Opinion

Search operation launched after suspected Pakistani drone sighted along LoC in J-K

Jammu, Jul 06: A search operation was launched early Monday after a suspected Pakistani drone was sighted over a forward village along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district, officials said. The drone-like object, fitted with a blinking light, was observed over the forward villages of Meenka and Beripattan in the Sunderbani sector late Sunday, they said. According to officials, the suspected drone briefly entered the Indian side before returning across the LoC into Pakistan. Security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation at first light to check whether the drone had dropped any payload, such as narcotics or weapons, officials said. However, no suspicious or objectionable material was recovered during the operation, they said.

Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine's capital kills at least 3

Kyiv, Jul 06: Russia launched waves of missiles and drones targeting Kyiv overnight into Monday that killed at least three people, authorities said, hours after Ukraine's president warned that another large-scale attack was imminent. A residential building in the Podilskyi district partially collapsed, said Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's City Military Administration in a post on Telegram. In the Darnytsia district, several multi-storey buildings were damaged and people were believed to be trapped under the rubble. These are residential buildings. Places where people slept and lived their ordinary lives, he said. The attack, which was still underway early Monday morning, involved waves of ballistic and cruise missiles as well as drones. Explosions echoed across the city as civilians sought shelter in metro stations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had warned hours earlier of another large-scale Russian attack on the city. Monday's attack comes days after a combined Russian attack killed at least 31 people in Kyiv last week. Zelenskyy renewed calls for Western partners to bolster Ukraine's air defences, particularly by supplying more Patriot missiles, saying that failing to replenish them only emboldens Russia to prolong its four-year war, in a post on Telegram late Sunday.

Amarnath Yatra 2026: Over 5,700 pilgrims depart Jammu in fifth batch as rain eases heat in Ramban

BANIHAL, July 6: The fifth batch of pilgrims undertaking the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026 left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu early Monday under tight security arrangements, officials said. According to the Zonal Police Control Room (ZPCR), Jammu, a total of 5,794 pilgrims departed for the twin base camps in Kashmir in a convoy of 267 vehicles. Of the total pilgrims, 2,304 are headed towards the Baltal route, while 3,490 are proceeding via the traditional Pahalgam route. The batch comprises 3,887 male pilgrims, 1,211 females, 20 children, 599 sadhus, 76 sadhvis, and one sadhu child. The convoy consists of 126 buses, 32 medium motor vehicles (MMVs), 104 light motor vehicles (LMVs), and five two-wheelers. The Baltal convoy departed at 3:10 a.m., followed by the Pahalgam convoy at 3:50 a.m., under multi-layer security arrangements. Meanwhile, intermittent rainfall across Ramban district on Sunday night and Monday morning brought much-needed respite from the prevailing heat, creating pleasant weather conditions for pilgrims and tourists travelling along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. Officials said 2,167 pilgrims and tourists stayed at the Yatri Niwas, Chanderkote, on Sunday night. The occupants included 1,626 male pilgrims, 508 females, and 22 children. Authorities said all arrangements at the transit camp remained normal, with boarding, lodging, security and other essential facilities functioning smoothly. Officials added that the annual pilgrimage is progressing peacefully under elaborate security and logistical arrangements, with administration and security agencies ensuring the safe movement and comfort of pilgrims en route to the holy cave shrine.

Mock drill conducted to test terror response in Poonch-Rajouri

With the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra currently underway and the Shri Baba Budha Amarnath Yatra scheduled to commence next month, security forces have intensified vigil across the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch to ensure the safe and smooth conduct of the twin pilgrimages. The security apparatus has been placed on a high state of alert, with enhanced area domination, surveillance and deployment aimed at maintaining a robust security grid in the region. As part of the heightened preparedness, the Indian Army on Sunday conducted a comprehensive mock drill to assess and strengthen its response to a simulated terror attack. The exercise was carried out along the Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch National Highway, adjoining forest areas and connecting roads. During the drill, multiple teams of the Indian Army swiftly responded to a simulated SOS call reporting a terror incident. The exercise involved coordinated movement of troops, area sanitisation and tactical response measures to evaluate operational readiness and inter-team coordination in the event of any security threat. Officials said such exercises are aimed at ensuring a high level of preparedness and maintaining operational efficiency amid the ongoing Amarnath Yatra and the forthcoming Shri Baba Budha Amarnath Yatra, which witnesses the participation of thousands of pilgrims from across the country. Apart from the mock drill, security forces have also intensified surveillance and other preventive measures across vulnerable locations in Rajouri and Poonch districts to ensure a secure environment for pilgrims and the general public.

J&K Police issue advisory for Amarnath Yatra pilgrims

In view of the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY-2026), the Jammu and Kashmir Police has issued a public advisory urging pilgrims and tourists travelling towards Srinagar to carry all necessary documents to facilitate smooth movement and security checks. According to the advisory, unregistered Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra pilgrims will not be permitted to proceed towards Srinagar. Pilgrims have been advised to complete the mandatory registration process before commencing their journey. The police further stated that registered yatris should keep their Yatra registration slips readily available for verification at police checkpoints. Tourists travelling towards Srinagar have been advised to carry their hotel booking receipts for verification purposes. The advisory noted that the verification drive is aimed at ensuring smooth traffic movement, maintaining security, and regulating the heavy influx of vehicles during the annual pilgrimage. J&K Police has appealed to the public to cooperate with police personnel and other security agencies by carrying the required documents and complying with instructions issued at checkpoints. The department also urged pilgrims and tourists to plan their journeys responsibly to ensure a safe, secure, and hassle-free Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026. In case of any emergency, members of the public have been advised to dial 112. The police also reiterated their appeal to all commuters to follow traffic rules and contribute to the orderly conduct of the annual pilgrimage.

DGP Ladakh Anand Jain reviews crime scenario, functioning of DPO, police station Drass

The Director General of Police, UT Ladakh, Anand Jain, paid his maiden official visit to Drass District and reviewed the functioning of the newly established District Police Office (DPO), Drass and Police Station Drass. During his visit to Police Station Drass, the DGP conducted a comprehensive review of the crime scenario and the overall functioning of the Police Station. He inspected various sections of the Police Station, examined crime records and issued directions for further strengthening crime record management, investigation standards and overall police functioning. The DGP visited the newly established District Police Office, Drass, where he inspected the functioning of various branches and reviewed administrative and operational arrangements. He further inspected the existing police infrastructure, including the under-construction Police Station building and emphasized the need for timely completion of the ongoing developmental works. Subsequently, DGP Anand Jain, addressed a Police Darbar with the officers and personnel of District Police Drass. He patiently heard their grievances and welfare-related issues and assured them of their prompt and sympathetic redressal. Appreciating the dedication, commitment and professionalism of the force, the DGP exhorted all ranks to uphold the highest standards of discipline, integrity and public service. He further instructed the officers and personnel to adopt a more people-friendly and citizen-centric approach while discharging their duties and to strengthen public confidence through courteous and responsive policing. The DGP also directed the officers and personnel to intensify efforts towards the prevention and detection of crime, with particular emphasis on combating the growing menace of narcotics trafficking and cybercrime through proactive policing, intelligence-based operations, effective investigations and enhanced public awareness. The DGP was accompanied by SP Drass Ishtyaq A. Kacho, DySP Security Kargil Faraz Shah, DySP Traffic Kargil Sonam Angchuk and SHO Police Station Drass Inspector Abdullah.

BJP presidents visit to strengthen organisational network in J&K, enhance synergy: LoP Sunil Sharma

Leader of Opposition (LoP) in J&K Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma on Sunday stated the two-day visit of Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJPs) national president Nitin Nabin to Jammu, commencing from tomorrow, July 6, would bolster party's organisational structure in the Union Territory. It will be Nabins maiden visit to Jammu and Kashmir, after taking over as the BJP president in January this year. The visit will enhance synergy among the party leaders, workers and the elected representatives. The BJP president, during his visit, will review organisational and political activities besides chalking out a plan of action for the party. He will also address a workers rally (public rally) and chair a meeting of the BJP's core group to review the political and organisational situation in Jammu and Kashmir and discuss the party's future strategy, LoP said, while responding to media queries about the visit of partys national president. As per the tentative schedule of his visit, released by the party, Nitin Nabin will arrive in Jammu at around 12.15 on Monday, July 6, 2026. The party has made elaborate arrangements to welcome the national president from the airport to the mega rally spot at Majestic Grand, Mishriwala in Jammu outskirts. He is scheduled to address the rally, commemorating the birth anniversary of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, at 1.15 pm. On his way to the rally site, he will be accorded rousing reception at the airport; outside GB Pant Hospital, Satwari; outside Government College for Women College and Asia Hotel; outside MA Stadium and Dogra Chowk. He is scheduled to hold an office bearers meeting at BJP J&K Headquarters, Trikuta Nagar at 3.30 pm. In the evening, he will visit Shri Raghunath temple to pay obeisance there. As per itinerary, the second day of his visit, on July 7, will begin at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra. After his return to Jammu, he will pay tributes to Pandit Prem Nath Dogra at his statue at Dogra Chowk at 10.30 am. At around 11.30 am, he is scheduled to interact with the party MPs and MLAs at the Convention Centre. A meeting with the former elected representatives is scheduled at the Convention Centre at 2.30 pm. Nitin Nabin will have a stimulating interaction with the youth at Yuva Samvad in Convention Centre at 3.30 pm. This tentative schedule was shared by J&K BJP president and Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Sat Sharma, while he chaired a series of organisational meetings at the party headquarters, Trikuta Nagar, convention centre, and Majestic Grand, to review preparations for the maiden Jammu visit of BJP national president. Describing the visit as a landmark occasion for the party, Sat Sharma directed the entire organisational machinery to ensure that it emerges as a historic display of BJP's discipline, unity and grassroots strength. Sat Sharma, accompanied by BJP general secretaries Sanjita Dogra and Baldev Singh Billawaria, senior leader Vibodh Gupta besides others, held separate meetings with the conveners of various arrangement committees, the BJP Minority Morcha and public deputations, while reviewing every programme scheduled during the national president's visit. The visit of our national president will energise every activist and further strengthen the BJP;s organizational foundation in Jammu and Kashmir. Every worker must contribute to making this visit a memorable and historic event that reflects the BJPs unwavering commitment to nationalism, good governance and public service, Sat Sharma said.

Udhampur airport terminal building construction likely to begin in August this year

Udhampur airport terminal building construction is very likely to start from the second week of August this year, thus paving the way for the much-awaited operationalisation of ATR (aircraft) flights from the garrison town, in the following couple of months. Union Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh, while sharing an update on Udhampur airport on his microblogging site, on Sunday maintained that the airport terminal building construction tender was already floated. Technical bid will open on July 10, 2026 and probable date for financial bid opening is July 22, 2026. The work may be awarded for construction of the terminal in the 2nd week of August, Dr Jitendra shared. ATR aircrafts are designed to take off and land on smaller runways, aimed at connecting smaller, regional cities. His latest update is a sequel to the information shared by him last month during a review meeting in Udhampur also. Udhampur (civil) airport will soon become operational. Immediately after the completion of the tendering process, which is presently underway. First terminal will be constructed on the land being provided by the Indian Air Force (IAF), thus allowing us to operate our ATR flights. Meanwhile, we have already spoken to the J&K government the Chief Minister for additional land, he had informed. Once we get that additional chunk of land on the other side of the road, there we will construct a permanent terminal. Then we can construct an airport analogous to Jammu (airport), allowing it to handle higher traffic volumes and larger (flight) operations. But it will take some time. As of now, for immediate use, IAF is providing us defence land for the time being, for the construction of the terminal. The tender for fabrication work had already been floated to start ATR flights from the existing premises in the next few months. The construction of the terminal will enable the landing of small aircrafts here, Dr Jitendra had explained. The process of land transfer, according to him, had also commenced with the concurrence of the UT government. Last year, during a meeting aimed at reviewing the status of the aviation projects for J&K, with the Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Samir Kumar Sinha and the Chairman of Airports Authority of India, Vipin Kumar, the Union Minister had emphasised that the Udhampur airport could initially begin operations with ATR 72-seater aircraft under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN), which would cap ticket fares at nearly half the prevailing market rates. In other words, the air fare for a Delhi- Udhampur flight would be considerably and substantially lesser than a Delhi-Jammu flight, thus offering a huge incentive to even Jammu bound passengers to take the Delhi-Udhampur air route, the officials explained. Officials had explained that under the Udan scheme, a substantial part of the airfare would be subsidised through viability gap funding. This would not only make flights more affordable but also bring DelhiUdhampur fares substantially lower than the DelhiJammu route. During that meeting it was revealed that the Airports Authority of India had agreed to take up the required development, including navigational and basic facilities, without requiring additional land for initial operations, as the apron space would be made available by defence authorities. On August 3, 2025, Dr Jitendra had maintained that Udhampur airport proposal was to be implemented in two phases. In the first phase, civil flight operations will be initiated within the existing premises of the Air Force Station (AFS) while in the second phase, a permanent civil enclave will be set up outside it (AFS). The Airports Authority of India (AAI) had completed a site feasibility assessment and initiated formal processes for the development of a new Aviation Enclave. The proposal, which aims to connect Udhampur to the national civil aviation network, was initially triggered by a reference from Dr Jitendra Singh to the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Acting on this, a technical team comprising officials from various directorates of AAI had visited the Air Force Station at Udhampur on March 28 and 29, 2025. The visit included a joint review with the Indian Air Force, evaluation of existing infrastructure, and consultations with the district administration and defence authorities. Under phase 1 of the project involving initiating civil flight operations within the existing premises of the Air Force Station, the IAF allocated 2,200 square metres for developing a terminal building, which will have the capacity to handle up to 150 passengers and accommodate ATR-72 or Q400 type aircraft. This arrangement is intended as an interim measure to begin operations at the earliest. Phase 2 of the plan proposes the establishment of a permanent civil enclave outside the boundaries of the Air Force Station. A land parcel of approximately 27.6 acres has been identified by the district administration for this purpose. The proposed enclave will cater to larger aircraft such as the Airbus A321 and will include a new terminal, apron, taxiway, and related civil aviation infrastructure. Once realised, the Udhampur civil enclave is expected to improve connectivity for both residents and tourists in this part of Jammu and Kashmir, while also easing pressure on the Jammu airport. Besides, Udhampur airport will also have strategic importance from a security point of view.

Govt withdraws emergency gas curbs imposed during Hormuz disruption as LNG supplies normalise

The government has withdrawn most provisions of the emergency natural gas supply regulation order imposed during the West Asia conflict after liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments through the Strait of Hormuz resumed following a ceasefire. In a notification issued on Saturday, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas amended the Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, 2026, omitting key operational provisions, which led to all domestically produced natural gas and imported LNG to be sold as per a new priority customer list drawn by the government. The original order, issued on March 9 under the Essential Commodities Act, was brought in after the conflict in West Asia disrupted LNG shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, with suppliers invoking force majeure and diverting cargoes to priority consumers. The ministry said the situation has since improved, with a ceasefire in place, negotiations underway and maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz resuming. The gas supply curbs were one of three emergency measures the government introduced after energy supplies from the Gulf were threatened by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, following US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 and Tehran's retaliatory attacks. The other two measures - directing refiners to maximise LPG production by diverting feedstock from petrochemicals and restricting diesel sales to bulk consumers - have already been withdrawn as the supply situation normalised. India, the world's third-largest oil importer and consumer, imports about 88 per cent of its crude oil requirements and around half of its natural gas needs. About 40-45 per cent of its crude oil imports and nearly 65 per cent of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies come from West Asia, underscoring the country's vulnerability to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, through which most Gulf energy exports are shipped. The threat to traffic through the waterway prompted the government to invoke emergency powers in March to safeguard domestic fuel and gas supplies. While India diversified crude oil purchases by sourcing supplies from other producers, natural gas imports remained exposed because most LNG cargoes from Qatar pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The disruption led some suppliers to invoke force majeure, prompting the government to introduce emergency measures to prioritise gas supplies to essential sectors. The March order empowered the government to direct sector-wise allocation and diversion of domestic gas, LNG and regasified LNG to ensure uninterrupted supplies to priority consumers after suppliers invoked force majeure clauses amid the West Asia crisis. Under the emergency measures, supplies to piped natural gas (PNG) households, compressed natural gas (CNG) for transport, LPG production and pipeline operations were to be maintained at 100 per cent of their average consumption over the previous six months. Fertiliser plants were assured 70 per cent of their average gas requirement, while industrial consumers connected to the national gas grid and city gas distribution networks were guaranteed 80 per cent of their average consumption, subject to operational availability. To meet those priorities, the government had authorised curtailment of gas supplies to petrochemical plants and power stations, while directing oil refiners to reduce gas consumption to about 65 per cent of their average use, wherever operationally feasible. The order had also required state-run GAIL, in coordination with the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC), to pool and redistribute gas supplies, notify a pooled price for diverted gas, and oversee implementation of revised allocation schedules.

KTA extends warm welcome to Amarnath pilgrims

The Kashmir Trade Alliance (KTA) has welcomed the successful commencement of the annual Amarnath Yatra, expressing hope that the pilgrimage will be completed peacefully and contribute to strengthening communal harmony while providing a much-needed boost to the Valley's economy. In a statement, KTA President Aijaz Shahdhar said the people of Kashmir have, for generations, welcomed Amarnath pilgrims with warmth, respect and hospitality, reflecting the Valley's rich traditions of coexistence and mutual respect. The Amarnath Yatra represents not only a sacred pilgrimage but also the enduring spirit of brotherhood and Kashmir's inclusive cultural ethos. We extend our heartfelt welcome to all devotees and wish them a safe, peaceful and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage, Shahdhar said. He observed that the annual pilgrimage provides livelihood opportunities to thousands of people associated with transport, trade, tourism, hospitality, handicrafts and other allied sectors. He expressed optimism that the steady arrival of pilgrims would further revive business activity and instill greater confidence across the tourism sector. Shahdhar also appreciated the efforts of all agencies involved in facilitating the pilgrimage and appealed to the administration to continue ensuring efficient traffic management, robust security arrangements, quality healthcare facilities and other essential services throughout the Yatra period. Expressing confidence in the successful conduct of the pilgrimage, Shahdhar said the Amarnath Yatra has always symbolised peace, harmony and mutual trust, and hoped that this year's pilgrimage would reinforce these values while contributing to economic revival across Jammu and Kashmir.

J&K Bank appointsRakesh Magotra as Chief Compliance Officer

J&K Bank has appointed General Manager Rakesh Magotra as its Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) and Group Compliance Officer (GCO) for a period of three years. The appointment was approved by the Bank's Board of Directors and informed to the stock exchanges through a regulatory filing on Saturday. A seasoned banking professional with over decades of experience, Rakesh Magotra succeeds Peer Masood Ahmad as the Bank's Chief Compliance Officer. His appointment underscores the Bank's continued commitment to further strengthening its compliance framework, governance standards and regulatory oversight. Prior to assuming the new role, Rakesh Magotra served as General Manager & Head of the Retail Banking Division, where he led the Bank's Retail Assets, Agriculture, MSME, Government Sponsored Schemes and Liability Management portfolios. Since joining the Bank as a Probationary Officer in 1996, he has held several key leadership assignments including Zonal Head, Advisor to the Chairman, Head of Financial Inclusion and Head of Supervision & Control. An alumnus of the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Jaipur and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Amritsar, where he was awarded the Director's Medal, Rakesh Magotra is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Economics at IIM Jammu. Having been proactive in several transformative initiatives across retail banking, financial inclusion, MSME financing, Start Up finance and institutional partnerships, he brings a unique combination of business acumen and governance perspective that will further strengthen the Bank's compliance culture and institutional resilience.

Consumers feel the pinch as chicken sells at Rs 190/kg, eggs at Rs 220 a tray

The continued disruption in mutton supply across Kashmir has triggered a sharp rise in chicken and egg prices, adding to the financial burden on consumers who have increasingly turned to poultry as a more affordable alternative. Chicken is currently retailing at around Rs 190 per kilogram in Baramulla, while a tray of eggs is being sold for Rs 220. Residents said the prevailing prices are unusually high for the summer season, when poultry rates typically decline due to increased production and relatively lower demand. This is the first time we are witnessing such high prices in summer. Normally, chicken becomes cheaper during this season, but this year the rates have remained unusually high, said Musadiq Ahmad, a resident of Kanlibagh. Despite the mutton dealers calling off their strike, the supply of mutton has not fully normalised, prompting more consumers to switch to chicken and eggs and driving up demand. Poultry traders attributed the price rise to increased demand and higher transportation costs. The demand for chicken has increased significantly because mutton is not readily available. Poultry wholesalers have raised prices, which has led to a corresponding increase in retail rates for both chicken and eggs, said Fayaz Ahmad, a poultry seller in Baramulla's main market. Consumers, however, alleged that the district administration has failed to effectively monitor retail prices. There appears to be no mechanism to regulate the rates. Almost every shop is charging similarly high prices, and it is the common man who is suffering, said Ehsan Rashid, a local consumer. Residents have urged the Baramulla district administration to closely monitor the poultry market, ensure transparent pricing, and take action against unjustified profiteering so that essential food items remain affordable for the public.

Hailstorms bruise Pulwama plum crop, growers face price slump

The plum harvest has gathered pace across Kashmir, but repeated hailstorms and erratic weather have dealt a blow to growers in south Kashmir's Pulwama district, with bruised fruit fetching poor prices in local markets. Orchardists said hailstorms during the fruit development stage damaged a substantial portion of the crop, reducing its market value and forcing them to sell produce well below expected rates. We had expected a good harvest this year, but the hailstorms spoiled much of the fruit, said Abdul Gaffar Malik, a grower from Warwan village in Pulwama. The bruised plums do not fetch good prices, and we are left with no option but to sell them cheaply. Plum is Kashmir's second major summer fruit after cherries, with harvesting beginning in early July. The crop provides seasonal income to hundreds of farming families, particularly in the districts of Pulwama, Shopian, Budgam and Srinagar. According to the Horticulture Department, plum cultivation in Kashmir spans over 1,500 hectares, producing nearly 8,000 metric tonnes annually. Growers said this season's losses have compounded concerns over increasingly erratic weather, which has affected several horticultural crops. Mushtaq Ahmad, another orchardist from Pulwama, said repeated hailstorms had damaged not only plum orchards but also cherry and apple crops. The weather has become highly unpredictable. We witnessed several hailstorms this season, and every spell caused fresh damage to the orchards, he said. Meteorological officials said Kashmir witnessed around 10 to 12 hailstorm spells over the past two months, affecting fruit and vegetable crops in different parts of the Valley. The region experienced unusually high temperatures in February, followed by a sharp drop in temperature. Such fluctuations affect flowering, fruit setting and crop development, making orchards more vulnerable to weather-related damage, a meteorological official said. A senior Horticulture Department official said the extent of damage varied across districts depending on the intensity of the hailstorms, with some areas escaping significant losses while others suffered considerable damage. Growers said the increasing frequency of extreme weather events has heightened the vulnerability of the horticulture sector and underscored the need for improved weather advisories, effective crop protection measures and wider insurance coverage to minimise losses. With harvesting now in full swing, many farmers fear that poor fruit quality and depressed market prices will substantially reduce returns from a crop that serves as a key source of summer income for orchardists across the Valley.

PM Modi's Indonesia visit key to rules-based Indo-Pacific order, say experts

Eight years after his last bilateral visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Indonesia this week - at a time, experts say, the Indo-Pacific needs New Delhi and Jakarta to work closely together. India and Indonesia occupy pivotal geographic positions at either end of the Indian Ocean and both have an interest in preserving a stable, inclusive and rules-based regional order, Fitriani, senior analyst with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, told PTI over an email. Hadza Min Fadhli Robby, associate professor at Islamic University of Indonesia, said: A stable and secure regional order will help the Indian economy to thrive amidst possible instability in both West Asia and the South China Sea. Modi will travel to Indonesia from July 6 to 8 - his fourth visit to the country but first bilateral trip since May 2018, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said at a briefing last week in New Delhi. Modi will hold talks with President Prabowo Subianto, address the diaspora in Jakarta and visit the Prambanan Temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before flying to Australia and New Zealand, the MEA said. The visit comes at a time when the Indo-Pacific is experiencing growing geopolitical competition, increasing concern over maritime security, and renewed attention to supply chain resilience, said Fitriani, who identifies herself by first name. Fitrani further said the trip carries forward he momentum generated by Subianto's visit to New Delhi last year, when he was chief guest at India's Republic Day celebrations. The fact that Indonesia is the first stop of Prime Minister Modi's (latest) Indo-Pacific tour demonstrates the importance New Delhi attaches to Jakarta within its Act East and Indo-Pacific strategies, she added. Robby looked at the visit through the lens of wider geopolitical developments. PM Modi's visit to Indonesia is significant in light of the turbulent dynamics in both the Indo-Pacific regional order and the global order. Both countries are known for their commitment to strengthening multilateralism on both regional and global platforms, Robby told PTI over an email, pointing to joint military training and bilateral consultations as proof of that commitment. On maritime connectivity, Robby highlighted the long-stalled Sabang-Nicobar corridor which would connect Indonesia's Sabang Port with India's Nicobar Islands. There have been talks regarding the establishment of the Sabang-Nicobar corridor, but these have not come to fruition yet due to technical issues and a lack of political will. Perhaps this is the right time to restart such talks and renew their commitment, he said. Fitriani expects the visit to yield several practical outcomes in the form of memorandum of understanding rather than dramatic breakthroughs, with maritime security cooperation remaining central, alongside deeper coordination through regional groupings such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). A potential BrahMos missile deal looms large, both experts said. The acquisition of the BrahMos missile system has been a subject of debate recently in the Indonesian parliament, Robby said, noting that Indonesia's fiscal crisis has prompted lawmakers to question its timing. Regardless of the domestic debate, the acquisition of the BrahMos will still proceed, as the Indonesian Ministry of Finance has secured the budget, he added. He framed the purchase, alongside Russian systems, as proof that Jakarta does not limit its vision of military cooperation by solely relying on arms purchases from NATO countries - a lesson drawn from the 1990s arms embargo Indonesia faced from the US and the European Union. Fitriani called the potential BrahMos deal strategically significant for both sides. For India, it would represent another major defence export success... For Indonesia, the acquisition would strengthen its coastal defence and anti-access capabilities, she said, adding it would signal that middle powers in the Indo-Pacific are becoming more proactive in building deterrence capabilities. On the economic track, Fitriani said critical minerals will be a major topic of discussion, since Indonesia possesses substantial reserves of nickel and other critical minerals that are essential for batteries and electric vehicles, while India is seeking to strengthen its manufacturing ecosystem. Robby pushed for a common platform for youth entrepreneurs and digital industry stakeholders from both countries, along with academic cooperation, arguing Indian and Indonesian scholars can make significant contributions to advancing a Global South perspective.

Centre committed to consultative approach to address employees, pensioners' issues: Jitendra Singh

Union minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday said the Centre remains committed to a consultative and responsive approach in addressing issues concerning government employees and pensioners. He said every genuine representation receives due consideration through the appropriate ministries/departments and that suggestions aimed at improving governance, simplifying procedures and enhancing administrative efficiency are always welcome. Singh's assertion came during a meeting he had with a 19-member delegation, representing Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) and affiliated employees' organisations from across the country. The delegation called on the minister here to discuss a range of issues relating to government employees, pensioners and administrative reforms. Singh, the Minister of State for Personnel, said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government remains committed to a consultative and responsive approach in addressing issues concerning its employees and pensioners. He said PM Modi has always prioritised making governance more transparent, efficient and citizen-centric through progressive administrative reforms. The minister said that the continued dialogue with employee organisations plays an important role in identifying practical issues and evolving appropriate policy responses in the larger public interest.

Support staff in Education Deptt in Kupwara seeks release of salaries

Aayas working in the Education Department in north Kashmirs Kupwara district have said that they were facing severe hardships due to delay in their salaries thus pushing them into financial distress. They said that the non-payment of wages for last four months has made it difficult for them to meet day-to-day household expenses and support their families. Four months without salary has pushed us into financial distress. It has become extremely difficult for us to manage our households, said a representative of Aayas Association Kupwara. We haven't stopped our services despite the delay in payment but we are now struggling to meet even our basic needs. We appeal to the concerned authorities to release our pending salaries at the earliest so that we can support our families with dignity. Timely payment of wages is our rightful entitlement but we never receive our honorarium on monthly basis. We hope the concerned authorities will take immediate steps to resolve our issue, she added. The aggrieved Aayas appealed to the concerned authorities to intervene and treat the matter on priority and ensure the immediate release of their pending salaries. Reacting to the concern, District Education Planning Officer Mohammad Iqbal said that since they are recruited under a centrally sponsored scheme, their wages are released from centre. He said that they have taken up the issue with higher ups and hopefully within a weeks time their pending salaries will be released.

Police crackdown on illegal mining in Baramulla;12 vehicles seized

In a major crackdown against illegal mining and the unlawful extraction of minor minerals, J&K Police in Baramulla achieved a significant success by seizing 12 vehicles involved in the illegal extraction and transportation of clay and boulders during two separate enforcement operations in the jurisdiction of Police Station Kunzer. Acting on reliable source information, a police party of Police Station Kunzer conducted a raid and seized five tippers loaded with illegally extracted clay along with one JCB excavator used in the illegal excavation and transportation of the material, said a police press release. The timely operation effectively curtailed unlawful mining activities in the area. In a separate action during routine patrolling at Hardbani, Kunzer, another police party intercepted six tractors carrying boulders illegally extracted from Ferozpora Nallah. During checking, four drivers disclosed their identities, while two others fled from the spot, abandoning their tractors. On verification, none of the drivers was able to produce any valid authorization or permission for the extraction and transportation of the minerals. They admitted that the boulders had been illegally extracted from Ferozpora Nallah. Consequently, all six tractors along with the illegally extracted material were seized on the spot. Overall, 12 vehicles, comprising five tippers, one JCB excavator, and six tractors, were seized during the two operations for their involvement in the illegal extraction and transportation of minor minerals. In this connection, FIR No. 91/2026 has been registered at Police Station Kunzer under the relevant provisions of law, and investigation has been initiated to identify all persons involved and ascertain the full extent of the illegal mining network. Police reiterates its firm commitment to protecting natural resources and preserving the ecological balance of the district. Strict legal action will continue against individuals engaged in illegal mining and transportation of minerals. The general public is urged to cooperate with the police and report any instances of illegal extraction or transportation of natural resources to help safeguard the environment and uphold the rule of law.

KU emerges as key technology partnerfor several government departments

In a significant development, the Kashmir University (KU) has emerged as a key technology partner for several government departments in Jammu and Kashmir. The University has been developing and hosting critical digital platforms ranging from employee verification systems and anti-corruption clearances to the Gulmarg Gondola ticketing service. The varsity has also strengthened its information technology ecosystem over the years and has emerged as a key institution in the field of digital governance and cybersecurity. In an exclusive conversation with Greater Kashmir , Vice Chancellor KU, Prof. Nilofer Khan said the varsity has a robust cybersecurity infrastructure in place which prevents any major damage to its digital systems. We have a very robust cybersecurity system for all our websites. Fortunately, not much damage was done to us post Operation Sindoor and whatever little impact there was, we have recovered from it, VC KU told Greater Kashmir on the sidelines of a cybersecurity workshop held at the varsity. She said that KU was one of the oldest and most technologically advanced educational institutions in the region which has developed its own e-governance framework and is also providing consultancy services to government departments. She said the Department of Information Technology and Support System (IT&SS) of KU was currently executing several projects and has established itself as a centre for technical consultancy and support to the government. The department houses advanced infrastructure developed through funding from various government and scientific agencies and offers postgraduate programmes in information technology, she added. Earlier, in his address at a consultative workshop on strengthening cybersecurity frameworks for state data, Director of the Directorate of Information Technology and Support Services (IT&SS), Dr. Mauruf Qadri highlighted the university's growing role in digital governance and public service delivery. He said the university-developed online No Objection Certificate (NOC) system received a national award under the FICCI awards in 2021, emerging as the best project in the e-policing category among over 2,300 nominations from across the country. The platform later drew interest from agencies outside Jammu and Kashmir, including Delhi's Anti-Corruption Branch, he said. He said the varsity has also developed and hosts the entire ticketing infrastructure for the Gulmarg Gondola, one of the region's most prominent tourism assets. The service operates from the university's data centre through its private cloud infrastructure under a software-as-a-service model, he added. He said the varsity has additionally developed an employee verification system for the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), streamlining the verification process for newly recruited government employees. A centralised passport verification platform has already been developed, cleared security audits and is expected to be rolled out after capacity-building programmes for stakeholders, he said. He further said that KU operates a comprehensive e-office ecosystem covering budget allocation, financial management, billing, payroll processing, leave management, legal case tracking and digital communication. He said the university's Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform integrates biometric attendance with salary processing, enabling automated payroll generation after attendance verification by departmental heads. KU has also digitised leave administration, legal case monitoring and property return filing systems, he added. He said the ERP solution has attracted interest from other universities and corporate entities for possible adoption on a larger scale. About the cybersecurity, he said all university applications undergo internal and third-party security audits before deployment. Third-party security audits have now become mandatory across government departments in J&K, he said. Qadri said KU implemented geofencing measures during Operation Sindoor, restricting access to its online services to users within India as a precautionary cybersecurity measure. However, he cautioned departments against lapses in renewing cybersecurity subscriptions and threat-management systems, recalling a previous case in which a government department's billing system was compromised after critical security subscriptions had expired. Security cannot be left to firewalls alone. There is a need for regular security audits, timely software reviews and continuous monitoring of vulnerabilities, he added. He termed the cybersecurity officers as virtual soldiers of the digital era and urged departments to conduct regular awareness programmes and internal workshops to educate employees about phishing attacks and other cyber threats. Cybersecurity preparedness requires constant vigilance, periodic audits and sustained follow-up to ensure that security infrastructure remains operational and updated at all times, he added.

Lack of gynaecologists in Keran & Machil casts shadow on maternal healthcare

Residents of the border areas of Keran and Machil in north Kashmir's Kupwara district have once again appealed to the government to post gynaecologists in their areas so that the hardships being faced by them may end. The residents said that the New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC) in Keran has been functioning without a gynaecologist for years, forcing pregnant women to travel visit Sub District Hospital (SDH) Kralpora or Kupwara for treatment. The lack of gynaecologist in Keran has become a major concern and during winter the pregnant women face immense hardships when the Keran-Kupwara road remains closed due to heavy snowfall for several days, Ferhad a local youth told Greater Kashmir . At the time of emergencies, patients are often carried on makeshift cots to Ferkin Top by walking almost 15 kilometres before they can be shifted to hospitals, he added. The residents said that they have repeatedly urged the Health Department to post a gynaecologist at NTPHC Keran, but their demand has remained unaddressed over the last several decades. A similar situation is being witnessed in Machil, where locals said that the Primary Health Centre (PHC) Duddi lacks specialist maternal healthcare services. Former sarpanch Habibullah Machil told Greater Kashmir that the absence of a gynaecologist has caused immense hardship for women in the remote area. The PHC has only a few doctors, and every time we approach the authorities for a gynaecologist, we are told that no such post exists at the hospital. Border residents deserve access to basic maternal healthcare like people living elsewhere, he said. Residents of both Keran and Machil appealed to the Health Department and the government to create and fill gynaecologist posts at the two health centres, saying timely access to maternal healthcare is essential for safeguarding the lives of mothers and newborns in these remote border areas. We appeal to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to kindly depute gynaecologists in our areas atleast for two days a week if not for the whole week so that we may feel some relief, they added.

Illegal toll tax burdens commuters at entry points to Bandipora, Ganderbal

Complaints of commuters being fleeced in the name of toll tax have widely surfaced in Ganderbal and north Kashmirs Bandipora, with private vehicle owners, mostly from outside of Jammu and Kashmir, being charged at toll posts. The commuters and the locals say the practice has been happening for over a month with no action in sight. Scores of visitors from outside of the valley entering Bandipora or Gurez say that they are being charged Rs 70 to Rs 100, mostly at the Sumbal toll post in Bandipora and in Ganderbal for entering the municipal jurisdictions. Although we tried to argue with the contractors, they resort to hooliganism and say the tax is necessary, the commuters said. They said the men there claim that the tax is being charged by the Municipal Committee Sumbal, as seen on the receipts. Notably, there has been an increased rush of tourists who mostly visit Bandipora in their private cars, especially to visit Gurez. Upon refusing to pay the toll, the men stationed at the toll posts collecting the tax threaten to block our movement; some even behave rudely and say the tax is necessary, another commuter on their way to Gurez said. Moreover, local commercial vehicle owners, like passenger vehicles, trucks, etc. also complain that they are being charged on every visit in a day, when it should be just once. We have received several such reports for a few days, Director of Urban Local Bodies (ULB) Kashmir, Qazi Sarwar, told Greater Kashmir . He said the contract has been outsourced to some agency for a year or two and that he will seek further clarification from the Executive Officer of the Municipal Committee Bandipora. Sarwar agreed that the agency had been charging the toll tax to private vehicle owners, as per the complaints received by them. We have called the contractors and we are fining them, the officer added. When asked if this was legal, the officer clearly declared, No, no, no. They cannot charge private vehicles, only commercial vehicles. Yes, this is illegal, and we have issued notices from the concerned EO municipal committees. The officer said, These complaints mainly poured in from Ganderbal and Sumbal. We have plugged the issue now. Meanwhile, EO, Aijaz Ahmad Khan, who looks after both the Bandipora Municipal Council and the Municipal Committee Sumbal, told Greater Kashmir that besides issuing notices, they have directed the contractors to display the approved rates published in the gazette. He further added, We have also installed two CCTV cameras and formed a special tax team from our office who will remain deployed at the toll posts for some days to check for any irregularities or illegal charging of toll tax on private vehicles. He said they will ensure no such issue happens again. The officer said the same agency operated in Sumbal and Ganderbal.

KCFL 2026: Baramulla Strikers beat Srinagar United to lift inaugural title

Baramulla Strikers scripted history by emerging champions of the inaugural Kashmir Champions Football League (KCFL) 2026, defeating Srinagar United in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout after an absorbing 1-1 draw in regulation time at the TRC Synthetic Turf Football Ground here on Sunday. The summit clash, as per the J&K Sports Council officials, brought the curtains down on the maiden edition of the tournament, organised by the J&K Sports Council in front of a packed stadium, with hundreds of football enthusiasts turning up to witness the battle between two of the league's most consistent sides. The atmosphere remained electric throughout the evening as supporters of both teams backed their players with chants and cheers under the floodlights. Baramulla Strikers made the brighter start and broke the deadlock in the first half, putting Srinagar United under pressure. The latter, however, responded with determination after the break, finding the equaliser to level the scores at 1-1 and set up a tense finish. With neither side able to find the winner in regulation time, the title was decided through a penalty shootout. Baramulla Strikers displayed remarkable composure from the spot, converting their chances to clinch the championship and become the first-ever winners of the Kashmir Champions Football League. Muheet Shabir was named the Player of the Match for his influential performance in the final, playing a key role in Baramulla Strikers' memorable triumph. The inaugural edition of KCFL, organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, featured teams from across Kashmir and witnessed competitive football, rising local talent and enthusiastic public participation throughout its run. The tournament consistently drew impressive crowds, particularly during the knockout rounds. With the conclusion of the first edition, the Kashmir Champions Football League has laid a strong foundation as a premier football competition in the region.

NIT Srinagar registers 220-run victory over Agartala

Hosts NIT Srinagar extended their dominant run in the ongoing Inter-NIT Faculty & Staff Cricket Tournament (M) 2026 with a commanding 220-run victory over NIT Agartala on Sunday. While NIT Jalandhar, NIT Hamirpur, NIT Puducherry, NIT Silchar, NIT Kurukshetra, NIT Rourkela, and NIT Calicut also registered impressive league wins. The hosts, as per a statement, produced another clinical all-round display, with Aaqib Sheikh continuing his sensational form by smashing his second century of the tournament. Aaqib scored 154 off just 57 balls, striking 18 fours and nine sixes, as NIT Srinagar piled up 279/3 in 20 overs. Captain Faisal Irshad scored 75 off 46 balls; while Wicketkeeper Sohail Baba added a quickfire unbeaten 30 off 12 deliveries. In reply, NIT Agartala never recovered from early setbacks and were bowled out for just 59 in 17.3 overs. Dr. Mohsin led the bowling attack with superb figures of 3 wickets for just 8 runs, while Dr. Shakeel Waseem and Shahid Hamid claimed two wickets each. Dr. Majid Hussain and Mudasir Qadir chipped in with one wicket apiece to complete one of the biggest victories of the tournament. In another match, NIT Jalandhar also produced one of the most destructive performances of the competition, crushing NIT Goa by 195 runs. Ravinder's brilliant 85 off 44 balls and Saurabh Dinkar's explosive 68 off 33 deliveries powered Jalandhar to 269/7, before Satyender Singh (3/7) and Sourav Gupta (3/10) skittled Goa for 74. Another one-sided contest saw NIT Hamirpur overpower SVNIT Surat by 171 runs. Hamirpur amassed 225/6, with Vivek Tiwari (48), Aman Kumar (45) and Surender Soni (40) leading the batting charge. Surat were then bowled out for 54, courtesy of disciplined spells from Anil Kumar (2/11) and Manish (2/17). NIT Puducherry continued their impressive campaign with a comfortable seven-wicket victory over NIT Raipur. After restricting Raipur to 107/9, thanks largely to Sudhakar V's outstanding 4/19, Puducherry chased down the target in just 12.4 overs, with Gopinath A (41 off 17) and Muthu Frnd (31) leading the charge. NIT Silchar defeated NIT Nagaland by 28 runs after posting 120/9, with Wasim Arif (26) and Anup Sharma (23) making valuable contributions. Nagaland were restricted to 92/7 despite Bikash Sarma's fighting 40, while Wasim Arif completed a fine all-round performance with 2/11. In one of the day's closest matches, NIT Kurukshetra edged NIT Uttarakhand by 15 runs. Kurukshetra scored 139/8, with Dr. Vikas Kumar and Rawat MS contributing 28 runs each, before Rahul Sharma's 3/27 ensured Uttarakhand finished on 124/9 despite Kuldeep Thakur's determined all-round effort. NIT Rourkela registered a 26-run victory over NIT Jamshedpur after posting 164. Subrat S (29) anchored the innings, while Nishant Kumar (3/22) and Debananda Amat (2/20) restricted Jamshedpur to 138, despite Ravi Ranjan Kumar's notable all-round display of 46 runs and 3/16. Meanwhile, NIT Calicut maintained their winning momentum with a convincing 39-run victory over MNIT Jaipur at Kashmir University Ground-2. Abhijith's 58 and Sreejith's 36 guided Calicut to 155/8, before Vinayak M (3/38) spearheaded the bowling attack to dismiss Jaipur for 116. With another day of high-scoring encounters, dominant bowling performances and commanding victories, the race for the knockout stage has intensified, with NIT Srinagar emerging as one of the strongest contenders after another emphatic all-round display. The five-day championship, hosted by NIT Srinagar, has brought together 24 NIT teams in a celebration of sportsmanship, teamwork, and national integration. The tournament is being sponsored by DRS IT Consultancy, NorthCut Enterprises, Aisha Enterprises, Bombay Sports, Chemi Health, Speedway Printers, G Active, K.S. Enterprises, M/S Sharp, Ahmad Scientific, Alfa Office, Nescaf, New S5 Enterprise, IGENE, FOSROC, Lakshmi Chand, JK Bats, J&K Bank, Canara Bank, ICICI Bank, HIECO, JK Cement, Gasha Canteen, Ali Mohammad P&D, and Orbit Contractors P&D.

Sudden decaying of trees along Jhelum Riverfront raises concern

Srinagar, Jul 5:Sudden decaying of several trees mostly conifers lining the Jhelum Riverfront at Rajbagh have raised concerns among visitors and nature lovers over deterioration of these natural assets. While the exact cause of drying up of conifers is unknown, locals believe the extensive excavation carried out during the riverfront development project may have damaged their root systems. Many have extensive dry branches now, while others show signs of trunk drying up. Residents living near the riverfront said the trees had remained healthy for centuries but started deteriorating after construction activities under the Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) project. While not every tree has been affected, locals claim a significant number appear concerning. The trees along Jhelum have for years saved erosion of river banks, especially during high-water level periods. In addition, the trees and their canopy have added to the charm of the river, and shade to people retreating under them in summer heat. The development works, however, seem to have disturbed the health and well-being of these hundreds of years old treasures. Heavy excavation in the area has likely damaged the roots of these trees, leading to their gradual decay, said a resident. He said that deep digging was carried out close to several mature trees during the execution of the project. In addition, there was concretization of paths, adding concrete to the soil that was a thriving river-mineral rich medium for natural plant growth. Another local said the change was noticeable a few months after the construction began. I have seen these trees healthy for years. Soon after the large-scale digging started, some of them began to wither. It is difficult to believe this is merely a coincidence, he said. Residents have urged the authorities to conduct a scientific assessment to determine whether excavation has compromised the structural stability of trees in the area. They expressed fear that if the damage is linked to disturbed root systems, more trees could decline in the coming years. Some residents also voiced suspicion that the trees may have been deliberately damaged. Perhaps, something was done to the trees to remove the obstacles for future construction or commercial use on the riverfront, one student, who said, was a frequent visitor in the area. However, no evidence is available to substantiate these allegations, and locals denied having knowledge of any such activity being witnessed. Other trees including Chinars and Acacia trees along The Bund on the opposite side of Jhelum riverfront are also drying up. Environmental observers are of the opinion that excavation close to mature trees can, in some cases, sever or damage its major roots. This affects their ability to absorb water and nutrients. The actual cause of the decay, however, can only be established through an expert inspection. CEO SSCL who is also SMC Commissioner Faz Lul Haseeb when asked for his comment on the issue said, I will look into it.

House gutted at Amda Kadal

Srinagar, Jul 5:Fire broke out at Amda Kadal, Lal Bazar, Srinagar, on Sunday, resulting in extensive damage to one residential house and partial damage to another. No loss of life or injuries were reported in the incident. The Fire Control Room, Batamaloo, received information about the blaze and immediately dispatched fire tenders from Fire Station Nowshera, Fire Station Soura and Fire Station Hazratbal to the spot. Upon arrival, firefighters found a two-storeyed residential house engulfed in flames, with the attic and second floor fully involved. An adjacent house also sustained partial damage to its upper floor due to the intensity of the fire. To strengthen the firefighting operation and ensure an uninterrupted water supply, additional fire tenders were rushed from the Fire & Emergency Services Headquarters. The firefighters displayed exceptional courage, dedication and professionalism in containing the blaze, preventing it from spreading further to nearby structures. As a result of the incident, one two-storeyed residential house was severely damaged, while another three-storeyed residential house suffered partial damage. The firefighting operation was carried out under the overall supervision of ADGP/Director Fire & Emergency Services Alok Kumar IPS while other senior officers also remained present at the scene to monitor and supervise the operation. According to the preliminary investigation, the fire is suspected to have been caused by a short circuit. Further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact cause.

Lasjan teenagers body retrieved from Jhelum

Srinagar, Jul 5: The body of 13-year-old Luqmaan Javaid, son of Javaid Ahmad, a resident of Lasjan, was recovered from river Jhelum on Sunday after two days. The body was recovered after an intensive day-long search operation involving Police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), divers and local volunteers. Luqmaan had drowned on Saturday while bathing. The search operation, which continued till late Saturday evening, was suspended due to darkness and resumed at first light on Sunday. Officials said multiple rescue teams, boats and divers were pressed into service to trace the missing teenager. Local residents, particularly those familiar with the river, also joined the operation with their boats to assist the rescue personnel. Our teams remained on the ground throughout the day. Police, SDRF and NDRF worked jointly, and every possible effort was made to locate the missing boy. His body was eventually retrieved from the river in the evening, an official said. Meanwhile, the Divisional Commissioner's office on Saturday formally requested the deployment of the Army's MARCOS divers to strengthen the search and retrieval operation in the Jhelum. The communication, issued by the Assistant Commissioner (Central), following an appeal by MLA Ahsan Pardesi seeking the deployment of the specialised diving team and necessary equipment to trace Luqmaan. As news of the recovery spread, heart-rending scenes unfolded along both banks of the Jhelum. Men, women, relatives and neighbors, who had been anxiously waiting since Saturday, broke down in tears as the body was brought out of the river. Special prayers were offered throughout the day, with local religious clerics visiting the spot to pray for the departed soul and console the grieving family. Neighbours described Luqmaan as a cheerful and well-mannered child whose death has left the entire locality in shock. He was the only son of his father. The family had already suffered the loss of more than one child due to different circumstances, and all their hopes rested on him. This tragedy has shattered them completely, a local resident said. Another resident said many people had not eaten since Saturday and remained at the riverbank throughout the search. We made frantic phone calls to experienced local divers and sand extractors who know the river well. Everyone wanted the child to be found. The entire locality stood together during these painful hours, he said. After the body was wrapped in a sheet, it was taken to his residence amid scenes of grief, with mourners lining the roads and consoling the bereaved family. The tragedy comes just two days after 17-year-old Basit Ali Akhoon drowned in the Dachigam stream near New Theed, Harwan, after reportedly getting trapped in the strong current while bathing. His death had already sparked demands for fencing, warning sign boards and regular patrolling at vulnerable water bodies. With two teenage drowning deaths reported in as many days and summer vacations underway, residents renewed their appeal for authorities to identify hazardous spots, strengthen surveillance, deploy rescue personnel at vulnerable locations and intensify public awareness campaigns to prevent further loss of young lives.

Preparations reviewed for Central Zuljanah procession at Shalimar on 25th Muharram

Srinagar, Jul 5: A special meeting of the members of the Jammu and Kashmir Anjuman-e-Sharie Shian was held at Arah Bal, Shalimar, under the chairmanship of Hujjat-ul-Islam Aga Syed Mujtaba Abbas Mousavi Al-Safavi. The meeting was attended by members of the organisation's central, district and zonal committees and a large number of prominent residents of Shalimar, said a press release. The meeting conducted a comprehensive review of the arrangements for the Central Zuljanah Procession to be taken out from Shalimar on 25th Muharram, marking the martyrdom anniversary of Hazrat Imam Zain-ul-Abideen (A.S.). Detailed discussions were held on various aspects of the procession, including overall management, traffic regulation, security, medical assistance, sanitation, volunteer deployment, and other logistical arrangements to ensure its smooth and peaceful conduct. In his presidential address, Hujjat-ul-Islam Aga Syed Mujtaba Abbas Mousavi Al-Safavi stated that after the tragedy of Karbala, Hazrat Imam Zain-ul-Abideen (A.S.) preserved and propagated the message of Ashura through patience, steadfastness, devotion, insight, and unwavering commitment to truth. He emphasised that the Muslim Ummah today must embrace the Hussaini teachings and the Seerat-e-Sajjadiya in both individual and collective life. Paying rich tribute to the Martyred Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei (RA), Aga Syed Mujtaba said that the late leader dedicated his entire blessed life to the service of Islam, the Holy Qur'an, the School of Ahlul Bayt (A.S.), the dignity of the Muslim Ummah, Islamic unity, and the defence of oppressed nations. He stated that the Martyred Supreme Leader never bowed before tyranny and global arrogance, but instead guided the Muslim world towards dignity, independence, resistance, and self-respect through his vision, courage, steadfastness, and revolutionary leadership. He further remarked that martyrs never truly die; rather, their sacred blood inspires renewed awakening, determination, resilience, and hope among nations, and that the thought, struggle, and mission of the Martyred Supreme Leader will continue to illuminate the path for freedom-loving people across the world. On the occasion, Aga Syed Mujtaba Abbas Mousavi Al-Safavi announced that the Jammu and Kashmir Anjuman-e-Sharie Shian will organise a grand mourning congregation on 9 July at Markazi Imambara Budgam to pay tribute to the Martyred Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei (RA). He appealed to all devotees of Ahlul Bayt (A.S.) to participate in large numbers and reaffirm their commitment to the ideals of resistance, Muslim unity, and the defence of the oppressed.

Food Safety Team inspects Langars at Nunwan Base Camp to ensure safe food for SANJY-2026 pilgrims

Srinagar, Jul 5: The Food Safety Department, Anantnag, on Saturday conducted a comprehensive inspection of Langars at the Nunwan Base Camp, Pahalgam, to ensure the availability of safe, hygienic, and wholesome food for pilgrims participating in the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY)-2026. The inspection was carried out under the directions of the Commissioner, Food and Drugs Administration, J&K. The Food Safety Team inspected food preparation areas, hygiene and sanitation practices, the quality and source of raw materials, storage facilities, availability of potable drinking water, personal hygiene of food handlers, and the use of food-grade utensils and equipment. During the drive, the team distributed protective gear, including face masks, head covers, and gloves, among Langar workers and advised them to use the protective equipment while preparing and serving food to prevent contamination. The officials also sensitized Langar management committees and food handlers about maintaining strict food safety and hygiene standards throughout the pilgrimage period. To further strengthen food safety measures during the Yatra, the department has deployed two Mobile Food Testing Vans across district Anantnag for on-the-spot testing of food being served to pilgrims, ensuring its quality and safety. The Food Safety Department stated that regular inspections and surveillance will continue throughout the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra to safeguard the health of pilgrims and ensure strict compliance with food safety regulations. The department appealed to all Langar organizers and food handlers to cooperate in maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and sanitation, contributing to the safe and successful conduct of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026.

Kupwaras Sultanpora residents facing acute drinking water crisis

Handwara, Jul 5:The residents of Sultanpora in Rajwar area of north Kashmirs Kupwara district recently staged a protest against the Jal Shakti Department for failing to provide them drinking water thus causing severe hardships for the locals. The protesters blocked the road for some time, raising slogans against the department and accusing it of failing to ensure an adequate drinking water supply to the village. They alleged that although Sultanpora has a separate water supply line from Zachaldara reservoir but the village has been deprived of water due to illegal connections taken from the main supply line. The department is watching our miseries as mute spectators and doing nothing against those who have taken illegal water connections, said a protester. We have been suffering for a long time. These illegal connections have deprived our village of drinking water and the department has failed to act, said a female protestor. The residents said that they have brought this issue into the notice of concerned officials numerous times but no concrete action has been taken. People including children and elderly residents are facing immense hardship because of the shortage of drinking water, they added. The protesters demanded immediate removal of the illegal connections and restoration of water supply to Sultanpora. If the department fails to restore the drinking water supply and remove the illegal connections at the earliest, we will intensify our agitation and block the main road in protest, they added.

AIP welcomes Rs 1,400 Cr JJM-II release, lauds Er Rashid's efforts

Srinagar, Jul 5:Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi has welcomed the Union Government's decision to release the first installment of Rs 1,400 crore under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM-II) for Jammu and Kashmir, saying the move will significantly accelerate drinking water projects in rural and remote areas. Inam Un Nabi said the development vindicates the persistent efforts of Member of Parliament Baramulla, Er. Rashid who despite being lodged in Tihar Jail, continuously pursued the issue through official letters to the Union Minister for Jal Shakti and also forcefully raised the matter during the last Parliament session after securing Custody Parole for attending the session. Er Rashid repeatedly impressed upon the Government of India to clear the long-pending JJM dues and ensure timely release of funds for Jammu and Kashmir. Inam Un Nabi said MP Er. Rashid has consistently maintained that access to safe drinking water is a basic right and that the financial constraints under JJM were adversely affecting thousands of households across the Union Territory. The release of these funds is a welcome step and reflects the importance of sustained parliamentary intervention on issues directly affecting the people, Inam Un Nabi said. He expressed hope that the remaining installments , along with additional funds for left-out schemes, would also be released at the earliest so that every deserving household in Jammu and Kashmir benefits under the Jal Jeevan Mission.

Paper leak: Centre has failed to safeguard future of children, says Karra

Jammu, Jul 5: Jammu and Kashmir Congress president Tariq Hameed Karra on Sunday said the party has expanded its nationwide campaign against examination paper leaks to all 20 districts of the Union territory, and alleged that the Centre has failed to safeguard the future of students. He said the Congress high command had announced 28 pilot campaigns across the country under this initiative last month, with Srinagar among the selected locations where the campaign was launched on July 2. The programme is now being conducted across all 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir, Karra told reporters on the sidelines of the campaign in Bishnah, on the outskirts of Jammu. Targeting the BJP-led Centre, Karra said a government which could not protect donations made by devotees at temples cannot be expected to be serious regarding issues such as education and repeated leak of examination papers. If theft can take place in temples, then how can the theft of examination papers be considered surprising? he said. Questioning Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's continuation in office, the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief said the party had repeatedly asked why he had not resigned despite the death of 21 students. Now we understand why his conscience was unmoved. If they cannot safeguard temples, how can they be expected to safeguard education and the future of children? Karra lashed out. He said the campaign involved both rural and urban units of Jammu district Congress, with large participation of the party's senior leadership. He said the largest number of participants at the event were students, describing it as encouraging, as the issue of paper leaks directly concerns their future. Karra said, Rahul Gandhi has provided us with an excellent platform. Through this platform, we want to visit every district, create awareness among students and motivate them to join this movement. He asserted that the issue of paper leaks extends beyond examinations and has wider social implications. This is not merely about paper leaks or whether someone qualifies or is disqualified in an examination. It has a broader societal dimension. There is a social aspect, a psychological aspect and a mental health aspect that perhaps our prime minister or Union education minister fail to understand, he said.

One-third of J&Ks mutton comes from outside, exposing supply vulnerability

Srinagar, Jul 5:The recent disruption in livestock supplies from Punjab, which triggered a mutton shortage and sharp price rise across Kashmir, has exposed a structural weakness in Jammu and Kashmirs livestock sectora widening gap between domestic production and consumption. Although mutton dealers and retailers have called off their strike following the resolution of the Punjab supply issue, the episode underscored the Valleys heavy reliance on imported livestock to meet local demand. According to official figures, nearly one-third of Jammu and Kashmirs annual mutton requirement is met through supplies from outside the Union Territory. J&K produces around 370 lakh kilograms of mutton annually against an estimated demand of 545 lakh kilograms, leaving a deficit of nearly 175 lakh kilograms each year. The figures were shared by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo during a recent high-level review meeting on the livestock sector. The supply gap explains why even brief disruptions in the movement of livestock from neighbouring states have an immediate impact on market availability and retail prices. The recent uncertainty over the transportation of sheep from Punjab, though now resolved following assurances from the Punjab government, once again highlighted the regions dependence on external supplies. According to the Sheep Husbandry Department, Jammu and Kashmir has a livestock population of 43.68 lakh sheep and 22.5 lakh goats. Together, these animals have the potential to produce around 370 lakh kilograms of meat and 80 lakh kilograms of wool annually. However, current production remains significantly below market demand. To bridge the gap, the government is focusing on improving livestock productivity through scientific breeding rather than merely increasing flock size. The department has proposed introducing Embryo Transfer Technology (ETT) and Multiple Ovulation and Embryo Transfer (MOET) to accelerate genetic improvement in sheep breeds. Under the plan, the government aims to produce 6,000 embryos annually by establishing embryo generation laboratories equipped with cryopreservation facilities. It also plans to set up ETT laboratories in every district and train veterinarians and para-veterinarians to implement the programme. During the review meeting, the Chief Secretary directed the department to execute these initiatives in mission mode, stating that the dairy and sheep husbandry sectors have significant potential to drive rural economic growth, employment and sustainable livelihoods. However, experts caution that genetic improvement is a long-term intervention and is unlikely to address the immediate supply deficit. Even with timely implementation, it may take several years before higher productivity translates into increased mutton production. Until then, they say, Jammu and Kashmir will remain dependent on livestock imports, leaving the market vulnerable to supply disruptions and exposing consumers to periodic price spikes whenever the inflow of animals from outside is affected.

Uri Court accepts closure report, discharges civilian in EIMCO Case

Srinagar, Jul 5: A Court in Uri has accepted a police closure report in an FIR registered under the Enemy Agents Ordinance (EIMCO) and the Immigration and Foreigners Act, holding that the investigation failed to establish any material linking the accused with anti-national activities or illegal cross-border movement. Judicial Magistrate Uri Mahmud Anwar Alnasir, in a detailed judgment accepted the closure report filed by Police Station Uri in FIR No. 54/2026 and discharged accused Zeeshan Ahmed Mir, a resident of Khwaja Bandi. According to the prosecution, personnel of 12 Grenadiers, Rustam Battalion, while conducting surveillance operations near Masjid Nala on May 31, apprehended a suspicious individual after he allegedly attempted to flee during questioning. The Army subsequently handed him over to Police Station Uri, where an FIR was registered under Sections 2 and 3 of the EIMCO Ordinance and Section 21 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act. During the investigation, police seized mobile phones, SIM cards, a train ticket and other documents. The mobile phones were sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for examination, while investigators also sought call detail records, internet protocol data records and other electronic evidence. However, after completing the investigation, the Investigating Officer concluded that no prosecutable case was made out and submitted a closure report before the court. Concurring with the findings of the Investigating Officer, the court observed that the prosecution had failed to produce credible evidence to substantiate the allegations levelled against the accused. The court also observed that there was no notification on record declaring the place from where the accused was apprehended to be a prohibited, protected or restricted area requiring special permission for entry. The court held that in the absence of evidence showing illegal border crossing, subversive intent, sabotage, anti-national activity, or any threat to the sovereignty and integrity of India, the essential ingredients of offences under the EIMCO Ordinance were not made out. Holding that the investigation had rightly concluded the case to be not admitted for want of evidence, the magistrate accepted the closure report, discharged the accused from his personal bond and sureties, and directed that all seized property, including the accuseds mobile phones and another phone seized from another person, be released to their respective owners in accordance with law.

CWC pulls up Srinagar school over child sexual harassment, orders principals transfer

Srinagar, Jul 5:In the latest development, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Srinagar, has held a Srinagar private school responsible for negligence and omission in handling the alleged sexual harassment, bullying and intimidation of a 10-year-old student. The CWC has issued directions for the transfer of the schools Principal and ordered sweeping reforms in child safeguarding mechanisms. In its 26-page order, the CWC has said that the schools response exposed significant deficiencies in institutional child protection and safeguarding mechanisms after a Class 5 student was allegedly subjected to repeated sexual harassment, bullying and death threats by a Class 6 student within the school premises. The CWC Bench, headed by Dr Khair Ul Nisa along with members Nuzhat Un Nisa and Beenish Kazmi, also ordered a comprehensive child safety audit of all recognised schools in Srinagar besides directing mandatory training for school heads and staff on child rights, safeguarding and reporting obligations. The Committee had taken suo motu cognisance of the matter on June 2 after receiving information about repeated sexual harassment, intimidation and threats against the 10-year-old student. The child was subsequently declared a Child in Need of Care and Protection under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. As per the CWC order, the childs father informed the Committee that the abuse continued for nearly a month because the victim was too frightened to disclose it. Although the parents alerted the school and sought immediate intervention, they alleged that no timely action was taken, resulting in severe emotional and psychological trauma to the child. The childs mother later told the committee that her son had disclosed incidents of inappropriate conduct, coercion, physical violence and threats aimed at preventing him from reporting the matter. The school, however, denied receiving any prior complaint of sexual harassment. The school, however, admitted receiving an email from the parents on May 23 seeking withdrawal of the child from the school due to emotional distress and said that an internal inquiry was initiated only after the intervention of CWC. According to the schools inquiry, a Class 6 student had shared the name of a pornographic website with the victim after learning about it from a younger cousin. The content was allegedly viewed on the mothers mobile phone during an examination. The Principal reportedly described the matter as sharing of inappropriate online content rather than sexual abuse. Rejecting the schools approach, the CWC observed that remedial measures were initiated only after it took cognisance of the case. It is evident that the child disclosed repeated incidents of sexual harassment, bullying, intimidation and psychological trauma resulting in fear of attending school, CWC observed. The CWC further said that issuing a transfer certificate without ensuring counselling, psychosocial support and protective measures reflected an attempt to address the immediate consequence rather than ensuring accountability and addressing the root cause of the problem. The Committee said that schools function in loco parentis and therefore carry a heightened responsibility to protect children not only from academic harm but also from bullying, peer violence, sexual misconduct and psychological abuse. While considering action against the alleged accused student, the CWC noted that the child was below 12 years of age and therefore entitled to the legal presumption under Section 21 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita that children below 12 cannot commit an offence. Taking into account the wishes of both families, who sought counselling rather than criminal proceedings, the Committee adopted a child-centric, reformative and protective approach guided by the principles of the Juvenile Justice Act. Counselling reports submitted before the Committee indicated that the victim requires sustained trauma counselling, while the accused child needs structured psychological intervention, parental supervision and behavioural monitoring. Among its major directions, the CWC ordered the immediate transfer of the present Principal and directed that he should not be posted in any educational institution in future without first undergoing certified training on child rights, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, safeguarding standards and mandatory reporting procedures. The school management has also been directed to establish a comprehensive Child Protection Policy incorporating anti-bullying measures, confidential complaint mechanisms, digital safety protocols, regular risk assessments and continuous monitoring. The Committee ordered an independent inquiry into previous incidents of bullying, sexual harassment and peer abuse within the school and directed that the report be submitted within 30 days. It further directed that all future incidents involving child abuse, sexual misconduct or bullying must be immediately reported to statutory authorities under the Juvenile Justice Act and the POCSO Act. The CWC also mandated structured training for all teachers, counsellors and administrators dealing with student welfare, while directing the school to facilitate the victims safe reintegration with adequate psychosocial support and protection against victimisation. The accused child has been directed to undergo counselling at IMHANS, Badamwari, while the victim will continue trauma-informed counselling under a designated counsellor. The Committee also ordered the immediate reinstatement of the accused child, observing that no child should be deprived of the right to education and that the dignity and confidentiality of both children must be protected. Also, the Chief Education Officer, Srinagar, has been directed to conduct periodic child safeguarding audits in all recognised schools in the district and submit a compliance report within 15 days. The District Child Protection Unit has been tasked with monitoring compliance. The Committee has also ordered continued monitoring of compliance through the District Child Protection Unit, Srinagar.

Irans top officials attend prayer for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Tehran, Jul 5: Iran's top officials and brothers of the country's new supreme leader emerged into public view Sunday to attend the funeral prayers for the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, signalling a new confidence in their safety as calls grew for the killing of US President Donald Trump. Their presence before hundreds of thousands of people in the capital Tehran would have been unthinkable during the Iran war, which saw airstrikes in its opening moments on Feb. 28 kill the 86-year-old Khamenei, his family members and other officials. Israel also targeted others who appeared publicly during the war, in at least one case likely using their public appearance to fix their position for a strike. But still unseen was Iran's new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. He is believed to be in hiding after reportedly being wounded in the airstrike that killed his father. Israel has threatened to kill him as well as he leads a theocracy now negotiating with the United States over a permanent end to the war and over Iran strangling traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global energy supplies. Ziba Naderi, a 42-year-old nurse attending the funeral Sunday, said Iran needed to follow whatever Mojtaba Khamenei commands in regards to the nation. I heard the call for revenge, but our leader should say what we need to do, she said. And we must listen to him. Funeral includes prayers and calls for revenge Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani, a 97-year-old Shiite cleric, led the prayers at Tehran's Grand Mosalla for Khamenei and his late family members. On hand were Khamenei's sons Masoud, Meysam and Mostafa, who haven't been seen since the war. Revolutionary Guard head Gen. Ahmad Vahidi, who only had been photographed for the first time since the war on Thursday, could be seen in the crowd by Associated Press journalists, flanked by plainclothes security forces as he wore a black baseball cap. Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Esmail Qaani, who leads the Guard's expeditionary Quds Force, also attended. Their appearances came as posters and graffiti at the Grand Mosalla called for the killing of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Mohammad Rasouli, a poet who emceed the event prior to the prayers, drew calls of Death to America! and Death to Israel! Speaking to the crowd over loudspeakers at the funeral, Rasouli asked, referring to Trump, Why is the most bastard man in the world still alive? The question drew cheers from the crowd, and again when Rasouli said the world is no longer a good place for Trump. It marked the first, direct threat to Trump's life by an official during the funeral. Khamenei's body will be transported to cities in Iran and neighboring Iraq, with authorities planning to drive his casket and others through the streets of Tehran on Monday. Authorities have shut down streets, airspace and daily life for the mourning, which will end Thursday as he is buried at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, Khamenei's place of birth. Authorities offered no attendance count for the event Saturday and Sunday. Other cities across Iran also held mourning ceremonies. For now, talks over reaching a permanent end to the war are on hold until the end of the funeral. Having a major turnout could prove important as Iran tries to leverage its hold on the Strait of Hormuz in negotiations as concern lingers that Israel could attack again. Our foreign policy should not be shaped in a way that allows our martyred leader's blood to be dishonored and other countries can afford to do such things, without any serious response from our government and diplomatic system, mourner Mohammad Reza Sharifi said.

CIJ registers FIR against publishers over controversial books

Srinagar, Jul 5: The Counter-Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Police has registered a First Information Report (FIR) and launched searches after two books found in government school libraries contained material glorifying separatist figures and promoting narratives considered anti-national. The case has been registered at CIK Police Station, Jammu, vide FIR 3/2026 under Section 49, 61 (2), 152, 196, 353 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). We have seized the MoU and other documents during the searches conducted at the premises of one of the publishers in Jammu and another location, senior officials said, adding that, besides physical records, digital evidence was also seized. We are carrying out more searches, and so far no arrests have been made, officials said, adding that in-depth investigations are underway. The books under scrutiny are Personalities and Legends of J&K, authored by Hilal Ahmad and Santosh Meena and published by Jammu-based Oberoi Book Service, and Great Personalities of Jammu and Kashmir, authored by Sushant Giri and published by Delhi-based Anurag Prakashan. According to officials, 123 copies of one title were supplied to schools in Jammu, Ramban and Udhampur districts, while 128 copies of the second title were distributed to schools in Jammu and Baramulla districts. The action follows directions from Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who suspended eight officials of the School Education Department, removed a contractual employee and ordered a departmental inquiry after the books were found to contain what the administration described as highly inappropriate content. The School Education Department has since withdrawn both books from school libraries. The controversy erupted after leaders from both the BJP and the Congress alleged that the publications glorified separatist leaders and promoted narratives sympathetic to Pakistan. Leader of the Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Sunil Sharma, described the issue as a grave offence, alleging that one of the books praised Hafiz Saeed, the alleged mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, and referred to the region as India-occupied Kashmir. Sharma demanded accountability from everyone involved in the selection and distribution of the books, including the authors, publishers, expert committee members and the Education Minister. He also accused the ruling National Conference government of being complicit, alleging that the distribution reflected a deliberate agenda. Responding to the controversy, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he had neither seen nor read the books and did not comment further on their contents.

The Indispensable science of our warming world

The applied science that examines the interactions between meteorological, hydrological and pedological factors on one hand and directly addresses the most critical factor governing agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and forestry on the other. It is increasingly recognized as one of the most important and future-oriented branches of agricultural science. What sets agromet apart? The discipline is not merely meteorology applied to farms. It is a fundamentally cross-disciplinary framework drawing one urgent question: how do we feed humanity when the sky itself is becoming unpredictable? Conventional agricultural sciences treat the climate as a background constant. Agronomy depends on weather for crop growth, horticulture on chilling accumulation, frost occurrence; soil science is closely linked with soil moisture dynamics, evapotranspiration and rainfall distribution; entomology and plant pathology rely heavily on temperature and humidity for pest and disease forecasting. Even agricultural economics models yield-price relationships without internalising the stochasticity of rainfall or temperature. Agromet, hence, serves as the central nervous system of agriculture because agriculture is entirely dependent on atmospheric conditions and every agricultural activity including sowing, irrigation, fertilizer application, pest management, harvesting and post-harvest operations is influenced by weather variability. The discipline now integrates remote sensing, GIS, artificial intelligence, machine learning, drones, satellite meteorology, crop simulation models, automatic weather stations and IoT-based sensors. Such innovations have transformed agriculture from a conventional practice into precision and climate-smart farming. Today, real-time weather advisories, drought alerts, irrigation scheduling, and disease forecasting systems are increasingly helping farmers minimize losses and improve productivity. Therefore, agrometeorology is not only a science of observation but also a science of prediction, preparedness and adaptation. Vulnerability of hill agriculture: The importance of agrometeorology becomes even more pronounced in the Himalayan and hilly regions of India. The Himalayan, Western Ghats, and Northeastern hill zones represent a distinct and acutely vulnerable agro-climatic frontier. Rising temperatures, declining snowfall, glacial retreat, cloudbursts, droughts, landslides, flash floods and erratic precipitation patterns are increasingly affecting agriculture and livelihoods across the region. In temperate areas such as Kashmir Valley, slight changes in winter temperature can significantly alter chilling hour accumulation required for apple, walnut, almond and cherry cultivation. Variability in precipitation also affects saffron production, irrigation availability and water resource sustainability. Snowline retreat in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand has pushed traditional apple-growing belts upward by 200-500 metres over four decades. Potato cultivation in Spiti and Lahaul, staple to food security at 3,500+ metres, now faces erratic frost dates that collapses carefully planned crop calendars. Cardamom in the Sikkim hills has suffered yield losses exceeding 30% due to cloud cover shifts and altered rainfall intensity. Therefore, weather-based scientific management becomes essential for maintaining agricultural productivity in these ecologically sensitive regions. Agrometeorology provides the only systematic lens for monitoring these shifts as no other agricultural discipline has the means of taking them up. There is a quiet revolution unfolding at the intersection of weather science and agriculture. Experts in agrometeorology are required in meteorological departments, agricultural universities, climate research organizations, hydrological institutes, disaster management agencies, international climate programs, satellite-based monitoring systems and precision agriculture industries. SKUAST-Kashmir-a leading hill university in Agromet Sciences Agrometeorology, once a niche specialism tucked inside agricultural university curricula, has in the past decade vaulted into the front ranks of Indias most consequential scientific careers. India has one agromet scientist per 4.2 million farmers. The WMO benchmark is one per 200,000. This gap is not a problem, it is a career opportunity of extraordinary scale. In this context, SKUAST-Kashmir, has emerged as one of the leading institutions in agrometeorological research and climate services in the Himalayan region. The university has played a pioneering role in strengthening weather-based agricultural management and climate resilience in Kashmir Valley. Since 1994, SKUAST-Kashmir has been continuously issuing agrometeorological advisories to farmers across the Kashmir Valley. For nearly three decades, it has supported thousands of farmers in minimizing crop losses and improving agricultural decision-making under changing climatic conditions. Recognizing the growing importance of climate science in agriculture, SKUAST-Kashmir initiated a Masters degree program in Agrometeorology at the Faculty of Horticulture, Shalimar, in 2023. Further expanding its academic leadership, the university started a doctoral program in Agrometeorology from the Spring session of 2026. These programs are expected to produce highly skilled scientists capable of addressing emerging challenges related to climate change in mountainous ecosystems. A major pillar of agrometeorological research at SKUAST-Kashmir is the establishment of the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Agrometeorology Centre. The center has contributed significantly to weather-based agricultural research in the Himalayan region. Research on the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) has enabled scientific drought assessment and monitoring across different agro-climatic zones of Kashmir. The university has also undertaken advanced crop simulation and crop modeling studies for various agricultural and horticultural crops under changing climate scenarios. These studies help predict crop growth, yield response and climatic vulnerability under future environmental conditions. Another remarkable scientific contribution has been the development of BBCH phenological scales for major crops of Kashmir Valley. These scales provide standardized growth stage descriptions essential for precision crop management, pest forecasting, irrigation scheduling, and climate impact assessment. The role of SKUAST-Kashmir is particularly significant because Kashmir Valley is highly vulnerable to climatic variabilities. Untimely rains, prolonged dry spells, spring frost, declining snowfall and increasing temperature trends are already affecting horticulture, agriculture and water resources. In such a scenario, the universitys agrometeorological initiatives provide an essential scientific foundation for climatic adaptation and sustainable farming. By integrating weather forecasting, climate research, crop modeling, drought monitoring, precision irrigation, and farmer advisories, SKUAST-Kashmir is emerging as a major center of excellence for agrometeorology in the Indian Himalayan Region. Those who read the sky will feed the world! Graduates who understand both the sky and the soil are being recruited. The government and national research sector anchored by the India Meteorological Department, ICARs constellation of institutes and ISROs Space Applications Centre remains the largest single employer. Scientists and officers here work on national food security systems, from district-level crop weather advisories under the Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) to long-range seasonal forecasting models that inform the Union Budgets agricultural assumptions. Academic careers as faculty at State Agricultural Universities or central institutions offer the dual reward of teaching and funded research. The NET/ASRB-NET qualification opens the door to Assistant Professorship; a Ph.D. is the passport to the professoriate. Institutions in hill states, including CSKHPKV at Palampur, SKUAST-Kashmir, GBPUAT-Uttarakhand are particularly active in recruiting agromet specialists given the heightened climate sensitivity of mountain agriculture. The private sector has transformed rapidly. Crop insurance companies including the Agriculture Insurance Company of India, which administers the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana covering 55 million farmers depend entirely on weather index models built by agromet professionals. Multinational seed companies such as Bayer CropScience, Corteva Agriscience and Syngenta hire agromet-trained analysts to evaluate variety performance against climate scenarios before products reach the field. Some major employers which recruit agrometeorologists are institutions like Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) and various All India Coordinated Research Projects on Agrometeorology. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences is the apex body, running the Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa across 600+ districts. ICAR-CRIDA, leads dryland agromet research nationally and the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF, Noida), ISROs Space Applications Centre (SAC, Ahmedabad), the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS). Agrometeorologists are increasingly required in organizations related to remote sensing and satellite applications such as National Remote Sensing Centre, and Space Applications Centre. These institutions use weather data, satellite imagery, GIS, and crop models for agricultural forecasting, drought assessment, flood monitoring, and resource management. The discipline also offers strong opportunities in disaster management and climate adaptation programs. Internationally, the career scope of agrometeorology is even broader Countries in North America, Europe, Australia, Africa and the Middle East increasingly require specialists capable of integrating agriculture with climate science and weather intelligence. International organizations recruit agrometeorologists for projects related to food security, drought resilience, sustainable agriculture and climate adaptation. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO, Geneva) is the supreme intergovernmental authority, with its Commission for Agricultural Meteorology (CAgM) setting international standards and guidelines since 1951. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, Rome) runs the CLIMAG and AgMet programmes, translating weather science into food security policy. The CGIAR network, particularly CIMMYT, IRRI, ICRISAT and ICARDA- conducts the worlds most influential applied agromet research for developing-country agriculture. The WMO-FAO joint programme on climate services for agriculture (GACSA) coordinates adaptation strategies globally. The increasing global emphasis on sustainable agriculture and carbon-neutral food production is expected to further increases exponentially demand for agrometeorology professionals in the coming decades. The need of the hour By 2050, India must feed a population of 1.67 billion while climate models project a 10-40% reduction in net primary productivity across its semi-arid zones. The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) identifies agriculture as a priority mission and its success depends entirely on agrometeorological capacity. India currently has one agromet scientist per 4.2 million farmers. The WMO benchmark is one per 200,000. Bridging this gap through expanded university programmes, 24/7 district-level advisory services and integration of numerical weather prediction into farm management platforms is not a distant aspiration. It is an immediate agricultural security imperative. Every 1C rise in mean temperature reduces wheat yield by 6% and rice yield by 3-10%. India grows both at continental scale. The agromets hidden role: Plant breeding may seem the province of geneticists alone, but the most impactful climate-resilient varieties of the past two decades owe their development to agrometeorological intelligence. Indias drought-tolerant rice variety DRR Dhan 42, developed under the ICAR-CRRI programme, was engineered for a rainfall-deficit window identified through decades of agromet monitoring in Odishas red laterite zone. Similarly, HD 3385, Indias heat-tolerant wheat variety cleared for cultivation under late-sown conditions. The CGIAR-led Heat Tolerant Maize for Asia (HTMA) project, involving varieties deployed across 800,000 ha in South Asia, credits agromet-derived heat stress maps as foundational to its breeding targets. Agrometeorology is the only science that can help farmers and nations adapt to it in real time, one field, one forecast, one season at a time. In conclusion, agrometeorology offers one of the most diverse, modern and impactful careers in agricultural sciences. It combines agriculture with climate science, artificial intelligence, remote sensing, disaster management and environmental sustainability. With increasing global concern about climate change and food security, the demand for agrometeorologists is expected to grow nationally and internationally. Students entering this field today are likely to become key contributors to the future of climate-ready and sustainable agriculture worldwide. Dr Latief Ahmad and Dr Sameera Qayoom, Faculty at Division of Agrometeorology, FoH Shalimar SKUAST Kashmir

A Mandate Cannot Become an Alibi

Dear Chief Minister, The most important obligation of a democratically elected government is not merely to govern; it is to speak truthfully to those from whom it derives its legitimacy. Elections confer authority, but they also impose an ethical burden: the burden of honesty. A government may fail because of adverse circumstances, institutional constraints, or inherited crises. Democracies are often forgiving of failure. What they find difficult to forgive is evasion. It is in this spirit- not hostility but democratic concern- that I write to you. Nearly two years into your government, a peculiar paradox confronts Jammu and Kashmir. You received a decisive electoral mandate in a political environment where democratic faith itself had become fragile. Citizens did not merely vote for a political party; they voted for the possibility that representative government could once again become meaningful. They entrusted you with hope at a time when hope had become a scarce political resource. Yet today, public discourse is increasingly dominated by a single refrain: that the elected government can do little because Jammu and Kashmir remains a Union Territory, and because substantial authority rests with the Lieutenant Governor. This argument deserves careful scrutiny- not because constitutional constraints are imaginary, but because constitutional constraints cannot become a permanent substitute for political accountability. No serious observer disputes that the post-2019 constitutional arrangement has fundamentally altered the architecture of governance. The elected government does not possess the authority enjoyed by a full-fledged state. Questions relating to policing, public order, and certain administrative matters remain outside your governments direct control. The duality of authority between the elected executive and the Lieutenant Governor creates genuine administrative complications. But constitutional reality must not become political convenience. The citizens who voted for you were aware that Jammu and Kashmir was already a Union Territory. Your party was equally aware of this constitutional reality when it approached the electorate. Yet your manifesto did not ask for a mandate merely to demand statehood. It sought a mandate to govern under the existing constitutional framework while simultaneously advocating for the restoration of statehood. The promises were explicit. Employment. Affordable electricity. Relief from rising household costs. Better governance. Administrative responsiveness. A more humane state. These promises were not made in the conditional tense. They were not accompanied by footnotes stating that implementation would begin only after constitutional restructuring. They were presented as commitments that your government intended to pursue. This is precisely where the democratic question arises. If the constitutional limitations were so overwhelming that these commitments could never realistically be fulfilled, why were they made with such confidence? Electoral promises derive their legitimacy not merely from aspiration but from feasibility. A manifesto is not political poetry; it is a public contract. Citizens evaluate governments not by the elegance of their explanations after victory but by the realism of their commitments before elections. If, however, you genuinely believe that the Union Government has systematically prevented your administration from fulfilling these commitments, then another question naturally follows. Why not tell the people everything? Why not place before the public every proposal that was rejected, every administrative file that was blocked, every financial request that was denied, every institutional obstacle that made governance impossible? Democracy is not weakened by transparency; it is strengthened by it. If your government is constrained, then allow the people to understand the nature of those constraints. Let citizens become witnesses rather than spectators. Let the debate move beyond political rhetoric to documentary evidence. Constitutional disagreements should not remain conversations confined to official meetings; they should become matters of democratic deliberation. Silence serves neither accountability nor autonomy. Indeed, there is a deeper philosophical issue at stake. Political authority is meaningful only when it accepts responsibility for the domain over which it still exercises control. The temptation of every government confronted by structural constraints is to define itself exclusively by what it cannot do. Yet democratic legitimacy rests equally upon demonstrating what can still be done. Health remains within your governments administrative responsibility. Education remains your governments responsibility. Transport remains your governments responsibility. Large sections of social welfare remain your governments responsibility. Administrative efficiency remains your governments responsibility. Public hospitals do not cease functioning because statehood has not been restored. Government schools do not improve automatically after constitutional change. Youth unemployment cannot indefinitely be explained through institutional limitations alone. Citizens judge governance through their daily encounters with public institutions- not merely through constitutional debates. The measure of government is often found in ordinary administration rather than extraordinary speeches. History offers a consistent lesson. Strong political leaders do not merely describe institutional constraints; they transform public understanding of those constraints by confronting them openly. They either negotiate them, challenge them, or mobilise public opinion around them. They rarely allow constitutional limitations to become an all-encompassing explanation for administrative underperformance. If the Centre is genuinely exercising authority in a manner that undermines democratic governance, then perhaps the people deserve not carefully calibrated explanations but principled political candour. Democratic politics has always respected leaders willing to speak uncomfortable truths to both power and the public. The tragedy of contemporary politics is not merely the erosion of institutions; it is the erosion of clarity. Citizens increasingly struggle to identify who is responsible for success and who is accountable for failure. Ambiguity has become politically convenient. But democracy cannot function when responsibility itself becomes diffused. This is why your government stands at a defining moment. You can continue to insist that the absence of statehood explains the limitations of governance. Or you can elevate the conversation. You can present before the people a detailed account of what your government attempted, what was prevented, what remains possible, and where responsibility truly lies. Such honesty may invite political criticism, but it would also restore something increasingly absent from public life: trust. ltimately, as Chief Minister, elections do not merely produce governments. They produce relationships between citizens and power. Those relationships survive not because governments always succeed, but because governments continue to speak honestly even when success proves elusive. The people of Jammu and Kashmir have demonstrated extraordinary political patience over the past decade. They deserve more than explanations. They deserve clarity. They deserve evidence. Above all, they deserve the truth. Respectfully, Zahid Sultan, Kashmir Based Independent Researcher

Ordinary anxiety?

For generations, Kashmir measured success differently. Parents wished for secure employment for their children, a peaceful home, good education, respect within the community, and the ability to live with dignity. A teacher, farmer, artisan, government employee, shopkeeper, or orchard owner was not considered ordinary in a dismissive sense. Each represented stability, purpose and contribution to society. Today, that understanding is quietly disappearing. Without any official policy or public debate, expectations have risen beyond what most people can realistically achieve. Every student must become a topper. Every entrepreneur must build a start-up. Every professional must become an influencer. Every achievement must be displayed online. Every life must appear extraordinary. For many young Kashmiris, success is no longer defined by meaningful work but by visibility. Social media has transformed comparison into a daily habit. Reality is constantly competing with carefully edited versions of other peoples lives. This pressure exists alongside realities unique to Kashmir. Decades of political uncertainty, interrupted education, recurring disruptions, limited private-sector opportunities and high unemployment already test the resilience of young people. Adding unrealistic expectations creates an emotional burden that many silently carry. Families too have become anxious. Parents invest heavily in coaching, competitive examinations and multiple skill courses, fearing that anything less will leave their children behind. Childhood increasingly resembles preparation rather than growth. Young people often graduate with degrees, certificates and anxiety in equal measure. Yet Kashmir has never survived because of extraordinary individuals alone. It has endured because of ordinary citizens who quietly kept society functioning through difficult years, teachers who continued classes despite uncertainty; doctors and nurses who served during crises; farmers who harvested fields regardless of circumstances; orchardists who protected livelihoods through unpredictable seasons; shopkeepers who extended credit to struggling neighbours; sanitation workers, drivers, artisans, public servants and countless others whose names rarely appear in newspapers but whose work sustains everyday life. Their contribution deserves as much respect as celebrated success stories. A healthy society cannot be built only by celebrating toppers, celebrities and officers. It also depends upon competent electricians, honest clerks, responsible parents, skilled carpenters, dedicated nurses, disciplined police personnel, committed teachers and reliable small-business owners. These professions rarely trend on social media, yet they form the backbone of every functioning community. Perhaps Kashmir today does not need to lower its ambitions. It needs to redefine them. Ambition without gratitude produces exhaustion. Competition without perspective creates anxiety. Development without social dignity leaves many feeling inadequate even when they are living honourable lives. The future of Kashmir will certainly require innovators, scientists, entrepreneurs and civil servants. But it will equally require thousands of ordinary citizens performing ordinary responsibilities with extraordinary integrity. Peace itself is built this way, not only through political decisions but through teachers entering classrooms every morning, doctors treating patients with compassion, parents raising responsible children, neighbours helping one another, and citizens respecting the dignity of honest work. Perhaps the most important lesson for Kashmir today is simple, not every meaningful life will become famous, but every meaningful life strengthens society. A society that honours only exceptional achievement eventually creates exceptional anxiety. A society that honours ordinary dignity creates confident citizens. In the end, Kashmirs future will not be shaped only by its heroes. It will also be shaped by the countless ordinary people who quietly keep hope alive every single day. Perhaps our greatest challenge is not producing more extraordinary people but restoring dignity to ordinary aspirations. Obeida Ashraf is a teacher by profession.

A welcome course correction

The withdrawal of the proposed twice-weekly closure of Srinagar Airport is a welcome decision. The Amarnath Yatra is underway, drawing lakhs of pilgrims through Jammu and Kashmir at precisely the season when air connectivity matters most. Layer onto that the broader tourism revival: more than five lakh visitors arrived in the Valley in just the first four and a half months of 2026, with April alone accounting for over 1.32 lakh of them. Against that backdrop, shutting down the airport for two full days every week, even temporarily, would have been an act of self-sabotage dressed up as routine maintenance. To its credit, the Centre listened. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah thanked Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu for responding to a crisis that had been building since the original closure notice surfaced. Tour operators, represented by the Travel Agents Association of Kashmir, had been vocal about the damage a shutdown would inflict on bookings already made and itineraries already planned. Ordinary travellers, the kind who cannot always plan journeys weeks in advance, would have borne the brunt of it too. However, operational hours remain curtailed, running from 8 am to 5 pm, with night closures for runway work continuing until October. This is a reasonable compromise, one that balances the undeniable need to maintain the runway with the equally undeniable need to keep Kashmir open for business. Nobody sensible was asking for maintenance to stop; they were asking for it to be done without strangling the single busiest travel season of the year. Kashmirs tourism recovery is real, but it remains fragile enough that a single administrative misstep can undo months of painstaking rebuilding. The Zojila Tunnel breakthrough, the push to open new destinations beyond the familiar Srinagar-Gulmarg-Pahalgam-Sonamarg circuit, the talk of learning from Switzerlands model of quality-driven, sustainably managed tourism, all of it depends on the basic promise that people can get in and out reliably.

Budgam areas, Doodhpathri lack Semi Ring Road access despite highway passing through

Srinagar, Jul 5:Several areas in Budgam district have no direct access to the Srinagar Semi Ring Road despite the highway passing through central Kashmir, forcing commuters to take long detours once the project becomes operational. Commuters from Budgam and Beerwah will have to travel more than 20 and 30 kilometres, respectively, to reach either the Narbal junction or Wathoora-Chadoora to access the highway for travel to Srinagar, North or South Kashmir Those from Khansahib must travel 20 km to reach the Wathoora junction, and Doodhpathri, an emerging tourist destination, will have to travel over 30 kilometres to reach either junction. Along the Beerwah-Budgam district road, the elevated Ring Road has come up without approach roads, service lanes or designated entry and exit points at several locations, particularly near Kawnar-Nasrullahpora. Residents said the alignment cuts through the area without adequate connectivity for most parts of the district. This is the main district road connecting Budgam and Beerwah, but there is no cut or service road where it meets the elevated Ring Road, environmental activist Raja Muzaffar Bhat said. People will have to travel to Narbal or Chadoora to access it. This should be addressed before the project is completed. Residents said the missing connectivity would affect commuters, transporters, fruit growers, students and emergency services and raise safety concerns once the highway becomes operational. There is no direct connection between the Beerwah-Budgam district road and the Ring Road, said Muhammad Hafiz of Beerwah. People will have to travel extra kilometres to reach Narbal. It could also create safety issues once the project becomes operational. The Doodhpathri tourist resort requires a direct link through an entry and exit point at Ichkoot or Ichgam. Without this link, residents and visitors will have to travel over 30 km to reach the highway alignment once it becomes operational. Locals said improved connectivity could significantly reduce travel time. Javaid Ahmad Bhat of Ichkoot said villagers had given land for the project but still lacked access planning. We gave land for the Ring Road, but there is no approach road or service road being provided, he said. An entry and exit point at Ichkoot will directly connect Doodhpathri, a scenic tourist destination, to the highway and ease travel for locals and visitors. Budgam MLA Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi, Beerwah MLA Shafi Ahmad Wani and Chadoora MLA Ali Muhammad Dar have jointly submitted a representation to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), seeking approach roads, service lanes and designated entry and exit points along the Beerwah-Budgam district road at Kawnar-Nasrullahpora, and an access point at Ichkoot for the Doodhpathri corridor. After inspecting the project site at Kawnar last week, Wani said the approach design should be reviewed before completion. The Ring Road should improve connectivity, not become a barrier, he said. The approach road should be technically sound so it does not create problems when the district road is widened in future. A district administration official said the matter was under review. One access point already exists at Narbal and another at Wathoora -Chadoora. We are examining the possibility of another along the Budgam-Beerwah Road, the official said. At Ichkoot, an irrigation siphon is a technical hurdle, but options are being explored. NHAI Project Director Akash Deep Singh said representations had been received. We have received the representations and will take up the matter with our headquarters, he said. The project is being executed as per the approved DPR. The 42.10-km Phase-I of the Srinagar Semi Ring Road from Galander in Pulwama to Narbal in Budgam and Sarai Dangerpora in Bandipora is nearing completion at an estimated cost of Rs 2920 crore and is likely to be opened by the end of this year. The projects Phase II (24.7 km), connecting Sarai Dangerpora to Wayul in Ganderbal, and Phase II-A (12.11 km), linking Pandach with Wayul, remain far from completion. Phase III, which will connect Lasjan with Pandach and Hazratbal along with a 6-km airport link, is still at the DPR stage.

Shopian CASO enters second day

Srinagar, Jul 5:Security forces on Sunday resumed a massive Cordon-and-Search Operation (CASO) in Shopian district of south Kashmir after an overnight pause, with two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists believed to hiding in dense orchards in the Meemandar area. The operation, now in its second day, involves Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), who have tightened the cordon around the area where the terrorists were first spotted by surveillance cameras on Friday. The encounter erupted when the terrorists opened fire at an approaching Army team, prompting immediate retaliation. Search teams from the Armys Victor Force have since been reinforced to seal all possible escape routes through the thick foliage. Security personnel have also illuminated the area to counter the natural cover provided by the dense summer orchard, which creates significant blind spots for surveillance. By Saturday evening, security forces had cleared four villages while maintaining a tight cordon around the remaining area. During the summer months, the heavy foliage offers a natural cover, making surveillance difficult and allowing trapped terrorists to exploit blind spots to break the cordons. According to security establishment officials trapped terrorists are believed to be residents of south Kashmirs Kulgam district. The encounter comes amid heightened security for the ongoing Amarnath Yatra and is the first reported gunfight in Kashmir since Kulgam encounter in October last year. The operation also reflects the increasing integration of CCTV networks and other technical surveillance with conventional intelligence gathering in Kashmir, enabling security forces to detect terrorist movement and launch targeted operations while reducing dependence on prolonged area searches.

More than half of Kashmir merchants lose money to UPI spoofing scams

Srinagar, Jul 5:More than half of the merchants surveyed across major markets in Srinagar and Anantnag have lost money to UPI spoofing scams, with fraud driven by payment spoofing, social engineering, and weak verification practices rather than vulnerabilities in the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), a study has found. The field study was conducted recently by the Department of Public Administration, Amar Singh College, under the guidance of the department's Head, Zubair Nazeer Malik. The study surveyed 102 merchants across Lal Chowk, Gonikhan Market, Kokar Bazaar, Gogji Bagh, Hyderpora, Maharaja Bazaar, Makkah Market, and Janglatmandi in Anantnag town. The research team comprised Umer Tariq, Iqra Rashid, Kawsar Jan, Zenab, Toiba Jan, Amaine, Dua Farooq, Arbin Fayaz, and Mehvish Javaid. PAYMENT SPOOFING DRIVES FRAUD Fifty-nine merchants (57.8 percent) reported financial losses after fraudulent digital transactions. Six merchants (5.9 percent) said neighbouring shops were affected despite no direct impact on them. Thirty-seven merchants (36.3 percent) denied experiencing payment spoofing. SOCIAL ENGINEERING EXPLOITS BUSY COUNTERS Thirty-nine respondents (38.2 percent) faced spoofing attempts once or twice through fake payment confirmation screens or fabricated messages. Another 37 shopkeepers (36.3 percent) faced frequent incidents. Twenty-six merchants (25.5 percent) reported no distortion tactics at all. Fraud occurred at the point of sale via fake confirmations and false 'network delay' claims, the study observed. Merchants, under busy conditions, released goods without checking actual account credit, indicating manipulation rather than UPI system failure. It also identified social engineering as a key tactic, where crowded counters and sales pressure reduced payment verification before delivery of goods. VERIFICATION GAPS LEAVE MERCHANTS EXPOSED Ten merchants (9.8 percent) admitted relying solely on payment confirmations shown on customers' phones instead of checking merchant applications, bank notifications, or soundbox alerts. The study warns that cloned applications can generate fake payment confirmation screens that closely resemble genuine UPI interfaces without transferring funds, making merchant-side verification essential before releasing goods. LOSSES CUT ACROSS BUSINESSES Financial losses ranged from below Rs 500 to over Rs 2000 per incident. Twenty-five merchants (24.5 percent) reported losing less than Rs 500, mainly among street food vendors, milk sellers, and stationery shops. Another twenty (19.6 percent) lost between Rs 500 and Rs 2000, mainly affecting clothing boutiques, shoe stores, and cosmetic shops. Nine shops (8.9 percent) including electronics dealers, garment traders, and dry fruit sellers reported losses exceeding Rs 2000. Although individual losses were often modest, repeated frauds created a cumulative financial burden for businesses handling large volumes of digital payments every day. QR CODE SECURITY UNDER SCANNER A visual security audit exposed weak QR code security across the surveyed markets. Sixty-two merchants (60.8 percent) displayed QR codes as loose paper stickers, while only 40 (39.2 percent) had laminated or framed them. Forty other merchants (41.2 percent) displayed QR codes outside their counters, leaving them vulnerable to QR sticker swap fraud, in which counterfeit stickers are pasted over genuine QR codes to divert payments. Sixty merchants (58.8 percent) had QR codes set up fully inside and safely in view at their counters, while forty two (60.8 percent) had their counters outside in crowded blind-spots. Many merchants also failed to inspect QR codes regularly for signs of tampering. AWARENESS GAP WIDENS RISK Cybercrime awareness remained low among merchants. Ninety-two respondents (90.2 percent) said they were unaware of official reporting channels before the survey, while only ten (9.8 percent) knew about the National Cyber Helpline (1930). Poor awareness often delayed reporting, reducing the chances of timely intervention in digital payment fraud cases. Field intervention The research team coupled the survey with an awareness campaign on safe digital payment practices. Merchants were advised to verify transactions through merchant applications, bank notifications or soundbox alerts, inspect QR codes for tampering and report fraud without delay. Most participants saved the 1930 helpline number during the outreach. Gonikhan Market Additional Secretary Hakeem Ajaz said information on the helpline would also be circulated through the market's traders' WhatsApp group to improve awareness. SAFETY PLAN PROPOSED The report recommends a safety plan centred on stronger counter-level security and payment verification. It calls for QR codes to be placed inside counters, loose paper stickers to be replaced with laminated or framed displays, and QR codes to be inspected regularly for tampering. Merchants should verify every payment through merchant-controlled systems instead of customers' phone screens. Staff should also be trained not to release goods until payments are independently confirmed and to report suspected fraud immediately by dialling 1930. Human manipulation, not technology. The study concludes that retail UPI fraud in Kashmir is driven by payment spoofing, social engineering distractions, insecure QR code management, weak verification practices and poor cybercrime awareness, not technical flaws in the UPI ecosystem. Stronger verification practices, secure QR code placement and greater merchant awareness can significantly reduce digital payment fraud across Kashmir's retail markets.

West Asia conflict leaves Kashmir handicraft exports at Rs 817 crore

Srinagar, Jul 5:The conflict in West Asia has dealt another blow to Kashmir's export-oriented handicrafts sector, with official figures showing exports worth Rs 817.39 crore during 2025-26. While shipments improved from Rs 733.59 crore recorded in 2024-25, they remain nearly 30 percent below the Rs 1162.29 crore achieved in 2023-24, underscoring the prolonged impact of geopolitical tensions on one of Jammu and Kashmir's largest employment-generating industries. The craft-wise export data compiled by the Directorate of Handicrafts, Export Promotion paints a mixed picture. Although exports of Kashmiri shawls registered remarkable growth, most other traditional crafts, including carpets, papier-mch and wood carving, witnessed a sharp decline as exporters grappled with disrupted shipping routes, soaring freight charges, delayed payments and subdued overseas demand. According to the data, total handicraft exports stood at Rs 817.39 crore during 2025-26 compared with Rs 733.59 crore in 2024-25 and Rs 1162.29 crore in 2023-24. Shawls and 'rumals' emerged as the standout performer, with exports rising to Rs 588.23 crore from Rs 305.52 crore a year earlier and Rs 477.24 crore in 2023-24. In contrast, Kashmir's flagship carpet industry continued to witness a steep slide. Carpet exports fell to Rs 123.31 crore in 2025-26 from Rs 260.71 crore in 2024-25 and Rs 317.33 crore in 2023-24, highlighting the severe stress faced by one of the Valley's most recognised export products. Papier-mch exports plunged to just Rs 6.31 crore, down from Rs 27.61 crore in 2024-25 and Rs 38.44 crore two years earlier. Chainstitch and crewel products recorded exports worth Rs 61.18 crore during 2025-26 against Rs 36.73 crore in the previous year. However, the segment remained far below the Rs 233.46 crore recorded in 2023-24. Wood carving exports almost vanished from the export basket, declining from Rs 37.56 crore in 2024-25 and Rs 40.28 crore in 2023-24 to only Rs 0.38 crore during the year under review. Exports under the others category also declined to Rs 37.98 crore from Rs 65.46 crore in the previous year. Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Javid Ahmad Tenga said the figures mirror the unprecedented disruption caused by the continuing conflict in West Asia, which has severely impacted Kashmir's traditional export markets. The numbers tell the story. Despite a marginal improvement over last year, our exports remain significantly below the levels achieved before the present geopolitical crisis. The conflict in West Asia has affected almost every aspect of international trade from shipping and insurance to freight costs and buyer confidence. For Kashmir, whose handicraft sector is heavily dependent on overseas markets, particularly the Gulf, the consequences have been severe, Tenga said. He said nearly 60 percent of Kashmir's handicraft exports are destined for Gulf countries, making the region the single largest market for the Valley's handmade products. When instability persists in the Gulf region, our exporters are among the first to feel its impact. Containers are delayed, shipping schedules are disrupted, freight rates have escalated sharply, and buyers have either postponed or reduced orders because of uncertainty. Exporters are also facing delayed payments, creating a serious liquidity crisis. Working capital has been locked up at a time when businesses need financial flexibility the most, he said. Tenga said the impact extends far beyond exporters and is directly affecting thousands of artisans, weavers, embroiderers, carpet makers, wood carvers and papiermachie craftsmen across Kashmir. Every cancelled export order means fewer days of work for artisans. Every delayed payment affects families whose livelihoods depend entirely on this sector. Handicrafts are not merely a business - they are the backbone of Kashmir's traditional economy and a repository of centuries-old skills. If this trend continues, we risk losing both livelihoods and heritage, he said. Calling for urgent intervention by the Centre, Tenga urged the government to announce a comprehensive support package for handicraft exporters of Kashmir. We have requested the Government of India to launch aggressive international marketing campaigns to help exporters access newer markets. Diversification is essential because overdependence on one region makes the sector vulnerable to geopolitical shocks, he said. Tenga said exporters also need greater participation in international trade fairs, easier access to export finance and enhanced support under existing export promotion schemes. The resilience shown by the shawl sector is encouraging, but the steep decline in carpets, papier-mch and wood carving is deeply worrying. These crafts define Kashmir's global identity. Protecting them requires timely policy support, sustained market access and a long-term strategy to strengthen exports. The handicrafts sector deserves to be treated as a strategic economic priority, he said.

How India and Japan are preparing for the AI economy

India and Japan are forging a deep economic security partnership, moving beyond traditional aid and investment. The recent summit highlights collaboration in AI, semiconductors, and critical minerals, aiming to build resilient supply chains and boost India's manufacturing. This strategic alliance, focusing on hardware and talent exchange, positions Northeast India as a key industrial gateway for the Indo-Pacific.

A little more conversation: Greater transparency is key to better monetary policy transmission and central bank accountability

The US Federal Reserve's shift towards less transparent monetary policy communication under Chair Kevin Warsh has sparked debate. While the Fed kept rates unchanged, the move away from forward guidance and greater openness is criticized for potentially hindering market guidance, especially in emerging markets like India. Experts argue that clear communication, including forward guidance, is crucial for central banks to effectively steer markets and ensure better policy transmission and accountability.

Home Minister Amit Shah reviews illegal coal mining, theft; orders Zero Coal Leakage Plan

New Delhi, July 5: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah and Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy reviewed situation of illegal coal mining and coal theft in a high-level meeting in New Delhi. The meeting was attended by the Union Home Secretary, the Union Coal Secretary, senior officials from the Ministry of Coal, CISF, Coal India Limited and BCCL. During the meeting, the Home Minister expressed concern over the worsening situation of illegal coal mining and theft in Dhanbad and nearby areas. Officials from the Ministry of Coal informed the Home Minister that several concrete steps had been taken since the review held in the first week of October 2025. It was also informed that officials of CISF and Coal India Limited had been authorised to take action under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. This authorisation legally enables them to file cases in court, enter premises where illegal coal is suspected to be stored, conduct search and seizure operations, and seize illegally extracted minerals along with the tools, equipment, and vehicles used in such unauthorised activities. It was also informed that Union Home Secretary had chaired a high-level meeting in December 2025 wherein several important decisions were taken including direction to constitute a Coal Sector Coordination Committee which has since been constituted. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah appreciated the steps taken so far by the Ministry of Coal and CISF. However, he emphasised that much more needs to be done to curb the menace of illegal mining. Home Minister issued several important directions including adoption of Zero Coal Leakage Plan to ensure a comprehensive and time-bound response to illegal mining and the unauthorised transportation of coal. He noted that although powers had been entrusted to CISF and Coal India Limited officials under the MMDR Act, these powers must be exercised rigorously and in a coordinated manner, in line with the approved Standard Operating Procedure. Amit Shah also instructed the Ministry of Coal to review the action taken on a regular basis. To ensure that consumers use only legally mined coal and to deter the transportation of illegal coal, it was considered necessary to involve GST authorities. A mechanism should, therefore, be put in place to verify e-way bills for all coal being transported. Union Home Minster directed officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs to include coal sector in the priority list for CISF deployment, so that personnel can be deployed immediately in vulnerable areas. He further directed CISF to form Quick Response Teams and establish a multi-layered security arrangement in vulnerable areas, enabling prompt action against illegal miners to take immediate action whenever information is received. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation also stressed the need to use technology more effectively. He directed that high-resolution cameras installed at Integrated Command and Control Centres should be used to identify areas and persons involved in illegal mining activities. Home Minister said that the Government remains committed to taking all necessary measures to protect public resources, maintain law and order, and safeguard the interests of legitimate coal mining operations.

Five rescued from Sambas flooded-Basantar river in swift police operation

Samba, July 5: Five persons trapped in the swollen waters of the Basantar River in Samba were rescued safely by Samba Police on Sunday after a prompt and coordinated rescue operation. According to police, Police Station Samba received information that five individuals had become stranded in the strong currents of the flooded Basantar River behind the police station following a sudden rise in the river's water level. Acting immediately, SHO Police Station Samba, Inspector Parvaiz Ahmed Khanday, rushed to the spot along with his team and launched a rescue operation. The operation was carried out under the directions of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Samba, Anuj Kumar, and under the close supervision of the Additional Superintendent of Police and Deputy Superintendent of Police (Headquarters), Samba, who remained at the site to monitor and coordinate the rescue efforts. Despite strong currents and challenging conditions, Inspector Khanday personally led the operation. Through swift planning, coordinated teamwork and determined efforts, the police team successfully rescued all five stranded persons from the flooded river without any loss of life. Police officials said the timely intervention and effective coordination among supervisory officers and the rescue team ensured the safe evacuation of all those trapped in the river. SSP Samba, Anuj Kumar, commended the leadership of the Additional SP and DySP Headquarters, as well as the courage and professionalism displayed by SHO Inspector Parvaiz Ahmed Khanday and his team. He appreciated their dedication and prompt response in carrying out the successful rescue operation and saving five precious lives.

Kashmiri Mutton Supply Hit Again; Truckers Allege Assault, Extortion Despite Punjab Talks

Police issue advisory against viral 2022 Bhaderwah video, warn of action

Jammu, Jul 5: The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Sunday cautioned the public in Doda district against circulation of an old video related to a 2022 incident in Bhaderwah, saying it is being shared on social media with misleading and distorted narratives that could disturb communal harmony. According to the police, the video pertains to an incident that occurred on June 9, 2022, for which a case was registered at Bhaderwah police station. It has come to the notice of Doda police that an old video relating to an incident that occurred in Bhaderwah in June, 2022 is being circulated on various social media platforms with misleading and distorted narratives, causing unnecessary concern and apprehension among members of the public, a police spokesman said. Clarifying that the video pertains to a 2022 incident, which was thoroughly investigated, the spokesman said the re-circulation of the content at this stage, without context and accompanied by misleading claims, is capable of creating misunderstanding and disturbing public tranquillity. Citizens are urged to verify facts from official sources before sharing any information and to act responsibly in the larger interest of maintaining communal harmony, public peace and social cohesion, the spokesman said. The police waned that any person found deliberately circulating misleading content, spreading misinformation, promoting hatred, inciting communal disharmony, or attempting to create panic and disturb public order through social media or any other medium shall be dealt with strictly under the relevant provisions of law. Doda police remains committed to maintaining peace, public order and communal harmony, and urges citizens to rely only on authentic information disseminated through official and authorized channels, the spokesman said.

Lieutenant Governor takes stock of Amarnath Yatra arrangements at Nunwan base camp

Srinagar, July 5: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday visited Nunwan base camp at Pahalgam in Anantnag district to review the arrangements of the ongoing Amarnath Yatra. The LG said there is heavy rush of pilgrims this year and the Jammu and Kashmir administration and Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board have made adequate arrangements for the pilgrims. Today, I visited the Nunwan Base Camp in Pahalgam to review the management of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra with senior officials. The discussions focused on key aspects including movement of pilgrims, security measures, accommodation facilities, registration progress, and other logistical requirements essential for hassle-free holy Yatra, Sinha said in a post on X. Sinha asked officials to ensure pilgrims are made aware of the significance of valid registration. I directed officials to prioritise the safety, security, and convenience of all pilgrims, while ensuring that every devotee of Baba Barfani is made aware of the importance of valid registration with designated dates to minimize waiting times, he said. The LG urged the unregistered pilgrims to be patient and wait for their turn to undertake the pilgrimage. During the visit, I interacted with pilgrims and assured them that Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board and all yatra management departments are working tirelessly to ensure a safe, smooth, and hassle-free spiritual journey, he added. In another post on X, Lieutenant Governor Sinha said: To ensure a seamless Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, I reviewed the ground situation and pilgrim facilities at the Chandanwari camp today. Through seamless whole of government approach, we are leaving no stone unturned to provide excellent food and lodging to the devotees of Lord Shiva. I want every Yatri to have a blissful darshan and a profoundly enriching spiritual experience. Ive also instructed Yatra management teams to examine pilgrim feedback and remain available for round-the-clock support. Also, inspected the Base Hospital at Chandanwari to assess healthcare arrangements for the Yatris. Toured wards, labs and emergency units, and interacted with patients to check on their well-being & care quality. Deeply appreciate the dedication of our doctors, paramedics & healthcare workers ensuring quality healthcare services for pilgrims. The annual pilgrimage to the 3880 metre high cable shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas began on July 3 and will culminate on August 28 to coincide with Raksha Bandhan.

Ladakh LG approves landmark initiatives to strengthen Ladakh's Pashmina sector

Leh, Jul 05: Lieutenant Governor, Vinai Kumar Saxena, in the first meeting of the newly constituted Ladakh Pashmina Development Board (LPDB), has approved two landmark decisions aimed at strengthening Ladakh's globally renowned Pashmina industry and improving the livelihoods of Changpa pastoral communities. On Saturday, Shri Saxena approved a major policy Livestock Development Incentive Programme introduced for the first time, that entails a top-up incentive of 25% on the total Pashmina procurement value to herders, for enhancing local Pashmina Production. The L-G also approved Rs 8 crore Revolving Fund to the All Changthang Pashmina Growers Cooperative Marketing Society Ltd. (ACPGCMS), for procurement of raw Pashmina from the nomadic herders and upfront payments to the herders for their produce. The twin initiatives seek to promote sustainable livestock development, increase the population of Pashmina goats, strengthen the cooperative procurement system, improve the quality and quantity of Ladakh Pashmina, ensure financial benefits to nomadic herders and eliminate distress sales. This would, in turn, also encourage younger generations to continue the traditional practice of Changthangi Pashmina goat rearing, by making it a profitable and more respectable enterprise. Ladakh is globally recognised for producing the world's finest quality Pashmina from the indigenous Changthangi goat, reared by the Changpa nomadic pastoral communities of Changthang. However, rising costs of livestock rearing, harsh climatic conditions and fluctuating market returns have adversely affected livestock productivity and the incomes of pastoral families in recent years. Recognising these challenges, discussed during the first board meeting, L-G Shri Saxena approved the Livestock Development Incentive Programme, under which eligible Changpa herders will receive the 25% top-up incentive, to be paid over and above the procurement price paid by the Government. This incentive will be transferred directly to the beneficiary's Aadhar-linked bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. This is the first-of-its-kind initiative, designed to make Pashmina goat rearing more profitable and sustainable. The policy has been carefully structured wherein 60 per cent of this top-up incentive received by the herder will be utilised for livestock improvement and scientific breeding. The other 20 per cent will be utilised for infrastructure development, such as improved combing equipment and facilities to enhance Pashmina production, while the remaining 20 per cent could be used for the personal and household needs of the herder, thereby improving their financial sustainability. It was also decided in the Board meeting that the population of Pashmina goats in Ladakh be increased from nearly 2 lakh at present to at least 4 lakh in three years' time. A target has been set to increase the raw Pashmina production from 200 grams per goat at present to at least 350 grams per goat, using scientific techniques and advanced tools for combing. To add to the Livestock Development Incentive Programme, the L-G has also approved the Policy for Creation and Management of Rs 8 crore Revolving Fund for the ACPGCMS, the apex cooperative responsible for procurement of raw Pashmina directly from nomadic herders. The Rs 8 crore fund will be utilised exclusively for procurement of raw Pashmina and making timely payments to producers. The most striking feature of this fund is that the cooperatives will pay 50 percent of the cost of the raw Pashmina upfront to the herders, while the remaining 50 percent amount will be paid in two months. Earlier, the herders were receiving such payments from the cooperatives in 8-10 months' time, forcing herders to take loans from other sources to meet their expenses on rearing the goats. L-G Shri Saxena said that the Changpa pastoral communities are the custodians of one of Ladakh's greatest natural and cultural treasures, and the UT Administration is fully committed to securing their livelihoods, while preserving this unique pastoral heritage. The Livestock Development Incentive Programme and the Revolving Fund, together represent a comprehensive strategy that addresses both ends of the Pashmina value chain supporting herders in improving Pashmina productivity while simultaneously, ensuring assured procurement and timely payments. These initiatives would make Pashmina goat rearing more remunerative, encourage greater investment in scientific livestock management, eliminate exploitation by middlemen and position Ladakh as the world's leading producer of premium-quality, ethically sourced and sustainably produced Pashmina, Shri Saxena said. The two decisions followed detailed discussions and suggestions from stakeholders across the Pashmina value chain, including Changpa Pashmina herders and cooperative societies, designers, industry experts and other stakeholders, aimed at promoting sustainable Pashmina production, strengthening procurement mechanisms and enhancing the global competitiveness of Ladakh Pashmina.

Record pilgrim rush this year, unregistered devotees must wait for their turn: LG Sinha

J-K books controversy: J-K Police conduct raids, register FIR under UAPA and BNS

Jammu, Jul 05: The Counter Intelligence wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday registered a First Information Report (FIR) and launched raids in connection with the alleged glorification of separatists in two controversial publications, officials said. The books in contention are titled Personalities and Legends of J&K, authored by Hilal Ahmad and Santosh Meena and published by Jammu-based Oberoi Book Service, and Great Personalities of Jammu and Kashmir, authored by Sushant Giri and published by Delhi-based Anurag Prakashan. According to officials, 123 copies of one of the books were supplied to Jammu, Ramban and Udhampur districts, and 128 copies of the other book were supplied to Jammu and Baramulla districts. A case was registered at the Police Station Counter Intelligence, Jammu, under Sections 49 (abetment), 61(2) (criminal conspiracy), 152 (endangering the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India), 196 (promoting enmity, disharmony) and 353 ( publishing, or circulating false statements, rumors, or reports) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), besides Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the officials said. After filing the case, the Counter Intelligence unit launched raids on the premises of one of the publishers at Bahu Plaza in the city, the officials said. They said the searches were carried out as part of the ongoing investigation to collect material relevant to the case. The investigators have seized both physical documents and digital evidence during the raids, the officials said, adding that no arrests have been made so far. Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha suspended eight officials of the School Education Department, removed a contractual staff and ordered an inquiry into two controversial books found containing highly inappropriate content. The action comes after BJP, Congress and other political groups raised objections that the books allegedly glorified separatism. In an order, the School Education Department said the two books were withdrawn on Friday.

SBI to recruit 1,500 probationary officers this year

State Bank of India is set to recruit 1,500 probationary officers this year to fuel business expansion, with applications closing on July 8. The bank also hires IT professionals and domain experts as Specialist Officers. Last fiscal, SBI onboarded over 25,000 individuals, including officers and associates, demonstrating its commitment to generating employment and building a skilled workforce.

Ayatollah Khamenei's children attending his funeral in Iran

India-UK CETA is more than a trade dealit is a blueprint for a strategic partnership

India and Britain's landmark Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) officially begins July 15, aiming to double bilateral trade to $112 billion by 2030. This ambitious pact extends beyond traditional trade, establishing rules for the digital economy, intellectual property, and services. It fosters collaboration in cutting-edge sectors like AI and quantum computing, alongside significant advancements in defense, clean energy, and agriculture, solidifying a strategic partnership for the future.

EOW Kashmir chargesheets five accused in Rs 60 lakh bank loan fraud case

Srinagar, Jul 05: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Kashmir, of the Crime Branch, J&K, on Saturday filed a chargesheet against five persons for allegedly defrauding banks of rupees 60 lak h by obtaining loans on the basis of forged revenue records and fabricated title documents, officials said on Sunday. They said the chargesheet has been filed inFIR No. 05/2019, registered under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B RPC, before the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar, against Sheikh Samiullah, son of Ab Rashid Sheikh, a resident of Arampora, Nawakadal, Srinagar; Ab Ahad Bhat, son of Gh Mouhidin Bhat, a resident of Mufti Bagh, Harwan; Ghulam Nabi Baqal, son of Gh Rasool Baqal, a resident of Saderabal-A, Hazratbal, Srinagar; Mushtaq Ahmad Sofi, son of Mohd Yasin Sofi, a resident of HMT, Zainkote, Srinagar; and Sartaj Ahmad Hakeem, son of Ab Razak Hakeem, a resident of Nai Sadak, Habba Kadal, Srinagar. In a press statement, an official spokesperson said, The investigation was initiated after J&K Bank lodged a complaint alleging that the accused had obtained a term loan of Rs. 30 lakh from its Zainkote Branch and a cash credit facility of Rs. 30 lakh from its Residency Road Branch in 2007 by mortgaging properties on the basis of fake documents. The borrowers subsequently defaulted, and verification by revenue authorities confirmed that the mortgage documents and revenue extracts were forged. Investigation established that the accused Sheikh Samiullah in connivance with each other acted in conspiracy to deceive the bank and misappropriate the loan amount. The general public has been advised to remain vigilant against economic fraudsters and report any such incidents to the SSP, EOW Kashmir, Crime Branch J&K. Victims of economic fraud may also submit their complaints via email at sspeow kmr@jkpolice.gov.in.

No terrorist killed so far in ongoing Shopian operation; searches continue in Chanapora: Officials

Srinagar , July 05: No terrorist body had been seen or retrieved so far in the ongoing cordon and search operation (CASO) in the Chanapora area of south Kashmirs Shopian district, even as security forces continue intensive searches in the locality, officials said on Sunday. Officials said that a joint team of the Police, Army and CRPF launched the operation in Chanapora following specific intelligence inputs about the possible presence of terrorists in the area. The area was cordoned off and a thorough search operation was initiated to trace the suspected terrorists. During the operation, security forces have been conducting systematic searches, with additional reinforcements maintaining a tight security grid to prevent any escape. Sources said that despite reports of suspicious movement during the operation, no terrorist body has been recovered so far. The operation remains in progress, and security personnel are continuing to comb the area. Officials added that the situation is being closely monitored and further information will be shared as the operation develops. The joint operation by Police, Army and CRPF was still underway when the last reports came in.

Fourth batch of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims leaves Jammu; 6,721 devotees depart for Kashmir

Banihal, July 05: The fourth batch of pilgrims undertaking the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026 left Jammu in the early hours of Saturday under tight security, officials said. According to the Zonal Police Control Room (ZPCR), Jammu, a total of 6,721 pilgrims departed in a convoy of 291 vehicles towards the twin base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam. Of the total, 2,590 pilgrims are heading to the Baltal axis, while 4,131 pilgrims are proceeding via the Pahalgam axis. The convoy for the Baltal route left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas at 3:15 am, followed by the Pahalgam convoy at 3:45 am. The batch comprises 4,576 male pilgrims, 1,310 female pilgrims, 572 sadhus, 154 sadhvis, 22 children, 38 foreign male pilgrims, and 49 foreign female pilgrims. The pilgrims are travelling in 134 buses, 37 medium motor vehicles (MMVs), and 120 light motor vehicles (LMVs). The annual pilgrimage is being conducted under elaborate security arrangements, with multi-layer security, escorted convoys, medical facilities, and traffic management measures in place to ensure the safe movement of pilgrims to the holy cave shrine in the Kashmir Himalayas.

Paras Health Srinagar to organise cancer screening camp today

Reinforcing its commitment to advancing accessible and quality cancer care in Jammu and Kashmir, PARAS Health Srinagar will organise a Free Cancer Screening Camp on Sunday, July 5, from 10 am to 3 pm at its hospital premises. The initiative aims to raise awareness about cancer, promote preventive healthcare, and encourage early diagnosis through expert medical consultation and screening. The camp is open to the general public and will provide free cancer screening along with consultations by experienced specialists. The initiative seeks to educate people about the importance of recognising early warning signs, adopting preventive health practices, and seeking timely medical intervention. With cancer cases witnessing a steady rise across the country, healthcare experts continue to stress that early detection remains one of the most effective ways to improve treatment outcomes and survival rates. The screening camp is designed to help individuals identify potential health concerns at an early stage and receive appropriate medical guidance. Speaking about the initiative, Dr Murtuza Habib, Facility Director, PARAS Health Srinagar, said, Early detection can save lives. We urge people not to ignore symptoms or delay health check-ups. This free cancer screening camp is an opportunity for everyone to prioritise their health and seek expert medical advice. At PARAS Health Srinagar, we are committed to making quality oncology services more accessible and creating greater awareness about cancer prevention and early diagnosis. Dr Habib further highlighted that PARAS Health Srinagar has been steadily strengthening oncology services in Jammu and Kashmir by offering comprehensive cancer care under one roof. Equipped with advanced diagnostic facilities, multidisciplinary expertise, and patient-centric treatment protocols, the hospital is helping improve access to specialised cancer care for patients across the region while reducing the need to travel outside the Union Territory for treatment. The hospital has been consistently working towards building awareness through community outreach programmes, preventive health initiatives, and specialised screening camps, reflecting its broader commitment to improving healthcare outcomes in the region. Camp Details: Date: Sunday, July 5 ; Time: 10 am 3 pm ; Venue: PARAS Health Srinagar. Members of the public are encouraged to participate in the free screening camp and take a proactive step towards protecting their health. Early diagnosis not only improves treatment outcomes but also offers patients the best chance for successful recovery.

DBA launches weekly lecture series on criminal justice

The District Bar Association (DBA) Anantnag on Saturday inaugurated a weekly lecture series aimed at strengthening professional legal skills and promoting academic engagement within the legal fraternity. The inaugural session, held at the District Bar Room, drew strong participation from lawyers and focused on the theme Criminal Justice System and the Art of Cross-Examination. The initiative has been conceptualized under the guidance of Principal District & Sessions Judge Anantnag, Tahir Khurshid Raina, and will be conducted every Saturday at 3 pm under his supervision. The program is intended as a continuing platform for capacity building and professional development of advocates practicing in the district. Participants from the Bar appreciated the initiative, describing it as a constructive step toward enhancing legal acumen and fostering closer academic interaction between the Bench and Bar. The keynote address was delivered by senior advocate M D Shawl, who shared insights from his extensive trial court experience. He highlighted that effective cross-examination depends on preparation, composure, and precision. Stressing courtroom discipline, he advised advocates to maintain calm while examining witnesses and to remain firmly grounded in the facts of the case. He also emphasized the importance of visiting the scene of occurrence to better understand case circumstances and strengthen cross-examination strategy. The session concluded with an interactive discussion in which young lawyers engaged the speaker with questions on trial practice and advocacy techniques. Speaking on behalf of the Bar Association, senior advocate Peer Shafiq expressed gratitude to the Principal District & Sessions Judge for initiating the lecture series and to senior advocate M D Shawl for sharing his experience. He said the weekly program would serve as a sustained learning platform for members of the Bar in the region.

DIPR organises seminar on Drug Abuse Awareness

As part of the Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan (NMJKA), the Cultural Unit Kashmir of the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) today organised an awareness seminar on drug abuse at Government Boys' Higher Secondary School (GBHSS), Gulab Bagh, Srinagar. The seminar witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, who shared their views on the harmful effects of drug abuse and highlighted the importance of making informed choices to build a healthy and addiction-free society. Speaking on the occasion, Cultural Officer Kashmir, Abdul Raqib Bhat and and AECO, Syed Shakeel Shan underscored the need for collective community action to combat the growing menace of drug abuse. They stressed that Kashmir, renowned for its rich Sufi heritage, has always stood for values of peace, spirituality, and moral integrity, leaving no room for social evils such as substance abuse. They urged students to become ambassadors of awareness within their families and communities. The Principal, Oscia Jabeen appreciated the initiative undertaken by DIPR and assured the institution's full cooperation in organising similar awareness programmes in the future to educate and empower the younger generation. Vice Principal, Mumtaz Hussain, who conducted the proceedings, expressed gratitude to the Department of Information and Public Relations for organising the seminar and for its sustained efforts in promoting social awareness through meaningful outreach programmes. At the conclusion of the seminar, participants were felicitated with awards in recognition of their active participation and valuable contributions to the programme.

Health Centre Dappal in Machil sector without proper staff, people suffer

Health Centre located at Dappal village in Machil sector of north Kashmirs Kupwara district has been grappling with lack of staff and diagnostic facilities with the result a huge chunk of population is suffering badly. The residents told Greater Kashmir that although a health centre was established in Dappal since long but lack of staff and other facilities were giving a tough time to locals here. After repeated pleas to the successive dispensations, a health centre was sanctioned here but it has always remained under staffed due to which more than three thousand population are suffering, said a local. Since our village happens to be several kilometers away from Primary Health Centre Duddi, so need of the hour is to develop the infrastructure at Dappal health centre to lessen the miseries of people, he added. The residents said that during winters when whole Machil witness 5 to 6 feet snow, it becomes impossible for them to move out of their homes and to reach Machil has always been impossible and with this bizarre situation several patients have died in past before they could have reached PHC Duddi. They said that a gynecologist should be kept available at Dappal so that the women of the area won't face hardships further. The residents said that they brought this issue into the notice of concerned officials numerous times but to no avail. The residents have sought immediate intervention of MLA Lolab Qaiser Jamsheed Lone to redress their grievances so that they can feel a sigh of relief.

CIC cant be directed to dispose of second appeals within 45 days: HC

The High Court of J&K and Ladakh has declined to direct the Central Information Commission (CIC) to dispose of second appeals within 45 days, even as it asked the Commission to take appropriate measures to improve its working. A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Kumar and Justice Muhammad Yousuf Wani disagreed for a direction to the CIC, saying the Right to Information Act, 2005 does not lay down any timeline for deciding the second appeals and complaints under the Act. The court said this while disposing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Junaid Javid of Uri in Baramulla. The PIL had sought courts intervention for a direction upon the CIC to decide all pending appeals, particularly those filed by residents of Jammu and Kashmir, within 45 days. Furthermore, it had called for a mechanism to ensure time-bound disposal of second appeals and the petitioner had placed suggestions on record for improving the Commission's functioning. In its response, the CIC indicated its difficulty in adhering to a particular timeline for deciding the appeals, keeping in view the infrastructure available and the number of second appeals and complaints received by it. We are of the considered opinion that, in view of the reply submitted by the CIC, nothing more can be said by this Court, the bench said. Observing that the RTI Act does not prescribe any timeline for deciding second appeals and complaints, the bench held that it could not, through a judicial direction, mandate a 45-day disposal period as sought by the petitioner. However, the Court underscored that the CIC could not be allowed to sit over the appeals for an unduly long period and keep them undecided for years together. The Commission needs to improve its working and establish a mechanism to reduce the backlog while effectively handling fresh appeals and complaints, it said. Disposing of the PIL, the Court directed the CIC to take appropriate measures to improve its functioning, subject to infrastructural constraints and the inflow of appeals. It also observed that the Commission may consider the petitioner's suggestions if they are found to be genuine and practical. In the PIL, the petitioner had alleged that several RTI applications and first appeals were pending before different public authorities and the CIC in Jammu and Kashmir for unduly long periods. He submitted that after being dissatisfied with the responses of the first appellate authorities, he filed second appeals before the CIC in respect of three RTI applications dated November 13, 2024, January 9, 2025, and November 27, 2025. For three months, the CIC had neither listed the appeals for hearing nor passed any order, he alleged. He had sought the court's intervention to ensure timely disposal of RTI applications and appeals in keeping with the RTI Act.

NC using statehood demand to divert attention from failures: MP Jugal Kishore Sharma

BJP MP from Jammu-Reasi, Jugal Kishore Sharma, on Saturday accused the National Conference (NC) of using the demand for restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood as a political diversion to shift public attention from its alleged governance failures and internal differences. Reacting to the NC's protest at Jantar Mantar, Sharma said that if statehood could have been achieved through such demonstrations, the party should have launched the campaign much earlier. He termed the protest a political gimmick aimed at diverting attention from internal conflicts within the party and pacifying its disappointed workers. The MP asserted that instead of staging protests, the ruling party should concentrate on fulfilling the promises made to the people, ensuring development, addressing public grievances, and effectively running the government. Expressing confidence in the Union Government, Sharma said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have already assured that Jammu and Kashmir's statehood will be restored at an appropriate time. He said the people have complete faith in the central leadership, which has taken several initiatives for the welfare and development of the Union Territory. Referring to the recent incident of alleged misappropriation of money at Ram Mandir, MP Sharma said a proper probe is already underway and reiterated that those found guilty should face strict legal action. He said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to conduct a comprehensive inquiry and that any remaining gaps in the investigation would be addressed through the ongoing probe.

NC not afraid of PC's threats, will give befitting reply: Chowdry Ramzan

Additional General Secretary National Conference and Rajya Sabha MP Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan Saturday said that his Party would not be intimidated by provocative remarks made by Peoples Conference leaders recently in Handwara. He said that his party would respond politically and democratically. Speaking to media in Kupwara, Chowdry said, National Conference is not afraid of the threats of Peoples Conference. Those who talk about beating us with sticks will receive a befitting response. He added: The people of Handwara deserve development, not threats and empty promises, he said, adding that the National Conference would continue to engage with the public and address their concerns. While reacting to the recent protest by Peoples Conference in Handwara against sidelining opposition MLAs, he said that all the opposition legislators visit Civil Secretariat and meet ministers for the development of their constituencies but PC chief Sajad Lone prefers to stay back which ultimately tell upon people. I stayed away from active politics after the Assembly election results almost for two years but then people approached me saying that I have secured almost equal number of votes to that of Sajad Lone, so I should come to the rescue of people which did not go well with Sajad Lone, he added. Chowdry said that he has devoted himself for the development of people and those creating unnecessary hurdles will get exposed before people.

Youth must explore livelihoods, Govt should handhold: Ghulam Hassan Mir

Former Cabinet Minister and Apni Partys Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir has urged the government to step forward and support unemployed youth by helping them create their own livelihood opportunities. He said that with the government's financial assistance, subsidies, and other facilities, it is possible for educated youth to establish self-employment and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for themselves. He also urged unemployed youth to come forward and explore livelihood opportunities for themselves. He made these remarks today after inaugurating the a dental clinic in Karan Nagar. Speaking on the occasion, Ghulam Hassan Mir said, I want to give a message to the youth that they must come forward and seek livelihood opportunities for themselves. Especially those who are educated and possess professional skills should not remain idle. Rather, they should find ways to use their talent and expertise to earn a respectable livelihood. He further said, The government also needs to step forward and provide guidance and support to these youngsters. It should encourage and facilitate them in creating livelihood opportunities for themselves. Most importantly, the government must provide financial assistance through banks to young people who are willing to develop their own projects or start businesses so that they can earn a respectable income and build a dignified life.

CWC Srinagar issues child safety guidelines for schools, mandates CCTV in buses, POCSO training

The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) Srinagar has issued fresh directions making it mandatory for all government and private schools in the district to adopt robust child protection, safeguarding and reporting mechanisms. The directions have been issued as a move to strengthen child safety and protection in educational institutions. The circular, issued under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, directs schools to ensure strict compliance with a series of measures aimed at creating a safe, secure and child-friendly environment for students. As part of the new directions, all teaching, non-teaching and support staff, including transport personnel, have been asked to undergo mandatory periodic training on child protection laws, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the Juvenile Justice Act, positive discipline, mandatory reporting obligations, identification of children in need of care and protection, and institutional safeguarding practices. As per the fresh circular instructions, the CWC has also directed schools to ensure that no school bus or transport vehicle carries students beyond its approved seating capacity. CWC has also made the installation of functional CCTV cameras in every school bus and van mandatory, with the surveillance system required to remain operational throughout the journey. Schools have been also instructed to preserve CCTV footage for an appropriate period and make it available to competent authorities whenever required under law. CWC Srinagar has however expressed its concern over bullying and peer violence and has directed all the educational institutions to conduct regular awareness programmes on bullying, cyberbullying, ragging, emotional abuse, discrimination, conflict resolution and respectful behaviour. All the schools have also been directed to establish effective anti-bullying mechanisms and confidential reporting systems. As per the circular, CWC has called for age-appropriate awareness sessions for students on personal safety, body autonomy, safe and unsafe touch, personal boundaries, online safety and the importance of reporting abuse to trusted adults or designated authorities. The CWC has instructed schools to adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment, intimidation or any form of misconduct by students against female teachers and women staff members. Appropriate counselling, disciplinary interventions and corrective measures should be taken while ensuring the rights of children are protected, the circular reads. Moreover, every educational institution has been directed to constitute and operationalise a Child Protection Committee or School Safety Committee to oversee implementation of safeguarding measures, address complaints promptly and periodically review child protection practices. The committee has also stressed the need for regular engagement of counsellors or trained professionals to conduct awareness programmes and counselling sessions on child protection, mental health and emotional well-being. Schools must organise value-based education and co-curricular activities promoting empathy, compassion, mutual respect, discipline, responsible citizenship and gender sensitivity, CWC circular reads. The schools have been also instructed to prominently display the Child Helpline number 1098 at conspicuous locations, including the main entrance, notice boards, corridors, staff rooms, counselling rooms and on the rear panel of every school bus and school van. The CWC has also directed the schools that every case of suspected child abuse, neglect, exploitation or any offence against a child must be reported to the Special Juvenile Police Unit or police and other competent authorities in accordance with the POCSO Act, 2012, and the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015. Failure to report such incidents could attract legal consequences under the applicable laws, the CWC circular reads.

Tarigami demands crackdown on substandard pesticides

CPI(M) leader and MLA Kulgam, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami urged the Jammu and Kashmir government to intensify its crackdown on the sale of substandard pesticides and strengthen checks at the Lower Munda (Qazigund) entry point for all pesticides, fertilisers and hybrid plants entering Kashmir from outside the Union Territory. Tarigami said incidents of premature fruit drop were reported last month in Sugu, Sugu Handhama and Kachdoora villages of Shopian, where apple growers alleged that fruits began falling within days of spraying a fungicide containing Mancozeb. He said the complaints later spread to adjoining areas, prompting the Enforcement Wing to approach the District Court, Shopian, seeking sanction to prosecute two dealers under the Insecticides Act, 1968. Describing the Shopian episode as part of a wider problem, Tarigami said enforcement drives against the sale of spurious pesticides and fertilisers have previously been carried out in Pulwama, Kulgam, Anantnag, Budgam and Srinagar districts. He also claimed that a 2025 sampling exercise found that the majority of non-standard samples originated from the Kashmir division rather than Jammu. Citing official enforcement data, Tarigami said 149 prosecutions have been registered in cases involving spurious pesticides and another 110 in connection with substandard fertiliser samples across Jammu and Kashmir. He added that fines amounting to Rs 1.31 lakh have been recovered, arguing that the figures indicate a widespread problem rather than one confined to a single district. The MLA said the Lower Munda check post at Qazigund was established to prevent the unauthorised movement of agricultural inputs into the Valley and stressed that all plant material brought from outside must undergo mandatory quarantine at Post Entry Quarantine facilities before being released. He called for strict enforcement of these safeguards, particularly during the peak spraying season when the demand for pesticides is high. Tarigami also urged the Agriculture and Horticulture departments to enhance district-level sampling and make full use of pesticide testing laboratories at Kulgam, Srinagar, Jammu and Baramulla, as well as fertiliser testing laboratories in Jammu and Srinagar. He said timely testing, accountability and compensation are essential to protect growers affected by substandard agricultural inputs.

Where did the teachers leave file stall?

A social media post by a Kashmiri doctor based in Bristol, England, alleging that bureaucratic delays prevented her government teacher mother from travelling to the United Kingdom during her pregnancy has triggered a fresh controversy over the functioning of the School Education Department (SED). The allegations, made by Dr. Salfiya on X (formerly Twitter), prompted the Director of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) to order a verification of the case, while the Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) clarified that the file was never referred to it for mandatory vigilance clearance. In her post, Dr. Salfiya alleged that her mother had applied for station/country leave in December 2025 for the period from June to August 2026. Despite submitting the application nearly six months in advance, she claimed the file remained pending even after the leave period commenced. She further alleged that an earlier leave application submitted during her pregnancy had also lapsed because the department failed to process it in time. Because of this administrative apathy, my mother couldnt be with me during my pregnancy, my C-section or my postpartum recovery in the UK. This is not just a delayed file, it is a family that has suffered because of bureaucratic negligence, she wrote, tagging Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Education Minister Sakina Itoo and seeking their intervention. Speaking to Greater Kashmir , Director School Education Kashmir Naseer Ahmad Wani said the department follows a prescribed procedure before granting station or country leave. I assumed office around eight months ago, but I have not come across such a case. Nobody approached my office to follow up the matter either, Wani said. He explained that such cases require mandatory vigilance clearance before approval is granted by the administrative department. I have read the post on X. I will verify the status of the file today and find out where the matter is pending, he said. Meanwhile, ACB Director Shakti Pathak rejected allegations that the vigilance clearance was delayed at the bureau. The matter never came to the ACB. Please enquire from the Education Department. We clear such files within a maximum of four days, Pathak told Greater Kashmir . With the ACB categorically stating that the file was never referred to it, the controversy has shifted focus to the School Education Department, which will now have to ascertain where the application remained pending and whether administrative lapses led to the delay alleged by the doctors family.

Pilgrim registration centres, token counters continue to draw heavy crowd

Amid swelling rush around registration centres and token distribution counters in the winter capital city, the third batch of 4812 Amarnath pilgrims left from Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu for Pahalgam and Baltal route in 259 vehicles in heavy security on Saturday. 3434 males, 966 females, 11 children, 244 Sadhus and 157 Sadhvis embarked on Yatra this morning. Out of them, 2771 left for Pahalgam axis at 3.24 am while 2041 pilgrims chose Baltal axis to undertake Yatra to the holy shrine nestled in south Kashmir Himalaya. Convoy destined for Baltal left Yatri Niwas at 3 am, officials informed. A day after the J&K administration issued a caution note and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi also appealed to the intending pilgrims for patience and strict adherence to rules and regulations, advisories, the impact was visible on the registration centres and the token distribution counters. The number was spiralling up yet the order was being maintained. Officials stated that because of adequate arrangements made, the swelling rush was manageable and the registration process went on smoothly. On Saturday, the Lieutenant Governor also requested the pilgrims to adhere to the registration schedule and unregistered (intending) pilgrims to wait patiently. Earlier on Friday evening, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Jammu-Samba-Kathua (JSK) range, Shridhar Patil visited several locations, where Shri Amarnath Yatra pilgrims awaiting their turn to proceed towards the holy cave shrine, were accommodated. Interacting with the pilgrims, the DIG-P praised people for their cooperation and appealed to devotees to remain patient while waiting for their turn. He assured them that the administration and security agencies were fully committed to facilitate the pilgrimage in a safe and orderly manner. He also urged the utilise 112 helpline services. We assure you that we are trying our best to make every pilgrim get an opportunity to undertake the yatra and pay obeisance at the holy cave shrine. We request all devotees to cooperate with the authorities and maintain patience. With your support, we will ensure that every pilgrim reaches the holy cave safely, Patil said, while addressing the pilgrims. His visit was aimed at reviewing the arrangements for the pilgrims and boosting their confidence as authorities continued to manage the movement of yatris in accordance with the prescribed daily limits and security protocols.

Baltal base camp wears festive look, enthusiasm among pilgrims

With the beginning of the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY)-2026, the Baltal the base camp of the pilgrimage in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir wore a festive look. The base camp at Baltal on the banks of the nallah Sindh remains active round the clock. Around midnight daily, the huge sprawling camp, guarded heavily by security forces, starts bustling. Pilgrims from various parts of the country board their buses and travel on the 300-km-long Srinagar-Jammu national highway to Baltal and Pahalgam base camps in south Kashmir. Once you reach Baltal base camp after going through a couple of checking points you come across the festive fervour. Well-lit and decorated Langars with loudspeakers blaring bhajans greet you. The lost and found announcements also add to the festivities and are abuzz with Mahesh from Delhi looking for Ramesh. At base camp here is a full-fledged market run by Muslims and Non-Muslims both selling 'puja Samagri and other stuff. You pass through and they call out Bhole puja ka saman le lo, Nahane Ka Garam Pani free, Saaman Rakhna free. The scene here is a real show of communal harmony. The fearlessness and enthusiasm of the pilgrims can be seen during the arrival and stay at base camps with the whole area also reverberate with the chants of Bam Bam Bholey. The pilgrims are seen freely moving around the base camp busy clicking pictures buying different kind of things available in the market. The Langars (community kitchens) set up for the Yatris see a huge rush. The common sight at Baltal is of the Kashmiri Muslims who are the major local service providers to Amarnath pilgrims during the annual yatra. The local service providers mostly consist of those people who have installed their kiosks and tents for Yatris and are seen eagerly waiting to receive them. Mostly local Muslims are the major service providers in Baltal and Pahalgam. The Pony Wallas, tent owners, shopkeepers, labourers and others mostly local Muslims offer services to Amarnath pilgrims during yatra. We have always welcomed the Amarnath pilgrims who are our guests. The yatra is not only just business or earning livelihood for us, Bilal Ahmad Mir a local service provider said. We are very excited about the yatra. I am coming for the second time but my each visit to the shrine makes me more excited, said Suresh Sharma, a pilgrim from Delhi. The Yatris were very enthusiastic to see the arrangements in place. They were happy too as the locals are extending full support and coordination to the Yatris. With every passing year, the facilities and arrangements for the pilgrims have been improving the pilgrims said. They said that Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) and J&K administration has made the pilgrimage more comfortable and smooth, a group of Yatris said. Meanwhile, Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), UT administration has made all the arrangements for the annual yatra. Besides heightened security arrangements have been made to ensure a peaceful yatra.

Amarnath yatra 2026 | Over 26,000 pilgrims offer obeisance in 2 days: Div Com Kashmir

More than 26,000 pilgrims have paid obeisance at the holy Amarnath cave shrine during the first two days of the annual 57-day Amarnath Yatra, which commenced on July 3, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg said on Saturday. Addressing a joint press conference along with Inspector General of Police Kashmir VK Birdi, Garg said that the pilgrimage via the twin routes of Pahalgam and Baltal is progressing smoothly, backed by comprehensive multi-layered arrangements for the convenience and safety of devotees. Online registration for the pilgrimage began on April 15, and registered pilgrims are being facilitated after completing all mandatory formalities, Garg informed reporters. He emphasised that the administration is strictly adhering to the Supreme Court-mandated carrying capacity to ensure the yatra remains safe and sustainable. The Divisional Commissioner highlighted the extensive facilities put in place by the administration in coordination with the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board and other departments. These include adequate accommodation, healthcare services, drinking water, rest shelters (Pahalgam and Baltal axes), disaster management teams, and lighting along the yatra tracks. Garg acknowledged the challenge posed by several devotees arriving in Jammu and Kashmir without prior registration, which has caused some inconvenience. He urged such pilgrims to wait patiently for their turn, reiterating that only those holding valid registration for their allotted date will be permitted to undertake the pilgrimage. The Tatkal quota is limited and is subject to vacancies created by registered pilgrims who do not report, he added. Garg also appealed to pilgrims who reached early to strictly follow their scheduled dates to prevent overcrowding and ensure smooth management. He advised future participants to complete online registration well in advance. This comes amid an unprecedented early rush of unregistered pilgrims, which has strained token distribution centres in Jammu. The administration has responded by expanding facilities, adding staff, and improving crowd management at key points including Tawi Riverfront, Bhagwati Nagar, and others. Garg assured that every effort is being made for a safe, smooth, and hassle-free experience. Elaborate arrangements have been made for the convenience of pilgrims, including enhanced registration facilities, accommodation, sanitation, security and traffic management, he said. With the administration, security forces, Shrine Board, and stakeholders working in unison, the early momentum of the yatra reflects both the deep faith of devotees and the proactive governance ensuring its success in the challenging Himalayan terrain. Pilgrims have been advised to stay updated through official channels, follow health and weather advisories, and cooperate fully with authorities for the collective good of this sacred pilgrimage.

All India Inter Staff & Faculty Cricket Tournament 202627 | NIT Srinagar beat NIT Manipur by 10 wickets

The All India Inter-NIT Faculty & Staff Cricket Tournament (Men) 2026 began on a positive and competitive note in Srinagar on Saturday, with the host institution NIT Srinagar setting a strong early benchmark in the five-day championship featuring 24 National Institutes of Technology from across the country. The opening day, as per a statement, featured several well-contested matches across multiple venues in the city, marked by dominant wins, individual performances, and one closely fought tie. The results reflected the balanced competitive spirit of the tournament while also highlighting the growing standard of faculty and staff cricket within the NIT system. Across the days fixtures, teams displayed encouraging performances with both bat and ball, setting the stage for an engaging league phase ahead. The mix of one-sided victories and tightly contested encounters underlined the camaraderie and sporting spirit that the tournament aims to promote among participating institutes. The hosts NIT Srinagar made an emphatic statement in their opening clash against NIT Manipur, registering a commanding 10-wicket victory. After opting to field, NIT Srinagars bowling unit produced a disciplined performance to restrict Manipur to 121/8 in 20 overs. Dr. Shakeel Waseem starred with an exceptional spell of 4/21, breaking the backbone of the opposition middle order, while Dr. Majid Hussain supported with 2/27. Chasing a modest target, NIT Srinagar delivered a batting masterclass as Aaqib Sheikh smashed a breathtaking unbeaten 103 off just 33 balls, decorated with 17 boundaries and five sixes, powering the hosts to 124/0 in just 6.4 overs. Captain Faisal Irshad remained unbeaten on 10 as the hosts sealed victory with 80 balls to spare. At another venue, NIT Jalandhar continued their strong start to the tournament, defeating NITK Surathkal by 23 runs. Batting first, Jalandhar posted 186/9 in 20 overs, powered by Amritpal Singhs explosive 72 off 44 balls, supported by Ravinders quick 40 off 27 deliveries. Surathkal responded with 163/7, with Shailendra scoring a fighting 47, but failed to maintain the required run rate despite a spirited effort.

J&K Bank MD interacts with trainees, coaching staff of banks Ladakh Football Academy

Reaffirming the Bank's commitment to nurturing sporting talent and creating opportunities for young athletes to excel, J&K Bank MD & CEO Amitava Chatterjee interacted with the trainees and coaching staff of the Bank's Ladakh Football Academy in Leh. On the occasion, the MD & CEO, as per a statement, also unveiled the official uniform of the academy in the presence of Chief General Manager Imtiyaz Ahmad Bhat, Zonal Head Ladakh Tsewang Dorjai, Special Secretary to MD Tanveer Hussain, AGM (Sports/Culture) Bilal Ahmad kuchhay, Cluster Head Tsewang Dorjay and other senior Bank officials.

Monsoon session of Parliament from Jul 20 to Aug 13

New Delhi, Jul 4:The Monsoon session of Parliament will be held from July 20 to August 13, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren said on Saturday. The 25-day session with 19 sittings comes after the ruling BJPs victories in West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry assembly polls. The aftermath of the rebellion in the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Shiv Sena (UBT) will also play out in the forthcoming session. A decision by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on the demands of 20 TMC and six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs seeking recognition as separate groups is awaited. In the Rajya Sabha, after newly elected and re-elected MPs took oath, the political numbers further tilted in favour of the ruling NDA. Three rebel TMC MPs from the Upper House have quit and bypolls will help the BJP gather more strength in the Rajya Sabha. In a post on X, Rijiju said on the recommendation of the government, President Draupadi Murmu has summoned both the Houses of Parliament for the Monsoon Session 2026. The Session will commence on 20 July, 2026 and continue till 13 August, 2026 for meaningful debate, discussion and decisions on issues of national importance, he said. The last session ended in disappointment for the BJP-led NDA government as a Constitution amendment bill to implement reservation for women in legislatures in 2029 and increase the number of seats in the Lok Sabha was defeated in the Lower House. The government is now redrafting the bill to possibly increase Lok Sabha seats of all states uniformly by 50 per cent. The population-linked increase in seats has been a major concern for southern parties.

PM Modi greets Trump, people of US on 250th anniversary of independence

New Delhi, Jul 4: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday greeted President Donald Trump and the people of the United States on the 250th anniversary of Americas independence and said the two countries shared belief in democracy and the rule of law, and the limitless potential of their people make the friendship a force for global good. Modi asserted that India and the United States share more than a strategic partnership. On behalf of 1.4 billion Indians, I extend my warmest congratulations to President Trump and the people of the United States on the historic 250th anniversary of your Independence, the prime minster said in a post on X. He said the shared belief of India and the US in democracy and the rule of law, and the limitless potential of our people make our friendship a force for global good. May the next 250 years bring even greater prosperity, peace and progress for America and take the India-US partnership to new heights, he said. Trump ushered in the 250th anniversary of American independence on Friday. The signing of the Declaration of Independence, one of historys most-celebrated articulations of democratic ambitions, is being marked in myriad ways. Set to take a central role in the festivities, Trump plans to speak at the National Mall in Washington ahead of what is being billed as a historically-enormous fireworks show that will rain down over the US capital.

After Op Sindoor, trust in made-in-India defence platforms got enhanced: Rajnath Singh

New Delhi, Jul 4: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said that after Operation Sindoor, the trust in made-in-India defence platforms has received a boost. In his address at an event here, he also reiterated that today, our defence production has reached over Rs 1.78 lakh crore, and about 8-9 years ago, it stood at approximately Rs 46,000 crore. The Union minister asserted that after Operation Sindoor, trust in made-in-India defence platforms has got enhanced. Operation Sindoor was Indias decisive military action conducted in May 2025 in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Several defence platforms built in India had played a key role in it. Singh said, Defence exports too have reached a record over Rs 38,000 crore, and in 2013-14, it stood at just Rs 686 crore, and it has grown today 57 times. And, I have not sought the full report, but, currently it should be hovering around Rs 40,000 crore, is my estimate. In his address, he also spoke of Indias journey in various sectors in the last 12 years, the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and the importance of human sensitivity in the age of AI, including in the field of journalism. The event was hosted in Delhi to mark 80 years of the national Hindi daily Navbharat Times. Indias journey over the last 12 years has been a progression from shortages to self-reliance, from self-reliance to self-confidence, and from self-confidence towards building a Viksit Bharat, Singh said. He said India lays emphasis on both technological development and celebrating its traditions, and this confluence of tradition and technology is the biggest strength of the country in the 21st century. Underlining that AI has touched nearly all aspects of human existence today, he cautioned that while AI can read and analyse data, it cannot feel the pulse of the people, which is where the human sensitivity comes into picture. Singh pointed out that journalism too has been impacted by technological advancements such as AI, but they wont be able to surpass human creativity and intellect. The future success of journalism will depend on how well it establishes the balance and synergy between the capabilities of AI and human empathy. While AI will make journalism faster and more precise, emotional intelligence will ensure that it remains humane and credible, he said. The Union minister also emphasised maintaining credibility in journalism in the era of fake news and misinformation. Terming the medias role in the present era of, what he described as communicative abundance, as more crucial than ever, the defence minister said the challenge today is not lack of information, but its accuracy and reliability. Misinformation severely impacts society and the morale of defence forces, he said, adding that while being the first to report may be important in journalism, disseminating correct news is even more crucial. Especially when the subject concerns the defence forces, national security, or the honour of those who make the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation, every word becomes a matter of national responsibility. The media must always uphold the values of accuracy, objectivity, and impartiality, Singh said.

India navigated one of the biggest energy crises with little burden on citizens: PM Narendra Modi

Jaipur, Jul 4: India successfully navigated one of the biggest global energy crises through proactive policies, diversified fuel sourcing, and strong diplomatic ties, with minimal burden on citizens, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday. The prime minister was addressing a gathering after inaugurating a refinery in Pachpadra of Balotra district. He also laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects. Modi said India expanded its energy imports significantly during the West Asia crisis. When the crisis began, India was importing energy from about 25-26 countries. During the crisis, we increased this to more than 40 countries, he said, attributing the turnaround to Indias diplomacy. He said oil companies incurred losses of over Rs 75,000 crore between April and June due to rising global prices, but the government absorbed the burden. We reduced excise duty by Rs 10 per litre and ensured that the burden on citizens did not increase significantly, he said. Rumours were spread, and people were incited, but those with malicious intentions did not succeed, Modi said. Those who wished to see India fail had even begun making predictions. Today, they must be wallowing in the depths of despair, he said. The prime minister said the country has become the worlds fourth-largest in refining capacity and continues to expand. He also credited his governments long-term policies with overcoming global disruptions in fuel and fertiliser supply caused by the war between Iran and the US-Israel combine. On a different note, Modi said self-respect of an individual or a nation can remain high only when they are self-reliant. He said the BJP governments do not simply lay foundation stones for projects and leave them. We work day and night to ensure their completion, he said. Modi on Saturday inaugurated the countrys first greenfield integrated refinery-cum-petrochemical complex in Pachpadra. The refinery is also Rajasthans first of any kind. Modi inaugurated the project by pressing a remote button after touring the refinery complex. The prime minister said the work on the refinery remained virtually at standstill when Congress was in power in Rajasthan from 2018 to 2023.

Keeway launches Hypevolt-R Premium Electric Scooter

Srinagar, Jul 4:Keeway India on Saturday entered India's premium electric scooter segment with the launch of the all-new Hypevolt-R, a high-performance electric scooter featuring a claimed range of 180 km and a top speed of 115 km/h. Priced at an introductory 5,000 through Keeway India's official website. The company said the Hypevolt-R has been designed for riders seeking a blend of performance, technology and everyday practicality. It features a 5 kWh dual removable battery setup that offers an IDC-certified riding range of up to 180 km on a single charge. The battery packs can be charged either on or off the vehicle, while the in-built charging system can recharge the batteries from 0 to 80 per cent in around three hours, reducing downtime for users. Powering the scooter is a mid-mounted Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor that delivers a peak output of 12 kW. According to the company, the Hypevolt-R can accelerate from 0 to 40 km/h in 2.3 seconds and attain a top speed of 115 km/h. It also offers a 30-degree climbing capability, making it suitable for varied road conditions. The scooter comes with three riding modesEco, Normal and Sportallowing riders to choose between efficiency and performance. Keeway said the centrally mounted motor and dual-battery architecture provide improved weight distribution, sharper handling and quicker throttle response, positioning the Hypevolt-R as a premium offering in India's fast-growing electric two-wheeler market.

JKRERA inspects various Illegal Colonies across multiple locations

Srinagar, Jul 4: The Jammu & Kashmir Real Estate Regulatory Authority (JK RERA) has issued a strong advisory to the general public, requesting citizens to refrain from investing in real estate projects that are not registered with the Authority. The advisory follows a series of stringent enforcement actions on the ground. Under the supervision of the Chairperson of JK RERA, Satish Chandra, a team of officers including Deputy Secretary JK RERA, Esha Chib, and Naib Tehsildar, Gias-u-din carried out extensive inspections of various illegal and unregistered colonies across multiple locations. The enforcement drive targeted unauthorized developments at 90 Feet Road, Nowgam, Zakoora, and Gulab Bagh in Srinagar, as well as several areas in Budgam district. To protect hard-earned money and avoid falling into legal or financial traps, JKRERA strongly advises prospective buyers to follow a strict verification process before making any financial commitments. Before investing or booking a property, citizens must first ensure that the real estate project is explicitly registered with the JKRERA. If a project lacks a valid RERA registration number, individuals should not invest in that project under any circumstances. Furthermore, buyers must ensure that the real estate agent facilitating the transaction is also registered with JK RERA. Under the Real Estate Act 2016, only a RERA-registered real estate agent is authorized to market, promote, or facilitate transactions for a RERA-registered real estate project. Dealing with unregistered individuals or entities leaves buyers exposed to significant risks. Investing in unregistered projects or dealing with unregistered agents strips buyers of their legal protections under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act. Chairperson, JK RERA, Satish Chandra, reiterated the Authority's commitment to bringing transparency and accountability to the region's real estate sector. He warned developers and agents operating without valid registration to halt activities immediately or face strict legal and penal action. He further advised citizens to verify the registration status of both projects and agents by visiting the official JK RERA portal before finalizing any property deals.

118 Pampore IE lessees seek Govt intervention over land delay

Srinagar, Jul 4:A delegation representing 118 lessees of the Brick & Tile Factory Industrial Estate, Pampore, on Saturday met Industries and Commerce Minister Satish Sharma, seeking urgent Cabinet intervention to end a prolonged delay in the handover of industrial land allotted to entrepreneurs. The delegation, comprising President Khalid Subhan Wani, Vice President Khan Yasir, Secretary Publicity Ashfaq Ahmad and Advisor Sheikh Abid, urged the Minister to expedite the matter, which they said has remained unresolved for over three years. According to the delegation, the Minister assured them of his support and said he would strongly pursue the proposal in the Cabinet. They said Sharma also spoke to the Chief Secretary during the meeting and directed that the case be placed before the Cabinet. He further asked his Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to review the matter and submit a status report before the Cabinet meeting. The lessees said the land was allotted to them in March 2022 after payment of a premium of 5 lakh per kanal, along with three years' advance rent and maintenance charges. As per the lease terms, possession was to be handed over within 15 days, but they alleged that the land has still not been transferred. The delegation claimed the delay has stalled proposed investments worth nearly 400 crore and affected the creation of an estimated 6,000 to 10,000 direct and indirect jobs. The group demanded immediate transfer of land possession, Cabinet approval to operationalise the industrial estate, and accountability for the prolonged delay, saying the issue has hampered industrial growth and employment generation in the region.

SKUAST-Ks One Health Vision gains global recognition

Srinagar, Jul 4:Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) has achieved another major milestone in its journey towards advancing the globally important One Health approach, with its student team securing the prestigious One Health Day Student Event Award 2025 organized by the internationally acclaimed One Health Commission. The award was conferred on the universitys student network, SKUAOHUN (SKUAST-K One Health University Network), for successfully organizing a month-long hybrid outreach and awareness initiative titled One Health Program- 2025. The team competed against entries from 94 countries and was recognized for taking the One Health message beyond academic institutions and actively engaging communities through innovative educational and outreach activities. The achievement marks a significant international endorsement of SKUAST-Ks efforts to institutionalize One Health an integrated framework that recognizes the interdependence of human, animal and environmental health and addresses emerging challenges such as zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, food safety and climate-related health risks. SKUAST-K is among the first institutions in India to establish a dedicated School of One Health and has, over the past two years, developed a comprehensive ecosystem for interdisciplinary education, research and policy engagement in the sector. The university has forged collaborations with leading medical and veterinary institutions and has recently developed several innovative technologies and initiatives under the One Health framework. As part of its growing leadership in this area, SKUAST-K has also created vibrant student-led One Health platforms and community engagement programs to translate science into societal impact. The international award includes an International Certificate of Excellence, a cash prize of USD 1,000, and complimentary registration for two student representatives to attend the 9th World One Health Congress, to be held in Lisbon, Portugal, in September 2026. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai congratulated the student team, faculty members, and the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry for the achievement. He described the recognition as validation of SKUAST-Ks vision to become a globally relevant transdisciplinary institution that addresses emerging societal and scientific challenges through innovation and collaboration. With our philosophy of SKUAST-K for Quality of Life, we remain committed to creating solutions that improve the health of people, animals and ecosystems alike, Prof. Ganai said.

Pulwama's purple fields come alive as lavender harvest begins

Pulwama, Jul 4:The harvesting of lavender commenced on Saturday at the Bonera Field Station in Pulwama district, a research farm of the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), marking another step in promoting commercial cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants across Jammu and Kashmir. The harvest is being carried out under CSIR-IIIM's Purple Project, which seeks to demonstrate the commercial viability of lavender cultivation and encourage farmers to diversify into high-value aromatic crops. Officials said the initiative provides end-to-end support to growers, including quality planting material, scientific cultivation techniques, processing, value addition, quality testing and market linkages, with the objective of enhancing farm incomes through aromatic crop cultivation. Speaking on the occasion, CSIR-IIIM Director Dr. Zabeer Ahmed said the institute has launched four flagship initiatives under the guidance of Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh to strengthen the medicinal and aromatic plants sector while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities in rural areas. The initiatives include the Aroma Mission, Floriculture Mission, Phyto-Pharmaceutical Mission and Himalayan Bio-resource Prospection Mission. All these missions are directly or indirectly linked to medicinal and aromatic plants and are aimed at creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for farmers, Ahmed said. He said Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as a biodiversity hotspot with immense potential for cultivating medicinal and aromatic plants. He added that the Union Territory administration is formulating a dedicated Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Mission under the supervision of the Chief Secretary to further accelerate the sector's growth. Dr. Shahid Rasool, Scientist In-Charge of the CSIR-IIIM Bonera Field Station, described the facility as a living laboratory where advanced agricultural technologies are tested under real farming conditions before being transferred to farmers and other stakeholders. Every demonstration plot reflects years of scientific refinement aimed at maximizing productivity, essential oil quality and climate resilience, he said. Rasool said the station's activities extend beyond research, focusing on farmer capacity building, supporting agri-startups, facilitating technology commercialization and promoting sustainable rural enterprises. The purple fields of Bonera stand today as a testament to the successful convergence of scientific excellence, innovation and inclusive rural development, he added. Located around 40 kilometres from Srinagar, the 60-hectare Bonera Field Station serves as a major research and demonstration centre where farmers receive training in scientific cultivation practices. The facility also showcases post-harvest processing and value-addition technologies aimed at improving returns from aromatic crops. Lavender cultivation has expanded steadily in several parts of Jammu and Kashmir under CSIR-IIIM's Aroma Mission, with the crop emerging as a climate-suitable, high-value alternative that is helping farmers diversify their income sources.

Boy drowns in Jhelum at Lasjan

Srinagar, Jul 4:A 13-year-old boy is feared to have drowned in the River Jhelum at Lasjan on the outskirts of Srinagar on Saturday after entering the river for a bath, prompting police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to launch a large-scale search operation. The boy has been identified as Luqmaan Javaid, 13, who had reportedly gone to the river with friends to cool off amid the prevailing heatwave. Eyewitnesses said Luqmaan jumped into the river for a bath but failed to resurface. He entered the river for a bath but could not make it back to the surface. Within moments, he disappeared in the water, an eyewitness said. The incident triggered panic in the area as hundreds of people gathered along the riverbank while locals made frantic attempts to locate the teenager before informing the authorities. Residents said local boatmen were among the first to respond and immediately joined the rescue efforts. Police and SDRF teams rushed to the spot after receiving information and launched an extensive search operation. A search operation has been launched, and police have taken cognisance of the incident, officials said. The operation was continuing till the filing of this report, with rescue teams combing the river for the missing boy. Meanwhile, residents expressed concern over what they described as a delayed response by rescue teams, saying quicker deployment is crucial in drowning incidents where every minute can make a difference. Saturday's incident comes just a day after 17-year-old Basit Ali Akhoon drowned in the Dachigam stream near New Theed in Harwan. The Class 11 student was later declared dead at a hospital, triggering widespread calls for improved safety measures, including fencing, warning signboards and regular patrolling at vulnerable water bodies across Srinagar.

Rise in drowning incidents revive calls for safety measures in Srinagar's water bodies

Srinagar, Jul 4: A day after a 17-year-old boy drowned in the fast-flowing waters of the Dachigam stream near New Theed in Harwan, residents, parents and relatives have called for urgent safety measures at vulnerable water bodies, saying the tragedy should serve as a wake-up call to prevent further loss of life. The victim, Basit Ali Akhoon, son of Bashir Ahmad Akhoon and a resident of Akhoon Mohalla, Mir Bahri, was a Class 11 student. According to his family, he had gone to the stream with a few friends to cool off amid the prevailing heatwave when he was swept under by the strong current. A relative of the deceased, Muhammad Rafiq, said the teenager's death has left the family devastated. Basit had gone for a bath with a few other boys. He got trapped under the gushing water. Two boys tried their best to rescue him, but even they sustained injuries during the attempt. Later, locals and police retrieved him and rushed him to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead, Rafiq told Greater Kashmir. Describing Basit as a bright and hardworking student, Rafiq said the teenager also took up small jobs to support his family whenever possible. We have lost our child, and nothing can compensate for that loss. But we do not want another family to suffer the same pain. The authorities must act before another tragedy occurs. There should be permanent warning signboards, proper fencing at dangerous locations and regular patrolling to prevent people from entering risky spots, he said. Residents of Harwan said drowning incidents have repeatedly occurred in the area, particularly during the summer months when children and teenagers flock to rivers and streams to escape the heat. Mudassir Ahmad, a resident of New Theed, said several lives have been lost in the vicinity over the past decade. We have witnessed many such incidents here over the years. The stream looks calm in some places but has deep pockets and a very strong current, he said. With summer vacations commencing on Monday, locals fear that the number of children visiting rivers, streams and other water bodies will increase sharply, raising the risk of more such accidents. Mushtaq Ahmad, a parent from Harwan, said ensuring children's safety should be a shared responsibility. Parents will try their best to keep an eye on their children, but the authorities also have a responsibility. Police, officials from the irrigation department and other concerned agencies should maintain regular patrols at vulnerable spots, he said. Residents urged the administration to put in place a coordinated safety mechanism involving the police, irrigation and flood control authorities, and other departments. They demanded the installation of warning signboards, fencing of hazardous stretches, deployment of regular patrols and sustained public awareness campaigns, saying timely preventive measures could help avert further tragedies during the peak summer season.

The Silent Sentinels of India's Information Frontier

In the age of hybrid warfare, where narratives can influence national security as profoundly as military operations, information has emerged as a strategic asset. On India's sensitive northern frontiers, where every development is closely watched both within the country and beyond its borders, the responsibility of communicating the truth demands professionalism, credibility and unwavering commitment. For the past seventy-five years, the Public Relations Unit (PRU), Jammu has quietly fulfilled this responsibility. While soldiers have defended the nation's borders, PRU Jammu has safeguarded the information domain - ensuring that the stories of courage, sacrifice, humanitarian service and national commitment reach citizens accurately, responsibly and without compromising operational security. As the Unit celebrates its Platinum Jubilee on 1 July 2026, it stands not merely as a media organisation but as one of India's oldest and most respected institutions of strategic communication. Raised on 1st July 1950 under the leadership of Major D.C. Kapur (First Defence PRO of Jammu), the Unit came into existence at a defining moment in independent India's history. Barely three years after Independence and in the aftermath of the first conflict in Jammu and Kashmir, the Government recognised the importance of establishing an authentic bridge between the Defence Forces, the media and the people. Since then, twenty-two Defence Public Relations Officers have led the Unit, each contributing to an enduring legacy built on credibility, professionalism and public service. Over the decades, PRU Jammu has evolved into the principal communication interface of the Ministry of Defence in the Jammu region. The Unit represents the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force, Project Sampark of the Border Roads Organisation, the National Cadet Corps and several other Ministry of Defence establishments. It coordinates media engagement, manages strategic communication during military operations, facilitates national and international media, counters misinformation, projects nation-building initiatives and ensures that the voice of the Defence Forces reaches the public with clarity and authenticity. The Unit's journey mirrors India's own security history. It has supported communication during the Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971, the Kargil conflict, decades of counter-insurgency operations, anti-terror campaigns, anti-infiltration operations, ceasefire violations and numerous security contingencies in Jammu and Kashmir. During every major operation, PRU Jammu has balanced two equally critical responsibilities - keeping the nation informed while protecting operational confidentiality. This balance has been central to preserving public confidence and ensuring that facts prevail over speculation. Equally significant has been the Unit's role in highlighting the humanitarian face of the Defence Forces. For decades, PRU Jammu has documented rescue operations during floods, earthquakes, avalanches and landslides, projecting soldiers not merely as defenders of territorial integrity but as first responders in times of human distress. During the devastating floods of 2014 and later natural disasters across the region, the Unit effectively communicated the scale of humanitarian assistance undertaken by the Defence Forces, bringing national attention to thousands of lives saved through extraordinary courage and selfless service. During the COVID-19 pandemic, PRU Jammu once again played a vital role in showcasing the Defence Forces' contribution to national resilience. From establishing quarantine facilities and supporting vaccination drives to providing oxygen support, medical logistics and humanitarian assistance, the Unit ensured that citizens remained informed about the military's unwavering commitment to the nation during one of the most challenging public health emergencies in modern history. Beyond crisis communication, PRU Jammu has consistently highlighted the Defence Forces' enduring contribution to nation-building. Through extensive coverage of educational initiatives, medical camps, women empowerment programmes, youth engagement, sports competitions, environmental campaigns, skill development projects and civic action programmes, particularly under Operation Sadbhavana, the Unit has reinforced the image of the Indian soldier as a partner in development and a catalyst for social transformation. These stories have strengthened public trust and deepened the bond between the soldier and the citizen across the region. One of the Unit's unique strengths has been its ability to bring national recognition to organisations whose contributions often remain outside public attention. Through sustained media outreach, PRU Jammu has highlighted the remarkable achievements of Project Sampark of the Border Roads Organisation in constructing strategic roads, bridges and tunnels, restoring connectivity after disasters and enabling socio-economic development in remote border areas. It has similarly showcased the operational excellence of the Indian Air Force, humanitarian air operations, recruitment initiatives and the inspiring activities of the National Cadet Corps, encouraging generations of young Indians to embrace discipline, leadership and national service. Among the Unit's most significant yet lesser-known contributions has been the conduct of the Army Leg of Defence Correspondents Course, a pioneering professional familiarisation programme of Ministry of Defence for journalists from across the country. Conducted in close coordination with operational formations, the course provides media professionals with firsthand exposure to military life, border deployments, operational procedures, humanitarian assistance and the complexities of reporting from conflict-sensitive regions. By enabling journalists to interact directly with commanders and soldiers while witnessing the realities of military operations, the programme has nurtured informed, balanced and security-conscious defence reporting. At a time when misinformation can spread rapidly across digital platforms, the course continues to strengthen mutual trust between the Defence Forces and the media, producing generations of defence correspondents who appreciate both the public's right to know and the imperatives of national security. As communication technologies evolved from typewriters and telegrams to satellite television, digital media and social networking platforms, PRU Jammu transformed itself into a modern strategic communication organisation. Today, the Unit leverages multimedia content, digital storytelling and real-time dissemination of verified information to reach millions of citizens while swiftly countering misinformation and malicious propaganda. In an era increasingly defined by information warfare, this capability has become indispensable to national security. The importance of strategic communication was once again demonstrated during Operation SINDOOR, when PRU Jammu ensured timely dissemination of verified operational information while effectively projecting humanitarian assistance, civil preparedness and the coordinated efforts of multiple stakeholders. The experience reaffirmed a defining reality of modern conflict - that credibility remains one of a nation's strongest strategic assets. The story of PRU Jammu is, ultimately, a story of trust. It is the story of generations of Defence Public Relations Officers and dedicated staff who have worked quietly behind the scenes to ensure that acts of courage are remembered, sacrifices are honoured, humanitarian service is recognised and truth prevails over misinformation. It is the story of an institution that has stood at the intersection of national security, public communication and democratic accountability for three-quarters of a century. As India navigates an increasingly complex information environment, the role of credible, responsible and timely communication will only become more significant. The Public Relations Unit, Jammu, enters its seventy-sixth year with the same values that inspired its raising in 1950 - professionalism, integrity and service to the nation. Its remarkable journey reminds us that while soldiers safeguard India's borders, there must always be trusted voices to safeguard the truth. For seventy-five years, PRU Jammu has been that voice. Lt Col Suneel Bartwal, PRO & Spokesperson, Jammu Region.

Is Red-bus Inaccessible for PwDs?

Dear GK readers, after a much-needed half-year hiatus, this missive comes to you from the top floor of University of the Philippines. I am here in Manila to be part of the panel to discuss Kashmirs inaccessible public transport. I went to bed Friday thinking about my 18 months of terrible travel experience in the Srinagar Smart City Bus. I woke up with the chirping of birds at 5am on Saturday, fretted for more than an hour, then got up, had an American breakfast and dragged myself to my desk. My first thought was: Why are Kashmiris so insensitive towards People with Disabilities. Last fall, when I was in East Africa, back home, my lawyers were helping me draft Public Interest litigation at J&K high Court, to make the much-touted smart city buses accessible for People with disabilities. No sooner had we completed it, J&K CM, Omar Abdullah, announced on the floor of the house fare exemption for Persons with Disabilities. But the chief executive of the half-state probably doesnt know that the word Handicapped is an insensitive term. He can unlearn it now. Dear CM, Disability is an identity. The appropriate term used is Person with Disability. Six months later, there is no official notification. Who is supposed to issue the order? Transport commissioner? SMC Commissioner who also happens to be the CEO of the Smart City or Managing Director SRTC? As a disability rights advocate, I went to the SSCL office and submitted a detailed letter to the CEO on March 12,2026. I even volunteered to conduct two disability-sensitivity workshops for the staff free of charge. I offered my time, expertise and lived experience, believing that meaningful change begins with understanding. But not even the courtesy of a response came my way. The problem is that we continue to frame disability less as a question of citizenship and more as a matter of welfare, rehabilitation and relief. In fact, PwDs are demonized, dehumanized by the non-disabled people and scapegoated for political choices and policy failures by consecutive governments. When was the last time SSCL consulted persons with disabilities and asked them how can we make their travel comfortable by making it accessible. The Next Stop is...? Just like Delhi metro, it can have automatic audio announcements as it moves forward, e.g., if you are travelling to Pattan, Bus no 24 is enroute, at every stop, it can announce, in Kashmiri or in Urdu, Agla stop Hanjiwera hai, Agla Stop Main Market Pattan hai. Do you know what it does, you are making your bus accessible. There are announcements asking men not to sit in seats reserved for women. Those are clear, firm, repeated. But for PwDs, there is no announcement. This is how the travel is gendered. You have to be neutral.That is where red-bus fails the accessibility audit. Harmonized guidelines and space standards for universal accessibility in India 2021, which applies to all public infrastructure is largely ignored. The signage is missing in red-bus. The digital displays say this bus is enroute to Sopore but does not move beyond Pattan. Arent you misinforming people? There is a massive demand that buses should go to Sangrama at least. If the bus can go to Kangan,Tral, Char-e- Sharief, why not Sangrama? Dear SSCL CEO, I dont blame non-disabled folks for occupying the seats meant for PwDs. You are at fault. You are to be blamed. Because you clearly raised awareness about women reservation and forgot Passengers with Disabilities. You ask someone to vacate the seat. Sometimes they do. Sometimes they dont. Sometimes they look at you and say the words you begin to dread: You dont look disabled. At that moment, your body becomes a question. Your identity, something to be verified.Your reality, something to be doubted. I have spoken to people travelling to Pampore, to Ganderbal, to Budgampeople who were told exactly this. Invisible disabilities are treated like deception. Visible ones, like spectacle. There is no middle ground where dignity exists. Some of the staff is highly insensitive towards people with disabilities. As the bus halts, people rush in like cattle since we have zero civic sense. Women pounce on freebies and do not vacate the two seats reserved for Passengers with Disabilities. Has our Red bus been designed with disabilities in mind? We all want to get rid of the transport tensions in the city. And if you are a person with a disability, navigating the city for a better commute becomes much harder. Of all the 95 buses operational at the moment, I travelled in (almost) all of them in the last 18 months to assess and observe how accessible they are. The stickers meant to spread awareness were pasted near legspace. Why has SSCL made a joke out of accessibility? Most of the stickers are erased or completely removed by non-disabled folks, particularly women, as the CCTV footage inside the bus suggests. If this is the reality of our smart bus, what does it say about the rest of Kashmirs transport infrastructure. Here in the Philippines, the seats are clearly earmarked with signage on the windowpanes. POMAS & MAAS 1,40,000 Persons with invisible disabilities in London wear a POMAS badge on public transport. MAAS stands for Meet and Assist. It is a special service provided to help passengers with disabilities to navigate the commute and make their travel experience comfortable. But this does not exist in Kashmir. We are too insensitive for this. We mock, laugh and make jokes on PwDs and ruin their mental health. In the last six months, I reached out to SSCL staff multiple times and suggested they write For Persons with Disabilities on the windowpane with Permanent markers and then have an arrow pointed to the first two seats meant for PwDs (irrespective of Gender). Have proper announcements in Kashmiri or Urdu language that the seats meant for PwDs should not be occupied by non-disabled folks. And then, there is something even more unsettling. Bus conductors, in some cases, have begun photographing or recording details from UDID cardsthe official disability identity documents issued after medical verification. No explanation. No consent. No clarity on where that data goes. I argued in some cases, I was told oopar say hi order hai, group me daalna padta hai. When I phoned the top brass, they feigned ignorance and said no such order was issued. For a community that already struggles to be seen, this feels less like verification and more like surveillance. CHALO App, Mat Chalo Recently, two siblings living with visual disabilities from Chadoora phoned me to ask if Chalo App is accessible for blind persons? I took a deep breath and a stoic pause only to say NO. Whose problem is this? The very tool designed to make Srinagars transport system smart does not speak to those who cannot see. Even the Chalo App SSCL operates is inaccessible for blind passengers. It does not include those who need it most. And so, even in this new, digitized system, exclusion continuesjust in a more sophisticated form. There is a particular kind of betrayal that hurts more than neglectthe betrayal of promise. The promise of affordability, accessibility and inclusion falls flat if barriers are created for PwDs. Dear SSCL, what you are doing is called Purple-washing in the disability domain. Of the 3500-crore spent on SSCM, you do not have something novel, something incredible to showcase to the world. Launched on 3 December 2015, the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign) is a flagship initiative aimed at creating an inclusive and barrier-free environment for persons with disabilities. A key pillar of the campaign is improving the accessibility of public transport systems, enabling persons with disabilities to travel independently, safely and with dignity. Why has this campaign failed in my not-so-smart city? There should be clear policy towards Passengers with Disabilities. The E-guides or conductors should not issue morally loaded value judgments. I also observed and confronted some helpers in both SRTC and Redbus that they challenge PwDs saying that they should have 100 percent disability, otherwise they are not eligible. When I phoned and reported the issue to the Managing Director, he grilled them and they issued written apologies (copies of these letters are in my possession). These guys should be schooled about RPwD Act 2016. Some helpers, I observed, train guns at PwDs and scan the disabled folks from top to toe when they show their UDID cards. Next month, I will be (drumroll please) in another top Asian University representing Indias invisible minority talking about mobility issues of PwDs in India. I will also talk about the fact that why are disabled passengers excluded. If special tickets and concessions can be designed for women under initiatives such as Khawateen Khaas, why is there no dedicated ticketing mechanism for persons with disabilities? Are disabled passengers not equally deserving of recognition, dignity, and support? For years, we have been told to wait, adjust and depend on the goodwill of others. Accessibility is not a favor; it is a right. There is a certain kind of betrayal that hurts more than neglect the betrayal of promise. We were promised inclusion. But our smart city bus is neither inclusive nor accessible. After one night transit in Bangkok, the very next morning, we experienced turbulence midair just like PwDs feel turbulence on the very first seat in Srinagars Red bus. In half of the buses, the armrests are broken. Why is it not being repaired? A slight jerk, it can harm the Person with disability. There is no leg-space either. What we see is dusty broom, broken first-aid-kid hanging, some dirty metal around. Of all the helpers I talked to, only one person said he used the lift available in the bus to wheel a PwD in somewhere on the Harwan route. Policies exist. Campaigns have been launched. The Accessible India Campaign speaks of universal access in transport. RPwD Act 2016 clearly mandates non-discrimination and accessibility. And yet, here we are. Solutions are super simple, known and entirely achievable: enforce reserved seating, introduce audio-visual announcements, ensure digital platforms are accessible, prohibit unauthorized handling of personal data and train staff to understand disability as a matter of rights. Policy is not missing. Intent is. Indias iconic poet Sahir Ludhianvi captured this in his lines, Jis subah ki khatir jug jug say, hum sab mar mar k jite hain, Jis subah k amrit ki dhun me hum zeher k pyaale pite hain, woh subah kabhie to aayegi. And the distinguished historian Prof Uma Chakravarti reminds us all, Voh Subah Humhi say aayegi. The author is a doctoral researcher. His research focuses on disability studies, with a particular emphasis on advancing an inclusive approach to Viksit Bharat 2047.

Balancing tourism and local livelihoods

The growth of tourism in Jammu and Kashmir has created substantial economic opportunities while also raising concerns about the equitable distribution of tourism benefits, particularly regarding the operation of commercial tourist vehicles registered outside the Union Territory. From an ethical and developmental perspective, tourism should primarily benefit the host communities that preserve the regions natural, cultural, and social assets. Local taxi operators are integral to the tourism ecosystem, providing employment to thousands of families while serving as ambassadors of Kashmirs culture and hospitality. Unrestricted operation of outside commercial tourist vehicles may result in economic leakage, reducing local employment opportunities and weakening the multiplier effect of tourism within the region. Principles of community-based and inclusive tourism therefore support policies that maximize local participation and ensure that tourism revenues are retained within the local economy. At the same time, any regulatory framework must conform to the constitutional and legal framework of India. While the Constitution guarantees freedom of movement and the right to carry on trade and business, it also permits reasonable restrictions in the interest of the general public. The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, regulates interstate commercial transport through a permit system while allowing State and Union Territory Governments to implement lawful measures relating to transport management, public safety, environmental protection, and tourism administration. Judicial principles further recognise that reasonable, non-discriminatory regulations serving legitimate public interests are permissible. Accordingly, the objective should not be to impose a blanket prohibition on outside commercial tourist vehicles but to establish a balanced and legally sustainable regulatory framework. Such a framework should prioritize locally registered tourist taxis for intra-Union Territory sightseeing and tourism-related transport, while ensuring transparent fare structures, professional service standards, digital permit verification, effective enforcement against unauthorized commercial operations, and compliance with national transport laws. Tourism is one of the most significant contributors to the economy of Jammu and Kashmir, providing direct and indirect employment to thousands of people. Among the many stakeholders dependent on tourism, local taxi operators constitute one of the largest service providers. Their livelihood is intrinsically linked to tourist arrivals, making road transport an essential pillar of the tourism ecosystem. However, with the increasing movement of outside commercial vehicles, unregulated transport operations, and changing tourism dynamics, local taxi operators face growing competition that threatens their economic security. At the same time, tourists expect reliable, safe, affordable, and seamless transport services. Therefore, there is a need for a balanced policy that safeguards the interests of local communities while ensuring that tourism continues to grow in an efficient and visitor-friendly manner. A well-designed transport policy should aim to create a win-win situation where local communities benefit economically from tourism while visitors receive quality transport services. By safeguarding the interests of local transport providers without compromising tourist convenience or constitutional principles, Jammu and Kashmir can promote sustainable tourism, strengthen local livelihoods, improve visitor satisfaction, and ensure that the economic benefits of tourism contribute directly to the long-term development of the Union Territory. Author is Faculty at JKIMPARD

Memory Beyond Recall

We spend much of our lives trying not to forget. We make lists. Set reminders. Fill calendars. Store passwords. Build entire technologies around memory. And when memory falters, we see it as failure. Perhaps we have misunderstood forgetting. Not every forgotten thing is a loss. Some memories deserve preservation. Others deserve release. The real challenge is not remembering everything; it is knowing what should remain and what should quietly disappear. Memory is often described as a library. Think of it somewhat as a garden that cannot flourish if every fallen leaf is preserved. Growth requires pruning and space must be created before something new can take root. Nature seems to understand this better than we do. Human memory was never designed to function as a flawless recording device. It was designed to be adaptive. The mind edits constantly. It weakens some memories, strengthens others and quietly discards countless details that no longer serve a purpose. Forgetting, in many ways, is one of the brains most sophisticated achievements. Almighty has made time to work with memory in remarkable ways. Experiences that once overwhelmed us gradually lose their purpose. The events remain, but their emotional sharpness dwindles. This is not a weakness. It is how human beings continue to function despite adversity. If every disappointment, every humiliation, and every failure retained its original force, moving forward would become almost impossible for humans. Yet forgetting is not always a virtue. History persistently shows the price societies pay when they forget their mistakes. Wars and clashes return when their lessons fade. Prejudice survives where memory becomes selective. Public health advances because epidemics are remembered. Science progresses because failed experiments are not erased but studied. Civilisation itself is, in many ways, organised memory. There is another kind of forgetfulness that deserves attention. We remember achievements but overlook the circumstances that made them possible. We remember criticism more vividly than encouragement. We remember what was denied to us while forgetting what we already possess. Human memory is rarely neutral; it reflects our habits of attention as much as our experiences. Technology has transformed memory in unexpected ways. Search engines remember facts. Navigation systems remember directions. Cloud storage and Artificial intelligence remember datasets. Increasingly, external devices perform the work once expected of the human mind. This convenience comes with an interesting question: When everything is stored elsewhere, what becomes of our own capacity to remember? Memory, like any other human faculty, strengthens through use and weakens through neglect. However, memory is not just the storage of information. It is the architecture of identity. An elderly person may forget recent events, yet sharply recall a poem learned in childhood. Another may struggle with names but retain the principles that guided an entire life. These are reminders that memory is not measured only by accuracy. It is measured by significance. This distinction becomes especially visible in neurodegenerative illnesses. Dementia does not erase memory in a single stroke; it changes its landscape. Facts may disappear while deeply learned habits, music, language or long-held values endure. The condition reminds us that memory exists in layers, and not all layers are equally fragile. Perhaps the most important question is not What do we remember? but What do we choose to forget? Some things deserve to be left behind: needless resentment, foolish comparisons, follies and failures that have already taught their lesson, opinions that dont matter. Forgetting these is not denial; it is discernment. There is, however, one form of forgetting that deserves our greatest concern. It is possible to remember dates, facts and information with extraordinary precision, yet gradually forget what it means to be human. We may become technically proficient while being callous and vacant. That is not a failure of memory; it is a failure of consciousness. Unlike the natural fading of experiences with time, this kind of forgetting is rarely accidental. It is often a choice that is made slowly, through indifference, convenience or repeated compromise. We do not simply lose our values; we stop practising them. Memory, therefore, is not measured by the quantity of what it retains, but by the quality of what it refuses to abandon. A healthy mind is not necessarily the one that remembers everything. It is the one that preserves sanity, lets go of unnecessary burdens, and never forgets the principles that define its humanity. For forgetting is part of being human, and forgetting our humanity is not.