Opinion

Centre has promised to restore statehood to J&K; I believe it should be done: Dr Karan Singh

India welcomes all faiths, never imposes religion: J&K LG Manoj Sinha

Kashmir must uphold its legacy of communal harmony and coexistence: Karan Singh

Names of six military personnel who died in action during Op Sindoor inscribed at National War Memorial

New Delhi, JunE 27: The names of six military personnel -- five from the Indian Army and one from IAF -- who died in the line of duty during Operation Sindoor last year, have been inscribed on a wall at the National War Memorial, as a tribute to the fallen heroes. This is the first time since the military operation conducted by the Indian armed forces in May 2025 that the government has released the names of these six personnel. Operation Sindoor was conducted to avenge the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 last year. The names of the six personnel, inscribed on wall no. '3D' of Tyag Chakra at the National War Memorial are -- Subedar Major Pawan Kumar, Rifleman Sunil Kumar (VrC), Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar, Agniveer Mood Muralinaik, Havildar Sunil Kumar Singh from the Army, and Indian Air Force's Sergeant Surendra Kumar. The unit names of these bravehearts have also been inscribed. Sources said these six names were inscribed recently on the wall. These names have also been added to the Roll of Honour on the website of the National War Memorial. The iconic Memorial stands as a solemn tribute to Indian soldiers who have fallen in the line of duty, defending the nation during wars since Independence. The centrepiece of the memorial, located at the India Gate complex, is an obelisk along with the eternal flame -- the Amar Jawan Jyoti -- surrounded by concentric circles carrying curved walls, named serially, on which names of the fallen heroes have been inscribed. On the corner of wall no. '3D', a brick on the top row bears the inscription 'OP SINDOOR', the one below it '2025', followed by names of the six personnel in a column, on different rows of bricks. India launched Operation Sindoor early on May 7 last year and decimated multiple terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (PoK). Pakistan also launched offensives against India, and all subsequent counter-offensives by India were also carried out under Operation Sindoor. The military conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours halted after they reached an understanding on the evening of May 10.

Man dies after airbag deploys inside parked car in Thane

Thane, Jun 27: In a bizarre accident, a 25-year-old man bled to death after an airbag unexpectedly deployed inside a parked vehicle in Maharashtra's Thane district, police said on Saturday. The incident occurred in the Kashimira area on Wednesday when the victim, a car dealer, was inside a 15-year-old car, and the safety system suddenly triggered, an official said. The airbag deployed, and the massive impact left him with severe injuries, leading to fatal blood loss before he could receive medical aid. According to a preliminary probe, despite its age, official records indicate that the car still held a valid fitness certificate, the official said, adding that the police have registered a case of accidental death and have launched an investigation and are consulting automobile experts.

PM Modi leaves for Seychelles; to attend golden jubilee of country's National Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a three-day visit to Seychelles to attend its National Day golden jubilee celebrations. He will hold bilateral talks with President Patrick Herminie, aiming to strengthen the maritime neighbour's friendship and cooperation.

Toll from Venezuela earthquakes climbs to at least 920 dead, 3,360 injured

La Guaira, June 27: The toll from the back-to-back earthquakes that devastated Venezuela this week climbed Friday to at least 920 dead and 3,360 injured, authorities said. The new figures were announced by Jorge Rodriguez, the president of the country's National Assembly. The toll is likely to go higher as search-and-rescue operations continue. Many families say their loved ones are still buried under the rubble. Each person saved is a miracle, Rodriguez said.

New Delhi sends relief aid, field hospital to earthquake-hit Venezuela

New Delhi on Friday dispatched two Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft carrying emergency humanitarian assistance to earthquake-hit Venezuela, underscoring its commitment to support the countrys relief and recovery efforts. According to a message posted on X, the assistance includes an Indian Army field hospital unit and more than 35 tonnes of relief material, medicines and medical equipment. The consignment also contains two BHISHM Cubes, part of Indias rapid-response humanitarian aid capability. The government said the relief flights were launched to provide urgent support to the people of Venezuela in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake. India reaffirmed its solidarity with the Government and people of Venezuela, stating that it remains committed to extending all possible assistance during this difficult time.

In a first, Himachal's Bilaspur to launch AI-enabled mobile drug detection system

Bilaspur, June 27: In a first-of-its-kind initiative in Himachal Pradesh, the Bilaspur district administration has initiated the procurement of an advanced SoToxa Mobile Drug Testing System to strengthen the state's fight against chitta (adulterated heroin) and other narcotic substances. The system, procured through the District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT) at an estimated cost of Rs 19 lakh, is expected to be inaugurated soon by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Deputy Commissioner Rahul Kumar said on Saturday. The portable system can detect the presence of narcotic substances from a saliva sample and generate results within five minutes. It is capable of screening six major categories of drugs, including methamphetamine (chitta), amphetamines, benzodiazepines, cannabis (THC), cocaine and opiates. The DC said that the state government is pursuing a zero-tolerance policy against drug abuse and trafficking with the objective of not only dismantling drug networks but also protecting the youth from the growing menace of substance abuse and this initiative will enable law enforcement agencies to carry out rapid and scientifically validated on-the-spot testing. He said that Bilaspur will become the first district in the state to deploy the SoToxa mobile drug detection technology. Initially, one device will be introduced as a pilot project and additional units will be procured in subsequent phases based on its operational performance and accuracy. Kumar said the technology would significantly strengthen random screening during special enforcement drives, police checkpoints, public gatherings and other sensitive locations by allowing a large number of individuals to be tested quickly, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of anti-drug operations. Highlighting the system's advanced capabilities, he said that it would also incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based analytics. Data generated from the tests will be scientifically analysed to identify drug abuse hotspots, trafficking patterns and emerging trends. The findings will be shared with the police department to support evidence-based planning and enable targeted enforcement against organised drug networks. The SoToxa system is equipped with several advanced features, including QR code-based sample identification, automated quality control, secure digital storage of thousands of test records and instant report generation, ensuring greater transparency, reliability and efficiency in the testing process.

DYSS Ganderbal holds anti-drug cyclothon across all zones

The Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) Ganderbal organised a Ride for Pride and Anti-Drug Cyclothon involving officials from all four zones of the districtKangan, Ganderbal, Hariganwan, and Tulmullah. The initiative, as per DYSS statement, was conducted to promote physical fitness, encourage cycling as a healthy and eco-friendly mode of transport, and strengthen the message of a drug-free society. The participating officials rode together in solidarity, demonstrating their commitment to creating awareness against substance abuse and inspiring youth to adopt healthy and responsible lifestyles. The cyclothon also reaffirmed the departments commitment to the Fit India Movement and Nasha Mukt Abhiyan, highlighting the role of sports and fitness in nation-building and youth empowerment. District Youth Services and Sports Officer Ganderbal, Mr Ghulam Hassan, appreciated the enthusiastic participation of officials and emphasized that such initiatives serve as a powerful medium for spreading awareness about the importance of fitness, unity, and a drug-free society. The event concluded successfully with participants reiterating their resolve to promote healthy living, patriotism, and social responsibility through sports and fitness initiatives.

Shevity Katoch selected for U-15 National Boxing Championship

The Directorate of Youth Services and Sports (YSS), Jammu and Kashmir, has congratulated young boxer Shevity Katoch on her selection for the 5th U-15 Sub-Junior Boys & Girls National Boxing Championship 2026. Shevity Katoch, as per the DYSS, has been selected to represent Jammu and Kashmir in the 52-55 kg weight category at the national championship, which will be held in Jalandhar, Punjab. The promising boxer has earned the opportunity to compete at the national level through her hard work and consistent performances. Congratulating the young athlete, the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports said her achievement is a matter of pride for Jammu and Kashmir and reflects the growing standard of boxing in the Union Territory. The department wished her success in the championship and expressed confidence that she would make the region proud with a strong performance.

PDD Chief Engineer Aaquib Sultana conferred IEI gold medal

Chief Engineer, Transmission, Power Development Department (PDD), Er. Aaquib Sultana Waheed Deva has been conferred the Gold Medal as Distinguished Woman Engineer by the Institution of Engineers (India) in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the engineering profession and the power sector. A statement said that the award was presented on the occasion of International Women in Engineering Day, recognising her leadership, technical excellence and distinguished service spanning more than 22 years in the Power Development Department. Throughout her career, Er. Deva has been associated with key initiatives in the transmission sector and has earned recognition for her professionalism, integrity, efficiency and commitment to strengthening the power infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, she was felicitated under the SHE LEADS Initiative of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for her leadership and professional achievements. She was also honoured by the REC Alumni Association in recognition of her contributions to the engineering fraternity. Officials described the latest recognition as a reflection of her sustained commitment to engineering excellence, efficient public service and organisational development. They said her career has been marked by technical competence, leadership and dedication to strengthening the power sector while inspiring more women to pursue careers in engineering.

A Harvest of Hope: Kupwara womans journey from hardship to self-reliance

Life has been anything but easy for Ruqia, a young graduate from Karihama village in north Kashmirs Kupwara district. Recovering from a major lumbar spine surgery while simultaneously caring for her father, who underwent surgery for a tumour, she found herself battling both physical and emotional hardships. However, instead of allowing adversity to define her future, Ruqia chose to carve out a new path through agripreneurship. Today, a small room in her home, neatly stacked with bags of Dingri (oyster) mushrooms, stands as a symbol of her resilience, determination and unwavering spirit. With technical guidance and continuous support from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kupwara, she has successfully harvested her first mushroom crop, marking the beginning of what she hopes will be a sustainable entrepreneurial journey. Ruqias journey began nearly a year ago when officials from KVK Kupwara identified her keen interest in agriculture-based entrepreneurship. Recognising her potential despite her difficult circumstances, the KVK team, led by its Head, Dr G M Bhat, provided her with doorstep training, scientific guidance and technical know-how on oyster mushroom cultivation. With the necessary training and confidence, Ruqia established a small mushroom cultivation unit at her residence. Months of careful monitoring, patience and hard work eventually paid off as she harvested her first crop, turning a modest initiative into a promising source of livelihood. For Ruqia, the harvest signifies much more than an economic opportunity. It represents a fresh start, renewed confidence and proof that determination can overcome even the most challenging circumstances. Expressing gratitude, she thanked the Vice-Chancellor of SKUAST-Kashmir, the Director of Extension Education and the entire KVK Kupwara team for helping her become self-reliant. This initiative has not only helped my family financially but has also strengthened my resolve to become a successful entrepreneur, Ruqia said. She said the experience had encouraged her to explore more opportunities in agriculture and allied sectors. I have really enjoyed mushroom cultivation with the guidance of KVK Kupwara. Now I intend to take up the cultivation of other crops as well. I believe the government is always there to support us, but it is the youth who have to take the initiative and adopt agripreneurship because our future lies in agriculture, she said. Head of KVK Kupwara, Dr G M Bhat, described Ruqias achievement as an inspiring example for educated unemployed youth and women across the district. Ruqias success stands as a testament to the immense livelihood opportunities available in agriculture and allied sectors when scientific technologies are adopted. Her journey proves that with proper guidance, technical support and perseverance, even the most difficult circumstances can be transformed into opportunities, he told Greater Kashmir. Dr Bhat said KVK Kupwara has been consistently working to promote entrepreneurship among rural youth by providing scientific interventions, skill development and handholding support in various agricultural and allied activities. He said success stories like Ruqias demonstrate that agriculture is no longer limited to traditional farming and can emerge as a viable avenue for employment and self-reliance for educated youth across Jammu and Kashmir.

In a first, Srinagar school develops digital student tracking system for parents

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Rajbagh, Srinagar, has introduced a digital student tracking system that instantly notifies parents when their wards enter or leave the school premises. As per KNT , the system, known as the Student Smart Card, has been developed within the school to strengthen student safety and improve communication between the institution and parents. Principal Rajinder Kour told Kashmir News Trust that parents automatically receive a message on their mobile phones the moment a student arrives at the school. A second message is generated when the student leaves the campus, informing parents of the exact departure time. She said the initiative has received an overwhelming response from parents, who have appreciated the system for enabling them to monitor their children's attendance without having to contact the school. Explaining the idea behind the innovation, the Principal said the concept emerged after a student reported late to school one day, prompting concern over student safety and the need for a reliable mechanism to keep parents informed in real time. She said the idea was later translated into reality by teacher Avinash Bhat, who possesses expertise in information technology and developed the system after working on the concept. Avinash Bhat said the technology has simplified communication between the school and parents by providing instant attendance updates, thereby eliminating anxiety regarding students' arrival and departure.

NDMA conducts mock exercise at Nunwan Base Camp ahead of SANJY-2026

Ahead of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY)-2026, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in collaboration with District Administration, Anantnag today conducted a comprehensive mock exercise at Nunwan Base Camp, Pahalgam. As per an official press release, the aim of the exercise was to assess the preparedness of all departments for the ensuing Yatra. The exercise was conducted under the chairmanship of Major General Sudhir Bahl (Rtd.), Lead Consultant (Medical Emergencies and Incident Response System), NDMA. The exercise was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner (CEO, DDMA), Vikas Ahlawat, Camp Director Nunwan, Atul Kumar, SDM Pahalgam, officers from civil administration, UTDMA, CRPF, Fire and Emergency Services, Health, Army, JK Police telecommunications, ITBP, BSF and officials from various other departments. The mock drill simulated a range of emergency scenarios, including medical emergencies, fire incidents, disaster response, evacuation, and security contingencies, to evaluate the coordination, communication, and response capabilities of participating agencies. Officials and personnel from the civil administration, police, security forces, Health Department, NDRF and SDRF, Fire and Emergency Services, and other stakeholder departments actively demonstrated their preparations to respond to any disaster-like situation. Speaking on the occasion, Major General Sudhir Bahl (Rtd.) emphasized the importance of coordinated planning, prompt response, and effective communication among all agencies to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims during SANJY-2026. He stressed that regular mock exercises are essential to strengthen emergency preparedness and improve inter-agency coordination. Simultaneously, mock exercises were held at Sheshnag and Panchtarni Yatra Stations, simulating flashfloods and fire incidents and the same were livestreamed. Member NDMA, Krishan Vats joined online for debriefing while Camp Directors Sheshnag and Panchtarni also participated. The mock exercise helped identify strengths as well as areas requiring further improvement, reinforcing the preparedness of all departments to ensure the safe, secure, and smooth conduct of the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026.

Muharram processions takenout in parts of Pulwama

Hundreds of mourners in parts of south Kashmirs Pulwama district participated in Muharram processions on the eve of the 10th day of Muharram, marking the solemn occasion of Ashura with grief and devotion. Sporting black attire, mourners gathered in Gangoo village and surrounding areas, reciting elegies (dirges) to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions at Karbala. The atmosphere was filled with mourning chants that echoed through the lanes for hours as participants expressed solidarity with the sacrifices made during the historic battle. Black banners were seen hanging from electric poles and rooftops, while walls along the procession routes were pasted with posters reflecting the significance of the occasion. As the procession moved through various streets, mourners beat their chests in rhythm, and several young participants engaged in self-flagellation as part of traditional expressions of grief. Every year we remember Karbala not just as history, but as a message of truth and resistance against oppression, said Abid Ali, a mourner participating in the procession. Our grief is our way of keeping that message alive. Renowned Shia scholar Moulana Sheikh Ghulam Rasool Noori, addressing the gathering, shed light on the philosophy behind the observance of Ashura , emphasizing the moral and spiritual lessons drawn from the sacrifice of Imam Hussain (AS). The district administration had made elaborate arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the processions. Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were deployed around the procession routes to maintain order and manage crowd movement. In addition, police had set up stalls distributing water and other beverages to the mourners, while the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) deployed medical teams to provide first aid and emergency care wherever required. Members of the Sunni community were also seen participating in the spirit of goodwill, distributing water among the mourners, reflecting a gesture of communal harmony during the observance. Similar processions were also held in Wakharwan and Paneer villages of Tral, where large gatherings marked the day with traditional mourning rituals and prayers.

International Day against drug abuse, illicit trafficking observed at Anantnag

Department of Social Welfare in collaboration with District Administration, Anantnag, today organised an awareness programme at Government Degree College (GDC) Women, Anantnag to observe the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The programme aimed to spread awareness about the harmful effects of drug abuse and promote collective efforts towards building a drug-free society.The event also marked the culmination of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Saptah campaign of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Assistant Commissioner Revenue (ACR), Tariq Ahmad Malik, attended the event as the Chief Guest, while the SDPO Bijbehara was the Guest of Honour. Addressing the gathering, the dignitaries highlighted drastic consequences of drug addiction and emphasized the need for coordinated efforts by government departments, educational institutions, families, and society to curb it. They urged the youth to stay away from drugs and play an active role in creating a healthy and addiction-free society. On the occasion, a felicitation ceremony was held during which mementoes were presented to achievers from various departments in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the Nasha Mukt campaign. Certificates of appreciation were also distributed among participants and contributors. The participants reiterated their commitment to strengthening awareness and combating drug abuse through sustained community participation. The programme was attended by the District Social Welfare Officer, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Child Development Project Officers, college faculty, students, and officers and officials from various departments.

DC, SSP Budgam visit various areas to oversee arrangements on 10th Muharram

Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Athar Aamir Khan, along with SSP Budgam, Hari Prasad KK visited various areas in Budgam to oversee the arrangements and participated in the procession from Mirgund to Budgam. As per an official press release, they were also accompanied by ADC Budgam, Additional SP Budgam, CPO Budgam, CMO Budgam, SDPO, Tehsildar, SHO and other concerned district officers. Elaborate arrangements for security, traffic management, parking, electricity, water supply, health and medical facilities, sanitation have been put in place. The DC along with SSP also participated in serving water and refreshments to the mourners at various points enroute. The DC expressed gratitude to all stakeholders, departments, community members and volunteers to their active role in ensuring smooth and peaceful conduct of the Muharram processions across the district.

CM Omar meets Bihar Assembly Speaker, Himachal Pradesh Education Minister

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Thursday evening held separate meetings with distinguished visitors from Bihar and Himachal Pradesh at his residence in Srinagar, discussing issues of mutual interest and avenues for greater inter-governmental cooperation. Speaker of the Bihar Legislative Assembly, Dr Prem Kumar, called on the Chief Minister. During the meeting, the two leaders exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, emphasizing the importance of strengthening inter-governmental cooperation, democratic institutions and the exchange of legislative best practices. As per an official press release, the Chief Minister welcomed the Speaker to Jammu and Kashmir and wished him a pleasant stay. Later, Himachal Pradesh Minister for School Education, Rohit Thakur, called on the Chief Minister. He was accompanied by State Project Director Rajesh Sharma; Director, School Education, Himachal Pradesh, Ashish Kumar Kohli; Additional Secretary School Education (HP), Anil Chauhan and faculty members associated with Samagra Shiksha, Himachal Pradesh. The meeting featured a constructive exchange of views on key initiatives in the education sector, with discussions focusing on strengthening school education, promoting innovation in teaching and learning, enhancing institutional collaboration and facilitating the sharing of best practices between the two Himalayan regions. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah underscored the importance of quality education as the cornerstone of sustainable development and highlighted the value of inter-governmental collaboration in improving learning outcomes. He expressed confidence that such engagements would further deepen cooperation between Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh in the field of education and contribute to the adoption of innovative and effective educational practices. Minister for Education Sakina Itoo, Members of Legislative Assembly Sheikh Ahsan Ahmed and Mushtaq Guroo and other officials were also present during the occasion.

Cyber Fraud threat rising in J&K: Digital security becoming serious concern

With the increasing use of digital payments, online banking, smartphones, and internet-based services in Jammu & Kashmir, cybercrime cases have been steadily rising. According to official NCRB data, cybercrime cases in Jammu & Kashmir stood at 73 in 2019, increased to 120 in 2020, 154 in 2021, 173 in 2022, and reached 185 in 2023. This consistent rise shows that cybercrime is no longer a minor or occasional threat in the region. Telecom companies are also becoming part of cyber security efforts. In February 2026, Airtel launched its AI-powered OTP Fraud Alert feature to protect customers from OTP-related banking frauds. According to the company, the system detects high-risk situations where a banking OTP is received during a potentially suspicious incoming call and provides customers with a real-time fraud alert. This feature is important because fraudsters often manipulate people at the exact moment an OTP is delivered. A real-time alert gives customers an opportunity to pause, think, verify, and stay in control of their security. Cybercriminals use phone calls, messages, fake links, and impersonation techniques to deceive people. Across the country, common methods of online fraud include scam calls, phishing, fake customer care numbers, KYC update messages, bank or payment wallet fraud, and scams carried out in the name of government officials. These methods are particularly dangerous because fraudsters create fear, urgency, or trust in the victims mind, leading people to share sensitive information or unknowingly approve fraudulent transactions. OTP-related fraud is one of the most serious cyber threats. Fraudsters often keep victims engaged on a phone call and, when a banking OTP arrives, persuade them to share it or approve the transaction. Once the OTP is shared, money can quickly be transferred across multiple accounts. Therefore, OTPs, PINs, passwords, CVV numbers, and UPI PINs should never be shared with anyone, even if the caller claims to be from a bank, a government department, the police, or customer care. To strengthen cybercrime reporting, the Ministry of Home Affairs has established the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. To enable immediate reporting of financial cyber fraud and prevent stolen money from being further siphoned off, the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System was launched in 2021. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, as of October 31, 2025, this system had helped save more than Rs 7,130 crore across over 23.02 lakh complaints. The toll-free helpline 1930 is also operational to assist citizens in registering online cybercrime complaints. For victims in Jammu & Kashmir, timely reporting is extremely important. If someone becomes a victim of online financial fraud, they should immediately call 1930 and register a complaint on cybercrime.gov.in. The sooner the complaint is filed, the greater the chances of freezing the funds before they are transferred further. The Government of India's Sanchar Saathi platform is also playing an important role in digital security. Under this initiative, the Chakshu facility allows citizens to report suspicious fraud communications received through calls, SMS, or WhatsApp. This includes fraud related to bank accounts, payment wallets, SIM cards, gas connections, electricity services, KYC updates, impersonation of government officials, sextortion, and other telecom-based misuse.

People disheartened by ruling party's disappointing performance: Altaf Bukhari

Apni Party today said the ruling National Conference (NC) suffered a major setback on Friday in the Natipora area of the Chanapora constituency as dozens of its prominent leaders, workers, and activists resigned from the party en masse and joined it. On this occasion, Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari extended a warm welcome to the new entrants into the party fold, assuring them that the Apni Party would prove to be a reliable platform for serving the people in their respective areas. He expressed hope that their joining would further strengthen the party's cadre in the Natipora ward. The joining of new members took place during an enthusiastic workers meeting, which was essentially called to review the local public issues and grievances and to discuss certain party affairs. Both, the meeting and joining programme were organised by partys Ward President for Natipora Arjumand Makhdoomi. Speaking on the occasion, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukahri urged his party leaders and workers to intensify their political and public outreach activities in order the strengthen the part cadre across the Srinagar city. He said, As people have become disheartened by the ruling party's disappointing performance and its failure to fulfil its promises, it is our responsibility to step forward, stand by the people, and highlight their issues and grievances so that they are addressed effectively. He further said, People have now fully understood that they were deceived by the ruling party through false promises made during its 2024 election campaign. The National Conference (NC) had promised the moon and stars to the people to secure their votes. It had pledged to provide one lakh jobs soon after assuming office. It had also promised to regularise the services of daily wagers. Among its key promises were 200 units of free electricity, free LPG cylinders for households, and an enhanced ration quota. However, all these promises have proved to be false and misleading. Speaking about the major issues facing the people, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said that the elected government neither has the will nor the capacity to ensure that these issues are addressed. He said, Whether it is the restoration of statehood, creation of employment opportunities, release of detainees, simplification of the passport issuance and verification process required for employment, or other important issues, all these matters can only be addressed by the Union Government. Reiterating his demand, he urged the Centre to initiate a dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir to address their issues and concerns. He said, Hon'ble Prime Minister and Hon'ble Home Minister have themselves assured that the Union Government would engage with the youth of Jammu and Kashmir to listen to their grievances and address them. This is the right time to fulfil that promise. There should be a meaningful dialogue between the Centre and the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Meanwhile the prominent among the new joinees included Halqa President (NC) Mohammad Amin Bhat, Senior Worker NC Asadullah, Saleem Jehangir, Mohammad Aslam Dar, Dr Zahoor Ahmad, Hilal Ahmad Haqqani, Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, Idrees Ahmad, Imtiyaz Ahmad Dar, Zahoor Ahmad, Sheikh Umar, Bilal Ahmad Dar, John Mohammad Dar, Dr Shahid, Zaid Javid, Dr Kamran, Haseeb Aslam, Adil Mushtaq Hafiz, Mohammad Younis Dar, Arslan Sajad, liyakat Ali, Ishtiq Ahmad, John Mohammad, Mudasir Ahmad, Mubashir Jahangir, and others. Besides Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, the prominent party leaders who were present on the occasion included Vice President District Srinagar Aijaz Ahmad Rather, Ward president Budshah Nagar Imran Lone, Member Committee District Srinagar Afroza Khan and others.

2 students injured by canines at Faqir Gujri

The attack on two school-going children by a pack of stray dogs at Faqir Gujri area on city outskirts has once again exposed the growing stray dog menace in Srinagar. Residents from the city's outskirts to its busiest commercial hub alleging that authorities have failed to contain the rapidly increasing canine population. The incident, which unfolded in the hilly Faqir Gujri area on the outskirts of Srinagar in the Dara Harwan belt, left the two children injured, triggering panic among residents. The duo sustained multiple injuries to their face and neck before locals rushed to their rescue. Locals identified as Sumaira Aslam and Shakeel Ahmad. According to locals, they were returning home from school when the two children were attacked by stray dogs. Muneer Ahmad, a family member of one of the injured, said the attack has left the entire area in shock. Both the children were returning from school when the dogs attacked them. They suffered grievous injuries and are presently undergoing treatment. This is not the first such incident. A similar attack had taken place here a few years ago as well, and such incidents continue to recur, he told Greater Kashmir. Residents said the disturbing incident has left parents fearful, with many now reluctant to allow their children to walk alone to schools, tuition centres or neighbourhood shops. The visuals of the attack were horrifying. The children could have lost their lives had people not intervened in time. Parents are now scared to let their children step outside alone, said a resident of New Theed Harwan. Another local said the attack was not an isolated incident but a consequence of a steadily rising stray dog population across Faqir Gujri, Dara, New Theed, Darbagh and adjoining areas. Residents pointed out that the outskirts of Srinagar are already vulnerable due to recurring human-wildlife conflict, including frequent bear and leopard sightings. They said the unchecked rise in stray dogs has added another layer of fear to daily life. We already live under the fear of bear and leopard attacks. Now stray dogs have made life even more difficult. Authorities may not be able to stop wildlife from entering habitations overnight, but they can certainly control the stray dog population, said Mudasir Ahmad, another resident. The concern, however, extends far beyond the city's peripheral areas. In Srinagar, morning walkers and joggers say they now carry sticks during their daily exercise to protect themselves from sudden attacks. We never imagined that carrying a stick would become a necessity while going for a morning walk. Dogs chase joggers, cyclists and two-wheelers almost every day. It is becoming extremely risky, said Rafiq Ahamd, a jogger from Nishat, Srinagar. Residents also blamed poor waste management for aggravating the problem, alleging that garbage dumping sites across the city have become feeding grounds for stray dogs.

AIP rejects Er Rashid's resignation plan, secret ballot backs him to continue as MP

The Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) on Friday decided that Baramulla Member of Parliament Engineer Rashid should continue in the Lok Sabha after an overwhelming majority of party delegates opposed his reported proposal to resign from Parliament in a secret ballot conducted by the party. Announcing the outcome of the exercise, AIP observer Pervez Bhat said 773 votes were cast during the secret ballot, with 746 delegates voting against Rashid's resignation. Twenty-four participants supported his proposal to step down, while three opted for None of the Above (NOTA). We held a secret ballot after two days of deliberations. The overwhelming majority of participants favoured Engineer Rashid continuing as Member of Parliament, Bhat said, adding that party workers and delegates believed he had continued to represent the aspirations of the people despite his incarceration. The voting followed a two-day consultation process involving the party's grassroots cadre and delegates from across the Baramulla parliamentary constituency after Rashid conveyed his intention to resign. He had also publicly hinted at stepping down while attending his father's funeral last month after being granted interim bail. Engineer Rashid, who defeated Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and People's Conference chairman Sajad Lone in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Baramulla, has remained lodged in Delhi's Tihar Jail since 2019 after his arrest by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in a 2017 terror-funding case. He is currently facing trial in the case. In a detailed statement issued after the meeting, the AIP Working Committee said the party had sought permission to hold the consultation at Srinagar's Tagore Hall or another suitable venue but was denied permission. It said the secret ballot was conducted to allow delegates to freely express the opinion gathered from people across the constituency regarding Rashid's continuation as MP. The party said the exercise was necessitated because Rashid has remained in jail despite being elected to Parliament with a substantial mandate. According to the statement, the verdict of the secret ballot reflected the opinion of party workers and the public that he should continue representing the constituency in Parliament. The AIP also described Rashid's reported willingness to resign as an indication of his commitment to the people rather than to political office, while maintaining that the final decision on the matter rests with him. The party said it would communicate the outcome of the secret ballot to the Baramulla MP through his legal team and request him to respect the sentiments expressed by party delegates. The statement further criticised the Centre over Rashid's continued incarceration and reiterated the party's demand for his release. These claims represent the position of the Awami Ittehad Party and have not been independently verified.

Apni Partys Ashraf Mir chairs workers meeting in Srinagar

Apni Party Provincial President Mohammad Ashraf Mir Friday chaired a meeting of party workers and activists in Srinagar's Illahibagh area to discuss pressing public issues, governance, and organisational matters. The meeting was also attended by the party's Youth Wing President, Yawar Dilawar Mir. The meeting was held at the residence of Muddassir Bhat, District Vice President of the Youth Wing, and witnessed the participation of hundreds of party workers and local residents. Addressing the gathering, Mohammad Ashraf Mir and Yawar Mir criticised the government for what they described as its failure to address people's problems and fulfil the promises made to the public. They said the ruling National Conference (NC) had promised development, employment opportunities and better governance, but those commitments had largely remained unfulfilled, leaving people disappointed. The people were assured of progress and better governance, but those promises have not translated into reality, they said, adding that the public has now started demanding accountability from those who sought votes in the name of public welfare. The meeting also witnessed enthusiastic participation from local residents, many of whom voiced resentment over what they termed the National Conference's false promises and unfulfilled commitments. Several participants said they had lost faith in parties that failed to honour their assurances and expressed support for senior Apni Party leader Muddassir Bhat. They pledged to stand by him in his future political journey, saying they wanted leadership that remains accessible to the people and sincerely works to resolve their problems. Meanwhile, Mohammad Ashraf Mir along with Ex-Chairperson District Development Council Srinagar Malik Aftab visited Balhama on the solemn occasion of Ashura, joining mourners in paying heartfelt tributes to the supreme sacrifice of Imam Hussain (AS). The visit reflected the spirit of remembrance, unity, and reverence for the timeless values of truth, justice and sacrifice that Karbala continues to inspire.

Congress appeals students, parents to join the fight to exposing paper leak

The District Congress Committee (DCC) Jammu Rural held a press conference here today as part of the Schools' Echo program. The press conference was jointly addressed by former minister and senior Congress leader Jugal Kishore Sharma and DCC President Neeraj Kundan. The leaders expressed serious concern over the ongoing paper leak scandals across the country and demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who has completely failed to protect the sanctity of India's examination system. Speaking to the media, Jugal Kishore Sharma strongly criticized the BJP-led central government. Sharma said, The ongoing paper leaks have ruined the futures of millions of hardworking and meritorious students. Whether it's NEET, UGC-NET, or other important exams, the system is failing repeatedly due to gross negligence and potential corruption. This is a direct attack on the aspirations of India's youth. Referring to Rahul Gandhi's powerful address in Kota, he said, Rahul Gandhi has emerged as the true voice of India's students. In his address in Kota, he fearlessly exposed the BJP government's indifference and the rooted problems in the education and examination system. The Congress Party stands shoulder to shoulder with the students and will continue to fight until the culprits are held accountable. DCC President Neeraj Kundan also addressed the gathering, demanding immediate action. Kundan said, The Modi government has turned education into a profitable business and examinations into a lottery. Students' hopes are being shattered, families are being torn apart, and in extreme cases, lives are being lost due to these scams. Despite repeated failures, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has shown no accountability. We demand his immediate resignation and a time-bound judicial inquiry into all major paper leak cases in recent years.

KMCH Sempora celebrates International Day against drug abuse, illicit trafficking

Kashmir Medical College and Hospital (KMCH), Sempora, on Friday observed the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking by organizing an awareness programme aimed at educating public and healthcare professionals about the harmful effects of substance abuse and the importance of prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. The programme organized by Department of Psychiatry KMC focused on raising awareness about the menace of drug abuse and importance of early intervention, timely treatment, counselling, and rehabilitation. It also highlighted the need for collective efforts by educational establishments, families, and society to prevent substance abuse and promote a healthy, drug-free community. In her message, Executive Director KMCH, Insha Qazi, reaffirmed the institution's commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at preventing drug abuse and promoting mental and physical well-being among the youth. She said that awareness, education, and timely medical intervention are key to tackling the growing challenge of substance abuse. She urged young people to stay away from drugs and adopt healthy lifestyles, while encouraging families and communities to support those struggling with addiction rather than stigmatizing them. Drug addiction is a treatable condition, and with timely counselling, medical care, individuals can lead healthy and productive lives. Together, we can build a healthier and drug-free society, she said. On the occasion, Principal KMCH, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Khan, said that the institution is committed to building a drug-free society by keeping the youth away from the menace of substance abuse through timely treatment, counselling, and rehabilitation services. Drug addiction is a medical and neurobiological condition and should be treated like any other medical illness, without stigma or discrimination, he said. Prof. Khan further said that the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha has launched a massive 100-day campaign against drug abuse, which is a highly commendable initiative. He expressed hope that the campaign would create greater public awareness, encourage people to seek treatment at an early stage, and play a role in combating drug addiction across the Union Territory. Head of the Department of Psychiatry, KMCH, Prof. Maqbool Dar, highlighted the major factors contributing to drug addiction, including unemployment, peer pressure, family conflicts, rapid urbanization, broken families, and a lack of awareness about the harmful effects of substance abuse. In his address, Prof. Dar said that parents must acknowledge the growing involvement of youth in drug abuse instead of remaining in denial. He stressed the need for parents to closely monitor their children's behaviour, maintain open communication with them, and seek professional help whenever necessary.

NC promised 1 lakh jobs but converted 25,000 into private ones: Sajad Lone on outsourcing

J&K Peoples Conference President and MLA Handwara Sajad Lone on Friday drew a sharp distinction between outsourcing and backdoor appointments, calling the NC government's conversion of public sector jobs into privately outsourced positions a far graver crime against the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, while simultaneously cautioning the PDP against muddying the waters for the sake of political point-scoring. Lone said he had anticipated that the outsourcing controversy would eventually descend into a blame game between the two parties, and warned that mislabeling the issue does a disservice to the thousands of young people affected by it. These are not backdoor appointments. These are outsourced appointments of government jobs, and that distinction matters enormously, he said, adding that when he raised the question in the Assembly, the government itself confirmed that 25,000 jobs had been outsourced. The Peoples Conference president argued that outsourcing of government jobs represents a far graver threat than backdoor appointments, describing it as the systematic privatisation of public employment. He said the practice introduces a fundamentally corrupt model in which outsourcing companies and the ruling class collude at the expense of ordinary job-seekers, rendering what should be secure government positions into precarious, temporary engagements that can be terminated at will. Every new government will bring a new outsourcing agency, he warned, and those employed under this system will pay the price. Lone drew particular attention to the outsourcing of jobs under Mission Vatsalya formerly known as the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) a cause he said was deeply personal. He recalled that during his tenure as Social Welfare Minister, he had spearheaded the implementation of ICPS in Jammu and Kashmir, establishing for the first time a formal child protection regime in the region, complete with district-level child protection committees designed to shield children from sexual abuse, juvenile detention, and other threats. He said that following 2019, the Lieutenant Governor's administration had attempted to outsource appointments within ICPS and move to terminate existing contractual employees, a decision he had publicly opposed at the time. Employees had approached the courts and obtained a stay order, but the remaining recruitments were left pending. Lone expressed that he had hoped the return of an elected government would reverse this course, only to find that the current NC administration had proceeded to outsource the remaining ICPS posts. To my horror, this elected government has proven to be as malafide in its intentions toward these employees as the post-2019 regime was, he said, adding that government responses to his repeated Assembly questions on the matter were marked by arrogance. Turning to the NC's electoral promises, Lone reminded the party that it had pledged in its manifesto to create one lakh new government jobs. Instead of creating 100,000 government jobs, they have so far converted 25,000 government jobs into private jobs, he said, announcing that he would shortly release a detailed case study with dates establishing the NC government's culpability in what he termed the outsourcing crime. Addressing his colleagues in the PDP directly, Lone urged them not to allow the NC to escape accountability by conflating two distinct issues. Don't allow NC to walk away with murder by calling outsourcing backdoor appointments, he said, appealing to the party to engage with the substance of the issue rather than seek political brownie points. He offered to assist PDP leaders in understanding the nuances of the matter, while making clear that the real victims in this episode are the thousands of young people now employed at the mercy of private outsourcing firms with no security of tenure.

Development story of Shahdara Sharif testimony of our holistic vision: Dr Darakhshan

Chairperson, J&K Waqf Board, Dr Syed Darakhshan Andrabi Friday participated in the annual urs events at the shrine of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah (RA) at Shahdara Sharif in Rajouri and participated in the collective prayers held in the shrine. She addressed the gathering of thousands of devotees at the shrine and said that the teachings of this great spiritual peer will remain as the guiding force for us always. She also remembered the sacrifice of the great Imam Hussain (AS) on Ashura. Dr Andrabi was accompanied by Maulana Farooq Naqashbandi, Maulana Syed Ahmad, Ex Member of Parliament Chowdhary Talib Hussain, Waqf Board Members Dr Ghulam Nabi Haleem & Syed Mohammad Hussain Haqqani, Administrator of the Board Abid Hussain & Executive Officer Rajouri Abdul Qayoom among others. Waqf Chairperson later inaugurated the state of the art Grand Masjid at Shahdara Sharif which has been constructed as a dream project by the Board. This masjid is a very beautiful infrastructural gift by Waqf Board for the devotees of Shahdara Sharief. Andrabi also inaugurated a new guest house in the campus. This guest house is equipped with all the modern facilities for the visitors which is going to add an more upgraded facility to the hospitality infrastructure in the shrine campus. She also inaugurated a security barrack at the campus which will facilitate the police personnel guarding the Ziyarat, said the press release. In her address to the people at the inauguration event, Dr Syed Darakhshan said that Shahdara Sharif has now become a leading model Ziyarat Complex in whole of Jammu & Kashmir. The inauguration of Grand Mosque has made the dream a reality today. This project was conceived by us only a year ago. It gives great pleasure to see that this beautiful infrastructure has been constructed within one year by the engineers of the Board. When people offered their first prayers in this beautiful structure, I saw tears in their eyes. This pure endorsement of our work by the people is inspirational and encouraging for us, said Andrabi. She said that this historical spiritual shrine transformed a lot by the continuous developmental works executed by the Board during the past four years. Waqf Board received no government funds, grants or aids but carried on all developmental works, constructions and up-gradations out of the finances of the Board by managing the budgets with honesty, transparency and accountability, said Waqf Board Chairperson. Administrators and Executive Officers of Waqf Board for Poonch, Reasi, Shopian, Samba and Doda were also present during the inauguration ceremony. Dr Darakhshan met many public delegations also.

US strikes Iran in response to drone attack on ship that Trump says violated ceasefire

Washington, Jun 27: The US struck Iran on Friday in response to a drone attack a day earlier on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. It's the most significant test yet to an interim understanding reached a week ago by the two countries to begin working to end their months-long war and reopen the pivotal waterway. US President Donald Trump said the drone attack violated the ceasefire. The strikes came shortly after Trump told reporters, You'll find out, whether the US would respond. US Central Command said the military struck missile and drone locations and coastal radar sites in Iran. I don't like the fact that they took a shot yesterday, actually four of them, Trump said at the White House shortly before the US struck back. When asked why there would be strikes when Trump has insisted talks with Tehran are going well, Trump said of Iran, They're a little bit different. He then abruptly cut off questions and reporters were ushered out of his office. Ebrahim Azizi, who heads the Iranian parliament's national security commission, responded to Trump on social media earlier Friday, saying, The Strait of Hormuz is governed by Iran, so: Respect the rules and to ot mistake control for escalation. This is not a violation of the ceasefire; it is ceasefire management, Azizi wrote. Strikes conclude an hour later -------------------------------- The US strikes on Iran concluded about an hour after US Central Command announced the military action on social media, a US official with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing military operation. The British military said on Thursday that a container ship was hit by a projectile off the coast of Oman, coming hours after Iran threatened vessels to stop using the route. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said no injuries were reported. The development came during a fragile time for the US and Iran as they work to negotiate a permanent end to the war. Iran has increasingly challenged the region and the US over its control of the Strait of Hormuz, even with the current interim deal it reached with the US last week. The attack on the cargo ship happened while a United Nations maritime agency was beginning an operation to move stranded ships out of the strait this week, using an alternative route, hugging the shores of Oman rather than sailing through the central part of the strait. The International Maritime Organisation halted the evacuations after the attack and said on Friday they won't resume until there are guarantees that the other ships won't be attacked. About 115 ships were able to move out of the strait in recent days, leaving about 500 still in the area, said Arsenio Dominguez, the agency's secretary-general. The opening of the alternative passage through the strait was expected to relieve pressure on the world economy and remove Iran's main source of leverage in ongoing peace talks with the US. The US and Iran are still negotiating terms of the deal, including issues such as getting ships through the key strait and addressing the future of Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Under the interim deal, the two sides have 60 days to work out the details. Cargo ship attack poses a test for shipping ---------------------------------------------- Shipping analysts said the drone strike cast a shadow over what had been a growing stream of trapped vessels finally leaving the Gulf and an increasing flow of tankers carrying crude oil. A week of widening commercial confidence in the Strait of Hormuz has hit its first significant test, said marine data company Windward on X. It said that while the strait remains operationally open with 43 transits recorded after the incident, he pace of normalisation has slowed. On Wednesday, 78 vessels transited the strait, the highest since the war began, although below the pre-war averages of 130 or more per day. At least two tankers reversed course while attempting to transit the strait on the UN-backed route near Oman after Iran insisted vessels use only the Teheran-approved routes, according to marine data and analytic firm Lloyd's List Intelligence. More than two dozen ships were still transiting the strait's southern route after the attack, Lloyd's said Friday. Lebanon and Israel make a step toward peace -------------------------------------------------- Ambassadors from Israel and Lebanon announced an agreement Friday described as a step toward peace following months of conflict between Israeli troops and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Nada Hamadeh, Lebanon's ambassador to the US, called the framework a move toward enabling our people to go back to their land and allowing all Lebanese to live in peace, security, and prosperity. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the plan was a great achievement for Israel. The most important thing, first and foremost, is that Israel will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon, he said, adding that they will stay until Hezbollah is disarmed and no longer poses a threat to Israel. (AP)

NH-44s Mompasi bypass opens, major relief from landslide disruptions

Ramban, Jun 26: In a significant boost to all-weather connectivity on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Friday opened the 810-metre-long Viaduct-1 on the Magarkote-Ramsu stretch for one-way traffic, providing a long-awaited alternative to the landslide-prone Mompasi stretch in Ramban district. The newly commissioned two-lane viaduct has been opened for vehicles travelling towards Srinagar and forms part of the ambitious four-laning project aimed at improving safety, reducing travel time and ensuring uninterrupted movement on the Valley's only surface link with the rest of the country. Project consultant Anil Sharma said the Magarkote-Ramsu project is being executed by Ceigall India Private Limited under the National Highways Authority of India at an estimated cost of Rs 369 crore. Construction work on the project began in 2021. He said the commissioning of Viaduct-1 marks a major engineering milestone as it bypasses the Mompasi stretch, one of the most vulnerable portions of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, which has repeatedly witnessed landslides, shooting stones and road subsidence, particularly during the monsoon. With the opening of Viaduct-1, all Srinagar-bound traffic has been diverted through the new alignment. This will significantly reduce the risk faced by commuters on the old road, which frequently remained blocked due to landslides and shooting stones, Sharma said. He said the Mompasi stretch has historically been one of the biggest bottlenecks on NH-44, with road closures often lasting several hours as agencies struggled to clear debris following landslides. During heavy rains, commuters were often stranded for long hours because restoration work after landslides took considerable time. The new viaduct is designed to eliminate such disruptions and provide safe and smooth year-round movement of traffic, he said. According to the project consultant, the entire Magarkote-Ramsu package comprises nearly six kilometres of bridge structures, making it one of the most significant infrastructure projects on the national highway. He said Viaduct-2 has already been completed, while construction of Viaduct-3 and Viaduct-4 is progressing rapidly. Viaduct-4 is expected to be opened for traffic within the next few days, while the remaining structures are targeted for completion within one year. At present, only Srinagar-bound vehicles are using the newly opened viaduct. Sharma said work on a connecting ramp is in its final stage and is expected to be completed within the next two days. Once the connecting ramp is completed, traffic from both Jammu and Srinagar directions will be shifted onto the viaduct system, further improving traffic flow and safety, he said. He said the completion of the entire Rs 369-crore project will transform the Magarkote-Ramsu stretch by eliminating recurring disruptions caused by landslides and falling rocks, besides reducing travel time and ensuring reliable all-weather connectivity on NH-44. The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway serves as the lifeline of Kashmir, and the completion of the Magarkote-Ramsu viaduct project is expected to significantly strengthen connectivity, particularly during the rainy season when the Mompasi stretch has frequently witnessed traffic disruptions and prolonged highway closures.

100 of 142 GDCs fail to cross 100 admissions as enrolment crisis deepens in J&K

Srinagar, Jun 26:Government Degree Colleges (GDCs) across Jammu and Kashmir are witnessing a sharp decline in undergraduate enrolment this academic session, with 100 out of 142 colleges registering fewer than 100 admissions each after the first two rounds of the admission process. Official figures reviewed by Greater Kashmir reveal a growing imbalance in student enrolment, with admissions heavily concentrated in a few established colleges while the majority of institutions continue to struggle to attract students. The issue came under discussion during a high-level review meeting of the Higher Education Department (HED), chaired by Education Minister Sakina Itoo, where officials assessed the progress of undergraduate admissions for the 2026-27 academic session. The figures presented at the meeting indicate that only a handful of colleges have crossed the 500-admission mark, with even fewer surpassing 1,000 admissions. In the Jammu division, Government Degree College Gandhi Nagar has emerged as the highest-enrolling institution with 1,508 admissions, followed by GGM Science College with 1,326, MAM College with 1,306 and GDC Parade with 1,146 admissions. In Kashmir, Amar Singh College has recorded the highest enrolment with 1,702 admissions, followed by GDC Anantnag (1,552), GDC Baramulla (1,205) and GDC Sopore (856). In contrast, a significant number of colleges have registered admissions only in double digits, while some institutions have managed to enrol fewer than 20 students after completion of the first two admission rounds. The widening gap in enrolment has raised concerns within the Higher Education Department over the viability of several colleges, particularly the newly established institutions that continue to witness poor student response. During the review meeting, officials are learnt to have suggested the closure of Government Degree College Bomai in Sopore due to persistently poor enrolment. However, Education Minister Sakina Itoo did not agree to the proposal, an official familiar with the deliberations told Greater Kashmir . The minister was not in favour of shutting down the institution despite the low admissions, the official said. According to officials, the department is now exploring ways to improve admissions as the overall enrolment this year has fallen significantly compared to the previous three academic sessions. Colleges across Jammu and Kashmir had witnessed a steady rise in first-year admissions during the past three years. However, only around 34,200 admissions had been recorded after the first two rounds this year when the review meeting was held, an official said. He said two more rounds of admissions, including the recently announced Spot Round, are still pending and the department has delegated greater flexibility to college principals to facilitate admissions and fill vacant seats. The target is to increase admissions to around 50,000. Principals have been given more authority to accommodate eligible students during the remaining admission rounds, the official said. Officials believe the department is also attempting to regain the admission levels witnessed during the COVID-19 period, when enrolment in government colleges witnessed a substantial increase. However, the department has not been able to arrest the outflow of students, largely because of limited educational opportunities and the continuation of outdated courses in many colleges, the official said. Official data shows that Government Degree Colleges across Jammu and Kashmir recorded 41,550 admissions in 2023, 42,562 in 2024 and 45,920 in 2025, indicating a steady increase over the past three years. The biggest concern this year is that many newly established colleges have failed to attract students despite repeated efforts by the department, the official said. To improve enrolment, the Higher Education Department has already announced a Spot Round for undergraduate and integrated postgraduate admissions in Government Degree Colleges across Jammu and Kashmir to fill seats remaining vacant after the completion of Round-II admissions.

Apple Valley Falls Silent, Livelihoods in Limboo

Bijbehara, Jun 26:Streams fed by the Lidder river wind alongside the Bijbehara-Langanbal-Pahalgam road, flowing past apple orchards that stretch across villages from Bijbehara to Langanbal. At Cheeniwader, fresh apple juice boards still hang outside roadside stalls, but their shutters are down. Plastic chairs outside restaurants remain empty, and resorts that once bustled with tourists have fallen quiet. The road, once a preferred route to Pahalgam, has remained closed to tourists since the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack, bringing the local tourism economy to a near standstill. For Maqsood Ahmad, the closure has erased the livelihood he built after years of searching for a government job. The 40-year-old holds a doctorate in Botany from Kashmir University and spent more than 12 years teaching in colleges on a contractual basis. Unable to secure permanent employment, he opened Snow Cap Apple Juice Corner at Cheeniwader three years ago. I completed my post-graduation from Jiwaji University in Gwalior and later earned my doctorate from Kashmir University. Despite teaching for over 12 years, I couldnt get a government job, Ahmad said. So I started this juice corner. During the tourist season, it earned enough to support my parents, wife and two children. Since the road was closed, the shop has remained shut. My children study in Classes II and III. It is becoming increasingly difficult to meet their school expenses, he said. Ahmads story is echoed across Kashmirs Apple Valley. According to the Apple Valley Resorts Association, nearly 12 resorts, over 200 juice corners and makeshift shops, eateries, handloom showrooms, besides scores of roadside vendors, depended on tourist traffic along the route. Business owners say most of them have either shut down or are barely managing to stay open since visitors stopped using the road. The nearly 40-kilometre route, cutting through orchards and villages before reaching Pahalgam, had witnessed a tourism revival over the past two decades. Many visitors coming from Srinagar preferred it over the longer Khanabal-Pahalgam (KP) road, encouraging educated but unemployed youth to invest in tourism-related businesses, often with bank loans or leased properties. Just a few shops away from Ahmads stall, Sajad Ahmad Bhat, 41, who holds a doctorate in Education, said he now opens his juice outlet only occasionally. There are hardly any customers, Bhat said. It has become difficult to keep the business running. Nearby, Suhaib Ahmad, a 33-year-old M. Tech postgraduate, said he may have to look for another source of income if the situation continues. If business doesnt resume, I will have to think of other options, he said. The slowdown extends across villages including Kanelwan, Poshkeri, Hugam, Darigund, Hatigam, Sakhras, Srigufwara, Sirhama, Budroo, Kathsoo, Levar, Sallar and Kular. Resort owners, restaurant operators and vendors said they have laid off workers and are struggling to repay loans taken to expand their businesses. At Sakhras, Manzoor Ahmad Shah, 45 President of the Apple Valley Resorts Association, said local entrepreneurs have repeatedly appealed to the administration to reopen the road. We met the Lieutenant Governor (LG). He gave us a patient hearing and assured us the matter would be considered. We are still waiting, Shah said. Shah, who runs a resort with a restaurant and handloom showroom, said he laid off all 12 employees after tourist movement stopped. There was no work left for them, he said. At Cheeniwader, Ghulam Qadir 50, who operates the New Green Valley Resort, said repayments on bank loans have become difficult. We took loans to lease this resort because tourism was growing. Now we cannot repay the banks, he said. We also had to send our staff home. Muhammad Ismail Nadaf, 51 who runs a restaurant on lease, said many families dependent on the tourism season have exhausted their savings. We request the authorities to listen to our pleas, he said. Otherwise, our families will starve. Before unrest disrupted tourism in the early 1990s, the Bijbehara-Langanbal-Pahalgam road was a popular route for tourists and Amarnath pilgrims. As tourism revived, private investment returned to the corridor, creating employment and encouraging local entrepreneurs to build businesses around the growing visitor traffic. Bijbehara MLA Syed Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri said he has raised the issue with LG Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. The resurgence of this route encouraged local entrepreneurs to take financial risks, secure institutional loans and invest in hotels, eateries and showrooms, Veeri said. The continued closure has left these investors economically vulnerable. Veeri also questioned how the governments efforts to promote agro-tourism-including the lavender and other aromatic and medicinal plants farm at Sirhama along the same route-could succeed while tourists remained barred from using the road. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has also urged the administration to reopen the route while maintaining security. Security arrangements should remain in place, but the road must be reopened so that people who invested lakhs of rupees in tourism can revive their businesses, she said. As evening fell over Apple Valley, only local traffic moved along the road. Ahmad stood outside his locked shop before pulling down the shutter. We are not asking for compensation, he said. We only want the road reopened.

MLA Sajjad Shaheen earmarks Rs 15 lakh from CDF for 2 Maligam educational institutions

Banihal, Jun 26:Reaffirming the National Conference Government's unwavering commitment to strengthening the education sector and accelerating development across Banihal-Gool, MLA Banihal Sajjad Shaheen on Friday visited Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) Maligam and the historic Qashfia Arabic College, Maligam, where he interacted with students, teachers, School Management Committees, civil society members, and prominent citizens of the area. During the interaction at GHSS Maligam, the people, as per a statement, projected several long-pending demands, including the need for upgradation of the school's infrastructure, construction of an additional academic block, construction of a road link up to the school, and macadamisation of the Abbas MorhPanla Road to improve accessibility for students and local residents. After giving a patient hearing to the issues raised by the public, MLA Sajjad Shaheen assured the gathering that the infrastructural requirements of the school would be addressed on priority. He announced Rs 10 lakh from his Constituency Development Fund for the improvement of the school's infrastructure and assured that an additional school building would be taken up to meet the growing educational needs of the institution. Later, the MLA visited the historic Qashfia Arabic College, Maligam, established in 1923, which has played a pioneering role in imparting religious and academic education in the region for over a century. Appreciating the institution's immense contribution towards education and character building, he announced Rs 5 lakh for the upgradation of its infrastructure. Addressing the gathering, Sajjad Shaheen said that education remains one of the foremost priorities of the National Conference Government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. He stated that during the last one and a half years, educational infrastructure across the Banihal-Gool Constituency has witnessed unprecedented attention, with projects worth nearly Rs 29 crore taken up for the construction of new school buildings, additional classrooms, and other educational infrastructure. He further announced that the construction work on the Government Higher Secondary School Pogal, approved at an estimated cost of 4.45 crore, will commence shortly, providing a major boost to educational facilities in the area. Highlighting the Government's broader developmental agenda, the MLA said that infrastructure development is progressing at a fast pace across all sectors. He informed the gathering that several bridges worth approximately Rs 27 crore have been sanctioned for Banihal-Gool, including the GoogliMaligam Bridge, approved at an estimated cost of Rs 2.75 crore, and that work on the project will begin soon. Sajjad Shaheen said that the Government is simultaneously focusing on strengthening the power sector, healthcare services, and road connectivity throughout Banihal-Gool. He said that several initiatives are underway to upgrade health institutions, improve electricity infrastructure, and enhance the road network to ensure better public services and connectivity in both rural and urban areas. Speaking about the energy sector, the MLA informed the gathering that ten Micro Hydel Projects of 2 MW capacity each have been sanctioned for Banihal-Gool Constituency to harness the region's vast hydropower potential and improve local power generation. He added that projects at Pogal, Hewagan, and Paristan have already reached the tendering stage, with tenders floated, and work on these projects is expected to begin after completion of the formalities. The people of Banihal-Gool have waited for decades for balanced development. Today, we are witnessing visible progress across education, roads, bridges, healthcare, power, and other essential sectors. Our commitment is to ensure that every region, particularly remote and underserved areas, receives its rightful share of development, the MLA said. He reiterated that all genuine public demands raised during the visit, including road connectivity to the school and the macadamisation of the Abbas MorhPanla Road, would be vigorously pursued with the concerned departments for their early execution. The visit was attended by teachers, students, local elders, civil society members, and a large number of residents, who appreciated the MLA's outreach and thanked him for announcing Rs 15 lakh for the development of GHSS Maligam and Qashfia Arabic College, besides providing detailed updates on the major developmental initiatives underway across the Banihal-Gool Constituency.

Hundreds join Ashura procession in Ramban's Chanderkote

Ramban, Jun 26: Hundreds of mourners participated in the Ashura procession held at Chanderkote, a Shia-majority village in the Chenab region of Ramban district, on Friday to commemorate the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his 72 companions at Karbala. The procession commenced from Imam Bargah Ali Nagar Kunfer under the patronage of Anjuman-e-Imamia Ali Nagar Kunfer, Chanderkote. Carrying Zuljanah, Alams and Tazias, the mourners marched through the main market and the old alignment of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway before culminating at the symbolic Karbala. A large number of Shia devotees, including men, children, youth, religious scholars and elders, participated in the procession. Mourners recited marsiyas and nohas while performing chest-beating as a mark of grief and remembrance of the sacrifices made by Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions. Religious scholars addressing the gathering highlighted the significance of Ashura and the supreme sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS), describing it as an enduring symbol of resistance against tyranny, oppression and injustice. They paid rich tributes to the martyrs of Karbala and urged the faithful to uphold the values of truth, justice and righteousness exemplified by Imam Hussain (AS). In the evening, Sham-e-Ghareeban was observed, during which Maulana spoke about the hardships endured by the family of Imam Hussain (AS) after the tragedy of Karbala. He described the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions as a turning point in Islamic history and called upon Muslims to imbibe the noble character and teachings of Imam Hussain (AS). The district administration made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the procession, including security, medical assistance, drinking water, electricity and sanitation. Deputy Commissioner Ramban Mohammad Alyas Khan, MLA Ramban Arjun Singh Raju, DSP Headquarters Ramban Waqar Bhat, along with other senior civil and police officers, remained present during the event to oversee the arrangements. Earlier, Anjuman-e-Imamia Chanderkote organised a blood donation camp as part of the Ashura observance, with several volunteers donating blood in memory of the martyrs of Karbala.

Thousands observe Youm-e-Ashura across Kargil, Drass

Kargil, Jun 26:Youm-e-Ashura was observed on Friday with reverence and religious fervour throughout Kargil district of Ladakh region to pay tributes to Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), and his companions for their supreme sacrifice in Karbala. Thousands of mourners gathered across Kargil to observe the 10th day of Muharram (Ashura) with deep reverence and solemnity. Devotees participated in peaceful mourning processions and special prayers to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (A.S.) and his companions in the Battle of Karbala. These processions were organised by Anjuman e Jamiat e Isna Ashariya and Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust. People were beating their chests and reciting lamentations on Imam Hussain and his companion who gave their sacrifice for the sake of Islam in the desert in Karbala. The Ashura processions commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) and his faithful companions in the Battle of Karbala were taken out throughout the Kargil district Friday on eve of Youm e Ashura. The mourners, expressing their grief, recited noha and performed Zanjeer Zani. Passing through the main bazar Kargil, and by noon, they converged at Houza Elmiyah Asna Asharia Kargil. The processions reached Inqilab Manzil, famously known as Qatilgha e Hussaini, where the Ashura e Hussaini concluded with the recitation of ziyarat Ashura and a main sermon. The authorities had made elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth and proper conduct of the mourning processions. Youm-e-Ashoora was also observed with profound faith, devotion, and solemnity in Drass as thousands of mourners gathered to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain ibn Ali (AS) and his loyal companions at Karbala. Religious gatherings (Majalis), mourning processions, and prayers were held across the town. Religious scholars highlighted the eternal message of Imam Hussain (AS), emphasizing justice, sacrifice, truth, patience, and the importance of standing against oppression. Mourners participated peacefully, reciting elegies (Noha) and paying homage to the sacrifices of Karbala. The observance was conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner with the cooperation of local volunteers, religious organizations, civil administration, and security agencies. Deputy Commissioner Drass Imteeaz Kachoo and SP Drass Ishtiyaq Kachoo were personally supervising the overall arrangements.

GMC Jammu institutes stem cell therapy to prevent osteoarthritis progression

Jammu, Jun 26: In a first of its kind, the Department of Orthopaedics, Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu has instituted stem cell therapy for a patient with knee osteoarthritis (OA knee). The stem cell therapy is a newer therapy to prevent progression of osteoarthritis in mild to moderate disease and can prevent or delay the need of total knee replacement in the patients of osteoarthritis (OA). Principal GMC Jammu, Dr Ashutosh Gupta, while giving a brief account of the significant achievement, maintained, It is a day care procedure and the patient can be sent home the same day. By making the stem cell therapy treatment available for OA knee patients, the Department of Orthopaedics of GMC Jammu has joined the select club of the medical centres in India where the stem cells have been used for OA knee. The procedure was conducted by Dr Bias Dev, Associate Professor Orthopaedics with assistance from Dr Tahir Afzal and Dr Tadeel Rashid in Bone and Joint Hospital, Jammu on a 65-year-old patient Bishno Devi, resident of Bainglar, Samba on June 19, 2026. The patient was suffering from knee pain because of osteoarthritis and was asking for total knee replacement to overcome her pain, Dr Ashutosh Gupta shared. The challenge in stem cells therapy is in maintaining a strict cold-chain as they are transported in a liquid nitrogen chamber for maintaining a temperature of minus 90 degrees Celsius, GMC Jammu Principal explained. The required articles for this treatment were arranged through Ayushman Bharat Scheme for which the patient and her relatives expressed their gratitude to the team of treating doctors and GMC administration particularly Principal GMC Jammu Dr Ashutosh Gupta for making the facility available with no cost to them.

Grid power to reach Nubra, Zanskar, Siachen Base Camp by September 2026

Leh, Jun 26:The Union Territory of Ladakh is all set for a massive transformation in the Power Sector, with completion of three major power transmission projects, connecting strategically significant areas like Zanskar, Nubra and Siachen Base Camp, by September-end this year. The key power infrastructure projects, as per an official statement, being implemented under the Prime Minister's Development Package (PMDP), will ensure an uninterrupted power supply to Zanskar and Nubra up to Siachen Base Camp, reducing the dependence on diesel generators for electricity, and contributing to the Prime Ministers vision of carbon-neutral Ladakh. With this achievement, six out of the seven districts in Ladakh, barring Changthang, will be connected to power grid. Lt. Governor VK Saxena was recently briefed about the status of these power infrastructure projects by the Chairman and Managing Director, REC Limited, and Joint Secretary (Transmission), Ministry of Power, Government of India, in a review meeting. These projects include the construction of a 189-kilometre-long 220 KV transmission line from Drass to Padum and a 79-kilometre-long 220 KV transmission line from Phyang to Disket, both targeted for completion by September 2026. The sanctioned cost of the projects stands at Rs 1,925 crore. Under these projects, remote and strategic areas such as Siachen and Padum will be electrified round-the-clock, providing power connectivity in strategic border areas. LG Saxena underscored the critical importance of completing all projects within the stipulated timelines to ensure uninterrupted and reliable electricity supply to every part of Ladakh, particularly its remote and border areas. The Lieutenant Governor was informed that several strategically important regions, including Nubra, Changthang and Zanskar, are presently not connected to the national power grid and continue to depend on limited local generation sources, resulting in constrained and intermittent power supply. The projects will significantly expand power infrastructure across Ladakh's remote regions. In Zanskar, four substations will be established to ensure that electricity reaches all parts of the valley. Similarly, two substations at Siachen Base Camp and Partapur will be constructed in Nubra. In Changthang, eight substations are proposed under the 66 KV transmission network, including Durbuk, Phobrang, Chushul, Mudh-Nyoma, Korzok, Hanle, Koyul and Chumathang, which will substantially improve power accessibility across the vast high-altitude plateau. Reliable and uninterrupted electricity is not merely an infrastructure necessity; it is critical for education, healthcare, livelihoods, tourism, digital connectivity and economic opportunities, along with supporting tourism, entrepreneurship and local economic activities in these remote areas. Connecting areas like Nubra and Zanskar to the grid for the first time will mark a historic milestone in Ladakh's development journey. These projects are of immense strategic and developmental significance, which will benefit every household and every village in Ladakh from round-the-clock electricity and the opportunities it brings, said LG VK Saxena. Emphasising the strategic importance of the projects, Saxena noted that the transmission lines and substations would significantly strengthen infrastructure in border areas, improve the living conditions of local communities and contribute to inclusive development across Ladakh's farthest regions. The Lieutenant Governor directed all implementing agencies to maintain close coordination and ensure the timely execution of the projects so that the people of Ladakh, particularly those residing in remote and border areas, can benefit from a reliable, round-the-clock electricity supply at the earliest.

Eradicating drug abuse collective responsibility of society: Deputy CM

Rajouri, Jun 26: Reaffirming the administrations zero-tolerance approach to narcotics, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary on Friday led a massive anti-drug campaign in Nowshera held to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The Department of Social Welfare, as per an official statement, under the overall supervision of the district administration Rajouri, organised a Walkathon, Signature Campaign, and Anti-Drug Pledge at Sub-District Headquarters Nowshera to strengthen the community resolve against substance abuse. Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Chief Minister stressed that eradicating drug abuse is a collective responsibility of the society. He underscored the vital role of parents in closely monitoring their children to prevent them from falling into life-threatening habits. The Deputy CM called upon the public to actively support the administration in identifying the drug abuse victims so they can receive timely treatment and rehabilitation. He also asked them to share information on drug traffickers to enable strict action against those endangering the lives of local youth. Additional Deputy Commissioner Nowshera, Dr Pritam Lal Thapa, also spoke on the occasion. He appealed to the public to extend full support to the administration in bringing drug abuse victims into the mainstream through proper treatment, and to help identify those involved in trafficking. Earlier, District Social Welfare Officer Rajouri, highlighted the significance of the day and created awareness about the ill effects of drug abuse. He also briefed the gathering on initiatives taken by the District Administration for treatment and rehabilitation of the victims. The Walkathon was flagged off by the Deputy Chief Minister from PWD Dak Bungalow Nowshera which culminated at the Tehsil Office. More than 500 participants, including students, officials, civil society members and locals, enthusiastically took part in the event.

Peter Drury: Shakespeare of Football Commentary

The whistle of football World Cup 2026 in North America has been blown and being the worlds greatest spectacle on earth spiced with global imaginations, narrative sovereignties and colonial contestations. This is the most sophisticated story operations on earth where countries compete for national narratives on same screen with FIFA having 211 member nations which is more than United Nations. Players representing countries carry in themselves the markers of evolution of their nations historical and contemporary character. From Haitis pasting of Polands map on their jersey to Irans presence in American soil, the world cup becomes a live display of global political play. Alongside, Island nations of Cape Verde (putting it into perspective Srinagar has more population than Cape Verde) and Curacaos qualifying makes the game a unusual democratic force of equal representation. A single player can carry the game on its shoulders as was shown by Vozinha (a goalie) from Cape Verde who could have stopped bullets in that match against might Spain. The game transcends the politics, physics and sometimes redefines the nations fate. Roberto Carlos would pump bullet shots and had physics defying shot taking ability prowess if he had uranium in his thighs, the feat which is still unmatched and would remain eternally unreplicated. The ever-memorable goal of Maradona against England nicknamed Hand of God. Socrates of Brazil while captaining his side 1982 and 1986 used football to resist against brutal military dictatorship culminating in forming a front of Democracia Corinthiana. While as, Drogba stopped an ugly Civil War through his televised address to the people of Ivory Coast after they qualified in the 2006 world cup. Roberto Baggio of Italy had dreamt of winning the WC for his country when he was a child and had enabled his side to finals in 1994 as he was to take the decisive penalty, the ball just sailed over crossbar and he just stood frozen there on the ground. His state at that moment has famously been called Dying Standing frame as if Baggio died standing and still carries the scar after 30 years of that missed penalty which can be gauged from his quote from previous year If I had a knife then, I would have stabbed myself. If there had been a gun, I would have shot myself. At that moment, I just wanted to die,. It is a wound that never closes. He didnt fall. He didnt weep, he just stood there and died inside. Every world cup game is a theatre and every player is an artist in the field but to narrate the rhythms and ebbs of the game, there are some finest voices behind the microphone and amongst all one such virtuoso commentator is Peter Drury. Every syllable or phrase just tenderly lands on listeners heart mimicking the meditating and tranced calm. His lexis is eclectic devoid of any pretensions without latching onto vague words to present a point. When he predicts a goal or a team is unstoppable, meaning it in its real sense not as hyperbole but as an exact depiction. He has crafted his philological abilities so wisely that when it finally swells into the master catalogue you trust unflinchingly. He is a master of pause. The finest Drury flashes of brilliance often involve a pause -a held breath before word is baked and presented. In the era of commentary that repels silence as dead air, Peter uses it as punctuation, giving the listeners cerebral system space to sense what the eyes have experienced before the linguistic dough arrives to knead your brain. While in the field players runs to score a goal Peter just hums for a meaning and method. He treats the ground as a cathedral, and every score a feat of genuine effort just like the prayer. If I were to define Drury in a one liner I would simply call him Shakespeare of Football Commentary. He just makes the football game a scene of poetic and tonal heaven of divine phraseology. Before the game, he becomes a psychologist, historian, geographer and everything under the sun that defines the epistemes we live under scribbling along with his notebooks and even the pitch behaviour as well. Then comes the flow of words with mesmeric intonation and that textured stress in his voice indeed a gold standard of commentary masterclass. The depth and unique blend of wordsmithery with thunderclap delivery of words can be judged from some of his celebrated and legendary renderings of events and players. One of his own favourite moments has been voicing over South African player Tshabalalas goal against Mexico in 2004 WC with his legendary call Goal Bafana Bafana! Goal for South Africa! Goal for all Africa! Drury cried, finding in that instant the words for what the rest of us were feeling. Jabulile! Rejoice!. In the same vein he delivered a powerful tribute to Christiano Ronaldo on his return to Man United with mythical account Madeira. Manchester. Madrid. Turin. And Manchester again. Wreathed in red. Restored to this great gallery of the game. A walking work of art. Vintage, beyond valuation... eighteen years since that trembling teenager of touch and tease first tiptoed onto this storied stage. While covering the previous edition of world cup he was commentating on Moroccos historic 2-0 upset against Belgium in the 2022 group stage Moroccan mayhem! Drink it in, Casablanca! Relish it, Rabat! This is your night. Sing it from atop the Atlas Mountains. All aboard the Marrakesh express, a night Morocco will never forget. When they reached semis defeating might Portugal, he made that historic moment even more treasured with the lines Marvel the Atlas Lions... It is a Moroccan marvel! The African continent believes. And the globe continues to conjure with the barely believable. For the first time in the history of the World Cup, there will be an African nation in the semi-finals!. Out of his many unforgettable and etched stamps of his quotes behind the microphone is his prized and cherished quote upon which football aficionados still go frenzy is his narration of Lionel Messi in 2022 WC final in Qatar Argentina, champions of the world. Again, at last. And the nation will tango all night long. 36 years ago since Maradona and Mexico, here finally is a nations new throne of immortals. Scaloni will be fated, Messi will be saintedFrance this time denied, defied, Lionel Messi has conquered his final pick. Lionel Messi has shaken hands with paradise. The little boy from Rosario Sante Fe has just pitched up in heaven. He climbs into galaxy of his own It would be wrong to rank them, but the canon of Peter Drurys finest moments just exemplifies a body of work to be worth examining, because they altogether exhibit an unswerving aesthetic ideation. Peter Drury will be reminisced long after the games covered have faded into oblivion. The goals will be filmed as video mosaics, but his commentary will act as masterclass of literature and enchanted tonality. Mir Sajad, PhD and Postdoc (ICSSR) from University of Kashmir.

MSMEs: The Silent Engines of Prosperity

Every year on 27th June, the world observes MSME Day, a recognition by the United Nations of the immense contribution made by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to economic growth, employment generation and sustainable development. While the significance of MSMEs is universal, their relevance assumes a special meaning in the unique socio-economic landscape of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. During a recent interaction with a young nano entrepreneur in Jammu, I was struck not by the size of her enterprise but by the scale of her ambition and the will to overcome the systemic challenges. For her what had started as a modest Boutique tailoring unit with a handful of workers had begun supplying designer clothes beyond the Union Territory. Similar stories can be heard across the length and breadth of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh from a woman group in Leh establishing a Solar dryer and packaging unit for apricots their SHG enterprise, to a young tech graduate in Jammu launching a OTT heritage entertainment startup, to an apple grower in Anantnag establishing a grading and packaging unit. These enterprises may appear small individually, but collectively they constitute the backbone of the regional economy. In a region where agriculture, horticulture, tourism, handicrafts, services and trade dominate economic activity, MSMEs are not merely business entities; they are engines of livelihood creation, social mobility and local economic development. They bridge the gap between aspiration and opportunity and play a critical role in ensuring that growth reaches every district, town and village. Unlike large industries that are concentrated in specific geographies, MSMEs democratize economic activity. They generate employment where people live, reduce migration pressures and enable local communities to participate directly in the development process. In a region blessed with natural resources, entrepreneurial talent and cultural richness, the MSME sector offers perhaps the most effective pathway towards inclusive and sustainable growth. Traditionally, access to finance was considered the primary challenge facing entrepreneurs. While credit remains important, experience has shown that successful entrepreneurship requires an entire ecosystem. An entrepreneur needs capacity building, mentorship, market access, skill development, technology adoption and institutional support in addition to finance. Recognizing this reality, the policy landscape in Jammu & Kashmir has evolved significantly in recent years. A notable example of this ecosystem-led approach is the Government of Jammu & Kashmirs flagship Mission YUVA, which is rapidly emerging as a transformative platform for fostering entrepreneurship and nurturing nano and small enterprises across the Union Territory. Built around the innovative 4C framework of Culture, Credit/Capital, Capacity Building and Connectivity, the Mission recognizes that sustainable entrepreneurship requires far more than access to finance and seeks to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with end-to-end support ranging from business ideation and mentoring to skill development, market linkages and credit facilitation. In less than a year, the Mission has demonstrated remarkable traction, with over 27,000 enterprises sanctioned and nearly 23,000 entrepreneurs receiving financial assistance as on 11 June 2026, reflecting strong acceptance of the programme and the effectiveness of a coordinated partnership between the Government, financial institutions and other stakeholders. The Missions special emphasis on Nano Enterprises is particularly significant in the context of Jammu & Kashmir, where small-ticket ventures in sectors such as retail, services, tourism, dairy, handicrafts and local manufacturing possess immense potential for self-employment and grassroots economic transformation. By combining enterprise creation with institutional support, ease of access to credit and continuous handholding, Mission YUVA represents a bold and forward- looking vision of the Government of J&K to foster a culture of entrepreneurship, accelerate inclusive growth and reshape the economic landscape of the Union Territory for years to come. Equally important are the complementary initiatives undertaken by the Government to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The decision to reimburse CGTMSE guarantee fees for enterprises availing loans up to 10 lakh has significantly reduced the cost of accessing collateral-free credit and improved financial inclusion. The establishment of MSME Health Clinics for revival and rehabilitation of stressed enterprises reflects a mature policy approach that recognizes the importance of sustaining existing businesses alongside supporting new ones. Continued emphasis on digitization, simplification of procedures and Ease of Doing Business reforms has further reduced barriers to enterprise creation and growth. No discussion on entrepreneurship in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh can be complete without acknowledging the pivotal role played by J&K Bank, which has historically been at the forefront of economic development in the region. As the principal financial institution of the Union Territory, the Bank has consistently acted as a catalyst for enterprise creation by extending timely and need-based credit to entrepreneurs across sectors. In recent years, the Bank has trained its focus on collateral-light lending, digital credit delivery, startup financing, MSME outreach, FPO financing and support to nano enterprises. Whether through Mission YUVA, CGTMSE-backed financing, customized MSME products, startup credit, or focused credit campaigns, the Bank has sought to move beyond conventional lending and position itself as a development partner in the entrepreneurial journey. The Banks extensive branch network, deep local connect and understanding of regional economic dynamics have enabled thousands of entrepreneurs to convert ideas into viable businesses and aspirations into sustainable livelihoods. Perhaps the most encouraging development in recent years has been the emergence of a new entrepreneurial culture among the youth. For decades, government employment was often viewed as the preferred career path. Today, a growing number of young people are embracing entrepreneurship as a viable and rewarding option. This shift reflects not only changing aspirations but also the increasing availability of institutional support, financing avenues and market opportunities. The future of MSME growth in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh lies in leveraging the regions inherent strengths. Horticulture presents immense opportunities in value addition through grading, packaging, cold storage, food processing and branding. Tourism offers prospects far beyond hotels and transport, encompassing adventure tourism, wellness tourism, eco-tourism and cultural experiences through a network of homestays. Traditional crafts such as carpets, shawls, woodwork, papier-mache and handloom products continue to enjoy global recognition and can achieve greater scale through improved branding and digital market access. Technology is emerging as a powerful enabler in this transformation. Digital payments, e-commerce platforms, online marketing and technology-enabled lending solutions have significantly reduced entry barriers for small businesses. An entrepreneur operating from a remote village today can potentially access customers across the country and even global markets. The growing use of artificial intelligence, analytics and digital banking platforms is further improving access to formal finance and enabling faster credit delivery. Financial institutions also have a critical role to play. The objective should not merely be to finance enterprises but to partner in their growth journey. This requires a shift from transaction-based lending to relationship-based engagement, where banks become facilitators of enterprise development rather than just providers of capital. At the same time, entrepreneurs must continue investing in quality, innovation, technology adoption and market competitiveness. Sustainability in business increasingly depends on adaptability and resilience. The enterprises that thrive in the coming decade will be those that combine traditional strengths with modern capabilities. As we observe MSME Day, it is important to recognize that the true strength of an economy lies not only in large corporations or infrastructure projects but in the millions of individuals who dare to dream, innovate and create. MSMEs embody the spirit of enterprise and self-reliance. They generate livelihoods, strengthen communities and contribute to social stability. In Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, MSMEs are quietly shaping a new economic narrative. They are transforming aspirations into opportunities and opportunities into prosperity. Initiatives such as Mission YUVA, CGTMSE support, MSME Health Clinics and Ease of Doing Business reforms demonstrate a clear and forward-looking vision of the Government towards creating an entrepreneurship-led growth model. The active partnership of institutions like J&K Bank further strengthens this ecosystem by ensuring that entrepreneurial ambition is not constrained by lack of access to finance. The future of the region will be written by the young entrepreneurs of J&K and Ladakh in workshops, orchards, processing units, startups, retail establishments and small enterprises spread across its towns and villages. On this MSME Day, let us celebrate these silent architects of prosperity whose contribution extends far beyond economic statistics. Their success is the foundation of a stronger, more resilient and more prosperous Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Author is a General Manager in JK Bank and a Research Scholar at IIM Jammu (Views expressed are personal).

A partnership built on trust and shared aspirations

The relationship between India and France has moved beyond strategic and economic ties and both the countries The recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to France has once again underlined the depth and significance of the India-France relationship. The relationship between the two countries is considered as one of the most enduring and trusted partnerships in Indias foreign policy. The two nations have developed close ties over the decades spanning from defense, technology, trade, culture and global diplomacy thus making France the most reliable strategic partner of India. The friendship between these countries dates back to the years following the independence of India. France happens to be the first major Western country to acknowledge and initiate diplomatic relations with the independent India immediately after the culmination of British rule in 1947. Both India and France have since then steadily strengthened their engagement based on mutual respect, strategic autonomy and shared democratic values. At a time when several countries imposed sanctions on India following its nuclear tests in 1998, the relationship between India and France witnessed a new dimension in terms of a strong strategic partnership. Contrary to other countries France adopted a fair and kind approach which laid the foundation for deeper strategic cooperation between both the countries. This strategic partnership over the years has evolved into a multifaceted alliance that encompasses defense, space, nuclear energy, climate action and emerging technologies. Defense cooperation has been the cornerstone of India-France relations because France has been consistently supplying advanced military equipment and technology to India, with the result France has emerged as a dependable and trusted defense partner of India. The introduction of Rafale fighter jets into the Indian Air Force turned out to be a major milestone in bilateral defense ties and has significantly enhanced the air combat capabilities of India. Both the nations also carry out regular military exercises including Varuna between Navies, Garuda between the Air Forces and Shakti between the two Armies. These military exercises have not only strengthened interoperability but also highlighted the growing strategic convergence between the two nations resulting in peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The other important pillar of the strategic partnership between the two countries happens to be space cooperation. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Frances CNES have been collaborating with each other since the last ten decades on satellite launches, earth observation missions and climate research. The cooperation of both these premier institutes has significantly contributed to advancements in weather forecasting, oceanography and disaster management. India has received strong support from France to achieve progress in initiatives related to clean energy and sustainable development. Both India and France happen to be the founding members of the International Solar Alliance which reflects their shared commitment to address climate change and promote renewable energy. The relationship between India and France has moved beyond strategic and economic ties and both the countries share vibrant cultural and educational exchanges. French culture and language is widely popular in India and on the other hand Indian cinema, cuisine and Indian traditions find an in-depth place in the hearts of locals in France. Even Yoga has found enthusiastic audiences in France. Student exchange programs and academic collaborations have further strengthened people-to-people connections. The recent visit to France by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will certainly inject fresh momentum into the longstanding partnership of both the countries. Prime Minister Modis meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron focused on strengthening cooperation in defense manufacturing, artificial intelligence, digital technologies, clean energy and global governance. The visit has come at a time when the world is witnessing significant geopolitical shifts. The years of partnership between India and France have been built on trust, mutual respect and shared interests. In such an environment, the India-France partnership stands out as a relationship built on trust, mutual respect and shared interests. Both the countries are a great supporter of multi-polar world order and have been working closely on issues ranging from counter-terrorism, maritime security and climate action. The India-France strategic partnership is poised to bloom even more strongly in the coming years as France seeks to expand its engagement in the Indo-Pacific while India aspires to become a developed nation. Therefore the visit of the Indian Prime Minister is not merely a diplomatic engagement but a reaffirmation of a friendship that has stood the test of time and continues to shape the future of both nations. The India-France relationship today is more than a strategic alliance. It is a partnership of confidence, innovation and shared aspirations and offers a model of cooperation in an increasingly complex world. Dr Sheikh Jamsheed, prominent Social and Peace Activist.

EU, India and universal rights

The India-European Union (EU) dialogue on human rights was held at a relatively low level in Delhi on June 24. The Indian delegation was led by the officer in charge of the Europe West division of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) while the EU ambassador to India headed the EU delegation. Ambassadors are, of course, plenipotentiaries and therefore in traditional diplomatic practice enjoy high status. However, in modern times officials from the home countries are generally sent for such talks. The absence of a Brussels based official as head of the EU delegation therefore sends a signal that whatever the joint statement on the talks may say the EU did not accord the dialogue the priority which it would normally give to talks on human rights. The EU ambassador heading the talks indicated that the EU needed to tick the box that it had held talks on human rights with India. For India there are far more important matters to discuss with the EU than human rights and therefore if the EU did not give it salience it would not have lost any sweat. This does not mean that human rights are not domestically important for India. The constitution, which is the bedrock of the Indian system, gives human rights the highest importance. It is the solemn duty of any government to ensure that it does not violate the constitutional rights of any Indian citizen. If a citizen or a group of citizens feel aggrieved that his or their rights have been infringed and approach the courts then it is the most solemn obligation cast on the judiciary to adjudicate his or their grievance in accordance with the law. If it does not it would not be upholding the oath all higher court judges swear on assuming office. Fortunately, till now the judges have been conscious of their obligations. For the future of Indian democracy it is essential that they continue to do so. The Joint Statement issued after the talks stated, inter alia, In an era of growing global challenges, during the Dialogue, India and the EU reiterated their commitment to the promotion and protection of all human rights. As major democracies, open market economies, diverse societies, and together home to nearly one fourth of the world population, India and the EU emphasised the universality, indivisibility and interrelatedness of all human rights. These are fine sentiments for the EU to express but it should not be overlooked that the principal countries of the EU were colonial powers till the Second World War. They believed that the Caucasian races were superior to the others. Indeed, many among them asserted that the coloured races were lesser breeds without the law. And, based on this doctrine they also held forth that it was the White mans burden to bring civilization to these non-Causasian people. These attitudes did not end with the Second World War but continued later too in the United States for instance. There, till the early 1960s many of the southern states practiced the doctrine propounded by the US Supreme Court in the late 19th century of separate but equal. Accordingly, separate facilities were provided for the White and non-White people. It took a civil rights movement, in part inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, to end this. Hence, when the EU makes assertions about human rights it should always recall its own colonial and discriminatory record. There is also a resurgence of the far right parties in the EU and many of them subscribe to what can only be called non-democratic values. The European approaches towards human rights are also weaponised. Thus, the human rights records of those countries that are strategically important to it are often overlooked while those of others are focused upon and criticised. Indeed some EU states themselves do not have free media even though EU norms require this to be so. EU states also have close ties with countries where either militaries have overthrown elected governments or are part of hybrid systems where they call the shots. In some of these countries the militaries have a domineering presence in the economic and commercial life of their countries. Western states routinely criticise India for its approaches towards the Myanmar military. They have themselves shunned it and imposed sanctions. India has not done so. There was widespread unhappiness in many groups in the West that India invited Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing to an official visit recently. He is now elected but the elections were imperfect and he is really a military strongman. India did not pay heed to Western criticism of its Myanmar policy because its security interests demand that it engages Myanmar at the highest level. Thus, India was only doing in the foreign and security policy sphere what the Western countries and the EU themselves practice. Thus, the proposition can be advanced as a truism of international relations that foreign and security policy interests always and every time take precedence over human rights. The part of the India-EU joint statement that has been quoted in this article asserts the universality of human rights. Indeed, this idea is the basis of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948. The fact is though that many countries contest this idea though not strongly or on a priority basis. Many of these countries believe that the universality of human rights has to be tempered with theological or ideological beliefs. Thus, some countries have abstained from signing the basic Declaration though they have not hesitated to sign some agreements on some aspects of human rights that have flowed from the Declaration.

Beyond Ecology

The environmental transformation of Kashmir is no longer gradual enough to ignore. It is unfolding in real time across the mountains, lakes, forests, wetlands and river systems of the Valley. The signs are visible everywhere. From shrinking snowpack, warmer winters, declining spring discharge, wetland degradation, increasing cloudbursts, slope instability, erratic rainfall and rising ecological uncertainty are its manifestations. What once appeared as isolated environmental disturbances now reveals a larger systemic pattern. Kashmir is entering a period of profound climatic transition. The institutional systems currently governing J&K and in fact entire Himalayan Region are not adequately prepared for the scale or complexity of that transformation. For decades, environmental governance in Jammu and Kashmir was largely approached through sectoral administration like forests through forest departments, water through irrigation agencies, pollution through regulatory bodies, wetlands through special projects and disasters through emergency response systems. But climate change does not operate through departmental boundaries. It cuts across hydrology, biodiversity, agriculture, infrastructure, tourism, public health, urbanization, and economic stability simultaneously. This is precisely why the region now requires a dedicated Climate Resilience and Water Authority. This should be capable of integrating climate adaptation, water security, ecological restoration, disaster prevention and carbon governance under a unified institutional framework. The urgency of such an institution has become even more pronounced now. India moves toward a structured carbon economy through the Indian Carbon Market (ICM), developed under the Ministry of Power and the Bureau of Energy Efficiency. Indias evolving carbon market architecture signals a major shift in national policy thinking. Ecological assets are no longer viewed solely through conservation lenses. But they are being integrated into economic planning, investment frameworks and long-term development strategies. Globally, carbon markets and climate finance mechanisms are rapidly reshaping environmental governance. According to international climate finance estimates, carbon markets worldwide may expand into one of the largest environmental financial systems of the twenty-first century. Nations and regions capable of establishing credible climate governance systems are likely to attract increasing flows of green investment and adaptation finance. Jammu and Kashmir, at least in theory, should be well-positioned within this emerging climate economy. Nearly 40 percent of its geographical area is officially classified as forest. Its ecosystems include temperate forests, alpine meadows, wetlands, glacier-fed rivers, and degraded landscapes with substantial restoration potential. These ecological systems function as carbon sinks and climate regulators for the broader Himalayan region. Despite this ecological wealth, Kashmir remains largely absent from the global and domestic carbon economy. The reason is not ecological deficiency. It is institutional fragmentation. Carbon markets do not reward environmental potential alone. They reward systems of governance, monitoring, legal clarity, scientific verification, accountability and institutional continuity. Investors and climate-finance institutions require confidence that environmental outcomes are measurable, verifiable and durable over decades. At present, Jammu and Kashmir lacks such integrated climate-governance architecture. One of the governance lacunae lies in fragmented institutional responsibility. Climate-related functions are currently dispersed across multiple agencies: Sector Existing Institutional Handling Forest management Forest Department Water supply Jal Shakti Department Flood control Irrigation & Flood Control Wetlands Lakes & Waterways agencies Pollution regulation Pollution Control Committee Disaster response Disaster Management Authority Urban planning Development authorities Climate planning No institutional arrangement exists in true sense Each institution functions within its own mandate. But the ecological systems they govern remain deeply interconnected. 1. A degraded forest impacts water recharge. 2. Wetland encroachment increases flood vulnerability 3. Glacier retreat alters river flows. 4. Urbanization disrupts natural drainage systems. 5. Climate variability affects agriculture, tourism, and hydropower simultaneously. Without integrated governance, environmental interventions remain reactive and fragmented rather than preventive and systemic. My own professional journey across environmental governance institutions in Jammu and Kashmir has repeatedly reinforced this reality. During my years in the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Board, I worked on pollution monitoring systems, water chemistry studies, laboratory establishment, environmental regulation, and aquatic ecosystem assessment. Later, while working in the Department of Environment and Remote Sensing, I had the opportunity to prepare the Wular Conservation and Management Action Plan, contribute to environmental impact assessments of major tourist destinations, prepare the State of Environment Report, and eventually serve First Nodal Officer of the J&K climate Change Cell. These experiences provided a firsthand understanding of how environmental decline often emerges not from a single catastrophic event but from cumulative governance gaps that persist over years. I still recall the detailed field surveys undertaken during the preparation of the Wular conservation framework. The extent of encroachments, hydrological alteration, catchment degradation and institutional overlap revealed how fragile ecological systems deteriorate when governance remains fragmented and delayed. Similar trends are now visible across multiple wetlands, river systems and urban ecological zones in Kashmir. Equally concerning is the regions growing water insecurity. Historically, Kashmir has been perceived as water-abundant region. But climate variability is increasingly challenging that assumption. Scientific observations across the Himalayas suggest changing precipitation patterns, reduced snow retention and altered seasonal runoff cycles. Rural spring systems in many parts of Kashmir have shown declining discharge. Wetlands such as Hokersar and Wular continue to experience ecological stress, while urban water demand is steadily increasing. The implications extend far beyond environmental conservation. Water insecurity directly affects agriculture, horticulture, tourism, hydropower generation and public health. In a Himalayan region whose economy and settlement patterns are deeply dependent on climatic stability and here ecological degradation ultimately becomes an economic issue. Globally, several environmentally fragile mountain regions have already moved toward integrated climate-governance models. The Netherlands has institutionalized advanced water-governance systems because flood resilience is considered central to national survival. Switzerland and Austria integrate watershed management, forestry, tourism and disaster prevention within coordinated alpine governance frameworks. China has established river-basin authorities to manage hydrological systems across administrative boundaries. Many climate-vulnerable regions now rely on dedicated resilience institutions that combine climate science, ecological restoration, adaptation planning and infrastructure management within unified governance structures. The common lesson from these examples is clear.Fragmented governance is increasingly ineffective in an era of climate uncertainty. Kashmirs Himalayan geography makes institutional integration even more essential. Proposed Functions of a Climate Resilience & Water Authority Strategic Importance Integrated water governance Managing rivers, wetlands, groundwater, and springs collectively Climate adaptation planning Developing long-term regional resilience strategies Carbon market readiness Building institutional capacity for carbon finance Ecological restoration Coordinating afforestation and watershed recovery Scientific monitoring Glacier studies, hydrological mapping, climate-risk assessment Disaster prevention Moving from reactive relief to preventive resilience Data integration Unified climate and environmental information systems Community resilience Supporting local adaptation and sustainable livelihoods Such an authority could also position Jammu and Kashmir more effectively within Indias emerging carbon market framework. Under the Indian Carbon Market, regions capable of demonstrating measurable ecological restoration and verified carbon sequestration may increasingly attract climate finance and private investment. However, access to such opportunities requires institutional credibility, scientific infrastructure, monitoring systems and governance transparency.Without these systems, ecological wealth alone cannot generate economic value. Climate change in Kashmir is no longer a future scenario. It is already reshaping the Valleys environmental realities. The recent sequence of floods, landslides, erratic snowfall and rainfall, warming winters, spring depletion and cloudburst events should not be treated as disconnected incidents. Together, they represent a changing Himalayan climate system. What concerns me personally is that institutional reform continues to move far slower than ecological change itself. For years, much of environmental governance in Kashmir has remained event-driven. Floods produce temporary flood discussions. Heat waves trigger seasonal advisories. Wetland degradation generates intermittent public concern. But climate resilience requires permanent institutional capacity and not episodic reactions. The environmental future of Jammu and Kashmir cannot depend solely on administrative improvisation after each disaster.It requires long-term governance architecture capable of anticipating risks rather than merely responding to them. The Valleys ecological systems are too important economically, environmentally and strategically to remain managed through fragmented institutional arrangements. The question before Jammu and Kashmir is therefore not whether climate change will reshape the region. It already is. The real question is whether governance systems will evolve quickly enough to respond to that transformation before ecological instability deepens further across the Himalayan landscape. Environmental Governance Timeline in Jammu & Kashmir Period Key Environmental & Climate Governance Developments 1980s Early pollution monitoring and environmental regulation frameworks initiated 1987 Establishment and strengthening of J&K Pollution Control Board 1990s Expansion of water and air quality laboratories and monitoring systems Early 2000s Wetland conservation and environmental planning initiated. 20082012 Preparation of State of Environment Report and State Action Plan on Climate Change 2015 onward Increased focus on climate adaptation and disaster resilience after 2014 floods Present Growing urgency for integrated climate and water governance frameworks Final Reflection Having spent decades working on lakes, wetlands, pollution control, environmental planning, climate governance and ecological restoration in Jammu and Kashmir, I believe that the greatest environmental challenge facing the region today is not simply climate change itself but the absence of integrated institutions capable of responding to it. Kashmirs environmental future will ultimately depend not only on the health of its forests, rivers, and wetlands, but also on the strength of the governance systems entrusted with protecting them. And in an age of accelerating climatic uncertainty, institutional resilience may become as important as ecological resilience itself. Mutaharra A W Deva, Certified Independent Director from Indian institute of Corporate Affairs, Ministry of Corporate affairs Government of India.

16-year-old boy dies after self-inflicted gunshot in Kupwara

Srinagar, Jun 26: A 16-year-old boy from north Kashmirs Kupwara district died after allegedly shooting himself with a licensed pistol on Friday afternoon, police said. The incident occurred at around 3 pm in AnwarabadSalkoot village of Kupwara. The deceased has been identified as Bhat Fahad, son of Faizul Islam of AnwarabadSalkoot. According to police, the minor allegedly sustained a self-inflicted gunshot injury to the head using a licensed pistol under circumstances that are being investigated. Family members immediately rushed the injured boy to the Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Kupwara, where doctors provided initial treatment before referring him to the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Srinagar, for specialised care. However, despite the efforts of the medical team, Fahad succumbed to his injuries during treatment. Police have registered a case under FIR No 191/2026 at Police Station Kupwara under Section 125(A) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 3, 27 and 30 of the Indian Arms Act. An investigation has been initiated to ascertain the circumstances that led to the incident. Police have not disclosed further details, and the motive behind the alleged self-inflicted shooting remains under investigation.

Satish Sharma joins Ashura procession at Zadibal

Srinagar, June 26: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Information Technology, Youth Services & Sports, and Science & Technology, Satish Sharma, on Friday joined the Ashura procession at Zadibal, where he paid homage to the unparalleled sacrifice of Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions. The Minister participated in the procession alongside thousands of mourners, reflecting solidarity with the people commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS), whose message of truth, justice, compassion and steadfastness continues to inspire humanity across generations. Speaking on the occasion, Satish Sharma said that the sacrifices made at Karbala uphold timeless values of righteousness, courage and resistance against oppression. He observed that the teachings of Imam Hussain (AS) transcend all boundaries and continue to guide society towards peace, justice and communal harmony. The Minister also interacted with the mourners and reviewed the arrangements made for smooth conduct of the procession. He appreciated the coordinated efforts of the district administration, police, health services, municipal bodies and volunteers in ensuring that the observance was held in a peaceful, orderly and dignified manner. MLA Zadibal, Tanvir Sadiq, accompanied the Minister during the procession. Satish Sharma prayed for lasting peace, prosperity and communal harmony in Jammu and Kashmir. He extended his respects to all those observing Ashura, expressing hope that the values of sacrifice, unity and compassion embodied by Imam Hussain (AS) continue to inspire the society towards harmony and justice.

Fire breaks out in a commercial structure in Watergam, Rafiabad

Suspected Pak intruder nabbed at LoC in Poonch

Rajouri, June 26: A suspected intruder has been nabbed on Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir after he was trying to infiltrate from the area. He has initially been identified as 26-year-old Mohammad Sajjad, son of Mohammad Rafiq and a resident of Polas village, Abbaspur district in PoJK. Official sources said that he was reportedly apprehended by the Indian Army during an alleged infiltration attempt in the Gulpur area of Poonch sector and has been shifted to local army camp with joint teams of forces are questioning him.

AIP delegates back Er Rashid to continue as MP

Missile alert goes off in Dubai but authorities quickly tell public to disregard warning

The mobile phone alerted startled many in Dubai, the first in weeks since the ceasefire in the war.

Amit Shah chairs 10th apex-level meeting of NCORD, unveils vision document on drug control

New Delhi, June 26: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah chaired the 10th apex-level meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) in New Delhi today. The Home Minister released the Vision Document on Drug Control (2026-2029) and the NCB Annual Report-2025, and also e-inaugurated NCB zonal offices in Jammu and Guwahati. Shri Amit Shah further launched the 'Online Drugs Disposal Fortnight Campaign' for the destruction of narcotics weighing 2,09,500 kg and valued at 6,000 crore. In his address, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that today our country stands at a critical turning point in the fight against narcotics, where the next three years will decide whether addiction will defeat us or we will defeat addiction. He stated that for the future of the country over the next 100 years, we must win this battle with firm determination and collective efforts. This fight cannot be waged by any single department, state, government, or individual. Instead, all states and their concerned departments must come together on a single platform. In this fight, we must also involve people who inspire the public, the youth who will shape the nations future, and our women power. Only then can we achieve complete success in this battle. Shah emphasized that the issue of narcotic drugs is not merely a matter of law and order or public health. It is deeply connected to the countrys internal security, social stability, protection of economic interests, and the future of our youth and, through them, the future of the nation. Achieving complete victory over this problem should be a collective national goal for all states of India. Amit Shah said that along with drug trafficking, organized crime, narco-terror financing, and the funding of cross-border terrorist networks, this problem has also evolved into an Evolving Narco-Terrorism Ecosystem. For the internal security of our country, the protection of our economy, and the future of our youth generation, we must achieve complete victory over this menace. We are geographically situated between the Death Triangle and the Death Crescent. Drug traffickers have made our fight even more challenging by adopting advanced methods such as drone-based drops, containerized cargo through sea routes, the Darknet, crypto payments, order-to-delivery models, parcel shipments, and other similar techniques. Today, narco-offenders have become technology-empowered and network-based. They now confront us as a form of multi-domain crime. Our response to this difficult battle must also be collective and organized, roadmap-based, modern, and intelligence-led. Our approach should be technology-driven, and we must wage a network-centric war with a ruthless approach. Only then will we be able to secure victory against this problem. Union Home Minister said that we must maintain a ruthless approach towards those involved in drug trafficking and a sympathetic approach towards the victims of drugs. He added that it is our compassion and goodwill that can reconnect these children with a normal life. We have to hold their hand and guide them back onto the right path. Amit Shah said that in the presentation made here today, our fight has been very clearly articulated under four pillars, and sub-pillars under each pillar have also been clearly defined. Targets have been set for each sub-pillar along with the timelines to achieve them. We will review this plan after one year, redefine it as needed, and then move forward with renewed strength for the final two years of this battle. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that the Drug Disposal Fortnight has begun today. He stated that destroying drugs worth 6,000 crore in a single day is a significant achievement. Today, the Annual Report of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) was also released. Along with this, the Vision Document of the Roadmap for Nasha Mukt Bharat was also unveiled.The Guwahati and Jammu Zonal Offices of the NCB were also inaugurated today. So far, 15,876 district-level NCORD meetings, 266 state-level meetings, 7 Executive Committee meetings, and today we are holding the 10th meeting at the apex level. Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police of all states should make concerted efforts to make NCORD meetings result-oriented. Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and has also given us the target of Nasha Mukt Bharat. The roadmap from 2026 to 2029 prepared to achieve this goal is based on four major pillars Enforcement, Intelligence and Operations; Precursors and Synthetic Drug Control; Demand and Harm Reduction; and Capacity Building, Coordination and Monitoring. Its aim is to conduct targeted intelligence-led action against the entire network and destroy it completely. We have to adopt a strategy to stop drugs at the production stage itself. The campaign for demand reduction and harm reduction will be taken forward through society, education and rehabilitation. The fourth pillar of Capacity Building, Coordination and Monitoring has been created to make the entire system capable, coordinated, accountable and modern. This roadmap has been prepared keeping in mind the Whole of Government Approach and Whole of Society Approach. It includes the role of every citizen of India, but the work of inspiring citizens will have to be done by all State Governments and Secretaries of all Departments of the Government of India. The success of this roadmap and the timely achievement of its targets is a shared responsibility and a proper monitoring mechanism has also been put in place. Union Home Minister said that the fight against drugs can be described in three words Detect, Disrupt and Destroy. We have to move forward to destroy all three types of cartels those who bring drugs from abroad into the country, those who supply them from the borders to the states, and those who distribute them from states to the end users by using HUMINT, technical intelligence, and community policing in border and sensitive districts. All our financial agencies must work in full coordination to prepare a joint programme for monitoring the Dark Web, hawala transactions, crypto transactions, and usage of ports and airports. Under Disrupt, we must hit the drug traffickers at every level their sources, transit routes, financing, and leadership with full force of the law. We need to launch a campaign to destroy illegal crops. Agencies must develop a system to identify illegal laboratories and destroy them strictly. We also need to find ways to counter the new method of controlled delivery operations and, with continuous improvements, monitor and take them to their logical conclusion. Shri Shah said that through PMLA and ED, we must conduct financial investigations against drug traffickers very ruthlessly. It is also our responsibility to dismantle their networks through this. Under Destroy, we must ruthlessly finish the networks in such a way that they do not rise again. The kingpins who are caught must not be allowed to escape. All necessary provisions for this are already available in our laws. Through de-addiction and rehabilitation, we have to reduce the demand side and move towards destroying the supply side. This entire roadmap has been prepared on the foundation of these three words Detect, Disrupt and Destroy. Amit Shah said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, all Ministries of the Government of India, all States and all departments will have to collectively move forward to implement a policy of zero tolerance against drugs on the ground. In major NDPS cases, financial investigation must be made mandatory by the State Police Chiefs. The entire process of identifying proceeds of crime, freezing them, seizing them, and ensuring they do not return to the accused even from jail will have to be made evidence-based and equipped with modern technology. The Ministry of Home Affairs has also taken up the matter with all High Courts to set up special courts, ensure adequate number of judges, and give priority to daily hearings in major cases for early disposal. We will not be able to effectively follow the money trail until we ensure real-time sharing of information. Therefore, real-time data sharing must be ensured. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that we also need to review the scheduling of precursors and psychotropic substances and ensure effective action against narco-financing. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment must expand the Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign, public awareness drives, community participation, and treatment & rehabilitation services. Only then can we successfully reduce demand. The Ministry of Health must ensure strict monitoring of pharmaceutical diversion and online pharmacies. Under the Ministry of Education, the Departments of School Education and Higher Education must adopt the Drug-Free Campus framework. Along with this, we must ensure awareness among parents and teachers by taking this concept forward with everyones consensus. Amit Shah said that NCRB, NFSU, DFSS, I4C and NATGRID will have to do extensive work at their respective levels for cartel identification. States should convert their ANTFs into full-time units and transform them into dedicated, well-resourced, equipped and accountable units. The State Police Chiefs must take personal interest in this. In cases involving commercial quantities of drugs, financial investigation and backward-forward linkages must become a crucial part of our investigations, because without this we cannot destroy the entire network. State and district-level NCORD meetings should be made output-oriented and monitored very effectively. We must move towards appointing Special Public Prosecutors for strong chargesheets and effective prosecution. State Police Chiefs should approach the High Courts through their Home Departments to establish exclusive NDPS courts. For demand reduction, treatment, rehabilitation, awareness programmes, and to create awareness among parents, professors and teachers, every state should appoint a nodal officer in each department. Along with this, through the CBI we have launched a campaign to bring back fugitives, in which we have achieved very good success. I also urge all State Governments that those drug traffickers and gangsters from your states who are hiding abroad should be targeted by issuing Red Corner Notices, utilising the CBI and other agencies to initiate the process of bringing them back. Union Home Minister said that between 2004 and 2014, drugs worth 40,000 crore 26 lakh kilograms of synthetic drugs were seized. In contrast, from 2014 to 2026, drugs worth 1,84,000 crore 1 crore 18 lakh kilograms have been seized. This shows that our campaign is moving forward successfully. From 2004 to 2014, drugs worth 8,000 crore (3,26,000 kilograms) were destroyed, whereas between 2014 and 2026, drugs worth 89,896 crore (42,47,000 kilograms) have been destroyed. Similarly, we have continuously increased the destruction of illegal cultivation. In 2020, 10,000 acres of illegal opium crops were destroyed, while in 2025 we destroyed 42,282 acres. Between 2004 and 2014, there were 1,73,000 cases in which 1,95,000 arrests were made. From 2014 to 2026, 8,75,000 cases have been registered and 10,97,000 people have been arrested. These figures prove that when we make sincere efforts, success is definitely achieved. The Modi Government has made our efforts specific, focused the targets, made them time-bound, and after identifying all aspects of the fight against drugs, we have prepared this roadmap. Amit Shah said that if we fight this battle together and in unity, victory will definitely be ours. In the next three years, we will make massive progress towards eliminating the drug networks in India. If all of us set a clear target for these three years, work hard with collective efforts, and move forward with fixed timelines and a shared strategy, then our victory is certain.

Prominent NC leaders, workers, and activists from Natipora join Apni Party

Srinagar, June 26: The ruling National Conference (NC) suffered a major setback on Friday in the Natipora area of the Chanapora constituency as dozens of its prominent leaders, workers, and activists resigned from the party en masse and joined the Apni Party. On this occasion, Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari extended a warm welcome to the new entrants into the party fold, assuring them that the Apni Party would prove to be a reliable platform for serving the people in their respective areas. He expressed hope that their joining would further strengthen the party's cadre in the Natipora ward. The joining of new members took place during an enthusiastic workers meeting, which was essentially called to review the local public issues and grievences and to discuss certain party affairs. Both, the meeting and joining programme were organised by partys Ward President for Natipora Arjumand Makhdoomi. Speaking on the occasion, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukahri urged his party leaders and workers to intensify their political and public outreach activities in order the strengthern the part cadre across the Srinagar city. He said, As people have become disheartened by the ruling party's disappointing performance and its failure to fulfil its promises, it is our responsibility to step forward, stand by the people, and highlight their issues and grievances so that they are addressed effectively. He further said, People have now fully understood that they were deceived by the ruling party through false promises made during its 2024 election campaign. The National Conference (NC) had promised the moon and stars to the people to secure their votes. It had pledged to provide one lakh jobs soon after assuming office. It had also promised to regularise the services of daily wagers. Among its key promises were 200 units of free electricity, free LPG cylinders for households, and an enhanced ration quota. However, all these promises have proved to be false and misleading. Speaking about the major issues facing the people, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said that the elected government neither has the will nor the capacity to ensure that these issues are addressed. He said, Whether it is the restoration of statehood, creation of employment opportunities, release of detainees, simplification of the passport issuance and verification process required for employment, or other important issues, all these matters can only be addressed by the Union Government. Reiterating his demand, he urged the Centre to initiate a dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir to address their issues and concerns. He said, Hon'ble Prime Minister and Hon'ble Home Minister have themselves assured that the Union Government would engage with the youth of Jammu and Kashmir to listen to their grievances and address them. This is the right time to fulfil that promise. There should be a meaningful dialogue between the Centre and the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Meanwhile the prominent among the new joinees included Halqa President (NC) Mohammad Amin Bhat, Senior Worker NC Asadullah, Saleem Jehangir, Mohammad Aslam Dar, Dr Zahoor Ahmad, Hilal Ahmad Haqqani, Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, Idrees Ahmad, Imtiyaz Ahmad Dar, Zahoor Ahmad, Sheikh Umar, Bilal Ahmad Dar, John Mohammad Dar, Dr Shahid, Zaid Javid, Dr Kamran, Haseeb Aslam, Adil Mushtaq Hafiz, Mohammad Younis Dar, Arslan Sajad, liyakat Ali, Ishtiq Ahmad, John Mohammad, Mudasir Ahmad, Mubashir Jahangir, and others. Besides Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, the prominent party leaders who were present on the occasion, included Vice President Distrcit Srinagar Aijaz Ahmad Rather, Ward president Budshah Nagar Imran Lone, Memmber Committee District Srinagar Afroza Khan and others.

Drug abuse a collective crisis, warns SKIMS psychiatrist | Doctor's Mic | Ep 22

Drug abuse is a collective social crisis that requires coordinated action from families, institutions, and authorities, said Dr. Abdul Majeed, Head of Psychiatry at SKIMS Medical College, Bemina. Speaking during a programme under the ongoing Nasha Mukt J&K campaign, Dr. Majeed said the International Day Against Drug Abuse highlights the global scale of the problem. It is not my problem or your problem alone; it is our collective problem as a society, he said. He noted that over 300 million people worldwide use drugs, warning that addiction destroys lives and futures. Behind every number is a young person who could have become a doctor, engineer, or journalist, he said. Dr. Majeed also flagged emerging threats such as synthetic drugs and digital trafficking networks using encrypted communication and social media. New technologies are being used by criminal networks to expand their reach, he said. Highlighting stigma and limited access to care, he added that many patients avoid treatment due to fear of social judgment. He urged parents to maintain open communication with children and watch for early warning signs of addiction.

J-K DGP Nalin Prabhat monitors Ashura procession in Srinagar

Aga Ruhullah alleges conditions were imposed on 8th Muharram procession

Beyond sectarian lines: Ashura processions in Srinagar reflect unity and interfaith harmony

Police seize 7 tractors involved in illegal mining in Shopian; FIR registered

Srinagar, June 26: Continuing its sustained crackdown on illegal mining, Jammu and Kashmir Police seized seven tractors involved in the unauthorized extraction and transportation of minerals near the Turkwangam Nallah of the district Shopian. Acting on specific information regarding illegal mining activities at Turkwangam nallah, police party from Police Post Turkwangam intercepted and seized seven tractors involved in the illegal extraction and transportation of minerals without valid royalty documents. In this regard, FIR No. 86/2026 under relevant sections of law have been registered at Police Station Zainapora and investigation has been set into motion, a police spokeserspon said. Police reiterated its firm commitment to protecting the districts natural resources and ensuring strict legal action against those involved in illegal mining. They urged general public to cooperate by reporting any such unlawful activities. Police maintianed that the identity of informants shall be kept strictly confidential.

Dulhasti Power Project gates to remain open on June 27 & 28 for periodic silt flushing operations

Banihal, June 26: The District Administration Ramban has issued a public advisory regarding the opening of gates of Dulhasti Power Station, Kishtwar, for scheduled silt flushing operations from the dam reservoir. The advisory has been issued by the directions of District Magistrate Ramban, Alyas Khan, informing the general public that the gates of Dulhasti Power Station dam will remain open from June 27, 2026 (11:00 PM) to June 28, 2026 (8:00 PM) for the periodic silt flushing process. The administration cautioned that the release of water may lead to a sudden rise in water levels and increased flow velocity in the Chenab River downstream of Baglihar Dam. In the interest of public safety, residents, visitors, fishermen, livestock owners and others have been advised to stay away from the banks of the Chenab River and its tributaries. People have also been directed to avoid bathing, swimming, fishing, rafting or any other activity in or near the river during the period. The advisory further advised residents to keep livestock and valuables away from low-lying areas along riverbanks and avoid crossing streams, nallahs and river channels where water levels may rise suddenly. The District Administration has asked all concerned departments, field officers and local bodies to ensure wide dissemination of the advisory and maintain close monitoring of vulnerable locations. People have also been requested to follow instructions issued by the District Administration, Police, SDRF and other concerned authorities and immediately report any emergency or unusual situation to the nearest authorities.

Disillusioned over unfulfilled promises, NC workers joining Apni Party: Altaf Bukhari

Vande Mataram not just song, but mantra for reconstruction of India: Amit Shah

New Delhi, Jun 26: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said 'Vande Mataram' is not merely a patriotic song but a mantra for the reconstruction of India, as he paid tributes to Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay on his birth anniversary while addressing a meeting on the country's anti-narcotics strategy. At the 10th apex-level meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD), Shah stated that June 26 is a significant day for the country's campaign against narcotics. He said it also marks the birth anniversary of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, who played a key role in awakening the nation's self-confidence during British rule. Bankim Babu composed 'Vande Mataram'. 'Vande Mataram' became a powerful symbol of the nation's cultural consciousness and patriotism. When the freedom struggle reached its peak, the main slogan of the fight against the British was 'Vande Mataram', Shah said. Recalling the sacrifices made by freedom fighters, he said many revolutionaries embraced the gallows with the chant of 'Vande Mataram'. 'Vande Mataram' is not just a slogan or a song for all of us Indians. 'Vande Mataram' is not merely a song that introduced the freedom movement, either. 'Vande Mataram' is a mantra for the reconstruction of India and also a means to re-establish Mother India at the highest position in the world, Shah said. The meeting brought together representatives of 44 central ministries and departments, state governments and drug law enforcement agencies in a hybrid mode to deliberate on strengthening the government's efforts to achieve a drug-free India. The discussions focused on tackling the growing menace of synthetic drugs, curbing darknet-enabled trafficking and expanding the reach of rehabilitation centres for drug users over the next three years.

Parliamentary panel calls on Ladakh LG, discusses region's key challenges

Leh, Jun 26: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs called on Ladakh Lieutenant Governor (LG) V K Saxena and held discussions on the region's key challenges, including environmental concerns, water scarcity and border security. The committee, chaired by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, met the lieutenant governor (LG) on Thursday. The panel was on a four-day tour of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, which began on Monday, to review strategic border security and foreign policy issues. Had an engaging and fruitful interaction with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, chaired by MP Dr Shashi Tharoor, during their Ladakh visit, Saxena said in a post on X on Friday. According to the LG, the committee sought details about Ladakh's major challenges and the measures being taken to address them. Saxena said he briefed the panel about the fragile ecosystem of Ladakh, environmental challenges and the growing water scarcity in the region. He informed the committee about initiatives such as Project Him Sarovar, construction of rock check dams under the Sindhu Jal Samridhi Abhiyan and large-scale plantation drives aimed at mitigating these challenges. The committee appreciated these efforts and assured full cooperation, the LG said. The parliamentary panel is visiting the strategically important region to review India-China relations, India-Pakistan ties and the overall security situation along the borders. During its tour, the parliamentary committee visited Jammu, Srinagar, Kargil and Leh to gain first-hand insights into border management and security in frontier areas. Earlier this month, members of the 8th Central Pay Commission had also visited Leh to interact with employees' unions and address grievances of the Union territory administration employees.

Youm-e-Ashura: IGP Kashmir V K Birdi thanks public for cooperation

Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone, Vidhi Kumar Birdi expressed gratitude to the public for their strong cooperation during the back-to-back Muharram processions and the ongoing pilgrimage arrangements. He said that despite congested routes and tight security requirements, people, organizers, and volunteers extended full support by following guidelines and helping maintain order. He also acknowledged the coordinated efforts of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and other agencies, saying the smooth conduct of events was possible largely due to public participation and discipline. Report: Mubashir Khan #greaterkashmir #gktv #Muharram #KashmirPolice #JKPolice #Srinagar

Ukraine unleashes one of its heaviest drone bombardments of Russia

Kyiv, Jun 26: Russian air defences intercepted 660 Ukrainian drones in a major nighttime attack on 12 Russian regions as well as the Russia-held Crimean peninsula, the Black Sea and the Azov Sea, Russia's Defence Ministry said Friday. It appeared to be one of the biggest drone attacks on Russia and the illegally annexed Crimea since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago. The previous biggest Ukrainian attack over the past year was 556 drones on May 17. In an effort to turn the tables on Russia's grinding war of attrition, Ukrainian long-range drones have for months been battering targets, including oil production and energy facilities, behind the front line and deep inside Russia. The campaign has choked Russian fuel supplies and military deliveries, stalling Moscow's efforts on the battlefield, Western officials and analysts say, and heaped pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin. Initial damage reports from Russia after the overnight attack provided scant information. Russia's Defence Ministry usually doesn't say what was targeted in Ukraine's drone attacks, nor does it detail any damage. Ukraine's Security Service said it used drones to strike Russian navy ships and air defence radars in Kerch, an important port city in Crimea. The targets were two reconnaissance and mine-laying ships, the Volga and the Vyatka, and the cargo-passenger ferry Petropavlovsk, the agency said, claiming that the strikes started a large fire. The claim could not be independently verified. Successful drone attacks hearten Ukraine The major attack came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on X that he had ordered a 40-day influence operation, believed to mean an escalation of attacks, aimed at compelling (Russia) to end the war after US peace efforts over the past year yielded no breakthrough. The successful strikes, including hitting targets in Moscow and St Petersburg, have buoyed Ukraine. Zelenskyy said he got further promises of foreign support when he attended a recent summit of G7 leaders, including from US President Donald Trump, and that the promised aid will help Ukraine step up its effort to force Putin to the negotiating table. A NATO summit next month could be another key moment in beefing up Ukraine's military. A Russian chemical plant is reportedly hit In the Tula region just south of Moscow, a private house was damaged by the attack and a woman was wounded, Tula Gov Dmitry Milyaev said in an online statement, as reports of damage caused by the attack began to emerge. He also said a power line was damaged and an unspecified industrial facility in the city of Novomoskovsk. Russian independent online outlet Astra reported that a chemical plant and a hydroelectric plant in Novomoskovsk were attacked and caught fire. The Associated Press couldn't independently verify the report, and there was no official confirmation. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin also reported that 47 Ukrainian drones were downed as they flew toward the Russian capital. He did not report any casualties or damage. Ukraine says 2 civilians were killed in Russian attacks Two people were killed and seven others injured in Russian attacks on the northeastern Kharkiv region over the previous 24 hours, regional head Oleh Syniehubov said Friday. Russian forces struck the city of Kharkiv and 16 other settlements across the region using guided aerial bombs and drones of various types, Syniehubov said. Ukraine's defences overnight stopped 174 of 189 Russian drones, the Ukrainian air force said. However, four of seven Iskander-M ballistic missiles that were fired got through air defences and struck various locations, it said. Ukrainian officials reported damage to energy facilities, homes and other civilian infrastructure in the capital, Kyiv, the southern Odesa and Zaporizhzhia regions, and Sumy in the northeast. At least six people were wounded, according to authorities. No Russian military buildup seen on border with Belarus, Ukraine says Russia is expanding several of its military sites deep inside Belarus, but there is no buildup of forces near the Ukrainian border, a State Border Guard Service spokesman said Friday. Russia launched its 2022 invasion of Ukraine from Belarus, which borders both countries, and Kyiv has kept a close watch on developments there during the war. Ukrainian intelligence units have detected no grouping or reinforcement of Russian units, equipment or personnel close to the border, spokesman Andrii Demchenko said in remarks to Ukrainian television. However, Russia has a growing number of training grounds, bases and other sites deeper inside the country, according to intelligence units.

Karbala an eternal lesson in truth, justice and sacrifice: Mirwaiz Umar

Srinagar, June 26: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr. Molvi Mohammad Umar Farooq, while speaking at the Friday congregation at Jama Masjid Srinagar on Youm-e-Ashoora, said that the tragedy of Karbala is not merely a chapter of history, but an eternal lesson in truth, patience, justice and sacrifice. In a statement issued, Mirwaiz said Imam Hussain (RA) was not in search of war or confrontation. He stood for the principle that differences must be addressed through truth, adherence to the principles of Islam and sincerity through conversation. But when those before him chose the path of oppression and violence instead, history recorded their failure forever. Imam Hussain (RA) and his devoted companions, on the other hand, became everlasting symbols of courage, sacrifice and steadfastness upon truth. Karbala reminds us that power may appear strong for a time, but in the end it is truth, justice and moral courage that prevail. Mirwaiz said this lesson is not confined to one time or one place. It speaks to every age, every society and every conflict. When arrogance takes the place of reason, when force is preferred over understanding, and when communication is rejected in favour of confrontation, the result is always suffering and loss. But when truth, patience and discourse are upheld, even in the most difficult circumstances, they leave behind a legacy that history honours. Referring to recent global developments, Mirwaiz said the recent United States-Israel confrontation with Iran again reminds us that military force, however overwhelming, has its limits. Wars can alter circumstances and inflict immense suffering, but durable peace and lasting solutions ultimately require dialogue, negotiation and statesmanship. He said even after months of confrontation, enormous expenditure of resources and immense human suffering, adversaries eventually returned to the negotiating table. It is not a sign of weakness on either side; it reflects the reality that disputes cannot be resolved through force alone. Efforts by regional and international actors, including Pakistan and Qatar, to facilitate an environment conducive to dialogue are also worthy of appreciation. Mirwaiz said this lesson is especially relevant for South Asia, particularly India and Pakistan. Our region is home to nearly one-fourth of humanity. It possesses immense civilizational wealth, extraordinary human resources and enormous economic potential. Yet for decades, political tensions, mistrust and unresolved issues have prevented the peoples of this region from fully realizing these possibilities. Societies suffer not only economically, but also emotionally and psychologically. Referring to his own commitment to this principle, Mirwaiz said that following the tragic assassination of his father, Shaheed Mirwaiz Molvi Farooq, in 1990, he inherited not only the position and responsibility of the Mirwaiz, but also the obligation to uphold the principles for which he laid down his life. He said Shaheed Mirwaiz was a strong advocate of justice and dialogue over violence and confrontation. He consistently advocated engagement between India and Pakistan and believed that the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the region would be best served in an atmosphere of peace, mutual respect and meaningful dialogue. Mirwaiz said whether through the Awami Action Committee that he inherited from him, or later through the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, he has consistently, for more than 36 years, upheld this principle despite facing odds and pushback.

J&K LG Manoj Sinha visits Zadibal, joins mourners on Youm-e-Ashura

SSP Srinagar Sundeep Chakravarthy hails peaceful Ashura processions, police-public partnership

PM Modi's early outreach to neighbours raised hopes for regional cooperation: Mirwaiz

'Ulta chor kotwal ko daante: CM Omar hits back at PDP over backdoor appointments allegation

Srinagar, June 26: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday strongly rejected allegations of backdoor appointments against his government, describing the accusations as a case of ulta chor kotwal ko daante (the thief scolding the police chief). Accusing the former PDP-BJP coalition government of carrying out illegal recruitments themselves, the Chief Minister threw an open challenge to his critics to produce evidence supporting their allegations. Interacting with media after taking part in Ashura commemorations in Srinagar, Abdullah said those making the allegations had themselves presided over backdoor appointments. Let them make an allegation with evidence. Give me the name of a single candidate who got a backdoor appointment under our government, and we are ready to explain, he said. The CM said he was prepared to answer any allegation backed by proof. Omar dismissed the accusations as aseless and said his government would soon present its detailed response. There is a Hindi saying: 'Ulta chor kotwal ko daante' (the thief turns around and scolds the police chief). Those who made the largest number of illegal and backdoor appointments are now making these allegations, he said. Referring to the Mehbooba Mufti-led Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party, Abdullah alleged that the son of her maternal uncle, Sartaj Madani, had secured a backdoor appointment before being removed following court directions. Earlier this week, Mehbooba had alleged that 25000 backdoor appointments have been made by the incumbent National Conference government.

Apple hikes MacBook, iPad prices by 20-42 pc

New Delhi, Jun 26: Apple has increased the starting prices of MacBook and iPad models by 20-42 per cent compared to their launch prices across the globe, including India, mainly due to higher memory chip costs. The new price list on Apple India's website shows that the company has increased the price of the MacBook Pro built on the M5 series chip by about 20 per cent. The price of the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro chip has been increased to Rs 2,99,900 apiece from the launch price of Rs 2,49,900 a unit. There has been a sharp rise in the price of the iPad Air. The basic model in the 13-inch iPad Air has been increased by 41.22 per cent to Rs 1,19,900 apiece from Rs 84,900 a unit. Counterpoint Research Co-founder and VP for Research, Neil Shah, said Apple's price hikes for the MacBook Neo, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iPad Air, and iPad Pro Wi-Fi follow the biggest change in the cost structure of the consumer and enterprise PC and tablet market, being shaped by the rising semiconductor chip pricing from memory to processors. Apple, in a statement, said that the consumer electronics industry is facing an unprecedented challenge. The rapid expansion of AI data centres has created an extraordinary surge in demand for memory and storage. We have never seen a component price increase this much, this quickly. We have shielded our customers from these increases so far, but we have now reached a point where we need to begin raising prices on a number of products, including today's increases for iPad and Mac. We know this is not welcome news, and we are working tirelessly to find solutions, the statement said. Price increases for consumer electronics are already widespread across the industry, with many products rising by 40 per cent or more. Memory companies have been allocating an increasing share of their production to AI data centres, leaving the consumer electronics segment with constrained availability and rising costs. Memory suppliers are reporting margins at historic highs. Memory chip leader Micron reported 86 per cent gross margins, up from 15 per cent in just the past year. Apple, long regarded as the industry's benchmark for supply chain resilience, has begun passing higher component costs on to consumers. That is a strong signal that pricing pressures have reached a level that even the most sophisticated absorption strategies cannot fully offset, CyberMedia Research, VP - Industry Research Group, Prabhu Ram said. Shah said Apple held the price increase for at least two quarters, protecting its user base from any price inflation, but it has reached a point beyond which Apple could absorb the cost increase. The unprecedented AI infrastructure growth has changed the semiconductor supply chain, driving insatiable demand for DRAM, NAND and Compute chips, not matching up to the capacity to produce and supply to other markets as AI infrastructure is prioritised. We believe the situation is not going to be better at least for the next two years, he said. Shah said that the timing of the price increase is not ideal as Apple looks to push its revamped on-device Apple Intelligence later this year across devices demanding considerable memory and compute capabilities uplift. This could likely affect overall demand for Apple products in the coming months. However, this could also be a positive for Apple, especially for customers who are due for an update and want to buy a new Mac or iPad and can't delay the purchase, they will not compromise by paying extra for a lower configuration, instead buy a more premium version of Apple's portfolio. So, the market could shift towards the premium market as users look to get maximum value for the dollar spent, Shah said.

CM Omar Abdullah: We will continue striving to restore the historic Ashura procession

Ashura teaches us to stand against tyranny: NC's Tanvir Sadiq

Ashok Bhan calls for democratic empowerment, time-bound return of Kashmiri Pandits

Srinagar, June 26: Senior Advocate and Chairman of the Kashmir (Policy & Strategy) Group, Ashok Bhan, has called for full respect for the democratic mandate in Jammu and Kashmir, urging the elected government to fulfil its commitments to the people while advocating a time-bound roadmap for the safe and dignified return of displaced Kashmiri Pandits. In a statement, Bhan said the high voter turnout in the recent Assembly elections reflected the people's faith in democracy and a rejection of decades of violence and separatism that had brought suffering and destruction to the region. He said the elected government must now be empowered to honour the promises made to the electorate without political expediency or delay. Highlighting the return and rehabilitation of the exiled Kashmiri Pandit community as a key priority, Bhan urged the Union Territory administration and the Government of India to prepare and implement a time-bound plan. He proposed the establishment of secure, modern and smart composite townships at district headquarters across the Kashmir Valley, along with equal access to employment, education, healthcare and measures to preserve the community's cultural heritage. Referring to his recent visit across Kashmir and interactions with different sections of society, Bhan said he sensed a favourable atmosphere for the return of displaced Pandits. There is a growing societal acceptance, a vibrant democratic atmosphere and a robust security framework, all of which inspire confidence regarding the safety and future of returning families, he said, adding that the goodwill shown by ordinary Kashmiris reflected a sincere desire for reconciliation and peaceful coexistence. Bhan urged Kashmiri Pandit representatives and civil society to adopt a forward-looking approach and actively contribute to rebuilding trust and strengthening participatory democracy. He said Kashmir's social and political fabric remained incomplete without the meaningful participation of the indigenous Kashmiri Pandit community. He stressed that rehabilitation should extend beyond physical resettlement and include confidence-building measures, institutional safeguards, restoration of community properties, protection of cultural and religious heritage, and sustained engagement between communities. Calling for justice and healing, Bhan advocated the establishment of a time-bound and impartial Truth and Reconciliation Commission to examine human rights violations committed by both state and non-state actors since the 1980s. He said acknowledging the suffering of all communities, including the forced exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in 1989-90 and the losses endured by the people of Jammu and Kashmir during years of violence, would help restore trust and address alienation among the younger generation. Kashmir is civilisationally incomplete without the presence of its indigenous Kashmiri Pandit community, Bhan said, urging the Government of India, the elected government in Jammu and Kashmir and civil society to work together to facilitate their dignified return. He also highlighted the importance of dialogue initiatives such as the recent Heart to Heart Dil Se Dil Tak programme held in Srinagar, saying such efforts are essential for fostering reconciliation, mutual understanding and lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir.

J-K LG Sinha, CM Abdullah pay tributes to Imam Hussain on Ashura

Srinagar, June 26: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday paid tributes to Hazrat Imam Hussain on the occasion of Ashura, the tenth day of the Islamic month of Muharram. The supreme sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions at Karbala remain a timeless beacon for humanity, upholding truth, justice, and human dignity, the LG said. He asked the people to resolve to imbibe these universal ideals and work together to build a peaceful, progressive, and equitable society. Chief Minister Abdullah paid tributes to Imam Hussain and his followers, lauding them for their unparalleled sacrifice for truth, justice and righteousness. In his message on Ashura, the chief minister said the tragedy of Karbala remains an eternal symbol of courage, steadfastness and resistance against tyranny. The message of Karbala transcends time and geography. It inspires humanity to stand firm in the face of injustice, uphold moral values and safeguard the principles of truth and righteousness, irrespective of the challenges, the CM said. National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah paid glowing tributes to Hazrat Imam Hussain and his loyal companions saying that the unparalleled sacrifice of Karbala continues to illuminate the path of truth, justice, steadfastness and unwavering faith for all humanity. The supreme sacrifice rendered by Hazrat Imam Aali Maqam (AS), along with his family members and devoted companions, stands as an eternal symbol of resistance against tyranny, oppression, falsehood, and injustice, Farooq Abdullah said. He said that Imam Hussain does not belong to any particular sect or community alone, ather, his legacy is the collective inheritance of the entire Ummah and all mankind. The sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) conveys a timeless lesson that those who remain steadfast upon truth and principles attain immortality in the hearts of people, while oppressors, despite fleeting worldly victories, are destined for disgrace and condemnation in history. The tragedy of Karbala teaches us the values of patience, sacrifice, faithfulness and absolute submission to the will of Almighty Allah, the NC chief said. He prayed that the sacred occasion of Youm-e-Ashura becomes a source of peace, prosperity, communal harmony, and divine blessings for the people of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh, as well as the entire nation. Paying rich tributes to Imam Hussain and his companions, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti described their sacrifice as the highest embodiment of truth, justice and steadfast resistance against tyranny. The eternal sacrifice of Imam Hussain (A.S.) and his noble companions in the plains of Karbala is the zenith of human endeavour to stand by truth against oppression, justice confronting tyranny, and the refusal of a small caravan of righteousness to bow before the forces of Yazidiyat, she said. Mehbooba said Imam Hussain taught humanity that silence in the face of injustice amounts to a betrayal of conscience. She said the message of Karbala remains profoundly relevant. From Palestine to Myanmar, and wherever people continue to endure pain, persecution and the longing for justice, the spirit of Karbala reminds us that no darkness can extinguish the light of truth and that the blood of martyrs nurtures the cause of righteousness, she said. Mehbooba also urged the administration to facilitate peaceful and traditional Muharram processions without restrictions, respecting the religious sentiments of the people. Peoples Conference president and MLA Handwara, Sajad Gani Lone said the battle of Karbala stands as an eternal testament to the triumph of truth over oppression and justice over tyranny. He stated that the sacrifice of Imam Hussain was not bound by time, geography or community, but remains a universal symbol of moral courage and the unwavering pursuit of righteousness. Kashmir's chief preacher Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said the sacrifice remains an eternal lesson in truth, principles, and patience. On Youm-e-Ashoora, We remember Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and the martyrs of Karbala, whose sacrifice remains an eternal lesson in truth, principles, patience and steadfastness. Karbala reminds us that power fades, but faith, sacrifice and moral courage endure, he said in a post on X.

UCC to be implemented in Bengal by following all procedures: Suvendu

Kolkata, June 26: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday said his government would implement the Uniform Civil Code in the state by following due legal procedures, similar to the process adopted by Gujarat and Assam. Speaking on the sidelines of a government programme to celebrate the 189th birth anniversary of literary icon Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay at College Street in north Kolkata, Adhikari said the state would adhere to the prescribed process for implementing the UCC. There is a procedure for UCC implementation, and we will adhere to that. This will be similar to Gujarat and Assam, he said, referring to the two states that have initiated legislative and administrative steps towards adopting a Uniform Civil Code, governing issues such as marriage, divorce and inheritance. The BJP government in West Bengal is likely to introduce the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill in the assembly on Monday during its ongoing budget session, much ahead of the party-stated six-month deadline, a source in the Suvendu Adhikari-led cabinet said. The matter was discussed and finalised in a Business Advisory Committee meeting held in the assembly on Thursday evening, he added. The development could mark one of the most consequential legal and social policy shifts in Bengal in recent times, with the BJP holding the UCC as representing both a major governance promise and a politically significant reform. Ahead of the 2026 assembly elections, the BJP had pledged in its manifesto that the UCC would be implemented within six months of coming to power in the state. The promise was prominently highlighted by Union Home Minister Amit Shah while unveiling the party's election manifesto, or Sankalp Patra, in April. Several states, including Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Assam, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, have already implemented the UCC proposals. Bengal will now also implement it in line with other BJP-ruled states as we had promised ahead of the elections, a minister in the Adhikari cabinet said. During the programme, Adhikari paid floral tributes to Chattopadhyay, the composer of the national song 'Vande Mataram'. The chief minister announced that the state government would build a national-level 'Vande Mataram' museum as part of the celebrations marking 150 years of the song.

PM Modi remembers sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain on Muharram

New Delhi, June 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday remembered the sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain and said it continues to inspire many people to remain steadfast in the pursuit of truth and justice. The prime minister conveyed the message on the occasion of Muharram. The sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) continues to inspire many people to remain steadfast in the pursuit of truth and justice. It is also a reminder of the enduring power of courage and conviction, PM Modi said in a post on 'X'. Muharram is observed by Shia Muslims to commemorate the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala.

Javid Ahmed Kitab suspended as JKCA President

Srinagar, June 26: The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) has removed its President, Javid Ahmed Kitab, from performing his duties after the association's Apex Council approved the decision unanimously through a resolution passed by circulation, according to an official notification. As per the notification, the resolution was circulated among the eligible members of the Apex Council under Rule 23(i) of the JKCA Constitution for consideration and approval. Eight members, out of the nine, communicated their approval of the resolution, while one member did not communicate any decision. Consequently, the resolution was deemed passed by an 8-0 majority in accordance with Rule 23(i) read with Rule 48(6) of the JKCA Constitution. The notification stated that since the resolution pertained to the conduct and suspension of the President, it was not circulated to him. Instead, it was sent to the remaining nine members of the Apex Council. In terms of the said resolution, Sh. Javid Ahmed Kitab, President, Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association, has been suspended with immediate effect, the notification reads. It further stated that the resolution shall have the same force, validity and effect as if it had been passed during a duly convened meeting of the Apex Council and will be placed before the next meeting of the Council for ratification as required under the Constitution. The JKCA has directed all officers, employees, affiliated units and functionaries of the association to take all consequential steps for implementation of the resolution forthwith in accordance with the Constitution of the association.

Tight security arrangements in place for Youm-e-Ashura today

Srinagar, June 26: Marking the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions in the Battle of Karbala, Youm-e-Ashura is being observed across Kashmir today with deep religious reverence. Thousands of mourners are expected to join the main procession from Bota Kadal to Imam Bara Zadibal in Srinagar. The procession will bring together devotees from different parts of Kashmir at Zadibal, where they will pay tribute through mourning rituals, religious recitations, Majalis and prayers. An official said the administration has put in place elaborate arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the event. Healthcare facilities, drinking water, sanitation, traffic regulation and emergency response services have been arranged along the procession route. A multi-layer security grid has been established with deployment of police, CRPF and other security personnel, while drone surveillance and CCTV monitoring are being used to maintain round-the-clock vigilance, a senior police officer said. The officer said the observance is being monitored closely at the highest level to ensure that Youm-e-Ashura passes off peacefully and without any untoward incident. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha is also scheduled to visit Zadibal to witness the solemn occasion and take stock of the arrangements. In view of the expected large gathering, Srinagar Police has issued a comprehensive public advisory asking mourners and the general public to observe Muharram in a peaceful, dignified and disciplined manner. According to the advisory, participants have been asked to maintain communal harmony, follow all directions issued by the administration and police authorities, cooperate with traffic police and volunteers for smooth movement, ensure that the procession remains confined to the permitted route and purpose, respect the religious sentiments and beliefs of all communities, and protect public and government property while maintaining cleanliness. Police have also advised the public not to indulge in any unlawful activity or create any law and order situation, not to raise provocative slogans or make inflammatory speeches, not to obstruct traffic or pedestrian movement, and not to damage or misuse public property. The advisory further states that people should not display provocative banners, posters, placards or flags, should not disrespect the National Flag or glorify any country, organisation or group, and should not carry or display flags or symbols of any country, organisation or group. It also cautions against engaging in any activity detrimental to the integrity, sovereignty and unity of the nation. Srinagar Police appealed to all mourners and citizens to extend full cooperation, stating that public participation and responsible conduct would ensure a peaceful and dignified observance of Youm-e-Ashura.

35 nations, including India, sign statement on AI opportunity at Pax Silica Summit in US

Washington, June 26: Thirty-five nations, including India, have signed on to the US initiative to build trusted and resilient supply chains to power artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. At the second Pax Silica Summit held in Washington on Thursday, 35 nations signed the Joint Statement on AI Opportunity, aligning behind a pro-growth, pro-innovation regulatory approach for the AI era, said Jacob Helberg, US Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs. A commitment to trusted supply chains, to mobilising the private sector, and the infrastructure that will power the next century, he said. Argentina, Germany, the Netherlands, Chile, Costa Rica, Greece, Kazakhstan, Panama, and the European Union joined the Pax Silica initiative on the sidelines of the Summit. India is represented at the Summit by S Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Nagraj Naidu, Additional Secretary (Americas) in the Ministry of External Affairs, and representatives of the Indian industry. The Indian delegation engaged with other governments and industry on advancing collaboration in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and resilient technology supply chains. The future of AI will not be determined by who regulates first. It will be determined by who builds first and builds the most capacity. More energy. More compute. More chips. More talent. More builders. A future where we accelerate innovation and private investment is welcomed, Helberg said. Together, we aspire to build an AI future that serves our peoples, strengthens our economies, and empowers entrepreneurship, innovation, and the rule of law, he said. The senior US official said that the Pax Silica Initiative took off in December last year, with a handful of countries coming together. India joined the initiative in February on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi.

Those who target schools, children with impunity must be held into account: India tells UNSC

United Nations, June 26: India has called for bringing to account those who target schools and children with impunity, underscoring that protection of children without accountability is incomplete. Education is a right that should endure in times of conflict. It is a right whose fulfilment is among the most powerful contributions to lasting peace. India remains unwavering in its commitment to protecting children in armed conflict and to upholding their right to learn, to grow, and to realise their full potential, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni said. He was addressing the UN Security Council open debate on Strengthening the Prevention of and Protection of Education for Children Affected by Armed Conflict: From Normative Commitments to Effective Implementation here Wednesday. Parvathaneni stressed that protection without accountability is incomplete. Those who target schools and children with impunity must be held to account. The UN Secretary General's latest report on Children and armed conflict said that in 2025, violations against children in armed conflict reached shocking levels, with an unprecedented number of children affected. The United Nations verified 38,558 grave violations, which affected 24,174 children in 2025 (15,493 boys, 7,990 girls, 691 sex unknown), the highest number of children affected by grave violations since the beginning of the mandate. The number of children subjected to multiple grave violations continued to rise from 3,137 in 2024 to 3,176 in 2025. Parties to conflict failed to uphold or proactively undermined their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law and continued to commit grave violations with near-total impunity, resulting in excessive humanitarian consequences for civilians and civilian objects, disproportionately affecting children and the facilities and services they rely on, the report said, adding that government forces were responsible for a majority of grave violations and were the main perpetrators of the killing and maiming of children, attacks on schools and hospitals, and the denial of humanitarian access. India noted that the Secretary-General's 2025 Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict presents alarming statistics -- attacks on schools rose by a staggering 44 per cent in a single year. Parvathaneni said nearly 473 million children -- more than one in six globally -- live in or are fleeing conflict zones, and more than 85 million among them have no access to education whatsoever. These figures are a damning verdict on humanity's collective failure to translate commitments into reality on the ground, he said. Emphasising that protection of a child's education is protecting a nation's future, Parvathaneni said that governments bear the primary responsibility to uphold their obligations to protect and promote a child's rights. He noted that in India, the Right to Education is a fundamental right enshrined in the Constitution, guaranteeing free and compulsory education up to the age of 14 years. In order to ensure access to quality education to all, India launched DIKSHA (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing) -- the national digital platform for school education that has democratised access to quality learning through interactive content and AI-powered tools across multiple languages. Our domestic commitment to ensure access to affordable and quality education also shapes our engagement on this issue internationally, he said, adding that India leveraged digital technology as a vital enabler of access to education, especially in regions and during times with disrupted physical schooling such as during the Covid pandemic. Our experience has convinced us that access to digital learning can be the bridge that helps children access education during conflicts, he said. Further, he underscored that investment in education for those bearing the heaviest burden of war is an imperative. India has made sustained investments in facilitating education for refugees and displaced communities from across our neighbourhood, recognising that continuity of learning is among the most powerful tools for resilience and recovery. India has also invested in rebuilding education infrastructure, including the construction of schools and vocational training centres, in different countries including our neighbourhood, he said.

At least 164 dead, 971 injured after powerful quakes rock Venezuela

At least 164 people have died and 971 were injured after a pair of powerful quakes rocked Venezuela, Acting President Delcy Rodriguez said Thursday, adding that rescue teams are rushing to the hardest-hit areas to free people trapped under rubble. Wednesday evening's 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes were among the strongest to strike Venezuela in more than a century and could be felt throughout the region. The country's main airport was damaged and closed, while buildings were evacuated in places as far away as Brazil's Amazon, about 1,700 kilometres from Venezuela's capital, Caracas. Television broadcasts Thursday showed rescue workers using power tools to work their way into piles of rubble where buildings once stood. Panicked residents of the capital were sent pouring into the streets, and after the quakes many people walked among the debris searching for the missing among collapsed buildings and toppled electric poles. Footage on state TV showed three children, covered in dust but alive, pulled from the rubble in La Guaira state, which Rodriguez described as a disaster zone and one of the areas hardest hit by the quakes because of the large number of collapsed buildings. Rodriguez said authorities were shifting rescue teams from other parts of the country to La Guaira, which sits north of Caracas on the coast. She said officials were trying to make the most of the daylight hours to speed up efforts to rescue people believed to remain trapped under the rubble. Dozens of buildings have collapsed there ... and we are currently carrying out intensive rescue operations to save lives, Rodrguez said. Video shared online appeared to show dozens of people, some lying on the ground and others on hospital beds, being treated outside a hospital in La Guaira. While Venezuela sits near multiple fault lines, its position straddling the South American and Caribbean plates makes strong earthquakes much less common than in other parts of Latin America. Rodriguez appealed to businesses to make heavy construction equipment available for rescue operations, adding that search and rescue teams certified by the United Nations were on their way to Venezuela to assist. Residents fled their homes in panic During the quakes, people ran from swaying buildings in Caracas, many visibly shocked when they turned back to see destroyed walls that left furniture visible from the street. Columns of dust rose in two typically busy neighbourhoods in the capital. It started off gently and then gradually grew, and in the end, we all had to leave our houses, go outside and gather together, Caracas resident Hector Ricci said. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello urged people to remain outside as aftershocks could further damage structures, and many people stayed on the streets for hours, some sitting on the ground hugging pets as dust gathered around them. Others spent the night in parked cars, subway stations and other public places. Parts of the capital lost power and cellphone coverage, and the earthquakes damaged and closed Simon Bolvar International Airport, the country's main airport, Rodriguez said. In Caracas, subway services were suspended and natural gas shut off, she said. Classes will also be cancelled for several days, and the Ministry of Education said some school buildings would be used as shelters and donation centres. Roberto Gamas, another Caracas resident, said the building he was in shook from side to side. Unreal. The force was incredibly strong. The lack of cellphone signal in parts of Venezuela deepened the distress of many families, particularly those among the more than 7.7 million people who have left the country during its protracted crisis and who struggled to reach relatives inside the country. On Thursday, scores of people took to social media asking for help finding loved ones, posting pictures of missing relatives and their last known location. Venezuela opposition leader Mara Corina Machado, herself in exile, sent wishes on X for strength, serenity, and solidarity. Venezuela was hit twice by large quakes The US Geological Survey said the first earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.2, hit west of Moron on the Caribbean coast, about 170 kilometres west of Caracas. It had a depth of 22 kilometres. The USGS reported a 7.5 magnitude earthquake just a minute later, with a depth of 10 kilometres and an epicentre 16 kilometres southwest of Moron. Several governments offered assistance Rodriguez declared a state of emergency in an address to the nation late Wednesday. She said the government was creating a USD 200 million reconstruction fund for hospitals and homes damaged by the earthquakes, and had instructed the economy and finance ministers to oversee the effort. Offers of help poured in from countries around the world. US Secretary of State Rubio said in a post on X early Thursday that the United States is immediately deploying search and rescue teams, medical resources, and humanitarian assistance to Venezuela. Rodriguez -- who became acting president after an American military operation captured her predecessor, Nicolas Maduro, and brought him to the US to stand trial -- thanked US President Donald Trump. She said in an X post later that she spoke with Rubio by phone without sharing details. She also expressed thanks to the leaders of various nations who have sent messages of support and offers of help. Ecuador ordered the delivery of humanitarian aid, and Rodriguez said Qatar, Mexico and El Salvador had already sent rescue personnel. We send you all our solidarity and our prayers. Stay strong, Venezuela, El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, once diametrically opposed to Venezuela's government, wrote in a post on X. Earthquakes impact the region Buildings in Manaus, Belem and Macapa in Brazil's Amazon were evacuated, according to reports on TV Globo. The quakes also were felt in Colombia's Caribbean and northeast regions. The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued several tsunami alerts that were quickly lifted. While uncommon in Venezuela, earthquakes are frequent along the Pacific coast, including in Mexico and Chile, which both sit along the seismically active tectonic belt known as the Ring of Fire, an area that the USGS says is responsible for 90 per cent of earthquakes.

J&K Rugby Association to hold Junior Trials on June 29 in Srinagar

The Jammu & Kashmir Rugby Association is pleased to announce the selection trials for Junior Boys and Girls Rugby players, scheduled to be held on 29th June 2026 at Polo Ground, Srinagar. As per a statement, the trials are being organised to identify talented young players for upcoming junior national tournament to be held in Hyderabad from 6-12 July 2026. Eligible boys and girls within the prescribed junior age category are invited to participate and for further information, interested participants may contact the J&K Rugby Association.

Skiers Arif Khan, Stanzin Lundup to be first Indian recipients of IOCs USD 10k grant for Olympians

Skiers Arif Mohammad Khan and Stanzin Lundup will be the first Indian beneficiaries of the International Olympic Committees USD 10,000 grant for Olympians as they had represented the country at this years Milano-Cortina Winter Games, which would be the starting point for the programmes roll-out. The grant marks a major shift from over a century old IOC principle of not handing out financial benefits to athletes due to the concept of amateurism enshrined in the Olympic movement. It is a part of IOCs Fit for the Future strategic framework to find new and complementary ways to provide support to athletes, who qualify for the Games and steer clear of any doping offences. IOC President Kirsty Coventry has refused to call it prize money, insisting that it is a support mechanism. The payouts will begin by the end of this year after examining applications through a soon-to-be-launched mechanism. The 36-year-old Arif had produced Indias best-ever finish in mens slalom by ending 39th in Milano-Cortina. It was 10 notches higher than Indias previous best result in the event, set by Kishore Ratna Rai at the 1988 Games in Calgary. This grant is a recognition of what an athlete goes through while preparing for the Olympics. It will give them motivation and yes USD 10,000 (Rs 9.43 lakh) is a decent sum which an athlete can use to his benefit, the two-time South Asian Winter Games gold-medallist told PTI over a phone call. In fact, it is not even about the money, it is about the care. IOC is showing athletes that it cares for their journey, which is very heartening. This is a grant for the hard work of an Olympic cycle. They are recognising the effort that goes into making an Olympian. It is a huge moment for athletes, added the skier from Jammu and Kashmirs Gulmarg. The 28-year-old Lundups debut Winter Games experience was, however, not particularly memorable. He finished 104th in the mens 10km freestyle cross-country skiing event. This was after a higher-ranked Manjeet Kumar had dragged his selection by IOA to the Delhi High Court, which ruled that the process was indeed manifestly arbitrary and unfair. However, after the IOA expressed its inability to make any change to the team composition as the deadline to submit names was long over, the Sports Ministry, taking note of the technical issues involved, eventually approved Lundups participation. The Army man from Ladakh ended up being the countrys flag-bearer in the Games closing ceremony after Arif got the honour in the opening ceremony. Chair of the IOC Athletes Commission, basketball great Pau Gasol said an application process for athletes is being worked out. This grant will be available to every Olympian. Not just medal winners. Not just athletes from certain countries. Every Olympian. Because, while every athletes journey is different, every Olympian has made sacrifices to reach the Olympic stage, Gasol said while announcing the fund which has been capped at USD 140 million per Olympics. This is not prize money. This is about recognising the journey and the commitment it takes to become an Olympian, he had further stated echoing Coventry.

Satish Sharma thanks PM Modi, Union Sports Minister, CM Omar Abdullah

Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Information Technology, Youth Services & Sports, and Science & Technology, Satish Sharma, has expressed profound gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for approving Jammu and Kashmirs first National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in sports. He described the move as a landmark decision that will transform the sporting landscape of the region and open new avenues for the talented youth. In a statement issued here, the Minister, as per an official statement, said that the sanctioning of the first-ever NCOE for Jammu and Kashmir is a matter of immense pride for the people of the Union Territory and a major milestone in the journey towards building a strong and vibrant sports ecosystem in the region. He said the approval reflects the commitment of the governments of India and Jammu and Kashmir towards empowering the youth, strengthening sports infrastructure and ensuring that aspiring athletes from J&K receive world-class training and support facilities within their own region. Satish Sharma said that the proposed National Centre of Excellence will be equipped with modern, state-of-the-art infrastructure, including athletics tracks, football turf, hockey turfs, a shooting range, swimming pool and a dedicated sports science centre, which together will provide a comprehensive platform for nurturing sporting talent across disciplines. He said that the facility will serve as a high-performance training hub for the young athletes and will help bridge the gap between grassroots talent and elite sporting achievement. The Minister observed that Jammu and Kashmir has consistently produced talented sportspersons with exceptional promise in various disciplines despite limited access to top-level infrastructure and specialised coaching. He said establishment of the NCOE will be a game-changer for the youth of the region, enabling them to train under professional systems, benefit from scientific support and compete at national and international levels with greater confidence and preparedness. On behalf of the people of Jammu & Kashmir, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Ji and our Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Sahib for this visionary decision. The approval of J&Ks first National Centre of Excellence is not merely the creation of a sports facility; it is an investment in the aspirations, energy and future of our youth. It will lay the foundation for a new sporting era in Jammu & Kashmir and inspire thousands of young boys and girls to pursue excellence in sports, Satish Sharma said. The Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and with the active support of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing renewed focus on youth development, modern infrastructure and inclusive opportunities in every sector, including sports. Satish Sharma reiterated that the Youth Services & Sports Department will work in close coordination with all the concerned agencies to ensure that the benefits of this major initiative reach deserving athletes across Jammu and Kashmir. He expressed confidence that the facility will help produce the next generation of national champions, international medal winners and Olympic hopefuls from the region. The Minister said that the approval of the National Centre of Excellence stands as a historic and forward-looking step that will redefine the sporting future of Jammu and Kashmir.

KTA urges J&K Govt to take up mutton transit charges issue with Punjab authorities

The Kashmir Trade Alliance (KTA) has urged the Jammu and Kashmir Government to immediately take up with the Punjab Government the issue of transit charges being levied on livestock, saying the dispute has disrupted mutton supplies to Kashmir and created panic among consumers, particularly as the Valley enters the peak marriage season. In a statement, KTA President Aijaz Ahmad Shahdhar said the additional transit charges imposed by the Punjab authorities have placed an unjustified financial burden on mutton dealers, forcing many to suspend supplies. He said the issue has now begun to affect the general public, with concerns growing over the availability of mutton in local markets. Shahdhar said anxiety is mounting among people as hundreds of marriages are scheduled across Kashmir in the coming days, with mutton being an essential part of traditional wedding feasts. He warned that any prolonged disruption in supply could lead to shortages, price escalation and unnecessary panic among consumers. The government cannot afford to remain a silent spectator. We urge the Jammu and Kashmir Government to immediately engage with the Punjab authorities and resolve the issue in the larger public interest. The concerns of mutton dealers are genuine, and unless the matter is addressed without delay, both traders and consumers will continue to suffer, Shahdhar said. He said the issue extends beyond the interests of traders and has now become a matter of public concern. With the marriage season underway, an uninterrupted supply of mutton is essential to avoid inconvenience to thousands of families making preparations for wedding functions. The KTA appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the concerned departments to take up the matter at the highest level with the Punjab Government so that the additional transit charges are reviewed and normal movement of livestock into Jammu and Kashmir is restored at the earliest. Shahdhar expressed hope that the government would act swiftly to prevent any further disruption in supplies and ensure adequate availability of mutton in markets across the Valley.

SKUAST-K ranks 4th in IIRF University Rankings 2026

Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) has been awarded 4th rank nationally (Agriculture & Horticulture University category) in the International Institutional Ranking Framework (IIRF) University Rankings 2026, reinforcing its growing stature as one of Indias leading institutions in agricultural education and research. Ranked just behind three of the countrys most prestigious agricultural universities, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi; Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana; and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, SKUAST-Ks achievement reflects its remarkable rise as a leading centre of excellence in agricultural education, research, innovation, and rural transformation. The recognition places SKUAST-K among the countrys top agricultural universities and reflects its expanding academic, research, and innovation footprint. The ranking is based on IIRFs comprehensive evaluation of over 2,500 institutions nationwide, using key performance indicators such as academic reputation, student diversity, research outcomes, innovation, infrastructure, community engagement, and international outlook. SKUAST-K registered a strong performance across multiple ranking indicators, including academic excellence, research, innovation, inclusivity, community engagement, infrastructure, and global outreach. The university currently offers 14 undergraduate programs, the highest among state agricultural universities in the country, and has nearly 30 percent of its students from outside Jammu and Kashmir. In research and innovation, SKUAST-Ks IPR tally stands at 123 IPRs, including 117 in the last four years, holds an H-index of 115, and has over 200 extramural research projects in operation. The university has also strengthened its profile through large-scale community engagement and development initiatives, such as the Student Rural Exploration Program, which covers 400 villages, involves about 4,000 students, and is expanding its national and international collaborations with reputable institutions and industries. Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, said the achievement reflects the sustained efforts of the universitys faculty, scientists, students, and staff. He said SKUAST-K remains committed to strengthening research, promoting innovation, and supporting farming communities through education, community engagement, and technology transfer. Prof. Ganai said the university has repositioned its strategic focus from local to national in 2022 and from national to global in 2026, with the aim of emerging as a globally reputed institution in transdisciplinary sciences. The achievement further strengthens SKUAST-Ks position as a center of excellence in agricultural sciences, innovation, and rural transformation.

FDA seizes over 1,000 kg of suspected counterfeit Verka Ghee in J&K

The Jammu and Kashmir Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has seized over 1,000 kilograms of suspected counterfeit ghee being sold under the popular Verka brand during coordinated raids in Jammu and Srinagar. The action followed a specific complaint regarding the alleged sale and distribution of fake Verka ghee. Acting on the input, multiple teams of the department conducted inspections at several locations in the two cities. During the operation, officials seized 91 cartons of the suspected product55 from Jammu and 36 from Srinagar. The seized consignment weighed 1,092 kilograms and was valued at around Rs 6.61 lakh. The products bore the manufacturing date of May 11, 2026, and the expiry date of May 10, 2027. The FDA said enforcement samples have been collected from the seized stock and sent to laboratories for analysis. The laboratory analysis will determine whether the product is counterfeit, misbranded or sub-standard and establish the exact violation, if any, under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, an official handout said. Deputy Commissioner, Food Safety, Hilal Ahmed Mir said the raids were conducted following a specific tip-off. He said the investigation has also uncovered another suspicious consignment of around 100 cartons that was reportedly returned by a food business operator. We are on the case, and within a couple of days, we will be able to say with certainty whether only the packaging was counterfeit or whether the ghee itself is also fake, Mir said, adding that the source and authenticity of the returned stock are also being examined. Commissioner, Food and Drugs Administration, Khalid Jahangir, urged consumers to carefully examine the packaging and condition of edible products before purchasing them. He appealed to the public to report any suspicious or doubtful food products through the departments toll-free helpline, 104. Mir said the department has also identified key visual features to help consumers distinguish genuine Verka ghee packs from counterfeit ones. He said the FDA coordinated with the company to fine-tune the distinguishing features of authentic and fake packaging as part of its ongoing investigation and consumer awareness campaign.

Army commanding officer, soldiers booked for 'assaulting' cops at police station in Kishtwar

Jammu and Kashmir Police has booked several Army personnel, including a commanding officer, for allegedly storming a police station in Kishtwar district, assaulting police personnel and damaging government property, officials said on Thursday. The Army said the matter is under examination through the appropriate institutional mechanisms and assured that appropriate action will be taken based on the joint investigation. According to the officials, the incident occurred after a police party intercepted and seized a private vehicle owned by an Army official for alleged traffic violations. The FIR registered at Atholi police station stated that the incident occurred on Wednesday when the Station House Officer (SHO), Inspector Amrit Kotach, was away for a meeting at the office of the Paddar block development officer, chaired by the deputy commissioner. In his complaint, Kotach stated that he received a call informing him about the criminal conspiracy and the violent assault that took place within the premises of the police station under the direct instructions of Commanding Officer, 17 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), N Arun Gandhi. Around 30 to 40 personnel from 17 RR, Camp Kijayee, led by Major Vikash Sharma and Naib Subedar Shankar Gurkhe, launched a pre-planned attack after scaling the main gate and boundary wall of the police station. They were armed with lathis, iron rods and other weapons, the SHO said. Their common intention was to cause fatal injuries and kill the police personnel on duty, he said, adding that he rushed back to the station and was allegedly physically assaulted by Major Sharma. According to the FIR, the Army personnel allegedly tore Kotach's uniform and also assaulted Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Vijay Kumar Bhagat, who had also reached the spot. The accused Army personnel, acting with a common criminal intention, also brutally assaulted the deployed policemen, the SHO said, adding that Special Police Officer Suresh Kumar was struck on the neck with the butt of a service rifle, resulting in serious injuries to him. He said several other police personnel on duty also sustained injuries during this unprovoked assault. The FIR also stated that the Army personnel assaulted the assistant regional transport officer (ARTO) of Kishtwar and his personal security officers inside the police station. The attackers also caused extensive damage to government and public property, vandalising the official vehicle of the ARTO, vehicles of the SDPO and the SHO, and breaking down the main gate of the police station, the FIR said. It said the acts of the accused persons disclose commission of cognisable offences punishable under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including unlawful assembly, rioting, house-trespass/criminal trespass, voluntarily causing hurt and grievous hurt, assault on public servants while discharging official duties, attempt to murder, criminal intimidation, mischief causing damage to government property and other allied offences, and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. The FIR names Colonel Gandhi, Major Sharma, Naib Subedar Gurkhe, Sepoys Raj Kumar, Rahul Kumar, Anoop Singh and Omkar Ingale, and unidentified Army personnel of the 17 RR camp as accused. When contacted, Jammu-based Army PRO Lt Col Suneel Bartwal said the matter is being probed. The matter pertains to an FIR registered by the local police in Atholi, Kishtwar. The matter is under examination through the appropriate institutional mechanisms. The Indian Army will extend full cooperation in the legal process. Appropriate actions will be taken based on the outcome of the joint investigation. At this stage, it would be premature to comment further while the investigations are in progress, he said.

Waqf Chairperson participates in Baba Kanju Shah Annual Urs in Jammu

Chairperson of Jammu & Kashmir Waqf Board, Dr Syed Darakhshan Andrabi participated in the Annual Urs of Peer Baba Syed Kanju Shah Sahib (RA) at Kunjwani in Jammu. As per a press release, the Board had put in all arrangements for the people. Thousands of devotees today took part in the Urs celebrations. Waqf Chairperson accompanied by Administrator Aabid Hussain and others participated in the collective supplication held at the shrine. Dr Andrabi prayed for the peace and prosperity of all. Later Waqf Chairperson distributed Langer among the devotees and herself shared langer with others. Speaking to mediapersons after her participation, Dr Darakhshan said that spirituality builds bridges and creates harmony and cordiality. The spiritual centres are the places of purity and lasting peace, said the Waqf Chairperson. She said that we have to build bridges between communities and faiths so that we are able to build a peaceful environment in the country.

Amarnath Yatra run up: CASOs conducted across Jammu

With security arrangements put on high alert in view of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026, Jammu Police conducted Cordon and Search Operations (CASO) in various sensitive and identified hotspot locations across Jammu district especially in border areas as well as railway station Bajalta. In this massive operation conducted in border sub division RS Pura of Jammu, personnel from district police along with personnel of 165 Battalion BSF, and CISF 262 Battalion covered several locations in the Chakroi area, including residences of persons with previous criminal antecedents, different houses in village Joura Farm, an abandoned structure in the village, and the nearby ditch and nallah area. Meanwhile, Jammu Police, in coordination with 222 Battalion CRPF, conducted a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in the areas of Katal Batal ,Tahra and Railway Station Bajalta falling under the jurisdiction of Police Station Nagrota. The operation was carried out along the National Highway, the designated Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra route, and along Railway Station Bajalta with the objective of ensuring a secure environment for pilgrims and the general public. During the operation, the joint teams conducted thorough searches and area domination exercises in and around vulnerable locations. Special attention was paid to strategically important points along the Yatra route and adjoining areas to strengthen the security grid and maintain heightened vigilance. The exercise aimed at preventing any anti-national or anti-social activity, enhancing operational preparedness, and instilling a sense of security and confidence among the local populace. The security personnel also interacted with local residents and sensitized them regarding the importance of vigilance and cooperation in maintaining peace and security during the forthcoming pilgrimage season. Similar search operations were also carried out in the Baspur Bangla area of sub division. During the operation, all identified locations were thoroughly searched in the presence of family members and occupants while strictly adhering to legal procedures. Another similar operation was carried out in areas falling near Line of Control (LoC) in Khour police station jurisdiction of Akhnoor sub division. The operation was carried out under the supervision of senior officers and with objective to strengthen the security grid, maintain vigil over sensitive areas, deter anti-social and anti-national elements, and ensure a safe and secure environment for the general public. During the operation, police teams conducted thorough searches and intensified patrolling in identified areas. Special attention was paid to vulnerable locations and strategic points to ensure effective surveillance and area domination.Jammu Police remains committed to maintaining law and order, ensuring public safety, and undertaking proactive measures to strengthen security and foster a sense of confidence among the local population, police said in an official statement.

World Drug Day 2026: Awareness growing, but the fight must continue

As the world observes the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (World Drug Day) 2026, this years theme, World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses, highlights the urgent need for sustained and coordinated efforts to tackle one of the most serious public health and social challenges of our times. The observance coincides with the ongoing 100-Day Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan, which has generated significant awareness across communities. Encouragingly, there is a visible change in public attitudes. More individuals and families are now approaching healthcare facilities, counsellors, and rehabilitation centres for help. People are increasingly recognizing that addiction is a health condition that requires timely intervention rather than silence and denial. However, despite these positive developments, the magnitude of the problem remains enormous. According to the World Drug Report, nearly 31.6 crore people worldwide use drugs, making substance abuse a global crisis with profound consequences for health, education, employment, family life, and social stability. In Jammu and Kashmir, several persistent issues continue to hinder progress. Stigma, social taboo, fear of discrimination, delayed help-seeking, and limited awareness regarding treatment and rehabilitation services often prevent individuals from accessing care at an early stage. Many families continue to suffer in silence, allowing addiction to deepen before professional help is sought. At the same time, new challenges are emerging. Besides traditional substances, there is growing misuse of prescription medicines, synthetic drugs, and other psychoactive substances. Rising stress, mental health concerns, unemployment, and social pressures further increase vulnerability, particularly among young people. The need of the hour is to look beyond immediate actions and adopt innovative responses. Prevention programmes in schools and colleges, family-centred interventions, mental health support, accessible treatment and rehabilitation services, community participation, and sustained public awareness campaigns must form the cornerstone of our response. The fight against drugs is not a one-day event but a continuous societal responsibility. Together, through compassion, awareness, and collective action, we can build a healthier and drug-free future.

Kathuas Sahar Khad bridge, Ravi bridge damaged in 2025 floods restored: Nitin Gadkari

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) Nitin Gadkari on Thursday announced the restoration of two crucial bridges in Kathua district i.e., Lakhanpur bridge over Ravi river and Sahar (Sehar) Khad bridge near Kali Bari. Both the crucial bridges on National Highway 44, linking Punjab with Jammu and Kashmir, were damaged in devastating floods of August, 2025. Gadkari, through a post on microblogging site X, asserted that the restoration of the two bridges, given their critical significance, was completed within stipulated time. Besides, seamless connectivity, movement of passengers and freight, the restoration of the important corridor would provide substantial relief to devotees undertaking the annual Amarnath Yatra, he said. Following his announcement, the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha thanked the Union Minister for reinstating the crucial link ahead of Amarnath Yatra. Sharing the restoration of both the bridges with screenshots, Gadkari on X posted, In Jammu and Kashmir, we have successfully completed the restoration of the flood-damaged bridges over the Ravi river and Sehar Khad near Kalibari on NH-44, reinstating a vital transportation link between Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir. He said that both bridges had sustained extensive damage during last years flash floods, significantly disrupting connectivity along this strategically important corridor. Recognising their critical importance, we undertook restoration works on priority and completed them within the stipulated timeline. The reopening of these bridges will ensure seamless connectivity, facilitate the smooth movement of passengers and freight, and provide substantial relief to devotees undertaking the annual Amarnath Yatra, while strengthening regional mobility and economic activity, Gadkari posted, with a tagline Pragati Ka Highway #GatiShakti. Responding to him, the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, while describing it as a great news ahead of Shri Amarnathji Yatra, expressed gratitude to the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari for the restoration of two vital bridges on National Highway-44. Great news ahead of the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra. The two vital bridges over the Ravi river and Sehar Khad near Kalibari on NH-44, which were damaged in last year's flash floods, have been successfully restored. Deeply thankful to Hon'ble Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari Ji for reinstating this crucial link. This will immensely benefit Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrims and ensure smooth movement of passengers and freight, the Lieutenant Governor said.