KISHTWAR: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today visited Kishtwar district to inspect the ongoing works and operational status of two major hydroelectric power projects including 850 MW Rattle Hydroelectric Power Project and 390 MW Dul Hasti Hydroelectric Power Station.
The Chief Secretary was accompanied by Principal Secretary, Power Development Department, H. Rajesh Prasad; Managing Director, JKPDCL, Rahul Yadav; Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Rajesh Kumar Shavan along with senior officers from the civil administration and representatives of the power project authorities.
At the Rattle Hydroelectric Power Project, located in Drabshalla Block, the Chief Secretary was briefed on the current status and progress on the project through a PowerPoint Presentation. He also reviewed progress on construction works, visited Power Intake Structure, Coffer Dam, Underground Powerhouse Complex, Tail Raised Tunnel and assessed implementation status of various project components.
The Chief Secretary issued on the spot directions to the concerned authorities to expedite the pace of work and ensure project’s timely completion. He emphasised on maintaining quality standards while effectively addressing the key operational challenges.
The Chief Secretary also visited the Dul Hasti Hydroelectric Power Station and inspected its ongoing operations. He interacted with the project officials, reviewed operational efficiency and issued necessary directives to enhance the performance and resolve the pending issues.
Later, the Chief Secretary held a meeting with the officers of NHPC, CVPPL and HOPs of all power projects in Kishtwar. Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Rajesh Kumar Shavan besides other senior officers of district administration were present on the occasion.
SRINAGAR: “Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has redefined India’s policy against terrorism which now says that any attack on Indian soil will be considered as an act of war,” said Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh while addressing the brave Indian Army soldiers at Badami Bagh Cantt, Srinagar on May 15, 2025. Raksha Mantri emphasised that India has always prioritised peace and never supported war, however, when its sovereignty is attacked, it is necessary to respond. If Pakistan continues to support terrorism, it will pay a heavier price, he said.
Shri Rajnath Singh termed Operation Sindoor as the biggest action taken by India against terrorism in history, and a testament to the nation’s commitment to go to any extent to eliminate the menace. “Operation Sindoor was a commitment demonstrated by India of not just carrying out defence, but taking bold decisions whenever needed. It was a dream of every soldier that we will reach every terrorist hideout and destroy them. Terrorists killed Indians based on their religion, we killed them for their deeds. It was our dharma to eliminate them. Our forces gave the right direction to their anger and took revenge for Pahalgam with great courage & discretion,” he said.
Raksha Mantri added that Operation Sindoor has sent a loud and clear message to the terrorist organisations hiding in Pakistan and their masters that they are not safe anywhere. “Our forces have shown to the world that their aim is precise & pin-point and the task of counting is left to the enemies,” he said.
Shri Rajnath Singh added that India’s unwavering resolve against terrorism can be gauged from the fact that it was not deterred by Pakistan’s nuclear blackmail, pointing out that the world has witnessed how irresponsibly Islamabad has issued nuclear threats to New Delhi several times. “I raise this question before the world: Are nuclear weapons safe in the hands of such an irresponsible and rogue nation? Pakistan’s nuclear weapons should be taken under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),” he said.
Shri Rajnath Singh stated that through the Pahalgam incident, an attempt was made to break the social unity of India, and the Armed Forces responded to the terror attack by hitting the heart of the adversary. He recalled Pakistan’s declaration about 21 years ago in front of the then Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee that terrorism will no longer be exported from its land. Raksha Mantri said Pakistan has been deceiving India, and it must stop sheltering anti-India and terrorist organisations & not allow its land to be used against India, he said.
Raksha Mantri added that Pakistan has reached a state where it has sought loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), while India falls in the category of those countries which provide funds to IMF so that they can help poor countries.
Shri Rajnath Singh reasserted that no unwarranted action should be taken from across the border, which is the base of the understanding reached between the two countries. He reiterated Prime Minister Modi’s views that terrorism & talks cannot go together, and if talks are held, it will only be on terrorism and PoK.
Raksha Mantri paid homage to the innocent civilians who were killed in a terror attack in Pahalgam, and the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the motherland during Operation Sindoor. He commended the courage of the injured soldiers and wished for their speedy recovery. Shri Rajnath Singh expressed gratitude to the brave soldiers who destroyed the Pakistani posts & bunkers across the border, sending a clear message to the enemy. “I come here today with a message from the people of India: ‘We are proud of our Forces’,” he added.
While Raksha Mantri praised the valour and dedication of the Armed Forces, he reiterated the Government’s commitment to continue equipping the soldiers with advanced weapons & platforms and modern infrastructure. “Our Government has ensured that our forces are prepared for every situation. Many new generation equipment like modern rifles, missile defence shields, and drones are being rapidly manufactured in India itself. Connectivity has been ensured along LoC and LAC like never before. The devotion and readiness with which our soldiers serve the country, the government is trying to serve you,” he said.
Shri Rajnath Singh added that the Government and the people of the country stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Armed Forces at every step, in every situation. He exuded confidence that with the cooperation of the military, India will soon eradicate terrorism in the region, so that no one dares to cast an evil eye on the sovereignty of the nation.
Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir Shri Manoj Sinha, J&K Chief Minister Shri Omar Abdullah, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi and other senior officials of the Indian Army were present on the occasion.
SRINAGAR: The Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha on Thursday saluted the valour and courage of Indian Armed Forces and their might and strategic clarity with which they carried out “Operation Sindoor” and gave exemplary punishment to terror planners sitting in Pakistan by dismantling their terror bases and killing top terrorists.
“Nation is proud of our armed forces for scripting a historic victory saga of 'Operation Sindoor' with bravery and avenging Pahalgam terror attack. ‘Operation Sindoor’ has changed the course of the fight against terror in one focused and measured hit. It has marked a decisive shift in our military doctrine and the entire nation is paying respect and gratitude to the armed forces. 9 major terror camps destroyed, 11 Pakistani air bases hit and high-profile terrorists were eliminated.
Our brave armed forces have not only destroyed the terror factories within Pakistan, but terrorists are now being hunted one by one,” the Lieutenant Governor said, pointing out that within a week six terrorists have been neutralised in South Kashmir in the joint operation with the Indian Army.
"It is our resolve to rid J&K UT of terrorism,” the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor also reiterated that our brave armed forces will continue to take action to ensure the safety of our citizens and peace and prosperity of the nation. He observed that the bravery of our soldiers in ‘Operation Sindoor’ is now a part of our great victory tradition.
He said, Pakistan is a terrorist country and now we have also decided that there is no difference between this terrorist country and the mastermind of terrorism sitting there. “The world has seen that terrorism in J&K Union Territory is engineered and executed by Pakistan and our mighty forces have ensured that now we will enter deep into Pakistan's heartland and kill the terrorists and we will also treat future acts of terror as an act of war.
As Hon'ble Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh Ji said, Pakistan's nuclear blackmail won't work now and its nuclear weapons should be taken under the supervision of International Atomic Energy Agency,” the Lieutenant Governor further said.
Hon'ble Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh during his interaction with the brave personnel of Indian Armed Forces at Badami Bagh Cantt Srinagar and Srinagar Air Base had called for IAEA supervision of Pakistan's nuclear weapons. Hon'ble Raksha Mantri while addressing the brave Indian Army soldiers at Badami Bagh Cantt had observed that Pakistan will pay a heavier price if it continues to support terrorism.
SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired a meeting with key tourism stakeholders to listen to their concerns and discuss way forward for the tourism sector in Kashmir in the aftermath of recent adverse situation affecting tourism in the region.
The meeting was attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM Dheeraj Gupta, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Inspector General of Police Kashmir VK Birdi, Commissioner Secretary Tourism Yasha Mudgal and Director Tourism Kashmir Raja Yaqoob.
Also present were prominent tourism stakeholders, including Chairman of the J&K Hoteliers Club, Mushtaq Ahmad Chaya, who represented various subsectors of the tourism industry. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister called for the formulation of a comprehensive and well-thought-out tourism revival plan.
“This is my suggestion for your consideration that we thoughtfully shape and finalize this plan without undue haste,” he said. He proposed that a robust tourism revival strategy be jointly developed with the Tourism Department after the conclusion of this year’s Shri Amarnath ji Yatra. The package, he said, should extend support to hotels, houseboats, shikaras, taxis, handicrafts and explore innovative models such as unique shopping festivals on the analogy of those in Dubai.
“We should also consider engaging artists for cultural performances, restarting the laser fountain shows, and introducing other attractions to enhance the tourist experience,” the Chief Minister added. Acknowledging the difficulties faced by the tourism sector, Omar Abdullah said, “I understand the challenges many of you are grappling with—be it managing establishments, retaining employees, or dealing with fixed overheads. Many among you are under pressure due to bank loans.”
He expressed particular concern for small-scale entrepreneurs who have recently taken loans to purchase tourist taxis, deluxe minibuses or built guest accommodations in their homes. “In this regard, I plan to engage with the Tourism Department and relevant authorities to advocate for a dedicated relief package from the Government of India,” he said.
“A comprehensive package should cater to individuals affected in the border areas, where homes and shops have been damaged. For the tourism sector, we will explore the possibility of loan deferments for at least two quarters, which would provide temporary relief and reduce financial stress on stakeholders,” the Chief Minister stated.
Highlighting the ongoing interest in J&K as a tourism destination, Omar Abdullah said there is already enthusiasm for promotional activities and FAM (Familiarization) tours. “I have been receiving calls from individuals and organizations eager to promote Jammu and Kashmir and bring back tourists in large numbers,” he said, adding that he would personally participate in joint promotional campaigns as the situation stabilizes.
The Chief Minister assured the gathering that he would take up the issue of financial support and interest relief directly with the Hon’ble Prime Minister, the Finance Minister, and other senior central government officials. “We will approach this in a structured and result-oriented manner,” he affirmed.
Earlier in the meeting, tourism stakeholders put forward several suggestions, including organizing FAM tours, inviting the corporate sector to avail LTCs and host meetings in the region, holding government conferences in J&K, and seeking reductions in airfares to make travel more affordable. They emphasized that with the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, it is an opportune time to send a strong message to the rest of the country that Kashmir is peaceful and ready to welcome tourists with warmth and brotherhood.
RAJOURI: Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Kumar Choudhary, on second consecutive day, visited around 15 villages of Nowshera constituency to assess the impact of recent cross border shelling. He expressed the commitment of the government and unwavering support to the people residing in border areas.
The two day tour was conducted in view of recent cross-border shelling incidents with an aim to assess the ground situation, interact with the affected families and address the public grievances on the spot.
During the visit, the Deputy Chief Minister inspected the damaged houses and met with families impacted by the shelling. He assured the border residents that the government is fully committed to their safety and well-being. The administration is mobilizing all the necessary resources to ensure they do not face further hardships.
During a series of public outreach camps at multiple locations, the Dy CM listened to the concerns of the local residents. He reiterated the government’s resolve to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of the border belt.
"The safety of every single resident living near the LoC is our topmost priority and best possible measures are being implemented in this regard," maintained the Dy CM.
Several delegations met the Deputy Chief Minister and raised key issues including the construction of individual and community bunkers, compensation for losses sustained during shelling, water scarcity, unscheduled power cuts, and demands for improvement of link roads.
Responding promptly, the Dy CM issued on-the-spot instructions to concerned officials for immediate redressal of grievances. He assured the public that their genuine demands will be addressed in a phased and time-bound manner.
The Dy CM affirmed that Omar Abdullah led government stands firmly with its people and will leave no stone unturned for the holistic development of Jammu and Kashmir, especially it's border and remote areas.
Emphasizing the importance of protective infrastructure, the Deputy Chief Minister also announced that additional individual and community bunkers would be constructed at strategically identified locations.“These bunkers are vital for providing immediate shelter during instances of cross-border shelling and form an integral part of our border protection strategy,” he added.
The visit highlighted the government's steadfast commitment to the safety, security, and welfare of people residing in the border areas. The Deputy Chief Minister was accompanied by Additional Deputy Commissioner Nowshera, Pritam Lal Thapa, along with other senior district and sectoral officers.
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