J-K LG orders magisterial probe into Ganderbal encounter
The order states that the inquiry must ascertain the facts and sequence of events surrounding the encounter and submit a report within seven days.
No sign of war winding down in Middle East as Friday dawns with attacks across region
Dubai, Apr 03: There was little sign Friday of the war in the Middle East winding down as Israel said it faced incoming fire from Iran, Kuwait and Bahrain reported being under attack, and Iran said eight people were killed while celebrating the close of Persian new year near a major bridge hit by a US strike.
Tehran continued to demonstrate its ability to strike its neighbours even as US President Donald Trump claimed the threat from the country was nearly eliminated and cheered the collapse of the bridge on Thursday, reportedly the tallest in the Middle East.
Iran decried the strike on the bridge, which also injured 95 people celebrating Nature Day, when Iranians gather for picnics and other celebrations outdoors on the last day of Nowruz, the Persian new year.
“Striking civilian infrastructure only conveys the defeat and moral collapse of an enemy in disarray,” Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote Thursday in a post on X.
Iran’s attacks on Gulf states along with its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz have disrupted the world’s energy supplies with effects far beyond the Middle East. That has proved to be Iran’s greatest strategic advantage in the war. Britain held a call with nearly three dozen countries about how to reopen the strait once the fighting is over.
Trump has insisted the strait can be taken by force — but said it is not up to the US to do that. In an address to the American people Wednesday night, he encouraged countries that depend on oil from Hormuz to “build some delayed courage” and go “take it.”
Meanwhile, USS Gerald R Ford has left Croatia. The largest American aircraft carrier in service sailed out of Split and “remains poised for full mission tasking in support of national objectives in any area of operation,” the Navy’s 6th Fleet announced Thursday.
It was unclear where it was going. It went to Croatia after a stop in Souda Bay, Greece, for repairs after a fire in its laundry room. It underwent further repairs in Croatia and saw its sailors take liberty while at port.
The Ford left Norfolk, Virginia, on June 24, 2025, making its deployment one of the longest in Navy history.
If it heads to the Middle East, it would have to pass through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea. Yemen’s Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have entered the war and begun firing on Israel, meaning the Ford could face fire from them.
The USS Abraham Lincoln remains in the Arabian Sea. The US military’s Central Command said Friday that it “continues to conduct flight operations, both day and night.”
The USS George H W Bush aircraft carrier departed Norfolk on Wednesday to head to the Middle East.
Iran continues to strike Israel, Gulf countries
Iran responded defiantly to Trump’s speech, in which the American president claimed US military action had been so decisive that “one of the most powerful countries” is “really no longer a threat.”
A spokesman for Iran’s military, Lt Col Ebrahim Zolfaghari, insisted Thursday that Tehran maintains hidden stockpiles of arms, munitions and production facilities. He said facilities targeted so far by US strikes are “insignificant.”
Trump, in his address, said US “core strategic objectives are nearing completion.”
Iran state media reported the attack on the B1 bridge, which was still under construction, citing authorities in Alborz province.
Trump posted footage on social media showing what he said was the collapse of Iran’s biggest bridge and threatening, “Much more to follow.” It was not immediately clear if the footage Trump shared was the B1 bridge.
In Lebanon — where Israel has launched a ground invasion against Iran-backed Hezbollah militants — Israeli strikes killed 27 people over 24 hours, the Health Ministry said.
More than 1,900 people have been killed in Iran during the war, while 19 have been reported dead in Israel. More than two dozen people have died in Gulf states and the occupied West Bank, while 13 US service members have been killed.
More than 1,300 people have been killed and more than one million displaced in Lebanon. Ten Israeli soldiers have also died there.
Nearly three dozen nations talk about securing Strait of Hormuz
Iranian attacks on about two dozen commercial ships, and the threat of more, have halted nearly all traffic in the waterway that connects the Persian Gulf to the open ocean.
Since March 1, traffic through the strait has dropped 94 per cent over the same period last year, according to the Lloyds List Intelligence shipping data firm. Two ships are confirmed to have paid a fee, the firm said, while others were allowed through based on agreements with their home governments.
Saudi Arabia piped about 1 billion barrels of oil away from the Strait of Hormuz in March, according to maritime data firm Kpler, while Iraq said Thursday that it had started to truck oil across Syria to avoid the strait.
The 35 countries that spoke Thursday, including all G7 industrialised democracies except the US, as well as the UAE and Bahrain, signed a declaration last month demanding Iran stop blocking the strait.
Thursday’s talks were focused on political and diplomatic measures, but British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said military planners from an unspecified number of countries will also plot ways to ensure security once fighting ends, including potential mine-clearing work and “reassurance” for commercial shipping.
No country appears willing to try to open the strait by force while the war is raging. French President Emmanuel Macron, while on a visit to South Korea, called a military operation to secure the waterway “unrealistic.”
But there is a concern that Iran might limit traffic through the waterway even after US and Israeli attacks cease.
Oil prices rise again even as Trump suggests war could end soon
The conflict is driving up prices for oil and natural gas, roiling stock markets, pushing up the cost of gasoline and threatening to make a range of goods, including food, more expensive.
Oil prices remained elevated, however, at USD 111.54 for a barrel of US crude, having soared following Trump’s address. That’s up about 50 per cent from February 28.
Though the oil and gas that typically transits the strait is primarily sold to Asian nations, Japan and South Korea were the only two countries from the region joining Thursday’s call about the strait. The supply of jet fuel has also been interrupted, with consequences for travel worldwide.
Jio leadership meets LG Manoj Sinha, discusses telecom expansion in J&K
Jammu, Apr 2: Kapil Ahuja, CEO (North), Reliance Jio, and Shehzan Hameed, State Business Head, J&K, met Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan Jammu.
During the meeting, the officials highlighted Reliance Jio’s commitment to enhancing digital connectivity and delivering advanced network services across Jammu and Kashmir. They also briefed the Lieutenant Governor on the current telecom landscape and the company’s ongoing efforts to expand its footprint to remote and underserved areas of the Union Territory.
The discussion focused on strengthening digital infrastructure and improving access to high-quality telecom services across the region.
Mehbooba seeks fair probe into Ganderbal encounter
Srinagar, Apr 2: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday sought a fair probe into the “Ganderbal encounter”.
She said that allegations were being raised that the recent encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, in which a local terrorist was gunned down, was “fake”.
The Army on Wednesday said that a local terrorist, Rashid Ahmad Mughal from the Lar area of the district was killed in an overnight encounter in the Arahama area.
Speaking to reporters here, Mehbooba said, “There was an encounter in Arhama in which a 29-year-old local youth, Rashid Mughal, was killed. There are allegations that it was a fake encounter. The Army first said he was a foreign militant, then they said he was a local linked to militancy.”
The PDP chief said that Rashid was an orphan who ran an NGO. “Even his body was not handed over to the family… He was buried in Baramulla. This is what is happening with our youth,” the former chief minister said.
She also called upon the youth to come forward and join politics, citing National Conference leader Muneeb Deva joining the PDP as a “good omen”.
“The youth must come forward, as it is they who are facing maximum difficulties. They must join mainstream politics and secure their place among the people through municipal, panchayat or Assembly elections. If more youth join the PDP, the voice of the people will get stronger,” Mehbooba said.
The PDP chief also accused the National Conference (NC) government of being pro-rich and acting against the poor. “We had brought a Bill on land rights to regularise the occupation of poor people living on government land. But this government termed the poor land grabbers. It is acting against the poor. We also demanded that the lease period of the hoteliers be extended. I am happy that this will be done because they are also our people. Having said that, the government should have thought about the poor as well,” Mehbooba said.
She said that the government would “enact a drama” in the Assembly by bringing a resolution to seek the return of power projects.
“However, a few days ago, (Chief Minister) Omar Abdullah himself handed over two new power projects to the NHPC. So, people should understand how this party is betraying them. It sought votes from the poor to safeguard their rights, but it is not doing so. Rather, the NC has become a party for the rich,” Mehbooba said.
Ranjit Sagar Dam Agreement | Punjab Govt can’t backtrack from commitment: CM Omar
Jammu, Apr 2: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Thursday asserted that the Punjab government could not backtrack from its commitment made in an agreement signed with the J&K government in 1979 vis-à-vis compensation, employment for locals, and UT’s 20 percent share of electricity from the Ranjit Sagar dam project as it was a sovereign commitment.
The Chief Minister assured the House that he would take up the issue with my Punjab counterpart and would remind him of all these commitments because it was not an individual commitment.
They would be convinced to fulfil their commitment in letter and spirit, he stated.
The Chief Minister’s assertion was in reply to the question of BJP MLA from Basohli Darshan Kumar and the supplementaries raised by Kumar and his senior party colleague Sham Lal Sharma during the Question Hour.
CM Omar, who also holds charge of the Power Minister, stated that as per the 1979 agreement, J&K was entitled to 20 percent of the total power generated at Thein Dam and Shahpur Kandi Barrage at busbar cost of generation. He added that a power sale agreement between PSPCL and JKPCL was signed on October 11, 2019, for the sale and purchase of power from the Ranjit Sagar Dam project.
“However, no power is currently being injected into J&K’s system due to lack of transmission infrastructure. The provisional tariff payable to PSPCL stands at Rs 3.5 per kWh,” he said.
The Chief Minister also clarified that there was no proposal under consideration to provide subsidised or free electricity to consumers in the Basohli constituency, where the project was located.
On compensation to project-affected families, the Chief Minister said, “The total compensation amount stands at Rs 85.48 Cr, out of which Rs 71.15 Cr has been released by the Punjab Government, leaving a pending amount of Rs 14.32 Cr.”
He added that Rs 5.41 Cr in interest accrued on earlier released funds was utilised by the Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, for land compensation, bringing the adjusted pending amount to Rs 8.90 Cr. Further, he informed that Rs 1.10 Cr was to be paid as per various court orders, while pending interest as of September 30, 2025, stands at Rs 27.02 Cr, taking the total liability to Rs 37.03 Cr.
Against this, Rs 21.08 Cr was received in 2020, leaving a balance of Rs 15.94 Cr in the compensation account including interest as on September 30. 2025. So far, Rs 50.51 Cr has been disbursed.
Explaining the delay in disbursement of full compensation, the Chief Minister said that non-submission of requisite documents by some landowners remained a major hurdle.
“These documents include compensation applications, bank account details, PAN cards and Aadhaar cards. He said that the Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, has issued multiple public notices urging landowners to submit the required documents to facilitate timely release of compensation. The government is committed to ensuring that all eligible beneficiaries receive their dues once procedural formalities are completed,” CM Omar stated.
However, this point was contested by Darshan Kumar.
Regarding employment, the Chief Minister said the matter was taken up with the concerned dam authorities through the Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, for providing jobs to 816 affected families.
He further informed that, as per Government Order No. 340-PW (Hyd) of 2018 dated September 28, 2018, employment to oustees was to be provided by the Government of Punjab in accordance with the agreed Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) Policy of both governments. He added that jobs would be extended to eligible oustees strictly as per the provisions of the policy.
“The suggestion forwarded by the MLA (Darshan Kumar) regarding compensation will be definitely considered by the government. Our objective is that the (compensation) money should reach the people. But at the same time, we need to remind them that the money cannot be disbursed to them without completing all requisite formalities vis-à-vis documents. As I’ve already said in my reply that we remind those families repeatedly, through DC, that they complete all the formalities so that the money can be disbursed to them,” the Chief Minister reiterated.
On this account, he also sought the help of the concerned MLA (Darshan Kumar).
“If the MLA also helps us (government) in expediting the completion of formalities. As soon as the formalities get completed, we will disburse the money. With regard to the concern about jobs, I’ve admitted in my reply that the Punjab government was supposed to fulfil this commitment as per the agreement. To some extent, the commitment has been fulfilled – as the MLA has stated that jobs given are not as per status (qualification) of the beneficiaries. We will take up this issue with the Punjab government and ask them to implement the agreement they signed with us (J&K) in 1979, in letter and spirit,” the Chief Minister assured the House.
BJP MLA and the former (PHE) minister Sham Lal Sharma, while raising a supplementary to the question, recalled that when the MoU was signed between two governments – both the states were being ruled by taller personalities. Late Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah was the Chief Minister of J&K while Prakash Singh Badal was the Chief Minister of Punjab.
“In 2009, when the NC-Congress government was in power, we reopened the case. The first phase of the dam has been completed and presently the second phase is underway. My submission is that the terms and conditions in the MoU have not been fulfilled by the Punjab government. We had pursued the matter again in 2013-14. We had exchanged communiques with them on that account when Prakash Singh Badal was still alive and some progress was also achieved on that account,” Sham Sharma reminisced.
He recounted that 20 percent electricity of the total power generated at busbar cost of generation was to be provided to J&K but it was not given.
“We should claim it. Besides, commitments related to 300 cusec water, proper rehabilitation of displaced persons were not fulfilled. The Chief Minister in his reply too has admitted that they (Punjab government) have yet to provide over 800 jobs to affected people in J&K. I request the Chief Minister to use his good offices to ask them to fulfil their commitment,” Sham Sharma stated.
The Chief Minister agreed to the contention of BJP MLA and former minister, saying, “MLA Sham Sharma is right in saying as he (Sham) had endeavoured hard that time (as minister) in our earlier (NC-Congress) government to pursue this matter. As per his suggestion, at my own level, I’ll take up the issue with my counterpart – Chief Minister in Punjab; will remind him of all the commitments. Because this is not an individual commitment, it is a sovereign commitment between the Government of Punjab and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir.”
“They cannot backtrack from their commitment; the question does not arise. We will remind them and we will convince them that they will have to fulfil their commitment,” the Chief Minister remarked.
Darshan Kumar stated that 1,11,740 kanals of land of J&K was taken for construction of the dam.
“I fail to understand why the government was apathetic towards this dam and the plight of the people of Basohli. Thousands of families were displaced. But they (Punjab government) did great injustice to our people. People are suffering as they have not been paid compensation. The commitments related to free power and a residential colony for the affected too have not been fulfilled. 20 percent power to J&K is not being given,” Darshan Kumar rued.
He alleged that as per qualification, jobs have not been given to affected people. “They have been given class IV jobs. They were promised that they would be provided jobs near the project area. But they were provided jobs in Sangrur and other far-off areas of Punjab – far away from their homes in J&K. 152 families, which have been given jobs, are untraceable,” BJP MLA stated.
In a separate written reply to PDP legislator Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi about outstanding power dues of government departments, security establishments, the Chief Minister informed that KPDCL and JPDCL had to collectively recover Rs 374735.42 lakh (3747.35 Cr).
As per the statistics, the government departments and security establishments owed Rs 231022.41 lakhs to KPDCL and Rs 143713.01 lakhs to JPDCL.
“The DISCOMs are vigorously following the defaulting departments for recovery of the outstanding power dues,” the CM Omar said.
In reply to the question if the Power Development Department was contemplating extending the power amnesty scheme beyond March, 2026, the Chief Minister replied in negative.
“There is no such proposal under the consideration of the government,” he replied.
States, UTs must prioritise uninterrupted LPG supply for domestic, essential sectors: Ministry of Petroleum
New Delhi, Apr 02: While chairing a meeting with Additional Chief Secretaries and Principal Secretaries (Food & Civil Supplies) of all States and Union Territories to review the fuel supply situation across the country, Secretary (Petroleum), Government of India, on Thursday emphasised on all the States and Union Territories (UTs) to prioritise uninterrupted LPG supply for domestic and essential sectors.
He briefed the states/UTs on steps taken by the Government to ease the supply of essential petroleum fuels and also appreciated respective states/UTs to work alongside the central Government to deal with the evolving situation.
Secretary (Petroleum) stressed that States/UTs must actively manage and prioritize LPG distribution to ensure uninterrupted supply for domestic consumers and essential sectors. States were also advised to maintain strict vigilance against hoarding, diversion, and the spread of misinformation that could trigger unnecessary panic.
States such as Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Delhi, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh were commended for proactive enforcement actions, including raids to curb irregularities. Other States were urged to further strengthen monitoring and enforcement and take exemplary action on offenders. States were also requested to actively thwart attempts to mislead and spread false rumours with regard to supplies.
On reports concerning FTL LPG supplies to migrant workers, States clarified that there is no disruption in LPG supply affecting migrants and that supplies remain stable. Secretary informed that states may consider managing targeted distribution of 5 kg FTL LPG cylinders, based on local requirements alongwith OMCs. On LPG for autos it was clarified that efforts are ongoing to meet this demand, and autos that can run both on LPG and petrol should be encouraged to use the later.
Secretary (Petroleum) appreciated the cooperation of all States and UTs and called for continued close monitoring to ensure supply stability and maintain public confidence.
CSK seek rhythm against potent Punjab Kings
Chennai, Apr 2: Chennai Super Kings will need to improve significantly in all departments of the game to trouble a potent Punjab Kings in their first home game of the Indian Premier League here on Friday.
It was a uninspiring start for CSK in their opener against Rajasthan Royals.
CSK, now a team full of youngsters, did not get anything right in Guwahati and would simply like to leave that comprehensive defeat behind in a long tournament such as the IPL.
Considering how the Chennai surface played in the recent T20 World Cup, it should be a good batting wicket for the game on Friday.
While the injured MS Dhoni did not travel to Guwahati, he could be back in the dugout as a sounding board to captain Ruturaj Gaikwad while he nurses a calf strain. Sanju Samson, their biggest signing for the season, did not last long on his CSK debut and would be looking to make a big impact in front of home fans.
CSK did not have the services of their key batter Dewald Brevis against Royals and there is still no clarity over his recovery from a side strain.
Sarfaraz Khan was brought into the field as an impact player following the batting collapse. He did not last long but looked comfortable in the middle in his first IPL game since 2023 season.
More will be expected from youngsters like Kartik Sharma as the tournament progresses.
On the bowling front, the likes of Matt Henry and Noor Ahmad were made to look ordinary by the sheer belligerence of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. They would be itching to bounce back from that pasting.
CSK take on last year’s finalists Punjab Kings, who have become a formidable unit in the Shreyas Iyer-Ricky Ponting era.
As they aim to go all the way this season, they have found an able number three in Cooper Connolly who anchored a tense chase against Gujarat Titans on Tuesday night.
The middle-order wobbled in what should have been a straightforward chase and that will push the team to produce a more convincing performance with the bat.
Yuzvendra Chahal, who returns to another IPL as a fitter cricketer, impressed with his variations of line and pace against the Titans, choking the flow of runs in the middle overs while dismissing two key batters.
The team’s another consistent performer, Harpeet Brar, was not part of the playing 12. Punjab Kings would need to a find way to play him in the the eleven or as an impact player.
Vijaykumar Vyshak carried on from where he left off last season, doing the job for Punjab Kings in all phases of the innings.
MLA Kangan Mian Mehar raises rehabilitation, welfare, safety issues in Assembly
Srinagar, Apr 2: MLA Kangan Mian Mehar Ali on Thursday raised multiple public importance issues in the Assembly, seeking rehabilitation of families affected by Zojila Tunnel construction, extension of welfare schemes to Ganderbal, and safety measures for uncovered power canals.
Mian Mehar Ali raised concerns about residents affected by the construction of the Zojila Tunnel, demanding their rehabilitation. Mian Mehar said that due to the blasting and other construction work several nearby residential houses have developed cracks and damage adding that the affected should be rehabilitated and given permission to reconstruct their homes. MLA Kangan also sought extension of Ladli Beti Scheme to Ganderbal district further making mission Yuva scheme more beneficial to people .
Mian Mehar alleged that mining department is not allowing people even to use machinery to level their fields and urged that people should be permitted to level agricultural fields without intervention from the mining department. He also demanded restoration of Baba irrigation canal. “ Baba irrigation canal caters to a vast area of two constituencies including Kangan and Ganderbal, adding that a DPR of 16 Cr has been made and urged that the work should be started at an earliest .
MLA Kangan further raised the issue of the non-fenced power canal in Kangan constituency, adding that these power canals should be properly fenced to avoid accidents and untoward incidents.
States, UTs prioritise uninterrupted LPG supply for domestic, essential sectors: Ministry of Petroleum
New Delhi, Apr 02: Secretary (Petroleum) chaired a meeting with Additional Chief Secretaries and Principal Secretaries (Food & Civil Supplies) of all States and Union Territories to review the fuel supply situation across the country.
He briefed the states/UTs on steps taken by the Government to ease the supply of essential petroleum fuels and also appreciated respective states/UTs to work alongside the central Government to deal with the evolving situation.
Secretary (Petroleum) stressed that States/UTs must actively manage and prioritize LPG distribution to ensure uninterrupted supply for domestic consumers and essential sectors. States were also advised to maintain strict vigilance against hoarding, diversion, and the spread of misinformation that could trigger unnecessary panic.
States such as Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Delhi, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh were commended for proactive enforcement actions, including raids to curb irregularities. Other States were urged to further strengthen monitoring and enforcement and take exemplary action on offenders. States were also requested to actively thwart attempts to mislead and spread false rumours with regard to supplies.
On reports concerning FTL LPG supplies to migrant workers, States clarified that there is no disruption in LPG supply affecting migrants and that supplies remain stable. Secretary informed that states may consider managing targeted distribution of 5 kg FTL LPG cylinders, based on local requirements alongwith OMCs. On LPG for autos it was clarified that efforts are ongoing to meet this demand, and autos that can run both on LPG and petrol should be encouraged to use the later.
Secretary (Petroleum) appreciated the cooperation of all States and UTs and called for continued close monitoring to ensure supply stability and maintain public confidence.
SIA files chargesheet against LeT, TRF associate for harbouring terrorists
Jammu, Apr 02: In a major breakthrough in the investigation of the Thanamandi terror attack, the State Investigation Agency (SIA) Jammu and Kashmir has filed a chargesheet against an accused for allegedly harbouring terrorists linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba and The Resistance Front involved in the killing of a civilian.
In a statement as per news agency Kashmir News Corner — KNC, SIA J&K has filed a charge sheet before the designated court against Sabar Hussain for harbouring terrorists affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)/The Resistance Front (TRF), involved in the brutal killing of Mohd Razaq.
The case pertains to an incident that occurred on April 22, 2024, when unidentified terrorists forcibly entered the residence of Mohd Razaq at Kunda, Shahdara Sharief, Thanamandi, and opened indiscriminate fire. Mohd Razaq succumbed to injuries on the spot, while his brother, Tahir Khurshid alias Tahir Fauji, a TA jawan, sustained injuries, it reads.
Statement reads, following the incident, Police Station Thanamandi registered a case and initiated investigation. Assessing the sensitivity of the incident, it was transferred to SIA for in-depth investigation. During the course of investigation, crucial evidence was recovered from the scene. Statements of key witnesses were recorded under relevant provisions of law.
It was established during investigations that Sabar Hussain S/o Mohd Rashid R/o Khabalwali, Shahdara Sharief (A/P Chamrer, Surankote, District Poonch), has provided shelter, food, and logistical support to three LeT/TRF terrorists at his seasonal hut in Chamrer during late June to early July 2024, thereby facilitating the execution of the terror attack, it reads.
Accordingly, prima facie offences under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, have been established against the accused and the case stands charge sheeted, statement reads.
