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5.3 Magnitude Earthquake Jolts Afghanistan; Tremors Felt in Jammu and Kashmir

Earthquake
Representational image

Srinagar, July 2 (NVI): An earthquake of magnitude 5.3 struck Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region late Wednesday night, with mild tremors felt in parts of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), the earthquake occurred at 11:27:01 pm IST. The epicentre was located at 36.53°N latitude and 70.47°E longitude, at a depth of 185 km, indicating a deep-focus earthquake.

There were no immediate reports of any loss of life or damage to property in Jammu and Kashmir. Authorities are monitoring the situation, while no casualty or damage reports were immediately available from the affected region in Afghanistan.—(NVI)

LG Flags Off First Batch of Amarnath Pilgrims from Jammu; Yatra Begins Amid Tight Security

Jammu, July 2 (NVI): Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday flagged off the first batch of pilgrims for the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra from Jammu, marking the commencement of the pilgrimage amid multi-layered security arrangements across Jammu and Kashmir.

The first convoy of pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu for the twin base camps of Baltal in Ganderbal district and Pahalgam in Anantnag district before proceeding to the holy cave shrine in the Himalayas.

The flag-off ceremony was attended by senior civil and police officials, public representatives and devotees, who greeted the pilgrims with chants of “Bam Bam Bhole.”

Speaking on the occasion, BJP leader Jugal Kishore Sharma described the Amarnath Yatra as one of the country’s most revered pilgrimages and expressed confidence that the annual pilgrimage would conclude peacefully and successfully. He appreciated the arrangements made by the administration and prayed for the safe journey of all devotees.

Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma also wished the pilgrims a safe pilgrimage and said the facilities put in place by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) and the administration would ensure a smooth and comfortable Yatra. He expressed hope that this year’s pilgrimage would witness a record turnout.

Meanwhile, a devotional atmosphere prevailed at the Baltal and Pahalgam base camps as thousands of pilgrims raised religious slogans before beginning their onward journey to the cave shrine.

Security has been significantly strengthened for the pilgrimage, with personnel of the CRPF, Jammu and Kashmir Police and other security agencies deployed along the Yatra routes. A sanitisation drive, assisted by K9 squads, was carried out along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway before the movement of the pilgrim convoy.

Authorities have also put in place extensive surveillance, traffic regulation, medical facilities and other logistical arrangements to ensure the smooth and secure conduct of the annual pilgrimage.(NVI)

Heavy Rain, Thunderstorm Likely in J&K Over Next 12 Hours, Weather Forecaster Warns

(File/Representational image)

Srinagar, July 1 (NVI): Moderate to heavy rainfall is likely across several parts of Jammu and Kashmir over the next 8–12 hours as a well-marked cloud band over north Pakistan moves towards the Union Territory, according to a private weather forecaster.

Kashmir Weather, in its 9 p.m. update on Wednesday, said some places could witness intense downpours accompanied by lightning and hailstorms.

The forecaster also warned of the possibility of isolated cloudburst incidents, flash floods and landslides, particularly in parts of the Jammu region, and advised residents to remain alert and follow

official weather advisories. The forecast comes as monsoon activity intensifies across north India, with broader weather agencies also indicating increased rainfall activity. —(NVI)

IGP Kashmir V.K Birdi reviews security arrangements at Pahalgam ahead of Amarnath Yatra

 

Srinagar, Jul 1 (NVI): Inspector General of Police (Kashmir) V K Birdi on Wednesday reviewed security arrangements at Pahalgam in south Kashmir ahead of the annual Shri Amarnath Yatra and directed officers to ensure foolproof security for the pilgrimage.

During the visit, Birdi inspected the X-ray screening point and reviewed passenger and baggage screening mechanisms, officials said.

He stressed the need for meticulous screening, strict adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and seamless coordination among all security agencies to ensure a safe and hassle-free pilgrimage for devotees.

The IGP also visited the Nunwan base camp, where he assessed the overall security architecture, including deployment plans, surveillance systems, access control measures and emergency response preparedness.

Interacting with officers and personnel deployed for the yatra, Birdi appreciated their efforts and asked them to maintain a high level of alertness,

strengthen inter-agency coordination and ensure effective implementation of security protocols.
He also emphasised proactive policing, continuous monitoring and a swift response to any contingency to facilitate the smooth and incident-free conduct of the annual pilgrimage.

Deputy Inspector General of Police, South Kashmir Range, Javid Iqbal Matoo, DIG Yatra Sameer Sharma, Senior Superintendent of Police, Anantnag, Amod Ashok Nagpure, and other senior police officers accompanied the IGP during the inspection.

Officials said the visit was part of ongoing reviews being conducted by senior police officers to assess operational preparedness and strengthen security arrangements ahead of the commencement of the Shri Amarnath Yatra.(NVI)

BLA claims killing 16 Pakistani soldiers in Balochistan

Balochistan: BLA launches maritime unit, kills 3 Pakistani Navy men in first attack
Representative image of Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).

Quetta (Balochistan), July 1: Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) today claimed to have killed 16 Pakistani soldiers and injured several others in multiple operations across the occupied Balochistan, as it targeted the forces and economic assets of Pakistan.

BLA carried out 23 successful operations in different areas of occupied Balochistan over the last ten days, its spokesman Jeeyand Baloch said in a statement to NVI.

“These attacks targeted the occupying forces and exploitative companies, while operations were conducted against exploitative vehicles under the economic blockade on central highways.

“In these total attacks, 16 personnel of the occupying army were killed and several others injured,” he said.

BLA lost four fighters during intense clashes at various locations.

These operations took place between June 21 and June 30.

“The Baloch Liberation Army reiterates its commitment that this series of coordinated military operations and the economic blockade will continue with greater intensity until the complete expulsion of the occupying Pakistani forces from the soil of occupied Balochistan and the achievement of national independence,” the spokesman said.

He said striking a decisive blow to the economic and military lifelines of the enemy state is a fundamental part of our strategy, and these recent successful operations have proved that the occupying state has completely failed to protect its colonial interests and sustain its crumbling financial structure.

“Preventing the plundering of the motherland’s resources and paralyzing the enemy economically is our national duty,” Jeeyand Baloch said. (NVI)

Grenade Found in Khour Village, Safely Destroyed by Army Bomb Disposal Squad

Shivam Bakshi

Jammu, July 1 (NVI): Panic gripped Nanua village in the Khour sector after an HE-36 hand grenade was found on Wednesday, officials said.

They said the grenade was spotted in the village, which falls under the jurisdiction of BPP Mallah.

Soon after receiving the information, a police team from Mallah and personnel of the Indian Army rushed to the spot and secured the area.

The Army’s Bomb Disposal Squad was subsequently called in and safely destroyed the grenade without any damage or casualties, officials said.

Police have taken cognisance of the incident, while further investigation is underway.(NVI)

Afghanistan bombs ISIS locations in Pakistan

Afghan forces launch cross-border attacks at Pakistani military (File pic)

Kabul, July 1: Retaliating to the Pakistani air strikes on Afghanistan, the country’s forces carried out aerial bombings in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces under the control of Pakistan.

In separate operations, the Afghan Air Force also struck an ISIS center in the Qamber Khel area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and another joint ISIS and “mischief and corruption” center in the Garm Chashma area of the Shah Salim Valley in Chitral last night.

The Ministry of Defense of Afghanistan said its Air Force carried out airstrikes on “joint ISIS and mischief and corruption centers” in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.

According to a statement issued by the ministry, one of the strikes targeted a joint ISIS and “mischief and corruption” center in the Saranan area of Pishin district in Balochistan.

The ministry said the facility had been used to organize sabotage operations and attacks inside Afghanistan and served as a coordination center for bombardments in which Afghan civilians were targeted.

According to the Ministry of Defense, the sites were also being used to plan sabotage operations and attacks against civilians.

The ministry said preliminary information indicates the strikes inflicted heavy casualties and significant material losses on ISIS members, the “mischief and corruption” network, and their supporters.

It added that the operations were carried out with a high degree of precision against their intended targets and that no civilian casualties were reported.

The Ministry of Defense said Afghanistan’s Air Defense Forces will continue to target any location used to threaten the country’s security.

The action by Afghanistan came in retaliation to the air strikes carried out by Pakistan two days back in which 36 civilians were killed and 163 were injured. (NVI)

India, Malaysia review military cooperation, reaffirm commitment to free and open Indo-Pacific

New Delhi, July 1 (NVI): India and Malaysia on Wednesday reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral military cooperation during the 12th Sub Committee Meeting on Military Cooperation (SCMC) held in New Delhi and reaffirmed their shared commitment to peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific.

The meeting was co-chaired by Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, and Major General Amer Mahmud Bin Abdul Rahman, Assistant Chief of Staff (Defence Operations and Training) of the Malaysian Armed Forces.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the two sides reviewed ongoing defence engagements, including military-to-military exchanges, bilateral exercises, training, staff talks, capacity building, maritime cooperation and collaboration in emerging domains.

They expressed satisfaction over the steady progress in bilateral defence ties and agreed to further strengthen cooperation through enhanced exchanges, professional interactions and greater participation in each other’s military training courses and institutions.

The discussions also covered expanding cooperation in defence industry, defence technology, cyber security and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR).

Both countries appreciated each other’s participation in the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) framework and reiterated their commitment to promoting practical cooperation under the Experts’ Working Group on Counter-Terrorism.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global security developments and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific in accordance with international law.

The defence ministry said the meeting highlighted the importance of defence cooperation as a key pillar of the India-Malaysia Enhanced Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to deepen bilateral defence ties based on mutual trust and shared interests.

The Malaysian delegation also called on Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, visited the DPSU Bhawan at the World Trade Centre in New Delhi and paid tribute to India’s fallen soldiers by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial.—(NVI)

Lt Gen Mohit Malhotra Takes Over as South Western Army Commander

New Delhi, Jul 1 (NVI): Lieutenant General Mohit Malhotra on Wednesday assumed charge as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Jaipur-based South Western Command of the Indian Army.

Commissioned into the 47 Armoured Regiment in June 1989, Lt Gen Malhotra has over 37 years of service in a range of command, staff and instructional appointments. Before taking over the new assignment, he was serving as the Chief of Staff at the Headquarters of the Eastern Command.

His command experience includes leading formations in diverse operational environments, including the Siachen Glacier, an Armoured Regiment, an Independent Armoured Brigade, an Armoured Division and the Desert Corps.

The officer has also held key staff appointments covering operational planning, military intelligence, logistics, personnel management, technology induction and strategic communications.

Lt Gen Malhotra holds two Master’s degrees in Defence Studies, including one from King’s College London, besides two MPhil degrees in Political Science and Defence and Strategic Studies. He is an alumnus of the Advanced Command and Staff Course in the UK, the Higher Air Command Course and the

National Defence College For his distinguished service, he has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and the Sena Medal (SM), along with several commendations from Army Commanders and the Chief of the Army Staff.(NVI)

Lt Gen Rajesh Pushkar takes charge as Southern Command chief

Pune, Jul 1 (NVI): Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar on Wednesday assumed charge as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Southern Command, succeeding Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain, who has taken over as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Lt Gen Pushkar was commissioned into the 74 Armoured Regiment in December 1988 and has served in a wide range of command, staff and instructional appointments during a military career spanning over four decades.

Before assuming the new role, he commanded the 2 Corps during Operation Sindoor and has also led an Armoured Regiment, an Independent Armoured Brigade, an Infantry Division and a Strike Corps.
He has held key staff appointments, including Additional Director General, Armoured Corps, Director General Territorial Army and instructional assignments at the National Defence Academy.

Lt Gen Pushkar has also served with the Indian Military Training Team in Bhutan and as Defence and Military Attache at the Embassy of India in Moscow, with accreditation to Armenia and Belarus.

A recipient of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM), the officer paid tribute at the Southern Command War Memorial and received a Guard of Honour after assuming command.

He reaffirmed the Southern Command’s commitment to maintaining operational readiness and stressed greater jointness, indigenous capability development and rapid integration of emerging technologies to enhance military preparedness.(NVI)

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