Kashmir Reader

SRINAGAR:Moderate separatist voice and the valleys chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday expressed concern over the attacks on Kashmiris and called upon the authorities to ensure their safety outside the valley. Addressing the Friday congregation at Jamia Masjid here, the mirwaiz expressed deep anguish at the brutal assault using iron rods on 18-year-old Kashmiri []

JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir government has issued work orders for 775 mobile tower sites to provide 4G mobile connectivity to uncovered and remote villages, particularly in border, hilly and far-flung areas of the Union Territory. Secretary, Information Technology department, Piyush Singla said the project is being implemented under the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) []

NEW DELHI: The upcoming Budget is going to put emphasis on easing the debt-to-GDP ratio, which is around 56 per cent, instead of targetting a specific fiscal deficit number as the country has almost reached the end of the glide path envisaged in the FRBM legislation. A fiscal deficit of 3-4 per cent is considered []

Srinagar: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has intervened to protect the land rights of several residents of Ajas village in Bandipora district, passing an interim order restraining the government from appropriating their property for road construction without following due legal process. Nine petitioners from Village Ajas, District Bandipora, approached the []

JAMMU: Two persons were arrested for allegedly impersonating officials of the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and cheating citizens here, police said on Friday. Mohd Shabiq and Mohd Zaffar, both residents of Bantalab, are accused of posing as JMC officials and cheating people by making deceptive claims related to official municipal procedures for house construction, a []

KOLKATA: The West Bengal government has written to the Election Commission, seeking changes to the list of central observers, while proposing alternative names for nine of the 15 IAS officers selected by the poll panel, a senior official said. Officers for whom replacements have been suggested include the states home secretary, he said.

BRUSSELS:The European Union has listed Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organisation over Tehrans bloody crackdown on nationwide protests, the blocs top diplomat said in a post on X on Thursday. Kaja Kallas, the EUs foreign policy chief, said that foreign ministers unanimously agreed on the designation. Any regime that kills thousands of its []

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order that would impose a tariff on any goods from countries that sell or provide oil to Cuba, a move that puts pressure on Mexico. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said this week that her government had at least temporarily stopped oil shipments to Cuba, []

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has warned Iran that it would face an attack far worse than previous US strikes if it does not agree to a deal to curb its nuclear programme. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said a large US naval force was moving towards Iran, led by the []

BRUSSELS: The European Union appeared poised Thursday to sanction Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard over Tehrans deadly crackdown on nationwide protests, further squeezing the Islamic Republic as it worries over a threat by U.S. President Donald Trump to potentially launch a military strike against it. America has moved the USS Abraham Lincoln and several guided-missile destroyers []

BEIJING: The leaders of Britain and China called Thursday for a comprehensive strategic partnership to deepen ties between their nations at a time of growing global turbulence and uncertainty. Neither Prime Minister Keir Starmer nor President Xi Jinping publicly mentioned Donald Trump, but the US presidents challenge to the post-Cold War order was clearly on []

WASHINGTON: As Nasa gears up for Artemis II, the first crewed lunar flyby since Apollo, astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen will transport a piece of aviation history: the Wright Brother plane. They will carry a 11-inch muslin swatch from the Wright Brothers 1903 Flyer. This artifact, on loan from the []

Assess traffic decongestion, sanitation & land related proposals requiring inter-departmental coordination SRINAGAR: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labroo along with the Principal, Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar, Prof. Iffat Hassan Shah on Thursday reviewed infrastructure upgradation and developmental requirements of GMC & Associated Hospitals operating under GMC Srinagar. The review was aimed at addressing several []

Samba: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday visited Samba district, laying foundation stone for 10 MVA Receiving Station at Harminder and also inaugurated bus stand at Thandi Khui, Vijaypur. At Harminder Samba, after inaugurating the receiving station, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, while interacting with the locals, said that the foundation stone for the 10 MVA []

Calls for coordinated efforts for snow clearance, power, water, health, road connectivity Srinagar: Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, on Thursday convened a review meeting at the Civil Secretariat, Srinagar, to assess the post-snowfall situation across Kashmir region besides reviewing the availability of essential services in the region. Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, deliberated on the []

Calls for bringing more pace in implementation of 4G & BharatNet in J&K Jammu: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Thursday chaired the 10th State Broadband Committee (SBC) Meeting to review the status of key digital infrastructure initiatives, including 4G Saturation Project, Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP), 5G Readiness, Call Before You Dig (CBuD) and other allied []

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmirs tableau at the Republic Day parade that celebrated the regions centuries-old arts, handicrafts, and folk traditions has secured the second position nationally, officials said on Thursday. This was a recognition of the Union territorys cultural heritage and vibrant traditions, a government spokesperson said on Thursday. The tableau seamlessly blended craftsmanship, performance, []

Jammu: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday registered a case against former managing director of the Jammu and Kashmir Small Scale Industrial Development Corporation (SICOP), R K Razdan, for allegedly making illegal appointment of Kunal Choudhary, who is currently serving as the DGM of the corporation, an official said. Choudhary, who was initially appointed as []

Reviews performance, asks for strengthening agri infrastructure JAMMU: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, on Thursday chaired the 70th meeting of the Board of Directors of Jammu and Kashmir Agro Industries Development Corporation Limited (JKAIDCL) at the Civil Secretariat, Jammu. The meeting was attended by Financial []

MENDHAR: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, on Thursday convened a virtual meeting with senior officers of the Jal Shakti and Forest departments to review the restoration of water supply schemes and other essential services across the Kashmir division, in the wake of inclement weather conditions occurred []

Punjabi literary world loses a towering figure JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) has expressed profound grief over the sad demise of Shri Paramjit Singh Bali, popularly known as Kanwal Kashmiri, a renowned Punjabi critic, writer and eminent personality of Punjabi literature and culture in Jammu and Kashmir. Kanwal Kashmiri, []

SRINAGAR: Police in Sopore have successfully solved a cattle theft case by arresting two accused persons involved in the commission of crime and recovered stolen cattle from their possession. During the course of investigation of case FIR No. 21/2026 under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), several suspects were brought in for questioning. []

BARAMATI: Grief swept through Baramati in Pune district on Thursday as Maharashtra bid farewell to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who lost his life in a tragic plane crash, with his last rites performed with full state honours. At the packed Vidya Pratishthan ground in Baramati, Pawars sons Parth and Jay lit the funeral pyre []

HAJIN: As part of the public outreach programme, Hajin Police on Thursday organized a Thana Diwas at Police Station Hajin. The event was chaired by SDPO Sumbal, Nawaz Ahmad Khanday and SHO PS Hajin, Saleem Ahmad were also present on the occasion. The meeting was attended by respectable citizens, members of civil society, Auqaf []

Baramulla: A man was killed and another injured in a road accident in Pattan area of north Kashmirs Baramulla district on Thursday, officials said. An official said that a collision took place between a truck and a Maruti Eeco at Hyderbeigh Pattan, resulting in the death of one person and injuries to another. He said []

Over 12,000 senior citizens provided AVV cards, enabling additional health coverage of Rs 5 lakh SRINAGAR: In order to ensure timely and effective delivery of benefits under key health sector flagship schemes to citizens in district, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labrooon Wednesday convened a meeting with senior health functionaries here at Meeting Hall []

Delegation meets Divisional Commissioner Kashmir SRINAGAR: A delegation of the Kashmir Trade Alliance (KTA) on Wednesday called on the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Anshul Garg, to discuss several pressing issues confronting the trading community in Srinagar. The delegation, led by KTA President Aijaz Shahdhar, expressed gratitude to the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, for issuing directions to make []

HAJIN: At least thirteen people were injured on Wednesday after the ceiling of a two-storey house collapsed in Chandergira village of Hajin in Bandipora district, where they had assembled to offer condolences. Officials said the incident occurred when people, including women, had gathered at the house of a former Fire and Emergency Services employee, Gh. []

JAMMU: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Transport, Youth Services & Sports and Information Technology, Satish Sharma, on Wednesday said that the BHASHINI Rajyam workshop marks a major step towards building an inclusive, citizen-centric digital ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir. The Minister was addressing the BHASHINI Rajyam workshop (Jammu & Kashmir Chapter), organised []

Lauds ministers, party legislators for proactive public outreach SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar on Wednesday expressed deep appreciation for the proactive role played by Honble Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in effectively dealing with the weather exigencies caused by heavy snowfall across the Kashmir Valley and the snow-bound areas []

Stolen property recovered AWANTIPORA: Police in Awantipora have solved a theft case by arresting an accused persons involved in the commission of crime and recovered stolen property from their possession. Awantipora Police received a written complaint from Sayar Ahmad Sheikh of MidooraAwantipora, stating there in that, on 24/01/2026, unknown thieves barged into his residential house []

GANDERBAL: An Avalanche occurred last night at around 10:15 pm near New Truck Yard, Sonamarg. Fortunately, the impact was minimal and no loss of life or property has been reported. Police team along with SDRF timely reported in said area to assess the situation. Concerned agencies are closely monitoring the situation, and precautionary measures are []

AWANTIPORA: Police in Awantipora organised a training programme for Investigating Officers on the investigation of cases under the POCSO Act and crimes against women at District Police Lines Awantipora. The programme aimed at enhancing the professional competence of Investigating Officers, with special emphasis on legal provisions, victim-centric approach, sensitivity while dealing with victims, and strict []

NEW DELHI: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday called for a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the death of NCP leader Ajit Pawar in a plane crash, alleging that all other agencies have been completely compromised, with several opposition leaders including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge backing her demand. Speaking in Kolkata, Banerjee stressed that []

Will open countless opportunities for youths New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the historic FTA agreed upon between India and the EU a day ago will accelerate the Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign, strengthen the resolve of Make in India, Make for the World and open countless opportunities for lakhs of Indian youths. Addressing []

New Delhi: Amid unease in several quarters over the University Grants Commissions regulations for promotion of equity in higher education institutions, President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said the government is working with full sensitivity for all for Dalits, backward classes, the marginalised and tribal communities. Addressing a joint sitting of both the Houses of []

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed grief over the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash on Wednesday and said he was an able administrator and a consummate political organiser whose loss will be greatly felt. CM Abdullah recalled his close association []

Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services is grappling with nearly 41 per cent manpower shortage with 1,490 posts vacant against a sanctioned strength of 3,639, an RTI reply has revealed. Of this, 103 posts fell vacant after termination of employees on December 15 last year, following findings of irregularities in []

Stresses mandatory pre-monsoon preparedness, district-level readiness Jammu:Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Wednesday while reviewing the measures undertaken by the Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction (DMRR&R) to strengthen the Union Territorys disaster preparedness, response and mitigation framework emphasises on anticipatory action, technology-enabled early warning systems, and seamless inter-agency coordination. During the meeting, the []

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has constituted district level monitoring committees in all districts of the Union Territory to ensure implementation, conduct inspections, and receive complaints concerning mental health protection and prevention of suicides by students across educational institutions. As per an order issued by the government, each district level monitoring committee shall include []

Jammu: The registration of Allied and Healthcare Professionals and Institutions would begin soon in Jammu and Kashmir. The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP), under the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, is in the final stage of development and operationalisation of online portals for registration of Allied and Healthcare []

Jammu: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Wednesday chaired the 15th High-Level Committee (HLC) meeting of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) and impressed upon all line departments and stakeholders to ensure that comprehensive arrangements for the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY)-2026 are put in place well ahead of its commencement. Besides the DG []

An Abhiyan powered by data and driven by people on ground Jammu: At a time when drug addiction is posing a serious social and public health challenge across the country and when enforcement-heavy approaches have often struggled to deliver sustained results. Jammu & Kashmir has scripted a fundamentally different narrative. Anchored in data, transparency, institutional []

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed grief over the death of Maharasthra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash and said he had made big contributions in the development of the western state and India, especially in uplifting rural lives. Addressing a gathering at the PM National Cadet Corps (NCC) []

JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services is grappling with nearly 41 per cent manpower shortage with 1,490 posts vacant against a sanctioned strength of 3,639, an RTI reply has revealed. Of this, 103 posts fell vacant after termination of employees on December 15 last year, following findings of irregularities in []

NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday said there should be a probe into the air crash in which Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others were killed. Pawar was among the five killed after an aircraft carrying them crashed in Maharashtras Pune district on Wednesday morning, officials said. The Learjet 46, []

Hajin: At least five people were injured on Wednesday after the ceiling of a house collapsed in the Chandergeera area of Hajin in Bandipora district, officials said. They said several people were inside the room offering condolences when the ceiling suddenly collapsed, triggering panic and trapping some under the debris. Local residents rushed to the []

Qazigund: The 270 kilometre JammuSrinagar National Highway was partially opened for traffic on Wednesday, with authorities working to clear vehicles stranded at multiple locations in Qazigund. The highway was closed on Tuesday following heavy snowfall. Officials said that priority is being given to stranded light motor vehicles (LMVs) at various points in Qazigund to ease []

Kulgam: A 32-year-old man died of suspected suffocation after sleeping in his car with the heater on while waiting outside District Hospital Kulgam, where his wife was admitted, officials said. An official said that the man, a resident of Kulgam, had parked his car near the hospital and slept inside it during the night to []

MUMBAI: ) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and five other persons were killed after an aircraft carrying them crashed in Pune district on Wednesday morning, officials said. The incident occurred when the plane carrying NCP leader Pawar (66) and others was landing in Punes Baramati area, they said. PTI DC SPK VT GK