Kashmir Reader

JAMMU: The death toll in the recent rain-triggered flash floods and landslides across Jammu region rose to 26 on Thursday with the recovery of the body of a 25-year-old woman from Poonch district, officials said. The body of Khalida Kouser, wife of Yasar Iqbal of Murrah village, was recovered near the Fazalabad footbridge in Surankote []

Srinagar: A 59-year-old woman died after being hit by an unidentified vehicle near JVC Hospital in the Bemina area of Srinagar on Thursday, officials said. An official said that the accident took place near JVC Hospital, where an unidentified vehicle struck the woman. He said she was rushed to JVC Hospital in a critical condition, []

Srinagar: Amid the continued closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway due to heavy rainfall, landslides and shooting stones, the Northern Railway on Thursday introduced a special train between Srinagar and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to facilitate stranded passengers. According to an official communication, the special train was introduced following a request from Commercial Control, []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the Centre cannot ignore protests by a large number of youth in Delhi over the paper leak issue and should address the resentment among them by having a dialogue. At some point, there has to be dialogue with them. You cannot ignore such a []

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the welfare of the countrys youth is the top priority of his government and asserted that anyone trying to harm their future will not be spared. Modis outreach to the youth came three days after thousands of students led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) took []

Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the Jammu and Kashmir government is committed to building a robust startup ecosystem and will support innovative ideas, asserting that young entrepreneurs should never fear failure but should instead fear not trying. Addressing the inaugural session of ASCEND J&K 2026 Startup Ecosystem Summit at the Sher-i-Kashmir []

Jammu: Leader of Opposition Sunil Kumar Sharma on Thursday alleged that the Omar Abdullah-led government rewarded the main accused in the 2012 MBBS entrance paper leak scam by granting him an extension and a post-retirement appointment, claiming the government remained silent on the case until the High Court intervened. In a statement issued, a spokesperson []

Shopian: A six-year-old girl was injured after a leopard entered a residential house in the forest area of Laitri Wali Behak in the Keller area of south Kashmirs Shopian district on Thursday. An official said that the leopard entered the residential house in Keller and attacked the minor girl, leaving her injured. He said the []

NEW DELHI:Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Thursday took note of the SCBAs plea that several metro stations have been closed making it difficult for lawyers and litigants to come to court and said he will intervene if the matter is not resolved by lunch time. Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Vikas Singh []

Srinagar: A security high alert has been issued in Kashmir following the killing of a policeman in a terror attack in Anantnags Lal Chowk area on Wednesday afternoon, sources said. Sources said that security across Kashmir has been put on a high alert, with forces intensifying surveillance, strengthening checkpoints and launching search operations. Meanwhile, in []

Says all depts mobilized; restoration of damaged infrastructure in full swing BUDGAM: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Budgam, Athar Aamir Khan on Wednesday visited the Sub-District Hospitals (SDHs) at Magam and Beerwah to review healthcare facilities and ensure uninterrupted medical services in the wake of the recent inclement weather. During the visit, the DC inspected hospital wards, []

BJPs A, B & C teams stand fully exposed after refusal to join Jantar Mantar protest SRINAGAR: The Jammu & Kashmir National Conference Provincial President Showkat Ahmad Mir Wednesday said the restoration of Jammu & Kashmirs statehood is a constitutional obligation whose continued delay has deepened public disappointment and strengthened the resolve of the people []

Building violations, unauthorised construction around grand mosque flagged SRINAGAR: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir and President Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid, Dr. Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq, chaired an important meeting of the Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid Srinagar and took stock of the ongoing restoration and conservation work at the historic Jama Masjid. During the meeting, the progress of the restoration []

Srinagar: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of the Crime Branch J&K has filed a chargesheet against four accused persons in connection with an alleged multi-crore shawl cheating case involving fraudulent transactions worth over 2.50 crore. In a handout,a spokesperson said that the chargesheet in FIR No. 55/2022, registered under Sections 420, 120-B and 201 []

VANCOUVER: The US threat of 50 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods will have a ripple effect on the countrys economy but also could be a negotiation tactic by the US administration, experts say. The new tariffs, announced by US President Donald Trump on Monday, are scheduled to come into effect Aug 19. They cover []

Anantnag: Authorities on Thursday demolished the houses of two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists in south Kashmirs Anantnag district, officials said. Officials said that the action came a day after terrorists shot dead a police personnel in a firing incident at Lal Chowk in Anantnag on Wednesday. They said the demolished houses belonged to Aadil Thokar, a []

Our elders married their children with a golden heart, not gold. They kept Shadi simple, affordable, and free of unnecessary customs. Their rule was kam kharch, zyada izzatless expense, more respect. Even the wazwan was simple. Not 30 dishes, just 6 that were enough. Because whats the point of a grand feast, if the marriage []

Humanity has not completely disappeared. There are still many people who dedicate their lives to helping others. Doctors serve with devotion, teachers guide with sincerity, volunteers support those affected by difficulties, and countless ordinary people quietly perform acts of kindness. Such individuals prove that humanity is still alive and inspire hope for a better future. []

A successful AI strategy for Jammu and Kashmir must focus on strengthening digital infrastructure in underserved areas, training teachers in responsible AI use, developing clear guidelines on academic integrity and privacy, and teaching students AI literacy. Technology must be adapted to local realitieswith digital resources in regional languages and integration of local history and culture. []

When used wisely, AI can be an excellent learning companion. However, its excessive and careless use is raising serious concerns about the future of students creativity. Instead of thinking independently, students simply ask AI to provide complete answers. The human brain becomes stronger through use. If AI always solves every problem, the brain receives fewer []

DUBAI: Indian batting trio of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill all made up ground in the ICC Mens ODI batting rankings after their performances in the recently concluded series against England. Gill managed 188 runs across the three matches to close within one rating point of Daryl Mitchell (802 Rating Points) at the []

LONDON: The Australian Mens Mixed Disability team will tour England for a T20I series in 2027, marking the first-ever Mixed Disability Ashes. The dates for the series are yet to be confirmed. The two Mixed Disability sides will be taking each other on for the first time. The series will be part of the 2027 []

Srinagar: In the aftermath of the todays terrorist attack in Anantnag, security forces have launched an extensive crackdown across the Kashmir Valley, with over 2500 suspected Over Ground Workers (OGWs) detained for questioning and verification. The coordinated district-wide operations were carried out in Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam, Shopian, Ganderbal and other districts on the basis []

Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday visited the flood-affected areas of Beerwah in central Kashmirs Budgam district to assess the damage caused by the recent heavy rains. Speaking to reporters during the visit, CM Omar, said he met the owners and tenants of the affected shops and directed them to submit all documents related []

Srinagar: The University of Kashmir on Wednesday postponed all examinations scheduled to be held on July 23 in view of the prevailing inclement weather conditions. According to a notice issued by the Office of the Controller of Examinations, all University examinations slated for July 23, 2026, have been postponed. The notice stated that the revised []

Srinagar : Security forces have picked up over 1,000 Over Ground Workers (OGWs) from across the Kashmir Valley after a cop was killed in a terror attack in south Kashmirs Anantnag district, officials said. A top official said that following the attack security forces along with Jammu and Kashmir police launched Valley-wide raids. He said []

Bandipora: A 14-year-old boy was found dead in a nallah in the Guzarbal area of Bandipora district on Wednesday, officials said. Officials said that the body was recovered from the nallah and shifted to District Hospital Bandipora for medico-legal formalities. The deceased was identified as Amir Khatana (14), son of late Mehboob Khatana and a []

Srinagar: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir and President Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid, Dr. Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq, chaired an important meeting of the Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid Srinagar and took stock of the ongoing restoration and conservation work at the historic Jama Masjid. During the meeting, the progress of the restoration work was reviewed, and the need to ensure []

Srinagar: Anantnag Police on Wednesday cautioned the public against sharing unauthorised photographs, videos and unverified information related to the terror incident in Lal Chowk area, warning that violators will face legal action. A senior police officer said that several social media users and platforms were circulating fake photographs, edited videos and unverified content linked to []

Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday condemned the terror attack in Anantnag that claimed the life of a police personnel and said those responsible will be brought to justice. In a post on X, the LG said he spoke with DGP Shri Nalin Prabhat to review the situation following the attack. I strongly condemn []

Ramban: Several passengers were injured after a shooting stone hit a tempo on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway near Ramsoo in Ramban district on Wednesday, officials said. Officials said that the shooting stone struck the passenger vehicle amid continuous rainfall, leaving several occupants injured. They said one of the injured sustained critical injuries and was shifted []

Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said the ruling National Conference (NC) is normalising the constitutional changes of August 5, 2019 by reducing Jammu and Kashmirs political discourse to the demand for statehood alone. She said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah should have convened an all-party meeting before approaching the Centre on []

Anantnag:A police personnel was critically injured in a firing incident on the Kokernag side road in Anantnag district on Wednesday. The injured cop was immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. His condition is said to be critical, official sources said. Soon after the attack, security forces cordoned off the area and launched a []

NEW DELHI: Wearing black clothes, leaders of several Opposition parties on Wednesday staged a protest outside Parliament to express solidarity with students protesting against the NEET paper leak issue. The opposition MPs raised slogans against the government and demanded the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for the police action []

Jammu: Member of Parliament Mian Altaf Ahmad on Wednesday escaped unhurt after a landslide hit his official vehicle while he was inspecting rain and landslide-affected areas along the Jammu-Poonch National Highway, officials said. Officials said that rocks and debris suddenly rolled down from a hill and struck the MPs vehicle during the inspection. However, Mian []

Ramban: Vehicular movement on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was suspended from both ends on Wednesday following heavy rainfall along the entire stretch, which triggered multiple incidents of shooting stones and mudslides at several locations in Udhampur and Ramban districts. Officials said that traffic was suspended from both the Jammu and Srinagar sides as a precautionary []

Srinagar: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch, Kashmir, has filed a charge-sheet before the Chief Judicial Magistrates Court in Srinagar in connection with a job fraud racket linked to fake appointments in the Airports Authority of India. In a handout, the CBK said that the charge-sheet pertains to FIR No. 36/2018 registered under []

Rajouri: An Army rifleman died after slipping while on duty at a forward post in the Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district during the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday, officials said. An official said that the deceased, a rifleman of the 19 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles (19 JAK Rifles), was deployed at the forward location. []

Srinagar: Former MLA from Sangrama, Shoaib Nabi Lone, is joining the Peoples Democratic Party on Wednesday, sources disclosed. Sources said that Shoaib is joining the PDP today. Shoaib is likely to be PDPs candidate from the Baramulla Assembly segment, where the party had fielded Rafiq Rather in the 2024 assembly elections. Riding on a sympathy []

Ganderbal: A 25-year-old man was found dead under suspicious circumstances at his residence in Wayil Wudder area of central Kashmirs Ganderbal district during the intervening night of July 21 and 22. The deceased has been identified as Farhan Ahmad Khan, son of Haroon Rasheed Khan, a resident of Wayil Wudder. Officials said that the body []

RALEIGH: The US military has confirmed that a third service member is believed to be dead in Fridays attack on a base in Jordan and identified them as Sgt Angel S Rampersad, 28, of New York. The confirmation brings the death toll to 18 US service members killed since the war began. On Monday, the []

Delhi protest beginning, not end of campaign; rivals skipped, didnt want to annoy BJP Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said the restoration of statehood remains the essential foundation for regaining the regions constitutional rights, while launching a scathing attack on political opponents for skipping the NCs Delhi protest and refuting []

Srinagar: Torrential rains triggered massive flash floods in Beerwah and Khag areas of Central Kashmirs Budgam district on Tuesday, sweeping away a man and causing widespread damage to markets and residential areas, while rescue teams intensified the search for missing persons in the flood-hit districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu division. An official told []

Kulgam: The Kashmir administration on Tuesday placed all departments on high alert and activated round-the-clock control rooms across the Valley in view of the adverse weather forecast, with Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir Anshul Garg saying the entire administrative machinery has been mobilised to respond to any emergency. Talking to reporters in Kulgam, Garg said []

Announces 6 lakh ex gratia for victims families Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said his government will ensure no more people die in the flood-ravaged Poonch and Rajouri districts of the Union Territory. There has been devastation in Poonch-Rajouri. Some lives have been lost and our efforts will be to []

Says 356 of 435 damaged roads restored Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha reviewed the damage caused by heavy rainfall, floods, and landslides in Rajouri and Poonch. He held discussions with senior officials and Deputy Commissioners to assess the impact on property and public infrastructure. The Lieutenant Governor emphasized ongoing monitoring of the situation and directed []

Only Jhelum riverfront among achievements visible; losses to be assessed Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said an inquiry would be conducted into the Srinagar Smart City Project after rains caused waterlogging in several areas, including the civil secretariat here, and blamed the citys drainage system. The chief minister said the []

Power restored on war footing Poonch, Rajouri: In the wake of devastating flash floods caused by heavy rainfall, top officials from Jammus administration and police have intensified rescue and restoration efforts across Poonch and Rajouri districts. Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar and IGP Jammu Bhim Sen Tuti visited flood-affected areas in Poonch, including Sangla village, where []

Drug-Free J&K campaign 2,581 drug traffickers arrested, 1,431 kg narcotics seized Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday addressed an event organized by the Department of Social Welfare, commemorating the successful completion of 100 days of the Drug-Free J&K campaign, saying while this milestone marks significant progress, our mission is far from complete. Speaking on []

Observes hunger strike Srinagar: Jailed Baramulla Member of Parliament Er Rashid on Tuesday began a symbolic barefoot march from Tihar Jail to Parliament while observing a day long hunger strike, pressing for a meaningful, time bound and result oriented dialogue on Jammu and Kashmir. AIP chief spokesperson Inam Un Nabi said the protest is aimed []