Kashmir Reader

KOLKATA: Voting began on Thursday in 152 constituencies in the first phase of the West Bengal assembly elections, amid unprecedented security arrangements and a high-stakes battle that could shape the direction of the entire contest. Polling started at 7 am with voters queueing up outside booths in districts ranging from Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri in the []

Bandipora: A local court in Bandipora has acquitted an accused in an illegal mining case, holding that prosecution under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act cannot proceed without a mandatory complaint by an authorised officer. The Additional Sessions Court in Bandipora has acquitted Imtiyaz Ahmad Bhat in a case registered under the []

Jammu/Srinagar (PTI) Political parties across the spectrum on Wednesday paid tributes to the 26 people who were gunned down by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists in Pahalgam last year, describing the attack as a wound whose scars will never fully heal. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha took to X to pay homage to the victims. Humble tributes to []

Directs round-the-clock care for injured, disbursement of relief Calls for strict enforcement of traffic regulations Udhampur: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday visited Government Medical College Udhampur to enquire about the health of those injured in the tragic road accident that occurred earlier this week. He interacted with the injured and their families, directing officials []

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday visited Government Medical College in Jammu to inquire about the health of citizens who were critically injured in an unfortunate road accident in Ramnagar, Udhampur on April 20. The team of doctors briefed the Lieutenant Governor on the health condition of the injured and the specialized treatment protocols []

Jammu: As part of a periodic review a high-level meeting was on Wednesday convened by Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo to take stock of the availability and distribution of essential commodities across the districts of J&K in the aftermath of the recent West Asia crisis that had initially given rise to the apprehensions of impacting the []

New factory to create 500 jobs, boost Jammu & Kashmir JAMMU: The Lieutenant Governor, Shri Manoj Sinha today inaugurated Eveready Industries India Limiteds new industrial unit in Samba. The plant established with an investment of Rs.200 crore, will create local jobs, boost ancillary units, suppliers, and service providers, promote skill development, generate opportunities for women, []

Jammu: Several public representatives on Wednesday called on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah here and discussed a range of developmental and governance-related matters. Among those who called on the Chief Minister were Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Sajad Ahmad Kichloo, MLA Inderwal Payare Lal Sharma and former Minister Abdul Ghani Kohli. During the interactions, the visiting []

Sakeena Itoo congratulates students JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) today declared the results of Annual/Regular 12th Class (Summer Zone) areas of Jammu division. As per the official statistics, a total of 39,309 students appeared in the examination (20,376 boys and 18,933 girls), out of which 35,299 (18117 boys and 17182 girls) []

SRINAGAR: Kashmirs chief preacher Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Wednesday expressed solidarity with the families of the Pahalgam terror attack victims. On the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, we remember with deep sorrow those who lost their lives and stand in solidarity with their families, who continue to bear the pain of this tragedy, []

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said the government remains committed to ensuring that incidents like the Pahalgam terror attack never happen again. Speaking with reporters, CM Omar said this day is painful as the region remembers the victims who were killed while on vacations. Today is a very painful day []

Srinagar: Marking one year since the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 civilians dead, the Indian Army on Wednesday reaffirmed its resolve against terrorism, recalling its response under Operation Sindoor and warning of assured retaliation against any acts targeting India. On April 22, 2025, terrorists opened fire in the tourist town of Pahalgam in []

NEW DELHI:) On the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday asserted that India will never bow to any form of terror and the heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed. The Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba carried out an attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on this day []

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has indefinitely extended the ceasefire with Iran at the request of mediator Pakistan, saying the move was aimed at giving Tehrans fractured leadership time to come up with a unified proposal to end the seven-week war. The dramatic announcement came just hours before the two-week ceasefire announced on April 8 []

If we choose not to visit, that would be wrong, say tourists Pahalgam: A memorial has been erected in the hill resort of Pahalgam as a sombre tribute to the 25 tourists and a local ponywallah who lost their lives in a brutal terror attack last year, even as authorities beefed up security across Kashmir []

New Delhi: On the eve of the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian Army on Tuesday reaffirmed its resolve to fight against terrorism, and said, When boundaries of humanity are crossed, the response is decisive. On April 22 last year, terrorists killed 26 people, mostly tourists, at Pahalgam in south Kashmir. In []

Pahalgam: In a poignant gesture of remembrance and solidarity, Maharashtra ministers led by Sanjay Shirsat and Yogesh Kadam on Tuesday inaugurated a newly constructed house for Syed Adil Hussain Shah, who lost his life during the Pahalgam terror attack while bravely saving tourists last year. The ceremony, held in the presence of residents and officials, []

Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday unveiled the JanuaryMarch 2026 edition of the Six Seasons Shishur (Severe Cold) magazine of the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department at the Civil Secretariat here. The issue, themed Shishur, captures the winter essence of J&K and highlights a range of tourism initiatives undertaken during the period. The []

Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday flagged off seven ambulances and other healthcare equipment from Civil Secretariat, Jammu for multiple districts across Jammu and Kashmir, provided by Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. The ambulances have been distributed across Jammu and Kashmir at a total cost []

Srinagar: Assuring that all necessary security arrangements have been put in place, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar Dr G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy on Tuesday said that Jammu and Kashmir Police are fully prepared to ensure a safe, smooth and peaceful Darbar Move from Jammu to Srinagar. Speaking on the sidelines of an event held at []

Jammu: Several legislators and other deputations on Tuesday called on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and raised various issues pertaining to their respective areas. MLA Gurez, Nazir Ahmed Khan (Gurezi), MLA Samba, Surjit Singh Slathia, MLA Lolab Qayser Jamshed Lone and MLA Bani Dr Rameshwar Singh met the Chief Minister and highlighted a range of constituency-specific []

Islamabad: Two regional officials said Tuesday that the United States and Iran have signalled they will hold a new round of ceasefire talks in Islamabad as a fragile two-week truce was due to expire. Neither the US nor Iran has publicly confirmed the timing of the talks, with Iranian state television denying that any official []

Jammu: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) J&K has filed a charge-sheet before the Special Judge Anti-Corruption Baramulla against then AEE PWD (R&B) Sopore, in a bribery case involving the demand and acceptance of Rs 25,000 for processing a contractors bill. The accused was allegedly caught red-handed during a trap laid by the ACB in October []

Srinagar: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday Pahalgam attack was a major setback for Jammu and Kashmir as he paid tributes to those who lost their lives in the terror inicdent last year. Speaking to reporters in Bijbehara, Abdullah said he wants pay tribute to those who lost their lives, especially to those who []

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the India-Korea Business Leaders Dialogue highlighted the immense potential of the economic partnership between the two countries across diverse sectors. Modi emphasised that the focus of the dialogue remained on strengthening supply chains, supporting future-ready sectors and creating opportunities for the youth. The India-Korea Business Leaders []

Overcrowded private bus crushes auto-rickshaw on Ramnagar-Udhampur road; Army leads rescue; President, PM, LG, CM condole losses; ex-gratia announced Jammu: At least 21 people were killed and 51 injured on Monday when an overcrowded passenger bus plunged nearly 100 metres down a hillside in Jammu and Kashmirs Udhampur district, crushing an auto-rickshaw before landing upside []

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in a road accident in Udhampur district and assured that action would be taken against those found responsible after ascertaining the cause of the incident. It will be ascertained why this incident happened, where negligence occurred, and []

Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday hit out at the BJP-led central government over what he termed as its unfulfilled promise of restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, and said there was no clear answer from it on the issue. The chief minister also targeted the BJP over the issue of the implementation of []

Outlines vision for digitally empowered J&K at Tech Saksham workshop Jammu: Presiding over Tech Saksham, a landmark capacity-building workshop jointly convened by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) and NICSI of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) at the Convention Centre, Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo on Monday set a resolute tone for the digital future []

Next meeting scheduled in Kashmir Jammu: The Committee on Ease of Doing Business and revision of the New Industrial Policy for Jammu and Kashmir held its first meeting with the stakeholders at Udyog Bhawan here on Monday. The Committee, chaired by Additional Chief Secretary, Finance, Shailendra Kumar, met the representatives and office bearers of various []

Tours Rajouris Nowshera, inaugurates key road, upgraded 100-bedded hospital; reviews Sungal Tunnel works Nowshera: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday inaugurated the upgraded road from NH-144A Bridge to Nowshera town and the 100-bedded Sub-District Hospital during his extensive tour of the area. The visit of the Chief Minister, along with his Cabinet colleagues, marked a []

Srinagar: As part of its continued crackdown on narcotics-related activities, police in Shopian have attached an immovable property valued at 10,00,000 belonging to Showkat Ahmad Dar resident of Dachoo Zainapora. The property measuring 10 Marlas falling under Survey No. 62 was identified as having been acquired through proceeds generated from the illegal trade of drugs []

Calls for strengthening trauma care, emergency response UDHAMPUR: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Transport, Youth Services & Sports, and Information Technology, Satish Sharma, on Monday visited the Government Medical College (GMC) Udhampur to review the medical facilities being provided to the road accident victims and assess the overall preparedness of the institution []

Udhampur: At least nineteen people died and several others injured after a passenger bus skidded off the road in Kagort village of Ramnagars Udhampur district on Monday, officials said. An official said that soon after the incident, police, rescue teams and locals rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation. He said at []

Udhampur:: At least twelve persons were killed and several others injured after a passenger bus met with an accident near Jalo area on the RamnagarUdhampur route on Monday. A senior police official told news agencies that the bus was on its way from Ramnagar to Udhampur when it met with the accident under unclear []

Udhampur,: Casualties are feared after a bus skidded off road in the Ramnagar area of Udhampur district on Monday, with rescue operations underway officials said. An official said that soon after the incident, police, rescue teams and locals rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation. He said that several passengers are []

DUBAI: President Donald Trump said the US forcibly seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship that tried to get around a naval blockade near the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, the first such interception since the blockade of Iranian ports began last week. He said a US Navy guided missile destroyer in the Gulf of Oman []

ACB received 23,798 complaints, sent 214 cases, got 27 convictions Jammu: A conviction rate of just 12.6 per cent in corruption cases over the last six years has put a spotlight on the Anti-Corruption Bureau of Jammu and Kashmir, which sent 214 cases to various courts in the last six years but could manage only []

Srinagar: Two US nationals were detained at Srinagar Airport in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday after security officials discovered a Garmin satellite phone in their luggage during a routine security check. The individuals, identified as Jeoffrey Scott from Montana and Haldar Kaushik, were questioned by airport security personnel and subsequently handed over to authorities for []

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah on the occasion of World Heritage Day called for the preservation and protection of the regions rich cultural heritage, emphasizing the importance of not only visiting heritage sites but also understanding their historical and cultural significance. In a press statement issued from the party []

Jammu: J&K Congress president Tariq Hameed Karra on Sunday alleged that the Centres policies are widening the gap between the government and the people in the Union territory. Karra cited the failure of the Centre to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and the growing unemployment problem in the UT as key concerns. Leading a []

Directs hospital to provide best medical care Srinagar: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo on Sunday visited SMHS to inquire about the health condition of the ailing father of Member of Parliament, Sheikh Abdul Rashid (Engineer Rashid). MLA Hazratbal, Salman Sagar; Principal GMC Srinagar, Dr. Iffat Hassan Shah; Medical []

Faculty present cutting-edge research on sustainable mobility Srinagar: In a major boost to its global academic standing, the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar made a strong impression at the prestigious SAE World Congress 2026 held in Detroit, Michigan, USA, with its faculty presenting cutting-edge research on sustainable mobility and advanced automotive systems. Representing the []

Jammu: A five-day Civil Defence air raid and blackout mock drill scheduled to be held in the border district of Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir from April 20 has been cancelled, officials said on Sunday, without assigning any reason for the decision. Routine mock drill (20-24 Apr) by Civil Defence and SDRF cancelled. No cause []

VP Vance to lead delegation; wide gap remains between sides Washington: President Donald Trump said US negotiators will head to Pakistan on Monday for another round of talks with Iran, raising hopes of extending a fragile ceasefire set to expire by Wednesday even as Washington and Tehran remain in a standoff over the Strait of []

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday took over the management of 58 schools associated with the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) in the valley, officials said. The schools were directly or indirectly affiliated with the JeIs Falah-e-Aam Trust (FAT), they said. The government took over the management of 58 FAT schools in different parts of the []

Rajouri: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday joined Padyatra and addressed a public rally in Rajouri under Drug-Free J&K campaign. He observed that border district Rajouri is sensitive and prone to cross-border drug smuggling. But we are determined to crush these challenges, dismantle the drug trade and liberate society from addiction. From April 11, J&K []

New facility to augment healthcare infrastructure, provide advanced, high-quality care for women and newborns SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday inspected the ongoing construction of the Extension Block at Government Lalla Ded Hospital and conducted a comprehensive review of the projects progress, execution strategy and infrastructure development. The upcoming facility, being developed at the []

Srinagar: Authorities spent Rs 73548 on conducting the Rajya Sabha elections in the Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory in October 2025. According to official documents, the J&K Election Department had transferred Rs 1 lakh for the exercise, out of which Rs 73548 was utilized to make necessary arrangements for polls to four vacant Rajya Sabha []

For centuries, Kashmiri (Koshur) has been the soul of the Valley its medium of everyday life, faith, philosophy, and the essence of Kashmiriyat. Today, it faces multiple pressures: globalisation, the dominance of English and Urdu, and a decline in everyday use, particularly in urban areas. A tree cannot flourish by severing its roots. A []