Union Minister Jitendra Singh has announced that Village Defence Guards (VDGs) in Jammu are being armed with modern weapons to counter the increasing number of terror incidents in the region. The move is part of a broader strategy to enhance local security and empower villagers to defend themselves against terrorist threats.

National Conference President Farooq Abdullah said on Tuesday that increasing terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir are testing the patience of the nation, and could potentially lead to a larger confrontation.

On Tuesday the number of Yatris who paid obeisance to Lord Shiva at the Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir crossed the four lakh mark with another batch of Yatris set to embark on the holy journey, officials said.

Early Sunday morning, a new group of 3,113 pilgrims, including 707 women, departed from a base camp in Jammu to participate in the annual Amarnath pilgrimage in the south Kashmir Himalayas, officials reported.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha announced on Saturday that security forces will implement the "Kashmir model" to prevent the resurgence of terrorism in the Jammu region.

National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah stated on Sunday that the recent increase in terrorist attacks should not be a reason to delay assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

In the bustling Bhagwati Nagar area of Jammu, far from the conflict-prone Indo-Pak border and Line of Control (LoC), a soldier stands guard outside Shri Amarnath Yatri Niwas. His presence ensures the safety of the pilgrims arriving for the annual Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrimage.

Security forces on Sunday uncovered a well-constructed terrorist hideout within a civilian home in the Kulgam district.

President Droupadi Murmu and BJP leaders have expressed deep condolences and condemned the recent terror attack on a bus carrying pilgrims to the Shiv Khori shrine in Reasi district. The attack resulted in nine deaths and 33 injuries.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police are gearing up for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections by mobilizing their personnel starting April 19. Additional Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) will be deployed in the Kashmir valley and the sensitive Poonch and Rajouri districts of the Jammu region to bolster security measures and reinforce the Anti-Militancy Grid, aiming to prevent any disruptions by militants during the electoral process.

The Finance Ministry's proposal of an interim budget of 14 billion dollars for Jammu and Kashmir emphasized the government's dedication to fostering economic growth and development in the region.