Faridabad, Nov 17: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday stressed the need to fight terrorism with determination while ensuring that innocent people are not subjected to undue suspicion. Attending the 32nd meeting of the Northern Zonal Council (NZC) held in Faridabad, Haryana, that was chaired by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, CM Omar, while referring to the recent Delhi car blast, said, “There is a need to fight terrorism with determination while ensuring that innocent people are not subjected to undue suspicion.”

He said that every resident of J&K should not be seen with doubt.

“The people of J&K are peace-loving and aspire for ‘Viksit Bharat’ and ‘Viksit J&K’. They want to be part of India’s growth story, and the recent enthusiastic participation of voters in the Nagrota and Budgam by-elections is a testament to our unwavering faith in democracy,” the CM said.

He also highlighted the launch of Mission YUVA, the government’s focused push on strengthening the education sector, expanding sports infrastructure, and fostering a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem in J&K.

CM Omar thanked the Centre for its continued financial support, including the extension of the SASCI Scheme to J&K.

He said that the NZC serves as an important platform to enhance cooperation among states and union territories, reaffirming that J&K remains fully committed to national growth with firm faith in democratic institutions.

The NZC comprises the states and UTs of J&K, Ladakh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Chandigarh.

Jaipur, Nov 17: In a momentous achievement for the medical fraternity of Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Rafi Ahmed Jan has become the first doctor from the region to receive the esteemed Fellowship of the Indian Society of Chest Physicians.

The accolade was conferred upon him at this year’s National Conference on Pulmonary Diseases (NAPCON) held in Jaipur.

This historic recognition places both Dr Jan and the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Government Medical College (GMC), Anantnag, prominently on the national and global map of respiratory care.

With this feat, Dr Jan has not only elevated his own stature but also propelled his institution to the forefront of cutting-edge pulmonary medicine in India.

Known for his pioneering work, Dr Jan had already etched his name in medical history last year when he became Kashmir’s first Fellow of the Indian Association for Bronchology (IAB), a notable accomplishment in the growing field of interventional pulmonology.

Interventional pulmonology, a subspecialty that uses minimally invasive techniques to diagnose and treat lung and chest disorders, remains a rare expertise in South Asia.

Dr Jan’s command over this domain spans a wide array of advanced procedures from flexible and rigid bronchoscopy to airway stenting, pleural interventions, and complex bronchial therapies.

His clinical proficiency is matched only by his dedication to teaching, research, and medical innovation.

Currently serving as Professor of Respiratory Medicine at GMC Anantnag, Dr Jan has spent over two decades building a legacy of excellence in pulmonary health.

He previously held the position of Head of the Department of Internal and Pulmonary Medicine at SKIMS, Soura, a premier medical institute of the region.

A respected clinician-scholar, Dr Jan is an MD, FCCP, and FACP, whose contributions extend beyond the clinic.

His research has been published widely, and he has spearheaded major CME initiatives, symposia, and academic forums.

His leadership in forming and strengthening pulmonary societies in the region is well documented, as is his role in mentoring a generation of pulmonologists across North India.

Dr Jan’s latest recognition at NAPCON comes with a ripple effect that signals the rise of GMC Anantnag as a hub of excellence in respiratory care.

Under his stewardship, the institution is rapidly gaining national and international attention for its clinical standards, research output, and innovation in patient care.

“This is not just a personal milestone,” Dr Jan said after receiving the fellowship. “It represents a collective achievement for GMC Anantnag, Kashmir’s healthcare community, and all those committed to advancing pulmonary medicine in regional settings.”

In a region often beset by environmental and respiratory health challenges, Dr Jan’s contributions offer a beacon of progress and promise.

New Delhi, Nov 17: Iran has suspended the visa waiver facility for ordinary Indian passport holders in the wake of several reported incidents of Indians being lured to that country on false promises of employment or with assurances of onward transit to other countries, according to the MEA.

The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday said the government’s attention has been drawn to several incidents of Indian nationals being lured to Iran on false promises of employment or with assurances of onward transit to third countries.

The government of Iran has accordingly “suspended the visa waiver facility” available to ordinary Indian passport holders visiting Iran with effect from November 22. This measure is intended to prevent further misuse of the facility by criminal elements, the MEA said in a statement.

From this date, Indian nationals with ordinary passports would be required to obtain a visa to enter or transit through Iran, it said.

“The attention of government has been drawn to several incidents of Indian nationals being lured to Iran on false promises of employment or with assurances of onward transit to third countries.

“These individuals were tricked into journeying to Iran by taking advantage of the visa waiver facility available for ordinary Indian passport holders. On arrival in Iran, many of them were kidnapped for ransom,” the MEA said.

The government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has accordingly suspended the visa waiver facility available to ordinary Indian passport holders visiting Iran.

All Indian nationals intending to visit Iran are “strongly advised” to remain vigilant and avoid agents offering visa-free travel or onward transit to third countries via Iran, the MEA said.

New Delhi, Nov 17: Continuing with its probe in the Red Fort area car bomb blast case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested another key associate of the terrorist involved in the blast.

Jasir Bilal Wani @ Danish, also a Kashmiri resident, was arrested from Srinagar in Jammu & Kashmir by an NIA team that was in the Valley in the case RC-21/2025/NIA/DLI, a spokesman of NIA in a statement said.

He said the NIA investigations have revealed that Jasir had allegedly provided technical support for carrying out terror attacks by modifying drones and attempting to make rockets ahead of the deadly car bomb blast which killed 10 persons and left 32 persons injured.

The accused, a resident of Qazigund in Anantnag district of J&K, was an active co-conspirator behind the attack and had worked closely with the terrorist, Umar un Nabi, to plan the terror carnage.

NIA continues to explore various angles to unravel the conspiracy behind the bombing. Several teams of the anti-terror agency are pursuing multiple leads, and are conducting searches across states to identify every person involved in the terror attack, spokesman added.