Page 4 - Omar Abdullah

'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

Pahalgam attack: Omar Abdullah questions Pak's offer of neutral probe

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday questioned Pakistan's offer to join any "neutral and transparent" probe into the terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people on April 22. "The recent tragedy in Pahalgam is yet another example of this perpetual blame game, which must come to a grinding halt. Continuing with its role as a responsible country, Pakistan is open to participating in any neutral, transparent and credible investigation," Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday. "First they (Pakistan) did not accept that something happened in Pahalgam. Then they even said it was done by India. They were the ones who first accused us, so it's difficult to say anything about them," Abdullah told reporters here. Asked about Sharif's remarks, Abdullah said, "I do not want to comment much on their (Pakistani leaders) statements. I regret the incident, which should not have happened." On the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 with Pakistan, which India put i

Jammu-Srinagar highway reopens for one-way traffic, CM to review work today

One-way traffic was restored on the arterial Jammu-Srinagar national highway on Friday, five days after vehicular movement was suspended due to flash floods and mudslides in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district. Authorities allowed vehicles to move from Jammu towards Srinagar. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will visit Ramban on Saturday to review the progress of work for the restoration of the highway and other infrastructure damaged due to the flash floods triggered by a cloudburst on April 20, officials said. The highway was initially cleared on Wednesday to facilitate the movement of vehicles stranded on the damaged Ramban stretch, they said. Severe damage at multiple locations had left thousands of passengers and tourists stranded, causing widespread travel disruptions along the vital route, they said. Even as the vehicular movement resumed, many tourists expressed frustration over being stuck in long traffic jams for hours. Congestion remained a major issue in

Indus Waters Treaty was 'most unfair document' to people of J-K: CM Omar

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Friday said the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan that has been put in abeyance by the Centre in the wake of the Pahalgam attack was the "most unfair document" to the people of the Union territory and they have never been in favour of it. "Government of India has taken some steps. As far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, let's be honest we have never been in favour of the Indus Water Treaty," Abdullah told reporters here after a meeting with various tourism, trade and industry bodies. In the aftermath of the attack in which 26 people were killed, India on Wednesday downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan and announced a raft of measures, including expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, suspension of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 and immediate shutting down of the Attari land-transit post. Asked about the Centre's decision on IWT, Abdullah said Jammu and Kashmir has always believed that the IWT has been the "most unfair docume

Resolution condemning Pahalgam attack passed at all-party meeting in J&K

A resolution unequivocally condemning the "heinous and inhumane" attack on innocent civilians in Pahalgam was passed at an all-party meeting convened by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday. Reading out the resolution, Abdullah appealed to governments of other states and union territories to protect Kashmiris against any form of harassment in the wake of the Pahalgam killings. "We, the participants of the All-Party Meeting of Jammu & Kashmir, deeply shocked and anguished by the recent barbaric attack in Pahalgam on 22nd April 2025 on innocent civilians, do hereby adopt this resolution in a spirit of collective solidarity," the chief minister said. "We unequivocally condemn in the strongest possible terms the heinous, inhumane attack in Pahalgam that targeted and killed innocent civilians. "Such cowardly acts of brutality against peaceful citizens have no place in society and are a direct assault on the values of Kashmiriyat, and the idea of India which have ..

'In touch with states over harassment of Kashmiris post-attack', says Omar

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said his government was in touch with governments of states where Kashmiris were allegedly being harassed in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. "The J&K government is in touch with the governments of the states where these reports are originating from. I'm also in touch with my counterpart Chief Ministers in these states & have requested they take extra care," Abdullah posted on X. He was responding to a post by ruling National Conference spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar seeking Abdullah's intervention after videos of Kashmiris being allegedly harassed emerged on social media. "Numerous videos showing Kashmiri students nationwide terrified for their safety are being widely shared on social media. Requesting @CM_JnK @OmarAbdullah sb to immediately intervene and speak to his counterparts across the country," Dar said in his post on X. Terrorists opened fire in a meadow near the tourist hub of Pahalgam in south ...

Pahalgam attack: CM Omar hails 'ponywallah' who died saving tourists

A 30-year-old 'ponywallah' was among 26 persons, mostly tourists, who lost their lives in the deadly terrorist attack in this south Kashmir resort with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah turning up to offer 'fatiha' to him and hailing his courage to stand up against the armed assailants. The 'ponywallah' (pony ride operator), Syed Adil Hussain Shah, was laid to rest at the ancestral graveyard at his Hapatnard village in Pahalgam with hundreds of mourners bidding him a tearful adieu and saluting his sacrifice. I visited Pahalgam today to offer fatiha' (prayer after burial) for brave-heart Shah, who was shot dead while trying to snatch a weapon from one of the terrorists in a courageous attempt to protect the tourists he had ferried on horseback from the parking area to Baisaran meadow. Met his grieving family and assured them of full support Adil (Shah) was the sole breadwinner, and his extraordinary bravery and sacrifice will forever be remembered, the chief minister wrote in a post shar

Jammu-Srinagar highway reopens for one-way traffic; special train arranged

The landslide-hit Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was reopened for one-way traffic on Wednesday after remaining closed for the last three days, while a special train has been launched from Katra to New Delhi to assist the stranded passengers to reach their destination, an official spokesperson said. The highway, the only all-weather road connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country, was blocked due to multiple landslides triggered by heavy rains and cloudbursts early Sunday. The (Jammu-Srinagar) national highway at Ramban is made functional on a one-way basis, the spokesperson said, also announcing the launch of a special train service from SMVD Katra station to New Delhi to assist the stranded passengers and accommodate the "extra rush". The administration remains committed to the well-being of all tourists and urges everyone to cooperate and follow the necessary guidelines, he said. In the wake of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, thousands of tourists have begun leaving Kashmir,

Pahalgam attack: J-K CM Omar Abdullah regrets tourist exodus, reopens NH-44

The Chief Minister has directed the administration to facilitate the safe and orderly movement of tourist vehicles from the Valley to Jammu

Pahalgam attack: PM Modi holds meeting, Shah meets survivors amid shutdown

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday laid wreaths on the bodies of 26 people killed in the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, and assured the survivors that the perpetrators of the dastardly act would be brought to justice, officials said. Shah laid the wreaths on the coffins of the victims of the terror attack at the Police Control Room here. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also paid their tributes to the victims, the officials said. The Home Minister later interacted with families of the slain persons and other survivors of the attack. He assured them the security forces would leave no stone unturned to bring the perpetrators of the deadly attack to the book, the officials said. Shah arrived here within hours of the attack on Wednesday night and was briefed about the situation by Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat. The Home Minister also chaired a security review meeting, which was also attended by the Lieutenant ...

CM Omar Abdullah meets flood, landslide-hit victims in J-K's Ramban

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday assessed the ground situation in the aftermath of the destruction caused by heavy rains coupled with cloudbursts and landslides here, and met with the affected families. This was his second visit to the affected areas in as many days. On Monday, the chief minister drove from Srinagar to the worst-hit Maroog-Kela Morh stretch along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway which remained closed for the third day on Tuesday. Abdullah, accompanied by his political advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, flew in a helicopter to Chanderkote area of Ramban this morning and immediately left for landslide-hit Seri to assess the situation. Deputy Commissioner, Ramban, Baseer-ul-Haq Choudhary was seen briefing the chief minister as he moved on foot and met the affected families. District Development Council chairperson Shamshad Shan and MLA Banihal Sajad Shaheen were also present and interacted with the chief minister, who later left for the Ramban marke

Efforts on to restore highway, aid flash flood victims: Omar Abdullah

In the Ramban region, flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains in the early hours of Sunday have caused widespread damage