Kashmir Reader

JANGIPUR (WB): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday intensified the BJPs pitch on identity and infiltration in poll-bound West Bengal, promising to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) to end what he called the politics of appeasement and asserting that the BJP would not allow Bengalis to become a minority in the state. Addressing a []

Calls for safe, unimpeded navigation NEW DELHI: Expressing deep concern over the developments in West Asia, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said India firmly opposes the targeting of civilians, of infrastructure and of commercial shipping while strongly demanding that navigation must remain safe and unimpeded. In these turbulent times, the situation in West []

NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday informed that another 312 Indian fishermen have been safely evacuated from Iran to India via Armenia. He expressed gratitude to his Armenian counterpart, Ararat Mirzoyan, and the Government of Armenia for facilitating the evacuation. In a post on X, Jaishankar said, Another 312 Indian fishermen have []

NEW DELHI: As crucial talks between the United States and Iran commenced in Islamabad on Saturday, the Congress party expressed cautious optimism about prospects for peace while mounting a sharp critique of the Centres foreign policy, raising what it described as serious questions about Indias strategic positioning in a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape. In a []

BHOPAL: Asserting that the Union government is truly implementing the Jai JawanJai Kisan slogan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said that the use of millets is being promoted in the armed forces to economically strengthen farmers. Singh made the remarks after inaugurating the three-day Unnat Krishi Mahotsav in Raisen, Madhya Pradesh. He said that []

SRINAGAR/JAMMU: Marking a definitive stand against substance abuse, the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) J&K successfully organized the first day of the historic 100 Day Special Campaign under the Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan. As J&K has launched 100-day campaign under Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyan, the Directorate of YSS has also devised []

SRINAGAR: Real Kashmir Football Club (RKFC) will look to turn their fortunes around when they face Gokulam Kerala FC in an Indian Football League (IFL) clash on Sunday (April 12) at TRC Ground, Srinagar. The match is scheduled to kick off at 4 pm and will be live on several channels. Owned by Arshad Shawl, []

The question that remains is unavoidable: will Arab governments continue to anchor themselves to a failing Israeli-American project? The knives are outand this time, they are not aimed at Tehran, but at Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu. Even the ever morally flexible Chris Christie moved quickly. The former New Jersey governor and longtime Republican insider, []

A collective open letter to Financial Commissioner, Revenue, and Commissioner Secretary, Revenue. Irrational halqas. Rs 2,400 grade pay. No technical grade. Unrealistic digitisation deadlines. A three-day pen-down strike proposed for April 13, 15, and 16. Let this moment be remembered not for unrest, but for resolution. Mir Amin Respected Sir, With utmost respect, deep regard, []

NEW DELHI: Negative effects of artificial sweeteners, such as sucralose and stevia, on the gut microbiome and gene expression may pass on to the next generation, according to a study in mice. Studies have linked artificial sweeteners with gastrointestinal and neurological issues, including headache, and with metabolic conditions such as cardiovascular risk and diabetes. We []

JAMMU: The White Knight Corps of the Army on Saturday joined the 100-day Nasha Mukht Abhiyan led by Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha which aims to eradicate the scourge of addiction from the Union territory, officials said. Chief of Staff (COS) White Knight Corps launched a three-month-long series of public outreach activities as []

JAMMU: Conservation efforts at north Kashmirs Wular Lake, one of Asias largest freshwater lakes and a crucial Ramsar site, have restored around five sq km of critically silted area and involved the phased removal of 1.31 lakh willow trees as part of a scientific plan to revive the wetlands ecological balance, officials said. Nearly 78.43 []

NEW DELHI: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri will undertake a three-day visit to Paris and Berlin beginning Sunday for high-level talks on energy, trade and defence sectors that have become increasingly critical amid a fractured geopolitical landscape. Misris visit to France and Germany comes at the end of his trip to the US, where he []

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday described Mahatma Jyotirao Phule as a great reformer and said his life was one of moral courage, restless enquiry and unshakable commitment to social good. In a signed article posted on his website , on Phules birth anniversary, Modi said Phule is remembered for the []

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trumps plans for a new triumphal arch in the capital, unveiled on Friday, include a towering winged figure with a Lady Liberty-like torch and crown, flanked by two eagles and guarded by four lions all gilded. The 12-page plan released by the US Commission on Fine Arts shows the arch []

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has expressed confidence ahead of talks between the United States and Iran on a resolution to the conflict, expected to start Saturday in Islamabad, with Vice President J D Vance leading the US delegation. I wished him luck. Hes got a big thing, Trump said in his parting message to Vance []

Meets delegations; assesses key civic, development issues JAMMU: Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary on Friday reiterated the governments firm commitment towards ensuring balanced and equitable development of both Jammu and Srinagar cities. The Deputy Chief Minister made these remarks while interacting with various public and individual delegations at the Civil Secretariat, Jammu. A delegation led []

DC Srinagar conducts site review of fencing, allied upgradation works SRINAGAR: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labroo on Friday conducted a detailed site inspection of ongoing fencing along the sides of historic Old City Bridges and allied upgradation works in the Shahr-e-Khaas areas of the district, underscoring the administrations firm commitment to strengthening pedestrian safety []

Rs 129.14 lakh approved for utilization across various CSSs GANDERBAL: Member of Parliament (MP) from Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Friday chaired a review meeting in Ganderbal to assess healthcare services and development works at District Hospital Ganderbal. During the meeting, a comprehensive review of implementation of government health schemes was carried []

Highlights human cost of conflict, backs diplomacy SRINAGAR: Addressing the Friday congregation at the historic Jama Masjid, Srinagar, Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr. Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq said that the entire world is looking towards Islamabad with hope and anticipation, awaiting a breakthrough that will steer the region away from further conflict and restore peace. He said the []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Provincial President Showkat Mir Friday said that the government led by Omar Abdullah has ushered in a new direction in governance and development across Jammu and Kashmir, with a strong focus on welfare-oriented policies and inclusive growth. He made these remarks while interacting with party functionaries, workers and []

SRINAGAR: In order to review the arrangements for upcoming Baisakhi festival being celebrated on April 14, a meeting was held under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner(DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labrooon Friday at Meeting Hall of the DC Office. The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner, Rifat Aftab Qureshi, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mir Imtiyaz Ul Aziz, []

Srinagar, April 10: Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Bandipora organizsd a Training Programme on Nutritional Empowerment of Adolescent Girls Through Balanced Diet Promotion in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Association of Social Workers with the objective of creating awareness among adolescent girls regarding the importance of balanced nutrition, dietary diversification, and adoption of healthy food []

SRINAGAR: In a major development, the Office of the Development Commissioner, Ministry of MSME, GoI has approved the proposal from Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) to act as a Host Institute/Business Incubator under the MSME Innovative Scheme. This landmark decision is expected to significantly boost innovation and technology development in the Kashmir region, []

Bandipora,: In a continued effort to promote community welfare and outreach, the Indian Armys Manasbal Rashtriya Rifles Battalion under Kilo Force organised a comprehensive medical camp titled Sehat-o-Afiyat (Health & Well-being) at Rawatpura village in Ajas, a remote mid-ridge area of Bandipora district. The camp witnessed an overwhelming response, with approximately 500 local residents, []

ISLAMABAD: (Apr 10) Pakistans interior minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday reviewed the security arrangements in Islamabad ahead of the arrival of the Iranian and US delegations for peace talks aimed to end the conflict in West Asia. The US and Iran agreed to a two-week conditional ceasefire on Wednesday, followed by a face-to-face meeting in []

Reviews preparations for 100-day Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyaan campaign Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting to review the preparedness for the upcoming 100-day intensive campaign under the Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyaan. The campaign, aimed at eradicating drug abuse from the Union Territory, will be marked by a series of []

Encourages new appointees to work with sincerity & dedication Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday formally distributed appointment orders under SRO-43 and the Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme (RAS) to 90 beneficiaries from across Kashmir division at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC). The appointments, made on compassionate grounds, aim to provide much-needed employment support to []

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday lauded Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for promptly ordering an inquiry into allegations that the Ganderbal encounter was fake. The good thing is that there was no attempt to hide anything. The honourable L-G promptly accepted our request for a time-bound and transparent probe into the []

Dedicates 3.17 crore community hall at Umerhair, Buchpora to public Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that the government is planning to develop modern, well-planned housing colonies to decongest Srinagar city, emphasizing that providing dignified housing to the underprivileged is both a responsibility and a duty of the government. Addressing a large public []

Jammu: Nation-building is rooted in our shared mindset. A strong nation stands on citizens integrity, common values, and trust among people, not just buildings. My message to the youth is that true nationhood sparks alive when self-interest gives way to community good, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Thursday. The Lieutenant Governor said the cultural []

CS orders strict monitoring, action against violators Jammu: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting with the concerned Administrative Secretaries, Divisional Commissioners and District Administrations to review the availability and distribution of essential commodities across the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir in light of the evolving geopolitical situation in West Asia, []

Home Dept issues formal notification Srinagar: The much-talked-about high-security prison in Jammu & Kashmir is now ready, with the Home Department officially notifying it as a prison. The Union Territorys Home Department has issued a notification declaring it both a prison and a designated high-security jail. In pursuance of sub-section (1) of Section 3 of []

Calls for accelerated implementation, inter-departmental coordination to enhance transparency, citizen services JAMMU: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo on Thursday chaired a meeting to review the progress of key e-governance and digital transformation initiatives being implemented across Jammu and Kashmir in collaboration with Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-Informatics (BISAG-N). The meeting besides the Secretary, []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu & Kashmir National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah Thursday led senior party functionaries in felicitating and warmly welcoming Additional General Secretary & Rajya Sabha MP Chowdhary Mohammed Ramzan at party headquarters Nawa-e-Subha. On the occasion, the party leadership expressed strong confidence in MP Ramzans vast experience, unwavering commitment and tireless dedication to []

TEHRAN: Pro-Iran groups have used artificial intelligence to create slick internet memes in English to try to shape the narrative during the war against the U.S. and Israel and foster opposition to it. Analysts say the memes appear to be coming from groups linked to the government in Tehran and are part of a strategy []

Srinagar: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday arrested a Panchayat Secretary in Kulgam after catching him red-handed while accepting a Rs 5,000 bribe for clearing MGNREGA labour bills, officials said. According to a statement, a spokesperson said the J&K Anti Corrupting Bureau received a written complaint to the effect that Panchayat Secretary (VLW) of []

HALDIA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday slammed the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal for its alleged misrule and appealed to voters to oust the TMC from power in the upcoming assembly polls. Addressing a gathering in Haldia, the backyard of Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, Modi said that the ruling dispensation in the []

Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the United States must control Israel to ensure the success of the ongoing ceasefire efforts in the Middle East, asserting that the conflict was not initiated by Iran but imposed on it. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event at SKICC Srinagar, the Chief Minister, []

Kupwara: At least six passenger buses were damaged after a fire broke out at the Kupwara bus stand in north Kashmir late last night, officials said on Thursday. An official said that six buses were damaged in the incident, while the fire and emergency services rushed to the spot and brought the flames under control. []

GUWAHATI: Polling for all 126 Assam assembly constituencies began on Thursday to decide the electoral fate of 722 candidates, officials said. In the high-stakes election, the ruling BJP is aiming for a third consecutive term in office, while the Congress seeks to wrest power after being ousted in 2016. Polling, being held in a single []

Trump pulls back on his threats as discussions over Strait of Hormuz control, Irans nuclear demands continue Tehran: Iran, the United States and Israel reached a tentative, two-week ceasefire Wednesday in the war that tore across the Middle East and disrupted the global energy market, with US President Donald Trump pulling back from his threats []

New Delhi: India on Wednesday welcomed the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, and hoped the development will encourage peace efforts in Ukraine. Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing on recent developments in West Asia in the national capital, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the Ministry continues to closely monitor the situation []

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah Wednesday welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Iran, the United States and Israel, describing it as a momentous step toward global peace and a triumph for humanity. Dr. Farooq expressed his profound appreciation that the concerned nations opted for dialogue over confrontation, emphasizing that no []

Srinagar: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCC&I) has welcomed the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, expressing hope that the development will ease geopolitical tensions and restore economic stability across regions impacted by the conflict. The Chamber, in a statement issued to the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that []

Leads pledge on mental health, drug de-addiction, environment, road safety; urges youth to drive change Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday underscored the need for a collective responsibility in addressing key social challenges, stating that while several responsibilities lie with the government, many others must be shared by society as a whole. He made []

Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday chaired a meeting on Heritage Promotion and Cultural Tourism in Jammu & Kashmir to review measures for conservation and adaptive reuse of heritage assets aimed at boosting tourism in Jammu and Kashmir. The Chief Minister stressed the need to strengthen institutional mechanisms and develop heritage-based tourism circuits to []

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday terminated the services of two government employees for their alleged links with militant outfits, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen, official sources said. The dismissals were carried out under Article 311(2)(c) of the Constitution as part of the administrations zero-tolerance to terror policy, aimed at rooting []

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, has prorogued the Legislative Assembly of the Union Territory, formally winding up the Legislative Assembly session. According to a bulletin issued by the Assembly Secretariat, the order dated April 7, 2026, was issued by the Lieutenant Governor in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 18(2)(a) of []

Srinagar: The popular tourist resort of Gulmarg and few other areas in the higher reaches of Kashmir received fresh snowfall on Wednesday, while rains lashed the plains of the valley, the meteorological department said. According to the Met, erratic weather would continue till April 10. The higher reaches of the valley including the popular ski-resort []