KashmirLife

SRINAGAR: Two weeks after the National Medical Commission (NMC) scrapped the MBBS course at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME), uncertainty continues to haunt the 50 affected students, who allege that no concrete action has been taken on the ground so far despite repeated assurances from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The []

SRINAGAR: The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Union Ministry of Forests, Environment and Climate Change has held that the environmental clearance (EC) granted to the 850-MW Ratle hydroelectric project is valid until December 11, 2030, and can be extended for up to two more years. The Ratle Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (RHPCL), a joint []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has sent three communications to the Punjab government regarding the harassment of livestock transporters, but has yet to receive any response, a senior official from the office of the Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, JK, said on Wednesday. The official said, We have written thrice to []

SRINAGAR: The Northern Railway of Jammu Division Wednesday announced an extension of its special reserved train services between New Delhi and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi (SMVD) Katra to meet growing passenger demand. Train No 04081 from New Delhi to Katra will operate for four additional trips from January 23 to 26, while Train No. 04082 []

SRINAGAR: Minimum temperatures across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh showed mixed trends on Wednesday compared to the previous day, with several places in the Kashmir Valley recording a slight rise in night temperatures, while parts of the Jammu region and higher reaches witnessed a further dip, even as the weatherman predicted rain and snowfall from []

SRINAGAR: Security forces on Wednesday diffused an improvised explosive device (IED) recovered from an orchard in Shopian district of south Kashmir, officials told Daily Excelsior. The device, weighing approximately 6 kg, was found in Awneera village during a search operation conducted ahead of the Republic Day celebrations. The IED was subsequently destroyed in a controlled []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has finalised the tender for subsidized helicopter services in the Kashmir division, with operations commencing to improve connectivity to remote and far-flung areas. According to an official communication issued by the Office of the Civil Aviation Commissioner, the tender for subsidised helicopter service under the wet lease model has []

SRINAGAR: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo, on Wednesday laid the foundation stone of a Water Supply Scheme (WSS) at Herpora Banimullah in Kulgam district of south Kashmir to improve access to safe drinking water for the local population. The project, being executed at an estimated cost of Rs []

SRINAGAR: A brief exchange of fire was reported along the Line of Control in the Keran sector of north Kashmirs Kupwara district on Tuesday evening, officials said. According to officials, personnel of 06 Rashtriya Rifles were installing surveillance cameras along the Line of Control near village Bala Keran, falling under Police Station Keran, at around []

SRINAGAR: The Department of Handicrafts and Handloom Kashmir on Tuesday took a key step towards reviving Kashmirs traditional Namda craft by awarding a contract for the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of card cloth for a wool carding machine, officials said. The contract has been awarded through the Mechanical and Hospitals Engineering Department, enabling in []

SRINAGAR: Wular Lake, one of Asias largest freshwater lakes and a critical lifeline for inhabitants of north Kashmirs Bandipora district, is witnessing a sharp decline in water levels due to prolonged dry conditions, triggering serious concerns over livelihoods and ecological balance. Fishermen associated with the lake said the receding waters have begun affecting fish movement []

SRINAGAR: A 43-year-old man died after allegedly being assaulted in the Old Barzulla area of Srinagar, officials said on Wednesday. An official said that the deceased has been identified as Mohammad Rafiq, a resident of Old Barzulla. Rafiq was physically assaulted on January 18 and was initially taken to SMHS Hospital, Srinagar, he said. He []

SRINAGAR: Breast cancer is increasingly affecting women at younger ages in Jammu and Kashmir, yet most cases are still being diagnosed dangerously late, according to a new peer-reviewed study that flags poor screening, low awareness, and a heavy psychological toll as key contributors to the growing crisis in the Union Territory. The findings emerge from []

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah conducted pre-budget consultations for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, meeting with key government departments to review priorities and outline development imperatives ahead of the Budget Session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, scheduled to begin on February 2, 2026. For the second consecutive day, the Chief Minister held []

SRINAGAR: Three flights operating to and from Srinagar International Airport were cancelled on Wednesday following the issuance of a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) at Delhi Airport in view of Republic Day security and ceremonial arrangements. In a post on X, Srinagar Airport authorities confirmed the development, stating that the cancellations were carried out by the []

SRINAGAR: Kashmir has witnessed a significant decline in forest fire incidents in 2025, with around 350 cases reported so far compared to over 1,000 incidents during the previous year, Chief Conservator of Forests, Kashmir, Irfan Rasool Wani, said on Tuesday. Wani said forest fires generally intensify during prolonged dry spells and noted that climate change []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a sharp increase in cancer cases, with official data showing that an average of 38 new patients are being diagnosed every day across the Union Territory. Figures released by the Union Health Ministry recently indicate that 14,112 cancer cases were reported in 2024 alone, pushing the total number of []

SRINAGAR: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has reconstituted the Establishment-cum-Selection Committee vide Government Order No. 95-JK(GAD) of 2026, dated January 20, 2026. The order, issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), has been made in partial modification of Government Order No. 8B-JK(GAD) of 2025 dated January 17, 2025. As per the reconstitution, Chief Secretary []

SRINAGAR: A fresh incident of alleged harassment of Kashmiri shawl sellers has been reported from Haryanas Yamunanagar district, adding to a growing list of similar cases in the state over recent weeks. According to ETV Bharat, the incident took place in Kalawad village under the Chhappar police station area, where two Kashmiri youths selling shawls []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered a departmental inquiry into the alleged suicide of a student at Government Degree College (GDC), Doda, and has suspended a faculty member pending the outcome of the investigation. In an order issued by SED, a three-member committee of the Higher Education Department has been constituted to investigate []

SRINAGAR: Sub-zero temperatures continued across large parts of Kashmir, with several areas recording minimum temperatures well below the freezing point, while the Meteorological Department has forecast a fresh spell of rain and snowfall later this week. According to data compiled by Kashmir Weather, Shopian and Sonamarg emerged as the coldest locations in the Valley, both []

SRINAGAR: In a significant step towards conserving Kashmirs geological heritage, authorities have begun extending protected status to several ancient fossil sites in Anantnag district, following a series of scientifically verified discoveries that date back hundreds of millions of years. According to Daily Excelsior, the Jammu and Kashmir Forest Department, Anantnag Division, in coordination with the []

JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) Vice President and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday asserted that the unity of Jammu and Kashmir is non-negotiable and warned that any demand for bifurcation is against the interests of the Jammu region itself. Addressing the concluding session of the two-day Party Block Presidents Convention in Jammu, []

SRINAGAR: A fresh spell of heavy rain and snowfall is likely to affect parts of Jammu and Kashmir later this week, with the Meteorological Department warning of adverse weather conditions, including landslides and strong winds, particularly around January 23. Officials said a western disturbance is expected to impact the region, bringing the possibility of heavy []

SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Tuesday chaired the Union Territory Level Standing Committee (UTLSC) meeting on the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) to review progress under PMGSYIV and finalise the roadmap for 202526. The UTLSC approved BatchII proposals comprising 1,487 new road works across Jammu and Kashmir, covering 7,276.676 kilometres at an estimated []

SRINAGAR: The Gulmarg Poni and Sledge Association Tuesday expressed concern against the vehicles being allowed to ferry tourists directly to the Gondola and other spotsthreatening livelihoods of around 5,000 families dependent on their traditional businesses. President of the Association during a peaceful protest said that they are being ignored by the local government. We requested []

SRINAGAR: Nearly 47 days after a formal appeal from the Jammu and Kashmir government, allegations of extortion and harassment against livestock transporters at Punjab checkpoints remain unresolved. At Shambhu and Madhopur checkpoints, traders report harassment, while the Punjab administration is yet to take any action against the matter. The letter, sent from the office of []

SRINAGAR: After nearly a decade of painstaking labour, master weavers in north Kashmirs Baramulla district are close to completing what is expected to be the worlds second-largest handwoven silk carpet, a monumental achievement in the regions centuries-old craft tradition. Measuring an extraordinary 30 feet by 72 feet, the colossal carpet has been woven over the []

SRINAGAR: Following the placement of services of two Junior Scale JKAS officers at the disposal of the Transport Department, the Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered transfers and postings in the department in the interest of administration, with immediate effect. According to the order, Varun Bhasin, who was awaiting adjustment, has been posted as Assistant []

SRINAGAR: With Ramzan approaching, mutton prices have once again witnessed a sharp spike across Kashmir, triggering resentment among consumers who allege that butchers have started charging rates above the officially fixed price. Locals said that while the official rate of mutton was Rs 650, it has now been fixed at Rs 700 per kilogram. However, []

SRINAGAR: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh has called for faster adoption of steel slagbased technology for sustainable road construction, particularly in difficult and hilly regions, saying its use in Himalayan states and Union Territories remains limited and needs to be expanded. Addressing an event in New Delhi marking []

by Asad Mirza Trumps renewed threats over Greenland have alarmed Europe, prompting diplomatic, military, and trade responses as EU leaders weigh collective leverage against US coercive tactics Greenland has become a focal point of international tensions yet again, as US President Donald Trump repeated arguments that Washington must control the territory for national security reasons []

SRINAGAR: Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday asked the National Conference to clearly spell out its position on the long pending demand for divisional status for the Pir Panjal and Chenab Valley regions, saying the issue stems from administrative necessity rather than political considerations. Addressing a press conference in Jammu, Mufti said the []

SRINAGAR: Police in Pulwama on Tuesday seized a vehicle allegedly involved in the illegal transportation of minerals and registered a case under relevant sections of law, officials said. According to police, a dumper bearing registration number JK13K 1694 was intercepted during routine checking and found carrying minerals without valid authorisation. The vehicle was subsequently seized. []

SRINAGAR: The Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday conducted a series of pre-budget meetings with various government departments to review sector-wise priorities, assess public needs, and align departmental proposals with the overall development goals of Jammu and Kashmir. As per sources, the meetings focused on evaluating ongoing schemes, identifying gaps in service delivery, and finalising []

SRINAGAR: A car was completely gutted in a fire incident on the Ghagwal highway in the Bari Brahmana area of Samba on Tuesday, triggering panic among commuters and drawing a large crowd to the spot. According to eyewitnesses, the driver noticed smoke emanating from the vehicle while driving and immediately stopped the car on the []

SRINAGAR: Gold prices in India have surged to a fresh historic peak, with 24-carat. In Kashmir, the 24-carat gold per 10-gram MMTC Coin has reached around Rs 1,58,000 on Tuesday. The price of 18-carat gold per gram in Kashmir currently stands at Rs 13,000. The rally, driven by a combination of escalating global trade tensions []

SRINAGAR: The Sub Divisional Magistrate Gulmarg on Tuesday issued a fresh weather advisory, warning of back-to-back western disturbances likely to affect Jammu and Kashmir, including Gulmarg and adjoining areas of Baramulla district, over the coming days. According to the advisory, issued in continuation of earlier directions and based on inputs from the India Meteorological Department []

SRINAGAR: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday asserted that Ladakh will sooner or later become a part of Jammu and Kashmir again, stating that people in the region are now repenting the decision taken in 2019. Talking to reporters in Jammu, Abdullah said the formation of the Union Territory of Ladakh has led to []

SRINAGAR: In view of the upcoming Republic Day celebrations, Srinagar Police on Tuesday conducted large-scale search operations in various rural pockets of the district to ensure foolproof security arrangements. According to official, the massive searches were carried out in Takanwari, Karnabal, Shallbug and Bakshipora areas on the outskirts of Srinagar. Teams of police, assisted by []

SRINAGAR: The Bharat Sanatan Premier League (BSPL), a national-level T10 cricket tournament, will be held in Indore from March 13 to 15, 2026, organisers announced. The league aims to engage youth in sports while promoting discipline, teamwork, and social responsibility. The three-day tournament is organised by SANATAN CRICKET CLUB LLP under the patronage of Pandit []

For senior citizens, fixed deposits remain one of the most trusted tools for managing post-retirement income. With predictable returns, defined tenures, and minimal exposure to market volatility, FDs offer financial clarity at a stage where stability matters most. In 2026, senior citizens continue to benefit from exclusive interest rate advantages that make fixed deposits an []

SRINAGAR: A suspected object was detected along a roadside in the Tappar Pattan area of Baramulla district in north Kashmir on Tuesday, prompting security forces to immediately cordon off the area as a precautionary measure. Officials said the object was noticed near the roadside in the Tappar Pattan belt, following which police and other security []

SRINAGAR: The government issued orders for the promotion, placement and posting of 21 Assistant Executive Engineers (AEEs) as In-charge Executive Engineers (Xens) in the Electrical wing of the Power Development Department (PDD). Electrical Engineers elevated/placed as I/C Xens are-Sunil Sharma,Rakesh Warikoo, Ajaz Rashid, Aman Bharti, Farooq Ahmed Ganai, Suhail Nazir, Syed Abrar Hussain, Sanjeev Singh []

Jammu and Kashmir Polices mosque profiling drive, seeking exhaustive institutional and personal data, has triggered widespread unease, with leaders calling it invasive, unconstitutional surveillance nationwide, reports Syed Shadab Ali Gillani The Jammu and Kashmir Police have initiated an exercise to collect granular details on mosques across the Kashmir region, including particulars of Imams, muazzins, management []

SRINAGAR: Minimum temperatures across Kashmir plunged below the freezing mark at most locations, with Sonamarg emerging as the coldest place in the Valley at minus 6.2 degrees Celsius, according to data compiled by Kashmir Weather. Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus3.4 degrees Celsius, while the mercury at Srinagar airport dropped to minus 4.4 degrees. []

by KL News Desk Saudi Arabia and the UAE are locked in a cold war driven by competing leadership ambitions, diverging regional strategies, proxy conflicts, and rivalry over security, influence, and economic primacy. For much of the past decade, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were widely seen as the twin pillars of a []

SRINAGAR: Ahead of the beginning of the budget session of Jammu Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will begin chairing pre-budget consultations with different administrative departments from Tuesday. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is also the Finance Minister of JK, will hold pre-budget consultations with various departments starting today. According to the itinerary prepared by the []

SRINAGAR: The Supreme Court has made it clear that an accused whose sentence has been suspended and who has been released on bail cannot be forced to remain personally present before an appellate or revisional court on every date of hearing. A Bench comprising Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice Prasanna B Varale delivered the ruling []

SRINAGAR: The Centre has empowered the Lieutenant Governors and Administrators of several Union Territories, including Jammu and Kashmir, to take action under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, to curb misleading advertisements related to certain drugs. As per a recent notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs and published in the []