Tauseef Ahmad

Srinagar, May 25: Around 260 tourists who were stranded mid-air after a technical fault in the Gulmarg cable car ropeway were safely rescued following a massive joint operation by the Army, SDRF, police and other rescue agencies in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary said.

The incident occurred around 2:30 pm when the Gulmarg Gondola service suddenly developed a technical fault, forcing multiple cable car cabins to halt between stations. Women, children and elderly passengers were among those trapped inside the suspended cabins.

Reports reaching said that all stranded tourists were rescued by joint teams comprising the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Gulmarg Police, Special Operations Group (SOG),Indian Army and  personnel of the J&K Armed Police, including 14 Mountain Rescue Teams, while National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) teams also joined the operation.

In a post on X, Kashmir Zone Police said, “Over 200 stranded tourists have been rescued by elements of SDRF, Gulmarg Police, SOG, Snow Leopards and personnel of J&K Armed Police (including 14 Mountain Rescue Teams). Teams of NDRF and HAWS are also making exemplary contribution to this team effort.”

Authorities said several passengers were evacuated using rope-based rescue techniques after technical teams failed to restore the system immediately. Officials said 63 cabins were affected during the disruption, while the entire Gondola system consists of 108 cable cars, each with a carrying capacity of six passengers.

Officials stated that rescue efforts in Phase-2 of the Gondola route proved particularly difficult because of the high altitude, steep terrain and muddy tracks. Rescue operations continued for several hours as teams worked to evacuate stranded passengers safely.

Following the incident, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah directed Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary to visit Gulmarg and personally monitor the rescue operation.

Speaking to reporters in Baramulla after reviewing the operation, Choudhary said the
rescue mission was “almost complete” and confirmed that all 260 tourists stranded in 63 cabins had been evacuated safely.

“I came here on the instructions of the Chief Minister. There were 260 tourists, 63 cabins, and people were evacuated from all cabins. The Army, SDRF, local people and police played a crucial role in this,” he said.

He added that due to muddy conditions, several tourists were walking downhill after being rescued from higher points of the ropeway route.

“There is no need to panic. Everything is fine. All tourists are safe,” Choudhary said, adding that a detailed report would be submitted to the Chief Minister and the exact cause of the incident would be known after an investigation.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said he was personally monitoring the situation and had directed the Director General of Police to proceed to the site.

However, a top police official confirmed to Kashmir Despatch that the operation has been concluded and all Tourists have been safely rescued.

Situation under control; majority of stranded cabins cleared, tourists being evacuated safely

Srinagar/Gulmarg, May 25: On the instructions of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary today visited Gulmarg to personally oversee the rescue operations following the temporary stoppage of the Gondola service due to a technical fault.

MLA Gulmarg Pirzada Farooq Ahmed Shah, along with senior administrative and police officers, was also present on the site monitoring the situation closely and coordinating the rescue efforts.

The Jammu and Kashmir Government is closely monitoring the situation at the Gulmarg Gondola after the cable car service was temporarily halted due to a technical issue. Officials informed that all cabins remain intact and trained rescue teams are actively engaged on the ground to safely evacuate the stranded tourists.

The Deputy Chief Minister reviewed the ongoing rescue measures and directed all concerned agencies to ensure swift, coordinated and safe evacuation of the remaining passengers.

Authorities said that the majority of the stranded cabins have already been cleared and every effort is being made to safely evacuate those still awaiting rescue.

The Government has assured that the situation is completely under control and there is no cause for panic.

Srinagar, May 25: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday said he is personally monitoring the rescue operation to evacuate tourists stranded in cable car cabins following a technical fault in the famous Gulmarg gondola.

In a post on X, LG Sinha said he has directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to proceed to the site. “Joint rescue team of Police, Army & SDRF & DC, SSP is conducting the operation to ensure the safety of all tourists,” the LG said.

The incident triggered panic among tourists, but authorities moved swiftly to assuage concerns. Managing Director of the Cable Car Corporation, Syed Qamar Sajjad, told KNS that all passengers stuck in the cabins are safe. “There is no major issue, it is only a technical glitch,” he said, adding that the situation is expected to be completely resolved within the next three to four hours.

Sajjad further informed that four specialised cable car rescue teams are engaged in the operation, with police and SDRF personnel also assisting at the site. (KNS)

Tauseef Ahmad

Bandipora, May 25: Declaring that there will be “no safe space for drug peddlers in Jammu and Kashmir,” Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday said the administration’s anti-drug campaign has already shown significant results within just 45 days, with nearly 800 FIRs registered and around 950 drug peddlers arrested across the Union Territory.

The remarks came during a massive “Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir” padyatra in Bandipora, where thousands of students, youth volunteers, traders, women’s groups and civil society members marched together against drug abuse and narco-terrorism.

Addressing the gathering, Sinha said the campaign would continue until every drug peddler is sent behind bars. He termed narcotics and narco-terrorism among the biggest threats facing Jammu and Kashmir and said money generated through drug trafficking is being used to fuel terrorism in the region.“The money earned from narcotics is going to terrorists.

This is one of the biggest threats to Jammu and Kashmir. We will not allow this land to walk on the agenda of terrorists,” he said, adding that security forces and law enforcement agencies are committed to eradicating the drug menace from Kashmir.The Lieutenant Governor said authorities have intensified the crackdown on narcotics networks by booking 59 accused under the PIT-NDPS Act and attaching properties created through “black money” earned from drug trafficking.

He said the administration has also suggested to suspended 457 driving licences, recommended cancellation of 116 passports and initiated proceedings to cancel registration of 606 vehicles allegedly linked to drug-related activities.“Every drug peddler is being searched and arrested. Those who destroyed the future of our children will not find any safe space in Jammu and Kashmir,” Sinha said.

Calling the campaign a “new ray of hope” for Kashmir, he said nearly 3,000 youth clubs have been established across Jammu and Kashmir to engage young people in constructive and community-based activities and protect them from addiction.The anti-drug drive, launched earlier this year, has emerged as one of the administration’s largest social campaigns, combining law enforcement, rehabilitation and public participation to tackle the growing challenge of substance abuse in the Valley.

New Delhi, May 25: Petrol and diesel prices on Monday were hiked by up to ₹2.71 per litre, the fourth increase since the revision of rates resumed on May 15, pushing the total cumulative rise to more than ₹7.5 per litre.

State-owned oil marketing companies raised petrol price by ₹2.61 per litre in the national capital, taking the rate to ₹102.12 per litre from the previous level of ₹99.51, industry sources said.

Diesel rates were increased by ₹2.71 to ₹95.20 per litre from ₹92.49.

The latest round of price revision comes amid elevated global crude oil prices and a weakening rupee, which have significantly increased the import costs for oil marketing firms.

Prior to May 15, fuel prices had remained unchanged for several weeks following a prolonged pre-election freeze.

Full Court approves elevation under Senior Advocates Rules, 2025

Jammu, May 23: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has designated 15 advocates as “Senior Advocates” following approval by the Hon’ble Full Court, subject to furnishing of undertaking under Rule 5 of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh (Designation of Senior Advocates) Rules, 2025.

According to a notification issued by the Office of the Registrar General (Camp) at Jammu, the designation was approved vide Notification No. 1309 of 2026 RG/LP dated May 23, 2026.

The advocates designated as Senior Advocates include Smt. Arifa Jan, Shri Ajay K. Gandotra, Shri Muzaffar Iqbal Khan, Smt. Rozina Afzal, Shri Pran Nath Bhat, Shri Abdul Rashid Malik, Smt. Monika Kohli, Shri Adarsh Kumar Sharma, Shri Pawan Kumar (Kundal), Smt. Mandeep Reen, Smt. Radha Sharma, Shri Ajay Pal Singh, Smt. Anshuja Sharma Tak, Shri Manzoor Ali and Shri Vikas Mangotra.

The notification was issued by Registrar General M.K. Sharma.

KD NEWS SERVICE

SRINAGAR, May 23: The senior socio-political leader and former Executive Councillor (EC) of the then LAHDC Kargil, Agha Abbas Rizvi called on prominent religious and social leader Maulana Mirza Yasoob Abbas in Srinagar, where the two leaders held an important and meaningful meeting to discuss a wide range of political, social, religious, and public issues concerning the people of Kargil and the larger interests of the community and the nation.

During the meeting, detailed discussions were held regarding the political and social challenges faced by the people of the Union Territory of Kargil Ladakh, regional development, protection of public rights, educational progress, youth-related concerns, and the prevailing situation in the region. Both leaders emphasized that the constitutional, democratic, and fundamental rights of the people of Kargil must be protected under all circumstances.

The leaders also expressed concern over the alleged attempts to bring demographic changes in Kargil. They stated that the people of the region would never accept any effort aimed at harming the historical, cultural, and religious identity of Kargil. Stressing the importance of preserving the unique heritage and traditions of the region, they said that the identity, culture, and rights of the local population must remain safeguarded and respected at all times.

The meeting further focused on the need for justice, equal opportunities, and balanced development in the region. Both leaders underlined that the aspirations and sentiments of the people should be respected and that public welfare, educational upliftment, and social progress must remain key priorities.

Apart from regional matters, extensive deliberations were also held regarding the current situation in the Muslim world, the rapidly changing developments in the Middle East, and the challenges confronting the Muslim Ummah following the martyrdom of the Supreme Leader. Both leaders observed that the present circumstances demand unity, solidarity, and mutual understanding among Muslims. They stressed that sectarian harmony, brotherhood, and the protection of common community interests are among the most important needs of the time.

During the meeting, it was also agreed that various joint programs, seminars, awareness campaigns, and public gatherings would be organized across the Kargil region in the near future. These initiatives would focus on promoting social awareness, educational development, youth guidance, moral values, and communal unity, with the aim of strengthening awareness, understanding, and constructive participation among the public.

Finally the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to continue joint efforts for the greater interests of the community, the protection of the rights and identity of the people of Kargil, and the resolution of public issues through unity, dialogue, and collective action.