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Security Forces Launch Search Ops In J&K’s Kishtwar, Poonch Over Reports Of Possible Terrorist Movement

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Security Forces Launch Search Ops In J&K’s Kishtwar, Poonch Over Reports Of Possible Terrorist Movement

Security forces on Tuesday launched cordon and search operations along border areas and the mountainous hinterland of Poonch and Kishtwar districts of Jammu and Kashmir as part of heightened anti-terror measures, officials said.

Acting on inputs about the presence of two terrorist groups operating in the Doda-Kishtwar forest areas, security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the Keshwan-Chatroo valley after apprehending terrorist movement, they said.

Troops used drones and other aerial surveillance equipment to monitor the area in a bid to track down the terrorists, they added.

According to reports, two groups of Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists, with two to three operatives each, are believed to be present in the area, which has witnessed encounters in the past.

The Romeo Force of the Army also conducted search operations at Khanetar Top along the Indo-Pak border in Poonch and adjoining areas following suspected terrorist movement, officials said, adding that the troops were equipped with aerial surveillance support and sniffer dogs.

Additionally, security forces have intensified vehicle checking along the Pathankot-Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Kathua, Samba, Jammu and Udhampur districts as part of heightened alert ahead of the New Year.

The border security grid too has been further strengthened. The police have activated Village Defence Guards and border police along the Indo-Pak border in view of possible infiltration from across the border, officials said. (Agencies)

Indian Oil Completes Highest-Ever Winter Stocking In Ladakh

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Indian Oil Completes Highest-Ever Winter Stocking In Ladakh

 Indian Oil Corporation Limited on Tuesday said it has completed highest-ever advance winter stocking operation, supplying over one lakh kilolitres of petroleum products to Ladakh ahead of the annual winter shutdown.

Every year, access to Ladakh through roads remains closed from December to April due to heavy snowfall at high mountain passes such as Zojila and Rohtang.

To ensure uninterrupted fuel availability during this period, Indian Oil undertakes advance stocking before winter sets in, the company said.

These supplies are crucial for civilians as well as for the strategic requirements of the Indian Army in the region.

Indian Oil’s tanker drivers and field teams operate on one of the toughest fuel supply routes in the world, covering 1,600-2,000 km per trip over 7-8 days, the company said.

They work in extreme conditions, with temperatures dropping to minus 20 degrees Celsius, facing heavy snowfall, low oxygen levels and narrow mountain roads.

Logistics are further affected by frequent disruptions on National Highway-44 due to weather conditions, seasonal congestion during the Amarnath Yatra and peak apple transportation, the company said.

The operation faced additional challenges this year following a cloudburst in Ramban district on April 20, which caused flash floods and landslides, temporarily trapping Indian Oil tankers and disrupting traffic on NH-44.

Supplies were also maintained during security-related restrictions after the Pahalgam incident on April 22 and during blackout conditions, the company said.

Indian Oil Chairman Arvinder Singh Sahney interacted with tanker drivers to boost morale and acknowledge their efforts.

He said the company’s motto, “Pehle Indian, Phir Oil,” reflects its commitment to serving the nation first.

With this record winter stocking operation, Indian Oil has reaffirmed its role in ensuring fuel security in some of the country’s most challenging and remote regions, the company said. (Agenciese)

Pahalgam Carnage, Pak Shelling, Floods Make Year Bleak For Kashmir

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Pahalgam Carnage, Pak Shelling, Floods Make Year Bleak For Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir’s quest for restoration of statehood suffered twin blows during the year in the form of the Pahalgam terror attack and the Delhi car blast.

The elected government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah made all the right noises in the first six months in office for the restoration of statehood, but the deadly strike by terrorists on tourists on Baisaran meadows of Pahalgam on April 22 put a halt to any immediate talk of Jammu and Kashmir’s returning as a state.

Survivors alleged that the assailants chose their targets after confirming that they were not Muslims – a revelation that sent communal shockwaves to the rest of the country.

The attack was denounced widely across the valley.

For the first time in 35 years, spontaneous protests were held across the length and breadth of the valley in condemnation.

The protestors unequivocally declared: “Not in my name.” On May 7, the Indian forces launched cross-border strikes to avenge the massacre on the meadow. Its fallout was seen in the subsequent days, when border residents of the Union Territory were hit by shelling from Pakistan.

Poonch, Rajouri, Kupwara and Baramulla, all on the border, bore the most of the brunt of the enemy fire, which took 20 lives, destroyed over 2,000 structures, including three dozen schools.

On July 28, the government said, the perpetrators of the April 22 carnage were eliminated in Operation Mahadev in the Dachigam forest area in Harwan.

While it was still finding its bearings from the carnage, the backlash, and the bombing, Jammu and Kashmir was hit by a natural calamity.

On August 14, a cloudburst in Kishtwar of Jammu killed over 50 people.

Flash floods caused heavy damage to standing crops in many areas of Jammu as well as the Kashmir valley.

Jammu suffered the most as the Tawi River came into spate for the first time in more than a decade.

The flash floods also washed away a significant stretch of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, snapping road connectivity between Kashmir and the rest of the country for weeks.

The unearthing of the white collar terror module — highly educated men radicalising youths to join the terrorist ranks — came as a shocker with several doctors arrested in the first week of November during sweeping raids conducted by J-K Police with its counterparts in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

Massive quantities of explosives were seized from a Kashmiri doctor’s rented room in Faridabad in the National Capital Region, while weapons and other incriminating material were recovered from a medical college hostel in Anantnag district.

As the noose tightened around the culprits, one of the suspects — Dr Umar Nabi — was killed in a car blast near Red Fort Metro Station in Delhi on November 10.

According to investigators, the blast occurred while Nabi was trying to relocate the explosives in his possession. Ten people were killed, and scores were injured in the blast.

The 2,900 kilograms of explosive material seized from Faridabad was transported to Nowgam here as case property to be examined.

However, on November 14, the explosive was set off and ripped through the police station where it was kept, killing nine people.

Struck by violence and nature’s wrath, the Union Territory found itself grappling with a fund crunch. Tourism was the worst-hit.

The valley teemed with visitors for a good part of the first four months of the year, but the party came to an end with the April 22 attack. The Indo-Pakistan tension after Operation Sindoor also kept the tourists away from the valley.

The closure of nearly 50 popular tourist spots on security grounds after the Pahalgam attack, ordered by the lieutenant governor, ended all hopes of tourism revival this year.

While most of the tourist spots have since been reopened, the tourism sector has at best been limping back to its normal with sparse footfall.

The other mainstay of the Kashmir economy, horticulture, was dealt a blow due to the closure of the flood-hit Jammu-Srinagar National Highway at the peak of apple harvesting season. However, timely intervention by the Union Ministry of Railways ensured that the losses were kept to a minimum and the Kashmiri apples reached the terminal markets by train till the highway was restored.

The introduction of Vande Bharat — the direct rail link between Kashmir and the rest of the country — salvaged somewhat an otherwise bleak year for the Union Territory.

The train reduced the travel time and cost for people travelling to Kashmir.

The train has already been used to bring in food grain for the civilians and heavy-duty equipment for the armed forces. (Agencies)

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Chief Secretary Designate Ashish Kundra Calls On LG Kavinder Gupta

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Chief Secretary Designate Ashish Kundra Calls On LG Kavinder Gupta

Leh, Dec 30: Ashish Kundra, IAS, Chief Secretary designate, today paid a courtesy call on the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, at the LG Secretariat, Leh.

During the meeting, the Lt Governor and the Chief Secretary exchanged views on key administrative priorities and discussed matters related to governance and development in the Union Territory.

The Lt Governor extended his best wishes to Shri Ashish Kundra on his new responsibility and expressed confidence in his role in further strengthening efficient administration in Ladakh.

Questions Raised Over PG Approvals at GAMC Akhnoor as Files Indicate Alleged Misrepresentation and Rule Bypassing

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Questions Raised Over PG Approvals at GAMC Akhnoor as Files Indicate Alleged Misrepresentation and Rule Bypassing

Despite Courses Commencing, PG Programme at GAMC Akhnoor Faces Scrutiny Over Faculty Eligibility and Process Lapses

The introduction of postgraduate (PG) courses at Government Ayurvedic Medical College, Akhnoor has come under intense scrutiny following the surfacing of official records that point to serious procedural irregularities, questionable faculty deployments, and alleged misrepresentation before statutory and administrative authorities. Notably, the PG courses have already commenced.
According to documents accessed by this newspaper, a medical officer appointed during 2016–17 as Nodal Officer for the limited purpose of coordinating the commissioning of the college continued to exercise wide-ranging administrative and academic control well beyond the original mandate. While the position was intended to be temporary and strictly administrative, records indicate that it gradually evolved into a centre of authority influencing faculty postings and academic proposals.
GAMC Jammu was established in 2017 with medical officers deputed from various dispensaries on academic arrangement. These arrangements were discontinued when the college shifted to Akhnoor in 2021, and the officers were repatriated to their parent postings. However, official correspondence suggests that the Nodal Officer continued at the institution despite the absence of a clear sanction for any permanent academic role.
The controversy deepened with the submission of proposals to start PG courses in seven Ayurveda subjects. Departmental communications and replies obtained under the RTI Act clearly state that PG Medical Officers are not eligible for postgraduate teaching under the norms prescribed by the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine. Despite this position, documents show that PG Medical Officers were projected as having teaching and research experience and were shown as eligible higher faculty, including Professors and Heads of Departments, in submissions made to regulatory bodies.
Government orders issued in March 2025 directed the deployment of medical officers from dispensaries to GAMC Akhnoor for the proposed PG courses. Records further reveal that on the very next working day, deployment orders were issued placing these officers—including the Nodal Officer himself—as Professors and Heads of Departments. These orders reportedly bore the initials of the same officer, raising serious questions about conflict of interest and the alleged misuse of administrative authority.
Additional concern has been expressed over the delay in creating sanctioned professor posts, which are considered essential for any PG programme. Instead of forwarding a separate proposal exclusively for professor positions, the administration allegedly submitted a consolidated proposal for 97 posts. Insiders describe this move as procedurally flawed and a key factor in delaying lawful recruitment.
Files also indicate that references to a “one-time relaxation” were cited in official correspondence to justify PG approvals. Subsequent clarifications from statutory authorities, however, reportedly deny granting any such relaxation for deputing PG Medical Officers as higher faculty.
Medical education experts caution that such deviations, if established, could have serious implications for the quality of postgraduate education, patient care, and institutional credibility. There is also growing concern that prolonged ad hoc arrangements have blocked fair opportunities for duly qualified postgraduate Ayurveda professionals.
With multiple government orders, RTI replies, and regulatory communications now on record—and with the PG courses already underway—the matter has triggered calls for an independent, time-bound inquiry to determine whether statutory norms were bypassed and whether authorities were misled during the approval process.

Nutritious Rolls Brand Expands with New Store Format, Seeks Franchise Partners Amid Surging Demand for Clean Eating

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Nutritious Rolls Brand Expands with New Store Format, Seeks Franchise Partners Amid Surging Demand for Clean Eating

Jammu, India – Born from the 2021 COVID lockdowns, Mad over Rolls is revolutionizing quick meals with protein-packed rolls that ditch junk food for clean, hygienic nutrition. What started as a home delivery solution during high demand has grown into a customer-favourite brand, now expanding physical stores and inviting franchise partners.

Amid scarce healthy options in 2021, founders spotted the gap: people craved convenient, nutritious food. Enter “Mad over Rolls” with rolls—each bursting with ~100g premium fillings like paneer, chicken, eggs or soya, delivering 20-35g protein. Made with high-quality oils, zero fillers or preservatives, and wrapped in wheat paratha’s, they’re perfect as full meals or snacks.

After launching at Wave Mall, the brand established enterprise-grade central kitchens for unmatched hygiene and scale, best sellers like Chicken Tikka and Paneer Tikka Rolls—featuring fresh whole pieces, dual signature chutneys, and special masala onions—keep powering growth.

“Behind every roll is our energetic team in clean kitchens, prepping fresh daily,” says management of mad over rolls. “We’re connecting with partners who share our passion for nutritious, hygienic food to reach more customers.”

Mad Over Rolls invites franchise inquiries from aligned entrepreneurs.

RDD Employee Arrested By ACB While Accepting Bribe In J&K’s Anantnag

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RDD Employee Arrested By ACB While Accepting Bribe In J&K’s Anantnag

 The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Friday arrested an employee of the Rural Development Department (RDD) red-handed while accepting a bribe at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Anantnag.

Official said, the accused has been identified as Manzoor Ahangar, son of Mohammad Rafiq, a resident of Srandoo, who was working as a helper in the RDD department Anantnag.

The arrest was carried out by an ACB team led by DySP Mehraj-ud-Din. Officials said the accused was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe amount of ₹4,000.

Further investigation into the matter is underway. (KNC)

Over 1.47 Cr Tourists, 12885 Foreigners Visit Jammu Region This Year

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Over 1.47 Cr Tourists, 12885 Foreigners Visit Jammu Region This Year

Despite being severely impacted due to Pak-sponsored terror attacks (Pahalgam), Operation Sindoor, and unprecedented rains and floods, the Jammu Division of Jammu and Kashmir this year recorded more than 1.47 crores tourists including 12,000 foreigners visiting the various destinations.

The tourism sector in Jammu and Kashmir this year remained impacted due to Pahalgam terror attack in April followed by Operation Sindoor in May and heavy to heavy rains and flash floods in the month of August that largely hit the Jammu Division.

The tourist destinations including Mata Vaishno Devi, Shivkhori Shrines, Patnitop, Sanasar, Bhaderwah were the worst hit.

As per the officials, a total 1,47, 32,552 tourists including 12889 foreigners visited the Jammu region this year so far.

Officials said that out of this, 63,68,233 pilgrims visited the holy cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi nestled in the Trikuta Hills of Reasi district comprising 12885 foreigners.

Similarly, officials said that 965592 pilgrims visited Shiv Khori in Reasi, 793168 in Patnitop (Ramban-Udhampur), 762588 tourists visited Mansar (Samba-Udhampur), 157753 visited Suchetgarh R S Pura (Jammu), 200945 visited Chichi Mata (Samba), 258433 visited Sukrala Mata (Kathua), 20939 visited Mata Bala Sundri (Kathua), 1330512 visited Ziarat Shahdara Sharief (Rajouri), 566814 visited Ziarat Sain Miran Sahib (Poonch), 50487 visited Nangli Sahib (Poonch), 274175 (one foreigner) visited Bhaderwah (Doda), 209768 visited Baba Chamliyal (Samba), 76425 visited Purmandal (Samba), 83352 visited Utterbehni (Samba), 128713 visited Banihal (Rajouri), 431582 visited Sanasar (Ramban), 181023 visited Surinsar (Jammu), 316517 visited Paddar/Machail (Kishtwar), 137017 visited Kishtwar, 969659 visited Jhiri (Jammu), 110487 visited Pancheri (Udhampur), 138953 visited Sudh Mahadev (Udhampur), 81098 (3 foreigners) visited Tatta Pani (Ramban), 52227 visited Budha Amarnath (Poonch), 16687 visited Dera ki Gali (Rajouri), 29309 visited Loran and 7 Lakes (Poonch), 16554 visited Ranjit Sagar Lake (Kathua) and 3542 visited Baradari (Reasi).

Officials further stated that this year, in January, 1404306 tourists visited the Jammu region and in February, the figure was 1116986, in March it touched 1580161 and in April, 1738413 tourists visited the parts of Jammu region.

During the Indo-Pak tension that broke out in May (Operation Sindoor) after the Pahalgam terror attack in April, lowest 897622 tourists visited the Jammu region but the figure increased in June (2138056) and July (1622169).

However, in the month of August, there was a decline in the number of tourists due to unprecedented rains and floods, and as many as 1132762 visitors were recorded followed by 441010 in September, 743117 in October and 1905061 in the month of November.

Officials said that the August 14 flash floods triggered to the cloudburst occurred in Chositi village of Kishtwar district that caused 68 deaths and left more than 300 injured and August 26 landslide en-route Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra that claimed 34 lives, also widely impacted the tourism season this year in the Jammu region.

Notably, from 2021 to 2024, Jammu and Kashmir received a total of 7,49,70,943 tourists including pilgrims of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Jammu and the Amarnath Cave Shrine in Kashmir.

In 2021, a total of 1,13,16,534 tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir and out of this, Jammu received 1,06,50,757, while Kashmir got 6,65,777 visitors.

In 2022, the tourist footfall was 1,88,84,317, out of which 1,62,10,875 visited Jammu, while Kashmir received 26,73,442 and similarly, in 2023, out of a total of 2,11,80,011 tourists, 1,80,24,176 visited Jammu and 31,55,835 visited Kashmir.

In 2024, while 2,35,90,081 tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir, Jammu received 2,00,91,379, and Kashmir 34,98,702. The number of foreign tourists in Jammu and Kashmir has risen manifold in the last four years. (Agencies)

Indian Student Shot Dead Near University Of Toronto Campus

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Indian Student Shot Dead Near University Of Toronto Campus

A 20-year-old Indian doctoral student has been shot dead near the University of Toronto Scarborough campus, with authorities probing the case as a homicide, officials said.

The shooting took place on Tuesday, and the Toronto police on Wednesday identified the victim as Shivank Avasthi, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported.

Police were called to the area of Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road at about 3:30 pm on Tuesday for a report of an injured person lying on the ground, Duty. Inspector Jeff Allington told reporters near the scene on Tuesday night.

When officers arrived, they found a person with a gunshot wound. That person was pronounced dead at the scene, the report added.

The police are probing the case as a homicide.

“Our immediate focus is on preserving evidence at the scene, determining what happened and notifying this individual’s next of kin. Because of that, there is very little information that I am able to share with you tonight,” Mr. Allington said.

Toronto police said the suspect fled the area prior to police arrival. No suspect description has been released.

Meanwhile, India’s Consulate in Toronto expressed “deep anguish” over the student’s “tragic death”.

“We express deep anguish over the tragic death of a young Indian doctoral student, Shivank Avasthi, in a fatal shooting incident near the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus. The Consulate is in touch with the bereaved family during this difficult time, and is extending all necessary assistance in close coordination with the local authorities,” the Consulate posted on X.

A UTSC spokesperson said the university was “extremely saddened” to learn about the death near their campus, but did not confirm if he was a student, CP24 Television network reported.

“We cannot comment on the identity of the victim at this time,” the spokesperson said in a statement Wednesday evening.

“We are grateful to our Campus Safety team, Toronto Police Service and emergency medical service personnel for their immediate response and action.”

The University of Toronto Scarborough campus (UTSC) issued a safety alert advising anyone in a building to stay inside and anyone outdoors to leave the area.

In a social media post, the school said the police investigation is in the Highland Creek Valley at UTSC. It said pathways into the valley remain closed, and people are advised to avoid the valley until police reopen it. (Agencies)

Light Snow, Rain Likely In Kashmir Next Week

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Light Snow, Rain Likely In Kashmir Next Week

The minimum temperatures improved at most places in Kashmir owing to overcast conditions, providing residents slight relief from cold conditions, officials said on Friday.

Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 0.2 degrees Celsius, over two degrees up from minus 2.2 degrees Celsius on Wednesday night, the officials said.

Central Kashmir’s tourist resort of Sonamarg was the coldest place in Jammu and Kashmir with a low of minus 4.7 degrees Celsius, though up from minus 7.3 degrees Celsius.

Following closely, north Kashmir’s ski resort of Gulmarg was the second coldest place at minus 4.5 degrees Celsius.

The minimum at Pahalgam tourist resort, which also serves as one of the base camps for the annual Amarnath yatra, in south Kashmir, settled at a low of minus 1.6 degrees Celsius, up from minus 4.4 degrees Celsius on the previous night.

Qazigund recorded a low of 0.2 degrees Celsius, Kokernag 0.8 degrees Celsius and Kupwara minus 2.4 degrees Celsius.

The Meteorological Department has forecast generally dry weather in Kashmir till December 28. However, spells of wet weather are likely around New Year’s Eve and light snow at isolated higher reaches is likely on December 29.

There is a possibility of light rain in the plains and light snow in the higher reaches from December 30 to January 1, the weather office said. (AGENCIES)

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