
Former J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik passes away at 79
He breathed his last at around 1 pm at Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital in New Delhi, where he had been undergoing treatment.
Malik, a veteran politician, played a key role during one of the most crucial phases in Jammu and Kashmir's history, including the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
He began his political career in the 1970s as a socialist leader, initially representing the Bharatiya Kranti Dal under the leadership of Charan Singh. In 1974, he was elected as a member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, representing Baghpat.
Malik, who had served as Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Tourism, had served as the 19th Governor of Meghalaya from August 20, 2020, till his retirement in October 2022.
He had served as the 10th and final Governor of Jammu and Kashmir.
Notably, on August 5, 2019, during his tenure, Article 370— which conferred special status upon Jammu and Kashmir—was abrogated.
Malik also served as Governor of Bihar (2017) and Goa (2019).
UNI RRK ARN RN
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Hindustan Times
3 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Shinde meets Modi, Shah, refutes suggestions of Mahayuti trouble
MUMBAI: Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde, who visited Delhi on Wednesday to meet prime minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah, rejected rumours that he was there to sort out his issues with his Mahayuti allies. Maharashtra's deputy chief minister said that he and his family members went to congratulate Modi on the success of Operation Sindoor and Operation Mahadev, and he later had a separate one-on-one meeting with him. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a meeting, in New Delhi, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (PTI Photo)(PTI08_06_2025_000437A) (PTI) Accompanied by the Shiv Sena's MPs, Shinde also met Amit Shah. This is his third visit to the capital in the last one month amid speculation in political circles that he and his men have been cornered in the Mahayuti government. When media persons asked him if he was an indirect target of his allies, Shinde replied that his party had performed well in two elections and would also win the forthcoming local body polls. Speaking at a press conference, the politician showered fulsome praise on Modi and Shah, saying that Shah had just become the longest-serving home minister in the history of India, completing an uninterrupted term of 2,258 days. 'We met him to convey our heartfelt congratulations,' he said. Shinde called Shah's leadership 'decisive' and stated that from abrogating Article 370—thereby fulfilling the dream of Bal Thackeray—to leading Operation Mahadev against terrorism and effectively curbing Naxalism, the home minister had shown 'unwavering commitment and visionary leadership'. 'From cooperative development to national security, his contribution has been exemplary,' he gushed. The deputy CM took a snipe at the Thackeray cousins Raj and Uddhav when asked about a possible alliance between the two. 'So what will happen if the two come together?' he asked. 'People don't vote for names but for accomplishments. They don't vote for people who sit at home. Parties have a right to get into alliances but the people decide whom to vote for.' There were some questions on Thackeray attending the opposition alliance INDIA meet on August 7 but Shinde refused to answer them. The Shiv Sena chief announced that his party had extended its unconditional support to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for the upcoming vice-presidential election. He affirmed that his party remained one of the oldest and most trusted allies of the NDA.


India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Inside Operation Akhal – India's Biggest Forest-Based Offensive To Smoke Out Terrorists From J&K's Densest Terrain
Akhal Forest/J&K: Operation Akhal, one of the most high-tech and large-scale counterterrorism offensives in Jammu and Kashmir, entered its sixth day on August 6. Joint forces of the Indian Army, the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have zeroed in on the dense Akhal forest, uncovering a terrorist hideout that points to an entrenched and well-equipped presence of militants in the area. Acting on precise intelligence, the joint security forces have cordoned off nearly eight kilometres of forest terrain. Over 1,500 personnel, including elite PARA commandos, Rashtriya Rifles (RR), SOG units of J&K Police and CRPF troops, are involved. Throughout the operation, intermittent firing and explosions shook the region. Six soldiers have sustained injuries. Official confirmation so far acknowledges the killing of one terrorist, whose body has been recovered, although field reports suggest up to three may have been neutralised. Security forces uncovered a fortified terror hideout deep within the Akhal forest, stocked with supplies and gear. The dense terrain provides natural camouflage and has become a strategic refuge for terrorists following intense crackdowns in urban areas after the abrogation of Article 370. Over the past four years, militants have increasingly shifted to forested zones, taking advantage of the cover and adopting guerrilla tactics. Groups such as the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), the Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) and The Resistance Front (TRF) have made forest regions like Akhal their operational bases. Intelligence inputs reveal a sharp decline in local recruitment, with only four local youths joining terror groups in 2025. The vacuum has been filled by Pakistani nationals trained in guerrilla warfare. These foreign terrorists are believed to be responsible for major attacks carried out from forest hideouts over the past few years. Operation Akhal is part of a larger counterinsurgency strategy that includes prior operations such as Operation Mahadev, Shiv Shakti and combing operations in regions like Dachigam, Lolab, Aragam and Shamsawari. Since January 2025, more than 40 terrorists have been killed in forest encounters, including 15 in the Jammu region alone. To tackle this new threat landscape, forces have upgraded their surveillance and combat tools. Operation Akhal marks the use of HAL Rudra attack helicopters equipped with high-resolution thermal imaging, electro-optic tracking and targeting systems developed by Israel's Elbit Systems. These choppers provide critical support by identifying heat signatures of terrorists even in dense foliage. Advanced drones, FPV hexacopters and satellite imagery are providing real-time surveillance. AI-driven analysis tools are helping trace brief communication signals. FPV drones with live feeds enable precise monitoring of terrain and enemy movement, while thermal imagers and night-vision goggles aid in night operations. Ground forces are fully outfitted with the latest weaponry. Army soldiers carry Israeli-made 7.62mm Negev LMGs and AK-203 assault rifles. Rocket launchers and UBGLs help them engage fortified positions. The SOG operates AK-pattern rifles, submachine guns and Sterling SMGs for close encounters. CRPF units mirror this arsenal. Snipers are armed with Sako TRG 42 rifles and SIG716i systems. All personnel wear bulletproof vests and are backed by armoured troop carriers designed for high-altitude and rocky terrain. Operation Akhal is not limited to neutralising militants. Its strategic goal is to dismantle the entire terror infrastructure hidden within the forests. It aims to locate and destroy permanent militant bases that have allowed insurgents to regroup and launch attacks with impunity. The operation is a turning point in the fight against forest-based militancy. By targeting hideouts in difficult terrain using precision warfare and state-of-the-art surveillance, the security forces are sending a message that forests will no longer be a safe haven for terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.


United News of India
an hour ago
- United News of India
Omar writes to all parties over restoration of J&K statehood
Srinagar, Aug 6 (UNI) Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that he has written to political parties with a significant presence in Parliament, urging them to push for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Omar said he has formally reached out to several parties, requesting their support so that a bill is introduced during the ongoing session of Parliament. 'I have written letters to all parties with a large number of honourable MPs in Parliament asking them to help us so that the promise (made by the Central government) on restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is fulfilled,' the CM told media in Srinagar. He hoped that parliamentarians would raise this issue so that a bill would be introduced during the ongoing session of the Parliament and the people of Jammu and Kashmir get the status of a state again. The Chief Minister emphasized that the restoration of statehood is not a matter concerning an individual, a party, or a government, but a commitment made to the people of J&K. 'This promise was made in public rallies, in Parliament, and even before the Supreme Court. Now we want this promise to be fulfilled,' he remarked. It is learnt that Omar has written to presidents of all national and regional parties, including NDA allies, over restoration of statehood. He reminded them that Prime Minister and Home Minister have made repeated assurances, both within Parliament and in public forums, that statehood will be restored to Jammu and Kashmir. Omar welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to list a hearing on restoration of statehood on August 8. 'It is a good thing that the date has been fixed. I hope the Supreme Court will give due attention to this issue,' he said. The Chief Minister said when the SC announced the decision on abrogation of Article 370, they made it clear that J&K should get statehood 'as soon as possible.' 'It has been years since to 'as soon as possible' and we haven't got it yet,' he added. He credited the Supreme Court for ensuring the timely conduct of assembly elections in J&K last year. 'Had the court not set a timeline, I wouldn't be addressing you today as a Chief Minister. Elections happened because the Supreme Court fixed a deadline,' Omar said, expressing hope that the Supreme Court will now also intervene to expedite the restoration of statehood, if the government doesn't do it. UNI MJR PRS