Terror Hideout Busted in Doda Forest; Rifle and Ammunition Recovered in Joint Operation

Police

A terrorist hideout was busted in a dense forest in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district, leading to the recovery of a rifle and ammunition on Sunday, officials said.

The operation was jointly conducted by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of local police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in the forest area of Bhallara in Thathri, officials added.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

They further informed that a self-loading rifle, its two magazines and 20 rounds were recovered from a hideout deep inside the forest during the operation, which was underway when the last reports were received.However, no one has been arrested in connection with the recovery, so far, officials added.

Khidmat Centre Operators Protest in Jammu; President Tanveer Haji Demands Monthly Support and Permanent Settlement Policy

President Tanveer Haji

The Jammu and Kashmir Khidmat Centre Association has launched a protest demanding the immediate implementation of the long-promised Permanent Settlement Policy, citing a total collapse of their livelihoods after 16 years of dedicated public service.

For more than a decade, Khidmat Centres have played a vital role in delivering essential government and banking services, particularly in some of the most remote regions of Jammu and Kashmir. The operators have served as frontline workers during major crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring that citizens continued to receive vital services when most institutions were shut down.

However, with the cessation of banking services, the operators now face an unsustainable future. Their operations have been crippled, and the association asserts that J&K Bank, the designated Service Centre Agency, has failed to secure the future of these vital centres.

Despite several high-level assurances from government officials over the years — including from Dr. Jitendra Singh (MP) — no concrete steps have been taken to formalize the employment status of the operators. This prolonged inaction has left 1,109 highly skilled professionals in a state of deep financial and professional uncertainty.

The association strongly argues that a permanent settlement is not only their rightful demand but also an obligation for all stakeholders who initially established and benefited from these centres.

Speaking on behalf of the association, President Tanveer Haji stated:

“Our demand is clear and just — implement the promised Permanent Settlement Policy. Until this is achieved, the Government must announce Gap Support of ₹50,000 per centre, per month without any further delay.”

The association has now made a direct appeal to the Lieutenant Governor, Shri Manoj Sinha, and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for their personal intervention to resolve this critical issue.

Furthermore, the Khidmat Centre Association has warned that if a policy decision is not made soon, they will be forced to intensify their agitation until their legitimate demands for stability, security, and dignity are met.

All J&K Khidmat Centre Association Stages Protest in Jammu, Demands Permanent Settlement Policy

Khidmat Centre Association

Members of the All J&K Khidmat Centre Association staged a protest in Jammu on Thursday, demanding a permanent settlement policy for Khidmat Centre operators across Jammu and Kashmir.

Protesters, including operators and employees from various districts, gathered to voice their long-standing grievances. They called for job regularisation, rehabilitation, and absorption into permanent roles within J&K Bank or relevant government departments.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Khidmat Centres—established under the National e-Governance Plan and operated in partnership with J&K Bank as Common Service Centres (CSCs)—serve as key rural digital hubs. They provide essential services such as banking, bill payments, Aadhaar enrolment, pensions, and various G2C/B2C services.

Despite working since 2009, operators—known as Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs)—say they have been left without job security or promised service benefits. They accuse the bank of violating the Master Service Agreement, ignoring earlier assurances, and exploiting educated youth who have now become overaged for government recruitment.

The association’s representatives reminded authorities that their demands date back to 2021–2023, when similar protests were held in Srinagar and Jammu. Multiple memoranda were submitted to the Lieutenant Governor’s Office and J&K Bank management, but operators claim their appeals remain unheard.

Over the years, Khidmat Centre operators have played a key role in implementing Digital India initiatives—opening millions of Jan Dhan accounts, distributing pensions during COVID-19, and managing transactions worth over ₹1,000 crore monthly.

As of now, no official response has been issued regarding today’s demonstration. However, the issue highlights the widening discontent among contractual and semi-formal workers within J&K’s e-governance system.

BRO to Take Over Chenab Bank Restoration in Pargwal, Says Deputy CM

Surinder kumar

Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary today said that the restoration works on Chenab river bank in Pargwal area will be handed over to BRO as the area falls in border periphery and mechanism for the same would be explored soon.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

The Deputy CM said this in response to issue raised by MLA Akhnoor, Mohan Lal Bhagat regarding restoration of flood-damaged infrastructure in Akhnoor constituency and comprehensive flood mitigation plan for upcoming winter season to protect vulnerable areas, during Zero Hour of Legislative Assembly today.

The Deputy CM further informed the house that the contactor has missed the stipulated time frame of the construction of bridge between Pargwal-Inderipatan as well as road towards Shri Machail Mata Temple.

He added that the executing agency has been directed to take strict action against the contractors by blacklisting them if they fail to deliver the projects within the stipulated time frame.

Omar Abdullah Says Hopes of Statehood Restoration Fading, Highlights Difference Between Mian Altaf and Ruhullah

Omar Abdullah

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said that the hopes of statehood restoration are fading with each passing day.

Speaking to media persons, CM Omar, per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that he has been hoping that statehood restoration from day one. “However, as the delay continues, the hopes are fading with each passing day,” he added.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

He also reacted to Member of Parliament, Mian Altaf’s statement, stating that he spoke to him over phone. “He is a fatherly figure. He has not spoken anything wrong and has advised me like my father does,” he added.

When asked about similar statement by MP Aga Ruhullah, CM Omar said that there is a lot of difference between Mian Altaf and Aga Ruhullah—(KNO)

Altaf Bukhari Urges J&K Leaders to Unite for Statehood, Criticises Delhi for Unfulfilled Promises

Altaf Bukhari

 Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Thursday said that the time has come for the political leadership of J&K to unite on the issue of statehood and engage honestly with Delhi to restore the rights of the people.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Speaking to the media after a core group meeting at the party headquarters in Srinagar, Bukhari said promises made by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah about dialogue with the youth of Jammu and Kashmir have not been fulfilled yet.

According to KNS, he said people were told there would be outreach, but there has been no engagement. “Is this also a promise?” he asked, adding that Jammu and Kashmir is not Bihar or Delhi, and has its own geographical and political context with borders shared with Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan.

Bukhari criticised the political environment in the region, calling it a “fixed match” where both the opposition and ruling parties play roles without delivering for the people. He accused some parties of deflecting blame and doing little to address unemployment or prevent youth from being jailed. “All communities that have reached this stage are only defaming each other. If they were doing something for the people, our youth would not be in jail.”

Referring to the recent past, he said that after the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, it became clear that the people of J&K need to be united. “Elections are fine, we contest each other. But it is the government’s duty to support everyone afterward. Unfortunately, villages that voted against them are being excluded from development.”

He said Apni Party has never sought power for personal gain but to help people recover from the uncertainty post-2019. “If we had been trusted in the past elections, we might have had a chance to change things. But people easily believe lies and ignore the truth.”

On economic issues, Bukhari pointed to the poor condition of roads, the decline of the tourism sector, and the collapse of the horticulture industry. He demanded immediate rent relief and subsidies for farmers and questioned why available development funds remain unspent.

He also criticised the arrest and relocation of Kashmiri youth to jails outside the region, calling it unjust. “Bring them back. At least spare them the suffering of being jailed far from home.”

Bukhari appealed to voters to use the upcoming by-elections as a form of protest. “This election is not about victory or forming a government. It is about registering the truth. Those who change colours between night and morning must be exposed.”

He said Apni Party’s role will continue with patience and that the party will defend the rights of the youth and raise its voice wherever necessary. Bukhari warned that the BJP’s tactics during national elections often come at the cost of Kashmir’s youth. “Do not get emotional. Defeat every attempt to use J&K as an electoral tool”

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Search for Two Missing Para Commandos in Anantnag Enters Third Day Amid Harsh Weather

Missing Para Commandos

The search operation to locate and rescue two missing soldiers in Anantnag district of Jammu entered its third day on Thursday, officials here said.

Dense vegetation, rough terrain and inclement weather continued to hinder the efforts, they added.
The soldiers, both commandos of an elite Para unit, went missing during a combing operation in the Kokernag area on Tuesday. The operation was launched two days ago in the Ahlan Gadole area, following inputs that a group of terrorists was hiding in the area, officials said.

According to officials, the two soldiers went missing after their communication line went out. Helicopters were pressed into aerial reconnaissance to locate the commandos.Srinagar-based Chinar Corps of the Army said the operational team was caught in a severe snowstorm on Monday night.

“On the intervening night of October 6 and 7, an operational team on the Kishtwar range confronted a severe snowstorm and whiteout conditions in the mountains of South Kashmir. Since then, two soldiers have gone out of communication,” the Chinar Corps said in a post on X on Wednesday.

“Intense search and rescue operations have been launched but hampered due to prevailing adverse weather conditions,” it said.

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Jammu Schools Closed for Two Days Due to Heavy Rainfall Warning

School Timings

The Directorate of School Education Jammu (DSEJ) has ordered the closure of all government and private schools across the Jammu Division for two days in view of the heavy rainfall warning.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

An order, issued by Dr. Naseem Javaid Chowdhary (JKAS), Director School Education Jammu states that the decision follows the weather advisory issued by the Indian Meteorological Department, which has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in several parts of the division.

“To ensure the safety and security of students and staff, all Government and Private Schools across Jammu Division shall remain closed on 06-10-2025 (Monday) and *07-10-2025 (Tuesday),” the order reads.Further updates will be communicated as per the weather situation. (KNC)

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MLA Sajjad Shaheen Kick-Starts Macadamisation of Banihal–Chanjloo Road, Fulfilling Long-Pending Public Demand

MLA Sajjad Shaheen

Continuing the momentum of road development works in Banihal constituency, National Conference leader and MLA Banihal, Sajjad Shaheen, today kick-started the macadamisation of the Banihal–Chanjloo road, fulfilling a long-pending demand of the local population.

Shaheen said that this project is part of the broader initiative to strengthen road connectivity across the constituency and follows the recent macadamisation of the Banihal–Lamber and Banihal–Dooligam roads. He expressed confidence that these works will greatly ease the hardships of commuters, ensure safer and smoother travel, and improve access to far-flung villages.

“Improved connectivity is the backbone of development. Our people have suffered due to poor road conditions for decades. The present government under Hon’ble Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has prioritised road infrastructure, and Banihal is now witnessing projects that were long overdue,” Shaheen said.

The MLA extended gratitude to the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister for their support, noting that more roads approved under the Banihal–Gool constituency plan will be taken up in a phased manner. He assured the people that quality work and time-bound completion will remain his top priority.

Shaheen reiterated his resolve to continue pursuing all developmental projects with missionary zeal, emphasising that no village in Banihal will be left disconnected from the mainstream of development.

Local residents warmly welcomed the initiative and expressed optimism that the pace of development in Banihal will continue with renewed energy.

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BGSBU Launches 5 Day Induction Programme 2025 to Welcome and Guide Newly Admitted Students

5 Day Induction Programme 2025

Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU) inaugurated a 5 day Induction Programme today for the newly admitted students of various academic programmes. The initiative is designed to familiarize the fresh batch with the University’s academic environment, ethos, and opportunities, and is being held simultaneously at three venues — the University Auditorium, IT Hall, and Biosciences Hall.

In his message, Vice Chancellor Prof. Jawaid Iqbal extended his greetings to the newly admitted students and welcomed them into the BGSBU fraternity. He emphasized the University’s commitment to fostering academic excellence, innovation, and values of inclusivity and service.

Mr. Abhishek Sharma, IAS, Registrar BGSBU, graced the inaugural session as the Chief Guest. Extending a warm welcome to the students, he congratulated them for securing admission to the University and said that they were now part of an institution known for its commitment to quality education and holistic development.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sharma emphasized the importance of discipline, dedication, and curiosity in a student’s life. “University life is not just about acquiring degrees but about shaping your personality, developing critical thinking, and preparing yourself for the challenges of the future,” he remarked.

Highlighting the opportunities available at BGSBU, the Registrar said, “This University provides a platform to nurture talent, whether in academics, research, innovation, or cultural and sports activities. I urge students to make the best use of every facility and support system that the University offers.”

He further encouraged the students to actively participate in all sessions of the Induction Programme, noting that the activities were carefully designed to provide them with insights into academic regulations, career development prospects, and the values of teamwork and leadership. “The friendships, experiences, and values you build here will stay with you for life. Let this journey be one of learning, exploration, and contribution,” Mr. Sharma added.

The inaugural programme was supervised by Associate Deans Dr. A. A. Shah, Dr. Shams Kamal Anjum, and Dr. Titi Xavier, who oversaw the sessions across the three designated halls. Dr. Vishal Puri, Principal COET, along with Dr. Sanjay Jamwal and Dr. Shreekar Pant, acted as the nodal officers for the smooth conduct of the inaugural event. Those who were present on the occasion included Mohd Ishaq Controller of Examination, Joint Registrar and Deputy Registrars , Heads and Coordinators of various departments and faculty members of the University.

The Induction Programme includes lectures on the journey of BGSBU, ice-breaking sessions, interaction with faculty and experts, as well as orientation about student support services. The event is being coordinated by the Admission Cell of the University.

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