KashmirLife News

SRINAGAR: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir has released 16 new climate-resilient, high-yielding and nutrient-rich crop varieties, marking a significant step towards strengthening food security and climate adaptation in Jammu and Kashmir. The varieties were formally approved during the 10th meeting of the State Seed Sub Committee held at the Civil Secretariat []

by Dr Suhail A Naik A premature Kashmiri infant survives NICU struggles, reunites with family, and later becomes a compassionate paediatrician healing vulnerable newborns nationwide. My name is Alexa, and I was living a wonderful life in the womb of my mother. Everything was available around the clock, and my fragile organs were at rest []

SRINAGAR: Two private employees working at a private cement factory in the Khanmoh area on the outskirts of Srinagar were injured on Thursday after falling from an electric pole while carrying out repair work inside the factory premises. Officials said the incident occurred during the repair of an electric wire when the two employees lost []

SRINAGAR: The government has reiterated its commitment to reducing road accidents and fatalities in Jammu and Kashmir by 50 per cent by 2030, with sustained efforts underway to implement various components of the framed road safety policies across the Union Territory. Official sources said that road accidents continue to remain a major concern, claiming hundreds []

SRINAGAR: Police have detained an individual after a shocking video showing an elderly man being assaulted, allegedly by his own son, surfaced on social media and sparked widespread anger and concern. The disturbing video quickly went viral across various platforms, drawing sharp reactions from the public and prompting police to take immediate cognisance of the []

SRINAGAR: Kashmir Advocates Association (KAA), in association with the Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association, Srinagar, has expressed profound grief over the demise of Ghulam Mohammad Lone, grandfather of advocate Muzaffar Nabi Lone Hanjura. In an official condolence message, the associations described the demise as a great personal loss to the bereaved family. Extending []

SRINAGAR: A helicopter crashed on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania on Wednesday, killing five people, authorities confirmed on Thursday. The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority stated that the aircraft went down near the mountains Barafu Camp. Local media reports, including Mwananchi newspaper and East Africa TV, cited Simon Maigwa, head of police in the Kilimanjaro region, saying []

SRINAGAR: The Government has prevented cyber fraud losses amounting to Rs 660 crore over the past six months through the implementation of the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI). The Ministry of Communications said the FRI framework has been widely adopted, with more than 1,000 banks, third-party application providers and Payment System Operators (PSOs) onboarded on []

SRINAGAR: Authorities have imposed a two-month ban on the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in Kathua district of Jammu Kashmir, citing concerns related to national security, Daily Excelsior reported. The order was issued by District Magistrate Rajesh Sharma, who stated that VPN services were being misused by certain individuals and groups to circumvent cyber []

SRINAGAR: The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg on Thursday said that the administration is fully prepared for the winter and that the situation is being monitored at the highest level, with all departments instructed to activate winter preparedness plans. Speaking with reporters, the Divisional Commissioner said that the Chief Minister recently reviewed winter preparedness for []

SRINAGAR: A motorcyclist was critically injured in a road accident in Hyderpora area of Srinagar on Thursday after his motorcycle was struck by an unknown vehicle, officials said. Officials stated that the injured sustained multiple injuries and was immediately rushed to SMHS Hospital, Srinagar, where his condition remains critical. The injured has been identified as []

SRINAGAR: In 2025, Jammu and Kashmirs School Education system was confronted by some hard truths. The reality on the ground with poor learning outcomes, crumbling infrastructure, poor teaching quality was dramatically different than the actuality on ground. However, the department had taken some important steps to overcome some of the major issues like inadequate staff, []

Kashmirs white birch, once integral to the Valleys traditions of writing, architecture, culture, and medicine, has largely vanished from the plains, prompting concerns over the erosion of cultural heritage and the scale of ecological change underway, writes Dr Farooq A Lone Till about the fall of the nineteenth century, a sizable chunk of Srinagar homes []

by Malik Daniyal Political actors subtly reframe economic data to persuade publics, prioritising narrative control over reality, transparency, and lived economic experience In most democracies, we witness this political theatre where politicians trade blame over responsibility for the state of the economy. Unfortunately, amid this constant exchange, constructive and meaningful discussion is often drowned out []

SRINAGAR: Police on Thursday recovered the body of an unidentified non-local man from a roadside near LD Hospital here, officials said. Officials said that the man, aged around 45 years, was shifted to SMHS Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. Meanwhile, police have taken up an investigation to ascertain the identity of the deceased []

SRINAGAR: Large parts of Kashmir recorded sub-zero minimum temperatures late night with Sonamarg emerging as the coldest place in the Valley at minus 7.3 degrees Celsius, according to official data. Gulmarg logged a minimum temperature of minus 5.4 degrees Celsius, while Pahalgam recorded minus 4.4 degrees Celsius. Shopian and Pulwama also remained below freezing, registering []

SRINAGAR: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Kashmir (CBK) has filed a chargesheet in a fraud and forgery case against Fouzia Afzal, a Class-IV employee posted in the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, before the Court of the 4th Additional Munsiff Judge, Srinagar. According to EOW, the chargesheet has been submitted in []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered a fresh round of transfers and postings in the Directorate General of Accounts and Treasuries under the Finance Department, citing administrative requirements. According to Order No. 159-Acctts of 2025 dated December 24, issued by the Director General, Accounts and Treasuries, several Assistant Accounts Officers (AAOs), Assistant Accounts []

SRINAGAR: A day after Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, conducted an on-site review of the ongoing Amira Kadal wooden pedestrian bridge and other flagship works, the Srinagar Smart Citys official website continues to remain offline, leaving citizens unable to access updates on projects and tenders. Attempts to visit the portal, http://www.srinagarsmartcity.in shows an error message []

SRINAGAR: Reflecting both strength and bounce-back ability, Srinagar International Airport handled 35.26 lakh passengers and 21,576 flight movements between January and December 21, 2025, officials said here. The year was marked by tourism peaks, weather challenges, and temporary route suspensions following the Pahalgam attack. Official data reveals a clear month-wise pattern: steady growth till April, []

SRINAGAR: A performance audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has exposed major lapses in the implementation of the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) in Jammu and Kashmir, including Ladakh. The audit report tabled in Parliament on December 18 reveals that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh failed to complete 62.62 per cent []

SRINAGAR: Downtown Heroes FCs Development Team departed for New Delhi to participate in the Reliance Foundation Development League, marking a significant milestone for the Srinagar-based club and football in Jammu and Kashmir. The national-level competition provides a key platform for footballers to showcase their talent against some of the countrys best emerging players, serving as []

SRINAGAR: Cold conditions continued to prevail across Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday as maximum temperatures in many parts of the Kashmir division remained 02 degrees Celsius below normal. Several areas of the Jammu division recorded day temperatures 13 degrees above normal, officials said. Night temperatures, however, stayed above normal by 45 degrees at many places []

SRINAGAR: Acting tough against offenders involved in illegal mining and sand extraction, Police in North Kashmir registered 202 FIRs and arrested 272 accused in the year 2025. According to the details, Police carried out a sustained crackdown in Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Sopore and Handwara. It also seized 240 vehicles, including tippers, tractors and earthmoving machines []

SRINAGAR: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, on Wednesday chaired a meeting to review and strengthen measures to tackle the rising issue of substance abuse in the Valley. Emphasising the need for coordinated and sustained action, Garg directed educational institutions, including schools and colleges, to establish on-site de-addiction mechanisms within their campuses. Each institution has been []

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Kavinder Gupta on Wednesday said the Centre is providing all possible support to ensure overall development of the health sector in Kargil. Congratulating the people of Kargil LG Gupta said that despite living in remote and difficult terrain, residents are now receiving improved healthcare facilities. This has been possible due []

SRINAGAR: Traffic moved slowly on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on Wednesday due to single-lane traffic and the breakdown of two heavy motor vehicles (HMVs). An official while sharing the details said, Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) and passenger vehicles have been advised to travel on NH-44 during the day and avoid night journeys, particularly between Nashri []

SRINAGAR: The Regional Transport Officer (RTO), Jammu, has asked residents of the Jammu Division who own motor vehicles registered in other States or Union Territories to get their vehicles re-registered within a prescribed time limit. In a public notice, the RTO said it has been observed that a large number of commercial and non-commercial vehicles []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Bank has been named Best MSME Bank Winner at the MSME Banking Excellence Awards 2025 and also secured the runner-up position in the CSR Initiative and Business Responsibility category, the bank said on Wednesday. The awards, which recognise outstanding performance and best practices in promoting micro, small and medium enterprises []

SRINAGAR: Subject to fair weather conditions and clearance from the Border Roads Organisation, traffic on the Gurez to Bandipora road shall be allowed on December 25, 2025, strictly as per a regulated schedule and prescribed conditions. Officials said vehicular movement will be permitted only from Gurez towards Bandipora. The starting time from Traffic Check Post []

Kashmir: Srinagar Police on Wednesday attached immovable properties worth approximately Rs 3 crore belonging to a notorious drug peddler in the Noorbagh area of the city, in a major crackdown on drug trafficking and its financial networks. The attached assets include a double storeyed residential house, a double storeyed shopping complex, and land measuring one []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau on Wednesday filed a chargesheet for allegedly offering a bribe of Rs 30,000 to the Superintendent of Police, City South Jammu. Officials said the bribe was allegedly offered in exchange for extending the date of an exhibition cum sale at Gole Market, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu. According to a []

SRINAGAR: In a breakthrough against cross-border drug trafficking, Hiranagar Police have busted a Pakistan-based heroin smuggling network operating through drones and arrested the fifth accused in the case. The arrest marks a significant step in dismantling the narco module active along the international border in Kathua district. Official sources said that acting on specific inputs []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Forest Department on Wednesday clarified that no mass felling of trees occurred in the DrungDhanwas area of Tangmarg, following a viral video that had sparked concerns over large-scale forest damage. According to a press release, field verification by a Forest Department team confirmed that only a single fir tree was []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmirs reservation policy has once again come under sharp scrutiny after the Health and Medical Education Department earmarked only 192 of the 480 Medical Officer posts for Open Merit candidates, triggering criticism from aspirants, medical bodies, and political leaders. The Health and Medical Education Department has referred 480 Medical Officer posts of []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered the collection of voluntary contributions from government employees towards the Red Cross Fund for the financial year 202526, directing that the amount be deducted from salaries in January 2026. According to an order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), all Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) of []

SRINAGAR: Security forces have recovered balloons carrying Pakistani symbols from two separate locations in North Kashmir, close to the Line of Control, prompting heightened vigilance in the border districts of Baramulla and Kupwara. Officials said a Pakistani flag attached to around ten balloons was sighted landing near Sarna Top in the Khadinayar area of Baramulla []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has approved an 18 percent increase in public transport fares, with effect from January 1, 2026. The decision was taken at a high level meeting chaired by Principal Secretary to the Government, Finance Department, Santosh D. Vaidhya. The meeting was attended by Secretary Transport Avny Lavasa, Acting Transport Commissioner []

by Dr Nisar Farhad Rahmoo villages community-led Karewa road initiative showcases unity, sacrifice and participatory development, transforming connectivity, livelihoods and social harmony across Kashmirs fragile plateau landscapes The Karewa lands of Kashmir are among the regions most distinctive natural assetsancient elevated plateaus shaped over centuries by glacial and lacustrine processes. Spread across districts such as []

SRINAGAR: At least eight fire incidents were reported across different districts of the Kashmir division over the last 24 hours, prompting swift responses from the Fire and Emergency Services, which successfully brought all blazes under control and prevented loss of life, officials said. According to Fire and Emergency Services, the incidents were reported between December []

SRINAGAR: The Cyber Crime Investigation Center for Excellence, Crime Branch Jammu and Kashmir, has issued a public cyber advisory warning citizens against a rising scam involving fake RTO challan messages circulated through SMS and WhatsApp. According to the advisory, cyber criminals are sending fraudulent messages claiming pending traffic challans and attaching malicious APK files or []

SRINAGAR: In a bid to minimise delays caused by dense fog during the winter season and enhance passenger convenience, Northern Railways Jammu Division has introduced the provision of scratch rakes or additional rakes for select trains. An official said, The initiative aims to ensure the timely departure and arrival of trains that are often affected []

SRINAGAR: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday released a Border Roads Organisation manual aimed at streamlining the preparation of Detailed Project Reports for road infrastructure projects, a move expected to significantly benefit strategic road construction in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and other states. The guide, titled Guide on Preparation of Detailed Project Reports for Road []

SRINAGAR: Power supply will remain affected in several parts of Kashmir and Jammu divisions over the coming days as the Power Development Departments of Kashmir and Jammu have announced multiple scheduled shutdowns to facilitate maintenance and repair works. In Kashmir, the Chief Engineer, Distribution, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL), said that the 132 KV []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has notified the retirement on superannuation of 44 officers of the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service during the calendar year 2026. According to a retirement notification issued by the General Administration Department Services, the officers will retire on attaining the age of superannuation on different dates throughout 2026. The []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court on December 23 dismissed a public interest litigation filed by PDP president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti seeking the repatriation of undertrial prisoners from jails outside the Union Territory, holding that the petition was founded on vague averments, lacked material particulars and appeared driven by []

SRINAGAR: Two persons were seriously injured after an Eeco vehicle lost control and fell onto the rooftop of a house at Kallar near the police post in the Mendhar area of Poonch district on Tuesday. An official said that the vehicle, whose registration number could not be ascertained, skidded off the road and landed on []

SRINAGAR: Jammu Airport recorded steady growth in air traffic during 2025, handling over 13.5 lakh passengers and nearly 10,972 flight movements till mid-December. As per data, the airport recorded 5,486 arrivals and 5,486 departures between January 1 and December 15, 2025. During the same period, total passenger arrivals stood at 6,83,632, while departures were recorded []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Department on Tuesday announced winter vacations for all Government Degree Colleges across the Union Territory, with separate schedules notified for winter and summer zones. According to the government order issued by the Higher Education Department, colleges falling under the winter zone in both Kashmir and Jammu divisions will []

SRINAGAR: Ghulam Mohammad Lone, father of senior PDP leader and former minister Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura, passed away peacefully at his residence in Hanjura, Budgam, at the age of 100. Lone, who had served as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC), was a longstanding figure in public life, contributing actively to political and social []