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J&K Budget: Free power up to 200 units to AAY families, free travel for women in Govt transport

CM Omar Abdullah in J&K Assembly (file Pic)

Jammu, Mar 7 (NVI) Presenting its first Budget, the Omar Abdullah-led government in Jammu and Kashmir today announced a number of sops promised by his party National Conference in the elections, including free electricity up to 200 units to AAY and an assistance to 40,000 women under ‘Lakhpati Didi’ scheme.

Abdullah, who holds the Finance portfolio, also announced while presenting the Budget that from women can travel for free in all kinds of government-run transport, including e-buses, from April 1, this year.

Under the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ Scheme, which has been copied from Madhya Pradesh, the Jammu and Kashmir Government will provide assistance to 40,000 women.

Under Marriage Assistance Scheme, a beneficiary can now receive Rs 75,000/- instead of Rs 50,000/-.

The families falling in the category of Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) will get free 200 units of electricity, the Chief Minister announced.

In the field of Sports, he also announced specialised training for coaches to enhance their capabilities.

For this, he allocated a capital expenditure allocation of Rs 152.69 crore for 2025-26, an increase of Rs 36.91 crore from the revised allocation of 2024-25.

To nurture talent, the government will continue its efforts to train youth at Khelo India Centres, with an emphasis on increasing women’s participation, he said.

“Jammu and Kashmir is poised to become a leading sports hub with ongoing investments in infrastructure and facilities. The establishment of 100 Khelo India Centres, development of sports complexes, and synthetic turfs in key stadia set the foundation for a vibrant sports ecosystem,” Abdullah said.

“Additionally, J&K will enhance its standing as the winter sports capital by hosting more winter games in Gulmarg and promoting water sports through dedicated academies. With continued focus on infrastructure and athlete development, Jammu and Kashmir is set to shape a thriving sports ecosystem for future generations,” the Chief Minister said.

“Our Government will be establishing National Centres of Excellence for Water Sports at Dal Lake in Srinagar and Basohli in Jammu, providing state-of-the-art training facilities for water sports enthusiasts,” he said.

“A Gymnastics Academy will be set up at GindunRajbagh and Khel Gaon, Nagrota, ensuring specialized coaching for budding gymnasts. To nurture young cricketing talent, four state-of-the-art Cricket Academies will be established with a budgetary allocation of Rs 8 crore.

“Additionally, two new Youth Hostels—one each in Jammu and Kashmir divisions—will be constructed with a provision of Rs 10 crore,” he said.

Abdullah also announced that High-Performance Training Centers will be developed in all districts in a phased manner to enhance athlete training and performance at the grassroots level.

To promote mass participation, “we aim to engage 75 lakh youth in sports activities across Jammu and Kashmir, fostering a culture of fitness and excellence”, Abdullah said.

“To further promote sports and tourism, we will host important national and international sporting events in Jammu and Kashmir. Football exchange programs will be conducted to provide local players with exposure to global best practices.

“Special focus will be given to empowering coaches through capacity-building initiatives such as the Football Development Program and World Coach Programs,” he added.

‘In our endeavor to make quality sports infrastructure accessible, we are developing 247 playfields, stadiums, and sports courts across the region, along with the construction and upgradation of 19 sports buildings,” he said.

“To equip our stadiums with modern amenities, we are also procuring advanced sports equipment and generators,” the Chief Minister said.

“To further support our sportspersons, we will ensure that travel costs, accommodation, and training opportunities are addressed, enabling athletes to compete at national and international levels without financial constraints,” he said.

The coaches will receive specialized training to enhance their capabilities, and financial support for athletes will be increased to ensure equal opportunities for all.

“Our vision is to make sports an integral part of community development, ensuring participation from all sections of society. Two new swimming pools will be commissioned in both capital cities, further expanding training facilities. Additionally, dedicated sports facilities will be created for migrant populations to ensure inclusivity.

“Special emphasis will be placed on involving the rural and tribal population in games, fostering a culture of sports at the grassroots level,” he said. (NVI)

Menace of illegal detentions in Balochistan worsens, 48 become victims in 5 days

Protests against Karima Baloch's murder enter 3rd day in Balochistan
Protest against enforced disappearances. Baloch women staging protest to seek details of their kin who were illegally picked up by Pakistani forces. (File Pic)

Quetta, Mar 6 (NVI) The menace of illegal detentions by Pakistani forces in occupied-Balochistan has worsened further, with as many as 48 Baloch individuals falling victims to this torturous practice in first 5 days of this month, according to a human rights body.

Paank, the human rights unit of Baloch National Movement (BNM), said 35 of the 48 individuals were arrested by the Pakistan army in Kalat district, after which they just disappeared.

Five others were victims of custodial killings, it said.

BNM spokesperson, in a press release, expressed deep concern over the worsening human rights situation in Balochistan.

The BNM urged global human rights organizations to review the reports issued by Paank which documents human rights violations in Balochistan daily through credible sources. These reports highlight the grave human rights crisis in Balochistan and the ongoing genocide against the Baloch nation.

The spokesperson stated that thousands of people in Balochistan have been enforced disappeared, inflicting immense suffering across Baloch society.

Despite continuous protests by the Baloch nation against these atrocities, state violence has only escalated.

Women and children who peacefully demand the recovery of their loved ones are met with brutality, abductions, and intimidation aimed at silencing them.

Reaffirming their stance, the spokesperson declared that BNM will not remain silent in the face of this oppression.

The Pakistani state has lost control over Balochistan due to the Baloch nation’s struggle for freedom.

In response, the Pakistan army has intensified its violent tactics to instill fear and suppress the resistance.

However, these failed attempts to subjugate the Baloch nation will only result in further bloodshed.

The BNM spokesperson made it clear that the Baloch nation will not waver from its demand for freedom.

The sacrifices made so far necessitate national unity and a more coordinated struggle for independence.

As long as the Baloch nation remains under occupation, the cycle of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings will persist, he said.

Addressing BNM activists, the spokesperson urged them to stand in solidarity with the families of the enforced disappeared, bolster their resilience, and strengthen the unity of Baloch society.

BNM activists abroad must amplify the voice of the Baloch nation, awaken global conscience, and increase international support for an independent Balochistan.

Concluding the statement, the spokesperson announced that on March 27, BNM will organize various programs to highlight enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in protest against Pakistan’s occupation of Balochistan.

The central event will take place in Geneva, where an intensive campaign will be launched to inform international organizations about the ongoing atrocities in Balochistan. (NVI)

Border clashes erupt again between Afghan & Pakistani forces

Torkham border point between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Kabul, Mar 5 (NVI) Heavy cross-border clashes once again erupted today between Afghan and Pakistani forces in Torkham-Jalalabad sector, even as thousands of people living close to the frontier in Afghanistan have shifted to safer places, according to reports.

Border guards on both sides used heavy weapons and rockets to target each other’s positions, the reports said.

There were reports of injuries to some journalists on the Afghanistan side but confirmation was awaited.

Border forces of the two neighbours have been repeatedly engaging in heavy firing and shelling in the sector for the past few days.

So far, at least 3 Pakistani soldiers and a Taliban fighter have been killed and several injured on the both sides.

According to sources, the clashes started a few days back after Afghan soldiers wanted to set up a post near the Torkham border and the Pakistani side opposed it.

The armed clashes started after 10 days of closure of the Torkham border, the main transit point between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The closure of the border, amidst increasing diplomatic and military tensions between the two neighbours, has left stranded thousands of goods-laden trucks on both sides of the frontier.

The bilateral trade between the two countries was to the tune of around $1.6 billion in the last calendar year. (NVI)

Pakistan Army Cantt stormed by armed men; 12 soldiers killed, 30 injured

Scene at Bannu Army Cantt in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan after being attacked

Peshawar, Mar 5 (NVI) Over a dozen Pakistani soldiers have been killed and nearly 30 others injured after a large group of heavily-armed men stormed the Army Cantonment in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province last evening.

 

While some of the attackers have been killed in the gunfight with the Pakistani military, others continue to fight inside the compound even as nearly 24 hours passed since the attack began, according to the latest reports.

 

The Bannu cantonment, which is the biggest garrison of the Pakistan Army in Khyber Pakthunkhwa Province, was attacked from three sides, with two suicide bombers ramming their explosives-laden vehicles into the main cordon and the third one blasting another gate.

 

The explosions caused collapse of various structures, parts of an adjoining Mosque, reports said.

 

The attackers then stormed into the high-security compound, firing rocket-propelled grenades and using heavy assault guns.

 

Sounds of heavy gunfire, punctuated with loud explosions, were heard through the last night and most of the day today.

 

According to various sources, at least 12 soldiers died and over 30 others were injured.

 

Along with the military personnel, some civilians, including children, were also killed and  injured in the attack which was still going on.

 

According to eyewitnesses, 3 bodies and an injured person were recovered from the rubble of the mosque which caved in due to the blast.

 

Pakistani military spokesman ISPR, meanwhile, claimed that only 5 soldiers had been killed in the attack carried out by 16 armed men.

“The multiple suicide blasts resulted in the partial collapse of the perimeter wall, causing damage to the adjacent infrastructure. Tragically, a mosque and a civilian residential building in close proximity also suffered severe destruction, leading to the martyrdom of thirteen innocent civilians and injuries to thirty-two others,” ISPR said in a statement.

 

It said there was evidence that Afghan nationals were also involved in the attack. (NVI)

4 rebel armed groups form single outfit as ‘decisive New War strategy’ for Liberation from Pakistan

Representative picture of Baloch Raaji Aajoi Sangar (BRAS) fighters

Quetta, Mar 3 (NVI) In a huge development, four major armed outfits fighting for liberation of Balochistan and Sindh from Pakistan have decided to form a united organisation to be a “decisive force which will prove to be an invincible wall against the enemy (Pakistan)”.

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), Baloch Republican Guards (BRG), and Sindhi Liberation Organization ‘Sindhu Desh Revolutionary Army’ (SDRA) have held a high-level meeting and agreed to form the Baloch National Army (BNA).

So far, these outfits have been operating under an umbrella organisation called Baloch Raji Aajoi Sangar (BRAS).

“The meeting lasted for three days during which important decisions were made to enter the Baloch national movement into a decisive phase,” said a statement issued by the BRAS to NVI.

“It was agreed in the meeting that BRAS will soon take the form of the Baloch National Army,” said the BRAS spokesman Baloch Khan.

New committees and departments will be reconstituted at a high level to bring the activists and leadership of various organizations under a unified military structure, while at the grassroots level, the process of strengthening and reorganizing the organizational and military foundations in all regions will commence immediately, the statement added.

The main objective of this process is to transform the Baloch resistance forces from scattered operations into an organized, coordinated and decisive force which will prove to be an invincible wall against the enemy, it said.

“It was decided in the meeting that further intensity and innovation will be introduced in the war against Pakistan and China.

“Guerrilla operations will be organized according to modern military strategies to inflict greater losses on the enemy, while the combat superiority of BRAS will be further consolidated through the effective use of technology on the battlefield.

“A coordinated and systematic plan of action has been drawn up to completely eliminate the enemy’s intelligence superiority, weaken its military positions and target its war equipment which will be implemented as soon as possible,” it said.

“To intensify resistance against the looting of Baloch resources, the exploitative projects of Pakistani and Chinese capitalists and the presence of the occupying army, it was decided to intensify the blockade on all important highways of Balochistan to disrupt the logistical, economic and military interests of the occupying state.

“Additionally, operations are being organized under a new strategy in different areas further increasing pressure on the enemy’s movements and centers,” the BRAS said.

A new strategy is also being formulated at the diplomatic level to further highlight the Baloch national issue on the global stage.

A diplomatic campaign will be launched to effectively present the atrocities committed by the Pakistani and Chinese states, the Baloch genocide, enforced disappearances, military aggression and colonial projects on international forums.

In this regard, BRAS will pay special attention to strengthening ties with international diplomatic institutions, human rights organizations and various global forces.

Important decisions have also been made to make the Baloch media more effective and active.

New steps will be taken to adapt the resistance media to modern requirements, strengthen ties with international media organizations and present the Baloch national narrative more effectively on social media, countering enemy propaganda and clarifying the real objectives of the Baloch movement to the world, the BRAS spokesman said.

A comprehensive plan has also been formulated for the ideological, intellectual and military training of all Baloch freedom fighters.

Under this plan, each fighter will not only receive further training in combat skills but will also be intellectually and practically prepared regarding national ideology, revolutionary politics and the colonialist conspiracies of the enemy.

It is essential that every freedom fighter understands that his struggle is not for any specific group or organization but for Baloch national liberation. This ideology can give rise to an invincible movement.

BRAS has also prepared a complete roadmap to further develop its guerrilla warfare strategy, minimize losses and achieve maximum results.

Under this strategy, systematic operations are being organized to put the enemy under greater pressure while a plan for the maximum use of technology in combat operations is being implemented.

BRAS will ensure that every step of resistance is executed in such a way that the enemy suffers irreparable damage while minimizing casualties among Baloch freedom fighters.

A concerted effort will be made to further strengthen ties with all allied organizations as well as other libertarian organizations and unite them under the banner of BRAS. The meeting also emphasized that to further expand and strengthen the Baloch national resistance on every front the national struggle should be prioritized over any form of factionalism.

BRAS firmly believes that the only guarantee of Baloch national liberation is the establishment of a united, organized and invincible national army. History has proven that liberation movements succeed only when they move beyond scattered military operations and unite under an organized military leadership. BRAS is advancing this ideology so that the Baloch national movement can be given an invincible structure that can thwart every conspiracy of the enemy and bring Baloch national liberation closer to reality.

The occupation of Baloch resources is unacceptable under any circumstances and BRAS will ensure that no colonial power including China can exploit Baloch resources in collaboration with Pakistan. BRAS has resolved to enter a decisive military, diplomatic and ideological phase and this war will now be fought with greater intensity and innovation, making Baloch national liberation an inevitable reality. (NVI)

Border clashes between Afghan, Pakistan forces leave several dead on both sides

File pic of Torkham Border post

Kabul, Mar 3 (NVI) On the first working day of Holy Ramzan, the border forces of Afghanistan and Pakistan engaged in heavy cross-border firing and shelling in Torkham area, leaving at least 3 Pakistani soldiers and a Taliban fighter dead and several injured on the both sides.

According to sources, the clashes started late last night after Afghan soldiers wanted to set up a post near the Torkham border and the Pakistani side opposed it.

Initially, there was a verbal spat and soon bullets and rockets started flying from both sides.

The exchange of firing and shelling continued till 11 AM (Afghan time) today, the sources said.

At least 3 Pakistani soldiers were reportedly killed and several injured in the cross-firing, according to the sources.

One Taliban border guard was also killed and some others injured.

The armed clashes came after 10 days of closure of the Torkham border, the main transit point between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The closure of the border, amidst increasing diplomatic and military tensions between the two neighbours, has left stranded thousands of goods-laden trucks on both sides of the frontier.

The bilateral trade between the two countries was to the tune of around $1.6 billion in the last calendar year. (NVI)

Major attack on Pakistani military posts in Khyber; 15 soldiers killed, many injured

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) cadre in specialised gear. File pic released by TTP

Peshawar, Mar 3 (NVI) In a major attack, at least 15 Pakistani soldiers were killed and several others injured in an attack by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in North Waziristan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.

According to reports, three posts of the Pakistani military were attacked by a large number of TTP fighters past midnight.

The attackers, believed to be around 25-30 in number, carried out simultaneous assaults on the three military posts, catching the soldiers by surprise.

They attackers used heavy and small weapons and as a result, 15 soldiers were killed and several others injured, locals said.

On the other hand, the Pakistani military, as usual, tried to suppress the real number of casualties by claiming that only 3 soldiers were killed and 11 injured. (NVI)

Balochistan: BLA says it killed 3 Pakistani soldiers, injured 10

Special Tactical Operations Squad (STOQ) of Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).

Quetta, Feb 28 (NVI) Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) tonight claimed to have killed 3 Pakistani soldiers and injured 10 in three separate attacks in Quetta, Panjgur and Turbat districts of Balochistan.

Today, Baloch Liberation Army freedom fighters targeted a vehicle of the occupying Pakistani Army on Jan Muhammad Road in Quetta city in a remote-controlled IED attack, its spokesman Jeeyand Baloch said.

Freedom fighters targeted the enemy army vehicle as it was passing through the said area, he said, adding three of the eight personnel in the vehicle were eliminated on the spot and five personnel including the driver were seriously wounded while the vehicle was completely destroyed.

Earlier, last night, in another operation, freedom fighters targeted personnel posted at the security post of the main camp of the occupying Pakistani Army in Panjgur city using grenade launcher, he said.

As a result of the explosions, at least 3 enemy army personnel were wounded.

In another operation, Baloch Liberation Army freedom fighters targeted the occupying army camp in the Nasirabad area of ​​Turbat on the night of February 23 using grenade launchers.

At least two occupying army personnel were wounded in the attack. (NVI)

Bomb attack at Mosque in Pakistan kills prominent cleric, others

Chhattisgarh
Representatinal Image of a blast

Peshawar, Feb 28 (NVI) A suicide bomber today struck at a prominent Madrassa in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan, killing an influential Muslim cleric along with 5 others and injuring 12.

The bomber blew himself up at Madrassa-e-Haqqania in Akora Khattak in Nowshera in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the prayers.

The huge explosion killed Maulana Hamidul Haq, the seniormost cleric and caretaker of the Madrassa, and 5 other devotees and injured 12 others.

Among the injured were 3 policemen who were on security duties at the Madrassa.

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) condemned the attack and hinted at the involvement of Pakistani State agencies.

“In the recent past, all the scholars and especially the political and religious leaders and workers who went against the purpose of the (Pakistani) State institutions have been targeted,” said TTP spokesman Muhammad Khorasani in a statement.

“The same organizations tried their best to justify the killing of the Mujahideen of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan…. The secret bloodthirsty organizations of Pakistan martyred the debilitated scholar Rabbani in Islamabad with knives in a very brutal way,” he said.

“Maulana Hamidul Haq Sahib, the heir of the same martyred scholar Rabbani (in whose veins the warm blood of the martyred Nation of Islam was circulating and who was glaring in the eyes of Pakistani institutions) was also removed from the path today very cleverly,” he said.

The TTP spokesman said Maulana Hamidul-Haq was “a preacher of truth, a good teacher and a fearless advocate of stable schools” and his “pure blood will not go in vain.”

Khorasani said this attack was “not only on the late Maulana, but on all religious schools, religious institutions and scholars.”

“Were the righteous people intimidated by such tricks, this bright lamp of Islam would have been extinguished,” he said. (NVI)

Overseas Jobs Frauds: UK Govt launches awareness campaign

Representational image

New Delhi, Feb 27 (NVI) Days after hundreds of illegal Indian immigrants were deported back by the US, the UK Government today launched the ‘Visa Fraud Ton Bacho’ campaign to help protect Indian citizens from the physical, financial, and emotional risks of visa fraud and irregular migration.

The campaign includes a new dedicated WhatsApp support line (+91 70652 51380) in English and Punjabi, helping to identify common visa scam tactics and providing access to official guidance for those seeking legal routes to travel to the UK, said a statement issued by the UK High Commission here.

The campaign, launched in Jalandhar in Punjab State, will highlight the warning signs of visa scams.

“People will be advised to look out for the common spurious claims such as the promise of jobs in the UK, no requirement for English-language tests (IELTS), and exorbitant fees,” it said.

Visa fraud leads to unacceptable and unnecessary levels of debt and puts people at risk of physical harm and exploitation.

A person found committing visa fraud could receive a 10-year ban on travel to the UK.

Under the Mobility and Migration Partnership Agreement, the UK and India have a shared commitment to tackling irregular migration.

The campaign, representing a further element of joint efforts to step up the fight against irregular migration and visa fraud, comes against the backdrop of hundreds of illegal Indian immigrants found in the US and deported from there. Most of them had been defrauded and cheated by travel agents or others.

“The opportunity to visit, study, and work in the UK has never been greater and Indian nationals continue to receive the largest share of UK visit and work visas,” said Christina Scott, British Deputy High Commissioner to India.

“However, young peoples’ dreams are being exploited, and too many are becoming victims of visa fraud. That’s why we are launching the Visa Fraud Ton Bacho campaign. The campaign seeks to raise awareness of the risks and help people to check the facts on safe and legal routes to the UK,” she added.

Caroline Rowett, British Deputy High Commissioner Chandigarh, said: “Punjab is known for its hardworking and ambitious people who have made significant contributions both in the UK and globally. We want to ensure that these dreams are fulfilled safely and legally. We urge people to spread the ‘Visa Fraud Ton Bacho’ message and help protect individuals from falling victim to fraudulent agents.” (NVI)

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