Page 19 - Jammu And Kashmir

Schools reopen in border districts of Jammu region after 8 days closure

Schools in five border districts of Jammu region reopened on Thursday after an eight-day closure following heightened Indo-Pak tensions. The reopening brought a sense of relief to students, teachers, and parents across the region. The schools in five border districts of Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri and Poonch reopened today after restoration of normalcy. However, schools close to the Indo-Pak border will remain closed, a senior official from the education department said. The schools in 30 locations identified as falling close to the Line of Control and International Border will continue to remain shut as a precautionary measure. In districts where schools reopened, students were welcomed with special morning assemblies focusing on peace and safety. We are very happy to return to school after eight days. We feared that the war-like situation might keep us away for a longer time. It's a happy moment to meet our friends again, Urvashi, a student of K C Public School, said. Alesha,

Delhi HC seeks NIA's reply on Engineer Rashid's plea in terror funding case

The Delhi High Court on Thursday sought the NIA's stand on a bail plea by Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid in a terror funding case. A bench of Justices Subramonium Prasad and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar issued notice on the parliamentarian's appeal against a trial court order which refused to grant him bail on March 21. The bench also asked the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to respond to a separate plea by Rashid challenging the framing of charges in the case. It clarified that the NIA's reply shall be filed only with respect to the question of a delay of around 1,100 days in mounting the challenge against the charges. The court listed both cases for hearing on July 29. Rashid has been lodged in Tihar jail since 2019 after he was arrested by the NIA under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in the 2017 terror funding case.

CUET-UG cancelled in conflict-hit J&K for 2nd day over technical glitch

The Common University Entrance Test (CUET)-UG was cancelled at a centre in Srinagar's Rangreth for the second day on Wednesday due to technical glitches, officials said. The National Testing Agency (NTA) said the exam for the affected candidates will be conducted in the coming days. The crucial entrance exam began on Tuesday after being deferred from May 8. "Due to technical glitches, the examination process at Kite Polytechnic, Rangreth, Srinagar, could not be conducted. Examination for the affected candidates will be scheduled on the upcoming dates, and admit cards will be issued in due course," a senior NTA official said. In Delhi, students reported technical and logistical chaos at a centre in Rohini on Tuesday while several candidates missed the exam at a centre in Noida after they reached late due to traffic snarls. The CUET-UG, which is a gateway to undergraduate admissions in the country, has seen a record 13.5 lakh applications this year. In a pattern shift from last year

3 LeT terrorists killed in Operation Keller in J&K, large ammunition found

The Army mentioned that the terrorists had been active in the region and that AK-series rifles, grenades, ammunition, and other war-like stores were recovered during the operation

J&K CM visits areas affected by shelling, promises help to rebuild houses

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday assured every possible help to rebuild homes of people affected by Pakistani shelling near the Line of Control and said "the pain of my people is deeply personal". Abdullah visited the shelling affected areas of Uri, including Salamabad, Lagama, Bandi and Gingal in north Kashmir's Baramulla district. He was accompanied by his advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Uri Sajad Uri and senior officials of the district administration. The chief minister has been visiting the shelling affected areas of the Union Territory to take stock of the situation, get a first-hand account of the losses suffered by the people, and share their pain. "It is our responsibility to provide you help from the government so that your houses are rebuilt," Abdullah said while interacting with the families whose houses were damaged by the shelling in Uri. The chief minister said the people of Uri have endured pain several times but have risen every time with

Cong seeks 10 marla plots, ₹5 lakh each for relocating J&K border residents

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) working president Tara Chand on Tuesday demanded 10 marla plots and Rs 5 lakh for each family residing in border areas for their settlement at safer places in Jammu and Kashmir. The former deputy chief minister also batted for immediate grant of relief to the residents of border villages who have been directly affected by heavy cross-border shelling and continuous drone strikes. "We demand that 10 marla plots and Rs 5 lakh be granted in favour of families living along the border, which comes within the firing range of Pakistan. This will facilitate their rehabilitation at safer places along the border," he told reporters. Chand said most of the forward areas are vacant and people are facing miseries in these camps due to non-availability of ration and relief. The Congress leader said the government distributed a few items to these families in a pick-and-choose manner. "We urge the Centre as well as J&K government to provide ...

Three terrorists gunned down in J-K's Shopian; army says op ongoing

Earlier today, Jammu and Kashmir police released photos of three terror suspects for their alleged involvement in the Pahalgam attack and announced a reward of ₹20 lakh

Drones sighted over Jammu's Samba, Army says no need to be alarmed

Security forces are engaging suspected drones sighted along the International Border in Samba district of Jammu region

Omar Abdullah urges return of Poonch residents after ceasefire holds

Asserting that the recent Pakistani shelling in Jammu and Kashmir created a "war-like situation", with Poonch district bearing the brunt of the attack, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said those who had left their homes can return as a military understanding between the two countries is in place now. Abdullah also dismissed the Pakistani military's ongoing propaganda, saying the neighbouring country will continue to push it, but the reality is known to the world. "They (border residents) should now try to return to their homes. Eighty to 90 per cent of Poonch town is vacant. They had left their homes when shelling was taking place. Now that the shelling has stopped, they can return to their homes," Abdullah told reporters here. Accompanied by his cabinet colleague Javed Rana, Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani and MLA Aijaz Jan, the chief minister on Monday reached out to those affected by the Pakistani shelling in the Poonch and Surankote areas, and emphasised the need for setting up

J&K CM Omar visits shell-hit Poonch, stresses need for building bunkers

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday reached out to people affected by Pakistani shelling in the Poonch district and stressed the need for setting up bunkers in the area. The Poonch district accounted for the highest 20 of the total 27 fatalities with over 50 others injured since Wednesday, shortly after India carried out Operation Sindoor, striking nine terror infrastructures in Pakistan and PoK to avenge the April 22 Pahalgam attack that left 26 people dead. Abdullah, along with his advisor Nasir Aslam Wani and MLA Ajaz Jan, visited Poonch and surveyed areas heavily damaged by Pakistani shelling. They met with the families of those killed in the shelling, especially the family of Amarjeet Singh and Amrik Singh, and offered their condolences to the bereaved kin. Locals briefed the chief minister about the on-ground situation. The purpose of the visit was to provide support and comfort to the grieving families, the leaders said. Abdullah also visited the Surank

Congress urges Centre to clarify third-party mediation in Kashmir issue

The Congress on Monday urged the Centre to clarify whether it is open to third-party mediation on the Kashmir issue, warning that such as stance could potentially violate the Simla Agreement. The grand old party pointed to US President Donald Trump's daily statements, claiming that he was intervening in the matter, and said a clarification from the union government on the matter was inevitable. While addressing a party programme here, AICC general secretary K C Venugopal said the party wants to know whether there has been a shift in the country's foreign policy, and therefore the matter has to be taken up in the Parliament at the earliest. Questions are now being raised if the Simla Agreement has been violated. "Was the Simla Agreement, which rejects any third-party involvement in the Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan, violated? Trump has been making statements daily, claiming that he has intervened in the matter. We need the government's clarification," Venugopal said. "Th

India Inc on high alert despite tensions with Pakistan under control

Companies unlikely to roll back employee safeguard measures in a hurry

Pakistan breached military agreement hours after it was reached, says MEA

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said Pakistan violated the military agreement reached earlier on May 10, adding Indian forces are responding and remain on high alert

Omar Abdullah welcomes India-Pakistan understanding amid border tensions

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday welcomed the ceasefire between India and Pakistan saying it was better late than never. "I welcome from the depths of my heart the announcement made by Government of India spokesperson about restoration of ceasefire between India and Pakistan," Abdullah told reporters at his residence. "Better late than never but had this ceasefire come two or three days earlier, perhaps the bloodshed we saw and the precious lives we lost, would have been safe," he added. Abdullah said the DGMO of Pakistan called his Indian counterpart and they agreed to establish ceasefire again in Jammu and Kashmir and elsewhere. "It is now the duty of J-K government to provide relief and compensation to those who have suffered during this period. We have announced compensation for the loss of precious lives. Now we will have to compensate those who have been injured as well," he added. The chief minister said there has been lot of devastation caused by

J&K CM announces ex-gratia of ₹10 lakh each for kin of Pak shelling victims

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each for the next of kin of those who lost their lives in Pakistani shelling in the Union Territory. An additional district development commissioner and 19 villagers were killed in Poonch, Rajouri, Jammu and Baramulla sectors in the past four days after Indian armed forces struck nine terrorist infrastructure targets across the border on May 7 in retaliation to last month's Pahalgam terror attack. While 12 civilians were killed in Poonch on Wednesday, two others were killed in Uri and Poonch on Friday. Another five civilians, including a senior government officer, lost their lives in Pakistani shelling Saturday morning. "Deeply pained by the loss of innocent lives due to recent shelling from Pakistan. My Government is taking every possible measure to minimise the hardship of our people," the chief minister said in a post on X. The post, shared by the office of the chief minister, said wh

India should take 1st step to de-escalate tensions with Pakistan: Mehbooba

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday said India should embrace its leadership role in the subcontinent and take the first step to de-escalate tensions with Pakistan, as it is a moment for the country to stand tall and demonstrate that its true strength lies in its soft power and commitment to peace. Mufti's remarks came after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke to Pakistani Army chief Asif Munir, and urged both parties to find ways to de-escalate. "Even though US Vice-President J D Vance initially said that America wouldn't intervene beyond a certain point in the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, in light of the worrying intensity of the situation, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has now reached out to the Pakistani Army chief, urging de-escalation," Mufti said in a post on X. Rather than relying on "inconsistent" international support, India should take the first step to de-escalate, she said. India as the world's largest democracy and now as an emerging power/

'Baseless': India rejects Pak's claim of destroying S-400 defence system

India denies Pakistan's claim of destroying the S-400 air defence system, calls it false and baseless. Time-stamped images, PIB Fact Check refute attack on Sirsa, Suratgarh bases

India foiled Pakistan's 'cowardly act' of targeting civilian infra: MEA

India says Pakistan deliberately attacked schools and medical centres near airbases in a cowardly act, with over 26 sites hit; Indian forces responded with precision strikes

Why General Munir may have seen Kashmir normalcy as a threat to 'destiny'

The April 22 Pahalgam attack may be rooted in a deeper anxiety inside GHQ Rawalpindi, where Kashmir's peace disrupts the old script of rebellion and resistance

'Reimbursing Pakistan', says Omar Abdullah as IMF approves $1 billion loan

J&K CM Omar Abdullah questioned the IMF's decision to fund Pakistan amid cross-border attacks, while India warned of misuse for terrorism and abstained from the vote