Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Home Blog Page 30

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)

Maruti Suzuki announces price hike of its vehicles from June

New Delhi, May 21: Maruti Suzuki cars will cost more from June as the company has announced increase in prices, following the footsteps of Tata Motors, Mahindra and Hyundai.

Maruti Suzuki announced a price hike across its model range, according to which the cost of Maruti Suzuki vehicles will increase by up to Rs 30,000, depending on the model and variant, the company said.

In an official communication, the automaker attributed the decision to the sustained rise in input costs and continuing inflationary pressures impacting the automotive industry.

The company stated that while it has been undertaking cost-reduction measures over the past few months to absorb a part of the impact, the adverse cost environment has now made a partial price pass-through unavoidable.

Earlier, Hyundai Motor India also carried out price revision across its entire lineup, with prices rising by up to 1 percent from May 2026.

The automaker noted that the extent of the increase would depend on the specific model and variant.

Mahindra has also increased prices across its SUV and commercial vehicle range, effective April 6, 2026.

Similarly, Tata Motors raised prices across its internal combustion engine passenger vehicle lineup from April 1, 2026.

The weighted average hike was pegged at around 0.5 percent, with the company citing sustained increases in input costs as the primary reason.

The latest revision comes amid a broader trend of price hikes across the Indian passenger vehicle industry, as manufacturers continue to grapple with higher commodity prices, logistics costs and overall inflationary pressures.

LG Lays Foundation Stone of Foundation Stone on  Akshaya Patra’s Centralised Mid-Day Meal Kitchen in Katra

JAMMU, May 21 (NVI): Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday laid the foundation stone of The Akshaya Patra Foundation’s centralised mid-day meal kitchen in Katra and called for stronger collaboration between the government and social organisations to empower the younger generation.

The facility, once operational, will provide around 5,000 nutritious meals daily to school children, officials said. The Lieutenant Governor also spoke about Akshaya Patra’s upcoming projects in the Union Territory, including another kitchen facility planned in Jammu.

Addressing the gathering, Sinha stressed the importance of ensuring balanced and nourishing meals for school children, saying no child should be left behind when it comes to access to healthy food.

He said the legacy of society rests not only on what it creates and preserves, but also on “what we are feeding our children”, adding that the nutrition of the younger generation would shape the future of the nation.

“A hungry child cannot learn, and a school that cannot feed its children cannot honestly create equal opportunities for progress,” Sinha said, emphasising that education and nutrition are closely linked.

He said children receiving balanced diets perform better in studies, retain information effectively and participate more actively in classrooms.

“When we provide nutritious meals in schools, we are not merely filling stomachs but shaping future thinking,” he added.

The Lieutenant Governor also lauded the selfless service of Akshaya Patra, describing it as one of the world’s largest NGOs in the school meal sector, serving over 20 lakh children across 16 states and three Union Territories.

On the occasion, Sinha also served meals to school students.

Among those present were National President and Trustee of Akshaya Patra Shri Bharatarshabha Dasa, MLAs Baldev Raj Sharma and Kuldeep Raj Dubey, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Commissioner Secretary School Education Department Ram Niwas Sharma, senior police and civil administration officials, members of the foundation and students.(NVI)

Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani Assures Support to J&K Industries, Focus on Ease of Doing Business

Jammu, May 21 (NVI) :  Advisor to Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani on Thursday held an interaction with representatives of industrial and trade associations in Jammu and discussed issues related to industrial growth, policy support and ease of doing business in the Union Territory.

During the meeting, representatives of various industrial bodies said there was currently no fiscal package available for industries in Jammu and Kashmir and stressed the need for continued policy support to strengthen the industrial ecosystem.

The participants expressed hope that the proposed Logistics Policy and Public Procurement Policy, presently under formulation, would help address challenges faced by industries in the region.

Several issues were raised during the interaction, including extension in EM-I registrations for units allotted land at Balole Industrial Estate and introduction of auto-renewal mechanisms for Green Category Units to facilitate ease of doing business.

The industrial representatives also called for promotion of trekking tourism routes and sought priority for local industries, especially traditional sectors such as the woollen industry.

Addressing the gathering, Wani reiterated the government’s commitment towards improving ease of doing business and making industries in Jammu and Kashmir more competitive and employment-oriented.

He emphasized promotion of localized industries, particularly agro-based and wool-based sectors, and urged industrialists to contribute towards sustainable industrial development in the Union Territory.

The representatives also sought continuation of turnover incentives and requested the government to take up the issue of pending registrations under the New Central Sector Scheme (NCSS) with the Centre.

They further advocated extension of benefits under NCSS and stressed the need for leveraging Artificial Intelligence, promoting e-commerce and strengthening the service sector in Jammu and Kashmir.

Officials present in the meeting included Managing Director, J&K SIDCO/SICOP Mohammad Shahid Saleem Dar, Director Industries and Commerce Jammu Dr Arun Manhas, and representatives from various trade bodies, including Chamber of Commerce and Industry Jammu, CII, ASSOCHAM, ICC, PHDCCI and FICCI FLO.

Later, several delegations and individuals also met the Advisor at the Civil Secretariat in Jammu and apprised him of various public issues.

A delegation of the Non-Teaching Employees Union of the University of Jammu raised service-related matters, while representatives of the transport sector highlighted concerns of the transport fraternity.

Other delegations sought amendment in the Society Act and early release of compensation and rehabilitation assistance for flood-affected families in Gujjar Nagar.

Wani assured the delegations that their genuine demands would be examined on priority and directed the concerned departments to take appropriate action in a time-bound manner.(NVI)

Pulwama terror attack mastermind killed in PoK by unknown gunmen

Muzaffarabad (PoK), May 21: A terrorist Burhan Hamza, one of the masterminds of the Pulwama attack of 2019, was today shot dead here in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) by some unknown gunmen, marking elimination of yet another anti-India terrorist operating from across the border.

Several bullets were pumped into Hamza while he was travelling and he died on the spot, according to sources and eye witnesses.

A large number of people gathered at the site after the shooting but the attackers managed to flee.

Hamza, who is said to have been involved in several anti-India terror activities, was one of the masterminds of the ghastly terror attack in Pulwama in south Kashmir on February 14, 2019 on a CRPF convoy, in which 40 security personnel were killed.

Originally hailing from Ratnipora area of Pulwama district, Hamza reportedly went to Pakistan around seven years back on valid documents.

Subsequently, he joined the Al-Badr terror outfit and became its operational commander.

He was involved in recruitment of terrorists and supply of weapons in Jammu and Kashmir.

In 2022, he was designated as a terrorist by the Government of India.

Pulwama attack

On February 14, 2019, a suicide bomber drove his vehicle laden with explosives into a convoy of CRPF which was moving from Jammu to Srinagar.

One of the CRPF buses was hit by the explosives-laden car in Lethpora area of Pulwama district, causing a massive explosion and killings.

The terror attack resulted in a massive outrage in the country and military air strikes by India on a major terror camp in Balakot in Pakistan on February 26.

Pakistan tried to retaliate militarily but failed. (NVI)

Fresh Snowfall Blankets Tulail Valley, Drass; Temperatures Dip Sharply in Higher Reaches

Srinagar, May 21 (NVI): An unexpected spell of snowfall in the higher reaches of Kashmir and Ladakh led to a sharp drop in temperatures on Thursday, with several areas of Tulail Valley in north Kashmir and Drass region in Ladakh receiving a fresh layer of snow, officials said.

The sudden change in weather conditions brought chilly winds and cold temperatures across the mountainous areas, even as plains continued to witness intermittent rain and cloud cover.

Locals said the snowfall covered upper reaches, meadows and mountain passes, creating wintry conditions in the region. Weather officials attributed the snowfall to a western disturbance affecting Jammu and Kashmir and adjoining areas. (NVI)

Army Recovers Suspected Narcotics, Chinese Pistol Near LoC in Poonch

Poonch, May 21 (NVI): Army troops recovered suspected narcotic substances and a Chinese-origin pistol during a domination operation near the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district on Thursday.

Official said that the recovery was made by troops of the Hamirpur Battalion in the forward area of Balakote in Mendhar subdivision.

They said that during the search operation, security forces noticed a concealed bag and recovered a Chinese-origin pistol along with two yellow polyethylene-wrapped packets suspected to contain narcotic substances.

The seized material has been taken into custody for further examination and investigation, officials said.

They added that security agencies have launched a probe to ascertain the source and intended destination of the recovered consignment.(NVI)

Man Held With Grenades, Posters in Kulgam; UAPA Case Registered

terror module busted in Kashmir
Representative picture

Srinagar, May 21 (NVI): Police in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Thursday claimed to have apprehended a person and recovered two hand grenades along with some posters from his possession.

Official sources that the accused has been identified as Adil Hussain Lone, son of Mohammad Sadiq Lone, a resident of Mohammadpora in Kulgam.

They said the suspect was apprehended near his native village during an operation carried out on Thursday.

Two hand grenades and some posters were allegedly recovered from his possession, they said.

In this connection, an FIR under relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Explosive Substances Act has been registered at Police Station Kulgam.

Further investigation into the matter is underway, he added.(NVI)

Rain, Thunder Showers Likely Across J&K Till Saturday: Weather Advisory

File photo

Srinagar, May 21 (NVI): Multiple spells of rain and thundershowers are likely to continue across several parts of Jammu and Kashmir till Saturday, with the Kashmir region expected to witness relatively higher activity, according to a weather advisory.

Officials said intermittent showers accompanied by gusty winds, lightning and possible hailstorm activity may occur at a few places during the period. However, no continuous rainfall is expected across the Union Territory.

The advisory has urged residents, especially those in vulnerable and hilly areas, to remain cautious during periods of intense weather activity.—(NVI)

Pakistan: TTP killed 30 soldiers, injured many others in 3 days

TTP
Cadres of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) - File Pic

Peshawar, May 20: Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed to have killed more than 30 personnel of Pakistani security forces and injured several others in multiple attacks during three days in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.

The biggest attack was carried out in South Waziristan district, where a bomb was detonated, targeting a military vehicle in Shawal Lawarah on May 18.

At least 7 soldiers, including a Major, were killed and three were critically injured in this attack, TTP spokesman Muhammad Khorasani said.

One military vehicle was completely destroyed, he said.

In the same district, a soldier of Pakistan Army and another of the paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC) were killed in two separate attacks in Azam Warsak and Toi on the same day, according to the spokesman.

In Lakki Marwat district, the TTP carried out an explosion, targeting a Pakistani military vehicle in Ghazni Khel on the same day.

At least 4 soldiers, including a Major, were killed and 3 others seriously injured, he said.

Meanwhile, in Tajori in Lakki Marwat district on the same day, the TTP cadres ambushed a contingent of Pakistan Army when it was returning after demolishing some houses, Khorasani said.

At least one soldier was killed and another injured in this attack, he said.

In North Waziristan district’s Shiwa area, an ambush was carried out on soldiers in which one of them was killed and one vehicle was partially destroyed.

On the same day, two military personnel were killed in attacks in Tank district and one each in Khyber district and Peshawar district.

On May 17, two soldiers were killed and several injured in a defensive operation by TTP in North Waziristan district’s Mir Ali, according to the spokesman.

In a separate ambush in Mir Ali, 3 soldiers were killed and one injured in Sheratalah area.

Another soldier was killed in a sniper attack in Shewa in Mir Ali of North Waziristan district, he said.

In South Waziristan district, one soldier was killed in a sniper attack in Shaktoi on the same day.

Earlier on May 16, two Pakistani soldiers were killed and two injured in an ambush in Tank district.

In Khurram district, a soldier was killed in a sniper attack in Dogar, the spokesman said.

Another soldier was killed in a laser gun attack in Tirah Maidan in Khyber district on the same day.

1...293031...1,644Page 30 of 1,644

MUST READ