Kashmir Reader

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

BEIJING:Close allies China and Russia on Tuesday agreed to further deepen defence cooperation amid US efforts to reassert influence in the Western Hemisphere under its new security strategy widely termed as Donroe Doctrine, challenging Beijing and Moscows influence. Defence Minister Dong Jun held a video conversation with his Russian counterpart Andrey Belousov, Chinas Defence Ministry []

Appeals to CM Omar Abdullah to clear backlogs in upcoming Budget SRINAGAR: The Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) has called on the government to consider an immediate, one-time budgetary provision in the forthcoming Budget for liquidation of the long-pending dues of MSMEs, stressing that clearing these backlogs is essential to relieve local enterprises []

Visits ASYM District Hospital, damaged bridge at Chadoora Pays obeisance at Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani Shrine BUDGAM: Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, on Tuesday conducted an extensive tour of Budgam district to assess the post-snowfall situation, including snow clearance operations, restoration of essential services and healthcare facilities. During the tour, the Deputy Chief Minister reviewed the []

SRINAGAR: Director General of Police (DGP), J&K, Nalin Prabhat, along with all ranks of J&K Police, observed a two-minute silence in memory of the late BS Bedi, former DGP of J&K, who passed away on January 25. A 1961 batch IPS officer of the UP cadre, Bedi served with distinction in J&K during the challenging []

Says hospital roads prioritised HAJIN: Following fresh snowfall in north Kashmir, the Sub-Divisional Administration Sonawari has stepped up snow clearance operations to restore road connectivity and essential services. Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Sumbal, Murtaza Ahmad Sheikh, said that snow clearance machinery has been deployed across Hajin, Sumbal and adjoining areas to clear major roads, while []

SRINAGAR: In view of the prevailing adverse weather conditions, Principal/Dean Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar, Prof. (Dr.) Iffat Hassan, conducted an extensive visit to all associated hospitals, accompanied by Administrator Associated Hospitals, Mohammad Ashraf Hakak. The visit covered SMHS Hospital, Super Speciality Hospital Shiren Bagh, Lalla Ded (LD) Hospital, Chest Disease Hospital, Bone & Joint []

SRINAGAR: In view of the prevailing weather conditions, the district and municipal administration carried out a comprehensive joint inspection of key essential establishments, with special focus on major healthcare institutions and critical road networks across the city. The inspection covered vital healthcare facilities, including Lal Ded Maternity Hospital and SMHS Hospital, along with major and []

SRINAGAR: Demonstrating unwavering commitment to public service, police forces across Ganderbal, Shopian, and Baramulla have actively responded to emergencies and assisted stranded and distressed civilians amid heavy snowfall and adverse weather conditions. In Ganderbal and Shopian, police teams on the ground worked tirelessly despite harsh conditions to ensure the safety of the public. Their efforts []

SRINAGAR: To strengthen the digital footprint of regional entrepreneurship, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir inaugurated a one-week MSME-sponsored Management Development Program (MDP) at the Shalimar campus today. The program, titled Management of E-Commerce for Promoting Local Products and Tapping Unexplored National Markets, organised by SKUAST-Ks Institute of Business and Policy Research []

MD JKRLM reviews preparations for grand event Rural craft, cuisine, culture, women power to be highlights JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihood Mission (JKRLM) is all set to host an expansive edition of the Saras Mela, starting from 31st January to 9th February at Kala Kendra here. Ahead of this grand event, Mission Director []

Pact introduces quota-based import duty concessions, reducing costs for luxury brands like BMW, Mercedes, Lamborghini, and Porsche, while encouraging local manufacturing, job creation NEW DELHI: Premium luxury European cars, such as BMW, Mercedes, Lamborghini, Porsche, and Audi, are set to become cheaper in the Indian market once the bilateral free trade agreement comes into force, []

Highway closed, hundreds stranded Srinagar: Fresh snowfall across Kashmir on Tuesday led to the closure of Jammu-Srinagar national highway and the cancellation of all flights at Srinagar airport, leaving hundreds of tourists stranded in the valley. The snowfall, which began late on Monday night, blanketed the region in white. Officials said the arterial National Highway []

Srinagar: The IMD has predicted that another Western Disturbance is likely to hit J&K on February 1 and 2, bringing fresh precipitation to the region. The Jammu and Kashmir UT Disaster Management Authority (JKUTDMA) has issued a high alert warning of a potential avalanche with a high danger level above 2,000 metres in Bandipora, Baramulla, []

Jammu: Continuing the series of pre-budget consultations ahead of the Budget Session, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday chaired an extensive consultation meeting in Jammu with representatives from a wide spectrum of sectors including industry & trade, tourism, hotel & hospitality, education, youth affairs and agriculture. The meeting was attended by Ministers Sakina Itoo, Javid []

Jammu: As part of the ongoing exercise for formulation of a people friendly and development-oriented budget, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday chaired a pre-budget consultation meeting with Members of the Legislative Assembly from Jammu and Samba districts, here. Discussions were held on sector-wise priorities, district-specific developmental needs and policy interventions aimed at balanced and []

Jammu: An all-parties meeting will be convened ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir Assemblys Budget Session, scheduled to begin next month, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather said on Tuesday, urging legislators to make effective use of the proceedings by raising public issues for redressal. The 27-day session will commence on February 2 with an address of []

CM, LG express condolences Jammu: Four people, including a CRPF jawan, were killed and a woman injured when a bus hit a parked load carrier and a motorcycle in Jammu and Kashmirs Udhampur district on Tuesday, officials said. The accident occurred near Jakhani-Chenani area on Jammu-Srinagar national highway around 11 am. The officials said the []

Srinagar: Braving treacherous weather and waist-deep snow, a doctor posted in Jammu and Kashmirs Shopian district on Tuesday proved that a sense of duty can triumph over even natures harshest challenges as he reached his hospital atop an excavator to attend to patients. Dr. Basharat Pandit, a resident of south Kashmirs Pulwama and currently staying []

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government has initiated departmental proceedings and placed five engineers of the Public Works (R&B) Department under suspension after reports of unauthorised absence from duty and delays in snow clearance operations. The action follows a stern directive from the Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary during a review meeting at the Integrated []

Jammu: After decades, efforts to revitalize languages and elevate local culture to new heights on Jammu Kashmirs sacred soil commenced in 2020. It remains our collective responsibility to advance this heritage not merely as memory, but as a living, breathing tradition, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Tuesday. He was speaking at the Akhil Bhartiya []

KOLKATA: With the assembly polls on the horizon, BJP national president Nitin Nabin will make his first visit to West Bengal on Tuesday after assuming charge, with a two-day tour of the industrial belt of Durgapur and Asansol. Nabin is scheduled to arrive at Andal airport in the evening and will remain in the West []

BETUL:Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said Indias energy sector offers investment opportunities worth USD 500 billion, as the country accelerates reforms and moves from energy security towards energy independence. Addressing the inaugural ceremony of India Energy Week 2026 via video conferencing, he said USD 100 billion investment is being targeted by the end of []