Kashmir Reader

KOLKATA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday congratulated Suvendu Adhikari on taking oath as West Bengals first BJP chief minister, saying that he was deeply connected to the people and understood their aspirations. Adhikari took the oath at the iconic Brigade Parade Grounds in the presence of Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the BJPs []

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As lobbying intensifies among the three top contenders for the chief ministers post, senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan on Saturday said the party high command was likely to take a final decision on Keralas next CM within 24 hours. The UDFs sweeping Assembly poll victory in Kerala has triggered a wave of lobbying and []

Leaves behind six-month-old child, widow and three sisters Hajin: Silence hung heavy over Hajin on Friday as cries of grief echoed through its narrow lanes after three young cousins were laid to rest, hours after the River Jhelum swallowed them while they were washing tent equipment on its banks. What was supposed to be a []

Srinagar: Properties worth over Rs 6.5 crore, allegedly acquired through illicit drug trafficking, were on Friday attached in the Anantnag district, making it the single largest attachment under the NDPS Act in Jammu and Kashmir, police said. In continuation of its sustained and aggressive crackdown against the narcotics network, the Anantnag police initiated seizure proceedings []

Says drug abuse more in Jammu but coercive action focused on Valley Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Health Minister Sakina Itoo on Friday said demolishing properties under the garb of fighting drug menace should be stopped. The minister also claimed that while drug abuse was more prevalent in the Jammu region, the focus of coercive action []

Srinagar: Lok Sabha MP Ruhullah Mehdi on Friday said action should be taken against those police officers in whose jurisdictions drug trafficking takes place in Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking to reporters here, Mehdi, the National Conference (NC) MP from Srinagar, also said drug trafficking cannot take place without the connivance of some officials in the []

Bodies recovered after massive rescue op CM, LG, political leaders express grief Bandipora: A pall of gloom descended over Hajin town in north Kashmirs Bandipora district on Friday after three young men drowned in the river Jhelum while washing tent equipment near Check Chandergeer area. The tragic incident triggered scenes of mourning across the locality []

Says LoP impatient to occupy CMs chair Claims BJP wont restore statehood until it forms govt in J&K Accuses opposition of blackmail politics Srinagar: There is no Eknath Shinde in the National Conference and all its legislators stand firmly with the party, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Friday. The CM alleged that the Bharatiya []

Interacts with govt-constituted drafting committee Srinagar: In a significant push for a comprehensive reset of Jammu & Kashmirs industrial landscape, the Valleys apex industrial body, the Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK), on Friday outlined six core contours which, in its view, should guide the forthcoming Industrial Policy and the institutional mechanism for effective []

Transporters demand one person, one registration for e-rickshaws Committee to examine Smart City bus routes beyond Sgr limits Srinagar: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Transport, Youth Services & Sports, Information Technology, and Science & Technology, Satish Sharma, on Friday chaired a comprehensive meeting with the representatives of transport associations and unions of []

Chief Minister with J&Ks Grand Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday met several public representatives, various deputations and individuals at his Public Services & Outreach Office Raabita here and discussed a range of public welfare and developmental issues concerning Jammu & Kashmir. MLA Zadibal, Tanvir Sadiq, called on the Chief Minister and []

CS reviews framework for treatment, reintegration, livelihood support Srinagar: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Friday chaired a meeting of the concerned Administrative Secretaries to deliberate upon the comprehensive rehabilitation plan for victims of drug abuse prepared by the Social Welfare Department in consultation with various government departments and stakeholders. The meeting was attended by Additional []

GANDERBAL: Dr. Somdev Bhardwaj, organizing secretary, Vigyan Bharati (North India), delivered an insightful lecture on Indian Knowledge Tradition and Earth Conservation at the Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir). Vice-Chancellor, Prof. A. Ravindar Nath, along with faculty members, research scholars, and students were present during the lecture held on World Earth Day. In his address, Dr. []

NEW DELHI: Indias sports administrators have been warned that those who treat multi-sport events as paid holidays would be called back midway from these competitions to ensure that athletes do not suffer because of their lackadaisical attitude. With the country gearing up for the upcoming Commonwealth Games (July-August in Glasgow) and the Asian Games (September-October []

PULWAMA: As part of the ongoing 100-day campaign under the Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyan, a series of awareness and outreach activities were conducted on Friday across District Pulwama to spread awareness against drug abuse and promote a healthy and drug-free society. A mega awareness programme was organised at Panchayat Halqa Machama Tral with []

Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyan REASI: In an effort to spread awareness about the ill effects of drug abuse and make Reasi a drug-free district, the district administration today organised a mega awareness programme under the Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyan at the Deputy Commissioners Office Complex. Commissioner Secretary, Forest, Ecology and Environment, Sheetal Nanda, was []

NEW DELHI: A new scientific study exploring the mysterious origins of some of the worlds largest diamonds is raising an intriguing question: could legendary gems such as the Kohinoor have formed deep within strange iron-rich regions hidden inside Earth? While the research did not specifically study the Kohinoor diamond, scientists say the findings may help []

KOLKATA: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said infiltration and cattle smuggling would become impossible in West Bengal under the BJP government, as he formally announced Suvendu Adhikari as the leader of the BJP legislature party and the partys chief ministerial face. Addressing BJP MLAs and senior leaders at a charged legislature party meeting []

SRINAGAR: Army and civil administration on Friday rescued 20 tourists, including eight children, from the higher reaches of Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir after they got stranded due to a technical snag in a private helicopter, officials said. The tourists six men, six women and eight children had travelled to the snow-bound area []

Srinagar : While addressing the Friday congregation at Jama Masjid Srinagar, Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr. Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq said that the banning of Jamia Siraj Ul Uloom under the stringent UAPA is a serious matter, stroking the apprehension among people that our religious identity, and educational institutions being run by trusts and local committees are being []

Bandipora: Bodies of three youth were recovered after they drowned into the river Jhelum in Hajin area of north Kashmirs Bandipora on Friday, officials said. An official said that the incident took place in the Check Chandergeer area when the three youths were washing tent material on the banks of the river. He said local []

Hajin: Two persons are feared drowned while another one was rescued after three men slipped into the Jhelum river in Hajin area of north Kashmirs Bandipora district on Friday, officials said. An official saidthat the incident occurred when the trio was washing their tents on the banks of the river He said one of them []

CHENNAI: The Thol Thirumavalavan-led VCK will meet on Friday to make a crucial decision on supporting Vijays TVK in government formation. VCK has been a trusted ally of the DMK facing several elections together. The party has secured two seats in the April 23 Assembly election. Stating that VCK cannot take a magic decision on []

Chairs second round of Budget implementation review Srinagar: Concluding the discussions in the follow-up meeting held to review the Budget announcements for implementation during 202627, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday chaired the second round of meetings at the Civil Secretariat here to fast-track implementation of key Budget initiatives, with a focus on timely delivery []

Chairs Provincial Working committee meeting; CM Abdullah, Cabinet ministers attend Srinagar: A one-day meeting of the Working Committee of the Jammu & Kashmir National Conferences Kashmir Province was held on Thursday at the party headquarters, Nawa-e-Subah Complex, under the chairmanship of Party President Dr. Farooq Abdullah. The meeting was attended by Party Vice President and []

Gets binding directions for Traffic Police in landmark ruling Srinagar: In a significant ruling that extends far beyond her own case, Advocate Ahra Syed, a practicing lawyer before the Supreme Court of India and the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir, has secured the quashment of five e-challans from the Court of Special Mobile Magistrate []

Intensify activities under Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyaan Srinagar: Director Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Shreya Singhal on Thursday chaired a review meeting to assess the functioning and performance of District Information Centres (DICs) across the Kashmir Division. She also reviewed the ongoing activities of the department being conducted under the Nasha Mukt Jammu []

Srinagar: Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Railways, Zahid Naseem Manhas, IPS, conducted a comprehensive security review during an official visit to the Railway Police Kashmir Zonal Headquarters on Thursday. Upon his arrival, the DIG was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour by a contingent of the Kashmir Railway Police, followed by a high-level security []

Srinagar: The government Thursday ordered shifting of salary disbursement for employees of four power corporations under the Power Development Department (PDD) to the Jammu & Kashmir Payment System (JKPaySys) platform, mandating an employee-wise CPIS based drawl. Financial Commissioner (ACS), Shailendra Kumar in an order said the employee-wise salary after its shifting to JKPaySys Portal, shall []

Anantnag: Senior Congress leader and AICC General Secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir on Thursday said its alliance partner, National Conference should keep the Congress informed from time to time on issues concerning the Union Territory. Speaking with reporters in Anantnag, Mir said major matters should also be discussed with the Congress central leadership and that this []

ISLAMABAD/WASHINGTON/DUBAI: The United States and Iran are edging toward a limited, temporary agreement to halt their war, sources and officials said on Thursday, with a draft framework that would stop the fighting but leave the most contentious issues unresolved. The emerging plan centers on a short-term memorandum rather than a comprehensive peace deal, underscoring deep []

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau on Thursday registered a Disproportionate Assets case against a Chief Accounts Officer over allegations of acquiring assets worth crores beyond his known sources of income, officials said. In a statement, a spokesperson said the Jammu & Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a Disproportionate Assets (DA) case against []

KOLKATA: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav met TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee on Thursday and expressed solidarity with the its leadership following the partys defeat in the West Bengal assembly polls. Yadav was received by TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee at the Kalighat residence of the partys supreme leader. The meeting assumed political significance amid []

Srinaga:Authorities on Thursday removed the Head of the Department of Media Studies at Amar Singh College following an alleged harassment complaint filed by a student. Top officials of Higher Education Department informed that HoD, Department of Media Studies had been disassociated from all academic affairs of the Department with immediate effect, pending the outcome of []

Anantnag: Senior Congress leader and AICC General Secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir on Thursday said its alliance partner, National Conference should keep the Congress informed from time to time on issues concerning the Union Territory. Speaking with reporters in Anantnag, Mir, said major matters should also be discussed with the Congress central leadership and that this []

Srinagar: On the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Thursday praised the Indian Armed forces for their resolve and extraordinary courage. In a post on X, LG Sinha, said, As we mark the anniversary of #OperationSindoor, we bow in reverence to the men and women in uniform whose unwavering []

Kulgam: A man was found dead in the Subhanpora area of Qaimoh along the NH-44 in south Kashmirs Kulgam district on Thursday morning, officials said. An official said that the body was spotted by locals near the highway at Subhanpora, following which police rushed to the spot. He said the incident appears to be a []

New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday paid rich tributes to the valour and sacrifices of the Indian armed forces on the anniversary of Operation Sindoor, describing it as a symbol of national resolve and preparedness. In a post on X, Singh, said the operation reflected the armed forces unmatched precision, seamless jointness and []

CHENNAI: The newly elected MLAs of the party have been taken to neighbouring Puducherry, the AIADMK has said. AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathyan, speaking to PTI on Wednesday, said that the party MLAs have been lodged in Puducherry. However, he did not elaborate on the number of MLAs taken to Puducherry. Also, he did not specify []

Srinagar: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K has filed a chargesheet before the Judicial Magistrate 1st Class, Shopian, in connection with a major financial fraud case at HDFC Banks Shopian branch involving 11 accused, officials said on Thursday. In a statement, a spokesperson said the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Kashmir, of []

KOLKATA: BJP leader Suvendu Adhikaris personal assistant was shot dead by unidentified assailants in West Bengals North 24 Parganas district, party sources said. The incident took place at Doharia in Madhyamgram area, where Chandranath Rath, who served as the executive assistant to the leader of opposition in the state assembly, was attacked on a public []

Over 5700 selections finalized in last 18 Months: Chairman JKSSB SRINAGAR: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo on Wednesday chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the recruitment process undertaken by the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) in various departments like Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare, []

Meets public delegations SRINAGAR: Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary on Wednesday inspected the ongoing construction of a new building for upgradation of the Surgery, Medicine and Radiology departments at Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar. During the inspection, he emphasized the importance of timely completion of the project and strict adherence to quality standards. He stated []

BANDIPORA: A 30-day free computer training course for underprivileged students organised by the 45 Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) under its Civic Action Programme concluded on Wednesday in Sumbal. The course was conducted at Rizwana B.Ed College, Asham, where several students from economically weaker sections participated and received basic computer training during []

Lays foundation for devworks at Aishmuqam SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board Chairperson Dr Syed Darakhshan Andrabi visited the Ziyarat of Sakhi Zainuddin Wali (RA) at Aishmuqam in South Kashmir, paid obeisance, and laid the foundation for the construction of a retaining wall at the shrine, before inaugurating the reconstruction and beautification project at the []

Inspects JJM, tribal infrastructure, forest projects SRINAGAR: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana on Wednesday conducted an extensive tour of Shopian and Pulwama districts to assess the progress of key developmental initiatives being executed under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), Tribal Affairs Department and Forest sector. During []

Stresses coordinated efforts for smooth &safe pilgrimage GANDERBAL: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ganderbal, Jatin Kishore on Wednesday chaired a meeting to review arrangements for the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026 along the Baltal axis. At the outset, a detailed review of security arrangements was conducted with the Police Department. Directions were given to finalize deployment []

Warm farewell accorded to Khalid Jahangir SRINAGAR: Mohammad Younis Malik on Wednesday assumed charge as the Director of the Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI). The charge was handed over in a brief yet dignified ceremony held at the institutes Sempora campus, marking the transition of leadership at the premier entrepreneurship promotion organization of []

SRINAGAR: In preparation for the forthcoming visit of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Housing and Urban Affairs (202526) to Jammu and Kashmir from May 10 to 12, Faz Lul Haseeb, Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), today chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the readiness of all departments and finalize logistical and administrative arrangements for []

AWANTIPORA: The Department of Philosophy, Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Kashmir, in collaboration with the Department of Philosophy, University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD), organised an international seminar titled Intersections: A Philosophy Webinar, promoting meaningful academic exchange between South and Southeast Asian scholars. The seminar brought together distinguished academicians to deliberate on key []