Kashmir Reader

DATIA (MP): Counting of votes for the bypoll to the Datia assembly constituency in Madhya Pradesh commenced on Monday, officials said. The bypoll was necessitated after a Delhi court in April this year sentenced Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti to three years imprisonment in a cheating case, leading to the termination of his assembly membership. The []

Over 100 former students reunite to celebrate legacy WAMIQ HAYAT PAMPORE: Muslim Education Institute (MEI), Pampore, organised a grand Alumni Meet 2026 (Phase-I) at its campus in Saffron Town, Pampore, on Sunday, bringing together former students from different batches to reconnect and celebrate their lifelong association with the institution. The event witnessed the participation of []

Charts future plans for business community SRINAGAR: A meeting of the Traders Association Lal Chowk was held at the Association Office, 2nd Floor, Royal Sweets, Amira Kadal, under the presidentship of Mr. Mohammad Iqbal Khan, which unanimously approved the induction of Mr. Mohammad Hussain Matto, Proprietor of M/s Royal Choice, Amira Kadal, as an Executive []

SRINAGAR: The Nasha Mukti Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA) Cell of the Government College of Education (GCoE), IASE, Srinagar, successfully organised a comprehensive institutional campaign under the theme Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan 2026 on Sunday. Conducted under the leadership of the Principal, Prof. (Dr.) Seema Naz, the campaign focused on addressing the growing []

SRINAGAR: The University of Kashmir on Sunday joined the nationwide GenZ Against Addiction, Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan, launched by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, with a programmeorganised by the Department of Students Welfare, KU at Gandhi Bhawan. Presiding over the programme, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nilofer Khan, []

Registrar urges youth to become ambassadors of drug-free India SRINAGAR: Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modis call for a Nasha Mukt Viksit Bharat, dozens of students, including NSS volunteers and NCC cadets, of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar on Sunday participated in a series of anti-drug awareness activities, including a pledge ceremony, a []

ANANTNAG: In a significant step toward empowering the youth and building a drug-free nation, MY Bharat Anantnag, under the aegis of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, organised a special youth awareness program on Sunday at Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports (JIM&WS), Pahalgam. Assistant Commissioner Revenue (ACR), Tariq Ahmad []

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks of forgiving students, but it is the government that owes the students truth, justice and an apology. Gandhi made the remarks in an Instagram post as he shared a video of his interaction with the families of Gopika, Roshini and Vetri []

NEW DELHI: Core members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) will hold a meeting in Maharashtras Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on August 5 to discuss their future agenda, sources in the outfit said on Sunday. The meeting will take place at CJP founder Abhijeet Dipkes residence, they said. According to sources, activists and volunteers of the CJP []

NEW DELHI: Food safety regulator FSSAI on Sunday said it has issued notices to several alcoholic beverage manufacturing units of United Spirits Ltd and INBREW Beverages for adding flavours that mimic a products natural profile. In an official statement, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) clarified that there is no prohibition on []

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he decided to hold off on ordering American forces to carry out new strikes against Iran at the urging of Gulf allies Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The president added that a plan was in place for US forces to carry out the biggest []

Baramulla: An Over Ground Worker was apprehended by security forces in Baramulla district on Sunday and illegal arms and ammunition were recovered from his possession. Officials said that a joint naka was set up at ZandfaranGoriwan Crossing in Narwav by personnel of 46 Rashtriya Rifles, SOG Baramulla, 53 Battalion CRPF and 112 Battalion BSF as []

Calls for cohesive, responsive, civil, people-centric public outreach SRINAGAR: The Communications Wing of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Saturday held a high-level strategy meeting at the party headquarters under the chairmanship of Chief Spokesperson and MLA Zadibal, Tanvir Sadiq, to comprehensively review the partys media and digital communication framework and chart a more []

SRINAGAR: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr. Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq has expressed deep griefover the killing of two non-local labourers in the Devsar area of Kulgam. Mirwaiz, in a statement issued here said,Islam upholds the sanctity of every innocent human life and unequivocally condemns the killing of innocent persons. He said targeting poor labourers who have come to []

JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) has strongly condemned the terrorist attack on non-local labourers in Kulgam in which two innocent persons were killed, terming it a cowardly act and a very serious design that needs to be defeated at all levels. In a strongly worded statement, JKPCC Chief Tariq Hameed Karra []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu & Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has expressed deep concern over the escalating violence and human casualties in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, including Rawalakot, Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Mirpur. In a statement issued here, the association condemned the use of excessive force against peaceful protesters, restrictions on communication, and ongoing political unrest in the region. Nasir []

BUDGAM: Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather on Saturday visited Kanidajan village in the Charar-i-Sharief constituency, conducting a public outreach camp to listen to local grievances, review developmental needs, and assess progress on welfare initiatives. During the interaction, villagers voiced concerns over harassment related to eviction notices issued by the Forest Department []

Sale, distribution of affected batch prohibited SRINAGAR: The Food & Drugs Administration (FDA), Jammu & Kashmir, has issued a public health advisory advising consumers not to purchase or consume Dust Tea (Premium Instant Mix Tea) marketed under the brand New Fast Tea, Batch No. 10, packed by M/s INAAM Tea Agency, Thane, Maharashtra, after the []

Stolen property recovered SHOPIAN: In a significant breakthrough against property crime, J&K Police in Shopian have successfully solved a livestock theft case, leading to the recovery of all 08 stolen buffaloes and the arrest of three accused persons. Police Station Heerpora registered a case vide FIR No. 69/2026 on the written complaint of Mohd. Bashir []

Revamped project to come up at Allochi Bagh; facility to process 5,000 sheep, goats daily, likely to be completed in two years SRINAGAR: The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has taken over the construction of Jammu and Kashmirs first modern mechanised abattoir at Allochi Bagh, reviving the long-delayed project aimed at introducing scientific and hygienic slaughtering []

KUPWARA: Director General, Rural Sanitation, J&K, Anoo Malhotra on Saturday chaired a comprehensive review meeting in Kupwara to assess the progress of key Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) initiatives across the district. The meeting was attended by the Deputy Director, Rural Sanitation, Kashmir, Shabir Ahmad Hakak, Assistant Commissioner Panchayat (ACP) Kupwara, Ab Rashid Sheikh, Assistant Commissioner []

Iran will be hit very hard until they say we cant take it anymore Tehran warns of retaliation against American, Israeli infrastructure WASHINGTON: A fresh US assault on Iran could begin within days, with refineries, power stations and other energy facilities under consideration as targets. Tehran has warned that any such attack would []

PUNE: National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Saturday called upon the countrys youth to dedicate themselves fully to national interest and rise above personal gains, urging them to make the most of the window of opportunity before India to build a stronger nation. Addressing a gathering after receiving the Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026 []

Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday chaired a high-level security review meeting and directed security agencies to intensify precise and high impact anti-terror operations. According to a statement issued the meeting was attended by Atal Dullo, Chief Secretary; Nalin Prabhat, DGP; Chandraker Bharti, Principal Secretary Home Department; S.J.M Gillani, Special DG Coordination PHQ; Nitish []

Budgam: As the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remains closed due to adverse weather conditions, Northern Railway on Saturday announced special train service between Budgam and Katra to facilitate the movement of stranded passengers. According to a statement, the decision was taken following a surge in passenger rush at Srinagar and Katra railway stations due to the []

Srinagar: Mirwaiz Dr. Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq has expressed deep grief over the killing of two migrant workers in south Kashmirs Kulgam district on Friday. In a statement, Mirwaiz said that Islam upholds the sanctity of every innocent human life and unequivocally condemns the killing of innocent persons. He said targeting poor labourers who have []

Jammu:The JammuSrinagar National Highway (NH-44) remained closed for all types of traffic on Saturday morning as restoration work continues near Dawal Bridge in the Samroli area of Udhampur district. Officials said that the road surface is highly slushy, muddy and extremely slippery, making movement unsafe. Heavy rainfall is being witnessed in the Ramban sector, with []

Srinagar: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir on Saturday said it has filed a chargesheet against two accused in connection with the alleged embezzlement of around Rs 3.11 crore from the Central Co-operative Banks Langate branch. In a statement, a spokesperson said the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of the Crime Branch, J&K, has filed []

Jammu: All government and private schools in Ramban and Kishtwar districts will remain closed today, due to heavy rainfall and adverse weather conditions, officials said. An official said that in Ramban, the Chief Education Officer issued an order citing prevailing inclement weather and directions from the District Administration. Heads of Institutions have been directed to []

Kulgam: The death toll in the Kulgam terror attack has risen to two after another injured migrant worker succumbed to his injuries at SKIMS Srinagar on Saturday, officials said. An official said that terrorists opened fire on two migrant workers in Kelam village of south Kashmirs Kulgam district on Friday evening. He said one worker []

Srinagar: Several residential houses were inundated in Pahlipora area of south Kashmirs Shopian district on Saturday morning following intense rainfall, causing waterlogging and panic among locals. Officials said that rainwater entered multiple homes, throwing daily life out of gear in the locality. In response, police teams along with State Disaster Response Force personnel rushed to []

Srinagar: A labourer from Chhattisgarh was killed and another from the same state was injured in a terrorist attack at a brick kiln in Jammu and Kashmirs Kulgam district on Friday, officials said. The assailants targeted the labourers at the brick kiln in the Kelam area of the south Kashmir district late in the evening. []

Political parties condemn attack Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday condemned the terror attack on non-local labourers in Kulgam district and directed security forces to step up operations to eliminate terrorists. A labourer from Chhattisgarh was killed and another from the same state was injured in a terrorist attack at a []

Interacts with officers of Higher Command Course-55 Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday interacted with the officers attending Higher Command Course 55 at Army War College, Mhow. In his address to the officers and faculty members of Army War College at Lok Bhavan, the Lieutenant Governor highlighted the pressing geo-political and geo-strategic challenges []

Jammu: In a significant move to regulate the release of balance budgetary allocations and expenditure during the last quarter of the financial year 202627, the Jammu & Kashmir Government on Friday ordered that balance allocation for any work will be released only after at least 80 percent of the funds already sanctioned have been utilized. []

Srinagar: Heavy overnight rainfall triggered flash floods in parts of north Kashmir on Friday, inundating roads and a government school in Bandipora district, while the Meteorological Department forecast intermittent rain and thunderstorms across Jammu and Kashmir over the next week. Officials said that flash floods hit Saderkoot Bala in Bandipora, where muddy water entered the []

Srinagar: The annual Amarnath Yatra remained suspended from the Baltal route on Friday due to inclement weather and ongoing repair work on the track, even as a fresh batch of 1,605 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu for the Baltal base camp. Officials said the pilgrimage had already been suspended from the []

New Delhi: The physical progress of the upcoming AIIMS at Haryanas Rewari and Jammu and Kashmirs Awantipora are 64.85 per cent and 78 per cent, respectively, with both projects targeted for completion by December 2026, the Lok Sabha was informed Friday. In a written reply on the current status of the AIIMS at Rewari, Awantipora, []

SRINAGAR: In a significant reform aimed at streamlining the building permission process across Jammu and Kashmir, the Housing & Urban Development Department (HUDD) has notified a Uniform Building Permission Fee Schedule under the provisions of the Jammu & Kashmir Unified Building Bye-Laws, 2021, vide government order number 157-JK(HUD) of 2026. The new fee schedule has []

Says future belongs to those who see possibilities rather than boundaries Jammu: Cluster University, Jammu on Friday celebrated a historic occasion as Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha inaugurated a series of groundbreaking academic programmes designed to redefine the future of higher education in the region. In his address, the Lieutenant Governor highlighted the significance of the []

Srinagar: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo on Friday held a meeting of all the concerned Administrative Secretaries to assess Jammu and Kashmirs performance on the National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment (NeSDA) and reviewed the progress made by the Information Technology Department towards expanding the digital governance ecosystem across the Union Territory. During the meeting, the Chief []

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday sought the Centres response on a plea to declare the practice of polygamy among Muslims as unconstitutional for being violative of constitutional provisions. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana issued notice to the Centre on a petition filed by womens []

Facebook posts on PM Modi HYDERABAD: Hyderabad Police have registered a case against the head of Meta India over multiple videos posted on the companys Facebook platform that depicted Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an abusive manner, a senior police officer said on Friday. Police are preparing to send a notice to Meta Platforms regarding []

SRINAGAR: With digital payments becoming an integral part of daily life and driving Indias transition towards a digital-first economy, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has urged citizens to remain vigilant against fraudulent text message scams that exploit fear, urgency and curiosity to deceive people into revealing sensitive information or transferring money. NPCI said []

NEW DELHI: Indias decision to replace its traditional blue jersey with saffron for the upcoming FIH Hockey World Cup has triggered opposition from former players and officials within Hockey India. The federation said the change was made for technical reasons after consultations with players and coaches. However, five members of the mens and womens teams []

SRINAGAR: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana on Friday directed the concerned departments to launch a coordinated drive to revive willow cultivation across Kashmir and expand plantations to ensure a sustainable supply of quality timber for the cricket bat industry. The directions were issued during a high-level []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council on Friday commenced open selection trials for the Junior Boys Football Team for the 2026-27 Dr. B.C. Roy Trophy National Football Championship, organised under the aegis of the All India Football Federation, with 375 players from across the Union Territory registering for the process. Simultaneous divisional trials began []

NEW DELHI: Nasas Curiosity rover has spotted an unusual field of polygon-shaped rock patterns on the surface of Mars, a discovery that could help scientists better understand the planets ancient environment and the geological processes that shaped it billions of years ago. The newly released images show hundreds of interconnected polygonal ridges spread across a []

NEW DELHI: Nazi-era warships have emerged in Europe as a scorching heatwave made water levels in the Danube River shrink, revealing the once-sunken ships. Europes punishing heatwave is leaving its mark across the continent, and its doing so in a way that goes beyond record-breaking temperatures. As prolonged heat and an acute lack of rainfall []

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Kulgam in which a labourer from Chhattisgarh was killed and another injured. In a post on X, Sinha said he spoke with DGP Nalin Prabhat and top security officials following the incident. He termed the attack a cowardly act []