In a strong message following the recent cross-border shelling, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today announced Government jobs for one family member of each person killed in Pakistan’s unprovoked firing and declared a comprehensive Central relief package for rebuilding homes and commercial properties damaged during the attacks. He emphasized that Operation Sindoor—India’s retaliatory strike on terror camps in Pakistan—was not over, but only suspended.

During his extensive visit to Rajouri and Poonch, the LG met with affected families, interacted with the injured at hospitals, reviewed security with top officials, and paid homage to the martyrs, including Dr. Raj Kumar Thapa, who was killed in the enemy shelling.

“We have taken an important decision. One member from every family of those martyred in Pakistan shelling will get a Government job,” Sinha announced.

He further stated that the Central Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, will approve a special rehabilitation package for damaged properties and ensure construction of individual and community bunkers under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme to protect civilians from future attacks.

Addressing the media and citizens, the LG said that the recent wave of shelling was Pakistan’s response to Operation Sindoor, in which the Indian Armed Forces struck nine terrorist launchpads deep inside Pakistan and PoJK in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.

“India never supports war, but it will not hesitate to defend its people. The terrorists and their sponsors who executed the Pahalgam killings were taught a lesson,” Sinha asserted.

The LG said that no civilian or military Indian targets were attacked during Operation Sindoor, only terror sites. Despite this, Pakistan retaliated by targeting civilian populations, resulting in 16 deaths—including 13 in Poonch (four of them children) and three in Rajouri.

During a high-level security review in Poonch, Sinha hailed the Indian Armed Forces for their swift and effective operation.

“Operation Sindoor is a symbol of India’s military strength. The whole world is witness to our Armed Forces dismantling terror infrastructure in Pakistan,” he said. “Our forces have demonstrated that there is no area in Pakistan that cannot be reached if provoked.”

The LG didn’t mince words on Pakistan’s financial and moral bankruptcy.

“They borrow money to fuel terrorism. But the pain we’ve inflicted will not be forgotten. If they attempt another misadventure, they will be crushed. Their seven generations will remember the consequences.”

Sinha also condemned Pakistan for targeting religious places—including Gurudwara Dera Santpura Nangali Sahib, a temple, and a mosque—in what he called an attempt to disrupt India’s social fabric.

“The people of Poonch, especially the Sikh community, have shown immense courage. Their unity has strengthened the resolve of our soldiers,” he said after paying his respects at the Gurudwara.

Later, during his visit to Dungus, one of the heavily shelled areas, the LG chaired a meeting with senior officials and directed immediate steps for restoration of essential services, construction of bunkers, medical service upgrades, and reinforcement of civil defence mechanisms. He also called for an Action Taken Report (ATR) to be submitted to the Divisional Commissioner and Chief Secretary.

The LG was accompanied by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, IG Jammu Bhim Sen Tuti, Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar, and Deputy Commissioner Poonch Vikas Kundal, among others.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today visited border areas in Rajouri district to meet families affected by the recent unprovoked heavy shelling from across the border by Pakistan. He also took stock of relief, rehabilitation and damage control measures being undertaken in the region.

During his visit, the Lieutenant Governor went to the Government Medical College (GMC) Rajouri, where he inquired about the health and recovery of civilians injured in the shelling. He interacted with doctors and patients, assuring all necessary support from the administration.

The LG was briefed by Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma, regarding the current ground situation, availability of essential services, emergency response, and the disbursement of relief to affected families. He was also informed about the extent of property and livestock damage and the need for additional underground bunkers in the district to ensure civilian safety.

In a solemn moment during the review meeting, the gathering paid homage to Dr. Raj Kumar Thapa, the Additional District Development Commissioner of Rajouri, who lost his life in the line of duty during the enemy shelling in a civilian area.

Later in the day, LG Sinha visited Nowshera, one of the worst-hit sectors, and assessed the damage to residential homes and public infrastructure. He met with local residents and listened to their grievances and safety concerns, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to ensuring their protection and speedy rehabilitation.

“The Government of India is fully committed to the safety and well-being of every citizen living in the border areas. Every effort will be made to strengthen relief, infrastructure, and protection mechanisms,” LG Sinha assured.

The visit comes amid escalating ceasefire violations from across the border, heightening tensions and endangering civilian lives in frontier districts.

In a key administrative reshuffle, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir today transferred two senior IPS officers and ordered the posting of four SP-rank officers who were awaiting adjustment.

As per the official order, SJM Gillani, a 1994-batch IPS officer and Managing Director of J&K Police Housing Corporation, who was also holding the additional charge of Commandant General, Home Guards, Civil Defence and SDRF, has now been transferred and posted as Special DG Coordination at Police Headquarters (PHQ). He will continue to hold the additional charge of MD, J&K Police Housing Corporation.

Meanwhile, Alok Kumar, a 1997-batch IPS officer and Director, J&K Fire and Emergency Services, has been assigned the additional charge of Commandant General, Home Guards, Civil Defence and SDRF, J&K.

In a separate order, the government has also made postings for four SP-rank officers from the telecom wing who were awaiting adjustment.

• Fayaz Yasin Dar, SP (Telecom), has been posted as SP Telecom, Kashmir Zone, against an available vacancy.
• Akthar Hussain Buch, SP (Telecom), has been appointed as Staff to Deputy Police Transport (DPT).
• Javid Iqbal Attar, SP (Telecom), has been posted as SP Telecom, ACS Kashmir, against an available vacancy.
• Satish Kumar, SP (Telecom), has been posted as SP Telecom, ACS Jammu, also against an available vacancy.

The reshuffle is aimed at streamlining administrative responsibilities across key departments within the police and telecom wings, ensuring better coordination and functioning.

In a major step that could pave the way for the deportation of illegal Rohingya and Bangladeshi immigrants residing in Jammu and Kashmir, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed all States and Union Territories to verify documents of illegal immigrants within their jurisdiction within a month.

As per official sources, those identified as staying illegally will be lodged in district-level detention centres, pending their deportation. The directive has triggered fresh action in Jammu and Kashmir, where thousands of illegal immigrants have settled over the years.

A Holding Centre was set up at Hiranagar Jail in Kathua district in 2021, where nearly 200 Rohingyas are currently lodged. However, no deportation has taken place from the facility so far.

Authorities have now begun fresh verification drives as per the MHA’s recent instructions. Estimates suggest there are around 10,000 Rohingyas residing across areas including Sunjuwan, Bhatindi, Trikuta Nagar, Narwal, Bhagwati Nagar, Janipura, and various industrial zones. Many among them have intermarried with locals and integrated into the population, complicating identification and deportation efforts.

This renewed push follows the recent deportation of Pakistani nationals living illegally in India. Several such individuals were deported via the Attari-Wagah border in Punjab, following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, prompting a nationwide crackdown on undocumented foreign nationals.

Sources confirmed that a major drive was launched in Jammu in late 2023, resulting in FIRs against individuals who had rented out properties to Rohingyas. Most of these immigrants have been found to have entered India illegally from Myanmar, and many possess UNHCR cards.

Though no illegal Bangladeshi nationals were detected during the last verification campaign, intelligence reports suggest that around 1,000 Bangladeshis could be residing across the UT. These individuals are difficult to trace and are usually identified only through random checks, with arrests made under illegal border crossing charges.

Officials stated that Myanmarese nationals can be detained in Holding Centres before their deportation. The government is also considering deactivating documents such as Aadhaar cards, voter IDs, and ration cards illegally obtained by these individuals to curb misuse of public services.

As per police and intelligence figures, around 7,000 Rohingyas live in Jammu district alone, while unverified estimates place the total illegal immigrant population at nearly 13,700. Their numbers have reportedly surged between 2008 and 2014, owing to continued infiltration, local marriages, and natural population growth.

Authorities have also identified groups and individuals allegedly patronizing these settlements, and action is being initiated against those facilitating the integration of illegal immigrants.

While most Rohingyas are concentrated on the outskirts of Jammu city and in Samba, some families have reportedly moved to Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Rajouri, and Poonch, allegedly with help from sympathizing networks.

Over the years, many Rohingyas managed to open bank accounts, secure utility connections, and obtain Aadhaar, ration cards, and other official documents, embedding themselves into the local system.

The MHA directive is seen as part of a broader national strategy to address security and demographic concerns associated with the illegal settlement of foreign nationals in sensitive regions.