Opinion

Court rejects bail plea of Jammu-based editor accused of impersonating PMO officer, cheating people

New Delhi, Jul 13: A Delhi court on Monday rejected the bail plea of the founder-editor of a Jammu-based news outlet, arrested by the ED in May for allegedly impersonating an influential PMO official and cheating people of over Rs 4 crore on the pretext of getting their work done. The court said Vijay Gupta failed to satisfy the twin conditions mandated under section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) while dismissing his plea. These two conditions state that the court must be satisfied that there are reasonable grounds that the accused is not guilty of the offence and that they are not likely to commit any offence while on bail. Gupta, founder and editor of Young Bites, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on May 20 in a money laundering case based on a Delhi Police FIR. According to the ED and the Delhi Police, Gupta posed as an official working in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) to cheat people, including a friend from his school days and a sanitary shop owner whose Rs 14,900 payment was pending. The FIR said Gupta undertook 26 foreign trips between 2016 and 2026, many of them coinciding with the prime minister's overseas visits, to create an image that he was a high-ranking government official having influence. He also allegedly circulated pictures of himself with senior government officials to reinforce the false image, it said. ...this court is of the considered view that the accused used false credentials, foreign visits, photographs with public officials to impersonate himself as a senior officer of PMO to get illegal monetary advantage from victims. Accused has failed to satisfy the twin conditions of Section 45 of the Act (PMLA) and no ground is made out to release the accused on regular bail, Additional Sessions Judge Dhirendra Rana of the Patiala House Court said in his order. The judge said in his 18-page order that there was a strong possibility that the accused might tamper with the evidence, threaten the witnesses and commit a further offence of a similar nature if released on regular bail. Therefore, the application moved on behalf of the accused/applicant Vijay Gupta stands dismissed, the order said. Opposing his plea, the ED told the court that Gupta deposited cash of Rs 4.06 crore in his bank accounts between 2016 and 2026, and this amount was the proceeds of crime under the anti-money laundering law. The order said Gupta ever mentioned these cash funds in his Income Tax Returns (ITRs). Rejecting Gupta's plea that he should be granted bail because he was suffering from a serious heart ailment, the court noted he was stable in jail, although on medications. The court also disagreed with the defence lawyer's argument that pre-trial incarceration for his client was a punishment and a violation of Article 21 of the Constitution. The order said the jail period was not a significant factor as Gupta was arrested on May 20 and a complaint (chargesheet) is yet to be filed by the department (ED).

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Trump says US will blockade Iran in Strait of Hormuz and will charge ships for safe passage

Dubai, Jul 13: US President Donald Trump said Monday that the United States is reinstating a blockade on Iran in the Strait of Hormuz and will charge ships for safe passage, after another heavy exchange of fire threatened negotiations aimed at ending the war. He said on social media that Iranian ships will no longer be able to travel through the strait and America would charge a 20 per cent toll on eligible cargo, as the conflict with Iran has intensified after peace talks failed to deliver meaningful progress. We are reinstating the THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE, so named because it is only stopping Iran's ships or customers from entering or leaving, Trump said online. All other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait. The president said the toll would help cover any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the World. A fifth of the world's oil and gas passed through the strait before Iran asserted control over it after the start of the war. The latest exchange of fire was sparked by an Iranian attack on a container ship on Sunday in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has asserted control over the critical waterway for international oil and gas since the United States and Israel started the war on Feb. 28. Iran says it has the right to manage traffic through the strait and potentially charge fees in accordance with an interim peace deal reached last month. The US and others dispute that, citing international law on freedom of navigation, and the American military has tried to establish an alternative route outside of Iranian control. Iran and the US are nearly halfway through the 60-day period in which they were supposed to negotiate a permanent end to the war and an agreement on Iran's disputed nuclear program. Instead, a series of attacks over the strait have raised fears of a return to all-out war and further disruption to the global economy. Oil prices jumped nearly 5 per cent on Monday before falling back. US benchmark crude, which had risen to nearly USD 120 a barrel at the height of the war, was trading at around USD 72.92. Markets were mixed. The US says it has struck dozens of targets in Iran The US military said it struck dozens of sites in the strikes on Monday, including air defence systems, radar sites, missile and drone equipment, and small boats. It said Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz. The European Union's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, called for the strait to be open, as it was before the war. Freedom of navigation has to be respected, she said. Mohammed Mokhber, an adviser to Iran's supreme leader, wrote that Tehran would fight for the strait. We defend it so that in the future, for the passage of our ships, we are not forced to pay tribute to the enemy! he wrote on X. Retreating from this vital matter has no place in the mind of any friend of Iran. Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, a key power centre in the country's theocracy that controls its ballistic missile arsenal, said the Strait of Hormuz is our territory, and we will not allow a rogue and child-killing army from the other side of the world to continue its illegal interference in it. US-allied Arab states report another wave of attacks Missile alert sirens sounded three times Monday in Bahrain, home to the US Navy's 5th Fleet, and Kuwait said it was intercepting hostile fire. There was no immediate word on damage in either country. In Jordan, the kingdom's military said it shot down four Iranian missiles in an incident that resulted in zero casualties or material damage. Jordan also hosts US military forces and aircraft. In Iran, authorities reported attacks in Hormozgan, Khuzestan and Markazi provinces and said at least two people were killed, according to state-run IRNA news agency. Semiofficial Iranian media also reported strikes in the eastern Sistan and Baluchestan province, which is on the coast of the Gulf of Oman. The attacks continued hours after the US ended its strikes again raising the possibility of Gulf Arab states retaliating against Iran. There were unclaimed attacks on Iran on Thursday. A base belonging to the armed wing of an Iranian Kurdish opposition group based in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region came under drone attack on Monday, according to Rebaz Sharifi, a local commander. There were no immediate details on casualties or damage. No group immediately claimed responsibility. Iran supports a number of powerful militias in Iraq. Fighting focuses on the status of the Strait Early on Sunday, the US military said it hit some 140 targets, including missile and drone launch sites, ammunition dumps and communication equipment a far-heavier set of attacks than in two previous rounds of strikes in the last week. Iran retaliated by attacking nations in the region hosting US military forces. Sunday's attacks stretched to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and even Oman, which shares the strait with Iran. Oman, which has long been an interlocutor between Tehran and the West, summoned an Iranian diplomat to criticise the attack. Iran's chokehold on the strait has loosened as the US military supports vessels moving along a southern route hugging the coastline of Oman. That new route has angered Iran, which has launched repeated attacks on ships using it. Traffic through the Oman route dropped over the weekend to minimal levels, indicating that operators continue to prioritise perceived security over more direct transit options, the ship-tracking website MarineTraffic.com said. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei blamed Washington for the chaos gripping the region. Considering the memorandum of understanding's fourteen clauses, the Americans have, in this brief period, in one way or another, slaughtered its various components, Baghaei told journalists Monday. Baghaei also said Iran wouldn't agree to visits by the International Atomic Energy Agency to nuclear sites the US bombed in 2025, where Tehran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium is believed to be entombed. Trump suggested last week that the interim deal in the war was over. But mediators, including Pakistan, Qatar and Egypt, have continued efforts to reach a final agreement to end the war. A regional official involved in mediation, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive talks, said efforts to shore up the ceasefire continued Sunday. Pakistan said its foreign minister spoke by phone with Iran's top diplomat and urged de-escalation on both sides.

Police attach property of absconding drug peddler under NDPS Act in Sopore

Srinagar, July 13: In a major action against the narcotics ecosystem under the ongoing 100-Day Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan, police in Sopore have attached two immovable properties worth over 1.23 crore belonging to an absconding and notorious drug peddler under the provisions of Section 68F of the NDPS Act, 1985. As per the statement, the attached properties comprise a double-storey residential house with boundary wall, and Land measuring 1 Kanal 10 Marlas under Survey No. 365 Min, having a combined value of over 1.23 crore. The attached properties belong to Mohammad Ashraf Mir @ Ashu son of Late Farooq Ahmad Mir resident of Jamia Qadeem, Sopore, presently residing at Krankshivan Colony, Nageen Bagh-B, Sopore. The attachment has been made in connection with FIR No. 23/2026 of Police Station Sopore, after a detailed financial investigation revealed that the properties had been acquired through proceeds generated from illicit narcotics trafficking. The attachment proceedings were executed in the presence of independent witnesses in accordance with the provisions of the NDPS Act. The accused is absconding in the said NDPS case. A Hue and Cry Notice/Look Out Notice has already been issued against him. He is also involved in multiple NDPS cases, indicating his continued involvement in drug trafficking activities. With this action, Police has further intensified its crackdown on the financial infrastructure sustaining the narcotics trade. By attaching illegally acquired assets, the objective is to deprive drug traffickers of the proceeds of crime and dismantle the economic foundations of the narcotics network. Police reiterate its zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking and substance abuse. Stringent legal as well as financial action shall continue against all those involved in the narcotics trade, police statement reads.

'You cannot erase these martyrs from our collective memory': Aga Ruhullah on July 13 restrictions

No justification for stopping people from visiting martyrs' graveyard: Mian Altaf

Mehbooba pays tributes to those killed in 1931 protest against Hari Singh, slams BJP

Srinagar, Jul 13: PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Monday accused the BJP of turning the issue of the 'martyrs' of 1931 into a communal matter, saying those killed by the Dogra Maharaja's soldiers sacrificed their lives fighting the autocratic rule. The former chief minister paid tributes to the 22 protestors, who died on this day in 1931, at the PDP headquarters here. The authorities had placed restrictions around the martyr's graveyard in Naqshband Sahib area of the city to prevent people, including politicians, from paying their tributes. Speaking to reporters at the party office, Mehbooba said 22 Kashmiris sacrificed their lives outside Srinagar Central Jail against the autocratic rule. They raised their voice against the autocratic rule of that time, its oppression and tyranny, and awakened our nation, she said. Drawing parallels with Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, and Ashfaqullah Khan, Mehbooba said while the people of Kashmir acknowledge and respect their sacrifices, the BJP has turned the issue of the martyrs of 1931 into a communal issue. As far as the sacrifice of Kashmiris is concerned, the BJP has made it a Hindu-Muslim issue, it has made it a Dogra-Kashmiri issue, it has made it a Jammu-Kashmir issue. Our elders raised their voice against the autocratic rule at that time and became martyrs and sacrificed themselves, she said. Asserting that the BJP cannot put restrictions on the minds of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the PDP president said hese martyrs awakened our nation, and laid the foundation for the people's rule that we see today. So, even if the BJP tries harder, it won't be able to control our minds. They are our heroes. Just like Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Ashfaqullah Khan, and Gandhi ji are. Just as (Nathuram) Godse is the hero of BJP, these people who were martyred in 1931 for the sake of the people's rule, they are our martyrs and will remain so. No matter how many restrictions they impose, no matter how many barbed wires they put up, she added. Terming the restrictions as an excess done by the BJP, Mehbooba claimed she was placed under house arrest on Sunday while Naqshband Sahib area was completely sealed and checkpoints were put up on Monday. I think this is an excess by the BJP, they should not do this. If they cannot respect our martyrs, then at least they should not stop us from paying tribute to them, she said. Mehbooba's daughter, Iltija Mufti also accused the BJP of trying to distort and erase J-K's history. The police is not even allowing us to take few steps outside (the party office). They want to erase and distort our history. This Martyr's day is not illegal, it is not seditious. These are the people who sacrificed their lives, it is because of them that democracy came to Jammu and Kashmir. They raised their voice against the injustice done by Dogra rulers, it is because of them that the seeds of democracy were sown, Iltija said. She said the party leaders were imprisoned, but they did not want to break any law. I want to tell the LG and the administration here that you cannot erase or rewrite our history. The people of Kashmir will themselves decide who their heroes or villains are. The Martyr's are heroes for us, and we will always salute them and their spirit, she said.

Wanted fraudster with 11 cases arrested by EOW Kashmir, sent to Central Jail Srinagar

Srinagar, Jul 13: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Kashmir, of the Crime Branch, J&K, has arrested a wanted fraudster involved in multiple cheating and forgery cases across the Valley and lodged him in Central Jail Srinagar after securing judicial custody. The accused, identified as Abdul Majeed Mir, son of Abdul Rahim Mir and a resident of Lashtiyal, Kalaroos in Kupwara district, was arrested in connection with FIR No. 17/2015 registered under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) at Police Station Crime Branch Kashmir. According to the EOW, the arrest was made in execution of a long-pending warrant issued by the Court of the Principal District and Sessions Judge, Srinagar. The case had already been charge-sheeted before the competent court following completion of the investigation. Officials said Abdul Majeed Mir is a habitual offender with 11 criminal cases registered against him across Kashmir involving cheating, forgery and fake employment documents. Of these, four cases are under investigation, while seven have already been charge-sheeted before the court. Acting on credible inputs, the EOW apprehended the accused and produced him before the court, which remanded him to judicial custody. He has subsequently been lodged in Central Jail Srinagar. The cases registered against the accused include FIR No. 17/2015 and 15/2018 at Crime Branch Kashmir, FIR No. 02/2020 at Police Station Maisuma, FIR No. 24/2022 and 114/2025 at Police Station Kupwara, FIR Nos. 10/2025, 12/2026, 13/2026 and 18/2026 at EOW Kashmir, besides FIR No. 42/2025 at Police Station Pantha Chowk and FIR No. 46/2025 at Police Station Lal Bazar. The Economic Offences Wing urged the public to remain vigilant against fraudsters involved in cheating, forgery and job scams. It advised citizens not to fall prey to false promises of government jobs, fake appointment letters or forged documents and urged anyone with information about such activities to report them to the nearest police station or the Crime Branch for prompt legal action.

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DGP Nalin Prabhat reviews security arrangements in downtown Srinagar

Srinagar, July 13: Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat on Monday visited downtown Srinagar to review the security situation and supervise deployments on the ground. The DGP was accompanied by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir V.K. Birdi and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Central Kashmir SSP Srinagar.Senior police officers assessed the prevailing situation and monitored security arrangements at key locations in the old city. DGP Prabhat was seen inspecting the deployment of security personnel near the Naqshband Sahib shrine in downtown Srinagar. He interacted with officers on the ground and reviewed the operational preparedness to ensure effective security management. The visit comes as theauthorities had placed restrictions around the martyr's graveyard in Naqshband Sahib area of the city to prevent people, including politicians, from paying their tributes to 1931 martyrs. Locals observe July 13 to commemorate protestors who fell to the bullets of Maharaja Hari Singh's soldiers in 1931. July 13 used to be a public holiday in Jammu and Kashmir before the reorganisation of the erstwhile state into two Union territories in August 2019. A state function would be held every year to honour the 'martyrs'. However, the administration dropped the day from the list of gazetted holidays in 2020.

Mirwaiz pays tributes to July 13 martyrs, condemns house arrest, restrictions

'This was a fight for democracy, not religion': Omar Abdullah defends July 13 martyrs

Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday condemned the authorities' decision to prevent National Conference leaders from visiting the Martyrs' Graveyard on July 13, saying the restrictions dishonoured those who fought British rule, princely rule and for democracy. He also dismissed the BJP's legal notice over his recent allegations as a love letter, accused the party of hiding behind courts, and said the restrictions undermined official claims of normalcy in the Union Territory.

July 13 martyrs fought for democracy, not religion: Omar Abdullah

Srinagar, Jul 13: Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday asserted that the July 13 martyrs had fought for democracy and against British and princely rule, condemning the authorities' decision to prevent National Conference leaders from visiting the Martyrs' Graveyard and saying the restrictions could not erase their legacy. Describing the restrictions as deeply unfortunate, Abdullah said those who laid down their lives on July 13 had sacrificed themselves in the struggle against oppression and for democratic rights. Those who sacrificed their lives on July 13 fought against British rule, princely rule and for democracy. Today we are not being allowed to pay tribute to their sacrifice. Abdullah said those who ordered the closure of the Martyrs' Graveyard had ignored the historical context of Jammu and Kashmir. If those who took the decision to close the Martyrs' Graveyard had spent even two minutes reading the history of Jammu and Kashmir, they would have understood that by doing so they have ignored the sacrifices of all those who laid down their lives fighting against the British before Independence. He said Jammu and Kashmir had been a princely state under British paramountcy, adding that the Maharaja had accepted British authority. Pointing to the former British Resident's buildings in Srinagar and Jammu and the existence of Residency Road in both cities, Abdullah said these were reminders of the British presence in the erstwhile state. The Chief Minister rejected attempts to portray the July 13 movement through a religious lens. This fight is being measured only in terms of religion. The sacrifices of these martyrs are being ignored only because they were Muslims and the Maharaja was not. But this was not a religious struggle. It was a struggle of principles. It was a struggle for democracy. Above all, it was a struggle for freedom against the British. Abdullah said political dispensations may change, but the memory of the martyrs would endure. Those who have not allowed us to visit the Martyrs' Graveyard today are here only for a few days. They are here today; tomorrow they will not be. But these martyrs' graves were here, they are here, and they will remain here. Today or tomorrow, we will go there again, lay flowers and offer prayers for the martyrs. Responding to a question on whether the restrictions had embarrassed the National Conference, Abdullah said the curbs instead undermined official claims that normalcy had returned to Jammu and Kashmir. We were not discredited by this. This discredits the people who take this decision. It actually calls into question all the claims that are being made about normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir. Referring to security arrangements for the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, he said the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway itself reflected the prevailing security situation. I don't remember a time when, to conduct the Amarnath Yatra, we had to close the National Highway. But this year the National Highway is closed so that yatris can travel safely. What does that tell you about the security situation? He said only a small number of people had intended to visit the Martyrs' Graveyard. We don't go there in lakhs, perhaps not even in thousands. I would say not more than 150 people would have gone there had we been allowed. If they feel threatened even by 150 people visiting the graveyard, that discredits them, not us. Calls BJP notice a 'love letter' Responding to questions on the BJP's legal notice over his recent allegations of attempts to poach MLAs, Abdullah clarified that he had not received any court summons. I have received a letter from a lawyer, not a physical copy. I have received an electronic copy of the letter. In a sarcastic remark, he added: I consider this a great honour because I am the only politician in Jammu and Kashmir who has been bestowed with a love letter like this from the BJP. He accused the BJP of preferring litigation over political debate. I made the point on a political stage expecting that the BJP would respond politically. They have chosen not to.They take political fights and hide behind the courts. Abdullah said the National Conference would now begin issuing legal notices to BJP leaders whom he accused of making defamatory allegations against the party and its leadership.

Legal notice a mark of respect, BJP hiding behind courts: CM Omar

Srinagar, July 13: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday termed the legal notice served on him by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) a mark of respect, alleging that the party was hiding behind courts instead of responding politically. He also announced that the National Conference (NC) would initiate legal proceedings against BJP leaders over what he described as defamatory and baseless allegations against the party and its leadership. Speaking to reporters at the National Conference headquarters, Nawa-i-Subh, Omar said the legal notice reflected that he remained a political force they cannot ignore. I have received an electronic copy of the legal notice. I consider it a great honour because I am probably the only politician in Jammu and Kashmir who has received such a love letter from the BJP. I consider it a mark of respect because it tells me that I am a political force they cannot ignore, he said. The Chief Minister said he had intentionally made his remarks on a political platform expecting a political response from the BJP, but alleged that the party had instead chosen to pursue the matter through the courts. I could have made the same statement inside the Assembly under privilege, where it could not have been challenged outside. But I didnt. I made the point on a political stage expecting the BJP to respond politically. They have chosen not to. They take political fights and hide behind the courts. They would rather settle political scores in court, Omar said. He said the National Conference would now adopt the same legal course against BJP leaders who, he alleged, had repeatedly levelled unfounded allegations against the party. For the last few months, senior BJP leaders have levelled baseless and slanderous allegations against the National Conference and its leadership. We have been fighting them politically. From now on, we will begin the process of sending legal notices to one particular BJP leader and a few others. Let us see where this process goes, he said. Referring to the proposed National Conference protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, Omar said the party was awaiting permission from the Delhi Police. We have been informed that permission usually takes five days. We are following it up and expect to hear from Delhi Police by tomorrow or Wednesday morning, he said. Commenting on the restrictions imposed on July 13, the Chief Minister said preventing him and other NC leaders from paying tributes at the Martyrs Graveyard exposed the gap between official claims of normalcy and the prevailing ground situation. It is a very sad thing that those people who, on July 13, sacrificed their precious lives against British rule, against personal rule and for democracy are being remembered in this manner. We were not discredited by not being allowed to visit the Martyrs Graveyard. Those who took this decision have discredited themselves. On one hand, we are told everything is normal in Jammu and Kashmir, but on the ground nothing appears normal, he said. Questioning the security situation, Omar referred to the arrangements made for the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, saying he did not recall the National Highway being closed for the pilgrimage in previous years. I dont remember a time when the National Highway had to be closed for the Amarnath Yatra. This year it has been closed so that yatris can travel safely. What does that tell you about the security situation? It shows how uncertain they are about the calm that prevails, he said. He added that the administration had prevented even a small group of NC leaders from visiting the Martyrs Graveyard. We were not talking about lakhs of people or even thousands. We would not have gone there with more than 100 or 150 people. If they feel threatened even by such a small gathering, that discredits them, not us, Omar said. (KNO)

Mehbooba Mufti accuses BJP of politicising 1931 martyrs, condemns restrictions

Anantnag Police arrest fraudster in gold coin scam

Anantnag, July 13: Anantnag Police have arrested a person for his alleged involvement in gold coin scam, officials said on Monday. The officials said that the accused, identified as Sajad Ahmad Beigh, son of Lassa Beigh, resident of Draway, Larnoo, has been arrested in connection with FIR No. 27/2026 of Police Station Larnoo registered under Sections 318(4), 351(2) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The case was registered following a complaint by a Srinagar resident who alleged that the accused, along with his associates, fraudulently induced him to part with 12 lakh on the false promise of supplying gold coins at discounted rates. As part of the conspiracy, the complainant was allegedly intercepted at a naka during the planned transaction, where the purported gold coins were taken away, leaving him cheated, a police spokesperson said in a statement. During investigation, the spokesperson said, Anantnag Police collected substantial oral and technical evidence establishing the involvement of the accused and his associates. The anticipatory bail granted to the accused was successfully challenged and cancelled by the Hon'ble Court, following which he was arrested. Further investigation is underway to apprehend the remaining absconding accused and uncover the entire criminal conspiracy, the statement said. Anantnag Police advised the public to remain vigilant and avoid falling prey to fraudulent schemes or false representations while entering into financial transactions.

Jordan says it shot down four missiles launched by Iran

Iran earlier had claimed an attack targeting Jordan, which hosts U.S. military forces

BJP issues Rs 100 crore defamation notice to Omar Abdullah over 'MLA poaching' charges

The BJP has sent a legal notice to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. He alleged the BJP attempted to bribe National Conference legislators with cash. The party called these claims false, baseless, and defamatory. They demand a written retraction and public apology within seven days. Failure to comply will result in civil and criminal proceedings.

Prove 'poaching' charge or face Rs 100 cr defamation suit: BJP to Omar Abdullah

Srinagar, Jul 13: The BJP on Monday threatened to initiate a defamation suit against Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah if he does not apologise or fails to provide evidence substantiating his allegations of poaching against the opposition party in the union territory. The BJP Jammu and Kashmir has sent a legal notice to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah through post/mail, demanding that he either provide concrete evidence to substantiate his allegations of 'poaching' against the BJP or issue a public apology within seven days, a party spokesperson said in a statement here. If Abdullah fails to provide evidence or does not apologise, the BJP will initiate a defamation suit of Rs 100 crore against him over his remarks alleging that the BJP was offering Rs 20-30 crore to MLAs, the spokesperson warned. The chief minister, while addressing National Conference (NC) workers at Hazratbal last week, alleged that the BJP is trying to bring down his government by engineering a split in his party. He also claimed that an NC MLA from Jammu told him that he was offered Rs 20-30 crore and a ministerial berth to switch sides to the saffron camp.

Oil prices jump, Asian shares slip as US, Iran carry out airstrikes

Bangkok, Jul 13: Oil prices jumped and Asian shares were mostly lower Monday after the US carried out airstrikes and Iran retaliated. The price of Brent crude, the international standard, gained 3.9 per cent to USD 78.96 per barrel, while US benchmark crude oil added 4 per cent to USD 74.26 per barrel. Prices for both types of crude oil recently had slipped back to the levels they were at before the war with Iran began, after the two sides set an interim agreement on ending the conflict and ships resumed transporting oil through the Strait of Hormuz. However, the United States launched several waves of strikes on Iran into Monday morning over an Iranian attack on a container ship in the strait that set it ablaze and left a crew member missing over the weekend. Iran retaliated by targeting countries across the Middle East. US stock futures fell, with the contract for the S&P 500 down 0.4 per cent and that for the Dow 0.3 per cent lower. The Nasdaq composite future lost 1 per cent. In Asian trading, Tokyo's Nikkei 225 index lost 1.1 per cent to 67,786.86, while in Seoul, the Kospi declined 5.6 per cent, to 7,060.69. Shares in South Korean memory chipmaker SK Hynix, which soared 13 per cent in their debut Friday on Wall Street, slumped 10.6 per cent in Seoul. Its bigger rival Samsung Electronics sank 6.7 per cent. Elsewhere in Asia, Hong Kong's Hang Seng edged 0.1 per cent higher, to 24,202.41, and the Shanghai Composite index shed 1.2 per cent to 3,947.34. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 declined 0.3 per cent to 8,777.00. US stocks ticked higher Friday after investors showed sustained appetite for winners of the artificial-intelligence boom. The S&P 500 rose 0.4 per cent and the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.3 per cent. The Nasdaq composite climbed 0.3 per cent. SK Hynix's shares jumped immediately after trading began in the midday hours after it raised roughly USD 26.5 billion by selling American depositary shares at a price of USD 149 each. SK Hynix's stock in Seoul had already surged more than 600 per cent over the last year thanks to euphoria around AI. The boom has created real profits due to surging demand for computer memory. But it has also raised worries that AI stock prices have shot have too high and that all the world's spending on chips and data centres won't be able to produce enough productivity and profit growth to make it worth it. That's led to sharp recent swings for AI stocks, which have grown into some of Wall Street's most influential because of their huge sizes. Nvidia was the strongest single force lifting the S&P 500 Friday after rising 4 per cent. Beyond the uncertainty about AI, the focus on Wall Street is shifting to the upcoming reporting season for companies' profits during the spring. Companies across industries will need to produce big growth in profits to justify the big moves for their stock prices, which are broadly near records. Next week will feature earnings reports from many of the biggest US banks, including Bank of America, Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo on Tuesday alone. Worries about how continued fighting with Iran will affect the global flow of crude are clouding the outlook both for energy costs and overall inflation. High bond yields have been weighing on financial markets worldwide since more expensive oil and high inflation could push the Federal Reserve and other central banks to raise interest rates. Higher rates can keep a lid on inflation, but they also slow the economy and hurt prices for all kinds of investments.

US, Iran vie for Strait of Hormuz, waterway key to global energy supplies, in latest attacks

Dubai, Jul 13: The United States and Iran each asserted Monday they controlled the Strait of Hormuz after a weekend of attacks stretching across the wider Middle East, further threatening any diplomacy to end the war. The attacks, sparked by Iran striking a container ship Sunday in the strait off the coast of Oman, again underlined that the waterway that once saw a fifth of the world's traded crude oil and natural gas pass through it remained the key issue in negotiations. The narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf has seen shipping disrupted since the start of the war as Iran maintained a chokehold on it by attacking commercial vessels around it, intimidating shippers. Iran and the US are nearly at the midway point of the 60-day period of an interim deal that was supposed to set up talks for a permanent end to the war. Instead, it has devolved into a series of attacks over the strait and its future, worrying world leaders the Iran war fully could resume. A return to full-scale hostilities would have catastrophic consequences, United Nations Secretary-General Antnio Guterres said in a statement. The US military's Central Command described its forces as hitting dozens of sites in the strikes Monday, including air defence systems, radar sites, missile and drone equipment and small boats. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime corridor for global trade, Central Command said. Iran does not control it. Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, a key power centre in the country's theocracy that controls its ballistic missile arsenal, sharply rejected America's statement. The Strait of Hormuz is our territory, and we will not allow a rogue and child-killing army from the other side of the world to continue its illegal interference in it, the Guard said. Missile alert sirens sounded twice Monday in Bahrain, home to the US Navy's 5th Fleet, and Kuwait said it was intercepting hostile fire. There was no immediate word on damage in either country. Iranian state media acknowledged the latest attacks on its soil early Monday, describing explosions in several locations with at least one person being killed. Iranian attacks on Sunday stretched Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and even Oman whose territorial waters with Iran make up the strait. Oman, which long has been an interlocutor between Tehran and the West, summoned an Iranian diplomat to criticise the attack. Meanwhile Monday, a base belonging to the armed wing of the Kurdistan Freedom Party, an Iranian Kurdish opposition group based in Iraq's semiautonomous northern Kurdistan region, came under drone attack. Rebaz Sharifi, commander of the Kurdistan Militia Corps, said the strikes targeted the group's Chamshar base, without giving details on casualties or damage. No group immediately claimed responsibility. Fighting focuses on status of strait The US military earlier Sunday said it hit some 140 targets, including missile and drone launch sites, ammunition dumps, communication equipment and other sites - a far-heavier set of attacks than in two previous rounds of strikes in the last week. We bombed the hell out of them last night, US President Donald Trump told NBC's Meet the Press. Iran retaliated by attacking nations in the region hosting US military forces, while insisting it alone must control the strait and potentially charge vessels for travelling through it. Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard acknowledged in a statement early Monday it had begun a new round of strikes across the Middle East. The era of one-sided deals is OVER, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of Iran's Parliament and a main negotiator, wrote. We told you: keep your word or pay the price. Reality is knocking. Iran described the strait as being closed, while the US military and Trump asserted that the strait remained open. Iran, since the war began back on Feb 28 with the killing of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has used attacks on vessels in the region to intimidate shippers into not traveling through the waterway. Iran's chokehold on the strait, however, has loosened as the US military provided support to vessels moving along a southern route hugging the coastline of Oman. That new route has angered Iran, which launched repeated attacks on ships using it. Iran's grip on the strait led to a global energy crisis, though oil prices have sharply dropped since wartime highs of USD 120 a barrel. Attacks followed more diplomatic talks about strait Trump suggested last week that the interim deal in the war was over. But mediators, including Pakistan, Qatar and Egypt, have continued efforts to reach a final agreement to end the war. A regional official involved in mediation, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss talks, said efforts to shore up the ceasefire continued Sunday. Pakistan said its foreign minister spoke by phone with Iran's top diplomat and urged de-escalation on both sides. Iran's new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, unseen since the war began, on Saturday vowed in his first statement since the funeral of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, that Iranians would avenge his killing.

Bus collision at Chanderkote Langar Point leaves 18 Amarnath pilgrims with minor injuries

Banihal, Jul 13: Eighteen pilgrims sustained minor injuries after two buses carrying Shri Amarnath Yatra pilgrims collided at the Chanderkote Langar Point in Ramban district on Monday morning, officials said. The accident occurred at around 7:21 a.m. when bus JK01Y/1044 reportedly suffered a brake failure and rammed into another bus, JK01Y/1052. A vehicle parked ahead, bearing registration number JK21K/8115, also sustained damage in the impact. Officials said all the injured pilgrims sustained only minor injuries, while the driver of bus JK01Y/1044 suffered comparatively more serious injuries. However, no one was critically hurt in the accident. All the injured, including the driver, were shifted to the District Hospital Ramban for treatment. Medical Superintendent, District Hospital Ramban, Dr Sudarshan Singh Katoch, said that 18 injured persons were brought to the hospital and were discharged after being administered first aid, as none had sustained serious injuries. Police have taken cognizance of the incident and initiated further investigation.

Heavy security cover around Naqshband Sahib graveyard in Srinagar, access curtailed

Srinagar, Jul 13: The lieutenant governor's administration Monday imposed restrictions in several parts of Srinagar to prevent people from assembling at the martyrs' graveyard in Naqshband Sahib area of the city. While the area within a one-kilometre radius of the graveyard was sealed off on Sunday, barricades were set up in the old city and some parts of the civil lines area as a precautionary measure, officials said. They further informed that police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in strength to meet any eventuality and maintain law and order. Locals observe July 13 to commemorate protestors who fell to the bullets of Maharaja Hari Singh's soldiers in 1931. A siege of concertina wires, plastic barricades, GI sheets and poles has been laid near Nowhatta to prevent the leaders' march to the graveyard today. Education Minister Sakina Ittoo posted on social media a video of herself trying to reach the graveyard at 4.30 am to pay tributes to the fallen men, but claimed she was stopped by security forces. I tried to visit the Mazar-e-Shuhada at 4.30 am today to pay my humble tributes to our martyrs of 13th July. However, due to the heavy deployment of security forces and extensive barbed-wire barricading around the graves, I was prevented from entering. I was accompanied by the Provincial President of the JKNC Women's Wing @sabiya_qadri Ji, the minister said in a post on X. Sources in the establishment said the restrictions have been imposed in the city to prevent a repeat of last year's drama, when Chief Minister Omar Abdullah scaled a fence to offer tributes after police locked the gates. The police in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir report to the lieutenant governor. Last year, ahead of the day, Omar Abdullah and many other leaders were put under house arrest. Despite restrictions, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah took an autorickshaw from the Khanyar crossing to the memorial, while Education Minister Sakina Itoo surprised everyone by riding pillion on a scooter to join the veteran politician. The chief minister climbed over the main gate of the graveyard to offer 'fateha'. His security men and several other party leaders followed him, eventually forcing the police to open the gate. On July 13, 1931, 22 people were gunned down by the Dogra army outside Srinagar's central jail. In 2020, the LG-led administration dropped the day from the list of gazetted holidays.

12th batch of Amarnath Yatra: Over 7,700 pilgrims leave Jammu for Kashmir under tight security

Banihal, Jul 13: The twelfth batch of pilgrims undertaking the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026 left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu during the early hours of Monday under multi-layer security arrangements. According to the Joint Police Control Room, Base Camp Bhagwati Nagar, a total of 7,754 pilgrims departed for the twin base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam in a convoy of 303 vehicles. The Baltal-bound convoy, carrying 2,896 pilgrims in 133 vehicles, departed at 2:44 a.m., while the Pahalgam-bound convoy, comprising 4,858 pilgrims in 170 vehicles, left at 3:28 a.m. The batch includes 5,383 male pilgrims, 2,071 female pilgrims, 16 children, 222 sadhus, 58 sadhvis, and four transgender pilgrims. To facilitate the movement of pilgrims, authorities deployed 164 buses, 41 medium motor vehicles (MMVs), 91 light motor vehicles (LMVs), and seven two-wheelers in the convoy. The pilgrimage convoy is travelling under elaborate security arrangements with escorts provided by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Jammu and Kashmir Police along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. With the departure of the twelfth batch, the total number of pilgrims who have left Bhagwati Nagar for the Kashmir Valley since the commencement of the Yatra has reached 87,701, officials said.

US launches more strikes on Iran as standoff over Strait of Hormuz escalates

Dubai, Jul 13: The United States launched several waves of strikes on Iran on Sunday over an Iranian attack on a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz that set it ablaze and left a crew member missing earlier in the weekend. Iran responded with attacks on Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Oman the nation on the other side of the strait that Tehran has pressed to collaborate in managing shipping traffic. The US military said it was seeking o degrade Iran's ability to attack commercial ships freely transiting the critical strait. The statement came after a third round of strikes late Sunday night and into Monday in Iran. Iranian state media acknowledged the latest round early Monday but reported no casualties or damage to civilian infrastructure in the areas near the strait. It wasn't immediately clear if any military targets have been hit. The first wave of strikes, on Sunday morning, was in response to an Iranian strike on a container ship in the critical waterway the day before. In response, Iran hit Gulf Arab states in an escalating cycle of violence that left the negotiations between Tehran and Washington to end the war at the edge of collapse. The US struck again later Sunday. The governor of Qeshm Island near the strait told Iran's state-run IRNA news agency that projectiles were fired at military targets, with no casualties. Explosions were also heard in the coastal city of Bandar Abbas and Hajiabad city to the north. A US official said a few strikes targeted missile and air defence systems and paramilitary Revolutionary Guard boats. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to publicly discuss military operations. Iran and the US are nearly at the midway point of the 60-day period of their interim deal aimed at reaching a permanent end to the war. The strait, a key route for the global supply of oil and natural gas and long considered an international waterway, has become a sticking point in negotiations that seem in danger of collapse. A return to full-scale hostilities would have catastrophic consequences, United Nations Secretary-General Antnio Guterres said, according to a statement. Iran says the strait is closed but the US disagrees --------------------------------------------------- The US military earlier Sunday said it hit some 140 targets, including missile and drone launch sites, ammunition dumps, communication equipment and other sites. The attacks were heavier than in recent days. The US has launched three rounds of airstrikes targeting Iran in the past week over attacks on ships heading through the strait using a route off Oman, seeking to avoid the Islamic Republic's territorial waters. We bombed the hell out of them last night, President Donald Trump told NBC's Meet the Press. Semiofficial Iranian news agencies reported that a navy officer was killed. Iran retaliated by attacking nations in the region hosting US military forces, while insisting it alone must control the strait and potentially charge vessels for travelling through it. The era of one-sided deals is OVER, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the speaker of Iran's parliament and a main negotiator, wrote. We told you: keep your word or pay the price. Reality is knocking. Iran said the strait was closed until calm is restored, and Tehran would consider targeting additional enemy bases in the region if it faced more attacks. The US military and Trump asserted that the strait remained open. The US military said over 140 ships had transited over the past week. A multinational body overseen by the US Navy said traffic continued at reduced levels off both Oman and Iran, and that nearly 140 vessels transited daily before the war. About a fifth of all traded oil and natural gas passed through the strait before the war. Iran's grip on it led to a global energy crisis, though oil prices have sharply dropped since wartime highs of USD 120 a barrel. Oman summons Iranian envoy to protest attack ------------------------------------------------- Missile alerts sounded across several Gulf Arab countries. Qatar's military said it intercepted incoming Iranian fire, with explosions heard in the neighbouring United Arab Emirates. Three people, including a child, were wounded by shrapnel from the interception of attacks, Qatar's Interior Ministry said. Missile alerts sounded in Bahrain, home to the US Navy's 5th Fleet. Kuwait's Defence Ministry said three land border posts in the north and an offshore drilling platform of the Kuwait Oil Company were damaged, with one worker wounded. Three Iranian missiles struck areas across Jordan, causing minor damage but no injuries, Jordan's state news agency reported. And the Omani state news agency said drones struck sites in an area on the waterway, a day after Oman and Iran held talks on the strait and agreed to continue discussions. The strait sits in Iran and Oman's territorial waters. Oman summoned the Iranian ambassador to protest the strikes, the first such move since the war began, calling Iran's acts irresponsible. Iranian strike on ship harms Indian crew ----------------------------------------- The Cyprus-flagged container ship hit by Iran suffered significant engine room damage, the U.S. military said. Oman's maritime authority said it rescued 23 crew members, but one was missing. India's foreign ministry called him an Indian national. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre, overseen by the British military, said the ship had been moving along Oman's shoreline. Iran's Revolutionary Guard said multiple vessels disregarded our warnings and ignored instructions to follow what it called an approved route. One was struck by a warning shot and brought to a stop. Iranian state media later reported US strikes across the country, including southern Iran in the province closest to the strait and military sites in a province near Tehran. Attacks followed more diplomatic talks about the strait --------------------------------------------------------- Trump suggested last week that the interim deal in the war was over. But mediators, including Pakistan, Qatar and Egypt, have continued efforts to reach an agreement. A regional official involved in mediation, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss talks, said efforts to shore up the ceasefire continued Sunday. Pakistan said its foreign minister spoke by phone with Iran's top diplomat and urged de-escalation on both sides. Iran's new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, unseen since the war began, on Saturday vowed in his first statement since the funeral of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, that Iranians would avenge his killing in the war's opening strikes on February 28. (AP)

Gandhinagar creates Guinness record by planting 3.61 lakh saplings in one hour: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday congratulated the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, over 25,000 volunteers and the people of the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency for setting a Guinness World Record by planting more than 3.61 lakh saplings in just one hour using the Miyawaki method. Amit Shah said the achievement reflected the growing public participation in environmental conservation under Prime Minister Narendra Modis Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign. He described the record as an outstanding example of public participation, meticulous planning and societys commitment to environmental conservation and praised the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, government departments, voluntary organisations and volunteers for their contribution. The Home Minister said more than 1.26 crore saplings were planted across the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency under the public plantation campaign, including over 11.59 million at 404 public sites and more than 11 lakh on private premises. Amit Shah said the constituency was translating Prime Minister Modis vision of Progress with Nature and sustainable development into reality through oxygen parks, large-scale plantation drives, restoration of ponds and other environmental initiatives. He urged citizens to not only plant trees under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign but also take responsibility for nurturing them to ensure a cleaner and greener future.

Amit Shah launches 50 lakh tree plantation drive in Ahmedabad, inaugurates development projects

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporations (AMC) Mission 5 Million Trees mass plantation campaign and inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for several development projects in Ahmedabad. Addressing the gathering, Amit Shah said more than one crore trees had been planted across the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency in a single day, including 50 lakh in Ahmedabad, describing the initiative as a peoples movement for environmental conservation. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modis Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign had rapidly gained nationwide support and reflected the vision of People, Planet with Progress. Shah said the plantation drive aims to improve air quality, conserve water and create a greener, more liveable environment. The Home Minister said the Central Armed Police Forces have planted over seven crore trees across the country during the past seven years. He also announced the inauguration of 61 new Oxygen Parks in the Gandhinagar constituency, taking the total to 73, while the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation opened 101 Oxygen Parks in the city. Shah said the civic body has introduced a special vehicle service to deliver saplings to residents homes to encourage public participation. He expressed confidence that the plantation campaign would help reduce Ahmedabads temperature by at least five per cent in the coming years. He said the green cover in Sanand, Gandhinagar, Kalol and Ahmedabad had increased by 11.23 per cent and set a target of raising it to 20 per cent by 2029. Shah also urged citizens to install solar rooftop systems, noting that Gandhinagar has the highest number of rooftop solar installations among all Lok Sabha constituencies. During the event, Amit Shah inaugurated 22 development projects and laid the foundation stones for seven others. He said the induction of 325 new AMTS and BRTS buses would help reduce carbon emissions and make Ahmedabads public bus fleet pollution-free. The Home Minister said development projects worth 28,492 crore have been completed in the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency so far and appealed to residents to plant trees in every housing society and adopt solar energy to help build a sustainable future.

Qatars former Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani dies at 74; PM Modi condoles demise

Qatars former Amir and father of Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who transformed the Gulf nation into a major global diplomatic and economic power, died on Sunday at the age of 74, according to the countrys Amiri Diwan. Announcing his death, the Amiri Diwan said, With hearts steadfast in faith in Gods decree and destiny, the Amiri Diwan mourns the great loss to the nation of the late may God have mercy on him His Highness the father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who passed away this morning, Al Jazeera reported. Sheikh Hamad ruled Qatar from 1995 until 2013 and is widely regarded as the architect of the countrys modern transformation. During his reign, Qatar witnessed rapid economic, social and cultural development driven by its vast natural gas wealth, significantly enhancing its international standing. His tenure also saw the launch of Al Jazeera in 1996, the adoption of Qatars first permanent constitution in 2004, and the introduction of municipal elections in which women were allowed to vote and contest. Under his leadership, Qatar expanded its diplomatic influence across the Middle East, North Africa and Asia, emerging as a key regional mediator and global player. In 2013, Sheikh Hamad made the rare decision among Gulf monarchs to voluntarily abdicate in favour of his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who was then 33 years old. Sheikh Hamad remained a respected national figure after stepping down and received widespread public acclaim during the opening ceremony of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, hosted by Qatar. His death marks the end of an era in Qatars modern history, with tributes expected from leaders across the region and beyond, Al Jazeera reported. PM Modi condoles demise Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed profound grief over the death of father of Qatars Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, describing him as a visionary leader who transformed the Gulf nation and a true friend of India. In a message posted on X, PM Modi said, We deeply mourn the passing of father Amir of State of Qatar, HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. A visionary leader who led Qatar to great levels of development and prosperity, we remember him also as a true friend whom I had the honour of meeting during my last visit to Qatar in February 2024. The Prime Minister conveyed his condolences to Qatars Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the royal family and the people of Qatar. I convey my sincere condolences to the Amir of Qatar, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the entire royal family and people of Qatar. May the departed soul rest in eternal peace, PM Modi said. Sheikh Hamad, who served as the Amir of Qatar from 1995 to 2013 before handing over power to his son, was widely credited with steering the countrys rapid economic development and enhancing its global profile. India declares one-day national mourning The Government of India has declared a one-day national mourning on July 13 following the death of father of Qatars Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the National Flag will be flown at half-mast across India on all buildings where it is regularly flown, and there will be no official entertainment on the day of mourning. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of the former Qatari ruler, describing him as a visionary leader who led Qatar to great levels of development and prosperity and a true friend of India. The government also announced that Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju is expected to visit Qatar shortly to convey condolences on behalf of the Government of India.

Kashmirs scenic Yousmarg cries out for better infrastructure

Despite its breathtaking landscapes and growing appeal among tourists, Yousmarg in central Kashmirs Budgam district continues to struggle with inadequate infrastructure, with visitors and tourism stakeholders raising concerns over poor mobile connectivity, inadequate road infrastructure and the absence of healthcare facilities. Nestled amidst sprawling green meadows, dense pine forests and snow-capped mountains, Yousmarg is widely regarded as one of Kashmirs most scenic tourist destinations. However, locals say the picturesque meadow remains disconnected from essential modern infrastructure, affecting both tourism and the lives of local residents. For visitors travelling from Srinagar to the tranquil meadow, the transition is not only from a bustling city to a peaceful landscape but also from seamless connectivity to almost complete communication blackout. In an age where tourists depend heavily on mobile internet for navigation, digital payments, online bookings and staying connected with family members, Yousmarg continues to remain outside the coverage of most private telecom operators. Tourism stakeholders said the destination is presently served by only a single Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) mobile tower, while private telecom services remain largely unavailable, resulting in poor voice connectivity and unreliable internet services. The issue has assumed greater significance after Yousmarg reopened to visitors earlier this year. The destination was among the 48 tourist spots that had been temporarily closed following the Pahalgam terror attack as part of precautionary security measures. Hoteliers, pony handlers, tourist guides, transport operators and shopkeepers said they had expected a revival in tourist arrivals after reopening, but poor infrastructure continues to discourage many visitors. Tourists today rely heavily on mobile connectivity for navigation, online transactions and staying in touch with family. Many choose not to visit when they learn the network is unreliable, said Arshid Ahmad, a shopkeeper at Yousmarg. He said the lack of dependable mobile services directly impacts local businesses, as most tourists now prefer digital payment modes instead of carrying cash. Visitors often face problems while making online payments or confirming hotel bookings. Many business transactions are delayed because mobile networks simply do not function properly here, he added. Tour operators said weak telecom connectivity also creates difficulties during emergencies, as tourists are unable to contact family members or seek assistance whenever required. Apart from mobile connectivity, stakeholders said poor road infrastructure remains another major concern. They said while thousands of tourists visit Yousmarg every year, road connectivity has not improved in proportion to the destinations growing popularity. According to locals, better road infrastructure would not only improve accessibility but also encourage more tourists to include Yousmarg in their travel itineraries. The absence of healthcare facilities has emerged as another pressing issue for both residents and visitors. Stakeholders said there is no functional health facility available at the tourist destination, and any medical emergency requires patients to be shifted several kilometres away to the nearest healthcare institution. There is no health centre here. Whenever a tourist, resident or even a nomadic family member falls ill, they have to be transported several kilometres for medical treatment. In emergencies, every minute is crucial, a local tourism stakeholder said. Residents said the lack of medical facilities poses a serious risk during the peak tourist season when thousands of visitors arrive daily. The stakeholders also highlighted the hardships faced by the local population and Gujjar and Bakarwal communities who spend considerable time in the area during the summer months. They urged the Jammu and Kashmir Government to address the longstanding infrastructural deficiencies on priority, saying Yousmarg possesses immense tourism potential but lacks the basic facilities expected at a major tourist destination. Appealing to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the Tourism portfolio, and the local MLA from Budgam, stakeholders sought immediate intervention for the installation of additional mobile towers by private telecom operators, improvement of road connectivity, establishment of a primary health centre and financial assistance to tourism-related businesses that suffered losses during the prolonged closure of the destination. We request the government to improve mobile connectivity, upgrade the road network and establish a health facility at Yousmarg. These are basic requirements for any tourist destination. We also expect compensation for the losses incurred during the months when Yousmarg remained closed, the stakeholders said. They said timely intervention would not only improve visitor experience but also strengthen the local economy by generating greater employment opportunities for people dependent on tourism in the area.

PHDCCI Kashmir unveils startup guide, charts roadmap for business growth

The Kashmir Chapter of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) on Friday held its Executive Committee (EC) meeting at the Amarsingh Club in Srinagar, deliberating on key issues concerning trade, industrial growth and the business environment in Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting, chaired by PHDCCI Kashmir Chairman A.P. Vicky Shaw, was attended by Co-Chairs Himayu Wani and Javaid Anim, along with members of the Executive Committee. The members reviewed the prevailing business and industrial landscape in the Union Territory and discussed various policy and infrastructure-related challenges affecting trade and investment. They also deliberated on measures to strengthen industrial development, promote entrepreneurship and improve the ease of doing business in Jammu and Kashmir. A major highlight of the meeting was the release of a startup guidebook authored by Er. Syed Perviaz Qaiser. The publication has been designed as a practical guide for aspiring entrepreneurs, offering information on establishing and managing startups while promoting entrepreneurship across the Union Territory. The programme was attended by Dr. Pervaiz Ahamed Mir, Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (CIED), Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora, who participated as the guest of honour and shared insights on innovation, startup development and entrepreneurship. The Executive Committee also expanded the Chambers membership by formally inducting several professionals from diverse sectors into the PHDCCI Kashmir Chapter. The newly inducted members include Syed Shafat Naqashbandi of Glitters Forever Housekeeping Services Pvt. Ltd., Mubashir Shaw, President of Kashmir Pashmeena Welfare Trust and Director of Kolhai Green Resorts, Basharat Mir of Access Future Foundation, and Shahijehan, Director of Hyacinth Agro Products Pvt. Ltd. Speaking on the occasion, Chairman A.P. Vicky Shaw said strengthening industry, supporting entrepreneurs and promoting investment remain among the Chambers key priorities. The Executive Committee concluded the meeting by outlining a roadmap to address emerging business challenges and reaffirmed its commitment to working with stakeholders and government agencies to promote sustainable industrial and economic growth in J&K.

Rajouri family alleges milk turned plastic-like on boiling

A family in Rajouri alleged that milk purchased from a local market turned into a plastic-like substance when boiled, prompting the Department of Food Safety to initiate an investigation. According to the complainant, Amjid Mir, the family had purchased around three kilograms of milk from a local shop. He alleged that while boiling the milk, a large quantity of plastic-like material accumulated, raising suspicion that the product was chemically synthesised and not genuine milk. Following the complaint, a team from the Department of Food Safety visited the shop concerned and conducted a preliminary inspection. Officials have seized samples of the milk and sent them for laboratory examination to ascertain its quality and determine whether it was adulterated or unsafe for consumption. Officials stated that further action will be taken based on the laboratory report. The incident has sparked concern among local residents, who have urged the authorities to ensure strict monitoring of food products available in the market to safeguard public health. Locals said that earlier chemically synthesised cheese, butter and ghee have been recovered in areas of Rajouri that indicates large scale unchecked sale of this spurious material. They further said that life of locals is being put on stake by these people who should immediately be put behind bars.

CI Jammu wing arrests 3 in inappropriate content in school books case

Counter Intelligence (CI) Jammu wing has arrested three publishers, printers in a case related to the two books, allegedly containing inappropriate content related to separatism, having potential for creating law and order situation, withdrawn from J&K school libraries, where they were introduced under Samagra Shiksha scheme. CI sleuths of J&K Police, according to officials, arrested Inderpaul Singh of Oberoi Book Services from Jammu while Girish Arora and Amardeep Singh of Dominant Publishers from Noida were arrested from Delhi. Arrests were made following extensive search operations conducted in Jammu and Delhi, they said, adding that their role was being investigated. Earlier the Police had registered a case in this connection under Sections 49, 61 (2), 152, 196 and 353 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and raided their premises on July 6. On July 4, the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had ordered the suspension of eight officials and supervisory staff of School Education Department (SED) for serious negligence, dereliction of duty, while recommending two books for Higher Secondary classes, containing highly inappropriate content related to separatism, having potential for creating law and order situation. He also instructed for disengaging a contractual Computer Assistant with immediate effect in this connection and ordered a probe by a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer into the matter. LG Sinhas action was preceded by the withdrawal of both the controversial books by the School Education Department, a day earlier, amid political uproar over their inclusion in the government school libraries under Samagra Shiksha. Lieutenant Governor had also ordered for banning and blacklisting the authors and publishers of both the books viz., Personalities and Legends of J&K, authored by Hilal Ahmad and Santosh Meena, published by Oberoi Book Service, Jammu and Great Personalities of Jammu and Kashmir authored by Dr Sushant Giri, published by Anurag Prakashan, Delhi.

IGP Jammu, IG CRPF review security in Samba

To ensure seamless coordination between all the forces and intelligence agencies with aim of a safe and secure Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, a high level security review meeting was conducted at Samba in Jammu. The meeting was jointly chaired by IG Police Jammu, Bhim Sen Tutti and IG CRPF Amol V Homkar. In this joint meeting conducted at Samba district headquarters, officers of police, CAPF, intelligence agencies participated which included DIG Jammu Samba Kathua range, Shridhar Patil, SSP Samba Anuj Kumar. Threadbare discussion on issues concerning security and arrangements for Yatra were held during this meeting wherein both the IG Police Jammu and IG CRPF reviewed the preparedness of Yatra and also took stock of coordination among forces with focus being paid to further strengthen it. The officers also assessed the security arrangements to ensure the safety, security, and smooth movement of pilgrims during the holy Yatra.

Udhampur airport terminal financial bid scheduled around July 22: Dr Jitendra

Union Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh on Sunday revealed that the financial bid opening vis-a-vis tender for construction of Udhampur airport terminal was scheduled around July 22, 2026 and the work could be awarded in the second week of August. Completion of airport terminal building will pave the way for the much-awaited operationalisation of ATR (aircraft) flights from the garrison town. ATR aircrafts are designed to take off and land on smaller runways, aimed at connecting smaller, regional cities. Dr Jitendra represents Udhampur-Kathua-Doda parliamentary constituency. Sharing an update about Udhampur airport on his social media handles, the Union Minister asserted that he was constantly following up on the issue. For the tender for construction of the airport terminal building, the technical bid was opened on July 10, 2026. Seven agencies participated. Financial bid opening is scheduled around July 22, 2026. The work could be awarded in the 2nd week of August. We are constantly following up on the issue, Dr Jitendra posted. Update was a sequel to earlier information he had shared on July 5 about the progress of the ambitious project, floating of its tender and related aspects. Prior to that he had given a detailed account of the project last month during a review meeting in Udhampur also. The process of land transfer, according to him, had also commenced with the concurrence of the UT government. According to the Union Minister, Udhampur airport proposal is to be implemented in two phases. In the first phase, civil flight operations will be initiated within the existing premises of the Air Force Station (AFS) while in the second phase, a permanent civil enclave will be set up outside it (AFS premises). The Airports Authority of India (AAI) had completed a site feasibility assessment and initiated formal processes for the development of a new Aviation Enclave. Under phase 1 of the project involving initiating civil flight operations within the existing premises of the Air Force Station, the IAF allocated 2,200 square metres for developing a terminal building, which will have the capacity to handle up to 150 passengers and accommodate ATR-72 or Q400 type aircraft. This arrangement is intended as an interim measure to begin operations at the earliest. Phase 2 of the plan proposes the establishment of a permanent civil enclave outside the boundaries of the Air Force Station. A land parcel of approximately 27.6 acres has been identified by the district administration for this purpose. The proposed enclave will cater to larger aircraft such as the Airbus A321 and will include a new terminal, apron, taxiway and related civil aviation infrastructure. Once realised, the Udhampur civil enclave is expected to improve connectivity for both residents and tourists in this part of Jammu and Kashmir, while also easing pressure on the Jammu airport. Besides, Udhampur airport will also have strategic importance from a security point of view. The proposal, which aims to connect Udhampur to the national civil aviation network, was initially triggered by a reference from Dr Jitendra Singh to the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Acting on this, a technical team comprising officials from various directorates of AAI had visited the Air Force Station at Udhampur on March 28 and 29, 2025. The visit included a joint review with the Indian Air Force, evaluation of existing infrastructure, and consultations with the district administration and defence authorities. Udhampur (civil) airport will soon become operational. Immediately after the completion of the tendering process, which is presently underway. First terminal will be constructed on the land being provided by the Indian Air Force (IAF), thus allowing us to operate our ATR flights. Meanwhile, we have already spoken to the J&K government the Chief Minister for additional land, the Union Minister informed after last months review meeting. Once we get that additional chunk of land on the other side of the road, there we will construct a permanent terminal. Then we can construct an airport analogous to Jammu (airport), allowing it to handle higher traffic volumes and larger (flight) operations. But it will take some time. As of now, for immediate use, IAF is providing us defence land for the time being, for the construction of the terminal. The tender for fabrication work had already been floated to start ATR flights from the existing premises in the next few months. The construction of the terminal will enable the landing of small aircrafts here, Dr Jitendra had explained. Last year, during a meeting aimed at reviewing the status of the aviation projects for J&K, with the Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Samir Kumar Sinha and the Chairman of Airports Authority of India, Vipin Kumar, the Union Minister had emphasised that the Udhampur airport could initially begin operations with ATR 72-seater aircraft under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN), which would cap ticket fares at nearly half the prevailing market rates. In other words, the air fare for a Delhi- Udhampur flight would be considerably and substantially lesser than a Delhi-Jammu flight, thus offering a huge incentive to even Jammu bound passengers to take the Delhi-Udhampur air route, the officials explained. Officials had explained that under the Udan scheme, a substantial part of the airfare would be subsidised through viability gap funding. This would not only make flights more affordable but also bring DelhiUdhampur fares substantially lower than the DelhiJammu route. During that meeting it was revealed that the Airports Authority of India had agreed to take up the required development, including navigational and basic facilities, without requiring additional land for initial operations, as the apron space would be made available by defence authorities.

Choose Gandhis non-violence over BJPs divisive politics: Alka Lamba

Launching a scathing attack on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), All India Congress Committee (AICC) Mahila Congress President Alka Lamba declared the nations current political landscape a decisive fight to the finish. Speaking to media persons in Bandipora, Lamba framed the political divide as a stark ideological clash between the BJP-led NDA and the INDIA bloc. It is now a fight to the finish. You are either with the BJP or you are with Rahul Gandhi, she stated. Either you are on Gandhi's path of truth and non-violence, or you stand with the politics of hatred, violence, and the divisive politics of the RSS and the BJP. Anyone claiming to stand in the middle is effectively standing with the ruling regime out of fear. Addressing the region's political status, she asserted her party's commitment to Jammu and Kashmir. We are fighting for the restoration of full statehood, which was snatched away, Lamba said, welcoming the National Conference's recent advocacy. We fought for this demand at Jantar Mantar last year, and if the National Conference is taking Rahul Gandhi's voice forward in Delhi today, they are welcome. Lamba vehemently accused the central administration of systematically targeting the opposition. The government in power is murdering democracy. They use the ED, CBI, and Income Tax department to intimidate and attempt to buy out opposition parties, actively working to topple stable governments, she alleged, framing it as a desperate battle to save the Constitution. Levelling controversial accusations regarding national security and foreign policy, she demanded the Defence Minister's immediate resignation. They lied that no Indian soldier was martyred in military operations, and today they admit it and apologise. Rajnath Singh must resign, she stated. Targeting international relations, she claimed the government was operating under fear. Under American pressure, due to names appearing in the Epstein files, they are entering into compromised agreements, she alleged. She further criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's global engagements, adding, While America and Israel commit continuous injustices, Prime Minister Modi stands with Israel just a day before the attack on our friendly nation, Iran. Priyanka Gandhi took a banner into Parliament while innocent children are being martyred in Gaza, yet the government remains silent. Turning to domestic crises, she condemned the government's handling of education and women's rights. The futures of 23 lakh children have been put at stake due to the NEET paper leak, leading 21 students to commit suicide, she stated. Declaring the ruling regime anti-women, she urged a mass mobilisation for 21 July. The 33 per cent women's reservation bill is passed, but this anti-women BJP government will not implement it. We will march to Parliament and force them to do it, she declared.

July 13 not just historic but part of collective conscience: Sajad Lone

J&K Peoples Conference President and MLA Handwara, Sajad Gani Lone, paid floral tributes on Sunday to the martyrs of July 13, 1931, describing the day as one inscribed not merely in history but in the collective conscience of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the occasion represents a long denied recognition that continues to await the dignity it deserves. Speaking on the occasion, Lone launched a scathing attack on the present dispensation, accusing it of relegating history to irrelevance while substituting governance with political spectacle. This government has made no sincere effort to restore this public holiday, honouring the sacrifice of our native heroes. It has chosen theatre over truth, rhetoric over resolve and in doing so, has turned its back on history itself, he said. Lone asserted that collective memory cannot be extinguished through executive decrees. No government order can erase what a people choose to remember, he remarked, adding that the restoration of July 13 as a public holiday is not a concession but a long overdue obligation rooted in historical justice. Restoring the day as a public holiday, he said, would transcend symbolism. It would constitute an act of moral and historical restitution, restoring to those who laid down their lives the honour they rightfully deserve and reaffirming Jammu and Kashmir's commitment to an honest remembrance of its past, he concluded.

Mirwaiz Manzil announces programme to commemorate Martyrs of July 13

Mirwaiz Manzil has announced the programme for the annual commemoration of the Martyrs of 13 July 1931, whose sacrifice became a timeless symbol of courage, dignity and the struggle for justice. Their memory remains etched in our collective consciousness and will continue to inspire generations, said a press release. As per the long-standing tradition, Zuhr prayers will be offered tomorrow at the historic Jama Masjid Srinagar. Thereafter, Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr. Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq, along with the people, will proceed to the Martyrs Graveyard at Naqshband Sahib to offer Fatiha and pay homage to the Martyrs of 13 July 1931. The programme is part of the decades-old tradition of remembering the martyrs and praying for their eternal peace and exalted ranks. Mirwaiz Manzil expressed hope that the authorities will not create any hurdles and will allow this peaceful religious and commemorative programme to be observed in keeping with the long-established tradition associated with the day.

Altaf Thakur accuses NC Government of glorifying terrorism, demands action

Senior BJP leader Altaf Thakur on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the National Conference (NC)-led government in Jammu and Kashmir, alleging it is pursuing a massive conspiracy against Indias unity and integrity by glorifying separatist figures and terrorists. Addressing the media persons, Thakur claimed that the NC government is openly hailing individuals and organisations previously banned for waging war against the Union of India. He specifically named Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Masarat Alam, and Shabir Shah, noting that two are currently jailed while Geelani has passed away. Thakur accused the government of portraying them as heroes and legends through official or approved narratives. Thakur pointed to books and educational or cultural content that allegedly portray Maqbool Bhat as a martyr and glorify Geelani, Masarat Alam, and Shabir Shah. Glorifying terrorism and terrorists is the policy of the National Conference government, he asserted. The BJP leader demanded stringent punishment for all those responsible, including publishers, the approval committee, and the head of the concerned department. He specifically called for the resignation of Education Minister Sakina Itoo on moral grounds. Failing that, Omar Abdullah should be dismissed, Thakur warned. Thakur also drew attention to the ongoing unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), where he said people have launched a massive movement against Pakistan, seeking separation and liberation from it. He alleged that the NC is deliberately aligning itself with Pakistans interests at this critical juncture. The NC is staging a drama at Jantar Mantar for the restoration of Article 370 precisely when the worlds attention is focused on PoK, in an attempt to divert that gaze, Thakur claimed. He accused the NC of orchestrating this narrative to undermine Indias position. Describing the NCs actions as a threat to national unity, Thakur said the partys policies and public posturing reflect a dangerous tilt that could encourage separatist ideologies. He urged the central government and authorities to take cognisance of these developments and ensure strict action to safeguard the integrity of the nation. The remarks come amid heightened political discourse in the Valley, with ongoing debates over historical narratives, governance, and the post-Article 370 political landscape. The NC government has faced repeated criticism from the BJP on issues related to security, development, and ideological orientation since assuming power. This is not the first time BJP leaders have accused regional parties of soft-pedalling on terrorism or attempting to revive pre-2019 narratives. The NC, however, has consistently maintained its commitment to democratic processes, peace, and the development of J&K within the Indian constitutional framework while advocating for the restoration of full statehood.

CPI (M) backs Dr Farooqs call, urges all parties to join Jantar Mantar statehood protest

CPI (M) has welcomed the invitation from National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah to join the protest at Jantar Mantar on the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, in support of the restoration of Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Mohd. Abass Rather, State Secretary, CPI(M) has appealed to every political party, organisation and citizen, regardless of ideology or affiliation, to set aside the differences and join hands on this common cause. In a statement, recalling the events that led to the current situation, he pointed to August 5, 2019, when Article 370 and Article 35-A were abrogated and state was bifurcated into two Union Territories. The decision was taken without any consultation with stakeholders of Jammu and Kashmir, and remains, an unprecedented assault on the rights of the people. It was not an attack on one party or one region alone, but one that touched every community, caste and creed in the entire region. Repeated assurances were given from time to time for restoration of the statehood but the same remains unfulfilled so far. Instead of fulfilling the assurances of restoration of statehood, the Union Government further amended the Transaction of Business Rules by issuing a notification on 12th July, 2024, thereby empowering the Lieutenant Governor with an expanded executive authority over police, public order and posting and transfers of All India Services Officers (IAS, IPS and IFS). The move aims at further eroding the authority of the elected government thereby undermining the mandate of the people. The united voice is needed to press for the restoration of statehood and appealed every political party and citizen who believes in the Constitution and in federalism to stand together to participate in the protest and send a clear and united message that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are united on the issue of restoration of statehood. This is in the larger interest of the constitutional order of the country. Any further delay in this regard is bound to further deepen the wide-spread discontentment and disillusionment of the people.

Mehboob Beg remembers July 13 Martyrs, decries house arrest

Senior PDP leader Mehboob Beg has paid tributes to martyrs of July 13, 1931, stating that they made us aware of our identity and taught us to speak truth to power, no matter the odds. Remembering the martyrs of July 13, 1931. These sacrifices have left indelible marks on the sands of time for they made us aware of our identity and taught us to speak truth to power, no matter the odds. Highest respect to their sacrifices ,Beg wrote on his X handle.

Altaf Bukhari terms martyrs of July 13 as true heroes of J&K

Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari paid glowing tributes to the martyrs of July 13, 1931, describing them as the true heroes of Jammu and Kashmir whose sacrifices became the foundation of the people's struggle against autocratic rule and ultimately paved the way for the establishment of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir. In a statement, Bukhari said, The martyrs of July 13, 1931, have a place of honour in our history. They laid down their lives while raising their voices against oppression and injustice. Their supreme sacrifice ignited a powerful people's movement that ultimately brought an end to autocratic rule in Jammu and Kashmir and opened the path towards democracy. He said that the sacrifices of the martyrs continue to inspire generations to remain steadfast in the pursuit of justice and democratic values. This historic day reminds us of the extraordinary courage and resilience of those who stood up for justice and the rights of the people. Their legacy continues to inspire us to safeguard democracy, uphold the rule of law, and protect the democratic rights and aspirations of every citizen, he said.

PDP leaders condemn Mehbooba Muftis house arrest

Senior leaders of the Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Sunday paid tributes to the martyrs of July 13, remembering their sacrifice for the democratic and political rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The leaders said the sacrifices of the 13 July martyrs hold immense historical significance and continue to inspire generations in the struggle for justice, dignity, and democratic rights.They emphasized that the contributions of the martyrs can never be erased from the collective memory of the people, as per a press release. The PDP leaders also strongly condemned the house arrest of PDP President Mehbooba Mufti and Iltija Mufti, terming it an undemocratic and unjustified attempt to prevent them from paying homage to the martyrs. They said such restrictions on political leaders and peaceful democratic activities are against the principles of democracy and freedom. The party urged the authorities to respect democratic rights.

Dr Farooq, CM Omar pay tributes to July 13, 1931 Martyrs

The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah and the party's Vice President and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Sunday paid glowing tributes to the July 13, 1931 martyrs on the eve of the 95th Youm-e-Shohada describing their sacrifice as a defining chapter in Jammu and Kashmir's struggle for justice, dignity and democratic rights. In a press statement, the duo said July 13 remains a historic watershed that ignited a mass movement against autocracy, oppression and injustice in the erstwhile princely state. Remembering the martyrs, Dr Farooq said their sacrifice continues to inspire generations in the pursuit of justice, truth and peace. He recalled that 21 unarmed Kashmiris were killed on July 13, 1931, after demanding basic civil and political rights, an event that, he said, laid the foundation for the people's long struggle led by Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah for human rights and dignity. The undying thirst for dignity cannot be suppressed by injustice. The July 13 martyrs proved that perseverance and the spirit of peaceful resistance ultimately triumph over tyranny. I pay my humble tributes to these brave souls and appeal especially to our youth to remain connected with the history of our collective struggle, he said. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the sacrifices of the July 13 martyrs would forever symbolize humanity's unwavering quest for dignity, justice and fundamental rights.I pay my humble tributes to our great martyrs who laid down their lives to challenge autocratic rule. Their sacrifice marked a turning point that awakened generations to rise against injustice. July 13 will always remind us of the enduring power of unity, compassion and peaceful resistance in the face of oppression, he said. The duo also recalled what they described as the dying wish of one of the martyrs to Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah to carry the struggle of July 13 to its logical conclusion. They said Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah honoured that pledge by ushering in sweeping socio-political and economic reforms, most notably the landmark land to the tiller programme, along with several other pro-people initiatives that transformed the lives of ordinary citizens. They asserted that the National Conference remains the true custodian of the legacy of the July 13 martyrs and is committed to carrying forward their mission of building a just, prosperous and peaceful Jammu and Kashmir where the ideals of dignity, equality and social justice continue to guide governance. Partys Rank and file across Jammu and Kashmir have also paid glowing tributes to the Shuhada-e-Kashmir recalling their supreme sacrifice. Jamait-e-Hamdani patron Maulana Riyaz Hamdani and chief spokesperson GM Saqi have paid glowing tributes to 1931 martyrs. Kashmiri nation owes their self-respect and dignity to these martyrs, We won't forger their sacrificere and walk on their path, Saqi said .

HMT residents decry drinking water shortage

Residents of HMT area on the outskirts of Srinagar have appealed to the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department for immediate restoration of drinking water supply, saying that they have been grappling with an acute water shortage for nearly a month. The residents said the locality, which is supplied through the Rangil Water Supply Scheme, has been receiving an irregular and unreliable water supply, severely affecting their daily lives. They alleged that despite repeated pleas, there has been no significant improvement in the situation. Recently, the Welfare Committee, Novabad North Zone Srinagar, submitted a representation to the Chief Engineer, PHE Kashmir, seeking his personal intervention to resolve the crisis. In the representation, the committee urged the department to restore a regular and dependable water supply on a priority basis and review the functioning of the Rangil Water Supply Scheme to identify the reasons behind the prolonged disruption and fix responsibility wherever lapses are found. We are finding it extremely difficult to manage even basic household chores. Families are forced to wait for hours in the hope that water will be supplied, while many have to arrange water from other localities. The situation has become unbearable, said a local resident. Another resident said the crisis has added to the hardships during the ongoing summer season. Children are at home due to summer vacations, elderly people require water throughout the day, and the shortage has disrupted cooking, washing and sanitation. We request the authorities to intervene without any further delay, the resident said. The residents urged the PHE Department to take immediate corrective measures to restore normal water supply and ensure such crises do not recur in future.

Stray dog menace in Sonwar leaves residents worried

Residents of Sonwar and its adjoining areas have expressed concern over the growing stray dog menace, saying the increasing canine population has become a safety risk for locals, particularly during evening and night hours. The residents said that despite Sonwar being located close to the city centre, roads, public spaces and even petrol pumps in the area are frequently occupied by packs of stray dogs. They said the problem has made movement difficult for pedestrians, especially children, elderly persons and women after sundown. Children and elderly people hesitate to venture out in the evening due to fear of dog attacks. The situation becomes even more alarming during power outages when visibility is low, said Arif Ahmad, a local resident. Residents attributed the rise in the stray dog population to poor garbage management and inadequate sterilisation measures. They said unattended waste in several pockets of the area provides easy access to food for the animals, leading to a steady increase in their numbers. A shopkeeper from Sonwar said that the area hosts several private offices, markets and hotels and witnesses regular movement of tourists and locals. The presence of stray dogs on roads and around commercial establishments creates an unpleasant experience for visitors and raises safety concerns, he said. Commuters, particularly two-wheeler riders, said they face difficulties while travelling through the area at night. Large packs of dogs occupy entire stretches of roads during late hours. Riders often have to escape fast or take alternate routes. There have been several narrow escapes when these dogs chase the two-wheeler riders, said Manzoor Bhat, a commuter. The residents said they have repeatedly brought the matter to the attention of authorities and urged the Srinagar Municipal Corporation to strengthen sterilisation drives and ensure proper garbage disposal. They appealed for immediate intervention to keep the dog population in check and prevent any untoward incidents.

Encroachment of Amira Kadal bridge hampers pedestrian movement

Encroachment of pedestrian space by roadside vendors at Amira Kadal bridge is severely hampering movement of pedestrians on one of the busiest public places in the summer capital. A spot assessment of the bridge revealed that a section of the pedestrian walkway is occupied by vendors selling fruits,fish, garments and other items making commuters walk through narrow spaces amid heavy vehicular movement. Owais Amin, a student who frequently passes through the area, said authorities should earmark a fixed space for vendors. Instead of complete removal, authorities could fix the position of vending carts or define clear limits so that pedestrians have adequate walking space, he said. Another local blamed the authorities for allowing the situation to continue for years. This encroachment should have been stopped in the beginning. Since it was allowed to continue for so long, any removal drive now should be carried out only after proper consultation with vendors and other stakeholders, he said. Another pedestrian suggested regulating traffic from Jahangir Chowk to Clock Tower via Amira Kadal and allowing only auto-rickshaws on the stretch to reduce congestion would be a balancing act between public interest and livelihood. A senior citizen said that although encroachment has caused inconvenience, unemployment cannot be ignored. There are certainly problems but looking at the present status of unemployment people have learned to compromise, he said. Mushtaq Ahmad, who has been vending at the spot for the past 15 years, said the income from his stall supports his entire family. My daughter is pursuing medical education while my other children are in college. Their education depends on my income. If I am removed without any alternative arrangement, my family could be pushed onto the streets, he said. Umar, another vendor, said they have no objection to shifting if the government provides them with a suitable alternative. We are not insisting on staying here. If the authorities provide us a place like the one arranged for some vendors at Makkah Market, we will happily move, he said. Asif Farooq, a Commerce graduate has been working on the bridge for the past 11 years. Unemployment had forced me tinto street vending. If the government wants us to relocate, we should be shifted to a place where our income and customer base is not affected. We only want our livelihood to continue, he said. A fisherwoman said the place had become closely linked to the survival of her family over the years. Over the years this market has become well known. Our livelihood and emotions are attached to this place because our families survive on what we earn here, she said. The problem is no longer simply about encroachment but about finding a humane and practical solution that addresses both urban order and economic survival, said Abdul Hamid, a commuter. Officials said the problem has persisted as the number of vendors has outgrown the capacity of existing vending zones. Authorities are working on identification of identification at various areas of the city for vendors.

10 doctors, 48 paramedic vacancies push Shopian patients towards private healthcare

Shopian, Jul 12: Patients in south Kashmirs Shopian district say they are increasingly being forced to seek treatment at private clinics or travel to other districts due to the non-availability of key specialists at the District Hospital Shopian (DHS), raising concerns over access to affordable healthcare. The hospital lacks specialists such as cardiologists, gastroenterologists and urologists, while expensive diagnostic equipment, including an echocardiography (Echo) machine, remains unused due to the shortage of trained personnel to operate it. Officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the hospital is currently short of 10 doctors and 48 paramedical staff, severely affecting the delivery of specialised healthcare services. The healthcare facility was upgraded to district hospital status after Shopian was carved out as a separate district in 2008. It caters to the healthcare needs of more than 2.5 lakh residents from the district and adjoining areas. Patients have no option but to visit private clinics, which have mushroomed across the district because crucial specialists are unavailable at the district hospital, said Javed Ahmad, a resident. Those who cannot afford private treatment are the worst affected. Residents said that despite the hospitals upgraded status, the shortage of specialist doctors and technical staff has persisted for years, forcing patients to travel to Srinagar or Anantnag for consultations and advanced treatment. This not only increases out-of-pocket expenditure but also delays timely medical care, particularly for elderly patients and those suffering from chronic illnesses, said MithaGatoo, a civil society member. Gatoo said the hospitals echocardiography machine has remained largely unused because there are no trained specialists or technicians available to operate it. The authorities install diagnostic machines without ensuring that specialists or trained technicians are posted to run them. Equipment worth lakhs of rupees is lying idle while patients continue to suffer, he said. He said the civil society had approached the higher authorities on several occasions, urging them to fill vacant posts and strengthen specialist services at the hospital, but little had changed. Gatoo also expressed concern over the growing burden of lifestyle diseases in Kashmir, particularly non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), saying the absence of a gastroenterologist at the district hospital often results in delayed diagnosis and treatment. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is on the rise in Kashmir. Early diagnosis is critical, but patients have to wait or travel outside the district because there is no gastroenterologist available here. That delay can prove costly, he said. He said the district also urgently requires a full-time cardiologist, noting that cardiovascular diseases are increasingly affecting younger people. We have seen several young patients suffer fatal heart attacks. A cardiologist at the district hospital could make a significant difference by ensuring timely diagnosis and emergency intervention, he added. Ashiq Hussain, another resident, said the absence of specialist care has fuelled the rapid expansion of private clinics in the district, leaving many families with little choice but to spend heavily on healthcare. When specialist services are unavailable in a government hospital, people are compelled to seek treatment in the private sector. For poor families, these expenses become an unbearable burden, he said. An official at the District Hospital Shopian, speaking on the condition of anonymity, acknowledged the staffing crisis. The hospital is facing a shortage of 10 doctors and 48 paramedical staff. We have repeatedly conveyed the matter to the higher authorities and hope the vacant posts will be filled soon so that services can be strengthened, the official said. Residents and civil society members have urged the government to fill vacant posts, deploy specialist doctors and trained technicians, and ensure that existing diagnostic equipment is put to use so patients can access quality healthcare closer to home.

Do we need to protest outside Trumps residence for statehood: CM Omar

Jammu, Jul 12:Deflecting the BJPs criticism that the National Conferences proposed JantarMantar protest would not fetch statehood, the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah asked if they (BJP) were suggesting that the protest (for statehood) should be held outside (US President) Trumps residence in America and not the countrys union capital. Pointed query was raised by the CM Omar, while addressing his Delhi Chalo rally in Jammu, ahead of the NC's proposed July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar. After patiently waiting for 18 months for restoration of statehood by the Centre, now we have decided to adopt a novel approach. It will start taking effect from July 20 when well raise slogans for statehood in (New) Delhi. But we are drawing their (BJPs) criticism for it, he stated. Earlier when we raised the issue in the J&K Legislature they (BJP) used to taunt us saying we wont be able to get statehood from the state assembly. Then we hit the roads with this demand they claimed that we wont get it by raking up the issue in J&K. So, we decided to move to JantarMantar for a protest. Now their (BJPs) assertion is We will not get statehood by protesting at JantarMantar. Now BJP people should tell us Should I go to Trump at the White House in America to get statehood, the Chief Minister jovially asked, amid wild cheers by the crowd. He asserted that the BJP should clarify its stance.Are they saying that we should not seek statehood from our own countrys leadership? If that is so, we will go there and demand statehood from Trump. We are not aware of this connection. If it exists, tell us. Because we never thought to go anywhere else but our own countrys capital. I fail to understand if the countrys problems will not be addressed by its leadership, who else will do so? Until they dont tell us an alternative, we will continue to raise demands with our countrys leadership in our union capital. For us, that is the only place to seek redress to our grievances, CM Omar maintained,

Gulshan Books Kashmir conferred Lal Ded literary award 2026 for literary excellence & publishing

Srinagar, Jul 12:Gulshan Books Kashmir has been conferred the prestigious Lal Ded Literary Award 2026 Literary Excellence & Publishing in recognition of its outstanding contribution to literature, publishing, bookselling, and the preservation of the literary and intellectual heritage of Jammu & Kashmir. The award was received by Sheikh Ajaz Ahmad, Chairman, Gulshan Books, at a grand ceremony held at Tagore Hall, Srinagar, in the presence of Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Manoj Sinha , who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The event was also attended by distinguished Guests of Honour Tirath Singh Rawat, former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, and Shri Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, eminent scholar, thinker and former Member of Parliament. The ceremony also marked the launch of Dr. Vaidehi Tamans latest book, Lal Ded The Mother of Kashmir, and brought together eminent authors, academicians, journalists, policymakers and literary personalities from across the country.

Bazm-e-Adab Gulmarg organises literary event, poets enthrall audience

Srinagar, Jul 12: Bazm-e-Adab Gulmarg Kashmir organised a Mushaira (symposium) at the residence of a Sufi poet Ghulam Hassan Mir in Gani Baba, Wani Gaaam Tangmarg. The event brought together prominent poets and lovers of literature from across the valley in a warm and intellectually enriching atmosphere. The proceedings were conducted by noted poet Shafeeq Karahami, while the session was presided over by eminent poet Bazm's president Hilal Kashmiri. The symposium featured poetic recitations by Ghulam Hassan Mir, Mehboob Bilal, Akram Wanigaami, Shafeeq Karahami, Mir Afroz Afroz. Abdul Salam Hamraz, Mohammad Akbar Majrooh, Hilal Kashmiri, Abdul Ahad Dilbar, Ghulam Mohammad Shah Benawa, Rahat Rafiq, and Tousif Raza. Their thought-provoking and eloquent poetry received enthusiastic applause and appreciation from the audience. The event was marked by a vibrant literary atmosphere that celebrated poetry, encouraged creative expression, and strengthened literary bonds among writers and poetry enthusiasts. Participants appreciated the efforts of Bazm-e-Adab Gulmarg Kashmir in promoting literary culture and expressed hope that such meaningful literary gatherings would continue in the future.

DG CISF reviews security preparedness for Amarnath Yatra at Nunwan Base Camp

Srinagar, Jul 12:To strengthen the multi-layered security grid for the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, Praveer Ranjan, Director General of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), visited Nunwan Base Camp in Pahalgam on Saturday to conduct a comprehensive on-ground review of security arrangements. Accompanied by Sudhir Kumar, Additional Director General (North), and M. K. Yadav, Deputy Inspector General (North Zone-II), the DG assessed deployment plans, access control measures, surveillance systems, communication networks, medical support, logistics, and inter-agency coordination mechanisms put in place to ensure the safety of pilgrims. During the visit, DG Ranjan inspected key operational locations, including check posts, communication centres, Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs), Quick Action Teams (QATs), the CCTV Control Room, and other vital security installations at the base camp. The review focused on the effectiveness of existing protocols and the readiness of forces to respond to any emerging situation along the Yatra routes. The Director General interacted with deployed CISF personnel, health workers, and women personnel, lauding their dedication and professionalism in maintaining vigil under challenging terrain and weather conditions. He stressed the importance of maintaining the highest standards of operational readiness, strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), continuous vigilance, and seamless coordination among all security agencies throughout the 57-day Yatra. A high-level security review meeting chaired by DG Ranjan brought together senior officers of the CISF, CRPF, ITBP, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and civil administration. The meeting reviewed the overall security architecture and preparedness across the Pahalgam axis and other Yatra corridors. Officials discussed real-time coordination, information sharing, and contingency measures to address any eventuality. Commending the commitment of all personnel, DG Ranjan expressed confidence that the security forces will continue to ensure the smooth, safe, and incident-free conduct of the Yatra. The visit underscores the Centres and the UT administrations coordinated approach to pilgrim security. The presence of senior officers from multiple central paramilitary forces alongside J&K Police and civil officials highlighted the spirit of jointness and shared responsibility in safeguarding one of the countrys most revered annual pilgrimages. The review comes at a time when the Yatra, which began on July 3, continues to witness steady footfall of devotees from across the country. Security agencies have established a robust grid combining technology-driven surveillance, area domination, and quick-response capabilities to meet any challenge. Officials said the proactive leadership engagement by the DG CISF reflects the governments resolve to facilitate the religious journey of lakhs of yatris while upholding the highest standards of safety and security.

MP Mian Altaf saddened over extensive damage caused by cloudbursts in Pahalgam

Srinagar, Jul 12: Senior National Conference leader and Member of Parliament for Anantnag-Rajouri, Mian Altaf Ahmad, has expressed sorrow and profound anguish over the extensive damage to public infrastructure, and agricultural land caused by the sudden cloudburst incident in several areas of Pahalgam. In a statement released, Mian Altaf conveyed his heartfelt solidarity with the affected and local shopkeepers who have suffered severe losses due to the flash floods. Highlighting the vulnerability of the region during sudden weather anomalies, the Member of Parliament urged the local administration to act with utmost urgency. The trail of destruction left behind by the cloudburst in Pahalgam is deeply distressing. Our immediate focus must be to support those who have lost their livelihoods and properties to nature's fury, Mian Altaf stated. The Member of Parliament strongly urged the Jammu & Kashmir administration, particularly the divisional and district authorities, to instantly deploy relief teams to the affected locations. He demanded a swift, comprehensive survey by revenue and disaster management teams to evaluate the exact quantum of damage. Mian Altaf sought immediate relief and adequate compensation for affected people , local business owners, and farmers whose standing crops have been ruined. MP Mian Altaf also urged for Swift restoration of disrupted essential services, including blocked roads, drinking water supply schemes, and electricity grids in the area.

Overcharging by transporters irks holidaymakers in north Kashmirs Keran

Kupwara, Jul 12:Tourists visiting the scenic Keran valley of north Kashmir's Kupwara district have alleged that they are being forced to park their private vehicles nearly two kilometres before key tourist spots and hire local vehicles at exorbitant rates. Some of the visitors while talking to Greater Kashmir said that private vehicles are not being allowed beyond the entry gate towards Tent Valley and Flag Point with the result visitors are forced to board local cabs which charge Rs 300 for around two kilometres. We had no objection if the arrangement was backed by a proper government order but when we asked for the notification, the document shown to us had neither an official seal nor a signature, said Javid Ahmad, a tourist from main town Kupwara. He alleged that some drivers responded rudely when questioned. He said that such behaviour leaves a bad impression on tourists. I urge the district administration to verify the legality of the fare structure and if security considerations permit, allow private vehicles to proceed beyond the entry gate after proper security checks, said Firdous Ahmad, another local tourist. Keran is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in Kashmir. Visitors should leave with pleasant memories, not complaints of inconvenience and exploitation, he added. Some visitors also complained about high prices of food items at certain hotels in the area. I was charged Rs 200 for a dish at a local hotel in Keran, which is far higher than in rest of the places across Kashmir, said Irshad Ahmad. Meanwhile Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Shrikant Balasaheb told Greater Kashmir that strict action will be taken against the violators.

West Indies beats New Zealand by 7 wickets

Providence (Guyana), Jul 12:Keacy Carty was dismissed on 95 and Shai Hope made an unbeaten 87 in a 131-run third wicket partnership which steered the West Indies to a seven wicket win over New Zealand on Saturday in the first of five one-day cricket internationals. Carty fell just short of his fifth ODI century, a year after his fourth, as the West Indies surpassed New Zealand's total of 267 with seven balls remaining. Hope anchored the innings after his partner's dismissal, adding 45 runs from 31 balls in an unbroken partnership with Sherfane Rutherford who finished 22 not out. New Zealand leaned again on allrounder Daryl Mitchell to reach 267 after losing the toss and being sent in. Mitchell, whose gritty century in the recent third test against England secured a series victory, top-scored with 65 in an insipid New Zealand batting effort. Will Young made 49 in an 80-run opening partnership with Henry Nicholls (27) but Michael Bracewell (29), Mark Chapman (27), Tom Latham (25) and Mitchell Santner (21) all failed to capitalize on good starts. New Zealand was in a position to exceed 300 when it reached the 40th over at 216-4 but its last six wickets fell for 33 runs as it fell short of a total to test West Indies' batters in home conditions. VitelLawes dismissed Nicholls, Chapman and Bracewell, finishing with 3-54 on debut. Carty and Hope guide the hosts Carty and Hope came together with the West Indies solidly placed at 92-2 in the 19th over after opener Akeem Auguste made 38 from 58 balls. The third-wicket pair then paced the innings at between five and six runs an over, keeping the run rate required at less than a run a ball, to guide West Indies to a comfortable win. There were no signs of hurry or concern at any stage of the run chase. Even with five overs remaining and 37 runs needed, Hope and Rutherford looked under no pressure.

Messi's World Cup scoring streak ends

Kansas City (US), Jul 12:Lionel Messi had his World Cup scoring streak snapped by Switzerland on Saturday night, but the co-leader with France's KylianMbapp in the race for the Golden Boot nevertheless found his way to leave his mark with an assist in Argentina's 3-1 victory. The game was only in the 10th minute when Messi who needed some help from a trainer after a blow near his right eye in the second half helped to earn a corner kick with some nifty footwork. From there, the Inter Miami star delivered a perfect ball into the box, and Alexis Mac Allister was there to head it home for a 1-0 lead. Switzerland equalized in the 67th minute and the game eventually went to extra time, but Julian Alvarez sent a rocket into the upper corner of the net in the 112th minute and Lautaro Martinez added a closing goal for good measure for the defending champions. Now, Argentina will play England in the semifinals on Wednesday in Atlanta. One of the first questions asked of Swiss coach Murat Yakin before the match was how to stop Messi, who had scored in his last nine World Cup matches, his last six in the knockout round. He also holds the tournament record with 21 career goals. This is a very surprising question, Yakin replied, jokingly. There are many solutions, and we will try to find the best solution. ... We can talk a lot about it, but in the end it has to really translate onto the pitch, and we do have our solutions. In truth, the Swiss did a good job of holding the dynamic goal-scorer in check. Messi began his World Cup romp in the same building just over three weeks ago, when he scored his first-ever hat trick in the tourney while sending Argentina to a 3-0 win over Algeria. He had gone on to score eight goals as his team reached the quarterfinal round. Not everything has been charmed for Messi during the World Cup, though. He missed penalty kicks against both Austria and Egypt, and the second one could have proven catastrophic given Argentina eventually found itself in a 2-0 hole. But it also was Messi who helped get Argentina on the board in the 79th minute by assisting on Cristian Romero's header, and it was the unflappable and ageless attacking midfielder who beat Egypt goalkeeper MostafaShobeir four minutes later to level the score. Enzo Fernandez eventually provided the winner in stoppage time to send Argentina into the matchup with Switzerland. He's like a machine, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said of Messi, whose every World Cup match could be his last in a national team jersey. Those that are not so much acquainted with him might be surprised, and at 39 years of age some people might think he will not rise to the challenge. But I've said this before, as long as he wants to be the best and I'm not saying this because I'm coaching him but because if he wants to continue, he will continue to be the best.

J&K Water Sports Association holds summer camp to identify kayaking talent

Srinagar, Jul 12:The Jammu & Kashmir Water Sports Kayaking and Canoeing Association is conducting a Summer Coaching Camp from 4th July to 20th July at Pokiharbal Boat Club with the main objective of identifying new talent and providing young athletes with professional training, guidance, and a platform to excel in water sports. The camp, as per a statement, is focused on developing the skills of budding athletes and preparing them for future competitions in kayaking and canoeing. The young participants are being trained in various aspects including technical skills, physical fitness, water safety, endurance, and overall sports development under the guidance of experienced coaches and senior players. During the coaching camp, Anwar-ul-HaqKhanji,DySP (presently SHO Rainawari), visited the training session and interacted with the athletes. He encouraged the young players to work hard, remain focused, and pursue their goals with dedication and discipline. While interacting with the athletes, Anwar -ul- Haq emphasised that sports play a vital role in the overall development of an individual by building confidence, discipline, teamwork, and a positive attitude. He also highlighted the importance of engaging youth in sports activities as part of the NashaMukt Bharat Abhiyaan, helping them stay away from drugs and other harmful activities. The athletes were highly motivated and inspired by his valuable interaction and words of encouragement. The Jammu & Kashmir Water Sports Kayaking and Canoeing Association expressed its sincere gratitude to Shri Anwar-ul-Haq Khan, DySP/SHO Rainawari, for visiting the camp, encouraging the young athletes, and extending his valuable support towards the promotion and development of water sports in Jammu and Kashmir. The Association remains committed to identifying fresh talent, nurturing young athletes, and strengthening the water sports culture in the region.

Kashmiri climbers retrace forgotten route to Sikwas Peak

Srinagar, Jul 12: For nearly eight decades, the route to Sikwas Peak remained buried in the pages of an old mountaineering journal, untouched and largely forgotten. This week, a group of young Kashmiri climbers set out to change that. Armed with historical records, modern climbing equipment and a shared passion for the mountains, the five-member expedition trekked into the rugged wilderness of the Aru Wildlife Sanctuary, determined to retrace a route that expedition members say was last documented in 1945. After two days and one night in the high mountains, the team reached the summit on the morning of July 9.For expedition leader Zaid Jan, the climb was about much more than reaching the top.It wasn't just a summit. It was an attempt to reconnect with Kashmir's forgotten mountaineering history, he said. The summit team comprised Zaid Jan, Muzammil and Hilal, while five members were part of the overall expedition. The climbers relied on details preserved in historical journals to follow the original route, blending decades-old documentation with modern mountaineering techniques. According to Jan, the expedition was conceived as a step towards reviving mountaineering in Kashmir, a region blessed with towering peaks but where organised climbing expeditions have remained relatively limited. Kashmir has incredible mountains, but mountaineering needs support. Permissions should be easier, sponsorships should be encouraged and young climbers should be given opportunities to explore these peaks, he said.The expedition also marks the beginning of a larger dream. As the climbers descended from Sikwas Peak, they carried back more than memories of another successful expedition. They returned with the hope that the route they revived would no longer remain confined to history, but would once again become part of Kashmir's living mountaineering tradition. According to Jan, historical research indicates that the only previously recorded successful ascent was made in August 1945 by John Angelo Jackson and his team. The climb was documented in The Himalayan Journal, Volume 13 (1946) and later referenced in Climbers Guide to Sonamarg, Kashmir. After an extensive review of available journals, expedition reports, guidebooks, and online mountaineering records, they were unable to find evidence of any successful ascent of the peak after the 1945 expedition. The summit push began at 4:00 a.m. from Base Camp. The team crossed YemHar Pass before navigating an exposed pinnacle ridge that demanded careful route finding and steady movement. After nearly seven hours of climbing, the summit was reached at approximately 11:00 a.m. The expedition extends its sincere gratitude to All Jammu & Kashmir Mountaineering Foundation (AJKMF) for its unwavering support throughout the planning and execution of the expedition. Their encouragement played an important role in making this climb possible, Jan said. He added that this ascent was not only a milestone for their team but also highlights the immense mountaineering potential of Kashmir, where many peaks remain rarely visited and historically undocumented.

Gulmarg faces mounting infrastructure challenges amid tourist surge

Gulmarg, Jul 12: While the world-famous tourist destination of Gulmarg continues to attract heavy tourist footfall, the hill resort is grappling with major challenges of solid waste management and traffic congestion. In an exclusive conversation with Greater Kashmir , Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA), Tariq Hussain said the premier tourist destination remained one of the countrys most sought-after attractions because of its nature-based tourism. There is no competitor to Gulmarg in the country, he said. He, however, said preserving its environment while accommodating rising visitor numbers was the GDAs top priority. Currently, we are facing two major challenges, including the disposal of solid waste and traffic movement. But we are working on a scientific solid waste management system and expanding parking infrastructure to ease congestion, he said. The CEO said Gulmargs parking capacity currently stands at around 1,000 vehicles, which often proves inadequate during the peak tourist season. The influx of visitors, particularly those arriving by private vehicles from neighbouring states such as Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttarakhand, has intensified pressure on local infrastructure, he said. Hussain said Gulmargs estimated daily carrying capacity was between 3,000 and 4,000 visitors. He, however, said tourist numbers frequently exceeded that limit during peak periods. But to reduce pressure on the main resort (Gulmarg Bowl), the government is promoting sister destinations around Gulmarg as well, he said. The CEO said Gulmargs tourism was entirely nature-based, except for the cable car. Balancing conservation with increasing tourist footfall is a challenging task, he said. He said tourism had remained resilient and continued to support the local economy. Although Gulmarg remains primarily a winter tourism destination, hotels, guest houses and homestays have recorded satisfactory bookings during the ongoing summer season, Hussain told Greater Kashmir . About future plans, the CEO said the GDA was planning to introduce several infrastructure projects aimed at improving the visitor experience while reducing environmental impact. The new projects include the construction of pedestrian walkways, a multi-level parking facility, fencing around the heritage golf course and the restoration of the historic Maharaja Palace. The CEO said the GDA was also exploring the introduction of electric vehicles, shuttle bus services and a designated green corridor where visitors could move on foot, reducing vehicular movement within the resort. He, however, acknowledged concerns over the condition of the existing infrastructure and said the GDA would prioritise its preservation alongside future development. Responding to concerns following the recent technical snag in the Gulmarg Gondola, he said maintenance protocols had been strengthened and professional teams were conducting regular inspections in line with carrying-capacity norms. On the future of tourism in Gulmarg, Hussain said the GDA was also considering expanding tourism beyond Gulmarg by promoting border tourism at Botapathri, subject to security clearance. He said the Botapathri area, located close to the Line of Control (LoC), had the potential to accommodate more than 1,000 day visitors and could eventually host border safari experiences showcasing the regions scenic landscape. He said Gulmarg was the only tourist destination located close to the LoC. Gulmarg is located 30-40 km from the LoC and that is one of the most critical points. But Botapathri has the potential and a carrying capacity of 1000 tourists per day, he told Greater Kashmir . He said if the GDA and other concerned authorities received security clearance, it would pave the way for introducing border tourism in the area. We will take visitors up to the LoC where they will not only see the borders but also the beauty and hidden treasures beyond Gulmarg, he said.

Hydel project blasting leaves Mohura residents counting losses

Baramulla, Jul 12:The residents of Mohura village in Boniyar area of north Kashmirs Baramulla district have voiced concern over the ongoing tunnel blasting for the NHPC Uri-I Stage II hydroelectric project, alleging that repeated explosions have damaged several residential houses and left families living near the construction site in fear. On Saturday, a residential house suffered extensive structural damage, with large cracks appearing in its walls and floor. Muhammad Sadiq Khan, whose house was damaged in the incident, alleged that continuous blasting has caused major structural cracks, rendering the building unsafe for habitation. Fresh blasting has further weakened the structure, and a portion of the house has caved in. It is no longer safe to live here. I am worried about where I will take my family, Khan said. The locals here claim that several other houses in the locality have also developed minor cracks due to the blasting. They urged the district administration and officials of the executing agency to inspect the affected area and ensure that construction activities do not endanger residential structures. Khan appealed to MAX INFRA (I) Pvt. Ltd., the company executing the tunnel construction, to repair his damaged house. He further expressed surprise over the executive agencys behaviour over the incident. The higher officials should have visited the area and assessed the situation. However, none from the agency visited the area so far alleged Khan. The tunnel excavation is being carried out as part of the NHPC Uri-I Stage II hydroelectric project, with MAX INFRA (I) Pvt. Ltd. executing the blasting operations. Meanwhile, residents have demanded strict adherence to safety protocols during blasting operations and adequate compensation for all affected families.

Army Land Compensation Case: High Court directs DC Budgam to deposit Rs 231.87 crore

Srinagar, Jul 12: The High Court of J&K and Ladakh has directed the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Budgam to deposit Rs 231.87 crore received towards compensation for the land acquired by the Army at KarewaDamodar in the official account of the Registrar Judicial within a week, even as it ordered that the amount be kept in a fixed deposit. A bench of Justice Moksha KhajuriaKazmi also sought a fresh compliance report from the Union of India over depositing of the remaining Rs 273.87 crore, to be filed by August 11, the next date of hearing. During the hearing of the petitions by Abdul Samad Mir and other landowners, the court was informed that Rs 231.87 crore had already been deposited in the official account of the DC Budgam. Advocate S N Ratanpuri, representing the petitioners, requested the Court for a direction that the amount be transferred to the Registrar Judicial of the High Court. In response to the submission by Government Advocate, IlyasNazirLaway, the Court granted a week to DC Budgam to deposit the amount of Rs 231,87,47,585 with the office of Registrar Judicial. The said amount, upon being deposited, is directed to be kept in FDR initially for a period of three months. The Court also directed the Deputy Solicitor General of India (DSGI), T M Shamsi, to submit a fresh compliance report with regard to the balance amount of Rs 273.87 crore, which the Defence Estates authorities have sought from the Ministry of Defence to liquidate the remaining liability. The matter pertains to the acquisition of land situated at KarewaDamodhar, Wathoora and Kralpora villages in Budgam district, owned by the 251 petitioners and other landholders. As per the petition, the land had been under the occupation of the Armed Forces since 1952 and was subsequently requisitioned from time to time. The landowners were paid rent under the Jammu and Kashmir Requisitioning and Acquisition of Immovable Property Act, 1968, with periodic revisions every five years. The petitioners approached the High Court in a representative capacity, seeking various directions concerning the long-pending acquisition of the requisitioned land. The petition was disposed of on April 3, 2025, with the Court directing the authorities to carry the acquisition process to its logical conclusion within a reasonable time. The Court had observed that even the Supreme Court, in its order dated December 14, 2009, had prescribed a timeline for completing the exercise, which had long since expired without any final action being taken. While disposing of the petition, the High Court had granted liberty to individual landowners or groups of landowners to approach the Court afresh if they felt that the authorities were resorting to delaying tactics despite being afforded reasonable time to act. Dissatisfied with the absence of a specific deadline in the April 3, 2025 order, the petitioners filed an appeal before a Division Bench. On April 25, 2025, the Division Bench disposed of the appeal and directed the Union of India to complete the exercise envisaged in the writ courts order within six months. According to the petitioners, the six-month period expired on October 2, 2025, but the authorities failed to take any meaningful steps towards implementing the directions issued by the Supreme Court and the High Court. They contend that despite repeated judicial directions, the acquisition process remains incomplete, prompting them to once again approach the High Court seeking redressal of their grievances.

Insurance alone isn't enough: Study examines PM-JAY SEHAT utilisation

Srinagar, Jul 12:Awareness of scheme benefits, knowledge of empanelled hospitals, and road connectivity are the major factors associated with the use of the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan ArogyaYojana (PM-JAY)-SEHAT Scheme in J&K and less than half of those enrolled in the scheme have used it, a study from J&K has found. According to a peer-reviewed study published in Frontiers in Public Health, that surveyed 320 PM-JAY beneficiaries in the districts of Baramulla and Jammu, 48.4 percent enrolled beneficiaries reported having used PM-JAY services, while 51.6 percent said they had not. The study aimed to examine factors associated with utilisation of the government-funded health insurance scheme through verbal interviews.The beneficiaries included only those who had been enrolled under PM-JAY for at least a year between February and April 2025.The study did not determine whether those who had not used the scheme required hospitalisation during the study period. Instead it focused on identifying factors associated with scheme utilisation.The new research 'Beyond coverage: why Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan ArogyaYojana struggles to deliver healthcare in Jammu and Kashmir' was published in Frontiers in Public Health.It adds to a small but growing body of work on PM-JAY SEHAT here. The 2025 J&K Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) performance audit on the scheme focused on how it was being implemented.It included beneficiary registration, hospital empanelment, and administrative systems.Earlier, the World Health Organisation's (WHO) 2024 Health Benefit Packages Analysis of AB-PMJAY SEHAT examined the design of the scheme and recommended rationalising health benefit packages to improve the programme's efficiency. It also advocated long-term financial sustainability.Another WHO report highlighted the need for stronger evidence generation, better monitoring, and more coherent purchasing arrangements to sustain universal health coverage in India. These reports, however, have not investigated the factors influencing whether individual beneficiaries actually used PM-JAY services like the new Frontiers in Public Health study. This report has found that beneficiaries who were aware of their PM-JAY entitlements and empanelled hospitals were significantly more likely to have used the programme. Significantly, poor road infrastructure was associated with lower utilisation. No significant difference in PM-JAY utilisation between respondents from Baramulla and Jammu was found, implying that the factors identified were present across both study districts. The researchers have noted that J&Ks mountainous terrain and infrastructure constraints can affect access to healthcare services.They have argued that expanding public awareness campaigns, improving access to information about empanelled hospitals and strengthening transport connectivity will increase the utilisation of the scheme. Barriers including administrative procedures and financial issues have been found to be statistically insignificant predictors of utilisation in the study. However the study does not clarify whether the respondents who have not availed the benefits of the scheme actually required hospitalisation. PM-JAY is the Centre's flagship publicly funded health insurance programme. It provides cashless secondary and tertiary care to eligible beneficiaries through a network of empanelled hospitals. In J&K the scheme has been expanded to provide coverage to all residents under the Ayushman Bharat SEHAT initiative, irrespective of their financial status.

Ladakh gets 17 new tehsils, total rises to 32

Kargil, Jul 12:In a major move to overhaul regional governance and bring public services closer to remote border communities, the Ladakh administration Sunday officially approved the creation of 17 new tehsils. The landmark decision effectively doubles the number of tehsils in J&K, raising the total from 15 to 32. The expansion is designed to operationalise the five newly-created districts announced earlier this year, transforming how the geographically vast but sparsely populated region is governed. According to the official announcement, the restructuring has been undertaken to ensure that every revenue village is mapped to a single tehsil and every tehsil falls under a single district, thereby eliminating the administrative and jurisdictional overlap that existed earlier. The move is expected to streamline governance, improve efficiency, and make government services more accessible, particularly in remote and border areas. Under the new administrative framework, Leh district will have five tehsils, Kargil seven, Changthang four, Nubra six, Zanskar four, Sham five, and Drass one Tehsil. In a major policy decision to reorganise the revenue administrative framework in Ladakh, I have approved the creation of 17 new tehsils, a move aimed at strengthening the governance at the grassroots level and bringing governance closer to the people. It takes the total number of tehsils in Ladakh now to 32, from the existing 15 tehsils, LG Ladakh said. This rationalisation ensures that every revenue village is mapped to a single tehsil, and every tehsil to a single district, eliminating administrative and jurisdiction overlap, as it existed until now. The exercise is aligned with Prime Minister, Narendra Modi's dream of a developed and prosperous Ladakh, which was envisioned with inception of Ladakh as a Union Territory in 2019. This robust structure will enhance public service delivery, ensure faster implementation of developmental programmes, and ensure that every citizen, particularly those living in remote and border areas, has easier access to government services, the LG Ladakh said. For decades, Ladakh's rugged terrain and immense distances created severe challenges for local administration. Residents in far-flung pockets frequently had to travel over 300 km across treacherous mountain passes just to access basic government offices, secure land records, or meet administrative officials. The 32 tehsils are now systematically divided across the region's districts to ensure balanced administrative acces.

CM desperate to rebrand himself as anti-BJP warrior: LOP

Jammu, Jul 12:Leader of Opposition Sunil Kumar Sharma on Saturday said that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was desperately trying to rebrand himself as a warrior against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to escape the anger of the people of Jammu and Kashmir after deceiving them with false promises during the 2024 Assembly elections and wasting 2 years between marathon tracks and the ski slopes of Gulmarg. Sharma challenged CM Omar to provide evidence of his claims that the BJP offered Rs 20 to 30 crore to one of his MLAs to switch sides. Let him produce proof before the people of J&K. If there is even an iota of truth in his claims, I will apologise to him publicly, he said. BJP will be compelled to initiate legal proceedings against him if he fails to provide evidence. Sharma said that the CMs allegations were nothing more than a smokescreen to divert attention from public anger over the promises made during the 2024 Assembly elections. Omar Abdullah finds himself trapped by the lies and deception he resorted to at that time. Now he is cornered and is using his last card, portraying himself as a crusader against the BJP before the people of Kashmir, he said. Sharma said that CM Omar knows his political future was uncertain and now wants to be remembered as a warrior who fought against the BJP. Omar Abdullah should remember that he will go down as the most incompetent J&K CM. The people of J&K know that he wasted two years between marathon tracks and ski slopes, he said.

A quiet question

We spend much of our lives answering a question no one asks directly: Who are you?Sometimes we answer with names. Sometimes with professions. Sometimes with places we call home. We introduce ourselves through carefully chosen fragmentspieces we believe are enough for the world to understand us. But identity has never been that simple.We are more than names written on paper, more than degrees hanging on walls, more than addresses pinned to maps. Beneath these visible markers lies something far more complex, something constantly shifting and quietly evolving.Identity is not merely who we are. It is also who we are becoming.It begins long before we understand it. It begins at originin the homes that raise us, in the languages that shape our first thoughts, in the traditions that quietly become part of our bones. It lives in inherited stories, in generational memories, in values passed from one heart to another. Where we come from leaves traces within us. Our roots shape the lens through which we see the world.Yet identity is not formed by origin alone.Life intervenes.Every experience leaves behind an imprint. Every heartbreak alters something. Every failure humbles us. Every achievement changes our understanding of ourselves. The people we love, the pain we survive, the losses we carry, and the dreams we refuse to abandonall become part of us. We are shaped by memory as much as by movement. And perhaps that is what makes identity so fascinating. It is neither fixed nor final. It grows with us. It bends under pressure. It rebuilds itself after loss. It expands with knowledge and deepens with reflection.Who we were five years ago is not who we are today. Who we are today is not who we will be tomorrow.We are constantly becoming. In a world obsessed with labels, we often reduce ourselves and others into categoriessimple definitions for deeply complicated lives. But human beings have never been simple. We are layered, contradictory, unfinished.We carry pieces of our past while moving toward versions of ourselves we have not yet met.Perhaps identity is not about finding one permanent answer to the question of who we are. Perhaps it is about learning to live honestly within that question. To understand that identity is not a destination, but a lifelong conversation between our past, our present, and our future.Between where we come from and where we choose to go.And maybe that is the beauty of being human.We are not static beings trapped within fixed definitions. We are stories still being writtenshaped by origin, transformed by experience, and carried forward by possibility. In the end, identity is neither inheritance alone nor choice alone. It is the quiet collision of both. Of roots and wings. Of memory and motion. Of where we beganand where we dare to go. Baiza Mushtaq, alumna GK School of Communications Baiza

Talk over treaty

Pakistans latest attempt to internationalise the Indus Waters issue through a conference in Brussels, the capital city of Belgium has exposed the glaring contradiction at the heart of its diplomacy. Water justice after all rests on trust but Pakistan sponsored terrorism has destroyed it.The conference, titled Transboundary Water Resources: A Weaponised Global Common is jointly being organised by the Centre for European Policy Studies and Pakistans Embassy to the European Union. Pakistan tries to portray itself as a victim of changing geopolitical realities and an advocate of international law before diplomats, legal experts and climate specialists who are set to discuss the Indus basin. Before asking the world to defend its rights over shared waters, Pakistan must answer a pressing question that how can it demand unconditional cooperation from its neighbour, when it is involved in exporting violence from across the border.The Indus Water Treaty has stood as an extraordinary example of restraint and maturity for over sixty years. The Treaty which was signed in 1960, survived wars in 1965, 1971 and 1999. Despite numerous terrorist attacks by Pakistan in the past, India still honoured the agreement and displayed extreme patience which hardly any other country should have shown. India always believed that agreements should outlive political tensions and hoped that cooperation could eventually lead to peace but that hope was repeatedly betrayed. India have suffered a lot due to terrorist attacks. From Mumbai to Uri, from Pulwama to Pahalgam, Pakistan sponsored terrorists have killed dozens of innocent civilians, leaving deep scars on the psyche of entire nation. How can India continue to uphold the spirit of cooperation while Pakistan always try to destabilise peace in the region? Pahalgam attack in which twenty six innocent tourists were killed was a turning point. Indias decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance was not a rejection of international norms. It was a signal that treaties cannot be insulated forever from the consequences of terrorism. Pakistan, however wants the world to ignore this context. In Brussels, it intends to speak of glaciers, climate change and water scarcity. It will invoke international law and shared responsibility. Yet it will remain silent on the issue that has poisoned bilateral relations for decades. It wants the benefits of cooperation without fulfilling the responsibilities that make cooperation possible. This selective morality weakens its case as no country in the world can preach water justice while ignoring ones own actions of destabilizing regional peace. No government can seek sympathy abroad while refusing to address concerns that have repeatedly derailed peace efforts at home. Justice is not merely about access to resources. It is also about respecting the lives and security of those across the border. The argument put forth by Pakistan turns out to be weaker when historical aspects are taken into account. The Indus Water Treaty stands as testament that despite India having the upper riparian position, it never weaponised water. India even during wars and major crises did not keep the Water Treaty in abeyance which stands in sharp contrast to Pakistans frequent attempts to internationalise bilateral issues while avoiding meaningful introspection on terrorism which India has been repeatedly talking about. Climate change is looming large at the mankind and of all water scarcity happens to be a serious challenge. People in South Asia are largely dependent on Indus water for their livelihoods. These issues deserve global attention and regional cooperation which cannot bloom in an atmosphere of fear and mistrust. Water treaties are not only legal documents but expressions of political confidence and mutual cooperation between the two countries. They are assumed that both the countries are committed to peace, cooperation and responsible conduct but when one side repeatedly support terrorism, the moral basis of such cooperation comes under question. Pakistan cannot expect the world to view water and terrorism as separate issues. They are deeply interconnected because peace is the foundation upon which all forms of cooperation are built. The message for Brussels is therefore simple. Listen to Pakistans concerns on water by all means. Discuss climate change and regional sustainability. But do not ignore the larger reality. A nation that seeks justice must also demonstrate responsibility and should stop supporting terrorism by all means. Dr Sheikh Jamsheed, Social and Peace Activist.

Not Communal Rioters

Every year on 26 January, India celebrates the Republic with parades and solemn speeches about the struggle for freedom. We remember Gandhi, Bhagat Singh, the countless men and women who faced British bullets and British jails for the simple demand that Indians should govern themselves. It is a story we tell with pride, and rightly so. But there is another story, from another 13 July, that we have spent decades trying to forget. In 1931, twenty-two unarmed protesters were shot dead outside Srinagar Central Jail. They had gathered to demand justice, to protest the trial of Abdul Qadeer, and to voice years of accumulated grievance against the Dogra monarchy. The state responded with rifle fire. The protesters fell. And ever since, we have argued about what those deaths actually meant. Here is the question that needs asking. If the Indian national movement was a legitimate anti-colonial struggle against the British, and the Dogra monarchy was itself a princely state operating under British paramountcy, then how exactly are the 13 July martyrs not part of that same struggle? The Dogra ruler was not sovereign. He ruled by permission of the British Crown. His administration extracted revenue, imposed forced labour, denied representation, and maintained a durbar culture that served a narrow elite while impoverishing the vast majority. This was not self-rule. It was colonialism by another name, administered through a local monarch who happened to wear a turban instead of a pith helmet. The protesters who died on 13 July were not demanding a religious state. They were demanding an end to arbitrary rule, to begar, to taxation without representation, to a system where birth and connection mattered more than merit or justice. These were the same grievances that animated the Congress movement across British India. The vocabulary of protest sometimes borrowed religious symbolism, as it did across colonial India, but the underlying demand was political and economic. To reduce 13 July to a communal incident is to mistake the language of protest for its substance. Yes, violence followed the firing. Some Hindu-owned shops were attacked. This is a fact, and it deserves honest examination. But here is what honest examination actually shows. The crowd gathered that morning did not assemble to burn shops. They assembled to petition an autocratic state. It was the states bullets that turned a protest into a bloodbath. The violence that followed was a breakdown, not a programme. To take the aftermath and use it to define the cause is bad history, and worse politics. It is like saying the Jallianwala Bagh massacre was about communal tension because riots followed it, rather than about General Dyers decision to open fire on a peaceful crowd. The inequities of the Dogra state were not felt only by Muslims. Poor Hindu peasants, low-caste communities across the state, and the Buddhist population of Ladakh, who had endured a Dogra conquest that killed thousands and razed monasteries, all bore the weight of an unaccountable monarchy. Being ruled by a Hindu king was no protection if you were poor, marginalised, or simply outside the durbars favour. The monarchys religious identity shaped its political symbolism, but the burdens of its governance crossed every community line. This matters because the way we remember 13 July says something about the kind of democracy we want to be. For decades, the date was observed as Martyrs Day in Jammu and Kashmir. Political leaders, across party lines, would visit the martyrs graveyard in Naqshband Sahib and lay flowers. It was an act of collective memory, a recognition that the struggle for rights and representation in that princely state was part of the broader Indian story of resistance to arbitrary power. Since 2020, that has changed. The holiday has been removed from the official calendar. The area around the graveyard has been cordoned off. Political leaders have been confined to their homes, their gates locked from outside. In 2025, the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir was manhandled while trying to scale a gate to reach the martyrs graves. None of this is accidental. It is part of a sustained effort to erase a historical narrative that does not fit the present political script. But the script has a hole in it. You cannot spend 26 January celebrating resistance to colonial power, and then spend 13 July preventing people from commemorating resistance to the same kind of power, without inviting a hard question. Is anti-colonialism only legitimate when it is directed against the British? Does the label martyr apply only to those who fell to foreign bullets, and not to those who fell to a local monarchs rifles while demanding the same things, justice, rights, representation, dignity? The British left in 1947, but the hierarchies they relied upon did not simply vanish. The durbar mentality, the extraction, the suspicion of popular mobilisation, these persisted in new forms. A government that padlocks its own Chief Minister to prevent him from laying flowers at a graveyard is not defending public order. It is defending a particular version of history, one in which resistance to unaccountable authority is always suspect, always communal, always illegitimate unless it serves the current dispensation. To remember 13 July honestly is to sit with an uncomfortable truth. The protesters who died were not saints, and the violence that followed their killing was not justified. But the grievance that brought them to the jail gate was real, it was political, and it was shared across colonial India in a hundred different forms. They were part of the same struggle that produced the national movement, the same demand for accountable governance that animated the Constituent Assembly, the same refusal to accept that some people are born to rule and others to obey. If we can honour that struggle when it was directed against the British, we can honour it when it was directed against a monarchy that ruled under British protection. The 13 July martyrs were not communal rioters. They were anti-colonial protesters who happened to be killed by a local king instead of a foreign viceroy. That distinction should not place them outside the history we choose to remember. It should place them squarely within it. Irfan Gull is a Member Provincial Executive Committee Youth National Conference

The EARLY Echoes

As the Centre for Distance and Online Education University of Kashmir completes fifty years of its remarkable journey, the mind naturally turns to the early days of the Centre of Distance Educationthe years when the institution was modest in infrastructure but immense in purpose. Those who were associated with its formative decades often remember not merely offices and files, but a spirit: the belief that education had to travel to the learner, even when the learner could not travel to the university. The following recollections, drawn in the spirit of institutional memory, evoke the atmosphere, struggles, and quiet heroism of those early years. 1. When the office looked small but the dream was enormous In the earliest years, the Centre did not possess the scale and facilities that later generations would come to associate with it. The rooms were modest, the furniture basic, and the working conditions often stretched by limited resources. Yet, there was an unmistakable sense among the staff that they were part of something pioneering. The office may have appeared small to an outsider, but to those who worked there it represented a revolutionary idea: that a university in Kashmir could reach learners sitting in villages, towns, workplaces, and homes far beyond the main campus. 2. The arrival of the first bundles of study material One of the most vivid memories of the early Centre was the sight of freshly printed study material stacked in bundlescarefully tied, sorted, labeled, and prepared for dispatch. Those bundles symbolized much more than printed pages; they were the Universitys promise reaching students who would study in isolation, often without a teacher physically present before them. Staff members recall the satisfaction of seeing course material move from manuscript to print, and from print to parcel, as though each packet carried not only lessons but hope itself. 3. Long evenings of envelope writing and address checking Before digital databases and automated communication, dispatching study material and notices was a painstaking manual exercise. Names, addresses, course details, and roll numbers had to be checked and rechecked by hand. A single spelling error or missing village name could mean a student never received crucial material. There were evenings when staff stayed late, surrounded by registers, envelopes, gum, stamps, and lists, determined to ensure that no learner was forgotten. Accuracy was not just clerical efficiency; it was an act of academic responsibility. 4. Students arriving with anxietyand leaving with reassurance Many students who came to the Centre in those years were first-generation learners in higher education or individuals returning to studies after a long gap. They often arrived with hesitation: unsure about eligibility, examination forms, study schedules, or even their own ability to continue. Those who worked in the Centre remember how important it was to reassure them. Sometimes a few patient words at a desk mattered as much as any official notice. The institution learned early that distance education required not only academic systems but emotional encouragement. 5. The belief that every late learner deserved a second chance Among the most powerful memories associated with the Centre is the kind of learner it attractedteachers wanting to improve qualifications, women resuming education after marriage or family responsibilities, employees studying after office hours, and students who had once dropped out but had not abandoned the dream of a degree. In the early years, the Centre became known not merely as an administrative unit, but as a place where interrupted educational journeys could begin again. That sense of offering a second chance became part of its moral identity. 6. Contact classes that felt like reunions of determination When learners gathered for contact classes, the atmosphere was often unlike that of a regular classroom. These were students who had struggled to carve time out of work, travel, family obligations, and social limitations to be present. Their seriousness gave the classes a distinct energy. Teachers remember that such learners listened with unusual attentiveness, asked practical questions, and valued every hour of academic contact. For many, those sessions were not routine lectures; they were cherished opportunities to reconnect with the world of learning. 7. Winters, weather, and the challenge of continuity Kashmirs climate and terrain have always shaped educational life, and the early Centre was no exception. There were periods when weather disrupted travel, delayed communication, or complicated the dispatch of material and the conduct of academic activities. Yet, the institution persisted. Staff and faculty often worked with the awareness that a delayed schedule could have serious consequences for learners who were already balancing many difficulties. In that sense, every completed academic cycle was an achievement of planning, patience, and resilience against circumstance. 8. The teacher who had to write for an unseen classroom One of the unique challenges of distance education in the early years was preparing study material for students whom the teacher might never meet. Faculty members often had to rethink how they wrote. A lecture delivered in a classroom could depend on tone, gesture, and immediate clarification, but a self-learning lesson had to anticipate confusion in advance. It had to explain patiently, guide step by step, and speak in a voice that was academically sound yet accessible. Many teachers later reflected that writing for distance learners changed them as educators; it made them clearer, more reflective, and more attentive to the learners mind. 9. Registers, ledgers, and the discipline of manual record-keeping Before the age of digital portals and electronic databases, the Centres institutional memory lived in registersadmission registers, dispatch registers, attendance records, result sheets, and file-bound correspondence. The maintenance of these records required immense discipline. Staff members often knew entire batches of students by name, course, district, and enrolment history simply because they handled the records so closely. The handwritten register was not merely a document; it was the operational heart of the institution. 10. The joy when examination results meant a familys pride In many households, the success of one distance learner was not an individual event but a family milestone. There were students whose results were celebrated not simply because they had passed, but because they had achieved something that had once seemed impossible under their circumstances. The Centre gradually became familiar with these stories. Behind every marks card was a strugglea clerk studying at night, a mother returning to books, a village student overcoming distance, a teacher upgrading qualifications for professional growth. Such outcomes gave the staff a sense that their routine work had a deeply human consequence. 11. A culture of manage somehow, but dont let the student suffer Every old institution develops a phrase, spoken or unspoken, that captures its ethos. In the case of the early Centre, that ethos may best be described as this: do whatever is possible, but do not let the student suffer unnecessarily. This did not mean bypassing rules; rather, it reflected a humane administrative instinct. If a student had travelled a long distance to clarify an issue, the effort was made to guide him or her properly. If a procedural difficulty arose, the concern was not only the file but also the person behind the file. This culture of responsiveness became one of the Centres quiet strengths. 12. The sense of pioneering an unfamiliar model of higher education In the early years, distance education did not always enjoy the same social recognition that conventional education did. Those who worked in the Centre therefore had to believe in the value of their mission even before everyone else fully understood it. They were not merely running a programme; they were legitimizing a model of higher learning. They had to prove, through academic seriousness and administrative discipline, that education delivered at a distance could still be rigorous, meaningful, and life-changing. That pioneering confidence deserves to be remembered as one of the Centres foundational virtues. 13. Directors who led with stewardship rather than ceremony Former colleagues often remember that the early leadership of the Centre was defined less by ceremonial authority and more by stewardship. Directors had to think simultaneously about admissions, academic quality, staffing limitations, course preparation, examinations, correspondence, and the growing expectations of learners. They led in circumstances where institutional building required daily attention to practical detail. The Centres continuity across decades owes much to that kind of leadershipquiet, persistent, and deeply aware that a fragile but important institution had to be protected and strengthened. 14. The office that became a bridge between the University and the farthest learner Perhaps the most enduring memory of the old Centre is that it served as a bridge. Students who could not become part of the everyday life of the campus still felt that they belonged to the University because of this institution. Through forms, lessons, contact classes, examinations, notices, and personal guidance, the Centre connected the distant learner to the academic centre. It reduced the emotional and educational distance between the University and the student. That bridging function remains one of its noblest achievements. 15. Pride without noise: the quiet satisfaction of public service The people who built the Centre in its early decades may not always have spoken grandly about their work, but many carried a quiet pride in what the institution stood for. They knew that distance education was not a peripheral service; it was a social necessity. They knew that somewhere, often unseen, a learners future was being held together by the timely dispatch of a course unit, the careful handling of an examination form, the patient clarification of a doubt, or the successful conduct of a contact programme. That quiet satisfactionthe knowledge of having served education beyond the visible classroomwas perhaps the Centres most enduring emotional inheritance. To conclude, the Golden Jubilee of the Centre for Distance and Online Education, University of Kashmir is a celebration of endurance, relevance, and public service. From its beginnings in 1976 as the Institute of Correspondence Education to its present identity as a Centre committed to both distance and online learning, it has remained one of the Universitys most socially responsive institutions. Its history is not merely a chronology of programmes, offices, and administrative changes; it is a history of educational hope carried across distance. To celebrate fifty years of CDOE is to honor all those who built itformer Directors who led it, teachers who sustained it, staff who ran it, and students who gave it meaning. It is to remember that the Centres real achievement lies not only in institutional survival but in educational inclusion. It opened doors for those who stood outside them. It gave continuity to interrupted dreams. It carried the University into homes, workplaces, towns, villages, and lives that might otherwise have remained untouched by higher education. That is why the Golden Jubilee is not just an anniversary. It is a testament. Dr Showkat Rashid Wani, Senior Coordinator, Centre for Distance &Online Education, University of Kashmir.

Pak intruder retreats after BSF fires warning shots in J-K's Kathua

Jammu, Jul 12: A Pakistani intruder retreated across the International Border after Border Security Force personnel fired warning shots when he attempted to enter Indian territory in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district on Sunday, officials said. BSF troops observed the intruder's movement in the Bobiya area of Hiranagar sector this evening and challenged him, the officials said. However, the intruder paid no heed and tried to approach the border fence but retreated after alert BSF personnel fired a couple of shots to warn him, they said.

India needs multi-fuel security

Indias ethanol push is no longer just about blending petrol. With proposals to extend its use to aviation, the debate has intensified over whether the country is rushing into a fuel whose costs may outweigh its benefits. Concerns range from damage to existing vehicles and lower fuel efficiency to groundwater depletion, food security, the diversion of crops from the food chain and severely low energy density. Many experts believe the real future of biofuels lies not in food crops but in converting crop residues, municipal waste and other biomass into cleaner fuels.The E10 or 100 mililitre ethanol per 10 litre of petrol, could be a myth with its low burning capacity energy density and high-water content, though it could boost profits of distilleries. Its doubtful if it could give the required thrust to a car or now as planned for aircraft as well by the government.Even the push for ethanol for car is yet not cleared by any lab or study. As per governments admission in court, it is doing a mass experiment, not clear with whose legal sanction. Intriguing is the recent press conference by three auto companies - Maruti Suzuki, Toyota Kirloskar, and Hero MotoCorp. They mislead the public. Toyota owners manual contradicts what the company affirms. It does not give clean chit to ethanol. Apart. a number of auto companies want guarantees for ethanol use.Indias ethanol blending program with unproven energy security, is reshaping crop priorities, with farmers favouring maize over pulses and oilseeds, risking food security. The Economic Survey 2025-26 has warned of increased dependence on edible oil imports and food price volatility, highlighting a conflict between energy and food self-reliance. Diverting sugarcane, rice and maize to ethanol production risks raising food prices, reducing food security and worsening groundwater depletion. Expanding maize cultivation has displaced pulses and oilseeds, increasing dependence on edible oil imports. Higher maize demand has also raised livestock feed costs, hurting poultry and dairy sectors. Diverting surplus rice and sugarcane may strain the public distribution system, while water-intensive ethanol crops further aggravate Indias growing water crisis. Apart when the ethanol in E10 absorbs too much atmospheric moisture (especially in humid environments or if a car sits idle), it triggers phase separation. The ethanol and water bond together, sinking to the bottom of the fuel tank. It corrodes the engine, cause sputtering, stalling, and significant damage to fuel injectors and metal parts. The ethanol blending move calls for immediate withdrawal till detailed prolonged tests are done in government labs.The government has not clarified how a half-baked idea is forcefully implemented without a study or lab clearance. No formal clearance has yet been accorded. Why india does not follow Brazil transitionBrazil built its ethanol ecosystem over five decades, driven by the 1973 oil crisis. (In 1930, it allowed a blending law). The government initiated the Prolcool program in 1975, introduced mass-produced ethanol-only cars by 1979, and launched flex-fuel (E27, E35 E100, 25 to 30 percent cheaper) vehicles (FFVs) in 2003. This phased approach allowed simultaneous upgrades to fuel pumps, vehicle engines, and sugarcane production. It worked with auto giants for developing fully ethanol compliant engine. It never till today made any bit compulsory. Above all Brazil worked step by step. India is seemingly in hurry without a preparation and scientific approach. Implementation of critical tech should be easy and never be coercive. Here profit, unfortunately, alone seems the inspiration. India forced a blanket blend without price reductions, creating dissatisfaction due to the resulting 512 percent drop in fuel mileage and ethanol-water blend costs the same as petrol, ensuring higher profits to distilleries. Ethanol-Water damages: ARAI The ARAI study on E20 (20% ethanol) does not suggest a blanket disapproval, but presents a mixed picture. While engines generally survive, testing by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) found that prolonged use of E20 in older vehicles designed for E10 can accelerate deterioration of rubber fuel-system. Over 90 percent of vehicles in India are not E20 compliant. The mileage loss has a cost. Indias installed ethanol production capacity is 1,810 crore litres annually, spanning 499 operational distilleries. Driven by grain feedstocks like maize, producers average an estimated profit of Rs 20 to 25 per litre. Distilleries have cumulatively earned over Rs 1.96 lakh crore. Reducing the price of government rice to Rs22.5 per kg has widened ethanol producers margins, with production costs of Rs3842 per litre versus a government-fixed price of Rs6065.Best Residues, Wastes Whether ethanol is a clean fuel depends on its full lifecycle, not just tailpipe emissions. Ethanol is only one part of Indias broader biofuel strategy, alongside compressed biogas, sustainable aviation fuel, renewable diesel and bioethanol for hard-to-decarbonise sectors. The next generation biofuels have to be made from farm residues, municipal waste and other non-food biomass, stubble and methane emissions. Whats Ethanol Hurry? Nothing adequately explains the extraordinary rush towards ethanol. India needs a cafeteria approach to energy, offering multiple fuel options rather than replacing one form of dependence with another. The experience of the US-Iran conflict, which exposed the countrys vulnerability to disruptions in petroleum supplies despite widespread adoption of LPG and petroleum-based fuels under schemes like Ujjwala, underscored the risks of over-reliance on a single energy source. Energy security lies in diversificationnot in putting too many eggs in one basket. Ethanol alone will not deliver Indias climate goals. Neither will electric vehicles. Indias clean energy future will be built on an ecosystem where renewable electricity, electric mobility, green hydrogen and advanced biofuels complement one another rather than compete. The push for ethanol seems misplaced. Ethanol is only one component of a much broader ecosystem. The carbon footprint math gets complicated because ethanol has roughly 33 percent less energy density leading to a vehicle has to burn more volume than petrol - inflating the emissions and cost-per-mile story. Savings on forex is more a myth. The electric vehicle progress is uncertain. But aviation, shipping, heavy commercial vehicles and several industries will continue to require liquid and gaseous fuels for decades. The ethanol could be a reserve fuel but not a regular one as its actual costs and environmental hazards are high. It would be more expensive than petrol and never match petroleum fuels. Shivaji Sarkar, a professional journalist and media academician having held administrative positions.

Understand natures warning!

Jammu and Kashmir has been witnessing frequent flash floods triggered by cloudbursts with the onset of Monsoon. The extreme weather events are seen as more than natural phenomena propelled by climate change. It was like a doomsday in Thathri town of Jammu Doda district on July 7 when flash floods caused extensive damage to houses and shops. The intensity of flash floods after cloudbursts was such that the gushing waters carried boulders, rocks and tons of soil burying several houses and vehicles. On July 10, flash floods hit Ari Sarhuti village of Mendhar in Poonch district after heavy rainfall in the area. with water damaging human habitations and agriculture fields, Thick cloud cover formed over south Kashmirs Anantnag district on July 11 evening. Suddenly there were thunders followed by cloudbursts and within no time water gushed in the Oowera area of Pahalgam, damaging several huts and hotels. Flash Flood was also reported in Shangus area of Anantnag causing rise in the Aaripath stream. 12 cloudbursts were reported in 12 hours in when the southwest monsoon arrived in Jammu and Kashmir on July 2. Chenab Valley in Jammu besides north and south Kashmir areas were affected by flash floods. Experts state that cloudbursts are caused by interaction of southwest monsoon currents with feeble western disturbance. Frequency of cloudbursts and flash floods increases during the pre-monsoon and monsoon period. As monsoon progresses, there is possibility of short-duration high-intensity rainfall events, particularly in mountainous districts of Jammu, including the Pir Panjal and Chenab Valley. Such weather patterns are dangerous as these can produce intense rainfall over a small area within a short periodtriggering flash floods, landslides and mudslides. Floods and heavy rainfall claimed 199 lives, killed 11,693 livestock and damaged thousands of houses across J&K last year. Extreme weather patterns are caused by rising temperatures, fragile Himalayan geology, forest loss, unplanned construction and growing pressure on mountain ecosystems. Mukhtar Ahmad, Director of the Meteorological Department in Srinagar explains that rising temperatures are increasing the atmospheres moisture-holding capacity. He says that for every 1C rise in temperature, the moisture-holding capacity of air increases by 7%. This increases the chances of very intense showers and heavy downpours. Noted Climatologist Sonam Lotus explains that climate change is one of the factors responsible for increasing ecological vulnerability in Himalayan regions. Lotus minces no words to blame rapid unplanned urbanisation and over-exploitation of natural resources, especially in hilly terrain..During the monsoon season, such events are a recurring phenomenon and happen every year. Changing climate patterns and increasing human pressure can intensify their impact. The weather pattern gets intense, once these monsoons interact with Western Disturbances. Head of the Department of Geoinformatics, University of Kashmir (KU), Associate Professor Irfan Rashid states that it is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of flash floods without a detailed meteorological analysis. However, he says this year there has been the influence of multiple western disturbances along with significant monsoonal moisture. Higher temperatures can also increase the moisture-holding capacity of the atmosphere and, under favorable conditions, enhance convective activity. The interaction of these factors, together with the orographic influences, might be creating conditions favourable for cloudbursts. However, this needs to be thoroughly investigated, he says. We have a glaring example of the Chisoti area of Kishwar how dangerous cloudbursts can be. How series of cloudbursts wreaked havoc on August 14 last year when devotees on the way to pay obeisance at Machail Mata temple were struck by flash floods following cloudbursts in the upper reaches of Chisoti village. There were 65 casualties in the incident. J&K is prone to natural disasters and falls in multi-hazard prone Himalayan regions due to its unique topography. However, increasing frequency of cloudbursts and flash floods is a matter of serious concern. The rising temperatures coupled with fluctuating weather patternsprolonged dry spell and sudden rains is severely disturbing ecological balance in J&K. Last year Kashmir, on July 5, witnessed the third hottest day ever at 37.4 degrees Celsius after over seven decades. The prolonged heat wave and dry spells are having disastrous impacts on glaciers. The drought-like situation in the last 5 years has expedited the retreating of most of the glaciers in the Kashmir Himalaya. Kolahoi, the largest glacier of Kashmirs Jhelum Basin, has been melting rapidly due to a spurt in temperature triggered by global warming and extreme pollution. Thajiwas, Hoksar, Nehnar, Shishram, and glaciers around Harmukh are melting fast. Fast retreating of glaciers because of global warming and pollution has created glacial lakes, which can be disastrous, in various mountain ranges of J&K besides Ladakh. There is a massive risk of Glacial lake Outburst Floods in Kashmir. Melting glaciers erode land and fill up the space, creating glacial lakes. Five glacial lakes in the Kashmir Himalaya pose a very high risk of sudden, catastrophic GLOFs. Lakes like Bramsar and Chirsar are ticking time bombs. The hydrologically-linked Nundkol and Gangabal lakes from the Ganderbal district alone threaten more than 1000 buildings, four bridges, and a hydropower plant. Bramsar and Chirsar lakes together endanger at least more than 400 buildings and five bridges in the south Kashmir districts of Shopian and Kulgam, while Bhagsar Lake puts more than 1100 structures, and six bridges, at risk in Shopian district. It just needs a heavy spell of rain for GLOFs! which can be disastrous for downstream populations. Cloudbursts, flash floods or GLOFS cant be prevented but measures can be taken to save lives and minimise damage. It is high time to enhance our weather monitoring systems to ensure early detection of cloudbursts so that people can be alerted to move to safer places. There is also a need to ensure sustainable development. It has been observed that cloudbursts and flash floods are mostly occurring at eco-sensitive zones which have witnessed haphazard constructions and damage to the environment. The bottom-line is that we shouldnt disturb the environment. We must understand natures warning or face its fury! Author is Executive Editor, Greater Kashmir.

Strait of Hormuz hangs in the balance as US-Iran ceasefire unravels

The US-Iran deal faces significant strain due to escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has closed the strait, prompting US retaliatory strikes on Iranian targets. This cycle of attacks and counterattacks has severely damaged high-stakes diplomacy between the nations. Analysts suggest the US may be responsible for not adhering to the MoU's terms.

Indias prosperity problem: Public finances now compensate the majority for economic insecurity, regardless of growth

India has significantly reduced extreme poverty, achieving a major development goal. However, recent economic growth has not broadly benefited the majority of its population. Many citizens now depend on government subsidies for basic necessities and services. This situation persists despite the country experiencing rapid economic expansion. The educated youth also face stagnant wages, contributing to widespread economic depression.

Lieutenant Governor urges youth to use Indias rich heritage to inspire millions of new minds

Srinagar, July 12: The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today attended the Lal Ded Literature Awards and the release function of Dr. Vaidehi Tamans new book Lal Ded: The Mother of Kashmir. He urged the awardees to share the timeless wisdom of Lal Ded, Kabir, Nund Rishi, Guru Nanak, and Tulsidas with the younger generation. Speaking on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor said that our ancestors built India by balancing science with deep spiritual values, emphasising that progress requires both the scientist and the spiritualist. Indias greatest strength is its rich spiritual, scientific and cultural identity, passed down through centuries like a torch. I appealed to the youth to not let that flame die. Now is the time to use our rich heritage to inspire millions of new minds. Now is the time to innovate and give the youth of Jammu Kashmir a clear purpose for building self- reliant UT. Nation-building is a shared duty for every citizen. Youth are the builders of our future. Do not settle for ordinary achievements. Dream big, work hard, and strive for excellence. Our nation's journey succeeds through patience, hard work, and collective effort, the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor said that India values both outward progress and inward spiritual growth. He said, traveling from Kashmir to Kanyakumari shows that our core traditions are still alive and this shared spiritual heritage guides our society and connects every Indian. I want writers, thinkers and artists to preserve and share this spiritual tradition. I am not suggesting we live in the past, but rather that we respect the truth, goodness, and grace of our heritage. We can stay open to the world while remaining deeply rootedjust like a tree with strong roots that survives the wind and grows. I invite the society to do two important things: First, find a piece of your heritage that you lost in the busyness of lifewhether it is a language, a song, a recipe, a story, or a tradition. Reclaim it, and inspire the next generation to do the same. Second, remember that our greatest strength is our cultural identity, passed down for centuries like a burning torch. I appeal to the youth: do not let that flame die. Now is the time to use our heritage to kindle millions of new flames, the Lieutenant Governor said. He commended the work of writers, educators and artists and stated that those honored today have enriched our nation through their extraordinary work. They are guides for society, proving that true excellence is measured by the positive impact we leave on future generations. Whether through writing, teaching, art, or public service, they shape our shared future. In this rapidly changing world, we need writers and educators more than ever. They create ideas, preserve knowledge, and guide the youth. Literature makes us compassionate, and education gives us knowledge. Together, they create responsible citizens who can lead the nation forward, the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor further said that young generation stands at the confluence of tradition and modernity. He noted that youth have technology in their hands, but their minds seek new purpose. It is the duty of our writers to connect youth to their cultural roots and to inspire them to think beyond boundaries with a purpose, with a new goal. It is the responsibility of our teachers to provide not only skills but also values, confidence and the courage to the youth to face future challenges. If literature and education go hand in hand, the nations progress will be not only material but moral and spiritual as well, he said. On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor made five requests to intellectuals, writers, teachers, scientists, and creators. Encourage the youth to think independently and pursue truth, document and share rich culture, which is our greatest strength in a global world, bring ideas out of books and use them to solve real-world problems, share your experience to inspire the next generation to serve the nation and combine different areas of expertise to tackle complex challenges like climate change. Nation-building is a shared duty. A strong economy can build infrastructure, but only responsible citizens can protect it. Youth are the builders of our future. Do not settle for ordinary achievements. Dream big, work hard, and strive for excellence. Our nation's journey succeeds through patience, hard work, and collective effort, the Lieutenant Governor said. Responding to the request for a museum dedicated to great personalities like Lal Ded, the Lieutenant Governor assured that appropriate steps would be taken in this regard. Tirath Singh Rawat, former Chief Minister, Uttarakhand; Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, former Member of Parliament and President, Asiatic Society of Mumbai; Prof. Neerja Mattoo, eminent writer; Dr Vaidehi Taman, author, and prominent literary personalities attended the award ceremony. Padma Shri Dr SP Varma; Brij Mohan Sharma, Principal Secretary Culture; Dr. GV Sundeep Chakravarthy, SSP Srinagar; Akshay Labroo, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar and other senior officials were also present.

Twin Cloudbursts, Flash Floods disrupt normal life in Pahalgam; restoration work on

Wont Wait Anymore: Omar Abdullah says J&K statehood fight will now move to the streets

Delhi University records highest-ever UG registrations with over 2.73 lakh candidates for 2026-27 session

New Delhi, Jul 12: Delhi University has recorded its highest-ever undergraduate registrations since 2022, with over 2.73 lakh candidates signing up for the 2026-27 academic session. According to university officials, 2,73,751 candidates signed up on the Common Seat Allocation System (CSAS) portal, of whom 2,18,284 completed their registrations. As many as 2,06,835 aspirants have also submitted their programme and college preferences under the second phase of the admission process, they said. The figures are the highest recorded by the university since 2022, according to university officials. The second phase of the undergraduate admission process, which began on July 3, concluded on July 11, during which candidates were required to map their CUET-UG 2026 subjects with those studied in Class 12 and submit their preferred programme and college combinations. The university will declare simulated ranks on the CSAS portal at 5 pm on Sunday. Candidates seeking to modify the order of their programme and college preferences can do so until 4.59 pm on July 13. According to the admission schedule, the first CSAS allocation list will be announced on July 16, after which candidates allotted seats will have to complete the admission process as per the notified timeline. Admissions to 73 undergraduate programmes and more than 100 BA programme combinations offered across 67 colleges are being conducted solely based on CUET-UG 2026 scores, subject to programme-specific eligibility criteria prescribed by the university.

CISF DG reviews security arrangements for Amarnath pilgrims at Nunwan Pahalgam

Srinagar, July 12: CISF Director General Praveer Ranjan accompanied by ADG (North) Sudhir Kumar, and DIG/NZ-II M K Yadav on Sunday visited Nunwan Base Camp, Pahalgam to review the security arrangements for the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026. The visit included a comprehensive assessment of deployment plans, access control measures, surveillance systems, communication networks, medical support, logistics and inter-agency coordination to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims, spokesman of the force said. During the visit, the DG inspected key operational locations, including check posts, communication centres, QRTs, QATs, CCTV Control Room and other critical security installations. He also interacted with deployed personnel, health workers and women personnel, appreciated their dedication and professionalism and emphasized the importance of maintaining the highest standards of operational readiness, strict adherence to SOPs, continuous vigilance and seamless coordination among all security agencies throughout the Yatra. A high-level security review meeting was also chaired by the DG Ranjan with senior officers of CISF, CRPF, ITBP, J&K Police and the civil administration to review the overall security architecture and preparedness. Commending the commitment of all personnel, the DG expressed confidence that the security forces will continue to ensure the smooth, safe and incident-free conduct of the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026.

'Why conspiring to disrespect PM's commitment?' CM Omar to J&K BJP leaders

Jammu, Jul 12: Going all guns blazing on J&K BJP leaders, the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday asked them why they were conspiring to prove the Prime Minister a liar by opposing and criticising the NC's efforts, its movement for restoration of statehood. They take dig at us that we've failed in fulfilling our promise. But they don't remember their promises. Just to remind them - the Prime Minister, himself, at his Katra rally had made a statement while making a commitment vis-a-vis restoration of statehood to J&K. He (PM) had said - It was not an ordinary commitment. Yeh Modi Ka Waada Hai (This is Modi's promise). I ask J&K BJP leaders why they are conspiring hard to prove their own Prime Minister a liar. Why? CM Omar threw a poser while addressing party's significant rally at Maharaja Hari Singh Park in Jammu. You may try to prove Farooq Sahib, me, Deputy Chief Ministet or any other NC leader or MLA a liar, we will have no objection. But today you (J&K BJP leaders) are trying to prove PM a liar, I fail to comprehend logic behind it. After all, the Prime Minister's words should have a weightage and should be respected. But when we ask about this commitment- we get only one reply i.e., it will be restored at an appropriate time, he stated. Aiming another barb, CM Omar asked if that appropriate time was when BJP would come to power. If that's the case, why it was not told to the Supreme Court, which had directed for its restoration as early as possible. They (BJP) can declare it in rally and convey it to the people of J&K that the statehood will be restored only if BJP comes to power. Then the J&K people may take a call to elect them to power or not. Since it has not happened, the people have not elected them, they are punishing them by depriving them of statehood, he alleged. Dismissing the BJP's claims that it was not conspiring to breakaway NC to gain power, the Chief Minister, while quoting examples from Maharashtra, West Bengal and AAP in Punjab, asked who would believe its (BJP's) claims while the party, itself, was boasting about its 'Operation Lotus.' He reiterated the charge that the elected government was not being allowed to function and asked, What was the need to conduct elections if J&K was to administer through Raj Bhawan? Why are Jammu people being punished although they gave 29 seats to BJP? was his another poser. With regard to BJP's criticism of NC's invite to Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, CM Omar's another dig was, BJP's top leadership says that they have ended terrorism and separatist ideology here in J&K. If there are no separatists here now, how can that individual be dubbed as separatist by them? Who is lying? Aiming another barb at BJP, the Chief Minister asked, If we won't get statehood by pleading our cause in the union capital before the country's leadership, should we protest outside (US President) Trump's residence to seek statehood? He said that the party adopted recourse to protest after its peaceful ways during last 18 months failed to achieve statehood despite promises. We even accepted delimitation which was aimed at benefitting only BJP and its allies. Our gentlemanliness should not be exploited and silence should not be treated as weakness. We cannot wait more, CM Omar declared. The objective of rally, in the words of the Chief Minister, was to seek permission of people to allow them as their representatives to go to (New) Delhi on July 20 to seek restoration of statehood to J&K. I've come all the way from Srinagar to Jammu to seek this permission. As I started very early morning to reach Jammu, I saw many people on their way to be part of this rally. Rest assured, the trust - you have reposed in us, will never be broken. You will not be betrayed and we will fulfill all promises made to you, CM assured.

Labourer assisting Amarnath pilgrims killed in shooting stone incident near Chandanwari

Anantnag, Jul 12: A labourer assisting Amarnath pilgrims was killed after being hit by a shooting stone near Chandanwari on the Pahalgam route to the Amarnath cave shrine on Sunday. The deceased was identified as Shabir Ahmad Shah, 24, a resident of Cheerward in Mattan, Anantnag. He was assisting pilgrims at Chandanwari when a boulder, dislodged from a hillside, struck him, leaving him critically injured. He was immediately evacuated to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries despite the efforts of doctors. Officials said the body was shifted to Pahalgam Hospital for medico-legal formalities before being handed over to his family. Police have taken cognizance of the incident and initiated proceedings. Chandanwari, the last motorable point on the traditional 48-km Pahalgam route to the Amarnath cave shrine, is considered vulnerable to shooting stones and landslides, particularly during wet weather. Authorities have been maintaining round-the-clock surveillance and undertaking safety measures along the Yatra route in view of the annual pilgrimage.

Two Pakistanis arrested for illegally staying in Karnataka's Chikkaballapura

Chikkaballapura, Jul 12: Two Pakistani nationals were arrested in Karnataka's Chikkaballapura district after an inquiry found that they had allegedly obtained a ration card and voter identity card by suppressing facts regarding their nationality, police said on Sunday. The accused, identified as Farah Naz and her son Mohammed Fardeen, have been booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Foreigners Act and the Representation of the People Act. Further investigation is in progress, Chikkaballapura Superintendent of Police Kushal Chouksey said in a statement. Credible information was received that Farah Naz and her son Mohammed Fardeen, both Pakistani nationals, had obtained a ration card and voter ID, the SP said. According to the statement, an inquiry revealed that Mohammed Ayub Khan, a native of Bagepalli who was working in the United Arab Emirates, had married Farah Naz, a Pakistani national, in the UAE. The couple has four children, of whom Mohammed Fardeen was born in Pakistan. The officer said that Farah Naz and Mohammed Fardeen are Pakistani nationals, while Mohammed Ayub Khan and the couple's other three children are Indian nationals. The family is currently residing in Bagepalli. The SP said that after Chikkaballapura Police sought clarification, the Deputy Commissioner verified the records and cancelled the ration card as it had been obtained by suppressing material facts regarding nationality. The voter identity card was also cancelled by the competent authority, the statement added. Based on a complaint lodged by the Tahsildar of Bagepalli, a criminal case was registered against Farah Naz and Mohammed Fardeen under the appropriate provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Foreigners Act and the Representation of the People Act. Both accused have been arrested, and further investigation is in progress, the SP said.

Flash flood damages property in Awoora; tourists and locals safe | GKTV ground report

11th batch of Amarnath Yatra: Over 9,100 pilgrims leave Jammu for Kashmir under multi-layer security

Banihal, Jul 12: The eleventh batch of pilgrims undertaking the annual Amarnath Yatra left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu during the early hours of Sunday amid stringent security arrangements, with more than 9,100 devotees proceeding towards the twin base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam. According to officials, a total of 9,153 pilgrims departed in a convoy of 359 vehicles. Of them, 3,429 pilgrims were headed for the shorter Baltal route in 149 vehicles, while 5,724 pilgrims left for the traditional Pahalgam route in 210 vehicles. The batch comprised 6,522 men, 2,233 women, 18 children, 267 sadhus, 112 sadhvis, and one sadhu child. No foreign pilgrims or transgender pilgrims were part of Sunday's convoy, officials said. The convoy was escorted under a multi-layer security grid by personnel of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, and other security agencies. Separate escort teams accompanied both the Baltal- and Pahalgam-bound convoys to ensure the safe movement of pilgrims along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. Officials said the Baltal-bound convoy had reached Banihal by the morning, while the Pahalgam-bound convoy halted at the Chanderkote Yatri Langar in Ramban for breakfast before continuing its journey towards the Kashmir Valley under tight security and regulated traffic arrangements. With the departure of the eleventh batch, the cumulative number of pilgrims who have left Jammu for the ongoing pilgrimage has reached 79,947, reflecting the smooth and steady progress of this year's annual pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine in the Himalayas.

Police take preventive action against vendors on Amarnath Yatra route in Banihal

Ramban, Jul 11: Ramban Police have initiated preventive action against 10 persons for allegedly approaching and attempting to board vehicles carrying Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra pilgrims to sell fruits and other items along the Yatra route in Banihal. According to police, the action was taken by Police Station Banihal under Sections 126/136 of the BharatiyaNagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) as part of measures to ensure the safe and smooth conduct of the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra. Police said that despite repeated advisories, the individuals continued approaching Yatra vehicles without authorisation, causing inconvenience to pilgrims and posing a potential risk to public order and security. Consequently, preventive reports have been submitted before the Executive Magistrate, First Class (Tehsildar), Banihal, for appropriate legal proceedings. Officials said the preventive action is aimed at maintaining security and ensuring the uninterrupted movement of Yatra convoys along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. Ramban Police appealed to vendors, hawkers and residents to refrain from approaching or boarding vehicles carrying pilgrims and to cooperate with the security arrangements put in place for the annual pilgrimage. The police warned that strict preventive action would continue against anyone found violating the prescribed security guidelines during the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra to ensure the safety and convenience of pilgrims.

CPCO calls for greater participation in Census 2027

Jammu, Jul 11: Chief Principal Census Officer (CPCO) and Director Census Operations (DCO), Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Amit Sharma on Saturday asserted that accurate census data was the cornerstone of effective governance, equitable resource allocation and sustainable development, making every resident's participation vital to the success of Census 2027. He was addressing the media after leading a walkathon, organised to mark the World Population Day by the Directorate of Census Operations, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh simultaneously at Jammu and Srinagar. The walkathon was aimed at promoting awareness about the importance of population data, evidence-based planning and the forthcoming Population Enumeration phase of Census 2027. Organised under the leadership of Chief Principal Census Officer (CPCO) and Director Census Operations (DCO), Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh and witnessed enthusiastic participation by officers and officials of the Directorate at both Jammu and Srinagar. The event reflected the Directorate's continued commitment towards creating greater public awareness about Census 2027 and encouraging active participation in the country's largest statistical and administrative exercise. CPCO Amit Sharma observed that the Directorate has undertaken one of its most extensive media and public awareness campaigns in recent years through print, electronic and digital media, educational institutions, public outreach programmes and strategic institutional collaborations. He said these initiatives are aimed at ensuring that every resident is well informed about the importance of Census 2027 and participates wholeheartedly in the forthcoming population enumeration phase. Describing the walkathon as a symbolic reaffirmation of the Directorates commitment towards an inclusive, technology-driven and people-centric Census, Amit Sharma called upon all officers and officials to continue serving as ambassadors of Census 2027 by spreading awareness within their communities and encouraging maximum public participation. CPCO along with Manmeet Singh Loomba, Deputy Chief Principal Census Officer, flagged off the walkathon from Jammu headquarters wherein all the officers and officials joined him to create mass awareness towards population data collection on World Population Day 2026. They all carried big banners and placards to spread this message to the public and make them realise the importance of accurate population data sets for growth and development in the nation. Similar flag off was conducted by DCO in Srinagar headquarters wherein Amit Bhargav, Deputy Chief Principal Census Officer, flagged off this walkathon and all officers and officials there took a round of prominent areas including Dal Lake, Nehru Park, Dalgate, Lal Chowk, Iqbal Park before culmination of walkathon. Addressing the participants, CPCO Amit Sharma said that World Population Day 2026 serves as an important reminder of the critical role that reliable population data plays in nation-building. He observed that the Census provides the foundation for evidence-based policy formulation and supports planning in key sectors such as healthcare, education, employment, infrastructure, disaster management, urban development and various welfare programmes. Highlighting the significance of Census 2027, Amit Sharma stated that it is India's first Census to be conducted through digital means, incorporating modern technologies such as mobile applications, geo-spatial mapping, digital monitoring systems and online Self-Enumeration. He noted that the successful completion of the Self-Enumeration and House Listing Operations phases has laid a strong foundation for the forthcoming Population Enumeration phase and reaffirmed the Directorate's commitment to ensuring that every resident is covered during the Census exercise.

Doda may emerge as unique hub for Himalayan startups, innovation: Dr Jitendra

Jammu, Jul 11: Union Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh on Saturday asserted that the lavender revolution in Bhaderwah-Doda delineated the power of science-led rural entrepreneurship. He stated that Doda district had the potential to evolve into a unique hub for Himalayan startups, innovation. The Union Minister of State in PMO was addressing the two-day hybrid mode conference organised by Government Degree College, Doda. Dr Jitendra, who is also the Union Minister of State (independent charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences besides being the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, said the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 democratised aptitude-based learning and created a level playing field for students from tier-2 and tier-3 towns such as Doda to compete with their counterparts in metropolitan cities. He said NEP 2020 had broken the rigidity of conventional education by allowing students to pursue subjects based on aptitude rather than compulsion, while shifting the focus of higher education from degrees to skills, innovation and entrepreneurship. A degree is no longer a trophy, and employment no longer means only a government job, he said, adding that the policy has prepared India's youth for the emerging knowledge economy. Speaking on the theme Implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 in Jammu & Kashmir: Challenges of inclusion, equity and accessibility through virtual mode, Dr Jitendra congratulated Government Degree College, Doda, particularly Principal Dr Javed Iqbal, for organising a timely academic deliberation on one of the most significant educational reforms undertaken in independent India. He described the institution as one of the oldest and most distinguished educational centres in the region, carrying a rich legacy of higher learning that has served generations of students across the erstwhile Doda district. Recalling the educational history of the region, Dr Jitendra said there was a time when students from far-flung areas travelled long distances to Doda and Bhaderwah to pursue higher education because educational institutions were scarce. He said the district possessed a strong academic heritage and had the potential to evolve into a major educational hub by building upon its longstanding legacy and expanding opportunities for future generations. The Minister said NEP 2020 fundamentally changed the education landscape by replacing rigid academic pathways with flexibility and multidisciplinary learning. Students are no longer confined to subjects chosen under circumstances or social expectations but are free to pursue disciplines aligned with their aptitude and passion. This has improved academic standards, made classrooms more vibrant and strengthened the relationship between teachers and students by encouraging learning driven by curiosity rather than compulsion, he said. Sharing an example from one of the early institutions implementing the policy, Dr Jitendra said a literature professor had expressed her delight at finding students from science streams voluntarily attending her classes simply because of their genuine interest in literature. Such experiences, he said, reflected the transformative spirit of the National Education Policy. Dr Jitendra said the country also moved beyond the mindset that education was meant only for securing government employment. He observed, The present era belongs to skills, creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship. Referring to India's startup ecosystem, he said the country had nearly 350 startups in 2014, whereas currently their number crossed 2.3 lakh, making India the worlds third-largest startup ecosystem. More than half of these startups, he noted, were emerging from tier-2 and tier-3 cities, demonstrating that innovation was no longer confined to metropolitan centres. Highlighting the Lavender Revolution initiated under the CSIR Aroma Mission, Dr Jitendra said the success story of Bhaderwah and Doda disproved the notion that entrepreneurship was restricted to information technology or metropolitan regions. Beginning from a small patch of land in Bhaderwah, lavender cultivation has expanded across Doda district, neighbouring areas, Kashmir valley and several other Himalayan states, creating new livelihood opportunities and strengthening the rural economy. The model has shown that technology-enabled agriculture, local resources and scientific interventions can generate sustainable employment and successful enterprises, he said. The Minister encouraged Government Degree College, Doda to develop a distinct institutional identity by promoting entrepreneurship in areas where the region enjoys natural advantages. He suggested establishing incubation support for Himalayan products, aroma-based enterprises and allied sectors in collaboration with the Ministry of AYUSH, the Department of AYUSH, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, and CSIR's Aroma Mission. Such initiatives, he said, would not only generate livelihoods but also promote wellness products, tourism and value-added rural enterprises. Dr Jitendra informed that the region was witnessing the development of several important institutions and facilities, including a Himalayan laboratory and other scientific infrastructure, creating opportunities for greater synergy among research institutions, academia, industry and startups. He said educational institutions should actively participate in this emerging ecosystem by connecting students with research, innovation and enterprise. The Minister also called upon colleges to familiarise students with flagship government initiatives that support entrepreneurship and self-employment, including the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana and PM Vishwakarma Yojana. He said policy reforms advanced rapidly and educational institutions must ensure that awareness about these opportunities reached students so they could convert their knowledge and traditional skills into sustainable livelihoods. Referring to the transformative role of technology, Dr Jitendra said digital connectivity removed geographical barriers, enabling talented youth from remote regions to access quality learning resources, prepare for competitive examinations and build successful careers without leaving their hometowns. The increasing representation of candidates from remote areas in national competitive examinations and the growing number of startups emerging from smaller towns, he said, reflected this changing reality. Calling the present period one of the most promising for India's youth, the Union minister said the generation currently pursuing education would lead the country during the centenary year of Independence in 2047. He urged teachers and educational institutions to mentor students with a long-term vision so that they become innovators, entrepreneurs, responsible citizens and nation-builders capable of contributing to the vision of Viksit Bharat.

Amit Shah inaugurates Jayaprakash Narayan library in Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 11: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday inaugurated the Jayaprakash Narayan Library in the national capital and urged the younger generation to develop the habit of reading by associating themselves with libraries. Speaking at the inauguration, Amit Shah said a nations future is reflected in the number of young people studying in its libraries, describing knowledge and wisdom as the foundation of nation-building and prosperity. He called upon the Delhi government to interconnect libraries across the city and link them with schools to encourage reading among students. Amit Shah said the new library houses more than 32,000 books, offers access to one crore e-books through an e-library, and is equipped with modern facilities including a research centre, childrens zone, free Wi-Fi and an RFID-based book management system. He also paid tribute to socialist leader Jayaprakash Narayan, describing him as a visionary who played a pivotal role in Indias democratic movement, particularly during the Emergency.

India-New Zealand: A winning partnership

New Delhi, Jul 11:Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday attended a special gala luncheon hosted by his New Zealand counterpart, Christopher Luxon, under the theme India-New Zealand: A Winning Partnership, where the two leaders highlighted the growing momentum in bilateral relations and unveiled a shared vision for closer cooperation across trade, sports and innovation. The event brought together leading personalities from politics, business, industry, academia, technology, sports and the arts, reflecting the broad-based nature of the relationship between the two countries.Welcoming the gathering, Prime Minister Luxon underlined the deep and enduring ties between India and New Zealand and outlined a common vision to strengthen bilateral cooperation and promote shared prosperity. Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi said the elevation of bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership marked a new chapter in relations. He noted the complementarities between the two economies and the strong people-to-people links that have long connected the two nations. PM Modi said the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, concluded in record time, would create new opportunities for businesses, farmers and young people in both countries and help achieve the target of doubling bilateral trade by 2030. Following the luncheon, the two Prime Ministers toured an exhibition of innovative sports equipment and interacted with decorated New Zealand athletes and representatives of the countrys high-performance sports sector. Recalling a century of sporting engagement between India and New Zealand, PM Modi said the Sports Joint Action Plan signed during the visit would broaden cooperation beyond cricket and deepen collaboration across multiple disciplines. The sports initiative also aligns with Indias preparations to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and reflects the commitment of both countries to expand cooperation in high-performance sports and athlete development. India-New Zealand visit: Key outcomes 10 agreements signed, covering maritime cooperation, logistics support, counter-terrorism, disaster management, tourism, animal husbandry, sports, culture and maritime heritage. Bilateral ties elevated to a Strategic Partnership with a Roadmap to 2030. Target set to double two-way trade to NZ$7 billion (Rs 35,000 crore) by 2030. Decision to establish an India-New Zealand Maritime Security Dialogue. New Zealand joins the Maritime Security pillar of the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI). New Zealand to join the Global Biofuels Alliance. Kiwifruit Action Plan launched; two Centres of Excellence to be set up in Nagaland and Uttarakhand. New research partnerships announced between NCPOR-Goa and the University of Canterbury on Antarctic research, and NIFTEM-Kundli and Massey University on food technology and academic exchanges.

India, New Zealand launch Strategic Partnership, unveil roadmap to 2030

New Delhi/Auckland, Jul 11: India and New Zealand on Saturday elevated their bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand counterpart unveiling an ambitious Roadmap to 2030 aimed at expanding cooperation across defence, trade, security, education, science and people-to-people exchanges. PM Modi was accorded a traditional M ori welcome and a Guard of Honour at Government House, held restricted and delegation-level talks with Luxon covering trade and investment, defence and security, agri-tech, education, sports, tourism, culture and people-to-people ties. The roadmap, announced after the two Prime Ministers met in Auckland, provides a framework for strengthening the partnership over the next four years through regular political engagement, enhanced defence ties, deeper economic cooperation and closer collaboration in regional and multilateral forums. A major economic target under the roadmap is to double bilateral trade in goods and services to NZ$7 billion (about 35,000 crore) by 2030. Both sides also agreed to work towards the early entry into force and implementation of the proposed India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement and facilitate trusted trade through simplified customs procedures. On defence and security, the two countries agreed to expand military exchanges, conduct bilateral naval exercises, operationalise maritime cooperation arrangements, establish an annual Maritime Security Dialogue and launch a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism. They will also strengthen cooperation in cyber security, law enforcement, disaster resilience and combating narcotics trafficking. The roadmap envisages greater collaboration in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, dairy, tourism and aviation, including efforts to encourage direct non-stop flights between the two countries. It also seeks to deepen cooperation in education, research, science and technology, climate action, renewable energy, disaster management, traditional medicine, sports and cultural exchanges. Following the talks, the two Prime Ministers witnessed the exchange of several Memoranda of Understanding and other agreements in areas including defence and maritime security, hydrography, sports, disaster management, dairy, tourism, maritime heritage, culture, food technology and ocean research. A Joint Statement outlining the future roadmap for the bilateral partnership was also adopted. At the regional and global level, India and New Zealand agreed to coordinate more closely on Indo-Pacific issues, support a rules-based international order, strengthen cooperation at the United Nations and back reforms of the UN Security Council, including Indias candidature for permanent membership in a reformed Council. The roadmap clarifies that it does not create any legally binding obligations or financial commitments but serves as a shared framework for implementing the newly established India-New Zealand Strategic Partnership through 2030. Prime Minister Modi thanked Luxon for his hospitality and invited him to visit India.

Srinagar Premier Division Football League to kick off within a week: DFA

Srinagar, Jul 11: The Srinagar Premier Division Football League 202627 will commence within a week after participating clubs unanimously endorsed the tournament during the second Team Managers Meeting held at Polo Ground. The meeting, as per a statement, was conducted successfully, and all participating clubs expressed their consent and support for the league. It was noted that both Team Managers Meetings were successful, and it was unanimously decided that the Srinagar Premier Division Football League 202627 will commence within one week. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to all team managers for their cooperation.

DYSS launches maiden AIFF-certified football referee course at GCOPE Ganderbal

Ganderbal, Jul 11:Marking a historic leap in sports capacity building and technical expertise, the Directorate of Youth Services & Sports (DYSS), J&K on Saturday officially rolled out its maiden AIFF (All India Football Federation) Certified Football Referee Course at the Government College of Physical Education (GCOPE), here. The four-day certification programme, as per a DYSS statement, was virtually inaugurated by the Director General, YSS J&K Anuradha Gupta, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The pioneering initiative has brought together 40 meticulously selected Physical Education teachers and officials representing a vibrant mix of both male and female sports professionals from all 20 districts of the Union Territory.