Page 3 - Omar Abdullah

J-K CM urges PSU, parliament meets in Kashmir to boost tourism, trust

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday proposed a dual approach to resuscitate Jammu and Kashmir's tourism sector, severely impacted by the Pahalgam terror attack, urging the Centre to mandate PSUs to hold meetings in Kashmir and to convene parliamentary committee meetings there. Speaking at the Governing Council meeting of the NITI Aayog under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Abdullah also raised the issue of recent shelling from Pakistan that claimed 23 lives in Poonch, Rajouri and north Kashmir and underlined that the construction of individual bunkers for residents is necessary. Acknowledging the severe impact of the recent events on the vital tourism sector, Abdullah proposed that as an immediate step, the government should direct its public sector undertakings (PSUs) to hold their meetings in Kashmir. He also strongly pitched for holding of parliamentary consultative committee and parliamentary standing committee meetings in Jammu and Kashmir. These concert

Will ensure safe, smooth Amarnath Yatra, Kheer Bhawani Mela: J&K CM

Will ensure safe, smooth Amarnath Yatra, Kheer Bhawani Mela: J&K CM

Mehbooba asks J-K CM to employ youths, not ex-servicemen in guard duties

Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday asked the Jammu and Kashmir government to reconsider its decision to engage 4,000 ex-servicemen, instead of fresh recruits, for static guard duties at vital installations. In a letter to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, she said this is in view of the rising unemployment in the Union Territory. "I am writing to express my deep misgivings and concern regarding your government's recent decision on deploying 4,000 ex-servicemen to guard critical infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir. While we value the service and discipline of our veterans, this move raises serious questions, especially because it comes at a time when lakhs of educated yet unemployed youth are struggling to find opportunities in J-K," Mufti said in the letter. "Static guard duties do not require military expertise and could very well be performed by trained local youth, for whom such employment could be a vital lifeline," the letter added. The former J-K chie

Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti clash over Tulbul project amid Indo-Pak row

J&K CM Omar Abdullah and ex-CM Mehbooba Mufti trade sharp barbs online over Tulbul project revival amid rising Indo-Pak tensions and suspension of Indus Waters Treaty

Omar, Mehbooba lock horns on social media over Tulbul barrage project

In a post on X on Thursday, Abdullah had posed the question if work could resume on the Tulbul Navigation Barrage project in view of the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)

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

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

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

As India-Pak agree on stoppage of firing, leaders hope for lasting peace

Indian leaders, including Kapil Sibal, Mehbooba Mufti, and Omar Abdullah, react to the India-Pakistan ceasefire announcement, calling for peace, relief, and political discussions on the way forward

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

'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

IMF 'reimbursing' Pak for ordnance used to devastate border areas: Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday hit out at the IMF for granting a billion dollar loan to Pakistan, saying the global financial organisation was "essentially reimbursing" Islamabad for the ammunition used to devastate border areas of the Union territory. The International Monetary Fund on Friday approved the disbursement of around USD 1 billion to Pakistan under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). "I'm not sure how the 'International Community' thinks the current tension in the subcontinent will be de-escalated when the IMF essentially reimburses Pakistan for all the ordnance it is using to devastate Poonch, Rajouri, Uri, Tangdhar & so many other places," Abdullah said in a post on X. India abstained from the vote at the IMF, pointing out that rewarding continued sponsorship of cross-border terrorism sends a dangerous message to the global community, exposes funding agencies and donors to reputational risks, and makes a mockery of global values.

Govt official killed, two staff members injured in Pak shelling in J&K

A senior government official was killed and his two staff members were critically injured in Pakistani shelling in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir early Saturday, officials said. Additional Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri, Raj Kumar Thapa and his two staff members were seriously injured when an artillery shell hit his residence in Rajouri town, the officials said. They were rushed to the Government Medical College. Thapa succumbed to his injuries while the condition of his staff members is stated to be critical, according to the officials. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condoled Thapa's death. "Devastating news from Rajouri. We have lost a dedicated officer of the J&K Administration Services. Just yesterday he was accompanying the Deputy CM around the district & attended the online meeting I chaired. "Today the residence of the officer was hit by Pak shelling as they targeted Rajouri town killing our Additional District Development Commissioner Sh Raj Kumar Thappa. I've no ...

J&K CM reviews relief measures, urges communication, contingency planning

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday night chaired a meeting to review relief efforts and preparedness in border districts following intense cross-border shelling. The meeting was attended by his advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, Minister Satish Sharma, divisional commissioners from Jammu and Kashmir, deputy commissioners of affected districts, and the Principal Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu, a spokesperson said. Abdullah was briefed on evacuation efforts, relief camp arrangements, and security measures. Officials informed him that food, medicines, shelter, and even recreational activities for children are being provided in camps, the spokesperson said. Nodal officers have been deployed to coordinate facilities, and control rooms are operational in affected areas. Deputy commissioners reported on ground assessments, identification of vulnerable villages, and dissemination of public alerts through video and audio messaging. Abdullah stressed the need fo

Evacuation underway in at least 5 border districts of Jammu region

People are being evacuated from at least five districts in the Jammu region bordering Pakistan amid a continued cross-border shelling, which has left 18 dead and wounded nearly 60 wounded this side. Thousands have so far been shifted to safe places to relief camps. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, along with Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and Minister Satish Sharma, visited relief camps in Jammu, Rajouri, and Samba districts to oversee arrangements and reassure displaced families. "Eight to ten thousand border residents have been evacuated from the Rajouri-Poonch belt," Sharma said, adding, food and medical facilities are being provided to them there. The shelling follows Indian missile strikes on nine sites across Pakistan and PoK in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians, mostly tourists. Pakistan has since almost unabatedly lobbed shells across the Line of Control and International Border, causing damage in Poonch, Mankote, Mendhar, .

Pakistan went out of its way to target civilians in J&K: CM Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said Pakistan has "gone out of its way" to target civilian population in the Union Territory following India's missile strikes targeting terror infrastructure in the neighbouring country. "As reports are coming, Pakistan has gone out of its way to target the civilian population. So I have taken stock of the situation and we are dealing with the situation as it develops," Abdullah told PTI Videos after chairing a review meeting here. The chief minister said India had gone out of its way to ensure that no military and civilian targets were hit in the strikes. "After the inhumane and barbaric murder of 26 innocent civilians in Pahalgam, it was expected that India would use its right to respond in an appropriate and proportionate way. I think the Government of India and Indian defence forces have gone out of the way to ensure no military and civilian targets were hit in Pakistan. They have only hit terror bases," he ...

Omar Abdullah meets PM Modi, discusses Pahalgam attack, J-K issues

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday and discussed various key issues, including last week's terror attack in Pahalgam, officials said. The meeting at the prime minister's residence lasted around 30 minutes, they said. This is the first meeting between the two leaders since the April 22 terror attack in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed. Giving details of the meeting, an official spokesperson said Abdullah discussed key issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir with the prime minister, with particular emphasis on the recent developments in the region. During the meeting, the chief minister briefed Modi on the prevailing situation in wake of the heinous terror attack in Baisaran Valley of the Pahalgam tourist resort town, he said and added Abdullah reiterated the deep sense of grief and outrage felt by the people of Jammu and Kashmir. On April 28, the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly unanimously adopted a ...

Won't use Pahalgam for statehood demand: J&K CM Omar Abdullah

Centre blocks 16 Pak YouTube channels; Pak defence minister says Indian attack imminent

'Won't demand statehood at this time, failed as hosts': Omar Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah called the Pahalgam attack, in which 26 people were killed, a "turning point" in the fight against terror in the Valley