Opinion

CM Omar chairs chairs high-level meeting to review situation arising from incessant rains

J&K Congress stages sit-in for statehood; march to LG's residence foiled, dozens detained

Jammu, Jul 19: Dozens of Congress leaders and activists were detained on Sunday as police foiled their march to the Lok Bhavan in Jammu to submit a memorandum addressed to President Droupadi Murmu in support of the demand for immediate restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The march led by Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hameed Karra came a day ahead of the National Conference's proposed demonstration for restoration of statehood in Delhi. Before the march, hundreds of Congress workers staged a peaceful sit-in at Maharaja Hari Singh Park in the heart of the city and raised slogans in support of the statehood demand. Police barricaded the road at Jewel Chowk, stopping Congress workers from proceeding in a procession to Lok Bhavan to submit their memorandum. A brief scuffle ensued as the protesters attempted to push past the barricades, officials said. They added that dozens of Congress activists and leaders, including Karra, AICC general secretary G A Mir, working president Raman Bhalla and several former ministers and legislators were detained. Earlier, talking to reporters, Karra said the Congress had been campaigning for the restoration of statehood for nearly two years, taking the message to all 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir through district-level programmes, hunger strikes and campaigns under the slogans Chalo Srinagar, Chalo Jammu and Chalo Delhi. He said the memorandum was intended to be submitted at the lieutenant governor's residence for onward transmission to the President of India. Karra also announced that the party would intensify its agitation with a second round of district-level programmes and was considering a long march from Lakhanpur in Kathua to Lolab in north Kashmir. Asked about the Congress' participation in Monday's NC protest at Jantar Mantar, Karra said he, along with Mir, were leaving for New Delhi, while the party's central leadership would decide which other leaders would participate. The Congress leader also urged the government to announce a comprehensive rehabilitation package for people affected by the recent flash floods in Poonch and Rajouri, saying the disaster had caused extensive loss of life and property. Mir said the people of Jammu and Kashmir had voted in large numbers in the Assembly elections, believing the Prime Minister's assurance that statehood would be restored after delimitation and elections. Nearly two years have passed, but there has been no indication from the Centre on fulfilling that commitment, he said. Mir highlighted that the Congress had been spearheading the Hamari Riyasat, Hamara Haq (Our State, Our Right) campaign for the past two years and had consistently raised the issue in Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi and Parliament. Referring to the NC protest scheduled for Monday, he said the Congress welcomed every platform that strengthened the demand for statehood as it was an issue concerning all the people of Jammu and Kashmir. However, he alleged that the BJP's decision to hold protests in Srinagar on Monday appeared to be an attempt to sabotage the Delhi protest in support of statehood. Former minister G M Saroori noted that restoring statehood was essential for protecting the democratic rights and constitutional aspirations of the people and reaffirmed that the Congress would continue its peaceful agitation until the demand was fulfilled.

MP Chowdry Ramzan raises issues concerning J&K at All Party Floor Leaders meet in New Delhi

New Delhi, July 19: Member Parliament, Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan participated in the All-Party Floor Leaders' Meeting convened ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, convened by the Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju. The meeting was presided by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and also present in the meeting were Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs L. Murugan, along with all floor leaders and representatives of major political parties from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. Addressing the meeting, Chowdry Ramzan described the decision of 5 August 2019 as a black day in the history of Jammu & Kashmir. He stated that the decision was taken unilaterally and deprived the people of Jammu & Kashmir of their constitutional rights, identity and statehood by downgrading the erstwhile State into a Union Territory. He said that the people of Jammu & Kashmir had delivered a clear verdict in the 2024 Assembly elections by rejecting the policies associated with the decisions of 5 August 2019. According to him, the democratic mandate reflected the people's aspiration for the restoration of their rights and full statehood. Raising the issue of statehood, MP Chowdry Ramzan reminded the meeting that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on several occasions, and the Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the floor of Parliament had publicly assured the people of Jammu & Kashmir that full statehood would be restored. He also referred to the observations of the Hon'ble Supreme Court, which called for the restoration of statehood at the earliest after delimitation and elections. Questioning the continued delay, he said that nearly two years had passed since the formation of an elected government in Jammu & Kashmir, yet the promise of restoring statehood remained unfulfilled. He urged the Government of India to honour its commitment without any further delay instead of repeatedly stating that it would be done at an appropriate time. Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan further stated that although Jammu & Kashmir now has a democratically elected government with a strong public mandate, several key powers continue to remain with the Lieutenant Governor. He stressed that the elected government should be fully empowered to function in accordance with the mandate given by the people. He demanded the immediate restoration of full statehood, constitutional rights and restoration of state subject laws. He also raised humanitarian concerns regarding prisoners from Jammu & Kashmir lodged in jails outside the Union Territory. He urged that prisoners facing serious charges, who are presently lodged in jails outside the Union Territory, be transferred back to the Valley. Such a transfer would ensure timely access to legal counsel,court proceedings and would also enable their families to access them without the burden of long-distance travel and heavy financial expenses, while fully upholding the rule of law and due process. He appealed for a compassionate review of cases involving individuals accused of minor offences, noting that despite earlier assurances of a review policy, no tangible progress has been made. He also raised the issue of the safety and security of Kashmiris living outside Jammu & Kashmir. Chowdry Ramzan said that whenever any untoward incident takes place anywhere in the country, Kashmiris are often the first to become targets of harassment and intimidation, whether they are students, labourers, traders, businessmen or working professionals. He stated that this concern has been repeatedly raised before the Hon'ble Union Home Minister, on the floor of Parliament and at various other forums. He urged the Central Government to take the matter with the utmost seriousness and ensure the safety, dignity and protection of every Kashmiri residing in different parts of the country. Referring to the forthcoming protest to be organised by the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference in New Delhi for the restoration of statehood, Chowdry Ramzan appealed and invited all opposition parties on behalf of National Conference and Party President Dr Farooq Abdullah, to participate in the programme in solidarity with the people of Jammu & Kashmir. He said the protest would serve as a democratic reminder to the Central Government to fulfill its commitments and restore the statehood and constitutional rights that were taken away from the people of Jammu & Kashmir.

May Sonam Wangchuk succeed in his struggle, Farooq after Safdarjung hospital visit

People must strengthen spirit of equal respect for all religions: Lieutenant Governor

Srinagar, July 19: The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today addressed Interfaith Dialogue for Harmony in Baramulla, organised by the Save Youth Save Future Foundation. He commended the Save Youth Save Future Foundation for their contribution to the drug-free Jammu Kashmir campaign. He said the young volunteers worked selflessly and took on a great responsibility for a better future for UT. Through this campaign we have strengthened trust within our families and institutions, reinforced youth's confidence in their future, and sent a message across the country that when a society rises up on its own, it can overcome biggest challenges, the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor also highlighted that this land of Jammu Kashmir embodies harmony and brotherhood. For generations, people of different faiths received respect and experienced spiritual peace. It is the lasting legacy of the saints, Sufis, and Rishis who spent centuries teaching our people the power of love, compassion, and unity. Lal Deds teachings didnt belong to one religion. Her Vakh spoke directly to the human heart. She never judged people by their faith. Instead, Lal Ded focused on bringing different ways of worship together. Similarly, Sheikh-ul-Alam showed us that true devotion isn't about conflict or division. It is found in compassion and in serving every single human being. The flourishing rishi-sufi tradition in Kashmir does not proclaim the superiority of one faith. Its message is that all religions and beliefs draw their strength from the same existence, and I believe this teaching is our shared heritage. This heritage does not belong only to Hindus, only to Muslims, only to Sikhs, Buddhists, or Christians. It is the legacy of every citizen born on this sacred land, and protecting this heritage is our moral and spiritual duty. We must safeguard this harmony in the same way we protect our families, the Lieutenant Governor said. He also stated that social and religious harmony is the cornerstone on which a strong society, a strong Jammu Kashmir, and a developed India can be built. When the people move in peaceful coexistence then the energy of society becomes the greatest force for development. That is why I strongly believe that harmony is both a moral necessity for the people and the foundation of economic prosperity and it also a guarantee of a brighter future for coming generations. We must strengthen the spirit of equal respect for all religions so that every citizen can progress with equal opportunities. We must reinforce mutual goodwill so that poverty is eliminated from every home. We must unite to promote fraternity so that we can uproot challenges like drug addiction. From the soil of Baramulla today a message should go out that if there is any land in the world that can teach the world that different communities, sects, and faiths can live together in peace, joy, and trust, it is India, the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor also called upon youth to believe in themselves. Believe in your ability. Believe that you can build a future far brighter than the past you inherited. For a long time, this land suffered from the scourge of drugs and terrorism, and that impacted the consciousness, dreams, and futures of the youth. Today I say with full conviction that that era has now ended. Now the youth of Jammu Kashmir have taken the reins of their future into their own hands, and this Union Territory is moving toward a new era of education, entrepreneurship, innovation, spiritual awareness, and national unity. Let us together build a Jammu Kashmir that is stronger, more prosperous, peaceful, and progressive, the Lieutenant Governor said. During his visit, the Lieutenant Governor also met various public delegations. He assured appropriate action on the issues projected by them. Major General Manoj Joshi, GoC, Dagger Division; Brij Mohan Sharma, Principal Secretary, Culture Department; Dr. Vinod Kumar, DIG North Kashmir Range; Syed Fakhrudin Hamid, Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla; Gurinderpal Singh, SSP Baramulla; Wajahat Farooq Bhat, Chairman, Save Youth Save Future Foundation; members of the Foundation; senior officials, civil society members, prominent citizens, people from different walks of life and youth in large number were present.

Police file FIR after attempted robbery at J&K Bank branch in Banihal

Banihal, July 19: Police have registered a case after unidentified persons allegedly attempted to commit theft at the J&K Bank branch in the Kaskoot area of Banihal during the intervening night of July 17 and 18, officials said. According to police, a complaint was lodged by Tawheed Majeed Najjar, Branch Manager of J&K Bank, Kaskoot, stating that unknown persons allegedly entered the bank premises by removing the exhaust fan from a bathroom window and using a rope to gain access inside the building. After entering the branch, the intruders allegedly searched the Branch Manager's cabin but fled without stealing anything after the bank's alarm system was triggered. The incident came to light on Saturday morning when the bank peon noticed that the bathroom door was open and suspected unauthorized entry into the branch. Following the complaint, Police Station Banihal registered FIR No. 154/2026 under Sections 62, 331(4), and 305 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Banihal Police said an investigation has been initiated to identify and apprehend the accused.

Two detained for obscene act near Vaishno Devi Bhawan; hunt on for two others

Ramban, July 19: Reasi Police have detained two persons, including a juvenile, in connection with an alleged obscene act near the market area of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan that triggered widespread outrage after a video of the incident went viral on social media. According to police, the incident took place on July 17 when four individuals, two boys and two girls, allegedly indulged in an obscene and inappropriate act near the Bhawan market area. The act is alleged to have disturbed the sanctity of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, caused inconvenience to devotees, and hurt their religious sentiments. Acting swiftly after receiving information about the incident, Police Station Bhawan registered FIR No. 31/2026 under Section 296 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and launched an investigation. Special police teams were constituted to identify and trace those involved. During the investigation, the police detained two suspected individuals. One has been identified as Pritam Singh, son of Karnail Singh and a resident of Talwara in Reasi district. The second accused is a juvenile, who was dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act and handed over to his family after completion of the necessary legal formalities. Police said efforts are continuing to trace and apprehend the remaining two accused. Reiterating its commitment to maintaining law and order, Reasi Police said it is determined to preserve the sanctity of religious places and ensure a peaceful atmosphere for pilgrims. It warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone found to be engaging in activities that disturb public peace or offend the religious sentiments of devotees.

Politics can wait, humanity should come first: LoP Sunil Sharma

Srinagar: Leader of Opposition (LoP) Sunil Sharma on Sunday said politics can wait and humanity should come first as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) decided to postpone its proposed July 20 protest in Jammu and Kashmir in view of the flash floods that caused heavy loss of life and property in Poonch and Rajouri districts. []

Heavy rains: Sub-Divisional Administration Karnah takes proactive measures, issues advisory to nomadic families

Karnah, Jul 19: In view of the forecast of continued adverse weather conditions and heavy rainfall during the coming week, the Sub-Divisional Administration Karnah has intensified preparedness measures and initiated proactive steps to safeguard the lives and property of residents, particularly nomadic families residing in vulnerable areas. The administration has mapped all nomadic/migratory families of the Sub Division and issued advisories to them to avoid camping near nallahs, water channels, landslide-prone locations and other vulnerable areas for the next one week. The families have been advised to remain vigilant, follow safety precautions and immediately inform the administration in case of any emergency. Meanwhile, due to heavy rainfall during the night, the seasonal hut of a nomadic family belonging to Altaf Ahmad, son of Kaloo Chachi, resident of village Nachiyan, was damaged. On receiving information, the Sub-Divisional Administration responded promptly and provided immediate assistance to the affected family, including a kitchen set, tarpaulin and ration kit. Altaf Ahmad, who sustained minor injuries, was shifted to Sub-District Hospital Tangdhar for medical examination and necessary treatment and was discharged after being attended by the medical team. SDM Karnah, along with SHO Karnah, visited the affected site, assessed the damages and interacted with the nomadic families residing in the area. The families were sensitized about the precautionary measures to be adopted in view of the prevailing weather conditions and the advisory issued by the administration. The SDM Karnah also inspected a minor landslide triggered on the CTC Road due to rainfall. The road stretch had been temporarily restored by Beacon authorities, and necessary directions were issued for early clearance of debris and ensuring uninterrupted vehicular movement. The Sub-Divisional Administration Karnah continues to closely monitor the situation and has activated all field-level mechanisms to ensure timely response, emergency assistance and public safety during the ongoing spell of inclement weather.

BJP Postpones Secretariat Gherao March in Srinagar Amid Flood Crisis In Rajouri, Poonch

SRINAGAR: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Jammu Kashmir has postponed its proposed Secretariat Gherao March at Lal Chowk, Srinagar, which was scheduled to be held on July 20, 2026, in view of the devastating flood situation in the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch. According to the party, the decision was taken as heavy rains, []

Administration fully engaged in Rajouri-Poonch rescue operations: LG Manoj Sinha

Facebook, Instagram suffer widespread outage, users unable to access accounts

Srinagar, Jul 19: Facebook users across several countries reported widespread access issues early Sunday, with thousands unable to log into their accounts as the platform displayed a message saying accounts were emporarily unavailable. According to outage-tracking website Downdetector, reports of problems began surging around 1 am Indian Time, with the highest number of complaints coming from users in the United States. Similar issues were also reported in Canada, Mexico, India, the United Kingdom and parts of Europe. Many users attempting to access Facebook were greeted with a message stating, Your account is currently unavailable due to a site issue. We expect this to be resolved shortly. Please try again in a few minutes. Data from Downdetector indicated that 63 percent of reported Facebook issues were related to the website, while 20 percent affected mobile devices and 10 percent involved the app. Some users said Facebook remained accessible on mobile devices but not through desktop browsers, suggesting the outage did not affect all platforms equally. Several users also took to Reddit to report unusual error messages. Some said they were initially informed that they had been emporarily banned, while others received notifications claiming their accounts had been blocked for going too fast and overusing the platform after repeatedly refreshing the page. The disruption was not limited to Facebook. Thousands of users also reported problems with Instagram, with Downdetector showing issues related to loading feeds, sending messages, viewing stories and publishing posts. Reports suggested that 44 percent of Instagram complaints involved the Feed or Timeline, while 40 percent concerned the app itself. WhatsApp, another Meta-owned platform, also experienced a smaller number of complaints. According to Downdetector, 44 percent of reported WhatsApp issues related to messaging, 39 percent involved the app, and 8 percent concerned login problems. However, the volume of reports was significantly lower than those for Facebook. There were no widespread reports of similar disruptions affecting Threads or other Meta services such as Meta Quest.

BJP postpones Kashmir Secretariat Gherao march over Rajouri-Poonch flood situation

Srinagar, July 19: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Jammu and Kashmir has postponed its proposed Secretariat Gherao March at Lal Chowk, Srinagar, which was scheduled to be held on July 20, in view of the flood situation in Rajouri and Poonch districts. In a statement, the party said the decision was taken considering the devastation caused by heavy rains and flash floods in the twin border districts. The BJP Jammu & Kashmir protest (Secretariat Gherao March) at Lal Chowk, Srinagar, scheduled for July 20, 2026, has been postponed due to the flood situation in Rajouri and Poonch, the party said. It added that a fresh date for the protest march would be announced shortly. The party had planned the march to press for its demands before the Jammu and Kashmir administration. However, the programme has been deferred in view of the ongoing rescue and relief operations in the flood-affected areas.

Azad expresses deep anguish over cloudburst, flood tragedy in J&K

Former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has expressed deep anguish over the tragic loss of lives and widespread devastation caused by the cloudburst and flash floods in J&K, particularly in Rajouri and Poonch. Azad said the scale of destruction has left the entire state in grief. He extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured. He also expressed solidarity with every family that has suffered the loss of loved ones, homes, livestock, crops, and livelihoods. He said the administration must deploy every available resource to ensure uninterrupted rescue and relief operations, provide immediate medical assistance and shelter to those affected, restore essential services on a war footing and ensure adequate compensation and comprehensive rehabilitation for all affected families without delay. Azad expressed hope that the affected families would receive timely assistance and every possible support to rebuild their lives with dignity.

Indian Army conducts swift flood rescue operations in Rajouri, saves eleven civilians

Rajouri, Jul 19: In a remarkable display of courage, professionalism and commitment to humanitarian assistance, troops of the Indian Army under White Knight Corps, in close coordination with the Jammu & Kashmir Police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the civil administration, successfully rescued eleven civilians, including five children, stranded at different locations in the flood-affected Rajouri district following incessant rainfall and flash floods. In the first operation, Army troops responded swiftly to reports of nine civilians, including five children, stranded across a flooded Nala near Churung Village, south of Thanamandi. Despite strong currents and challenging weather conditions, the rescue teams reached the site promptly and safely evacuated all the stranded civilians. In a parallel rescue operation, troops of Engineer Regiment rescued two youths, aged between 17 and 20 years, who had become marooned on a river island in the Naushera Tawi River near Dhangri, approximately 12 km from Rajouri. Displaying exceptional courage and skill, the rescue team braved strong water currents and successfully brought both youths to safety. They were subsequently handed over to their families in the presence of officials from the civil administration, Rajouri. These timely rescue operations underscore the Indian Army's unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and extending assistance to the people during natural disasters and emergencies. The seamless coordination between the Army, Police, SDRF and civil administration ensured the successful execution of both rescue missions without any loss of life. The Indian Army remains steadfast in its resolve to serve the nation and its citizens, standing shoulder to shoulder with the people in times of crisis.

Moderate rain brings relief from heatwave in Kashmir

Srinagar, Jul 19: Moderate rainfall was experienced in most parts of Kashmir on Sunday, bringing respite from the heatwave. The rains came a day after most weather stations in the valley recorded above normal maximum temperatures. Srinagar had on Saturday registered a maximum temperature of 35.9 degrees Celsius, which was the hottest day this year. The heatwave had forced extension of summer vacations in the valley schools till July 22, officials said here. The rainfall, however, led to waterlogging in several parts of Srinagar, with roads inundated and storm drains overflowing in areas such as Khanyar, the officials said.

Govt closely monitoring rain-hit Rajouri-Poonch situation; Omar Abdullah cuts short Delhi visit

Jammu, Jul 19: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday cut short his Delhi visit and decided to return to Jammu after heavy rain triggered widespread damage in the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri. The chief minister, who was in the national capital ahead of the National Conference's proposed statehood protest scheduled for Monday, said the government was closely monitoring the situation and the administration had been directed to provide all possible assistance to affected residents. Heavy rains have lashed many parts of Jammu division, especially Poonch and Rajouri overnight, leaving eight persons dead and six others missing, while hundreds of residents have to move to safer locations as floodwaters inundated low-lying areas in Rajouri town. Expressed profound grief over the loss of lives caused by flash floods and landslides, Abdullah said his government is closely monitoring the situation and will ensure that relief, rescue and rehabilitation measures are carried out swiftly and effectively in all affected areas. He extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured. The chief minister said the administration, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police and all other concerned agencies are fully engaged in rescue and relief operations. He has directed the authorities to ensure that all possible assistance reaches the affected families without any delay. Earlier, in a post on X, Abdullah said he would personally monitor the situation on the ground in Jammu. In light of the weather warning put out by the meteorological department and the seriousness of the situation unfolding across parts of Jammu division, I will leave Delhi to fly to Jammu this afternoon to personally monitor the situation on the ground, the chief minister said. Since first light this morning Ive been closely monitoring the situation arising from the extremely heavy rain in parts of Jammu, especially Rajouri town & surrounding areas. Ive been in touch with the local MLAs of the region. While the situation continues to unfold the first priority of the administration is to safeguard precious lives. The government will do everything possible to aid & assist affected people who have suffered property loss/damage due to the rains & flash floods, he said. Abdullah also stated that the National Conference's planned statehood protest in Delhi on July 20 will continue as scheduled under the leadership of National Conference president Farooq Abdullah.

MP Mian Altaf express sorrow, anguish over loss of lives, property in Rajouri, Poonch due to incessant rains

Srinagar, Jul 19: Senior National Conference leader and Member of Parliament for the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, Mian Altaf Ahmad, has expressed deep sorrow and profound anguish over the loss of lives and widespread devastation caused by incessant rainfall and flash floods in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch. In his statement, MP Mian Altaf conveyed his heartfelt solidarity and condolences to the grieving families who lost their loved ones to nature's fury. The region has been severely impacted by torrential rains, which triggered natural calamities resulting in many deaths and leaving several others missing. The worst of the destruction occurred in the Surankote and Haveli tehsils of Poonch, where landslides collapsed residential homes and buried families, alongside widespread infrastructural damage and vehicle submergence in Rajouri town it said. MP Mian Altaf urged the Government and the local administration to take immediate relief and rescue measures for the affected people. Immediate measures should be taken to ensure the relief and rehabilitation of the affected people and disaster teams should be deployed for the rescue efforts the statement said. Mian Altaf said that he is in touch with the local administration and monitoring the situation.

Heavy rain triggers fresh mudslides on NH-44 in Udhampur district, traffic diverted near Nashri

Banihal, Jul 19: Heavy overnight rainfall triggered fresh mudslides and shooting stones at multiple locations along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), disrupting traffic movement in the Nashri-Chenani sector on Sunday, officials said. According to traffic officials, mudslides and shooting stones were reported at several locations inside the uptube between Jakhani and Chenani in Udhampur district. The affected stretches were promptly cleared by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), allowing traffic to resume. However, the recently reclaimed down tube near Dewal in Udhampur district sustained fresh damage due to the incessant rainfall, forcing the authorities to divert both Jammu-bound and Srinagar-bound traffic through the uptube. In another incident, a massive mudslide triggered by continuous rain blocked a portion of the uptube near the Nashri roundabout in Ramban district, prompting the traffic authorities to temporarily divert vehicles through the down tube until the debris is cleared. Officials said NHAI has pressed men and machinery into service to restore the affected stretches at the earliest. Motorists have been advised to drive cautiously and adhere to traffic advisories, as the continuing rainfall has increased the risk of further mudslides and shooting stones along the highway.

Heavy rainfall triggers landslide in Gurez Valley

Heavy rain triggers landslide in Gurez; Dawar-Tulail road blocked

Bandipora, 19 Jul: Heavy rains today morning across Gurez in north Kashmir's Bandipora district triggered landslides. The landslide hit centrally located Tehsil of Dawar in Gurez. The brief but high intensity rains triggered landslide near Dawar bridge, it damaged a cowshed which housed around two calves that have been killed, Tehsildar Gurez, Jaweed Ahamd Dar told Greater Kashmir. Dar said the lanslide brough down slush and rocks that triggered the Tulail-Dawar roads closure, but added that no residential house was damaged amd that no human life was lost. The officer informed that the rains had stopped and that clearing operarion was on to restore the road connectivity. It will take hour or half to clear the road, the officer added. He added there were no any other reports so far from the Gurez valley so far. Greater Kashmir received reports of water logging across several other areas of the district, with water channels and Irrigation canals overflowing and roads being submerged. District administration had already issued an advisory in view of the adverse weather conditions. It urged all residents to remain vigilant, as heavy rains may trigger cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides, mudslides, shooting stones, and other weather-related hazards, posing a risk to life and property. The general has been public is advised to aoid unnecessary travel, particularly in hilly, landslide-prone and low-lying areas. Staying away from riverbanks, streams, nallahs and flood-prone locations. It requested public to immediately report any emergency, damage or distress situation to the District Control Room on following numbers: 01957-225322, 7006526985, 7006328689

J-K: Flash floods, landslides wreak havoc in Poonch-Rajouri belt; 11 dead, several missing

Jammu, Jul 19: At least 11 people were killed and seven others went missing as torrential rains triggered landslides and flash floods in the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, prompting a multi-agency rescue operation. The worst devastation was reported from Surankote tehsil in Poonch district, where most of the fatalities occurred, while rescue teams raced against time to trace the missing amid continuing rain and damaged roads, the officials said. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who was in Delhi for the proposed statehood protest, decided to cut short his stay in the national capital and return to Jammu in the afternoon in view of the worsening situation across parts of the division following heavy rains. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha reviewed the situation in the rain and flash flood-hit districts and directed officials to ensure immediate relief and assistance to the affected families. A landslide triggered by torrential rains struck a house in Lower Murrah village of Surankote early Sunday, burying all eight occupants under the debris, the officials said. While bodies of five persons, including a two-year-old boy Sofian Yasar were retrieved from the debris, a search operation was continuing to trace the remaining missing persons, the officials said. Four members of another family were reported missing after their house was washed away by flash floods at Sangla village, they said, adding the missing persons include Abdul Hameed, his wife Sharifa Begum, daughter Areeba and sister Manira Begum. A 28-year-old woman, Nazia Kousar, was killed when her house collapsed in Noonabandi village. Her Husband, Mohd Hafiz, and three children, aged between two and six years, were rescued with injuries and shifted to a hospital, officials said. Shahzaib Ahmad (22) lost his life when his house collapsed at Sanglani-Surankote, while a minor girl identified as Iram drowned in a stream at Marhote. An unidentified body of a woman was also fished out from a stream near Dhundak Lathoong bridge, officials said. One person was killed and another critically injured following collapse of nearly half-a-dozen houses in Haveli tehsil of Poonch district, the officials said. They said body of a woman was also fished out from a river in Rajouri town which was hit by flash floods following incessant overnight rainfall, forcing hundreds of residents to move to safer locations as floodwaters inundated low-lying areas. Dozens of vehicles were swept away or submerged after overflowing rivers breached their banks, causing widespread disruption, the officials said. They said rescue and relief teams, assisted by the local administration, were engaged in evacuating affected families and assessing the damage, while local Congress MLA Iftkhar Ahmad said there was heavy damage to public and private property in the flash floods. As a weather advisory warned of moderate to heavy rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir till July 23, the border district of Rajouri and Poonch experienced relentless rain from Saturday evening, leading to overflowing rivers and streams after a night of heavy downpour. Rajouri MLA Ahmed, who was scheduled to participate in his party's protest in support of the restoration of statehood outside Lok Bhavan in Jammu on Sunday, returned to his hometown to assess the flood situation. I have abandoned my party programme to stand with my people, as the flash floods have caused extensive damage to public and private property, Ahmad said. In a post on X, the chief minister said he is returning from Delhi and would personally monitor the situation on the ground. In light of the weather warning put out by the meteorological department and the seriousness of the situation unfolding across parts of Jammu division, I will leave Delhi to fly to Jammu this afternoon to personally monitor the situation on the ground, the chief minister said. Since first light this morning Ive been closely monitoring the situation arising from the extremely heavy rain in parts of Jammu, especially Rajouri town & surrounding areas. Ive been in touch with the local MLAs of the region. While the situation continues to unfold the first priority of the administration is to safeguard precious lives. The government will do everything possible to aid & assist affected people who have suffered property loss/damage due to the rains & flash floods, he said. Abdullah also stated that the National Conference's planned statehood protest in Delhi on July 20 will continue as scheduled under the leadership of National Conference president Farooq Abdullah.

Omar Abdullah to return to Jammu amid heavy rain in region

Jammu, Jul 19: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday said that he will cut short his stay in Delhi and return to Jammu on Sunday afternoon in view of the worsening situation across parts of the division following heavy rains. Heavy rains have lashed many parts of Jammu division, especially Rajouri. Officials said Rajouri town was hit by flash floods following incessant overnight rainfall, forcing hundreds of residents to move to safer locations as floodwaters inundated low-lying areas. In a post on X, Abdullah said he would personally monitor the situation on the ground. In light of the weather warning put out by the meteorological department and the seriousness of the situation unfolding across parts of Jammu division, I will leave Delhi to fly to Jammu this afternoon to personally monitor the situation on the ground, the chief minister said. Since first light this morning Ive been closely monitoring the situation arising from the extremely heavy rain in parts of Jammu, especially Rajouri town & surrounding areas. Ive been in touch with the local MLAs of the region. While the situation continues to unfold the first priority of the administration is to safeguard precious lives. The government will do everything possible to aid & assist affected people who have suffered property loss/damage due to the rains & flash floods, he said. Abdullah also stated that the National Conference's planned statehood protest in Delhi on July 20 will continue as scheduled under the leadership of National Conference president Farooq Abdullah.

Several areas of Srinagar witness waterlogging after heavy rains

4 dead, several missing as flash floods, landslides batter J-K's Poonch

Jammu, Jul 19: At least four people, including three women, were killed and several went missing after heavy rains triggered landslides and flash floods in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district early Sunday, officials said. All the deaths were reported from the worst-affected Surankote tehsil, where authorities have deployed rescue teams and intensified relief operations to reach stranded residents, clear affected areas, and provide immediate assistance to those impacted by the heavy rains, they said. A 28-year-old woman, Nazia Kousar, was killed when her house collapsed in Noonabandi village. Her Husband, Mohd Hafiz, and three children, aged between two and six years, were rescued with injuries and shifted to the hospital, officials said. In Lower Murrah, a landslide struck another house, leaving its owner, Mohd Latief, and five other family members missing. Search and rescue operations were underway when the last reports came in, officials said. A minor girl identified as Iram drowned in a stream at Marhote, while an unidentified body of a woman was fished out from a stream near Dhundak Lathoong bridge, officials said.

One killed, four injured as car plunges into gorge in Banihal's Khari area

Banihal, Jul 19: One person was killed and four others were injured after an Alto car skidded off the Banihal-Mangit road and plunged into a deep gorge near Aaramdhaka in the Mangit area of Tehsil Khari in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district on Sunday morning. The accident took place around 8:15 a.m. when the car (PB-11BS-3417) was travelling from Mangit village towards Banihal. Police said the driver lost control of the vehicle near Aaramdhaka, causing it to roll down into a deep gorge. Soon after the accident, teams from Banihal Police, NGO Banihal volunteers and QRT Khari, assisted by two ambulances from Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Banihal, rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation. During the rescue operation, Gulzar Ahmed Lone (50), son of Ali Mohammad Lone, was found dead at the scene. The injured were identified as Mohd Ishaq (28), son of Abdul Rehman Khanday; Mohd Rafiq (31), son of Abdul Rashid; Nawaz Ahmed (33), son of Abdul Ahad; and Zaiba Begum (45), wife of Abdul Ahad. All four were shifted to SDH Banihal for treatment. A nine-year-old boy, Hamad, son of Nawaz Ahmed, was also travelling in the vehicle. He escaped unhurt and is reported to be safe. Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the accident.

Body of missing woman retrieved from river after flash floods in Rajouri

Rajouri, Jul 19: A woman, who had gone missing after her slum was washed away in the flash floods in Rajouri last night, was found dead on Sunday, officials said. The deceased has been identified as Pinki Devi. Officials said her body was retrieved from a river on Sunday after a search operation. Pinki Devi had been missing since last night after her slum was washed away in the flood. She is the first reported fatality in the floods that hit Rajouri on Sunday.

Surankote hit by heavy overnight rainfal; rescue operation underway after mudslide, flash flood

Poonch, Jul 19: Surankote sub-division of Poonch district was severely affected by heavy overnight rainfall, triggering mudslides and flash floods in several areas, officials said on Sunday. Authorities have launched a massive rescue and relief operation following reports that a house was struck by a mudslide amid flash floods in Marha village of Surankote. Officials said rescue teams have been rushed to the affected area and efforts are underway to trace and evacuate those who may be trapped. There are fears of loss of life, however no official confirmation of casualties had been issued at the time of filing this report, they said.

SIA Additional Director bereaved as father passes away

Srinagar, Jul 19: Abdul Sattar Bhat, father of Tahir Sajad Bhat, Additional Director of the State Investigation Agency (SIA), passed away on Sunday after a brief illness. He was 82. A resident of Rajouri, Abdul Sattar Bhat breathed his last at his residence on Saturday night, family sources said. Condolences have poured in from colleagues, friends, and well-wishers, who expressed sympathy with the bereaved family and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul. The funeral prayers will be offered this afternoon.

Second drone recovered within a week in J-K's Samba

Jammu, Jul 19: A drone was recovered by the Army in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba, marking the second such recovery in the border district within a week, officials said on Sunday. The recovery has prompted intensified surveillance and investigation by security agencies amid continued efforts to thwart cross-border smuggling and infiltration attempts, the officials said. They said the suspected Pakistani drone was seized by the troops of the Territorial Army from Sangar fields in Purmandal area late Saturday night. The drone has been sent for forensic examination to determine its origin, technical specifications, and whether it was used for any cross-border activity, the officials said. Earlier on July 14, a drone was seized from an open field near Devak village.

J-K: Flash floods hit Rajouri town, hundreds shifted to safer places amid heavy rainfall

Rajouri, Jul 19: Rajouri town was hit by flash floods following incessant overnight rainfall, forcing hundreds of residents to move to safer locations as floodwaters inundated low-lying areas, including the new bus stand early Sunday, officials said. Dozens of vehicles were swept away or submerged after overflowing rivers breached their banks, causing widespread disruption, the officials said. They said rescue and relief teams, assisted by the local administration, were engaged in evacuating affected families and assessing the damage, while local Congress MLA Iftkhar Ahmad said there was heavy damage to public and private property in the flash floods. As a weather advisory warned of moderate to heavy rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir till July 23, the border district of Rajouri experienced relentless rain from Saturday evening, leading to overflowing rivers and streams after a night of heavy downpour. All the rivers of Rajouri, including Darhali, Khandli, Suktoh and Jamola, got flooded with most of the rivers flowing close to or even above than danger mark, leading to submerging of many low-lying areas, the officials said. They said the Darhali River breached the flood protection wall near Bela Colony in Rajouri town, allowing floodwaters to gush into the new bus stand, where dozens of vehicles were washed away or submerged. The flooding also severely affected the slum settlement near Abdullah Bridge, forcing over 50 families to flee as water inundated homes and surrounding areas. Floodwaters also inundated the locality near Tariq Bridge, prompting the police to respond to numerous distress calls and assist residents in evacuating to safer locations away from the riverbanks. Our teams are responding to almost every SOS call. At this stage, our priority is to prevent any loss of life. While there has been significant damage to property, the extent of the losses will be assessed once the floodwaters recede, a police official said. Police teams were seen patrolled vulnerable areas, making public announcements and urging residents living along riverbanks and in low-lying localities to evacuate immediately in view of the lurking threat of flooding due to weather forecast. The district administration has issued an advisory urging residents to remain vigilant, while the police have set up control rooms to monitor the evolving situation and provide assistance to people affected by the flooding. Rajouri MLA Ahmed, who was scheduled to participate in his party's protest in support of the restoration of statehood outside Lok Bhavan in Jammu on Sunday, returned to his hometown to assess the flood situation. I have abandoned my party programme to stand with my people, as the flash floods have caused extensive damage to public and private property, Ahmad said. He urged the district administration to launch immediate relief and rehabilitation measures for the affected families.

US military launches new airstrikes to 'swiftly punish' Iran for deaths of US troops

Dubai, Jul 19: The US military said Sunday that it launched new airstrikes against Iran to swiftly punish the country's Revolutionary Guard for an attack in Jordan that killed two American service members, left one missing and four requiring hospitalization. The strikes were designed to further degrade Iran's ability to restrict the traffic of oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, US Central Command said. The waterway accounted for roughly 20 per cent of global oil supplies before the war. An area near Sirik, on the Strait of Hormuz, was targeted around 1:30 am local time, according to Iran's state-run IRNA news agency, which cited local authorities in southern Hormozgan province. The new strikes came after the U.S. military announced its first troop deaths from direct Iranian fire since the opening days of the war, following a drone and missile attack on a base in Jordan on Friday. The dead were not identified, and Central Command wouldn't offer any further details on the deaths. Since the war began, 16 US service members have been killed and over 430 wounded. Strikes reported in Iraq ------------------------ In neighboring Iraq, a base of the Kurdistan Freedom Party, an Iranian Kurdish dissident group, near Irbil was struck by a drone early Sunday, wounding eight of its members, according to Rebaz Sharifi, a military official with the group. Residents of Irbil, the capital of Iraq's semi-autonomous northern Kurdish region, also heard explosions from air defenses early Sunday. Irbil has been targeted by drone attacks multiple times over the past four days, which coincided with a visit by new Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to Washington last week and an ongoing escalation between the U.S. and Iran. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but in the past both Iran and Iran-backed Iraqi militias have launched attacks in the Kurdish region, where both U.S. troops and armed Kurdish Iranian dissident groups are present. Iran's supreme leader warns of unforgettable lessons -------------------------------------------------------- Minutes before the US announced the troop deaths earlier Saturday, Iran's supreme leader warned of unforgettable lessons if the US keeps attacking the Islamic Republic. The remarks read out on state TV and attributed to Mojtaba Khamenei, still unseen since the war began, also called President Donald Trump's signature worthless and invalid. An Iranian negotiator said Tehran was suspending its commitments to the interim deal signed about a month ago and aimed at permanently ending the fighting. Tehran's declarations snapped another fragile thread as the war shows no end in sight. Now Khamenei warns of lessons not only from Iran but also its armed proxies in the region, calling them the Axis of Resistance. The U.S. issued a global travel alert over the rising tensions. The battle has focused on control of the Strait of Hormuz. The widening strikes now threaten civilians and infrastructure, including desalination plants for drinking water, while the global economy again is on alert. The US has violated its commitments under the deal and now Iran is no longer implementing them, Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's deputy foreign minister, told state TV. There was no new word on mediation efforts. US soldiers face growing risks -------------------------------- The previous recorded death of a US service member was that of a helicopter pilot who crashed in the Arabian Sea earlier this month. Early in the war, an Iranian drone strike on a command center in Kuwait killed six soldiers. One soldier died after an attack on a base in Saudi Arabia. Six were killed when a refueling aircraft crashed in Iraq. On Saturday, the most significant damage from Iranian strikes occurred in Kuwait, where a water desalination plant and an oil facility were hit, according to the Kuwait authorities and the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation. Both declined to provide locations. It was the second attack against a desalination plant in two days in the tiny desert nation that depends on desalination for 90 per cent of its drinking water. The strikes injured several people at the oil facility and caused a fire at the desalination plant, forcing several power generation units offline. Several firefighters and a worker were injured while battling two other blazes sparked by Iranian strikes, according to the Kuwait Fire Force. Kuwait briefly closed its airspace due to missile threats, and Kuwait Airways said it was rescheduling most flights to and from the capital. Meanwhile, Iraq said it shot down attack drones over the city of Irbil. Jordan's state-run Petra news agency said the kingdom's air defense systems had downed Iranian missiles, while air sirens sounded multiple times in Bahrain throughout the day and in Saudi Arabia in the morning, according to their governments. The secretary general of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, Jasem Mohamed al-Budaiwi, accused Iran of war crimes for strikes on infrastructure and civilian facilities. (AP)

Civil society group appeals to UP CM for reconsidering demolition at Jauhar University

A civil society group has written to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, calling for the reconsideration of the demolition order for 38 buildings of the Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur. In its letter, the Citizens for Fraternity - Bharat (CFF-Bharat) expressed deep concern over reports regarding the proposed demolition of 38 buildings at Mohammad Ali Jauhar University. While we fully respect the rule of law and recognize that all institutions must comply with statutory requirements, we humbly appeal that any action affecting an educational institution be guided by the principles of natural justice, proportionality, and the larger public interest, said the letter signed by Former Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung, former diplomat Ashok Sharma, industrialist Saeed Mustafa Shervani, senior business leader Navaid Khan and journalist Javed M. Ansari, among others.

Article 370 wins Best Feature Film at 72nd National Film Awards

The winners of the 72nd National Film Awards for the year 2024 were announced on Saturday, with Article 370 winning the Best Feature Film award. Yami Gautam was named Best Actress in a Leading Role for Article 370, while Mammootty (Bramayugam) and Kartik Aaryan (Chandu Champion) shared the Best Actor in a Leading Role award. Randeep Hooda won the Best Debut Director award for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar. In the non-feature category, Bhangaar was adjudged Best Non-Feature Film, while Ram-Nami won the Best Documentary award. Several commercially successful films, including Kalki 2898 AD, Pushpa: The Rule Part 2, Stree 2, Amaran and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, also received honours at the awards, which recognise excellence in Indian cinema across feature films, non-feature films and writing on cinema.

Peaceful partial bandh observedin Doda, Kishtwar over youth's killing

A peaceful partial bandh was observed across the twin districts of Doda and Kishtwar on Saturday in response to a shutdown call jointly given by the Seerat Committee Doda, Anjuman-e-Islamia Kishtwar and several other social and religious organisations to protest the killing of a Bhaderwah youth during a Special Operations Group (SOG) checking operation in the Jai Valley on Thursday night. Markets, commercial establishments and transport services remained largely affected in several parts of both districts, while essential services continued to function. The shutdown passed off peacefully, with no reports of any major law and order disturbance. Residents from different areas expressed solidarity with the bereaved family and reiterated their demand for a fair, transparent and time-bound investigation into the circumstances surrounding the youth's death. The impact of the bandh was particularly visible in Bhaderwah, Bhalla, Bhalesa, Thathri, Doda town and the district headquarters of Kishtwar, where most business establishments remained closed and public transport operated on a limited scale. Gundoh, Bhalesa and adjoining areas observed a near-complete shutdown as residents joined the protest call seeking justice for the deceased. Meanwhile, the administration continued the suspension of mobile internet services across Doda district for the second consecutive day as a precautionary measure to maintain public order. In Kishtwar district, mobile internet services were also curtailed on Saturday to prevent the spread of rumours and misinformation in the wake of the incident. The communication restrictions disrupted routine public activities, online services, business operations and digital transactions across the region. Officials said the temporary suspension of mobile internet services was a preventive measure aimed at preserving peace and preventing any attempt to disturb communal harmony. They added that the situation was being monitored continuously and that communication services would be restored once normalcy was fully assessed. Security was intensified across sensitive locations in both districts, with additional deployment of police and security personnel to ensure the bandh remained peaceful. Senior civil and police officials monitored the situation throughout the day and appealed to the public to maintain calm, exercise restraint and refrain from circulating unverified information. The shutdown follows widespread public protests over the death of Arif Hussain (30), son of late Mohammad Iqbal Bhat and a resident of Derana Bhalla village in Bhaderwah, who sustained fatal gunshot injuries during a police checking operation at Jai Hill Resort on Thursday night. According to police, the firing occurred after the youth allegedly attempted to snatch a service weapon from a police official during a scuffle. Three SOG personnel were also injured in the incident and are undergoing treatment at different hospitals. However, the deceased's family and residents have disputed the police version, alleging that Arif Hussain was killed without justification. They have demanded an impartial investigation and accountability for those responsible. Following assurances from the police that a fair and transparent inquiry would be conducted, the last rites of Arif Hussain were performed at his native village on Friday evening, with hundreds of people participating in the funeral. Police have registered FIR No. 120/2026 under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and stated that the investigation is underway. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to ensuring a transparent probe while taking all necessary measures to maintain law and order across the Chenab Valley. Reliable sources said that on Friday night, senior police officers, accompanied by officers of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), visited Doda and Bhaderwah to review the prevailing security situation and oversee law and order arrangements in the wake of the incident.

Disaster preparedness reviewed after rains lash Rajouri, Poonch

As predicted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), moderate rainfall commenced across Rajouri and Poonch districts on Saturday evening, bringing much-needed showers but also triggering waterlogging in several low-lying areas due to inadequate drainage infrastructure. Reports from across both border districts indicated that almost all areas were witnessing steady rainfall, with showers continuing till the filing of this report. Several roads in urban and semi-urban areas were submerged, causing inconvenience to commuters and affecting normal movement. Locals informed that medium intensity rainfall started on Saturday evening with some areas also witnessed heavy downpour which was going on when last reports were received. Amid the prevailing weather conditions, Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma, chaired a high-level review meeting with revenue officers to assess the district's preparedness for adverse weather and disaster management. During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner reviewed the prevailing weather scenario and directed all field officers to remain on high alert and ensure a prompt response to any emergency arising from heavy rainfall, flash floods, landslides or other weather-related incidents. He instructed the officers to maintain close coordination with all concerned departments, keep emergency response teams in readiness, monitor vulnerable locations round the clock and ensure timely dissemination of weather advisories among the public. The Deputy Commissioner also stressed the importance of immediate reporting of incidents, swift restoration of essential services and proactive measures to safeguard lives and property. He directed officers to remain available in their respective jurisdictions and ensure effective implementation of all disaster management protocols. The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the district administration's commitment to maintaining a high level of preparedness and ensuring a coordinated response to any weather-related contingency. The review meeting was attended by ADC Kalakote Tanvir Ahmed, ADC Sunderbani Ramkesh Sharma, ADC Nowshera Pritam Lal Thapa, ACR Rajouri Mohd Jahangir Khan, SDM Thanamandi Abid Hussain and all Tehsildars of the district.

GDC Ganderbal organises awareness programme on substance abuse prevention

Government Degree College (GDC) Ganderbal, through its College Wellness & Anti-Substance Abuse Cell in collaboration with the NSS Unit, organised an Awareness and Sensitisation Programme on Substance Abuse Prevention and Youth Well-being under the 100-Day Intensified Nasha Mukt J&K Campaign on Saturday. The programme was organised in collaboration with the Department of Community Medicine, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) under the coordination of Dr Ulfat Jan, Head, Department of Psychology and Nodal Officer for the College Wellness & Anti-Substance Abuse Cell. The event commenced with a welcome address by Dr Shabana Aslam, Assistant Professor, Department of Botany and Member of the College Wellness & Anti-Substance Abuse Cell. She highlighted the importance of collective efforts in creating awareness among young people to prevent substance abuse and promote healthy lifestyles. Principal Prof Fouzia Fatima, in her special address, urged students to remain focused on their academic and personal goals and to adopt positive alternatives to counter the growing menace of drug abuse. She advised them to stay vigilant against negative influences and actively participate in sports, cultural, literary, and other co-curricular activities for their holistic development. Dr Javeed Ahmad, Sociologist, Department of Community Medicine, SKIMS, expressed his gratitude to the Principal for her wholehearted cooperation and support in organising the event. He appreciated the college administration for partnering with SKIMS in this important initiative. Delivering the keynote address, Dr Shamila Hamid, Additional Professor, Department of Community Medicine, SKIMS, discussed the causes, risk factors, and far-reaching physical, psychological, and social consequences of substance abuse. She emphasised that awareness, timely intervention, and informed decision-making are essential in preventing addiction and safeguarding the future of young people. The second technical session was delivered by Dr. Rasikha Khan, Senior Resident, Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College and Hospital, Bemina, who shared real-life case studies illustrating the devastating effects of substance abuse. She highlighted the importance of early identification, counselling, and treatment while stressing the vital role of families, educational institutions, and society in supporting the rehabilitation and reintegration of individuals recovering from addiction. As part of the programme, Dr Lamshuwa Mawlong, Postgraduate Scholar, Department of Community Medicine, SKIMS, administered the Nasha Mukt Bharat Pledge, which was solemnly taken by Principal Prof. Fouzia Fatima, faculty members, and students. The proceedings of the programme were moderated by Dr Shaista Qadiri, Department of English, while the formal vote of thanks was presented by Dr Nusrat Jan, Head, Department of Kashmiri. The programme was attended by Dr. Jamsheeda Akhter, NSS Programme Coordinator, along with members of the College Wellness & Anti-Substance Abuse Cell, faculty members, and a large gathering of students.

Kathua Railway Station named after Kirti Chakra awardee: Dr Jitendra

Kathua Railway Station has been rechristened as Martyr Captain Sunil Kumar Choudhary Railway Station Kathua, named after a son of the soil a Kirti Chakra awardee, with immediate effect. Union Minister of State in PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh, who is also an MP from Kathua-Udhampur-Doda parliamentary constituency, shared the news on his social media handles. Good news for Kathua, on popular public demand, the Kathua Railway Station has been named as Martyr Captain Sunil Kumar Choudhary Railway Station Kathua, Dr Jitendra posted, along with the screenshot of a communique issued by the Northern Railway, in this connection. He (Jitendra) had taken up the demand of bravehearts family and locals in this connection, with the Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. With immediate effect, the name of Kathua Railway Station in Jammu (Railway) Division of Northern Railway has been changed to Martyr Captain Sunil Kumar Choudhary Kathua (MSKT) Railway Station. The other particulars related to Kathua Railway Station appearing in the Alphabetical list of Railway Stations in India issued by IRCA, New Delhi will, however, remain unchanged. Necessary correction to this effect for change in name and Alpha code is issued by the Secretary General IRCA, New Delhi and Numerical code is issued by Statistical and Analysis Officer, BHND, a communique issued by the Northern Railway read, advising all the concerned for strict compliance. Captain Sunil Kumar Choudhary made supreme sacrifice in the line of duty at the age of 27 and was posthumously awarded the countrys second highest peacetime gallantry award the Kirti Chakra.

Er Rashid announces barefoot march to Parliament, hunger strike in support of Statehood demand

Baramulla MP Er Rashid has announced that he will undertake a barefoot march to Parliament and observe a day-long hunger strike on July 21 in solidarity with the National Conference's protest for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, while asserting that the larger struggle for the restoration of constitutional and political rights must not be diluted. The announcement was made through a statement sent from Tihar Jail and released during a press conference organised by the Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) in Srinagar. The briefing was addressed by AIP Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi, accompanied by party leaders, who read out Rashid's message. In his statement, Rashid accused the National Conference of narrowing the political discourse by limiting its campaign to the restoration of statehood, while neglecting broader issues such as Article 370, Article 35A and other constitutional rights. He alleged that the National Conference had failed to pursue the wider political aspirations of the people despite securing a majority in the 2024 Assembly elections on promises of restoring Jammu and Kashmir's autonomy. Rashid also criticised other regional parties, particularly constituents of the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), saying they too must explain what efforts they had made to secure the restoration of statehood, Article 370 and Article 35A. Despite his criticism, Rashid said the Awami Itihaad Party would extend support to the July 20 protest, arguing that any positive initiative aimed at restoring the rights of the people deserved backing. To express our solidarity with the National Conference's proposed protest on July 20, I will observe a day-long hunger strike and walk barefoot to Parliament on July 21 to stress the need for a meaningful, time-bound and result-oriented dialogue between the Centre and the elected representatives, along with other legitimate stakeholders of Jammu and Kashmir, the statement said. He, however, clarified that the AIP's participation should not be interpreted as an endorsement of what he described as the National Conference's weak and diluted political position on issues affecting Jammu and Kashmir. Rashid also reiterated his view that the Centre should have restored Jammu and Kashmir's statehood immediately after the 2024 Assembly elections and claimed that the National Conference should have insisted on statehood restoration before forming the government. Addressing the press conference, AIP Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi said the party has consistently advocated the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's full political and constitutional rights. He recalled that the AIP had organised a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi last year demanding not only the restoration of statehood but also Articles 370 and 35A, revocation of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), release of political prisoners, reinstatement of terminated government employees, an end to demolition drives and what it termed the indiscriminate use of the Public Safety Act (PSA). While welcoming the National Conference's decision to protest for statehood, Inam said the move was oo little, too late and argued that restricting the campaign to statehood alone ignored the broader political aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Apni Party supports NC's demand for statehood but decides not to be part of protest

Apni Party on Saturday announced its support for the ruling National Conference's demand for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. However, the party decided not to participate in the National Conference's proposed sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 20. The decision was taken at a meeting of the party's senior leadership at its Srinagar headquarters. Pertinently, NC has invited political parties and individuals to participate in its proposed protest in Delhi to press for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. After todays meeting, party's president, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, announced at a press conference the unanimous decision and said since the demand for the statehood to Jammu and Kashmir reflects the aspiration of the people, we fully support the demand, however, in todays meeting it was decided that we will not be the part of NCs proposed protest in Delhi. He said, We met and discussed the issue thoroughly. It was decided that we would not be part of this protest.. Apni Party believes that the issues and grievances faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and their genuine demands including the restoration of statehood and other constitutional rights, can be achieved through a meaningful dialogue with the Government of India rather than through protests. We believe in duologue and reconciliation, not in protests and confrontations, he added. Apni Party President said that the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir has been one of the party's core agendas since its inception. He said, On the very first day of the party's formation, on March 8, 2020, we clearly outlined our vision and agenda. We pledged to strive for the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, including the restoration of statehood, constitutional guarantees to protect the exclusive rights of the people over land and jobs, and the safeguarding of their other constitutional and democratic rights. He went on to say, Apni Party strongly believes that these rights can be achieved through meaningful dialogue with the Government of India, not through confrontation. History bears witness that whenever we have chosen the path of confrontation with New Delhi, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have ended up losing one right after another. Therefore, the party believes that constructive engagement and dialogue are the most effective way to secure the rights and aspirations of the people. He continued, History offers many lessons. For instance, in 1953, the National Conference launched the so-called Raishumari movement, but it ultimately ended up giving the position of Prime Minister and settled for the office of Chief Minister instead. Likewise, in the 1990s, when certain demands were being raised, one of India's Prime Ministers offered talks, saying that the sky is the limit. However, the path of confrontation was chosen over dialogue, and in the end, nothing was achieved. That is why Apni Party believes in reconciliation and meaningful engagement. We are convinced that dialogue, not confrontation, is the only practical and effective way to secure the rights and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Taking a swipe at National Conference, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, We are happy that the NC has finally endorsed the people's demand for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, although it took the ruling party six years to do so. He also criticised the National Conference (NC) for avoiding broader consultations on the demand for the restoration of statehood. He said, NC took this decision on its own. It decided to go ahead with the protest. Had it held broader consultations with all stakeholders, a better and more effective way of presenting the demand for the restoration of statehood before New Delhi might have emerged. However, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari clarified that Apni Party is not supporting the NCs protest, but it fully supports the demand for the restoration of statehood, as this demand reflects the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He further said, However, I am apprehensive that if every political party starts taking unilateral decisions on the issue of restoring statehood merely to score political points, we may end up achieving nothing. Urging broader political unity to ensure that the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir are protected and their genuine aspirations are fulfilled, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, On important issues such as the restoration of statehood, constitutional guarantees to protect the exclusive rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir over land and jobs, the release of detainees, and other key public concerns, all political parties must build consensus and speak with one voice. Only a united approach can effectively safeguard the rights, interests, and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Responding to a question, Altaf Bukhari said, We oppose the National Conference because it has failed to provide effective governance despite receiving a massive mandate from the people. We question the party over its poor performance and failure to deliver on its promises. We will continue to hold it accountable and criticise its shortcomings on behalf of the people. We are the watchdogs of the people, ensuring that those in power remain answerable to them. Even on the issue of the restoration of statehood, there was no need for them to resort to street protests. They are elected representatives and possess the constitutional authority to raise such matters with the Centre through political and democratic means. They have the backing and support of the people, and they should use their mandate to pursue these issues through dialogue and constitutional processes. Responding to a question about NCs invitation to the Congress partys central leadership to join the proposed sit-in protest, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, We will be happy to see Congress leadership finally joining the demand for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's constitutional rights. Because we know it as a matter of fact that parties like Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supported the Centre's actions of August 5, 2019. On this occasion, Apni Party President appealed to the Prime Minister to fulfil his promise of bridging the Dilli aur Dil ki Douriyan (the distance between New Delhi and the hearts of the people of Jammu and Kashmir). He said, Prime Minister had spoken about bridging the Dilli aur Dil ki Douriyan during a meeting with political parties from Jammu and Kashmir in New Delhi. However, that promise is yet to be fulfilled. In fact, the gap has only widened since then. There is an urgent need for New Delhi to initiate a dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. There also needs to be a course correction with regard to what happened on August 5, 2019, which we believe was a dark day in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, Bukhari added. Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said that during their meeting with leaders at the Centre, Apni Party convinced them to allow the people of Jammu and Kashmir to retain their exclusive rights over land and jobs. However, the extension of its tenure and the constitutional guarantee in this regard are yet to be ensured. He said that the party also persuaded the Centre to initiate a dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir to address their genuine issues and grievances We were assured that this would happen, he said. He added that the Hon'ble Prime Minister, during his meeting with political parties from Jammu and Kashmir in June 2021, re-assured that a dialogue would be initiated with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. However, this commitment is yet to be fulfilled. He said that Apni Party would once again urge the Hon'ble Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister to consider these demands, along with other demands for constitutional rights. Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said that in this regard he will call on Prime Minister and Home Minister.

NC presses ahead with Statehood protest in Delhi despite uncertainty over venue

The National Conference (NC) leadership arrived in New Delhi on Saturday to oversee preparations for the party's proposed July 20 protest seeking the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, even as uncertainty persisted over official permission to hold the demonstration at Jantar Mantar. NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reached the national capital ahead of the scheduled protest, while party legislators, Members of Parliament, senior leaders and workers also travelled to Delhi to coordinate arrangements for what the ruling party has described as a peaceful democratic demonstration. The protest has been planned to coincide with the opening day of Parliament's Monsoon Session. Despite the preparations, the Delhi administration had not granted permission for the gathering at Jantar Mantar till Saturday evening. Omar Abdullah has maintained that there will be no change in the party's programme and has said the NC is prepared with an alternative plan if permission for the venue is denied. The uncertainty surrounding the protest has assumed greater significance following recent action by Delhi authorities against climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and his supporters at Jantar Mantar. Wangchuk, who had been on a prolonged hunger strike, was shifted to a hospital after police cleared the protest site, leading to speculation over whether similar restrictions could affect the NC's proposed demonstration. The National Conference has made the restoration of statehood its principal political demand since forming the government in Jammu and Kashmir. The party argues that reinstating full statehood is essential for strengthening democratic institutions, improving governance and restoring the constitutional rights and aspirations of the people. The Centre has repeatedly stated that statehood will be restored at an appropriate time. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have reiterated this assurance on several occasions, although no timeline has been announced. The proposed protest has received support from the Congress, which has confirmed that its leaders will participate in the demonstration. Jammu and Kashmir Congress president Tariq Hameed Karra said the party's central leadership is expected to join the protest, describing the restoration of statehood as a shared democratic demand. However, opposition unity remains divided over the broader political agenda. People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has said her party will participate only if the protest agenda is expanded to include the restoration of Article 370, Article 35A and the release of political detainees. She argued that limiting the campaign to statehood alone would not adequately address the constitutional and political issues confronting Jammu and Kashmir. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), meanwhile, has criticised the National Conference's proposed protest, terming it a political exercise, while announcing its own programme in Jammu and Kashmir on July 20 to highlight what it describes as the shortcomings of the Omar Abdullah-led government. The July 20 demonstration is expected to be the first major political mobilisation by the ruling National Conference outside Jammu and Kashmir since it assumed office. With party leaders already in Delhi and supporters expected to arrive on Sunday, attention is now focused on whether the Delhi administration will permit the protest at Jantar Mantar or whether the NC will be compelled to shift the programme to an alternative venue.

KSL Season 2: Athwas India XI FC becomes first franchise

The Kashmir Super League (KSL) has achieved another significant milestone ahead of its highly anticipated second season, with Athwas Retail and Athwas Hyundai officially coming on board as the Presenting Partners of Kashmir Super League Season 2. In another major development, Athwas India XI FC, as per a statement, has also become the first confirmed franchise for the upcoming edition of the league. The partnership agreement was formally signed at the Athwas Retail Headquarters in Srinagar in the presence of senior representatives from both organisations. Ali Irfan signed the agreement on behalf of Athwas Retai in presence of Irfan Ahmed ( MD), Yasir Majid ( GM ) Aquib Nabi ( Brand Ambassador Athwas Retail ) while Kaiser Bhat, Vice Chairman of Kashmir Super League, signed on behalf of the league. The association marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between one of Kashmirs leading retail and automobile brands and the regions premier franchise-based football competition. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment towards promoting football, empowering local talent, and creating a vibrant sporting ecosystem in Jammu & Kashmir. Speaking on the occasion, Ali Irfan expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, stating that Athwas has always believed in supporting initiatives that inspire youth and strengthen community engagement. He said that Kashmir Super League has emerged as a transformative platform for football in the region, and Athwas is proud to be associated with its journey as the presenting partner while also fielding its own franchise, Athwas India XI FC. Representing Kashmir Super League, Kaiser Bhat welcomed Athwas Retail and Athwas Hyundai into the KSL family and thanked the organisation for placing its trust in the vision of the league. He said that having Athwas India XI FC as the first confirmed franchise is a significant boost for Season 2 and reflects the growing confidence of corporate organisations in the leagues professional structure and long-term vision. Kashmir Super League Season 2 is set to be held at TRC Ground, Srinagar, and promises to be bigger and more competitive than ever before. Building on the tremendous success of its inaugural season, the league will once again feature top footballing talent from across Jammu & Kashmir alongside leading corporate-backed franchises, providing players with a professional platform while delivering an exciting experience for football fans. With Athwas Retail and Athwas Hyundai joining as Presenting Partners and Athwas India XI FC becoming the first confirmed franchise, preparations for Season 2 have gathered significant momentum, with more franchise and partnership announcements expected in the coming days.

FC Passionate holds open football trials, draws over 400 aspirants

FC Passionate, a registered football club based in Srinagar, on Saturday organised a two-day open football trial aimed at identifying talented players from across Kashmir and promoting sports as a positive alternative to drug abuse and other social evils. Speaking on the occasion, FC Passionate president Zubair Rafiq said the club was established after noticing that many talented footballers in local areas lacked proper opportunities to showcase and develop their skills. We realised a lot of football talent was going to waste because players did not have the right platform. That inspired us to establish FC Passionate to nurture young talent and help players reach higher levels, she said. She said the two-day trial, being held on July 18 and 19, seeks not only to identify promising footballers but also to encourage youth to stay away from drugs and other harmful activities by engaging in sports.

DYSS launches 9 sports Academies of Excellence at Khel Gaon

In a landmark move destined to redefine the sporting landscape of J&K, the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) has officially operationalised nine premier 'Academies of Excellence' at the state-of-the-art sports arena, Khel Gaon, in Nagrota here. The transformative initiative, as per a DYSS statement, has been set into motion through a comprehensive deployment order issued by the Director General of Youth Services and Sports, J&K, Anuradha Gupta. This marks the spectacular first phase of a visionary, UT-wide blueprint by the Directorate, which has established specialised sports clusters across J&K to provide structured, elite-level training to the UTs promising youth. Highlighting the deep-rooted vision behind these specialised hubs, DG YSS stated that the establishment of these Academies of Excellence is a clear example of the department's commitment to nurturing raw talent and building a world-class sporting ecosystem in J&K. She emphasized that by setting up specialized sports clusters across the UT, the Directorate aims to bridge the gap between passion and professional training, adding that these academies will serve as launching pads for the youth to excel in national and international arenas.

Drowned child's body recovered after 13 days in Gurez

Bandipora, Jul 18:The body of a 10-year-old child, Babar Bashir who had accidentally drowned in the Kishanganga River at Gurez in north Kashmir's Bandipora district, was recovered on Saturday after thirteen days. The child had drowned in the water body near Sheikhpora village in Tulail. Despite frantic efforts by locals, SDRF, Police and volunteers, the boy remained missing until Saturday. On Saturday, a man fishing near the Kishanganga hydro power project Dam site in Badwan spotted a body floating on the calm waters. After the fisherman spotted his body, locals retrieved it from the water and then informed the police, Jaweed Ahamd Dar, Tehsildar Gurez told Greater Kashmir. The body was then taken to the Gurez hospital, the official said. He said the parents identified the body. After completing the necessary legal formalities, the child's body was handed over to the family for last rites. The official said the child had some injury marks on his head, likely sustained from being washed away to the dam site.

PDP reviews organisational affairs of Budgam, Ganderbal

Srinagar, Jul 18:The Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Saturday held separate organisational meetings of District Budgam and District Ganderbal at the Party Headquarters in Srinagar under the chairmanship of General Secretary (Organisation) Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura. The meetings were attended by General Secretary Mohammad Khursheed Aalam and Additional General Secretary Mohammad Yousuf Bhat, who participated in the deliberations and reviewed the organisational affairs of both districts along with the respective district leadership and party functionaries. The Budgam meeting was attended by, MLA Budgam Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi, Ghulam Ahmed Khan, Manzoor Ahmed Wani, Shahnawaz Ahmed Mir General secretary Youth , district office bearers, zonal body members, and other party functionaries. The Ganderbal meeting was attended by District President Zahoor Ahmed Rather, Jamat Ali Shaheen, Mubashir Qazi District President Youth Ganderbal district office bearers, zonal body members, district committee members, and other party functionaries. The senior leadership reviewed the organisational structure and functioning of both districts and discussed measures to further strengthen the party at the grassroots level. Detailed deliberations focused on expanding public outreach, revitalising district and zonal committees, enhancing coordination among party workers, and ensuring sustained engagement with the people to effectively address their concerns. Addressing the meetings, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura urged all office bearers and workers to remain united, disciplined, and committed to strengthening the organisation. He reiterated the PDP's unwavering commitment to safeguarding the constitutional rights, dignity, identity, and democratic aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, while calling for intensified organisational activities and stronger public connect across every constituency. The meetings concluded with a collective resolve to further consolidate the party organisation in Budgam and Ganderbal, expand the PDP's grassroots presence, and strengthen its outreach across every corner of Central Kashmir.

Secular, patriotic forces must unite against hate, communalism, bigotry: Dr Farooq

Srinagar, Jul 18:National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah Saturday voiced deep concern over what he described as the growing climate of hatred, communalism, religious intolerance and social polarization in the country. Calling for collective action, he appealed to all secular, democratic and patriotic forces to unite against attempts to undermine India's unity, integrity, composite culture and constitutional secular character through divisive politics, as per a press release. Addressing a gathering of senior party leaders, office-bearers and a large number of party workers, Dr Farooq said India's freedom was not won by any single community or religion but was secured through the collective sacrifices of people belonging to every faith, region and background. He observed that the Constitution of India guarantees every citizen the fundamental rights to equality, religious freedom, freedom of expression and justice, adding that these constitutional and democratic values continue to constitute the bedrock of the nation's unity, strength and progress. Referring to Jammu & Kashmir's constitutional relationship with the Union of India, Dr. Farooq said the accession of the erstwhile State was accompanied by specific constitutional assurances under which it enjoyed a distinct constitutional position. He expressed regret that these constitutional guarantees were diluted over the decades, ultimately culminating in the abrogation of the region's special constitutional status. Reaffirming the party's longstanding position, he said the National Conference would continue its peaceful, democratic and constitutional struggle for the restoration of Jammu & Kashmir's special constitutional status and the constitutional rights of its people. Emphasizing the universal message of faith, Dr. Farooq said that all religions preach humanity, peace, justice, compassion, tolerance, brotherhood and mutual respect, and that no religion sanctions hatred, violence, oppression or the killing of innocent people. Recalling the immense contribution of minorities to India's freedom struggle, he said they had rendered invaluable sacrifices for the country's independence. At the same time, he expressed concern over what he described as increasing instances of injustice, inequality and discrimination faced by minority communities, alleging that systematic attempts were being made to erode their constitutional and democratic rights. Urging citizens to reject the politics of hatred, division and polarization, Dr. Farooq called upon people across the country to uphold the values of communal harmony, constitutionalism, democratic traditions, inclusiveness and national unity. He said that only by strengthening these foundational principles could India continue to advance on the path of peace, stability, progress and prosperity.

Div Com reviews preparations for Independence Day celebrations

Srinagar, Jul 18: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, on Friday chaired a high-level meeting to review the preparedness of various departments for the forthcoming Independence Day celebrations, emphasising the need for advance planning, inter-departmental coordination, and timely mobilization of resources to ensure the smooth conduct of the national event. The meeting was attended by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, V.K. Birdi, Deputy Commissioners of all districts, and Heads of Departments (HoDs) of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Roads & Buildings (R&B), Power Development Department (PDD), Education, Culture, Jal Shakti, Health, Information, Hospitality & Protocol, Traffic Police, Fire & Emergency Services, Doordarshan, SKICC, and other concerned departments. The Divisional Commissioner conducted a comprehensive review of arrangements relating to security, logistics, protocol, medical and emergency services, venue management, full-dress rehearsal, event execution, and post-event coordination. To ensure seamless arrangements, Garg directed the Chief Engineer, R&B, to make comprehensive arrangements for tentage, seating, stage and dais, besides installing LED screens at the venue. The Chief Engineer, PDD, was instructed to ensure uninterrupted power supply with adequate generator backup and illumination of important government buildings. The Chief Engineer, Jal Shakti, was directed to ensure an adequate supply of drinking water and installation of RO units at the venue. The Floriculture Department was tasked with decorating the dais and making floral arrangements at the Balidan Stambh, while the Police Department was instructed to facilitate the showering of flower petals through drones during the celebrations. The Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, was directed to ensure proper sanitation, adequate toilet facilities, and effective dewatering arrangements in the event of rainfall. The Police Department was instructed to put in place foolproof security arrangements to ensure the peaceful and smooth conduct of the Independence Day function. The Information Department was directed to install a synchronized public address system in coordination with the R&B Department and Police to ensure uninterrupted proceedings besides installation of hoardings. The Divisional Commissioner further directed the Departments of Culture, Youth Services & Sports, and the J&K Sports Council to prepare cultural programmes and performances. He also instructed the concerned departments to organize contingents comprising personnel from the Police, other security agencies, NCC, schools, and colleges. In addition, schools, colleges, and the Information Department were asked to organize quiz and singing competitions as part of the celebrations. The Fire & Emergency Services Department was directed to deploy fire tenders and ensure emergency preparedness, while the Hospitality & Protocol Department was instructed to make appropriate arrangements for refreshments and other protocol-related requirements.

Potholes on Jehangir Chowk-Rambagh flyover pose risk of accidents

Srinagar, Jul 18: Pothole-ridden stretch of Jehangir Chowk-Rambagh Flyover has emerged as a major safety concern for commuters who blame authorities for inordinate delay in undertaking repairs of the vital route. The flyover, which stretches from Jehangir Chowk to Rambagh, facilitates movement of thousands of vehicles daily and serves as a vital route for commuters travelling to Chanapora, Natipora, Hyderpora, Barzulla, Bagh-e-Mehtab and Srinagar Airport. It also witnesses frequent VIP movement as it connects the city centre with the Civil Secretariat and other key government offices. Commuters said several potholes and uneven patches have developed along the flyover making the carriageway hazardous for both two-wheelers and four-wheelers. They said the damaged surface has become particularly dangerous for motorcycle riders, who are more vulnerable to losing balance while negotiating the potholes. Just recently, a motorist met with an accident on the flyover during the evening after his vehicle hit one of the potholes. He narrowly escaped a major tragedy but sustained injuries that required around eight stitches, a commuter said, adding that the incident reflects the growing danger posed by the damaged road. Several commuters said the recent accident is not an isolated case, claiming that many motorists have had narrow escapes after suddenly encountering potholes while travelling on the flyover. They said the risk increases during non-peak hours when vehicles move at higher speeds. According to them, many of the potholes and uneven patches are difficult to notice from a distance, leaving drivers with little time to react. In an attempt to avoid the damaged portions of the road, motorists often swerve abruptly, increasing the possibility of collisions with other vehicles or the central divider. The potholes are not clearly visible, especially during evening or in poor light. By the time a driver notices them, it is often too late to slow down or change direction safely, Ahsan Ahmad, another commuter, said. Commuters said the condition of the flyover has remained unattended despite it being a critical piece of urban infrastructure carrying heavy traffic throughout the day. They urged the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department and the district administration to undertake immediate repairs before the situation results in a major tragedy. Executive Engineer R&B Khalid Mehmood said the department had recently taken up repair work to address the issue. We will take up more such repair works and ensure that commuters dont face any problem, he said.

ICICI Bank Q1 profit jumps 13.8% on high loan growth, core income

Mumbai, Jul 18:ICICI Bank on Saturday reported a 13.88 per cent jump in June quarter consolidated profit at Rs 15,440 crore, up from Rs 13,558 crore in the year-ago period on the back of faster credit growth. In an exchange filing, the second-largest private sector lender said its standalone net profit grew 15.95 per cent to Rs 14,804 crore for the April-June quarter on a standalone basis, up 15.95 per cent from Rs 12,768 crore in the year-ago period. The net interest income (NII) increased 12.7 per cent on-year to Rs 24,384 crore in the quarter under review, on the back of a nearly 20 per cent jump in advances and a slight widening in the net interest margin to 4.36 per cent. Its Executive Director Sandeep Batra said the bank was able to buck a system-wide trend and report an expansion in NIMs courtesy a income tax refund and also repricing of term deposits. Going forward, channeling-in inflows from the FCNR(B) will be dilutive on the NIMs front, he said, but the bank is confident of keeping it ange-bound for FY27. Declining to share a target on the FCNR(B) front, Batra said the bank has activated its international network and also looking for partners to ramp up and make the FCNR (B) a success. The bank did not offer a guidance on its comfort on the maximum leverage that it is planning for, saying that it depends on a number of factors, including the call taken by its local partners as well. In the quarter under review, the other income excluding treasury income increased by 16 per cent on-year to Rs 8,425 crore for the reporting quarter and the bank also reported a treasury gain of Rs 151 crore. The deposit growth came at 14 per cent for the lender. From an asset quality perspective, the gross non-performing assets ratio improved to 1.38 per cent from 1.67 per cent a year ago and 1.40 per cent at the end of March this year. Fresh slippages came at Rs 5,500 crore, which was down from Rs 6,200 crore in the year-ago period but higher when compared to the preceding quarter. Bank officials explained that there is seasonality every year, where the first quarter tends to have higher stress primarily because of the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) accounts. Provisions, excluding money set aside as tax, was Rs 1,260 crore in Q1, down from Rs 1,815 crore in Q1FY26. The bank does not see any material impact of the transition to the expected credit loss-based system from April 1, 2027 and has adequate covers in place for the same, he said. The bank disclosed that it continues to carry a Rs 13,100-crore provision on its books. From a sustenance of the loan growth perspective, the bank said it sees adequate opportunities to lend in the corporate book, where the banking system has been slow to grow due to variety of factors over the last many years, Batra said. The bank does not have any preferences or a list of sectors it wishes to avoid either, he said, stressing that the high credit growth of nearly 20 per cent -- one of the highest reported by any bank so far in Q1 -- is a function of the economic activity and also policy initiative, Batra said.

HDFC Bank profit rises 5% to Rs 19,060 cr in Q1

New Delhi, Jul 18: HDFC Bank on Saturday reported a 5 per cent increase in standalone net profit to Rs 19,060 crore for the June quarter. The country's biggest private sector lender had earned a net profit of Rs 18,155 crore in the year-ago period. However, the total income of the bank in the quarter under review dropped to Rs 92,184 crore from Rs 99,200 crore in the same period a year ago, HDFC Bank said in a regulatory filing. The lender's interest income increased to Rs 79,363 crore from Rs 77,470 crore in the same quarter a year ago. During the period, operating profit of the bank declined to Rs 28,169 crore, as compared to Rs 35,734 crore in the same quarter a year ago. Net interest income grew 7 per cent to Rs 33,530 crore from Rs 31,440 crore for the June quarter, it said. Net interest margin was at 3.26 per cent on total assets, and 3 per cent based on interest earning assets. The bank's asset quality exhibited improvement with gross non-performing assets (NPAs) declined to 1.17 per cent of gross advances at the end of the June quarter, from 1.4 per cent a year ago. Similarly, net NPAs, or bad loans, declined to 0.41 per cent, as against 0.47 per cent in the year-ago period. As a result, provisions and contingencies for bad loans declined massively to Rs 3,060 crore during the first quarter, as compared to Rs 14,442 crore in the same period a year ago. Capital adequacy ratio of the bank moderated to 19.57 per cent from 19.88 per cent at the end of first quarter of the previous financial year. The consolidated profit after tax of the HDFC Bank Group for the June quarter was Rs 19,245 crore as against Rs 16,258 crore in the same period a year ago, registering an 18 per cent growth. The bank's consolidated net revenue was Rs 85,480 crore for the June quarter, it said.

Experts call on engineering students to embrace innovation, emerging technologies

Srinagar, Jul 18: Under the Alumni Back to Classroom (ABC) initiative, Office of the Dean, Alumni and International Affairs (A&IA), National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar, in collaboration with the Alumni Association (AANITS), jointly organised a seminar on Transforming India's Energy and Manufacturing Landscape Through Smart Automation. The seminar featured Er. Amit Kumar, a distinguished alumnus of NIT Srinagar and Business Unit Head Metering & Protection Systems at Schneider Electric India, as the keynote speaker. In his message, Director, NIT Srinagar, Prof. Binod Kumar Kanaujia, said the institute remains committed to strengthening industry-academia collaboration through meaningful alumni engagement. He said accomplished alumni serve as role models for students and play a vital role in exposing them to emerging technologies, innovation, and industry best practices. He encouraged students to make the most of such interactions to prepare themselves for future leadership roles. Registrar, NIT Srinagar, Prof. Atikur Rehman, said the Alumni Back to Classroom initiative reflects the institute's vision of building a strong and vibrant alumni network that contributes to academic excellence and professional development. He appreciated the participation of alumni and industry experts in mentoring students and sharing practical insights from the corporate world. Addressing students, faculty members, alumni, engineers, and industry professionals, Er. Amit Kumar said India is undergoing a rapid transformation in the fields of energy and manufacturing, driven by digital technologies, smart automation and sustainable engineering solutions. He highlighted the growing importance of Industry 4.0, artificial intelligence, smart metering, automation, digital substations and intelligent power systems in building a resilient and efficient industrial ecosystem. The future engineers must be prepared to adapt to technological disruptions through continuous learning, innovation and skill development, he added. Drawing from his more than three decades of professional experience, Er. Amit Kumar encouraged students to focus on problem-solving, leadership, teamwork, and ethical engineering practices alongside technical excellence. He stressed that engineers have a crucial role to play in advancing India's vision of energy security, manufacturing excellence and a net-zero future. The interactive session provided participants with valuable insights into real-world industrial practices, bridging the gap between classroom learning and industry requirements. Faculty members, students, alumni, engineers and newly recruited Junior Engineers (JEs) from KPDCL and JKPTCL actively participated in the programme and interacted with the speaker. Earlier, Dean Alumni and International Affairs, Prof. M. A. Shah said the Alumni Back to Classroom (ABC) initiative aims to strengthen alumni engagement and provide students with opportunities to learn from accomplished graduates who have made significant contributions in their respective fields. He said the institute firmly believes that its alumni are among its greatest assets, and their continued association with NIT Srinagar creates meaningful opportunities for knowledge exchange, mentorship and professional networking. Prof. Shah noted that interactions with successful alumni help students gain first-hand exposure to industry expectations, emerging technologies and evolving career pathways. The programme was coordinated by Er. Farhan Manzoor Shah, Additional Secretary, AANITS; Dr. H.S. Pali, Associate Dean, Alumni and International Affairs, NIT Srinagar; and Er. R.P. Singh, Power Engineer and NIT/REC Srinagar alumnus. The event concluded with a vote of thanks, as participants appreciated the initiative for strengthening ties between academia and industry and for equipping young engineers with practical knowledge and emerging technological perspectives.

Gujarat tops NITI Aayog's 1st Investment Friendliness Index 2026

Gandhinagar, Jul 18:Gujarat has emerged as India's most investment-friendly state, securing the top rank in NITI Aayog's inaugural Investment Friendliness Index 2026 with a score of 56.6, ahead of Maharashtra (53.7) and Tamil Nadu (53.3). The index, which assessed 17 major states across 84 indicators under eight pillars, evaluates the entire investment lifecyclefrom policy and governance to infrastructure, business facilitation and fiscal management. The ranking reinforces Gujarat's position as a preferred destination for domestic and global investors. The report attributes Gujarat's performance to its stable policy environment and investor-centric governance. It highlights the role of the Industrial Extension Bureau (iNDEXTb), whose single-window facilitation system streamlines approvals and provides end-to-end support for investors. A time-bound mechanism for obtaining statutory clearances and No Objection Certificates (NOCs) has also helped reduce project delays. The index further notes that restrictions on strikes in essential services have contributed to industrial peace, providing businesses with a stable operating environment. Gujarat's industrial infrastructure is cited as one of its strongest advantages. Investment hubs such as Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR), GIFT City, Sanand, Dahej, Jhagadia and Saykha offer plug-and-play facilities that enable industries to establish operations quickly while reducing project costs and execution time. The report also credits the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit for attracting substantial domestic and international investment commitments, strengthening the state's global investment profile. On logistics and connectivity, Gujarat accounts for nearly 10 per cent of India's state highway networkalmost four times the national averageand has the country's highest estimated expressway length at 635 kilometres. Nearly 7 per cent of India's railway network passes through the state, contributing to efficient logistics and stronger supply chain competitiveness. The index identifies affordable and reliable power as another key advantage. Industrial electricity tariffs in Gujarat are nearly 29 per cent lower than the national average, while industries receive an average daily power supply of 23.8 hours, helping lower operating costs and improve productivity. The report also highlights Gujarat's strong economic fundamentals. The state contributes 31 per cent of India's merchandise exports and recorded the third-highest Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth among states during FY2019-24. Its per capita GSDP stands at

VC SKUAST-K leads outreach for modernising vegetable farming in Srinagar, Anantnag

Srinagar, Jul 18:To modernise local agriculture and bridge the gap between academic research and grassroots farming, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir launched an extensive farmer outreach and interaction programme across the Srinagar and Anantnag districts. Led by Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmad Gani, the initiative brought a team of scientists straight into the fields to promote scientific vegetable farming, evaluate current cultivation practices, and directly address the emerging production challenges faced by local growers. A major highlight of the tour was visit to Wantrag village in the Anantnag district, an area widely renowned for its intensive watermelon and muskmelon cultivation. While inspecting the thriving fields, Prof Gani commended the local growers for their sophisticated approach, describing Wantrag as an exemplary model of scientific and profitable vegetable production. The Vice Chancellor stressed that this high-yield, intensive farming model should be replicated across other districts of the Kashmir valley to drive up regional farm incomes and encourage the wider adoption of advanced agriculture practices. During the field inspections, university experts from the Division of Vegetable Science, including the Head of the Division Dr Ishfaq Abidi, Prof Faheema Mushtaq, Dr Asima Amin, and other accompanying scientists, engaged in detailed discussions with local growers. The university team focused heavily on technology-driven interventions designed to boost fruit quality and farm profitability. They evaluated and advised on the implementation of hi-tech poly-house cultivation, precision nutrient and irrigation management via micro-irrigation systems, and Integrated Disease and Pest Management protocols. The scientists also emphasised resource conservation methods like mulching practices for moisture retention and weed control, alongside quality seed production. Beyond field cultivation, the visiting team placed significant emphasis on the commercial aspect of farming, urging growers to adopt modern post-harvest handling and professional sorting and grading practices to ensure better market connectivity and price realisation. Addressing the farmers, Prof Gani reiterated SKUAST-Ks core mission to foster a farmer-scientist linkage, promising that regular field visits, frontline demonstrations, and continuous technology dissemination would remain a priority. The outreach initiative was welcomed by the farming community, who expressed gratitude to the university for bringing scientists directly to their doorsteps and reaffirmed their eagerness to adopt the university's improved tech-driven farming methods.

A device we barely put down

Modern society has made communication almost frictionless, long stretches of undivided focus has become pretty much difficult to preserve. The world now lives inside a device we barely put down. A message can cross continents in seconds. News arrives before the day properly begins. Answers appear almost instantly. The greatest burden of the digital age isnt the volume of information. Its the fact that it never seems to end. The difficulty is not technology itself. It is a competition taking place every ordinary day. A competition for attention. For time. For emotional energy. None of these announce their disappearance. They simply leave us a little more distracted than yesterday. Every morning begins with a choice that seldom feels like one. A notification lights up. A headline demands urgency. A recommendation promises something worth watching. Before long, one glance becomes twenty. The mind keeps moving, even when the body remains still. I am fascinated by how constant stimulation can so easily masquerade as productivity. We tell ourselves we are staying informed. Keeping up. Remaining connected. But somewhere between endless updates and infinite scrolling, the mind forgets how to remain with one thought for very long. Silence begins to feel unfamiliar. Reflection starts losing ground to reaction. Moments that once belonged to thinking now vanish with the next scroll. Information has never been more abundant. Understanding, however, still asks for something slower. Ideas require time to settle before they become insight. A cluttered mind can recognise many facts. It does not always recognise what truly matters. There is a difference between knowing more and thinking better. The two often travel separately. Todays life also carries another expectation. Availability. Messages expect immediate replies. Meetings multiply. Conversations continue long after work officially ends. Even free time begins to resemble another appointment waiting to be scheduled. Gradually, saying yes becomes automatic. Not because every request deserves agreement. Because declining begins to feel uncomfortable. Many people worry that refusing will appear rude. Or selfish. Or unreliable. So they continue accepting responsibilities until their own priorities slowly disappear beneath everyone elses expectations. This is where boundaries enter the conversation. People often misunderstand boundaries as distance. As rejection. As walls built to keep others away. They are neither. They are simply reminders that our time, attention and emotional strength are finite resources. Once scattered too widely, they cannot be recovered through another motivational quote or a productive morning. Every commitment has an invisible price. Every unnecessary obligation borrows time from something that genuinely matters. Family. Learning. Health. Rest. Meaningful work. Choosing one inevitably means leaving another behind. A thoughtful refusal is rarely an act against someone else. More often, it is an act of loyalty towards what already deserves a place in our lives. Many flinch to establish these limits because they fear disappointing others. Ironically, the absence of boundaries often creates greater disappointment. Fatigue shortens patience. Constant availability weakens enthusiasm. Quiet resentment begins replacing genuine generosity. No bond remains healthy when one heart is doing all the emotional lifting. They become healthier when expectations are honest enough to be shared.The digital world makes these limits even more necessary. Every platform competes for another minute. Another click. Another reaction. Endless feeds never really end. Notifications arrive unpredictably enough to keep curiosity alive. Emotion travels faster than reason, which is precisely why outrage receives so much attention. The cost is not measured only in lost hours. It appears elsewhere. In conversations interrupted by wandering thoughts. In books that remain unfinished. In evenings where rest becomes impossible because the mind has forgotten how to slow itself down. Some people eventually begin noticing it. Their changes are rarely dramatic. They spend less time arguing with strangers online. They stop documenting every pleasant moment before actually experiencing it. They allow silence to remain silent instead of immediately filling it with another video or another headline. Thinking returns before speaking. These decisions appear almost invisible from the outside. Their effects remain seldom invisible for long. Boundaries exist within relationships as well. Helping others is generous. Carrying every responsibility for them is something different. Constant rescue can silently replace growth with dependence. Sometimes the kindest response is not removing every obstacle but trusting another persons ability to face it. Respect often grows where unnecessary interference ends. Our emotions usually recognise crossed boundaries before our minds do. Continuous exhaustion. Irritation without obvious reason. A feeling that every day demands more than it returns. These are rarely random experiences. They are signals. Quiet ones. They reveal that attention has been stretched beyond its natural limits. Listening to them early is often wiser than waiting until burnout forces the lesson upon us. It has become one of the defining challenges of our age. Not learning how to consume more. Learning how to protect what deserves to remain undisturbed. Technology will continue evolving. Information will continue multiplying. Demands upon our attention will almost certainly increase. The real advantage will belong to those who know what not to give their attention to. Because a meaningful life is not measured by how much we squeeze into each day. More often, it is shaped by everything we deliberately choose to leave outside them. In the end, protecting our attention is not simply about avoiding distraction. It is about preserving the quiet space where clarity, intention and a well-lived life still have room to grow. Zahoor Farooq is an English teacher, hailing from the town Khrew

Its a moment of deep introspection

As a Punjab watcher described the assembly poll-bound state as a low hanging fruit for the Congress which the party should strategize to grab the opportunity with both the hands, the mismatch between the thinking of the central and state leaderships, and the resultant crisis, have put a spanner in the Grand Old Partys (GOP) chance to stage a come back in the strategically located state. How to manufacture a crisis afresh and how to mishandle the situation? This seems to have, since sometime back, become the USP of the Congress. And the current turmoil in Punjab, closely followed by Jammu and Kashmir, unit is a glaring example of this. Well, severe factionalism in GOPs State and Union Territory units and repeated failure of the clueless AICC leadership to stem the rot, reflects in Punjab. It is a classic example of half a dozen chief ministerial hopefuls pulling in different directions but strategically joining hands to challenge the authority of the high command. Instead of effectively mediating, the central leadership seemed content offering peace-meal solutions and ultimately resorting to status quo. This has further aggravated the situation. In states and UTs where the Congress has been facing such crisis, the factionalism has been allowed to foment, with encouragement from the AICC quarters particularly the state/UT in-charges. The two classic examples are Punjab and adjoining J&K. The common denominator between the two is that PCC chief, Mr Amrinder Singh Warring (Punjab) and Mr Tariq Hamid Karra (J&K) being the hand-picked choices of Mr Rahul Gandhi. And there lies the problem and from where stems the argument of the central leaderships authority being under challenge. And, let Mr Gandhi take a decision, to remove such PCC chiefs, lest we end up antagonizing him. This is quite a fallacious argument furthered by some strategists sitting in AICC in the name of protecting their leader. The argument stands no ground when viewed in the light of performance, on ground, of the incumbent PCC chiefs. After all, Mr Gandhi must have appointed Mr Warring and Mr Karra to strengthen the organization on which they seem to have failed. While the former has been the PCC chief for three years and the latter nearly two years. No doubt there are other reasons behind factionalism. As reflected both in Punjab and J&K, the prime concern to Mr Gandhi should be the tendency of AICC representatives including general secretary (organization) and the in-charges to ignore multiple opinions in the PCC before taking a realistic decision. The standard response offered by them is to let the incumbents continue for some more time till Mr Gandhi takes a decision to remove them. Punjab and J&K have to be viewed from the prism of this horrific syndrome of perpetuating the crisis and hiding behind Mr Gandhis name by avoiding acquainting him with ground realities. This is reflected in the view of some senior Congress leaders that Delhi no longer sees the Punjab crisis purely through the prism of Mr Warrings performance. Instead, the larger concern is the authority of the high command itself. Both Mr Warring and Mr Karra have badly fumbled to achieve the very objective, to rebuild party organisations in their respective domains, which Mr Gandhi must have wanted them to do. The poll-bound Punjab has assumed a greater significance since Congress has been battered by repeated electoral defeats and prolonged infighting. And snow is the chance of redemption. What is the harm if Mr Gandhi, properly informed about the ground realities by the in-charges, and the committees sent to such states and UTs from time to time to quell the factional wars, reviewed his decision? Where is the ego hassle if an incumbent is removed on grounds of failure to deliver goods, may be due to wrong approach and style of functioning? No harm! It is in the fitness of things that to protect his nominee PCC chiefs, the set of AICC leaders do not sully his name. Although reports suggest about Mr Gandhis stubborn and inflexible nature, he is not the one who will sit on false ego and let the partys interests being harmed. The entire gamut of approach in dealing with states and UTs, particularly embroiled in crisis, needs to be drastically changed. Not always but most of the time the AICC appointed missions to such areas adopt conveniently tailor- made approach rather than basing their reports on the actual ground realities. As a result, with invocation of Mr Gandhis becoming a protective-gear, the visiting committees are seen sheltering the incumbents. Wherever such committees give their findings based on the ground realities, it hardly favours with the central leadership. In the case of Punjab, a three-member committee led by AICC treasurer and an old warhorse, Mr Ajay Maken, had submitted a report resting on their interaction with a sizable section of Punjab leaders including rebels. Reports suggest that the Maken-committee had clearly pointed out that an overwhelming majority opinion was in favour of replacing Mr Warring with former chief minister, Mr Charanjit Singh Channi. As the situation in Punjab stands, Mr Warring stands totally isolated and seems to be in no position to lead the divided house in 2027 assembly elections. How and why the central leadership, Mr Maken himself being among the top leaders in the party hierarchy, has ignored his panels recommendation, and at what level, it is still not known. Whether Mr Gandhi, who has just returned from a two-week sabbatical abroad, has seen the report or not? It is intriguing that the strong AICC coterie overlooked the Maken committees recommendation reflecting the majority view in Punjab Congress. No time was lost announcing retention of Mr Warring as the PCC chief, and appointing Mr Channi and other rebel leaders as heads of other sundry committees in preparation for elections in total rejection of the recommendations. The move has failed with the same speed with which an attempt was made to give a new lease of life to Mr Warring. The factional feud has reached a level of no return and the argument that the AICCs (read Mr Gandhi) authority will get eroded if Mr Warring is removed, holds no good. The authority will, in fact, get strengthened, if a decision is taken in line with the partys best interests with a focus on assembly elections. In cases such as Punjab and an equally strategic J&K, the central authority of the party should make a decisive mediation effort at the highest levels. Any delay will result in Congress losing ground to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab, and giving more strength to BJP in its stronghold of Jammu region, and National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party in Kashmir Valley. Since Punjab and J&K are sailing in the same boat the developments in former are bound to impact Congress in the neighbouring Jammu and Kashmir. This is more so because rebel leaders Mr Channi and former deputy chief minister, Mr Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, represent Lok Sabha constituencies adjoining Jammu region, had played an important role (though partisan) in the last assembly election in the UT.

Is AI facilitating cybercrime ?

Cybercrime has become a dominant peril and is continuously increasing despite strong measures enforced by authorities. The number of incidents have demonstrated a staggering 217% growth over past five years, moving from 10.29 lakh cases in 2022 to 28.15 lakh in 2025, with last years growth being 24.11%. Currently, these crimes translate to a financial loss of Rs 22,495 crores annually, most of which flows out of the country. The alarming growth rates, corresponding volumes and sophisticated approach of attackers is a matter of great concern. Regulatory agencies are doing their best by putting in an enforcement ecosystem through public awareness campaigns, cybercrime cells, dedicated online reporting portals and helplines. Despite all this, the mammoth problem needs to be tackled with a multi-pronged approach, one of which has to be individual precaution and prevention. The basic problem stems from the fact that digital literacy has failed to keep pace with digital access, especially with rampant usage of smartphones and social media. Unbridled availability of individual data makes it easy for scamsters and criminals to target their victims, who could be vulnerable due to data exposure, low digital literacy, temptation to easy gains and psychological manipulation. Scamsters exploit loopholes in the system to gain access to victims personal data which is the main weapon for digital scams. A major contributing factor for such criminal acts is hyper-personalisation. As a marketing strategy, Businesses try to capture an individuals data to curate personalised offerings for every potential customer. Enterprise databases are the prime target of hackers, who sell the harvested data to scamsters. We do hear about major data leaks where large-scale data breaches at enterprise level expose personal information. While such instances are beyond individual control, we need to be sensitive and take self-precautions at our own level. As an individual, we share our data while availing any service, be it banking, utilities, shopping, travel or insurance. While such services may necessitate partaking of user data, we need to be conscious to share only the bare minimum requisites. It is common knowledge that data circulates amongst banks, credit companies, telecom and marketing companies. While the organisations themselves may be taking adequate caution to safeguard our data, leaks occur at times through their third-party associate agencies or some unscrupulous employees. Criminals use such data for demographic profiling and zero down to potential targets based on age group, literacy, financial net worth, social activities, interests/ hobbies, professional standing, community affiliations etc. The biggest contributing factor for data leakage is social media. Most of the folks are either not aware or dont care about the security settings of social media profiles, leaving their data, social engagements, life events, movements, pictures etc. open to public access. People need to understand that every social media account has security settings where you can control as to who can view your activities. Proper settings and controls would definitely reduce ones vulnerability to data theft. Moreover, all our activities create a digital footprint, which can be harnessed by hackers to pull out information that is subsequently used for fraudulent purposes. Every click on social media, every upload, every comment leaves your digital footprint. Even your devices act as trackers, collecting data regarding your movements. Besides other information, your Google account captures location data. Access to ones google account can lay bare heaps of personal data, which can be grossly misused by scammers. The issue is further compounded by advent of Artificial Intelligence, which currently is perceived to be the main driving force for digital crimes. Scammers are resorting to extensive usage of AI tools for creating documents/ media clips/ deepfakes/ voice clones which serve the purpose of props for their scams, launching attacks at a much higher scale. AI applications enable hyper-personalised phishing, voice-cloning and deepfakes. Attackers use social media, job portals, video calls to collect facial data which is assimilated to create synthetic identities. Since AI generated communication emulates actuals to a great extent, it becomes difficult to trust any communication per se and hence every artefact becomes a suspect. Generative AI has abetted in covering up traditional warning signs of a fraud and has further lowered the entry barrier for cybercrime. You dont require technical skills any more for writing malware. The latest trend is the availability of ransomware-as-a-service. These paid services, available over dark web and collaboration platforms let criminals run sophisticated attacks in absence of any technical skillset. Deepfake packages customised to specific needs are available easily, so are AI generated images of police stations/ uniformed setups used for digital arrests. AI tools have been instrumental in bypassing facial authentication and account recovery. Today, AI algorithms are even used for guessing passwords by employing heat signatures of fingertips on keypads. We have Large Language models capable of creating personalised communications, voice cloning applications to replicate a persons voice from a miniscule portion of an audio and deepfake video generators to emulate a video call. Such applications are effortlessly accessible for quite nominal charges. Deepfakes are being rampantly used for identity fraud and real-time impersonation, defeating the biometric and facial identification checks. AI has been instrumental in breaking the barriers of skill, time and cost to run widespread fraud campaigns. While the threat keeps growing, we can mitigate the risk and safeguard ourselves by taking a few necessary precautions : Ensure to use multi-factor authentication for every application, in addition to voice/face recognition. Avoid sharing excessive personal details on social media and restrict privacy settings on online accounts. Verify unexpected calls, emails, or messages, even if they appear to come from a friend, colleague, or family member. Be cautious of urgent requests for money, OTPs, passwords, or personal information. Dont trust video or voice messages alone for financial or sensitive decisions, verify identity through a phone call, alternate contact number, or face-to-face confirmation. Confirm sensitive requests through a separate communication channel. Decide and retain a specific codeword with close family members for verification in case of an emergency voice or video call. In case you fall a prey to any fraud or scam. report the incident immediately to cybercrime cell to initiate action. Confirm, Confirm, Confirm - the identity and authenticity of any request through digital medium before you Act. The author is a technocrat with expertise in Data Analytics, Cyber Law and Digital Forensics. He is currently acting as consulting advisor/ mentor to several startups.

J&Ks Statehood Question

Politics is shaped as much by patience as by power. Governments change, alliances shift, and narratives evolve, but questions involving history, identity, and constitutional arrangements are rarely settled by a single moment. For Jammu and Kashmir, the debate after August 5, 2019, has largely revolved around two interconnected issues, the restoration of statehood and the larger constitutional questions surrounding Articles 370 and 35A. These debates are often presented as competing objectives. They need not be. Statehood should not be viewed as an alternative to broader constitutional aspirations. Rather, it is the foundation upon which any future political engagement can take place with New Delhi. In a federal democracy, the voice of an elected state government carries a different constitutional weight from that of a Union Territory administration. Restoring statehood would allow Jammu and Kashmirs elected leadership to engage with New Delhi from a position of greater institutional legitimacy and equality. The events of August 5, 2019, fundamentally altered Jammu and Kashmirs constitutional and political landscape. The abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A and the reorganisation of the erstwhile state into a Union Territory changed not only the administrative structure but also the relationship between the Centre and our elected representatives. The Supreme Courts judgment upheld the constitutional validity of these changes while observing that statehood should be restored at the earliest opportunity. The Union Government has consistently maintained that its roadmap is clear, elections first, followed by the restoration of statehood. This position has been reiterated both before the Supreme Court and in Parliament, giving the promise greater institutional significance. The Bharatiya Janata Party has sought to draw a distinction between these two debates. While maintaining that it supports the restoration of statehood, it has challenged the National Conference to explain its position on Article 370, arguing that this remains the core of the NCs political commitment. The Peoples Democratic Party has similarly questioned whether the NCs growing emphasis on statehood represents a shift from its earlier constitutional position. These competing positions are unlikely to disappear anytime soon. However, the larger question before Jammu and Kashmir is not whether one demand should cancel out the other. The more important question is whether restoring statehood can create the democratic and institutional space necessary for future political discussions. The debate surrounding Article 370 is destined to remain long, politically charged and legally complex. It will continue to unfold through legal forums, Parliament and democratic politics. Statehood will not end it. Nor will it resolve every disagreement between Srinagar and New Delhi. But it would restore an institutional balance that is essential for meaningful federal engagement. This is why statehood should transcend party politics. Whether one supports the National Conference, the BJP, the Peoples Democratic Party, or any other political formation, restoring statehood is ultimately about strengthening democratic representation. It is not a victory for one party or a concession to another, it is about restoring an institutional framework that belongs to the people. The case for statehood extends beyond governance and development. It is about restoring the constitutional and institutional standing necessary for Jammu and Kashmirs elected leadership to represent our interests effectively in its engagement with New Delhi. Bureaucracies can administer development, only a constitutionally empowered elected government can negotiate Jammu and Kashmirs political interests with New Delhi. Constitutional demands of this magnitude require sustained political consensus rather than partisan contestation. They call for a meeting of minds across the aisle. Political fragmentation only dilutes the strength and credibility of the demand and risks reducing a shared constitutional cause to a partisan contest. Chief Minister Omar Abdullahs recent appeal for a collective approach to statehood raises an important question: can political differences be set aside when the issue concerns the larger democratic interests of Jammu and Kashmir? The strength of the demand will not lie in who leads it, but in the breadth of the consensus behind it. Statehood is not the end of Jammu and Kashmirs struggle for seeking constitutional safeguards. It is a necessary step that can provide the democratic foundation upon which that journey continues. Author is an Advocate and Columnist on Public Policy and Governance.

Ten years from now, will Srinagar remain livable?

All of us know that a city is not made livable by roads, malls or tall buildings. Rather it becomes livable when air is clean; water is safe; old trees still offer shade; birds are heard at dawn; children can walk without fear of stray dogs; and daily travel does not become an exhausting struggle. That is what real progress looks like. Srinagar has always been a city blessed by nature. Every season changes the city into a different painting. Perhaps few places in the world are as naturally beautiful as Srinagar. Yet beauty alone cannot guarantee a livable future. The question is simple: Will Srinagar remain livable ten years from now? The answer depends not on what the government will do. It largely depends on how every one of us behaves. Srinagar is growing rapidly. Its getting choked. New colonies are appearing every year. More vehicles are occupying the roads. Open spaces are disappearing without notice. Wetlands are shrinking. Concrete is replacing green. Streams are turning into dumping sites. The skyline is changing faster than the ecosystem can adapt. Traffic in Srinagar has become a daily burden. A journey that once took 15 minutes now often takes 45, wasting fuel, increasing pollution, adding stress, and taking away precious time from work and family. Clean air is also slowly fading under the pressure of traffic, construction and waste burning. Pollution here didnt arrive overnight. It was build up silently untill people treated it as normal. As far as our water resources, they face an even bigger threat. Lakes, rivers and springs are not endless. They need protection, not praise. Dal Lake cannot remain our pride if its waters continue to shrink, suffer pollution and face encroachment. Nature does not survive on compliments. It survives on care. Green spaces matter too. Parks are not empty land waiting for construction or encroachment. They are airy places where children can play, older people walk, and minds recover from the pressures of daily life. All this related to climate change is no longer a distant discussion. Summers are becoming warmer. Rainfall patterns are changing. The weather is becoming less predictable. Floods, heat and water scarcity are no longer impossible scenarios. No gain saying that cities ignoring environmental resilience eventually pay a much higher price. But livability is about more than the environment. It is also about people. Can elderly and children walk safely on the pavement? Can a person using a wheelchair enter public buildings with dignity? Can children cycle without harm and fear of stray dogs? Can neighbours still recognise one another? These questions rarely appear in development reports. Yet they define the quality of life more than huge buildings ever can. A livable city is one where kindness is visible; where people dont live in posh silos; where people respect public spaces because they belong to everyone; where litter is not someone elses problem; where traffic rules are followed even when nobody is watching; and where citizens plant trees whose shade they may never sit under. The future of Srinagar will not be decided only by large infrastructure projects. It will also get shaped by thousands of small daily choices. Using less plastic. Saving water. Protecting wetlands. Keeping neighbourhoods clean. Respecting public property. Teaching children to value nature. These actions appear small, but we need to remember that cities are built on habits. Ten years is not a long time. Children entering school today will become young adults. Trees planted today will begin offering shade. Decisions taken today will determine whether future generations inherit a healthier city or spend their lives repairing the damage we leave behind. Srinagar does not need to become the biggest city. It needs to become one of the best places to live. That requires vision. It requires planning. It requires responsible citizens. Above all, it requires remembering that progress is not measured only by what we build, but also by what we choose to protect. The real question is not whether Srinagar will be livable ten years from now. The actual question is whether we are willing to make the choices today that will keep it that way.

Baby steps towards Kabul

The week-long visit of Afghanistans Acting Minister for Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Mawlawi Ataullah Omari, to New Delhi last week may not have attracted much attention, but it marks another important step in the gradual strengthening of India-Afghanistan ties under Taliban rule. During his visit, Omari held talks with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on expanding cooperation in agriculture, irrigation, agricultural research, livestock, seed technology and trade. The discussions were part of Indias steady and practical engagement with Afghanistan over the past two years. After the Taliban took control of Kabul in August 2021, India had shut its embassy and evacuated its diplomats. However, over the past few years, India has gradually stepped up its engagement with Afghanistan. High-level contacts have resumed, Taliban delegations are regularly visiting New Delhi, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has held telephone conversations with Afghanistans Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. India reopened its mission in Kabul by setting up a technical mission in 2022, which was upgraded to a full-fledged embassy in 2025 after visit of the Afghanistans acting foreign minister to New Delhi in October 2025. Since then, direct flights have increased, trade has picked up, and people-to-people contacts have resumed. New Delhi works with a caveat. It works with a caution that engagement does not mean recognition. While India is expanding cooperation with the Taliban administration on matters of mutual interest and people-to-people interest, it has not formally recognised the Taliban government. This reflects Indias pragmatic yet cautious approach towards Afghanistan. For India, Afghanistan has never been just another neighbouring country. The two share civilisational links stretching back centuries, from the Gandhara civilisation to the Silk Route. India emerged as one of Afghanistans largest development partners after 2001, investing over three billion dollars in roads, dams, power projects, hospitals, schools and the iconic Parliament building in Kabul. Thousands of Afghan students studied in Indian universities, while Afghan traders became familiar figures in Indian markets. Those foundations have not disappeared simply because the Taliban returned to power. The latest agricultural discussions demonstrate how New Delhi is choosing sectors that directly benefit ordinary Afghans while avoiding any appearance of political endorsement of the Taliban government. India has offered cooperation in improving wheat productivity through better seed systems, climate-resilient crop varieties, irrigation technologies, watershed management and agricultural research. The proposed Joint Working Group on agriculture reflects a desire to institutionalise cooperation in areas that directly address Afghanistans chronic food insecurity. Nearly 80 percent of Afghans depend directly or indirectly on farming, yet years of war, drought, economic collapse and climate change have devastated agricultural output. Indias expertise in irrigation, high-yield seeds and agricultural research can make a tangible difference without becoming politically contentious. The same approach is visible in Indias humanitarian assistance. Since 2021, New Delhi has supplied wheat, medicines, vaccines, earthquake relief and other humanitarian aid directly to the Afghan people. The emphasis has consistently been on helping ordinary Afghans rather than legitimising the Taliban administration. Trade is also slowly recovering. Afghanistan continues to export dry fruits, raisins, saffron, asafoetida and medicinal herbs to India, while Indian medicines, tea, textiles and engineering goods remain popular in Afghan markets. Business contacts have resumed, and both sides are exploring ways to boost trade and agricultural cooperation. Even though road connectivity between India and Afghanistan continues to face hurdles because of Pakistan, air links between New Delhi and Kabul have massively improved. Cargo and passenger flights have gradually resumed. The reopening of Indias mission in Kabul and the resumption of consular services have further facilitated travel and commercial engagement. For thousands of Afghans with educational, medical and family links to India, these developments have been particularly significant. India continues its engagement not only out of humanitarian concern but also, perhaps, out of strategic calculations. Afghanistan occupies a pivotal location connecting South Asia with Central Asia. Stability in Afghanistan directly affects regional security, counter-terrorism efforts and connectivity projects such as the Chabahar corridor linking India to Central Asia while bypassing Pakistan. India also recognises that disengagement would simply create greater space for rivals. China has rapidly expanded its engagement with the Taliban government through infrastructure projects, mining agreements and diplomatic contacts. Russia, Iran, the Central Asian republics and several Gulf countries have also maintained regular interactions with Kabul. Even Western governments that criticise the Taliban continue to maintain working-level contacts to address humanitarian issues, migration and counter-terrorism. Complete isolation of Afghanistan has therefore become neither practical nor productive. Yet despite increasing engagement, India has deliberately stopped short of formally recognising the Taliban government. No major country has officially recognised the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, although several have upgraded diplomatic contacts and accepted Taliban-appointed diplomats. Recognition carries legal and political consequences. It signals acceptance of a governments legitimacy under international law. For India, several serious concerns remain unresolved. Foremost among them is the Talibans continued denial of basic rights to Afghan women and girls. Girls remain barred from secondary schools and universities. Women face sweeping restrictions on employment, freedom of movement and public participation. These policies have drawn sustained criticism from the United Nations, human rights organisations and much of the international community. The United Nations has repeatedly warned that Afghanistan has become the only country in the world where girls are systematically denied education beyond primary school. UN officials have described restrictions on women as one of the most severe institutional assaults on gender equality anywhere in the world. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and other branches of the United Nations working with children and women have consistently reported ongoing concerns over restrictions on civil liberties, media freedom, political participation and judicial independence. Humanitarian agencies estimate that more than half of Afghanistans population requires humanitarian assistance, while widespread poverty natural disasters and unemployment continue to worsen. For India, a democracy that consistently advocates inclusive governance, these issues cannot simply be overlooked. New Delhi has repeatedly emphasised the need for an inclusive political system representing all sections of Afghan society, respect for womens rights and assurances that Afghan territory will never again be used for terrorism against other countries. These remain the benchmarks against which Indias policy continues to evolve. Another major change in the region has been the worsening ties between Pakistan and the Taliban government. Pakistan had expected the Talibans return to power to strengthen its influence in Afghanistan, but relations have instead deteriorated. Islamabad accuses Kabul of allowing the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to operate from Afghan soil, a charge the Taliban denies. The tensions have led to cross-border clashes, including Pakistani air strikes inside Afghanistan and frequent firing along the Durand Line. Adding to tensions has been Pakistans decision to expel hundreds of thousands of undocumented Afghan refugees and migrants. Families who lived in Pakistan for decades have been forced to return to an Afghanistan already struggling with economic collapse, food shortages and limited employment opportunities. The mass deportations have created one of the regions largest humanitarian challenges. International organisations have warned that Afghanistan lacks the capacity to absorb such large numbers of returnees. Many families arrive with few possessions, uncertain livelihoods and no access to adequate housing. Ironically, the Taliban government now finds itself confronting pressure from the very country that once served as its principal sanctuary. The political analyst says that this changing regional scenario gives both opportunities and challenges for India. While the growing tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban have reduced Islamabads influence in Afghanistan. Surinder Singh Oberoi, National Editor Greater Kashmir

SCERT strengthens mathematics education through capacity building programme on experiential learning

Srinagar, Jul 18: Reinforcing its commitment to competency-based and learner-centric education, the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), J&K, Divisional Office Kashmir, on Saturday concluded a three-day Capacity Building Programme (CBP) on Experiential Learning in Mathematics. A statement of SCERT issued here said that the programme was organised by the Department of Education in Science and Mathematics, SCERT Divisional Office Kashmir, under the leadership of Syed Shabir Ahmad, Joint Director, SCERT, Divisional Office Kashmir. The programme was designed in the cascading mode of professional development, wherein Master Resource Persons (MRPs) from various District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) and Schools of Kashmir Division were trained to further conduct similar capacity-building programmes for Mathematics teachers in their respective districts. This multiplier approach is expected to ensure wider dissemination of innovative pedagogical practices and strengthen classroom teaching across the Union Territory in line with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework (NCF). Speaking on the occasion, Joint Director, SCERT Divisional Office Kashmir, appreciated the efforts of the Department of Education in Science and Mathematics for organizing the programme and reaffirmed SCERT's commitment to continuous professional development of teachers. He expressed confidence that the cascading approach would significantly enhance the reach and impact of experiential pedagogy, ultimately contributing to improved learning outcomes in Mathematics across schools of Jammu & Kashmir. The training programme was coordinated by Gulzar Ahmad Dar, Senior Academic Officer, SCERT J&K, who emphasised that experiential learning is central to developing conceptual understanding, critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving abilities among learners. He highlighted that the cascading model adopted by SCERT would enable the knowledge, skills and innovative teaching practices acquired during the programme to reach thousands of Mathematics teachers through district-level training initiatives. The first technical session focused on Experiential Learning in Mathematics, introducing participants to the principles of activity-based, inquiry-driven and competency-oriented teaching. The session highlighted practical classroom strategies for connecting mathematical concepts with real-life situations, thereby making learning engaging, meaningful and learner-centred. The second session was conducted by Khalid, lecturer in mathematics, who demonstrated the pedagogical applications of Origami in Mathematics. Through interactive paper-folding activities, participants explored innovative approaches to teaching geometry, symmetry, fractions, measurement and spatial reasoning using simple, low-cost teaching-learning materials. On the second day, Sheikh Bashir conducted an intensive hands-on session, providing participants with practical exposure to experiential classroom strategies. Through collaborative activities and classroom simulations, the participants learned to design engaging mathematics lessons that promote exploration, logical reasoning and conceptual understanding. Abdul Rashid Malla, demonstrated a wide range of innovative Mathematics activities and low-cost teaching-learning materials. Participants actively developed and practiced classroom-ready activities that can be effectively replicated in schools to foster joyful and meaningful learning experiences.

CS assesses Data Management Strategy for J&K

Srinagar, Jul 18: In a significant step towards advancing digital governance and ensuring hassle-free delivery of public services, Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, on Saturday chaired a high-level meeting to review the proposed 'Data Management Strategy and Action Plan' aimed at creating a secure, interoperable and citizen-centric data ecosystem across government departments in Jammu and Kashmir. The proposed initiative seeks to establish an integrated framework for secure sharing and harmonization of government data, enabling departments to access authenticated information through authorized digital platforms instead of repeatedly seeking the same documents from citizens. The initiative is expected to substantially improve inter-departmental coordination, eliminate duplication of records, enhance transparency and ensure faster, more efficient delivery of welfare benefits and public services. The meeting was attended by the concerned Administrative Secretaries including Commissioner Secretary, PD&MD; MD, J&K Bank; DG, E&S; SIO, NIC; Director, Planning and HoDs from other concerned Departments. Reviewing the proposed framework, the Chief Secretary underscored that effective governance in the digital era rests on the availability of authentic, standardized and secure data. He observed that while government departments generate large volumes of valuable data, its true potential can only be realised when such information is managed under a common governance framework and shared securely across departments for improving public service delivery. The Chief Secretary further stressed that the Government's endeavour is to ensure that citizens are not required to submit the same information repeatedly for availing benefits under different schemes. He reiterated that the objective is to build an integrated digital governance ecosystem where authenticated data, once available with the Government, can be securely utilised by authorized departments for delivery of eligible services, while fully safeguarding privacy, confidentiality and data security, he added. The Chief Secretary directed all Administrative Departments to extend full cooperation in implementation of the strategy and ensure standardization of departmental datasets in accordance with the prescribed data governance framework. Atal Dulloo also called for adoption of uniform metadata standards, robust quality assurance mechanisms and secure interoperability protocols to facilitate seamless exchange of information across departments. During the meeting, a detailed presentation was made by the Planning Department on the five strategic pillars of the proposed Data Management Strategy comprising Data Governance and Standards, Base Registries and Unique Identifiers, Interoperability and Harmonization, Data Security and Privacy and Institutional Capacity and Coordination. The strategy aims to establish a Single Source of Truth by preserving original departmental datasets while enabling secure, API-based exchange of information among authorized users, thereby supporting evidence-based governance, efficient planning and better monitoring of developmental programmes.

India, Pakistan exchange gunfire on LoC

Rajouri, July 18: Fresh tension has erupted along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Rajouri-Poonch sector of the Pir Panjal region following multiple incidents of cross-border firing over the past three days, with Indian and Pakistani troops exchanging gunfire at several forward locations. According to official sources, the first incident of firing was reported late Thursday evening in the forest area of Tarkundi, located along the Rajouri-Poonch boundary. The exchange remained brief but marked the beginning of renewed tension along the LoC. Troops from both sides exchanged heavy gunfire, including the use of small arms and machine guns, with the firing continuing for more than two-and-a-half hours into the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, sources said. For the third consecutive day, another exchange of fire was reported on Saturday afternoon when troops stationed at forward posts from both sides again opened fire on each other's positions. The intermittent firing continued for a considerable period, further heightening tension in the border region, said sources. The repeated incidents of cross-border firing have created an atmosphere of anxiety among residents of villages located close to the LoC. Many people expressed concern over the prevailing situation and feared further escalation if the exchanges continue in the coming days.

LG congratulates Skyroot Aerospace

Srinagar, Jul 18:Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday congratulated Skyroot Aerospace on the successful maiden orbital launch of Vikram-1, describing it as a historic achievement and a proud moment for the nation. In a post on X, the LG said the milestone reflected Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of strengthening India's space sector through innovation and private enterprise. He applauded the Skyroot Aerospace team for its pioneering spirit and dedication, expressing hope that the success would inspire the country's youth to embrace science and innovation and contribute to India's journey towards becoming a global leader in space exploration.

Amit Shah calls launch of Vikram-1 a firm step towards accessible space

New Delhi, Jul 18:Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday congratulated Skyroot for the successful launch of the country's first private launch vehicle Vikram-1, calling it a firm step towards realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of making space more accessible. India's space ambition reaches a new horizon. Heartiest congratulations to @SkyrootA Aerospace on the successful launch of Vikram-1, India's first privately developed launch vehicle, Shah said in a post on X. A firm step towards realising Modi's vision of making space more accessible, this innovation will further strengthen India's space sector, elevating its stature as a global leader, he said. Vikram-1, India's first privately developed four-stage, seven-storey-tall orbital rocket, launched at 12.05 pm on Saturday, successfully placed multiple technology demonstration payloads and postcards, including from Prime Minister Modi, into a low Earth orbit. Dubbed 'Mission Aagaman' (meaning arrival), it marks the entry of India's private space sector into the orbital launch market, spearheaded by Skyroot Aerospace. Launched from Sriharikota, the mission was a grand success, the company said.

Indias first private orbital rocket Vikram-1 lifts off successfully

New Delhi, Jul 18:India's first privately developed orbital-class launch vehicle, Vikram-1, lifted off successfully from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on Saturday, marking a major milestone for the country's fast-growing commercial space sector.Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday congratulated the Skyroot Aerospace team on the successful launch of Vikram-1, describing it as a defining moment in India's space journey and highlighting the growing role of the private sector in advancing the country's space ambitions. After the successful liftoff, PM Modi spoke to the Skyroot team and lauded the achievement, saying the increasing participation of private companies was opening new frontiers and accelerating innovation. This is a defining moment in India's space journey. The growing participation of our private sector is opening new frontiers and accelerating innovation, the Prime Minister said in a post on X. He said the successful mission would inspire the next generation of innovators. This achievement will encourage countless youngsters to dream bigger and innovate fearlessly, PM Modi said.Developed by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace, the launch, named Mission Aagaman, is the maiden orbital flight of an Indian private rocket and is expected to demonstrate the country's indigenous private launch capability.The seven-storey, four-stage rocket blasted off from the First Launch Pad at 12.05 pm, about 35 minutes behind its scheduled launch time after a planned hold to address an apparent navigation issue, PTI reported. Named after space pioneer Vikram Sarabhai, the rocket is designed to place payloads of up to 350 kg into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). During its maiden mission, Vikram-1 is expected to deploy multiple technology demonstration payloads into a 450-km orbit with a 60-degree inclination after a flight of nearly 16 minutes, according to PTI.The launch vehicle features an all-carbon composite structure and is powered by propulsion systems developed by Skyroot, including 3D-printed engines and high-thrust solid rocket boosters.The mission is carrying technology demonstration payloads from Grahaa Space, Cosmoserve, Germany-based DCUBED and Skyroot's own SCOPE satellite, besides an artwork titled Cosmic Bloom. It is also carrying a postcard bearing a message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, PTI reported. The launch comes amid rapid expansion of India's private space ecosystem following a series of government reforms. The Indian Space Policy 2023 opened satellite manufacturing, launch services and related space activities to private companies, ending ISRO's monopoly in several segments.According to official figures, India's space startup ecosystem has grown from a single startup in 2014 to more than 400 in 2026. The country's space economy, currently estimated at around USD 8.4 billion, is projected to reach USD 40-45 billion by 2030, with a long-term goal of touching USD 100 billion by 2040. The government has also established the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) as the single-window regulator for private space activities and introduced funding schemes, including a `1,000-crore venture capital fund and a `500-crore technology adoption fund, to support the emerging ecosystem. Officials say the successful launch of Vikram-1 represents another significant step in India's efforts to build a globally competitive commercial space industry, with private companies expected to play an increasingly important role in launch services, satellite technologies and space-based applications.

Srinagar hotter than Jammu at 35.9C Witnesses highest temperature of season

Srinagar, Jul 18:Srinagar recorded the highest temperature of the season so far on Saturday at 35.9 degrees Celsius, remaining hotter than Jammu, even as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of possible flash floods, landslides, mudslides and shooting stones during a fresh wet spell expected across Jammu and Kashmir from July 19. Srinagars maximum temperature was 5.8 degrees above normal and surpassed the previous high of 35.3 degrees Celsius recorded on June 29. Jammu recorded 35 degrees Celsius on Saturday.The city had recorded 35 degrees Celsius on Friday, while the maximum temperature touched 34.5 degrees Celsius on July 10. The rise followed a cool spell after rains from July 11 to July 13, when Srinagars maximum temperature dropped to 22.7 degrees Celsius.The mercury climbed steadily over the past five days, rising from 30 degrees Celsius on Tuesday to 32 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, 34.2 degrees Celsius on Thursday, 35 degrees Celsius on Friday, and 35.9 degrees Celsius on Saturday. Last year, Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 37.2 degrees Celsius on July 6, while the mercury touched 36.2 degrees Celsius on July 29.Across Kashmir, Kupwara recorded 35.6 degrees Celsius, followed by Baramulla at 34.5 degrees Celsius, Shopian 34.4 degrees Celsius, Kokernag 33.1 degrees Celsius, Qazigund 32.5 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam 28.9 degrees Celsius, and Gulmarg 25.6 degrees Celsius.In Jammu division, Jammu recorded 35 degrees Celsius, Katra 31 degrees Celsius, Banihal 30.2 degrees Celsius, Bhaderwah 31.4 degrees Celsius, and Batote 27.5 degrees Celsius. The IMD advisory issued on Saturday said the fresh weather system could trigger heavy rainfall, cloudburst-like events and a sharp rise in water levels of rivers, streams and local nallahs.The department forecast widespread moderate rain and thundershowers across Jammu and Kashmir from July 19 to 23, with isolated heavy rainfall likely in Kashmir from July 21 to 23.Jammu division is expected to receive scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall between July 20 and 23, with isolated extremely heavy showers possible over Reasi and Udhampur districts.The weather activity is expected due to moisture incursion from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, along with the northward shift of the monsoon trough towards Jammu, the advisory said.The IMD has identified the Pir Panjal range, Chenab Valley, higher reaches of Kashmir and other mountainous areas as vulnerable. It listed Anantnag, Pahalgam, Kulgam, Shopian, Pir Ki Gali, Gulmarg, Sonamarg-Zojila axis, Bandipora-Razdan Pass, and Kupwara-Sadhna Pass among areas requiring caution. The advisory warned of possible disruption on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway and key mountain routes including the Sonamarg-Zojila axis-Leh route, Bandipora-Razdan Pass, Kupwara-Sadhna Pass, Shopian-Pir Ki Gali, Kokernag-Sinthan Top-Kishtwar road, and Kokernag-Margan Top-Warwan road - due to landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones.People in higher reaches are advised to avoid venturing into sloppy and landslide-prone areas, the advisory said.Director of the Meteorological Department, Mukhtar Ahmad, said the heat spell would ease from July 19 with the arrival of fresh weather activity.Hot and humid conditions prevailed for the past five days till today. Temperatures are expected to dip gradually from July 19 due to western disturbances coupled with the approaching monsoon, he said. Ahmad said light to moderate rain and thundershowers were likely at many places on July 19, with brief intense showers possible at isolated places, mainly in Jammu division.Rainfall activity is expected to increase between July 20 and 23, with peak activity on July 21 and 22. Heavy rain and brief intense showers may occur in a few districts of both divisions, he said.The MeT Department has also cautioned about rising water levels in rivers and streams, waterlogging and minor flooding in low-lying areas, particularly in Jammu division.Farmers have been advised to avoid fertiliser application and chemical spraying during the wet spell, while tourists, trekkers, transporters, and commuters have been asked to follow weather updates before planning travel.

Amarnath Yatra temporarily suspended due to inclement weather

Srinagar: In view of inclement weather forecast issued by India Meteorological Department (IMD), Shri Amarnathji Yatra shall remain temporarily suspended from both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes with effect from 19.07.2026 as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of the pilgrims, the government said on Saturday. In view of the forecast of []

US Military Says 2 Troops Dead, 1 Missing After Iranian Attacks on Base in Jordan

statement says they were killed Friday as the US and partner forces defended against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks

Never mind Bastille, India storms Paris Haute Couture Week

Indian fashion has staged a strong return to Paris Haute Couture Week, reviving a long-fading ambition to secure a lasting global presence. Designers like Rahul Mishra, Manish Malhotra, Gaurav Gupta and Vaishali S showcased distinct, high-concept collections, signalling not just individual success but the rise of a broader Indian couture ecosystem.

The Wimbledon Royal Box and the colonial question: Should Indians accept the invitation?

The allure of Wimbledon's Royal Box comes with a colonial dilemma for Indians. As descendants of British rule, should an invitation be accepted, or does history warrant a respectful refusal?

Perfectly prepared for despair: Tactical pessimists guide to not getting crushed by outrageous fortune

The author shares a humorous strategy for coping with potential sports team defeats. This tactical pessimism involves lowering expectations and celebrating minor setbacks. Emotional investments are diversified to mitigate disappointment from a single outcome. Pre-emptive mourning prepares the mind for inevitable future sorrows. This approach disguises hope, offering a unique path to resilience.

100 Days of Nasha Mukt Abhiyan in J&K | Doctor's Mic

Govt extends summer vacation for Kashmir schools till July 22

Srinagar, July 18: The Government on Saturday extended summer vacation for all schools of Kashmir division and winter zones of Jammu division till July 22, 2026 (Wednesday) in view of prevailing heat weather conditions and inclement weather advisory. Minister for School & Higher Education, Sakina Itoo in a post on X said: In view of the prevailing weather conditions, it has been decided to extend the summer vacation for all Government and recognized private schools in the Kashmir Division and the winter zones of Jammu Division up to 22nd July (Wednesday).

Speaker Birla approves merger of rebel SS(UBT) with Shinde-led Shiv Sena; rebel TMC MPs to sit separately

New Delhi, July 18: Ahead of the Monsoon session, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday approved the merger of six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs with the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and allowed separate seating for the 20 rebel TMC lawmakers, who have joined a little-known party, NCPI. Official sources said that with the merger of the six MPs, the strength of the Shiv Sena has gone up to 13. The TMC rebel groups of 20 MPs will seat separately, away from the parent party, the sources said. No final decision has been taken on the demand of the rebel TMC MPs to be recognised as part of the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), and the matter is still under consideration, they said. The TMC and Shiv Sena (UBT) had demanded the disqualification of the rebel MPs. The rebel TMC MPs are also likely to attend Sunday's all-party meeting. The Lok Sabha Speaker had earlier met a TMC delegation headed by its leader Abhishek Banerjee as well as the party's breakaway group. A similar exercise was also carried out with regard to the Shiv Sena (UBT). Consultations with legal and constitutional experts of Parliament were carried out and they provided their inputs to the Speaker to help him take the final decisions, sources said. The decisions came two days ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament, which will begin on July 20 Past precedents, decisions taken by the former speakers of Lok Sabha and chairmen of Rajya Sabha in similar situations were also examined before taking the informed and legally sound decisions, the sources said, adding Constitutional and legal aspects were looked into. Besides the rebel groups of the TMC and Shiv Sena (UBT), the DMK also sought a separate seating arrangement, away from the Congress, after the principal opposition party broke its decades-old alliance with the Tamil Nadu party and joined hands with the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's party TVK. This demand is also likely to be accepted by the Speaker. Altogether, 29 MPs got elected to the Lok Sabha on TMC tickets in the 2024 general election. As many as 20 MPs broke away from the party and joined NCPI, a registered unrecognised political party headquartered in Howrah, West Bengal, and sought separate seating arrangement. The rebel group also expressed their allegiance to the Narendra Modi government and their desire to join the ruling NDA. One TMC MP passed away some time ago and the seat remains vacant. In case of Shiv Sena (UBT), a total of nine MPs got elected on party tickets, of which six have joined the rival Shiv Sena, headed by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Both the TMC and Shiv Sena (UBT) argued before the Speaker that their rebel MPs should be disqualified as the defections fall under the anti-defection law. The two parties argued that the anti-defection law may not be applicable only if two-thirds of the entire party walk away from its fold. TMC general secretary and its Lok Sabha leader Abhishek Banerjee demanded before Birla that the rebels should be disqualified. He also said the claims of the rebels that they 'merged' with the NCPI were not valid, and as per the law, two-thirds of the entire party must merge with another party, not just individual legislators. Banerjee had also submitted before the Speaker 20 separate petitions against the 20 rebels seeking their disqualification. Shiv Sena (UBT) had also met Birla and urged him to share the demands submitted to him by the six rebel MPs of the party who have now joined the Eknath Shinde-led party. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Anil Desai had said that they conveyed to the Speaker that the Tenth Schedule is clear: Any group of a legislature party cannot merge into some other party on its own, even if they have a two-thirds majority. On July 14, Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, leaders of the rebel TMC, met the Speaker and discussed with him seating arrangements for the party's 20 MPs in the Lower House. They also discussed the allotment of a party office in the new Parliament building, the sources said.

Amarnath Yatra to remain suspended from tomorrow in view of bad weather forecast

Srinagar, July 18: In view of inclement weather forecast issued by India Meteorological Department (IMD), Shri AmarnathjiYatra shall remain temporarily suspended fromboth the Pahalgam and Baltal routeswith effect from 19.07.2026 as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of the pilgrims. In view of the forecast of inclement weather over the next few days and considering the safety and well-being of the pilgrims, Shri Amarnathji Yatra shall remain temporarily suspended from both Pahalgam and Baltal routes with effect from 19.07.2026. Accordingly, no onward movement of pilgrimswill be permitted from the Baltal and Nunwan/ Chandanwari base camp from 19.07.2026. Updates regarding the resumption of Yatra shall be issued in due course of timeafter ensuring route safety and comprehensive assessment of the weather conditions, the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg said. So far, over 3.7 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the Holy Cave Shrine during the ongoing Shri Amarnathji Yatra.

US, Iran trade strikes over Strait of Hormuz; Kuwait suffers infrastructure damage

Dubai, Jul 18: The United States and Iran exchanged strikes aimed at infrastructure and military targets on Saturday as their battle over the Strait of Hormuz intensified. The region has endured days of back-and-forth attacks in a conflict increasingly focused on control of the strait, an essential waterway that used to carry a fifth of the world's crude oil. The collapse of an interim ceasefire leaves no clear end in sight for the war that the US and Israel began more than four months ago. The US Central Command said early Saturday that its seventh straight night of strikes had hit surveillance sites, military logistics infrastructure, underground weapons storage, and maritime capabilities. The most significant damage on Saturday occurred in Kuwait after Iran struck a water desalination plant and an oil facility, according to the Kuwait authorities and the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation. Both declined to provide locations. The strikes injured several people at the oil facility and caused a fire at the desalination plant, forcing several power generation units offline. It was the second attack against a desalination plant in two days in the tiny desert nation, which depends on desalination for 90 per cent of its drinking water. Several firefighters and a worker were injured while battling two other blazes sparked by Iranian strikes, according to the Kuwait Fire Force. Kuwait briefly closed its airspace in the morning due to missile threats, and Kuwait Airways said it was rescheduling most flights to and from the capital. Iran targets several Mideast nations Iraq said it shot down attack drones over the city of Irbil. Jordan's state-run Petra news agency said that the kingdom's air defence systems had downed Iranian missiles, while air sirens sounded multiple times in Bahrain, according to the government. Iranian officials say recent US strikes have killed dozens of people and wounded hundreds in Iran. The US military also acknowledged that several more service members were injured. Iran effectively closed the strait to shipping traffic after the war started February 28. That sent the price of oil soaring and gave Iran significant leverage in negotiations. The price of oil rose Friday above USD 86 a barrel, close to its highest level in a month, as crossings through the strait fell to a three-week low, according to an international shipping tracker. In an address to the American public on Thursday evening, Trump insisted the war was going well. We are likewise winning big in Iran, and you will see the fruits of that labour very, very shortly, he said. Before the war began, the US had been in talks with Iran over its nuclear program. Trump now faces political pressure to bring the war to a close and avoid the kind of prolonged Middle East conflict he had campaigned against. Infrastructure hit in Iran US airstrikes hit an electricity and desalination plant in Iran's southern Hormozgan province, Iranian state television reported. The attacks hit Bonji, a village on Iran's coast on the Strait of Hormuz. Overnight strikes damaged two tunnels and a bridge, disrupting one of the main highways towards Bandar Abbas, a city which sits near the narrowest part of the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran's state-run news agency. Iran also reported strikes on the strategic Qeshm Island inside the Strait. The previous day, Iranian state media reported that the US hit highways and railway bridges, seemingly aimed at cutting off Bandar Abbas, Iran's main port, from roads leading into the Islamic Republic's central region onward to Tehran, the capital. Iran acknowledged attacks on power infrastructure during the US airstrike campaign for the first time Friday when its Energy Ministry issued a call for people to use less power in southern provinces experiencing extreme heat. The ministry did not specify what was hit. Iranian authorities said at least 50 people have been killed and more than 500 wounded in US strikes in the past three weeks, including eight killed in a strike on a bridge Friday. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Saturday stepped up its warning that countries hosting U.S. forces should be prepared to receive a corresponding response, according to Iran's State TV, as pro-Iranian protesters continued their nightly demonstrations in the capital, as they have done for more than 100 days. US officials acknowledged 13 additional US service members 10 Army soldiers and three Navy sailors had been injured since Monday, but offered no further details. Since the war began, 14 US service members have been killed and 427 wounded. Strikes come as Iran and US vie for Strait of Hormuz Iran has said the strait must be under its sole control and that vessels should pay fees to Tehran even though the world for decades has considered it an international waterway. Trump has returned in recent days to his threats to target Iranian power stations and bridges to try to compel Iran to loosen its hold on the strait, through which about a fifth of all oil and natural gas traded once passed in peacetime. The US also reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports to halt its shipments of crude oil. Crossings through the strait fell to a three-week low of just eight vessels on Thursday, according to MarineTraffic.com. A growing amount of the region's energy is being shipped through pipelines, but not nearly enough to offset the decline in shipping through the strait.

IMD warns of flash floods, landslides as J&K braces for wet spell from July 19-23

Srinagar, July 18: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday warned of possible flash floods, landslides, mudslides and shooting stones in vulnerable areas of Jammu and Kashmir as an extended wet spell is expected to affect the region from July 19 to July 23. The advisory said the weather system could also trigger torrential rains, cloudburst-like events and a significant rise in water levels of major rivers, streams and sub-basins. Widespread moderate rain and thundershowers are expected across Jammu and Kashmir during the period, with isolated heavy rains likely in Kashmir from July 21 to July 23, the advisory said. Jammu division is likely to witness scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall between July 20 and July 23, with isolated extremely heavy showers possible over Reasi and Udhampur districts. The weather activity is expected due to moisture incursion from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, coupled with the northward shift of the western end of the monsoon trough towards Jammu, the advisory said. The department identified the Pir Panjal range, Chenab valley in the Jammu division, and the higher reaches of Kashmir as vulnerable zones. Areas likely to remain at risk in Kashmir- include Anantnag, Pahalgam, Kulgam, Shopian, Pir Ki Gali, Gulmarg, Sonamarg-Zojila axis, Bandipora-Razdan Pass and Kupwara-Sadhna Pass. The IMD cautioned that the spell may affect road connectivity, including the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and other major routes in the middle and higher reaches. People in higher reaches are advised to avoid venturing into sloppy and landslide-prone areas, the advisory said. The department also warned of a possible rise in water levels of rivers and streams, along with chances of waterlogging and minor flooding in low-lying areas. Tourists and travellers have been advised to plan journeys according to weather conditions, while farmers have been asked to withhold fertiliser application and chemical spraying during the period. The MeT Department, Srinagar, also forecast a significant fall in day temperatures during the wet spell. A copy of the advisory has been sent to both Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir.

Sunil Sharma accuses NC of using the statehood protest to divert attention from governance failures

LG Saxena orders prohibition on the use and sale of chemical fertilisers in Ladakh

Leh, Jul 18: Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena on Saturday ordered a prohibition on the use and sale of all chemical and synthetic fertilisers in Ladakh. The order, which comes into force with immediate effect, stipulates a minimum fine of Rs 10,000 for anyone found procuring, distributing, selling, marketing or using chemical or synthetic fertilisers anywhere in Ladakh, a Lok Bhavan spokesperson said. The Administration of Union Territory of Ladakh imposes prohibition on the procurement, distribution, sale, marketing and use of chemical/synthetic fertilisers for agricultural practices in the Union Territory of Ladakh, with immediate effect, with the objective of safeguarding organic certification, protect soil and water resources, promote sustainable agricultural practices and to establish Ladakh as a model organic region, thereby, ensuring the long-term sustainability and resilience of its agricultural sector, the spokesperson said quoting an order issued by the Lt Governor. The official said farmers and agriculture units have been advised to use only on-farm and off-farm organic inputs for agricultural practices. The decision marks a major milestone in Ladakh's journey towards sustainable agriculture and reinforces Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of promoting natural farming, environmental conservation, improving soil health, and climate-resilient agriculture, the spokesperson said. The Prime Minister, during the recent NITI Aayog Governing Council Meeting in New Delhi, had also urged states and UTs to promote organic farming across the country. Taking a cue from the Prime Minister's call, the Ladakh Administration implemented the ban on use of chemical fertilisers in the region, the spokesperson said,. Ladakh has been blessed with a pristine environment, rich biodiversity, unique agro-ecological conditions and traditional farming practices that have remained largely free from excessive chemical intervention. The prohibition on chemical and synthetic fertilisers marks a transformative step towards making Ladakh a fully organic Union Territory, the Lt Governor said. The agriculture department has been designated as the nodal department for the implementation of the order. The Departments of Horticulture, Cooperatives and Rural Development and Panchayati Raj have been directed to facilitate the transition through awareness programmes, capacity building and improved availability of organic inputs, the spokesperson said.

Partial shutdown in Doda, Kishtwar over Bhaderwah civilian killing

Bhaderwah/Jammu, Jul 18: A partial shutdown affected normal life in the twin district headquarters of Doda and Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday as protesters demanded action over the killing of a 30-year-old man in alleged police firing in Bhaderwah a day earlier, officials said. The suspension of mobile internet services across Doda district was extended for the second consecutive day on Saturday, while internet speeds were throttled in neighbouring Kishtwar amid the protests. Aarif Hussain, a resident of Cheeka village, was killed during a firing incident in the Jaie area of Bhaderwah on Friday. Police claim the firing took place after he allegedly attempted to snatch a service rifle from a policeman during a scuffle. Three personnel of the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police were also injured in the incident. Locals, however, rejected the police's version and staged a massive protest in Bhaderwah during Hussain's funeral on Friday. They demanded a CBI probe and strict action against the guilty. Senior CPI(M) leader and MLA M Y Tarigami expressed grief and demanded a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into the incident. Sharing the pain and grief of the family of Hussain, who was killed in Doda on Friday. His killing has caused deep anguish and unrest in the area. There must be a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation into the incident so that the truth comes to light. Accountability must be fixed, and justice ensured, Tarigami said in a post on X. Officials said two people -- Rehmatullah and Sajjad Ahmad -- who were accompanying Hussain at the time of the incident and had fled the spot, were taken into custody from Tanda village of Bhaderwah late Friday for questioning. A police officer ruled out any terror link but said the men were suspected of involvement in cattle smuggling. He said that they were moving suspiciously when intercepted by the SOG team, leading to a scuffle. An open FIR under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) including 109 (attempt to murder), 121 (Voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt to deter public servant from his duty), 132 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 307 (Theft after preparation made for causing death, hurt or restraint) was registered in connection with the incident, officials said. The shutdown was observed after local religious groups in Doda and Kishtwar issued separate calls for a strike, alleging that Hussain was innocent and demanding a fair investigation. Most shops and business establishments remained closed across the affected areas, though public transport operated normally. Police and paramilitary forces were deployed in strength at sensitive locations to maintain law and order, officials said. The Jammu and Kashmir Home Department on Friday ordered the temporary suspension of mobile data services and public Wi-Fi, including broadband internet services, across Doda district from July 17 to 19. The order was issued on the recommendation of the Inspector General of Police, Jammu, who is also the designated authorised officer under the Temporary Suspension of Telecommunication Service Rules, asserting that the high-speed Internet services are likely to be misused by anti-national elements or miscreants, which may cause deterioration in public order.

Altaf Bukhari backs statehood demand but says Apni Party won't join NC's protest

NC expels CEC LAHDC Kargil Dr. Mohd Jaffar Akhoon from party

Kargil, July 18: In a dramatic political development, the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) has expelled Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, the Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, from the primary membership of the party for anti-party activities and open indiscipline. The drastic action taken by the party high command comes after months of escalating friction within the local INDIA bloc alliance, culminating in Dr. Akhoons outright refusal to honor a pre-election rotational power-sharing agreement with the Indian National Congress (INC). JKNC General Secretary Haji Ali Mohammad Sagar has ordered the removal of Dr. Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon, Chief Executive Councillor of LAHDC Kargil, from the basic membership of the party for a period of six years. The action has been taken in view of his anti-party activities and for causing indiscipline within the party JKNC said in a post on its official X handle. Member of Parliament Ladakh Mohd Hanifa who is also District President NC Kargil when contacted said he is in a meeting. Speaking to Greater Kashmir , Chief executive councillor LAHDC Kargil Dr. Jaffar Akhoon said that he hasnt received any communication so far. However he said that he will continue to be the Chief Executive Councillor and has support of BJP, some National Conference councillors and congress as well along with the independent councillors. Notably, the council is currently governed by an alliance between the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference and the Indian National Congress, which assumed office after securing a decisive mandate in the council elections held in October 2023. The alliance collectively won 22 out of 26 seats, with the National Conference securing 12 and the Congress winning 10, while the Bharatiya Janta Party and independent candidates won two seats each. As part of the coalition understanding reached at the time, both parties agreed to a rotational arrangement for the post of Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), the head of the councils executive body. Under this arrangement, the leadership was to be shared for fixed durations during the councils term.Though the term of the incumbent CEC Kargil ended on April 18 however so far he hasnt resigned as CEC prompting the congress party to move a no confidence motion. Senior Congress leaders and supporting councillors were present during the submission of the motion and expressed confidence that the democratic process would be carried out fairly and constitutionally.

Er Rashid to hold one-day token hunger strike on July 21: AIP

Paras Health launches PARAS RATNA to celebrate excellence, employee recognition

Srinagar, Jul 18: Paras Health has announced the launch of PARAS RATNA, its flagship Rewards & Recognition Programme, reaffirming the hospital's commitment to recognising employees who consistently demonstrate excellence, innovation, teamwork, ownership, and an unwavering dedication to compassionate patient care. The programme has been introduced to honour individuals whose exceptional contributions strengthen the organisation's culture and support its mission of delivering world-class healthcare services across the Himalayan region. Announcing the initiative, Dr. Murtuza Habib, Vice President & Facility Director, Paras Health Srinagar, said that every achievement at Paras Health is a reflection of the collective commitment, shared purpose, and dedication of its people. PARAS RATNA is more than a recognition initiative; it is a celebration of excellence, ownership, innovation, collaboration, teamwork, and commitment. It recognises the extraordinary efforts of our people who go above and beyond every day to deliver compassionate, patient-centred care while contributing to the growth and success of Paras Health, he said. Dr. Habib highlighted that the strength of Paras Health Srinagar lies in its team of dedicated professionals who are united by a common purposeto serve patients with compassion, uphold the highest standards of clinical and service excellence, and strengthen the trust placed in the institution by communities across the region. He noted that the launch of PARAS RATNA reflects the organisation's continued focus on creating a workplace where exceptional performance is recognised, celebrated, and inspires others to excel. The programme aims to foster a culture of appreciation that encourages innovation, strengthens collaboration, and reinforces a sense of belonging among employees. By recognising excellence, we not only celebrate individual achievements but also inspire a culture where every employee feels valued and empowered to contribute to our shared vision of delivering outstanding healthcare, Dr. Habib added. Expressing gratitude to the entire Paras Health Srinagar family, Dr. Habib acknowledged the dedication, integrity, and perseverance of every employee, stating that their collective efforts continue to set new benchmarks in healthcare delivery. With the launch of PARAS RATNA, Paras Health Srinagar further strengthens its commitment to building a high-performance culture while recognising the people who drive excellence every day. The initiative reflects the institution's vision of reinforcing its position as the most trusted healthcare destination in the Himalayan region through exceptional patient care and an engaged, motivated workforce.

Zero tolerance against terrorism is not merely statement for India, but a Line of Action: Rajnath Singh

India is becoming a credible global security partner due to increased indigenous defence production. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted zero tolerance for terrorism as a key action. India's defence exports have significantly increased, reaching nearly one hundred countries. The nation aims to hit a Rs 3 lakh crore defence production milestone by 2029. This self-reliance strengthens India's strategic and military autonomy significantly.

'Our goal is to transform J-K into a national hub for knowledge, culture & creativity': LG Sinha at Chinar Book Festival

Srinagar, July 18: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today attended the third edition of Chinar Book Festival in Srinagar today. The LG congratulated the National Book Trust and the organizers for their commendable work. This festival is more than just an event. It is a movement to build a vibrant community of readers, writers, and thinkers. Our goal is to transform Jammu Kashmir into a national hub for knowledge, culture, and creativity. I hope this book festival will inspire the youth to read every day, protect endangered languages, and use literature as a way to value and respect diversity, the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor said that books are like living conversations and they force us to think deeply, ask questions, challenge what we believe, and inspire us to grow. Nothing matches the power of writing. Combined with a strong imagination, it becomes a lasting strength. A vibrant book festival creates such environment and a welcoming space where literature becomes accessible, inspiring, and meaningful for everyone, the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor also stated that in a very short span of time, the Chinar Book Festival has become a unique celebration of ideas, transforming into a vibrant intellectual movement across Jammu Kashmir. I believe writers and thinkers are like glowing lamps and blooming roses. In many ways, they mirror the majestic Chinar tree. In Kashmir, the Chinar is a living symbol of patience, beauty, and endurance. Writers and their books share this same lasting spirit, guiding human civilization through the ages. Together, we share the responsibility to restore Jammu Kashmir as a leading hub for education, literature, and youth empowerment, the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor observed that Chinar Book Festival has become a strong national platform of ideas, debates and knowledge exchange. Its identity is no longer confined to stalls and book launches; it has become a means to generate new ideas, encourage dialogue and empower youth. He said in past editions, workshops, panel discussions and literary conversations have given new energy to Jammu Kashmirs rich literary tradition. During this festival we have also witnessed an inspiring effort to revive our cultural heritages priceless treasure, the Sharada script. We have seen the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat take shape through initiatives such as TamilKashmiri dialogues, and today this festival has become a strong bridge linking regions, languages and generations, he said. The Lieutenant Governor also emphasised that the success of a book festival should not be measured by sales figures. I believe the true success of any book festival lies in the ideas and conversations it generates. If a discussion that begins at this festival reaches a college or university, then our goal is successful. If a dialogue held here and the ideas that emerged during the festival become the basis for future collaborations, then I will consider the festival and its objectives successful. If a young person finds a book at this festival that changes the course of their life, that will be the greatest achievement of the Chinar Book Festival, the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor urged youth to read at least one book beyond their textbooks every month, and he asked every young writer to resolve to write at least one page daily. Through the Chinar Book Festival we are ensuring that our children have roots to their identity as well as wings for future flight. I want to see this as a platform where local libraries and small-town book clubs also connect with the spirit of this festival, so that this celebration of knowledge reaches the public throughout the year and fosters exchanges among literary, musical and visual art forms, where words become voice, poetry takes color and stories become our shared experiences, the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor visited various book stalls and interacted with the exhibitors. He released several publications in different languages. He also asked organisers to plan a similar book festival in Jammu Shri Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Prof. Milind Sudhakar Marathe, Chairman, National Book Trust; Shri Ram Niwas Sharma, Commissioner Secretary, School and Higher Education; Shri Yuvraj Malik, Director, National Book Trust; Dr Amit Wanchoo, Chief Convener, Chinar Book Festival; Dr. Md. Shams Equbal, Director, National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language; eminent literary personalities, book lovers, youth and students in large number were present. Dr Syed Darakhshan Andrabi, Chairperson, J&K Waqf Board; Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice Chancellor SKUAST Kashmir; Shri Brij Mohan Sharma, Principal Secretary Culture; Shri Akshay Labroo, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar; Dr. GV Sundeep Chakravarthy, SSP Srinagar; heads of various educational institutions and senior officials also attended the Chinar Book Festival.

Sakina Itoo says decision on extending summer vacation will be taken after reviewing weather situation

Jammu and Kashmir to witness extended wet spell from July 19-23

Srinagar, Jul 18: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday issued a weather advisory, warning of a major wet spell across Jammu and Kashmir from July 19 to July 23, with widespread rainfall, thunderstorms and isolated heavy to very heavy rain likely to trigger landslides, flash floods and disruption of transport. According to the advisory issued by the Meteorological Centre Srinagar, the prolonged wet spell is expected due to moisture incursion from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, coupled with the shifting of the western end of the monsoon trough towards Jammu, north of its normal position. The MeT department said widespread moderate rain and thundershowers are expected across both Jammu and Kashmir divisions between July 19 and July 23, while isolated heavy rainfall is likely over Kashmir division from July 21 to July 23. For Jammu division, scattered heavy to very heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms has been forecast from July 20 to July 23, with isolated extremely heavy rainfall expected over Reasi and Udhampur districts. The advisory warned that the weather system could trigger landslides, mudslides, shooting stones and flash floods at vulnerable locations, particularly along the Pir Panjal range in Jammu division and higher reaches of Kashmir, including Anantnag, Pahalgam, Kulgam, Shopian, Pir Ki Gali, Gulmarg, Sonamarg-Zojila axis, Bandipora-Razdan Pass and Kupwara-Sadhna Pass. The IMD cautioned that the adverse weather could disrupt surface transport, including traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and other major roads in the middle and higher reaches of the Union Territory. The advisory also warned of possible torrential rains, cloudburst-like events, a significant rise in water levels in rivers and streams, waterlogging and minor flooding in low-lying areas. Travellers and tourists have been advised to plan their journeys carefully in view of the forecast. People living in higher reaches have been urged to avoid venturing into landslide-prone areas during the period. The MeT department also advised farmers to withhold fertilizer application and chemical spraying until the wet spell subsides. A significant drop in daytime temperatures is also expected during the rainy period, the advisory added.

Sriharikota: Country's first pvt orbital rocket Vikram-1 lifts off

Sriharikota, Jul 18: India's first private orbital-class rocket, Vikram-1, carrying multiple technology demonstration payloads and a postcard from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, lifted off from this spaceport on Saturday. Named Mission Aagaman (arrival), the test flight's launch marks a historic milestone for the country's commercial space sector, executed by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace. On a cloudy day, the seven-storey-tall, four-stage Vikram-1 rocket lifted off at 12.05 pm on Saturday from the first launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, here. Following a planned hold, due to apparent navigation issues, the launch was revised 35 minutes late than the original prefixed time of 11.30 am. After its initial journey of a little short of 16 minutes, Vikram-1 is expected to place the payloads, both domestic and foreign, into a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at an altitude of 450 km with an inclination of 60 degrees. Vikram-1, named after the legendary Vikram Sarabhai who is often regarded as the Father of India's space programme, is built with an all-carbon composite structure and powered by in-house developed propulsion systems, including 3D-printed engines and high-thrust solid-fuel rocket boosters. The rocket is carrying payloads from Grahaa Space, Cosmoserve, DCubed, and Skyroot's own SCOPE, along with an artwork titled 'Cosmic Bloom'.