Page 8 - Jammu And Kashmir

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

Torrential monsoon rains cause floods, landslides across Northern India

Rescue and relief are underway as swollen rivers flood roads, with army, NDRF, SDRF, and authorities working to aid affected areas and restore normalcy

J-K rains: Railways cancel 68 trains till Sept 30 in Jammu, 24 to resume

The Northern Railway has announced the cancellation of 68 incoming and outgoing trains from Jammu and Katra stations till September 30, while 24 trains are scheduled to resume, officials said. Rail traffic has remained suspended in the Jammu railway division for the past eight days due to misalignment and breaches at multiple locations in the Pathankot-Jammu section following the recent heavy rains and flash floods. Scores of people, especially pilgrims, were stranded as heavy rains lashed the Jammu region August 26 (Tuesday) onwards, severely disrupting rail and road traffic. A landslide near the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra claimed 34 lives. The Jammu region recorded its heaviest rainfall since 1910, at 380 mm by Wednesday. "To facilitate the movement of stranded passengers, the following train services are being run: Jammu Tawi-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (2 shuttle services), Jammu Tawi-Kolkata, and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-New Delhi," an official said. Four trains ha

19 families evacuated as land sinks in J&K's Rajouri, Samba after rainfall

Nineteen families were evacuated when a portion of land in Rajouri and Samba districts in Jammu and Kashmir started sinking due to incessant rains on Monday, officials said. Eleven houses were vacated in Rajouri and eight in Samba, they said. A vast portion of land started sinking due to incessant rains in Rajouri's Badhaal village, which has been declared a "risk zone", Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kotranka, Dil Mir said. "We fear that these houses could suffer damages if the sinking continues. The families have been provided alternate arrangements by the administration," he said. The sinking of a large chunk of land triggered by heavy rain has pushed houses to the brink of collapse in a hamlet in Samba district, prompting authorities to evacuate families to safer places. "Due to the floods triggered by heavy rain over the past few days in Samba, cracks have appeared in roads and houses near Jamoda village. The village is located on the Samba-Mansar-Udhampur road. Land subside

Nature's fury: 7 die in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand landslides

Seven people died in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand in landslides, while flood-hit Punjab received another spell of torrential rain on Monday, leading to the closure of all schools and colleges in the state. In Jammu and Kashmir, amid heavy rainfall in Katra town, the pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine remained suspended for the seventh consecutive day since a landslide on a yatra route claimed 34 lives last Tuesday. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the Modi government is committed to ensuring the rehabilitation of those affected by recent floods in Jammu and Kashmir, as he undertook a whirlwind tour of a worst-hit area in Jammu. He was accompanied by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and senior J&K BJP leaders. Chairing a high-level meeting at Raj Bhavan to review the latest situation after inspecting the affected areas, Shah appreciated the efforts of all the agencies and said the J&K government carried out the successful rescue operation

Amit Shah visits flood-hit areas of Jammu to assess damage, relief efforts

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday visited the flood-hit areas of Jammu, officials said. He will also visit Manguchak, the worst-hit village of the district. Accompanied by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Shah stopped on the Tawi bridge near Bikram Chowk and inspected the damage along the riverbanks. Shah had reached Jammu on Sunday night to assess the flood situation and the relief efforts. He is likely to undertake an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas later in the day. He will also chair two separate meetings at Raj Bhawan on flood relief and the damage caused to the border security grid by the flash floods, officials said. More than 130 people have been killed and 33 have gone missing in cloudbursts, landslides and flash floods in Kishtwar, Kathua, Reasi, and Ramban districts since August 14. Record rainfall during August 26-27 caused flash floods in low-lying areas in Jammu and other plains, causing heavy damage to infrastructure. The dead

Army foils terrorist infiltration attempt along LoC in J-K's Poonch

The Indian Army troops on Monday scuttled an infiltration bid by terrorists along the Line of Control (LoC) in Mendhar Sector of Poonch district, officials said. Troops guarding the border noticed a group of terrorists trying to sneak into the country from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, they said. The movement was noticed near Dabbi village of Balakote area in the early hours of the day. Heavy gunfire was exchanged between the two sides. There was no immediate report of any casualty on either side. The whole area has been cordoned off, and a massive search operation is underway, officials said.

J&K CM Omar directs timely evacuation of people from risk-prone zones

Amid inclement weather prevailing in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday directed officials to ensure round-the-clock monitoring and carry out timely evacuation of residents from risk-prone zones. The statement comes in the aftermath of two fresh incidents of cloudburst and landslide in Ramban and Reasi districts that left 11 persons, including seven members of a family, dead and one person missing. The chief minister expressed sorrow over the tragic deaths. While four people of a family lost their lives and one person went missing at Rajgarh in Ramban, a couple and their five children were buried alive in a landslide at Badder village in Mahore area of Reasi district. Taking note of the continuous heavy rains, the chief minister appealed to people to remain alert, avoid vulnerable areas, and strictly adhere to safety advisories. "He has directed the district administration and disaster management authorities to remain on the ground, ensure round-the-clock .

Four dead as cloudburst hits village in J&K's Ramban, rescue operation on

Three people died while two others are missing after a cloudburst struck a remote village in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district, officials said on Saturday. The cloudburst triggered flash floods in the mountainous Rajgarh, located about 25 kilometres from the district headquarters, early on Saturday morning, they said. Rescuers have found the bodies of three people, including two women, who were washed away by the floods, officials said.

Seven members of family killed as landslide flattens house in J&K's Reasi

Seven members of a family were killed when a landslide struck a house in a remote village in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir early on Saturday, officials said. The landslide was triggered by heavy rains in Badder village of Mahore, and all seven bodies have been recovered, the officials said. The deceased have been identified as Nazir Ahmad (38), his wife Wazira Begum (35) and their sons Bilal Ahmed (13), Mohd Mustafa (11), Mohd Adil (8), Mohd Mubarak (6) and Mohd Wasim (5). Officials said Nazir and his family were asleep when their house on a hill slope came under the debris brought down by the landslide, burying them alive. The locals frantically searched the debris and were later joined by police, but only managed to pull out the bodies. Moderate to heavy rains lashed wide parts of Jammu and Kashmir overnight.

Jammu floods: Heavy rains submerge areas, Tawi river washes away road

A portion of the road along the fourth Tawi bridge has been washed away in the floods following incessant heavy rainfall