Kashmir Reader

JKIMPARD gets special Award for Excellence JAMMU: Jammu & Kashmir has secured the third rank nationally under Mission Karmayogi during SDHANA Saptah, marking a major milestone in institutionalising continuous learning and competency-driven governance among the civil servants. The recognition reflects the Union Territorys structured implementation of reforms under the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah along with Vice President and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Friday paid rich tributes to party stalwart, former treasurer and former legislator from Zadibal, Sadiq Ali on his 15th death anniversary. Recalling his astute political acumen and distinguished literary contributions, Dr. Farooq said, Late Sadiq []

SRINAGAR: A Hajj training programme was organized jointly by Anjuman Nusrat-ul-Islam and Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid Srinagar at the Central Hall Auditorium of Islamia Higher Secondary School. The programme was attended by male and female pilgrims scheduled to undertake the sacred journey of Hajj this year. It is noteworthy that, as in previous years,Haj Program []

SRINAGAR: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg on Friday conducted a comprehensive review of the progress on the 60 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Noorbagh, along with other major ongoing projects being executed by the Urban Environmental Engineering Department (UEED) in Kashmir. The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Akshay Labroo; Chief Engineer, KPDCL; []

Says allowing son to be with is ailing father would be humane, dignified gesture SRINAGAR: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Friday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to consider the release of incarcerated Member of Parliament (MP) Engineer Rashid, as his father, Khazir Mohammad Sheikh, is battling []

SRINAGAR: Minister for Education, Social Welfare, Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo has expressed deep grief and sorrow on the sad demise of Senior Lecturer of HSS Bomai, Tariq Ahmad Matta. In her condolence message, the Education Minister said that the Late Tariq Ahmad was a dedicated educator, whose demise is a great loss to []

SRINAGAR: Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS), GMC Srinagar, today successfully conducted the first UT-level Virtual Medical Board Meet in Psychiatry. The academic meet witnessed an overwhelming participation of around 200 delegates, including senior faculty members, consultants, postgraduate scholars and trainees from all medical colleges across []

DC oversees exercise in presence of applicants ANANTNAG: To ensure fair and transparent allotment of tents and shops for the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY)-2026 at various identified locations on Pahalgam Axis, a draw of lots was conducted on Friday at Dak Bungalow, Khanabal. The exercise was jointly carried out by a designated committee []

BARAMULLA: District Youth Services and Sports Baramulla continues to energize the district with a powerful blend of sports excellence and social awareness under the ongoing Inter-School Zonal Level Competitions and the Nasha Mukt J&K 100 Days Campaign. In an inspiring display of commitment towards a drug-free society, multiple zones across Baramulla actively participated in both []

DC visits shrine, takes stock of arrangements ANANTNAG: The annual Urs of the revered saint Hazrat Baba Hyder Reshi, popularly known as Reshmol Sahab (RA), commenced on Friday with religious fervour at the Ziyarat Sharief in Anantnag. As per long standing tradition, the Urs will be observed for a period of six days, attracting a []

BEIRUT: Iran said Friday it fully reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels, but US President Donald Trump said the American blockade on Iranian ships and ports will remain in full force until Tehran reaches a deal with the US, including on its nuclear programme. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X that []

LUCKNOW: The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court on Friday ordered an FIR be filed against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in connection with an alleged dual citizenship controversy. The bench permitted the state government to hand over the probe to any central probe agency after registration of the FIR. The order was passed by []

SIVAGANGA (TAMIL NADU): Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Friday asserted that the proposed delimitation bill will be defeated in Parliament. Addressing reporters here, he said, Sonia Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, M K Stalin, and Akhilesh Yadav will ensure its defeat, and added that the bill cannot be passed if all opposition leaders unite. Describing the []

Srinagar: Addressing the faithful at the historic Jama Masjid today, Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said that as Hujjaj begin their blessed journey to Baitullah from tomorrow, prayers are with them for a safe journey and acceptance of their Hajj This year, their journey comes at a time when the world especially the Middle East, is []

NEW DELHI: Delimitation will turn out to be political demonetisation, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said on Friday while slamming the government for linking womens reservation with the expansion of Parliament. Participating in a debate in the Lok Sabha on the three bills introduced for amendments in the womens quota law and setting up a []

New Delhi: No state big or small, north or south, east or west will be discriminated against in the delimitation of constituencies linked with the implementation of women quota law, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Thursday while strongly backing implementation of the reservation in 2029 and warned that those who oppose this []

IFFCOs Women Farmers Conference at Srinagar Stakeholders must grant women farmers, entrepreneurs recognition, resources, agency to work on their terms Srinagar: Without women farmers, every plate would be empty, leaving humanity starved. They sustain the world, work harder than their male counterparts and their strength anchors food security, planting seeds of prosperity for families and []

Srinagar: The State Investigation Agency (SIA), Kashmir, on Thursday filed its charge sheet in a significant terrorist conspiracy case involving a covert module commonly referred to as the Doctors Terror Module. The charge sheet has been filed against ten (10) accused persons in connection with an FIR registered at Police Station Nowgam, Srinagar. The case []

Gusty winds damage rooftops, electricity poles, other infra Srinagar: The Meteorological Centre Srinagar on Thursday forecast generally cloudy conditions with intermittent spells of light rain and thundershowers across Jammu and Kashmir till April 19, with a possibility of gusty winds and hailstorms at isolated places. An official of the MeT department told KNO that from []

Seeks release of Baramulla MP Srinagar: Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi on Thursday expressed deep anguish over the worsening health condition of Khazir Mohammad Sheikh, father of jailed Member of Parliament from Baramulla Er Rashid who has now been shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) following a further deterioration in []

Directs depts, officers to ensure safe, comfortable pilgrimage Jammu: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), attended by senior officers from the Civil Administration and Police department to review the comprehensive arrangements being made for the smooth, safe, and successful conduct of the Shri Amarnathji []

Srinagar: Asias largest Tulip Garden in Srinagar closed for the season on Wednesday, capping a successful run with total footfall nearing 3.9 lakh and revenue surpassing Rs 3.66 crore, officials said. Assistant Floriculture Officer In-charge Tulip Garden Srinagar, Imran Ahmad said that the garden recorded 3,82,297 visitors till the last day, with the final figure []

DIPR, Tourism Dept join hands under Nasha Mukt J&K campaign Srinagar: In a unique initiative, the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), in collaboration with the Tourism Department, organized a mega anti-drug Shikara rally on the iconic Dal Lake under the ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyan. The initiative was a part of []

SRINAGAR A man lost his life while four others were injured after the truss of an under-construction cold storage unit fell down due to strong winds in Lassipora area of south Kashmirs Pulwama district on Thursday, officials said. An official said that due to strong winds the under construction cold storage unit collapsed []

NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal urged Delhi High Court judge Swarana Kanta Sharma on Thursday to take on record his additional affidavit claiming that the judge has a direct conflict of interest in continuing to hear the CBIs petition against his discharge in the liquor-policy case. Justice Sharma directed the registry []

JERUSALEM: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel and the US share identical goals in the ongoing conflict with Iran. The Israeli prime minister on Wednesday said the US has been keeping Israel updated on its contacts with Iran and reiterated that both nations seek the removal of enriched material, an end to Irans enrichment []

SAO PAULO: Brazils President Luiz Incio Lula da Silva said on Wednesday that Pope Leo XIV should be defended from powerful people who have recently criticised him. The leftist leaders comments come amid a tense exchange of attacks between the pontiff and US President Donald Trump. Earlier Wednesday, during his trip to Cameroon, the first []

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said the INDIA bloc must collectively decide the oppositions response to the Constitution Amendment Bill, 2026. Speaking to reporters after the inauguration of Know Your Artisan initiative here, Abdullah said a meeting of the INDIA bloc has been scheduled at 3 pm on Wednesday at []

Inaugurates Know Your Artisan under Soulful Kashmir initiative at Kashmir Haat Invites people to witness world-class crafts shaped by magical hands Srinagar: In a major boost to promote Kashmir craft sector, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah on Wednesday inaugurated the Know Your Artisan programme at Kashmir Haat here, under the Handicrafts and Handlooms ongoing Soulful Kashmir []

Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyaan Highlights societys role in fight against menace, calls for collective action JAMMU, APRIL 15: Drug abuse isnt just a law & order issue but a social cancer requiring every part of society to fight. I urged for Whole of Government and Whole of Society approach. I believe when the governments []

Offices to reopen in Srinagar on May 4 Srinagar: The administration on Wednesday ordered the annual Darbar Move, directing government offices to move from Jammu to Srinagar for the summer season. An order issued by the General Administration Department reads offices observing a five-day work schedule will close in Jammu on April 30, while those []

Srinagar: Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary on Wednesday said that the government is prioritising employment generation, having referred nearly 30,000 posts and facilitated recruitment of around 15,000 through various agencies over the past year in Jammu and Kashmir. The Deputy Chief Minister informed this while addressing a large public gathering at Kunzar in the Gulmarg []

J&K entering phase of stability, progress, opportunity: CM Omar at banks tourism meet Srinagar: Axis Bank, one of the largest private sector banks in India, hosted the Tourism Promotion and Expansion Plan Meet in Srinagar, reaffirming its long-term commitment to driving inclusive and sustainable economic development in Jammu & Kashmir. The event was attended by []

MeT predicts light rain on April 17, 18 Srinagar: The Meteorological Department on Wednesday said Jammu and Kashmir is expected to witness generally dry weather on April 16 with a brief spell of light rain or thundershower at a few places towards evening or night. A MeT Department official while talking to the news agencyKashmir []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Wednesday expressed deep gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar for their effective intervention in ensuring the safe evacuation and repatriation of around 1,200 Kashmiri students stranded in war-torn Iran. According to a statement issued here, the Association said the []

SRINAGAR: District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Srinagar, in collaboration with the School Education Department, organized a series of legal awareness programmes on Wednesday at Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Gulabagh, Srinagar. The programme was conducted under the guidance of Haq Nawaz Zargar, Chairman, DLSA Srinagar (Principal District & Sessions Judge), and under the supervision of []

BANDIPORA: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora, Indu Kanwal Chib on Wednesday distributed three-wheelers and fish vending carts among selected beneficiaries under various schemes, aimed at strengthening livelihood opportunities and boosting the fisheries sector in the district. On the occasion, the DC distributed 07 three-wheelers equipped with ice box units among fishermen who were selected through []

ANANTNAG: In a decisive action against the illegal sale of medicines, J&K Police in Anantnag, in close coordination with the Drug Department, sealed a medical shop at Paibugh Mattan for violating prescribed norms. The action was taken following credible inputs regarding the unlawful sale of medicines without valid prescriptions. During the inspection, the shop owner []

SRINAGAR: Training Programme for Master Trainers on Houselisting and Housing Census (Phase-I) under Census 2027 commenced on Wednesday at the Jammu & Kashmir Institute of Management, Public Administration and Rural Development (IMPARD), Main Campus, M.A. Road, Srinagar. The programme is being organized in collaboration with the Directorate of Census Operations, J&K, and the Office of []

Srinagar: A woman allegedly set herself abalze at Partap Park in the Lal Chowk area of Srinagar on Wednesday afternoon, officials said. An official saidthat soon after the incident, the woman was immediately rushed to a hospital for treatment. The motive behind the incident was not immediately known. Police have taken cognisance of the matter []

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has said that the war with Iran is close to over, asserting that if he pulled up stakes right now, it would take Tehran 20 years to rebuild the country. The presidents comments come hours after the US Central Command said it has successfully blocked all traffic to and from []

Srinagar: Police on Wednesday said that in continuation of sustained action against elements involved in disrupting a recent student protest at Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Sopore Police have arrested five more miscreants during night-long raids. In a handout, the police said that the miscreants had infiltrated a peaceful protest by students and created []

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday suggested degressive proportionality in the Lok Sabha to balance population with federal equity and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold extensive consultations with all parties and states before rushing into a hasty delimitation process that leaves core underlying issues unaddressed. The MP from Thiruvananthapuram said it []

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to take strict action against those behind the death of a Ramban youth, to send out a strong message that jungle raj will not be tolerated in the Union Territory. We want the atmosphere to remain good, but there are []

Says spring symbolises new beginning for J&K Inaugurates Jashn-e-Amad-e-Bahar on Baisakhi Bijbehara: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday inaugurated Jashn-e-Amad-e-Bahar, the Spring Festival on the occasion of Baisakhi, at Jablipora in Anantnag. Addressing a large gathering on the occasion, the Chief Minister described spring as a symbol of renewal and hope, stating that the festival []

Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has expressed heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari for their support and approval of the SudhmahadevDranga and SinghporaVailoo tunnel projects on NH-244. The Chief Minister said that these vital infrastructure projects will significantly strengthen connectivity, ensure all-weather access, and []

Srinagar: Baisakhi was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety in Kashmir on Tuesday, with the devotees thronging different gurdwaras to offer prayers. The main function was held at Gurdwara Chati Padshahi in the Rainawari area of the city, which was attended by a huge number of Sikh devotees. Senior officers of police and civil administration []

Rs 5,000 crore property saved in 2025 Srinagar: The Fire Service Day was observed on Tuesday at the headquarters of Fire & Emergency Services (F&ES) Batamaloo, here, with the launching of the week-long Fire Service Week to be held across the Union Territory from April 14 to 20, 2026. Led by Director Fire & Emergency []

Lays foundation for four-lane connecting road, bridge Jammu: On the auspicious occasion of Baisakhi, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha dedicated Tawi Riverfront Project (Phase-I), developed at a cost of Rs 156 crore, to the public. In Phase-1 of Tawi Riverfront Project, Jammu Smart City Limited has developed promenades on the left bank, right bank, and the []

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday attended the ceremony marking the upgradation of Apna Bhojanalaya at Government Medical College Jammu. The community kitchen is run by Sewa Bharti and supported by J&K Bank along with other donors. The Lieutenant Governor lauded the noble initiative and partook in a meal at Apna Bhojanalaya. He said []