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Jammu Kashmir Crisis
The figures for domestic tourist visits (DTVs) to Jammu to Kashmir during January-June this year stood at more than 95 lakh, according to data shared by the government. Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat shared the data in a written response to a query on whether the Centre is aware of the decline in tourist footfall and business losses in Jammu and Kashmir during the peak tourist season following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam. AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi also asked if any assessment was made by the government on its economic impact on local tourism-dependent stakeholders. "No such assessment has been made by the Ministry of Tourism on economic impact on local tourism-dependent stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir," Shekhawat said. In his response, he shared year-wise tabulated data for domestic tourist visits (DTVs) and foreign tourist visits (FTVs) from 2020 to 2025. This data is provided by the state tourism department. Based on the latest information received
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said the parks at tourist places, which were closed in view of security considerations after the April 22 Pahalgam attack, are being reopened in a phased manner to allow tourists to visit the destinations. "Some places were closed after April 22 (attack) in view of security considerations. The divisional commissioners and IGPs of Kashmir and Jammu have taken reports from every district and it has been decided to reopen some destinations in a phased manner," Sinha said. The lieutenant governor was speaking to reporters after visiting the Nunwan Base Camp of the annual Amarnath Yatra in Pahalgam in south Kashmir's Anantnag district. Sinha said the destinations that have been decided to be reopened for tourists in the first phase include Beetab Valley and parks near Pahalgam market in the famous tourist destination of Pahalgam, Verinag, Kokernag and Achabal gardens in Anantnag district. In Srinagar, Badamwari Park, Duck Par
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly moved a resolution on Monday expressing shock and anguish over the barbaric terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people and resolved to fight resolutely in defeating the nefarious designs of disturbing communal harmony and hindering progress. The resolution was moved by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary during a special session of the Assembly which began with the members observing a two-minute silence to pay homage to those killed in the tragedy last week. "The Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir reaffirms its unwavering commitment to foster an environment of peace, development, and inclusive prosperity for all its citizens, and to resolutely defeat the nefarious designs of those who seek to disturb the communal harmony and progress of the nation and of Jammu and Kashmir," the resolution stated. The deputy chief minister said, "This House expresses its profound shock and anguish over the barbaric and inhumane attack perpetrated on
The government is assessing the situation arising out of the closure of Pakistan airspace and working on solutions with airlines, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said on Monday. Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack that killed at least 26 people, Pakistan last week barred Indian airlines from using its airspace. "We are assessing the situation... and working with airlines," the minister said. The closure of the airspace is resulting in longer flying hours for international flights, especially those flying out from north Indian cities, and pushing up the operational costs of airlines. In the current situation, the ministry is looking at the passenger aspects and ensure that safety is the key priority, Naidu said on the sidelines of an event here.
Every perpetrator of the Pahalgam terror attack must be hunted and made to pay a heavy price for the dastardly act, Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha said on Friday at a security review meeting with top army officials, including Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi. The meeting chaired by Sinha lasted for nearly an hour. The Lieutenant Governor asked the Army Chief to take effective steps not only to bring those responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack to justice but also to intensify efforts to crush infrastructure of terrorism and its ecosystem. During the discussion, Sinha said the nation has full faith in the bravery and valour of the army, police and CAPFs and they must work in close synergy to identify perpetrators, enablers and OGWs of Pahalgam terrorist killing and pursue the entire chain in a sustained manner and neutralise them. "Every perpetrator and supporter of Pahalgam terror attack, whatever his location or affiliation, must be hunted and they must pay the he
At least 12 tourists were injured in a terrorist attack in Pahalgam in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, officials said. The attack took place at Baisaran, a meadow accessible only by foot or ponies, where a group of tourists had gone visiting this morning, they said. According to an eyewitness, unidentified gunmen opened fire on the tourists from close range, resulting in injuries to several persons. "My husband was shot in the head while seven others were also injured in the attack," a woman survivor told PTI over phone. The woman did not identify herself but pleaded for help in evacuating the injured to the hospital. Authorities pressed a chopper into service for the evacuation of the injured, the officials said, adding some of the wounded were brought down from the meadows by local people on their ponies. A doctor at the Pahalgam hospital said 12 injured tourists were admitted there and the condition of all of them was stable. A little earlier, security forc
Lieutenant General P K Mishra assumed command as the new General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 16 Corps on Monday, urging troops to prioritise operational preparedness and ensure peace. He succeeded Lieutenant General Navin Sachdeva, who served as GOC of the elite White Knight Corps (16 Corps) since January 1 last year. The Corps oversees the operational area of the Jammu region, south of the Pir Panjal range. "Lt Gen P K Mishra has assumed command of the White Knight Corps from Lt Gen Navin Sachdeva," the White Knight Corps said on X. The Corps Commander encouraged all personnel to maintain the highest standards of operational excellence and continue promoting peace and stability in the region.
Awami Action Committee chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Tuesday condemned the Centre's decision to ban the group and the Jammu and Kashmir Ittehadul Muslimeen, saying the voice of truth may be suppressed through force but will not be silenced. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said the Centre banning the two groups is another blow to the political and social landscape of Kashmir and called on the Jammu and Kashmir government to intervene to stop such actions. Farooq's Awami Action Committee (AAC) and the Jammu and Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen (JKIM), led by Shia leader Masroor Abbas Ansari, were banned by the Centre for five years on Tuesday for their alleged anti-national activities, supporting terrorism and fuelling secessionist activities. Farooq is the chairman of the separatist amalgam All Parties Hurriyat Conference and head cleric of Srinagar's Jamia Masjid, Kashmir's grandest and most influential mosque, where he delivers sermons. "Strongly condemn the b
The central government on Tuesday declared two Jammu and Kashmir-based groups as banned organisations for five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The two groups are Awami Action Committee (AAC) headed by Umar Farooq and Jammu and Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen (JKIM) led by Masroor Abbas Ansari. In a notification, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said members of the AAC have remained involved in supporting terrorist activities and anti-India propaganda for fuelling secessionism in J-K. The outfit is also indulging in unlawful activities that are prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty and security of the country. In a separate notification, the MHA said the JKIM is indulging in unlawful activities, which are prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty and security of the country. Its members have remained involved in supporting terrorist activities and anti-India propaganda for fuelling secessionism in J-K, it noted. Considering all the facts availabl
Acknowledging the persistent challenges faced by the industrial sector in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday reaffirmed his government's commitment to supporting local industries in overcoming these difficulties. Abdullah also highlighted the positive impact of the now-defunct 'Darbar Move' on Jammu's vibrancy, assuring people that the government will resume the practice in the future. Darbar Move is the bi-annual practice of shifting the seat of power between Jammu and Srinagar during winters and summers, respectively. Speaking at an event organised by the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) here, where he was felicitated for assuming office as chief minister, Abdullah underscored his administration's dedication to reviving the industrial sector. "There is no shortage of issues. If I were to claim that these problems have only emerged in the past decade, it would be misleading. These challenges are not new, nor are they solely the result of Jammu a
The Shiv Sena (UBT) on Monday claimed the Union government was least interested in addressing the issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir as the Centre's focus was on winning the upcoming polls in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. The remarks in an editorial in the Sena (UBT) mouthpiece 'Saamana' came a day after terrorists lobbed a grenade at a CRPF bunker near a crowded flea market in Srinagar, injuring at least 11 civilians. The attack, which took place near a heavily guarded complex housing All India Radio and Doordarshan Kendra near the Tourist Reception Centre (TRC), came after a top Pakistani commander of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) outfit and two other terrorists were killed in two separate encounters in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar and Anantnag districts on Saturday. The 'Saamana' editorial said it seemed that the Union government was "least interested in stabilising the situation" in Jammu and Kashmir. The Union government was holding more and more meetings on how to win ...
Asserting that the majority community in Kashmir will one day regret the "exodus" of Kashmiri Pandits, Union minister Jitendra Singh on Thursday said Kashmir is incomplete without their presence. Singh said that significant positive changes have taken place in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370, and that deep down, common people, including Kashmir Muslims, are happy about it. "Kashmir is no longer Kashmir without the presence of Kashmiri Pandits. The composite culture that Kashmir is already known for has been possible because of the presence of the Kashmiri Pandit community there," Singh said addressing a function here. The minister, who inaugurated the Mata Saraswati Auditorium at the Gandhi Memorial College, said "I have no hesitation in saying this. Despite sounding orthodox or even rebellious, I have said that the day would come when the majority community in Kashmir would regret the exodus of Pandits. I believe this is going to happen soon." He said that th
Lok Sabha MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid on Sunday asked Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah if restoration of Article 370 and the release of political prisoners were discussed during his meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Awami Ittehad Party chief Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, had defeated Abdullah in Baramulla in the Lok Sabha elections. "What did Omar Abdullah discuss with key national leaders, including the prime minister, defence minister, and the home minister?" Rashid told reporters. The chief minister should clarify whether issues such as the restoration of Article 370 and the release of political prisoners were part of those discussions, he said. "If these issues were discussed, what responses did he receive?" he asked. Abdullah called on Modi on Thursday and handed over to him a resolution seeking early restoration of statehood to the Union Territory, officials had said. He also met Defence Minister Rajnath Sin