Anantnag, June 13: In a heartening act of courage and humanity, SSP Anantnag Amod Ashok Nagpure today felicitated a young boy, Sehran Ashraf S/o Mohd Ashraf Hakeem R/o Bangidar Anantnag, for his extraordinary bravery in saving the life of an elderly woman who had jumped into the River Jhelum in an apparent attempt to end her life.

Displaying remarkable presence of mind and selfless courage, Sehran immediately sprang into action upon noticing the woman struggling in the river. Risking his own safety, he successfully rescued her from the fast-flowing waters and brought her to safety, thereby averting a tragedy.

Recognizing his exemplary act, SSP Anantnag felicitated Sehran and commended him for his courage, quick response, and humanitarian spirit. He stated that such acts of bravery inspire society and reflect the values of compassion, responsibility, and selfless service.

The SSP further lauded the young boy’s heroism and expressed hope that his noble deed would encourage others to come forward and assist those in distress. He also emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in safeguarding lives and fostering a caring society.

Anantnag Police salutes the courage and selflessness displayed by Sehran Ashraf and wishes him a bright and successful future. His timely intervention stands as a shining example of how one individual’s bravery can make a life-saving difference.

Srinagar, June 13: Continuing its sustained crackdown against drug trafficking under the ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan, Police arrested 5 drug peddlers in Anantnag, Awantipora & Pulwama and recovered contraband substances from their possession.

Police in a statement said that in Anantnag, police achieved significant success by apprehending two drug peddlers in separate operations. In the first operation, a police party of Police Station Utrasoo apprehended one person identified as Mohd Yousuf Magray son of Wali Mohd Magray resident of Cherpora near village Sheikhpora Chund. During search, 715 grams of charas-like substance was recovered from his possession. Similarly, in another operation conducted during naka checking at Khanpora Crossing, Police Station Utrasoo apprehended one drug peddler identified as Javaid Ahmad Bhat son of Abdul Khaliq Bhat resident of Shangus. During search, 158 grams of charas powder-like substance was recovered from his possession.

In Awantipora, during routine checking at Satoora, a motorcycle bearing registration No. JK22B-8187 was intercepted. The persons travelling on bike attempted to evade checking but were tactfully apprehended by the police party. During search, 199 grams of cannabis powder was recovered from their possession. The accused have been identified as Adil Ahmad Dar son of Ali Mohammad Dar and Muzaffar Ahmad Dar son of Mohammad Maqbool Dar, both residents of Satoora. Both individuals have been arrested and the motorcycle used in the commission of the offence has also been seized as per law.

Similarly in Pulwama, a police party of Police Post Newa at a checkpoint established at Urwan, intercepted a Sumo vehicle bearing registration No. JK13A-3176. During the search, approximately 7 grams of heroin-like substance was recovered from the possession of the driver, identified as Parvaiz Ahmad Hajam son of Abdul Rashid Hajam resident of Newa. The accused was arrested on the spot and the vehicle involved in the commission of the offence was also seized.

Accordingly, cases under relevant provisions of law have been registered at respective police stations and further investigation have been set into motion to ascertain the source and intended destination of the contraband.

Police remain committed to its zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking and urge the public to continue supporting anti-drug efforts by sharing information related to narcotics and other unlawful activities, statement added.

Srinagar, June 13: The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today attended the Global Kashmiri Pandit Conclave at Srinagar. The landmark event was attended by distinguished personalities of the Kashmiri Pandit community from India and abroad to celebrate Kashmiri Pandit Community’s journey of resilience, renaissance and return. Speaking on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor said the Global Kashmiri Pandit Conclave celebrates the community’s patience and resilience and honours their achievements and, above all, lays the foundation for return of the community members.

“A moment of transformation is here. Those once uprooted from their homeland return and this homecoming is the truest victory. The presence of business leaders, corporate heads, technology entrepreneurs, and cultural icons sends a powerful message of confidence in the peace of Jammu Kashmir, and trust in the administrative stability under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Journey of Kashmiri Pandit Community has been scarred by genocide, exile and struggle. World once witnessed their wounds and now the triumph. The community chose a different path. They refused to be defined by wounds and struggle. Instead, they transformed that pain into strength,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor called upon distinguished members of Kashmiri Pandit Community to set up industries, academic and cultural institutions in Jammu Kashmir that will become the immortal story of their heritage and provide opportunities to generations to come. He emphasised that the Kashmiri Pandit Community’s contribution is needed across industry, education, arts and spirituality.

“I believe the true measure of life lies in what we give back, in the hope we inspire, and in the change we leave behind for our society and nation. That is the essence of a meaningful life and that is the real service. And it is this legacy that will continue to guide and inspire generations to come,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor also observed that the world remembers the 1990s, when the Kashmiri Pandit community faced unimaginable brutality and endured massacres and, overnight, families were forced to leave everything behind and live in exile in their own country.

“Lives marked by pain and struggle gave the Kashmiri Pandit community only two choices- despair or rebuilding. They chose creation, rebuilding and selfless service and in doing so, the community made history. Carrying the weight of massacre, they never turned away from their purpose.

Hardship never broke the spirit of the Kashmiri Pandit community. Suffering did not silence their ambition. Instead, they shaped their own destiny by building industries, founding institutions, driving innovation, and earning respect across the world.

Today, I am proud that the Kashmiri Pandit community is celebrated for reaching new heights of success. The world honours their talent, leadership, and contributions to humanity,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor stated that the Global Conclave also indicates that the time has come for the reconstruction and revival of the ancient glory of the Kashmiri Pandit community. He said the discussions at this conclave on building global industries and institutions here and a shared economic future are blueprints and pathways for cultural revival, economic empowerment, and community restoration.

“You turned struggle into strength, and that struggle forged community leaders who achieved excellence in technology, finance, medicine, the arts, and civil services. In that struggle your commitment produced entrepreneurs who built companies shaping global markets, and I believe it also produced scholars who enriched the academic world and influenced policy.

Through your advancement the Kashmiri Pandit community reminded the world that resolve, courage, and determination are the greatest weapons. Today, as the world celebrates your accomplishments, it honours your talent, your patience, and the spirit that refused to bow,” the Lieutenant Governor told the distinguished members present at the conclave.

The Lieutenant Governor said the return of the Kashmiri Pandit community reflects that after 2019 a new Jammu Kashmir has been born.

“The strength of this new Jammu Kashmir reflects your resolve. Its hope reflects your vision. Jammu Kashmir, which witnessed the massacres, pain, and displacement of the Kashmiri Pandit community has been transformed into a centre of reconstruction by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

I often say that history is written by those who rise again after suffering and confronting countless challenges. Having earned global recognition, you are now returning to your roots. This dignified return is also the resolve of the Prime Minister. I salute your courage. I honour your steadfastness. I appreciate your achievements, and I express the commitment that together we will ensure a future brighter than the past and that the pride of the Kashmiri Pandit community will shine again for the welfare of all humanity,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor observed that the contribution of the Kashmiri Pandit community towards building a Viksit Bharat would be significant and would play an important role in the nation’s development journey.

On the occasion, the participants witnessed various sessions during which distinguished speakers and prominent members of the Kashmiri Pandit community shared their experiences and insights.

Among those present on the occasion were Nasir Aslam Wani, Advisor to the Chief Minister; Uphaar Kotru, President, Kashmiri Overseas Association (KOA); Utpal Kaul, International Coordinator & Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora (GKPD); Ashwani Bhat, President, Kashmiri Pandit Association (KPA) Mumbai; Sanjay Koul, President All Minority Employees Association Kashmir (AMEAK);  Autar Krishan Trakroo, Social Activist and Organising Secretary, Sanjeevani Sharda Kendra; Dileep Mattoo President Jammu Kashmir Vichar Manch (JKVM); R.K. Bhat, President, Youth All India Kashmiri Samaj.

Senior officers from the Police and Civil Administration, prominent citizens, youth and a large number of members of the Kashmiri Pandit community also attended the conclave.

Srinagar, June 13: Nasir Aslam Wani, the advisor to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, on Saturday called for the revival of the apex committee to oversee the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits.

In 2009, the government in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, then also headed by Abdullah, constituted the apex committee to oversee and facilitate the return and rehabilitation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits and monitor the implementation of the rehabilitation measures announced by the Centre.

The body comprised government representatives and members of several Kashmiri Pandit organisations.

Addressing an event organised by Kashmiri Pandits living overseas, Wani said the time has come for the revival of the committee that was disbanded in 2014.

“This conclave is fine, but beyond it, we have to sit together and talk. Some representatives from your side and some from our side will have to talk to each other and find a way (for the return of the Kashmiri Pandits). At the government level, I think there is a need to restore the apex committee,” Wani said.

He said the time has come to restore the committee to evolve a roadmap for a safe and dignified return of the Kashmiri Pandits to their homeland.

“The committee will talk to your community and take decisions,” he said, adding, “We will approach the chief minister as well as the lieutenant governor and soon, reconstitute this committee.”

The advisor to the chief minister said the eruption of militancy in the valley in 1990 impacted not just Kashmiri Pandits, but Muslims as well.

“The storm of 1990 impacted all. It affected both the communities and the resolution will also come together,” he asserted.

Wani acknowledged that it is a reality that there is a section of people who does not want peace.

“They were not with the decision of 1947 (Jammu and Kashmir’s accession with India). But there were people like us also. You cannot make sweeping accusations on everyone. There are people whose hearts used to beat for you then and still do now. This valley of saints is incomplete till Pandits return,” he said.

He said the government has tried at its own level to bring back the Pandits.

“Whether it is the work on rehabilitation, the prime minister’s package, transit camps or temporary accommodation or the apex committee, we tried our best. You cannot paint all of us with the same brush. There was a difference. Yes, mistakes were made by a few people, but attempts were also made to rectify those mistakes. If you got pricked by a thorn, we also felt that pain,” he said.

Wani said a blame game cannot achieve results.

“Whatever attempts we make, whether dialogue or constituting committees, unless our Kashmiri Pandit brothers settle back in the valley, everything is incomplete. We have to work together for that. Much time has passed and we cannot reach a resolution if we continue the blame game even today,” he said.

Srinagar, June 13: Anantnag Police on Saturday traced three minor girls who had gone missing from the Brakpora area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, officials said.

The girls, residents of Nunwani village in Brakpora, were reported missing on Friday evening, prompting concern among their families and local residents. Soon after receiving the information, police launched a search operation and formed teams to trace their whereabouts.

According to Anantnag Police, the three minors were successfully traced within hours through swift and coordinated efforts by police teams.

“All three missing minor girls have been traced and are safe. They will be handed over to their families after completion of the required legal formalities,” a police spokesperson said.

Taking immediate cognizance of the matter, and under the close supervision of the SSP Anantnag, multiple police teams were constituted and a coordinated search operation was launched. Through sustained efforts, technical assistance, and ground-level verification, the police teams succeeded in tracing all three girls within hours, he said.

All three girls were found safe and in good health. After completion of the necessary legal formalities, they were handed over to their respective legal heirs.

Police said the prompt response and coordinated action by the teams on the ground ensured the quick recovery of the girls.