Kashmir Reader

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday said India has consistently emphasised unity in diversity and shown respect to every faith that emerged thousands of years after Sanatan Dharma. Addressing the Rishiwar Inter-Faith Conference 2026 here, Sinha said the idea of respecting all faiths has been woven into the fabric of Indias philosophy for millennia. []

MLAs, MPs, allies united; CM Omar chairs off-site meet at Dachigam Srinagar: Upping the ante, the ruling National Conference (NC) on Wednesday announced that its legislature party will launch a protest in New Delhi on the first day of the forthcoming Monsoon session of Parliament to press for the immediate restoration of statehood and constitutional []

Srinagar: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair a high-level security review meeting on Jammu and Kashmir in New Delhi on June 8, in the run-up to the annual Amarnath Yatra, sources said. The meeting assumes significance as it comes days before the commencement of the pilgrimage, which draws thousands of devotees to the Himalayan []

Flags off World Bicycle Day Cyclothon Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday flagged off a Cyclothon at the Royal Springs Golf Course (RSGC) here to mark World Bicycle Day, reaffirming the governments commitment to promoting fitness, healthy lifestyles and sports culture among the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. The event, organized by the Jammu []

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday expressed grief over the loss of lives in a fire incident in Delhi. A massive fire broke out in a hotel in a congested bylane in south Delhis Malviya Nagar area on Wednesday, killing at least 21 people, including foreigners []

TFR 1.8, institutional deliveries 93.6%, C-sections 51%, health insurance 96.3% Srinagar: The latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) for 2023-24 indicates notable progress in several health and maternal care indicators across Jammu and Kashmir, although certain demographic concerns, including fertility levels and child marriage rates, have shown a marginal rise. Data from the survey reveals []

RMC to cover J&K, Ladakh, Himachal Jammu: Union Minister and Member Parliament (MP) Udhampur Dr Jitendra Singh will formally declare the establishment of a new Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) at Jammu on June 5, marking a major step towards strengthening weather forecasting and disaster preparedness across Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh. This was []

Mentoring officer for each hostel to monitor progress Srinagar: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Wednesday chaired a meeting to assess the status of hostels constructed by various departments across Jammu and Kashmir and to devise a roadmap for making all such assets functional and beneficial for the intended beneficiaries at the earliest. The meeting was []

Anantnag: Continuing its sustained crackdown against drug trafficking and the illegal narcotics network, police in Anantnag attached a two-storey residential house worth approximately 60 lakh belonging to a notorious drug peddler under the provisions of the NDPS Act. The attached property comprises a two-storey concrete residential house constructed over six marlas of land, belonging to []

Srinagar: In a landmark initiative aimed at positioning Jammu and Kashmir as a vibrant destination for cinema, culture and creative industries, the Government has accorded sanction for the organisation of the 1st International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK), scheduled to be held at SKICC Srinagar and other prominent destinations from September 7 to []

Srinagar: MLAs of the ruling National Conference as well as independent legislators supporting the government gunned for Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at Dachigam here on Wednesday, accusing him of biased allocation of funds in the key Roads & Buildings Department headed by him. Contrary to []

Srinagar: The National Conference on Wednesday announced it will hold a protest in New Delhi on the first day of Parliaments upcoming Monsoon Session, pressing for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmirs statehood and constitutional guarantees. The decision was taken during a crucial meeting of the party leadership, ministers, and legislators chaired by Chief Minister []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Chief Spokesperson and Zadibal MLA Tanvir Sadiq on Tuesday chaired a crucial meeting of party office-bearers and grassroots functionaries at Bachi Darwaza, Makhdoom Sahib. The meeting witnessed an extensive review of pressing public issues, developmental priorities, civic grievances, organisational affairs, and the partys ongoing outreach initiatives. Addressing the []

Chairs Governing Body Meeting to approve Action Plan for 2026-27 SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo on Tuesday chaired the Governing Body Meeting of the J&K AYUSH Society under the National AYUSH Mission (NAM), during which the State Annual Action Plan (SAAP) 2026-27 was approved for onward submission to the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India. []

SRINAGAR: The J&K Allied and Healthcare Students Association (JKAHSA), the healthcare wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, on Tuesday expressed grave concern over the reported Absolute Freeze on the creation of new posts, expansion of healthcare manpower, and restrictions on emergency hiring in the health sector. JKAHSA President Musa Yousuf, in a statement []

SRINAGAAR: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labroo on Tuesday chaired a meeting at the DC Office to assess the progress of the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Abhiyan 2.0 under the Jal Shakti Abiyans Catch the Rain Campaign. The meeting focused on advancing water conservation efforts across the district. Participants included Additional District Development Commissioner Rifat []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference General Secretary Haji Ali Muhammad Sagar on Tuesday asked the administration to make adequate arrangements and facilitate the smooth observance of the Urs of Hazrat Ameer-ul-Momineen Syeda Usman-e-Ghani Zun Noorain (RA) particularly at Asar-e-Sharief Dargah Hazratbal. Sagar emphasized the immense religious significance of the occasion and called upon []

SRINAGAR: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana on Tuesday chaired a meeting at Civil Secretariat here to review developmental issues and ongoing works pertaining to the Assembly Constituency Trehgam represented by MLA Mir Saifullah. The meeting was convened to assess the progress of various infrastructure and public []

SRINAGAR: Continuing sustained drive against illegal mining and unauthorized extraction of minerals, J&K Police in Shopian and Pulwama districts conducted multiple operations, resulting in the seizure of 15 vehicles/machines and registration of six FIRs against those involved in illegal mining activities. In Shopian, police teams from Police Station Shopian and Police Post Keegam seized 06 []

PULWAMA: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pulwama, Dr. Basharat Qayoom on Tuesday chaired the 33rd meeting of the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) at Circuit House Pulwama to review the progress achieved under the ongoing anti-drug campaign and assess the implementation of various measures aimed at curbing drug abuse and illicit cultivation in the district. At the outset, []

BUDGAM: As part of the ongoing Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA) , a series of awareness, outreach, pledge-taking and enforcement activities were organized across various parts of District Budgam with active participation from government departments, educational institutions and local communities. Awareness programmes were conducted in several areas of the district to educate people, particularly youth []

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump signed an executive order on oversight of artificial intelligence Tuesday, less than two weeks after postponing a White House ceremony over his concerns that a similar policy could dull Americas technological edge. The order establishes a framework for the federal government to vet the national security risks of the most advanced []

NEW DELHI: India on Tuesday categorically rejected unwarranted references to Jammu and Kashmir in a joint press communique issued by Pakistan and the European Union, asserting that the region is an inalienable part of the country. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said those who have no locus standi on the matter should desist from []

Writes to CM Omar, LoP, Tarigami, Sajad Lone, Er Rashid, others Says genuine unity can restore rights, dignity If Ladakh could do it, so can we Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said political parties in Jammu and Kashmir should come together for a joint outreach to the Centre for initiating []

Srinagar: A call for political unity in Jammu and Kashmir devolved into a public spat on Tuesday after PDP president Mehbooba Mufti claimed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah ignored her meeting requests, a charge Abdullah swiftly denied and accused her of misrepresenting facts to score political points. In a letter posted on social media addressed to []

Srinagar: All eyes are on the crucial meeting of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah with National Conference MLAs and MPs, and five independent MLAs supporting his government. Sources told KNO that all NC MLAs, four MPs, and the five independent MLAs have been invited to the meeting, which will be chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah []

Extends warm welcome to Hujjaaj returning from holy pilgrimage Srinagar, June 02: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday received the first batch of Hujjaaj returning from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after performing Haj-2026 at Srinagar International Airport. The first incoming Haj flight landed at Srinagar Airport carrying 144 pilgrims, including 74 men and 70 []

Should have validity till Dec 31, 2027; dont leave Surname/Last Name field blank Srinagar: The Haj Committee of India (HCoI) has issued an advisory for intending pilgrims, asking them to keep their passports ready ahead of the official announcement for Haj-2027 (1448 Hijri). According to a circular issued by the HCoI under the Ministry of []

Man killed in Anantnag, woman dies in Doda; crops ravaged Srinagar: As hailstorms, intense rainfall and gusty winds caused widespread damage to crops and orchards across several parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, a man was killed and his wife critically injured after a tree fell on them in South Kashmirs Anantnag district, while []

Chairs 9th Governing Body meeting of Royal Springs Golf Course Reviews RSGC development plan, calls for better facilities Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday chaired the 9th Governing Body Meeting of the Royal Springs Golf Course (RSGC) at SKICC, where a comprehensive review of the functioning, infrastructure, finances and future development plans of the []

Jammu: In the first 50 days of Jammu and Kashmirs campaign against drug trafficking, 176 cases were registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and 202 accused persons were arrested or detained, police said on Tuesday. The polices zero-tolerance policy towards narcotics, backed by intelligence gathering, enforcement measures, community participation and legal []

Srinagar: In its continued efforts to curb drug trafficking and dismantle the financial networks of narcotics peddlers, Police in Pulwama has attached a double-storey residential house worth 19.65 lakh belonging to a drug peddler involved in an NDPS case. The attached property comprises a double-storey concrete house built in 2023 over Plot No. 445 measuring []

SRINAGAR: (Jun 2) A man was killed and his wife injured after a tree fell on them amid strong winds in Jammu and Kashmirs Anantnag district as rain lashed many parts of the Valley on Tuesday, officials said. The incident took place in the Ganjiwara area of the south Kashmir district when a []

Budgam: The first batch of Hajj pilgrims from Jammu & Kashmir arrived at Srinagar International Airport on Tuesday, marking the beginning of the return phase of Hajj-2026 operations. The inaugural flight carried 144 pilgrims, who were received at the airport by Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, Deputy Commissioner Budgam []

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has questioned the necessity of playing all five verses of Vande Mataram at the beginning and end of official events, labelling the practice unnecessary and burdensome for audiences. Speaking to reporters here on Monday amid the controversy over the singing of the national song in Kerala, Tharoor said everyone respects []

Srinagar: PDP President Mehbooba Mufti has written to a broad spectrum of political and civil society leaders across Jammu and Kashmir, urging them to come together for a joint and coordinated outreach to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. In a statement,the PDP said that Mehbooba Mufti has reached out to []

SRINAGAR: The Srinagar International Airport will suspend all flight operations for 15 days starting October 1 to undergo crucial runway maintenance and repair work, officials said on Tuesday. The two-week shutdown is expected to deal a massive blow to Jammu and Kashmirs tourism sector, as it directly clashes with the peak Durga Puja holiday season. []

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Monday said talks were continuing with Iran at a rapid pace, as fresh strikes by Tehran appeared to hit the fragile ceasefire. Talks are continuing, at a rapid pace, with the Islamic Republic of Iran, Trump said in a post on Truth Social. The nominal ceasefire between Iran and []

Preserve sanctity of items with deep religious significance Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has written to Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, seeking urgent intervention to facilitate the timely and concurrent transportation of baggage belonging to Haj pilgrims returning to Jammu and Kashmir from Saudi Arabia. In his communication, the Chief Minister []

Srinagar: Authorities have changed check-in baggage weight requirements for Haj pilgrims returning to Srinagar international airport as there are temporary runway length restrictions and payload limitations due to a NOTAM issued for runway maintenance work at the airport. The return journey of Haj pilgrims operated by Akasa airlines to the Srinagar Embarkation Point has been []

Srinagar: The return phase of Hajj-2026 pilgrims from Jammu & Kashmir will commence tomorrow, June 02, with the first flight carrying 144 pilgrims scheduled to land at Srinagar International Airport. J&K Haj Committee Chief Executive Officer Dr Shujaat Ahmad Qureshi said the Hajj return operations for pilgrims from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh will continue []

Leads Drug-Free J&K Padyatra in Kulgam, calls for remaining steadfast Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday led Drug-Free J&K Padyatra in Kulgam and addressed a public meeting. He said that this peoples movement has connected every heart across Jammu Kashmir with a shared purpose to make their village, their town drug-free. This campaign belongs []

Srinagar: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Monday reviewed the availability and stock position of essential commodities across Jammu and Kashmir with a particular focus on petroleum products, LPG and other critical supplies required for public consumption and the upcoming peak tourism and pilgrimage season. The review meeting besides ACS, APD; Commissioner Secretary, FCS&CA and Commissioner []

Amit Sharma launches House Listing operations, seeks public cooperation to enumerators, supervisors Jammu: The Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir has emerged as the leading Union Territory and 8th among states in the country in Self-Enumeration under Census 2027, with more than 6.67 lakh households voluntarily submitting their Census details through the official Self-Enumeration portal. []

Kashmir Reader expresses condolence Srinagar: Alhaj Nazir Ahmad Zargar, father of API News Editor-in-Chief Basharat Nazir Zargar and Managing Director Ishrat Nazir Zargar, passed away on Monday morning following a prolonged illness. He was 72. Family sources informed that Zargar had been unwell for a considerable period and breathed his last at AIIMS, New Delhi. []

Srinagar: Several public representatives and delegations on Monday called on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at his Public Services and Outreach Office (Raabita) here and discussed a range of constituency-specific and sectoral issues. Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from Ladakh, Haji Mohammad Hanifa, called on the Chief Minister along with delegations representing employees of the Power []

Same parcel sold to multiple buyers via registered deeds Srinagar: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K has filed a chargesheet before the Honble Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Srinagar in FIR No. 03/2024 under Sections 420, 468, 167, and 120-B RPC against three accused persons for their alleged involvement in a []

Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has written to Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, seeking urgent intervention to ensure that the baggage of Haj pilgrims is transported along with them on the same flights returning to Jammu and Kashmir. Official sources said that the Chief Minister, in a letter to the Union Minister, []

NEW DELHI: (Jun 1) Gold prices on Monday dropped Rs 1,084 to Rs 1,59,827 per 10 grams in futures trade amid a fall in spot demand. On the Multi Commodity Exchange, gold contracts for the August delivery traded lower by Rs 1,084, or 0.67 per cent, at Rs 1,59,827 per 10 grams in a business []

Srinagar: The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) on Monday issued a clarification regarding the baggage restrictions imposed on Haj pilgrims returning to Srinagar, stating that the measures were necessitated by runway maintenance and operational limitations at Srinagar Airport. In a post on X, the Ministry said that a NOTAM issued for Srinagar Airport, coupled []