Kashmir Images – Latest News Update

Author: KI News

  • LG directs identifying vulnerable spots to mitigate landslide risk along Vaishno Devi track

    LG directs identifying vulnerable spots to mitigate landslide risk along Vaishno Devi track

    Chairs 75th meeting of SMVDSB

    Jammu: Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday directed identifying of vulnerable spots along the track leading to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop Trikuta hills to mitigate the risk of landslides and shooting stones.

    Sinha passed the directions while chairing the 75th meeting of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) at Katra, the base camp for the pilgrims visiting the revered shrine in the Reasi district.

    The meeting was attended by the newly constituted board members, the LG’s Principal Secretary Mandeep K Bhandari and SMVDSB Chief Executive Officer Anshul Garg, an official spokesman said.

    He said the board conducted a comprehensive review of its past decisions; ratified actions taken since the last meeting and made several key decisions on 21 significant agenda items having far-reaching implications for the board’s functioning and enhancement of pilgrim services.

    Several important decisions were taken regarding various ongoing and new projects, including construction of the exit track and remodelling of the Manokamna area at Bhawan, development of a helipad in Katra, widening of the yatra track from Sanjichhat to Bhawan and operationalisation of the board’s medical college at Kakryal, the spokesman said.

    He said the meeting reviewed the status of the new helipad project at village Hutt, a collaborative effort with Shri Shiv Khori Shrine Board, being executed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).

    Noting delays and revisions, the board expressed serious concern and directed the BRO to complete the project by the end of October, the spokesman said, adding the helipad aims to enhance pilgrim facilities to Shiv Khori Shrine by providing a seamless and convenient experience for devotees.

    Addressing the meeting, the spokesman said, the LG directed identifying of vulnerable spots along the pilgrimage route and implementing necessary measures to address and mitigate the risk of landslides and shooting stones, ensuring a safer environment for devotees.

    Sinha also inaugurated several pilgrim-centric facilities, including battery car parking stand, outer cave shed, self-service kiosk/digital cash register and smart lockers.

    The Board also reviewed the progress on renewable solar energy initiatives in the shrine area and directed the CEO SMVDSB to present a comprehensive plan for key installations, in an effort to reduce the carbon footprint. The Board approved a comprehensive sewerage network covering 100 percent of establishments within the Shrine area to enhance sanitation infrastructure.

    The LG reviewed the Yatri Feedback System and directed its expansion to cover all services with monthly monitoring and active encouragement of pilgrim participation, to ensure continuous improvement in service delivery.

    The Board also directed CEO SMVDSB to explore the possibility of engaging volunteer services to assist pilgrims by addressing their queries and providing guidance along the Yatra route, enhancing their overall experience and support during the pilgrimage.

    The Lieutenant Governor further directed for identifying vulnerable spots along the pilgrimage route and implementing necessary measures to address and mitigate potential risks of landslides and shooting stones, ensuring a safer environment for devotees.

    The Board appreciated the enhancement of security measures in the Shrine area with the inauguration of an Integrated Command and Control Centre at SGC, Katra and 7 Sub-Control Centers by the Lieutenant Governor, besides, facilitating security agencies with advanced security equipments to ensure robust security and real-time crowd management for prioritizing devotees’ safety and security.

    The Board approved the dedication of 5 temples constructed in Reasi District to the public in July-2025 and accorded the approval of construction of 5 new temples with a focus on maintaining uniform architectural design across all locations to reflect the Shrine Board’s heritage and aesthetic standards.

    The Board reviewed and approved financial assistance for institutions under the SMVD Charitable Society, including Gurukul, Hospital, Sports Complex, College of Nursing and Medical College to support their operations and activities through grants-in-aid.

    On the sidelines of the meeting, the Lieutenant Governor inaugurated several pilgrim-centric facilities including Battery Car Parking stand, Outer Cave Shed, Self Service Kiosk / Digital Cash Register and Smart Lockers. The Board observed that significant infrastructure projects have been initiated by the Shrine Board to enhance pilgrim experience. A Battery Car Parking stand at Bhawan to provide convenience and accessibility to pilgrims, particularly the elderly and disabled. The basement of about 1000 sqft of parking stand serves as a storage area for materials from the Material Ropeway. Additionally, fabrication of a laminated glass shed outside the Cave area to facilitate smooth pilgrimage regulation in all weather conditions while preserving the area’s scenic beauty.

    300 Smart lockers near the Skywalk area at Bhawan offering a convenient and secure storage solution were also dedicated to the devotees. These smart lockers are linked with RFID Cards allowing devotees to store their belongings safely and securely.

    In addition, the Lieutenant Governor also inaugurated an additional dormitory block at SMVD Gurukul, constructed at a cost of Rs.71.82 lakh which accommodates an additional 32 students, enhancing the institution’s capacity and infrastructure to support the growing number of students.

  • Restoration of statehood not favour but right of people of J&K: Apni Party chief

    Restoration of statehood not favour but right of people of J&K: Apni Party chief

    Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday strongly advocated restoration of statehood to J&K, saying it is not a favour to people but their right which was snatched from them in August 2019.

    He also expressed confidence that the pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre high holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas will take place peacefully as people of J&K are eagerly waiting for the arrival of guests from across the country.

    “We could not win any seat in the assembly elections held last year because of the anti-Delhi sentiment of the people even as the time has proved our stand right that J&K can move forward only by joining hands with the Centre,” Bukhari, a former minister, said.

    He said J&K is surrounded by Pakistan, China and Afghanistan and always needs the support of the central government.

    However, the Centre from time to time has given the region “wounds” like the August 5, 2019 when the erstwhile state was bifurcated into two Union territories and its special status revoked, he said.

    “The August 2019 development was nothing short of a catastrophe for us and they need to return what has been taken away from us. The restoration of statehood is not a favour but our right which should be given to us,” Bukhari told reporters after welcoming dozens of grassroot level workers into his party fold here.

    He said the central government should respect the feelings and emotions of the people who were deprived of their identity which needs to be restored without any further delay.

    On the reported agreement of ceasefire between Iran and Israel, he said it is a welcome development as war is no solution to any problem.

    “We believe in Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violence…the confrontation resulted in loss of precious lives and massive damage to the infrastructure on both sides. Iran leadership showed maturity by agreeing to a ceasefire,” Bukhari said, adding it is always better to address contentious issues through peaceful means rather than going into war.

    On the Indo-Pak situation, he said they have full faith in the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government which is capable of dealing with its neighbouring countries.

    “We are witness to the skirmishes between India and Pakistan (during Operation Sindoor in May) which resulted in massive destruction. We appeal to the Centre and the J&K government to reconsider the compensation announced for the border residents whose houses were damaged in Pakistani shelling,” he said.

    He termed the compensation given to border residents as “inadequate” and proposed reconstruction of the damaged houses by the government on its own rather than providing them money for rebuilding.

    “They cannot complete their constructions by the compensation announced by the government. You cannot even buy a door for Rs 65,000 which was given to partially damaged house owners,” Bukhari said.

  • Farooq Abdullah welcomes ceasefire between Iran and Israel, calls it ‘good step’

    Farooq Abdullah welcomes ceasefire between Iran and Israel, calls it ‘good step’

    Srinagar: National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah Tuesday welcomed the ceasefire between Iran and Israel, saying it was a good step, and expressed hope that it lasts so that innocent people do not get killed.

    Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that the ceasefire should come into effect at the earliest as the war had caused “large-scale destruction”.

    Talking to the reporters at Dooru in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, Farooq Abdullah said, “I am thankful to the Almighty if there is indeed a ceasefire. It is a good thing. Innocent people were being killed. I pray that the ceasefire lasts.”

    Responding to a question about whether the US surrendered before Iran, the NC chief said the decision stemmed from humanity, but there was global pressure on the US.

    “Nobody has surrendered before anyone, neither Iran nor America. But out of humanity, they said that this should be stopped. This would have impacted their economy, and the economy of the rest of the world,” he said, adding, “There was global pressure on America to end this”.

    When asked about the upcoming annual Amarnath Yatra, which begins July 3, Abdullah expressed hope the pilgrims will return safely after visiting the holy cave shrine.

    “We hope that pilgrims return to their homes after having ‘darshan’ of Bholenath happily, and then tell people back home how good the people (here) are and about the beauty that the Almighty has blessed this place with,” the former chief minister of the erstwhile state said.

    Talking about the evacuation of the Indian students, the chief minister said that the war was a major concern in the Union territory as many students were stuck in the middle of the war.

    “There were difficulties as flights could not operate due to the closure of the airspace. We hope that a big batch of our students will return tonight and our evacuation process will be completed,” he said.

    “We would want a ceasefire as early as possible. It has been 11 days (since war broke out) and there has been massive destruction in these days,” he added.

  • Israel-Iran conflict has given Tehran leadership role of Muslim world: Mufti

    Israel-Iran conflict has given Tehran leadership role of Muslim world: Mufti

    Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said the conflict between Israel and Iran has elevated Tehran’s status to a leadership role for the Muslim world as it forced Washington and Jerusalem on their knees.

    “I salute the courage and determination of the Iranian leadership, its armed forces and people for fighting this war. They did not have nuclear weapons, the only weapon they had is the belief and the desire for martyrdom,” the former chief minister told PTI.

    “This forced the United States and its lapdog state, Israel, on their knees. Today (US President Donald) Trump is talking about a ceasefire. It means that the outcome of the war so far has been totally opposite to the expectation of the US and Israel,” she said.

    Mufti said the war has propelled Iran to the leadership role of the Muslim world.

    “This war has given Iran the leadership role of the Muslim world, although the other Muslim countries did nothing more than lip service. America was in the habit of attacking the Muslim countries at will, be it Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya or Syria. However, today the US was dealt a defeat to its endeavour of attacking the Muslim countries,” she added.

    Reacting to Pakistan nominating Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, Mufti said that it was childish and premature.

    “It was disappointing that Pakistan would nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. I feel it was childish and premature, especially with a person who does not know what he is saying and what he is going to do the next minute,” she added.

  • Two wanted shooters arrested in Jammu

    Jammu: Two criminals, wanted in a recent firing incident, were arrested after a 17-day long hunt here, police on Tuesday said.

    Six people have been arrested so far in this case, they said.

    Harneet Singh alias “Honey” and Ramandeep Singh alias “Dutta”, both residents of Digiana, were the main accused in the firing incident in Gangyal area of Jammu on June 6, resulting in injuries in the right arm of Paramjeet Singh of Seora village.

    The two shooters were on the run and were arrested after hectic efforts on Monday, a police spokesman said.

    He said that police have issued hue and cry notices and also generated look out circulars against both the accused to prevent their escape from the country and ensure their immediate detention if located.

    Earlier on June 11, police arrested four other accused Surinder Singh and Harjot Singh alias “Anda”, both residents of Dashmesh Nagar, Raman Kumar of Gangyal and Mohammad Ashraf of Narwal in the case.

    “Jammu Police worked rigorously to dismantle the broader network behind this criminal conspiracy,” the spokesman said, reiterating its commitment to act firmly against those who attempt to disrupt public order and threaten civil peace.

  • Drug peddler held in Sopore

    Srinagar: Police in Sopore have arrested a drug peddler and recovered contraband substance from his possession.

    A police spokesperson informed that a vehicle (JK11B-0112) driven by Mohammad Maqbool Bhat, son of Abdul Kabeer Bhat, resident of Hashmatpora Hathlangoo, was intercepted at Parray Mohalla Haigam,. During the search of the vehicle, poppy straw-like substance was recovered, following which Bhat was arrested and his vehicle seized.

  • Govt committed to save old industrial units, promote new ventures: Dy CM

    Govt committed to save old industrial units, promote new ventures: Dy CM

    Holds deliberations with Federation of Chamber of Industries Kashmir

    SRINAGAR: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary today chaired a meeting with representatives of the Federation of Chamber of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) in the presence of senior officials from the concerned department at Civil Secretariat Srinagar.

    President FCIK, Shahid Ahmad Kamili, apprised the Dy CM of various pressing issues. These included revival of industrial policies, grant of amnesty for regularisation of lease deeds, uniform disbursement of SGST reimbursement, strengthening of the industries department, delayed payment, power amnesty, bank-related issues and non-availability of basic infrastructure like road connectivity, power availability, drainage system, as well as financial constraints.

    The Deputy Chief Minister gave a patient hearing to the concerns raised by the stakeholders while assuring speedy redress of the same

    The Deputy Chief Minister said Jammu and Kashmir is an ideal place for investments, and the government has undertaken several measures to ensure that the industrial sector gets the requisite boost. This would result in boosting the economy besides opening employment avenues for the youth, he maintained.

    He exhorted that the primary objective of the present dispensation is to explore investment and business opportunities, showcase the immense economic potential of Jammu & Kashmir and foster collaborations and partnerships for building global pathways for the J&K economy.

    Surinder Choudhary asserted that the Omar Abdullah-led government is working hard to save the old industrial units while promoting the new ventures. We will leave no stone unturned in supporting those who are crucially instrumental in providing livelihood and employment to thousands of people.

    He directed the MD SICOP to visit the industrial estates to assess the on-ground situation. He asked him to expeditiously resolve the issues raised by the stakeholders.

    Reiterating the government’s commitment towards the growth and protection of local industries in J&K, the Dy CM said that all due benefits and incentives under their control as UT will be released promptly.

    Commissioner Secretary Industries and Commerce Vikramjeet Singh; Additional PCCF Forests T. Rabi, Secretary in Industries and Commerce Department, Khalid Jahangir; MD KPDCL Mehmood Shah; Director Industries and Commerce Kashmir Khalid Majeed; MD SIDCO/ SICOP Pradeep Kumar, besides other senior officers from concerned department along with representatives from various Industrial Estates were present in the meeting.

     

  • Delegation of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra Welfare Society, others call on LG

    Delegation of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra Welfare Society, others call on LG

    JAMMU: A delegation of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra Welfare Society, led by its President Kiran Wattal called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today.

    The members of the delegation also included Anil Gupta, Senior Vice President, Chamber of Commerce & Industry Jammu, who discussed various important matters pertaining to the smooth conduct of the forthcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra.

    On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor also unveiled the 2nd edition of a specially designed LED glow Lord Mahadev Shivling Pratima with MP3 audio pre-recorded ancient Katha of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati, along with Bhakti bhajans and Leelas.

    Subsequently, representatives of Akhil Bharatiya Mahajan Phagetra Biradari headed by Rajesh Gupta also called on the Lieutenant Governor.

    Meanwhile, Sandeep Sharma, Zonal Head for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh at ICICI Bank, called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.

    Sharma apprised the Lieutenant Governor of the various initiatives undertaken by ICICI Bank under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme.

    He also outlined the bank’s endeavours to deliver seamless and efficient financial services across the UT, and creating opportunities for talented youth from remote areas of Jammu Kashmir, enabling them to pursue promising careers in the banking sector.

  • AIDS victims deserve compassion, not condemnation: Sakeena Itoo

    AIDS victims deserve compassion, not condemnation: Sakeena Itoo

    Flags off mobile ICTC Vans of J&K AIDS Control Society at Srinagar

    SRINAGAR: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo, flagged off Mobile Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre (ICTC) Vans of Jammu and Kashmir AIDS Control Society (JKACS) here today.

    The initiative was aimed at strengthening the healthcare outreach and awareness among the people of underserved areas and vulnerable communities.

    Secretary Health and Medical Education, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah; Director SKIMS; Project Director, JKACS; Director Family Welfare and Immunization; Director AYUSH; Principal GMC Srinagar; Chief Medical Officers; senior officers of JKACS; health department and other concerned officers were present on the occasion.

    Addressing a gathering of health professionals, the Minister emphasized on the urgent need to de-stigmatise HIV/AIDS persons and ensure a support-oriented approach for the affected individuals. “People living with HIV/AIDS need to be handled with compassion and dignity. It’s not just about medical intervention, it’s about restoring hope and trust through proper counselling, awareness and community support,” she stated.

    She remarked that people affected by this virus need to be counselled, sensitised and looked after properly, so that those hiding this due to stigma associated with it, can also come forward and seek proper medical treatment.

    The Minister further said that these ICTC Vans are high-end vehicles which will contribute effectively in fighting this virus. She added that these mobile ICTC Vans are aimed at expanding the reach of HIV/AIDS testing and counselling services to remote and underserved areas of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly targeting the high-risk groups and marginalized populations.

    “The launch of these mobile vans is a testament to Government’s resolve to bring best healthcare services to the doorsteps of the most vulnerable. No one should be denied access due to geography or stigma,” said the Minister.

    Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed called upon all to redouble their efforts for completely wiping out this virus from the region as J&K has minimal cases of this virus. He also spoke in length about the role of every individual in eradicating this virus from the society.

    Earlier, in her welcome address, Deputy Director, JKACS, Dr. Monika Vali, spoke about the broader aspects of mobile ICTC Vans.

    She further said that this initiative will also help in early detection of this virus among affected individuals aa well as strengthen prevention measures due to awareness.

    On the occasion, the Minister was also briefed about the specialities of these mobile ICTC Vans. He was informed that these Vans are equipped with facilities for confidential counselling, blood sample collection, rapid testing and IEC (Information, Education and Communication) awareness campaigns.

    It was also given out that these vans will be manned by trained healthcare professionals, ensuring both sensitivity and professionalism in every interaction.

  • CS pushes forward J&K’s IT revolution with BISAG-N

    CS pushes forward J&K’s IT revolution with BISAG-N

    SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess progress on various digital initiatives spearheaded by the Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N) across the government departments.

    The meeting, besides the Administrative Heads, was attended by DG, Planning; Commissioner, State Taxes; Director, Employment; MD, JKTDC; CEO, JaKeGA; IT professionals from BISAG-N and representatives from other departments.

    The Chief Secretary took stock of the progress made on the development of every new initiative taken up with the BISAG-N, along with the dates for their rollout for public usage. He observed that such IT measures would make the lives of common citizens largely amenable.

    Dulloo underscored the need for developing respective dashboards for people-centric interventions like Mission YUVA and the Sehat Mobile app simultaneously. This will help in having a peek into their uptake among the masses besides devising subsequent action plans as per the requirements on the ground.

    He also accentuated the importance of linking the learning of skill development courses with U-Dise data so that the trajectory of every student is known for chiselling his/her career in a better shape.

    The review highlighted significant advancements in e-governance, agricultural development, public services and infrastructure mapping, reaffirming J&K’s commitment towards digital transformation.

    Earlier, the IT Secretary Piyush Singla gave a detailed overview of ongoing, completed and upcoming initiatives, outlining plans for collaboration with BISAG-N to drive project completion. He also detailed out the objectives that have to be achieved after the accomplishment of these projects.

    Afterwards, the BISAG-N presented a detailed overview of its extensive portfolio of projects, emphasizing both the ongoing endeavours and new initiatives aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency and citizen-centric service delivery.

    The major IT projects related to Revenue Department reviewed in the meeting included ongoing digitization of Revenue Maps (5670 villages completed), development of the Jamabandi portal, Mutation Register, Oracle Database Migration and a GIS portal for Ground Truthing (targeted for completion on June 30, 2025).

    A key focus of the meeting was the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Emerging Technologies. This envisages the development of high-performance computing (GPUs), robotic kits, drone/UAV innovation capabilities and cloud infrastructure. The revised DPR has been submitted, and funding is being pursued from MeitY, J&K government and J&K Bank, the meeting was informed.

    About JK Samadhan 2.0, it was informed that the progress is satisfactory, with the dashboard and heat map for the latter already developed. These systems empower the citizens to register and track their grievances efficiently.

    The initiatives named Kisan Khidmat Ghar (KKG) and Daksh Kisan for the Agriculture Production Department are nearing completion.

    KKG serves as a one-stop solution for the farmers, offering services like booking cold storage, custom hiring centres, expert video calls and access to farm inputs. Daksh Kisan provides a comprehensive Learning Management System (LMS) with over 121 certificate courses in multiple languages for farmers and agri-preneurs.

    The core Mission Yuva app, a single platform for youth skill enhancement, job vacancies, entrepreneurship ideas and e-courses, was also said to be in the final phase of completion. The Yuva Baseline Survey, which collects data on entrepreneurs, is also finished, and its database has been shared with the government departments. Besides, work is in progress on the dashboard for all services, the capacity building module and the ONDC App.

    With respect to the Sehat Mobile Application, it was given out that the same has been completed and is undergoing capacity building. The SEHAT App guides the patients on health facilities, services and opportunities for healthcare professionals, ensuring optimal resource utilisation.

    Regarding the development of the Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP), this app for the Agriculture Production Department was also said to be complete and under maintenance, which is going to allow the farmers to record and monitor farm output.

    The PM-Gati Shakti State Master Plan platform, as disclosed in the meeting, aims at bringing together all departments for integrated planning of infrastructure and connectivity projects. The status was said to be complete and under maintenance across all departments.

    The meeting also had discussions on a comprehensive mobile application for education stakeholders, an AI-based learning advisor, a teacher transfer portal and integrated litigation management services.

    The Chief Secretary also reviewed progress on Jalshakti Mob app, Real time Mining Surveillance app, JKCIP portal, Chief Minister Assurances Monitoring Dashboard, J&K Tourism app, GIS based Land bank, Mission YUVA and ONDC Integration and many others relevant to different departments.

    The Chief Secretary expressed satisfaction with the progress and reiterated the government’s commitment towards leveraging the technology for good governance and citizen welfare across the UT.