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‘Pakistan Internationalized Kashmir Issue After Pahalgam Attack: Omar Abdullah

 

Srinagar, May 12 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has termed the recent militant attack in Pahalgam a serious blow to the union territory’s hard-earned peace, saying it has not only sparked fresh instability but also weakened India’s diplomatic position on Kashmir.

In a conversation with News Channel, Omar Abdullah said the violence has reversed years of steady progress, plunging the region back into uncertainty and fear. “We’ve returned to a space of bloodshed and turmoil. So much has changed on the ground, and yet, the root issues seem unresolved,” he said.

Highlighting Pakistan’s role in the aftermath, the Chief Minister said Islamabad had successfully used the incident to once again “internationalise” the Kashmir issue, undermining New Delhi’s consistent stance that it remains a bilateral matter. “They have done this deliberately, and unfortunately, they’ve succeeded in putting Kashmir back on the global agenda,” Abdullah noted.

He added that the ripple effect of the Pahalgam attack has been felt across the valley. “Tourism has stalled. Markets are deserted. The Valley has emptied in the days following the attack,” Abdullah said, calling it a setback to the peace process and public confidence.

The Pahalgam incident, which left 26 people dead, marked one of the deadliest militant attacks in recent years and has intensified security concerns and cross-border tensions. (CNS)

“Live Shells Being Cleared to Ensure Civilian Safety in Rajouri:” Official

 

Rajouri, May 12 : The Indian Army in collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir Police on Monday launched a joint operation in Rajouri to safely neutralize unexploded artillery shells fired from across the Line of Control during recent cross-border shelling.

An army official told news agency JKNS, “The operation is aimed at clearing live shells from civilian areas to ensure the safety of the local population. Our bomb disposal squads are working closely with police teams to prevent any mishap.”

Meanwhile, Rajouri Police has also issued a public advisory, warning residents against touching or going near any suspicious or unexploded object. “Citizens must immediately report such findings to the authorities. Safety is our top priority,” the police said.

People have been asked to contact PCR Rajouri on 9596520120 or 01962-262515 in case they spot any such object. (JKNS)

Trump’s Kashmir Mediation Offer Rejected by India, Welcomed by Pakistan

 

Srinagar, May 12 : A fresh diplomatic divide has emerged between India and Pakistan over remarks by former US President Donald Trump, who offered to mediate the decades-old Kashmir conflict between the two South Asian neighbours. While India categorically rejected the idea, Pakistan welcomed the gesture.

Speaking to the media in Singapore, India’s High Commissioner Shilpak Ambule made it clear that New Delhi views Kashmir strictly as a bilateral issue. “For us, the word mediation does not work with the Kashmir issue,” he stated.
“Kashmir is not an international issue; it is a matter strictly between India and Pakistan.”

In sharp contrast, Pakistan’s Foreign Office in Islamabad issued a statement appreciating Trump’s willingness to engage in what it described as efforts aimed at resolving a “longstanding issue that has serious implications for peace and security in South Asia and beyond.” Islamabad reiterated its long-held stance that Kashmir must be settled “in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.”

The renewed international attention comes just days after India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire following four days of intense cross-border hostilities, which brought the nuclear-armed neighbours to the brink of escalation. The United States has claimed it played a behind-the-scenes role in helping de-escalate tensions, though details of its involvement remain unclear. (CNS)

Deadly Shells Lurk in Poonch: Police Warn Public Against Touching Suspicious Objects

 

Srinagar, May 12 : In a serious public safety warning, Poonch Police has issued an appeal urging residents of the border district to remain vigilant in light of reports about the presence of unexploded shells in various areas. The police have asked the public to avoid any interaction with suspicious objects that could pose a grave risk to life.

“Do not touch or approach any unexploded shell under any circumstances,” the advisory emphasized, citing potential threats especially in forested and field areas where such objects might be hidden or accidentally uncovered. The appeal also stressed that even taking photos or videos near suspected explosives could be dangerous.

The advisory urged people to immediately vacate the area and contact the nearest police station or call PCR Poonch at +91 90862 53188 if an unexploded shell is found. Police also called on residents to actively educate children, who are often the most vulnerable, about the dangers of picking up unknown metal objects.
In an effort to ensure the safety of the wider community, Poonch Police appealed to the public to spread awareness and report any such discoveries without delay. “Your caution can prevent tragedy. Stay alert, report immediately, and ensure safety,” the statement added.

People have also been asked not to attempt to move, hide, or handle any suspicious items and to cooperate fully with bomb disposal squads when such situations arise. The police highlighted that community awareness and timely action could save many lives.

“Unexploded shells are lethal. Your safety, and that of your loved ones, depends on your vigilance,” the police said, while encouraging the public to remember the life-saving mantra: “One call can save many lives.” (CNS)

MUSSOORIE SKY CAR PRIVATE LIMITED TO LAUNCH INDIA’S LONGEST PASSENGER ROPEWAY CONNECTING MUSSOORIE AND DEHRADUN

New Delhi:  A new chapter in sustainable mountain tourism and urban mobility is about to unfold as Mussoorie Sky Car Private Limited gears up to launch the highly anticipated Dehradun-Mussoorie ropeway. This cutting-edge mono-cable detachable gondola system will span 5.2 kilometres and ascend 1,000 meters, dramatically reducing travel time between Dehradun and Mussoorie to just 20 minutes. The construction of its initial phase it planned to be completed by September 2026. Once operational, it will be South Asia’s longest ropeway of its kind and one of the longest in the world—ushering in a new era of tourism, connectivity, and green infrastructure in the region.

Mussoorie Sky Car Private Limited is a consortium comprising three leading players in the urban mobility and infrastructure sectors: FIL Industries Private Limited, POMA SAS, and SRM Engineering LLP.

FIL Industries Private Limited is a diversified business enterprise with interests in agriculture, F&B, tourism, ropeway mobility solutions, and hospitality. It is also India’s largest CEN-certified ropeway operator, and is known for its flagship project, Skyview by Empyrean, which has been operational since 2019 in Sanget–Patnitop, Jammu and Kashmir. The ropeway spanning 2.8 km, is currently the highest ropeway in India in terms of ground clearance. Over the years, the mountain harbour has established itself as a benchmark for sustainable mobility and tourism infrastructure in the country.

SRM Engineering LLP brings a robust track record in financing, developing, and operating infrastructure assets across India, France, the UAE, and South Africa. Backed by the promoters of Rahman Group and Hindustan Dock Yard Pvt. Ltd., SRM strengthens the project’s development and execution capabilities.

POMA SAS serves as the project’s technical partner, shareholder, and strategic supplier, reinforcing its long-term commitment to ropeway development in India. The Dehradun-Mussoorie ropeway marks POMA’s first concession investment in India and will be the first European-standard ropeway in the country, with a significant portion of the equipment being manufactured locally through POMA India.

“A collaboration like Mussoorie Sky Car will ensure that the project benefits from cutting-edge technology, global engineering expertise, European safety standards, and sustainable design. Together, we are building India’s longest and safest cable car system. Through world-class projects like this, our goal is to place India firmly on the global map as a hub for an advanced, fast, safe, and eco-friendly ropeway system,” said Mr. Syed Junaid Altaf – Group Executive Director, FIL Industries Private Limited.

At the recently held leading international trade fair for alpine technologies, INTERALPIN’25 in Innsbruck, Austria, the three industry leaders introduced the project, officially marking the beginning of their collaboration and the initiation of the ropeways’ construction.

The consortium has also secured the prestigious Yamunotri Ropeway Project. Spanning 3.8 km between Yamunotri and Kharsali in Uttarakhand, the cable car will significantly open access to one of India’s most revered pilgrimage sites.

First Calm Night After Days of Shelling, Chaos; No Fresh Incident Reported

 

Srinagar, May 11: The 11 and 12 May night across Jammu and Kashmir, including the sensitive border areas along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB), passed peacefully with no reports of fresh shelling or firing incidents, bringing much-needed relief after days of intense hostilities, officials said on Monday morning.

Defence sources told news agency JKNS, “night remained largely peaceful in Jammu and Kashmir and other areas along the international border.”

“No incident has been reported, marking the first calm night in recent days,” they said.

Calm comes a day after both India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire, following two weeks marked by intense military exchanges and civilian displacement. The ceasefire was announced after backchannel and military-level communication, reportedly initiated by Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations and accepted by Indian authorities late on May 10.

Earlier, due to heavy cross border shelling Poonch remained the worst hit district where casualties and damage are heavy, 16 people were martyred including 12-year-old 2 siblings. While 5 people were martyred on another day including ADDC Ramban Raj Kumar Thappa.

Heavy cross-border shelling had forced hundreds of families in border villages, like the Uri sector of Baramulla, Samba, Jammu, Udhampur, to flee their homes. Several religious and community-run institutions, including Darul Uloom Sheeri, stepped in to provide temporary shelter, food, and care to the affected people.

The tensions had escalated sharply following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, in which 26 civilians were killed. India had blamed Pakistan-based terror groups for the strike and launched “Operation Sindoor” targeting terror infrastructure across the border.

According to Indian military officials, over 100 terrorists were killed and several terror camps were destroyed in retaliatory strikes.

Following the strikes, reports emerged of increased drone activity from across the border and also in main cities like Srinagar and Awantipora which were intercepted by Indian security forces. Field commanders were given free hand to respond to any fresh provocations even after the ceasefire came into effect.

Defence sources told JKNS that ground forces remain on high alert, but Saturday night’s calm has been seen as a positive sign. “No fresh incidents of ceasefire violation have been reported from any sector. The situation remains under close observation,” a senior defence official said. (JKNS)

SIA, Kashmir busts sleeper cell modules. Raids at around 20 locations across South Kashmir

 

Srinagar, May 11 :  &K police is keeping a surveillance on the terror associates and over ground workers (OGW) working in Kashmir. Technical intelligence indicated that a host of sleeper cells in Kashmir were in direct contact with their handlers based in Pakistan and were involved in conveying sensitive and strategic information about security forces and vital installations via messaging apps including but not limited to WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal and so on. These terror associates were also involved in online radical propaganda on the behest of terrorist commanders of Lashkar-e- Taiba and Jaish-e- Muhammad, impinging upon the national security and integrity.

A spokesman in a statement to Srinagar based news agency Kashmir Dot Com said, On 11 May 2025, the State Investigation Agency (SIA), Kashmir has conducted searches at around 20 locations across all districts of South Kashmir in connection with the investigation of case FIR No. 01/2025 U/S 13, 17, 18, 18-B, 38, 39 UA(P) Act of P/S CI/SIA Kashmir.

During the raids, substantial incriminating materials have been seized and the suspects have been rounded up for further questioning.

Preliminary investigation has clearly brought out that these entities are actively engaged in terrorist conspiracy, propagating and furthering anti-India narratives aimed not only at challenging the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India but also at inciting disaffection, public disorder, and communal hatred.

The State Investigation Agency, Kashmir is steadfast in the commitment of safeguarding national security and upholding public order. It will continue to take firm action against individuals or groups involved in any kind of secessionist and terrorist activities. (KDC)

Kharge, Rahul Write to PM Modi Seeking Special Parliament Session on Terror, Ceasefire

 

Srinagar, May 11 : Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, along with Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi, have written separate letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to convene a special session of Parliament to discuss the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Operation Sindoor, and the ceasefire initiative announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.

In his letter, as per news agency JKNS, Rahul Gandhi reiterated the “unanimous request” of the Opposition to urgently summon a special session. “It is crucial for the people and their representatives to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor, and today’s ceasefire,” Gandhi wrote, noting that the ceasefire was first announced by President Trump.

He added that the session would provide an opportunity to demonstrate a “collective resolve” in addressing the challenges ahead. “I trust that you will consider this demand seriously and swiftly,” he said.

Mallikarjun Kharge, in his letter dated May 11, referred to an earlier joint letter sent on April 28. He reiterated the call for a special Parliament session in light of the “inhuman terror attack” in Pahalgam.

“In view of the latest developments, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha has already written to you again, conveying the unanimous request of all Opposition parties to convene a special session,” Kharge wrote. He emphasized the need to discuss the Pahalgam attack, Operation Sindoor, and the ceasefire declarations made by Washington, and later by the governments of India and Pakistan.

Kharge said he was writing in full support of the Lok Sabha opposition’s demand and hoped the Prime Minister would agree. (JKNS)

Soldier killed guarding air base in J-K’s Udhampur

 

Jammu/Jaipur, May 11: A soldier was killed when he was hit by a fragment of a Pakistani drone, which was successfully intercepted by the Army Air Defence at an air base in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district on Saturday, officials said.

The incident took place before the announcement of a ceasefire by India and Pakistan to end their combat activities, which have intensified after the Indian armed forces carried out a missile strike on nine terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir on May 7 in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack, they said.

The solider was on duty at the Udhampur air base, which came under Pakistani drone attack earlier during the day.

The Indian Air Defence successfully intercepted the drones in the air, but a jawan was hit by a fallen debris resulting in critical injuries to him, the officials said, adding that he later succumbed to his injuries.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma paid rich tributes to the fallen soldier and expressed sympathies with his family.

“The news of the martyrdom of Shri Surendra Singh Moga ji, a son of Rajasthan, a resident of Jhunjhunu, a soldier of the Indian Army, who attained martyrdom at Udhampur Air Base while performing his duty of national security is extremely sad,” he wrote on X.—(PTI)

Pakistani Troops Fire at Multiple Sectors Along LoC in J&K, Army Says Retaliation Proportional, No Casualties Reported

 

Srinagar, May 8 : Just a day after intense cross-border shelling, Pakistani forces once again breached the ceasefire agreement, targeting several locations along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir during the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday.

According to defence officials, the latest violations occurred in the forward areas opposite Kupwara, Baramulla, and Uri in Kashmir, as well as Akhnoor in Jammu region. Pakistani posts reportedly opened unprovoked fire using small arms and artillery in these sectors.

“The firing began late on the night of May 7 and continued into the early hours of May 8,” an Army spokesperson said, confirming that Indian troops gave a calibrated and proportionate response to the aggression.

Unlike the previous day’s shelling, no injuries or fatalities were reported in Thursday’s incidents, the Army said.

Yesterday, the air and artillery assaults were launched by India in retaliation for the brutal Pahalgam massacre, in which 25 tourists and a local resident lost their lives. (CNS)