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New Delhi: Asserting that Operation Sindoor has made clear to the world India’s stringent policy against terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that his government takes whatever steps are appropriate in national interest.

Weapons manufactured in India showed their impact during the conflict with Pakistan, he said, without naming the country, at an event to mark the centenary celebration of the conversation between spiritual figure and social reformer Sree Narayana Guru and Mahatma Gandhi.

“We have shown that no hideout is safe for terrorists who spill the blood of Indians,” he said, adding that his government has worked on the ideals of the revered spiritual figure who wanted a strong India that was free of any discrimination.

Modi said his government has, in the past 11 years, worked to make India strong in social, economic and defence sectors.

He said India’s reliance on foreign countries to meet its defence needs is declining and it is becoming “aatmanirbhar” in the defence sector.

Indian military brought the enemy to its knees with made-in-India weapons in 22 minutes, he said of the precision attacks on terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir following the horrific killing of 26 civilians by terrorists in Pahalgam on April 22.

The prime minister said he was confident that made-in-India weapons will be feted across the world in future.

Modi cited his government’s welfare schemes in housing, drinking water and health insurance among other fields to assert that these have empowered the deprived and backward sections of society.

More number of IITs, IIMs and AIIMS have been opened in the last 11 years than earlier, he said, adding that the country is on the path to becoming the world’s third-biggest economy.

He said, “Narayana Guru envisioned a society free from all forms of discrimination. Today, by adopting the saturation approach, the country is working to eliminate every possibility of discrimination.”

Missions like Skill India are empowering the youth and making them self-reliant, he said, stressing that he remembers the social reformer every time he takes big decisions for the betterment of the deprived, exploited and backward sections of society.

In a swipe at previous governments, he said despite decades of independence, millions of citizens were forced to live in extremely difficult circumstances until over a decade back.

Crores of families lacked shelter and lakhs of villages had no access to clean drinking water, while even minor illnesses could not be treated due to lack of health care, he said.

Poor people and women were deprived of basic human dignity, Modi said.

The welfare schemes of his government have addressed these concerns, and now even those at the lowest rungs of society have found renewed hope. “These initiatives are not only changing their lives but also allowing them to play a vital role in nation-building,” the prime minister added.

He said the biggest beneficiaries of the new National Education Policy, which “modernises” and makes education more “inclusive”, are the underprivileged and marginalised sections of society as it promotes learning in the mother tongue.

Narayana Guru’s ideals are a great treasure for all of humanity, he said, lauding him for speaking against social ills at a time few did following centuries of enslavement of the country.

The interaction between him and Gandhi, the face of India’s freedom movement, was a historic event that gave a new direction to the stir for independence, rendering it concrete objectives, he said.

The prime minister said it serves as a powerful source of energy for social harmony and for the collective goals of a developed India.

Modi recalled his long association with Sivagiri Math, which was founded by Narayana Guru, and its saints’ affection for him.

He noted that when its members and followers were stranded in Kedarnath following a natural disaster in 2013, when he was the chief minister of Gujarat, the Math reached out to him, not the central government, for help as they considered him their own.

He said the guru espoused the mantra of “One caste, one religion, one God for mankind”, affirming that it has inspired many of his government’s global initiatives like “One World, One Health”, “One Sun, One Earth, One Grid” and “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”, which was this year’s theme for the International Yoga Day on June 21.

A government statement said the historic conversation between Narayana Guru and Mahatma Gandhi took place at Sivagiri Math on March 12, 1925, Gandhi’s visit.

Says deal is in effect after initial hiccups

Dubai:  US President Donald Trump said a ceasefire between Iran and Israel was in effect Tuesday after the deal initially faltered, and the American leader expressed deep frustration with both sides.

Israel had earlier accused Iran of launching missiles into its airspace after the truce was supposed to take effect, and the Israeli finance minister vowed that “Tehran will tremble.”

The Iranian military denied firing on Israel, state media reported, but explosions boomed and sirens sounded across northern Israel in the morning, and an Israeli military official said two Iranian missiles were intercepted.

Trump told reporters at the White House before departing for a NATO summit that, in his view, both sides had violated the nascent agreement. He had particularly strong words for Israel, a close ally, while suggesting Iran may have fired on the country by mistake.

But later he said the deal was saved.

“ISRAEL is not going to attack Iran. All planes will turn around and head home, while doing a friendly “Plane Wave” to Iran. Nobody will be hurt, the Ceasefire is in effect!” Trump said in his Truth Social post.

Indeed, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said he held off on tougher strike against Iran after speaking to Trump.

The conflict, now in its 12th day, began with Israel targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites, saying it could not allow Tehran to develop atomic weapons and that it feared the Islamic Republic was close. Iran has long maintained that its programme is peaceful.

Many worried the war might widen after the US joined the attacks by dropping bunker-buster bombs over the weekend and Israel expanded the kinds of targets it was hitting.

But after Tehran launched a limited retaliatory strike on a US military base in Qatar on Monday, Trump announced the ceasefire.

The deal got off to a rocky start.

An Israeli military official who spoke on the condition of anonymity in line with military regulations said Iran launched two missiles at Israel hours into the tenuous ceasefire. Both were intercepted, the official said.

Iranian state television reported that the military denied firing missiles after the start of the ceasefire — while condemning Israel for predawn strikes of its own.

One of those attacks killed a high-profile nuclear scientist, Mohammad Reza Sedighi Saber, at his father-in-law’s residence in northern Iran, Iranian state TV reported.

As Trump spoke to reporters at the White House before departing for the NATO summit, he expressed disappointment with both sides.

Iran “violated it, but Israel violated it too,” Trump said. ”I’m not happy with Israel.”

Trump’s frustration was palpable, using an expletive to hammer home his point.

“We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f—- they’re doing,” he said.

Later, however, he announced that Israel had backed off its threat to attack Tehran and would turn its jets around.

Netanyahu’s office said Israel struck an Iranian radar site in response to the Iranian missile attack early Tuesday, but Israeli forces held off on something bigger.

Following Trump’s conversation with Netanyahu, “Israel refrained from additional attacks,” Netanyahu’s office said.

Netanyahu said Israel agreed to a bilateral ceasefire with Iran, in coordination with Trump, after the country achieved all of its war goals, including removing the threat of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

It’s unclear what role Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s leader, played in the talks. He said earlier on social media that he would not surrender.

Trump said Tuesday that he wasn’t seeking regime change in Iran, two days after floating the idea himself in a social media post.

“I don’t want it,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One. “Regime change takes chaos and, ideally, we don’t want to see much chaos.”

Before the ceasefire was announced, Israel’s military said Iran launched 20 missiles toward Israel. Police said they damaged at least three densely packed residential buildings in the city of Beersheba. First responders said they retrieved four bodies from one building and were searching for more. At least 20 people were injured.

Outside, the shells of burned out cars littered the streets. Broken glass and rubble covered the area. Police said some people were injured while inside their apartments’ reinforced safe rooms, which are meant to withstand rockets but not direct hits from ballistic missiles.

The attack followed a limited Iranian missile attack Monday on a US military base in Qatar, retaliating for earlier American bombing of its nuclear sites. The US was warned by Iran in advance, and there were no casualties.

Drones attacked military bases in Iraq overnight, including some housing US troops, the Iraqi army and a US military official said Tuesday.

A senior US military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly, said US forces shot down drones attacking Ain al-Assad in the desert in western Iraq and at a base next to the Baghdad airport, while another one crashed.

No casualties were reported, and no group claimed responsibility for the attacks in Iraq. Some Iran-backed Iraqi militias had previously threatened to target US bases if the US attacked Iran.

In Israel, at least 28 people have been killed and more than 1,000 wounded in the war. Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 974 people and wounded 3,458 others, according to the Washington-based group Human Rights Activists.

The group, which has provided detailed casualty figures from Iranian unrest, said of those killed, it identified 387 civilians and 268 security force personnel.

The US has evacuated some 250 American citizens and their immediate family members from Israel by government, military and charter flights that began over the weekend, a State Department official said.

There are roughly 700,000 American citizens, most of them dual US-Israeli citizens, believed to be in Israel.

India welcomes Iran-Israel ceasefire; urges for peace through dialogue, diplomacy

India has expressed concern over the recent escalation in West Asia and welcomed reports of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, while urging all parties to pursue dialogue and diplomacy to resolve regional tensions.

In an official statement released on Tuesday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, “We have been following developments overnight relating to the conflict between Iran and Israel, including the US action against Iran’s nuclear facilities and Iranian retaliation against US military bases in Qatar.”

While noting the seriousness of the situation, the MEA emphasised the need for long-term regional peace. “While we remain deeply concerned about the prospects for overall and sustained regional security and stability, we welcome reports of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel and the role played by the US and Qatar in bringing it about.”

Reiterating India’s longstanding position on conflict resolution, the statement added, “We wish to reiterate that there is no alternative to dialogue and diplomacy in order to address and resolve the multiple conflicts in the region.”

India also affirmed its willingness to contribute to peace-building efforts, stating, “India stands ready to play its part in these efforts and hopes that all concerned parties will work towards sustained peace and stability.” (Agencies)

Trump ceasefire plan falters as Israel says Iran launched more missiles, pledges response

A tentative truce proposed by President Donald Trump hung in the balance as Israel said Iran had launched missiles into its airspace less than three hours after a ceasefire went into effect and vowed to retaliate.

Explosions boomed and sirens sounded across northern Israel midmorning on Tuesday, after both Israel and Iran on Tuesday accepted the ceasefire plan to end the 12-day war roiling the Middle East.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz called the missiles a violation of the ceasefire and instructed Israel’s military to resume “the intense operations to attack Tehran and to destroy targets of the regime and terror infrastructure.”

The shaky agreement was announced early Tuesday morning after Tehran launched a retaliatory limited missile attack on a U.S. military base in Qatar on Monday.

Between Trump’s post and the start of the ceasefire, Israel launched a blitz of airstrikes targeting sites across Iran before dawn and Iran replied with an onslaught of missiles that killed at least four people in Israel early Tuesday morning.

Israel said it had intercepted the midmorning barrage of missiles that came hours into the truce.

“Tehran will tremble” Israel’s Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich wrote on X after the missiles were launched.

Iranian state television reported that the ceasefire went into effect at 7:30 a.m., but Iranian officials have not commented since Trump’s announcement. Hours earlier Iran’s top diplomat said the country was prepared to halt airstrikes.

“As of now, there is NO agreement’ on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote in a post on X. “However, provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no later than 4 am Tehran time, we have no intention to continue our response afterwards.”

Trump’s announcement that Israel and Iran had agreed to a “complete and total ceasefire” came soon after Iran launched a limited missile attack Monday on a US military base in Qatar, retaliating for the American bombing of its nuclear sites. The US was warned by Iran in advance, and there were no casualties.

Beijing:  National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on Tuesday called for shunning double standards in combating terrorism and urged members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to hold accountable perpetrators, organisers and financers of cross-border terrorism, seen as reference to Pakistan.

Doval made the remarks in an address at a meeting of the security council secretaries of the SCO in Beijing.

The NSA conveyed India’s deep concern over continued threat from UN-proscribed terror groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Al Qaeda, ISIS and its affiliates.

More importantly, Doval highlighted the need to shun “double standards” in the fight against terror.

Any act of terrorism, including cross-border terror, is a “crime against humanity”, Doval said.

The NSA specifically called on SCO member states to hold accountable the perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of acts of cross-border terror and to help bring them to justice.

Though he directly didn’t name Pakistan, his remarks appeared to be directed against Pakistan.

The NSA said New Delhi launched Operation Sindoor to dismantle terror infrastructure and deter terrorists from carrying out attacks in India following the Pahalgam terror strike.

Besides India and China, the SCO comprises Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

In his remarks, Doval pitched for decisive action against terrorists proscribed by the UN and groups such as LeT, JeM and their proxies, as well as dismantling of their “terror eco-systems”.

He said New Delhi launched Operation Sindoor to dismantle terror infrastructure and deter terrorists from carrying out attacks in India following the Pahalgam terror strike.

In response to the attack in Pahalgam in which TRF, a proxy of LeT, killed 26 Indian and Nepalese nationals and injured several others after segregating them on the basis of religion, India launched Operation Sindoor to dismantle terror infrastructure, he said. Doval said India’s actions were “measured and non escalatory”.

The NSA also pitched an “algorithm of joint actions” to counter challenges posed by international terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda and its affiliates.

He also floated the idea of a “joint information operation” to counter extremist ideology and joint measures to counter radicalisation that leads to terrorism, separatism and extremism.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is also travelling to China’s Qingdao to attend the SCO defence ministers conclave beginning Wednesday.

Singh is set to press the SCO to ramp up efforts to contain terrorism.

The defence minister is expected to highlight India’s continued commitment to the principles and mandate of the SCO, outline India’s vision towards achieving greater international peace and security, and call for joint and consistent efforts to eliminate terrorism and extremism in the region, according to an official readout.

 

Lays foundation for key tourism projects, flags off cyclothon in Gulmarg

Gulmarg: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today reaffirmed his government’s resolve to reestablish Gulmarg as a premier global golf destination, promising focused attention on golfing infrastructure, international-level tournaments and tourism-friendly facilities.

According to an official press release, speaking at an award ceremony for golfers and hoteliers at the Gulmarg Golf Championship, the Chief Minister—who also holds the Tourism portfolio—said, “We want to make Gulmarg a world-class golf destination once again. Special attention will be given to golf, golf infrastructure, and tournaments so that Jammu and Kashmir can be marketed as a pre-eminent golfing destination across the globe.”

Acknowledging the effort required, Omar Abdullah said the necessary investment is justified given the economic and tourism potential of Gulmarg. “These are high-spending tourists who don’t just play golf—they stay in hotels, go sightseeing, and shop. It’s about creating a holistic experience that brings them back year after year,” he remarked.

He recalled the past glory of Gulmarg Golf Course, once a favourite among India’s top golfers. “The names of the most iconic professional and amateur golfers still adorn the walls of the Gulmarg Club. Sadly, the decline in the situation led to neglect. But we are determined to bring it back,” he said.

The Chief Minister lauded the role of the local MLA and emphasized the need for a tourist-friendly attitude towards visitors. “We must see every tourist not as a one-time visitor, but as a potential repeat guest. Their satisfaction should be our benchmark,” he asserted, stressing the need to cater to every kind of visitor—from golfers and horse riders to winter sports lovers and those who simply wish to relax in hotels.

Earlier in the day, CM Omar Abdullah inspected the newly constructed Gulmarg Convention Center, describing it as a “magnificent property” with an auditorium, meeting halls, guest rooms, and dining spaces. He floated the idea of introducing evening leisure options such as cinema screenings, coffee shops, and restaurants to make Gulmarg an “all-encompassing destination.”

Highlighting policy reforms, the Chief Minister revealed that the government is actively considering the establishment of a Jammu and Kashmir Golf Development Authority to manage and maintain all major golf courses across the Union Territory—including Srinagar, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and venues like Sidhra in Jammu. “We need dedicated synergy and professional upkeep of our greens and fairways. There should be a clear distinction between fairways and roughs,” he added.

Commending his father and former CM Dr. Farooq Abdullah—a passionate golfer and someone who has built the golf infrastructure in J&K, he said that he would love to do something good for this sport.

The Chief Minister also commended MLA Gulmarg Farooq Ahmad Shah, the driving force behind the tournament, expressing hope that such initiatives will become a recurring feature in Gulmarg’s tourism calendar.

Later, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for a 726-meter ski drag lift at Kongdoori, to be constructed at an estimated cost of ₹6.84 crore. He also laid the foundation for the development and beautification of the water body, popularly known as Seven Springs at Kongdoori, with the project costing ₹50 lakh.

At Kongdoori, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah interacted with tourists and enquired about their holiday experience in Kashmir. The visitors expressed their gratitude to the Chief Minister for his proactive role and leadership in reviving tourism in the region.

A group of ponywalas also called on the Chief Minister and apprised him of various concerns, particularly the reopening of tourist spots in and around Gulmarg. The Chief Minister assured them that all the issues raised would be addressed in a phased manner.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the Gulmarg Convention Centre to inspect the ongoing works. He urged officials to expedite the remaining tasks and ensure the centre is made operational at the earliest to boost tourism and facilitate major events.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister flagged off the Cyclothon, encouraging youth participation in sports and promoting eco-friendly tourism across the Valley.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani; MLAs Farooq Ahmad Shah, Javed Riyaz Bedar, Mubarak Gul, and Tanveer Sadiq; Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister, Dheeraj Gupta; Deputy Commissioner Baramulla; Managing Director, J&K Cable Car Corporation; Chief Executive Officer, Gulmarg Development Authority; and other concerned officials.

Ready to recommend dissolution of J&K Assembly if statehood is restored: CM

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said he has no objections if the Legislative Assembly has to be dissolved and fresh elections are to be conducted after statehood is restored to Jammu and Kashmir.

“I have read in a newspaper that statehood will be restored but assembly elections would have to be held afresh. Let them do it, who has stopped them,” Abdullah told reporters at Gulmarg, 52 kilometres from here.

Abdullah, who was sworn in as the first chief minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in October last year, said that statehood is the right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

“I know where the story has come from. I know who planted the story in a newspaper here…. it was planted only to scare the MLAs. This statehood is not for any MLA or the government. This statehood is for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and we MLAs will not be an obstacle in it.

“If the MLAs are being threatened with the dissolution of the Assembly for the restoration of statehood, then do it. The day the state is established again, the next day we will go to the governor and recommend the dissolution of the Assembly. Don’t try to scare us … statehood is our right and give it (back) to us. Stop planting stories in newspapers, it won’t work,” he added.(PTI)

Gulmarg Golf Course set for grand revival after decade-long lull

The deserted and abandoned historic Gulmarg Golf Course is all set for a revival after years of neglect, as J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated by the end of year, it will be able to host full-scale tournaments.

Speaking at an event in Gulmarg, Chief Minister Omar acknowledged the years of neglect that had pushed the course into disrepair, saying, given the run-down condition of the venue, it felt that Golf could never be played here again.

CM hailed recent restoration efforts as a major turnaround, crediting the local administration and Gulmarg MLA Farooq Ahmed Shah for their dedication. “Nine holes have already been readied for the sport, and the remaining nine will be completed in the next one to two months,” he announced, adding that the government is fully invested in transforming the course into a venue of national and international repute.

He further revealed that by the end of this year, the course is expected to be fully operational and ready to host major tournaments. “The remaining issues will be corrected and next year, we will begin organizing events at national and international levels”, he said.

Meanwhile, MLA Farooq Ahmed Shah, who has been actively involved in the revival drive, described the course as one of Gulmarg’s Unique Selling Points (USPs) and a powerful draw for high-end tourists.

“This is one of the USPs of Gulmarg. We promise that within the next two years, it will be a world-class course. We aim to bring it to international standards because this is not a normal golf course. It is a gem of our tourism infrastructure,” he stated.

The scenic backdrop of the Pir Panjal range, alpine meadows, and crisp mountain air makes Gulmarg an ideal destination for golfing, he said. “The scenery you see here, you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Golfers love this course not just for the game, but for the experience”.

Recognizing golf as a high-end tourism activity, MLA Shah said the initiative is also economically strategic. “A golfer is considered to be the highest spending tourist. So, if we attract more golfers here, our local tourism sector, hoteliers, guides will greatly benefit”.

The MLA revealed plans for establishing a Golf Academy in Gulmarg to promote the sport among local youth. “We will sponsor children from our schools so they can learn golf. Golf is ageless. It’s excellent for health and we want to cultivate that culture here”.

Notably, the Gulmarg Golf Course, built in 1890, is the second highest green golf course in the world.

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.

Jammu: Emphasising that human rights are the most sacrosanct component of a human life, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court has ordered the Union Home Ministry to facilitate return of a woman deported to Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack.

Justice Rahul Bharti was hearing a petition filed by the daughter of Rakshanda Rashid and Sheikh Zahoor Ahmed in which she has stated that Rashid, a Pakistani national, had been married for nearly four decades and was residing in India on a Long-Term Visa (LTV).

The order, made available recently, was passed on June 6 in which the court asked the Secretary of the Union Home Ministry to ensure that the woman is brought back within 10 days and reunited with the family.

However, it was not immediately clear whether efforts had been made to bring her back or the ministry was going to challenge it in a division bench.

The petitioner highlighted her mother’s precarious situation in Pakistan, stating she has no one to care for her and is suffering from multiple ailments, putting her health and life at grave risk.

“Human rights are the most sacrosanct component of a human life and, therefore, there are occasions when a constitutional court is supposed to come up with SOS like indulgence notwithstanding the merits and demerits of a case which can be adjudicated only upon in due course of time.

“…therefore, this Court is coming up with a direction to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India to bring back the petitioner from her deportation,” the three-page order said.

The judge further observed that Rashid’s LTV status at the time of her deportation may not have warranted such action without a thorough examination of her case and a proper deportation order from the authorities.

Considering the “exceptional nature of facts and circumstances,” particularly Rashid’s deportation in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam attack, the court has directed the Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, to “retrieve the petitioner back to Jammu and Kashmir, India so as to facilitate the reunion of the petitioner with her husband-Sheikh Zahoor Ahmed in Jammu.”

The court has mandated “needful compliance” within 10 days of the order’s passing and has asked for a compliance report to be filed by July 1.

In the aftermath of April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people, mainly tourists, were gunned down in Baisaran, the government took slew of measures including deportation of all Pakistani nationals barring those staying on LTV.

 

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.

Jammu: A dramatic incident unfolded in the heart of Jammu on Tuesday as a suspected thief, linked to a busted gang, was publicly humiliated with a garland of shoes and made to sit on a moving police vehicle’s bonnet, prompting an official inquiry.

A video of the incident, purportedly showing several onlookers cheering the act, surfaced online, sparking a debate among social media users, with many questioning the legality and ethics of the police action and some even terming it “jungle raj”.

Condemning the incident, Jammu’s Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Joginder Singh ordered a departmental inquiry into the matter.

The accused is a resident of Kashmir and was allegedly under the influence of drugs when he was arrested following a chase and a scuffle near a hospital here.

According to Bakshi Nagar Police Station SHO Azad Manhas, whose team was involved in the incident, a man who was robbed of Rs 40,000 while buying medicines for his patient a couple of days ago, identified the accused outside a hospital in the heart of the city and confronted him.

The accused retaliated by attacking the man with a knife, causing injuries, and tried to escape, the SHO said, adding that the police personnel patrolling the area went after the accused and nabbed him.

Local youths also joined the chase, and once the accused was caught, they reportedly tied his hands with a rope and placed a garland of footwear around his neck.

He was then paraded through the streets and made to sit on the bonnet of the police vehicle for a short while, with a public address system announcing his arrest as he was taken to the police station.

Several bystanders raised slogans in support of the police team, who seemingly approved of the public shaming.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Jammu, Joginder Singh said the action of the police personnel was “unprofessional, unbecoming of the members of a disciplined organisation”, and calls for a stern departmental action.

“In order to ascertain actual facts, a preliminary enquiry is hereby ordered and entrusted to SDPO (Sub-divisional police officer) City North, Jammu, who will enquire into the matter and submit his findings to this office within a week’s time positively,” the SSP said in an order.

This marks the second such incident in Jammu this month, following a similar event on June 11, where three criminals involved in a shooting were publicly beaten by police.

National Convener of the Jammu and Kashmir Students’ Association, Nasir Khuehami, strongly condemned the action.

“Police are not mobs. They are the custodians of the law. The duty of an SHO is to investigate, not adjudicate to uphold justice, not to dispense punishment through public spectacle,” he said on X.

Khuehami asserted that “such crude displays of ‘instant justice’ erode public trust, delegitimise the institution, and push our democracy one step closer to the abyss of lawlessness.”

He described the incident as “medieval vigilantism rather than constitutional policing,” and “an assault on human dignity and the very principles that underpin our justice system.”

Reacting to the video, several social media users demanded that the police personnel involved be held accountable for their actions and termed the incident a “blatant violation of human rights and the right to liberty”.

Some netizens also tagged Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, DGP Nalin Prabhat and the National Human Rights Commission, demanding accountability.

One of the social media users said the incident was a “shocking violation of human rights and due process,” and emphasised that “law enforcers must not become lawbreakers.”

Another user called out the Jammu police, saying, “This is not justice, this is a violation of Article 21 of the Constitution. How can @JmuKmrPolice allow such lawlessness? Where is accountability?”

A user questioned the police’s justification for “such inhuman treatment,” asking, “tying a half-naked man to a bonnet, parading him like a trophy—is this justice or jungle raj? Even the worst criminal deserves dignity under law. This is not policing, it’s public humiliation.”

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.

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.