Kashmir Reader

Srinagar: Spanish filmmaker and producer Anna Saura Ramon on Wednesday described Kashmir as an ideal destination for filmmaking, praising its scenic landscapes, lakes, natural light and hospitality while calling for stronger cinematic ties between India and Spain. Speaking to reporters on the third day of the inaugural International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) []

Srinagar: National Health Mission (NHM) employees across Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday launched a 72-hour strike, seeking redressal of their demands related to pay parity, job and social security benefits. Scores of NHM employees staged a protest across districts and blocks to deman revision of their pay structure in the line with NHM employees of []

Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Wednesday administered the oath of office to Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati as Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. LG Saxena- who has been appointed to discharge the functions of J&K LG during Manoj Sinhas leave -administered the oath at the Shalimar auditorium []

Says protecting J&K peoples exclusive rights over land, jobs wasApni Partys biggest contribution after 2019 SRINAGAR: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday said that Jammu and Kashmir is passing through a critical phase, describing August 2019 as a major turning point when the Centre revoked the erstwhile states special constitutional status and []

Agencies stress inter-agency coordination, financial investigation to combat drug trafficking in both regions SRINAGAR: The 2nd UT Level Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) Meeting on Narcotics Control for the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh was held at Police Control Room, Srinagar, under the chairmanship of DDG (NWR), NCB and IG Crime/ANTF Head of []

HC directs threat assessment within six weeks JAMMU: The high court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has directed authorities to consider the plea of AAP MLA Mehraj Malik seeking restoration of his security cover, including escort vehicle, and take an appropriate decision within six weeks. Justice Sanjay Dhar passed the directions on Monday while []

Two arrested SOPORE: Police in Sopore has seized a load carrier carrying approximately 200 litres of diesel without valid documents and arrested two persons in connection with the case. During naka checking at Chijhama, Rafiabad, in the jurisdiction of Police Post Watergam, a Tata Load Carrier bearing Registration No. JK16A-5144 was intercepted and subjected to []

BARAMULLA: As part of its continued efforts to strengthen community engagement and promote awareness among the younger generation, Police in Baramulla organised awareness programmes at Govt. Model Higher Secondary School, Boniyar and Govt. Higher Secondary School, Chandoosa. At Boniyar, an awareness programme was conducted by Police Station Boniyar under the overall supervision and directions of []

Srinagar, Sep 08: The second day of the first International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK-2026) witnessed an engaging policy dialogue on the prospects of building a sustainable cinematic ecosystem in the Union Territory, with Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo emphasising the need to create an enabling environment for local talent, filmmaking, film education and []

Srinagar, Sep 08: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday reviewed the relief, rehabilitation and restoration measures being undertaken for people affected by this years floods and took stock of the ongoing restoration efforts across Jammu Division. Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar gave a detailed presentation on the relief, rehabilitation and restoration measures being undertaken across []

Reviews progress of construction of mini-secretariat buildings for all district hqrs Srinagar, Sep 08: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday chaired a meeting at the Civil Secretariat to review the progress of languishing projects under the Revenue Department across Jammu and Kashmir, with particular focus on expediting the completion of mini-secretariat buildings and addressing bottlenecks []

Wildlife Dept issues advisory Pampore, Sep 08: The annual arrival of migratory birds in the wetlands of Pampore is expected during the coming migratory season, with the Wildlife Protection Department issuing a detailed advisory urging the public to ensure the safe arrival, protection and undisturbed stay of these winged visitors. The wetlands of Pampore, including []

Srinagar, Sep 08: In a significant step towards strengthening the rehabilitation and socio-economic reintegration ecosystem for persons affected by substance abuse, the Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo on Tuesday dedicated to public the Rehabilitation Centre for District Srinagar at the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS), Srinagar. Those who were present on this occasion includes []

Srinagar: Renowned filmmaker Imtiaz Ali on Tuesday said Kashmir has many untold stories, characters and cultural traditions that can provide rich material for filmmakers, while expressing hope that the regions growing connection with cinema would create more opportunities for local talent. Interacting with the media on the sidelines of the second day of the International []

Doda: A 45-year-old shepherd died after he accidentally slipped from a rugged mountainous track and fell into a deep gorge in the Kal Jugasar area of Doda district, officials said. An official said that the shepherd was near his temporary shelter at Lakabar Dhar when he accidentally slipped from the mountainous track and fell into []

Srinagar: A fresh delegation of intern doctors from Jammu and Kashmir is scheduled to meet Health Minister Sakina Itoo on Tuesday to again raise their demand for enhancement of the monthly stipend and seek a formal government order on the issue. The development comes amid the continued agitation by MBBS and BDS interns across Jammu []

AUCKLAND: New Zealand batter Mark Chapman has opted for a casual contract instead of a formal central deal with New Zealand Cricket to pursue an opportunity in the Australian Big Bash League but will remain available for the upcoming home series against India. New Zealand Cricket announced Chapmans decision with a statement on Tuesday. Black []

Jammu: A dead body was found near a bus stand shed in the Balicharana area of Jammu on Tuesday, officials said. An official said that the body was noticed near the bus stand shed, following which police were informed. He said police reached the spot and initiated necessary proceedings to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the []

Poonch: A motorcyclist was killed in a hit-and-run accident in Kalai area of Poonch district on Tuesday morning. Officials said that an unknown vehicle hit a motorcycle near Kalai, between Khanetar and Kalai, resulting in on-spot death of the rider. The deceased has been identified as Mehmood Ahmed, son of Abdul Latief, resident of Khanetar, []

Urges govt to rope in mental health professionals, experts to identify causes, formulate response SRINAGAR: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Monday expressed grave concern over the frequent incidents of suicide in J&K and called for a coordinated effort involving mental health professionals, experts, and key stakeholders to understand the root causes and []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu & Kashmir National Conference Chief Spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq Monday said the restoration of statehood, the reservation policy and the release of Jammu & Kashmir youth languishing in jails were raised by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah with the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister. He said that these important matters were forcefully []

SRINAGAR: Axis Bank on Monday inaugurated its new branch at Lal Bazar, Srinagar, marking the launch of its 61st branch in Jammu & Kashmir. The branch was inaugurated by Shri Shailendra Kumar, IAS, Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary) & Head of Finance Department, in the presence of Group Head Branch Banking & TASC business Mr. []

SRINAGAR: Anjuman Nusrat-ul-Islam, Srinagar, will organise a one-day educational and reformative Seerah Seminar on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at the Auditorium of Islamia Higher Secondary School, Rajouri Kadal, Srinagar, from 10:00 am. The seminar, titled The Seerah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and the Challenges Facing Todays Youth, will focus on the relevance of the Prophets []

Himalayan region particularly vulnerable to climate change: KU VC SRINAGAR: The Department of Botany, University of Kashmir (KU), Monday inaugurated a two-day international conference on Plant Resilience in a Changing Climate: From Molecules to Ecosystem, bringing together scientists, academicians, researchers and young scholars to deliberate on the growing challenges posed by climate change to plants, []

Inaugurates 1st International Film Festival of J&K Highlights J&Ks film policy, single-window clearance, incentives Filmmakers from over 30 countries participating 130+ films to be showcased over four days Srinagar, Sep 07: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday inaugurated the first International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), []

Srinagar, Sep 07: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo on Monday formally raised the curtains on the International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK)-2026 here at INOX Multiplex marking a significant new chapter in the Union Territorys engagement with the world of cinema. Being held under the theme of Rang-e-Cinema, the festival brings together filmmakers, cinema []

Addresses IIT (BHU) Global Alumni Meet in Chicago Says technology must serve collective well-being of people Srinagar, Sep 07: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday discussed how Artificial Intelligence will drive economic growth by combining human potential with machine intelligence, and called for Responsible AI. Addressing the IIT (BHU) Global Alumni Meet in Chicago, Illinois, []

Srinagar, Sep 07: The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday urged the Jammu and Kashmir government to hold a dialogue with protesting medical interns and to stop allegedly intimidating them. Dear Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, MBBS interns in J&K are on hunger strike for their rights. Instead of engaging with them, college authorities are now []

Srinagar, Sep 07: The government on Monday appointed Dr Twinkle Suri as Director Colleges of Jammu and Kashmir for a period of two years. The government in an order said that the appointment was made on the recommendation by the selection committee and as per approval of the competent authority. As recommended by the selection []

Lessons of 2014 must translate into concrete preventive action Srinagar, Sep 07: On the 12th anniversary of the devastating September 2014 floods, the Kashmir Trade Alliance (KTA) has urged the Jammu and Kashmir Government to ensure that a comprehensive, time-bound flood mitigation and preparedness plan is firmly in place to protect lives, livelihoods, businesses and []

Nature never speaks with words, but its message is clear. It teaches patience through trees, perseverance through rivers, humility through mountains, and hope through every new spring. Planting trees, protecting rivers, reducing pollution, and using natural resources wisely are small steps that can make a big difference. If we respect its laws and live in []

We reserve our loudest, most visceral anger for the criminal who is easy to see. But our moral outrage goes strangely quiet when the offender possesses a respectable surname, an impressive office, or a powerful friend. A degree does not make a person honest, just as a powerful chair does not make them worthy. When []

We have more educational resources than ever before, yet we seem to have less time for education. We live in a world where knowledge is available at our fingertips, yet many of us struggle to devote even a reasonable portion of our daily lives to serious study. Education should not be something we do when []

Literacy is not merely a book placed in a persons hands, but a power that gives him or her the wisdom and ability to determine the direction of life independently. In 2026, the theme of International Literacy Day is Literacy for People, the Planet and Prosperity. This makes it clear that today literacy does not []

Srinagar: Amid the ongoing protest by MBBS interns demanding a stipend hike, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said the matter rests with the Health Department and that no other department can take a decision. Speaking with reporters in Srinagar, CM Omar, said he would like this matter to be resolved as soon as possible []

Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said he remains in continuous communication with Union Home Minister Amit Shah over several issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir, including the restoration of statehood and business rules. Speaking with reporters, CM Omar said there are many issues between Jammu and Kashmir and the Centre. Be it about statehood []

PANAJI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said India had maintained the momentum of its economic growth despite global geopolitical turmoil as it engaged with other countries and built strategic partnerships in key areas. He asserted Indias reach in the diplomatic world was increasing and it had concluded nine free trade agreements (FTAs) by []

SRINAGAR:PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said the government should not take any coercive or irreversible action regarding the attached properties of the banned outfit Jamaat-e-Islami in Jammu and Kashmir. Since the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) leadership has publicly stated that it will abide by the decision of the judiciary and challenge the ban through due process []

Ganderbal: A search operation was launched in the Thune area of Kangan in central Kashmirs Ganderbal district after a boy and a girl jumped into a power canal, officials said. An official said that the duo jumped into the power canal in Kangan. He said that soon after receiving the information, police reached the spot []

Shopian: A 28-year-old man was found hanging in an apple orchard in the Sugoo Handhama area of Zainapora in south Kashmirs Shopian district on Monday, officials said. An official said that the man was first spotted by locals, who subsequently informed the police. He said police soon reached the spot and took cognizance of the []

JAIPUR:Justice Sanjay Kumar Agrawal was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court on Monday. The oath of office was administered by Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagade at a ceremony held at Lok Bhawan in Jaipur. Chief Secretary V. Srinivas and other senior officials were present at the event.

Jammu: Police have arrested six members of the Khouf Gang and recovered a pistol and sharp-edged weapons from their possession in Arnia area of Jammu. Officials said that on September 03, the gang members, residents of Bishnah, had threatened one Ashwani Kumar at Kool Kalan by displaying a pistol and tokkas. Acting swiftly on the []

Jammu: In a major security lapse, an accused from South Kashmir has escaped from the custody of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) at its headquarters in Jammu. The accused has been identified as Aqib Bashir, a resident of Kakapora area of Pulwama district. Officials said that Aqib Bashir, who was under NCB custody in connection with []

Awantipora: An unidentified body was recovered from the Jhelum River at Lethpora Barsoo area of Awantipora in south Kashmirs Pulwama district on Monday, officials said. An official said that the body was spotted in the river, following which police were informed. A police team reached the spot and initiated legal formalities in connection with the []

Referral Judges training held at J&K Judicial Academy under Mediation for Nation 3.0 SRINAGAR: A one day training programme for the Referral Judges was conducted on Sunday at the Jammu & Kashmir Judicial Academy, Srinagar, in hybrid mode under the aegis of the Mediation & Conciliation Committee (MCC), High Court of J&K and Ladakh, in []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Additional General Secretary and MP Rajya Sabha Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan Sunday congratulated the people of Jammu and Kashmir on achieving a 98.43% literacy rate under ULLASNBSK and becoming a fully literate region, describing the achievement as historic and a matter of immense pride. He said that this achievement []

HAJIN: The Jammu and Kashmir Teachers Forum (JKTF), Bandipora, on Sunday organised a teachers conference at Town Hall Hajin, where issues concerning the teaching community, including restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), came under discussion. Wajahat Hussain Dhurani was the chief guest at the event. Mehraj-ud-Din Zargar, Chairman []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu & Kashmir National Conference will observe the 44th death anniversary of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah on September 8 across Jammu & Kashmir, including at the Mazar-e-Quaid Naseem Bagh Hazratbal, party office Jammu, Kargil party office and all district Headquarters. Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah dedicated his life to the dignity, rights and aspirations []

BANDIPORA: The 20th Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) Meeting of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Bandipora, SKUAST-Kashmir, was held on Sunday under the chairmanship of Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-Kashmir, with a focus on strengthening farmer-centric extension, promoting agricultural diversification and expanding technology-led interventions in the district. Indu Kanwal Chib, Deputy Commissioner, Bandipora, attended the meeting []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar has called upon the administration to ensure adequate and appropriate arrangements for devotees and pilgrims at the shrines of Hazrat Syed Janbaz Wali Kamil (RA) at Khanpora, Baramulla and Hazrat Syed Shah Naimatullah Qadri (RA) at Safa Kadal, in view of their Urs []