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Pakistani brutalities continue in occupied Kashmir: Many more killed in firing
"There is no place for Pakistan in Kashmir," says prominent Kashmiri leader Sardar Aman

Photos of some of those killed in Pakistani firing in Rawalakot on Monday

Rawalakot (POJK), July 28 (NVI) Continuing their brutalities, Pakistani forces killed and injured more people in occupied Jammu and Kashmir today, taking the toll since yesterday to 31 and causing further mass anger and declarations that “Pakistan has no place in Kashmir”.

For the second straight day, the Pakistani forces went berserk at several places, particularly in Mirpur and Rawalakot, and fired at peaceful protesters in a desperate attempt to crush the ongoing 52-day agitation against Islamabad’s illegal rule.

These territories of Jammu and Kashmir were annexed militarily by Pakistan in October 1947 after launching an invasion.

Several protesters were killed and hundreds injured due to firing by Pakistani forces in Chinar Chowk of Rawalakot today. Civilian properties were also destroyed.

Videos from various parts of POJK showed many people hit by bullets and bleeding on the roads. Several of them lay dead, while many were being rushed to hospitals in wounded condition.

Taking the brutalities to the levels of extremity, the Pakistani forces stormed hospitals and whisked away bodies of the people killed by them, to hide the casualties.

Because of this, the actual number of people killed is not known immediately.

However, according to Muzaffarabad-based Jammu Kashmir Human Rights Observatory (JKHRO), the total number of “verified martyrs” from July 27 till tonight is 31 in Rawalakot only.

Yesterday, the Pakistani forces killed 20 people as they resorted to firing from automatic rifles in Rawalakot.

The total number of people killed by Pakistani forces since June 5 reached 70 till 5 PM (Pakistan time) on Tuesday. Hundreds have been injured.

“The ongoing brutality in Rawalakot is worse than that of the Israeli army,” said Umar Nazir Kashmiri, a senior leader of Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK).

“Bullets are being rained down on the public, and the wounded are being left to writhe and die. Grave violations of basic human rights are continuing,” he added while giving an account about the current situation in POJK.

He said Pakistani forces took over hospitals and forcibly shut medical stores so that first aid cannot be provided.

Referring to the extreme brutalities being committed by the Pakistani forces, Sardar Aman, another prominent leader of JAAC, declared at a rally tonight that “there is no place for Pakistan in Kashmir now”.

JAAC, in a social media post, also said that the region is “Pakistan-occupied Kashmir” and not “Azad Kashmir” as claimed by Pakistan.

“Rulers, stop laying Holi with blood in our region. You are killing people like cutting carrots and radishes. But, now the end of your cowardice will be utterly horrific,” said JAAC, addressing the Pakistani regime.

“We are peaceful people, and in this peaceful struggle of ours, we have already sacrificed our precious youth. The public is carrying the corpses of their loved ones, yet nowhere has there been any violence from the public. …You may use your power to end our lives, but you cannot crush us by this oppression,” it said.

Addressing those Muslims who shed crocodile tears on Palestine, the JAAC said, “those who scream “Gaza Gaza Gaza”— Gaza was far away— Kashmir is just a few kilometers from you, where forces have begun a massacre. The genocide of Kashmiris is underway. Today is the time, breaking the idols of fear, to come out against this tyranny, oppression, and fascism.”

The Pakistani regime has unleashed extreme brutality to crush an ongoing agitation that began on June 5 against Pakistan’s political and other kinds of indulgence in the affairs of the region, which it ironically calls ‘Azad Kashmir (free Kashmir).

Kashmiris are on the streets for the last 52 days also for their basic rights and resources of the occupied region, which have been denied to them for the last 78 years by Pakistan after annexing it militarily in 1947.

“We want a solution to our issues. We are making it clear that if obstacles are placed in the way of basic necessities including medical services, then the responsibility for the severity of the situation will also fall on the rulers, institutions, and the powerful,” Umar Nazir Kashmiri said. (NVI)

Two Army Personnel Injured in Mine explosion Along LoC in J&K’s Uri

File Photo

Srinagar, Jul 28 (NVI): Two Army personnel were injured in a mine explosion along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Tuesday, sources said.

The explosion occurred near a forward post in the Kamalkote sub-sector while the troops were on duty, they said.

The injured soldiers were immediately evacuated from the site and airlifted to the Army’s Base Hospital in Srinagar for treatment, sources said, adding that their condition was being monitored.

They said the cause and circumstances of the explosion were being ascertained.

Further details are awaited.—(NVI)

Two arrested for alleged gang rape of woman in J&K’s Baramulla; assault filmed: Police

Srinagar, July 28 (NVI): Two men have been arrested for allegedly gang raping a young woman and filming the assault in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district, police said on Tuesday.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Baramulla, Gurinderpal Singh, said the woman approached Police Station Baramulla on July 25 and alleged that she and a male friend were on an outing to Jalsheeri Drangbal when they were intercepted by two men.

The accused allegedly harassed the duo, assaulted them and sexually assaulted the woman. They also recorded the assault on video and later showed the footage to others, the officer said.

The SSP said the investigation was initially challenging as the survivor knew the accused only by their first names. However, based on technical evidence and human intelligence, police identified the suspects and arrested them on Monday.

The accused have been identified as Shakir Ahmed Lone and Mohammed Ashraf, both residents of Jalsheeri. Police said both work as drivers, while Ashraf, 27, is married.

Both accused are in police custody and further investigation is underway, the SSP said, adding that the probe is being conducted in a fair, impartial and time-bound manner in accordance with the law.(NVI)

J&K CM reviews CAPEX, seeks full utilisation of available funds

Srinagar, Jul 28 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday directed all government departments to accelerate capital expenditure and ensure timely utilisation of allocated funds, saying leaving available money unspent reflected administrative inefficiency.

Chairing a high-level review meeting on Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) at the Civil Secretariat here, Abdullah said departments should avoid delaying expenditure until the end of the financial year and instead make full use of the ongoing working season.

“To have money and not spend it is incompetence. Not having money is easier to explain, but it is impossible to explain when funds are available and remain unutilised,” the chief minister said.

He said the review was held early in the financial year to enable departments to take corrective measures and effectively utilise the remaining working season in both Kashmir and Jammu.

Reviewing the implementation of the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), Abdullah directed departments to fully utilise allocations under the scheme, warning that unspent funds could reduce Jammu and Kashmir’s allocation in the next financial year.

He instructed ministers to review reform-linked targets under SASCI every fortnight so that the Union Territory could qualify for additional financial assistance.

The chief minister also directed departments to immediately begin work on projects for which administrative approvals and tendering had already been completed and asked them to prepare a strong pipeline of projects for the 2027-28 financial year in advance.

Expressing concern over delays in project identification despite the availability of funds, Abdullah said departments should revisit development proposals submitted by MLAs during Budget consultations and include eligible projects under future SASCI funding.

He also stressed the need to improve utilisation of funds under Centrally Sponsored Schemes and asked departments to streamline procurement and tendering processes while maintaining transparency and accountability.

Earlier, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance, Shailendra Kumar, presented the capital expenditure position for 2026-27 and highlighted departments where spending remained below expected levels, along with the reasons for slow utilisation of funds.(NVI)

LG Sinha says private sector, entrepreneurship key to tackling unemployment in J&K

J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha

Srinagar, Jul 28 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday said unemployment cannot be addressed through government jobs alone and stressed the need to strengthen private sector employment, entrepreneurship and industry-academia collaboration to create sustainable opportunities for the youth.

Addressing the 77th State-Level Mega Job Fair at Amar Singh College here, Sinha said young people were not merely job seekers but the makers of India’s future and urged them to dream big, keep learning and embrace innovation.

“You are not merely job-seekers. You are the makers of India’s future. In your hands rests your career as well as the direction of the nation’s development,” he said.

The mega job fair, organised by Desh Bhagat University in collaboration with Cluster University Srinagar, NIELIT, Nations Development Association and MY Bharat, witnessed participation of more than 50 companies from sectors including information technology, healthcare, banking, manufacturing, retail, hospitality, logistics and engineering.

Sinha said such initiatives provide a platform where education meets industry and help bridge the gap between academic learning and workplace requirements.

He said educational institutions must equip students with practical knowledge and skills instead of limiting learning to classrooms.

“Education should not be confined to classrooms. It must prepare every student to begin life’s journey with confidence, skills and practical understanding,” he said.

The Lieutenant Governor called upon industries to work closely with educational institutions to strengthen innovation, skill development and employment generation.

“If industry and education work together, we can create an environment where knowledge and experience strengthen each other, and innovation and employment advance together,” he said.

Sinha said the government was focusing on aligning skills with industry requirements, promoting entrepreneurship and facilitating simplified recruitment through initiatives such as mega job fairs.

Referring to the growth of entrepreneurship in Jammu and Kashmir, he said lakhs of youth had taken up entrepreneurial ventures since 2020 and expressed confidence that the Union Territory would emerge as a hub of innovation, startups and modern industries.

He said the 77th Mega Job Fair should mark the beginning of a new chapter in the employment landscape of Jammu and Kashmir by connecting aspiring youth with meaningful career opportunities.(NVI)

Prices of international crude oil fall amidst hopes of peace between US and Iran

New Delhi, July 28 (NVI): In a sign of relief, international crude oil prices declined further today amidst hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough between the United States and Iran which could ease energy flows across the West Asian region.

While Brent crude futures declined $0.78, or 1 per cent, to $88 a barrel, US West Texas Intermediate crude fell $0.88, or 1.1 per cent, to $82 a barrel.

Both benchmarks touched their lowest levels in more than a week during the session.

The decline followed a sharp sell-off in the previous session.

Brent crude futures had dropped $8.42, or 8.7 per cent, to settle at $88.36 a barrel, their lowest level since July 17.

WTI futures fell $6.70, or 7.5 per cent, to close at $82.61 a barrel, the lowest since July 16. Combined, crude oil prices have fallen about 10 per cent over two sessions as the market reassesses the geopolitical risk premium built into prices during the conflict.

The crude prices fell as US President Donald Trump said Washington was engaged in talks with Iran and indicated that a resolution remained possible.

However, he also warned that US strikes could resume if negotiations failed. Iran has issued similar warnings over possible retaliation.

The prospect of negotiations has reduced immediate fears of a broader disruption to oil supplies and key maritime routes. (NVI)

Pakistani military is worse than Israeli army: Leader of occupied Jammu Kashmir

A Kashmiri injured in Pakistani military firing in POJK

Rawalakot (POJK), July 28 (NVI) “The ongoing brutality in Rawalakot is worse than that of the Israeli army,” cries Umar Nazir Kashmiri, a senior leader of Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) as the oppression by the Pakistani forces peaked in the region.

“Bullets are being rained down on the public, and the wounded are being left to writhe and die. Grave violations of basic human rights are continuing,” he adds while giving an account about the current situation in POJK.

According to Nazir Kashmiri, Pakistani forces have taken over and medical stores have been forcibly shut down so that first aid cannot be provided.

His statement came as Pakistani forces stepped up brutalities in POJK, particularly in Rawalakot where at least 70 local Kashmiris have been killed and hundreds injured in firing.

Only yesterday, 20 people were killed in firing by Pakistani forces in Rawalakot. While 19 of them have been identified as local Kashmiris, identity of one is not confirmed yet.

The Pakistani regime has unleashed extreme brutality to crush an ongoing agitation that began on June 5 against Pakistan’s political and other kinds of indulgence in the affairs of the region, which it ironically calls ‘Azad Kashmir (free Kashmir).

Kashmiris are on the streets for the last 52 days also for their basic rights and resources of the occupied region, which have been denied to them for the last 78 years by Pakistan after annexing it militarily in 1947.

“We want a solution to our issues. We are making it clear that if obstacles are placed in the way of basic necessities including medical services, then the responsibility for the severity of the situation will also fall on the rulers, institutions, and the powerful,” Umar Nazir Kashmiri said.

“What did we even demand? Basic rights. Now one thing is crystal clear: you (Pakistan) have to snatch your rights back yourself, and no more trust can be placed in these cunning murderers. We’ll have to determine our own future,” said another JAAC leader Hamza Nasir.

“If we live, we’ll do so with honor; if we die, it’ll be with honor too… Right up to the ‘jugular vein’ and the Kalima, brother… You’re the killers, the liars, and the hypocrites,” he said in a message to Pakistan.

The mention of ‘jugular vein’ is in reference to Pakistan’s oft-repeated claims that “Kashmir is its jugular vein”.

The JAAC said the Pakistani military has “exceeded its limits” by entrenching camps in occupied territories of Jammu and Kashmir, against the mandate of the UN Resolutions.

“We will settle the score with the blood of our martyrs. We will not stop under any circumstances despite the martyrdoms. We must move forward,” said Umar Nazir Kashmiri, a Core Member of JAAC. (NVI)

Mehbooba Mufti Apologises for Jantar Mantar Remarks, Calls It ‘Slip of Tongue’

PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti

Srinagar, July 28 (NVI): Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday expressed regret over her remarks made at Jantar Mantar, describing them as a “slip of tongue” and saying she had not intended to make the statement that drew criticism.

Speaking to reporters here, Mufti said she had meant to say “Bahana Banta Hai” but inadvertently said “Banta Hai” during her address at Jantar Mantar.

“I had to say ‘Bahana Banta Hai’; instead, I said ‘Banta Hai’. I apologise for it,” she said.

The PDP chief said her remarks were unintentional and asserted that she never meant to hurt anyone’s sentiments.

Her clarification came after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah criticised her over the comment and urged her to apologise.(NVI)

Four Injured, One Critical, in Road Accident in J&K’s Rajouri

Shivam Bakshi

Jammu, Jul 28 (NVI): Four people were injured, one of them critically, after a Tata Mobile and a load carrier auto collided on the Jammu–Poonch National Highway in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, officials said.

The accident took place at Muradpur area, following which the injured were shifted to the Government Medical College (GMC) Associated Hospital, Rajouri, they said.

The injured were identified as Neeraj Kumar (25), Sameer Ahmed (24), Shubam Sharma (22) and Mohd Saleem (20).

Hospital officials said Neeraj Kumar, who was driving the Tata Mobile, suffered critical injuries, while the condition of the other three was stated to be stable.

Police have registered a case and launched an investigation to ascertain the cause of the accident, officials added.(NVI)

Women can now join Indian Coast Guard

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announces gender-neutral induction in Coast Guard

New Delhi, Jul 28 (NVI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday announced two major policy reforms for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), introducing gender-neutral officer induction and simplifying the process for providing ex-gratia compensation to the families of personnel who go missing at sea while on duty.

The reforms were unveiled in New Delhi in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Director General of the Indian Coast Guard Paramesh Sivamani and senior officials.

Under the new policy, women will now be inducted into both Short Service Appointments (SSA) and Permanent Appointments (PA) on par with men, while SSA has also been opened to male candidates.

The policy also provides equal opportunities for career progression from the training stage onwards.

Existing women officers serving under Permanent Appointments will be eligible for promotions subject to prescribed conditions, while women officers currently serving under SSA will have the option to convert to Permanent Appointments after meeting eligibility criteria.

The second reform streamlines the procedure for granting ex-gratia compensation and terminal benefits to the next of kin of Coast Guard personnel reported missing at sea during duty. The policy empowers the authorities to declare such personnel “presumed dead” for the limited purpose of processing ex-gratia and related benefits, reducing delays in extending financial assistance to bereaved families.

Speaking on the occasion, Singh praised the Indian Coast Guard for its service over the past five decades and said the reforms would strengthen the morale and operational effectiveness of the force ahead of its Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2027.

He also reiterated the Centre’s commitment to developing the Coast Guard into a modern, capable and future-ready maritime force.(NVI)

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