‘Nation looks at J&K Police with admiration’

UDHAMPUR, JUNE 16: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Monday attended the Passing-out Parade of the Probationers Deputy Superintendents of Police (DySsP) 17th Batch and Probationers Sub-Inspectors (PSIs) 26th Batch at SKPA, Udhampur.
A total of 49 Deputy Superintendents of Police and 1112 Probationary Sub-Inspectors (PSIs) completed their rigorous training today at the Police Academy.
In his address, the Lieutenant Governor congratulated all the passing out police officials and called upon them to uphold the values, traditions and ethos of J&K Police.
“For thousands of years, an important part of our society, a group of warriors have been making supreme sacrifices to establish the victory of Dharma over Adharma. Those warriors have creative power of Lord Brahma, the nurturing power of Lord Vishnu and the absolute power of Lord Shiva. The same invincible power is being imparted to 49 Probationer DySsP and 1112 Probationer Sub-Inspectors at the Parade,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He paid tributes to the brave-hearts of J&K Police who have laid down their lives for the nation.
“I am proud of our valiant personnel and officers of Jammu Kashmir Police. Entire nation looks at our police force with admiration and respect for professional competence, for successful handling of security challenges on multiple fronts and ruthlessly combating terrorism, ” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor observed that the brave personnel must protect the whole society in every possible way to ensure peace, development and stability.
“Our ancient values focus on- truth, justice, morality, law and good governance- and these values need to be protected and nurtured in the society by J&K Police,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor called upon J&K Police Force to utilise the modern technology like Artificial Intelligence to enhance its capability of data collection and analysis to counter security threats, prevent radicalisation and triumph over adverse situations.
“Complete eradication of terrorism from the soil of Jammu Kashmir is our top priority. Our mighty warriors of J&K Police must adopt a multi-pronged approach and harness the power of intelligence, community engagement, technology, and inter-agency collaboration.
Despite remarkable changes in technology, there is no alternative to beat policing and area policing. Therefore, we have to bring beat policing to the centre of the security apparatus. We must strike a fine balance between Techint and Humint to strengthen overall counter-terrorism efforts,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor further asked the police personnel to focus on fostering collective vigilance in the communities.
He said this collective vigilance will not only enable the police force to ensure a coordinated response against terrorists but will also strengthen the trust with all sections of society.
The Lieutenant Governor, in his address, emphasised on Intelligence-Driven Anti-Terror Operations.
“I have given a free hand to the Jammu and Kashmir Police Force and security forces to deal with the terrorists and terror eco-system within J&K. I want the mighty police force, the most powerful Indian Army and the valiant CAPF to work together to wipe out the terrorists and their support system.
We must intensify targeted strike on the OGWs network and the elements providing logistical and financial support to the terrorists should be brought to justice,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor also extended his felicitations to all the trainers and officials of Police Academy Udhampur and the family members of the passing out DySsP and PSIs.
Garib Dass, Director, Udhampur Police Academy briefed about the program and various activities conducted during the Training course.
The training program equipped recruits with high proficiency in New Criminal Laws, Artificial Intelligence, cybercrime, narc-terrorism, general warfare, field craft and tactics, counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency, human rights, and law & order.
The Lieutenant Governor took the ceremonial Salute and inspected the parade. He also felicitated the new recruits who excelled during their training.
An oath was administered to the passing out DySsP and PSIs for performing their duties with dedication and honesty.
Nalin Prabhat, DGP J&K; Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; Saloni Rai, Deputy Commissioner Udhampur; senior officials of Police, Security Forces and civil administration and family members of the passing out DySsP and PSIs were present.
Lal Chand, Chairman, District Development Council, Udhampur; Pawan Gupta, Balwant Singh Mankotia, RS Pathania and Sunil Bhardwaj- Members of Legislative Assembly, and prominent citizens in large number were also present on the occasion.

‘Rains, gusty winds till June 22’
By: Owais Gul
Srinagar, Jun 16: Amid the possibility of a brief spell of rain for the next four days, the maximum temperature across Jammu and Kashmir has settled below the normal point, bringing relief to the people from the scorching heatwave that continued for more than a week across the region.
The local Meteorological department here has issued yellow alert till June 22, predicting isolated thunderstorm, lightening, gusty and strong winds till June 20 and isolate heavy rain, thunderstorm, lightening with gusty winds on June 21 and 22.
Director MeT, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that there is a possibility of a brief spell of rain, thundershower with gusty winds at isolated to scattered places till June 20.
However, he added that generally cloudy weather with intermittent spells of rain and thundershower is expected at many places between June 21 and June 23.
Amidst the forecast, the farmers have been advised to continue the farm operations.
Meanwhile, the people across J&K heaved a sigh of relief from the intense heatwave as the mercury settled below normal at all the stations after more than a week.
In Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, the mercury settled at 25.2 degrees Celsius, while in Jammu, the winter capital of the region, a maximum temperature of 32.3 degrees Celsius was recorded on Monday.
Qazigund, a gateway of Kashmir, recorded 22.8 degrees Celsius while Pahalgam, a famous tourist destination, recorded 20.2 degrees Celsius. In Kupwara, the mercury settled at 25.0 degrees Celsius and Kokernag and Gulmarg, a famous ski resort, recorded 21.4 degrees Celsius and 17.0 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Banihal in Jammu division recorded 21.4 degrees Celsius while Katra recorded 29.9 degrees Celsius. Batote and Bhaderwah recorded 23.1 degrees Celsius and 23.6 degrees Celsius, respectively. (KNO)

New Delhi, June 16: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has achieved the target of ‘Zero Casualty’ during disasters in the past 10 years, bringing it close to becoming a global leader in crisis management.
Addressing the annual conference of Relief Commissioners and Disaster Response Forces of States and Union Territories, HM Shah said, “In the last 10 years, we have achieved a lot in four areas of capacity, speed, efficiency and accuracy.”
“Speed is of the essence in any operation related to disaster management. Timely response to a disaster and saving lives is the most important objective for which we have made big strides through the training of the workforce and introduction of technology and advance warning system for the community,” he said.
“Though the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) works under my ministry, I can confidently say that it has built a strong image, earned recognition, and gained respect across the country,” said HM Shah.
The NDRF has also worked hard to train jawans of the State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF), he said.
He praised the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), NDRF and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) for bringing India closer to becoming a global leader in disaster management.
HM Shah said that till a decade ago, disaster management was limited to offering relief after a calamity, however, over the decade, India’s disaster management is moving forward with a ‘Zero Casualty Approach’ which has even surprised the global community.
The Union Minister stressed on research to improve advanced warning systems for disaster response and mitigation.
“We have succeeded in redefining our disaster response from reactive to proactive over the decade,” said HM Shah, adding that ‘Bhagidhari’ has been the foundation of improving the response system.
“Starting from the Central government to State governments and to local bodies, a unified approach has been adopted for disaster response. Now, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are even involving the community in the effort,” he said.
HM Shah said that in the coming decade, each of the youth in the country will be equipped with the capability to join disaster response.
Highlighting the multi-dimensional approach of the government, the Home Minister said the budgetary allocation for disaster response forces has also been increased threefold over the past decade.
“In the case of NDRF, the allocation was Rs 28,000 crore between 2004 and 2014, but during 2014 and 2024 it was raised to Rs 84,000 crore,” he said.
For the SDRF, the budget between 2004 and 2014 was Rs 38,000 crore, but between 2014 and 2024 it was increased to Rs 1.44 lakh crore, he said.
Coalition for CDRI, an international organisation launched by PM Modi, is a global partnership of 49 members dedicated to climate and disaster-resilient infrastructure solutions.
It is a partnership of national governments, UN agencies and programmes, multilateral development banks and financing mechanisms, the private sector, and academia. CDRI advances the cause of climate and disaster-resilient infrastructure (DRI).
HM Shah stated that over the past two years, workshops of all agencies related to relief and disaster management have been brought under one platform, adopting a ‘Whole of Government’ approach to create a think tank to work in a unified manner.
He said this has helped address shortcomings and prepare the entire country to fight the disasters. Additionally, a multi-stakeholder approach and inter-agency coordination have been effectively achieved.
The Home Minister said that due to climate change and global warming, the entire world is grappling with disasters.
He highlighted that NDMA has done commendable work in policy frameworks, research, disseminating various training materials, developing apps, and overall coordination.
HM Shah said that during the Modi government’s tenure, there has been a significant shift in the approach related to disaster management.
He emphasised the importance of anticipating future disasters, conducting advanced research, compiling global ideas in this field, and adapting them to suit India’s geographical conditions.
The Union Home Minister said, “India has achieved a great deal in the development of early warning systems. Timely preparedness has been integrated with the calendar, a scientific approach has been evolved for active prevention and mitigation, and we have also achieved significant success in disaster risk reduction.”
He said that by pursuing the goal of ‘Minimum Casualty’, the Modi government has amazed the entire world by achieving the target of ‘Zero Casualty’ in 10 years.
He said that in 1999, a super cyclone hit Odisha, in which 10,000 people lost their lives, whereas in 2019, during Cyclone Fani in Odisha, only one person died.
Later, during Cyclone Biparjoy in Gujarat, there were zero casualties — not even a single human or animal died.
He said this demonstrates that if local units, the public, the state, the Centre, all departments, scientists, and security personnel work together, great achievements can be attained.

New Delhi, June 16: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said that the disaster response forces have worked hard over the past 10 years to take the country on the verge of becoming a global leader in crisis management.
Addressing the Relief Commissioners and Disaster Response Forces Conference, HM Shah said, “In the last 10 years, we have achieved a lot in four areas of capacity, speed, efficiency and accuracy.”
“Speed is of essence in any operation related to disaster management. Timely response to a disaster and saving lives is the most important objective for which we have made big strides through training of workforce and introduction of technology and advance warning system for the community,” he said.
“Though the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) works under my ministry, I can confidently say that it has built a strong image, earned recognition, and gained respect across the country,” said HM Shah.
The NDRF has also worked hard to train jawans of the State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF), he said.
He praised National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), NDRF and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) for bringing India closer to becoming a global leader in disaster management.
HM Shah said till a decade ago disaster management was limited to offering relief after a calamity, however, over the decade India’s disaster management is moving forward with a ‘Zero Casualty Approach’ which has even surprised the global community.
The Union Minister stressed on research to improve advance warning systems for disaster response and mitigation.
“We have succeeded in redefining our disaster response from reactive to pro-active over the decade,” said HM Shah, adding that ‘Bhagidhari’ has been the foundation of improving the response system.
“Starting from the Central government to State governments and to local bodies, a unified approach has been adopted for disaster response. Now, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi we are even involving the community in the effort,” he said.
HM Shah said in the coming decade each of the youth in the country will be equipped with the capability to join disaster response.

Says it could not have occurred without funds

Paris/New Delhi, June 16: In a major development, the global Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on Monday severely condemned the “brutal terrorist attack” in Pahalgam on April 22, stating that it could not have taken place without “money and the means” to move funds between terrorist supporters.
“Terrorist attacks kill, maim and inspire fear around the world. The FATF notes with grave concern and condemns the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22 April 2025. This, and other recent attacks, could not occur without money and the means to move funds between terrorist supporters,” the FATF said in a statement on Monday after its plenary meeting.
It mentioned further: “As highlighted by the FATF President at the recent No Money for Terror Conference in Munich, no single company, authority, or country can combat this challenge alone. We must be unified against the scourge of global terrorism. Because terrorists need to succeed only once to achieve their goal, while we have to succeed every time to prevent it.”
As many as 26 innocent tourists were massacred in the Pakistan-sponsored terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.
Investigations into the Pahalgam terror attack brought out the communication nodes of terrorists in and to Pakistan. A group calling itself The Resistance Front (TRF) – a front for the UN-proscribed Pakistani terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba – had claimed responsibility for the attack.
India had given inputs about the TRF in the half-yearly report to the Monitoring Team of the United Nations’ 1267 Sanctions Committee in May and November 2024, bringing out its role as a cover for Pakistan-based terrorist groups.
Earlier too, in December 2023, India had informed the monitoring team about LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammad operating through small terror groups such as the TRF. Pakistan’s pressure to remove references to TRF in the April 25 UN Security Council Press Statement were highlighted by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) during Operation Sindoor.
Asserting that Pakistan has a history of misusing bailout packages for cross-border terrorism, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had called for putting the failed state back on the FATF grey list.
“The state and non-state actors are two sides of the same coin in Pakistan, which became evident when designated terrorists were accorded funerals with state honours,” Singh said earlier this month.
The FATF, which develops and promotes policies to protect the global financial system against money laundering, terrorist financing and the financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, has acknowledged in the past that India has suffered from the effects of terrorism consistently since its independence in 1947 and still faces a “disparate range of terrorism threats”, categorised into different theatres.
Several experts, including former diplomats and counterterrorism experts, backed a strong action against Pakistan, including by putting the country back on the grey list of the FATF for its continuous involvement in terror financing and backing global terror outfits.
“Terror doesn’t come out of the blue. It’s something that has to be financed, structured and so forth. So, it’s a long, concerted action that lies behind all this terror. Therefore, you need to do whatever you can globally, also regionally, to secure that we don’t have financing that will flow into the streams of terror. It has to stop. Pakistan has to be put where they belong. So, they have to be put on that list, no doubt about that,” Freddy Svane, the former Danish Ambassador to India, said in an exclusive interview, earlier this month.

Pachmarhi (Madhya Pradesh), June 16: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, addressing the BJP’s three-day training camp in Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh, reiterated “Jinh mohi mara, te mai maare…” (I struck those who struck me) from the Ramcharitmanas, invoking the spirit behind India’s recent Operation Sindoor.
His message came just weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 civilians, including a Nepali national, were killed by Pakistan-backed militants.
Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, was India’s measured yet assertive response, targeting nine terror hubs linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Defence Minister Singh described it as a restrained operation guided by justice, not provocation. Amid this backdrop of national resolve, the Defence Minister addressed more than 200 BJP MPs and MLAs at the camp in the hill station Pachmarhi, once a colonial settlement, delivering a powerful message about leadership, morality, and public duty.
He reminded party leaders that power in a democracy is never permanent and must be wielded with humility. Today the mandate may rest with one leader, he said, but tomorrow it may shift elsewhere. “Therefore, arrogance must be avoided and public service embraced with honesty and accountability,” the Defence Minister said. Rajnath Singh used the platform to remind attendees of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s long and disciplined journey from its Jan Sangh origins.
Citing icons like Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Deendayal Upadhyay, and Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, he painted a portrait of political life centred on values, restraint, and dedication to national service. Rajanth Singh’s guidance reflected not only his role as Defence Minister but also his stature as a former BJP national president.
The training camp, held from June 14 to 16, was inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and included 201 BJP representatives. Sessions were organised to deepen ideological understanding and strengthen leadership ethics, with breakout discussions tailored for first-time MLAs as well as experienced legislators. Participants were grouped based on experience—from first-term MLAs to those in their third or ninth term—encouraging peer learning and shared reflection.
Several participants reflected on the impact of the session. Concluding the camp, Madhya Pradesh BJP President VD Sharma confirmed that the training was a focused and serious effort to equip lawmakers for principled public life. Though senior BJP leader Jyotiraditya Scindia and 15 MLAs were unable to attend, the overall turnout and depth of discussion were seen as strong signs of internal cohesion and preparation.

Ahmedabad, June 16: A high-level team of international aviation investigators and Boeing representatives have arrived in Ahmedabad to support India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) in examining the June 12 fatal crash of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
The tragic incident claimed 241 lives, including passengers and crew on board.
The investigative delegation includes officials from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), as confirmed by multiple sources.
Their involvement is in accordance with global civil aviation norms, particularly Annex 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which mandates collaboration with the aircraft’s country of manufacture and those with significant victim representation.
Among the deceased were 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese, one Canadian, and 181 Indian citizens, including 12 crew members. The AAIB initiated a formal inquiry on the day of the crash, dispatching a five-member “Go Team” led by the Director General. This was later bolstered by forensic analysts, medical experts, and top officials from the Civil Aviation Ministry, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Airports Authority of India (AAI), and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).
Central agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA), are also aiding the probe.
A major development occurred on June 13 when the Flight Data Recorder (FDR), commonly known as a black box, was recovered. The data is expected to offer critical insights into the aircraft’s final minutes. The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), which captures audio from inside the flight deck, has also been retrieved. Meanwhile, Boeing is coordinating with Indian authorities while deferring to the AAIB, as per international protocol.
The US-based manufacturer will be joined by experts from GE Aerospace, the engine supplier for the aircraft, which has cancelled other engagements to prioritise the investigation in India.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Principal Secretary, P.K. Mishra, visited the crash site and the Civil Hospital where victims’ mortal remains are being identified. He later chaired a high-level meeting with central and state officials, reviewing relief operations and reiterating the Centre’s commitment to supporting the bereaved families.
The PMO officials, Tarun Kapoor and Mangesh Ghildiyal, accompanied him. The investigation continued amid growing public scrutiny of Boeing and calls for a thorough examination of the causes behind the deadly crash.

J&K, Ladakh in 2026, rest in 2027

New Delhi, June 16: The Union Home Ministry on Monday issued the official notification for conducting the population census in the country.
The Census, which will also include humongous data collection, including the caste details, will be conducted in two phases.
The first phase will cover the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, and two hilly states — Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand — beginning on October 1, 2026.
The second phase will kick off on March 1, 2027.
The Home Ministry notification issued under Section 3 of the Census Act, 1948 (37 of 1948), said, “A census of the population shall be undertaken during the year 2027. The reference date for the said census shall be 00.00 hours of March 1, 2027, except for the Union territory of Ladakh and snow-bound non-synchronous areas of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the States of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.”
“In respect of the Union territory of Ladakh and snow-bound non-synchronous areas of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the States of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the reference date shall be 00:00 hours of October 1, 2026,” it added.
Notably, this is the first time that caste enumeration will be made part of the mammoth Census exercise. The Centre, in a recent cabinet meeting, had given clearance for caste enumeration in the Census, reasoning that it would enable the Central government to frame policies with better precision and also make it target-oriented.
The green light for caste-based Census also stirred political fight as the Congress claimed that the Modi government was forced to include its idea of social justice and social empowerment. The BJP mocked the Opposition, claiming that the latter only claimed to be champions for the Backward Classes, but it was the NDA government, which was effecting a decisive change at the ground level.

Srinagar, June 16: As part of its continuing operation against terrorism, J&K’s Special Investigation Agency (SIA) attached the property of a Pakistan-based terrorist in Kupwara district on Monday, officials said.
A statement by SIA said that the attached property belongs to Abdul Hamid Lone, son of Abdul Aziz Lone, resident of Mawar Bala Qalamabad, Handwara, in Kupwara.
“The immovable property attached comprises land bearing Khasra No. 110-min (02 Kanal 03 Marlas) and Khasra No. 115-min (01 Kanal 16 Marlas). The attachment has been made after following due legal process and with proper authorisation from the Hon’ble NIA Court, Kulgam,” it said.
It said that the accused, Abdul Hamid Lone, is an absconding terrorist wanted in FIR number 02/2023 of Police Station CIK/SIA Kashmir, for his involvement in multiple offences under Sections 13, 17, 18, 21, 39, 40 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Section 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
“He has been evading arrest to avoid legal proceedings following his active participation in terrorist activities. The property attachment was executed in the presence of an Executive Magistrate, ensuring full compliance with statutory procedures,” the SIA statement said.
“This action represents a significant milestone in the continuing investigation into unlawful and anti-national activities in the region. It also reflects the SIA’s unwavering commitment to neutralise terrorist threats, safeguard national security, and uphold peace and rule of law in Jammu and Kashmir,” the agency said, adding that it, in collaboration with other security and intelligence agencies, remains steadfast in its resolve to take stringent actions against individuals and entities involved in activities that threaten the sovereignty, integrity, and unity of the nation.
The SIA has been investigating some high profile terrorism linked crimes.
It also investigated and subsequently presented a charge sheet in the court against the murder of advocate Babar Qadri, who was killed in his house in Srinagar city by terrorists on September 24, 2020.
The SIA arrested and later charged the High Court Bar Association’s former President in Qadri’s murder.