Greater Kashmir

Jammu, Aug 12: The railway board on Wednesday approved the extension of the Sabarmati-Jammu Tawi Express till Katra, a move aimed at facilitating pilgrims and passengers travelling from western India, officials said. The train will run via Jammu and halt at Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan station in Udhampur before reaching Shri Mata Vaishno Devi railway station at Katra, according to the Northern Railway's Jammu division. The extension is expected to benefit thousands of passengers from Gujarat,

Jammu, Aug 12: The Jammu Crime Branch on Wednesday said it had cracked a Rs 3.75-crore cheating case within a record one month, facilitating the registration of the disputed property in favour of the complainant, who is a doctor by profession. The case was registered by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Crime Branch on July 8 against Pieary Lal Koul, a resident of Channi Deeli, after a Jammu-based doctor charged him with cheating and criminal breach of trust during a property sale. The EOW

New Delhi, Aug 12: Union Government on Wednesday said that Indian Railways have taken several measures to safeguard lives of passengers and damage to railway property. This information was provided by the Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today. The Railway Minister said that regular drives are conducted against anti-social elements like drunkard, mischievous elements etc.

Srinagar, Aug 12: Srinagars Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium is likely to host the Irani Cup 2026 match between 2025-26 Ranji Trophy winners Jammu and Kashmir and the Rest of India from October 1 to 5. A media report quoted by News18 said the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar will host the Irani Cup, making it the biggest cricket match to be held in Kashmir since the ODI between India and Australia on September 9, 1986. The report stated that the Irani Cup is played between the winners of the previous ed

Islamabad, Aug 12: Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has held talks with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran to follow up on the stalled US-Iran peace negotiations, according to media reports. An interim peace agreement, which Pakistan signed as a guarantor, derailed last month as tensions escalated in West Asia with the US and Iran resuming military strikes. Islamabad is actively pushing to revive its mediation efforts to end the US-Iran confli

Jammu, Aug 12: A joint anti-fidayeen security mock drill was conducted at the base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi cave shrine in Katra on Wednesday to assess the preparedness and coordination of security and emergency response agencies ahead of the Independence Day celebrations, officials said. The exercise was supervised by the SP and jointly conducted by Reasi district police with the Special Operations Group, CRPF and the Army medium regiment, with participation from health services and fire and e

Srinagar, Aug 12: Security has been beefed up across Kashmir ahead of Independence Day celebration as the forces intensified area domination, checking and frisking to ensure peaceful and smooth conduct of the event, officials said on Wednesday. Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in strength at several places in the city and elsewhere in the Valley to thwart any attempts by terrorists to disrupt the celebrations, the officials said. Policemen in plain clothes have been deployed aro

Srinagar, Aug 12: The number of people treated for drug addiction at centres supported by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in Jammu and Kashmir rose to 46,491 in 2025-26, the highest annual figure recorded in the last five years, according to data tabled in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. The number marks a sharp increase from 5,382 in 2021-22, while 27,843 people were treated in 2022-23, 40,546 in 2023-24 and 36,588 in 2024-25. The data were provided in response to a Rajya Sab

New Delhi, Aug 12: The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked all states and Union territories to consider a representation seeking framing of uniform policy for regularisation and demolition of long-standing unauthorised constructions across the country. The order was passed by the top court while declining to entertain a PIL filed by Centre for Law and Good Governance seeking directions to the Centre and all the states for framing such a policy to save unauthorised dwelling units of poor persons, sa

New Delhi, Aug 12: India is steadily strengthening its indigenous nuclear energy ecosystem with a focus on advanced reactor technologies, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), domestic manufacturing capabilities, private-sector participation and long-term utilisation of the countrys abundant thorium resources, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions and Prime Ministers Office, Dr. Jitendra Singh, said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today. Dr. Jitendra Singh said Indias long-t

Jammu, Aug 12: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has summoned the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly to meet for its autumn session on September 21, 2026, in Srinagar, following a recommendation by the J&K Council of Ministers. LG Sinha has issued this order, in exercise of the powers conferred upon him under Section 18(1) of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. Following it, the Speaker J&K Legislative Assembly will list the final calendar of business and sittings.

Baramulla, Aur 12: Baramulla MLA Javed Hassan Beig on Wednesday said that several development projects approved for the district are yet to take off due to restrictions on quarrying operations and the lifting of mining material. Beig said the curbs on the extraction and transportation of mining material have created significant difficulties for ongoing development works. He said contractors are facing acute shortages of construction material, resulting in a sharp increase in prices. According to

New Delhi, Aug 12: Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said the government is ready to discuss all issues in Parliament, including students' protests, and asked the opposition to let the House function. Speaking to reporters in the Parliament House complex, Shah also asserted that he will give a reply to the debate and urged the opposition to give a notice to Lok Sabha speaker for a discussion on the topic by 2 pm on Wednesday. We are ready to discuss all the issues in Parliament, including stu

Srinagar, Aug 12: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday said the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign has evolved into a festival of peoples consciousness and a tradition of national love, calling upon people to keep the spirit of the Tricolour high not only on rooftops but also in their thoughts, character and actions. Addressing the Tiranga Mahotsav celebrations at Botanical Garden Srinagar after flagging off the Tiranga Yatra from SKICC, Sinha said the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign, launched in 2022,

Srinagar, Aug 12: The State Investigation Agency (SIA) Kashmir on Wednesday conducted searches at nine locations across Jammu and Kashmir in connection with a 1990 double-murder case. The searches were carried out in connection with FIR No. 45/1990, registered at Police Station Dooru in Anantnag district. The case has now been taken up for investigation by the SIA. The searches were conducted as part of the ongoing investigation into the case. On May 1, 1990, Sarvanand Koul Premi (66) and his yo

Seoul, Aug 12: North Korea on Wednesday performed its second ballistic missile test in less than a week, its neighbors said, a likely protest of the upcoming South Korea-U.S. military drills that North Korea views as an invasion rehearsal. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said a ballistic missile fired from the North's eastern coastal Wonsan area around 6 am flew more than 700 km. It said South Korea remains ready to repel any provocations by North Korea in cooperation with the United States.

Kruhen Cultural Forum Kreeri transformed an ordinary evening into an extraordinary celebration of words, wisdom and Kashmiri literary heritage. A grand Shabana Mushaira, one of the most cherished traditions of the region's poetic culture unfolded in all its brilliance, drawing together some of the most distinguished voices in contemporary Kashmiri poetry under a single, luminous gathering. The event, rich in cultural significance and literary depth, was not merely a recitation of verses. It was

The MLA Baramulla, Javed Hassan Beig, has asked the Estimates Committee of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly to recommend a comprehensive review of the existing wildlife policy, particularly in view of the growing instances of wild animals straying into human settlements and posing a threat to public safety. The issue came up during discussions on forest, environment, wildlife and tribal affairs on Tuesday, with the MLA stressing the need for a comprehensive approach to deal with increa

The Jammu & Kashmir National Conference Chief Spokesperson and MLA Zadibal, Tanvir Sadiq, during an interaction with the media at the party headquarters urged the LG administration to place greater trust in the youth of Kashmir and put an end to the practice of unnecessarily summoning people particularly youngsters to police stations. Tanvir Sadiq said that the practice of summoning individuals to police stations must end, particularly in the case of people who are living peacefully with their f

Leader of Opposition (LoP) in J&K Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma on Tuesday asserted that the Centre was actively considering a hike in the honorarium of Special Police Officers (SPOs) working to safeguard the peace and safety in the Union Territory. LoP, while addressing a press conference at BJP headquarter in Jammu, also questioned the silence of Congress and its allies over the use of brutal force against the protesting students in Jharkhand. He also expressed solidarity of BJP with the s

A delegation comprising Apni Party leaders and senior workers from the Gulabgarh constituency of Reasi district today met party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari at the party headquarters in Srinagar. The delegation was led by Zulfikar Qazmi. According to a press release issued here, the delegation members thoroughly discussed the prevailing political scenario in the area, various party matters, and pressing public issues and grievances. While apprising the party President of various local i

A Fateh khawani was held on Tuesday to commemorate the sixth death anniversary of renowned spiritual figure Peer Jalal-ud-Din Bangroo (Lal Sahib) at Batamaloo Hundreds of devotees and people from different walks of life gathered to pay homage and offer special prayers to Peer Jalal-ud-Din. The congregation was led by prominent religious scholar Syed Bilal Ahmed Kirmani, who recited verses from the Holy Quran and led special prayers for the departed soul, seeking peace, mercy and blessings. Prior

Prominent civil society activist and engineer Mohammad Anwar Ashai, scion of the distinguished Ashai family of Downtown Srinagar, passed away peacefully at his residence on Tuesday. His demise has been widely mourned across social, religious, political and civil society circles in Kashmir. Anwar Ashai was the son of the legendary educationist and political activist Khwaja Ghulam Ahmad Ashai, a pioneering figure in the educational and political awakening of Kashmiri Muslims. Khwaja Ghulam Ahmad A

Residents of Awathkul Meelyal in north Kashmirs Kupwara district have expressed resentment over the lack of adequate healthcare facilities in the area, saying they are forced to travel several kilometres even during medical emergencies. The residents said successive governments have failed to address their long-pending demand for a health centre despite the area facing particular difficulties during the harsh winter months. Since we live in a heavy snow-bound area, medical emergencies during win

In a bid to bring relief to residents living in remote and power-deficient areas of Gulmarg, the Indian Army distributed around 100 solar lights among people at Nagin Dhok and adjoining areas. The initiative taken by Indian Army's 52RR under Operation Sadbhavana has brought a much-needed ray of hope to families living in the high-altitude dhoks, where access to electricity remains a major challenge and residents have traditionally depended on lamps and candles after sunset. According to official

The JK Bank Heart Clinic on Wheels reached remote Chukkar in Baramulla district, screening 186 elderly patients and providing free consultations, investigations and medicines. The camp was organised by the Moul Mouj Foundation (MMF), Ummeed Foundation and GK Labs in collaboration with the Block Medical Officer, Pattan. Cardiac screening included ECG, Troponin-T, NT-proBNP and hs-CRP, besides other investigations. Several patients were found to have heart failure, while a significant number were

Residents of Wadipora and adjoining villages in north Kashmirs Kupwara district have raised concerns over staff shortages and inadequate diagnostic facilities at the Primary Health Centre (PHC) Wadipora. They said the health centre, established decades ago, lacks essential facilities, forcing patients to travel to Handwara for treatment and diagnostic services. The PHC has a manual X-ray unit and an ECG machine, but residents said these are inadequate. They demanded a digital X-ray machine to sp

The Jammu and Kashmir Government has announced a slew of measures to ensure a balanced approach towards protection, conservation and sustainable management of forest resources while ensuring recognition and settlement of the legitimate rights of forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers in accordance with the Forest Rights Act, 2006. The government has issued detailed guidelines through circular number 07-JK(FST) of 2026 by the Department of Forest, Ecology and Envi

The Jammu and Kashmir government has submitted proposals to the National Medical Commission (NMC) seeking approval for the creation of more than 300 additional postgraduate medical seats, as part of efforts to strengthen specialist healthcare manpower across the Union Territory. The administration informed the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs that proposals for more than 300 additional postgraduate (PG) medical seats had been submitted to the NMC. The informati

Jammu and Kashmirs livestock population figures are substantial, with more than 43 lakh sheep and another 22.5 lakh goats. Yet, the Union Territory continues to produce significantly less mutton than it consumes, leaving a large gap that is filled by supplies from outside. The issue has gained renewed significance following frequent disruptions in the movement of livestock into J&K, including the latest disruption in supplies from Punjab. The episodes have exposed the Union Territorys continued

Member of Parliament Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan attended a meeting of the INDIA Alliance held in the chamber of Congress President and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, in New Delhi. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi was also present at the meeting. The meeting focused on important issues of national concern and parliamentary coordination. During the meeting, the leaders discussed matters of significance and parliamentary strategy, while reaffirming their

MP Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan today met Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw and raised the demand for reconsideration of the Sopore-Kupwara Railway Line, stressing its strategic and socio-economic importance for the region. According to a statement, Chowdry pointed out that Kupwara is one of the farthest and strategically important border districts of Jammu and Kashmir and, despite its vast geographical area and population, currently has no railway connectivity. He said the proposed railwa

Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday urged authorities not to harass or intimidate young people in Kashmir ahead of Independence Day celebrations, saying even those who may have been involved in past activities should be allowed to move on and lead peaceful and dignified lives. Even those who may have been involved in activities in the past have suffered enough over the years and should be allowed to move forward and lead a peaceful and dignified life, Bukhari said while r

Rajouri, Aug 11:Fear of suspected rabies-infected stray dogs continues to haunt parts of Kotranka sub-division of Rajouri district, with around a dozen people reportedly attacked and bitten by dogs in the area. The situation first came to light late Sunday evening when a suspected rabies-infected dog attacked several people in Kotranka market. At least seven persons were subsequently taken to the Sub-District Hospital Kotranka for medical aid and treatment. The scare intensified after reports em

A Syrian court has sentenced ousted President Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia after convicting him of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the countrys civil war, the BBC reported. It is the first conviction against Assad, who fled to Moscow with his family after his regime was overthrown in December 2024, ending his familys five-decade rule over Syria. Assads cousin and former head of political security in Deraa province, Atef Najib, was also sentenced to death. He was convicted o

Leh, Aug 11:Ladakh Lieutenant Governor, Vinai Kumar Saxena, inaugurated the nations first Black-Necked Crane Festival 2026 in Ladakh, an initiative aimed at conserving the endangered Black-Necked Crane and strengthening environmental protection, economic welfare and sustainable livelihoods of local communities. The festival witnessed the participation of conservationists, researchers and experts from India and foreign countries, including those from the United Nations. Experts from Bhutan and Ne

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order calling for a reduction in the number of vaccines routinely recommended for children, raising questions over whether other countries could follow Washingtons lead. According to the BBC, the order calls for the number of childhood vaccines recommended by the US to be reduced from 18 to 11 and recommends separating the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine into individual shots. Trump defended the move on Monday, saying children decades ag

Jammu, Aug 11: Central high-level Committee on Demographic Changes on the second day of its visit to Jammu, on Tuesday, visited Jagti satellite township of displaced Kashmiri Pandits (KPs) at Nagrota and Rohingya settlement at Narwal in Jammu outskirts and held deliberations there. The panel has a specific mandate to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the demographic changes occurring across border districts due to illegal immigration and other abnormal reasons. During their visit to Jagti ca

At least 132 people have died and more than 570 have been injured after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Colombia, on Monday prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency, reports BBC. The earthquake struck at 07:34 local time at a depth of 103km, with the epicentre near San Jos del Palmar in Choc province, according to Colombias geological service. Pereira, about 55km from the epicentre, was among the worst-hit areas. At least 67 people were reported dead in the citys metropol

JSW MG Motor India has announced a special anniversary programme to mark seven years of the MG Hector in India, offering customers benefits of up to 60,000 on purchases made during August 2026. The limited-period programme is available across the MG Hector range and includes exchange benefits, loyalty rewards, corporate benefits and anniversary discounts. The All-New MG Hector range starts at 11.99 lakh (ex-showroom). The company said customers can also avail 100 per cent on-road price funding

Jammu, Aug 11: National Conference leader and MLA Banihal, Sajjad Shaheen on Tuesday laid the foundation stone of a Rs 34.41 lakh Panchayat Ghar at Lamber village, describing the project as an important step towards strengthening grassroots governance and improving delivery of public services in the remote area. Speaking on the occasion, Shaheen, as per a statement, said that the PanchayatGhar would provide a dedicated institutional space for local governance and help bring government services a

Jammu, Aug 11:J&K power employees will go on strike from August 13 against the suspension of PDD engineers and employees by MD JPDCL without inquiries and withholding of salaries for alleged inaction against the habitual offenders in terms of power theft and execution of Surya Ghar scheme. J&K Power Employees and Engineers Coordination Committee (JKPEECC) convener SachinTickoo, in a press conference at Jammu while giving an ultimatum of 48-hours to Managing Director JPDCL, announced that the str

District Development Commissioner (DDC) Anantnag, Dr. Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat, today convened a review meeting to assess the progress and implementation of the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and Jammu & Kashmir Competitive Improvement Project (JKCIP) for the financial year 2026-27 in respect of Agriculture and Allied Sectors, in the district. The meeting focused on reviewing the physical and financial progress achieved under various components of HADP and JKCIP, besides discussin

Srinagar, Aug 11: The Khyber Cement Kashmir Super League (KSL) 2026, powered by Athwas Retail &Athwas Hyundai, has officially welcomed New JK UNITED FC as the fifth franchise for the upcoming season. The addition of New JK United FC, as per a statement issued on Tuesday, marks another significant milestone for the league and further strengthens the franchise ecosystem of Jammu & Kashmirs emerging premier football competition. Their entry adds greater depth, competition and excitement to the seco