KashmirLife

SRINAGAR: The death toll in the tragic tree-collapse incident in Anantnag rose to two on Wednesday after a woman succumbed to her injuries in hospital, officials said. The couple, residents of the Brariangan area of Shangus in south Kashmirs Anantnag district, sustained critical injuries on Tuesday when a tree uprooted by strong winds fell on []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi is emerging as a strong contender for a potential India call-up as selectors are expected to take a final decision within the next 48 hours on Mohammed Sirajs availability for the one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh. According to The Times of India, Auqib Nabi is being []

SRINAGAR: The Government of Jammu and Kashmirs School Education Department on Wednesday issued orders delegating Drawing and Disbursing (DDO) powers for four headless educational institutions and offices in the Kashmir division, on a temporary basis until regular arrangements are put in place. According to Government Order No. 201-JK (Edu) of 2026, issued on June 2, []

SRINAGAR: The Government of Jammu and Kashmirs Public Works (R and B) Department on Wednesday ordered the placement of 12 In-charge Assistant Engineers (Civil), appointed under the PM Package, as In-charge Assistant Executive Engineers (Civil) with immediate effect. According to Government Order No. 187-PW (R and B) of 2026, issued from the Civil Secretariat, Srinagar/Jammu, []

SRINAGAR: The Lieutenant Governor on Wednesday assigned the additional charge of the Information Technology and Public Grievances Departments to senior IAS officer Saurabh Bhagat, alongside his existing responsibilities. According to Government Order No. 1038-JK(GAD) of 2026 dated June 3, issued by the General Administration Department, Saurabh Bhagat (IAS, AGMUT: 2002), who is presently serving as []

SRINAGAR: The High Court of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh has acquitted two persons convicted in the sensational 2013 Kulgam murder case, holding that the prosecution failed to establish an unbroken chain of evidence and that the trial court relied excessively on inadmissible disclosure statements recorded in police custody. A Division Bench comprising Justice Sanjay Dhar []

by Madhura Meenakshi Tanikella Quad ministers unveiled new Indo-Pacific security and infrastructure initiatives, signalling deeper strategic coordination amid growing competition with China. On May 26, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar hosted the 11th Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting in New Delhi. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Australias Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Japans Foreign Minister []

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday flagged off a Cyclothon at the Royal Springs Golf Course (RSGC) in Srinagar to mark World Bicycle Day, reiterating the governments focus on promoting fitness, healthy lifestyles and a sports culture among the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. The event was organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Sports []

SRINAGAR: At least 21 people have been killed and more than 40 others rescued after a major fire broke out at a hotel in Delhis Malviya Nagar on Wednesday morning, NDTV reported. According to Hindustan Times, a majority of the deceased are believed to be foreign nationals, with officials stating that several victims are from []

SRINAGAR: The government on Wednesday clarified that Dachigam National Park remains open to visitors under routine procedures, rejecting claims that public entry had been restricted in view of a meeting of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah with National Conference ministers and MLAs inside the park. The clarification came amid reports suggesting that public []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has constituted a high-level committee to revisit the rate of Additional Performance Security (APS) imposed on contractors selected after quoting abnormally low bid (ALB) prices, in a move aimed at reviewing the effectiveness of existing procurement safeguards. According to Government Order No. 202 of 2026 dated June 2, issued []

SRINAGAR: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has made vigilance clearance a mandatory prerequisite for the release of pensionary and retirement benefits to Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) officers belonging to the AGMUT cadre. Under the new directive, pension and other post-retirement dues of retiring officers will not be processed until []

SRINAGAR: A woman lost her life after being struck by lightning during adverse weather conditions in Jammu and Kashmirs Doda district on Tuesday evening. My sincere condolences to the bereaved family of Pinki Devi from Khuddhar Doda, who tragically passed away due to a lightning strike. The Deputy Commissioner of Doda has been directed to []

After five years of protests, detentions and failed talks, the desert territory of Ladakh wrestled a historic governance deal from New Delhi, leaving Jammu and Kashmirs entrenched political class facing hard questions on the streets, reports Mir Rameez Raja It began, unusually, with a public contradiction. Days after LG Vinai Kumar Saxena posted on X []

SRINAGAR: The Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) on Wednesday launched extensive searches at eight locations across six districts of the Valley in connection with a decade-old case involving Pakistan-sponsored terrorist outfits, sleeper cell networks and radicalisation activities, officials said. An official said that the searches are being conducted in connection with FIR No. 02/2015 of Police []

by Dr Farooq A. Lone A reflective essay on retirement dreams, changing times, and finding meaningful relevance in a transformed world. Retirement from Government Services often arrives with a quiet illusion that time will finally belong to us, and with it, the freedom to pursue all the dreams postponed by duty, profession, and responsibility. Yet []

SRINAGAR: The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Jammu Bench, has dismissed a batch of petitions filed by hundreds of overage aspirants seeking relaxation in the upper age limit for recruitment to 669 posts of Sub-Inspectors in the Jammu and Kashmir Police. The petitions challenged Advertisement Notification No. 02 of 2024 issued by the Jammu and Kashmir []

SRINAGAR: India on Tuesday strongly rejected references to Jammu and Kashmir in a joint statement issued by Pakistan and the European Union, reiterating that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and inalienable parts of the country. Responding to media queries, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India categorically []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has recorded a modest increase in its Total Fertility Rate (TFR), with the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6, 2023-24) showing the figure rising from 1.4 children per woman in NFHS-5 (2019-21) to 1.8 children per woman. Despite the increase, health experts say the fertility rate remains significantly below the replacement []

SRINAGAR: Authorities on Tuesday said that Government Degree Colleges in Jammu and Kashmir have recorded an increase of more than seven percent in student enrolment in the first round of admissions compared to previous year. The government also said that it was expecting a 20 percent increase in student enrolment by the completion of the []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has introduced a major change in its tendering system by making online cash deposits mandatory for Earnest Money Deposits (EMDs) and tender fees in all works departments across the Union Territory. The new mechanism replaces the existing practice of submitting EMDs through Bank Guarantees (BGs), Fixed Deposit Receipts (FDRs), []

SRINAGAR: Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Tuesday announced that he would join a proposed protest at Delhis Jantar Mantar on June 6 if no action is taken by June 5 on demands raised by the Cockroach Janta Party, including the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. IF NOT US, WHO? IF NOT NOW, WHEN ! []

SRINAGAR: The Haj Committee of India (HCoI) has issued an advisory for intending pilgrims, asking them to keep their passports ready ahead of the official announcement for Haj-2027 (1448 Hijri). According to a circular issued by the HCoI under the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Kingdom of []

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is scheduled to hold a crucial meeting with National Conference MLAs and MPs, along with five Independent MLAs supporting his government on Wednesday. Sources said that all NC MLAs, four MPs, and the five independent MLAs have been invited to the meeting, which will be chaired by Chief Minister Omar []

SRINAGAR: Two cloudbursts struck Jammu and Kashmirs Kishtwar district on Tuesday, triggering flash floods and blocking roads in several areas, officials said, adding that no loss of life or property damage has been reported so far. The cloudbursts occurred in the Gahan area of Sarthal and at Machhipal, prompting the district administration to launch restoration []

SRINAGAR: Describing the National Conferences June 3 meeting as a floor test, Leader of Opposition Sunil Kumar Sharma on Tuesday said that Chief Minister Omar Abdullahs paranoia over losing power has reduced governance to loyalty parades. Sharma said that Omar Abdullah is fearful of losing power and is compelling his MLAs to participate in weekly []

SRINAGAR: The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has announced a series of scheduled power shutdowns in several parts of Srinagar and adjoining areas during June and July to facilitate maintenance and related works on key 33 KV power lines. According to the Chief Engineer, Distribution, KPDCL, the shutdown of the 33 KV AlustengZakoora Line []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday responded to PDP president Mehbooba Muftis recent letter calling for a united political outreach to the Centre, saying it gave a misleading impression that she had been awaiting an appointment for an extended period, which he described as incorrect. Mehbooba Mufti Sahiba, we spoke on []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Finance Department has appointed a senior official as the Union Territory-level nodal officer for a time-bound anti-drug initiative under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA), according to an official order issued on June 1, 2026. As per Government Order No. 86 Acctts. of 2026 issued by the Accounts Treasuries wing []

SRINAGAR: With only one to three per cent of women in India having undergone cervical cancer screening, health experts on Monday stressed the need for urgent expansion of screening and prevention programmes during a lecture organised at Government Medical College Srinagar. The lecture on Indias Preparedness for Cervical Cancer Elimination Program was organised by the []

SRINAGAR: The ongoing political dialogue between Ladakh leaders and the Union Government has hit a fresh hurdle after the Leh Apex Body (LAB) refused to sign the draft minutes of the May 22 meeting with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), alleging that a crucial point discussed during the negotiations was omitted from the []

SRINAGAR: The first group of Hajj pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir returned to Srinagar on Tuesday, marking the start of the return phase of this years pilgrimage. Officials said a flight carrying 144 pilgrims from Saudi Arabia landed at Srinagar International Airport in the afternoon. The returning pilgrims were received at the airport by Chief []

SRINAGAR: Despite what the Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) described as an unprecedented crackdown on its leadership and workers, thousands of supporters from different parts of North Kashmir gathered on Tuesday to bid an emotional farewell to Member of Parliament from Baramulla, Engineer Rashid, before he departed for Delhi. According to an AIP spokesman, the administration []

SRINAGAR: Khyber Cement was honoured as the Best Cement Brand of Jammu Kashmir at the Jammu Kashmir Business Conclave 2026 held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar. The conclave brought together entrepreneurs, industrialists and business leaders to recognise organisations contributing to the economic and industrial growth of Jammu and Kashmir. Chief Minister []

SRINAGAR: National Conference chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq on Tuesday asserted that the NC-led government in Jammu and Kashmir is stable and will complete its full five-year term, dismissing the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) claims of political instability as dreams. The MLA from Zadibal said any decision regarding broader political unity would be taken after a []

SRINAGAR: A local court has awarded a one-year jail term to a Rajbagh resident in a 2024 cheque bounce case arising from an unfulfilled real estate transaction. The court of the 2nd Additional Munsiff and Judicial Magistrate First Class, Srinagar, presided over by Vikas Bhardwaj, also ordered the convict, Tahir Mushtaq Dar of Ikhrajpora, Rajbagh, []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Education and Health Minister Sakina Itoo on Tuesday accused former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti of being hungry for power and held her responsible for the loss of Article 370, statehood, and the current situation in the Union Territory. Itoo alleged that the PDP president had rejected an unconditional offer of support []

SRINAGAR: Srinagar experienced its hottest night of the season, with the minimum temperature settling at 19.2C, significantly above the normal level for early June, according to official weather data. The summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir witnessed unusually warm night-time conditions as temperatures remained elevated across much of the Kashmir Valley amid an ongoing spell []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has issued fresh guidelines clarifying that departmental disciplinary proceedings against government employees can continue simultaneously with criminal prosecution and should not ordinarily be delayed due to a pending criminal trial. The instructions were issued through Circular No. 12-JK-GAD of 2026 by the General Administration Department (Vigilance), following consultations with []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has assigned the routine functions of the posts of Chief Engineer (Mechanical) for Jammu and Kashmir divisions to the respective Superintending Engineers with immediate effect. The arrangement has been made under Government Order No. 185-PW (R and B) of 2026, issued by the Public Works (Roads and Buildings) Department, []

SRINAGAR: Three Indian Police Service (IPS) officers from Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have been allotted cadres in Madhya Pradesh, Manipur and West Bengal under the latest cadre allocation following the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination. Mohammad Muneeb Bhat, a resident of Danter in Anantnag district of south Kashmir, has been allocated []

SRINAGAR: Kashmir fast bowler Rasikh Salam Dar has emerged as one of the biggest success stories of IPL 2026 after playing a decisive role in Royal Challengers Bengalurus title-winning campaign with a series of impactful performances throughout the season. The 26-year-old pacer from Kulgam delivered one of the defining spells of the IPL final at []

SRINAGAR: Repeated hailstorms and stormy winds over the past two months have devastated orchards across Kashmir, triggering panic among lakhs of families dependent on the horticulture sector and pushing many fruit growers deeper into debt. The Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union on Monday demanded a comprehensive relief package for orchard owners, immediate implementation []

SRINAGAR: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chowdhary on Monday said the Leader of Opposition (LoP), Sunil Sharma, is daydreaming and is issuing statements to remain in the limelight. The Deputy CM said the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah-led government was elected by the people and they only can remove it. Speaking to reporters while accompanying CM Omar []

SRINAGAR: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has been informed of extensive riverbed mining activities in Sukhnag Nallah of Budgam district, with an inspection panel highlighting severe ecological concerns linked to the large-scale extraction of minerals from the water body. A joint team, tasked with examining the situation, carried out a field visit in March and []

SRINAGAR: To put an end to overcharging, the Transport Department has made fare meters compulsory for all auto-rickshaws across Baramulla district. Operators failing to comply with the order risk legal action under the Motor Vehicles Act, officials said. Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO), Baramulla, Mudasir Wani, in an order directed all categories of auto-rickshaws, including []

SRINAGAR: The return phase of Hajj-2026 pilgrims from Jammu Kashmir will commence tomorrow, June 02, with the first flight carrying 144 pilgrims scheduled to land at Srinagar International Airport. JK Haj Committee Chief Executive Officer Shujaat Ahmad Qureshi said the Hajj return operations for pilgrims from Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh will continue till June 16. []

SRINAGAR: In a record of sorts, as many as 6.67 lakh households in Jammu and Kashmir have voluntarily submitted census details through the self-enumeration portal before the commencement of Houselisting Operations, which began on Monday in Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing media today, Amit Sharma, Chief Principal Census Officer and Director Census Operations for Jammu Kashmir []

SRINAGAR: Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Suhail Qasim Mir, who hails from Jammu and Kashmir, has been transferred to a new posting in Punjab. According to official orders, Mir, who was serving as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Amritsar Rural, has been posted as Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Personnel-I at Punjab Police Headquarters in Chandigarh. []

SRINAGAR: The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has announced a series of scheduled power shutdowns across multiple parts of Kashmir between June 2 and June 13 to facilitate maintenance works on several 33 kV transmission lines, officials said on Monday. According to the Chief Engineer, Distribution, KPDCL, the shutdowns will affect electricity supply in []