Kashmir Reader

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to target Irans energy infrastructure, including the countrys desalination plants. Such a move, and Irans possible targeting of the plants of its Gulf Arab neighbours, could have devastating impacts across the water-starved Middle East. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said if a deal to end []

DUBAI: US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened widespread destruction of Irans energy resources and other vital infrastructure, including desalination plants, if a deal to end the war with Tehran is not reached shortly. Trump said the US is negotiating with Irans parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, in an interview with the New York Post []

JAMMU: Former chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday called for united efforts by the government and opposition to restore the strength and dignity of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly. Mufti made the remark after watching the Assembly proceedings from the speakers gallery, her first appearance in the House after the fall []

Jammu: Even as 33 proposed legislations have been listed for introduction on the first of the two days reserved for private member bills in the Legislative Assembly on Monday, all eyes are on the National Conference-led Governments stance regarding its legislator Tanvir Sadiqs bill seeking the extension of leases to current occupants. Bill has []

ABOARD AIRFORCE ONE: President Donald Trump on Sunday night said he has no problem with a Russian oil tanker off the coast of Cuba delivering relief to the island, which has been brought to its knees by a US oil blockade. We have a tanker out there. We dont mind having somebody get a boatload []

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said that Iran had agreed to allow 20 ships carrying oil through the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday morning and continuing over the next few days out of a sign of respect. I would only say that were doing extremely well in that negotiation but you never know with Iran []

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan announced Sunday that it will soon host talks between the US and Iran, though there was no immediate word from Washington or Tehran, and it was unclear whether discussions on the month-long war would be direct or indirect. Pakistan is very happy that both Iran and the US have expressed their confidence in []

MOSCOW:Moscow is apprehensive that the US could try to take control of a key Afghan Base amid its escalating military conflict with Iran, a senior Russian diplomat has said. Speaking in an interview with the government news agency RIA Novosti on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putins special envoy on Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, said that the []

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lauded the cricket team of Jammu and Kashmir for bagging the Ranji Trophy title for the first time and expressed hope that this winning streak of sports persons there continues in the future. Addressing his monthly radio broadcast Mann Ki Baat, Modi said March has been a []

Flags off first-ever Jammu Marathon Runs Half Marathon, completes in under two hours Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday flagged off the Jammu Marathon from Maulana Azad Stadium here and also completed the 21.1 km Half Marathon, leading from the front in promoting fitness and a healthy lifestyle. Braving rain, hundreds of participants, including []

Jammu: The State Election Commission is making necessary arrangements for holding panchayat and urban local bodies (ULB) elections at the earliest, the Jammu and Kashmir government has said. The tenure of municipalities ended in October-November 2023, while panchayats and block development councils completed their five-year term on January 9, 2024. The term of district development []

Jammu: Addressing the concerns of legislators, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that funds earmarked under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) are non-lapsable, with savings exceeding Rs 25 crore recorded under the scheme. In a written reply to a starred question tabled by National Conference MLA Tanvir Sadiq on Saturday, Abdullah, who holds []

Jammu: More than a year after 17 people died under mysterious circumstances in a remote village in Rajouri district, the Jammu and Kashmir government has cited specific pesticide compounds and elevated cadmium levels as part of fresh, though provisional, findings into the incident. In a written reply to a starred question, Health Minister Sakeena Itoo []

Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Saturday passed three important Bills through voice vote, marking a significant step towards governance reforms, social equity and strengthening of the judicial framework in Jammu and Kashmir. The Bills were moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and were subsequently put to vote by Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, []

Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday laid on the Table of the House copies of key financial and audit documents pertaining to Jammu and Kashmirs finances. The documents placed before the House include: * Finance Accounts (Volume I) for the year 202324; * Finance Accounts (Volume II) for the year 202324; * Appropriation Accounts []

JAMMU: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that the Government is examining a proposal for the notification of new tourism-worthy areas in Jammu & Kashmir, including several locations in District Doda. Replying to a question raised by MLA Doda West, Shakti Raj Parihar, during the Question Hour of the ongoing Budget Session of the Legislative []

Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday said it has retrieved and restored encroached land belonging to Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley. Replying to a question by BJP MLA Yudhvir Sethi in the Assembly, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, Land measuring 3,729 kanals and 4 marlas belonging to Kashmiri migrants has been retrieved and []

Focus on homestays, trekking, border tourism JAMMU: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said that Karnah has immense potential for border tourism, hiking and trekking, asserting that the government is working on a comprehensive programme to promote tourism in the area. The Chief Minister was replying to a supplementary raised by the MLA Karnah during []

Jammu: Cutting across party lines, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Saturday condemned the recent assassination attempt on the life of ruling National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah and demanded a judicial probe into the incident. Members from the ruling NC, as well as the PDP, Congress, CPI(M), Peoples Conference, and Independents, raised concerns over []

Srinagar: BSF Director General Praveen Kumar reviewed the security scenario and operational preparedness along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir during his three-day visit to the valley, the force said on Saturday. The BSF chiefs three-day visit concluded on Saturday. DG BSF Shri Praveen Kumar, IPS visited BSF Kashmir Frontier, to review the security []

Srinagar: The India Meteorological Department on Saturday forecast generally cloudy weather across Jammu and Kashmir with intermittent light to moderate rain and snowfall in higher reaches till March 30. An official of the Meteorological Centre in Srinagar said that weather is expected to remain cloudy towards evening between March 28 and 30, with chances of []

Jammu, Mar 26: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday said that a significant number of schools across the Union territory continue to face deficiencies in basic infrastructure, including toilets, drinking water, boundary walls and playgrounds. Replying to a question in the assembly, the government said that as per official data for 2025-26, out of []

Interacts with CMs, calls for vigilance against online fraud, fake agents; special focus on border, coastal states New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reviewed with chief ministers of all but poll-bound states their preparedness and plans in the wake of the West Asia conflict. The virtual meeting was aimed at ensuring synergy of []

Says conflict is humanitarian crisis impacting India directly Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to leverage Indias strong diplomatic relations with key global players to help end the ongoing conflict in West Asia and alleviate human suffering in the region. The Chief Minister made these remarks []

Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday said the Union Territory possesses an estimated hydropower potential of about 18,000 MW, of which nearly 15,000 MW has been identified, and that it is on a fast track to triple its installed capacity to around 11,000 MW by 2035. Replying to a question of MLA Javaid []

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his historic decision to insulate households from supply disruptions triggered by the West Asia crisis. In a post on X, the Lieutenant Governor said: Prioritizing citizen welfare, Honble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji has taken historic decision to insulate households from supply []

Jammu: Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary on Friday said that the media, regarded as the fourth pillar of democracy, has historically played a significant role in the nations freedom struggle and enjoyed the trust of the people. The Deputy Chief Minister was replying to the issues raised by the Members during a Short Duration Discussion []

Conveys condolences, solidarity with people of Iran Srinagar: A delegation of Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), led by its patron Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq and comprising Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam, Aga Syed Hassan Al-Mosvi, and Aga Syed Hadi Al-Mosvi, Aga Syed Mujtaba met the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr Mohammad Fathali, and other officials []

NEW DELHI: The 2026-27 Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia will begin on January 21 next year in Nagpur, according to the BCCIs international home season schedule released on Thursday. The second Test will be played in Chennai between January 29 and February 2, while the third Test will be held in Guwahati from February []

New Delh: India has enough petrol, diesel and LPG stocks to last at least two months with normal delivery cycles, the government said on Friday, as it ruled out imposing any lockdown in view of energy supply disruptions caused by the war in West Asia. India has about 60 days of oil stock cover []

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau on Friday said they have arrested a Forest Guard and a Forester in Rajouri after catching them red-handed while accepting Rs 7,000, taking the total bribe amount to Rs 37,000 in a case of alleged extortion over a land dispute, officials said. In a statement ,the J&K []

Srinagar: A snow avalanche struck near Dayal Pass along the Zojila axis in Jammu and Kashmirs Ganderbal district on Friday, leaving several vehicles trapped under snow and debris, officials said. An official said that around three to four passenger vehicles were caught in the avalanche, which struck in Ganderbal and forced the closure of the []

NEW DELHI: The government has slashed excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 10 per litre, averting a pump price hike that had become necessary because of soaring global oil prices. The cut in special additional excise duty on petrol from Rs 13 a litre to Rs 3 and the same on diesel from []

Srinagar: An 18-year-old fruit vendor was injured after being stabbed by an another person in the Soura area of Srinagar on Friday, officials said. An official said that the youth sustained injuries after being attacked with a sharp-edged weapon near Jinab Sahib in Soura. He was immediately shifted to a hospital for treatment. He has []

JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir assembly was adjourned for half an hour on Friday as a pandemonium broke out soon after the budget session resumed after a five-week recess. Members from both the treasury and the opposition benches stood up, raising slogans and disrupting the Question Hour despite Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather repeatedly asking the legislators []

Leh: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant was given a traditional welcome in Ladakh on Friday, with representatives of various local tribes participating in the reception. Officials said the CJI was briefed about the regions tribal diversity and was given a guard of honour on arrival. During the visit, Justice Kant is scheduled to inaugurate []

LG Sinha, CM Omar thank PM Modi, HM Shah, FM Sitharaman Srinagar: The Centre on Thursday approved additional central assistance of Rs 5000 crore for Jammu and Kashmir, aimed at supporting infrastructure development and easing fiscal pressures in the Union Territory. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Government of India, []

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha has recommended the introduction and consideration of a private member bill moved by PDP legislator Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, seeking a statutory framework for reorganisation of administrative divisions, districts, sub-divisions and tehsils in the Union Territory. According to an official order, issued in pursuance of sub-section (1) of Section []

Unveils Jammu Marathon Expo at Gandhi Nagar Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday inaugurated the Jammu Marathon2026 Expo at Dussehra Ground, Gandhi Nagar. The Chief Minister formally opened the exposition by cutting a ceremonial ribbon, followed by the launch of a signature campaign. The expo marks the final phase of preparations for the much-anticipated []

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah on Thursday called for immediate de-escalation and urged all parties involved to exercise restraint. He said that the continuation of hostilities poses a serious threat to regional stability, global peace. Dr. Farooq appealed to the nations and international mediators engaged in facilitating dialogue to []

High-level meeting charts roadmap on medical edu expansion, tech integration, public health initiatives Jammu: A high-level meeting was chaired by Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo to take assessment of the steps taken by the Department of Health & Medical Education (H&ME) as part of an ongoing and sustained process to chart a comprehensive and transformative roadmap []

Srinagar: As part of sustained action against the terror ecosystem, Police in Sopore attached the immovable property of an absconding accused in connection with an E&IMCO case registered at Police Station Panzalla. The attached property comprises land measuring 1 Kanal 12.5 Marlas under Survey Nos. 15 min and 17 min, situated at village Fidarpora, recorded []

WASHINGTON: Without offering a specific threat, US President Donald Trump on Thursday said on Truth Social that Iranian leaders should engage before it is too late, because once that happens, there is NOT TURNING BACK. The post comes a day after Trump insisted a deal is near. He said again Thursday that Iran is begging []

JAMMU: The second leg of the Jammu and Kashmir Assemblys budget session is expected to begin on a stormy note on Friday, with opposition parties gearing up to corner the government over its poll promises and the restoration of statehood. During the 18-day-long first half of the session, which began on February 2, Chief Minister []

Srinagar: The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was closed in Ramban district on Thursday after huge rocks fell on the road, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded on both sides, officials said. An official said that the highway remained blocked due to large boulders and a landslide between Karol Bridge and Chanderkot, halting vehicular movement. Traffic from Jammu []

JAMMU:Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha has recommended the introduction and consideration of a private member bill moved by PDP legislator Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, seeking a statutory framework for reorganisation of administrative divisions, districts, sub-divisions and tehsils in the Union Territory. According to an official order, issued in pursuance of sub-section (1) of Section 36 []

Srinagar: Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) on Thursday conducted raids at multiple locations across Kashmir as part of an ongoing investigation into a transnational terror module, officials said. An official said that searches are being carried out at 10 locations across three districts, including six in Ganderbal, three in Shopian and one in Srinagar. []

Srinagar: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Kashmir, of Crime Branch J&K, today conducted house searches at three different locations in the districts of Srinagar and Budgam in connection with FIR No. 11/2026 registered under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B IPC, read with Section 66-D of the IT Act, at Police Station Economic Offences []

NEW DELHI:Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conveyed to US President Donald Trump that the war in West Asia must end soon as it is hurting everyone, the Government told an up-in-arms Opposition at an all-party meeting on Wednesday, terming Pakistan a dalaal (broker) nation in reference to its reported mediation in the conflict. There is []

DUBAI: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said his government has not engaged in talks to end the war, and we do not plan on any negotiations. His remark came during an interview with the Iranian state TV on Wednesday. The Islamic Republic dismissed an American plan to pause the war in the Middle East and []