Page 12 - Ladakh

LIVE: HP govt declares whole state as 'natural calamity affected area'

Catch all the latest updates from across the globe here

Rahul's visit to Ladakh extended till Aug 25, to celebrate Rajiv's birthday

According to the party sources, Rahul will celebrate his father and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's birthday on August 20 at Pangong Lake

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi likely to leave for 2-day visit to Ladakh today

The sources said that Rahul Gandhi will be on a two-day visit to Ladakh on Thursday and Friday

Congress' Surjewala targets Modi govt over border issue with China

The Congress on Wednesday targeted the Modi government over the border situation with China, asking when will it travel beyond the rhetoric to protect 'Bharat Mata' and when will status quo ante be restored at the border. Citing media reports, Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala said, "19 round of talks with China fail, talks fail every time for last 3 Years". In two-day military talks, India and China agreed to resolve the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh in an expeditious manner besides maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas, a joint statement said on Tuesday. The readout on the 19th round of Corps Commander-level meeting described the talks as "positive, constructive and in-depth" but it did not indicate any immediate breakthrough in the disengagement of troops in the remaining friction points. Surjewala said, "Status Quo Ante as in April 2020 not restored for three Years and three Months. "Indian Forces can't ..

India-China held 19th round of Corps Commander-level meet at Chushul-Moldo

India and China agreed to resolve the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh in an expeditious manner, a joint statement said on Tuesday, a day after the two sides concluded two-day military talks. "The two sides had a positive, constructive and in-depth discussion on the resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC in the Western Sector," it said. "In line with the guidance provided by the leadership, they exchanged views in an open and forward looking manner," the statement added. The 19th round of India-China Corps Commander-level meeting was held at Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Indian side on August 13-14, it said. It was for the first time that the high-level military talks on the lingering border row spanned two days. "They agreed to resolve the remaining issues in an expeditious manner and maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations through military and diplomatic channels," the statement released by the Ministry of

Eastern Ladakh row: India, China hold fresh talks on troops disengagement

India and China on Monday held a fresh round of military talks with a focus on disengagement of troops in the remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh and ease overall tensions in the region. The 19th round of Corps Commander level dialogue took place at the Chushul-Moldo border point on the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the region, military sources said. The Indian and Chinese troops are locked in an over three-year confrontation in certain friction points in eastern Ladakh even as the two sides completed disengagement from several areas following extensive diplomatic and military talks. The talks began at around 9:30 am and they are continuing, the sources said. The Indian delegation is headed by Lt Gen Rashim Bali, the Commander of the Leh-headquartered 14 Corps. The Chinese team was to be led by the commander of the South Xinjiang military district. In the 18th round of the military dialogue that was held on April 23, the Indian side strongly pressed fo

IAF airlifted 68,000 soldiers to eastern Ladakh following Galwan clashes

Over 68,000 Army soldiers, around 90 tanks and other weapon systems were airlifted by the Indian Air Force to eastern Ladakh from across the country for rapid deployment along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) after the deadly clashes in the Galwan Valley, top sources in defence and security establishment said. The IAF deployed its Su-30 MKI and Jaguar jets for round-the-clock surveillance and intelligence gathering on the enemy build-up, besides putting several squadrons of combat aircraft in "offensive posturing" following the clashes on June 15, 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades, they said. The troops and weapons were ferried by the transport fleet of the IAF within a "very short period of time" for quick deployment in various inhospitable areas along the LAC under a special operation, the sources said while highlighting how the force's strategic airlift capability has increased over the years. In view of the escalating tensions,

Election of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council in Kargil on Sept 10

The election to 26 seats of the 30-member Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil, is scheduled for September 10 and counting of votes will be held four days later, a senior official said on Saturday. While polls are held for 26 seats of the council, four members with voting rights are nominated by the administration. Deputy Commissioner Shrikant Suse said EMVs will be used for the voting, assuring people of free and fair polls to constitute the fifth Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil. The official said filing of nominations will start on August 16 and will go on till August 23. Scrutiny of nominations will take place on August 24 and the last date for withdrawal of nominations is August 26, he said. The National Conference and the Congress have already announced an alliance for polls. "Two notifications were issued by the election department, Ladakh, to constitute the fifth LAHDC, Kargil. With the issuance of the notification, the model code o

40% work on Zojila tunnel over; terrain, weather challenges push deadline

Difficult terrain and weather challenges have pushed the deadline for completion of the Zojila tunnel, which will provide all-weather connectivity between the Kashmir valley and the Ladakh region, to December 2030, according to officials. The tunnel, said to be the longest of its kind in Asia and at the highest altitude, will significantly cut down the time to cross the Zojila pass from four hours to just 15 minutes, they said. Officials said that while 40 per cent of work on the 13-km-long tunnel is already over, the challenges posed by the terrain and weather are such that the rest of the work is taking so much time. "The area is severely avalanche-prone. The work had to be stopped multiple times due to the difficulties posed by the weather and the terrain. The tunnel was to be completed by December 2026. But now, keeping the challenges in mind, the deadline has been revised to December 2030," Captain IK Singh of the Border Roads Organisation told PTI. The tunnel project through

Melting of Ladakh glacier could form three glacial lakes, says study

Accelerated melting of the Himalayan Parkachik Glacier in Ladakh could give rise to three glacial lakes with an average depth ranging between 34 and 84 metres, scientists have found. These lakes could be a potential source of glacial lake outburst floods in the Himalayas, the scientists from the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun, said. Parkachik Glacier is one of the largest glacier in the Suru River valley, which is a part of the Southern Zanskar Ranges, western Himalaya. The Zanskar Range, part of the Himalayas, lies in the union territory of Ladakh. The glacier's yearly melting rate was 6 times faster between 1999 and 2021 (22 years) than that calculated from 1971 to 1999 (28 years), the scientists found using satellite data to determine its glacial retreat from 1971-2021. The findings are published in the journal Annals of Glaciology. The study attributed the accelerated glacial retreat to ongoing climate warming, which also causes surface morphological or geologic

Ladakh DGP Jamwal innaugrates first-ever women police station in Kargil

The first-ever women police station has started functioning here in the Union Territory of Ladakh, an official said on Wednesday, terming it a significant step towards empowering women and ensuring their safety. Additional Director General of Police, Ladakh, S D Singh Jamwal inaugurated the police station, which will specifically deal with crimes against women, he said. "The station will operate round the clock to ensure immediate assistance and support for women in need. Additionally, it will act as a resource centre, providing guidance and counselling services for women facing challenging situations," the official spokesman said. After inaugurating the police station, Jamwal emphasised the importance of women's empowerment and their active participation in the law enforcement. "The inauguration of the women police station in Kargil is a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and secure society. This initiative will enable women to approach the police with greater ...

Indian Army conducts event to mark 24th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas

The Kargil War saw soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces fight in the most challenging terrain under harsh weather conditions leading to the defeat of the enemy in Dras, Kargil and Batalik Sectors

2 day event to mark Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations begin in Ladakh

The two-day event to mark Vijay Diwas and commemorate the martyrdom of the 559 soldiers in the 1999 Kargil war kicked-started here on Tuesday. The celebrations begin at Lamochen view point where war heroes and families of fallen soldiers remembered the brave souls. Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi was the chief guest. After that, a cultural programme was held which was graced by Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande. Later in the evening, tributes were offered at the Kargil War Memorial here. The Army chief, many current and former top army officers were also present on the occasion. With a view to pay homage to the supreme sacrifice made by the soldiers during Operation Vijay', 559 lamps, each symbolising a braveheart, were lit at the Veer Bhoomi. The Army chief also felicitated the families of the fallen soldiers. The celebration, known as Shaurya Sandhya, commenced with an emotional rendition of patriotic songs by Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre Fusion Band. T

Cloudburst triggers flash floods in Ladakh; no loss of life reported

A cloudburst triggered flash floods in the Union Territory of Ladakh, causing debris to flow into the main market area and throwing life out of gear, but there are no reports of any loss of life, officials said on Saturday. The cloudburst hit the Gangles area of the Union territory late Friday night and left several parts of Leh town inundated, they said, adding the debris entered many buildings in the low-lying areas, causing some damage to them. A police spokesperson said rescue and rehabilitation work was underway in Leh town, especially in Khakshal, Sanker, Skampari, Chhubi, Zangsti and the main market Gonpa Soma areas. As a result of the flash floods, a programme of the Dalai Lama in Leh was postponed, the officials said. They said some shops were damaged in the Gangles area and there was a lot of debris in the Chokhang Vihara area. Many tourists, including foreigners, lent a helping hand and were seen cleaning the main market area following the flash flood. President of the

450 year old building collapses in Ladakh as heavy rainfall lashes region

He further said that a few old houses have also been damaged in the area due to heavy rains

Eastern Ladakh: Indian Army tanks carry out drills, attack enemy positions

Indian Army is one of the very few armies in the world that operates tanks at high altitudes up to 16,000 feet, and in large numbers

11 unexploded shells defused by army's bomb disposal squad in Ladakh

Eleven unexploded shells were defused by the army's bomb disposal squad in a forward village in Kargil district of Ladakh, officials said on Saturday. The unit led by the Sappers of Forever in Operations division detected the ordnance during a sanitising drive in Kurbathang area, officials said. The drive was conducted in close coordination with Tehsildar, Kargil, and Sarpanch, Pashkum, and the unexploded ordnance was safely defused by the bomb disposal squad, they said. Earlier in April, the Sappers of Forever in Operations division had destroyed seven explosives found near the new astro turf ground following the death of a 13-year-old boy in a landmine explosion. Two more boys were injured in the same incident. Lt governor, Ladakh, Brig (Retd) B D Mishra had then gave his assurance to the people that the littered shells, which pose a threat to the their lives, would be cleared from Kargil villages gradually. Mishra's remarks had come after the public decried the presence of a la

J&K Bank launches mobile branches to offer services in Ladakh's remote area

Jammu and Kashmir Bank on Monday launched two mobile branches in Ladakh to offer banking services in remote areas of the Union Territory. "J&K bank today dedicated two mobile branches -- 'J&K Bank on Wheels' -- for public in Ladakh that will extend banking services to the people of various remote and unbanked areas of the UT," a spokesman of the bank said. He said Ladakh Lieutenant Governor B D Mishra inaugurated the two mobile branches at the iconic Leh Gate in the presence of J&K Bank MD and CEO Baldev Prakash. Mishra said: "I am immensely pleased today to have launched J&K Bank's mobile banking branches -- a new and unique service -- for the people living in remote and unbanked areas. There cannot be a better service than this to ensure that those who cannot travel to branches, because of distance and difficulties, enjoy all the types of banking facilities right at their doorsteps conveniently through these mobile branches." Prakash said in view of the limited ...

Two earthquakes of mild intensity hit J&K's Doda, no damage reported

Two mild intensity earthquakes shook the mountainous Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir early Sunday, officials said. The Union Territory of Ladakh also recorded a mild tremor late Saturday. There was no report of any damage reported from anywhere, the officials said. According to the National Centre of Seismology (NCS), a 4.1 magnitude earthquake having a depth of 11 km at a latitude of 32.96 degrees north and a longitude of 75.79 degrees east struck Doda at 3.50 am. The second tremor at a depth of 10 km at a latitude of 33.01 degrees north and a longitude of 75.78 degrees east was felt at 5.22 am, the nodal government agency for monitoring of earthquake activity said. Officials said the first earthquake woke people from their sleep and forced them to rush out of their homes. So far, 10 tremors with a varied intensity have jolted Doda in the past six days. A 5.4 magnitude earthquake hit the district on June 13, causing cracks in dozens of buildings, including houses. On Saturd

Earthquake of 4.1 magnitude on Richter scale hits Ladakh near Leh

An earthquake of magnitude 4.1 on the Richter scale hit 295 kilometres northeast of the Leh district of Ladakh on Sunday, said National Center for Seismology (NCS).The earthquake occurred at 2:16 am at a depth of 10 km."Earthquake of Magnitude:4.1, Occurred on 18-06-2023, 02:16:49 IST, Lat: 35.85 & Long: 80.08, Depth: 10 Km , Location: 295km NE of Leh, Ladakh," tweeted NCS.National Center for Seismology (NCS) is the nodal agency of the Government of India for monitoring of earthquake activity in the country.Further details are awaited.