#JAMMU: As part of a broader initiative led by the Directorate of #Tourism, Jammu, a series of celebrity visits across #Jammu has been launched to show solidarity with the armed forces and civilians besides inspiring revival of tourism in the region.

The first in this initiative was the visit of renowned Bollywood actress Huma Qureshi, who arrived in Jammu to extend her support and amplify the message of peace, resilience and hope.

During her visit, Qureshi engaged in an exclusive interaction with the stakeholders from the Jammu and Katra Hotel and Restaurant Associations.

The stakeholders appealed her to promote the scenic beauty, hospitality and cultural richness of Jammu through word-of-mouth and her public platforms. They emphasized that celebrity endorsements can play a vital role in rebuilding tourist confidence and encouraging footfall in the region.

The actress also visited the family of late Raj Kumar Thapa, Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Rajouri, who tragically lost his life in a recent attack. She offered her heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and paid tribute to his sacrifice for the nation.

Later in the evening, a cultural programme was organized at the Indo-Pak border, Suchetgarh symbolizing unity and national pride. The event showcased local cultural performances and featured a touching interaction with Army jawans, BSF jawans and affected families aimed at honoring the brave soldiers and showing solidarity with affected families.

Speaking at the event, Huma Qureshi expressed gratitude for the warm reception and conveyed her admiration for the unwavering spirit of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. She vowed to inspire more celebrities and artists to visit the Union Territory and experience its breathtaking beauty, vibrant culture and hospitality.

Her visit marks not just a symbolic gesture, but a powerful message of collective strength and a renewed call to embrace Jammu and Kashmir as a vibrant and safe tourism destination.

Early this morning, PM Narendra #Modi visited the #Adampur Air Base. He was briefed by Air Force personnel, and he also interacted with our brave #Jawans.

#SRINAGAR: Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Kumar Choudhary, along with Advisor to Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, on the instructions of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, today met Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde, to express their deepest condolences on the death of Maharashtra civilians in Pahalgam terrorist attack.

The J&K Dy CM also raised the concern regarding safety of Kashmiri people residing in Maharashtra with Eknath Shinde.

Shinde assured full support from his government, assuring committed towards taking care of J&K residents in Maharashtra. He assured establishment of a dedicated helpline number with a Nodal Officer to assist those in need.

Surinder Choudhary said that the brutal targeting of innocent civilians in this cowardly attack is highly reprehensible. He added that targeting innocent tourists, is extremely condemnable and painful.

Condemning the cowardly terrorist attack, the Dy CM also expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased.

Advisor to CM Nasir Aslam Wani, while expressing his condolences, said that the entire nation is united in fighting the scourge of terrorism. He added that these dastardly targeted attacks are a blot on humanity.

#JAMMU: Launch of a Special Train from SMVD #Katra to #NewDelhi to assist the stranded passengers and accommodate the extra rush, a special train service has been launched. The tickets shall be available over the counter from Katra, Udhampur and Jammu stations.

Train Number: #04612

Departure Station: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi (#SMVD) Katra

Departure Time: 2120 Hrs

Halt at Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan Station Udhampur: 2148-2150 Hrs

Halt at #Jammu #Tawi railway Station, Jammu: 2300-2305 Hrs

This special train will play a crucial role in clearing the additional passenger load and ensuring a safe and comfortable journey to New Delhi. The Train shall reach New Delhi at 0930 Am. Also, the National Highway at Ramban is made functional on one-way basis. The passengers stranded at Kashmir and Jammu can use this special train.

The administration remains committed to the well-being of all tourists and urges everyone to cooperate and follow the necessary guidelines.

#SAMBA: Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Sharma today conducted an on-site inspection of the new bus stand at #ThandiKhui today.

The inspection revealed that construction work is progressing rapidly and nearing completion.

The strategically located bus stand is designed to accommodate a large volume of passengers and will significantly enhance connectivity and ease of movement in the region.

During the inspection, the DC was accompanied by Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Vijaypur, Sandeep Dubey and Tehsildar Sudesh among other officers.

“This new facility represents an important infrastructure development for our district,” said DC Sharma. “Once operational, it will improve transportation services for residents and visitors alike, while supporting our broader goals for regional development.”

The officials thoroughly reviewed the ongoing construction activities and expressed satisfaction with the progress made thus far. The bus stand is expected to be fully operational in the coming months.

The Thandi Khui Bus Stand project is part of the district administration’s efforts to modernize transportation infrastructure and improve public services. The facility will feature amenities designed to enhance passenger comfort and safety.

NEW DELHI: #Petrol and #diesel prices in India are set to rise as the government has hiked #excise #duty on both #fuels by Rs 2 per litre.

The move comes at a time when global crude oil prices are actually on a downward trend, driven by fears of a global trade war sparked by the US administration’s reciprocal tariffs.

This hike is expected to impact consumers already dealing with inflationary pressures.

#petroldiesel #petrolprices

Four security personnel including a DySP and a para commando sustained injuries

#KATHUA: In Jammu and Kashmir, three terrorists were killed while an equal number of security forces personnel too lost their lives in an ongoing encounter in Sufain forest area of #Juthana in #Kathua district on Thursday.

Four security personnel including a DySP of J&K Police and one para commando sustained injuries. SDPO Border, DySP Dheeraj Katoch had sustained minor injuries yet other three security personnel were under treatment for critical injuries.

The security personnel killed in the operation included SPOs of DySP Katoch. They were identified as SgCT Tariq Ahmed of Reasi; SgCT Jaswant Singh of Hiranagar and SgCT Balwinder Singh of Nank Chak, Kathua.

The fresh encounter began on Thrusday morning after the security forces, engaged in intensive search operation, re-established contact with a group of terrorists in Sufain forest stretch of Juthana area under the jurisdiction of Rajbagh Police Station of Kathua district. During the gunfight, three security personnel laid down their lives while three other security personnel including one Para SF commando, sustained serious injuries during the operation.

They were immediately evacuated to the hospital where they were undergoing treatment. One of the seriously injured cop was referred to GMC Jammu while one is under treatment at GMC Kathua while the Para commando was airlifted to Military hospital Pathankot. In the intensive gunfire three terrorists were neutralized and their bodies have yet to be retrieved as the operation is still going on.

Contact with the terrorists was re-established in Juthana area of Kathua after the input about their presence on Thursday morning. Heavy reinforcement was rushed to the area. During the search operation, the security personnel came under heavy fire from the hiding terrorists thus ensuing the operation.

The present encounter site is around 30 kms away from the forest area around Sanyal village along the International Border (IB) in Hiranagar sector where a group of five terrorists was first sighted on March 23 evening by a village couple. During the Cordon and Search Operation launched thereafter, the security forces and terrorists had exchanged heavy gunfire briefly in Sanyal village on Sunday evening.

However, the terrorists managed to escape, breaking the cordon. Since then, a multi-layer combing operation had been going on, in and around the area. DGP Nalin Prabhat, assisted by the IGP, Jammu, Bhim Sen Tuti, CRPF IG besides other senior officers of Police and Army, was monitoring the operation. More details are awaited. .

#JAMMU: Flight service from Ghaziabad’s Hindon #Airport to #Jammu has started today as the first flight from Hindon airport to Jammu took off at 9.30 AM.

It has become easier to go to Mata Vaishno Devi temple from #NCR as now passengers will not need to go to Delhi Airport to go to Jammu. Rather they will have another option of air travel from the NCR.

The number of people going to Vaishno Devi temple will increase during Navratri. The first flight service of Air India Express started from Hindon to Jammu at 9.30 AM.

The flight from Jammu to Hindon will be at 1 PM which will reach Hindon at 2:30 PM. Air India Express will operate flights between Hindon in Ghaziabad and Jammu six days a week (except Saturdays) for the ease of journey and relatively economic fare, particularly for those travelling to and from between Jammu and the southern parts of NCR Delhi like Noida etc.

The flight will arrive at Jammu 11:30 AM and depart from Jammu for Hindon 1:00 PM. The civil aviation authorities had agreed to begin a Jammu-Srinagar morning flight from April 1 to cater especially to government officers and businessmen.

#KATHUA: In Jammu and #Kashmir an encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists at forward village of Sanyal, just about four kilometers from the International Border, in #Hiranagar sector of Kathua district late last evening after three civilians including a woman observed movement of the infiltrators near a dhok in sprawling Nursery.

Special Operations Group, Army and Paramilitary Forces have surrounded the entire area including the Nursery where the terrorists were spotted to ensure that they don’t manage to escape taking cover of darkness.

A woman along with her husband and brother-in-law first spotted the terrorists while collecting woods in the Nursery described their numbers as five though generally the ultras infiltrate in the group of three. The terrorists, as per the woman, were equipped with weapons and were five in numbers.

Police and SOG immediately launched the operation leading to a brief gunfight near the Nursery. The hiding terrorists opened a heavy volume of fire on observing the police party which retaliated.

However, there was no report of casualty in the initial exchange of intense firing which continued for nearly half-an-hour. Reinforcements from police, Army and Paramilitary Forces were rushed to the area to neutralize the terrorists.

The terrorists are believed to have infiltrated on Saturday via either the ravine route or through a newly created tunnel. Director General of Police, Nalin Prabhat along with IGP Jammu Zone Bhim Sen Tuti and DIG Jammu-Kathua range Shiv Kumar Sharma are camping at the spot supervising the operation to eliminate the terrorists.

The terrorists are believed to have infiltrated from across the border during the previous night and had taken shelter inside the sprawling area for further movement towards the forests but were trapped by police. More details are awaited.