Jaiswal noted that Pakistan’s history of cross-border terrorism not only stymies SAARC cooperation but also invalidates its claims to a pluralistic heritage like the Indus Valley civilization. Addressing other pressing matters, he confirmed that search efforts are ongoing for two missing Indian crew members following an attack on the ship MV AGN Ragnar at Ukraine’s Odesa port, announced the reopening of border trade with China via the Lipulekh, Shipki La, and Nathu La passes, and reiterated India’s resolve to extradite fugitive Nirav Modi once UK legal proceedings conclude.

Says remarks justified misuse of power in J&K; warns such statements weaken fight for people’s rights

Srinagar, July 27 (KNO): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti should apologise instead of claiming that the video of her remarks at Jantar Mantar was “AI-generated”, saying the comments appeared to justify the misuse of power in Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Omar, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the remarks sought to justify arrests, denial of justice and other harsh measures in the name of militancy.

“How does the presence of militancy justify denying justice to people, stopping passports or weakening the rule of law? I fail to understand this logic,” he said.

The Chief Minister said that after the remarks triggered public criticism, the PDP attempted to dismiss the video as AI-generated through one of its legislators.

“Media organisations from across the country were present at Jantar Mantar. Multiple videos were recorded and microphones of various media outlets were visible. Calling it AI is an insult to people’s intelligence,” he said.

Omar said Mehbooba should have addressed a press conference and apologised if the remarks had been made in the heat of the moment.

“Everyone makes mistakes. She could simply have said she spoke emotionally and apologised. Instead, they rubbed salt into the wounds by claiming the video was fake,” he said.

The Chief Minister also accused the PDP president of never expressing regret over her party’s alliance with the BJP in 2015, the handling of the 2016 unrest and other controversial decisions.

“You never apologised for the BJP alliance or what happened in 2016. Now, instead of accepting what was said at Jantar Mantar, you are calling it AI,” he said.

Referring to the demand for restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, Omar said such statements could discourage people from participating in democratic protests.

“If tomorrow we protest for statehood, people may hesitate to come out because such statements send a message that suppressing protests is acceptable. That is a matter of serious concern,” he said.

Commenting on the recent resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Omar said the decision had come late and that no political party should claim credit for it.

“The credit belongs entirely to the students who remained steadfast in their protest. They did not give up despite the difficulties,” he said.

The Chief Minister also said that large-scale detentions alone could not end militancy and warned that such measures risk alienating the public.

“If 3,000 people are detained, nearly 15,000 family members are affected. Such measures may produce short-term results, but lasting peace cannot be achieved without winning the trust and support of the people,” he added—(KNO)

Srinagar | Drass: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday reaffirmed that the Indian Armed Forces remain fully prepared to respond to any security challenge, even as adversaries persist with tactics such as proxy warfare and infiltration.
Addressing Kargil Vijay Diwas commemorations in Drass, Singh assured the nation that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the government has taken robust steps to maintain high troop morale and accelerate military modernisation. He highlighted ongoing efforts to equip soldiers with world-class weapons, advanced technology, and modern training to meet evolving security demands, expressing firm confidence that India’s push toward self-reliance will establish its military as one of the world’s strongest forces in the coming years.
Paying rich homage to the fallen heroes of the 1999 Kargil War, the Defence Minister laid a wreath at the solemn Kargil War Memorial in Drass and attended the Shaurya Sandhya commemorative event. Singh praised the unparalleled courage, resilience, and patriotism of Indian soldiers, noting that their unwavering determination enables citizens across the country to live securely. The memorial ceremonies were attended by key dignitaries, including Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth, Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, and senior military officers alongside families of martyrs, who expressed deep pride in the nation’s enduring remembrance of their loved ones’ supreme sacrifices.

New Delhi : In a major political shift, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi under Article 75(2) of the Constitution. Following his exit, President Droupadi Murmu assigned senior cabinet minister Pralhad Joshi additional charge of the Ministry of Education alongside his current portfolios of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy. Pradhan stated that he stepped down in the interest of students and to prevent ongoing protests over NEET-UG 2026 paper leaks and CBSE marking irregularities from being exploited by anti-national forces. His resignation culminates over a month of intense nationwide demonstrations and political pressure led by the Opposition, alongside activist Sonam Wangchuk’s 26-day hunger strike that ended following direct assurances from the Prime Minister.
In response to the crisis, the Union Cabinet has approved the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, which Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh will introduce in the Lok Sabha on Monday. The new legislation seeks to amend the 2024 Act by establishing dedicated fast-track special courts for swift trials, imposing up to 10 years of imprisonment, and levying hefty financial penalties to dismantle organized examination syndicates.
Following breakthrough discussions with Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Dr. Jitendra Singh, the protest movement led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has officially been called off. The government assured the delegation that no FIRs would be registered against student demonstrators, any existing police cases would be withdrawn, maximum compensation under rules would be provided to families of affected students, and the CJP’s five-point examination reform charter would be actively evaluated. CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka announced the withdrawal of the agitation in good faith and appealed to all protesting students across the country to return home peacefully.

Officials told GNS that the vehicle reportedly lost control and skidded off the road, leading to the accident.

Soon after the incident, locals and police teams launched a rescue operation. The injured were evacuated and shifted to Government Medical College Doda for treatment.

Officials said the condition of some of the injured is serious. Further details are awaited.

Police have taken cognizance of the incident and started an investigation. (GNS)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday promised that “more strict” action would be taken against paper leaks as the CJP-led protests continue over the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 examination.
In a self-recorded video shared on X, the Prime Minister announced that the Union Cabinet will take up a draft Bill providing for Fast-Track Courts and stringent punishment for offenders. he said, “I have issued directions to departments to set up Fast-Track Courts”The Opposition has been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and a detailed discussion on the NEET paper leak issue in the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, with the controversy triggering protests inside and outside the House.Along with the video, the Prime Minister wrote, “More strict actions against paper leaks to come in today’s Cabinet!”In the video, Modi said, “Friends, I know that paper leaks are not an ordinary matter. For lakhs of students and their parents, it is extremely painful.”He said the government had acted swiftly following the paper leak incidents. “And that is why, in the last two and a half months since the paper leak incidents, several major steps have been taken. The culprits have been caught; they are currently in jail,” he said.Highlighting the government’s efforts to ensure students did not lose an academic year, the PM said, “Our most important responsibility was to ensure that a whole year for the students is not wasted. It was very important to conduct the exams immediately. The government used its full strength to arrange exams for nearly 22 lakh students in the shortest possible time. And just five or six days ago, on the 19th, the results were also announced. News of the happiness of successful students is coming from all over the country.”Stressing that the government was not stopping there, PM Modi said, “”However, we are not among those who are satisfied with just that. And therefore, today I have issued directions to the departments to set up Fast-Track Courts. The departments worked tirelessly and, late last night, provided me with a draft. This draft, which includes provisions for Fast-Track Courts and stringent punishments, will be discussed in the Cabinet tomorrow,” he said.The PM further said, “After incorporating suggestions from Cabinet colleagues, it will be given a final shape. Efforts will be made to get this Bill passed in the House as soon as possible, as the second week of the Parliament session begins on Monday.”Modi said, “Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth! Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared.”Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke his silence on the controversy, announcing that the government would establish fast-track courts to ensure swift punishment for those involved in examination paper leaks.
Agencies

SSG Road and Mughal Road open, commuters advised to avoid travel

Srinagar, July 23: The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) remained closed for vehicular movement on Thursday due to landslides and shooting stones at several locations, officials said.

Officials told GNS that the Doda-Kishtwar Road is also closed amid continuous heavy rainfall in the region.

However, the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri (SSG) Road and Mughal Road are open for traffic.

Traffic police said heavy rainfall is being experienced on all routes.

Commuters have been advised to avoid travelling until the weather improves and the road is declared safe and clear for traffic.

For the latest updates, people can check the status of the road on the traffic police Twitter handle, Facebook page, and Traffic Control Units (TCUs). (GNS)