KashmirLife

by Lilac Ali SRINAGAR: Kashmirs historic Mughal gardens have received what experts describe as the first comprehensive scholarly treatment devoted exclusively to their landscape heritage. Kashmir conservationists and historians hope that the work will serve as a blueprint for preserving some of the Valleys most significant cultural assets. The optimism emerged at a pre-launch event []

SRINAGAR: An Indian woman who recently returned from a 12-day trip to Switzerland has sparked discussion on social media after saying that India, particularly Jammu and Kashmir, possesses natural beauty comparable to the European nation but falls short when it comes to cleanliness. In a video posted on Instagram, Binny Sharma said her visit reinforced []

SRINAGAR: The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) on Saturday called for a complete Ladakh Bandh on June 23, accusing the Centre of delaying decisions on crucial political and constitutional demands and warning that the people of the Union Territory would no longer remain silent in the face of what they []

SRINAGAR: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of the Crime Branch, Jammu and Kashmir, has filed a chargesheet before the Chief Judicial Magistrates Court in Sopore against a man accused of cheating a complainant on the pretext of providing a telecom project linked to a United States-based company. According to officials, the chargesheet has been []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has suspended an Associate Professor of Cardiology at Government Medical College (GMC), Anantnag, pending an inquiry into alleged irregularities in the institutions Cardiology Department, Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo said on Friday. Speaking to reporters, the Minister confirmed that an inquiry had already been initiated by the []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has appointed 25 senior officers as Liaison Officers to facilitate the proposed study visit of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas scheduled to take place in the Union Territory from June 25 to June 29, 2026. According to Government Order No. 1106-JK(GAD) of 2026 dated June []

SRINAGAR: Cardiologist Dr Syed Maqbool has rejected allegations levelled against him in connection with the PMJAY-SEHAT controversy, asserting that the matter remains under inquiry and that no conclusions have been reached by the authorities. Dr Maqbool said the allegations contained in a departmental memorandum were being misrepresented in sections of the media and should not []

SRINAGAR: Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan arrived in Srinagar on Saturday and chaired a high-level security review meeting to assess preparedness for the forthcoming Amarnath Yatra, which is scheduled to commence on July 3. Official sources said the Home Secretary reviewed security and logistical arrangements with senior officers of the Jammu and Kashmir administration, Police, []

SRINAGAR: The Health and Medical Education (HME) Department has initiated major departmental proceedings against a cardiologist posted at Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag over allegations of fraudulent PMJAY-SEHAT claims, manipulation of medical records, unauthorised cardiac procedures, patient exploitation and violations of procurement norms, official documents reveal. The departmental action against Dr Syed Maqbool, a cardiologist []

A debut novel frames Kashmirs trauma and displacement through intimate human stories, recovering a cultures lost melody in three chapters of winter, writes Mehreen Firdous RJ Umair Ahmad Khans choice of title for his debut novel is itself an act of quiet precision. The Valley of Unfinished Songs names Kashmir not as a political geography []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Private Empanelled Hospitals and Dialysis Centres Association (JKPHDA) has reaffirmed its decision to proceed with a mass de-empanelment of private hospitals and dialysis centres from the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) and SEHAT Scheme from July 1, 2026, citing the governments failure to address long-pending issues despite []

SRINAGAR: Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement agreed to a ceasefire in Lebanon on Friday following a sharp escalation in cross-border fighting that had threatened to derail a wider U.S.-Iran agreement aimed at ending months of regional conflict and reopening negotiations over Tehrans nuclear programme. According to reports from Reuters and The Associated Press, the []

SRINAGAR: Serious questions have been raised over maternal healthcare services in north Kashmirs Bandipora district after a woman allegedly delivered her baby on a roadside shortly after being discharged from the District Hospital Bandipora. The woman, identified as Hafeeza Begum of the Chechinar area of Aloosa, was admitted to the hospital on June 17 after []

SRINAGAR: Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakina Masood Itoo on Friday said that late Mufti Muhammad Sayeed was the enactor of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA). Addressing a gathering in Pulwama, Sakina said that Mufti Muhammad Sayeed was responsible for the imposition of AFSPA in Jammu and Kashmir. If AFSPA is continuing []

SRINAGAR: More than 1,500 employees and over 300 employers in Jammu and Kashmir received incentives amounting to over Rs 26 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY) as Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the nationwide disbursement programme on Friday. According to official figures, 1,522 employees in the Union Territory received incentives worth []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has received more than Rs 3,000 crore under two central funding mechanisms for restoration and reconstruction of infrastructure damaged in the 2025 floods and landslides, with over Rs 429 crore already released for execution of approved works, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo was informed on Friday. Chairing a high-level review meeting on []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has issued a directive standardising the role and operations of the Jammu and Kashmir Architects Organisation, making it mandatory for government departments and agencies to utilise its services for public infrastructure projects across the Union Territory. The order, issued by the Housing and Urban Development Department (H&UDD), follows Government []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) Additional General Secretary and Member of Parliament Chaudhary Mohammad Ramzan on Friday said the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir was the constitutional and democratic right of its people and not a favour from anyone. Addressing party leaders, legislators, office-bearers and workers from various areas at the []

SRINAGAR: Fresh rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms lashed several parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, extending what has already been an unusually wet June, with the Meteorological Department forecasting the prevailing weather system to continue till June 22. Director, Meteorological Department, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said intermittent rain, thunderstorms, gusty winds and isolated hailstorms are likely []

SRINAGAR: The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has announced scheduled power shutdowns in parts of Srinagar and south Kashmir later this month to facilitate maintenance works on various 33 KV transmission lines. According to the Chief Engineer, Distribution, KPDCL, power supply to JAKLI Beacon will remain affected from 11 am to 2 pm on []

SRINAGAR: A PhD scholar from Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) has secured an international research grant of 6,500 US Dollars from the United States-based Wild Animal Initiative for a study on the critically endangered Kashmir Loach, an endemic fish species found in the Valley. The grant has been awarded to []

SRINAGAR: A retired headmaster who sustained critical injuries in a road accident near the Security Line, Batmaloo, in Srinagar on Wednesday has succumbed to his injuries at SMHS Hospital, officials said. The deceased has been identified as Sharief-ud-Din Wani (72), son of Ghulam Hassan Wani and a resident of MIG Colony, Bemina. Officials said Wani []

SRINAGAR: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Friday said it has filed a chargesheet before the Special Anti-Corruption Court, Baramulla, against a Fire and Emergency Services official accused of demanding and accepting a bribe for issuing a Fire Safety No Objection Certificate (NOC) in Sopore. A spokesperson said the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jammu and Kashmir, has []

SRINAGAR: The Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) on Friday ordered the suspension of classwork in 60 schools across the Kashmir Valley on June 20 (Saturday) ahead of the NEET-2026 examination scheduled for June 21 (Sunday). According to a government order, classwork shall remain suspended in all schools designated as NEET examination centres to facilitate []

SRINAGAR: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of the Crime Branch, Jammu and Kashmir, has booked five persons in connection with an alleged land fraud involving migrant property in Baramulla district and conducted a search operation at a residence in Budgam as part of the ongoing investigation. According to officials, the case pertains to an []

SRINAGAR: Uncertainty continues to surround the fate of a no-confidence motion moved against Chairman-cum-Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, Dr Mohammad Zaffar Akhoon, even as he remains in office and continues to oversee council affairs. Official sources said the no-confidence motion, signed by 16 councillors, was forwarded by []

SRINAGAR: The State Allied and Healthcare Council (SAHC), Jammu and Kashmir, has issued show-cause notices to four private paramedical institutions for allegedly conducting and facilitating Allied and Healthcare courses without obtaining the requisite permission, recognition and approval from the competent authorities. According to official notices issued by the Council, the institutions served with notices include []

SRINAGAR: A major fire broke out in two shops near the Kalika Temple area of Poonch town, causing extensive damage and reducing goods worth several lakhs of rupees to ashes, officials and local residents said on Friday. The blaze erupted in the commercial area and rapidly engulfed the two establishments, sending plumes of smoke into []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Friday said that two persons, including a Forest Department employee, have been arrested in Kishtwar district for allegedly providing support to militants. An official said that the arrests were made during the investigation of a case registered at Police Station Kishtwar under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya []

SRINAGAR: Security forces have detained three persons in south Kashmirs Shopian district and recovered explosives and incriminating material during a search operation. A senior police officer said that, acting on specific intelligence inputs, police conducted an operation in the Pudsoo area of Shopian and detained three residents of Begam village. During the operation, two grenades, []

SRINAGAR: Three men accused in the sensational daylight killing of a pharmacy cashier in Chandigarh have been arrested from Jammu and Kashmir following a multi-state manhunt that stretched across Punjab, Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir, with investigators now probing possible links to organised crime syndicates and extortion networks. The victim, 45-year-old Janki Das, was shot []

SRINAGAR: In a major recognition of Ladakhs rich artisanal heritage, eight traditional handicraft products from the Union Territory have been granted Geographical Indication (GI) status, providing legal protection to centuries-old crafts and strengthening their identity in national and international markets. The newly registered GI-tagged products are Ladakh Challi Textiles, Ladakh Thigma, Ladakh Painting, Pabu of []

SRINAGAR: Khyber Cement is deeply saddened to report that an unfortunate accident occurred on 18th June 2026, at its manufacturing plant in Khonmoh, at around 9 PM, resulting in injuries to a few employees, the company said in a statement issued at midnight. Emergency response protocols were activated immediately following the incident, and the injured []

SRINAGAR: Amid a Meteorological Department warning of flash floods and mudslides in vulnerable areas, rain, thunderstorms, gusty winds and hailstorms lashed several parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday evening. An official of the MeT Centre Srinagar said that many places across Kashmir and parts of the Jammu division, including Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Rajouri and []

SRINAGAR: A woman who was critically injured in a hit-and-run accident near Ahmadia Hospital in the Nowgam area of Srinagar succumbed to her injuries at SMHS Hospital, officials said on Thursday. The deceased has been identified as Arooja Tariq, wife of Tariq Ahmad Wani and a resident of Baghat, Srinagar. Officials said the woman had []

SRINAGAR: The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has announced a series of scheduled power shutdowns across parts of Srinagar, Anantnag, Kulgam and Kupwara districts later this month to facilitate maintenance and related works on various transmission lines. According to the Chief Engineer, Distribution, KPDCL, power supply to HSHS Market, Batamaloo, PCR Batamaloo, Firdousabad, Sarai []

SRINAGAR: National Conference Additional General Secretary and former minister Ajay Kumar Sadhotra on Wednesday asserted that the government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah would complete its full five-year term, saying attempts by political opponents to create uncertainty about its stability would be proved wrong. Addressing a workers meeting in Udhampur, organised by District President []

SRINAGAR: With preparations gathering pace for the forthcoming Shri Amarnath Yatra 2026, Jammu and Kashmir Police, disaster response agencies and the Indian Army have intensified efforts to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims, with Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat on Thursday flagging off 45 specialised Mountain Rescue Teams (MRTs) and the Northern []

SRINAGAR: Police in Ganderbal have attached a vehicle worth approximately Rs 3.5 lakh belonging to an alleged drug peddler under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Police identified the accused as Arshid Shafi Bhat, who is involved in FIR No. 180/2023 registered at Police Station Ganderbal under the relevant provisions []

SRINAGAR: A Pakistani national apprehended earlier this month was repatriated to Pakistan-held Kashmir (PaK) through the Teetwal Friendship Bridge in the Karnah sector of north Kashmirs Kupwara district on Thursday after the completion of all legal and procedural formalities. Officials said Assad Khan, son of Janzab Khan and a resident of Muzaffarabad, had been apprehended []

SRINAGAR: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has upheld the dismissal of a suit seeking enforcement of a right of prior purchase over a parcel of land in Budgam, ruling that the claim could not survive after the repeal of the Jammu and Kashmir Right to Prior Purchase Act under the Jammu []

SRINAGAR: The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Srinagar Bench, will observe its annual summer vacation from June 22 to July 5, 2026, in accordance with the notified Calendar of Sittings for the year. According to an official notification, the tribunal has made special arrangements to ensure that matters of an urgent nature are addressed during the []

SRINAGAR: The Drugs and Food Control Organisation (DFCO) of Jammu and Kashmir has ordered the closure of a medical store in Udhampur after an investigation into the alleged illegal supply of Pregabalin capsules, officials said on Thursday. The action against Nath Medicos, located on Battal Ballian Road in Udhampur, followed the recovery of 100 Pregabalin []

SRINAGAR: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has upheld a Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) order granting notional seniority, promotion benefits and coverage under the Old Pension Scheme to an engineer who was wrongly denied appointment despite securing higher merit than the last selected candidate in his category. A Division Bench comprising Justice []

SRINAGAR: The Supreme Court declined to entertain a writ petition filed by an alleged cyber criminal accused of laundering investors money, with Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant making strong remarks against cyber fraudsters and stressing the need for a tough approach to such crimes. A Bench comprising CJI Surya Kant and Justice V []

SRINAGAR: Eight persons have been apprehended by Leh Police for their suspected involvement in organised religious conversion-related activities in Ladakh, officials said on Thursday. Acting on what police described as credible information regarding alleged proselytisation activities in different parts of the Union Territory, an FIR has been registered at Police Station Leh under relevant provisions []

SRINAGAR: Anantnag Police on Thursday recovered a significant quantity of contraband during a search operation in the Ashmuqam area of South Kashmirs Anantnag district. According to police, Police Station Ashmuqam received specific and credible information that a woman identified as Mst Fatima, daughter of Ghulam Hassan Tak and a resident of Amad, had allegedly stored []

SRINAGAR: The United States and Iran have signed a landmark 14-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at ending months of conflict, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, easing sanctions on Tehran and paving the way for a comprehensive agreement on Irans nuclear programme within the next 60 days. President Donald Trump signed a copy of the []

SRINAGAR: US President Donald Trump has hailed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a very tough negotiator following a high-level bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France. The encounter, which marked the first one-on-one session between the two leaders in 16 months, has signalled a renewed effort to stabilise ties and []

SRINAGAR: Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar visited the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Katra and offered prayers at the cave shrine, seeking blessings. The actor undertook the pilgrimage amid tight security arrangements and spent time at the shrine performing religious rituals and paying obeisance. His visit attracted considerable attention from devotees and visitors present at the []