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GOC White Knight Corps Reviews Security Preparedness in Poonch Sector

Poonch, Apr 9 (NVI): General Officer Commanding (GOC) White Knight Corps, accompanied by GOC Counter Insurgency Force (Romeo), on Thursday visited forward areas of Potha in Poonch sector to review the operational preparedness and overall security grid.

Officials said that the senior officers were briefed on the prevailing security scenario, ongoing counter-terrorism operations and the level of coordination among various security agencies in the area.

During the visit, the GOC reviewed the readiness of troops and stressed the need for maintaining a high state of alertness in view of evolving security challenges.

The exercise was aimed at further enhancing operational efficiency and strengthening synergy among different forces to ensure effective response to any emerging threats, sources said.

Emphasizing vigilance and seamless communication, the officers reiterated the importance of proactive measures to maintain peace and ensure public safety in the region.(NVI)

Woman Cop Removed from Service in Baramulla Narcotics Case

Baramulla, Apr 09 (NVI): A women Cop  has been removed from service in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district for her alleged involvement in a narcotics case, officials said on Thursday.

An official said that Women Cop Shameema Bano of Jammu and Kashmir Police was dismissed from service with effect from April 8, 2026, following the completion of a departmental inquiry.

She was placed under suspension in June 2021 after being arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Jammu, in connection with a case registered under relevant provisions of the NDPS Act involving seizure of contraband, the official said.

He said that after conclusion of the inquiry and completion of due departmental procedures, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Baramulla issued an order for her removal from service under relevant provisions of the J&K Police Rules.

Police reiterated that strict action will be taken against any personnel found involved in unlawful activities, emphasizing its commitment to maintaining discipline, integrity, and accountability within the force. (NVI)

90 beneficiaries receive compassionate appointment orders in Kashmir: CM Omar Abdullah

Srinagar, Apr 09 (NVI): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday distributed appointment orders among 90 beneficiaries of Kashmir division under SRO-43 and the Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme (RAS) at Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre.

The appointments have been made on compassionate grounds to support families who lost their primary breadwinners.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the government stands “shoulder to shoulder” with such families, acknowledging the emotional hardship behind these appointments.

He said while securing a government job is a proud moment, the circumstances in such cases are deeply painful. “You have suffered a loss greater than any examination. No job can replace your loved one,” he said.

Omar Abdullah added that reforms introduced through the transition from SRO-43 to RAS were aimed at improving efficiency and addressing procedural shortcomings.

He admitted that delays still exist and assured that the government will work to remove bottlenecks and expedite pending cases. “Making affected families run from office to office after such a loss is injustice, and we are committed to ending it,” he said.

Congratulating the appointees, the Chief Minister termed the occasion as a new beginning and urged them to serve with honesty, dedication and integrity.

He advised them to remain vigilant against external influences and to always choose the right path in their professional duties.

The Chief Minister also appreciated the efforts of the divisional administration for facilitating the process and expressed hope that all pending cases would be cleared at the earliest.

Several ministers, senior officials and beneficiaries along with their families were present on the occasion.(NVI)

LG Calls for Mass Participation to Combat Drug Menace in J&K

Jammu, Apr 9 (NVI): Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday reviewed the preparedness for a 100-day intensive campaign under the ‘Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyaan’, aimed at eliminating drug abuse from the Union Territory.

Chairing a high-level meeting here, Sinha said the campaign will feature a series of awareness programmes and mass outreach initiatives. He is scheduled to flag off a mega “padyatra” from MA Stadium in Jammu on April 11, followed by a similar launch in Srinagar in the first week of May.

The lieutenant governor stressed the need for widespread public participation, particularly involving students, youth, NCC, NSS, Scouts and Guides, volunteers, civil society organisations and public representatives.

Describing drug trafficking as part of a larger conspiracy to harm the youth, Sinha called for a united effort to tackle the menace.

He directed authorities to intensify operations against drug trafficking networks, while emphasising a balanced approach towards victims and offenders.

“Don’t touch the innocent and don’t spare the culprit,” he said, adding that genuine victims of drug abuse must be identified and rehabilitated.

The meeting also reviewed the activity calendar prepared by various departments for the campaign. Officials informed that Union Territory and divisional-level committees have been constituted for effective implementation of the plan.

Sinha further called for making the campaign a mass movement and urged authorities to incorporate public feedback and encourage people to report cases of drug abuse.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, senior police and civil administration officials, including divisional commissioners, inspector generals of police, deputy commissioners and SSPs, among others.(NVI)

Terror Crackdown in Jammu: High-Altitude Strategy Yields Results, Over 100 Police Personnel Honoured

Srinagar, Apr 9 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Police have achieved a significant breakthrough in counter-terror operations in the Jammu region, with a high-altitude strategy helping security forces curb terrorist activities in difficult terrains, officials said on Thursday.

For the first time, more than 100 personnel have been awarded out-of-turn promotions, cash incentives and regularisation of Special Police Officers (SPOs) as constables for their role in anti-terror operations in the Jammu zone, they said.

According to officials, the Jammu region witnessed a resurgence of terrorist activities between 2021 and 2023, with outfits such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) attempting to expand their presence in mountainous areas.

They said a revised operational strategy, led by Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, played a key role in reversing the trend.

The strategy included the establishment of Temporary Operational Bases (TOBs) on high ridges and mid-altitude zones, areas that were earlier used by Terrioists for movement and concealment.

To strengthen operations, Special Operations Group (SOG) personnel were imparted training in jungle and mountain warfare and equipped with modern weapons and advanced gear, officials said.

The force was also augmented with fresh recruits and specialised units such as “Snow Leopards” and “Markhor” for high-altitude combat, they added.

Officials said the reward policy has also been enhanced, with higher incentives for personnel involved in high-risk operations targeting infiltrating terrorist.

They said coordinated efforts between the police and other security agencies in recent months have led to the dismantling of several terrorist networks and improved security in the region.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police have lost 1,620 personnel in the fight against militancy over the years, officials said, adding that the latest achievements reflect the force’s evolving strategy and commitment to maintaining peace in the region.(NVI)

Ceasefire Failure Will Be Israel’s Responsibility: Omar Abdullah

Srinagar, Apr 09 (NVI) : Chief minister Omar Abdullah said that the United States needs to put pressure on Israel for the ceasefire in the Middle East to succeed. He stated that if the ceasefire breaks, Israel would be responsible, not Iran, adding that the conflict was forced on Iran.

While speaking to reporters at SKICC in Srinagar, Omar Abdullah expressed concern over rising tensions, especially Israel’s actions in Lebanon. He said the US must act to control the situation.

Commenting on US President Donald Trump, the Chief Minister said his statements are often inconsistent. He remarked that Trump changes his stance frequently and uses language that does not suit a leader, adding that such behavior would not be acceptable for ordinary social media users.

He also said that many people appear hesitant to question the US President despite his repeated remarks.

Omar Abdullah further stated that the purpose of the war should have been clearly defined from the beginning.

On India’s role, he said that close ties with Israel may have limited New Delhi’s ability to act as a mediator. He added that only Israel seemed to need this conflict and suggested India might have played a different role if its relations with Israel were not so strong.(NVI)

PIA-marked balloon found in field in Nagrota, probe underway

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Jammu, Apr 09 (NVI) : Police on Thursday recovered a balloon marked “PIA (Pakistan International Airlines)” from the Kattal Battal area of Nagrota in Jammu district, officials said.

Officials said that the balloon was found in a field belonging a resident of Kattal Battal.

Soon after receiving the information, a police team from Police Station Nagrota rushed to the spot and recovered the balloon. The item was later taken into custody and shifted to the police station for further examination.

Officials said that the origin and purpose of the balloon are being investigated, and necessary inquiries have been initiated.

No suspicious material was reported to be attached to the balloon, they said.(NVI)

Over 1,100 Kashmiri Students Return Safely from Iran Amid Crisis; Remaining En Route to India

Srinagar, Apr 9 (NVI): Amid ongoing tensions and uncertainties in Iran, over 1,100 Kashmiri students stranded in the country have safely returned to India, while the remaining are on the final leg of their journey, officials said.

The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association nearly 1,200 students were affected by the situation, of whom the majority have already reached home safely. The remaining students have crossed into Armenia and Azerbaijan and are expected to arrive in India either later today or by tomorrow.

All returning students are reported to be safe and in good health. During the crisis, they were shifted to safer locations through coordinated efforts of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Tehran.

Officials said necessary logistical support was provided for evacuation, while students travelled back via commercial flights arranged independently.

Authorities are in constant contact with the students to ensure the safe return of all individuals, while further details are awaited. (NVI)

India reviews preparedness amid West Asia crisis; assures fuel, food supply stability

New Delhi, Apr 8 (NVI): The Centre on Wednesday reviewed India’s preparedness in view of the evolving situation in West Asia, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chairing a high-level meeting of an Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM).

The meeting, held in the national capital, was attended by several senior ministers including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, and Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, among others.

During the meeting, Singh directed all departments to remain focused on preparedness, coordination and resilience to deal with any eventuality arising from the crisis.

In a statement, he said the government is ensuring uninterrupted availability of LPG, petrol, diesel, fertilisers and essential commodities across the country, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Officials informed the ministers that India has facilitated the evacuation of the highest number of vessels among countries transiting the Strait of Hormuz over the past 40 days. Eight LPG vessels carrying around 340 thousand metric tonnes—equivalent to about 11 days of India’s import requirement—have successfully transited the route.

The government also said there have been no reports of LPG shortages at distributorships, and domestic supply continues uninterrupted. To support vulnerable sections, the supply of 5-kg LPG cylinders has been increased beyond the earlier allocation.

To ensure industrial continuity, the government has allocated 70 per cent of LPG supplies to non-domestic bulk consumers, prioritising key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, food processing, agriculture and steel.

The meeting also noted a push towards Piped Natural Gas (PNG), with over 3.16 lakh new connections added recently, alongside voluntary surrender of more than 16,700 LPG connections.

On food security, officials said buffer stocks of wheat and rice remain adequate to meet both public distribution system (PDS) and emergency requirements. The government is also prepared to intervene in the market through the Open Market Sale Scheme to stabilise prices if needed.

The ministers were informed that edible oil supplies remain stable despite global uncertainties, supported by steady imports and improved domestic mustard production. Sugar stocks are also sufficient, with stable retail prices reported.

Officials said prices of essential commodities are being monitored daily across the country and no major volatility has been observed so far, except for a moderate rise in edible oil prices.

The government reiterated that it will continue to closely monitor the situation and take necessary steps to safeguard supply chains and economic stability.(NVI)

Ladakh: Age Relaxation for police posts for Candidates living near LAC

Ladakh, Apr 08 (NVI) : In a significant move aimed at empowering the youth of the border region, the administration has approved a major age-relaxation policy for candidates residing near the Actual Line of Control (ALC) applying for Sub-Inspector posts in the Ladakh Police.

Taking note of multiple representations and persistent demands from local representatives and aspirants, the competent authority has sanctioned a 5+2 years age relaxation for candidates from areas adjoining the ALC. This decision will apply to the upcoming recruitment drive for Sub-Inspectors.

With this relaxation, eligible candidates can now apply up to the age of 35 years, a substantial increase from the previous upper age limit of 28 years.

“Difficult terrains, limited infrastructure, and restricted access to educational and preparatory resources must not hinder the future of our youth,” an official spokesperson confirmed, reiterating the administration’s firm belief behind the decision.

The government remains committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all sections of society, particularly aspirants from ALC areas. Officials stated that promoting inclusivity and ensuring fair representation in the Ladakh Police and other government departments remains a top priority.

“This is a historic step for us. Students from border areas often lose years due to harsh winters and lack of coaching facilities. This relaxation gives us a fair chance,” said Tundup Namgyal, a youth leader from a forward village near the ALC.

The recruitment notice for Sub-Inspectors is expected to be released shortly, with the new age criteria formally incorporated into the eligibility guidelines.(NVI)

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