Srinagar, Dec 13: Jammu and Kashmir Police, in close coordination with other security and intelligence agencies, have launched a large-scale crackdown against suspected individuals, detaining more than 150 suspected individuals so far.

Senior Police officials said the majority of the detentions have taken place in Srinagar, while similar coordinated operations are underway in several other districts of Kashmir.

The ongoing action is aimed at dismantling the support ecosystem that sustains terror outfits.

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Vidhi Kumar Birdi, confirmed the development, stating that “over 150 suspects have been detained at various locations for questioning.”

He said the operation is focused on identifying individuals who provide logistical, financial, communication, and shelter-related support to terrorists.

According to officials, security forces carried out simultaneous raids at the residential premises of individuals believed to be suspects.

They said that the detainees include former terrorists and other troubled mongers.

Officials said that the current crackdown is part of a sustained security strategy that has been unfolding across the Valley over the past several months.

During this period, Police and security agencies have intensified surveillance, conducted targeted searches, and detained suspects to disrupt terror networks before they can regroup or carry out attacks.

Officials said the focus has increasingly shifted to breaking the “invisible chain” of support that enables terrorists to operate on the ground.

Police sources said that the detentions are largely preventive in nature, and those taken into custody are being questioned to establish their alleged links with terror outfits.

Formal arrests will depend on the outcome of investigations and verification of evidence.

The use of stringent laws, including provisions of the Public Safety Act (PSA), remains a possibility in cases where individuals are found to pose a threat to public order or security.

The intensified security action comes in the wake of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s strong reiteration of the government’s resolve to completely uproot terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir.

On Saturday, the LG issued a stern warning, stating that sympathisers, supporters, and facilitators of terror groups would face the harshest legal consequences.

Officials said that the ongoing operations are aimed at ensuring long-term peace and stability in J&K by choking the logistical and financial lifelines of terrorist organisations.

“The backbone of terrorism is its over-ground network. Unless that network is dismantled, sustainable peace cannot be achieved,” a senior security official said.

Srinagar, Dec 13: Packaged drinking water brand ‘Ajwa’ has claimed that they have taken “corrective measures” and resumed operations after the issue of a “contaminated water batch” was reported by the Food Safety Department.

It said that the prohibitory order was meant to stop the sale of a “particular batch” and not the “entire stock” of its packaged drinking water brand.

The company said that the order “clearly pertained to a temporary prohibition on the sale and distribution of a specific ‘affected batch’ only, and not a blanket ban on the entire stock, storage, or business operations of ‘Ajwa Packaged Drinking Water’. At no point was any government ban imposed on the brand or its operations.”

The company said it had “voluntarily suspended production, carried out all necessary technical and corrective measures, and resumed operations only after due inspection and clearance by the Food Safety Department.

“The matter stands fully resolved, and the unit is presently compliant with all statutory requirements,” it said.

“I, Yameen-ul-Nabi, Designated Officer, Food Safety District Srinagar, hereby order that the sale, storage, and distribution or display of Ajwa Packaged Drinking water manufactured by M/S Saaf Pani is strictly prohibited within the jurisdiction of Srinagar with immediate effect till further orders,” the Food Safety Department order reads.

Kangan, Dec 13: Senior BJP leader Ravinder Raina Saturday visited Wangath area of Kangan in Ganderbal to express condolences to the family of Bilal Ahmad Sangoo, who lost his life in the recent Delhi blast incident.

Raina met the bereaved family, expressed solidarity with them and prayed for peace to the departed soul. He was accompanied by senior party leaders from Ganderbal.

Speaking to reporters after the visit, Raina described the incident as tragic and distressing. He urged the government to extend all possible assistance to the victim’s family, noting that they were going through an extremely difficult period. “This is very tragic as he had gone to Delhi to earn his livelihood and support his family but became a victim of the blast there. People across the country are very angry of what happened in Delhi,” he said.

Srinagar, Dec 13: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today released the Hindi Poetry Book “Hindora” by noted writer Dr. Satish Vimal, at Lok Bhavan.

The Lieutenant Governor congratulated Dr Vimal and complimented him on his contribution to the literary world.

This publication is 33rd book of Dr Satish Vimal and his thirteenth poetry collection that carries the philosophical and artistic essence of Jammu Kashmir.

Srinagar, Dec 13: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday appreciated the unwavering dedication, compassion, and personal sacrifice of the medical community to care for others and contributing to the nation’s growth.

The Lieutenant Governor was speaking at the Valedictory Ceremony of SKIMS Annual Festival Week in Srinagar.  The event also marked the commencement of 29th Post-Graduate Research Presentation Programme (PGRP-2025) and felicitation of PGRP Awardees, Doctors, Nursing Staffs and Employees of SKIMS by the Lieutenant Governor.

In his address, the Lieutenant Governor highlighted that J&K has witnessed a massive infrastructure expansion and innovative solutions in healthcare post 2019.

“Accessible and affordable quality healthcare has turned into a reality under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji.

We have brought transformative change to J&K’s medical education and public health landscape in the last 5 years. It took almost seven decades to create 500 MBBS seats. We have created 800 additional MBBS seats within 4 years,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor stated that major issues like lack of government medical colleges, unaffordable private institutions are a thing of the past.

“With bold and systemic reforms between 2020 to 2024, we have made quality healthcare education more accessible,” he said.

The Lieutenant Governor reiterated his commitment to ensure quality healthcare is accessible and affordable to all the citizens especially the underprivileged and those living in far-flung areas.

Guided by the vision of ‘Health for All’, the Lieutenant Governor called upon the healthcare fraternity to ensure inclusive, resilient, and people-centric healthcare.

“We must enrich the healthcare sector through knowledge, innovation, and research. A multidisciplinary approach that goes beyond treating illness should be adopted to address the physical, mental, and social well-being of individuals,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor also lauded the transformation of SKIMS in the last 4-5 years and its significant contribution to public health and medical education. He observed that over 1,100 long-pending promotions were executed and around 1,300 paramedical and ministerial posts were revived and referred, including 120 faculty positions. Clearance given to over 1,800 DPC promotions and additional 367 Non-Gazetted and 159 Gazetted posts were referred to recruiting agencies. SKIMS is also planning to set up Future-Centres of Excellence in transplant services, emergency & trauma care, neurosciences, cardiac sciences, renal medicine, and pulmonary diseases, endocrine and metabolic disorders.

The Lieutenant Governor inaugurated various projects for SKIMS including commissioning of Emergency S.M.A.R.T Lab; ICU-VII, Heavy Duty Lift and a new Firefighting System.

Foundation stones were laid by the Lieutenant Governor for several projects for SKIMS. These projects include Centre for One Health, 3 MLD sewage treatment plant, Multi-level Car Parking, Attendant Inn- Phase II and Shopping Complex for Hostels. New digital initiatives at SKIMS were also launched on the occasion.

The Lieutenant Governor called for adopting a multifaceted approach leveraging cutting-edge technology to develop new healthcare models and enhance accessibility.

He also sets Five Goals for Healthcare Transformation.

“Data-driven care should be our first goal for personalized treatment and precision medicine.

The second goal is to implement a robust system for auditing patient treatment and outcomes.

Third, to ensure 100% digital records for better treatment and foster a sense of empowerment for patients.

The fourth goal is to develop a decentralized healthcare system that enables doctors in remote villages to provide timely treatment, specifically tailored to patient needs.

Fifth, the medical community must collaborate to promote preventive health and wellness in society”, the Lieutenant Governor said.

Prof. Mohd Ashraf Ganie, Director SKIMS; Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER Chandigarh; Prof. A. Ravinder Nath, Vice Chancellor Central University of Kashmir; Anshul Garg, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; V K Birdi, IGP Kashmir; Akshay Labroo, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, senior officials, medical professionals, Heads of Departments, faculty, students and staff of SKIMS attended the valedictory ceremony.