Kashmir Reader

Pulwama needs politics based on public criteria rather than personal networks. If a road is needed, residents should know why that road has been selected. If a project receives funding, people should be able to know the sanctioned amount, implementing agency, timeline and criteria. If several localities have similar needs, the basis for prioritisation should []

The true purpose of education is not merely to prepare students to answer questions on an examination paper; it is to prepare them to face the difficult questions of life with courage, patience, self-control and balance. Mohammad Ayoub Education is not merely about completing a syllabus, passing examinations, or securing high marks. It is about []

To surrender your words is, in a sense, to surrender your voice. Every person carries an unwritten story within; to bury that story is to become a graveyard of untold elegies and melancholy. To write it is to leave a mark. Fida Hussain Sodagar Aristotle proposed three ways to avoid criticism. Say nothing. Do nothing. []

Modern society has created an unusual pressure to have an opinion about everything one observes. Sheikh-ul-Alams (RA) wisdom offers another way: not every statement deserves an answer, not every accusation requires a defence, and not every disagreement requires confrontation. Sometimes silence protects dignity better than an explanation. Muneer Bhat Hazrat Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani (RA), popularly []

A strange thing happens in many English classrooms. A student may study English for ten or twelve years, write pages of answers in an examination, and still hesitate when asked a very simple question in English. He may know the grammar rule for using a tense, but he may not be able to use that []

900 public charging sites, 140 fast-charging hubs; 20% EV-ready parking mandated Clean, affordable, weather-resilient: CM Omar Abdullah Srinagar, Oct 01: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has notified the J&K Electric Vehicle Policy-2026, following its approval by the Council of Ministers chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, setting a six-year roadmap for expanding clean, affordable and []

Srinagar, Oct 01: The J&K Transport Department has directed field offices to seize commercial vehicles that have attained the age of 25 years and lodge FIRs if they are found plying on roads. Transport Commissioner Vishesh Mahajan, in a post on X, urged owners of such vehicles to scrap them, citing commuter safety as a []

8 arrested, 2.20 crore recovered Srinagar, Oct 01: Srinagar Police on Thursday said they have arrested eight people and seized more than 2.19 lakh pharmaceutical tablets and capsules while investigating an alleged narcotics network with links beyond Jammu and Kashmir. The investigation began with FIR No. 135/2026 at Safakadal Police Station. Police said the network []

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has notified the J&K Electric Vehicle Policy-2026, following its approval by the Council of Ministers chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, setting a six-year roadmap for expanding clean, affordable and weather-resilient electric mobility across Jammu and Kashmir. Chief Minister congratulated Transport Minister Satish Sharma and the Transport Department for []

Srinagar: Police on Thursday said it has busted a well-established narcotics module operating from Downtown Srinagar, arresting eight persons and recovering cash, gold, banned drugs and a pistol, besides freezing bank accounts and attaching properties. The case has been registered as FIR No. 135/2026 U/S 8/21/22/29/25/27A NDPS Act, 3/4/25 Arms Act, 111 BNS at Police []

Jammu: Lieutenant General Mohit Seth, SM, VSM on Thursday took over the command of White Knight Corps from Lieutenant General P K Mishra, UYSM, AVSM, YSM, SM. On assuming command, the new Corps Commander exhorted all ranks to uphold the highest standards of operational readiness, professional excellence and team spirit, while continuing to foster peace, []

Srinagar: Growing participation of children and youth in sports and other constructive activities is helping Jammu and Kashmir move towards peace and prosperity while foiling the nefarious designs of the neighbouring country, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat said on Thursday. Addressing the flag-in ceremony of the Run for Unity marathon organised by J&K Police []

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir captain Paras Dogra won the toss and elected to field against Rest of India in the Irani Cup at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium here on Thursday. J&K, who won the Ranji Trophy last season, have included Nasir Lone in their playing XI for the five-day encounter. J&K have gone in with Abdul []

Srinagar: The J&K Transport Department has directed field offices to seize commercial vehicles that have attained the age of 25 years and lodge FIRs if they are found plying on roads. Transport Commissioner Vishesh Mahajan, in a post on X,, urged owners of such vehicles to scrap them, citing commuter safety as a concern. Request []

Srinagar: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Crime Branch Kashmir, on Thursday said it has filed a chargesheet against a Pulwama resident for allegedly using a forged official letterhead and signature of the Lieutenant Governor to influence the functioning of the Anantnag District Police Administration. In a statement, a spokesperson said the EOW, Crime Branch Kashmir, []

Jammu/Srinagar, Sep 30: The Bharatiya Janata Party staged a protest in Jammu and Srinagar on Wednesday against the National Conference-led Jammu and Kashmir government over the Assembly resolution on statehood, including autonomy. The BJP accused the government of passing the resolution without adequate discussion and failing to fulfil its election promises. Hundreds of BJP workers, []

Srinagar, Sep 30: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly saw a brief disruption on Wednesday over the withdrawal of a bill to increase legislators salaries. As soon as the House proceedings began, National Conference (NC) MLA from Pahalgam, Altaf Kaloo, raised the issue of the withdrawal of the bill. The bill, along with another bill []

By restoring sight, Army has given patients new vision of peace, trust, togetherness Srinagar, Sep 30: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday attended the closing ceremony of 11th Mega Eye Surgery Camp organised under Operation Drishti, which marks another milestone in the Indian Armys healthcare outreach in the UT of Jammu Kashmir. Addressing the gathering, []

UT system obstructing public interests; special status remains close to peoples hearts Srinagar, Sep 30: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday said special status remains close to the hearts of the people of J&K and can never be erased from their minds. Addressing a gathering, he said the struggle for []

Registration must for online news platforms Srinagar, Sep 30: The Jammu and Kashmir government has said that it is set to issue the New Media Policy, 2026, with provisions for registration and regulation of online news media platforms and measures to ensure accountability for misleading or fabricated information disseminated through unregistered and unregulated digital and []

MHA says entire group of 4 commanders behind several attacks eliminated Budgam, Sep 30: A top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander, identified as Musa alias Asif Fauji, was killed by security forces during an intelligence-led anti-terror operation in the upper reaches of Budgam district, officials said on Wednesday. The encounter broke out late Tuesday after security forces []

Srinagar, Sep 30: Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmed Rana, on behalf of Chief Minister who also holds the portfolio of Revenue Department, informed the House that during the last two years, 2,486 Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) certificates have been issued in Kashmir Division and 24,058 in Jammu Division. The Minister was replying to a []

Srinagar, Sep 30: More than 21.12 lakh applications were received for recruitment examinations conducted by the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) and J&K Services Selection Board (JKSSB) during the last three financial years, with 15,964 posts advertised, the Jammu and Kashmir government has said. The government provided the details in a written reply []

Srinagar: Senior leader National Conference and MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq on Wednesday congratulated Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather and the Assembly Secretariat for the successful operationalisation of the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) during the Autumn Session of the House. Speaking on the concluding day of the Autumn Session, Sadiq, appreciated the []

SRINAGAR Top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Asif Musa (also known as Asif Fauji or Moosa) has been killed in an overnight operation in Yousmarg forests in central Kashmirs Budgam district. Official sources said that Asif Musa has been active in Jammu and Kashmir for approximately three years, having infiltrated Indian territory in September 2023. Over the []

Budgam: One militant was killed in an encounter between security forces and terrorists in the Gurwatkalan area of Budgam district late Tuesday evening, officials said. A top police officer said that the operation was launched after security forces established contact with the terrorists in the area. He said a joint operation is underway, with security []

Says Ease of Doing Business law, decriminalisation measures aimed at making investment enterprise easier in J&K Srinagar, Sep 29: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday called for sustained business partnerships between Jammu and Kashmirs entrepreneurs and buyers from across India and abroad, emphasising that the Government is working to create an enabling environment for investment, []

BJP demands Speakers exit, Treasury Benches cry Vote Chor Srinagar, Sep 29: Ruckus erupted in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Tuesday over the adoption of a resolution moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah a day ago demanding urgent restoration of full statehood. Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma said the BJP has moved a []

Srinagar, Sep 29: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday took a dig at the BJP over its repeated assertion that Statehood would be restored at an appropriate time, saying the government would use the same response when asked about holding Panchayat elections. Responding to a question from BJP MLA R.S. Pathania on the timeline for []

Srinagar, Sep 29: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday withdrew two Bills seeking increase in salaries and allowances of Ministers, Ministers of State and Members of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislature, following objections raised by members of the principal opposition BJP in the Legislative Assembly. Responding to the objections, the Chief Minister said there was []

Srinagar, Sep 29: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said that more than 1.3 million clerical errors in land records have been identified and rectified as part of the ongoing digitization and verification of Jamabandis across Jammu and Kashmir. Replying to a question tabled by MLA Devyani Rana during the Question Hour of the ongoing []

Assemblies, Parliament are for discussions Srinagar, Sep 29: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday expressed hope that state assemblies and Parliament will continue to do better for the people of the country through proper discussions. The 88-year-old National Conference patron watched his son lead the treasury benches from the Speakers gallery, []

Focus on energy security, sustainability, public welfare Srinagar, Sep 29: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday chaired a meeting to review the Draft J&K Hydropower Policy 2026, calling for a focused policy framework to accelerate the harnessing of Jammu & Kashmirs vast hydropower potential, augment power generation capacity and strengthen the overall electricity sector. Reviewing []

Kathua: Four Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel were killed in a firing incident at the Sewa Project in the Mashka area of Kathua district on Tuesday, officials said. A top police officer said that the incident occurred following an altercation among CISF personnel deployed at the project. He said four personnel sustained gunshot injuries []

Rajouri: Director General of Police, J&K, Nalin Prabhat along with Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, Tejinder Singh on Tuesday chaired a high-level review meeting with all officers of Rajouri Police to take stock of ongoing operations in the district. During the meeting, the DGP and IG Jammu are understood to have reviewed the prevailing []

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Tuesday withdrew the Bills seeking enhancement of salaries and allowances of Members of the J&K Assembly after objections from BJP MLAs. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, while responding to the objections on the Bill, said there was no dissenting note in the House Committee which had recommended the []

Srinagar: The Jammu & Kashmir Government on Tuesday declined to disclose details of cabinet recommendations on reservation or queries posed by the Union Government, citing secrecy provisions under the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Legislative Assembly. Responding to a question of MLA Handwara Sajad Gani Lone, the Minister incharge Social Welfare,said []

Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday took a dig at the BJP over its repeated assertion that Statehood would be restored at an appropriate time, saying the government would use the same response when asked about holding Panchayat elections. Responding to questions over the timeline for Panchayat polls in the Legislative Assembly, Omar, said []

Srinagar: Congress MLA Nizam Uddin Bhat on Tuesday sought a discussion in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on the communication from the Chief Secretary and Law Secretary regarding the statehood resolution. Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Bhat, questioned the legal basis for treating the J&K Legislature differently from other State Legislatures and demanded []

Srinagar: National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah appeared in the Speakers Gallery of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, marking his presence on the sixth day of the ongoing session. Dr Farooq,was seen attending the proceedings of the House as legislators took up various issues during the session. Pertinently, the Jammu and Kashmir []

Says new poultry units, revival of existing farms must go hand in hand; calls for time-bound policy intervention SRINAGAR: The Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) has sought the personal intervention of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for revival of Jammu & Kashmirs struggling poultry industry, warning that continued erosion of indigenous production could []

Relief to follow as per norms SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the Revenue portfolio, on Monday informed the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly that a detailed on-the-spot assessment of crop damage caused by the severe hailstorm in parts of Gulmarg Constituency is currently underway. Replying to a Calling Attention Notice by MLA []

SRINAGAR: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, on Monday informed the Legislative Assembly that the Government is taking a phased and need-based approach to strengthen health infrastructure and improve healthcare delivery in Bani Constituency. The Minister was Replying to a question raised by MLA Dr.Rameshwar Singh. The Minister informed the House that 50 []

SRINAGAR: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, on Monday informed the Legislative Assembly that the Government is taking all necessary measures to ensure that eligible and deserving rural households are duly considered under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) in accordance with the prescribed guidelines []

Takes stock of preparedness for next phase in districts across J&K SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Monday chaired a meeting of the UT Level Census Coordination Committee to review Census 2027 operations in snow-bound areas and preparations for the Population Enumeration exercise in the rest of Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting brought together []

SRINAGAR: Minister for FCS&CA, IT, Youth Services and Sports, Science and Technology, Satish Sharma on Monday held a series of meetings with various delegations, during which issues concerning youth, sports, transport, food and public distribution, information technology, science and technology, employment and public services were raised. The delegations, representing different groups, associations and sections of []

SRINAGAR: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labroo on Monday chaired a meeting of the District Road Safety Committee here at the Meeting Hall of the DC Office Complex to review the road safety scenario in the District. The DC assessed measures being taken by various Departments for prevention of road accidents and ensuring safer mobility []

SRINAGAR: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana on Monday convened a meeting of officers of the Jal Shakti Department from Doda and Bhaderwah at the Civil Secretariat here to review the progress of ongoing water supply schemes and development works in the areas. The Minister took a []

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Election Commission to decide the symbol dispute between rival Trinamool Congress factions within three months. The court said that the three-month period will begin from four weeks hence, within which both sides were directed to file all necessary responses and evidence. A bench of Chief Justice []

Raises climate risks for India NEW DELHI: The El Nino weather pattern is strengthening and is likely to become very strong in late 2026 and early 2027, the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) at Columbia University said, raising concerns over elevated climate risk for India. In its latest ENSO forecast, published []