Kashmir Reader

BENGALURU: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of undermining the achievements of India and its people while targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre. She said Rahul was ignoring Indias achievements even in the face of major crises like COVID and the conflict in West Asia. []

NICE (FRANCE):Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in France on Saturday for a visit during which he will hold talks with President Emmanuel Macron, participate in the G7 Summit and attend key innovation-focused events aimed at strengthening bilateral ties. Modi arrived in Nice on the first leg of his five-day visit to France and Slovakia. He []

Higher reaches record light snowfall MeT forecasts more precipitation, thunderstorms till June 19 Srinagar: Fresh rainfall across Kashmir plains and light snowfall in the higher reaches on Saturday turned the weather pleasant. According to the details available with news agencyKashmir News Observer (KNO) temperatures in most parts of the Valley dropped significantly below normal. Data []

Takes cognisance of JKSA complaint Srinagar: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Saturday took cognisance of the incidents of harassment and attacks against Kashmiri shawl sellers and students in different parts of the country. The Commission has filed a case under (Case No. 684/90/0/2026) on a complaint filed by the Jammu and Kashmir Students []

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the government is strongly working towards youth-led development. He noted that one of the defining features of the last 12 years has been the confidence with which Indias youth have pursued their aspirations. Modi highlighted that through initiatives such as Startup India, Digital India, Skill India, []

Ganderbal: Chief Principal Census Officer and Director Census Operations for J&K and Ladakh, Amit Sharma, on Saturday cautioned that even minor errors or conceptual misunderstandings can adversely impact the quality of Census data and affect future policy planning. Sharma was chairing a comprehensive review meeting at the Mini Secretariat Ganderbal to assess the progress of []

Srinagar: Warning that prolonged sitting has become a growing public health concern, the Department of Community Medicine at Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar has launched a public awareness campaign urging people to reduce sedentary behaviour and adopt healthier lifestyles. The campaign, titled Prolonged Sitting: The New Smoking highlights the serious health consequences associated with spending []

Srinagar: Srinagar International Airport is set for a major transformation with a Rs 1,667-crore expansion project aimed at significantly enhancing passenger handling capacity, modernising infrastructure and elevating the overall travel experience, Airport Director Javed Anjum said on Saturday. Speaking ahead of the Airports Authority of Indias (AAI) observance of Yatri Suvidha Diwas on June 15, []

Traditional knowledge of medicinal plants in Gurez Valley represents accumulated wisdom and adaptation to the Himalayan environment. Preserving this ethnomedicinal heritage is essential not only for safeguarding cultural identity but also for ensuring sustainable utilisation of medicinal plant resources. Dr Jauhar Rafeeq and Dr Hilal Ahmad Malik Gurez Valley, situated in the northwestern Himalayas of []

ISLAMABAD: Irans state-run news agency said on Saturday funeral processions for its former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would be held in July, as mediators say an agreement to end the war is close. The funeral, burial, and farewell ceremonies for Khamenei would take place between July 4 and 9, Irans state-run television, IRIB, reported. []

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G-7 meeting in France on Wednesday, local media reported quoting US officials. This will be the first meeting between the two leaders since February last year in Washington. Trump embarks on the visit to France for the G-7 Summit []

Srinagar: A Pakistani national was apprehended near Simri village in north Kashmirs Kupwara district after allegedly crossing the Line of Control (LoC) under suspicious circumstances, the Army said on Saturday. In a post on X, the Chinar Corps, said alert troops, in coordination with the Jammu and Kashmir Police, acted swiftly to apprehend the intruder []

Srinagar: Chief Ministers Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani on Saturday called for the revival of the Apex Committee on the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, saying a structured dialogue mechanism was needed to find a lasting solution to the communitys return lto the Valley. Addressing the Global Kashmiri Pandit Conclave at SKICC here, Wanii, said []

GUWAHATI: An Indian Air Force aeroplane, AN-32, has crashed while landing in Assams Jorhat district on Saturday, a defence spokesperson said. The incident occurred while the aircraft was landing at the IAFs airbase in the Rowriah area. Senior IAF officials have rushed to the area, and casualty, if any, is yet to be ascertained, the []

Srinagar: Asserting that the time has come for Kashmiri Pandits to reconnect with their roots and contribute to the future of a transformed Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said the communitys journey from displacement to global success stands as a remarkable example of courage, resilience and determination. Addressing the Global Kashmiri []

Jammu: The Jammu-Poonch highway was blocked near the Lassana area of Surankote on Saturday following a heavy landslide, bringing traffic on the route to a standstill. Officials said that traffic was halted this moring near the Lassana area after massive landslide hit the road Authorities are working to clear the debris. Traffic movement will resume []

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday left for a week-long visit to France and Slovakia, during which he will attend the G7 Summit and hold discussions with world leaders on a range of bilateral and global issues. In his departure statement, Modi said France occupies a special place in Indias strategic vision while []

WASHINGTON: The US Navy said it has downed multiple one-way attack drones launched by Iran to target commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iran launched multiple one-way attack drones in an attempt to strike commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the US Central Command said in a post on X late Friday evening. []

KOLKATA: In a dramatic pre-dawn operation that triggered a political storm in West Bengal, a large contingent of police, accompanied by central forces, raided the Kalighat residence of TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Saturday in connection with a case filed in a police station in Paschim Medinipur district, a senior officer said. The []

Speaker emphasizes critical role of assembly committees in addressing genuine public grievances SRINAGAR: In a significant move towards fostering legislative cooperation, the Committee on Petitions of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly held a high-level meeting with the Speaker Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly (JKLA), Abdul Rahim Rather and members of the J&K Assemblys Petitions Committee. The []

Rivals resorting to venomous propaganda against National Conference to divert attention from their own chequered past SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Provincial President, Kashmir, Advocate Showkat Ahmad Mir, said that under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the elected government has ushered in a new era of responsive governance, inclusive development []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah, and Vice President &Chief Minister Omar Abdullah have extended their heartfelt greetings to the people on the auspicious annual Urs of Ameer-ul-Momineen Hazrat Umar Farooq (Radiyallahu Anhu). In their message, the duo paid rich tributes to Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA), describing him as one []

SRINAGAR: Minister for Health, Medical Education, Social Welfare, and Education, Sakeena Itoo, on Friday reaffirmed the governments commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure and providing quality patient care across Jammu and Kashmir. During her day-long visit to healthcare facilities in Khanyar and Hazratbal constituencies, she was accompanied by MLAs Ali Mohammad Sagar and Salman Ali Sagar. []

Hails her prompt intervention in addressing business community concerns SRINAGAR: The Traders Association, Lal Chowk, has expressed sincere appreciation and gratitude to Superintendent of Police (East), Ms. Neha Jain, for her prompt intervention and positive action in addressing the concerns of shopkeepers and traders operating in the Lal Chowk area. The Association acknowledged the efforts []

BARAMULL: A detailed inquiry has been ordered into the alleged conduct of police personnel at Police Station Kunzer following an altercation involving an advocate on June 10, when a party from the police station was executing a status-quo order issued by JMIC Tangmarg in village Dhobiwan, officials said. According to a police statement, legal and []

SRINAGAR: The Ethics Committee of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, under the chairmanship of MLA Nizam-ud-Din Bhat, convened a high-level meeting on Friday to review the institutional framework and reinforce its mandate on legislative accountability. Legislators Peerzada Feroze Ahamad, Satish Kumar Sharma and Arvind Gupta were present in the meeting. During the session, the []

GANDERBAL: In a major crackdown on drug trafficking, Police in Ganderbal has detained a notorious drug peddler under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT NDPS) Act, following formal detention orders from the competent authority. The accused, Fayaz Ahmad Khanday son of Abdul Khaliq Khanday resident of Pati Shalbugh, Ganderbal []

CHRISTCHURCH/LONDON: One of the finest batters of his time and the face of New Zealand crickets most successful era, Kane Williamson announced his retirement from international cricket on Friday, ending a distinguished career marked by consistency, impeccable temperament and exemplary leadership. Arguably New Zealands greatest ever batter, Williamsons announcement pulls the curtain down on a []

Srinagar:IGP Kashmir Zone V.K. Birdi chaired a security review meeting at PCR Kashmir on Friday to assess preparedness for the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY-2026), Muharram observances, and Mela Kheer Bhawani. Senior officers from J&K Police, CRPF, ITBP, BSF, SSB, Intelligence agencies, Traffic, Railways, Telecom, and other departments attended the meeting. Participants briefed on []

Jammu: Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and senior BJP leader Sunil Sharma on Friday said the present government in the Union Territory would collapse on its own, asserting that the Bharatiya Janata Party would neither play a role in toppling it nor in forming it. Speaking to reporters in Jammu, Sharma,termed []

Budgam: A driver was killed while two onboard students were injured after a school bus met with an accident in the Chadoora area of central Kashmirs Budgam district on Friday, officials said. An official said that a school bus belonging to IPTS School Khansahib lost control and plunged into a deep gorge in the Neegu []

Jammu:Two Army personnel were injured in an accidental grenade blast at LoC in Poonch district on Friday. Officials said that an accidental grenade explosion occurred in the forward area along the LoC today during a training exercise. Two army soldiers sustained injuries in the incident. Both the soldiers were immediately shifted to 425 Army Field []

Srinagar: The Congress high command today constituted a three-member committee to look into reports of indiscipline and anti-party activities in its Jammu and Kashmir unit. As per an order issued by AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, the Congress President has approved the proposal for the committee with immediate effect. Rajya Sabha MP Shaktisinh Gohil has []

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the NDA governments efforts are rooted in dignity, opportunity and empowerment, and these have helped create an environment where women can realise their full potential and contribute even more strongly to nation-building. Modi said that over the last 12 years, the NDA government has worked to []

HELSINKI:External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday stressed the need for resilient and diversified supply chains, sustained diplomatic efforts and greater international cooperation to deal with the fallout of ongoing conflicts, saying their impact extends far beyond the regions where they occur. Participating in a discussion on Emerging Powers and the New Geopolitical Competition at []

WASHINGTON: US President Donald said that a deal to end the war with Iran is nearly complete and is expected to be signed over the weekend in Europe. Trump made these remarks at the Oval Office in the White House on Thursday afternoon, hours after calling off military strikes on Iran and threatened to take []

WASHINGTON:US President Donald said that a deal to end the war with Iran is nearly complete and is expected to be signed over the weekend in Europe, as he called off military strikes on the gulf nation hours after threatening to take control of its oil industry. Trump, speaking to reporters at the Oval office []

NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and partys media cell head Pawan Khera besides BJP leaders Satish Poonia and Tarun Chugh were among 24 candidates elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha on Thursday. All but three of the 27 seats for Rajya Sabha were decided with NDA candidates declared elected unopposed in 19 and Congress in []

Discusses economy, dev issues, seeks continued Central support for growth, connectivity, jobs, infrastructure in J&K New Delhi: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and discussed a range of key issues concerning Jammu & Kashmir, including the early restoration of statehood, the economic situation and developmental priorities []

New Delhi: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday participated in the 11th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in New Delhi. The meeting was convened on the theme Inclusive Human Development for Viksit Bharat @2047. Addressing the Council, the Chief Minister outlined Jammu & Kashmirs development journey and presented []

New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, suggesting the opening of the strategic IAF airport at Awantipora in South Kashmir to civilian traffic in October. The meetings come amid the scheduled closure of the Srinagar airport from October 1 []

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday asked states to balance the opportunities of artificial intelligence with safeguards against emerging social challenges, such as cyber fraud and drug abuse, while warning of risks posed by El Nino conditions and calling for stronger water conservation measures. Chairing the 11th Governing Council Meeting of Niti Aayog, []

Srinagar: In the run-up to the annual Amarnath Yatra Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair a high-level security review meeting on Jammu and Kashmir in New Delhi on Friday. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will attend the meeting along with top officials, including the Director General of Police, the Chief Secretary, and senior officers from []

Met forecasts rain till June 17 Srinagar: Several parts of Jammu and Kashmir witnessed rain, thunderstorms, gusty winds and hailstorms on Thursday following a spell of above-normal temperatures across the Union Territory. Fresh snowfall was also recorded in the Apharwat hills of Gulmarg and several other higher reaches of north Kashmir. Weather officials said that []

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act or AFSPA will be withdrawn from the entire Northeast next year, barring one or two states. Speaking at the signing of a tripartite MoU between the Centre, Assam and Nagaland to facilitate mineral oil operations in the Assam-Nagaland []

Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed a range of issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir, including the early restoration of statehood, economic development, and promotion of tourism. In a post on X, Abdullah said he called on the Prime Minister to deliberate on matters of importance []

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court will on Friday hear Congress leader Meenakshi Natarajans plea against her nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha election from Madhya Pradesh being rejected. A partial working day (PWD) bench comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Atul S Chandurkar, however, also asked how the petition was maintainable in the midst of []

Srinagar:A bear cub was safely captured in the Tathamulla area near a bridge in Boniyar on Thursday in a joint operation by the Wildlife Department and police. A wildlife official said that local residents had alerted the department about the cubs presence in the area. A team responded promptly and rescued the animal without causing []

NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Prakash Chik Baraik resigned from the Upper House as well as the party on Thursday, saying he took the decision in view of the mandate given to the BJP by the people of West Bengal. Baraik is the third TMC MP to quit this week, after Sukhendu Sekhar []

Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday said the government is making dedicated efforts to strengthen hockey in Jammu and Kashmir, with the Sports Department and Sports Council working to create a pipeline for identifying and nurturing young talent. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Alfa Hockey Inter-School Tournament 2026 at the Synthetic Hockey []