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Export of apricots from Ladakh to UAE begins, Lt Governor flags off consignment

Ladakh Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena flags off apricot consignment for UAE

Leh (Ladakh), July 15 (NVI): Organic apricots of Ladakh will now be available in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The first consignment of five metric tonnes (MT) of organic apricots, destined for UAE, was today flagged off by Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena who said the initiative will provide local farmers direct access to international markets and significantly boost their incomes.

In a post on X, the Lieutenant Governor said the export has been facilitated through a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UAE-based LuLu Group.

He said apricot exports from Ladakh are expected to exceed 1,000 MT this season, a substantial increase from the 1,500 kg exported over the previous two years.

According to the LG, the initiative is expected to multiply farmers’ incomes, reduce post-harvest losses and improve their standard of living by opening up overseas markets for Ladakh’s produce.

Saxena said the initiative is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Vocal for Local” and “Local to Global” vision and expressed confidence that it would help establish Ladakh as a premier export hub while strengthening the local economy and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities.(NVI)

CRPF ASI dies of cardiac arrest while on duty in J-K’s Kulgam

REPRESENTATIONAL PIC.

Srinagar, July 15 (NVI): A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) assistant sub-inspector died after suffering a cardiac arrest while on duty in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Wednesday, officials said.

The officer, identified as Jai Prakash, a resident of Haryana, was posted with the 18th Battalion of the CRPF in Kulgam, they said.

According to officials, Jai Prakash collapsed while on duty and was rushed to Government Medical College (GMC), Anantnag, where doctors declared him brought dead.

Doctors said the cause of death was a cardiac arrest, officials added.

Further legal and departmental formalities are underway, they said.(NVI)

Ex-Sarpanch Dies After Shooting Stone Strikes Vehicle in J&K Ramban

Shivam Bakshi

Jammu, July 15 (NVI): A former sarpanch was killed on Wednesday after a boulder rolled down a hillside and struck his car on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Ramban district, officials said.

The incident took place near Trishul Morh when Mohammad Iqbal Tantray, a resident of Seri village in Ramban, was returning home after dropping a person in Ramban town, they said.

The boulder hit his vehicle, leaving him critically injured. He was rushed to the District Hospital Ramban, where doctors declared him brought dead, the officials said.

Police have taken cognisance of the incident and started an investigation, they added.(NVI)

Terrorist hideout busted in J&K’s Poonch; 246 rounds of Pika ammunition recovered

Shivam Bakshi

Poonch, Jul 14 (NVI): Security forces on Tuesday busted a terrorist hideout during a search operation in the Sawjian area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district and recovered 246 rounds of Pika machine gun ammunition, officials said.

The operation was launched on the basis of specific intelligence inputs in the Sawjian area of Poonch district.

During the searches, the security forces unearthed a terrorist hideout and recovered 246 rounds of Pika machine gun ammunition from the site, the officials said.

The recovered ammunition has been seized, and further investigation is underway, they added.(NVI)

Veterans, Veer Naris visit Srinagar ahead of 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations

Srinagar, Jul 14 (NVI): A delegation of military veterans and Veer Naris visited the Chinar Corps headquarters at Badami Bagh Cantonment here as part of the run-up to the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations, an official statement said on Tuesday.

The delegation, organised by the Akhil Bhartiya Poorva Sainik Seva Parishad and led by retired Major General P. Vivekananda, arrived in Srinagar on July 13 before proceeding to Drass and Kargil as part of the commemorative events.

The veterans and Veer Naris paid tributes at the Chinar War Memorial, visited the “Ibadat-e-Shahadat” museum and were briefed on the rich heritage and culture of Jammu and Kashmir, the statement said.

According to the Army, the visit highlighted the contribution of ex-servicemen towards nation-building and their continued engagement with society.

Kargil Vijay Diwas, observed every year on July 26, commemorates India’s victory in the 1999 Kargil conflict and honours the courage and sacrifice of the armed forces personnel who laid down their lives in the war.

The 27th anniversary will be marked through a series of events in Srinagar, Drass and Kargil.—(NVI)

CM Omar Abdullah Meets Public Delegations, Assures Consideration of Genuine Demands

Srinagar, Jul 14 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday met several public and industry delegations at the Civil Secretariat here and assured them that their genuine grievances and demands would be examined for appropriate action.

A delegation of the Bat Manufacturers Association Kashmir, led by its president Fayaz Ahmad Dar, sought government support for the cricket bat manufacturing industry and urged measures for its promotion and sustained growth.

Another delegation, headed by Srinagar International Airport Taxi Stand Drivers Union president Riyaz Thakur, apprised the chief minister of the issues faced by taxi operators at the Srinagar airport.

Representatives of the Hot Mix Plant Owners Association, Kashmir, led by Bashir Ahmad Khan, also met Abdullah and discussed the challenges confronting the association.

A separate delegation from the Industrial Estate Pampore highlighted issues related to the industrial estate and sought government intervention.

The chief minister assured all the delegations that their concerns would be examined sympathetically in consultation with the concerned departments for appropriate resolution, an official spokesperson said.

Later, a delegation from ICICI Bank also called on Abdullah and discussed ways to strengthen Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and expand financial inclusion across Jammu and Kashmir.(NVI)

J&K CM Omar Abdullah Pays Tributes to Uncle on his death

Srinagar, Jul 14 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday paid tribute to his uncle and senior National Conference (NC) leader Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, who died after a prolonged illness at a private hospital in Srinagar.

Kamal, younger brother of former chief minister Farooq Abdullah and son of National Conference founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, was undergoing treatment at Paras Hospital, where he breathed his last on Tuesday evening.

In a post on X, Omar Abdullah said his uncle had been unwell for several months and his condition deteriorated four days ago.

“My father’s younger brother Dr Mustafa Kamal passed away earlier this evening at Paras Hospital in Srinagar. Uncle Mustafa had been unwell for some months but took a turn for the worse four days ago. He put up a brave fight… May Allah grant uncle Mustafa the highest place in Jannat,” the chief minister said.

A senior NC leader, Kamal served as a minister in the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir governments formed in 1983, 1987 and 1996. He remained associated with the party for decades and played an active role in the Union Territory’s political affairs.

Leaders from across the political spectrum expressed grief over his demise and conveyed condolences to the bereaved family.

The family is expected to announce the funeral programme later.(NVI)

Over 570 Sports Infrastructure Projects Underway Across J&K

Jammu, Jul 14 (NVI): More than 570 sports infrastructure projects worth over ₹650 crore are under various stages of planning and execution across Jammu and Kashmir during the current financial year, officials said on Tuesday.

The progress of the projects was reviewed by Commissioner Secretary, Youth Services and Sports, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, during the department’s first quarterly review meeting held in Jammu.

Officials said the programme includes 315 projects being implemented by the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports and 263 projects being executed by the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council under various schemes, including Capital Expenditure (CapEx), Special Assistance to Capital Investment (SASCI) and the Khelo India Mission.

Chairing the meeting, Choudhary said the infrastructure expansion is aligned with the vision of the proposed Khelo Bharat Niti and aims to provide equitable access to quality sports facilities across urban, rural, border, tribal and remote areas of the Union Territory.

He said the department is focusing on creating modern sports infrastructure while ensuring that young people across Jammu and Kashmir have access to facilities close to their homes.

The meeting reviewed progress on several major projects, including the development of Khel Gaon at Nagrota as a multi-sport hub, residential sports facilities, youth hostels, indoor stadiums, sports academies, mini stadiums and playfield development works across various districts.

Officials said the Sports Council is also executing projects such as synthetic football and hockey turfs, athletic tracks, swimming facilities, cricket academies, water sports infrastructure and high-performance training centres at different locations.

The meeting was informed that 108 playfields are being developed across Jammu and Kashmir this year at an estimated cost of over ₹39 crore, while 118 additional sports infrastructure projects, including indoor halls, volleyball and badminton courts, cricket practice facilities and youth hostels, are also under implementation.

Choudhary directed officials to expedite project execution, maintain quality standards and strengthen digital monitoring mechanisms to ensure timely completion of all sanctioned works.

He also asked the department to prepare a geo-spatial inventory of sports infrastructure and conduct district-wise infrastructure gap analyses to guide future investments, with special focus on border, tribal and hilly areas.

The Commissioner Secretary said the ongoing infrastructure expansion would help strengthen grassroots sports, identify talent and create opportunities for young sportspersons to compete at national and international levels.(NVI)

One more Indian seafarer killed, 10 injured in Strait of Hormuz attacks

Smoke emanates from a vessel after being attacked. (File pic)

New Delhi, July 14 (NVI) One more Indian seafarer was killed and 10 injured as two commercial vessels came under attack from Iran in the Strait of Hormuz today.

MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa, with a total of 30 Indian seafarers on board, were attacked during their transit through the maritime corridor critical for global energy flows.

The vessel MT Al Bahiyah had 12 Indian nationals on board, one of whom was killed and another injured.

The MT Mombasa had 18 Indian nationals on board, 9 of whom sustained injuries. Two of them are reported to be seriously injured.

Giving this information, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it strongly condemns “these attacks and acts of violence targeting seafarers and disrupting free and safe navigation through international waterways like the Strait of Hormuz.”

In a statement, MEA said India is “deeply concerned by the attacks on two vessels.”

The Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Iran in New Delhi was summoned this morning by the Ministry of External Affairs and a strong protest against these attacks was lodged with him.

The latest casualties follow a number of deaths of Indian seafarers over the last 4 months during their movement on board commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

Extending deepest condolences to the family of the deceased Indian national and wishes of speedy recovery to those injured, the MEA said Indian Mission and Post in the UAE are closely monitoring the situation and are in touch with the UAE authorities to ensure all possible assistance to the affected Indian seafarers.

“We also reiterate our deep concern on account of the resumption of attacks and escalation of hostilities in the West-Asian region and call for immediate cessation of violence and a return to dialogue and diplomacy in the interests of peace, security and stability in the region.

“In particular, the targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must cease in order that free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through international waterways in the region, in keeping with international law, can be restored at the earliest,” it said.

The attacks came as intense war resumed in West Asia, with the Strait of Hormuz being a prime target of attacks. (NVI)

Senior NC leader Mustafa Kamal dies after brief illness in Srinagar

Srinagar, Jul 14 (NVI): Senior National Conference (NC) leader Mustafa Kamal died after a brief illness at a private hospital in Srinagar on Tuesday, party leaders said.

Kamal, son of National Conference founder and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and younger brother of NC president Farooq Abdullah, had been undergoing treatment at Paras Hospital for the past few days.

Party spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar confirmed that Kamal passed away at around 5 pm.

A veteran politician, Kamal remained associated with the National Conference for decades and held several key responsibilities in the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir government.

His death has been widely mourned by political leaders and party workers, who described him as a committed leader who made significant contributions to public life.

Further details, including funeral arrangements, were awaited.(NVI)

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