Village-level teams to assess damages in shelling affected areas of Poonch

Poonch deputy commissioner Vikas Kundal on Thursday chaired a meeting with district officers to formulate a coordinated strategy for the assessment and verification of damages caused due to recent cross border shelling in the district.
The meeting discussed the constitution of village-level committees (VLCs) for carrying out detailed, on ground assessment of affected structures across the border villages.
The meeting was attended in person by additional district development commissioner (ADDC), additional deputy commissioner (ADC), assistant commissioner revenue (ACR), tehsildar Haveli, and headquarters tehsildar. Sub-divisional magistrates of Surankote and Mendhar, along with tehsildars of Mandi, Mankote, Surankote and Balakote, joined the session virtually, ensuring representation from all affected areas and administrative subdivisions.
Kundal laid out the plan for constituting the teams that will include officials from the rural development and panchayati raj (RD&PR) department, revenue department, animal and sheep husbandry, the public health engineering (PHE) department, public works department and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
These committees will visit the affected locations to verify and document the extent of damage to structures caused by the shelling. The damage will be classified into three categories: Full damage, severe damage and partial damage based on the physical condition of each structure. Moreover, the damages would be categorised as private property, commercial and government owned, thereby ensuring a comprehensive profile of all losses sustained.
Kundal emphasised the need for a swift and transparent verification process to ensure timely assistance and rehabilitation of affected families. He directed all concerned departments to provide full cooperation to the committees and ensure accurate documentation, supported by photographic and written evidence. The administration will review the progress of this initiative in the coming days, with follow-up meetings scheduled to address emerging challenges and expedite the response efforts.
DC Poonch distributes relief among shelling victims
In a compassionate initiative, Poonch deputy commissioner Vikas Kundal distributed relief material among the families affected by the cross-border shelling.
The distribution took place within the premises of the DC Office, where the victims were provided with essential items including warm blankets, ration kits, and other necessary household supplies. Alongside material aid, the DC also extended immediate cash assistance to support the urgent needs of the affected families.
Indian Army conducts medical assistance, civil interaction under Op Milap
Indian Army successfully conducted a medical assistance and civilian outreach programme in the border villages of Jhullas and Salotri in Poonch district as part of 'Operation Milap'.
The initiative focuses on delivering essential medical care, psychological support and community interaction to residents severely impacted by the ongoing shelling incidents in the region. The medical team from the Indian Army, provided general health check-ups, distributed medicines and offered counselling sessions to help civilians cope with trauma and stress.
Special attention was given to vulnerable groups, including the elderly, women and children. Medical kits, hygiene essentials and emergency aid supplies were also distributed to the affected households. In addition to healthcare, the team engaged with local residents through interactive sessions to understand their immediate needs and provide reassurance and solidarity.
Residents expressed gratitude for the timely assistance and praised the efforts of the Indian Army.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Hindustan Times

6 hours ago

• Hindustan Times

Wait for Apache attack helicopters continues

A lingering delay in the supply of AH-64E Apache attack helicopters by Boeing has disrupted the Indian Army's plans to modernise its aviation wing, officials aware of the matter said on Saturday, even as the US aerospace giant stressed it is working towards executing the contract as quickly as possible. Wait for Apache attack helicopters continues The army raised its first Apache squadron at Jodhpur in March 2024 to strengthen its posture against Pakistan, hoping that Boeing would begin deliveries a few weeks thereafter. However, 15 months later, not a single helicopter has been delivered as the US firm grapples with supply chain bottlenecks in the aerospace industry that have slowed down production, the officials said, asking not to be named. The 451 Army Aviation squadron was raised at Nagtalao near Jodhpur on March 15, 2024. The helicopter base is fully ready to operate the Apaches, the officials added. In 2020, the army ordered six Apache attack helicopters from the US for more than ₹ 4,100 crore. 'We remain closely engaged with the US Government and the Indian Army and continue working to execute our contract as swiftly as possible to meet the Indian Army's fleet requirements. For any additional information, we defer to our customer,' a Boeing spokesperson said in response to a query on the delay. Another hurdle to the Apache project was related to India's low ranking in a US government programme that prioritised foreign customers, but that issue was resolved last year, as previously reported by HT. The matter related to India's rating being low on the US Defense Priorities and Allocations System Programme (DPAS) was resolved in April-May 2024. Issues related to DPAS, which covers 22 critical components fitted on the Apaches, including engines, gearboxes and weapons, were resolved after six months of discussions, but supply chain issues linger. The US uses DPAS to prioritise defence-related contracts throughout the US supply chain to support military, homeland security, critical infrastructure and other requirements. It is also used to provide military or critical infrastructure assistance to foreign countries. Armed with fire-and-forget Hellfire missiles, the Apache can track up to 128 targets per minute and prioritise threats. The missiles equip the gunships with heavy anti-armour capabilities. Apart from the Apaches, another crucial project hit by supply chain bottlenecks was the delivery of F404-IN20 engines to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) by US firm GE Aerospace for the ongoing Light Combat Aircraft (LCA Mk-1A) programme. However, GE Aerospace has sorted out the issues and has ramped up production to execute the Indian order for 99 F404-IN20 engines. Boeing started production of Apaches for the Indian Army at its Mesa facility in Arizona in August 2023, targeting deliveries the following year. This was after the joint venture Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL) delivered the army's first Apache fuselage from its facility in Hyderabad. The Indian Air Force operates a fleet of 22 such helicopters. The Army Aviation Corps is modernising its capabilities with attack helicopters, Light Combat Helicopters (LCH), Light Utility Helicopters (LUH) and unmanned aerial vehicles. In March, the defence ministry signed two contracts worth ₹ 62,700 crore with HAL for 156 Prachand LCHs for the army and the IAF. The Army Aviation Corps will also begin inducting the MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft systems ordered from the US within four years. Last year, India signed a deal worth $3.5 billion with the US for 31 MQ-9B drones to boost its defence preparedness, primarily with an eye on China. Fifteen drones will be for the navy, and eight each for the army and the IAF.

Time of India

13 hours ago

• Time of India

Kalyana Karnataka celebrates yoga day with enthusiasm

Ballari/Vijayanagara/Raichur/Koppal: International Yoga Day was celebrated with great fervour across Kalyana Karnataka on Saturday. The mass yoga events witnessed active participation from elected officials, students, organisation members, and locals across all districts. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Ballari DC Prashant Kumar Mishra led the inauguration at Shettar Gurushanthappa degree college premises. The event was notable for the absence of MLAs and ministers. At Hosapete's Freedom Park, Vijayanagara DC MS Diwakar inaugurated the celebrations. The event saw participation from ADC E Balakrishnappa, municipal president N Rupesh Kumar, and officials including Munivasudev Reddy, Gurubasavaraj, Kotramma, Shekarappa Horapete, AV Bhat, and Prof FT Hallikeri. Kiran Kumar instructed the yoga session. Patanjali yoga samiti's instructors conducted yoga camp in over 50 educational institutions across the taluk. The Koppal taluk stadium event was attended by MP K Rajashekar Hitnal, MLC Hemalatha Nayak, DC Suresh Itnal, CEO Varnit Negi, SP Ram L Arasiddi, and other officials. YJ Shirwar was the yoga instructor, and international expert Prabhajan put up a remarkable performance. The Ayush dept organised the Amrita creeper distribution. Dr Parvatagouda Hiregoudra declared that next year's yoga day will commence in each village of the district, aiming to promote the significance of yoga to 14 lakh individuals. A strategy was devised to provide yoga training to every household via an online initiative — 'Yoga Bharat 365.' In Raichur, a mass yoga programme was inaugurated by CEO Rahul Pandey in Mahatma Gandhi stadium, with Dr Shankargouda S Patil, Veeresh Nayak, and other officials in attendance.

The Hindu

13 hours ago

• The Hindu

Thousands in China mark International Day of Yoga with mass participation

Thousands across China rolled out yoga mats on Saturday (June 21, 2025) to participate in events marking the International Day of Yoga, reflecting the rising popularity of the ancient Indian wellness tradition. In Beijing, Indian Ambassador to China Pradeep Kumar Rawat attended the celebration held at the old Indian Embassy complex, alongside several diplomats. The two-hour event, which included a yoga competition, drew hundreds of Chinese yoga practitioners. Owing to overwhelming interest, the Indian Embassy was compelled to close registrations after more than 1,500 people signed up. International Yoga Day highlights on June 21, 2025 Participants, guided by a growing community of Indian yoga instructors, took part in various exercises, showcasing the deepening cultural engagement despite recent tensions in bilateral ties. In Shanghai, Siddharth Chatterjee, United Nations Resident Coordinator in China and a long-time yoga practitioner, was the Chief Guest at the celebrations organised by the Indian Consulate. According to a press release issued by the consulate, Mr. Chatterjee, a former Indian Army officer, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts in globalising yoga, noting its role in fostering 'a more connected world.' 'As a yoga practitioner, I deeply value its transformative power to foster resilience and peace. This event reflects the shared commitment of India and the United Nations to promote health and harmony, strengthening bonds between nations,' Mr. Chatterjee said. The Shanghai event was the culmination of a broader series of celebrations held across Eastern China—including in Hangzhou, Wuxi, and Suzhou—organised in partnership with Indian diaspora organisations, multinational corporations, and Buddhist monasteries. 'This flagship celebration is the culmination of a long series of events... a testament to the wide cross-sectional appeal of yoga and Indian civilisation,' said Consul General of India in Shanghai Pratik Mathur. He also underscored the relevance of yoga in promoting harmony, particularly in the context of the 75th year of diplomatic relations between India and China. India and China have begun to cautiously rebuild diplomatic engagement following last year's meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia. Despite tensions over the ongoing border standoff in Eastern Ladakh, cultural outreach through yoga and Indian heritage continues to resonate with the Chinese public. Yoga was officially classified by China as a form of physical fitness sport after the United Nations, in 2014, adopted Prime Minister Modi's proposal to declare June 21 as International Day of Yoga. Various public and private organisations across several Chinese cities also hosted yoga-themed events, underscoring the wide popularity and acceptance of the Indian practice.