Jammu, Dec 04: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday addressed the inaugural session of ‘APCON 2025’, the 73rd Annual Conference of the Indian Association of Pathologists & Microbiologists (IAPM) and International Academy of Pathologists -Indian Division (IAP-ID), at Government Medical College, Jammu.

The 5-Day annual conference on the theme “Emerging Trends in Pathology: From Morphology to Molecular Insights,” has brought together leading pathologists and microbiologists to deliberate on the latest advancements and innovations shaping the field of pathology.

In his keynote address, the Lieutenant Governor highlighted the need to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) and big data analysis into diagnostic processes for accuracy and speed and to strengthen the bridge between Science and Medicine.

“Healthcare system must focus on enhancing diagnostic accuracy and reducing time to treatment. Mainstreaming the Precision Medicine approach through advanced diagnostic tests is crucial. Labs should develop modern infrastructure to transform data into clinical insights for doctors,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor made valuable suggestions for developing preventative strategies and improving public health.

“First, empower the pathology field with cutting-edge advancements and develop standard protocols for patient treatment through multidisciplinary research.

Secondly, identify and bridge gaps in educational programs by developing new training modules.

The Lieutenant Governor stated that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the healthcare sector has seen historic transformation. He urged all stakeholders to work together to expand digital records and the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) facility to remote areas and link smaller health centers with larger labs for expert advice.

“Building a modern healthcare system and improving the quality of life for all, is our goal. Public and private sectors must collaborate to provide dedicated diagnostic facilities in remote areas and reduce the time between diagnosis and treatment in far-flung areas,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

Dr Ashutosh Gupta, Principal GMC Jammu; Dr Usha Kini, President Indian Association of Pathologists & Microbiologists (IAPM); Dr. Reeni Mallik, Vice President IAPM; Dr. Ranjan Agarwal, Honorary Secretary, IAPM; office bearers of IAPM and International Academy of Pathologists-Indian Division (IAP-ID), Pathologists and Medical Professionals attended the inaugural session.

Arvind Gupta, Member Legislative Assembly from Jammu West; Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Secretary Health and Medical Education, and senior officials of civil and police administration were also present.

Jammu, Dec 04: Jammu and Kashmir DGP Nalin Prabhat on Thursday visited Udhampur district and reviewed ongoing operations and the overall security situation in the mountainous belt.

Director General of Police (DGP) Prabhat is reaching out to police and security forces at the grassroots level in hinterland and border areas to review the security situation, operational preparedness, and anti-terror operations in various districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

“The DGP visited the Basantgarh area to review ongoing operations. He chaired a joint meeting with officers of all forces, reviewing operational preparedness, coordination, and the overall security situation,” a police spokesperson said.

He was accompanied by Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, Bhim Sen Tuti, IG CRPF Gopal Rao, SSP Udhampur Amod Nagpure, and officers from the CRPF and the Army.

The DGP interacted with personnel at Forward Operating Bases (FOBs), appreciated their commitment in tough conditions, and urged them to stay alert while ensuring the safety of the local population.

He emphasised stronger community engagement, improved outreach, and prompt grievance redressal to enhance public confidence.

Prabhat also reviewed infrastructure upgrades and stressed the need for modern equipment, better mobility, and enhanced use of technology for effective responses.

Senior officers briefed him on the current security scenario, recent developments, and steps taken to strengthen inter-agency coordination, the spokesperson said.

The Dudu-Basantgarh area, along with other parts of the Jammu region, has been the site of multiple search and anti-terror operations throughout 2025.

Basantgarh lies on a traditional infiltration route used by Pakistani terrorists who enter from the International Border in Kathua and move via higher reaches to Doda and Kishtwar districts in the Jammu region and further into the Kashmir Valley.

It has witnessed several encounters and terror incidents in the past.

Jammu, Dec 04: Police on Thursday claimed to have busted a cross-border narcotics racket by arresting six people and recovering nearly five kilograms of heroin along with three pistols here, officials said.

The value of the seized drug is more than Rs 30 crore in international market, they said.

“A major narcotics racket has been busted in Jammu. Six members have been arrested. Four of them have been sent to judicial custody. As many as 4.95 kilograms of heroin was recovered from them. Besides, three pistols were also recovered,” Superintendent of Police Ajay Sharma told reporters here.

Asserting that the accused were linked across the border as part of narco-terrorism, the SP said “when we checked their digital footprints, we came to know that they were connected across the border with Pakistani handlers supplying narcotics and drugs to destroy the next generation of this country”.

Sharma said they wanted to carry forward an unconventional war against the country. “We have invoked relevant sections of the UAPA also. This is a clear case of narco-terrorism, which the Jammu Police South Zone has successfully intercepted.”

A case has been registered at Gandhi Nagar police station under the NDPS Act.

During investigation, Karan Sharma of Jourian and Nikhlesh Verma of Udhampur were arrested with 3.26 kg of heroin, the SP said.

Later, police arrested Mohammad Yousef in Narwal (Jammu), financial handler Gulshan Kumar of Rajouri, and Jasvinder Kumar of Nowshera, and recovered more heroin from their possession, he said.

The SP said Gulshan’s vehicle was seized and found to be modified with cavities to smuggle narcotics. “Jasvinder was already in custody in another narcotics case,” he added.

Further probe in the case led to the arrest of Shamdin of Nikki Tawi (Jammu), from whose house a pistol, live rounds, and 619 grams of heroin were recovered, he said, adding another accused Abdul Hamid of Maraliya in RS Pura is absconding.

“From his house, police have recovered two pistols, including an automatic pistol, along with ammunition,” he said.

Most of the members of the racket were from areas close to the Indo-Pak border in Jammu, police said.

Srinagar, Dec 04: Jammu and Kashmir Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) Thursday registered a case against Patwari and Chokidar from revenue department for  demanding and accepting illegal gratification from the complainant.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Jammu and Kashmir Anti Corruption Bureau in a statement said that it registered a case FIR No. 03/2025 u/s 7 of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and section 61(2) BNS, 2023 against public servants, namely, Ganderab Singh, Patwari, Patwar Halqa, Thalora Tehsil Majalta, District Udhampur and Kuldeep Kumar, Chowkidar for demanding and accepting illegal gratification from the complainant.

“The said accused public servant, demanded the bribe amounting to Rs 10,000 from the complainant for correction of his name in the revenue record. Since, the complainant didn’t want to pay bribe and approached Anti-Corruption Bureau for taking legal action against the accused public servant under law,” it reads.

It also said that “On receipt of the compliant, a discreet verification was conducted, which corroborated the demand of bribe by the public servant concerned and accordingly, a case FIR No. 03/2025 u/s 7 of Prevention of Corruption, Act, 1988 and section 61(2) BNS, 2023 was registered at P/S ACB Udhampur and investigation was taken-up.”

“During the course of investigation, a trap team headed by Dy. SP rank Officer was constituted. The team laid a successful trap and both accused public servants were caught red-handed while demanding and accepting bribe amount from the complainant in the presence of independent witnesses. Both the accused were arrested on the spot by the ACB team after following due process of law,” reads the statement.

ACB further said that the bribe money was also recovered from their possession in presence of independent witnesses associated with the trap team.

“Moreover, search was also conducted in the accommodation of the accused Patwari, situated at Khoon, Majalta Udhampur, in presence of Magistrate,” it reads.

Further investigation of the instant case is going on.