Udhampur, Jan 18: MLA Udhampur East, R S Pathania on Sunday laid out a clear, firm and time-bound roadmap for infrastructure-led development of the region, reiterating that connectivity, safety and public convenience remained his foremost priorities.

Addressing public gatherings at various locations during his extensive tour of Talmara, Jaganoo, Thanoa, Dhanori, Sattani, Channi Morh and other adjoining habitations, Pathania stated that Dhar road was set to emerge as a major new lifeline of the Jammu province.

He informed that, following sustained follow-up and consistent support from fellow legislators and particularly from Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister, the Dhar road project reached an advanced stage of sanction and was expected to commence shortly.

Once completed, the road would transform the region into a hub of economic and social activity, providing seamless connectivity to remote habitations and strengthening regional integration, he said.

In another significant announcement, Pathania stated that Samba–Battal road stretch was entrusted to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). He emphasised that BRO’s involvement would ensure superior construction quality, systematic maintenance and periodic technical review, which was especially crucial for the pilgrim routes leading to Mansar and Surinsar that had long suffered due to neglect and poor access. Under BRO stewardship, these long-standing connectivity issues would be addressed decisively, BJP MLA said.

Highlighting the strategic importance of Dhar Road, the MLA pointed out that it also served as a Defence Road, critical for army movement and transportation of essential supplies towards Kashmir and Ladakh. He added that BRO already acquired a 75-feet Right of Way along major stretches, eliminating the need for further land acquisition and enabling swift execution. For residents living along its alignment, Dhar Road was not merely infrastructure but a daily lifeline, he noted.

Taking serious note of chronic waterlogging in villages including Sattani, Sountha and Channi Morh, Pathania directed GREF to implement a model drainage and water-management system to prevent stagnation and recurring hardships.

The Railways department was instructed to ensure that water discharge from railway culverts is properly regulated and confined within the Right of Way, so as to prevent flooding of public and private land.

The Irrigation and Flood Control Department was directed to submit a supplementary drainage plan, focusing on scientific diversion of spillovers into designated cavity nalas along the Dhar Road drainage system and ultimately into KV Nallah.

GREF was further instructed to immediately open all blocked drainage outlets to allow equitable flow of water on both sides of the road as part of a broader disaster-mitigation framework.

The Assistant Commissioner Revenue was tasked with identifying natural nalas and tracing their historical outflows as per revenue records to prevent future encroachments and obstructions.

At Dhanori, Pathania reviewed the status of the local Sports Stadium and directed the Sports Department to submit a detailed proposal for fencing and development of a multipurpose stadium, including open-air and indoor sports facilities.

He observed that the stadium held immense importance and could be effectively utilized by students, local youth, Army personnel and staff of the adjoining Military Hospital for sports and physical fitness.

Expressing concern over garbage dumping, overhead electricity lines and unnecessary interference by certain agencies, the MLA reiterated that no authority had the right to infringe upon public land or activities beyond demarcated boundaries.

Jammu, Jan 17: Police have booked one woman for violating the prohibitory orders issued by the District Magistrate Udhampur regarding the use of Virtual Private Network (VPN) services. The accused has been identified as Meena Sharma, wife of Mohan Lal, resident of Palnoo, Majalta, district Udhampur.

She has been booked vide FIR No 04/2026 under Section 223(a) of BNS at Police Station Majalta for violation of District Magistrate Udhampur order number DMU/JC/1872 dated January 3, 2026, which prohibits the use of VPN services within the district.

“During verification, her mobile number was found to be using VPN services, thereby violating the said order. Further investigation into the matter is underway,” Police said and asked the general public to refrain from using VPN and other prohibited apps on mobile phones.

Jammu, Jan 18: Eight soldiers of the Army were injured in a gunfight with terrorists in a remote forested area in the upper reaches of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Sunday, officials said.

The intense exchange of fire between the two sides lasted several hours before the guns fell silent. Reinforcements have been deployed to strengthen the cordon and neutralise the terrorists, the officials said.

The operation, which the Army’s Jammu-based White Knight Corps has named ‘Operation Trashi-I’, began around noon.

In a post on X, the White Knight Corps said the security forces came in contact with the terrorists in the general area Sonnar, northeast of Chatroo, during a search operation conducted as part of ongoing joint counter-terror exercises along with Jammu and Kashmir Police.

“Operations remain underway with additional forces inducted to reinforce the cordon, supported by close coordination with civil administration and security agencies,” the Army said, commending the troops for their exceptional professionalism and resolve while responding to hostile fire under challenging terrain and conditions.

According to the officials, one of the search teams came across a group of two to three foreign terrorists allegedly belonging to Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), who fired indiscriminately and also lobbed a few grenades in an attempt to break the cordon.

The troops retaliated and reinforcements from Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and police were rushed to further tighten the cordon. There was intermittent firing between the two sides till 5.40 pm, the officials said.

Eight soldiers were injured and evacuated to the hospital. Most of them suffered splinter injuries in the grenade blast, the officials said, adding that a massive search operation is on to track and neutralise the terrorists.

Advanced surveillance equipment, including drones, and sniffer dogs have been deployed to speed up the operation.

This is the third encounter between the security forces and terrorists in the Jammu region this year. Encounters broke out in Kahog and Najote forests in the Billawar area of Kathua district on January 7 and 13, respectively.

On December 15 last year, a police officer was killed in an encounter with terrorists at Soan village in the Majalta area of Udhampur district. The terrorists managed to escape, taking advantage of thick foliage and darkness.

The encounters followed a major counter-terrorist operation launched in the forest belts of the Jammu region in December last year to flush out nearly three dozen holed-up terrorists.

Operations have been further intensified in the run-up to Republic Day to ensure peaceful celebrations, amid intelligence inputs about desperate attempts by Pakistan-based handlers to push more terrorists, the officials said.

Jammu, Jan 18: Three soldiers were injured in a gunfight with terrorists in a remote forested area in the upper reaches of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Sunday, officials said.

Reinforcements have been deployed to neutralise the terrorists. The operation, which the Army’s Jammu-based White Knight Corps has named ‘Operation Trashi-I’, began around noon, they said.

In a post on X, the White Knight Corps said the security forces came in contact with the terrorists in the general area Sonnar, northeast of Chatroo, during a deliberate search operation conducted as part of ongoing joint counter-terror exercises along with Jammu and Kashmir Police.

“Operations remain underway with additional forces inducted to reinforce the cordon, supported by close coordination with civil administration and security agencies,” the Army said, commending the troops for their exceptional professionalism and resolve while responding to hostile fire under challenging terrain and conditions.

According to the officials, one of the search teams came across a group of two to three foreign terrorists allegedly belonging to Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), who fired indiscriminately and also lobbed a few grenades in an attempt to break the cordon.

The troops retaliated and reinforcements from Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and police were rushed to further tighten the cordon. There was intermittent firing between the two sides for some time, the officials said.

Three soldiers suffered splinter injuries and were subsequently evacuated to the hospital. A massive search operation is on to track and neutralise the terrorists, they added.

Advanced surveillance equipment, including drones, and sniffer dogs have been deployed to speed up the operation.

This is the third encounter between the security forces and terrorists in the Jammu region this year. Encounters broke out in Kahog and Najote forests in the Billawar area of Kathua district on January 7 and 13, respectively.

On December 15 last year, a police officer was killed in an encounter with terrorists at Soan village in the Majalta area of Udhampur district. The terrorists managed to escape, taking advantage of thick foliage and darkness.

The encounters followed a major counter-terrorist operation launched in the forest belts of the Jammu region in December last year to flush out nearly three dozen holed-up terrorists.

Operations have been further intensified in the run-up to the Republic Day to ensure peaceful celebrations, amid intelligence inputs about desperate attempts by Pakistan-based handlers to push more terrorists, the officials said.

Jammu, Jan 18: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today asked the youth to dream big, aim high and pursue it with full courage and unshakable resolve.

“Your future is waiting for you. Take a pledge to build brighter J&K and work with dedication. The history remembers those who dared to challenge limits, conquered fear, and turned the impossible into reality,” the Lieutenant Governor said. He was addressing the youth at the 7th Annual Day Celebration of Guidance & Career Counselling Cell for Youth Development (GCC), Gurha Slathia in Samba.

The Lieutenant Governor called upon the youth to serve as the architects of social change and contribute towards the vision of “Viksit Bharat”.

“History teaches us that people who changed the world did not rely on extraordinary circumstances but extraordinary thinking. Youth are not just the hope of tomorrow; they are the greatest power of today. Young people of J&K should dare to dream big for the UT of J&K and the nation. When dreams soar high, paths for developed society must be carved through hard work, patience and unwavering courage,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

He said the Youth who are taking small steps toward their dreams every day will one day lead the transformation.

“Only those who truly believe in their own potential, who trust in themselves go on to create history,” he further said.

The Lieutenant Governor observed that innovation and entrepreneurship are the key to society’s progress. He asked the Youth of UT to embrace fresh ideas to solve problems and create opportunities for self-employment as powerful drivers of economic empowerment.

The Lieutenant Governor reiterated the commitment of the Government of India and UT administration towards the complete rehabilitation of families affected due to the recent natural calamities.

He said the Government of India, on the request of the UT Administration, has approved a comprehensive allocation of Rs 1437 crore for reconstruction of damaged public infrastructure and implementation of disaster mitigation measures in affected areas of Jammu Kashmir.

“The damaged railway bridges will be restored within three months, while the restoration work of national highways’ stretches damaged due to floods will be completed in the coming 4 months,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

Responding to the demand pertaining to construction of railway over-bridge in Samba projected by Member of Legislative Assembly Samba, the Lieutenant Governor assured that the issue will be taken up with the railway officials for its early redressal. He further asked the Member of Legislative Assembly for development of a pond in the area with the volunteer support from youth and social organisations.

The Lieutenant Governor expressed gratitude to the Radha Soami Satsang Beas and High-range Rural Development Society-HRDS India for their selfless service to society. He also commended the Guidance & Career Counselling Cell for Youth Development for their dedicated endeavours towards youth empowerment.

During his visit, the Lieutenant Governor also reviewed the progress on the Auditorium and upgradation work for Government Higher Secondary School in Gurha Slathia, Samba. He directed the officials for installation of proper sanitation and sports facilities.

Surjit Singh Slathia, Member of Legislative Assembly, Samba; Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Shakti Pathak, Director Anti-Corruption Bureau; Shiv Kumar Sharma, DIG Jammu-Samba-Kathua Range; Ayushi Sudan, Deputy Commissioner, Samba; senior officials; members of Guidance and Counselling Cell for Youth Development (GCC) and youth in large number attended the event.

Maj Gen Goverdhan Singh Jamwal (Retd.) and various prominent personalities from diverse fields were also present.