Author: The Dispatch Staff

Srinagar: Two police officers died in an accident on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway here, an official said on Monday. Three sub-inspectors travelling from Srinagar to Jammu after performing Amarnath Yatra duty met with an accident at Tengan in Lasjan area of the city, the official said. The injured police officers were rushed to a hospital where two of them were declared brought dead. The deceased have been identified as Sachin Verma and Shubham, while the injured officer has been identified as Mastan Singh, he said.

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Sunday expressed hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would announce restoration of full statehood to the Union Territory from the ramparts of Red Fort in his address to the nation on Independence Day. Addressing a public meeting organized by the National Conference at Tali Morh Bari near here, Choudhary recalled the events of August 5, 2019 and alleged the downgrading of a full-fledged state into two Union territories — J&K and Ladakh — was done arbitrarily. “The people of Jammu and Kashmir have never accepted the 2019 decision. The promise…

Jammu: The Congress’ Jammu and Kashmir unit chief Tariq Hameed Karra on Sunday accused the police of misbehaving with party workers and leaders during their hunger strike for statehood restoration and asked the force not to behave as “the BJP’s frontal organisation”. Karra alleged that a team of police officials led by a Sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) and a station house officer (SHO) heckled him and other leaders outside the party headquarters at Shaheedi Chowk in an attempt to disrupt the chain hunger strike announced by the party. The party began a chain hunger strike here on Sunday under its…

Jammu: The newly launched Vande Bharat Express train between the two holy cities of Katra in Jammu and Kashmir and Amritsar in Punjab will run six days a week, except Tuesday, an official of the Jammu division of Northern Railway said. In Bengaluru, the prime minister on Sunday flagged off three Vande Bharat Express trains — from Bengaluru to Belagavi physically, and from Amritsar to Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and from Nagpur (Ajni) to Pune virtually. The 26406 Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Amritsar Vande Bharat Express will depart from Katra at 6:40 am to reach Amritsar railway station of…

Jammu:  The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Sunday claimed to have solved a 10-month-old murder case by arresting two Bihar natives, and recovering the weapon of offence from them. Sushil Singh Manhas (29), a resident of Smailpur village, was found unconscious with stab injuries in the industrial area near Bari Brahmana on the night of last year’s Diwali. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was declared dead, a police spokesperson said. Investigation into the case led to the arrest of Jalil Nutt (25), a resident of Gopalganj district of Bihar, from his home state. Upon sustained questioning, the…

Srinagar: The Congress on Sunday said it will hold discussions with INDIA bloc partners in the next few days to chalk out a united response to what it alleges are instances of manipulation of voter lists in several states. Congress leader Pawan Khera said a people’s campaign has started against the alleged “vote theft” by the Election Commission and the ruling BJP, with many people investigating voter lists on their own. Khera was non-committal when asked if the party would demand a Joint Parliamentary Committee on the issue. “We are discussing this with our INDIA alliance partners also. In the…

Jammu: The Crime Branch of Jammu and Kashmir Police has booked the managing director of a Hyderabad-based Capital Protection Force Pvt Ltd for a multi-crore investment app scam. One of the complainants in the matter was an army officer who lost money investing in the ‘Falcon Invoice Discounting app,’ an officer said. Rajasthan native Major General Rajat Jagani alleged that he was duped of more than Rs 2.21 crore by the company and named its managing director Amardeep Kumar, directors Anita Kumari and Sandeep Kumar, and several other key executives, as the main culprits. He claimed that Amardeep Kumar, an…

Leh: In a late-night enforcement drive aimed at improving road safety, Leh Police penalised 32 motorists for various traffic violations. Among them, five were booked for drunk driving, while nine vehicles were seized for missing mandatory documents. According to officials, the surprise crackdown was carried out at multiple checkpoints across the town, focusing on reckless driving, drunk driving, and vehicles operating without valid papers. The police said such violations not only endanger the drivers but also put the lives of other road users at risk. “Road safety is our top priority. Those who choose to flout traffic rules will face…

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Kavinder Gupta has expressed deep grief over the death of two young police officers in a tragic road accident on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway. According to police officials, the incident occurred at Tengan in the Lasjan area on Monday when three sub-inspectors were travelling from Srinagar to Jammu after completing their duties for the annual Amarnath Yatra. Their vehicle reportedly lost control and crashed, resulting in serious injuries to all three officers. They were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital, where PSI Sachin Verma and PSI Shubham were declared brought dead. The third officer, PSI…

Leh: His Holiness the Dalai Lama will give a short teaching in Leh on August 16, focusing on Geshe Langri Thangpa’s Eight Verses for Training the Mind (Lojong Tsik Gyema) and the 7th Dalai Lama’s Song of the Four Mindfulnesses (Tatri Denpa Shi). “His Holiness the Dalai Lama will give a short teaching in Geshe Langri Thangpa’s Eight Verses for Training the Mind (lojong tsik gyema) and the 7th Dalai Lama’s Song of the Four Mindfulnesses (tatri denpa shi) on the morning of August 16 at Shewatsel Teaching Ground near Choglamsar at the request of the Ladakh Buddhist Association and the Ladakh Gonpa Association,”…

Leh : In a life-saving operation, the Indian Army’s 5/6 Gorkha Rifles, in collaboration with the 108 Ambulance Service of the Health Department Kargil, successfully evacuated a high-risk pregnancy patient from the remote Mushkoh Valley to Sub-District Hospital Drass. https://youtube.com/shorts/-vpA35ej_6M?feature=share The patient, who required urgent medical attention, was safely transported through difficult terrain in a coordinated effort between Army personnel and civil health workers. Officials said the timely evacuation ensured the patient received critical care without delay. The operation underscores the importance of Army-civil cooperation in providing emergency medical assistance to residents of remote areas in Ladakh.

London: The International Council of Jurists has named His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni, and Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai as recipients of the prestigious International Peace Prize. https://youtube.com/shorts/_kXxqEmWQ_A?feature=share The award will be conferred during the “International March for Nuclear Disarmament and a Peaceful World” on August 9 at Hyde Park, London, marking the 80th anniversary of the Nagasaki atomic bombing. His Holiness is being honoured for his lifelong commitment to non-violence, peace, and compassion. Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni is recognized for promoting interfaith dialogue and social reform, while Malala Yousafzai is celebrated for her fearless advocacy of…

 Kargil : As part of the nationwide Har Ghar Tiranga campaign, the Tourist Office Zanskar organized a Tiranga March at the scenic Zangla Tourist Camping Site to inspire patriotism and encourage the hoisting of the National Flag. Local tourism stakeholders participated actively in the event, which aimed to motivate citizens to display the National Flag at their homes, business units, and monasteries. During the campaign, the Tourist Officer and team distributed national flags across Zangla Village, Zangla Nunnery Monastery, Chasar Village, and Stonday Village. The Tourist Officer highlighted the campaign’s role in fostering unity and pride among the people of…

Kargil: As part of the nationwide Har Ghar Tiranga campaign, the Tourism Department Kargil, in collaboration with Downhill Kargil, organized a Tiranga cycle rally today to promote patriotism and national pride. The rally was flagged off by Rakesh Kumar, IAS, Deputy Commissioner/CEO, LAHDC Kargil, in the presence of Muhammad Ali Tak, Assistant Director Tourism Kargil, and Imteyaz Ali, member of Downhill Kargil, at the Tourist Facilitation Center (TFC) Biamathang. Around 30 cyclists from various parts of the district participated, cycling through routes including Biamathang, Kargil Market, Byepass Shilikchey, Kako Shilikchey, before concluding back at TFC. The event fostered unity, patriotism,…

Leh: His Holiness Skyabgon Gongma Trichen Rinpoche, the 41st Sakya Trichen, led a spiritual ceremony at Zer-Thang, granting the sacred tse-wang (Long Life Empowerment) to hundreds of devotees from across Ladakh. The revered master shared profound teachings, inspiring followers toward wisdom, kindness, and harmony. The ceremony was attended by Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of LAHDC Leh, Advocate Tashi Gyalson, Khaltsi Councillor Lobsang Sherab, Temisgam Councillor Tashi Tundup, along with prominent spiritual leaders, former MPs Thupstan Chhewang and Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, and key community representatives from LBA, LGA, Sham LBA, and other dignitaries. Devotees from across Ladakh gathered in…

Leh: Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of LAHDC Leh, Advocate Tashi Gyalson, in the presence of His Eminence Bakula Rangdol Nima Rinpoche, laid the foundation stones for two major projects today — a Photang at Zer-Thang, Khaltse, and a Community Hall at Khaltse. The Photang project, estimated at Rs 2.58 crore, will be executed by the PWD Division Khaltse under the District Plan scheme. The Community Hall project, estimated at Rs 4.74 crore, aims to provide improved public facilities for the local community. The events were attended by Councillor Lobzang Sherab, Additional District Development Commissioner Leh Shri Sonam Nurboo,…

Leh: A delegation from Nubra, led by Deputy Chairman of LAHDC Leh, Shri Tsering Angchuk, along with Councillor Panamik Shri Tsering Sandup and Councillor Kyager Shri Rigzin Lundup, met with the Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways, Shri Harsh Malhotra, to discuss the long-pending Diskit–Burma Bridge project. The delegation highlighted the bridge’s strategic and socio-economic importance for the Nubra region. They emphasized that the bridge would significantly improve regional connectivity, boost tourism, and facilitate smoother movement for residents, while also strengthening the area’s strategic infrastructure. They urged the minister to expedite the project’s approval, which has been a…

Leh: Under the patronage of Chief Justice Shri Arun Palli and guidance of Justice Sindhu Sharma, the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Leh, led by Member Secretary and Chairman Shri Manoj Parihar and Secretary Ms. Phuntsog Angmo, conducted an awareness-cum-celebration program on the NALSA (Protection and Enforcement of Tribal Rights) Scheme and World Tribal Day at Govt Higher Secondary School, Turtuk, Nubra. The program began with an introduction to the NALSA scheme by Advocate Zulekha Bano, followed by a presentation on the history and culture of the Balti tribe by Shri Inayatullah, Numberdar of Turtuk. Ms. Phuntsog Angmo detailed various…

Kargil, Aug 9: Government Degree College Kargil organized an awareness rally and cleanliness drive under Mission Indus Cleanup 2025 to highlight the importance of protecting the Indus River and its tributaries, with a special focus on the Suru River — the lifeline of Kargil district. Around 200 students and faculty members marched from the college through Bagh-e-Khomeini to the Megawatt area, raising slogans in English, Urdu, and Purgi such as “Save Suru, Save Kargil” and “Keep your streets as clean as your home.” Participants carried placards, posters, and distributed pamphlets urging the public to safeguard water bodies. The rally concluded…

Kargil: Chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and Deputy Commissioner Kargil, Rakesh Kumar, IAS, on Saturday chaired a high-level meeting with officials from various departments, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Army representatives, stakeholders, and volunteers to strengthen the district’s disaster response mechanism. ADC Imtiyaz Kacho, senior Army and BRO officers, departmental heads, and volunteers attended the meeting, which focused on ensuring quick, coordinated, and effective action during emergencies. Rakesh Kumar noted that all villages in Kargil, except Itchu, are now connected by road, but cautioned that construction in challenging terrain can harm the environment and trigger disasters. He…