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5 CRPF Personnel Injured in Road Accident in South Kashmir

Srinagar, Aug 18 (NVI): Five CRPF personnel were injured after a truck collided with a CRPF bunker vehicle in Levdora area of Qazigund in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Tuesday, officials said.

According to officials, the accident occurred when a truck collided with the CRPF vehicle at Levdora. The impact caused the bunker vehicle to overturn, leaving five personnel with minor injuries.

The injured personnel were shifted to the MI Room of the 163 Battalion CRPF in Qazigund for treatment, they said.

Police reached the spot and initiated an investigation into the incident.(NVI)

Iran says it won’t reopen Hormuz until US accepts its conditions

Indian Sailor Killed, Several Injured in Dhow Fire Near Strait of Hormuz
A vessel on fire after being hit in Strait of Hormuz (file pic)

New Delhi, Aug 17 (NVI) Iran today said it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until the United States accepts its conditions.

“It is up to the US side to stop and make amends for its illegal and destructive actions,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said, referring to the American blockade of Iranian ports.

Iran wants the US to lift the blockade, pay compensation for months of war damage, lift economic sanctions and release Iran’s frozen assets.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime corridor that normally carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s traded oil supplies. It has become the biggest issue of contention between the US and Iran.

The effective closure of the Hormuz has led to disruptions in global energy supplies, resulting in escalation of prices of fuel.

Ships which have tried to move across the Hormuz without the approval of Iran have been attacked and several casualties have occurred over the last four months.

Iran is holding separate talks with Oman over transit through the strait, including potentially a temporary shipping corridor.  (NVI)

Iran says it has reached ‘understanding’ with Oman regarding Hormuz

Iranian president Pezeshkian (File Pic)

New Delhi, Aug 17 (NVI) Iran today said it has reached an “understanding” with Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz, apparently referring to the control over movement of ships through the critical maritime corridor which runs between the countries.

The two countries are working to finalize details for a joint statement.

“An understanding has been reached regarding the map of the transit route,” Iranian Foreign Affairs spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told reporters in Tehran.

He did not elaborate but earlier Iran has said that it would talk to Oman regarding joint control of the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, as the two countries share the coastline with the maritime corridor.

The US has sought an acceptable deal on opening the strait before ending its blockade of Iranian ports.

Iran effectively closed the strait, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s traded oil supplies passed before the war, after Israel and the US attacked the country on February 28.

Baghaei conceded the talks with Oman have gone slowly, “but we had planned, and still plan, to finalize the understanding in the form of a package: the map plus a joint statement.”

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump told Fox News that the US would bomb Oman if it “gets in the way,” using an expletive for emphasis.

Fox News did not provide audio of the interview.

This is not the first time that Trump has threatened Oman.

In May, he told reporters during a Cabinet meeting that “Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we will have to blow them up.” (NVI)

Div Com Kashmir reviews arrangements for first International Film Festival of J&K

Srinagar, Aug 17 (NVI): Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg on Monday reviewed arrangements for the first International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir, scheduled to be held from September 7 to 10, and directed departments concerned to designate nodal officers for smooth coordination and execution of the event.

The festival is being organised by the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Jammu and Kashmir.

During the meeting, Garg reviewed the proposed programme, objectives and arrangements for the festival, which aims to promote cinematic excellence, cultural exchange, creative collaboration, emerging filmmaking talent and international industry engagement.

Director Information and Public Relations Shreya Singhal made a detailed presentation on the festival’s vision and activities, including opening and closing ceremonies, curated film screenings, masterclasses, panel discussions, jury and filmmaker interactions, film tourism initiatives, networking and business meetings, and programmes involving students and young filmmakers.

Garg directed all concerned departments to nominate nodal officers to ensure effective inter-departmental coordination and seamless execution of festival-related activities.

He also asked the Director Information and Public Relations to prepare a comprehensive work chart for the event manager and participating departments, clearly outlining their roles, responsibilities and timelines.

Emphasising the promotion of Kashmir’s tourism potential, particularly emerging destinations, the divisional commissioner directed the Tourism Department to undertake focused branding of new tourist locations to attract filmmakers and international visitors.

He also called for appropriate branding of shikaras and boats being used during the festival.

Garg stressed the need to integrate cultural programmes with the festival and showcase Kashmir’s rich handloom and handicraft products at identified venues.

He also directed officials to prepare food menus suitable for national and international guests and ensure the deployment of bilingual service providers through outsourced agencies to facilitate communication.

The divisional commissioner called for organising heritage tours to locations identified by the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation and the Handicrafts and Handloom Department.

He also reviewed plans for customised tour packages, sightseeing programmes and transportation arrangements for visiting guests.

Directions were issued to officers from the Airports Authority, district administrations of Srinagar and Baramulla, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Floriculture, KPDCL, Transport, Health, Lakes Conservation and Management Authority, AACL, Handicrafts and Handloom, Hospitality and Protocol, Education and Police departments regarding their respective responsibilities.

Deputy Commissioners of Srinagar and Baramulla, Commissioner SMC, Director Information and Public Relations, Director Floriculture, Director Airport, Managing Director KPDCL, Vice Chairman LCMA, Joint Director Information Headquarters, Joint Director Information Kashmir and senior officers of the Information Department and other concerned departments attended the meeting.(NVI)

Army Commander Reviews Operational Preparedness in J&K’s Poonch

Shivam Bakshi

Poonch, Aug 17 (NVI): Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma on Monday visited forward locations in Jammu and Kashmir Poonch and reviewed the operational preparedness of the formation, officials said.

During the visit, Lt Gen Sharma was briefed on the prevailing security situation, operational readiness and challenges associated with deployment in the rugged terrain, they said.

The Army Commander interacted with troops deployed in forward areas and appreciated their resilience and commitment to maintaining mission readiness despite challenging terrain and weather conditions.

He emphasised the need for continued vigilance, greater synergy among all stakeholders and adoption of innovative approaches to effectively address emerging security challenges, the officials said.(NVI)

SIA arrests absconding narco-terror operative in Jammu

J-K Police
Representational image

Srinagar, Aug 17 (NVI): The State Investigation Agency (SIA) Kashmir has arrested an absconding operative in Jammu in connection with a narco-terror financing case and uncovered a wider conspiracy allegedly involving Pakistan- and PoK-based operatives linked to Hizbul Mujahideen, officials said on Monday.

The accused, identified as Manoj Kumar Bhat alias Pintu, son of P K Bhat and a resident of Rehari Colony in Jammu, was apprehended during a special operation, a SIA spokesperson said.

Bhat was wanted in connection with FIR No. 13/2022, registered by the SIA on June 3, 2022, over the alleged smuggling and distribution of narcotics and diversion of proceeds from their sale towards terror financing. He had been evading arrest for nearly four years, the spokesperson said.

According to the agency, the investigation has revealed a broader narco-terror network allegedly involving Pakistan- and PoK-based Hizbul Mujahideen operatives. Narcotics were allegedly trafficked into Jammu and Kashmir, distributed through a local network and the proceeds channelled towards sustaining terrorist activities.

The SIA said Bhat allegedly facilitated the sale and distribution of narcotics in the Jammu division. His arrest was made following sustained technical surveillance, human intelligence and coordinated investigative efforts.

The investigation has also revealed alleged links with Pakistan- and PoK-based handlers, including Imtiyaz Ahmad Kandoo alias Kandoo, son of Abdul Khaliq Kandoo of Kralteng in Sopore, and Manzoor Ahmad Khan, son of late Abdul Majeed Khan of Braman Panzala in Baramulla.

The two allegedly facilitated the trafficking of narcotics from PoK, which were subsequently collected, distributed and sold through a network operating in Jammu and Kashmir, the agency said.

The case was initially registered following the recovery of one kilogram of heroin from Zeeshan Ahmad Sofi and Waseem Ahmad Khan at Nowpora in Sopore. Subsequent investigation led to the recovery of seven kilograms of poppy straw and four kilograms of poppy seeds, the SIA said.

The agency also recovered 15 grams of heroin from Bhat’s residential premises, besides seizing a motorcycle and electronic gadgets, which are undergoing forensic and technical examination.

During the investigation, the SIA filed multiple charge sheets before the competent court against Zeeshan Ahmad Sofi, Waseem Ahmad Khan, Bashir Ahmad Koli, Mohammad Ashraf Lone, Mohammad Saleem Khan and Zafraan Khan for judicial determination.

The agency said the probe has established the involvement of a wider network allegedly associated with Hizbul Mujahideen and its Pakistan- and PoK-based handlers.

Separately, the SIA has secured an Interpol Red Corner Notice against terrorist handler and narco-terror operative Imtiyaz Ahmad Kandoo in a terror-related case.

The latest arrest is expected to help investigators trace further links, establish the financial trail and identify other persons allegedly involved in the network connecting narcotics trafficking with terror financing.

The investigation is continuing and efforts are underway to apprehend other accused persons and dismantle the structures allegedly supporting the narco-terror financing network, the agency said.(NVI)

Indian Defence Estates Service officer trainees call on Rajnath Singh

New Delhi, Aug 17 (NVI): Officer Trainees of the 2025 batch of the Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES), currently undergoing training at the National Institute of Defence Estates Management (NIDEM), called on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh here on Monday.

During the interaction, Singh appreciated the role of the Defence Estates Department in managing defence land and overseeing municipal administration of Cantonment Boards across the country.

The Defence Minister emphasised the importance of public servants in meeting the evolving aspirations of citizens and said civil servants should discharge their responsibilities with utmost “Seva Bhav”.

He urged the officer trainees to ensure that public services are delivered in a people-friendly manner and advised them to regularly interact with people and listen to their grievances.

Singh said direct interaction with citizens would help officers understand their concerns better and instil a sense of assurance among them.

The Defence Minister also stressed the need for public servants and young officers to pay equal attention to their physical and mental well-being.

He encouraged the trainees to follow a spiritual path and practise meditation as part of maintaining overall well-being.

Director General Defence Estates Shobha Gupta was also present during the interaction.—(NVI)

11 injured, one killed in road accident on Rajouri-Poonch highway

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Shivam Bakshi

Rajouri, Aug 17 (NVI) At least 11 people were injured and one person was killed in a road accident on the Rajouri-Poonch highway in Rajouri district on Monday, officials said.

The accident occurred in the Tandwal area, following which a rescue operation was launched and the injured were evacuated to a nearby hospital for treatment, they said.

The injured are undergoing treatment at the hospital, while further details about their condition are awaited.

One person was killed in the accident, though the identity of the deceased was not immediately ascertained.

Police have taken cognisance of the incident and initiated further proceedings, officials said.(NVI)

Security forces dismantle ISI-backed Shahzad Bhatti terror network: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah (File Pic)

New Delhi, Aug 17 (NVI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said security forces have dismantled the Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti terror network and foiled its alleged plans to carry out subversive activities ahead of Independence Day, with more than 200 operatives arrested in coordinated operations across 14 states.

In a post on X, Shah said the operations were conducted at multiple locations as part of the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism.

“Indian security forces ripped apart the network by launching coordinated operations across different locations in 14 states,” he said.

According to the Home Minister, the operations resulted in the recovery of IEDs, grenades bearing Pakistan Ordnance Factory markings, pistols and live cartridges.

Security agencies also recovered CCTV cameras allegedly used for espionage-related activities, Shah said.

He said the network was backed by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and was allegedly involved in terror-related activities in India.

The crackdown comes amid investigations into modules allegedly linked to Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti, with agencies probing their suspected involvement in terror recruitment, radicalisation, arms smuggling and attacks.

The National Investigation Agency has also linked Bhatti to terror-related cases, including the 2025 grenade attack on a women’s police station in Sirsa, Haryana, according to officials.

Security agencies have intensified operations against alleged Bhatti-linked modules across several states in recent months, leading to arrests and recoveries during investigations.

Shah said the latest operations had thwarted the network’s alleged plans and demonstrated the government’s resolve to take firm action against terror networks operating with foreign backing. (NVI)

Balochistan: BLA killed 26 Pakistani soldiers in 8 days, 17 in one attack

Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) fighters at some undisclosed location. File Pic.

Quetta, Aug 17 (NVI) Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) today claimed to have killed 26 personnel of Pakistani forces and associates and injured several others in 22 attacks across occupied Balochistan over a period of 8 days.

The BLA fighters also destroyed several police stations, security posts and bridges and rendered 9 commercial and exploitative vehicles useless under an economic blockade, its spokesman Jeeyand Baloch said in a statement.

The fighters carried out 22 attacks in various parts of Balochistan between August 9 and 15, targeting the occupying Pakistani army, agents of state ‘death squads’, and military and economic installations in 22 different operations, he said.

“As a result of these intense attacks, 26 personnel of the occupying army and death squads were killed and several were injured, while an operative of a death squad was taken into custody alive during a raid,” he added.

During continuous clashes with the occupying army, BLA lost two fighters, the spokesman said.

“The cowardly army, rattled by its humiliating defeat, continued its spree of barbarity by killing forcibly disappeared detainees in custody in fake encounters and ruthlessly bombing civilian populations,” he said.

According to details shared by the spokesman, the biggest attack was carried out in Kalat district of Balochistan on August 12 when BLA fighters hit a convoy of Pakistan army in Rodenjo area by detonating a remote-controlled vehicle-borne IED.

As a result of this powerful explosion, 17 Pakistani soldiers were killed on the spot and a large number were injured, he said.

Separately, in Surab district, BLA fighters destroyed another occupying army vehicle in an IED blast, killing 3 personnel and injuring several others, he said.

On the same day, the BLA fighters completely destroyed a police station in Chagai by detonating a bomb.

Meanwhile, at Bartagzi, an armed attack was launched on vehicles of the occupying army, causing severe damage.

On the same night, in Yakmach Bazaar, BLA fighters rendered three commercial vehicles useless by opening fire on them under the economic blockade, while seizing one vehicle.

On August 13, BLA fighters targeted occupying Pakistani army personnel in a fierce armed attack in Nuski district, resulting in the killing of 2 soldiers.

“After suffering a humiliating defeat and heavy losses at the hands of the BLA fighters on the battlefield, the occupying Pakistani army, true to form, demonstrated its traditional cowardice, deceitful tactics, and war crimes,” the spokesman said.

“The occupying forces staged a fake encounter to murder three unarmed, forcibly disappeared Baloch youths who had been detained and severely tortured in their torture cells for years, claiming they were killed in the Chedgi clash.

“To mask its shame and operational failure, the occupying army’s public relations division (DG ISPR) presented the extrajudicial murder of these defenseless prisoners as a fake ‘encounter’ to the media, serving as open proof of their moral bankruptcy and savagery,” he said.

“Fearing attacks by freedom fighters and ground retreat, the cowardly occupying army trampled all international humanitarian laws and rules of engagement by carrying out brutal, blind bombardment using warplanes on unarmed civilian populations in Gidar (Gondan), Surab, on August 12.

“As a result of this savage terrorism and indiscriminate aerial aggression, 27 innocent citizens embraced martyrdom, including young children, women, men, and elderly persons,” he said.

“The Baloch Liberation Army makes it clear that the innocent blood of the Baloch people, the extrajudicial killings of prisoners, and the bombardment of civilian populations will be accounted for to the last penny on the battlefield against the occupying enemy, and this struggle will undoubtedly continue with increased intensity and force until the establishment of an independent Balochistan,” the spokesman said. (NVI)

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