Rajnath Singh briefed by top military brass on border security, arrangements for Amarnath
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was briefed by top Army brass on Saturday (June 21, 2025) on the prevailing security situation in Jammu and Kashmir with a focus on border areas, anti-terrorist operations and the Amarnath Yatra scheduled to start next month, officials said.
Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command Lt Gen Pratik Sharma and other senior officers including commanding officers of all units attended the meeting at Udhampur-based northern command headquarters, they said.
Singh reached Udhampur headquarters of the northern command on a two-day visit on Friday and led the International Day of Yoga celebrations of the Armed Forces on Saturday morning, performing various asanas and breathing exercises with 2,500 soldiers.
After the yoga session, the top Army brass briefed the defence minister on the prevailing security situation in the Union territory, the officials said.
The briefing focused on security in the border areas as well as the hinterland, especially anti-terrorist operations in forested areas. It also covered security arrangements made for the annual 38-day Amarnath Yatra scheduled to begin in the South Kashmir Himalayas on July 3.
The Army is part of the multi-tier security arrangements made for the smooth conduct of the yatra, especially for combing the forests surrounding the twin tracks -- the traditional 48-kilometre Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the 14-kilometre shorter but steeper Baltal route in Ganderbal district besides the Jammu-Srinagar national highway.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Israel says Iran's nuclear plans set back by two years: Reports
Israel said on Saturday that its military operations have delayed Iran's suspected nuclear programme by at least two years, South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported. The statement came a day after US President Donald Trump warned that Iran has no more than two weeks to avoid possible American air strikes. Trump said he is still deciding whether to involve the United States in Israel's military campaign. 'Iran doesn't want to speak to Europe. They want to speak to us. Europe is not going to be able to help in this,' Trump told reporters, according to the SCMP. He added that he is unlikely to ask Israel to stop its attacks, saying, 'If somebody's winning, it's a little bit harder to do.' Israel on the other hand claimed to have carried out further air strikes on missile storage and launch sites in central Iran. Israel said the attacks aim to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons, though Iran denies seeking to build such weapons. Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told Germany's Bild newspaper, as reported by SCMP, 'According to the assessment we hear, we already delayed for at least two or three years the possibility for them to have a nuclear bomb.' He said the attacks would continue, adding, 'We will do everything that we can do there in order to remove this threat.' European diplomats have been trying to restart talks with Iran. Officials from Britain, France and Germany met Iran's deputy foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, in Geneva and urged Iran to return to negotiations with the United States. France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said, as reported by the SCMP, 'We invited the Iranian minister to consider negotiations with all sides, including the United States, without awaiting the cessation of strikes, which we also hope for.' Araghchi told NBC News after the meeting, 'We're not prepared to negotiate with them any more, as long as the aggression continues.' The SCMP said that any American involvement would likely involve 'bunker-buster' bombs to target Iran's underground uranium enrichment plant at Fordo. Shops and markets in Tehran were mostly closed on Friday. Iran has not updated its official death toll since Sunday, when it said at least 224 people had been killed. A US-based group, the Human Rights Activists News Agency, said at least 657 people had died, including 263 civilians. Since Israel began its attacks on June 13, Iran has fired missiles and drones at Israel. Israeli officials said 25 people have been killed. A hospital in Haifa reported 19 injuries from the latest attacks. Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy said it was important to avoid the conflict spreading further. The Arab League and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation held talks on the situation. Switzerland announced it is closing its embassy in Tehran for now but will continue to represent US interests there.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Operation Sindoor reflects control, inner strength of troops, gained by practising yoga: Rajnath Singh
India's armed forces displayed restraint, balance and precision during Operation Sindoor, which is a reflection of their inner strength attained by practising yoga, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, speaking in Jammu and Kashmir where he celebrated the 11th International Day of Yoga on Saturday (June 21, 2025). He performed various asanas and breathing exercises with approximately 2,500 soldiers of the Northern Command in Udhampur. International Yoga Day updates: June 21, 2025 Crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the global popularity of yoga, the Defence Minister said that the practice provides a holistic approach to health and well-being. Those who practice yoga in their daily lives have control over their body and mind, he said, adding that it makes the practitioner proactive, not reactive, and pointing to Operation Sindoor as a good example. Sindoor not over yet Claiming that India's social and communal unity was targeted through the Pahalgam terror attack, Mr. Singh said that Operation Sindoor was a clear message to Pakistan that it would face the consequences of supporting terror activities against India. 'Operation Sindoor is the natural progression of the surgical strike of 2016 and the air strike of 2019. It was executed in such a way that Pakistan requested for a ceasefire, and only then have we put a pause to the operation. As I have said earlier, Operation Sindoor is not over yet. India is fully prepared to take all kinds of action against terrorism,' Mr. Singh said. He also asserted that Pakistan wants to weaken India from within, but it should never forget that just like Major Somnath Sharma, Brigadier Usman too sacrificed his life for the unity and integrity of the country. Yoga's battlefield benefits When the nation is celebrating the International Day of Yoga, people should remember the true meaning of the practice, which is to connect every section of society with the culture and soul of India, the Defence Minister said. 'If even one section is left behind, the wheel of unity and security is broken. Therefore, today, we should perform yoga at the level of society and thought, and not just body,' he added. Yoga prepares a soldier physically and mentally and its benefits can be seen in the battlefield, he said, encouraging the soldiers to continue practicing it daily. The event was attended by Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command Lt Gen Pratik Sharma.
India Gazette
2 hours ago
- India Gazette
Agra: ASI waives off entry fee for Taj Mahal on International Yoga Day
Agra (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 21 (ANI): On the ocassion of the 11th International Day of Yoga, which is being celebrated on Saturday, entry to the iconic Agra's Taj Mahal is completely free. The Archaeological Survey of India, which is responsible for maintaining ancient monuments and archaeological sites, has waived the entry fee for the Taj Mahal. The ASI typically waives the entry fee to the Taj Mahal on special occasions such as World Heritage Day, celebrated on April 18th, and during Urs, Shah Jahan's death anniversary. But on the eve of International Day of Yoga, they have made entry to the Taj Mahal free, bringing cultural and wellness together. Along with the Taj Mahal, entry to several other historical monuments, such as Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Sikandra, and Etmad-ud-Daula, is free. On the International Day of Yoga, people are participating in yoga events all over India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed Yoga in in Visakhapatnam and urged the international community to embrace 'inner peace' as a 'global policy' and make yoga a collective global responsibility. Speaking at the 11th International Day of Yoga celebrations, the Prime Minister called upon countries to adopt yoga not just as a personal or cultural practice, but as a unifying force for humanity. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also joined the International Day of Yoga and performed Yoga in Gorakhpur on Saturday. While addressing the public, Yogi Adityanath said, 'Today, Yoga Day is being celebrated in Gorakhpur. The local minister, MPs, other public representatives, and all the brothers and sisters here are participating. I welcome everyone. This program is happening not just here, but across the country and the world. In Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is spreading the message of yoga. On the occasion of the 11th International Yoga Day, I send my warm wishes to everyone.' Yogi said that yoga builds spiritual strength and is India's gift to the world. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for getting global recognition for yoga. He also wished everyone good health and happiness on the occasion. The 11th International Day of Yoga saw widespread participation across states. (ANI)
