Kashmir Reader

Srinagar at 1.4C, Gulmarg coldest at 12C Chilla-i-Kalan nears end Another wet spell likely from tomorrow Srinagar: After a day of widespread snowfall, gusty winds and rain, the weather improved in Kashmir on Saturday even though night temperatures were seen below the freezing point across the valley, officials said. Some areas, especially []

Invites public, especially school children, to join open event at Bakshi Stadium Srinagar: Kashmir Police chief V K Birdi on Saturday said strict, multi-tier security arrangements have been put in place to ensure peaceful Republic Day celebrations across the valley, and appealed to people to become a part of the event. Inspector General of Police []

Reiterates commitment to balanced, inclusive, equitable dev across J&K Srinagar: As part of the ongoing pre-budget consultations for the Budget Session 202627, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday continued his engagement with Members of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly from South and North Kashmir districts at the Civil Secretariat here. The meeting was attended []

Srinagar: The upcoming budget session of Jammu & Kashmir is expected to be stormy, with opposition parties, especially the Bharatiya Janata Party, set to challenge the National Conference-led government on a range of issues, from its pre-election commitments regarding freebies to what they describe as governance failures. In a clear indication that the BJP will []

New Delhi: As the world is going through a period of uncertainty, Indias youths must remain strong and be prepared to take on every challenge, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Saturday. In an address to a group of National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets, he also spoke of Indias befitting reply following the Pahalgam terror []

Jammu: Jammu Kashmir Lok Bhavan on Saturday hosted the grand celebrations of Uttar Pradesh Foundation Day at Jammu. Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha extended his heartiest greetings and best wishes to the people of Uttar Pradesh. He paid homage to the great luminaries, freedom fighters, and revolutionaries from the state and recalled []

JAMMU: Massive road clearance operations were underway to restore traffic on the SrinagarJammu National Highway and other key roads which remained closed for the second day on Saturday due to slippery conditions at different stretches following snowfall, officials said. Hundreds of commuters were evacuated to safety and provided food and shelter by the Army, police []

Srinagar: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Saturday ordered the transfer of two IPS officers serving in the Jammu and Kashmir segment of the AGMUT cadre to Puducherry. According to the official order, Divya D, serving as Superintendent of Police (SP) at the State Investigation Agency (SIA) Kashmir, and Raghav S, posted as []

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The BJP-ruled Thiruvananthapuram Corporation has imposed a fine on the party and lodged a police case over the installation of flex boards on footpaths in the city in connection with Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit, officials said on Saturday. Based on a complaint filed by the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation secretary, the Cantonment police registered a []

Srinagar: A day after snowfall disrupted air traffic and grounded several flights, normal operations resumed at the Srinagar airport today morning, officials said. However, several flights to and from Delhi airport were cancelled due to airspace closure in view of the Republic Day celebrations . An official said that six flights to and from Delhi []

BENGALURU: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said reports of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu flagging concerns over the VB-G RAM G Acts funding pattern are politically significant and have implications for Centre-State relations. These concerns assumed importance as they come from a key ally of the BJP whose support is critical to the []

Srinagar: A guesthouse was damaged in a fire mishap near the Dal Gate in Srinagar on Saturday morning, while a civilian was also injured in the incident, officials said. An official said that fire broke out from the guest house following which fire tenders rushed to the spot. He said that after strenuous efforts fire []

WASHINGTON: The Pentagon released a priority-shifting National Defense Strategy late Friday that chastised US allies to take control of their own security and reasserted the Trump administrations focus on dominance in the Western Hemisphere above a longtime goal of countering China. The 34-page document, the first since 2022, was highly political for a military blueprint, []

Calls for public procurement overhaul, MSME revival, policy reforms to ensure growth SRINAGAR: The Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK), the Valleys apex industrial chamber, has presented a substantive pre-budget memorandum to the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, flagging deep regional and sub-regional imbalances in industrial infrastructure and seeking urgent interventions to revive MSMEs, entrepreneurship, []

SRINAGAR: In response to the ongoing adverse weather conditions, including heavy snowfall, lightning, strong winds, and thunderstorms, police authorities across various districts in the region have established dedicated 247 emergency helpline services to assist the public and ensure safety. Ganderbal Police in Ganderbal have set up an emergency helpline to facilitate residents facing weather-related issues. []

SRINAGAR: Demonstrating unwavering commitment to public service and humanitarian duties, the Jammu &Kashmir Police have actively provided timely aid to tourists, patients, and local residents stranded due to the ongoing heavy snowfall and adverse weather conditions across Ganderbal, Shopian, Kulgam, and Kargil districts. Ganderbal Despite challenging conditions, police teams on the ground at Gund and []

HAJIN: The Municipal Committee (MC) Hajin on Friday cleared snow from interior link roads across the town following the recent snowfall. Officials said sanitation staff were pressed into service to remove snow from backlanes, narrow streets and interior areas where mechanical equipment could not be deployed. The exercise was aimed at ensuring pedestrian movement and []

Dr. Ghulam Rasool Hami expresses grief SRINAGAR: The eminent Islamic scholar and teacher of scholars, Ustad al-Ulama, Sheikh al-Hadith, Hazrat Sheikh Habib Al-Umar Al-Jilani, bid farewell to this mortal world during his journey from Jordan to Indonesia. and returned to his True Lord. His scholarly and spiritual services to the world are as evident as []

DC, Commissioner SMC distribute sanction letters, credit cards to street vendors SRINAGAR: In a major boost to financial inclusion and livelihood support for street vendors, the Prime Minister of India on Friday launched a dedicated credit card facility and disbursed loans to one lakh beneficiaries across the country under the PM SVANidhi Scheme, during a []

Visits old Bus Adda, District Hospital BUDGAM:Extensive snow clearance operations across Budgam district were on spot reviewed by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Budgam Dr. Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat, to ensure smooth connectivity and uninterrupted essential services during the ongoing winter conditions. The DC highlighted that all major and minor roads, including those leading to khag, Khanshaib []

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched various developmental projects and flagged off new train services in Kerala and said that a new realisation has emerged among the people about the Centres efforts for the states development. Speaking after launching the projects and flagging off the trains, Modi said the day marks a new []

Srinagar-Jammu highway closed Gulmarg gets over two feet snowfall Power, transportation services disrupted Authorities deploy machinery for snow clearance Srinagar: Most parts of Kashmir received fresh snowfall, including the seasons first in Srinagar city, leading to the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, and cancellation of over 20 flights here, officials []

Srinagar: Amid inclement weather conditions following widespread snowfall, gusty winds and snow storms, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday evening chaired a high-level meeting at the Civil Secretariat here to review the overall situation across Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting was attended by Minister Satish Sharma; Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta; []

Thiruvananthapuram: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched the UPI-linked PM SVANidhi Credit Card in Kerala to empower street vendors through accessible and interest-free digital credit. The initiative, launched during his visit to the state, marks a step forward in the governments ongoing efforts to strengthen financial inclusion and support informal sector workers. Speaking at []

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India was establishing itself as a resolute nation and knows how to increase its power, manage it responsibly and use it. The prime minister was addressing a function to celebrate Parakram Diwas, the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. He said that a weak nation []

Chairs meeting with traders, industrialists, educationists, agriculturists Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday chaired a pre-Budget consultation meeting with key stakeholders at the Civil Secretariat here to gather inputs and perspectives from various sectors ahead of the Budget 202627 of Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting was attended by Ministers Sakina Itoo, Javaid Ahmad Dar []

Srinagar: Continuing the series of pre-budget consultations ahead of the forthcoming Budget Session, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday chaired a comprehensive meeting at the Civil Secretariat here with Members of the Legislative Assembly from Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal districts. The meeting was attended by Minister Javaid Ahmad Dar, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief []

Srinagar: The Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union (KVFG) has urged the Jammu and Kashmir Government to allocate substantial funds for the horticulture sector in the Budget Estimates for 202627, citing repeated natural disasters, mounting losses, and long-pending structural gaps that threaten the backbone of the Valleys economy. In a detailed memorandum submitted to []

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday attended the Silver Jubilee commemorative event of the Shri Baba Kashi Vishwanath Seva Samiti at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. In his address, the Lieutenant Governor hailed the Shri Baba Kashi Vishwanath Seva Samitis 25-year legacy of dedication and unwavering commitment to service. True faith lives in selfless service; real []

Nihalpora feed yet to be restored Hajin: The power supply to the Sonawari belt fed from the Badampora Grid Station has been fully restored, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Sumbal told Kashmir Reader that, electricity has been restored in Madwan, Hajin, Hakbara, Wangipora, Nowgam and Safapora areas, with all feeders in these zones now []

Priority roads cleared, power supply restored in Hajin, Sumbal Hajin: As heavy snowfall continues to disrupt normal life across north Kashmir, the administration in Sonawari subdivision has intensified snow clearance operations to ensure smooth movement and restoration of essential services. Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Sumbal told Kashmir Kashmir Reader that more than ten []

Srinagar:Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said that the recent snowfall across the Kashmir Valley, despite causing losses and disruptions, is essential for the regions long-term water security and meeting summer water demands. Talking to reporters, CM Omar, said, Strong winds have crippled the power system, reducing electricity supply to about 100 MW against []

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Friday said that the active power load in the valley is less than 100 Megawatts (MW) as against the usual 1700 MW. Taking to the microblogging site X, the CM tweeted, As per KPDCL, the active power load in the valley is less than 100 MW []

Srinagar: Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir Zone, V K Birdi on Friday said that multi-layered security arrangements have been put in place across the Kashmir Valley, including Srinagar, to ensure peaceful Republic Day celebrations. Talking to reporters, IGP Birdi, said that the Jammu and Kashmir Police, along with paramilitary forces, have tightened the security []

Srinagar: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K has produced a chargesheet before the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Budgam, against a Srinagar resident accused of forging property documents to fraudulently claim ownership of a housing plot at Government Housing Colony, Ompora, Budgam. According to a statement the Economic Offences Wing []

Directs concerned officers to ensure top-notch preparedness Extends open invitation to general public for participation at Bakshi Stadium SRINAGAR: In preparation for the forthcoming Republic Day celebrations, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, on Thursday visited Bakshi Stadium, the main venue for the event, to review the status of arrangements and ensure final readiness. During the []

Seeks suspension of announced results, transparent inquiry into matter SRINAGAR: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari expressed his grave concern over the disproportionate shortlisting of candidates in the Civil Services (Judicial) Mains Examination. In his statement Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, It is a matter of serious concern that only 13 out of 124 []

Locals, environmentalists demand urgent action as chemical pollution threatens fragile aquatic ecosystem; DC Ganderbal assures action against culprits KANGAN: The illegal use of bleaching powder to kill and catch trout fish in Nallah Sindh in the Kangan area of central Kashmirs Ganderbal is reportedly continuing unabated, triggering serious environmental concerns and raising questions over []

HAJIN: Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Sonawari Hilal Akbar Lone on Thursday said he would not allow the people of Hajin to feel neglected and assured of equitable development across the constituency. Lone said Hajin would receive its due share of development works, at par with other areas of the Sonawari constituency. Several development projects []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Womens Wing State President and MLA Habba Kadal, Adv. Shameema Firdous Thursday distributed financial assistance to families affected by recent fire incidents in various localities of the constituency. Firdous distributed cheques worth 17.75 lakh among fire-affected families of Ganpatyar, Karphali Mohalla, Narparistan, Fateh Kadal, and Dukan-e-Sangeen. As part []

PM, HM, CM, LG, others condole loss of lives Srinagar: An Army vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, killing 10 soldiers and injuring 11 others, officials said. The accident took place at the 9000-feet-high Khanni top along Bhaderwah-Chamba interstate road around []

Thanks CM Omar Abdullah for timely intervention SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Thursday welcomed the resolution of the long-pending college allocation issue concerning the selected MBBS candidates of the now de-recognised Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME), describing it as a major relief for the affected students and []

SRINAGAR: To mark the Phase II of commemoration of 150 years of the national song Vande Mataram, a district level event was held on Thursday at the Government College of Education (GCoE), Srinagar. The programme organized by District Administration Srinagar in collaboration with Government College of Education, Srinagar was presided over by Deputy Commissioner (DC) []

Srinagar: A 65-year-old woman was found dead with her throat slit in the Nowshera area of Srinagar on Thursday, officials said, adding that a manhunt has been launched to nab the domestic help, who is suspected of killing her. An official said that the woman was found dead inside her home and upon receiving the []

DHAKA: Campaigning began on Thursday for Bangladeshs first national elections since the 2024 uprising that ousted longtime Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The major political parties held campaign rallies in the capital, Dhaka, and elsewhere ahead of February 12 election, which is seen as the most consequential in Bangladeshs history as it follows Hasinas ouster and []

Srinagar: At least soldiers died and as many were injured after an Army vehicle went down into a deep gorge at the Khannitop on the Bhaderwah-Chamba road in Doda district today morning, officials said. An official said that the Armys Casper vehicle fell into the gorge near the Khannitop when a team was heading []

BHADERWAH/JAMMU: Four Army personnel were killed and nine others injured when their vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, officials said. The accident took place at Khanni top along Bhaderwah-Chamba interstate road. Officials said the bullet-proof Army vehicle, carrying a total of []

Baramulla: With Republic Day celebrations approaching, security arrangements across North Kashmir have been intensified. In this connection, a comprehensive multi-agency security review meeting was chaired on Tuesday by DIG North Kashmir Range, Maqsood-ul-Zaman (IPS), at the District Police Lines (DPL) Baramulla. The meeting was attended by senior officers from the Army, CRPF, BSF, District []

Srinagar: Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Akshay Labroo on Thursday said that the administration is fully prepared in view of the forecast for heavy rain and snowfall across Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking with reporters on the sidelines of a function, Akshay Labroo, said, said that we are only waiting for snow. Let it snow, we are fully []

Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the Finance portfolio in Jammu & Kashmir, will consult Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) to seek their suggestions and inputs as part of the pre-budget exercise for 2026-27. According to the schedule, the Chief Minister will hold separate meetings with MLAs representing North Kashmir, South []