Shivam Bakshi
Poonch, July 9 (NVI): An old shell was recovered from a village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Thursday, officials said.
The shell was found near the house of a local resident,, and close to a Shiv temple in the Kosalian area of Haveli tehsil, they said.
Police and security agencies were informed after the recovery, and the area was secured as a precautionary measure.
Further details are awaited. (NVI)
Srinagar, Jul 9 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday advocated a shift from volume-based tourism to value-based tourism, saying sustainable tourism is essential to protect the Union Territory’s fragile environment while ensuring long-term economic growth.
Addressing a conclave on sustainable tourism at the SKICC here, Abdullah said tourism growth must be guided by scientific planning, proper waste management, traffic regulation, carrying capacity assessments and active participation of local communities.
He cautioned that unchecked tourism could damage the very destinations that attract visitors, stressing that sustainability must remain central to future tourism policies.
“Tourism without sustainability is an unqualified disaster. If we do not build sustainability into tourism, it may survive for a few years, but it will not sustain in the long run,” the chief minister said.
Calling for a change in the tourism model, Abdullah said Jammu and Kashmir should focus on attracting high-value tourists rather than simply increasing visitor numbers.
“We have to decide whether we want to earn one rupee from one hundred tourists or one hundred rupees from one tourist. Sustainable tourism means value tourism,” he said.
The chief minister said the tourism sector had witnessed a recovery this year after being affected by last year’s security incident, underlining the need to build a resilient and sustainable tourism economy.
He stressed that master plans for tourist destinations should be prepared in consultation with local stakeholders and identified traffic congestion, parking shortages, scientific solid waste management, water conservation, regulation of single-use plastic and enforcement of building norms as key areas requiring attention.
Abdullah said the carrying capacity of tourist destinations should be scientifically assessed to prevent ecological degradation, noting that larger destinations such as Srinagar could accommodate more visitors than ecologically sensitive areas like Gurez and Gulmarg.
He also called for greater public awareness, urging residents and tourists to treat destinations such as Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Dal Lake responsibly.
The chief minister said the government could, in future, consider regulating the entry of tourist vehicles from outside Jammu and Kashmir to reduce congestion and improve visitor management.
He also pitched for promoting premium tourism experiences, saying the Union Territory should gradually move towards a high-value tourism model while preserving its natural assets.
Abdullah expressed hope that the recommendations emerging from the conclave would help shape a long-term sustainable tourism policy for Jammu and Kashmir.(NVI)
Shivam Bakshi
Jammu, Jul 9 (NVI): Four Amarnath pilgrims sustained minor injuries after a cab carrying them towards the Baltal base camp met with an accident near Yatra Ground Lamber in the Banihal area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district on Thursday, officials said.
The injured were immediately shifted to the Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Banihal, where they were administered first aid, the officials said.
They identified the injured as Varesh Yadav (44) and Ussa Devi (55), both residents of Faridabad in Haryana, and Natasha Sharma (28) and Neharka (20), both from Uttarakhand.
According to officials, Yadav suffered a wrist injury, Ussa Devi sustained a chin injury, Natasha Sharma received minor abrasions near her left eyebrow, while Neharka suffered a minor head injury.
All four pilgrims are stated to be stable and are under medical observation, the officials added.—(NVI)
Srinagar, Jul 9 (NVI): A pilgrim from Gujarat undertaking the annual Amarnath Yatra was found dead at the Domail camp along the Baltal route in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district on Thursday, officials said.
The deceased was identified as Raman Bai, a resident of Ankleshwar in Gujarat.
Officials said the pilgrim had completed darshan at the holy cave shrine on Wednesday and was staying at the Domail camp when he was found unconscious inside his tent on Thursday morning.
He was shifted to the Base Hospital at Baltal, where doctors declared him dead, they said.
The body has been kept at the hospital for medico-legal formalities, while the exact cause of death will be known after completion of the post-mortem examination and other necessary procedures, officials added.—(NVI)
Srinagar, Jul 9 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday conducted coordinated searches at multiple locations in Baramulla district in connection with an investigation into a case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), officials said.
Officials that the searches were carried out in connection with FIR No. 43/2026 registered under Section 13 of the UAPA and Section 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station Baramulla.
He said raids were conducted at four locations in Baramulla as part of the ongoing investigation.
During the searches, police seized four mobile phones and one laptop, which have been sent for forensic examination to aid the investigation, officials said.
According to officials, the searches were conducted in accordance with legal procedures in the presence of Executive Magistrates and independent witnesses.
He said the investigation is underway and reiterated that police are committed to conducting a fair and professional probe while taking necessary legal measures to maintain peace and public order.—(NVI)
Quetta (Balochistan), July 8 (NVI) Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) today carried out two major attacks on the occupying Pakistan Army and its affiliate militia group in Balochistan, killing at least 37 personnel of the two forces and injuring many others.
In one attack, BLA ambushed a convoy of Pakistan army in Bela area, which resulted in the killing of 17 enemy personnel and seizure of all the modern weapons and military equipment.
The operation was carried out by the BLA’s vanguard, Fateh Squad, at 9:30 am on the Quetta-Karachi main highway in Walpat area of Bela, its spokesman Jeeyand Baloch said in a statement to NVI tonight.
The Fateh Squad targeted a four-vehicle convoy of the “1 Sindh Regiment” of the occupying Pakistan army when it was moving from Karachi to Basima, he said.
This successful attack was possible due to the long reconnaissance, solid intelligence and close monitoring of enemy movements by the BLA’s intelligence wing ‘Zarab’, the spokesman said.
During the attack, the vehicles of the occupying army came under direct assault, resulting in the killing of 17 military personnel and serious injuries to several others, he said.
Army has confirmed killing of 11 soldiers, including JCO.
“The occupying army’s policy of concealing the loss of lives of its own soldiers and covering up the facts is a clear indication of the declining morale and deep despair within the occupier itself,” the BLA spokesman said.
“The targeting of enemy convoys on the main highways in broad daylight is evidence of the fact that ground supremacy and field control are now gradually shifting in favor of the Baloch resistance,” Jeeyand Baloch said.
“The enemy is now confined to its own established security fences and the most sensitive commercial and military highways, while the BLA has further consolidated its positions over the wider geography of Balochistan,” he said.
“The Baloch Liberation Army, through this operation, makes it clear that the jurisdiction, influence and areas under control of the Sarmachars are continuously and extraordinarily increasing across the length and breadth of occupied Balochistan,” the spokesman said.
The BLA carried out another attack in Khuzdar district, where it targeted a major hideout of Pakistan Army’s proxy militia group, called ‘Death Squad’, which is used by the military to spread terror among the Baloch people in civilian clothes.
Jeeyand Baloch said over 20 operatives of the ‘Death Squad’ were killed in the attack carried out by the fighters of BLA’s ‘Majeed Brigade’, which specalises in suicide missions.
More significantly, the attack was carried out when a meeting was being held by the commander of the ‘Death Squad’, Shafeeq Mengal, at the premises with his associates.
“The operation began when a brave Fidayee (self-sacrifice) of the Majeed Brigade rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into this fortified stronghold of the death squad, reducing a large portion of the compound and its outer defensive lines to rubble within seconds.
“Immediately after this powerful blast, other fidayeen of the Majeed Brigade successfully breached and entered the compound,” the BLA spokesman said.
He said initial reports confirmed killing of more than 20 “terrorists of the death squad”.
He said a detailed report and final statistics will be released to the media upon the completion of the operation. (NVI)
Srinagar, Jul 8 (NVI): A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Sub-Inspector allegedly died by suicide after shooting himself with his service weapon in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Wednesday, officials said.
An official said that the deceased was identified a resident of Andhra Pradesh, posted as Sub-Inspector (GD) with 18 Battalion, of the CRPF in Kulgam.
He said the officer allegedly shot himself with his service rifle, resulting in his death on the spot.
The body has been shifted for medico-legal formalities, while police have initiated inquest proceedings to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident. (NVI)
Shivam Bakshi
Kathua, July 8 (NVI): Security forces on Wednesday busted a terrorist hideout in the upper reaches of Billawar in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district and recovered two hand grenades, officials said.
According to officials, the hideout was unearthed during investigation based on the disclosure of an alleged overground worker, Haji Latief, who was arrested on July 2.
Officials said Latief is accused of facilitating the infiltration of several terrorists from across the border over the years and is being jointly questioned by police and other security agencies.
During interrogation, he allegedly disclosed information leading to the recovery of the grenades from the hideout.
Investigators have also found that he was reportedly in regular contact with terror handlers across the border, they added.
Meanwhile, security personnel also detained a suspicious individual from Bobiya border village in the Hiranagar sector on Wednesday.
The man, identified as Prem (45), was subsequently handed over to the police for further questioning.
Further investigation into both cases is underway, officials said. (NVI)
Srinagar, Jul 8 (NVI): The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday announced a full waiver of fees for students belonging to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families studying in government schools and government degree colleges across the Union Territory.
According to separate orders issued by the School Education Department and the Higher Education Department, the decision has been taken to improve access to education for economically weaker sections and has come into effect immediately.
Under the School Education Department order, students of Classes IX to XII studying in government schools and belonging to AAY households will be exempted from payment of all fees charged by the institutions. Eligible students must possess a valid AAY ration card or any other prescribed document.
The Higher Education Department has also approved a full fee waiver for eligible undergraduate students enrolled in the first to eighth semesters of government degree colleges. The benefit will be available to AAY students who are not availing of any other scholarship assistance and possess the required documents.
The orders, however, clarify that fees payable to external statutory authorities or examining bodies will continue to be governed by existing rules unless exempted by the competent authority.
Institution heads and college principals have been directed to verify the eligibility of beneficiaries, maintain proper records and ensure compliance with the scheme.
The financial implications of the fee waiver will be worked out by the concerned directorates and communicated to the Finance Department for reimbursement.—(NVI)
Srinagar, July 8 (NVI): Four government teachers have been suspended in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district over alleged dereliction of duties during the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, officials said on Wednesday.
According to officials, the Chief Education Officer (CEO), Ganderbal, ordered the suspension with immediate effect following a report received from the Nodal Officer, Transit Camp Manigam, regarding alleged lapses in the discharge of duties assigned at the transit camp.
The suspended teachers have been identified as Bilal Ahmad Sheikh of Haripora Kangan, Aabid Mohi-ud-din Bhat of Manigam, Peer Mudasir of Wussan and Gowhar Rashid Kullu of Gund.
Officials said the action has been taken pending a detailed inquiry into the alleged negligence in connection with arrangements for the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra.
Further investigation into the matter is underway, they added.(NVI)
