Kashmir Reader

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump berated Senate Republicans face to face on Wednesday for allowing a vote to block his war in Iran, further escalating a feud that has diverted GOP efforts to focus on election-year affordability issues and brought much of the chambers business to a halt. Invited by Florida Sen Rick Scott to speak []

Srinagar: Top brass of Jammu and kashmir Police on Wednesday joined the traditional 8th Muharram procession in Srinagar and interacted with mourners, while thousands of devotees participated in the religious observance amid elaborate security, traffic and civic arrangements put in place by the administration. Director General of Police (DGP) J&K Nalin Prabhat remained on the []

Agri-innovation lab, global vet school, intl students cell approved Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday chaired the 36th University Council Meeting of SKUAST-Kashmir, at Lok Bhavan. The meeting was attended by the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah; Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Cooperatives, Javid Ahmad Dar; Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo; Additional []

New Delhi: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is learnt to have invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the burial ceremonies for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, diplomatic sources said on Wednesday. The funeral ceremonies will be held from July 5 to 9. There is no confirmation from New Delhi on the invitation to PM []

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday stressed on coordination between various departments during a Union Cabinet meeting and lauded such efforts for the smooth conduct of the NEET-UG re-exam, sources said. The prime minister cited the example of the NEET retest and stressed on coordination between various ministries while adopting a whole of []

Srinagar: PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims together have a larger role to play than the government for the displaced populations return to the valley. I think there is less of a role for the government and more of our Muslim and Pandit brothers together. We are one, we are []

Flags unpaid contractors, stalled projects Srinagar: Opposition PDP leader Waheed Para on Wednesday expressed concern over the slow pace of work in Jammu and Kashmir. Thousands of crores have been allocated to the R&B Department, yet the reality on the ground remains alarming. Nearly half the working season has passed, but not a single road []

Tech-driven authentication system strengthens global trust in Pashmina, carpets, heritage crafts Srinagar/New Delhi: Department of Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, has been conferred with the prestigious SKOCH Award for its innovative GI QR Code Management System, implemented through the Pashmina Testing & Quality Certification Centre (PTQCC) at the Craft Development Institute (CDI) and the NABL-accredited Carpet []

Srinagar: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Wednesday said it has filed a chargesheet against a former Block Development Officer (BDO), an Executive Engineer and five others for alleged embezzlement of government funds meant for developmental works in Kupwaras Lolab and Lalpora areas. In a statement, a spokesperson said the chargesheet was presented before the Court []

Reviews anti-militancy ops Jammu: General Officer Commanding of White Knight Corps Lt Gen P K Mishra on Wednesday visited Romeo Force headquarters in Jammu and Kashmirs Rajouri district and reviewed the ongoing anti-militancy operations. The troops have been engaged in anti-militancy operations at various places in the border district, including Dorimal and Gambhir Mughlan forest []

Doda: Two persons were killed and three others injured after a vehicle met with an accident in the Malhori area of Assar tehsil in Doda district on Wednesday evening, officials said. An official said that a vehicle bearing registration number JK02DB-6037 met with an accident at Malhori on Wednesday evening. He said two occupants died []

CHANDIGARH: Amid the video row, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday rejected allegations that the forensic report that gave a clean chit to him was fabricated and lashed out at the opposition parties, alleging that they have joined hands to defame him. Manns remarks came a day after the Haryana Police arrested two men []

*One Dead, Three Missing After Car Plunges Into Drass River* M S Nazki Drass, June 24(GNS):A tragic accident occurred near Marpoochoo in Drass on Tuesday when a car carrying four persons plunged into the Drass River. Officials told GNS that one occupant, Agha Syed Baqir, 35, of Lankerchay, was confirmed dead after []

Srinagar: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Wednesday said it has filed a chargesheet against a former Block Development Officer (BDO), an Executive Engineer and five others for alleged embezzlement of government funds meant for developmental works in Kupwaras Lolab and Lalpora areas. In a statement, a spokesperson said the chargesheet was presented before the Court []

SRINAGAR: PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims together have a larger role to play than the government for the displaced populations return to the valley. I think there is less of a role for the government and more of our Muslim and Pandit brothers together. We are one, we are []

Kathua:An accident took place today at village Rampur on Dhar Road under the jurisdiction of Police Station Billawar, Kathua district. Officials said that a minibus bearing registration number JK21B7776 rolled down from the road, leaving over dozen passengers injured. Police and local administration teams reached the spot and shifted the injured to nearby medical facilities. []

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has appointed Haris Ahmad Handoo, Special Secretary in the Chief Ministers Secretariat, as the Nodal Officer to oversee inter-departmental coordination for Muharram-2026 arrangements across the Union Territory. According to a government order,Handoo will coordinate with various departments and maintain close liaison with district administrations and other agencies involved in []

Srinagar: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, V.K. Birdi, on Wednesday joined the 8th Muharram procession in Srinagar, praising the mourners, volunteers and organisers for upholding peace, discipline and communal harmony. Speaking to reporters, IGP Birdi, said the Jammu and Kashmir Police has made elaborate security and traffic arrangements to ensure the smooth and peaceful []

Srinagar: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, on Wednesday said the administration and stakeholders are working in close coordination to ensure the smooth and peaceful observance of Muharram across Kashmir, even as the Valley prepares for the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra and continues to witness a busy tourist season. Speaking during the 8th Muharram observance, []

NEW DELHI: ( Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday received a phone call from the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who expressed grief over the death of Indian nationals in a tragic accident at Ras Laffan Industrial City in that country. Twelve Indians were among 13 people killed in an explosion []

Srinagar: Beneath a blanket of black flags and mourning banners, thousands of devotees streamed into Srinagars city centre at dawn on Wednesday as the traditional 8th Muharram procession began, transforming the Guru Bazar-Dalgate route into a river of mourners moving in remembrance of the martyrs of Karbala. From Guru Bazar to Dalgate, roads wore a []

Highlights challenges, factors behind decline of traditional Kashmiri arts &crafts SRINAGAR: A delegation of Kashmiri artisans from Srinagars Shehr-e-Khaas (downtown) on Tuesday called on Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari to apprise him of the challenges, problems, and concerns faced by the artisan community, as well as the reasons behind the steady decline of []

Ni-Kshay Vahaan to boost mobile screening, active case-finding: Labroo SRINAGAR: In a significant step towards strengthening tuberculosis detection and prevention efforts in the district, Deputy Commissioner(DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labroo on Tuesday handed over a Mobile Screening Van (Ni-Kshay Vahaan) to the District Tuberculosis Centre, Srinagar, under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of IDBI Bank. []

Calls for emerging technology courses, diversified academic offerings, measures to boost enrolment SRINAGAR: Maintaining that student welfare should remain the top priority, Minister for Higher Education, Sakeena Itoo on Tuesday said that sustained reforms in the higher education sector are essential to make colleges more accessible, inclusive and responsive to the aspirations of students. The []

Fresh Registration, Preferences Open from June 23-26 on JK Admissions Portal SRINAGAR: Higher Education Department, J&K, has notified the conduct of the Spot Round for Undergraduate/Integrated PG admissions in Government Degree Colleges of J&K for the Academic Session 202627, for filling up the vacant seats remaining after completion of Round-2 admission formalities. The Spot Round []

Raises demands for Bandipora-Gurez National Highway status, Gurez Tunnel project NEW DELHI: Jammu & Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) National Convenor Nasir Khuehami on Tuesday met Vaibhav Dange, Chairman of the Build India Foundation and Advisor to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, in New Delhi. He was accompanied by Kunal Sharma, Founder []

SRINAGAR: Zila Sainik Welfare Board Srinagar on Tuesday observed its 74th Raising Day at Sainik Bhawan Srinagar for the welfare and resettlement of ex-servicemen, war widows and their wards, of South and Central Kashmir. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labroo who is also the President Sainik Board Srinagar was the chief guest on the occasion. []

SRINAGAR: Rajesh Dhar, Administrative Manager, Indian Cricket Team called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday. Dhar was accompanied by Kirti Dhar, Working Committee Member of Jammu Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA). Vipen Kumar, Chairman, All Jammu Based Reserved Category Employees Association Kashmir (AJBRCEAK), also called on the Lieutenant Governor. A delegation of Shri Amarnath Ji []

JAMMU: The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Jammu and Kashmir, held its first International Conference on Global Best Practices in Polling Day Operations on Monday in hybrid mode, with 60 participants at Nirvachan Bhawan, Jammu and 115 joining online from across the world. Conducted under Indias Chairmanship of International IDEA, the event forms part []

SRINAGAR: Chief Engineer, Distribution, KPDCL has informed that the Shutdown of 33 kV Kanipora-Pinjoora line will be observed due to which power supply to Pinjoora, Puhnoo, Trenz, Mohanpora, Imamsahab, Kiloora, Arhama, Zawoora, Chodrigund, Reshinagar, Vehil, Palpora, Benimpora and adjoining areas will be affected from 08 AM to 02 PM on 29 June 2026. Similarly, shutdown []

KULGAM: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kulgam, Shahzad Alam, chaired a review meeting to assess the progress of the NH-444 Kulgam Bypass, with special emphasis on the early opening of the Brazloo Bridge. The meeting was attended by the Competent Authority for Land Acquisition (CALA), Additional Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, Executive Engineer, Project Division-I Srinagar, Tehsildars of Pahloo []

LEH/JAMMU: Ladakh Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena on Tuesday visited the remote high-altitude village of Stakmo in Leh district and assured residents that a water body under the Him Sarovar project would be developed soon to address the areas chronic water scarcity. Situated at an altitude of over 13,000 feet, Stakmo has been facing acute []

Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday said Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) must evolve beyond administrative units and emerge as centres of innovation, equal opportunity, sustainable development and public trust, asserting that grassroots governance will play a decisive role in realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of a developed India. Addressing the Seva Se Samriddhi: []

JAMMU: A mock drill involving multiple security and disaster response agencies was conducted at the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here on Tuesday as part of preparations for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, officials said. The 57-day-long Amarnath Yatra is scheduled to commence on July 3. The exercise at the sprawling complex commenced at 8 am, witnessing []

Rajouri:The ongoing anti-terror operation Operation Sheruwali in the Dorimal-Gambir Mughlan area of the Manjakote sector in Rajouri district has entered its 32nd day. Officials said that the Security forces, including the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police, are continuing extensive search and cordon operations in the forested and mountainous terrain. The operation was launched []

WASHINGTON: National Guard members and US Park Police patrolled the deck around the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Monday as President Donald Trumps administration faces a self-imposed deadline to fix a botched renovation before the nations 250th anniversary celebrations. The patrols came two days after Trump said authorities had made multiple arrests of people he []

Thousands of devotees throng Tulmulla shrine; LG, CM, Mehbooba join celebrations; locals extend warm hospitality Sheikh Anees Ganderbal: Amid an atmosphere of devotion, spirituality and communal harmony, thousands of Kashmiri Pandits from across the country gathered at the revered Mata Kheer Bhawani shrine at Tulmulla in Ganderbal district on Monday to celebrate the annual Kheer []

Ganderbal: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday paid obeisance at the revered Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple at Tulmulla in Ganderbal on the auspicious occasion of Jyeshtha Ashtami and offered prayers for peace, prosperity and the well-being of the people of Jammu Kashmir. The LG extended his greetings to devotees and wished that the blessings of []

Washington: The United States authorized Iranian oil sales on Monday, easing decades-old sanctions as it pushes toward a final peace deal with Tehran in return for commitments on nuclear inspections and free transit through the Strait of Hormuz. The general license, announced by the Treasury Department, allows the sale of crude oil and petrochemical and []

KMDA warns of supply disruption, asks public to reschedule weddings; seeks govt intervention Srinagar: The Kashmir Mutton Dealers Association (KMDA) on Mondayannouncedsuspension of fresh livestock imports into Jammu and Kashmir and advised the public to reconsider marriage and other event schedules in the comingweeks.It declared that no vehicle carrying livestock would be loaded for the []

Woman electrocuted to death; vehicles submerged; residents seek accountability Srinagar: A spell of heavy rainfall lasting nearly two hours on Monday brought large parts of Srinagar to a standstill, exposing what residents described as the failure of the citys drainagesystem, whilea 65-year-old womanlost her life after being electrocuted amid the downpour in the downtown area. []

Srinagar: Director General of Police (DGP), Jammu & Kashmir, Nalin Prabhat, on Monday chaired a comprehensive Security Review Meeting (SRM) to assess counter-insurgency measures and security arrangements for the forthcoming Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2026 (SANJY-2026). The meeting was attended by senior officers of all formations deployed in South Kashmir, including Victor Force, Central Reserve Police []

Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday felicitated brilliant students of class 10th and 12th during Amar Ujala Medhavi Chhatra Samman Samaroh in Srinagar today. He also honored the educators who have made immense contributions. Speaking on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor emphasised on the change required in the classrooms to meet the future challenges. []

Srinagar: The Indian Wushu Team, led by National Chief Coach of India and Dronacharya Awardee, Kuldeep Handoo called on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah here on Monday. The team is scheduled to depart for China on 23rd June 2026 to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Wushu Championship in Hubei Province, followed by a one-month []

Srinagar: Stressing that sleep is a biological necessity rather than a luxury, a leading public health expert from Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar has urged people to prioritise adequate and timely sleep, warning that chronic sleep deprivation can have far-reaching consequences on physical health, mental wellbeing, and overall quality of life. In a public health []

Srinagar: A 65-year-old woman died after receiving an electric shock in the Naid Kadal area of Srinagar on Monday, officials said. An official said that the woman came into contact with a live electric current after touching an electric pole during heavy rainfall in the area. He said she sustained critical injuries and was immediately []

TULMULLA (J&K): PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said Kashmiri Pandits should move on and stop being prisoners of the past by investing in a shared future in the valley. Mufti, a former chief minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, visited the Kheer Bhawani temple in central Kashmirs Ganderbal district and interacted []

Jammu: Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, Shashi Tharoor, on Monday said the committees visit to Jammu and Kashmir is strictly focused on issues related to India-Pakistan, Chino-Indian relations and the functioning of passport offices, ruling out any review of the prevailing situation in the Valley. Speaking to reporters, Tharoor,said the panel []

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray on Monday hit out at dissident MPs, claiming voters had rejected NDA candidates in their constituencies and backed the INDIA bloc, but greed led them to shamelessly abandon that mandate overnight. In a post on X, Thackeray further charged that the dissidents loyalty and reputation were up for []

Ganderbal: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, on Monday extended greetings to devotees on the occasion of Jyeshtha Ashtami and said elaborate arrangements have been put in place for pilgrims visiting Kheer Bhawani temples across Kashmir. Speaking to reporters during his visit to the Kheer Bhawani temple, Garg, said the festival is being celebrated not only []