Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Home Blog Page 4

J&K LG Sinha lays foundation stone of Mata Lalleshwari cultural centre in Jammu

Jammu, Sep 19 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday laid the foundation stone of the Mata Lalleshwar Cultural-cum-Heritage Centre at Mata Bhaderkali Asthapan in Thalwal here.

The project, sanctioned under the Capex budget at a cost of Rs 4.5 crore, is aimed at preserving and promoting the legacy and teachings of 14th-century Kashmiri mystic poet and saint Yogini Lalleshwari, officials said.

Speaking at the foundation stone-laying ceremony, Sinha said the centre would serve as a repository of Jammu and Kashmir’s spiritual and cultural heritage while promoting research, art, spirituality and social harmony.

“Today, we stand at a significant juncture in our history, where the blessings of our ancestors and their timeless wisdom are converging with the aspirations for a confident, developed and self-reliant Jammu Kashmir,” he said.

The Lieutenant Governor said Lalleshwari’s teachings transcended social divisions and embodied the ideals of tolerance, equality and inner transformation.

He said the centre would host exhibitions, translation initiatives and archival facilities besides fostering research and fellowships in Kashmir Shaivism.

“The centre will empower youth through art and creative expression, promote social harmony, and strengthen national integration,” Sinha said.

He said the centre would not merely be a physical structure but an institutional foundation for cultural preservation and would help disseminate Lalleshwari’s philosophy through modern platforms.

Sinha also said the project would contribute to spiritual tourism and economic revitalisation by attracting seekers, historians and travellers from across the world.

He said cultural and heritage centres were important for preserving a society’s civilisational memory and providing future generations with a connection to their roots.

“In today’s fast-paced life, people are facing unprecedented mental stress, crises of identity and the challenges of existential loneliness,” Sinha said, adding that the teachings of saints such as Lalleshwari could provide spiritual resources for self-discipline, mental peace and emotional resilience.

Senior civil and police officers, officials of the Culture Department, members of the Mata Bhaderkali Asthapan Trust, prominent citizens and devotees attended the ceremony.—(NVI)

Four BSF personnel injured as vehicle overturns on NH-44 in J&K’s Ramban

with accident in Jammu and Kashmir
BSF vehicle met with accident in Jammu and Kashmir

Shivam Bakshi

Ramban, Sep 19 (NVI) Four Border Security Force (BSF) personnel were injured after their vehicle overturned on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Ramban district on Saturday, officials said.

The accident occurred near Seri when the vehicle, which was travelling from Srinagar towards Jammu, lost control and overturned, they said.

The injured personnel were shifted to a hospital for treatment, officials said.

Police have initiated an investigation to ascertain the circumstances leading to the accident—(NVI)

J&K: Five Bullets of AK-47, Pakistani Currency Found in Jewellery Shop in Poonch

Shivam Bakshi

Poonch (J&K), Sep 19 (NVI): A joint team of police, accompanied by a forensic team and a revenue official, conducted a search at a jewellery shop in the main market here and reportedly recovered ammunition, Pakistani currency and other items, officials said on Saturday.

The search was carried out by a team from Police Station Poonch along with the forensic team and a Naib Tehsildar, they said.

During the search, the team reportedly recovered five AK-47 rounds, Pakistani currency worth Rs 105, 30 Pakistani posters and two Pakistani flags, officials said.

Further details regarding the recovery and the circumstances under which the items were found are awaited.—(NVI)

Pakistan: Kohat attack continues, death toll rises to 31

Bodies of Pakistani security men killed in attack in Kohat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa today

Peshawar, Sept 19 (NVI) The attack by a group of heavily-armed men on Police Headquarters in Kohat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan continued this morning, even after 20 hours it began, and the death tol rose to 31 with over 150 injured.

The armed suicide attackers continue to be in control of the  complex despite the Pakistan Army putting hundreds of commandos into service to eliminate them.

Several police personnel and other security men are trapped inside the complex and sounds of heavy gunfire continue to resonate in the area.

Most of the dead are police and paramilitary personnel.

The fighters launched a massive attack on a police complex, which housed a mosque as well, during the mid-day Friday prayers, with a suicide bomber, driving a explosives-laden vehicle, blowing it up.

Subsequently, his associates, said to be 6 in number, entered the complex and fired indiscriminately on the security personnel inside.

A large contingent of Pakistan Army was sent to the site last night itself but they failed to clear the premises till midnight as the attackers continued to be active with sounds of gunfire resonating in the area.

By midnight, the death toll rose to 23, including 15 security personnel and 7 civilians, according to officials.

An SP-rank police officer was among those killed in the attack, according to reports.

The blast caused destruction of the mosque and extensive damage to the police complex.

The death toll is likely to increase as several injured people are said to be in critical condition. (NVI)

Five Rock Check Dams Withstand Over 200 Cusecs Flow in Ladakh

Ladakh, Sep 19 (NVI): Five eco-friendly rock check dams constructed along the Sindhu River and its tributaries in Ladakh have successfully withstood water flow of more than 200 cusecs during peak summer, officials said.

The check dams were constructed over the past four months as part of an initiative aimed at improving water security and supporting agricultural sustainability in the Union Territory.

The structures were built using locally sourced boulders from the riverbed without cement, concrete or steel. Work on the project began on May 27 when the river’s water flow was around 20 cusecs.

An inspection team of engineers was recently deputed to assess the stability and strength of the structures and examine any damage caused by high water pressure, officials said.

The inspection found that all five check dams had withstood the high flow, with only the structure at Upshi near Leh reporting a minor breach. The damaged portion is being repaired, they said.

The inspection also found deposits of fine-quality washed sand upstream of the structures, which further contributed to their stability.

Officials said the pilot project would provide technical inputs and experience for improving the design and construction of similar structures in future.

The initiative is aimed at promoting water conservation, agricultural sustainability and climate resilience in Ladakh, they said.—(NVI)

India, South Africa hold maiden Army-to-Army Staff Talks in New Delhi

New Delhi, Sep 19 (NVI) The maiden India-South Africa Army-to-Army Staff Talks were held in New Delhi from September 16 to 18, with the two sides discussing ways to enhance bilateral defence cooperation, officials said.

The talks focused on expanding training exchanges and joint capacity building, marking a step towards strengthening military-to-military ties between the two countries.

The South African delegation also visited the Indian Army’s artificial intelligence initiatives and the 505 Army Base Workshop, where it was briefed on technology-driven transformation and indigenous defence capabilities, they said.—(NVI)

Army chief visits Russian artillery academy, fires traditional cannon at Peter and Paul Fortress

New Delhi, Sep 19 (NVI) : Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth, during his official visit to Russia, visited the Mikhailovskaya Military Artillery Academy in St Petersburg and was accorded the honour of firing the traditional cannon at the historic Peter and Paul Fortress, the Army said.

The visit provided an opportunity for the Army chief to interact with faculty members on training methodologies and the modernisation of artillery, it said.

The engagement underscored the importance of institutional exchanges, sharing of best practices and strengthening professional military cooperation between India and Russia, according to the Army.—(NVI)

Pakistan: Huge attack on Police complex in Khyber; 23 killed, 150 injured
Clashes continue even at midnight

Bodies of Pakistani security men killed in attack in Kohat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa today

bPeshawar, Sept 18 (NVI) A group of heavily-armed men today launched a massive attack on a police complex, which housed a mosque as well, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan, killing least 23 security personnel and civilians and injuring over 150.

The attack in Kohat is continuing even 10 hours after it began as several fighters are still inside the complex where several security personnel are trapped, according to reports.

The assault began during the mid-day Friday prayers, with a suicide bomber, driving a explosives-laden vehicle, blowing it up.

Subsequently, his associates, said to be 6 in number, entered the complex and fired indiscriminately on the security personnel inside.

A large contingent of Pakistan Army was sent to the site but they failed to clear the premises till midnight as the attackers continued to be active with sounds of gunfire resonating in the area.

By midnight, the death toll rose to 23, including 15 security personnel and 7 civilians, according to officials.

At least 150 more were injured, several of them critical.

An SP-rank police officer was among those killed in the attack, according to reports.

The blast caused destruction of the mosque and extensive damage to the police complex.

The death toll is likely to increase as several injured people are said to be in critical condition. (NVI)

Pakistan: TTP claims killing 18 Pakistani soldiers, injuring 10 in multiple attacks

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

Peshawar, Sept 18 (NVI) Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) tonight claimed killing more than 18 personnel and injuring 10 of Pakistani military in multiple operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan since yesterday.

It reported details of 14 attacks which included ambush attacks, IED blasts, sniper attacks and even drone strike.

Five Pakistani soldiers were killed and four were injured in a bomb blast targeting a vehicle of the army in Chamkani Gardi in Sadda area of Kurram district yesterday, TTP spokesman Muhammad Khorasani said.

More casualties and injuries are believed to have been caused in a subsequent ambush of  a military unit that came to retrieve the bodies and the injured.

In North Waziristan district, TTP carried out an ambush on a military convoy in Shewah, in which 5 soldiers were killed and 3 injured yesterday, he said.

TTP lost 4 fighters in this operation, he said.

In a separate attack in North Waziristan, a soldier was killed in a laser gun attack on a military post last night in Garium, he said.

Four soldiers were killed and three injured in an ambush on an army patrol party in Khawarina area of Zhob district yesterday, the TTP spokesman said.

In Dera Ismail Khan district, 2 soldiers were killed in an attack on military vehicles by a target killer squad of the TTP last night, the spokesman said, adding one soldier escaped with injuries.

A military vehicle was burnt and a Kalashnikov and a mobile phone were seized from them, he said.

A military official was killed in a sniper attack on a post in South Waziristan, he said.

In Shakai in South Waziristan, there is a strong possibility of casualties in an attack on an army patrol party yesterday, he said.

In Peshawar,  TTP carried out a drone attack on a police post in Badaber area, in which casualties have possibly occurred, according to the spokesman.

Another drone attack was carried out on a military post in Bakakhel in Bannu district, Khorasani said, adding there is a strong possibility of casualties there. (NVI)

Monsoon in withdrawal phase, weakest in 17 years so far

New Delhi, Sept 18 (NV) As Monsoon enters its withdrawal phase, the country is on course to record its weakest Monsoon in 17 years, with cumulative rainfall 15 per cent below the Long Period Average (LPA).

The current deficit marks the sharpest shortfall since 2009, when rainfall was 18 per cent below normal.

According to the latest India Meteorological Department (IMD) report, the monsoon has started withdrawing from West Rajasthan.

The season has so far delivered 85 per cent of the LPA rainfall, compared with 108 per cent recorded in recent years.

The rainfall shortfall has been recorded across all four major geographical regions, although its intensity varies considerably. The southern peninsula has reported the largest deficiency at 28 per cent, followed by east and northeast India at 25 per cent.

Northwest India has recorded a 10 per cent rainfall deficit, while central India has reported a comparatively smaller shortfall of 6 per cent. The broad-based deficit highlights the uneven performance of the monsoon across the country during the current season.

The monsoon began with a 40 per cent rainfall deficiency by June 30, before the gap narrowed significantly to 13 per cent by July 30. However, the deficit widened again to 14 per cent by the end of August and reached 15 per cent by 17 September.

At the state level, 18 states covering nearly 55 per cent of India’s geographical area have received normal rainfall. Meanwhile, 16 states accounting for about 43 per cent of the country’s area have recorded deficient rainfall, while only one state covering 2 per cent of the area has received excess rainfall.

The weaker rainfall pattern is also raising concerns for agriculture, although sowing coverage remains relatively close to normal.

The monsoon weakness is being compounded by a severe El Nino, which has breached the temperature-rise threshold of 2 degrees Celsius.

The weather pattern began in June and is expected to peak around November and December before continuing into early 2027.

The prolonged El Nino conditions could potentially result in a milder winter, extending the weather-related risks beyond the monsoon season.

The combination of rainfall deficiency and elevated temperatures could keep pressure on agriculture and other weather-sensitive activities.

The impact of adverse weather conditions is also being reflected in global agricultural concerns. A United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) report has warned that maize, rice and other rain-fed crops are at risk from weather disruptions. (NVI)

1...345...1,749Page 4 of 1,749

MUST READ