Kashmir Reader

Budgam: A motorcyclist was killed on Friday morning after the bike he was riding went out of control and collided with an electric pole near Soibugh, Budgam, officials said. An official said, that the accident claimed the life of a man who was the sole breadwinner of his family and father of four []

MOSCOW: The Kremlin on Thursday said it regretted the expiration of the last remaining nuclear arms pact between Russia and the United States, while US President Donald Trump declared he was against keeping its limits and wants a better deal. The pacts termination left no caps on the two largest atomic arsenals []

JAMMU: Union Home Minister Amit Shah reached here on Thursday night on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir to review security situation and inaugurate various developmental works in the region, officials said. Lt Governor Manoj Sinha received the home minister on his arrival at the Jammu airport. Welcomed Union Home and []

Drug De-addiction rules near finalization: Health Minister Advocates collective fight against drug abuse JAMMU: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo on Thursday informed the House that the drug de-addiction rules are currently being finalized and are expected to be completed soon. Once implemented, these rules are anticipated to significantly enhance efforts to combat []

JAMMU: Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary on Thursday said that the government is committed to connect every habitation with robust road connectivity across Jammu and Kashmir. The Deputy Chief Minister was replying to a question raised by legislator Javid Hassan Baig in the Legislative Assembly. He further informed that a structured and phased approach is []

SRINAGAR: In view of the forthcoming festival of Maha Shivratri being celebrated by local Hindu Community, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg on Thursday convened a meeting of Deputy Commissioners and Heads of Departments to review and finalize comprehensive arrangements at major temples and transit camps across the Kashmir Division for the facilitation of the local []

Addresses event organised by Human Aid Society SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah on Thursday said that Islam places social justice and human welfare at the core of its teachings, making the protection and care of orphans, widows, the needy and weaker sections of society a sacred moral and social obligation. []

SRINAGAR: In connection with Hajj-2026, Deputy Commissioner(DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labroo on Thursday kick started 3 days immunization/vaccination programme for Hajj pilgrims of Srinagar District here at Bait-ul-Hujaj (Haj House), Bemina. Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mir Imtiyaz Ul Aziz, Chief Executive Officer, J&K Hajj House, Dr Shujat, SDM West, Irfan Bahadur, Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tahir Sajad, []

Initiative aims to reconnect younger generation with Kashmirs handcrafted traditions BUDGAM: District Administration Budgam on Thursday inaugurated a three-day cultural and heritage workshop titled Naqsh-e-Meeras, aimed at promoting, preserving and reviving the rich and diverse traditional art and craft heritage of Jammu & Kashmir. The workshop is being organised from 5th to 7th February, 2026 []

JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the government has approved the allotment of five marlas of land on a 40-year lease basis to landless families affected by natural calamities in 2025. Over 6,400 families hit by flash floods and landslides in Udhampur district have been provided financial assistance, he said. []

JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Chief Spokesperson and MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq Thursday said that the third address of the Lieutenant Governor was a continuation of the earlier addresses and reflected the consistent and unresolved concerns of the people of Jammu and Kashmirforemost among them the restoration of constitutional guarantees and full statehood. []

JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hameed Karra on Thursday demanded that the centre spell out a clear timeline for the restoration of statehood to the Union Territory. Taking part in the motion of thanks on the Lt Governors address in the legislative assembly here, Karra also suggested the constitution of an []

SRINAGAR: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K has produced a chargesheet in FIR No. 76/2022 under Sections 199 and 420 RPC before the Honble Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar, against Ms. Afshan Shabir W/o Syed Akeel Ahmad, resident of Shibath Zadibal. The case pertains to allegations that Afshan Shabir, who []

Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday reiterated in the budget session of the assembly that his government remains committed to restoring the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. Winding up the discussion on the Motion of Lieutenant Governors Address in the assembly, Abdullah said Article 370 was not specifically mentioned in the address as []

Assures simplified, time-bound registration process for tourism sector Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that he will raise the issue of closed tourism destinations with Home Minister Amit Shah during his upcoming visit to the Union Territory. Responding to a supplementary question of Congress MLA Nizam Uddin Bhat, Abdullah said []

Srinagar: Security forces in Kashmir are on alert for Union Home Minister Amit Shahs three-day visit beginning Thursday, officials said. Police and paramilitary CRPF personnel carried out area dominance exercises and surprise checks around the commercial hub of Lal Chowk and adjoining areas, they said. Security personnel have been deployed in higher numbers and random []

Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to abolish the Union Territory-with-Assembly system, while expressing hope that long-pending Transaction of Business Rules would be approved in the coming days to end governance confusion in Jammu and Kashmir. Replying to a debate on the motion of thanks to the lieutenant []

Jammu: Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Sunil Sharma on Thursday criticised the Omar Abdullah government for repeatedly raising the statehood restoration issue, asserting that it would not be done until it is ensured that no youth or child falls victim to violence. Addressing the House, he said that even children used []

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday slammed Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma for his remarks that statehood would be restored only when violence ends, saying that people of the Union Territory had participated in elections in good faith over the promised return to statehood. You should give it back; that was []

Haridwar (Uttarakhand): Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday said the entire world today acknowledges and respects Indias soft power and its spiritual wealth. He said Yoga and meditation have become integral to daily life in households across every corner of the globe. The Lieutenant Governor observed that this years Union Budget earmarks transformative strides for []

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Thursday adopted the Motion of Thanks on the Lieutenant Governors address, delivered on February 2 in the Legislative Assembly. The Motion of Thanks was moved by MLA Showkat Hussain Ganie and seconded by MLA Dr. Rameshwar Singh. Leader of Opposition in the House, Sunil kumar Sharma, while participating []

Srinagar: A motorcycle rider was killed on Thursday after his vehicle collided with a truck in between Hyderpora and Tengpora road, officials said. An official informed that a Motorcyclist was killed in collision that took place near the Royal Enfield showroom between Hyderpora and Tengpora. He said that soon after the incident, the rider was []

Srinagar: The Government on Thursday granted last and final opportunity to its employees who have failed to submit their Property Returns for the year 2025 within the prescribed timeline. According to notification, a copy of which lies with GNS, a considerable number of employees have failed to submit their Property Returns within the prescribed timeline, []

JAMMU: (Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hameed Karra on Thursday demanded that the centre spell out a clear timeline for the restoration of statehood to the Union Territory. Taking part in the motion of thanks on the Lt Governors address in the legislative assembly here, Karra also suggested the constitution []

Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that the proposal on reservation has been sent by the Lieutenant Governor to the Union Home Ministry for further reference. Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, the CM said that the proposal cleared by the cabinet has been forwarded to the Union Home Ministry by the LG []

ammu: Peoples Conference President Sajad Gani Lone on Thursday said National Conference founder Sheikh Muhammad Abdullahs decision to sit on the chair in 1975 was the biggest endorsement to the decision of downgrading of the post of Prime Minister of Jammu & Kashmir. Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, Lone, said history would have been []

Srinagar:Jammu and Kashmir has recorded a significant surge in sports participation and performance over the past few years, with over 58 lakh youth engaged in sporting activities and athletes winning 2,556 national medals since 2021-22, according to government data released on Thursday. According to freshly released government data, athletes from the UT have won []

Srinaga: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir on Thursday said they have filed a chargesheet against, a former Assistant Professor at SKIMS Soura, for allegedly concealing her British citizenship and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status while securing a government post, officials said They said, the investigation revealed that she misrepresented herself []

Srnagar,: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that he will take up the issue of re-opening tourist places, which were closed after the Pahalgam attack, with Union Minister Amit Shah during his visit to Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, the CM, places that were closed in the Kashmir Valley. []

Srinagar,: A massive fire broke out in the early hours of Thursday in the Chattabal area of Srinagar, causing extensive damage to a cluster of closely built residential houses, officials said. An official told news agencyKashmir News Observer (KNO), that more than 10 residential structures suffered damage in the incident. []

DUBAI: Nuclear talks between Iran and the United States will take place Friday in Oman, the Iranian foreign minister said, as tensions between the countries remain high following Tehrans bloody crackdown on nationwide protests last month. The announcement by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday came after hours of indications that the []

Addresses World Cancer Day event at GMC Jammu Inaugurates maternity block at SMGS Hospital Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday addressed a World Cancer Day event at Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu, reaffirming the Governments proactive role in ensuring the best possible facilities for cancer patients as well as healthcare professionals. The programme was []

Takes jibe at BJP over its 2019 claims on ending terrorism Jammu: Encounters are taking place even in 2026, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Wednesday in a veiled jibe at the BJP over its claim that terrorism would end following the abrogation of Article 370 that happened in 2019. Three Pakistani []

Jammu: The discussion on Motion of Thanks on Lieutenant Governors Address continued for the second day on Wednesday with Legislators raising issues and concerns of their respective constituencies besides Jammu and Kashmirs overall development. Legislator Shamim Firdous raised the issue of students and youth prisoned in Central jails of other states. She urged the government []

Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that the Department of Culture is mandated with the revival, restoration and conservation of Jammu and Kashmirs valuable heritage sites, and several initiatives have been undertaken in this regard at key locations including Parihaspora, Pattan and Tappar. The Chief Minister was replying to a question in the []

Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday tabled Jan Vishwas and Anti-Discrimination Bills in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly. The Chief Minister introduced The Jammu and Kashmir Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 (L.A. Bill No. 1 of 2026). The Bill seeks to amend certain enactments of the Union Territory of Jammu and []

Srinagar: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday appealed to the Centre to either ensure bail to Kashmiri detenues lodged in outside jails or shift them to prisons in the valley in cases where the trial has not started even after five years of arrest. During our public dialogue programme in Shehr-e-Khaas (old Srinagar city), several []

Jammu: PDP MLA Waheed Ur Rehman Para on Wednesday urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to use his governments mandate to press the Centre to initiate meaningful dialogue with the youth in Jammu and Kashmir. Participating in the motion of thanks in the Lieutenant Governors address in the Legislative Assembly here, he said the government cannot []

Jammu: Two Pakistani militants, including a top commander of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit, were killed on Wednesday after they were trapped inside a cave in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. Several powerful blasts were heard when the forces stormed the cave around noon. Officials said one of the deceased militants is Rubani alias []

Jammu: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo on Wednesday impressed upon the Culture Department to actively involve people and encourage them to come forward for the identification, digitization, and preservation of rare manuscripts for posterity under the Government of Indias flagship programme Mission Gyan Bharatam. Chairing a high-level review meeting on the implementation of the Mission in []

Jammu: All BJP members staged a walkout from the Jammu and Kashmir assembly on Wednesday, accusing Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather of bias while granting time to members of the ruling party for speaking in the house. The BJP members walked out of the house despite Rathers making an attempt to ensure that they stayed back []

JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday revealed that the assets of Sungli yatri base camp and rain shelter sheds for the Kailash yatra have been outsourced and said that this situation was inherited by his government. Replying to a question by BJP MLA Dalerp Singh during Question Hour in the []

MUMBAI: Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani on Wednesday said sustained double-digit growth for India is possible, and that stable economic leadership defines a country. Speaking at a JioBlackRock event here, Ambani also said that in the next decade, India will not be importing 80 per cent of its energy. Every Indian village has a 5G []

NEW DELHI: Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday cited former Army chief MM Naravanes unreleased memoir to claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi shed responsibility during the India-China conflict in 2020 and passed the buck on to Naravane. Addressing reporters in the premises of Parliament House complex, Gandhi held up Naravanes unreleased []

IMPHAL: NDA legislature party leader Y Khemchand Singh on Wednesday staked a claim to form a government in Manipur, state BJP chief A Sharda Devi said. Restive Manipur has been under the Presidents rule since February last year. An NDA team led by Singh met Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at the Lok []

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government today informed the Legislative Assembly that as many as 20 government offices in Budgam district are functioning from rented premises, and that there is no proposal under consideration for constructing a unified government office complex at the sub-district level. According to a written reply tabled in the Legislative Assembly, []

Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday informed the Assembly that the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for the elevated Metrolite systems proposed for Jammu and Srinagar have been submitted to the Union Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) for appraisal and funding. The government said a final response from the Centre is still []

Srinagar: The government on Wednesday said that no proposal is currently under consideration to establish additional migrant transit camps in the Kashmir Valley, even as 68 percent of the sanctioned accommodation units have been completed. Sharing details in the Legislative Assembly, the government, informed that housing for Kashmiri migrant employees appointed under the Prime Ministers []

Udhampur: Two militants were killed in an ongoing encounter with joint security forces in the Basantgarh area of Udhampur district on Wednesday, officials said. The gunfight, began on Tuesday after security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation based on specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area. Additional reinforcements were rushed to the []

Srinagar:The government on Wednesday informed the Legislative Assembly that 26,558 Economically Weaker Section (EWS) certificates have been issued across Jammu and Kashmir so far, clarifying that rejections occur only when applicants fail to meet the prescribed eligibility norms. According to the data shared by the government, 24,545 EWS certificates were []