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Arms, ammunition recovered during joint search operation in J&K’s Kulgam

File Photo

Srinagar, Jul 29 (NVI): Security forces on Wednesday recovered a cache of arms and ammunition during a joint search operation in an orchard area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, officials said.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs, a joint search operation was launched by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Army’s 34 Rashtriya Rifles and the CRPF’s 18 Battalion in the Tantrypora-Sursnoo orchard area, the officials said.

During the operation, the joint team recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, they said.

The recovered material has been seized and further investigation has been initiated, the officials added.(NVI)

Rajnath Launches India’s First Military Medicine Department

New Delhi, Jul 29 (NVI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday virtually inaugurated the country’s first dedicated Department of Military Medicine at the Command Hospital (Central Command) in Lucknow, describing it as a major step towards strengthening the operational medical preparedness of the Armed Forces.

Established under the Directorate General of Medical Services (Army), the department will function as the principal academic, research and doctrinal hub for the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), with a focus on enhancing combat medical readiness, advancing research and developing specialised expertise for future battlefields and humanitarian operations.

Addressing the inauguration, Singh said the strength and morale of the armed forces form the foundation of a nation’s sovereignty and progress, expressing confidence that the new department would provide advanced medical support to troops and reinforce their confidence during operations.

He said the department would serve as a research and development hub to prepare the country for emerging threats arising from rapid technological advancements.

The department will focus on areas such as military trauma and damage control, combat psychiatry, environmental and operational medicine, military medical logistics, CBRNe medical response, emergency medicine, disaster medicine, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), and research and data analytics.

Singh said the institution would also promote innovation in battlefield medicine through simulation-based training, telemedicine, prolonged field care and technology-driven medical decision support systems.

He emphasised the importance of preventive healthcare in maintaining combat readiness, advocating the use of artificial intelligence, wearable devices, predictive analytics and advanced diagnostics for real-time health monitoring and early detection of health risks among soldiers.

The Defence Minister said the department would create new opportunities for young Army doctors through specialised education and research in military medicine, while enhancing India’s standing in global medical research.

He expressed hope that the institution would evolve into a world-class Battlefield Medicine Research Centre and strengthen India’s preparedness for future defence and national security challenges.

Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Sandeep Jain, Director General Armed Forces Medical Services Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin and other senior military and government officials attended the event.(NVI)

Three CRPF Personnel Injured as Vehicle Hits Tree in J&K’s Budgam

Srinagar, Jul 29 (NVI): Three CRPF personnel were injured after their vehicle hit a Chinar tree in Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam district on Wednesday, officials said.

The accident took place near Sheikhpora area of the central Kashmir district around noon, they said.

One of the injured personnel was shifted to a hospital in Srinagar for specialised treatment, while the other two are undergoing treatment at a local medical facility, the officials said.

They said further details about the incident are awaited.(NVI)

Chhari Mubarak Reaches Kashmir Amid Tight Security

Srinagar, Jul 29 (NVI): The sacred Chhari Mubarak, the holy mace of Lord Shiva associated with the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, reached Mattan in Anantnag district on Wednesday amid elaborate security arrangements, officials said.

The holy mace was escorted under a multi-layered security cover, with personnel from various security agencies deployed along the route to ensure the safe movement of the procession.

Officials said security had been intensified with checkpoints, area domination and continuous surveillance at vulnerable locations to ensure the peaceful passage of the procession and prevent any untoward incident.

Devotees and local residents welcomed the Chhari Mubarak at Mattan and offered prayers, marking another important milestone in the annual pilgrimage.

The Chhari Mubarak procession is an integral part of the traditional rituals associated with the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra and holds deep religious significance for devotees of Lord Shiva.

Authorities said adequate arrangements have been put in place to ensure the pilgrimage continues in a safe and peaceful manner.(NVI)

Man sentenced to three years’ jail for securing police job with forged certificate in J&K

Srinagar, Jul 29 (NVI): A court in Srinagar has sentenced a man to three years’ rigorous imprisonment for fraudulently securing appointment as a constable in the Indian Reserve Police (IRP) by using a forged Class 12 qualification certificate, officials said on Wednesday.

The conviction was secured by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Kashmir, formerly known as the Crime Branch Kashmir, in a recruitment fraud case.

The Special Mobile Magistrate, 13th Finance Commission/Railway Magistrate, Srinagar, convicted Nazir Ahmad Malik, a resident of Budgam district, for using a fake 10+2 certificate to obtain appointment as a constable in the 9th Battalion of the IRP, officials said.

During the investigation, the disputed certificate was seized and sent to the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) for verification, which confirmed that it was forged, they said.

The court sentenced the convict to three years’ rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 1,000 under Section 420 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC). In default of payment of the fine, he will undergo 15 days’ simple imprisonment.

The court also awarded him two years’ simple imprisonment under Section 471 of the RPC. Both sentences will run concurrently.

The EOW urged people not to use forged or fabricated documents for employment or any official purpose, warning that such offences attract legal action, including imprisonment and fines.(NVI)

India starts direct commercial container train service with Nepal

Railways freight
File photo

By Arun Kumar Das

New Delhi, July 28 (NVI) In a major step to boost India-Nepal trade relations, the Indian Railways has operated the first-ever direct commercial container freight train from Kolkata to Biratnagar Customs Yard in Nepal.

The train, comprising 40 wagons carrying a consignment of canola, completed its journey under the revised India-Nepal Rail Transit Protocol, marking a new chapter in rail-based cross-border freight movement.

The successful operation enables direct rail movement of containerised cargo from Kolkata Port to Biratnagar without transshipment at the border.

The new arrangement is expected to substantially reduce transit time, logistics costs and cargo handling while improving the efficiency, reliability and competitiveness of cross-border trade between the two neighbouring countries.

The milestone has been made possible through the implementation of the revised India-Nepal Rail Transit Protocol, which facilitates seamless end-to-end rail transportation of freight between the two countries.

The achievement builds upon the broad-gauge rail link between Jogbani (India) and Biratnagar (Nepal), inaugurated in June 2023.

Following the signing of the revised Letter of Exchange (LoE) in November 2025, direct commercial rail movement to Biratnagar has now become operational, opening new opportunities for bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

The direct freight service is expected to provide a significant boost to the movement of import and export cargo by offering a faster, more economical and environmentally sustainable mode of transportation.

By reducing multiple handling points and improving supply chain efficiency, the initiative will benefit exporters, importers, logistics operators and industries engaged in cross-border trade.

The successful operation of the first direct commercial container freight train to Nepal marks another important achievement in Indian Railways’ efforts to build an integrated, efficient and future-ready freight network that supports regional trade, economic growth and seamless international connectivity. (NVI)

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)

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