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Amarnath Pilgrims Face No Helicopter Service This Year as Both Routes Designated ‘No Flying Zone’

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Due to security concerns, the helicopter service will not be available for pilgrims visiting the Amarnath mountain cave shrine in Kashmir this year. The annual Amarnath Yatra is set to begin on July 3 and end on August 9. Currently, over 350,000 pilgrims from across India have registered for the pilgrimage.

Following guidance from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, all routes for the Shri Amarnathji Yatra will be designated as a ‘No Flying Zone’ from July 1 to August 10, 2025.

This decision comes in response to heightened security measures following a tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals, including 25 tourists. The attack occurred near the Pahalgam route used by pilgrims.

The Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) has announced on its official website that, per Government Order No. 316–HOME (ISA) of 2025, helicopter services will not be operational during the Yatra period. Pilgrims are encouraged to either hike to the Holy Cave Shrine or utilize pony and palki services.

In addition, the Jammu and Kashmir Home Department has prohibited all forms of flying, including UAVs, drones, and balloons, throughout the duration of the Yatra, with exceptions made for medical evacuations, disaster management, and security surveillance. Detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for these exceptions will be provided later.

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These measures are designed to enhance security for the annual pilgrimage. Both the traditional Pahalgam and the shorter Baltal routes will experience stricter airspace restrictions.

The J&K Home Department stated that security stakeholders have reviewed the current environment and recommended additional logistical measures. To bolster safety for pilgrims, facial recognition systems have been deployed along both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes, along with numerous CCTV cameras. Additional troops from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have been stationed along the yatra routes and in vulnerable areas.

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MBBS Student Alleges She Was Drugged, Raped by Friend in Delhi Hotel

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New Delhi: An 18-year-old MBBS student has accused a 20-year-old male friend of drugging and sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area. The alleged incident took place on September 9, police officials said.

According to the complaint, the accused, who is also a medical student, invited the woman to “Hotel Apple” on the pretext of spending time together. Once there, he allegedly gave her a drink laced with drugs and then raped her.

The survivor told police that the accused recorded obscene videos and took pictures during the assault. He later threatened to make the content viral if she reported the incident.

The woman, a native of Jind in Haryana, is currently staying at the hostel of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College in Rohini, Delhi.

Based on her complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. A search is underway to locate and arrest the accused, officials added.

In a separate case earlier this month, a school manager in Uttar Pradesh was arrested for allegedly raping a Class 8 student. In February, a tuition teacher in Delhi’s CR Park area was accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old student over three years and threatening her with blackmail.

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8 Patients Dead In Jaipur Hospital Fire

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Jaipur: Eight patients died after a fire broke out at the trauma centre of the state-run Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur late Sunday night.

Officials said the blaze started in the storage area of the Neuro ICU, possibly due to a short circuit. There were 11 patients in the ICU at the time. Smoke quickly spread, causing panic among patients and staff.

Hospital workers and attendants tried to rescue patients, even moving them out on their beds. Firefighters controlled the blaze in about two hours.

Families of the victims alleged that hospital staff ignored early warnings about smoke and fled during the fire.

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and other ministers visited the hospital to review the situation and assured a detailed probe into the incident.

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75-Year-Old Man Marries 35-Year-Old, Dies Before Honeymoon

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Uttar Pradesh: A 75-year-old man who remarried in search of companionship died barely hours after his wedding, sparking shock and speculation in his village.

The deceased, identified as Sangruram, a resident of Kuchhmuchh village in Jaunpur district, had been living alone after losing his first wife a year ago. With no children, he supported himself through farming. Despite advice from relatives against remarriage, Sangruram wed 35-year-old Manbhavati, a resident of Jalalpur area, on Monday, September 29.

The marriage was first registered in court, followed by traditional rituals at a local temple. According to Manbhavati, the couple spent most of the wedding night conversing, as Sangruram assured her that she would take responsibility for the household while he would “take care of the children.”

However, by the next morning, his health deteriorated suddenly. He was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

The unexpected death has triggered varied reactions in the village. While some residents believe it to be a natural occurrence given his age, others have expressed suspicion about the circumstances.

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Relatives, including nephews residing in Delhi, have halted funeral rites until their arrival. They have also raised questions about whether a police inquiry or post-mortem examination will be conducted before the cremation.

Authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding further investigation.

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