Kashmir Reader

Budgam: The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Budgam on Tuesday directed all social media platforms to immediately remove photographs of the minor victim in the recent Budgam rape and murder case, warning of strict legal action against violators. According to an order issued by the Secretary/Sub Judge, DLSA Budgam, authorities observed that photographs of the []

Srinagar: Following the technical snag in the Gulmarg Gondola service, Director Tourism Kashmir, Syed Qamar Sajad, who also holds the additional charge of Managing Director of the J&K Cable Car Corporation, on Tuesday said the Gondola operations will remain suspended for around a week to ensure the safety and security of tourists. He said a []

Mecca: The annual Hajj pilgrimage, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, officially began Monday. More than 1.5 million pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia from outside the country, Saleh bin Saad Al-Murabba, commander of the Hajj passport forces, said Friday. The faithful have been pouring into the country for the Hajj against the backdrop []

NDRF, SDRF, Army, Police jointly evacuate 65 cabins; heavy rain hampers rescue; CM orders enquiry into technical fault Srinagar: Over 300 tourists were left stranded mid-air for hours inside 65 cabins of the famous Gulmarg Gondola cable car after a major technical snag halted Asias highest ropeway, causing panic among the holidayers before they were []

SIT continues probe; our focus now to prepare strong case file, secure conviction in heinous crime: Police Budgam: Police on Monday arrested one of the accused in the rape and murder case of a minor girl in central Kashmirs Budgam district within 36 hours, while efforts are underway to nab other persons involved in the []

Says J&K united against drug menace; leads massive padyatra in Bandipora Bandipora: In a strong message against drug abuse and narco-terrorism, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday led a massive Pad Yatra in SK stadium Bandipora, as part of the ongoing Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyan. The rally witnessed enthusiastic participation from political leaders, students, youth, []

Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday visited the sacred Hazratbal Shrine to review the preparations for the upcoming auspicious festival of Eid ul-Adha. He was accompanied by Dr Syed Darakhshan Andrabi, Chairperson, J&K Waqf Board; Mufti Reyaz ul Haq, Chief Imam Hazratbal Shrine; Anshul Garg, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Rajiv Omprakashn, DIG CKR; Dr. GV []

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Government on Monday sanctioned a special one-day casual leave for employees of the Union Territory on May 29, marking the third day of Eid-ul-Azha. An order to this effect was issued by the General Administration Department. Sanction is hereby accorded to the grant of one day special casual leave on 29th []

Assures expeditious disposal of pending cases Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday handed over appointment orders to beneficiaries under SRO-43 and the J&K Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme (RAS) at the Civil Secretariat here, reaffirming the governments commitment towards supporting families who have suffered irreparable personal loss. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Minister for Food, []

Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday handed over regularisation orders to Contingent Paid Workers (CPWs) of the School Education Department at Civil Secretariat function here. Minister for School Education Sakina Itoo was present on the occasion. Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Special Secretary School Education Ghulam Rasool Mir, Director School []

Srinagar: Reaffirming that the restoration of Jammu and Kashmirs special constitutional status remains the foremost and unwavering objective of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, Party President Dr. Farooq Abdullah Monday said that the party will persist in its principled political struggle under all circumstances until this historic injustice is reversed. Addressing a gathering, Dr. []

Discusses higher edu, regional dev, constituency issues, healthcare, infra projects Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday met legislators, Vice Chancellors and various delegations at the Civil Secretariat here and discussed a wide range of issues concerning regional development, public welfare, higher education, healthcare and infrastructure. A delegation of Members of the Legislative Assembly comprising []

Srinagar: A rescue operation launched after a technical snag halted the Gulmarg Gondola service on Monday concluded successfully, with all stranded tourists evacuated safely, officials said. Officials said that around 400 tourists were stranded mid-air after the cable car service developed a technical fault, forcing suspension of operations at the famous ski resort in north []

Srinagar: Director General of Police, J&K, IGP Kashmir and other top officials have reached Gulmarg to oversee the rescue operations after over 300 tourists were stranded mid-air following a technical issue that halted Gulmarg Gandola service in the afternoon. An official said that rescue operations were underway to assist the stranded tourists in one of []

Srinagar: Police on Monday arrested one of the accused persons in Budgam rape and murder case of a minor girl, officials said here. A top police official said that one of the accused persons, identified as Mudasir, has been arrested within 24 hours of the incident. Efforts are underway to arrest the other accused as []

Srinagar: Police on Monday said that certain misleading and false information is being circulated on Social Media platforms regarding alleged damage or desecration of copies of the Holy Quran in some parts of Srinagar city. In a handout, the police said that in this regard, Srinagar Police clarifies that no such incident has taken place []

Srinaga: The body of a 20-year-old youth from Bemina, who had allegedly jumped into river Jhelum from Budshah Bridge in Srinagar earlier this week, was retrieved from the river near Shalteng Bridge on Monday, officials said. An official said that a police party spotted the body floating in the river and subsequently shifted it to []

Body found 200 metres from house; SIT constituted: Police Shocking, devastating: Mehbooba, Mirwaiz condemn Sakeena Itoo visits family, demands exemplary punishment Srinagar: A 12-year-old girl, who was reported missing from Budgam district on Saturday evening, was found murdered around 200 metres from her house on Sunday morning, with police stating that prima facie it appears []

Budgam: Budgam Police on Sunday issued an advisory warning against the circulation of photographs and identifying particulars of a minor girl victim on social media platforms, stating that such actions are unlawful and have the potential to spread misinformation, create public unrest, and disturb communal harmony. The advisory comes after it came to the notice []

Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has strongly condemned the brutal murder of a young preteen girl in Budgam district, describing the incident as shocking and deeply distressing. Expressing profound grief over the tragedy, the Chief Minister condemned the heinous act in the strongest possible terms and conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family. May []

Calls for taking cue from Ladakh to ensure genuine issues addressed by GoI Srinagar: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Sunday said that in Ladakh, all parties joined hands for the interests of the region, and the Centre was forced to initiate a dialogue with them to address their aspirations. Taking a cue []

Expresses condolences on fathers demise Langate (Handwara): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday visited the residence of Member of Parliament Er Rashid and MLA Langate Khursheed Ahmed Sheikh to offer his heartfelt condolences on the demise of their father, Khizar Mohammad Sheikh, who passed away last week after a prolonged illness. Khizar Mohammad Sheikh, 85, []

Interacts with NCC Cadets at Special National Integration Camp Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday attended the Special National Integration Camp organised by National Cadet Corps (NCC) Directorate, Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh. During his interaction with NCC cadets from across the country, the Lieutenant Governor emphasised that this special camp is a living symbol []

Srinagar: The people of Ladakh have achieved in seven years what Jammu and Kashmir could not do in 70 years, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) MLA Waheed Para said on Sunday, a day after the Centre made an offer of constitutional safeguards to Ladakh. There is a lesson in it for Jammu and Kashmir, Para said []

3.265 kg Charas seized in Anantnag 4.475 kg Charas concealed in front doors Two notorious peddlers booked under PIT NDPS Srinagar: Under the ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyaan, J&K Police has stepped up efforts to combat drug trafficking, misuse, and cultivation across the Union Territory through a series of successful operations, raids, and public []

Jammu: Indian Railways has initiated the dispatch of the seasons first special parcel van carrying fresh cherries from Jammu to Mumbai, ensuring faster transportation of the highly perishable fruit to one of the countrys largest markets. Railway officials said around 12 tonnes of premium-quality cherries, packed in nearly 966 boxes, were loaded into the first []

Soviet-era rocket propelled grenades, explosives recovered in Chandoosa Baramulla: Baramulla Police, in a joint operation, busted a militant hideout and recovered a significant cache of explosives including 14 Soviet-made OG-7V fragmentation rounds meant for RPGs in the Nilsar Kandi area of Chandoosa, Baramulla on May 23, officials said. Acting on specific intelligence generated by J&K []

Bans conferences in private hotels, foreign travel No new posts; vehicle purchases discouraged Official dinners, lunches banned except for LG, CM No foreign travel without Finance Dept approval ACs, lighting to be avoided Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government has announced a series of expenditure-control measures aimed at ensuring fiscal discipline, imposing restrictions on official []

Joins Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Padyatra in Shopian Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday Joined Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Padyatra in Shopian where citizens from all walks of life vowed that narcoterrorists will be driven out from every corner of UT of Jammu Kashmir. Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor said this collective resolve []

Srinagar: Multiple properties valued at around Rs 5 crore belonging to individuals allegedly involved in drug trafficking and related unlawful activities were attached across Srinagar and adjoining districts of Kashmir, police said on Saturday. The action was part of the intensified crackdown against narcotics networks under the ongoing Nasha Mukt J-K Abhiyan, a police spokesperson []

Srinagar: The ongoing anti-drug campaign, Nasha Mukt JK Abhiyaan has recorded remarkable achievements and impact across awareness generation, rehabilitation, law enforcement, treatment, surveillance and prevention initiatives, reflecting an unprecedented whole-of-government approach against the menace of substance abuse in Jammu and Kashmir. As on today, the campaign has mobilized lakhs of citizens, strengthened institutional response mechanisms, []

Srinagar: At the revered Khanqah-e-Moula on Saturday, age appeared to be just a number as 80-year-old Mohammed Salam sat in the front row among devotees, immersed in prayers and devotion to Hazrat Ameer Kabir Mir Syed Ali Hamdani (RA). The historic shrine witnessed thousands of devotees offering prayers and seeking blessings in an atmosphere filled []

Srinagar: Kashmirs horticulture and agriculture sector has suffered nearly 30 percent damage due to repeated hailstorms across the Valley this year, leaving growers in deep financial distress and pushing many towards mounting debt, growers on Saturday said. In a joint press conference in Sopore, President Kashmir Fruit Growers & Dealers Association, Fayaz Ahmed Malik @ []

Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday announced summer vacations for schools in the summer zone of Jammu division starting June 1, due to the prevailing heatwave conditions across the region. Education minister Sakina Itoo announced this in a post on X. Considering the prevailing weather conditions, summer vacations for schools in the Summer []

Reviews Transport Dept performance; stresses safer roads, smarter enforcement Srinagar: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, chaired a comprehensive review meeting of the Transport Department to assess the progress achieved in road safety, traffic enforcement, technology integration and implementation of key recommendations aimed at improving traffic management and reducing road accidents across Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting []

Jammu: The Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express service has recorded more than one lakh passengers within 22 days of commencing commercial operations, marking a significant milestone in rail connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Saturday. Passengers are paying Rs 730, excluding catering charges, for the journey, they said, asserting that the rail route is []

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government has imposed a series of austerity measures for the financial year 2026-27, including a ban on official dinners, restrictions on purchase of new vehicles and foreign travel, and a freeze on creation of new posts. The Finance Department has been directed to enforce fiscal prudence and rationalise expenditure across []

WASHINGTON: Tulsi Gabbard resigned as President Donald Trumps director of national intelligence on Friday, saying she needed to step away as her husband battles cancer. She is the fourth Cabinet official to depart during Trumps second term. In her resignation letter, which she posted on social media, Gabbard said she told Trump she would leave []

Senior Counsel Adv. Zaffar Shah Calls For Collective Action To Save Youth From Drug Addiction Srinagar: A community awareness and empowerment programme titled Resilient Minds, Drug-Free Future was organised by Common Interest Conversations at Amar Singh Club Srinagar, bringing together intellectuals, legal experts, educationists, psychiatrists, doctors, social activists and civil society members to deliberate on []

To have constitutional safeguards on Art 371 model Srinagar: The prolonged standoff between Ladakh and the Union Government over safeguards and the form of elected governance has almost come to an end, with both sides reaching an understanding on key issues on Friday. Two groups spearheading the agitation in the Union Territory claimed that they []

Film aims to spread anti-drug message Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday unveiled the poster of Ek Galat Kadam, an awareness short film on drug abuse, at Lok Bhavan. The short film features Mahira Tandon, the Youth Ambassador of Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyaan. The LG congratulated and extended his best wishes to the entire []

NC-Congress alliance intact, BJP creating noise Srinagar: National Conference (NC) president Dr Farooq Abdullah on Friday said the elected government had no involvement in the demolition drive in Jammus Sidhra area, asserting that the matter was under investigation. Speaking to reporters here, Dr Abdullah said, We are not involved in this. Those who have done []

Raises MSME credit concerns before Parl Standing Committee on Industry Srinagar: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Friday urged strict implementation of the Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs in Jammu & Kashmir, alleging that banks continue to demand collateral despite government-backed guarantees. During a meeting with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industry, []

Srinagar: In a decisive move to strengthen the fight against substance abuse in Jammu and Kashmir, Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo today called for adopting a comprehensive roadmap and awareness mechanism in all educational institutions and coaching centres across Jammu and Kashmir to identify and prevent drug abuse []

One-way traffic at key locations; e-rickshaw zones notified Srinagar: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo today chaired the 5th meeting of the Multi-Disciplinary Committee (MDC) on Traffic Management System to review the implementation of a comprehensive action plan aimed at easing traffic congestion and improving mobility in the twin cities of Jammu and Srinagar. The meeting was []

Srinagar: In a concerted effort to combat drug trafficking and illegal narcotics trade under the ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan, police across multiple districts have taken stringent action against notorious drug peddlers by attaching their properties, including houses, shops, and land, in line with the NDPS Act. In a major crackdown, Baramulla police []

Srinagar: Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai on Friday called upon Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha here, an official spokesman said. Lt Gen Ghai, who is the Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy), called on the J-K LG at the Raj Bhavan here, the spokesman said. Lt Gen Ghai was []

Sub-Committee reviews public issues, asks for identification of chronic problem areas SRINAGAR: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Friday chaired a meeting of the Sub-Committee constituted to examine the issues related to Gair MumkinKhads in Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting, held at the Civil Secretariat Srinagar, was attended by Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology []

Srinagar: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr. Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq, while speaking at the Friday congregation at the historic Jamia Masjid Srinagar, said: Today, as we gather at this historic pulpit of Jama Masjid, our hearts are filled with pain and disappointment that we were once again not allowed to visit Mazar e shuhuda Eidgah to pay tribute []

JAMMU: A 22-year-old woman allegedly set herself ablaze here after her boyfriend did not respond to her phone calls, police said on Friday. The incident occurred near the Tawi bridge area on Thursday when the woman allegedly poured an inflammable substance on herself and set herself on fire in a fit of rage, they said. []