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Fresh Snow Covers Key Ladakh Passes, Authorities Monitor Situation

Ladakh, July 22 (NVI): Fresh snowfall was reported at the Wari La and Pensi La passes in Ladakh on Wednesday, prompting authorities to advise motorists to exercise caution while travelling through the high-altitude routes.

Officials said the snowfall has made road surfaces slippery and reduced visibility at several stretches, posing difficulties for commuters and tourists.

They advised travellers to avoid unnecessary journeys during inclement weather, check the latest road and weather conditions before undertaking travel, and ensure their vehicles are adequately equipped for driving in mountainous terrain.

Road maintenance teams have been kept on alert to ensure the safe movement of traffic, while the situation is being closely monitored, the officials added.(NVI)

Former MLA Shoaib Nabi Lone likely to join PDP

Srinagar, July 22 (NVI): Former Sangrama MLA Shoaib Nabi Lone is set to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday, according to sources.

Sources said Lone is expected to formally join the PDP later in the day.

Party insiders indicated that Lone is likely to be fielded by the PDP from the Baramulla Assembly constituency in the next elections. The party had fielded Rafiq Ahmad Rather from the seat in the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.

Lone was elected to the Assembly in the 2006 Sangrama by-election held following the assassination of his father, former minister Dr Ghulam Nabi Lone. He defeated Javid Ahmad Baig in that contest but has not won any subsequent elections.

The PDP will be the fourth political party Lone has been associated with. He has previously been with the Congress, the National Conference and the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP).

Political observers view his move as a setback for the AIP, led by MP Engineer Rashid, as several of its leaders have left the party for other political outfits, including the PDP, after the 2024 Assembly elections.

There was no immediate official confirmation from the PDP or Lone regarding the development.(NVI)

Heavy rain, mudslides halt traffic on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway

Srinagar, July 22 (NVI): Traffic on the strategic Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was suspended from both ends on Wednesday following heavy rainfall, mudslides and shooting stones at multiple locations, officials said.

Officials of the Traffic Department said vehicular movement was halted as a precautionary measure after continuous rain triggered mudslides and shooting stones along several stretches of the highway, rendering the road unsafe for traffic.

They advised commuters to avoid travelling on the highway until the weather improves and the road is declared safe for vehicular movement.

The officials also urged people to check the latest traffic status through the Traffic Police’s official social media platforms and Traffic Control Units before undertaking any journey on the highway.

Restoration work is expected to be taken up once the weather conditions improve, they added.(NVI)

IMD warns of heavy rain, thunderstorms across J&K till Wednesday afternoon

Rainfall
Representational image

Srinagar, Jul 22 (NVI): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday issued a weather warning for Jammu and Kashmir, forecasting heavy rain, thunderstorms and brief spells of intense showers across several parts of the Union Territory till 3:30 pm.

According to the Meteorological Centre in Srinagar, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely over the plains of Jammu, Reasi, Udhampur, Rajouri and Poonch districts.

The IMD said the upper reaches of Ramban, Doda, Kulgam, Shopian, Budgam, Baramulla and Kupwara districts are also expected to receive intense rainfall during the period.

The weather activity is expected to continue from the early hours of Wednesday until 3:30 pm, the MeT department said.

Authorities have advised people, particularly those living in low-lying and vulnerable areas, to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel in view of the possibility of heavy rain and associated hazards.(NVI)

Pakistani Balloon Found in J&K Rajouri Village

Shivam Bakshi

Rajouri, July 22 (NVI): A balloon bearing Pakistani markings was found in a village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district on Wednesday, officials said.

The balloon was spotted in the Sahai Khater area of Khabber village in the Teryath tehsil, following which residents alerted the police, they said.

A police team reached the spot and took the balloon into custody for examination. No suspicious material was immediately reported to have been attached to it, officials said.

Further investigation is underway.—(NVI)

EOW Files Chargesheet Against Four in Srinagar Airport Job Scam

Srinagar, July 22 (NVI): The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Crime Branch, Jammu and Kashmir, has filed a chargesheet against four persons for allegedly duping several job aspirants by promising them employment at Srinagar Airport, officials said on Wednesday.

The chargesheet was filed before the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar, in connection with FIR No. 36/2018 registered under Sections 420 and 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code, read with Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act.

The accused have been identified as Mohit Sharma alias Bhardwaj of Noida, Uttar Pradesh; Mukesh Kumar of New Delhi; Mehmood Khan of New Delhi; and Ram Lakhan, originally from Uttar Pradesh and presently residing in New Delhi.

According to the EOW, the case originated from complaints received from several districts of Kashmir, alleging that the accused collected lakhs of rupees from job seekers on the false assurance of securing jobs in the Airports Authority of India.

Following an investigation, the allegations were substantiated and the chargesheet was filed before the competent court, officials said.

The EOW has urged the public to remain cautious of fraudulent job offers and report suspected economic offences to the agency.—(NVI)

5G Mobile Internet Restored in J&K Doda After Five-Day Suspension

internet access
Representational Image

Shivam Bakshi

Doda, July 22 (NVI): High-speed 5G mobile internet services were restored across Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district, including the Bhaderwah area, late Tuesday after remaining suspended for five days, officials said.

The services had been suspended as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order in the district, they said.

Following an improvement in the situation, the authorities ordered the restoration of mobile internet services across the district on Tuesday night.

The resumption of services brought relief to residents, students and the business community, who had been facing inconvenience in communication, online studies and digital transactions during the suspension.

Officials said the situation remains under close watch.(NVI)

Army Jawan Dies After Slipping at Forward Post in J&K Rajouri

Defence Ministry to procure TRAWL systems to boost Army’s minefield breaching capability
Representative pic

 

Shivam Bakshi

Rajouri, July 22 (NVI): An Army jawan died after reportedly slipping while on duty at a forward post in the Sunderbani sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district during the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday, officials said.

The deceased has been identified as Rifleman Sukhpreet Singh, a resident of Punjab, serving with the 19 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles.

Officials said the soldier sustained fatal injuries after slipping at the forward post and died while on duty.

Further details are awaited, they added.(NVI)

Stolen VDC weapon recovered in J&K Rajouri; investigation underway

File Photo: VDC member's training

Shivam Bakshi

Rajouri, July 21(NVI): A weapon reported stolen from the residence of a Village Defence Committee (VDC) member in Rajouri district has been recovered, officials said on Tuesday.

According to officials, the weapon belonging to Balwant Singh, a VDC member and resident of Bhella village, was reported missing from his house during the intervening night of July 19 and 20. The owner noticed the weapon was missing at around 3 a.m from the Shamshan Ghat area of the village.

Officials said the Special Operations Group (SOG) Khawas recovered the stolen weapon from Bhella on Tuesday.

They said the circumstances surrounding the theft and recovery are being investigated, adding that further details are awaited. The matter remains under verification.(NVI)

Landslide Damages Shed on Vaishno Devi Himkoti Track; No Casualties

Shivam Bakshi

Jammu, July 21 (NVI): A landslide struck the Himkoti route of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage near Devidwar in Reasi district on Tuesday evening, damaging a portion of the protective shed covering the track, officials said.

There was, however, no loss of life or injuries as the pilgrimage had already been suspended by the administration as a precautionary measure in view of adverse weather conditions, they said.

According to officials, debris and rocks rolled down the hillside near the Devidwar point, damaging a sizeable section of the overhead shed constructed along the pilgrimage route.

Authorities are assessing the damage and will undertake restoration work after ensuring the area is safe, officials added.

The yatra remains suspended until further orders in view of the prevailing weather conditions.—(NVI)

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