KashmirLife News

SRINAGAR: Asserting that closed tourist destinations in Jammu and Kashmir should be reopened, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said that keeping these destinations shut is sending a wrong message to the people. Talking to reporters after inaugurating Asias longest ski drag lift here in north Kashmir, CM Omar said, We can only make infrastructure. []

SRINAGAR: Advisor to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Nasir Aslam Wani, on Saturday said that Jammu and Kashmir has established itself as the adventure tourism capital of the country, offering limitless opportunities across skiing, mountaineering, trekking, rafting and other sports. Speaking at an event in Gulmarg, Wani said that the government remains committed to promoting adventure []

SRINAGAR: Three persons were arrested during a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) conducted by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Srinagar Police along with Police Station Bemina at Dal Colony in the Bemina area of central Kashmirs Srinagar district on Saturday, sources said. Police sources said that the operation was carried out, during which posters []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has sought a legal opinion to determine when the five-year term of District Development Councils (DDCs) began, a decision which will determine the date of their dissolution. As per the sources, the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj has written to the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary []

SRINAGAR: Simply stepping outside in Srinagar on a polluted day may be doing the same harm as smoking several cigarettes, an independent weather expert, Faizan Arif said on Saturday. Arif while highlighting the growing public health risk posed by the citys deteriorating air quality said, Current pollution levels in Srinagar mean residents are unknowingly inhaling []

SRINAGAR: Clashes along the Thailand-Cambodia border continued on Saturday, despite US President Donald Trump claiming that both sides had agreed to revive a ceasefire following days of deadly fighting, Reuters reported. Trump, on Friday, announced on Truth Social that an agreement had been reached to halt hostilities after phone calls with Thai Prime Minister Anutin []

SRINAGAR: SAGG Eco Village, Kashmirs pioneering regenerative eco-village enterprise, has been awarded Gold in the Sustainable Homestay category at the TOFT Wildlife and Nature Tourism Awards 2025, held at Bikaner House in New Delhi. The TOFT Awards, supported by the Sanctuary Nature Foundation, Outlook Responsible Tourism and various state tourism boards, recognise outstanding conservation-led tourism []

SRINAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh Police have arrested three youths from Jammu and Kashmir within a span of about three weeks on charges related to espionage and alleged links with Pakistan-based handlers, in what police sources have described as a serious national security case, reports appearing in the media said. The latest arrest was made late on []

SRINAGAR: Senior CPI(M) leader and former Rajya Sabha member Brinda Karat has written to President of India Droupadi Murmu seeking her urgent intervention in the case related to the mob lynching of Md Akhlaq in Uttar Pradeshs Bisahada village in September 2015, alleging that the state government is attempting to subvert the judicial process by []

SRINAGAR: The Indian Boys Under-15 Volleyball Team has created history by winning the bronze medal at the ISF Under-15 World School Volleyball Championship held recently in Shangluo, China, with Nasir Aejaz Sufi from Baramulla playing a crucial role in the teams landmark achievement. The medal marks Indias first-ever appearance at the global championship under the []

SRINAGAR: In a rare instance of a militant attempting to infiltrate through the International Border rather than the Line of Control, the Border Security Force has arrested an alleged Pakistan-trained Jaish-e-Mohammed operative in the Pargwal sector of the Akhnoor belt, officials said. The outfit is banned in Jammu and Kashmir. The BSF said it foiled []

SRINAGAR: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has accorded sanction for the grant of Selection Grade (Non-functional) in Level 10A (Rs 56,6001,79,800) to seven members of the Jammu and Kashmir Private Secretaries to Heads of Departments (Gazetted) Service. The benefit has been approved in favour of Lakshman Kumar Sharma, Sheikh Mohammad Latief, Hamid Ahmad Tramboo, []

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah on Saturday said technological intervention is essential to revive skiing in Gulmarg, even as he inaugurated multiple high-altitude tourism projects, including the worlds highest rotating restaurant and a rotating conference hall at Affarwat. Speaking at a curtain-raiser function organised by the Adventure Tour Operators Association of []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday detained over 150 overground workers (OGWs) allegedly linked to proscribed militant outfits, including Jaish-e-Mohammad, during a city-wide action in Srinagar, sources said. As per sources, the overground workers were called to their respective police stations across the city and detained for further questioning. The detentions were carried []

From a Kashmiri village, Dr Shakeel-ur-Rehman travelled to Gujarat, Ireland and then to a leading American university. When Texas cattle farmers sought his help to modernise their dairy sector, he offered them patented technologies and helped build a company now nearing a turnover of US$5 billion. Today, the Kashmiri scientist is the Chief Scientist of []

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday handed over appointment letters to family members of terror victims at Lok Bhavan Auditorium, Srinagar, reiterating the administrations commitment to provide justice, jobs and dignity to the affected families. Addressing the gathering, the LG said the administration stands firmly with every victim family in Jammu and Kashmir and []

by Umar Farooq Kashmir faces a devastating addiction crisis consuming its youth, fuelled by heroin, systemic failures, corruption, trauma, and unemployment, demanding collective action rooted in accountability, compassion, and faith. Kashmir, once a paradise of breathtaking valleys and flowing rivers, now stands beneath a heavy sky drenched in quiet sorrow. The land once celebrated for []

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday paid tribute to the security personnel who were martyred while defending the nation during the 2001 terrorist attack on Parliament. In a message shared on X, Sinha said the courage, valour and selfless service of the martyrs would remain a lasting source of inspiration for the country. He []

SRINAGAR: In a rare and positive development for wildlife conservation, the critically endangered Himalayan Ibex, has been sighted near Chak Nallah, a sensitive border area in the Gurez Valley of Bandipora district in north Kashmir, officials said. The sighting, described as unusual for this part of north Kashmir, has generated excitement among wildlife enthusiasts, conservationists, []

SRINAGAR: The Union Government has stated that women-led startups in Jammu and Kashmir have secured a modest share of central funding under the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), with only seven ventures supported since its inception in 2021. The information was shared in the Rajya Sabha in response to a question on national trends []

SRINAGAR: More than 4,700 Indian nationals are currently lodged in prisons across four Gulf countries, the Government informed the Lok Sabha, citing data from Indian Missions and Posts. Saudi Arabia accounts for the highest number at 2,719, followed by Bahrain with 1,002, Qatar with 896 and Oman with 137. The Ministry of External Affairs said []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has seven cold storage and cold chain units with a combined capacity of 0.08 lakh metric tonnes, according to data presented in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, even as a national study recorded significant post-harvest food losses across key crop categories. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries informed Parliament that a []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has been allocated 17,862.78 metric tonnes of fortified rice under the Wheat Based Nutrition Programme and the Scheme for Adolescent Girls in 202526, according to official data tabled in the Lok Sabha. The Union Territory has also received 571.96 MT of fortified rice under the adolescent girls nutrition component. The Union []

SRINAGAR: The rapid and continuous conversion of agricultural land into residential colonies, commercial structures, orchards and other non-farm uses has sharply impacted Kashmirs food security, pushing the region into growing dependence on rice and other food grains sourced from outside Jammu Kashmir. Official figures reveal that the Valley has lost nearly 34,000 hectares of cultivable []

SRINAGAR: Cold conditions continued to prevail across Jammu Kashmir as night temperatures remained low, with several areas in the Kashmir Valley recording sub-zero minimums. Pulwama emerged as the coldest inhabited area at -4.2C, while Shopian followed closely at -3.7C, indicating a sustained cold wave across south Kashmir. Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of -2.9C, while []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has recorded 2,69,682 completed rural houses registered in the names of women, solely or jointly with their spouses, under the Pradhan Mantri Awas YojanaGramin (PMAY-G), according to data presented in the Rajya Sabha. The Union Territory has sanctioned 2,81,470 such houses so far, underscoring the schemes gender-focused implementation. The Ministry of []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir received Rs 2,555.14 crore in Central assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Awas YojanaGramin (PMAY-G) during the last three financial years, while no funds have been released to the Union Territory so far in the current financial year, according to figures tabled in the Rajya Sabha. The Ministry of Rural Development said []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmirs agricultural households reported an average monthly income of Rs 18,918 during the agricultural year July 2018 to June 2019, placing the Union Territory well above the national average of Rs 10,218, according to data presented in the Rajya Sabha. The figures come from the National Statistics Offices Situation Assessment Survey of []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has recorded an actual investment of Rs 2,449.47 crore under the New Central Sector Scheme for Industrial Development, with 267 new industrial units grounded since the policy was launched in 2021, according to the Commerce and Industry Ministry. The Government informed the Rajya Sabha that a total of 918 units have []

SRINAGAR: With Lok Bhavan clearing the amendment passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly to enhance the maximum age of the State Election Commissioner, the Jammu and Kashmir government has set the process in motion to appoint the head of the State Election Commission, the body mandated to conduct Panchayat and Urban Local Bodies []

SRINAGAR: A massive fire broke out on Friday evening in the Khudwani area of south Kashmirs Kulgam district, causing damage to two residential houses, officials said. An official said that blaze triggered panic in the densely populated locality as flames rapidly engulfed the structures. Fire and Emergency Services and Kulgam Police led by SHO Qaimoh []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir recorded consistently low expenditure under the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme over the past five years despite receiving annual approvals, according to official data presented in the Lok Sabha. Government figures show that the Union Territory did not report any expenditure in 2020-21. In 2021-22, it spent Rs 302.69 lakh against []

SRINAGAR: The National Institute of Sowa Rigpa (in Leh is functioning with about half its sanctioned posts vacant, Union Ministry of Ayush informed the Lok Sabha on Friday. The ministry informed the house that NISR has 56 sanctioned posts of which 27 are filled and 29 positions remain vacantreflecting persistent gaps in faculty and administrative []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has an estimated 5.83 lakh senior citizens aged 70 years and above eligible for coverage under the Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana, the Union Health Ministry informed Parliament on Friday. The scheme, launched in October 2024 as an expansion of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, provides free annual health cover []

SRINAGAR: A leopard attacked a minor girl in Marsary Chowkibal village of north Kashmirs Kupwara district on Friday evening, leaving her injured. Reports identified the victim as 14-year-old Zeenat Sultan, daughter of Mohammad Sultan, a resident of Marsary Chowkibal. She was immediately taken to SDH Kralpora for treatment and later referred to GMC Handwara for []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has 28,082 Anganwadi workers and 27,972 Anganwadi helpers in position, the Centre told Parliament, underscoring the Union territorys sizeable frontline workforce delivering early childhood care and nutrition under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0. The Ministry of Women and Child Development report says the countrywide network comprises over 1.4 million Anganwadi []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has appointed the Tribal Affairs Department as the nodal agency for implementing the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, replacing the Forest Department. In a post on X, the Office of the Chief Minister said the decision fulfils a long-pending demand of []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir reported an estimated 684 cervical cancer cases in 2023, up from 612 cases in 2019, according to figures tabled in the Lok Sabha by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The data, sourced from the Indian Council of Medical Researchs National Cancer Registry Programme, highlights a steady year-on-year rise in []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) has issued a schedule of planned power interruptions affecting several localities in Jammu and Kathua districts on December 13 and 14, citing essential maintenance works. According to the Chief Engineer (Distribution), JPDCL Jammu, electricity supply to Bharth, Dashnan, Ghat, Bhabore and adjoining areas will remain suspended on []

SRINAGAR: A red chilli powder sample from a Patanjali Foods manufacturing unit in Uttarakhand was declared unsafe during a 202425 nationwide sampling drive, after pesticide residues were found above the permissible limits, the Health Ministry informed the Lok Sabha on Friday. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, which conducted the testing under its []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has recorded an increase in cases of leprosy, malaria and tuberculosis over the past three years, according to fresh data presented in the Lok Sabha on Friday. While the Union Territorys leprosy detection rate rose to 0.8 per one lakh population in 2024-25 from 0.42 in 2023-24, malaria cases climbed to []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Friday ordered the immediate transfer and posting of four senior officers in the School Education Department (SED). According to the official order, Abdul Rashid Mir, serving as the in-charge Principal of DIET Bandipora, has been appointed as the new in-charge CEO Baramulla. He will also hold the additional []

SRINAGAR: The Union Cabinet on Friday approved Rs 11,718 crore for conducting the Census 2027, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced at a press conference, describing it as the countrys first fully digital census. Vaishnaw said the Census 2027 would be carried out in two phases: the first phase between April and September 2026 and the []

SRINAGAR: Security forces on Friday apprehended an intruder near the International Border (IB) in the Pargwal area of Jammu district. A top police officer said that the intruder, identified as Abdul Khalik, was intercepted by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel and was found in possession of a weapon, the officer said. He was subsequently handed []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has not operationalised a single Gram Nyayalaya despite notifying 20 such courts under the Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008, according to new data tabled in the Lok Sabha on Friday. Ladakh, which has notified two Gram Nyayalayas, also reported zero functional courts. The disclosure underscores a continued gap in the rollout of []

SRINAGAR: The Office of the Assistant Commissioner and Designated Officer, Food Safety, Anantnag in South Kashmir on Friday banned the sale of a batch of Priyagold Butter Delite biscuits after laboratory tests confirmed sulphite levels exceeding the permissible limit. The order applies to Batch No. E25KPO2FB and will remain in force until further notice. Officials []

by Babra Wani SRINAGAR: Lal Chowk turned into an unusual academic hotspot on Friday as hundreds of young aspirants gathered to collect free books for competitive exams under an initiative led by well-known Delhi-based SSC educator, Rakesh Yadav. The popular teacher, who has coached lakhs of students across India through his online and offline platforms, []

SRINAGAR: A three-year-old boy died in Check Chotipora village of South Kashmirs Shopian district on Friday after falling into a pond near his home. Locals rushed to the spot and immediately evacuated the toddler to the District Hospital Shopian. They said the child had slipped into the pond while playing close to the water body. []

SRINAGAR: A 6.7-magnitude earthquake shook Japans Hokkaido and Tohoku regions on Friday, prompting the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) to issue a tsunami advisory for parts of the northern Pacific coastline, national broadcaster NHK reported. The latest tremor follows a 7.5-magnitude earthquake that struck northern Japan late on Monday night, injuring more than 34 people. Authorities []

SRINAGAR: Minimum temperatures plummeted across Jammu Kashmir on last night, with most areas of the Kashmir Valley reeling under severe cold as the mercury dipped several degrees below freezing, according to data compiled by Kashmir Weather. Srinagar recorded a low of 3.6C, while the Srinagar Airport area was even colder at 4.0C. Pulwama, at 5.5C, []