KashmirLife

SRINAGAR: Jammu Kashmirs Minister for Rural Development Javid Ahmad Dar has called for an increase in MGNREGA wages in hilly areas from Rs 272 to Rs 311, citing difficult terrain and local economic conditions, during a national review meeting held on Saturday. The online meeting, chaired by Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, reviewed []

SRINAGAR: Authorities spent Rs 73548 on conducting the Rajya Sabha elections in the Jammu Kashmir Union Territory in October 2025. According to official documents, the JK Election Department had transferred Rs 1 lakh for the exercise, out of which Rs 73548 was utilized to make necessary arrangements for polls to four vacant Rajya Sabha seats. []

SRINAGAR: An army soldier was injured in a landmine blast near the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, while a rusted explosive shell was later detected and safely defused in the area. The incident occurred during a routine patrol along the LoC, when the soldier reportedly stepped on []

SRINAGAR: The Government on Saturday commenced distribution of ration under the Special Relief Ration Scheme for Kashmiri and Jammu migrants, as notified under Government Order No. 15-JK(FCS and CA) of 2026 dated March 5, 2026. The distribution process was launched simultaneously at 32 ration depots designated for migrants in District Jammu, along with other earmarked []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday arrested five drug peddlers and recovered significant quantities of contraband during coordinated operations in Anantnag and Sopore. In Anantnag, four individuals were apprehended in separate operations, with police recovering charas powder, cannabis, and other narcotic substances from their possession. In Sopore, another peddler was arrested during a naka []

SRINAGAR: India on Saturday summoned Irans ambassador and lodged a strong protest after two India-flagged vessels came under gunfire in the Strait of Hormuz, forcing multiple ships bound for Indian ports to turn back amid a rapidly escalating security situation in the region, according to official sources and media reports. Sources cited by WION said []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Saturday issued two separate administrative orders assigning additional responsibilities to senior officers and effecting a key field posting in Rajouri. As per Government Order No. 806-JK(GAD) of 2026 dated April 18, Piyush Singla, IAS (AGMUT: 2012), Secretary, Information Technology Departmentwho is already holding additional charge of Administrative Secretary, []

SRINAGAR: The Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) Kishtwar, under the supervision of Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) Tasleem Wani, has ordered a major enforcement action against habitual traffic offenders, suspending Registration Certificates (RCs) and Route Permits of 246 vehicles across the district with immediate effect. Of the total, 203 vehicles have had their RCs suspended, while []

SRINAGAR: Four Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers of the AGMUT cadre, serving as Deputy Conservators of Forests, have been reassigned to different administrative segments. According to the official order, Satyaprakash Singh and Atharva Tiwari have been posted to the Delhi segment, while Sandeep Divyajyoti Behera has been moved to the Jammu and Kashmir segment. In []

SRINAGAR: As many as 172 government employees were found absent during surprise inspections ordered by the District Magistrate in Poonch district, officials said on Saturday. An official said that special teams constituted by the administration conducted raids across various offices, including at the district headquarters, to check absenteeism and enforce discipline. The absent employees were []

SRINAGAR: The Fire and Emergency Department has sought action against an eatery in Lal Chowk after 19 LPG cylinders were recovered during a fire incident in the attic portion of the restaurant on Saturday morning. The blaze broke out around 7 am in the attic of the Eat Out restaurant located in the busy commercial []

by Shoaib Nazir / Umar Dar SRINAGAR: In the emotionally charged atmosphere of Hajj 2026 departures, where pilgrims bid tearful farewells to their loved ones, a single photograph captured a moment that transcended the boundaries of religion and identity. Shot by intern Shariq Shafi of Kashmir Life, alongside multimedia journalist Shoaib Nazir, the image shows []

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday directed authorities to ensure the timely completion of the under-construction Extension Block at Government Lalla Ded Hospital, stressing strict adherence to quality standards and faster execution. The project, being developed as a dedicated Infertility and Gynaecological Oncology Centre, is aimed at strengthening specialised maternal and neonatal healthcare services []

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday led an intensified anti-drug campaign in Rajouri, joining a padyatra and addressing a public gathering as part of a time-bound offensive against narcotics across Jammu and Kashmir. Participating in the Drug-Free JK campaign, the Lieutenant Governor said border district Rajouri remains vulnerable to cross-border drug smuggling but asserted []

SRINAGAR: Transporters across Kashmir Division have called for a complete chakka jam on Monday in protest against the proposed expansion of Smart City bus services to various districts, raising concerns over its impact on the local transport sector. Transporters representative Shabir Matta expressed strong resentment over the move, stating it could jeopardize the livelihood of []

SRINAGAR: Jammu Police on Saturday demolished a residential property allegedly linked to drug trafficking in the Javaid Nagar area of Niki Tawi, as part of an intensified crackdown under the administrations anti-drug campaign. The demolition was carried out using a bulldozer, with authorities citing the ongoing drive aimed at curbing narcotics trade and dismantling assets []

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday dedicated a memorial, museum and library in Rajouri in honour of martyr Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Raj Kumar Thapa. Thapa was martyred in unprovoked shelling by Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. Paying tribute, the Lieutenant Governor recalled Dr Thapas selfless service and unwavering commitment to public welfare, stating []

SRINAGAR: The Centre has increased the Dearness Allowance (DA) by two per cent for all government employees, with the revised rate effective from January 1. The government revises the DA twice a yearfor January and Julythough the formal notification is often issued later, typically around major festivals such as Holi or Diwali. This time, however, []

SRINAGAR: Two persons, including a minor, were injured after a scooty skidded off the road in Tral area of south Kashmir on Saturday, officials said. The injured have been identified as Irfan Hamid, son of Hamid Ahmad Sheikh, a resident of Tral, aged about 39 years, and Gazi Irfan, son of Irfan Hamid, aged about []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Saturday ordered the takeover of management committees of 58 schools linked to the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) and its Falah-e-Aam Trust, officials said. Official sources informed that the action follows adverse intelligence reports and the expiry of the schools management validity. The School Education Department invoked Ministry of Home []

SRINAGAR: The collegium of the High Court of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh, headed by Chief Justice Arun Palli, has recommended 11 names for appointment against vacant posts of Judges in the High Court. Reliable sources said that the list comprises 10 candidates from the Bar quota and one from the Bench quota. Notably, this is []

SRINAGAR: An earthquake of magnitude 5.6 struck Afghanistan on Saturday, with its tremors felt across several parts of the Kashmir Valley, officials said. The seismic activity caused brief panic among residents, including in Srinagar and other areas, where people rushed out of homes as a precaution. However, officials confirmed that there were no immediate reports []

As climate change and shrinking land reshape Kashmirs farming, a quiet revolution in mechanisation, spanning drones, AI, and biotech, is about to transform how the valley grows, irrigates, and harvests its crops, writes Masood Hussain Kashmir is witnessing a quiet revolution in its fields. Once known primarily for its terraced rice paddies and orchard-draped hillsides, []

by Asad Mirza Irans endurance under pressure highlights how decentralised structures, institutional cohesion, and a shared sense of purpose can sustain resilience beyond conventional strategic expectations As tensions intensify between Iran, Israel, and the United States, one thing has become increasingly clear: Iran has managed not only to respond to sustained pressure but to endure []

SRINAGAR: Mild earthquake tremors were felt across several parts of Kashmir at around 8:26 am on Saturday, triggering brief panic among residents. The tremors prompted people in multiple areas to rush out of homes and buildings as a precautionary measure. However, there were no immediate reports of damage to property or loss of life at []

SRINAGAR: The first batch of Hajj pilgrims from Kashmir departed for Saudi Arabia on Saturday, with authorities operating three flights from the Hajj House, Bemina, carrying 431 pilgrims. A senior official said the group comprised 230 men and 201 women. The first flight carried 79 men and 66 women, the second 78 men and 65 []

SRINAGAR: The High Court of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh has quashed an FIR and subsequent criminal proceedings in a matrimonial dispute, holding that the allegations of cruelty, dowry demand, and intimidation were vague, omnibus, and appeared to be a counterblast to earlier litigation. In a judgment pronounced on April 16, 2026, Justice Shahzad Azeem allowed []

SRINAGAR: The High Court of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh has upheld a Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) order granting retrospective appointment, seniority, and old pension benefits to a Junior Engineer who was earlier denied selection despite higher merit. A division bench comprising Justice Sindhu Sharma and Justice Shahzad Azeem dismissed a writ petition filed by the []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered a comprehensive inspection of all high and higher secondary schools across the Union Territory to assess infrastructure, academic functioning, and staffing. According to an order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), a total of 1,742 schools939 in Jammu division and 803 in Kashmir divisionhave been identified []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Friday arrested nine drug peddlers in coordinated operations across Anantnag, Sopore and Awantipora, recovering heroin, charas and psychotropic substances in multiple naka and search operations. In Anantnag district, police arrested five individuals during separate naka checking operations. At Hangulgund Kokernag, Nazir Ahmad Dar of Bumdoora was apprehended with 7.84 []

SRINAGAR: National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Friday said people were worried over the ongoing delimitation exercise and the manner in which recent legislative decisions were being handled, alleging that the process had created uncertainty among the public. Talking to reporters here, Abdullah said the Centre first withdrew the bill after realising it lacked []

SRINAGAR: The Chief Engineer, Distribution, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has informed that planned shutdowns will be carried out on several 33 kV transmission lines, affecting power supply in multiple areas of Kashmir on different dates in April 2026. According to the statement, shutdown of the 33 kV BeminaFatehkadal and 33 kV BeminaBarbarshah lines []

SRINAGAR: Hajj flights from Kashmir with Srinagar embarkation are set to begin from Saturday, with 4,704 pilgrims from Jammu Kashmir scheduled to depart in 28 flights till May 5. Executive Officer of the Hajj Committee, Dr Shujaat Ahmad Qureshi said that all arrangements have been finalized for the smooth departure of pilgrims for tomorrow. As []

SRINAGAR: National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Friday appealed to the Government of India to allow jailed Member of Parliament Er Rashid to visit his ailing father on humanitarian grounds. The appeal comes in view of the critical condition of Khazir Mohammad Sheikh, who is undergoing intensive treatment at SMHS Hospital, Srinagar. Abdullah said the []

SRINAGAR: MLA Budgam, Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi on Friday visited Langate MLA Sheikh Khursheed at SMHS Hospital in Srinagar to enquire about the health of his father, Khazir Mohammad Sheikh, and expressed prayers for his speedy recovery. Visited my colleague in the Assembly, @khadime_langate, at SHMS to enquire about his fathers health. Praying for his []

SRINAGAR: The District Administration Kishtwar has made RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) registration mandatory for all devotees undertaking the Shri Machail Mata Ji Yatra 2026. The registration process will begin on April 18, 2026, and is being implemented under the overall supervision of Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar, with execution led by Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj []

SRINAGAR: Several legislators, delegations and individuals met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday, raising a range of issues for redressal. Former minister and legislator Abdul Majid Wani, along with former legislator Chaman Lal from Ramban, highlighted key concerns related to their respective constituencies. A delegation of the Indian Institute of Architects, JK Chapter, led by []

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday flagged off a Shobha Yatra from Chanakya Chowk Parade in Jammu to mark Bhagwan Parshuram Jayanti. The procession was organised by the Dogra Brahman Pratinidhi Sabha to commemorate the life and teachings of Bhagwan Parshuram, regarded as the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Earlier, the Lieutenant Governor paid []

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday unveiled the jersey of Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Club (SCC) and reiterated the governments commitment to promoting sports and nurturing youth talent across Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking at a function attended by Minister for Youth Services and Sports Satish Sharma, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani and club []

SRINAGAR: Police in central Kashmirs Budgam district have registered 23 FIRs and arrested 24 individuals as part of an intensified crackdown on illegal mining, officials said. The enforcement drive, conducted across multiple areas, also resulted in the seizure of 45 vehicles allegedly used for unlawful extraction and transportation of minerals, underscoring efforts to curb violations. []

SRINAGAR: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, on Friday directed officials to resolve all pending issues at the 60 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Noorbagh by May 31 to ensure its full operationalisation. Chairing a high-level review of major sewerage projects in Kashmir, the Divisional Commissioner emphasised the need to address electricity supply constraints, leakages []

SRINAGAR: Posting doctored videos, hate speech, or communally sensitive content on social media in Jammu district will invite strict legal action, including imprisonment of up to three years, officials said on Friday. District Magistrate Jammu, Rakesh Minhas, has issued a prohibitory order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, banning the []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party president Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari on Friday accused the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of misleading people on key issues, including restoration of statehood and Article 370. Speaking on the sidelines of a joining function here, Altaf Bukhari said that those joining his party from []

SRINAGAR: A recently constructed pedestrian footbridge in Mehjoor Nagar area of Srinagar has come under scrutiny after reports of theft, vandalism, and safety concerns, including missing metal components and tampering with electrical infrastructure. The footbridge, built at a reported cost of Rs 4.95 crore by the Lakes and Rivers Waterways Development (LRWD) under the Srinagar []

SRINAGAR: Billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani has become the richest person in Asia, surpassing Mukesh Ambani following a strong rise in shares of his conglomerate. According to the latest billionaire rankings, Adanis net worth stands at USD 92.6 billion, ahead of Ambanis USD 90.8 billion. Adani is currently ranked 19th on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which []

SRINAGAR: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has appointed 20 officers as Executive Magistrates in District Reasi under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, in a move aimed at strengthening administrative and law-and-order mechanisms at the district level. According to a notification issued by the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary []

SRINAGAR: Traffic Police Rural Kashmir has issued an advisory in view of a Mega Rally under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan being organised by the District Administration Handwara on April 17, 2026. The advisory stated that vehicular movement in Handwara town will remain regulated during the event, and motorists have been advised to avoid unnecessary []

SRINAGAR: India and Austria on Thursday strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists last year in Kashmir and called for coordinated global efforts to counter terrorism, including cross-border networks and radicalisation. The issue figured prominently during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker, marking the first visit by []

Across Kashmirs villages and cities, broken marriages are leaving behind fractured lives, struggling children, and a community quietly reckoning with the rising tide of divorce, reports Babra Wani The Bhat household in a remote village of South Kashmir had waited years for this moment. In 2016, the familys only son was finally to be married, []

by Syed Ahfadul Mujtaba A police officer reflects on how neglect, inconsistency, and eroding civic discipline gradually transform ordered societies into wastelands, drawing from literature, history, and administrative experience I still recall the quiet, almost meditative power of Joseph Addison, the early eighteenth-century essayist and co-founder of The Spectator, whose prose shaped much of modern []