Page 5 - Jammu And Kashmir

J&K landslides: Around 2,200 fruit-laden trucks evacuated via Mughal Road

More than 2,200 fruit-laden trucks were evacuated via the Mughal Road, the alternative road link between the valley and Jammu, during the past 24 hours, an official said on Tuesday. The trucks were stranded along the Srinagar-Jammu national highway due to its closure following landslides in the wake of incessant rains. The 270-km Jammu-Srinagar national highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, suffered extensive damage at several places, especially between Nashri and Udhampur, in the aftermath of record rainfall on August 26 and 27, leading to its closure for vehicular movement. The traffic on the highway was partially restored last week, but hundreds of trucks, including those carrying apples to different markets within and outside Jammu and Kashmir, remained stranded for days, causing extensive damage to the produce. In a major relief to fruit growers and traders of the valley, Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Anshul Garg, informe

Dapaan: Kashmir's stories of conflict, resilience and remembrance

After 35 years of armed conflict, Kashmir abounds with stories-heard and unheard-of loss, laughter, haunting, and place-making, but also of defiance against the state

J&K CM rules out electricity privatisation, pledges reforms in sector

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has dismissed speculation about privatisation of electricity in the Union territory, and said his vision is to strengthen and reform the power sector. "We are not talking about privatisation. If we reduce our losses, improve billing efficiency and enhance revenue generation, there will be no need for it. My vision is to strengthen and reform the power sector in J-K," Abdullah said. The CM addressed the gathering at the 58th Engineers' Day at SKICC here on late Monday evening. The event was held to honour the legacy of Bharat Ratna Sir M Visvesvaraya for his pioneering contribution to engineering in India. The chief minister said electricity generation and efficient distribution hold the key to economic prosperity in J-K. Emphasising the critical role of the power sector, Abdullah underscored the need for J-K to reduce its power losses and then focus on harnessing its vast hydropower potential to strengthen its economy. "This is the o

Delhi sees cloudy skies, high humidity while heavy rain lashes North India

Heavy rain and thunderstorms lash north, east, and central India, causing floods, landslides, road closures, and displacement in several states

J&K L-G flags off first cargo parcel train from Kashmir valley to Delhi

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday flagged off the first cargo parcel train from the valley to Delhi which will provide a cheaper and reliable mode of transportation for perishable goods like fruits to terminal markets of the country. The cargo parcel train was flagged off from Nowgam railway station here and is scheduled to reach Delhi on Tuesday "I am thankful to the prime minister as cargo service has been started. Every day 23 to 24 tonnes of apples and other perishable goods will be transported from here which will reach Delhi the next day," Sinha told reporters after flagging off the train. The LG said the cargo train service will boost the local economy by providing an alternative mode of transportation. "This train will contribute a lot to the economic upliftment.We know due to topographic conditions and heavy rainfall, the national highway gets closed sometimes and it used to cause losses to the fruit growers. The railways has started a very good

Vaishno Devi yatra postponed till further orders due to heavy rainfall

Due to heavy rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir's Bhawan, the commencement of the temporarily suspended Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra stands postponed till further orders, as per the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.The pilgrimage to the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi was suspended for 14 days in a row due to adverse weather conditions and multiple landslides in the region.In a post on social media X, the Board requested devotes to stay updated through official communication channels."Due to incessant rain at Bhawan & the track, commencement of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra scheduled from 14th September stands postponed till further order. Devotees are requested to stay updated through official communication channels," the post read.Earlier, the Shrine Board expressed gratitude to the devotees for their patience and understanding during the temporary suspension of the Yatra."The resumption of the Yatra marks a reaffirmation of our collective faith and resilience, and the Board remains .

Operation Gudder in J&K's Kulgam ends, two LeT terrorists neutralised

Earlier in the day, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah paid tributes to two fallen soldiers, who were killed in action during an encounter between the security forces and terrorists

J&K rain fury: 12,000 km of road length damaged due to floods, landslides

Nearly 12,000 km of road length, including the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, suffered damage in the recent floods and landslides in the Union Territory, officials said. Restoration work on the damaged Udhampur-Ramban stretch is going on a war footing and expected to be restored by this evening, they said. "Out of the total road length of 42,000 km, around 12,000 km suffered damage due to recent flash floods," Principal Secretary, Public Works Department, Anil Kumar Singh said. He said this while giving a presentation about the overall road infrastructure maintained and damaged in floods before Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary here on Monday. Officials of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) gave a presentation on restoration work on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway and said that it has suffered major damages in the Udhampur-Ramban stretch, which will be restored, while on the Dhar-Udhampur stretch, traffic will move one way beginning Tuesday. They also appr

Kulgam encounter: Two terrorists, two jawans killed as op enters second day

The encounter in the Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir entered the second day on Tuesday as security forces were engaged in a gunbattle with terrorists. "The operation against terrorists in Kulgam has resumed this morning after a brief lull in firing overnight," an official said here. Two terrorists, including one believed to be a Pakistani national, and two soldiers were killed in the fierce encounter that started on Monday. An Army major was also injured in the operation. The encounter erupted after security forces launched a search operation in the Gudar forest area of Kulgam based on specific intelligence about the presence of terrorists, who opened fire on the security forces. During the operation, two soldiers, identified as Sub Perbhat Gaur and Lance Naik Narender Sindhu, and an Army major were injured in the gunfight, the officials said. Gaur and Sindhu succumbed to their injuries while the officer's condition is stated to be stable. A tweet by the Army's Kashmir-based

BSF nabs Pakistani intruder at international border in Jammu's RS Pura

A Pakistani intruder was apprehended by the Border Security Force (BSF) at the International Border in the RS Pura sector of Jammu, the force said on Monday.More details are awaited.Yesterday, the BSF apprehended five persons and seized pistols, heroin and a drone on the Punjab border, the BSF Punjab saidIn a crackdown against narco-terror, BSF Punjab troops foiled multiple smuggling attempts along the border. Acting on intelligence, BSF & ANTF Amritsar apprehended one smuggler near Chabbal, Tarn Taran and seized 504 gms of heroin, a mobile and a bike from their possession.Following that, at Sur Singh Market, Tarn Taran, a joint team detained four smugglers with 5.032 kg heroin, two pistols, a Scorpio, four mobiles, two bikes and ₹1000 cash.During night hours, vigilant troops intercepted a drone near Ranian, conducted a search operation and seized a DJI Air 3 drone with pistol parts and magazine. Yet another operation in Tarn Taran led to the recovery of pistol parts from ...

NIA raids 22 locations across five states, J-K in terror conspiracy case

Searches were conducted at eight locations in Bihar, one each in Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, two in Uttar Pradesh, and nine in Jammu and Kashmir.

Unidentified terrorist killed, soldier injured in J-K's Kulgam encounter

An unidentified terrorist was killed and a soldier injured in an encounter in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, officials here said. Security forces launched a search operation in the Gudar forest area of Kulgam following information about the presence of terrorists there, the officials said. They said the search operation turned into an encounter after the terrorists opened fire at the security forces' positions. "Based on specific intelligence input by JKP, joint search operation was launched by #IndianArmy, @JmuKmrPolice & @crpf_srinagar in Guddar forest of #Kulgam," the Army's Srinagar-based Chinar Corps said in a post on X. It said vigilant troops observed suspicious activity and upon being challenged, terrorists opened fire, "prompting a fierce exchange of gunfire during which one terrorist has been eliminated and a junior commissioned officer suffered injuries". The operation is in progress, the Chinar Corps said.

Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage may resume next week after weather review

The pilgrimage to the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine atop the Trikuta hills in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district is likely to resume next week after a fresh review of the weather advisory, officials said on Saturday. The yatra remained suspended for the 12th consecutive day on Saturday with the weatherman forecasting the possibility of moderate rain or thunder showers over a few districts of Jammu division towards late night or early morning hours on September 7 and 8. "A decision to resume the yatra will be taken next week. The track is cleared of the debris and is getting a facelift after the recent damage due to landslides triggered by heavy rains," an official of the shrine board said. The yatra was suspended hours before a landslide along the old track at Adhkuwari on August 26 claimed 34 lives and left 20 others injured. The suspension is the longest since the COVID-19 restrictions, with authorities prioritising pilgrim safety and conducting restoration work on the damaged track a

Omar Abdullah questions use of national emblem on Hazratbal Shrine plaque

This comes after a viral video had surfaced showing a mob defacing the national emblem inscribed on the foundation stone of the shrine

Search op launched after suspected Pakistani drone movement in J&K's Samba

A search operation was launched after a suspected Pakistani drone was spotted hovering over vital installations in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Saturday. The drone was noticed at an altitude of over 700 metres moving from west to east over a military garrison in the Bari Brahmana area around 9.35 pm on Friday, they said. An alert was immediately sounded and quick reaction teams of the Army were activated. Police were also informed and a joint search operation was launched to ensure that there was no airdropping of weapons or narcotics, the officials said.

'Deeply anguished': President Murmu on floods and landslides across states

The President's remarks come as several northern states continue to be hit by heavy rainfall, leading to flooding and disruption

Weather improves in Kathua, efforts on to restore roads: Jitendra Singh

He added that appropriate alternatives have been provided to those whose houses have been washed out in the Udhampur floods

Vaishno Devi yatra in J&K remains suspended for 11th day after landslide

The pilgrimage to the cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir remained suspended for the 11th consecutive day on Friday. The yatra was suspended after a landslide on August 26 claimed 34 lives and left 20 others injured.Though the weather has improved significantly with the sun shining brightly after ten days of heavy rains, flash floods, and landslides, the authorities are yet to take a call on resuming the yatra. Yatra is still suspended. This is due to the decision taken by authorities last week, keeping in view the safety of pilgrims, an official said. The decision to resume the yatra will be taken at an appropriate time after assessing all aspects, the official added. The suspension is the longest since the COVID-19 restrictions, with authorities prioritising pilgrim safety and conducting restoration work on the damaged pilgrimage track and commercial structures in Katra. The landslide at Adhkuwari in the Trikuta hills of the Katra belt on Augu

GST reforms likely to reduce J&K revenue by 10-12%: CM Omar Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that the proposed GST reforms could reduce the UT's revenue by 10-12 per cent, adding to the severe fiscal crisis as its public revenues have "collapsed" in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. In his written speech circulated at the 56th GST Council meeting, he called for the establishment of suitable mechanisms to ensure the fiscal stability of states and union territories. "The major sectors of the economy, like tourism, transport, construction, automobiles have come to standstill post April 2025. The proposed reform can further reduce our GST revenues by 10-12 per cent. Hence as the Finance Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, I am of the opinion that establishing suitable mechanisms and safeguards for the fiscal stability of States and UTs is critical," he said. He highlighted the devastating impact of the event on the Union Territory's (UT) economy and called for the Centre's support to deal with the situation,

CM Abdullah reviews flood situation in J&K as water level rises in rivers

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday reviewed the situation arising from incessant rains that have swelled rivers and streams across the Union Territory, officials said. Authorities announced the closure of schools and colleges across the Kashmir Valley for the day, as the weather department has forecast more rainfall over the next 24 hours, they said. The chief minister chaired a meeting this morning to assess the situation, the CM's office said in a post on X. Abdullah directed the administration to intensify the ground response, ensure clearance of waterlogged areas, safeguard essential services, carry out timely evacuations in critical zones, and provide immediate relief. "Hon'ble Ministers @JavedRanaa and @satishsharmajnk briefed on the situation in Jammu, while Hon'ble Minister @sakinaitoo and Advisor to the CM @nasirsogami provided updates on the situation in Kashmir. The Chief Minister appealed to the people to follow advisories, avoid vulnerable spot