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Crime India News Jammu & Kashmir

Six killed, four injured in J&K terrorist attack

The injured were taken to a sub-district hospital in Kangan town from where the critically injured were shifted to SKIMS hospital in Srinagar city. ..reports Asian Lite News

Six people including five non-locals and a local doctor were killed on Sunday and four others were injured in a terrorist attack on a labourers’ camp in J&K’s Ganderbal district.  Official sources said that six people including five non-locals and a local doctor were killed and four others injured when terrorists attacked a private company’s labourer camp in the Gagangier area of Ganderbal district.

Earlier, three non-locals had been killed, but reports now confirm that five non-locals including two officials of the private company and three labourers and a local doctor were killed in this terrorist attack that took place around 8.15 pm today. Gagangier is around 74 Kms from Srinagar city.

The injured were taken to a sub-district hospital in Kangan town from where the critically injured were shifted to SKIMS hospital in Srinagar city. The private company is engaged in building a tunnel from the Gagangier area to the Sonamarg tourist resort to make the Srinagar-Sonamarg an all-weather road.

“Army and police have surrounded the area and an operation has been started to trace the terrorists,” officials said. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari has also condemned the attack saying, “I strongly condemn the horrific terror attack on innocent labourers in Gagangir, Sonamarg in Jammu and Kashmir, who were engaged in a vital infrastructure project.

“I offer my humble tribute to the martyred labourers and extend my deepest condolences to their families during this difficult hour. My thoughts and prayers are with the injured for a swift and full recovery”.

J& K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said in his second X-post comment: “The casualty figure from the Gagangir attack is not final as there are a number of injured labourers, both local & non-local. Praying that the injured make a full recovery as the more seriously injured are being referred to SKIMS, Srinagar.”

Earlier, Omar had said: “Very sad news of a dastardly & cowardly attack on non-local labourers at Gagangir in Sonamarg region. These people were working on a key infrastructure project in the area. 2 have been killed & 2-3 more have been injured in this militant attack. I strongly condemn this attack on unarmed innocent people & send my condolences to their loved ones.”

Two days back terrorists killed a non-local Bihar resident, Ashok Chouhan in the Zainpora area of the Shopian district. The terrorists especially hardcore foreign mercenaries have carried some hit-and-run attacks on the army, other security forces and civilians in hilly districts of the Jammu division including Poonch, Rajouri, Doda, Kathua, Udhampur and Reasi districts.

Over 4000 trained commandos drawn from the elite Para commando force and those trained in mountain warfare have been deployed in the densely forested areas of these districts to prevent the terrorists from carrying out ambush attacks and then hiding in the difficult forest areas.

In addition to the deployment of the army and the CRPF in these mountainous districts, the police have also issued automatic weapons to the village defence committees (VDCs). The VDCs are groups of civilians trained to handle weapons to protect their villages and families from terrorists in remote, inaccessible areas of the Jammu division.

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-Top News India News Jammu & Kashmir

Exit Poll Projects Hung House In J&K

Bharatiya Janata Party General Secretary and J-K in charge, Tarun Chugh said on Saturday that these are only “Exit polls” and the results will be better than this….reports Asian Lite News

The Axis My India has predicted a hung assembly in Jammu and Kashmir with the National Conference-Congress alliance slightly ahead and the BJP tailgating the opposition.

According to Axis My India, the NC-Congress alliance can win 35-45 seats whereas the BJP can win 24-34 seats. Notably, the majority mark to form the government in the Union Territory is 46 and the prediction has shown no one above the mark.

According to the predictions, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) can win 4-6 seats while Awam Ittehad Party-led by Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid can win 3-8.

The Axis My India has given Sajjad Lone’s People’s Conference 1-3 while others can get 4-10 seats. As per its prediction, the NC-Congress vote share can go up to 38 per cent while the BJP on 21.

Earlier today, former Deputy Chief Minister of J-K & BJP leader Kavinder Gupta hinted that the BJP is holding talks with “like-minded” parties. “It is only in the Exit polls that Congress-NC has got these seats, but BJP will emerge as the biggest party once the correct results are out. We are confident of getting more than 35 seats in Jammu province and the remaining from Kashmir. BJP will be in a better condition in Kashmir…Talks are going on with like-minded parties,” Gupta said.

Bharatiya Janata Party General Secretary and J-K in charge, Tarun Chugh said on Saturday that these are only “Exit polls” and the results will be better than this.

Chugh exuded confidence that in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP will form the government with a full majority. “These are exit polls. The results will be better than this. BJP will form a government with a full majority in both Haryana and J&K. People’s blessings are with BJP. Double engine government will be formed,” he said.

National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah dismissed the exit poll predictions. In a post on X, Abdullah said, “I’m amazed channels are bothering with exit polls, especially after the fiasco of the recent general elections. I’m ignoring all the noise on channels, social media, WhatsApp Etc because the only numbers that matter will be revealed on the 8th of Oct. The rest is just time pass.”

According to TV-Today C-voter projections, the NC-Congress alliance is likely to win 40-48 seats while the BJP can win 27-32. Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti-led People’s Democratic Party is likely to win 6-12 seats whereas others can win 6-11.

As per Dainik Bhaskar’s projection, the NC-Congress alliance can win seats ranging from 35-40. The BJP can win 20-25 seats, PDP 4-7 while the others can win 12-18 seats. The People Pulse survey has predicted 46-50 seats for the NC-Congress alliance and 23-27 for the BJP. As per them, the PDP can win 7-11 whereas the others can win 4-6 seats..

The Gulistan News projection on Republic TV projected 28-30 seats for the National Conference, 3-6 seats for the Congress, 5-7 seats for the PDP and 8-16 seats for other parties and independents. The Election Commission of India said that an overall 63.88 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the Assembly elections in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

The counting of votes will take place on October 8. In 2023, the Supreme Court directed the Centre to hold Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir by September 30, 2024.

PDP hints at supporting NC-Cong alliance

As the exit polls projected a tight race in Jammu and Kashmir, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate from Lal Chowk Assembly seat Zuhaib Yousuf Mir on Saturday hinted that they can join the National Conference-Congress alliance to keep the Bharatiya Janata Party out of power.

PDP leader Zuhaib Mir said that they are ready to take any step to save the identity of Kashmir.

He said, “As far as we are concerned, exit polls are not a serious activity but time pass activity. PDP is confident that it will be an indispensable and important part of the secular government that will form in J-K. PDP will have an important role in forming any secular government. We had said that we are ready to take any step to save the identity of Kashmir but for this, it is important that we formulate a secular government, a government against BJP not with them.”

“Even if the PDP makes any secular government by extending support, it will not last long as they (BJP) will try to run this government in Delhi style where the Chief Minister will have to go to the LG with the bagging bowl. Whatever happened to the Delhi government, the same will happen here too,” the PDP leader added.

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India News Politics

279 candidates file nominations for phase 1 of J&K polls

The nomination papers will be scrutinised by the respective Returning Officers today while the candidates can withdraw their nomination papers by or before 30 August…reports Asian Lite News

Election Commission (EC) said that for the first phase of J&K Assembly polls, 279 candidates have filed their nomination papers till Tuesday, the last date of filing papers for the first phase in which voting is scheduled for September 18.

EC statement said 72 candidates have filed their nomination papers in Anantnag district, followed by 55 in Pulwama district, 41 in Doda district, 32 in Kishtwar district, 28 in Shopian district, 28 in Kulgam district, while 23 candidates have filed nominations in Ramban district.

In Jammu division, for the three assembly constituencies in Kishtwar district, a total of 13 candidates have filed nomination papers.

From Inderwal, 11 candidates have filed nominations, while eight candidates have filed nominations from the Padder-Nagseni constituency.

In the three constituencies in the Doda district, 16 candidates have filed nominations from Bhadarwah, 16 candidates have filed nominations from Doda, and nine candidates have filed nominations from Doda West.

For the two constituencies in Ramban district, a total of 13 candidates have filed nominations from Ramban while 10 candidates have filed nominations from Banihal.

In the Kashmir division, for the four constituencies in the Pulwama district, 16 candidates have filed nominations from Pampore, 13 candidates have filed nominations from Tral, 14 candidates have filed nominations from Pulwama and 12 candidates have filed nominations from Rajpora.

A total of 15 candidates have filed nominations from Zainapora while 13 candidates have filed nominations from the Shopian constituency in the Shopian district.

In the three constituencies in the Kulgam district, six candidates have filed nominations from DH Pora, 11 candidates have filed nominations from Kulgam and 11 candidates have filed nominations from Devsar.

For the seven constituencies in Anantnag district, a total of 12 candidates have filed nominations from Dooru, 11 candidates have filed nominations from Kokernag (ST), 14 candidates have filed nominations from Anantnag West, 13 candidates have filed nominations from Anantnag, three candidates have filed nomination from Srigufwara-Bijbehara, 13 candidates have filed nominations from Shangus-Anantnag East and six candidates have filed nomination from Pahalgam.

It may be mentioned that more than 23.27 lakh voters which include 11.76 lakh male voters and 11.51 lakh female voters and 60 third-gender electors are eligible to exercise their electoral franchise during the Phase-I of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Election, scheduled to be held on September 18, 2024.

The nomination papers will be scrutinised by the respective Returning Officers on 28 August while the candidates can withdraw their nomination papers by or before 30 August up to 3 pm in the office of Returning Officer.

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BJP to go solo in J&K Assembly elections

The National Conference (NC) has already announced that it will fight the Assembly elections without any pre-poll alliance…reports Asian Lite News

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said on Sunday that the party will fight the Assembly elections in J&K on its own without a pre-poll alliance with any other political party.

The BJP’s J&K president, Ravinder Raina said this while talking to media persons here.

He said, “BJP will fight the Assembly elections in J&K on its own without any pre-poll alliance with any other political party. We will not form any pre-poll alliance with any party. However, we are talking to some independent candidates. BJP can support some independent candidates in 8 to 10 Assembly seats where we believe the independents can win with our support,” Raina said.

The BJP manifesto and mandate committee meeting is being held here this day. Senior party leaders, including the election in charge of J&K elections, G. Kishan Reddy; the national general secretary and in charge of J& K affairs, Tarun Chugh; and Ashish Sood are also attending the meeting.

Taking to reporters, Tarun Chugh said, “Narendra Modiji has put Jammu and Kashmir on the path of development and trust. Every citizen of Jammu and Kashmir is receiving medical insurance worth Rs 5 lakh. New milestones of development are being achieved in every sector, in every district, and in everyday life. Ring roads are being constructed, bridges are being built, water is reaching the homes of the poor, and free ration is being provided.”

He said that young and energetic leaders are joining the BJP.

The National Conference (NC) has already announced that it will fight the Assembly elections without any pre-poll alliance. NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah has announced that he will fight the elections. His son and former Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has said he won’t fight the Assembly elections as long as J&K is a union territory. The same decision has been announced by the PDP president, Mehbooba Mufti.

Omar Abdullah, however, kept a window open for himself to join the Assembly polls by saying that he was under pressure from his party cadre and leaders to review his decision and contest the polls.

Reacting to this Tarun Chugh, said that Omar Abdullah was saying until recently that he would not contest the elections, but seeing the possibility of a severe defeat, he is making such statements.

Chug also commented on Omar Abdullah’s statement regarding Article 370, saying that he was in a state of panic. “The decision was made in the country’s highest court, and the judiciary has upheld it,” Chugh said.

He likened Abdullah’s aspirations to “Mungerilal ke sapne (daydreams)”.

He stated that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have already learned their lesson, having been subjected to negative leadership for the past seven decades and being chained by the Abdullah family’s politics, which has snatched away the rights of the people.

He further claimed that the Abdullah, Mehbooba, and Nehru families kept Jammu and Kashmir in chains. They were the same people who did not want Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s constitution to be implemented in Jammu and Kashmir. Chugh added that it was under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s constitution was applied here, freeing J&K from the chains of Article 370 and 35A.

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India News Jammu & Kashmir Politics

5-Phase LS Polls in J&K, Assembly Elections Later

Election Commission said the J&K administration voiced security concerns over holding Assembly elections together with the Lok Sabha elections….reports Asian Lite News

Polling for Jammu and Kashmir’s five Lok Sabha constituencies will be held in five separate phases from April 19 to May 20 and the Assembly Elections will be held after the Parliamentary elections in the UT.

Announcing the poll schedule for the Lok Sabha elections at a press conference in New Delhi, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said that the Udhampur-Kathua Lok Sabha constituency will go to polls on April 19, the Jammu constituency on April 26, the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency on May 7, Srinagar on May 13, and Baramulla on May 26.

Counting will be held on June 4.

The CEC said that all the political parties which met the Election Commission during its recent visit to J&K had asked for simultaneous Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.

“But, the administration there said in one voice that given the security concerns, the Assembly elections cannot be held together with the Lok Sabha elections,” he said.

He noted that there are 90 Assembly constituencies in J&K and if there are 10-12 candidates in every constituency, that would make a total of around 1,000 candidates.

“Each candidate has to be provided double column security which means an additional 500 companies of CAPF would be required for this, which is not possible as the security forces could not be spared in such numbers at the moment. Once the Lok Sabha elections are over, we will soon hold the Assembly elections in J&K,” the CEC said.

In an important disclosure, CEC Rajiv Kumar said that the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019 provided for 107 Assembly seats, out of which 24 were kept for Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).

“This left 83 Assembly seats out of which 7 were kept reserved for the SCs. Then came the Delimitation Commission, 2022. After accepting the recommendations of the Delimitation Commission, a fresh notification was issued, which increased the number of Assembly seats from 107 to 114. Out of these, 24 were kept for PoJK, 7 for SCs while 9 seats were reserved for the STs. In addition to this, 2 seats were kept for the migrant Kashmiri Pandits through nomination, while one of these would be a female. In addition, one seat was kept for refugees of PoJK again through nomination,” he said.

“The J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019 and the Delimitation notification of 2022 were not in sync. Thus there was no question of holding Assembly polls at that time. The two were brought in sync with each other through the J&K Reorganisation (Amendment) Act, 2023 which came into force in December 2023. Thus our time for holding Assembly elections in J&K started in December 2023. This means there was no delay on the part of the Election Commission,” he asserted.

The data released by the Election Commission shows there are 86.9 lakh voters for the Parliamentary election in J&K, out of which 44 lakh are men and 42 lakh women.

A total of 67,000 voters are persons with disabilities (PWDs) and there would be special arrangements like ramps and wheelchairs at the polling booth for them. Interestingly, in J&K, 2,886 electors would be over 100 years old, while 3.4 lakh first-time voters will also exercise their democratic rights in these elections.

As many as 11,629 polling stations are being set up for the five Lok Sabha constituencies out of which there would be an average of 747 voters at each station and in no case, would the number of voters at any polling station cross 1,500.

For transparency, 50 per cent of polling stations will have webcasting while 80 will be exclusively manned by female staff. All polling stations will have basic facilities like chairs, lighting, drinking water, and separate toilets for male and female voters.

There are special instructions for the poll staff to ensure that the polling station wears a festive look to attract the voters.

For the first time, those above 85 years of age can choose to vote from their home and these votes would be collected by the poll staff in the presence of the representatives of the political parties.

There are special instructions to DMs and SPs in J&K to ensure that the polls are free, without any fear or inducement. Furthermore, no uncharted flight will be allowed to bring anything into J&K during the poll schedule.

‘96.8 Crore Voters in India’

A total of 96.8 crore voters will be eligible to cast their vote in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar said on Saturday.

Addressing a press conference here to announce the dates of Lok Sabha elections and assembly polls to four states, Rajiv Kumar said there will be 10.5 lakh polling stations and 1.5 crore polling officials and security staff will be deployed to conduct the elections in the world’s largest democracy.

“We are committed to give the nation a truly festive, democratic environment. The term of the 17th Lok Sabha is due to expire on 16th June 2024. The terms of the Legislative Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim are also due to expire in June 2024. Elections are due in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

Kumar said approximately 49.7 crore voters are male and 47.1 crore voters are female.

“We have 1.8 crore first-time voters and 19.47 crore voters between the age group of 20-29 years,” he said, adding that 88.4 lakh voters are of PwD category, 2.18 lakhs are centenarians and 48,000 are transgenders.

The CEC was accompanied by the two Election Commissioners. (ANI)

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India News Jammu & Kashmir Politics

EC Mulls Simultaneous LS, Assembly Polls in J&K

The long wait for Jammu and Kashmir seems to have come to an end as the Election Commission of India (ECI) is considering holding simultaneous assembly and Lok Sabha polls…reports Asian Lite News

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Wednesday said that the poll body will decide on holding Lok Sabha Elections and Assembly Elections together or separately in Jammu and Kashmir after reviewing the security situation.

The long wait for Jammu and Kashmir seems to have come to an end as the Election Commission of India (ECI) is considering holding simultaneous assembly and Lok Sabha polls.

A team from the poll body, led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, is on a three-day visit to the Union Territory.

“We are concerned about Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in J&K. The majority of political parties we met in Srinagar and Jammu demanded that Assembly and Lok Sabha polls be held simultaneously,” CEC Rajiv Kumar told media persons at Jammu.

“As far as holding Lok Sabha and Assembly polls simultaneously, we will take a final call after a thorough security review and consultations with the political parties. One thing is sure: we want early Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in J&K.”

Kumar said strict vigil will be maintained on online cash transfers through wallets in Jammu and Kashmir. People above 85 years and those with disability will be provided voting at home facility in J-K.

Chief Election Commissioner further said that the Election Commission has received details from the State Bank of India (SBI) related to the electoral bonds and will share all relevant information in time.

The reply came amid the fact that the Chairman of the State Bank of India (SBI) has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court apprising that, in compliance with the top court’s order, the date of purchase of each electoral bond, the name of the purchaser, and the denomination of the bond purchased have been furnished to the Election Commission of India.

Kumar informed us that there will be a total of 76,876 service voters in 2024, for whom ballot service will be provided. Apart from that, all security agencies are aware, and the district police chiefs, top police officers of the Kashmir region were asked about the on-ground security situation in the state and the requirement of additional security forces.

When asked about Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party not getting allowed to the meeting held by the election commission, he said, “There is a dispute in the party, we meet national parties and regional parties. This party is under dispute; when their dispute is settled, we will meet them.”

Rajiv Kumar also appealed voters of J&K to take part in coming elections in large number. (ANI)

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J&K Forms Panel to Root Out Foreigners Staying Illegally

A story from Jammu and Kashmir: Like fish out of water, Hanjis struggle to earn from polluted rivers of South Kashmir

As per its terms of reference, the panel shall prepare a monthly report of missing foreigners in J&K and submit the same to the Ministry of Home Affairs by the seventh of every month….reports Asian Lite News

The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday set up a panel to identify foreigners who are staying illegally in the union territory since January 1, 2011.

The J&K Home Department has constituted a committee headed by the Financial Commissioner/ Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department to identify foreign nationals illegally/overstaying in the union territory since January 2011.

It comprises officers of the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer, the Bureau of Immigration, Amritsar (Punjab), Senior Superintendent of Police, CID, Special Branch, Jammu, Senior Superintendent of Police, CID, Special Branch, Srinagar, all district SSPs/SPs (FROs) and State Coordinator, Immigration Visa Foreigner Registration Tracking (IVFRT) J&K.

As per its terms of reference, the panel shall prepare a monthly report of missing foreigners in J&K and submit the same to the Ministry of Home Affairs by the seventh of every month.

Earlier this week, Jammu Zone Inspector General of Police, Anand Jain, on Monday reviewed the crime position and overall functioning of Kathua District with all supervisory officers and other police officers.

The disposal of cases registered during the current year and previous pendency was reviewed, discussed, and instructions issued, according to a press release.

Inspector General of Police Jammu Zone, Anand Jain, was accompanied by DIG JKS Range Shakti Pathak and his team of officers and was given a guard of honour at Kathua on his arrival.

In his first visit, IGP Jammu Zone interacted and welcomed all the officers, noting that the basic concept behind conducting the meeting is to see and discuss where the fault lies and how to improve the quality of the investigation.

The focus was laid on narcotic drug and psychotropic substance (NDPS) cases, bovine smuggling cases, crimes against property and Crime Against Person, and inquest proceedings. The participants were briefed to concentrate on NDPS cases with special reference to find out, source, carrier and destination, as per the release.

“With regard to the theft cases, a strategy needs to be framed, night patrolling enhanced, and the beat system also improved. He also emphasised effective prosecution of NDPS cases and other cases of tenuous nature to ensure that the cases end in conviction,” the release said.

IGP, while briefing the officers, advised them to finalise the pending cases/public complaints to give relief to the general public and directed I/Os to speedily dispose of cases assigned to them for conducting the investigation.

He asked the officers to strengthen the CI grid and stimulate the basic functioning of the police by way of effective supervision over the functions of police stations. (IANS/ANI)

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Defence India News

India blocks 14 apps in J&K for spreading terror

In official communications to higher-ups, the intelligence agencies informed that these apps are spreading terror propaganda in the Valley…reports Asian Lite News

After getting inputs from intelligence agencies, the central government has blocked 14 messenger mobile applications that were largely used in Jammu and Kashmir for spreading terror, sources said.

According to sources, these mobile applications were used by terrorists in Kashmir to communicate with their supporters and on-ground workers (OGW). “Agencies keep track of channels used by Overground workers (OGWs) and terrorists to communicate among themselves. While tracking down one of the communication, agencies found that the mobile application does not have representatives in India and it is difficult to track down activities happening on the app,” said an official.

Thereafter, with the help of other intelligence agencies operating in the valley, a list of such apps was prepared that pose a threat to national security and do not follow Indian laws. After getting the list prepared, the concerned Ministry was informed of the request to ban these mobile applications. These apps have been blocked under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, the official added.

In official communications to higher-ups, the intelligence agencies informed that these apps are spreading terror propaganda in the Valley.

Sources said these apps include Crypviser, Enigma, Safeswiss, Wickrme, Mediafire, Briar, BChat, Nandbox, Conion, IMO, Element, Second line, Zangi, Threema among others. (ANI)

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World’s highest railway bridge in J&K nears completion

Reasi: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw conducted the first trial run on a track-mounted vehicle on the world's highest railway bridge at Bakkal-Kauri over the river Chenab, in Pir Panjal mountain range of Reasi district of Jammu on Sunday, March 26, 2023. (Photo: Nisar Malik /IANS)

The people of Jammu and Kashmir will get the bridge after two decades of waiting since the project was approved in 2003 but was delayed shortly due to fears of stability and safety….reports Asian Lite News

World’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab river in Jammu and Kashmir is soon to get operational for rail traffic.

The much-awaited world’s highest railway bridge spans the Chenab River at a height of 359 m (1,178 ft) above the river, which is 35 meters taller than Paris’ Eiffel Tower. The arch bridge between Bakkal and Kauri in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir is 1,178 feet above the riverbed, forming a crucial link from Katra to Banihal. It is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL), a dream project worth Rs 35000 crore.

The bridge has passed all the mandatory tests. However, the Chenab railway bridge is near completion at present as the incumbent regime laid a special focus on the project worth Rs 1400 crore.

The people of Jammu and Kashmir will get the bridge after two decades of waiting since the project was approved in 2003 but was delayed shortly due to fears of stability and safety.

In the year 2008, the contract for constructing one of the highest railway bridges was awarded by the then government.

With the passage of time, the construction of the bridge was started again, however, it missed several deadlines.

To make the bridge ready for commissioning, all the mandatory tests have been conducted successfully.

Union Minister of Railway, Communications and Electronic and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw has said that all the tests on Chenab Railway Bridge have been conducted and were successful.

The tests that have been conducted to check the stability and safety of the world’s highest bridge include high-velocity winds test, extreme temperatures test, earthquake-prone test and hydrological impacts due to water level increase.

The Railway Bridge is ready for commissioning; officials said and added that track lane work has been started over the bridge.

The Union Minister of Railway, Communications and Electronic and Information Technology, who visited the bridge for an inspection, has said that two more tests are to be conducted tomorrow, which include running a motor trolley and bolero customised rail operation on the bridge.

The base of the steel and concrete arch bridge, 42 kilometres from Reasi town, was completed in November 2017, allowing for the start of the construction of the main arch which was done in April 2021.

The milestone on the bridge was achieved in August last year when the overarch deck of the bridge was completed with a Golden Joint’, paving way for the laying of the track.

As per the officials, the construction work on the bridge started in 2004 but had to be suspended in 2008-09 to consider the aspect of the safety of rail passengers in view of frequent high-velocity winds in the area.

Once completed, the bridge will be able to withstand winds with speeds up to 260 kmph and will have a lifespan of 120 years, the officials said. Besides the highest railway bridge, the USBRL project has many firsts like the longest railway tunnel having an overall length of 12.75 km, the first cable-stayed bridge which when completed will be an engineering marvel of the 21st century.

Reportedly, the construction of the highest railway bridge was the biggest civil-engineering challenge faced by any railway project in India in recent history.

Over the last three years, engineers have been building the arch with the help of two mammoth cable cranes installed on both banks of the Chenab — the Kauri end and the Bakkal end, report said. (ANI)

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‘Political Shift in Pakistan Lacks Substance For Improved India Ties’

I am sceptical that the Pakistani political leadership has had a change of heart regarding its relations with India, says Prof. Sumit Ganguly in an interview with Asian Lite’s Abhish K. Bose 

Sumit Ganguly is a Distinguished Professor of Political Science and holds the Tagore Chair in Indian Cultures and Civilizations at Indiana University, Bloomington. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is the co-editor (with Eswaran Sridharan) of the forthcoming Oxford Handbook of Indian Politics. An author of a number of books on South Asia, Prof Ganguly is widely considered as an expert on South Asia. Asian Lite’s Abhish K. Bose asks Prof Ganguly some pertinent questions on the crisis being faced by Pakistan.  

Abhish K. Bose: While Pakistan is confronting a rare economic crisis, one of their longstanding strategic partners, the U.S., is doing nothing substantial to bail out that country, which is facing its own share of domestic headaches. Does it indicate a significant shift in geo-political perceptions and priorities on the part of the US? If yes, why? What added bearing will this have on Indo-US relations?   

Sumit Ganguly: The US, at the moment, is preoccupied with the war in Ukraine, the issues it faces with the PRC in Asia and beyond and with a range of domestic issues. Under these circumstances, Pakistan’s fate is a relatively low priority for the United States. Nevertheless, there are some in the US Department of State who are trying to keep the relationship alive in the forlorn hope that they can elicit some form of counterterrorism cooperation from Pakistan. This, in part, explains the recent decision to upgrade its fleet of F-16s. Ironically, Pakistan is paying about $400 million for these upgrades at a time when it is faced with near bankruptcy.

Abhish K. Bose: Pakistan is indebted foremost to the  Chinese banks. Why doesn’t China intervene to avert a collapse? Is Pakistan going the Sri Lanka way? If, like in India, Pakistan had a stable democratic mode of governance, could the outcome have been different to what it is today? Or, a theocratic State, irrespective of the role of the army, unviable in the long-term?     

Sumit Ganguly: To begin with, Pakistan is not a theocratic state. A theocracy is a state that is ruled by clerics. It is, however, a state based on religion. That being said, even if both India and Pakistan were robust democracies it is not entirely clear that they could resolve their differences amicably. From its founding Pakistan has had an irredentist claim to Kashmir. This claim has not been abandoned regardless of which government has come to power. Of course, had democracy been consolidated in Pakistan, one wonders if a different outcome might have obtained.

Abhish K. Bose: What is the role that patronising and funding militancy and cross-border terrorism has played in causing the present disarray in Pakistan? What, if any, are the lessons that countries like India can learn from the plight of Pakistan? 

Sumit Ganguly: India learnt its lesson from the Sri Lankan fiasco. After all, it is well known that RAW supported and trained the LTTE. This lead to a serious, eventual blowback. Yes, Pakistan’s dalliance with a range of irregular forces and terrorists have come to haunt it. Yet, far too many Pakistanis have deluded themselves into believing that that they are victims of terrorism.

Abhish K. Bose: The recent statement of Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif that after three wars with India Pakistan has become sensible enough to want to live in peace with India. Is a civilian government in Pakistan free enough from the control of its army to choose the path of peace with its neighbours? Will religious extremists in that country tolerate such an option? If this change in perception is due to an economic crisis, will it not revert to the old mode of antagonism when the crisis blows over? Or, do you think there is a genuine change in perception and priorities? 

Sumit Ganguly: I am quite skeptical that the Pakistani political leadership has had a change of heart. Even if they have it is far from clear to me that they have the requisite ability to dramatically change course when it comes to relations with India. The military still remains primus inter pares and controls the relationship with India. Furthermore, distrust and hatred of India has become woven into Pakistan’s political culture. More to the point, the rise of Hindu nationalism in India is adding fuel to the fire.

Abhish K. Bose: To what extent, do you think, has the Russia – Ukraine war accelerated the economic downslide of Pakistan, already strained by the pandemic-induced slowdown?  

Sumit Ganguly: I think that the war has exacerbated matters. However, the problems were of long standing and indeed structural.

Abhish K. Bose: How significant is the role of Pakistan in furthering  the geo-political roadmap of China? China has invested hugely in Pak as part of the belt and road project.  What will be the role donned by Pakistan if and when China emerges as a major global player?  

Sumit Ganguly: The Sino-Pakistani nexus was forged after the 1962 war. For both countries, this is one of the few alliances that has endured. China’s commitment to the BRI is both designed to serve its own parochial, material interests while making Pakistan even more dependent on the PRC.

Abhish K. Bose: Taking into account the border disputes India had with China and Pakistan, and China creating periodic tensions in the border, what would be most prudent strategy for India to fend off these adversaries?  What should be thrust areas?   

Sumit Ganguly: India has to pursue two simultaneous strategies. First, it needs to bolster its domestic military capabilities. Second, it needs to strengthen its security partnership with the United States. For the foreseeable future it will lack the necessary wherewithal to cope with the threat from the PRC.

Border Security Force exchange sweets with Pakistan Rangers at JCP Attari on India’s 73rd Republic Day, in Amritsar on January 26, 2022. (Photo Pawan Sharma_IANS)

Abhish K. Bose: The Pakistan PM has recently demanded the mediation of UAE in the Kashmir issue.  Do you think India will take kindly to internationalising the Kashmir issue? Wouldn’t it serve the political interests of the BJP better to keep the Kashmir pot stirring?

Sumit Ganguly: India has never taken kindly to any effort to internationalize the Kashmir issue. This government will prove no exception to the rule. Actually, apart from its drastic decision to dispense with Article 370 which had conferred a special status on the state of Jammu and Kashmir the BJP does not have any compelling reason to stir the pot in Kashmir. All they want is political quiescence. 

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