Three soldiers lost their lives when an avalanche struck Siachen, the world’s highest battlefield, in the Union Territory of Ladakh, officials said on Tuesday.
The avalanche occurred in the 12,000-feet-high Siachen base camp area on Sunday, trapping three soldiers, including two Agniveers, the officials said.
They said a rescue operation was immediately launched and the bodies of the trapped soldiers were retrieved. (Agencies)
New Delhi, Sep 9: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has searched 21 locations in five states and in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir as part of its probe in a terror conspiracy case linked with the ISIS and other terrorist organisations, officials said on Tuesday.
The searches were conducted in the states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu as well as Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, they said.
The NIA, which took over the case from Kayar police in Chengalpattu district of Tamil Nadu in June this year, seized several digital devices, including mobile phones, along with incriminatory documentary materials during the searches, according to an official statement.
The case emanated with the arrest of one Akhlathur alias Mohammed Akhlque Mujahid, who allegedly conspired with others to commit terrorist acts in India, it said.
“He was further found to have connections with multiple entities in Pakistan and Syria,” the NIA said.
The conspiracy was aimed at gathering men and material support to wage jihad against India by joining forces with proscribed terrorist organisations, said the statement.
NIA investigations showed that the accused was in contact with these terror outfits through social media platforms, it added. (Agencies)
SHIMLA, Sept 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced an immediate relief of Rs 1,500 crore for rain-affected Himachal Pradesh.
Modi, who took stock of the flood and landslides situation in the state, also announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia for the next of kin of the dead and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
He first conducted an aerial survey of affected areas and then held a meeting in Kangra to review the relief and rehabilitation measures undertaken as well as assess the damage.
In the meeting with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, BJP leaders, affected families and people engaged in rescue services in Kangra, Modi assured all help for restoration and rebuilding of infrastructure in the affected areas.
The financial assistance of Rs 1,500 crore will be advance release of the second instalment of SDRF and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi.
Modi asked for a multi-dimensional view to be taken to get the entire region and people back on its feet. These would be done through multiple ways, like rebuilding homes through PM Awas Yojana, restoration of national highways, rebuilding schools, provision of relief under PMNRF along with release of mini kits for livestock.
To ensure uninterrupted education, schools will be able to report and geotag damages, enabling timely assistance under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan.
Construction of recharge structures for water harvesting to help collect and store rainwater will be done. These efforts will improve groundwater levels and support better water management.
The Centre has already sent inter-ministerial teams to Himachal Pradesh to assess the extent of damage, and based on their detailed report further assistance will be considered.
Modi also met families affected by the calamity. He expressed condolences and deep sorrow to those who lost their relatives.
The prime minister stated that the Centre will work closely with the Himachal Pradesh government at this difficult time and extend all possible assistance.
He said all assistance under disaster management rules are being made including advance disbursements to the states. He appreciated the efforts of the personnel of NDRF, SDRF, Army, state administration and other service-oriented organisations in relief and response work.
The central government will further review the assessment based on the memorandum of the state as well as the report of the central teams, he said.
Modi acknowledged the gravity of the situation and assured that the Centre will make all efforts to address the situation. (AGENCIES)
On 08.09.2025, at around 17:40 hours, Police Station Gangyal received information that a road accident had occurred at Kunjwani Main Chowk, wherein an unknown vehicle hit a motorcycle (Registration No. JK02DF-7221) being driven by Jitender Singh S/o Gurudev Singh R/o Bihar A/P Preet Nagar, Digiana, Jammu.
The injured was immediately shifted to Government Hospital, Gandhi Nagar by the Flying Squad of PS Gangyal, however, despite all efforts, the victim unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.
Taking swift action, FIR No. 98/2025 U/S 281/125(a) BNS was registered at PS Gangyal and investigation was initiated. A special team led by SHO PS Gangyal comprising of PSI ATTA UR REHMAN, PSI ARUN SHARMA, and Ct. Vinod Kumar of PS Gangyal was constituted to trace the offender under the close supervision of SDPO South and SP South .
The team made strenuous efforts, analyzing multiple CCTV footages from the vicinity and conducting on-ground verification. Through persistent efforts, within 24 hours, the police succeeded in identifying and apprehending the accused vehicle and its driver.
The accused has been identified as:
• Ravinder Singh S/o Avtar Singh R/o Brevi Kalakote, Shiv Temple, Rajouri, J&K – 185131
• Vehicle Involved: HP Gas Truck, Registration No. JK02CT-5856
After careful examination of CCTV footage and matching the vehicle’s body features, the truck was successfully traced and intercepted from Transport Nagar, Narwal, Jammu. The vehicle along with its driver was seized, and the accused was taken into custody.
The investigation of the case is under progress, and further legal action is being taken in accordance with law.
General public of the area has appreciated the swift action of police. Jammu Police reiterates its commitment to swift investigation, justice delivery, and ensuring road safety for the citizens.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday appealed to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to operate special trains between Kashmir and rest of the country for ferrying essential goods to the valley and transport fruits to terminal markets of the country.
The Jammu Srinagar national highway has been closed following incessant rains and landslides en route, leaving hundreds of trucks carrying horticulture produce stranded.
“Our (railway) tracks are open. I will request the Rail Minister if two to four special trains can be operated for bringing in essential supplies to Kashmir and taking out fruit from here, people will get some relief,” Abdullah told reporters outside his private office here.
He said Jammu and Kashmir had suffered losses due to floods and its aftermath on various accounts and he expected that the Centre would compensate for these losses.
“Lives have been lost in Kishtwar, residential houses and shops have been damaged, government infrastructure has also suffered due to floods. Fruit was not damaged by rains but is rotting in the trucks due to closure of the highway,” the chief minister.
He said an inter-ministerial central team had come to Jammu and Kashmir for loss assessment after the visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah for a first hand assessment of the situation in the wake of devastating floods.
“The Home Minister spent an entire day here. It is not as if no one came here …We expect that we are compensated for the losses we have suffered due to floods,” he added.
Asked about slapping of PSA against AAP MLA Mehraj Malik, the chief minister said it was unnecessary.
“Now what did he do to deserve a PSA? I fail to understand the reason for invoking such a stringent law, what did he do? Was there a law and order problem? Was there stone pelting anywhere? If the MLA had committed any mistake, it can be set right in the assembly under the supervision of the Speaker. PSA-like law should not have been invoked. This will fade the trust and faith of people in democracy,” he said.
Abdullah said the LG administration also made a mistake on July 13 by detaining leaders.
“On July 14, they made (another) mistake by using police to manhandle me,” he said referring to his visit to the Martyrs’ graveyard to pay tributes to those who were killed by the forces of Maharaja Hari Singh in 1931.
“On the contrary, there is no action taken against those who have vitiated the atmosphere here by playing with our religious sentiments. Innocent people are being harassed, they are being summoned to police stations,” he added. (Agencies)
JAMMU, Sept 8: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) in Kakryal, Reasi district, has been sanctioned 50 MBBS seats, paving the way for admissions to its first batch in the 2025-26 academic session.
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Owned by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), the new Medical College started functioning in November last year from the administrative block of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University. With the approval of seats, the Institute is set to formally begin imparting medical education this session.
Announcing the development, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Health Minister J P Nadda for the sanction. “This decision fulfils the resolve of the Shrine Board to provide world-class medical education in Jammu and Kashmir while also meeting the objective of improving healthcare access and producing highly skilled professionals in underserved areas,” he said.
The Shrine Board had, in its 71st meeting on August 19, 2023, approved the establishment of a 50-seat Medical College at Kakryal with a roadmap for upgradation to a 100-seat institution in the future. “Our aim is to create more opportunities for MBBS aspirants within the Union Territory. The consistent increase in MBBS seats in recent years will ensure better access to specialized care and strengthen the healthcare system,” Sinha added.
Executive Director of SMVDIME, Dr Yaspaul Sharma, said counselling for admissions has begun and the academic session is set to start soon.
The SMVDIME Medical College is affiliated with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University. Its associated teaching hospital will be the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital at Kakryal, where students will undergo practical training in around 26 specialties. Officials said the Medical College will be developed with full infrastructure and facilities in the coming months.
Srinagar, Sep 9: Security forces on Tuesday busted a Terrorist hideout at the site of the ongoing encounter in Gudder forest area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, officials said.
A senior police officer said that the operation, which began on Monday morning, had already seen the killing of two terrorists and the loss of two army personnel, while as JCO was injured, before it was halted for the night and resumed at dawn.
He said fresh searches were carried out today, during which a hideout used by the terrorists was destroyed. Security personnel have maintained a strict cordon in the area to prevent any escape.
The gunfight had erupted after a joint team of the Army, CRPF, SOG, and police launched a cordon-and-search operation based on intelligence inputs about terrorist movement in the forest belt.
Top officers from Army and police are monitoring the operation closely. (KNC)
JAMMU, Sep 9: The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi has ordered the transfers and postings of 16 senior IAS officers. Among them are Prashant Goyal, PK Pole, and VK Bidhuri, who earlier held various important positions in Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Banihal, Sept 8: Two minors among three bodies were found lying under a culvert along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway at Chamalwas in Banihal area on Monday, officials said.
They said that the bodies were spotted under a bridge along the highway, following which police and rescue teams rushed to the spot.
An official said that bodies of two minors and a lady was recovered.
The identities of the deceased are being ascertained, and further details are awaited as investigations are underway, they added. (KNC)
JAMMU, Sep 08: Jammu and Kahsmir Government appointed Senior Officer Neraj Gupta Baskhi ( DG Local Funds Audit and Pensions J&KJ) as Inquiry Officer to inquire charges against FA/CAO rank Officer Nousheen MUshtaq.
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