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India ready to share counter-terrorism expertise with partner nations

Rajnath
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh (file pic)

New Delhi, Oct 29 (NVI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday reaffirmed India’s commitment to collective regional security and the eradication of terrorism, offering to share the country’s battle-tested counter-terrorism expertise with partner nations to strengthen joint capabilities.

Addressing the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Cebu, the Philippines, Singh said India’s counter-terrorism experience had been acquired through decades of confronting complex cross-border security challenges and was not merely theoretical knowledge.

He said Operation Sindoor had decisively demonstrated India’s proactive and battle-tested doctrine, asserting that the operation dismantled terrorist infrastructure and reinforced India’s resolve against state-sponsored terrorism.

“Terrorism knows no borders,” Singh said, adding that India was prepared to share its operational experience with ADMM-Plus partners through joint exercises, capacity-building programmes and intelligence sharing.

He noted that counter-terrorism remained an important area of cooperation under the ADMM-Plus framework, with India and Malaysia co-chairing the Experts’ Working Group on Counter-Terrorism for the 2024-2027 cycle.

Emphasising India’s commitment to ASEAN centrality, Singh said New Delhi supported a secure, open, inclusive, resilient and rules-based Indo-Pacific, where peace and stability were sustained through collective efforts.

He said India’s engagement with ASEAN was long-term and based on shared interests, mutual respect and practical cooperation. The partnership had also been reinforced through the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the ASEAN-India Plan of Action for 2026-2030, he added.

Referring to the theme of the meeting, “Navigating Our Future, Together”, Singh said it reflected India’s foreign and defence policy priorities and its civilisational ethos of “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah”, meaning may all beings be happy.

He said solidarity, mutual trust, cooperation and collective responsibility were essential to addressing challenges to regional peace and stability.

Highlighting maritime security as a key pillar of India’s engagement with ASEAN, Singh referred to the designation of 2026 as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation and the conduct of the second ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise.

He said India remained committed to freedom of navigation, the protection of global sea lines of communication and adherence to international maritime law.

The Indian Navy had maintained an uninterrupted operational presence in volatile maritime corridors, including the Gulf of Aden, since 2008, without resorting to coercive or unilateral actions that undermined the rights of other nations, he said.

Singh said Indian Navy warships had escorted thousands of merchant vessels and helped thwart numerous hijacking attempts, providing protection to commercial shipping irrespective of its flag or nationality.

India would continue to act as a reliable net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region and the wider Indo-Pacific, he said, stressing the need for sustained operational presence and international cooperation to counter transnational maritime threats.

The defence minister also clarified that India’s emphasis on the rule of law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and its advocacy of freedom of navigation and overflight were not directed against any country.

Instead, these principles were intended to protect the collective interests of regional stakeholders dependent on open sea lanes and stable maritime governance, he said.

Singh expressed India’s readiness to work with ASEAN partners on maritime safety, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance, professional exchanges and capacity-building initiatives.

Highlighting the importance of youth engagement in regional defence cooperation, Singh proposed the establishment of a dedicated defence “Youth Bridge” to strengthen India-ASEAN people-to-people connectivity, promote digital innovation and facilitate capacity building.

He said the initiative would provide young people with greater opportunities to contribute to regional peace and security, in line with the broader objective of Youth, Peace and Security.

Empowering youth and strengthening institutional cooperation would be essential to building a peaceful, resilient and prosperous Indo-Pacific, Singh said.—(NVI)

Amendments to GST framework have been notified

GST

New Delhi, Oct 29 (NVI) A series of amendments to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework have been notified by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), expanding reverse-charge provisions for specified categories of waste and scrap and updating compliance requirements.

Most of these changes will come into effect from November 1, 2026, while some e-invoicing amendments will come into force from January 1, 2027.

The Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) (Amendment) Rules, 2026 cover e-commerce registration, registration procedures, returns, the composition levy and various GST forms.

The amendments will take effect from different dates, with November 1, 2026, being the general commencement date unless otherwise specified.

It has also amended e-invoicing provisions to cover specified supplies received from unregistered persons under the Reverse Charge Mechanism (RCM) and imports of services, in addition to business-to-business (B2B) supplies and exports.

These changes will take effect from January 1, 2027. Under the reverse-charge mechanism, the liability to pay GST shifts from the supplier to the recipient in specified transactions.

CBIC has also issued a clarification on the 50% input tax credit (ITC) option available to banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), stating that institutions opting for the mechanism must apply it across all their eligible GST registrations.

The move is aimed at addressing inconsistencies in credit reporting.

Eligible banks and financial institutions can claim 50% of their eligible ITC under this option instead of calculating credit proportionately based on taxable supplies.

However, applying the option across multiple GST registrations has posed practical challenges, particularly for institutions with diversified operations. (NVI)

NLP spokesperson questions NC lawmakers’ silence on Article 370 abrogation, urges focus on public welfare

Srinagar, Oct 29 (NVI): National Loktantrik Party (NLP) national spokesperson Muhammad Yaqoob Dunoo on Thursday questioned the disappointment expressed by some National Conference lawmakers over not being allotted ministerial portfolios, asking why similar anguish was not visible when Articles 370 and 35A were abrogated in Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019.

Dunoo said the National Conference had sought the people’s mandate during elections by promising to fight for the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A, and urged its elected representatives to focus on fulfilling their commitments rather than expressing dissatisfaction over ministerial positions.

In a statement, he said the people of Jammu and Kashmir had elected their representatives to raise public issues, address grievances and safeguard their interests, not merely to occupy ministerial positions.

“The responsibility of a public representative does not begin with a ministerial portfolio, nor does it end in its absence,” Dunoo said, emphasising that elected representatives could serve the people effectively even without holding positions in the government.

He urged the lawmakers concerned to prioritise pressing public issues, including unemployment, economic hardships, developmental shortcomings and public grievances, instead of allowing personal disappointment and political ambitions to overshadow their responsibilities.

Dunoo said the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A on August 5, 2019, had significantly altered Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional and political status, and questioned whether the concerns raised by lawmakers over ministerial berths reflected the priorities of the electorate.

He said the people had placed their trust in elected representatives with the expectation that they would work sincerely towards fulfilling electoral promises and addressing issues affecting their daily lives.

“Public service must come before personal ambition. The true worth of an elected representative is measured by the work they do for the people, not by the position they hold in government,” he said.

Dunoo appealed to all elected representatives to rise above personal and political considerations and remain committed to the aspirations, dignity and welfare of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.—(NVI)

Light Rain, Snow Forecast in J&K; Moderate Activity Possible at Isolated Places

Srinagar, Oct 29 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir is likely to witness a brief spell of rain and snowfall in some areas tonight, while higher reaches may receive precipitation during the day and again on Friday afternoon, according to a weather forecast.

The main weather activity is expected tonight, with precipitation likely to remain light across most areas. However, moderate rain or snowfall cannot be ruled out at isolated places, the forecast said.

Following the spell, predominantly dry weather is expected across Jammu and Kashmir for the next 10 to 15 days, providing a prolonged period of relatively stable weather conditions.

However, brief spells of light rain or snowfall may occur in between under the influence of weak Western Disturbances, according to the forecast shared by Kashmir Weather.—(NVI)

Five chargesheeted for fraudulently selling displaced Kashmiri Pandit’s land

Srinagar, Oct 29 (NVI): The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Kashmir Police has filed a chargesheet against five people in a case involving the alleged fraudulent sale of  property of a displaced Kashmiri Pandit in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, officials said on Thursday.

The chargesheet was filed before the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Sopore, in connection with FIR No. 34/2017 registered under Sections 420, 419, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC), they said.

According to the EOW, the case was registered following a written complaint alleging the fraudulent sale of land measuring 14 kanals and three marlas, bearing Survey No. 349 at Mouza Wussan in Goshbugh in Pattan.

The property was owned by Jawahar Lal Bhat.

The investigation allegedly revealed a conspiracy involving impersonation, forgery of identity documents and the misuse of a purported Power of Attorney to facilitate the transaction, officials said.

The five accused are Brij Nath, Ghulam Mohi-Ud-Din Dar, Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh, Zahoor Ahmed Dar, and Reyaz Ahmad Rather.

They allegedly sold the said piece of land of Jawahar Lal Bhat through impersonation and forging documents.

The complainant allegedly paid more than Rs 1 crore for the land, but possession was neither handed over nor was the amount refunded, officials said.

The EOW spokesperson said Brij Nath, also known by the names Soom Nath, Hadi Nath and Mohan Lal, and Ghulam Mohi-Ud-Din Dar were arrested in late September. Dar was subsequently granted bail, while Brij Nath remains lodged in Central Jail.

Other cases involving the two accused are also under investigation, the spokesperson said.

The latest chargesheet is the second filed against the two accused, the spokesperson said.

The EOW had earlier filed a chargesheet in August 2023 in another case, FIR No. 27/2021, against Brij Nath Bhat, a resident of Indira Nagar, Srinagar, and Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh, a resident of Budgam.

The Senior Superintendent of Police, EOW Kashmir, has advised the public to verify land ownership records and related documents thoroughly before entering into property transactions to avoid fraud and financial losses, officials added.—(NVI)

TTP claims killing 15 personnel of Pakistan Army & affiliated militia

TTP
Special squad of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) undergoing training. (File Pic)

Peshawar, Oct 28 (NVI) Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) tonight claimed to have killed more than 15 personnel of Pakistan army and its affiliated militia in multiple attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since yesterday.

TTP spokesman Muhammad Khorasani said 7 personnel of “anti-Sharia” Pakistan Army were killed in a mine blast targeting a military truck in Garyoum in North Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Five operatives of so-called ‘Peace Committee’, which is an associate militia of the Pakistan army, were killed and injured in an operation carried out by TTP in response to their advance in Panjpai area of Gulistan in Pishin district.

In South Waziristan district, a Pakistan army soldier was killed in a sniper attack on a fort in Survey, the spokesmans said.

Another military official was killed in an attack in Gomal in Tank district.

One more military official was killed in a laser gun attack in Banda Dawood Shah in Karak district, he said. (NVI)

J&K: Portfolios re-allocated a day after expansion of Council of Ministers

New Council of Ministers with Lt Governor Manoj Sinha after swearing-in on Oct 28 in Srinagar

Srinagar, Oct 28 (NVI): A day after expansion of the Council of Ministers, portfolios were re-allocated to eight ministers.

Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary has been given Public Works (Roads and Buildings), Industries and Commerce, Labour and Employment, and Skill Development departments.

Newly-inducted Ali Mohammad Sagar has been given charge of Revenue, Power Development, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (DMRRR), and Election departments.

Sakeena Masood Itoo has been assigned Health and Medical Education and Social Welfare departments, while Javed Ahmad Rana will oversee Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), Tribal Affairs and Transport.

Javid Ahmed Dar has been allocated Agriculture Production, Finance, Mining and Cooperatives departments.

Mir Saifullah will handle Planning, Development and Monitoring, Culture, Youth Services and Sports, and ARI and Trainings departments.

Shamim Firdous has been given charge of School Education, Higher Education, Jal Shakti, and Forest, Ecology and Environment departments.

Altaf Ahmad Wani has been assigned Rural Development and Panchayati Raj. (NVI)

Balochistan: Train carrying Pakistani troops attacked by BRG freedom fighters

Jaffar Express train

Quetta, Oct 28 (NVI) A train carrying Pakistani troops was attacked by the freedom fighters of Baloch Republican Guards (BRG) in Balochistan, resulting in killing and wounding of several soldiers, the outfit said.

The train — Jaffer Express — was severely damaged in the attack, BRG spokesman Dosteen Baloch said in a statement.

“This evening, Baloch Republican Guards (BRG) freedom fighters targeted Pakistani Jaffar Express train near Khaliqabad in the Nutal police station area of Nasirabad district of Balochistan with small and large weapons,” Dosteen Baloch said.

The train was carrying Pakistani army personnel, he said.

As a result of this attack, several enemy personnel were killed and injured, while the train was severely damaged, the spokesman.

“Our organization BRG accepts responsibility for this attack and our such operations will continue until the complete independence of Balochistan,” he said. (NVI)

J&K DGP, 15 Corps GOC Review Counter-Terror Operations in South Kashmir

Srinagar, Oct 28 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat and the General Officer Commanding of the Army’s 15 Corps on Wednesday reviewed the security situation and ongoing operations in South Kashmir, officials said.

The meeting assessed the prevailing security scenario, operational preparedness and coordination among security agencies deployed in the region, they said.

The officers were briefed on counter-terror operations and measures being undertaken to strengthen the intelligence network, area domination and joint operational strategies.

The review focused on enhancing coordination between the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police to maintain peace and stability in the region, officials added.

Senior officers of the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police attended the meeting.—(NVI)

Army Personnel Dies After Being Found Unconscious in North Kashmir

Representative pic

Baramulla Oct 28 (NVI): A serving Army personnel died after being found unconscious at Lachipora in the Boniyar area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Wednesday, officials said.

The personnel was shifted to Rampur in an unresponsive condition, where he was declared dead, they said.

The cause of death will be ascertained after a post-mortem examination.

The authorities have taken cognisance of the incident and initiated further investigation, officials added.—(NVI)

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