Srinagar, Jul 28: Two Indian Army soldiers were injured on Tuesday in a mine blast near the Line of Control in the Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said here.

The soldiers were injured in the blast at a forward post at Kamalkote in the Uri sector of Baramulla district, they added.

The injured soldiers were given first aid locally and later airlifted to 92 Base Hospital of the Army here.

The cause of the explosion is being ascertained, officials mentioned.

Srinagar, July 28: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said those who claimed for five days that PDP president Mehbooba Mufti’s controversial video was AI-generated should also express regret, saying she herself had now clarified that the remarks were made by her.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function in Srinagar, Omar, per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said there was a clear difference between expressing regret and apologising and Mehbooba had not sought an apology.

He said the bigger question was about those who spent the last five days claiming the controversial video was AI-generated. “What about those who tried to suppress the issue for five days by spreading lies? Today, Mehbooba Ji herself has exposed those claims by saying the video was not AI,” he said.

The Chief Minister also questioned the stand taken by a PDP MLA who had repeatedly termed the video AI-generated.

“Her own party president has exposed that claim. He kept saying for five days that it was AI-generated, but today Mehbooba Ji herself has said it was not AI. Those people should also express regret. Even if they don’t apologise, they should at least express regret,” Omar said.

Responding to PDP’s proposed protest and demand for restoration of Article 370, Omar said his government would announce its next course of action at an appropriate time.

The Chief Minister also said the party was responsible for the present situation in Jammu and Kashmir because of its alliance with the BJP.

“We have reached this situation because of them. Had they not brought the BJP into government, we would not be here today. If they have realised their mistake and want to correct it, that is a good thing,” he said.

Srinagar, July 28: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today expressed deep concern over the road accident at Gund, Kangan in Ganderbal district, in which several Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra pilgrims returning to Srinagar after paying obeisance at the holy cave shrine sustained injuries.

The Chief Minister directed the Health & Medical Education Department to ensure the best possible medical care for all the injured pilgrims and deputed Minister for Health & Medical Education, Sakina Itoo, to Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura to personally oversee their treatment.

Acting on the directions of the Chief Minister, the Health Minister visited SKIMS, where she met the injured pilgrims and enquired about their well-being. She also interacted with the attending doctors and hospital authorities to assess the nature of injuries and the treatment being provided.

The Minister directed the hospital administration to ensure the best possible medical care for all the injured pilgrims and instructed that no effort be spared in their treatment and recovery.

The Chief Minister wished the injured pilgrims a speedy recovery and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to extending every possible assistance to them and their families during this difficult time.

Earlier this morning, a bus carrying Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra pilgrims returning from the holy cave shrine skidded off the road near the Ganiwan/Hariganiwan stretch in the Gund area of Kangan, Ganderbal district, after the driver reportedly lost control while negotiating a curve. Thirty-nine pilgrims sustained injuries in the accident. A swift rescue operation was soon launched, shifting the injured initially to Sub-District Hospital, Kangan, before they were referred to SKIMS, Soura for specialised treatment.

Srinagar, July 28: At least 11 security forces personnel, including an officer, were injured in separate road accidents in Shopian and Anantnag districts of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Tuesday.

A bunker vehicle carrying CRPF and police personnel skidded off the main road at Wachi in Shopian district late on Monday night, the officials said.

Seven CRPF personnel, including an inspector, sustained injuries in the accident, they said, adding that a policeman was also among the injured.

In another accident, three ITBP personnel were injured when a civilian pick-up van rammed into their temporary bunker in Pahalgam in Anantnag district after losing control, the officials said, adding the driver was also injured. Authorities have ruled out any foul play.

Srinagar, Jul 28: The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today addressed aspiring youth and representatives from leading industries at the 77th State-Level Mega Job Fair, held at Amar Singh College, Srinagar.

Organised by Desh Bhagat University, Punjab & Cluster University, Srinagar in collaboration with NIELIT, Nations Development Association (NDA) and MY Bharat, the Mega Job Fair aims to directly connect youth with industries. The fair brought together more than 50 reputed companies across diverse sectors including information technology, healthcare, banking, financial services, manufacturing, retail, hospitality, education, logistics, and engineering.

In his keynote address, the Lieutenant Governor described the job fair as a powerful means of connecting the aspirations of the youth with opportunities, and as an important step toward building the nation’s bright future.  

“This is a platform where dreams meet direction, where education meets industry, and where the foundation of a new Jammu Kashmir is being strengthened,” he said. 

Highlighting the participation of thousands of registered students, the Lieutenant Governor emphasized that the greatest value of such initiatives lies in the confidence they instill in young people.

“You are not merely job-seekers. You are the makers of India’s future. In your hands rests your career as well as the direction of the nation’s development. You are the strength of Skill India, the face of Digital India, and the true bearers of Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” the Lieutenant Governor told the aspirants.

The Lieutenant Governor also outlined six key objectives of the Mega Job Fair. He said the fair will ensure meaningful employment for youth to become self-reliant and contribute to society. It will also pave the way for Industry-academia partnerships to bridge the gap between degrees and workplace skills.

The Lieutenant Governor said that the Job Fair will ensure that skill development programmes are aligned with digital literacy and technical capabilities and a roadmap will be created for simplified recruitment through on-the-spot interviews and direct hiring. He said the Job fair will also ensure entrepreneurship promotion to encourage job creators alongside job seekers and it will prepare a future-ready workforce to strengthen India’s development journey.

The Lieutenant Governor urged students to embrace three guiding principles- never make dreams small, never stop learning, and always embrace innovation.

“Dream big and focus on new discoveries. The future belongs to those who seek new solutions, develop new thinking, and lead change. Success is meaningful only when achieved with ethics and responsibility,” he said.

The Lieutenant Governor stressed that colleges and universities must evolve into institutions that prepare students for life beyond examinations.

“Education should not be confined to classrooms. It must prepare every student to begin life’s journey with confidence, skills, and practical understanding,” he said.

The Lieutenant Governor also called upon industry representatives to act as recruiters, mentors and partners in shaping the future workforce.

“If industry and education work together, we can create an environment where knowledge and experience strengthen each other, and innovation and employment advance together,” he said.

The Lieutenant Governor underscored the growing interest of youth in entrepreneurship, citing that since 2020, lakhs of youth became entrepreneurs. He recalled that the Union Territory led the country in PMEGP in 2021–22, and expressed confidence that the UT will carve a new identity in innovation, startups, and modern industries.

He further emphasized that unemployment cannot be solved through government jobs alone, as government vacancies are limited. Instead, he outlined three priorities- aligning skills with industry needs, promoting private sector job creation through MSMEs and SMEs, and bridging the transition from college to workplace through internships, mentorships, and career guidance.

“Let us resolve that this 77th Mega Job Fair will mark the beginning of a new chapter in the employment history of Jammu Kashmir,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

Shri Ram Niwas Sharma, Commissioner/Secretary, Higher Education Department; Prof. Mohammad Mobin, Vice Chancellor, Cluster University of Srinagar; Prof. K.S. Chandrasekar, Vice Chancellor, Cluster University of Jammu; Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, Vice Chancellor, IUST; Dr. Sandeep Singh, President of Desh Bhagat University; Prof. Tehmina Yousuf, Principal, Amar Singh College, senior officials, representatives of leading industries, heads of educational institutes, and youth in large number were present.