The Kashmir Pulse

JAMMU — Four soldiers were injured after a gunfight erupted between militants and security forces in Chenab Valley of Kishtwar district where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address an election rally on Saturday.

According to the reports from the news agency KNO, four soldiers received bullet injuries and were evacuated to a medical facility after an encounter broke out at Chhatroo area of Kishtwar.

Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address an election rally in neighbouring Doda tomorrow.

“Based on the intelligence inputs, a joint operation with J&K Police was launched in Chatroo area at Kishtwar. A contact has been established with the terrorists at 3.30 pm. In the ensuing firefight, four army personnel were injured. The operation is in progress,” the Army's White Knight Corps said in a statement.

Moreover, Additional Director General of Police, Jammu, Anand Jain said, “Exchange of fire has taken place between search teams of security forces and hiding terrorists at Pingnal Dugadda forest area, upper reaches of Naidgham village under the jurisdiction of Chhatroo Police Station, Kishtwar district."

According to sources, the encounter began when the Jammu and Kashmir Police, along with the army, launched an anti-militancy operation based on specific intelligence inputs. Militants, who were hiding in the area, opened fire on the search party, prompting retaliation from security forces.

Reports suggest that at least four Jaish-e-Muhammad militants are trapped in Chatroo area of Kishtwar where the encounter is currently going on and search operations have been intensified to nearby areas of the encounter area. The Jammu and Kashmir Police, along with the army, surrounded the area to neutralise the militants.

KARGIL — Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu commemorated the 25th anniversary of India's victory in the Kargil War by paying tribute to the martyrs at the Drass War Memorial. Both leaders spoke of the significance of "Kargil Vijay Diwas", which marks the successful conclusion of 'Operation Vijay' and honours the bravery of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives.

Prime Minister Modi, while laying a floral wreath at the memorial, reaffirmed India's commitment to peace and the resolve to crush militancy in Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasized that the security forces will continue to thwart any attempts to destabilize the region. "Our forces will crush terrorism with full might and give a befitting reply to enemy designs," Modi stated, addressing the nation from Drass.

The Prime Minister also launched the first blast of the Shinkun La Tunnel, which will provide all-weather connectivity to Ladakh. He pointed out that despite Pakistan's continuous efforts to promote 'terrorism', India remains steadfast in its development goals for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

"Five years post Article 370 abrogation, Ladakh and J&K are prospering," he said, citing infrastructure projects, a rise in tourism, and the re-opening of cinemas in Kashmir as signs of progress.

President Murmu echoed similar sentiments, lauding the soldiers' bravery and urging citizens to draw inspiration from their courage. "Kargil Vijay Diwas is a day to honour the exceptional valour of India's armed forces," she stated.

Modi also criticized the opposition, particularly the Congress party, for ignoring the demands of the armed forces in the past and politicizing defence reforms like the Agnipath scheme. He asserted that the BJP government has prioritized military welfare, implementing one rank-one pension and boosting domestic defence production.

The Prime Minister concluded with a strong message to Pakistan, warning that their attempts to incite proxy wars would fail. "Pakistan has not learned from its past mistakes. Today, I want to tell the patrons of terrorism that their nefarious intentions will never succeed," he declared.

SRINAGAR — Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Ladakh on July 26 to attend the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas.

An official said that the celebrations will take place in Drass, Kargil district, from July 24 to 26. The army officials have reviewed the arrangements for the visit.

PM Modi is scheduled to visit the Kargil War Memorial in Drass on July 26 for the anniversary.

The PM will participate in the wreath-laying ceremony, visit the Wall of Fame, sign the visitors' book, and inspect the Kargil War Museum.

He will also attend a briefing on the Kargil War and take a group photograph. Modi will interact with war widows, visit Veer Bhoomi, and inaugurate the Shinku La Tunnel virtually.

SRINAGAR — Security arrangements have been tightened across Jammu and Kashmir in view of the Prime Minister's visit on June 21.

The officials privy to security arrangements told the news agency KNS that a multi-layered security system is being put place as part of the security arrangements for the PM's event.

Security agencies have put up Nakas at all important roads and junctions to bolster security arrangements in view of the high-profile visit to Srinagar.

Additionally, security teams have been actively visiting the venue to ensure comprehensive security arrangements.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Kashmir on June 21, marking his first visit since assuming office for a third consecutive term to participate in a Yoga event in Srinagar on International Yoga Day.

According to the reports, the event will take place at the SKICC backyards, which overlook the Dal Lake and Zabarwan Hills.

The Lieutenant Governor's administration has already started making massive arrangements for the visit. The Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council has been tasked with gathering 3,000 sportsmen for the occasion including instructors.

Prime Minister's dedicated security team will arrive in Srinagar some days before the event to keep the venue under their control as standard practice.

In response to security concerns, additional police and paramilitary forces have been deployed at key locations, including Airport Road to SKICC.

The officials also said that enhanced measures include CCTV surveillance, checkpoints, and frisking points. Special Operations Group (SOG) personnel are positioned throughout the city to monitor for suspicious activities, while J&K Police Commandos and CRPF personnel are stationed around the SKICC to prevent any incidents, they further said.

Checkpoints and inspection points remain active along major highways in the Valley as a precaution. Vehicles entering Kashmir at Qazigund are subject to frisking. Special teams are assigned to critical junctions to prevent any incidents, maintaining a high level of alert, they also said.

In Srinagar and other major towns, police and paramilitary forces have erected barricades for vehicle searches.

A day before, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting with National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other senior officials to review the situation in Jammu and Kashmir amid a series of militant attacks in J&K in the past few days.

Militants struck at four places in Reasi, Kathua and Doda districts over the past four days, killing nine pilgrims and a CRPF jawan and leaving seven security personnel and several others injured.

SRINAGAR — The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is poised to take steps towards forming the government, with plans to officially stake their claim on Friday, following a series of strategic meetings and endorsements.

In a key meeting held in Delhi, NDA leaders unanimously named Narendra Modi as the leader of the alliance. Sources revealed that all NDA parties pledged their support to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), solidifying Modi's position as their leader.

The decision comes after the BJP-led NDA secured an absolute majority in the Lok Sabha elections, winning a total of 292 seats, with the BJP alone claiming 240 seats, reaffirming its dominance in Indian politics. Despite the victory, the Congress-led INDIA bloc remains a formidable opposition, securing 234 seats.

In anticipation of the new government, President Droupadi Murmu dissolved the 17th Lok Sabha on Wednesday, acting upon the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Cabinet. This paved the way for the transition to the new administration.

As the NDA prepares for government formation, a meeting is scheduled for June 7, where NDA MPs will convene to formally elect Narendra Modi as their leader, further cementing his leadership role ahead of staking their claim.

"We acknowledge that government formation is a meticulous process requiring careful coordination," stated an NDA source. "It's crucial to ensure thorough preparation, which is why we've scheduled the official claim for Friday."

The unity within the NDA is evident as they gear up to establish the new government, with allies actively seeking key portfolios in the upcoming cabinet.

The swearing-in ceremony for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third term is expected to take place on the evening of June 8 at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where new cabinet members will also be sworn in, marking the official commencement of the new government's tenure.