Bahar-E-Kashmir

12/07/2025

*Man Held for Extorting Money in Name of Police in Sopore*

*FIR Registered, Public Warned Against Falling for Fake Assurances: Sopore Police*

Sopore, July 12 (JKNS): Sopore Police have arrested an individual for allegedly extorting ₹95,000 from a local resident by falsely claiming links with police officials and promising help in a pending case.

Police spokesperson in a statement issued here to news agency JKNS reads, Sopore Police have registered a case against one Shahzad Ahmad Dar, son of Late Mohammad Ramzan Dar, resident of Dangerpora Sopore, for extorting money from a local resident by falsely claiming close links with Police and offering undue help in a pending matter.

The accused reportedly threatened the victim and took ₹95,000 on false assurances of resolving a police-related issue. FIR No. 134/2025 under relevant provisions of law has been registered at Police Station Sopore and investigation is in progress, it reads.

The public is advised not to fall prey to such elements. Police action shall always remain within the bounds of law, and any individual indulging in such unlawful activities will face strict legal consequences, it reads.

Anyone facing threats or extortion in the name of Police is urged to report the matter at the nearest Police Station or District Police Office Sopore, reads the statement. (JKNS)

11/07/2025

High-level MHA team, top BSF officers visit IB in Hiranagar

Anti-infiltration measures top agenda

*All possible intrusion routes to be plugged

JAMMU, July 11: A high-level team of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and senior BSF officers today visited the International Border (IB) in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district for assessment of the situation including anti-infiltration measures, strengthening of Border Out Posts, detection of cross-border tunnels, if any, and other issues pertaining to plugging the intrusion routes of the terrorists.

The team was led by Prashant Lokhande, Joint Secretary MHA, Incharge Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh Affairs and comprised Mahesh Dixit, Special Director Intelligence Bureau (IB), Puneet Rastogi, Additional DG BSF, MHA, SS Khandare, Additional DG BSF Western Command and Shashank Anand, IG BSF Jammu Frontiers. Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu Zone, Bhim Sen Tuti also joined the team.

Soon after arrival from New Delhi, top officers of MHA and BSF proceeded to Bobiya area near the International Border in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district and reviewed the situation including identification and plugging of possible infiltration routes as earlier there had been reports that the terrorists whose movement was spotted at Hiranagar, followed by Ghati in Kathua and then Billawar forests in March had entered into the Indian territory from this sector.

There were reports that the terrorists may be taking riverine route or Pakistan may have dug cross-border tunnel to push the infiltrators into the Indian territory.

However, anti-tunnelling operations are repeatedly being undertaken by the BSF but no tunnels have been spotted. Long time back, cross-border tunnels were found along the International Border in Samba and Kathua districts.

While there was no official statement, sources said strengthening anti-infiltration measures topped agenda of the high-level team of MHA and BSF during their visit to Hiranagar sector whether it is through riverine route, cross-border tunnel, crossing fencing etc.

After nearly three-hour long stay on the International Border and having detailed discussions with the senior BSF and police officers of Jammu, the high-level team returned to New Delhi this afternoon.

The team also met local people living near Bobiya and took their view points on different issues.

“A series of measures are expected to be put in place shortly to plug all possible infiltration routes of the terrorists all along the International Border in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts,” the sources said, adding the strategy will be in place and will be implemented shortly.

Police have also raised Border Out Posts (BOPs) behind the BSF pickets for keeping surveillance on any kind of intrusions while the Village Defence Guards (VDGs) are also being recruited at vulnerable areas which can be used by the terrorists for infiltration from Pakistan.

In March-end this year, two groups of terrorists were reported to have sneaked into this side from Hiranagar sector. Initially, they were engaged at Hiranagar followed by Ghati area of Kathua district on March 27. Four police personnel were martyred and two terrorists were killed in Ghati while rest of the terrorists (two to three) had escaped towards Billawar forests and despite being engaged, they remained untraced.

Prior to that, the terrorists intercepted at Nagrota and Jhajjar Kotli on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway had also infiltrated from Kathua. They were killed in operations by the security forces but the persons who were taking them to Kashmir had then disclosed that they had also transported more groups to the Valley.

Sources said the MHA wants to ensure that there is no fresh infiltration from any place along the International Border in Jammu, Samba and Kathua besides the Line of Control (LoC) and, for the purpose, all possible measures are being put in place.

11/07/2025

NC President Dr. Farooq Abdullah paid tribute to Begum Akbar Jehan Abdullah on her 25th death anniversary at Naseem Bagh graveyard in Srinagar.

10/07/2025

*Centre Must Ensure Security for Tourists: Mamata Banerjee after Meeting CM Omar Abdullah*

*Says, Will Try To Visit Kashmir After Durga Puja*

Kolkata, July 10 (JKNS): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday urged the central government to enhance security measures in Jammu and Kashmir to restore tourist confidence and revive the region’s vital tourism sector.

Speaking to reporters after meeting J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at Nabanna in Kolkata, Banerjee as per news agency JKNS said, “The Centre must take strong and swift steps to ensure safety in Jammu and Kashmir. Tourism can only revive when people feel secure.”

She said the need for strengthened border security and said the central government should coordinate directly with Omar Abdullah for on-ground arrangements. “Kashmir is a beautiful place. Our people must not fear visiting it. I encourage tourists from Bengal to travel there,” she said.

Banerjee also confirmed her upcoming visit to the Valley. “Omar came here after the Pahalgam incident and invited me to Kashmir. I have accepted the invitation and will try to visit after Durga Puja,” she added.

Speaking alongside her, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah thanked Banerjee for her support following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor. “Didi sent a team to meet affected families in Rajouri and Poonch. Her solidarity meant a lot,” Omar said.

He said J&K and West Bengal should work together on tourism, trade and culture. “We want to create lasting partnerships with Bengal. I’ve invited Didi to Kashmir, and we look forward to strengthening our relationship,” he said.

The two leaders also discussed launching joint tourism campaigns, industry collaborations and cultural exchanges. Banerjee proposed signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two states.

Kashmir is known for its saffron, dry fruits, music, and art. Our tourism department is ready to work with theirs. We will also invite Kashmiri artists to participate in our Republic Day events, Banerjee said, adding that Bengali filmmakers will be encouraged to shoot in Kashmir.

The meeting comes as the J&K government continues outreach to other states to boost tourism and investment following recent security concerns. (JKNS)

10/07/2025

Cop Dies of Electric Shock at Budgam Police Station

10/07/2025

Salman sagar Tour Omar colony lalbazar today

09/07/2025

*FLASH*

>>>> A Jaguar fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force has crashed near Churu district of Rajasthan:Defence Sources

09/07/2025

Punjab Police Foil Major Terror Plot, Cache Of Arms Recovered

09/07/2025

*CM Omar Abdullah Stresses MICE Tourism Push, Revenue Boost in JKTDC Board Meetings*

*Calls for Strategic Marketing, Smart Metering & Full Utilization of Tourism Assets in J&K*

Srinagar, July 9 (JKNS): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired the Board meetings of Sher-i- Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) and Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC) after the Boards were reconstituted recently with Chief Minister as chairman of both the Boards.

CM chaired back-to back board meetings here at SKICC Srinagar. He presided over the 19th board meeting of SKICC which was attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Administrative Secretaries of Finance, Tourism, DG Planning, Director Tourism, MD JKTDC and Director SKICC.

Chief Minister emphasized the need for SKICC to emerge as a prominent place for conferences and other events so that the SKICC is utilized to its optimal level and it is able to earn sufficient revenue to bear its own expenses. He called upon the SKICC management to employ strategic marketing tools to acquaint corporates and private organizations about this facility which has the potential to be hub of activities all the year round. CM expressed concerned over under-utilization of SKICC and asked Tourism department to build a distinct MICE brand identity for the SKICC so as to utilize this facility. “It is essential to target corporates, event planners, and government agencies to ensure higher bookings for SKICC and minimize unutilized days. This would help SKICC to augment its revenue”, CM said during the meeting. CM also called upon making recoveries of outstanding dues pending with departments, private entities and individuals. CM also called for assigning clear roles to the staff and better supervision to get best out of the available human resource.

This was the first Board meeting of SKICC after the Board was recently reconstituted with Chief Minister as chairman of the Board. The last board meeting of the SKICC Board had been held in November 2020.

The agenda delved on action taken on decisions of previous board meetings, audit reports, reconciliation of accounts with AG's office, status of segregation of utilities between SKICC and Centaur Hotel which has been outsourced to Leela Palace & JSW Realty by the UT Administration last year, HR matters and absorption of Centaur Hotel staff in other organizations of Tourism department.

In another meeting, Chief Minister chaired 95th Board of Directors meeting of the J&K Tourism Development Corporation and stressed on the need to increase the visibility of JKTDC assets so that tourists and people in general seek accommodation in JKTDC hotels and guest houses earnestly. He called upon improving the services and facilities in JKTDC properties to enhance the experience of guests so that they prefer to take JKTDC accommodation every time they visit J&K.

CM expressed concern over misuse of JKTDC properties and revenue leakages. “Every single JKTDC asset be installed with an independent smart meter,“ CM asserted, underlining the need to improve monitoring of JKTDC huts and hotels and to check misuse of assets. He called upon improving the overnight-stay potential of huts in remote tourist areas. CM gave directions to make maximum number of rooms including premium ones available for better marketability through Online Travel Aggregators so that JKTDC hotels and huts are used to optimum capacity. He called for developing JKTDC App for efficient marketing and better accessibility to its services.

CM called for audit of assets to evaluate the lacunae and how to improve deficiencies. The JKTDC management was directed to adopt best practices being followed in the private sector to improve its functioning.

Among various agenda points discussed in JKTDC board meeting, the onboarding of Online Travel Aggregators for marketing and sale of hotel rooms and accomodations, reimbursement of outstanding dues from other departments, revision of rentals of JKTDC accommodation allotted to various departments & organizations, financial statements, unpaid dues of retired officials and action taken on previous board decisions figured prominently.

JKTDC Board meeting was also attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secy to Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Administrative Secretaries of Finance, Tourism, Industries, DG Planning, Director of Tourism & Managing Director JKTDC. (JKNS)

08/07/2025

Happy barthday musteqeem

08/07/2025

CS reviews preparations for hosting SLSAs 8th North Zone Regional Conference

SRINAGAR, JULY 08
Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today had a comprehensive review of the preparations being made for hosting the 8th North Zone Regional Conference of State Legal Services Authorities (SLSAs), scheduled on 26th and 27th of this month.

The conference will bring together esteemed dignitaries and legal professionals including the Chief Justice of India, Union Law Minister, Chief Justices of various High Courts, Executive Chairpersons of SLSAs and other key legal and administrative officials to discuss key initiatives and strategies related to legal aid and awareness.

Preparations for the high profile event were reviewed by the Chief Secretary with arrangements finalized for accommodation, transportation, security and various conference activities to be held during the two days of the conference.

Some of the Conference highlights included an inaugural session at the SKICC followed by a mega legal awareness camp for the tribals at Juvenile Home, Harwan, Srinagar, with stalls by twelve different departments.

The Chief Secretary emphasized upon making all the arrangements beforehand and designated the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, as an overall Nodal Officer to finalise the same in coordination with other line departments.

Overall coordination for the event will be managed by Registrar General, High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, M K Sharma, who is also Principal Secretary to Chief Justice of High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

It was informed that various sub-committees have been formed to ensure seamless ex*****on, covering aspects like liaison with the government, finance, coordination with the Judges, reception, transport, accommodation, venue arrangements, catering, cultural events, stationery, mementos, correspondence, IT/communication and media coordination.

The Mega Legal Awareness Camp at Harwan will feature stalls from 12 departments including Agriculture, Horticulture, Tribal Affairs, Handloom & Handicraft, Industries & Commerce, Social Welfare, Tourism & Cultural Academy, Health Services, Floriculture, J&K Bank, Legal Services Authority and Youth Services & Sports. The Directors of these departments will serve as Nodal Officers for their respective stalls.

It is pertinent to mention here that the conference serves as a crucial platform for legal luminaries and stakeholders from the North Zone to deliberate on advancements in legal aid, access to justice and effective implementation of legal services programs for the benefit of citizens across this region.

Those who were present in the meeting included Registrar General , Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court; Member Secretary, J&K, SLSA; Principal Secretary, Home; Principal Secretary, Finance; Commissioner Secretary, GAD and Information Departments; Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir; Secretary, Tribal Affairs; Secretary, RDD; Director, Information; Director, Handicrafts along with officers from other concerned departments.

08/07/2025