needed.

The ministers were informed that edible oil supplies remain stable despite global uncertainties, supported by steady imports and improved domestic mustard production. Sugar stocks are also sufficient, with stable retail prices reported.

Officials said prices of essential commodities are being monitored daily across the country and no major volatility has been observed so far, except for a moderate rise in edible oil prices.

The government reiterated that it will continue to closely monitor the situation and take necessary steps to safeguard supply chains and economic stability.(NVI)

Ladakh: Age Relaxation for police posts for Candidates living near LAC

Ladakh, Apr 08 (NVI) : In a significant move aimed at empowering the youth of the border region, the administration has approved a major age-relaxation policy for candidates residing near the Actual Line of Control (ALC) applying for Sub-Inspector posts in the Ladakh Police.

Taking note of multiple representations and persistent demands from local representatives and aspirants, the competent authority has sanctioned a 5+2 years age relaxation for candidates from areas adjoining the ALC. This decision will apply to the upcoming recruitment drive for Sub-Inspectors.

With this relaxation, eligible candidates can now apply up to the age of 35 years, a substantial increase from the previous upper age limit of 28 years.

“Difficult terrains, limited infrastructure, and restricted access to educational and preparatory resources must not hinder the future of our youth,” an official spokesperson confirmed, reiterating the administration’s firm belief behind the decision.

The government remains committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all sections of society, particularly aspirants from ALC areas. Officials stated that promoting inclusivity and ensuring fair representation in the Ladakh Police and other government departments remains a top priority.

“This is a historic step for us. Students from border areas often lose years due to harsh winters and lack of coaching facilities. This relaxation gives us a fair chance,” said Tundup Namgyal, a youth leader from a forward village near the ALC.

The recruitment notice for Sub-Inspectors is expected to be released shortly, with the new age criteria formally incorporated into the eligibility guidelines.(NVI)

Security cooperation, operational synergy focus of DIG-GOC-in-C meeting in Udhampur

Udhampur, Apr 8 (NVI) – Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Udhampur–Reasi Range, Shiv Kumar Sharma, IPS, called on the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Army’s Northern Command at the headquarters here on Wednesday, officials said.

The meeting focused on strengthening coordination between the police and the Indian Army in the region, they said.

“Discussions were held on security cooperation, operational synergy, and continued collaboration to ensure peace and stability in the area,” an official said.

The Army Commander appreciated the DIG’s efforts in maintaining law and order and fostering inter-agency coordination, they added.

In recognition of his distinguished service, Sharma was felicitated with the prestigious ‘Operation Sindoor Medal’ by the Army Commander.

The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to enhance joint efforts for the safety and security of people in the Udhampur and Reasi Range, officials said.(NVI)

Army Chief Reviews AI-Based Defence Technologies, Stresses Future-Ready Preparedness

Srinagar, Apr 8 (NVI): Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi visited the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Research Lab, where he reviewed AI-driven defence technologies aimed at enhancing operational preparedness of the Indian Army.

During the visit, the Army Chief was briefed on indigenous innovations and AI-enabled capabilities designed to improve speed, precision and decision-making in modern battlefields.

He commended the scientists and researchers for their dedication and innovation, highlighting the critical role of artificial intelligence in shaping future warfare.

The visit also underscored the Indian Army’s focus on leveraging advanced technologies as part of its broader push towards data-centric and network-enabled operations. (NVI)

J&K Assembly Session Prorogued

Srinagar, Apr 8 (NVI): The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly session has been formally ended after Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha issued an order to prorogue the House.

The Assembly Secretariat on Wednesday, the order dated April 7, 2026, was made public for general information.

The order states that the Lieutenant Governor, in exercise of powers conferred under Section 18(2)(a) of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, has prorogued the Legislative Assembly.

The development formally brings the ongoing session of the Assembly to an end.(NVI)

Kishtwar authorities warn of strict action against VPN use

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Kishtwar, Apr 08 (NVI) : The District Magistrate of Kishtwar has imposed a complete ban on the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) across the district, citing serious concerns over potential misuse threatening public order and national security, officials said on Wednesday.

The order, issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, followed credible inputs that certain individuals and groups were using VPNs to bypass lawful cyber restrictions and access prohibited digital platforms, they said.

District Magistrate Pankaj Kumar Sharma stated that such activities could be exploited for unlawful and anti-national purposes, including spreading inflammatory content, inciting unrest, and coordinating illegal activities, according to the order.

“There is an urgent need to curb such misuse to ensure cyber security, maintain public peace and safeguard governance mechanisms in the district,” the order read.

The ban, which takes effect immediately, applies to all individuals, institutions, cyber cafes, business establishments, and Internet Service Providers operating within Kishtwar’s territorial jurisdiction.

The order provides exemptions only in cases explicitly authorised by the government through an official directive. Authorities have warned that any violation will invite strict legal action under relevant provisions of law. (NVI)

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