Baramulla, June 20: Chairperson of J&K Waqf Board, Dr Syed Darakhshan Andrabi today visited the Sufi spiritual Shrine of Hazrat Janbaaz Wali (RA) at Khanpora, Baramulla and conducted an on-the-spot inspection of the ongoing Heritage Restoration and Conservation Project being executed through the Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums, J&K.

As per the Waqf Board officials, the visit followed repeated representations from local residents and devotees who had expressed serious concerns regarding certain important components that had been left out of the restoration project. “The matter had been consistently brought to the notice of the Chairperson, seeking her personal intervention for an amicable resolution”, said Waqf Board communique.

Today after a detailed assessment of the site and due consideration of public sentiments, Dr Andrabi announced on the spot that the reconstruction of the Shrine Sanctum & all other left-out components of the project, along with other essential developmental and conservation works, would be taken up immediately by the J&K Waqf Board. She assured that the works would be executed in a manner that preserves the shrine’s sanctity, heritage value and religious significance while addressing the aspirations of all stakeholders.

The announcement was received with overwhelming appreciation from devotees and local residents, who expressed gratitude for the Chairperson’s prompt and decisive intervention. People described the decision as a reflection of Dr Andrabi’s unwavering commitment to the preservation of religious heritage and the protection of invaluable spiritual assets. They hailed the initiative as a sensitive, people-centric and visionary step that balances conservation requirements with public expectations.

Earlier Waqf Chairperson chaired a detailed review meeting at DC Office Baramulla in connection with the project. The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Syed Altaf Hussain Musvi; Executive Magistrate, J&K Waqf Board, Ishtiyaq Mohiuddin; Executive Engineer, R&B Division Baramulla, Mohammad Younis Shah; Assistant Executive Engineer Mohammad Ather; Assistant Engineer Asif Khaliq; Executive Engineer, J&K Waqf Board, Er Qazi Mushtaq; and Junior Engineer Er Rehmat Ullah Bhat, among other officials.

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Kashmir, of Crime Branch J&K has filed a chargesheet in FIR No. 44/2023 under Section 420 of the IPC before the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Sopore, against Harkeet Singh, son of Guru Mohan Singh, resident of Kali Mata Mandir, Lal Bangla, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

The case stems from a written complaint alleging that the accused induced the complainant to part with money on the pretext of providing an AT&T inbound sales call project of a US-based telecom company.

During the course of the investigation, it was established that the accused had dishonestly deceived the complainant and fraudulently obtained money under false assurances.

Based on the evidence collected during the investigation, the allegations were found to be substantiated, and the chargesheet was accordingly filed before the competent court for judicial determination.

The general public is advised to remain vigilant against economic fraud and report any such incidents to the Senior Superintendent of Police, Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Kashmir, Crime Branch J&K. Victims of economic fraud may also submit their complaints through the official email address: [email protected].

The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today delivered the keynote address at Srinagar-Nalanda Dialogue. The event was organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Department of Culture, J&K, Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA), National School of Drama and Nava Nalanda Mahavihara University.

Speaking on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor said that our goal is to revive our great inheritances of knowledge and spirituality, strengthen India’s civilizational traditions, and shape a future-oriented education that connects our youth to both the past and modern tech.

The Lieutenant Governor said that good governance promotes cultural dialogue and together they shape the moral, cultural, and human character of a society, and formulate inclusive policies.

“Together, the scholars of Jammu Kashmir and Nalanda shaped one of the world’s oldest living civilizations. This heritage is our guiding light. The Srinagar–Nalanda Dialogue is our opportunity to carry that light forward with wisdom, courage, and a new vision for Viksit Bharat,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor called for strengthening India’s soft power and promotion of cultural diplomacy.

“Centuries ago, India’s knowledge unified the globe. Today, we can be the bridge the world needs. The world is watching. Let us lead with confidence and compassion,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor said that youth have inherited a rich legacy of languages, beliefs, artistic traditions, philosophical schools, and varied ways of life. He said this diversity is our greatest strength.

“From Bihar to Jammu Kashmir, from the temples of Tamil Nadu to the monasteries of Ladakh, from the ghats of Kashi to the valleys of Kashmir, each region preserves its distinct cultural identity and rhythm of life. Our shared aim should be to weave these diversities into a harmonious unity that enriches the nation’s collective consciousness,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

He observed that Indian civilization has always been defined by its centers of knowledge. Nalanda, Takshashila, Vikramashila, and many others were hubs of global intellectual exchange, attracting travelers from China, Korea, Java, Persia, and West Asia.  

“Nalanda is a living intellectual cosmos of its time. It is a seat of critical thinking and curiosity where thousands of scholars in the past engaged deeply with logic, grammar, medicine, mathematics, philosophy, religion, and the arts. Likewise, Jammu Kashmir was the unique Sharda Peeth of learning, drawing people from afar for instruction across disciplines from mathematics to music.

The young generation needs to understand India’s knowledge traditions, whose roots strengthened in Bihar region during Emperor Ashoka’s era around the third century BCE. European scholars once overlooked this legacy but I am happy to note that the host city of this event, Srinagar, was also established by Emperor Ashoka. The Srinagar–Nalanda Dialogue reminds us that the moment has come to renew this tradition as a modern, relevant intellectual project. Just as scholars in ancient times travelled from Nalanda to Jammu Kashmir carrying manuscripts, philosophies, and scientific ideas, we must revive open exchange and deep engagement of ideas,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

He said that our ancient towns are living learning centres and cities such as Nalanda, Srinagar, Jammu, Purmandal, Varanasi, Hampi, Sanchi, Madurai, Puri, and Thanjavur carry centuries of experience and knowledge.

“We must strengthen the role of these towns. That requires infrastructure development, heritage conservation, and platforms like the Srinagar–Nalanda Dialogue for cultural exchange. We should continuously promote festivals, exhibitions, and discussions that bring together these towns and artists, scholars, and citizens from across the world,” he said.

Padma Shri Prof Shafi Shauq; Shri Suman Billa, Director General Ministry of Tourism, Government of India; Prof. Siddharth Singh, Vice Chancellor Nava Nalanda Mahavihara University; Shri Chittaranjan Tripathy, Director National School of Drama New Delhi;  Ms D Aaliya, Festival Chairperson, Nalanda Literature Festival; Shri Ganga Kumar, Festival Director Nalanda Literature Festival; Prof. A. Ravinder Nath, Vice Chancellor, Central University of Kashmir; Prof. Nilofer Khan Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir; Dr. GV Sundeep Chakravarthy, SSP Srinagar; Shri Akshay Labroo, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar; senior officials, literary personalities, prominent citizens and youth in large were present.

Srinagar, June 20: An undertrial prisoner, lodged in the district Jail in Anantnag, died at a hospital after complaining of illness, officials said on Saturday.

He was identified as Suneel Kumar, a resident of Jalandhar’ Gandhi Camp, who was an accused in an NDPS case. He complained of illness during the night, officials said.

They said Kumar was taken to the Government Medical College, Anantnag, where he passed away.

Proceedings under Section 194 of BNSS have been initiated, they said, adding that further details were awaited.

Srinagar, June 20: Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan is all set to arrive in Srinagar and chair a high-level security review meeting at the Police Headquarters (PHQ) here, focusing on comprehensive arrangements for the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra and the overall security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Govind Mohan will land at Srinagar International Airport around 10 AM and is scheduled to return to New Delhi by 5 PM after the deliberations. The meeting is being attended by Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), General Officer Commanding (GOC) Northern Command, Director General of Police (DGP) J&K, GOCs of 15 and 16 Corps, Director General CRPF, senior officers from Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Border Security Force (BSF) including ADG CID, Inspectors General of Police for Jammu and Kashmir ranges, and other senior officers from paramilitary forces.

The high-powered meeting is reviewing the multi-layered security grid, intelligence coordination, deployment of forces, use of advanced technology, and logistical preparedness ahead of the annual pilgrimage, which is scheduled to begin on July 3, 2026, and conclude on August 28, 2026.

Senior officials in security establishment said the discussions will remain centred on ensuring zero-tolerance security along both the traditional Pahalgam and Baltal routes, as well as at the base camps (Nunwan and Baltal). Key aspects under review include area domination, route sanitization, protection of strategic heights, pilgrim screening and registration mechanisms, and real-time response capabilities.

This review follows a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on June 12, 2026, attended by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, and other top officials. The Srinagar meeting is part of the final round of ground-level fine-tuning before the 57-day Yatra.

Security forces have already intensified preparations. A massive deployment of approximately 700 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) has been approved for the Yatra. A three-tier security system is being put in place across base camps and the entire pilgrimage corridor. For the first time, the Army’s specialized Vikas Battalion — comprising troops highly trained in mountain warfare — is being deployed to secure strategic heights overlooking the Pahalgam route.

Advanced technological measures form a critical component of the security architecture. These include mandatory RFID cards (linked to Aadhaar) for all registered yatris, drone surveillance, facial recognition systems, extensive CCTV networks, surveillance towers, and real-time monitoring and alert mechanisms. The competent authority has declared the entire Yatra area a ‘No Flying Zone’ from July 1, 2026, till the conclusion of the pilgrimage. Helicopter services for pilgrims will not operate in the area during this period.

Ground-level measures already underway include large-scale mock drills, combing operations, house-to-house searches in sensitive pockets (particularly in Anantnag district), and strict verification of service providers such as pony owners through identity cards and QR codes. Hotel checks and verification of guest records in key areas have also been intensified.

Besides the Yatra-specific arrangements, the meeting is also assessing the overall security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir. The Union Territory has witnessed a significant improvement in the security environment in recent years, with a sharp decline in terror-related incidents. This has enabled greater focus on development, tourism, and facilitation of large religious and cultural events.

The review is also covering holistic aspects such as medical preparedness and emergency response teams, accommodation and tentage facilities, transport and traffic management (including strict convoy procedures), weather monitoring in coordination with IMD, and disaster management capabilities — critical given the high-altitude terrain and potential monsoon challenges during the Yatra period.