Author: Agencies
RAJOURI/JAMMU: Army troops opened fire after noticing a suspicious movement along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Saturday. The small arms firing was reported from the Tarkundi forward area around 10 pm on Friday and continued for nearly one-and-a-half hours. However, there were no reports of any casualties, the officials said. They said the troops guarding the border saw suspicious movement of suspected terrorists, prompting the firing. This was followed by retaliatory small arms fire from across the border. A search operation was launched on Saturday morning to ascertain the…
UDHAMPUR: Six people, including five Amarnath pilgrims, were injured after their vehicle collided with a dumper truck in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur early Saturday, officials said. The vehicle was part of a convoy carrying more than 3,600 pilgrims that had left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu for Kashmir to undertake the annual Amarnath Yatra and offer prayers at the holy cave shrine, they said. The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which crashed into the truck parked along the roadside near Jakhani on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway at around 5 am, injuring five pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh…
NEW DELHI: India has announced that it is actively communicating with American authorities to mitigate potential complications encountered by Indian citizens due to revised US visa policies. The regulatory shifts, which restrict foreign scholars and exchange visitors from maintaining an extended residency within the United States, are projected to heavily influence the demographic of Indian students and academic visitors. During a media briefing on Friday, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the unfolding situation following inquiries regarding the adjustments introduced by the US Department of Homeland Security. “We’ve seen some reports regarding the visa rules. Visa rules and visa…
NEW DELHI: Activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted to a government hospital by Delhi Police on Saturday after his health deteriorated on the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar here, with the police citing medical advice and directions of the Delhi High Court. Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Sachin Sharma said that Wangchuk was hospitalised in accordance with the Delhi High Court’s directions after his health worsened and is receiving the required medical intervention under medical supervision. In a statement, Delhi Police said Wangchuk was shifted for “essential medical care” following expert medical advice and in…
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hailed the maiden orbital launch of Vikram-1, India’s first privately developed launch vehicle, describing it as a “historic new frontier” in the country’s space journey and a reflection of the talent and entrepreneurial spirit of India’s youth. In a post on X ahead of the launch, the Prime Minister said Vikram-1, developed by Skyroot Aerospace, is India’s first privately built orbital launch vehicle and is designed to provide rapid and on-demand launch services. “A historic new frontier for India’s space journey! At 11:30 AM today, Skyroot Aerospace will undertake the maiden orbital…
NEW DELHI: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday said New Delhi is “closely following” developments related to a proposed US legislation targeting five countries, including India, for their purchase of Russian oil, seeking 100 per cent tariffs on these countries. Addressing a weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the government is aware of the proposed legislation and is monitoring the situation. He reiterated that India’s crude oil imports are guided by its energy security requirements and broader sourcing strategy, noting that New Delhi has multiple suppliers across the world. “We are closely following these developments,…
SRINAGAR: In a significant step towards strengthening the cyber security architecture and enhancing the capacity to combat cybercrime in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, sanction has been accorded for the establishment of the Jammu & Kashmir Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (JK4C) as an independent organization under the overall superintendence and control of the Director General of Police, J&K. The newly established JK4C will serve as the nodal cybercrime coordination agency for the Union Territory and will be responsible for coordinating, preventing, detecting and investigating cybercrimes across Jammu and Kashmir. The Centre will function in close alignment with the…
RAMBAN: Continuing the round-the-clock monitoring of arrangements for the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, the Deputy Commissioner Ramban, Mohammad Alyas Khan, today conducted a comprehensive inspection of the Yatra Camp at Lamber, Banihal, to review the facilities being provided to the pilgrims. The Deputy Commissioner was accompanied by SSP Arun Gupta, Additional Deputy Commissioner Varunjeet Singh Charak, SDM Banihal Mohammed Naseeb Bajraan and other concerned officers. During the visit, the Deputy Commissioner inspected all langars established at the Lamber Ground and reviewed the quality, hygiene and safety of food being served to the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra pilgrims. He directed…
JAMMU: NHRC Special Monitor (Environment, Climate Change and Human Rights) Vidya Bhushan Kumar today held a consultative meeting with representatives of NGOs and civil society groups based in Jammu. The meeting, held at the district headquarters, was convened as part of the Special Monitor’s ongoing district-level assessments undertaken across the country to examine environmental concerns through a human rights lens and recommend corrective measures to the government. The Tawi river is vital to Jammu and its adjoining areas, Vidya Bhushan Kumar said, calling for strict measures to keep it clean. Environmental degradation affects all sections of society, he observed, but…
SRINAGAR: Department of Youth Services & Sports, has taken note of certain statements made by Surya Bhanu Pratap Singh, a Wushu athlete, on various media platforms alleging injustice in relation to his non-selection under S.O.-12 of 2022, which governs the appointment of Outstanding Sports Persons. In the interest of transparency and to place the correct factual and legal position before the public, the Department acknowledged that Surya Bhanu Pratap Singh has represented India and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir in Wushu and has secured medals during his sporting career and respect his sporting achievements. However, appointments under S.O.-12…