Author: The Dispatch Staff

LEH, October 5: Lieutenant General Hitesh Bhalla, GOC, Fire and Fury Corps, visited forward posts of the Forever In Operations Division and the Siachen Brigade to review operational preparedness in the high-altitude frontier areas of Ladakh. During the visit, Lt Gen Bhalla appreciated the troops for their resilience and dedication, highlighting the effective integration of modern technology to enhance operational effectiveness. He exhorted all ranks to maintain high standards of professionalism and remain fully prepared to meet evolving operational challenges. Officials noted that such inspections reinforce morale, ensure strategic readiness, and demonstrate the Corps’ commitment to combining traditional…

Leh: Chief Secretary of Ladakh, Dr Pawan Kotwal, on Saturday blamed certain leaders for misleading youngsters for personal and political gains, stating that 70 youth were detained in connection with the recent unrest in Leh. Of them, 30 have been released, while 40 remain in judicial custody awaiting court orders. While addressing a press conference here, Dr Kotwal  said, “The detained youth were misled by certain leaders. The government will ensure that no innocent person is wrongly implicated while in some cases we have evidence suggesting that some leaders played a role in provoking the unrest that led to the loss…

LEH, October 4: As part of Swachhta Week 2025, the Fire and Fury Corps undertook a clean-up initiative along the pristine tributaries of the River Indus in remote areas of Ladakh. Troops focused on removing single-use plastics and other waste, reinforcing the importance of preserving the region’s natural purity. Officials noted that such efforts reflect the Army’s broader commitment to environmental stewardship, particularly in fragile high-altitude ecosystems where even small amounts of pollution can have significant impacts. By actively engaging in conservation practices, the Corps aims to inspire both local communities and visitors to take collective responsibility for a…

Leh: Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari visited forward areas in the Union Territory of Ladakh to review the operational preparedness, a defence spokesman said on Thursday. The VCAS interact with personnel deployed in eastern Ladakh region during his visited from September 28 to 30, the spokesman said in a statement here. During the visit, Air Marshal Tiwari reviewed the infrastructure and operational facilities in the sector and forward operational locations. He interacted with Air Force and Army personnel and commended them for their dedication and professionalism in safeguarding the nation’s frontiers despite the challenging…

Leh: With the situation limping back to normalcy after violent clashes on September 24 left four people dead in Leh, the authorities have ordered reopening of all schools up to Class 8 from Friday. However, they called for strict adherence to the prohibitory orders that ban assembly of five or more persons, an official order said. “It is hereby ordered that all shops and schools up to Class 8 within Leh district shall remain open, and small buses (public transport) shall be permitted to ply between 10 am and 6 pm on October 3, subject to strict adherence to the…

Leh: The Border Roads Organisation’s ‘Project Himank’ has once again created history by surpassing its own Guinness World Record for the highest motorable road. The team successfully reached Mig La Pass at an altitude of 19,400 feet on Likaru-Mig La-Fukche road alignment in Leh district, overtaking the previous record set at Umling La (19,024 feet), the BRO said in a statement here. The milestone, it said, was achieved on Wednesday when the BRO team led by Chief Engineer of Project Himank Brig Vishal Srivastava reached Mig La Pass, proudly hoisting the National and BRO flags at this unparalleled height. The…

Leh, Oct 2: In a fresh order, the District Magistrate Leh has permitted the opening of shops and schools up to class 8 and allowed small buses and other passenger vehicles to operate in the district on October 3 between 10 AM and 6 PM. The order, however, makes it clear that the relaxation will be subject to strict adherence to provisions laid down under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023.

LEH : Police on Thursday registered an FIR to identify and arrest those behind the circulation of a deepfake video attributing a false statement to Ladakh Director General of Police (DGP) S.D. Singh Jamwal. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has said the video, in which DGP Jamwal is purportedly seen claiming that climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was arrested on the defence minister’s directions, is deepfake. The video has gone viral on social media platforms. “It has come to the notice of District Police Leh that a deepfake (digitally morphed) video is being circulated on social media platform X. In this…

Leh: The Union Territory administration of Ladakh has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the serious law-and-order situation that erupted in Leh on September 24 and the police action which led to the death of four individuals. According to an official order issued by the District Magistrate, Leh, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Nubra, Mukul Beniwal (IAS), has been designated as the inquiry officer to conduct the probe. The inquiry will ascertain the detailed facts and circumstances that led to the clashes, the subsequent police action, and the deaths of four civilians. The deceased have been identified as Jigmet Dorjey, son of Yountan…

Leh: The wife of renowned educationist and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has appealed to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his unconditional release, calling his detention under the National Security Act (NSA) illegal, inhumane and a violation of constitutional rights. In a detailed letter addressed to the country’s top offices, Dr. Gitanjali J. Angmo, who is also the founder and CEO of the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL), said that her husband was taken into custody on September 26 by police in Leh under Section 3(2) of the NSA and immediately flown to Jodhpur Central Jail…

Leh: The Administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh has issued a detailed clarification in response to a spate of press conferences and media statements, rejecting allegations of victimization of educationist Sonam Wangchuk and asserting that law enforcement agencies are acting on credible evidence. Officials dismissed claims of “witch-hunting” against Wangchuk and his institutions, stressing that ongoing investigations into financial irregularities and foreign currency violations are based on documents and inputs.  “Agencies should be allowed to continue with their work impartially without vitiating the process,” the statement said. According to the administration, the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL) is…

Leh: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has reiterated that it remains open to dialogue with the Apex Body Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) at any time, even as the Leh Apex Body announced it will stay away from talks until normalcy is restored in the region. LAB Chairman Thupstan Chhewang made the announcement following the cremation of the fourth victim of last week’s clashes—a former army soldier—amid tight security in curfew-bound Leh. “As long as peace is not restored and a conducive atmosphere is not created, we will not participate in any talks. We urge the Home…

LEH, Sept 29 — Under Operation Sadbhavana, the Fire and Fury Corps organised a medical camp in Moradbagh and surrounding villages of the remote Mushkoh Valley, focusing on the health and well-being of women and children. The initiative provided essential healthcare services to over 150 patients, including 120 women who received consultations and treatment. Medical teams conducted general health check-ups, screened for common ailments, and provided guidance on maternal and child health. Officials noted that such outreach programmes are crucial in high-altitude regions where access to healthcare is limited and travelling to medical facilities can be challenging. …

Leh: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta Kavinder Gupta said that the administration will not tolerate any attempt to disturb the peace, harmony, and stability of Ladakh. He made the statement while chairing a high-level review meeting in Leh to assess the prevailing security situation in the Union Territory. The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Dr. Pawan Kotwal, DGP Dr. S.D. Singh Jamwal, ADG CRPF Rajesh Kumar, along with senior officers from the Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). During the meeting, officers briefed the Lt Governor on the latest developments, preparedness measures, and coordination among agencies to maintain…

Leh: The police crackdown following the recent violence in Leh has intensified, with four individuals, including two sitting Congress councillors, remanded to police custody. At the same time, the Bar Association Leh has stepped forward to defend dozens of youth leaders and councillors, demanding a judicial inquiry into the incident and terming the allegations against them politically motivated. On Saturday, Congress councillors Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag, representing Upper Leh Ward, and Smanla Dorjee Norboo from Saspol, both of whom were named in an FIR linked to Wednesday’s violence, surrendered before the court and were taken into police custody along with two…

LEH, September 27: As part of the nationwide Swachhta Hi Seva 2025 campaign, troops of the Parashu Warriors of the Indian Army undertook an extensive cleanliness initiative across high-altitude regions of Ladakh. The programme involved river cleaning, removal of litter from public areas, and efforts to maintain hygiene in sensitive ecological zones. In addition to practical cleanup efforts, the troops conducted hygiene and environmental awareness sessions for schoolchildren in frontier villages. These sessions emphasised the importance of proper sanitation, waste management, and preserving the delicate high-altitude ecosystem, encouraging students to become active participants in environmental conservation. Officials noted…

LEH, September 27: Havildar Jugnoo Ahlawat of the Fire and Fury Corps won the Gold medal in the 85kg category at the 74th Inter Services Boxing Championship held at INS Hamla. This remarkable achievement marks his third consecutive Gold, reflecting exceptional dedication, discipline, and consistency in the sport. Lieutenant General Hitesh Bhalla, GOC, and all ranks of the Corps congratulated Hav Jugnoo for his outstanding performance, praising his commitment to excellence and the pride he has brought to the Indian Army and the frontier community of Ladakh. Officials noted that sporting achievements such as this inspire troops and…

LEH, September 27:  Lieutenant General Hitesh Bhalla, GOC, Fire and Fury Corps, conducted a comprehensive review of operational readiness of the Uniform Force and Trishul Division deployed in the high-altitude areas of Ladakh. During the inspection, Lt Gen Bhalla appreciated the effective employment of cutting-edge equipment and the integration of transformational organisational structures designed to enhance speed, flexibility, and high-impact operational tempo. He exhorted all ranks to fully embrace the newly inducted technologies and to maintain rigorous training schedules to further strengthen operational preparedness. Officials noted that such reviews are vital in ensuring that troops remain agile, technologically…

LEH, September 27: A delegation of officers, including participants from friendly foreign nations attending the National Defence College (NDC) course in New Delhi, visited the border areas of Ladakh as part of their Forward Area Tour. The visit provided the officers with firsthand exposure to the operational environment of one of India’s most challenging frontiers. During the tour, the delegation interacted with Lieutenant General Hitesh Bhalla, GOC, Fire and Fury Corps, and received detailed briefings on the Corps’ operational dynamics and strategic responsibilities. The officers also visited the Siachen Glacier and other forward locations along the Line of Control…

Leh: The Ladakh Administration on Thursday detained climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA), citing activities “prejudicial to the security of the State and detrimental to maintenance of peace and public order,” officials said. As per official handout,  Wangchuk, a resident of Uley Tokpo, Leh, has been shifted to Jodhpur Jail. The administration stated that despite repeated communication and offers to meet the High-Powered Committee (HPC), Wangchuk continued his hunger strike and delivered provocative speeches referencing movements such as the Nepal agitations and Arab Spring. These actions, along with misleading videos, were cited as contributing factors to…