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Search Operation Launched in Doda After Suspicious Movement Reported

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Doda Mar 18 (NVI) : A  search operation was launched on Wednesday in the Sarlea area of Gandoh Bhalesa in Doda district after reports of suspicious movement sources said.

According to official sources, a joint team comprising personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Indian Army swiftly moved into the area following inputs about the presence of unknown individuals under suspicious circumstances.

The area, which is known for its rugged terrain and dense forest cover, was immediately cordoned off, and intensive searches were initiated to track down any potential threat.

Officials said that additional reinforcements were deployed to strengthen the operation, while search parties fanned out across nearby forest belts and higher reaches to ensure that no suspicious element escapes the security grid. Surveillance has also been heightened in adjoining areas as a precautionary measure.

The operation is part of ongoing efforts by security forces to maintain vigilance and prevent any possible infiltration or terrioist movement in the region.

Authorities have urged local residents to remain alert and report any suspicious activity to the nearest police unit.—(NVI)

Cloudy Conditions to Return With Light Rain/Snow From March 26

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Srinagar, Mar 18 (NVI): The Meteorological Centre Srinagar on Wednesday forecast erratic weather conditions across Jammu and Kashmir till March 20, with intermittent light to moderate rain and snowfall expected at many places.

According to the MeT department, a few higher reaches of Chenab Valley and South Kashmir may receive moderate to heavy snowfall during this period. The weather is expected to remain generally dry from March 21 to 25, with a brief spell of rain or snow at isolated places on March 23.

From March 26 to 28, the region is likely to witness generally cloudy conditions with light rain in plains and snowfall over higher reaches at scattered to many places.

The MeT Centre has issued an advisory for travellers, transporters, and the general public, especially those planning to move through higher reaches and important passes, to take precautions and plan accordingly between March 18 and 20.

There is also a possibility of heavy rain or snowfall at isolated places, accompanied by thunder, gusty winds reaching 40–50 kmph, and hailstorms in some areas during this period.

Farmers have been advised to suspend all farm operations till March 20 in view of the inclement weather.(NVI)

₹1.19 Lakh Relief Granted in Airline Baggage Loss Case in J&K

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Srinagar, Mar 17 (NVI): A district consumer forum in Jammu and Kashmir has directed IndiGo to pay ₹1.19 lakh as compensation to a couple whose checked-in baggage went missing during an international journey, officials said.

The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Baramulla/Bandipora, ordered the airline to pay ₹89,000 towards the value of the lost baggage, ₹20,000 for mental agony and inconvenience, and ₹10,000 as litigation costs.

The forum also directed that the amount be paid within 30 days, failing which it would attract an interest of 10 per cent per annum from the date of the order till realisation.

According to the complainants, Mohammad Maqbool Hakeem and his wife Farhat Ara, they had checked in five pieces of baggage while travelling from Dammam, Saudi Arabia, to Srinagar via Delhi, but received only four upon arrival.

Despite filing a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) and repeated follow-ups, the missing baggage could not be traced.

The complainants alleged that airline staff at Dammam airport mishandled the baggage by clubbing it without proper verification and failed to issue individual baggage tags, leading to the loss.

While the airline denied liability, the commission held it responsible for deficiency in service and awarded compensation for the financial loss and inconvenience caused, officials said.(NVI)

Mughal Road Closed After Fresh Snowfall at Pir Ki Gali

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Srinagar, Mar 18 (NVI): Authorities on Wednesday closed the Mughal Road for vehicular movement following fresh snowfall and rainfall at Pir Ki Gali, officials said.

Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic Rural) Farooq Qaiser said the decision was taken as a precautionary measure due to unsafe road conditions caused by inclement weather.

“No vehicular movement will be allowed till further notice,” he said, advising commuters to avoid the route and follow official updates.

Officials added that the situation will be reviewed and the road reopened once conditions improve and it is deemed safe for traffic.(NVI)

J&K Police Shifts Anti-Terror Operations to Higher Reaches, Says DGP Nalin Prabhat

File Photo: J&K DGP Nalin Prabhat

Reasi, Mar 17 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat on Tuesday said the police has revamped its counter-terror strategy, expanding operations to higher forested and mountainous areas to track down and neutralise terrioist.

Addressing a function in Reasi, the DGP said security forces are now “taking the fight to the higher reaches,” including areas such as Jhatru and the Udhampur-Kathua belt.

Referring to a past operation, he said three Pakistani terrioists involved in the killing of 26 civilians in Baisaran were eliminated during an operation in the Mahadev area last year.

Highlighting public outreach, Prabhat said around 5,300 ‘Thana Diwas’ programmes were conducted over the past year to strengthen police-community ties.

On anti-drug efforts, he said 2,276 accused were arrested, including 226 under NDPS cases, while 54 properties linked to drug activities were attached.

Emphasising youth engagement, the DGP said police organised nine major events and 228 sports activities across districts to channelise the energy of young people.

Congratulating new recruits, he said their journey inthe force would be challenging but rewarding, withopportunities to serve the nation.(NVI)

Army Reviews Operational Preparedness Along LoC in Akhnoor

Srinagar, Mar 17 (NVI): Senior Army officers on Tuesday visited forward areas in Akhnoor to assess operational preparedness along the Line of Control (LoC), officials said.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the White Knight Corps, accompanied by the GOC of the Crossed Swords Division, reviewed the security situation and operational readiness of troops deployed in forward locations, they said.

The visit focused on evaluating preparedness levels, coordination, and response mechanisms in view of the prevailing security dynamics along the LoC, officials added.(NVI)

Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan set to worsen after Kabul attack, India says Muslims targeted during Ramzan
Over 400 people have killed and 265 injured in Pakistani airstrike on drug rehabilitation centre

Remains of the Kabul drug rehabilitation centre after Pakistani airstrike

Kabul, Mar 17: The already-inimical relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan are set to worsen further, with the latter bombing a hospital in Kabul and killing over 400 and wounding 265 last night.

The casualty figure is likely to increase as several injured people are said to be critical and many are still buried under the debris of the building complex which had the capacity of lodging 2,000 patients.

The hospital was a rehabilitation centre for drug addicts, according to the Afghanistan’s Taliban regime which is outraged by the Pakistani action and has vowed retaliation.

The Omar Addiction Treatment Hospital was struck at around 9 PM (Afghan time) yesterday when evening prayers were being completed by the Muslim inmates.

The building was soon engulfed by huge flames and massive piles of debris were left behind.

Witnesses said they heard three explosions. Two bombs hit rooms and other areas where patients were lodged, they said.

The Spokesman for Afghanistan’s Ministry of Interior Affairs said today that at least 408 people were confirmed dead and 265 were injured.

The Taliban regime is outraged over the attack, with its Chief Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid saying the time for talks with Pakistan was over and it was now time for retaliation against the “criminal” actions of Pakistani military.

The Pakistani airstrike was evoked widespread condemnation.

India, while expressing solidarity with Afghanistan, strongly condemned Pakistani airstrike and highlighted that the “barbaric” act became “more reprehensible” considering the fact that it was carried out on Muslims during their holy month of Ramzan.

The Indian government said the international community “must hold the perpetrators of this criminal act accountable and ensure that the wanton targeting by Pakistan of civilians in Afghanistan ceases without delay.”

“India unequivocally condemns Pakistan’s barbaric airstrike on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul on the night of March 16,” External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

New Delhi described Pakistani attack as “a cowardly and unconscionable act of violence that has claimed the lives of a large number of civilians in a facility which can by no means be justified as a military target.”

Commenting on Islamabad’s claim that it targeted TTP militants, the Indian government said Pakistan is “now trying to dress up a massacre as a military operation”.

The Indian Foreign Ministry termed “this heinous act of aggression by Pakistan” as “a blatant assault on Afghanistan’s sovereignty and a direct threat to regional peace and stability.”

The Pakistani action reflects its “persistent pattern of reckless behaviour and its repeated attempts to externalize internal failures through increasingly desperate acts of violence beyond its borders,” the statement added.

The Indian government also highlighted the extremity of the Pakistani action carried out during the Ramzan, a pious month for Muslims.

“That this attack was carried out during the holy month of Ramzan, a time of peace, reflection, and mercy among Muslim communities across the world, makes it all the more reprehensible. There is no faith, no law, and no morality that can justify the deliberate targeting of a hospital and its patients,” the statement said.

“India extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families, wishes a swift recovery to those injured, and stands in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan in this tragic moment. We also reiterate our unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan. (NVI)

LG Manoj Sinha Reviews Passing Out Parade at Talwara, Greets J&K Police Recruits

Srinagar, Mar 17 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday reviewed the passing out parade of J&K Police constables at the Subsidiary Training Centre (STC) in Talwara.

According to officials, the Lieutenant Governor congratulated the recruits and extended his best wishes on successfully completing their training.

In a post on X, the LG said he was confident that the future of Jammu and Kashmir is in safe hands, lauding the dedication and commitment of the young constables.

He also praised the role of J&K Police in maintaining peace and stability, stating that the force has been instrumental in efforts towards a terror-free and crime-free Union Territory, while contributing to good governance, social harmony and public safety.(NVI)

Midnight Blaze Guts Hotel in Pahalgam; One Killed in Fire Tender Mishap

Srinagar, Mar 17 (NVI): A massive fire broke out during the intervening night in a hotel at Pahalgam, causing extensive damage to the property, while one person died in a separate incident involving a fire tender.

An official said that the fire erupted around 2 AM at Hotel Asal Resort, prompting swift response from Jammu and Kashmir Police, fire service teams and locals. Despite efforts to control the blaze, two hotel buildings were completely gutted, one was partially damaged, while another structure was saved. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

Meanwhile, during the operation, a fire tender from Aishmuqaam allegedly hit a person identified as Manjeet Singh, a resident of Hatmura Mattan, resulting in serious injuries, official said.

He was shifted to hospital where he was declared brought dead. The body has been kept at SDH Pahalgam for medico-legal formalities.

The vehicle has been taken into custody and further investigation is underway, official said. (NVI)

Search Operation Enters Day 5 to Trace Woman in Uri; MARCOS Personnel Injured

Srinagar, Mar 17 (NVI): A joint search operation entered its fifth consecutive day on Tuesday to trace a woman who allegedly jumped into the Jhelum River in Uri area of north Kashmir, officials said.

Teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) Baramulla and Civil Defence Unit Uri are conducting extensive searches to retrieve the body of the 45-year-old woman, a resident of Lagama in Uri, who reportedly jumped into the river from a wooden footbridge at Chandanwari on March 13.

During the operation, a personnel of the Indian Navy’s Marine Commandos (MARCOS), accidentally fell into the river and sustained critical injuries. He was immediately shifted to Army Hospital Boniyar for treatment.

Efforts to trace the missing woman were continuing at the time of filing the report, officials added. —(NVI)

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