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Grenade Found in Khour Village, Safely Destroyed by Army Bomb Disposal Squad

Shivam Bakshi

Jammu, July 1 (NVI): Panic gripped Nanua village in the Khour sector after an HE-36 hand grenade was found on Wednesday, officials said.

They said the grenade was spotted in the village, which falls under the jurisdiction of BPP Mallah.

Soon after receiving the information, a police team from Mallah and personnel of the Indian Army rushed to the spot and secured the area.

The Army’s Bomb Disposal Squad was subsequently called in and safely destroyed the grenade without any damage or casualties, officials said.

Police have taken cognisance of the incident, while further investigation is underway.(NVI)

Afghanistan bombs ISIS locations in Pakistan

Afghan forces launch cross-border attacks at Pakistani military (File pic)

Kabul, July 1: Retaliating to the Pakistani air strikes on Afghanistan, the country’s forces carried out aerial bombings in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces under the control of Pakistan.

In separate operations, the Afghan Air Force also struck an ISIS center in the Qamber Khel area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and another joint ISIS and “mischief and corruption” center in the Garm Chashma area of the Shah Salim Valley in Chitral last night.

The Ministry of Defense of Afghanistan said its Air Force carried out airstrikes on “joint ISIS and mischief and corruption centers” in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.

According to a statement issued by the ministry, one of the strikes targeted a joint ISIS and “mischief and corruption” center in the Saranan area of Pishin district in Balochistan.

The ministry said the facility had been used to organize sabotage operations and attacks inside Afghanistan and served as a coordination center for bombardments in which Afghan civilians were targeted.

According to the Ministry of Defense, the sites were also being used to plan sabotage operations and attacks against civilians.

The ministry said preliminary information indicates the strikes inflicted heavy casualties and significant material losses on ISIS members, the “mischief and corruption” network, and their supporters.

It added that the operations were carried out with a high degree of precision against their intended targets and that no civilian casualties were reported.

The Ministry of Defense said Afghanistan’s Air Defense Forces will continue to target any location used to threaten the country’s security.

The action by Afghanistan came in retaliation to the air strikes carried out by Pakistan two days back in which 36 civilians were killed and 163 were injured. (NVI)

India, Malaysia review military cooperation, reaffirm commitment to free and open Indo-Pacific

New Delhi, July 1 (NVI): India and Malaysia on Wednesday reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral military cooperation during the 12th Sub Committee Meeting on Military Cooperation (SCMC) held in New Delhi and reaffirmed their shared commitment to peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific.

The meeting was co-chaired by Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, and Major General Amer Mahmud Bin Abdul Rahman, Assistant Chief of Staff (Defence Operations and Training) of the Malaysian Armed Forces.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the two sides reviewed ongoing defence engagements, including military-to-military exchanges, bilateral exercises, training, staff talks, capacity building, maritime cooperation and collaboration in emerging domains.

They expressed satisfaction over the steady progress in bilateral defence ties and agreed to further strengthen cooperation through enhanced exchanges, professional interactions and greater participation in each other’s military training courses and institutions.

The discussions also covered expanding cooperation in defence industry, defence technology, cyber security and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR).

Both countries appreciated each other’s participation in the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) framework and reiterated their commitment to promoting practical cooperation under the Experts’ Working Group on Counter-Terrorism.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global security developments and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific in accordance with international law.

The defence ministry said the meeting highlighted the importance of defence cooperation as a key pillar of the India-Malaysia Enhanced Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to deepen bilateral defence ties based on mutual trust and shared interests.

The Malaysian delegation also called on Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, visited the DPSU Bhawan at the World Trade Centre in New Delhi and paid tribute to India’s fallen soldiers by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial.—(NVI)

Lt Gen Mohit Malhotra Takes Over as South Western Army Commander

New Delhi, Jul 1 (NVI): Lieutenant General Mohit Malhotra on Wednesday assumed charge as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Jaipur-based South Western Command of the Indian Army.

Commissioned into the 47 Armoured Regiment in June 1989, Lt Gen Malhotra has over 37 years of service in a range of command, staff and instructional appointments. Before taking over the new assignment, he was serving as the Chief of Staff at the Headquarters of the Eastern Command.

His command experience includes leading formations in diverse operational environments, including the Siachen Glacier, an Armoured Regiment, an Independent Armoured Brigade, an Armoured Division and the Desert Corps.

The officer has also held key staff appointments covering operational planning, military intelligence, logistics, personnel management, technology induction and strategic communications.

Lt Gen Malhotra holds two Master’s degrees in Defence Studies, including one from King’s College London, besides two MPhil degrees in Political Science and Defence and Strategic Studies. He is an alumnus of the Advanced Command and Staff Course in the UK, the Higher Air Command Course and the

National Defence College For his distinguished service, he has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and the Sena Medal (SM), along with several commendations from Army Commanders and the Chief of the Army Staff.(NVI)

Lt Gen Rajesh Pushkar takes charge as Southern Command chief

Pune, Jul 1 (NVI): Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar on Wednesday assumed charge as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Southern Command, succeeding Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain, who has taken over as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Lt Gen Pushkar was commissioned into the 74 Armoured Regiment in December 1988 and has served in a wide range of command, staff and instructional appointments during a military career spanning over four decades.

Before assuming the new role, he commanded the 2 Corps during Operation Sindoor and has also led an Armoured Regiment, an Independent Armoured Brigade, an Infantry Division and a Strike Corps.
He has held key staff appointments, including Additional Director General, Armoured Corps, Director General Territorial Army and instructional assignments at the National Defence Academy.

Lt Gen Pushkar has also served with the Indian Military Training Team in Bhutan and as Defence and Military Attache at the Embassy of India in Moscow, with accreditation to Armenia and Belarus.

A recipient of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM), the officer paid tribute at the Southern Command War Memorial and received a Guard of Honour after assuming command.

He reaffirmed the Southern Command’s commitment to maintaining operational readiness and stressed greater jointness, indigenous capability development and rapid integration of emerging technologies to enhance military preparedness.(NVI)

PM Modi, Gadkari transformed J&K road connectivity, says LG as NH-44 projects ready

Jammu, Jul 1 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari for the completion of two major infrastructure projects on National Highway-44, saying they will significantly improve connectivity and ensure safer travel for pilgrims undertaking the annual Amarnath Yatra.

The projects include an 810-metre viaduct near Ramsoo in Ramban district and the 3.5-km AT-03 tunnel connecting Digdole with Panthyal on NH-44.

In a statement, Sinha said the projects would provide smooth and all-weather connectivity for residents, tourists, freight movement and security forces by bypassing landslide-prone stretches of the highway.

He said the new infrastructure would also facilitate a safer and more seamless journey for pilgrims visiting the Shri Amarnath cave shrine during the annual pilgrimage.

According to the Lieutenant Governor, the viaduct and tunnel are scheduled to be opened to traffic on July 3. He said the projects mark another milestone in strengthening Jammu and Kashmir’s road infrastructure and are expected to contribute to the region’s economic growth and overall development.(NVI)

Old Rusted Shell Found in Poonch Village, Bomb Disposal Squad Alerted

Shivam Bakshi

Poonch, July 1 (NVI): An old rusted shell was found in Jhulass village of Khabanari tehsil in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Wednesday, officials said.

The shell was noticed by locals, who alerted the authorities, they said.

An Army Bomb Disposal Squad from a nearby unit has been informed and will dispose of the shell following standard safety procedures, officials added.

The area has been secured as a precaution, and no damage or injuries have been reported. Further details are awaited.—(NVI)

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit takes over as Vice Chief of Air Staff

New Delhi, Jul 1 (NVI): Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit on Wednesday assumed charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, succeeding Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, who retired on June 30 after four decades of service.

Commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on December 6, 1986, Air Marshal Dixit is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College in Bangladesh and the National Defence College. He has logged more than 3,500 flying hours on a wide range of aircraft, including the Mirage-2000, MiG variants, Jaguar, Hawk, Tejas, An-32 and IL-78.

An Experimental Test Pilot and Qualified Flying Instructor, he has participated in several key operations and exercises, including Operation Safed Sagar, Operation Rakshak, Cope India and Operation Sindoor.

During his nearly four-decade-long career, Air Marshal Dixit has held several operational and staff appointments. He commanded No. 9 Squadron during its re-equipment with Mirage-2000 aircraft and later headed a frontline fighter air base in the western sector and a premier fighter training base in the southern sector.

 

He also served as Air Defence Commander of the Southern Air Command, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Projects and Plans), Senior Air Staff Officer at the South Western Air Command and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff at Air Headquarters.

Before taking over as Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Dixit served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Air Command and later as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee.

For his distinguished service, he has been awarded the Vayu Sena Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Param Vishisht Seva Medal.(NVI)

Army Apprehends Non-Local Man Near LoC in Baramulla

J-K Police
Representational image

Srinagar, July 1 (NVI): An unidentified non-local man was apprehended by Army personnel near the Line of Control (LoC) in the Dulanja area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Wednesday, officials said.

They said troops of the Army’s 8 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), deployed in the area, intercepted the man while he was moving in Dulanja village. Some items were also recovered from his possession.

The individual was later handed over to the Police Post at Kamalkote for further questioning and legal formalities.

Officials said further details are awaited.(NVI)

Daily Wager of J&K Bank embezzled Rs 1.04 Crore in Kisan Credit Card loan scheme: Police

Srinagar, Jul 1 (NVI): A daily wager of Jammu and Kashmir Bank allegedly embezzled more than Rs 1.04 crore through fraudulent manipulation of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loan accounts in Kashmir, according to the police.

Rouf Mohammad Wani allegedly committed the fraud as a daily wager at the J&K Bank Business Unit in Dada Ompora in Chadoora district of Kashmir, according to the chargesheet filed by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Crime Branch, Kashmir.

The chargesheet was filed before the Court of the Additional Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Srinagar, in connection with FIR No. 20/2018 registered under various provisions of the Ranbir Penal Code, including cheating, forgery, criminal breach of trust and destruction of evidence, along with relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

According to investigators, Wani fraudulently enhanced the credit limits of KCC accounts, carried out unauthorised debit transactions from customers’ accounts and misused banking credentials to divert funds amounting to Rs 1,04,48,141 to himself and his family members, causing a corresponding loss to the bank.

Officials said the investigation has been completed and the chargesheet has been filed before the competent court for judicial proceedings.

The EOW also appealed to the public to remain vigilant against financial fraud and report such offences to the Crime Branch.—(NVI)

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