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The Kashmiri Pandits have gathered at Tulmulla despite a weather advisory and security concerns after the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam.

Hundreds of Kashmiri Pandits have gathered at Tulmulla in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district to participate in the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela, an age-old festival symbolising Kashmir’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage.

Despite a weather advisory and security concerns after the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, faith has brought the Kashmiri pandits back to their roots for the annual reunion that follows over three decades of separation and displacement.

After the outbreak of terrorist attacks in 1990, thousands of Pandit families had migrated from the Valley to Jammu and other parts of the country. Official records show over 64,000 Kashmiri Pandit families are living outside Kashmir Valley – among them 43,000 in migrant camps in Jammu and over 19,000 in Delhi.’

Dedicated to Goddess Ragnya Devi, the Kheer Bhawani Mela is one of the largest Hindu gatherings in the Valley, second only to the Amarnath Yatra.

For many years, local Muslims looked after her temple located in the middle of a spring, where devotees offer milk and rice pudding. Kashmiri Pandits believe that the water at the spring shrine changes colour and it can foretell the future. If the colour of the water changes back, it’s considered a bad omen.

“The Mela is a symbol of communal harmony. All arrangements here have been made by local Muslims. Despite efforts to sow discord between the two communities, no one could break this centuries-old bond,” said a Kashmiri Pandit leading prayers at the spring shrine.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made for the Mela. Hundreds of Jammu and Kashmir police and CRPF personnel have been deployed in and around the temple. All roads leading to Kheer Bhawani have been sanitised to ensure a hassle-free moment for the devotees.

Lt Governor Manoj Sinha visited the shrine today and offered prayers. Recently, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had also visited Tulmulla and reviewed preparations for the Mela.

The three government employees have been identified as Malik Ishfaq Naseer, Ajaz Ahmed, and Waseem Ahmad Khan.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has sacked three government employees over terror links in a massive crackdown on terror support structures active in the Union territory where an April attack had left 26 civilians dead, sources said. The sacked employees were allegedly working for Pakistan-based terror groups, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), they added.

The accused have been identified as Malik Ishfaq Naseer, a police constable, Ajaz Ahmed, a teacher, and Waseem Ahmad Khan, a junior assistant at the Government Medical College, Srinagar.

All three have been sent to jail.

A senior security official said that the sacked employees were found to be actively working for the banned groups that carried out terror attacks on civilians and forces.

“Having a mole and a dangerous terrorist associate in the ranks of police and other government departments is a huge threat, a continuation of which can be extremely expensive for the sovereignty and integrity of the nation,” said the official.

Among those in custody is Ishfaq Naseer, who had joined the state police in 2007. His brother, Asif Naseer, was killed in an encounter with security forces in 2019. His terror links were exposed during a probe into an arms smuggling case

Naseer helped coordinate the LeT’s consignments of arms, explosives, and narcotics, and ensure they would reach the Pakistani terrorists and their handlers, said the official. Apart from scouting for safe locations for LeT handlers, he also collected and provided arms and ammunition to terrorists, he said.

The official said Ajaz Ahmed, a teacher who worked for the Hizbul, had joined the School Education Department in 2011 and was active in the Poonch region, helping terrorists to smuggle arms and drugs.

In 2023, he was arrested during a routine check on his way to deliver a consignment of arms and ammunition at the direction of his Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK)-based handler, said the official. Hizbul posters were also recovered from him.

Waseem Khan was appointed by the health and medical education department in 2007 and worked as a junior assistant at the Government Medical College, Srinagar. His terror links were exposed in 2018, and he was found involved in the terror plot that led to the killing of journalist Shujaat Bukhari and his two guards, said an official.

The military situation in Jammu and Kashmir early in September 1948, when the command was unified, was far from satisfactory. Our garrisons at Leh and Poonch were isolated, and Pakistan was increasing her pressure.

Our L of C [line of communications] Jammu-Srinagar was threatened by infiltrations both from the east and from the west. Although Pakistan had launched no major attacks, our L of C Jammu-Naushehra was also very vulnerable. The threat to Jammu lay in its proximity to the Pakistan border, and to Naushera in the strong Pakistan build-up in the area of Bhimber-Sadabad. Fighting around Jhangar, Uri and Tithwal had been stabilized, and Pakistan had committed her regular troops in these areas supported by mountain and field guns. In the case of Uri, they had also brought up medium guns.

For India, the military situation in Kashmir had been adversely influenced by political considerations. Pakistan had no legal or moral right, in view of the expressed wishes of the people and its ruler, to operate with its army in Kashmir, whereas India did. India referred the matter to the UN, which set up the UN Commission on India and Pakistan (UNCIP), before which both parties came to an agreement to refrain from offensive action which was likely to aggravate the situation.

Because of its strict adherence to this agreement, India was unable to use her air force in its primary role of isolating the battlefield by attacking Pakistan’s supply and communications bases, or to attack Pakistan’s installations on the Indian side of the border, inside Kashmir, such as Muzaffarabad and Mirpur, because of possible escalation.

On the other hand, Pakistan made full use of the lull caused by the agreement to build its strength and supplement its forces in J&K territory, in such a manner that Poonch and Leh were systematically encircled. For Leh, we had an alternative means of communication via Manali; but the route was long and costly and only usable between June and October. Poonch, however, was so closely invested that our supply planes could not land there, while Pakistan constantly used her artillery, shells often falling amongst the refugees whom we had been giving shelter.

The general situation in September 1948, with Leh and Poonch in danger, was, therefore, militarily unsound; but was forced upon us-an example that arms are the servants of political policy. Pakistan continued to aggravate the situation, mustering greater and greater strength against the two isolated garrisons, preparing to defeat them in detail, failing which, starving them and the refugees into submission. The problem was whether we should evacuate these two garrisons or force a link-up.

The gaps in our line were from Baltal via Kargil to Leh and from Rajori to Poonch. Pram Baltal to Kargil (fifty miles), the track was snowbound throughout the winter, whereas from Kargil to Leh (150 miles), it was open throughout the year. Rajori to Poonch was only a distance of fifty miles, but this route ran over a series of high ranges and deep valleys with no tracks across them.

If Kashmir was not allowed to be captured by Pakistan, we had to close these two gaps and link-up these garrisons. To achieve this end, we carried out two relief operations. I shall later describe those two operations: ‘OP DUCK’ (the name of which was afterwards changed to ‘OP BISON’, and ‘OP EASY’), which led to the ceasefire.

Land belonging to a terrorist operating from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) was attached under the UAPA in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir

Land belonging to a terrorist operating from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) was attached under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, police said.

The attachment of the over one-and-a-half kanal of agricultural land owned by PoK settled terrorist Ali Mohd alias Ibrahim Sheikh in Dharamkund’s Sumbar village is a significant move to combat terrorism, a police spokesperson said.

“The attached property has been duly marked in revenue records, and notices prohibiting its sale or transfer have been served under the UAPA,” he said, adding the attachment is linked to a case registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and UAPA last year.

He said the action marks a significant milestone in the ongoing investigation into unlawful and subversive activities in the region and highlights the dedication of the force in neutralising the threats to national security and maintaining peace and order.

Police, in collaboration with other agencies, remain resolute in their mission to take stringent measures against individuals and entities involved in activities threatening the sovereignty and integrity of the nation, the spokesperson said.

Land belonging to a terrorist operating from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) was attached under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, police said.

The attachment of the over one-and-a-half kanal of agricultural land owned by PoK settled terrorist Ali Mohd alias Ibrahim Sheikh in Dharamkund’s Sumbar village is a significant move to combat terrorism, a police spokesperson said.

“The attached property has been duly marked in revenue records, and notices prohibiting its sale or transfer have been served under the UAPA,” he said, adding the attachment is linked to a case registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and UAPA last year.

He said the action marks a significant milestone in the ongoing investigation into unlawful and subversive activities in the region and highlights the dedication of the force in neutralising the threats to national security and maintaining peace and order.

Police, in collaboration with other agencies, remain resolute in their mission to take stringent measures against individuals and entities involved in activities threatening the sovereignty and integrity of the nation, the spokesperson said.

Indian security forces have launched “Operation Shiva” to ensure the smooth conduct of the 38-day Amarnath Yatra

A month after a ghastly terror attack left 26 civilians dead in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, a terror threat has emerged ahead of the Amarnath Yatra. Indian security forces have launched “Operation Shiva” to ensure the smooth conduct of the 38-day pilgrimage.

The yatra begins on July 3 and will continue till August 9, involving a gruelling trek to a cave shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva at a height of 3,880 metres in the Himalayas. The first batch of pilgrims will leave for the yatra in buses from Srinagar on July 3.

The preparations for the yatra have begun in full swing, taking into account every aspect concerning the devotees’ safety. These include unprecedented arrangements from the Yatri Niwas to the entire route.

Home Minister Amit Shah has directed the security forces to maintain high alert during the Yatra. Top administrative, police, and paramilitary officials have already taken stock of the Yatri Niwas.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has reviewed the security preparations.

Over 50,000 soldiers have deployed along the routes, base camps, and sensitive areas. Drones and helicopters will also be used for surveillance.

A three-tier security system will be in place, including body scanners, CCTV cameras, and 24×7 surveillance, to screen the pilgrims. All registered pilgrims will be given RFID tags that will make their real-time tracking possible.

Security forces have already done a 3D mapping of the route to the cave shrine. Security audit of the entry and exit points is also over.

The route has been wrapped in a thick security layer comprising over 500 companies of central paramilitary forces. Anti-sabotage teams will also be deployed along the routes, and regular mock drills will be held.

The unprecedented security arrangements come in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 25 tourists and a Kashmiri pony ride operator were shot dead by Pakistan-linked terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir.

At least 28,000 tonnes of steel were used to build the bridge. The engineers also used six lakh bolts, and 17 spans

The world will see an engineering marvel in India on Friday when Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the world’s tallest railway bridge over the River Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir. Vande Bharat trains to be flagged off by the prime minister on Friday will run between Katra and Srinagar in the Union Territory.

NDTV went near the bridge to take a look at India’s latest engineering achievement. The bridge is 359 metres tall – five times the height of Qutub Minar in Delhi and some 35 metres taller than Eiffel Tower in Paris.

The steel arc bridge is 1,315 metres long and it has been engineered to withstand seismic conditions and strong winds over 260 kmph.

At least 28,000 tonnes of steel were used to build the bridge. The engineers also used six lakh bolts, and 17 spans.

Costing over Rs 14,000 crore, nations have been looking closely and discussing its design and technical features.

Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee approved the bridge’s construction in 2003. It has since taken 22 years to complete the structure.

A Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) statement said PM Modi will launch multiple development projects worth over Rs 46,000 crore at Katra, the home to the Mata Vaishno Devi temple.

“A key impact of the bridge will be in enhancing connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar. Through Vande Bharat trains moving on the bridge, it will take just about three hours to travel between Katra and Srinagar, reducing existing travel time by two-three hours,” the PMO said.

The Anji Bridge, which will also be inaugurated by PM Modi, is India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge that will serve the nation in a challenging terrain.

The project establishes all-weather, seamless rail connectivity between Kashmir valley and the rest of the country, aiming to transform regional mobility and socio-economic integration.

The bridge is expected to boost tourism in the picturesque region, travel agents said. The Union Tourism Ministry will organise programmes in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department and FICCI to draw crowds.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kashmir is an important initiative to strengthen the confidence of the common people. The world’s highest Chenab railway bridge will be a new hotspot of tourism in Jammu and Kashmir,” Travel Agent Association of India’s managing committee member Rajan Sehgal told NDTV.

The FICCI along with the central government and the Union Territory will hold a big tourism conclave at the Tourism Complex in Srinagar on June 27 and 28 June, he said.

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