Author: The Dispatch Staff

Leh: The Indian Army carried out a meticulous Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) sanitisation operation in Kulum village near Upshi, Ladakh. Hazardous UXOs were identified and safely neutralised during the operation, eliminating potential risks to the local community. Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Sanitisation A meticulous UXO sanitisation operation was carried out in Kulum Village near Upshi, Ladakh. Hazardous UXOs were safely neutralised. A remarkable contribution towards community safety.@adgpi@NorthernComd_IA @EarthNewsLadakh pic.twitter.com/AEOxPF3mkh — @firefurycorps_IA (@firefurycorps) August 19, 2025 Army officials termed the effort a vital contribution towards community safety, underlining the importance of such operations in safeguarding residents of sensitive border areas.

Leh: The Union Ministry of MSME has stepped up efforts to accelerate development activities in Ladakh. A review meeting was held in Leh, chaired by Dr. Milind Ramteke, IAS, Joint Secretary in the ministry, with the participation of Rudra Goud, PT IAS, Secretary Industries and Commerce, Government of Ladakh, G. Velladurai, IEDS, Joint Director MSME DNC Leh, and other senior officers. A day earlier, Dr. Ramteke visited the MSME Development and Facilitation Office (MSME DNC) Leh and reviewed its 2024–25 performance report presented by Joint Director G. Velladurai. He called for consistent performance in the future and stressed the need…

Leh: A private vehicle met with an accident in the early hours of Tuesday near the Lamayuru link road while on its way to Kargil. According to reports, the incident occurred around 3:48 am when the vehicle, carrying only the driver, lost control and crashed along the road. The driver sustained injuries in the accident. Local residents and police rushed to the spot soon after receiving information and shifted the injured to the nearest medical facility for treatment. Authorities are yet to ascertain the exact cause of the crash, though preliminary inputs suggest it could be due to drowsy driving…

Leh: The Indian Army on Monday paid rich tributes to Agniveer Arun, who laid down his life in the line of duty in the icy heights of Siachen on August 18. The General Officer Commanding (GOC), Fire and Fury Corps, along with all ranks, saluted the bravery and sacrifice of Agniveer Arun, describing it as the highest form of devotion to the nation. In an official message, the Corps extended deep condolences to the bereaved family, assuring solidarity with them in this hour of grief. Stationed in one of the world’s toughest battlefields, Agniveer Arun’s sacrifice has once again underscored…

Leh: In a sweeping reshuffle approved by Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta, the Union Territory of Ladakh has issued fresh postings and transfers of IAS and JKAS officers to streamline governance across key departments. Among IAS officers, Vikram Singh Malik (AGMUT: 2012) has been relieved to join as Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, New Delhi, under the Central Staffing Scheme. Omkar Rajender Gundage (AGMUT: 2023) has been appointed as Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Zanskar, with the additional charge of Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Development Authority, Zanskar. The administration also allocated new departments: Sanjit Rodrigues (2013) will now oversee Information…

Leh: The Union Territory Administration of Ladakh has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for creation of Ladakh Administrative Services, which will include three cadres—Administrative, Police and Forest. Official sources confirmed that posts in all three categories have been identified and a combined proposal has been sent to the MHA. The Ministry will now examine the proposal and take a final call on the number of posts to be sanctioned. At present, Ladakh functions under a joint cadre with Jammu and Kashmir. Officers from the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) and Jammu and Kashmir Police…

Leh: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, said on Sunday that the region is entering a new era of change after being granted Union Territory status and is poised to become one of the world’s leading tourism destinations. Speaking at a felicitation programme organised by Bharat Vikas Parishad in Jammu, the LG said Ladakh had faced decades of neglect and discrimination, but its long-pending demand for UT status was fulfilled under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Describing Ladakh as “far more beautiful than Switzerland,” Gupta said the administration is working to promote the region as a complete tourism…

Leh: His Eminence the 105th Gaden Tripa, Jetsun Lobsang Dorje Pal Sangpo, arrived in Leh this morning to a warm and ceremonial reception. https://youtube.com/shorts/P1LFKQuW_JA?si=GDMXwfmfpkalBamq Chairman/CEC, Adv. Tashi Gyalson, along with Thiksey Gonpa dignitaries, venerable monks, Councillor Stanzin Chosfail, nominated Sangha Councillor Ven. Konchok Tsepel, BJP State President Tashi Gyaltson Kachu, LBA President Tsering Dorjey Lakrook, LBA Youth President Jigmet Rabstan, CRO Leh Tashi Dhondup, Ex-President LBA Changthang Phunchok Sonam, and others welcomed His Eminence. Devotees from across Ladakh gathered in large numbers to offer a heartfelt welcome, considering the occasion a moment of great spiritual blessing for the region.

Samba: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, today paid obeisance at the revered Devsthan of Raja Mandlik Ji at Village Raya Suchani in Samba district during the annual congregation. The Lieutenant Governor was warmly received by community members, who expressed gratitude for his participation in the auspicious occasion. While offering prayers, Gupta sought the blessings of Raja Mandlik Ji for peace, prosperity, and the well-being of the people. He also appreciated the community for preserving its rich cultural and spiritual heritage through such congregations. On the occasion, community president Sat Pal Gupta apprised the Lieutenant Governor of the aspirations and…

Jammu: After eight years of silence, eight-year-old Akshay Sharma from a village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district has finally found his voice, thanks to the efforts of an Army doctor. Born with a cleft lip and palate, Akshay underwent a surgery at the age of three but was still unable to speak. His parents, who work as civilian labourers with the Indian Army, could not afford further treatment and had almost given up hope of hearing their son speak. “Their hope was revived when Captain Saurabh Salunkhe, an Army doctor serving in the area, met Akshay,” defence PRO Lieutenant…

Chisoti:  Amid overcast conditions, the search operation to trace those missing in the cloudburst in this remote village of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district entered the fourth day on Sunday with rescuers hopeful of clearing a major impact spot during the day, officials said. Army engineers, meanwhile, have started working on a bailey bridge to restore connectivity to the village and the Machail Mata shrine and further intensify the rescue efforts. Cloudburst struck Chisoti, the last motorable village en route to the Machail Mata temple, on August 14, killing 60 persons and leaving 80 others missing, while 167 persons were…

Srinagar:  PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday expressed grief over the loss of lives due to flash floods in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir. Seven people were killed and six others were injured when cloudbursts and landslides struck two places in the district — Jodh Ghati village in Rajbagh and Bagra village in Janglote — early morning. “Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives due to flash floods triggered by a cloudburst in Kathua district. The initial reports of destruction are truly heartbreaking. My heartfelt condolences to the grieving families,” Mufti said in a post on X. The…

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed profound grief over the tragic loss of lives and extensive damage caused by cloudbursts and landslides in Kathua district on Sunday. Seven people were killed and six others were injured when cloudbursts and landslides struck two places in the district — Jodh Ghati village in Rajbagh and Bagra village in Janglote — early morning. Abdullah conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, prayed for speedy recovery of the injured, and assured all necessary assistance to the affected people, an official spokesperson said. To provide immediate relief to the affected, Abdullah announced…

Jammu: Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday said the civilian administration, military and paramilitary forces have swung into action and inducted helicopter services for rescue and relief operations in the cloudburst-hit Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir. At least seven people were killed and six others injured in two separate incidents of cloudburst and landslide in Kathua district early Sunday. The calamity struck Jodh Ghati village of Rajbagh and Janglote amid heavy overnight rains. “Spoke to Kathua SSP Shobhit Saxena after receiving information about a cloudburst in the Janglote area,” Singh wrote in an X post. “Four casualties have been…

Jammu: Seven members of four families, including five children, were killed in two separate incidents of cloudburst and landslide in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir early Sunday, officials said. The calamity struck Jodh Ghati village of Rajbagh and Bagra village of Janglote amid heavy overnight rains in the district, leading to increase in the level of water bodies and submerging many low-lying areas, they said. The cloudburst in Kathua came three days after flash floods triggered by cloudburst struck Chisoti village in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir on August 14, leaving 60 people dead and more than 100…

Jammu:  Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday expressed anguish over the loss of life in rain-triggered landslides in Kathua district, and said Home Minister Amit Shah has been briefed on the rescue and relief operations. “Deeply anguished by the loss of lives in the devastating rain-triggered landslides in several areas of Kathua. The tragedy is mind-numbing,” he said on X. “Briefed Union Home Minister Amit Shah on rescue and relief operations by the army, NDRF, SDRF, police and administration,” Sinha said in a post on X. At least seven persons were killed and five others injured in…

Jammu:  The Army held a core group meeting to review the security situation in the Jammu region at the Nagrota-based White Knight Corps, officials said on Sunday. At the meeting held late Saturday, Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma complimented the synergy between various security agencies in the region. “Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, Army Commander, Northern Command, chaired a Core Group Security Review meeting at Nagrota with senior officials of the Army, Police, CRPF and other security agencies,” the Northern Command said on X.

Leh: NHPC successfully concluded its flagship CSR initiative Project Shiksha Rath 7.0 in seven border villages of Ladakh along the Line of Control (LoC), reaffirming its commitment to nation-building and inclusive growth. The closing ceremony was held at Government Higher Secondary School, Turtuk, Nubra, and was graced by NHPC Director (Personnel) Uttam Lal, Councillor Gulam Mehndi, Village Pradhan, besides villagers, SHG women and students. As part of the programme, 30 women received certificates after completing a seven-day Master Training Workshop in tailoring and sewing, conducted with the support of Usha International (Silai School). NHPC provided sewing machines, resources and infrastructure…

Leh: The Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS), UT Ladakh, has invited food truck and food stall owners to set up counters during the upcoming 3rd edition of the Climate Cup Football Tournament 2025, scheduled to be held from September 1 to 7 at the Open Stadium, Spituk in Leh. Teams from across Ladakh and other parts of the country will participate in the mega football event, making it one of the most anticipated sporting gatherings in the region. Interested vendors can apply by submitting details of their food truck or stall — including the name, type of cuisine,…

Leh: The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, has announced the commencement of free coaching classes for aspirants of the LAHD-SSRB and LSSSSB examinations from August 19, 2025. The sessions will be held at three designated centres in Leh — Rural Development Hall (near RTO Office), PARAS Hall (near Boys Higher Secondary School), and DIET Hall (near SIDCO Office). An inaugural function is scheduled for August 18 at 10:30 AM at the CIBS Auditorium, Leh. All enrolled students have been asked to attend the function, after which identity cards will be distributed through the incharges of their respective coaching…