Srinagar, Jul 11: The National Highways Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) is expected to invite fresh tenders in October for the Singhpora-Vailoo and Sudhmahadev-Dranga tunnel projects on the Anantnag-Kishtwar-Batote corridor.

“We have already received official communication regarding the approval and are likely to re-tender the Singhpora–Vailoo tunnel project in October,” NHIDCL General Manager Raghu Nath Sharma told Greater Kashmir.

“We will also invite tenders for the Sudhmahadev-Dranga tunnel project,” he said. Sharma said the tendering process requires technical and financial approvals, which are already underway. The tunnels are part of National Highway-244, a strategic route linking Kashmir with the Chenab Valley.

He said land acquisition for the approach roads to the Singhpora-Vailoo tunnel has been completed on both the Kashmir and Jammu sides. “An amount of Rs 78 crore has been sanctioned, and more than half of the compensation has already been disbursed,” Sharma said. “On the Jammu side, land acquisition is complete and compensation is being released.”

The Singhpora-Vailoo project includes more than 38.61 km of approach roads, while the Sudhmahadev-Dranga project has 12.85 km of approach roads. “Land acquisition for the approach road to the Sudhmahadev-Dranga tunnel has also been completed and compensation is in progress,” Sharma said. He said Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for both tunnels have already been finalised.

The Centre approved the two tunnel projects in April at an estimated cost of Rs 9779.42 crore. The approval was formalized through an Office Memorandum issued after a Public Investment Board (PIB) meeting held on April 7. The projects had earlier suffered setbacks.

A previous tender for the Singhpora-Vailoo tunnel was scrapped in 2024 after security clearance was denied to the lowest bidder, a joint venture between Transrail Lighting and Azerbaijan-based EVRASCON.

In April last year, The Times of India reported that the PIB, chaired by the expenditure secretary, had rejected both tunnel proposals on the Anantnag-Chenani corridor over cost and technical concerns.

The decision drew criticism from political leaders and residents of the Chenab Valley and south Kashmir. Despite the setback, NHIDCL had maintained that the projects would be re-tendered. In April, Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced that the Centre had approved construction of the uni-directional twin-tube Sudhmahadev-Dranga tunnels and the twin-tube Singhpora-Vailoo tunnel on NH-244.

Earlier, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari informed the Rajya Sabha that DPRs for both projects had been completed and the proposals were under appraisal. He was responding to a query from NC MP Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo on the status of the projects, including clearances, funding and timelines. The Singhpora-Vailoo tunnel is expected to bypass the snowbound Sinthan Pass, which frequently disrupts traffic during winter.

The Anantnag-Kokernag-Kishtwar road currently remains open only during the summer months because of heavy snowfall.

Once completed, the tunnels are expected to reduce travel time, improve road safety, provide an alternative to the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44), and strengthen tourism and economic activity between Kashmir and the Chenab Valley.

Srinagar, July 11: Two cloudbursts struck south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Saturday late evening, triggering flash floods in Shangus and Pahalgam, damaging agricultural land and inundating several huts and hotels, officials said.

The first cloudburst hit the upper reaches of Chatergul in Shangus, causing the Aaripath stream to swell.

Floodwaters carrying mud and debris entered paddy fields, orchards and parts of nearby residential areas, damaging standing crops, officials said.

About an hour later, another cloudburst struck the Overa Wildlife Sanctuary in Pahalgam area , leading to a sudden surge in the Overa Nallah. The overflowing stream entered several huts and hotels, creating panic in the area.

Tourists staying in a hotel near the stream were safe, officials said.

Officials said all concerned departments had been put on alert, while rescue and monitoring teams were deployed to assess the situation and keep watch over vulnerable areas.

“There has been no report of any casualty so far. The damage assessment is underway at both locations,” an official said.

The administration has advised residents and visitors to stay away from rivers and streams, avoid venturing near the Aaripath and Overa Nallahs, and follow official advisories in view of the prevailing weather conditions.

Baramulla, July 11: BJP General Secretary (Organisation), J&K, Ashok Koul addressed a Workers’ Convention at Town Hall, Lagama, Uri, where he interacted with dedicated party workers and reviewed the party’s organisational activities in the region.

During the convention, Ashok Koul emphasized the importance of a strong and disciplined organisational structure, urging party workers to remain actively connected with the people and work with commitment to strengthen the BJP at the grassroots level. He highlighted the significance of effective coordination among karyakartas to ensure the successful implementation of the party’s programmes and initiatives.

The meeting focused on various organisational matters, upcoming party programmes, and strategies to enhance coordination and outreach. Koul appreciated the dedication and tireless efforts of the party workers and encouraged them to continue serving the public with sincerity while taking the party’s vision and policies to every household.

The convention witnessed enthusiastic participation from party workers, who reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the organisation and ensuring the success of the BJP’s future programmes.

Among those present on the occasion were BJP J&K Secretary Mudasir Wani, District Prabhari Baramulla Bilal Parray, & District President Baramulla Ghulam Hussain Dar, along with senior party leaders and karyakartas.

Srinagar, July 11: The State Investigation Agency (SIA) of Jammu and Kashmir has secured an Interpol Red Corner notice against designated Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Imtiyaz Ahmad Kandoo in a 2013 terror case, officials said on Saturday.

The officials said that in a major breakthrough in its sustained counter-terrorism efforts, the State Investigation Agency (SIA), Kashmir has secured an Interpol Red Corner Notice (RCN) against designated Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) terrorist Imtiyaz Ahmad Kandoo alias Fayaz alias Sajad, marking a significant milestone in the investigation of the 2013 Tarzoo (Hygam) terrorist attack case.

They said the issuance of the Red Corner Notice is a testament to the painstaking and professional investigation carried out by SIA Kashmir, reflecting the Agency’s commitment to ensuring that terrorists involved in heinous acts of violence are brought to justice irrespective of their location. The notice will facilitate international law enforcement agencies in locating, detaining, and initiating legal proceedings for the extradition of the accused to India to face trial.

The case pertains to the terrorist ambush on 26 April 2013 at Peer Mohalla, Hygam, Sopore, where terrorists armed with automatic weapons attacked a police party, resulting in the martyrdom of four Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel in one of the most serious terrorist strikes against security forces during that period. The case was initially registered at Police Station Tarzoo, Sopore, and it was transferred to SIA Kashmir in 2024 for a comprehensive investigation.

Following an extensive investigation involving meticulous collection and analysis of evidence, examination of witnesses, and reconstruction of the conspiracy, SIA Kashmir successfully completed the investigation, added more offences on the basis of fresh evidence and filed a comprehensive chargesheet before the competent trial court in July 2024 against six accused persons. During the course of investigation and subsequent operations, two accused—Tariq Ahmad Mir of Kalamabad, Handwara and Qayoom Najar of Batapora, Sopore—were eliminated in encounters with security forces, while Javid Ahmad Mattoo of Sopore, Rouf Najar of Sopore, and Ahmadullah Malla of Dalal Mohalla, Srinagar have been arrested and are facing trial. The sixth and the main accused, Imtiyaz Ahmad Kandoo, is absconding and is believed to have exfiltrated to Pakistan, officials said.

A resident of Kraltang, Sopore, Imtiyaz Ahmad Kandoo has been an active member and commander of the proscribed terrorist outfit Hizbul Mujahideen since 2010. Owing to his sustained involvement in terrorist activities, he was notified as a Designated Individual Terrorist by Government of India in October, 2022, they added.

The investigation conducted by SIA Kashmir conclusively established Kandoo’s active and main role in the Hygam terrorist attack and uncovered his involvement in a wider network of terrorist activities. Besides the present case, he is wanted in at least ten more terror-related cases involving terrorist attacks, targeted killings resulting in the deaths of more than 15 persons, arms and ammunition smuggling, and narco- terror financing. Despite sustained efforts by law enforcement agencies, he had continued to evade arrest.

The successful issuance of the Interpol Red Corner Notice against such terrorist is a significant operational and investigative achievement for SIA Kashmir. It underscores the Agency’s growing capability in conducting complex terror investigations, bringing long-pending cases to logical conclusion, pursuing fugitives across international jurisdictions, and leveraging global policing mechanisms to ensure that perpetrators of terrorism are held accountable.

SIA Kashmir remains steadfast in its resolve to dismantle terrorist ecosystems, pursue absconding terrorists and their support networks, and ensure that those responsible for acts of terror are brought to justice through all available legal and international mechanisms, officials noted.

Kupwara, July 11: Continuing its sustained drive against drug trafficking and the proceeds of narcotics-related crimes, Kupwara Police today attached a residential house valued at ₹14,45,079 under the provisions of Section 68-F of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, officials said.

The attached property belongs to Raj Mohmad Khan, son of Habibullah Khan, a resident of Kakerpati, Diver Lolab, District Kupwara, they said.

A police spokesperson said in a statement, “The attachment has been carried out in accordance with the relevant provisions of the NDPS Act as part of the ongoing efforts to curb drug trafficking and target assets acquired through illicit means.”

Srinagar, Jul 11: National Conference (NC) president Dr Farooq Abdullah delivered a sharply worded address at the Dargah Hazratbal on Saturday, accusing successive governments at the Centre of repeatedly failing to keep their word to Jammu and Kashmir, while taking direct aim at political opponents he accused of acting on Delhi’s orders while claiming to represent local interests.

Recalling decades of unfulfilled assurances, Abdullah invoked a meeting during the tenure of former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, saying the promise then was that “whatever shortcomings this government has caused, we will certainly look into them and restore matters.” Decades later, he suggested, little had changed. “We too are human beings,” he said. “We too are the crown of India — we too have our dignity here.”

The NC chief also recounted a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi he said he attended alongside senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, telling those present at the time: “It is unfortunate that we do not trust you, and you do not trust us. Let us first build this trust.” He said assurances that the “distance between Delhi and Kashmir” would be narrowed had, in practice, only widened over the years.

Turning combative, Abdullah accused unnamed local rivals of publicly aligning with Delhi’s directives while stirring unrest on the ground. In pointed remarks, he challenged them directly: “Are you ready to sell this state? Are you ready to sell the honour of your own parents?” He urged them to abandon what he called their “servitude” and align instead with the people’s cause, warning that those who betray the state’s poor “will not be kept at peace… the fire of hell awaits them.”

Abdullah countered by pointing to his own party’s efforts on infrastructure and public services, claiming “no one else could have done” as much in as difficult a period, citing work on schools, colleges, hospitals, and roads.

The NC president closed his address on a note of resolve, framing the party’s demand as one of dignity and rights rather than charity: “We are not asking for anything that isn’t ours — we are only asking for our own right, that this right be returned to us.”