Tuesday, September 22, 2026
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POCSO Accused Arrested Three Days After Escaping From Srinagar Jail

Srinagar, Aug 26 (NVI): Two undertrials accused in separate POCSO cases were arrested on Wednesday, three days after they allegedly escaped from the Central Jail here, officials said.

The two accused, identified as Mukhtar Ahmad Gujjar, a resident of Anantnag, and Farman Khan, a resident of Sadanpora Ragistan, escaped from the jail on August 23, following which police launched an operation to trace them, a senior police official said.

Gujjar is accused in a case registered at Soura police station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the POCSO Act, while Khan is wanted in a separate case registered at Lar police station under provisions of the BNS and the POCSO Act.

The official said further investigation is underway to ascertain the circumstances surrounding their escape from the jail.(NVI)

VDC member opened fire after noticing suspicious movement in J&K’s Rajouri

Shivam Bakshi

Rajouri, Aug 26 (NVI): A Village Defence Committee (VDC) member allegedly fired two rounds after noticing the suspicious movement near his house in Kotdhara area of Rajouri district, Jammu and Kashmir.

Official sources said that the incident took place around late night on Tuesday near Shiv Mandir in Galota Mohalla of Kotdhara, they said.

The VDC member noticed the suspicious movement of two persons near his residence and fired rounds.

Further details regarding the incident are awaited.(NVI)

International air travellers can use E-boarding passes

New Delhi, Aug 25 (NVI) International air travellers now don’t need physical boarding passes for their flights but they can use E versions displayed on their smartphones at Indian airports.

The Bureau of Immigration (BoI) has announced that travellers can use e-boarding passes during immigration clearance at Indian airports, as the procedure of physically stamping these documents has been eliminated.

Under the new system, passengers travelling abroad will be required to show their e-boarding pass on their smartphone for immigration clearance. This means passengers will need to store their digital boarding pass on their mobile phones.

However, this does not mean that physical boarding passes will be completely discontinued.

If a passenger has a paper boarding pass, it will be accepted at the airport, but immigration officials will not stamp it.

According to officials, many passengers faced inconvenience because of the process of affixing immigration stamps to physical boarding passes. In many cases, the stamps were not properly applied or were applied incorrectly, making the boarding passes unreadable.

In light of these problems, the Bureau of Immigration (BOI), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, reviewed the system and decided to eliminate the mandatory stamping of physical boarding passes.

Security officials said that CISF does not stamp the boarding passes of international passengers during personal security checks.

Passengers are required to show their boarding passes for security and immigration clearance.

The CISF discontinued the practice of stamping boarding passes for both domestic and international passengers several years ago.

Immigration Stamp

According to officials, plans are also underway to eliminate immigration entry and exit stamps for Indian passport holders.

A pilot project will be conducted before implementing this system. If the pilot project is successful, it could be implemented at other airports across the country. The measure is expected to be operationalised across Indian airports soon. (NVI)

CM Omar calls for joint efforts to shape future of J&K children

Srinagar, Aug 25 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said the responsibility of shaping the future of children cannot be placed solely on teachers and called for joint efforts by the government, parents and educators to prepare students for a rapidly changing world.

Addressing a one-day education conference organised by the J&K Teachers Forum at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) here, Abdullah said teachers play a crucial role in determining the future of children but putting the entire responsibility on them would be unfair and add to the pressures of an already demanding profession.

The conference, themed “Child is Our Priority”, brought together teachers, educators, researchers and policymakers to discuss challenges facing the education sector and the way forward.

Abdullah said the nature of the teaching profession has changed significantly over the past decade, with teachers now competing for students’ attention with smartphones, social media, television and artificial intelligence.

He also acknowledged that teachers are often burdened with responsibilities beyond classroom teaching, including duties related to national events, cultural programmes, awareness campaigns and elections.

The chief minister assured teachers that the government would address their genuine service-related concerns, including transfers, departmental promotion committees, vacancies and other issues.

“If you have problems with transfers, if you have problems with DPCs, if you have problems with vacancies, if you have problems with other things, then we have to solve those problems,” he said, adding that he and Education Minister Sakina Itoo would work together to resolve their concerns.

Abdullah also highlighted the difficulties faced by teachers posted in remote and rural areas and said disparities in teacher deployment needed to be addressed.

“There are gaps in the infrastructure. We talk about smart classes, but how far have we been able to take them?” he said, pointing to schools functioning from rented accommodation and unsafe buildings.

The chief minister said providing adequate infrastructure and filling vacancies were the government’s responsibility, while its role was also to create an environment in which teachers could perform their duties effectively.

“Strengthening your hands so that you can do your work properly is the responsibility of me and my colleagues,” he said.

Abdullah urged teachers to help children identify their aspirations and prepare them to make a positive contribution to Jammu and Kashmir.

He said the pace of global change was accelerating and the education system needed to prepare children for a very different future.

“We have progressed a lot from 1947 to today. But the world is changing very fast. The changes that took 30, 40 or 50 years will happen very fast in the next 20 or 30 years. We have to prepare our kids for that,” he said.

Referring to the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), Abdullah said the government had repeatedly raised the issue and would continue to pursue it while keeping the interests of students in mind.

“We will try to address it but with the hope that we will improve the education of J&K students,” he said.

The chief minister also told teachers that the government would not leave them to shoulder the responsibility of transforming education on their own.

“Don’t think that we have given you all the responsibility, that you do it and we leave. That won’t happen,” he said.

Education Minister Sakina Itoo and Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani also addressed the conference and highlighted the role of teachers in society and various initiatives undertaken by the government.

They also referred to the reversal of the winter session in Kashmir Valley and winter zones of the Jammu division.

MLAs Dr Shafi Ahmed Wani and Saifuddin Bhat, Director School Education Kashmir Naseer Ahmed Wani, chief education officers, J&K Teachers Forum chairman Mohd Shafi Rather, office-bearers of the forum and a large number of teachers attended the conference.(NVI)

Six Terror Associates Held in Two Joint Operations in J&K’s Shopian

File Photo

Shopian, Aug 25 (NVI): Security forces have apprehended six alleged terror associates in two separate joint operations in the Heerpora and Imam Sahib areas of south Kashmir’s Shopian district, officials said on Tuesday.

The operations were carried out jointly by the Shopian Police, Army and CRPF, they said.

Three hand grenades, two AK-47 magazines, 20 rounds of ammunition and other incriminating material were recovered during the operations, the officials said.

Separate FIRs have been registered in connection with the recoveries and further investigation is underway, they added.(NVI)

MHA Posts IPS Officer Abdul Jabbar to J&K Segment of AGMUT Cadre

Srinagar, Aug 25 (NVI): The Ministry of Home Affairs has posted IPS officer Abdul Jabbar to the Jammu and Kashmir segment of the joint AGMUT cadre, according to an official order.

Jabbar, a 2008-batch AGMUT cadre officer, has been posted to the J&K segment with immediate effect and until further orders following his repatriation from central deputation.

The officer reported to the cadre on August 24, 2026. The period between his reporting and issuance of the posting order will be treated as “awaiting posting”, the order said.

The posting has been made with the approval of the competent authority.—(NVI)

Indian Navy to Commission Second Indigenous Diving Support Vessel ‘Nipun’ on August 31

New Delhi, Aug 25 (NVI): The Indian Navy will commission its second indigenously built Diving Support Vessel (DSV) ‘Nipun’ on August 31 at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, marking a significant boost to its deep-sea diving and underwater support capabilities.

Nipun, the second vessel of the Nistar-class, has been indigenously designed and constructed by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam. The vessel was delivered to the Navy on July 30, 2026, after completing an extensive programme of outfitting and trials.

The specialised vessel has been designed to undertake a wide range of diving and underwater operations and is equipped with modern diving systems and underwater intervention capabilities.

Nipun will provide sustained support to divers operating in challenging maritime conditions and will also enhance the Navy’s capability to undertake submarine rescue operations.

The vessel is equipped with modern navigation, platform management and precise station-keeping systems, besides specialised facilities for diving, underwater intervention and medical support.

These capabilities will enable Nipun to serve as an integrated platform for complex underwater operations, the Navy said.

The commissioning of the vessel will further strengthen the Indian Navy’s ability to undertake specialised diving and underwater missions across India’s maritime areas of interest.

The induction of Nipun also underscores the growing capabilities of India’s indigenous shipbuilding industry in designing and delivering technologically advanced and specialised platforms for the armed forces.(NVI)

Defence Minister Approves Transfer of DRDO Missile Technologies to Industry

New Delhi, Aug 25 (NVI): In a development of far-reaching consequences, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the transfer of technology of all conventional missile systems developed by the Government-owned Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to Indian defence companies for indigenous production.

The move is aimed at enhancing the participation of domestic industries in the country’s defence ecosystem.

Under the initiative, eligible Indian companies will be able to undertake production of the missile systems subject to applicable qualifications, certifications and regulatory requirements, the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said the transfer of technology would facilitate the transition of missile systems from development to industrial production and enable greater utilisation of the capabilities of Indian industry in manufacturing advanced defence systems.

“The initiative is also expected to strengthen India’s defence industrial base and create opportunities for MSMEs and other technology partners to participate in the supply chain,” it said.

“The move will help enhance operational capabilities, reduce dependence on imports and increase domestic value addition, while providing further impetus to the country’s defence manufacturing sector,” the ministry said.

“The DRDO will work closely with Indian industry to facilitate the transfer and absorption of advanced defence technologies and strengthen indigenous defence capabilities,” the Defence Ministry said. (NVI)

Sikhs: The Forgotten Martyrs of Kashmir during 1947 Pakistani invasion

Armed Pakistani forces who invaded Jammu and Kashmir in 1947 (file pic)

Column 

By Commodore DS Sodhi, NM (Retd.)

The Birth of Pakistan carved out of India on 14 Aug 1947 as a result of  two nation
theory left behind wounds that fail to Heal. Approximately one million perished in the
inter-communal violence. Innumerable accounts have been written on partition.
Documentaries and movies made a fortune narrating this story.

Subsequent to the partition, the princely State  of Jammu and Kashmir chose to
remain independent probably with the intent that the Muslim majority State would not
be comfortable with India and the Hindu and Sikh minorities would be vulnerable if
the State joined Pakistan.

Understanding the developments in the State, when uprising by Muslims in Poonch started gaining momentum, Pakistan designed a plot using Pashtun armed raiders (kabalis) to invade and occupy the State of Jammu and Kashmir under the ‘Operation Gulmarg’.

Early indicators/Intelligence of Pakistani intent were revealed by the British officer
Maj Gen Scott to the Maharaja.

Pakistan cut off supplies of fuel, Sugar and Salt to Kashmir causing unrest amongst the people. The Kabalis supported by Pakistan Army in disguise attacked through two main axis Poonch and Muzzafarabad.

These invaders in formation of Lashkars (approx 4000 men) invaded Muzzafarabad on 22 Oct 1947. Since the invaders were heading towards Baramulla with the aim to take
over Srinagar Airport under their control, the tactical defence at Uri by State Forces
of Maharaja was a pivotal delay action.

Brigadier Rajinder Singh (Chief of Staff of State Forces) with 200 soldiers fought the invaders gallantly at Saran Khowan De Bagh Muzzafarabad. However, being out numbered he was forced to withdraw.

Whilst retreating, he destroyed the Uri bridge, thus halting their movement for some
time.

Brigadier Rajinder Singh was martyred on 27 Oct  fighting near Boniyar.

The resistance offered by the forces gave time to the Maharaja to take a decision and
sign the  instrument of Accession on the evening of 26 Oct 1947.

The invaders had initially planned a five-day operation to take over Srinagar Airport. However, after Uri, the invaders entered Baramulla. Instead of moving forward
towards Srinagar, the Kabalis did a tactical mistake of staying back at Baramulla and
adjacent villages for two days carrying out Loot, Arson, Rape, Killings and plundring
the property of mostly the minority community.

Meanwhile after signing of the Instrument of Accession, on 27 Oct morning, 1st Sikh Regiment landed at Srinagar Airport and took control.

The Indian forces fought the Kabalis at Khwaja Bagh Baramulla, Pattan, Budgam and  Shalteng forcing the invaders  to withdraw.

Col DK Rai was martyred at Khawaja Bagh, Baramulla and Major Som Nath at Badgam.

Finally, the Kabalis turned back and were chased by the Indian Army till Uri.

Whilst retreating back they again killed innocent people including Muhammad Maqbool
Sherwani at Baramulla (He had guided the Sikhs to take a different route to escape
being killed by the Kabalis).

Supreme Sacrifice of Sikhs.

This article is to bring out some important events that are examples of supreme
sacrifice as also of interfaith brotherhood (complete chain of events cannot be
covered in the space offered in the publication).

In Sep 1947, when things started building up in Pakistan with an imminent attack on
Jammu and Kashmir, Akali Kor Singh sent a message to Sikhs of Muzaffarabad from
Punjab asking them to be vigilant.

At that stage, Sant Gurbaksh Singh Danna, Jathedar Kapur Singh and Giani Ujagar Singh toured various villages to apprise Sikhs of the prevailing situation.

Jathedar Kapur Singh also convened a meeting of Shirmoni Khalsa Dal at Gurdwara Amira Kadal, Srinagar.

Prior to the attack by the Kabalis, Mr Vanchoo (from public works department) and S
Sadhu Singh of village Khadniyar had visited Muzaffarabad on an official tour.

When Muzzafarbad was attacked, they fled to Baramulla, informing the Sikhs about the
Kabali raid.

S Kala Singh Raina, who fled from Ghaddi Hateyan, met S Tara Singh Musafir, S Mohan Singh Bali, and S Nand Singh Kanlibagh.

These Sikhs met the Deputy Commissioner Mr Chaudhary Faiz Ullah who apprised them that he had information that the Kabalis would be heading to Srinagar.

He asked the Sikhs to move to Jungles. The Sikhs moved to Singhpora, Dardpura and  Ichama (to name a few).

The Sikhs fought the Kabalis at every front with courage and bravery and accordingly delayed their move to Srinagar Airport.

Many Sikhs including women and children attained Martyrdom.
Some Sikhs were killed in Kanaspora and one of the village muslim Sultan Dar
carried the bodies to a house and set the house on fire to give the slain a dignified
funeral.

At village Chandosa, two Muslims Khalik Sheikh and Mohammad Sheikh helped Sardarni Ghoni Kaur in cremating the bodies of the martyred Sikhs.

The Kabalis attacked village Atna on 01 Nov 1947 and started Loot and Arson. A
courageous woman Mata Ganga Kaur came out in the field with a sword in her hand
to fight and motivate Sikhs. She, however, suffered a bullet injury and succumbed to
her wounds.

Kamraz, on the other axis of River Jhelum, had many villages with significant Sikh
population. Here the Sikhs left their homes and property and assembled at a
Gurdwara in Village Satarna. A conscious decision was taken to move towards Srinagar.

S Harnam Singh Ranger of Wampura recited the  prayer and the Sikhs left Satarna. Near Sopore, the Sikhs reached a marshy land (Nambli) at Bulgam
Choora.

Here the Sikhs who were in hiding fell in the trap of passing Kabalis who raised Sikh Slogans. Almost 450 to 500 Sikhs were killed here.

Some of the Sikhs managed to escape to Srinagar whilst others returned to their native Villages.

The Sikhs who had come from Karnah to Chogal were advised by the Kashmiri
Pandits living there not to move to Sopore.

Sardarni Salinder kaur w/o S Sital Singh Raina distinctly remembers the chain of events how the Sikhs at Sopore tried to kill the women to save their dignity as also jumped in river Jhelum.

She herself had wound cuts on her limbs but managed to escape to her village Patusa.

She also recalls  how a local Muslim Ghulam Mohd Mir helped them with food and shelter.

In the Village Mandna, kind-hearted Muslims like Sultan Tantarey, Gaffar Tantarey and
Razzak Goria pleaded with the Kabalis not to harm Sikhs.

In Village Khushipura, bodies of Sikhs lay scattered all around. Sardarni Makhan Kaur, daughter-in-law of S Ganga Singh, pleaded with a Muslim for a respectful funeral of these bodies.

He agreed on the condition that she would marry him which she accepted. However,
when the bodies were collected and a pyre was lit, Sardarni Makhan Kaur along with
her child jumped into the fire and sacrificed her life to save her dignity and honour.

Today, every house in Kashmir has a story to tell.

Mr Bamzey in his book ‘History of Kashmir’, giving reference of New York Times
report, has written: “Surviving residents estimate that 3000 of the fellow town’s men including four European and a retired British Army Officer and his pregnant wife were
slain.”

The basic aim of writing this article (confined to Kashmir) is to awaken the government that the supreme sacrifice of the Sikhs who, after the breach of the State
Forces forward defence by the invading raiders, formed the principal civilian line of
determined resistance and delayed the movement of the Kabalis to Srinagar.

The Kashmiris, in the spirit of indigenous secularism and brotherhood, (now termed
Kashmiriyat) fought together in the defence of the Valley and the Nation.

However, it was the Sikhs of Baramulla, Kamraz, Karnah, and Budgam who faced the Brunt.

The role and sacrifices of the Sikh community during this defining chapter has been
documented by Locals, Eyewitnesses and other contemporary accounts.

The supreme sacrifice of the Sikh Martyrs deserves enduring public recognition through a dedicated memorial and an appeal has accordingly been made to the concerned
authorities.

Such a memorial would not only honour their sacrifice but would also preserve for posterity an inspiring chapter in the history of the defence of Jammu and Kashmir and the Nation during Kabali raid of 1947.

Ends

(The author is Former Deputy Assistant Chief of Headquarters Integrated Staff (IT), Author and Social Activist.)

Three Held With Hand Grenades, HM Posters in J&K’s Shopian 

J-K Police
Representational image

Srinagar, Aug 25 (NVI): Security forces arrested three persons and recovered two hand grenades, five posters allegedly bearing Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) markings and a motorcycle during a naka checking operation in Shopian district, officials said on Tuesday.

The arrested persons from Kulgam they said.

The recovered material and the motorcycle have been taken into custody, while further investigation is underway, officials said.(NVI)

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