SRINAGAR: The Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag has achieved two remarkable milestones, the grant of 50 additional MBBS seats, raising the total intake to 150, and the approval of 18 postgraduate MD/MS seats by the National Medical Commission (NMC). The twin approvals mark a transformative moment for the institution and are expected to significantly boost []

Along the banks of the Indus, Alchi Monastery stands as a living repository of Buddhist art and history, its ancient murals and sculptures bearing witness to centuries of cultural exchange. Among the oldest centres of learning and a major destination for visitors, the monastery remains a powerful testament to the enduring spiritual and artistic ties []

SRINAGAR: Months after the deadly Pahalgam attack, Srinagar is all set to witness a musical spectacle as renowned Bollywood playback singer Sonu Nigam takes the stage at Dal Lake. The concert, a heartfelt tribute to legendary singer Mohammed Rafi, will be held on Sunday, October 26, at the SK International Convention Centre (SKICC), Srinagar. The []

SRINAGAR: The National Conference (NC) and Congress made last-ditch efforts to forge unity ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls, following Congresss public announcement that it would not contest the riskier fourth seat. As a result of negotiations, Congress leaders claim they had nearly agreed to field a candidate for the competitive seat; however, the issue []

SRINAGAR: The Office of Member Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi dismissed social media reports suggesting that the Shia leader had made remarks related to the ongoing Budgam elections. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the office clarified that Ruhullah Mehdi had not issued any statement regarding the Budgam polls and criticised certain online portals []

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah faced backlash for comparing prepaid electricity meters to mobile recharges, with critics accusing him of making a U-turn on his pre-election promise. The installation of smart meters has been one of the most debated issues in Kashmir, with residents opposing them for being more expensive than previous meters. Over the []

SRINAGAR: The Returning Officer for the Rajya Sabha polls has sent postal ballot papers to the Superintendent of District Jail Kathua, where Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Mehraj Malik is detained under the Public Safety Act, 1978, to enable him to cast his vote. Sources said that Secretary of the Legislative Assembly, Manoj Pandita, who []

SRINAGAR: Amid rising speculation over cracks in the CongressNational Conference (NC) alliance, the Congress on Friday said the partnership between the two parties will continue for the greater common good. Congress General Secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir told reporters that internal differences do not signify the end of the alliance. Leaders express their opinionssome support one []

SRINAGAR: A police constable died on Friday after his service rifle accidentally discharged while he was on duty at the District Police Line (DPL) in north Kashmirs Bandipora district, officials said. Officials identified the deceased as 32-year-old Arfeen Lone, son of Darwesh Lone, a resident of Malangam Tulail in Bandipora. According to officials, the rifle []

SRINAGAR: At least six passengers sustained injuries after a vehicle turned turtle at Daller Morh, Manasbal in Safapora area of Central Kashmirs Ganderbal district on Friday. Officials told news agency KNC that the vehicle (bearing registration number JK01F/1693), on its way from Ganderbal towards Safapora, met with the accident at Daller Morh. All the injured []

SRINAGAR:The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday announced a judicial inquiry into the police action against protestors in Leh that left four people dead and several injured during demonstrations demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh. The inquiry will be headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice BS Chauhan, who served on the []

by Dr Nisar Farhad It was heartening to witness communities working together to protect the environment while preserving their cultural identity. On Independence Day, I journeyed from Pulwama to Drang, Chadoora, ecovillages, and the Sukhnag River, discovering Kashmirs natural beauty and cultural soul. The travelogue reflects how true freedom lies in connecting with nature, sustaining []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Friday approved the adhoc appointment of eleven Sub-Judges as District Judges (Entry Level), following recommendations from the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. According to a government order, the appointments have been made in accordance with Rule 20 of the Jammu and Kashmir Higher Judicial Service []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested nineteen long-time absconders from Kulgam, Anantnag, Shopian, Ganderbal, and Awantipora districts. Some of the accused had been evading arrest for over three decades in connection with serious criminal cases, including drug trafficking, rape, abduction, and theft. According to officials, the arrests are part of the polices sustained campaign []

JAMMU: Former Jammu and Kashmir minister and veteran political leader Gulchain Singh Charak passed away today after a prolonged illness. He was 85. A resident of Samba, Charak was currently living in Greater Kailash, Jammu. A seasoned leader with a decades-long association with the Congress, Charak served as a minister in the PDPCongress coalition government []

SRINAGAR: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq has expressed deep concern over what he termed as the injustice faced by open merit youth in Jammu and Kashmir, saying that the current reservation structure has become unbalanced and is depriving deserving candidates of fair employment opportunities. Speaking in Srinagar, Mirwaiz said that the issue of reservation must []

SRINAGAR: Locals from Solina area of Srinagar on Friday staged a protest against what they termed the use of substandard material in the ongoing macadamization process of their lanes, alleging large-scale corruption and negligence by officials supervising the work. Locals said that the roads in Solina had been macadamized after a gap of nearly 15 []

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said that his government will not place hurdles in the Assembly against any bill that benefits the people of Jammu and Kashmir, including the land rights bill supported by PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti. Speaking to reporters in Kulgam, Omar Abdullah said, I dont know what power you are []

SRINAGAR: The Justice and Development Front (JDF) has announced its decision to exit the Peoples Alliance for Change (PAC). In an official statement, JDF General Secretary Sayar Ahmad Reshi cited differences in the modus operandi of the PAC as the reason for the split. Within the alliance framework, JDF has always exercised its democratic right []

SRINAGAR: The Administration of Ladakh has launched the process to revise the Unified Ladakh Building Bye-Laws, 2024, as part of its broader initiative to deregulate and simplify business processes. The revised bye-laws aim to reduce compliance burdens, streamline approvals, and create a more enabling environment for the tourism sector, small and medium enterprises, and other []

SRINAGAR: Police in south Kashmirs Kulgam district have arrested two drug peddlers who had been evading arrest for nearly two decades in separate NDPS Act cases registered at Police Station Qazigund. The arrested individuals have been identified as Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh, son of Gh Qadir Sheikh, resident of Nassu Badrahgund, and Bilal Ahmad Ganie, son []

SRINAGAR: Two persons sustained injuries in a road accident that took place at Lurgam area of Tral in south Kashmirs Pulwama district on Friday. The injured have been identified as Ashiq Ahmad, a resident of Pastina, and Suhail Ahmad, hailing from Wagad. According to local sources, the accident occurred when the vehicle they were travelling []

SRINAGAR: Jammu Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Friday said his government continues to exercise the same powers it had a year ago and is still committed to restoring full statehood as promised by the Centre. I dont know what power you are talking about. We have the same power as we had a year ago. []

SRINAGAR: NC Leader Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan described the upcoming Rajya Sabha election as a defining test of the regions collective conscience and a chance to restore the rightful voice of its people in the national forum. In a statement, Ramzan said the election transcends the contest for seats, framing it as a verdict on the []

SRINAGAR: One-way movement of traffic on the JammuSrinagar National Highway (NH-44) was allowed on Friday morning following the collapse of a protection wall at Dhalwas in Ramban district, which had forced the temporary closure of one side of this vital road link. Officials said a major portion of the protection wall near Dhalwas had collapsed, []

SRINAGAR: Stating that more than 1,614 Jammu and Kashmir Policemen laid down their lives during the past three decades while fighting Pakistan and its proxies in the Union Territory, Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat, on Thursday reiterated the commitment of the force to safeguard peace and stability in the region. Addressing the closing []

SRINAGAR: Jammu Kashmir Police have arrested a private school staff member for allegedly sexually assaulting and molesting a minor student in a private school in central Kashmirs Budgam district on Thursday. Reports said, the father of the victim lodged a complaint alleging that his minor ward was allegedly assaulted and molested by a school staff []

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor of Jammu Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, announced his departure for Kalmykia, Russia, to lead a delegation entrusted with bringing back the holy relics of Lord Buddha after a week-long exposition. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Office of the JK Lieutenant Governor, wrote, Leaving for Kalmykia, Russia, where I will lead []

SRINAGAR: What should have been a routine journey between Qazigund and Ramban has turned into a nightmare for commuters, with severe traffic snarls plaguing the JammuSrinagar National Highway. The road remains heavily congested, and journeys that once took 45 hours are now stretching to 10 hours, commuters said. Commuters said that the highway has been []

SRINAGAR: Union Home Minister Amit Shah called for a ruthless approach against economic offenders, cyber criminals, terrorists, and all fugitives evading Indian law, stressing that such individuals must be brought before the justice system without delay. Addressing a conference on Extradition of Fugitives Challenges and Strategies organised by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in []

SRINAGAR: Police on Thursday night recovered an unidentified male body from the bus stand in Mendhar area of Poonch district, officials said. They said that some passers-by spotted the body and accordingly informed the police. Later, a police party reached the spot and shifted it to the Government Sub-District Hospital, Mendhar. Medical Officer Dr Obaid []

SRINAGAR: Jammu Kashmir Police have secured proclamation orders against the self-styled chief of the proscribed outfit Hizbul Mujahideen, Mohammad Yousuf Shah alias Syed Salahuddin, who has been living under Pakistans protection. A top police officer said that the proclamation orders were issued in connection with FIR No. 67/2012 registered at Police Station Dangiwacha. The war []

SRINAGAR: While briefing on the winter advisory, Er Aqib Hussain Mir, Deputy Director, Fire and Emergency Services Srinagar on Thursday cautioned that fire incidents tend to rise sharply during the cold season due to the careless use of heating appliances and LPG devices. He urged the public to follow safety measures and use certified equipment []

SRINAGAR: A delegation from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) on Thursday presented a cheque of over Rs 11 lakh to the Chief Minister towards the Flood Relief Fund. The contribution, raised by the universitys faculty and staff, was lauded by the Chief Minister, who commended their compassion and spirit of solidarity. During the day, []

SRINAGAR: The 10th All India Police Games Judo Cluster concluded today at the Sher-e-Kashmir Indoor Sports Complex in Srinagar with a spirited closing ceremony attended by the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar. The week-long national event brought together over 1,600 men and women police personnel from 38 teams representing state []

SRINAGAR: The Principal Sessions Judge Kupwara, Manjeet Singh Manhas, has discharged two accused, including police constable Khursheed Ahmad Chohan, in a narcotics case registered under the NDPS Act, citing lack of sufficient evidence, contradictory forensic reports, and procedural lapses that cast serious doubt on the prosecutions version. Police had registered an FIR vide number 17/2023 []

SRINAGAR: The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has announced a series of scheduled power shutdowns across several districts between October 18 and 25 to carry out maintenance works at key grid substations and transmission lines. According to the Chief Engineer, Distribution, KPDCL, the 132 KV Grid Substation Pampore (132 and 33 KV Switchyard) and []

SRINAGAR: After a long wait, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has declared the famed Guryul Ravine at Khonmoh, Srinagar, as a National Geoheritage Site, recognising it as one of the worlds most complete records of the greatest biological catastrophe in Earths history, the Permian-Triassic mass extinction, which occurred about 252 million years ago. The []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday announced the postponement of the provincial holiday on account of Urs Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Sahib, shifting the observance from October 18 to October 20. According to an official order issued by the Commissioner Secretary to the Government, General Administration Department (GAD), the holiday will now be observed on []

SRINAGAR: On the completion of one year of the National Conference (NC) government in Jammu Kashmir, former Chief Minister and PDP President Mehbooba Mufti accused the Omar Abdullah-led government of failing to deliver on its promises and normalizing what she termed as anti-people decisions. Mehbooba Mufti said that the government is silent on critical political []

SRINAGAR: Wildlife authorities on Thursday successfully captured a leopard that had been roaming in residential areas of Doda town, triggering fear among locals for the past several days. The operation was launched after multiple sightings of two leopards caused panic among the population. Officials said that the Wildlife Department, assisted by local police and forest []

SRINAGAR: National Conference leader Choudhary Ramzan on Thursday said the party will finalise its candidate for the Budgam bypolls after consulting Member of Parliament Agha Ruhullah Mehdi. Ramzan described Mehdi as a very good leader, a very good speaker, noting that his speeches carry evidence and conviction. What he says about 370 etc., this is []

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday announced the resumption of the traditional bi-annual Darbar Move practice after a gap of more than four years. The bi-annual Darbar Move had been halted by the Lieutenant Governor. Addressing a press conference, the Chief Minister said that the cabinet has given its nod for the revival of []

SRINAGAR: Locals on Thursday alleged that expired medicines were distributed to patients at the Ayushman Bharat Comprehensive Primary Health Centre (PHC) Odina, in North Kashmirs Bandipora district. According to reports, a local female patient suffering from bone and joint pain was prescribed medication by a medic posted at the health centre. However, after collecting the []

SRINAGAR: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday said her party is willing to support the National Conference (NC) in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, on the condition that the NC extends backing to the PDPs Land Bill and Regularisation of Daily Wagers Bill in the Assembly. Mehbooba conveyed this to NC president []

SRINAGAR: Attorney General R Venkataramani has granted consent to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against advocate Rakesh Kishore, who attempted to hurl a shoe at Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai inside the Supreme Court earlier this month, multiple legal news outlets reported on Thursday. The decision, conveyed to a Bench led by Justices Surya []

SRINAGAR: The Contractors Association of Jammu Province has urged the Jammu and Kashmir administration to immediately release over Rs 1080 crore worth of pending payments for works executed under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) by the Jal Shakti Department across the Union Territory. Addressing a press conference in Jammu, Association president Sham Singh Jamwal and []

SRINAGAR: Gold prices surged to an all-time high on Thursday, rising by Rs 1,185 to Rs 1,28,395 per 10 grams in domestic futures trade, as global prices breached the USD 4,250 per ounce mark. The rally was driven by growing expectations of interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve and persistent geopolitical uncertainties. On []

SRINAGAR: At least 35 sheep were stolen during the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday from Dudhwan SK Bala village in north Kashmirs Bandipora district. According to local residents, unidentified thieves broke into the cowshed of Mohammad Shafi Sheikh, son of Abdul Rahim Sheikh, a resident of Dudhwan SK Bala, and took away his entire []

SRINAGAR: When Irfan Umair arrived in Mumbai from Ranchi in 2017 with Rs 5,500 in his pocket, he shared a cramped slum room with 12 others and worked as a waiter to survive. Eight years later, the 25-year-old left-arm fast bowler has earned a place in the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team, making his debut in []