Guwahati, Jun 13: An Indian Air Force aeroplane, AN-32, has crashed while landing in Assam’s Jorhat district on Saturday, a defence spokesperson said.
The incident occurred while the aircraft was landing at the IAF’s airbase in the Rowriah area. Senior IAF officials have rushed to the area, and casualty, if any, is yet to be ascertained, the spokesperson said.
Further details are awaited, he added.
Jammu, June 13: The long-awaited Sungal Tunnel on the Jammu–Poonch National Highway is expected to be opened for vehicular traffic by the end of June, with construction work entering its final phase, according to a media report.
The tunnel, being constructed at an estimated cost of around ₹600 crore, is set to become a major infrastructure boost for the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch by improving road connectivity with Jammu and reducing travel time.
According to the report, the project is nearing completion and authorities are hopeful that the remaining works will be wrapped up in the coming weeks, paving the way for the tunnel’s inauguration before the end of the month.
Once operational, the Sungal Tunnel will shorten the Jammu–Poonch route by nearly 11 to 12 kilometres and provide commuters with a safer and more reliable all-weather passage. The tunnel is also expected to ease traffic congestion and reduce dependence on the existing Kalidhar–Chowki Choura stretch, which has long been prone to damage and disruptions.
The project had missed its original completion deadline, leading to inconvenience for commuters and transporters. However, officials cited in the report indicated that work has now reached an advanced stage and the tunnel is close to being ready for public use.
The tunnel is being viewed as a significant milestone in the region’s infrastructure development, with expectations that it will improve mobility, facilitate trade and tourism, and contribute to economic growth in Rajouri and Poonch districts.
Local residents and transport operators have welcomed the anticipated opening, saying the project will greatly improve travel conditions on one of the most important road links connecting the Pir Panjal region with Jammu.
Srinagar, June 13: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of the Crime Branch J&K on Saturday conducted searches in Shopian and Pulwama districts as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged date-of-birth manipulation case involving a senior health department official.
According to officials, the searches were carried out in connection with an FIR registered under relevant sections of law pertaining to the alleged fraudulent insertion and manipulation of date-of-birth entries in official service records to obtain undue benefits.
As part of the investigation, EOW teams searched the office of the Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), Shopian, as well as his residence at Thamuna in Pulwama district.
Officials said the searches were conducted in accordance with legal procedures and in the presence of independent witnesses. During the operation, investigators examined and seized documents and other materials believed to be relevant to the case.
The Crime Branch said the investigation is focused on allegations that official records were manipulated to alter date-of-birth entries, potentially enabling the accused to derive benefits not otherwise admissible under service rules.
Further details regarding the findings of the searches have not been disclosed as the investigation is underway.
Meanwhile, the Economic Offences Wing urged members of the public to remain vigilant against economic fraud and report any such incidents to the Senior Superintendent of Police, EOW Kashmir. Complaints can also be submitted through the official email address, [email protected].
New Delhi, June 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday left for a week-long visit to France and Slovakia, during which he will attend the G7 Summit and hold discussions with world leaders on a range of bilateral and global issues.
In his departure statement, Modi said France occupies a special place in India’s strategic vision while his visit to Slovakia — the first by an Indian prime minister since the country’s independence in 1993 — marks a historic milestone and builds on the growing momentum in bilateral ties.
“France occupies a special place in India’s strategic vision. Earlier this year, President Macron visited India, and we elevated our relationship to a Special Global Strategic Partnership,” Modi said.
“When I meet President Macron in Nice, we will review the progress made since February, and chart the next steps in our cooperation. I look forward to our discussions on pressing global issues of mutual interest as well,” he said.
Modi said he was looking forward to holding discussions with Slovak President Peter Pellegrini and Prime Minister Robert Fico in Bratislava.
The prime minister said India’s participation in the G7 Summit in Evian, France, reflects the confidence reposed in the country by its partners and its growing global profile.
“This is the eighth consecutive G7 Summit to which India has been invited. At the G7, India will not only speak for itself, but it will also give voice to the aspirations of the Global South,” he said.
New Delhi, June 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the NDA government is strongly working towards youth-led development and one of the “defining features of the last 12 years” has been Indian youth’s confidence in pursuing their aspirations.
Modi also said India’s youth are making their mark across various sectors, from science and technology to manufacturing, space, semiconductors and drones.
The prime minister said it is heartening to see young Indians contributing to areas that will shape the future of the nation and the world.
“The NDA government is one that is strongly working towards youth-led development. One of the defining features of the last 12 years has been the confidence with which India’s youth have pursued their aspirations,” he said in a post on X.
The Modi government has completed 12 years in power.
The prime minister said through initiatives such as Startup India, Digital India, Skill India and Atal Innovation Mission, an ecosystem has emerged that encourages innovation, entrepreneurship and enterprise.
“Today, India is among the world’s leading start-up destinations, and many of these success stories are being scripted by our Yuva Shakti and that too from smaller towns and villages,” he said.
Modi further said Indian youth have also brought immense glory to the nation in the field of sports and in numerous international competitions, adding that young Indian athletes have consistently enhanced national pride.
“At the same time, a stronger sporting ecosystem, better infrastructure and greater support for athletes are creating new opportunities for young talent and encouraging them to pursue sports,” he said.
Modi took oath as the prime minister of India for the first time on May 26, 2014, becoming the first ever prime minister to be born after India attained Independence.
His second term began on May 30, 2019.
Modi was sworn-in as the prime minister for the third consecutive term on June 9, 2024, following another victory in the 2024 parliamentary elections.
On June 10 this year, Modi also crossed the record of first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s 4,398 days in power as an elected prime minister following the 1952 general elections.
Nehru’s stint from 1947 to 1952 was as head of an interim government as elections were not held post-Independence till 1952.
New Delhi, June 13: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday raised with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio the killing of three Indian mariners in a US military strike on a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Oman.
Jaishankar, currently on a visit to Europe, spoke to the US Secretary of State on the phone.
“Spoke to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio this evening. I reiterated India’s strong protest at the attacks by the US Navy in the Gulf that killed three Indian mariners,” the external affairs minister said on social media.
“Such lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified,” he said.
India on Friday summoned Charge d’Affaires Jason Meeks and told him that the American military’s lethal strikes on commercial vessels with Indian crew members off the coast of Oman are unacceptable.
A Palau-flagged oil tanker, Marivex, carrying 24 Indian seafarers, was disabled by US forces on June 8. All crew members were safely rescued.
On June 10, the US struck another Palau-flagged tanker, Settebello, killing three out of the 24 Indian sailors on board.
Another vessel, Jalveer, a Guinea-Bissau-flagged tanker with 20 Indians, was attacked on Thursday.
Islamabad, June 13: Pakistan’s prime minister said Friday the United States and Iran have agreed to wording of an agreement aimed at ending their war in the Middle East and that mediators were working with both sides to finalize a deal.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the U.S. and Iran have reached a “final, agreed upon text.” He said Pakistan, which has taken the lead in mediation efforts, was working with the warring countries on next steps.
“Peace has never been this close as it is now,” Sharif said in a post on X.
The apparent breakthrough in negotiations comes after Iran exchanged fire with the U.S. and Israel over three days this week, threatening to return the Middle East to full-scale war.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday an agreement “has never been closer” in a post on X. U.S. President Donald Trump, who has said multiple times in recent weeks the countries are on the cusp of a deal, shared Araghchi’s post on his own social media.
The war launched by the U.S. and Israel on Feb. 28 has rattled the Middle East and virtually shut down oil and natural gas shipments from the Persian Gulf. A fragile ceasefire has been in place since April 7.
Iranian official says nuclear details will follow an agreement to end the war
Araghchi told Iranian state TV on Friday that both sides were working toward signing an initial agreement declaring an end to the war “on all fronts, including Lebanon.”
Israel has been fighting the Iranian-allied militia Hezbollah in Lebanon since early March. Israel is not a party to the negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, and its leaders have said they don’t plan to withdraw from Lebanon.
Araghchi said terms dealing with Iran’s nuclear program would be finalized in the 60 days after the initial agreement is signed. He said the parties could agree to extend that period.
Iran’s nuclear programme has been a key point of division. The U.S. and Israel fear it could lead to an atomic weapon — a main reason their leaders cited for going to war. Tehran has insisted its nuclear efforts are for peaceful purposes.
A senior U.S. administration official, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House, said Friday that the emerging agreement would begin the process of destroying or removing Tehran’s highly enriched uranium.
The official said the 60-day period after both sides sign the deal would be used to work out technical details for removing Iran’s enriched uranium. The official did not detail who the U.S. envisions taking charge of removing the uranium, which is believed to entombed under three nuclear sites that were battered by U.S. strikes last year.
Also critical is Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane for oil and natural gas. Disruption of transit through the strait has crimped global energy supplies, driven up fuel prices and made food and other basics more expensive well beyond the region.
The U.S. official said the emerging agreement includes provisions for reopening the strait.
Araghchi said Iran wants a deal that allows Tehran to charge ships “for services rendered” when they transit the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has imposed a toll system during the war, which the U.S. and other nations say violates international law.
“There will be costs involved,” Araghchi said, “and those costs must be paid.”
U.S. Central Command late Friday said in a social media post that it intercepted several Iranian attack drones that were targeting commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Officials say a deal could be signed in the coming days
Three regional officials said the emerging deal is also expected to include the phased lifting of sanctions on Iran and the release of frozen Iranian assets. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the negotiations.
They said they expect a signing ceremony for the agreement in the coming days after officials in Washington and Tehran approve it.
Trump on Thursday claimed significant progress in the negotiations, just hours after he threatened to escalate attacks and seize Iran’s oil industry.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel is not a party to the deal being negotiated. He said in a statement Friday that he and Trump were in “full agreement” that Iran must not have nuclear weapons.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a separate statement that Israel also expects Trump to uphold key Israeli interests, including weakening Iran’s missile program and proxy network.
Katz warned that Israel could still act independently toward Iran and that the country would not pull out of the zones it is occupying in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza, nor would it withdraw from the northern refugee camps of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
The deal was largely being brokered by Pakistan, led by its army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, the regional officials said, with backing from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar.
In a significant initiative aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture and safeguarding soil health, Secretary, Agriculture Production Department (APD) in Nitu Gupta, today participated in the ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ organised by the Chief Agriculture Officer, Ganderbal at Eidgah Wakura.
The programme brought together farmers, agricultural experts, and officials from Agriculture and allied departments to raise awareness about scientific and sustainable farming practices, government welfare schemes, and measures for preserving agricultural land and soil fertility.
During the event, Director Agriculture Kashmir, Sartaj Ahmad Shah presented an overview of the agricultural landscape of Ganderbal district and highlighted ongoing developmental initiatives being undertaken for the welfare of the farming community.
Addressing the gathering, the Secretary underscored the critical importance of maintaining soil health through scientific nutrient management and environmentally sustainable agricultural practices. She urged farmers to adopt natural and climate-resilient farming methods to improve productivity while preserving the ecological balance of agricultural ecosystems.
“The long-term sustainability of agriculture depends on the health of our soils. Farmers must be encouraged to adopt balanced fertilizer application, reduce excessive chemical inputs, and embrace sustainable farming practices that enhance soil fertility and ensure food security for future generations,” she said.
The Secretary further stressed the need for greater awareness and effective implementation of farmer-centric schemes to improve agricultural incomes and strengthen the rural economy. She encouraged farmers to make full use of the support available under various Central and UT government programmes.
The Secretary also interacted extensively with farmers and listened to their concerns and suggestions regarding agricultural development and service delivery.
As part of the campaign, Soil Health Cards were distributed among farmers to encourage informed nutrient management and enhance crop productivity. Awareness sessions were conducted on Natural Farming, Organic Farming, the National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO), Kisan Credit Card (KCC), PM-KISAN, Pradhan Mantri Fasal BimaYojana (PMFBY), and the balanced and judicious use of fertilizers.
The programme was attended by Deputy Director Law Enforcement, Kashmir, Head KVK Ganderbal, Deputy Director Horticulture Kashmir, Chief Agriculture Officer Ganderbal, officers from Agriculture and allied departments, and a large number of farmers from Wakura and adjoining areas.
Srinagar, Jun 12: A 19-year-old youth from Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir was nabbed by villagers in the Karnah area of Kupwara district on Friday and handed over to authorities, officials said.
Ashraf Khan, a resident of Muzaffarabad, was caught by villagers at Mari in Karnah area of Kupwara district after crossing the LoC, officials said.
The villagers handed the youth over to the authorities, who are questioning him.
Further details are awaited.
Baramulla, Jun 12: The Department of Dentistry, Government Medical College Baramulla organised a one-day CME/CDE on ‘Comprehensive Cleft Care’ on Wednesday.
The programme emphasised a holistic approach to the management of cleft lip and palate patients, with a focus on enhancing awareness and promoting early intervention strategies across the district.
The event was graced by the Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Dr Syeed Fakhruddin Hamid, as Chief Guest. While Prof Dr Sandeep Kaur, Principal and Dean, Government Dental College Srinagar, attended the programme as Guest of Honour. The event was aimed to enhance cleft awareness among the masses of Baramulla.
ASHA workers and coordinators from all blocks were trained on early identification, feeding techniques, door-to-door surveys, psychosocial support and timely referrals for comprehensive management at GMC Baramulla.
The Deputy Commissioner appreciated the initiative and urged for conducting screening camps in peripheral areas to ensure early detection and treatment. The other dignitaries who attended the event include Principal Prof. Dr. Majid Jehangir, GMC Baramulla, who served as Patron, along with Medical Superintendent Dr Parvaiz Masoodi as Co-Patron, and Prof. Dr. Shafkat Ahmed Lone, Head of ENT and Registrar Academics also Co-Patron, Prof. Dr. H U Malik, President Indian Dental Association, and Dr. Omer Hussain Misger, Head of Department of Dentistry. Prof Dr Sandeep Kaur congratulated the organisers for introducing comprehensive cleft care services at GMC Baramulla. Prof Dr Majid Jehangir expressed gratitude to the Department of Dentistry for successfully conducting the CME. The programme witnessed participation of over 250 delegates including HODs from GDC Srinagar, SKIMS Bemina, GMC Anantnag, GMC Doda and GMC Baramulla, along with doctors from peripheral health centres, ANMs, midwives ASHA workers.
