KashmirLife

Increased hygiene awareness and demand for chemical-free products encourage new women-led ventures, retail outlets and online sales, revitalising Kashmirs small but growing soap industry, reports Tehreem Parviaz For more than the last three decades, Haji Abdul Rashid, 63, has been running his shop, Modern Kashmiri Soap, from Shehr-e-Khaas near Khanqah. A dedicated, skilled man, he []

SRINAGAR: Seven personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were injured in a road accident in the Dagpora area of Srinagar on Saturday, officials said. The accident occurred at Umar Hair on Dagpora Road in Ahmad Nagar when the driver of a BP bunker vehicle lost control, causing it to skid off the road []

SRINAGAR: Food adulteration and enforcement gaps came under discussion in the Assembly as the government laid detailed data on food sampling, prosecutions, laboratory infrastructure and border surveillance mechanisms in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. According to the figures tabled, a total of 9,046 food samples were lifted during 202324, of which 34 were []

by Asad Mirza In 2026, Christianitys Lent and Islams Ramadan begin on the same day for the first time in 33 years, highlighting shared traditions of fasting, reflection, and devotion. The two largest religions of the world, Christianity and Islam, started their most important period of fasting in a year on the same day in []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Police, in coordination with officials from the Geology and Mining Department, seized multiple vehicles involved in illegal extraction and transportation of soil and minerals across Baramulla district. During routine patrolling and checks in the Authoora area of Kreeri, Police Station Kreeri seized a JCB and a tipper bearing registration number []

SRINAGAR: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has approved new and increased Postgraduate Super-Specialty (DM/MCh) seats for Government Medical Colleges in Jammu and Kashmir for the Academic Year 2025-26. According to a notice issued by the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) of the National Medical Commission vide No. M-19011/13/2025/NMC/PGMARB (e-file No. 8337538) dated February 20, []

SRINAGAR: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, on Friday underlined the collective responsibility of legislators, senior citizens, intellectuals, community members and religious leaders in combating drug abuse across the Union Territory. Replying to a clubbed question in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, the Minister detailed initiatives by the Health Department, including mandatory []

SRINAGAR: The first leg of the budget session of the Jammu Kashmir Assembly concluded on Friday, with the House scheduled to reassemble on March 27 to pass the Appropriation Bill for the 2026-27 budget. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather announced that House will reassemble on March 27, when it will reconvene to pass the Appropriation Bill-a []

SRINAGAR: Pakistani forces violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district on Friday, according to multiple media reports. The incident took place around noon at TMG (Toot Mar Gali) in the Nowgam sector, when posts across the border in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) fired small arms at Indian positions, officials said. The []

SRINAGAR: The Chief Engineer (Distribution), KPDCL, has announced scheduled shutdowns of key 33 kV lines, affecting power supply across several districts. On February 23, 2026, the 33 kV Bemina-Fatehkadal and Bemina-Barbarshah lines will be offline, disrupting electricity to KK Mohalla, Nowpora, Bohrikadal, BB Shah, Babademb, Bishembarnagar, Gousia Hospital, Naisarak, Barbarshah, Exchange, Basantbagh, Car Parking, Maisuma []

SRINAGAR: The Government on Friday informed the House that the proposal for enhancement of stipend for MBBS/BDS interns is presently under examination in the Finance Department. Replying to a question tabled by MLA Hasnain Masoodi, the Health and Medical Education Department said that a committee constituted vide Government Order No. 538-JK(HME) of 2023 had recommended []

SRINAGAR: A brief but sharp exchange took place in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Friday after National Conference MLA Hilal Akbar Lone objected to a demand raised by PDP legislator Aga Muntazir Mehdi regarding opening of a JK Bank branch in Sumbal. During the proceedings, Aga Muntazir raised the issue of establishing a []

SRINAGAR: In a significant administrative reshuffle, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha ordered the transfer and posting of 22 IAS and JKAS officers across Jammu and Kashmir with immediate effect. As per Government Order No. 230-JK(GAD) of 2026 issued by the General Administration Department, senior officers have been assigned new responsibilities across key departments and district administrations. []

SRINAGAR: Mehbooba Mufti, president of the Peoples Democratic Party, on Friday urged Narendra Modi to safeguard Kashmirs apple industry by excluding apples from the proposed Indo-US trade agreement. Citing reports of potential zero-duty imports of American apples, she warned that such a move would undermine the Valleys orchard-based economy, which supports more than seven lakh []

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah informed the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly that three tourism projects have been completed and one is under execution in the Ramgarh Constituency at a total cost of Rs 307.12 lakh under the Capex Budget. Replying to a question raised by Devinder Kumar Manyal, moved on his behalf by Surjeet []

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah told the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Friday that there has been no increase in electricity tariffs in Jammu and Kashmir since December 2023, stating that billing practices remain rule-based and non-arbitrary. Replying to a question from Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri during Question Hour of the ongoing Budget Session, []

SRINAGAR: Doda Police have arrested an accused involved in the rape of a minor girl within hours of the registration of a case at Police Station Doda. A police official said that a written complaint was received from Ravinder Ray, a resident of Goriyar Purab, Adivasi Rupauli (Bihar), alleging that his 16-year-old daughter was raped []

SRINAGAR: Cabinet Minister Satish Sharma on Friday said that Kashmir would not have survived the 1947 tribal invasion had Sheikh Abdullah not played a decisive role at that critical juncture. Sharma was responding to remarks attributed to BJP-nominated Rajya Sabha MP Ghulam Ali Khatana, who had alleged that Sheikh Abdullah and former Prime Minister Jawaharlal []

SRINAGAR: In a major administrative action against alleged corruption in infrastructure projects, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday suspended Er Imtiaz Ahmad, In-charge Executive Engineer (Civil) of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), following complaints about poor quality of macadamization and other developmental works. An official order states that the suspension has been ordered on []

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said his government will fill more than 30,000 vacancies across departments in Jammu and Kashmir within the current year, reaffirming a time-bound recruitment drive to bolster public services. Replying to a question from Gharu Ram Bhagat during Question Hour in the ongoing Budget Session of the Jammu and Kashmir []

SRINAGAR: A total of 41,944 claims have been received across Jammu and Kashmir under the Forest Rights Act, with 28,925 individual forest rights claims and 13,019 community forest rights claims, the Union Territory government informed the assembly on Friday. The Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, also known as the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest []

SRINAGAR: MLA Pulwama, Waheed Ur Rehman Para on Friday questioned the non-release of Rs 70 crore under the Marriage Assistance Scheme and Rs 200 crore under the Ladli Beti Scheme over the past three financial years, including the current year. The Peoples Democratic Party legislator criticised the National Conference-led government in Jammu and Kashmir, stating []

SRINAGAR: Acting on specific intelligence, the Food Safety Enforcement wing of the Drug and Food Control Organisation today carried out a targeted inspection in Abanshah area HMT in Srinagar and seized approximately 725 kilograms of honey found stored without any statutory labeling. Officials reported complete absence of mandatory labeling including product name, net quantity, date []

SRINAGAR: Security forces on Thursday night recovered and defused an improvised explosive device (IED) in the Janbazpora area of Baramulla district, officials said. A senior police officer said that the explosive device was detected during routine patrolling, following which the area was immediately cordoned off to ensure public safety. A bomb disposal squad was promptly []

SRINAGAR: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed Chief Electoral Officers of several States and Union Territories, including Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, to fast-track preparations for the upcoming Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. An official communication stated that the exercise is scheduled to begin in April 2026 in the concerned regions. []

SRINAGAR: The Government on Friday informed the Legislative Assembly that employees engaged under the National Health Mission (NHM) in Jammu and Kashmir are working on a contractual basis and are paid a consolidated honorarium as per approved norms. Replying to a question tabled by MLA Surinder Kumar, Health and Medical Education Department Minister Sakina Itoo []

SRINAGAR: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested a Head Constable posted at Gharota Police Station on Friday for allegedly accepting a bribe, officials said. The accused, identified as Ashok Kumar, was caught in a trap laid by the agency following a complaint that he had demanded money from an individual in connection with a []

SRINAGAR: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Kashmir, under the Jammu Kashmir Crime Branch, has filed a chargesheet against four individuals for cheating and criminal conspiracy in connection with medical college admissions in Bangladesh. The chargesheet, lodged under FIR No. 20/2025 and Sections 420 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code, has been submitted before the []

SRINAGAR: The Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly has accepted a private members resolution introduced by PDP MLA Waheed-Ur-Rehman Parra, condemning hate crimes against minorities and urging strict law enforcement. The Pulwama legislator moved the resolution in response to a rise in reported attacks and harassment of Kashmiri students and traders across different []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) has announced scheduled power outages across multiple areas of the city on February 20 and 21 due to maintenance work. According to the Chief Engineer (Distribution), Jammu, electricity to Receiving Station Basant Garh will be suspended on February 20 from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm. Similarly, residents []

SRINAGAR: Slamming Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for failing to provide employment to youth, Leader of Opposition Sunil Kumar Sharma on Thursday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi saved the lives of the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, but the Omar Abdullahled government is taking away their jobs. Speaking during the grants of departments under the []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir experienced a sharp rise in maximum temperatures on Thursday, adding to concerns over the regions ongoing precipitation shortfall. The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar reported that Kashmir division has recorded a 56 percent rainfall deficit so far this season, while Jammu division is facing a 35 percent shortfall. Weather officials forecast mainly []

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday announced that all tourist destinations closed following the Baisaran Pahalgam terror incident will be reopened by May this year. Winding up the discussion on grants for departments under his charge in the Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister said the government has decided to restore public access to the []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Thursday informed the House that no final decision has yet been taken on reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), even though such reservation is envisaged under the Jammu and Kashmir Local Bodies Laws (Amendment) Act, 2024, recently enacted by Parliament. Replying []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly today approved grants totalling Rs 6,67,873.58 lakh for multiple departments, including the General Administration Department (GAD), Power Development, Finance, Housing, Tourism, and Disaster Management, following extensive two-day deliberations. In addition to the main budget, the House passed 19 supplementary grants amounting to Rs 3,52,341.28 lakh. Chief Minister Omar []

SRINAGAR: The government of Jammu and Kashmir will initiate the process of regularising daily-rated, ad hoc, and other temporary employees in a legally and financially sustainable manner in 2026, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah told the Legislative Assembly on Thursday. Replying to discussions on departmental grants and cut motions, Abdullah acknowledged that the issue of temporary []

SRINAGAR: An attempted infiltration by militants along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri was successfully prevented by alert Indian Army troops on Thursday, the White Knight Corps said. Based on intelligence inputs and sustained surveillance, troops detected suspicious movement in the Nathua Tibba area of the Sunderbani sector along the LoC during the early []

SRINAGAR: The blacktopping and upgradation of the road from Sua number 1 to Pargwal in Akhnoor will be undertaken by the Border Roads Organization (BRO), Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary informed the Legislative Assembly on Thursday. Replying to a question from Legislator Mohan Lal, Choudhary said the road is proposed to be formally handed over []

SRINAGAR: Thirteen land patches totalling 4,142.43 kanal have been transferred to the Industries and Commerce Department for the establishment of industrial estates in Anantnag, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary told the Legislative Assembly. Replying to a question from Legislator Abdul Majeed Bhat, he said the land parcels are located at Pahalgam, Bijbehara, Dooru, Shangus, Mattan, []

SRINAGAR: Adequate compensation or ex-gratia relief is provided for human injury or loss of life arising from humanwildlife conflict under the prevailing policy framework in the Union Territory, Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology and Environment and Tribal Affairs Javed Ahmed Rana informed the House. Replying to a question from Legislator Sajad Shaheen, the Minister []

SRINAGAR: Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakeena Itoo informed the Legislative Assembly that the department is prioritising consolidation and strengthening of existing healthcare facilities across Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with IPHS-2022 norms to improve service delivery. Replying to a question raised by Altaf Ahmad Wani, the Minister said the planning of health institutions []

SRINAGAR: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary told the Legislative Assembly that preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed 8-km tunnel at Razdan Pass in Bandipora district will commence shortly. Replying to a question from legislator Nazir Ahmad Khan (Gurezi), he said the tunnel project is intended to provide all-weather connectivity to the []

SRINAGAR: Minister for Social Welfare Sakeena Itoo informed the Legislative Assembly that 28,186 Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) are currently operational across Jammu and Kashmir. Replying to a question raised by legislator Arjun Singh Raju, the Minister said 26,937 of these centres are functioning from rented premises. She told the House that the construction of permanent buildings []

SRINAGAR: A 24-year-old Agniveer allegedly died by suicide after shooting himself with his service rifle at an Army camp in the Nagrota area of Jammu, officials said on Thursday. According to officials, the soldier, who hailed from Uttar Pradesh, was on guard duty at the Nagrota garrison when the incident occurred during the intervening night. []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday said the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley with dignity and security remains a firm commitment of the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Addressing the release of the book Kashmir: Nativity Regained, authored by Prof Ashok Kaul, Sinha said attempts had been []

SRINAGAR: Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over the issue of establishing a National Law University in Jammu, alleging discrimination against the region. Speaking to reporters, Sharma said the Chief Minister has the prerogative to establish an NLU campus in Jammu but has failed to []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday informed the Assembly that the JK State Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank (JK SCARD Bank) has not been declared bankrupt, but liquidation proceedings have been initiated due to prolonged financial and operational distress. Replying to clubbed starred Assembly questions by MLAs Rajeev Kumar Bhagat, Vikram Randhawa, []

SRINAGAR: Security forces arrested a man and recovered arms and ammunition from his possession in the Nowshera sector of Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir late on Wednesday night, officials said. A senior police officer confirmed that a joint patrolling party of the police and the Armys 54 Rashtriya Rifles apprehended the suspect, identified as []

SRINAGAR: District Magistrate Kishtwar, Pankaj Kumar Sharma (JKAS), has issued a detailed order regulating and monitoring the collection of donations during the holy month of Ramadan2026, mandating that no individual or organization shall collect charity without prior authorisation from the competent authorities. As per the order, issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha []

SRINAGAR: A man from Jammu and Kashmir has been arrested in Delhi for allegedly impersonating an officer of a central agency and cheating economically vulnerable families by promising jobs, according to multiple national media reports. The accused, identified as Mudassar, a resident of Pulwama, was intercepted during patrolling by a team from Kotwali Police Station. []