Kashmir Reader

*Srinagar:The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) re-exam concluded peacefully across Kashmir on Sunday following elaborate security arrangements at examination centres, officials said. CCTV cameras and other security measures were in place throughout the valley to ensure the smooth conduct of the exam. Officials told GNS that adequate arrangements helped maintain order and prevent any []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday led the yoga day celebrations here and noted that it was helpful in maintaining both physical and mental health. Addressing the gathering at SKICC on the banks of Dal Lake here, he said it guides us toward a more holistic realm of health and happiness.

Flags attacks on Kashmiri traders, hostel crisis, exam scams SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) National Convenor, Nasir Khuehami, on Saturday held a detailed and extensive meeting with Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament and AICC Media & Publicity Department Chairman, Pawan Khera, in New Delhi to discuss a wide range of pressing issues []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Provincial President, Advocate Showkat Ahmad Mir, said that the National Conference government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, is making every possible effort to ensure public welfare, provide relief to the people and accelerate the overall development of Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing a meeting of the []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference General Secretary Haji Ali Muhammad Sagar Saturday emphasized the need for foolproof arrangements to ensure the smooth and successful observance of the annual Mela Kheer Bhawani at the historic Kheer Bhawani Temple in Tulmulla, Ganderbal. Sagar urged the concerned departments to work in close coordination to provide all []

SRINAGAR: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labroo on Saturday conducted a comprehensive visit to various areas of the City and Imambargahs in interior localities of Mir Behri Dal and Khushipora HMT to review the arrangements made for the smooth and peaceful observance of Muharram processions and to also take stock of the developmental needs of []

SRINAGAR: In a significant boost to Apni Partys growing grassroots presence, several prominent political and social leaders, along with a large number of activists from the districts of Shopian and Budgam, joined the party today. The joining took place in the presence of the party president, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, and other senior party leaders, []

Justice Vikram Nath calls for institutional coordination, vernacular outreach for womens legal empowerment SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Legal Services Authority, under the guidance of the National Legal Services Authority, on Saturday organised a mega awareness programme on Empowering Women and Strengthening Institutional Legal Support at SKICC, Srinagar, with Supreme Court Judge and NALSA Executive []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Police are intensifying their efforts to combat drug trafficking and related illegal activities across the Union Territory under the ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan. In Pulwama, Ganderbal, and Shopian, authorities have undertaken targeted operations to dismantle drug networks, remove illegal assets linked to peddlers, and eliminate sources of []

JAMMU: Hundreds of pilgrims began their journey on Saturday to the shrine of Mata Ragnya Devi and other traditional destinations across Kashmir, as the Mata Kheer Bhawani Yatra-2026 was ceremonially flagged off. As part of the ceremonial departure, 214 buses carrying approximately 8,500 pilgrims were flagged off towards pilgrimage destinations across Kashmir, marking the annual []

BARAMULLA: Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board Chairperson Dr Syed Darakhshan Andrabi on Saturday visited the Sufi spiritual shrine of Hazrat Janbaz Wali (RA) at Khanpora, Baramulla, and announced on the spot that the reconstruction of the shrine sanctum and all other left-out components of the ongoing heritage restoration project, along with other essential developmental and []

18,880 crore released nationwide SRINAGAR: Around 750 farmers from across Kashmir Valley participated in a live webcast of the Prime Ministers PM-KISAN program at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) on Saturday, coinciding with the release of the 23rd installment under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme. During the []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (J&K BOPEE) on Saturday conducted the Common Entrance Test (CET) for M.Sc. Technology Courses for the academic session 2026-27 at Jammu and Srinagar Centres. The test was conducted at the Government College for Women, M.A. Road, Srinagar and Government MAM College, Jammu with 312 candidates []

SRINAGAR: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperatives and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar on Saturday attended the virtual event marking the release of the 23rd installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K). The installment was released by Prime []

Calls for timely implementation and effective field monitoring ANANTNAG: Mission Director, Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and Jammu & Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement of Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP), Sagar Doifode chaired a review meeting on Saturday at DC Office Anantnag to assess the progress of HADP, JKCIP and related interventions in the district. The []

Cautions against any laxity in timelines, quality standards MENDHAR: Aimed at accelerating the pace of developmental works and ensuring quality execution of ongoing projects, Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana on Saturday chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the progress and implementation status of Jal Shakti, []

BANDIPORA: Director Skill Development Department and Prabhari Officer for Vibrant Village Programme (VVP) for the villages of Purana Tulail and Neeru in Block Tulail, Dr. Owais Ahmed on Saturday undertook an extensive visit to the two border villages to review the implementation of developmental initiatives under the Vibrant Village Programme and assess the progress of []

NEW DELHI: Bill Gates has said something the rest of the AI industry would rather he had kept to himself. Some of the megacomplexes going up across the United States right now will not pay off. The electricity locked in will turn out to be too expensive. The compute will be undercut by cheaper builds []

MUMBAI: Reliance Jio is exploring the development of a sovereign satellite constellation for India, marking a significant step in the countrys ambitions to strengthen its space-based communications infrastructure. Speaking about the companys future plans in the space sector, Reliance Jio Chairman Akash Ambani announced that the telecom giant is evaluating the creation of a Low []

NEW DELHI: Norway, following its previous ban on smartphones, is now imposing a near-total ban on generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools for elementary school students. The Norwegian government is also placing strict limits on AI use for older children to protect them from a negative impact on their learning. According to a report by news []

Satish Sharma inaugurates Faavos Taekwondo Cup at Indoor Stadium Budgam BUDGAM: Minister for Youth Services & Sports, Transport, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Information Technology, Science & Technology and ARI & Trainings, Satish Sharma on Saturday inaugurated the Faavos Taekwondo Cup at the Indoor Stadium, Budgam, amid enthusiastic participation of young taekwondo players from []

CHENNAI: India completed a clean sweep of the three-match ODI series with a comprehensive nine-wicket win over Afghanistan in the final match, as Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed an unbeaten century and combined with Rohit Sharma for a 170-run opening stand to make the chase a mere formality here on Saturday. Chasing a modest 219-run target, India []

Srinagar: The administration has decided to reopen the historic Naranag Temple in central Kashmirs Ganderbal district for devotees and tourists following a comprehensive security review. In a post on X, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, said the decision was taken after a thorough assessment of the security situation. After thorough security review, decision has []

KOLKATA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday arrived in West Bengal on a two-day visit, during which he will participate in Paschimbanga Divas celebrations, lead the International Day of Yoga programme in Kolkata, and commission three indigenously built naval ships. Modi arrived in Hooghly district from neighbouring Odisha and is scheduled to attend the state-level []

New Delhi: J&K Police has been adjudged one of the Best Performers in Passport Seva for 2025-26, securing its second consecutive recognition in the category. The force received the Institutional Performance Award for State Police during the Passport Seva Divas celebrations and Regional Passport Officers Conference held from June 17-19 at Sushma Swaraj Bhavan, New []

Srinagar: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of the Crime Branch J&K has filed a chargesheet in a telecom project fraud case before the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Sopore. In a handout, the CBK said that the chargesheet, filed in FIR No. 44/2023 under Section 420 IPC, names Harkeet Singh, son of Guru Mohan []

Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said Kashmir was once among Asias foremost centres of learning, attracting scholars from Afghanistan, Central Asia and other regions, while Sanskrit texts preserved and studied in the Valley were translated into Arabic and carried Indias intellectual traditions far beyond its borders. Addressing the inaugural session of the Nalanda []

SRINAGAR: Nearly 50 per cent of evaluated patients who underwent advanced cardiac surgical procedures did not even require them, a departmental inquiry into alleged large-scale procedural irregularities at the Anantnag Government Medical College has revealed. The Jammu and Kashmir Health and Medical Education Department further revealed fraudulent insurance claims, patient exploitation and unnecessary procedures on []

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump lavished praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he is a great leader and tough guy, who has been in power for more than 12 years. In an interview with Axios, Trump referred to Chinas President Xi Jinping and Modi as the two greatest leaders he likes the most in []

In J&K, 74 lakh to 1,522 employees, 25 cr to 304 employers Embodies Viksit Bharat resolve: LG Manoj Sinha Srinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday disbursed incentives amounting to Rs 2,400 crore to more than 15 lakh beneficiaries across the country, under Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana. As part of a nationwide outreach []

Satish Sharma says J&K needs statehood, not division Kupwara: Minister Satish Sharma on Friday said the demand for a separate state for Jammu does not reflect the aspirations of the people and is confined to a handful of individuals, mostly from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Speaking to reporters here, Sharma said the people of []

Says 50 years of cultivation cant be erased Pulwama: Minister Sakeena Itoo on Friday said the government is committed to safeguarding the interests of farmers, assuring that cultivators who have been working on agricultural land for decades would not be deprived of their legitimate rights. The minister made these remarks while addressing a public grievance []

Coaching centres in Kashmir to remain closed Sunday: DSEK Srinagar: School Education Department (SED) on Friday ordered suspension of classwork on Saturday in 60 higher secondaries designated as NEET examination centres in Kashmir division. Director of School Education (DSEK) in an order said, In view of upcoming NEET examination scheduled on 21-06-2026 (Sunday), the classwork []

Srinagar: Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Northern Command called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday. He was accompanied by Lt Gen Balbir Singh, GOC Chinar Corps; Lt Gen Rajan Sharawat, GOC 9 Corps and Lt Gen P. K. Mishra, GOC 16 Corps.

Directs depts to expedite execution of works, ensure timely utilization of funds Srinagar: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo on Friday chaired a meeting of all the concerned to assess the progress achieved in identification, approval and execution of infrastructure restoration and reconstruction projects being undertaken under the Disaster Component of the Special Assistance to States for []

Baramulla Migrant Land Fraud Case Srinagar, Jun 18: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K conducted a house search at Banit Beerwah, District Budgam, in connection with an FIR registered under relevant sections of law at Police Station EOW Kashmir, pertaining to an alleged land fraud and cheating involving migrant land measuring []

Urges personnel to adopt people-friendly approach Srinagar: In preparation for the forthcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026, IGP Kashmir V.K Birdi-IPS briefed Zonal Officers and Sector Officers to review coordination, and operational preparedness along the Yatra route. The briefing was attended by DIG CKR Srinagar, DIG SKR Anantnag, DIG Armed Kashmir, SSP PCR Kashmir, SO to []

Srinagar: Several parts of Jammu and Kashmir witnessed rain and thunderstorms on Friday afternoon as the Meteorological Department forecast more wet weather over the next few days and warned of possible flash floods, mudslides and hailstorms in vulnerable areas. According to the MeT Centre Srinagar, a spell of rain and thundershowers affected many places across []

Shopian: As part of its continued crackdown on narcotics-related activities, police in Shopian have attached a residential house valued at 28,91,526 belonging to Bashir Ahmad Sofi, son of Gh Hassan Sofi, a resident of Bonbazar Shopian. The property was identified as having been acquired through proceeds generated from the illegal trade of drugs and narcotics []

NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress leader in Lok Sabha Abhishek Banerjee on Friday met with Speaker Om Birla and submitted 20 petitions against its 20 rebel MPs, seeking their disqualification. Talking to the media after meeting the speaker, Banerjee said the rebel MPs, who have claimed to join the lesser-known Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), []

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Friday claimed that there was disagreement among the partys rebel MPs over who would become a Union minister after switching sides, and a settlement has been reached to provide additional Rs 25 crore to those who will not get the post. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray []

Srinagar: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir on Friday said it has booked five accused in a major migrant land fraud case involving 14 kanals and 3 marlas of land in Baramulla. In a statement, a spokesperson said the Economic Offences Wing Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K conducted a house search at Banit Beerwah, District []

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

Srinagar: Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, V.K. Birdi on Friday briefed Zonal Officers and Sector Officers to review coordination and operational preparedness along the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026 route. In a handout, the police said that the briefing was attended by DIG CKR Srinagar, DIG SKR Anantnag, DIG Armed Kashmir, SSP PCR Kashmir, SO to []

Kishtwar: 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 terrorists. An official said that the arrests were made during the investigation of a case registered at Police Station Kishtwar under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita []

Srinagar: A Pakistani national, who was apprehended by security forces in north Kashmirs Kupwara district after allegedly crossing the Line of Control (LoC), has been sent back, officials said. Officials said that the individual, identified as Asad Khan, a resident of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), was detained in Simari village of Kupwara on June 12 after []

Srinagar: A police constable was arrested with heroin in Srinagars Alochi Bagh area. Officials said that based on specific information, the cop was apprehended by police along with heroin. The accused has been identified as Asif Rehman Reshi, son of Abdul Rehman Reshi and a resident of Bonpora, Batamaloo. A senior police official told GNS []

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, []

WASHINGTON: Iran will invite the UNs nuclear watchdog agency to inspect its nuclear sites and begin work on identifying and uncovering the locations of Tehrans enriched material, Trump envoy Steve Witkoff told US lawmakers in a private briefing. The private briefing on Thursday was described by two people familiar with the conversation who spoke to []

Chairs meeting on revival of customary mining activities in Kashmir SRINAGAR: Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary on Thursday emphasized the need for prompt decisions regarding the sand and stone quarrying and lifting of loose material across Kashmir to ensure the uninterrupted availability of construction material for the public. The Deputy Chief Minister made these remarks []