Srinagar, Jun 29: As part of the security preparations for the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY)-2026, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anantnag, Amod Ashok Nagpure, on Monday chaired a high-level security review meeting at Harnag Railway Station to assess preparedness and strengthen the security grid for the annual pilgrimage.

The meeting brought together senior officers from the District Police, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), Railway Protection Force (RPF), Railway Police and other security agencies to review security arrangements and ensure coordinated planning ahead of the 57-day pilgrimage, which is expected to witness the participation of over 3.5 lakh pilgrims.

During the meeting, SSP Nagpure emphasised the need for seamless coordination among all security agencies to facilitate the safe movement of pilgrims while ensuring uninterrupted railway operations. He directed officers to reinforce key components of the security architecture, including robust access control, round-the-clock surveillance, anti-sabotage checks, real-time intelligence sharing and effective deployment of personnel at the railway station and its surrounding areas.

The SSP also stressed the importance of maintaining a high state of alertness, strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and establishing swift response mechanisms to deal with any contingency.

He conducted a detailed review of the existing deployment plan, CCTV surveillance network, baggage screening protocols, frisking procedures, emergency response preparedness, traffic regulation around the railway station and passenger facilitation measures. He also called for regular joint drills involving the Police, CAPF, Railway Police and the civil administration to improve coordination and operational preparedness.

“Continuous monitoring of vulnerable points and close liaison between all agencies is essential for creating a foolproof security environment,” SSP Nagpure told the officers.

Following the meeting, the SSP conducted an on-site inspection of Harnag Railway Station, where he examined security installations, entry and exit points, CCTV control rooms, baggage screening areas, and passenger amenities. He also interacted with personnel deployed at the station and issued specific directions to further strengthen the overall security architecture.

The officers present at the meeting reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring foolproof security arrangements and seamless coordination for the peaceful, safe and successful conduct of the pilgrimage.

Officials said the railway security review forms part of the broader multi-layered security blueprint for SANJY-2026, which includes advanced surveillance systems, drone monitoring, deployment of sniper teams, ridge domination exercises and enhanced coordination among the J&K Police, CAPF and the Army. Authorities have consistently maintained that the safety of pilgrims remains the top priority, with a strong emphasis on intelligence-led policing and community participation.

The ongoing security preparations, officials said, reflect the administration’s resolve to build upon the successful and incident-free conduct of previous Amarnath Yatras and ensure that devotees undertake the pilgrimage in a safe and secure environment.

Srinagar, Jun 29: Security forces on Monday recovered a cache of arms and ammunition from a hideout in Sopore area of Baramulla district in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

During a search operation in Warpora area of Sopore, they recovered arms and ammunition, including an AK rifle, a magazine, 30 rounds of ammunition, a Under barrel grenade launcher and three UBGL grenades, they added.

Srinagar, June 29: The Kulgam district administration on Monday stepped up enforcement of the ban on single-use plastic (SUP) items and polythene carry bags, ordering inspections, seizures and legal action against violators.

The move comes 10 days after the Ladakh administration imposed a similar ban on identified single-use plastic products across the Union Territory.

The directions were issued in a public notice by the Additional District Magistrate by order of the District Magistrate.

“The manufacture, stocking, sale, distribution, transportation and use of banned polythene carry bags and single-use plastic items are strictly prohibited within the district Kulgam,” the order said.

The ban applies to shopkeepers, vendors, wholesalers, retailers, government offices, institutions and the general public.

The administration said the indiscriminate use of single-use plastic “poses a serious threat to the environment, public health, water bodies, chokes our drainage system, disturbs wildlife and causes ecological imbalance.”

“The prohibition is backed by the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 (as amended), the J&K Non-Biodegradable Material (Management, Handling and Disposal) Act, 2007, and subsequent government notifications. It also cited the Centre’s May 18 notification empowering district collectors to implement the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026,” the order read.

Residents have been advised to use cloth, jute and paper bags and other eco-friendly alternatives.

“Any person or organization found violating the provisions of the ban shall be liable for action under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 (as amended) and the EPA, 1986 and other relevant laws in force,” the order said.

Block Development Officers (BDO’s) and Executive Officers (EO’s) of Municipal Committees have been directed to inspect shops and marketplaces, seize banned plastic items and recommend action under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act.

They have also been asked to submit monthly compliance reports to the Deputy Commissioner’s office through the Additional District Development Commissioner.

Srinagar, Jun 29: Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Monday said India was leading the world’s major democracies with a transparent electoral process in which every stage of the exercise is audited by the political parties and candidates.

“We discussed the components of the world’s most transparent electoral process –” preparation of the voter list, polling and counting. These are concurrently audited by all political parties and candidates,” Kumar, who is on a three-day visit to Kashmir, told reporters here.

Earlier in the day, Kumar addressed a gathering of booth-level officers (BLOs) in Budgam district, about 12 km from Srinagar.

He said India currently holds the chair of International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), an intergovernmental organisation that supports sustainable democracy worldwide.

“Seeing this process of Indian elections, in 2026 Bharat is currently leading all the large democratic countries of the world, and is also the chairperson of International IDEA,” he said.

The Chief Election Commissioner described BLOs as the pillars of democracy.

“Once again, through all of you, my greetings to all the voters of Jammu & Kashmir, and greetings to all BLOs, BLO supervisors, AEROs, EROs, and DEOs,” he added.

Srinagar, June 29: The State Investigation Agency (SIA), Kashmir on Monday filed a comprehensive 737-page chargesheet before a Special Court in Srinagar in connection with the 1990 abduction and killing of SKIMS staff nurse case. This marks a significant development in the investigation of a decades-old terror-related case pertains to the abduction and murder of Sarla Bhat, who was employed as a nurse at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura, and was killed on April 18, 1990.

The chargesheet, as per the officials has been submitted before the Court of the Additional Sessions Judge, TADA/POTA and Special Judge designated under the NIA Act, Srinagar. The investigation was transferred to the SIA by the Director General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir, on March 18, 2024, following which the agency carried out a detailed probe.

Officials said the chargesheet is based on oral testimonies, documentary records, forensic and ballistic reports, medical evidence, electronic material and extensive field investigations collected and analysed during the course of the investigation.

The SIA stated that filing the chargesheet nearly 35 years after the incident marks an important step in pursuing justice in one of the Valley’s long-pending terror cases. The agency said the investigation demonstrates that serious terror-related offences continue to be investigated irrespective of the passage of time.

According to the investigation, Sarla Bhat was allegedly abducted near SKIMS on April 18, 1990, subjected to torture and later shot dead in the Omer Colony area of Malbagh, Srinagar. The agency said the case remained unresolved for decades due to the prevailing security situation and an atmosphere of fear that discouraged witnesses from coming forward.

Following the reopening of the case, investigators reconstructed the sequence of events with the help of protected witnesses, eyewitness accounts, forensic analysis, medical records and documentary evidence, the SIA said.

The chargesheet names former JKLF chief Mohammad Yasin Malik along with Khurshid Ahmad Chalkoo, Abdul Hamid Sheikh, Mohammad Yousuf Sofi alias Idrees and Ghulam Mohammad Taploo as accused in the case. According to the agency, three of the accused—Abdul Hamid Sheikh, Mohammad Yousuf Sofi alias Idrees and Ghulam Mohammad Taploo—have since died, while Mohammad Yasin Malik is currently in judicial custody in another case.

The SIA further stated that proclamation proceedings have been initiated against Khurshid Ahmad Chalkoo, who is alleged to have fled to Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

According to the chargesheet, offences have been invoked under Sections 364, 341, 302 read with 34, 201 and 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC), relevant provisions of the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA), 1987, and Sections 7 and 27 of the Indian Arms Act, 1959.

The investigation also states that allegations portraying Sarla Bhat as an informer were found to be baseless and were allegedly used as a pretext for her targeted killing. The agency has alleged that the murder formed part of a broader campaign intended to spread fear and facilitate the displacement of members of the Kashmiri Pandit community during the early years of militancy.

The SIA said the filing of the chargesheet reflects its continued commitment to investigating unresolved terror cases and bringing those allegedly involved before the judicial process. The agency maintained that no terror-related offence is beyond investigation and reaffirmed its resolve to pursue such cases in accordance with law.

Srinagar, June 29: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has written to his Punjab counterpart, Bhagwant Mann, seeking immediate intervention over the alleged unauthorised collection of charges from livestock transport vehicles belonging to Jammu and Kashmir while transiting through Punjab.

In a letter dated June 23, 2026, Omar raised concerns over what he described as the difficulties being faced by livestock traders and transporters from Jammu and Kashmir, citing representations made by the All Kashmir Wholesale Mutton Dealers Union.

According to the letter, livestock-laden vehicles bound for Jammu and Kashmir are allegedly being stopped by contractor groups operating in connection with cattle fairs and subjected to unauthorised fee collection despite carrying valid permits and all required documentation.

The Chief Minister said such interruptions were causing avoidable delays, financial losses and hardship to transporters while also adversely affecting animal welfare.

Omar informed Mann that the matter had also been examined by the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs through an internal committee. The committee, he said, found that transporters were reportedly being compelled to make substantial payments per vehicle during transit without any apparent legal sanction.

The letter further noted that livestock movement is exempt from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and warned that the continued imposition of such charges was placing an additional burden on the livestock trade, with a consequential impact on meat prices and consumers in Jammu and Kashmir.

Highlighting the long-standing relationship between the two neighbouring states, Omar wrote that Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir share historic bonds of friendship, cooperation and economic interdependence. He said any such practices, if found to be occurring, were inconsistent with the spirit of mutual cooperation and had caused concern among the trading community.

The Chief Minister also pointed out that the tendering process relating to cattle fairs in Punjab is likely to be undertaken shortly. He said stakeholders had expressed apprehension that unless appropriate safeguards are put in place, the alleged practices may continue during the forthcoming contract period, leading to recurring hardship and financial losses for livestock traders.

Seeking Mann’s intervention, Omar requested that the matter be examined and necessary measures taken to ensure the smooth, secure and unhindered movement of livestock transport vehicles through Punjab.

“It may also be ensured that no unauthorised interference or collection of charges is permitted from transporters carrying valid documentation and complying with all statutory requirements,” the Chief Minister wrote.

Omar expressed hope for Punjab’s cooperation in resolving the issue, saying such intervention would safeguard the interests of livestock traders and strengthen the long-standing economic ties between the two regions.