Kashmir Reader

Jammu: Amid tight security arrangements, the third batch of pilgrims undertaking the annual Amarnath Yatra left the Yatri Niwas at Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu early Saturday. According to official data,a total of 4,812 pilgrims departed for the twin base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam in a convoy of 259 vehicles. 2,041 pilgrims are travelling via []

ANANTNAG: In order to take the stock of facilities along Pahalgam Axis of Yatra, the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, on Friday visited various facilities including the Frisking Point, Nunwan Base Camp, Hikers Park and the Club to inspect overall arrangements during the departure of first batch of Yatris through the route. Accompanied by Deputy []

Sagar chairs provincial committee meeting, reviews arrangements SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Kashmir Provincial Committee Friday held a special meeting at the party headquarters to finalise preparations for the proposed protest in New Delhi, the observance of the death anniversary of Madar-e-Meherban Begum Akbar Jehan on July 11, and Martyrs Day on []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Vice President and Honble Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed profound grief over the demise of Muhammad Maqbool Shadad of Bulbul Lankar, Nowakadal, presently residing at Boulevard Road. The duo conveyed their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace to []

SRINAGAR: Satish Sharma, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs, IT, Youth Services & Sports, and Science & Technology, met various public delegations across Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, reaffirming the governments commitment to responsive and transparent governance. He listened patiently to grievances concerning industrial development, public services, and civic amenities, assuring timely redressal. A []

SRINAGAR: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Friday blamed the government for further increasing unemployment by outsourcing jobs and undermining democracy and democratic institutions by centralising power in the hands of one man at the helm of the government. He made these remarks while addressing workers conventions at Khanabal and Achabal in south []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Anjuman-e-Sharie Shian has expressed anguish and strongly condemned the decision of immigration authorities at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, to prevent its President, Aga Syed Hassan Mosavi Al-Safvi, from travelling to the Islamic Republic of Iran to attend the funeral ceremonies of Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei (RA). Addressing a press []

SRINAGAR: In a significant move to accelerate infrastructure development and ensure the timely execution of public works, Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Faz Lul Haseeb, on Friday chaired a high-level review meeting to comprehensively assess the tendering status of Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) works across the city. The meeting was attended by the Financial Advisor/Chief Accounts []

SRINAGAR: Chief Engineer, Distribution, KPDCL has informed that the Shutdown of 33 KV Budgam lchgam line will be observed due to which power supply to Barwah, Ichgam,ichkoot, Choon, Kanir, Hushur, Zuhamma, Hanjora, Dadompora and Adjoining Areas will be affected from 08 AM to 02 PM on 06 July 2026. Similarly, shutdown of 33 kV Nowbugh []

Says those who hold cameras, microphones carry responsibility SRINAGAR: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr. Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq, while addressing the Friday congregation at the historic Central Jama Masjid Srinagar, urged individuals, society and especially the media to uphold responsibility, restraint and moral accountability in public conduct. Referring to the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Beware, every one []

Association congratulates Umar Masoodi, says Kashmiri students continue to excel across diverse fields SRINAGAR: Kashmiri student and Spokesperson of the Jammu & Kashmir Students Association (JKSA), Umar Masoodi, has been selected for the prestigious 11th Anglophone Edition of the Nuremberg Summer Academy, a globally competitive and fully funded international training programme organised by the International []

PAHALGAM: Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Jal Shakti Department, Shaleen Kabra conducted an extensive tour of the Pahalgam Axis of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra to review the water supply infrastructure and flood mitigation measures for the ongoing Holy Yatra. During the visit, the ACS inspected key transit and base camps, including Chandanwari, Pissu Top, Zojibal, Sheshnag, []

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Friday said democracy faces the gravest of threats from the current dispensation, days after opposition parties urged the Supreme Court to take steps to restore the integrity and accountability of the electoral process. In a letter to the Chief Justice of India, leaders of several Opposition parties had written, saying []

NEW DELHI: The BJP on Wednesday hit out at the Congress and other opposition parties over their letter to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on the SIR and other issues, calling it a dangerous conspiracy to tarnish Indias democracy and spread anarchy in the country. With this, they have made another unsuccessful attempt to []

NEW DELHI: Irans Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei will not attend the funeral ceremonies of his father, former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, because of security concerns, according to Ayatollah Hakim Elahi, the current leaders representative in India. The announcement comes as tensions between Iran, Israel and the United States remain high following the death of Ali []

Says guilty must face severe punishment NAGPUR: RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale on Friday said that the alleged theft of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya has deeply hurt the sentiments and faith of the entire society, and called for ensuring that anyone found guilty after the investigation faces severe punishment. Asserting that anti-Hindu []

NEW DELHI: The Pacific Ocean is running a temperature. And this time, scientists have confirmed it. On July 3, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) announced that El Nino conditions have developed in the tropical Pacific and are forecast to strengthen rapidly over the coming months. The United Nations weather agency warned that the event increases []

NEW DELHI: After two delays in two days, Nasa has finally launched the Link spacecraft tasked with preventing one of its most successful space telescopes from gradually falling back to Earth. The agencys Swift Boost mission sent the LINK robotic spacecraft into orbit at around 2 pm on Friday, July 3. The spacecraft will now []

SRINAGAR: The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar on Friday hosted the grand inaugural ceremony of the All-India Inter-NIT Faculty & Staff Cricket Tournament (Men) 2026, marking the beginning of a major national sporting event bringing together 24 teams from NITs across India. The tournament is being hosted by NIT Srinagar for 1st time and []

SRINAGAR: Five student athletes from Delhi Public School, Srinagar, secured coveted positions to represent the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir at upcoming national athletic championships. The selections across rugby and martial arts mark a major milestone for the institutional sports program as these young women athletes prepare to compete on the grandest domestic stage. []

SRINAGAR: Police in Jammu and Kashmirs Pulwama district booked a terror associate under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA), 1978 and a notorious drug peddler under the PIT-NDPS. In a sustained drive against terrorism and drug trafficking, police in Awantipora have booked a terror associate under the PSA and a notorious drug peddler under the []

Budgam, July : A youth was killed after the motorcycle he was riding skidded off the road and crashed into an electric pole in the Chadoora area of central Kashmirs Budgam district on Friday, officials said. An official said that the rider sustained critical injuries after losing control of his motorcycle, which skidded off the []

Srinagar: Senior Congress leader and Bandipora MLA Nizamuddin Bhat on Friday alleged that he was attacked by Sonawari MLAs brother and his supporters during an official review meeting in Bandiporas Naidkhai area, accusing them of disrupting proceedings to prevent scrutiny of development works. Addressing reporters after the incident, Bhat,alleged that Jalal Akbar Lone and his []

LEH/JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Friday launched an employment-linked skill training programme for Ladakhi youth, under which 36 shortlisted candidates from all seven districts of the Union Territory will undergo industry-oriented residential training in New Delhi with assured placement assistance. The first batch, comprising 34 girls and two boys, was flagged off from []

Anantnag: Amid jubilance and devotional fervor, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anantnag (Yatra Officer), Dr. Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat and Senior Superintendent of Police, Amod Ashok Nagpure, jointly flagged off the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026 along the Pahalgam Axis in the wee hours today from the Nunwan Base Camp, Pahalgam. Camp Director Atul Kumar, SDM Pahalgam, Additional []

NEW DELHI;AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said he would write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to roll back the 20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol (E20) programme, alleging that it adversely affects vehicle mileage and has raised public concerns. In a video message posted on X, Kejriwal claimed that the Centre had []

Poonch: Two persons, including a biker and his pillion rider, were injured on Friday in a head-on collision between a car and a bike at Chattapani on Mughal Road in Surankote area of Poonch. Confirming the incident, Block Medical Officer (BMO) Surankote Dr Mohd Yousaf Choudhary told GNS that the ambulance reached the spot in []

Srinagar: The Kashmir Mutton Dealers Association (KMDA) on Friday announced that the ongoing strike by livestock dealers has been called off following the Punjab governments intervention, saying directions have been issued to the police to ensure that livestock vehicles are not stopped at checkpoints. KMDA General Secretary Mehraj-ud-Din said the association has been informed that []

Ganderbal: Six CRPF personnel were injured after the vehicle they were travelling in skidded off the road near the Gagangir Tunnel in central Kashmirs Ganderbal district on Friday, officials said. An official saidthat the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to skid off the road near the tunnel. Six CRPF personnel sustained injuries []

Srinagar: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Kashmir, Crime Branch J&K, has filed a chargesheet against Fayaz Ahmad Zarger for allegedly cheating multiple job aspirants of lakhs of rupees on the pretext of providing employment in Bahrain through forged documents. In a handout, the CBK said that the chargesheet in FIR No. 67/2021 under Sections 420, []

Srinagar: The first batch of devotees set off for the holy cave shrine of Shri Amarnath Ji from Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam on Friday, marking the start of the annual pilgrimage from the traditional route. Officials said that simultaneously, the first batch of pilgrims was flagged off from Baltal-Domail base camp in Ganderbal by []

Srinagar: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has directed the Army to pay rent to owners of land taken over by it in Sopore and rendered unusable due to security concerns reported Press Trust of India (PTI). Upholding a trial court order, Justice Sanjay Dhar asked the Army to pay rent for []

If NC brings statehood from Jantar Mantar, well welcome them from Lakhanpur SRINAGAR: Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari on Thursday questioned the National Conferences proposed Jantar Mantar protest over the restoration of statehood, saying decisions on such important political issues should emerge through consultations among all political parties rather than being taken unilaterally. Speaking to []

SRINAGAR: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Thursday inspected the under-construction SeerbaghSempora Bridge in Srinagar and directed the executing agency to expedite the remaining works to ensure the project is completed and dedicated to the public at the earliest. During the visit, the Deputy Chief Minister reviewed the progress and quality of the ongoing construction []

BUDGAM: Speaker, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather on Thursday inaugurated a newly installed Laparoscopy Machine and a Digital X-ray Machine at Sub-District Hospital, Charar-i-Sharief, marking a significant step towards strengthening healthcare infrastructure in the area. Speaking on the occasion, the Speaker said that the installation of these advanced diagnostic and surgical facilities []

Reviews arrangements for death anniversary of Begum Akbar Jehan Abdullah SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference State Womens Wing President Adv. Shameema Firdous Thursday reaffirmed the partys unwavering commitment to empowering women in governance, politics and public service, underscoring the National Conferences long-standing vision of fostering inclusive and progressive leadership at every level of []

SRINAGAR: Srinagar District Administration on Thursday welcomed the first batch of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra pilgrims at Byepass, Pantha Chowk, as the annual pilgrimage commenced amid a spirit of devotion and enthusiasm. Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Akshay Labroo, along with Senior Superintendent of Police, Sundeep Chakravarthy, received the pilgrims on their arrival and conveyed best wishes []

SRINAGAR: Continuing its relentless campaign against drug trafficking as part of the ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan, J&K Police have detained two habitual drug peddlers under the provisions of the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act, one in Sopore and the other in Anantnag. In Sopore, the []

Warns of disruption to commerce, tourism, industry SRINAGAR: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has formally submitted a detailed representation to the Housing & Urban Development Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, raising substantive objections to key provisions of the Draft Jammu & Kashmir Lease Policy, 2026 and the Draft Jammu & Kashmir []

HAJIN: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) division Entomology on Thursday organised a one-day Mass Awareness-cum-Farmer-Scientist Interaction Programme on Apple Blotch Leaf Miner at the Town Hall, Municipal Committee Hajin. The programme was organised by the Division of Entomology, Faculty of Horticulture, SKUAST-K, under the Minimisation of Pesticide Use in Agriculture []

NEW DELHI: India and Japan on Thursday expanded their strategic partnership by signing a series of agreements spanning artificial intelligence, defence, healthcare, critical minerals and clean technology, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi describing technology cooperation as the next major pillar of bilateral ties. The agreements, announced after the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit in New Delhi, []

Says usernames will be optional NEW DELHI: WhatsApp has said users will not be required to create usernames when the feature is introduced later this year, as the Meta-owned messaging platform sought to address concerns over impersonation, scams and unsolicited messages amid scrutiny from the Centre. The clarification comes after the government asked Meta to []

4,822 pilgrims arrive 670 CAPF companies deployed Advanced security, AI monitoring in place Srinagar: The 2026 Amarnath Yatra officially kicked off on Thursday, with the first group of 4,822 pilgrims leaving Jammu for Kashmir amid tight security. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the convoy from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas, wishing the devotees a safe []

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of devotees for the pilgrimage to the holy cave of Shri Amarnath Ji, from Bhagwati Nagar Base Camp in Jammu, today. He extended best wishes to all the yatris embarking on the holy pilgrimage. Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is a sacred path where devotion meets []

Srinagar: Director General of Police (DGP), Jammu & Kashmir, Nalin Prabhat on Thursday visited the Nunwan Base Camp and Frisking Point at Pahalgam to review the security and facilitation arrangements put in place for the smooth and safe conduct of the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra. During the visit, the DGP conducted a comprehensive inspection []

Asks why J&K leaders peace calls invite criticism Vows action against sale of substandard pesticides damaging apple industry Shopian: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday advocated dialogue between India and Pakistan, saying the two neighbouring countries should work towards resolving their differences through peaceful engagement and improving bilateral relations. Speaking to reporters here after chairing []

Unveils 76 crore development package for district; dedicates 13 key projects Shopian: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday chaired a comprehensive review meeting of District Shopian to assess the progress of developmental works, implementation of key government schemes and the overall delivery of public services, while reiterating his governments commitment to ensuring balanced and equitable []

Immense honour, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti is set to travel to Iran to pay final tributes to the countrys slain supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after receiving an official invitation to attend his funeral. Mohseen Qummi, Director of the International Relations Department at the office of the Supreme Leader []

Srinagar: Rainfall across several parts of Jammu and Kashmir brought relief from the recent heatwave on Thursday, with maximum temperatures settling at or below normal in most places. According to data, Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 29.1 degrees Celsius, 0.5 degrees below normal, while Jammu registered 34.5 degrees Celsius, 1.5 degrees below normal. Other []

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday attended One Day Capacity Building Programme organised by Bharti Airtel Foundation, State Council of Educational Research and Training, J&K and School Education Department. The event served as a formal platform for the launch of instructional resources jointly developed by the three institutions aimed at strengthening the professional capacities []