Kashmir Reader

Aims to restore Kashmirs role in cinematic production Calls for empowering local filmmakers, honouring cinema legends Envisions making festival defining cultural & economic event Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday chaired a review meeting to assess preparations for the 1st International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK)-2026, envisaged as a landmark initiative to []

Srinagar: Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) on Tuesday announced summer break for all government and private schools of Kashmir division from July-06. The Director of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) in an order said that the summer vacation has been announced with the approval conveyed by the competent authority. It is ordered that all the []

Monsoon rains to bring relief Srinagar: Kashmir sweltered under continuing heatwave conditions on Tuesday with Srinagar recording the seasons second-highest maximum temperature at 35.2 degrees Celsius, even as the Meteorological Department forecast relief from Wednesday with the arrival of monsoon winds and the influence of a western disturbance. Officials at the Meteorological Centre here said []

Mock drills, surveillance, emergency response mechanisms strengthened Srinagar: Stating that all security agencies are working in close coordination to ensure the safety and smooth conduct of the annual Amarnath Yatra, slated to commence on July 3, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Vidhi Kumar Birdi, on Tuesday said a comprehensive multi-layered security grid has been []

Centre says all ready for rollout New Delhi: The Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 will come into force from July 1, with the Centre on Tuesday stating that all arrangements have been made for its implementation. The Ministry of Rural Development said the Act provides a statutory guarantee []

Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday claimed several leaders and workers of her party were placed under house arrest to prevent them from protesting against the government over the issue of outsourcing of government jobs. The NC government repeatedly hides behind the excuse that the police department is beyond its control []

Give govt two weeks to clear dues Srinagar: In a significant relief for thousands of patients dependent on private healthcare institutions across Union Territory, the Jammu and Kashmir Private Hospitals and Dialysis Centres Association (JKPHDA) announced that it has deferred its proposed strike for two weeks following assurances from the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of []

Drug smuggler arrested Anantnag: In a major breakthrough in its sustained drive against drug trafficking, Anantnag Police arrested an inter-district drug smuggler and seized 2.613 kilograms of heroin (brown sugar), with an estimated market value of approximately 20 crore, during routine naka checking at Halmulla. A police party intercepted a suspicious vehicle bearing registration No. []

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Police have attached two properties worth nearly Rs 12 crore in the Baghat area here, officials said on Tuesday. Officials from Batamaloo police station attached the properties under Section 68F(1) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act after it was established that they were acquired illegally. The officials said one []

NEW YORK: President Donald Trump took in nearly USD 1.2 billion dollars from his crypto businesses last year, a federal filing released Monday shows. Mere startups when took the oath of office, the new ventures have now eclipsed in revenue much of his vast property portfolio that took decades to accumulate. Fueling their rise was []

World now listens when India speaks VADODARA: Indias standing in the international community has witnessed a significant transformation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday, while asserting that New Delhis views now receive serious attention on global platforms. Speaking at the valedictory session of the Vibrant Gujarat []

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday, June 30, ordered maintenance of status quo on ethanol allocation for Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2025-26. The apex court has temporarily stayed the effect of the Karnataka High Court order requiring oil marketing companies (OMCs) to reconsider the allocation made to a dedicated ethanol manufacturer, IANS reported. It []

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (UBT) suffered another setback on Tuesday after its Member of the Legislative Council, Sachin Ahir, crossed over to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and was immediately nominated by the ruling Mahayuti alliance for the post of Deputy Chairperson of the Maharashtra Legislative Council. The move comes days after six Shiv Sena (UBT) []

NEW DELHI: Amid the raging row over the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple, the Congress on Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modis silence on the loot is a direct assault on the faith of crores of people across the country. The opposition party also said that its delegation was scheduled to visit []

NEW DELHI: The economy remains resilient, though moderation in some high-frequency indicators suggests a gradual easing of momentum, a Finance Ministry report said, while flagging risks from uneven monsoon rainfall, emerging El Nino conditions and geopolitical uncertainties. Following the robust growth performance in 2025-26, economic activity remained resilient in the initial months of 2026-27, the []

JEDDAH: Preparations for the annual washing of the Kaaba began on Tuesday with the raising of the curtain covering its door, the first stage of the ceremony. The annual ritual is held on the date corresponding to the 15th of Muharram, 1448 A.H., and is one of the oldest traditions associated with Islams holiest site, []

NEW DELHI: Indias southwest monsoon is likely to remain under pressure in July, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting below-normal rainfall across most parts of the country as El Nino conditions continue to strengthen over the equatorial Pacific Ocean. Releasing its monthly outlook on Tuesday, the IMD said rainfall over the country during July []

NEW DELHI: Nasas ambitious Swift Boost mission has been called off after unfavourable weather forced officials to scrub Tuesdays planned launch. The mission was scheduled to lift off at around 3:47 pm IST from Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands aboard Northrop Grummans Pegasus XL rocket, carrying a robotic spacecraft designed to rescue one of []

Coached historic J&K womens team in 2021 SRINAGAR: Abida Nazir Khan, a Lecturer in the Youth Service and Sports Department and an elite ex-cricketer from Kashmir, has created history by becoming the first female from Kashmir to be appointed as a member of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC). Abida []

The concept of pluralism, tolerance, acceptance, and peaceful coexistence has been scrutinised in philosophy, history, enriched traditions, and sacred scriptures by Western and Eastern scholars. The Quranic vision of pluralism, tolerance, acceptance, and coexistence affirms human diversity as a divine sign to be understood and honoured. Rooted in human dignity, freedom of conscience, justice, compassion, []

Some deaths leave us saddened, and then some leave us stunned into silence. The sudden demise of my dear friend, Muzamil Iqbal, belongs to the latter category. Even as I write these words, it remains difficult to believe that he is no longer among us. Ulfat Manzoor Some deaths leave us saddened, and then some []

Srinagar: The School Education Department is likely to announce summer break for all schools of Kashmir division from July-06. An official informed that the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has proposed 10 days summer break for schools of Kashmir division. The directorate has proposed 10 days summer break for all government and private schools []

Srinagar: Rajendra Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd., the company executing the Baramulla Bypass Project, has categorically denied reports of a bridge collapse at the Cherkhal underpass on June 29, 2026. In an official statement, the company said the incident involved the collapse of a temporary shuttering and staging system during excavation and finishing work, following an unforeseen []

Srinagar: Baramulla Police on Tuesday issued a traffic advisory for tourists visiting Gulmarg during the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026, barring movement of tourist vehicles after 5:00 PM on the Gulmarg-Srinagar route. In a handout, the police said that as per the advisory issued by Police Baramulla, no tourist vehicle will be permitted to proceed []

Srinagar: Ruling National Conference MLA Javaid Iqbal Choudhary on Tuesday said that the Deputy Chief Minister has broken the trust of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah as well as the public, and has ganged up against them by joining hands with their rivals after the CM had directed him to undo wrongs in the allocation of []

Srinagar: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Vidhi Kumar Birdi on Tuesday said comprehensive and multi-layered security arrangements have been put in place for Amarnath Yatra, with all security agencies working in close coordination. Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, IGP Birdi, said extensive mock drills have been conducted to clearly define their respective roles and []

Srinagar: To ensure dissemination of authentic information regarding Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026, the J&K government has authorized only specific senior officers to interact with the media and conduct press briefings. As per Circular issued by the Tourism Department,Civil Secretariat on June 30, the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, and IGP Kashmir have been authorized for the []

SRINAGAR: (Jun 30) PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday claimed several leaders and workers of her party were placed under house arrest to prevent them from protesting against the government over the issue of backdoor appointments. The NC government repeatedly hides behind the excuse that the police department is beyond its control whenever questions []

NEW DELHI: In future, wars will be more joint, integrated and theatre-oriented, therefore the armed forces direction is clear to see together, take decisions together and take actions together, outgoing Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi said on Tuesday. Gen Dwivedi, an accomplished military leader with over 40 years of service who retires on Tuesday, []

Srinagar: Citing the prevailing heatwave, the Regional Transport Office Kashmir has issued a public advisory asking people not to visit the office unless absolutely necessary. In a notice issued on Tuesday, the RTO said citizens facing any issue, grievance, or requiring assistance related to RTO services should send complete details via WhatsApp to 9622002432. The []

Jammu:With Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026 set to commence on July 3, Traffic Police Jammu has announced route restrictions and diversions in the city from July 2 to ensure smooth movement of pilgrim convoys. An advisory issued by traffic police, it says that the first convoy will move from Yatri Niwas, Bhagwati Nagar, on July 2. []

Calls for protecting traders from unauthorised fee collection Says such practices inconsistent with spirit of mutual cooperation Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has written to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, seeking his intervention to address the issue of alleged unauthorised fee collection from livestock transport vehicles transiting through Punjab and ensure the unhindered movement of []

MeT predicts another day of intense heat today, rain from Wednesday onwards Srinagar: Kashmir witnessed one of its hottest days of the summer on Sunday, with Srinagar recording a maximum temperature of 35.3 degrees Celsius, the highest of the season so far and 5.3 degrees above normal. An official of the Meteorological Centre Srinagar told []

Platform will help diversify export basket, build global partnerships, create new exporters Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday inaugurated the two-day Jammu and Kashmir International Buyer-Seller Meet-2026 at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC). He reaffirmed that the government is commitment to transforming Jammu and Kashmir into a globally competitive export hub by expanding []

New Delhi: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday said the Indian government has no official involvement in Track 2 dialogues between Indian and Pakistani participants held abroad, asserting that retired diplomats, military officials and civil society members attending such events do so in their personal capacities and do not represent New Delhis views. Misri made []

Washington: US President Donald Trumps top envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will meet Iranian negotiators in Doha on Tuesday as the two warring sides exchanged fire over the weekend, testing the fragile ceasefire. Trump announced in a Truth Social post on Monday that Iran had requested a meeting, which would take place in Doha []

Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday performed the Pratham Puja at the Holy Cave of Shri Amarnath Ji, marking the ceremonial start of the annual pilgrimage. The Lieutenant Governor sought the divine blessings of Baba Barfani and prayed for the peace, prosperity, health and well-being of all. The Lieutenant Governor extended a heartfelt invitation []

Srinagar: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Gyanesh Kumar on Monday visited District Budgam and interacted with Booth Level Officers (BLOs), EROs, AEROs and other field functionaries of Election Department at National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), appreciating their dedication and commitment towards strengthening the electoral process at the grassroots level. The interaction was held as a []

Srinagar: The Housing and Urban Development Department, Jammu and Kashmir, on Monday said that it is committed to implement the Supreme Courts directions in Suo Motu Writ Petition (Civil) number 5 of 2025 concerning the welfare, protection and management of the stray animals. Clarifying the rules for citizens, RWAs and animal welfare groups, the Department []

Enhance honorarium for NHM employees, ASHA workers New Delhi: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo, on Monday participated in the 16th Conference of the Central Council of Health and Family Welfare (CCHFW) at Vigyan Bhawan here, raising key demands including early establishment of Trauma Hospitals in Surankote (Poonch) and []

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has extended his heartiest greetings to the people on the auspicious occasion of Sant Kabir Das Jis Jayanti, which will be celebrated on Monday. In a message, the Lieutenant Governor has said: On the auspicious occasion of Sant Kabir Das Ji Jayanti, I extend my heartiest greetings and good wishes []

JAMMU: The Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme 2026 was officially launched across Jammu Division today, with high-level events held at various locations to promote awareness and ensure full coverage of children under five years of age. At the main event held at Government Hospital Sarwal in Jammu, Member of Parliament Sat Sharma (CA) served as the []

BANDIPORA: Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Indu Kanwal Chib, accompanied by Senior Superintendent of Police Bandipora, Ajaz Ahmad Zargar, on Sunday participated in the 12th Muharram procession at Sumbal Sub-Division. The procession, taken out by mourners from various villages, drew a large gathering of devotees and participants from across different districts. On the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner []

JAMMU: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Information Technology, Youth Services & Sports, Science & Technology and ARI & Trainings, Satish Sharma, on Sunday laid the foundation stone for a series of developmental works in Block Maira Mandrian, Akhnoor, reaffirming the Governments commitment towards strengthening the public infrastructure and ensuring efficient service delivery []

BANDIPORA: As part of the ongoing Khet Bachao Abhiyan, the Department of Agriculture, Bandipora, on Sunday organized a farmers awareness programme at Sumbal to promote sustainable agricultural practices and enhance awareness among the farming community. The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from a large number of farmers, officers, and field functionaries. Joint Director Engineering, Department of []

Scientific solid waste management takes centre stage KISHTWAR: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Jammu and Kashmir, submitted a comprehensive representation highlighting key developmental priorities for District Kishtwar to Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma. CII J&K Infrastructure Panel Convenor Er Sahil Sharma presented the representation on behalf of CII J&K Chairman Iqram Ali Shafiee. []

To submit details of fake video NEW DELHI: Amid the controversy over Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns purported viral video, all AAP MLAs, including entire state Cabinet and the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, will appear before the Akal Takht on Monday. Addressing a press conference in Amritsar alongside AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Chief []

Passage of 50 years has not changed our commitment to one another VICTORIA (SEYCHELLES): Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the passage of 50 years of diplomatic relations between India and Seychelles has not changed the mutual commitment between the two sides. This year offers a powerful reminder of the depth of our partnership. Fifty []

PRAYAGRAJ: Samajwadi Party National President Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday lashed out at the BJP over the Ram Temple offering theft case and alleged, For BJP, donation comes first, then the nation. The BJPs focus is on donations, not the nation and for them, it is Donation First. It is unimaginable that people would trifle with []

LEH: The Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama was on Sunday accorded a grand welcome when he reached Leh for his summer sojourn. He was flown to Leh from New Delhi in an Army aircraft. Hundreds of devotees, Tibetans, Ladakhis, monks, nuns, students, and well-wishers lined up on the route from Leh Airport to Jivetsal, Choglamsar []